Europe
- • 94%www.middleeasteye.net Former French PM de Villepin calls Gaza war 'greatest historic scandal'
The former right-wing premier under Jacques Chirac vilifies the French political and media response to Israel’s onslaught
When asked to comment on the appointment of Michel Barnier as prime minister and the political and economic challenges facing France, de Villepin concluded the interview by expressing his anger over the French political and media response to Israel's war on Gaza.
When the journalist brought up the conflict and cited the death toll as provided by "Hamas' health ministry", de Villepin quickly interrupted her.
“I hear that all the time... It is not only the Ministry of Health of Hamas that says that there are 40,000 dead; there are probably many more. Let’s not give the impression that this is a truncated figure,” he said. Visibly angered, he continued: “No, it is, unfortunately, an everyday reality. In Gaza, bodies are in pieces; hearts are in pieces; souls are in pieces; heads are in pieces.”
The former centre-right prime minister, who served under Jacques Chirac from 2005 to 2007, went on to describe Gaza as “undoubtedly the greatest historic scandal, which no one talks about in this country anymore”.
“It is silence, a lead weight; the media doesn't discuss it... I have to turn to Google to find news that gives me the number of deaths in Gaza. It is a real scandal in terms of democracy,” he said.
- reliefweb.int War and Theft: The Takeover of Ukraine’s Agricultural Land - Ukraine
Analysis in English on Ukraine about Agriculture; published on 21 Feb 2023 by Oakland Institute
- www.advocatingpeace.com French nurse who spent two weeks in Gaza arrested for speaking out against lsraeli genocide
“Imane Maarifi has just been released. Her police custody is over, and no charges will be filed. The search of her home in front of her family leaves no doubt about the intent to intimidate those who speak out in support of the Palestinian people and call for an immediate ceasefire,” he wrote on X.
Lawyer Rafik Chekkat, founder of the Islamophobia platform, said Imane Maarifi was arrested in the morning after raiding her home and taken into custody in front of her husband and children.
He criticized the arrest and said it took place at a time when French soldiers who fought in Gaza “enjoy total impunity.”
Thomas Portes, a lawmaker from the La France Insoumise, or France Unbowed (LFI) party, wrote that Maarifi was released from custody on Thursday afternoon.
“Imane Maarifi has just been released. Her police custody is over, and no charges will be filed. The search of her home in front of her family leaves no doubt about the intent to intimidate those who speak out in support of the Palestinian people and call for an immediate ceasefire,” he wrote on X.
According to the French daily newspaper l’Humanité, Maarifi was allegedly accused of making “insults in connection with a campaign against the Israeli investment and real estate fair taking place in Paris on September 8.”
Her supporters and friends believe this is “merely an attempt to intimidate her.”
- • 86%www.politico.eu After scrapping nuclear reactors, Germany to spend billions on new gas power plants
The fossil fuel expansion is needed to ensure long-term energy security, according to industry and the government.
- • 77%www.politico.eu Europe’s new normal: High energy bills, fading industry and one chance to fix it
German manufacturers are being strangled. The EU is feeling the pinch. Mario Draghi on Monday warned the EU may be staring at ‘slow agony.’
- • 100%www.bbc.com EU faces 'existential' problems, Brussels warned in Mario Draghi report
The long-awaited report paints a bleak picture days ahead of the EU's new top team being confirmed.
- • 100%www.intellinews.com Poland says Germany’s border controls “unacceptable”
The decision by the German government to introduce tighter border controls as measure to curb migration is “unacceptable,” Poland’s Prime ...
- • 100%www.thetimes.com Thousands go straight from university to long-term sickness
Students are one of the biggest contributors to rising economic inactivity, with deteriorating mental health a key factor
https://archive.ph/ulXlM
- news.sky.com UK economy continued to flatline in July recording no growth as Labour came to power - ONS
The data comes as a surprise. Economists had forecast a return to monthly growth.
- www.cnn.com Britain’s local governments at ‘serious’ risk of ‘widespread collapse’ | CNN Business
Local governments across England, Scotland and Wales face a £4.3 billion ($5.6 billion) hole in their finances in the coming year, according to a new report. That could force cuts to jobs and vital services, such as rubbish collection.
- https:// www.ft.com /content/b8dd41dc-4fd9-4673-8b07-6af70e7f4213
https://archive.is/BmNIx
- • 100%www.euractiv.com Tusk cancels trip to Germany amid deteriorating relations
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called off his visit to Germany, planned for later this week, as relations between the two countries worsen.
- • 75%www.bloomberg.com The US Will Abandon Europe. But When and How?
No matter who wins the White House, Europeans should know that Washington is drawing up scenarios for pulling out. They’re not pretty.
https://archive.is/2024.09.09-142756/https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-09-09/us-will-leave-europe-to-its-fate-but-when-and-how
- • 100%theconversation.com The past, present and uncertain future of the UK’s steel industry
UK steel is known to be of high quality, but rising costs, its environmental footprint and cheap imports mean the government will need innovative solutions to save the industry.
- • 50%www.economist.com Can anything spark Europe’s economy back to life?
Mario Draghi, the continent’s unofficial chief technocrat, has a plan
https://archive.is/ZFM4g
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- • 90%
Germany in crisis: Intel and Volkswagen mull a multibillion-dollar withdrawal from the country
fortune.com Is Germany in crisis? Giants consider pulling billions from economyIntel is reconsidering a €30 billion factory while Volkswagen contemplates closures as German industry drowns in a two-year recession.
https://archive.is/Itjop
- • 87%www.spectator.co.uk How long can Macron ignore French voters?
France's president Emmanuel Macron is using the Paralympics to grandstand, but when will he pause to consider the will of the French people?
- • 100%www.theguardian.com ‘We are in danger of being the doom and gloom government’: can Starmer’s hardline strategy actually work?
The PM’s grim rose-garden message hasn’t impressed voters and some MPs fear ‘tough decisions’ show a lack of empathy – and no promise they’ll pay off
- • 100%www.barrons.com Germany's Far-right AfD Wins First State Election: Exit Poll
Germany's far-right AfD has won its first regional election, taking between 30.5 and 33.5 percent of the vote in the former East German state of Thuringia, exit polls showed on Sunday.
- • 90%www.normalisland.co.uk Starmer inspires the public with message that things can never get better
This is why Labour won by a landslide
- • 94%www.lemonde.fr French left seek backing for Macron impeachment
Radical left party La France Insoumise argues that it is not up to the president 'to do political horsetrading,' taking aim at Emmanuel Macron's efforts since July to find a prime minister who would not be immediately ousted in a confidence vote.
- www.spiegel.de (S+) Konjunktur: Deutschland ist der alte Mann Europas – nun bricht auch noch die Kauflaune ein
Die Wirtschaft rutscht immer tiefer in die Krise, die Arbeitslosigkeit steigt, auch einstigen Boombranchen geht es schlecht. Jetzt kommt Verbrauchern auch noch die Kauflaune abhanden.
https://www.patrick-breyer.de/en/take-action-to-stop-chat-control-now/
- • 92%www.palestinechronicle.com ‘Content Posted Online’ - British Police Arrest Rights Activist, Sarah Wilkinson
British police arrested human rights activist Sarah Wilkinson after raiding her home reportedly for “content that she has posted online."
- • 100%www.rfi.fr French nuclear giant slips into the red following Niger-French breakup
French nuclear giant Orano ended the first half of the year with a loss of €133 million, weighed down by difficulties in its mining activities in Niger due to a "highly degraded" political context since…
- • 100%www.theguardian.com Average annual energy bill to rise by 10% to £1,717 in Great Britain from October
Campaigners fear increase by £149 in energy price cap by Ofgem will put more pressure on households
cross-posted from: https://feddit.org/post/2312726
> We need taxes for all - also the super-rich. > > "Tax the rich" is an official EU petition. > The EU Parliament has to deal with it when successful. > > 7 EU countries must reach the quorum > Check yours in the chart and share! > > The petition calls for the introduction of a wealth tax on very large fortunes. > Sign now
- • 100%www.politico.eu Macron rejects left’s PM candidate, keeping governance talks stalled
The French president reiterated his refusal to appoint a left-wing government following last month’s snap elections.
There’s a Neoliberal coup happening in France.
In a communiqué just released, President Macron has officially rejected the formation of a government led by the New Popular Front. This is an unprecedented event in the history of France under its 5th Republic, where the election loser refuses to cede power to the victor.
Macron defends his decision with the argument that he must ensure France remains unfettered and strong. He asserts that nominating a NPF government would lead it to be silenced by parliament and rendered ineffective.
However, this situation presents an irksome reality: Macron's party got fewer votes and MPs than the NPF yet still clings to power. Macron himself decides on who can or cannot assume power based on his perception of what would undermine French strength, a notion that seems to defy logic.
- threadreaderapp.com Thread by @RnaudBertrand on Thread Reader App
@RnaudBertrand: Quite an incredible move in French politics today that might reveal that we're in fact witnessing nothing less than a coup by Macron. Let me explain 🧵 You'll remember that on the 7th of July...…