Macron & Brigitte's Age Difference: What's behind Media's Obsession?

Kosovo, the Impossible Nation-State

Top US & World Headlines — May 12, 2017

A Stroll through Paris, from the Louvre to La Défense

Kurdish Offensive: Turkey Furious over US Arming of Syrian Kurds (Parts 1 & 2)

Why the World Is Worried about Turkey

How Turkey's president gained so much power.

Republican Leadership 'Shackled' to Trump: David Frum

James Comey's firing is a blow to the U.S. government's unwritten rules, says David Frum, senior editor at The Atlantic.

Why Venezuela Still Looks Like This? – BBC News

People in Venezuela are continuing to take to the streets in their thousands to protest against the government. The situation is becoming increasingly violent as riot police confront the demonstrators. Over the past month nearly 40 people have been killed. Vladimir Hernandez has spent a day out on the streets of the capital Caracas.

"Maduro Has Turned Venezuela into a Narco State" - Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado

Maria Corina Machado speaks to France 24 about the escalation of Venezuela's political and economic crisis

L'interview de Trump qui jette encore plus le trouble sur le limogeage du chef du FBI (English)

Full Interview: Julian Assange on Trump, DNC Emails, Russia, the CIA, Vault 7 & More

Full interview with Julian Assange on Democracy Now!, including a debate with investigative journalist Allan Nairn.

Historian of Fascism: Why Trump Firing FBI Director Comey Amid Russia Probe Is So Worrisome

As more details come to light about President Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey, which reportedly came just days after he asked the Justice Department for more resources to expand the bureau’s investigation into Russia’s meddling in the presidential election, we speak with Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history and Italian studies at New York University. Her recent piece for CNN is headlined "Trump at his most dangerous," and she is currently working on a book entitled "Strongmen: From Mussolini to Trump."

Copenhagen Imam Accused of Calling for Killing of Jews

BBC: A video of an imam appearing to call for the murder of Jews in a sermon during Friday prayers at a Copenhagen mosque has caused outrage in Denmark.

Mundhir Abdallah was reported to police after being filmed citing in Arabic a hadith - a teaching of the Prophet Muhammad - considered anti-Semitic.

The hadith says the Day of Judgement "will not come unless the Muslims fight the Jews and the Muslims kill them". A Jewish community leader said his words were a "thinly-veiled" threat.

Videos of the sermon were posted on YouTube and Facebook by the Al-Faruq Mosque on Sunday, although Mr Abdallah reportedly gave it on 31 March. » | Thursday, May 11, 2017

Sean Spicer Future as White House Press Secretary 'In Doubt over Handling of James Comey Firing'

THE INDEPENDENT: Mr Spicer has been temporarily dropped from running his daily press briefings

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer is said to be facing an uncertain future after his poor handling of Donald Trump’s decision to fire FBI director James Comey.

Mr Spicer, whose press appearances have been plagued by multiple gaffes, has been temporarily dropped from running his daily press briefings and will be replaced by Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders for the entirety of this week.

According to White House insiders, the general perception is Mr Spicer has been “benched” during a massively decisive week which has seen the White House subject to heavy scrutiny over the sacking of Mr Comey. » | Maya Oppenheim | Thursday, May 11, 2017

Trump Fires Comey: Russia Probe Looms Large in FBI Director's Dismissal

Syria: Turkish President Erdogan Urges US to Reverse Decision to Arm Kurds

White House Surprised by Dems' Reaction to Comey's Firing?

May. 10, 2017 - 4:18 - Insight from Josh Gerstein, senior reporter at Politico

Trump Muslim Ban Plan Erased from Website - BBC News

A reporter asks White House press secretary Sean Spicer why President Trump's website still mentions "preventing Muslim immigration", and the online page is erased shortly afterwards.

Betsy DeVos Booed As She Speaks At Bethune-Cookman University Commencement (Full Speech)

Trump Fires Comey: “Clearly Orchestrated Move to Get Rid of Pain to the President”

Kellyanne Conway Says It’s “Inappropriate” To Question Trump’s Decision To Fire James Comey

After news broke that Donald Trump had fired FBI director James Comey, Kellyanne Conway took to the airwaves to explain to CNN that it is completely inappropriate for their network – or any reporter – to question the timing of Comey’s firing, and that the president is essentially free to do whatever he wants.

Anne Will - Sendung vom 7. Mai 2017

What Does Ahok's Conviction for Blasphemy Mean for Indonesia? – Inside Story

Angela Merkel Congratulates Macron on Presidential Win

Angela Merkel congratulates Macron on presidential win. Macron's victory has been welcomed by European leaders who feared that a win by Le Pen could mean the end of the EU. German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated Macron on what she called a spectacular success. Merkel on Monday held her last meeting with current French President Francois Hollande. Al Jazeera's Dominic Kane reports from Berlin.

Middle East: Turkey Condemns US Support of the YPG

‪FBI Chief James Comey Fired by Trump - BBC News‬

The White House says he was sacked for botching the Clinton email probe, but critics see a cover-up.

‪Trump Fires FBI Director James Comey‬

The End of the Socialist Party

'Trump Fires Comey amid Russia Inquiry'

The 51% - Outrage as Saudi Arabia Given UN Women's Rights Rôle

The UN has elected Saudi Arabia to the UN women's rights commission, but does the move contradict the aims of the commitee itself? Annette Young speaks to Adam Coogle in this edition of The 51%

Glenn Beck: 'I Made More Mistakes Than Most' - BBC Newsnight

US conservative political commentator Glenn Beck spoke to Evan Davis about his views on Donald Trump and his regrets of the past.

Ségolène Royal: I Voted Emmanuel Macron in Both Rounds of French Election - BBC Newsnight

Ségolène Royal, who was the Socialist candidate for French president 10 years ago. She's currently a government minister and one of the biggest figures in French politics. Is she happy about Emmanuel Macron's victory in the French elections? She spoke to Evan Davis.

Macron's Next Steps: French President-elect Is Re-drawing the Political Landscape (Parts 1 & 2)

Top US & World Headlines — May 9, 2017

Jared Kushner Caught Selling Golden Tickets To America

Is there anything “The Kush” can’t (or won’t) do? Cenk Uygur, host of The Young Turks, breaks it down.

Here's What's Next for France After Macron Win

The tumultuous French election has raised as many questions as it has answered. Are we witnessing "peak populism" in Europe, and can the continent now put divisive debates about its break up in the rear-view mirror? Bloomberg's Caroline Connan gives a breakdown of what’s next for France with Macron at the helm.

What Does France's New President-elect Have to Offer? – Inside Story

Islamophobia in the USA - Al Jazeera World

The Kushners and Their Golden Visas

THE NEW YORK TIME – EDITORIAL: The Kushner family has been caught in a shameless act of name-dropping. It has been highlighting its White House connections to entice wealthy Chinese investors and promising them green cards in return under a special government visa program. That’s pretty bad. But it’s also a scandal that Congress allows real estate developers to use the American immigration system to pad their profits.

Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and special adviser, is officially no longer managing his family’s businesses, but he still benefits from many of them. His sister Nicole Meyer was in Beijing and Shanghai this past weekend seeking investors for a luxury apartment project her family is developing in Jersey City, a short train ride from downtown Manhattan. Her sales pitch cited her brother and laid out how a $500,000 investment could provide a coveted path to American citizenship. The Kushner Companies later offered a mealy-mouthed apology “if that mention of her brother was in any way interpreted as an attempt to lure investors.” » | The Editorial Board | Monday, May 8, 2017

Change You Can Believe In? Macron Win Signals New Era In French Politics (Parts 1 & 2)

Nach Macron-Erfolg: Kühle Töne aus Moskau

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Russland reagiert enttäuscht auf den Wahlausgang in Frankreich. Der Versuch, Marine Le Pen mit allen Mitteln zur Präsidentin zu machen ist gescheitert. Nun muss sich Wladimir Putin auf eine schwierige Beziehungen einstellen.

Es dauerte bis Montagvormittag, bis Russlands Präsident seinem künftigen französischen Widerpart gratulierte. „Die Bürger Frankreichs haben Ihnen anvertraut, das Land in einer Zeit zu leiten, die für Europa und die ganze Weltgemeinschaft schwierig ist“, schrieb Wladimir Putin an Emmanuel Macron. Gefahren wüchsen, Konflikte eskalierten, Regionen würden destabilisiert. Daher sei es „besonders wichtig, das gegenseitige Misstrauen zu überwinden und die Kräfte zu vereinen“. Man sei zu konstruktivem Dialog bereit. Das klang nicht nach Aufbruchsstimmung im Kreml. Kein Wunder: Aus dessen Sicht ist Macron als Befürworter der EU und der engen Partnerschaft mit Berlin ein Gegner. » | von Friedrich Schmidt, Moskau | Montag, 8. Mai 2017

Brigitte: de profesora a esposa de Emmanuel Macron

Renaud Girard : «Ce que devra dire Macron à Merkel»

LE FIGARO: CHRONIQUE - Pour sa première visite à l'étranger, le nouveau chef de l'État devra convaincre l'Allemagne que la France est enfin prête à assumer ses responsabilités.

Selon une coutume initiée par Nicolas Sarkozy, la première rencontre internationale du nouveau président de la République française sera pour la chancelière d'Allemagne. Emmanuel Macron trouvera une Angela Merkel de bonne humeur, en raison de la belle victoire, dimanche 7 mai, de la CDU dans l'élection régionale du Land de Schleswig-Holstein, qui augure bien du scrutin national du 24 septembre 2017, propre à donner un quatrième mandat à la chancelière. Suggérons que ce premier sommet franco-allemand du nouveau quinquennat se fasse à Strasbourg, afin de souligner la volonté des deux pays de redonner un second souffle à la construction européenne, après la catastrophe du Brexit. » | Par Vincent Tremolet de Villers | lundi 8 mai 2017

Kellyanne Conway Defends Obamacare Repeal By Attacking Poor People

Appearing on Fox & Friends this weekend, Kellyanne Conway said that the criticism of the AHCA that passed the House is ridiculous, and that “it’s easier to jeer from the cheap seats,” implying that poor people shouldn’t have a say in what happens in this country. Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins discusses this.

Macron président : le nouveau chef de l'Etat doit composer sa future majorité présidentielle

Ivanka Trump’s New Book: Offensively Frivolous | AM Joy | MSNBC

Reading the first daughter’s new book has been described as like ‘eating scented cotton balls’ – but Joy Reid and her panel discuss the bigger problem: Ivanka Trump peddling ironic hypocrisies in ‘Women Who Work.’

Papers React to Macron's Victory: 'Well Played'

France Presidential Election: The World Reacts to President-elect Macron's Victory

France Presidential Election: Clashes Break Out between Protesters and Police

Trump Aide Gorka Pushes Back Against Accusations Of Antisemitism

THE JERUSALEM POST: Sebastian Gorka has been the subject of a series of reports which document his alleged associations with Vitézi Rend, a neo-Nazi group.

NEW YORK – A senior foreign policy adviser to US President Donald Trump pushed back Sunday against reports suggesting he has ties to proto- fascist groups in Hungary dating back to his young adulthood.

Sebastian Gorka, a deputy assistant to the president, told The Jerusalem Post Annual Conference in New York that claims he and his fellow White House colleagues Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller harbor antisemitic views are politically motivated, driven by those on the political Left aligned with movements hostile to Israel.

Gorka received a warm welcome at the conference, receiving applause at the beginning and a partial standing ovation at the end of his session with the newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Yaakov Katz.

He characterized himself and the Trump administration as staunchly “pro-Israel” and personally condemned antisemitism. (+ video) » | Michael Wilner | Sunday, May 7, 2017

Can US President Donald Trump Bring Peace to the Middle East? – Inside Story

The US President is keen to secure Middle East peace, but doesn't say how he plans to do it. Previous administrations in Washington have tried in the past, but failed. The last talks between Israel and Palestine collapsed three years ago. So, is there reason to be hopeful this time? | Presenter: Darren Jordan

Le général de Gaulle sur l'intégration européenne

Extrait de la conférence de presse donnée par le Général de Gaulle le 15 mai 1962.

Je voudrais parler plus spécialement de l'objection de l'intégration. On nous l'oppose en nous disant : "Fondons ensemble les 6 Etats dans une entité supranationale : ainsi ce sera très simple et très pratique". Mais cette entité-là est impossible à découvrir faute d'un fédérateur qui ait aujourd'hui en Europe la force, le crédit et l'adresse suffisants. Alors on se rabat sur une espèce d'hybride dans lequel les 6 Etats acceptent de s'engager à se soumettre à ce qui sera décidé par une certaine majorité. En même temps, bien qu'il y ait déjà 6 Parlements nationaux plus l'Assemblée parlementaire européenne, plus l'Assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de l'Europe qui est, il est vrai, antérieure à la conception des 6 et qui, me dit - on, se meurt au bord où elle fut laissée, il faudrait de surcroît élire un Parlement de plus, qualifié d'européen, qui ferait la loi aux 6 Etats. Ce sont des idées qui peuvent peut-être charmer quelques esprits, mais je ne vois pas du tout comment on pourrait les réaliser pratiquement, quand bien même on aurait 6 signatures au bas d'un papier. Y a-t-il une France, une Allemagne, une Italie, une Hollande, une Belgique, un Luxembourg, qui soient prêts à faire, sur une question importante pour eux au point de vue national et au point de vue international, ce qui leur paraîtrait mauvais parce que cela leur serait commandé par d'autres ? Est - ce que le peuple français, le peuple allemand, le peuple italien, le peuple hollandais, le peuple belge, le peuple luxembourgeois songeraient à se soumettre à des lois que voteraient des députés étrangers, dès lors que ces lois iraient à l'encontre de leur volonté profonde ? Ce n'est pas vrai : il n'y a pas moyen, à l'heure qu'il est, de faire en sorte qu'une majorité étrangère puisse contraindre des nations récalcitrantes. Il est vrai que, dans cette Europe "intégrée" comme on dit, il n'y aurait peut-être pas de politique du tout. Cela simplifierait beaucoup les choses. En effet, dès lors qu'il n'y aurait pas de France, pas d'Europe, qu'il n'y aurait pas une politique faute qu'on puisse en imposer une à chacun des 6 Etats, on s'abstiendrait d'en faire. Mais alors peut-être ce monde se mettrait - il à la suite de quelqu'un du dehors qui, lui, en aurait une. Il y aurait peut-être un fédérateur, mais il ne serait pas Européen. Et ce ne serait pas l'Europe intégrée, ce serait tout autre chose de beaucoup plus large et de beaucoup plus étendu avec, je le répète, un fédérateur. Peut-être est - ce cela qui, dans quelque mesure et quelquefois, inspire certains propos de tel ou tel partisan de l'intégration de l'Europe. Alors, il vaudrait mieux le dire.

President on Probation

HANDELSBLATT GLOBAL: Emmanuel Macron’s election offers a new chance for France and Europe. But Berlin will also shape whether or not he succeeds, writes Handelsblatt’s France correspondent.

Emmanuel Macron has gone from being an outsider to the most powerful man in France in an unprecedented tour de force. His success tells anyone who’s willing to take a risk that determination matters more than what the establishment says.

Mr. Macron was certainly lucky – as Napoleon put it, “you always owe something to chance.” Scandal ejected conservative candidate François Fillon from the race. And scandal has much to do with the disintegration of the party system and the elites’ narcissism. While socialists and conservatives believed that they had a firm grip on the country, young Mr. Macron saw they were dancing on a volcano sooner than everyone else. » | Thomas Hanke | Monday, May 8, 2017 ,

French Election: How Macron Defeated Le Pen to Become President - BBC News

The pro-European centrist, Emmanuel Macron, will be France's next president. Within a few hours of being declared the winner - Mr Macron promised to heal divisions and restore confidence in the European Union.

Who Is Emmanuel Macron? – BBC News

By any measure, the political rise of Emmanuel Macron has been remarkable. He's a former investment banker and served as an adviser then, later a minister in the Socialist government of the outgoing president, Francois Hollande. He resigned, just last year to form his own political movement. Our Paris correspondent Lucy Williamson profiles the man chosen to be the country's new head of state.

Macron Decisively Defeats Le Pen in French Presidential Race

THE NEW YORK TIMES: PARIS — Emmanuel Macron, a youthful former investment banker, handily won France’s presidential election on Sunday, defeating the staunch nationalist Marine Le Pen after voters firmly rejected her far-right message and backed his call for centrist change.

Mr. Macron, 39, who has never held elected office, will be the youngest president in the 59-year history of France’s Fifth Republic after leading an improbable campaign that swept aside France’s establishment political parties.

The election was watched around the world for magnifying many of the broader tensions rippling through Western democracies, including the United States: populist anger at the political mainstream, economic insecurity among middle-class voters and rising resentment toward immigrants. » | Alissa J. Rubin | Sunday, May 7, 2017

Front National Calls for a 'New Political Movement' Says Jean Messiha - BBC News

Jean Messiha, a senior adviser to the leader of Fron National, Marine Le Pen, has said now there's a basis for a creating of a new political movement/alliance.

Emmanuel Macron: 'It's a Great Honour and a Great Responsibility' – BBC News

The president-elect Emmanuel Macron acknowledges the anger of many voters and vows to protect the weakest members of society.

'France Has Chosen Continuity' - Le Pen - BBC News

Defeated National Front leader Marine Le Pen told supporters that the country had chosen the "continuity candidate" in centrist Emmanuel Macron and wished her rival well.

James O'Brien vs Theresa May's Factless Brexit U-turn

L'Union européenne plébiscite Macron

LE FIGARO: De façon inhabituelle, les grandes capitales ont pris position pour le candidat d'En marche !.

L'Europe vote Emmanuel Macron. De Berlin à Madrid, d'Athènes à Rome, en passant par Bruxelles, les Européens ont pris position pour le candidat d'En marche!. «Je me réjouirai si Emmanuel Macron l'emporte, avoue franchement la chancelière Angela Merkel dans une interview au quotidien Berliner Zeitung. Sa campagne très pro-européenne est un signal en faveur d'une bonne relation entre la France et l'Allemagne.» Plus indirectement, le premier ministre espagnol Mariano Rajoy appelle les Français à voter pour soutenir le projet européen. L'Italien Paolo Gentiloni parle lui d'un espoir et choix «décisif» pour l'Union. Quant au président de la Commission européenne, Jean-Claude Juncker, il avait félicité le candidat d'En marche! dès le soir du premier tour. «Ce n'est pas une élection classique, explique son porte-parole Margaritis Schinas. Il y a d'un côté un candidat pour l'Europe, de l'autre l'option nucléaire. Dans ces cas-là, nous prenons position.» (+ vidéo) » | Par Isabelle Ory | vendredi 5 mai 2017

Will People Power Force Change in Venezuela? - Inside Story

Neonationaler Zeitgeist: Europa braucht eine Leitkultur

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Quer durch Europa beschwören Politiker die nationale Selbstbesinnung. Statt Unterschiede zu betonen, sollte lieber herausgestellt werden, was die Europäer bereits verbindet. Denn in vielem sind wir uns schon lange nah.

Wer sind wir? Was sind wir? Wer gehört dazu, wer nicht? Wie muss man sein, um dazuzugehören? Fragen, die derzeit viele Nationen beschäftigen.

Im französischen Wahlkampf (ab Sonntagabend werden die Resultate die halbe Welt beschäftigen) ging es nicht nur um Wirtschaftsreformen und die Mitgliedschaft in EU und Euro, sondern letztlich auch um sehr unterschiedliche Interpretationen des Französischseins. In Großbritannien rücken die bevorstehenden Brexit-Verhandlungen und die beginnenden Kampagnen für die Unterhauswahlen die englische Identität in den Mittelpunkt. In Polen ist eine nationalkonservative Regierung am Werk, in Ungarn beschwört Premier Viktor Orbán die angeblich uralten Traditionen des Magyarentums. Selbst in Deutschland ist erneut ein Streit darüber entbrannt, ob wir eine "Leitkultur" brauchen und was das eigentlich ist. » | Eine Kolumne von Henrik Müller | Sonntag, 7. Mai 2017

In Beijing Ballroom, Kushner Family Flogs $500,000 'Investor Visa' to Wealthy Chinese

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: BEIJING - The Kushner family came to the United States as refugees, worked hard and made it big - and if you invest in Kushner properties, so can you.

That was the message delivered Saturday by White House senior adviser Jared Kushner's sister to a ballroom full of wealthy Chinese investors, renewing questions about the Kushner family's business ties to China. Jared Kushner is married to Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka.

Over several hours of slide shows and presentations, representatives from the Kushner family business urged Chinese citizens gathered at the Ritz-Carlton hotel to consider investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in a New Jersey real estate project to secure what's known as an investor visa.

But President Donald Trump's vow to crack down on immigration, as well as criticism from members of Congress, has led to questions about the future of a program known here as the "golden visa". » | Emily Rauhala | Sunday, May 7, 2017

What Is At Stake in the French Election?

May. 06, 2017 - 3:42 - James Kirchick provides insight

Will Marine Le Pen Overcome Macron to Triumph in the French Elections?

As France's two oldest parties crash out of the first round of elections, SBS Dateline examines the working class town of Denain, whose residents could signal the nation's choice between the centre and far-right.

France Presidential Election: What are Macron's and Le Pen's CVs?

Iran Presidential Hopefuls Face-off in Second Election Debate

French Presidential Candidates Make Last Push for Votes

French presidential candidates make last push for votes. It's the final day of campaigning for French presidential candidates Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron. Voters are set to head to the polls on Sunday. Macron is still the favourite in the polls, but his rival remains confident that victory is within her reach. Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull reports from Paris.

Islamophobia in the USA - Al Jazeera World

"Islamophobia in USA" is an investigation by Aljazeera Arabic correspondent Abdullah Elshamy into who and what's behind the rise of anti-Islamic feeling in the US – what they think, how they operate and where their funding comes from. The 11th September attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 was a watershed moment in America's relationship with the Arab world. Amid the grief and US military response that followed, American fear of the threat of international terrorism grew.

George W Bush's so-called 'crusade' against what he labelled the 'axis of evil' fueled suspicion of the Middle East as a whole and as US military action increased and led to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, this fear turned into one of Arabs generally and Muslims in particular.

With the rise of ISIL and the way the mainstream American media reports on it, fear of Islam further increased, tending to demonise Muslims and portray them and their faith as dangerous and violent.

Donald Trump is a textbook fascist and we will see whether or not that translates into fascist policies.

Hank Johnson, Democratic Congressman of Georgia.

Elshamy's investigation uncovers a network of Islamophobic writers, campaigners, funders and politicians who combined to bring about the conditions in which Donald Trump would be elected President in November 2016.

As the Campaign Comes to a Close, Le Pen and Macron Keep an Eye on Abstention

The Bitter End: Presidential Campaign Closes in France

The Dark Side of France - People & Power

Last month more than seven and a half million French voters propelled the National Front's Marine Le Pen through to the final, second round of this year's presidential election on May 7.

Though recent opinion polls have consistently been against her getting past the centrist Emmanuel Macron to the Élysée Palace, the very fact that an openly xenophobic, anti-immigrant and anti-European Union politician is on the final ballot speaks to a great and troubling fracture in French society.

So how and why have so many people been persuaded to back her?

Though she has now, temporarily, stepped down as leader of her party, her affiliations are in no doubt.

The conundrum remains: how has someone who for years has been so identified with far-right chauvinism and exclusion managed to give her party an acceptable face and get within touching distance of the presidency?

French producers Charles Emptaz and Claire Billet, who usually spend their professional lives covering foreign stories far from home, were as puzzled by these questions as we were, so several weeks ago we sent them behind-the-scenes on the campaign trail to investigate.

Brad Pitt Mocks His Parents Speaking in Tongues; Talks Frustration With Christianity's 'Don'ts'

CHRISTIAN POST: Actor Brad Pitt, who has identified as an atheist despite his Baptist upbringing, opened up in a recent interview about how his parents moved toward the charismatic tradition, and about some of his frustrations with Christianity.

"We grew up First Baptist, which is the cleaner, stricter, by-the-book Christianity. Then, when I was in high school, my folks jumped to a more charismatic movement, which got into speaking in tongues and raising your hands and some goofy-a** [expletive]," Pitt told GQ magazine in an interview released on Wednesday.

When asked whether he witnessed the speaking of tongues himself, the actor replied:

"Yeah, come on. I'm not even an actor yet, but I know ... I mean the people, I know they believe it. I know they're releasing something. God, we're complicated. We're complicated creatures."

Pitt has left Christianity and is now an atheist, The Telegraph reported in 2015 in a separate interview with Pitt, where the actor said that since an early age, he was instilled "with all the Christian guilt about what you can and cannot, should and shouldn't do.” » | Stoyan Zeimov, Christian Post Reporter | Saturday, May 5, 2017

Radikale Koranverteilaktion «Lies!» : Gefährlich und unerwünscht

NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG – KOMMENTAR: Der Zürcher Sicherheitsdirektor und Regierungsrat Mario Fehr will die umstrittene Koranverteilaktion «Lies!» verbieten. Das ist konsequent.

Das radikal-salafistische «Lies!»-Projekt lässt sich nicht mit Scientology oder evangelikalen Bibelaktionen vergleichen. Zwar treten auch sie regelmässig mit Standaktionen in grösseren Schweizer Städten in Erscheinung. Sie mögen mit problematischen Haltungen für Verärgerung sorgen, sie weisen im Gegensatz zu «Lies!» jedoch keinen kriminellen Hintergrund auf und machen keine Propaganda für terroristische Organisationen. » | von Fabian Baumgartner | Samstag, 5. Mai 2017

Hofer: Le Pen "ne peut pas gagner"

LE FIGARO: La cheffe de l'extrême droite française Marine Le Pen "ne peut pas gagner" dimanche la présidentielle, estime l'ancien candidat d'extrême droite à la présidentielle autrichienne Norbert Hofer, instruit par sa propre défaite au second tour en décembre.

Bien que considérant Emmanuel Macron comme une "personnalité peu fiable, qui ne donne pas beaucoup confiance", "je crois que Le Pen ne peut pas gagner", a déclaré M. Hofer à la chaîne privée autrichienne Servus TV.

"Si je devais parier aujourd'hui, je dirais que l'élection se soldera par 41 à 59 (%)", a ajouté ce représentant du Parti de la liberté d'Autriche (FPÖ), une formation alliée au parti Front national de Marine Le Pen.

Loin d'être une défaite, ce serait "le meilleur résultat de l'histoire" du FN à ce jour, a-t-il toutefois insisté, relevant: "Ceux qui ont perdu, ce sont les socialistes". » | Par Le Figaro.fr avec AFP | samedi 5 mai 2017

Jean-Claude Juncker Says English Is 'Losing Importance' after Brexit as UK 'Abandons' Europe

THE TELEGRAPH: Jean-Claude Juncker has accused Britain of "abandoning" the EU and joked that the English language is "losing its importance in Europe" because of Brexit.

Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, on Thursday warned Theresa May and Mr Juncker that Brexit negotiations could become "impossible" if they become "emotional".

However despite the call for calm Mr Juncker, the President of the European Commission, told a conference in the Italian city of Florence that Brexit is a "tragedy". (+ video) » | Steven Swinford, Deputy Political Editor | Friday, , May 5, 2017

The Trumpcare Disaster

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The House speaker, Paul Ryan, and other Republicans falsely accused Democrats of rushing the Affordable Care Act through Congress. On Thursday, in a display of breathtaking hypocrisy, House Republicans — without holding any hearings or giving the Congressional Budget Office time to do an analysis — passed a bill that would strip at least 24 million Americans of health insurance. » | The Editorial Board | Thursday, May 4, 2017

REPLAY - Watch the Full French Presidential Debate between Macron and Le Pen

Tale of Two Frances: The Presidential Race Seen from a Small Village

The France 24 Debate heads to Bonnelles, a village 45 km from Paris that sits astride the two sides of France which seem to be going head to head in the 2017 presidential election. On one side, the France of the cities and urban areas which are fully integrated into the globalised economy. On the other, the rural France that feels left behind and isolated. Sunday’s election between Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron will determine which of these two Frances makes their voice heard. | Produced by Charles WENTE, François WIBAUX, Laure ABONNAT.

Emmanuel Macron Confronted by Union Activists in Albi While Le Pen Dodges Eggs in Brittany

Barack Obama soutient Emmanuel Macron

LE DÉBAT - Emmanuel Macron – Marine Le Pen – Élection Présidentielle 2017

Trumpcare Would Be ‘Tragedy for America’ – Congressman

The House GOP purportedly still lacks the votes to repeal and replace Obamacare. Republican leaders are weighing amendments they think will win over moderates who oppose the demands of the Freedom Caucus. Former Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Florida) joins “News with Ed” to describe the disastrous outcome he foresees should the US repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with so-called Trumpcare.

Face to Face: Le Pen, Macron Square Off In Final Debate

UK - PM Theresa May Says Brexit Warnings ‘Deliberately Timed To Affect’ UK Elections

Top US & World Headlines — May 3, 2017

Yanis Varoufakis On Brexit: 'How Can These Smart People Be So Deluded' - BBC Newsnight

Yanis Varoufakis, former Greek finance minister, resigned back in 2015 at the height of the crisis there. He has now written a book about the whole experience, Adults in the Room - and he spoke to Evan Davis about Brexit and the UK's general election.

Merkel Presses Putin On Gay Rights - BBC News

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to help protect gay rights. Activists say police in the republic of Chechnya have arrested and tortured dozens of gay people in a crackdown. Mrs Merkel raised the issue during her first visit to Russia since 2015, which saw her hold talks with Mr Putin at his summer residence in Sochi. Relations between the two nations have been strained over Syria and Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

Brexit Talks Will Not Be Quick Or Painless, Says EU's Chief Negotiator

Michel Barnier says he hopes to reach an entente cordiale with UK and refuses to confirm reports of possible €100bn exit bill

Read the Guardian article here

French Presidential Elections: The Final Countdown

Sparking an Outrage: Saudi Arabia Elected to UN Commission on Women's Rights

Bahrain: Government Is Not Working for a Reconciliation

L’heure du choix : Emmanuel Macron face à Jean-Jacques Bourdin

Présidentielle: Macron dévoile ses trois premiers chantiers en cas de victoire »

Terror Attacks in France: A Gift to Marine Le Pen?

WIKIPEDIA: Gilles Kepel »

'The Chips Are Down': Theresa May Vows to Stand Firm against EU

The Fate of Europe? Continent Waits On French Presidential Election (Parts 1 & 2)

Paris vor der Wahl: Verschiedene Welten | DW Deutsch

Die Bewohner der ärmeren Vierten und Vorstädte von Paris stimmen oft ganz anders ab als die in den vornehmen Quartiers. Doch der anstehende zweite Wahlgang könnte die beiden Welten näher zusammenrücken.

Le Pen and Macron Trade Barbs amid May Day Clashes

Juncker bei May: Das desaströse Brexit-Dinner

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Als EU-Kommissionspräsident Juncker mit der britischen Premierministerin May dinierte, hatten sie Wichtiges zu besprechen. Aber sie redeten aneinander vorbei. Am Ende sagte Juncker, er sei „zehnmal skeptischer als zuvor“. Es sollte ein Weckruf sein.

Jean-Claude Juncker hat schon viele schwierige Verhandlungen erlebt. Mit Alexis Tsipras rang der Präsident der Europäischen Kommission monatelang darum, dass Griechenland seine Pflichten erfüllt. Und mit Viktor Orbán streitet er seit der Flüchtlingskrise über europäische Solidarität. Juncker ist der Typ, der auch nach solchen Gesprächen, wenn allen die Köpfe qualmen, seinen Gesprächspartnern kumpelhaft auf die Schultern haut und sagt, man werde schon eine Lösung finden. Als der Kommissionspräsident am Mittwochabend den Amtssitz der britischen Premierministerin verließ, lag ein weiteres denkwürdiges Treffen hinter ihm. Er war freundlich empfangen worden, es war nie laut geworden, aber nach beschwichtigenden Worten war ihm nicht zumute. Juncker war tief schockiert, und er machte keinen Hehl daraus. „I’m leaving Downing Street ten times more skeptical than I was before“, sagte er seiner Gastgeberin zum Abschied. » | Von Thomas Gutschker | Montag, 1. Mai 2017