Noise

Artdocfest is a crucial outpost of free expression on Russia’s doorstep

Retrieved on: 
Mercredi, mars 13, 2024

When The Motherland Aborts You, also titled Country Abortion (Zoya Vodyanova, a pseudonym, Czechia/US) follows a lesbian couple.

Key Points: 
  • When The Motherland Aborts You, also titled Country Abortion (Zoya Vodyanova, a pseudonym, Czechia/US) follows a lesbian couple.
  • One of the women, Zakhara, has moved to India and the other, Lina, starts the film in St Petersburg.
  • Franak Viačorka, Tsikhanouskaya’s chief political advisor spoke at the festival, necessitating heightened security and illustrating Artdocfest’s importance.
  • Latvia shares a border with Belarus and Russia: these dictatorships are a threat to their neighbours as well their own citizens.

‘Ukraine Above All’

  • Artdocfest has promoted films by and about Ukraine ever since the 2014 illegal annexation of Ukraine, even when it was based in Russia.
  • However, a global appetite for Ukrainian documentary films about the war means some of the biggest now head to Sundance or Berlin festivals, achieving wider distribution.
  • The Mist (Dmytro Shovkoplias) is an immersive film conveying the confusion and disorientation of suddenly finding yourself caught in a war.
  • This same dislocation of up to 10 million people was depicted by winner of the main prize, In the Rearview.


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Jeremy Hicks is a member of the UK Labour Party

Rishi Sunak’s plan to redefine extremism is disingenuous – and a threat to democracy

Retrieved on: 
Mercredi, mars 13, 2024

This, he has argued, is needed because “our democracy itself is a target” of antisemitic and Islamophobic extremists.

Key Points: 
  • This, he has argued, is needed because “our democracy itself is a target” of antisemitic and Islamophobic extremists.
  • However, the reality is that no measures do more damage to democracy than policy proposals like the one Sunak is promoting.
  • The UK already has a definition for extremism, which is used in efforts to tackle terrorism.
  • A key reason why this definition is not contained in legislation is because it is so vague and unclear.

Vague to vaguer

  • What does it mean to undermine or overturn the rights or freedoms of others?
  • Would arguing for the UK to leave the European convention on human rights count meet the bar?
  • What about calling for restrictions on the right to free speech or the right to protest?

Existing laws are enough

  • But the UK already has numerous laws in place to tackle what it considers to be unacceptable behaviour at protests.
  • The Terrorism Act (which is also incredibly broad) can be used to prosecute people who damage property or create a serious risk to public safety during protests.
  • Counter-terrorism laws can also capture forms of expression at public demonstrations or online.
  • This can now be applied by he police to criminalise protests that are considered to be making too much noise.

The right to protest

  • People may self-censor out of fear of being identified as extremist, not least when their employer has a duty under Prevent.
  • There is a deep danger of conflating protest with extremism and terrorism, undermining the legitimacy of these protests.
  • To stretch the concept of extremism to cover these views is what is actually undermining democracy and the rights and freedoms of others.


Alan Greene does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Rediscovering Gems: British Museum exhibition exposes hypocrisy of new loan agreements for looted objects

Retrieved on: 
Mercredi, mars 13, 2024

The British Museum’s latest exhibition, Rediscovering Gems, displays a range of prized ancient Roman and Greek artefacts.

Key Points: 
  • The British Museum’s latest exhibition, Rediscovering Gems, displays a range of prized ancient Roman and Greek artefacts.
  • The exhibition stemmed from an announcement last year that numerous pieces from the museum’s collection were missing, stolen or damaged.
  • While the British Museum celebrates recovered items in its new exhibition, it has continuously refused to return historically looted items in its own collection back to countries of origin.

From irony to hypocrisy

  • The objects will remain with the Asante for three to six years before having to be legally returned to the British Museum.
  • Read more:
    V&A's decision to loan looted Asante gold back to Ghana has implications for other British museums

    And herein lies the hypocrisy of Rediscovering gems.

  • The opening of Rediscovering gems displays an open embrace of institutional hypocrisy.
  • There is no legal barrier preventing the amendment of laws enabling the permanent restitution of historically looted objects.

Beyond the British Museum

  • As well as continuing to pile pressure on the British Museum and UK lawmakers, I would argue that community stakeholders and national leaders should look beyond most national museums which are prohibited by law from returning objects to countries of origin.
  • This includes the Science Museum Group, Kew Gardens and Wallace Collection.
  • As well as striking the loan agreement with the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum, Asante representatives also struck a deal with the Fowler Museum at the University of California in Los Angeles.
  • The British Museum declined a request from The Conversation to comment on this story.


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Nathan Bossoh does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Paolozzi at 100: exhibition highlights the revolutionary work of Britain’s leading pop artist

Retrieved on: 
Mercredi, mars 13, 2024

However, his work crossed a range of creative styles including paper collage, lithography, silk screen, textiles, murals and ceramics.

Key Points: 
  • However, his work crossed a range of creative styles including paper collage, lithography, silk screen, textiles, murals and ceramics.
  • Paolozzi’s influence on the 20th century artworld was immense and he helped shape several art movements with his unique insights.
  • For this work Paolozzi is considered an early pioneer of pop art and is often called the father of British pop art.
  • This exhibition is a testament to the breadth of his work and a true celebration of one of Britain’s greatest artists.

Paolozzi the pop artist

  • Paolozzi was appointed as a teacher at the Central School of Arts and Crafts from 1950 to 1955.
  • This approach can be seen in one the show’s highlights, the “tear sheets” in Take-off, one of the original 45 collages from his Bunk Pop Art series.
  • There is an ongoing debate about whether these collages were the first truly pop art works or simply pieces in Paolozzi’s many scrapbooks that were categorised after the pop art movement had been defined.

Silk screen printing as a new art form

  • Paolozzi’s exploration and use of silk screen print making techniques as an art form was ahead of other contemporary artists such as Andy Warhol, who latterly was exhibited beside him at the Museum of Modern Art in New York (1968).
  • One of the most striking examples of his silk screen work in the exhibition is As is When (1965).
  • Paolozzi exploits the unique colour separation properties of silk screen printing and includes quotes from the Viennese philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein’s writing.


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Blane Savage does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Hardman & Co Research on NB Private Equity Partners (NBPE): Value creation in a higher-rate environment

Retrieved on: 
Mercredi, mars 13, 2024

In this note, we explore how the sources of value creation have evolved and how NBPE’s GP partners are expected to organically and inorganically generate incremental EBITDA growth to offset higher interest costs.

Key Points: 
  • In this note, we explore how the sources of value creation have evolved and how NBPE’s GP partners are expected to organically and inorganically generate incremental EBITDA growth to offset higher interest costs.
  • Long-term target returns for new deals on the NB platform are unchanged, despite the short-term interest rate noise.
  • This note builds on the drivers of historical superior EBITDA (see 2023 CMD: value creation from growing companies ).
  • NB’s views on value creation were outlined in its piece, Navigating value creation in private equity .

EQS-News: STEICO SE: Paul O'Gorman elected Chairman of the STEICO Administrative Board

Retrieved on: 
Mercredi, mars 13, 2024

At its meeting today, the STEICO Administrative Board elected Mr Paul O'Gorman as Chairman and Mr Udo Schramek as Deputy Chairman of the Administrative Board.

Key Points: 
  • At its meeting today, the STEICO Administrative Board elected Mr Paul O'Gorman as Chairman and Mr Udo Schramek as Deputy Chairman of the Administrative Board.
  • The Administrative Board of STEICO SE consists of the following persons:
    In connection with the acquisition of the majority of STEICO shares by the Kingspan Group, Mr O'Gorman and Mrs Kearney were appointed by the court as members of the Administrative Board until the next Annual General Meeting of STEICO SE.
  • STEICO develops, produces and markets ecological construction products made of renewable raw materials.
  • The STEICO Group offers its customers a unique range of products through to the prefabrication of complete components for timber element construction.

EQS-News: STEICO: Preliminary business figures for 2023: Sales decline by 17.9% to € 365.3 million (e), EBIT ratio at 8.4% (e). Stable development expected for 2024

Retrieved on: 
Mercredi, mars 13, 2024

Revenue is expected to remain at the previous year's level and the EBIT ratio is expected to be between 9% and 11% (in relation to total operating output).

Key Points: 
  • Revenue is expected to remain at the previous year's level and the EBIT ratio is expected to be between 9% and 11% (in relation to total operating output).
  • STEICO develops, produces and markets ecological construction products made of renewable raw materials.
  • STEICO’s products allow the construction of future-proof, healthy buildings with a particularly high quality of living and a healthy atmosphere.
  • STEICO’s products offer reliable protection against cold, heat and also noise, and they permanently improve the building’s energy efficiency.

Edison issues update on UIL (UTL): Long-term focus, avoiding short-term noise

Retrieved on: 
Mercredi, mars 13, 2024

Edison issues update on UIL (UTL): Long-term focus, avoiding short-term noise

Key Points: 
  • Edison issues update on UIL (UTL): Long-term focus, avoiding short-term noise
    The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
  • Edison issues update on UIL (UTL): Long-term focus, avoiding short-term noise
    UIL Limited (UIL) is managed by Charles Jillings and his highly experienced team at value-based specialist investor ICM.
  • It is a unique portfolio of undervalued assets, which is illustrated by the fund’s differentiated exposures.
  • The majority of the portfolio, around 75%, is held in platforms (collective investment companies), with the balance in direct investments.

Hardman & Co Research on NB Private Equity Partners (NBPE): Value creation in a higher-rate environment

Retrieved on: 
Mercredi, mars 13, 2024

In this note, we explore how the sources of value creation have evolved and how NBPE’s GP partners are expected to organically and inorganically generate incremental EBITDA growth to offset higher interest costs.

Key Points: 
  • In this note, we explore how the sources of value creation have evolved and how NBPE’s GP partners are expected to organically and inorganically generate incremental EBITDA growth to offset higher interest costs.
  • Long-term target returns for new deals on the NB platform are unchanged, despite the short-term interest rate noise.
  • This note builds on the drivers of historical superior EBITDA (see 2023 CMD: value creation from growing companies ).
  • NB’s views on value creation were outlined in its piece, Navigating value creation in private equity .

HIMALAYA TECHNOLOGIES PARTNERS WITH RENOVI! TO TARGET MEDICAL TOURISM MARKET IN CARIBBEAN; ADDS CEO TO ADVISORY BOARD

Retrieved on: 
Lundi, mars 11, 2024

Additionally, the Company has appointed Renovi!’s CEO, David Burns, Ph.D., to its Advisory Board to guide its entry into this multi-billion dollar market, assist on mergers and acquisitions including a potential combination of Renovi!

Key Points: 
  • Additionally, the Company has appointed Renovi!’s CEO, David Burns, Ph.D., to its Advisory Board to guide its entry into this multi-billion dollar market, assist on mergers and acquisitions including a potential combination of Renovi!
  • The availability of the newest medical technologies and the cheaper cost of treatment in emerging nations are key market drivers enhancing market growth.
  • reinvents traditional outpatient rehabilitation by offering patients a “recovery vacation” at an upscale, beachfront medical resort with healthy diet, exercise, community and exceptional medical care.
  • The Dominican Republic is uniquely positioned as a medical tourism destination because of its low costs, proximity to the U.S., a well-established tourism infrastructure, and tax incentives for tourism investments.