Culture and Arts

Before a baby is born, expectant mothers in Sweden get prenatal care through free or subsidised courses that help them prepare for the delivery, with breathing techniques, coaching sessions and group support. Women who work typically strenuous jobs that require heavy lifting or in risky work environments such as construction sites are entitled to additional pregnancy benefits by taking time off work earlier during their pregnancy. Benefits can be paid as early as 60 days into the pregnancy and continue up to 11 days before the due date. The amount received is roughly 80 per cent of the mother’s daily pay and is paid by the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. Many Swedish hospitals have adjoining ‘hotels’ where new mothers and their partners may stay for two or three days (with all meals included) after a birth so nurses can monitor the mothers and provide postnatal care for newborns. more »

On March 27, 2019, the Committee held a hearing on the pardon power. On April 19, the Committee subpoenaed the Mueller report and underlying documents. On May 2, Attorney General Barr refused to appear for a scheduled hearing before the Committee. On May 15, the Committee held a hearing on executive privilege. On May 20, the White House blocked former White House Counsel McGahn from appearing for a scheduled hearing. On May 21, the Committee issued subpoenas for Annie Donaldson, former chief of staff for former White House counsel McGahn and for Hope Hicks, former White House Communications Director. Hicks and Donaldson were sent document requests as part of the investigation on March 4. more »

Jo Freeman writes: With everyone talking about the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising and the 30th anniversary of the Tian’anmen Square massacre, few noticed that June 4 was also the beginning of the 100 anniversary of the 19 Amendment. more »

We are greeted by the most amazing azalea bushes in our front yard! Big puffs of pink remind us of the beauty of Spring. The warmer weather is not just about the brilliance of a flowering bush. I get yelled at each time I pass by the Smoke Tree in our backyard. The yeller is a robin trying to get me away from her nest and the four beautiful blue eggs inside. She, or he because both male and female robins are very protective of the nest, zooms out of the Smoke Tree and onto an extended peach tree branch, all the while watching me with intense eyes. When I move out of the immediate nest area, the robin flies back to the nest, no doubt content that the immediate danger has passed. I understand her/his need to protect the potential babies. more »