Stanley Johnson Confirms Application for French Passport on Eve of Brexit

THE GUARDIAN: Prime minister’s father campaigned to remain in the EU in 2016 while his son led the leave movement

Boris Johnson’s father Stanley has confirmed that he is applying for a French passport on the eve of Britain’s Brexit transition period coming to an end.

In an interview with the French radio station RTL, he said: “It’s not a question of becoming French. If I understand correctly I am French! My mother was born in France, her mother was completely French as was her grandfather. “For me it’s a question of obtaining what I already have and I am very happy about that.”

Johnson, 80, served as an MEP 40 years ago, and was one of the first UK civil servants to work in Brussels after Britain joined the European Union, then the European Economic Community, in 1973. He went on to work for the European commission. » | Harry Taylor | Thursday, December 31, 2020

The UK is good enough for the plebs, but only the European Union is good enough for the privileged few! This is sick and disgusting! We'll be told next that BoJo, his son, has secretly applied for French citizenship so as not to lose his EU rights! – ©Mark

View from the EU: Britain 'Taken over by Gamblers, Liars, Clowns and Their Cheerleaders'

THE GUARDIAN: European commentators weigh in on what Britain’s departure from the EU means

Britain faces an uncertain future as it finally pulls clear of the EU’s orbit, continental commentators have predicted, its reputation for pragmatism and probity shredded by a Brexit process most see as profoundly populist and dangerously dishonest.

“For us, the UK has always been seen as like-minded: economically progressive, politically stable, respect for the rule of law – a beacon of western liberal democracy,” said Rem Korteweg, of the Clingendael Institute thinktank in the Netherlands.

“I’m afraid that’s been seriously hit by the past four years. The Dutch have seen a country in a deep identity crisis; it’s been like watching a close friend go through a really, really difficult time. Brexit is an exercise in emotion, not rationality; in choosing your own facts. And it’s not clear how it will end.” » | Jon Henley, Europe correspondent | Thursday, December 31, 2020

BoJo – Coco’s Brother

The Clown Test: If it looks like a clown, behaves like a clown, and talks like a clown, then it probably is a clown. – ©Mark

The Guardian View on the Brexit Debate: No Scrutiny, No Choice

THE GUARDIAN: A truncated parliamentary session, less than 48 hours before the end of the transition period, was too little, too late

In a damning assessment of Wednesday’s token debate on Boris Johnson’s Brexit trade deal, the Hansard Society’s senior researcher dismissed it as “a farce.” As one of the most depressing and shambolic periods in British political history reaches a denouement, perhaps that should have come as no surprise.

MPs were allotted five hours to discuss the 1,246-page treaty, agreed last week, which completes Britain’s departure from the European Union. Such a derisory level of scrutiny, said Hansard’s Brigid Fowler, was “an abdication of parliament’s constitutional responsibilities.” Exuding insouciance, the leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg, quickly revealed the government’s contempt for such notions. The risibly short session, he told MPs, was merely the “icing on the Christmas cake that the prime minister delivered for the nation”. So much, then, for the restoration of parliamentary sovereignty, the lodestar that supposedly guided the Brexit project. In the absence of any alternative, bar a disastrous no-deal exit on New Year’s Day, the European Union (future relationship) bill was rushed through by a majority of 448. Cognisant of its myriad flaws, Mr Johnson had good grounds for wanting it to be waved through on the fly. » | Editorial | Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Two Kingdoms in the Third Reich - Professor Alec Ryrie

Nazism was not a Christian movement in any meaningful sense https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-an...

German Protestants of the 1920s and 1930s shared many Nazi assumptions and voted disproportionately for the Nazi party, partly in the hope that they might use it for their own ends. One result was the German Christian movement, which tried to create a dejudaised Christianity which the Nazi state would accept with a place in the coming Aryan utopia. Many moderate, sensible Christians in Germany, even in the supposedly anti-Nazi 'Confessing Church', collaborated with the regime in other ways. This lecture will explore how so many Christians came to support Nazism, and how some managed to oppose it.

'Delusional': Watch Rev. Sharpton React to Trump’s Nobel Prize Fraud | The Beat with Ari Melber

Trump continues to foster chaos in his final days in office, releasing an odd video where he falsely suggests he won the Nobel Prize. Reverend Al Sharpton reacts to the video and slams Trump for suggesting he saved many lives during the pandemic. (This interview is from MSNBC’s “The Beat with Ari Melber", a news show covering politics, law and culture airing nightly at 6pm ET on MSNBC. http://www.thebeatwithari.com). Aired on 12/29/2020.

Is Cancer Caused by Sugar?

If you or someone you know has had cancer, this episode is going to matter to you. And since the odds are now that 1 in 3 adults in the US will get cancer, this really is a topic that matters to all of us.

The school of thought around cancer used to be focused only on the genetic component. But we now know that our environment—the air we breathe, the food we eat, even our relationships—have an enormous cellular impact on our ability to prevent and treat cancer.

I’m excited to sit down with Dr. Jason Fung on this episode of The Doctor’s Farmacy to talk about his amazing work in the field of cancer research and why this environmental component should give us all hope.

Dr. Fung is a physician, author, and researcher. His groundbreaking science-based books about diabetes and obesity, The Diabetes Code, The Obesity Code, and The Complete Guide to Fasting have sold over one million copies and challenged the conventional wisdom that diabetics should be treated with insulin. Dr. Fung is also the co-founder of The Fasting Method, a program to help people lose weight and reverse type 2 diabetes naturally with fasting. His latest book, The Cancer Code: A Revolutionary New Understanding of a Medical Mystery, was just released.

This episode is brought to you by Bioptimizers, Thrive Market, Apeel.

Earthquake Hits Croatia with 6.4 Magnitude | DW News

A powerful earthquake has struck Croatia near the capital Zagreb. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre says the magnitude 6.4 event struck 46 kilometers southeast of Zagreb. According to official reports, it caused widespread damage, collapsing roofs, building façades and entire buildings. The tremors also prompted the precautionary shutdown of a nuclear power plant in neighbouring Slovenia. That region was hit by a slightly weaker tremor.

The Guardian View on Britain’s Global Role: Shrinking around Brexit

THE GUARDIAN: In a world of superpower rivalry, the UK must urgently rebuild the strategic alliances that were sabotaged by its departure from the EU

Boris Johnson has a range of political skills, but international diplomacy is not among them. His greatest asset is a campaigning charisma with limited cultural range. The dishevelled look and irreverent bombast are an act aimed at a domestic audience. It translates poorly abroad. In the global arena, reluctance to look serious forfeits respect sooner than it wins affection.

That is one reason why Mr Johnson did not acquit himself well as foreign secretary in Theresa May’s government. Another was that he hates serving anyone but himself. As prime minister, he has not sharpened up his act, but he is at least free to pursue his own agenda. What does that mean in foreign policy terms? There is Brexit, of course. But that has been a parochial matter in UK politics – perversely so, given that the country’s orientation in the world is at stake. The domestic debate has consistently lacked global perspective. The remain side failed to communicate the cost of surrendering a seat at European summits. The view that EU membership amplified British power was drowned out by the rhetoric of regaining mythic sovereignty. » | Editorial | Monday, December 28, 2020

My opinion: As a one-time dyed-in-the-wool Conservative voter, I say this: Never again will I vote Tory! I wavered after the shabby way they treated Margaret Thatcher; but now, after this Brexit fiasco, NEVER AGAIN! It is to be hoped that the Tories go the way of the Whigs: into oblivion! Leaving the European Union has been a suicidal act. No self-respecting, economics-understanding, UK-loving voter could ever have voted for Brexit. Brexit has taken our rights as one-time European citizens away from us. And for what? Some spurious, nebulous concept of sovereignty – a concept most people probably don’t understand anyway. Make no mistake: the one-per-centers wanted Brexit because they will enrich themselves still further at our expense; the rest voted for Brexit out of ignorance because of the lies they were fed. But they have been fooled. The result: We, the people, have to put up with our European rights being taken away! Further, as a nation, we will be impoverished. – ©Mark Alexander

Game of Thrones Video Game Tycoon Dies in Suspected Poisoning

THE GUARDIAN: Police in China detain colleague of Yoozoo Games founder Lin Qi on suspicion of involvement in death

Shanghai police have detained a man in relation to the suspected poisoning death of the wealthy founder of a video games company

. Lin Qi, 39, died on Christmas Day, eight days after he was taken to hospital with “acute symptoms of illness”, according to his company, Yoozoo Games Co, known for the Game of Thrones: Winter is Coming strategy game and as the producer of a forthcoming Netflix adaptation of the science fiction hit The Three-Body Problem. » | Helen Davidson in Taipei | Monday, December 28, 2020

Saudi Rights Activist Loujain al-Hathloul Sentenced to Almost Six Years in Jail

THE GUARDIAN: Court suspends some of sentence and backdates start of term, meaning she only has three months left to serve

Loujain al-Hathloul, the Saudi women’s right activist detained three years ago by the Saudi government, has been sentenced to five years and eight months in jail after being found guilty of spying with foreign parties and conspiring against the kingdom.

But the court suspended 2 years and 10 months of her sentence and backdated the start of her jail term to May 2018, meaning she only has three months left to serve.

Although human rights campaigners will say she should never have been detained for so long without charge, the prospect of serving only a further three months in jail will help defuse a potentially damaging early confrontation with the Biden administration that would have occurred if she had been locked up for a further 20 years, as seemed possible at one point. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Monday, December 28, 2020

'You Have a President Who Is Increasingly Out of Touch While Americans Are Dying' | MSNBC

President Trump is golfing at his private club in Florida over the Christmas weekend while a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill sits on his desk that would provide millions of Americans with desperately needed financial assistance. MSNBC’s host of “American Voices” Alicia Menendez speaks with Rolling Stone Washington Bureau Chief Andy Kroll, Politico White House Correspondent Tyler Pager, and MSNBC Political Analyst, host of “Zerlina,” and the author of “The End of White Politics” Zerlina Maxwell about what this roadblock means for vulnerable Americans.

SNP Confirms It Will Vote against 'Extreme Tory Brexit' Deal

THE GUARDIAN: Party says PM’s plan, to be voted on next week, reinforces the case for Scottish independence

The Scottish National party has confirmed its MPs will vote against what it called “Boris Johnson’s extreme Tory Brexit” next week, saying the newly agreed deal reinforced the case for Scottish independence.

The expected decision, made following a meeting of the SNP’s Westminster parliamentary group, guarantees at least some formal opposition when the deal is put to the Commons on Wednesday.

The SNP’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, said: “Boris Johnson’s extreme Tory Brexit is an unforgivable act of economic vandalism and gross stupidity, which will cause lasting damage to the economy and leave the UK much worse off at the worst possible time – during a pandemic and economic recession. » | Peter Walker, Political correspondent | Sunday, December 27, 2020

The Observer View on the Brexit Trade Deal

THE OBSERVER: A deal that makes us poorer, reduces global influence and imperils the nation’s integrity

Any deal is better than no deal. But the agreement that Boris Johnson struck with the European Union on Christmas Eve is no political triumph, no diplomatic feat. It will one day surely be regarded as one of the greatest-ever deceits inflicted on the British electorate. We were told that a free trade agreement with the EU would be “one of the easiest in human history” to get, that we were “going to get a great deal”. We were told that a free trade agreement would give us “the exact same benefits” of EU membership without any of the obligations or financial costs.

Yet the deal Johnson has reached will inflict all the costs he denied it ever would. It will take some weeks to fully digest the many pages of legal text. But it is already clear that this deal will have enduring consequences for Britain in the coming decades: for the wellbeing and resilience of communities across a highly unequal nation; for the potential for the UK to be an influence for good in an increasingly unstable world; and perhaps even for the very integrity of our nation. Johnson’s act of national harm could not come at a worse time. It will set in train significant economic damage during a global pandemic that has left the NHS and economy reeling. » | Observer Editorial | Sunday, December 27, 2020

Brexit: Big changes to our lives, and livelihoods, and on their way from 1 January when the transition period ends »

Splendid Isolation … Or Just a Bit-part Player? Europe Reacts to British ‘Victory’

THE OBSERVER: As Brussels officials scrutinise the detail, political pundits from Berlin to Madrid see a poor outlook for the UK

Questions about how the full details of the Brexit deal would be received, and warnings of the negotiations that will continue after its implementation, tempered widespread relief in Europe that a last-ditch agreement had been reached.

Many commentators also wondered how Britain would negotiate the reality of life outside the European Union after years of unsettled argument even within the pro-Brexit camp about the country’s strategic direction.

Le Monde said the country was now facing a dilemma from over half a century ago. “The United Kingdom finds itself once again facing a question that was never resolved after 1945: its place in the world,” wrote Philippe Bernard. “Its [sic] like Back to the Future, from the 1950s.

“While Germany and France launched themselves into building Europe, the British refused to join this project, too limited for their ambitions and initiated by two countries they considered, unlike themselves, losers of the war.” » | Emma Graham-Harrison | Sunday, December 27, 2020

Margaret Thatcher said plan for the euro was 'a rush of blood', archives reveal »

This Brexit disaster has been brewing in the Conservative party for 30 years »

Who Was the Real Jesus Christ (Biblical Documentary) | Timeline

After the death of Jesus, his followers split into two factions. They held radically different views about their leader – his identity, his message and his vision of the future. One of those factions flourished under the guiding genius of St Paul – and eventually wrote its version of the story in the Gospels of the New Testament. The other faction withered and died away, leaving behind no written records. But what if the losers in this power struggle had written their version of the story? The Real Jesus Christ reconstructs that lost biography of Jesus: an alternative version of his life as it would have been told by those who lost the battle for the succession, but who knew him better than anyone else – his closest followers and his family.

Don Winslow Films — Everybody Is Turning on Trump

#EverybodyIsTurningOnTrump

Brexit Going Forward: Who Are the Winners and Losers? | DW News

No one really thought the UK would vote to leave the EU. But they did and it up-ended politics in Britain and the EU.

When it takes effect it will change many aspects of life for people on both sides of the English Channel. Leaving the European Union. Leaving all the restrictions, duties, and the benefits of being part of a greater whole. Leaving behind freedom of movement, simple trade, and hundreds of common rules covering everything from human rights to light-bulb specifications.

DW Correspondents Birgit Maass in London and Georg Matthes in Brussels have had front-row seats at the Brexit process from the very beginning. They have not only reported from the endless summits and negotiations, but also traveled through the UK and Europe, and even beyond. They met people whose lives will be affected – in some ways that could have been predicted – and in some ways that couldn’t.

As Birgit and Georg look towards the future, they pick out those people whose fates show us what’s going to happen in a Brexit world. The fishing communities who set sail from different coasts looking to make a living from the same waters, and how bitter the fight has become for them. The British farmers who will see their income slashed, and what that’ll mean, depending on how big their farms are. The people who made their lives in Britain but are no longer welcome. And of course those on both sides of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The Queen's Christmas Broadcast 2020

“In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit.”

In her 2020 broadcast, The Queen reflects on acts of kindness and heroism during this extraordinary year.

How the Richest Get Richer in the Pandemic While Americans Struggle | The Mehdi Hasan Show

Anand Giridharadas joins Mehdi Hasan to detail how America's richest few have grown their wealth amid the pandemic, often at the expense of the poor and middle class.

The Wrecking of America by Donald J. Trump (w/ Ralph Nader)

Ralph Nader joined Thom to discuss the state of the US after four years of Donald Trump as president. From Trump pushing out Bill Barr, through to the fanatics he has appointed up to 20 January 2021.

U.S. Will Require Negative Covid-19 Test for All Travelers From U.K.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The new rule, which takes effect on Monday, will apply to Americans as well as foreign nationals.

The United States will require all airline passengers arriving from Britain to test negative for the coronavirus within 72 hours of their departure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday.

The move comes as a new highly transmissible variant of the virus, which first appeared in Britain, has led more than 50 countries to seal their borders to travelers from there or to impose restrictions on their arrival.

The new rule, which takes effect on Monday, will apply to Americans as well as foreign citizens, and will require passengers to show proof of a negative result on a genetic test, known as a P.C.R., or an antigen test. » | Russell Goldman and Isabella Kwai | Thursday, December 24, 2020

Now the Brexit Blame Game Will Play Out at the Door of No 10

THE GUARDIAN: A deal is better than no deal, but the prime minister will be personally held to account for every negative impact on the UK

They left it late but a deal has been done. It will take some time to digest the details but it is clear that the agreement reached is thin. We should not kid ourselves that this is the full and comprehensive trade deal that the country needed in order to minimise the damage caused by our departure from the European Union. January will still involve yet further disruption to our trade (it is very regrettable that there is no implementation period). More importantly, in the longer term, the UK’s diminished access to EU markets will make us a less attractive place to locate jobs and investment.

The deal gives us tariff-free and quota-free access to the EU but this is far from the frictionless access that business wanted. Importing and exporting to the EU will become more bureaucratic, complex supply chains will struggle – putting us at a competitive disadvantage. Services, of course, see little direct benefit. » | David Gauke | Thursday, December 24, 2020

The Aussie Princess: The Wedding of Mary and Frederik in Denmark | 60 Minutes Australia

'The Worst President Ever. Period': Cuomo Unloads on Trump

CNN's Chris Cuomo says that President Donald Trump's pardons of Roger Stone and Paul Manafort, his threat to upend a bipartisan Covid-19 relief bill, and veto of a military spending bill cements Trump as the worst president ever.

„ZWEI WAHNSINNIGE“: Irans Präsident vergleicht Trump mit Saddam Hussein

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Irans Präsident Rohani greift den amerikanischen Präsidenten Donald Trump mit scharfen Worten an – und zieht einen Vergleich zum früheren irakischen Diktator.

Irans Präsident Hassan Rohani hat seinen amerikanischen Amtskollegen mit dem früheren irakischen Diktator Saddam Hussein verglichen. „In der jüngeren iranischen Geschichte mussten wir uns zweimal mit zwei Wahnsinnigen auseinandersetzen ... (Donald) Trump und Saddam“, sagte Rohani am Mittwoch. Der eine habe Iran in einen militärischen Krieg (1980-88), der andere in einen Wirtschaftskrieg verwickelt, so der Präsident im Staatsfernsehen.

Iran hat aus Sicht Rohanis letztendlich in beiden Kriegen als Sieger dastehen können. Weder habe Saddam den süd- und südwestlichen Teil des Irans besetzen noch Trump den geplanten Regimewechsel erzwingen können. „Saddam wurde wegen seiner Verbrechen hingerichtet (...) Trumps Schicksal wird auch nicht viel besser aussehen“, sagte Rohani. » | Quelle: dpa | Mittwoch, 23. Dezember 2020

Lufthansa Flies 80 Tonnes of Fresh Food to UK amid Shortage Fears

THE GUARDIAN: German carrier delivers fruit and vegetables as border issues persist despite end of French blockade

Lufthansa is flying in 80 tonnes of fruit and vegetables to help restock UK supermarket shelves amid fears that the lifting of a French blockade will not prevent some shortages in stores.

The German airline said it was carrying a cargo of lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, strawberries and citrus fruits, and considering whether to put on additional special cargo flights to meet demand.

It said a B777 freighter aircraft would arrive at Doncaster Sheffield airport at lunchtime on Wednesday.

The flight comes as supermarkets and their suppliers scramble to find alternative ways to stock shelves as thousands of lorries and vans remain stuck outside Dover. » | Sarah Butler | Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Pardons Sink Trump Further into Swamp of His Own Shamelessness

THE GUARDIAN: Analysis: President sanctions first federal execution of a woman in 67 years – but war criminals, fraudsters and Russia-linked cronies go free

Lisa Montgomery is set to become the first woman put to death by the US federal government in 67 years. On Tuesday senators including Cory Booker, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren wrote to the justice department demanding an investigation into an “unprecedented spree” of federal executions on Donald Trump’s watch

. A few hours later the president announced a slew of 15 pardons. Strikingly they included four military contractors imprisoned for the killing of unarmed men, women and children in Iraq. In short, war criminals.

Trump’s motivation had less to do with the quality of mercy than a boundless quantity of shamelessness. In his binary worldview people on death row must face implacable justice but those who pass his loyalty test have a ticket to freedom. » | David Smith in Washington | Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Would it be even possible for America to elect a more disgusting, shameless president than Trump? – ©Mark

'Our blood is cheaper than water': Iraqis' anger over Trump pardons »

Turkey Sentences Journalist Can Dündar to 27 Years in Jail

THE GUARDIAN: Ex-Cumhuriyet newspaper editor given verdict in absentia on charges described as politically motivated

A prominent Turkish journalist has been sentenced in absentia to more than 27 years in jail on terrorism-related charges that his legal team have described as politically motivated.

Can Dündar, who edited Turkey’s Cumhuriyet newspaper before fleeing to Germany in 2016, was previously found guilty by an Istanbul court of espionage and aiding an armed terrorist organisation.

His lawyers refused to attend the final hearing on Wednesday, saying in a written statement beforehand that “we do not want to be part of a practice to legitimise a previously decided, political verdict”. They will appeal the verdict.

“It is sad and strange that we knew what the verdict in my case would be before the case even ended. There are no means to defend yourself in Turkey anymore because the judges and judiciary cannot be trusted,” Dündar told the Guardian. » | Bethan McKernan, Turkey and Middle East correspondent | Wednesday, December 23, 2020

America Braced for Final Month of Madness as Trump Show Nears Its End

THE GUARDIAN: The president’s recent conduct has raised alarms of an increasingly desperate power bid in his last 30 days. So what can we expect?

As the Trump show nears its final episode, America is bracing for potentially the most dramatic, disturbing and outlandish twists yet.

Donald Trump’s recent conduct has led critics to suggest that he has lost touch with reality and raise alarms over an increasingly desperate, deranged power grab in the climactic month of his presidency.

Trump has entertained extreme ideas such as military intervention and appointing a conspiracy theorist as a special counsel to investigate voter fraud. He has turned on allies and retweeted threats to put Republicans who failed to back him in jail. He has also undermined his own secretary of state’s assessment that Russia launched a massive cyber-attack on the US government.

And that was just in the past week. “I guess we cannot quantify the level of crazy that could come out of the Trump White House in his final days here,” said Tara Setmayer, a former Republican communications director on Capitol Hill. “This behavior is 100% a by-product of Donald Trump’s psychosis.” » | David Smith in Washington | Wednesday, December 23, 2020

World's Media Ask How It Went So Wrong for 'Plague Island' Britain

THE GUARDIAN: Boris Johnson comes under fire as countries suspend travel from UK over new Covid variant

In the eyes of the world’s media, Britain – a “Plague Island” led by a man who thinks “optimism is a substitute for hard truths and proper management” – is currently getting a good lesson in “what ‘reclaiming sovereignty’ means”.

If never quite explicit, the schadenfreude is palpable as dozens of countries, days before the end of the Brexit transition period and with no trade deal yet agreed, suspend travel from the UK in response to the new, more contagious coronavirus variant.

Much of the blame was on Boris Johnson, whose U-turn on Christmas had “once more shown the yawning gulf between the prime minister’s airy promises and the real world,” said Germany’s Die Welt.

That vacuum, however, is now “fast being filled with the anger and fear of a nation hit ever since by horror story upon horror story”. The continental blockade could well be “preparing the British for what Brexit might actually mean”, the paper said, “since there is still no agreement on a trade deal, 10 days before the deadline.” » | Jon Henley | Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Europa isoliert Großbritannien aus Sorge vor mutiertem Coronavirus | DW Nachrichten

'Massive Red Line': GOP Lawmaker Reacts to Flynn's Martial Law Pitch

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) discusses Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn suggesting the President invoke martial law in an Oval Office meeting and the relationship between election conspiracy theories and social media.

COVID-19: Prime Minister to Hold COBRA Meeting as Europe Closes Borders

Boris Johnson is to call an emergency COBRA meeting after many countries in Europe closed their borders to the UK.

A Number 10 spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister will chair a COBRA meeting on Monday to discuss the situation regarding international travel, in particular the steady flow of freight into and out of the UK."

It comes after France suspended "all flows of people from the United Kingdom for 48 hours, and for all means of transport".

Bernie Sanders: COVID Relief Package Is "Totally Inadequate" for "Unprecedented" Economic Crisis

As Congress is rushing to pass a new $900 billion coronavirus aid package, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont is calling the new relief package "totally inadequate, given the nature of the unprecedented crisis that we face." Sanders took to the floor of the Senate Friday to call for $1,200 emergency checks for every working-class adult and $500 per child. We air portions of his address.

Brüssel statt London: Schottlands Regierungschefin will zurück „nach Hause“ in die EU

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Nicola Sturgeon ist überzeugt, dass die Schotten bei einem weiteren Referendum für die Unabhängigkeit von Großbritannien stimmen werden. Von Boris Johnson will sie sich bei ihren Plänen nicht ausbremsen lassen – und wenn nötig auch vor Gericht ziehen.

Die schottische Regierungschefin Nicola Sturgeon hält weiter an ihren Plänen zum Beitritt Schottlands zur EU fest. Nach dem von ihr angestrebten Unabhängigkeitsreferendum werde sie ihre Nation zügig in die Europäische Union führen, sagte Sturgeon im Interview mit der Tageszeitung „Die Welt“ und anderen europäischen Medien. „Mehr als die Hälfte der Schotten will laut jüngsten Umfragen die Unabhängigkeit. Ich bin zuversichtlich, dass die Schotten beim nächsten Referendum Ja sagen werden.“ » | Quelle: dpa | Freitag, 18. Dezember 2020

Trump’s Niece Calls President’s Pandemic Handling ‘At Best, Criminally Negligent Homicide'

As the COVID-19 death toll passed 300,000 in the U.S. on Monday, President Trump’s niece, Mary Trump, reflected on her uncle’s handling of the pandemic.

“This is, at best, criminally negligent homicide and at worse, mass murder,” she said. “And I’m leaning toward mass murder, because he’s continuing to do nothing even though we have at our disposal means to stop this.”

Monday also marked the official certification of Joe Biden’s election victory, raising further concerns about what the president might do next, according to his niece.

“The problem for us now: This is really the end of the road,” she told Jim Braude on Greater Boston, where she appeared along with former Trump Organization top executive Barbara Res. “There really aren’t any other avenues to pursue, which means he’s going to become increasingly desperate. He’s going to continue to sow division because, if he feels like he’s going down, he’s literally going to try to take all of us down with him. Let’s face it, he’s committing sedition every single day. I can only imagine what’s going on behind the scenes in terms of what he’s going to smash on his way out the door.”

Breaking News: London to Enter Tier Four Covid Restrictions

The planned relaxation of Covid rules for Christmas has been scrapped for London. From midnight Sunday 20 December, a new tier four will be introduced. Those in tier four cannot mix indoors with anyone not from their household. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the changes at a Downing Street briefing after scientists said a new coronavirus variant is spreading more rapidly.

'I Took a Trip to the North Pole': Anthony Fauci Tells Children He Vaccinated Santa

THE GUARDIAN: Top US infectious diseases expert tells Sesame Street event Father Christmas is ‘good to go’ for present-delivery duty

Children around the world should not worry about the logistics of Christmas present delivery while the coronavirus pandemic rages, Dr Anthony Fauci said – because he vaccinated Santa himself.

“I took care of that for you,” the top US infectious diseases expert told CNN. “Because I was worried that you’d all be upset.

“So what I did a little while ago, I took a trip up there to the North Pole. I went there and I vaccinated Santa Claus myself. I measured his level of immunity, and he is good to go. He can come down the chimney. He can leave the presents, he can leave, and you have nothing to worry about. Santa Claus is good to go.” » | Martin Pengelly in New York | Saturday, December 19, 2020

Johnson Announces Tier 4 for London and Scraps Christmas Mixing Rules

Boris Johnson has issued a new 'stay at home' order covering London and much of the south and east of England, and dramatically curtailed plans for Christmas mixing nationwide, in response to a new fast-spreading strain of coronavirus. Just days after reaffirming the festive 'bubble' plan and claiming it would be 'inhuman' to cancel Christmas, the prime minister announced the creation of a new, stricter tier 4

Trump Remains Silent on Russia’s Cyberattack | The 11th Hour | MSNBC

Trump’s silence in the face of Russian aggression will force the incoming administration to respond. So then why has the Pentagon delayed Biden’s transition briefings? Annie Karni, A.B. Stoddard, and Jeremy Bash discuss. Aired on 12/19/2020.

Murdoch Gets Vaccinated as His Media Outlets Spread Lies, Attack Essential Workers | All In | MSNBC

After getting vaccinated, Rupert Murdoch strongly encouraged people to get the vaccine and thanked essential workers. Meanwhile, his minions at Fox News and the New York Post are spreading lies about the coronavirus and bullying health care workers. Aired on 12/18/2020.

Mehdi Hasan: ‘Where Is Donald Trump?’ | The Last Word | MSNBC

Mehdi Hasan explains why Donald Trump’s silence in the face of unprecedented crisis is “unacceptable and unforgivable.” Aired on 12/18/2020.

Winter in the Coldest City on Earth – In Pictures

THE GUARDIAN: Located south of the Arctic Circle, in Russia’s far east, Yakutsk is known for its severe climate

Yakutsk has the coldest winter temperatures of any major city, with an average monthly temperature in January of -38.6C » | Yevgeny Sofroneyev/Tass/Getty Images | Friday, December 18, 2020

Detention of Former Saudi Crown Prince 'Risks Security of West'

THE GUARDIAN: Mohammed bin Nayef does not have access to lawyer, family or doctor, according to evidence given to MPs

The detention of the former crown prince of Saudi Arabia in breach of international law is weakening the security of both the kingdom and the west, a cross-party investigatory panel of British MPs has found.

Mohammed bin Nayef was arrested in March as part of a consolidation of power ordered by the current crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

The panel found that, since March, Bin Nayef had lost a significant amount of weight. He is “suffering from pains in his joints, particularly his knees, making it difficult for him to walk comfortably without assistance, and there is evidence of damage to his feet, adding to the pain in walking”, the panel found.

The panel also claims evidence submitted to it shows “he has not been able to contest his detention before an independent and impartial judge, has no access to a lawyer to discuss his situation and his case has not been reviewed to determine whether it is appropriate to continue his detention”. He has not been allowed to see either his family or his doctor. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Thursday, December 17, 2020

Unicef to Feed Hungry Children in UK for First Time in 70-year History

THE GUARDIAN: UN agency will help fund food parcels for those affected by coronavirus crisis in Southwark, south London

Unicef has launched a domestic emergency response in the UK for the first time in its more than 70-year history to help feed children hit by the Covid-19 crisis.

The UN agency, which is responsible for providing humanitarian aid to children worldwide, said the coronavirus pandemic was the most urgent crisis affecting children since the second world war.

A YouGov poll in May commissioned by the charity Food Foundation found2.4 million children (17%) were living in food insecure households. By October, an extra 900,000 children had been registered for free school meals. » | Rhi Storer | Wednesday, December 16, 2020

This is to our enduring shame! So many untaxed billionaires; so many poor children! This is enough to bring tears to the eyes of any decent human being! Disgusting! – © Mark

Deutschland: Harter Lockdown: (Fast) nichts geht mehr

Seit Mittwoch gilt deutschlandweit der sogenannte „harte Lockdown“, die meisten Geschäfte müssen geschlossen bleiben. © REUTERS, EPA