Don Lemon Is Still In Disbelief at This Trump Quote

CNN's Don Lemon wonders how anyone believes Donald Trump, saying that the President's own words about downplaying the Covid-19 pandemic should tell people everything they need to know.

Book by Donald Trump's Niece Sells Nearly 1m Copies on Its First Day

THE GUARDIAN: Mary Trump’s Too Much and Never Enough sold 950,000 copies / Legal attempts to prevent book’s publication failed

The bombshell family tell-all book by Mary Trump, the US president’s niece, sold almost a million copies by the end of its first day on sale and remains firmly at the top of Amazon’s bestseller list.

Trump’s book Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man, referring to Donald Trump, was published on Tuesday and had sold 950,000 copies by the end of the first day, including pre-sales, ebooks and audio books.

That was after a court order by a family member, Donald Trump’s brother Robert, seeking to block it was lifted, publisher Simon & Schuster said on Thursday.

It was a new record for Simon & Schuster, the New York-based company said. » | Guardian staff | Thursday, July 16, 2020

Steve Schmidt: Trump Must Be Defeated or US 'Will Be in an Irreversible Decline' | MSNBC

On the 2020 presidential election, Steve Schmidt says, “This man must be defeated if there’s to be any chance to come out of this. Otherwise, the country will be in an irreversible decline … We won’t be the preeminent country anymore. That will be the singular result of Donald Trump being the 45th President of the United States.” Aired on 07/16/2020.

abc News Exclusive: Mary Trump – Full Interview with Stephanopoulos

Cooper: Trump Poses with Can of Beans While Covid-19 Surges

CNN's Anderson Cooper called out a recent Instagram endorsement by President Donald Trump amid surges in the coronavirus pandemic across the US and ongoing tension between the White House and Dr. Anthony Fauci, saying it's "grotesque."

In Rare Surge of Online Unity, Iranians Call for Halt to Executions

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Actors, scholars, star athletes and millions of others called for three young protesters’ lives to be spared. “I’m next, you’re next, we’re next,” one meme read.

Iranians from all walks of life — teachers, doctors, designers, cooks, actors, directors, artists, homemakers, bloggers — have taken to social media with a message for the government: Stop the executions.

The online campaign, which took place on Tuesday and which analysts said was remarkable for its scope and the breadth of its support, was in response to the judiciary’s announcement earlier in the day that it had upheld the death sentences of three young men who joined antigovernment protests in November.

Iran put 251 people to death last year, more than any country but China, according to Amnesty International. In recent weeks, many Iranians have been rattled by a series of executions based on murky charges, from drinking alcohol to political activism to allegedly spying for the C.I.A.

“I’m next, you’re next, we’re next,” read a meme that was widely shared online. » | Farnaz Fassihi | Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Ghislaine Maxwell Pleads Not Guilty to Sex Trafficking Charges in Epstein Case

One-On-One with Mary Trump

Hear Message Mary Trump Has for Her Uncle, President Trump

Mary Trump, President Donald Trump's niece, speaks for the first time after the publication of her new book in an exclusive interview with ABC News.

Mehdi Hasan Reacts to Ivanka Trump Telling Jobless Americans to ‘Find Something New’ | All In | MSNBC

Mehdi Hasan: “She works in the White House today because her dad hired her for a job she is manifestly unqualified for. This is a woman whose husband and father’s catastrophic mishandling of this virus is the reason the economy is so bad right now.” Aired on 7/14/2020.

The Trump Supporters Who Changed Their Minds: 'I'd Rather Vote for a Tuna Fish Sandwich'

THE GUARDIAN: Frustrated, some Republicans have become anti-Trumpers: ‘This guy couldn’t lead his way out of a wet frickin’ paper bag’

The anti-Trumpers are at it again – only this time, they’re Republicans.

Kevin, a lifelong Republican voter and pastor from Arizona, says he voted for Trump in 2016 “with high hopes for the future”. He knew that Trump didn’t have the same political experience as the other contenders, but he was optimistic he could grow into his new role.

Now he says: “I’ve seen how he has tried to divide our country and that is not something I want, nor what our country should have … This man is an absolute danger to our country.” » | Poppy Noor | Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Shahid Buttar Mounts a Serious Congressional Race against Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi

Democratic Socialist Buttar is challenging Pelosi as a progressive-sounding centrist who pushes a conservative agenda that enables Trump.

Affaire Epstein : Ghislaine Maxwell plaide non coupable de trafic de mineures

LE POINT: L'ancienne collaboratrice du milliardaire demande aussi sa remise en liberté sous caution. La procureure dénonce un risque de fuite "extrême".

C'est un nouvel acte de l'affaire Epstein qui se joue mardi 14 juillet à Manhattan. L'ancienne collaboratrice et amante du financier Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, a plaidé non coupable de trafic de mineures et d'incitation à la prostitution lors d'une audience du tribunal fédéral. Personnalité de la jet-set, Ghislaine Maxwell est accusée d'avoir recrutée des jeunes filles, dont certaines mineures, pour Jeffrey Epstein, mort en prison en août 2019. L'audience de mardi doit être aussi l'occasion pour la fille de l'ancien magnat britannique des médias Robert Maxwell de demander sa remise en liberté sous caution. Elle a proposé pour cela des garanties à hauteur de cinq millions de dollars. » | Source AFP | mardi 14 juillet 2020

Ambassador Rice: I Will Do Everything I Can to See Biden Succeed | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Ambassador Susan Rice, National Security Adviser to President Obama, calls attempts to discredit Dr. Fauci irresponsible. Amb. Rice also says she will do everything she can to help Joe Biden succeed in becoming president. Aired on 07/14/2020.

Chris Hayes: Tucker Carlson's Racist Writer Is No Surprise | All In | MSNBC

Chris Hayes on Tucker Carlson: “You have a guy who had a racist writing his scripts for years, who founded a publication that employed multiple people with ties to white nationalism, who has been praised again and again by the most outspoken racists in the country.” Aired on 7/13/2020.

Trump’s Fox Fave Tucker Carlson Goes Fishing after Lead Writer Resigns over Racist Online Comments

The lead writer for President Trump’s favorite Fox News TV show, “Tucker Carlson Tonight” — the most popular cable show in history — has resigned for posting disturbing racist and misogynist messages to an online forum under a pseudonym. Now Tucker Carlson says he’s going on vacation, and his advertisement blocks “are a wasteland,” says Matt Gertz, senior fellow at Media Matters, where he documents the relationship between Fox News and the Trump administration.

Arrogance of Ignorance? Featuring Richard Dawkins, Evolutionary Biologist (2017)

Despite the unprecedented pace of scientific breakthroughs, humanity still seems to be as far away from the age of reason as ever. With religious extremism and political infantilism spreading across the globe, often aiding one another, has governance based on critical thinking already become a delusion? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Richard Dawkins, evolutionary biologist.

How Incompetent Is Donald Trump? Interview with John Bolton | Conflict Zone

John Bolton dicusses his time as national security adviser and his impressions of US President Donald Trump with DW Conflict Zone.

Four months before the next US presidential election, Donald Trump’s poll numbers are in a slump. Disaffected conservatives call him incompetent and are campaigning against the Republican president, citing the upward curve of new coronavirus cases in the US, the millions of unemployed Americans, and the protests and racial tension in the wake of George Floyd’s killing. They echo Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, who says Trump’s leadership is inadequate.

One of his three former national security advisors, John Bolton, joined DW’s Tim Sebastian to discuss his impressions of President Trump on Conflict Zone. He has just releases his book on the issue 'The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir'

Super-rich Call for Higher Taxes on Wealthy to Pay for Covid-19 Recovery

THE GUARDIAN: Exclusive: Group of 83 wealthy individuals demands ‘immediate, substantial and permanent’ higher taxes ‘on people like us’

A group of 83 of the world’s richest people have called on governments to permanently increase taxes on them and other members of the wealthy elite to help pay for the economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.

The super-rich members, including Ben and Jerry’s ice cream co-founder Jerry Greenfield and Disney heir Abigail Disney, called on “our governments to raise taxes on people like us. Immediately. Substantially. Permanently”.

“As Covid-19 strikes the world, millionaires like us have a critical role to play in healing our world,” the millionaires said in a letter shared with the Guardian. “No, we are not the ones caring for the sick in intensive care wards. We are not driving the ambulances that will bring the ill to hospitals. We are not restocking grocery store shelves or delivering food door to door.

“But we do have money, lots of it. Money that is desperately needed now and will continue to be needed in the years ahead, as our world recovers from this crisis.” » | Rupert Neate, Wealth correspondent | Monday, July 13, 2020

'His Hatred Is Infectious': Tucker Carlson, Trump's Heir Apparent and 2024 Candidate?

THE OBSERVER: For years, Carlson has stoked racial anxieties and courted white supremacists on his Fox News show – and now, some are speculating he could pick up the pieces if Trump loses

The conservative television star Tucker Carlson, whose Fox News program last month became the highest-rated show in the history of cable television, is known to most Americans simply as “Tucker”.

But not everyone calls him that. On the strength of his regular, sneering rants about the danger of immigrants and refugees, the New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has dubbed Carlson a “white supremacist sympathizer”. Her colleague Ilhan Omar prefers “racist fool”. The Nazi website Stormfront has called Carlson “literally our greatest ally”.

And in recent weeks, as his ratings have topped previous records, new labels have been mooted for Carlson: heir apparent to Donald Trump, leader of the Republican party and future president. » | Tom McCarthy in New York | Sunday, July 12, 2020

Trump and McConnell Are the Twin Tribunes of America's Ruin – Vote Them Out

THE GUARDIAN: Under leaders as callous as these, the ravages of Covid-19, economic disaster and systemic racism can only get worse

Fate has been unkind to the United States. The nation is grappling simultaneously with a pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 130,000; the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression; and mind-numbing police brutality, which has generated the largest outpouring of grief and anger against systemic racism in memory.

Perhaps America’s greatest misfortune is that these crises have emerged at a time when its leadership is too incompetent to respond to them, if not maliciously dedicated to worsening them.

Donald Trump has not only refused to contain Covid-19 but is actively pushing Americans into harm’s way, demanding the nation “reopen” while cases and deaths continue to rise. Meanwhile, he’s siphoning federal money intended to dampen the economic crisis into the pockets of his cronies and family. And he is deliberately stoking racial tensions to energize his “base” for the upcoming election. As if this weren’t enough, Trump continues to attack the rule of law, on which a democracy depends in order to deal with these and all other challenges.

But he could not accomplish these abhorrent feats alone. Senate Republicans are either cheering him on or maintaining a shameful silence. Trump’s biggest enabler is the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell. » | Robert Reich | Sunday, July 12, 2020

Epstein Accomplice Can't Hide behind Protection of Plea Deal

Via America's Lawyer: After years of recruiting underage girls for sex trafficking, Jeffrey Epstein’s elusive partner Ghislaine Maxwell is arrested and may finally divulge the names of Epstein’s high-profile clientele. Mike Papantonio & Farron Cousins discuss.

Coronavirus in the USA: Trump's Downfall? | To the Point

A superpower laid low by the coronavirus: Infections in the USA continue to rise and the economy is on life support. Will the pandemic cost President Trump the election?

Guests: Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson (KCRW Radio Berlin), Matthew Karnitschnig (Politico), Daniel Hamilton (Johns Hopkins University)

Daniel Hamilton is a professor for Poltical Science at Johns Hopkins University. Currently he is a Robert Bosch-Fellow in Berlin. He says: "Pandemic, recession, systemic racism -- all made worse by Donald Trump. It's a combustible brew."

Matthew Karnitschnig is chief Europe correspondent for „Politico“. His view: „The pandemic is Trump’s Waterloo. The main question now is not if he will lose, but rather by how much.” Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson is program director at KCRW, a Radio station based here in Berlin and affiliated with the US broadcaster NPR. And she says: „Donald Trump’s performance regarding COVID-19 may not matter, because recessions lead to reelection losers.“

Hagia Sophia: Jewel of the Byzantines

A documentary on the grandest Byzantine church of them all: the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey.

Erdogan per Dekret: Hagia Sophia wird wieder Moschee | DW Nachrichten

Seit Tagen hatte der türkische Präsident Erdogan angekündigt, die weltberühmte Hagia Sophia in Istanbul wieder in eine Moschee umzuwandeln. Nun hat das Oberste Verwaltungs-Gericht seinen Wunsch bestätigt. Damit annulierte es eine Entscheidung von 1934. Damals war das Gebäude in ein Museum umgewandelt worden. Als neutrale kulturelle Stätte brachte es den Besuchern seitdem die wechselhafte Geschichte zwischen Christentum und Islam nahe. Wenige Minuten nach der Entscheidung unterzeichnete Erdogan das passende Dekret.

Trump Commutes Roger Stone's Sentence. Here's Why He Did It

President Donald Trump on Friday commuted the prison sentence of his longtime friend Roger Stone, who was convicted of crimes that included lying to Congress in part, prosecutors said, to protect the President. The announcement came just days before Stone was set to report to a federal prison in Georgia.

Stone was convicted in November of seven charges -- including lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing a congressional committee proceeding -- as part of former special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Among the things he misled Congress about were his communications with Trump campaign officials -- communications that prosecutors said Stone hid out of his desire to protect Trump.

Trump's decision to pardon his friend and political adviser is the crescendo of a months-long effort to rewrite the history of the Mueller investigation. This has included selective declassification of intelligence materials, a ramped-up counter-investigation into the origins of the Russia probe and attempts to drop the case against Michael Flynn.

"Roger Stone is a victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump Presidency," said Kayleigh McEnany, the White House press secretary. "There was never any collusion between the Trump Campaign, or the Trump Administration, with Russia."

What Are the Questions for Ghislaine Maxwell? - BBC News

The arrest of Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell has reignited interest in her and her alleged role in Epstein's abuse of minors. She’s facing charges relating to the events of 1994-97, when she was among Epstein’s closest associates. Ros Atkins has taken a look at the many remaining questions for Ghislaine Maxwell, in the latest of his weekly reports for the BBC News YouTube channel.

Turkish Court Rules Istanbul's Hagia Sophia Can Revert to a Mosque | DW News

Turkey's highest administrative court has issued a ruling that paves the way for the government to convert Istanbul's Hagia Sophia from a museum back into a mosque. The ruling annulled a 1934 government decree that turned the UNESCO Word Heritage Site, and Istanbul's most iconic landmark, into a museum. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pushed to restore its status as a mosque. He said that international pressure to keep it a museum was a violation of Turkey's national sovereignty. The Russian Orthodox Church has called the move unacceptable.

Arabs in Spain – Award Winning Documentary

Fascinating and beautifully shot documentary which examines the spread of Islam and how its crusaders finally took most of Spain, arriving from Morocco in 711. In one summer the "Arabs had taken half of the peninsular and in five years controlled almost all of the country".

Kanye West Declares He Will Run for US President in 2020

THE GUARDIAN: Rapper uses Independence Day to make announcement, but it’s not clear if he has filed any official paperwork to appear on ballots

Just when you thought 2020 couldn’t get any weirder, rapper Kanye West declared his candidacy for US president.

The unlikely challenger to Donald Trump – of whom he has been a vocal supporter – and Joe Biden, chose American independence day to make the surprise announcement on Twitter, triggering a social media storm.

“We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future,” West wrote. “I am running for president of the United States.” » | David Smith in Washington | Sunday, July 5, 2020


Just when you thought America couldn’t get any crazier! From reality TV star to rapper? What a sick joke America has become! – ©Mark

'Step-up Prince Andrew' Says Gloria Allred, Lawyer for Epstein Victims'

Retired Four Star General: ‘In 50 Years I’ve Never Seen Anything Like This’ | Deadline | MSNBC

Former National Security Council member General Barry McCaffrey and former special presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Brett McGurk on why they believe the national security process is broken amid reports the U.S. had intelligence that Russia offered and paid the Taliban bounty to kill U.S. troops. Aired on 6/30/2020.

Maria Ressa, Journalist and CEO of Rappler – BBC HARDtalk

No world leader better epitomises the strong man style of political leadership than President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines. One hallmark of his rule? A visceral dislike of scrutiny from the independent media. HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur speaks to journalist Maria Ressa who founded the Rappler news website and has just been convicted of cyber-libel in a case that has raised worldwide concern. Is press freedom being strangled by populist politics?

Europeans' Trust in US as World Leader Collapses during Pandemic

THE GUARDIAN: Many citizens appalled by Donald Trump’s handling of coronavirus crisis, study finds

The coronavirus crisis has caused a dramatic deterioration in the European public perception of the US, extensive new polling reveals.

More than 60% of respondents in Germany, France, Spain, Denmark and Portugal said they had lost trust in the United States as a global leader.

A report based on the survey’s findings argues that the shock of the pandemic has “traumatised” European citizens, leaving them feeling “alone and vulnerable”.

In almost every country surveyed, a majority of people said their perception of the US had deteriorated since the outbreak. Negative attitudes of the US were most marked in Denmark (71%) Portugal (70%), France (68%), Germany (65%) and Spain (64%). In France, 46% and in Germany 42% said their view of the US had worsened “a lot” during the pandemic. » | Katherine Butler | Monday, June 29, 2020

America is no longer the real leader of the free world. America is in chaos! Countries in chaos cannot lead effectively, especially when they are led by a president who is inexperienced in matters of international politics. We Europeans should aim for a ‘United States of Europe’ instead. Britain should reverse its decision to leave the European Union and it should become a major player in Europe. Europe needs Britain just as Britain needs Europe. Britain’s destiny lies in Europe, not in America. Brexit was a mad idea then, it is still a mad idea, and it will remain a mad idea! – ©Mark

Iran Issues Arrest Warrant for Donald Trump over Qassem Suleimani Killing

THE GUARDIAN: The leader of the Quds Force was killed in a drone strike in Iraq on 3 January

Iran has issued an arrest warrant for Donald Trump and 35 others over the killing of top general Qassem Suleimani and has asked Interpol for help, Tehran prosecutor Ali Alqasimehr said on Monday, according to the Fars news agency.

The United States killed Suleimani, leader of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, with a drone strike in Iraq on 3 January. Washington accused Suleimani of masterminding attacks by Iranian-aligned militias on US forces in the region.

Alqasimehr said the warrants had been issued on charges of murder and terrorist action. He said Iran had asked Interpol to issue a “red notice” for Trump and the other individuals the Islamic Republic accuses of taking part in the killing of Suleimani. » | Reuters, Monday, June 29, 2020

Hayes Calls for Trump to Resign: 'Urgent Matter of Public Health, Public Safety’ | All In | MSNBC

Chris Hayes on why Trump must resign: “If this presidency had creditors, the virus' resurgence this week would have been a default event. Only it is not his creditors who are suffering. It is us.” Aired on 06/26/2020.

How Damaging Is John Bolton's Scathing Account of Donald Trump's Presidency?

The publication of John Bolton’s White House memoir has caused a sensation. Jonathan Freedland assesses the lurid claims of cosying up to authoritarian leaders as well as descriptions of ‘stunning’ ignorance
Despite a last-ditch attempt to prevent publication, John Bolton’s tell-all book about his time in Donald Trump’s White House has landed with a bang. He claimed that as well as witnessing ‘stunning’ ignorance from the president, he also saw up close how Trump tried to ingratiate himself with authoritarian leaders, at the expense of the US.

The Guardian’s Jonathan Freedland has been reporting on US politics for years and tells Anushka Asthana that even knowing what we do about the Trump administration, this account still has the ability to shock.

Listen to the podcast here » | Thursday, June 25, 2020

Dr. Gupta: US in the Middle of a Coronavirus Storm

CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta raises the alarm with New Day's Alisyn Camerota over the rising state of the novel coronavirus in the nation.

Phillip Schofield Grills Lady Colin Campbell on Royal 'Gossip' of Prince Harry and Meghan | This Morning

Is Meghan Markle really planning to run for President? Apparently so, according to Lady Colin Campbell’s new book, ‘Meghan and Harry: The Real Story’. Released on Thursday, the controversial ‘expose’ accuses the duchess of tempers, tantrums and ruthless ambition. And it even describes Harry as ‘desperate for love’. Lady C joins us from her castle to tell all, and to respond to claims that her book is purely based on ‘idle gossip’. Broadcast on 23/06/20

Ehrman-Licona Debate on Proving Jesus Rose from Dead

Bart Ehrman flew to Kansas City, Missouri where he debated Christian apologist Mike R. Licona on the topic, "Can Historians Prove that Jesus Rose from the Dead." Is there historical evidence that Jesus rose from the dead? The event took place on February 28, 2008 at 7 p.m. held at the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. R. Philip Roberts, the seminary's president and the debate's moderator commented previous of the event, "We are thrilled to have both Bart D. Ehrman and Mike R. Licona on campus addressing the questions many people ask these days. Apologetics, the science of defending the Christian faith, are very important. Our culture is looking for an answer. This is a wonderful opportunity for the Christian community and others to learn if the claims of Christ are defensible."

The debate is discussed in the book "Come Let Us Reason: New Essays in Christian Apologetics" edited by Paul Copan, William Lane Craig. Chapter 9 is written by Michael Licona, which reviews this debate extensively from his perspective.

Bolton Says He Hopes Trump Is 1-term President, Warns Country Imperiled by His Reelection

In New Interview Clip, Bolton Says He Could See 'Evidence' of Obstruction | ABC News

ABC's chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz discusses her interview with former national security adviser John Bolton and shares a new clip from the interview on "This Week."

Bolton Claims Trump Is ‘Stunningly Uninformed’ on Foreign Affairs

The former national security adviser tells Martha Raddatz that intelligence briefings did not occur daily during his time in the White House.

‘Unbelievable Scenes’: Hundreds of Party-goers Clash with Police, Loot Shops in German City

German authorities expressed shock Sunday over a rampage of an "unprecedented scale" overnight in the city centre of Stuttgart, where hundreds of party-goers ran riot, attacking police and plundering stores after smashing shop windows.

Will Trump Drag the World into WW3 in 2020? | Kalima Horra on Al Mayadeen

Trump Rally Fizzles as Attendance Falls Short of Campaign’s Expectations

THE NEW YORK TIMES: President Trump’s attempt to revive his re-election bid sputtered badly as he traveled to Tulsa for his first mass rally in months but found a small crowd and delivered a disjointed speech.

TULSA, Okla. — President Trump’s attempt to revive his re-election campaign sputtered badly on Saturday night as he traveled to Tulsa for his first mass rally in months and found a far smaller crowd than his aides had promised him, then delivered a disjointed speech that did not address the multiple crises facing the nation or scandals battering him in Washington.

The weakness of Mr. Trump’s drawing power and political skills, in a state that voted for him overwhelmingly and in a format that he favors, raised new questions about his electoral prospects for a second term at a time when his poll numbers were already falling. And rather than speak to the wide cross-section of Americans who say they are concerned about police violence and systemic racism, he continued to use racist language, describing the coronavirus as “Kung Flu.”

While the president’s campaign had claimed that more than a million people had sought tickets for the rally, the 19,000-seat BOK Center was at least one-third empty during the rally. A second, outdoor venue was so sparsely attended that he and Vice President Mike Pence both canceled appearances there. » | Michael D. Shear, Maggie Haberman and Astead W. Herndon | Saturday, June 20, 2020

Donald Trump Holds Rally in Tulsa amid Coronavirus Fears

Ugh ! – Mark

Prince Andrew: Top US Prosecutor Leading Inquiry into Epstein Links Refuses to Quit

THE OBSERVER: Geoffrey Berman says he will continue to investigate duke’s relationship with sex offender despite pressure to resign

The senior US prosecutor investigating links between Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein has vowed to carry on with his enquiries despite a dramatic attempt by the Trump administration to force him to resign.

In a late-night announcement on Friday, US attorney general William Barr declared Geoffrey Berman was stepping down, a development seen by critics as designed to benefit Trump politically and challenge the independence of the Justice Department.

But it also comes at a delicate time in the inquiry led by Berman, the US attorney in Manhattan, into Prince Andrew’s links to convicted sex offender Epstein.

Berman and the Duke of York have become embroiled in a series of public rows over what the US prosecutor alleges is his refusal to answer questions in their investigation into allegations of sex trafficking and other crimes against Epstein. » | Mark Townsend, Saturday, June 20, 2020

Christians Converted to Islam in Modern Mediterranean World – Noel Malcolm

A lecture by Noel Malcolm, Senior Researcher at the All Souls College (University of Oxford ), in the framework of the Aula Mediterrània 2019-2020 series of lectures.

The lecture was organised by the IEMed and the Master en Història i Identitats de la Mediterrània Occidental Segles XV-XIX, UB/Universitat d’Alacant/Universitat de València/Universitat Jaume I

The event was presented by Xavier Gil, Full Professor of Modern History (University of Barcelona).

John Bolton Book: Obstruction of Justice 'A Way of Life’ in Trump White House – Day That Was | MSNBC

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton’s new book contains several explosive accounts of President Trump’s behavior. Among them are statements that Trump appealed to China’s ruler Xi Jinping for help winning the next election, and that Trump did in fact directly tie aid to Ukraine to obtaining dirt on Trump’s political rivals. But why did Bolton save it for his book - which the Trump administration is now trying to block - instead of testifying at the impeachment trial? Impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff tweeted: “Bolton may be an author, but he’s no patriot.” Aired on 6/17/2020.

Dame Vera Lynn, Singer and 'Forces' Sweetheart', Dies Aged 103

THE GUARDIAN: Much-loved entertainer, whose voice brought Britain together during the second world war, has died

Dame Vera Lynn, whose song We’ll Meet Again became an anthem of hope and resilience during the second world war, has died aged 103.

Her family said they were “deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers”, and that they were with her when she died at her East Sussex home.

Boris Johnson paid tribute, saying: “Dame Vera Lynn’s charm and magical voice entranced and uplifted our country in some of our darkest hours. Her voice will live on to lift the hearts of generations to come.” Labour politician Angela Rayner called Lynn “a beautiful person who will be sadly missed by all who her knew her”. » | Ben Beaumont-Thomas | Thursday, June 18, 2020


Dame Vera Lynn obituary »
The passing of a national treasure and legend. Requiescat in pace – Mark

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Vera Lynn, Singer Whose Wartime Ballads Uplifted U.K., Dies at 103 »

Trump Was Willing to Halt Criminal Investigations as 'Favor' to Dictators, Bolton Book Says

THE GUARDIAN: Trump pleaded with China’s Xi to help re-election effort / President urged Xi to build concentration camps for Muslims / White House has fought to stop book’s release

Donald Trump was willing to halt criminal investigations to “give personal favors to dictators he liked”, according to a new book written by his former national security adviser John Bolton.

After excerpts from the memoir, which is due to be published later this month, were printed in various news outlets, the Trump administration applied for an emergency temporary restraining order against Bolton on Wednesday night in an attempt to block the book’s release.

Trump himself tweeted that the book was “made up of lies & fake stories” and called Bolton a “disgruntled boring fool who only wanted to go to war”.

Bolton alleges that Trump pleaded with China’s President Xi Jinping to help him get re-elected by buying more US agricultural products, according to accounts of his forthcoming memoir.

In his pursuit of a good personal relationship with Xi, Trump is described as brushing aside human rights issues, even providing encouragement to the communist leader to continue to build concentration camps for China’s Muslim Uighur population. » | Julian Borger in Washington and Maanvi Singh in Oakland | Thursday, June 18, 2020

John Bolton’s bombshell Trump book: eight of its most stunning claims »

Reverend Reveals What Evangelicals Say Privately about Trump

Reverend Rob Schenck, a former evangelical activist, discusses President Trump's photo-op after police forcibly moved protesters and what evangelicals are now saying about Trump.

South Korea Promises to React Strongly If North Korea Furthers Tensions

South Korea says it will respond strongly if North Korea keeps raising tensions after Pyongyang blew up a liaison office in the border town of Kaesong. It comes after days of threats of military action by the North Korean leadership. Al Jazeera's Rob McBride reports from Seoul.

Pete Buttigieg: Supreme Court Ruling Is a Big Step Forward

Former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg reacts to the Supreme Court decision prohibiting discrimination against gay and transgender people.

Syrian Protesters Call for Assad's Downfall as Economic Crisis Deepens

THE GUARDIAN: Marches held on streets of Sweida amid soaring food prices and disillusion with corruption

A town in regime-controlled Syria is set for fresh protests this weekend as a burgeoning economic crisis engulfing even Bashar al-Assad’s most loyal supporters is now posing the biggest challenge to his grip on the country in years.

Food is now more expensive than at any other time during the nine-year conflict, triggering scenes reminiscent of the Arab spring protests of 2011 on the streets of the nominally government-loyal town of Sweida this week.

“We don’t want to live, we want to die in dignity,” and “He who starves his people is a traitor,” protesters chanted as they marched for consecutive days in the southern city, calling for the president’s downfall. Another march is scheduled for Saturday. » | Bethan McKernan, Middle East correspondent | Friday, June 12, 2020

Großbritannien lehnt Brexit-Fristverlängerung endgültig ab

ZEIT ONLINE: Trotz der Corona-Krise will Großbritannien die EU am 1. Januar 2021 verlassen. Damit steigt der Druck auf die Verhandlungspartner, sonst droht ein harter Bruch.

Die britische Regierung hat eine Fristverlängerung für den Brexit ausgeschlossen. Sie will mit der EU nicht über das Jahresende hinaus über die Beziehungen nach dem Brexit verhandeln. Der britische Staatssekretär für Kabinettsangelegenheiten Michael Gove schrieb auf Twitter, er habe heute bei Beratungen mit der EU "formal bestätigt, dass das Vereinigte Königreich die Übergangsphase nicht verlängern wird."

"Die Zeit für eine Verlängerung ist nun vorbei", schrieb er weiter. Großbritannienwerde am 1. Januar 2021 "die Kontrolle zurückerhalten" und seine politische und wirtschaftliche Unabhängigkeit wiedergewinnen, schrieb der britische Unterhändler. » | Quelle: Zeit Online, AFP, dpa | Freitag, 12. Juni 2020

Prof. Christian Troll: Als Christ dem Islam begegnen

Knapp sechshundert Jahre nach Entstehung des Christentums tauchte der Islam auf, mit dem Anspruch, das Christentum zu korrigieren und zu ersetzen. Muslime sind überzeugt, durch den Propheten Mohammed zur letztgültigen und einzig wahren Religion geführt worden zu sein. Sie glauben, von Gott den Auftrag erhalten zu haben, eine weltweite islamische Ordnung zu errichten, in der die von Gott offenbarten Gesetze gelten. Wie sollten Christen auf den Absolutheitsanspruch des Islam und seinen religiös-politischen Anspruch reagieren? Sind Konkurrenz und Konflikte zwischen diesen beiden Weltreligionen unvermeidlich? Oder kann es auch Wege einer Zusammenarbeit im Dienst einer gerechten Gesellschaft und friedlichen Koexistenz geben? Antworten gibt Prof. Dr. Christian Troll, einer der renommiertesten Islamwissenschaftler der katholischen Kirche, der seit Jahrzehnten im christlich-islamischen Dialog engagiert ist.

Boris Johnson's US Trade Deal Will Make Britain a Paradise for Disaster Capitalists

THE GUARDIAN: Chlorinated chicken is just the start. The government intends to rip up food standards, public services and public protections

The Conservative manifesto made a clear promise. It pledged that in the government’s trade talks, “we will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards”. Just six months after the election, the promise has been ditched. Our government is now proposing that chlorine-washed chicken, beef treated with growth hormones, pork from animals injected with a drug that makes their meat leaner, called ractopamine, and scores of other foods produced in the United States by dangerous, cruel and disgusting means will be allowed into this country, as long as higher trade taxes (tariffs) are applied to them.

The trade secretary, Liz Truss, has made it clear that any such tariffs would be removed within 10 years. It’s impossible to see the American trade negotiators allowing them to pass in the first place. The US intends to secure “comprehensive” access to our food markets, while “reducing or eliminating tariffs”. This nonsense about higher tariffs is a blatant attempt to soften us up, to sugar the toxic pill of US imports that don’t meet our standards. When I say sugar, I mean high-fructose corn syrup. » | George Monbiot | Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Brexit was such a stupid idea! Just look at those faces! Two blond idiots working in harmony to destroy our food standards. – Mark

Schmidt: ‘Republicans Signed Up to Be Foot Soldiers in a Cult of Personality for Trump’ | MSNBC

We are seeing more Republicans and former military leaders becoming more vocal about their differences with President Trump, but what does this really mean for the country and upcoming election? Former Republican Strategist Steve Schmidt joins Stephanie Ruhle to break it down. Aired on 06/08/2020.

Get rid of Trump asap! – Mark

Robert Reich: The Deadly Fox News-Trump Syndicate

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich exposes Fox News’ endless circuit of lies. As the coronavirus crisis rages on and protests against police killings and centuries of Black oppression sweep the country, Fox News is contributing almost as much to the deaths, disease, and brutal treatment of protesters as is Trump’s White House.

Trump spouts a shocking amount of misinformation from his bully pulpit, but it’s Fox News’ equally misleading coverage of the dual crises that closes the lethal circuit of lies.

Fox News called white protesters with AR-15s demanding haircuts "patriots"; they called Black protesters demanding an overhaul of our racist systems of oppression "thugs" and "looters". And their biased coverage of the protests hasn't stopped them from continuing to spew lie after lie about the coronavirus pandemic, even as the death toll surpasses 100,000.

Trump's propaganda machine is a clear and present danger to the United States. It's up to us to shut it down.


What a wonderful world it would be without Trump and Fox News! – Mark

'Revolting': Trump Condemned for Saying George Floyd Is Praising US Economy

THE GUARDIAN: President made the comments after better-than-expected jobs report showed national unemployment rate falling

Donald Trump was condemned on Friday for making the “revolting, enraging, disrespectful” claim that George Floyd, an African American man killed by police, is looking down from heaven and praising the US economy.

The president attempted to take a victory lap after a better-than-expected jobs report showed the national unemployment rate falling to 13.3% last month, with 2.5m jobs gained. But there was a slight uptick in African American joblessness.

In White House remarks that folded digressions within digressions, Trump declared: “Today is probably, if you think of it, the greatest comeback in American history.”

Speaking after the 10th night of mass anti-racism protests across the country, Trump suggested that Floyd, who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes, would be happy about the figures. » | David Smith in Washington and Dominic Rushe in New York | Friday, June 5, 2020

This so-called president is VILE and DISGUSTING! For Christ's sake, vote the SOB out of office asap! – Mark

Mark Alexander on Trump’s America: A Grave Situation

The way things are going in the US at the moment, it is not impossible that the country will descend into civil war. If Americans retain Trump as their president, he will keep on fanning the flames, keep pouring petrol on the fire. That sounds melodramatic, but if the flames continue to be fanned, God only knows where it will all end. This is the height of irresponsible ‘leadership’. Whilst I don’t condone violence and looting, far from it actually, these people have genuine grievances, and they aren’t being addressed; on the contrary, they are being brushed aside and ignored. Add to this mess, the racism, the pandemic, the millions who have lost their jobs, the poverty, the staggering wealth and income inequalities, lack of universal healthcare, and an impending economic depression and they have a very dangerous cocktail indeed on their hands. – ©Mark

US Proteste: Demonstranten ignorieren Ausgangssperren | DW Nachrichten

Seit der schwarze US-Bürger George Floyd durch Polizeigewalt getötet wurde, wird die Spaltung der USA immer deutlicher und es vergeht keine Nacht ohne Proteste, kein Tag ohne Trauer und Wut. US Präsident Donald Trump droht mit dem Militär, aber die Demonstrierenden wollen sich nicht zum Schweigen bringen lassen. Ausgangssperren werden verhängt. Bei Protesten in einem Vorort von Chicago kamen zwei Menschen ums Leben. Auch in anderen Städten gibt es Gewalt.

Megan Phelps-Roper on Westboro Baptist Church and "Trying to Make Amends" - BBC HARDtalk (2019)

Holding placards outside the funerals of dead soldiers and celebrating the deaths of children after school massacres, Westboro Baptist Church has been called the ‘most obnoxious and rabid hate group in America’. From the age of five, Megan Phelps-Roper had stood on the picket lines, and carried those hate-filled signs. But, as an adult firing off tweets to her online critics, Megan began to doubt. Can she really still regard those who abused her mind and taught her to hate, as her ‘beloved’ parents? She talks to Shaun Ley.

Fire, Pestilence and a Country At War with Itself: The Trump Presidency Is Over

THE GUARDIAN: A pandemic unabated, an economy in meltdown, cities in chaos over police killings. All our supposed leader does is tweet

You’d be forgiven if you hadn’t noticed. His verbal bombshells are louder than ever, but Donald J Trump is no longer president of the United States.

By having no constructive response to any of the monumental crises now convulsing America, Trump has abdicated his office.

He is not governing. He’s golfing, watching cable TV and tweeting.

How has Trump responded to the widespread unrest following the murder in Minneapolis of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for minutes as he was handcuffed on the ground?

Trump called the protesters “thugs” and threatened to have them shot. “When the looting starts, the shooting starts,” he tweeted, parroting a former Miami police chief whose words spurred race riots in the late 1960s.

On Saturday, he gloated about “the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons” awaiting protesters outside the White House, should they ever break through Secret Service lines.

Trump’s response to the last three ghastly months of mounting disease and death has been just as heedless. Since claiming Covid-19 was a “Democratic hoax” and muzzling public health officials, he has punted management of the coronavirus to the states. » | Robert Reich | Sunday, May 31, 2020

George Floyd: Donald Trump Under Fire as Violence Flares across America

THE GUARDIAN: President tweets from White House as cities struggle / Democrat Val Demings: ‘We need leadership’

The chaos and crisis engulfing America came to the president’s doorstep on Saturday night, as protesters chanting “I can’t breathe” and “Fuck Donald Trump!” clashed with the Secret Service and police outside the White House.

It was a visceral warning that after three years of relative peace and prosperity, Trump is in danger of being overwhelmed by cascading disasters: the coronavirus pandemic, which has taken more than 100,000 lives, an economic slump that has cost 40m jobs, and rising social unrest. » | David Smith in Washington | Sunday, May 31, 2020

For the sake of world peace (and our sanity), get rid of this orange monstrosity from the White House asap! – Mark

How Divisive Is Politics in the United States? I Inside Story

Running battles with the police, fires burning, lootings and protesters arrested. Riots over the death of George Floyd have spread across dozens of US cities, and close to President Donald Trump's doorstep at the White House.

Governors have imposed curfews and dispatched National Guards. The Floyd case has reignited rage over the deaths of black Americans at the hands of police and racial inequality. It's also opened a divisive political debate between Democrats and Republicans.

President Donald Trump has promised to put an end to what he calls 'mob violence'. Trump says healing is needed, but he's accused of the opposite - igniting tension. So can America overcome its divisions?

Presenter: Kim Vinell | Guests: Maurice Jackson, an Associate Professor in the History Department and African American Studies at Georgetown University; Kevin Powell, author and civil rights activist; Sahar Aziz, professor of law & Chancellor’s Social Justice Scholar at Rutgers University

Don Lemon Calls Out Hollywood Elite: Where Are You During Protests?

CNN's Don Lemon calls celebrities of all races to step up a show public support for protesters demonstrating against the death of George Floyd.

Trump Demands Protesters Be Murdered

Donald Trump demands protesters be murdered while addressing Minneapolis protests on Twitter. John Iadarola and Ana Kasparian break it down on The Damage Report.

In Days of Discord, a President Fans the Flames

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Mr. Trump has presented himself as someone who seeks conflict, not conciliation, a fighter, not a peacemaker. And he has lived up to his self-image at a perilous time.

WASHINGTON — With a nation on edge, ravaged by disease, hammered by economic collapse, divided over lockdowns and even face masks and now convulsed once again by race, President Trump’s first instinct has been to look for someone to fight.

Over the last week, America reeled from 100,000 pandemic deaths, 40 million people out of work and cities in flames over a brutal police killing of a subdued black man. But Mr. Trump was on the attack against China, the World Health Organization, Big Tech, former President Barack Obama, a cable television host and the mayor of a riot-torn city.

While other presidents seek to cool the situation in tinderbox moments like this, Mr. Trump plays with matches. He roars into any melee he finds, encouraging street uprisings against public health measures advanced by his own government, hurling made-up murder charges against a critic, accusing his predecessor of unspecified crimes, vowing to crack down on a social media company that angered him and then seemingly threatening to meet violence with violence in Minneapolis.

As several cities erupted in street protests after the killing of George Floyd, some of them resulting in clashes with the police, Mr. Trump made no appeal for calm. Instead in a series of tweets and comments to reporters on Saturday, he blamed the unrest on Democrats, called on “Liberal Governors and Mayors” to get “MUCH tougher” on the crowds, threatened to intervene with “the unlimited power of our Military” and even suggested his own supporters mount a counterdemonstration. » | Peter Baker | Saturday, May 30, 2020 | Updated Sunday May 31, 2020

Heated Debate on Capitalism with America’s Most Prominent Marxist Economist – Richard Wolff

Economist Richard Wolff sits down with Patrick Bet-David to discuss socialism, capitalism and business.

Patrick Bet-David »

When You Believe ft. Mariah Carey (From The Prince Of Egypt) | Official Video

‘Trump Whisperer’ Explains How She Gets Inside Trump’s Head for Videos | The Last Word | MSNBC

Comedian Sarah Cooper joins Lawrence O’Donnell to explain her process behind making her viral lip sync videos of President Trump and how she believes she is clarifying the message the president is attempting to convey. Aired on 5/26/2020.

Is Assad Turning on His Cronies? I Inside Story

The inner circle of Syria's president Bashar Al Assad has always been tight, any disputes within the ruling family were kept strictly behind closed doors. Until recently. There's a rift between the president's cousin Rami Makhlouf and the Syrian government, and it's very public.

Makhlouf has long been considered untouchable, but now he's accused of owing millions of dollars in back taxes to the state... an indication the tycoon is being isolated from power. But in an unprecedented move, Makhlouf posted his views on social media, accusing government officials of trying to take over his telecommunications company and arresting his employees.

Makhlouf said he won't step down from Syriatel - one of Syria's biggest firms. But he's already been barred from traveling and his assets have been seized. So what's exactly triggered this now, after nine years of war?

Presenter: Kamahl Santamaria | Guests: Bassam Barabandi, former Syrian diplomat and a non-resident Fellow at the Center for Global Policy: Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma and Editor of the 'Syria Comment' blog: Alexey Khlebnikov, a Middle East specialist at the Russia International Affairs Council.

‘Trumpocalypse’ Author Predicts Trump Defeat, Says GOP ‘Reckoning Really Is Here’

David Frum, author of the new book “Trumpocalypse,” says President Trump is “careening toward electoral disaster” come November. He tells Lawrence O’Donnell it will be an ideal time for “practical, feasible reforms,” including the redrawing of controversial congressional districts. Aired on 5/25/2020.

Coronavirus: South Africa's Alcohol and Cigarette Lockdown - BBC News

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the world has seen lockdowns in many countries. In South Africa, not only have people been told to stay at home, but exercise outside was banned for some time - and cigarettes and alcohol still can't be purchased. What is the impact of such a ban and how do people feel about it? The BBC's Andrew Harding reports.

Reich at Home: Trump Golfing as the US Mourns 100,000 Dead

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich is discussing Trump's criminal negligence, as he takes to the golf course this Memorial Day weekend while Americans mourn 100,000 lives lost to coronavirus. So far his golf trips have cost taxpayers more than $134,000,000 — 335 years of presidential salary. This November 3, we dump Trump. In the meantime, pray for America.

Is Humanity Showing Through Everywhere Except in Trump? | MSNBC

The panel discusses a new Maureen Dowd column on President Trump and his handling of the coronavirus.

Middle-class Americans Queue at Food Banks as US Unemployment Hits 38 million – BBC News

In the United States another 2.4 million people have filed for unemployment benefits in the past week.

More than 38 million Americans have lost their jobs since the coronavirus pandemic struck in March.

Previously affluent middle-class Americans are now queuing for handouts at food banks, as America experiences the worst downturn since the 1930s and the Great Depression.

Huw Edwards presents BBC News at Ten reporting from North America Correspondent Nick Bryant in New York.

Bolsonaro's Foul-mouthed Rant to Cabinet over Security Forces

A profanity-laced video emerged on Friday showing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro expressing frustration at his inability to get information from police.

In the video released by the Supreme Court, Bolsonaro vowed to change Cabinet ministers if needed to protect his family.

The two-hour video of a Cabinet meeting, with portions redacted, was released as part of a probe into allegations that the president was trying to illegally interfere in a criminal investigation of his sons, a claim made by former Justice Minister Sérgio Moro when he resigned last month.

The former minister told investigators Bolsonaro openly demanded he make changes in key federal police positions, including the head of the agency as a whole.

Moro resigned after Bolsonaro fired the federal police director-general without consulting him.

FBI Accidentally Leaked Information on Saudi Arabia's Role In 9/11

Via America's Lawyer: FBI documents reveal Saudi embassy official Mussaed Ahmed al-Jarrah as a conspirator behind the 9/11 attacks. Mike Papantonio & Farron Cousins discuss.

Mika Responds to Trump Tweet | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Mika Brzezinski responds to new tweets from the president on Wednesday, May 20. Aired on 05/20/2020.

Hungary Votes to End Legal Recognition of Trans People

THE GUARDIAN: Activists say new law will increase discrimination, especially as Hungarians must often display their ID cards

Hungary’s parliament has voted to end legal recognition for trans people, passing a bill that rights activists say pushes the country “back towards the dark ages”.

The new law defines gender as based on chromosomes at birth, meaning previous provisions whereby trans people could alter their gender and name on official documents will no longer be available.

The votes of rightwing prime minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party pushed the legislation through by 134 to 56, with four abstentions. It is likely to be signed into law by the president, János Áder, a close ally of Orbán. » | Shaun Walker in Budapest | Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Comedy Islamic Style! Can Men Wear Earrings and Gold? - Q&A - Sh. Hussain Yee

Brian Stelter Calls Out 'Vicious' Cycle of Trump's Anti-Media Attacks

CNN's Brian Stelter says President Donald Trump's cycle of anti-media attacks present challenges for members of the press.

The Observer View on Trump's Continued Goading of China

THE OBSERVER: The US president has used the pandemic to provoke a wider confrontation but Beijing should not be regarded as an enemy

Donald Trump’s histrionic threat last week to “cut off the whole relationship” with China produced a scornful response from Beijing. “Such lunacy is a clear byproduct of the anxiety the US has suffered since China began its global ascent,” the Global Times, the Chinese government’s mouthpiece, commented. The “Washington elites” were in a panic over the pandemic, it claimed.

While the tone was unfortunate, neither assertion wholly lacked truth. The US and its western allies do have concerns – some legitimate, some exaggerated – about China’s rise to superpower status. And the mishandling of the Covid-19 crisis by Trump, who appears increasingly unbalanced, makes China’s president, Xi Jinping, look undeservedly competent by comparison.

Trump’s threat, as foolish as it is impractical, typified the irrational behaviour of the US leader. His target was no surprise. Trump and his “America first” acolytes have long contended that China is ripping off America by indulging in unfair trade practices, stealing its commercial secrets and destroying manufacturing jobs.

In current jargon, they want to “decouple”, and this process – the Chinese call it “suppression” – is now accelerating. Higher tariffs on Chinese imports, and controls on hi-tech US exports and Chinese inward investment, were extended last week to include new measures targeting the telecoms giant, Huawei. A compromise trade deal agreed earlier this year is in jeopardy. » | Observer editorial | Sunday, May 17, 2020

'It Eats Him Alive Inside': Trump's Latest Attack Shows Endless Obsession with Obama

THE GUARDIAN: The president seems more interested in blaming his predecessor than tackling the coronavirus – so what’s driving Trump’s fixation?

President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump once sat together in the Oval Office. “I was immediately struck by Trump’s body language,” wrote journalist Jon Karl in his memoir Front Row at The Trump Show. “I was seeing a side of him I had never seen. He seemed, believe it or not, humbled.”

It was November 2016 and, just for once, Trump was not in charge of the room, Karl recalls. Obama was still president, directing the action and setting the tone. His successor “seemed a little dazed” and “a little freaked out”. What the two men discussed in their meeting that day, only they know.

But what became clear in the next three and a half years is that Obama remains something of an obsession for Trump; the subject of a political and personal inferiority complex.

Observers point to a mix of anti-intellectualism, racism, vengeance and primitive envy over everything from Obama’s Nobel peace prize to the scale of his inauguration crowd and social media following.

Ben Rhodes, a former Obama national security aide, tweeted this week: “Trump’s fact-free fixation on Obama dating back to birtherism is so absurd and stupid that it would be comic if it wasn’t so tragic.” » | David Smith in Washington | Saturday, May 16, 2020

Saudi Arabia’s Big Dreams and Easy Living Hit a Wall

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The coronavirus pandemic and falling oil prices have yanked the rug out from under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s development plans and curbed government largess.

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Saudi Arabia knows about head-spinning change.

“One day there was nothing, the next day there was everything,” a business student, Noura Khalid, 23, said in Riyadh in December, describing how it felt to watch her once-staid country welcome international rap stars and wrestling champions, cars steered by women. movie theaters, gender-mixed cafes and other previously unimaginable innovations in just the last few years. “There’s no break! It’s happening so quickly.”

Now the kingdom faces yet more whiplash.

Not only is the coronavirus redefining daily life for Saudis, but plummeting oil prices are robbing the kingdom of the enormous wealth that was underwriting the new Saudi Arabia. The twin blows threaten to sink Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s sweeping social and economic agenda, and have already curtailed the vast welfare state that has given most Saudis a comfortably subsidized life. » | Vivian Yee | Saturday, May 16, 2020

Covid-19 : le confinement royal et estival d'Elizabeth II

LE POINT: La reine d'Angleterre restera dans son château de Windsor au moins jusqu'en septembre. Elle va donc manquer ses habituelles vacances à Balmoral, en Écosse.

Voilà la reine d'Angleterre bloquée à Windsor jusqu'à nouvel ordre. Plusieurs médias britanniques, dont le Times, annoncent que la souveraine, âgée de 94 ans, devrait y rester pendant plusieurs mois, au moins jusqu'en septembre prochain. Pas question de rejoindre le palais de Buckingham, qui restera fermé au public pendant tout l'été et où plusieurs événements officiels sont d'ores et déjà annulés, comme les garden-parties ou la fameuse parade Trooping the Colour, célébrée habituellement en juin. Elizabeth II devrait également manquer cet été ses traditionnelles vacances en Écosse, dans son château de Balmoral qu'elle affectionne tant. » | Par Marc Fourny | vendredi 15 mai 2020

Trump Puts US in Worst Disaster in Modern History, Says Professor | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Drs. Leana Wen, Dave Campbell and Jeffrey Sachs discuss the latest details in the spread of the coronavirus, the Trump administration's handling of the virus and where research on treatment stands now. Aired on 5/15/2020.

Smoke Fags, Save Lives

SP!KED: Scientists believe nicotine might protect against coronavirus.

There’s not much to laugh about these days, but the news that smokers might be protected from Covid-19 is certainly one of them. With study after study showing that smokers are under-represented in coronavirus wards, the renowned French neuroscientist, Jean-Pierre Changeux, is working on a randomised control trial to test the effect of nicotine patches on Covid-19 patients.

This is far from being a crackpot theory. Changeux has explained his hypothesis at length here. In simple terms, he says that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors play a key role in the development of the disease and that nicotine can put a brake on it. If he is right – and the banter heuristic says he is – it would not only save thousands of lives but would also be one in the eye for the ‘public health’ groups who have been claiming that smoking and vaping are risk factors for Covid-19. » | Christopher Snowden | Thursday, April 23, 2020

Noam Chomsky: Trump Is Culpable in Deaths of Americans

Donald Trump is culpable in the deaths of thousands of Americans by using the coronavirus pandemic to boost his electoral prospects and line the pockets of big business, Prof Noam Chomsky has said.

In an interview with the Guardian's economic correspondent, Richard Partington, the radical intellectual argued the US president was stabbing average Americans in the back while pretending to be the country’s saviour during the worst health crisis in at least a century

'You Should Ask China': Trump Terminates Press Conference after Clash with Reporters

Donald Trump's press conference on coronavirus testing ended abruptly after a terse exchange with two female reporters. Asked by CBS's Weijia Jiang about his focus on international comparisons rather than US deaths, Trump snapped: 'Don’t ask me, ask China that question'. After being asked by Jiang, who is Asian-American, why he had directed the remark at her, Trump cut off the CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins as she asked a question and walked away from the podium

Has there ever been a ruder, more disagreeable president than Trump? – Mark

Why Is the US Removing Military Assets from Saudi Arabia? | Inside Story

The United States is removing its Patriot anti-air missiles, and other weapons systems from Saudi Arabia. Donald Trump says it is part of an effort to scale back on a military presence that he says doesn't benefit the US

American weapons and fighter jets were sent to the Kingdom last year after Saudi-Aramco oil facilities were attacked. They were also intended as a deterrent, as tensions rose between Tehran and Washington.

But the reduction in the U.S. military presence is believed by some to be based on assessments Iran no longer poses an immediate threat to U.S. strategic interests. So, what's exactly changed? And is oil politics at play?

Presenter: Peter Dobbie | Guests: Joel Rubin, President of the Washington Strategy Group; Mahjoob Zweiri, Director of Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University; Mohammad Marandi, Head of the American Studies Department at Tehran University