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8/31/19

Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon: Parliament suspension may make Scottish independence 'inevitable'



The Scottish First Minister claimed that support for leaving the UK was growing with each passing day, accusing the Prime Minister of acting like “some kind of tinpot dictator”.

She also said the suspension proved Mr Johnson would be willing to shut down the Scottish Parliament to achieve his political aims, a suggestion she had previously regarded as “silly”.

But the Scottish Conservatives backed the move, arguing there would still be “ample” time for MPs to debate Brexit and describing the SNP‘s reaction as “predictably hysterical”.

Read more: Nicola Sturgeon: Parliament suspension may make Scottish independence 'inevitable'

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8/30/19

USA - Florida Hurricane Dorian: A category 4 Expected to 'Hammer' Florida Monday - by Brian K Sullivan and Jonathan Levin

Hurricane Dorian took a slight turn as it continues its slow progress toward Florida, with forecaster models indicating it has the potential to stall near the coast or even fail to make landfall in the state at all.

The hurricane’s center was about 595 miles (960 kilometers) east of West Palm Beach, Florida, as of 5 p.m. New York time, with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. With those wind speeds, the storm is a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale and is expected to reach Category 4 before it reaches the Florida coast.

The latest advisory puts the potential landfall north of Port St. Lucie, Florida on Tuesday morning, with a warning that some models now indicate the storm may turn before reaching the state.

Note EU-Digest: Believers from every faith hopefully realize that faith and prayers can create "super natural miracles", which in the case of hurricane Dorian can blow this hurricane's path towards Florida away from the State and into the sea . Christians, in case they have forgotten, should know it has also happened many centuries before (Exodus 14:21) “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.”  ..... and .....this miracle is reinforced in Mathew 17:20 which reads "if you have faith, even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible” So dear Floridians, and friends of Florida, before and after you have gone to Costco, Publix, Home Depot, or your favorite Gas station to get your supplies, start your prayers for Dorian to self destruct. Miracles are still possible, even in today's crazy world. You just have to try a little harder to turn this Labor day weekend into a miracle of faith.

Read more: Hurricane Dorian Category 4 Expected to 'Hammer' Florida Monday - Bloomberg

EU Parliament: Lagarde and Brexit centre stage - by Eszter Zalan

Brussels politics will come back to life next week as eurocrats and diplomats return from holidays.

They will kick off a very heavy autumn agenda in the EU with a looming Brexit and a new European Commission coming in.

 Read more at: Lagarde and Brexit centre stage This WEEK

USA - Profile of Donald Trump: President Donald Trump is running for president again in 2020. Here's everything we know about the candidate and how he stacks up against the competition.

Donald Trump will have to undergo a primary, but for now his primary-tier competition is decidedly ambiguous. Trump has his work cut out for him in the sense that he’s got to bring the party together behind him despite an appetite from some Republicans for an alternative.

One INSIDER survey from earlier this year found that while 33% of those who identified as at least slightly conservative backed the president fully and wouldn’t consider voting for any challenger, 24% would prefer to back a qualified GOP challenger and 18% would be open to other GOP contenders.

Read more: Donald Trump is running for president in 2020. Here's everything we know about the candidate and how he stacks up against the competition.

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Amazon fires: Brazil accepts extra planes from Chile to fight forest fires

The Amazon includes many more South American countries than just Brazil,which covers about 60% of the Amazon area.

The vast Amazon also includes Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, an overseas region of France.

These other countries, which together control 40 percent of the Amazon will be getting together soon to put forward their own unified plan to fight the raging fires.

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8/29/19

USA - Donald Trump and his relationship with Evangelicals : How Pat Robertson's Christian TV empire created a "shadow government" — and led to Donald Trump - by Chauncey DeVega

Last week Donald Trump shared a message on Twitter from a racist conspiracy theorist proclaiming that he, the president, was viewed by Jewish people as the “Second Coming of God” and the “King of Israel.”

The mytho-religious aspects of this “endorsement” likely have no meaning for Donald Trump. Such claims matter to Trump primarily because they stroke his megalomania. Trump the malignant narcissist authoritarian and fascist seeks out praise from wherever it may come. As such, Donald Trump frequently praises himself in the grandest and most absurd terms possible: for example, Trump’s looking to the sky last week as if looking for a sign from God and then telling journalists and the world that he is in fact the "chosen one."

Beyond personal grandiosity, Trump’s endorsement of his status as the “Second Coming” and the “King of Israel” were important signals to his two most loyal groups of supporters.

Christian nationalists, evangelicals, "reconstructionists" and "dominionists" support Donald Trump because they see him as a means of overturning the U.S. Constitution and its rules separating church and state, with the ultimate goal of creating a Christian theocracy. Trump’s racist supporters are buoyed and encouraged by his sharing (another) message from a member of their movement. Collectively, these Trump supporters are eager to put an end to America’s multiracial democracy.

Terry Heaton was a television news executive for the Christian Broadcasting Network during the 1980s, where he worked primarily on "The 700 Club," its signature news and talk show. Heaton also served as one of Pat Robertson's advisers during his 1988 presidential campaign.

Terry Heaton is also the author of several books including his most recent, "The Gospel of Self: How Pat Robertson Stole the Soul of the GOP."

I spoke to Heaton recently about how and why right-wing evangelical Christians have come to worship and love Donald Trump, a man who is an unapologetic sinner. Heaton also offers insights on the direct connection between evangelical-oriented media such as his former employer at CBN, Christian nationalism,  Fox News and Donald Trump’s conquest of the Republican Party and its voters. Heaton also warns about the power and influence of Robertson and his “shadow government” of right-wing  evangelicals, who have waged a decades-long campaign to overthrow secular democracy in America.

This conversation has been edited for clarity and length. You can also listen to my full conversation with Terry Heaton through the player embedded below.

How do you make sense of Donald Trump’s rise to power and why so many Christians support him, given his evident values and behavior?

One of the things that has always puzzled me about the Trump phenomenon is that he would never have been elected had he not been able to recruit people for whom his policies would be harmful. But many of these voters consider their faith first.

As I wrote in my book "The Gospel of Self," they see affluence around them and in their minds there is no reason they too can't be rich one day.

Read more at: How Pat Robertson's Christian TV empire created a "shadow government" — and led to Donald Trump | Salon.com

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Migration Policy EU: - While EU split on migration widens - by Jess Smee

Illegal immigration poses an ongoing political crisis for the European bloc and politicians' failure to act has left Europeans reportedly more concerned about immigration than climate change.

Will November's change of leadership in the European Commission help improve its track record on the humanitarian emergency?

Large numbers of migrants continued to arrive on European shores this summer and hundreds of people died en route so far this year.

But while immigration dominates the headlines, Europe is divided on how to respond, meaning that the issue tops the to-do list for incoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Pressure is rising on Europe to take a firm stance on the extended emergency.

In August, Greece underscored its calls for the EU to share the burden of new arrivals amid a sharp increase in migrants landing on Greek islands in recent weeks.

Deputy minister for citizen protection Giorgios Koumoutsakos even warned that the country had "exhausted its capacity" to cope with the newcomers - and called on the rest of Europe for help.

And as well as loud complaints from the front-line nations, Europe is struggling to bridge increasingly polarised political positions on immigration.

Read more at: EU split on migration widens

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Britain: The overlooked Brexit scenario: what happens if we remain? - by Matt Clinch

In the approach to the ‘No Deal’ Brexit on October 31 barely a day has gone by without dire warnings of supply disruptions, food and drug shortages, renewed Irish border Troubles, a ferocious general election, a potential independent Scotland and the break-up of the UK - and the diminution of UK influence on the world stage.

Assurances about last-minute preparations seem to cut little ice as businesses anxiously appraise emergency supply lines. And more households are opting to stock up on items ranging from tinned foods to loo rolls.

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has now called for a full analysis to be made of the consequences of a ‘No Deal’ outcome – and a suspension of the ‘No Deal’ departure date of Hallowe’en.

But strangely, there is a missing forecast here: a set of outcome prognostications that has been glaringly absent: what would life be like if, after all the political hullabaloo and fears of an economic hit, the UK opted to Remain?

Read more: The overlooked Brexit scenario: what happens if we remain?

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Italy: Italian Prime Minister Conte given mandate to form a new left-wing coalition government - by Matt Clinch

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was given a mandate to form a new government Thursday, as the opposition Democratic Party (PD) set aside its differences with the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) to create a left-leaning coalition.

Read more: Italian Prime Minister Conte given mandate to form a new left-wing coalition government

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Britain-Brexit: Boris Johnson’s Parliament Suspension Prompts Protest and Resignations - by Stephen Castle

Britain’s prime minister, Boris Johnson, faced a growing and angry backlash on Thursday as his decision to suspend Parliament next month prompted protests and legal challenges, and political opponents scrambled to salvage efforts to stop a disorderly Brexit.

The normally fractious opposition swiftly united in outrage at Mr. Johnson’s maneuver on Wednesday, which brought protesters onto the streets in London and other cities across the country, while an online petition against the action drew well over a million signatures.

The move also strained relations within Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party and prompted claims from critics that the government was trampling the conventions of the country’s unwritten Constitution, undermining its democracy.

On Wednesday, Mr. Johnson had Queen Elizabeth II approve a plan to restrict the sittings of Parliament in September and October. That reduces his critics’ chances of legislating to prevent Britain from leaving the European Union without first reaching an agreement with Brussels, as the prime minister has threatened to do.

In an overnight poll, far more Britons opposed than supported his suspension of Parliament, and angry comments calling it undemocratic peppered social media, many with the hashtag #StopTheCoup.

The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, and a former Conservative chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, each called it a “constitutional outrage;” Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the opposition Labour Party, labeled it a “a sort of smash and grab on our democracy.”

Read more: Boris Johnson’s Parliament Suspension Prompts Protest and Resignations - The New York Times

8/28/19

Britain - Brexit: Coup d'état by Boris Johnson: Queen approves Boris Johnson’s request to suspend Parliament ahead of Brexit deadline - by Karla Adam, Michael Birnbaum

Queen Elizabeth II approved a request by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday to shut down Parliament for several weeks ahead of Britain’s upcoming departure from the European Union, a startling maneuver that will rob his opponents of time to thwart a no-deal Brexit.

The announcement of Johnson’s plan prompted expressions of outrage from many lawmakers, who said they are being deprived of their democratic voice on Britain’s most momentous decision in generations. It increased the chances that the country will sail out of the European Union at the end of October with no transition deal to buffer its passage, a move analysts say could cause major economic turmoil, including food and fuel shortages.

Johnson told reporters he had asked the queen, who is on holiday at her Scottish estate of Balmoral, to give her usual annual speech outlining the country’s legislative agenda in mid-October, effectively suspending Parliament between Sept. 11 and Oct. 14.

The queen acceded to the prime minister’s request, as is customary.

In an official statement, the Privy Council confirmed that the queen had agreed to prorogue — or suspend — Parliament no sooner than Sept. 9 and no later than Sept. 12. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons, Natalie Evans, the leader of the House of Lords, and Mark Spencer, the chief whip, were at Balmoral to deliver the request.

Read more: Queen approves Boris Johnson’s request to suspend Parliament ahead of Brexit deadline

Amazon Fires: Brazil does U-turn on Amazon fire aid

A spokesperson for Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro has said the country will accept foreign aid to extinguish Amazon fires. Bolsonaro earlier declined €18m from the G7 states and insulted French president Emmanuel Macron over the offer. The Brazilian spokesman said his country must have full control of foreign grants and that outside help must not impinge on its sovereignty.

Read more at: Brazil does U-turn on Amazon fire aid

8/27/19

Media: Controlled by corporations has become unreliable and is threatening democracy

The media has become gossip, clickbait and punditry. This threatens democracy, says Bernie Sanders.

For example, two Silicon Valley corporations – Facebook and Google – control 60% of the entire digital advertising market. They have used monopolistic control to siphon off advertising revenues from news organizations. 

A recent study by the News Media Alliance, a trade organization, found that in 2018, as newspaper revenues declined, Google made $4.7bn off reporting that Google did not pay for.

At the same time, corporate conglomerates and hedge fund vultures have bought and consolidated beleaguered local newspapers and slashed their newsrooms – all while giving executives big payouts.

Gannett’s proposed merger with Gatehouse Media, for instance, will consolidate hundreds of publications under one mega-corporation’s control and slash $300m worth of “synergies” – which is often corporate-speak for layoffs. 

Matt Pearce, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, notes that “the new Gannett/Gatehouse chief executive is getting $4.5m in bonuses and stock just for walking in the door.”

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G7: Macron gamble pays off as Trump reacts in a more conciliatory tone towsrds Iran

Britain - Brexit: UK opposition parties agree to work together against no deal Brexit

UK opposition parties agree to work together against no-deal Brexit

Brasil - France relations: "Trumponaro" before taking G7 Amazonia aid wants apology from Macron

Bolsonaro wants Macron's apology before taking G7 Amazonia aid, and even after Bolsonaro insulted Macron's wife

8/26/19

Britain-Brexit: shutting down parliament 'gravest abuse of power in living memory'

 Boris Johnson would be committing the “gravest abuse of power and attack on UK constitutional principle in living memory” if he shuts down parliament to help force through a no-deal Brexit, according to legal advice obtained by Labour.

In a six-page document prepared for Jeremy Corbyn, the shadow attorney general, Shami Chakrabarti, laid out how any such move by the prime minister would be open to immediate legal challenge in the courts.

She said it could be subject to judicial review and the courts “might well even grant interim injunctive relief in order to allow both houses of parliament to continue to sit and discharge their primary and sovereign constitutional role in this current moment of national crisis”.

The advice from Chakrabarti, a barrister, was commissioned by Labour after leaked emails showed No 10 had sought the counsel of Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, on whether a five-week prorogation from 9 September might be possible to avoid a confidence vote and help enable a no-deal Brexit.

The initial legal guidance for No 10 was that shutting parliament may be possible, unless action being taken in the courts by anti-Brexit campaigners succeeds in the meantime.

Johnson was pressed repeatedly on Monday on what he would do if MPs tried to thwart his Brexit policy – at a press conference at the close of the G7 summit in Biarritz. He declined to rule out temporarily shutting down parliament.

“I think that this [is] really a matter for parliamentarians to get right ourselves,” he said. “We asked the people to vote on whether they wanted to stay in or leave the EU; they voted to leave by a big majority.

Asked explicitly whether he would consider proroguing parliament, he said: “I rely on parliamentarians to do the right thing and honour the pledge that they made to the people of this country.”

Read more at: Brexit: shutting down parliament 'gravest abuse of power in living memory' | Politics | The Guardian

The Netherlands - Brexit: 98 companies moving to the Netherlands already and more expected

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US presidential elections: Republican Joe Walsh to challenge Trump in Republican primary

'We all know he's unfit': Joe Walsh to challenge Trump in Republican primary

Global Economy: Donald Trump fine tuning his BS to show there is no reason to worry

8/25/19

US Economy: : The Next U.S. Recession Looking More Likely As Trump Weaponizes Trade And The Dollar - by Yuwa Hedrick-Wong

Recessions in the U.S. are typically caused by monetary tightening, financial crises stemming from asset bubbles or external shocks. In spite of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s U-turn on interest rate normalization, all three are casting darkening shadows over the American economy. Morgan Stanley warned in a report released this summer that the U.S. has entered a new phase of rising probability of a recession. What may spark the next recession, however, remains obscure. The final trigger is usually something entirely unanticipated. For instance, what tipped the economy over the edge and ignited the 2008/09 global financial crisis is not the widely observed collapse of the American housing bubble, but the unsuspected extraordinary concentration of ownership of mortgage-backed securities. This is why President Trump’s actions on trade and currency, which has made the global economy so much more turbulent, is so dangerous. Economic turbulence is spawning potential recession triggers that could unexpectedly tip the American economy into recession.

By weaponizing both trade and currency, President Trump has infected the global economy with deep uncertainty. In imposing sanctions and tariffs—as well as banning American firms from doing business with a growing list of foreign companies on grounds of national security—Trump has enfeebled world trade, turning it into a brake on global growth. The business outlook has dimmed because companies are no longer sure where and with whom they can invest and expand without incurring the ire of the President, and it is affecting companies in the U.S. as well as in the rest of the world. The China-U.S. trade war is especially damaging because it effectively puts business investment on ice and suspends any meaningful forward planning. Many American companies are also deeply worried about their business in China, which in recent years generates close to $300 billion revenues annually.

Trump is also weaponizing the U.S. dollar, instructing the U.S. Treasury to put more countries under surveillance for suspected “currency manipulation,” subjecting them to potential retaliatory sanctions. No surprise that China has been named currency manipulator after the yuan’s recent depreciation; but the list also includes many of America’s closest allies in Asia and Europe. Furthermore, Trump has also changed the rules to make it easier to label a country a currency manipulator. However, concurrent to these moves is Trump’s own hectoring the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates both to shore up faltering domestic growth and to weaken the dollar to make American exports more competitive. All of these shenanigans have made currency markets more volatile, undermining global trade growth, according to research by IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath.

Read more at: The Next U.S. Recession Looking More Likely As Trump Weaponizes Trade And The Dollar

Britain-Brexit: Johnson says deal with EU will be touch and go

G7 live: It will be 'touch and go' whether UK gets Brexit deal with EU, says Johnson

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USA: the Trump era could wind up like the 1930s

The Trump era could wind up like the 1930s -

G7: Iran foreign minister makes surprise Biarritz appearance which could defuse US - Iran Tensions

8/24/19

G7 - Disunity: Trump at G7: US President arrives for summit as global disputes threaten unity- by Kevin Liptak

President Donald Trump arrived in France Saturday morning after an overnight flight from Washington, his arrival preceded by more tit-for-tat tariff action that economists -- and most of the other Group of 7 heads -- believe is contributing to a global economic slump.

He's due to attend a dinner for the leaders Saturday evening at the base of a tall white lighthouse planted atop a rocky cliff overlooking elegant Biarritz, the venue for this year's summit. Formal talks begin Sunday morning.

World leaders have plenty to discuss. Festering foreign policy matters like Iran and fresh tensions between India and Pakistan are on the table. The summit's host, French President Emmanuel Macron, says he also wants to address raging wildfires in the Amazon rainforest.

Heading into the summit, however, the flagging global economy appeared the most pressing matter. Trump insisted on a special Sunday morning session to discuss it. Other leaders blame his use of tariffs -- on friends and foe alike -- for weighing down growth, causing manufacturing to contract and throwing equity markets 

Read more: Trump at G7: US President arrives for summit as global disputes threaten unity

8/23/19

The Netherlands join the deficit consensus

The Dutch government is considering a deficit-finance stimulus program, prioritizing infrastructure, research, and education the government said on Thursday.

The plan would entail the Netherlands borrowing an additional €50bn on the current historically low or negative interest rates, the Dutch De Telegraaf daily reported earlier on Thursday. Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra said last month he would look at ways to use negative bond rates to increase public investments.

Citing government sources, De Telegraaf suggests that the stimulus program could be incorporated in the 2020 budget law, while the four-party government is looking for ways to guarantee the responsible use of the funds. In this context, the parliamentary debate could open as soon as September 17.

The Dutch export-led economy is feeling the weight of the prospect of a disorderly Brexit and the slowdown of the German economy. Three successive Mark Rutte  Netherlands pursued far-reaching fiscal consolidation measures over the last decade, reducing its debt-to-GDP ratio, but at the cost of higher inequality, political fragmentation and polarization.

The  Hague is now following Berlin in reviewing the economic conventional wisdom, planning a stimulus program that could provide a significant boost to the fifth biggest economy in the EU.

Read more at: The Netherlands join the deficit consensus | New Europe

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EU-US relations: US faith-based conservative EU lobbyists billionaires funding EU culture war - by Michael Bird and Blaz Zgaga

The number of faith-based conservative EU lobbyists in Brussels is growing and the Roman Catholic Church is itself a big spender.

But US billionaires, some of whom are friends of American president Donald Trump, are also paying anti-abortion groups in Europe tens of millions of dollars to influence policy and law.

The US groups have not scored any big wins yet.

But they are acting in concert and they are just getting started, European MPs who work on sexual and reproductive health have warned.

And the culture war is broader, with women's rights, LGBTI rights, embryonic research, and euthanasia also involved in the clash of values.

Some 21 religious think-tanks, NGOs, and other entities currently spend €2.1m to €3.1m a year lobbying the European Parliament and European Commission on these fronts, according to the EU transparency register. 

Read more: US billionaires funding EU culture war

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Britain-Brexit: Boris Johnson: New Brexit deal with EU won't be a cinch

Speaking in Devon, the prime minister said the government was "making progress", but would "have to prepare to come out without an agreement".

Mr Johnson wants to renegotiate the backstop - which aims to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland after Brexit - but the EU has ruled this out.

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator said it will analyse "realistic" proposals.

Mr Johnson insists the backstop - part of the withdrawal agreement reached by his predecessor Theresa May and the EU, but not ratified by Parliament - must be ditched if a new deal with Brussels is to be reached before then.

On Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the onus was on the UK to find a workable alternative plan.

Read more: Boris Johnson: New Brexit deal with EU won't be a cinch - BBCNews

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US Trade War with China: Trump says he's poised to escalate China trade war within hours - by Joshua Gallu

President Donald Trump signaled he may escalate the trade war with China in the coming hours after the country’s latest round of tariffs, firing off a new demand that U.S. companies seek alternatives to producing goods in China.

“I will be responding to China’s Tariffs this afternoon. This is a GREAT opportunity for the United States,” Trump tweeted Friday, after China threatened to impose additional tariffs on $75 billion of American goods, including soybeans, cars and oil.

A meeting on trade was taking place at midday in the Oval Office at the White House, according to people familiar with the discussions. Trump is scheduled to leave late Friday for the G-7 summit in France, where trade tensions and their impact on the global economy are at the top of the agenda.

Read more: Trump says he's poised to escalate China trade war within hours

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8/22/19

G7: Analysts say G 7 IS fuelling inequality

The G7 must stop fuelling inequality ǀ View

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Italy: Country needs more time to form a new Government says President

Italy needs more time to form a new government, says president

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IRAN STRAIT OF HORRMUZ: Netherlands willing to send navy ship to Strait of Hormuz only if it is part of an EU mission

Britain - Brexit: President Macron dampens Johnson's plans to renegotiate Brexit

Macron dampens Johnson's plan to renegotiate Brexit


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8/21/19

USA: Trump strikes again with antisemitic trope


Trump stands by antisemitic trope that sparked anger among Jewish Americans

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https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/21/trump-american-jewish-democrats-response-antisemitic-trope?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Blogger

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Global Politics: China and Russia Are Getting Along Better Than Ever, the U.S. Has Only Made It Easier for Them - by Tom O'Connor

 China and Russia have forged a strategic partnership that has only grown tighter as the United States tried to curb their geopolitical rise — it's far from a perfect relationship, but experts say they appear determined at improving it as they seek to expedite a global economic shift to the East.

Moscow and Beijing's history lends itself to complex ties between two geopolitical powerhouses that have both worked with and against one another in the modern era. Today, they find themselves at the dawn of what many analysts are calling a multipolar world in which Washington feels its post-Cold War dominance is threatened, and that may just be the case, but only if working together remained in its two top challengers' best interests.

Velina Tchakarova, head of the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy, coined the term "Dragonbear" back in 2015 to describe what at the time was still an emerging trend. She told Newsweek that this "is neither an alliance nor a marriage of convenience, but rather a temporary asymmetric relationship, in which China is predominantly the agenda-maker while Russia is mostly the agenda-taker."

In this dynamic, "China provides the liquidity and Russia provides the natural resources and the necessary know-how in key fields such as diplomacy, defense, space, etc.," Tchakrova said, adding that "a new connectivity is being explored and expanded such as in the Arctic, Central Asia and beyond to balance the U.S.-dominated global supply chains."

"The Dragonbear is about counterbalancing arising centrifugal forces in all fields — from global economy, finance and trade, to diplomacy and political links, to military, defense and strategic alliances," she added. "But it also has a lot to do with the countries' overlapping understanding that the world is in a system transformation, whose results are unpredictable and whose implications might be very dangerous for them."

Read more: China and Russia Are Getting Along Better Than Ever, the U.S. Has Only Made It Easier for Them

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The Netherlands Railroads: After a frustrating period for rairoad travelers, the NS railroad management announced improved service schedules

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United Europe: It has been 170 years ago since Victor Hugo's speech about the United States of Europe

Germany: state election: Can Far Right Really Win?

EU Traffic Safety: Which EU countries are most dangerous and should be avoided

Road fatalities: Which EU countries are the most dangerous?

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US-Russia relations: Trump wants RUSSIA to rejoin G8

US President Trump reiterates call for Russia to rejoin ‘G8’ US President Donald Trump renewed calls on Tuesday to let Russia join the G7 -- thus making it the G8 again -- group of advanced industrialised countries.

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8/20/19

Britain-Brexit: Boris Johnsons Brexiteers' bid to force no-deal suffers legal blow, as constitutional expert warns UK 'heading for deep trouble': by Adam Forrest, Ashley Cowburn, Zamira Rahim, Jane Dalton


A new Trans-Atlantic Axis
Britain is in “deep trouble” unless Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn can act like “good chaps” and find a way to resolve the Brexit crisis, a leading constitutional expert has warned.

In a boost for pro-EU campaigners, a Court of Session judge has ruled that a legal challenge seeking to prevent Mr Johnson from suspending parliament to force through a no-deal exit will be heard before 31 October.

It comes as No 10 is said to be ready to pull British diplomats out of Brussels. Donald Trump’s national security adviser John Bolton, meanwhile, said the UK was “first in line” for a trade deal with the US after meeting the PM.

Meanwhile John Bercow, the House of Commons speaker, has warned that he will try to stop the prime minister from suspending parliament.

Mr Bercow told an audience at the Edinburgh Fringe festival that he "strongly" believes the House of Commons "must have its way", in remarks reported by the Herald newspaper.

"And if there is an attempt to circumvent, to bypass or - God forbid - to close down Parliament, that is anathema to me," he said.

"I will fight with every breath in my body to stop that happening."

Amber Rudd also told the BBC on Tuesday that she would urge the prime minister not to suspend the Commons.

Read more at:: Boris Johnson news: Brexiteers' bid to force no-deal suffers legal blow, as constitutional expert warns UK 'heading for deep trouble' | The Independent

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SPAIN REFUGEES: Bravo Spain and shame to Italy

Spain to send ship to collect Open Arms migrants


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EU - British relations: EU President Donald Tusk rejects Boris Johnson's request to remove backstop

Brexiteer Boris Johnson and EU's Donald Tusk
Donald Tusk rejects Boris Johnson request to remove backstop.


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Greenland: Trump tweets image of enormous Trump Tower on Greenla

Trump tweets image of enormous Trump Tower on Greenland

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8/19/19

French-Russian Relations: : Putin Tells Macron: 'I Don't Want Yellow Vests in Russia'

President Vladimir Putin rebuked his French counterpart on Monday, saying he did not want "yellow vest" protests to spring up like in France, after Emmanuel Macron urged the Russian leader to abide by democratic principles following weeks of protests in Moscow.

Macron, who was meeting Putin at his summer residence in southern France five days before hosting a summit of G7 rich nations, is keen to show Moscow it is not ostracized despite being kicked out of the G7 after its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

While initially, Putin ignored the comment, he was quick to retort after a follow-up question on the Moscow protests by saying things were being handled in line with the law, but that he didn't want the situation to develop like in France.

"We all know about the events linked to the so-called yellow vests during which, according to our calculations, 11 people were killed and 2,500 injured," Putin said.

"We wouldn't want such events to take place in the Russian capital and will do all we can to ensure our domestic political situation evolved strictly in the framework of the law."

The yellow vest protests, named after motorists' high-visibility jackets, began in November over fuel tax increases but evolved into a sometimes violent revolt against politicians and a government seen as out of touch.

Macron said the comparison with France was inaccurate, since at least yellow vest protesters could stand in elections.

Read more: Putin Tells Macron: 'I Don't Want Yellow Vests in Russia' - The Moscow Times

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Hungary: Merkel meets Orban in Hungary to commemorate ′Pan-European Picnic′

German Chancellor Angela Merkel met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday as part of the 'Pan-European Picnic' anniversary.

The symbolic event 30 years ago was a show of support for a united Europe that led to the first exodus from behind the Iron Curtain.

"The picnic was the biggest mass exodus from the GDR since the construction of the wall in 1961. The picnic turned into a world event and reflected the values of "solidarity, freedom and a humane Europe," Merkel said, thanking Hungary for playing its part in opening the borders.

Merkel and her Hungarian counterpart attended a service at the Protestant church in Sopron, a city near Hungary's border with Austria, where hundreds of East Germans took advantage of the picnic and fled West.

"Sopron is an example of how much we Europeans can achieve, if we courageously stand up for our indivisible values," the German Chancellor added.

Read more: Merkel meets Orban in Hungary to commemorate ′Pan-European Picnic′ | News | DW | 19.08.2019

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Global Consumption: Humanity is increasingly living above its means Рby St̩phanie Senet

By 29 July, humanity had consumed more resources than the planet is capable of offering within a year, according to the Global Footprint Network, an environmental NGO. EURACTIV’s partner le Journal de l’Environnement reports.

At the current level, it would take an average of 1.8 planets to meet our global resource needs. And for some countries, the ecological imbalance is particularly high.

For example, world countries would require the equivalent of 5 planets to ensure their resource needs if they were to follow US consumption patterns, well ahead of Australia (4.1 planets) and Russia (3.2). France comes eighth on the global scale, with an ecological footprint requiring 2.7 planets.

These high resource consumption levels are exacerbating desertification, soil erosion, species loss and water shortage. It is also reducing agricultural productivity and depleting fish stocks.

In comparison, India’s resource needs only average that of 0.7 planets, despite it having a population of 1.4 billion.

Note EU-Digest: For those who are attached to their "stuff" and believe in the consumer society, maybe this Biblical quoute says its best: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." Job 1, verse 21
 

Read more at: Humanity is increasingly living above its means – EURACTIV.com

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Denmark-US Relations: Danish Prime Minister calls discussion of Greenland sale "absurd"

The Danish Prime Minister responded to President Donald Trump's interest in buying Greenland on Sunday, calling a sale of the island, which functions as an autonomous territory of Denmark, "absurd."

According to Reuters, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told the Danish broadcaster DR on Sunday that discussion of a sale would be an "absurd discussion."

Frederiksen was also asked about Trump's comments by a local newspaper.

"Greenland is not for sale. Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland," she said while traveling with Greenlandic Premier Kim Kielsen to visit children from a Greenlandic orphanage, reported Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq.

 Read more at: Danish Prime Minister calls discussion of Greenland sale "absurd"

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8/18/19

Brazil - Norway relations: Norway halts EURO 30 million Amazon subsidy after Brazil broke agreement on deforestation

Norway to halt €30 million Amazon subsidy, saying Brazil 'broke agreement' on deforestation.

Norway said Thursday it would halt Amazon protection subsidies worth 30 million euros ($33 million) to Brazil, which it accused of turning its back on the fight against deforestation.

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Russia: Opposition figure detained upon release from jail

Russian opposition figure detained upon release from jail



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USA Economy: trump and his advisers reject talk of economic disaster

'I don't see a recession': Trump and advisers reject talk of economic disaster

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TURKEY - WEATHER: Heavy rain floods Istanbul Grand Bazaar

Watch: Heavy rain floods Istanbul's Grand Bazaar

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Britain - Brexit: No deal shows food and medicine shortages and unstable situation

Brexit: No-deal dossier shows worst-case scenario - Gove

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8/17/19

Climate Change: No, Climate Change Will Not End the World in 12 Years - by Sheril Kirshenbaum

Climate scientists, biologists, engineers and others with expertise have been speaking and writing about our changing planet for a long time. My own work has focused on how we'll figure out a way to come to terms with billions more people, limited resources and more extreme extremes. Droughts will be worse. Floods more severe. Storms increasingly intense.

I've often felt like a modern Cassandra, writing and speaking about the dramatic and unprecedented planetary shifts taking place due to short-sighted policy choices. Deforestation, the burning of fossil fuels, and the ways we use water and produce food inevitably do take a toll on the environment, our health and security. As a marine scientist, I observed firsthand how the pH of oceans has been changing along urban coasts in a process called acidification due to excess emissions.

The evidence of climate change has been all around us for a long time. Protecting people and Earth's co-inhabitants from its most devastating impacts will require institutional reckoning and action.

Doomsday scenarios may generate clicks and sell advertisements, but they always fail to convey that science is nuanced. Arbitrary "time left to apocalypse" predictions are not evidence based and the story of climate change doesn't fit neatly into brief bullet points competing for your attention in today's saturated media environment. Stoking panic and fear offers a false narrative that can overwhelm readers, leading to inaction and hopelessness.

When I worked on Capitol Hill 13 years ago, I faced a cacophony of staffers and lawmakers choosing inaction on the assumption that climate change wasn't real. Today many of the same people point to the dire predictions dominating the news and shrug off better policies with the excuse that the world is ending anyway.

If history teaches us anything, it's that humans have a penchant for anticipating our End Times. Ancient mythologies from cultures all around the world describe catastrophic floods and religious cults continue to recruit followers with predictions of death by comet or solar flare.

Earth isn't ending in 12 years. It didn't end at Y2K or when the Mayan calendar predicted the collapse of civilization in 2012.

Earth, as a whole, will be okay—for at least another few billion years. What's less settled is how humans and the rest of biodiversity on the planet will fare in the decades and centuries to come. That's up to us and I hope we work to highlight hope over Armageddon.

The world will end one day, but not today. And not tomorrow. And not in 2030. Earth will continue to change, but we're not necessarily doomed. Yet.

Read more at: No, Climate Change Will Not End the World in 12 Years - Scientific American Blog Network

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EU Survey: How do we build a stronger, more united Europe? The views of young people

Through this survey more than 10.000 young people across the EU (between 15 and 30 years) expressed their views on what the EU priorities should be as well as where education and training should focus in the years to come. Additionally, the survey provides an overview on young people’s trends regarding their social and civic participation.

Finally, it illustrates the situation regarding youth mobility and helps to identify the main reasons that possibly impede young people from taking part in a learning experience abroad.Through this survey more than 10.000 young people across the EU (between 15 and 30 years) expressed their views on what the EU priorities should be as well as where education and training should focus in the years to come.

Additionally, the survey provides an overview on young people’s trends regarding their social and civic participation. Finally, it illustrates the situation regarding youth mobility and helps to identify the main reasons that possibly impede young people from taking part in a learning experience abroad.

Read more at: How do we build a stronger, more united Europe? The views of young people

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Iran US Relations: Trump’s ‘Diplomacy’ in Iran Is a Cynical Farce - by Vijay Prashad

Word of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to sanction Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif did not seem to rattle the government in Iran. Zarif’s own reaction—that the U.S. is “isolating itself”—suggested the tone. Iran would not be intimidated.

Iranian officials echoed each other, saying that the United States was afraid of Zarif’s eloquence. Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said that the “White House is frightened by his diplomatic capabilities.” Majid Takht Ravanchi,

Read more: Trump’s ‘Diplomacy’ in Iran Is a Cynical Farce - Citizen Truth

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8/16/19

EU-US Relations: Trump Seems to Hate the EU. Is It Because He Already Had a George W. Bush Florida Orange Juice Moment?

Trump and his administration have been especially hateful of the EU with respect to Brexit, and their impudent encouragement of the UK to leave the Union, and on top of that to even do so without a Brexit deal, the so called hard or no-deal Brexit.

The latest of the Trump Administration’s EU bashing came this week from Trump’s National Security Adviser John Bolton who advertised a no-deal Brexit with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the British public with the prospects of a fast US-UK trade deal.

Bolton, however, also shyly admitted that such a deal wouldn’t probably take the form of a comprehensive all-out agreement but would likely be negotiated “in pieces” and stages.

Critics have reacted that to get even that, the UK would have to give the Trump Administration a lot of concessions and backing on all sorts of top-level global political issues.

Diplomatic tone and manners aside, it has got to be pointed out categorically that downgrading, diminishing, or even destroying the EU does not make sense from the point of view of America’s best interests. This is so self-explanatory that there is no need go into much detail here. It suffices to remind everybody that the West rests on two pillars – North America and (Western) Europe – the USA and the EU, respectively. And if one of those two pillars sabotages or undermines the other, that could lead to the collapse of the entire structure.

The fact that Brexit could actually prove a blessing, rather than a curse to the EU but effectively removing the countless British vetoes to the deepening and widening of EU integration is a whole other story.

Trump first seriously raised eyebrows on the other side of the Atlantic with his campaign speeches, and his first post-inauguration interview in January 2017, in which he openly bashed the European Union.

Read more: Trump Seems to Hate the EU. Is It Because He Already Had a George W. Bush Florida Orange Juice Moment?

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