Thursday, October 06, 2022

Persia before Khomeini - The History of Iran in 15 Minutes of Perfectly Restored Film Material

This documentary has been re-edited out from CHRONOS-documentaries "The Heirs of Cyrus the Great" (1974), "Politics of Oil" (1980) and super-8 home movies by Irmgard and Bengt von zur Mühlen.


Iran, or Persia as it was once called, must have been a fun place to visit under the Shah. Before Khomeini, the theocrat, turned the country mediaeval. Pity that this mullocracy cannot be overturned quickly and without bloodshed and normalcy be restored. But who knows? Maybe it can be overturned; and more quickly than we might imagine. Already, one can smell revolution in the air – even from here! – © Mark Alexander

Iran Rises Up: Can the Mullahs Be Toppled? | to the point

Protests in Iran are gaining momentum. Led initially by women and girls crying “Woman, life, liberty” after the death of a young Kurdish women detained for wearing her head scarf “inappropriately”, the uprising has drawn thousands of others onto the streets. The protesters chant “Death to the Dictator” – calling for the end of the repressive clerical regime. Which is hitting back hard – its violent crackdown has killed or detained hundreds of civilians, journalists, and activists and shut down the internet. Today we’re asking: Iran rises up: Can the mullahs be toppled?“


More on this story here.

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — October 6, 2022

'Truss Doesn't Understand What I Wrote about Economics' | Rick Perlstein

When the Times interviewed Liz Truss at the end of last year, she told us she "read anything" by the American historian Rick Perlstein He chronicles the rise of the new US right between 1960 and 1980, in the Nixon and Reagan eras. Perlstein is confused by her endorsement.


I have stated many times already that Liz Truss and her neoliberal, so-called trickle-down economic fantasy is going to be a disaster for this country. I stand by my words. Neoliberal economics, aka Reaganomics, aka Thatcherism is the last thing we need in the present economic circumstances. Furthermore, had such economic theory been truly effective, this country would have growth in the stratosphere by now! Thatcher came to power in 1979. She was ousted in 1990 in an ignominious coup reminiscent of a banana republic.

I was one of Thatcher’s biggest fans back in the day. But economic circumstances were totally different in those years. The UK had also been in the grip of socialism for many years prior to Thatcher’s ‘Revolution’; so, nothing in the coutry worked. Arguably, Thatcherism was the very medicine the country needed at that time.

However, no prime minister since Thatcher, be he/she a Conservative PM or a Labour PM, has ever had the courage to truly abandon Thatcherism. Now, Liz Truss is going to double down on Thatcher’s neoliberal ideas; and arguably in an even more extreme way!

Thatcherite policies are NOT what this country needs at this time. The economic problems which this country is facing and which this country needs to solve now are totally different from those that Thatcher faced. Doubling down on Thatcherism at this time is madness. Moreover, the only thing that can be said about Arthur Laffer’s ‘laffer curve’ is that it is ‘laffable’! Such an absurdidy! – © Mark Alexander

National Grid Warns Households Could Face Three-hour Power Cuts This Winter

THE GUARDIAN: Plan could come into effect under worst-case scenario of shortage of gas supplies at same time as cold snap

Households could experience a series of three-hour power cuts this winter if Vladimir Putin shuts off gas supplies from Russia and Britain experiences a cold snap National Grid has warned.

Such an event would mean consumers in different parts of the country being notified a day in advance of three-hour blocks of time during which their power would be cut off, in an effort to reduce total consumption by 5%.

The emergency plan would need to be approved by King Charles on the recommendation of the business secretary.

National Grid said that in the “unlikely event” of a shortage of gas supplies that some consumers would be without power for “pre-defined periods” during a day to “ensure the overall security and integrity of the electricity system across Great Britain”.

It said there would have to be reduced electricity imports from Europe and insufficient gas supply to power stations for the planned power cuts to happen. » | Alex Lawson, Energy correspondent | Thursday, October 6, 2022

Last Persian Shah - Full Movie | Reupload

Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi would have been 100 years in October 2019. The Shah's story begins with good ideas and ideals and ends in bloody chaos.

On the one hand, he helped carry Iran into modernity. His wealth was legendary, and his marriages made tabloid headlines for years. However, his name also stands for a time of human rights violations, vicious oppression and intolerance.

Directed By: Holger Preuße


En Iran, la télévision d’Etat diffuse ce qu’elle présente comme des « aveux » de deux Français arrêtés

LE MONDE : Dans un enregistrement diffusé jeudi, une jeune femme s’exprimant en français affirme s’appeler Cécile Kohler et être agent de la DGSE.

Le site de la chaîne arabophone Al-Alam de la télévision officielle iranienne a diffusé, jeudi 6 octobre, ce qu’elle présente comme des « aveux » d’espionnage de deux Français arrêtés en mai en Iran. Dans la vidéo, une jeune femme s’exprimant en français affirme s’appeler Cécile Kohler et être agent de renseignement opérationnel à la direction générale de la sécurité extérieure (DGSE, service de renseignement français).

La femme affirme qu’elle et son conjoint étaient en Iran « pour préparer les conditions de la révolution et du renversement du régime iranien ». Ils devaient, toujours d’après ses déclarations, financer des grèves et des manifestations et même utiliser des armes « si nécessaire pour se battre contre la police ». Selon l’homme montré dans la vidéo, qui s’exprime aussi en français, les objectifs de la DGSE étaient de « faire pression sur le gouvernement » iranien. » | Le Monde avec AFP | jeudi 6 octobre 2022

Afin d'en savoir plus sur la situation actuelle en Iran, cliquez ici.

Oil and the Shah of Iran (1974) | 60 Minutes Archive

In 1974, Mike Wallace traveled to Iran for his first interview with Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. The Arab oil embargo was ongoing, and Wallace asked the Shah about the oil profits Iran was making.

Iran: Women, Life, Freedom

Here, the Shahbanu (Empress [Farah Pahlavi]) speaks about the protests currently taking place throughout Iran. I do not speak Farsi, but I post this video on my blog today for the people who do understand the language.


Related articles and videos in English, French and German here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

BILDSTRECKE: Die Gewalt an Frauen in Iran löst weltweite Proteste aus: In Zürich, Berlin, Istanbul und anderen Städten gehen die Menschen auf die Strasse, aus Solidarität mit den Iranerinnen und Iranern, die seit Wochen ein Ende des Kopftuchzwangs und der Unterdrückung in der Islamischen Republik fordern. »

Thailand Attack: 22 Children among 34 Killed in Nursery Mass Shooting

THE GUARDIAN: North-east region preschool centre attacked by gunman who also killed himself and his family

Thirty-four people have been killed, including 22 children, in a mass shooting at a preschool centre in a north-eastern province of Thailand, police have said.

The attacker, a former policeman, also killed his wife and child before shooting himself dead.

About 30 children were at the centre when the gunman entered the building at 12.30pm (0530 GMT), during the children’s nap time, police and local officials said. The victims were as young as two years old. With video » | Rebecca Ratcliffe and Navaon Siradapuvadoli in Bangkok and agencies | Thursday, October 6, 2022

« Dans l’Iran de 2022, l’obligation du port du voile est une violence absurde et humiliante »

LE MONDE – CHRONIQUE : Entre le pouvoir iranien et une population aujourd’hui largement éduquée, conservatrice mais de moins en moins religieuse, la discordance est chaque jour plus frappante, constate, dans sa chronique, Alain Frachon, éditorialiste au « Monde ».

Elle visitait la capitale avec ses parents et son frère. L’automne est une bonne saison à Téhéran. On s’éloigne de la fournaise estivale et le grand froid est encore loin. Elle avait 22 ans, ne s’intéressait pas à la politique, plutôt aux chanteurs de l’époque. Mahsa Amini venait de la petite ville de Saqqez, dans le Kurdistan iranien (nord-ouest), une région socialement conservatrice.

Cette matinée du 13 septembre, elle avait pris le métro pour se rendre dans le centre de Téhéran et elle marchait le long d’un parc. Elle portait son foulard « islamique » : la théocratie au pouvoir l’impose depuis 1983. Passant par là, une camionnette de la police des mœurs interpelle la jeune femme : son foulard serait mal mis – peut-être trop en arrière. Mahsa Amini est embarquée puis conduite dans un commissariat. Quelques heures plus tard, elle est transportée à l’hôpital, dans un coma profond. Elle meurt, le 16 septembre. Elle est inhumée à Saqqez, le 17. Il n’y a pas eu d’autopsie. Morte pour une mèche de cheveux, dans la splendeur de ses 22 ans ? » | Alain Frachon | jeudi 6 octobre 2022

En Iran, la répression à huis clos : « Le corps et le visage de ma cousine sont couverts de bleus, mais elle refuse de raconter » : Les autorités ont encore durci leur censure d’Internet, bloquant les rares services occidentaux encore accessibles, comme Instagram ou WhatsApp. Selon une ONG, 31 personnes ont été tuées depuis la mort de Mahsa Amini. »

Former Tory Minister Rory Stewart Says Liz Truss Is Not Conservative | LBC

Former Development Secretary, Rory Stewart, tells Andrew Marr Liz Truss’ ‘ideological’ talk about growth may work but ’it’s not very conservative’.

Wednesday, October 05, 2022

Women around the World Cut Their Hair in Solidarity with Iranian Protesters | DW News

In Iran, there has been no let-up in the anti-government protests that have been sweeping the country. The unrest was triggered by death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died last month in the custody of the country's so-called morality police. She was arrested for allegedly violating Iran's strict Islamic dress code. Her death has drawn international condemnation and demonstrations of solidarity – including by female celebrities and politicians who cut off locks of their hair in a symbolic act.


Death to the Islamic Republic of Iran! Say yes to women’s rights! Say yes to gays’ rights! Say yes to freedom! Down with the Mullahs! Down with those damn stupid hijabs! Liberate the people! Let the people taste freedom! It looks increasingly as if the Mullahs’ days are numbered anyway. Alhamdulillah! – © Mark Alexander

War in Ukraine: Zelenskyy Advisor Rejects Kremlin's Call for Talks | Conflict Zone

A senior advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says nuclear threats from Vladimir Putin need to be taken seriously, but told DW's Tim Sebastian that this is not the first time the Kremlin has sought to blackmail the world.

Ihor Zhovkva, who works in the president's office in Kyiv, said the world's nuclear powers needed to convince Putin to step back from nuclear threats as Russian forces continue to suffer setbacks in Ukraine — but that for now the only talks that will take place with the Kremlin are on the battlefield.

Zhovkva said that if Russia was serious about negotiations, it would not have conducted sham "referendums" in occupied Ukrainian regions and illegally annexed the territories. Zhovkva also underlined that Ukraine would continue to seek the prosecution of war criminals and the assistance of international organizations and partners to collect evidence. He said those Ukrainians who willingly collaborated with Russian occupiers would face punishment.


The Guardian View on Liz Truss’s Speech: Stoking Conflict in Place of Argument

THE GUARDIAN – EDITORIAL: The prime minister’s mask has slipped. Her naked case for greed and selfishness will make enemies inside as well as outside her party

Political speeches can influence voters or MPs; they can honour ideals and celebrate membership of a party. Liz Truss chose none of these in her address to activists at the Conservative party’s annual conference. She preferred instead to defend her unpopular policies that promote growth at any cost, and blame a decade of anaemic economic expansion on those who – rightly – counsel caution about the trade-offs involved. The prime minister’s speech shows the extent to which she sees politics as civil war, where everything boils down to loyalty. The new “enemies of enterprise” is just a Trussian rebranding of the toxic “enemies of the people” rhetoric.

Ms Truss wanted to battle opponents outside the Tory party, not those within it. She has been on the losing side of that fight all week. Instead she chose to define her enemies in the country and seek conflict with them. But Britain’s poor economic performance is not down to an “nti-growth coalition” of podcasters, trade unions and thinktanks. Surely if one wants to view success through the lens of growth then those guilty of failing to produce it were sitting in front of the prime minister in the conference hall. With video » | Editorial | Wednesday, October 5, 2022

This woman is a disaster! – © Mark Alexander

Mariah Carey - Anytime You Need A Friend

Views on YouTube: 24,805,146 views

Homophobic Abuse Allegedly Used at Tory Party LGBT Event in Birmingham

THE GUARDIAN: Several people had to be removed for allegedly using vitriolic language at party celebrating LGBT diversity

Conservative party members have been accused of using homophobic insults at a party celebrating LGBT diversity at the party conference in Birmingham.

Several people had to be removed for allegedly using vitriolic language at an event at Reflex nightclub, it is claimed.

Two sources told ITV News that one person had to be escorted from the venue for calling a gay man a “f**”, while another man was ejected for calling two women a “dirty l*****”. » | Nadeem Badshah | Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Phil Collins : Everyday | Official Music Video | LP Version

Views on YouTube: 19,612,399

Whitney Houston with Enrique Iglesias : Could I Have This Kiss Forever | Official HD Video | Reupload

Views on YouTube: 134,518,191

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — October 5, 2022

Panorama (1995) - An Interview with HRH The Princess of Wales - Diana / Martin Bashir

Diana, Princess of Wales, speaks openly for the first time about her separation from the Prince of Wales in a frank interview for the BBC's Panorama programme.

Real Men…


… often enjoy a smoke!

With many thanks to Tumblr on Pinterest for this great photo.

Politics and Prohibition: Should Smoking Be Banned for Good? | ThinkTent 2022

Smoking, it is said, costs the UK over £13bn a year. A potentially addictive habit that can damage people’s health, the Government wants England to be ‘smoke free’ by 2030. Now the market offers a range of reduced risk products, is it time to ban cigarettes for good or should the principles of choice and personal responsibility remain paramount?


I think you all know what I think of this stupid idea. I believe in free choice. I also don't believe that smoking is as bad as they say it is, particularly if one smokes in moderation and otherwise lives a healthy life by eating well, not drinking too much and sleeping well. – © Mark Alexander

Liz Truss promet de « faire avancer le Royaume-Uni pour le sortir de la tempête »

LE MONDE : Après un mois chaotique au pouvoir, la dirigeante conservatrice a profité, mercredi, du congrès de son parti pour défendre les priorités de son mandat devant des élus et militants parfois hostiles.

La première ministre britannique, Liz Truss, au congrès du Parti conservateur, mercredi 5 octobre. OLI SCARFF / AFP

Affaiblie après seulement un mois au pouvoir, la première ministre britannique, Liz Truss, a tenté de reprendre la main, mercredi 5 octobre, au dernier jour d’un congrès du Parti conservateur à Birmingham jusqu’ici chaotique, miné par les dissensions internes sur la politique à mener pour sortir le Royaume-Uni de la crise. « Dans ces temps difficiles, nous devons agir. Je suis déterminée à faire avancer le Royaume-Uni pour nous sortir de la tempête », a lancé la cheffe du gouvernement, dans une allocution sans annonce d’un peu plus d’une demi-heure devant les élus et militants de son parti.

Avec la volonté de renouveler un pouvoir conservateur à la tête du pays depuis douze ans, la première ministre a affirmé vouloir « en finir avec le cycle de faible croissance » et répété son objectif de faire « croître l’économie britannique ». « Le statu quo n’est pas une option », a-t-elle insisté. Tentant de faire taire ceux qui, même dans ses rangs, l’accusent d’être déjà hors jeu – un mois à peine après son arrivée au pouvoir –, elle a de nouveau insisté sur ses priorités : baisser les impôts, améliorer le service de santé et la lutte contre l’immigration illégale. » | Le Monde avec AFP | mercredi 5 octobre 2022

Liz Truss a promis un feu de joie des réglementations européennes d'ici jusqu’à Noël. Ces règlements ont été mis en place pour protéger les droits des travailleurs. Donc, fondamentalement, ce que Madame Truss dit, c'est qu'elle veut que les travailleurs soient exploités. Ce n'est pas un progrès ! Cela ramènera l'horloge à l'ère victorienne. Cela équivaut à de la conduite d'esclaves ! Quelle horreur ! – © Mark Alexander

Lien connexe en anglais ici.

'Who Hurt Her?': James O'Brien Blasts Home Secretary Suella Braverman 'Dreaming of Deportations'

James O'Brien has taken aim at Home Secretary Suella Braverman. This clip is from a LBC show which was presented by James O'Brien on October 5th 2022.

Comment la Russie avance ses pions en Afrique, du Mali au Burkina Faso

LE MONDE : Depuis des mois, Moscou souffle, par le biais des réseaux sociaux et de quelques bataillons d’activistes, sur les braises des ressentiments antifrançais. « Plus le conflit en Ukraine va durer, plus il nous faudra être vigilant sur le front africain », assure une source officielle française.

Des partisans du coup d’Etat au Burkina Faso scandent des slogans contre le pouvoir du lieutenant-colonel Damiba, antifrançais et prorusses, à Ouagadougou, le 30 septembre 2022. SOPHIE GARCIA/AP

Samedi 1er octobre à Ouagadougou, il s’en est fallu de peu pour qu’un des cauchemars des autorités françaises ne devienne réalité. Un cauchemar lentement instillé par la Russie et qui aurait probablement fait le bonheur de Vladimir Poutine, engagé depuis une dizaine d’années sur le continent africain dans une grande et multiple entreprise d’affrontements avec l’Europe en général, et la France en particulier.

Samedi, au Burkina Faso, l’issue du coup d’Etat lancé la veille par le capitaine Ibrahim Traoré (34 ans), et d’autres jeunes officiers mécontents, contre la junte installée depuis huit mois à la tête du pays, était encore incertaine. Les putschistes ont alors accusé la France d’offrir une protection à celui qu’ils avaient décidé de renverser, le lieutenant-colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, un « vétéran » âgé de 41 ans. Dans les rues de la capitale, des manifestants brandissant des drapeaux russes s’en sont alors pris aux symboles de la présence de l’ancienne puissance coloniale française : ambassade, lycée, Institut français, centre culturel, caserne Kamboinsin où stationnent des forces spéciales françaises engagées depuis 2013 dans la lutte antiterroriste au Sahel et qui, l’année suivante, avaient exfiltré l’ex-président renversé, Blaise Compaoré, un allié de longue date de Paris. » | Par Cyril Bensimon et Christophe Châtelot | mardi 4 octobre 2022

Article réservé aux abonnés

Les liens vers des articles connexes en français, en allemand et en anglais sont ici, ici, ici, ici, ici et ici.

Burkina Faso, les cartes pour comprendre les raisons du dernier putsch : DÉCRYPTAGESL’ultime renversement du pouvoir en place intervient alors que le pays est en proie à une grave crise sécuritaire. »

Notre pain quotidien | ARTE Regards

Depuis des temps immémoriaux, le pain est l’aliment de base d’une grande partie de l’humanité. Or, tous les pains ne se valent pas. En moyenne, un Allemand consomme 78 kilos de pain par an, contre une soixantaine pour un Français. Or, les bienfaits de cet aliment dépendent non seulement de la qualité des ingrédients, mais aussi de son mode de préparation.

Reportage (Allemagne, 2022, 32mn)
Disponible jusqu'au 29/09/2023



Hier finden Sie die gleiche Sendung auf Deutsch, namens Unser täglich Brot.

UK Prime Minister Liz Truss Speaks at the Conservative Party's Conference


If you can muster up the fortitude, listen to this vacuous speech, replete with platitudes we have heard a million times before. Try not to fall asleep! – © Mark Alexander

Russian Official Calling on Putin to Resign Speaks to CNN

More than 200,000 Russian citizens have arrived in Kazakhstan since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his partial mobilization order, according to Kazakh Interior Minister Marat Akhmetzhanov. One of them is Russian government official Dmitry Palyuga who is also calling on Vladimir Putin to resign. He spoke with CNN’s Erin Burnett. #CNN #News

Annalena Baerbock behauptet, Gewalt gegen iranische Frauen habe nichts mit Religion zu tun. Ein gefährlicher Irrtum

NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Iranische Frauen kämpfen gegen das Mullah-Regime, Intellektuelle im arabischen Raum drängen auf eine Reformierung des Islam. Im Westen werden diese Debatten verhindert – auch weil führende Politikerinnen Zusammenhänge nicht sehen wollen.

Bloss nicht den Islam kritisieren: Verhüllte Frauen in Isfahan. | uul & Bruno Morandi / The Image Bank / Getty

Sie sind mutig, sie sind klar, sie sind bereit, Opfer zu bringen: Derzeit gehen vor allem Frauen in Iran auf die Strasse, um sich der engen Regeln und des Bestrafungssystems zu entledigen, das ihnen die Mullahs auferlegt haben – legitimiert durch eine Religion. Die deutsche Aussenministerin Annalena Baerbock (Grüne) hat dagegen in einer Bundestagsrede behauptet, die Gewalt gegen Frauen in Iran – angeordnet von einem islamistischen Regime – habe mit Religion und Kultur «nichts, aber auch gar nichts zu tun». Das ist ein neuer Tiefpunkt in der Unfähigkeit, die Ursachen für Terror, Unterdrückung und Ungleichberechtigung zu erkennen. Und zeigt: Debatten um den Islam und seine Ausprägungen sind im Westen nicht gewollt.

Laut den französischen Publizistinnen und Feministinnen Caroline Fourest und Fiammetta Venner wurden in Iran schon direkt nach der Revolution von 1979 all jene Iranerinnen, die die strengen Bekleidungsregeln kritisierten, als «islamophob» bezeichnet. Dem iranischen Regime diente dieser Terminus als Kampfbegriff, um seine Gegner zu diffamieren. Das funktioniert auch heute, hier in Europa. Der Vorwurf der Islamophobie wird inzwischen so schnell erhoben, dass aus Angst davor, rassistisch zu sein, lieber gar keine Kritik am Islam geübt wird. » | Ahmad Mansour | Mittwoch, 5. Oktober 2022

Saudi Officials Conduct Raid in Capital, Seizes Rainbow Toys | International News | WION

Jun 16, 2022 | Authorities in Saudi Arabia are cracking down on homosexuality-related goods in the country. Shops in the national capital of Riyadh were raided by the officials where they seized rainbow-colored toys and articles of clothing.

‘You Look Like an Agatha Christie Villain!’ The Moustache Is Back – but Should It Go Away Again?

THE GUARDIAN: After years of beards, beards and more beards, the moustache is having a moment. But do you have to be Mark Owen or Henry Cavill to carry one off? I put it to the test

‘Wearing my moustache in the streets feels like walking around with an edgy new friend’ … Rhik shows off his new look. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian

When I came of age, moustaches were the height of uncool. They were pervy, old-fashioned and creepy. The masculine ideal was clean-shaven, unless you were Des Lynam. A bizarre thing happened 20 years later, when ridiculous moustaches and moustache iconography came into fashion, and people even had them tattooed on their fingers. That went away, and we said no more about it. But I have started seeing them again, like civil war ghosts. From Heist food market at St Leonards-on-Sea to All Points East festival in Victoria Park in London, young men with moustaches, everywhere. What’s going on? » | Rhik Samadder | Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Tuesday, October 04, 2022

A Handsome Man Enjoying a Smoke

Just a simple pleasure which crappy, self-important politicians try and deny us all today.

With many thanks to Capt Jaspare on Pinterest for this truly delightful image.

Gay Marriage and True Love in Uniform | Reupload

Schwule Ehe und wahre Liebe in Uniform / Mariage gay et véritable amour en uniforme

Many thanks to Alexsandre Portier on Pinterest for this delightful photo of two men in love.

Au Burkina Faso, des manifestations hostiles à la Cedeao et à la France à Ouagadougou

LE MONDE : Brandissant des drapeaux russes et criant des slogans à la gloire de Moscou, plusieurs dizaines de personnes ont manifesté contre la visite d’une délégation ouest-africaine, quelques jours après un coup d’Etat.

Un petit groupe de manifestants proteste contre la Communauté économique des Etats d’Afrique de l’Ouest (Cedeao) à Ouagadougou, le 4 octobre 2022. ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP

Plusieurs dizaines de personnes manifestaient mardi 4 octobre à Ouagadougou contre la visite d’une délégation ouest-africaine venue évaluer la situation au Burkina Faso quelques jours après un deuxième coup d’Etat en huit mois.

Brandissant des drapeaux russes et criant des slogans à la gloire de Moscou, les manifestants ont affiché leur hostilité à la Communauté économique des Etats d’Afrique de l’Ouest (Cedeao) et à la France, a constaté un journaliste de l’AFP. « Non à l’ingérence de la Cedeao », « France dégage », « Ensemble disons non à la France » ou encore « Vive la coopération Russie-Burkina », pouvait-on entendre de la part des manifestants rassemblés sur l’avenue menant à la présidence burkinabée. » | Le Monde avec AFP | mardi 4 octobre 2022

For the Man Who Is Desirous of That Conservative Look: A Mop of Curls.

”Curl Power : How to tame a curly mane”

With many thanks to Out.com for this delightful and exotic photo.

Ukraine Makes Breakthrough against Russia in South - BBC News

Ukrainian troops have retaken more territory in regions illegally annexed by Russia. Ukraine's forces have advanced near the southern city of Kherson and consolidated gains in the east. Russian-installed officials in Kherson confirmed the advance, but said Moscow's forces were digging in. Ukrainian troops also moved towards Russian-held Luhansk in the east.

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — October 4, 2022

Iran Arrests Musician as Anthem for Protests Goes Viral

THE GUARDIAN: The lyrics to Baraye by Shervin Hajipour are taken from ordinary Iranians voicing their anger in the wake of Mahsa Amini’s death


Iran protest song that's become the soundtrack to civil uprising – video

As demonstrations against the death of Mahsa Amini enter their third week in Iran, a protest song by one of Iran’s most popular musicians has become the soundtrack to the biggest civil uprising for decades, channelling the rage of Iranians at home and abroad.

The lyrics to Baraye by Shervin Hajipour are taken entirely from messages that Iranians have posted online about why they are protesting. Each begins with the word Baraye – meaning “For …” or “Because of …” in Farsi.

Hajipour released the song online last week and it quickly went viral, being viewed millions of times across various platforms. Videos show the song being sung by schoolgirls in Iran, blared from car windows in Tehran and played at solidarity protests in Washington Strasbourg and London this weekend. » | Rosie Swash | Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Verwandter Artikel.

Liz Truss: The Oligarch’s Prime Minister | George Monbiot

Welcome to Oligarch Island



You can donate to DDN here.

I wouldn't trust Truss further than I could throw her, nor that quasi chancellor. Kick them out of office asap! – © Mark Alexander

Muhammad Syed - "Change Is Hard, Particularly for Things That Really Matter" AwesomeWithoutAllah

Muhammad's very open personality as an #ExMuslim ultimately led to the founding of EXMNA. For many, meeting an ex-Muslim forms a key part of their journey out of Islam. By speaking up, you help others realize they too can be #AwesomeWithoutAllah SHOW LESS


You can donate to Ex-Muslims of North America (EXMNA) here.

Let enlightenment triumph over benightedness! Let people be the people that God/Allah (if you believe in Him) intended them to be. Help set people free! Liberate them from the shackles that bind them! Unchain yourselves! – © Mark Alexander

After Homophobic Assault, Gay Middle Eastern Man Refuses to Hide. “Yes, I Identify as a Gay Man.” | Reupload

The last summer before moving from Saudi Arabia to the United States, Jawad Bandar came out to his close friends. They all seemed to take it well - or so he thought. On one of his last nights in Saudi Arabia, Jawad was threatened by a group of men wielding bats. Though he escaped harm’s way, he later found out that his would-be attackers were tipped off by some people he thought were his friends. Rather than hide or retreat to the closet, Jawad took a different approach - upon relocating to Dearborn, Michigan, Jawad began living life as an open and unapologetically gay man.


Yes, gay Saudis. Imagine that! There are plenty of them, I can assure you. I saw and met more gay men when I worked there many years ago than I have ever met or seen in the West! Unfortunately, I wasn’t out in those days, and punishments for being gay were (and still are) brutal, harsh and cruel, otherwise I could have had a ball! – © Mark Alexander

Protestierende Frauen in Iran: «Die Hoffnung ist grösser als die Angst»

NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG : Seit dem Tod einer jungen Iranerin durch die Polizei vor zwei Wochen gehen in der islamischen Republik unzählige Frauen auf die Strasse. Trotz brutaler Repression wollten sie weitermachen, erzählen drei von ihnen.

Ein[e] Frau hält ein Bild von Mahsa Amini. Der Tod der 22-jährigen, die vor zwei Wochen in Teheran in Polizeigewahrsam starb, hat in Iran grosse Proteste ausgelöst. | Vadim Ghirda / AP

Vor ein paar Tagen erst sei sie von Polizisten verprügelt worden, erzählt eine iranische Studentin am Telefon: «Ich habe einen Schlagstock abbekommen, auf den Oberschenkel. Trotzdem gehe ich auch heute wieder raus. Wir machen weiter. Wir haben genug und wollen, dass dieses Regime endlich verschwindet.»

Die Stimme der 26-Jährigen aus Karaj, einer Stadt in der Nähe von Teheran, klingt selbstbewusst. Allerdings bricht die Verbindung immer wieder ab. «Das liegt daran, dass die Regierung das Internet immer wieder abschaltet. Deshalb rufst du am besten am Morgen an, dann ist die Verbindung besser», erklärt sie.

«Es hätte jede von uns treffen können»

Seit die 22-jährige Mahsa Amini vor zwei Wochen von der iranischen Sittenpolizei wegen eines Verstosses gegen die Kleiderordnung festgenommen worden und in Polizeigewahrsam gestorben ist, kommt es in der Islamischen Republik zu einer regelrechten Explosion der Wut. » | Daniel Böhm, Beirut | Dienstag, 4. Oktober 2022

Danish Royal Family: Queen 'Sorry' after Stripping Grandchildren's Titles

Queen Margrethe II said she wanted to keep the monarch in "keeping with the times" | GETTY IMAGES

BBC: The Queen of Denmark has apologised after stripping four of her grandchildren of their royal titles - but has not reversed the decision.

Queen Margrethe II said she wanted the monarchy in "keeping with the times", that her decision had been a long time coming, and that it would "future-proof" the institution.

But she "underestimated" her family's reaction "and for that I am sorry".

The initial decision was announced last week, to begin next year.

"The titles of prince and princess that they have held up until now will be discontinued," the initial statement said. "Prince Joachim's descendants will thus have to be addressed as excellencies in the future."

Prince Joachim - the younger son of Queen Margrethe - said he was upset by the change.

"It's never fun to see your children being mistreated like that," he told Ekstra Bladet. "They find themselves in a situation they do not understand." » | Merlyn Thomas, BBC News | Monday, October 3, 2022

Verwandter Artikel.

Danish Queen Apologizes After Stripping Royal Titles From 4 Grandchildren: Prince Joachim, the youngest of Queen Margrethe II’s two sons, has four children who will be affected by the change, which the queen said was “a necessary future-proofing of the monarchy.” »

North Korea Fires Missile Over Japan in Major Escalation

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The missile flew about 2,800 miles, the longest distance ever traveled by a North Korean missile, officials in Tokyo and Seoul said.


North Korea fired a medium-range missile over Japan for the first time in five years. It landed in the Pacific Ocean 22 minutes after the launch. | Jeon Heon-Kyun/EPA, via Shutterstock

SEOUL — North Korea on Tuesday fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan for the first time in five years, prompting a rare warning by the Japanese government for residents in two northern prefectures to seek shelter.

The launch represented a major escalation by North Korea, which has conducted a flurry of missile tests in recent days as the United States held military drills in the region with South Korea and Japan. By launching a missile over Japan and toward the Pacific, North Korea heightened regional concerns over its growing nuclear capabilities, and raised the stakes in stalled diplomatic talks with Washington. » | Choe Sang-Hun and Motoko Rich | Monday, October 3, 2022

Selenskyj mischt sich in Debatte um Elon Musks Friedensplan ein

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Der ukrainische Präsident kontert über den Kurznachrichtendienst Twitter eine Idee des Milliardärs zur Beendigung des Kriegs gegen die Ukraine. Zuvor war darum ein heftiger Streit entbrannt.

Elon Musk | Bild : DPA

VORSCHLAG DES TESLA-CHEFS

In die Twitter-Debatte über ein Friedensszenario für die Ukraine von US-Milliardär Elon Musk hat sich der ukrainische Präsident Wolodymyr Selenskyj eingemischt. „Welchen Elon Musk magst du mehr? Den Ukraine-Unterstützer oder den Russland-Unterstützer“, fragte der Staatschef am Montag im Kurznachrichtendienst Twitter. Innerhalb von kurzer Zeit beteiligten sich mehrere Hunderttausend Menschen an der Umfrage. Mehr als 90 Prozent bevorzugten den die Ukraine unterstützenden Musk.

Zuvor war ein heftiger Streit um das von Musk entworfene Szenario zum Ende von Russlands Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine entbrannt. Der US-Milliardär hatte darin einen neutralen Status für die Ukraine, den Verzicht auf die Halbinsel Krim und Referenden unter UN-Aufsicht zur staatlichen Zugehörigkeit der russisch besetzten Gebiete als Bild entworfen. Nach entrüsteten Antworten aus Kiew stellte der 51-Jährige abermals eine Wahl zur staatlichen Zugehörigkeit der Menschen auf der Krim und im Donbass zur Debatte. » | Quelle: dpa-AFX | Dienstag, 4. Oktober 2022

Zelenskiy hits back as Elon Musk sets up Twitter poll on annexed areas of Ukraine: Outrage and condemnation over billionaire’s suggestions including formally making Crimea part of Russia »

Après la chute de Lyman, en Ukraine, frictions au sein du commandement russe

LE MONDE : Le ministre de la défense, Sergueï Choïgou, et le chef d’état-major, Valéri Guerassimov, sont de plus en plus ouvertement critiqués après les revers essuyés par les forces russes.

Vladimir Poutine et son ministre de la défense, Sergueï Choïgou, le 15 août 2022, à Patriot Park, à une quarantaine de kilomètres à l’ouest de Moscou, en Russie. AP

La chute de la ville de Lyman n’était pas encore consommée, samedi 1er octobre, que les hauts responsables de « l’opération spéciale » russe en Ukraine commençaient le jeu de massacre avec la désignation des responsables de cette nouvelle déroute. Premier à dégainer, Ramzan Kadyrov s’en est pris avec virulence au colonel général Alexandre Lapine, maître des opérations dans cette ville de la région de Donetsk tout juste annexée par la Russie.

Selon le dirigeant tchétchène, l’officier supérieur, « un incapable », « n’a pas fourni les communications, les renforts et le ravitaillement en munitions nécessaires » aux soldats engagés dans la défense de cette localité stratégique. « Ce même Lapine qui a reçu l’étoile de héros de la Russie pour la prise de Lyssytchansk alors qu’il n’était même pas dans le coin… », fustige-t-il sur sa chaîne Telegram. « Je dégraderais Lapine au rang de simple soldat et l’enverrais au front avec un fusil pour laver sa honte dans le sang », conclut le Tchétchène, qui en profite pour réclamer « des mesures plus radicales, comme l’utilisation d’une bombe nucléaire de faible puissance ». » | Par Benoît Vitkine (Moscou, correspondant) | lundi 3 octobre 2022

Article réservé aux abonnés

Liz Truss Refuses to Rule Out Real-terms Benefits Cuts

THE GUARDIAN: PM facing fresh battle with MPs as she declines to commit to raising benefits in line with inflation

Liz Truss said ministers were ‘going to have to make decisions about how we bring down debt as a proportion of GDP in the medium term’. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters

Liz Truss has refused to commit to raising benefits in line with inflation, amid a fresh battle with MPs over cuts to spending including concern from among her cabinet.

The prime minister said pensions would rise in line with inflation, having committed to the pensions “triple lock” during the leadership campaign. But she said people on welfare benefits were in a “different situation” and said they were more able to look for more work.

“When people are on a fixed income, when they are pensioners, it is quite hard to adjust. I think it’s a different situation for people who are in the position to be able to work,” she told LBC. “What I want to do is make sure that we are helping more people into work.” » | Jessica Elgot, Deputy political editor | Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Please remind me: Did the Devil ever have a daughter? If he did, this must be she! God is replete with compassion; the Devil, by contrast, has none. Just like Lizzie! She has absolutely no compassion for the less fortunate and worries about the pennies they might be costing the country; by contrast, she is generosity itself when it comes to the superrich and doesn't give a damn that many are not paying any taxes at all and are hiding their great fortunes from the taxman by stashing the dosh away offshore. – © Mark Alexander

Monday, October 03, 2022

Chris Brown - Forever | Official HD Video | Reupload

US Senator: 'We Are All Worried about What Putin Might Do'

US Senator Jean Shaheen (D-NH) says, given Vladimir Putin's 'irrational' nuclear threats, it's critical that NATO stay united against Russian aggression.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Condemns Protests Gripping Country

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking for the first time about the uprising, accused the U.S. and Israel of fomenting unrest and voiced support for the crackdown on protesters.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, reviewing the country’s armed forces at a graduation ceremony in Tehran on Monday. | Wana News Agency, via Reuters

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, broke his silence Monday on the protests that have engulfed the country, accusing Israel and the United States of fomenting them and expressing his support for the security services that have cracked down on the unrest.

Mr. Khamenei, speaking at a graduation ceremony at a police training school and cited by Iranian media, said it was the duty of the security forces to “ensure the safety of the Iranian nation,” referring to the protests that are now in their third week.

The unrest erupted last month after a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini, died in the custody of the morality police in Tehran after being accused of violating the country’s law mandating head scarves for adult women.

Mr. Khamene said he was “heartbroken” over the death of Ms. Amini, but he condemned the protesters, accusing them of arson and other attacks around the country. “This rioting was planned,” he said.

“The recent incidents were orchestrated by America, the Zionist regime and the people on their payroll and Iranians who are traitors abroad,” Mr. Khamenei said. “They have a big problem with an Iran that is strong and independent.”

Mr. Khamenei’s defense of the government crackdown and his dismissal of the protests as foreign fueled suggested that the authorities are prepared to double down, a stance that may further inflame the protesters.

The security forces and the “people of Iran were the biggest victims of these incidents,” he said. “In the future, whenever our enemy wants to create chaos, the people of Iran will rise up to defend, the brave and religious people of Iran.” » | Cora Engelbrecht and Farnaz Fassihi | Monday, Octiber 3, 2022

Russie : la résistance féministe | ARTE Reportage

Leur banière : FAWR, - Feminist Anti War Resistance -, dont la chaîne Telegram a très vite attiré plus de 30.000 followers. Parmi elles, Paladdia : c’est le nom d'artiste de cette jeune designer qui a déjà été incarcérée deux fois depuis le début de la guerre.

A Saint-Pétersbourg, elle est surveillée de près par la police chargée de faire taire les opposants. Son amie Lolja Nordic, elle, a été accusée de “terrorisme téléphonique”. Elle risquait 10 ans de prison et vit désormais à Tallinn, en Estonie. Pourtant, malgré la distance, elle reste l’une des principales coordinatrices du réseau de résistantes féministes anti-guerre. Et vient par ailleurs en aide aux réfugiés ukrainiens qui débarquent à Tallinn. La doyenne de ces militantes s’appelle Yelena Osipova. A 77 ans, cette peintre dont la famille était rescapée du siège de Leningrad est surnommée “la grand-mère pour la paix”. Elle n’hésite pas à manifester régulièrement dans les rues de St Petersbourg, armée de ses toiles dénonçant la guerre.

Trois personnalités, parmi les milliers d’activistes, qui dénoncent la violence d’Etat en Russie, convaincues que l’oppression envers les femmes russes et l’acceptation de la guerre en Ukraine participent du même système, idéologiquement bien implanté au cœur de la société.

Reportage de Sophie Larmoyer (France, 2022)
Disponible jusqu'au 18/05/2025


Dinu Lipatti Plays Schubert Impromptu in G-Flat Major (with Preluding)


WIKIPEDIA: Dinu Lipatti.

Our Yemeni Kitchen | مطبخنا اليمني | Shawarma at Home | شاورما بالبيت


For a full list of the ingredients and method of cooking in both English and Arabic, please click here and then click on “show more”.

Die Tories lassen ihre Chefin im Regen stehen – das ist die gerechte Strafe für den Hochmut einer Politikerin

NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Die konservativen Spitzenpolitiker haben ihrer Vorsitzenden Liz Truss brutal die Grenzen ihrer Macht aufgezeigt. Passt sie sich nicht schnell den Realitäten an, wird sie es schwer haben.

Die selbstbewusste britische Premierministerin Liz Truss wurde von ihrer Partei auf den Boden der Realität zurückgeholt. | Hannah Mckay / Reuters

KOMMENTAR

Es gibt vieles, was die derzeit am Parteitag in Birmingham versammelten konservativen Abgeordneten Grossbritanniens ihrer Chefin übelnehmen: die mit ihnen nicht abgesprochene Radikalität ihrer finanzpolitischen Ansätze, der dadurch ausgelöste Vertrauensverlust an den Finanzmärkten oder der Absturz der Partei in den Wählerumfragen. Besonders sauer stiess vielen Tories die Aussage von Liz Truss im grossen TV-Interview vom Sonntagmorgen auf, nicht sie, sondern ihr Schatzkanzler Kwasi Kwarteng habe den am meisten kritisierten – und am Montag zurückgenommenen – Entscheid getroffen, den Spitzensteuersatz für sehr hohe Einkommen zu senken.

Eine Politikerin, die derart forsch und überheblich auftritt wie die neue Premierministerin, muss für ihre Entscheidungen einstehen, auch wenn sie das Glück verlässt. Doch Truss hat mit der schnellen Distanzierung von ihrem wichtigsten Minister und Mitstreiter nebst ihren verblüffenden politischen und finanzwirtschaftlichen Fehleinschätzungen auch eine persönliche Schwäche erkennen lassen. Das wird man ihr nicht vergessen in Westminster. » | Peter Rásonyi | Montag, 3. Oktober 2022

Truss Picked ‘Cronies off Backbenches’ for Cabinet, Says Heseltine

THE GUARDIAN: Former Tory ‘big beast’ says PM needs to ‘appoint ministers who know what the heck they’re doing’

Lord Heseltine, pictured in 2019, warns against believing in ‘short-term miracles to growth’.Photograph: Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images

Liz Truss packed her cabinet with “cronies off the backbenches” rather than competent ministers with a range of views, and appeared to have no coherent plan behind her mini-budget, Michael Heseltine has said.

The ex-deputy prime minister and former senior Conservative, who sits in the Lords as an unaffiliated peer after being suspended from the party in 2019, also predicted that Truss’s chances of winning the next election were “looking pretty bleak”.

Speaking at a fringe event on Monday at the Conservative conference in Birmingham, Heseltine said the prime minister’s plan for rapid economic growth would never work, castigating what he said was a curse of short-termism. » | Peter Walker, Political correspondent | Monday, October 3, 2022

Humiliated Liz Truss is in office but barely in power. Rebel MPs have the whip hand now: The PM and Kwasi Kwarteng have bought themselves some breathing space, but the rest of their plan will trigger more revolts »

Ganz einfach, zwei verliebte Männer. | Reupload

Tout simplement, deux hommes amoureux. / Quite simply, two men in love.

Herzlichen Dank an Malachi Max and Leo Giamani auf Pinterest für dieses außerordentlich schönes Bild.

Saudi Interrogation | Locked Up Abroad

A man arrested under suspicion of being a homosexual is subject to harsh questioning.

Saudi Seizes Rainbow Toys in Hhomosexuality' Crackdown | WION Fineprint

Jun 16, 2022 | Saudi Arabia is seizing rainbow-coloured toys and articles of clothing from shops in an apparent crackdown on homosexuality in the kingdom. Officials say the colours send a "poisoned message" to children. Molly Gambhir tells you more

First Openly Gay Saudi on Changing Status of LGBT in Kuwait

Feb 18, 2022 | 'Kuwait and the Arab Gulf have been violating the LGBTQ community's rights for many years'

Days after Kuwait’s constitutional court struck down a law that criminalizes “imitation of the opposite sex” - considered a breakthrough for the regional transgender community - journalist and international rights activist Wajeeh Lion spoke with i24NEWS about the implications such a move has on the LGBTQ community in the Arab world.

“It might be a very small step in the right direction. Kuwait and the Arab Gulf have been violating the LGBTQ community's rights for many years,” Lion said.


Turkey Inflation at New 24-year High of 83% after Rate Cuts | DW News

Inflation in Turkey climbed to a new 24-year high of 83.45% in September, according to official data, after the central bank surprised markets by cutting rates twice in the last two months.

Turkey's repeated reductions in rates come at the insistence of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who believes — contrary to well-established economic principles — that reducing interest rates can slow inflation, rather than fuel it.


Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — October 3, 2022

Chicago : If You Leave Me Now | Official Audio

Official audio for Chicago - "If You Leave Me Now" from 'Chicago X' (1976) Written by Peter Cetera Produced By James William Guercio | Views on YouTube: 4,214,782

Unser täglich Brot | ARTE Re:

Es ist eines der ältesten und wichtigsten Grundnahrungsmittel – doch Brot ist nicht gleich Brot. Immer mehr Menschen wollen sich gesund ernähren und wissen: Was ist drin? Gut 78 Kilogramm Brot und Brötchen isst jeder Deutsche durchschnittlich pro Jahr. Aber wie gesund es tatsächlich ist, hängt zum einen von der Qualität der Rohstoffe, zum anderen von der Verarbeitung ab.

In seiner Backstube auf der Schwäbischen Alb setzt Heiner Beck für ein aromatisches und bekömmliches Brot auf Regionalität, eine lange Teigruhe und Rohstoffe in Bio-Qualität. Aktuell testet er verschiedene Leinsamen-Sorten in Hinblick auf Ertrag, Geschmack und die verdauungsfördernde „Schleimigkeit“ – gemeinsam mit Getreideforscher Friedrich Longin. Der 43-Jährige führte mit Heiner Beck schon viele Praxistests durch und leitet an der Uni Hohenheim die Arbeitsgruppe Weizen. Er will mit Vorurteilen aufräumen, denn Weizen hat einen schlechten Ruf. Gleichzeitig will er auf alte Getreidearten aufmerksam machen, die zu einer wichtigen Vielfalt beitragen – sowohl auf dem Teller als auch auf den Feldern.

Bei Hobby-Bäckerin Grit Steußloff aus Rostock hat die Back-Leidenschaft klein angefangen, inzwischen bietet sie Kurse für Backbegeisterte an. Vor allem der Sauerteig, der nicht dank Hefe, sondern Milchsäurebakterien aufgeht, hat eine wachsende Fangemeinde. Im neusten Kurs will auch die 34-Jährige Elisa Zeitke noch mehr Kniffe für ihre Backkunst lernen. Immer mehr Menschen wollen wissen: Was ist in meinem Lebensmittel drin? Diese Devise verfolgen auch Jens und Thorsten Eiling. Die Brüder betreiben eine Bio-Mühle im nordrhein-westfälischen Warstein. Momentan wird eine neue Mehlsorte getestet: ein extrafeines Vollkornweizenmehl aus Populationsweizen, einer Durchkreuzung mehrerer moderner Weizensorten. Brot-Blogger und Arzt Björn Hollensteiner soll das Mehl testen – das Probe-Brot muss im Anschluss aber noch den Fluffigkeits- und Geschmackstest bei den Müllern bestehen.

Reportage (D 2022, 32 Min)
Video auf Youtube verfügbar bis zum 29/09/2023


Brazil Election: Lula Wins First Round but Far Right Has Momentum

THE GUARDIAN: Six key questions after first round of voting leads to closer than expected result
Supporters of Lula react as they watch the vote count in Brazil. Photograph: Sérgio Lima/AFP/Getty Images

EXPLAINER

Brazil’s left went into Sunday’s election hoping for an outright majority for their candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva over Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right figurehead who has been Brazil’s president for the last four years.

At the very least, they hoped for a commanding margin and a sense of momentum going into a run-off between the two. And progressives around the world were watching for an emphatic repudiation of Bolsonaro’s presidency that would signal that the forces of extremism were in retreat. But it hasn’t worked out that way.

Instead, Lula won 48% of votes, roughly in line with polls – but Bolsonaro did much better than expected, taking 43%, and his supporters also outperformed polls in state and senate races. Lula is expected to take most votes from the minor candidates who now drop out, and should be favourite to win in the second round on October 30 - but the road to victory looks rockier than it did last night. The stakes could hardly be higher. » | Archie Bland | Monday, October 3, 2022

Tax U-turn Wins Truss Some Time but Damage to Credibility Remains

THE GUARDIAN: PM said she was prepared to make unpopular decisions – but then buckled, so now she will be seen as both unpopular and wrong

It was seen as electoral suicide to cut taxes for the rich, and a succession of bad polls for the Tories bore that view out. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA

ANALYSIS

So it turns out the lady was for turning, after all. Just hours after Liz Truss declared on national television that she would stand by her controversial plan to scrap the 45p top tax rate, she dumped it.

The decision came in crisis talks with her chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, late on Sunday night, after the prime minister spent the evening touring fringe events at the Tory party conference.

It was clear to anybody with even an ounce of political foresight that the U-turn was inevitable. Rebellious Tory MPs, led by former cabinet minister Michael Gove, had made it clear they would vote against the 45p rate cut, undeterred by threats to strip them of the whip.

They warned of the “un-Conservative” risk of using borrowed money to fund tax cuts and the broader fiscal turbulence unleashed by the uncertainty around the mini-budget. The Tories, they feared, had permanently broken the link with economic competence.

But it was the politics that caused the deepest unease. At a time when people are struggling with the costs of living, and the government is planning further public spending cuts, focusing on welfare, it was seen as electoral suicide to cut taxes for the rich. A succession of bad polls for the Tories bore that view out. » | Pippa Crerar, Political editor | Monday, October 3, 2022

Liz Truss Abandons Plan to Scrap 45p Top Rate of Income Tax amid Tory Revolt

THE GUARDIAN: Government makes U-turn over proposal to abolish top-rate tax cut after growing backlash over mini-budget

Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng on Sunday, the first day of the Conservative party conference in Birmingham. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Liz Truss’s government has abandoned its plan to abolish the 45% top rate of income tax in a humiliating U-turn, after a growing Conservative revolt over the policy and a turbulent reaction from markets.

Announcing the decision in an early morning tweet on Monday, Kwasi Kwarteng said: “We get it, and we have listened.”

The chancellor said the decision to cut tax for people on incomes of £150,000 or more “has become a distraction from our overriding mission to tackle the challenges facing our country”.

He continued: “As a result, I’m announcing we are not proceeding with the abolition of the 45p tax rate.”

But in a round of broadcast interviews hours before he was due to address the Conservative conference in Birmingham, Kwarteng denied his mini-budget 10 days ago had been a mistake, despite its impact on the pound and on the cost of government debt, which in turn has made mortgages more expensive. » | Peter Walker and Virginia Harrison | Monday, October 3, 2022

I should damn well think so too! Giving tax cuts to the superrich at a time when so many people are suffering, having to go to foodbanks to feed their children and many having to choose between heating and eating, would have been totally and utterly unconscionable. – © Mark Alexander

Times Radio: We've Lost the Next Election, Says Conservative MP Charles Walker

"It's hard to construct an argument now that the Conservatives can win that general election. I suspect conversation is, yeah, how much do we lose it by."

Sunday, October 02, 2022

Au Burkina Faso, le colonel Damiba a accepté de démissionner, la France dénonce « des atteintes graves à la sécurité » de ses institutions

LE MONDE : Le capitaine Ibrahim Traoré, nouvel homme fort autoproclamé, a appelé les manifestants à « se départir de tout acte de violence et de vandalisme (…) notamment ceux qui pourraient être perpétrés contre l’ambassade de la France » à Ouagadougou.

Près de deux jours après la destitution annoncée par des militaires du chef de la junte au pouvoir, la tension restait vive, dimanche, au Burkina Faso. Le lieutenant-colonel Damiba, destitué vendredi par le capitaine Ibrahim Traoré mais qui refusait d’abdiquer, a finalement accepté de démissionner dimanche, ont annoncé des chefs religieux et communautaires. « Suite aux actions de médiation » menées par ces chefs entre les deux rivaux, « le Président Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba a proposé lui-même sa démission afin d’éviter des affrontements aux conséquences humaines et matérielles graves », indiquent-ils dans un communiqué.

Cette annonce fait suite à deux jours de confusion politique, au cours desquels la France et ses institutions ont été prises pour cibles par des manifestants en colère. » | Le Monde avec AFP | dimanche 2 octobre 2022

Realed links.

Brazil’s Elections: The Economist Interviews Lula

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, commonly known as Lula, is the former leftist president of Brazil and the man taking on Jair Bolsonaro, the right-wing incumbent, in the country’s upcoming presidential election. In an exclusive interview with The Economist, Lula discusses his campaign and his plans for Brazil.

Petraeus: US Would Destroy Russia’s Troops If Putin Uses Nuclear Weapons in Ukraine

THE GUARDIAN: Former CIA director and retired army general says Moscow’s leader is ‘desperate’ and ‘battlefield reality he faces is irreversible’

Former CIA director and retired army general David Petraeus in 2015. Photograph: Chris Keane/REUTERS

The US and its allies would destroy Russia’s troops and equipment in Ukraine – as well as sink its Black sea fleet – if Russian president Vladimir Putin uses nuclear weapons in the country, former CIA director and retired four-star army general David Petraeus warned on Sunday.

Petreaus said that he had not spoken to national security adviser Jake Sullivan on the likely US response to nuclear escalation from Russia, which administration officials have said has been repeatedly communicated to Moscow.

He told ABC News: “Just to give you a hypothetical, we would respond by leading a Nato – a collective – effort that would take out every Russian conventional force that we can see and identify on the battlefield in Ukraine and also in Crimea and every ship in the Black sea.”

The warning comes days after Putin expressed views that many have interpreted as a threat of a larger war between Russia and the west. » | Edward Helmore | Sunday, October 2, 2022

Will Bolsonaro Accept Brazil's Election Results If He Loses? | DW News

Brazilians go to the polls after a highly polarized presidential election campaign that's prompted fears of violence. Opinion polls give a clear advantage to the leftist former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. And the right-wing incumbent, Jair Bolsonaro, has hinted that he might not accept a defeat. DW correspondent Johann Ramirez sent this report on the election from Rio de Janeiro.

Cost of Living Crisis Worsens in UK; Liz Truss's Approval Ratings Plunge | World News | WION

It has been barely a month since Liz Truss took over the reins from Boris Johnson as the UK’s Prime Minister and it seems that she is already facing a major crisis. According to the Observer poll, the approval ratings of Liz Truss and the Tories have plunged.