Thursday, September 12, 2019

Shaykh Hasib Noor - Jesus: Son of Mary - Islamic Version


In Islam, Jesus is understood to be the penultimate prophet and messenger of God (Allah) and therefore holds great importance in the Islamic faith. But how similar and/or different is the Islamic version of the story of Jesus from that of the Christian tradition? This lecture by Shaykh Hasib Noor looks to share the Islamic version of the story of Jesus, son of Mary.


I am placing this lecture up because I believe it is one of the clearest explanations I have heard of the Muslim Jesus. It is a very interesting lecture, and very well delivered too.

As people, we need to understand each other. Without understanding, there can be no harmony. It doesn’t matter whether we are of the Christian faith, of the Islamic faith, or of no faith at all, it is always good to see things from another’s perspective.

Watching this is well worth your time. Even if you don’t agree with all of it, you will certainly enjoy it. – Mark

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Scots Judges Rule Parliament Suspension Unlawful


Amid what is now a full-blown constitutional crisis, all eyes will be on the Supreme Court next week, when the country’s top judges will decide whether Scotland's Court of Session was correct in ruling that the Prime Minister acted in an "improper" and "unlawful" way in suspending parliament for five weeks. Opposition MPs leapt on the ruling, saying that parliament should be recalled immediately. Former attorney general and Tory rebel Dominic Grieve said that if Boris Johnson had misled the Queen over the reasons for prorogation, then he should resign.

Opinion: Tom Watson Says PM Is 'Disgraceful' and Calls for Referendum before Election


The deputy Labour party leader said Boris Johnson was 'worse than Thatcher' in a speech at the Creative Industries Federation in London on Wednesday as he called for a referendum before a general election. Watson said: 'There is no such thing as a good Brexit deal' and urged his party to 'unequivocally back remain'

John Bolton Ousted | Inside Story


He was the longest-serving US National Security Advisor under President Donald Trump. But that wasn't enough to save him. Just like his predecessors, John Bolton has been tweeted out of the White House.

Bolton was known for his hardline stance against countries like Iran and North Korea. And he'd disagreed with the president over foreign policy - most recently on Afghanistan. He opposed Trump's plan to bring members of the Taliban to Camp David to sign a peace accord.

Those views led to the president firing him, although Bolton says he resigned; so what does his departure mean for US foreign policy? And is there anyone who can hold onto one of the most powerful positions in the White House?

Presenter: Imran Khan Guests John Jones, Former Senate National Security Director under former National Security Advisor Chuck Schumer Scott Lucas, Founder and Editor of EA World View and Professor of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Birmingham. Jenna Ben-Yehuda, President and CEO of the Truman National Security Project.


Boris Johnson "Nothing Like” Churchill – Nicholas Soames | Times News


Nicholas Soames reflects on his expulsion from the Tory party and says Boris Johnson is nothing like his grandfather Winston Churchill.


Sir Nicholas is more horrified by Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Commons leader. His behaviour this week, lolling on the front bench, was “repulsive”, he says. “He is in serious danger of believing his own shtick. He is an absolute fraud, he is a living example of what a moderately cut double-breasted suit and a decent tie can do with an ultra-posh voice and a bit of ginger stuck up his arse. You do not behave like that as leader of the House.” Both men went to Eton but Sir Nicholas says Rees-Mogg’s behaviour has nothing to do with his school. “I thought it was bloody bad manners and he of all people should know better. He has had all the advantages and frankly nanny made a serious bish. I wanted to kick him firmly in the arse and say, ‘What the hell do you think you are playing at? Sit up!’ ” His speech in the Brexit debate was “the lowest form of student union hackery, insolence and bad manners”. Read the full article here » | September 6, 2019

Why Scaramucci Now Calls Trump 'Horrific' and 'Despicable'


Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci reacts to President Trump's feud with with John Legend and his wife Chrissy Teigen.

Intel Chair Schiff: Bolton Should Have Never Been National Security Advisor | The Last Word | MSNBC


House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff says that the newly-ousted John Bolton left several foreign policy matters, like Iran, most volatile. Schiff also discusses upcoming moves by the Judiciary Committee on impeachment.

Controversial Trump Aide John Bolton Exits White House Knocking Trump | The Beat with Ari Melber | MSNBC


President Trump has fired controversial National Security Advisor John Bolton on Twitter, after they ‘strongly disagreed.’ Sparking more controversary, Bolton offered a different recount, saying he previously ‘offered to resign.’ Former Obama official Richard Stengel argues ‘the problem with replacing Bolton’ is ‘when someone leaves the Trump administration, they’re never replaced by a better actor.’

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

The Guardian View on John Bolton: Good Riddance, But the Problem Is His Boss


THE GUARDIAN: Many will rightly celebrate the departure of the US national security adviser. But however welcome the news, it reflects the deeper problems with this administration

No sensible observer of international affairs could lament Donald Trump’s announcement that he has fired John Bolton as his national security adviser – though in typically combative style, Mr Bolton insists that he quit. Whatever the precise manner of his departure, plenty of people in Washington, including lifelong Republicans, are cheering. Many others around the world will celebrate. This is a rare presidential outcome that can be welcomed even by those who despise Mr Trump and all he stands for.

The political demise of the reckless uberhawk who bears so much responsibility for so much appalling American foreign policy in the past, and who had attempted to steer the president towards so much more, is welcome. When he entered the administration last spring – as the president’s third permanent national security adviser in 14 months – he had been arguing forcefully for “preemptive” attacks on North Korea. There was an obvious clash of wills with Mr Trump: unlike the president, he believes in aggressive foreign intervention and an international military presence to match. One fear was that his indisputable tactical skills within the government machine and sheer relentlessness might allow him to prevail. » | Editorial | Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Boris Johnson's Brexit Stalemate | Inside Story


Only a few days ago he said he would rather 'die in a ditch' than ask the EU for an extension to Brexit negotiations. But it seems Boris Johnson may have to admit defeat and find another way to deal with his deeply divided government.

His attempt to call an early election has been thrown out, and Parliament has been suspended for the next five weeks. He needed more than 430 votes to get a snap election - he only got 293.

That's left him cornered if he wants the UK to leave the bloc on October 31st. So, what are his options now? And where does this leave Brexit?

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom | Guests Bobby Friedman, political commentator on UK politics and the author of 'Bercow, Mr Speaker: Rowdy Living in the Tory Party'; Alex De Ruyter, director of the Centre for Brexit Studies at Birmingham City University; Sonia Purnell, journalist and author of 'Just Boris: A Tale of Blond Ambition'


Sunday, September 08, 2019

Could MPs Take the PM to Court to Force Brexit Delay?


A cross-party group of MPs - including some former Conservatives recently expelled from the party - say they are willing to go to court to stop Boris Johnson breaking the law by refusing to delay Brexit.

The Guardian View on the World and Brexit: Rue Britannia


THE GUARDIAN: A project supposed to enhance Britain’s international stature has only served to diminish it

The case for Brexit rested largely upon two misapprehensions – or, to put it less kindly, lies. The first was the belief that engaging in a deep and broad partnership, with the necessary compromises and disadvantages that brings alongside all its benefits, was an act of treacherous self-sabotage. The second was a wholly unrealistic assessment of Britain’s international status and heft, rooted in a vague, nostalgic vision of its imperial past. A third myth sprang from these two: that a post-Brexit Britannia would emerge triumphant, a beacon of democracy, parliamentary sovereignty and prosperity, shining across the waves.

The last three years have left such ideas in tatters; the last week has ripped the remaining shreds away. Its events have left Britain appearing not only backwards-looking, irrational and divided, but fanatical, bitter, frivolous, chaotic and heedless of any legal or customary impediment to the executive. Boris Johnson promised a stroll to sunlit meadows; now he offers a grim, hellish march towards no deal, and his troops have had enough. » | Editorial | Sunday, September 8, 2019

Saturday, September 07, 2019

Boris Johnson 'Will Be Forced from Power If He Defies No-deal Law'


THE OBSERVER: If PM fails to comply with anti-no deal act passed by parliament this week, he could face jail, legal experts warn

Boris Johnson would trigger a legal and constitutional crisis that would force his resignation as prime minister if he failed to obey a law mandating him to seek another extension to Brexit, according to high-level legal advice obtained by Labour.

The conclusions of a team of leading QCs, which have been sent to the shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, make clear that the prime minister would be declared in contempt of court if he tried to remain in No 10 while refusing to obey legislation to prevent the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal on 31 October. The new law is expected to gain royal assent from the Queen early next week.

The legal advice, from lawyers at Matrix Chambers, says: “If the prime minister refused to comply with this order, then, while we would be in historically uncharted political territory, the legal position would remain clear – the prime minister would be in contempt of an order of the court and would be exposed to a full range of sanctions.” » | Toby Helm, Michael Savage, Andrew Rawnsleyand Daniel Boffey in Brussels | Saturday, September 7, 2019

France 24 – The Debate: Has Johnson Lost Control? Move to Block No-deal Brexit Triggers Call for Snap Poll


Brexit: The End of the Road for Johnson? | DW Quadriga


Showdown in the United Kingdom. PM Johnson versus parliament; deal versus no deal. The Brexit endgame has begun. Guests: Friedrich Thelen (political adviser), Jon Worth (blogger), Alex Forrest Whiting (DW)

Could Trump Be Crueler Than We Thought?


Donald Trump may be crueler than we had all thought but the people around the world are better than we ever believed.

Sir Nicholas Soames Says Tories Started Resembling 'Brexit Sect'


THE GUARDIAN: Expelled party rebel also attacked Boris Johnson’s leadership and called Jacob Rees-Mogg a ‘fraud’

Tory grandee Sir Nicholas Soames has launched a searing attack on Boris Johnson’s leadership and Jacob Rees-Mogg, whom he called a “fraud”, adding the Conservative party is lurching towards a divisive, potentially catastrophic form of “hard-right” conservatism.

In an interview with the Times, Soames – who is the grandson of Sir Winston Churchill – said the Conservatives were starting to resemble a “Brexit sect”, after he had the whip removed for rebelling against the Johnson government along with 20 other MPs.

“I am worried about the Tory party because give or take the odd spasm we have always been seen as pragmatic, sensible, good at our job, sane, reasonable and having the interests of the whole country,” he said. “Now it is beginning to look like a Brexit sect.” » | Lanre Bakare | Saturday, September 7, 2019