The Guardian View on the Case against Glenn Greenwald: An Outrage in Brazil and Beyond

THE GUARDIAN: The decision to charge the American journalist with cybercrimes is an attack on democracy as well as press freedom

The campaign in Brazil against the investigative journalist Glenn Greenwald could hardly look more personal. The country’s far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, suggested last year that the American “may do jail time”, and has used homophobic slurs against him. Mr Greenwald and his husband, the Brazilian congressman David Miranda, have faced not only lies and verbal attacks but death threats: “Neither my husband, nor I, nor our children, have left our house in the last year without armed security, armoured vehicles, teams of security,” he said this week.

Now Mr Greenwald, an outspoken critic of the president, has been charged with cybercrimes over the publication of leaked phone messages apparently showing collusion between prosecutors and Sérgio Moro, then a judge, but now justice minister. They fuelled concerns about the huge Car Wash anti-corruption investigation: while it uncovered shocking abuses, it also raised suspicions of political bias. Mr Moro oversaw the trial that led to the jailing of the popular former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose conviction eased Mr Bolsonaro’s election. » | Editorial | Friday, January 24, 2020

Unraveling Hitler’s Conspiracy | Archeology | WW2 Documentary | Timeline

The Nazi’s doctrine was clear: They, the Aryans, were a superior race, as they had demonstrated in their heroic past. Every effort must therefore be made to guarantee the genetic purity of the nation.

In July of 1935, Heinrich Himmler, Head of the Gestapo and the SS, founded the Ahnenerbe (The Research and Teaching Society for Ancestral Heritage) to validate these ideas and to ensure their propagation. Himmler’s goal was to research, excavate, and restore (real and imagined) Germanic cultural relics and to obtain scientific (or pseudoscientific) support for these racial theories. Here, for the first time, is the story of how archeology was used not only to manipulate information about the past, but also to legitimize the genocidal regime of the Nazis.

Les leçons oubliées d’Auschwitz

LE MONDE: Editorial du « Monde ». Soixante-quinze ans après la libération du camp d’extermination, les antisémites sont toujours à l’offensive dans une Europe marquée par la poussée des nationalismes.

Editorial. Les célébrations ne sont pas des cours d’histoire, mais des leçons sur le présent. Celles du 75e anniversaire de la libération du camp d’extermination d’Auschwitz, jeudi 23 janvier, à Jérusalem, en présence d’une quarantaine de dirigeants internationaux, n’ont pas échappé à la règle. Au prix d’une instrumentalisation parfois sidérante du passé, ces cérémonies n’en auront pas moins livré un double enseignement sur l’inquiétant état du monde. Le premier concerne la montée de l’antisémitisme. En 2000, à Stockholm, le 3e Forum international sur la Shoah, auquel avaient assisté 46 chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement, avait débouché sur une déclaration en huit points évoquant notamment « la responsabilité solennelle de combattre le génocide, le nettoyage ethnique, le racisme, l’antisémitisme, la xénophobie ». » | Éditorial, Le Monde | vendredi 24 janvier 2020

„March For Life“: Gegen Abtreibungen, für Trump

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Donald Trump spricht als erster amerikanischer Präsident beim „Marsch für das Leben“, der jährlichen Demonstration der Gegner des geltenden Abtreibungsrechts. Die Aktivisten, von denen viele sonst Kliniken belagern, bereiten ihm einen warmen Empfang.

„Hört auf, Babies zu töten“, „Wir sind für das Leben“ und „Stoppt den Baby-Holocaust“: Das war auf den Schildern der Tausenden Menschen zu lesen, die am Freitag zur National Mall in Washington gekommen waren, um Donald Trump auf dem „March for Life“ sprechen zu hören. Jedes Jahr treffen sich hier Gegner von Schwangerschaftsabbrüchen. Und während Trump vergangenen Jahr hier schon eine Rede per Videoschalte gehalten hatte, war er nun als erster Präsident persönlich gekommen. „Ungeborene Kinder hatten noch nie einen großartigeren Verteidiger im Weißen Haus“, sagte Trump, während viele Zuhörer jubelten. » | Von Frauke Steffens, New York | Samstag, 25. Januar 2020

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Trump Tells Anti-Abortion Marchers, ‘Unborn Children Have Never Had a Stronger Defender in the White House’ » | Elizabeth Dias, Annie Karni and Sabrina Tavernise | Friday, January 24, 2020

Lindsey Graham Is the Most Shameless Man in American Politics

The South Carolina senator once put a lot of effort into cultivating an image of a reasonable, sober, sensible, moderate Republican, willing to reach out across the aisle, willing to stick up for his principles, willing to denounce Donald Trump. But today, there is no position he won’t abandon, no U-turn he won’t perform, no lie he will not tell.

Palace Denies Prince Charles 'Snubbed' Mike Pence

The Prince of Wales was greeting dignitaries, including world leaders, at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz - but seemed to ignore US Vice-President Mike Pence.

A Buckingham Palace official has denied this was a snub, telling the BBC that the prince and Mr Pence had a "long and warm conversation" before the ceremony began.

Emmanuel Macron réaffirme l'importance de la lutte contre l'antisémitisme

A l'occasion du 75e anniversaire de la libération d'Auschwitz, Emmanuel Macron, en déplacement à Jérusalem, s'est exprimé jeudi 23 janvier, devant la communauté française.

«J'ai tenu à être ici à Jérusalem, à l'invitation du Président Rivlin, à l'appel de Yad Vashem, à l'injonction du plus jamais ça», a t-il déclaré avant d'insister sur la menace qui pèse sur la France. «L'antisémitisme en France c'est d'abord et avant tout le problème de la République. C'est la quintessence, le visage premier de la haine de l'autre. A chaque fois que les démocraties se sont affaiblies, que des grandes crises ont bousculé la confiance et ont ravivé les divisions, le premier signal c'était l'antisémitisme.» Il en a profité pour dénoncer ceux qui jouent sur les peurs, avant de lister les actions du gouvernement pour lutter contre l'antisémitisme : surveillance renforcée de 868 lieux de culte juifs, associations dissoutes, création d'une structure judicaire dédiée à la lutte contre la haine, et d'une plateforme en ligne.

Souvent accusé de museler la liberté d'expression par ces différentes actions, Emmanuel Macron a tenu à répondre : «La liberté d'expression ce n'est pas la propagation de la haine».

Concernant la politique française au Proche-Orient, le Président de la République a défendu une voie médiane attachée au droit international : «Vous savez combien je suis attaché à la sécurité d'Israël, mais dans le même temps à ne jamais avoir une politique d'alignement sur la voie la plus extrême». Il s'est opposé à tout processus d'escalade dans la région. «C'est la voix que la France porte dans le processus de paix dont plus personne n'ose parler considérant qu'il ne se terminera pas. Il aura une fin, elle doit être heureuse, a t-il affirmé. Elle ne peut être la victoire de l'un sur l'autre».

Remembering the Holocaust: Prince Charles Speaks

Remembering the Holocaust: Prince Charles speaks a the podium at the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem.

Steinmeier at Yad Vashem: 'I Bow in Deepest Sorrow for German Acts' | DW News

Ceremonies were held at the Yad Vashem Memorial in Jerusalem to honor Holocaust victims and survivors. This is the first in a series of events marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp, which is commemorated as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Dozens of international heads of state and government joined Israeli leaders at the ceremony. . In the first speech by a German president at Yad Vashem, Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Germany's responsibility for the crimes of the Nazi regime will never end. Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron and US Vice President Mike Pence were also among those who remembered one of the world's darkest chapters and vowed to fight anti-Semitism in their countries.

75th Anniversary of Liberation of Auschwitz: A Survivor Remembers | DW News

Dita Kraus, the 'librarian of Auschwitz,' was just a teenager when she was deported from Prague and ended up in death camp. Now 91, Dita spoke to DW at her home in Israel. World leaders will be at the former death camp for the official Holocaust Remembrance Day on Monday, but for Dita, it's a place she never wants to see again. The horrors she experienced there are too much to bear. At Auschwitz, she snuck books to the children's block.

Sex Is for Married Heterosexual Couples Only, Says Church of England

THE GUARDIAN: Pastoral guidance also calls for Christians in gay or straight civil unions to be abstinent

The Church of England has stated that sex belongs only within heterosexual marriage, and that Christians in gay or straight civil partnerships should be sexually abstinent.

Bishops have issued pastoral guidance in response to the recent introduction to mixed-sex civil partnerships, which says: “For Christians, marriage – that is, the lifelong union between a man and a woman, contracted with the making of vows – remains the proper context for sexual activity.”

The church “seeks to uphold that standard” in its approach to civil partnerships, and “to affirm the value of committed, sexually abstinent friendships” within such partnerships.

It adds: “Sexual relationships outside heterosexual marriage are regarded as falling short of God’s purpose for human beings.” » | Harriet Sherwood | Thursday, January 23, 2020

Good luck with that, bishops! So what these guys are saying is that fun is out for anyone who isn't straight and married. And this is God's will in the twenty-first century, you say? Conclusion: God doesn't do fun! – Mark

Meghan Markle's Brother Thomas Markle Jr Speaks Out on Australian TV | Sunrise

Meghan Markle's estranged half brother has spoken out about her decision to leave the royal family and the letter he famously sent Prince Harry.

Freedom From Religion Foundation Lecture

"Freedom From Religion in the Bible Belt” was the theme of FFRF's (Freedom From Religion) Raleigh Regional Convention, May 2-3 2014 conference in downtown Raleigh, N.C., at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, 421 South Salisbury St. In conjunction with the Triangle Freethought Society, FFRF’s active Raleigh-area chapter, the gathering “won hearts and minds for reason and secularism.” CNN was scheduled to cover some of the event for an upcoming documentary on atheism.' The interview will be part of FFRF and the Dawkins Foundation's Openly Secular coalition campaign. Presented by Triangle Freethought Society.

Criminalizing Reporting: Glenn Greenwald Faces Cybercrime Complaint after Exposing Scandal in Brazil

In Brazil, federal prosecutors have filed a criminal complaint against journalist and Intercept co-founder Glenn Greenwald in connection to a major investigation he spearheaded that exposed misconduct among federal prosecutors and a former judge. Called “The Secret Brazil Archive,” the series of pieces published in The Intercept and The Intercept Brasil used a trove of documents to offer new and damning insight into the sweeping anti-corruption campaign that brought down former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and paved the way for the election of right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro. The investigation used previously undisclosed private chats, audio recordings, videos and other information provided by an anonymous source to expose the wrongdoing of top officials, including Justice Minister Sérgio Moro, who oversaw the anti-corruption crusade known as “Operation Car Wash.” On Tuesday, a justice minister filed a denunciation of Glenn Greenwald, claiming he “directly assisted, encouraged and guided” individuals who allegedly accessed online chats related to Operation Car Wash. A judge will now decide whether to press charges. The move has sparked international outrage at what many are condemning as an attack on the free press in Brazil. We speak with Andrew Fishman, managing editor of The Intercept Brasil and reporter for The Intercept.

Harry and Meghan Threaten Legal Action over Canada Paparazzi Shots

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have issued a warning over continued harassment by paparazzi photographers as they start their new life in Canada out of the spotlight.

America's Great Divide: Anthony Scaramucci Interview | Frontline

Anthony Scaramucci served briefly as the White House communications director for Donald Trump in 2017. He is a founder and managing partner at SkyBridge Capital.

Scaramucci's candid, full interview was conducted with FRONTLINE during the making of the two-part January 2020 documentary series “America's Great Divide: From Obama to Trump.”

What Does the Future Look Like for Harry and Meghan?

It's still unclear what the new Royal arrangements will mean for Harry and Meghan's future life. From their security arrangements, to the use of their 'Sussex Royal' brand and even what they will be called with future titles are still under discussion.

Au Royaume-Uni, Harry Mountbatten-Windsor et Meghan Markle n’auront plus leur titre royal au printemps

LE MONDE: Le couple a donné son accord au remboursement de certaines dépenses passées, notamment pour la rénovation de leur cottage de Windsor, à l’ouest de Londres.

C’est la fin de dix jours de crise à Buckingham. Le prince Harry Mountbatten-Windsor et son épouse, Meghan Markle, renonceront à leur titre d’altesse royale et cesseront de recevoir des fonds publics, a annoncé, samedi 18 janvier, le palais britannique, après leur décision de renoncer à leur statut de membres actifs de la famille royale. « Ils ne rempliront plus d’obligations royales » et « ne peuvent plus formellement représenter la reine », ajoute le communiqué.

Le texte précise que le couple a donné son accord au remboursement de certaines dépenses passées, notamment pour la rénovation de leur cottage de Windsor, à l’ouest de Londres. Les travaux avaient coûté plus de 2 millions de livres (2,3 millions d’euros), ce qui avait été critiqué dans les médias. » | Le Monde avec AFP | samedi 18. Janvier 2020

Harry and Meghan’s Hard Exit

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The couple’s wish to carve out more “progressive” roles led to the loss of perks, privileges and titles.

LONDON — There is no such thing, it turns out, as being a part-time royal. The severance deal that Buckingham Palace announced on Saturday for Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, is most remarkable for how clean a break the royal family is making with two of its most popular, if disaffected, members — much more severe than the couple apparently expected.

The British news media, which has likened the couple’s split with the royal family to Brexit, lost no time on Sunday in pronouncing the agreement the equivalent of a “hard Brexit,” similar to the uncompromising trade deal that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to pursue with the European Union this year.

Far from carving out a “progressive new role within this institution,” as the couple hopefully declared when they unexpectedly announced their plans to “step back” from royal duties this month, Harry and Meghan will lose most of the privileges and perks of royalty once they give up their full-time status and forsake Britain for an uncertain future in Canada and the United States.

Under the terms of the agreement, the couple will no longer use their most exclusive titles, His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness, will forgo public funding of their activities and will repay more than $3 million for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, their residence on the grounds of Windsor Castle. » | Mark Landler | Sunday, January 19, 2020

'They're Turning the Royal Family into a Walmart with a Crown on': Meghan Markle's Father Thomas Launches an Extraordinary TV Attack on Megxit as He Tells Channel 5 Documentary That the Sussexes Are 'Cheapening' the Royals by Quitting

MAIL ONLINE: Thomas Markle spoke exclusively to Channel 5 in a new television documentary / He describes Meghan and Harry's behaviour as embarrassing in the interview / He says: 'This is one of the greatest institutions ever. They are destroying it'

The Duchess of Sussex's estranged father has spoken in depth for the first time about the Megxit crisis – and accused his daughter of 'cheapening' the Royal Family and throwing away 'every girl's dream' for money.

In a TV documentary, Thomas Markle describes Meghan and Harry's behaviour as embarrassing, says they are 'turning into lost souls' and, in a reference to a discount American supermarket giant, adds: 'They are turning it [the Royal Family] into a Walmart with a crown on.'

He added: 'This is not the girl I raised.'

Mr Markle's intervention in the monarchy's worst crisis for a generation came as the Queen's top aides finalised a deal for the couple, who are quitting as frontline Royals and leaving Britain to seek financial independence.

He tells the Channel 5 documentary: 'When they got married they took on an obligation, and the obligation is to be part of the Royals and to represent the Royals. And it would be foolish for them not to.
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'This is one of the greatest long-living institutions ever. They are destroying it, they are cheapening it, making it shabby… they shouldn't be doing this.' » | Ian Gallagher for the ‘Mail On Sunday’ | Saturday, January 18, 2020


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