Tuesday, August 11, 2026

VOCABULARY LESSON: "Death in Absentia" || Al Jazeera English

Context and Enforcement Challenges
"This ruling marks the first legal judgment against Assad or his inner circle since the end of the Assad family's five-decade rule in December 2024.

The trial proceedings, which began in April 2026, were broadcast live on Syrian state television, with crowds gathering outside the courthouse to hear the verdict.

However, the enforcement of the sentence faces significant geopolitical hurdles.

Bashar and Maher al-Assad currently reside in Moscow under political asylum.
The Kremlin has not indicated any intention to extradite them, and Russia has historically shielded the Assad regime from international accountability.
While the Syrian transitional authorities have vowed to provide justice for victims, the death penalty remains symbolic as long as the defendants remain under Russian protection."

Ousted Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad. (File photo: Reuters)

Syria sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia over atrocities

A Syrian court on Tuesday sentenced former ruler Bashar al-Assad to death after a trial in absentia, convicting him of atrocities committed during the country’s nearly 14-year civil war.It is the...

Published: 11 August 2026: 12:38 PM GST

Updated: 11 August 2026: 02:13 PM GST

Bashar al-Assad

Elected President of Syria from 2000 to 2024

Bashar Hafez al-Assad (born 11 September 1965) is a former Syrian politician, medical doctor, and military officer who served as the president of Syria from 2000 until his overthrow in 2024 after …"____________________________________????Wikipedia

Verdict and Charges

On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus sentenced ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia. The court convicted him of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during Syria's 14-year civil war, which resulted in approximately half a million deaths. The specific charges included premeditated murder of multiple persons and children, systematic torture, arbitrary detention, and incitement to murder. The judge, Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan, stated that Assad used state institutions to facilitate these atrocities.

Co-Defendants and Sentences

The verdict extended to key figures within the former regime. Assad’s younger brother, Maher al-Assad, who commanded the elite Fourth Division, was also sentenced to death in absentia for similar charges of murder and torture. Both brothers, who fled to Russia in December 2024, were ordered to be pursued internationally.

INSTA: 39 TIMES 🚨 That’s how many times Trump stood before a camera and promised a deal with Iran. . . | Heather Cox Richardson via christinalorey

Here's the script:

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Christina - 39 TIMES 🚨 That's how many times Trump stood before a camera and promised a de

for airing a CNN video montage tracking 39 separate instances where President Donald Trump claimed a deal or end to the conflict with Iran was imminent. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The Broadcast Segment

The Statement: On Anderson Cooper 360, Cooper stated, "Today marks 39 times that he has said something like that". [1, 2]

The Montage: CNN broadcasted a compiled clip reel showing Trump repeatedly standing before cameras over a multi-month span making identical declarations about a breakthrough. [1, 2]

The Context: The segment aired after another announcement from Trump claiming a deal was at hand, contrasted against state reports and lack of final agreements. [1]

christinalorey

39 TIMES 🚨 That’s how many times Trump stood before a camera and promised a deal with Iran. And we know that thanks to Anderson Cooper, who aired a montage cataloguing ALL 39.

This didn’t include the HUNDREDS of times he’d promised it in tweets.

The final count⁉️ 39 separate occasions.

Thirty-nine times Trump told us a breakthrough was coming.

Thirty-nine times nothing followed.

And let’s be clear: the piece of paper Trump claimed he “signed” isn’t a “deal. . . .

Paul Simon’s landmark Grammy-Award Winning 1986 album Graceland is celebrating its 40th anniversary in August 2026

Paul Simon’s landmark 1986 album Graceland is celebrating its 40th anniversary in August 2026.

The album, which fused Western pop with South African township music, originally sparked controversy for recording in apartheid-era South Africa but went on to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and sell over 16 million copies worldwide.

Major celebrations are occurring globally, including a special BBC Proms concert titled Under African Skies at the Royal Albert Hall in London, featuring original collaborators Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Additional tributes include a reimagined performance by the London African Gospel Choir and the release of a new book by Ashley Kahn detailing the album's creation.

TAKEN FROM THE MESAZONA ARCHIVES 2019-2022

Friday, September 09, 2022

Crazy Love, Vol. II

Published on Feb 13, 2015

Views: 257,399+

Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment

Crazy Love, Vol. II · Paul Simon
Graceland (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

℗ 1986 Sony Music Entertainment

Guitar: Chikapa "Ray" Phiri
Bass: Lloyd Lelose
Arranger: Raymond Chikapa Phiri
Drums: Isaac Mtshali
Penny Whistle: Morris Goldberg
Assistant Engineer: Peter Thwaites
Assistant Engineer: Mark Cobrin
Engineer: Roy Halee
Mastering Engineer: Greg Calbi
Re-mastering Engineer: Dan Hersch
Re-mastering Engineer: Bill Inglot

Auto-generated by YouTube.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Just Listen > GraceLand Again / One More Time

DO SEE THIS ABOUT THE MUSIC PRODUCER JERRY WEXLER

Jerry Wexler and Graceland

Jerry Wexler played a pivotal, though ultimately uncredited, role in the creation of Paul Simon's landmark 1986 album Graceland. Wexler, who had previously produced Simon's Still Crazy After All These Years, initially championed the project and facilitated Simon's first trip to South Africa to record with local musicians.

However, Wexler famously clashed with Simon over the album's production direction.

Wexler advocated for a more traditional, polished "American" sound, suggesting the addition of prominent American session musicians and a smoother production style to ensure commercial viability.
Simon, conversely, was determined to preserve the raw, authentic textures of the South African recordings and the voices of the local artists.
This fundamental creative disagreement led to Wexler's departure from the project before its completion.
Despite his exit, his initial encouragement and logistical support were instrumental in launching the sessions that resulted in the Grammy-winning album.

Post Note: Simon absorbed the financial loss of Wexler's involvement and the potential commercial risk of defying his producer's advice, betting that the unique sonic landscape would resonate with audiences on its own terms—a gamble that ultimately resulted in a Grammy-winning masterpiece.

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Graceland - Paul Simon Hyde Park 2018

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July 16, 2018

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Graceland (Live at Hyde Park, London, UK - July 2012)

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Paul Simon - Homeless (from The Concert in Hyde Park)

Paul Simon performing "Homeless" from The Concert in Hyde ParkListen to Paul Simon: https://paulsimon.lnk.to/listenYDWatch more Paul Simon videos: https://pa

September 10, 2018

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Podcast Rex

podcastrex.com › home › brendan o'connor › paul simon’s graceland at 40

Paul Simon’s Graceland at 40 — Brendan O'Connor — Podcast Rex

2 weeks ago - 🦴Paul Simon's album 'Graceland' turns 40 in August 2026.

The Queen's Hall

thequeenshall.net › whats-on › paul-simons-graceland-40th-anniversary-celebration-london-african-gospel-choir

Paul Simon's Graceland: 40th Anniversary Celebration by the London African Gospel Choir | Wed 18th Nov 2026

December 16, 2025 - The London African Gospel Choir returns with their critically acclaimed re-imagining and making 40 years of Paul Simon’s iconic album “Graceland”. Performed with passion, soul, and electrifying rhythm, this concert brings together soaring voices, vibrant harmonies, and an irresistible celebration of African musical heritage.

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Pa̲u̲l Si̲mo̲n - Graceland (Full Album) - YouTube

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Paul Simon - Graceland - Full Vinyl Record

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Paul Simon - Graceland (Official Audio)

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San Diego Reader

sandiegoreader.com › events › 2026 › aug › 26 › 40th-anniversary-tribute-to-paul-simons-graceland

40th Anniversary Tribute to Paul Simon's Graceland - Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 6:15 p.m. | San Diego Reader

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Broadway World

broadwayworld.com › home › westend › review: bbc proms: under african skies - songs from paul simon's 'graceland', royal albert hall

Review: BBC PROMS: UNDER AFRICAN SKIES - SONGS FROM PAUL SIMON'S 'GRACELAND', Royal Albert Hall

5 days ago - When does a late-night prom turn into London's greatest party? When exuberant Ladysmith Black Mambazo, South Africa's legendary a cappella group, makes its Royal Albert Hall Proms debut to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Paul Simon's Graceland.

Southbank Centre

southbankcentre.co.uk › whats-on › graceland-reimagined-40-year-anniversary

Graceland Reimagined: 40-Year Anniversary | Southbank Centre

The London African Gospel Choir presents their critically acclaimed reimagining of Paul Simon’s iconic Graceland to mark the album’s 40th year.

BBC

bbc.co.uk › programmes › prom nights on radio 2 › under african skies - the songs of graceland

BBC Radio 2 - Prom Nights on Radio 2, Under African Skies - The Songs of Graceland

in 1 week - The BBC Proms celebrates the 40th anniversary of Graceland, Paul Simon’s Grammy-winning, era-defining album featuring Paul’s original collaborators, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

theglasshouseicm.org › whats-on › london-african-gospel-choir

London African Gospel Choir: Paul Simon’s 'Graceland' Reimagined - 40th Anniversary | The Glasshouse

The London African Gospel Choir returns a with full band, presenting their critically acclaimed re-imagining and making 40 years of Paul Simon’s iconic album, Graceland.

Castlemaine Mail

castlemainemail.com.au › home › blog › 40 years of graceland

40 years of Graceland | Castlemaine Mail

2 weeks ago - To celebrate it’s 40th anniversary, Andy McGarvie brings Paul Simon’s Graceland to life at the Theatre Royal Castlemaine next Friday August 7 as part of a special tribute event ’40 years of Graceland’. Andy will be joined by a 10-piece ...

Eden Court

eden-court.co.uk › event › 40th-anniversary-of-paul-simons-graceland-1

40th Anniversary of Paul Simon’s Graceland | Eden Court

Celebrate one of the most influential albums of all time as we bring Paul Simon’s legendary masterpiece back to the stage in a breathtaking live concert experience. Created by the award-winning producers behind The Simon & Garfunkel Story, this brand-new tribute show honours the music, rhythms and spirit of Graceland with extraordinary attention to detail and musical authenticity.

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Washington Post

washingtonpost.com › opinions

Opinion | Paul Simon’s joyful ‘Graceland’ is turning 40. Does it deserve an asterisk?

3 days ago - In the 1986 masterpiece, the roots of rhythm remain — and so does the argument.

Facebook

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Substack

simonsweetman.substack.com › sounds good! › rnz music feature: paul simon’s “graceland”

RNZ Music Feature: Paul Simon’s “Graceland”

3 days ago - A chat on RNZ about the 1986 album “Graceland” by Paul Simon, ahead of its 40th Anniversary

Music Musings & Such

musicmusingsandsuch.com › musicmusingsandsuch › 2026 › 6 › 18 › feature-under-african-skies-paul-simons-graceland-at-forty

FEATURE: Under African Skies: Paul Simon’s Graceland at Forty — Music Musings & Such

June 18, 2026 - It will be interesting seeing how people approach Graceland ahead of its fortieth anniversary on 25th August: “In his typically understated way, Paul Simon has been an ardent musical explorer since he went solo in 1972.