EU-DIGEST

9/13/19

Turkey: Turkish ex-Prime Minister Davutoglu leaves Erdogan's party

Turkish ex-Prime Minister Davutoglu leaves Erdogan's party

9/12/19

International Money Transfers: How to find the best rate when sending money abroad

Thousands of miles away in Cameroon, Swiss brothers François and Pascal Briod were having a light-bulb moment. The Briods first set up a non-profit organization when they were youngsters to fund projects such as AIDs prevention workshops in Cameroon. However, despite their good work, they encountered high fees when transferring the funds they had raised to the African country. And their regular work visits to Cameroon were also an eye opener.

“You would see advertising for money transfers everywhere but there was a lack of transparency about it all. Africa has always had a reputation for high money transfer fees; the global average is 7 percent, while in Africa it is still 12 percent,” says François

Together in 2013, the trio founded a price comparison money transfer website and christened it Monito -- think Skyscanner but for money transfers. The business model is simple: users get to choose the best deal within a matter of seconds of entering their search request. Success has been forthcoming for the Swiss entrepreneurs with Monito scooping numerous start-up awards.

In the space of just six years, the founders of Monito have established strong relationships with money transfer operators as well as with their many returning customers. Their goal of saving consumers $28 billion in fees remains an ongoing motivator.

For the complete report click here: : How to find the best rate when sending money abroad - The Local

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Journalism Awards: Reporters Without Borders honors journalists who fear for their lives

Three female journalists, from Malta, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam have received this year's press freedom prizes awarded by the NGO Reporters Without Borders. Two were not allowed to travel to collect their award.

Only Caroline Muscat was able to appear in person to collect her "Prize for Independence." Vietnamese blogger Pham Doan Trang, who won the "Prize for Impact," and Saudi Arabian women's rights activist Eman al-Nafjan, winner of the "Prize for Courage," both remain barred from leaving their countries, their websites blocked, and under constant threat of detention and harassment.

Denmark: Like a freshers fair, but for new arrivals to the country not college – by Edward Owen

International House Copenhagen is hailing this as the biggest international event in the capital, and they’re probably not talking porkie pies.

Free advice will be available on the most important things you need to know as an international living in Copenhagen and Denmark.

Whether you’ve just arrived or been here for some time, this is a chance to get invaluable guidance from industry experts on housing and careers, whilst meeting face-to-face representatives from cultural and leisure activities clubs.

Read more" Like a freshers fair, but for new arrivals to the country not college – The Post

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9/11/19

EU Commission: A new team to defend Europe’s economic sovereignty – by Jorge Valero

Achieving a “more assertive” Europe that can improve its competitiveness and sovereignty in an increasingly hostile world.

These are the main guidelines of President-elect Ursula von der Leyen to the new College of Commissioners, unveiled on Tuesday (10 September).

Europe is losing ground in the digital race that is reshaping the economy and society at large. China is now considered a “systemic rival”, while the US is no longer a reliable partner since the election of Donald Trump, with preparations underway in Washington to step up the trade war against Europe.

According to Ursula von der Leyen, this is why the protection of Europe’s sovereignty – and its economic might – has to be top of the agenda for her new team of commissioners.

Read more: A new team to defend Europe’s economic sovereignty – EURACTIV.com

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Britain - Second Referendum could end drama? UK MPs put second referendum back on agenda

Boris's days as UK's PM could be counted

A cross-party group of British MPs is in the making to bring back one of the Brexit deal proposals of Theresa May, and of organising a second referendum in the last two weeks of October, according to the Guardian.

Not only members of the opposition, but also current and former Conservatives would be open to the idea, amidst worries that PM Boris Johnson is still backing a no-deal Brexit.

Read more at: UK MPs put second referendum back on agenda

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Britain: Boris Johnson’s EU tour: A week gambling

In a series of bilateral meetings on Brexit on the eve of and in the margins of the Biarritz G7, with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Council President Donald Tusk told British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that, while they were willing to consider new proposals to avoid the United Kingdom leaving the European Union without an agreement on 31 October, London would bear the responsibility of such an eventuality.

On the other hand, Johnson was praised by US President Donald Trump, who referred to a "very large trade agreement" with the United Kingdom once it had left the EU.

Note EU-Digest: So far Boris has lost every proposal he did to parliament and is now in a legal battle as to why he disbanded the Parliament.

Read more: Boris Johnson’s EU tour: A week gambling – VoxEurop (English)

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USA - 2020 Presidential Elections: Democrats, Stop Helping Trump - by David Leonhardt

How important do Democrats think it is to beat President Trump in 2020?

Obviously, most Democrats would say it’s vitally important. Four more years of the Trump presidency could allow him to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court. It would worsen the climate crisis. It could cement his paranoid racism and scorn for democracy as the new American normal.

Given these consequences, you would think that Democrats would be approaching the 2020 campaign with a ruthless sense of purpose.

But they’re not, at least not yet. They are not focusing on issues that expose Trump’s many vulnerabilities. They have instead devoted substantial time to wonky subjects that excite some progressive activists — and alienate most American voters. Recent polls suggest that the Democrats really are increasing the chances Trump will win re-election.

The good news is that the campaign is still just getting started. Many Americans haven’t yet paid much attention. The next phase starts Thursday night, with a debate in Houston featuring the 10 leading candidates.

t’s a chance for Democrats to start treating the 2020 campaign with the urgency it deserves.

Read more at: Opinion | Democrats, Stop Helping Trump - The New York Times

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9/10/19

China-US relations: Trump wants US businesses to cut all ties with China: why that’s a lose-lose plan - by Winston Mok

Donald Trump “ ordered” American companies by tweet to stop doing business with China. Even with the US president’s shifting whims, what if his wish were to come true?

In an extreme scenario, if US-China trade and US manufacturing in China were to grind to a halt – when US companies no longer had any business with or in China – what would be the implication for American consumers, its companies, workers and innovation?

US consumers would suffer considerably, with a narrower selection of shoddier goods costing more, driving up inflation.

Had Trump not delayed tariffs for the not-yet-targeted Chinese goods until mid-December, US consumers would have had a foretaste of US-China decoupling this Christmas.

"Without the Chinese supply chain and the vast China market, many US companies would be displaced by non-US rivals. In decoupling, the US would not be isolating China, but itself, from the global production

network".

Read more at: Trump wants US businesses to cut all ties with China: why that’s a lose-lose plan | South China Morning Post

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EU poll - Large majority of Europeans say in Poll that Europe should chart its own course in world affairs

EU should 'chart its own course' in world affairs, Europeans say in Poll

Read more at:
https://www.euronews.com/2019/09/10/eu-should-chart-its-own-course-in-world-affairs-europeans-say

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USA: Trump fires hawk John Bolton from his Cabinet

Donald Trump says he has fired US national security advisor John Bolton

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Russia: Vladimir Putin's in trouble, and the Moscow election results are just the start of his problems - by James Rodgers

Since Vladimir Putin first became president of Russia almost 20 years ago, the unwritten rules governing the relationship between political power and the people have been clear: Citizens accept less political freedom in return for receiving greater prosperity.

But five years of falling incomes mean that the Kremlin is no longer keeping its side of the deal.

Russia's leadership is increasingly worried that more people will demand change. The results of Sunday’s elections in Moscow for local government positions suggest they are right to be afraid.

Russia's strict laws governing political protests — not encouraged, and requiring permission which is only sometimes granted (often merely to give the impression that freedom of assembly exists) — were not enough to stop demonstrators taking to the streets by the tens of thousands in the months leading up to Sunday's vote.

The rallies — which resulted in police beating demonstrators and more than 2,000 protesters being detained— were sparked by the government's refusal to allow opposition candidates to register for the elections. Though the majority of the protesters were released shortly afterwards, the heavy-handed approach seemed to only steel the protesters' determination.

Denied the chance to vote for candidates opposed to Putin, the rebels endorsed the practice of tactical voting, supporting candidates from parties other than United Russia, the party that exists mainly to support whichever policies the Kremlin is pursuing.

Things are different now, as that stability has eroded. With living standards falling, there are Russians taking to the streets to improve their financial prospects. Some of the most significant before this summer's demonstrations over the elections have been against pension reforms proposed raising the retirement age.

For the complete report click here: Vladimir Putin's in trouble, and the Moscow election results are just the start of his problems

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Britain - Boris Johnson Outfoxed: For Boris Johnson, Another Bad Day and Another Big Defeat in Parliament - by Stephen Castle

British lawmakers, capping what may be one of the most abysmal starts any British leader has ever endured, on Monday rejected Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s bid to hold a new national election.

For Britain’s bare-knuckled new prime minister, it was a day of defeat. Parliament’s rejection of a snap election came as a new law went into effect on Monday blocking Mr. Johnson from pursuing a “no deal” withdrawal from the European Union.

Parliament is now suspended until mid-October, the result of earlier political maneuvering by the prime minister. But by Monday’s end, it seemed clear that if Mr. Johnson had thought he could outfox Parliament by suspending it, sidelining lawmakers at a critical moment in the Brexit debate, he was the one who had been outmaneuvered.

Read more at: For Boris Johnson, Another Bad Day and Another Big Defeat in Parliament - The New York Times

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9/9/19

The EU's Migrant Problem:Will the EU continue paying to keep migrants away? - by Elena Sánchez Nicolás

Four years since the peak of the migration crisis in Europe, member states still have not found a coordinated solution to tackle migratory consequences in an effective way.

Since populist and anti-migration governments succeed entering into European politics, the EU has made deals with several countries, such as Libya, Turkey or Niger, to keep asylum seekers away from Europe's shores.

In February 2017, EU leaders agreed on increasing cooperation with Libya to reduce irregular immigration - providing the country with €237m to fund programmes addressing migration challenges.

But, after deadly airstrikes hit detention centres this summer around Libya's capital, Tripoli, the EU is now planning on evacuating vulnerable migrants and refugees to Rwanda.

The east African country will receive some 500 migrants evacuated from Libya, although it is unclear when this will happen, according to the New York Times.

Read more: Will the EU continue paying to keep migrants away?

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The Bahamas: Two Ways To Help The Bahamas Hurricane Recovery: Donate, Then Plan To Travel There - by Lea Lane

Before (left) and after (right)

There are two major ways to help the Bahamas recover from the unprecedented devastation from monster hurricane Dorian. First, donate money, goods or time right now to the organizations you’ll find at the end of this post.

Then, as hard as it may be to conceptualize right now, plan to travel to one of the many Bahamian islands that remain unscathed by the hurricane.

The Bahamian economy revolves around tourism, and the island-nation needs funds generated by travelers to continue recovery.

Yes, hotels in the Abacos and Grand Bahama Island are closed now, but that comprises less than 15% of the country’s hotel inventory. The southeastern and central Bahamas were far less affected by the hurricane, and hotels and resorts in the capital of Nassau and in neighboring Paradise Island remain open, as do those in the majority of Bahamas 700-plus islands and cays.

These include Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Andros, The Exumas, Cat Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Long Island, Acklins/Crooked Island, Ragged Island, Mayaguana and Inagua.

If you had made previous travel plans to go to any of these islands, check ahead and keep them, if possible. And if you don’t yet have plans, consider making them.

Donating to established groups is the immediate way to help, and giving money is the most effective support. Here are some links:
– American Red Cross is online.
– The Salvation Army is accepting money.
– Project Hope, an international health-care organization, is accepting donations.
– Americares sends aid and medicine.
– Habitat for Humanity will be helping rebuild houses.
– Team Rubicon is a veteran support organization, staging resources and support.
– World Central Kitchen teams are providing food on Grand Bahama and the Abacos. Chef José Andrés’ organization is once again helping the hungry.

Read more: Two Ways To Help The Bahamas Hurricane Recovery: Donate, Then Plan To Travel There

Aircraft Industry: Why the age of electric flight is finally upon us - by Tim Bowler

Aerospace firms are joining forces to tackle their industry's growing contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, with electric engines seen as one solution. But will this be enough to offset the growing demand for air travel?

The Paris Airshow in July this year saw the launch of the world's first commercial all-electric passenger aircraft - albeit in prototype form.

Israeli firm Eviation says the craft - called Alice - will carry nine passengers for up to 650 miles (1,040km) at 10,000ft (3,000m) at 276mph (440km/h). It is expected to enter service in 2022

Read more at: Why the age of electric flight is finally upon us - BBC News

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EU Economy: Shadow of recession deepens over the eurozone - by John Weeks

9/8/19

Britain-Brexit: Amber Rudd Resigns Over Boris Johnson's Brexit Plan - by Shannon Van Sant

Britain's Secretary of State for Work and Pensions resigned from Boris Johnson's cabinet on Sunday, accusing the prime minister of "an assault on decency and democracy" for his handling of the ongoing Brexit saga.

In a letter to Johnson, Amber Rudd said she was resigning the Conservative whip — meaning she'll stay in parliament but no longer serve as a member of the Conservative party.

Rudd blasted Johnson for his decision to expel 21 members of the Conservative Party for opposing his plans to leave the European Union by the October 31st deadline, with or without a deal. Among those he kicked out were senior members of parliament, including Nicholas Soames, the grandson of Winston Churchill, and Ken Clarke, the longest serving member of Parliament. Some were notified of their firing via text message.

"This short sighted culling of my colleagues has stripped the Party of broad-minded and dedicated Conservative MPs. I cannot support this act of political vandalism," Rudd said.

Read more at:
Amber Rudd Resigns Over Boris Johnson's Brexit Plan : NPR

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Asteroid Versus Earth NASA confirms new Asteroid heading towards Earth that could destroy it

NASA confirms new asteroid heading towards earth; Will it just pass by or destroy the

planet?.

Iran-USA relations: What a multi-million dollar bribe for oil supertanker says about Trumps Oran pplicu

What a multi-million dollar 'bribe' for oil supertanker says about Trump’s Iran policy.

Russia-local elections: Russia holding local elections after a summer of opposition and protests against Putin Regime

Russia holds local elections after a summer of opposition protests Russians vote Sunday in local elections after weeks of opposition protests that led to the biggest police crackdown on dissent in nearly a decade.

9/7/19

USA: Major Poll Has Great News For Trump- by Hank Berrien

A new poll has some astonishing news for those who keep seeing President Trump losing in polls in head-to-head competition with the leading Democratic Party presidential candidates Democrats: All three leading Democratic candidates — former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) — have lower favorability ratings than President Trump.

The in-depth, comprehensive poll from The Economist and YouGov, taken between September 1-3, showed 43% of respondents with a favorable response to Trump; 29% had a "very favorable" reaction and an additional 14% had a "somewhat favorable" response.

Among the three leading Democrats, only 40% had a favorable reaction to Biden, with a paltry 17% of respondents having a "very favorable" reaction and an additional 23% with a "somewhat favorable" reaction.

Warren got a total of 39% of respondents giving her a favorable reaction, 20% of whom had a "very favorable: reaction and 19% with a "somewhat favorable" reaction. Sanders got the most favorable reaction of the three top candidates as he barely edged out Biden with 41% of respondents having a favorable reaction, but he still ranked 2% behind Trump. 18% of voters gave Sanders a "very favorable" rating while 23% gave him a "somewhat favorable" response.

Another piece of evidence with good news for Trump: asked whether their candidate would defeat or lose to Trump in 2020, Biden was 10% underwater, with 32% of voters agreeing he would probably beat Trump but 42% saying he would probably lose. Warren fared even worse, at 16% underwater; 28% thought she would probably win and 44% thought she would probably lose, while Sanders brought up the rear at 17% underwater, as 29% of voters thought he would probably win but 46% thought he would probably lose. (Just a note: Senator Kamala Harris lagged far behind the top three candidates at a whopping 24% underwater.)

Another interesting factoid: Despite the fact that all of their leading candidates trailed Trump and there are a plethora of other candidates behind them doing even worse, when asked if they were satisfied with the Democratic candidates running for president, a staggering 85% of Democrats said yes. In addition, 63% of Democrats said they were more interested in a candidate who could defeat Trump than one who agreed with them on most issues.

Read more at:
Major Poll Has Great News For Trump | Daily WireMURAD

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Turkey - US relations: Turkey calls on U.S. to lift barriers to boost trade - by MURAD SEZER

Turkey asked the United States to lift trade barriers between the two countries during talks on Saturday aimed at sharply increasing bilateral commerce, Turkey's trade minister said.

Read more:
Turkey calls on U.S. to lift barriers to boost trade

9/6/19

The Netherlands: Asset tax system gets overhaul, 1.3 million people will pay no tax on savings

The cabinet plans to overhaul the system for taxing savings, which will lead to no asset tax bills for 1.3 million people and 500,000 facing lower payments.

Tax minister Menno Snel said in April the cabinet was looking into ways of cutting the amount of tax paid by people whose assets are primarily in the form of savings.

The government currently uses ‘fictitious interest rates’ of upwards of 2% to decide how much income people have from their assets, and levies tax of 30% on assets over €30,360 (double for a couple).

But at the moment, most savings accounts have interest rates of around zero and people are paying tax on income they have not realized.

Under the new set-up, which will come into effect in 2022, assets would be divided into three categories: savings, investments and debt. Savings over €30,360 would be taxed in line with current interest rates, rather than a fictitious amount.

Read more at: Asset tax system gets overhaul, 1.3 million people will pay no tax on savings - DutchNews.nl

EU counter terrorism data base: EU launches new counter-terrorism database – by Alexandra Brzozowski

The EU’s agency on judicial co-operation, launched a Counter-Terrorism Register on Thursday (5 September), designed to streamline the exchange of information between EU member states on potential terrorist offences.

The database will put together information from EU countries on ongoing investigations, prosecutions and convictions of militants, including returning foreign fighters that joined terrorist groups abroad such as among others the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria.

“The new Counter-Terrorism Register will help judges and prosecutors to proactively establish links between cases to ensure that criminals and terrorists do not go unpunished,” Security Union Commissioner Julian King said at the official launch of the register
.
According to King, currently, at least 1,300 EU citizens, of which more than half are children, are held in Syria and Iraq.

With the new register, the EU also hopes to help prevent new terrorist attacks in Europe, as prosecutors will have access to more information on suspects, Eurojust’s chief, Ladislav Hamran, told reporters upon the official launch of the register in Brussels.

Read more at: EU launches new counter-terrorism database – EURACTIV.com

Middle East-EU-Iran Relations: US scorns EU bailout of Iran deal - by Andrew Rettman

Gulf tensions have intensified after Iran reacted to US threats by speeding up nuclear enrichment.

The EU had put up $15bn (€14bn) to bailout international diplomacy.

But hawkish US talk derailed the French-led initiative.

"From Friday (6 September), we will witness research and development on different centrifuges ... needed for enriching uranium in an accelerated way," Iranian president Hassan Rohani said on state TV on Wednesday.

"It is unlikely that we will reach a result with Europe by today or tomorrow," he added.

The centrifuge step would put Iran in further violation of a nuclear arms control pact designed to keep peace in the Middle East.

Read more at: EU-observer

9/5/19

EU - Turkey - US relations: Turkey threatens to open the gates to Europe

Turkey threatens to 'open the gates' to Europe for refugees

Britain - Brexit: How Europe sees Boris Johnsons Brexit Manoeuvers

USA - Ireland: Mike Pence accused of humiliating hosts in Ireland

Mike Pence accused of humiliating hosts in Ireland: 'He shat on the carpet'

Read more at:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/05/mike-pence-ireland-shat-on-the-carpet?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Blogger

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Global economy: Major European Bank expects stocks to drop through the end of the year

This big bank expects stocks to drop through the end of the year—here’s why -

Read complete report at:
https://on.mktw.net/2HLQ1uM

Wall Street USA: Optimism and negativism not realism or facts move stock markets, as did talks today for renewed talks between China and US did.

Dow set for best day in 3 months on rising trade optimism, rosier economic data -

Read more at:
https://on.mktw.net/2UusXGd

The Netherlands: Insurance premiums to go up next year says Government

9/4/19

Eurozone retail sales drop

According to estimates from Eurostat, in July compared with June, the seasonally adjusted volume of retail trade decreased by 0.6% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.5% in the EU28.

In June, the retail trade volume increased by 1.2% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU28.

In July compared with July last year, the calendar adjusted retail sales index increased by 2.2% in the euro area and by 2.6% in the EU28.

Read more: Eurozone retail sales drop | New Europe

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Skydiving: 30 Jaw Dropping Places for Skydiving in the World: by Rekha Jain

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a skydiver

Skydiving is one of the most adventurous activities that you can do. If you are interested in such adventurous sports, then you must travel to these cities right away to experience the bliss of adrenaline rush.

For beginners or novice individuals, skydiving is a sport where you jump out of the plane – yes, while flying in plane itself is a lovely experience, actually flying in the sky is an experience of a lifetime.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and check these amazing spots for skydiving to fall in love with adventure and lose yourself in the beauty of it.

For the complete report and listing click here: 30 Jaw Dropping Places for Skydiving in the World!

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EU Fraud Investigation: Hungary tops EU anti-fraud investigation list - by Eszter Zalan

Hungary tops the list of the EU's anti-fraud agency's number of closed investigations into the misuse of EU funds, according to the annual report of the agency, OLAF published on Tuesday (3 September).

Hungary also tops OLAF's list of countries where the agency made a financial recommendation to recover EU funds in the period between 2014 and 2018.

In these four years, OLAF concluded 52 probes into misuse of funds and recommended to the EU commission to recover 3.84 percent of payments made to Hungary under the bloc's structural and independent funds and agriculture funds.

Slovakia comes in second with 2.29 percent of payments, where 14 investigations found some sort of irregularity.

Romania saw the highest number of probes, 66, but only 0.4 percent of the payments were recommended by OLAF to be recovered.

Read more: Hungary tops EU anti-fraud investigation list

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The Breakup of the UK: The Story of Boris and Václav, or How to Break Up the UK - by Thomas de Waal

Boris Johnson could end up being the English leader who allowed the breakup of the UK to achieve Brexit. There are lessons in the dissolution of two other unions, the USSR and Czechoslovakia, and the role played by Boris Yeltsin and Václav Klaus.

Read more at: The Story of Boris and Václav, or How to Break Up the UK - Carnegie Europe - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

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9/3/19

Britain-Brexit: Boris Johnson suffers Commons defeat as Tories turn against him - by Heather Stewart and Peter Walker

Boris Johnson has announced he will ask parliament to support plans for a snap October general election after suffering a humiliating defeat in his first House of Commons vote as prime minister.

Former cabinet ministers including Philip Hammond and David Gauke were among 21 Tory rebels who banded together with opposition MPs to seize control of the parliamentary timetable on a dramatic day in Westminster.

The move was aimed at paving the way for a bill tabled by the Labour backbencher Hilary Benn, which is designed to block a no-deal Brexit by forcing the prime minister to request an extension to article 50 if he cannot strike a reworked deal with the EU27.

Johnson lost the vote by 328 to 301, a convincing majority for the rebels of 27.

The PM had earlier described the legislation, drawn up by a cross-party coalition including the senior Tories Oliver Letwin and Dominic Grieve, as “Jeremy Corbyn’s surrender bill”.

After his defeat, Johnson said he would never request the delay mandated in the rebels’ bill, which he said would “hand control of the negotiations to the EU”.

If MPs passed the bill on Wednesday, he said, “the people of this country will have to choose” in an election that he would seek to schedule for 15 October.

Read more at: Boris Johnson suffers Commons defeat as Tories turn against him | Politics | The Guardian

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Hurricane Season: Dorian just be taste of hurricane season as more storms form - by Jorge Fitz-Gibbon

As if Hurricane Dorian wasn’t enough.

The National Weather Service said Tuesday that there are two other storm systems developing in the Atlantic, and another could be on the way.

“The entire tropical Atlantic basin has become quite active,” the service said on Twitter.

Tropical Storm Fernand was churning away off the Mexican coast in the Gulf of Mexico, moving west close to the Texas shoreline with 40-mph winds.

The National Hurricane Center said another storm system — identified only as “Disturbance 2” for now — was developing farther out in the Atlantic, with a 50 percent chance of becoming a full-blown cyclone within 48 hours, which could bring heavy rains to Bermuda.

Read more at: Dorian just be taste of hurricane season as more storms form

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Britain: Boris Johnson loses parliamentary majority after Philli0p Lee defects to Lib Dems

Read more at:
https://www.euronews.com/2019/09/03/boris-johnson-loses-parliamentary-majority-after-mp-phillip-lee-defects-to-lib-dems?fromBreakingNews=1

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9/2/19

USA - Implosion: America's slow-motion coup keeps grinding forward: But is Donald Trump really the one to blame? - by Andrew O'Hehir

We are in the middle of a slow-motion coup in the United States of America. Even the phrase itself is banal, which is itself a symptom of our moral and political exhaustion. But sometimes clichés are on the money. Most of this coup is happening right out in the open, where those of us who are somewhat paying attention can notice it, bemoan it and then move on to the next day’s real or manufactured outrage. That doesn’t seem to be helping.

There are no tanks in the streets; they haven’t been remotely necessary. Despite inflated rhetoric about our tribal, cultural, geographic and political divisions, our society remains notably peaceable. There are mass shootings almost every day — and a disturbing proportion of them appear to represent de facto support for the slow-motion coup — but in historical terms violent crime rates remain low.

While the official opposition party expresses grave concern about the gradual demolition of constitutional democracy — and, in fairness, some of its leading members use forceful language and demand action — it remains confused and defensive as to both strategy and tactics. At the moment, it appears committed (if that's not far too generous a word) to relying on the machinery of constitutional democracy to defeat the assault on constitutional democracy, which is … I don’t know what it is. Stupid? Naive? Evidence of collaborator’s guilt? One struggles to find the correct metaphor: It’s something like trusting that there will be enough chickens left, a year from now, to vote the fox out of office.

While the official opposition party expresses grave concern about the gradual demolition of constitutional democracy — and, in fairness, some of its leading members use forceful language and demand action — it remains confused and defensive as to both strategy and tactics. At the moment, it appears committed (if that's not far too generous a word) to relying on the machinery of constitutional democracy to defeat the assault on constitutional democracy, which is … I don’t know what it is. Stupid? Naive? Evidence of collaborator’s guilt? One struggles to find the correct metaphor: It’s something like trusting that there will be enough chickens left, a year from now, to vote the fox out of office.

For the complete report go to: America's slow-motion coup keeps grinding forward: But is Donald Trump really the one to blame? | Salon.com

Britain - Brexit: Boris Johnson can expect itense debate im Parliament to block no deal Brexit

Intense parliament debate expected over attempts to block no-deal Brexit.

Summer recess is over, and Britain's Parliament reconvenes Tuesday to face a momentous decision about whether to intervene to try to prevent a possible "no-deal" exit from the European Union.

The Netherlands: EUROVISION: the popular Song contest will be held in Rotterdam next year

Prostitution - Drive thru brothels: why cities are building sexual infrastructures

Drive-thru brothels: why cities are building 'sexual infrastructure'

China-US Trade war: China launches protest against US with WTO

China - USA going head to head

Read more at:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/trade-war-china-wto-1.5267790

German State Elections : Merkel and allies weather far-right surge in Germany State Elections

Merkel, allies weather far-right surge in German state elections

BREXIT: EU negotiator Barnier not optimistic about presenting no-deal Brexit

EU negotiator Barnier 'not optimistic' about preventing no-deal Brexit

The European Union will not change the divorce deal agreed with Britain, EU negotiator Michel Barnier said in an interview published Sunday as MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit prepared for a showdown week.

9/1/19

German elections: Far-right AfD falls short of first place in both German state elections – by Claire Stam

The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved historical gains in crucial elections in the eastern German states of Saxony and Brandenburg but Chancellor Angela Merkel’s CDU and its socialist coalition partner remain the strongest political parties, allowing the current grand coalition to hold until 2021.

Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) remain the strongest party in Saxony with 32% (down from 39,4% in the last elections in 2014), with the AfD and the German Greens (Bündnis90/Die Grünen) achieving their best election results in the history of Saxony regional elections (respectively 27,3% and 8,8% vs 9,7% and 5,7%). The Social-Democrats (SPD) came out with a record low of 7,9%, compared to 12,4% five years ago.

In Brandenburg, the state neighbouring Berlin, the SPD held on to the top spot with 27.2%, albeit down from 31.9% in the previous election in 2014, while the AfD rose to 22,7%, up from 12,2% in the last elections, and the Greens reached 10,2%, from 6,2% five years ago.

Left-Wing Die Linke, which has historically performed well in eastern Germany, turns out to be a big loser in both states where voters who traditionally chose the party as a form of protest clearly migrated to the AfD.

Read more: Far-right AfD falls short of first place in both German state elections – EURACTIV.com

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Turkey: Erdogan’s Russian Pipe Dreams - by Aykan Erdemir

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the opening of Russia’s international air show, MAKS, in late August as the guest of his counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Despite its NATO membership, Turkey has continued its slide into the Kremlin’s sphere of influence, as illustrated by Putin pitching his country’s Su-35 and Su-57 jets to Erdogan while Russian cargo planes landed in Ankara carrying the second battery of the S-400 air defense system.

Even so, Erdogan’s visit to Moscow was less about shopping for Russian military hardware than it was about his desperation for Putin’s help in stopping the advance of Bashar al-Assad’s forces into the Turkish military’s area of operation in northwest Syria.

The Turkish president’s cozying up to Putin has drawn the ire of the U.S. Congress. The House Foreign Affairs Committee, hours after the arrival of the second S-400 battery in Turkey and Erdogan’s declaration of interest in Russian jets, called on Trump to “sanction Turkey … as required by U.S. law.”

The next day, U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper stated that unless the S-400 system is completely removed from Turkish soil, Turkey cannot rejoin the U.S.-led F-35 fighter jet program.

For all of Erdogan’s near-constant bluster, Putin continues to play Erdogan like a fiddle.

As it stands, unless Washington and its transatlantic allies develop a concerted counter-strategy, Moscow will continue to exploit the man in Ankara to whom its analysts already refer as “Our Man in NATO.”

Read more: Erdogan’s Russian Pipe Dreams - The Globalist

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Russia: How Russia built Europe’s longest bridge

It took thousands of people and 27 months to build a 19km bridge connecting Crimea to Russia’s mainland. This is how the titanic construction project unfolded – compressed in tree minutes of stunning timelapse footage.

The Crimean bridge was opened earlier this week for cars. The video clip was produced from footage taken throughout the long months of construction to commemorate the date in honor of all the hard work put into the project.

While the bridge is already operational, it is not finished yet. The second part, which is meant for trains, is still under construction and will be ready next year.

View video at: 27 months in 3 minutes: How Russia built Europe’s longest bridge (TIMELAPSE VIDEO) — RT World News

USA - Freedom of the Press: Trump Allies Target Journalists Over Coverage Deemed Hostile to White House - by Kenneth P. Vogel and Jeremy W. Peters

A loose network of conservative operatives allied with the White House is pursuing what they say will be an aggressive operation to discredit news organizations deemed hostile to President Trump by publicizing damaging information about journalists.

It is the latest step in a long-running effort by Mr. Trump and his allies to undercut the influence of legitimate news reporting. Four people familiar with the operation described how it works, asserting that it has compiled dossiers of potentially embarrassing social media posts and other public statements by hundreds of people who work at some of the country’s most prominent news organizations.

The group has already released information about journalists at CNN, The Washington Post and The New York Times — three outlets that have aggressively investigated Mr. Trump — in response to reporting or commentary that the White House’s allies consider unfair to Mr. Trump and his team or harmful to his re-election prospects.

Operatives have closely examined more than a decade’s worth of public posts and statements by journalists, the people familiar with the operation said. Only a fraction of what the network claims to have uncovered has been made public, the people said, with more to be disclosed as the 2020 election heats up. The research is said to extend to members of journalists’ families who are active in politics, as well as liberal activists and other political opponents of the president.

It is not possible to independently assess the claims about the quantity or potential significance of the material the pro-Trump network has assembled. Some involved in the operation have histories of bluster and exaggeration. And those willing to describe its techniques and goals may be trying to intimidate journalists or their employers.

It is clear from the cases to date that among the central players in the operation is Arthur Schwartz, a combative 47-year-old conservative consultant who is a friend and informal adviser to Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son. Mr. Schwartz has worked with some of the right’s most aggressive operatives, including the former Trump adviser Stephen K. Bannon.

Read more at: Trump Allies Target Journalists Over Coverage Deemed Hostile to White House - The New York Times:

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USA - Visitors/Tourists To US Beware: No Gun Controls, White Extremists, and Frequent Kilings of Innocent people - "Recent Texas shooting: Death toll rises to 7 in gunman's rampage - by John Bacon and Olivia Sanchez

The death toll rose to seven Sunday after a gunman's rampage that left many more injured following what began as a routine traffic stop in Odessa, police in the West Texas city said.

Odessa police spokesman Steve LeSueur said Sunday that at least one person remains in “life-threatening” condition. Police Chief Michael Gerke previously said the gunman, whose name has not been released, was fatally shot by police.

"There is no longer an immediate threat to the public, and this situation continues to be investigated by local, state and federal officials," Gerke said in a statement.

The assault took place one day before a series of gun law changes in state that ease restrictions on where Texans can carry or store firearms, from foster homes to churches.

The shooting began Saturday afternoon when a state trooper pulled over the suspect, described by authorities as a white male in his mid-30s and driving a gold-colored car, was pulled over for a traffic violation on Interstate 20 between Midland and Odessa.

The driver opened fire on the trooper before fleeing westbound on the interstate, shooting his way to Odessa, stealing a mail truck and continuing his assault, police said.

Read more: Texas shooting: Death toll rises to 7 in gunman's rampage

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