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Luxembourg’s proud gay PM blasts Hungarian law

Published

4 years ago

June 25, 2021

A new anti-gay Hungarian law has fired up European Leaders

EU leaders have issued a sharp challenge to a new law that critics say targets the LGBTIQ+ community, threatening to sue Budapest over violations of fundamental human rights if it does not back down immediately.

Luxembourg’s gay Prime Minister Xavier Bettel has condemed his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban, stating that Budapest was discriminating against gay people.

“The Hungarian bill is a shame,”

FILE PHOTO: People take part in the annual Pride festival in Budapest, Hungary July 6, 2019. REUTERS/Tamas Kaszas/File Photo

PM Bettel says the new law promotes homophobia.

Despite criticism from rights groups and political opposition in Hungary, Orban ahead of talks with his EU peers in Brussels that the new bill, which bans the distribution in schools of material seen as promoting homosexuality or gender change, was already enacted.

Bettel, who is an advocate of gay rights and sometimes travels with his husband to official state visits, said he would challenge Orban over the contentious law during their meeting.

“To be nationally blamed, to be considered as not normal, to be considered as a danger for young people – it’s not realising that being gay is not a choice,
Bettel said.

Relating homosexuality with paedophilia or pornography was wrong, as was stigmatizing people, he said, adding tongue-in-cheek that himself being gay did not pose any danger to anyone.

Hungary’s anti-gay law threatens programming of televised content

Hungarian broadcasters, advertisers, and school teachers are trying to understand how the law will work in practice.

In Hungary, the government-appointed Media Authority oversees programme content, labelling and broadcast times and has its own power to investigate or respond to complaints from the public.

Fourteen EU governments including France, Germany and Spain have condemned the new law as a “flagrant form of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression”.

News

Markets surge as Fed hints at July cut

Fed’s Waller hints at July rate cut, boosting investor sentiment; Trump imposes 50% tariff on Brazil, provoking minimal market response.

Published

2 minutes ago

July 11, 2025

ticker NEWS

Fed’s Waller hints at July rate cut, boosting investor sentiment; Trump imposes 50% tariff on Brazil, provoking minimal market response.

Fed Governor Christopher Waller, tipped as a possible next Chair, signalled a July rate cut is on the table, calling current policy “too tight.” That’s been enough to supercharge investor sentiment.

Meanwhile, Trump has slapped a surprise 50% tariff on Brazil, sparking political tension. Brazil’s President responded with tough talk on “sovereignty,” but markets barely blinked, the Brazilian real dropped just 1%.

#StockMarket #FederalReserve #Bitcoin #AUD #TrumpTariffs #TickerNews

News

Mushroom foraging tours face rising insurance costs

Erin Patterson’s murder trial has increased insurance costs for mushroom foraging tours, though insurers deny a direct link.

Published

13 minutes ago

July 11, 2025

Ahron Young

Erin Patterson’s murder trial has increased insurance costs for mushroom foraging tours, though insurers deny a direct link.

In Short:
Erin Patterson’s trial for poisoning relatives has raised concerns about rising insurance costs for mushroom foraging tours in Australia, impacting operators like Feresh Pizarro and Natasha Vorogushin. Despite increased premiums, the Insurance Council maintains these changes are not directly related to the trial, highlighting a need for better public education on fungi.

The trial of Erin Patterson, who poisoned three relatives with death cap mushrooms, has affected mushroom foraging tours in Australia.

Operators report rising insurance costs, though the Insurance Council of Australia states these increases are unlikely linked to the trial. Patterson was recently convicted, prompting concerns among tour guides like Feresh Pizarro, who claims her insurance premiums have skyrocketed, threatening her business viability.

She explains the importance of educating the public about fungi, which play significant ecological roles. Similarly, Natasha Vorogushin from Morwell faces challenges obtaining adequate insurance for her foraging workshops, illustrating industry-wide issues.

Insurance costs

Richard Ford, a tour operator in Mount Macedon, also notes high insurance costs looming over his activities. Despite these challenges, the Insurance Council asserts that insurance adjustments often do not arise from perceived risks associated with singular events, such as Patterson’s case.

University of NSW actuarial studies professor Michael Sherris believes that while premiums are rising generally, this specific trial is unlikely to affect the insurance landscape for mushroom foraging.

News

Netanyahu nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

US and Israel push for Gaza ceasefire; Netanyahu nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize amid renewed peace talks.

Published

2 hours ago

July 11, 2025

ticker NEWS

US and Israel push for Gaza ceasefire; Netanyahu nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize amid renewed peace talks.

The United States and Israel have doubled down on regional stability, with hopes rising for a 60-day Gaza ceasefire and an unexpected diplomatic twist: Prime Minister Netanyahu has nominated Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize.

The two leaders met at the White House, discussing peace talks gaining momentum in Qatar, and reaffirming joint military efforts, including Operation Midnight Hammer, which targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

#MiddleEastPeace #TrumpNobel #IsraelUS #GazaCeasefire #TickerNews