Saturday, July 18, 2026
Dr. John Gartner: Donald Trump Is "The Most Pure Incarnation of Evil That I Have Ever Encountered"
1-Hour of the Sharpest Arguments Against Organized Religion
The older I get, the more astonished I become by people’s readiness and willingness to believe myths, fables, and legends of yore. People allow themselves to be taken in by these fairy stories. They swallow them hook, line, and sinker. Even highly educated people do. They just suspend disbelief. — © Mark Alexander
Stephen Miller Announces Trump's Plan to Imprison Democrats
I wonder why I am immediately reminded of Goebbels each and every time I see that odious man, Stephen Miller? I wonder if he realises just how objectionable and evil he is? — © Mark Alexander
Eskalation im Nahen Osten: Warum sich die Welt jetzt auf einen langen Krieg einstellen sollte
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Sieben Nächte Bomben gegen Iran. Teheran schlägt zurück – in Kuwait, Bahrain, Syrien. Doch Trumps größter Gegner könnte er selbst sein. Eine Analyse.
Sieben Nächte in Folge bombardieren die USA den Iran. Teheran schlägt gegen US-Verbündete am Golf zurück. Brücken, Stromnetze, Entsalzungsanlagen – die Ziele werden ziviler, die Spirale der Gewalt dreht sich schneller. US-Präsident Donald Trump verspricht einen baldigen Sieg. Doch die Fakten lassen ein anderes Bild erkennen: Der Handlungsspielraum der US-Regierung wird enger, die Folgen werden für die Menschen in den USA spürbarer – von den Bürgern im Iran ganz zu schweigen.
Was als Operation zur Sicherung der Straße von Hormus begann, hat sich innerhalb einer Woche zu einem regionalen Infrastrukturkrieg ausgeweitet. Wie US-Medien übereinstimmend berichten, greifen die USA inzwischen Brücken, Eisenbahnknotenpunkte, Energieanlagen und Flughäfen im Iran an.
Teheran antwortet mit Raketenangriffen auf Kuwait, Bahrain, Katar, Jordanien und Oman – und übernimmt die Verantwortung für Angriffe auf US-Stellungen in Syrien. Die Waffenstillstandsvereinbarung ist gescheitert. Diplomatie findet praktisch nicht mehr statt. » | Harald Neuber | Samstag, 18. Juli 2026
„Man fühlt sich unweigerlich an die alte Weisheit erinnert, dass man in einem Loch zuerst das Graben einstellen sollte, bevor man nach Rettung sucht. Meines Erachtens sollte man diesen Krieg möglichst bald beenden.“ — © Mark Alexander
Sieben Nächte in Folge bombardieren die USA den Iran. Teheran schlägt gegen US-Verbündete am Golf zurück. Brücken, Stromnetze, Entsalzungsanlagen – die Ziele werden ziviler, die Spirale der Gewalt dreht sich schneller. US-Präsident Donald Trump verspricht einen baldigen Sieg. Doch die Fakten lassen ein anderes Bild erkennen: Der Handlungsspielraum der US-Regierung wird enger, die Folgen werden für die Menschen in den USA spürbarer – von den Bürgern im Iran ganz zu schweigen.
Was als Operation zur Sicherung der Straße von Hormus begann, hat sich innerhalb einer Woche zu einem regionalen Infrastrukturkrieg ausgeweitet. Wie US-Medien übereinstimmend berichten, greifen die USA inzwischen Brücken, Eisenbahnknotenpunkte, Energieanlagen und Flughäfen im Iran an.
Teheran antwortet mit Raketenangriffen auf Kuwait, Bahrain, Katar, Jordanien und Oman – und übernimmt die Verantwortung für Angriffe auf US-Stellungen in Syrien. Die Waffenstillstandsvereinbarung ist gescheitert. Diplomatie findet praktisch nicht mehr statt. » | Harald Neuber | Samstag, 18. Juli 2026
„Man fühlt sich unweigerlich an die alte Weisheit erinnert, dass man in einem Loch zuerst das Graben einstellen sollte, bevor man nach Rettung sucht. Meines Erachtens sollte man diesen Krieg möglichst bald beenden.“ — © Mark Alexander
La ministre nord-coréenne des Affaires étrangères en visite officielle en Russie
LE FIGARO : La Chine est le principal soutien économique du pays, mais Pyongyang se rapproche aussi de Moscou depuis le début de l’offensive russe à grande échelle en Ukraine en 2022.
La ministre nord-coréenne des Affaires étrangères Choe Son Hui est en visite officielle en Russie samedi, sur invitation de son homologue, a annoncé la diplomatie russe, alors que les deux alliés renforcent leurs liens depuis l'offensive en Ukraine. « La ministre des Affaires étrangères de la République populaire démocratique de Corée Choe Son Hui arrivera en Fédération de Russie le 18 juillet pour une visite officielle à l'invitation » de Sergueï Lavrov, selon un communiqué du ministère russe, utilisant le nom officiel de la Corée du nord. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | samedi 18 juillet 2026
La ministre nord-coréenne des Affaires étrangères Choe Son Hui est en visite officielle en Russie samedi, sur invitation de son homologue, a annoncé la diplomatie russe, alors que les deux alliés renforcent leurs liens depuis l'offensive en Ukraine. « La ministre des Affaires étrangères de la République populaire démocratique de Corée Choe Son Hui arrivera en Fédération de Russie le 18 juillet pour une visite officielle à l'invitation » de Sergueï Lavrov, selon un communiqué du ministère russe, utilisant le nom officiel de la Corée du nord. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | samedi 18 juillet 2026
They Called Sam Neill ‘Skux.’ (It Was a Compliment.)
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The New Zealand slang word, dating back to the 1990s, was pulled back into circulation in tributes to the actor, who died on Tuesday.
Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | Sam Neill at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019. Credit: Geoff Robins/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
On the sporting fields of New Zealand cities like Auckland and Wellington in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the slightly-too-cool kids were jokingly described with one word: “skux.” To be skux was to be popular, good-looking and also possibly a little bit conceited — ultimately it was a compliment.
The word, which has somewhat fallen out of use in the intervening years, popped back up on social media this week in tributes following the death of the actor Sam Neill. While it may seem a random jumble of letters, in New Zealand, it is a term of endearment and affection.
As with the origin stories of most slang terms, tracing the roots of “skux” is difficult, but the most common theory is that it emerged, as most good things do, by chance, in the New Zealand capital, Wellington.
The New Zealand writer Madeleine Chapman traced the word’s etymology for The Spinoff website. She found that “skux” was predominantly used by men in New Zealand’s Pacific communities in the late 1990s and early 2000s to refer to other men they thought were cool but vain.
“It was a little bit sort of mocking a person for putting that much effort into their appearance, but at the same time, you couldn’t be a skux unless you also looked good,” Ms. Chapman said in an interview. » | Laura Chung | Reporting from Sydney, Australia | Saturday, July 18, 2026
On the sporting fields of New Zealand cities like Auckland and Wellington in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the slightly-too-cool kids were jokingly described with one word: “skux.” To be skux was to be popular, good-looking and also possibly a little bit conceited — ultimately it was a compliment.
The word, which has somewhat fallen out of use in the intervening years, popped back up on social media this week in tributes following the death of the actor Sam Neill. While it may seem a random jumble of letters, in New Zealand, it is a term of endearment and affection.
As with the origin stories of most slang terms, tracing the roots of “skux” is difficult, but the most common theory is that it emerged, as most good things do, by chance, in the New Zealand capital, Wellington.
The New Zealand writer Madeleine Chapman traced the word’s etymology for The Spinoff website. She found that “skux” was predominantly used by men in New Zealand’s Pacific communities in the late 1990s and early 2000s to refer to other men they thought were cool but vain.
“It was a little bit sort of mocking a person for putting that much effort into their appearance, but at the same time, you couldn’t be a skux unless you also looked good,” Ms. Chapman said in an interview. » | Laura Chung | Reporting from Sydney, Australia | Saturday, July 18, 2026
Rob Groves: Trump vs Europe: A Strategy That Backfired BIG TIME
July 18, 2026 | Liz Truss just brought CPAC to London and barely anyone showed up. It's the perfect image for where Donald Trump's entire strategy for Europe stands right now.
Seven months after his National Security Strategy laid out the plan to back "patriotic European parties" across the continent, I go through exactly how it's collapsed: Orbán's landslide defeat in Hungary, Romania rejecting a Trump-aligned candidate, Giorgia Meloni's public feud with Trump over a G7 photo, Jordan Bardella refusing to share a CPAC stage with Steve Bannon, and Germany's AfD quietly edging away too.
Excellent, hard hitting, and so very true. — © Mark Alexander
Seven months after his National Security Strategy laid out the plan to back "patriotic European parties" across the continent, I go through exactly how it's collapsed: Orbán's landslide defeat in Hungary, Romania rejecting a Trump-aligned candidate, Giorgia Meloni's public feud with Trump over a G7 photo, Jordan Bardella refusing to share a CPAC stage with Steve Bannon, and Germany's AfD quietly edging away too.
Excellent, hard hitting, and so very true. — © Mark Alexander
Trump, Not Iran, Is the World’s Greatest Danger. He’s a One-man Weapon of Mass Destruction
THE GUARDIAN: As the bombing starts again, it’s clear the president has dragged the US into a limitless fiasco – and the world into an economic quagmire
Screenshot taken from this Guardian op-ed. | Donald Trump at Nato’s summit in Ankara, 8 July 2026, where he criticised alliance members for not supporting the US campaign against Iran. Photograph: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Feckless and clueless, Donald Trump is lost in Iran, unable to find a way out of the disastrous war he started. Once again, the US military is pummelling the country and, increasingly, its civilian infrastructure. As before, this unlawful bludgeoning strengthens the resistance of a hardline regime that cares little for its people’s suffering. How often have Trump and Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon’s wildling lord of bones, hailed a bogus victory? The president claimed this week to be “winning big”. No one believes him. Even as it counts the vast human and economic cost of his Persian folly, a watching world scoffs at US impotence.
Control of the strait of Hormuz, closed due to Trump’s belligerence, is now the White House’s limited, elusive objective. The grander US and Israeli war aims – eliminating Iran’s nuclear programme, degrading its regional militias, regime change – are less attainable than ever. It’s Trump’s craven leadership that renders US forces ineffective, not the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. If Iran really is the existential menace he claims, the logical course would be all-out conquest. When George W Bush decided Iraq posed unacceptable dangers, he invaded with 170,000 ground troops. It was a catastrophe. But at least Bush had balls. » | Simon Tisdall | Saturday, July 18, 2026
I am no military man. Far from it. But it seems to me that Trump hasn’t got a snowball’s chance in hell of winning this war against Iran. Why? Because Trump doesn’t know his enemy! That he doesn’t know his enemy is as clear as crystal. And I would say that if one is going to embark on a war, knowing one’s enemy is the starting point. If you don’t know your enemy, you have no idea what motivates them. If you don’t know what motivates them, you haven’t got a hope of winning the war!
More than this, this war is complicated even further by the fact that, when all is said and done, this is a war with religious undertones. Islam is the backdrop. And in the case of Iran, we are talking about Shia Islam, which America has far less experience with than even Sunni Islam. Going to war against an Islamic country without knowing anything meaningful about Islam and Muslims is asking for trouble. As the old wise saying instructs us: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Without wanting to put too much of a damper on things, it seems to me that victory is Iran’s for the taking! — © Mark Alexander
Feckless and clueless, Donald Trump is lost in Iran, unable to find a way out of the disastrous war he started. Once again, the US military is pummelling the country and, increasingly, its civilian infrastructure. As before, this unlawful bludgeoning strengthens the resistance of a hardline regime that cares little for its people’s suffering. How often have Trump and Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon’s wildling lord of bones, hailed a bogus victory? The president claimed this week to be “winning big”. No one believes him. Even as it counts the vast human and economic cost of his Persian folly, a watching world scoffs at US impotence.
Control of the strait of Hormuz, closed due to Trump’s belligerence, is now the White House’s limited, elusive objective. The grander US and Israeli war aims – eliminating Iran’s nuclear programme, degrading its regional militias, regime change – are less attainable than ever. It’s Trump’s craven leadership that renders US forces ineffective, not the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. If Iran really is the existential menace he claims, the logical course would be all-out conquest. When George W Bush decided Iraq posed unacceptable dangers, he invaded with 170,000 ground troops. It was a catastrophe. But at least Bush had balls. » | Simon Tisdall | Saturday, July 18, 2026
I am no military man. Far from it. But it seems to me that Trump hasn’t got a snowball’s chance in hell of winning this war against Iran. Why? Because Trump doesn’t know his enemy! That he doesn’t know his enemy is as clear as crystal. And I would say that if one is going to embark on a war, knowing one’s enemy is the starting point. If you don’t know your enemy, you have no idea what motivates them. If you don’t know what motivates them, you haven’t got a hope of winning the war!
More than this, this war is complicated even further by the fact that, when all is said and done, this is a war with religious undertones. Islam is the backdrop. And in the case of Iran, we are talking about Shia Islam, which America has far less experience with than even Sunni Islam. Going to war against an Islamic country without knowing anything meaningful about Islam and Muslims is asking for trouble. As the old wise saying instructs us: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Without wanting to put too much of a damper on things, it seems to me that victory is Iran’s for the taking! — © Mark Alexander
Farage’s Furious Clash with Times Editor Stuns Figures Close to Him
THE GUARDIAN: ‘Strong confrontation’ comes at fragile moment for Reform’s relations with rightwing media as coverage turns negative
Screenshot taken from this Guardian article. | Nigel Farage speaking at the inaugural CPAC GB event on 17 July. Photograph: James Veysey/Shutterstock
Nigel Farage is no stranger to expressing his ire at what he regards as the liberal establishment, but even figures close to him were surprised at the tirade of anger he unleashed upon the editor of the Times.
The exchange, which is said to have included an expletive aimed at Tony Gallagher, was triggered by the Reform UK leader’s outrage that the paper was planning to run a story about his houses, which he said endangered his family.
A source with knowledge of the encounter said it ended in “a strong confrontation”.
It is a fragile moment for Reform’s relationship with Britain’s rightwing media, whose coverage of Farage and his byelection gamble has taken a negative turn since questions were raised about his funding and finances.
Coverage by the Times and the Sun, part of Rupert Murdoch’s News UK stable, as well as the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, has made for tough reading for Reform in recent days.
While the Telegraph has given column inches to party figures to air their grievances at the media, recent stories have also described Farage’s decision to subject himself to a “people versus the establishment” byelection in Clacton as a “summer gamble” and a farce. » | Michael Savage | Media editor | Saturday, July 18, 2026
Nigel Farage is no stranger to expressing his ire at what he regards as the liberal establishment, but even figures close to him were surprised at the tirade of anger he unleashed upon the editor of the Times.
The exchange, which is said to have included an expletive aimed at Tony Gallagher, was triggered by the Reform UK leader’s outrage that the paper was planning to run a story about his houses, which he said endangered his family.
A source with knowledge of the encounter said it ended in “a strong confrontation”.
It is a fragile moment for Reform’s relationship with Britain’s rightwing media, whose coverage of Farage and his byelection gamble has taken a negative turn since questions were raised about his funding and finances.
Coverage by the Times and the Sun, part of Rupert Murdoch’s News UK stable, as well as the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, has made for tough reading for Reform in recent days.
While the Telegraph has given column inches to party figures to air their grievances at the media, recent stories have also described Farage’s decision to subject himself to a “people versus the establishment” byelection in Clacton as a “summer gamble” and a farce. » | Michael Savage | Media editor | Saturday, July 18, 2026
Just a Few Thoughts on Smoking
MARK ALEXANDER: There is something exceedingly attractive about seeing a handsome man smoking a cigarette. Real cigarettes, not those damn stupid, dummy-like contraptions they call e-cigarettes. There is absolutely nothing attractive about seeing somebody vaping. E-cigarettes and vaping are for the birds. Real men smoke, not vape!
Of course it is far healthier not to smoke, ceteris paribus, all things being equal. However, in life, all things are rarely, if ever, equal. Change one thing about your lifestyle and just about everything else changes with that change. This is why young people today are often not healthier than young people of yesteryear were. Young people used to smoke and drink. These days, many young people are far too goody-goody to do that. They are risk-averse. But they are rarely much healthier, because they screw up their health in other ways instead — by injecting copious quantities of ink beneath their skin; eating junk food; taking steroids and all manner of other muscle-enhancing substances for their six-packs.
It is hard for me to think of any activity more boring than spending hours and hours in a gym! Young people are welcome to that!
When I was a young man, just about all my friends enjoyed a smoke and a drink. The ones that didn’t were thought to be a little odd! 😊 Funny thing is that none of them ended up with cancer prematurely because they were smokers. These days, however, many young people, in spite of their so-called healthy lifestyles do end up suffering from that awful disease. Sadly. They also often end up with type-2 diabetes because of all the junk food that they consume. So, I do not observe many young people being very much healthier today than they were in my generation. Nor do they appear to be any happier. My generation had lots of fun to boot! We didn’t exhaust ourselves in gyms. We smoked and sometimes got tipsy instead! 😊
I write this about smoking but, as I have said before, I am no longer a smoker. I haven’t smoked a cigarette for exactly four and a quarter years. I still love to see someone enjoying a smoke though. Especially a very handsome man. (Sorry ladies! 😊)
In my family, smoking was generally considered a man’s pursuit. I can think of few ladies in my family that were smokers. Maybe only one. Yet most of the men did smoke at one time or another.
These days, however, I come into contact with almost nobody who smokes. As a result, I can’t remember the day I was in the company of a smoker. It’s so boring! I’d love to smell the smoke emanating from someone’s burning cigarette. It would remind me of old times.
I have this theory that when people smoked, they were nicer and kinder to one another. To me, being a non-smoker is no badge of honour. All the nasty buggers in the world that I can think of are, or have been, non-smokers: Hitler, Trump, Putin. To name just three. There are plenty more, but I shall be diplomatic and refrain from mentioning them by name. They, however, know who they are.
When I was growing up, most of the adults smoked. But most of then were also very welcoming when you visited them. These days, nobody smokes but nobody entertains others either. Each person is out for himself. So, they may not be smokers, but they are not any more welcoming, either.
All Rights Reserved
© Mark Alexander
Of course it is far healthier not to smoke, ceteris paribus, all things being equal. However, in life, all things are rarely, if ever, equal. Change one thing about your lifestyle and just about everything else changes with that change. This is why young people today are often not healthier than young people of yesteryear were. Young people used to smoke and drink. These days, many young people are far too goody-goody to do that. They are risk-averse. But they are rarely much healthier, because they screw up their health in other ways instead — by injecting copious quantities of ink beneath their skin; eating junk food; taking steroids and all manner of other muscle-enhancing substances for their six-packs.
It is hard for me to think of any activity more boring than spending hours and hours in a gym! Young people are welcome to that!
When I was a young man, just about all my friends enjoyed a smoke and a drink. The ones that didn’t were thought to be a little odd! 😊 Funny thing is that none of them ended up with cancer prematurely because they were smokers. These days, however, many young people, in spite of their so-called healthy lifestyles do end up suffering from that awful disease. Sadly. They also often end up with type-2 diabetes because of all the junk food that they consume. So, I do not observe many young people being very much healthier today than they were in my generation. Nor do they appear to be any happier. My generation had lots of fun to boot! We didn’t exhaust ourselves in gyms. We smoked and sometimes got tipsy instead! 😊
I write this about smoking but, as I have said before, I am no longer a smoker. I haven’t smoked a cigarette for exactly four and a quarter years. I still love to see someone enjoying a smoke though. Especially a very handsome man. (Sorry ladies! 😊)
In my family, smoking was generally considered a man’s pursuit. I can think of few ladies in my family that were smokers. Maybe only one. Yet most of the men did smoke at one time or another.
These days, however, I come into contact with almost nobody who smokes. As a result, I can’t remember the day I was in the company of a smoker. It’s so boring! I’d love to smell the smoke emanating from someone’s burning cigarette. It would remind me of old times.
I have this theory that when people smoked, they were nicer and kinder to one another. To me, being a non-smoker is no badge of honour. All the nasty buggers in the world that I can think of are, or have been, non-smokers: Hitler, Trump, Putin. To name just three. There are plenty more, but I shall be diplomatic and refrain from mentioning them by name. They, however, know who they are.
When I was growing up, most of the adults smoked. But most of then were also very welcoming when you visited them. These days, nobody smokes but nobody entertains others either. Each person is out for himself. So, they may not be smokers, but they are not any more welcoming, either.
All Rights Reserved
© Mark Alexander
Friday, July 17, 2026
China’s Latest A.I. Breakthrough Threatens America’s Lead
THE NEW YORK TIMES: China’s Moonshot AI unveiled a freely available artificial intelligence model that seemed to narrow the gap with cutting-edge offerings from U.S. tech companies.
The contest between China and the United States for supremacy in artificial intelligence escalated on Friday when the Chinese start-up Moonshot AI released a new A.I. model that appeared to narrow the lead held by well-funded American competitors.
Moonshot said that the model, Kimi K3, was the world’s largest open-source A.I. system, allowing anyone to use, modify and build on it freely. The company said that Kimi K3 performed as well as leading models from OpenAI and Anthropic at some key tasks.
The release coincided with an address by Xi Jinping, China’s leader, in which he outlined an ambitious vision for global A.I. development that cast China as the champion of an open approach to the technology.
“A.I. development should not be a solo performance by a single country but a symphony of international cooperation,” Mr. Xi said. China was “ready to work with all parties to seize the opportunities of A.I. development,” he said.
The market reaction was immediate. Stocks fell on Friday, with the Nasdaq dropping about 1 percent as investors sold shares of U.S. companies that make the computer chips needed to power A.I., including Nvidia and Intel. » | Meaghan Tobin and Cade Metz | Meaghan Tobin reported from New York and Cade Metz from San Francisco. | Friday, July 17, 2026
The contest between China and the United States for supremacy in artificial intelligence escalated on Friday when the Chinese start-up Moonshot AI released a new A.I. model that appeared to narrow the lead held by well-funded American competitors.
Moonshot said that the model, Kimi K3, was the world’s largest open-source A.I. system, allowing anyone to use, modify and build on it freely. The company said that Kimi K3 performed as well as leading models from OpenAI and Anthropic at some key tasks.
The release coincided with an address by Xi Jinping, China’s leader, in which he outlined an ambitious vision for global A.I. development that cast China as the champion of an open approach to the technology.
“A.I. development should not be a solo performance by a single country but a symphony of international cooperation,” Mr. Xi said. China was “ready to work with all parties to seize the opportunities of A.I. development,” he said.
The market reaction was immediate. Stocks fell on Friday, with the Nasdaq dropping about 1 percent as investors sold shares of U.S. companies that make the computer chips needed to power A.I., including Nvidia and Intel. » | Meaghan Tobin and Cade Metz | Meaghan Tobin reported from New York and Cade Metz from San Francisco. | Friday, July 17, 2026
Donald Trump Is Falling Apart | Steve Schmidt
Americans are in such a fix with their man in the White House. Have they ever thought of SECTIONING him? That might well be a simple solution. Declare him INSANE and then LOCK HIM UP — FOREVER! — © Mark Alexander
Michael Lambert: I Found Out that Nobody Cares about the By-election
July 17, 2026 | I went to the seaside this week. I went to Clacton to experience the excitement of the coming by-election; but what I found was something much more concerning for our democracy.
I spoke to more than 40 people, and what astonished me was the sheer number of voters who knew nothing about the by-election or simply didn't care about politics at all.
Of those who did, the divide was stark: either a cult-like devotion to Nigel Farage, or a damning view of him as an opportunist chancer.
In this video, I break down the conversations I had, the misinformation being spread, and why the "they are all the same" narrative is dangerous for our political discourse.
Nigel Farage is indeed a charlatan. I agree with you totally. Unfortunately, many people in this country are not discerning enough to be able to observe his character flaws. I cannot help but worry for the future of democracy in this country. In fact, with Trump in power in the US as well, I cannot help but worry about the future of democracy in the West as a whole. — © Mark Alexander
I spoke to more than 40 people, and what astonished me was the sheer number of voters who knew nothing about the by-election or simply didn't care about politics at all.
Of those who did, the divide was stark: either a cult-like devotion to Nigel Farage, or a damning view of him as an opportunist chancer.
In this video, I break down the conversations I had, the misinformation being spread, and why the "they are all the same" narrative is dangerous for our political discourse.
Nigel Farage is indeed a charlatan. I agree with you totally. Unfortunately, many people in this country are not discerning enough to be able to observe his character flaws. I cannot help but worry for the future of democracy in this country. In fact, with Trump in power in the US as well, I cannot help but worry about the future of democracy in the West as a whole. — © Mark Alexander
Democracy Now! "Disrupt, Identify, Defund, Debank, Arrest & Prosecute": Trump Admin Threatens Leftist Groups
July 17, 2026 | Secretary of State Marco Rubio and top White House adviser Stephen Miller are pushing for a global crackdown on leftist organizations. The State Department on Thursday hosted a summit "on the resurgence of political terrorism," where Miller described the left as "enemies of civilization" and described efforts to "disrupt, identify, defund, debank, arrest and prosecute these political terrorists that are operating in our country." Rubio announced the U.S. would soon designate more left-wing groups as terrorist organizations. Also on Thursday, the State Department announced new visa restrictions targeting what it calls "members of Far-Left Terrorist and other aligned groups."
"They're putting political groups in the United States and abroad on the same footing as groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS," says independent journalist Ken Klippenstein, who has been closely following the Trump administration's designation of left-wing activism as terrorism.
"This effort to designate left-wing groups as foreign terrorists using these broad terms like 'antifa' will allow them to go after people who are not committing violence but who are simply engaging in the political process," adds former FBI special agent Mike German.
Democracy Now! can be supported here.
"They're putting political groups in the United States and abroad on the same footing as groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS," says independent journalist Ken Klippenstein, who has been closely following the Trump administration's designation of left-wing activism as terrorism.
"This effort to designate left-wing groups as foreign terrorists using these broad terms like 'antifa' will allow them to go after people who are not committing violence but who are simply engaging in the political process," adds former FBI special agent Mike German.
Democracy Now! can be supported here.
Fin de vie : la loi légalisant l’euthanasie et le suicide assisté définitivement adoptée à l’Assemblée
LE FIGARO : Au terme d’un parcours parlementaire contrarié, entamé avant la dissolution et repris il y a un an et demi, les députés ont voté le texte par 291 voix contre 241 mercredi après-midi. Nouvelle liberté ou rupture anthropologique, ce scrutin historique signe un tournant majeur.
Un tournant majeur. La promesse d’Emmanuel Macron d’un nouveau « modèle français » de la fin de vie, légalisant l’euthanasie et le suicide assisté, aboutit finalement. Lors d’un vote historique, mercredi après-midi, les députés ont adopté la proposition de loi sur l’aide à mourir, par 291 voix contre 241, et 29 abstentions. Un vote conforme aux précédents scrutins à l’Assemblée nationale, puisque c’est la quatrième fois au total que cette réforme est validée par les parlementaires de la Chambre basse, majoritairement favorables à cette évolution sociétale. « En 2022, j’avais pris l’engagement d’ouvrir ce chemin avec les Français. Avec gravité, avec humilité, et dans le plein respect de notre démocratie, cet engagement est tenu », a salué Emmanuel Macron à l’issue du scrutin. » | Par Wally Bordas et Agnès Leclair | jeudi 16 juillet 2026
Réservé aux abonnés
Un tournant majeur. La promesse d’Emmanuel Macron d’un nouveau « modèle français » de la fin de vie, légalisant l’euthanasie et le suicide assisté, aboutit finalement. Lors d’un vote historique, mercredi après-midi, les députés ont adopté la proposition de loi sur l’aide à mourir, par 291 voix contre 241, et 29 abstentions. Un vote conforme aux précédents scrutins à l’Assemblée nationale, puisque c’est la quatrième fois au total que cette réforme est validée par les parlementaires de la Chambre basse, majoritairement favorables à cette évolution sociétale. « En 2022, j’avais pris l’engagement d’ouvrir ce chemin avec les Français. Avec gravité, avec humilité, et dans le plein respect de notre démocratie, cet engagement est tenu », a salué Emmanuel Macron à l’issue du scrutin. » | Par Wally Bordas et Agnès Leclair | jeudi 16 juillet 2026
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Tarte aux tomates multicolores et à la moutarde
MADAME FIGARO: Une recette ensoleillée à réaliser en deux temps trois mouvements.
Cette capture d'écran provient de Madame Figaro. | Tarte aux tomates multicolores et à la moutarde, recette extraite de Tartes rustiques de Emilie Franzo, paru aux éditions Marabout. Emilie Franzo
Durée : 50min | Difficulté : Facile
Cliquez ici pour la recette.
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How America's Military Was Taken Over by White Supremacists | How Power Works with Matt Kennard
Jul 17, 2026 | Matt Kennard joins us on the PolJOE sofa to unpack his new book - Irregular Army: How the US Military Recruited Neo-Nazis, Gang Members and Criminals.
Kennard details how, as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan dragged on, the Bush administration faced a recruitment crisis. Rather than reintroducing the draft, it loosened enlistment standards, opening the door to recruits who would previously have been barred from service. Drawing on years of investigative reporting, interviews with veterans, whistle-blowers and extremists themselves, Kennard breaks down how those policies reshaped the culture of the US military and created consequences that are still unfolding today.
He also examines the wider political legacy of those decisions, arguing that the culture fostered has since spilled into American public life - particularly through the second Trump administration. He examines the role of Pete Hegseth, explaining why his retreat from tackling extremism has institutionalised the very trends that began during the War on Terror.
Kennard details how, as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan dragged on, the Bush administration faced a recruitment crisis. Rather than reintroducing the draft, it loosened enlistment standards, opening the door to recruits who would previously have been barred from service. Drawing on years of investigative reporting, interviews with veterans, whistle-blowers and extremists themselves, Kennard breaks down how those policies reshaped the culture of the US military and created consequences that are still unfolding today.
He also examines the wider political legacy of those decisions, arguing that the culture fostered has since spilled into American public life - particularly through the second Trump administration. He examines the role of Pete Hegseth, explaining why his retreat from tackling extremism has institutionalised the very trends that began during the War on Terror.
Burnham Declares He Is Ready to ‘Beat Britain’s New Right’ as He Becomes Labour Leader
THE GUARDIAN: Former Greater Manchester mayor, who will take over as PM on Monday, says country ‘crying out for a new politics’
Screenshot taken from this Guardian article. | Andy Burnham after being officially confirmed as the new leader of the Labour Party. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA
Andy Burnham has declared himself ready to “beat Britain’s new right” with a fresh, united approach as he becomes the leader of the Labour party before taking over as British prime minister on Monday.
The former mayor of Greater Manchester won the overwhelming support of MPs, trade unions and party branches, making him the only choice to take over from Keir Starmer.
At a special party conference at TUC headquarters in London on Friday, Burnham was declared leader by Shabana Mahmood, the frontrunner to be his chancellor, who is also chair of the party’s ruling executive.
Addressing a room of senior Labour politicians and supporters, Burnham said the country was “crying out for a new politics”. But he also warned that it was Labour’s “last chance to change” and the party must do so together, as a united movement.
“This is a proud moment you have given me and my family, and an emotional one,” he said. “It is one for which I am ready – ready to lead and to build on the foundation laid by one person more than any other. Under Keir Starmer’s leadership we went from our worst defeat to one of the best victories in history.” » | Rowena Mason | Whitehall editor | Friday, July 17, 2026
Andy Burnham has declared himself ready to “beat Britain’s new right” with a fresh, united approach as he becomes the leader of the Labour party before taking over as British prime minister on Monday.
The former mayor of Greater Manchester won the overwhelming support of MPs, trade unions and party branches, making him the only choice to take over from Keir Starmer.
At a special party conference at TUC headquarters in London on Friday, Burnham was declared leader by Shabana Mahmood, the frontrunner to be his chancellor, who is also chair of the party’s ruling executive.
Addressing a room of senior Labour politicians and supporters, Burnham said the country was “crying out for a new politics”. But he also warned that it was Labour’s “last chance to change” and the party must do so together, as a united movement.
“This is a proud moment you have given me and my family, and an emotional one,” he said. “It is one for which I am ready – ready to lead and to build on the foundation laid by one person more than any other. Under Keir Starmer’s leadership we went from our worst defeat to one of the best victories in history.” » | Rowena Mason | Whitehall editor | Friday, July 17, 2026
War Judas wirklich schuld am Tod Jesu? | Terra X
April 5, 2026 | Als Judas Iskariot Jesus küsst, ist das wohl der größte Verrat der Geschichte. Seitdem gilt Judas als einer der meistgehassten Männer der Geschichte. Laut Bibel ist er für die Auslieferung Jesu an den Hohepriester und seine Kreuzigung verantwortlich. Aber war Judas wirklich verantwortlich für Jesu Tod? Die Geschichte um Judas ist eine blutige Geschichte. Nachdem er Jesus an den Hohepriester verraten hat, gerät er - so die Bibel - in Gewissenskonflikte, kann mit seiner Tat nicht leben und richtet sich am Vorabend der Kreuzigung selbst.
Von nun an ist sein Name jahrhundertelang gleichbedeutend mit Verrat und Betrug. Er wird auch für die aufkommende christliche Judenfeindschaft haftbar gemacht. Später aber taucht eine Schrift auf, die ein positives Licht auf ihn wirft. Wer war Judas Iskariot, ein Verräter oder ein Heilsbringer. Was wissen wir von ihm? Und was hat er tatsächlich mit Jesus zu tun?
Dieses Video ist eine Produktion des ZDF.
Team:
Autorin: Charlotte Magin
Schnitt: Wolfgang Daut
Von nun an ist sein Name jahrhundertelang gleichbedeutend mit Verrat und Betrug. Er wird auch für die aufkommende christliche Judenfeindschaft haftbar gemacht. Später aber taucht eine Schrift auf, die ein positives Licht auf ihn wirft. Wer war Judas Iskariot, ein Verräter oder ein Heilsbringer. Was wissen wir von ihm? Und was hat er tatsächlich mit Jesus zu tun?
Dieses Video ist eine Produktion des ZDF.
Team:
Autorin: Charlotte Magin
Schnitt: Wolfgang Daut
Gab es Jesus wirklich? | Terra X
Mar 25, 2021 | Keiner weiß, wie Jesus Christus aussah, wie er lebte und wer er wirklich war. Erst Jahre später wurde die Geschichte des jüdischen Wanderlehrers und Gelehrten aufgeschrieben. Und dennoch ist er im kulturellen Gedächtnis geblieben und wurde zur Hauptfigur einer Weltreligion. Aber hat es ihn wirklich gegeben?
Jesus selbst hat keine Schrift verfasst. Die Berichte über ihn stammen immer aus zweiter oder dritter Hand. Aber es gibt sie, die historischen Dokumente, die über ihn berichten. Sie basieren auf mündlichen Überlieferungen, wie sie damals üblich waren.
Der römisch- jüdische Geschichtsschreiber Flavius Josephus berichtet über Jesus, genauso auch der römische Politiker Tacitus und weitere jüdische Quellen aus dem 3. Jahrhundert. Und natürlich schildern neben den antiken Quellen auch die Evangelien im neuen Testament der Bibel das Leben von Jesu.
Aber lässt sich die Geschichte aus dem Lukasevangelium in der Bibel historisch belegen? Hat Jesus wirklich gelebt?
Dieses Video ist eine Produktion des ZDF.
Autorin: Charlotte Magin
Schnitt: Toni Kubiczeck
Jesus selbst hat keine Schrift verfasst. Die Berichte über ihn stammen immer aus zweiter oder dritter Hand. Aber es gibt sie, die historischen Dokumente, die über ihn berichten. Sie basieren auf mündlichen Überlieferungen, wie sie damals üblich waren.
Der römisch- jüdische Geschichtsschreiber Flavius Josephus berichtet über Jesus, genauso auch der römische Politiker Tacitus und weitere jüdische Quellen aus dem 3. Jahrhundert. Und natürlich schildern neben den antiken Quellen auch die Evangelien im neuen Testament der Bibel das Leben von Jesu.
Aber lässt sich die Geschichte aus dem Lukasevangelium in der Bibel historisch belegen? Hat Jesus wirklich gelebt?
Dieses Video ist eine Produktion des ZDF.
Autorin: Charlotte Magin
Schnitt: Toni Kubiczeck
Ist Auguste Viktoria mitverantwortlich für das Ende der Monarchie? | Terra X
April 11, 2021 | Sie war die Frau an der Seite von Kaiser Wilhelm II. 30 Jahre Landesmutter der Deutschen. Die Stütze des Kaiserthrons. Öffentlich stand die Kaiserin im Schatten ihres Gatten Wilhelm II., doch hinter den Kulissen nahm sie Einfluss auf seine Entscheidungen, prägte und gestaltete das Kaiserreich mit - weit mehr als bekannt. Inwieweit trug August Victoria Mitschuld am Untergang des Kaiserreichs?
An der Seite des sprunghaften und gelegentlich depressiven deutschen Kaisers Wilhelm II. gewann Auguste Victoria an Macht. Sie schirmte ihren Mann ab von liberalem Ideengut und verhinderte Reformen hin zu einer parlamentarischen Monarchie. Je mehr dem Kaiser die Fäden entglitten, desto mehr kämpfte die erzkonservative, bibelfeste Frau an seiner Seite für den Erhalt der in ihren Augen gottgewollten und -begnadeten Königsherrschaft.
Daneben engagierte sie sich als Landesmutter in besonderem Maße für kirchliche Einrichtungen, karitative Vereine und Institutionen. Auguste Victoria gründete die Evangelische Frauenhilfe und startete ein gigantisches Kirchenbau-Programm. Allein in den Arbeitervierteln Berlins entstanden 66 neue Kirchen, mit Gemeindehäusern und Kindergärten. "Kirchenjuste" nannte sie deshalb spöttisch der Volksmund.
Als 1914 der Erste Weltkrieg ausbrach, winkte Auguste Victoria vom Balkon des Berliner Stadtschlosses dem Volk zu. Sie hielt Krieg wie viele für ein legitimes Mittel der Politik. Sie glaubte noch an den Sieg, als der Erste Weltkrieg längst verloren war. Als es darum ging, den Weg frei zu machen für Verhandlungen um einen Waffenstillstand, sprach sie sich gegen die Abdankung aus. Sie folgte ihrem Mann ins Exil, wo sie 1921 starb.
Autorin: Annette von der Heyde
Schnitt: Christoph Schuhmacher
Dieses Video ist eine Produktion des ZDF.
Interesting historical facts:
“Kaiserin Augusta Viktoria was closely related to Queen Victoria. She was Queen Victoria's great-niece.
Augusta Viktoria’s mother, Princess Adelheid of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, was the daughter of Queen Victoria’s maternal half-sister, Princess Feodora of Leiningen. This meant her grandmother and Queen Victoria shared the same mother (Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld).
Furthermore, Augusta Viktoria's husband, Kaiser Wilhelm II, was Queen Victoria's eldest grandchild, making them second cousins. [Source:” Google AI]
An der Seite des sprunghaften und gelegentlich depressiven deutschen Kaisers Wilhelm II. gewann Auguste Victoria an Macht. Sie schirmte ihren Mann ab von liberalem Ideengut und verhinderte Reformen hin zu einer parlamentarischen Monarchie. Je mehr dem Kaiser die Fäden entglitten, desto mehr kämpfte die erzkonservative, bibelfeste Frau an seiner Seite für den Erhalt der in ihren Augen gottgewollten und -begnadeten Königsherrschaft.
Daneben engagierte sie sich als Landesmutter in besonderem Maße für kirchliche Einrichtungen, karitative Vereine und Institutionen. Auguste Victoria gründete die Evangelische Frauenhilfe und startete ein gigantisches Kirchenbau-Programm. Allein in den Arbeitervierteln Berlins entstanden 66 neue Kirchen, mit Gemeindehäusern und Kindergärten. "Kirchenjuste" nannte sie deshalb spöttisch der Volksmund.
Als 1914 der Erste Weltkrieg ausbrach, winkte Auguste Victoria vom Balkon des Berliner Stadtschlosses dem Volk zu. Sie hielt Krieg wie viele für ein legitimes Mittel der Politik. Sie glaubte noch an den Sieg, als der Erste Weltkrieg längst verloren war. Als es darum ging, den Weg frei zu machen für Verhandlungen um einen Waffenstillstand, sprach sie sich gegen die Abdankung aus. Sie folgte ihrem Mann ins Exil, wo sie 1921 starb.
Autorin: Annette von der Heyde
Schnitt: Christoph Schuhmacher
Dieses Video ist eine Produktion des ZDF.
Interesting historical facts:
“Kaiserin Augusta Viktoria was closely related to Queen Victoria. She was Queen Victoria's great-niece.
Augusta Viktoria’s mother, Princess Adelheid of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, was the daughter of Queen Victoria’s maternal half-sister, Princess Feodora of Leiningen. This meant her grandmother and Queen Victoria shared the same mother (Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld).
Furthermore, Augusta Viktoria's husband, Kaiser Wilhelm II, was Queen Victoria's eldest grandchild, making them second cousins. [Source:” Google AI]
How Britain Faced Hitler in 1938-39 I SLICE History | Full Documentary
July 17, 2026 | In 1938 and 1939, Britain stood at the edge of catastrophe. As Hitler escalated his demands, the policy of appeasement began to collapse, the monarchy faced crisis, and the country was forced to confront the growing certainty of war. Through newly colorized archive footage, this documentary follows the final months of peace as Britain moved from hesitation and compromise to emergency preparation.
From the Munich Agreement and the destruction of Czechoslovakia to gas masks, evacuation plans, Kindertransport, and the trauma already unfolding across Europe, this film captures the tense final countdown before the outbreak of World War II.
Documentary: Limonero Avod: Thirties In Colour: Countdown To War EP:3
Directed by Alison Grist
Production: Make Waves Media (2019)
From the Munich Agreement and the destruction of Czechoslovakia to gas masks, evacuation plans, Kindertransport, and the trauma already unfolding across Europe, this film captures the tense final countdown before the outbreak of World War II.
Documentary: Limonero Avod: Thirties In Colour: Countdown To War EP:3
Directed by Alison Grist
Production: Make Waves Media (2019)
Exclusive: Bishop’s Letter to the King Sends Shockwaves through Palace
Mar 23, 2026 | A bishop has gone viral after issuing a powerful public plea to King Charles III, warning of the “erosion of Britain’s Christian inheritance” and urging the monarch to take action.
In a bold open letter, Bishop Ceirion H Dewar FSHC declares he “cannot remain silent while the Christian foundations of this kingdom are steadily dismantled.” The message has clearly struck a nerve—gaining over 3,500 signatures of support. …
The “Dark Age” of which I wrote so many years ago is clearly “Dawning” if, indeed, it hasn’t already dawned!
Our King has two options: Be Defender of the Faith, or choose to be ‘Defender of Faith’ as he seems to prefer. If he chooses the latter option, this country will not remain a Christian country for much longer. As I stated in my book twenty-five or so years ago, the weakening of Christianity in this country will create a vacuum which Islam will be only too willing to fill.
I am in no way “Islamophobic”. Not at all, in fact. On the contrary, there is much about Islam which I admire. But there is also much that I do not. Furthermore, I do not want my country to be Islamized. I have no objection to Muslims living amongst us. But they, as all other immigrants, must live by our laws, only and always! Just as I had to do in the years I lived in the Middle East. When I lived and worked there, I lived according to their laws, and willingly so. I expect the same courtesy from immigrants and people who are not indigenous to these islands.
We need strong leaders and governance to enforce these laws and regulations.
The way I suggest is the only way forward as far as I can see for a peaceful co-existence, or what is called Convivencia when talking of Christians, Jews, and Muslims living together in peaceful co-existence in Moorish Spain. Convivencia — a term coined by the Spanish historian Américo Castro in 1948. — © Mark Alexander
In a bold open letter, Bishop Ceirion H Dewar FSHC declares he “cannot remain silent while the Christian foundations of this kingdom are steadily dismantled.” The message has clearly struck a nerve—gaining over 3,500 signatures of support. …
The “Dark Age” of which I wrote so many years ago is clearly “Dawning” if, indeed, it hasn’t already dawned!
Our King has two options: Be Defender of the Faith, or choose to be ‘Defender of Faith’ as he seems to prefer. If he chooses the latter option, this country will not remain a Christian country for much longer. As I stated in my book twenty-five or so years ago, the weakening of Christianity in this country will create a vacuum which Islam will be only too willing to fill.
I am in no way “Islamophobic”. Not at all, in fact. On the contrary, there is much about Islam which I admire. But there is also much that I do not. Furthermore, I do not want my country to be Islamized. I have no objection to Muslims living amongst us. But they, as all other immigrants, must live by our laws, only and always! Just as I had to do in the years I lived in the Middle East. When I lived and worked there, I lived according to their laws, and willingly so. I expect the same courtesy from immigrants and people who are not indigenous to these islands.
We need strong leaders and governance to enforce these laws and regulations.
The way I suggest is the only way forward as far as I can see for a peaceful co-existence, or what is called Convivencia when talking of Christians, Jews, and Muslims living together in peaceful co-existence in Moorish Spain. Convivencia — a term coined by the Spanish historian Américo Castro in 1948. — © Mark Alexander
The Perfect Russian Salad for Summer: Fresh, Creamy, and Flavourful – Salade russe
For a full list of the ingredients, please click here. Then click on ‘more’.
Zweiter Weltkrieg: Als die Städter aufs Land zogen | Unsere Geschichte | NDR Doku
May 8, 2021 | Norddeutschland nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg: Über die Hälfte aller Wohnungen in den Städten ist zerstört, Hamburg, Hannover, Kiel, Bremen und Rostock sind Ruinenlandschaften. Doch mitten in den Trümmern muss das Leben weitergehen. Wie haben die Menschen es geschafft, zu überleben?
Der Hamburger NDR Filmemacher Manfred Uhlig hat Zeitzeugen gefunden, die in dieser dramatischen Zeit besondere Geschichten erlebt haben. Das Besondere: Die meisten von ihnen wohnen noch immer in der Notbehausung, in der sie vor den Kriegsbomben ihre erste Zuflucht gefunden hatten.
Paula Krupp, geboren 1921, war 22 Jahre alt, als im Juli 1943 über Hamburg die "Operation Gomorrha" losbrach. Mehrere Tage und Nächte lang bombardierten amerikanische und britische Bomberverbände die Stadt. Die Bilanz war fürchterlich, über 30.000 Tote, mehr als 100.000 Verletzte, Hunderttausende Menschen mussten aus der Stadt fliehen.
Die junge Frau fand eine Zuflucht in einem Gartenhaus vor der Stadt. Dort lebt die mittlerweile hochbetagte Dame noch heute. Ihre wertvollste Erinnerung: 458 Feldpostbriefe, die sie von ihrem Verlobten erhielt. Er war in Russland Soldat.
Als die Bomben fielen, hatte sie nur einen Gedanken: "Hoffentlich sehe ich meinen Verlobten wieder." Doch es kommt anders. Im Januar 1944 kommt der letzte Brief, den sie an ihren Verlobten geschrieben hat, ungeöffnet zurück. Er trägt einen Stempel auf dem Umschlag: "Empfänger gefallen für Großdeutschland".
Gerhard Probst lebt zusammen mit seiner Frau Inge in einem ehemaligen "Ley-Haus" in einem Hamburger Kleingartengebiet. Ley-Häuser, das sind die nach dem Nazi-Funktionär Robert Ley benannten Holzhäuser, die in aller Eile von den ausgebombten Menschen zusammengezimmert wurden, mit Fertigteilen, die das Regime bereitgestellt hatte.
Gerhard Probst musste sich die 24 Quadratmeter große Hütte mit zehn weiteren Personen teilen. Ein Erlebnis, das ihn bis heute prägt. Karin Schultz lebte mit ihrer Familie vier Jahre lang in einer sogenannten Nissenhütte: Die nach einem kanadischen Ingenieur benannten Wellblechhäuser prägten das Bild vieler norddeutscher Städte in der Nachkriegszeit. "Es war so kalt, dass uns unsere Mutter auf dem Ofen angewärmte Ziegelsteine ins Bett legte", erzählt Karin Schultz.
In der Schule wurde sie gemobbt. Wer in der Nissenhütte wohnte, galt als asozial - obwohl die Menschen, die dort lebten, nichts dafür konnten, dass sie ausgebombt waren.
Willi Grützke baute zusammen mit seiner Mutter und einem Onkel in einem Bremer Kleingartengebiet ein Behelfsheim aus Steinen, die der Junge in den Trümmerwüsten fand. Seinen Garten hat er zusammen mit seiner Frau Ursel über die Jahre zu einem kleinen Paradies gestaltet. Für ihn und für viele andere Norddeutsche wurde das Behelfsheim im Schrebergarten zum neuen Zuhause.
Der Hamburger NDR Filmemacher Manfred Uhlig hat Zeitzeugen gefunden, die in dieser dramatischen Zeit besondere Geschichten erlebt haben. Das Besondere: Die meisten von ihnen wohnen noch immer in der Notbehausung, in der sie vor den Kriegsbomben ihre erste Zuflucht gefunden hatten.
Paula Krupp, geboren 1921, war 22 Jahre alt, als im Juli 1943 über Hamburg die "Operation Gomorrha" losbrach. Mehrere Tage und Nächte lang bombardierten amerikanische und britische Bomberverbände die Stadt. Die Bilanz war fürchterlich, über 30.000 Tote, mehr als 100.000 Verletzte, Hunderttausende Menschen mussten aus der Stadt fliehen.
Die junge Frau fand eine Zuflucht in einem Gartenhaus vor der Stadt. Dort lebt die mittlerweile hochbetagte Dame noch heute. Ihre wertvollste Erinnerung: 458 Feldpostbriefe, die sie von ihrem Verlobten erhielt. Er war in Russland Soldat.
Als die Bomben fielen, hatte sie nur einen Gedanken: "Hoffentlich sehe ich meinen Verlobten wieder." Doch es kommt anders. Im Januar 1944 kommt der letzte Brief, den sie an ihren Verlobten geschrieben hat, ungeöffnet zurück. Er trägt einen Stempel auf dem Umschlag: "Empfänger gefallen für Großdeutschland".
Gerhard Probst lebt zusammen mit seiner Frau Inge in einem ehemaligen "Ley-Haus" in einem Hamburger Kleingartengebiet. Ley-Häuser, das sind die nach dem Nazi-Funktionär Robert Ley benannten Holzhäuser, die in aller Eile von den ausgebombten Menschen zusammengezimmert wurden, mit Fertigteilen, die das Regime bereitgestellt hatte.
Gerhard Probst musste sich die 24 Quadratmeter große Hütte mit zehn weiteren Personen teilen. Ein Erlebnis, das ihn bis heute prägt. Karin Schultz lebte mit ihrer Familie vier Jahre lang in einer sogenannten Nissenhütte: Die nach einem kanadischen Ingenieur benannten Wellblechhäuser prägten das Bild vieler norddeutscher Städte in der Nachkriegszeit. "Es war so kalt, dass uns unsere Mutter auf dem Ofen angewärmte Ziegelsteine ins Bett legte", erzählt Karin Schultz.
In der Schule wurde sie gemobbt. Wer in der Nissenhütte wohnte, galt als asozial - obwohl die Menschen, die dort lebten, nichts dafür konnten, dass sie ausgebombt waren.
Willi Grützke baute zusammen mit seiner Mutter und einem Onkel in einem Bremer Kleingartengebiet ein Behelfsheim aus Steinen, die der Junge in den Trümmerwüsten fand. Seinen Garten hat er zusammen mit seiner Frau Ursel über die Jahre zu einem kleinen Paradies gestaltet. Für ihn und für viele andere Norddeutsche wurde das Behelfsheim im Schrebergarten zum neuen Zuhause.
HUNGRY MAN KITCHEN: Turkish Chili Cheese Flatbreads – Biberli Ekmek, Poor Man’s Lahmacun
Jun 17, 2022 | Biberli ekmek, also known as katıklı ekmek, is a traditional topped flatbread originating in Hatay / Antakya province in Turkey.
It's prepared with simple ingredients, mainly chili paste, whey cheese or Turkish cokelek cheese. I call it poor man's lahmacun, because according to a story, it was first made by a poor mother for her son who wanted to eat lahmacun, but she could not afford to make it.
Click here for the full recipe. Then click on ‘more’.
HUNGRY MAN KITCHEN can be supported on Patreon here.
It's prepared with simple ingredients, mainly chili paste, whey cheese or Turkish cokelek cheese. I call it poor man's lahmacun, because according to a story, it was first made by a poor mother for her son who wanted to eat lahmacun, but she could not afford to make it.
Click here for the full recipe. Then click on ‘more’.
HUNGRY MAN KITCHEN can be supported on Patreon here.
Trump's Big Speech Was 'Gibberish,' 'Drivel,' 'Horseshit'
When Americans eventually manage to kick Trump out of the White house, the powers-that-be should STRIP Trump of ALL his ill-gotten gains, ALL that he has stolen from the people through CORRUPTION, and put it back into the state coffers, where it belongs. — © Mark Alexander
Trump Setting Stage to Declare Emergency around Midterms, Former White House Attorney Says
This gentleman, Ty Cobb, validates my assertion below that Trump is doing this to declare a state of emergency. What Trump is doing here is as plain as the nose on your face! Trump is rotten to the core. — © Mark Alexander
US President Donald Trump Alleges China Committed 2020 Voter Fraud | BBC News
Jul 17, 2026 | US President Donald Trump has delivered a primetime address in which he accused China of interfering in the 2020 election and alleged "shocking vulnerabilities" in American voting systems.
Trump, who spoke from the White House on Thursday, has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud and foreign meddling in the 2020 election which he lost to Joe Biden.
In the half-hour speech, delivered three months before the midterm elections, he said he had declassified hundreds of intelligence files which supported his claims that Beijing had tried to sway the election in Biden's favour.
The US intelligence community has previously concluded China did not interfere in the 2020 election.
Trump is such an objectionable dictator wannabee. Trump's next move will be to declare a state of emergency! This man is simply out to cancel the upcoming elections.
Americans have really got themselves into a pickle by re-electing Trump to be their POTUS. It’s a pickle which is going to be difficult for them to get out of.
By the way, Trump wants to get his ‘Save America Act’ through Congress. There is only ONE WAY for America to be saved and and that is by kicking this MENACE out of office, out of the White House — once and for all! — © Mark Alexander
Trump, who spoke from the White House on Thursday, has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud and foreign meddling in the 2020 election which he lost to Joe Biden.
In the half-hour speech, delivered three months before the midterm elections, he said he had declassified hundreds of intelligence files which supported his claims that Beijing had tried to sway the election in Biden's favour.
The US intelligence community has previously concluded China did not interfere in the 2020 election.
Trump is such an objectionable dictator wannabee. Trump's next move will be to declare a state of emergency! This man is simply out to cancel the upcoming elections.
Americans have really got themselves into a pickle by re-electing Trump to be their POTUS. It’s a pickle which is going to be difficult for them to get out of.
By the way, Trump wants to get his ‘Save America Act’ through Congress. There is only ONE WAY for America to be saved and and that is by kicking this MENACE out of office, out of the White House — once and for all! — © Mark Alexander
Chopin: Nocturne No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9 No. 1 | Maurizio Pollini
Thursday, July 16, 2026
How Canada's Wildfires Are Affecting Millions across North America | DW News
Donald Trump Has Corrupted America Beyond Recognition | Steve Schmidt
Doctor Reacts to Hegseth's Plan to Test Troops' Testosterone
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that he is rolling out a new screening program for “testosterone deficiency” among troops, calling it necessary to allow them to operate at their “absolute best.”
The screenings will be conducted annually as part of service members’ required medical screenings for those 30 and older, he said. Troops under 30 can volunteer to be tested. In a video on social media, Hegseth said receiving testosterone replacement therapy would be voluntary.
The screenings will be conducted annually as part of service members’ required medical screenings for those 30 and older, he said. Troops under 30 can volunteer to be tested. In a video on social media, Hegseth said receiving testosterone replacement therapy would be voluntary.
Wegen angeblich unfairer Handelspraktiken: USA verhängen Sonderzoll auf brasilianische Waren
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Washington beschließt Strafabgabe für Waren aus Südamerikas größter Volkswirtschaft – Brasília kündigt ein Verfahren vor der Welthandelsorganisation und Gegenmaßnahmen an.
Die US-Regierung hat am Mittwoch einen zusätzlichen Zoll von 25 Prozent auf bestimmte Einfuhren aus Brasilien beschlossen. Die Abgabe stützt sich auf Paragraf 301 des US-Handelsgesetzes von 1974, der Vergeltungszölle gegen als unfair eingestufte Handelspraktiken anderer Staaten erlaubt, und tritt am 22. Juli in Kraft. Das teilte das Büro des US-Handelsbeauftragten (USTR) in Washington mit. » | Peter Steiniger | Donnerstag, 16. Juli 2026
Die US-Regierung hat am Mittwoch einen zusätzlichen Zoll von 25 Prozent auf bestimmte Einfuhren aus Brasilien beschlossen. Die Abgabe stützt sich auf Paragraf 301 des US-Handelsgesetzes von 1974, der Vergeltungszölle gegen als unfair eingestufte Handelspraktiken anderer Staaten erlaubt, und tritt am 22. Juli in Kraft. Das teilte das Büro des US-Handelsbeauftragten (USTR) in Washington mit. » | Peter Steiniger | Donnerstag, 16. Juli 2026
The Chicken Pie Chefs Don't Want You to Know about
Jun 11, 2026 | Flaky, golden chicken pie with a crust that shatters when your fork goes in. If you've ever wondered why your chicken pie crust is soggy or fails to rise, this chef's technique for a short-crust pastry is the solution.
After 20 years in professional kitchens, this is the method I actually use — including the one butter trick most home cooks skip that makes the difference between soggy and crisp. We cover the pastry, the filling that stays creamy instead of gluey, and how to get that deep golden top every single time.
This is a proper homemade chicken pie — no shortcuts that sacrifice texture, but nothing you can't do in a home kitchen with regular equipment. …
Click here for Charlé’s full recipe.
After 20 years in professional kitchens, this is the method I actually use — including the one butter trick most home cooks skip that makes the difference between soggy and crisp. We cover the pastry, the filling that stays creamy instead of gluey, and how to get that deep golden top every single time.
This is a proper homemade chicken pie — no shortcuts that sacrifice texture, but nothing you can't do in a home kitchen with regular equipment. …
Click here for Charlé’s full recipe.
Face à la menace russe, la Lettonie renforce la sécurité autour d’un vaste barrage près de sa capitale
LE FIGARO : Le premier ministre letton a demandé à l’OTAN davantage de défenses aériennes et davantage de troupes alliées au sol.
La Lettonie a renforcé son dispositif sécuritaire autour d’un barrage hydroélectrique en amont de sa capitale, Riga, ainsi qu’autour d’une immense installation souterraine de stockage de gaz, a déclaré ce jeudi 16 juillet le premier ministre du pays, Andris Kulbergs, à Reuters. Cette décision fait suite à des informations d’agences de renseignement occidentales, qui ont estimé dans un rapport que la Russie prépare des attaques et des « provocations » contre les infrastructures critiques de la région. Le Kremlin a réagi, qualifiant ces accusations de « contes à faire peur ». » | Par Le Figaro avec Reuters | jeudi 16 juillet 2026
La Lettonie a renforcé son dispositif sécuritaire autour d’un barrage hydroélectrique en amont de sa capitale, Riga, ainsi qu’autour d’une immense installation souterraine de stockage de gaz, a déclaré ce jeudi 16 juillet le premier ministre du pays, Andris Kulbergs, à Reuters. Cette décision fait suite à des informations d’agences de renseignement occidentales, qui ont estimé dans un rapport que la Russie prépare des attaques et des « provocations » contre les infrastructures critiques de la région. Le Kremlin a réagi, qualifiant ces accusations de « contes à faire peur ». » | Par Le Figaro avec Reuters | jeudi 16 juillet 2026
UK Government’s New Blueprint to Prepare Nation for War Will Give People ‘Agency’ | Elisabeth Braw
Jul 16, 2026 | “If you receive that information on a regular basis, you actually become quite comfortable with thinking about what can happen.”
Britons will soon be advised to stockpile food, water, medicine, and wind-up radios under government plans to prepare people for war, which will gives people confidence in these situations, says senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative at the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Elisabeth Braw.
Britons will soon be advised to stockpile food, water, medicine, and wind-up radios under government plans to prepare people for war, which will gives people confidence in these situations, says senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative at the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Elisabeth Braw.
Dictator: The Hitler Interviews - Episode 1 (Channel 4 Documentary)
“Winifred Wagner was of Welsh descent. Born Winifred Marjorie Williams in Hastings, England, she was the daughter of John Williams, a Welsh journalist and critic from Brecon, and his English-Danish wife.
Orphaned before the age of two, she was adopted at age ten by distant German relatives and moved to Germany. She later married Siegfried Wagner—the son of composer Richard Wagner—and became a prominent figure in the Bayreuth Festival and a devoted personal friend of Adolf Hitler.” [Source: Google AI]
Chataeu Diadem at Davidoff of London - Emily, Edward and Eddie Sahakian
Homosexuality: The Underside of Conversion Therapies | Slice | Full Documentary
Nov 18, 2023 | Accepting one’s homosexuality for an American today ought to be simple? And yet, it is not so straightforward! 700,000 young people in the United States have already undergone so-called conversion therapies, intended to "cure" their homosexuality.
Run by religious or pseudo-scientific communities, these therapies promise to fix a supposedly "deviant sexual orientation" and to change a person’s inner identity. Through social, familial, and religious pressure, Mathew, Jordan and Lucas all signed up for these therapies and went through hell: Isolation, sequestration, humiliation, food deprivation, physical and psychological violence.
Today, a political combat is underway to halt these therapies and to acknowledge the victims. This is likely to be a long process, given that such practices are still allowed in 41 states and have the backing of the Trump administration.
Documentary: YOU'LL BE STRAIGHT
Directed by Caroline Benarrosh
Production: Tohubohu for France Télévisions
These religious freaks are cruel and ignorant. Homosexuality is not a choice; rather, it is innate. One is born with such proclivities. The environment and circumstances one is raised in also have their part to play in determining a person’s sexual orientation. The gay cannot be prayed away. Conversion therapy is destined to fail. The best that it can achieve is the suppression of homosexual tendencies. But that in itself is extremely damaging to one’s mental and physical health. In a civilized society, these practices should be outlawed. Being gay is very natural. If it weren’t, why on earth would it be present in the animal kingdom? Americans need to be enlightened. They are living in darkness. — © Mark Alexander
Run by religious or pseudo-scientific communities, these therapies promise to fix a supposedly "deviant sexual orientation" and to change a person’s inner identity. Through social, familial, and religious pressure, Mathew, Jordan and Lucas all signed up for these therapies and went through hell: Isolation, sequestration, humiliation, food deprivation, physical and psychological violence.
Today, a political combat is underway to halt these therapies and to acknowledge the victims. This is likely to be a long process, given that such practices are still allowed in 41 states and have the backing of the Trump administration.
Documentary: YOU'LL BE STRAIGHT
Directed by Caroline Benarrosh
Production: Tohubohu for France Télévisions
These religious freaks are cruel and ignorant. Homosexuality is not a choice; rather, it is innate. One is born with such proclivities. The environment and circumstances one is raised in also have their part to play in determining a person’s sexual orientation. The gay cannot be prayed away. Conversion therapy is destined to fail. The best that it can achieve is the suppression of homosexual tendencies. But that in itself is extremely damaging to one’s mental and physical health. In a civilized society, these practices should be outlawed. Being gay is very natural. If it weren’t, why on earth would it be present in the animal kingdom? Americans need to be enlightened. They are living in darkness. — © Mark Alexander
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