Police raid Moscow gay bars after top court’s LGBTQ ‘extremist’ designation

Russia’s Supreme Court ruling has been the most drastic step against the LGBTQ movement under Putin’s rule. Russian security forces have raided gay clubs and bars across Moscow shortly after a ruling by the country’s top court that designated the LGBTQ movement as “extremist”. Police officers searched venues across the Russian capital late on Friday,…

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‘Diamonds are in my blood’: The Jain traders who dominate Antwerp jewels

Antwerp, Belgium — The streets of Antwerp’s Diamond Quarter are lined with jewellers, pawn shops and restaurants. Balls of gefilte fish glisten invitingly in the window of Hoffy’s, a beloved and longstanding Jewish diner. Around the corner, a lunchtime queue is gathering outside Aahaar, an Indian restaurant catering to Antwerp’s Jain community, where I meet Akash…

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