Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Robert Redford the Activist: Hollywood Icon Was Lifelong Champion of Environment & Independent Film

Robert Redford, the legendary Oscar-winning director, actor and activist, died at the age of 89 on Tuesday. Redford was a longtime environmental activist who served for five decades as a trustee of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines

September 17, 2025


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Whose Eyes Are These?

They’re beady. They’re unnerving. And they’re looking at YOU! Do you feel comfortable now? No, I thought not. You probably need a strong drink? — © Mark Alexander

Afghanistan : réduction de l’accès à internet par le gouvernement taliban pour lutter contre «le vice»

LE FIGARO : L’accès à la fibre optique a été suspendu dans plusieurs régions du nord et du sud du pays. Une décision justifiée par des motifs religieux, mais qui inquiète la population et fragilise l’activité économique.

Le gouvernement taliban a réduit mercredi 17 septembre pour la deuxième journée consécutive l'accès à internet dans plusieurs provinces afghanes, où des responsables ont justifié les coupures par la lutte contre le «vice» et la «corruption morale».

Dans la province de Balkh (nord), l'internet par fibre optique a été totalement interdit «et le réseau est déconnecté» sur ordre du chef suprême des talibans, l'émir Hibatullah Akhundzada, a annoncé Attaullah Zaïd, porte-parole du gouvernorat. «Cette mesure a été prise pour empêcher le vice et des options alternatives seront mises en place dans le pays pour répondre aux besoins» de connectivité, a-t-il ajouté mardi sur X. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mercredi 17 septembre 2025

IHIP News: Did Trump's FBI Fake These Texts from Kirk's Killer? MAGA Calls Him Out

Sep 17, 2025 | People from both sides of the isle are suspecting the FBI is not being truthful about Charlie Kirk's murder.



Strong language alert!

Protest Takes Place against Donald Trump's State Visit to UK

Sep 17, 2025 | Last night, a video mocking Trump and his relationship with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was projected on to the side of Windsor Castle. Four people were later arrested.

The Epstein scandal has overshadowed the run-up to Trump's state visit, with Sir Keir Starmer having to sack Lord Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to the US last week over supportive messages he sent after Epstein pleaded guilty to sex offences.


Italia Squisita: Saffron Risotto by Chef Carlo Cracco | Reupload

Mar 22, 2019 | Carlo Cracco is one of the most renowned and beloved Italian chefs. Brought up in Gualtiero Marchesi's "golden brigade", together with other great professionals, after travelling Italy and the whole world he's now based in the city of Milan. We visited him in his one-Michelin star restaurant to discover the recipe for the traditional risotto with saffron, "alla Milanese". Enjoy!

L’île écossaise de Lewis, où est née sa mère, n’a jamais attiré Donald Trump

LE FIGARO : REPORTAGE - Le président américain n’a rendu brièvement visite à la maison familiale que sur l’insistance de sa sœur, en 2008, au détour d’un parcours sur un de ses golfs.

Ici, on est à mille lieues des gratte-ciel, des volutes de fumée qui montent dans les rues et de l’opulence clinquante de la Trump Tower. On est même loin de toute agitation urbaine et des terres principales. Les Highlands d’Écosse sont à une soixantaine de kilomètres de là, à deux bonnes heures de ferry. C’est ici, sur l’île de Lewis, au cœur des Hébrides extérieures, qu’est née et a grandi Mary Anne MacLeod, la mère de Donald Trump. Avant d’émigrer vers les États-Unis pour une vie nouvelle.

À quelques tours de roues de la capitale de l’île, Stornoway, le village de Tong compte moins de trois cents âmes. En ce début septembre, l’air est chargé d’odeur d’algues et de terre humide. Peints de jaune, de vert et de brun, les champs de tourbe portent de longues cicatrices. La route serpente entre maisons et moutons. Rien ici ne rappelle les convulsions du monde. La seule puissance que l’on craint est celle des éléments, le vent déboule avec élan sans jamais se lasser. C’est ici que Mary Anne MacLeod naît en 1912. Portant le patronyme le plus usuel de l’île, elle est la cadette d’une famille de dix enfants. Son père est mi-fermier, mi-pêcheur, comme beaucoup de monde ici. Son grand-père maternel est d’ailleurs mort en mer. À la maison, on ne parle que le gaélique.

En 1930, alors qu’elle va avoir 18 ans, Mary Anne embarque pour l’Amérique. Elle n’est qu’une volontaire à l’exil parmi tant d’autres. De sa longue fratrie, une seule sœur reste au pays. « Cela n’a rien d’exceptionnel, les familles partaient par rangs entiers », commente Bill Lawson, pétillant vieil homme de 87 ans qui a consacré sa vie à l’histoire de l’île et à la généalogie de ses habitants. L’émigration avait commencé dès le XVIIIe siècle. La politique de « nettoyage » des terres menée dans les années 1820, chassant les paysans pour créer de vastes élevages de moutons, a accéléré l’exode. » | Par Arnaud De La Grange, envoyé spécial sur l’île de Lewis (Hébrides extérieures) | mercredi 17 septembre 2025

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Why Donald Trump Is Unfit for a UK State Visit – and Why Starmer Invited Him Anyway

Sep 16, 2025 | Donald Trump arrives in the UK today on a state visit – and Keir Starmer has exposed his complete lack of political judgment. Why did Starmer invite Trump?

Why is Trump unfit for such treatment? And what does this say about the state of democracy in both the UK and USA?



Our Royal Family has lost a lot of respect from this state visit, both at home and abroad. As things stand, according to the Telegraph last week, the Royal Family is less popular than ever: support for the monarchy has hit a record low. This state visit by Trump is doing the Family no favours. — © Mark Alexander

Fred Trump Reveals the True Nature of Donald Trump's Relationship with Charlie Kirk

Sep 17, 2025 | “In a way, they’re pawns. In the end, he needs them to gain power and you’ll see them cut loose afterwards.”

Fred Trump reveals the true nature of his uncle, Donald’s relationship with Charlie Kirk.


Hey Donald, Welcome to Windsor Castle

Sep 17, 2025 | The story of Trump and Epstein on Windsor Castle, where Trump is staying. Narrated by J. Smith Cameron.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat on Trump's Dehumanizing Takeover

Sep 15, 2025 | "If you lose hope that you can effect change, that collectively, change can be affected, then you've really given in to authoritarians who want you to feel fatalistic"

Deploying the military against the citizenry, going after universities, intimidating the media into silence—these are just some of the techniques that Trump and countless other dictators have used to maintain power.

Authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins Jen to discuss how Trump is normalizing the military’s presence in domestic spaces, dehumanizing the “other” through hateful rhetoric, and striking authoritarian bargains with our nation’s institutions. Importantly, Ruth reminds us that change is possible.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University. She writes about fascism, authoritarianism, propaganda, and democracy protection. She is the recipient of Guggenheim and other fellowships, an advisor to Protect Democracy, and an MSNBC opinion columnist. She appears frequently on CNN, MSNBC, PBS, and other networks. She has been a consultant on historical feature and documentary films and advises governments and corporations (including the U.S. House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol) on autocrats and authoritarian parties and the threats to democracy they pose.


MAGA's New Speech Police

Sep 16, 2025 | Today's podcast with Tom Nichols

Pam Bondi Threatens Critics of Charlie Kirk: "We Will Target You, Go After You!"

Sep 16, 2025 | esse talks about two ominous statements from Pam Bondi, the Attorney General of the United States of America, who leads the "Department of Justice." Bondi said on Stephen Miller's wife's podcast that she is gearing up to "target" and "go after" critics of Charlie Kirk. She also threatened private employers about who they employ, saying, "And employers, you have to have an obligation to get rid of people. You need to look at people who are saying horrible things. And they shouldn't be working with you." This came after an Office Depot employee was fired for refusing to print Charlie Kirk related posters, calling it "political propaganda."

Merz hält emotionale Rede bei Wiedereröffnung einer Synagoge in München

Sep 16, 2025 | Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (CDU) hat den jüdischen Gemeinden ein entschiedenes Vorgehen gegen Antisemitismus zugesagt. Er sage hiermit "jeder Form des alten und des neuen Antisemitismus in Deutschland (...) den Kampf an", sagte Merz bei der Wiedereröffnung der Synagoge Reichenbachstraße in München. Das während der NS-Zeit verwüstete und nun restaurierte Gotteshaus im Bauhaus-Stil bezeichnete er als "Kunstdenkmal", das "Ausdruck jüdischer Lebenskraft" in Deutschland sei.

Man werde im Namen der Bundesregierung alles Mögliche tun, damit jüdische Menschen in Deutschland "ohne Angst leben, feiern und studieren können", sagte Merz. Er sei entsetzt darüber, dass Antisemitismus in Deutschland wieder aufgeflammt sei. Dies beschäme ihn als jemanden, der "mit dem 'Nie wieder' als Auftrag" aufgewachsen sei, sagte der Kanzler. Er schien mit den Tränen zu kämpfen, als er an die unmenschlichen Verbrechen der Nationalsozialisten an Juden erinnerte.


Donald Trump "Is Scared He'll Die" | Politics | The New Statesman

Sep 17, 2025 | Trump enters the UK under "a cloud of paranoia", says Will Lloyd. …

Democracy Now! "The Martyrdom of Charlie Kirk": How the Right Is Weaponizing Kirk's Killing

Sep 15, 2025 | Journalist Chris Hedges warns that President Trump and his allies are "weaponizing" the shocking assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk to crush dissent. "We've reached a very frightening turning point," says Hedges. "We've already seen an assault on civil liberties, on institutions, universities, the media, that are tasked with maintaining an open society. That will now be accelerated."


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‘The Martyrdom of Charlie Kirk’: Journalist Chris Hedges on the Weaponization of Kirk’s Killing »

IHIP News: Pam Bondi's Unhinged Meltdown on Fox News Is Terrifying

Sep 17, 2025 | Pam Bondi loves to lie to the american people on the taxpayers dime.

Charlie Kirk Shooting: Tyler Robinson Charged with Aggravated Murder, Death Penalty Sought

Sep 17, 2025 | 22-year-old Tyler Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder in the fatal shooting of far-right extremist Charlie Kirk. Utah prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty. Court filings allege Robinson planned the attack for more than a week, confessed in text messages to his roommate, and left DNA on the rifle believed to be the murder weapon. Investigators also say his mother identified him in photos released by police. Robinson remains held without bail and is expected to make his first court appearance via video.


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Most U.K. Political Leaders Are Cautiously Welcoming Trump. Not This One.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Ed Davey, of the Liberal Democrats, says that President Trump does not represent British values, and is boycotting a state dinner with the U.S. leader over Gaza.

When President Trump arrives at Windsor Castle on Wednesday morning for his state visit there will be no complaints from the Conservatives, the country’s traditional center-right party. Nigel Farage, the right-wing populist leader of Reform U.K., will surely rejoice at the presence of Mr. Trump, an ally on British soil.

And although polling suggests that the U.S. president is unpopular with a majority of the British public, even Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose center-left Labour Party is the country’s equivalent of the Democrats, is more likely to roll out the red carpet than even whisper a criticism about the president. His diplomatic strategy since Mr. Trump took office has been to woo him with praise and deference.

Of the leaders of the three parties with the highest number of lawmakers in Parliament, only one is prepared to openly criticize Mr. Trump. Ed Davey, of the centrist Liberal Democrats, will record his dissatisfaction with the president by refusing to attend a state dinner hosted on Wednesday by King Charles III.

“I personally do not think he represents the best of American values,” Mr. Davey said in a recent interview, where he accused Mr. Trump of undermining the close relationship between Britain and the United States. “He certainly doesn’t share the values that I felt have been at the base of that special relationship.”

Mr. Davey has called Mr. Trump a “bully” and a “threat to peace and prosperity.” He says the American president is the instigator of a “destructive trade war” causing economic pain for British citizens. And he accuses Mr. Trump of “betraying Ukraine,” saying: “It’s not only their sovereignty he’s selling out. It’s our security. The security of Europe and the security of our United Kingdom.” » | Michael D. Shear | Reporting from London | Wednesday, September 17, 2025