Tag Archives: celebrate

Dylan with his father Bruce Laybourn. This will be the first Christmas Dylan has spent at home since his kidnapping by his maternal grandmother when he was 4 months old. Photo / Provided

A New Zealand born boy involved in an international love affair is looking forward to celebrating his first real Kiwi Christmas.

Eighteen months ago, Dylan Laybourn, 13 years old, was reunited with his father Bruce and older sister Gerry, but they couldn’t celebrate with the whole family.

“For me, it was 12 years of dreaming of a Kiwi Christmas with Dylan and all the long things he’s been missing. Now every day is Christmas – it’s been a long journey but a very valuable goal,” said Bruce.

Dylan was 4 months old when he was kidnapped in 2007 by his mother Gulsen Nil Laybourn and his Kurdish mother during a three week trip to Turkey.

Dylan and his father Bruce in 2007. Photo / Provided

Bruce still regrets the day he hugged his newborn son in Auckland and handed him over to his maternal grandmother. He thought they took Dylan to visit the Nile family – but they never returned to New Zealand.

“My mother did warn me, ‘Mother Nile will steal your baby’.

“Grandma kept grabbing Dylan, so that’s a little hint. She patted me on the shoulder and said ‘I want to bring Dylan home’. I said ‘no, that will never happen’.”

Under the Hague Convention on the Abduction of Children, any custody disputes must be heard in the child’s country of origin. But Turkey did not recognize New Zealand’s membership in the convention at the time and granted custody of Nil.

Diplomatic efforts escalated to the point former Prime Minister Helen Clark wrote to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the case.

The effort to bring Dylan back to New Zealand was emotionally and financially grueling. Every year Bruce makes two trips to Turkey.

Regardless of geographical distance, the pair were close.

“She never understood why her father never stayed. We’ve talked about how much fun the reunion was and the heart-wrenching departure was. She had such a strong determination to come back here and she did.”

Dylan lives in a small apartment with his mother, a fitness instructor in Emirgan, a city on the European side of the Bosphorous in Istanbul.

He attended the Armenian Christian school in Ortakoy and is fluent in Turkish, English and Armenian.

Dylan said he didn’t miss the view of the concrete and cooped city.

“I don’t experience much of living in an apartment,” says Dylan.

Dylan as a child in Istanbul. Photo / Provided

Now, from his window at Ōmāpere in Hokianga Harbor, Dylan sees golden sand dunes, flowering pōhutukawa trees, and the never ending ocean.

The “robust” teenager, who towers over his father, loves the simplicity of rural New Zealand life and has inherited a love for fishing, sailing, cycling and kayaking.

“He doesn’t have to learn how to be a Kiwi kid, he was born here, it’s in his DNA,” said Bruce.

After visiting New Zealand with his mother in 2018, Dylan refused to leave.

“I calmly told my mother that I liked this place and wanted to live here. She didn’t take it very well and said ‘You can’t be serious?’ but I’ve made up my mind, “said Dylan.

Bruce and Nil reached a custody agreement that agreed to allow Dylan to return to live in New Zealand permanently and now he talks to his mother via Skype every day.

But for most of his life, Dylan was protected from the truth about his kidnapping.

When she was 9 years old, she Googleed her name and was “shocked” to find her mother’s family wanted $ 500,000 in exchange.

“As soon as I saw the video [report] about me being kidnapped on YouTube, my mind is made up. I told my mother’s family, ‘I’m going back to New Zealand.’ I was furious when I found out they wanted money for me. I thought ‘Wow, what a lowly thing to do. To steal someone’s child and then ask for money ‘. “

The only thing he misses about Turkey is his grandmother’s cooking.

“There aren’t that many kebab shops in Ōmāpere.”

Dylan said he was now ready to forgive his grandmother.

“He’s good to me, he’s a great cook and takes care of me. There’s no denying that I share a bond with him. In the end, if he apologizes and makes peace with me who lives here, I might forgive him.”

At Kerikeri High School he was “just Dylan” to his friends.

Dylan fishing in New Zealand. Photo / Provided

“Only a few kids know he was kidnapped and when people find out they are generally supportive and sympathetic – the story is interesting, but he’s just so ordinary,” said Bruce.

Her advice to parents going into custody battles is to “be patient.”

“It’s a game of patience. I know you really want to see your child and how sad it is. If you get too excited about a response, prepare yourself for disappointment. It’s a slow process.”

During the holidays Dylan can’t wait to pick shells from the rocks, have a barbecue and swim in the sea.

“I don’t think anyone has to go through this, it was unnecessary and caused a lot of damage. I want to thank my dad who never stopped fighting for me, he was amazing. Most dads wouldn’t go to fight hard for their child, but my son did. I am happy that I am here now and we are together. “

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Australia

The Melbourne Cup is celebrated with gusto across Australia, despite the coronavirus | Instant News

November 3, 2020 NewsDesk

The Melbourne Cup has a new look this year thanks to the coronavirus, but that hasn’t stopped people around Australia from celebrating in the best way they can.

For the first time in its 159 year history, spectators were banned from annual horse races thereafter The Victoria Racing Club said it was impossible to host even a small crowd at the Flemington racecourse.

So how do people mark moments across the country?

Fashion on the Field attendees at Doomben gathered to hear the announcement of the winners.(ABC News: Emma Pollard)

Ipswich, Queensland

Eased restrictions in Queensland mean more than 200 people can watch the Melbourne Cup on screen at the Ipswich Turf Club, west of Brisbane.

General manager Brett Kitching said they have a COVID-safe package and guests should log in and maintain social distancing.

The woman with a fascinator raised her arms in the air in joy — Flemington may be quiet this year, but there are a lot of busy passengers at the Ipswich Turf Club.(ABC News: Anna Hartley)

He said people were very happy to celebrate races and take part in racing traditions like Fashion on the Field after the city’s biggest event, the Ipswich Cup, was canceled due to the coronavirus earlier this year.

Ipswich had Queensland’s first official racing meeting in 1839, so we have a long-term relationship with racing.

“The racing industry has done a tremendous job to continue racing with the COVID-19 restrictions, so it’s great to see people here for the Melbourne Cup; nothing bigger than that.”

Two women dressed up, one wearing a charm — Madi Mark and her mother Julie say it’s great to ‘dress up and socialize’.(ABC News: Anna Hartley)

Madi Mark and her mother Julie said they had been waiting to dress up for the Cup event for weeks.

“This is really an unusual year so it’s nice to be able to feel more normal, dress up and socialize,” said Madi.

“It’s been a great day. I’ve placed a few bets, so I hope to win.”

Crowds of horse racing enthusiasts drinking and standing around — Up to 20,000 horse racing enthusiasts are expected to attend Perth’s Ascot racetrack.(ABC News: Evelyn Manfield)

Perth, WA

Up to 20,000 horse racing fans flock to Perth’s Ascot racetrack for one of the country’s biggest Melbourne Cup events this year.

The first race on the Ascot Track was named Run and Eat a Kebab after the joke that WA Prime Minister Mark McGowan made during a press conference earlier this year in connection with the lockdown for the corona virus.

Woman in hat and colorful dress who won the Melbourne Cup fashion contest at the Doomben racetrack — Fashion on the Field winner Doomben Anna Lukyanova (left) and runner up Bianca Clark.(ABC News: Emma Pollard)

In his speech after the event, McGowan jokingly advised the crowd that if they don’t feel well later, they should eat kebabs.

Race racer Sue Gaudion said she felt “blessed and privileged” to be in a state that manages COVID-19 so well, allowing so many people to attend the races.

Friends of Joan Murgor, Adeline Birir and Caroline Kiberenge all enjoyed a Melbourne Cup day at Ascot Racecourse in Perth.

Three women dress up and sit at the table — Friends (Left to Right): Joan Murgor, Adeline Birir, and Caroline Kiberenge are aware of COVID.(ABC News: Evelyn Manfield)

“It’s great to be here, unlike in Melbourne,” said Birir.

But Murgor said they are trying to keep their distance from other people to be as safe as COVID as possible.

“We try to clean our hands wherever we go and try to stay safe,” he said.

Sydney, NSW

Fashion on the field this year is fashioning on your front page creatively Race day fans make outfits from whatever they can get their hands on their hands.

Load…

Sydney Middle school staff Fi Davidson’s staff-made fascinator features tissue, hand sanitizer and toilet paper.

“It’s quite popular. I’m usually looking for something a little weird and quirky and colorful, but I think toilet paper is very popular with staff and students,” he said.

“It gives some laughs which I think are good in this era of COVID.”

Kumbia, Qld

Former LNP Queensland leader Deb Frecklington left government corridors for a day at the race with her husband Jason.

The lady in pink and the white hat at the horse race — Former LNP Queensland leader Deb Frecklington took time to attend the Kumbia races.(ABC News: Lydia Burton)

“Melbourne Cumbia Cup Day is an institution in the Nanango constituency,” he said.

“This is what our country’s community needs – a little fun, being out and about and being able to talk to one another.

“This year has been one of the most isolated years for our country’s people.”

Ms Frecklington may not win in politics this week but she chooses the winning horse.

A woman in a flower hat with her young daughter on the background of a horse — Fun for the whole family at Kumbia Racecourse to celebrate the Melbourne Cup.(ABC News: Lydia Burton)

Ballarat, Vic

Amy Perin said today was the first time members of her workplace were able to meet socially in months.

“It tasted very pleasant; the weather was beautiful,” he said.

“As a workplace, we like to hang out at work, but we haven’t had any fun this year.

A group of friends working together at the Melbourne Cup — The Ballarat Melbourne Cup event means the first social event in months for Amy Perin and her co-workers.(ABC News: Charlotte King)

The Ballarat venue has a limit of 70 people in its outdoor tent, which is set up for trophy day events.

Manager Dan Cronin said the event was booked.

“It feels very strange to be in capacity [yet] has so much space available in that place, “he said.

“It’s great to see people moving and seeing people enjoying a social life.

“Although they have to keep their distance, they can be together socially.”

Spectators racing at Wollongong on Melbourne Cup day — A quiet drink at the Kembla Grange racetrack in Wollongong, south of Sydney.(ABC Illawarra: Sarah Moss)

Doomben, Qld

Up to 5,000 people headed to the Brisbane racetrack at Doomben, a smaller than usual crowd with COVID-19 restrictions.

On-court fashions are proving to be just as popular, and there’s a lot of drinking and betting going on.

Queensland’s connection from last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Vow and Declare watched the race from Doomben after being unable to travel to Melbourne for the big day of castration.

An older man and woman, both wearing hats, at a village race — The Cumbia Race brings together rural communities to celebrate the Melbourne Cup.(ABC News: Lydia Burton)

Bob Leitch is part of the syndicate.

He said the castration was “not very good this year” with coronavirus restrictions making logistics difficult.

“When you have a horse running in the Melbourne Cup it’s the highlight of racing in Australia so it’s always emotional.

“You know there are a lot of people in Melbourne who are having a hard time.

“Next year I would like to think it is back to its best, the people are there, the horses are there and the horses are from abroad … amazing results.”

Hobart, Bag

A number of Melbourne Cup lunches are held across Tasmania, with one of the largest on the Elwick track in Hobart.

For many, it was their first time attending the Melbourne Cup.

Michele Percey says, for her, it’s about having fun to look forward to during an average year.

The dealer racing in the small caravan calculates the odds — Bookies, like this one at Kembla Grange in Wollongong, say their turnover is equivalent to that of previous years.(ABC News: Sarah Moss)

“Usually I get a little excited but I’ve never been to a show before [so] I thought ‘why not?’; everybody needs a little ride, a little fun, something fun to do, “he said.

“My son is coming back this week from Sydney so I’m happy and I always win; well, I didn’t win today.”

Howard Culph has worked as a roadside bookie for 40 years.

He said turnover was on par with other years and the pandemic did not appear to discourage people or limit their spending.

He said it was a lucky day for punters but not for bookies – with great odds of paying off.

“It’s been a tough day for the bookies,” he said.

“All the little old ladies with their $ 5 each in a gruff way have come but that’s the bookies life.”

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Germany

Women’s Football – News – Celebrating 50 years of women’s football in Germany | Instant News

October 31, 2020 NewsDesk

Women’s football was recognized in DFB legislation on 31 October 1970
Germany contested their first official international match on 26 November 1982
Since then, Germany has won two FIFA Women’s World Cups

Imagine the commentator of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup final between the US and the Netherlands had uttered the words: “Cover, cover – not the table, but the players, that’s right. Free from all the trivial worries about housekeeping, husbands and children!” – both on and off social media – will be overwhelming, a storm of controversy is inevitable.

While it’s hard to imagine anyone making a comment like that in 2020, that’s what players from Germany’s unofficial women’s national team at The current sports studio a television program some 50 years ago on March 28, 1970. It was a time when men didn’t take women’s football seriously. It has even been banned since 1955 based on a unanimous decision by the German Football Association (DFB).

Only 15 years later, on 31 October 1970, women’s football was officially recognized under DFB legislation. This marked an important milestone in the history of this wonderful game in Germany, as recalled by the DFB Vice President for Equality, Women’s and Girls’ Football, Hannelore Ratzeburg.

“I was a child of the 1950s, when opportunities for women were still relatively limited,” Ratzeburg explains on the DFB website. “Football did not play any role in our family at the time. The DFB lifted its ban on women’s football in 1970, and at that time I had a friend who played for a club and we talked about it at the Christmas party. I was curious and a little bit. excited about the 1968 student movement and a spirit of rebellion, so I said I wanted to give it a try, “he said.

“I then managed to get some of the other women involved. I remember that most of them arrived at the hall for training in their gym sandals. I just wanted to meet in the hall so no one could see us from the start. We didn’t really know how we were going to. do whatever it takes. My parents put their hands up in despair. But I did it anyway. “

Many men only come to see the players swap shirts after the game – how stupid!

Silvia Neid

1970 – 2020. The five decades in which Germany has developed into one of the strongest nations in women’s football and won numerous trophies on the international stage, either at club level or with the national team. Five decades in which many big names have paved the way and created profiles for the women’s game – names like Ratzeburg, Gero Bisanz (the first coach of the women’s national team), Tina Theune, Renate Lingor (member of the Women’s Football Hall of Fame since 2019) and Barbel Wohlleben (the first woman to win the Goal of the Month in 1974), to name a few.

Then, of course, there’s Silvia Neid, who won eight European Championships, both the German Women’s World Cup title and the country’s first gold medal in Women’s Olympic Football Tournament as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.

“Our first international match in 1982 was an important milestone for me, of course,” Neid told dfb.de. “Gero Bisanz is doing a fantastic job there. Before he can do anything, he has to find out where he will find the player, because at that time there is no Women’s Bundesliga yet. There are two training sessions, one in the north of the country and one in the south. , with 30 players each. Sixteen of them made it through that process to play in the first international. There was a crowd of 5,000 in Koblenz, but we soon realized that some of them just came to make fun of us, which pissed us off. of course this match is an important starting point, as was the case in the Women’s DFB Cup final before the men’s final in Berlin. I managed to get the Goal of the Month there in 1988. “

Neid and his success with the national team have been instrumental in raising the profile of women’s football in Germany in a big way and giving it the platform it enjoys today. “Success is and remains the most important,” he explained. “Without success we would not have media interest, and without media interest we would not have had an influx into the club. That’s also very important for us as a national team, because we can then say: ‘We still need an assistant coach or physiotherapist. ‘Conditions continued to improve after that. “

It is now up to a new generation to continue on this path – to shape sports, motivate and inspire others and thus allow Neid’s wishes to come true. “The eternal battle for recognition must end somewhere,” he said. “We are playing at the highest international level and we should be proud of that. We have women with extraordinary skills who should be more involved in this sport. Maybe a woman can even lead the DFB one day.”

Historical Milestones

31 October 1970: Women’s football is officially recognized in the statutes of the DFB
September 8, 1974: TuS Wörrstadt wins the first German championship
May 2, 1981: Bergisch Gladbach wins the inaugural DFB Women’s Cup
26 November 1982: The now official women’s national team played their first international match in Koblenz. The result was a 5-1 win over Switzerland, with Silvia Neid scoring twice
July 2, 1989: Germany wins the European Championship for the first time with a 4-1 win over Norway
23 May 2002: 1.FFC Frankfurt wins the inaugural UEFA Women’s Cup (later renamed the UEFA Women’s Champions League)
October 12, 2003: Germany wins the Women’s World Cup
30 September 2007: They successfully defend their World Cup title
August 19, 2016: Germany adds an Olympic gold medal to their trophy cabinet
2020: More than 1.1 million women and girls across Germany are members of the football club. Nearly 10,000 teams compete in leagues across the country

I don’t think it’s fair for women’s or men’s football to compare the two, and that’s not something I do either. Women’s football stands alone and is a fantastic sport. The game is much faster and more dynamic, much more athletic and competitive. Women’s football is right up there with the men’s game.

Bibiana Steinhaus in the ARD documentary “Stereotypes are the biggest enemy”

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pakistan

The city of Bahria celebrates Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) | Instant News

October 30, 2020 NewsDesk

KARACHI – Bahria City celebrating Eid al-Fitr (SAW) in its true essence in cities including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Pindi. Bahria City Karachi arranges Mehfil-e-Naat at Masjid-e-Aashiq. Famous scholars and naatkhuwan Mufti Qasim Madani and Ishfaq Madani in Karachi attended the event and explained Serat-un-Nabi (SAW).

Like every year, all mosques and buildings Bahria City also decorated and illuminated with colorful lights.

The audience and guests also praised the Chairman Bahria City Malik Riaz Hussain for his efforts and initiatives in the construction sector. Prayers specifically made for the progress of the homeland. Bahria City the administration has made special security arrangements. The Covid-19 SOP is also closely guarded to prevent the spread of the Corona Virus.

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pakistan

Young poets gather to celebrate Urdu | Instant News

October 25, 2020 NewsDesk

Karachi: A group of young poets gathered Saturday night at TDF Ghar to celebrate Urdu in reaction to what they describe as anti-Urdu statements endorsed by Pakhtunkhwa Party leader Milli Awami Mehmood Khan Achakzai at a recent political gathering.

The poets include journalist Wajeeh Sani, lawyer Muhammad Ali, Rabyea Bugti and Abbas Mumtaz. The event was attended by students and members of civil society. “This Mehfil-e-Mushaira is not just a meeting but a protest against a regressive mindset that is reluctant to accept Urdu’s status as the country’s national language and maliciously call it a rival for the regional language,” said Ebad Ahmed, a journalist and one of the event organizers. “Calling such divisive mindsets is a moral responsibility; therefore, this meeting was held to register reservations against inappropriate comments. “Guest poets recited their poems, talked about the significance of the language in the nation-building process and reiterated that unnecessary controversy over the language should be avoided for the sake of peace and harmony in the country. Social activist Samar Abbas, speaking on the occasion, said that when – at this time demands that Karachi society, especially those from academia and literature, should play a role in promoting the language by using it as a medium of strengthening ties between all Pakistanis from Karachi to Kashmir.

The poets, at the end of the session, agreed that literary aesthetics play a vital role at the individual and collective level by instilling constructive values, norms and traditions; therefore, it should be appreciated higher by state officials.

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