All posts tagged: offensive

Paris synagogue celebrates Purim amid concerns over Israel’s offensive in Iran

Paris synagogue celebrates Purim amid concerns over Israel’s offensive in Iran

Published by Sam Flores

The Roquette synagogue, located in Paris’s 11th arrondissement. PASCAL DELOCHE/ PHOTONONSTOP VIA AFP Suddenly, a tremendous uproar shattered the devout silence in the Roquette synagogue in Paris on Monday evening, March 2. The congregation, smiling and joyful, some in costume, stamped their feet, spun noisemakers and let out small cries. In keeping with Purim tradition, every time the name “Haman,” the high-ranking official of the Persian Empire who tried to destroy the Jewish people, was mentioned during the reading of the Book of Esther, noise was made to blot out his memory. Purim celebrates the victory of Queen Esther, the Jewish wife of the Persian King Ahasuerus, over this grand vizier and the salvation of her people. On this evening, worshippers rejoiced, greeted one another, gathered with family and friends and exchanged gifts. Behind their smiles, however, many present on Rue de la Roquette on Monday admitted to feeling anxious. On Saturday, February 28, it was at the synagogue that some learned of the coordinated attack by the United States and Israel against Iran – …

Politics Home | Keir Starmer Says UK Not Joining US And Israel “Offensive Strikes” On Iran

Politics Home | Keir Starmer Says UK Not Joining US And Israel “Offensive Strikes” On Iran

Published by Sam Flores

Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the House of Commons on Monday afternoon (Alamy) 4 min read2 hr Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that the UK will not join the US and Israeli offensive strikes on Iran, but will continue its “defensive actions” to protect British civilians and military personnel in the region. Over the weekend, the US and Israel carried out military strikes deep inside Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials. Iran has retaliated by firing missiles and drones across the Middle East, targeting Gulf states and military positions. The states targeted by Iran are UK allies, and where thousands of Brits are based. British officials publicly stated the UK military did not participate in the US/Israeli strikes and did not endorse the offensive military actions. However, on Sunday evening, Starmer announced that the UK had agreed to grant the US permission to use British military bases for “limited and specific” defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites and launchers. The government says that it is protecting British people …

BBC apologises for ‘strong and offensive language’ heard at BAFTAs, after racial slur yelled during ceremony | Ents & Arts News

BBC apologises for ‘strong and offensive language’ heard at BAFTAs, after racial slur yelled during ceremony | Ents & Arts News

Published by Sam Flores

The BBC has apologised after a racial slur was shouted during the BAFTAs while two black actors were on stage. A clip emerged online of an audience member yelling an offensive word as Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo, stars of vampire horror Sinners, presented the first award of the evening on Sunday night. Both men appeared to pause after the insult was heard, then continued their presentation. US entertainment outlet Variety reported other incidents throughout the ceremony, including an individual shouting “shut the f*** up” at BAFTA chair Sara Putt and someone saying “f*** you” as the award for best children’s and family film was being accepted. The BBC attributed the outbursts to an attendee with Tourette syndrome. You need javascript enabled to view this content Enable javascript to share Share BAFTAs summed up in 60 seconds A spokesperson said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards 2026. “This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence …

London Bridge terror attack officer sacked over ‘offensive’ Traveller messages | UK News

London Bridge terror attack officer sacked over ‘offensive’ Traveller messages | UK News

Published by Sam Flores

One of the first police officers on the scene of the 2017 London Bridge terror attack has been sacked for gross misconduct for his use of the word “pikey” in messages about Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller people. In one WhatsApp message, Detective Constable Mark Luker of British Transport Police used the term “dags”. He was referencing a scene from the Guy Ritchie film Snatch in which Stephen Graham’s character struggles to understand Brad Pitt’s character’s accent when he mentions dogs, the misconduct panel heard. In another message Mr Luker referred to “scrap metal, lead roofing and cable”, which he accepted was a joke to link theft to the Irish Traveller community, the panel was told. The panel concluded he was likely aware the language was “offensive” to a minority community and ruled it gross misconduct. But it accepted that DC Luker is not “inherently racist”. The panel wrote: “As an experienced BTP police officer used to dealing with a whole range of people, the panel found that, on the balance of probabilities, he probably would …

Rams Promote Nate Scheelhaase to Offensive Coordinator, AP Source Says

Rams Promote Nate Scheelhaase to Offensive Coordinator, AP Source Says

Published by Sam Flores

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams are promoting assistant Nate Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Rams haven’t made a full announcement of coach Sean McVay’s new staff for the upcoming season. Scheelhaase replaces Mike LaFleur, who became the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach this month. The 35-year-old Scheelhaase became a rising star in NFL coaching circles last season. He interviewed for at least five head coaching vacancies in the past two months. He spent the previous two years as a top offensive assistant to McVay and LaFleur, receiving the title of pass game coordinator last season while the Rams went 14-6 and reached the NFC title game. Although McVay calls Los Angeles’ plays and leads the design of their offense, Scheelhaase will be the Rams’ fifth offensive coordinator during McVay’s 10 seasons in charge. All four assistants who previously held that title have gone on to become head coaches, as …

Leading MEP Van Overtveldt was offensive to female security guard, union tells Metsola – POLITICO

Leading MEP Van Overtveldt was offensive to female security guard, union tells Metsola – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

According to the letter from USPE, which represents staff working in the Parliament, a security officer working on the gates of the institution’s Brussels building challenged Van Overtveldt as he attempted to enter with his wife, whose entourage pass for family members had expired. “In response to the security staff’s insistence that he should comply with the institutional rules, he asked to see the badge of the security officer in charge in order to identify her, then angrily threw her document on the floor,” the letter to Metsola, dated, Feb. 16, said. “Subsequently, when the security guard asked him to be respectful, pointing out that he was talking to a human being, the MEP responded with an offensive remark, comparing her to a pet (his own dog) and thereby humiliating and demeaning her in front of others,” the letter said. Van Overtveldt said that he doesn’t have a dog or a pet of any kind and is “practically sure I didn’t use that kind of words.” “If I did so, then certainly that was not …

Macron’s India charm offensive: Can defence deals draw Delhi closer to Europe? – The Debate

Macron’s India charm offensive: Can defence deals draw Delhi closer to Europe? – The Debate

Published by Sam Flores

There’s trade deals, there’s partnerships and then there’s fighter jets. French President Emmanuel Macron is in Mumbai to put the finishing touches on a €30 billion sale of 114 Rafale jets. This third batch comes as France struggles to convince European neighbours to either buy its warplanes, build one together or – at the very least – get NATO allies to de-risk from relying on US-made F-35s.  On the Indian side, there’s scrutiny over how Rafale sales have gone so far, both with cost and in combat. Then there’s the question of how much Delhi weens itself off historic supplier Russia. And what goes for military hardware goes for oil imports, what with US pressure to stop buying discounted crude from Moscow. On that score, what to make of fast-tracked trade deals with Washington and the European Union? How much strategic autonomy can both India and France afford in a realigning world? Produced by Charles Wente, Aline Bottin, Daniel Whittington and Ilayda Habip Source link

‘This is offensive’: Readers say France’s baby push misses the real pressures facing women

‘This is offensive’: Readers say France’s baby push misses the real pressures facing women

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore The French government’s push to remind young women to have children has prompted a strong reaction from Independent readers. France plans to send a letter to all 29-year-olds urging them to have children before it’s “too late.” The health ministry says it will give thousands of young people clear, science-based information on sexual and reproductive health to prevent regrets later. For many, the letters felt insulting and out of touch. Commenters pointed to the huge pressures women already face – including high childcare costs and the challenges of balancing work and family. They argued governments should focus on practical support like tax breaks, flexible work, and affordable childcare, rather than sending reminders to procreate. Some readers , however, acknowledged the demographic worries. Falling birth rates and an ageing population pose real economic challenges, from funding pensions to maintaining the workforce. Others …

Keir Starmer slams Jim Ratcliffe for ‘offensive’ comment | Politics | News

Keir Starmer slams Jim Ratcliffe for ‘offensive’ comment | Politics | News

Published by Sam Flores

The Prime Minister hit back on Wednesday night by calling the Manchester United co-owner’s comments “offensive and wrong”. In a post on X, Sir Keir added: “Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.” In an interview with Sky News, the businessman said politicians needed to “do some difficult things with the UK to get it back on track”. The founder and chairman of one of the world’s largest chemical companies, Ineos, shared why he believes Britain faces profound political, social and economic challenges. He said: “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in. “I mean, the UK is being colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants.” Sir Jim added: “If you really want to deal with the major issues of immigration, with people opting to take benefits rather than working for a living, if you want to deal with that, then you are going to have to do some things which are unpopular and …

Russian offensive appears to be slowing after Musk blocks Starlink access, Ukraine says – POLITICO

Russian offensive appears to be slowing after Musk blocks Starlink access, Ukraine says – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

“In fact, they [Russian units] have problems now. They are like blind kittens,” a Ukrainian General Staff commanders told POLITICO separately, also granted anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. On Friday, Russian military bloggers, who in the past have praised Musk for his anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, complained about the mass failure of terminals for the Starlink satellite service that began on the evening on Feb. 4 on the frontline in Ukraine.  “The Russian Armed Forces used gray Starlinks to organize communications at the front. The danger is that it was an easy way compared to doing something new, pulling an ever-breaking optical fiber, setting up ‘bridges,’ or even working en masse with digital stations to organize the transmission of small data packets,” Russian pro-war military Telegram channel Dva Mayora, said in a post on Thursday. “Gray” Starlink terminals are ones that are not authorized or verified. “Now it’s either the old-fashioned way, or they’ll come up with something of their own urgently,” the bloggers added, blaming Musk for assisting the Ukrainian army. Earlier this week, Ukraine’s Defense …