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Wednesday, 13 April 2016

Pindar: In Elysium

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Migrants at Idomeni: image via Forgotten in Idomeni @OlaHelle, 9 April 2016

For them the sun shines at full strength -- while we here walk in night.


Fields of canola bloom extend into the horizon as Bob Calvey looks under the hood of a 1949 Pontiac which sits at his salvage yard, Tuesday, April 12, 2016, in Oak Grove, Ky.
 
Fields of canola bloom extend into the horizon as Bob Calvey looks under the hood of a 1949 Pontiac which sits at his salvage yard, Tuesday, in Oak Grove, Kentucky: photo by David Goldman/AP, 12 April 2016

World in focus – best photos for April 11, 2016

149 people jump off a bridge in an attempt to set a “rope jumping” world record in Hortolandia, Brazil
: photo by Paulo Whitaker / Reuters, 11 April 2016

World in focus – best photos for April 11, 2016

A couple poses for wedding photos in a park in Luoyang, Henan Province, China
: photo by Reuters, 11 April 2016
 
The plains around their city are red with roses
and shaded by incense trees heavy with golden fruit.
 

World in focus – best photos for April 10, 2016
 
Brian Hughes is unseated from Urban Hymn in The Gaskells Waste Management Handicap Hurdle Race during the 2016 Crabbie’s Grand National Steeple Chase at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England: photo by Laurence Griffiths via The National, 9 April 2016

World in focus – best photos for April 11, 2016

Geordan Speiller, left, tries to pin Mason Manville during their 75kg Greco-Roman match at the US Olympic wrestling trials in Iowa City, Iowa
: photo by Charlie Neibergall/AP, 9 April 2016
 
World in focus – best photos for April 10, 2016

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, enjoys a game of cricket during a visit to meet children from Magic Bus, Childline and Doorstep, three non-governmental organisations, at Mumbai’s iconic recreation ground, the Oval Maidan, during the royal visit to India and Bhutan
: photo by Chris Jackson via The National, 10 April 2016


World in focus – best photos for April 9, 2016

Racegoers attend Ladies Day, the second day of the Grand National Festival horse race meeting, at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England. The annual three day meeting culminates in the Grand National which is run over a distance of four miles and four furlongs (7,242 metres), and is the biggest betting race in the United Kingdom
: photo by Oli Scarff / AFP, 9 April 2016

And some enjoy horses and wrestling, or table games and the lyre,
and near them blossoms a flower of perfect joy.


Marco Polo Flower World In Yangzhou...YANGZHOU, CHINA - APRIL 10:  (CHINA OUT) Aerial view of the flower fields in Marco Polo Flower World on April 10, 2016 in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province of China. The Marco Polo Flower World included seven themed sessions with various kinds of flowers.  (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Aerial view of the flower fields in Marco Polo Flower World in Yangzhou, China. The Marco Polo Flower World included seven themed sessions with various kinds of flowers.: photo by VCG via FT Photo Diary, 10 April 2016

Marco Polo Flower World In Yangzhou...YANGZHOU, CHINA - APRIL 10:  (CHINA OUT) Aerial view of the flower fields in Marco Polo Flower World on April 10, 2016 in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province of China. The Marco Polo Flower World included seven themed sessions with various kinds of flowers.  (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

 Aerial view of the flower fields in Marco Polo Flower World in Yangzhou, China. The Marco Polo Flower World included seven themed sessions with various kinds of flowers.: photo by VCG via FT Photo Diary, 10 April 2016

World in focus – best photos for April 10, 2016

Thousands of runners are seen during a long exposure crossing the Reichsbrucke bridge over the Danube river, during the Vienna City Marathon in Vienna, Austria. This year, around 42,000 participants were estimated to take part at the Vienna Marathon
: photo by Joe Klamar / AFP, 10 April 2016


The feet of Alexander Zverev of Germany are seen during his match against Andrey Rublev of Russia
: photo by Eric Gaillard/Reuters, 11 April 2016
 
 
The feet of Alexander Zverev of Germany are seen during his match against Andrey Rublev of Russia: photo by Eric Gaillard/Reuters, 11 April 2016

Perfumes always hover above the land
from the frankincense strewn in deep-shining fire of the gods' altars.


A devotee with his body painted poses as he waits to perform during a ritual as part of the annual Shiva Gajan religious festival at Sona Palasi village, in West Bengal, India, April 11, 2016. Devotees offer sacrifices and perform acts of devotion during the festival in the hopes of winning the favour of Hindu god Shiva and ensuring the fulfillment of their wishes, and also to mark the end of the Bengali calendar year. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A devotee with his body painted poses as he waits to perform during a ritual as part of the annual Shiva Gajan religious festival at Sona Palasi village, in West Bengal, India: photo by Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters, 11 April 2016

A devotee with his body painted poses as he waits to perform during a ritual as part of the annual Shiva Gajan religious festival at Sona Palasi village, in West Bengal, India, April 11, 2016. Devotees offer sacrifices and perform acts of devotion during the festival in the hopes of winning the favour of Hindu god Shiva and ensuring the fulfillment of their wishes, and also to mark the end of the Bengali calendar year. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A devotee with his body painted poses as he waits to perform during a ritual as part of the annual Shiva Gajan religious festival at Sona Palasi village, in West Bengal, India: photo by Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters, 11 April 2016

A man sleeps on a girder between the two pillars of a bridge on the Sabarmati river during a hot day in Ahmedabad...A man sleeps on a girder between the two pillars of a bridge on the Sabarmati river during a hot day in Ahmedabad, India, April 11, 2016. REUTERS/Amit Dave      TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A man sleeps on a girder between the two pillars of a bridge on the Sabarmati river during a hot day in Ahmedabad, India: photo by Amit Dave/Reuters, 11 April 2016

A man sleeps on a girder between the two pillars of a bridge on the Sabarmati river during a hot day in Ahmedabad...A man sleeps on a girder between the two pillars of a bridge on the Sabarmati river during a hot day in Ahmedabad, India, April 11, 2016. REUTERS/Amit Dave      TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A man sleeps on a girder between the two pillars of a bridge on the Sabarmati river during a hot day in Ahmedabad, India: photo by Amit Dave/Reuters, 11 April 2016

Grand Opening Day - Crabbie's Grand National Festival - Aintree Racecourse...Viconte Du Noyer ridden by jockey Jonathan Burke in the Betfred Red Rum Handicap Chase during the Grand Opening Day of the Crabbie's Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday April 7, 2016. See PA story RACING Aintree. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Viconte Du Noyer ridden by jockey Jonathan Burke in the Betfred Red Rum Handicap Chase during the Grand Opening Day of the Crabbie’s Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool: photo by Mike Egerton/PA, 7 April 2016

Grand Opening Day - Crabbie's Grand National Festival - Aintree Racecourse...Viconte Du Noyer ridden by jockey Jonathan Burke in the Betfred Red Rum Handicap Chase during the Grand Opening Day of the Crabbie's Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday April 7, 2016. See PA story RACING Aintree. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire

Viconte Du Noyer ridden by jockey Jonathan Burke in the Betfred Red Rum Handicap Chase during the Grand Opening Day of the Crabbie’s Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool: photo by Mike Egerton/PA, 7 April 2016

And across from them the sluggish rivers of black night
vomit forth a boundless gloom.

Pindar (518? BC - after 446 BC: Dirges 129 and 130, translated by Willis Barnstone in Greek Lyric Poetry, 1962



@reuterspictures #refugiados en #Idomeni.: image via El Mundo Fotografia @ElMundoFoto, 10 April 2016

Un migrante devuelve un bote de gas lagrimógeno.

Un migrante devuelve un bote de gas lagrimógeno: photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters via El Mundo, 10 April 2016


We hope #Europe will take necessary steps in fulfilling obligations to refugees: photo @Achilleas Zavallis/UNHCR: image via UN Refugee Agency Verified account @Refugees, 12 April 2016

UNHCR statement on violence on the Greece-FYROM border on 10 April

Press Release, 11 April 2016
(This statement is attributable to UNHCR Spokesperson Adrian Edwards)

Yesterday's violence at the Greece-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia border near Eidomeni and the extensive scenes we have all seen of teargas in use are a matter of great worry to UNHCR. It should be too for all who are concerned with Europe's response to the situation of refugees and migrants.

Time and again in recent months we have seen tension unfolding at various European borders, between security forces on the one hand and people fleeing war and in need of help on the other. People get hurt and property is damaged. Harm is done to perceptions of refugees and to Europe's image alike. Everyone loses.

In recent days media and public attention has focused on how the EU-Turkey agreement is being implemented in the Aegean islands and in Turkey. We should not forget the many other refugees and migrants who continue to be affected by the situation, especially the nearly 46,000 on the Greek mainland who arrived before the agreement took effect. At Eidomeni, about 11,000 have been sleeping for many weeks now in the open in dismal conditions, fuelling hopelessness and despair.

UNHCR is ready to support the voluntary transfer of people to sites to be put in place by the Greek Government, including helping with the necessary services while registration and processing is taking place. This is urgent. In the meantime, in Eidomeni, UNHCR together with the Greek Government, Greek NGOs and other partners are providing food, medical support, help for persons with specific needs, and prevention and response to sexual and gender based violence.

A wider solution -– namely to relocate those who may qualify for international protection to other European States –- has been agreed for many months. It needs action.

Violence is wrong whatever the circumstances. UNCHR hopes Europe will take the necessary steps now, and we stand ready to help governments further in fulfilling their obligations to refugees.




Europe's back wall: Macedonian border police confront stranded migrants at Idomeni
: photo by Konstantinos Tsakalidis / SOOC via The Press Project, 12 April 2016


 
Στιγμιότυπο από την Ειδομένη την Τρίτη [Migrants at Idomeni on Tuesday]: screenshot by Konstantinos Tsakalidis / SOOC via The Press Project, 12 April 2016


Προσαγωγές στην Ειδομένη [Aerial view of border encampment at Idomeni] #refugeesGR: image via dromografos @dromografos, 12 April 2016


Many are reported to be injured in the clashes at Idomeni more than a month after the closure of the #Balkanroute: image via Balkan Newsbeat @BalkanNewsbeat, 10 April 2016


Το μικρό κορίτσι δεν μπορεί να αναπνεύσει απο τα χημικά. Εθελοντες προσπαθουν να το βοηθησουν #refugeesGR: image via U @kinimatini, 10 April 2016


Dos niñas se cubren la cara por el gas lacrimógeno ayer en #Idomeni #WeDenounce #RefugeesGR #Europe: image via Fotomovimiento @fotomovimiento, 11 April 2016


UPDATE: Even our staff are affected. Tear gas is being fired directly into the camp which is home to 1000s.: image via MSF Sea @MSF_Sea, 10 April 2016


Una nube de gas cubre el perímetro de la frontera tras los momentos de tensión: photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters via El Mundo, 10 April 2016

Un migrante se cubre la cara para evitar inhalar el gas.

Un migrante se cubre la cara para evitar inhalar el gas
: photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters via El Mundo, 10 April 2016

Un migrante devuelve un bote de gas a los policías al otro lado de la...

Un migrante devuelve un bote de gas a los policías al otro lado de la alambrada
: photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters via El Mundo, 10 April 2016

Varios participantes en la protesta se retiran tras verse afectados por el gas lacrimógeno.

Varios participantes en la protesta se retiran tras verse afectados por el gas lacrimógeno
: photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters via El Mundo, 10 April 2016

Varias personas evacuan a un herido durante los enfrentamientos.

Varias personas evacuan a un herido durante los enfrentamientos
: photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters via El Mundo, 10 April 2016

Varios participantes en la protesta tratan de esquivar el gas lanzado desde el otro lado de la alambrada: photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters via El Mundo, 10 April 2016


Rubber bullets are still being fired a #refugees in #Idomeni
: image via Lighthouse Relief @LighthouseRR, 10 April 2016  Axioupoli, Greece


Aquí un niño con un bote de gas lacrimógeno. Lo q está lanzando la policía d FYROM. Por @FatimaMG #WEDENOUNCE: image via Voice on-site @Voicesonsite, 10 April 2016


FYROM Police shoots #refugeesGR now also with big rubber bullets. #Idomeni: image via Björn Kietzmann @bjokie, 10 April 2016


Rain and thunder in miserable #Idomeni this afternoon...: image via MSF Sea @MSF_Sea, 9 April 2016


At #Idomeni, Greece about 11,000 people have been sleeping for weeks in dismal conditions: image via UN Refugee Agency Verified account @Refugees, 12 April 2016


A bra left at the fence. Maybe Macedonian police has some female fans among refugees #Idomeni :): image via Katica Djurovic @zoontangmarg, 12 April 2016

World in focus – best photos for April 9, 2016

A girl eats on the ground as people line up for food at a makeshift camp for migrants and refugees at the Greek-Macedonian border near the village of Idomeni, Greece
: photo by Stoyan Nenov / Reuters 12 April 2016


World in focus – best photos for April 12, 2016

A boy sitting on a football watches Macedonian police at a checkpoint on the Greek-Macedonian border: photo by Alexandros Avramidis / Reuters, 12 April 2016

World in focus – best photos for April 12, 2016

A boy looks out of a bus window as refugees from Syria and Iraq board a bus transferring them to a new facility in Attica from the port of Piraeus, Greece: photo by Simela Pantzartzi / EPA, 12 April 2016

Un migrante trata de recuperar el aliento tras inhalar el gas...  

Un migrante trata de recuperar el aliento tras inhalar el gas lacrimógeno: photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters via El Mundo, 10 April 2016

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