Trump Ensures First Presidential Debate Is National Humiliation

THE GUARDIAN: Analysis: Only one man looked remotely presidential on the debate stage in Cleveland, Ohio, and it was not the incumbent

Cry, the beloved country. Donald Trump ensured Tuesday’s first US presidential debate was the worst in American history, a national humiliation. The rest of the world – and future historians – will presumably look at it and weep.

More likely than not, according to opinion polls, his opponent Joe Biden will win the November election and bring the republic back from the brink. If Trump is re-elected, however, this dark, horrifying, unwatchable fever dream will surely be the first line of America’s obituary.

Only one man looked remotely presidential on the debate stage in Cleveland, Ohio, and it was not the incumbent. He interrupted, ranted, raged, spewed lies and interrupted some more. Oh, and he passed on an opportunity to condemn white supremacists, instead telling them to “stand back and stand by”.

The debate moderator, Chris Wallace of Fox News, did not cover himself in glory either. He was a like a school supply teacher, hopelessly out of his depth as unruly children run riot. He did not enforce the rules or cut the president’s mic.

Facing this asymmetric bullying, Biden showed self-control and stood his ground. He spoke for tens of millions of Americans when he demanded: “Will you shut up, man?” – the Biden campaign rushed out this slogan on a T-shirt before the debate was even over.

Five weeks before the election, the debate pitted an ageing white male against an ageing orange male sweating like Richard Nixon in 1960. Anyone hoping for elegant verbal jousting or rapier-like wit was in for a disappointment. » | David Smith in Washington | Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Dies at Age 91

The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has died at the age of 91. The announcement was made on state television on Tuesday. He had been in power since 2006. Jamal Elshayyal takes a look back on his life.

GOP Takeover of the Supreme Court: What You Need to Know

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich explains what's at stake in the SCOTUS nomination fight to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Led by Mitch McConnell, Republicans are gearing up to reverse the precedent they themselves set in 2016, when they blocked President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee for 293 days because, they said, “this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.” They know if they let the people decide who should appoint the next Supreme Court justice, their last chance to implement minority rule could be lost.

Remember: Trump lost the popular vote by 3 million people. And he was impeached. If confirmed, his nominee would be approved by Senate Republicans representing 11 million fewer Americans than their Senate Democratic counterparts. That justice would join a Supreme Court alongside four conservative justices who were nominated by Republican presidents who also lost the popular vote. And these 5 would have the power to negate laws supported by a majority of Americans.

In other words, a president elected by a minority will appoint a justice who will be confirmed by senators representing a minority. That justice will have the power to subvert the will of the majority and possibly hand the election to a president who’s already been impeached.

The majority of Americans will not go down without a fight. First, we must defeat Trump and his Republican enablers in the upcoming election. Next, when Democrats have control of the Senate, the House, and the presidency, the top priority must be to restructure the Supreme Court so it better reflects the will of the people.

We must see the GOP’s exercise of raw power for what it is and meet it with even greater force.

David Cay Johnston: Trump Deserves to Be Jailed, But System Is Set Up to Let Rich Avoid Paying Taxes

Ahead of the first of three presidential debates between President Trump and Joe Biden, we speak with David Cay Johnston, founder and editor-in-chief of DCReport.org, who says the bombshell New York Times report on Trump's taxes highlights the existence of "two income tax systems, separate and unequal." The Times reports that Trump paid no federal income tax in 10 of the past 15 years and just $750 in 2016 and 2017. In a follow-up report, the Times reveals Trump made $427 million in connection to the hit reality TV show "The Apprentice," providing him a financial lifeline as other investments lost money. "People who own their own businesses, like Donald Trump, are under a different system," says Johnston.

The Story of Trump as Tycoon Is 'a Fiction', But Will It Matter to Voters? | Morning Joe | MSNBC

The Morning Joe panel continues its discussion on new NYT reporting on the president's tax returns and why many of his supporters are likely to stay with him despite the revelation he paid just $750 in income tax. Aired on 9/29/2020.

NYT Report Shows 'The Apprentice' Helped Boost Trump's Finances | Morning Joe | MSNBC

In its second reports on the president's tax returns, the NYT shows how 'The Apprentice' helped give Trump's finances a boost to the tune of $427 million. Steve Rattner's charts also show how Trump managed to avoid paying federal income taxes. Aired on 9/29/2020.

Do Trump's Personal Debts Pose a Risk to the US' National Security? | DW News

US Democrats went on the attack on Monday after a report by The New York Times (NYT) revealed that President Donald Trump paid little to no income tax in recent years and held large amounts of debt. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Donald Trump's debts were a "national security" issue. If it involved different countries, she said, they could hold leverage over the president. "To me this is a national security question," she said. "It's so strange that in 2017, the president paid $750 in federal taxes, and he paid over $300,000 in taxes to other countries."

Trump dismissed the NYT report as "fake news" and tweeted that he had paid "many millions of dollars in taxes" but was entitled to depreciation and tax credits and was "extremely under-leveraged" in terms of his debt and assets.

NYT Tax Story Puts Trump in a Bind: Admit Being a Business Failure or Admit Lying on Taxes | MSNBC

Rachel Maddow points out that one of the key takeaways from the New York Times' story on Donald Trump's taxes is that the tax record portrays Trump as a terrible, money-losing businessman, unless he'd like to explain that he was illegally lying about business losses to avoid paying taxes. Aired on 09/28/2020.

NYT Details Damning Trump Business Woes Just Before First Debate | The 11th Hour | MSNBC

Just hours before the president's first debate with Joe Biden, The New York Times reveals records show Trump's finances are in disarray and he has spent years avoiding income taxes. Aired on 09/28/2020.

Trump Tax Returns: 10 Things You Need to Know

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich breaks down 10 things you need to know about Trump's serial tax dodging.

He paid $0 in income taxes in 10 of the past 15 years and claimed a $70,000 tax deduction for hairstyling. He faces federal and state prosecution for bank fraud, tax fraud, wire fraud, and mail fraud, as does his entire family.

In many ways, Trump's tax returns show once again that he represents the worst side of America -- a cheat, conman, someone who doesn't give a fig about the United States, who puts himself first every chance he gets, and a hypocrite.

Not surprisingly, Trump claims this bombshell is "totally fake news." But the easiest way to refute it would be to make his tax returns public, which he refuses to do. Now we know why.

Fmr. Trump Campaign Manager Brad Parscale Hospitalized | Morning Joe | MSNBC

The former top manager of President Donald Trump's re-election campaign, Brad Parscale, was taken to a hospital Sunday after his wife reported that he was armed and threatening to harm himself, authorities said. Aired on 9/28/2020.

Brad Parscale, former Trump campaign manager, hospitalised after self-harm threats »

The Choice 2020: Valerie Biden Owens (Interview) | FRONTLINE

Valerie Biden Owens is Joe Biden’s sister and has managed his seven senatorial campaigns, as well as his two previous presidential campaigns.

The following interview was conducted by FRONTLINE’s Jim Gilmore on July 21, 2020 during our reporting for the “The Choice 2020: Trump vs. Biden” — FRONTLINE’s critically acclaimed election series featuring the interwoven, investigative biographies of both presidential candidates. It has been edited for clarity and length.

Opinion: Trump’s Tax Avoidance Is a National Disgrace. Don't Let Him Blame 'The System'

THE GUARDIAN: Americans paid for Trump’s $73m tax refund – and he’s laughing all the way to the bank

Well, now we know why Donald Trump didn’t want the public to see his tax returns. A New York Times investigation looking at years of previously undisclosed documents found that Trump used countless maneuvers to avoid having to pay federal income tax. He ended up paying $750 total in 2016 despite hundreds of millions of dollars in income from The Apprentice and his various companies and licensing arrangements. Many years he paid nothing at all, and even received an income tax refund of $72.9m, which included millions in interest, straight from the federal treasury to Trump’s pocket.

The New York Times paints a picture of an elaborate shell game in which losses from some of his companies are used to wipe out tax liabilities elsewhere. It is not always clear how much of his “losses” are real losses rather than creative accounting, but the Times suggests that Trump may be both living large on hundreds of millions in annual income and overseeing distressed and unprofitable businesses. » | Nathan Robinson | Monday, September 28, 2020

The President’s Taxes: Long-concealed Records Show Trump’s Chronic Losses and Years of Tax Avoidance

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Times obtained Donald Trump’s tax information extending over more than two decades, revealing struggling properties, vast write-offs, an audit battle and hundreds of millions in debt coming due.

Donald J. Trump paid $750 in federal income taxes the year he won the presidency. In his first year in the White House, he paid another $750.

He had paid no income taxes at all in 10 of the previous 15 years — largely because he reported losing much more money than he made.

As the president wages a re-election campaign that polls say he is in danger of losing, his finances are under stress, beset by losses and hundreds of millions of dollars in debt coming due that he has personally guaranteed. Also hanging over him is a decade-long audit battle with the Internal Revenue Service over the legitimacy of a $72.9 million tax refund that he claimed, and received, after declaring huge losses. An adverse ruling could cost him more than $100 million. » | Russ Buettner, Susanne Craig and Mike McIntire | Sunday, September 27, 2020

Opinion: Is Amy Coney Barrett Joining a Supreme Court Built for the Wealthy?

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Future decisions by a very conservative majority could give corporations even more weight and workers less.

Much of the public anxiety about Amy Coney Barrett — judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Notre Dame law professor and Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court — has focused on the question of abortion, and whether as a believer in originalism and a practicing Catholic she would be likely to vote to reverse Roe v. Wade.

At least as consequential might be her position on the Social Security Administration: She has suggested that an originalist — whose view of the law is rooted in the idea that the duty of judges is to ascertain whether laws reflect the original meaning of the Constitution — might say that it is not clearly permissible given a strict reading of the Constitution. This isn’t to say that she thinks it should or even could be repealed. “Some decisions,” she wrote, “thought inconsistent with the Constitution’s original public meaning are so well baked into government that reversing them would wreak havoc.” But it does indicate that in the area of judicial philosophy, there are many ways to be extreme. » | Kim Phillips-Fein | Ms. Phillips-Fein is the author of “Invisible Hands: The Businessmen’s Crusade Against the New Deal.” | Sunday, September 27, 2020

America has turned into a joke! A sick one at that! – Mark

Yuval Noah Harari - Q&A on Being Gay

Prof. Yuval Noah Harari presents a scientific perspective on homosexuality, and shares how this has affected his personal experience of being gay.

The Choice 2020: Mary Trump (Interview) | FRONTLINE

Mary Trump is the niece of Donald Trump and the author of Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man.

The following interview was conducted by FRONTLINE’s Gabrielle Schonder on July 30, 2020 during our reporting for the “The Choice 2020: Trump vs. Biden” — FRONTLINE’s critically acclaimed election series featuring the interwoven, investigative biographies of both presidential candidates. It has been edited for clarity and length.

Iron Iran? Ft. Javad Zarif, Iranian Foreign Minister

There’s an old Persian saying that “when there’s fire, dry and wet burn together”. It could be an apt description of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected every country on the planet but Iran and the United States - more than others. Can this new invisible adversary, which upended so many things in our lives, shake up their sworn and tired enmity? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Iran’s Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif.

Im Eiltempo zum Supreme Court

SÜDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG: Nur eine Woche nach dem Tod der liberalen Richter-Ikone Ruth Bader Ginsburg nominiert Donald Trump die konservative Abtreibungsgegnerin Amy Coney Barrett für das höchste US-Gericht. Statt Konsens sucht Trump Streit.

Es soll jetzt vor allem schnell gehen. US-Präsident Donald Trump steht am Samstag hinter seinem Pult im Rosengarten des Weißen Hauses, um Amy Coney Barrett für den vakanten Platz im obersten Gericht der USA zu nominieren. Nur eine Woche nach dem Tod der liberalen Richter-Ikone Ruth Bader Ginsburg, noch bevor sie in dieser Woche beerdigt werden wird.

Und noch vor der Präsidentschaftswahl am 3. November wird voraussichtlich der US-Senat mit seiner republikanischen Mehrheit Barretts Nominierung zustimmen. Keine 40 Tage sind es bis dahin. Im Schnitt haben Nominierungsverfahren bisher 67 Tage gedauert. Am 12. Oktober sollen die Anhörungen beginnen.

Nennenswerte Opposition aus den eigenen Reihen ist nicht zu erwarten. Zumindest keine, die die Mehrheit im Senat gefährden könnte. Trump sagte am Samstag, "dies sollte eine unkomplizierte und schnelle Bestätigung werden". Mit nichts anderem ist zu rechnen. » | Von Thorsten Denkler, New York | Sonntag, 27. September 2020

How Trump Laid Groundwork for Election Result Mayhem

CNN's Ana Cabrera looks back at the ways President Donald Trump has laid the groundwork for election rigging claims since 2016.

'She Lies about Lying': Brianna Keilar Fires Back at McEnany

The White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany baselessly linked CNN reporter Brianna Keilar's comments about the Kentucky Attorney General to the shooting of two Louisville police officers after the killing of Breonna Taylor. Hear her response.

Don Winslow Films: #StopTheMadnessStopTrump

The Role of Women in Islam | DW Documentary

Is there room for feminism in the Muslim world? The role of women in Islam is a frequent subject of controversy. Few other religions are so tainted with bias. But does Islam have any justification for its discrimination against women?

In this film, director Nadja Frenz introduces Muslim women who have set out to find their own path to emancipation. Together they investigate the role of women in Islam and study the Surah, the chapters of the Quran. Can the western concepts of gender equality be transferred directly to the Islamic world? Is wearing a headscarf a clear gesture of submission? Does the Quran really permit men to control women and beat them? Is the image of modern woman anti-Islamic? Must a woman choose between being a faithful Muslim or an independent feminist?

This documentary also consults women who are Islamic scholars. They say it is not Islam or the Quran that vilifies women, but rather certain interpretations of it and patriarchal traditions. They are campaigning for a more gender-neutral interpretation of the Quran and are trying to bring religion and feminism together. In contrast, women's rights advocates such as Zineb El Rhazoui, a former employee of the French satirical magazine "Charlie Hebdo", refuse to reconcile themselves with their religious roots, saying that Islam cannot be reformed.

America’s Pandemic Election: What Could Go Wrong? | The Economist

America’s 2020 presidential election will be a contest like no other. From the effects of mass mail-in voting to the threat of disinformation and delayed results—how ugly could it get?

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, UK's Richest Person, Moves to Tax-free Monaco

THE GUARDIAN: Brexiter Ineos boss, who has an estimated £17.5bn fortune, officially changes tax domicile

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the UK’s richest person and high-profile Brexiter, has quit Britain for tax-free Monaco.

Ratcliffe, a petrochemicals magnate with an estimated £17.5bn fortune, has this week officially changed his tax domicile from Hampshire to Monaco, the sovereign city-state that is already home to many of the UK’s richest people.

It has been estimated that the move will save him £4bn in tax payments. People who live in Monaco for at least 183 days a year do not pay any income or property taxes. The highest tax rate in the UK is 45% on income above £150,000-a-year.

Before he left for Monaco, Ratcliffe was the UK’s third-highest individual taxpayer, paying £110m to the exchequer in 2017-18, according to the Sunday Times tax list.

His decision to quit Britain came soon after he was knighted by the Queen for “services to business and investment”, and the UK voted to leave the European Union. » | Rupert Neate, Wealth correspondent | Friday, September 25, 2020

The Choice 2020: John Bolton (Interview) | FRONTLINE

John Bolton served as national security adviser to Donald Trump from 2018 to 2019. He was previously the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and is the author of The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir.

The following interview was conducted by FRONTLINE’s Gabrielle Schonder on July 31, 2020 during our reporting for the “The Choice 2020: Trump vs. Biden” — FRONTLINE’s critically acclaimed election series featuring the interwoven, investigative biographies of both presidential candidates. It has been edited for clarity and length.

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.

Warum hat sich der deutsche Anwalt für den Islam entschieden?

Cooper: Are Elderly People Now Disposable? Look in Mirror, Trump

CNN's Anderson Cooper shows all the times President Donald Trump has contradicted himself on who is affected by the coronavirus and how serious the pandemic is.

Trump keeps on lying, keeps on conning the people, keeps on screwing America, keeps on dividing America, and much more besides. Who said God is omnipotent? – Mark

Don Winslow Films - #TrumpsSheep

Sadly, for almost 1/3 of America this is a daily ritual.

Cindy McCain Rebukes Trump and Publicly Endorses Joe Biden for President

THE GUARDIAN: McCain was motivated in part by Trump’s recent comments on the military, where he called war heroes ‘losers’ and ‘suckers’

Cindy McCain has endorsed Joe Biden for president, a stunning rebuke of Donald Trump by the widow of the Republican party’s 2008 nominee.

Cindy McCain tweeted on Tuesday: “My husband John lived by a code: country first. We are Republicans, yes, but Americans foremost. There’s only one candidate in this race who stands up for our values as a nation, and that is Joe Biden.” » | Guardian staff and agencies | Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Boris Johnson's Address to the Nation on Coronavirus Restrictions | LBC

Experience the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express

This “Cruising on Rail” episode is produced by Cruising on Rail media productions, aired by Amazon Prime and documents the classic Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express journey by private train.

The 15-day all-inclusive journey between Moscow and Vladivostok, is the only way to complete the world's longest single service railway journey in luxury, comfort and style.

American Empire Collapse: It's about to Get Much Worse. Chris Hedges Joins [for a Discussion]

"RBG": Film Director Reflects on Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Lifelong Fight for Gender Equity

In her later years, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was internationally known simply as her initials — RBG — and a 2018 documentary film by the same name about Ginsburg's legal career, personal history and unexpected celebrity became a surprise smash hit. We speak with Julie Cohen, co-director of the Academy Award-nominated documentary "RBG," about Ginsburg's early years and leadership in fighting for equal rights for women, including arguing a case before the Supreme Court with nine male justices who were condescending to her. "She never let that condescension get her down," notes Cohen. "She was a deeply strategic person."

Theresa May Says 'Reckless' Brexit Bill Risks UK's Reputation

THE GUARDIAN: Ex-PM says internal market bill could lead to a united Ireland and undermine trust in UK

Theresa May has launched a blistering attack on the government’s plan to give itself powers to renege on the special arrangements for Northern Ireland in the Brexit deal.

She described the plans as “reckless” and “irresponsible” and said they “risked the integrity of the United Kingdom”, as they would not only tarnish Britain’s reputation globally as an upholder of the law but could contribute to a reunited Ireland.

In a strongly worded speech in the House of Commons, she said: “I cannot emphasise enough how concerned I am [that] the Conservative government is willing to go back on its word to break an international agreement signed in good faith, and to break international law.” » | Lisa O’Carroll, Brexit correspondent | Monday, September 21, 2020

BoJo simply has to go! He is dishonorable and no leader. He thinks he’s the re-incarnation of Churchill, but he is nothing of the sort. He and his sidekick, Cummings, need to be sent packing! – Mark

Donald Trump : Maxwell

What does Ghislaine Maxwell have on Donald Trump?

Covid Lockdowns in Four More Areas of Wales as Cases Rise

THE GUARDIAN: Stricter rules from Tuesday in Newport, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent

About a quarter of the Welsh population will be subject to local lockdowns after sharp rises in Covid-19 cases triggered restrictions in four new areas.

Strict limits on travel and socialising will come into force from 6pm on Tuesday across Newport, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent in south Wales.

Lockdowns are already in place in Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Welsh government made it clear that other local restrictions or even a national lockdown could be brought in.

No lockdown has been imposed in Cardiff but three of the areas now restricted have borders with the Welsh capital and many people from the lockdown areas travel there every day for work and education.

Announcing what he called “genuinely extraordinary” measures, the Welsh health minister, Vaughan Gething, said the rise of coronavirus cases in the four new areas had been “worrying and rapid”. » | Steven Morris | Monday, September 21, 2020

No 10 Denies Reports Boris Johnson Went on Secret Italy Trip

THE GUARDIAN: Minister also rejects airport’s statement PM flew into Perugia in past fortnight

One of Boris Johnson’s ministers has denied a report in the Italian media that the UK prime minister made a secret trip to the country less than a fortnight ago, a claim Downing Street has also rejected as “completely untrue”.

Asked if Johnson had landed in Perugia in the past two weeks, which the Umbrian airport said had happened in a statement, Grant Shapps, the transport minister, told Sky News: “Not that I’m aware of. I think it’s mistaken, as far as I’m aware.”

reported on the alleged trip after the Barcelona footballer Luis Suárez flew into Perugia on 17 September. The airport put out a press release saying that as well as Suárez, Johnson had also arrived there in recent days. » | Peter Walker, Political correspondent | Monday, September 21, 2020

Taiwan: China's Next Target? | DW Analysis

Despite China’s increasingly aggressive behaviour both at home and abroad, Beijing’s open threat to take control of Taiwan by force is receiving comparatively little attention – leaving this flourishing liberal democracy uniquely isolated and vulnerable. The threat may be far more imminent than many imagine. According to Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu “the Chinese authoritarian leaders may find Taiwan as a convenient scapegoat. Therefore, Taiwan needs to be doubly concerned about a possible Chinese use of force against us.”

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Look Back at Her Life

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died on Friday due to complications of metastatic pancreas cancer, the court announced. She was 87.

Ginsburg was appointed in 1993 by President Bill Clinton and in recent years served as the most senior member of the court's liberal wing consistently delivering progressive votes on the most divisive social issues of the day, including abortion rights, same-sex marriage, voting rights, immigration, health care and affirmative action.

Trump Says He Can Negotiate a Third Term Because He's Entitled to It

At a rally last weekend, Donald Trump mentioned that he might try to "negotiate" a third term as president because he says that he is "entitled" to it. While the negotiation part is absolutely ridiculous, the part about being entitled says a lot about the state of the President's psyche. Ring of Fire's Farron Cousins explains the President's rantings and what they mean.

Thailand: Anti-Government Protest in Bangkok Draws Massive Crowd | DW News

Thousands of pro-democracy protesters are rallying in the streets of Thailand's capital Bangkok to demand democratic reforms. The student-led demonstrations are calling for the prime minister's resignation and changes in tough laws against criticizing the monarchy. Organizers say tens of thousands have turned out. That would make it the biggest protest since a 2014 coup when now-prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha took power. Authorities have warned against holding demonstrations amid fears that the coronavirus could spread rapidly among participants.

Coronavirus Protesters in London 'May Get Arrested', Police Warn

THE GUARDIAN: Officers try to disperse crowds after ‘outbreaks of violence’ at protest against restrictions
Protesters “may get arrested” if they defy orders to leave a demonstration in central London against coronavirus restrictions and mass vaccinations, the Met police has warned.

More than a thousand people are estimated to have joined the central London rally, among them 5G conspiracy theorists, coronavirus sceptics and “anti-vaxxers”.

Sections got into scuffles with police – some officers, with their batons drawn, were pushed back by crowds on the margins of the demo.

In a statement issued at 3pm on Saturday, the Met said it would take enforcement action to disperse the Resist and Act for Freedom rally following “outbreaks of violence towards officers”. » | Aaron Walawalkar and Damien Gayle | Saturday, September 19, 2020

Most Americans Think Trump Has Given Up Trying to Handle the Pandemic

According to the latest round of polling, a majority of Americans believe that the President has simply given up trying to actually manage and handle the pandemic. This isn't a good sign for the President who is in a tight race to retain his office. If the people believe that you have given up on them, they are far more likely to give up on you, as Ring of Fire's Farron Cousins explains.

England-wide Covid Lockdown Needed 'Sooner Rather Than Later', Says Former Adviser

THE GUARDIAN: Prof Neil Ferguson says new rules should be imposed to minimise deaths in ‘perfect storm’ second wave

The epidemiologist whose modelling helped shape Britain’s coronavirus lockdown strategy has warned that new coronavirus restrictions will be needed in England “sooner rather than later” if the government is to prevent the disease surging again.

Prof Neil Ferguson – who resigned from the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) – said the country was facing a “perfect storm” following the easing of controls over the summer. » | Nicola Slawson | Saturday, September 19, 2020

Is There a Global Movement behind Donald Trump?

Is Donald Trump backed by international support aimed at nothing short but the merger of corporate and state power?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court’s Feminist Icon, Is Dead at 87

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The second woman appointed to the Supreme Court, Justice Ginsburg’s pointed and powerful dissenting opinions earned her late-life rock stardom.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court and a pioneering advocate for women’s rights, who in her ninth decade became a much younger generation’s unlikely cultural icon, died at her home in Washington on Friday. She was 87.

The cause was complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer, the Supreme Court said.

By the time two small tumors were found in one of her lungs in December 2018, during a follow-up scan for broken ribs suffered in a recent fall, Justice Ginsburg had beaten colon cancer in 1999 and early-stage pancreatic cancer 10 years later. She received a coronary stent to clear a blocked artery in 2014.

Barely five feet tall and weighing 100 pounds, Justice Ginsburg drew comments for years on her fragile appearance. But she was tough, working out regularly with a trainer, who published a book about his famous client’s challenging exercise regime. » | Linda Greenhouse | Friday, September 18, 2020

Outcry as Super-rich Trump Donor Given Permission to Avoid Canada Quarantine

THE GUARDIAN: Billionaire Liz Uihlein landed in Toronto in August and did not have to follow mandatory 14-day coronavirus self-isolation rules

A billionaire backer of Donald Trump who has been outspoken in her criticism of coronavirus restrictions was granted an exemption to a mandatory quarantine when she visited Canada by private jet.

Liz Uihlein, the head of Wisconsin-based packaging company Uline, landed at Toronto’s Pearson airport on 25 August to visit one of the company’s warehouses, according to a report by CBC News.

Under the Quarantine Act, visitors to Canada are required to self-isolate for two weeks upon arrival to the country. Failure to comply with restrictions carry a maximum penalty of up to $750,000 in fines and/or imprisonment for six months.

But neither Uihlein, nor her two travelling companions, were required to quarantine. » | Leyland Cecco in Toronto | Friday, September 18, 2020

Trump's October Surprise Could Be Explosive! (w/ Dr Trita Parsi)

Mike Pompeo is planning an October surprise. What surprise? Declaring an ‘election’ war on someone? Is the plan to start a conflict with Iran? Pompeo is said to be claiming to start UN sanctions which don’t exist, but why should reality affect an election war?

Dr. Trita Parsi from the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, joined Thom to discuss what Pompeo is up to.

Opinion: Facebook Has Been a Disaster for the World

THE NEW YORK TIMES: How much longer are we going to allow its platform to foment hatred and undermine democracy?

For years, Myanmar’s military used Facebook to incite hatred and genocidal violence against the country’s mostly Muslim Rohingya minority group, leading to mass death and displacement. It took until 2018 for Facebook to admit to and apologize for its failure to act.

Two years later, the platform is, yet again, sowing the seeds for genocidal violence. This time it’s in Ethiopia, where the recent assassination of Hachalu Hundessa, a singer and political activist from the country’s Oromo ethnic group, led to violence in its capital city, Addis Ababa. This bloodshed was, according to Vice News, “supercharged by the almost-instant and widespread sharing of hate speech and incitement to violence on Facebook, which whipped up people’s anger.” This follows a similar incident in 2019, where disinformation shared on Facebook helped catapult violencethat claimed 86 lives in Ethiopia’s Oromia region.

Facebook has been incredibly lucrative for its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, who ranks among the wealthiest men in the world. But it’s been a disaster for the world itself, a powerful vector for paranoia, propaganda and conspiracy-theorizing as well as authoritarian crackdowns and vicious attacks on the free press. Wherever it goes, chaos and destabilization follow. » | Jamelle Bouie, Opinion columnist | Friday, September 18, 2020

Scaramucci: Trump Has Sycophants Who Are Willing to Lie for Him

Former White House Director of Communications Anthony Scaramucci reacts to a stunning rebuke from former coronavirus task force member Olivia Troye of Trump's response to the pandemic.

Trump Again Says Virus Will Disappear, Discusses 'Herd Mentality' | Morning Joe | MSNBC

During a town hall on Tuesday, President Trump again said the coronavirus will disappear over time, even without a vaccine, and he predicted 'herd mentality' would develop. The panel discusses. Aired on 09/16/2020.

America First: US Leads in Coronavirus Infections and Deaths | Covid-19 Special

In regards to the coronavirus pandemic worldwide it is 'America First' in total cases and deaths. Experts point to the US' lack of pandemic preparatio and the political division over prevention measures.The pandemic is also magnifiying existing social problems and inequalities in the US. Statistics show that black Americans are more likely to die from the virus than whites. With case numbers gradually falling once again can the US ward off another spike of COVID-19 infections and deaths that fall disproportionately on its most vulnerable?

Bob Woodward Induced a Confession of the Greatest Lie in American History Says Steve Schmidt | MSNBC

Founder of the Lincoln Project Steve Schmidt reacts to the number of taped interviews released by journalist Bob Woodward showing just how much the president downplayed the coronavirus while knowing how deadly it really was. Aired on 09/16/2020.

Former Model Alleges Sexual Assault by Donald Trump: 'I Feel Sick, Violated'

Amy Dorris alleges she was sexually assaulted by Donald Trump in 1997, when she was 24. Speaking publicly about the alleged incident for the first time, the former model claims Trump grabbed her as she came out of the bathroom of his VIP box at the US Open tennis event, forced his tongue down her throat and held her in a grip from which she could not escape. Trump's lawyers said he denied in the strongest possible terms having ever harassed, abused or behaved improperly toward Dorris

Read the article HERE»

1917 - Die russische Revolution (Arte - 2014)

Bei der Oktoberrevolution 1917 kam es in Russland zum Ausbruch einer riesigen Menge angestauten Unmutes, latenter Krisen und schwelender Konflikte. Das Ereignis hinterließ tiefe Spuren, die noch heute in vielen Bereichen des gesellschaftlichen Lebens sichtbar sind, unter anderem in den Bereichen Politik, Kunst, Musik, Architektur und Wissenschaft, aber auch im Militärwesen und in den Geheimdiensten. Der Dokumentarfilm legt Material vor, das zu einem neuen Verständnis der Revolution beiträgt und geht der Frage nach, wie der Mensch an sich reagiert, wenn er mit einer Krisensituation und tiefgreifenden Umbrüchen konfrontiert ist. | Dokumentarfilm Frankreich 2007 | arte Regie: Paul Jenkins

Putin's Russia and the Ghost of the Romanovs | The Economist

Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his family, the Romanovs, were murdered 100 years ago today by Marxist revolutionaries. What does this anniversary mean for Vladmir Putin?

’Scientific American’ Makes Presidential Endorsement for the Very First Time

Scientific American has endorsed a candidate for president for the first time in the publication's 175-year history. CNN's John King speaks to the magazine's editor-in-chief, Laura Helmuth.

SE Cupp: Trump's Rallies Absolutely Asinine Right Now

In this week's edition of "Unfiltered from Home," host SE Cupp breaks down Jared Kushner's defense of President Trump's packed rallies with no masks or social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.

Poland's 'LGBT-free Zones' Have No Place in the EU, Says Ursula von der Leyen

In her first ‘state of union’ speech, the European commission president said Poland’s LGBT-free zones were 'humanity-free zones' that had no place in the EU in her strongest criticism yet of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party.

It comes amid a dispute between the EU and Poland over the rule of law, since the country embarked on policies that weaken independent courts.

Von der Leyen said the EU was 'a union where you can be who you are and love who you want to without fear and recrimination'

Russia's Lost Princesses – Documentary

Part 1 : The Gilded Cage; 2: The World Turned Upside Down

The English Home Counties in 1938

Here I present a series of photographs of The British Home Counties, taken in 1938 by an American photographer. These photographs give a wonderful impression of England before the War. Many of the villages have little changed over the years. | Music: Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending

BBC: We Visited a Bruderhof Commune. This Is What We Saw

Is Bruderhof a Christian Utopia or a Capitalist Commune? What are your first impressions? This secret group has not allowed cameras in for over a century. Founded in the early 1900's by a prominent German theologian, the group gained a massive following shortly after World War 2. Since then, most of its followers are second and third generations of the original members. These members commit to the group for life, denouncing all personal assets and agree to work for free in return for food and shelter. The Bruderhof group is still lead by decedents of the same, german family based in Rifton, New York.

Rechtsextreme in der Polizei: „Ich kann nicht mehr von Einzelfällen sprechen“

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Sie sollen in einem Chat unter anderem Fotos von Hitler ausgetauscht haben: Die Polizei in NRW ermittelt gegen 29 eigene Beamte wegen rechtsextremistischer Propaganda. Innenminister Herbert Reul revidiert seine bisherige Auffassung.

Die nordrhein-westfälische Polizei hat gegen 29 eigene Beamte wegen der Verbreitung und des Empfangs rechtsextremistischer Propaganda ermittelt. Alle 29 Polizisten seien sofort vom Dienst suspendiert worden, sagte Innenminister Herbert Reul(CDU) am Mittwoch während einer kurzfristig angesetzten Pressekonferenz. Gegen alle Beamten wurden Disziplinarverfahren vom Landesamt für Fortbildung der Polizei in NRW (LAFP) eingeleitet. In 14 Fällen zielt das Verfahren auf eine dauerhafte Entfernung vom Dienst. Die anderen 15 Beamten sollen Bilddateien mit rechtsextremistischem Inhalt nicht selbst versandt, sondern ausschließlich empfangen, ihre Dienstvorgesetzten darüber aber nicht in Kenntnis gesetzt haben. Reul sprach von einer Schande für die Polizei.

US-UK Trade Deal in Danger If Good Friday Agreement Jeopardised, Democrats Warn

THE GUARDIAN: Dominic Raab faces backlash over Irish border and attempts to leave EU on own terms

The UK foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, is facing a growing backlash in the US Congress after senior Democrats warned they would scupper any future US-UK trade deal if the UK does anything to jeopardise the Good Friday agreement in an attempt to leave the European Union on its own terms.

Raab flew to Washington to try to repair relations with pro-Irish Democrats, including the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and the chairman of the House ways and means committee, Richard Neal. The tide of opinion in Congress is moving fast against the UK after a lobbying campaign by the Irish embassy.

The ad hoc committee a major pro-Irish lobby group to defend the Good Friday agreement, vowed to build “a green wall” to defend the agreement citing a compelling statement from former British prime ministers John Major and Tony Blair. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Cooper: Trump's Actions Contradict What He Says in Private about Covid-19

CNN's Anderson Cooper examines how President Trump's comments behind closed doors about the risks associated with coronavirus contradict his public statements pushing for the country to reopen.

Trump NO Nos Quiere : Trump Does Not Love Us

Trump no solo le falta al respeto a la comunidad hispana. Los detesta. | Trump doesn’t just disrespect the Hispanic community. He detests them.

Donald Trump vergleicht sich in Corona-Krise mit Winston Churchill

ZEIT ONLINE: Der US-Präsident will sein Herunterspielen der Corona-Gefahr als gutes Krisenmanagement verkaufen. Sein Herausforderer wirft Trump vor, die Bevölkerung belogen zu haben.

US-Präsident Donald Trump hat eine Parallele zwischen seinem Herunterspielen der Corona-Pandemie und dem Verhalten des britischen Premierministers Winston Churchill im Zweiten Weltkrieg gezogen. "Als Hitler London bombardierte, ging Churchill, ein großer Anführer, oft auf ein Dach in London und sprach", sagte Trump bei einer Wahlkampfveranstaltung in Freeland im US-Bundesstaat Michigan. "Und er sprach immer mit Gelassenheit. Er sagte, wir müssen Gelassenheit zeigen. Nein, wir haben es richtig gemacht, und wir haben eine Arbeit geleistet wie niemand sonst." » | Quelle: ZEIT ONLINE, dpa, sk | Freitag, 11. September 2020

Amerikas Ansehen stürzt ab

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Die Reputation der Vereinigten Staaten ist in vielen befreundeten Staaten auf einen Tiefpunkt abgesackt. Dort vertrauen mittlerweile sogar mehr Bürger Xi Jinping und Putin als Trump.

Die Zeiten, in denen Amerika unter seinen Freunden und Verbündeten Begeisterungsstürme entfachte, sind schon eine Weile her. Auf der letzten Sympathiewelle ritten die Vereinigten Staaten, zu Recht oder zu Unrecht, während der Präsidentschaft Barack Obamas. Also bis vor dreieinhalb Jahren. Mit dem Einzug von Donald Trump ins Weiße Haus änderte sich das quasi über Nacht. Im Jahr der Corona-Krise aber stürzt das Ansehen der Vereinigten Staaten in vielen Ländern noch einmal richtig ab. Das geht aus der jüngsten Umfrage des „Pew Research Centers“ hervor, die am Dienstag veröffentlicht wurde. » | Von Lorenz Hemicker, Redakteur in der Politik | Dienstag, 15. September 2020

Trump Dismisses Role of Climate Change in Wildfires | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Juliet Eilperin of the Washington Post and fmr. U.S. Amb. Mark Brzezinski discuss the visible impacts of climate change across the world, including the recent wildfires in California and Oregon and Antarctic glaciers breaking. Aired on 09/15/2020.

Trump Threatens to Retaliate to Any Iran Attack with '1,000 Times Greater' Force

THE GUARDIAN: Tweet follows report of revenge plot for Soleimani killing / US intelligence said to fear attack on US envoy to South Africa

Donald Trump warned on Twitter on Tuesday that the US would retaliate with “1,000 times greater” force against any Iranian attack on its interests.

Trump referred to media reports that Iran was planning retaliation for the assassination by US drone in January of the Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. At the time of the assassination, analysts predicted that Iran would seek to retaliate over the long term.

A Politico story citing unnamed intelligence officials said Iran was plotting to kill the US ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks, a handbag designer and longtime Trump friend. She is now under extra security protection.

“According to press reports, Iran may be planning an assassination, or other attack, against the United States in retaliation for the killing of terrorist leader Soleimani,” Trump tweeted on Monday night. » | Tom McCarthy | Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Storm of the Century - the Blizzard of '49

This program tells the story of the worst series of storms in Wyoming's history. But for all the tragedy and loss, suffering and death, there was hope and heroism, unselfish sacrifice and generosity.

Welsh Minister Warns of Possible National Lockdown as Covid Cases Rise

THE GUARDIAN: Updated rules must be followed, says government, as infection hotspots are detected in south Wales

A new national lockdown could be imposed in Wales within weeks unless people follow the updated rules on social gatherings, the country’s health minister has said.

Vaughan Gething also revealed that the Labour-controlled government was investigating a range of measures for Wales including imposing curfews to try to control the spread of the virus.

He said the same pattern seen in early February as Covid-19 spread across the UK was being observed again. The health minister pointed out that seven weeks later, in the third week of March, Wales, along with the rest of the UK, was in lockdown. » | Steven Morris and Severin Carrell | Monday, September 14, 2020

Don the Con

Nobody has ever spent a *billion* dollars to go down 10 points.

Germany: The Discreet Lives of the Super-Rich | DW Documentary

The rich in Germany been never been as well-off as they are today and assets have never been so unevenly distributed. But who are they? How do they live? And what do they think of their country? A journey into the discreet world of the super-rich.

One percent of Germans own over a quarter of the country's assets, whilst half of the country’s citizens have no assets at all. But while the German media report on the growing poverty in the country on a daily basis, little is known about the super-rich. They keep a very low profile and can walk the streets unrecognized. "Manager Magazin” says there were around 200 billionaires living in Germany in 2018, and their numbers are increasing. The documentary "Top of the World" asks why rich Germans are so unwilling to talk about their wealth. Its author immerses himself in the discreet world of big money and meets financial advisors with 800 years of family tradition behind them and billionaires such as drugstore king Dirk Rossmann and mail-order company heir Michael Otto - as well as a self-made businessmen such as Rainer Schaller. They talk about their notions of money and justice, the origins of their wealth and their fear of social envy.

Don Winslow Films: Trump-Style Chain Migration

At the same time Donald Trump was ripping families apart at the border, caging children and screaming about chain migration, he was using chain migration and a big $$$ lawyer to get Melania Trump's family into the USA.

Israeli Government to Impose Second Covid-19 National Lockdown

THE GUARDIAN: Three-week lockdown will make Israel the first country to reimpose such stringent restrictions on a national scale

Israel’s government has decided to impose a lockdown lasting three weeks, the first country to reimpose such severe restrictions on a national scale, after a dramatic resurgence in coronavirus cases.

Fearing mass gatherings during a string of national holidays over the next month, the cabinet decided to shut down the country as of Friday, the Jewish new year, until 9 October.

Speaking at a press conference shortly after the vote, the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said hospital heads had warned the healthcare system would be overburdened if infection rates continue to rise. “They raised a red flag,” he said.

Netanyahu said people will be forced to remain within 500 metres from their homes, with exceptions for lone exercise. Schools and all but essential shops will be shuttered. A gradual loosening of the rules would only be implemented if the rate of infection drops. » | Oliver Holmes | Sunday, September 13, 2020

Paris. So schön war die Belle Époque! | Doku | ARTE

Der Regisseur Bernd Boehm erweckt die einmalige Sammlung historischer Fotografien Werner Bokelbergs vom Paris des Fin de Siècle zum Leben und gibt den Menschen jenseits von Sorglosigkeit, Cabarets und Salons eine Bühne. Er zeichnet ein facettenreiches Sittenbild der Hauptstadt des Einzelhandels und dokumentiert mit Fotokarten des „petit commerce“ den Alltag der kleinen Leute. Der Zuschauer erhält Einblick in die Entstehung eines neuen fotografischen Genres und die Entwicklung der Konsumkultur im 19. Jahrhundert. Er lernt Arbeitswelt, Ethos und Kultur der Ladenbesitzer und ihrer Mitarbeiter kennen, die sich ernst und voller Selbstbewusstsein vor ihren Geschäften fotografieren ließen. Zwar sollten die historischen Aufnahmen als Werbeträger für die Läden und ihre Produkte fungieren, doch die Faszination dieser Fotografien entsteht vorwiegend durch die Menschen. Sie verleihen ihnen Ausdruck und rücken die Schaufenster, die mit ihren Geschäftsauslagen an eine Warenbühne erinnern, in den Hintergrund. Sie verkörpern den optimistischen Zeitgeist der Belle Epoque und erzählen von dem harten, entbehrungsreichen Alltag, von der Würde der Arbeit und der Rechtschaffenheit ihres Standes. Die Fotokarten erlauben eine intime Sichtweise, die bislang eher aus der Interpretation Intellektueller jener Zeit, Malern und Schriftstellern, bekannt war. Die Sammlung versteht sich als eine Chronik einer vergessenen Zeit und liefert ein soziologisch interessantes und authentisches Gesellschaftsporträt, das von Fotohistorikern und Kuratoren diskutiert und in den soziokulturellen Kontext eingeordnet wird.

Blair and Major Hit Out at Boris Johnson's Plans to Override Brexit Deal

THE GUARDIAN: Former prime ministers urge MPs to reject legislation, saying it endangers Irish peace process

Boris Johnson is facing mounting criticism over his plans to introduce legislation to override his Brexit deal, as former prime ministers Sir John Major and Tony Blair criticised the threat to break international law.

Major and Blair united to urge MPs to reject the legislation, saying it imperils the Irish peace process, trade negotiations and the UK’s integrity – despite the prime minister saying that Brussels could “carve up our country” without his new bill.

The former Conservative and Labour leaders united to condemn Johnson’s UK internal market bill in an article for the Sunday Times.

“We both opposed Brexit. We both accept it is now happening. But this way of negotiating, with reason cast aside in pursuit of ideology and cavalier bombast posing as serious diplomacy, is irresponsible, wrong in principle and dangerous in practice,” they said. » | Staff and agencies | Sunday, September 13, 2020

Roger Stone to Donald Trump: Bring In Martial Law If You Lose Election

THE GUARDIAN: Trump meanwhile promises to ‘put down’ leftwing protests and says US Marshals killing Portland suspect was ‘retribution’

Roger Stone, whose 40-month prison sentence for lying to Congress and witness tampering in the Russia investigation was commuted by Donald Trump, has said Trump should seize total power and jail prominent figures including Bill and Hillary Clinton and Mark Zuckerberg if he loses to Joe Biden in November.

The long-time Republican strategist and dirty trickster, who has a tattoo of Richard Nixon on his back, lied about contacts with WikiLeaks during the 2016 election regarding emails hacked from Democratic party accounts.

In turn, special counsel Robert Mueller and the Senate intelligence committee suspected Trump lied when he said he could not recall discussing the leaks with Stone. » | Martin Pengelly | Sunday, September 13, 2020

The Main Principles of Nazi Ideology

Dr. David Silberklang and Prof. Dan Michman discuss the main principles of Nazi Ideology and the place of antisemitism in it. On this topic and more in Yad Vashem's new online course: "Antisemitism: From Its Origins to the Present".

Rechte Milizen in den USA | DW Reporter

"Black Lives Matter": Proteste gegen Polizeigewalt halten die USA in Atem. Wie in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Als dort Polizisten einen Familienvater verletzen, brechen Unruhen aus. Auf der anderen Seite marschieren Milizen auf, etwa "American Wolf".

Waldbrände in den USA: Über 500.000 Menschen auf der Flucht | DW Nachrichten

An der Westküste der USA, in den Bundesstaten Kalifornien, Oregon und Washington, haben die Waldbrände einen traurigen Rekord erreicht: Allein in Kalifornien sind schon mehr als 12.500 Quadratkilometer verbrannt in diesem Jahr. Dabei hat die Waldbrand-Saison gerade erst begonnen. Zahlreiche Menschen sind ums Leben gekommen, viele werden noch vermisst. Und selbst die Menschen, die in den Wohnungen der Großstädte vor den Flammen sicher scheinen, sind bedroht: durch gefährliche Rauchentwicklung. Und US Präsident Donald Trump schweigt.

Kristof: Trump Bragging about Protecting Saudi Crown Prince over Khashoggi’s Murder Breaks | MSNBC

Nicholas Kristof, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The New York Times, who had known Jamal Khashoggi for more than 15 years, tells Ali Velshi that he is "outraged" that Donald Trump would reportedly brag about protecting the Saudi Crown Prince after the gruesome murder of U.S. resident and American-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Aired on 09/11/2020.

Velshi: QAnon’s Conspiracy Cult Has Infiltrated the White House | MSNBC

MSNBC’s Ali Velshi responds to Vice President Pence’s plan to attend a fundraising event hosted by QAnon supporters.

Top Lawyers Slam Suella Braverman for Wrecking UK’s Reputation

THE OBSERVER: Attorney general faces fury of Bar Council as revolt over internal market bill spreads

The attorney general, Suella Braverman, was on Saturday accused of sacrificing the UK’s reputation, sidelining legal advisers and bypassing the ministerial code during an extraordinary confrontation with some of the country’s top lawyers.

During the annual general meeting of the Bar Council, the professional association for barristers, Braverman was asked how Britain could retain “a shred of credibility” in imploring other countries to follow international law after revealing its own willingness to breach agreements.

The criticisms came after the government last week unveiled plans to give ministers sweeping powers to “disapply” part of the Brexit deal that Boris Johnson signed in January. » | Michael Savage and Toby Helm | Saturday, September 12, 2020

Johnson's Hard Brexit Is About to Deliver a Devastating Hit to Our Covid-struck Economy

THE GUARDIAN: With its international reputation in tatters and businesses in despair, Britain has painted itself deeper into a corner

No one I know has a clue what the current row over last year’s Brexit withdrawal deal really means. All they see is another mess from a dysfunctional Downing Street.

One thing should be clear. The argument has nothing to do with the UK leaving the EU, which has already happened. It has to do with a different but related decision, Boris Johnson’s belief that the UK should also leave Europe’s single market, the lasting talisman of his “hard Brexit” bid to appear a macho Tory leader.

The UK leaving the single market had always carried a nightmare consequence, that of a hard border of some sort between northern and southern Ireland. Such a border would not just be near impossible to erect and unpopular across Ireland, it would be a gross breach of the 1998 Good Friday agreement, which pledged open trade. » | Simon Jenkins | Thursday, September 10, 2020

Johnson: EU plant „Lebensmittelblockade“

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Der britische Premierminister Johnson behauptet, die EU wolle den Transport von Lebensmitteln zwischen Nordirland und dem restlichen Königreich erheblich erschweren. Damit habe ihm Chefunterhändler Michel Barnier gedroht.

Der britische Premierminister Boris Johnson hat im Brexit-Streit schwere Vorwürfe gegen die EU erhoben. Brüssel plane, eine „Lebensmittelblockade“ zwischen Nordirland und dem Rest von Großbritannien zu errichten und damit die Lieferung von Lebensmitteln zwischen den Landesteilen deutlich einzuschränken, schreibt Johnson in einem Gastbeitrag für die britische Zeitung „Telegraph“ (Samstag). Das Austrittsabkommen gebe der EU in seiner derzeitigen Form die Befugnisse dazu. Der Chef-Unterhändler Michel Barnier habe gedroht, diese auch auszureizen, heißt es darin weiter. Das würde die Souveränität und den Zusammenhalt Großbritanniens gefährden, so Johnson. » | Quelle: dpa | Samstag, 12. September 2020

Boris Johnson's New Bill Will Damage the Union, and with It Devolved Government

THE GUARDIAN: Nicola Sturgeon has called it an ‘assault on devolution’, while Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, says it’s a ‘power grab’

The government’s new “internal market” was initially portrayed as a means to allow for the “seamless functioning” of commerce between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. So it’s paradoxical that the presentation of the internal market bill to parliament this week cast fresh doubts over not only this “seamless” functionality, but on the sustainability of the devolved settlement itself.

The bill had already sent shockwaves through the north and south of Ireland before it was published. Rumours circulated that Westminster intended to unravel legally binding arrangements for Northern Ireland, prompting new anxieties about the prospect of a hard border. The shock resignation of the permanent secretary to the government legal department over the legal consequences of the bill heightened fears. Brandon Lewis, the secretary of state for Northern Ireland, admitted prior to publication that the Brexit strategy breaks international law. » | Miriam Brett | Saturday, September 12, 2020

Family Members, Politicians Pay Tribute to 9/11 Victims

Politicians gathered at the Sept. 11 memorial in Lower Manhattan to remember a national crisis on the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

Watch The 11th Hour with Brian Williams Highlights: September 10 | MSNBC

Coronavirus: England 'On Knife-edge' as Cases Rise and Lockdowns Grow

THE GUARDIAN: Former chief scientific adviser issues warning to government after huge surge in cases

New cases of coronavirus are doubling almost weekly across England, figures revealed, as Birmingham became the biggest local authority to announce a tightening of lockdown measures and health officials flagged “worrying signs” of infections in elderly people.

The measures to be introduced in Birmingham next week mean more than 7.3 million people – 11% of the UK population – will be living in areas affected by some level of local lockdown, according to a Guardian analysis.

After signs that the number of virus infections is accelerating sharply, the former UK government chief scientific adviser Sir David King urged ministers to improve the NHS test-and-trace system. He said England was on a “knife-edge”. » | Robert Booth, Nicola Davis, Nazia Parveenand Pamela Duncan | Friday, Sptember 11, 2020

Trump Admits to Watching 9 Hours of Fox News a Day

During his rally in Michigan on Thursday, Donald Trump bragged about consuming 9 hours of Fox News in the 24-hour span prior to his rally. Once again, this is not normal behavior, nor is it something that anyone should ever consider boasting about. The President of the United States is a lazy, incompetent buffoon. Ring of Fire's Farron Cousins discusses this.

Vietnam Vet and Ukraine Diplomat Talks Voting against Trump as a Republican

Donald Trump: This Pennsylvanian Tells It Like It Is

"In the name of God, I tell you, you've got to wake up and smell the coffee. This man is a great danger to our nation."

How Hitler's Third Reich Terrified Europe | Impossible Peace | Timeline

The power in Europe has shifted to the terrifying and unstable hands of Germany, with the Third Reich being the dominant force.

Belgian King's Daughter Fights for Right to Call Herself a Princess

THE GUARDIAN: Delphine Boël, whose mother had affair with ex-king Albert II, also wants to take her father’s surname

A woman who successfully fought a seven-year legal battle to prove she was the daughter of the former king of Belgium, Albert II, will learn next month whether, against the wishes of her father, she will be able to use the titles Her Royal Highness and the Princess of Belgium.

Delphine Boël, 52, an artist and sculptor, whose mother had an extra-marital affair with Albert in the 1960s and 70s, argued in the Brussels court of appeal that she should also be able to use her biological father’s surname of Saxe-Coburg. The court will give its judgment on 29 October.

King Albert, 86, who abdicated from the Belgian throne in 2013, was forced to acknowledge he was Boël’s biological father after a court-ordered DNA test last January. » | Daniel Boffey in Brussels | Friday, September 11, 2020

Democracy Now ! Top US & World Headlines — September 11, 2020

Trump Tries to Contain Fallout; Editorial Board Plays Down Woodward Book | Morning Joe | MSNBC

While some editorial board columns appear to downplay the impact of Trump's handling of the coronavirus, the Morning Joe panel discusses why that may not be a winning strategy. Aired on 09/11/2020.