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Turkish Writer Ece Temelkuran Discusses Europe's Concept of Home
Worldel-mundo24d ago

Turkish Writer Ece Temelkuran Discusses Europe's Concept of Home

Turkish writer Ece Temelkuran argues that Europe must redefine its concept of home to survive, otherwise it risks becoming a 'corpse museum.' Her work, 'The Nation of Strangers,' explores themes of lost homeland, loneliness, and the strength of belonging for refugees and immigrants.

From strangers to lovers: How this startup is simulating the 'meet-cute' with AI
TechnologyBusiness Insider2mo ago

From strangers to lovers: How this startup is simulating the 'meet-cute' with AI

222 cofounders Keyan Kazemian, Arman Roshannai, and Danial Hashemi. 222 Can AI make meeting new people — platonic or not — easier? 222, a startup that sets up strangers for IRL experiences, is betting AI can help relationships. The startup recently raised millions to build out its tech. It'd be nice to meet someone the old-fashioned way: Passing by them on the street, meeting at a restaurant, or sharing an exchange at a party. However, apps dominate the modern dating experience, replacing k...

In Defense Of Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Opinionzerohedge2mo ago

In Defense Of Sir Jim Ratcliffe

In Defense Of Sir Jim Ratcliffe Authored by Charles Johnson via TheCritic.co.uk, Far more energy has gone into condemning his phrasing than confronting the questions he raised... Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s statement that Britain has been “colonised by immigrants” has sparked a fierce reaction. From Starmer to Bluesky, to the Athletic and all the football social media pundits in between, the co-owner of  Manchester United has been bombarded with the same attack lines repeatedly. He has been called a tax dodging, racist immigrant hypocrite. Such an uproar has flared up in such a short space of time because Ratcliffe is radically different from those who have issued similar statements before. Ratcliffe is not a political figure: you do not see billionaires nor football club owners voicing discontent like this. The pushback has been fierce because Ratcliffe has no political incentive to say any of this. He isn’t running for office, seeking favour, or chasing votes — which makes his intervention harder to dismiss. Part of the backlash, too, reflects an unease that his diagnosis may be accurate. The remarks came from an initial conversation regarding the economic challenges Britain faces in general, not solely on immigration. The snippet that has been so widely shared is merely part of a wider statement of the economic problems Britain faces; Ratcliffe refers to the issues of “immigration” and “nine million people” on benefits simultaneously. Manchester United part-owner has told @EdConwaySky the UK has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, as he warns of the country facing profound political, social and economic challenges. 🔗 https://t.co/bie6uFZ1Tp pic.twitter.com/qFpiO0HkfO February 11, 2026 Colonised is a strong opening salvo for a figure such as Ratcliffe, who is not known for any previous anti-migration stance. This generated responses of tone policing from his critics – cries that his choice of words were “disgraceful and deeply divisive” and that “this language and leadership has no place in English football” from Kick It Out, a notable “Anti Racism” football pressure group. There was no attempt to argue or debate: this was no more than tone policing, of “mate mate mate, you can’t say that mate”. It did not engage with the substantive point. It was not an argument. The Prime Minister has pushed for Ratcliffe to apologise. Less than a year ago, Starmer was referring to Britain as an ”Island of Strangers”; he has little argument here. Sir Ed Davey has stated that Ratcliffe is “totally wrong” and is “out of step with British Values”. Once again this is weak tone policing, not an argument. Regardless, which British values are being violated in particular? What are British values precisely meant to mean here? The fact is that Ratcliffe’s vocabulary choice is nowhere near as divisive as the impacts of mass migration in the last quarter century. Mass migration is the most important issue in British political debate. It has bought sectarianism, Bengali and Palestinian politics swinging both local council and Parliamentary elections, a deepening of housing crisis, the rape and murder of British women from taxpayer funded hotels and programs which bloat the welfare state even further. It is undeniable mass migration has defined British politics of the 2010s onwards. It has been much more harmful and divisive than any comment made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. His words are nothing compared to the actions of Deng Chol Majek, or Hedash Kebatu, to name a couple of examples. Critics have also cried that Ratcliffe is “an immigrant himself, dodging tax in Monaco”. The difference between Ratcliffe and migration into Britain is so different they are almost incomparable. In the 2017/18 tax year Ratcliffe was the fifth highest taxpayer in the country, footing a bill of £110.5 million. With such an extraordinarily high bill, it is no wonder that he has since moved to Monaco. Meanwhile, the average salary of of a migrant entering Britain in 2023 (which has fallen by £10,000 since 2021) was £32,946, according to a report by the Centre for Migration Control. From this we can estimate a migrant would pay about £5,000 in income tax. That means it would take over 22,000 (statistically average) migrants to foot the tax bill that Ratcliffe paid in one year alone. Ratcliffe has been an exceptional cash cow to the British state. He has been taxed incredible amounts and contributed more to this country than almost anyone currently living; to call him hypocritical since he dared to criticise migration and its impact on the welfare state is simply not fair. Census data from the ONS in 2021 shows that migrants from four nations – Somalia, Nigeria, Jamaica and Bangladesh – head over 104,000 social homes in London alone. With such incredible numbers of subsidised housing going to foreign born nationals, it is absolutely correct to state that mass migration is costing the British economy a fortune. The same census states that over 70% of Somali born households are in social housing in England and Wales, whilst also being of lowest contributors to income tax in the nation – paying well under the £5,000 stated per head previously. The increase and sheer scale of benefit reliance for many immigrants in Britain is not sustainable, and it is a problem that is right to be addressed. Perhaps the most nonsensical argument presented by some is that as co-owner of Manchester United he employs a significant number of immigrant players. Bruno Fernandes is not living in social housing in Wythenshawe. Benjamin Sesko is not in a single bed council flat in Hulme. When he arrived in Manchester last year, the first thing Senne Lammens did was not register for Universal Credit. Not a single foreign player is a drain on the state. They are, as elite athletes in the most lucrative league in the world, very clearly exceptions to the norm of British migration. The difference between Bruno Fernandes, who earns a reported £300,000 a week, and the over 40% of Bangladeshi immigrants who are economically inactive should really not need spelling out. We are referring to just 17 foreign senior team players who all earn more in a week than the average migrant – or Brit – will earn in a year. It is ludicrous  to even attempt to compare the two. Regardless, employing or working with immigrants does not mean you waive your right to criticise the state of affairs in Britain. As an Englishman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has a given and inalienable right to comment on the affairs of his country. Ratcliffe’s critics have entirely focused on his choice of the word “colonised”, and how they consider it inflammatory. This choice of phrase was not entirely accurate or intentional by Ratcliffe – proved by the fact he issued an apology over his “choice of language”, rather than the substance and argument behind his critique of the broader economic challenge of Britain. The bottom line is, Ratcliffe was right to raise a perfectly reasonable concern. He is directionally correct, and close enough to the truth that the obsessive focus around his phrasing is both absurd and clearly no more than a tactic to dodge the substance of his argument entirely. His critics have been intentionally evasive around the underlying subject: it is a harsh, necessary truth they have no reply too. They avoid the debate because, despite his wording being wrong, Ratcliffe is right. Tyler Durden Tue, 02/17/2026 - 06:30

Gisèle Pelicot: The Newsnight Interview review – you can only gaze admiringly at her strength and grace
OpinionThe Guardian2mo ago

Gisèle Pelicot: The Newsnight Interview review – you can only gaze admiringly at her strength and grace

Mme Pelicot’s innate dignity shines through, as she explains why she waived her anonymity – after her husband drugged her so that dozens of men could sexually assault her It’s hard to judge an interview with Gisèle Pelicot in the normal terms. Let’s start with the easy bit: Victoria Derbyshire is the ideal interlocutor. The co-presenter of Newsnight has a kind of steely warmth that meshes well with the innate dignity of Mme Pelicot – as she is called throughout – while they walk unflinchingly through her terrible story. Her “descent into hell” began on 2 November 2020 when the local police called her and her husband, Dominique Pelicot, to the station. They believed it was to do with his recent arrest for covertly taking pictures underneath the skirts of three women in the supermarket. It was not. In the course of that investigation they had found on his laptop thousands upon thousands of videos and photographs accumulated over a decade of his wife unconscious and being raped by strangers. Continue reading...

Limerick Photographer Captures Acts of Kindness
Cultureirish-independent25d ago

Limerick Photographer Captures Acts of Kindness

A Limerick photographer is highlighted for sharing snapshots of kindness between strangers, describing it as their way of connecting with people and documenting the city's quieter stories amidst its physical transformation.

The Art of Talking to Strangers
CultureThe Guardian2mo ago

The Art of Talking to Strangers

An article explores the benefits and methods of engaging in conversations with strangers in public, advocating for its enriching impact on individuals and society.

I visited a speakeasy hidden inside Denver Airport. It wasn't what I expected, but I had a lot of fun.
CultureBusiness Insider2mo ago

I visited a speakeasy hidden inside Denver Airport. It wasn't what I expected, but I had a lot of fun.

I visited Denver Airport's hidden bar, Williams & Graham. Kasia Kovacs I visited Williams & Graham, a speakeasy hidden inside Denver International Airport. The bar had an extensive cocktail menu and a decent amount of food options, too. My drink was pretty good, and the experience was a fun way to pass the time during my layover. Flying internationally in the winter can be difficult — crowded airports sometimes turn into a no-man's land of grumpy travelers, downcast due to bad weather and flight delays. But I know one thing can make that trip more bearable: a cocktail. Especially when it's in a themed bar. During a recent 16-hour journey from the UK to the US, I decided to visit a speakeasy called Williams & Graham during my layover at the Denver International Airport. Although I was initially nervous the concept would be cheesy, it made for a fun way to pass the time. Here's what it was like. The entrance was hidden, but it wasn't hard to find The hostess made finding the speakeasy simple. Kasia Kovacs The entrance to Williams & Graham, located near Gate A38, is disguised by a curved bookshelf. An observant passerby would notice clues — like the hostess with a bright smile standing next to a red velvet rope — that this wasn't any old bookcase. There was also prominent Williams & Graham signage. When I walked up to the hostess, I was told the wait would be about 15 to 20 minutes. As I waited for a table, I watched a steady stream of people try to get in, and the wait time rose to 25 minutes. After calling my name, the hostess pulled open the bookshelf, which turned into a door and revealed the bar. The door to the bar was hidden inside a bookshelf. Kasia Kovacs Although not exactly large, the speakeasy had more space than I expected for an airport location. The lights were dimmed, which made the atmosphere feel more bar-like after leaving the sterile lighting of an airport. I was given a seat at the fully stocked bar, which felt appropriate for a solo traveler. The menu had a good amount of options There were 26 different cocktails on the menu. Kasia Kovacs All cocktails were $18, and the menu included a mix of both classic and unique house options, with names like "Becky with the Good Hair" and "Swol Juice." The price felt steep for my own day-to-day spending, but considering that airport prices are notoriously high, I was almost surprised they weren't more expensive. I counted 26 cocktails on the menu, which felt like a good range of options for travelers in a time crunch. The menu didn't list specific beer or wine offerings, but patrons could ask a server about the selection if they were interested. Along with cocktails, the menu had food items like mac and cheese, a burger, and the occasional French-themed dish like ratatouille. The entrées ranged in price from $14.20 to $28.80. Since I didn't want to miss my flight, I stuck with a drink. But I noticed a few people around me ordering meals, including a hefty, juicy-looking burger and frog legs, described on the menu as "frog booties." I enjoyed my drink and thought the speakeasy was a fun way to pass the time I ordered a whisky-based cocktail called the Highland Lass. Kasia Kovacs I ordered the Highland Lass, a whiskey-based cocktail made with Glenfiddich 12, yellow Chartreuse liqueur, lemon, cucumber, honey, and ginger. The drink went down smoothly, and the whiskey, honey, and ginger felt comforting. Although it was an iced cocktail, the combination felt like warmth on a winter's day. I also enjoyed the bit of sweetness that didn't feel too overwhelming. Though nothing spectacular, it was a pleasant drink. Overall, although the idea of an airport speakeasy is a bit camp, the drinks were nice enough for an airport bar, and the atmosphere was friendly. For me, a cocktail and conversations with strangers were fun ways to distract me from the woes of a layover. Read the original article on Business Insider

Reflection on Humanity's Disconnect from Nature in Africa
Environmentmyjoyonline16d ago

Reflection on Humanity's Disconnect from Nature in Africa

A commentary reflects on a quiet contradiction unfolding across Africa, where societies are increasingly treating trees as strangers and forgetting their ancestral understanding of the sacred value of natural environments like forests, rivers, and wetlands.

CultureThe Observer26d ago

The Comfort of Talking to Strangers on a Bench

This article explores the unexpected comfort and connection found in casual conversations with strangers, particularly when sharing a public space like a bench. It delves into the simple joys of human interaction.

Review: French-Canadian sex comedy 'Two Women' remake
CultureThe Guardian1mo ago

Review: French-Canadian sex comedy 'Two Women' remake

Chloé Robichaud's new film, a remake of the 1970 French-Canadian sex comedy "Two Women," is reviewed as a tale of two women who tire of their partners and arrange sex with strangers, though it's deemed not sexy enough for erotica nor real enough for drama.

I got my cavapoo a fake service dog badge. He never got carded.
CultureBusiness Insider1mo ago

I got my cavapoo a fake service dog badge. He never got carded.

Dolly Faibyshev for BI My dog is a very good dog. Strangers stop in their tracks to meet him. Coffee shops, wine stores, and doormen hand out treats when he visits. He smiles. My dog, with his wide, caramel, human-like eyes, hypoallergenic fur, and drawer of seasonal and themed bandanas would never cause a problem. I'm sure that's what everyone with a dog thinks about their own best friend, but the unleashing of a pro-dog culture over the past decade has spiraled out of control. It seems dog...

Anthony Chen’s Berlin Competition Film ‘We Are All Strangers’ Scores Major Worldwide Deals for Paradise City Sales (EXCLUSIVE)
Culturevariety2mo ago

Anthony Chen’s Berlin Competition Film ‘We Are All Strangers’ Scores Major Worldwide Deals for Paradise City Sales (EXCLUSIVE)

Anthony Chen’s Berlinale competition title “We Are All Strangers” has proven to be a hot title, with Paris-based Paradise City Sales locking in distribution partners across the world. The film made history as the first Singaporean entry ever to compete in Berlin’s main competition section. Among the deals closed are ARP Selection (France), Curzon (U.K. […]

The kindness of strangers: I was exhausted wrangling my two young kids – then a man popped $2 into the coin-op ride
CultureThe Guardian2mo ago

The kindness of strangers: I was exhausted wrangling my two young kids – then a man popped $2 into the coin-op ride

When I was feeling utterly worn out, a stranger came along to give my kids joy Read more in the kindness of strangers series I was completely exhausted. While wrangling two kids aged under three, my husband and I had just moved all the way from the Kimberley to Tasmania. I remember being totally sleep deprived and trying to furnish a new house entirely from op-shops, without a support network around. I was so tired I’d recently driven the car into the fence at home – that’s the level of exh...