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thepastisalreadywritten · 1 year

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Armageddon to wet lettuce: The phrases that defined 2022

Agence France-Presse, 5 December 2022

PARIS — A year of extraordinary upheaval, from the war in Ukraine to catastrophic natural disasters, AFP looks at some of the words and phrases that have defined 2022.

ARMAGEDDON

With the war in Ukraine and increasingly strident threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin, the specter of nuclear warfare is stalking the globe for the first time in decades.

"We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis" in 1962, US President Joe Biden warned in October.

Experts warned of the most dangerous situation they can remember, with fears not limited to Russia: North Korean nuclear saber-rattling has reached new heights, with the world bracing for a first nuclear test since 2017.

LONDON BRIDGE

At 6:30 p.m. on September 8, Buckingham Palace announced that Queen Elizabeth II had died, bringing to an end the longest reign in British history and sending shock waves around the world.

For 10 days, Britons paid respects to the only monarch most had known, following a carefully choreographed series of ceremonies.

The program of events, famously codenamed "London Bridge", set out in minute detail every aspect of the protocol -- down to BBC presenters wearing black ties.

In the event, she died in Scotland, meaning special provisions came into force -- Operation Unicorn.

LOSS AND DAMAGE

World leaders and negotiators descended on the Egyptian Red Sea port of Sharm el-Sheikh for the latest United Nations summit (COP27) on tackling climate change.

After a fractious summit, widely seen as poorly organized, a deal was clinched on a fund for "loss and damage" to help vulnerable countries cope with the devastating impacts of climate change.

Behind the institutional-sounding name lies destruction for millions in the developing world.

The COP summit was hailed as historic but many voiced anger over a lack of ambition on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

WOMAN. LIFE. FREEDOM.

The chant screamed by protesters in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman arrested by the Tehran morality police.

Protesters have burned posters of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and women have appeared in public without headscarves, in scenes scarcely imaginable before the uprising.

The demonstrations have lasted 3 months and appear to pose an existential challenge to the 43-year rule of the clerical regime.

BLUE TICK

The tiny blue tick (it's actually white on a blue background), which certifies users on Twitter, became a symbol of the chaos engulfing the social media platform in the wake of its $44-billion takeover by Elon Musk.

The mercurial Tesla boss announced that anyone wanting the coveted blue tick would have to stump up eight dollars, only to scrap the plan hours later.

A month on from the takeover, Twitter's future remains up in the air, with thousands of staff laid off, advertisers leaving, and its "free speech" platform hugely uncertain.

ROE V. WADE

In an historic ruling, the conservative-dominated US Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 "Roe v. Wade" decision that enshrined a woman's right to an abortion.

The Supreme Court ruled that individual states could restrict or ban the procedure -– a decision seized upon by several right-leaning states.

Protests erupted instantly in Washington and elsewhere, showing how divisive the topic remains in the United States.

The overturning of "Roe v. Wade" became a critical battle in the US mid-terms in which candidates in favor of abortion rights won several victories.

QUIET QUITTING

One of the "words of the year" in Britain and Australia, the phrase refers to doing the bare minimum at work, either as a protest against your employer or to improve your work-life balance.

The trend, which has sparked debate about overwork, especially in the United States, appears to have surfaced first in a TikTok post in July.

"You're not outright quitting your job but you're quitting the idea of going above and beyond," said the post which went viral, drawing nearly a half-million likes.

WET LETTUCE

As Liz Truss approached the end of her chaotic and short-lived tenure as British prime minister, the Economist weekly mused that her effective period in office had been "roughly the shelf-life of a lettuce."

The tabloid Daily Star leapt on the idea, launching a live web cam featuring said vegetable -– complete with googly eyes -- next to a picture of the hapless Truss.

Her premiership lasted just 44 days and featured a mini-budget that collapsed the markets and generated extraordinary political upheaval. In the end, the lettuce won.

TOMATO SOUP

Environmental protesters seeking to draw attention to the role of fossil fuel consumption in the climate crisis hurled tomato soup at Vincent Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" painting at London's National Gallery in October, touching off a series of similar stunts.

Since then, activists have smothered mashed potato on Claude Monet and glued themselves to works by Andy Warhol, Francisco Goya and Johannes Vermeer.

For some, the campaigners are heroes bravely drawing attention to the climate emergency.

For others, the attacks are counterproductive and lose force by becoming commonplace.

Protests erupted in China, initially over COVID restrictions but later widening to broader political grievances, posing the greatest threat to the Beijing authorities since 1989.

The demonstrations became known in some quarters as the "A4" protests as protesters held up blank A4-sized sheets of white paper in a sign of solidarity and a nod to the lack of free speech in China.

#Armageddon #Ukraine #Operation London Bridge #Queen Elizabeth II #COP27 #Mahsa Amini #Woman Life Freedom #Iran #Twitter #Blue Tick #Elon Musk #Roe vs Wade #Quiet Quitting #Wet Lettuce #Liz Truss #Tomato Soup protest #A4 China protest

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justforbooks · 2 years

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Operation London Bridge (also known by its code phrase London Bridge Is Down) is the plan for what will happen in the United Kingdom on and immediately after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. It includes planning for the announcement of her death, the period of official mourning, and the details of her state funeral. Some critical decisions relating to the plan have been made by the Queen herself, although some can only be made by her successor, Charles, Prince of Wales, after her death.

As of 2017, the phrase "London Bridge is down" is expected to be used to communicate the death of the Queen to the prime minister of the United Kingdom and key personnel, setting the plan into motion. The plans were first created in the 1960s and are updated throughout each year, involving various government departments, the Church of England, Metropolitan Police Service, the British Armed Forces, the media, the Royal Parks, London boroughs, the Greater London Authority and Transport for London. Reporting on the preparations, The Guardian described them as "planned to the minute" with "arcane and highly specific" details.

Operation London Bridge works concurrently with several plans, including Operation Spring Tide, the plan for her successor's ascension to the throne. Several Commonwealth realms where Elizabeth II reigns as monarch have developed their own plans for what will happen in the days after her death, which will run concurrently with Operation London Bridge.

Funerals and coronations of members of the Royal Family are typically organised by the Earl Marshal and the officers in the College of Heralds. Preparations for Elizabeth II's death and funeral have also been made by the Cabinet Office.

Pre-determined phrases have typically been used as "codenames" for plans relating to the death and funeral of a royal family member. Initially, codenames were used by key officials in an effort to prevent Buckingham Palace switchboard operators from learning of the death prior to a public announcement. When King George VI died in 1952, key government officials were informed with the phrase "Hyde Park Corner".

Several codenamed funeral plans for royal family members in the late-20th and early-21st century have used the names of prominent bridges in the United Kingdom. Operation Tay Bridge was the phrase used for the death and funeral plans of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and was rehearsed for 22 years before its eventual use in 2002. The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, was also modelled after Operation Tay Bridge. As of March 2017, the phrase Operation Forth Bridge referred to the death and funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who died in 2021, while Operation Menai Bridge referred to the funeral plan for Charles, Prince of Wales, and Operation London Bridge referred to the funeral plan for Queen Elizabeth II.

Preparations for Queen Elizabeth II's death and funeral were made as early as the 1960s, with the plan having undergone multiple changes in the decades since. The plan is updated three times a year through a meeting involving government department officials, the police, and broadcasters.

When Elizabeth dies, her private secretary will be the first official (i.e., not one of her relatives or part of a medical team) to convey the news. Their first act will be to contact the prime minister, where civil servants will convey the code phrase "London Bridge is down" to the prime minister using secure telephone lines. The cabinet secretary and the Privy Council Office will also be informed by the private secretary. The cabinet secretary will then convey the news to ministers and senior civil servants. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Global Response Centre, based at a secret location in London, will communicate the news to the governments of the 14 other countries of which Elizabeth is queen (the Commonwealth realms), and to the governments of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. Government websites and social media accounts, as well as the royal family's website, will turn black, and the publication of non-urgent content must be avoided.

The media would be informed by announcement to PA Media and the BBC through the Radio Alert Transmission System (RATS) and to commercial radio on the Independent Radio News through a network of blue "obit lights" which will alert presenters to play "inoffensive music" and prepare for a news flash, while BBC Two would suspend scheduled programming and switch to BBC One's broadcast of the announcement. BBC News will air a pre-recorded sequence of portraits, during which the presenters on duty at the time will prepare for the formal announcement by putting on dark clothing prepared for this purpose. The Guardian has reported that The Times has 11 days of prepared coverage ready and that ITN and Sky News have long rehearsed her death, but substituting the name "Mrs Robinson".

A footman would pin a dark-edged notice to the gates of Buckingham Palace. At the same time, the palace website would display the same notice. The Parliament of the United Kingdom and the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish parliaments would meet as soon as is practical or be recalled if they are not sitting. The prime minister would address the House of Commons. The new monarch would host a meeting with the prime minister and then deliver a speech to the nation at 6 p.m., the evening following the Queen's death. Whitehall and local government buildings will fly flags at half-mast and books of condolence may be opened; ceremonial ornaments, such as ceremonial maces or council chains, are to be put in black purses. Gun salutes will take place at saluting stations and a service of remembrance, to be attended by the prime minister and senior ministers, will be held at St Paul's Cathedral.

Different arrangements for moving Elizabeth's coffin are planned depending on where she dies, including plans for Windsor Castle and Scotland. In the event she dies at Windsor Castle or Sandringham House, the coffin would be taken by Royal Train to St Pancras railway station in London, where the prime minister and cabinet ministers would be waiting. If she dies overseas, the coffin would be brought by No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron to RAF Northolt and then by hearse to Buckingham Palace. In all cases, the coffin would be taken to the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. Five days after the Queen's death, it would be moved to Westminster Hall and, after a service, lie in state for three days.

Ten days after the Queen's death, a state funeral led by the Archbishop of Canterbury would be held at Westminster Abbey. Her body would then be buried in a prepared tomb at King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, alongside Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whose coffin will be moved from Royal Vault. A committal service would be held at St George's Chapel before the burial. As agreed by the Queen and the prime minister, the day of the funeral will be declared a day of national mourning, although a bank holiday will not be granted. A two minutes' silence will take place across the United Kingdom at midday and processions would gather in London and Windsor.

Concurrent operations

The plan for the Queen's death and funeral will occur concurrently with plans for the Prince of Wales' accession to the throne. Additionally, an ancillary plan has been created if the Queen dies in Scotland.

Operation Spring Tide

The Queen's death and funeral plans works concurrently with Operation Spring Tide, the plan for the Prince of Wales' accession to the throne. The day after the Queen’s death, the Accession Council would meet at St James's Palace to proclaim the new monarch. Parliament would meet that evening when MPs would swear allegiance to the new monarch and express condolences for the Queen's death. Most parliamentary activities would then be suspended for 10 days. At 3:30 p.m., the new monarch will host the prime minister and the cabinet for an audience. Two days after the Queen's death, proclamations of the new monarch would be made by the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish administrations.

On the third day after the Queen's death, the new monarch would receive the motion of condolence at Westminster Hall in the morning and then depart for a tour of the United Kingdom. The new monarch would visit the Scottish parliament and attend a service at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. On the next day, the new monarch would visit Northern Ireland, where they would receive a motion of condolence at Hillsborough Castle and attend a service at St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast. Seven days after the Queen's death, the new monarch would visit Wales, receiving a motion of condolence at the Welsh parliament and attending a service at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff.

Operation Unicorn

Operation Unicorn is a plan that outlines what would happen if the Queen dies in Scotland. Details about Operation Unicorn were first reported to the public in 2019, although mention of the codename was first made in the Scottish Parliament's online papers in 2017.

Once the death has been made public, Holyrood Palace, St Giles' Cathedral, and the Scottish Parliament will serve as the focal point of gatherings, with a condolence book open to the public set up at the latter location. Parliamentary business will be suspended immediately for at least six parliamentary days, in order to allow authorities to prepare for the funeral. The parliament will then prepare a motion of condolence within 72 hours of reconvening. The Queen's coffin will first lie in repose at Holyrood Palace, followed by a service of reception at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. Following this, the coffin would then be transported to Waverley station and then taken by the Royal Train to London if possible. Otherwise the coffin would be taken by plane to London and welcomed by the prime minister and cabinet ministers.

Corresponding plans

Officials from Buckingham Palace and Clarence House, known as the Inter-Realm Working Group, have briefed representatives of the Commonwealth realms about the funeral, and succession plans surrounding Operation London Bridge. The governments of the Commonwealth realms will be informed of the death of the monarch from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Global Response Centre. These realms have devised their own plans for what will happen in their respective countries in the days after Elizabeth II's death, which would run concurrently with Operation London Bridge.

Australia

Preparations have been made for the death of the Queen in Australia, with statements having been already drafted for the prime minister and governor-general of Australia.

The prime minister will be informed of the Queen's death approximately an hour prior to its formal announcement. The prime minister is expected to wear a black tie immediately after its announcement, with the staff of recent past prime ministers having carried a black tie in preparation for the news. The prime minister and governor-general are expected to return to Canberra to make their statements before departing for London with the Royal Australian Air Force. If not scheduled to sit, the Parliament will also be recalled to meet to pass a condolence motion. Plans have the governor-general issuing the Australian proclamation for the accession of a new monarch and his Australian titles at an appropriate ceremony. The Federal Executive Council will also meet to proclaim the new monarch.

A flag notice will be issued instructing flags to fly at half-mast immediately for the next ten days, except on the day the accession of the new monarch is proclaimed. Australia will observe a national day of commemoration, which may be declared a public holiday. A state funeral and special Anglican service will be held. The Australian Defence Force will organise several gun salutes coinciding with events in London, and will participate in ceremonies in the United Kingdom.

The Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom is expected to observe the Accession Council. In addition, Australian members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom are entitled to sit on the Accession Council. As reported by The Australian in 2022, four official Australian state guests are expected to attend the funeral in London, with an additional 12 Australians also being invited.

Canada

In Canada, preparations were made as early as 2002, during Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. Consultations over the plans have been made with the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Privy Council Office, the Canadian secretary to the Queen, the Department of Canadian Heritage, the office of the governor general of Canada, and the office of the Earl Marshal in the United Kingdom. In addition to the federal government, provincial governments have also implemented their own contingency plans for the death of the Queen, and the accession of a new monarch.

After receiving the news about the Queen's death, it is the governor general's responsibility to recall the Cabinet to Parliament Hill and proclaim that Canada has a new "lawful and rightful liege." The Privy Council for Canada will also convene to proclaim a new monarch in Canada. The Manual of Official Procedure of the Government of Canada states the prime minister is responsible for convening the Parliament, tabling a resolution of loyalty and condolence from the Parliament to the next monarch of Canada, and arranging for the motion to be seconded by the leader of the Official Opposition. The Prime Minister will then move to adjourn Parliament. The Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom is expected to represent Canada at the Accession Council.

An official mourning period for Elizabeth II will take place, the length of said period to be determined by the federal government; and issued by the governor general and the Department of Canadian Heritage. During the mourning period, a national memorial service will be held in Ottawa. Additionally, ceremonial maces, portraits of the Queen, and flagpoles at Government Houses across Canada will be draped in black fabric. A book of condolences will also laid out near the front entrance of the Government Houses, with previously planned events cancelled. The death of the sovereign is considered a mandatory half-masting event for the Canadian government. Flags on all federal buildings and establishments in Canada and abroad will be flown at half-mast from the notification of death until sunset on the day of the funeral or memorial service.

Specific attire will be worn during the official mourning period. All staff of the governor-general, provincial lieutenant governors, and territorial commissioners will be immediately issued black ties and black armbands. Other government officials will also wear a black armband. However, some legislative employees will have to wear additional attire during the official mourning period. This includes the sergeants-at-arms, who are required to wear black gloves, piqué bow ties, and carry a black scabbard and sword; and pages, who are required to wear black cravats, armbands and ribbons.

The death of the sovereign will be considered a "Broadcast of National Importance" by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), and a regularly updated plan is maintained. Regular programming would be cancelled, advertisements will be halted, and all CBC television and radio stations will shift to a 24-hour news format. The CBC also has a specially picked on-call squad of broadcasters in the event the sovereign's death occurs during a holiday.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, the Cabinet Office of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is responsible for planning the arrangements in response to the Demise of the Crown.

New Zealand will receive news of Queen Elizabeth II's death via established communication channels between the Royal Household and New Zealand. Once informed, the head of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage will inform a list of government buildings and other facilities to fly the flag of New Zealand at half-mast up to the day of the funeral; excluding the date the new sovereign is proclaimed. Twenty-one gun salutes will also be ordered "at appropriate times." A state memorial service is expected, although decisions on accompanying events, as well as government protocol will be determined by the prime minister. New Zealand Defence Force personnel would participate in overseas ceremonies.

Radio New Zealand (RNZ), the state-radio broadcaster, has a set of guidelines and instructions in the event of the death of the monarch of New Zealand. Across all RNZ stations, broadcasters will break regular programming to announce the death of the Queen, with rolling coverage to begin when ready. RNZ stations are instructed not to play punk music, or songs by the band Queen during this period.

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