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The current production of "Ragtime" by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has been long awaited by local theater fans. Planned to be founder Robert Kelley's final musical as TheatreWorks' artistic director, the show was scheduled for spring 2020 when COVID-19 shut it down shortly after rehearsals began. Luckily for audiences, after two years, the production is back on, with Kelley at the helm.

"Ragtime," based on E. L. Doctorow's 1975 novel, comes from the powerhouse pair of Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics), with libretto by the late, great Terrence McNally (an early COVID-19 casualty). Taking place, according to the program, in "Ragtime America, 1908-1913," the story follows the interwoven experiences of three fictional families.

Flaherty and Aherns are a wonderful writing team, and the songs of "Ragtime" are a pleasing mix of period pastiche (including, of course, plenty of ragtime rhythms) and epic ballads (most memorably "Wheels of a Dream"), with lyrics ranging from winkingly snarky to achingly poignant and rousing. The structure has the players sometimes serving as omniscient narrators, introducing their characters in the third person, giving the effect of a lively history lecture.

At show's start, in WASP-y New Rochelle, New York, Father (Noel Anthony), Mother (Christine Dwyer), The Little Boy (Jackson Janssen/Joshua Parecki), Younger Brother (Sean Okuniewicz) and grumpy Grandfather (Colin Thomson) live a life of sheltered ignorance and privilege. When Father heads off on a yearlong expedition to the Arctic, however, his wife, young son and brother-in-law all begin to have their eyes opened to a wider world, with empathetic Mother chafing against her genteel domestic binds and awkward Younger Brother longing to find purpose and excitement.

In Harlem, Black pianist Coalhouse Walker, Jr. (Nkrumah Gatling) is a rising star, thanks to his talent for the hot new musical style that irresistibly, deliciously syncopated ragtime. Reunited with his true love Sarah (Iris Beaumier), the couple has an infant son and high hopes, only to be thwarted by racism, violence and injustice everywhere they turn. Their tragedy becomes a rallying cry for others who see themselves in Coalhouse's righteous anger.

And in the squalid tenements of the Lower East Side, Jewish Latvian immigrant Tateh (Leo Ash Evens) and his daughter (Sydney Walker Freeman/Ruth Keith), arrive in America full of optimism and dreams of prosperity but are soon challenged by antisemitism, poverty and exploitation.

As these characters cross paths and become entangled, they encounter historical figures of the era, including illusionist Harry Houdini (Keith Pinto), activist and writer Emma Goldman (Suzanne Grodner), automobile industrialist Henry Ford (Thomson again), educator and intellectual Booker T. Washington (Michael Gene Sullivan), and celebrity beauty Evelyn Nesbit (Melissa Wolfklain), who's part of the high-profile "Crime of the Century" (though the scandal is played for sharp laughs in the show, in real-life, it should be noted, Nesbit was the victim of abuse).

While "Ragtime" is ambitious in scope, Kelley and his crew offer a winningly streamlined version. Most of the cast plays multiple roles, with great success. The scenic design by Wilson Chin, too, is minimal, with evocative lighting design by Pamila Z. Gray. The orchestra, led by William Liberatore, sounds fabulous, and costumes by B. Modern are suitably sumptuous. Oh, and there's a shiny Model T Ford.

Most importantly, the cast gives excellent performances across the board, with standouts including Gatling, who captures Coalhouse's charisma, pain, and dignity; Okuniewicz as the yearning, lost Younger Brother; and Leslie Ivy as Sarah's Friend, offering almost unbelievably beautiful vocals on "Till We Reach That Day." While Dwyer is surely terrific, at the performance I attended, Mother was played by understudy Marie Finch, who did a lovely job. Best of all is when all the players sing together in a truly awe-inspiring display of vocal talent and power.

"Ragtime" offers a snapshot of United States mythos: the dawn of the 20th century; the idea of a "Great American Melting Pot" (to quote lyrics from another Ahrens project); rampant capitalism alongside progressivism; baseball and vaudeville; the not-so-calm before the explosive First World War. But while there is that nostalgia factor, there is also the realization that the issues depicted on stage racial prejudice, police brutality, antisemitism, sexism, xenophobia, the struggle for workers' rights, to name just a few still loom large in today's America.

The perky conclusion of "Ragtime" is bittersweet after the pain and violence that's unfolded. We're glad for those characters who do get their happy endings, and embrace their hopes for a better future, but we know all too well that it has proved elusive for so many more than a century later. The struggle ever continues, the production suggests, but so too must striving toward the dream. As TheatreWorks Artistic Director Tim Bond puts it in his program notes, "one of the superpowers great theatre possesses is the ability to post important questions about our human potential and societal change without trying to give easy answers." The question of "whether there is any realistic hope coming out of this story," he writes, "... lies more with the audiences that witnessed it than with the story itself."

"Ragtime" runs through June 26 at the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts, 500 Castro. St., Mountain View. More information is available at theatreworks.org.

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Review: 'Ragtime' at TheatreWorks fires on all cylinders - Palo Alto Online

SECURITY COUNCIL9065TH MEETING (AM)SC/1493316 JUNE 2022

Despite the growing deficit in multilateralism, exacerbated by the rise in power political competition, the European Union remains mobilized to work closely with the United Nations, which has kept functioning even at the height of the cold war, the blocs foreign affairs chief told the Security Council today.

The multilateral system is under pressure like never before, observed Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, noting that the bloc, with multilateralism in its DNA, has invested in the United Nations both politically and financially. Bloc members back United Nations initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Agreement on climate change and work on human rights, he added.

However, with the return of power politics, the deficit in multilateralism has deepened, he said. The Russian Federations war against Ukraine has compounded global problems, with tens of thousands of dead and over 5 million refugees the fastest growing refugee crisis since the Second World War. This is not a European war, he declared, adding: This is an attack on the foundations of the UN and this Security Council, by a permanent member of the Council.

The European Union is fully mobilized to keep Ukraine economically afloat and militarily able to defend its people, he continued, stressing that bloc sanctions are not the cause of food shortages and target only the Kremlins ability to finance the military aggression not the conduct of legitimate trade.

Elsewhere in the world, the European Union continues to help prevent and solve conflicts and crises, he noted. Over 4,000 people are deployed by the European Union in 18 crisismanagement missions and operations on three continents, always working in close cooperation with the United Nations, including operations in the Mediterranean, off the Somali coasts and in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the ensuing discussion, members stressed the importance of the United Nations-European Union partnership, outlining the blocs contribution to the world bodys initiatives, including peacekeeping, sustainable development, climate action and human rights. They also exchanged views on the European and global security arrangement, as well as European Union sanctions against the Russian Federation.

Albanias Foreign Minister, Olta Xhaka, said Moscows aggression poses a challenge to the values of freedom, democracy and justice that bind Europeans together, pointing out that increased insecurity will always result in increased defence spending, which could lead to a decrease in investments in other areas, such as innovation, education and public services. She also noted that Western Balkan States made a choice to invest in their future for more development, increased security and stronger institutions accountable to their citizens. This is the value of European Union enlargement, she stressed.

Frances delegate highlighted the European Unions contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping, noting that the blocs member States collectively deploy nearly 5,300 personnel in those missions around the world, also paying tribute to 683 European personnel who were killed in these operations since 1948. She added that Brussels sanctions have only one objective to bring Moscow back to adherence to the Charter of the United Nations.

Echoing that, the representative of the United States said the European Union clearly demonstrated its support of the values of the Charter through its actions to uphold the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity after the Russian Federations unjust, unprovoked and illegal war against Ukraine.

However, the Russian Federations representative refuted such claims, reporting that the relations between the European Union and his country have now completely collapsed, as the bloc adopted a policy of strategically pressing his country out of Europe. Despite his countrys warnings, the Union went down a path towards the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and undertook geopolitical absorption of space around it, pitting the East against the West. It also adopted a policy of transforming the economic alliance into a military and political one. Given the obvious hostility of the Union towards his country, the Kremlin has no choice but to reconsider basic approaches to the development of relations with the bloc.

Injecting an African perspective, Gabons representative highlighted the importance of burden-sharing in crisis management and said the partnership between the United Nations and the European Union is illustrated in Africa, where the two bodies work side by side in Somalia, Central African Republic and Libya. In Africa, security risks flowing from repeated abuses by extremist groups undermine shared values of liberty and democracy, he said, voicing support for trilateral cooperation among the African Union, European Union and the United Nations.

Chinas delegate urged the European Union to play an active role in international relations by resisting the revival of confrontation by camps and blocs, respect the legitimate security concerns of all countries and help establish balanced, sustainable global and regional security mechanisms. He also called on the bloc to be more attentive to the needs of developing countries and increase donations to the United Nations humanitarian and development work.

Also speaking today were the representatives of Ghana, Mexico, Ireland, Norway, India, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Kenya and the United Kingdom.

The meeting began at 10:03 a.m. and ended at 12:16 p.m.

Briefing

JOSEP BORRELL, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, in its capacity as an observer, via video-teleconference, recalled that the United Nations was created 72 years ago to prevent war, build global cooperation, safeguard the sovereign equality of all and protect the rights of both States and people. Gradually, the Organization developed into a system of rules, norms and organizations addressing the full range of international relations. Even at the height of the cold war, the United Nations kept functioning. All States, no matter their size or political orientation, committed to respect international law and core principles, above all the non-use of force in international relations. For its part, the European Union with multilateralism in its DNA, has invested in the United Nations both politically and financially. Bloc members back United Nations initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Agreement on climate change and work on human rights, among others.

However, the multilateral system is under pressure like never before, he observed. Science and technology are advancing, but diplomacy and rule-making are not or not enough. With the rise in power political competition, the deficit in multilateralism he talked about at last years briefing has since worsened. The Russian Federations war against Ukraine has amplified these problems, with tens of thousands of dead and over 5 million refugees the fastest growing refugee crisis since the Second World War. But, make no mistake; this is not a European war. This is an attack on the foundations of the UN and this Security Council, by a permanent member of the Council, he declared.

The European Union is fully mobilized to keep Ukraine economically afloat and militarily able to defend its people, its territorial integrity and its democracy, he continued, calling on every United Nations member, big and small, to help Ukraine by doing the same. In the face of aggression, no one can be neutral. No one can live safely in a world where the illegal use of force is normalized or tolerated. This war is sending ripple effects throughout the world and has compounded a pre-existing food crisis with yields already suffering because of climate change. The Russian Federation is blocking at least 20 million tons of Ukrainian grain that cannot reach global markets. That is the equivalent of 300 massive ships that should be docking at ports all over the world. Instead, Moscow is bombing Ukraines ports, infrastructure and farmland. Indeed, just after President Vladimir V. Putin spoke with the Chair of the African Union, Russian forces bombed Ukraines second largest grain silo in Mykolaiv.

The bloc fully supports United Nations efforts to re-open Ukraines ports and resume deliveries of grain to the world, he stated. Team Europe stands by its partners and supports the United Nations role, including the Global Crisis Response Group. The European Union has already increased its support for some of the most affected regions, pledging 1 billion for the Sahel and Lake Chad regions and over 600 million for the Horn of Africa. Rejecting the Russian Federations disinformation, he pointed out that European Union sanctions are not the cause of food shortages. They target the Kremlins ability to finance the military aggression not the conduct of legitimate trade. These sanctions do not prohibit the import and transportation of Russian agricultural goods, nor for fertilizers, nor for payment for such Russian exports. Furthermore, European Union financial sanctions only apply on the blocs territory.

The European Union continues to help prevent and solve conflicts and crises around the world, he noted. Over 4,000 people are deployed by the European Union in 18 crisis management missions and operations on three continents, always working in close cooperation with the United Nations, including operations in the Mediterranean, off the Somali coasts and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also outlined how the European Union engages in other places, including Syria, Iran, the Sahel, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Myanmar, Yemen and Venezuela.

Statements

OLTA XHAKA, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania and Council President for June, speaking in her national capacity, noted that the unprovoked, unjustified war in Ukraine has entered its fourth month. Its consequences are not only felt in Ukraine; it has also seriously affected global trade and induced sharp food insecurity worldwide. Further, she stressed that this aggression poses a challenge to the values of freedom, democracy and justice that bind Europeans together. Underscoring the need to keep trade open for food, fuel and fertilizer, she called for an immediate end to the blockade of Ukrainian ports. She also pointed out that increased insecurity will always result in increased defence spending, which could lead to a decrease in investments in other areas such as innovation, education and public services.

She went on to say that the European Union is a central actor in global political, development and humanitarian issues. It is the largest financial contributor to the United Nations not only to the regular budget, but also to official development assistance (ODA) and peacekeeping missions projecting its humanitarian, development and conflict-resolution actions worldwide. This is particularly important for Western Balkan States, all involved in various stages of Euro-Atlantic cooperation. Such States have made that choice to invest in their future for more development, increased security and stronger institutions accountable to their citizens. This is the value of European Union enlargement, she stressed, adding a call for the bloc to speed up its efforts to facilitate dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, which should lead to mutual recognition.

NATHALIE BROADHURST ESTIVAL (France) highlighted the European Unions contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping, noting that the blocs member States collectively represent the second-largest share of the peacekeeping budget and deploy nearly 5,300 personnel in those missions. Since 1948, 683 European personnel were killed in these operations. The European Union is present on all fronts, deeply engaged in the Sahel, off Libyan shores, Somalia, Gaza, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Mozambique. Since the start of the Russian Federation aggression, the bloc has mobilized more than 4.6 billion to help Ukraine. European Union sanctions have only one objective, which is to bring Moscow back to adherence to the Charter of the United Nations. The fight against terrorism cannot serve as a pretext for non-compliance with international humanitarian and human rights laws. Also expressing concern about disinformation in cyberspace, she stressed the need to apply the human rights-based approach to the governance of the digital space.

RICHARD M. MILLS, JR. (United States) welcomed the European Unions significant security engagement in Africa, where 11 of its current 18 missions are either in or off the coast of the continent. Further, the European Union clearly demonstrated its support of the values of the Charter through its actions to uphold the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity after the Russian Federations unjust, unprovoked and illegal war against Ukraine. The Russian Federations actions are spiking global food insecurity. International sanctions do not target agricultural exports, despite that countrys misinformation suggesting otherwise and European Union efforts to address this crisis are welcomed. He also noted that Ukraines European Union neighbours have opened their borders to refugees, spotlighting the blocs temporary protection directive that affords social and protection benefits to all fleeing the conflict. Recalling the High Representatives words regarding statements suggesting that all sides bear responsibility for the conflict, he said that such statements may be diplomatically clever but are morally indefensible.

DAI BING (China) said that, amid the complicated changes to the international landscape, his country supports the United Nations-European Union partnership. The bloc should take the lead in upholding the principles of the Charter and observing international law and universally recognized norms for international relations. It should also respect the sovereignty and political independence of States, as well as non-interference in domestic affairs. As well, it should play an active role in international relations by resisting the revival of confrontation by camps and blocs under the banner of multilateralism. Humanity is an indivisible security community, he stressed, urging the bloc to respect the legitimate security concerns of all countries and help establish a balanced sustainable global and regional security mechanisms. He called on the European Union to be more attentive to the needs of developing countries and increase donations to the United Nations humanitarian and development work.

HAROLD ADLAI AGYEMAN (Ghana) welcomed the European Unions new consensus on the role of development cooperation which has strengthened the nexus among security, development and humanitarian aid, adding his hope it will have a transformative impact on fragile situations in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel. The Sahel region has become a breeding ground for terrorists and violent extremists who are making in-roads into other parts of Africa, he said, welcoming renewed commitment in support of the counter-terrorism efforts in the region, among other efforts. Also acknowledging cooperation between the European Union and the United Nations in Syria, Yemen and Myanmar, to name a few, he encouraged an enhanced partnership of the European Union in the Middle East Quartet for a negotiated solution to the Question of Palestine. He also noted that the war against Ukraine has created Europes worst security and humanitarian crisis since the end of the Second World War. The ramifications of the war on the rest of the world have been severe, with millions of people experiencing new levels of food insecurity, rising cost of living across the world, and widespread sociopolitical instability in several countries. The war in Ukraine must stop, he stressed, urging support for the bloc in exploring solutions to the supply chain disruptions for food, energy and global financing as a result of the war.

JUAN RAMN DE LA FUENTE RAMREZ (Mexico) pointed out that, while the affront to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity generated a strong cohesion within the European Union, the military escalation did not generate conditions to reduce tensions or establish a possible ceasefire. He expressed hope that all available dialogue and mediation tools are used to move towards a negotiated solution. Mexico shares the principles of the Charter with the European Union and all Member States, since all agreed to respect them without exception, he said. He also stressed that it is also essential to share in efforts to mitigate the multiple consequences triggered by the conflict in Ukraine. The global increase in food prices and resulting food insecurity has a greater effect on developing countries which do not have the resources to respond. Further, 19 of the 69 economies identified as being at the greatest food risk because of the crisis are in the Latin America and Caribbean region. He expressed hope that agreement on an exit route for grain can be reached with the necessary urgency and that, when the time is right, the Council will speak with a single voice.

GERALDINE BYRNE NASON (Ireland) stressed that the European Unions strategic partnership with the United Nations is a cornerstone for the blocs policy and actions in support of international peace and security. A key priority for the European Union-United Nations partnership must continue to be on United Nations missions and operation transitions, ensuring that any reconfiguration takes place in a responsible, planned and gender-responsive manner. She also underlined the need to ensure addressing climate-related security risks in the prevention and peacebuilding work across the European Union and the United Nations. Noting that the bloc is the worlds leading humanitarian and development assistance donor and a key partner to the Organization in crisis management, she stressed that both now have a crucial role to play in ensuring a rapid and effective response to the deepening global food security crisis driven by Russian Federations senseless war in Ukraine. There are around 20 million metric tons of grain trapped in Ukraine, she noted, stressing that European Union sanctions do not affect the trading of food, between the Russian Federation and third countries. She also noted that, the bloc and its member States are making an overall contribution of more than 5 billion in humanitarian and development assistance for global food security, up until 2024.

TRINE HEIMERBACK (Norway) pointed out that the war against Ukraine has caused the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since the Second World War and is threatening global food security. She commended the European Unions leading role in Europes response to the Russian Federations attack, and for defending fundamental global principles and international law. The [European Union] has played a historically important role in transforming Europe from a continent of war to a continent. Now, when peace again is broken in Europe, we need a strong [European Union], she said. She went on to note that EUFOR Altheas contribution to maintaining peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina is vital, as is the blocs commitment to the peace and security architecture on the African continent, including through the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel). She also spotlighted its leading role in the fight against climate change and its action plan on women, peace and security. The Russian Federations war on Ukraine has consequences way beyond European soil, she said, calling for rapid global action to increase food security, and to prevent the threat of a worldwide wave of hunger.

VASSILY A. NEBENZIA (Russian Federation) said that, with each passing year, the European Unions global policies depart from the post-war ideals of its founding fathers. Further, the relations between the Union and his country have now completely collapsed, he said, blaming Brussels. Sharing the vision for a common European future, the Russian Federation, in 1994, signed an agreement on partnership and cooperation with the European Union, which Moscow implemented. Citing the Charter for European Security, which enshrines, among others things, the principle of indivisible security and the 2005 road map setting out that Russian Federation-European Union cooperation aimed at contributing to the establishment of a greater Europe without dividing lines, he noted: There were hopes that this will permanently end geopolitical competition in Europe, he said, Rather, it quickly became clear that the ideals of the blocs founding fathers were consigned to the past.

The bloc, instead, embraced a policy of strategically pressing the Russian Federation out of Europe, he pointed out. Despite his countrys warnings, the Union adopted a path towards the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and undertook geopolitical absorption of space around it, pitting the East against the West. It also adopted a policy of transforming the economic alliance into a military and political one, including recent calls by the Polish leadership to build a defence system in Europe targeted at the Russian Federation. In addition, the association agreement between Ukraine and the European Union required Ukraine to break ties with the Russian Federation. The European Union and the United States staged an anti-constitutional coup that started a bloody civil war in Ukraine, which has lasted the past eight years. In addition, the Union turned a blind eye to violations by the Kyiv regime in Donbas of the Minsk agreements. Given the obvious hostility of the European Union towards the Russian Federation, his country has no choice but to reconsider basic approaches to the development of relations with the bloc, describing it as degenerating into NATOs geopolitical shadow.

MICHEL XAVIER BIANG (Gabon), highlighting the importance of international burden-sharing for crisis management, said that the partnership between the United Nations and the European Union is illustrated in Africa, where the two bodies work side by side in Somalia, Central African Republic and Libya. In Africa, security risks flowing from repeated abuses by extremist groups undermine shared values of liberty and democracy. He voiced his support for trilateral cooperation among the African Union, European Union and United Nations. He further called for strengthened dialogue between the African Unions Peace and Security Council and the European Unions Political and Security Committee, noting that, while Africa must provide African solutions to African challenges, the support of international partners is necessary for more effective action. The increasingly regional nature of crises calls for the United Nations to be better connected to realities on the ground, he added, stating that the involvement of regional actors allows for more effective stabilization processes and a better understanding of persistent threats.

RAVINDRA RAGUTTAHALLI (India) noted that, in the Balkans, the European Union is at the forefront in promoting economic prosperity and peace. It is also an important member of the Quartet in the Middle East Peace Process and in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The role of the bloc has also been growing in Africa, alongside the African Union and League of Arab States, with complementary efforts addressing conflict resolution and security challenges, including terrorism. As well, the European Union has a critical role to play in addressing challenges to the security environment. However, it is also natural to expect the bloc to do much more to advance the comprehensive reform agenda of global multilateral architecture, including in the Security Council. Stressing that the Ukraine conflict is having a destabilizing effect with broader regional and global implications, he called for the European Union to play a leading role in alleviating the adverse impact the crisis on people living in vulnerable countries and further urged it to step up efforts to make the fight against terrorism a collective one fought with zero tolerance and without any double speak.

MOHAMED ABUSHAHAB (United Arab Emirates) cited the European Unions contributions to peace and stability in the wider European region, facilitating the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, as well as implementation of the Dayton Agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina through EUFOR-Althea. Noting more than a quarter of Ukraines population remains displaced and nearly 5 million Ukrainian refugees have been recorded across Europe, he commended the blocs work in assisting countries hosting those fleeing their homes in search of safety. In the meantime, its support to humanitarian organizations and civilians in need with 373 million in assistance has been a crucial lifeline for civilians. He further highlighted financial support for the World Food Programme (WFP) cash-assistance programme, as developing countries face new pressures due to increases in the price of basic food materials. Welcoming the donation of more than 400 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility as part of the European Union member States deliveries of more than 1.4 billion doses worldwide, he nonetheless affirmed that the pandemic is ongoing, and the bloc and other key donors must work to ensure that vaccine equity is achieved across the globe.

RONALDO COSTA FILHO (Brazil) noted that the European Union has launched 37 Common Security and Defence Policy missions since 2003, with 211 ongoing civilian missions and 7 military missions/operations across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He also highlighted the blocs commitment to the Western Balkans, especially in facilitating dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina although the Brussels Dialogue still seeks to achieve a comprehensive normalization of relations, an objective of paramount importance to the stability of the region. As well, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo Mission also contributes to the stability in that territory, while in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the bloc launched the military Operation Althea, following the decision by NATO to hand over its own peacekeeping mission in the country in 2004. Calling for European Union missions to always be aligned with the mandates established by the Council and the principles enshrined in the Charter, he urged the bloc to consider in advance the possible unintended consequences of unilateral measures, such as sanctions.

JAYNE TOROITICH (Kenya), drawing attention to the European Unions historical strong partnership with the African Union and its subregional organizations, welcomed the outcomes of the sixth European Union-African Union Summit in February, which focuses on commitments to combat instability, radicalization and terrorism. Similarly, support for African-led peace support operations was demonstrated during the recent reconfiguration of AMISOM to ATMIS. These collaborative efforts have also been instrumental in facilitating Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) initiatives, including the South Sudan peace process. She called for support for adequate training, capacitybuilding and equipment to scale up autonomous peace operations of African defence and security forces, African-led Peace Support Operations and for ongoing discussions on the use of assessed contributions for operations authorized by the Council. While the international community must make active use of efforts by regional and subregional organizations, the principle of national ownership and priority for regional leadership should remain the guiding pillar in maintenance of international peace and security.

BARBARA WOODWARD (United Kingdom) noted that 2022 has been a challenging year for Europe, the international community, United Nations, the multilateral system and the rules-based international norms due to the Russian Federations illegal, unprovoked war in Ukraine. She welcomed the positive role played by the European Union and other regional organizations in promoting diplomacy and multilateralism and in supporting the Security Council on matters of international peace and security. The United Kingdom supports an outward-looking European Union, she said, praising the blocs efforts towards restoring the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, its partnership with the African Union, its contributions to United Nations peacebuilding and its efforts in the Western Balkans. Seven months have passed since the 2021 United Nations climate change conference, and the European Union and the United Kingdom are coordinating efforts to deliver a net-zero climate-resilient transition. At a time of global instability with increasing inflation, debt and food insecurity she said that the bloc and her country are united in their determination to deliver on the Glasgow Climate Pact.

Mr. BORRELL, taking the floor a second time, echoed the words of many speakers particularly Ghana, Gabon and Kenya who highlighted the important role of regional and subregional organizations in addressing global challenges. He also agreed with Chinas representative regarding avoiding a world organized around opposing blocs, as this would breed greater insecurity. He welcomed the representative of Indias comments on the Indo-Pacific strategy. Turning to Ukraine, he thanked the Russian Federations representative for lecturing him on the historical role of the European Union and how it was conceived by its founding fathers. However, he noted: I think I have better interpreters of my history. The European Union is not a military union, but it cannot be indifferent to what is happening in its neighbourhood and the aggression from which Ukraine one of its most important partners is suffering. While the causes of the war can be endlessly discussed, one thing is clear: there are Russian troops in Ukraine, but there are no Ukrainian troops in the Russian Federation, making the aggressor clear. He urged concentrated efforts to avoid the next step of this drama a big wave of hunger in the world which will happen if the Russian Federation continues blocking the export of wheat from Ukraine. It is not the European Union who is blocking these exports or bombing the storage of wheat, he added.

For information media. Not an official record.

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European Union committed to partnership with United Nations, despite conflicts, 'deficit in multilateralism', Bloc's High Representative tells...

Today we formally resume EU-India negotiations towards a free trade agreement, and begin negotiations on an investment protection agreement and an agreement on geographical indications, EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said

Today we formally resume EU-India negotiations towards a free trade agreement, and begin negotiations on an investment protection agreement and an agreement on geographical indications, EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said

India and the European Union (EU) finally restarted the negotiations for the long-pending trade and investment agreement on Friday after a gap of over eight years.

The negotiations took place in Brussels, over a year after India and the EU announced to resume the talks for a balanced and comprehensive trade pact.

"Minister (Piyush) Goyal and I have just concluded a productive meeting. Today we formally resume EU-India negotiations towards a free trade agreement, and begin negotiations on an investment protection agreement and an agreement on geographical indications," EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said.

In a statement, he described the EU's partnership with India as "one of the most important relationships" for the 27-nation bloc for the upcoming decade.

Mr. Dombrovskis said the next round of negotiations on the FTA will take place from June 27 to July 1 in New Delhi.

"We are pursuing an ambitious timeline, and we aim to conclude the talks by the end of 2023. These far-reaching negotiations on trade, investment protection and geographical indications open a new and exciting chapter in EU-India relations," the EU trade commissioner said.

"Together, we aim not only to boost economic growth and job creation, but also promote our shared values, work to protect the climate, and secure our supply chains," he added.

Mr. Dombrovskis said the "ultimate goal" is to maximise the considerable, yet largely untapped trade and investment potential between the EU and India.

"We are already major trading partners, with annual trade of 120 billion Euro. The EU is India's third-largest trade partner, accounting for almost 11 per cent of Indian trade in 2021," he said.

India is the EU's 10th most important trading partner, accounting for over two per cent of EU trade in 2021.

"Liberalising trade and investment will thus generate significant opportunities for growth, also in areas going beyond trade in goods, notably services and digital trade, intellectual property and public procurement," Mr. Dombrovskis said.

"As with all EU trade agreements, the future arrangement would include ambitious and enforceable provisions on trade and sustainable development," he said.

The EU trade commissioner said the investment protection agreement should significantly increase investor confidence on both sides and expressed his confidence that it will lead to increases in foreign direct investment in both directions.

"This increased investment is also important for employment. Existing investments between us already contribute to over 1.3 million (13 lakh) jobs, and there is good scope for building on this foundation," he said.

Mr. Dombrovskis said the EU and India also share a similar approach when it comes to protecting geographical indications.

"So, the Geographical Indications Agreement, once concluded, will support rural communities and help preserve the cultural and culinary heritage of both sides," he said.

"We believe these negotiations will open new ways to deepening our Strategic Partnership, helping to secure our joint prosperity, and promote our shared values," he said.

In April, EU Ambassador to India Ugo Astuto had said India and the EU are eyeing to firm up the comprehensive trade and investment pact before the commencement of the electoral cycles on both sides in 2024.

The negotiations for the ambitious free-trade agreement were suspended in 2013 after several rounds of talks spanning six years.

Launched in June 2007, the negotiations for the proposed agreement have witnessed many hurdles as both sides had major differences on crucial issues.

The talks were stalled after the two sides failed to iron out the differences related to tariffs on certain goods and the movement of professionals.

Besides demanding significant duty cuts in automobiles, the EU wanted a tax reduction in wine, spirits and dairy products, and a strong intellectual property regime.

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India, European Union resume talks for free trade agreement after over eight years - The Hindu

Kevin McKenzie and American Ballet Theatre dancers.Photo: Fabrizio Ferri/American Ballet Theatre

Prior to Monday evening, when I attended American Ballet Theatres annual June gala, I had never been to Lincoln Centers Metropolitan Opera House. I recognized the twinkling chandeliers dripping from its ceilings only from Gossip Girl and The Undoing, in which Nicole Kidmans character helps to plan a fundraiser for the precocious Reardon private school. Its no coincidence, then, that the ties between exclusive upper class fetes and the culture of American balletic institutions have remained so tautalmost inextricable from each other, both in pop culture and the real world.

As a longtime dance devotee, thats sometimes what ballet has felt like for people like me and even younger generations: a storied fantasy land, something that people attend in the movies when theyd like to perform societal relevance or bask in the honor of naming themselves a donor to an elite artistic organization. I, on the other hand, did not grow up in the city attending ballet shows or galas. I was lucky to see professional ballet companies whenever they were passing through Los Angelesmainly more Nutcrackers than I can count and an ABT performance of La Bayadre one time. So that group of thin, hoity-toity moms Kidman paraded around the Met always seemed more in step with the heart of balletor at least the institutionalized ballets and not the rinky-dink hometown studios I grew up atthan I ever did. No matter how much I adored ballet, ballet did not seem to love most of America back; it seemed more like a see-and-be-seen for the upper echelon of New York City society.

Yet, this week, Isomeone whos never shied away from demanding ballet to be less white, less abusive, less exclusionaryfound myself seated front and center for American Ballet Theatres grand return to the Met after several seasons had been spoiled by the pandemic. The company opened its summer season with a performance of the classic story ballet Don Quixote, which was staged one last time by the companys longtime artistic director Kevin McKenzie. The former principal ballet dancer was on hand to bid farewell to the company after more than 30 years and pass the reins to Susan Jaffe: ABTs first solo female artistic director in company history. As feminism hits a larger cultural wall in the outside and political sphere, in which its corporate shilling has overwhelmed and nearly erased the true meaning of intersectionality, theres roomurgency, evenfor a feminist awakening in ballet. And perhaps that awakening starts here.

That evening, as I peered into the orchestral pit and fawned over the spirit-like movement of dancers Catherine Hurlin, Aran Bell, Devon Teuscher, Thomas Forster, Hee Seo, Joo Won Ahn, Katherine Williams, Calvin Royal III, Christine Shevchenko, and more from the first row in a house of booming applause, there seemed to be a shift in energy. As if, after all these years of promising change, championing change, fostering change, this new guard might actually pull it off. At long last, it seemed ABT had opened its doors to the next generation in a meaningful, ceremonious manner.

For one, Janet Roll, the companys chief executive and executive director who started in January of this year and the former general manager of Beyoncs Parkwood Entertainment, is the first person of color to lead the company. Getting more diverse leaders into the bureaucratic structures of an 83-year-old ballet company with its roots in the 1500s Italian Renaissance is step one in the remaking and modernizing of ballet, and Roll, a Black woman raised by a Jamaican immigrant mother, seems to have the right chutzpah and vision for the job.

Gabe Stone Shayer in DON QUIXOTE. Photo: Fabrizio Ferri

We want to make sure that we remain culturally relevant so that people understand that ballet is for everyone, Roll told me on the red carpet on Monday. I hope to see the culture of American Ballet Theatre be truly relevant to the world we live in now, but to get to the world we all envision, its going to take timewere not going to reinvent the wheel overnight.

Michaela DePrince, a second soloist at Boston Ballet and a former student of ABTs Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (JKO) school who was in attendance that night, has long been witness to the sluggish pace of change in the art world. She told me she looks forward to a day when Blackness isnt celebrated just once a year during Black History Month. When I asked if, at the very least, she was relieved to no longer have to pancake her pointe shoes (a process by which dancers of color have to paint their shoes with makeup to match their skin tone), she admitted that even though Bloch has gifted her brown pointe shoes, she still runs out. I am Black every single day, and I would love to be able to see more Black and brown dancers wearing skin tone, because I think its just so beautiful when you can see somebody being authentically themselves and not having to fit into that norm of pink classical tights.

In 2015, ABT made history as it anointed Misty Copeland to principal dancer, making her the first Black woman to do so within a major American company and largely drawing praise that ballet might finally be shedding its porcelain skin. The company has since added Calvin Royal III as a principal, Gabe Stone Shayer as a soloist, and Erica Lall and Courtney Lavine as corps de ballet members among a few others, but not much overhauling of the companys diversity makeup has taken place since then. (It should be noted, however, that the company has highlighted and promoted a number of talented Asian American dancers.)

A daughter of Caribbean immigrants, Lall was highlighted before the performance on Monday evening, as she introduced Trustee Susan Fales-Hill, who headed up the nine-month artistic director search for Jaffes role. Lall thanked Fales-Hill for creating the Josephine Premice Fales Awardan award Lall had won twicewhich gives a young dancer of color a full scholarship to ABTs training school. In daring fashion, Fales-Hill then called upon the history of a well-intentioned, but separate and unequal Negro wing of 16 dancers within ABT back in 1940, calling it a wing that was destined to be clipped. That history made it all the more astonishing to see two Black women presenting on stage that night. But shortly after Fales-Hill and Lall left the stage, the curtains gave way to a smattering of beautiful ballet dancers, with only a few people of color to be seen.

The sense I got from Roll and from Aubrey Lynch, ABTs Dean of Faculty and Student Affairs, is that ABT is painfully aware of its shortcomings and is not trying to shy away from them. If you never acknowledge whats wrong, you can never move past it, Roll told me.

Well, they call us trailblazers, and we are. Its very scary in the front, but we are determined to make American Ballet Theatre as diverse with its beliefs, with its economic status, with its race, ethnicityall of those parts that make America beautiful, Lynch added during an interview. And were asking ourselves what it means to be American today, and what will it mean in the future, and what will make it more interesting to watch ballet? Weve got to talk about today, stories about today, people about today, and look like today.

For that exact reason, regardless of how stunning the performance was, the choice to open the season with Don Quixotea fixture in the companys repertoire but notably not a reflection of American cultureremained a puzzling one. Largely white women were adorned in Spanish-style costumes holding fans, and wearing chokers, slicked back buns, and hoop earrings. But Jaffe, who refashioned the ending of Swan Lake when she was at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, told the Washington Post shes ready to dismantle some of the companys more problematic and archaic story plots, including Le Corsaire, which tells the story of a Greek woman sold into slavery and whose hero is also an enslaver, and La Bayadre, which is set in a fictionalized India presented through a white lens. She also plans to institute audience surveys and a listening tour, in which the opinions of those who care about ballet are actually taken into consideration.

But my conversation with Lynch also inspired some hope for the future of ballet and its dancers, no matter how they identify. The company is working with intimacy coordinators to help mitigate some of the more physical interactions between dancers onstage, according to Lynch. The JKO school has embraced nonbinary dancers, giving them the choice to learn roles traditionally meant for men or women and allowing them to get on pointea practice once reserved only for ballerinas. And Lynch told me they were offering up more mental health services than ever before and trying to move away from the eating disorder-friendly world of insecurities once fostered by ballets incessant thinness.

I know that, over time, promises of evolution have come and gone within the realm of ballet. But just as Jaffe transformed a swans tragic ending into a feminist sacrifice motivated by a wish to free her maidens, American Ballet Theatre, too, seems primed to transform into something grandersomething for all of us. It was a magical evening, and I hope, in all earnestness, that all of that magic sticks around.

As Kevin McKenize noted in his farewell remarks, ABT is on the brink of a new era. And we know what happens when ABT enters a new era: It soars.

See the article here:
American Ballet Theatre Wants to Look Like America. They Don't Yet, But They're Trying. - Jezebel

Following is an analysis of Brian Johnson Liver King Height, Weight, Net Worth, Age, Birthday, Wikipedia, Nationality, Biography, etc.

People are usually drawn towards conservative people who, for some reason God-knows-what, dont like to talk about themselves. These people spike an instant interest in other peoples minds, and before you know it, you want to know everything about them.

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As of this date, the Brian Johnson Wikipedia is still non-existent. One could even go to the extent of saying that the rich and famous Brian Johnson does not care much about his public profile.

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Brain Johnson also known as the liver king is an American national. He was born and brought up in Texas, USA. Brian has spent most of his life in Texas and it is there where he started his bodybuilding career.

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The purpose supplements manufactured under this brand name are highly nutritious and help keep your body in excellent shape. These pills help cure different deficiencies that your body may be suffering from.

So, this was all the information related to Brian Johnson that I and my team were able to dig up. Some of the information discussed in this article is purely based on assumptions such as his net worth and age.

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Check out more posts like this to keep you occupied and informed on utahpulse.com.

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Brian Johnson - Liver King Height, Weight, Net Worth, Age, Birthday, Wikipedia, Nationality, Biography - Utah Pulse