Unfortunately, I believe that this link will work only for my British visitorse, BBC licence-payers. If I find another live solution, I will post it. So far, this is the only satisfactory solution that I have been able to find. – Mark
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Wimbledon Live: Men’s Final, Nick Kyrgios v. Novak Djokovic
Unfortunately, I believe that this link will work only for my British visitorse, BBC licence-payers. If I find another live solution, I will post it. So far, this is the only satisfactory solution that I have been able to find. – Mark
Autriche - Des trains pas comme les autres - Vienne - Zell am See - Documentaire Voyage
Jul 10, 2022 En Autriche, Philippe Gougler débute son voyage en pleine tempête de neige dans un petit train qui circule dans les montagnes de village en village. Les plus belles destinations, c’est ici. Abonnez vous, s'il vous plaît.
Dans la vallée, il va à la rencontre de Tony, un chanteur de Yodel, avant de découvrir, à la gare de Zell am See, un homme qui se prépare à tirer une locomotive et ses wagons. Du village d'Axams à Vienne en passant par la mythique ligne Semmeringbahn, Philippe achève son périple en assistant au grand Bal de la Rudolfina-Redoute, organisé par des étudiants pour récolter des fonds.
Auteur : Philippe Gougler, William Japhet
Réalisation : William Japhet
Production : Step by Step productions
©Step by Step productions
Dans la vallée, il va à la rencontre de Tony, un chanteur de Yodel, avant de découvrir, à la gare de Zell am See, un homme qui se prépare à tirer une locomotive et ses wagons. Du village d'Axams à Vienne en passant par la mythique ligne Semmeringbahn, Philippe achève son périple en assistant au grand Bal de la Rudolfina-Redoute, organisé par des étudiants pour récolter des fonds.
Auteur : Philippe Gougler, William Japhet
Réalisation : William Japhet
Production : Step by Step productions
©Step by Step productions
'If He Continues in Office, the Conservative Party Will Be Destroyed by Him'
Hitler privat: Der Kriegsherr (2) | SPIEGEL TV
Andere Teile dieser Doku-Serie sind hier verfügbar, inklusiv Teil I: „Hitler: Der Kriegsherr (1)“.
Saturday, July 09, 2022
What Will Boris Johnson's Economic Legacy Be? | DW Business
End Station: EU! Großbritannien: Der Europäischen Union angehöhrend. Großbritannien gehört der Europäischen Union. Wir Briten sind doch Europäer. Deshalb müssen wir der Europäischen Union noch einmal wieder gehören.
Großbritannien hat eine wunderbare königliche Familie, in deren Venen deutsches Blut rinnt. Wir lieben die königliche Familie, und wir müssen auch lernen die Europäische Union zu lieben. Europäer sind unsere natürliche Familie. Wir gehören dieser Familie.
Um es noch einmal klar zu sagen, um es zu betonen, ich weiß ganz genau, wo wir Briten hingehören: Wir gehören ohne weiteres der Europäischen Union. Zweifellos! – © Mark Alexander
Ein heißer, liebevoller Kuss im Wasser an einem lauen Sommerabend. | Reupload
How Hot Is This?
Real, Normal, Masculine, Handsome Man
Protesters Storm Sri Lanka's Presidential Palace in Colombo | DW News
Jul 9, 2022 Sri Lanka's capital Colombo is in turmoil after protesters stormed the compound of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Security sources say he left the area earlier for his own safety.
Public anger at the countrys leader has been mounting during the country's unprecedented economic crisis. People are enduring acute shortages of fuel, food and medicines, with the country unable to pay for imports. Critics blame the hardships on Rajapaksa and his family, who they say are corrupt. Meanwhile the prime minister's office says he's willing to resign.
Related.
Public anger at the countrys leader has been mounting during the country's unprecedented economic crisis. People are enduring acute shortages of fuel, food and medicines, with the country unable to pay for imports. Critics blame the hardships on Rajapaksa and his family, who they say are corrupt. Meanwhile the prime minister's office says he's willing to resign.
Related.
Hacked! The Sidebar Is Missing!
Some little runt has hacked this website. Some little impolite, ignorant, childish tw*t, I presume. I hope his mummy buys him a rattle soon. Something to amuse him. The little loser might then have a chance to get a life. My advice: Speak nicely to mummy! I feel almost sure she’ll be willing to buy you a rattle. Speak extra gently to her and she’ll probably buy you a dummy (pacifier) as well. What a bonus already! Oh, and please do the decent thing: Undo the cr*p you’ve just done.
© Mark Alexander
Saturday, July 9, 2022
© Mark Alexander
Saturday, July 9, 2022
Quintessentially Chanel
The Beach Boys: California Girls | 2001 Stereo Mix
Ina Garten's Roast Duck Breast with Cherries and Port | Barefoot Contessa | Food Network
Ingredients:
2 (1-pound) or 4 (8-ounce) Moulard duck breasts
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup minced shallots (2 shallots)
1 1/2 tablespoons good sherry
wine vinegar
3/4 cup ruby Port wine
1/2 cup good chicken stock, preferably homemade
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup crème fraiche
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
Directions / Method:
Wrap each duck breast in plastic wrap and pound them with a meat mallet until each breast is about 1 inch thick.
Place the duck on a plate, sprinkle both sides with a total of 4 teaspoons salt, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
When ready to cook, the duck, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F [190C].
Score the skin of the duck breasts with a sharp knife, making a crosshatch pattern but not cutting down to the meat.
In a large (12-inch) heavy-bottomed, ovenproof skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Place the duck breasts in the pan, skin side down. Cook uncovered over medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes, discarding the fat from the pan occasionally, until the skin is very browned. Turn the duck with tongs, place the skillet in the oven, and roast for 12 to 18 minutes, until the internal temperature of the duck s 120 degrees F for rare. Remove from the oven, cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil, and allow the duck to rest for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the sauce. Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan. Add the shallots and saute for 2 minutes, until tender. Add the vinegar and cook for one minute. Add the Port, chicken stock, cherries, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in the crème fraîche, orange zest, and orange juice and keep warm over low heat.
Transfer the duck to a cutting board and slice diagonally, fanning the slices out on 4 dinner plates. Spoon the sauce generously on top, sprinkle with salt, and serve hot with extra sauce on the side.
Seth Andrews: “Christianity Made Me Talk Like an Idiot”
Viewer discretion is strongly advised. This is not suitable for children. By the way, I post this not as an atheist myself, but as someone who has an open, enquiring mind. I find Seth Andrews rather inspirational, and very often funny too. He frequently highlights the absurdities of the beliefs of many. Enjoy! I should add, however, that if you are at all sensitive or unsure of your beliefs, this video is probably not for you, especially because of its irreverence. – Mark
The Far-Right Christian Quest for Power: ‘We Are Seeing Them Emboldened’: Political candidates on the fringe mix religious fervor with conspiracy theories, even calling for the end of the separation of church and state. »
Außerordentliche Eleganz einer außergewöhnlichen hübschen Dame
Großbritanniens Premier tritt zurück: Zahlreiche Skandale bringen ihn zu Fall | auslandsjournal
Jul 7, 2022 Seit 2019 führe Boris Johnson sowohl die Tories als Parteichef und Großbritannien als Premierminister an. Nach vielen Skandalen und nach großem Druck aus den eigenen Parteireihen kündigt er seinen Rücktritt an. Partygate, Spendenaffären, fehlgeleitete Corona-Politik und Missbrauchsvorwürfe gegen konservative Politiker haben zu großem Unmut in der Bevölkerung und auch unter seinen Parteifreund*innen geführt.
Lange schien es, als ob Johnson Skandal nach Skandal überlebt, ohne zurücktreten zu müssen. Mitten im Lockdown veranstaltete er beispielsweise Partys, die später durch Videos öffentlich wurden. Von Skandal zu Skandal wurde der Protest gegen den britischen Premier allerdings lauter. Der Tropfen, der das Fass zum Überlaufen brachte, war dann aber die sogenannte Pincher-Affäre. Dem stellvertretenden Fraktionsführer Chris Pincher wurde in mehreren Fällen sexuelle Belästigung vorgeworfen. Wiederholt ließ Johnson verbreiten, er habe von den Anschuldigungen nichts gewusst, als er Pincher beförderte.
Nun verkündet er einen Rücktritt in Etappen: zunächst als Parteivorsitzender und als Premierminister erst dann, wenn ein*e Nachfolger*in gewählt ist.
Boris Johnson May Be Fading Out, but Not the Divisions He Stoked: Long after he is gone, his successors will be wrestling over his signature project, Brexit, and the insoluble issues it raised. »
Lange schien es, als ob Johnson Skandal nach Skandal überlebt, ohne zurücktreten zu müssen. Mitten im Lockdown veranstaltete er beispielsweise Partys, die später durch Videos öffentlich wurden. Von Skandal zu Skandal wurde der Protest gegen den britischen Premier allerdings lauter. Der Tropfen, der das Fass zum Überlaufen brachte, war dann aber die sogenannte Pincher-Affäre. Dem stellvertretenden Fraktionsführer Chris Pincher wurde in mehreren Fällen sexuelle Belästigung vorgeworfen. Wiederholt ließ Johnson verbreiten, er habe von den Anschuldigungen nichts gewusst, als er Pincher beförderte.
Nun verkündet er einen Rücktritt in Etappen: zunächst als Parteivorsitzender und als Premierminister erst dann, wenn ein*e Nachfolger*in gewählt ist.
Boris Johnson May Be Fading Out, but Not the Divisions He Stoked: Long after he is gone, his successors will be wrestling over his signature project, Brexit, and the insoluble issues it raised. »
Sri Lanka: Thousands of Protesters Storm President's Official Residence
Tory MPs Hit Back at ‘Treacherous’ Rishi Sunak as Leadership Race Begins
THE GUARDIAN: Conservative MPs fear the race to replace Boris Johnson risks becoming a drawn-out, bitter battle
The race to succeed Boris Johnson as prime minister was already slipping into acrimony on Saturday as Conservative factions briefed against Rishi Sunak, the early favourite, while one senior MP called for “no hope” candidates to drop out.
With four candidates confirmed, but predictions that up to 15 could put themselves forward as the next Conservative leader, Tory MPs expressed concern at the potential timetable for the race, and the prospect of bitter infighting.
Sunak, the former chancellor, who entered the race on Friday evening with a slickly edited video campaign message posted on Twitter under the slogan “Ready for Rishi”, is viewed as one of the likely frontrunners.
But he has already faced criticism among fellow MPs for indicating he will focus more on fiscal prudence than immediate tax cuts, with his video taking aim at other candidates who may offer “comforting fairytales” rather than economic truths.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, a Johnson loyalist, said on Friday evening that he could not back Sunak, whose resignation as chancellor helped precipitate the loss of faith in the prime minister that led to him resigning as Tory leader on Thursday. » | Peter Walker, Political correspondent | Saturday, July 9, 2022
The race to succeed Boris Johnson as prime minister was already slipping into acrimony on Saturday as Conservative factions briefed against Rishi Sunak, the early favourite, while one senior MP called for “no hope” candidates to drop out.
With four candidates confirmed, but predictions that up to 15 could put themselves forward as the next Conservative leader, Tory MPs expressed concern at the potential timetable for the race, and the prospect of bitter infighting.
Sunak, the former chancellor, who entered the race on Friday evening with a slickly edited video campaign message posted on Twitter under the slogan “Ready for Rishi”, is viewed as one of the likely frontrunners.
But he has already faced criticism among fellow MPs for indicating he will focus more on fiscal prudence than immediate tax cuts, with his video taking aim at other candidates who may offer “comforting fairytales” rather than economic truths.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, a Johnson loyalist, said on Friday evening that he could not back Sunak, whose resignation as chancellor helped precipitate the loss of faith in the prime minister that led to him resigning as Tory leader on Thursday. » | Peter Walker, Political correspondent | Saturday, July 9, 2022
End for Johnson as Starmer Backs Tory Brexit
Jul 9, 2022 Boris Johnson, surely the worst prime minister ever, has been forced to resign. At the same time, Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, in a speech earlier this week has made a commitment that under Labour the UK will not attempt to rejon the EU Customs Union or the Single Market or accept free movement, nor will iLabour ever attempt to rejoin the European Union.
He spoke in meaningless terms such as 'making Brexit work', and 'eliminating border controls' even though that is not within the UK's power. He talked of eliminating red tape when the only red tape we must deal with is that which we have to deal with as a direct result of Brexit.
He will soon be facing a new Conservative prime minister who could well have voted to remain in the EU and who may well wish to be closer to the EU, given the immense damage Brexit has already done to our economy. By making this commitment Starmer has closed off any room to move if public opinion begins to favour closer union with the EU.
He spoke in meaningless terms such as 'making Brexit work', and 'eliminating border controls' even though that is not within the UK's power. He talked of eliminating red tape when the only red tape we must deal with is that which we have to deal with as a direct result of Brexit.
He will soon be facing a new Conservative prime minister who could well have voted to remain in the EU and who may well wish to be closer to the EU, given the immense damage Brexit has already done to our economy. By making this commitment Starmer has closed off any room to move if public opinion begins to favour closer union with the EU.
Kherson Region Plans Referendum on Joining Russia | Ukraine Update
Jul 8, 2022 Vladimir Putin has warned that his country's offensive in Ukraine has barely begun. He's also accused the West of fueling the war, declaring that western efforts to defeat him would bring tragedy to Ukraine. The Russian president was addressing parliamentary leaders.
Russian forces now dominate Ukraine's eastern and southern cities. Back in June, the occupying administration in Kherson announced that there would be a referendum on joining Russia - though no date has been announced.
Many residents won't be around to vote - tens of thousands are believed to have left for Ukrainian-controlled territory since the city fell. Since it's all-but impossible for independent Western journalists to report from there, DW’s Nick Connolly got in touch with two locals, who told him about life under occupation.
Russian forces now dominate Ukraine's eastern and southern cities. Back in June, the occupying administration in Kherson announced that there would be a referendum on joining Russia - though no date has been announced.
Many residents won't be around to vote - tens of thousands are believed to have left for Ukrainian-controlled territory since the city fell. Since it's all-but impossible for independent Western journalists to report from there, DW’s Nick Connolly got in touch with two locals, who told him about life under occupation.
Everything Tainted by Johnson’s Lies Needs to Be Undone. That Includes His Brexit
THE GUARDIAN – OPINION: The prime minister’s exit not only disgraces him and his party – it indicts the fast-unravelling project that brought him to No 10
‘Assessing Boris Johnson’s legacy, his admirers put Brexit at the top of the list.’ Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images
So Boris Johnson is a remainer after all. Clinging on in No 10, he has, it turns out, the same view of leaving as he does of the rules: that that’s for little people. The one consistent principle of his career has been cakeism, his ardent belief that he alone should be able to have his cake and eat it. And so, true to that spirit even to the last, he has decided both to resign and to remain in office.
Of course, it’s an outrage that he’s still there. Defenders of the Downing Street squatter say it’s no different from the way David Cameron and Theresa May stayed in post while the Tory party – not the country – handpicked a new prime minister. But this situation is wholly different. Johnson has been rejected because his colleagues decided that he lacked the basic integrity to do the job, that he could not be trusted with the keys to the house. By allowing him to stay there, possibly until October, Conservatism’s most senior figures are required once again to parrot nonsense in public, contradicting the words they had uttered no more than a day earlier, just to accommodate him (literally so). Like a vaudeville hypnotist who can make his subjects launch custard pies into their own faces, Johnson’s ability to mesmerise his subordinates into idiocy – even now – is a spectacle to behold.
If they do come to their senses and eject him sooner, they should let the cameras in so we can have one of those post-toppling-of-the-dictator videos, showing the golden wallpaper and the £3,675 serving trolley. At the very least, his successor’s first act should be to order a deep clean of the premises. And not just physically. Given the way Johnson burned through ethics advisers, there needs to be a full, independent audit of what happened in that building for the three years he lodged there. Leaks and resourceful reporters have revealed much, some of it emerging only now; but there will be more.
…
The dots are all there. Voters are already beginning to join them, even as Starmer insists that the subject is essentially closed. The politicians might not want to say it, but this week is a milestone in the fate of Brexit. The prime author of Britain’s exit from the EU has fallen: the standing of his calamitous project is heading the same way. » | Jonathan Freedland |Friday, July 8, 2022
So Boris Johnson is a remainer after all. Clinging on in No 10, he has, it turns out, the same view of leaving as he does of the rules: that that’s for little people. The one consistent principle of his career has been cakeism, his ardent belief that he alone should be able to have his cake and eat it. And so, true to that spirit even to the last, he has decided both to resign and to remain in office.
Of course, it’s an outrage that he’s still there. Defenders of the Downing Street squatter say it’s no different from the way David Cameron and Theresa May stayed in post while the Tory party – not the country – handpicked a new prime minister. But this situation is wholly different. Johnson has been rejected because his colleagues decided that he lacked the basic integrity to do the job, that he could not be trusted with the keys to the house. By allowing him to stay there, possibly until October, Conservatism’s most senior figures are required once again to parrot nonsense in public, contradicting the words they had uttered no more than a day earlier, just to accommodate him (literally so). Like a vaudeville hypnotist who can make his subjects launch custard pies into their own faces, Johnson’s ability to mesmerise his subordinates into idiocy – even now – is a spectacle to behold.
If they do come to their senses and eject him sooner, they should let the cameras in so we can have one of those post-toppling-of-the-dictator videos, showing the golden wallpaper and the £3,675 serving trolley. At the very least, his successor’s first act should be to order a deep clean of the premises. And not just physically. Given the way Johnson burned through ethics advisers, there needs to be a full, independent audit of what happened in that building for the three years he lodged there. Leaks and resourceful reporters have revealed much, some of it emerging only now; but there will be more.
…
The dots are all there. Voters are already beginning to join them, even as Starmer insists that the subject is essentially closed. The politicians might not want to say it, but this week is a milestone in the fate of Brexit. The prime author of Britain’s exit from the EU has fallen: the standing of his calamitous project is heading the same way. » | Jonathan Freedland |Friday, July 8, 2022
L’inflation, nouvelle menace sur l’économie mondiale ? | ARTE Info plus
Jul 7, 2022 En juin l’inflation a atteint le taux record de +8,6% dans la zone euro. Ce n’est évidemment qu’une moyenne : certains pays résistent mieux que d’autres, le prix de certains produits s’envole plus que d’autres.
Si cette hausse de prix affecte en premier lieu les plus vulnérables, elle ébranle aussi le fragile équilibre économique mondial. Le milieu économique redoute même une entrée en récession. Alors comment enrayer l’inflation et surtout, jusqu’où peut-elle nous affecter ?
Dies ist der gleiche Videobericht auf Deutsch »
Si cette hausse de prix affecte en premier lieu les plus vulnérables, elle ébranle aussi le fragile équilibre économique mondial. Le milieu économique redoute même une entrée en récession. Alors comment enrayer l’inflation et surtout, jusqu’où peut-elle nous affecter ?
Dies ist der gleiche Videobericht auf Deutsch »
Friday, July 08, 2022
Elon Musk Withdraws $44bn Bid to Buy Twitter after Weeks of High Drama
THE GUARDIAN: World’s richest man had reached a deal to purchase shares of the social media app for $54.20 apiece on 25 April
Elon Musk has withdrawn his $44bn bid to buy Twitter after a dramatic few weeks in the company’s corporate history.
“Mr Musk is terminating the merger agreement because Twitter is in material breach of multiple provisions of that agreement, appears to have made false and misleading representations upon which Mr Musk relied when entering into the Merger Agreement, and is likely to suffer a Company Material Adverse Effect,” wrote lawyers for Musk to Twitter.
The Tesla CEO and richest man on earth had reached a deal to buy Twitter on 25 April, with Musk offering to purchase all of the company’s shares for $54.20 each.
The deal came after weeks of speculation over the company’s future following a 4 April revelation that Musk had become the social media platform’s largest single shareholder. » | Kari Paul in San Francisco | Friday, July 8, 2022
Elon Musk renonce au rachat de Twitter : Les avocats du milliardaire assurent que le réseau social n’a pas respecté ses engagements pris dans l’accord, en ne donnant pas toutes les informations demandées sur le nombre de faux comptes et de spams. »
Elon Musk lässt Vereinbarung zum Kauf von Twitter platzen: Der Tesla-Chef will die Onlineplattform jetzt offiziell nicht mehr kaufen. Aber ein Rückzieher wird wohl nicht so leicht, und Twitter will vor Gericht ziehen. »
Elon Musk Moves to End $44 Billion Deal to Buy Twitter: In a regulatory filing on Friday, Mr. Musk said Twitter was in “material breach” of the acquisition agreement. »
Elon Musk has withdrawn his $44bn bid to buy Twitter after a dramatic few weeks in the company’s corporate history.
“Mr Musk is terminating the merger agreement because Twitter is in material breach of multiple provisions of that agreement, appears to have made false and misleading representations upon which Mr Musk relied when entering into the Merger Agreement, and is likely to suffer a Company Material Adverse Effect,” wrote lawyers for Musk to Twitter.
The Tesla CEO and richest man on earth had reached a deal to buy Twitter on 25 April, with Musk offering to purchase all of the company’s shares for $54.20 each.
The deal came after weeks of speculation over the company’s future following a 4 April revelation that Musk had become the social media platform’s largest single shareholder. » | Kari Paul in San Francisco | Friday, July 8, 2022
Elon Musk renonce au rachat de Twitter : Les avocats du milliardaire assurent que le réseau social n’a pas respecté ses engagements pris dans l’accord, en ne donnant pas toutes les informations demandées sur le nombre de faux comptes et de spams. »
Elon Musk lässt Vereinbarung zum Kauf von Twitter platzen: Der Tesla-Chef will die Onlineplattform jetzt offiziell nicht mehr kaufen. Aber ein Rückzieher wird wohl nicht so leicht, und Twitter will vor Gericht ziehen. »
Elon Musk Moves to End $44 Billion Deal to Buy Twitter: In a regulatory filing on Friday, Mr. Musk said Twitter was in “material breach” of the acquisition agreement. »
Gott billigt Liebe aller Art
Hyper-Inflation in der Türkei: Erdogan bangt um seine Macht im Land | auslandsjournal
Jul 8, 2022 In Deutschland wird seit Monaten alles teurer, doch in der Türkei ist die Situation noch viel gravierender. Die Preise für Lebensmittel, Energie und Mieten sind innerhalb eines Jahres um fast 79 Prozent gestiegen. Inoffiziell liegen die Zahlen sogar deutlich höher, sagen Ökonomen. Hinzu kommt, dass rund 60 Prozent aller Beschäftigten im Niedriglohnsektor arbeitet. Viele davon beziehen Mindestlohn, den die Regierung bereits zum zweiten Mal in diesem Jahr angehoben hat.
Vor allem junge Menschen leiden unter der derzeitigen Situation. Viele geben der Politik die Schuld daran. Die Initiative „Wir können nicht überleben“ organisiert Proteste in einem Land, in dem die Staatsmacht allgegenwärtig ist.
Während der innenpolitische Druck gegen den türkischen Regierungschef wächst, wendet er den Blick hin zur Außenpolitik. Zum Beitritt Finnlands und Schwedens hatte er beim NATO-Gipfel vergangene Woche das letzte Wort und kündigte kurz darauf eine Militäroffensive gegen die Kurdenmiliz YPG in Nordsyrien an.
Vor allem junge Menschen leiden unter der derzeitigen Situation. Viele geben der Politik die Schuld daran. Die Initiative „Wir können nicht überleben“ organisiert Proteste in einem Land, in dem die Staatsmacht allgegenwärtig ist.
Während der innenpolitische Druck gegen den türkischen Regierungschef wächst, wendet er den Blick hin zur Außenpolitik. Zum Beitritt Finnlands und Schwedens hatte er beim NATO-Gipfel vergangene Woche das letzte Wort und kündigte kurz darauf eine Militäroffensive gegen die Kurdenmiliz YPG in Nordsyrien an.
Démission de Boris Johnson : la chute de « M. Brexit »
LE MONDE – ÉDITORIAL : Les trois années du premier ministre britannique à Downing Street, si l’histoire les retient, resteront comme une période de régression politique, économique et sociale lors de laquelle il aura affaibli le Royaume-Uni et le continent européen tout entier.
Il avait commencé sa carrière de journaliste en 1989 en inventant de toutes pièces une citation. Il a dû terminer son mandat de premier ministre, jeudi 7 juillet, après un ultime mensonge public. Boris Johnson aimait se comparer à d’illustres dirigeants britanniques comme Benjamin Disraeli et Winston Churchill. Les trois années qu’il a passées à Downing Street, si l’histoire les retient, resteront comme une période de régression politique, économique et sociale dans l’une des plus vivantes démocraties du monde.
En isolant son pays de l’Europe, en s’accrochant jusqu’au bout au pouvoir en dépit des alertes de ses propres amis et de la perte de confiance des électeurs, M. Johnson aura affaibli le Royaume-Uni, et, partant, le continent européen tout entier.
Que le flamboyant « BoJo » chute pour avoir pris des libertés avec la vérité et méprisé les règles ne devrait surprendre personne. Ces traits saillants de sa personnalité étaient fréquemment relevés bien avant qu’il n’accède au pouvoir, en juillet 2019. Son dilettantisme et son arrogance ont longtemps été masqués par sa tignasse savamment rebelle, son anticonformisme d’enfant gâté, son réel talent d’amuseur et son cynisme sans limites. » | Éditorial | vendredi 8 juillet 2022
Read in English.
Il avait commencé sa carrière de journaliste en 1989 en inventant de toutes pièces une citation. Il a dû terminer son mandat de premier ministre, jeudi 7 juillet, après un ultime mensonge public. Boris Johnson aimait se comparer à d’illustres dirigeants britanniques comme Benjamin Disraeli et Winston Churchill. Les trois années qu’il a passées à Downing Street, si l’histoire les retient, resteront comme une période de régression politique, économique et sociale dans l’une des plus vivantes démocraties du monde.
En isolant son pays de l’Europe, en s’accrochant jusqu’au bout au pouvoir en dépit des alertes de ses propres amis et de la perte de confiance des électeurs, M. Johnson aura affaibli le Royaume-Uni, et, partant, le continent européen tout entier.
Que le flamboyant « BoJo » chute pour avoir pris des libertés avec la vérité et méprisé les règles ne devrait surprendre personne. Ces traits saillants de sa personnalité étaient fréquemment relevés bien avant qu’il n’accède au pouvoir, en juillet 2019. Son dilettantisme et son arrogance ont longtemps été masqués par sa tignasse savamment rebelle, son anticonformisme d’enfant gâté, son réel talent d’amuseur et son cynisme sans limites. » | Éditorial | vendredi 8 juillet 2022
Read in English.
Russia Sentences a Lawmaker to Seven Years in Prison for Denouncing the War.
THE NEW YORK TIMES: A court in Moscow on Friday sentenced an opposition lawmaker to seven years in prison for denouncing Russia’s war in Ukraine, handing down the first prison term for what the government made a crime shortly after the invasion.
The sentence is likely to have a chilling effect on Russian society by further raising the stakes for anyone who publicly opposes the war that President Vladimir V. Putin began in late February. While thousands of people protested across Russia in the first weeks of the conflict, the dissent was quickly suppressed amid police violence and the passage of draconian laws that limited free speech.
The opposition lawmaker, Aleksei Gorinov, a municipal deputy in Moscow’s Krasnoselsky district, was found guilty of spreading false information about the Russian Army and its activities, the Tverskoy Court said in a statement on Friday. It said Mr. Gorinov had conspired with others and had used his public office to commit that crime. » | Ivan Nechepurenko and Alina Lobzina | Friday, July 8, 2022
The sentence is likely to have a chilling effect on Russian society by further raising the stakes for anyone who publicly opposes the war that President Vladimir V. Putin began in late February. While thousands of people protested across Russia in the first weeks of the conflict, the dissent was quickly suppressed amid police violence and the passage of draconian laws that limited free speech.
The opposition lawmaker, Aleksei Gorinov, a municipal deputy in Moscow’s Krasnoselsky district, was found guilty of spreading false information about the Russian Army and its activities, the Tverskoy Court said in a statement on Friday. It said Mr. Gorinov had conspired with others and had used his public office to commit that crime. » | Ivan Nechepurenko and Alina Lobzina | Friday, July 8, 2022
Ukrainian Bakery Creates Cake in Honour of UK's Boris Johnson - BBC News
Jul 8, 2022 A bakery in Ukraine has created a best-selling 'Boris Johnson cake' to thank the UK for its support since Russia's invasion. The Kyiv establishment described Johnson's decision to resign as prime minister as "a very sad situation for us".
That looks like a very apt cake to remember BoJo by. It's a kind of squishy dumpling with a twist; and very fattening. Just what BoJo needs. They might have put some candyfloss on top in memory of his tousled hair. – Mark
That looks like a very apt cake to remember BoJo by. It's a kind of squishy dumpling with a twist; and very fattening. Just what BoJo needs. They might have put some candyfloss on top in memory of his tousled hair. – Mark
Why Europe Is Facing a Record-breaking Heatwave and Drought across the Continent | DW News
Darum ist die Inflation in der Schweiz so viel niedriger
FRANFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Die Inflation trifft die Schweiz deutlich we¬¬niger heftig als Deutschland und die Eurozone. Die Energieausgaben haben ein geringeres Gewicht. Auch staatliche Regulierung und Protektionismus spielen eine Rolle.
Die Schweiz liegt im Herzen Europas und ist – obschon nicht Mitglied der EU – wirtschaftlich eng mit ih¬ren Nachbarn verflochten. Trotzdem ist die Eidgenossenschaft bisher deutlich we¬¬niger heftig von der Inflation betroffen als Deutschland. Im Juni sind die Konsumentenpreise im Vergleich zum ent¬sprechenden Vorjahresmonat um 3,4 Prozent gestiegen. Das ist für die Schweiz zwar die stärkste Teuerung seit 1993. Aber in der Eurozone und in den Vereinigten Staaten betrug der Anstieg in der gleichen Zeit jeweils 8,6 Prozent.
Für die vergleichsweise niedrige Inflation in der Schweiz gibt es eine Reihe von Gründen. Am wichtigsten ist die geringere Rolle der Energie, des Haupttreibers der Inflation in aller Welt. Die Einfuhrpreise für Heizöl und Erdgas sind zwar auch in der Schweiz rasant gestiegen. Aber die Energieausgaben haben im Warenkorb der Schweizer Haushalte ein viel geringeres Gewicht als andernorts. Alessandro Bee, Ökonom bei der Schweizer Bank UBS, veranschlagt den Anteil auf 5,5 Prozent, während Energieträger in der EU rund 11 Prozent und in Deutschland 12 Prozent des Warenkorbs ausmachten. » | Von Johannes Ritter | Freitag, 8. Juli 2022
L'élégance d'un autre temps
Shinzo Abe, ancien premier ministre japonais, est mort après avoir été blessé par balle
LE MONDE : L’ex-dirigeant, âgé de 67 ans, participait à un meeting politique dans la région de Nara lorsque des coups de feu ont retenti. « C’est un acte barbare en pleine campagne électorale », a réagi l’actuel premier ministre, Fumio Kishida.
Shinzo Abe, le 25 septembre 2017, lors d’une conférence de presse à Tokyo. SHIZUO KAMBAYASHI / AP
L’ancien premier ministre japonais Shinzo Abe est mort à 67 ans, vendredi 8 juillet, après avoir été blessé par balle lors d’un rassemblement électoral à Nara. « C’est un acte barbare en pleine campagne électorale, qui est la base de la démocratie, et c’est absolument impardonnable », a condamné Fumio Kishida, actuel premier ministre du Japon qui a été le ministre des affaires étrangères de M. Abe de 2012 à 2017.
L’ancien dirigeant est mort à l’hôpital où il avait été transporté à la mi-journée (heure de Tokyo). « Il était en état d’arrêt cardio-respiratoire à son arrivée. [Les médecins ont] tenté de le réanimer. Cependant, il est malheureusement mort à 17 h 03 » (10 h 03 à Paris), a déclaré Hidetada Fukushima, professeur de médecine d’urgence à l’hôpital de l’université médicale de Nara, situé à Kashihara, une ville voisine.
Peu avant l’annonce de sa mort, l’actuel premier ministre avait décrit M. Abe dans « un état très grave ». Un peu plus tôt, des médias locaux croyaient savoir qu’il ne présentait aucun signe de vie. » | Le Monde avec AFP | vendredi 8 juillet 2022
Shinzo Abe, Japan’s former prime minister, dies after being shot : Longest-serving PM, known for his ‘Abenomics’ policy, shot while making campaign speech in Nara »
Das Attentat auf Shinzo Abe ist eine Zäsur in der japanischen Geschichte – und es könnte weitreichende Folgen haben: Ein Land ist geschockt. Der Architekt von Japans Wirtschafts- und Aussenpolitik wurde erschossen. »
Live Updates: Shinzo Abe, 67, Dies After Being Shot During Speech: The former prime minister of Japan was assassinated on Friday in the city of Nara. He served in the office longer than anyone before stepping down in 2020. »
L’ancien premier ministre japonais Shinzo Abe est mort à 67 ans, vendredi 8 juillet, après avoir été blessé par balle lors d’un rassemblement électoral à Nara. « C’est un acte barbare en pleine campagne électorale, qui est la base de la démocratie, et c’est absolument impardonnable », a condamné Fumio Kishida, actuel premier ministre du Japon qui a été le ministre des affaires étrangères de M. Abe de 2012 à 2017.
L’ancien dirigeant est mort à l’hôpital où il avait été transporté à la mi-journée (heure de Tokyo). « Il était en état d’arrêt cardio-respiratoire à son arrivée. [Les médecins ont] tenté de le réanimer. Cependant, il est malheureusement mort à 17 h 03 » (10 h 03 à Paris), a déclaré Hidetada Fukushima, professeur de médecine d’urgence à l’hôpital de l’université médicale de Nara, situé à Kashihara, une ville voisine.
Peu avant l’annonce de sa mort, l’actuel premier ministre avait décrit M. Abe dans « un état très grave ». Un peu plus tôt, des médias locaux croyaient savoir qu’il ne présentait aucun signe de vie. » | Le Monde avec AFP | vendredi 8 juillet 2022
Shinzo Abe, Japan’s former prime minister, dies after being shot : Longest-serving PM, known for his ‘Abenomics’ policy, shot while making campaign speech in Nara »
Das Attentat auf Shinzo Abe ist eine Zäsur in der japanischen Geschichte – und es könnte weitreichende Folgen haben: Ein Land ist geschockt. Der Architekt von Japans Wirtschafts- und Aussenpolitik wurde erschossen. »
Live Updates: Shinzo Abe, 67, Dies After Being Shot During Speech: The former prime minister of Japan was assassinated on Friday in the city of Nara. He served in the office longer than anyone before stepping down in 2020. »
Johnson May Be Finished but the Damage He Did Lives On
THE GUARDIAN – OPINION: A new UK premier must start forming partnerships within Europe and ditch the destructive populism that led to Brexit
Boris Johnson with Donald Trump. The populist politics both men adopted is now exposed as discredited and exhausted. Photograph: Evan Vucci/AP
For all the talk by nationalists about how much they value unity, democracy and tradition, nationalism always turns out to be the most divisive, undemocratic and disrespectful political principle imaginable.
The Brexit variety is no different. It was entirely predictable that it would not so much liberate a sovereign nation from its supposed European shackles as unleash a political elite from any constraints whatsoever.
Now that Boris Johnson’s premiership has ended in disgrace and he has been exposed for what he is and what everyone knew he was, there is a sense of relief in Brussels. And sure, there is some schadenfreude on the continent that he has finally got his comeuppance.
But no one is under any illusion that Johnson’s departure from Downing Street solves any of the underlying problems in the UK/EU relationship. Because the damage done by the outgoing prime minister, through the project that he instrumentalised to achieve power, lives on.
On the economy, it lives on to the point where even Labour finds it impossible to distance itself from the core problem now harming the UK Brexit itself.
Trying to “make Brexit work” the slogan that Labour leader Keir Starmer uses when he rules out a future return to British membership, might be a political imperative for at least another generation. But it is still economic and illogical nonsense.
No amount of tinkering with the practical details of Brexit can remedy the fundamental incoherence it creates. Self-imposed isolation from your nearest and biggest trading partner harms small businesses as they try to trade with customers in neighbouring countries, prompts big companies to seek to invest elsewhere and dismembers labour markets to the detriment of both employers and job-seekers. » | Guy Verhofstadt | Friday, July 8, 2022
Have you ever wondered what a brace of tw*ts looks like? Wonder no longer! Take a look at the picture above! That’s what a brace of tw*ts looks like! As if one tw*t wasn’t enough! We had to suffer through a pair of them: one that side of the Atlantic; the other, this side. – © Mark Alexander
For all the talk by nationalists about how much they value unity, democracy and tradition, nationalism always turns out to be the most divisive, undemocratic and disrespectful political principle imaginable.
The Brexit variety is no different. It was entirely predictable that it would not so much liberate a sovereign nation from its supposed European shackles as unleash a political elite from any constraints whatsoever.
Now that Boris Johnson’s premiership has ended in disgrace and he has been exposed for what he is and what everyone knew he was, there is a sense of relief in Brussels. And sure, there is some schadenfreude on the continent that he has finally got his comeuppance.
But no one is under any illusion that Johnson’s departure from Downing Street solves any of the underlying problems in the UK/EU relationship. Because the damage done by the outgoing prime minister, through the project that he instrumentalised to achieve power, lives on.
On the economy, it lives on to the point where even Labour finds it impossible to distance itself from the core problem now harming the UK Brexit itself.
Trying to “make Brexit work” the slogan that Labour leader Keir Starmer uses when he rules out a future return to British membership, might be a political imperative for at least another generation. But it is still economic and illogical nonsense.
No amount of tinkering with the practical details of Brexit can remedy the fundamental incoherence it creates. Self-imposed isolation from your nearest and biggest trading partner harms small businesses as they try to trade with customers in neighbouring countries, prompts big companies to seek to invest elsewhere and dismembers labour markets to the detriment of both employers and job-seekers. » | Guy Verhofstadt | Friday, July 8, 2022
Have you ever wondered what a brace of tw*ts looks like? Wonder no longer! Take a look at the picture above! That’s what a brace of tw*ts looks like! As if one tw*t wasn’t enough! We had to suffer through a pair of them: one that side of the Atlantic; the other, this side. – © Mark Alexander
Live Updates: Shinzo Abe Is Hospitalized in Critical Condition After Being Shot
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The former prime minister of Japan was unconscious after being wounded while giving a speech near Kyoto, authorities said.
TOKYO — Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister of Japan, was in critical condition after being shot on Friday morning while giving a speech in western Japan, according to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Footage on social media showed Mr. Abe, 67, collapsed and bleeding on the ground in the city of Nara near Kyoto. The Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency said that Mr. Abe had sustained a gunshot wound to his right neck and left chest.
The police said they had arrested a suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, on a charge of attempted murder. The suspect had used “gunlike equipment,” which was retrieved at the scene, a police spokesman said.
Images shared on social media showed a man being tackled after the shooting near Yamatosaidaiji Station. The man was a Nara resident, according to NHK, the public broadcaster. A detailed motive for the shooting was not immediately made public. A suspect is arrested on a charge of attempted murder after Shinzo Abe is wounded. » | Mokoto Rich | Friday, July 8, 2022
L’ancien premier ministre japonais Shinzo Abe dans « un état très grave » après avoir été blessé par balle : L’ex-dirigeant participait à un meeting politique dans la région de Nara lorsque des coups de feu ont retenti. « C’est un acte barbare en pleine campagne électorale », a réagi l’actuel premier ministre, Fumio Kishida. »
Anschlag auf Shinzo Abe – Schütze soll früherer Soldat sein: Japans früherer Premier ist auf offener Bühne angeschossen und lebensgefährlich verletzt worden. Der mutmaßliche Täter soll gesagt haben, er sei "unzufrieden" mit Abe. »
TOKYO — Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister of Japan, was in critical condition after being shot on Friday morning while giving a speech in western Japan, according to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Footage on social media showed Mr. Abe, 67, collapsed and bleeding on the ground in the city of Nara near Kyoto. The Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency said that Mr. Abe had sustained a gunshot wound to his right neck and left chest.
The police said they had arrested a suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, on a charge of attempted murder. The suspect had used “gunlike equipment,” which was retrieved at the scene, a police spokesman said.
Images shared on social media showed a man being tackled after the shooting near Yamatosaidaiji Station. The man was a Nara resident, according to NHK, the public broadcaster. A detailed motive for the shooting was not immediately made public. A suspect is arrested on a charge of attempted murder after Shinzo Abe is wounded. » | Mokoto Rich | Friday, July 8, 2022
L’ancien premier ministre japonais Shinzo Abe dans « un état très grave » après avoir été blessé par balle : L’ex-dirigeant participait à un meeting politique dans la région de Nara lorsque des coups de feu ont retenti. « C’est un acte barbare en pleine campagne électorale », a réagi l’actuel premier ministre, Fumio Kishida. »
Anschlag auf Shinzo Abe – Schütze soll früherer Soldat sein: Japans früherer Premier ist auf offener Bühne angeschossen und lebensgefährlich verletzt worden. Der mutmaßliche Täter soll gesagt haben, er sei "unzufrieden" mit Abe. »
The Guardian View on Boris Johnson’s Resignation: Good Riddance
THE GUARDIAN: The prime minister has bowed to the inevitable, but he remains defiant and petty, and is still a threat to Britain
‘Mr Johnson went grudgingly and without grace. He left with a speech outside No 10 that was at once breezy and bitter.’ Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
The good news is that the worst prime minister in modern British history is going. The bad news is that he has not yet gone. Boris Johnson fought to the end to remain in Downing Street as his reputation and his government collapsed around him. On Thursday, as more ministers resigned, including one who had been in office less than 48 hours, he bowed to the inevitable, resigning as Conservative leader while remaining prime minister until a successor is chosen.
Mr Johnson went grudgingly and without grace. He left with a speech outside No 10 that was at once breezy and bitter. It contained no note of contrition for his own misconduct as prime minister, or any syllable of awareness of why a party that had rushed to embrace him three years ago has rushed to rid itself of him now. His capacity to do damage to his party and the country has not yet ended.
Mr Johnson presided over three turbulent years in Downing Street. Some of the turbulence was wholly predictable from his past behaviour in journalism and politics, and was his own fault. Some was caused by seismic global events that few, including him, saw coming. He traded on his charisma, which helped lead to his election victory in 2019, but his approach to governance was never serious or strategic, as Brexit exemplified. His conduct as prime minister was incompetent, corrupt and shameful. He should have gone months ago. » | Editorial | Thursday, July 7, 2022
The good news is that the worst prime minister in modern British history is going. The bad news is that he has not yet gone. Boris Johnson fought to the end to remain in Downing Street as his reputation and his government collapsed around him. On Thursday, as more ministers resigned, including one who had been in office less than 48 hours, he bowed to the inevitable, resigning as Conservative leader while remaining prime minister until a successor is chosen.
Mr Johnson went grudgingly and without grace. He left with a speech outside No 10 that was at once breezy and bitter. It contained no note of contrition for his own misconduct as prime minister, or any syllable of awareness of why a party that had rushed to embrace him three years ago has rushed to rid itself of him now. His capacity to do damage to his party and the country has not yet ended.
Mr Johnson presided over three turbulent years in Downing Street. Some of the turbulence was wholly predictable from his past behaviour in journalism and politics, and was his own fault. Some was caused by seismic global events that few, including him, saw coming. He traded on his charisma, which helped lead to his election victory in 2019, but his approach to governance was never serious or strategic, as Brexit exemplified. His conduct as prime minister was incompetent, corrupt and shameful. He should have gone months ago. » | Editorial | Thursday, July 7, 2022
Diabetes - A Lucrative Disease | DW Documentary
Jul 7, 2022 In our modern consumer society, Type 2 diabetes has become a widespread disease. Companies are developing drugs that are increasingly expensive, but not necessarily more effective. Health authorities are powerless.
Diabetes is spreading rapidly, all over the world. The disease destroys lives and puts a strain on public budgets. The UN is calling on governments to take action.
Diabetes is proof that modern societies are incapable of adequately treating chronic disease. It affects around 430 million people worldwide, with two main metabolic disorders falling under the name diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease that must be treated with lifelong doses of insulin, while type 2 can develop when a person’s diet is too high in fat and sugar and they do not engage in enough physical activity.
With turnover of $46 billion, diabetes is a massive and extremely lucrative market. Constantly promised miracle cures have not led to satisfactory treatment, with patients either taking too many drugs or no longer being able to afford them. It’s a desperate situation, and the only ones benefiting seem to be pharmaceutical companies.
A medical focus on blood glucose levels has led to an overreliance on medication, sometimes without due concern for dangerous side effects. Patients become trapped in a cycle of treatment, which in many cases still does not halt the disease’s progression. This can lead to amputations, blindness and heart attacks.
And yet there are alternatives that could flatten the curve of the type 2 diabetes epidemic, while reducing health care spending. Improved diet can be a preventative measure, and a strict adherence to diet can also bring about remission in the case of Type 2 diabetes.
But these solutions require effort, as well as a complete rethinking of chronic disease management. Filmed on three continents, this documentary features industry whistleblowers, patients, researchers and medical professionals. It also confronts pharmaceutical companies about their responsibility for the situation.
Diabetes is spreading rapidly, all over the world. The disease destroys lives and puts a strain on public budgets. The UN is calling on governments to take action.
Diabetes is proof that modern societies are incapable of adequately treating chronic disease. It affects around 430 million people worldwide, with two main metabolic disorders falling under the name diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease that must be treated with lifelong doses of insulin, while type 2 can develop when a person’s diet is too high in fat and sugar and they do not engage in enough physical activity.
With turnover of $46 billion, diabetes is a massive and extremely lucrative market. Constantly promised miracle cures have not led to satisfactory treatment, with patients either taking too many drugs or no longer being able to afford them. It’s a desperate situation, and the only ones benefiting seem to be pharmaceutical companies.
A medical focus on blood glucose levels has led to an overreliance on medication, sometimes without due concern for dangerous side effects. Patients become trapped in a cycle of treatment, which in many cases still does not halt the disease’s progression. This can lead to amputations, blindness and heart attacks.
And yet there are alternatives that could flatten the curve of the type 2 diabetes epidemic, while reducing health care spending. Improved diet can be a preventative measure, and a strict adherence to diet can also bring about remission in the case of Type 2 diabetes.
But these solutions require effort, as well as a complete rethinking of chronic disease management. Filmed on three continents, this documentary features industry whistleblowers, patients, researchers and medical professionals. It also confronts pharmaceutical companies about their responsibility for the situation.
Collapsing Public Support Suggests Brexit Is Anything But Done
THE GUARDIAN: Most people think Brexit has gone badly, a UK survey finds, and Johnson has left behind a mess of problems for a new PM
Boris Johnson’s critics say his deal with the EU did not achieve the ‘stability and certainty’ he claimed it would. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA
The mantra right up to the grisly end was that he had got Brexit “done”.
Boris Johnson’s apparent double miracle was to break the parliamentary impasse that tormented his predecessor Theresa May when trying to pass her withdrawal agreement and then to successfully negotiate a trade deal with the EU in the following 10 months.
“This deal means a new stability and a new certainty in what has sometimes been a fractious and difficult relationship,” Johnson had said on Christmas Eve 2020 as the ink was drying on the new trade agreement.
Johnson certainly achieved a political feat in uniting his party after removing May from office and then forming an unlikely electoral alliance in the wider country – despite misleading the Queen, in the opinion of a Scottish court, as he sought to threaten recalcitrant MPs with a no-deal exit back in the dark days of 2019.
But recent polling suggests support for Brexit in the UK has collapsed – and the outgoing prime minister’s critics might confidently argue today that Johnson leaves a mess of issues behind rather than the “certainty and stability” that he claimed to have secured 18 months ago. » | Daniel Boffey in Brussels | Friday, July 8, 2022
The mantra right up to the grisly end was that he had got Brexit “done”.
Boris Johnson’s apparent double miracle was to break the parliamentary impasse that tormented his predecessor Theresa May when trying to pass her withdrawal agreement and then to successfully negotiate a trade deal with the EU in the following 10 months.
“This deal means a new stability and a new certainty in what has sometimes been a fractious and difficult relationship,” Johnson had said on Christmas Eve 2020 as the ink was drying on the new trade agreement.
Johnson certainly achieved a political feat in uniting his party after removing May from office and then forming an unlikely electoral alliance in the wider country – despite misleading the Queen, in the opinion of a Scottish court, as he sought to threaten recalcitrant MPs with a no-deal exit back in the dark days of 2019.
But recent polling suggests support for Brexit in the UK has collapsed – and the outgoing prime minister’s critics might confidently argue today that Johnson leaves a mess of issues behind rather than the “certainty and stability” that he claimed to have secured 18 months ago. » | Daniel Boffey in Brussels | Friday, July 8, 2022
Thursday, July 07, 2022
Sir Ed! With the Conservatives in Total Disarray and Labour Having Ruled Out a Return to the EU, This Is Your Big Chance. Carpe Diem!
At the risk of stating the obvious, the Conservative Party is clearly in total and utter disarray. Further, it is a divided party – divided between the pro-European wing and the anti-European wing, the so-called Remainers and Brexiteers.
David Cameron exacerbated the problem, of course, by calling the Brexit referendum. In so doing, he projected the longstanding rift in his party onto the nation. And what a rift it has caused! It has divided the regions and even divided families. Many of the divisions are based particularly on age, but also to a great extent on class as well.
Older folk are often more inclined to be Brexiteers, many of whom lived through the Second World War or were told many stories by their parents of life at that time. There is no doubt many have been unable to put the war behind them. They live in the past. In addition, many of them are resentful of Germany's clear and enormous economic success. How many times in my life have I heard old folk say "we won the war, but Germany won the peace"!
In my humble opinion, many of the people who fought hard for Brexit, people like Nigel Farage and his trouble-making partners surreptitiously played on past prejudices to bring people to the point of voting for the suicide of our nation. This, of course, was just what the fossilized Tories needed to pull the wool over people’s eyes.
Coming out of the European Union was the greatest mistake this country has made since World War II. It was an act of self-harm. One could call it national suicide. To walk away from the greatest and best single market in the world—The Single Market—made absolutely no sense at all. It is a market of approximately 500 million consumers. A market with free movement of goods and people, and no impediments to the sale of services either. Moreover, despite Margaret Thatcher’s hostility to a federal Europe, she was for the Single Market. Very much so. Indeed, she was one of its architects! Would the Single Market exist today had it not been in part due to her tireless efforts? And we have walked away from it! Go figure! Further, to add insult to injury, we have walked away from it when ruled by a Conservative administration, the Party which prides itself on being pro-business. My word! What a topsy-turvy world we now inhabit!
By coming out of the European Union, we Brits have relinquished all the privileges that came with our membership: We lost our rights as European citizens. Rights such as the right to live, work and retire to any member country. The right to free healthcare, which is based on reciprocity. Free education for our children, too. In fact, I believe that Germany offers free university education to many, as well. In addition, we have also relinquished the right to fall in love and marry across borders. And so much else besides. Our leaving of the European Union was nothing short of insanity.
A small number of people at the top have been able to gain from our leaving. For most, however, it has been, and will remain, a great loss. For the billionaire class, free European healthcare is not an issue. For most people, it is. A big issue.
As a result of Brexit, many businesses have ceased trading. So how many small businesspeople have seen all their hard work to build up their businesses supplying goods and services to Europe going down the tubes? How much hardship has this act of insanity really, truly caused? Clearly, the MSM is reluctant to inform us.
But even apart from all the economic losses that we have suffered, and all the inconveniences, there was another very important goal of the European Union: the goal of maintaining and cultivating peace and good relations between our European nations. There was cross-cultural exchange between us, the importance of which should never be underestimated.
Despite being raised as a Conservative, and despite having been a lifelong Conservative voter, when Brexit came along, I was disenfranchised. I simply could not vote for a party—any party— which is anti-Europe. Europe is my home. Even outside of the EU, I still consider Europe my home. Wales is a European country/principality. Yes, it is part of Greta Britain, but it is also part of Europe. Certainly, geographically speaking. But also, politically. We have so much in common with our European sistren and brethren.
Keir Starmer of the Labour Party has ruled out trying to re-join the European Union. This, in my opinion, gives the Liberal Democrats a huge opportunity. At the next election, whenever that will be, it can put clear blue water between it and the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. It can offer the electorate a clear choice; it can offer the Remainers, of whom there are so many, and with the increasing disillusionment of voters by the obvious false promises offered by Brexit—remember those sunny uplands we were promised, ‘dem da’ hills of gold yonder? Eldorado?—well it didn’t happen, did it? It came to nothing. And it will come to nothing in the future, too.
The Liberal Democrat Party is a good, solid party with a great liberal history—liberal in the British sense, not the American sense—and it has a great leader: Sir Edward Jonathan Davey , usually known as Ed Davey, who is, I feel sure, a thoroughly decent man. Decency is not a quality readily found in politicians. But from what I have read about this man, he is decent. Decent and solid.
I therefore have a suggestion for him. It is as follows: Be brave and give the electorate a real choice. That way, the LibDems will be able to capitalize on great recent successes in by-elections. I am as certain as anyone could be that if the British electorate were offered the chance to return to the European Union, they would vote for you in droves.
Go for it, Sir Ed! As you well know, fortune favours the brave.
© Mark Alexander
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Ed Davey: Leader of the Liberal Democrats. MP for Kingston & Surbiton. »
David Cameron exacerbated the problem, of course, by calling the Brexit referendum. In so doing, he projected the longstanding rift in his party onto the nation. And what a rift it has caused! It has divided the regions and even divided families. Many of the divisions are based particularly on age, but also to a great extent on class as well.
Older folk are often more inclined to be Brexiteers, many of whom lived through the Second World War or were told many stories by their parents of life at that time. There is no doubt many have been unable to put the war behind them. They live in the past. In addition, many of them are resentful of Germany's clear and enormous economic success. How many times in my life have I heard old folk say "we won the war, but Germany won the peace"!
In my humble opinion, many of the people who fought hard for Brexit, people like Nigel Farage and his trouble-making partners surreptitiously played on past prejudices to bring people to the point of voting for the suicide of our nation. This, of course, was just what the fossilized Tories needed to pull the wool over people’s eyes.
Coming out of the European Union was the greatest mistake this country has made since World War II. It was an act of self-harm. One could call it national suicide. To walk away from the greatest and best single market in the world—The Single Market—made absolutely no sense at all. It is a market of approximately 500 million consumers. A market with free movement of goods and people, and no impediments to the sale of services either. Moreover, despite Margaret Thatcher’s hostility to a federal Europe, she was for the Single Market. Very much so. Indeed, she was one of its architects! Would the Single Market exist today had it not been in part due to her tireless efforts? And we have walked away from it! Go figure! Further, to add insult to injury, we have walked away from it when ruled by a Conservative administration, the Party which prides itself on being pro-business. My word! What a topsy-turvy world we now inhabit!
By coming out of the European Union, we Brits have relinquished all the privileges that came with our membership: We lost our rights as European citizens. Rights such as the right to live, work and retire to any member country. The right to free healthcare, which is based on reciprocity. Free education for our children, too. In fact, I believe that Germany offers free university education to many, as well. In addition, we have also relinquished the right to fall in love and marry across borders. And so much else besides. Our leaving of the European Union was nothing short of insanity.
A small number of people at the top have been able to gain from our leaving. For most, however, it has been, and will remain, a great loss. For the billionaire class, free European healthcare is not an issue. For most people, it is. A big issue.
As a result of Brexit, many businesses have ceased trading. So how many small businesspeople have seen all their hard work to build up their businesses supplying goods and services to Europe going down the tubes? How much hardship has this act of insanity really, truly caused? Clearly, the MSM is reluctant to inform us.
But even apart from all the economic losses that we have suffered, and all the inconveniences, there was another very important goal of the European Union: the goal of maintaining and cultivating peace and good relations between our European nations. There was cross-cultural exchange between us, the importance of which should never be underestimated.
Despite being raised as a Conservative, and despite having been a lifelong Conservative voter, when Brexit came along, I was disenfranchised. I simply could not vote for a party—any party— which is anti-Europe. Europe is my home. Even outside of the EU, I still consider Europe my home. Wales is a European country/principality. Yes, it is part of Greta Britain, but it is also part of Europe. Certainly, geographically speaking. But also, politically. We have so much in common with our European sistren and brethren.
Keir Starmer of the Labour Party has ruled out trying to re-join the European Union. This, in my opinion, gives the Liberal Democrats a huge opportunity. At the next election, whenever that will be, it can put clear blue water between it and the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. It can offer the electorate a clear choice; it can offer the Remainers, of whom there are so many, and with the increasing disillusionment of voters by the obvious false promises offered by Brexit—remember those sunny uplands we were promised, ‘dem da’ hills of gold yonder? Eldorado?—well it didn’t happen, did it? It came to nothing. And it will come to nothing in the future, too.
The Liberal Democrat Party is a good, solid party with a great liberal history—liberal in the British sense, not the American sense—and it has a great leader: Sir Edward Jonathan Davey , usually known as Ed Davey, who is, I feel sure, a thoroughly decent man. Decency is not a quality readily found in politicians. But from what I have read about this man, he is decent. Decent and solid.
I therefore have a suggestion for him. It is as follows: Be brave and give the electorate a real choice. That way, the LibDems will be able to capitalize on great recent successes in by-elections. I am as certain as anyone could be that if the British electorate were offered the chance to return to the European Union, they would vote for you in droves.
Go for it, Sir Ed! As you well know, fortune favours the brave.
© Mark Alexander
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Ed Davey: Leader of the Liberal Democrats. MP for Kingston & Surbiton. »
DW Food: 3 European Schnitzels You Have To Try | Europe Eats
Boris Johnson démissionne de la tête du Parti conservateur, discrédité par les scandales
LE MONDE : L’ancien maire de Londres restera premier ministre jusqu’à ce qu’un nouveau dirigeant soit désigné.
Il s’est accroché jusqu’au bout avant d’être, finalement, renversé par son propre parti. Usé par les scandales, affaibli par une série de démissions sans précédent, le premier ministre britannique, Boris Johnson, s’est résolu, jeudi 7 juillet, à quitter le pouvoir, en annonçant sa démission en tant que chef du parti conservateur. Il restera premier ministre jusqu’à ce qu’un nouveau dirigeant soit désigné.
« C’est clairement la volonté du Parti conservateur qu’il y ait un nouveau chef de file et donc un nouveau premier ministre », a-t-il déclaré à la mi-journée, lors d’une allocution de six minutes, devant Downing Street, se disant « triste » de quitter « le meilleur travail au monde ». Reconnaissant son échec, il a néanmoins jugé « qu’il serait dingue de changer de gouvernement, alors que nous réalisons autant de choses, que nous avons un mandat aussi vaste et que nous n’avons que quelques points de retard dans les sondages ».
« Je suis immensément fier des réalisations de ce gouvernement : d’avoir réalisé le Brexit, réglé nos relations avec le continent, redonné le pouvoir à ce pays de faire ses propres lois », a-t-il salué. » | Le Monde avec AFP | jeudi 7 juillet 2022
Il s’est accroché jusqu’au bout avant d’être, finalement, renversé par son propre parti. Usé par les scandales, affaibli par une série de démissions sans précédent, le premier ministre britannique, Boris Johnson, s’est résolu, jeudi 7 juillet, à quitter le pouvoir, en annonçant sa démission en tant que chef du parti conservateur. Il restera premier ministre jusqu’à ce qu’un nouveau dirigeant soit désigné.
« C’est clairement la volonté du Parti conservateur qu’il y ait un nouveau chef de file et donc un nouveau premier ministre », a-t-il déclaré à la mi-journée, lors d’une allocution de six minutes, devant Downing Street, se disant « triste » de quitter « le meilleur travail au monde ». Reconnaissant son échec, il a néanmoins jugé « qu’il serait dingue de changer de gouvernement, alors que nous réalisons autant de choses, que nous avons un mandat aussi vaste et que nous n’avons que quelques points de retard dans les sondages ».
« Je suis immensément fier des réalisations de ce gouvernement : d’avoir réalisé le Brexit, réglé nos relations avec le continent, redonné le pouvoir à ce pays de faire ses propres lois », a-t-il salué. » | Le Monde avec AFP | jeudi 7 juillet 2022
ri Lanka Is "Grinding to a Halt" Amid Fuel Shortage, Inflation & Austerity, Prompting Mass Protests
Inflation - eine neue Bedrohung für die Weltwirtschaft? | ARTE Info Plus
Jul 7, 2022 Im Juni erreichte die Inflation in der Eurozone eine Rekordhöhe von +8,6%. Das ist natürlich nur ein Durchschnittswert: Einige Länder halten sich besser als andere, die Preise für bestimmte Produkte steigen stärker als andere.
Dieser Preisanstieg trifft zwar in erster Linie die sozial Schwächsten, doch er erschüttert auch das empfindliche Gleichgewicht der Weltwirtschaft. In Wirtschaftskreisen wird sogar eine Rezession befürchtet. Wie kann die Inflation eingedämmt werden? Und inwieweit kann sie uns beeinträchtigen?
Dieser Preisanstieg trifft zwar in erster Linie die sozial Schwächsten, doch er erschüttert auch das empfindliche Gleichgewicht der Weltwirtschaft. In Wirtschaftskreisen wird sogar eine Rezession befürchtet. Wie kann die Inflation eingedämmt werden? Und inwieweit kann sie uns beeinträchtigen?
Rabbits, Hats, Magicians and De Pfeffel Johnson
Alexander Boris De Pfeffel Johnson should be sent packing as soon as possible. If he’s allowed to stay on as a caretaker prime minister, he might not leave at all!
Boris is to politics what a magician is to hat-tricks! Magicians are able to pull rabbits out of hats before our very eyes by deft sleight of hand. De Pfeffel is equally skillful in politics. Before our very eyes, he could pull a fast one, maybe call a general election, and finesse his way into staying on as prime minister for several years to come, causing lots of uncertainty. Be warned!
Likeable, Boris may well be; but, often, so are rogues! In a funny kind of way, De Pfeffel is a likeable rogue with a touch of class.
One will never be sure BoJo has gone until he is well and truly out the door of Number 10! I concur with John Major on this, but perhaps for different reasons.
© Mark Alexander
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Boris is to politics what a magician is to hat-tricks! Magicians are able to pull rabbits out of hats before our very eyes by deft sleight of hand. De Pfeffel is equally skillful in politics. Before our very eyes, he could pull a fast one, maybe call a general election, and finesse his way into staying on as prime minister for several years to come, causing lots of uncertainty. Be warned!
Likeable, Boris may well be; but, often, so are rogues! In a funny kind of way, De Pfeffel is a likeable rogue with a touch of class.
One will never be sure BoJo has gone until he is well and truly out the door of Number 10! I concur with John Major on this, but perhaps for different reasons.
© Mark Alexander
Thursday, July 7, 2022
An Officer and a Gentleman • Up Where We Belong • Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
Fancy a Wedding with Panache and Style?
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson Delivers Resignation Speech - BBC News
Jul 7, 2022 UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has given his resignation address to the nation.
“It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader of the party and therefore a new prime minister,” he said outside Downing Street.
Johnson said the process of choosing the new leader should begin now and the timetable will be announced next week.
Boris Johnson’s messy exit encapsulates a tumultuous reign as prime minister. »
LIVE EN COURS : Boris Johnson quitte la tête du Parti conservateur et restera premier ministre jusqu’à ce qu’un nouveau dirigeant soit désigné : « Il est désormais clair que le Parti conservateur souhaite avoir un nouveau chef et donc un nouveau premier ministre », a reconnu M. Johnson. Le processus de succession à la tête des tories commencera dès la semaine prochaine. »
Johnson: Traurig, dass ich den besten Job der Welt aufgeben muss: Der britische Premierminister tritt als Chef seiner Konservativen Partei zurück. Er wolle aber als Regierungschef weitermachen, bis ein Nachfolger gewählt sei, sagte Johnson. »
LIVE: Regierungskrise im Vereinigten Königreich: Boris Johnson erklärt Rückzug in Rede an die Nation: «Ich bin traurig, dass ich den besten Job der Welt aufgeben muss»: Boris Johnson hat am Donnerstag den Parteivorsitz niedergelegt. Als britischer Premierminister will er im Amt bleiben, bis ein Nachfolger gefunden ist. Zuvor waren rund sechzig Minister und hochrangige Parteikollegen zurückgetreten. Die wichtigsten Antworten zur Regierungskrise. »
“It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader of the party and therefore a new prime minister,” he said outside Downing Street.
Johnson said the process of choosing the new leader should begin now and the timetable will be announced next week.
Boris Johnson’s messy exit encapsulates a tumultuous reign as prime minister. »
LIVE EN COURS : Boris Johnson quitte la tête du Parti conservateur et restera premier ministre jusqu’à ce qu’un nouveau dirigeant soit désigné : « Il est désormais clair que le Parti conservateur souhaite avoir un nouveau chef et donc un nouveau premier ministre », a reconnu M. Johnson. Le processus de succession à la tête des tories commencera dès la semaine prochaine. »
Johnson: Traurig, dass ich den besten Job der Welt aufgeben muss: Der britische Premierminister tritt als Chef seiner Konservativen Partei zurück. Er wolle aber als Regierungschef weitermachen, bis ein Nachfolger gewählt sei, sagte Johnson. »
LIVE: Regierungskrise im Vereinigten Königreich: Boris Johnson erklärt Rückzug in Rede an die Nation: «Ich bin traurig, dass ich den besten Job der Welt aufgeben muss»: Boris Johnson hat am Donnerstag den Parteivorsitz niedergelegt. Als britischer Premierminister will er im Amt bleiben, bis ein Nachfolger gefunden ist. Zuvor waren rund sechzig Minister und hochrangige Parteikollegen zurückgetreten. Die wichtigsten Antworten zur Regierungskrise. »
Breaking: Boris Johnson to Quit as Prime Minister after Succession of Ministers Resign from UK Government – Live
THE GUARDIAN: Latest updates: prime minister has decided to resign, according to reports, after new chancellor tells him to quit
Boris Johnson has agreed to resign, but wants to stay on as PM until new Tory leader elected by autumn » | Andrew Sparrow | Thursday, July 7, 2022
Boris Johnson has agreed to resign, but wants to stay on as PM until new Tory leader elected by autumn » | Andrew Sparrow | Thursday, July 7, 2022
Don’t Waste All Your Anger on Boris Johnson — Save Some for His Enablers
THE GUARDIAN: The prime minister and his wrecking crew already smashed our democracy – now they are just turning the ire on themselves
Sajid Javid, Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson in Downing Street in September 2021. Photograph: Toby Melville/PA
In 2019 the now-departed chancellor, Rishi Sunak, played a vital role in boosting Boris Johnson’s chances of becoming Tory leader. He co-wrotea statement declaring: “Boris Johnson is one of life’s optimists and can help us recapture a sense of excitement and hope about what we Conservatives can do for Britain.” On Tuesday night, he changed his mind. It had apparently taken him three years to discover what everyone already knew – indeed, what Johnson had blatantly advertised all along, dangling from a zipwire, standing beside the Vote Leave bus, filing fibbing copy to the Telegraph.
What’s more, Sunak was meant to have spent this week hailing “the biggest personal tax cut in over a decade”, a giveaway precision-targeted at those tabloids that once purred approval at the government but now only hiss and spit. It was the start of yet another relaunch: the Treasury and the Tory press office lined up all their ducks, and Sunak and Johnson were gearing up for an event next week. Instead the prime minister looks like toast and almost every other story is lost in the noise – even the ones about Britons getting a bit more cash.
Ah well, that’s another £6bn tipped down the drain.
Here is what the end of the Tory show looks like: costly policies that splash about public money with the sole aim of currying favour for a leadership contest. Your taxes spent to prop up their poll ratings. » | Aditya Chakrabortty| Thursday, July 7, 2022
‘This cannot go on’: more ministers resign from cabinet: Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis, security minister Damian Hinds, science minister George Freeman, and Treasury minister Helen Whatley hand in hand notice »
Latest developments live »
In 2019 the now-departed chancellor, Rishi Sunak, played a vital role in boosting Boris Johnson’s chances of becoming Tory leader. He co-wrotea statement declaring: “Boris Johnson is one of life’s optimists and can help us recapture a sense of excitement and hope about what we Conservatives can do for Britain.” On Tuesday night, he changed his mind. It had apparently taken him three years to discover what everyone already knew – indeed, what Johnson had blatantly advertised all along, dangling from a zipwire, standing beside the Vote Leave bus, filing fibbing copy to the Telegraph.
What’s more, Sunak was meant to have spent this week hailing “the biggest personal tax cut in over a decade”, a giveaway precision-targeted at those tabloids that once purred approval at the government but now only hiss and spit. It was the start of yet another relaunch: the Treasury and the Tory press office lined up all their ducks, and Sunak and Johnson were gearing up for an event next week. Instead the prime minister looks like toast and almost every other story is lost in the noise – even the ones about Britons getting a bit more cash.
Ah well, that’s another £6bn tipped down the drain.
Here is what the end of the Tory show looks like: costly policies that splash about public money with the sole aim of currying favour for a leadership contest. Your taxes spent to prop up their poll ratings. » | Aditya Chakrabortty| Thursday, July 7, 2022
‘This cannot go on’: more ministers resign from cabinet: Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis, security minister Damian Hinds, science minister George Freeman, and Treasury minister Helen Whatley hand in hand notice »
Latest developments live »
Wednesday, July 06, 2022
Lettland führt die Wehrpflicht wieder ein
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Nach dem Angriff Russlands auf die Ukraine ist eine Rückkehr zur Wehrpflicht für viele europäische Staaten ein Thema. In Lettland ist die Entscheidung schon jetzt gefallen.
Als Reaktion auf den russischen Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine führt Lettland wieder die Wehrpflicht ein. „Das derzeitige militärische System Lettlands hat seine Grenze erreicht“, sagte der lettische Verteidigungsminister Artis Pabriks am Dienstag. „Derweil haben wir keinen Grund anzunehmen, dass Russland sein Verhalten ändern wird.“ » | Quelle: AFP | Mittwoch, 6. Juli 2022
Als Reaktion auf den russischen Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine führt Lettland wieder die Wehrpflicht ein. „Das derzeitige militärische System Lettlands hat seine Grenze erreicht“, sagte der lettische Verteidigungsminister Artis Pabriks am Dienstag. „Derweil haben wir keinen Grund anzunehmen, dass Russland sein Verhalten ändern wird.“ » | Quelle: AFP | Mittwoch, 6. Juli 2022
The Guardian View on Boris Johnson: A Shameful Legacy
THE GUARDIAN – EDITORIAL: Removing the leader is not enough to repair the damage done to British democracy. A thorough regime change is needed
The Tory party subordinated its history, its judgment and its political identity in service of one man’s monstrous ego.’ Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA
Fraud is a word that can describe a person and an action; the deception and the deceiver. Boris Johnson is both. He is a serial liar, but also the incarnation of untruths sold to the country by the party that chose to make him their leader.
His resignation would end a dismal and destructive time for British democracy, when the unwritten codes of decency and dignity that are meant to guard against abuse of power have been tested – and found wanting.
There is scant credit available for ministers who decided in recent days that enough was enough. Their resignations performed a useful service in hastening Mr Johnson’s departure, but his unfitness for office was never a secret. Everyone who followed Mr Johnson’s earlier career path could see that it was paved with falsehoods and betrayal. The damage that his narcissistic character has inflicted on the country was foreseeable.
Too many Tory MPs appeared only to realise this in the past week. The tipping point was the case of Chris Pincher, the former deputy chief whip accused of sexual harassment. Specifically, the problem was a sequence of statements issued by Downing Street that were almost immediately found to be false. Loyalists could not keep up with the rate at which dishonesty was spewing out of No 10. » | Editorial | Wednesday, July 6, 2022
All of Boris Johnson’s weaknesses and character flaws have come to the fore now. Nobody can deny that he is simply not up to the job of prime minister.
My followers and regular visitors will be aware that I have stated these facts clearly from the very start. I feel sure you will all remember my criticisms of Alexander Boris De Pfeffel Johnson, aka BoJo!
It is not over yet for him; by some miracle, he is still clinging to power. But his demise must surely be imminent.
My greatest fear is that we will end up with someone even worse. There are not many good people left in the Conservative Party to choose from. BoJo marginalized all the best people in that party, because they were Europhiles.
© Mark Alexander
Royaume-Uni : démissions en cascade dans le gouvernement de Boris Johnson, qui s’accroche à son poste : Au lendemain des départs fracassants des ministres de la santé et des finances, plus de quarante membres de l’exécutif ont à leur tour démissionné mercredi. Michael Gove, pilier du gouvernement, a été limogé par le premier ministre. »
Fraud is a word that can describe a person and an action; the deception and the deceiver. Boris Johnson is both. He is a serial liar, but also the incarnation of untruths sold to the country by the party that chose to make him their leader.
His resignation would end a dismal and destructive time for British democracy, when the unwritten codes of decency and dignity that are meant to guard against abuse of power have been tested – and found wanting.
There is scant credit available for ministers who decided in recent days that enough was enough. Their resignations performed a useful service in hastening Mr Johnson’s departure, but his unfitness for office was never a secret. Everyone who followed Mr Johnson’s earlier career path could see that it was paved with falsehoods and betrayal. The damage that his narcissistic character has inflicted on the country was foreseeable.
Too many Tory MPs appeared only to realise this in the past week. The tipping point was the case of Chris Pincher, the former deputy chief whip accused of sexual harassment. Specifically, the problem was a sequence of statements issued by Downing Street that were almost immediately found to be false. Loyalists could not keep up with the rate at which dishonesty was spewing out of No 10. » | Editorial | Wednesday, July 6, 2022
All of Boris Johnson’s weaknesses and character flaws have come to the fore now. Nobody can deny that he is simply not up to the job of prime minister.
My followers and regular visitors will be aware that I have stated these facts clearly from the very start. I feel sure you will all remember my criticisms of Alexander Boris De Pfeffel Johnson, aka BoJo!
It is not over yet for him; by some miracle, he is still clinging to power. But his demise must surely be imminent.
My greatest fear is that we will end up with someone even worse. There are not many good people left in the Conservative Party to choose from. BoJo marginalized all the best people in that party, because they were Europhiles.
© Mark Alexander
Royaume-Uni : démissions en cascade dans le gouvernement de Boris Johnson, qui s’accroche à son poste : Au lendemain des départs fracassants des ministres de la santé et des finances, plus de quarante membres de l’exécutif ont à leur tour démissionné mercredi. Michael Gove, pilier du gouvernement, a été limogé par le premier ministre. »
Dear, Oh Dear! Apparently, Alexander Boris De Pfeffel Johnson Is Refusing to Bow to Pressure to Resign. How Embarrassing!
How embarrassing is this for Boris! Hey, but that’s how a normal person would feel if told to go by so many people. But Boris is anything but normal! He thinks that feelings of embarrassment are for the little people, I presume. How brazen can anyone be?
Even the pint-sized, Priti Patel, the nasty woman in the cabinet, is telling Boris to go. In actual fact, if BoJo goes, he should take that heartless woman with him.
© Mark Alexander
Pressure grows on Britain’s prime minister to resign as he loses support in his party. »
Other articles of interest connected with Boris Johnson:
Johnson clings on amid cabinet standoff and dozens of resignations: Downing Street source says ‘he wants to stay and fight’ despite interventions from ministers including Shapps and Patel »
Russian connections:
Boris Johnson admits to private meeting with ex-KGB agent: Prime minister confirms meeting with Alexander Lebedev in Italy in 2018 when he was foreign secretary »
And then BoJo’s new appointment:
Nadhim Zahawi: the past business dealings of the new chancellor: One of parliament’s richest MPs, Zahawi has legitimately used a tax haven for family investments while building a colourful portfolio of outside interests »
Even the pint-sized, Priti Patel, the nasty woman in the cabinet, is telling Boris to go. In actual fact, if BoJo goes, he should take that heartless woman with him.
© Mark Alexander
Pressure grows on Britain’s prime minister to resign as he loses support in his party. »
Other articles of interest connected with Boris Johnson:
Johnson clings on amid cabinet standoff and dozens of resignations: Downing Street source says ‘he wants to stay and fight’ despite interventions from ministers including Shapps and Patel »
Russian connections:
Boris Johnson admits to private meeting with ex-KGB agent: Prime minister confirms meeting with Alexander Lebedev in Italy in 2018 when he was foreign secretary »
And then BoJo’s new appointment:
Nadhim Zahawi: the past business dealings of the new chancellor: One of parliament’s richest MPs, Zahawi has legitimately used a tax haven for family investments while building a colourful portfolio of outside interests »
Seth Andrews : “Awesome Without Allah”
Here’s some food for thought for you! I am not plugging atheism, by the way; so, please don’t jump to any conclusions. However, I do have an open mind; so I certainly have periods of doubt myself. Especially when I hear fundamentalists of every strip spouting forth. They sound so simplistic to me. They are so certain about things we simply cannot be certain about.
Because religion is nothing more than belief, and belief is just that: belief; we cannot ever be certain about God/Allah/Yahweh, whatever you call him. We shall have to wait until we pass on to know for sure.
So far, I do still have a belief in God, even though its strength waxes and wanes – just like the moon! But then that is normal for Christians.
What I do know is this: Christian principles are good principles to live by. However, in my experience, only the few actually manage to do so. Many call themselves Christians; only the few pass muster. We are all in need of trying harder.
The real Christians I have met in life are the ones that talk about it the least. They just get on and live by their principles – quietly.
I find Seth Andrews’ atheism very interesting; and in actual fact, I concur with much of what he says. I know from previous videos I have watched of his that Christopher Hitchens helped him along on his path to atheism.
Interesting.
© Mark Alexander
Holidaymakers Warned of Rising Coronavirus Cases at European Destinations
THE GUARDIAN: Increases reported in countries including Greece, Spain, France and Germany as Omicron variant BA.5 spreads
Ermones beach in Corfu, Greece: new coronavirus infections have risen on the islands of Corfu, Cephalonia and Zakynthos in recent weeks. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA
Holidaymakers heading to and from the European mainland are being warned of a growing incidence of coronavirus, especially in tourist hotspots, which risks hampering travel plans.
Health officials are calling in some cases for a reintroduction of face masks and other measures, and are urging travellers to exercise personal responsibility, warning that an escalation of the virus could lead to the swift return of restrictions.
Greece, Spain, France and Germany – as well as further-afield destinations such as the Caribbean islands, Morocco and Tunisia – are all recording significant rises in cases. » | Kate Connolly in Berlin | Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Holidaymakers heading to and from the European mainland are being warned of a growing incidence of coronavirus, especially in tourist hotspots, which risks hampering travel plans.
Health officials are calling in some cases for a reintroduction of face masks and other measures, and are urging travellers to exercise personal responsibility, warning that an escalation of the virus could lead to the swift return of restrictions.
Greece, Spain, France and Germany – as well as further-afield destinations such as the Caribbean islands, Morocco and Tunisia – are all recording significant rises in cases. » | Kate Connolly in Berlin | Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Die Luft für Boris Johnson wird dünner und dünner
NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Boris Johnsons politische Überlebenschancen haben sich am Mittwoch weiter verschlechtert. Im Unterhaus gab sich der Premierminister zwar kämpferisch. Doch prominente Aufrufe zum Rücktritt häufen sich, und Johnson droht ein neues Misstrauensvotum.
Boris Johnson macht sich am Mittwoch auf den Weg von der Downing Street ins Unterhaus. | ohn Sibley / Reuters
Es herrschte Endzeitstimmung, als Boris Johnson am Mittwochmittag zur wöchentlichen Fragestunde an den Premierminister im Unterhaus in Westminster erschien. Die Gesichter der konservativen Abgeordneten, die Johnson normalerweise frenetisch anfeuern, wirkten finster und versteinert. Auf den vorderen Bänken an Johnsons Seite fehlten der ehemalige Schatzkanzler Rishi Sunak und Ex-Gesundheitsminister Sajid Javid, die am Dienstagabend unter Protest von ihren Ämtern zurückgetreten waren. Am Ende der Sitzung riefen ihm Labour-Abgeordnete «Bye Boris» zu – in der Erwartung, dass die Fragestunde im Unterhaus Johnsons letzte gewesen sein könnte. Aufruf zur Revolte » | Niklaus Nuspliger, London | Mittwoch, 6. Juli 2022
Es herrschte Endzeitstimmung, als Boris Johnson am Mittwochmittag zur wöchentlichen Fragestunde an den Premierminister im Unterhaus in Westminster erschien. Die Gesichter der konservativen Abgeordneten, die Johnson normalerweise frenetisch anfeuern, wirkten finster und versteinert. Auf den vorderen Bänken an Johnsons Seite fehlten der ehemalige Schatzkanzler Rishi Sunak und Ex-Gesundheitsminister Sajid Javid, die am Dienstagabend unter Protest von ihren Ämtern zurückgetreten waren. Am Ende der Sitzung riefen ihm Labour-Abgeordnete «Bye Boris» zu – in der Erwartung, dass die Fragestunde im Unterhaus Johnsons letzte gewesen sein könnte. Aufruf zur Revolte » | Niklaus Nuspliger, London | Mittwoch, 6. Juli 2022
Île du Levant: Wiege der französischen Freikörperkultur | Stadt, Land, Kunst | ARTE | Reupload
Feb 21, 2022 • Die Île du Levant ist die wohl am wenigsten bekannte der Hyerischen Inseln. Mit ihren weißen Sandstränden und steilen Klippen, die mit dem tiefblauen Wasser des Mittelmeers kontrastieren, wurde sie in den 1930er Jahren zum Ausgangspunkt einer Lebensutopie, die die Rückkehr zur Natur proklamierte: die Freikörperkultur. Was schon im 18. Jahrhundert als medizinische Anwendung begann, fand schnell Anhänger in ganz Europa.
Die Brüder Durville brachten die Freikörperkultur auf die Insel, wo sie bis heute begeistert gepflegt wird.
Verfügbar bis zum 01/02/2024
Many years ago, I flew down to the South of France, to a language school in Hyères to improve my French. I spent several weeks there on two separate occasions. IEach time, stayed with a delightful French married couple.
One day, my host’s wife was thinking of where I should do some sightseeing. She recommended I take a boat trip over to this island for the day. Being more than a little shy at that time, I was reluctant to go there, especially being alone. However, I plucked the courage and went.
The weather was glorious and very hot. The island was magnificent. I shan’t go into detail, but I spent one of the finest days of my life there. It was an extremely liberating experience. In fact, the following year, I went down to the same school and to the same family. Naturally, I went over to the island again. That day, too, was equally sublime.
The French really know how to live life to the fullest. Little wonder we get such marvelous expressions as joie de vivre and savoir vivre from the French. People iin the Anglosphere are so puritanical and boring by comparison with the fun-loving French.
Vive les français !
Vive la belle France !
© Mark Alexander
Deutsche Version:
Vor vielen Jahren flog ich nach Südfrankreich, um in einer Sprachschule in Hyères mein Französisch zu verbessern. Ich habe dort bei zwei verschiedenen Gelegenheiten mehrere Wochen verbracht. Jedes Mal wohnte ich bei einem entzückenden französischen Ehepaar.
Eines Tages, als sie überlegte, was ich besichtigen sollte, empfahl mir die Dame für den nächsten Tag eine Bootsfahrt zu dieser Insel zu nehmen. Da ich damals eher schüchtern war, wollte ich nur ungern dorthin gehen, besonders weil ich alleine war. Ich faßte jedoch den Mut dazu und ging.
Das Wetter war herrlich und sehr heiß. Die Insel war großartig. Ich werde nicht ins Detail gehen, aber ich habe dort einen der schönsten Tage meines Lebens verbracht. Es war auch eine extrem befreiende Erfahrung. Tatsächlich ging ich im folgenden Jahr zur dieselben Schule und zur derselben Familie. Natürlich ging ich noch einmal auf die Insel. Auch dieser Tag war ebenso erhaben.
Die Franzosen wissen wirklich, wie man das Leben in vollen Zügen genießt. Kein Wunder, dass wir aus dem Französischen so wunderbare Ausdrücke wie joie de vivre und savoir vivre bekommen haben. Die Menschen in der Anglosphäre sind im Vergleich zu den lebenslustigen Franzosen so puritanisch und langweilig.
Es lebe die Franzosen!
Vive la belle France!
© Mark Alexander
Die Brüder Durville brachten die Freikörperkultur auf die Insel, wo sie bis heute begeistert gepflegt wird.
Verfügbar bis zum 01/02/2024
Many years ago, I flew down to the South of France, to a language school in Hyères to improve my French. I spent several weeks there on two separate occasions. IEach time, stayed with a delightful French married couple.
One day, my host’s wife was thinking of where I should do some sightseeing. She recommended I take a boat trip over to this island for the day. Being more than a little shy at that time, I was reluctant to go there, especially being alone. However, I plucked the courage and went.
The weather was glorious and very hot. The island was magnificent. I shan’t go into detail, but I spent one of the finest days of my life there. It was an extremely liberating experience. In fact, the following year, I went down to the same school and to the same family. Naturally, I went over to the island again. That day, too, was equally sublime.
The French really know how to live life to the fullest. Little wonder we get such marvelous expressions as joie de vivre and savoir vivre from the French. People iin the Anglosphere are so puritanical and boring by comparison with the fun-loving French.
Vive les français !
Vive la belle France !
© Mark Alexander
Deutsche Version:
Vor vielen Jahren flog ich nach Südfrankreich, um in einer Sprachschule in Hyères mein Französisch zu verbessern. Ich habe dort bei zwei verschiedenen Gelegenheiten mehrere Wochen verbracht. Jedes Mal wohnte ich bei einem entzückenden französischen Ehepaar.
Eines Tages, als sie überlegte, was ich besichtigen sollte, empfahl mir die Dame für den nächsten Tag eine Bootsfahrt zu dieser Insel zu nehmen. Da ich damals eher schüchtern war, wollte ich nur ungern dorthin gehen, besonders weil ich alleine war. Ich faßte jedoch den Mut dazu und ging.
Das Wetter war herrlich und sehr heiß. Die Insel war großartig. Ich werde nicht ins Detail gehen, aber ich habe dort einen der schönsten Tage meines Lebens verbracht. Es war auch eine extrem befreiende Erfahrung. Tatsächlich ging ich im folgenden Jahr zur dieselben Schule und zur derselben Familie. Natürlich ging ich noch einmal auf die Insel. Auch dieser Tag war ebenso erhaben.
Die Franzosen wissen wirklich, wie man das Leben in vollen Zügen genießt. Kein Wunder, dass wir aus dem Französischen so wunderbare Ausdrücke wie joie de vivre und savoir vivre bekommen haben. Die Menschen in der Anglosphäre sind im Vergleich zu den lebenslustigen Franzosen so puritanisch und langweilig.
Es lebe die Franzosen!
Vive la belle France!
© Mark Alexander
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