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Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Fringe 2025 – Joe Bor: Leave Them Wanting Bor ⭐⭐⭐
The filmmaker, cartoonist, and comedian Joe Bor made a return to the Edinburgh Fringe with Leave Them Wanting Bor. This was Bor's first appearance here since 2019. His 2019 show, The Story of Walter and Herbert, was a gentle, humorous meditation on friendship, family and the Jewish experience in the 20th century. That show had a very clear narrative and focus, skilfully interweaving sound recordings, video and extracts from his grandfather's unpublished memoirs. This year Bor has brought a new show, Leave Them Wanting Bor to Edinburgh. Willy the warm up In contrast, this show lacked the same level bit of coherence, though Bor was again an engaging presence on stage. He began under the guise of 'Willy the warm-up' an Australian alter ego in a Pat Sharp style wig, who tried to raise the atmosphere in the room. This was perhaps an admission that the room lacked a bit of character, especially mid-afternoon – the 'strip club' vibes not ideal. In the evening, Fingers Piano Bar can have a fantastic atmosphere, but at 2pm it wasn't ideal for a comedy based act; it was a little flat with fewer than a dozen in the room. The 'Willy the warm-up' character actually had perhaps more potential; I felt that Bor switched too abruptly to his normal persona. Breaking down barriers Bor gave us tales from his travels and his life experiences. These were told in an engaging way, with some nice moments of interaction with the audience which helped create a nice collective feel to the show. That's very much consistent with the Free Fringe philosophy of breaking down barriers. Bor clearly enjoyed picking up bits of wisdom from some of the members of the audience, keen to find out what the secret of the long lasting relationship was. Some of the best material was actually found in his very entertaining text exchanges with his 'no filter' Mum. Perhaps this aspect could have been made a larger feature of the show. A sense of acclaim Ultimately the theme was of Bor's sense of not quite living up to some of his relatives of past generations , especially his great aunt, the chemist and X-ray crystallographer Rosalind Franklin, whose work was central to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA. This sense of trying to live up to a certain standard of achievement, the search for a 'sense of acclaim', was the thread running through the show, rather than the slightly laboured material on science. Bor shared a number of Einstein quotes about science, which were interesting in themselves, but I'm not sure they really cohered with the show more generally; at least in its present form. Stupid joke – but I like it The show how a little bit of a scattergun feel, with Bor sometimes shooting off into tangents, and slightly losing his thread. The tangents were often very entertaining, but the show perhaps needs some tightening up. His clear enjoyment of 'stupid jokes' (aka Dad jokes), was endearing, but perhaps overdone ('stupid joke – but I like it'). More broadly, the whole show was tinged with a large element of self-deprecation 'I think that's the best joke – it never gets a big laugh though'. In general, the show had many good elements (if you pardon the science pun), but, in its current state, lacks the satisfying cohesiveness of The Story of Walter and Herbert. I imagine that as Bor's run here at the Fringe continues, the show will develop and get closer to its potential. Like this: Like Related
Times of Oman
04-08-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Indian peacekeepers honoured with UN Medals for protecting civilians in South Sudan
Juba: In a proud moment, Indian peacekeepers, including 12 women serving in South Sudan, were recently awarded the UN Medals for protecting civilians and humanitarian convoys. The official account of the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York, said in a post in hindi on the social media platform X, "Recognition for the dedicated services of Indian peacekeepers." The appreciation in response to a tweet posted earlier by UNMISS, which said, "UNMISS peacekeepers from #India working in Bor, Akobo & Pibor in #SouthSudan have been awarded @UNmedals for protecting civilians & humanitarian convoys, + providing medical & veterinary services. A total of 838 Blue Helmets, including 12 women, were rewarded." Earlier in June this year, the Blue Helmets from India hosted a two-day medical outreach at the UN Protection of Civilians site, adjacent to the Mission's base in Malakal, where around 315 displaced people received free treatment, UNMISS reported. UN Peacekeeping began in 1948 with the establishment of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in the Middle East to monitor ceasefires, an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. India has been a key contributor to global peace and security, with over 2,90,000 peacekeepers serving in more than 50 UN missions. Currently, over 5,000 Indian peacekeepers are deployed in 9 active missions, working in challenging conditions to promote international peace. It further noted that the UN Peacekeepers, known as Blue Helmets, get their name from the light blue of the United Nations flag. In 1947, the UN decided on this colour because blue symbolises peace, while red is often linked to war. This light blue shade has since become a symbol of the UN.
Zawya
13-06-2025
- Zawya
Sexual violence survivors and United Nations partners promote economic empowerment at workshop
Abuk Buol is a survivor in every sense of the word. The 39-year-old endured horrific sexual violence, brutality and was forced from her home in Bor during the civil war that ravaged South Sudan. 'I struggled to cope with what happened,' she says. 'Every time I saw a man, I felt scared, and I experienced long-lasting psychological distress.' Today, she personifies strength and resilience. Reunited with her family back home, the mother of six, is working to secure justice for the horrors that she and so many others endured and to rebuild her life. 'In 2018, I received training from the United Nations in tailoring and local soap-making. This empowered me to make soap and sell it to restaurants. Eventually, I was able to support my family.' Abuk was among 60 participants at workshop in Juba focused on building on an existing project that seeks to ensure the socio-economic empowerment of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). The project delivers survivor-centered services in Jonglei, Unity, Western Equatoria and Juba, including medical care, psychosocial support, legal aid, and livelihood assistance, through referrals to specialised Family Protection or One Stop Centers. Supported by UNFPA, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, and the International Trade Centre, it also supports survivors in speaking out and supporting others. 'The project has really helped survivors because, before we trained them how to be open, they could not really express their story in front of people, but now they are capable to talk about what happened to them and to advise others who have experienced sexual violence,' says Anna Reagan Tut from Rural Development Action Aid. The objective of the workshop was to learn about the challenges in accessing services and reintegrating into society, share best practices, and strengthen coordination and partnerships. Most of all, it was to amplify the voices of the survivors. 'Their courage in seeking healing and justice is nothing short of inspiring,' says Sheila Keetharuth, Senior Women's Protection Advisor at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. 'Each survivor's story is a testament of their unyielding spirit and the importance of standing together against sexual violence in conflict.' The workshop also provided an opportunity for partners to discuss the steps taken to prevent and respond to persistent sexual violence as well as to explore new measures. 'As we know, conflict-related sexual violence is pervasive and is underreported in South Sudan,' says Esther Ikere Eluzai, Undersecretary Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare. 'A lot of effort has been made to address this problem within communities and society more generally. But challenges remain, and I this project has been at the center of this response.' The workshop aims to improve future projects and secure new commitments from national and international stakeholders to sustain support for CRSV survivors, as well as to encourage policy reform in South Sudan. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Zawya
30-05-2025
- General
- Zawya
United for Peace: United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers Day commemoration promotes shared desire for unity in South Sudan
'For very long time, we have been waiting for peace. With peace, there will be no more war. The time for change is here now,' crooned prominent South Sudanese reggae singer, WJ De King and fellow artist Irene Toss. Their electrifying performance brought hundreds of people to their feet, singing and dancing together, at the flagship event commemorating the International Day of United Nations Peacekeeping in Bor, Jonglei State. 'Peace begins with self-love, with self-reliance. Peace begins with celebrating diversity and embracing unity.' The dynamic duo embraced the theme for the day by launching a new song, commissioned by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, as part of a campaign to promote peace in the world's youngest country, under the theme 'Peace Begins with Me'. The campaign calls on every individual to take action, no matter how small, to contribute to a powerful, collective movement for peace. It also recognizes the persistence and unwavering commitment of the people of South Sudan to end conflict and secure sustainable peace and democracy. 'This event means a lot as coming together is the only way forward. If there is music, there is peace,' stressed WJ De King, who is also renown for being a peace activist. The event, held at the Jonglei State Secretariat, was all about engagement and inclusion, with participants including women's groups, children from a variety of schools, government officials, and UNMISS peacekeepers. 'Today is the day to make friendships. Make sure you don't go home without making a friend,' was the first thing people heard when entering the location, from young community mobilizer and writer, Mnyok Akech Atem, who seized the opportunity to promote the change he would like to see in his country. By giving space to different communities, the commemoration ceremony celebrated diversity and encouraged participants to embrace unity by resolving grievances, promoting reconciliation, and working together to implement locally led peace processes. 'It is our responsibility to foster mindsets and actions that will contribute to sustainable long-term peace in this country,' said the Guest of Honor, Jonglei State Deputy Governor, Matiop Lueth Atem. 'The UNMISS peacekeepers have been leading by example, and we want you to know that we, and the world beyond our nation's borders, see your sacrifice for the service to others.' UNMISS Head of Bor Field Office, Geeta Pious, stressed the mission's commitment to supporting South Sudan as it navigates the difficult journey from war to peace. She highlighted the contribution being made by peacekeepers in Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area to protect civilians, deter violence, build critical infrastructure, and even help revolutionize the agricultural sector to encourage economic growth. For once, during the notorious rainy season, the weather was kind with the sun shining down on those gathered to celebrate the day, while it was noted that, at the same time, UNMISS peacekeepers were tirelessly labouring to drain water from areas hit by severe flooding, including the event venue, earlier in the week. It was the perfect conditions for hosting a wide variety of performances by Indian, Ethiopian, South Korean and Sri Lankan peacekeepers as well as the Nuer, Dinka and Anyuak communities. As event moderator UNMISS' Mach Samuel put it: 'It's like watching the world live'! 'The fact that so many local communities came here and showed their appreciation with their performances really made us feel the significance and impact of our work here,' shared UNMISS engineering peacekeeper, Captain Sylvia Nzila. At the end of the day, there was a sense that change is possible. Even after the event was officially concluded, participants from all communities stayed to exchange hugs, contact details, and share their feelings. The outcome demonstrates that peacekeeping is more than just protecting civilians, it is about building trust and confidence in support of sustainable peace, so that the people of South Sudan can secure the brighter future that they deserve. It illustrates that peace really does begin with me, you and all of us. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Over 2 Million Americans Went 'Missing' During 2020 And 2021
In the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans were dying at much higher rates than other wealthy nations. A new analysis now estimates that in 2020 and 2021, more than two million Americans went 'missing' from the population. These are the people who would still be alive if the US had the same death rate as other high-income nations. To be clear, not all of these 'excess' deaths are due to COVID-19, but a significant portion are tied to the timing of the global pandemic. "Imagine the lives saved, the grief and trauma averted, if the US simply performed at the average of our peers," says lead author and epidemiologist Jacob Bor from Boston University. The analysis is a broad, sweeping take on a big and complicated issue, but it supports previous studies that have also found Americans suffer poor survival outcomes compared to residents in other wealthy nations. The new study compares more than 107 million deaths of any cause in the US between 1980 and 2023 to death rates in 21 other wealthy nations. The selected countries each had a 2021 GDP exceeding US $24,000 per capita, and had data available in the Human Mortality Database spanning the study period. Over those 43 years, the US experienced 14.7 million excess deaths relative to its peers, with a significant uptick starting in 2020. Long before the COVID-19 pandemic began, however, data suggest health outcomes in the US were gradually slipping compared to the rest of the world. The spread of a novel coronavirus in 2020 only widened that gap. Bor and colleagues calculated that in 2019, there was a total of 631,247 missing Americans. In 2020 and 2021, that number shot up to over a million per year. By 2022, excess deaths had slipped back to 820,396, before dropping further to 705,331 in 2023. But that is still significantly higher than in 2019. If the US experienced the same expected death rates as other nations, the authors of the study think nearly a quarter of all deaths could have been avoided in 2023, many among younger people. "One out of every two US deaths under 65 years is likely avoidable," says Bor. "Our failure to address this is a national scandal." These excess deaths are not simply due to the consequences of the coronavirus, although the pandemic certainly exacerbated the issue. Sociologist Elizabeth Wrigley-Field from the University of Minnesota says that the increase in deaths from 2019 to 2023 is also "driven by long-running crises in drug overdose, gun violence, car collisions, and preventable cardiometabolic deaths." In a previous study from 2023, researchers used global data to show that the US experiences excess mortality in every single age group compared to its wealthy peers. If the US could achieve the lower mortality rates of Japan, for example, the 2023 study suggested more than 880,000 deaths could be prevented. That's comparable to eliminating all deaths from heart disease, diabetes, and unintentional injuries. "Other countries show that investing in universal healthcare, strong safety nets, and evidence-based public health policies leads to longer, healthier lives," says senior author Andrew Stokes, demographer and sociologist at Boston University. "These deaths reflect not individual choices, but policy neglect and deep-rooted social and health system failures. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed structural weaknesses – including gaps in healthcare access and social supports – that have continued to fuel premature deaths even after the acute phase of the pandemic ended." The research letter was published in JAMA Health Forum. Blood-Brain Barrier 'Guardian' Shows Promise Against Alzheimer's Anti-Aging Cocktail Extends Mouse Lifespan by About 30 Percent Sudden Death Among Professional Bodybuilders Raises Health Concerns
