EU blocks funding for six towns that declared themselves 'LGBT-Free Zones' - LocalNews8.com

depolitikblog.blogspot.com

The European Union has denied funding to six Polish towns that declared themselves to be “LGBT-Free Zones.”

In announcing the decision on Thursday, the European Commission said it was affirming that the union stands for equality for all people.

“EU values and fundamental rights must be respected by Member States and state authorities,” European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, wrote on Twitter.

“This is why six town-twinning applications involving Polish authorities that adopted ‘LGBTI free zones’ or ‘family rights’ resolutions were rejected,” she added.

The towns, which have not been identified, had applied to join the European Union’s twinning program, which links towns together “to guarantee peaceful relations” and “reinforce mutual understanding and friendship” between European citizens.

Under the terms of the program — which provides funding of up to €25,000 ($29,000) — the scheme should be accessible to all European citizens, without any form of discrimination.

Commission spokesman Adalbert Jahnz said: “Six applications have been rejected because the answer given by the legal representative of the project did not provide the evaluation committee with sufficient assurance that the project would be in line with those objectives and general features.”

Jahnz told CNN he was “not at liberty” to identify the rejected applications, adding: “We do not disclose the applicants who were rejected to get EU funds, this is a really a principle of equality of treatment that is at the heart of our selection processes.”

In a statement on Twitter, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Our treaties in Europe ensure that every person in Europe is free to be who they are, live where they like, love who they want and aim as high as they want. I will continue to push for a #UnionOfEquality.”

In March, the International Observatory of Human Rights said one-third of Polish towns had declared themselves “free from LGBTI ideology” since 2019.

While Polish attitudes toward homosexuality are slowly progressing, same-sex marriage is not legal and the overwhelmingly Catholic country remains one of the most conservative and restrictive in Europe for LGBTQ people.

Earlier this month a city in the Netherlands severed ties with its sister city in Poland after the latter declared itself an “LGBT-free zone.”

Nieuwegein, a city near Utrecht in central Netherlands, released a statement announcing the immediate end to its friendly relationship with the Polish city of Pulawy.

The Nieuwegein City Council called on the municipal executive council to sever ties on July 13 after becoming aware of recent reports on the treatment of members of the LGBT community in Pulawy.

CNN has attempted to contact local authorities in Pulawy for comment.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"six" - Google News
July 31, 2020 at 06:59PM
https://ift.tt/2Pgf78o

EU blocks funding for six towns that declared themselves 'LGBT-Free Zones' - LocalNews8.com
"six" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3dcBbL9
https://ift.tt/2Wis8la

'The Jet Doesn't Care:' 1st Female F-35 Demo Pilot Says She's Focused on Excellence - Military.com

depolitikblog.blogspot.com

Capt. Kristin "Beo" Wolfe, the new face of the U.S. Air Force's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter demonstration team, is "used to" being outnumbered as a female pilot.

Wolfe, of the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, has served in the Air Force for nearly a decade. But now, as the first woman ever to hold her job, she knows there’s an additional expectation to perform with superiority and excellence.

Read Next: These Marines Just Published a How-To Guide on Hiding from Enemy Drones

"A lot of people have [misconceptions] still about either females flying or females being fighter pilots, all the way from little kids … to adults," she said in a recent interview with Military.com. "So that's probably the most important part, is that they get to see it … for them to see that anything's possible."

At the same time, she said, "the jet doesn't care if you're a male or female."

While modest about her achievement, Wolfe, whose call sign "Beo" stands for an acronym she didn't wish to disclose, is part of an exclusive community of military women who fly the Pentagon's premier -- and most expensive -- stealth jet.

Capt. Kristin "BEO" Wolfe, the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot, prepares for takeoff prior to a practice flight at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 6, 2020. (U.S. Air Force/Capt. Kip Sumner)

There are 11 active-duty female F-35A pilots as of earlier this month, according to the Air Force. By comparison, there are 286 active-duty male pilots flying the F-35 in the service.

The other military branches have even fewer female F-35 pilots. The Navy currently has two female F-35C pilots -- one is an instructor at the Strike Fighter Squadron 125, and the other is an F-35C weapons school instructor, Naval Air Forces said in a recent email.

The Marine Corps has three female pilots currently flying the F-35. One full-time aviator and a student pilot fly the F-35B, while another student in the training pipeline flies the F-35C, according to service spokesman Capt Joseph Butterfield.

"In the military, females are outnumbered in general," said Wolfe, a military brat whose father was an F-15C Eagle pilot. "It just gets narrower and narrower as you get into the pilot community and then the fighter pilot community.

"[But] my only mission as a demo pilot is for us to just get on the road to show off the F-35," she added.

Wolfe admits that it has not been the easiest task, with many air shows canceled amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Still, she is taking to the skies more often at Hill to get her flight hours in, and helping out with instructing where she can.

A former F-22 Raptor pilot, Wolfe can use her skillset flying for audiences at air shows or for an overseas deployment.

"The biggest difference is just my focus," she said.

Wolfe flies a combat-ready fifth-generation jet even as a demo pilot. "It's not stripped down. It could completely go to war the next week if we want it to," she said.

The demo show typically simulates how the F-35 can perform in combat. "That's kind of the message we try to share with everybody," she said.

Wolfe has an earlier milestone under her belt: She was part of the Air Force's first squadron to deploy the F-35A to the Pacific in 2017.

"We're sitting at Kadena ... getting intel updates and daily statuses of anything in this theater, [like] if North Korea is doing something," Wolfe said about the rotation to the air base in Okinawa. "It was huge, for not only the F-35, but for the 34th Fighter Squadron, which ... was the first operational Air Force Squadron that we had" at Hill.

The unit flew alongside the Marine Corps' F-35Bs operating out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

"To declare that we finally had enough pilots to fill the squadron and fly the jets out there and operate for six months was really kind of a testament to how quickly we got the squadron up and running and ready, and we were out the door," she said.

As for her future, it hasn't been decided whether she'll go to a training unit or a combat-ready unit following the 2020-21 demo team season. As the service builds its ranks of female pilots, Wolfe said she'd like to see one at her next rotation -- but it's not something she expects.

"I was the only female in my squadron for three years at Langley [Air Force Base, Virginia], and then the only one here for a couple years," she said. There are currently five women flying the F-35 at Hill, she added.

There's been slow but steady progress for women to see combat in the jet. Last month, Capt. Emily "Banzai" Thompson, also of the 388th, became the first woman to fly the F-35A Lightning II in combat in the Middle East.

"If we only make up less than 4% of the community, then that's going to happen, but it's definitely not going to happen pretty quickly," Wolfe said of breaking barriers in combat.

For now, she said she is just happy to be part of the growing F-35 community, both as an instructor and the demo lead.

"We tend to focus too much on the female aspect. I'm just lucky to be in this job," she said.

"We're concerned with having the best fighter pilots that we absolutely can go to war with, because at the end of the day, it's all you care about: Is your wingman competent? Can they save your life? Can you rely on them?"

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

Related: The Air Force Has its First Female F-35 Demo Team Commander and Pilot

Show Full Article

© Copyright 2020 Military.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"Demo" - Google News
July 30, 2020 at 07:00PM
https://ift.tt/3jXVHDx

'The Jet Doesn't Care:' 1st Female F-35 Demo Pilot Says She's Focused on Excellence - Military.com
"Demo" - Google News
https://ift.tt/35q1UQ2
https://ift.tt/2Wis8la

343 Industries confirms Halo Infinite gameplay demo was on an older build - Windows Central

depolitikblog.blogspot.com

Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. He's relatively new to the writing scene, but he counters that lack of experience with a rock-solid work ethic and a desire to improve at every opportunity. You'll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"Demo" - Google News
July 31, 2020 at 08:31AM
https://ift.tt/2P74rsW

343 Industries confirms Halo Infinite gameplay demo was on an older build - Windows Central
"Demo" - Google News
https://ift.tt/35q1UQ2
https://ift.tt/2Wis8la

SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo-2: How to watch NASA astronauts return to Earth - CNET

depolitikblog.blogspot.com

Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley strapped into Crew Dragon prior to the launch scrub May 27.

SpaceX

The SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission has so far been smooth sailing for NASA's Commercial Crew Program. Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley had a successful launch and ride to the International Space Station in late May. Now they're ready to come back down as early as this Sunday.

The return to Earth takes some time, and NASA will be there along the way with a livestream on NASA TV. 

Stormy weather at the potential splashdown sites in the Atlantic could complicate the schedule. "We're going to watch the weather very carefully. We have a series of sites and many days. If we don't undock on Saturday to come home on Sunday, we would move undocking to Monday," NASA Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich said in a statement on Wednesday.

While the timing details could change, NASA has set the following coverage schedule for the major milestones:

Saturday, Aug. 1:

• ISS farewell ceremony coverage at 6:10 a.m. PT.
• Undocking coverage starts at 2:15 p.m. PT ahead of the 4:34 p.m. departure.

Sunday, Aug. 2:

• Splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean is targeted for 11:42 a.m. PT. 
• Post-splashdown news conference set for 2 p.m. PT.

The reentry process is dramatic. "Crew Dragon will be traveling at orbital velocity prior to reentry, moving at approximately 17,500 miles per hour. The maximum temperature it will experience on reentry is approximately 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit," said NASA in a statement on July 24.

CNET Science

From the lab to your inbox. Get the latest science stories from CNET every week.

A SpaceX recovery vessel will meet Crew Dragon (which the astronauts named Endeavour) to collect the spacecraft and parachutes from the water. Endeavour will be hoisted onto the ship and Behnken and Hurley will be greeted by a medical team. 

There's a lot riding on a safe, uneventful return for Crew Dragon. "This is SpaceX's final test flight and is providing data on the performance of the Falcon 9 rocket, Crew Dragon spacecraft and ground systems, as well as in-orbit, docking, splashdown and recovery operations," NASA said in a release.

If Crew Dragon passes these final tests, then SpaceX will be able to provide regular, operational flights to the ISS starting later this year. And it would end NASA's reliance on Russian spacecraft for the first time since the shuttle era.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"Demo" - Google News
July 31, 2020 at 03:32AM
https://ift.tt/2Xc7LHo

SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo-2: How to watch NASA astronauts return to Earth - CNET
"Demo" - Google News
https://ift.tt/35q1UQ2
https://ift.tt/2Wis8la

Six Chiefs Appear in Annual NFL Top 100 Rankings - chiefs.com

depolitikblog.blogspot.com

The heart and soul of the Chiefs' defense, safety Tyrann Mathieu, also appeared in the upper half of the rankings at No. 39. Mathieu did a little bit of everything for Kansas City's defense in 2019, and as the regular season hit the homestretch, there was simply nobody better at his position. In fact, from Week 10 through the Super Bowl, Mathieu was the only safety in the NFL to record at least three interceptions and three pass-breakups without allowing a touchdown in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. Additionally, he yielded the fewest yards-per-catch of any safety with 20+ targets in the league during that stretch.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"six" - Google News
July 30, 2020 at 08:50PM
https://ift.tt/2EwWMlv

Six Chiefs Appear in Annual NFL Top 100 Rankings - chiefs.com
"six" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3dcBbL9
https://ift.tt/2Wis8la

Possible Tropical Storm Does Not Deter Preps for Demo-2 Landing - SpacePolicyOnline.com

depolitikblog.blogspot.com

A tropical storm expected to form and head towards Florida is not deterring NASA and SpaceX from preparing to bring the Demo-2 crew back to Earth on Sunday. It will splash down on either the Atlantic or Gulf coasts of the state. The track of the storm, to be named Isaias, could threaten all seven potential Demo-2 splashdown sites. The storm will not affect the launch of NASA’s Mars Perseverance mission tomorrow morning.

NASA is in the midst of a particularly busy few days, with Perseverance scheduled for launch at 7:50 am ET tomorrow, and the return of Demo-2 on Sunday.

At the moment, both are proceeding apace. NASA TV coverage of the Perseverance launch begins at 7:00 am ET with an 80 percent chance of favorable weather.

The storm, currently referred to by the National Hurricane Center as “Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine” is still forming in the Caribbean, threatening the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico tonight and then heading eastward. The National Hurricane Center says long-range track and intensity forecasts are more uncertain than usual because it does not yet have a well defined center, but the forecast map puts Florida in the crosshairs.

Compare that with the map of the seven potential splashdown sites for Demo-2 and the problem is obvious.

Nonetheless, NASA and SpaceX completed the Return to Earth Flight Readiness Review (FRR) today and decided to proceed with plans for the crew, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) Saturday evening, with splashdown at 2:42 pm ET Sunday at one of those sites.

This particular Crew Dragon, named Endeavour, has more landing limitations than future versions and can only withstand modest wind and wave conditions. In addition, the crew will be helicoptered back to land from the recovery ship, adding more weather restrictions.  Among the criteria are winds less than 10 miles per hour, rain probability less than 25 percent, and no lightning within 10 miles.

At a press conference today, NASA and SpaceX officials offered glowing reviews of the mission so far.  Hurley and Behnken launched on May 30 and arrived at the ISS the next day. Since then they have been helping NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy.  Cassidy and Behnken performed four spacewalks to replace batteries and do other tasks on the outside of the ISS.  Cassidy has been aboard the ISS with two Russian colleagues, Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner, since April.  They will remain until October, returning to Earth on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft that brought them there.

Demo-2’s Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley (L-R, in black and khaki) are welcomed aboard the ISS on May 31, 2020 by the ISS Expedition 63 crew (L-R, in blue) Anatoly Ivanishin, Ivan Vagner, and Chris Cassidy. Screengrab.

Demo-2 is the crewed test flight of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, with the emphasis on test flight.  It is the last step for SpaceX to obtain certification from NASA that its commercial crew system is ready for operational flights.  Everything has been going so well it is easy to forget it is a test, but SpaceX and NASA repeatedly stress the mission is not over until Bob and Doug are back home with their families and this final phase — entry, descent and landing (EDL) — is one of the riskiest parts.

The next decision point is 48 hours before the scheduled undocking at 7:34 pm ET Saturday, but there are other opportunities to assess the weather before a final decision is made.  In fact, the crew could undock as planned and still wait for better weather if necessary.  Landing opportunities are about 48 hours apart and there are 3 days worth of supplies onboard, so there is plenty of margin to adjust to changing weather conditions.

Crew Dragon is the first U.S. human spacecraft to land in the water since Apollo. The space shuttle landed on runways like an airplane. Russia’s Soyuz lands on land, as will Boeing’s Starliner, the other U.S. commercial crew system in development.

SpaceX has considerable experience with water recoveries. The cargo version of Dragon, launched to ISS 20 times already, splashes down in the Pacific.

Crew Dragon will splash down in the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico, depending on weather. The spacecraft, with the crew still inside, will be hoisted onto the recovery ship. After being helped out and checked by medical experts, a helicopter will fly the crew to land.

NASA and SpaceX expect to spend about 6 weeks studying the spacecraft and combing through data before issuing the final certification for operational flights. Assuming all goes well, the first operational mission, Crew-1, will launch at the end of September, beginning a regular cadence of flights every six months ferrying crews of four back and forth.

The four Crew-1 astronauts are NASA’s Michael Hopkins, Vic Glover, and Shannon Walker, and Soichi Noguichi from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Crew-1 (L-R): Shannon Walker, Vic Glover, Michael Hopkins, and Soichi Noguchi. Credit: SpaceX

NASA just announced the next set, Crew-2, which will launch in the spring of 2021:  NASA’s Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, JAXA’s Akihiko Hoshide, and the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) Thomas Pesquet.  Fun fact: McArthur is married to Demo-2 astronaut Bob Behnken.

Last Updated: Jul 29, 2020 10:12 pm ET

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"Demo" - Google News
July 30, 2020 at 09:03AM
https://ift.tt/39GmeRi

Possible Tropical Storm Does Not Deter Preps for Demo-2 Landing - SpacePolicyOnline.com
"Demo" - Google News
https://ift.tt/35q1UQ2
https://ift.tt/2Wis8la

Halo Infinite's gameplay demo has been remade in Halo 5's Forge mode - Windows Central

depolitikblog.blogspot.com

During the official gameplay reveal for Halo Infinite, fans got a first look at the types of enviornments they'll get to explore in the final game. Expansive grasslands, horizons filled with massive cliffs and alien-like metallic pillars, and more were shown off.

One fan in particular, Alexander Henry, decided to give himself a challenge: he wanted to try and recreate what was shown in the gameplay demo in a playable 4v4 Halo 5: Guardians Forge map. Despite how difficult it often is to build a map from the ground up and make it enjoyable to play on and look at, he managed to achieve his goal.

Here is the #HaloInfinite Gameplay demo built-in #halo5 Forge as a 4v4 Slayer map. Everything you see excluding the beam tower was built from the ground up within 48hrs of the Xbox showcase.

I just want a shot at joining 343's Forge team🙏🏼

Hope you enjoy! pic.twitter.com/6OPPd7N8vX

— Alexander Henry (@AlexRcreations) July 27, 2020

Ultimately, what I find the most impressive about Henry's map (dubbed "Arrival"), is how shockingly good the attention to detail is for something made in such a short timeframe. I've done some Forging in my time and consider myself experienced at it, but it usually takes me weeks to achieve the look that I want with my map. The fact that Henry was able to create something so good-looking in less than two days is incredible.

Best VPN providers 2020: Learn about ExpressVPN, NordVPN & more

I also love how close the map resembles what we see in the gameplay demo. Through creative use of the various Forge objects, Henry was able to recreate everything from the crashed Pelican to the large, looming tower in the background. He was even able to add in the ring structures scattered throughout the terrain as well, which really helps sell the Halo Infinite vibe.

Michael Schorr, Forge Lead Designer at 343 Industries, caught wind of Henry's map on Twitter and indicated that he enjoyed the map. This echoes the positive reception that the map has recieved from both fans and other Halo developers alike. If you'd like to download and play the map yourself, you can do so here.

What are your thoughts on the map? Are you impressed with what Henry was able to accomplish in such a short timeframe? Are you excited to see what Halo Infinite's Forge mode is like? Let us know. For more on Halo Infinite, make sure to read our article on the questions we have about the game following its official gameplay reveal.

The predecessor to Halo Infinite

Halo 5: Guardians

What came before Halo Infinite

Halo 5: Guardians is the predecessor to the upcoming Halo Infinite, featuring a full campaign, tons of multiplayer modes, plenty of items to unlock, and the most expansive version of Forge ever made.

The next adventure in the saga

Halo Infinite

A new Great Journey awaits

Halo Infinite is nearly upon us, and it's sure to be an incredible game filled with wonder, adventure, and more.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"Demo" - Google News
July 30, 2020 at 07:00PM
https://ift.tt/39JMeey

Halo Infinite's gameplay demo has been remade in Halo 5's Forge mode - Windows Central
"Demo" - Google News
https://ift.tt/35q1UQ2
https://ift.tt/2Wis8la