Sunday, August 16, 2026

Thousands of Bonnie Tyler Fans Gather to Pay Respects as Coffin Brought Home

August 16, 2026 | Thousands of Bonnie Tyler fans gathered in Swansea to pay their final respects as the beloved Welsh singer's coffin was brought home.

The emotional procession through Mumbles became a powerful tribute as mourners lined the streets, shared memories, and even sang one of her most iconic songs.

Known around the world for legendary hits including Total Eclipse of the Heart, It's a Heartache, and Holding Out for a Hero, Bonnie Tyler built a career spanning more than five decades while remaining deeply connected to her Welsh roots.

Her journey from South Wales to international stardom made her one of the most recognizable voices in music. Fans travelled from across Europe to witness her final journey, while floral tributes appeared outside her home.

The scenes in Swansea showed just how deeply her music had touched generations of people. Her passing at the age of 75 left millions of fans heartbroken, but the massive public tribute demonstrated that her voice and legacy will continue to live on.

From her early days as Gaynor Hopkins to becoming an international music icon, Bonnie Tyler's extraordinary story has left an unforgettable mark on the world.

This video looks at the emotional homecoming, the fans who gathered to honor her, her incredible career, and the final tributes planned in her memory.



Related video and article here »

Christopher Hitchens Says Women Shouldn't Work If They Don’t Want To

Jun 1, 2017 | Christopher Hitchens debates a feminist on the issue of women working.


I agree with him! — © Mark Alexander

Peter Hitchens: “Britain Is Finished. Get Out While You Can”

Aug 11, 2026 | Can Britain recover, or is it already too late for meaningful national renewal? Peter Hitchens delivers a characteristically uncompromising verdict on Britain, faith and the future on

Unbelievable - The Interview with Luke Martin. From free speech and Islam to marriage, education, justice and the power of the state, this is a provocative, deeply personal interview with one of Britain’s most controversial commentators.

Hitchens argues that Britain is “post-revolutionary” and nearing catastrophe, tracing its decline through weakened families, collapsing institutions, cultural amnesia and the loss of Christian conscience.


CURATING THE TABLE: Indo-Chinese Chow Mein | The Ultimate Street Food Fusion

July 20, 2026


Click here for the recipe. Then click on 'more'.

Sana Siddiqui and her husband can be supported here »

Builders Discover €9m Gold Stash Sealed in Walls of Belgian Property

August 14, 2026

Is Britain Really Giving Up on Alcohol?

August 16, 2026 | Britain’s enthusiastic — and occasionally problematic — relationship with alcohol is well-documented. It was Britain, after all, that invented the pub and the pint.

However, recent data has shown that the average Briton consumed 10.2 alcoholic drinks per week last year. Although that may sound high, it is actually the lowest since records began in 1990.

Those in midlife and older people are by far the biggest drinkers these days, as younger people turn to running clubs and non-alcoholic alternatives.

The Sunday Times’s Daniel Woolfson looks at why Britain’s relationship with alcohol could be on the rocks.


Hitlers Familie - Geheimnisse des Dritten Reichs

January 22, 2014

Steve Rosenberg: Russia: Petrol Queues, Pickles and an Anti-war Party Barred from the Election

August 16, 2026 | A look at how the Russian papers have covered the Supreme Court's decision to remove the anti-war Yabloko party from the ballot ahead of the parliamentary election. Plus, petrol queues return to Moscow. And biting social comment from the joke pages of the newspapers.

Nigel Farage Has Had ‘A Complete Change of Character’ | Michael Crick

Aug 16, 2026 | “Gone is the affable character, affable Farage of old, who you know, gets on with people, laughs at himself, has a bit of fun. Now we've got the snarling man of continuous grievance who makes ridiculous claims against the media.”

Nigel Farage’s biographer, Michael Crick says that over the past few months the Reform UK leader has had “a complete change of personality.”


Peter Thiel's Anti-Human Plan Is Pure Evil

August 15, 2026


It's because of "progressivism" that Peter Thiel could marry his husband and have children through surrogacy. What a dork! He is also against welfare and government handouts, except, of course, handouts for himself and his companies. How many billions has he received from the US Treasury? The man is a walking bundle of hypocrisy. He is also dangerous. — © Mark Alexander

LGBTQ Journalist Takes on Christian Nationalist Pastor Doug Wilson | Secular Spotlight

Aug 12, 2026 | FFRF’s Nancy Noet and Matt Kenyon speak with Spencer Macnaughton, editor-in-chief of Uncloseted Media, about his revealing interview with Christian nationalist pastor Doug Wilson, whose extremist views on LGBTQ+ rights, women, marriage and the role of religion in government have gained greater visibility through his ties to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. They examine Wilson’s support for patriarchal rule and disturbing views on homosexuality and marital rape, and discuss the growing normalization of Christian nationalist rhetoric in American politics.

Le Liechtenstein met fin à la primogéniture masculine pour la succession au trône

Cette photo provient de cet article du Figaro. | Le prince héréditaire du Liechtenstein Alois à Vaduz, Liechtenstein, le 15 août 2026. Romina Amato / REUTERS

LE FIGARO : L’aîné des enfants du souverain, qu’il s’agisse d’une fille ou d’un garçon, sera désormais appelé à devenir prince ou princesse du pays.

La Maison princière du Liechtenstein a annoncé samedi, jour de fête nationale, l'instauration de l'égalité entre les genres dans la succession au trône, faisant désormais de l'aîné des enfants, fille ou garçon, l'héritier puis le prince ou la princesse du pays.

« L'ordre de succession au trône passe de la primogéniture masculine à la primogéniture absolue. Cela signifie qu'à l'avenir, l'aîné des enfants - quel que soit son genre - deviendra l'héritier du trône et, par la suite, princesse ou prince de Liechtenstein », a indiqué la Maison princière dans un communiqué. La décision a été prise par la Maison princière elle-même. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | samedi 15 août 2026

Espagne : la ville de Grenade secouée par un rare séisme de magnitude 5

LE FIGARO : Les pompiers ont reçu 300 appels et effectué 85 interventions. Des dégâts isolés sont en cours d’évaluation.

La ville très touristique de Grenade, dans le sud de l'Espagne, était sous le choc samedi après un rare séisme de magnitude 5 qui a réveillé les habitants en pleine nuit et endommagé des bâtiments, sans faire de victimes.

La secousse s'est produite peu après 1 heure du matin (23 heures GMT vendredi), avec un épicentre situé dans la commune d'Alhendin, à 10 kilomètres au sud de Grenade, selon l'Institut géographique national (IGN). » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | samedi 15 août 2026

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Assomption : pourquoi le mystère de la Vierge Marie continue de fasciner le monde

Cette capture d'écran provient de cet article du Figaro. | Procession du 15 août à Lourdes. (Photo by Valentine CHAPUIS / AFP) VALENTINE CHAPUIS / AFP

LE FIGARO : ANALYSE - Plus de 1,4 milliard de catholiques s’apprêtent à célébrer l’Assomption ce samedi 15 août. La piété populaire mariale prospère même si le Vatican a récemment émis une mise en garde.

La Vierge Marie demeure l’un des grands mystères du catholicisme. Elle est particulièrement honorée en cette fête de l’Assomption par 1,4 milliard de fidèles dans le monde. En France, le sanctuaire de Lourdes sera comble samedi, avec près de 21.000 personnes attendues pour le 153e pèlerinage national, présidé cette année par le cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, archevêque d’Alger, un religieux dominicain franco-algérien. La Vierge Marie sera aussi priée avec ferveur dans des centaines d’autres lieux, dans la dynamique du regain de piété populaire de ces dernières années.

Marie compte vraiment dans l’Église catholique. Pourquoi Léon XIV consacrerait ainsi deux journées à Lourdes - plus de temps que pour Paris et Metz - lors de sa visite en France prévue pour fin septembre ? Samedi, le pape américain célébrera l’Assomption avec dévotion dans l’église de la paroisse de Castel Gandolfo, où il a pris ses quartiers d’été. Cette fête demeure l’un des cinq grands rendez-vous spirituels de l’année liturgique - avec Pâques, Noël, la Toussaint et la Pentecôte -, où les catholiques témoignent de leur attachement profond pour celle qui est la « mère de Jésus » selon la tradition chrétienne. » | Par Jean-Marie Guénois | samedi 15 août 2026

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Trump's Authority Collapses in the Face of Unhinged Military Announcements.

August 15, 2026 | Donald Trump’s leadership strategy is failing to deliver tangible, meaningful benefits for everyday people. Instead of stability or progress, the public is treated to erratic rhetoric, impulse-driven policy, and declarations that defy basic logic. Across foreign diplomacy, military leadership, and defense strategy, personal whim and unvetted gut reactions have replaced hard-earned expertise—leaving working families and service members to foot the bill.


ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.

Fans Say Goodbye to Bonnie Tyler as Coffin Is Brought Home

Aug 15, 2026 | Hundreds of people have lined the streets in Mumbles to pay tribute to Bonnie Tyler as her hearse is driven to her home.

The Total Eclipse of the Heart singer, born Gaynor Hopkins, died in a Portuguese hospital on July 8 at the age of 75. On Saturday, members of the public lined Newton Road in Mumbles as the cortège travelled from William Pressdee Funeral Care in Mumbles, returning to her home in Llwynderw.

Some fans had travelled from as far as the US to watch the procession pass through the Mumbles.

A celebration of Bonnie's life, for family and friends, will take place at Swansea Minster on Monday, before the singer makes a final journey through her hometown of Skewen.




ALSO READ:

Thousands of Bonnie Tyler fans gather to pay respects as coffin brought home: Fans line streets, singing Total Eclipse of the Heart ahead of Welsh singer’s Swansea funeral »

How the Taliban Have Changed Afghanistan Five Years Later

Aug 15, 2026 | The west spent 20 years, thousands of lives and more than $2 trillion replacing the Taliban in Afghanistan with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Five years later, armoured vehicles took part in a parade through the capital Kabul to celebrate their "victory day".

The Taliban says it has brought back security, but Afghan women tell us they are being erased from education, jobs, and hope itself.

With the Taliban's rule have come a deepening humanitarian crisis and isolation from much of the rest of the world. Women face comprehensive repression, with millions excluded from school and almost completely erased from public life.

Warning - This report includes details some viewers may find distressing.


Sir András Schiff: Finding Your Path

Aug 14, 2026 | Sir András Schiff joins Living the Creative Life and host Zsolt Bognár on location at the Esterhazy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria, for a conversation about life and music. He shares his love of different pianos, humor, the music of Robert Schumann, what he learned from his teachers, and how he finds larger meaning.

Filmed September 2025
Video: Katalog-film.de


Son of Anti-Muslim MP Rupert Lowe 'Marries Libyan Woman at Halal Wedding'

THE NEW ARAB: The son of anti-Muslim MP Rupert Lowe has allegedly married a woman of Libyan descent, at a wedding where halal options were available, prompting ridicule

Screenshot taken from this article in The New Arab. | Rupert Lowe, formerly of Reform UK, has built a parliamentary career on Islamophobic and anti-immigrant rhetoric [Getty/file photo]

The son of British right-wing politician Rupert Lowe has reportedly married a Muslim woman of Libyan descent, raising eyebrows given the Restore Britain founder’s frequent anti-Muslim and anti-immigration pronouncements.

Reports in legacy and social media have suggested that the wedding of Angus Lowe to Yasmin Mezran took place last week. She is the daughter of Karim Mezran, a Libyan academic and senior fellow at the Washington, DC-based Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East.

Social media posts also suggested that the wedding ceremony offered halal options for guests, which also surprised social media users, as Lowe had made numerous "pledges" to end halal slaughter in the UK, as part of his anti-Muslim campaign.

A repost on X by Karim Mezran, whose account is verified on the social networking site, also seemingly confirmed that his daughter's wedding to Lowe's son took place.

Lowe has commented on the marriage, but did not disclose the bride’s identity or background.

Instead, in a post on X on Monday, Lowe posted an image of the two, with the caption: "A young couple setting out on their life adventure. I am a very proud father." » | Sofia Aboudari | Tuesday, May 26, 2026

CURATING THE TABLE: Rajma | North India’s Rich, Creamy & Deeply Satisfying Red Kidney Bean Curry

June 28, 2026


For the full recipe, please click here. Then click on ‘more’.

Sana Siddiqui and her husband can be supported here »

HUNGRY MAN KITCHEN: Biber Dolması - Turkish-style Stuffed Peppers

January 16, 2021 | Amsterdam | Biber Dolmasi, Turkish stuffed peppers, is a classic dish in Turkey and easy to make at home. Usually served with yogurt, this dolma dish has an incredibly satisfying taste and texture with the spicy rice and beef filling.

Learn how to make stuffed peppers the Turkish way and surprise your next guest!



Click here for a full list of the ingredients. Then click on ‘more’.

HUNGRY MAN KITCHEN can be supported on Patreon here.

Real Doctor Analyzes Trump's Worst Speech Ever (More Evidence of Amphetamine Use)

August 14, 2026 | From sweat-soaked, paranoid rants in Vegas to nodding off on live television, Trump's escalating behavior points to a dangerous, repeating pattern. In this breakdown, we examine the physical telltales of amphetamine intoxication, including jaw clenching, severe agitation, and zero disinhibition. Former Apprentice insider Noel Casler exposed the habit years ago, so why hasn't Trump’s legal team touched him? Watch as we break down the clinical evidence, reveal the projection behind his attacks, and pose the ultimate question: how much longer can his body take this?

Trump's $10billion BBC Lawsuit Gets Even Funnier Because... Fewer Than 300 Watched It in the US

August 14, 2026 | Donald Trump is still suing the BBC despite his lawyers admitting fewer than 300 people saw the programme he's suing over.

The US President has taken the broadcaster to court over an episode of Panorama that aired in the UK a week before the 2024 election.

In a right-wing media meltdown earlier this year, it emerged the introduction of the episode truncated a series of things Trump said at his speech to the "Stop the Steal" rally on January 6 2021, shortly before his followers tried to storm the US Capitol Building to prevent the lawful certification of his election loss to Joe Biden.

The BBC has acknowledged the programme may have led viewers to believe Trump said the sentences one after the other, which he did not. But Congress and US courts have ruled repeatedly that Trump did use the speech to inspire his followers to march on the Capital, in what became the bloodiest insurrection in modern American history.


Accusé de plagiat, l’ancien professeur de Cambridge Jason Arday retrouvé mort, quelques jours après sa démission

Cette capture d'écran de Jason Arday est une image figée extraite de la vidéo qui accompagne cet article du Figaro.

LE FIGARO : Quelques jours après avoir annoncé son départ de la prestigieuse institution britannique, l’universitaire a été retrouvé sans vie vendredi après-midi dans un logement du sud de Londres.

L’affaire avait fait la Une des médias britanniques et a été abondamment commentée par la presse anglo-saxonne. Jason Arday, ancien professeur de sociologie de l’éducation à l’université de Cambridge, a été retrouvé mort vendredi à Londres, quelques jours après avoir annoncé sa démission dans un contexte de controverse autour de son parcours universitaire. Âgé de 41 ans, il a été découvert « sans vie » dans un logement du quartier de Battersea, dans le sud de la capitale britannique. Les secours ont été alertés à 15h12, avant que son décès ne soit constaté sur place.

La police londonienne a précisé que la mort était pour l’heure considérée comme « inattendue », mais qu’elle ne semblait pas suspecte. « Malheureusement, un homme de 41 ans a été déclaré mort sur les lieux. Ses proches ont été informés et bénéficient du soutien de policiers », a indiqué un porte-parole de la police britannique. » | Par Maxime Dubernet de Boscq et AFP agence | Publié : vendredi 14 août 2026. Mis à jour : samedi 15 août 2026

ALSO READ :

Professor’s Death Leaves Behind Hard Questions for Cambridge on Race and Hiring: Jason Arday, the school’s youngest Black professor, was found dead on Friday. The school ignored a series of warnings about his life story and his work. »

Jason Arday, professor at centre of Cambridge plagiarism row, found dead: Academic was pronounced dead at his home in south London after police called to address after 3pm on Friday »

Trump Wants US Carrier to Stay Longer Despite Navy Families Sounding the Alarm

Aug 15, 2026 | “Unless they get to port soon, people are going to start losing their minds.”

Navy families have raised concerns about alleged food shortages, broken plumbing and serious mental-health incidents aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth insists the reports have been “completely misrepresented”, while Donald Trump says the deployment “hasn’t been long enough”, says US reporter Harriet Alexander.


Sarah Ferguson Exposes Andrew: “He Has Millions Hidden in Secret Bank Accounts”

August 11, 2026 | In this video, we dive into the dramatic details surrounding Sarah Ferguson’s financial crisis, the origins of Andrew’s alleged offshore wealth—from the infamous £15 million Sunninghill Park deal to high-stakes international business arrangements—and why Sarah feels she has no choice but to give him an ultimatum.

We also look back at her past in Switzerland, her connections to late F1 tycoon Paddy McNally, and what happens if her silence is no longer guaranteed.


Trump Threatens to Declare Strait of Hormuz ‘Territory of the United States’

THE GUARDIAN: Seriousness of remark made in New York on Friday, and whether it signaled new policy position, not clear

Screenshot taken from this Guardian article. | Donald Trump at the David S Mack Center for Training and Intelligence in Garden City, New York, on Friday. Photograph: Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Donald Trump has threatened to declare the strait of Hormuz as “a territory of the United States” as his administration struggles to conclude the war with Iran.

During a speech at a police academy on Long Island, New York, on Friday, the US president said he would “pretty soon” designate the waterway – a crucial chokepoint for global trade, through which about a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil supplies typically pass – a US territory.

The comment came as peace talks with Iran remain at an impasse following failed negotiations, with Tehran refusing to reopen the strait, which has been all but closed since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran in February.

Almost six months into the war, there is little indication that negotiations will soon yield peace, as Iranian officials continue to defy Trump’s demands. The US has been blockading Iranian shipping and ⁠ports in recent months in an effort to pile economic pressure on Tehran.

“After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz strait a territory of the United States,” Trump said on Friday. “Essentially, that’s what it is. We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to.”

The seriousness of Trump’s remark, and whether it signaled a new policy position for his administration, was not immediately clear. » | Maya Yang | Friday, August 14, 2026

Trump wants it all: Venezuela, Panama, Cuba, Canada, Greenland, the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s rare earth minerals, and all the billions he can filch, pilfer, and steal! This dude works on one simple principle: what mine is mine, and what’s yours is mine also! Trump is a natural born schemer! — © Mark Alexander

Iran War Round 3: Tehran Prepares Knock-out Blow | Prof Mohammad Marandi

While the US lives in fantasy world about the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran has been busy preparing for the next phase of the war, which doubtlessly the US will restart once more. Since there is no diplomatic solution, Tehran is coming around to the conclusion that with the next battle, a decisive military change in the region must occur—in the US satellites.

Prof. Seyed Mohammad Marandi joins me to discuss daily life in Tehran, Iran’s trade routes under blockade, the risk of renewed US attacks, Saudi Arabia’s position, missile strategy, and relations with Gulf states. He argues that Iran seeks to remove regional threats rather than spread instability,, and recommends books for understanding Iran.


At Least 20 Dead after 7.7-magnitude Earthquake Strikes Indonesia | BBC News

August 15, 2026 | At least 20 people have been killed after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia early on Saturday, the nation's disaster mitigation agency has said.

BPBD said that people had been injured to varying degrees, cautioning that current figures were preliminary while search and rescue operations were ongoing.

Buildings in the region have been damaged by the quake and the dozens of aftershocks that followed.


Rob Groves: The Establishment "UniParty" Candidate Was Farage

August 15, 2026 | Nigel Farage won the Clacton by-election he triggered to dodge a parliamentary investigation into his £5 million donation scandal. But that investigation is already back on. Here are ten things the result actually tells us about him and Reform UK.

Macron Under Fire for Jet-skiing on Holiday while France Burns

THE TELEGRAPH: French president photographed on riviera as country experiences worst forest fires in its history

Screenshot taken from this Telegraph article. | Emmanuel Macon, photographed on a jet-ski for the celebrity magazine Paris Match Credit: Backgrid UK

Emmanuel Macron has been accused of megalomania for showing off on a jetski while wildfires continue to ravage France.

The 48-year-old French president was criticised by opposition politicians on Friday after photos from his holiday appeared on the front page of the celebrity magazine Paris Match.

France is experiencing some of the worst forest fires in its history amid near-constant heatwaves.

Pierre Ouzoulias, the communist senator, told Europe 1 that Mr Macron’s behaviour was “indecent”, adding: “Personally, I would have preferred to see him in a fire truck, helping firefighters put out the blaze. That is where he belonged.” » | Peter Allen | Friday, August 14, 2026

How irresponsible! How insensitive! How insouciant! I would have expected better from M. Macron. Little wonder the fortunes of Mme. Le Pen are rosier than ever! And those of the far-right right across Europe, too. This is terrible symbolism in these perilous times. — © Mark Alexander

Friday, August 14, 2026

Pete Hegseth Has Desecrated the Military | Steve Schmidt

August 14, 2026 | Pete Hegseth has kept the USS Abraham Lincoln at sea for over 250 days, leaving thousands of sailors exhausted and starving in a failed war. Steve Schmidt explains how Hegseth's incompetence turned a symbol of American strength into a national security crisis.

« Ils font plus de 50 % de la fréquentation des hôtels de la Côte d’Azur » : comment les touristes américains sont devenus une clientèle en or pour la France

Cette image provient de cet article du Figaro. | La Côte d’Azur n’a jamais attiré autant d’Américains, grâce au développement de liaisons aériennes directes entre Nice (photo) et les États-Unis. Stockbym / ADOBE STOCK

LE FIGARO : DÉCRYPTAGE - Les visiteurs étrangers, en particulier américains, sont de plus en plus nombreux dans l’Hexagone et permettent de dynamiser l’été.

À Nice, la promenade des Anglais a de plus en plus un air d’Amérique. Pour le plus grand bonheur des professionnels du tourisme. Disposant d’un fort pouvoir d’achat, les Américains sont la nouvelle coqueluche de la Côte d’Azur : les palaces ne peuvent plus s’en passer; les restaurateurs adorent leurs généreux pourboires. « En juillet et août, leurs arrivées progressent de 14% par rapport à l’année dernière, devant les Canadiens (+12%) et les Chinois (+9%), confie François de Canson, président du Comité régional de tourisme Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Les visiteurs internationaux les plus nombreux restent les Allemands. Mais les Américains contribuent le plus aux retombées économiques. Ils apprécient notre patrimoine, la gastronomie et notre art de vivre. En plus, ils viennent toute l’année, et pas seulement l’été ». » | Par Mathilde Visseyrias | vendredi 14 août 2026

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Powerball-Jackpot geknackt: Spieler aus Illinois räumt 1,04 Milliarden Dollar ab

BERLINER ZEITUNG: Ein Los aus einer Kleinstadt am Mississippi holt den achtgrößten Jackpot in der Geschichte von Powerball. Der Gewinner hat ein Jahr Zeit, sich zu melden.

Dieser Screenshot stammt aus diesem Artikel. | Powerball-Lotteriescheine liegen in einem Lebensmittelgeschäft zum Ausfüllen aus. | © Jenny Kane/AP

Ein Lottospieler mit einem im US-Bundesstaat Illinois im Mittleren Westen der USA verkauften Los hat den Powerball-Jackpot von 1,04 Milliarden Dollar gewonnen. Das teilte die staatliche Lotteriegesellschaft Illinois Lottery am Donnerstag in Chicago mit. Es handelt sich nach ihren Angaben um den zweitgrößten Lotteriegewinn in der Geschichte des Bundesstaates.

Das Gewinnlos wurde demnach in einer Filiale der Supermarktkette Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh in der Stadt Quincy verkauft, rund 200 Kilometer nördlich von St. Louis am Fluss Mississippi gelegen. Bei der Ziehung am Mittwoch tippte der Spieler alle sechs Gewinnzahlen richtig. Der Verkäufer des Loses erhält nach Angaben der Lotteriegesellschaft eine Prämie von 500.000 Dollar. » | Peter Steiniger | Donnerstag, 13. August 2026

What’s Life Like as a Woman under the Taliban? | The Economist

August 14, 2026 | It’s been five years since Taliban rule descended on Afghanistan. The regime is one of the world’s most repressive for women and girls: girls are barred from education beyond the age of 11-12; women are banned from most jobs and public life, and the Taliban have passed a law which has, in effect, legalized child marriage.

Tom Sasse, The Economist’s South Asia bureau chief, has just returned from a 1,000km road trip inside Afghanistan. He joins Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief, and a panel of expert journalists to discuss what the country is like today and whether there’s any hope that life for women and girls will improve any time soon.


Michael Lambert: Farage Won the By-election. His Supporters' Comments Prove the Problem

August 14, 2026 | Farage won the Clacton by-election — as expected. But his supporters' reactions to my last video tell the real story. In this video I read through the comments and respond to what they're actually defending: the "man of the people" image versus the private planes, five houses and the £5 million gift that hasn't gone away.There's also the question of why Farage didn't turn up to his own count — and why another by-election may be coming sooner than he thinks.


Michael Lambert’s new channel »

Count Binface Wins the Hearts of the British People against Far-right Candidate Nigel Farage

August 14, 2026 | In yesterday's Clacton-upon-Sea special election, a record-breaking field of 34 candidates lined up on the ballot paper. Among them stood Nigel Farage, leader of the xenaphobic Reform UK, seeking to consolidate his political standing. But standing right alongside him was Count Binface—the self-described bin-clad space politician who may not have won enough votes, but came second to a loser.


ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.

Democracy News: Top US & World Headlines

August 14, 2026


Democracy Now! can be supported here.

Why Can't We Stop Eating Certain Foods? - BBC

Dec 4, 2024 | "Something happened to our food in the mid-70s to make it irresistible to people."

Pourquoi les Sages ont censuré l’interdiction des réseaux sociaux aux moins de 15 ans, jugée « contraire à la Constitution »

LE FIGARO : DÉCRYPTAGE - Saisi par les parlementaires de gauche, le Conseil constitutionnel a rejeté l’article 1er de la proposition de loi, ce vendredi. Un camouflet pour l’exécutif et Emmanuel Macron, particulièrement investi sur ce texte.

Un flot sans fin de mauvaises nouvelles. Après les canicules et les feux de forêts, un nouveau coup de tonnerre vient de perturber l’été des membres du gouvernement. Ce vendredi 14 août, le Conseil constitutionnel a décidé de retoquer l’interdiction des réseaux sociaux pour les mineurs de moins de 15 ans. La mesure devait pourtant entrer en vigueur dans quelques semaines seulement, dès le 1er septembre 2026 pour les nouveaux comptes et le 1er janvier 2027 pour les comptes existants. L’institution dirigée par Richard Ferrand estime qu’en l’état, le texte porte à la liberté d’expression « une atteinte qui n’est pas adaptée, nécessaire et proportionnée à l’objectif poursuivi » et le juge donc « contraire à la Constitution ». » | Par Thomas Engrand | vendredi 14 août 2026

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À LIRE AUSSI :

Après la censure de l’interdiction des réseaux sociaux pour les moins de 15 ans, quel avenir pour la fin des portables au lycée ? : Ce vendredi, le Conseil constitutionnel a censuré l’article 1er de la proposition de loi «visant à protéger les mineurs des risques auxquels les expose l’utilisation des réseaux sociaux». Le texte comprend aussi l’extension de l’interdiction des téléphones portables au lycée. »

Georgian Food Is Underrated

Konstantin Baum tells us all about it.

Why Are Westerners Moving to Russia? | BBC News

August 5, 2026 | A group of prominent, controversial influencers made a visit to Russia this summer. They included Andrew Tate, Candace Owens and British far-right anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson.

They argue that Russia is upholding the traditional conservative values they fear are in decline at home. It is certainly an image Vladimir Putin is keen to project.

Two years ago Russia set up a special “shared values” visa, which makes it easier for Westerners to move to the country if they align with its supposed ‘traditional spiritual and moral beliefs’. Russia claims thousands of Westerners have applied.

We speak to the BBC’s Dan Hardoon, whose documentary The Russian Dream follows Westerners who have moved to Russia, and to Russia expert Mark Galeotti, host of the podcast In Moscow's Shadows.


Wie Trumps Regierung den Epstein-Skandal begräbt | Sandra Navidi

Der Haupttäter ist tot. Zwei seiner Opfer nehmen sich das Leben. Dann stirbt zuerst einer der engsten Komplizen und jetzt ein weiterer. Die einzig verurteilte Mittäterin schweigt im Gefängnis. Beschuldigte Promis dürfen sich in Anhörungen reinwaschen. Und der in den Fall verstrickte Präsident Donald Trump macht alles, um nicht darüber sprechen zu müssen. Neue Ermittlungen: Fehlanzeige.

Es hat den Anschein als würde der Fall um den Kinderschänder Jeffrey Epstein sukzessive begraben werden. Was es damit auf sich hat und ob die verbliebenen Täter dieses beispiellosen Skandals jemals zur Rechenschaft gezogen werden, darüber sprechen wir mit der deutsch-amerikanischen Anwältin und Bestsellerautorin Sandra Navidi.


Sie können „Der Standard* hier mit einem STANDARD-Abo unterstützen – für nur 3 Euro im Monat in den ersten drei Monaten.

David Pakman Show: Trump in love with a 35-year-old as Presidency Crumbles around Him?

August 13, 2026 | Executive assistant Natalie Harp influences media access for Donald Trump while writing him affectionate personal letters

HUNGRY MAN KITCHEN: Melt in the Mouth Turkish Cabbage Rolls (Vegan), Zeytinyagli Lahana Sarma

June 21, 2024 | Today, we are making a classic Turkish recipe today; Zeytinyagli Lahana Sarma, or Turkish stuffed cabbage rolls.

Tender cabbage leaves are wrapped around a savory filling that boasts a hint of sweetness from caramelized onions and a touch of sugar. Infused with the richness of high-quality olive oil, this dish is not only flavorful but also healthy.

Perfect as a light and refreshing appetizer for summer, these stuffed cabbage rolls are a favorite in Turkey and sure to become a staple in your kitchen.



Click here for a full list of the ingredients. Then click on ‘more’.

HUNGRY MAN KITCHEN can be supported on Patreon here.

Smoking Marijuana May Be More Harmful to Lungs Than Smoking Cigarettes, Study Finds.

People who smoke marijuana were more likely to have certain types of lung damage than people who smoked cigarettes, according to a new study that reviewed lung scans of smokers. The researchers who led the study say their findings suggest smoking marijuana may be more harmful than people realize.

Smoking marijuana may be more dangerous to health than smoking cigarettes study finds. Lung scans have shown that people who smoke marijuana are more prone to developing emphysema, which is a form of COPD.

All forms of smoking are unhealthy, but some forms, it seems, are unhealthier than others.

In an ideal world, nobody would smoke anything. But this, alas, is far from an ideal world.

I have said all along that I find it absolute madness that western governments are relaxing laws on the smoking of marijuana whilst at the very same time they are waging an unrelenting war on cigarette-smoking and cigarette-smokers. I continue to stand by what I have said all along. Cigarette smoking in moderation, whilst not ideal, is far, far healthier than smoking marijuana or vaping. I feel sure that time will prove me correct.

However, it should be noted that I neither endorse nor promote cigarette smoking. Of course, it is always better not to smoke. I have myself been smoke-free for more than four years. But I am four-square against the war on cigarette-smoking. Adults should be free to decide for themselves whether they wish to smoke, or not. I am a liberal with every fibre of my being: I despise governments interfering in my lifestyle choices. Informing people of the dangers is one thing, and that is usually—but not always*—positive, but banning things is something else altogether. I am very much against such bans. I hate it when governments treat adults like children! — © Mark Alexander


* It is not positive when governments don’t get their facts straight! And that happens very often.

Pompiers morts dans un incendie à Mérignac : le mineur mis en examen avait jeté un mégot

LE FIGARO : Le 21 juillet, près de l’aéroport de Bordeaux, un camion où se trouvaient deux sapeurs-pompiers avait été « piégé » par les flammes.

Un mineur a été mis en examen dans le cadre de l'enquête ouverte sur l'origine de l'incendie qui a provoqué la mort de deux sapeurs-pompiers en juillet près de l'aéroport de Bordeaux, à Mérignac (Gironde), selon une source proche du dossier citée par l’AFP. L’adolescent a reconnu avoir jeté un mégot de cigarette sur le lieu de départ de feu, a indiqué vendredi le parquet. Le jeune de 15 ans a été mis en examen du chef de « destruction involontaire par incendie (...) ayant provoqué la mort d’autrui », précise dans un communiqué le procureur de la République à Bordeaux, Renaud Gaudeul. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | Publié : jeudi 13 août 2026. Mis à jour : vendredi 14 août 2026