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Mohammad Reza Aslani’s gothic family thriller was banned in Iran and presumed lost, only to be found years later by his children in a junk shop. Now, painstakingly restored, it’s showing at the BFI London film festival The rediscovery of a film is seldom as fascinating a story as the film itself, but that’s the case with Chess of the Wind (Shatranj-e Baad), directed by Iranian film-maker Mohammad Reza Aslani. It was only screened twice in Tehran in 1976, once to a cinema of hostile critics, and then to an empty cinema – the bad reviews had done their work. “The rediscovery of this film is great for me,” says Aslani, now aged 76, and still living in Tehran. “But it also allows audiences to view Iranian cinema from another perspective, and to discover other auteur film-makers who have been marginalised because of the complexity of their films.” Critical of the Shah’s royalist government, the film also featured strong female leads and homosexuality, which didn’t endear it to the Ayatoll...

During South Africa’s strict lockdown, groups of activists decided to distribute parcels of vegetables as wells as seedlings and gardening materials as well as to hundreds of vulnerable households Photographs by Miora Rajaonary Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Gg7Zrz

The US Department of Justice is expected to sue Google as soon as next week. It’s believed that the lawsuit accuses Google of putting search rivals at a disadvantage. The department is also said to be investigating search advertising under Google’s search box. Google has faced several legal challenges in recent years regarding its search and advertising business, and it looks like the US is next in line to take aim at the company. According to Reuters , citing three sources familiar with the matter, the US Department of Justice is set to file a lawsuit against Google as soon as next week. It’s alleged that the department is also calling on state attorneys general to sign onto the suit. The lawsuit reportedly accuses Google of trying to put search rivals such as Bing at a disadvantage. More specifically, it’s claimed that Google deprives rivals of “the data about users and user preferences” that these rivals need to improve their services and advertising. Reuters says the D...

It’s taken Poco two years since the launch of the original Poco F1 to come up with a fresh new design. Amidst widespread criticism for cribbing Xiaomi designs for the Poco X2 and the Poco M2 Pro , the sub-brand has finally come up with a smartphone that is uniquely Poco — the Poco X3. The Poco X3 was announced earlier this month and is available in Europe as the Poco X3 NFC. India, however, gets a variation on the global model with some notable changes under the hood. Curious about how it differs? Let’s take a look in  Android Authority’s impressions of the Poco X3 India edition. Poco X3 India vs Poco X3 NFC: What’s the difference? Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Right off the bat, if you’re after camera samples or performance figures you can read our in-depth thoughts on the Poco X3 NFC model in our full written review or by watching the video at the top of the page. For the most part, differences between the Indian and European edition of the Poc...

Company blames limited attendance at reopened parks Disney posted $4.72bn loss in second quarter Walt Disney announced it was laying off 28,000 employees from its theme park business on Tuesday, the latest company to announce huge jobs cuts in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The entertainment company blamed limited attendance at the theme parks it has reopened and the continuing closure of others for the “difficult decision”. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2GgMlDA

LSE finds country’s sex-segregated distancing rules may have reproduced inequalities and injustices for trans people Each day when Pau González wakes and looks at his phone, he feels as if he is running a call centre. As the founder of the activist group Hombres Trans Panama , he has been inundated by members of the transgender community seeking advice on how to navigate Panama’s sex-segregated social distancing laws. Some callers have been cautioned or abused by police. Others report feeling suicidal and scared to go out. In April, Panama announced one of the most aggressive Covid-19 policies in Latin America – dictated which days its citizens could go out according to their sex as stated on their national identification cards. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30juSBG

President refuses to denounce white supremacist violence as candidates throw insults and tempers flare The first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden deteriorated into an ugly display of contempt on Tuesday night, as the president relentlessly interrupted and attacked his Democratic rival during clashes over the coronavirus pandemic, race, the economy and the future of the supreme court. Over the course of an extraordinarily combative and chaotic 90-minute performance, a fitting coda to what has been one of the nastiest presidential campaigns in recent memory, Trump interjected so frequently that Biden at one point lost his patience and snapped: “Will you shut up, man? This is so unpresidential. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3n6U8oC

Armenian prime minister says he regards aggression by Azerbaijan as an ‘existential threat’ The UN security council has called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to immediately halt the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh and urgently resume talks without preconditions as the conflict threatened to escalate beyond the region. On Tuesday night, the UN’s most powerful body strongly condemned the use of force and backed secretary general Antonio Guterres’ call to stop the fighting, deescalate tensions, and resume talks “without delay”. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/33bpIJM

Nasa officials stress that the leak on ISS remains small and poses no danger but will send extra air supply on the next delivery A small air leak at the International Space Station finally has been traced to the Russian side, following a middle-of-the-night search by astronauts. Nasa said on Tuesday that the two Russians and one American on board were awakened late Monday to hurriedly seal hatches between compartments and search for the ongoing leak, which appeared to be getting worse. It was the third time in just over a month that the crew had to isolate themselves on the Russian side, in an attempt to find the growing leak. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3if4COZ

The reality of the coronavirus pandemic was never far off as Americans gathered to watch the first presidential debate of 2020 The first US presidential debate of the 2020 campaign cycle was an experience most American voters had never witnessed before: a bitter and divisive spectacle on a night in which the reality of the coronavirus pandemic was never far off. At a debate watch party for Donald Trump supporters at Glory Days, a bar in Seal Beach near Los Angeles, servers, but few patrons, were wearing masks. The crowd cheered whenever the president landed a line they liked, but stayed mostly quiet during the section of the debate when Biden made his case for why Trump had failed the country during the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/33djmcH

Just like every emergency, Covid-19 is racist, ageist, classist and sexist. The world response to the pandemic must reflect this In the early days of coronavirus, there was a view that a global pandemic would act as a great equaliser. “A virus doesn’t discriminate,” they said. “We’re all in this together.” It didn’t take long for such a credulous perspective to vanish. Just like every emergency, every disaster, Covid-19 absolutely does discriminate. It’s ageist, it’s racist, it’s classist and it’s worst of all for those with pre-existing health conditions or disabilities. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/36kImRA

Donald Trump set the tone for a brawl that offered a bleak picture of American democracy As this annus horribilus grinds toward its close, the first (and final?) presidential debate provided further evidence that 2020 is a bad scriptwriter. What might possibly have been an interesting and even educational exchange turned out to be a distressing and largely unwatchable pissing contest. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3ikv0Xv

Donald Trump spent the evening whining in a circus of vanity, lies, and hostility With more than 200,000 Americans dead from Covid-19, the economy in tatters, the West on fire, schools shuttered, police brutality against Black people still rampant, and millions of Americans grieving, scared, and unable to recognize their lives, the first of three presidential debates on Tuesday night came at a time of pain, desperation, and anxiety for the American people. The debate itself reflected absolutely none of this anxiety. It was a display of vulgarity and egotism that insulted the Americans it was purportedly meant to persuade. For more than 90 minutes, instead of substantive discussion of the multiple ongoing national emergencies that have warped their lives, viewers were shown three old white men—Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Fox News’ Chris Wallace, nominally the moderator—interrupting, shouting at, and insulting one another. The coarseness, dishonestly, and grandstanding on display was ...

Analysis: Only one man looked remotely presidential on the debate stage in Cleveland, Ohio, and it was not the incumbent Trump plunges debate into chaos as he talks over Biden Cry, the beloved country. Donald Trump ensured Tuesday’s first US presidential debate was the worst in American history, a national humiliation. The rest of the world – and future historians – will presumably look at it and weep. More likely than not, according to opinion polls, his opponent Joe Biden will win the November election and bring the republic back from the brink. If Trump is re-elected, however, this dark, horrifying, unwatchable fever dream will surely be the first line of America’s obituary. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3kTU7SI

Vodafone and communications agency DDB respond after calls on companies to use the reo term One of New Zealand’s biggest telecommunications companies has heeded an exhortation to use the country’s original, Indigenous name of Aotearoa, joining others that have pledged to use more reo, the Māori language, or tikanga – protocols – in their daily business operations. Earlier this week Vodafone – which has about 2,000 New Zealand employees – confirmed it had changed its banner at the top of users’ phones from “Vodafone NZ” to “VF Aotearoa”. The company gave short shrift to those on social media who complained about the change. Rival companies backed the move. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/36k9lN6

Airline becomes first in Japan to make move as part of commitment to tackle gender-based discrimination Japan Airlines is replacing “ladies and gentlemen” in its in-flight and airport announcements with gender-neutral expressions, beginning in October. The formerly state-owned airline will use phrases such as “all passengers”, “good morning” and “good evening” in its English announcements. The standard term used in Japanese “ minna-sama ” – an honorific form of “everybody” – is already gender neutral. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2GoQ41L

Bank’s future remains uncertain as it finds itself under pressure from Beijing and Washington HSBC has been a fixture of the Hong Kong economy for more than a century. However, its origins as a financial bridge between Asia and the west have placed it in the centre of a modern day geopolitical storm. Facing pressure to choose sides as Hong Kong is convulsed by the new security law imposed by Beijing and Donald Trump pursues a trade war with China , HSBC is in danger of finding itself without friends in either direction. Headquartered in London, but dependent on Hong Kong and China for profits, HSBC has been affected by tensions between Washington and Beijing – and shareholder concern over its controversial acceptance of an authoritarian crackdown in its key market. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2HLTv3D

What are the restrictions within Victoria and the border closures with NSW and Queensland? How far can I travel, and how many people can I have over at my house? Untangle Australia’s Covid-19 laws and guidelines with our guide Australian stats interactive ; NSW cases map ; Vic cases map Vic hotspots list ; NSW hotspots list ; Qld hotspots list Melbourne’s stage 4 restrictions ; Vic ‘step 3’ rules Sign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus email Australian states and territories are currently under different levels of restrictions to contain Covid-19. Here we answer some of the most common questions people have about the restrictions in each state, based on the information available as of 28 September. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2SapBHZ

Political unrest hit tourism and retail, and coronavirus response has delayed recovery Hong Kong’s economy was already in recession when the pandemic hit in January. Six months of running battles between pro-democracy campaigners and local government had deterred many of the visitors who fuel the lucrative tourism industry, while the threat of violence on the streets and closures of shops had sent retail sales down nearly a quarter on the previous year. With much of Asia shut down by coronavirus restrictions during the winter months, there was little expectation of a recovery until the spring, when the level of infections fell to almost zero across mainland China and most of the rest of the region, and the measures could be eased . Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/36k0pr2

Trump campaign baselessly claimed Biden may take drugs ahead of event Chris Wallace of Fox News to moderate TV showdown All you need to know about the first presidential debate Sign up for Fight to Vote – our weekly US election newsletter 1.19am BST Another topic sure to be brought up tonight: Trump’s tax returns, some of which were obtained by the New York Times. The Times reported Sunday that Trump paid only $750 in federal income taxes in 2016, the year he won the presidency. Biden's 2019 tax returns show taxable income of $944,737 and tax payments of $346,204. ( https://t.co/lioOTzZriN ) The Harris/Emhoff returns show a taxable income of $3,018,127 and payments of $754,809. ( https://t.co/8ewhH4eocA ) (That's more than $750). pic.twitter.com/fP1cBike9p 1.10am BST The debate will have six 15-minute segments. It will run for 90 minutes, with no breaks for commercials. There will be no opening statements, and the first question will go to Trump . Moderator Chr...

Allegation follows new law that lets Hong Kong ask for sensitive data if deemed to threaten national security Big technology companies may already be complying with secret Chinese requests for user information held in Hong Kong and ought to “come clean” about the vulnerability of the data they hold there, a senior US state department official has said. The allegation of possible secret cooperation between major companies and Hong Kong authorities follows the implementation of a sweeping and controversial new national security law that allows Hong Kong authorities to demand sensitive user data from companies if it is deemed to threaten national security . Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/34cGyqL

Race against time to save plants and fungi that underpin life on Earth, global data shows Two in five of the world’s plant species are at risk of extinction as a result of the destruction of the natural world, according to an international report. Plants and fungi underpin life on Earth, but the scientists said they were now in a race against time to find and identify species before they were lost. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/36gBPXN

Home secretary asked officials to see if applicants could be processed on isolated St Helena A Whitehall brainstorming session prompted by Priti Patel led to the idea being floated of sending asylum seekers to a volcanic island in the South Atlantic, the Guardian understands. The Financial Times reported that the home secretary had asked officials to look into the idea of processing asylum seekers on Ascension Island, an isolated volcanic British territory, and on St Helena, which is part of the same island group but 800 miles away. Continue reading... Source- World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3cINhgj

Every year, we call Xiaomi’s latest Mi Band the “best affordable fitness tracker.” And every year, the company needs to do very little to achieve that distinction. Xiaomi nailed the formula early on; its trackers have always offered the basics for a fraction of the price of competing products. This year’s release is no different. The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is only a small step up from the Mi Band 4, and really only offers a handful of new features over its predecessors. Are those small changes enough to let it compete in the big leagues? And how does it compare to closer competition such as the Fitbit Inspire HR? Read our Xiaomi Mi Band 5 review to learn more. About this Xiaomi Mi Band 5 review: I used the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 for 10 days running firmware version 1.0.1.32. The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 review unit was paired to my Google Pixel 4a for the duration of this review. Xiaomi Mi Band 5: What’s new? Xiaomi Mi Band 5 vs Mi Band 4 Credit: Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority The Xia...

Credit: Xiaomi Xiaomi has announced six new products for India at its Smarter Living event. Products include the new Mi Watch Revolve smartwatch and Mi Smart Speaker. Xiaomi has kicked off its third annual Smarter Living event, where it typically announces a range of tech products for health and smart home segments. This iteration is no different, as the company had plenty of products in these segments. The teaser image for the event pointed to several products, such as the Mi Band 5, a smartwatch, and other home electronics. And these were all indeed represented at this event in addition to a few surprises. Xiaomi Mi Watch Revolve Credit: Xiaomi According to Xiaomi, a new smartwatch was the most requested product from its fans in India. The Mi Watch Revolve features a stainless steel 46mm wide circular face with two color options – midnight black chrome silver. An AMOLED display with 450 nits of brightness also packs an always-on option which remains activate...