Position – USMAIL24.COM

Ugandan leader appoints son to top position, fueling debate over succession plan

Jeffrey Bailey — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 13:20:19 +0000

Uganda’s president, who has been in power for nearly four decades, has appointed his son to head the country’s military, fueling long-held suspicions in the East African country that the leader is grooming his son to to succeed him one day.

The President Yoweri Museveni said this late on Thursday that he had appointed his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, 49, as the country’s top military commander. General Kainerugaba had served as his father’s senior advisor, and so it had been participation in major rallies across the country to help position himself as heir apparent – even as experts say Mr Museveni, who is 79, is unlikely to give up power in his lifetime.

General Kainerugaba had come into the global spotlight in recent years because of him erratic, late-night tweets. At least one of the general’s closest confidantes was also appointed to a top position in the Cabinet.

Mr Museveni, a chairman for six terms, is expected to contest Uganda’s next elections, in 2026, and continue to consolidate its grip on the lush, landlocked country. But his advancing age and tensions among his close associates in the military and the ruling party have reignited talk of an alleged plan from a decade ago that claimed he was grooming his son for power.

Mr Museveni has repeatedly denied such a plan, commonly referred to as the ‘Muhoozi project’.

Since coming to power in 1986, Mr Museveni an important Western allyhas ruled Uganda with an iron fist and cracked down on press freedom, the jailing of opposition leaders And to have his critics tortured. Mr Museveni, his son and other top Ugandan officials were accused of crimes against humanity in a complaint filed last year with the International Criminal Court.

Mr Museveni also signed a widely condemned man anti-gay law Last year, that included a life sentence for anyone engaging in gay sex, and was considered one of the punishments the heaviest in the world. In August, the United Nations human rights office in Uganda was closed after the government refused to renew an agreement that allowed it to operate in the country.

General Kainerugaba is the eldest child and only son of Mr Museveni, who also has three daughters. His first name, Muhoozi, means “the avenger,” the president has said. The son, who attended military schools in the United States and Britain, has also served as commander of the Ugandan army’s land forces and as head of an elite special forces unit responsible for protecting Mr Museveni and his interests.

In recent months, General Kainerugaba has sought to burnish his image and consolidate his support across the country. He has met with politicians and attended rallies, actions that critics say violate rules banning active-duty army officers in Uganda from participating in politics.

For months he has refrained from sharing provocative tweets, which has sometimes happened in the past made his father angry. He has also assumed the chairmanship of the Patriotic League of Uganda, a non-partisan group he says aims to promote national pride.

On Friday, some Ugandan observers said the appointment of General Kainerugaba allowed Mr Museveni not only to keep a close eye on the military but also to keep everyone in the dark as succession politics unfolded and elections approached.

“It appears that the son is being strategically positioned so that he can manage the family estate in case the father were to die,” Michael Mutyaba, a Ugandan researcher and political analyst, said in a telephone interview.

The president, Mr. Mutyaba added, “likes to remain unpredictable, and that is one of the ways he retains power.”

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Hong Kong’s security law could damage the city’s position as a financial center

Sabir Ansary — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 11:57:55 +0000

Paul Chan, Hong Kong’s top financial official, traveled to Paris, London, Frankfurt and Berlin last September to lure foreign investors. Last month he abolished taxes on real estate purchases in Hong Kong by foreigners. And soon he will organize an international art exhibition, as well as conferences for major funds and advisors of wealthy families.

Mr. Chan’s rapid pace of work represents an attempt to strengthen Hong Kong’s role and image as Asia’s financial center. But that effort is now clashing with an attempt by the city’s Beijing-appointed leaders to further tighten their crackdown on the city’s remaining political freedoms.

Hong Kong’s legislature passed broad security legislation on Tuesday. City leaders described the law as necessary to stop foreign interference in local politics, but critics characterized it as a sweeping attempt to silence dissent.

Under its top leader, Xi Jinping, China has exerted greater influence over Hong Kong’s laws and prosecutors over the past four years. That has raised alarm among American and European companies that use the city and its open financial markets as a gateway to China. The mainland’s own economic struggles, especially in real estate, have further damaged confidence in Hong Kong as a place to put money.

Many investors and companies have already started moving their operations to Singapore, a rival that has the advantage of being an independent country 2,000 kilometers southwest of China.

“The new national security rules have eroded Hong Kong’s distinctiveness for foreign companies and Chinese exporters – its comparative advantage is less clear than it once was for many companies,” said Mark Wu, director of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University.

Shiu Sin-por, former head of the Hong Kong government’s policy review bureau and now a senior adviser to Beijing on Hong Kong issues, said the legislation would have no practical effect on trade or financial markets. “It might cause an image problem, but for ordinary investors it wouldn’t make any difference,” he said.

The crackdown coincides with an already difficult time for Hong Kong’s economy and financial sector. The city’s close ties with the mainland’s economy have been the city’s greatest strength – and have now become a problem as China’s economic activity slows. The city’s stock market has lost almost half its value in three years. Dozens of mainland property developers have defaulted on bonds issued in Hong Kong, causing billions of dollars in losses to investment funds in the city and damaging the image of the bond market.

To make matters worse, interest rates in Hong Kong have soared, roughly in line with those in the United States. That’s because the city’s currency is closely linked to the dollar and is fully convertible into dollars – a monetary policy central to the city’s role as a global financial center. But high interest rates have damaged the city’s vast real estate sector.

Hong Kong has imposed lengthy quarantines during the pandemic, eroding its role as an air travel hub. Mainland Chinese cities such as nearby Shenzhen have built extensive, state-of-the-art container ports, erasing Hong Kong’s leadership in logistics.

Beijing has also introduced extensive duty-free shopping on China’s Hainan Island. That has eliminated much of the need for mainland shoppers to cross the border into Hong Kong to avoid the mainland’s combination of high import duties and high sales taxes.

Banks and consultancies have already started moving staff to Singapore for politically sensitive activities such as assessing the performance of the mainland Chinese economy. Hong Kong’s new law also poses a further challenge to the city’s once vibrant media sector, which now faces the threat of prosecution for sedition for criticizing the government.

Hong Kong was a British territory from 1842 until 1997, when London brought it back under the control of mainland China. The city has a legal system based on the British common law system.

Many mainland Chinese companies continue to sign contracts under Hong Kong law. The city’s courts are seen as free from political interference in commercial matters, although critics warn that the Hong Kong government is now appointing pro-Beijing judges.

Hong Kong’s legal code since 1997, known as the Basic Law, requires the city to pass legislation against sedition, secession, treason, subversion and theft of state secrets, and to ban foreign political organizations from engaging in political activities in Hong Kong. The city’s leaders tried to pass the legislation in 2003, but withdrew after a major street protest. Beijing then imposed its own national security law in 2020, following a wave of protests the year before.

Regina Ip, a senior member of Hong Kong’s Cabinet, said the new law would allow leaders to focus on the economy. “We are 26 years late, and more importantly, we must focus on boosting the economy in the next phase of our development,” she said.

Ms Ip’s point was echoed by Leung Chun-ying, a senior adviser to Beijing’s leaders and former Hong Kong chief executive, who served in the government’s top role. “It is time for Hong Kong, not Beijing, to take action,” he said.

International criticism of the new law was broad and fierce.

“It could lead to significant restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and the right to express dissent,” said Nicholas Burns, the US ambassador to China.

Hong Kong’s leaders argued that the law was portrayed as more drastic than it actually was. They said what Hong Kong did to limit foreign interference was less extensive than recent efforts by countries like China Singapore and Australia, two of the main destinations where many companies and investors move.

Hong Kong law allows a broad role for the judiciary in reviewing government decisions on national security matters, Mr. Leung said in an interview in Beijing.

Businesspeople in Hong Kong say many of the activities banned by the new legislation could already be considered illegal in some form under Beijing’s laws in 2020, so they are watching to see how the new law is implemented.

“It’s fair to say that most of the changes are already baked in,” says Steve Vickers, CEO of Steve Vickers and Associates, a regional business risk consultancy in Hong Kong.

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The horrific Fool Me Once-style nanny-cam footage that exposed an abusive wife: Secret camera footage shows battered husband threatened with a knife, beaten and cowering in a foetal position during wife’s 20-year reign of terror

Albert Elence — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:21:19 +0000

Chilling never-before-seen footage from a nanny cam has revealed the moment a battered husband cowered on the floor while his wife hurled abuse at him and brandished a knife in their home during her 20-year reign of terror.

Damning videos of Sheree Spencer’s attacks on husband Richard at their seven-bedroom home in Bubwith, East Yorkshire, were captured on cameras the couple had installed to monitor their children.

And explosive clips from police interviews show Sheree casually lying about her husband being the abuser, only for her face to turn ashen when confronted with the footage.

On one occasion she defecated on the floor and forced him to clean it up, and on another she beat him with a wine bottle so hard it permanently disfigured his ear.

Sheree, 45, was jailed for four years at Hull Crown Court in March last year by Judge Kate Rayfield, who told her: ‘This is the worst case of controlling and coercive behaviour I have seen.’

Now, Mr Spencer is sharing his story in vivid detail in Channel 5 documentary My Wife, My Abuser: The Secret Footage, which airs on Monday.

And today, MailOnline can reveal Sheree went to desperate lengths through the courts in a bid to stop the documentary being broadcast.

Damning clips of Sheree Spencer’s attacks on husband Richard at their seven-bedroom home in Bubwith, East Yorkshire, were captured on cameras the couple installed to monitor their children

The hidden nanny cam gave a vital way out for battered husband Mr Spencer after he endured years of physical and verbal abuse from his wife, that sometimes left him ‘broken’ in a foetal position

Sheree’s reign of domestic terror finally ended in June 2021 when the police were called to their family home by a concerned welfare worker

The couple met in 2000 in a nightclub and married in Thailand in 2009 before having three daughters

Sheree’s reign of domestic terror finally ended in June 2021 when the police were called to their family home by a concerned welfare worker

Footage showed furious wine-fuelled tirades, in which Sheree would call her husband ‘fat boy,’ ‘a pussy’ and ‘dumb dumb’ and inflict bruises and scratches

The footage, obtained from the nanny-cam, gives a chilling real-life echo of Harlan Coben’s Netflix adaptation Fool Me Once, starring Michelle Keegan. In it, Keegan plays a woman who installs the small camera to keep watch over her young daughter, only to recognise an eerie figure from her past creeping into her home.

Mr Spencer felt his harrowing experiences should be seen to raise awareness of the type of abuse men can suffer in their daily lives at the hands of violent partners but Sheree tried to block it.

He told MailOnline: ‘Sheree tried to stop the documentary being broadcast in the crown court but failed, then she applied for a prohibited steps order through the family court, which luckily was rejected and thrown out at the first hearing.

‘The broadcast has been delayed due to the legal challenges for about six months, but now it is finally going to be shown.

‘I’m hopeful that the film will be well received and will make a difference.’

The hidden nanny cam gave a vital way out for battered husband Mr Spencer after he endured years of physical and verbal abuse from his wife, that left him ‘broken’ on the floor in a foetal position.

Mr Spencer had met his wife in a nightclub in 2000, and the pair married on a Thai beach in 2009.

After they welcomed the eldest of their three daughters in 2015, Mr Spencer installed the nanny cam so they could keep watch over her.

Instead, footage showed furious wine-fuelled tirades, in which Sheree would call her husband ‘fat boy,’ ‘a p**sy’ and ‘dumb dumb’ and inflict bruises and scratches that he would need to cover with make-up before going outside.

Mr Spencer told The Sun: ‘We had two [cameras] — one in the playroom and one in the bedroom. They were there for reassurance, to keep an eye out because it’s a big house.

‘It was on something like a 28-day roll, where if something new came in it would delete the old footage.’

When police finally became involved, Mr Spencer handed over 43 images of his bruised face, taken on different dates following savage assaults he had suffered.

Equally explosive clips from police interviews show Sheree casually lying about her husband being the abuser, only for her face to turn ashen when confronted with the clips

Mr Spencer, now happily settled with a new partner, decided to take part in the Channel 5 documentary to help other abused men speak out

Mr Spencer handed police 36 photographs he took of himself, showing cuts and bruises to his face and body

Sheree Spencer, 45, was jailed for four years for making her husband Richard’s life a living hell with daily beatings and verbal attacks that left him cowering on the floor in the foetal position

Richard Spencer secretly recorded video and audio of his wife’s attacks on him for years. When police became involved he handed over 43 images of his bruised face and body

A police officer tells the documentary: ‘This has been going on for such a long time, that this is who he is. Withdrawn and broken.’

Mr Spencer says: ‘I just wanted the abuse to stop. I was in a situation and there was no way out.’

Hull Crown Court heard that mother-of-three Sheree had carried out most of the attacks on her husband in the family home.

Sheree worked at the highest levels for HM Prison and Probation Service and bragged to friends that she had the ear of former prime minister Boris Johnson.

She was a project manager in the department’s directorate of strategy and performance.

A former friend said: ‘She would brag about being only two down from the prime minister in her field and had meetings with Boris Johnson, who she spoke of as though he were a friend.

‘She was bragging about her high flying career while subjecting her poor husband, a lovely man, to daily abuse, degradation and humiliation.’

It was described as ‘a great irony’ that Spencer had done so much work aimed at investigating the effect of custodial sentences on the family.

Within months of becoming a couple in 2000, Richard endured her violent rages, which happened whether she was drunk or sober.

The worst of the assaults on him happened in April 2021 when his wife attacked him with the empty wine bottle.

Mr Spencer, who stands at 5ft 10in, told the court that although he was bigger and physically stronger than his petite wife, he did not fight back when she began to attack him.

He said he became almost immune to the physical abuse she meted out, even though she would cause him immense pain by sinking her teeth into him.

But he said the mental scars left by 16 years of her hate-filled attacks were what would leave the most lasting effect.

Sheree’s reign of domestic terror finally ended in June 2021 when the police were called to their family home by a concerned welfare worker.

Her arrest that day on suspicion of assaulting her husband opened a door into the hell he had kept private for his entire married life.

Mr Spencer said: ‘In trying to block the footage being shown, she continued trying to exert control even from jail, but fortunately justice prevailed.

‘It’s astonishing to me that she’s living a relatively easy life in prison, having been moved to an open jail after six months of her sentence.

‘The judge in her case described it as the worst case of coercive control she had ever seen, so why she was considered for open prison so early is beyond me.

‘She is due for release next February but she is able to go out for family and friend meetings and has been working in a cafe.

Spencer worked at the highest levels for HM Prison and Probation Service and bragged to friends that she had the ear of former prime minister Boris Johnson

Hull Crown Court heard Spencer was a mother of three young children and that many of the attacks on her husband had occurred in the family home

The court heard that Spencer beat him with the bottle all over his head and body and caused a serious injury to his ear, which swelled dramatically

‘It doesn’t seem a just sentence for someone who committed such serious offences.’

Since his ex-wife’s imprisonment, Mr Spencer has joined a campaign called ManKind Initiative, which supports male victims of domestic abuse.

He has also found love again and told media he is happily settled with his new partner.

Speaking to media after Sheree was jailed last year, he said: ‘I have become resigned to the fact that I will never fully recover from her abuse and that it will have a permanent damaging impact on mine and my family’s life.

‘Sheree’s abuse towards me evolved and escalated over time, she used repeated acts of physical assault, threats, verbal abuse, and humiliation to punish and exercise control over me.

‘The abuse was hidden from the outside world, including friends and family. Sheree manipulated me into believing that I was a responsible and willing participant in the abuse. She remorselessly proclaimed that I deserved to be punished, and that it was a justifiable consequence of me disappointing her in some way.

‘Little by little, I lost my independence and willpower and just accepted that was how my life was going to be. I complied with Sheree’s demands, and she controlled most aspects of my everyday life, including things like what activities I could participate in and when, which room I could sleep in, and even which toilet I could use.

‘Gradually I became isolated from family and friends and was left deep in debt causing me to feel trapped.

‘After a while, I learnt to cover my face with my hands and curl up into a foetal position to try and avoid sustaining any visible facial injuries, so that I could still take the children to school and nursery.’

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Judge Amy Coney Barrett takes a distinctive position in the Trump case

Sabir Ansary — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:03:21 +0000

Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s opinion was only a page long, all two paragraphs. But by distancing yourself from both blocks on Monday nominally unanimous decision of the Supreme Court She rejected a constitutional challenge to former President Donald J. Trump’s fitness to hold office and played a distinctive role.

Judge Barrett was the third of Mr. Trump’s appointees, rushed to the court after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and arriving just before the 2020 election. But she is seen as one of the more moderate members of the court’s six-member conservative supermajority. During oral arguments, she can convey a mix of intellectual seriousness and common sense.

During public appearances, she is convinced that the court is apolitical, even if she sometimes says so in locations that undermine her message.

In 2021, for example, Judge Barrett told an audience in Kentucky that “my goal today is to convince you that this court is not made up of a bunch of partisan hacks.”

She spoke at the University of Louisville’s McConnell Center after an introduction by Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the minority leader who helped found the center and was instrumental in securing her confirmation. She was last year too the featured speaker at the annual gala of the Federalist Society, the conservative legal group.

On the surface, her unanimous opinion on Monday was an act of solidarity with the court’s liberal members — and the other three women. Like her, Judge Barrett wrote that the majority had gone too far in the process of ruling that Colorado could not disqualify Mr. Trump from the primary ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars officials who have sworn to uphold the Constitution support and then engaged in rebellion against his office.

“I agree that states do not have the power to enforce Section 3 against presidential candidates,” she wrote. “That principle is sufficient to resolve this case, and I would decide no more than that.”

But the majority had decided much more than that, she wrote, saying detailed federal legislation is needed to give Section 3 force. Once again, she agreed with the court’s liberal bloc.

“This lawsuit was brought in state court by Colorado voters under state law,” Judge Barrett wrote. “It does not require us to answer the complicated question of whether federal law is the exclusive means by which Section 3 can be enforced.”

After determining that she was siding with her Liberal colleagues on the substance of what they had to say, she questioned their tone, calling it shrill. Members of the court who disagree with the majority, she said, face a choice, adding that her colleagues had made the wrong one.

“In my opinion, this is not the time to increase disagreement with stridency,” she wrote.

It is true that the joint opinion by the three liberals — Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson — contained some pointed comments, including quotes from the rulings in Bush v. Gore, the decision that settled the 2000 election, and Dobbs v. Gore. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which abolished the constitutional right to abortion.

But the joint agreement was not particularly harsh by the standards of recent dissent. Yet indeed it had apparently started as a partial dissentit was presented as an opinion concurring with the judgment, meaning that it accepted the majority’s premise but not its reasoning.

Yet Judge Barrett seemed to think her colleagues had crossed a line, to the detriment of the court and the nation.

“The court resolved a politically charged issue in the volatile presidential election season,” she wrote. “Especially in these circumstances, writings about the court should lower, not raise, the national temperature.”

Then she spoke to the nation.

“For present purposes,” she wrote, “our disagreements are far less important than our unanimity: all nine justices agree on the outcome of this case. That is the message Americans need to take home.”

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How do you find a great graduate position?

Jeffrey Bailey — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:53:43 +0000

Will you get the grade for a graduate job?

With 800,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students leaving UK higher education every year, winning a place on a coveted graduate program could give you an edge in the job market.

Find the right graduate position to start your careerCredit: Getty

However, with around 40 people applying for each place in the graduate programme, it can be very difficult to secure a place.

If you are unable to get into a graduate program – or there is no suitable program in the sector you want to work in – the next step is to look for a graduate position.

Although these types of jobs are not official graduate training programs, they are only open to candidates with relevant degrees and are thus still considered high-status work. Many also offer top quality training.

There are around 50,000 graduate jobs available in Britain at any one time – around one in 18 of all vacancies. So if you have a degree, here’s how you can move up in your career.

Show that you are serious about the sector

Relevant work experience is the most important addition to your CV. If you don’t have one, buy some.

Use your network: everyone you’ve ever met and all their contacts.

Make a few calls, send a few emails, get on LinkedIn and approach companies coolly, even if they aren’t advertising a structured work experience program.

Make your diploma relevant

Show how what you have learned can be applied in practice. If you studied a completely different degree, don’t worry.

Showcase the transferable skills you have learned, such as being able to work independently, understanding and acting on complex information and timekeeping.

Practice makes perfect

Some companies use tests to pre-screen the huge pool of applicants. If you are invited to take a psychometric or numerical test, you can practice it online in advance.

Prepare as if it were your final

If you reach an interview stage, prepare with thorough research.

Make sure you know the names of the CEO and leadership team, read the company’s website and follow all its social media channels.

Read press coverage, industry publications and newsletters to get a broader picture and identify and learn about their top competitors.

Always include questions in a job interview

Many recruiters know graduates who have lost a job because they didn’t ask questions, and the interviewer interpreted that as a lack of interest.

Rise to the top of the class with these great graduation assignments from Sun Jobs this week.

Sports Graduate, Tradewind Recruitment, Liverpool

Inspire children with a love for sports in this role as a teaching assistant.

The job: Tradewind Recruitment is looking for Sports graduates to work as a teaching assistant at a primary school in Bootle.

What you will do: As a teaching assistant, you will work with experienced teachers to support the learning experiences of primary school students, using your sports skills to inspire children to be active and healthy.

You need: The ideal candidate is enthusiastic and reliable, with a great interest in working with children. A sports-related degree or qualification is essential, along with excellent communication skills and a willingness to learn and develop your teaching skills.

Apply now: See further details of this rolealong with other options of Tradewind recruitment.

Graduate Recruiter, Foster Lawson, Billericay

Help others get hired as a graduate recruiter.

The job: Foster Lawson takes on three Graduate recruiters to join the hardworking team.

What you will do: This role involves negotiating business terms and contracts for successful clients, liaising regularly with senior executives via telephone and video calls. You will source and interview exceptional candidates on behalf of clients, present relevant search solutions to meet client requirements and manage the application process.

You need: To qualify for this position you will need a bachelor’s degree and permission to work in the UK. You will be someone who thrives in a competitive environment, with excellent communication skills and a good understanding of the UK labor market.

Apply now: Find out moreor discover more options with Foster Lawson.

Graduate Assistant, Engage Education, Enfield

You’ve benefited from a great education – now help others do the same.

The job: Engage Education is hiring Graduate Teaching Assistants to work in schools in and around Enfield.

What you will do: As a teaching assistant you provide extra support to students in the classroom: assisting with effective teaching, individually or in small groups; assisting with planning and teaching lessons; supporting students in their educational and behavioral development; preparing teaching materials; and assisting with extracurricular activities.

You need: The ideal candidate will have a degree in any subject, with good numeracy and reading skills. A passion for helping children achieve their academic potential, along with the ability to build excellent relationships and rapport with students, is essential.

Apply now: Apply for this positionalong with other options with Involve education.

Discover thousands of open vacancies for jobs across the UK now on The Sun Job Board.

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Ego, Putin or Jets? Reasons for Orbán’s position on Sweden baffle many.

Sabir Ansary — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 13:28:42 +0000

It took 19 months of broken promises and bellicose rhetoric before Hungary finally ratified Sweden’s accession to NATO.

Why all the dragging, many observers wondered, when Hungary would still approve the Nordic country’s membership of the military alliance?

That question has even baffled members of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party, said Peter Ungar, an opposition lawmaker. He said that in the run-up to Monday’s vote in Parliament to accept NATO expansion, he was approached by a Fidesz lawmaker and asked: “What the hell is going on with Sweden?”

That a member of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s ruling party would seek an explanation from a rival politician shows how surprised even the Hungarian leader’s allies, let alone his opponents, became at their country’s decision to support NATO expansion. slowed down.

“The whole thing is incomprehensible,” said Mr. Ungar, a Hungarian progressive whose mother, Maria Schmidt, is a prominent conservative and longtime ally of Mr. Orban. “No one understands what the problem was,” Mr Ungar added.

He refused to name the MP who had sought him out, saying Fidesz demands unconditional loyalty to and acceptance of Mr Orban’s decisions, no matter how baffling they may seem. (The government did not respond to a request for comment.)

When parliament finally voted on Monday, it gave overwhelming support to Sweden’s membership. Zoltan Kovacs, the Secretary of State for International Communications, called it a ‘historic moment’, noting that “Hungary has a vested interest in the security of Europe” and that Sweden will be “a strong and reliable ally.”

However, Hungary’s reliability is more open to question.

The government submitted Finland and Sweden’s NATO applications to parliament in July 2022, but hesitated to put them to a vote. Finland was accepted by Hungary in March last year, but it took Parliament another eleven months to reach Sweden.

Mr. Orban and government officials offered a host of varying and sometimes far-fetched explanations for the delay, including complaints about references to Hungary in textbooks used in Swedish schools.

Some government critics, such as Peter Kreko, the director of Political Capital, a research group critical of Fidesz, blamed Mr. Orban’s ego and his desire, as leader of a small country with little economic or military influence, to be at the center. of attention.

More conspiratorial critics suspected a secret deal between Mr. Orbán and Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, pointing to the fact that of the European Union’s 27 national leaders, only Hungary’s has since met and photographed Mr. Putin while shaking hands. the beginning of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine two years ago.

But there is no evidence that Orbán’s close cooperation with Russia is more than an expression of his oft-stated desire to remain on good terms with Moscow, a major energy source, and avoid becoming entangled in the war next door in Ukraine. .

That position, which runs counter to that of fellow European leaders who see support for Ukraine as a moral and security issue, helped Fidesz to a landslide victory, its fourth in a row, in the last Hungarian parliamentary elections in April 2022.

The ego theory may have more basis. Hungary’s stagnation has certainly thrust a spotlight, if mostly unflattering, on Mr Orbán and his country, which has a population of just 10 million and accounts for just 1 percent of the European Union’s economic output.

Alarmed by the long delay, a bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators headed to Budapest, the Hungarian capital, earlier this month to show that Hungary was being taken seriously. Government ministers and Fidesz lawmakers all refused to meet senators, a criticism the government and its media machine celebrated as proof that Hungary makes its own decisions and will not be pressured.

“It is not worth it to visit US senators to exert pressure,” said Hungary’s combative Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.

A warmer welcome was received by Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who traveled to Budapest on Friday to talk down Mr Orban from his defiant one-against-all stance on Sweden’s membership. To help that happen, he brought with him promises of greater military and industrial cooperation between the countries.

Shortly after arriving in Budapest, Saab, a Swedish aviation company, announced that it had signed a contract with the Swedish state for the delivery of four new Gripen fighter jets to Hungary.

Mr Kristersson, who had previously said he would only visit Budapest after Hungary ratified his country’s NATO membership, also brought with him a promise that Saab would open a research center in Hungary.

Perhaps more importantly, however, the Swedish Prime Minister’s visit gave Mr Orbán the satisfaction of having settled an old personal score. While a member of the European Parliament in 2019, Mr Kristersson helped deliver a humiliating blow to Mr Orban by backing calls for Fidesz’s ouster from a powerful bloc of centrist and conservative lawmakers.

To avoid the humiliation of his departure, Fidesz withdrew.

Agoston Mraz, the director of the Nezopont Institute, a research center that conducts opinion polls for the government, said the most important aspect of Mr Kristersson’s visit was not only the extensive military cooperation, but that the Swedish prime minister had to smile for the cameras with Mr Orban.

“He is not a big fan of Mr Orban, but to be accepted into NATO he has to smile,” Mr Mraz said.

Without that, he added, Orban would have had a hard time explaining to his core rural voters why Hungary, after so many months of delays, dropped its objections to Sweden and let the country join NATO join. “It had to be explained and the explanation is that there is a deal with the Swedish prime minister,” he said.

The agreement on military cooperation, which had been in the works for many months, had little to do with Sweden’s membership of the Western alliance and, according to diplomats and analysts, only became linked to the NATO issue so that Mr. Orban could point to a concrete advantage. of his obstructionist policy.

That policy, at least initially, fit a familiar pattern, especially evident in Hungary’s repeated battles with the European Union, of defying mainstream opinion and asserting Hungarian sovereignty. Hungary also blocked a financial aid package for Ukraine for months, but relented under heavy pressure on February 1, a few weeks after the European Union released $10 billion in frozen funding for Hungary.

The government has now defaced the country with billboards featuring a photo of Ursula Von der Leyen, the president of the EU executive in Brussels, calling on citizens to resist external pressure: “Let us not go to dancing their tunes.”

However, as time progressed and Turkey, the only other obstacle blocking Sweden’s membership, ratified the Nordic nation’s admission in January, Hungary’s delays continued despite a pledge from Mr Orbán on January 24 to bring Sweden “to the first possible opportunity”. ” caused increasing confusion, even among some government allies.

When opposition lawmakers called an extraordinary session of parliament on February 5 to finally vote on Sweden’s admission, Fidesz boycotted the session.

Mr Mraz, a Fidesz supporter with ties to its leadership, said the boycott simply reflected Hungary’s domestic political reality. “We live in a polarized democracy and that means the opposition does not decide the date of Sweden’s acceptance,” he said.

But Hungary, he acknowledged, was surprised by the speed with which Turkey, a close economic and political partner, had ratified Sweden’s accession after more than a year of hesitation. “It was not pleasant for Mr Orbán that his promise that Hungary would not be the last could not be kept,” Mr Mraz said.

But in the end, Mr. Orban got what he wanted, including a large portion of humble pie eaten by Mr. Kristersson and a plausible story to tell his supporters.

“The Hungarian way of politics,” Mr. Mraz said, “is to be loud and fight.” Others, especially Scandinavians and EU officials in Brussels committed to seeking consensus, may not like Hungary’s approach. But, Mr. Mraz said, “it works.”

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Is the position of assistant manager something for you?

Jeffrey Bailey — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 13:08:48 +0000

Do you have what it takes to reach the top, but not quite there yet? Then move on to the role of assistant manager.

Typically a third or fourth level job, following the entry level, supervisor and team leader, assistant manager positions are ideal for ambitious candidates looking to climb the career ladder.

Take your career to the next level with the role of Assistant ManagerCredit: Getty

The role is essential to almost all business sectors, so whatever industry you're in, there will be an opportunity to suit you.

Ready to take your career upstairs? Here's everything you need to know about Sun Jobs.

What is the job of an assistant manager?

The clue is in the name: you are there to support and assist your boss. But this doesn't mean you're second best.

Assistant managers should be able to do almost everything their boss can and fill in for them when they are on leave or sick.

What can I learn in the role of assistant manager that will help me in my career?

Smart assistant managers learn from both the good and the bad.

Find out what your department and your boss are doing brilliantly and incorporate this into the way you work.

If there are any issues that aren't working so well, think about how you can improve them once you move into a full-fledged manager job.

You'll also get the chance to get involved in a range of projects, see from the 'shop floor' how the company operates, and meet people from across the organization – putting you in a good place to be considered for promotion .

How can I be a good assistant manager?

Whether you plan to stay in this role for a few years or are looking for a promotion in the coming months, make the most of all the opportunities on offer.

The best assistant managers make themselves indispensable, both to their immediate boss and to the broader company management.

Be proactive, go the extra mile, take on new tasks and ensure that both colleagues and bosses see you as a 'manage in wait'.

What else can I do to excel in my role as an assistant manager?

It is essential to pursue ongoing professional development and educate yourself.

Work out the skills and qualifications you need to move up and improve your offering through internal and external training.

Join networking associations and introduce yourself to attending events or even speaking. This means that you will also be the first to hear about internal or external vacancies for advancement.

Ready to make the step to management? Here are three vacancies from Sun Jobs this week.

Assistant store manager, BP Retail, Faringdon

Choose a career as a motorist with this flexible position in a BP store.

The job: BP Retail is looking for an experienced Assistant store manager to join his team in Faringdon.

What you will do: You will be responsible for leading the team and all aspects of the fresh food, Wild Bean Café and forecourt activities. You will support and encourage a small team while maximizing their potential in a supportive and positive manner, ensuring the safety of you, your team and the customer at all times, in accordance with bp policies and procedures.

You need: You have previous management experience, excellent customer service skills, good written and verbal communication skills and a proven track record of motivating, empowering and inspiring a team.

Apply now: See further details of this rolealong with other jobs bp Retail.

Assistant Manager, Slim Chickens, Bournemouth

Commercial hassle? In this position of assistant manager you also take on marketing.

The job: Casual restaurant brand Slim Chickens is looking for a Assistant manager.

What you will do: You are the right hand of the general manager and support the daily management of the company. You will work to identify and promote local marketing opportunities to drive sales and brand awareness, proactively develop and train your team, while ensuring compliance with all company policies and procedures.

You need: The ideal candidate has previous leadership experience and has worked in a management position within the hospitality industry; excellent communication and problem-solving skills; excellent organizational skills and above all enthusiasm and passion for food and customer service.

Apply now: Find out moreor discover more options with Slender chickens.

Assistant Manager, wed2b, Cardiff

Say yes to a wedding dress job as an assistant manager at this fast-growing brand.

The job: wed2b, one of the world's fastest growing bridal retailers, is looking for an enthusiastic and outgoing Assistant manager in Cardiff.

What you will do: You will be responsible for supporting the store manager, stepping into their shoes in their absence and working with them to achieve company KPIs and objectives. You drive sales and maximize every opportunity to increase revenue.

You need: A proven track record of leading and developing a team, making data-driven decisions and achieving sales targets, with a proven understanding of the premium luxury retail space as an advantage.

Apply now: Apply for this positionalong with other options wd2b.

Discover thousands of open vacancies for jobs across the UK now on The Sun Job Board.

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Jude Bellingham tips Phil Foden for stunning position change

Jeffrey Bailey — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 02:45:19 +0000

JUDE BELLINGHAM thinks Phil Foden could find himself in a position that very few people would expect.

The Real Madrid superstar has tipped his England teammate to take up a job as a footballer KEELER.

Jude Bellingham has tipped Phil Foden as goalkeeperCredit: Reuters

Foden, who is often deployed as a winger or attacking midfielder, was not exactly convinced of his qualities as a shot-stopper.

The pair, along with Aaron Ramsdale, chose their ultimate English 5-a-side teams for the YouTube channel Three Lions.

And when choosing who they would have in net, Bellingham suggested Foden would be a good goalkeeper for his team.

The 20-year-old said: “I think Phil [Foden] would be strangely good in net.

“Just really active, like just jumping around and stuff. I think he would be good in the net.”

But the Man City star was quick to explain that Bellingham was mistaken and pointed to his 6ft 4in height as the main reason why he struggled through the sick.

He said: “Me? Me being a good goalkeeper? I don't know where he got that from, [I would] probably chipped all the time.

“Yes, I have never played in goal, I never wanted to. So I'm not sure what Jude is [Bellingham] that is being talked about.”

HOW TO GET FREE BETTS ON FOOTBALL

Although Bellingham appeared to be joking about his proposal to let his compatriot don gloves, Foden is in the middle of a midfield selection dilemma for the national team.

Gareth Southgate has the difficult task of deciding which midfield he will work with in Germany this summer.

How does Gareth Southgate solve the Phil Foden dilemma with Jack Grealish potentially missing out on the 2024 Euros

Many fans and pundits are calling for Foden to play in midfield alongside Declan Rice and Bellingham.

While others believe the 23-year-old is better suited on the wing and can play electric up top alongside Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.

Foden has scored eight goals and seven assists in 23 Premier League appearances for Man City this season, playing mainly as a winger under Pep Guardiola.

Some English fans think Foden will be best in midfield with Declan Rice and Jude BellinghamCredit: PA

Others have suggested he is more effective in a front three with Harry Kane and Bukayo SakaCredit: Getty

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Bengaluru aims to regain the top position in city bus numbers

Sabir Ansary — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 04:10:27 +0000

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation or BMTC has floated tenders for the purchase of as many as 820 diesel buses to expand its fleet and expand operations. Residents of Bengaluru will get a better commuting experience.

Bengaluru aims to regain the top position in city bus numbers

Bangalore: To provide greater convenience and a more efficient travel experience to the residents of Bengaluru city, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation or BMTC plans to expand its fleet of buses and operations in the silicon city. Recently, the BMTC issued tenders for the purchase of as many as 820 diesel buses. On February 9, the company invited tenders for the purchase of fully built Bharat Stage 6 diesel buses. It is notable that February 17 is the last date on which bids can be submitted. According to BMTC's Chief Traffic Manager (Operations) GT Prabhakar Reddi, as many as 820 diesel buses will be purchased using Karnataka government funds. 20 buses were purchased from Tata Motors on a trial basis.

Notably, this would be the last series of bus purchases the company has planned in the near term. This purchase is expected to help the silicon city declare the top position in the number of city buses. It is worth noting that Delhi has a whopping 7,135 city buses, the most of any city in the country.

Bengaluru: Tender for 840 buses

In October 2022, BMTC initiated tenders for the purchase of 840 diesel buses, but the process was temporarily paused due to a petition filed in the Karnataka High Court. The petition argued against the company's purchase of buses with a 1,000mm floor height, raising concerns about their lack of accessibility for people with disabilities.

In March last year, the court granted permission to resume the process of purchasing the bus after the transport authority assured its full accessibility to passengers using wheelchairs. However, the process was delayed due to the parliamentary elections.

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Disabled man candidly reveals realities of his love life from asking a friend or carer to position him before encounters with escorts to asking his mother to book him a sex worker for Christmas

Sabir Ansary — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 19:43:20 +0000

A disabled man has revealed he is ‘just like everyone else’ when it comes to sexual urges as he opens up about his sex life.

Rhys Bowler, 34, is the focus of documentary Sex, Me and Disability on Channel 4 – and candidly reveals he has explored threesomes, paid for escorts and even once fell out of bed during the act.

Rhys has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DND) – a condition that causes progressive muscle weakness, meaning he must use a wheelchair and breathing apparatus for the rest of his life.

Still, the disability awareness ambassador appears spirited as he navigates independence, dating and a thriving sex life.

He added that while regular sex became a ‘coping mechanism’, the £150 – £240 sessions have accrued a pile of debt and it was now time to pursue a more ‘serious relationship’.

A new Channel 4 documentary titled Sex, Me and Disability follows the life of Welsh Rhys Bowler, 34, (pictured) who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DND) – as he makes candid confessions about his sex life

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DND) is a condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and confines Rhys to a wheelchair and breathing apparatus for the rest of his life (Pictured: His carer Lisa changes his clothes)

He added that while regular sex has become a ‘coping mechanism’, it was now time to pursue a more ‘serious relationship’ (Pictured: Rhys and Samantha go on their first date)

The show, which aired on Sunday evening, opened with Rhys getting a tattoo in Cardiff, at which point the artist asked: ‘How do you actually have sex?’

Rhys blunty replied: ‘Well it’s a stupid question. I’m a lazy f***er, I don’t do a lot’.

He then explained that ‘disabled people have sexual urges’ like everyone else and that ‘it’ worked ‘fine’.

‘We’re still the same as everyone’ he continued. ‘We are still people – we all want sex.

‘Every experience I wanted to try, I have done. I’ve tried threesomes, I’ve seen more than one girl. I’ve tried a*al, I’ve tried everything’.

Responding to more questions from the tattooist about the mechanics of it all, Rhys admitted that he’d ‘fallen off the bed a few times’.

‘Yeah I was on the floor like s**t yeah,’ he added.

The revelations grew wilder during a candid conversation with his mother Lynne when she popped round to check up on her son.

The pair discussed the awkward moment Rhys requested an escort as a Christmas gift from his mum – and how she went as far as purchasing condoms for the special night.

Rhys said about his bedroom antics: ‘I’m a lazy f***er, I don’t do a lot’ (Pictured: his bedroom)

The disability awareness ambassador also explained that ‘disabled people have sexual urges’ like everyone else and that ‘it’ worked ‘fine’

He also shockingly revealed that his mum Lynne (pictured) once gifted him an escort for Christmas

She recalled: ‘Remember that first time you had that escort and you nagged me when I asked you what do you want for Christmas?

‘And you said “pay for me to have an escort” – I thought I was going to have a heart attack to be honest with you.

‘You needed to try it I suppose… I had to go buy the condoms. Do you know the things you’ve had me doing? It’s unbelievable!’

But for Rhys, the awkwardness was well worth it, adding that the saucy encounter gave him an ‘adrenaline rush’.

He said: ‘The first time I saw a sex worker it was very exciting you know. You get an adrenaline rush.

‘In my situation, first someone has to put me in the bed. Sometimes I use friends to do that, sometimes I use the carers’.

For those in a similar situation, he explained that there was nothing ’embarrassing’ about it as long as you were honest about your disability before the worker arrived.

Lisa helps him with his daily routine, including changing his clothes and making cups of tea

During a video conference for disabled adults Rhys recommended the ‘spatchcock chicken position’ for ‘excellent penetration’ as it guaranteed ‘it’ would go ‘nice and deep’

Elsewhere in the documentary, Rhys discusses some of his preferred sexual positions – highlighting what he calls the ‘spatchcock chicken position’ in particular.

However, his exciting sex life comes at a cost to his wallet – and he noted how expensive it can be to pay for escorts, adding he was now looking for a ‘serious’ relationship.

‘If we look at the price of a sex worker these days you’re looking at £150 for their time,’ he said.

‘People without much money can’t do that – but when you are dependent on it, you find a way.

His quest to find love landed him in the arms of the stunning Samantha – and although the reason for her disability is not given, Rhys says they are in the ‘same situation’

Rhys now admits that his sex addiction stemmed from the belief that he would never experience intercourse in a loving relationship

‘I was trying to find a way to feel better by having sex. It was easy to do, it was easy to get access, I didn’t have to tell anyone what was going on.

‘It then becomes a bit of a coping mechanism’.

He then recounted the terrifying moment he was robbed shortly after an escort arrived at his home.

He remembered waiting in bed for the woman to arrive after his carer had left, only for her to make off with his money.

The stressful ordeal had him stuck in the same position for three hours before anyone found him.

Reflecting on his previous use of escorts, Rhys said he became reliant on sex work after believing he would never experience intercourse in a loving relationship.

And in his hopes to find a partner he says he has since turned over a new leaf ‘because I know I’m worth more than that’.

His quest to find love landed him in the arms of the stunning Samantha – and although the reason for her disability is not given, Rhys says they are in the ‘same situation’.

Samantha, from Wales, also gets around via a wheelchair and breathes with the assistance of a tube.

The budding couple were getting to know each other over Facebook before Rhys asked her out on a date.

He refuses to be weighed down by his disability, adding: ‘If you have a disability it doesn’t have to stop you’

Sex, Me And Disability is currently available to stream on Channel 4

After the sweet pair met for a date at the seaside, they began flirting back and forth, with Rhys admitting he was ‘nervous’ at finally laying eyes on her, while Samantha jokingly queried why he hadn’t brought her any flowers.

The date ended on a positive note, with the two hoping to take the relationship further, and one day get ‘married’ and build a ‘future’.

Elsewhere in the episode, Rhys introduced viewers to his bachelor pad, which he stated was testament to his independence and where he could be his ‘own man’ without a ‘nagging’ mother.

However he conceded that although he could not afford a full time carer, his helper Lisa had become like family and having her around made him feel safe.

Viewers were shown some of the modifications made to his home, including a central computer that enabled several functions such as answering phone calls and multiple straw stations to make it easy for him reach to a drink.

The unrelenting march of DMD

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy affects about 2,500 children in the UK.

It is triggered by a faulty gene that gives the body instructions for making the protein dystrophin, and the lack of this means that muscle fibres throughout the body break down and are replaced by fibrous or fatty tissue.

The result is devastating, with patients gradually deteriorating until they are totally dependent on a wheelchair.

Duchenne affects mainly boys. Girls can carry the faulty gene without it causing symptoms. In around two-thirds of Duchenne cases, the genetic change is passed down through the family from the mother. A son born to a woman who carries the gene has a one in four chance of having Duchenne.

If a man with Duchenne has children with a non-carrier, their sons would not have Duchenne but daughters would be carriers.

While there is no cure – patients are generally treated with physiotherapy and steroids – drugs are becoming available, including Translarna (ataluren). It is shown to slow down the progression of symptoms.

And when his carer Lisa comes over to help, watchers are offered a glimpse into what a regular day looks like for Rhys.

Lisa makes him a cup of tea and changes his clothes, while also being an ear to her client for some light-hearted chit chat.

Rhys explained: ‘This is my usual routine. It’s really difficult for me to change.

‘If I put the effort in, I think it makes all the difference doesn’t it? Doing something simple to change, it’s something everyone takes for granted’.

He added that he needed Lisa around because ‘when I take the breathing machine off I can’t speak… I run out of oxygen’.

At one point, he also divulged that his Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy diagnosis meant that he was expected to die at age 15, however he remains fearless and said death felt like ‘freedom’.

He refuses to be weighed down by his disability, adding: ‘If you have a disability it doesn’t have to stop you. If you can’t do some things, you find another way to do them’.

Sex, Me And Disability is available to stream on Channel 4.

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