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Joan Steinau Lester is the author of six books, most recently " Loving Before Loving: A Marriage in Black and White ." The opinions in this commentary are her own. Read more opinion at CNN. (CNN) In 1981, long before the legalization of same-sex marriage , I committed to living for the rest of my life with Carole, the woman I loved. But when Carole and I introduced each other to friends, we had no language to describe our relationship. If I referred to her as my "partner," many assumed business partner. "Lover" felt too intimate, "life-partner" too clunky, "special friend" an abhorred remnant of a closeted era. "Wife" would have made our relationship absolutely clear, but it was a word denied to us at the time. Read More The penalties for this extra-legal union were severe: Carole's adored father, who was Catholic, refused to speak to her because of his faith-based objections. We both faced potential job losses … [Read more...] about Opinion: I will never live in the marital shadows again

Michael Bociurkiw ( @WorldAffairsPro ) is a global affairs analyst. He is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, and a regular contributor to CNN Opinion. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion at CNN. (CNN) ODESA -- When Russia invaded on Feb. 24, it immediately triggered a surge of patriotism in Ukraine that included a push for people to make more use of the nation's official language: Ukrainian. Signs quickly began appearing around the western city of Lviv, a stronghold of Ukrainian patriotism, urging citizens to drop Russian, the "language of the occupier." Michael Bociurkiw Ukrainian language proponents were emboldened by a story that went viral about Max, an abandoned Russian army dog who was reportedly adopted by Ukraine soldiers and learned Ukrainian commands within a month. Read More Max's story was used by some TikTok users to chide their compatriots from the … [Read more...] about Opinion: The Ukraine war is also being fought over language

We've Got to Try: How the Fight for Voting Rights Makes Everything Else Possible By Beto O'Rourke Flatiron. 213 pp. $29.99 - - - As you may have heard, Beto O'Rourke is running for governor of Texas. It's still a red state. But the Democrat is undaunted. And so, the title of his new book, "We've Got to Try," is also a fitting mantra for the indefatigable runner - that is, jogger - who also ran for Senate in 2018, and for president in 2020, after coming to Congress in 2012 by improbably unseating an incumbent. Thankfully, he has not written one of those folksy humble-brag faux-struggle cliche-paste-job candidate autobiographies. Still, O'Rourke does want to show us the kind of leader he would be - but through the stories of others. He listens to community activists and relates their challenges and stories, especially those of Texans of color who fought for equal treatment. The most real estate goes to the uplifting tale of Lawrence Aaron Nixon, a Black doctor from … [Read more...] about Book World: Beto O’Rourke’s book spotlights Texans’ struggles for voting rights

Putin tipped to cave into peace talks as Ukraine humiliates Russia SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Vladimir Putin could be publicly humiliated after the Russian leader signaled that he is ready for peace talks in Ukraine. Former UK Ambassador to Russia Sir Tony Brenton hinted that Ukraine could rebuff President Putin's offer for negotiation. He said Kyiv feels "they are winning the war at the moment, and there are signs they are making some progress". Related articles Putin backed into corner by HIMARS as forces 'grind to halt' North Korea tells South Korean President to 'shut his mouth' after aid Speaking to CNBC this morning, the former senior diplomat remarked on the "hopeful rhetoric" from … [Read more...] about ‘He’s lost’ Ukraine to snub Putin’s offer of peace talks as Kyiv humiliates Russia in war

Brannigan: Official 1975 trailer starring John Wayne SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The Oscar -winning hit The Alamo was the first film silver screen icon John Wayne produced and directed. While the film was a success, the actor opened up about the length of the western and the two sequences which could have been 'cut' from the final edit in an episode of BBC 'S Talking Pictures. Related articles Princess Diana investigator breaks silence on her death 25 years on Where is the original cast of Allo Allo! now? John starred in the 1960s film alongside Richard Widmark and Laurence Harvey. In 1960, John was in the UK for its opening, and he spoke to Robert Robinson on the programme Picture … [Read more...] about John Wayne opens up on the two scenes he’d ‘cut’ from The Alamo

The War Wagon: John Wayne stars in trailer for 1967 film SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Western star John Wayne remains one of Hollywood 's most popular stars, having featured in nearly 150 films and TV shows across his illustrious career. His 1972 Oscar for Best Actor in True Grit was the highlight, with the star having been nominated a number of times throughout his time in Tinsel Town. It culminated in Wayne being hailed by the American Film Institute as one of the greatest male stars of classic American cinema in 1999. Trending Born in Winterset, Iowa, he achieved unrivalled success, and was once described as "personifying for millions the US' frontier heritage". Away from the glare of the camera, Wayne … [Read more...] about John Wayne furiously ripped into Kirk Douglas over role: ‘Shouldn’t play weak characters!’

Brannigan: Official 1975 trailer starring John Wayne SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info This week the Academy Awards apologised to Sacheen Littlefeather after she was shunned following a speech she gave against the film industry in 1973, criticising it over the misrepresentation of Native Americans in the US film industry. The actress, who was 26 at the time, was supported by Hollywood star Marlon Brando, who let Littlefeather speak in his place after he refused to accept his Best Actor gong for The Godfather. He rejected the award in support of Littlefeather and the plight of her people in the industry. Trending In apologising, the Academy noted that Littlefeather had received "unwarranted and unjustifiable" abuse as … [Read more...] about John Wayne was ‘restrained by six security’ over fears he’d hurt Sacheen Littlefeather

Hancock says Tory leadership is 'wide open' as he backs Sunak SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have been campaigning fiercely to succeed Boris Johnson as the next Conservative Prime Minister in the leadership contest. Polling has started to indicate that the Foreign Secretary is emerging on top, although the result of a final vote will not be announced until early September. Former Health Secretary and Tory MP Matt Hancock argued the polling data should be taken with “a pinch of salt” as he predicted that the gap in support for the two candidates was steadily “closing.” In his assessment of the leadership rivalry, Mr Hancock said: “The contest is wide open.” Related articles … [Read more...] about ‘Contest is wide open!’ Hancock predicts ‘gap is closing’ between Sunak and Truss

Ryan Giggs arrives at court for day five of his trial SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Ryan Giggs wrote a poem for his ex telling her she was “all he ever wanted”, a court has heard. The former Manchester United player, 48, wrote Kate Greville a poem based on the letters of her last name. Related articles Ryan Giggs weeps telling court of 'worst night in his life' Ryan Giggs wrote love poems for his 'angel', court hears He told Ms Greville on New Year’s Eve in 2017: “G for gorgeous, R for radiant, E for extraordinary, V for vivacious, I for idolised by me, L for legs. L for legs, E for everything I've ever wanted.” Manchester Crown Court heard how she later replied: “Baby what an amazing message … [Read more...] about Ryan Giggs trial: Court hears more poems written to ex Kate Greville – ‘L is for legs’

Casemiro scores with thunderbolt strike against Napoli SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Real Madrid star Casemiro was reportedly aggrieved when the La Liga giants signed Aurelien Tchouameni earlier this summer. The Brazil international is poised to move to Manchester United in a mega £60million deal that will see him become the Red Devils’ fifth most-expensive signing of all time. However, it’s still unlikely he’ll make his debut against Liverpool on Monday night. Related articles Man Utd want to book three more medicals with Casemiro set for move Man Utd: Ten Hag has 'drastic change of heart' as Casemiro closes in Manchester United had, until recently, been prioritising a deal for Barcelona … [Read more...] about Casemiro’s anger emerges as Real Madrid star prepares to complete mega Man Utd transfer