5/31/19
Mexico - US relations: Donald Trump slaps a 5% tariff on Mexico until they remedied immigration problem
Donald Trump announces tariffs on Mexico until 'immigration problem remedied'
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5/30/19
HUNGARY : Presenly 7 dead recovered, while 21 still are missing after tour boat sinks in Hungary
7 dead, 21 missing after tour boat sinks in Hungary
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RUSSIA: As Putin's political fortunes plummet, Kremlin turns to sociologists for advice
As Putin's political fortunes plummet, Kremlin turns to sociologists for advice
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US Foreign Policy: US Cuba Policy Is an Embarrassment and both Canada and the EU protest and warn of reprisals .- by César Chelala
The Trump administration’s recently decided to allow Cuban-American immigrants to sue the Cuban government for property confiscated from them after Fidel Castro took power in 1959.
The administration is also limiting the amount of money that Cuban Americans can send to their relatives on the island, as well as the frequency of transactions.
These are wrong decisions that will only increase the suffering of the Cuban people, and unnecessarily increase the antagonism between the Cuban and U.S. governments.
James Williams, president of Engage Cuba, a Washington-based advocacy group which is working to lift the embargo on Cuba, wrote in a statement that
“The only way to get property claimants what they deserve is through diplomatic negotiations, which President Trump just threw off the table.”
At the same time, limiting remittances to the island will only increase the suffering of Cubans who depend largely on the financial aid from their relatives in the United States.
Shortly after President Trump announced his decision allowing U.S. lawsuits, the European Union and Canada issued a joint warning against the United States.
“The EU and Canada consider the extraterritorial application of unilateral Cuba-related measures contrary to international law,” stated EU’s foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini and Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom, in a statement also signed by Canada’s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland.
They also warned U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that enforcement of these measures would lead to reprisals in Europe.
Read more at: US Cuba Policy Is an Embarrassment - The Globalist
5/29/19
EU new parliament: EU parliament includes colourful cast of characters
From cooks to crooks, new EU pariament includes colourful cast of characters
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EU-USA Relations: Why The United States And European Union Are Destined To Collide
Scruton called for something conservatives have been pondering on both sides of the pond for a while now: the abolition of universities
in their current form, because they have turned into indoctrination
chambers. The conference also tackled one of the biggest topics in front
of Anglo-American grand strategy—the future of Europe, the European
Union, and the coming rivalry between nation-states and a borderless
marauding liberalism.
The conference came ahead of a crucial EU Parliament election, after a thorough betrayal of the biggest mandate in the history of British democracy by a prime minister whom a large section of the country perceives at best to be an incompetent imbecile, and at worst a traitor. Britain should have been out of the EU imperium by now. But as the latest BBC documentary shows, British Prime Minister Theresa May destroyed the negotiation from within.
The European Union, meanwhile, is not even pretending anymore, with Orwellian tweets that demonstrate how cultist the organization has become since it was formed to increase free trade and institutionalize peace within the continent. Meanwhile, a section of delusional American liberals, and even some conservatives still mentally living in the early 1990s, think the EU is a benevolent ally, despite all evidence to the contrary, from trade fines to military buck-passing. Yet the EU leaders are not even hiding their imperial ambitions.
“The world is developing into one not of nation-states, but of empires. China is an empire. India is an empire. The U.S. is an empire. We need to create a European Union that is capable of defending our interests,” said Guy Verhofstadt, the cantankerous leader of the liberal group of the EU Parliament. He supports further centralization.
According to Hazony, a future conflict between the EU and United States is almost inevitable. The EU is already a German-dominated empire, he said, but one that has cleverly managed to toss the continent’s entire security burden to American taxpayers, even when it has spent a record amount of 23 billion Euros on welfare for refugees.
Because American policymakers and taxpayers, either due to misguided optimism, delusion, or naivete, do not see what the EU is slowly morphing into, Germany can carry on the coercive imperium, but without the burden of paying for it and providing all the manpower. Hazony noted this is unsustainable. As the EU consolidates, and U.S. power and control over the EU declines, the EU will inevitably chart its own path, and side with U.S. adversaries.
Read more: Why The United States And European Union Are Destined To Collide
The conference came ahead of a crucial EU Parliament election, after a thorough betrayal of the biggest mandate in the history of British democracy by a prime minister whom a large section of the country perceives at best to be an incompetent imbecile, and at worst a traitor. Britain should have been out of the EU imperium by now. But as the latest BBC documentary shows, British Prime Minister Theresa May destroyed the negotiation from within.
The European Union, meanwhile, is not even pretending anymore, with Orwellian tweets that demonstrate how cultist the organization has become since it was formed to increase free trade and institutionalize peace within the continent. Meanwhile, a section of delusional American liberals, and even some conservatives still mentally living in the early 1990s, think the EU is a benevolent ally, despite all evidence to the contrary, from trade fines to military buck-passing. Yet the EU leaders are not even hiding their imperial ambitions.
“The world is developing into one not of nation-states, but of empires. China is an empire. India is an empire. The U.S. is an empire. We need to create a European Union that is capable of defending our interests,” said Guy Verhofstadt, the cantankerous leader of the liberal group of the EU Parliament. He supports further centralization.
According to Hazony, a future conflict between the EU and United States is almost inevitable. The EU is already a German-dominated empire, he said, but one that has cleverly managed to toss the continent’s entire security burden to American taxpayers, even when it has spent a record amount of 23 billion Euros on welfare for refugees.
Because American policymakers and taxpayers, either due to misguided optimism, delusion, or naivete, do not see what the EU is slowly morphing into, Germany can carry on the coercive imperium, but without the burden of paying for it and providing all the manpower. Hazony noted this is unsustainable. As the EU consolidates, and U.S. power and control over the EU declines, the EU will inevitably chart its own path, and side with U.S. adversaries.
Read more: Why The United States And European Union Are Destined To Collide
US Economy - Recession?: Dow opens more than 150 points lower - by Fred Imbert as yields keep falling on rising fears about the economy
Stocks fell on Wednesday as bond yields declined again, triggering concerns
about the economic outlook. Increasing trade tensions in the China-U.S.
trade fight also weighed on markets.
The 10-year Treasury note yield fell to its lowest level since
September 2017 and traded around 2.22%. A portion of the so-called yield
curve further inverted as 3-month Treasury bills last yielded 2.351%,
well above the 10-year rate. A yield curve inversion is seen by traders
as a potential sign that a recession is in the horizon.
Bank shares fell along with yields. Citigroup, Bank of America and J.P. Morgan Chase all dropped more than 1%.
Read more at: Dow opens more than 150 points lower as yields keep falling on rising fears about the economy
Bank shares fell along with yields. Citigroup, Bank of America and J.P. Morgan Chase all dropped more than 1%.
Read more at: Dow opens more than 150 points lower as yields keep falling on rising fears about the economy
5/28/19
US Labor Unions 200 years of struggle and final decline: History of Labor Unions in the US, incuding VIDEO
of Labor Unions in the US, incuding VIDEO
The lifespan of American labor unions is shaped like a bell-curve
struggling to climb at first, then riding high, and finally today
crashing out.
The whole up-and-down took about 200 years total. We need to go back to the 1830s. UC Santa Cruz Professor William Domhoff writes, "Industrial development in the early nineteenth century slowly widened the gap between employers and skilled workers, so the workers began to think of industrial factories as a threat to both their wages and status."
Craft unions began to form but stayed mostly local, focused on clout and working conditions. Then in 1869, Domhoff says, the Knights of Labor was founded as "a secret society by a handful of Philadelphia garment cutters, who had given up on their own craft union as having any chance to succeed" and turned to galvanizing other workers through meetings and parades.
Eventually, violence became part of the picture. The Great Railroad Strike of 1877, sparked by railroad companies slashing wages by 10% and doubling some workers'
responsibilities.
And while no major law ultimately clamped down on the groups, "unions came under attack — in the workplace, in the courts, and in public policy. As a result, union membership has fallen and income inequality has worsened — reaching levels not seen since the 1920s," says the,Economic Policy Institute.
Read more at: History of Labor Unions in the US (VIDEO)
The whole up-and-down took about 200 years total. We need to go back to the 1830s. UC Santa Cruz Professor William Domhoff writes, "Industrial development in the early nineteenth century slowly widened the gap between employers and skilled workers, so the workers began to think of industrial factories as a threat to both their wages and status."
Craft unions began to form but stayed mostly local, focused on clout and working conditions. Then in 1869, Domhoff says, the Knights of Labor was founded as "a secret society by a handful of Philadelphia garment cutters, who had given up on their own craft union as having any chance to succeed" and turned to galvanizing other workers through meetings and parades.
Eventually, violence became part of the picture. The Great Railroad Strike of 1877, sparked by railroad companies slashing wages by 10% and doubling some workers'
responsibilities.
And while no major law ultimately clamped down on the groups, "unions came under attack — in the workplace, in the courts, and in public policy. As a result, union membership has fallen and income inequality has worsened — reaching levels not seen since the 1920s," says the,Economic Policy Institute.
Read more at: History of Labor Unions in the US (VIDEO)
Germany - Caribbean Basin relations: Germany hosts Latin America and Caribbean conference in Berlin
Germany hosts Latin America and Caribbean conference in Berlin
Read more at:
https://p.dw.com/p/3JGZ4
https://p.dw.com/p/3JGZ4
EU Summit: Merkel, Macron at odds over top European Commission job
EU summit: Merkel, Macron at odds over top European Commission job
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https://p.dw.com/p/3JGAg
https://p.dw.com/p/3JGAg
Britain - EU elections: European Elections: What they tell us about support for Brexit
European Elections: What they tell us about support for Brexit
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Britain-Brexit : Corbyn backs referendum on Brexit deal after EU election exodus
Corbyn backs referendum on Brexit deal after EU election exodus
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5/27/19
USA - Gun Control: With 18 shot, Sunday most violent day of long weekend so far in Chicago alone - by E. Jason Wambsgans
Sunday proved the most violent day of the long holiday weekend so far
in Chicago, with 18 people shot, according to police and Tribune
records.
As of noon Monday, thirty-six people had been shot since Friday afternoon. One person had been shot on Monday, about 10:30 a.m. in the South Chicago neighborhood.
In 2018, a total of 39 people were shot, seven fatally, during the long weekend that serves as the unofficial start to summer, which in Chicago often means a time of heightened violence on the streets. In 2017, 45 people were shot, seven of them killed, according to data kept by the Tribune. Seventy-one people were shot, six fatally, over the same weekend in 2016 — one of the most violent Memorial Day weekends in years. It went on to become the most violent year in decades.
Note EU-Digest: Just this Memorial Day weekend alone already 18 people have been shot in Chicago as a result of gun violence. Throughout the whole continental US, once all the numbers are tallied on gun violence for this memorial day weekend, the number of people shot as a result of gun violence is expected to surpass at least more than 300. Unfortunately the political establishment on both sides of the Isle continue to do "little to nothing" about gun control.
Read more at: With 18 shot, Sunday most violent day of long weekend so far
As of noon Monday, thirty-six people had been shot since Friday afternoon. One person had been shot on Monday, about 10:30 a.m. in the South Chicago neighborhood.
In 2018, a total of 39 people were shot, seven fatally, during the long weekend that serves as the unofficial start to summer, which in Chicago often means a time of heightened violence on the streets. In 2017, 45 people were shot, seven of them killed, according to data kept by the Tribune. Seventy-one people were shot, six fatally, over the same weekend in 2016 — one of the most violent Memorial Day weekends in years. It went on to become the most violent year in decades.
Note EU-Digest: Just this Memorial Day weekend alone already 18 people have been shot in Chicago as a result of gun violence. Throughout the whole continental US, once all the numbers are tallied on gun violence for this memorial day weekend, the number of people shot as a result of gun violence is expected to surpass at least more than 300. Unfortunately the political establishment on both sides of the Isle continue to do "little to nothing" about gun control.
Read more at: With 18 shot, Sunday most violent day of long weekend so far
5/26/19
EU elections: Liberals and Greens make big gains
Via Euronews: European elections 2019: Big gains for Liberals and Greens in first parliamentary results projection
Auto Industry; Merger between.Fiat Chrysler and Renault
Renault and Fiat Chrysler to announce merger talks: sources
French and Italian-US auto giants Renault and Fiat Chrysler are set to announce talks on an alliance, with a view to a potential merger, informed sources said on Sunday.
Read more at:
http://www.france24.com/en/20190526-renault-fiat-chrysler-announce-merger-sources-france
Read more at:
http://www.france24.com/en/20190526-renault-fiat-chrysler-announce-merger-sources-france
European elections: Knife-edge battle between Populists Utra-Rghtwingers and Pro-Europe supporters
Turnout up in France as 21 countries vote in knife-edge EU poll Tens of millions of Europeans in 21 countries are voting Sunday in the European Parliamentary election in a continent-wide battle between eurosceptic populists and proponents of closer EU unity.
5/25/19
Italy-elections: Antonella Bundu: The first black woman to run for mayor of a major Italian city
Antonella Bundu: The first black woman to run for mayor of a major Italian city
Antonella Bundu is running to become the next mayor of Florence. If she succeeds, she will be the first woman and the first black person to have achieved this position.
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USA WEAPONS SALE: Trump approves weapons sales of $8bn to Saudi Arabia based on his perceived tensions over Iran
Trump approves $8bn Saudi weapons sale over Iran tensions
Note EU-Digest: Once again Donald Trump takes an unilateral decision to sell weapons to an undemocratic regime, which has killed an American registered journalist in a foreign country, beheads people for speaking out against the regime on a regular basis and uses weapons purchased from the US mainly to kill innocent civilians and causing an avalanche of refugees.
Read more at:
5/24/19
The Netherlands: Nationalists and populists issues lose favorability in the Netherlands
There was faltering support for the Netherlands to withdraw from the European Union, according to a survey of voters and non-voters in the Netherlands during the 2019European Parliamentary elections.
The poll, conducted by Ipsos for broadcaster NOS, also showed several nationalist issues falling out of favor with the Dutch public. Just 15 percent of people agreed with a mandate saying the Netherlands should leave the EU. That is down from 24 percent of respondents five years ago. About 65 percent disagreed with the sentiment, with the rest saying they either did not know or did not care.
Interestingly, about 60 percent of voters said the Netherlands is better as part of the European Union, while fewer than 40 percent of non-voters said the same. Still, about 69 percent want to see the EU grow even stronger because of international tensions, while only 7 percent disagreed.
Britain-Trump UK visit: President will bring Melania and all his adult children on trip, reports say - by Chris Riotta
Donald Trump
will bring his entire family — including all of his adult children and
their spouses — on an official state visit to the UK next month that
likely includes a trip to Buckingham Palace, according to US reports.
That’s the latest development surrounding the long-delayed trip by the US president to Britain, according to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, who tweeted the news on Thursday afternoon.
Buckingham Palace previously confirmed a date for the state visit
in June, nearly two-and-a-half years after initially extending the
invitation to Mr Trump, although White House and UK officials have yet
to confirm the latest details.
The guest list for the state banquet dinner on 3 June has also not yet been confirmed. Still, a president’s family would typically accompany them to the event.
That means Mr Trump could very well bring the first lady, his daughter Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and the rest of the Trump family to the royal affair.
Read more at: = Chris Riotta Trump UK visit: President will bring Melania and all his adult children on trip, reports say | The Independent
That’s the latest development surrounding the long-delayed trip by the US president to Britain, according to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, who tweeted the news on Thursday afternoon.
The guest list for the state banquet dinner on 3 June has also not yet been confirmed. Still, a president’s family would typically accompany them to the event.
Read more at: = Chris Riotta Trump UK visit: President will bring Melania and all his adult children on trip, reports say | The Independent
Britain: As Theresa May quits, Britain is now in total crises mode and falling apart at the seams
Speaking
in Downing Street, May said it had been “the honour of my life” to
serve as Britain’s second female prime minister. Her voice breaking, she
said she would leave “with no ill will, but with enormous and enduring
gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love”.
Note EU Digest: It
is high time for Britain, that a politician with some common sense and
courage stands up and acknowledges that when the people voted for
Brexit, with a very small majority, the British voters were ill
informed, and that there should be a second referendum. If not, the
country could be looking ahead at a very grim future.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-politics-48394091
5/23/19
EU-Elections: Day one of voting is over as polls close in the Netherlands and Britain
Exit Polls show that in the Netherlands Dutch Labor Party is the big winner in the elections and Ultra-Right-wing populists of the Baudet and Wilders groupings did not
do as well as expected
In Britain the two main parties, however - Labour and Conservative - seemed to be preparing for the worst, possibly facing a backlash over their handling of Brexit.
Read more at:
https://www.euronews.com/2019/05/23/britain-and-netherlands-kick-off-eu-elections-votes
In Britain the two main parties, however - Labour and Conservative - seemed to be preparing for the worst, possibly facing a backlash over their handling of Brexit.
Read more at:
https://www.euronews.com/2019/05/23/britain-and-netherlands-kick-off-eu-elections-votes
Britain: Theresa May will reveal her departure date today
Ministers expect Theresa May to reveal No 10 departure date on Friday
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USA-Aviation:WestJet pilot's eyes burned by laser on flight from Newfoundland to Florida
WestJet pilot's eyes burned by laser on flight from Newfoundland to Florida
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USA: US military bases making people sick
A trail of toxicity: the US military bases making people sick
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India - elections: Narendra Modi's BJP set to sweep back to power
India elections: Narendra Modi's BJP set to sweep back to power
Read more at:
https://p.dw.com/p/3Ivof
https://p.dw.com/p/3Ivof
5/22/19
5/21/19
USA: US has regressed to developing nation status, MIT economist warns - by Peter Termin
America is regressing to have the economic and political structure of a developing nation, an MIT economist has warned.
Peter Temin says the world's’ largest economy has roads and bridges that look more like those in Thailand and Venezuela than those in parts of Europe.
Austria - Far-right parties under scrutiny in Austria and Britain
The Europe Report: Far-right parties under scrutiny in Austria, UK A political earthquake has shaken Austria, just one week before the EU elections. We update you on the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, the now ex-leader of the far-right Freedom Party. Strache quit after a secretly-filmed videotape emerged showing him proposing various illicit deals in return for shady investments by a woman posing as a Russian oligarch's niece.
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Indonesia: The incumbent moderate President wins second term election Commission decides
Indonesia's incumbent president wins 2nd term, election commission says
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Middle East-Israel: why Israel eyes the EU with distrust
Why Israel eyes the EU with distrust.
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5/20/19
EU Elections: Opponents of nationalism rally before EU vote
Tens of thousands of people opposed to right-wing populism and
nationalism have taken to the streets in European cities ahead of the
European Parliament elections from May 23.Demonstrations were held on Sunday in more than 50 cities in 13 countries, including Germany and France.
In Berlin, organizers say more than 20,000 people took part in the rally and marched on the streets for about two hours.
They oppose intolerance against refugees and migrants from the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere. They are also against nationalists who prioritize their countries' interests and claim that they should restore sovereignty from the EU.
One demonstrator told NHK that Europe should not be governed by ultra-right political parties that could try to destroy democracy.
Another participant said European countries should be united to solve the problems they are facing.
Note EU-Digest: During this past Sunday's demonstrations throughout Europe against the extreme right-wing populist parties and their leaders, including Matteo Salvini in Italy, Marine Le Pen in France, Geert Wilders and Thierry Baudet in the Netherlands, Jorg Meuthen in Germany, Nigel Farage in England, etc., it might be good, again, to remind voters participating in the upcoming European elections, that all these populists are Donald Trump 's buddies, who spend a lot of time talking nonsense, like he does, but have never achieved anything concrete in heir lives.
They are however masters in promising castles in the sky. Hopefully you the voter will not be seduced by these deceitful populists? Europe belongs to us all. Nationalism has never worked in Europe and has no place in the EU.
Read more at: Opponents of nationalism rally before EU vote - News - NHK WORLD - English
Austria-Right wing populist corruption scandal: Populist Austria heading for September election after far-right video scandal
Austria's
president on Sunday recommended a new election be held in early
September, saying he wanted to restore trust in the government after a
video scandal led to the resignation of the vice-chancellor.
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz pulled the plug on the coalition and called for a snap election on Saturday after his deputy, Heinz-Christian Strache, the leader of the far-right Freedom Party, quit over a video showed him discussing fixing state contracts in return for favours from a woman posing as the niece of a Russian oligarch.
Kurz accepted that the video was "catastrophic," although he denied breaking the law or following through on discussions.Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says he sees the snap elections as the only way to solve the crisis involving a video that appears to show the country's vice-chancellor discussing government contracts with an alleged Russian investor.
Read more at: Austria heading for September election after far-right video scandal | CBC News
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz pulled the plug on the coalition and called for a snap election on Saturday after his deputy, Heinz-Christian Strache, the leader of the far-right Freedom Party, quit over a video showed him discussing fixing state contracts in return for favours from a woman posing as the niece of a Russian oligarch.
Kurz accepted that the video was "catastrophic," although he denied breaking the law or following through on discussions.Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says he sees the snap elections as the only way to solve the crisis involving a video that appears to show the country's vice-chancellor discussing government contracts with an alleged Russian investor.
Read more at: Austria heading for September election after far-right video scandal | CBC News
EU - Germany: Merkel calls for Europe to stand up against far-right parties - by Andreas Rinke
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Saturday for Europe to push
back against far-right parties, saying populist movements wanted to
destroy core European values such as fighting corruption and protecting
minorities.
Merkel made the remarks when asked about a scandal engulfing Austria’s far-right Freedom Party, whose leader Heinz-Christian Strache quit on Saturday as government vice-chancellor after he was videoed offering state contracts in exchange for political support.
Read more at: Merkel calls for Europe to stand up against far-right parties - Reuters
Merkel made the remarks when asked about a scandal engulfing Austria’s far-right Freedom Party, whose leader Heinz-Christian Strache quit on Saturday as government vice-chancellor after he was videoed offering state contracts in exchange for political support.
Read more at: Merkel calls for Europe to stand up against far-right parties - Reuters
USA: Judge rules against Trump in records dispute with Congress
A federal judge in Washington has ruled against President Donald Trump in a financial records dispute with Congress.
Judge Amit Mehta's ruling says Trump cannot block the House subpoena of financial records.
The decision comes amid a widespread effort by the White House and the president's lawyers to refuse to cooperate with congressional requests for information and records.
Trump and his business organization had sued to block the subpoena issued in April to Mazars USA, an accountant for the president and Trump Organization.
Read more at: Judge rules against Trump in records dispute with Congress
Judge Amit Mehta's ruling says Trump cannot block the House subpoena of financial records.
The decision comes amid a widespread effort by the White House and the president's lawyers to refuse to cooperate with congressional requests for information and records.
Trump and his business organization had sued to block the subpoena issued in April to Mazars USA, an accountant for the president and Trump Organization.
Read more at: Judge rules against Trump in records dispute with Congress
5/19/19
Euro Song Contest: Duncan Laurence from The Netherlands wins the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest
Duncan Laurence from The Netherlands wins the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest - YouTube
Watch and hear the song lick here
Watch and hear the song lick here
Britain - Rage, rapture and empty promises on the road with Nigel Farage
Rage, rapture and pure populism: on the road with Nigel Farage
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USA: Anti-money laundering staff of Deutsche Bank flagged Trump and Kushner Transactions
Anti-money laundering staff at Deutsche Bank flagged Trump, Kushner transactions: NYT
Read more at;
IRAN: Trump threatens Iran with annihilation.
Tweet from Trump: 'If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran'
Read more at:
Read more at:
Switzerland: vote in favoring tightening gun laws
Swiss voters favor tightening gun laws ...... When will US politicians have the courage to do the same?
Read more at:
https://p.dw.com/p/3Ijrb
Read more at:
https://p.dw.com/p/3Ijrb
5/18/19
AUSTRIA: PM Austria calls for snap elections
Austria chancellor calls for snap election after corruption scandal
Read more at;
5/17/19
Middle East: John Bolton, the Saudis, and hawkish forces pushing the White House to start a war with Iran
John Bolton, the Saudis and the hawkish forces pushing the White House toward a war with Iran
Read more at:
5/16/19
Germany: Europe must unite to be able to stand up against China, Russia and the US says Angela Merkel
Merkel: Europe must unite to stand up to China, Russia and US
Read more at:
Is John Bolton the most dangerous man in the world?
Is John Bolton the most dangerous man in the world?
Read more at:
European Elections: Understanding the far-right populists: focus on their political message - ocus on their political message by Daphne Halikiopoulou
Conventional wisdom is that the rise of the far-right populists
is down to a popular cultural backlash. What’s really happened is they
have broadened their support through a civic-nationalist narrative.
One in four Europeans votes populist, according to the Guardian. Though we might have expected Europe’s economic crisis—with its resulting mounting inequalities—to lead more plausibly to the rise of left-wing populist parties, pledging to cater for voters’ material concerns, it has been far-right populists, with their promise to restore ‘national sovereignty’ in the name of ‘the people’, which have capitalised more effectively on social insecurities. The French Rassemblement National (RN) (formerly Front National), the Dutch Freedom Party (PVV), the Austrian Party for Freedom (FPÖ), the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Italian Lega have all mobilised voters across the political spectrum through their populist-nationalist platforms.
Far-right populists have fared particularly well in recent electoral contests within their domestic arenas and are projected to gain about a third of the seats in the new European Parliament. Depending on who joins, Matteo Salvini’s initiative to create a successful far-right populist family, the European Alliance of People’s and Nations, threatens to make this one of the largest groupings in the European Parliament, challenging the European project at its core.
Read more: Understanding the far-right populists: focus on their political message • Social Europe
One in four Europeans votes populist, according to the Guardian. Though we might have expected Europe’s economic crisis—with its resulting mounting inequalities—to lead more plausibly to the rise of left-wing populist parties, pledging to cater for voters’ material concerns, it has been far-right populists, with their promise to restore ‘national sovereignty’ in the name of ‘the people’, which have capitalised more effectively on social insecurities. The French Rassemblement National (RN) (formerly Front National), the Dutch Freedom Party (PVV), the Austrian Party for Freedom (FPÖ), the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Italian Lega have all mobilised voters across the political spectrum through their populist-nationalist platforms.
Far-right populists have fared particularly well in recent electoral contests within their domestic arenas and are projected to gain about a third of the seats in the new European Parliament. Depending on who joins, Matteo Salvini’s initiative to create a successful far-right populist family, the European Alliance of People’s and Nations, threatens to make this one of the largest groupings in the European Parliament, challenging the European project at its core.
Read more: Understanding the far-right populists: focus on their political message • Social Europe
5/15/19
5/14/19
WhatsApp; discovers targeted attacks against the system
WhatsApp discovers 'targeted' surveillance attack against the system.
Read more at :
EU: Spotlight on the EU parliamentary electons
Spotlight on EU elections: 400 million people and 28 countries prepare to vote for Parliament
With more than 400 million Europeans heading to the polls next week in all 28 EU countries, FRANCE 24 crunches the numbers and dissects the facts behind what are actually more than two dozen strikingly different elections for the European Parliament.
Read more at:
5/13/19
CLIMATE CHANGE: Democratic Presidential candidate for President climate change policies would be a disaster
USA: Democrats running for President - Joe Biden would be a disaster for climate change
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Hungary - US relations: Trump praises Orban form protectie Christians form migrants
WATCH: Trump praises Orban for protecting Christians from migrants
Read more at:
5/12/19
Middle East Iran: US has started psycholological war wih Iran
Iran's Revolutionary Guard: US has started 'psychological war'
Read more at:
https://p.dw.com/p/3INSc
https://p.dw.com/p/3INSc
USA: Subpoenas issued for Trumps Tax returms
Subpoenas issued for six years of Donald Trump tax returns.
Read more at
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48237313
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48237313
Canada: Human trafficking on the increase
'I have to get out of here': Human trafficking survivor recalls her escape
USA: How Donald Trump lied his way into the Forbes 400 richest list
How Donald Trump lied his way onto the Forbes 400 richest people list
Read more at:
https://www.cbc.ca/1.5126688
https://www.cbc.ca/1.5126688
US BIG PHARMA: Forty US States file lawsuit against big Pharma for inflating costs
US states file lawsuit accusing drugs firms of inflating costs
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5/10/19
Saudi - Arabia: Saudi ship which was supposed to load weapons for Saudi-Arabia in France was forced to leave without weapons by Rights Group
Saudi vessel leaves French coast without arms shipment A Saudi vessel that had been due to load weapons at a northern French port on Friday set sail without them and headed for Spain, a day after a rights group tried to block the cargo on humanitarian grounds.
Read more at :
http://www.france24.com/en/20190510-saudi-arabia-cargo-france-arms-guns-shipment-le-havre-yemen-war-human-rights
Islam: Ramadan unites Christians and Muslims in Egypt
Ramadan unites Christians and Muslims in Egypt
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Iran-USA relations: Trumps foolish diplomatic posture can make war with Iran only more likely
Trump’s foolish Iran policy only makes war more likely
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Britain: Chances of Britain staying in the EU about 30%
Donald Tusk: chance of Brexit being cancelled could be 30%
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USA: China deal, total failure of the so called "Master of the Deal"
What happened to the so called "master of the deal"? North Korea is a disaster in the making, China deal is now also in jeopardy, while with Iran it is not only a nailbiter, but also very dangerous, as it could very well turn into a major global conflict.
USA-China Relations: Trump Increases China Tariffs as Trade Deal Hangs in the Balance and Trump plays "Hard Ball" with the Chinese- by Ana Swanson and Alan Rappeport
President Trump escalated his trade war with China on Friday morning,
raising tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods and taking steps
to tax nearly all of China’s imports as punishment for what he said was
Beijing’s attempt to “renegotiate” a trade deal.
Mr. Trump’s decision to proceed with the tariff increase came after a pivotal round of trade talks in Washington on Thursday night failed to produce an agreement to forestall the higher levies. The White House said talks would resume again on Friday but it remains uncertain whether the two sides can bridge the differences that have arisen over the past week.
Read more at: Trump Increases China Tariffs as Trade Deal Hangs in the Balance - The New York Times
Mr. Trump’s decision to proceed with the tariff increase came after a pivotal round of trade talks in Washington on Thursday night failed to produce an agreement to forestall the higher levies. The White House said talks would resume again on Friday but it remains uncertain whether the two sides can bridge the differences that have arisen over the past week.
In his comments at the White House on
Thursday afternoon, Mr. Trump vacillated between threatening China and
suggesting a deal could still happen. The president said he had received
a “beautiful letter” from President Xi Jinping of China and would
probably speak to him by phone, but said he was more than happy to keep
hitting Beijing with tariffs.
Read more at: Trump Increases China Tariffs as Trade Deal Hangs in the Balance - The New York Times
5/9/19
US-China relations: Trump tarff threat looms as China and US resume trade talks
Trump tariff threat looms as China, US resume crunch trade talks U.S. and Chinese negotiators resumed trade talks Thursday just hours before the United States was set to raise tariffs on Chinese imports in a dramatic escalation of tensions between the world's two biggest economies.
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North Korea: another diplomatic failure for the US Trump
Trump says 'nobody's happy' about North Korea missile launches
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EU: There is no Europe without the rule of law says President Tusk
EC's Donald Tusk says 'There is no Europe without the rule of law'
Read more at
https://p.dw.com/p/3IFrD
https://p.dw.com/p/3IFrD
5/8/19
IRAN; the Trump pressure on Iran is causing self inflicted damage to the US
Trump's 'maximum pressure' on Iran is causing U.S. some self-inflicted damage
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EU: Proposal to spend 25% of EU budget on climate change
Proposal to spend 25% of EU budget on climate change
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IRAN-US Relations: It looks like US (Trump) and Israël (Netanyahu) preparing a war with Iran
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo makes surprise trip to Iraq. War with Iran?
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https://p.dw.com/p/3I6za
https://p.dw.com/p/3I6za
Turkey: Turkish opposition vows to defeat crooked Erdogan's AKP again in Istanbul poll rerun
'We will emerge victorious': Turkish opposition vows to defeat Erdogan in poll re-run
Iran: Partial withdrawal from nuclear deal by Iran
Iran to announce partial withdrawal from nuclear deal
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/07/iran-to-announces-partial-withdrawal-from-nuclear-deal?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Blogger
5/7/19
Canada - US relations: US cold schoulders Canada as supporters aquare of over Artic riches
U.S. cold-shoulders Canada as superpowers square off over Arctic riches
Read more at:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/thenational/national-today-newsletter-arctic-military-beyond-meat-1.5125887
European Union: Antidote to poisonous populism is a new Pact for a fair, resilient and a sustainable Europe – by Luca Jahier
In a little less than a month, more than 400
million Europeans, the second largest electorate in the world, will go
to the polls to elect 751 members of parliament in an election that is
probably the most decisive for the future of Europe since 1979, the
first time we voted for a transnational parliament.
For the past two years, EU and national leaders as well as civil
society representatives have been working relentlessly to define a joint
vision for Europe. Several scenarios were outlined by the European
Commission. Discussions and consultations were organised, plans
sketched, solutions formulated. Never before there has been such a
vivid, open and frank debate on the Europe we want and the one we want
to leave to the next generations.
Yet, much of this discourse on the future of Europe has been hijacked by eurosceptics and marred by growing destructive populism. Under the mantle of patriotism, populists promised to defend the interests of the majority against immigrant minorities and “out-of-touch elites”.
Our values were questioned, the right to do good as the core reason behind of our political action was abandoned and ignored by many. Nationalism is an ideological poison, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has said. This poison risks posing a serious health risk to our democracy, as populism attacks not merely real and imagined elites and the establishment but also the very fundamental idea of political pluralism.
This is why European leaders meeting in Sibiu on the 9 May—Europe day—must quickly inject the antidote, ahead of the European elections on 23-26 May. Many politicians have been at a loss when it comes to countering populism. Increasingly, they have adopted a stance that some call destruction through imitation, meaning outflanking far-right competitors with tough talk on refugees and immigration in order to regain consensus. That narrative has done serious damage to European democracy in recent months, pushing people to vote for even more extremist movements. Instead, democrats should present value choices that can tackle inequality.
Read more at: Antidote to poisonous populism is a new Pact for a fair, resilient and a sustainable Europe – EURACTIV.com
Yet, much of this discourse on the future of Europe has been hijacked by eurosceptics and marred by growing destructive populism. Under the mantle of patriotism, populists promised to defend the interests of the majority against immigrant minorities and “out-of-touch elites”.
Our values were questioned, the right to do good as the core reason behind of our political action was abandoned and ignored by many. Nationalism is an ideological poison, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has said. This poison risks posing a serious health risk to our democracy, as populism attacks not merely real and imagined elites and the establishment but also the very fundamental idea of political pluralism.
This is why European leaders meeting in Sibiu on the 9 May—Europe day—must quickly inject the antidote, ahead of the European elections on 23-26 May. Many politicians have been at a loss when it comes to countering populism. Increasingly, they have adopted a stance that some call destruction through imitation, meaning outflanking far-right competitors with tough talk on refugees and immigration in order to regain consensus. That narrative has done serious damage to European democracy in recent months, pushing people to vote for even more extremist movements. Instead, democrats should present value choices that can tackle inequality.
Read more at: Antidote to poisonous populism is a new Pact for a fair, resilient and a sustainable Europe – EURACTIV.com
Britain: Meghan Markle Gives Birth to a Baby Boy With Prince Harry
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's royal baby has arrived!
Buckingham Palace announced that the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a baby boy on Monday, May 6. "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex safely delivered of a son," read that statement. "The Duke of Sussex was present for the birth."
The statement continues, "The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer have been informed and are delighted with the news.
The Duchess’s mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with Their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well."
The new parents also shared the news on Instagram. Name of the baby boy will be announced soon.
Read more at: Meghan Markle Gives Birth to a Baby Boy With Prince Harry | Entertainment Tonight
Buckingham Palace announced that the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to a baby boy on Monday, May 6. "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex safely delivered of a son," read that statement. "The Duke of Sussex was present for the birth."
The statement continues, "The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Earl Spencer have been informed and are delighted with the news.
The Duchess’s mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with Their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well."
The new parents also shared the news on Instagram. Name of the baby boy will be announced soon.
Read more at: Meghan Markle Gives Birth to a Baby Boy With Prince Harry | Entertainment Tonight
5/6/19
Turkey municipal elections: Erdogan shows he is not only a sore looser but also a typical dictator as Istanbul election is declared annulled and new election called
 |
| Recep Tayip Erdogan a sore looser |
Note EU-Digest: with several smaller parties dropping out of the race and urging their supporters to support the CHP, the AKP might now even suffer a bigger defeat
CHINA - US relations: China warns US after warships sail into disputed South China Sea
China warns US after warships sail in disputed South China Sea
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https://p.dw.com/p/3Hypg
https://p.dw.com/p/3Hypg
5/5/19
Iran-US relations: US deploying carrier bombers to the Middle East in a warning to Iran says Bolton
"U.S. deploying carrier, bombers to Middle East in warning to Iran: Bolton" -
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Venezuela: Russia urges US to abandon irresponsible plan to topple Maduro
Venezuela: Russia urges US to abandon ‘irresponsible’ plan to topple Maduro.
Note EU-Digest; Everyone is wondering if Trump and Putin discussed Venezuela during their one hour telephone "conversation" ?
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USA: Gene editing ethics, Trump politics and the future of America, as see by Dan Rather.
Dan Rather weighs in on gene editing ethics, Donald Trump's politics, and the future of America itself.
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EU : More than 450 EU candidates pledge to protect animals
More than 450 EU candidates pledge to protect animals
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Russis: Aerofot plane faire, emergency landing at least 41 died
Russia Aeroflot plane fire: Death toll rises to 41, investigators tell Russian news agency
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5/4/19
USA recycling: Why is the US so bad at recycling
Why is the US so bad at recycling?
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48127398
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48127398
USA - GDP : Trump's double-false claim about GDP
President Donald Trump told Fox Business Network the country
reached a rate of growth last quarter that hadn't been seen in 14 years.
That's false in two ways and correct in none.
TRUMP: "We just did 3.2 ... 3.2 is a number that they haven't hit in 14 years." — interview broadcast Wednesday.
THE FACTS: It's nowhere close to the best in 14 years, by any measure. The rise in the first quarter of 3.2% in the gross national product was only the best since last year. It was surpassed in the second and third quarters with rates of 4.2% and 3.4% respectively.
Perhaps he meant to say it was the best first-quarter growth in 14 years. But that's not right, either. It's the best in four years.
The economy grew by 3.3% in the first quarter of 2015. So President Barack Obama has a better first-quarter record than Trump to date
Read more at: AP FACT CHECK: Trump's double-false claim about GDP
TRUMP: "We just did 3.2 ... 3.2 is a number that they haven't hit in 14 years." — interview broadcast Wednesday.
THE FACTS: It's nowhere close to the best in 14 years, by any measure. The rise in the first quarter of 3.2% in the gross national product was only the best since last year. It was surpassed in the second and third quarters with rates of 4.2% and 3.4% respectively.
Perhaps he meant to say it was the best first-quarter growth in 14 years. But that's not right, either. It's the best in four years.
The economy grew by 3.3% in the first quarter of 2015. So President Barack Obama has a better first-quarter record than Trump to date
Read more at: AP FACT CHECK: Trump's double-false claim about GDP
5/3/19
US Hungary Relations: Birds of one feather flock together as Donald Trump invites Viktor Orban to Washington
Note EU-Digest: If this does not make alarm bells go off in Brussels it would be beyond understanding.
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EU Commission: Commission candidates clash over EU army proposal
Commission candidates clash over EU army proposal
Read more at:
https://www.euronews.com/2019/05/03/commission-candidates-clash-over-eu-army-proposal
Russia: Russia's anti-Kremlin troll StalinGulag breaks cover
Russia's anti-Kremlin troll StalinGulag finally breaks cover
Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48132193
Germany - Neo Nazi: A dangerous old German political cancer with a new face raises alarm
Neo-Nazi march prompts German foreign minister to warn of right-wing terror
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Britain - Brexit: Theresa May under pressure to quit after local election losses
Theresa May under pressure to quit after local election losses
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5/2/19
Facebook and Instagram ban Alex Jones, and Louis Farrakhan
Louis Farrakhan, Alex Jones banned from Facebook, Instagram
Read more at:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/facebook-bans-louis-farrakhan-alex-jones-hate-speech-1.5120557
EU parliamentary elections: Polls show losses for major parties
EU election poll: Waiting game as popular parties yet to align with Parliament groups
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USA: Nancy Pelosi calls Barr a liar
Speaker Nancy Pelosi accuses Attorney General Barr of lying to Congress
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EU Polish Relations: EU is not a 'cash cow', commission tells Polan - by Nikolaj Nielsen
The European Union is not a cash cow to be milked by Poland, the vice-president of the European Commission Jyrki Katainen told reporters in Warsaw on Wednesday (1 May).
"The EU is not just a money machine, a cow that you can milk. We are expecting a more substantial contribution from Poland for the future of Europe," he was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
The criticism comes amid a wider dispute over Poland's backsliding on the rule of law after having adopted laws that erode judicial independence.
Poland joined the European Union 2004 and has since received over €100bn in EU funding, more than any other EU member state.
But its right-wing government led by the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) maintains a shaky relation with the European Union.
The country risks losing its voting rights at the EU level under the so-called article 7 procedure, launched in 2017, over the rule of law issues.
The threat appears to have done little to dissuade Warsaw from changing paths despite popular protests against the laws.
"The current situation is not good because we have had Article 7 procedure in Poland but unfortunately nothing has happened," said Katainen.
Some EU states have since grown frustrated with Poland
Read more at: EU is not a 'cash cow', commission tells Poland
USA: Trump's regime is leading America in an insurrection
Trump's regime is leading America in an insurrection
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5/1/19
ARMS RACE China , Russia, US, in major race toroduce hypersonic weapons
U.S., Russia, China race to develop hypersonic weapons
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Canada: Federal rebates for electric cars purchases kick in with increased price lomits
Federal rebates for electric cars kick in with increased price limit
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