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Saturday, December 27, 2025
Elon Musk's Family History in South Africa Reveals Ties to Apartheid & Neo-Nazi Movements
Democracy Now! can be supported here.
Are We Living Through the Fall of Civilisation? | The Reith Lectures 2025
Trade Unions Leader Calls on Labour to Forge Closer Relationship with Europe
THE GUARDIAN: In an exclusive interview, the head of the TUC Paul Nowak says a customs union with the EU could boost the UK’s economy
Keir Starmer should seek out a far closer relationship with Europe, including a possible customs union, the head of the TUC has said.
Paul Nowak, TUC general secretary, said the British public recognised the need for a vastly improved trading arrangement and said it had become more urgent than ever because of the fickle nature of the relationship with Donald Trump’s United States.
In an interview with the Guardian, Nowak said Starmer must relentlessly focus on the cost of living to improve Labour’s standing in the polls, saying it was little surprise there was leadership chatter when the party was doing so badly. » | Jessica Elgot, Deputy political editor | Saturday, December 27, 2025
Keir Starmer should seek out a far closer relationship with Europe, including a possible customs union, the head of the TUC has said.
Paul Nowak, TUC general secretary, said the British public recognised the need for a vastly improved trading arrangement and said it had become more urgent than ever because of the fickle nature of the relationship with Donald Trump’s United States.
In an interview with the Guardian, Nowak said Starmer must relentlessly focus on the cost of living to improve Labour’s standing in the polls, saying it was little surprise there was leadership chatter when the party was doing so badly. » | Jessica Elgot, Deputy political editor | Saturday, December 27, 2025
Dragged Down by an Unpopular President, Republicans Are Bracing for a Midterm Trouncing
THE GUARDIAN: As Americans tire of Donald Trump, a Democratic midterm ‘tsunami’ could sweep the GOP out of power
It was a wake-up call for America. In January, Donald Trump took the oath of office, declared himself “saved by God to make America great again” and issued a barrage of executive orders. In the ensuing months the US president and his allies moved at breakneck speed and seemed indomitable.
But as 2025 draws to a close with Trump struggling to stay awake at meetings, the prevailing image is of a driver asleep at the wheel. Opinion polls suggest that Americans are turning against him. Republicans are heading for the exit ahead of congressional contests next November that look bleak for the president’s party.
“He came into office and, like a blitzkrieg, was violating laws and the constitution,” said Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. “The American political process is slow-moving and so he was able to do things that were extraordinary.
“But this is a guy whose legacy may well be the political collapse of Republicans in this era. Put another way, rather than asking who is going to be the inheritor of the Trump mantle and the so-called Maga movement, we may be talking in a year or so about which candidates can escape the odious distinction of having been connected with Trump.” » | David Smith in Washington | Saturday, December 27, 2025
It was a wake-up call for America. In January, Donald Trump took the oath of office, declared himself “saved by God to make America great again” and issued a barrage of executive orders. In the ensuing months the US president and his allies moved at breakneck speed and seemed indomitable.
But as 2025 draws to a close with Trump struggling to stay awake at meetings, the prevailing image is of a driver asleep at the wheel. Opinion polls suggest that Americans are turning against him. Republicans are heading for the exit ahead of congressional contests next November that look bleak for the president’s party.
“He came into office and, like a blitzkrieg, was violating laws and the constitution,” said Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. “The American political process is slow-moving and so he was able to do things that were extraordinary.
“But this is a guy whose legacy may well be the political collapse of Republicans in this era. Put another way, rather than asking who is going to be the inheritor of the Trump mantle and the so-called Maga movement, we may be talking in a year or so about which candidates can escape the odious distinction of having been connected with Trump.” » | David Smith in Washington | Saturday, December 27, 2025
Trump Turns His Back on Europe – Formally, In Writing | Face to Face
Dec 5, 2025 | President Trump’s new National Security Strategy lands with a jolt in Europe. NATO enlargement is off the table, the EU is blamed for holding the continent back, and Washington shifts its focus away from Europe altogether. Russia barely appears in the document. China dominates. And Trump openly signals support for nationalist forces inside the EU.
We look at what this means for Europe’s security, Ukraine’s war effort, and NATO’s role in the years ahead. We also examine the tense fight over frozen Russian assets, Belgium’s hesitation, and Washington’s behind-the-scenes pressure. Join Diana Skaya and Michał Broniatowski, TVP World's editor-in-chief, for this week's Face to Face.
We look at what this means for Europe’s security, Ukraine’s war effort, and NATO’s role in the years ahead. We also examine the tense fight over frozen Russian assets, Belgium’s hesitation, and Washington’s behind-the-scenes pressure. Join Diana Skaya and Michał Broniatowski, TVP World's editor-in-chief, for this week's Face to Face.
Trump's Power & the Rule of Law: Bill Kristol (Interview) | FRONTLINE
Truth To Power: Trump’s Free Speech Lie, Farage the British Copycat
Dec 27, 2025 | Donald Trump claims Europe is waging a war on free speech whilst his administration is banning critics, suing broadcasters, and silencing comedians.
In this video, I expose the lie, and explain why Nigel Farage is cheering it on from Britain.
Donald Trump and his administration are accusing Europe (including the UK) of suppressing free speech, while cancelling visas, intimidating journalists, and pressuring broadcasters who allow criticism of Trump to reach mass audiences.
This video looks at how “free speech” has been weaponised by Trump’s administration, how lawsuits and corporate pressure are used to silence dissent, and why this authoritarian logic is being exported across the Atlantic. I also examine Nigel Farage’s role in normalising this worldview in Britain, his conditional definition of free speech, Reform UK’s polling decline, and the growing evidence that what’s being sold as rebellion is actually imported Trumpism.
In this video, I expose the lie, and explain why Nigel Farage is cheering it on from Britain.
Donald Trump and his administration are accusing Europe (including the UK) of suppressing free speech, while cancelling visas, intimidating journalists, and pressuring broadcasters who allow criticism of Trump to reach mass audiences.
This video looks at how “free speech” has been weaponised by Trump’s administration, how lawsuits and corporate pressure are used to silence dissent, and why this authoritarian logic is being exported across the Atlantic. I also examine Nigel Farage’s role in normalising this worldview in Britain, his conditional definition of free speech, Reform UK’s polling decline, and the growing evidence that what’s being sold as rebellion is actually imported Trumpism.
Friday, December 26, 2025
Kimmel Tells U.K. Viewers ‘Tyranny Is Booming’ in America
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Chosen by a British TV station to give an “alternative” to the king’s speech, Jimmy Kimmel said it had been a great year for the U.S. “from a fascism perspective.”
Jimmy Kimmel, the American late night host, appeared on British television screens on Christmas Day to deliver a so-called “alternative Christmas message,” in which he said tyranny was “booming” in the United States.
Mr. Kimmel was asked to give the speech on the public broadcaster Channel 4, which each year chooses a different high-profile and sometimes controversial figure to provide a counterpoint to the monarch’s annual televised address. In a statement, Channel 4 said Mr. Kimmel had “found himself on the front line of America’s battle over free speech.”
Previous speakers have included the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Edward Snowden, the former U.S. intelligence contractor who disclosed mass surveillance techniques to news organizations.
Mr. Kimmel joked that he knew little of the tradition, adding: “I do know what’s going on over here, though, and I can tell you that, from a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year. Tyranny is booming over here.” » | Lizzie Dearden | Reporting from London | Thurday, December 25, 2025
Listen to Jimmy Kimmel’s excellent, heartfelt message to the United Kingdom here.
Jimmy Kimmel, the American late night host, appeared on British television screens on Christmas Day to deliver a so-called “alternative Christmas message,” in which he said tyranny was “booming” in the United States.
Mr. Kimmel was asked to give the speech on the public broadcaster Channel 4, which each year chooses a different high-profile and sometimes controversial figure to provide a counterpoint to the monarch’s annual televised address. In a statement, Channel 4 said Mr. Kimmel had “found himself on the front line of America’s battle over free speech.”
Previous speakers have included the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Edward Snowden, the former U.S. intelligence contractor who disclosed mass surveillance techniques to news organizations.
Mr. Kimmel joked that he knew little of the tradition, adding: “I do know what’s going on over here, though, and I can tell you that, from a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year. Tyranny is booming over here.” » | Lizzie Dearden | Reporting from London | Thurday, December 25, 2025
Listen to Jimmy Kimmel’s excellent, heartfelt message to the United Kingdom here.
Merry Christmas! Nadolig Llawen! Fröhliche Weihnachten! Joyeux Noël ! ¡Feliz Navidad! Buon Natale! ! عيد ميلاد مجيد
Mark Alexander
Die Medici - Geld, Macht, Intrigen | Terra X
Aug 25, 2024 | Florenz ist ein Touristenmagnet und die Wiege der Renaissance. Die Pracht und Geschichte der Stadt ist untrennbar mit dem Namen einer Familie verbunden: Medici. Etwa 300 Jahre lenken sie die Geschicke Stadt und beeinflussen die Geschichte Europas. Ihre eigene Geschichte ist eine von Geld, Macht und Intrigen. Von einfachen Kaufleuten bis and die Spitze der katholischen Kirche. Wie gelingt einer Familie ein so sensationeller Aufstieg und wie schafft sie es, ihre Macht über Jahrhunderte zu sichern?
Dieses Video ist eine Produktion des ZDF.
Team:
Autor: Arne Peisker
Schnitt: Christoph Schuhmacher
Dieses Video ist eine Produktion des ZDF.
Team:
Autor: Arne Peisker
Schnitt: Christoph Schuhmacher
Wie die Religion unser Festessen prägt | Weihnachten | Doku
Die Meister von Rom | Doku HD Reupload | ARTE
Dec 26, 2025 | Zwischen 1513 und 1516 hielten sich die drei Superstars der italienischen Hochrenaissance gleichzeitig in Rom auf: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo und Raffael. Was führte sie in die Ewige Stadt? Wie standen sie zueinander? Welche Rivalitäten gab es zwischen ihnen? Die Doku beleuchtet das goldene Zeitalter der Renaissance anhand dieser drei prominenten Persönlichkeiten.
Der gleichzeitige Aufenthalt von Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo und Raffael zwischen 1513 und 1516 in Rom markiert den Glanzpunkt der italienischen Hochrenaissance. Am Hofe der Päpste Julius II. und Leo X. schufen diese drei Genies Meisterwerke, die noch heute von der ganzen Welt bestaunt werden. Aber was weiß man über ihre Beziehungen zueinander?
1513 ist der junge Raffael, Shootingstar am päpstlichen Hofe, mit den Wandgemälden der päpstlichen Stanzen beschäftigt. Michelangelo, zu jener Zeit bereits im stolzen Mannesalter, ist ein bewunderter Bildhauer. Soeben hat er die Deckenfresken der Sixtinischen Kapelle fertiggestellt – eine kolossale Arbeit, die ihm den Beinamen „der Göttliche“ eintrug. Jeder der beiden ist des anderen größter Konkurrent. Neidet Michelangelo dem jungen Rivalen sein Talent und seine Sixtinische Madonna? Michelangelo war zu jener Zeit mit dem Grabmal von Papst Julius II. beschäftigt, vom Künstler selbst als die „Tragödie seines Lebens“ bezeichnet, fiel er doch darüber in Ungnade.
Just in dieser Zeit wird auch Leonardo da Vinci nach Rom berufen: Wird der Konkurrenzkampf dadurch noch weiter befeuert? Der 61-Jährige steht auf dem Höhepunkt seines Ruhms: ein Star gewiss – doch zugleich ein alternder … Leonardo bringt seine unfertigen Meisterwerke mit nach Rom: Er arbeitet gleichzeitig an seiner „Mona Lisa“ und am Gemälde „Johannes der Täufer“. In der Ewigen Stadt befasst er sich mit neuen Studien – und geheimen Projekten.
Nur Raffaels Gemälde „Die Schule von Athen“ zeigt alle drei Künstler zusammen – ein Monument der Kunstgeschichte. Die Dokumentation führt hinter die Kulissen dieser spannungsgeladenen Konstellation, die impulsgebend war für eine nie zuvor gekannte künstlerische Dynamik zwischen Einfluss und Rivalität.
Dokumentation von Constance Colonna-Cesari (F 2021, 52 Min)
Video auf YouTube verfügbar bis zum 20/01/2026
Der gleichzeitige Aufenthalt von Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo und Raffael zwischen 1513 und 1516 in Rom markiert den Glanzpunkt der italienischen Hochrenaissance. Am Hofe der Päpste Julius II. und Leo X. schufen diese drei Genies Meisterwerke, die noch heute von der ganzen Welt bestaunt werden. Aber was weiß man über ihre Beziehungen zueinander?
1513 ist der junge Raffael, Shootingstar am päpstlichen Hofe, mit den Wandgemälden der päpstlichen Stanzen beschäftigt. Michelangelo, zu jener Zeit bereits im stolzen Mannesalter, ist ein bewunderter Bildhauer. Soeben hat er die Deckenfresken der Sixtinischen Kapelle fertiggestellt – eine kolossale Arbeit, die ihm den Beinamen „der Göttliche“ eintrug. Jeder der beiden ist des anderen größter Konkurrent. Neidet Michelangelo dem jungen Rivalen sein Talent und seine Sixtinische Madonna? Michelangelo war zu jener Zeit mit dem Grabmal von Papst Julius II. beschäftigt, vom Künstler selbst als die „Tragödie seines Lebens“ bezeichnet, fiel er doch darüber in Ungnade.
Just in dieser Zeit wird auch Leonardo da Vinci nach Rom berufen: Wird der Konkurrenzkampf dadurch noch weiter befeuert? Der 61-Jährige steht auf dem Höhepunkt seines Ruhms: ein Star gewiss – doch zugleich ein alternder … Leonardo bringt seine unfertigen Meisterwerke mit nach Rom: Er arbeitet gleichzeitig an seiner „Mona Lisa“ und am Gemälde „Johannes der Täufer“. In der Ewigen Stadt befasst er sich mit neuen Studien – und geheimen Projekten.
Nur Raffaels Gemälde „Die Schule von Athen“ zeigt alle drei Künstler zusammen – ein Monument der Kunstgeschichte. Die Dokumentation führt hinter die Kulissen dieser spannungsgeladenen Konstellation, die impulsgebend war für eine nie zuvor gekannte künstlerische Dynamik zwischen Einfluss und Rivalität.
Dokumentation von Constance Colonna-Cesari (F 2021, 52 Min)
Video auf YouTube verfügbar bis zum 20/01/2026
Trump’s Real Ties with Epstein Exposed with Recent Files Release
Dec 24, 2025 | "This revelation about Trump being on Epstein's private jet...greatly expands the universe of questions about Trump's conduct."
Recent Epstein files releases show Trump was “closer” to the convicted sex offender than other individuals, says The New York Times’s Glenn Thrush.
Recent Epstein files releases show Trump was “closer” to the convicted sex offender than other individuals, says The New York Times’s Glenn Thrush.
Mark Carney Year-end Interview with Global's Dawna Friesen
Dec 26, 2025 | Global News National Anchor and Executive Editor Dawna Friesen sat down with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for an end of year interview to discuss a plethora of topics concerning Canadians ranging from affordability, U.S. trade, to climate change.
The conversation aired on December 25, 2025. When asked what about being prime minister has surprised him the most, Carney briefly touched on his previous experience working with Stephen Harper as a civil servant. “I had a sense that the job is 24/7, 365 days a year. It’s one thing to have that sense, it’s another thing to live it.”
While discussing trade negotiations with the U.S., Carney stood firm in his belief that Canada should not rush itself into an unfavourable deal. “Every week that goes by, the more that we are developing our economic strategy at home, the more we're developing those relationships abroad, the stronger we get.”
Friesen highlighted the cost-of-living crisis affecting many Canadians and pressed Carney on what his message to those who are struggling. Carney emphasized the scale of the issue is enormous and that it fundamentally comes down to facilitating economic growth. “We are doing a series of things,” Carney said, referring to cutting taxes while preserving critical public services, “and we’ll continue to look for others that help bridge over that period of time, but at the core is we have to grow this economy.”
The conversation aired on December 25, 2025. When asked what about being prime minister has surprised him the most, Carney briefly touched on his previous experience working with Stephen Harper as a civil servant. “I had a sense that the job is 24/7, 365 days a year. It’s one thing to have that sense, it’s another thing to live it.”
While discussing trade negotiations with the U.S., Carney stood firm in his belief that Canada should not rush itself into an unfavourable deal. “Every week that goes by, the more that we are developing our economic strategy at home, the more we're developing those relationships abroad, the stronger we get.”
Friesen highlighted the cost-of-living crisis affecting many Canadians and pressed Carney on what his message to those who are struggling. Carney emphasized the scale of the issue is enormous and that it fundamentally comes down to facilitating economic growth. “We are doing a series of things,” Carney said, referring to cutting taxes while preserving critical public services, “and we’ll continue to look for others that help bridge over that period of time, but at the core is we have to grow this economy.”
Vets Warn of Christian Nationalist Infiltration of US Military
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Selenskyj in Weihnachtsansprache: „Möge er umkommen“
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Selenskyj wendet sich in seiner Weihnachtsansprache an das ukrainische Volk. Eine Aussage sorgt für Aufsehen. Zudem kritisierte er erneute russische Angriffe.
Der ukrainische Präsident Wolodymyr Selenskyj hat in seiner Weihnachtsansprache erklärt, die Ukrainer hätten zu Weihnachten einen gemeinsamen Wunsch. Schon seit sehr langer Zeit „glauben die Ukrainer, dass sich in der Weihnachtsnacht der Himmel öffnet“, sagte Selenskyj in seiner Rede, die mit englischen Untertiteln auf X veröffentlicht wurde. Wenn man ihm seinen Wunsch erzähle, würde dieser sicher in Erfüllung gehen.
„Heute teilen wir alle einen Traum. Und wir haben einen Wunsch – für uns alle“, erklärte Selenskyj und fügte hinzu: „‚Möge er umkommen‘, mag sich jeder von uns denken.“ Einen konkreten Namen nannte er nicht. Unter anderem die ukrainische Zeitung Kyiv Independent schrieb jedoch, mit der Äußerung sei offenbar der russische Präsident Wladimir Putin gemeint. » | Anika Schlünz | Donnerstag, 25. Dezember 2025
Der ukrainische Präsident Wolodymyr Selenskyj hat in seiner Weihnachtsansprache erklärt, die Ukrainer hätten zu Weihnachten einen gemeinsamen Wunsch. Schon seit sehr langer Zeit „glauben die Ukrainer, dass sich in der Weihnachtsnacht der Himmel öffnet“, sagte Selenskyj in seiner Rede, die mit englischen Untertiteln auf X veröffentlicht wurde. Wenn man ihm seinen Wunsch erzähle, würde dieser sicher in Erfüllung gehen.
„Heute teilen wir alle einen Traum. Und wir haben einen Wunsch – für uns alle“, erklärte Selenskyj und fügte hinzu: „‚Möge er umkommen‘, mag sich jeder von uns denken.“ Einen konkreten Namen nannte er nicht. Unter anderem die ukrainische Zeitung Kyiv Independent schrieb jedoch, mit der Äußerung sei offenbar der russische Präsident Wladimir Putin gemeint. » | Anika Schlünz | Donnerstag, 25. Dezember 2025
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