Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Thom Hartmann: Will Trump Finish a Second Term? White House Chief of Staff Accidentally Reveals Trump's Future
Scams, Schemes, Ruthless Cons: The Untold Story of How Jeffrey Epstein Got Rich
THE NEW YORK TIMES: For years, rumors swirled about where his wealth came from. A Times investigation reveals the truth of how a college dropout clawed his way to the pinnacle of American finance and society.
One evening in early 1976, a bushy-haired Jeffrey Epstein showed up for an event at an art gallery in Midtown Manhattan. Epstein was a math and physics teacher at the city’s prestigious Dalton School, and the father of one of his students had invited him. Epstein initially demurred, saying he didn’t go out much, but eventually relented. It would turn out to be one of the best decisions he ever made.
At the gallery, Epstein bumped into another Dalton parent, who had heard tales of the 23-year-old’s wondrous math skills. The parent asked if he’d ever thought about a job on Wall Street, according to an unreleased recording of Epstein and a document prepared by his lawyers. Epstein was game. The parent dialed a friend: Ace Greenberg, a top executive at Bear Stearns. Epstein, the friend told Greenberg, was “wasting his time at Dalton.”
Greenberg invited Epstein to the investment firm’s offices at 55 Water Street at the southern tip of Manhattan. Epstein showed up in a turtleneck. Greenberg was impressed — even though the young man didn’t have the foggiest idea of how Wall Street worked. Greenberg had helped build Bear Stearns into one of the industry’s scrappiest firms by eschewing the traditional investment-banking practice of hiring Ivy Leaguers with M.B.A.s. He preferred what he called P.S.D.s: those who were poor, smart and had “a deep desire to become rich.”
Epstein fit the bill. He grew up in a working-class family in Coney Island. Friends described him as a math whiz and a piano virtuoso. And, as Greenberg and his colleagues would soon learn, he yearned for wealth. That trait had been apparent as early as ninth grade: A classmate told us that Epstein predicted to her that one day he would be very rich. » | David Enrich, Steve Eder, Jessica Silver-Greenberg and Matthew Goldstein | Tuesday, December 16, 2025
The reporters, who have been investigating Jeffrey Epstein since 2019, interviewed dozens of his former colleagues, girlfriends, business partners and others. They also dug through archives, reviewed photos, notes and emails and scoured thousands of pages of public records.
One evening in early 1976, a bushy-haired Jeffrey Epstein showed up for an event at an art gallery in Midtown Manhattan. Epstein was a math and physics teacher at the city’s prestigious Dalton School, and the father of one of his students had invited him. Epstein initially demurred, saying he didn’t go out much, but eventually relented. It would turn out to be one of the best decisions he ever made.
At the gallery, Epstein bumped into another Dalton parent, who had heard tales of the 23-year-old’s wondrous math skills. The parent asked if he’d ever thought about a job on Wall Street, according to an unreleased recording of Epstein and a document prepared by his lawyers. Epstein was game. The parent dialed a friend: Ace Greenberg, a top executive at Bear Stearns. Epstein, the friend told Greenberg, was “wasting his time at Dalton.”
Greenberg invited Epstein to the investment firm’s offices at 55 Water Street at the southern tip of Manhattan. Epstein showed up in a turtleneck. Greenberg was impressed — even though the young man didn’t have the foggiest idea of how Wall Street worked. Greenberg had helped build Bear Stearns into one of the industry’s scrappiest firms by eschewing the traditional investment-banking practice of hiring Ivy Leaguers with M.B.A.s. He preferred what he called P.S.D.s: those who were poor, smart and had “a deep desire to become rich.”
Epstein fit the bill. He grew up in a working-class family in Coney Island. Friends described him as a math whiz and a piano virtuoso. And, as Greenberg and his colleagues would soon learn, he yearned for wealth. That trait had been apparent as early as ninth grade: A classmate told us that Epstein predicted to her that one day he would be very rich. » | David Enrich, Steve Eder, Jessica Silver-Greenberg and Matthew Goldstein | Tuesday, December 16, 2025
The reporters, who have been investigating Jeffrey Epstein since 2019, interviewed dozens of his former colleagues, girlfriends, business partners and others. They also dug through archives, reviewed photos, notes and emails and scoured thousands of pages of public records.
Trump Expands Travel Ban and Restrictions to 20 More Countries
THE NEW YORK TIMES: People from Syria, South Sudan and those with documents issued by the Palestinian Authority are included in the latest restrictions. More than 35 countries are now under U.S. travel restrictions.
President Trump on Tuesday expanded travel restrictions to include 20 more countries, just weeks after he promised to do so when authorities arrested an Afghan national in the shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington.
The revised policy, which takes effect on Jan. 1, fully blocks travel for individuals from five additional countries — Syria, South Sudan, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso — and also for people with documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. The Trump administration also added partial travel restrictions for individuals from 15 additional countries, predominantly in Africa. With the expansion, there are now more than 35 countries with U.S. travel restrictions.
Mr. Trump first instituted a travel ban on 12 countries, including Afghanistan, in June and vowed after the shooting last month to “permanently pause migration from all third world countries.” Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, said she recommended to Mr. Trump “a full travel ban on every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.”
The partial travel restrictions apply to people from Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Ivory Coast, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe. » | Tyler Pager and Hamed Aleaziz | Reporting from Washington | Tuesday, December 16, 2025
President Trump on Tuesday expanded travel restrictions to include 20 more countries, just weeks after he promised to do so when authorities arrested an Afghan national in the shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington.
The revised policy, which takes effect on Jan. 1, fully blocks travel for individuals from five additional countries — Syria, South Sudan, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso — and also for people with documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. The Trump administration also added partial travel restrictions for individuals from 15 additional countries, predominantly in Africa. With the expansion, there are now more than 35 countries with U.S. travel restrictions.
Mr. Trump first instituted a travel ban on 12 countries, including Afghanistan, in June and vowed after the shooting last month to “permanently pause migration from all third world countries.” Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, said she recommended to Mr. Trump “a full travel ban on every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.”
The partial travel restrictions apply to people from Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Ivory Coast, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe. » | Tyler Pager and Hamed Aleaziz | Reporting from Washington | Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Heart Association Revives Theory That Light Drinking May Be Good for You
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The American Heart Association report runs contrary to recent studies — and the group’s own guidelines — that found any amount of alcohol to be harmful.
For a while, it seemed the notion that light drinking was good for the heart had gone by the wayside, debunked by new studies and overshadowed by warnings that alcohol causes cancer.
Now the American Heart Association has revived the idea in a scientific review that is drawing intense criticism, setting off a new round of debate about alcohol consumption.
The paper, which sought to summarize the latest research and was aimed at practicing cardiologists, concluded that light drinking — one to two drinks a day — posed no risk for coronary disease, stroke, sudden death and possibly heart failure, and may even reduce the risk of developing these conditions. » | Roni Caryn Rabin | Tuesday, December 16, 2025
For a while, it seemed the notion that light drinking was good for the heart had gone by the wayside, debunked by new studies and overshadowed by warnings that alcohol causes cancer.
Now the American Heart Association has revived the idea in a scientific review that is drawing intense criticism, setting off a new round of debate about alcohol consumption.
The paper, which sought to summarize the latest research and was aimed at practicing cardiologists, concluded that light drinking — one to two drinks a day — posed no risk for coronary disease, stroke, sudden death and possibly heart failure, and may even reduce the risk of developing these conditions. » | Roni Caryn Rabin | Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
BBC to Fight Trump’s $10bn Lawsuit, Saying It Should Be Dismissed
THE GUARDIAN: Corporation will argue it did not have rights to air film in US and it did not cause serious reputational harm
The BBC is preparing to argue Donald Trump’s $10bn court case against it should be dismissed, arguing it has no case to answer over the US president’s claims he was defamed by an episode of Panorama.
The development comes after Trump filed a 33-page complaint to a Florida court on Monday, accusing the broadcaster of “a false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory and malicious depiction” of the president in the documentary.
On Tuesday, the BBC said it would defend itself over the suit. It is understood that the corporation is likely to argue that it did not have the rights to air the documentary in the US, and that the case should therefore be dismissed.
The move is an attempt to see the lawsuit off before litigation costs mount. It will be greeted with relief by supporters of the BBC who have argued that its editorial independence would be called into question if it sought to settle. » | Michael Savage, Media editor | Tuesday, December 16, 2025
The BBC is preparing to argue Donald Trump’s $10bn court case against it should be dismissed, arguing it has no case to answer over the US president’s claims he was defamed by an episode of Panorama.
The development comes after Trump filed a 33-page complaint to a Florida court on Monday, accusing the broadcaster of “a false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory and malicious depiction” of the president in the documentary.
On Tuesday, the BBC said it would defend itself over the suit. It is understood that the corporation is likely to argue that it did not have the rights to air the documentary in the US, and that the case should therefore be dismissed.
The move is an attempt to see the lawsuit off before litigation costs mount. It will be greeted with relief by supporters of the BBC who have argued that its editorial independence would be called into question if it sought to settle. » | Michael Savage, Media editor | Tuesday, December 16, 2025
UK to Rejoin EU’s Erasmus Student Exchange Programme
THE GUARDIAN: Exclusive: British students will be able to participate in EU-wide scheme from January 2027, sources say
An agreement to rejoin Erasmus – the EU’s student exchange programme – is expected to be announced on Wednesday as part of the UK government’s drive towards closer relations with Brussels.
Final details of the announcement have now been agreed by the two sides, with a plan to allow UK students to participate in the EU-wide scheme without paying any additional fees from January 2027, sources said.
The breakthrough on Erasmus will help the UK government demonstrate progress in its push to improve relations with the EU, after Keir Starmer declared last month that “we do need to get closer” with the bloc, and with public opinion softening.
British students would be able to participate in vocational training placements and sports exchanges across the EU under the Erasmus+ scheme, as well as further education college and university-based study exchanges, the Guardian understands. » | Pippa Crerar, Political editor | Tuesday, December 16, 2025
An agreement to rejoin Erasmus – the EU’s student exchange programme – is expected to be announced on Wednesday as part of the UK government’s drive towards closer relations with Brussels.
Final details of the announcement have now been agreed by the two sides, with a plan to allow UK students to participate in the EU-wide scheme without paying any additional fees from January 2027, sources said.
The breakthrough on Erasmus will help the UK government demonstrate progress in its push to improve relations with the EU, after Keir Starmer declared last month that “we do need to get closer” with the bloc, and with public opinion softening.
British students would be able to participate in vocational training placements and sports exchanges across the EU under the Erasmus+ scheme, as well as further education college and university-based study exchanges, the Guardian understands. » | Pippa Crerar, Political editor | Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Exclusive: Scandal Surrounds Incoming Archbishop of Canterbury over Handling of Secret Dossier
Dec 16, 2025 | The Church of England is about to get a new figurehead, a year after Justin Welby quit, following this programme's revelations that he'd failed to do enough to stop serial abuser John Smyth.
But we can reveal that the Church is facing calls to postpone the appointment of Sarah Mullally, the woman picked to succeed him, over allegations she, too, failed to act this time to prevent a priest taking his own life.
We've been investigating the circumstances leading up to the death of Father Alan Griffin, and what Bishop Sarah knew about a secret dossier containing lies and gossip about the priest's private life.
A warning, this report contains discussion of suicide.
But we can reveal that the Church is facing calls to postpone the appointment of Sarah Mullally, the woman picked to succeed him, over allegations she, too, failed to act this time to prevent a priest taking his own life.
We've been investigating the circumstances leading up to the death of Father Alan Griffin, and what Bishop Sarah knew about a secret dossier containing lies and gossip about the priest's private life.
A warning, this report contains discussion of suicide.
Marcel Paa: Einfach Backen: Florentiner selber machen
Marcels Rezept finden Sie hier.
'Trump's Professor Referred to Him as the Worst Student He Ever Had' | David Cay Johnston
Dec 16, 2025 | "He doesn't know anything about the issues he needs to know about as the president of the United States."
Trump, the "greatest con artist", is fooling everyone into thinking he's making deals as US-UK tech deal stalls, says investigative journalist and Trump biographer, David Cay Johnston.
Trump, the "greatest con artist", is fooling everyone into thinking he's making deals as US-UK tech deal stalls, says investigative journalist and Trump biographer, David Cay Johnston.
Steve Schmidt WARNS: The Catastrophe Is Here, Not Coming
Trump Sues BBC for $10bn - Could He Win?
James O'Brien on Trump's Rob Reiner Comments
Trump was not the successful businessman he tries to make out that he was. Several of his businesses were flops: they went belly-up. But in the presidency, he has found a rich source of income: so, he uses the presidency as a cash cow. He simply ignores the emoluments clauses which should prevent any president from profiting from the presidency whilst in office and just makes money from his position with merch, with payments from foreign powers, and by suing companies in each wind direction. The latest is his desire to drain the BBC of its money. The BBC, of course, has only taxpayers’ money, because it is financed through a licence fee.
This must be Donald Trump’s way of thanking our King for that hugely extravagant, unprecedented second state visit, which was financed by the taxpayer; and it must be his way of punishing the British taxpayer even further by demanding the absurd amount of $10bn from them.
That second state visit couldn’t have done much for transatlantic relations, could it? A few days ago, Trump proved that he was no friend of Europe’s with his absurd pronouncements. Now, by suing the BBC , he is proving that he is no friend of the UK, either. The so-called special relationship is an illusion, and anyone who believes in must surely be deluded. — © Mark Alexander
Tomer and Michael - Their Story [Sublet]
ABOUT THIS FILM: Sublet is a 2020 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Eytan Fox. It explores intergenerational themes within the gay community, following a New York Times travel writer who visits Tel Aviv following a personal tragedy. Film Overview
Plot: Michael, a middle-aged journalist, travels to Tel Aviv to write a column. He sublets an apartment from Tomer, a younger, carefree film student. Despite their initial personality and age differences, the two men form an unexpected bond over five days as Tomer acts as Michael's guide to the city's local culture. [Source: Google]
The official trailer is on YouTube here.
What's America's Beef with Europe? | LBC
Dec 6, 2025 | America should "cultivate resistance" in Europe as the continent is subverting democracy, blocking a Ukraine peace deal and facing "civilisational erasure" because of mass migration, according to the new national security document.
The first strategy since Donald Trump returned to the presidency is a targeted challenge to the European Union, claiming it ideologically divided to the US and "undermines sovereignty". It also sets out America's changing approach to Russia and China.
Ali Miraj is joined by Sir Robin Niblett, former director and chief executive of Chatham House, to discuss why some in the Trump administration are so concerned about the state of Europe.
The first strategy since Donald Trump returned to the presidency is a targeted challenge to the European Union, claiming it ideologically divided to the US and "undermines sovereignty". It also sets out America's changing approach to Russia and China.
Ali Miraj is joined by Sir Robin Niblett, former director and chief executive of Chatham House, to discuss why some in the Trump administration are so concerned about the state of Europe.
Addict à l’héroïne à 15 ans, tensions avec ses parents... Qui est Nick Reiner, soupçonné du meurtre de son père Rob Reiner ?
LE FIGARO : PORTRAIT - Le réalisateur Rob Reiner et sa femme Michele Singer ont été retrouvés morts dimanche en Californie. Leur fils, Nick Reiner, addict à la drogue dans sa jeunesse, a été arrêté, suspecté de leurs meurtres.
Nick Reiner a-t-il tué ses parents, et si oui, pour quelles raisons? Le réalisateur américain Rob Reiner, auteur de la comédie Quand Harry rencontre Sally, et son épouse Michele Singer, ont été retrouvés morts dimanche au domicile du cinéaste, dans le quartier cossu de Brentwood, en Californie.
Selon les premiers éléments de l’enquête, ils auraient été poignardés à plusieurs reprises, et aucune effraction n’aurait été constatée sur les lieux, poussant les autorités à privilégier la thèse du double homicide... commis par leur propre fils, Nick Reiner. D’abord interrogé par des inspecteurs du département des homicides, Nick Reiner, 32 ans, a été arrêté et placé en détention provisoire ce lundi. » | Par Steve Tenré | lundi 15 décembre 2025
Réservé aux abonnés
Nick Reiner a-t-il tué ses parents, et si oui, pour quelles raisons? Le réalisateur américain Rob Reiner, auteur de la comédie Quand Harry rencontre Sally, et son épouse Michele Singer, ont été retrouvés morts dimanche au domicile du cinéaste, dans le quartier cossu de Brentwood, en Californie.
Selon les premiers éléments de l’enquête, ils auraient été poignardés à plusieurs reprises, et aucune effraction n’aurait été constatée sur les lieux, poussant les autorités à privilégier la thèse du double homicide... commis par leur propre fils, Nick Reiner. D’abord interrogé par des inspecteurs du département des homicides, Nick Reiner, 32 ans, a été arrêté et placé en détention provisoire ce lundi. » | Par Steve Tenré | lundi 15 décembre 2025
Réservé aux abonnés
Trump Blames Rob Reiner's Murder on 'Trump Derangement Syndrome'
Dec 16, 2025 | President Trump said Rob Reiner was killed because of the film director's "raging obsession" with him.
Ben Kentish spoke to Trump's former Republican opponent, Joe Walsh, who said this was proof that the US President is a 'psychopath'.
Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, 68, allegedly were killed following a heated argument with a family member. The pair were found dead on Sunday, sources close to the couple have told US media.
Mr Trump responded to the alleged murder with a post to Truth Social: "A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS."
Ben Kentish spoke to Trump's former Republican opponent, Joe Walsh, who said this was proof that the US President is a 'psychopath'.
Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, 68, allegedly were killed following a heated argument with a family member. The pair were found dead on Sunday, sources close to the couple have told US media.
Mr Trump responded to the alleged murder with a post to Truth Social: "A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS."
US-Präsident Trump verklagt BBC auf 10 Milliarden US-Dollar
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