Month: October 2024

On October 11, a special exhibition titled “The Mission of the City” was held at the Southern Song Dynasty De Shou Palace Ruins Museum in Hangzhou, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 70th anniversary of the People’s Congress system. This exhibition featured over a hundred pieces of calligraphy, painting, and photography, showcasing the vibrant cultural heritage, evolution, and everyday life across 14 unique neighborhoods in Hangzhou.

Walking into the exhibition felt like taking a stroll through a historical timeline. The display was divided into three main sections: “The Elegance of the Song Dynasty,” “Tidal Waves of Qiantang,” and “Together Beautiful.” Each piece provided a delicate depiction of the urban transformations in Hangzhou. From the historical charm and cultural significance of areas like Qinghefang, De Shou Palace, Mantou Mountain, and Shiwukui Alley, to the spirited representation of the entrepreneurial spirit along the Qiantang River seen in Hubin Pedestrian Street, Sijiqing Clothing Market, and Qianjiang New City CBD, the exhibition beautifully captured the essence of the city’s development through various neighborhoods, including the warmth of community life in Xiaoying Red Alley and the picturesque scenes of Gaocheng Beautiful Village.

During the event, Zhu Jinkun, Vice Chairman of the 12th Hangzhou Municipal People’s Congress Standing Committee and President of the Hangzhou Municipal People’s Congress Research Association, emphasized that the fundamental goal of urban development is to enhance the quality of life for residents. He noted that Hangzhou has prioritized a human-centered approach, fostering neighborhood cultures, enhancing the city’s appearance, and continuously improving residents’ well-being.

“As the core area of Hangzhou, Shangcheng District places great emphasis on cultivating neighborhood culture, continuously polishing the unique character of the city, and transforming both new and old neighborhoods into lively, culturally rich communities that feel like home to the people,” said Zhu.

Also highlighted during the event was a compelling public service project called “Little Rain Accompanies Me,” presented by Cao Chen, the Party Secretary of Xiaoying Lane Community in Shangcheng District. “During my community visits, I deeply felt the various needs of elderly residents living alone. As a representative, I collaborated with multiple parties to launch the ‘Little Rain Accompanies Me’ public service series,” he shared.

Now, initiatives such as “Little Rain Delivers Meals,” “Little Rain Steamed Buns,” and “Little Rain Kitchen” have not only addressed the needs of senior residents but also revitalized the once aging Xiaoying Lane, embodying a vibrant practice of grassroots democracy.

The event also marked the launch of a new book titled “Neighborhoods of Hangzhou: Shangcheng Chapter.” This publication analyzes 14 streets and nearly 200 communities from a micro perspective, providing a comprehensive view of urban life in Hangzhou.

Raheem Akingbolu
NexHRM, a leading Human Resources solution provider, with special focus on payroll management, shift management, employee Performance Appraisal, among others, have urged Human Resources experts in Nigeria to key into technological driven solutions that would demystify all the avoidable imbalance between employers and employees.
Speaking on the sideline of the 2024 Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) International Conference and Exhibition in Abuja on Wednesday, the Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, NexHRM, Moses Durosaro, said the growth of any company in today’s market will be determined by its recruitment process, driven by technological growth and innovation.
Durosaro, who expresses satisfaction with the growth of the HR industry in Nigeria said the foundation of any organization, either private or public sectors hinged on the quality of employees, hence the need for government and players in the private sectors to prioritize human resources.
“The future of any organisation will be determined by the quality of the workforce. Unfortunately, not many employers and even the government realize this. But things are changing now because technology has brought about seamless solutions to unravel all the knotty areas in human resources industry,”
While his firm has decided to set up a stand at the ongoing conference , Durosaro said it was important because the conference provides an ideal platform for NexHRM to showcase its products and engage with stakeholders.
“In line with our organisation’s payoff line, ‘The future of HR in Africa starts here’, NexHRM brings to the market a solution that allows organisations to automate routine, time-consuming HR functions, thereby enabling HR to focus on more strategic priorities. For instance, NexHRM’s centralised HR Information module, ensures that employee data is flawlessly synchronized across all HR functions. It minimizes repetitive data entries, enhances access to the necessary information, and simplifies HR work.” he said.
On the importance of data and centralization, the CEO pointed out that NexHRM also offers a secure, centralised database with all the cloud storage an HR expert could need along with ease of document and file management.
NexRHM Co-founder, incharge of Business Strategy and Growth, Damilola Ogedengbe, who spoke glowingly on the feedbacks his team daily receive from clients on the effectiveness of HRM solutions, said the firm has designed a unique solution to efficiently manage organisations’ workforce with centralised HR information management system that syncs employees data across all HR functions. He also stated that the firm’s recruitment & applicant tracking system is unique and seamless.
NexHRM’s HR management information solution has secure cloud storage and document management, it captures additional employee details with dynamic fields. Besides, it retrieves data on current and former employees easily and does automatic organisational updates with workforce changes. It can also simplify recruitment with an efficient Applicant Tracking System (ATS) , designed to streamline the entire hiring process, from job posting to onboarding.
Ogedengbe also harps on HRM’s solutions in the area of employee performance appraisal and leave management which he said will easily help organisations to keep track of who is available and who is on leave at a glance.
According to the strategic business consultant, NexHRM will help HR manage employee appraisals efficiently with a system that links performance evaluations to compensation, ensuring fair and accurate payouts.

Sweden and Finland plan to withdraw funding to safeguard nine languages defined as threatened by Unesco
Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondentMon 21 Oct 2024 00.00 EDTShareThe Indigenous parliaments of Sweden, Finland and Norway have warned that some Sámi languages could disappear if Stockholm and Helsinki press ahead with plans to withdraw funding that could hit a critical preservation body.
Sámi Giellagáldu was created to safeguard, promote and strengthen the use of the nine Sámi languages across the Nordics, including North Sámi, which is spoken by an estimated 20,000 people across Norway, Sweden and Finland and classified by Unesco as endangered, and the much smaller Pite Sámi and Ute Sámi, which have less than 50 speakers each.
But just two years after it was made a permanent institution working to promote the languages and develop new terminology and standardisations essential for keeping them alive, the Swedish and Finnish governments have announced funding cuts.
Mika Saijets, the director general of Sámi Giellagáldu, described it as a regressive step that would take the region “50 years backward” and accused the governments of “cutting the heart out of the language”.
View image in fullscreenSámi Giellagáldu staff from three countries came together for a seminar in Tromsø, Norway, in October. Photograph: Sámi GiellagálduThere is a tangible risk that the languages could vanish as a result, he said. “It’s a big risk that some of these languages will disappear. All Sámi languages are defined as threatened or critically threatened according to Unesco.”
There are 80,000 to 100,000 Sámi people in northern Europe, the continent’s only Indigenous group.
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View image in fullscreenMika Saijets. Photograph: Sámi GiellagálduSweden is to cut 5m Swedish kroner (£365,000) a year for the organisation – a contribution that it says was always a “temporary investment” – and the Finnish government is understood to be cutting €193,000 (£160,000) of targeted funding to the Sámi parliament of Finland, forcing it to reconsider allocation of funds.
“It’s so dramatic. We have been in complete shock,” Saijets said, adding that if the funding is cut as planned, the organisation will not survive beyond a year.
He compared the cuts to the past attempts at the Swedification, Finlandisation and Norwegianisation of Indigenous people.
View image in fullscreenSámi Giellagáldu staff work remotely from 10 offices. Photograph: Google MapsThe cuts come as truth and reconciliation commissions by governments across the region have pledged to uncover and respond to historic systemic discrimination – including church- and state-run assimilation policies that separated children from their parents and stopped many from learning the language, violence and mistreatment.
The cuts also hit two years in to the UN’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
‘They want total control’: how Russia is forcing Sami people to hide their identityRead moreThe Nordic Council of Ministers is due to meet in Reykjavík this week to discuss cooperation across the region. Saijets has called on the Swedish and Finnish governments to urgently reconsider their decision.
Silje Karine Muotka and Pirita Näkkäläjärvi, the presidents of the Sámi parliaments in Norway and Finland, and Håkan Jonsson, the chair of the board of the Sámi parliament in Sweden, said in a joint statement: “The three Nordic countries have a great responsibility towards the Sami-speaking population and the nine different Sami languages.
“Funds that have previously been earmarked to support language standardisation have been removed, thereby jeopardising the basis for all language work and for common Nordic language efforts.”
The Swedish government has said the future of the body is the responsibility of the Sámi parliament. “The Sámi parliament has had during 2022–2024 a temporary increase in funds for Sámi Giellagáldu,” said the Swedish minister for culture, Parisa Liljestrand.
“It has always been clear that it was a temporary investment, and when it now ends, the Sámi parliament can, within the framework of the allocation of funds decided by the government in regulatory letters, decide on possible continued funding of Sámi Giellagáldu.”
The Finnish government did not respond to a request for comment.
Lotta Jalava, a senior specialist in minority languages and language revitalisation at the Institute for the Languages of Finland, said: “The continuity of all Sámi languages for future generations and the support of their vitality requires, among other things, people proficient in Sámi languages working in various professions, Sámi-language translations of official texts, and translators.”
For a minority language, she added, such work was “even more important than for a majority language” because the number of people able to guide language use, introduce new expressions and standardise writing principles was considerably smaller.

On October 16, at the 8th Sino-German Automotive Conference held in Munich, Germany, the theme of international collaboration resonated strongly throughout the event. Uwe Kurt Fridrich, a former member of the Global Supervisory Board of Volkswagen Group, shared insight with Xinhua News Agency, emphasizing the focus on exploring collaborative opportunities in digitalization and sustainable transformation.

The conference gathered nearly 400 professionals from the automotive industry, government, and business associations from both China and Germany. They engaged in deep discussions regarding key topics such as carbon neutrality and future mobility, as well as the transformation trends and cooperative opportunities within the global automotive sector.

Delegates expressed that the automotive industry is undergoing unprecedented change, and the prospects for Sino-German cooperation are promising. They highlighted the need for both countries to leverage their respective strengths, share resources, and complement each other, all while accelerating the transition towards digitalization, intelligence, and sustainability in the automotive sector.

In his opening remarks, Zhai Qian, Minister Counselor of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Germany, noted that the collaboration in the automotive industry has continuously been a highlight of Sino-German relations. German car manufacturers entering the Chinese market have significantly contributed to building a modern automotive industry in China. Meanwhile, China’s open market environment has provided a fertile ground for German companies’ sustained growth. Zhai also pointed out that the growth of Chinese car companies has fostered deeper cooperation with their German counterparts.

Taking Continental AG as an example, the company entered China in 1994 and now operates 23 production bases and 28 research and development centers across the country. Yang Chengzu, Vice President of Continental China, explained that as the largest automotive market globally, China holds tremendous potential and opportunities, making it one of Continental’s key growth engines. He further noted that Continental is enhancing its innovative collaborations with Chinese automotive brands and tech companies, driven by market demands and technological advancements. This collaboration allows a better understanding of the Chinese market and consumer preferences, facilitating their expansion overseas while effectively applying successful local product solutions to international brands.

Additionally, Yu Guangsheng, Deputy Director of the Investment Promotion Bureau of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, mentioned that given the deep integration within the Sino-German automotive industry, their bureau collaborates with industry associations, clusters, and leading firms to continuously hold the automobile conference. This platform aims to serve the cooperative interests of both countries’ automotive sectors, especially benefiting small and medium enterprises in gaining efficient access to industry information and exploring investment and partnership opportunities.

In an interview, Frank Klass, Vice President of European Communications at Geely Group, emphasized that automotive companies should enhance partnerships across various regions to develop new technologies and products. He noted that globalization benefits the industry and helps bridge gaps between different market regions. “We look forward to continuing to face challenges together in a globalized environment,” he stated.

Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, a renowned automotive economics expert and director of the Bochum Automotive Institute, commented that German and European companies possess extensive experience in manufacturing, branding, and international development. In contrast, Chinese companies are leading in technological advancements in the automotive sector, particularly in areas such as batteries, artificial intelligence, and automotive software. He suggested that a strong partnership between Europe and China would create a win-win situation for both sides.

Participants expressed their hopes for continued collaboration in the Sino-German automotive industry, emphasizing mutual learning, encouragement, and advancement. They urged the European Union to take a rational view of cooperation with the Chinese automotive sector, advocating that only through pragmatic engagement can meaningful development and fruitful outcomes be achieved for all involved.

PA MediaSat 19 Oct 2024 12.25 EDTLast modified on Sun 20 Oct 2024 01.05 EDTShareUnder-pressure Russell Martin criticised one of his Southampton players for not doing his job, allowing Leicester to score a 98th-minute winner, after the visitors hit back from two goals down to sink Saints 3-2.
Harry Winks’ low corner found Jordan Ayew in space at the edge of the penalty area, before he swung the ball through a crowd of players into the bottom corner to earn the visitors three points in time added on at the end of the announced stoppage time.
Bournemouth v Arsenal: Premier League – liveRead moreMartin, who saw his side concede a late goal to drop points against Ipswich, insisted one player – who he did not name – derailed his side, rather than the team.
“We do a lot of work on set-pieces and we should have scored one today,” he said. “We are down to 10 men and we have a few subs on but one person had one job to do that would have stopped that goal and they didn’t.
“The concern is that the person didn’t do their job. It’s not about detail or a lack of work. It would be a concern if we had a lack of detail. It’s about taking responsibility and doing what you are asked to do.
“We had a man sent off and it changed the game. We didn’t kill the game off and in the Premier League it is a big problem.”
Southampton had been jubilant after Cameron Archer opened the scoring in the eighth minute and Joe Aribo made it 2-0 20 minutes later, but they capitulated after the break.
Facundo Buonanotte’s bundled finish and Jamie Vardy’s penalty, after he had been dragged down by Ryan Fraser, who was dismissed after VAR intervened, pegged the hosts back before Ayew’s definitive blow brought them to their knees.
Saints are now on an unwanted club record 21 matches in the Premier League without a win but Martin is confident of keeping his job after a meeting with the club’s owner Dragan Solak on Friday.
View image in fullscreenJamie Vardy smashes his penalty home past Aaron Ramsdale to level at 2-2. Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images/ReutersAsked if he felt under pressure, Martin said: “I had a brilliant chat with Dragan and the guys at a scheduled board meeting yesterday, so no.”
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For the Foxes it was the first time they had won a Premier League match having been two goals down at half-time, they now have one defeat in their past five league outings.
Leicester manager, Steve Cooper, said he saw the turnaround coming: “We defended really poorly on the two goals so it is on us going 2-0 down but I felt we should have scored off a couple of set-plays. I felt we were still in the game and it was one of those where if we got one … The guys worked and believed in themselves and others.
<li>Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for ‘The Guardian’.</li><li>If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version.</li><li>In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.</li><li>Turn on sport notifications.</li></ul>","credit":""}”>Quick GuideHow do I sign up for sport breaking news alerts?ShowDownload the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for ‘The Guardian’.If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version.In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.Turn on sport notifications.Was this helpful?Thank you for your feedback.“I don’t want to sound like a smart-arse and say I thought we were still in the game at half-time but I genuinely did and I think the players did too.
“Hopefully, in a successful season, this day will be memorable for supporters. The corner at the end wasn’t a routine, it was instinctive, good decision making, and we are grateful for it.”

During his 2016 visit to Japan, former President Barack Obama embraced Shigeaki Mori, a Hiroshima survivor who was just eight years old at the time of the atomic bombing. On October 11, 2023, the Japan Confederation of A-and-H Bomb Sufferers Organizations was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Mori expressed his hope that this news would raise awareness about the importance of abolishing nuclear weapons.

According to Reuters, next year marks the 80th anniversary of the United States dropping atomic bombs on Japan, which ultimately compelled Japan to surrender in World War II.

The moment between Obama and Mori at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park has become an iconic image from that visit. When contacted by Reuters on October 11, an 80-year-old Mori affirmed that he believes the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the organization will enhance public awareness of nuclear disarmament. He stated, “Yes,” but refrained from providing further comments, mentioning that he’s received numerous requests for interviews.

Last year, Mori recounted to Reuters that he lost consciousness from the blast and awoke to find a woman holding his exposed organs, asking where the nearest hospital was located.

Following the war, Mori dedicated several decades to researching how many people perished on his school’s playing field during the bombing, uncovering that twelve American POWs also lost their lives in the attack.

As the number of atomic bomb survivors dwindles with age, many of them continue to strive to keep the memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki alive—not only to honor history but also to advocate for change.

Hiroshima’s mayor, Kazumi Matsui, expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the award recipients. He noted that the members of the organization gathered over 13.7 million signatures in support of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which is considered a driving force behind the treaty’s enactment. “Given the current global circumstances, such efforts are extremely significant,” he added.

Nagasaki’s mayor, Tomihisa Taue, issued a statement emphasizing, “In light of the current chaotic international climate, I hope this serves as a crucial opportunity for the world to move toward a nuclear-free future.”

On October 15, during a press conference at Chaoyang Normal University, the Liaoning Province launched the 2024 Golden Autumn Recruitment Month alongside a major autumn job fair.

This event, organized by the Liaoning Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security, carried the theme “‘Just’ in Golden Autumn, ‘Career’ for the Future.” The initiative aims to implement the Central Government’s policies for high-quality and sufficient employment and to meet the demands set by the provincial government. The timing of this recruitment event is strategic, coinciding with the peak job-seeking and hiring season of the year, and is designed to help job seekers connect with potential employers efficiently.

At the job fair, various recruitment zones were set up for key enterprises involved in major projects, private companies, and emerging industries. These zones catered to specific job-seeking groups including recent university graduates and migrant workers. Over 200 employers offered more than 5,600 quality job positions, drawing in more than 4,000 job seekers who came to explore opportunities and gather information. The atmosphere was lively, with extensive interactions between employers and job seekers resulting in 611 individuals establishing preliminary employment intentions.

Additionally, there was an area dedicated to promoting employment and entrepreneurship policies, where attendees could learn about available resources, receive informational pamphlets, and have their questions answered. To broaden access, an online recruitment campaign and live streaming job sessions were conducted simultaneously. The Liaoning Provincial Employment and Talent Service Center established virtual recruitment channels on its official website and collaborated with local employment services to announce even more job openings. During the live streams, job anchors provided detailed insights about companies and roles, helping create a bridge for remote job-seeking and hiring communication, which attracted over 61,700 online viewers.

The series of activities under Liaoning’s 2024 Golden Autumn Recruitment Month will continue until early November. Throughout this period, local human resources departments will implement various initiatives such as enterprise visits to assess needs, policy briefings, and community recruitment drives. They aim to provide continuous support for businesses in hiring and job stabilization while enhancing the employment support system for key demographic groups. This effort is focused on improving labor rights and ensuring both qualitative and quantitative advancements in employment, fostering a tangible sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security for workers as Liaoning strives for a new breakthrough in overall revitalization efforts.

**Interviewer**: Can you tell us about the upcoming events for the week of October 21st?

**Organizer**: Absolutely! We have a variety of activities lined up that cater to different age groups and interests.

**Interviewer**: Let’s start with Monday, October 21st. What do you have planned?

**Organizer**: On that day, we kick things off with a Senior Social: Crosswords event from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. It’s a virtual gathering where seniors can engage in crossword puzzles together.

**Interviewer**: That sounds like a great way to connect! What’s happening on Tuesday?

**Organizer**: On Tuesday, October 22nd, we’re hosting Baby Play Time for Pre-Walkers from 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM at 47-40 Center Boulevard in Long Island City. It’s a wonderful opportunity for caregivers to bring their little ones for some interactive play.

**Interviewer**: Cute! And what can you tell us about Wednesday?

**Organizer**: Wednesday, October 23rd, features Autumn Art Crafting from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at 1637 Central Avenue, Far Rockaway. Participants will get to create seasonal crafts, perfect for welcoming fall.

**Interviewer**: Sounds fun! Any spooky activities planned for Thursday?

**Organizer**: Yes, indeed! On Thursday, October 24th, we have a Halloween Story and Craft event scheduled from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM at 98-27 Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills. It’s a fantastic way for kids to enjoy Halloween-themed stories while getting crafty.

**Interviewer**: What about Friday?

**Organizer**: Friday, October 25th, brings our Teen Art Hour: Halloween Edition from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 43-06 Greenpoint Avenue, Long Island City. Teens can unleash their creativity in a Halloween-themed art session.

**Interviewer**: I’m sensing a pattern here! Any live performances over the weekend?

**Organizer**: Yes, on Saturday, October 26th, we have a Classical Piano Concert featuring I-Heung Lee from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 256-04 Union Turnpike, Glen Oaks. It’s a wonderful chance to enjoy some beautiful music.

**Interviewer**: And how does the week wrap up on Sunday?

**Organizer**: We finish the week with the NYRR Open Run on Sunday, October 27th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Conference House Park, Staten Island. It’s an open event for runners of all levels!

**Interviewer**: These events sound fantastic! Where can people find more information?

**Organizer**: For more details and to register for events, participants can visit [Queens Library](https://www.queenslibrary.org/) and [NYC Parks](https://www.nycgovparks.org/).

**Interviewer**: Thank you for sharing these exciting events!

Ben and Jack bonded while watching Lord of the Rings and admiring Aragorn. Now, their sexually charged friendship has turned to a hot relationship
How do you do it? Share the story of your sex life, anonymouslyAs told to Kitty DrakeSat 19 Oct 2024 07.00 EDTLast modified on Sat 19 Oct 2024 20.26 EDTShareBen, 33 I first spotted Jack across the room, at a queer event, and was completely transfixed
I didn’t come out as a trans man until I was 29. I’ve always felt like a man and I’ve always been attracted to other men, but for a very long time I was closeted and self-hating. I had boyfriends throughout my teens and 20s, but I didn’t tell most of them I was trans. I thought that in order to have a romantic life I had to keep part of myself hidden. I had one boyfriend who did refer to me as “him”, but only in the bedroom. In public, I had to behave like his girlfriend. By the time I hit my late 20s, that way of living had become unsustainable. After a lot of deliberation, I had top surgery, which is an operation to reconstruct the chest to create a more masculine appearance, knowing full well that the kind of men I was dating before would no longer desire me. But then I met Jack.
Jack had a reputation for being quite promiscuous, and I didn’t want to be another notch on his bedpostOne of the first and most important things to mention about Jack, is that he is exceptionally hot. I first spotted him across the room, at a queer event, and was completely transfixed. He has gorgeous puppy eyes, floppy hair and a little earring. He’s trans too, and has been taking testosterone for a few years. We spent the next six months forming a sexually charged friendship, but I was wary. Jack had a reputation for being quite promiscuous, and I didn’t want to be just another notch on his bedpost. I was also a little afraid of sex at that time. I hadn’t dated for years and only previously had sex with cisgendered men. Eventually Jack confessed his feelings for me, and we ended up making out. I needn’t have worried, because the sex – when it came – was electric. In my experience, the average cisgendered guy only knows how to do about three things in bed. There’s a lot of jack hammering, and about five minutes of foreplay if you’re lucky. But having sex as two trans guys is so much more open and expansive. I feel as if I can tell Jack any of my fantasies and there would never be any judgment. There are so many imaginative configurations … the possibilities feel endless.
Jack, 32 Before I met Ben, I had been having a lot of casual sex – but often I wouldn’t feel entirely present
I remember locking eyes with Ben at a pub around a year ago and feeling a bit weak at the knees. He was wearing this flamboyant velvet shirt, with several buttons undone to show off his chest. I managed to secure a follow-up date by the end of the night. We watched The Lord of the Rings together, then talked for a bit about how hot Aragorn is. We both agreed there’s something homoerotic about buff men wielding big, shiny swords. There was undeniable chemistry between us, but for the first six months I was shy about telling Ben how I felt. In retrospect, I’m grateful we didn’t rush in. In the year before I met Ben, I had been having a lot of casual sex – but often when I was actually in the middle of a sex act, I wouldn’t feel entirely present. I was out as a trans man but I often struggled to fully inhabit my body. Having top surgery made me feel more at home in myself, but Ben’s friendship also helped, because he made me feel understood. During the time we spent watching movies on his sofa, I was building inner confidence.
I do not have any desire to have surgery to alter my genitalia, but I want Ben to see my genitals as maleEventually, I reached a point where I felt that if I didn’t declare my true feelings for Ben, I would go mad. I remember mumbling “I want to be with you”, but so quietly he had to ask me to repeat myself, which was excruciating – but he felt the same. The wonderful thing was that when we kissed I felt entirely present. Every sensation was heightened. It’s amazing to be in a relationship with another transgender person, because we both have a more fluid way of looking at one another’s bodies. I do not have any desire to have surgery to alter my genitalia, but I want Ben to see my genitals as male. When you’re transgender you have this ability to just reframe the way you see the body, and it’s so liberating. When I look at Ben’s body I notice its delicacy and grace, but I also see how masculine it is. I find that beautiful.
Would you and your partner like to share the story, anonymously, of your sex life?

Exclusive: overhaul of system that imposed draconian penalties for innocent errors in benefit claims is expected
Patrick Butler and Josh HallidayTue 15 Oct 2024 19.00 EDTFirst published on Tue 15 Oct 2024 14.59 EDTShareDraconian penalties that caused unpaid carers to rack up thousands of pounds of debt after unwittingly falling foul of benefit rules are to be overhauled, the government has announced.
The move comes six months after a Guardian investigation revealed tens of thousands of vulnerable carers were being ordered to repay hefty overpayments – and even threatened with criminal prosecution – over minor breaches of carer’s allowance earnings limits.
The secretary of state for work and pensions, Liz Kendall, said she had commissioned an “open and transparent” independent review of carer’s allowance overpayments to assess how overpayments were allowed to be accrued on such a vast scale.
Kendall told the Guardian: “Like many people, I have read distressing accounts in this newspaper from carers who have had to pay back large sums of overpaid carer’s allowance.
“Carers have felt shock, frustration and anxiety as a result. Families are often pushed to breaking point just for looking after the people they love. They deserve to be recognised, supported and valued for all they do.
“I am determined to be open and transparent about what has happened in carer’s allowance and to learn all the lessons. This review marks a big step forward for unpaid carers, shedding light on this issue so we can put things right.”
A series of Guardian articles in recent months revealed what has become known as the “carer’s allowance scandal”, highlighting the often frightening and humiliating punishments imposed on carers by benefits officials, causing public outrage and leading to comparisons to the Post Office scandal.
The review, will be headed by Liz Sayce, the former chief executive of the charity Disability Rights UK. “My work aims to get to the bottom of how overpayments have occurred and how to prevent people who devote such time and care to others facing these difficulties in future,” she said.
The review announcement came on the eve of a Westminster opposition-day debate on carer’s allowance called by the Liberal Democrats, whose leader, Ed Davey, has made reforming carer’s allowance a key party policy, and who has been pressing Labour to make changes.
Davey, who is a carer for his disabled teenage son, John, will tell the Commons the benefit is “not fit for purpose”. He is expected to criticise the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for failing in recent years to do more to prevent carers being hit with overpayments that have left many with huge debts.
“This is a terrible scandal. Tens of thousands of carers have become the victims of a system that is supposed to be there to support them. The last government should have acted then. But it didn’t. So can I urge the government today: act now,” Davey is expected to say.
The Lib Dems have for months called for carer’s allowance rates to be boosted and its complex earnings rules overhauled. They have also insisted existing carer’s allowance overpayments – about £250m in total owed by approximately 34,500 claimants – be written off.
There are about 5.8 million unpaid carers in the UK who look after ill, disabled or frail loved ones. More than 1 million are in poverty. About 1 million carers claim carer’s allowance, a weekly benefit worth £81.90 a week. Claimants are allowed to earn £151 a week from paid work, equivalent to about 13 hours at the national minimum wage.
New research indicates as many as one in five of all carer’s allowance claimants had to repay large sums after inadvertently falling foul of the £151 earnings limit. It also found anxiety and despair among carers “made to feel like criminals” after they were harshly punished for overstepping earnings limits by as little as £1 a week.
‘DWP threatened to send in bailiffs’: the unpaid carers told to repay benefitRead moreFindings from a survey of 12,500 unpaid carers by Carers UK, seen by the Guardian, found of the 40% who claim or had claimed carer’s allowance, one in five said they were hit by overpayments after unknowingly breaching the earnings limit, often because they had been paid overtime or received a bonus.
The draconian punishments for breaching earnings limits are notorious among carers: even going £1 over the weekly limit means they must repay the entire benefit. A carer who earned £1 more than the £151 threshold for 52 weeks, therefore, would pay back not £52 but £4,258.80.
One carer told the survey she went £4 over the limit over a four-month period during the Covid-19 pandemic due to wage fluctuations caused by furlough.
She said: “I was made to feel like a criminal … I had to pay nearly £400 back and was terrified about getting a criminal record. I became very depressed over the stress of this. So horrendous.”
Another said: “I earned £1 too much for 19 weeks and have to pay all the carer’s allowance from that time. I ended up using credit cards to cope. I’ve had to give up carer’s allowance to get another job to cope financially. My husband is 70 and on state pension. This is crippling us mentally and physically.”
Four in 10 claimants in the survey said fear of the restrictive rules for carer’s allowance and the risk of harsh punishments led them to give up paid work. Some said they had turned down pay rises, and had to forgo paid training opportunities to enable them to retain eligibility for carer’s allowance.
One carer told the survey they reluctantly gave up work after 45 years to maintain eligibility for carer’s allowance: “Trying to balance work and home is difficult at the best of times but with caring it is impossible. Some real compassion and common sense to consider what is a reasonable threshold needs to be considered,” they said.
Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “It’s a scandal that so many carers, who have unwittingly received overpayments, are facing additional stress and anxiety. Many are under huge pressure already and in precarious financial positions due to their caring role.”