Mediaboss Marketing

Gotham fatigue is real. Over the past 17 years there have been roughly a half-dozen big screen Batmen outings, and all of them, from Christopher Nolans Dark Knight to Zack Snyders Batfleck, have been the same: a weary, hardened hero gearing up to fight another day. That Bruce Wayne is nowhere to be found in The Batman. Instead, director Matt Reeves alleviates the burnout by capturing the Caped Crusader at a different point in his life20 years after his parents were killed, but only two years into his quest for vengeance. Its a time that allows Reeves to build his Bat anew, and craft a compelling standalone story with a distinct style and tone.

And that tone is undeniably, unashamedly My Chemical Romance video circa 2005.

Make no mistake, this is the most emo Batman movie youll ever see. Thats meant as a compliment. Normally, comic book heroes are pretty hard to identify withall muscled super-soldiers or principled scientists. Even the ordinary ones plucked from obscurity by spider bite or radioactive incident have some deep well of courage to draw from that, if were being honest, is almost entirely alien to most people (and thats before you even get to the actual aliens). So early in the film, when Nirvanas Something in the Way kicks in and the Caped Crusader rips off his mask to reveal Twilights Robert Pattinson looking like Gerard Way, with his hair covering his eyes and his makeup running down his face, my 17-year-old self thought: Finally, a Batman I can relate to.

Not since Peter Parker got infected by Venom in Spider-Man 3 has there been a superhero more likely to shop at Hot Topic. This is a vulnerable, sophomore Bat, one in full amateur detective mode, trying to find his feet as he tracks down a mysterious killer targeting Gothams political elite. In showing us this proto-Batman, Reeves explicitly frames Bruce Waynes fight for justice as a misguided coping mechanism for dealing with tragedyalthough, because of Batmans vow never to murder, his teen angst does not actually have a body count. This Dark Knight is far more comfortable in the suit than he is as himselfwhen we see Pattinson venture out as Wayne he looks every inch the awkward adolescent. There are layers of camouflage.

Production on The Batman, out Friday, predates the recent emo revival on TikTok, which sparked a brief resurgence in popularity for the angsty guitar-heavy music, swoopy hair, and skinny jeans that dominated the early 2000s. But the movies emo-ness goes beyond the eyeliner and sartorial choices; its also the general vibe. The rain pours down in sheets. Gothams elite hang out in an underground club (run by the Penguin, a snarling mob fixer playedunbelievablyby Colin Farrell). Andy Serkis Alfred wears a waistcoat and shirt with the sleeves rolled up, like an indie rock bass player. (Youre not my father, Bruce shouts at Alfred at one point, before presumably storming up to his room to scroll tearily through MySpace.) When hes not stomping around the city in his knee-high boots, he broods, vampire-like, in a gothic skyscraper. He keeps a journal.

Theres also the city itself. Reevesperhaps best known for his gritty reboot of the Planet of the Apes franchisehas crafted one of the better renditions of Gotham City ever put on screen. In the Nolan films the metropolis seems like an afterthoughtjust a series of set pieces knitted together. It didnt feel lived in. This one does. Theres a dampness to it, a rot. Old ledgers crumble and flake away. Paint peels off walls. The city pulses with lifeit feels bigger than this rookie Batman, liable to swallow him up.

Even the main villain, played with an unsettling intensity by Paul Dano, has something of the scene about him. Danos Riddlera disaffected man, angry at the city and his circumstanceshas the feel of a singer in a mathy Midwest band: all strange time signatures and quiet-loud dynamics. Its an admirably serious and shockingly plausible take on a very unserious character; this version inspired more by the Zodiac killer and alt-right uprisings than the campy, green-clad source material.

Read more here:
'The Batman' Leans Hard Into the Emo Revival - WIRED

Despite the Republican Partys desperate attempts to smear Judge Ketanji Brown Jacksons historic appointment to the Supreme Court, legal experts, lawmakers, and organization leaders are all saying the same thing: Ketanji Brown Jackson is immensely qualified to serve on the nations highest court.

Judge Jackson has more judicial experience than four sitting justices had COMBINED when confirmed. Dont let anyone tell you shes not qualified:

Joyce Vance, MSNBC Legal Analyst: Judge Jackson is highlyqualified, and we should expect no less.

Steven Lubet, Williams Memorial Professor at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law: Though some Republicans objected to Bidens stated commitment to name a Black woman to the court, derailing her nomination on this account seems an unlikely hill for them to try to climb. On any metric, Jackson is supremelyqualifiedfor the Supreme Court and more than ready for a return appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Senator Chuck Schumer: With her exceptionalqualificationsand record of evenhandedness, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will be a justice who will uphold the Constitution and protect the rights of all Americans, including the voiceless and vulnerable.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson: President Biden has met this moment with an extraordinarilyqualifiednominee, who has stellar credentials and an impeccable background.

Donna Brazile: There were lots of exceptionallyqualifiedcapable women to choose from, but Bidens selection of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson demonstrates that theres no need for Americas highest court to be off limits to Black women anymore.

Bishop Leah Daughtry, Co-Convenor, Power Rising: We applaud President Biden and Vice President Harris on their selection of this exceptionallyqualified, deeply experienced jurist. Her voice will help to ensure that our justice system reflects the diversity of all of us.

Representative Frederica Wilson: To have a Black woman and then to have a Black woman who, you know, is eminentlyqualified, who has stood the test of time.

Professor Amy Wildermuth, dean of the University of Pittsburgh Law School: This is a highly, highlyqualifiedindividual, and I personally am just delighted that shes been nominated.

Fatima Goss Graves, President, National Women Law Center: Judge Jackson is an eminentlyqualifiedpublic servant with distinguished experience as a federal judge, and her historic nomination promises an end to the erasure of Black women from our most sacred legal institutions.

Jocelyn Frye, President, National Partnership for Women and Families: President Biden has taken our nation a giant step closer to realizing the vision of equal justice under the law in putting forward a nominee in Judge Jackson who is both eminentlyqualifiedand the first Black woman nominated to the nations highest court.

Sheila Katz, Chief Executive Officer, National Council of Jewish Women: Based on National Council of Jewish Womens criteria of determining whether nominees are fair, independent, andqualifiedfor lifetime tenure on the federal court, including the Supreme Court, NCJW is thrilled to support Judge Jacksons nomination to the highest court of the land.

Laphonza Butler, President, EMILYs List: One of the nations best legal minds, she is unquestionablyqualifiedto serve, will bring a unique understanding of our judicial system, and will undoubtedly build a strong legacy on the court.

Carlos Moore, President, National Bar Association: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is exceptionallyqualifiedto serve on our nations highest court, and represents all the tenets of excellence, ethics, and intellect that are needed on the SCOTUS bench.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is an exceptionallyqualifiedcandidate for the Supreme Court.

Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock: I applaud the historic nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Georgians want a nominee who is fair,qualified, and has a proven record of protecting Americans constitutional rights and freedoms.

New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen: Through her background in public service and experience as a federal public defender and on the DC Circuit, Jackson is eminentlyqualifiedto serve on the highest bench in the land.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder: There is absolutely no reason why this eminentlyqualifiedwoman should not be swiftly confirmed. Ignore the partisan noise.

Here is the original post:
What They Are Saying: Ketanji Brown Jackson is Immensely Qualified. - Democrats - Democrats.org

The European Unions 25 February wave of sanctions build on, and significantly expand, its existing sanctions on Russia, imposing wide-ranging restrictions on the Russian economyincluding in respect of Russias access to financial and capital marketsand the oil refining, aviation, and space sectors. More sanctions from the European Union are expected in the coming days, along with announcements on the disconnection of certain Russian banks from the SWIFT system.

The February 25 sanctions package was adopted by Council Regulation (EU) 2022/328 and came into effect on 26 February 2022. These sanctions build on the regime imposed on Russia by the European Union in 2014 (Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014), together with those adopted by the European Union on 23 February 2022. The new sanctions both strengthen existing restrictions and impose additional restrictions on the trade in goods and associated services to significant sectors of the Russian economy. The new trade sanctions apply irrespective of whether the goods or technology originate in the European Union.

The European Union has imposed new prohibitions on the sale, supply, transfer, or export to any Russian person or entity or for use in Russia (directly or indirectly) of specific goods and technologies suited for use in oil refining, together with restrictions on the provision of certain related services and financing. A list of the specified items is set out at the new Annex X to Regulation 833/2014.

There is a temporary exemption (or wind-down period) that effectively allows EU persons to continue to perform a contract (or ancillary contracts necessary for the execution of that contract) until 27 May 2022, provided that the contract was entered into before 26 February 2022. Furthermore, specific licences can be sought for the prevention or mitigation of events likely to have a serious and significant impact on human health and safety or the environment.

These new restrictions are in addition to the previous restrictions imposed on Russias energy sector in relation to oil exploration and production and associated services, which restrictions remain fully in effect.

A number of new restrictions have been introduced in relation to Russias aviation and space sector, including prohibitions on

A carve-out has been included which is intended to allow a short window (until 28 March 2022) within which EU persons and entities can execute contracts concluded before 26 February 2022 (and ancillary contracts necessary for the executions of such contracts) that are otherwise prohibited by paragraphs (i) and (iii) above. Notably, the carve-out does not extend to the insurance and reinsurance provisions or the activities in paragraph (ii) above.

A new prohibition introduced on 28 February 2022 pursuant to Regulation 2022/334 prohibits any aircraft operated by Russian air carriers, including as a marketing carrier in code-sharing or blocked-space arrangements; any Russian-registered aircraft; or any non-Russian-registered aircraft which is owned or chartered, or otherwise controlled by, any Russian person or entity from landing in, taking off from, or overflying the territory of the European Union. A member state may provide a licence on humanitarian grounds or for a purpose that is consistent with the objectives of Regulation 833/2014.

The European Union has expanded the pre-existing restrictions on the export of controlled dual-use items to Russia by removing the previous requirement that the item be intended for military use and/or a military end user, i.e., there is now a blanket ban on the sale, supply, transfer, or export of dual-use items (and certain associated services) to any Russian person or for use in Russia (subject to certain derogations). Dual-use goods are items that have both a civilian and a military application; they are identified in Council Regulation (EU) 2021/821.

The new sanctions further prohibit the sale, supply, transfer or export of items (and certain associated services) to Russian persons, or for use in Russia, that may contribute to Russias military and technological enhancement, or the development of the defence and security sector. An extensive list of these items is included at the new Annex VII to Regulation 833/2014 and includes items related to encryption, electronics, telecoms, lasers, navigation and avionics, and computers/electronics.

Certain exemptions apply, including for humanitarian, medical, or pharmaceutical purposes; non-governmental cybersecurity; software updates; temporary use by news media; and personal use. Licences will not normally be required where the exemptions apply. However, it may be necessary in some circumstances to declare any impacted items on customs declaration forms and to inform the competent authority/authorities of the reliance on an exemption.

Specific licences may also be available depending on the items and purpose for which they are intended.

The European Union has imposed additional restrictions on Russias access to capital marketsincluding extending restrictions on dealings involving transferable securities and money market instruments and/or new loans or credit to four additional Russian banks (Alfa Bank, Bank Otkritie, Bank Rossiya, and Promsvyazbank) and to eight state-owned companies (Almaz-Antey, Kamaz, Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port, Rostec, Russian Railways, JSC PO Sevmash, Sovcomflot, and United Shipbuilding Corporation). These entities are identified at new Annexes XII and XIII of Regulation 833/2014.

Furthermore, the existing measures have been strengthened so that there will be no minimum maturity limit in respect of (i) transferable securities and money market instruments issued after 12 April 2022; and (ii) new loans and credit after 26 February 2022.

From 12 April 2022, it will also be prohibited to list and provide services on trading venues registered or recognized in the European Union for the transferable securities of any entity established in Russia and with more than 50% public ownership.

The new sanctions package also contains further prohibitions relating to transferable securities.

EU financial institutions are prohibited from accepting deposits of more than EUR 100,000 euros (approximately $112,000) from Russian nationals, residents, or entities. In addition, they must report any deposits in excess of these limits by no later than 27 May 2022 and will be required to provide an update every 12 months.

Certain exemptions apply, including deposits necessary for lawful trade in goods and services between the European Union and Russia, as well as individuals basic needs, civil society activities, humanitarian purposes, reasonable legal/professional fees, and certain extraordinary expenses (although licences will need to be obtained in relation to most of the above).

Further, while nationals and residents of EU member states are exempt from these measures, financial institutions must provide details of deposits exceeding these limits held by Russian nationals or residents who have acquired EU member state citizenship or EU residence rights through an investor citizenship or residence scheme.

The European Union has prohibited the provision of public financing or financial assistance for trade with, or investment in, Russia.

Exemptions are available for (i) binding financing or financial assistance commitments established prior to 26 February 2022; (ii) the provision of public financing or financial assistance up to the total value of 10,000,000 euros (approximately $11,200,000) per project to small and medium-sized enterprises established in the European Union; and (iii) the provision of public financing or financial assistance for trade in food and for agricultural, medical, or humanitarian purposes.

In addition to the restrictions above, following Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/331, the European Union has also designated an additional 99 individuals, including the Russian president and the foreign minister. This list also includes certain Belarusian persons identified as having participated in or supported Russias military activities in Ukraine.

It is already anticipated that the European Union will impose further sanctions against Russia in the coming weeks, including significant further designations against those seen as either benefiting from or supporting those deemed responsible for Russias actions in Ukraine.

[View source.]

See the article here:
Update: European Union Agrees on Further Sanctions on Russia - JD Supra

Other avenues are available to the EU if it wishes or needs to reduce reliance on Russian gas even more quickly but with notable trade-offs.5 The main near-term option would involve switching away from gas use in the power sector via an increased call on Europes coal-fired fleet or by using alternative fuels primarily liquid fuels within existing gas-fired power plants.

Given that these alternatives to gas use would raise the EUs emissions, they are not included in the 10-Point Plan described above. However, they could displace large volumes of gas relatively quickly. We estimate that a temporary shift from gas to coal- or oil-fired generation could reduce gas demand for power by some 28 bcm before there was an overall increase in the EUs energy-related emissions.

The larger share of this potential decrease in gas demand would be possible through gas-to-coal switching: an additional 120 TWh in coal-fired generation could cut gas demand by 22 bcm in one year. In addition to opportunities to run on biomethane, nearly a quarter of the EUs fleet of gas-fired power plants is capable of using alternative fuels nearly all in the form of liquid fuels. Taking advantage of this capability could displace another 6 bcm of natural gas demand a year, depending on sufficient financial incentives to switch fuels and the availability of those fuels.

If this fuel-switching option were to be fully exercised in addition to the complete implementation of the 10-Point Plan described above, it would result in a total annual reduction in EU imports of gas from Russia of more than 80 bcm, or well over half, while still resulting in a modest decline in overall emissions.

Original post:
A 10-Point Plan to Reduce the European Union's Reliance on Russian Natural Gas Analysis - IEA - IEA

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Mikhail Svetlov | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Hungary's Viktor Orban, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and thorn in the side of fellow EU leaders, has had a week of sharp reversals and swift political retreats.

After Russia last week formally recognized Luhansk and Donetsk as Russian-backed separatist-controlled regions in Ukraine, the EU started work on an initial round of sanctions against Moscow. But there was one major concern in Brussels: Will Hungary and its nationalist leader Orban approve them?

An EU official, who preferred to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, told CNBC last week that it was a key moment for Orban to show whether he was loyal to Russia, or the EU.

Fast forward a couple of days and the response from Hungary's prime minister has surprised many political experts and has been welcomed in Brussels.

"It is important that Hungary has joined and fostered EU unity," another EU official, who also preferred to remain anonymous, told CNBC Tuesday.

Orban has often boasted of his close relationship with Putin. Speaking at a joint news conference in early February, Orban referenced how they had worked together for the last 13 years, while adding that the two "have the longest memory of the European Union and Russia's leadership," according to Politico.

Their close links were seen during the coronavirus pandemic, for example. Hungary became the first EU nation to buy a Russian-made Covid vaccine even though it wasn't approved by European regulators.

There have been commercial and energy deals, too. Over the last decade, Hungary has increased its share of imports of Russian natural gas, from 9.070 million cubic meters in 2010 to a high of 17.715 million cubic meters in 2019, according to Eurostat.

But Orban has, so far, chosen the EU in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has turned his back on Putin.

His government announced that Hungary will welcome Ukrainian refugees and is also supportive of Ukraine's membership application to the EU. This is on top of having approved, together with the other EU member states, tough sanctions against Russian oligarchs and the Russian economy.

"Orban is an opportunist. He would get very little out of siding with Russia these days.Future support from Putin is very uncertain and might not play well with his own electorate.This is why he goes along with the sanctions," Daniel Gros, distinguished fellow at the think tank CEPS, told CNBC via email.

Orban's office was not immediately available when contacted by CNBC on Tuesday.

"He wants to be a respected leader and senses that his population does not want to have a fight with the EU," Gros said.

Orban is facing an election on April 3 and opinion polls show the race will be tight against the opposition party.

Katalin Cseh, a Hungarian lawmaker at the European Parliament, told CNBC Wednesday that Orban is in a "very difficult" position because he "has tried to sell the idea that Russia is a friend, but Russia is not a friend."

At the same time, Hungarians seem to be in favor of the EU. A poll released in January showed that more than 70% of the respondents consider "disadvantageous" if they were to leave the EU, according to Statista.

Cseh added it is unclear what sort of path Orban would take toward Russia if reelected.

Andrius Tursa, Central and Eastern Europe advisor at consultancy Teneo, told CNBC that those voting for Orban's party in Hungary hadn't previously minded his close links to Russia, but said it would now be interesting to see if public opinion switches in the aftermath of the invasion.

Tursa also said that "pressure from the Europeans" and the "unexpected size" of the Russian aggression likely influenced Orban's decision to support the EU. However, he cautioned that Hungary is against the transit of weapons to Ukraine through its borders.

Hungary's government spokesperson tweeted Tuesday that the country is not sending soldiers or weapons to Ukraine "because that'd put Hungarian lives into jeopardy."

Germany, for example, is among the EU nations sending weapons to Ukraine in what represents a massive shift in policy for the nation.

Go here to see the original:
Putin loses his key ally in the EU as Hungary's Orban turns on the Russian leader - CNBC