csmonitor--2020-10-09--Q&A with with Alan Mikhail, author of ‘God’s Shadow’

Selim I served as leader of the Ottoman Empire from 1512 to 1520 .
But in that short time he transformed the Islamic world and set the stage for international power struggles that still hold sway .
Yale University professor Alan Mikhail spoke about why the sultan deserves to be remembered as a crucial player in world history .
Q : How was the Ottoman Empire at the center of the world ?
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella , the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire , and the popes are all obsessed with the Ottomans and Islam and see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Columbus looking for an alternative route to Asia at this time ?
It ’ s to get around Islam – the lands of the Ottoman Empire and other Muslim powers .
We ’ ve missed this story .
Part of what I want to do in the book is restore the Ottomans to the tale of the making of the modern world – the voyages over the Atlantic Ocean , the rise of Protestantism , and the rise of various states , and the rise of capitalism .
The Ottomans have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Selim I achieved the largest geographical expansion of the Ottoman Empire in its history , putting it on three continents and giving it an almost complete monopoly over trade between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean world .
He gives the empire the shape that it will have until World War I. Q : What makes him so powerful ?
He ’ s aggressive and willing to use the force of arms to achieve political ends .
Q : How do women wield influence in the Ottoman royal world ?
The women who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests in their sons because as their fortunes rise , so do the mothers ’ .
They make sure their sons get an excellent education , and they help maneuver them into advantageous positions to take over the throne .
And they ’ re the ones governing in the provinces [ as regents ] .
That ’ s because their sons are sent off to posts as governors when they ’ re as young as 8 years old to prove their mettle .
Q : Do the sultan ’ s sons compete against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up so they are all half-brothers , since they have different mothers .
It ’ s survival of the fittest with teams of mothers and sons pitted against each other .
The thinking is that a prince who ’ s able to maneuver , use violence , and be strategic to achieve the throne is probably going to be the best one at the job .
Q : What ’ s the overall message of your book ?
The major takeaway is that Muslims have actually been integral to our history – in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long time .
This might set the stage for us to see Muslims as something other than enemies , refugees , or terrorists , people that we somehow have to deal with .
In fact , they ’ re integral to our world .
Q : Do you have hopes that conflict between the West and Islam can be overcome ?
There are plenty of examples in the history of Muslims , Christians , and Jews interacting , and the Ottoman Empire is one of them .
At the same time that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jews and Christians in the Ottoman Empire are living quite peacefully with Muslims .
I don ’ t want to say that there were never any discrimination or acts of violence against religious minorities .
But they have communal rights , and they have access to their own legal systems and courts .
The empire was able to manage this vast difference and diversity for hundreds of years .

Selim I served as leader of the Ottoman Empire from 1512 to 1520. But in that short time he transformed the Islamic world and set the stage for international power struggles that still hold sway. Yale University professor Alan Mikhail spoke about why the sultan deserves to be remembered as a crucial player in world history.
Q: How was the Ottoman Empire at the center of the world?
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and the popes are all obsessed with the Ottomans and Islam and see them as a threat. And why is Columbus looking for an alternative route to Asia at this time? It’s to get around Islam – the lands of the Ottoman Empire and other Muslim powers.
We’ve missed this story. Part of what I want to do in the book is restore the Ottomans to the tale of the making of the modern world – the voyages over the Atlantic Ocean, the rise of Protestantism, and the rise of various states, and the rise of capitalism. The Ottomans have a hand in each of those processes.
Q: Why focus on Selim I?
Selim I achieved the largest geographical expansion of the Ottoman Empire in its history, putting it on three continents and giving it an almost complete monopoly over trade between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean world. He gives the empire the shape that it will have until World War I.
Q: What makes him so powerful?
He’s aggressive and willing to use the force of arms to achieve political ends.
Q: How do women wield influence in the Ottoman royal world?
The women who provide the sultan with heirs have vested interests in their sons because as their fortunes rise, so do the mothers’. They make sure their sons get an excellent education, and they help maneuver them into advantageous positions to take over the throne. And they’re the ones governing in the provinces [as regents]. That’s because their sons are sent off to posts as governors when they’re as young as 8 years old to prove their mettle.
Q: Do the sultan’s sons compete against each other?
The system is set up so they are all half-brothers, since they have different mothers. It’s survival of the fittest with teams of mothers and sons pitted against each other. The thinking is that a prince who’s able to maneuver, use violence, and be strategic to achieve the throne is probably going to be the best one at the job.
Q: What’s the overall message of your book?
The major takeaway is that Muslims have actually been integral to our history – in America and in the West – for a long time. This might set the stage for us to see Muslims as something other than enemies, refugees, or terrorists, people that we somehow have to deal with. In fact, they’re integral to our world.
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Q: Do you have hopes that conflict between the West and Islam can be overcome?
There are plenty of examples in the history of Muslims, Christians, and Jews interacting, and the Ottoman Empire is one of them. At the same time that Spain is expelling its Jews and Muslims, Jews and Christians in the Ottoman Empire are living quite peacefully with Muslims. I don’t want to say that there were never any discrimination or acts of violence against religious minorities. But they have communal rights, and they have access to their own legal systems and courts. The empire was able to manage this vast difference and diversity for hundreds of years.


csmonitor--2020-10-09--Q&A with with David Michaelis, author of ‘Eleanor’

David Michaelis thinks of Eleanor Roosevelt as “ under understood.
” The acclaimed biographer , whose previous subjects include Peanuts creator Charles Schulz and illustrator N.C. Wyeth , aims to change that with his cinematic account of America ’ s longest-serving first lady , titled , simply , “ Eleanor.
” The book covers her lonely childhood ; her frosty marriage to her distant cousin Franklin ; their White House years , dominated by the Depression and World War II ; her intimate relationships outside their marriage , most significantly with journalist Lorena Hickok ; and her widowhood , during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human rights .
Q : A great deal has been written about Eleanor Roosevelt .
Why does she merit a new biography now ?
We all think we know her and have an image of her in our mind , but there are so many nuances to her .
I felt this woman was ready for a complete story where she would emerge from events , rather than be at the mercy of events .
Q : How did her childhood shape her ?
Her mother was always disappointed in her for not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As her father , who was Theodore Roosevelt ’ s younger brother , deteriorated into alcoholism and opiates , he would focus on Eleanor in a way that made her a co-delusionist with him .
He would tell her that they were going to go around the world and do important things together .
Her mother , father , and a younger brother all died within 19 months , leaving her orphaned at the age of 10 .
That could have been it , she could have just been lost .
But her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her father had spun for her alive in a fantasy way .
She formed this idea of herself as a woman who was going to go around the world with a powerful Roosevelt man .
This was a template for what she actually did with Franklin Roosevelt .
Q : She initially opposed suffrage , and she downplayed her early activism by saying she was merely a stand-in for her husband .
How did her views of the political possibilities for women expand over time ?
She was in constant evolution .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but look how effective she became as a politician .
The only way women are going to stop being bossed by men , she said , is if they become the bosses .
This is exactly what she did .
She proved that there ’ s something bigger than being elected , and that ’ s the influence that she developed by organizing and learning how the game is played .
She was very good at getting things done .
Q : She offered Franklin a divorce after discovering his affair with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
How would you characterize their partnership ?
Polio kept them together .
Had he not gotten polio , Franklin would probably have run for president in 1924 instead of 1932 , he certainly would have been beaten , and they probably would have divorced .
Because polio happened , they became paradoxically a very modern couple , because they found a way of being independent of each other while maximizing their dependence on each other .
She was not going to buckle under all the obstacles that their marriage presented .
Q @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of first lady ?
She brought a simple thing to the job that had not been there : mobility .
A first lady didn ’ t leave the White House .
She was the first to use aviation as a tool , as she used the automobile as a tool .
People came to the president , but Eleanor went to you .
The connection she made with people was personal , the feeling that your government belonged to you , your concerns were of concern to the government .
She would bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and she would fix things .
Q : It ’ s remarkable that Eleanor was the first person to address the nation after the attack on Pearl Harbor .
What did she say ?
Not only was she the first to address a population that was panicked , but she knew that being real was the way to alleviate people ’ s fears .
She was saying that she believed in people to rise to the occasion , to come together and summon their bravery .
Her voice rings at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will do this together because “ we are the free and unconquerable people of the United States of America.
” Q : What is her legacy ?
The very phrase “ women in the White House ” meant something different after Eleanor .
Women were part of the furniture before she arrived .
After her , there was always the question : Will the first lady have input into the presidency ?

David Michaelis thinks of Eleanor Roosevelt as “under understood.” The acclaimed biographer, whose previous subjects include Peanuts creator Charles Schulz and illustrator N.C. Wyeth, aims to change that with his cinematic account of America’s longest-serving first lady, titled, simply, “Eleanor.” The book covers her lonely childhood; her frosty marriage to her distant cousin Franklin; their White House years, dominated by the Depression and World War II; her intimate relationships outside their marriage, most significantly with journalist Lorena Hickok; and her widowhood, during which she became a forceful advocate for human rights.
Q: A great deal has been written about Eleanor Roosevelt. Why does she merit a new biography now?
We all think we know her and have an image of her in our mind, but there are so many nuances to her. I felt this woman was ready for a complete story where she would emerge from events, rather than be at the mercy of events.
Q: How did her childhood shape her?
Her mother was always disappointed in her for not being a better reflection of herself. As her father, who was Theodore Roosevelt’s younger brother, deteriorated into alcoholism and opiates, he would focus on Eleanor in a way that made her a co-delusionist with him. He would tell her that they were going to go around the world and do important things together. Her mother, father, and a younger brother all died within 19 months, leaving her orphaned at the age of 10. That could have been it, she could have just been lost. But her response was to keep this illusion that her father had spun for her alive in a fantasy way. She formed this idea of herself as a woman who was going to go around the world with a powerful Roosevelt man. This was a template for what she actually did with Franklin Roosevelt.
Q: She initially opposed suffrage, and she downplayed her early activism by saying she was merely a stand-in for her husband. How did her views of the political possibilities for women expand over time?
She was in constant evolution. She was not for women voting at first, but look how effective she became as a politician. The only way women are going to stop being bossed by men, she said, is if they become the bosses. This is exactly what she did. She proved that there’s something bigger than being elected, and that’s the influence that she developed by organizing and learning how the game is played. She was very good at getting things done.
Q: She offered Franklin a divorce after discovering his affair with Lucy Mercer, but they stayed together. How would you characterize their partnership?
Polio kept them together. Had he not gotten polio, Franklin would probably have run for president in 1924 instead of 1932, he certainly would have been beaten, and they probably would have divorced. Because polio happened, they became paradoxically a very modern couple, because they found a way of being independent of each other while maximizing their dependence on each other. She was not going to buckle under all the obstacles that their marriage presented.
Q: How did she change the role of first lady?
She brought a simple thing to the job that had not been there: mobility. A first lady didn’t leave the White House. She was the first to use aviation as a tool, as she used the automobile as a tool. People came to the president, but Eleanor went to you. The connection she made with people was personal, the feeling that your government belonged to you, your concerns were of concern to the government. She would bring people’s problems back to Washington, and she would fix things.
Q: It’s remarkable that Eleanor was the first person to address the nation after the attack on Pearl Harbor. What did she say?
Not only was she the first to address a population that was panicked, but she knew that being real was the way to alleviate people’s fears. She was saying that she believed in people to rise to the occasion, to come together and summon their bravery. Her voice rings at the end when she says, I trust that we will do this together because “we are the free and unconquerable people of the United States of America.”
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Q: What is her legacy?
The very phrase “women in the White House” meant something different after Eleanor. Women were part of the furniture before she arrived. After her, there was always the question: Will the first lady have input into the presidency?


csmonitor--2020-10-09--Trump says he’s feeling great. Critics raise the 25th Amendment.

But among opponents , the president ’ s behavior and statements this week have been cause for alarm , sparking renewed discussion about the 25th Amendment to the Constitution , which provides for a temporary transfer of power when a president becomes incapacitated .
On Friday , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled legislation to create a bipartisan commission of medical experts to evaluate presidents for removal .
The most delicate question is whether Mr. Trump ’ s medical treatment – some of it experimental – has affected him in ways beyond his physical condition .
Mr. Trump ’ s freewheeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contradictory thoughts , and supporters love him for the authenticity they say it represents .
The day before , White House physician Sean Conley announced that the president should be able to safely “ return to public engagements ” on Saturday , though medical experts who have not been treating the president question whether this is wise .
The president ’ s spokespeople still won ’ t say when he last tested negative for the virus .
President Donald Trump appears eager to return to the campaign trail , following his COVID-19 diagnosis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called in to the Rush Limbaugh radio show for a two-hour “ virtual MAGA rally , ” and was scheduled to do an on-camera interview with a physician on Fox News ’ “ Tucker Carlson Tonight.
” The election is 25 days away , and President Donald Trump ’ s political prognosis is not good .
He ’ s losing altitude in major national polls – and more crucially , is sinking in key battleground states that will decide the winner in the Electoral College .
It would be a tough time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for President Trump , whose brand is all about winning , the pressure seems especially intense .
Mr. Trump says he ’ s eager to return to the campaign trail , following his COVID-19 diagnosis Oct. 1 .
On Friday , he called in to the Rush Limbaugh radio show for a two-hour “ virtual MAGA rally , ” and was scheduled to do an on-camera interview with a physician on Fox News ’ “ Tucker Carlson Tonight.
” On Saturday , he plans to host hundreds of people on the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful protesters for law and order ” from the balcony , according to multiple media outlets .
Monday , he is scheduled to travel to Florida for a campaign rally .
White House physician Sean Conley announced Thursday that Mr. Trump had completed his therapy and should be able to safely “ return to public engagements ” on Saturday .
Medical experts who have not been treating the president question whether clearing him for public events this soon is wise .
The president ’ s spokespeople still won ’ t say when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The political universe is not taking the news frenzy quietly .
“ The past week was bizarre , berserk , almost biblical , ” writes former Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan in a Wall Street Journal column .
The most delicate question is whether Mr. Trump ’ s medical treatment – some of it experimental – has affected him in ways beyond his physical condition .
His abrupt announcement Monday that he was calling off talks with congressional Democrats over a new stimulus package until after Election Day raised eyebrows among members of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats for holding up a deal .
The president soon reversed himself , tweeting on Friday : “ Covid Relief Negotiations are moving along .
Go Big !
” But the damage caused by Mr. Trump ’ s statement Monday seems to be lingering .
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas warned on CNBC that the election “ could be a bloodbath of Watergate proportions ” for the GOP if things don ’ t turn around .
Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , a most loyal soldier for Mr. Trump on Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been to the White House since Aug. 6 , citing its lax approach to virus safety measures .
The remaining two presidential debates remain in limbo , as the co-chair of the nonpartisan debate commission , Frank Fahrenkopf , has refused to clear Mr. Trump to participate in the town-hall style debate scheduled for Oct. 15 .
The commission announced Thursday that the debate would be virtual , given Mr. Trump ’ s health .
The president responded by saying he would not attend .
Mr. Trump , meanwhile , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a president increasingly anxious about the approaching election .
“ You ’ re not vulnerable , but they like to say the vulnerable , but you ’ re the least vulnerable – but for this one thing you are vulnerable , ” Mr. Trump said in a video that he labeled in all-caps : “ TO MY FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD !
” He was speaking to voters over age 65 , a group he won four years ago but is currently losing to Democratic nominee Joe Biden , according to polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit by the virus .
A major caveat is in order : Mr. Trump ’ s free-wheeling speaking style has long included incomplete thoughts and ambiguities , not to mention contradictions .
His supporters love him for the authenticity they say it represents , as well as his enthusiasm and energy .
But among opponents , the president ’ s behavior and statements since his COVID-19 diagnosis are cause for alarm , and have sparked renewed discussion about the 25th Amendment to the Constitution .
The amendment provides for a temporary transfer of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and can be invoked either by the president himself , or by the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet .
Congress does not have a formal role in implementing the 25th Amendment .
But on Friday , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled legislation to create a bipartisan commission of medical experts to evaluate presidents for removal .
“ This legislation applies to future presidents , but we are reminded of the necessity of action by the health of the current president , ” Speaker Pelosi said .
In a response , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Popp , pushed back by calling attention to the fact that former Vice President Biden is several years older than Mr. Trump .
“ Only Speaker Pelosi could find a way to offend both President Trump and candidate Biden with this political stunt , ” Mr. Popp tweeted .
Many American voters are already deciding , through early voting , whether they want another four years of Mr. Trump .
By Nov. 3 , we may well have the answer .

But among opponents, the president’s behavior and statements this week have been cause for alarm, sparking renewed discussion about the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for a temporary transfer of power when a president becomes incapacitated. On Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled legislation to create a bipartisan commission of medical experts to evaluate presidents for removal.
The most delicate question is whether Mr. Trump’s medical treatment – some of it experimental – has affected him in ways beyond his physical condition. Mr. Trump’s freewheeling speaking style has long included incomplete and contradictory thoughts, and supporters love him for the authenticity they say it represents.
Focus shifted this week from the president’s physical health to a torrent of tweets and videos, along with White House plans that left even some allies wide-eyed. How serious are some of the concerns?
The day before, White House physician Sean Conley announced that the president should be able to safely “return to public engagements” on Saturday, though medical experts who have not been treating the president question whether this is wise. The president’s spokespeople still won’t say when he last tested negative for the virus.
President Donald Trump appears eager to return to the campaign trail, following his COVID-19 diagnosis Oct. 1. On Friday, he called in to the Rush Limbaugh radio show for a two-hour “virtual MAGA rally,” and was scheduled to do an on-camera interview with a physician on Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”
The election is 25 days away, and President Donald Trump’s political prognosis is not good. He’s losing altitude in major national polls – and more crucially, is sinking in key battleground states that will decide the winner in the Electoral College.
It would be a tough time for any incumbent running for reelection. But for President Trump, whose brand is all about winning, the pressure seems especially intense. Mr. Trump says he’s eager to return to the campaign trail, following his COVID-19 diagnosis Oct. 1. On Friday, he called in to the Rush Limbaugh radio show for a two-hour “virtual MAGA rally,” and was scheduled to do an on-camera interview with a physician on Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”
On Saturday, he plans to host hundreds of people on the White House lawn, addressing a group of “peaceful protesters for law and order” from the balcony, according to multiple media outlets. Monday, he is scheduled to travel to Florida for a campaign rally.
Why We Wrote This Focus shifted this week from the president’s physical health to a torrent of tweets and videos, along with White House plans that left even some allies wide-eyed. How serious are some of the concerns?
White House physician Sean Conley announced Thursday that Mr. Trump had completed his therapy and should be able to safely “return to public engagements” on Saturday. Medical experts who have not been treating the president question whether clearing him for public events this soon is wise. The president’s spokespeople still won’t say when he last tested negative for the virus.
The political universe is not taking the news frenzy quietly.
“The past week was bizarre, berserk, almost biblical,” writes former Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan in a Wall Street Journal column.
The most delicate question is whether Mr. Trump’s medical treatment – some of it experimental – has affected him in ways beyond his physical condition. His abrupt announcement Monday that he was calling off talks with congressional Democrats over a new stimulus package until after Election Day raised eyebrows among members of his own party, even as Republicans blamed Democrats for holding up a deal.
The president soon reversed himself, tweeting on Friday: “Covid Relief Negotiations are moving along. Go Big!” But the damage caused by Mr. Trump’s statement Monday seems to be lingering.
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas warned on CNBC that the election “could be a bloodbath of Watergate proportions” for the GOP if things don’t turn around.
Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a most loyal soldier for Mr. Trump on Capitol Hill, said pointedly that he has not been to the White House since Aug. 6, citing its lax approach to virus safety measures.
The remaining two presidential debates remain in limbo, as the co-chair of the nonpartisan debate commission, Frank Fahrenkopf, has refused to clear Mr. Trump to participate in the town-hall style debate scheduled for Oct. 15. The commission announced Thursday that the debate would be virtual, given Mr. Trump’s health. The president responded by saying he would not attend.
Mr. Trump, meanwhile, has been tweeting out videos that seem to show a president increasingly anxious about the approaching election.
“You’re not vulnerable, but they like to say the vulnerable, but you’re the least vulnerable – but for this one thing you are vulnerable,” Mr. Trump said in a video that he labeled in all-caps: “TO MY FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD!”
He was speaking to voters over age 65, a group he won four years ago but is currently losing to Democratic nominee Joe Biden, according to polls. Older Americans have been especially hard hit by the virus.
A major caveat is in order: Mr. Trump’s free-wheeling speaking style has long included incomplete thoughts and ambiguities, not to mention contradictions. His supporters love him for the authenticity they say it represents, as well as his enthusiasm and energy.
But among opponents, the president’s behavior and statements since his COVID-19 diagnosis are cause for alarm, and have sparked renewed discussion about the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. The amendment provides for a temporary transfer of power when a president becomes incapacitated, and can be invoked either by the president himself, or by the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet.
Congress does not have a formal role in implementing the 25th Amendment. But on Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled legislation to create a bipartisan commission of medical experts to evaluate presidents for removal.
“This legislation applies to future presidents, but we are reminded of the necessity of action by the health of the current president,” Speaker Pelosi said.
In a response, Senator McConnell’s communications director, David Popp, pushed back by calling attention to the fact that former Vice President Biden is several years older than Mr. Trump.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
“Only Speaker Pelosi could find a way to offend both President Trump and candidate Biden with this political stunt,” Mr. Popp tweeted.
Many American voters are already deciding, through early voting, whether they want another four years of Mr. Trump. By Nov. 3, we may well have the answer.


csmonitor--2020-10-09--Points of Progress: States ban shark fin trafficking, and more

More states are working to end shark fin trafficking .
Florida became the latest of 18 states and territories to ban the trafficking of shark fins with the signing of the Kristin Jacobs Ocean Conservation Act .
The ban came only weeks after U.S. authorities indicted 12 individuals for a multistate conspiracy to smuggle shark fins to Hong Kong .
After years of investigation , prosecutors call the charges a milestone in disrupting wildlife trafficking .
Fins harvested from as many as 73 million sharks every year end up in soups considered a delicacy in East Asia , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Federal law makes it illegal to harvest fins from live sharks , but individual states can still govern how that law is interpreted in the fishing business .
Florida had served as a key waypoint for international shark fin hauls .
The ban will keep those shipments out of Florida ports , but advocates say other coastal states could fill the void without strict federal legislation , and the new ban still permits local fishermen to harvest and sell fins .
( Mongabay ) The United Kingdom ’ s first fully electric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edinburgh and Dundee Oct. 1 .
The transportation startup Ember has secured two coaches that can make the 125-mile round trip in Scotland on one charge .
The company hopes the Edinburgh-Dundee route will prove there is capacity and demand for zero-emission coach travel , allowing them to expand services to other cities .
The initiative was supported by the government ’ s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and Dundee City Council , which installed an ultra-fast charging station in the city center .
The kickoff comes as several firms throughout the U.K. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Scotsman , Business Green ) France and Switzerland expand paternity leave .
Switzerland became the last western European country to require paid leave for new fathers .
Instead of one day off for the birth of a child , men will get at least 10 days off within the first six months , starting Jan. 1 , 2021 .
Switzerland , where women gained voting rights in 1971 , has historically been slow to address gender inequality , but the new policy brings them closer to their European neighbors .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expand paternity leave from 14 days to 28 days , with one week being obligatory , starting next summer .
The change will also apply to same-sex couples .
The new measure brings France closer to meeting the European Union directive requiring member states to offer at least four months of parental leave , with two being nontransferable between the couple , by 2022 .
Switzerland is not an EU member .
Expanding paternity leave creates stronger family bonds , advocates say .
( The Associated Press , The New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheaper and easier for farmers to buy land in Zimbabwe .
Government data shows that more than half the country ’ s irrigable land is either underutilized or lying entirely idle , but acquiring unused plots is a notoriously time-consuming and often expensive process .
The Umojalands app eliminates many of those barriers by listing available plots along with important details such as legal documentation and crop history .
The app ’ s creator , Tafadzwanashe Gavi , says the program will help tackle food insecurity – an issue that affects nearly 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team vets the users looking to purchase farmland .
“ We request business proposals that include the amount of capital , the number of hectares , and the date the farming will start , ” Mr. Gavi said .
“ This will ensure that the farmer utilizes the land to produce high-quality food [ and ] create employment for others.
” ( Thomson Reuters Foundation ) Vincent Namatjira is the first Aboriginal painter to win Australia ’ s prestigious Archibald Prize for portraiture in its 99 year history .
The winning painting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Are , ” depicts Mr. Namatjira clasping hands with Indigenous soccer player Adam Goodes .
Mr. Goodes , who is an anti-racism advocate , retired in 2015 from Australia ’ s professional league after facing persistent racism on and off the field .
“ We share some similar stories and experiences – of disconnection from culture , language and country , and the constant pressures of being an Aboriginal man in this country , ” said Mr. Namatjira , who had been nominated for the Archibald Prize three times .
Aboriginal Australians face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spans than other citizens , and the global Black Lives Matter movement has inspired a new focus on Indigenous rights .
The 2020 judging panel also included an Indigenous member for the first time .
( Thomson Reuters Foundation , The Art Forum ) The City Climate Finance Gap Fund , which will dedicate more than $ 4 billion to finance low-carbon initiatives for cities in developing countries , has been launched .
Implemented by the World Bank and the European Investment Bank , the Gap Fund acknowledges the barriers many emerging economies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Home to most of the world ’ s population , and 70 % of CO2 emissions , cities are widely seen as the front line of the climate crisis .
And their footprint is growing – experts predict 2.5 billion people will migrate to urban areas by 2050 .
The Gap Fund offers advisory and financial support for developing countries that want to implement climate-smart policies from the start .
Key partners have already raised millions of dollars to help local leaders develop energy efficient public transit , improve food systems , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , World Bank Blogs )

1. United States
More states are working to end shark fin trafficking. Florida became the latest of 18 states and territories to ban the trafficking of shark fins with the signing of the Kristin Jacobs Ocean Conservation Act. The ban came only weeks after U.S. authorities indicted 12 individuals for a multistate conspiracy to smuggle shark fins to Hong Kong. After years of investigation, prosecutors call the charges a milestone in disrupting wildlife trafficking.
Wilfredo Lee/AP View caption Hide caption An officer stands next to confiscated shark fins during a press conference on Feb. 6, 2020, in Doral, Florida.
Fins harvested from as many as 73 million sharks every year end up in soups considered a delicacy in East Asia, according to WildAid, although the practice is declining. Federal law makes it illegal to harvest fins from live sharks, but individual states can still govern how that law is interpreted in the fishing business. Florida had served as a key waypoint for international shark fin hauls. The ban will keep those shipments out of Florida ports, but advocates say other coastal states could fill the void without strict federal legislation, and the new ban still permits local fishermen to harvest and sell fins. (Mongabay)
Why We Wrote This This is more than feel-good news – it's where the world is making concrete progress. A roundup of positive stories to inspire you.
2. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom’s first fully electric intercity bus service started shuttling passengers between Edinburgh and Dundee Oct. 1. The transportation startup Ember has secured two coaches that can make the 125-mile round trip in Scotland on one charge. The company hopes the Edinburgh-Dundee route will prove there is capacity and demand for zero-emission coach travel, allowing them to expand services to other cities. The initiative was supported by the government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and Dundee City Council, which installed an ultra-fast charging station in the city center. The kickoff comes as several firms throughout the U.K. are working to develop zero-emission bus fleets. (Scotsman, Business Green)
3. Europe
France and Switzerland expand paternity leave. Switzerland became the last western European country to require paid leave for new fathers. Instead of one day off for the birth of a child, men will get at least 10 days off within the first six months, starting Jan. 1, 2021. Switzerland, where women gained voting rights in 1971, has historically been slow to address gender inequality, but the new policy brings them closer to their European neighbors.
Ludovic Marin/AP View caption Hide caption Emmanuel Macron visits a Paris child care facility on Sept. 23, 2020, after announcing plans to expand paternity leave.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to expand paternity leave from 14 days to 28 days, with one week being obligatory, starting next summer. The change will also apply to same-sex couples. The new measure brings France closer to meeting the European Union directive requiring member states to offer at least four months of parental leave, with two being nontransferable between the couple, by 2022. Switzerland is not an EU member. Expanding paternity leave creates stronger family bonds, advocates say. (The Associated Press, The New York Times)
4. Zimbabwe
A new app is making it cheaper and easier for farmers to buy land in Zimbabwe. Government data shows that more than half the country’s irrigable land is either underutilized or lying entirely idle, but acquiring unused plots is a notoriously time-consuming and often expensive process. The Umojalands app eliminates many of those barriers by listing available plots along with important details such as legal documentation and crop history. The app’s creator, Tafadzwanashe Gavi, says the program will help tackle food insecurity – an issue that affects nearly 8 million people in Zimbabwe. The Umojalands team vets the users looking to purchase farmland. “We request business proposals that include the amount of capital, the number of hectares, and the date the farming will start,” Mr. Gavi said. “This will ensure that the farmer utilizes the land to produce high-quality food [and] create employment for others.” (Thomson Reuters Foundation)
5. Australia
Vincent Namatjira is the first Aboriginal painter to win Australia’s prestigious Archibald Prize for portraiture in its 99 year history. The winning painting, titled “Stand Strong for Who You Are,” depicts Mr. Namatjira clasping hands with Australian footballer Adam Goodes. Mr. Goodes, who is of Aboriginal descent and an anti-racism advocate, retired in 2015 from Australia’s professional league after facing persistent racism on and off the field. “We share some similar stories and experiences – of disconnection from culture, language and country, and the constant pressures of being an Aboriginal man in this country,” said Mr. Namatjira, who had been nominated for the Archibald Prize three times.
Copyright Vincent Namatjira/Photo: Mim Stirling/AGNSW/Reuters View caption Hide caption Vincent Namatjira’s painting of Australian footballer Adam Goodes caught the judges’ attention.
Aboriginal Australians face higher rates of imprisonment and shorter life spans than other citizens, and the global Black Lives Matter movement has inspired a new focus on Indigenous rights. The 2020 judging panel also included an Indigenous member for the first time. (Thomson Reuters Foundation, The Art Forum)
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World
The City Climate Finance Gap Fund, which will dedicate more than $4 billion to finance low-carbon initiatives for cities in developing countries, has been launched. Implemented by the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, the Gap Fund acknowledges the barriers many emerging economies face when trying to go green. Home to most of the world’s population, and 70% of CO2 emissions, cities are widely seen as the front line of the climate crisis. And their footprint is growing – experts predict 2.5 billion people will migrate to urban areas by 2050. The Gap Fund offers advisory and financial support for developing countries that want to implement climate-smart policies from the start. Key partners have already raised millions of dollars to help local leaders develop energy efficient public transit, improve food systems, and address pollution. (Thomson Reuters Foundation, World Bank Blogs)
Editor's note: The fifth item in this round-up has been updated to correct an erroneous description of Adam Goodes. He is an Australian football player.


csmonitor--2020-10-09--China, increasingly mighty, still learning how to project power

“ You started to see this more assertive diplomatic stance as the U.S.-China trade war heated up , and with Beijing beginning to realize it needed to set the domestic stage for what was going to be a protracted struggle with the United States , ” says Jessica Chen Weiss , an associate professor at Cornell University .
It ’ s complicated Beijing ’ s bid to inspire support for its authoritarian model .
But in response , the government appears to be taking a two-track approach : adopting a combative stance toward liberal democracies , while promoting its model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be purposefully projecting a tougher image toward the West , some experts suggest , symbolized by what has been dubbed “ wolf warrior ” diplomacy , named for a blockbuster action movie .
In many liberal democracies , unfavorable opinions toward China are at a high , according to a poll released this week by Pew Research Center .
Criticism of China ’ s handling of the coronavirus is a significant factor , but the souring of public opinion was underway for at least two years before , possibly impacted by developments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internment camps in Xinjiang .
China has risen to be an economic superpower .
But a soft power superpower ?
Not so fast .
China is struggling to wield soft power even as it rises as an economic superpower , complicating Beijing ’ s bid to inspire support for its authoritarian model and vision for reforming global governance , according to recent polls and China experts .
Instead , public attitudes toward Beijing and Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping have dramatically worsened , at least in many wealthy countries , despite their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s top economy .
In response , Beijing appears to be taking a two-track approach , experts say , adopting a combative stance toward liberal democracies while promoting its model among weaker and authoritarian-leaning regimes in Asia , Africa , and Latin America .
“ You started to see this more assertive diplomatic stance as the U.S.-China trade war heated up , and with Beijing beginning to realize it needed to set the domestic stage for what was going to be a protracted struggle with the United States , ” says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Cornell University and author of “ Powerful Patriots : Nationalist Protest in China ’ s Foreign Relations.
” On average , three quarters of people surveyed in 14 countries with advanced economies in North America , Western Europe , East Asia , and Australia held negative views toward China and lacked confidence that Mr. Xi will do the right thing in world affairs , according to a Pew Research Center poll released this week .
In most of those countries , the unfavorable opinion toward China hit its highest level since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China just doesn ’ t have much capacity for soft power , and there is not much of a magnanimous element to the way China operates around the world , ” says James McGregor , chairman of the greater China region for APCO Worldwide , a consulting firm .
“ China treats the world the same way it treats its own citizens and how government officials treat each other – it ’ s all transactional , it ’ s all about the one with the most power saying what goes , ” says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China for three decades .
Widespread criticism of China ’ s handling of the coronavirus outbreak is significantly impacting opinion , with almost two-thirds of those surveyed by Pew saying Beijing handled it badly .
Concerns have centered on Beijing ’ s delayed reporting of the virus and suppression of whistleblower doctors .
But the souring of public opinion was underway for at least two years before the pandemic , Pew polling shows .
Other possible impacts include major developments such as Hong Kong ’ s mass protests in 2019 against Beijing ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promised autonomy ; China ’ s internment of an estimated 1 million Uyghurs and members of other Turkic-speaking , predominantly Muslim ethnic groups in camps in the western region of Xinjiang , starting in 2017 ; and the growing U.S.-China rift over trade , technology , and other issues .
“ China can do a much better job at telling its own story , ” says Jia Qingguo , professor at Peking University ’ s School of International Studies .
“ China has not been very good at explaining … problematic areas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s leaders may also be purposefully projecting a tougher image toward the West , some experts suggest , symbolized by what has been dubbed “ wolf warrior ” diplomacy , after a blockbuster Chinese action movie .
For example , in recent years Chinese diplomats have taken to Twitter – which is banned in China – to advance often stridently nationalistic messages .
“ By September 2019 , you had Xi Jinping encouraging cadres to ‘ dare to struggle ’ and ‘ be good at fighting , ’ and giving Foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chunying a much longer leash to engage in all sorts of brazen social media messaging , ” says Professor Weiss .
This combativeness may reflect a view in Beijing that aggressively asserting China ’ s interests can in some cases yield better results than a more persuasive approach , Professor Weiss and other experts say .
“ They may have judged that it is better to be feared than to be loved , ” says Professor Weiss .
“ They are certainly not winning hearts and minds with their current strategy.
” Amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , Beijing is likely to be less concerned about its image than about getting what it wants , says Robert Ross , a professor at Boston College and an expert on China ’ s security policy .
“ If China is going to exercise its power , there will be critics , ” he says .
“ The question is whether the gains are worth it [ and ] is it worth the criticism on the front pages of newspapers.
” Meanwhile , experts point out that attitudes toward China are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a favorable image in some countries , such as Nigeria , while its model appeals to like-minded authoritarian states such as Cambodia .
“ China doesn ’ t always have to act , there is a degree of noncoerced followership , ” says Rosemary Foot , senior research fellow in international relations at the University of Oxford .
This reflects in part Beijing ’ s dual strategy when it comes to soft power .
China ’ s leaders “ are still presenting themselves as a model that is superior to Western liberal democracies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that narrative and effort to shape the outside perception is very much targeting the global south , ” says Nadège Rolland , senior fellow in political and security affairs at The National Bureau of Asian Research .
“ In the Western countries , we have been more the recipient of the wolf warrior diplomacy , but some of that is a way for China to position itself as a country that stands up for itself … .
and that is appealing in a way for portions of the global south , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pragmatic approach in which China targets developing countries in Eurasia , South Asia , Southeast Asia , and Africa – the “ soft underbelly of Western influence , ” Ms. Rolland says .
“ It ’ s like the Leninist principle : ‘ Probe with bayonets .
If you encounter mush , proceed .
If you encounter steel , withdraw.
’ So the steel right now is felt in advanced industrial democracies , in the U.S. , in Asia , in Europe , ” she says , as they push back on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military expansion .
“ So instead of pushing harder , you use those efforts in other parts of the world more amenable to your views , ” she says – countries that “ could then become your partners and vote with you at the U.N. and be your friends on the international stage whenever you need voices to back you up on what you are doing in the Xinjiang region or things like that .
This is what we are starting to see .
”

“You started to see this more assertive diplomatic stance as the U.S.-China trade war heated up, and with Beijing beginning to realize it needed to set the domestic stage for what was going to be a protracted struggle with the United States,” says Jessica Chen Weiss, an associate professor at Cornell University.
It’s complicated Beijing’s bid to inspire support for its authoritarian model. But in response, the government appears to be taking a two-track approach: adopting a combative stance toward liberal democracies, while promoting its model among weaker and authoritarian-leaning regimes. Leaders may be purposefully projecting a tougher image toward the West, some experts suggest, symbolized by what has been dubbed “wolf warrior” diplomacy, named for a blockbuster action movie.
If you can't be both feared and loved, Machiavelli wrote, pick fear. As public opinions about China sour around the globe, Beijing appears to be taking a two-track approach to soft power.
In many liberal democracies, unfavorable opinions toward China are at a high, according to a poll released this week by Pew Research Center. Criticism of China’s handling of the coronavirus is a significant factor, but the souring of public opinion was underway for at least two years before, possibly impacted by developments like mass protests in Hong Kong and internment camps in Xinjiang.
China has risen to be an economic superpower. But a soft power superpower? Not so fast.
China is struggling to wield soft power even as it rises as an economic superpower, complicating Beijing’s bid to inspire support for its authoritarian model and vision for reforming global governance, according to recent polls and China experts.
Instead, public attitudes toward Beijing and Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping have dramatically worsened, at least in many wealthy countries, despite their growing consensus that China is now the world’s top economy.
In response, Beijing appears to be taking a two-track approach, experts say, adopting a combative stance toward liberal democracies while promoting its model among weaker and authoritarian-leaning regimes in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Why We Wrote This If you can't be both feared and loved, Machiavelli wrote, pick fear. As public opinions about China sour around the globe, Beijing appears to be taking a two-track approach to soft power.
“You started to see this more assertive diplomatic stance as the U.S.-China trade war heated up, and with Beijing beginning to realize it needed to set the domestic stage for what was going to be a protracted struggle with the United States,” says Jessica Chen Weiss, an associate professor at Cornell University and author of “Powerful Patriots: Nationalist Protest in China’s Foreign Relations.”
On average, three quarters of people surveyed in 14 countries with advanced economies in North America, Western Europe, East Asia, and Australia held negative views toward China and lacked confidence that Mr. Xi will do the right thing in world affairs, according to a Pew Research Center poll released this week. In most of those countries, the unfavorable opinion toward China hit its highest level since the polling began 12 years ago.
“China just doesn’t have much capacity for soft power, and there is not much of a magnanimous element to the way China operates around the world,” says James McGregor, chairman of the greater China region for APCO Worldwide, a consulting firm. “China treats the world the same way it treats its own citizens and how government officials treat each other – it’s all transactional, it’s all about the one with the most power saying what goes,” says Mr. McGregor, who has lived in China for three decades.
Widespread criticism of China’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak is significantly impacting opinion, with almost two-thirds of those surveyed by Pew saying Beijing handled it badly. Concerns have centered on Beijing’s delayed reporting of the virus and suppression of whistleblower doctors.
But the souring of public opinion was underway for at least two years before the pandemic, Pew polling shows. Other possible impacts include major developments such as Hong Kong’s mass protests in 2019 against Beijing’s encroachment on the territory’s promised autonomy; China’s internment of an estimated 1 million Uyghurs and members of other Turkic-speaking, predominantly Muslim ethnic groups in camps in the western region of Xinjiang, starting in 2017; and the growing U.S.-China rift over trade, technology, and other issues.
Leah Millis/Reuters View caption Hide caption Imam Talib Shareef waits to speak as he gathers with others near the White House to call on the U.S. government to respond to Beijing's alleged abuses of the Uyghurs, a Muslim ethnic minority in China, near the White House in Washington, July 3, 2020.
“China can do a much better job at telling its own story,” says Jia Qingguo, professor at Peking University’s School of International Studies. “China has not been very good at explaining … problematic areas, like Xinjiang,” he says.
“Wolf warrior” approach
China’s leaders may also be purposefully projecting a tougher image toward the West, some experts suggest, symbolized by what has been dubbed “wolf warrior” diplomacy, after a blockbuster Chinese action movie. For example, in recent years Chinese diplomats have taken to Twitter – which is banned in China – to advance often stridently nationalistic messages.
“By September 2019, you had Xi Jinping encouraging cadres to ‘dare to struggle’ and ‘be good at fighting,’ and giving Foreign Ministry spokespeople like Zhao Lijian and Hua Chunying a much longer leash to engage in all sorts of brazen social media messaging,” says Professor Weiss.
This combativeness may reflect a view in Beijing that aggressively asserting China’s interests can in some cases yield better results than a more persuasive approach, Professor Weiss and other experts say.
“They may have judged that it is better to be feared than to be loved,” says Professor Weiss. “They are certainly not winning hearts and minds with their current strategy.”
Amid accelerating hard power competition with the United States, Beijing is likely to be less concerned about its image than about getting what it wants, says Robert Ross, a professor at Boston College and an expert on China’s security policy. “If China is going to exercise its power, there will be critics,” he says. “The question is whether the gains are worth it [and] is it worth the criticism on the front pages of newspapers.”
Dual strategy
Meanwhile, experts point out that attitudes toward China are not uniform across the globe. Beijing maintains a favorable image in some countries, such as Nigeria, while its model appeals to like-minded authoritarian states such as Cambodia. “China doesn’t always have to act, there is a degree of noncoerced followership,” says Rosemary Foot, senior research fellow in international relations at the University of Oxford.
This reflects in part Beijing’s dual strategy when it comes to soft power.
China’s leaders “are still presenting themselves as a model that is superior to Western liberal democracies in the way they managed the pandemic, and that narrative and effort to shape the outside perception is very much targeting the global south,” says Nadège Rolland, senior fellow in political and security affairs at The National Bureau of Asian Research.
“In the Western countries, we have been more the recipient of the wolf warrior diplomacy, but some of that is a way for China to position itself as a country that stands up for itself …. and that is appealing in a way for portions of the global south,” she says.
It’s a pragmatic approach in which China targets developing countries in Eurasia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa – the “soft underbelly of Western influence,” Ms. Rolland says.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
“It’s like the Leninist principle: ‘Probe with bayonets. If you encounter mush, proceed. If you encounter steel, withdraw.’ So the steel right now is felt in advanced industrial democracies, in the U.S., in Asia, in Europe,” she says, as they push back on China’s human rights record and military expansion.
“So instead of pushing harder, you use those efforts in other parts of the world more amenable to your views,” she says – countries that “could then become your partners and vote with you at the U.N. and be your friends on the international stage whenever you need voices to back you up on what you are doing in the Xinjiang region or things like that. This is what we are starting to see.”


csmonitor--2020-10-09--Grab the remote and watch how TV is changing this fall

With safety accounted for , he encouraged the star and crew to focus on being as authentic as possible – a necessity for unscripted shows .
The result , he says , is “ you could just do your job and make a great television.
” “ Selena + Chef , ” starring Selena Gomez , was developed during the pandemic .
The singer and actor collaborated with Grammy-winning executive producer Aaron Saidman , who wanted a program that could be responsibly and safely produced , he says .
Even with the industry finding a path forward , and some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ This Is Us ” on track to return this month , there is still uncertainty about the pipeline for new programming , with a pull toward unscripted shows until the pandemic subsides .
As they navigate the new landscape , producers and directors across formats are being presented with opportunities to rethink how they create .
This fall , viewers should expect what they see on the small screen to look a bit different : More game shows and reality offerings – and programs remaining on hiatus .
Already , audiences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there is more talk of computer-generated settings and characters .
Nothing is the same these days , including what Americans will be seeing on television for the next few months .
Viewers should expect a lot of game shows and reality offerings – and for some programs to remain on pause .
PBS ’ s beloved “ Antiques Roadshow , ” for example , is on extended hiatus until it is safe for attendees to once again mingle publicly with their favorite objets d ’ art .
As people channel-surf this fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are experimenting with to continue to bring programs to TVs and tablets .
Already , audiences have often been replaced with laugh tracks , interview shows are conducted remotely , and there is more talk of computer-generated settings and characters .
It ’ s a time of rethinking not just of formats , but of content , too .
“ You may not be able to have a sitcom set in the present , where everyone is sitting around not wearing masks .
So they may go back to the ’ 50s or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” suggests Bob White , who has been teaching television , video production , and animation at Simmons University in Boston for more than 50 years .
Besides reaching into the past , studios may also offer more comforting , easy-to-digest fare , he says .
Nostalgia is already driving game show reboots like “ Weakest Link ” on NBC and ABC ’ s “ Who Wants to Be a Millionaire ?
” which returns for a second season on Oct. 18 after hustling to finish production in March on the eve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Due to the spring and summer shutdown , more shows will be rolling out new seasons later than usual throughout the fall .
Fan favorites like “ The Mandalorian ” on Disney+ and NBC ’ s “ This Is Us , ” which plans to incorporate both the pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests , will return later this month .
Programs featuring essential workers , arriving between now and December , also plan to tackle the current health crisis .
Among them are ABC ’ s “ Black-ish ” and NBC ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will now be seen in 2021 , including “ Rutherford Falls , ” a comedy featuring the largest Indigenous writing staff ever hired for a U.S. TV show .
It ’ s set to stream on the Peacock platform from NBCUniversal .
Unions and guilds negotiated new safety guidelines with studios in recent weeks .
But even with the industry finding a path forward , there is still uncertainty about the pipeline for new programming , with a pull toward unscripted shows until the pandemic subsides .
As they navigate the new landscape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being presented with opportunities to rethink how they create .
Like a lot of people , actor and singer Selena Gomez wanted to use her time at home during lockdown to become a better cook .
She collaborated with executive producer Aaron Saidman of Industrial Media ’ s The Intellectual Property Corporation , whom she ’ d worked with previously , to create “ Selena + Chef , ” streaming on HBO Max and picked up for a second season .
Mr. Saidman , who won an Emmy for the A & E @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Aftermath , ” had never undertaken this kind of show before , but he wanted a program that could be responsibly and safely produced during the pandemic , he says .
He sent a cleaning crew into Ms. Gomez ’ s home and sanitized everything , set up cameras , and then sanitized again .
The same was done with the chefs helping her each week .
Everyone behind the scenes wore masks and kept their distance .
Cameras in the house were operated from outside .
With safety accounted for , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus on the production , so that “ authenticity could come forward.
” “ You could just do your job and make a great television , ” he says .
“ In an unscripted TV show people really need to be themselves.
” Given that creating television is not a socially distanced process , adaptation has been key to moving forward .
Michael Hunold , a veteran gaffer , or electrician , living in upstate New York , has been working on a show with pandemic protocols in place .
He can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it is a big-budget , successful program in its third season .
The return to work is precipitated by strict observance of COVID-19 protocols , he says , and the budget to allow protective measures to be put into place .
In the past , green and blue screens were used to create expensive looking backgrounds when a production budget didn ’ t allow for more , Mr. Hunold says , but now such technology might become the standard – including more actors created by CGI – given pandemic restrictions .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done digitally will be an extremely controlled environment , ” he says .
In the spring , due to the shutdowns , NBC tried animating part of the season finale of crime drama “ The Blacklist ” to fill in gaps , with mixed reactions from fans .
Professor White agrees that the trend could be toward a combination of real and computer-generated content .
“ The lines will be blurred , ” between what ’ s real and what ’ s manipulated , he says .
He adds that he doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ differently than before , given that the need for strong stories will not change .
The increased use of technology could also turn out to have an upside , observers say .
Mr. Saidman , one of several executive producers on “ Selena + Chef ” including Ms. Gomez , had an “ aha ” moment when he realized on the first day of shooting that he was working at home in his pajamas and that perhaps it wasn ’ t as “ essential ” for him to be on set as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creative reasons that a producer goes to the set , ” he says , but adds that there “ was certainly a moment where we realized through technology that there ’ s perhaps an efficiency that we might not have stumbled upon [ pre-COVID-19 ] .
”

With safety accounted for, he encouraged the star and crew to focus on being as authentic as possible – a necessity for unscripted shows. The result, he says, is “you could just do your job and make a great television.”
“Selena + Chef,” starring Selena Gomez, was developed during the pandemic. The singer and actor collaborated with Grammy-winning executive producer Aaron Saidman, who wanted a program that could be responsibly and safely produced, he says.
With theaters largely closed, Americans are turning to small screens for escape. But TV production is still catching up from pandemic lockdowns in the spring. What does that mean for programming now – and in the coming year?
Even with the industry finding a path forward, and some fan favorites like “The Mandalorian” and “This Is Us” on track to return this month, there is still uncertainty about the pipeline for new programming, with a pull toward unscripted shows until the pandemic subsides. As they navigate the new landscape, producers and directors across formats are being presented with opportunities to rethink how they create.
This fall, viewers should expect what they see on the small screen to look a bit different: More game shows and reality offerings – and programs remaining on hiatus. Already, audiences have been replaced with laugh tracks, and there is more talk of computer-generated settings and characters.
Nothing is the same these days, including what Americans will be seeing on television for the next few months.
Viewers should expect a lot of game shows and reality offerings – and for some programs to remain on pause. PBS’s beloved “Antiques Roadshow,” for example, is on extended hiatus until it is safe for attendees to once again mingle publicly with their favorite objets d’art.
As people channel-surf this fall, they will see the approaches showrunners are experimenting with to continue to bring programs to TVs and tablets. Already, audiences have often been replaced with laugh tracks, interview shows are conducted remotely, and there is more talk of computer-generated settings and characters. It’s a time of rethinking not just of formats, but of content, too.
Why We Wrote This With theaters largely closed, Americans are turning to small screens for escape. But TV production is still catching up from pandemic lockdowns in the spring. What does that mean for programming now – and in the coming year?
“You may not be able to have a sitcom set in the present, where everyone is sitting around not wearing masks. So they may go back to the ’50s or the ’60s or the ’70s,” suggests Bob White, who has been teaching television, video production, and animation at Simmons University in Boston for more than 50 years.
Besides reaching into the past, studios may also offer more comforting, easy-to-digest fare, he says. Nostalgia is already driving game show reboots like “Weakest Link” on NBC and ABC’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” which returns for a second season on Oct. 18 after hustling to finish production in March on the eve of lockdowns in the United States.
Due to the spring and summer shutdown, more shows will be rolling out new seasons later than usual throughout the fall. Fan favorites like “The Mandalorian” on Disney+ and NBC’s “This Is Us,” which plans to incorporate both the pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests, will return later this month. Programs featuring essential workers, arriving between now and December, also plan to tackle the current health crisis. Among them are ABC’s “Black-ish” and NBC’s “Chicago Fire.” Some shows will now be seen in 2021, including “Rutherford Falls,” a comedy featuring the largest Indigenous writing staff ever hired for a U.S. TV show. It’s set to stream on the Peacock platform from NBCUniversal.
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters/File View caption Hide caption Cast members Pedro Pascal and Gina Carano pose at the premiere for the Disney+ series "The Mandalorian" in Los Angeles, Nov. 13, 2019.
A push to problem solve
Unions and guilds negotiated new safety guidelines with studios in recent weeks. But even with the industry finding a path forward, there is still uncertainty about the pipeline for new programming, with a pull toward unscripted shows until the pandemic subsides. As they navigate the new landscape, producers and directors across formats are being presented with opportunities to rethink how they create.
Like a lot of people, actor and singer Selena Gomez wanted to use her time at home during lockdown to become a better cook. She collaborated with executive producer Aaron Saidman of Industrial Media’s The Intellectual Property Corporation, whom she’d worked with previously, to create “Selena + Chef,” streaming on HBO Max and picked up for a second season.
Mr. Saidman, who won an Emmy for the A&E series “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath,” had never undertaken this kind of show before, but he wanted a program that could be responsibly and safely produced during the pandemic, he says. He sent a cleaning crew into Ms. Gomez’s home and sanitized everything, set up cameras, and then sanitized again. The same was done with the chefs helping her each week. Everyone behind the scenes wore masks and kept their distance. Cameras in the house were operated from outside. With safety accounted for, he encouraged the star and crew to focus on the production, so that “authenticity could come forward.”
“You could just do your job and make a great television,” he says. “In an unscripted TV show people really need to be themselves.”
Given that creating television is not a socially distanced process, adaptation has been key to moving forward. Michael Hunold, a veteran gaffer, or electrician, living in upstate New York, has been working on a show with pandemic protocols in place. He can’t mention the name contractually, but says it is a big-budget, successful program in its third season. The return to work is precipitated by strict observance of COVID-19 protocols, he says, and the budget to allow protective measures to be put into place.
In the past, green and blue screens were used to create expensive looking backgrounds when a production budget didn’t allow for more, Mr. Hunold says, but now such technology might become the standard – including more actors created by CGI – given pandemic restrictions. “Every environment that isn’t being done digitally will be an extremely controlled environment,” he says.
In the spring, due to the shutdowns, NBC tried animating part of the season finale of crime drama “The Blacklist” to fill in gaps, with mixed reactions from fans.
Professor White agrees that the trend could be toward a combination of real and computer-generated content. “The lines will be blurred,” between what’s real and what’s manipulated, he says. He adds that he doesn’t plan to teach his courses any differently than before, given that the need for strong stories will not change.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Changing perspective
The increased use of technology could also turn out to have an upside, observers say. Mr. Saidman, one of several executive producers on “Selena + Chef” including Ms. Gomez, had an “aha” moment when he realized on the first day of shooting that he was working at home in his pajamas and that perhaps it wasn’t as “essential” for him to be on set as he once thought.
“There are important creative reasons that a producer goes to the set,” he says, but adds that there “was certainly a moment where we realized through technology that there’s perhaps an efficiency that we might not have stumbled upon [pre-COVID-19].”


csmonitor--2020-10-09--A new resiliency lens in ending hunger

A new resiliency lens in ending hunger

In June as the pandemic was hitting more countries , the leading humanitarian organization – the World Food Program ( WFP ) – announced it would undertake the biggest response in its history .
It planned to meet head-on an upsurge in the number of victims of hunger – from 97 million worldwide before the pandemic to an estimated 138 million .
For this “ impressive ability to intensify its efforts , ” the Nobel committee awarded this year ’ s peace prize to the WFP on Friday .
The committee also cited the agency ’ s work in preventing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapon of war and conflict.
” While the WFP described the prize as both “ humbling ” and a “ proud moment , ” spokesman Tomson Phiri also wanted the world to know about its ongoing shift in approach .
“ One of the beauties of WFP activities is that not only do we provide food for today and tomorrow , but we also are equipping people with the knowledge , the means to sustain themselves for the next day and the days after , ” he said .
Like many aid organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less as victims or beneficiaries of other people ’ s largesse and more as people capable to deal with a disaster with strength and intelligence .
Its programs are now designed to let local people identify community priorities and drive the agenda for both emergency relief and for building up their water and land resources as well as self-governance to ensure food security .
“ It ’ s not just about humanitarian dollars .
How do we use every humanitarian dollar for a developmental opportunity ?
” WFP Executive Director David Beasley recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization , José Graziano da Silva , put it , “ To save lives , we also have to save livelihoods.
” This emphasis on individual resiliency and community-led development took off in 2015 when the United Nations set a goal to end persistent hunger by 2030 .
The U.N. called for participatory decision-making “ at all levels , ” not just a top-down approach driven by governments and international groups .
For its part , the WFP has invested in early warning systems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of forests , water ponds , irrigation systems , and feeder roads .
The agency has become better at probing how people in poverty perceive themselves .
This “ growing body of experience ... allows us to put resilience-building at the heart of our programs , ” according to the agency ’ s website .
Efforts at peacemaking have long relied on changing the perception of each individual ’ s worth – whether in ending wars or famines .
Now with the WFP rewarded for its fight against hunger , it can also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it helps .

In June as the pandemic was hitting more countries, the leading humanitarian organization – the World Food Program (WFP) – announced it would undertake the biggest response in its history. It planned to meet head-on an upsurge in the number of victims of hunger – from 97 million worldwide before the pandemic to an estimated 138 million.
For this “impressive ability to intensify its efforts,” the Nobel committee awarded this year’s peace prize to the WFP on Friday. The committee also cited the agency’s work in preventing “the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict.”
While the WFP described the prize as both “humbling” and a “proud moment,” spokesman Tomson Phiri also wanted the world to know about its ongoing shift in approach. “One of the beauties of WFP activities is that not only do we provide food for today and tomorrow, but we also are equipping people with the knowledge, the means to sustain themselves for the next day and the days after,” he said.
Like many aid organizations, the WFP is seeing poor people less as victims or beneficiaries of other people’s largesse and more as people capable to deal with a disaster with strength and intelligence. Its programs are now designed to let local people identify community priorities and drive the agenda for both emergency relief and for building up their water and land resources as well as self-governance to ensure food security.
“It’s not just about humanitarian dollars. How do we use every humanitarian dollar for a developmental opportunity?” WFP Executive Director David Beasley recently told Congress.
Or as the former head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, José Graziano da Silva, put it, “To save lives, we also have to save livelihoods.”
This emphasis on individual resiliency and community-led development took off in 2015 when the United Nations set a goal to end persistent hunger by 2030. The U.N. called for participatory decision-making “at all levels,” not just a top-down approach driven by governments and international groups.
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For its part, the WFP has invested in early warning systems to detect famine as well as the rehabilitation of forests, water ponds, irrigation systems, and feeder roads. The agency has become better at probing how people in poverty perceive themselves. This “growing body of experience ... allows us to put resilience-building at the heart of our programs,” according to the agency’s website.
Efforts at peacemaking have long relied on changing the perception of each individual’s worth – whether in ending wars or famines. Now with the WFP rewarded for its fight against hunger, it can also be honored for how it honors those it helps.


csmonitor--2020-10-09--Can you dance to it? The world takes on the ‘Jerusalema’ challenge.

Even South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called upon his country to join the challenge after weathering six months of the pandemic , remembering “ those who have lost their lives , and to quietly rejoice in the remarkable and diverse heritage of our nation.
” The song owes some popularity to the strange internet alchemies of 2020 and the pandemic that forced creative at-home entertainment .
“ But it ’ s rare that a global movement like this starts here and then is imitated by the world , ” says Moky Makura , an expert in perceptions of Africa .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ says , not only for helping change how the world sees Africa , but also because they help shift how Africans see themselves .
After an Angolan dance troupe recorded themselves dancing to a hit South African house track by DJ Master KG and vocalist Nomcebo in February , they sparked a global phenomenon .
The dance challenge has been embraced by everyone from lawyers to firemen and flash mobs .
Sung in Zulu , the lyrics are gospel-esque , and among the most enthusiastic takers of the challenge have been people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture is often taken by outsiders and repackaged , the South African song “ Jerusalema ” has flipped the script .
It began in December , and at first it was isolated .
You probably didn ’ t know about it if you didn ’ t live nearby , or if you didn ’ t know someone who did .
But by February , it had begun to jump borders – first regionally , then around the world .
By summer , it had become a feature of daily life from Angola to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it on national television .
Health care workers rallied around it .
“ It , ” of course , was the “ Jerusalema ” dance challenge .
When an Angolan dance troupe recorded themselves dancing to a hit South African house track by DJ Master KG and vocalist Nomcebo in February , they sparked a viral phenomenon that has since lapped the globe .
Zimbabwe ’ s most renowned human rights lawyer recorded a version of the dance ; so did a team of Romanian firefighters , and a few dozen socially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To date , “ Jerusalema ” has been streamed more than 96 million times on Spotify , and is one of the top searches globally on the music identification application Shazam .
It hit the top five charts in Belgium , France , Hungary , Netherlands , and Switzerland and was No .
1 on Billboard ’ s world digital song sales chart in mid-September .
The song owes much of its popularity to the strange internet alchemies of 2020 – when a global pandemic forced creative forms of at-home entertainment and helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But on a continent where culture has often been taken by outsiders to be repackaged for Western audiences ( think Louis Vuitton models walking the catwalk in checked scarves and shirts “ inspired ” by Kenya ’ s Maasai ) , “ Jerusalema ” also flipped that cultural script .
“ It ’ s common to hear that somebody has taken something that they saw on the continent and co-opted it to make it a global product , ” says Moky Makura , the executive director of Africa No Filter , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and global media .
“ But it ’ s rare that a global movement like this starts here and then is imitated by the world.
” Indeed , in 2019 a study by the University of Southern California ’ s Norman Lear Center showed that Americans were more than twice as likely to see a negative depiction of Africa on TV as a positive one – if they saw any portrayals of Africa at all .
Viewers were seven times as likely to see references to Europe on TV as to Africa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continent on TV referred only to a nebulous “ Africa , ” rather than any specific country .
“ Jerusalema , ” on the other hand , can be traced to very particular roots .
In December , South African DJ Master KG called singer Nomcebo late at night from his Johannesburg recording studio .
He ’ d just written a new track and wanted her to sing the vocals .
She came immediately , and by the next morning , the two had a rough cut of the song .
“ Jerusalema @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Africa that Southern Hemisphere summer .
But it was only after Angolan dance studio Fenomenos do Semba recorded themselves dancing to the song as they ate lunch in February that the song began to go viral .
Sung in Zulu , the song ’ s lyrics are gospel-esque .
“ Jerusalem is my home / Guide me / Take me with You / Do not leave me here , ” sings Nomcebo in the opening lines .
It is perhaps little surprise , then , that among the most enthusiastic takers of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the cloth .
There have been “ Jerusalema ” dances from the Catholic archdiocese of Montreal and a group of novice nuns in rural South Africa , among others .
In September , one Swedish Lutheran church announced that it would be closing services with a song “ that says something about our longing.
” “ So let us not only go , but also dance in peace , ” a voice announces , as the track began to pump from the church ’ s speakers .
But it is perhaps in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” was born , that the dance has taken its strongest hold .
In mid-September , the country ’ s president , Cyril Ramaphosa , addressed the country on live television , as he had more than a dozen times since the coronavirus pandemic began here in March .
As case numbers continued to decline , he explained , the country would continue to reopen , unbanning large gatherings and opening its borders .
But that didn ’ t mean the pandemic was over .
With a public holiday called Heritage Day coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his fellow South Africans to stay home with family “ to reflect on the difficult journey we have all traveled.
” “ And there can be no better celebration of our South African-ness , ” he continued , “ than joining the global phenomenon that is the ‘ Jerusalema ’ dance challenge.
” For Ms. Makura , the expert in global perceptions of Africa , moments like this are important , not only for helping change how the world sees Africa , but also because they slowly help shift how Africans see themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and those narratives have a real impact on young people growing up on this continent .
They are told by the world they are helpless , and eventually they believe they are helpless too , ” she says .
“ But here you see an African song that caught on globally .
It wasn ’ t dependent on anyone else for its popularity .
”

Even South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called upon his country to join the challenge after weathering six months of the pandemic, remembering “those who have lost their lives, and to quietly rejoice in the remarkable and diverse heritage of our nation.”
The song owes some popularity to the strange internet alchemies of 2020 and the pandemic that forced creative at-home entertainment. “But it’s rare that a global movement like this starts here and then is imitated by the world,” says Moky Makura, an expert in perceptions of Africa. Moments like this are important, she says, not only for helping change how the world sees Africa, but also because they help shift how Africans see themselves.
Bound by the pandemic this year, people from around the world now also have something more joyful in common: a hit song and a dance with deeply South African roots.
After an Angolan dance troupe recorded themselves dancing to a hit South African house track by DJ Master KG and vocalist Nomcebo in February, they sparked a global phenomenon. The dance challenge has been embraced by everyone from lawyers to firemen and flash mobs. Sung in Zulu, the lyrics are gospel-esque, and among the most enthusiastic takers of the challenge have been people of the cloth.
On a continent where culture is often taken by outsiders and repackaged, the South African song “Jerusalema” has flipped the script.
It began in December, and at first it was isolated. You probably didn’t know about it if you didn’t live nearby, or if you didn’t know someone who did.
But by February, it had begun to jump borders – first regionally, then around the world. By summer, it had become a feature of daily life from Angola to Hungary to Canada. World leaders spoke of it on national television. Health care workers rallied around it.
“It,” of course, was the “Jerusalema” dance challenge.
Why We Wrote This Bound by the pandemic this year, people from around the world now also have something more joyful in common: a hit song and a dance with deeply South African roots.
When an Angolan dance troupe recorded themselves dancing to a hit South African house track by DJ Master KG and vocalist Nomcebo in February, they sparked a viral phenomenon that has since lapped the globe. Zimbabwe’s most renowned human rights lawyer recorded a version of the dance; so did a team of Romanian firefighters, and a few dozen socially distanced flash mobs around the world.
To date, “Jerusalema” has been streamed more than 96 million times on Spotify, and is one of the top searches globally on the music identification application Shazam. It hit the top five charts in Belgium, France, Hungary, Netherlands, and Switzerland and was No. 1 on Billboard’s world digital song sales chart in mid-September.
The song owes much of its popularity to the strange internet alchemies of 2020 – when a global pandemic forced creative forms of at-home entertainment and helped internet trends hop across regions and oceans. But on a continent where culture has often been taken by outsiders to be repackaged for Western audiences (think Louis Vuitton models walking the catwalk in checked scarves and shirts “inspired” by Kenya’s Maasai), “Jerusalema” also flipped that cultural script.
“It’s common to hear that somebody has taken something that they saw on the continent and co-opted it to make it a global product,” says Moky Makura, the executive director of Africa No Filter, which researches how Africa is portrayed in regional and global media. “But it’s rare that a global movement like this starts here and then is imitated by the world.”
Nardus Engelbrecht/AP View caption Hide caption To mark Heritage Day, South Africans in Cape Town respond on Sept. 24, 2020, to President Cyril Ramaphosa's call to take up the "Jerusalema" dance challenge in celebration, and to "reflect on the difficult journey" the country has traveled during the pandemic.
Indeed, in 2019 a study by the University of Southern California’s Norman Lear Center showed that Americans were more than twice as likely to see a negative depiction of Africa on TV as a positive one – if they saw any portrayals of Africa at all. Viewers were seven times as likely to see references to Europe on TV as to Africa, and nearly half of references to the continent on TV referred only to a nebulous “Africa,” rather than any specific country.
“Jerusalema,” on the other hand, can be traced to very particular roots. In December, South African DJ Master KG called singer Nomcebo late at night from his Johannesburg recording studio. He’d just written a new track and wanted her to sing the vocals. She came immediately, and by the next morning, the two had a rough cut of the song.
“Jerusalema” became a hit song in South Africa that Southern Hemisphere summer. But it was only after Angolan dance studio Fenomenos do Semba recorded themselves dancing to the song as they ate lunch in February that the song began to go viral.
Sung in Zulu, the song’s lyrics are gospel-esque. “Jerusalem is my home / Guide me / Take me with You / Do not leave me here,” sings Nomcebo in the opening lines.
It is perhaps little surprise, then, that among the most enthusiastic takers of the “Jerusalema” challenge have been people of the cloth. There have been “Jerusalema” dances from the Catholic archdiocese of Montreal and a group of novice nuns in rural South Africa, among others. In September, one Swedish Lutheran church announced that it would be closing services with a song “that says something about our longing.”
“So let us not only go, but also dance in peace,” a voice announces, as the track began to pump from the church’s speakers.
But it is perhaps in South Africa itself, where “Jerusalema” was born, that the dance has taken its strongest hold. In mid-September, the country’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, addressed the country on live television, as he had more than a dozen times since the coronavirus pandemic began here in March.
As case numbers continued to decline, he explained, the country would continue to reopen, unbanning large gatherings and opening its borders. But that didn’t mean the pandemic was over. With a public holiday called Heritage Day coming up the following week, he urged his fellow South Africans to stay home with family “to reflect on the difficult journey we have all traveled.”
“And there can be no better celebration of our South African-ness,” he continued, “than joining the global phenomenon that is the ‘Jerusalema’ dance challenge.”
For Ms. Makura, the expert in global perceptions of Africa, moments like this are important, not only for helping change how the world sees Africa, but also because they slowly help shift how Africans see themselves.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
“Negative stories reinforce negative narratives, and those narratives have a real impact on young people growing up on this continent. They are told by the world they are helpless, and eventually they believe they are helpless too,” she says.
“But here you see an African song that caught on globally. It wasn’t dependent on anyone else for its popularity.”


csmonitor--2020-10-09--'Great women like you': Twitter bot battles sexism with kindness

An abuse-fighting bot has sent out hundreds of positive messages on social media to counter the online harassment of women candidates in New Zealand ’ s general election .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern , her main rival the opposition leader Judith Collins , and more than 260 female parliamentary candidates have become a target for online hatred and sexism ahead of the Oct. 17 national polls .
That prompted the launch in August of the Parity Bot , which was first used in Canada ’ s elections last year and tweets a positive message every time it detects an abusive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A whole bunch of studies out there show women candidates get exponentially more toxic tweets than men , which is why we have created this for women , ” said Jacqueline Comer , creative technologist of the bot .
“ It is not to say that men don ’ t suffer from this , but it is a bigger problem for women , ” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone .
Since launching in New Zealand , the first nation to give women the right to vote in 1893 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 1,800 abusive tweets , most of them targeting Ms. Ardern and Ms. Collins .
After the bot , developed by the Canada-headquartered Areto Labs , detects such tweets it puts out pre-written positive messages such as “ great women like you running to make NZ a better place.
” The abusive tweets jumped from about 20 a day to a high of 100 during election campaigns against women candidates , said Ms. Comer .
A study this week by Plan International , a girls ’ rights group , showed one in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down or quit using social media after experiencing online harassment .
“ We haven ’ t treated online spaces as spaces where we live and work , ” said Golriz Ghahraman , an Iranian-born lawmaker who came to New Zealand as a child refugee and has been called a “ terrorist ” and “ jihadist ” online .
The Green Party lawmaker , who is seeking re-election in the upcoming polls , called for “ some form of legal regulation ” on the online attacks against women .
“ For women , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to very serious breach of our rights to equality and access to equal opportunity , ” said Ms. Ghahraman .
This story was reported by the Thomson Reuters Foundation .

An abuse-fighting bot has sent out hundreds of positive messages on social media to counter the online harassment of women candidates in New Zealand’s general election.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, her main rival the opposition leader Judith Collins, and more than 260 female parliamentary candidates have become a target for online hatred and sexism ahead of the Oct. 17 national polls.
That prompted the launch in August of the Parity Bot, which was first used in Canada’s elections last year and tweets a positive message every time it detects an abusive tweet against a female candidate.
“A whole bunch of studies out there show women candidates get exponentially more toxic tweets than men, which is why we have created this for women,” said Jacqueline Comer, creative technologist of the bot.
“It is not to say that men don’t suffer from this, but it is a bigger problem for women,” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone.
Since launching in New Zealand, the first nation to give women the right to vote in 1893, the bot has analyzed 95,000 tweets and detected more than 1,800 abusive tweets, most of them targeting Ms. Ardern and Ms. Collins.
After the bot, developed by the Canada-headquartered Areto Labs, detects such tweets it puts out pre-written positive messages such as “great women like you running to make NZ a better place.”
The abusive tweets jumped from about 20 a day to a high of 100 during election campaigns against women candidates, said Ms. Comer.
A study this week by Plan International, a girls’ rights group, showed one in five girls and young women had cut down or quit using social media after experiencing online harassment.
“We haven’t treated online spaces as spaces where we live and work,” said Golriz Ghahraman, an Iranian-born lawmaker who came to New Zealand as a child refugee and has been called a “terrorist” and “jihadist” online.
The Green Party lawmaker, who is seeking re-election in the upcoming polls, called for “some form of legal regulation” on the online attacks against women.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
“For women, the failure to regulate online spaces has led to very serious breach of our rights to equality and access to equal opportunity,” said Ms. Ghahraman.
This story was reported by the Thomson Reuters Foundation.