Are US Politicians Too Old? | Global News Podcast

July 14, 2026 | The death of the longtime Repblican senator Lindsey Graham at the age of 71, and the hospitalisation of his 84-year-old colleague Mitch McConnell, have raised new questions about the advanced age of America's political leaders.

President Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday last month - becoming just the second octogenarian president after Joe Biden. Several lawmakers are even older, including 84-year-old Bernie Sanders, 86-year-old Nancy Pelosi, and 92-year-old Chuck Grassley.

And while the likes of Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth are still in their 40s, the age in the Senate is around 65 - a time of life when most Americans have retired.

We ask the BBC's Washington correspondent Daniel Bush about the benefits and drawbacks of an elder political class, why voters choose old age pensioners to represent them, and who may lead the US into the future, as some of its most powerful politicians near the ends of their careers.


Are American politicians too old? What a silly question! Of course they are too old! Most of them are geriatrics! In fact, America is a gerontocracy! An oligarchic, corrupt, gerontocracy! The super-corrupt Geriatric-in-Chief is the Orange Mussolini! Not only is he old and corrupt, he suffers from brain-rot too! — © Mark Alexander

Wildfires Burn in UK and Europe as Heatwaves Continue | BBC News

Jul 14, 2026 | Temperature records have been broken across Europe, with extreme heat and dry weather resulting in multiple wildfires across the continent.

And with the heatwave set to continue in the UK, areas in the south of England are facing an "exceptional" risk of wildfires in the coming days.

The Big Story looks into how wildfires actually start, and how best to avoid them.

Donald Trump Will Watch MAGA Burn to the Ground | Steve Schmidt

Jul 14, 2026 | ICE has killed another person, Joan Sebastian Guerrero, in Maine while the war with Iran continues.

Steve Schmidt breaks down the ongoing atrocities of Trump's regime and why MAGA must be burned to the ground in order to save America.


What an objectionable oaf Stephen Miller is! He looks like a Nazi, behaves like a Nazi, and talks like a Nazi. There is no doubt in my mind that he is a Nazi. A despicable, abhorrent man! — © Mark Alexander

The Revival of Spain's Dictator Franco? | DW Documentary

July 14, 2026 | Ninety years ago, a coup against the Spanish Republic led to Francisco Franco's dictatorship. Today, many people of all ages in Spain are romanticizing that regime, a trend fuelled by the far-right political party Vox.

After Franco's death in 1975, Spain's democracy was established based on the Amnesty Law of 1977, which shielded Franco-era agents and officials from prosecution. But victims are still demanding justice and compensation.

Today, there are two opposing narratives: One is based on a duty to tell the truth, while the other uses nostalgia to revive a former authoritarian system of government.

Between the ruling left-wing coalition, right wing parties and the far right, there appears to be no path forward to reconcile conflicting views of Franco's legacy. Against the backdrop of this political divide, even some young people long for the old order under Franco.

Right-wing populists are exploiting this trend to once again call democracy into question — especially the far-right party Vox, whose influence is growing among voters.


WIKIPEDIA: Francisco Franco »

Democracy Now! Top US & World Headlines

July 14, 2026

Democracy Now! can be supported here.

Argentina: British Falkland Islanders Are ‘Artificial’

THE TELEGRAPH: Buenos Aires denounces ‘illegitimate occupation’ and demands talks on sovereignty

Argentina’s foreign minister called Falklands Islanders an “artificially implanted” population in a lengthy essay demanding Britain enter talks to hand over the territory.

Pablo Quirno said the 2013 referendum held on the archipelago, in which islanders chose to remain British, was illegitimate and called for negotiations over the Falklands’ future.

“Time does not transform an illegitimate occupation into sovereignty. Nor will it divide the territorial unity of the Argentine Republic,” Mr Quirno argued in La Nacion, Argentina’s leading conservative paper.

He said that the 1982 war and the 2013 vote had failed to resolve the Falklands dispute, and added that sovereignty of the archipelago should not be decided by a “population artificially implanted by the occupying power”. » | Iona Cleave | US Correspondent | Sunday, July 12, 2026

Rubio Unveils Plan to Dismantle International Criminal Court

THE TELEGRAPH: US secretary of state says institution poses ‘intolerable threat to sovereignty’

Screenshot taken from this Telegraph article. | Marco Rubio has launched a campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court | Credit: KENT NISHIMURA/AFP
Marco Rubio has unveiled a plan to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing it of posing “an intolerable threat to US sovereignty”.

The Trump administration said it would pressure other countries to withdraw from the court, marking a sharp escalation in efforts to isolate the Hague-based institution and starve it of political and financial support.

“The ICC and its friends are waging a war against our country, not with bullets or missiles, but with statutes, compacts and the force of so-called international law,” the US secretary of state said in a video statement.

The state department said the campaign would “systematically disable the ICC’s ability to operate, target American servicemen or officials, or otherwise threaten American sovereignty”. » | Telegraph’s Foreign Staff | Tuesday, July 14, 2026

What an AH! As I have said several times before, Rubio is not to be trusted. He is nothing but a snake-in-the-grass. — © Mark Alexander

Gaza : huit morts après une frappe israélienne sur un commissariat palestinien

LE FIGARO : « Huit martyrs, dont une femme, ont été transportés à l’hôpital al-Chifa de Gaza après un bombardement israélien ayant visé un poste de police (...) à l’ouest du camp de Jabalia », ont déclaré les services de premiers secours.

La Défense civile de Gaza a annoncé mardi que huit personnes avaient été tuées dans le nord de la bande de Gaza après une frappe israélienne sur un poste de police palestinien, en dépit du cessez-le-feu conclu en octobre 2025.

« Huit martyrs, dont une femme, ont été transportés à l'hôpital al-Chifa de Gaza après un bombardement israélien ayant visé un poste de police (...) à l'ouest du camp de Jabalia », ont déclaré ces services de premiers secours. L'hôpital al-Chifa de la ville de Gaza, situé au nord du territoire palestinien, a confirmé à l'AFP avoir reçu les huit dépouilles. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mardi mardi 14 juillet 2026

HUNGRY MAN KITCHEN: Turkish Meatball Stew in Lemon Yogurt Sauce, Eksili Terbiyeli Kofte

May 12, 2023 | Eksili Terbiyeli Kofte or sometimes called Terbiyeli Sulu Kofte is a classic and traditional dish in Turkiye. It is tangy, savory and very filling and is usually served in rustic traditional restaurants in Istanbul.

Like most other Turkish soups or stews, it's extremely comforting and is a cure to hangover and perfect for stomach reliefs.

Terbiye, in Turkish cuisine, refers to tempered sauce using egg yolks, usually with a combination of yogurt and an acidic ingredient such as lemon juice or vinegar. It adds to the flavor, consistency and aroma of the dish.


Click here for the full recipe. Then click on ‘more’.

HUNGRY MAN KITCHEN can be supported on Patreon here.

Verbranntes Land, zerstörte Träume? | ARTE Re:

Jul 14, 2026 | Verlorene Existenzen, Träume und Erinnerungen: Innerhalb weniger Stunden zerstörten im August 2025 verheerende Brände den grünen Norden der griechischen Insel Chios. Viele Menschen in der ländlichen Region mussten hilflos zusehen, wie die Feuer wüteten. Sie fühlen sich von der griechischen Regierung und den Behörden alleingelassen. Wie kommen sie mit den Verlusten klar?

"Innerhalb einer Stunde ist mein Haus komplett abgebrannt. Nichts ist übriggeblieben, noch nicht einmal ein Foto. Nichts.", erzählt Kaiti Kiladity weinend. Der Großbrand im Norden von Chios hat nicht nur 70 Quadratkilometer Land zerstört, sondern für Kaiti auch 30 Jahre Erinnerungen. Sie war aus Liebe zum Ort Volissós und den umliegenden Dörfern in die abgelegene Region gezogen und will trotz der Katastrophe bleiben.

Auch der Landwirt Dimitris Mallas versucht wieder Fuß zu fassen, obwohl das Feuer seine gesamte Existenz vernichtet hat und Entschädigungen auf sich warten lassen. "Ich habe viele Jahre gebraucht, um all diese Maschinen anzuschaffen. Ich glaube nicht, dass sie den Schaden bezahlen. Eigentlich sollte ich meinen Beruf wechseln und von hier wegziehen. Aber ich gebe nicht auf."

Die Menschen in dieser ländlichen, strukturschwachen Region sind es gewohnt, dass der Staat sie kaum unterstützt. Sie haben schon immer versucht, sich selbst zu helfen, so auch dieses Mal. Gemeinsam mit Freiwilligengruppen pflanzen sie neue Bäume und versuchen, die Gegend vor Abwanderung zu bewahren. Werden sie es schaffen, nach den Feuern wieder auf die Füße zu kommen, und wie lang ist dieser Weg?

Reportage (D 2026, 30 Min)
Video verfügbar bis zum 01/07/2027

Britain’s Inequality Problem...And How To Solve It | How To Get Filthy Rich | Channel 4 Docs

Jul 12, 2026 | Ex-trader, economist and social media sensation Gary Stevenson says the growing wealth gap is the root of many of the UK’s problems. And he knows what to do about it: tax the filthy rich.

WARNING: This documentary contains strong language.

Dans la forêt de Fontainebleau, les secours luttent contre des incendies exceptionnels

Cette capture d'écran provient de cet article du Figaro. | La forêt de Fontainebleau est en proie ce lundi à un incendie hors norme, qui pourrait avoir « une origine volontaire », selon le ministre de l’Intérieur, Laurent Nuñez. Stephane Mahe / REUTERS
LE FIGARO : REPORTAGE - Plus de 1 200 hectares de la forêt domaniale située en Seine-et-Marne ont été ravagés par les flammes, contre lesquelles se battent plus de 500 sapeurs-pompiers. Ce lundi soir, Laurent Nuñez a annoncé que deux personnes avaient été interpellées pour des «  mises à feu volontaires ou accidentelles ».

À 30 kilomètres de leur épicentre, les denses fumées ocre et noires saturent le ciel. Plus de 500 sapeurs-pompiers se débattent, en pleine vague de chaleur, contre l’incendie exceptionnel qui ravage la forêt de Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne) depuis dimanche. Au milieu de la pinède, dans un endroit dépourvu de réseau, entre Arbonne-la-Forêt et Achères-la-Forêt, le poste de commandement est sur le pied de guerre. Des tentes sont installées pour garder à l’ombre les rations et l’eau distribuées aux soldats du feu. Le long de la route, des camions de pompiers venant de tout le pays attendent de retourner au front. Ils arrivent du Jura, de la Meuse, du Bas-Rhin ou de Côte-d’Or. Au milieu du dispositif, les yeux sont rivés sur un écran interactif qui suit l’évolution en temps réel de l’incendie.

« L’une des grandes difficultés, au-delà du vent qui tourne régulièrement, c’est le sous-sol de la forêt, qui regorge de tourbe, une matière organique qui propage le feu, parfois à plusieurs dizaines de mètres de là où il s’est déclaré. Les arbres morts sont également des combustibles qui ne nous aident pas », explique le capitaine Sylvain Wdowik, du service départemental d’incendie et de secours (SDIS) de Seine-et-Marne. À cause des sols sableux et des nombreuses roches, des pans entiers de forêt sont inaccessibles aux pompiers déployés au sol. « Les Canadair nous permettent d’atteindre ces zones tout en économisant du personnel. Ils mettent une dizaine de minutes entre chaque rotation et larguent à chaque fois 6 000 litres d’eau, c’est chirurgical », ajoute Sylvain Wdowik. » | Par Victor Mérat (envoyé spécial en Seine-et-Marne) | lundi 13 juillet 2026

Réservé aux abonnés

«Die Mehrheit der Priester im Vatikan ist schwul» | Sternstunde Religion | SRF Kultur | Reupload

March 31, 2020 | Mit seiner These, wonach die Mehrheit der Prälaten, Bischöfe und Kardinäle des Vatikans schwul seien, generierte der französische Soziologe und Journalist Frédéric Martel im Frühling 2019 viel Aufmerksamkeit, aber auch Unverständnis.

Sein Buch «Sodom» erschien zeitgleich in acht Sprachen und Martel wurde in unzählige Talkshows eingeladen, doch der Vatikan hüllte sich in Schweigen. Wer sich in den 30er-, 40er- und 50er-Jahren des letzten Jahrhunderts als junger Mann irgendwie anders – eben homosexuell – fühlte, fand in der römisch-katholischen Kirche eine Oase, so Martel in seinem Buch «Sodom»: Männer, die unter Männern leben, andere Kleidung tragen und singen, das wäre für viele die Rettung gewesen, die zudem noch von der Gesellschaft akzeptiert war.

Gegen aussen seien diese in der Regel sehr alten Männer nun homophob, gegen innen aber homophil. Dies führe zu einer gefährlichen Doppelmoral, einer Kultur des Schweigens, die die Skandale rund um die katholische Kirche sehr unglücklich begünstigt hätten.


Click here for the English version.

The Truth about Lindsey Graham | Steve Schmidt

Jul 13, 2026 | Lindsey Graham died this weekend, and many are choosing to remember the man he once was instead of the harm he ultimately inflicted. Steve Schmidt breaks down Lindsey Graham's real legacy as a power-hungry, pilot fish who wished to destroy the American republic.

HUNGRY MAN KITCHEN: Easy and Cheap Turkish Street Food with $1 Ingredients! - Flatbreads with Spicy Potatoes | Kir pidesi

Jan 13, 2023 | Kır pidesi can be roughly translated to village-style flatbreads. It is a traditional Turkish bread that is typically long and flat, with a slightly chewy texture. It is one of the cheapest street foods in Turkey and considered as student or poor man's food.

This version is with a rustic, spicy potato filling and can be made with easy staple ingredients worth about $1. And that is the ingredients for about 8 servings!

You'll be amazed at how easy it is to create this delicious and authentic Turkish bread in your own kitchen.


For a full list of the ingredients, please click here. Then click on ‘more’.

HINGRY MAN KITCHEN can be supported on Patreon here.

Orleans : Dance with Me | Reupload

Aug 29, 2015 | Provided to YouTube by Rhino/Elektra | Views on YouTube: 7,955,608

Enrique Iglesias : Bailamos — From Wild Wild West

Jul 29, 2018 | Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group

Journey Through Andalusian Sounds 🎵 | Relaxing Flamenco Guitar & Arabic Oud Music | الأندلس

Jun 7, 2026 | Embark on a Journey Through Andalusian Sounds, where the passionate elegance of Spanish flamenco guitar meets the soulful beauty of the Arabic oud.

Inspired by the rich cultural heritage of Al-Andalus, this relaxing instrumental experience blends Mediterranean warmth with timeless Arabic melodies to create a peaceful atmosphere for mind, body, and soul.

Allow the gentle rhythms of flamenco guitar and the expressive tones of the oud to guide you through a world of serenity, focus, and inspiration. Whether you're studying, reading, working, meditating, or simply unwinding after a long day, these soothing Andalusian harmonies provide the perfect soundtrack for relaxation and reflection.

From the historic palaces and gardens of Andalusia to the musical traditions that connected East and West, this collection celebrates the enduring beauty of Andalusian music through calming instrumental arrangements designed to bring balance and tranquility to your day.

Bosnie : une tête de cochon a été déposée dans un cimetière musulman de la ville divisée de Mostar

LE FIGARO : Des incidents intercommunautaires surviennent assez régulièrement à travers le pays divisé entre ses communautés bosniaque (musulmane), serbe (orthodoxe) et croate (catholique).

Des inconnus ont déposé lundi une tête de cochon dans un cimetière musulman à Mostar, ville de Bosnie divisée en quartiers bosniaques et croates, un incident qui a provoqué l'indignation de la communauté musulmane.

Trois décennies après la guerre (1992-1995), des incidents intercommunautaires surviennent assez régulièrement à travers le pays divisé entre ses communautés bosniaque (musulmane), serbe (orthodoxe) et croate (catholique). Ces tensions montent régulièrement dans la période pré-électorale, alors que la Bosnie doit organiser début octobre les élections générales. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | lundi 13 juillet 2026

Merz auf iranischer Todesliste – wie würde Deutschland auf ein Attentat reagieren?

BERLINER ZEITUNG: Eine Teheraner Zeitung setzt Friedrich Merz auf eine „Vergeltungsliste“, Irans neuer Führer schwört Rache. Was passiert bei einem Anschlag? Das Grundgesetz gibt eine Antwort.

Dieser Screenshot stammt aus diesem Artikel der Berliner Zeitung. | Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz bei einem Empfang mit militärischen Ehren. Sicherheitspolitiker warnen vor iranischen Anschlägen. | © Mike Schmidt/Imago
Teheran plant einen Rachefeldzug: Die auflagenstarke Teheraner Zeitung Hamshahri, die der Stadtverwaltung der iranischen Hauptstadt gehört, veröffentlichte vergangenes Wochenende eine Grafik mit Fotos von 13 westlichen Spitzenpolitikern, wie das ZDF berichtete. Sie sollen nach Darstellung des Blatts für den Tod des früheren geistlichen Führers Ali Chamenei „bezahlen“. Unter ihnen ist auch Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (CDU).

Chamenei wurde beim ersten amerikanisch-israelischen Angriff Ende Februar getötetnicht öffentlich aufgetreten ist, ließ am Samstag in einem ihm zugeschriebenen Brief erklären, die Vergeltung sei der Wille der Nation und müsse vollzogen werden.

In Berlin nimmt man die Drohung ernst. Sicherheitspolitiker von Union, SPD und Grünen warnen nach Angaben des Handelsblatts vor Anschlägen und Aktivitäten iranischer Netzwerke in Deutschland. Der CDU-Außenpolitiker Roderich Kiesewetter geht demnach davon aus, dass Teheran bereits gezielte Tötungen im Westen plant. Grünen-Fraktionsvize Konstantin von Notz hält das Risiko von Vergeltungsaktionen über Stellvertreter in Deutschland für real. » | Luise Evers | Montag, 13. Juli 2026

Why Trump Is Scared: This Is Iran's Massive Leverage over the US

Ben Norton explains that Iran is now so powerful because of this illicit and unnecessary war.

Sam Neill Dies Age 78 | ABC NEWS

Jul 13, 2026 | Award-winning actor Sam Neill, who starred in My Brilliant Career and Jurassic Park, has died aged 78. In a post on his official Instagram account, a statement said the “loss was sudden and unexpected”.

Neill first rose to fame in the 1977 film Sleeping Dogs, before going on to star in My Brilliant Career, Jurassic Park, The Piano and Possession among other films.

In late April, the Kiwi actor announced he was cancer free, after a five-year battle with blood cancer. The post said Neill “remained cancer free”.


ALSO READ:

Sam Neill, star of Jurassic Park films, Peaky Blinders and The Piano, dies aged 78: New Zealand actor built career as dashing romantic leads and charismatic villains across film and television »

Sam Neill’s final interview: ‘I’d like to think that, in life, I’m a goodie’ »

SPAIN ON A FORK: Smoky Spanish Butter Bean Salad: Ensalada de judiones ahumados con pimientos del piquillo al estilo español

July 13, 2026

SPAIN ON A FORK can be supported on Patreon here.

Democracy Now! Top US & World Headlines

July 13, 2026

Democracy Now! can be supported here.

Counter-terror Police Lead Investigation into Ann Widdecombe's Murder after "New Evidence" Found

Jul 13, 2026 | Counter-terror police are now leading the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe as "new information and evidence have come to light", Counter Terrorism Policing South East said. 

The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, added in a post on X: "Following new information and evidence, they are now leading on the investigation into the horrific murder of Ann Widdecombe.

"The police are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack. I will be updating the House further this afternoon."


ALSO READ:

Ann Widdecombe death: counter-terrorism police take over investigation: Officers say decision made after ‘new information and evidence has come to light’ »

Horrific Video Shows People Fleeing Deadly Bangkok Bar Blaze

Jul 12, 2026 | At least 27 people have died in a bar fire in Bangkok, the country's prime minister has said.

Video of the blaze shows flames shooting out of a door at the bar in the northern district of the capital.

Sky's Asia correspondent, Cordelia Lynch, said people were standing outside the venue looking "shell shocked".

Thousands May Have Died in UK's Exceptional May and June Heatwaves | BBC News

Jul 13, 2026 | More than 2,700 people may have died from heat-related causes in England and Wales during the exceptionally hot weather in May and June, experts' estimates suggest.

The figure, from a team at Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, is based on what's known about the dangers of extreme heat.

Most deaths will have occurred in the June heatwave, they say - the warmest June on record in England, when temperatures hit 37.7C (99.9F) at Lingwood, Norfolk, smashing the previous high of 35.6C set in 1957.

A rare red health alert was issued for parts of England and Wales at the time, warning even healthy people of the significant risk to life.

The Ultraconservative Pastor behind the US Secretary of War

Jul 13, 2026 | As the Iran war reignites, there's a hidden figure influencing the American side.

In an exclusive interview for The Times, Pete Hegseth’s pastor Doug Wilson says the conflict in Iran is a righteous battle against Muslims, homosexuality is evil and women who dress immodestly are sluts.

How is this ultraconservative influencing US foreign policy? And could we see his brand of Christianity in the UK?

This podcast contains mention of some topics listeners may find offensive.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times.

Guest: George Grylls, Washington correspondent, The Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Producer: Olivia Case.
Photo: Dominic Gwinn / Zuma Press.


What a retard! What a dickhead! What a fossil! And we are giving this freak the oxygen of publicity? What is wrong with us? And, what is wrong with them? — © Mark Alexander

Wildfires in the UK and Europe as Heatwaves Continue | BBC News

Jul 13, 2026 | Wildfires of 'exceptional scale' have taken force in Paris, as neighbouring Spain still tackles flames across the country following its own devastating fires.

Now the UK is also experiencing wildfires in England and Wales, as its third heatwave of the year is set to intensify again this week.

Here’s what we know so far about the extent of wildfires in Europe and the UK, and how heatwaves are impacting them.

Jared Yates Sexton on the Rise of Authentic Progressive Voices in the Face of Far-right Corruption

July 13, 2026

ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.

Iran Insists It Controls Strait of Hormuz as It Launches New Strikes

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Iranian military said it had fired at U.S. targets across the Persian Gulf as the two sides engaged in another day of hostilities. President Trump on Sunday denied Iran’s claim to have closed the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran insisted on Monday that it controlled the Strait of Hormuz — an assertion the United States has denied — as it launched a fresh barrage of strikes aimed at American military assets throughout the Middle East. The new attacks, following dozens more American strikes overnight, extended a cycle of attacks that is unraveling the U.S.-Iran cease-fire.

Shipping through the strait plummeted over the weekend after Iran attacked a Cypriot-flagged container ship on Saturday, setting off an exchange of hostilities that spilled into Monday. Just 14 ships passed through the waterway on Sunday, the lowest level in a month, according to Kpler, a maritime data firm.

The latest Iranian salvos on Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman were aimed at U.S. targets including ammunition depots and radar facilities, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said in a statement carried by state media. Authorities in Jordan and Kuwait said they were intercepting incoming fire, and air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain, hours after U.S. forces said they had struck dozens of military targets in Iran.

The Guards Corps added in its statement that the Strait of Hormuz would be open to vessel traffic only if the United States ceased its military operations and respected “the sovereignty of states over their own coastal waters.” » | Hari Raj, Eric Schmitt and Jenny Gross | Monday, July 13, 2026

Is this evidence of Trump putting his theories as propounded in The Art of the Deal into operation? — © Mark Alexander

ALSO READ:

How Trump Failed to Secure the Strait of Hormuz in His Iran Deal: President Trump signed an agreement that Iran said gave it control of the waterway — and global energy supplies. Now, Iran’s military is violently asserting authority. »

Swedish MEP Files Police Complaint Accusing Danish Colleague of Racist Hate Speech

THE GUARDIAN: Abir Al-Sahlani targeted on social media after condemning anti-immigration chants in European parliament

This screenshot is from this Guardian article. | Abir Al-Sahlani addressing the European parliament last year. Her complaint relates to the aftermath of chants in the parliament of ‘send them back’. Photograph: Martin Bertrand/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images
A Swedish MEP has filed a police complaint accusing a fellow MEP of racist hate speech after she was targeted on social media over her condemnation of far-right, anti-immigration chants in the European parliament.

The complaint, which was filed last week with police in Sweden, relates to the aftermath last month of the decision by some rightwing MEPs to erupt in chants of “send them back” following a vote aimed at increasing deportations across the EU.

Soon afterwards, Abir Al-Sahlani, an Iraqi-born Swedish MEP with the Centre party, addressed the hemicycle, accusing the “fascists of the far right” of sinking to a “new low” with their chants.

“I have never felt as unsafe in this parliament,” she told the chamber. “The shouting of the far right was not against a political opponent, it was ‘send them back’. It was about ordinary people who did no other ‘crime’ than looking for a better life in Europe.” » | Ashifa Kassam | European community affairs correspondent | Monday, July 13, 2026

Sir Nick Clegg in Conversation with Geordie Greig

Jul 10, 2026 | Former deputy prime minister Sir Nick Clegg has given an exclusive Talk Show interview to The Independent editor-in-chief Geordie Greig.

Sir Nick, deputy prime minister in the 2010-15 Conservative-Lib Dem coalition government, spoke exclusively to The Independent as part of its Europe:

The Way Back campaign marks the tenth anniversary of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Sir Nick compared Brexit to a “massive cardiac arrest”.

“Much of the rest of the world has had to deal with things like Covid, wars in Ukraine, Iran and so on,” said Sir Nick. “But no other country has punched itself in the face quite so forcefully as we have done over the last 10 to 20 years.


When Nick Clegg joined the Conservatives, I voted for him. That was the very first time that I had ever voted for any party other than the Conservatives. I couldn’t vote for the Conservatives with David Cameron as its leader because he came over as being rather slippery. My misgivings about him proved to be remarkably accurate!

Even though I was raised as a Conservative, I doubt that I shall ever vote Conservative again: the Party can never ever again be trusted after the débâcle of Brexit. The Conservatives also destroyed NHS Dentistry with its never ending, but useless and ineffectual, austerity. I shall never forgive them for that, either.

It is such a pity that the LibDems don’t have a leader as pro-EU as Nick Clegg. If that were the case, I wouldn’t find myself disenfranchised as I now do. Because of David Cameron et al, this country has truly hit rock bottom. — © Mark Alexander

‘News So Good I Want to Read It Twice’: Iran TV Anchor Mocks Lindsey Graham’s Sudden Death

Jul 12, 2026 | An extraordinary moment aired on Iranian state television after a live broadcast anchor broke out in smiles while reporting the sudden death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. The anchor remarked that the news was "so good" she wanted to read it twice before repeating the segment. The blatant on-air celebration reflects the deep, historical hostility Tehran’s hardline political establishment held toward the veteran Republican senator, who spent decades pioneering aggressive military strategies and sanctions frameworks targeting Iran.

Incendie en Espagne : l’incendie « stabilisé », les 600 personnes évacuées ont pu regagner leur domicile

LE FIGARO : Les autorités maintiennent le bilan à 12 morts, pris par les flammes alors qu’ils tentaient de fuir et restent prudentes quant au nombre de disparus tant que les autopsies et l’identification des corps retrouvés ne seront pas achevées.

Après une journée de conditions favorables, qui a permis de combattre le feu, le responsable régional des services d'urgence Antonio Sanz a annoncé dans la nuit de samedi à dimanche que 600 des quelque 1500 personnes qui avaient été évacuées dans cette zone de la province d'Almería pouvaient regagner leurs foyers. Le feu est désormais « stabilisé », a annoncé dimanche le président de la région d’Andalousie Juan Manuel Moreno. « La stabilisation d'une grande partie du périmètre a permis d'adopter ces mesures et de continuer à avancer, toujours avec la plus grande prudence, vers un retour à la normale », a-t-il indiqué dans un communiqué publié par le gouvernement de la région d'Andalousie.

Le président du gouvernement, Pedro Sánchez, se rendra lundi dans cette zone dévastée par les flammes, où vivent de nombreux étrangers, notamment britanniques, et où l'on peut encore voir sur les routes les carcasses calcinées des voitures piégées par ce feu fulgurant qui a avancé jusqu'à 100 mètres par minute. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | dimanche 12 juillet 2026

Waleed Asadi: The Dish That Raised Me | Molokhia | ملوخية

July 12, 2026 | There's a handful of foods that I can never forget because they don't just taste amazing but because they bring back a special feeling. Molokhia is one of those dishes for me. It's a dish that I don't think I can ever live without, I'll always crave it because it takes me home.

This week I'm sharing the molokhia recipe I was raised with, and I hope it can be one you share and pass along as well.


Click here for the full recipe.

Waleed’s very own selection of spices can be found here. Don’t forget to use the code ZAWI10 for 10% off your first order.

Waleed’s favourite Lebanese olive oil, Les Cousines, can be found here. Don’t forget to use Waleed’s very own special introductory code for 15% off your first order.

Cocktail of the Week: Empire Empire’s Cardamom and Lemon (or Lime) Gimlet – Recipe

THE GUARDIAN: This spicy gin and citrus combo has a kick that belies its modest size

Screenshot taken from this article | Empire Empire’s cardamom and lemon gimlet. Photograph: Rob Lawson/The Guardian. Drink styling: Seb Davis.
Gimlets may be on the small side, but they tend to make up for that by packing a pretty decent punch. This gently spiced, citrus-forward example is no exception, and makes for a gloriously summery aperitif. » | Harneet Baweja | Friday, July 10, 2026

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With many thanks to grill dad on Pinterest for this wonderful image.

US-Senator Lindsey Graham ist tot: Trump-Vertrauter verstirbt unerwartet mit 71 Jahren

BERLINER ZEITUNG: „Senator Grahams Familie ist dankbar für die Gebete und bittet in dieser überaus schwierigen Zeit um Privatsphäre“, heißt es in einer Mitteilung seines Büros.

Dieser Screenshot stammt aus diesem Artikel der Berliner Zeitung. | US-Senator Lindsey Graham. Er starb nach plötzlicher Krankheit mit 71 Jahren. | © Michael Santiago/AFP
BERLINER ZEITUNG: „Senator Grahams Familie ist dankbar für die Gebete und bittet in dieser überaus schwierigen Zeit um Privatsphäre“, heißt es in einer Mitteilung seines Büros.

Der republikanische US-Senator Lindsey Graham ist tot. Der langjährige Unterstützer von Präsident Donald Trump starb im Alter von 71 Jahren nach einer kurzen Erkrankung, wie sein Büro am Samstag mitteilte.

Graham sei am Abend des 11. Juli nach einer „kurzen und plötzlichen Krankheit“ gestorben, heißt es in einer Erklärung, die sein Büro auf der Plattform X veröffentlichte. „Senator Grahams Familie ist dankbar für die Gebete und bittet in dieser überaus schwierigen Zeit um Privatsphäre“, teilte das Büro des Senators aus South Carolina weiter mit. Nähere Angaben zu den Umständen des Todes machte es zunächst nicht.

Graham war laut NBC News erst kürzlich von einer Reise in die Ukraine zurückgekehrt, wo er am Freitag den ukrainischen Präsidenten Wolodymyr Selenskyj getroffen hatte. Für Sonntag war ein Auftritt in der Sendung „Meet the Press“ des Senders geplant. » | Sophie Barkey | Sonntag, 12. Juli 2026

Related article here.

Das habe ich an Deutsch völlig unterschätz

Jul 1, 2026 | Hallo und Willkommen! Ich bin Benjamin, komme ursprünglich aus England und lebe seit über 15 Jahren zusammen mit meinem Partner hier in Deutschland.

Auf diesem Kanal geht es um die deutsche Sprache, Kultur und den Alltag aus der Perspektive eines Engländers, der Deutschland mit der Zeit immer mehr schätzen gelernt hat.

In diesem Video geht es um etwas, das ich an der deutschen Sprache jahrelang völlig unterschätzt habe. Was schätzt ihr an der deutschen Sprache besonders?


Bereits abonniert! Ich bin sehr beeindruckt von Deinem Mut! Natürlich wünsche ich Dir mit diesem neuen Kanal viel Glück und viel Freude. Vielleicht sollte ich Dir einmal als Waliser, der Deutsch kann, beschreiben, wie es mir beim Hochdeutsch lernen in der Schweiz gegangen ist! Ja! Das hast Du richtig verstanden! 😊 In dieser Welt gibt es nichts, dass es nicht gibt! 😊 — © Mark Alexander

The Best Atheist Takedowns of Religion Ever Recorded

Jul 11, 2026 | A powerful 1-hour compilation featuring some of the world’s most famous atheist/agnostic thinkers, speakers, and critics of religion.

From sharp arguments against faith and organized religion to unforgettable takedowns of religious claims, this video brings together some of the clearest, boldest, and most thought-provoking moments in modern atheism.


NB: I am posting this very interesting video as food for thought. My intent for posting it should not be misconstrued. Although I do find atheist and/or agnostic viewpoints often very convincing, I have not stepped over from belief to disbelief. Not yet at least. Who knows what ‘tomorrow’ might bring? What I can say with certainty is that I have, throughout my life, endeavoured to live by Christian principles. I am not, however, a very religious being. Spiritual, yes; religious, no. I observe religion rather than participate in it. — © Mark Alexander

Real Doctor Explains 4 Reasons Why Villains Live So Long | I Have Bad News about Trump

Jul 9, 2026 | Ever wonder why the world’s most ruthless figures, like Donald Trump, seem to outlive everyone else?

In this video, we break down the four psychological and systemic reasons why rich villains frequently live well past their 80s and 90s. By examining real-world examples like William Randolph Hearst, Leona Helmsley, and Silvio Berlusconi, we explore how extreme wealth, a dark sense of purpose, and a total lack of empathy shield these figures from life-shortening chronic stress. We also look closely at how these exact behavioral traits map onto Donald Trump and what this psychological durability means for the future of our democracy.

David Benjamin has been an M.D. for the past 18 years specializing in internal medicine and geriatrics, with a focus on mental health.

Un quotidien iranien place Donald Trump et des dirigeants européens sur une liste pour venger Khamenei

Cette photo provient de cet article du Figaro. | Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump, Giorgia Meloni et Friedrich Merz, le 18 août 2025. WIN MCNAMEE / Getty Images via AFP
LE FIGARO : Une infographie publiée par le quotidien iranien Hamshahri désigne treize responsables occidentaux, dont Emmanuel Macron, quelques heures après un message de Mojtaba Khamenei promettant une riposte.

Le journal iranien Hamshahri, quotidien au ton résolument ultraconservateur et provocateur de la municipalité de Téhéran, a publié une liste de personnalités devant payer pour la mort de l'ayatollah Ali Khamenei sur laquelle figurent notamment Donald Trump, Benyamin Netanyahou et Emmanuel Macron.

Le guide suprême iranien, Mojtaba Khamenei, a affirmé samedi dans un message écrit que la « vengeance » était « inévitable » après les funérailles de son père, tué dans une attaque israélo-américaine le 28 février, au premier jour de la guerre. « Cette vengeance est la volonté de notre nation et elle doit être accomplie, inévitablement. Ces criminels, dont les noms figurent sur une liste, emporteront dans leur tombe le souhait d'une mort paisible dans leur lit », a affirmé Mojtaba Khamenei, qui a succédé à son père à la fonction de guide suprême, dans un texte qui lui est attribué. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | dimanche 12 juillet 2026

Why Fleeing a Wildfire Can Be Deadly | DW News

Jul 12, 2026 | In Spain, a fast-moving wildfire killed at least 12 people — several of them apparently while trying to escape.

Authorities say some victims left their cars or ignored shelter instructions as flames raced through southern Andalusia.

So, when a wildfire closes in, what is safer: run, drive, or stay put?

DW speaks to Dr. Anabela Bonada, Managing Director, Climate Science at Intact Centre

Chris Hedges: Trump Ripped the Mask Off of US Imperialism

Jul 9, 2026 | Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges traces America's history of military interventions and argues that, unlike past administrations, Washington's imperial project now operates with no self-reflection, no accountability, and no ability to read its adversaries or its allies.

Giovanni Siracusa: Peperonata

Jul 11, 2026 | The Southern Italian way to make potatoes and peppers. This is a rustic Italian recipe called peperonata, made with sweet peppers, potatoes, and an agrodolce (sweet-and-sour) sauce.

I filmed this while traveling through Southern Italy, where this style of peperonata is still made at home.

Peperonata usually just means peppers and onions, but this version from Southern Italy also includes potatoes and a sweet-and-sour agrodolce sauce.

This is a simple, budget-friendly recipe that works as a side dish, a topping for crusty bread, tossed with pasta, or served alongside grilled meat or fish.

If you're looking for an authentic Southern Italian recipe that celebrates fresh summer vegetables, this one is hard to beat.


Click here for the full recipe. Then click on ‘more’.

News Presenter Dermot Murnaghan Has Died

Jul 11, 2026 | Dermot Murnaghan, former TV presenter and long-time Sky News anchor, has died.

Murnaghan, 68, was a lead anchor for Sky News for 15 years until 2023.

Before that, he presented the news for Channel 4, ITV and the BBC, and was also known and loved for hosting the popular quiz show Eggheads.



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TV presenter Dermot Murnaghan dies of prostate cancer, aged 68: The former ITV, BBC and Sky News journalist died peacefully at home in London on Saturday, his family say »