Venezuela Bars Guaido From Holding Public Office For 15 Years

Maajid Nawaz's Blistering Case For Why Second Referendum Is Not Undemocratic

Brexit Stalemate Has Caused Enormous Damage to UK, Princeton's O'Toole Says

Mar.29 -- Fintan O'Toole, Princeton University professor, comments on U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May's push for a Brexit deal. He speaks with Bloomberg's Vonnie Quinn on "Bloomberg Markets."

EU Gives Britain 11 Days to Come Up with New Brexit Plan

THE GUARDIAN: Brussels calls emergency summit for 10 April after MPs reject Theresa May’s deal for third time

The EU has given the British government 11 days to come up with a fresh Brexit plan to avoid crashing out of the bloc at 11pm on 12 April.

In the immediate aftermath of the crushing rejection of the prime minister’s deal, the European council president, Donald Tusk, called an emergency leaders’ summit.

Should the UK seek a lengthy extension, leaders will debate any request at an extraordinary meeting on 10 April.

EU capitals would require a clear justification at least two days earlier from Downing Street on the reason for a lengthy delay to allow officials to prepare. “We expect the UK to indicate a way forward before then, well in time for the European council to consider,” an official said.

EU heads of state and government expressed their alarm at the continued impasse in Westminster following the third defeat of May’s deal. » | Daniel Boffey in Brussels | Friday, March 29, 2019

Have Protesters in Gaza Achieved Their Goal? | Inside Story

March 30 marks a year since mass demonstrations began at the fence that separates Gaza from Israel. Since then, Friday afternoon prayers have been followed by demonstrations by hundreds of Palestinians. They are demanding their right to return to the homes and land their families were expelled from 70 years ago.

Israeli soldiers have responded by firing live ammunition and Gaza's health ministry says they've now killed more than 250 people and injured thousands. The United Nations says more than 120 people have had one or both legs amputated. UN investigators say Israel has committed war crimes. All this, at a time of heightened tension in the region. So what's the way forward?

Presenter: Divya Gopalan | Guests: Mukhaimer Abu Saada, Professor of Political Science at Al Azhar University in Gaza; Mitchell Barak, CEO of Keevoon Global Research and was adviser to former Israeli President Shimon Peres and Speechwriter for Ex Prime Minister Ariel Sharon; Saleh Higazi, Deputy Regional Director covering the Middle East and North Africa region for Amnesty International

Russia Defies US Threats Over Venezuela

Trump insists Russia 'get out' of Venezuela; Vijay Prashad says Russia is protecting its own economic interests, billions in outstanding loans

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines — March 29, 2019

Owen Jones Meets Sayeeda Warsi | 'Islamophobia Is Britain’s Bigotry Blind Spot'

Tory peer Sayeeda Warsi is one the most outspoken critics of Islamophobia in her own party. I met her to talk about what she calls ‘Britain's bigotry blind spot’ and the consequences it has for Muslim communities around the country. She has some damning criticism for the way her party has dealt with the racism in its ranks and fears what will happen if Michael Gove, one of the current favourites to replace Theresa May, becomes prime minister.

Lebanon Turns to Russia amid Israeli Threat

The President of Lebanon has vocally condemned Israel’s seizure of the Golan Heights in Syria, calling it “a black day for the world.” Meanwhile Lebanon and Russia are drawing closer together diplomatically. Yulia Shapovalova reports. Then RT America’s John Huddy joins Rick Sanchez to discuss the reaction at the United Nations and the strategic importance of the Golan Heights. Then former Pentagon official Michael Maloof weighs in on the geopolitical implications and the possibility of the annexation sparking a wider conflict.

Japan Poised to Reveal Name of New Imperial Era as Akihito Abdicates

THE GUARDIAN: Naming ceremony to take place before emperor steps down from Chrysanthemum throne

On Monday morning, a senior government official in Tokyo will enter a room, gather his thoughts and hold up a work of handwritten calligraphy.

Millions of people will pause and digest the meaning of the two kanjicharacters, and Japan will finally get the answer to a question that has kept it in suspense for months: the name of the new imperial era.

The characters will open a new chapter in Japanese history, a month before the emperor, Akihito, makes way for his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, whose enthronement will take place on 1 May in the country’s first imperial abdication for 200 years. » | Justin McCurry in Tokyo | Friday, March 29, 2019

Donald Trump Rails against 'Greatest Hoax' at First Rally Since Mueller Report

THE GUARDIAN: President wrongly claims special counsel’s report fully exonerated him as he woos voters in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Donald Trump continued his assault on the media and Democrats on Thursday night, wrongly claiming “total exoneration, complete vindication” at his first rally since Robert Mueller submitted his report.

Trump dedicated about half of his approximately 90-minute speech in front of a raucous audience at Grand Rapids to the topic, labeling the accusations and investigation “ridiculous bullshit”. The president bounced between theories about why the special counsel’s investigation happened and attacks on his opponents.

“All of the Democrats, politicians, the media also – bad people,” Trump told the crowd at Michigan’s Van Andel Arena. “The crooked journalists, the totally dishonest TV pundits” helped perpetuate “the single greatest hoax in the history of politics”.

He later claimed that the investigation was really an effort “to overturn the results of the 2016 election”. » | Tom Perkins in Grand Rapids, Michigan | Friday, March 29, 2019

Far-right Terrorism Threat Is Growing, Say MI5 and Police Chiefs

THE GUARDIAN: Andrew Parker and Cressida Dick say numerous plots have been foiled in recent years

Far-right terrorism has been identified as a key threat to the safety and prosperity of the country, according to the director general of MI5, Andrew Parker, and Cressida Dick, the commissioner of the Metropolitan police.

Writing in the Times, the pair warned that while Islamist terrorism remains the largest by scale, they are also “concerned about the growing threat from other forms of violent extremism … covering a spectrum of hate-driven ideologies, including the extreme right and left.”

“Over the past few years [police] have stopped a number of rightwing terrorist attacks from getting through,” they wrote.

In the wake of the Christchurch attacks, in which 50 Muslims were killed by a suspected white supremacist, security services worldwide have refocused on the threat of far-right extremists. » | Seth Jacobson | Friday, March 29, 2019

George Clooney Calls for Hotels Boycott over Brunei's LGBT Laws

THE GUARDIAN: Actor targets nine sites owned by kingdom after it announced death penalty for gay sex

George Clooney has called for a boycott of nine luxury hotels, including the Dorchester on Park Lane in London, because of their links to Brunei, which plans to impose death by stoning as a punishment for gay sex and adultery from next week.

“Let that sink in. In the onslaught of news where we see the world backsliding into authoritarianism this stands alone,” the film star and activist wrote in an opinion piece for Deadline.

In a novel form of political activism aimed at the global elite, he called for the public to join him in immediately boycotting the hotels operated by the Dorchester Collection luxury chain: three in the UK, two in the US, two in France and two in Italy. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Friday, March 29, 2019

George Clooney: Boycott Sultan Of Brunei’s Hotels Over Cruel Anti-Gay Laws

DEADLINE: George Clooney has a long relationship with Deadline, often on matters beyond film and television. In a guest column, he calls for the immediate boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Hotel Bel-Air and six others to protest the imminent legalization of laws that make it open season on the LGBTQ community in Brunei.

The date April 3rd has held a unique place in our history over the years. Theologians and astronomers will tell you that Christ was crucified on that date. On April 3rd Harry Truman signed the Marshall Plan, arguably the greatest postwar intervention in the history of man. The first portable cellphone call was made on April 3rd. Marlon Brando was born on that day.

But this April 3rd will hold its own place in history. On this particular April 3rd the nation of Brunei will begin stoning and whipping to death any of its citizens that are proved to be gay. Let that sink in. In the onslaught of news where we see the world backsliding into authoritarianism this stands alone. » | George Clooney | Thursday, March 28, 2019

Analysis: The Saudi Justice System and Human Rights | Al Jazeera English

Saudi Arabia has temporarily released three of the women's rights activists held in custody for almost a year, state media has said, following a court hearing in which the detainees alleged torture and sexual harassment during interrogation.

At least 11 activists were arrested last May in a sweeping crackdown on campaigners just before the historic lifting of a decades-long ban on female motorists.

In a separate development on Thursday, a United Nations human rights expert said that Saudi Arabia should hold public trials for those accused of killing Khashoggi in order for the judicial process to be credible.

Al Jazeera's Senior Middle East Analyst Marwan Bishara talks about the two issues.

Quebec to Ban Public Employees from Wearing Religious Symbols

THE GUARDIAN: Critics say move targets Muslim women wearing hijabs / Justin Trudeau says legitimising discrimination is ‘unthinkable’

The Canadian province of Quebec will ban public sector employees from wearing religious symbols during work hours, in legislation introduced on Thursday, a controversial move that critics say targets Muslim women who wear hijabs or other head coverings.

The proposed law sets the province’s right-leaning Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government on a collision course with the prime minister, Justin Trudeau, who promotes religious freedom, in a federal election year with Quebec a vital battleground.

“It is unthinkable to me that in a free society we would legitimise discrimination against citizens based on their religion,” Trudeau told reporters in Halifax on Thursday. » | Reuters in Ottawa | Thursday, March 28, 2019

Is the Austrian Government Serious about Cracking Down on the Far-right? l Inside Story

The Austrian government says it will not tolerate what it considers 'extremist ideology'. And it's now considering disbanding the far-right Identitarian movement and investigating whether it is a 'terrorist' organisation.

That decision has been made after it was confirmed the movement's leader, Martin Sellner, received nearly $1,700 from the man accused of perpetrating the Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand. But he has denied any ties to white supremacist Brenton Tarrant.

Austria is the only country in Western Europe with a far-right presence in government. The leader of the right-wing Freedom Party has distanced himself from the Identitarians; and the country's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says radical ideologies are not welcome in Austria. But is anyone convinced?

Presenter: Hazem Sika | Guests: Michael Bonvalot, author and expert on the far-right in Austria; Emily Gorcenski, Researcher and Advisory Board member to the Prosecution Project, a research lab studying political violence; Cynthia Miller-Idriss, Professor of Sociology at the American University and author of "The Extreme Gone Mainstream: Commercialization and Far Right Youth Culture in Germany"

This Four Letter Word Is What President Trump Repeatedly Calls His Opponents

CNN's John Avlon takes a look at President Donald Trump's long history of calling his political opponents evil, and why that matters.

Russia Must Get Out of Venezuela, All Options Open – Trump

US President Donald #Trump has warned that #Russia must get out of #Venezuela. Two planeloads of Russian troops are currently in the Latin American country under the terms of a 2001 cooperation treaty.

Brexit: Is a General Election Likely? - BBC Newsnight

Could the Brexit deadlock lead to a general election?