Farage: The MAGA Grifter Who Will Win Thursday's Elections

May 2, 2026 | On Thursday 7th May, Britain votes — and I'm giving you my full prediction, party by party, from worst to best.

The Liberal Democrats, despite their integrity and 72 MPs, will come last — because being decent isn't enough when you're invisible.

The Conservatives aren't far ahead, still paying the price for 14 years of economic mismanagement.

Labour's Keir Starmer faces a reckoning that could force him out of Downing Street sooner than anyone expects.

The Greens are surging — popular, photogenic leadership [really???] — but try naming a single Green policy.

And then there's Reform UK. I devote the majority of this video to Reform UK — because what's happening isn't just another British political story. It's the MAGA franchise arriving in Britain. Farage's movement, Trump's playbook, same energy — and it's working.

This is my honest, unfiltered prediction of how Thursday plays out — and what it means for the future of British politics.


Sadly, a pretty accurate assessment. The thought of Farage preening his feathers like a peacock, which he will, is vomit-inducing! — © Mark Alexander

Jailed Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Winner Hospitalized in Critical Condition

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Narges Mohammadi, a prominent human rights activist, was taken to a hospital after collapsing following a heart problem in prison.

Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | Narges Mohammadi poses in an undated photo provided by her family. The Nobel laureate has suffered from heart ailments for years, according to her family. | Credit: Mohammadi family
Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate and prominent human rights activist, was transferred to a hospital in the city of Zanjan, where she was in prison, after collapsing and losing consciousness on Friday, according to a statement by her family.

Ms. Mohammadi is currently in the hospital’s intensive care unit. But the judicial authorities have refused requests from her family and her lawyer to transfer her to a better-equipped hospital in the country’s capital, Tehran, where she could be cared for by her longtime cardiologist, according to a statement by her foundation, the Narges Foundation, and her husband, Taghi Rahmani.

Mr. Rahmani said the family fears for her life and has pleaded for mercy from the Iranian authorities. Iran’s mission to the United Nations said it had no comment on Ms. Mohammadi’s health situation.

“We are extremely worried about her; she has collapsed and lost consciousness several times, and her life is in danger,” Mr. Rahmani said in an interview from Paris, where he lives in exile with the couple’s children. “Our request is basic and urgent: send her to a hospital in Tehran immediately.” » | Farnaz Fassihi | Farnaz Fassihi has covered Iran for more than three decades living and traveling through the country. She was a war correspondent based in the Middle East for 15 years. | Friday, May 1, 2026

Trump Tells Congress Why He Doesn’t Need Its Authorization for the Iran War

THE NEW YORK TIMES: In letters to the House and Senate, the president asserted that the hostilities had “terminated,” in an apparent attempt to avoid having to seek congressional approval.

President Trump sent letters to Congress on Friday making the case that a Vietnam-era law requiring him to seek congressional authorization to continue military operations in Iran did not apply because the conflict was in a cease-fire.

In the letters — sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the president pro tempore of the Senate — Mr. Trump said that he was writing to inform them “of changes in the posture of United States Forces” and reiterated his administration’s position that a cease-fire he declared on April 7 had stopped the clock on the war.

Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, if presidents deploy American forces into hostilities without congressional authorization, they must end the operation after 60 days if the legislative branch does not grant permission for the continued use of forces on the mission. The law also allows the president a single 30-day extension, but only to safely bring troops home, not to extend combat.

But Mr. Trump’s letters made the case that there had “been no exchange of fire between United States Forces and Iran since April 7,” and that hostilities the United States and Israel began on Feb. 28 “have terminated,” in an apparent attempt to avoid having to seek congressional approval. He did not mention that U.S. forces fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on April 19. » | Erica L. Green and Megan Mineiro | Friday, May 1, 2026

U.S. to Withdraw 5,000 Troops From Germany, Pentagon Says

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Officials announced the decision after President Trump expressed annoyance with the German chancellor’s remarks about the Iran war.

Pentagon officials said on Friday that they were pulling 5,000 troops from Germany and would redeploy them to the United States and other posts overseas.

The Defense Department is also canceling a plan developed under the Biden administration to place a missile-equipped artillery unit in Europe.

The moves will return U.S. forces in Europe to the level they were in 2022, before Russia began its war in Ukraine, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the planning process. Last year, the Pentagon redeployed a brigade in Romania and did not send replacement forces.

Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that the withdrawal would be completed over the next six to 12 months. » | Julian E. Barnes and Helene Cooper | Reporting from Washington | Friday, May 1, 2026

Trump has had yet another temper tantrum! So, what’s new? Friedrich Merz spoke the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Obviously, Trump doesn’t like to hear the truth. — © Mark Alexander

READ ALSO:

How Germany Misjudged Trump’s Anger on Iran: After Chancellor Friedrich Merz upset President Trump with criticism of the war, he offered no public sign he believed Mr. Trump’s threats to pull troops were serious. »

À LIRE AUSSI :

Le Pentagone annonce le retrait de 5000 soldats américains stationnés en Allemagne : Cette décision, ordonnée par le secrétaire à la Défense, doit être mise en œuvre dans un délai d’un an. »

LESEN SIE AUCH:

Streit mit Merz eskaliert: Trump zieht 5000 Soldaten aus Deutschland ab – Pistorius reagiert: Nach dem angekündigten Abzug von 5000 US-Soldaten aus Deutschland gibt sich die Bundesregierung gelassen. Verteidigungsminister Boris Pistorius nennt den Schritt „absehbar“. »

Steve Schmidt: MAGA Is Rotting from the Inside Out

May 1, 2026 | Donald Trump is prosecuting James Comey for an Instagram post and trying to get Jimmy Kimmel fired for a joke. Steve Schmidt breaks down a week of crocodile tears, a lost war, and a MAGA movement that reeks of failure.

Mr Schmidt: It hasn’t been a very good year for the rest of the world, either! Trump and his chumps have dumped on the whole wide world! We are all licking our wounds. All because Americans have poor judgment when it comes to picking their presidents. Their penchant for geriatrics comes with a very high price tag! — © Mark Alexander

L’éditorial de Philippe Gélie : « Donald Trump et la quête de l’immortalité »

LE FIGARO : Le 47e président américain a gravé son nom dans le marbre du Kennedy Center et déroulé son portrait géant sur les façades des ministères. Simple aperçu : Trump imperator veut maintenant laisser une empreinte éternelle sur sa Nouvelle Rome.

Donald Trump est revenu à la Maison-Blanche pour entrer dans l’Histoire. L’insurgent du premier mandat étend son pouvoir sur l’Amérique et imprime sa marque sur le monde. Cela commence à Washington, écrin de la démocratie américaine depuis 250 ans. Le 47e président s’est approprié en conquérant cette ville qui a voté trois fois contre lui à plus de 90 % : il a gravé son nom dans le marbre du Kennedy Center et déroulé son portrait géant sur les façades des ministères. Simple aperçu : Trump imperator veut maintenant laisser une empreinte éternelle sur sa Nouvelle Rome. » | Par Philippe Gélie | vendredi 1 mai 2026

Réservé aux abonnés

Plus haut arc de triomphe du monde, salle de bal géante, 250 statues de héros américains... À Washington, la folie des grandeurs de Trump

LE FIGARO : DÉCRYPTAGE - L’ancien promoteur immobilier impose sa marque sur l’architecture fédérale de la capitale.

La pelouse circulaire sert jusqu’à présent surtout aux oies et autres oiseaux migrateurs. Sur l’île Columbia, au bord du Potomac, un rond-point entouré par la voie rapide George Washington Memorial Parkway a été choisi par Donald Trump pour y construire un gigantesque arc de triomphe. « L’endroit attendait un monument », a déclaré le président américain en présentant les maquettes du projet.

L’idée a germé dans l’esprit du président américain lors de sa visite à Paris pour le centenaire de l’Armistice en 2018, où les cérémonies se déroulaient sous l’Arc de triomphe. Les premiers plans ont d’abord été ceux d’un arc de taille relativement modeste, avec une hauteur de 18 mètres. Celle-ci a été portée à 23 mètres (76 pieds), pour symboliser l’année 1776, date de la fondation des États-Unis. Mais Trump a insisté pour que son arc soit plus haut que celui de Paris, qui mesure environ 50 mètres. Il a suggéré de rajouter une statue de la Liberté dorée et ailée pour porter la taille du monument à 75 mètres, soit 250 pieds pour célébrer les 250 ans des États-Unis. Ce qui en ferait le plus haut arc de triomphe du monde. » | Par Adrien Jaulmes, correspondant à Washington | vendredi 1 mai. 2026

Réservé aux abonnés

Trump Tears Up EU Tariff Deal and Raises Some Import Duties

THE GUARDIAN: US president says tariff on cars and lorries will rise to 25% and accuses European Union of non-compliance

Donald Trump has said he is tearing up part of the tariff deal he struck with EU leaders at his golf course in Scotland last summer, criticising Brussels for taking so long to ratify the deal.

Blindsiding Brussels late on May Day bank holiday on Friday, he announced that he would be increasing tariffs on cars and lorries imported into the US from the EU from 15% to 25% from next week.

Vehicles made in the US by EU companies would be exempt from the increase, he wrote on Truth Social.

“I am pleased to announce that, based on the fact the European Union is not complying with our full agreed to Trade Deal, next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks coming into the United States,” Trump said. » | Lisa O’Carroll | Senior correspondent | Friday, May 1, 2026

This poor man should be put out of his misery and locked up! I strongly suggest he be sectioned! 😊 — © Mark Alexander

Why Did Antisemitism Persist after 1945? History Documentary - AT

Mar 4, 2026 | Antisemitism did not disappear in 1945. It changed its face

Trump 'Clearly Has Some Health Affliction' that the Whitehouse Won't Talk About | Aaron Rupar

Apr 30, 2026 | “If the story wasn’t anything major, there would be no reason for the White House not to just come clean.”

Trump’s rambling is “probably a result of age”, but the reasons the White House has given for the bruising on his hands “don’t pass the smell test”, says journalist Aaron Rupar.

Will the Iran War Cause a Global Depression? (w/ Prof. Richard Wolff) | The Chris Hedges Report

May 1, 2026 | The ill-conceived US war on Iran is leading the world to a global recession or depression. Professor Richard Wolff places the current crisis in the context of the capitalist system and the decline of US hegemonic power.

Nach Tod eines indigenen Mädchens: „Absolute Anarchie“ in Australien

BERLINER ZEITUNG: Nach dem Tod eines indigenen Mädchens ist es im australischen Alice Springs zu Gewalt gekommen. Demonstranten forderten „Payback“ – eine traditionelle Form der Vergeltung.

In der abgelegenen australischen Stadt Alice Springs sind Hunderte Demonstranten mit Polizei und Rettungskräften aneinandergeraten. Auslöser war die Festnahme eines 47-Jährigen, der verdächtigt wird, ein fünfjähriges indigenes Mädchen entführt und getötet zu haben.

Die Polizei erklärte, der Mann habe sich am Donnerstagabend in einem sogenannten Town Camp gestellt – informellen indigenen Siedlungen am Rand der Stadt. Bewohner hätten daraufhin begonnen, Selbstjustiz gegen ihn auszuüben und den Verdächtigen bewusstlos geschlagen.

Als der Mann anschließend ins Krankenhaus gebracht wurde, versammelten sich laut Behörden rund 400 Menschen vor dem Gebäude. Auf Videos des australischen Senders ABC war zu hören, wie Demonstranten „Payback“ forderten – eine traditionelle Form körperlicher Vergeltung in einigen indigenen Gemeinschaften Australiens. » | Alexander Schmalz | Freitag, 1. Mai 2026

THE GUARDIAN:

Police say they will charge people with unrest in Alice Springs after arrest over death of Kumanjayi Little Baby: Five-year-old’s grandfather and senior Warlpiri elder appeals for calm, saying: ‘It is time now for sorry business’ »

Warning: This article contains references to and images of Indigenous Australians who have died.

Guerre en Ukraine : les frappes de drones russes au plus haut en avril

LE FIGARO : Les forces russes ont notamment augmenté leur nombre de frappes durant la journée - alors que Moscou visait précédemment l’Ukraine presque exclusivement pendant la nuit -, ce que Kiev dénonce comme une tactique.

La Russie a visé l'Ukraine avec un nombre record de frappes de drones de longue portée au mois d'avril, selon une analyse par l'AFP des données publiées par les forces aériennes ukrainiennes. Moscou a lancé 6583 drones de longue portée pendant le mois d'avril, soit une augmentation de 2% par rapport au mois de mars, avec notamment une multiplication de frappes en journée, alors que les négociations pour mettre fin au conflit déclenché par l'invasion russe en février 2022 sont au point mort.

Les forces russes ont notamment augmenté leur nombre de frappes durant la journée - alors que Moscou visait précédemment l'Ukraine presque exclusivement pendant la nuit -, ce que Kiev dénonce comme une tactique destinée à faire un maximum de victimes civiles alors que le conflit a déjà fait des dizaines de milliers de morts. Le nombre de missiles tirés par Moscou - 141 - était aussi en hausse de 2% par rapport au mois précédent, mais loin des 288 tirs recensés en février. D'après les données de l'armée de l'air ukrainienne, 88% des drones et missiles ont été interceptés au cours du mois. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | vendredi 1 mai 2026

El dilema de Sheinbaum: desafiar a EE. UU. o arrestar a un aliado

THE NEW YORK TIMES: El gobierno de Trump quiere que la presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum detenga a un gobernador mexicano. Ella cuenta con pocas buenas opciones como respuesta.

Captura de este artículo. | La presidenta de México, Claudia Sheinbaum, podría detener a uno de los aliados de su partido, el gobernador del estado de Sinaloa, y extraditarlo a Estados Unidos, o desafiar la petición estadounidense y protegerlo. | Yuri Cortez/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Una granada política acaba de caer en manos de Claudia Sheinbaum, la presidenta de México.

El miércoles, fiscales estadounidenses presentaron una acusación contra uno de los políticos más destacados de su partido —Rubén Rocha Moya, gobernador del estado mexicano de Sinaloa— en la que se decía que durante mucho tiempo había apoyado a un poderoso cártel de la droga que ha aterrorizado a los mismos ciudadanos a los que juró proteger.

Estados Unidos pidió al gobierno de Sheinbaum que lo detuviera rápidamente, junto con otros nueve funcionarios y exfuncionarios mexicanos mencionados en la acusación.

Esto ha hecho que Sheinbaum tenga poco tiempo para tomar una decisión importante.

Podría detener a uno de los aliados de su partido y extraditarlo a Estados Unidos, una medida que probablemente reforzaría su vínculo con el presidente Donald Trump pero que también molestaría a los políticos de su partido que sostienen que el gobierno estadounidense ha estado presionando a Sheinbaum. » | Por Jack Nicas y Emiliano Rodríguez Mega | Reportando desde Ciudad de México | jueves 30 de abril de 2026

Read in English.

EL PAÍS: The United States puts a spotlight back on narcoplitics in Mexico: The accusation against the governor of Sinaloa once again highlights the allegations that have dogged Morena’s electoral campaigns since 2021 »

Why Countries Are Stocking Up on Gold

THE NEW YORK TIMES: As risk has escalated, central banks have bought more gold to stash in reserve. A widening Middle East war could add to the urgency.

Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | Gold bars stored at the Bank of England. | Bank of England | Credits: Unavailable
Central banks around the world have bulked up their reserves of gold, a safe but cumbersome investment that has been revived in popularity by intensifying geopolitical tensions and concerns over inflation.

This year, the price of gold exceeded $5,000 per troy ounce for the first time in history. One major reason prices have soared — doubling in a year and a half — is the demand from emerging economies: The central banks of Poland, Turkey, India and China have been some of the biggest buyers of gold in the past several years.

The shock to the global financial system from the war in the Middle East has underlined again how some central banks turn to gold during times of stress.

Central banks have continued to add to their holdings of gold since the conflict began in late February, including those in China, Poland, the Czech Republic and Uzbekistan, according to data from the World Gold Council. In March, China’s central bank bought more gold than it had in more than a year. Guatemala also bought gold in March, for the first time in about six months, the council said. » | Eshe Nelson | Eshe Nelson, who reported from London, has written about central banks and financial markets for more than a decade. | Friday, May 1, 2026

Where in the World Is All That Gold Stored?: As central banks buy more gold, where to put all that heavy metal is an increasingly important question. Reserves must be secure and ready to trade in a crisis. »

The Dark Reality of Being Gay in an Indian Family

Apr 29, 2026 | Dhiren Doshi-Smith grew up in East Ham, London, navigating the heavy expectations of his British Indian heritage and the strict cultural boundaries of his Jain community. Living with a large extended family above a shop, Dhiren realised he was different from a young age but quickly learned to mask his authentic self.

Surrounded by an environment where queerness was deeply taboo and "gay" was weaponised as a slur alongside compounding local racism, the space to be himself simply did not exist.

Carrying immense shame and the daunting expectation of a traditional arranged marriage, Dhiren lived a painful double life. It was not until his mid-thirties, against the heartbreaking backdrop of his mother’s terminal illness, that a profound turning point arrived. Witnessing the fragility of life and seeing his secret boyfriend lovingly care for his dying mother, Dhiren realised he could no longer merely exist. He had to finally thrive.

Choosing to step out of the shadows, Dhiren shed the grief of his hidden years to fully embrace his truth. Today, he is happily married to that same partner and thrives openly as a therapeutic counsellor and EDI corporate trainer, dedicating his life to supporting queer mental health in often hostile environments.

From overcoming his intense fear of visibility to famously fronting Pride in London’s billboard campaigns, Dhiren has transformed his deepest cultural trauma into his greatest strength. By sharing his powerful story, he actively works to dismantle the heavy shame carried by queer people of colour, proving that stepping into your authenticity leads to a beautiful, liberated life.

Psychology of Gay Gen X Who Came Out Late

Apr 30, 2026 | Psychology of Gay Gen X Who Came Out Late

A lot of Gen X men knew who they were by the time they were fifteen. They just couldn't say it out loud. Not in the eighties. Not during AIDS. Not when two-thirds of the country thought being gay should be illegal. So they did what Gen X does best — they adapted, they performed, and they survived. This is about what it cost them, what finally changed, and why some of them are only now walking through a door that's been open for years.

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines

April 30, 2026

Democracy Now! can be supported here.

Donald Trump envisage aussi un « probable » retrait de militaires américains stationnés en Italie et en Espagne

LE FIGARO : Washington semble déterminé à mettre en place des mesures de rétorsion à l’encontre d’alliés occidentaux pour leur manque d’engagement dans la guerre en Iran.

Donald Trump a dit ce jeudi envisager un « probable » retrait des forces armées américaines stationnées en Italie et en Espagne, quelques heures après avoir également cité l’Allemagne.

Mercredi, Donald Trump avait déjà dit envisager une réduction des forces armées américaines stationnées en Allemagne, dans la foulée de premiers propos vindicatifs contre le chancelier allemand à propos de la guerre en Iran. « Une décision sera prise très prochainement », a écrit le président américain sur sa plateforme Truth Social. » | Par Le Figaro avec Reuters et AFP | jeudi 30 avril 2026

LOOKING BACK: Margaret Thatcher Questioned Live on AIDS Crisis, Iran-Contra, and Popularity (1986)

Apr 30, 2026 | In November 1986, ITN presenter Leonard Parkin interviewed the Prime Minister of the day, Margaret Thatcher. Parkin pressed the Prime Minister on the UK's response to the AIDS crisis - describing it as "the biggest threat that mankind has had to face". The ITN journalist also asked about the Iran Contra affair and why Thatcher still supported US President Ronald Reagan on the issue as public mood on both sides of the Atlantic shifted.

The interview ends with a discussion about Thatcher's own popularity and how the public viewed her. The "Iron Lady" - not for turning as ever - admitted that hearing the negative views about her was painful as she is human, but nevertheless described those opinions as "wrong".

Thatcher had been in power for seven years - having won two general elections, in 1979 and 1983 - and was eyeing another victory when the country went to the polls.

During the interview she is asked about a range of subjects: from the potential for an early election, the language used in politics, and her view on whether Labour could survive another general election loss.


Loved by many and disliked by many, too; but two things are certain: she was a FORMIDABLE LADY with OODLES of POLISH.

When she was in power, I was one of her greatest fans, for she breathed life into a sclerotic nation. As the years have passed, I must confess that I have seen that many of our problems today, such as extreme wealth inequality and foreign ownership of British businesses, can be traced back directly to her policies and to Thatcherism. Nevertheless, it is also an undeniable fact that she was an extremely capable politician and leader. Would that we had such an effective leader today!

Thatcher was a politician of conviction. One great aspect of her mission was to free up the people and to remove government interference in how people led their lives. So, in many ways she was the complete opposite of the interfering Starmer, who is an interfering micro-manager, and who has absolutely no understanding of, or respect for, people’s freedom to live their lives as they see fit. — © Mark Alexander

Are Americans Falling Out of Love with Trump?

Some Americans must surely be crazy!

Steve Schmmidt: Pete Hegseth Will Rot in His Shame

Apr 30, 2026 | Fifty-one years ago the last helicopter fled the US Embassy in Vietnam, and Donald Trump has brought America into another losing war. Steve Schmidt exposes Pete Hegseth's incompetence, villainy, and criminal failures in this catastrophe.

Hear! Hear! — Mark

Supreme Leader Says Iran Is Planning for Ongoing Control of Strait

The NEW YORK TIMES: Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said in a statement that Iran would establish “new legal frameworks” for the Strait of Hormuz. He also said his country would retain its nuclear capabilities.

Screenshot from this NYT article. | Iranians held photos of the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, at a government-organized march in Tehran on Wednesday. | Arash Khamooshi for The New York Times
Iran’s supreme leader issued a rare statement on Thursday saying that the United States had no place in the future of the Persian Gulf region and making clear that his country planned to manage the strategic Strait of Hormuz waterway going forward.

In the defiant message, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei also vowed that Iran would retain its nuclear capabilities. The lengthy statement from the Iranian leader, who has not been seen in public since he was named to the top post nearly two months ago, was shared by his office.

It touched on two of the thorniest issues stalling talks on permanently ending the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which began in late February and paused when a cease-fire was reached this month. Those positions put Iran at odds with the United States, which has sought to curtail Iran’s nuclear ambitions and insisted that it cannot restrict use of the Strait of Hormuz to vessels of its choosing.

“By the will and power of God, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without America,” said the statement, which was released on Iran’s National Day of the Persian Gulf, an annual commemoration of a 1622 military victory over Portugal in the Strait of Hormuz. » | Leo Sands | Thursday, April 30, 2026

Trump Tells Merz to ‘Fix His Broken Country’ in New Attack on German Chancellor

THE GUARDIAN: US president’s latest outburst comes a day after he suggested a ‘possible reduction’ in US troops in Germany

Donald Trump has again lashed out at Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, saying he should focus on “fixing his broken country” and trying to end the Russia-Ukraine war – and spend less time “interfering” in Iran.

“The Chancellor of Germany should spend more time on ending the war with Russia/Ukraine (Where he has been totally ineffective!),” Trump wrote in a social media post.

Merz should instead focus on “fixing his broken Country,” he wrote, “especially Immigration and Energy, and less time on interfering with those that are getting rid of the Iran Nuclear threat, thereby making the World, including Germany, a safer place!”

Trump’s latest outburst came a day after he suggested the US military presence in Germany was being reviewed, with a “possible reduction” of troops under consideration. » | Kate Connolly in Berlin and Jakub Krupa | Thursday, April 30, 2026

El presidente y la primera dama de EE. UU. exigen a la ABC que despida a Jimmy Kimmel por un chiste

THE NEW YORK TIMES: La broma dirigida a Melania Trump se grabó dos días antes de la cena de corresponsales de la Casa Blanca, en la que un hombre armado intentó asaltar la gala de la prensa.

Captura de este artículo. | Melania Trump, la primera dama, en una rueda de prensa en la Casa Blanca el sábado por la noche tras el tiroteo en la Cena de Corresponsales de la Casa Blanca. | Salwan Georges para The New York Times
El presidente Donald Trump y la primera dama Melania Trump exigieron el lunes, en sendas publicaciones en las redes sociales, que la cadena ABC retirara de sus emisiones al comediante Jimmy Kimmel por un segmento relacionado con la cena de corresponsales de la Casa Blanca, emitido dos días antes de que esta tuviera lugar.

Kimmel, quien tiene un largo historial de enfrentamientos con el presidente, se había imaginado a sí mismo como presentador de la cena. “Por supuesto, nuestra primera dama, Melania, está aquí”, dijo el jueves por la noche. Luego, fingiendo dirigirse a ella, la llamó “tan hermosa” y añadió: “Señora Trump, tiene un brillo como el de una futura viuda”. Hizo bromas sobre la edad y la salud de Donald Trump.

Esto ocurrió antes de que un hombre armado traspasara el perímetro de seguridad del Washington Hilton mientras el presidente y la primera dama se encontraban dentro el sábado.

En su publicación en las redes sociales del lunes por la tarde, Donald Trump describió la broma del comediante como “realmente impactante” y “algo totalmente inaceptable”. Terminó su mensaje “Jimmy Kimmel debería ser despedido inmediatamente por Disney y ABC”. » | Por Shawn McCreesh | Reportando desde Washington | martes 28 de abril de 2026

Read in English.

Guerre au Moyen-Orient : les États-Unis ont subi une «défaite honteuse», tacle le guide suprême iranien

LE FIGARO : « Un nouveau chapitre s’ouvre » pour le Golfe et le détroit d’Ormuz, a déclaré dans un message retransmis jeudi Mojtaba Khamenei, qui a été blessé dans des frappes et n’a pas été vu en public depuis sa nomination. EN DIRECT » | Par Ségolène Forgar et Aldric Meeschaert | jeudi 30 avril 2026

Margaret Thatcher: The Iron Lady

Margaret Thatcher: The Iron Lady - From her humble beginnings as a grocer's daughter, Margaret Thatcher fought her way through the sexist prejudices of the 1970s to become the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1979.

Margaret Thatcher: The Iron Lady (2012)
Director: Alan Byron
Stars: Tony Benn, Gyles Brandreth, Michael Brunson
Genre: Documentary, Biography, History
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Release Date: August 24, 2012 (United States)

Steve Rosenberg: Russia Steps Up VPN Crackdown

Apr 30, 2026 | In today’s Russian papers: Russia’s Digital Development Minister pledges to “fulfil the task of reducing VPN use” in Russia. One option: “the introduction of civil liability for VPN use. Plus, the Victory Day parade on Red Square to be scaled-back.

Trumps groteskes Kabinett: Hexen, Helden und Halluzinationen

April 30, 2026

JD Vance Furious after King Charles’ Speech

Apr 29, 2026 | How did King Charles expose Trump in front of Congress? Did it make Trump angry? And, why was JD Vance so unhappy with the speech?

Mamdani’s Advice to Royals: Give That Priceless Diamond Back to India

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Mayor Zohran Mamdani and King Charles did not meet privately. But if they had, the mayor said, he probably would have raised the issue of the Koh-i-Noor Diamond. [sic]

Hours before greeting King Charles III in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani was asked about the royal visit during a news conference in the Bronx.

The mayor quickly distanced himself, saying that he would be attending a ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum “alongside a number of other elected officials” and that would be the extent of his interaction with the king.

But what would he say to King Charles if they were to have a private meeting?

“I would probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor Diamond,” Mr. Mamdani said.

The mayor’s decision to invoke the 105.6-carat diamond — taken from an 11-year-old Indian prince in the 1840s when India was a British colony and presented to Queen Victoria — was in character.

Mr. Mamdani was born in Uganda, also once part of the British Empire, to Indian parents who have helped to shape his political views. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a leading scholar of anticolonialism. His mother, Mira Nair, is an award-winning filmmaker whose movies have examined the colonial experience. India has lobbied for the diamond, part of the crown jewels in the Tower of London, to be returned.

Mr. Mamdani is also the city’s first democratic socialist mayor, and he has said his goal is to uplift the city’s working-class residents. » | Jeffrey C. Mays | Wednesday, April 29, 2026

À LIRE AUSSI :

Zohran Mamdani demande à Charles III de rendre un diamant réclamé par l'Inde : Le maire de New York Zohran Mamdani a appelé mercredi le roi Charles III à «rendre» le diamant Koh-i-Noor, joyau de la couronne obtenu en Inde par l’Empire britannique au XIXe siècle. »

Ex-FBI Director Surrenders over Charge of Threatening President Trump in Instagram Post | BBC News

Apr 29, 2026 | Former FBI Director James Comey surrendered to authorities on Wednesday to face a charge alleging that an image he briefly shared on social media posed a threat to the life of US President Donald Trump.

It stems from an Instagram post shared by Comey, which contained an image of seashells on a beach arranged to read "86 47". "Eighty-six" is a slang term for "get rid of", and prosecutors allege it encourages violence against Trump, the 47th president.

Comey denies any wrongdoing, saying he did not know what the numbers meant, and accused the prosecution of political motivation.

This marks the second time the justice department has brought criminal charges against Comey, a long-time critic of Trump.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Says US Is Being Humiliated by Iran

Apr 27, 2026 | Merz says he doesn't see what exit strategy the US has in the war with Iran, warning 'an entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards'

Trump Threatens to Reduce Troop Numbers in Germany amid Growing Row with Nato Allies

THE GUARDIAN: US president’s threat comes after Germany’s Friedrich Merz suggests Trump team is being outplayed in its negotiations with Iran

The US may reduce its number of troops deployed in Germany, Donald Trump has announced, days after the country’s chancellor said America was being “humiliated” by Iran.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US president said his administration was “studying and reviewing the possible reduction of troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time”.

On Monday, Friedrich Merz suggested the Trump team was being outplayed in its negotiations with Iran to secure an end to the ongoing war and a reopening of the strait of Hormuz.

“The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skilful at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result,” the German chancellor said.

Merz reiterated his criticisms on Wednesday, saying Europe was “suffering” from the consequences of the closure of the strait. » | Jonathan Yerushalmy | Thursday, April 30, 2026

Lire la suite ici.

Epstein Obtained Objects From Islam’s Holiest Site for His Island ‘Mosque’

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Jeffrey Epstein’s messages cast light on an unusual building on his private island and show how his connections helped him secure tapestries from Mecca for it.

Screenshot from this NYT article. | A photo released by the House Oversight Committee showed a building once owned by Jeffrey Epstein on Little Saint James, his private island in the Caribbean. He referred to it as a mosque. | Credits: Unavailable
Tapestries embroidered with Quranic verses were shipped from the Kaaba in Mecca, Islam’s holiest shrine. Tiles came from a mosque in Uzbekistan. A golden metal dome was made to replicate the architecture of ancient Syria.

Jeffrey Epstein spent years making connections across the Middle East, in pursuit of business deals and two intertwined hobbies: acquiring rare Islamic artifacts with which to decorate an unusual building on his private island, and expanding his network of wealthy, powerful people.

Through connections that extended into the royal court of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Epstein secured a meeting with Mohammed bin Salman, now the Saudi crown prince, and also obtained elaborate tapestries that once adorned the sacred spaces inside the Kaaba and covered its exterior walls. » | Ephrat Livni | Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Dumping Trump: MAGA Loses Voters as Trump Polling Plummets

Apr 30, 2026 | Jen Psaki shares testimonials from a new web site that features Trump voters who are realizing that what he is doing in office is not what they signed up for. This regret is also seen in new Reuters/Ipsos polling that shows Trump's approval to be at its lowest point in his second term.

Also in this week's episode, Donald Trump finds another thing to stick his face on, Pete Hegseth makes the bizarre decision to compare Trump's war on Iran with Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam, and Jen exposes what a weak overreach Trump's latest harangue against Jimmy Kimmel really is.

"I Hate Him" — Passport Edition

Apr 28, 2026 | Trump is having his face put on U.S. passports.

Very strong language alert!

Growing Up Gay | Dave Egan - Former "Ex-Gay"

Apr 24, 2026 | Dave Egan, a former “ex-gay,” reveals the painful struggle of coming out and confronting the religious conflict that shaped his early life as a gay man.

Richter / Wislocki — Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No 2

July 14, 2020

Sviatoslav Richter (piano)
Stanisław Wisłocki (conductor)
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
1959/04/26-28 Stereo, Philharmonie, Warsaw

Trump réfléchit à réduire les forces armées américaines stationnées en Allemagne

LE FIGARO : Le président américain a déclaré mercredi qu’il envisageait une réduction des forces armées américaines stationnées en Allemagne, après des propos vindicatifs contre le chancelier allemand à propos de la guerre en Iran. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mercredi 29 avril 2026

Venezuela Without Maduro | ARTE.tv Documentary

Apr 28, 2026 | Three months after Nicolás Maduro's kidnapping by US special forces, Venezuelan civil society is reawakening and challenging the regime openly. Demonstrators are criticising the government and demanding the release of political prisoners, and oil industry trade unions want to see change.

Venezuela Without Maduro | ARTE.tv Documentary
Available until: 24/03/2029

Steve Schmidt: Lindsey Graham Wants You to Pay for Trump's Ballroom

Apr 29, 2026 | Lindsey Graham is now demanding taxpayer money for Trump's ballroom. Steve Schmidt explains why it's a symbol of corruption, incompetence, and a disgrace to the People's House.

London: The Money-laundering Capital of the World

Michael Lambert explains.

Pollo al ajillo — How to Make Authentic Garlic Chicken

Apr 21, 2026 | Pollo al ajillo is a classic Spanish garlic chicken dish that requires just a few ingredients and relies on the combination of olive oil, garlic, and herbs.

In this video, I’ll show you the classic preparation step by step. The key is how the garlic cooks in the oil and how the chicken first browns and then finishes cooking in the oven.

The garlic cloves remain in their skins and are only lightly crushed. This allows them to slowly release their aroma and become soft and mild.

The chicken is first seared in a pan and then transferred to a cazuela [casserole] in the oven. This keeps it juicy and allows it to absorb the flavors of the wine, herbs, and garlic. A simple dish that thrives on proper preparation.

Do Yourselves a Favour: Turn the Volume on Your Computers Up and Listen to This Captivating Music All the Way Through

I find each track irresistible and uplifting. I think many of you will find it so, too, if you give it a chance. I never tire of listening to it. I often let it play whilst I’m doing something else. It brings me joy aplenty.

La guerre au Moyen-Orient risque de jeter plus de 30 millions de personnes dans la pauvreté

LE FIGARO : Le conflit va tout particulièrement affecter « l’Afrique subsaharienne et certains pays en Asie », ou encore «les petites îles en développement». Les populations vont souffrir des « coûts d’énergie, du manque d’engrais, ce qui va avoir un impact énorme dans les mois à venir ».

Le conflit en Iran, en provoquant une flambée des prix de l'énergie, menace de jeter plus de 30 millions de personnes dans la pauvreté à travers le monde, a souligné mercredi 29 avril l'administrateur du Programme des Nations unies pour le développement (PNUD), Alexander De Croo.

« Nous avons fait une étude après six semaines de guerre et notre estimation était que, même si la guerre s'arrêtait à ce moment-là, une population de 32 millions sera poussée dans la précarité dans 160 pays », a-t-il fait valoir en marge du G7 développement à Paris. « C'est le développement en marche arrière », a-t-il déploré. « Cela prend des décennies pour construire des sociétés stables, pour développer une économie locale, ça prend une guerre de quelques semaines pour détruire ça ». » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mercredi 29 avril 2026

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April 29, 2026

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