UR, Iraq — First Pope Francis showed up at the modest residence of Iraq’s most reclusive, and powerful, Shiite religious cleric for a delicate and painstakingly negotiated summit. Hours later, he presided over a stage crowded with religious leaders on the windswept Plain of Ur, a vast and, now arid, expanse where the faithful believe God revealed himself to the Prophet Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. In settings both intimate and theatrical, in gestures both concrete and symbolic, Pope Francis on Saturday sought to protect his persecuted flock by forging closer bonds between the Roman Catholic Church and the Muslim world, a mission that is a central theme of his papacy and of his historic trip to Iraq. By meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani in the holy city of Najaf, Francis threaded a political needle, seeking an alliance with an extraordinarily influential Shiite cleric who, unlike his Iranian counterparts, believes that … [Read more...] about Pope Francis meets Iraq’s top ayatollah as both urge peace
God eater resurrection tops
Top 100: Why Dark Souls is simply the greatest game of all time
If you haven’t played Dark Souls (and I mean really played, to the degree that you understand the utter folly of my even using the word ‘played’ in this paragraph, when I should actually be terming the experience ‘utterly, obsessively lived in’), then the chances are you have an entirely false impression of the greatest game of all time. You’re probably ‘aware’ of a monstrous brute. A blunt, unswerving, cruel, unfair bully of a game, all brawn, misanthropy, and torment. The video game equivalent of that kid who spends all summer pulling the legs off insects, only in Dark Souls’ case, the kid is a 40 foot dragon, and the legs are your self-esteem. Dark Souls is not that. Dark Souls is the opposite of that. Dark Souls is a warm, benevolent, enriching, and deeply, deeply gratifying experience. Yes, it will demand things of you. Things that, when you first start out, will feel impossible. But here’s the thing. Dark Souls does not make those demands out of cruelty or spite. Dark Souls, … [Read more...] about Top 100: Why Dark Souls is simply the greatest game of all time
Top actress is now ‘sex crazed’ after secret visits to hormone doctor nicknamed ‘Dr Feelgood’
A TOP actress has turned "sex crazed" after making secret visits to a hormone doctor nicknamed "Dr Feelgood". TV agent Melanie Blake has claimed a familiar face in the showbiz industry has been doing therapy and taking "magic potions", which has left them with a very active sexual appetite. Speaking to The Sun, Melanie revealed: “I’ve known very famous actresses visiting a guy we called Dr Feelgood for hormone therapy that made them absolutely sex crazed. “A number of celebrities have been to see this guy who gives them blends of HRT that includes testosterone and oestrogen and the celebrities who I know who have done too much in two weeks, oh God. “These women are very sexually adventurous but they also learnt the lesson that the magic potions are not to be overused. It's not like real life. These are superhuman women.” Melanie Blake masterminded the glittering careers of some of Britain’s best loved soap stars – including Beverley Callard , Claire King and Gillian … [Read more...] about Top actress is now ‘sex crazed’ after secret visits to hormone doctor nicknamed ‘Dr Feelgood’
Tales of Arise re-emerges with a fresh trailer and promise of news in the spring
Tales of Arise has re-emerged with a fresh trailer and the promise of news in the spring. Bandai Namco published the familiar trailer, below. It ends with a note to say news is coming spring 2021. "Spring is just around the corner, and we've been working hard to make it unforgettable!" Bandai Namco said. "Catch the first new glimpse from Tales of Arise." Tales of Arise was announced at E3 2019 for release in 2020 on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It was delayed indefinitely in June 2020, and we haven't heard much since. Arise is the 17th main entry in the Tales series of Japanese role-playing games and the follow-up to 2016's Tales of Berseria. We don't know much about it save it stars two people from the opposing worlds of Dahna and Rena. Here's the official blurb: "Tales of Arise takes place in a solar system containing the two neighbouring planets of Dahna and Rena. The inhabitants of Dahna have always paid reverence to their planetary neighbours on Rena - a planet they … [Read more...] about Tales of Arise re-emerges with a fresh trailer and promise of news in the spring
Thailand Travel Guide: Tips and Tricks for Staying Safe in 2021
Has someone told you that Thailand is a dangerous place to visit? Well, that’s just a rumor. Mostly, those who cannot afford to travel to exotic countries scare tourists off by some fairy tales. However, you may wonder about safety for another reason: COVID-19. By this time, the country reported 26,073 cases of COVID-19, with 25,420 recovered patients and only 84 deaths. Those are some of the best statistics around the globe. However, there are certain regions to avoid. Please read our tips to get ready for your trip. If you are a student, you may later write a paper on your impressions or get one from https://www.the-essays.com/ However, it is always better to explore the country on your own! Stay Away from these Locations for Your Safety and Convenience Now, it is not that you risk getting murdered or robbed in the regions mentioned in this section. It’s just that their local rules might be too weird or there is nothing to look at. Get off the beaten path – do not visit … [Read more...] about Thailand Travel Guide: Tips and Tricks for Staying Safe in 2021
Will Eisner and the Secret History of the Graphic Novel
Art by Will Eisner. Photo: Abrams Books Graphic novels — that is, long-form narratives done in the style of comic books — have rocked the literary world in recent decades. Works like Maus , Persepolis , and Fun Home have garnered Pulitzers, given birth to film and theater adaptations, topped best-seller lists, and elevated comics art from a disdained medium into an acclaimed one. But who, exactly, invented the graphic novel? Debates over its origins have raged ever since the term graphic novel first came into vogue in the late 1970s. But new research is bringing us closer to an answer. The origin of the graphic novel is a bit of a detective story, and a principal suspect is the man profiled in the upcoming book Will Eisner: Champion of the Graphic Novel , written by longtime comics writer, editor, historian, and former president of DC Comics Paul Levitz. Eisner, who died in 2005 at the age of 87, was nothing short of a titan in the world of comics. He was a … [Read more...] about Will Eisner and the Secret History of the Graphic Novel
Peeps releases marshmallow-inspired makeup line in time for Easter
close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for March 6 Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Peeps won’t just be in the candy aisle this Easter. Earlier this week, the brand released a new makeup line in collaboration with HipDot cosmetics. The limited-edition HipDot Peeps collection includes an eyeshadow palette and a set of colorful sponges in the shape of Peeps’ marshmallow chicks . According to a press release provided to Fox News, some "surprise limited-edition products" will also be released throughout March, ahead of Easter. CHIPOTLE’S NEW E.L.F. MAKEUP COLLECTION GETS EXTRA WITH GUACAMOLE EYE SHADOW The eyeshadow palette has six "high pay-off, soft and buttery shades" with names like "Bunny," "Marshmallow" and "Sugar Coated," the press release said. The bright and neutral shades come in matte, shimmer and glitter finishes. The sponges are made with latex-free foam. … [Read more...] about Peeps releases marshmallow-inspired makeup line in time for Easter
Getting them going: From a seed to a plant
PHUKET: Recently, we considered propagation using cuttings taken from the parent plant (story here ). A great method if it works. But some shrubs resolutely refuse to take root from pieces of stem immersed in potting mix. What then is the alternative? Seeds are the obvious answer: in fact, most gardeners would opt for seeds as their first choice. Simplicity itself… Especially with annuals, biennials and perennials. Zinnias, poppies, nasturtiums and members of the asteraceae family come immediately to mind. Pod bearing shrubs such as jatrophas and trees such as cassias , flame trees, indeed any of the leguminous brigade will also grow from seed as will the yellow oleander ( peruviana ) and most of the commonly eaten fruit with seeds or stones – papayas, mangos, sapodillas , mangosteens , avocados, langsarts and the rest. In all these latter cases, the seeds are readily available if you are a fruit eater, right there on your plate. But there are many plants that do … [Read more...] about Getting them going: From a seed to a plant
Will West Bengal tilt towards the right this election?
The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections is only a few weeks away. While the BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC) are locked in an intense battle, the Left-Congress alliance is attempting to win back voters. In a conversation moderated by Varghese K. George , Prasenjit Bose and Snigdhendu Bhattacharya discuss the issues dominating this election. Edited excerpts: What issues do you think will be determining this West Bengal election? Prasenjit? Prasenjit Bose: We should look at the BJP’s surprise performance in the 2019 election in which, for the first time, it crossed the 40% vote share threshold and won 18 seats. Although one could see it coming up in a big way, the extent of its surge was not expected. You should start from there. Has the BJP gained further momentum since then? Or has the TMC been able to retrieve some ground, which it appeared to have lost in 2019? Or has anti-incumbency just continued to grow? Also Read Will West … [Read more...] about Will West Bengal tilt towards the right this election?
Grammys prove Rock ‘n’ Roll isn’t dead — but it’s sure getting old
LOS ANGELES — Rock music is having a senior moment. The average age among all the 2015 Grammy nominees in the four rock categories was roughly 46, give or take a year, depending any given band's current lineup. The oldest individual is 69 (Lemmy from Motörhead); the youngest is 25 (Taylor York of Paramore). AC/DC ripped the lid off Sunday night's show, a high-energy opener that found singer Brian Johnson, 67, and guitarist Angus Young, 59, in top form. Many still-active rock legends took part, including 72-year-old Paul McCartney, Electric Light Orchestra, who are in their late 60s, and Prince, 56. Prince also presented the coveted Album of the Year award to Beck Hansen , who is a relative rock 'n' roll spring chicken at 44. SEE ALSO: Grateful Dead to reunite for final concerts As always, the Grammys were peppered with plenty of promising young music stars, like Best New Artist winner Sam Smith, 22, who also won Song of the Year and Record of the Year; and Best Country … [Read more...] about Grammys prove Rock ‘n’ Roll isn’t dead — but it’s sure getting old