Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Julian Assange World Exclusive: Secrets from Inside the Embassy | 60 Minutes Australia


There’s no middle ground when it comes to what the world thinks of Julian Assange. He’s either loved or loathed. Just over a fortnight ago, the Australian founder of WikiLeaks made more headlines when police dragged him, not so much kicking, but definitely screaming, out of the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he’d been holed up for seven years. Watching the shock eviction was Assange’s father, John Shipton, who fears his son will be sent to the United States, locked up and never released. In a 60 MINUTES world exclusive, Shipton tells Tara Brown he wants everyone to know the real Julian Assange is not some careless villain computer hacker, but a hero of free speech.

Monday, April 29, 2019

US Threatens Iran with 40% Inflation


After withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization and reversing on oil sanctions waivers, the US is now threatening to hike inflation in Iran up to 40 percent. Former US diplomat Jim Jatras sits down with RT America’s Manila Chan to discuss US President Donald Trump’s hawkish policies toward the oil-rich country.

Joe To President Donald Trump: You Can Call Out White Nationalism | Morning Joe | MSNBC


The president on Friday accused Democrats and the intel community of attempting a coup in the form of the special counsel's investigation and said he didn't need a gun to fend it off. Joe Scarborough reacts to Trump's remarks and to new reporting on the NRA.

Amal Clooney Calls Out Trump Administration at the UN | NowThis


Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney called out the Trump administration for undermining efforts to help women raped during war, warning that it's their 'chance to stand on the right side of history.’

In the latest current events news on the Trump administration, Amal Clooney, human rights lawyer and wife of George Clooney, recently spoke at the United Nations in front of the UN Security Council about some of the most dire global issues: sexual violence, sex slavery, and other related war crimes. In the Amal Clooney speech, she directly called out the President Trump administration for impeding the UN's efforts to help women hurt by the Islamic State and other destructive regimes. The Donald Trump White House has been persistent over reproductive rights, but this Amal Clooney UN speech, Clooney showed she wasn't afraid.


Can Iran Close Hormuz Strait? | Inside Story


The Strait of Hormuz is the only sea route in and out of the Gulf. Twenty percent of the world's oil is carried through it by tankers.

Now, the US decision to impose further economic sanctions on Iran has prompted threats from Tehran to close this strategic waterway. This week, Washington will end all waivers granted to eight countries, including China and India, that import Iranian oil.

The Trump administration says it's part of its 'maximum pressure' campaign to stop Iran from destabilising the region. But what are the consequences of shutting the Strait of Hormus, not just for Iran, but the region and global oil markets?

Presenter: Kamahl Santamaria | Guests: Mohammad Eslami, political researcher and columnist; Manouchehr Takin, independent oil and energy consultant; Simon Mabon, senior lecturer in international studies at Lancaster University


Nigel Farage Is Fuelled by the Betrayal Myth. And Brexit Is Only the Start


THE GUARDIAN: His rhetoric was always that the elite would thwart the will of the people, enabling a new movement to rise up amid the anger

It is a grim reflection that no contemporary British politician better understands the networks, dynamics and ever-changing rules of modern politics than Nigel Farage.

He is as effective as he is awful. His fledgling Brexit party is not fielding candidates in Thursday’s local elections – though its baleful spirit will surely loom over the battle for control of 248 English councils, in which the Tories are expected to suffer serious losses.

Instead, Farage is keeping his powder dry for the European elections that will be held on 23 May, assuming Theresa May has not secured Britain’s exit from the European Union by then.

In the latest Opinium poll of voting intention, his new movement is level pegging with Labour on 28% – 14 points ahead of the Tories. » | Matthew d’Ancona | Monday, April 29, 2019

Sunday, April 28, 2019

Prince William Speaking Inside the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch


Published on 25 Apr 2019

Markus Auer, Koch von Marlene Dietrich


What Shapes US Foreign Policy in the Middle East? | Inside Story


Qatar hosts a two-day conference on US policy and the Gulf crisis. From the crisis in the Gulf to the war in Syria, the decisions made in Washington have long-lasting consequences.

US president Donald Trump has taken a 'hands-off' approach to foreign policy while pushing his 'America First' strategy. He has long promised to find a solution to the conflict in Palestine with what he calls the 'deal of the century'. But there hasn't been much detail on what that deal contains.

Now, with an election year coming up in the US, and an ever-changing political dynamic in the Middle East, what will be America's policy in the region? And are we heading towards more uncertainty?

Presenter: Peter Dobbie | Guests: Mahmoud Jabara - Visiting Lecturer, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg; Seyed Mohammad Marandi - Dean at the Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran; Omar Ayasra - Researcher in Religious Sociology and Political Transformation; Mohammed Cherkaoui - Senior Fellow, Al Jazeera Centre For Studies


Saturday, April 27, 2019

Nicola Sturgeon Interview on Brexit, Scottish Independence and the Euro


First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon discusses her time frame for a second Scottish referendum - and is challenged on whether Scotland would have to commit to adopting the Euro if an independent Scotland were to join the EU.

Will Macron's Promises End Yellow Vests Protests? | Al Jazeera English


President Emmanuel Macron responds to months of riots by vowing to 'transform France'. They are the results of the so-called 'great debate'. After months of hearing complaints from the length of and breadth of France, Emmanuel Macron has told TV viewers that he has listened to the cries for change.

He's responded to the biggest challenge to his presidency by offering some concessions to the Yellow Vest protesters. They've brought Paris - and other cities - to a standstill every Saturday for months demanding cuts to the cost of living.

Macron is proposing lower taxes for some, pensions reform, stopping the closure of schools and hospitals - and making it easier to hold a referendum on vital issues. There are other proposals too. But are they enough to stop the riots and revolt against his ideas for the future of France?

Presenter: Adrian Finighan | Guests: Renaud Girard - Chief Foreign Correspondent, Le Figaro newspaper; Charles Lichfield - European Affairs Analyst, Eurasia Group of consultants; Jacques Reland - Head of European Research, Global Policy Institute


Marlene Dietrich's Daughter, Maria Riva, Speaking at the William J. Donovan Award® Dinner


Loneliness Epidemic As Deadly As Smoking | 60 Minutes Australia


In Australia, and around the world, loneliness has become a massive health epidemic. In fact, researchers say being lonely is just as detrimental to our wellbeing as smoking and excessive drinking. And that means loneliness can be deadly. Just as worrying, it doesn’t discriminate. Loneliness can strike anyone, young, old, male, female, rich or poor.

Brazil Governed by ‘Lunatics’ and US ‘Lackeys’, Says Ex-president Lula


THE GUARDIAN: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s president from 2003 and 2011, is in jail over corruption charges that he disputes

Brazil is being governed by “a bunch of lunatics” and United States “lackeys” who have shattered its international reputation, former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has claimed in his first interview since being jailed one year ago.

Lula, Brazil’s president from 2003 and 2011, surrendered himself to police last April after being convicted on corruption charges he disputes.

The 73-year-old leftist had been forbidden from giving face-to-face interviews until Friday, when two Brazilian journalists were allowed to visit him at his prison in southern Brazil following a lengthy legal battle.

Lula told them Brazil needed to undergo period of “self-reflection” after what he described as the “crazy” fake news and hate-filled election of far-right populist Jair Bolsonaro last year. “What we can’t have is this country being run governed by a bunch of lunatics. The country doesn’t deserve this and above all the people do not deserve this.” » | Anna Jean Kaiser in São Paulo and Tom Phillips | Saturday, April 27, 2019

Friday, April 26, 2019

Trump Withdraws from UN Arms Treaty as NRA Crowd Cheers in Delight


THE GUARDIAN: Democrats condemn Trump’s ‘myopic’ decision to withdraw / President at NRA summit vows to defend second amendment

Donald Trump has announced that the US will withdraw its support for a United Nations treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar global arms trade.

Addressing the National Rifle Association (NRA) in Indianapolis, the president said he would revoke America’s status as a signatory of the arms trade treaty regulating conventional weapons including small arms, battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.

“My administration will never ratify the UN arms trade treaty,” Trump said. “We’re taking our signature back. The United Nations will soon receive a formal notice that America is rejecting this treaty.”

Trump added: “Under my administration, we will never surrender American sovereignty to anyone. We will never allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your second amendment freedom. I’m officially announcing today that the United States will be revoking the effect of America’s signature from this badly misguided treaty.” » | David Smith in Indianapolis | Friday, April 26, 2019

UN Condemns Saudi Executions, US Barely Reacts


Amnesty International and members of the US Congress are expressing outrage over the mass execution of 37 prisoners in Saudi Arabia. While their trials failed to meet international standards of fairness and their deaths have drawn worldwide rebuke, the US State Department has refused to condemn them. RT America’s Dan Cohen reports for News.Views.Hughes.

37 Men Were Executed and Court Filings Show Some Protested Their Innocence


Saudi Arabia says 37 men have been executed after being convicted of terror-related crimes, but documents reviewed by CNN show that many said they were totally innocent and their confessions had been written by the same people who had tortured them.

Brazil Must Not Become a 'Gay Tourism Paradise', Says Bolsonaro


THE GUARDIAN: LGBT campaigners say Brazilian president’s comments risk inciting hatred

Brazil’s far-right president, the self-declared homophobe Jair Bolsonaro, has been accused of inciting hatred towards LGBT people after declaring the South American country should not become a “gay tourism paradise”.

“If you want to come here and have sex with a woman, go for your life,” Bolsonaro reportedly told journalists in the capital, Brasília. “But we can’t let this place become known as a gay tourism paradise. Brazil can’t be a country of the gay world, of gay tourism. We have families,” Bolsonaro added, according to the Brazilian magazine Exame.

The comments – made during a breakfast meeting with Brazilian reporters – sparked an immediate reaction from LGBT campaigners. » | Tom Phillips and Anna Jean Kaiser in São Paulo | Friday, April 26, 2019

Simon Schama on the Lessons of History for Brexit and Donald Trump


Historian Simon Schama is probably best known for his television documentaries on the history of Britain, America and art. His new book, Wordy, is a collection of his writings covering everything from interviews with rock musicians to food and the future of liberal democracy.

Should Trump Be Committed to a Mental Health Facility?


Donald Trump's campaign opened with shouts of "Lock Her Up" from his followers and supporters. Two years into his presidency calls for impeaching Donald Trump are using that phrase against him. Now Dr. Justin Frank, Psychoanalyst, and author of 'Trump on the Couch' joins the Thom Hartmann program to call for locking Donald Trump up in a Mental Health facility, Is it time to put Donald Trump in the funny farm? Is the President's mental health out for lunch?