Your Friday Briefing – The New York Times

news7g08/26/2022

2 4 minutes read

Your Friday Briefing - The New York Times

Putin expands Russian army

Vladimir Putin ordered a sharp increase in the size of the armed forces of Russia yesterday, signaling an extended commitment to the war in Ukraine.

The Russian president has raised the target number of active-duty servicemen to about 137,000, to 1.15 million, as of January next year. He also ordered the government to set aside money to pay for growth.

Some analysts described the move as a clear signal that, after six months of fighting, Putin has no plans to withdraw.

Analysis: Putin’s decree represents a stunning reversal of years of Kremlin efforts to shrink a bloated military. But one The national draft would destroy the norm of normalcy that Russia has sought to uphold, despite continued hostilities and economic sanctions.

With less than two weeks to go in the race with Rishi Sunak, the former prime minister of the Exchequer, Truss has shown an inescapable aura, stuck to Conservative orthodoxy and wrapped in mantle. by Margaret Thatcher, a conservative icon.

But Truss, 47, has offered few clues as to how she will face the economic crisis that many experts consider the oldest in a generation. Instead, she vowed to cut taxes, shrink the size of the government and eliminate the rest of EU regulations.

History: If won, Truss would become Britain’s third female leader, after Theresa May and Thatcher, an anti-Communist fighter and free-market evangelist who has been in power during equally difficult economic times. in 1979.

How China can blockade Taiwan

China may still lack the ability to quickly invade and take over Taiwan, but it is honing its ability to blockade the self-governing island.

In an attempt to force concessions, or as a prelude to broader military action, Beijing could surround the island with ships and submarines to prevent ships from entering Taiwan’s ports. A blockade would seek to repel US forces, and China would most likely also use fighter jets and missiles to dominate the skies.

Taiwan may be vulnerable: Much of its 23 million population is concentrated on its western slopes – closest to China – along with its industries and ports. Even a limited blockade would threaten one of the world’s busiest trade routes.

Technology: China sees information as a key battleground. It can try to disable the underground cable that carries about 90% of the data that connects Taiwan to the world.

LATEST NEWS

Europe

Mack Rutherford, 17, becomes youngest pilot complete a solo flight around the world in a small plane as he landed in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Wednesday.

The Belgian-British pilot flew nearly 30,000 miles (more than 48,000 km) and made stops in 30 countries. “Very happy to be here after five long months,” he said as he got off the train.

SPORTS NEWS FROM ATHLETIC

This week, we’re introducing a new component to this newsletter – a sports section, written by The Athletic staff.

Farewell to the Champions League draw: The biggest club competition in European football is back with a bang and the group stage draw launched some instant classics. Chelsea have to face Italian champions, AC Milan; Tottenham will face the likes of Marseille and Sporting Lisbon; and Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Inter Milan were drawn together in the traditional “Table of Death”.

Dele Alli’s sad demise: The young English midfielder was once one of the brightest stars in the football village. Now, only 26 years old, and just a few years after what may have been his pinnacle, he leaving the Premier League under a cloudHis future is uncertain.

Is the way we analyze scoring in football all wrong? The way we analyze attack data has remained the same for many years, which can lead to unfair comparisons between players. Here’s how it can be fixed.

ARTS AND IDEAS

LGBTQ Fears and Rights in Ghana

When members of gay rights organizations called Drama Queens If they want to meet, they must first identify a safe location and consider hiring security personnel. But they are not alone. Members of dozens of advocacy groups in Ghana live in fear.

Ghana, in West Africa, is often considered one of Africa’s most progressive countries. But over the past year, it has considered a harsh anti-LGBTQ bill.

When this measure was first introduced, it was rejected by many as an attempt by opposition politicians to enhance their profile. But the law, officially known as Ghana’s Bill to Promote Correct Sexual Rights and Family Values, is still in place, and activists say it has spurred a substantial increase. about homophobia. There have been reports about police raids and harassment. In June, vandals destroyed LGBTQ pride poster in Accra, the capital.

The bill says that any activity that promotes gay rights offends traditional values and threatens the concept of family. The country still has a colonial-era law on books punishing same-sex relationships, but this proposed law would go much further. It would criminalize virtually every aspect of gay culture, from the way people dress to their social gatherings. Allies of LGBTQ people can also face criminal charges.

Drama Queens, founded 5 years ago, offers seminars on sexual and reproductive rights and consent and has expanded to provide a safe, creative space for women and fellow Ghanaians. count. The organizers organized art exhibitions, film festivals and meetups where young people could share their experiences. If Congress passes this measure, everything they do could become a crime.

Dennis KF Agyemang, co-director of Drama Queens, denounced the bill, calling it an “imminent threat to institutions and the safety of people”. — Lynsey Chutel, Johannesburg-based Briefings writer.