Thursday, November 14, 2019

White Nationalists Are Running the White House


The Southern Poverty Law Center's Hatewatch report on the leaked emails of Trump senior policy adviser Stephen Miller shows the deep connections he has to racist white nationalists.

Kein britischer EU-Kommissar : Johnsons Signal


FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE: Wahlkampf ist offenbar wichtiger als internationale Verpflichtungen. Boris Johnson zeigt der EU ein weiteres Mal, was er von ihr hält – keine guten Aussichten für die künftige Zusammenarbeit.

Boris Johnson hat gesprochen. Großbritannien werde bis zur Unterhauswahl keinen Kandidaten für die neue EU-Kommission benennen. Unabhängig davon, was dies für die Installierung des Teams um die gewählte Kommissionspräsidentin Ursula von der Leyen bedeutet, sendet der britische Premierminister damit ein unmissverständliches Zeichen.

In einer Hinsicht kann man den Wahlkämpfer Johnson ja verstehen. Er möchte nicht den Hauch eines Zweifels daran aufkommen lassen, dass er es gar nicht erwarten kann, sein Land endlich aus dem „Gefängnis“ namens Europäische Unionherauszuführen. Aber es wird eine Zeit „danach“ geben, egal wie die Wahl ausgeht. Und Johnson hat eben auch gesagt, dass die EU auch künftig ein wichtiger Partner Großbritanniens sein solle und werde. » | Ein Kommentar von Peter Sturm | Donnerstag, 14. November 2019

Donald Tusk Urges British Voters Not to 'Give Up' on Stopping Brexit


Outgoing European Council President Donald Tusk has urged British voters not to "give up" on stopping Brexit.

As campaigning ramps up ahead of next month's general election, he warned that leaving the EU would leave the UK a "second-rate player".

In a speech, he also said Brexit would likely mark the "real end of the British Empire".



Read the Telegraph article here »[£]

Hear! Hear! – Mark

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Saudi Arabia Defended by Conservative MP, Daniel Kawsczynski (January 2016)


Conservative MP Daniel Kawczynski speaks on Saudi Arabia.

Opinion: The Toxic Relationship between Britain and Russia Has to Be Exposed


THE GUARDIAN: Russian money is poisoning the UK, yet Boris Johnson continues to suppress a report into this matter

Someone in Downing Street calculated that it was less embarrassing to suppress the intelligence and security committee’s report into Russian interference in the UK than it was to publish it.

Boris Johnson’s refusal to allow voters to read the report made waves in parliament a week ago, yet the election campaign has offered a convenient distraction since then. The government can survive one uncomfortable news cycle; but a 50-page report full of revelations about rich Russians funding political parties and associating with politicians, as well as Russian bots meddling in the referendum, could have fed the media for days.

The report will only emerge once we have a new parliament, by which stage any revelations it contains will have lost their power, and thus be safely ignored. This is a shame, because the toxic relationship between the Russian and British elites is something that needs full exposure. They have been collaborating to their mutual enrichment, and to the detriment of democracy and accountability everywhere, for decades. » | Oliver Bullough | Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Hong Kong on the Brink of a Total Breakdown? | DW News


A Hong Kong police chief has said pro-democracy protesters are pushing the city to "the brink of a total breakdown". The last two days have been among the most violent since the demonstrations began five months ago. The main flashpoint has become the university district, where there have been clashes between demonstrators and police.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Uber CEO's Outrageous Take on Khashoggi's Death


Uber CEO’s outrageous take on Jamal Khashoggi’s death. John Iadarola and Brooke Thomas break it down on The Damage Report.

Bolton Slams Trump, Suggests Foreign Policy Guided by Personal Interest | Andrea Mitchell | MSNBC


Former national security adviser John Bolton derided President Donald Trump’s daughter and son-in-law during a private speech last week and suggested his former boss’ approach to U.S. policy on Turkey is motivated by personal or financial interests, several people who were present for the remarks told NBC News. Aired on 11/12/19.


THE NEW YORK TIMES: Behind Trump’s Dealings With Turkey: Sons-in-Law Married to Power »

Daniel Kawczynski Marries Long-term Partner in House of Commons Ceremony


SHROPSHIRE STAR: Conservative parliamentary candidate for Shrewsbury Daniel Kawczynski took a break from campaigning to get married.

Mr Kawczynski wed his long-term Brazilian partner Fernando at a civil partnership ceremony at the House of Commons on Saturday afternoon.

The 46-year-old received hundreds of messages of support and congratulations on social media, including one from the leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, Councillor Shaun Davies.

The pair have not always seen eye to eye, often clashing over issues such as healthcare, but Councillor Davies put political differences aside for one day. » | Aimee Jones | Shrewsbury | Sunday, November 10, 2019

Hillary Clinton 'Dumbfounded' UK Government Won't Release Report on Russian Influence


Hillary Clinton has said she is 'dumbfounded' as to why the UK government has not yet published a report on alleged Russian interference in British politics. Speaking to BBC's Radio 4 Today programme, the former US presidential candidate said: 'Every person who votes in this country deserves to see that report before your election happens.' UK government delay of Russia report is shaming, says Clinton

Monday, November 11, 2019

The Billionaire Class Is Scared. They Should Be


Bill Gates doesn’t like the idea of having his excessive wealth taxed to the degree that Elizabeth Warren wants to tax it. Jeff Bezos isn’t happy about Bernie Sanders repeatedly calling out his unethical treatment of workers. All over the country, billionaires are running scared of what’s on the horizon, and its about time. They’ve had it too good for too long, while screwing the very people who they depend on. Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins explains what’s happening.

UK Government Delay of Russia Report Is Shaming, Says Clinton


THE GUARDIAN: Ex-secretary of state says it is unacceptable to keep report from public before election

Hillary Clinton has called Downing Street’s suppression of a report into potential Russian infiltration of British politics “damaging, inexplicable and shaming”.

The 2016 US presidential candidate told the Guardian it was “incredibly surprising and unacceptable that in your country there is a government report sitting there about Russian influence and your current government isn’t releasing it”.

The potentially incendiary report by the intelligence and security committee has already been approved by the intelligence agencies. Downing Street was sent a final draft on 17 October and had been expected to sign off the report by the end of last month.

However, No 10 indicated that the parliamentary report would not be made public before the election, citing a sign-off process that it said could take six weeks. The chairman of the committee, Dominic Grieve, called the decision to delay publication “jaw-dropping”.

Clinton said: “I mean, who do they think they are that they would keep information like that from the public, especially before an election?

“Well, I’ll tell you who they think they are. They think that they are the all-powerful, strong men who should be ruling,” she said, linking the suppression of the report to a rising authoritarian turn in western leaders. » | Charlotte Higgins | Monday, November 11, 2019

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Royal Family Lead Britain's Remembrance Sunday Tributes at Cenotaph Service


THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: The Royal Family led the nation in paying respects to its war dead at the traditional wreath-laying service at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

Political leaders, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour's Jeremy Corbyn, took a break from election campaigning to attend the service at the memorial on Whitehall in central London.

Hundreds of armed forces personnel were also present at the occasion, alongside Cabinet ministers, religious leaders and representatives of Commonwealth nations.

As Big Ben struck 11am, a two minutes silence was observed, with its beginning and end marked by the firing of a gun by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

Buglers of the Royal Marines sounded the Last Post before wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph by members of the royal family, politicians, foreign representatives and senior armed forces personnel. » | Telegraph Reporters | Sunday, November 10, 2019

Saturday, November 09, 2019

Waking the Titanic | Titanic Documentary | Timeline


Between 1850 and 1920 over 3 million people – half the population – emigrated from Ireland, escaping desperate poverty. Believing America to be a saviour and a life of hope, the ‘Addergoole 14’ saved fiercely in order to afford a ticket aboard the Titanic and escape to the land of dreams. Told using interviews with the descendants of survivors, these are new perspectives of the conditions on board, and the events of April 12th 1912. Focusing not on the glory and fate of the ship, this new look at a famous tragedy uncovers ordinary lives and fragile hopes of the community that lost more that fateful night than any other.

Titanic: The Facts Told by Real Survivors | British Pathé


Dispel myths and garner new insights into the Titanic with archive footage and interviews from real survivors.

On 14 April 1912, on her maiden voyage, the passenger liner RMS Titanic hit an iceberg. More than 1500 men, women and children perished. This is a short television documentary about the sinking of the Titanic, including interviews with survivors talking about their experiences and their escape.

On 14 April 1912, on her maiden voyage, the passenger liner RMS Titanic hit an iceberg. More than 1500 men, women and children perished. This is a short television documentary about the sinking of the Titanic, including interviews with survivors talking about their experiences and their escape.


Friday, November 08, 2019

Lawrence and Rachel on 'Anonymous' Book: ‘This Is a Warning about Danger to the Country’ | MSNBC


Rachel Maddow discusses with Lawrence O’Donnell the excerpts from a damning new book about Trump written by an anonymous senior Trump official. Rachel tells Lawrence that the tone of the book is that people who keep their jobs to try to thwart Trump's worst instincts is not enough. The president is too far gone for that to work. Aired on 11/07/19.

Today’s Economic Update: Protests around the World


Another Greedy Billionaire Enters the Democratic Race


Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to officially enter the 2020 presidential race, making him the 2nd billionaire to fight for the Democratic nomination. Bloomberg is entering the race because he sees that Biden and the other centrists are fading fast, and he doesn’t want to pay more money under a Sanders or Warren administration. Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins explains what’s happening.

Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance with Somebody


Author's 'Warning' Raises Question of Trump Staff Responsibility | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC


Ben Rhodes, former deputy national security adviser, talks with Rachel Maddow about the alarming depictions by a purported "senior official in the Trump administration" of chaos and presidential recklessness on matters of life and death and decisions that have real world consequences. Aired on 11/07/19.

Saudi Twitter Spying – Interview with Saudi Political Affairs Expert Ali al Ahmed


US Prosecutors say the Saudi government used two twitter employees to spy on their critics through the platform. The employees were recruited to give private data of thousands of Twitter accounts including that of a prominent social media journalist and several government critics.

A former media partnership manager and an engineer with Twitter have been charged. Investigations revealed that data of over 6,000 users was accessed in return of tens of thousands of dollars into secret bank accounts. Saudi Arabia had also requested emergency disclosure of at least 33 usernames from twitter.

For more on this, Saudi political affairs expert Ali al Ahmed, from Institute for Gulf Affairs, and joins us from Washington DC


Saudi Twitter Spying – Interview with Sami Hamdi from the International Interest


Prosecutors in the United States have charged two former Twitter employees with spying for Saudi Arabia. The men are alleged to have been guided by an unnamed Saudi official whom prosecutors name as Royal Family Member-1. The Washington Post says that person is Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. For more on this, we are joined by Sami Hamdi, Editor-in-Chief of the International Interest.

Book by ‘Anonymous’ Describes Trump as Cruel, Inept and a Danger to the Nation


THE WASHINGTON POST: Senior Trump administration officials considered resigning en masse last year in a “midnight self-massacre” to sound a public alarm about President Trump’s conduct, but rejected the idea because they believed it would further destabilize an already teetering government, according to a new book by an unnamed author.

In “A Warning” by Anonymous, obtained by The Washington Post ahead of its release, a writer described only as “a senior official in the Trump administration” paints a chilling portrait of the president as cruel, inept and a danger to the nation he was elected to lead.

The author — who first captured attention in 2018 as the unidentified author of a New York Times opinion column — describes Trump careening from one self-inflicted crisis to the next, “like a twelve-year-old in an air traffic control tower, pushing the buttons of government indiscriminately, indifferent to the planes skidding across the runway and the flights frantically diverting away from the airport.” » | Philip Rucker | Thursday, November 7, 2019

Thursday, November 07, 2019

It’s Not Just Britain That’s Breaking Up, Europe Is Too


THE GUARDIAN: The tremors of this Brexit election will be felt across a continent whose powers are on the wane

Arguably the most surreal event during the general election campaign is scheduled for the week before polling day. On 3 December, Nato leaders, including Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, will gather at a Buckingham Palace reception. The next day, the Nato chiefs will meet in a luxury – but thankfully non-Trump-owned – hotel outside Watford. It’s the event where the leaders will discuss big subjects including Syria, Afghanistan, Russia and military burden-sharing – and where none of these big subjects is likely to be solved.

In the not so distant past, a leader fighting an election might have seen an international summit they were hosting as a golden opportunity. The grandeur and importance of such a gathering would mean free publicity from the campaign gods, reminding voters that the incumbent is someone who bestrides the world stage, has the ear of powerful allies, and is at ease with the deepest responsibilities of office. As a prime minister milked the occasion, opponents could only grind their teeth in frustration.

But this summit is not like that. It could be more problem than opportunity. It may even prove to be the most disruptive political event of the election. Part of that is because of the always careless self-confidence of Johnson, for whom the Watford summit may be the final gig – or let us hope so – of the briefest prime ministership of the modern era. Most of it, though, will be down to Trump, whose comments about Brexit and Britain could hijack the final week of the campaign and even have explosive effects on the outcome. » | Martin Kettle | Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Jane Fonda: The Sooner We Move Beyond Trump the Better


Actress and activist Jane Fonda weighs in on the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.

US: Saudi Arabia Recruited Twitter Employees Charged for Spying


Prosecutors in the United States say that Saudi Arabia's government allegedly recruited two Twitter employees to gather private information on thousands of accounts critical of its leadership.

The prosecutors say that Saudi Arabia was growing increasingly frustrated with being criticised online.

The two Saudis who worked at Twitter were tasked with gathering the email addresses linked to the Twitter accounts and internet protocol addresses that indicate the user's location.

Al Jazeera's Rob Reynolds reports.


A Not-Do-Special Relationship: Facing Voters, Johnson Backs Away From Trump


THE NEW YORK TIMES: Unpopular and unpredictable, President Trump is emerging as a problem for the British prime minister, Boris Johnson, in his election campaign.

LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain spoke with President Trump by phone on Tuesday, and to judge by the dueling summaries of the call provided by the White House and 10 Downing Street, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Trump were involved in two completely different conversations.

The White House said the two leaders pledged to negotiate “a robust bilateral free trade agreement once the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.” Downing Street said nothing about a deal, noting instead that Mr. Johnson urged Mr. Trump to lift American tariffs on Scotch whisky.

Such divergent accounts of a leader-to-leader call are not unheard-of, but the timing of this one, on the eve of Britain’s general election campaign, was telling. It shows just how much of a liability Mr. Trump has become for Mr. Johnson. Once, the prime minister talked up the benefits of having a close friend in the White House; now he is distancing himself from a figure who is radioactive to many Britons. » | Mark Landler | Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Ukraine Crisis Put On Ice by Trump Staff Busy Working Out How to Buy Greenland


THE GUARDIAN: State and defence departments wanted military aid restored, but the Greenland issue ‘took up a lot of energy’, new testimony reveals

After the White House cut off military aid to Ukraine, Donald Trump’s top officials scrambled to get it restored but were unable to organise a meeting with the president, in part because his staff were too busy pursuing his interest in buying Greenland, according to newly released congressional testimony.

The acting US ambassador to Ukraine, Bill Taylor, told Congress that Trump’s order in mid-July to cut off security assistance triggered a series of high-level meetings with cabinet members on how to get it resumed, given the urgency of the Russian military intervention in eastern Ukraine.

Taylor testified on 22 October, but the House committees holding impeachment hearings released a full transcript on Wednesday. The veteran ambassador told congressional investigators it was the “unanimous opinion of every level of inter-agency discussion” that the aid should be restored and that the secretaries of state and defence as well as the CIA director and the national security adviser work together to arrange an urgent meeting with Trump “to convince him to release the hold”.

However, no meeting could be arranged until September. Taylor said part of the reason was the cabinet secretaries involved went on work trips abroad during the period, but he added: “I think this was also about the time of the Greenland question, about purchasing Greenland, which took up a lot of energy in the NSC [National Security Council].” » | Julian Borger in Washington | Thursday, November 7, 2019


Is Trump's deep fear and envy of Obama behind his plan to purchase Greenland? »

Wednesday, November 06, 2019

Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and Greens Launch Pro-remain Electoral Pact


THE GUARDIAN: Exclusive: parties will step aside for each other in 60 seats to give single pro-remain candidate a free run

The Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Greens have finalised a plan to step aside for each other in 60 seats across England and Wales in the general election. The alliance is intended to give a free run to one pro-remain party in each constituency.

The agreement, which does not include Labour, covers 49 seats in England and 11 in Wales. It was made under the banner of a cross-party group called Unite to Remain, which has spent several months trying to broker the plan.

A so-called progressive alliance plan, also including Labour, was attempted before the 2017 election but arrangements were only made for a handful of seats, in part because of the difficulty of getting local parties to agree. » | Peter Walker and Heather Stewart | Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Twitter Employees Charged with Spying for Saudi Arabia


THE GUARDIAN: Company workers reportedly obtained personal account information of critics of the government in Saudi Arabia

Two former Twitter employees have been charged with spying after they reportedly obtained personal account information for critics of the government of Saudi Arabia.

A complaint unsealed on Wednesday in US district court in San Francisco detailed a coordinated effort by Saudi officials to recruit employees at the social media giant to look up the private data of thousands of Twitter accounts.

One of the former Twitter employees, Ahmad Abouammo, was arrested on Tuesday on charges of spying and falsifying an invoice to obstruct an FBI investigation. He is a US citizen. The other former employee, a Saudi citizen named Ali Alzabarah, was accused of accessing the personal information of more than 6,000 Twitter accounts in 2015 on behalf of Saudi Arabia. » | Kari Paul in San Francisco and agencies | Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Wife of Killed Isis Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Captured, Says Turkey


THE GUARDIAN: Erdoğan decries US for ‘communications campaign’ over jihadist’s death

A woman married to the slain Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been captured and is in Turkish custody, Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has said.

Erdoğan made the announcement during a speech in Ankara on Wednesday but did not provide any further details. “The United States said Baghdadi killed himself in a tunnel,” Erdogan said, criticising the US for a “communications campaign” over the jihadist’s death.

“But, I am announcing it here for the first time: we captured his wife and didn’t make a fuss like them. Similarly, we also captured his sister and brother-in-law in Syria.” » | Bethan McKernan in Istanbul | Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — November 6, 2019


Boris Johnson Officially Calls General Election: Watch in Full



What a load of tosh this man speaks! Do you recognize this country from BoJo’s description of it? Because I don’t! Listening to him, anyone would be forgiven for concluding that he’s describing El Dorado, not the UK!

Oh God! These dudes think the people are stupid. If anyone believes this man’s claptrap, I’ve got a bridge to sell him in the desert. – Mark

John Bercow: Brexit Is UK's Biggest Mistake Since Second World War


THE GUARDIAN: Former Speaker tells foreign media UK is better off as part of EU power bloc

Days after bowing out as Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercowhas described Brexit as the biggest mistake Britain has made since the second world war.

Bercow, who was persistently accused of bias by Brexit-backing MPs during his term as Speaker, gave a valedictory speech to the Foreign Press Association, revealing himself to be a remainer.

“I don’t think it helps the UK. Brexit is the biggest mistake of this country after the war. I respect [the] prime minister, [Boris] Johnson, but Brexitdoesn’t help us. It’s better to be part of the [EU] power bloc,” Bercow said, according to the journalist Antonella Guerrera, of La Repubblica, who attended the event in London.

However, Bercow rejected the idea he had blocked Brexit, insisting “it was parliament” that had prevented Britain from leaving before now, “not me”. » | Heather Stewart, Political editor | Wednesday, October 6, 2019

John Bercow is right, of course. Brexit is our biggest mistake since WWII – Mark

Brexit Has Made Britain's Problems Worse, Says Juncker


THE GUARDIAN: Outgoing EU chief calls UK’s departure a cycle of ‘promises, promises not kept, and lies’

Brexit has worsened Britain’s problems, the outgoing head of the European commission has said in another parting shot at the UK government.

Jean-Claude Juncker, who is standing down as head of the EU executive, delivered a typically blunt assessment in an interview with Germany’s public broadcaster, ARD.

“Britain also has problems other than Brexit and these problems have got bigger with Brexit. They are trying to cover that up, but they just got bigger,” he said.

Juncker also described Britain’s departure from the European Union as a perpetual cycle of “promises, promises not kept, and lies repeated over and over again”, two days after he accused Boris Johnson of telling “so many lies” during the 2016 campaign. » | Jennifer Rankin in Brussels | Wednesday, November 6, 2019

UK Prime Minister Withholding Report on Russia's Role in Brexit | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC


Rachel Maddow reports on a controversy in the UK in which Prime Minister Boris Johnson is blocking the release of a report on Russian interference in the Brexit vote until after the general election scheduled for December. Aired on 11/05/19.

Monday, November 04, 2019

Will Aramco's IPO Succeed? I Inside Story


Saudi Arabia's crown jewel and the world's largest oil producing firm, Aramco, is now set to go public after several delays.

The initial public offering, or IPO, will be on the Saudi stock exchange. How much of the company's for sale and at what price, will be determined later.

Part of the Crown Prince's economic plans for the kingdom, the flotation aims to raise billions of dollars. But estimates of how much it might actually draw, vary widely. Mohammed Bin Salman wants a $2 trillion price tag, many bankers put it at $1.5 trillion.

But can ARAMCO's IPO satisfy his ambitions? And what, if any, are the risks?

Presenter: Dareen Abu Ghaida | Guests: Mohammed Cherkaoui, author and senior fellow at Al Jazeera Centre for Studies; Jeff Colgan, associate professor at Brown University and author of 'Petro-Aggression: When Oil Causes War'; Joseph Kechichian, senior fellow at King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic studies


Sunday, November 03, 2019

The Debate: Macron and Islam: French President Weighs In on New Headscarf Row


France is on again, off again row over the Muslim headscarf is on again. This time, was it the president who started it? With March municipal elections on the way, Emmanuel Macron telling MPs from his own party not to let the far-right own the conversation on secularism, radicalisation and sectarianism. But his own camp emerged divided from a parliamentary debate and when a far-right regional councilor baited a mother who had accompanied children on a school outing, all bets were off. We ask what the law says and what the French want.

Opinion: The Happy, Healthy Capitalists of Switzerland


THE NEW YORK TIMES: Forget Scandinavia. Switzerland is richer and yet has a surprisingly equal wealth distribution.

Like many progressive intellectuals, Bernie Sanders traces his vision of economic paradise not to socialist dictatorships like Venezuela but to their distant cousins in Scandinavia, which are just as wealthy and democratic as the United States but have more equitable distributions of wealth, as well as affordable health care and free college for all.

There is, however, a country far richer and just as fair as any in the Scandinavian trio of Sweden, Denmark and Norway. But no one talks about it.

This $700 billion European economy is among the world’s 20 largest, significantly bigger than any in Scandinavia. It delivers welfare benefits as comprehensive as Scandinavia’s but with lighter taxes, smaller government, and a more open and stable economy. Steady growth recently made it the second richest nationin the world, after Luxembourg, with an average income of $84,000, or $20,000 more than the Scandinavian average. Money is not the final measure of success, but surveys also rank this nation as one of the world’s 10 happiest.

This less socialist but more successful utopia is Switzerland. » | Ruchir Sharma | Saturday, November 2, 2019

Saturday, November 02, 2019

What's Next for the Impeachment Inquiry against Donald Trump I Inside Story


US House of Representatives votes to make proceedings public. In only the fourth time in US history, the “House of Representatives’ has formalised impeachment proceedings against a sitting president. Public hearings will begin later this month after weeks of testimonies behind closed doors.

At the centre of the investigation is whether President Donald Trump abused his power and jeopardised national security by withholding US military aid from Ukraine in exchange for an investigation into his political rival, Joe Biden.

Trump has repeatedly denied doing anything wrong, and the White House is refusing to cooperate; so what happens next? And what will be the impact on next year's elections?

Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault | Guests: Richard Goodstein - Political consultant for the Democratic Party and former adviser to President Bill Clinton; Jack Kingston - Republican Party member and former senior adviser to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign; Scott Lucas - Professor of political science and international studies at the University of Birmingham


Defiant Requiem | Holocaust Survivor Documentary | Timeline


Defiant Requiem tells the little-known story of the Nazi concentration camp, Terezín. Led by imprisoned conductor Rafael Schächter, the inmates of Terezín fought back...with art and music. Through hunger, disease and slave labor, the Jewish inmates of Terezin hold onto their humanity by staging plays, composing opera and using paper and ink to record the horrors around them.

Trump Impeachment: Is the End Near for the US President? | UpFront (Headliner)


Trump Flees To Avoid Taxes!


Is Donald Trump leaving New York for Florida to avoid going bankrupt?

Friday, November 01, 2019

Farage Seeks Brexit Election Pact with Tories


It's a big 'no' to a non-aggression pact with the Brexit party from Boris Johnson, who has dismissed any idea of an election alliance with the Brexit Party.

That's after Nigel Farage offered him an ultimatum: scrap your EU withdrawal deal and team up with us - or the Brexit party will fight the Conservatives in every seat.

But now the Tories have explicitly ruled that out.

Could the Leave vote be split?


Brexit: Tearing the Tories Apart?


Ken Clarke and Iain Duncan Smith, two of the most senior, long standing members of the Tory Party, discuss the state of the Conservatives.

Clarke had the whip withdrawn in September after he voted against the government.

A passionate opponent of Brexit and a life-long Europhile Clarke discusses how Brexit and Europe is eating away at his party with his long-standing colleague and former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith - a vocal proponent of leaving the EU.


'Good Riddance': New Yorkers on Trump's Declaration He's a Floridian


THE GUARDIAN: President’s decision to change his residency, thereby avoiding New York state and city taxes, was met with approval, scorn and indifference

Donald Trump’s decision to declare himself a resident of Florida instead of his native New York, thereby avoiding New York’s high rates of state and city taxes, was greeted by the public in the Big Apple with opinions ranging from anarchy-tinged approval to envy, scorn and indifference.

“Why should I care?” offered New Yorker Mike Mitchell, a construction engineer, as he walked the sunny streets of lower Manhattan in a chilly breeze, a stone’s throw from the Statue of Liberty on Friday morning. » | Edward Helmore in New York | Friday, November 1, 2019

Rationing In Britain


An American commentator looks at the effects of rationing on the people of England in 1944. The film presents a 'typical' family of 4 (housewife, engine-driver husband, factory-working daughter, schoolboy son) to illustrate the basic rationing system, the workings of 'point' systems and other restrictions, and the difficulties the average family faced when eating 'on the ration'.

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Trump Criticises Corbyn as Labour Launches Election Campaign | Brexit


Far from staying out of other countries' politics, President Trump weighed into the UK's 2019 election campaign today declaring that Jeremy Corbyn would be 'so bad' for the country - and urging Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson to get together as an 'unstoppable force'.

But he also criticised Mr Johnson's Brexit deal, suggesting the US couldn't make a trade agreement with the UK. All this on the very day Britain was supposed to be coming out of the EU.


Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Farah Pahlavi - Das Leben einer Kaiserin (2015)


Neuwahl im Dezember: Großbritannien ist nicht zu beneiden


Drei Premierminister in drei Jahren, der Brexit spaltet Land und Parlament. F.A.Z.-Ressortleiter Außenpolitik Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger hofft auf Klarheit nach den Neuwahlen – und schätzt den Streit um den Wahltermin im Dezember nicht als banal ein. © F.A.Z.

Tactical Voting Could Deliver Remain Victory in Election – Study


THE GUARDIAN: Conservatives could be denied majority if one in three remain supporters switch votes

Tactical voting could swing a victory for pro-remain parties in the December election, new research suggests.

Boris Johnson would fail to get a majority if one in three pro-remain voters in England and Wales switched their vote, the campaign group Best for Britain said.

In this scenario, the Conservatives would win 309 seats, Labour 233, the Liberal Democrats 34, Plaid Cymru four and the Greens one. When the Scottish National party, Democratic Unionist party and the Commons Speaker are factored in, this would give pro-remain parties a majority of four.

Best for Britain has launched GetVoting.org to give tactical voting advice based on postcode. Naomi Smith, the organisation’s chief executive, said: “If we vote tactically we can stop a Boris Johnson majority and return a parliament that much more accurately reflects the state of the country’s views on the issue of Europe, which is now a majority pro-European country and we need a majority pro-European parliament. » | Kate Proctor | Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Tactical voting: GetVoting.org »

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Michel Barnier Tells UK: Ignore EU Regulatory Standards at Your Peril


THE GUARDIAN: Brexit negotiator links free-trade deal to workers’ rights and environmental protection

British companies risk trade barriers to the European Union if a future government seeks to abandon EU standards on workers’ rights and environmental protection, Michel Barnier has signalled.

In an interview with the Guardian and seven other European newspapers, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator said any British government would face a “proportional” response if it sought to roll back core social, environmental and consumer standards.

The EU and UK have agreed to negotiate a free-trade agreement as part of Boris Johnson’s revamped Brexit deal, but Barnier stressed that tariff and quota-free access to the EU were linked to maintaining regulatory standards. “Access to our markets will be proportional to the commitments taken to the common rules,” he said. “The agreement we are ready to discuss is zero tariffs, zero quotas, zero dumping.” » | Jennifer Rankin in Brussels | Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Liban : Saad Hariri, le premier ministre du Liban, annonce sa démission au treizième jour de la contestation


LE MONDE: Cette décision n’implique pas des élections anticipées. Le président de la République peut désigner une autre personnalité sunnite pour constituer un nouveau gouvernement.

Le premier ministre libanais, Saad Hariri, a annoncé mardi 29 octobre qu’il allait présenter la démission de son gouvernement, au 13e jour d’un soulèvement populaire marqué par de nouveaux heurts dans les rues de Beyrouth.

Son intervention a été accueillie par les vivats de la foule qui l’écoutait en direct dans plusieurs lieux de rassemblement, avant que ne retentisse l’hymne national – An-nasid al-wataniyy al-lubnani – repris à pleins poumons par les manifestants. Des feux d’artifice ont été aussitôt tirés dans Beyrouth tandis que des voitures sillonnaient la ville klaxons hurlants en signe de victoire. » | Le Monde avec AFP | mardi 29. Octobre 2019

Monday, October 28, 2019

Boris Johnson Fails in Third Attempt to Call Early General Election


THE GUARDIAN: Prime minister falls short of two-thirds parliamentary majority required to call snap poll

Boris Johnson has lost his third bid for a general election, after Labour abstained and he failed to reach the two-thirds majority of MPs he needed for a poll. The result was 299 votes for and 70 against.

The prime minister is now expected to back a Liberal Democrat plan to change the law in order to secure an early election, although the parties do not yet agree on a date.

The Lib Dems want a date of 9 December, while students are still at university, but the Tories favour 12 December, after some have broken up for Christmas. » | Rowena Mason, Deputy political editor | Monday, October 28, 2019

Early Facebook Investor: We Need to Hold Big Tech Accountable for Creating “Toxic Digital Spills”


Early Facebook investor Roger McNamee talks about big tech companies are amplifying hate speech and disinformation. He also talks more about his book, “Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe.”

James Comey Jokes He Will Move to New Zealand If Trump Is Re-elected


The former FBI director James Comey joked he would move to New Zealand if Donald Trump was re-elected in 2020. Comey worked for the Obama administration, caused a storm over Hillary Clinton's emails in 2016 and was fired by Trump in May 2017. He also said US leaders 'can't be people who lie all the time'

Sunday, October 27, 2019

An Interview with HIM Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran by ¡HOLA! TV


¡HOLA! TV Interview: Rodolfo Vera Calderón | Executive production: Adolfo Álvarez

Analysis – US Targeted ISIL Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: US Officials


The United States has carried out an operation targeting Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL or ISIS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have told news agencies. A US official told The Associated Press that the ISIL leader was targeted in Syria's Idlib province. Another US official confirmed to Reuters news agency that the operation took place but did not disclose details and did not say whether it was successful. Newsweek, citing a US Army official briefed on the result of the operation, said al-Baghdadi was killed in the raid. Al Jazeera's Natasha Ghoneim reports Al Jazeera's Zaina Khodr reports from Beirut Marwan Kablan is director of policy analysis at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies joins Al Jazeera from Doha.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Brexit Referendum Should Never Have Been Called, Say Majority of Voters


THE GUARDIAN: Poll shows growing hindsight regret on leaving EU … but a 16% Tory lead in a general election

Twice as many people now think it would have been better never to have held a referendum on Brexit than believe it was a good idea, according to the latest Opinium poll for the Observer.

Asked to consider the difficulties the government has had in reaching an agreement, 57% of UK adults surveyed said that they believed it would have been better not to have had a public vote in June 2016.

This compares with 29% of voters who believe it was right to hold the referendum on whether the UK should stay in or leave the EU. » | Toby Helm | Saturday, October 26, 2019

THE OBSERVER: Number of Britons leaving for Europe hits a 10-year high »

Brexit: Can Westminster Seal a Deal? | To the Point


British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the House of Commons have tried all the tricks in fighting for their interests in the Brexit battle. But who wants what? Our guests: Vendeline v. Bredow (Economist), Derek Scally (Irish Times), Jon Worth (Blogger)

Friday, October 25, 2019

Klimawandel-Debatte: Esst ruhig Fleisch!



FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Fleisch ist in Verruf geraten, das Schnitzel nur noch mit Schuld zu verzehren. Dabei macht Fleischverzicht weder gesund noch rettet er das Klima. Der große Fleischreport.

Löschen Sie alles, was Sie in den letzten Jahren über rotes Fleisch gehört haben. Es ist nicht ungesund, und sein Beitrag zum Klimawandel ist geringer als propagiert. Eine jahrzehntelange Kampagne hat das Nahrungsmittel in Verruf gebracht und Menschen zu fleischarmen Diäten gedrängt, die ihrer Gesundheit schaden und den Klimawandel nicht stoppen können. Schlecht fundierte Forschung, kommerzielle Interessen und religiös-ideologische Vorstellungen prägen das Narrativ einer überlegenen fleischfreien Ernährung. Genauer Überprüfung hält dieses nicht stand. » [€] | von Winand von Petersdorff | Freitag, 25. Oktober 2019

Thursday, October 24, 2019

The Guardian View on Boris Johnson’s Election Demand: MPs Should Call His Bluff


THE GUARDIAN: There is no good reason to commit to an early general election when parliament has not yet considered the withdrawal agreement bill in detail. First things first

Boris Johnson is the playground bully of British politics. He acts as if he is prime minister with a majority in parliament when in fact he has no majority. Because he cannot govern in that way with parliament, he has tried instead to govern against parliament. The delusion that he can do as he pleases led him to try to prorogue parliament this autumn – a bluff that was called by the supreme court. It then led him to concoct a fantasy legislative agenda by commissioning a Queen’s speech, though none of its measures will ever become law. Now he is trying to make his Brexit withdrawal bill conditional on the Commons agreeing to a general election in December. This proposal, like all the others before it, is merely another bluff, and parliament should duly call it. » | Editorial | Thursday, October 24, 2019

Most Voters Believe Violence against MPs 'Is Price Worth Paying' over Brexit


THE GUARDIAN: Research finds majority of both leave and remain voters feel violence worth it to get outcome they support

A majority of voters in England, Wales and Scotland believe that the possibility of some level of violence against MPs is a “price worth paying” in order to get their way on Brexit, an academic survey has found.

The poll from Cardiff University and the University of Edinburgh asked respondents what they would be prepared to see happen in order to leave or remain within the European Union.

Most leave voters who took part in the Future of England study thought violence towards MPs was a “price worth paying” for Brexit to be delivered – 71% in England, 60% in Scotland and 70% in Wales.

The majority of remain voters felt that potential violence was worth it if it meant we would stay in the EU – 58% in England, 53% in Scotland and 56% in Wales. » | Amy Walker | Thursday, October 24, 2019

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — October 24, 2019


Should Trump Be Committed to a Mental Health Facility? (April 2019)


Donald Trump's campaign opened with shouts of "Lock Her Up" from his followers and supporters. Two years into his presidency calls for impeaching Donald Trump are using that phrase against him.

Now Dr. Justin Frank, Psychoanalyst, and author of 'Trump on the Couch' joins the Thom Hartmann program to call for locking Donald Trump up in a Mental Health facility,

Is it time to put Donald Trump in the funny farm? Is the President's mental health out for lunch?


Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Österreich: FPÖ schmeißt Straches Ehefrau raus


SPIEGEL ONLINE: Im Streit über ihr Mandat im österreichischen Parlament hat die rechtspopulistische FPÖ Konsequenzen gezogen: Philippa Strache, Ehefrau von Ex-Parteichef Heinz-Christian Strache, wurde ausgeschlossen.

Die FPÖ hat Philippa Strache aus der Partei ausgeschlossen. Als Grund nannten die österreichischen Rechtspopulisten eine schriftliche Stellungnahme der 31-jährigen Frau von Ex-Parteichef Heinz-Christian Strache. Sie hatte darin mitgeteilt, ihr Mandat im Parlament anzunehmen. Laut FPÖ hatte die Mitteilung "eindeutig parteischädigenden Charakter".

Philippa Strache saß am Mittwoch bei der ersten Sitzung des neuen Parlaments als fraktionslose Abgeordnete hinter den SPÖ-Parlamentariern.

Die Straches sind bei der FPÖ mit ihrem neuen Chef Norbert Hofer in Ungnade gefallen. Gegen beide ermittelt die Staatsanwaltschaft. Heinz-Christian Strache soll private Rechnungen auf Kosten der Partei abgerechnet haben. Er und seine Frau bestreiten die Vorwürfe. Die Spesen-Affäre und das Ibiza-Video dürften die wichtigsten Gründe für das Wahldebakel der rechten Partei sein. Die FPÖ stürzte am 29. September um fast zehn Prozentpunkte auf 16,2 Prozent ab. » | als/dpa | Mittwoch, 23. Oktober 2019

Is Russia the New Power Broker in the Middle East? Inside Story


Russia and Turkey reach deal on northern Syria after US brokered ceasefire expired.

Russia and Turkey are on opposite sides of the war in Syria. Moscow backs the Syrian president, while Ankara supports opposition rebels who want to remove Bashar Al Assad. However, the two sides have been working more closely in recent months.

On Tuesday, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave Kurdish fighters six days to retreat from the Syrian-Turkish border. They reached the agreement just before the end of a US-brokered ceasefire that halted Turkey's military offensive in the region.

As Washington pulls back from the region, is Russia becoming the new power-broker? And what are the implications for the wider Middle East?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra | Guests: Yusuf Alabarda - Retired Colonel of the Turkish Armed Forces; Pavel Felgenhauer - Russian Defence and Military Analyst; Samuel Ramani - Researcher at Oxford University and a member of the Valdai Discussion Club, a Moscow-based think tank and discussion forum


US Healthcare: Is Medicare Supplements Availability Disappearing? (w/ Alex Lawson)


Will Medicare Supplements programs change? Republicans drilled holes into Medicare, and now private insurance companies are taking advantage to take away your coverage.

Benny Gantz to Be Tasked with Forming Israeli Government


THE GUARDIAN: Ex-military chief expected to have 28 days to forge coalition and avoid third election in year

Israel’s president is expected to task the former military chief Benny Gantz with forming a government after Benjamin Netanyahu failed to do so following an inconclusive election last month.

Neither Gantz’s Blue and White coalition nor the incumbent prime minister’s Likud party came out with a clear win, and few expect the opposition leader to form a coalition through deals with disparate political parties with ease.

He will have 28 days to try, after which parliament can nominate a third candidate, although that appears extremely unlikely given the divided makeup of Israel’s legislature, the Knesset.

If no contender can end the political crisis, the country will face an unprecedented third election in a year. » | Oliver Homes in Jerusalem | Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Could Donald Trump Actually Be Impeached?


Things are getting serious for Donald Trump. The swiftly unrolling Ukraine scandal could cause him to become only the third president to be impeached.But what is impeachment? How does it work? And how likely is it to happen? Adam Gabbatt has the answers

Dan Rather, Sam Donaldson Have Dire Warning about Trump


Dan Rather and Sam Donaldson tell CNN's Don Lemon that they think that President Donald Trump is dangerous for the country because Trump is only interested in protecting himself.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

The Debate: Brexit Can Wait: Can Johnson's Divorce Deal Pass without Strings Attached


Abschiedsrede im Parlament: Juncker: Bekämpft den dummen Nationalismus



FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Nach fünf Jahren an der Spitze der EU-Kommission verabschiedet sich Jean-Claude Juncker vor dem Europaparlament. Er mahnt: „Frieden ist nicht selbstverständlich.“

Mit einer emotionalen Rede hat EU-Kommissionspräsident Jean-Claude Juncker sich nach fünf Jahren Amtszeit verabschiedet und seine Erfolge herausgestrichen. „Ich scheide aus dem Amt nicht betrübt, auch nicht übermäßig glücklich, aber im Gefühl, mich redlich bemüht zu haben“, sagte der 64-Jährige am Dienstag im Europaparlament. „Ich war stolz darauf, während langer Zeit und vor allem in den letzten fünf Jahren ein kleines Teilchen eines größeren Ganzen zu sein, das wichtiger ist als wir.“

Der Luxemburger erinnerte daran, dass die Europäische Union vor allem ein Friedensprojekt sei. „Frieden ist nicht selbstverständlich, und wir sollten stolz darauf sein, dass Europa den Frieden erhält“, sagte Juncker. Darüber müsse man auch mit jungen Menschen reden. Den Parlamentariern gab er mit auf den Weg: „Bekämpft mit aller Kraft den dummen Nationalismus.“ Seine Rede schloss Juncker mit den Worten: „Es lebe Europa!“ » | Quelle: nto./dpa/AFP | Dienstag, 22. Oktober 2019

Remember Thatcher’s Britain? That’s Where This Brexit Deal Would Take Us


THE GUARDIAN: Without a second referendum we face a decade of deregulation, and a repeat of the 1980s assault on working people

Hopes for a second referendum on Brexit are receding, as more and more Tories show their true colours and fall in line behind Boris Johnson and his controversial deal. They have passed through all the stages of grief to arrive at acceptance of a Brexit that they know will make Britain poorer and weaker. One of their leading lights, the former home secretary Amber Rudd, explicitly acknowledged that the deal would “hurt the economy” – but she said “it’s the right thing to do because we had a referendum”.

Pursuing an economically devastating Brexit is a choice, not a necessity. The referendum was a mandate to change the political basis of our relationship with Europe, not to terminate all our economic cooperation altogether, as envisaged in the new withdrawal agreement. The proposal would give Britain the same economic relationship with the EU as distant countries such as Mexico or Canada. That’s why the extremist interpretation of the 2016 referendum that was begun by Theresa May and accelerated by Johnson can and must be resisted. If that cannot be achieved by a second referendum – even the most ardent campaigners now accept they don’t have the numbers – then it is vital that politicians return to the arena of compromise. » | Tom Kibasi | Tuesday, October 22, 2019

There’s a message in this story: Never trust the Tories with the economy again! It’s high time for the Tories to go the way of the Whigs – into oblivion! – Mark

Dominic Raab


The author of 'The Assault on Liberty' says that we must keep questioning the claims made by the Government, as it attempts to take away rights and liberties.

Monday, October 21, 2019

George Michael, Aretha Franklin – I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (Official Video)


Boris Johnson in Final Push to Ram Through Brexit Deal


THE GUARDIAN: PM will seek to win two crucial votes on Tuesday in bid to leave EU by 31 October deadline

Boris Johnson will make a final bid on Tuesday to force Brexit through by the 31 October “do or die” deadline, amid growing signs he will make a renewed push for a general election whether his deal passes or not.

Johnson has already requested a delay to Brexit, by sending the letter to Brussels required by the backbench Benn act after MPs declined to support his deal on Saturday – something he said he would rather be “dead in a ditch”than do.

But if the government can force its Brexit bill through parliament in time, the UK could in theory still leave the EU by next Thursday’s deadline. » | Heather Stewart and Rowena Mason | Monday, October 21, 2019

Netanyahu Fails to Form a Government. Israel Turns to Gantz.


THE NEW YORK TIMES: Israel’s president will offer the chance to form a government to Benny Gantz.

JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel gave up on his latest attempt to form a government on Monday, clearing the way for Benny Gantz, the former army chief who narrowly defeated him in last month’s election, to try to become the country’s next leader.

Mr. Netanyahu, who turned 70 on Monday and has been prime minister since 2009, told President Reuven Rivlin that he had been unable to put together a 61-seat majority coalition in Parliament.

Mr. Rivlin said he would give Mr. Gantz, 60, leader of the centrist Blue and White party, the mandate to form a government “as soon as possible.” Under the law, Mr. Gantz will have 28 days to do so.

“The time of spin is over, and it is now time for action,” Mr. Gantz’s party said in a statement. “Blue and White is determined to form the liberal unity government, led by Benny Gantz, that the people of Israel voted for a month ago.” » | David M. Halbfinger and Isabel Kershner | Monday, October 21, 2019

Prince William Worried about Harry after TV Interview Discussing Their 'Rift', Source Claims


THE TELEGRAPH: The Duke of Cambridge has been left concerned for the wellbeing of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, it is claimed, after the couple told a television audience of millions of their personal unhappiness and a rift in the Royal Family.

The Duke is said to be “worried” about his younger brother, who on Sunday night publicly confirmed the siblings are on “different paths” and spending less time together.

A palace source told the BBC of household fears the Sussexes are in a “fragile place”, with Prince William hoping they “are alright” after Prince Harry unexpectedly laid bare details of their private relationship in a television documentary.

Acknowledging a “rift” in conversation with friend and broadcaster Tom Bradby on ITV, Prince Harry admitted "inevitably stuff happens" under the pressure of royal life.

His decision to speak about the brothers’ relationship immediately placed them at the centre of a worldwide conversation, detailed on the front page of five leading British newspapers and headline news on radio and television from the Today programme to Loose Women. » | Hannah Furness, Royal Correspondent | Monday, October 21, 2019

People's Vote Marchers: ‘Brexit Is Not Done by a Long Way’


From morris dancers to a man dressed as death and everyone inbetween: the Guardian follows anti-Brexit protesters in London on Saturday as they march to demand a fresh referendum. Organisers of the march said the turnout was comparable to the previous second referendum rally six months ago, when a million people gathered in central London

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Brexit Delay: Boris Johnson Sends Opposing Letters to EU | DW News


UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he's determined that the UK will leave the European Union by October 31, despite a letter he was forced to send Brussels asking for a delay, which he sent without his signature. Johnson was required by law to ask for the delay after parliament voted to postpone ratifying his Brexit deal. The prime minister also sent a second letter to the EU, which he did sign, saying he was against an extension.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Super Saturday: MPs Debate Boris Johnson’s New Brexit Deal – Watch Live


The prime minister summoned MPs for an emergency Saturday parliament session to decide Brexit fate

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Eric Trump Defends Emoluments Violations Then Claims They Aren’t Happening


Eric Trump is trying to defend the fact that his father is profiting greatly off the presidency while simultaneously claiming that his father is losing money on the president. It takes a special kind of stupid to believe that both things are true, but that’s what we get with the Trump kids. The truth is that Eric and his brother Donald, Jr. are both running interference for their father, and the whole family is cashing in on this administration. Ring of Fire’s Farron Cousins discusses this.

Daniel Kawczynski MP Speaks in a Westminster Hall Debate on LGBT Acceptance and Education


'It Was News I Was Scared to Tell': Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski Calls for Understanding of Same-sex Relationships


SHROPSHIRE STAR: Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski has told about the nerves he suffered when 'coming out' to his constituency association - as he led a Westminster debate on LGBT issues.

Mr Kawczynski revealed how he had travelled back to Shrewsbury from Parliament, with some big news for his constituents.

"It was news I was scared to tell, even to my closest supporters in the local Conservative Association – so much so that I was quietly praying the train would break down so I would not have to impart it. The news was that I was now in a same sex relationship."

The MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham will this year enter into a civil partnership with his long-term partner Fernando. And he says the supportive reaction he got from his constituency party six years ago will stay with him all his life.

"Full of apprehension, I looked up at the faces of the people I had spoken to, 50 of the most senior members of my local party and awaited their reaction," he recalls.

"Almost immediately, a gentleman in the front row stood up and said, 'I think that’s marvellous news, well done' and began clapping. » | Mark Andrews, Shrewsbury | Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Divorced Conservative MP: 'I’ve fallen in love with a man’ »

EU's Juncker Says Brexit Deal Agreed


European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announces new Brexit deal between Britain and the European Union. The president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has announced that Brussels had come to an agreement with Britain on a Brexit withdrawal agreement to be presented to EU leaders. "Where there is a will, there is a deal - we have one! It's a fair and balanced agreement for the EU and the UK and it is testament to our commitment to find solutions," Juncker tweeted. "I recommend that EUCO endorses this deal," he said, referring to the European Council of the leaders of member states that was to meet later on Thursday. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "We have a great new deal that takes back control." Al Jazeera's Rory Challands reports.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

What Neo-Nazis Have Inherited from Original Nazism | DW Documentary | Neo-Nazi Documentary


What resemblance do today’s ethnonationalistic ideologies bear to those which surged during the rise of the Nazis in the Weimar-era? Quite a lot, this documentary shows. Germany’s far-right neo-nazi scene is now bigger than at any time since National Socialism.

History may not repeat itself, but one can still learn from it. The years of the Weimar Republic were scarred by post-war trauma, political extremism, street fighting, hyper-inflation and widespread poverty. But they also saw economic boom, the establishment of a liberal democratic order and a parliamentary party system. Nobody could really imagine that the Nazis would brush aside the achievements of this young democracy just a few years later. But there were signs, warnings even that all was not well.

So how does that resonate today? How do today’s right-wing populist movements and parties achieve their political aims? Which slogans, images and stereotypes played a role then, and which ones are playing a role now?

The film also looks beyond Germany’s borders. How has Europe changed in the last few years and how have far-right movements been able to gain such influence? In the interwar period, democracies across the continent collapsed one after the other like a house of cards. What about today? Riding on the coat-tails of the political party the Alternative for Germany (AfD) the far-right has become a factor in both national and state parliaments, united by nationalist and often racist ideologies directly linked to those of the 1930s. At that time, global economic crisis and mass unemployment drove people straight into the fascists’ arms. So what will happen if crisis strikes now? Are our democracies and their achievements today any more stable than they were in the years before the Second World War?


Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Monday, October 14, 2019

Überfall auf die Sowjetunion | Vernichtungskrieg | Geschichte


tagesschau 20:00 Uhr, 14.10.2019


Themen der Sendung: EU ruft Mitglieder zum Einstellen der Waffenverkäufe an Ankara auf, Politische Aufarbeitung des Anschlags in Halle, Queen verliest Regierungserklärung von Johnson, Parlamentswahl in Polen: Klare Mehrheit für Regierungspartei PiS, Oberstes Gericht in Spanien verurteilt neun katalanische Separatistenführer zu langjährigen Haftstrafen, Kais Saied wird neuer Präsident von Tunesien, Hauptstadt von Ecuador wird nach gewalttätigen Protesten aufgeräumt, Wirtschaftsnobelpreis geht an drei Armutsforscher, Gewerkschaft UFO ruft Flugbegleiter von Lufthansa zu Warnstreiks auf, Saša Stanišić erhält Deutschen Buchpreis 2019, Das Wetter

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — October 14, 2019


Réduit National: Ein Film über die Schweiz im zweiten Weltkrieg


Maturaarbeit von Marco Grünenfelder und Jan Baumgartner an der Kantonsschule Zug

Beginn des Zweiten Weltkriegs | Geschichte Hitlers Blitzkrieg


History File: Life in Nazi Germany


The Unlikely Romance of a Black Nurse and a German POW in World War II


In this edition of Maryville Talks Books, author Alexis Clark and host Paul Schankman have a conversation about her remarkable new "stranger than fiction" book, Enemies in Love, which tells the true story of a black nurse and a German Prisoner of War, who fell in love during World War Two, and eventually married. Though their story began more than 70 years ago, it feels very relevant today as America continues to wrestle with issues of racism and hate.


Enemies in Love: A German POW, a Black Nurse, and an Unlikely Romance »

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Pete Buttigieg: I Would Keep Troops in Syria If Needed


During an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, 2020 Democratic candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg responded to President Trump's decision to pull troops out of northern Syria, a move Buttigieg says "makes America worse off."