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Calls have intensified to halt council funding for a monthly "climate café" hosted by Extinction Rebellion (XR) in Bolton, sparking debate over public money being used to support the group’s activities. Conservative leaders in Bolton argue that council taxpayers should not have to finance the efforts of a pressure group known for its controversial environmental activism. The café, held at the Albert Halls since September last year, is run by Extinction Rebellion’s Bolton branch and is open to all residents. Recently, the café received a £1,134 grant from the council’s Queens Park and Central ward area working budget, a fund managed by ward councillors to support community projects. The Saturday morning events have featured discussions and guest speakers on topics like food waste, fast fashion, and sustainable gardening. Queens Park Labour councillor Richard Silvester praised the funding approval, highlighting that the café aims to educate the public about climate change and its effects on people, other species, and the environment. He described the group as “a good group of people” whose mission to reduce carbon emissions aligns with the council’s objectives. Extinction Rebellion Bolton emphasized that the café offers a relaxed atmosphere for residents to learn about climate and environmental issues. However, at a council meeting on September 4, Conservative leader Martyn Cox criticized the funding decision, accusing the Labour group of using taxpayers’ money to support XR’s activities. Cox argued, “While campaigning groups have a right to pursue their aims, it is not the responsibility of council tax payers to fund their activities. We call on the Labour group to stop funding.” In a statement earlier this year, Extinction Rebellion announced a shift away from disruptive direct actions, focusing instead on building relationships and prioritizing attendance at events. However, other environmental groups, such as Just Stop Oil, have continued with direct actions despite XR’s new approach. Conservative councillor Anne Galloway also raised concerns about the funding, noting that while the grant met council criteria, Extinction Rebellion remains a controversial organization. Council leader Nick Peel defended the funding, stating that the climate café provides education on environmental issues and encourages residents to adopt greener behaviors. Peel acknowledged the complexities of funding such groups, noting, “There’s a fine line between what an organization is trying to achieve through education and whether that organization is political.” Peel further pointed out that the council funds other community groups like Bolton Green Umbrella, which organizes environmental volunteer activities, and noted that many funded groups have agendas that could be seen as political or social. He warned against being overly critical of funding decisions, arguing that the café’s educational purpose was supported by ward councillors. Peel also mentioned that Cllr Cox had previously attended an Extinction Rebellion-organized meeting as a guest speaker, highlighting that the group’s involvement in community education aligned with funding criteria. Vicki Attenborough, a representative of Extinction Rebellion Bolton, defended the café, stating that the sessions have been well received by the community. She highlighted that topics covered include active travel, upcycling, climate change, and waste reduction. Attenborough stressed the importance of such initiatives, particularly as climate concerns increasingly impact mental health, especially among young people. “The climate café provides a space for them to share thoughts and ideas as well as support their own resilience,” she said, adding that engaging in positive actions with others can help counteract climate anxiety. As the debate continues, the row over the climate café funding reflects broader tensions about the role of public funding in supporting activism and community education, especially when it involves polarizing groups like Extinction Rebellion. Credit: Bolton News 2024-09-11 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

SpaceX has embarked on its most daring mission yet, launching a crew of four private astronauts on a groundbreaking journey that will include the first-ever spacewalk by civilians. The mission, which blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is a significant milestone in private space exploration, traditionally the domain of highly trained government astronauts. The Polaris Dawn mission features a diverse crew: billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, a retired military fighter pilot, and two SpaceX employees. This mission marks a bold step forward in space exploration, as the crew will use SpaceX's newly designed spacesuits and a redesigned spacecraft. The mission had faced delays, including a last-minute postponement due to a helium leak on the launchpad and subsequent grounding by U.S. regulators following an unrelated booster recovery failure. Despite these setbacks, the mission is now in orbit around Earth. This journey is filled with unprecedented risks. Only one crew member has previously been to space, and the SpaceX Dragon capsule will take them farther from Earth than any human has traveled since the Apollo missions, venturing through the planet’s radiation belts. The crew is set to attempt the first private spacewalk, testing new spacesuits in the vacuum of space from a spacecraft that lacks an airlock. The mission’s high level of risk raises questions about its insurability, but it is moving forward with determination. Jared Isaacman, who commands and funds the mission, is a passionate advocate for humanity’s exploration beyond Earth. He views the experiments and technological advancements on this flight as crucial steps in this journey. Isaacman has already paid for three Polaris missions, with the hope that the third will involve SpaceX's Starship, the mega-rocket envisioned by Elon Musk to one day carry humans to Mars. Musk has optimistically projected that uncrewed Starship flights could occur within two years, with crewed missions following two years later, and the establishment of a self-sustaining city on Mars within 20 years. While this timeline may seem ambitious, missions like Polaris Dawn are seen as essential in making such goals a reality. Elon Musk emphasized the mission's importance and inherent risks, noting that "crew safety is absolutely paramount and this mission carries more risk than usual, as it will be the furthest humans have traveled from Earth since Apollo and the first commercial spacewalk." Spacewalks have been a routine part of space missions, with around 270 conducted on the International Space Station since its inception in 2000, and 16 by Chinese astronauts on the Tiangong space station. However, the Polaris Dawn mission represents a new chapter in space exploration, as it is driven by private enterprise rather than government agencies. The mission, which will last about five days, follows an elliptical orbit ranging from 190 km (118 miles) to 1,400 km (870 miles) from Earth, making it the furthest human space mission since the Apollo moon landings ended in 1972. As the spacecraft continues its journey, the crew is preparing for their historic spacewalk with a "two-day pre-breathe process" to acclimate them to the conditions they will face on Thursday. This mission not only pushes the boundaries of what private space exploration can achieve but also brings humanity one step closer to realizing the dream of interplanetary travel. The success of Polaris Dawn could pave the way for even more ambitious missions in the future, inching closer to the possibility of human settlement on Mars. Credit: Sky News 2024-09-11 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

A new wave of American populism is attempting to rewrite the history of Winston Churchill, painting the wartime Prime Minister as a villain rather than a hero. Traditionally, the critique of Churchill’s legacy has come from the Left, which often portrays him as a racist imperialist and the architect of controversial events such as the Bengal famine, the Tonypandy Riots, and the suppression of independence movements from India to Ireland. However, recent efforts to rebrand Churchill as a warmonger are emerging from a surprising source: Right-wing American populists. This shift was brought into sharp focus when Darryl Cooper, a Right-wing American historian, sat down with Tucker Carlson for an interview in which he labeled Churchill the “chief villain of the Second World War.” Cooper’s claims included the argument that Churchill was responsible for spreading the war beyond Poland in 1939, refusing to negotiate with Hitler in 1940, and ordering the bombing of German cities. Carlson, a former Fox News presenter and Donald Trump supporter, amplified these controversial views to his vast audience, sparking outrage. Churchill biographer Sir Max Hastings dismissed Cooper as a “know-nothing” who seeks attention rather than historical accuracy, advising the public to ignore him. However, the interview quickly gained traction online, with Elon Musk briefly endorsing it and a show that normally attracts 800,000 viewers reaching over 33 million views on social media platform X. As the debate raged on, prominent historians and biographers, including Sir Niall Ferguson and Andrew Roberts, stepped forward to defend Churchill’s legacy, describing Cooper’s portrayal as a “pack of lies.” Ferguson and Roberts emphasized that Hitler, not Churchill, remains the widely accepted villain of the Second World War. Roberts argued that Churchill spent much of his career fighting against totalitarian threats, including Nazism, Communism, and Wilhelminism, ultimately preserving the freedoms that allowed such criticisms of him to flourish. Victor Davis Hanson, another military historian, noted that Britain entered the war to defend the territorial integrity of other nations, unlike any of the other major powers at the time. Any suggestion that Churchill should have negotiated peace with Hitler, Hanson argued, ignores the real threat of Nazi tyranny and the genocidal horrors that followed. Despite widespread condemnation of Cooper’s views, his comments have reignited discussions about Churchill’s legacy and reflect a broader trend in contemporary American politics. Some Right-wing critics argue that Churchill’s wartime decisions weakened the West, a perspective that echoes earlier, more academic critiques from the 1990s by British historian John Charmley. Charmley argued that Churchill’s refusal to negotiate with Hitler doomed the British Empire, allowed socialism to take root in Britain, and paved the way for Soviet dominance in Europe. Historian Dominic Sandbrook notes that while Charmley’s perspective never gained significant traction in Britain, the idea of criticizing Churchill from the Right has deeper roots in American populism, dating back to the isolationist sentiments of the 1920s and 1930s. Churchill’s aristocratic demeanor and close ties with European elites made him an easy target for American populists suspicious of foreign entanglements and conspiracies. Michelle Goldberg of The New York Times warns that the resurgence of anti-Churchill sentiment reflects a broader attempt to undermine established narratives about the Second World War. Some commentators, like Marc Johnson, even suggest that these efforts are part of a disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting Western democracy and rewriting history in favor of authoritarian ideologies. While some, like political consultant Frank Luntz, argue that Cooper’s views are unlikely to gain mainstream acceptance, the attention they have received highlights the influence of a loose network of internet provocateurs, contrarians, and self-styled historians. Sohrab Ahmari, a conservative columnist, refers to this phenomenon as the rise of the “Barbarian Right,” a group that glorifies strength, rejects egalitarian values, and often flirts with racist and anti-Semitic ideas. In the end, the recent controversy surrounding Churchill’s legacy is less about historical revisionism and more about the cultural battles of today. By questioning widely accepted historical narratives, figures like Cooper and Carlson aim to provoke rather than inform, exploiting the complexities of history to fuel modern political agendas. As historian Megan Garber aptly puts it, the true targets of this campaign are not the historical figures themselves but the cultural and political opponents of the present. Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-09-11 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

A senior officer from Scotland Yard has admitted that the Metropolitan Police made mistakes in their approach to policing the recent pro-Palestine protests. Matt Twist, the assistant commissioner responsible for public order policing, conceded that the force "didn’t get everything right," particularly in the initial stages of the demonstrations in October. The Policy Exchange report, released ahead of a government review of protest policing, revealed that many town and city centers targeted for protests had effectively become “no-go” zones for the general public. The report found that over two-thirds of 1,500 adults surveyed would avoid traveling into towns or city centers with young children, elderly, or disabled relatives if a major protest was taking place. Additionally, more than six in ten respondents indicated they would abandon plans to visit tourist attractions or go shopping if a protest were scheduled. The report criticized the police, prosecutors, the government, and the courts for often failing to prioritize the rights of ordinary citizens over the “rights” of disruptive protesters. It found that more than 80 percent of those polled believed police should intervene when protesters damaged private property, threatened passersby, or displayed banners with racist or derogatory slogans. Furthermore, more than three-quarters agreed that police should act when protesters obstructed roads, blocked access to public transport or workplaces, or climbed on buildings or monuments. The cost of policing these protests in London from October 2023 to June 2024 was revealed to be £42.9 million. The protests required 51,799 police officer shifts, which were diverted from addressing other crimes such as knife crime, violence against women, and antisocial behavior in London. Additionally, 9,639 police officer shifts were diverted into London from other parts of the country. Each major march, which has been regularly held in the capital since October 2023, has typically taken over 3.6 kilometers of major London streets for an average of five hours at a time. The Policy Exchange report made over 20 recommendations, including granting police greater powers to prohibit protests if there is a risk of serious public disorder. It also suggested that protesters be required to provide 28 days' notice before demonstrations to allow more time for police and other agencies to prepare. Credit: BBC | X 2024-09-11 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

A person in Missouri has been infected with H5N1 bird flu, despite having no known contact with sick animals. This case has sparked concern among experts, who are racing to determine how the virus was transmitted to the patient. One theory is that the individual may have consumed raw milk infected with H5N1, which has been circulating among U.S. cattle. Another possibility is that the person unknowingly came into contact with an infected animal. This case is particularly alarming because it marks the first time a patient in the ongoing H5N1 outbreak in the U.S. has become sick without known exposure to infected animals. Previously, all 13 reported human cases in the U.S. this year were among farm workers who had direct contact with sick cattle or birds. The patient in Missouri was hospitalized on August 22 and has since recovered, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The case was detected through the state’s seasonal flu surveillance system, raising concerns that there could be other cases that have gone undetected. The H5N1 virus, a deadly pathogen that has killed hundreds of millions of birds worldwide, has also been found in mammals such as foxes and otters in Britain. Some experts fear that such "spillover events" could ignite the next global pandemic. The avian flu began spreading in U.S. dairy cattle last December, and over 200 herds across 14 states have since been infected, although none have been reported in Missouri. However, Missouri has seen cases of H5N1 in wild birds and poultry, suggesting a possible route of infection. The primary concern among experts is that this unexplained H5 infection could signal the beginning of human-to-human transmission, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned would be of “enormous concern” due to its potential to trigger a global pandemic. "This is how pandemics start," said Kruitka Kuppali, a spokesperson for the Infectious Disease Society of America and a former WHO medical officer. "We need to scale up preparedness and response efforts." The 2009 swine flu pandemic was first detected in a similar manner when two children in California, who had no known contact with pigs or each other, were diagnosed with an H1N1 flu infection that had been circulating in swine. Another theory being considered is that the patient may have consumed raw milk infected with H5N1, a pathogen that has already killed several barnyard cats in the U.S. this year. Approximately three percent of the U.S. population, or around 10 million people, consume raw dairy, which some consider a "superfood," according to the National Institutes of Health. Thomas Peacock, an influenza virologist at the Pirbright Institute, questioned whether the patient might have consumed raw milk, stating, "The obvious question I would ask is: Have you ruled out that they’re not someone who’s got a big tub of raw milk in their fridge? Because that just seems like such an obvious route for a cryptic infection." However, Lisa Cox, a spokesperson for the Missouri Health Department, noted that the patient had not reported consuming raw milk. Dr. Peacock added that people aren’t always completely reliable in epidemiological investigations, so the possibility cannot be entirely ruled out. Dr. Kuppali emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough epidemiological investigation to determine any potential exposures the patient may have had in the community, at home, or at work. The CDC has confirmed that Missouri health officials are conducting an on-the-ground investigation to identify the source of the infection, although it is unclear when the findings will be made public. Scientists are eager to sequence the virus and upload it to GISAID, an international database that tracks dangerous new flu strains. This could provide clues as to whether the patient was infected with the variant circulating in cattle or if the virus has undergone adaptations that make it more capable of spreading between humans. So far, contact tracing has not revealed any additional cases, and the CDC continues to consider the risk to the general public as low. Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-09-11 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign has strategically updated its website to present detailed policy positions, drawing a clear line between her vision for the future and that of former President Donald Trump. This move comes just one day before their anticipated presidential debate, emphasizing the stark differences in their proposed policies. The newly added page, titled "A New Way Forward," emphasizes Harris's commitment to building what she describes as an "opportunity economy" aimed at lowering costs for American families. The economy remains a top concern for voters, and Harris has faced criticism from the GOP, which argues that her administration would merely extend the economic challenges of the Biden years. Many Americans have expressed frustration with the rising costs of essentials such as groceries, gas, rent, and child care during this period. Harris’s economic proposals include plans to cut taxes for middle-class families, make rent more affordable, and promote homeownership. Additionally, her campaign highlights efforts to support small businesses and invest in entrepreneurs. The page concludes with a pointed critique of "Trump’s Project 2025 agenda," claiming that it would "jack up prices" and further burden American families. Although Trump has attempted to distance himself from Project 2025—a conservative policy blueprint developed by the Heritage Foundation—Harris’s campaign clearly seeks to tie him to the initiative. Another key section of Harris’s policy platform focuses on "fundamental freedoms," where she outlines her commitment to restoring and protecting reproductive rights and safeguarding civil liberties. The campaign contrasts this with the Project 2025 agenda, which it notes includes a national abortion ban, underscoring the potential rollback of rights under a Trump presidency. Harris also addresses public safety, promising to make communities safer from gun violence, reform the immigration system, and tackle the opioid and fentanyl crises. She firmly states that her administration would "ensure no one is above the law," a statement likely aimed at distinguishing her approach to justice from that of her opponent. The final section of her platform, titled "Keep America Safe, Secure, and Prosperous," outlines plans to stand with allies, confront dictators, and lead on the global stage. Harris emphasizes investing in America's strengths and supporting service members and veterans. In contrast, Trump's platform page highlights 20 key issues, leading with border security and ending inflation. As the campaign progresses and the debates unfold, the stark differences between Harris’s and Trump’s visions for America will likely be a focal point for voters seeking a clear direction for the country's future. Credit: The Hill 2024-09-11 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

The notorious far-right and neo-Nazi paramilitary organization, known as the Rusich Group, has reportedly entered into an official agreement with Russia's FSB Border Service. The group's claim of this collaboration involves conducting intelligence activities and reinforcing the border with Finland. The Rusich Group, officially known as Diversionno-shturmovaya razvedyvatel’naya gruppa (DShRG), originated from underground neo-Nazi circles in St. Petersburg. They first emerged on the battlefield as a volunteer battalion in the Russian-controlled Donbas region in 2014. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, members of the Rusich Group have been linked to the Wagner Group, another infamous paramilitary force active in the conflict. The group's announcement on Telegram highlighted their new role in working with the FSB Border Service. According to their statement, "DSHRG Rusich officially entered into cooperation with the FSB Border Service on the state border of Russia to exchange experience, conduct intelligence activities and strengthen the border with Finland." Russia shares a 1,340-kilometer land border with Finland, stretching from the Gulf of Finland in the south to the Kola Peninsula in the north. The FSB Border Guard Service, responsible for the northwestern district covering Karelia and Murmansk, is based in Petrozavodsk. Despite attempts to reach them for comments, the FSB has stopped responding to inquiries from the Barents Observer via phone or email. The border between Russia and Finland is currently closed, following a previous incident where the FSB allegedly facilitated the entry of thousands of migrants into Schengen-Europe through Finnish crossing points. Helsinki has made it clear that the border will remain closed until Moscow assures that such hybrid operations will cease. The Rusich Group is notorious for its brutal war crimes, particularly against prisoners of war (POWs). The group has openly called for the execution of Ukrainian POWs, and videos depicting acts of torture and execution have surfaced on the internet. Their neo-Nazi ideology blends elements of Slavic and Viking paganism with Russian nationalism, patriotism, and Nazism. One of the group's leaders, Jan Petrovsky, who now goes by the name Voislav Torden, has a history of involvement in far-right movements, including the neo-Nazi Nordic Resistance Movement in Norway. Petrovsky, after years of fighting in Donbas and being active in St. Petersburg with the Rusich Group, was arrested by Finnish police at Helsinki airport in July 2023. Although Kyiv sought his extradition, Finland's Supreme Court ultimately rejected the request, according to Helsingin Sanomat. The Rusich Group's social media presence, particularly on Telegram, features images of their paramilitary activities. These include patrolling boreal forests similar to those found on the Russian side of the Finland border, armed with automatic rifles and other weapons such as sniper rifles, machine guns, hand grenades, and handmade explosives. The group also displays symbols like the old-Viking Tiwaz and the eight-rayed Kolovrat, known as the Slavic swastika, which are emblematic of their pan-Scandinavian and pan-Slavic ideology. The FSB Border Service, tasked with patrolling Russia’s external borders, operates as a branch of the FSB. Like Finland, Russia maintains a strict no-go border zone, fenced off with barbed wire along its entire length from the Barents Sea in the north to the Baltic regions in the south. This border security framework has roots in the Soviet era when border guards were part of the NKVD, later the KGB. Although Russia's first president, Boris Yeltsin, briefly separated the border guards from intelligence oversight in 1993, Vladimir Putin reinstated them under FSB control in 2003. In response to concerns from Helsinki, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, deployed guards last year to assist Finland in monitoring its eastern border. This move reflects the increasing tension and the complex security dynamics in the region as Russia continues to leverage paramilitary groups like Rusich to assert its influence and control over its borders. Credit: Barents Observer 2024-09-11 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

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US prosecutors in California have charged two individuals with leading a white supremacist group on the messaging app Telegram, where they allegedly encouraged acts of violence across the country. In a 37-page indictment unsealed on Monday, Dallas Erin Humber, 34, and Matthew Robert Allison, 37, were accused of spearheading the "Terrorgram" network, which aimed to incite terror attacks to ignite a race war. The indictment alleges that Humber and Allison used Terrorgram as a platform to distribute bomb-making materials, circulate assassination target lists, and urge members to carry out violent attacks. Prosecutors claim that Allison exhorted group members to "take action now" and "do your part," emphasizing the immediacy and necessity of their violent mission. The pair allegedly took control of Terrorgram in 2022 after one of its previous leaders was arrested on terrorism charges. According to the indictment, the group’s ideology is rooted in "white supremacist accelerationism," a belief system that advocates for the superiority of the white race and sees violence as essential to establishing a "white ethnostate." At the forefront of this network, Humber and Allison allegedly disseminated extremist content, including videos and posts titled "The Hard Reset," "White Terror," and "The List." "The List" reportedly contained the names of "high value targets," including a US senator, a federal district court judge, and other state and local officials. When announcing the charges, officials emphasized the seriousness of the alleged crimes. Matt Olsen, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, stated, "These are not mere words," highlighting that Humber and Allison were not just engaging in rhetorical incitement but actively working to provoke real-world violence. Prosecutors also allege that several planned and executed attacks in recent years could be linked to the Terrorgram network. Among these incidents is an October 2022 shooting at an LGBTQ bar in Slovakia, where two people were killed, and a stabbing attack in Turkey. These events underscore the global reach and deadly potential of the network. Both Humber, of Elk Grove, California, and Allison, of Boise, Idaho, face 15 federal counts, including solicitation of murder of a federal official, solicitation of a hate crime, and conspiracy to provide material support for terrorists. The pair were arrested on Friday, according to reports from the Associated Press. It remains unclear if either has secured legal representation. In a related development, late last month, Telegram's chief executive, Pavel Durov, was arrested under a warrant for offenses related to the operation of his app. The ongoing investigation into Telegram centers on accusations of insufficient moderation, particularly in curbing criminal activities such as drug trafficking, child exploitation, and fraud. Telegram has previously denied claims of inadequate moderation, but the latest charges against Humber and Allison highlight the app's use as a platform for dangerous and illegal activities. Credit: BBC 2024-09-10 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

Former President Donald Trump, who has consistently pushed the false narrative that the 2020 presidential election was stolen through widespread fraud, recently escalated his rhetoric by threatening to imprison those he perceives as engaging in dishonest activities during the 2024 election. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump reiterated his baseless claims of election fraud, accusing Democrats of "rampant Cheating and Skullduggery." He warned that the upcoming election would be monitored with "the closest professional scrutiny" and vowed to prosecute anyone involved in what he described as "unscrupulous behavior." “The 2024 Election, where Votes have just started being cast, will be under the closest professional scrutiny and, WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again," Trump wrote. He extended his warning to a broad group, stating, “Please beware that this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials. Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country.” This threat marks one of the most comprehensive he has issued since announcing his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, targeting not only his usual adversaries but also those indirectly involved with the election, such as donors and election workers. This move is reminiscent of his 2016 campaign, where he repeatedly threatened to jail his opponent, Hillary Clinton, though he typically refrained from attacking those on the periphery. The impact of such rhetoric has already been felt by election workers, who have faced numerous threats following the 2020 election. Among them are Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, whose lives were dramatically altered after Trump and his allies falsely accused them of fraud. In the months leading up to the 2020 election, Trump began spreading unfounded warnings of election interference, which intensified after his loss and culminated in the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, as his supporters attempted to prevent the certification of Joe Biden's victory. Trump has begun to make similar statements as the 2024 election approaches. During a recent speech in Wisconsin, Trump emphasized the GOP’s focus on election integrity, suggesting that if Republicans manage to prevent Democrats from cheating, his campaign efforts would be largely unnecessary. “We gotta stop the cheating. If we stop that cheating, if we don’t let them cheat, I don’t even have to campaign anymore,” he said. “We’re going to win by so much. In the meantime, too big to rig, too big to rig.” After the 2020 election, Trump and his allies filed numerous lawsuits in an attempt to overturn the results, all of which were unsuccessful. As the 2024 election draws near, some Democrats have expressed concerns that the GOP's legal maneuvers in key battleground states are intended to cast doubt on the results should Trump lose again. Credit: NBC News 2024-09-10 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

In the heart of Oxfordshire, a £51 million car park, sprawling across 19 acres with 850 spaces, stands as a symbol of mismanagement and unfulfilled promises. From above, it resembles a meticulously designed racing circuit, with ring roads, bus shelters, and perfectly painted parking lines. Yet, despite its grandeur, this car park is destined to remain empty for years to come. The reason? It cannot be connected to the main road just a few meters away due to halted improvements on the A40 dual carriageway, thwarted by planning and cost issues. This colossal waste, an island of empty potential, is a fitting metaphor for the current state of Britain under the Labour government led by Keir Starmer. The situation in Eynsham encapsulates a broader pattern: a government that excels in bluster, blame, and endless tinkering without achieving meaningful progress. The Labour government has quickly mastered the art of shallow interference, paying lip service to socialist ideals without the conviction to implement them effectively. A prime example is their recent decision to withdraw the winter fuel payment for older people, citing a supposed £22 billion financial black hole left by their predecessors. This move, predictably unpopular, has prompted the government to suggest that around 800,000 pensioners eligible for pension credit should navigate a complex online application process to claim what is rightfully theirs. The idea that elderly citizens should jump through such hoops, entering verification codes and deciphering CAPTCHA challenges, is absurd. Many would rather forgo the payment than endure the ordeal, highlighting the government’s failure to adopt a more pragmatic approach, such as issuing automatic payments based on existing data. This penchant for tinkering is evident in other areas as well. The government’s proposals to ban smoking in public spaces, for instance, represent an unnecessary intrusion into personal freedoms. The same can be said for their musings on regulating concert ticket prices, as illustrated by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's outrage over "vastly inflated prices" excluding ordinary fans from live music events. These are not the pressing issues of the day, yet they consume the government’s attention while more significant challenges, such as the overhaul of the food manufacturing industry, are ignored. Even in matters of foreign policy, the Labour government’s approach is one of token gestures rather than substantive action. Their decision to tinker with arms exports to Israel, issuing 30 export licenses in response to alleged humanitarian violations, is nothing more than a weak nod to the pro-Gaza wing of the party. Meanwhile, Angela Rayner returns from her Ibiza holiday, spouting slogans like "remediation acceleration" on the Today programme, while remaining silent on more serious issues such as the fatalities at the Notting Hill Carnival. Labour won the right to govern after the chaos of the Tory years, but their current trajectory risks squandering this opportunity. Instead of bold actions, they offer half-measures and empty gestures. Like the car park in Eynsham, their policies may look impressive on the surface, but without the infrastructure to make them work, they remain unused and ineffective. If Labour continues to tinker without tackling the big issues, they will find themselves splintered and sidelined, their chance to lead slipping away, leaving Britain as empty and directionless as that Oxfordshire car park. Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-09-10 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

As the September 30 deadline to avert a government shutdown looms, Congress is facing significant internal conflicts, particularly among Republicans, which could lead to a prolonged funding battle. Both parties are firmly entrenched in their positions, with some Republicans even expressing doubts about their own party's strategy as government funding is set to expire in less than a month. Lawmakers returned to Washington with the urgent task of preventing a shutdown. While the upcoming elections might reduce the likelihood of a funding lapse, the debate is expected to be contentious. House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), unveiled a plan that ties a six-month stopgap funding measure, also known as a continuing resolution (CR), to legislation that demands stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements to register to vote. "Today, House Republicans are taking a critically important step to keep the federal government funded and to secure our federal election process," Johnson declared, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring that "only American citizens can decide American elections." In recent months, conservatives have increasingly called for a stopgap that extends beyond December, anticipating the potential return of former President Trump to the Oval Office in January. Their goal is to avoid a massive end-of-year omnibus spending bill. Despite the urgency, Johnson's plan has already faced skepticism within his own party. Some Republicans caution against assuming the outcome of the November elections, with concerns about burdening a newly elected Congress with a complex appropriations process. One House Republican voiced concerns about the challenges for newly elected members who may lack understanding of the appropriations process, especially with the debt limit also looming in January. Additionally, there are doubts about the wisdom of attaching the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to the CR, given the strong likelihood that the Democratic-controlled Senate will reject it. Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) criticized Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), accusing him of wanting "illegals to vote in American elections." Rosendale argued that Republicans should focus on passing all 12 appropriations bills, rather than pursuing a strategy that is likely to fail. Despite the internal divisions, some Republicans, like Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who is the lead sponsor of the SAVE Act, are pushing for the GOP to unite and move forward. Roy emphasized the need for the party to strategize effectively over the next two months, stating, "But we got to figure out what we’re going to do about government funding, and we got to figure out what we’re going to do about picking a fight that differentiates us from Democrats." Democrats have strongly opposed the GOP’s plan, with Shalanda Young, director of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, accusing Congressional Republicans of wasting time. Young emphasized that there is a clear, bipartisan path to responsibly fund the government, warning that the proposed six-month CR ignores pressing needs that could have severe consequences for defense, veterans, and communities. The funding battle also coincides with concerns from both parties over a $3 billion budget shortfall facing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This shortfall, largely attributed to the PACT Act, a landmark law passed in 2022 that expanded VA health care, could disrupt benefit payments for millions of veterans and survivors in October if Congress does not act by September 20. Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), the top Republican on the subcommittee responsible for VA funding, acknowledged the urgency of addressing the shortfall, expressing a desire to ensure veterans do not miss critical payments. Credit: The Hill 2024-09-10 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

In a candid interview with "The Times", Sir Ian McKellen, the esteemed 85-year-old actor, shared his thoughts on the challenges of royal life, with a particular focus on Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. McKellen, known for his distinguished career and sharp wit, didn't hold back in expressing his views on the difficulties of existing within the British monarchy. Reflecting on Prince Harry's experiences, McKellen suggested that the Duke might not have been intellectually equipped to navigate the complexities of royal life. "Hats off to anyone who manages to stay sane in that world," he said, before speculating, "As for Harry, he’s probably not bright enough or doesn’t have the right friends to really help himself." Despite his critique, McKellen expressed empathy towards the Prince, emphasizing that he was "most definitely on Harry’s side." McKellen's observations seemed to be influenced by his recent reading of Prince Harry's memoir, *Spare*, which recounts the Duke's personal struggles and revelations. The actor acknowledged the immense pressure faced by members of the royal family, noting that even those who appeared to cope, such as the late Duke of Edinburgh and the current King, seemed to carry deep scars. "The Duke of Edinburgh managed to stay sane in that world, although even he was deeply, deeply eccentric and I suspect deeply unhappy. Same with the present King. He sort of survives, but he is clearly damaged," McKellen reflected. Beyond his commentary on Prince Harry, Sir Ian also shared his personal experiences with the late Queen Elizabeth II, who knighted him in 1991 and awarded him a Companion of Honour medal in 2008 for his contributions to drama and equality. McKellen did not shy away from critiquing the Queen's demeanor during their encounters, describing her as "bloody rude" and speculating that she was "quite mad at the end." Recalling a specific incident, McKellen recounted how the Queen's remarks during a medal ceremony left him feeling dismissed. "When I received a medal for acting, she said, ‘You’ve been doing this for an awfully long time.’ I said, ‘Well, not as long as you.’ I got a royal smile for that, but then she said, ‘Does anyone still actually go to the theatre?’ That’s bloody rude when you’re giving someone a medal for acting. It meant, ‘Does anyone care a f--- about you because I don’t. Now off you go!’" McKellen added that the Queen's handshake during the encounter felt like a dismissal, as she pushed him away when he tried to take her hand. In reflecting on the lives of the royal family, McKellen expressed a degree of sympathy, acknowledging the difficulties of being born into such a public and constrained existence. "Imagine being born into the Royal family. I’ve been in public life a bit, but these people are in prison. They can’t do anything normal. Can you imagine having to be nice to everyone you talk to?" McKellen, who is currently recovering from a fall during a performance at the Noel Coward Theatre in June, has been taking time off from acting to recuperate. Despite his recent injuries, the two-time Oscar nominee hinted at a potential return to his iconic role as Gandalf in a new *Lord of the Rings* film being planned by Warner Bros. As he continues to recover, his candid reflections offer a rare glimpse into his personal views on the British monarchy and the individuals within it. Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-09-10 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

Australian police are collaborating with international authorities to track down a man suspected of pouring boiling coffee on a nine-month-old baby in Brisbane. The shocking and seemingly random attack, which took place last month, has left the infant with severe burns to his face and limbs, sparking widespread outrage across the nation. The incident occurred on August 31, when the baby was at a picnic with his family in a suburban park. According to witnesses, a “strange man” approached the family and suddenly emptied a flask of boiling coffee onto the child before fleeing the scene on foot. The infant was quickly given first aid by those nearby, and an off-duty nurse rushed him to her apartment to cool his burns under cold water. Despite their efforts, the baby suffered dramatic injuries that have already necessitated multiple surgeries, and his parents anticipate a long and challenging recovery process for their son. Queensland Police have issued an arrest warrant for a 33-year-old man wanted on charges of acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, a crime that carries a possible life sentence. However, in a frustrating twist for the investigation, the main suspect managed to flee the country before authorities could apprehend him. The man reportedly left Australia from Sydney airport just six days after the attack and only 12 hours before police were able to confirm his identity. Det Insp Paul Dalton, who is leading the investigation, described the case as one of the "most complex and frustrating" of his career. He confirmed that police are aware of the suspect's name and the country to which he has fled but are withholding this information to avoid compromising their ongoing investigation. The suspect is described as an “itinerant” worker who has traveled to Australia multiple times since 2019, with addresses in both New South Wales and Victoria. Authorities believe the man is knowledgeable about "police methodologies" and has been engaging in "counter-surveillance activities" to evade capture. The baby’s parents, speaking to the media on Monday, expressed their devastation upon learning that the suspect had escaped the country. "It sounds like they were very, very close in catching him, and this obviously means that we're going to have to wait who knows how long to get justice for our son," the baby’s mother told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Despite the horrific ordeal, the boy’s father noted that their son is in "good spirits," though additional skin graft surgeries may still be necessary. In the wake of the attack, a GoFundMe page set up to support the baby boy and his family has raised over A$150,000 ($100,000 £76,000), reflecting the strong public sympathy and desire to help in the face of such a tragic event. As the international manhunt continues, authorities remain committed to bringing the suspect to justice and providing some measure of closure to the distraught family. Credit: BBC 2024-09-10 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

Two women have come forward with disturbing allegations against controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate, claiming they were raped and strangled by him. These women, whose accounts are unrelated to the ongoing Romanian case, shared their traumatic experiences with the BBC. Additionally, for the first time, a third woman has alleged that she was raped by Andrew Tate's younger brother, Tristan Tate. The Tate brothers, Andrew, 37, and Tristan, 36, are currently facing serious charges in Romania, including human trafficking, forming an organized group to exploit women, and in Andrew Tate's case, rape. If convicted, they could face over a decade in prison. Both brothers vehemently deny the charges. Despite being under house arrest in Romania, Andrew Tate is also under investigation for new allegations, including having sex with a minor and trafficking underage individuals. The two British women, who are not involved in the Romanian case, provided detailed accounts of alleged rape and sexual violence by Andrew Tate, dating back over a decade when he lived in Luton. One of the women, referred to as Anna (a pseudonym), recounted her horrifying experience in 2013. After a few dates with Tate, she returned to his house where he suddenly assaulted her. “He started kissing me... and he just looked up at the ceiling and said, ‘I’m just debating whether I should rape you or not.’ Out of the blue, he just grabbed me by the throat, smashed me to the back of the bed, strangling me extremely hard,” Anna recalled. She says that Tate then raped her and afterward sent her disturbing text messages and voice notes, one of which said, “Am I a bad person? Because the more you didn’t like it, the more I enjoyed it.” In another message, he wrote, “I love raping you.” Tate even tried to dismiss the strangulation as a joke, texting, “Are you seriously so offended I strangled you a little bit?” When asked by the BBC about these messages, Andrew Tate declined to comment. Anna reported the alleged attack to Bedfordshire Police in 2014, and two other women made similar allegations. However, in 2019, the Crown Prosecution Service decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges against Tate. Another woman, identified as Sienna (a pseudonym), shared a similar story. She described meeting Tate in Luton a decade ago and having what she considered a consensual one-night stand. However, during a subsequent encounter, she alleges that Tate attacked her, putting his hands around her throat during sex, causing her to lose consciousness. When she regained consciousness, she realized he was still having sex with her. “I was absolutely terrified,” she said. “I just remember gasping for air... It was rape.” The morning after, Sienna noticed she had a bloodshot eye, which she later learned is a common injury in domestic abuse cases involving strangulation. A friend of Sienna confirmed to the BBC that she had told him about the incident at the time and that he saw her eye injury. Sienna did not report the assault to the police, a decision she now regrets. BBC Panorama is aware of five women in the UK who have said they were strangled by Andrew Tate during sex. When interviewed by the BBC last year, Tate denied ever strangling or having non-consensual sex with any woman, stating, “I know I've never hurt anybody. It's not in my nature to hurt people.” Prosecutors in Romania allege that the Tate brothers were trafficking women into the country for exploitation. The case file includes statements from women who describe feeling controlled by the brothers, with some women not allowed to leave the house alone. Credit: BBC 2024-09-10 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

MSNBC host and former White House press secretary Jen Psaki recently opened up about her concerns for President Joe Biden during what she described as a "heartbreaking" summer. Speaking at the Texas Tribune Festival in a conversation with The Atlantic writer Mark Leibovich, Psaki shared her personal reaction to the infamous June debate that raised questions about Biden’s ability to serve another term. Psaki, who worked closely with Biden during her time as his press secretary, admitted that her initial reaction while watching the debate was not focused on the political implications. “Well, watching it, my first reaction was not, ‘Oh my gosh, Trump is going to win the election.’ That was not my reaction. I care about him as a human being. And my first reaction was, I do care about him a lot, was like, ‘Is he OK?’” she said. Her concerns were rooted in her personal connection with Biden. “Honestly, it was like, ‘Is he OK? And I don’t say that because I was feeling like I was going to go on Twitter and be alarmist, but I care for him as a person,” Psaki continued. “I was worried about him as a person.” Following the debate, media and Democratic allies quickly called for Biden to step aside, as many were alarmed by his performance, which left him appearing confused, unsure, and with a raspy voice. These concerns about his age and mental acuity resonated with many, despite Biden initially dismissing the debate as just a "bad night." However, he eventually decided not to seek re-election, instead endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Psaki, who was the MSNBC host on air when the news of Biden’s decision broke, admitted that she became “emotional” while informing viewers. She reflected on the challenging period that followed the debate, describing it as an “incredibly difficult roller coaster” for Americans. “The summer, I think, was heartbreaking and difficult for so many people. People who loved him, people who were fearful of Trump winning, people who loved Harris, people with all sorts of emotions within this country,” Psaki said. She emphasized that her concerns were not just those of a political commentator but also of someone who experienced the events on a personal level. “And as much as I was on television talking about this, I experienced that too, as a human being,” she added. Psaki concluded her tenure as Biden’s press secretary in May 2022 and has since become a prominent figure on MSNBC, where she continues to provide political analysis. Credit: Vice 2024-09-10 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

In a year where meteorologists predicted a potentially historic hurricane season, the Atlantic Ocean has been unusually quiet, making history for an unexpected reason. For the first time in over half a century, the Atlantic has gone through the late summer without a single cyclone, a time when multiple storms would typically be churning. Phil Klotzbach, a renowned meteorologist, and others in the field had anticipated a flurry of hurricanes, yet as weeks passed without any significant activity, the silence became more unnerving. Even those outside the meteorology world began to ask, “Where are all the hurricanes?” Klotzbach, who leads one of the most respected hurricane season outlooks, found himself considering a midseason update in late August, an acknowledgment that this year’s forecast might be off the mark. He ultimately decided against it, hoping for a new system to emerge over Labor Day weekend. However, the anticipated storm never formed. The Atlantic’s unexpected calm has left meteorologists wrestling with confusion and criticism, as they had confidently predicted an active season. “Everyone was going big,” Klotzbach said, reflecting on the widespread expectations for more than two dozen storms. This season's quietness stands in stark contrast to the dynamic Pacific typhoon season and the record-breaking heat experienced across the Northern Hemisphere, which led to devastating wildfires, floods, and scorching temperatures. Even though meteorologists can identify some factors contributing to this lull, they struggle to understand why these factors have dominated the weather patterns that would typically fuel intense storms. Many of those who warned the public to prepare for a dangerous season now find themselves in the awkward position of almost rooting for storms to avoid losing public trust. Klotzbach, who accurately predicted the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl in July, initially felt reassured in his forecast, which called for several storms of Beryl's magnitude. But as time passed without any new storms, he was taken by surprise. “It’s definitely taken me by surprise,” he admitted. “I think any meteorologist being honest would say the same.” The ingredients for a busy hurricane season seemed to be present. Ocean temperatures across the Atlantic have been extraordinarily warm for over a year, providing ample fuel for storms. A La Niña climate pattern, which typically produces favorable conditions for Atlantic storms, has been building for months. “This season is looking to be an extraordinary one,” NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said back in May. But despite these conditions, the past month has been eerily quiet. This unusual calm could hint at future trends. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has suggested that climate change might make hurricanes less frequent, even as it increases the likelihood of those that do form becoming more intense. So far, this year’s atmosphere has been too stable for storm development, with unusual warming observed in the upper layers of the troposphere. Additionally, many potential storms have fizzled out as they drifted from African monsoon clouds into the Atlantic, further north than usual, outside the zone most conducive to storm formation. This shift is something meteorologists have never had to account for before. “It’s kind of hard to predict something in the system that you’ve never seen before,” said Matthew Rosencrans, NOAA’s lead seasonal hurricane forecaster. Meteorologists are now grappling with the possibility of a busted forecast, a scenario they all hope to avoid. Seasonal forecasts, which are made months in advance, lack the precision of daily weather predictions. They can assess the likelihood of storms but cannot predict specific anomalies like the unexpected position of the African monsoon. “These are factors that are not fully understood by anyone,” said Jon Porter, chief meteorologist for AccuWeather, which recently downgraded its own hurricane season predictions. Forecasters like Klotzbach remain cautious yet hopeful. “There’s still 60 percent of the hurricane season left to go,” Rosencrans noted. But as doubts grow, so does public skepticism. If hurricanes fail to materialize, the effect could be lasting, with people potentially disregarding future warnings due to the “cry wolf” effect. Tobias Vorlaufer, a researcher at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, emphasized the importance of careful communication to maintain public trust. For Klotzbach, transparency is key. He knows that his dire forecasts have heightened public attention, and with that comes the risk of losing credibility. “That’s not something you want to lose,” he said. Credit: WP 2024-09-010 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

Unsubstaniated nonsense rant removed

A number of trolling posts removed along with a post referring to events back in 2022 and a repetative link that was already posted 3 times. Please keep the discussion on topic if you want your post to remain: Latest developments and discussion of recent events in the Ukraine War

With less than two months remaining before Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are in a dead heat, according to a new national survey. The poll, conducted by The New York Times and Siena College, shows Trump holding a slight edge with 48 percent of likely voters' support, while Harris closely trails at 47 percent. This slim margin falls within the poll’s margin of error, indicating a highly competitive race. The results mirror those of a July survey from the same sources, which was conducted shortly after President Joe Biden announced his decision to step down from his reelection bid. Despite the time that has passed since Biden's exit, the race remains virtually unchanged, signaling that the contest between Harris and Trump is shaping up to be one of the closest in recent memory. The timing of the poll is particularly significant, as it comes just days before the highly anticipated ABC News debate between Harris and Trump, the only scheduled debate between the two candidates thus far. For Harris, the debate could prove to be a crucial moment in her campaign. According to the poll, 28 percent of likely voters expressed a desire to learn more about Harris, compared to only 9 percent who felt the same way about Trump. This suggests that while Trump is a well-known figure with a solidified base, Harris still has an opportunity to sway undecided voters and define her candidacy in the final stretch of the campaign. However, the poll also highlights some challenges Harris may face. Nearly half of the likely voters surveyed, 47 percent, perceive Harris as too liberal, which could be a stumbling block in winning over moderate and independent voters. On the other hand, 32 percent of likely voters view Trump as too conservative, though this perception does not seem to have significantly dented his support base. Interestingly, this survey is one of the few national polls of high quality that did not show Harris receiving a boost in support following her swift nomination and the subsequent events at the party’s nominating convention in Chicago last month. The New York Times notes that this is the first time in about a month that Trump has shown at least a nominal lead in a major nonpartisan national survey. The New York Times’ polling averages still show Harris with a slight edge over Trump, 49 percent to 47 percent. However, the importance of The New York Times’ survey in shaping public perception and influencing campaign strategies cannot be overstated, as it has historically played a significant role in American politics, often driving both fundraising efforts and media coverage. The poll surveyed 1,695 registered voters between September 3 and 6, with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points among likely voters. As Election Day draws closer, the nation’s attention is likely to intensify on this closely contested race, with every development potentially tipping the scales. Credit: Politico 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

Former President Donald Trump vowed on Saturday to restore free speech in America, claiming that it is currently under threat. Speaking before a crowd of 15,000 supporters at a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, Trump arrived in his private jet, dramatically touching down in his Boeing 757, dubbed “Trump Force One.” If re-elected, Trump promised to sign an executive order prohibiting any federal employee from collaborating to limit speech. He also vowed to terminate any federal bureaucrat who has engaged in domestic censorship under the current administration. Trump’s appearance marked his fourth visit to Wisconsin during his campaign but his first trip to the predominantly rural and deeply Republican central region of the battleground state. During his speech, Trump also took aim at Vice President Kamala Harris, criticizing her for her immigration policies, which he argued have exacerbated a national migrant crisis, contributed to rising crime rates, and imposed heavy financial burdens on taxpayers. Trump and Harris are set to face off in a high-stakes presidential debate on Tuesday, adding to the already tense atmosphere of the campaign. Harris, like Trump, has been a frequent visitor to Wisconsin this year, a key battleground state where four of the last six presidential elections have been decided by narrow margins. With Biden having withdrawn his re-election bid in July, recent polls show Harris and Trump locked in a tight race for Wisconsin’s crucial electoral votes. Democrats are focusing on Wisconsin as a critical “blue wall” state that they need to secure victory. In the 2020 election, Biden won Wisconsin by a slim margin of just under 21,000 votes, while Trump carried the state in 2016 by nearly 23,000 votes. Both parties are aware of the importance of the state, and the outcome of this year’s election could once again hinge on a razor-thin margin. Credit: NYP 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

The recent Department of Justice indictments targeting employees of RT, Russia's state-controlled propaganda outlet, have been met with open derision and mockery in Moscow. The charges, which revealed a plot to funnel millions of dollars to a MAGA media group in the United States, were brushed off by Russian officials, who responded with a mix of jeers and veiled admissions. Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of RT, led the charge on her Telegram channel, where she posted a series of mocking messages. "Ptooey, they finally woke up!" Simonyan wrote, mocking US authorities for taking so long to uncover RT's activities. The indictment, unsealed this week, alleged that prominent right-wing influencers like Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Benny Johnson were secretly funded by Russian state media employees to produce favorable content. Among those caught up in the indictment were the founders of Tenet Media, widely believed to be Lauren Chen and Liam Donovan. Following the indictment, Blaze Media CEO Tyler Cardon announced that Chen had been fired, stating, "Lauren Chen was an independent contractor whose contract has been terminated." Simonyan, in her posts, noted that the accused influencers were denying any knowledge of the source of the funds they received. "Bloggers, of course, deny everything, but what else can they do?" she commented. She also praised the efforts of her team, writing, "Excellent work, team!" and dismissed the US reaction as “paranoia,” without bothering to deny the accusations. This attitude is consistent with Simonyan's past behavior, as she has frequently boasted about RT's role in destabilizing the United States. During several appearances on state television, she has proudly spoken of creating "an entire empire of covert projects" aimed at spreading Russian propaganda under various disguises. In 2022, Simonyan admitted, “When they [Western governments] conducted carpet bombing against us and destroyed everything, denying us any access to disseminating information, we came to our senses and started to penetrate their defenses using partisan trails: under other names, with different people, in new ways. I won’t disclose the rest here.” While Simonyan feigned indifference, other prominent figures in Russian state media appeared more concerned. Andrey Lugovoy, a State Duma member and former KGB officer found responsible for the 2006 radiation poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in London, expressed confusion over how RT managed to transfer $10 million to US influencers. The host of the state TV show "Evening With Vladimir Solovyov," Vladimir Solovyov, was visibly shaken by the indictment of his friend Dimitri Simes, who has often appeared on his show to criticize US policies and justify Russia's actions in Ukraine. Solovyov and his fellow propagandists even suggested that Tucker Carlson might be the next target of US authorities and urged the Russian government to offer asylum to all involved. Karen Shakhnazarov, Director General of Mosfilm, praised Simes as a “hero who made his choice” and is now paying the price. Shakhnazarov sarcastically noted, “Margo Simonyan is making American presidents left and right,” and speculated that the charges against RT and Simes were politically motivated, aiming to weaken “our Donald” in the run-up to the US presidential election. Russian state media figures have long admitted their support for Donald Trump, often referring to him affectionately as "Trumpushka." The recent indictments have done little to shake this allegiance, with prominent Russian commentators continuing to express their hope for Trump’s return to power, seeing it as beneficial to Russia’s interests. As Shakhnazarov bluntly put it, "Trump is a direct path to civil war in the United States." Credit: Daily Beast 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

The surge in anti-Semitism following Hamas's attack on October 7, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza, is evoking memories of the tense period leading up to World War II. This alarming rise in hostility toward Jews is spreading fear across global Jewish communities, as highlighted by key European and US officials. "We have seen a tsunami of anti-Semitism really rolling across Europe and the globe," stated Katharina von Schnurbein, the European Commission's coordinator on combating anti-Semitism and fostering Jewish life. Speaking to AFP in Geneva after a private workshop at the United Nations, von Schnurbein expressed her concerns about the unsettling parallels between current events and Europe's darkest historical periods. She described a disturbing wave of anti-Semitic actions, including firebomb attacks on synagogues, Stars of David being spray-painted on Jewish homes, and Jewish students facing violence on university campuses. "We are seeing a situation that we had hoped we would never see again," she said. During the UN workshop, hosted by the United States, officials underscored a significant spike in anti-Semitic incidents since last October. In France, the number of anti-Semitic incidents quadrupled last year, reaching 1,676 cases. Denmark experienced a similar trend, with 121 reported incidents in 2023—an astonishing increase of 1,244 percent compared to the previous year’s nine cases. "We see these spikes everywhere," von Schnurbein remarked. The war's impact has extended beyond the battlefield, inciting protests on numerous university campuses across the US and beyond. Some demonstrations have been accused of fostering anti-Semitic sentiments and creating a hostile environment for Jewish students. Columbia University in New York recently released a report highlighting a "surge in violent anti-Semitic and xenophobic rhetoric" and called for improved training and reporting to safeguard Jewish students. Deborah Lipstadt, the US envoy against anti-Semitism who also participated in the UN workshop, stressed the distinction between criticizing Israeli policies and harboring anti-Semitic views. "Criticism of Israeli policies (or) the Israeli government... is not anti-Semitism," Lipstadt emphasized. She pointed out that if criticizing Israel equated to anti-Semitism, then the hundreds of thousands of Israelis protesting in the streets would be labeled anti-Semites, which is obviously untrue. However, Lipstadt also noted that both sides are guilty of conflating criticisms of Israel with anti-Semitism. She cited incidents like the defacement of an Anne Frank statue in Amsterdam with "Free Gaza" slogans and Jewish students being pursued by demonstrators who claimed they were only targeting them for their political views. Lipstadt voiced her concern over the "normalisation of anti-Semitism," which has sparked a pervasive sense of fear within the Jewish community. She noted that Jewish students are now choosing universities based on perceived levels of hostility, and Jewish men are concealing their yarmulkes under baseball caps. Michele Taylor, the US ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, expressed particular alarm over the violent online rhetoric, especially threats targeting Jewish women. Taylor highlighted a chilling case from France where a 12-year-old Jewish girl was brutally gang-raped, illustrating the harrowing extremes of anti-Semitic violence. The workshop underscored the urgency of countering anti-Semitism through global guidelines that urge governments and political leaders to swiftly denounce such hate whenever it surfaces. "Anti-Semitism is a scourge on our collective humanity," stated UN rights chief Volker Turk in a video address. "We all have a duty to eliminate it." Turkey's Erdogan recently called for Islamic alliance against Israel. "The only step that will stop Israeli arrogance, Israeli banditry, and Israeli state terrorism is the alliance of Islamic countries," Erdogan said at an Islamic schools' association event near Istanbul. “Israel will not stop in Gaza,” he claimed. “If Israel continues in this manner, it will set its sights elsewhere after occupying Ramallah. The turn will come for other countries in the region. It will come for Lebanon, Syria. They will set their eyes on our homeland between the Tigris and Euphrates." It is unclear what Erdogan was referring to, as Israel has made no such declarations. Credit: AFP | Reuters 2024-09-09 Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe