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Names of the soldiers: Dolev Mor Yossef, Ido Meir, and Amit Elyakov

Source: Skynews

For context from their website

“WHAT IS RAINBOW NOIR?
RAINBOW NOIR was established in Manchester in February 2013, founded by four black queer women who were inspired to create a space in the city led by and for our community.

We are a volunteer-led social group, we celebrate, elevate and advocate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Intersex People of Colour (LGBTQI PoC).

We use "Queer, Trans, Intersex People of Colour" (QTIPoC) interchangeably with LGBTQI PoC as collective terms to describe our community.

We are committed to creating a space of our own, places to feel safe, where LGBTQI people of colour can meet, hang out, form friendships and find community. We facilitate a bi-monthly social space in person”

It’s a shame that LGBTQ+ individuals don’t feel safe in Manchester anymore.

Article translated from Dutch to English:

The Eurovision Song Contest will strictly monitor political interference this year. That is according to the event's boss, Briton Martin Green, in an interview with Nieuwsuur . The director wants to do his utmost to win back countries that withdrew this year due to Israel's participation.

It is perhaps the most difficult time in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest. Although Green is anything but pessimistic. According to him, the influence of complex geopolitical tensions on the Song Contest has always existed. "Every major global event experiences peaks and valleys."

Israeli campaign
But more than ever, the Song Contest – which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year – is marked by protest, boycotts, and even political interference.

Austria won the competition last year and is therefore the host this year, but the Israeli entry emerged as the winner in the public vote. That outcome was scrutinized following the revelation by investigative journalists that an Israeli government agency, which falls under the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, conducted a large-scale campaign to promote the Israeli entry.

If there is disproportionate vote solicitation again, the organization will take action, says Green. "Although we have jurors to balance the voting, we will absolutely not tolerate this type of activity. I think we may not have been strict enough in recent years."

Following last year's results and due to the war in Gaza, several participating broadcasters called for Israel to be excluded. However, Israel is participating again this year. Broadcasters in four countries—Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands —immediately announced a boycott of the festival in response. Iceland has since withdrawn as well. Iceland and the Netherlands will still broadcast the show, though not AVROTROS, but NOS/NTR.

Green wants to do everything possible to get the countries that dropped out back. He is also holding talks with the Netherlands about this. "We miss the countries and we want them back. We will do what is in our power to make that happen."

Eurovision commentator Cornald Maas, and formerly the head of the Spanish broadcaster, recently argued for excluding countries at war from the Song Contest altogether. This is similar to what happened with Russia after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which was also the year Ukraine won the festival thanks to all the support votes. However, that would mean Ukraine would not be allowed to participate.

Eurovision director Green resolutely rejects that idea: "Any proposal that would lead to the exclusion or punishment of Ukraine is out of the question for us."

He also notes that, regarding Russia, there is almost a global consensus on the measures to be taken. A consensus that is lacking when it comes to the exclusion of Israel. "And we remain a democratic membership organization of affiliated broadcasters."

Despite all the commotion, Greene hopes that the Israeli singer steps onto the stage "without fear":

Yet tensions over Israel's participation have barely subsided. Green views the current controversy as part of a much broader debate being held by participating countries. "A passionate global conversation about geopolitics. After all, should an event be a mirror of what is happening in the world? Or do these kinds of events exist to show that a better world is possible?" says Green. "There is a difference between peoples and the actions of their governments."

It is an important debate, with differing viewpoints, he notes. "But ultimately, we are also there to bring a little joy and light. There are 35 different artists from various broadcasters in different countries who are all connecting with each other. On a wonderful stage."

Better world
The first rehearsals at the Wiener Stadthalle began yesterday. Green: "The atmosphere is amazing. Let us therefore hold on to the value of this festival: a place where we bring everyone together, which shows that the world can be better. That those who choose to divide us are wrong."

The semi-finals will be held on May 12 and 14, and the final is on May 16.

A video has been uploaded on the official YouTube page, but in this still, that’s not Mags!

New to retinal, I have this and so far like it but haven’t seen many YouTube or TikTok videos about this.

Has anyone else used this?