Haunted house books for hunkering down in lockdown
Nov 15 2020
Haunted house books for hunkering down in lockdown
E

ngland is in a second lockdown and with days getting shorter and colder we are spending more time than ever inside. A recent survey of how reading habits changed during the first lockdown found that people were reading more – and that trend is sure to continue this time round.

While you hunker down in the seeming safety of your home, how about picking up a book about houses that aren’t quite as safe? We’re talking about places where the floorboards creak, the staff are creepy and there’s something not quite right about the children.

The haunted house has been making a comeback on the screen, as we’ve seen with the recent successes of the BBC comedy series Ghosts and Netflix’s adaptations of The Haunting of Bly Manor and Rebecca. It seems our fascination with unsettling places continues to grow.

Many of these stories started in books so here are five classic examples to keep you company this lockdown:

House of Leaves (2000) by Mark Danielewski

Presented as a found document, this is a unique book featuring copious footnotes on some pages while others contain hardly anything at all. This story follows a family as they move into a new house on Ash Tree Lane. As they enter the property they discover that it is somehow bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.

The children, as they tend to in these stories, begin talking of a creature and soon they all hear a growl coming from deep within the house.

‘Burnt Offerings’… Stephen King is a fan

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Burnt Offerings (1973) by Robert Marasco

Desperate to get away from their apartment in Queens, the cash-strapped Rolfe family rents a summer home in upstate New York.

The place is a secluded haven, with a pool and private beach. This seemingly perfect summer home, however, comes with a curious stipulation in the rental agreement, which insists that the elderly mother of the homeowners stays with them.

Bizarre, catastrophic events ensue. Burnt Offerings is known to have been model for Stephen King’s 1977 bestselling novel The Shining as both narratives deal with abrupt personality changes.

The Haunting of Hill House (1959) by Shirley Jackson

If you’ve watched the Netflix series you should read the book that inspired it – they’re pretty different. The short novel is considered one of the finest examples of horror writing and Jackson a master of the haunted tale.

The story follows Dr Montague who wants to prove the existence of the supernatural. Renting Hill House one summer, he invites various people who have reported paranormal experiences. The house has been the site of many violent deaths and suicides so there’s hope one of those unhappy souls will make themselves known.

Unsurprisingly, when you go looking for ghosts in a novel, you will find them. There are bumps in the night, cryptic writings on the wall and a whole load of unexplained coincidence, what more could you want?

Rebecca (1938) by Daphne du Maurier

The unnamed young woman who narrates the novel falls in love with an older, wealthy man, Maxim de Winter, and moves into his isolated estate in south-west England, Manderley.

Daphne du Maurier’s classic is spookier than the recent Netflix adaptation

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The house is practically a shrine to the memory of his first wife, Rebecca, who died the year before in mysterious circumstances.

Malevolent forces are at work in this house as the young bride’s attempts to start a new life with her husband are foiled at every turn by the housekeeper and Rebecca’s confidante Mrs Danvers.

The book is far more spooky than recent Netflix adaptation, which presents viewers with a thoroughly modern and far more empowered protagonist.

The Yellow Wallpaper (1892) by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

This is an agonising first-person tale of creeping mental and physical decline.

Summering at a colonial mansion, the narrator is confined to an upstairs nursery with ominously barred windows and scratched-up floors. She becomed fixated on the sickly yellow wallpaper covered in ““an interminable string of toadstools, budding and sprouting in endless convolutions”.

The longer she stays in the room the more the walls seems to move and the more it seems like there might be someone moving it from within.

The Fall of the House of Usher (1839) by Edgar Allan Poe

This short story recounts the terrible events that befall the last remaining members of the once-illustrious Usher clan and the house’s last visitors.

Arriving at the home of his reclusive friend Roderick Usher, our narrator is intrigued by the decaying house, particularly a thin crack extending down the front of the building and into the adjacent lake.

Usher’s mind is disintegrating and he is falling deeper into a madness. Things are not as they seem in the suspenseful tale of horror.

Daniel Cook is a Senior Lecturer in English, University of Dundee. This article first appeared on The Conversation.

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Religion, a tool for national integration – Ooni
Nov 14 2020
Religion, a tool for national integration – Ooni

Bayelsa state: Jealous lover killed pastor, Church member over girlfriend

Mothers took children to loot, Government House almost invaded by hoodlums – Nigerian Army tells Lagos Panel

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Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II

By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has described religion as a strong tool that could be used to forster peace building and national integration.

This is as he stressed that mentorship is crucial to breeding leaders from the present generation of youths in the country.

The revered monarch disclosed this on Saturday at Ife City Hall, Enuwa, Ile-Ife, during the launching of a book titled, “Religion, Peace Building and National Integration”, written by about 36 scholars within and outside Nigeria in honour of Professor Muibi Opeloye.

Oba Adeyeye said religion, if properly explored, could help endear peace building and national integration, saying the southwestern part of the country, where different religions abound, is a perfect example of cohabiting peacefully.

“Peace is an essential ingredient for nation building, whenever there is peace, we can cohabitate harmoniously. A good example is Southwest region of the country, where there is different religious status living peacefully.

“You will find Muslims, Christians in large number and we are living in peace. We are leading by example, we need to project peace building to other parts and that is the essence of the book launch here. To Foster national integration. Our diversity is our strength, it should not be our weakness.

Our diversity should be what binds us together. If we use religion as a very strong advocacy for peace building, we will get there, it is a very strong advocacy that we should not over emphasises. We should continue to reach out to the high and the low, that is the essence of national integration”, he said.

Ooni Ogunwusi, who described Professor Opeloye as a distinguished son of Ife, stressed the need for mentorship as a way to dictate the right path for the coming generation, calling on clerics in the state to lay emphasise on building a future generation that could take over leadership of the country and led it to promise Land.

In his remark, the Chairman of the event, Mallam Yusuf Alli, SAN said the humility and selflessness of Professor Opeloye prompted scholars to write a book in his honour, calling on those at the corridor of power to always strive to impact positively on masses lives.

While presenting the book, the Registrar, Joint Admission and Unified Matriculation Board, JAMB, Professor Isiak Oloyede while describing Opeloye as a distinguished Professor of inter religious studies, Yoruba land which used to be a model of religion understanding has been impeded by religious bigot, who believed their religion cannot be promoted without infringing on other religions.

“Yorubaland was a model of religious understanding but the culture has been impeded by religious bigot who believed they cannot promote their believe without infringing on other religions. We need to go back to the era where religion does not separate family or friendship bond”, he said.

The book launch was attended by distinguished personalities including, the Editor-in-chief of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade, Professor Siyan Oyeweso, Vice Chancellor, Fountain University, Professor Sanni Olalekan, Professor M. O. Abdulrahman of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan among other scholars.

Vanguard News Nigeria 

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European Union To Increase Border Security After Wave Of Extremism Attacks
Nov 14 2020
European Union To Increase Border Security After Wave Of Extremism Attacks

European Union officials to increase security at the border, reinforce the police agency, and regulate hate speech and online propaganda after an increase in attacks by extremist groups, the Associated Press reported Friday.

Four people were fatally shot by a man who attempted to join ISIS during an attack on Vienna, Austria, on Nov. 2, the AP reported. The man was fatally shot by law enforcement, though the attack spurred calls to suppress Islamic extremism.

Three people were killed by an extremist at a church in Nice, France, last month, the AP reported. Near Paris, a teenager beheaded his teacher over cartoon caricatures of an Islamic prophet.

“The attacks we have seen, not only in recent weeks, have shown the extent of the threat we face from all forms of terrorism. Only together we can put a stop to the terrorists and their backers,” European Ministers said, the AP reported.

The ministers said “Europe’s foundation will not be shaken by the scourge of violent extremism and terrorism” and that they will “do everything in our power to counter this barbaric terror holistically, with all the instruments at our disposal,” the AP reported. (RELATED ‘The Terrorist Risk Is Everywhere’ — Macron Calls For Stricter European Borders After Recent Attacks)

The ministers said they will “strengthen and further develop options for security measures” within the ID-check free travel area within Europe, the AP reported. Denmark, France and Sweden reportedly reinstated security checks over a year ago in response to “terrorist threats” and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The ministers asked the European Commission to come up with a tougher mandate for Europol, and to increase funding and staff, the AP reported. The ministers advocated for a commission proposal to designate hate speech and incitement as criminal offenses.

The ministers reportedly pressed the European Parliament to finalize negotiations around governing online “terrorist content” to be able to remove a post within an hour of publication, according to the AP.

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

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Heineken N.V. reports on 2020 third-quarter trading Amsterdam Stock Exchange-HEIA
Nov 14 2020
Heineken N.V. reports on 2020 third-quarter trading Amsterdam Stock Exchange-HEIA

Amsterdam, 28 October 2020 – Heineken N.V. (EURONEXT: HEIA; OTCQX: HEINY) today publishes its trading update for the third quarter of 2020.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Beer volume -1.9% organically for the quarter; -8.1% for the first nine months
  • Heineken® volume +7.1% in the quarter; +1.0% for the first nine months
  • HEINEKEN’s current strategic review aims to accelerate a return to profitable growth in a fast-changing post-COVID world, including simplifying and right-sizing its cost base

Dolf van den Brink, Chairman of the Executive Board / CEO, commented:

“Our performance during the third-quarter continued to be impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. As many lockdowns eased, our volumes improved sequentially compared to the last quarter.

We outperformed the category across most of our key markets, with Heineken® showcasing a stellar performance. We continued strict cost mitigation actions whilst balancing investments behind our brands and future growth opportunities.

The situation remains highly volatile and uncertain. We expect rolling outbreaks of COVID-19 to continue to meaningfully impact many of our markets in addition to rising recessionary pressures.

As we navigate the crisis, we are deliberately shaping how to adapt and emerge stronger from the pandemic. I am proud of the relentless drive of our employees and the agility they continue to demonstrate, taking care of one another, our customers, suppliers and communities.”

THIRD QUARTER VOLUME BREAKDOWN

Beer volume1
(in mhl or %)		 3Q20 Organic

growth

   Total

growth

     YTD 3Q20 Organic

growth

   Total

growth

  
Heineken N.V. 62.9  -1.9  % -2.1  %   165.4  -8.1  % -8.3  %
Africa, Middle East & Eastern Europe 10.3  -2.5  % -2.5  %   28.4  -11.5  % -11.5  %
Americas 22.0  2.5  % 2.1  %   56.6  -9.0  % -9.1  %
Asia Pacific 6.6  -12.3  % -12.3  %   20.5  -7.3  % -9.7  %
Europe 24.0  -2.4  % -2.4  %   59.9  -5.9  % -5.3  %
Heineken® volume1

(in mhl or %)

 3Q20 Organic

growth

   YTD 3Q20   Organic

growth

  
Heineken N.V. 11.9  7.1  % 31.0    1.0  %
Africa, Middle East & Eastern Europe 1.5  -20.8  % 3.9    -24.2  %
Americas 4.4  28.8  % 11.5    20.0  %
Asia Pacific 1.8  15.4  % 4.5    1.0  %
Europe 4.3  -1.4  % 11.1    -3.6  %

1 Refer to the Definitions section for an explanation of organic growth and volume metrics.

From the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, our first priority has been our people’s health and safety. We have ensured that employees follow strict hygiene and physical distancing guidelines and receive support to do their jobs safely. To provide security to our employees, HEINEKEN has committed to no structural lay-offs because of COVID-19 during 2020.

We continue to support our customers, suppliers and the communities most impacted by the pandemic. We continue to assist our customers with advice and tools, pay all our suppliers on time and reduce payment terms to some small suppliers. Additionally, we provide pandemic relief to support front-line medical facilities in the communities where we operate, including water, non-alcoholic beverages, hand sanitiser, and monetary contributions.

The COVID-19 crisis continued to affect all geographies during the third quarter. Beer volume declined organically by 1.9% in the third quarter, a sequential improvement relative to the previous quarter across all regions. The on-trade remained affected by restrictions to operate and some important markets like South Africa and parts of Mexico faced bans on the sale of alcoholic beverages. Our performance was ahead of the market in most of our key markets.

Heineken® brand

  • Heineken® volume continued to outperform the overall category and grew by 7.1% in the quarter and 1.0% for the first nine months of the year.
  • Volume grew double-digits in more than 25 markets including Brazil, China, the USA, Nigeria, Singapore, Poland and the UK.
  • Heineken® 0.0 grew double-digits with a particularly strong performance in Brazil, Mexico and the USA. This year Heineken® 0.0 was introduced to 11 new markets, including Vietnam, and is currently being sold in 69 markets.

Africa, Middle East & Eastern Europe

  • Beer volume declined organically by 2.5% in the quarter, a sequential improvement across all key markets versus the previous quarter. The premium portfolio declined by a high-single-digit as the decline in South Africa off-set growth across most markets.
  • In Nigeria, beer volume grew in the high-teens, ahead of the market. The non-alcoholic portfolio grew in the mid-twenties and the premium portfolio grew by more than half.
  • In Russia, beer volume increased by a low-single-digit and cider volume by double-digits. The low- and non-alcoholic portfolio grew by a mid-single-digit.
  • In South Africa, total consolidated volume declined in the forties due to a nearly five-week ban on selling alcoholic beverages. Heineken® 0.0 continued to grow strongly.
  • In Ethiopia, beer volume declined in the high-teens, following the steep price increase in mid-February after the tripling of excise duty. Premium volumes continued to grow double-digits driven by Bedele Special.
  • In Egypt, beer volume declined in the mid-teens, driven by lower tourism.

Americas

  • Beer volume increased organically by 2.5% in the quarter due to our premium portfolio’s strong performance, partially off-set by the impact of government measures in some regions and cities.
  • In Mexico, beer volume declined by a mid-single-digit due to the dry laws, particularly in the Southeast, and stock-outs caused by restrictions on brewing operations at the start of the quarter. The premium and low- and non-alcoholic portfolios increased by double-digits, led by Amstel Ultra and Heineken® 0.0 respectively.
  • In Brazil, beer volume grew in the low-teens. The premium and mainstream portfolios grew by double-digits, with Heineken® growing by more than half and the continued momentum of Devassa and Amstel. The economy portfolio grew slightly. Non-beer volume declined in the low-twenties.
  • In the USA, beer volume increased in the low-teens as distributors replenished inventories and the on-trade showed some signs of recovery. Sales-to-retailers of Heineken® were back to growth driven by both Heineken® Original and Heineken® 0.0. Lagunitas declined in the low-teens due to its high exposure to the on-trade.

Asia Pacific

  • Beer volume declined organically by 12.3% due to lower volume in Vietnam and the continued declines in other key markets affected by recurring lockdowns, the lack of international tourism and increasingly negative consumer sentiment. The premium portfolio declined in line with the overall portfolio in most markets.
  • In Vietnam, we continue to outpace the market while beer volume declined by a high-single-digit following the second wave of COVID-19 restrictions and the price increase at the end of June. We have reached the position of market leader this year, driven by the success of our expansion strategy and the solid momentum of our innovations including Heineken® Silver, Heineken® 0.0 and local beer brand Bia Viet.
  • In Cambodia, beer volume declined in the high-thirties following a steep increase of promotional activity in the market and by economic conditions affected by the rise in unemployment from the tourism, garment export and construction industries.
  • In Malaysia, beer volume declined in the mid-teens, an improvement versus the previous quarter as the on-trade gradually recovered. Since mid-October the government has imposed new movement restrictions and closed part of the on-trade again.
  • In Indonesia beer volume declined in the mid-double-digits as a second lockdown was imposed impacting the on-trade and consumption from international tourism remained absent. Beer volume in Bali declined by close to 80%.
  • In South Korea, beer volume increased in the mid-thirties driven by improved penetration and distribution of new brands and line extensions.
  • In China, we are into the second year of our strategic partnership with China Resources Beer (CRB). Heineken® grew by strong double-digits as it continues to be rolled-out throughout CRB’s strong route-to-market, entering new channels and the successful introduction of Heineken® Silver.

Europe

  • Beer volume declined organically by 2.4%, driven by a decline of around 20% in the on-trade. The off-trade grew by a high-single-digit, ahead of the market across most countries. Third-party volume declined by 16.1% as wholesale operations continued to be impacted by outlet closures. The premium portfolio continued to outperform in the off-trade. Non-alcoholic propositions grew low-single-digit driven by Heineken® 0.0.
  • In the UK, total consolidated volume was down by a low-single-digit. Beer volume returned to low-single-digit growth with double-digit growth in Heineken®, Birra Moretti and Sol. Beer volume declined in the high-twenties in the on-trade overall with a similar performance in our Pub estate. Beer volume grew in the high-twenties in the off-trade, ahead of the market.
  • In France, beer volume was flat during the quarter as the mid-teens decline in the on-trade was off-set by mid-single-digit growth in the off-trade. The premium portfolio grew in the low-teens driven by Desperados and Affligem.
  • In Spain, beer volume declined in the low-teens driven by a decline in the on-trade in the mid-twenties, partially off-set by high-single-digit growth in the off-trade. Low tourism and regional lockdowns impacted the summer months.
  • In Italy, beer volume increased by a mid-single-digit, outperforming the market, with high-single-digit growth in the off-trade partially compensated for by a low-single-digit decline in the on-trade. The premium portfolio grew around 10% with a continued strong performance from Ichnusa and Messina.
  • In Poland, beer volume grew by a mid-single-digit, ahead of the market, supported by the strong growth of Heineken® and Desperados.
  • In the Netherlands, beer volume was down by a mid-single-digit driven by a decline in the high-twenties in the on-trade. The off-trade grew by a high-single-digit driven by Heineken® and Affligem, outperforming the market.

REPORTED NET PROFIT

The reported net profit for the first nine months was €396 million (2019: €1,667 million). Continued cost mitigation actions partially mitigated the impact from lower volume, adverse product and channel mix and incremental expenses driven by the crisis, including credit losses and impairments on tangible and intangible assets.

BUSINESS OUTLOOK

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on our markets and wider business in 2020. In April, we withdrew all guidance for 2020, given the lack of visibility on the duration of the pandemic’s impact. Consequently, HEINEKEN is only able to share directional information for the remainder of the year.

Although we have observed a recovery over the summer, continued volatility is expected for the fourth quarter, as many markets experience additional waves and the corresponding restrictions, including on-trade closures and crisis-related economic consequences. Currently, new restrictions have been imposed by governments across many countries in Europe, including a full closure of the on-trade. In Asia Pacific, new restrictions are also in place in Malaysia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Product and channel mix is expected to continue to adversely impact results, especially in Europe, as the on-trade remains more affected than the off-trade. Input costs per hectolitre are expected to be significantly higher than last year.

Mitigation actions will continue for the remainder of 2020. We are reducing all discretionary expenses while providing sufficient support behind our brands and route to markets. In the second half of last year costs were skewed towards the third quarter, so the benefits of the mitigation actions will be lower in the fourth quarter.

Most of our non-committed supply chain CAPEX remains suspended, while commercial CAPEX has resumed where it is required to support our current and future top-line growth.

The relative effect of permanent items in the income tax line will be less adverse in the second half than in the first half due to a higher profit before tax base.

Given the uncertainty in profit estimations for this year it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the translational currency impact. This year many currencies have depreciated versus the Euro, most notably the Mexican Peso and the Brazilian Real.

STRATEGIC REVIEW

Our current strategic review efforts are focused on shaping the company to emerge stronger from the COVID-19 crisis. We aim to increase adaptability with a clear focus on customers and consumers to regain and sustain future growth. We are exploring how to accelerate and expand our sources of growth while simplifying and right-sizing our cost base. To improve agility and speed in an increasingly dynamic environment, we are reviewing the effectiveness and efficiency of our organisations at head office, regional offices and each of our local operations.

As part of this ambition, while maintaining our commitment to no restructuring related to COVID-19 in 2020, we will streamline our head office and regional offices with an expected reduction of around 20% in related personnel costs. Implementation will begin in the first quarter of 2021. The impact and timelines of restructuring in our local operations will vary depending on the specific circumstances of each operating company. The process will be in close collaboration with our Employee Representatives (HEINEKEN’s Group Works Council and Labour Unions).

RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

On 9 September, HEINEKEN announced its entry into the Peruvian beer market by acquiring local beer brand Tres Cruces and incorporating its local operating team in Lima. To support its strategy in Peru, HEINEKEN entered into a strategic partnership with AJE Group to be its local sales and distribution partner in the traditional channel.

On 17 September, HEINEKEN announced it is exploring the Hard Seltzer category with the launch of Pure Piraña in Mexico and New Zealand. It will be available in a range of up to nine different flavours to test local preferences. HEINEKEN is also exploring additional market introductions into this category.

Earlier today, HEINEKEN announced the acquisition of cider brand Strongbow from Asahi Group Holdings Limited (Asahi) in Australia, along with two other cider brands, Little Green and Bonamy’s. The company will also gain the perpetual licenses on beer brands Stella Artois and Beck’s in Australia. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and comes after a successful bid for these brands when Asahi put them up for sale as a condition from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for their acquisition of Carlton & United Breweries. The acquisition brings the Strongbow brand in Australia home to HEINEKEN and scales up our beer and cider portfolio in one of the world’s leading beer and cider markets.

ENQUIRIES

Media Investors
Tim van der Zanden José Federico Castillo Martinez
Director of Global Communication Director of Investor Relations
Michael Fuchs Janine Ackermann / Robin Achten
Corporate & Financial Communication Manager Investor Relations Manager / Senior Analyst
E-mail: pressoffice@heineken.com E-mail: investors@heineken.com
Tel: +31-20-5239355 Tel: +31-20-5239590

Editorial information:
HEINEKEN is the world’s most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken® brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. HEINEKEN is committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through “Brewing a Better World”, sustainability is embedded in the business. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. It employs over 85,000 employees and operates breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares trade on the Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on Reuters under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. HEINEKEN has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY) and Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY). Most recent information is available on HEINEKEN’s website: www.theHEINEKENcompany.com and follow us on Twitter via @HEINEKENCorp.

Market Abuse Regulation
This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

Disclaimer:
This press release contains forward-looking statements with regard to the financial position and results of HEINEKEN’s activities. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond HEINEKEN’s ability to control or estimate precisely, such as future market and economic conditions, developments in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related government measures, the behaviour of other market participants, changes in consumer preferences, the ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and achieve anticipated synergies, costs of raw materials, interest-rate and exchange-rate fluctuations, changes in tax rates, changes in law, change in pension costs, the actions of government regulators and weather conditions. These and other risk factors are detailed in HEINEKEN’s publicly filed annual reports. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only of the date of this press release. HEINEKEN does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Market share estimates contained in this press release are based on outside sources, such as specialised research institutes, in combination with management estimates.

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EU Celebrates Departure of Vote Leave Architect Cummings, Says UK Talks at 'Make or Break' Moment
Nov 14 2020
EU Celebrates Departure of Vote Leave Architect Cummings, Says UK Talks at ‘Make or Break’ Moment

The European Union is celebrating Boris Johnson’s firing of his chief Brexit architect, Dominic Cummings, as a “make or break moment” in negotiations with the UK on a withdrawal agreement.

Belgian MEP, Guy Verhofstadt, has been leading the EU’s chorus of celebration by lashing out at “unelected bureaucrats” and “unrealistic ideologues,” in a not-so-subtle dig at Mr Cummings.

Mr Verhofstadt Tweeed am image of Mr Cummings leaving No.10 Downing Street with a box of his packed up office items in hand.

“Unrealistic bureaucrats. Unrealistic ideologues… There’s so much irony to the Cummings story. But one thing’s for sure… the legacy called Brexit is damage that unfortunately will not be undone for years,” Mr Verhofstadt opined.

Yet, Mr Verhofstadt was not the only senior EU official to gloat at Cummings’ shock dismissal by BoJo.

Senior German MEP Manfred Weber, reportedly close to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, claimed to BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme that Mr Cummings’ departure was a sign that the Johnson administration is in a “chaotic situation.”

“There are fair questions we are asking. If you want to change in the future, with your background of sovereignty, your subsidies, regulations, then we must have an option an opportunity to react to stop to limit your access to our market,” Mr Weber said.

“I see what is happening now in Downing Street. We can also see this as a quite chaotic situation where we don’t have an idea what is really the line in Great Britain. So don’t tell us [the EU] we should be ready for compromise. We need a clear idea from Boris Johnson now and I think it’s now time for leadership – having all the developments in America in mind where London understood it will be not so easy with Joe Biden to achieve an easy trade deal now … let’s now come to a compromise,” he added.

Mr Cummings, previously one of Johnson’s closest allies on Brexit, has reportedly had increasingly strained relations with the Prime Minister over the past few months. Former Brexit Secretary, David Davis, is reported to have said that Cummings’ relationship with BoJo “fell off a cliff” in recent weeks.

Reportedly, the straw that broke the camel’s back was the discovery by BoJo that Cummings and his pro-Brexit loyalists had been referring to Carrie Symonds, the Prime Minister’s partner, as “Princess Nut Nuts.” Cummings and his allies were said to be growing frustrated with Ms. Symonds, who has allegedly been giving advice to the Prime Minister on Brexit strategy at odds with the staunchly-pro leave bloc, led by Cummings. Broader power struggles were also said to be taking place between those within the government who want a friendlier Brexit more amenable to better relations with the EU, and those who want a clean break, led by Mr. Cummings.

The BBC has reported that Boris Johnson is now ready to “clear the air and move on.”

Mr Cummings’ dismissal by Johnson follows hot on the heels of a resignation last week by Lee Cain, BoJo’s now former Director of Communications, also an ardent Brexiteer and very much seen as part of a no-holds-barred Brexit duo with Cummings.

Some argue that Johnson’s firing of Cummings signifies his intention to take a softer stance toward the EU during the remaining negotiations over a trade deal. There is widespread speculation in Britain that this is possibly being encouraged by the likelihood that Joe Biden, who is seen as pro-EU, will be inaugurated as US president in January and may not grant a favourable trade deal to the UK if it departs the bloc on bad terms.

Boris Johnson may assume a softer Brexit lest he risk crossing Joe Biden, who looks likely to be inaugurated as US president in January, and who is known as being pro-EU.

Leader of the Brexit Party, Nigel Farage, has said that Cummings’ dismissal is a go that a “Brexit sell-out” is on the horizon.

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This European strongman's use and misuse of religion serves as a warning to Western democracies
Nov 14 2020
This European strongman’s use and misuse of religion serves as a warning to Western democracies

Somewhere in his journey to power in Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had a radical religious conversion.

An atheist when he started in politics in the late 1980s, Orbán now calls himself a defender of Christianity. In an August speech commemorating the 1920 Treaty of Trianon – a traumatic event in which Hungary lost much of its territory – Orbán argued that Western Europe had given up on “a Christian Europe” and was choosing instead to experiment with “a godless cosmos, rainbow families, migration and open societies.”

As experts in European politics and the religious right, we argue that Orbán’s embrace of religion has served to consolidate his power, “other” his opponents and shield Hungary from EU criticism of its attacks on the rule of law.

It is also, we believe, a dangerous model for how religion can be used to fuel democratic backsliding.

Consolidating power

In 2014, during an address to the nation, Orbán spoke of building “an illiberal state, a non-liberal state,” in Hungary. While an illiberal state is an ambiguous concept, Orbán praised it as better able to protect Hungary’s national interests and preserve its cohesion. Four years later, his tone had shifted: Hungary was now a “Christian democracy.”

Such a shift is emblematic of Orbán’s career, with its many ideological twists and turns. He has changed his tune on many major issues, from being a firm supporter of European integration to becoming a strong defender of national sovereignty. He has befriended Russian President Vladimir Putin since his return to power in 2010, despite his past anti-Russian stance.

And he renounced his past atheism during the 1990s – a decision that went hand in hand with his courting of religious and conservative voters. According to European politics scholar Charles Gati, “no European leader since Napoleon may have changed his spots more.”

Far from consistently adhering to clear principles, Orbán, according to The Economist, over the years has instead been “dedicated to the accumulation and maintenance of power.”

That ruthlessness grew after Orbán was voted out as prime minister in 2002. Deeply shocked by this turn of events, he vowed not to lose power again if he ever returned to office.

During the 2010 election campaign, Orbán declared that “we need to win only once, but need to win big” – an apparent warning that he would use any large electoral victory to strengthen his position, so not to have to relinquish power. Cynically claiming the mantle of Christian Democracy, according to Princeton scholar Jan-Werner Mueller, became a key tool of his strategy in the following decade to consolidate his grip on Hungarian politics.

Wedge issues at home

Like much of Europe, Hungary is somewhat secular. In the 2011 census, 45% of the population did not list any religious affiliation. Hungary’s communist regime had certainly scorned and discouraged religion for many decades. After the 1989 fall of the Iron Curtain dividing Europe between the communist Eastern bloc and free market West, people did not flock to churches.

Nonetheless, when Orbán returned to power in 2010, he began to rely on religion to mobilize voters. For instance, he framed his harsh anti-immigration policies as a defense of Christianity.

As the Syrian civil war reached a crescendo in 2015, hundreds of thousands of migrants fled the violence. Although most migrants to Europe were trying only to transit through Hungary, Orbán declared that Syrian migrants were trying to invade the country and change its culture and religion. Officials of Orbán’s party, Fidesz, have echoed these claims over the years, suggesting Muslim refugees are trying to impose their culture and establish a caliphate on the continent.

For a country with a history of invasion that stretches from the sacking of cities by Mongols through the Nazi invasion in 1944 and Soviet occupation, the terminology raised fear and unease.

Orbán has also resurrected older anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about Jews and leftists to consolidate his Christian credentials, such as sponsoring exhibits implicitly associating communists with Jews. It has also helped to cement an “us or them” narrative in which opponents of Orbán are “othered.” To do this, Orbán chose billionaire philanthropist George Soros as his major foil.

Soros, who is Jewish, was born in Hungary. He went into hiding during the Holocaust and fled the country once communists took control. After the Iron Curtain fell in 1989, Soros donated millions of dollars to Hungary’s fledgling civil society.

Yet he was easy to demonize for some Hungarians, not only because he was Jewish, but because he had spent most of his adult life outside the country. In the 2019 European Parliament elections, a government tax-funded campaign attacked Soros and then European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, accusing them of using migration plans to undermine Hungary’s security.

The year before, during the 2018 Hungarian elections, Orbán used even more explicit anti-Semitic undertones to attack Soros: “We are fighting an enemy that is different from us. Not open, but hiding; not straightforward, but crafty; not honest, but base; not national, but international; does not believe in working, but speculates with money.”

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Deflecting criticisms, seeking allies

Orbán’s use of Christianity also serves wider foreign policy goals.

The continued erosion of the rule of law in Hungary, including attacks against the free media and the independence of the judiciary, is a long-standing concern for the European Union.

But Orbán has, up to now, skillfully taken advantage of the EU’s divisions and weaknesses to avoid any major consequences for his country’s democratic backsliding. He has conveniently used Christianity as a shield to deflect and delegitimize the criticisms from Brussels.

Orbán also invokes Christianity to court allies, close and far. This has been the case with solidifying the alliance with Hungary’s conservative neighbor Poland. Orbán, after all, understands the importance of close friends in the EU. Not only can they help to counter policies he objects to, but major rule of law sanctions in the EU require unanimity. Poland and Hungary can thus provide cover for each other.

Finally, Orbán has also made use of Christianity, highlighting Hungary’s policies to help persecuted Christians, to build ties with key players beyond Europe. It is noteworthy that Orbán was the only EU leader to attend the inauguration of the right-wing Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil in 2019. And the Hungarian government has gone out of its way to court religious conservatives and conservative nationalists in the United States.

Religious embrace

In many respects, Viktor Orbán’s use of religion is no different from Ronald Reagan’s embrace of Christian evangelicals in the late 1970s. Both leaders relied on religious imagery to build bigger voting coalitions.

Orbán is far from the first leader to use religion to increase his base.

Bettmann/Getty Images

Every Republican candidate for president since has tried to appeal to evangelicals and invoked Christian values. And even ham-handed attempts such as those by President Donald Trump have done little to undermine such unions.

Such an embrace of religious groups is not in itself a problem. But calculated uses of religion to attack domestic and foreign opponents, or to weaken democratic checks and balances, is, we believe, a major concern. Orbán’s Hungary provides a clear warning of how easily Christianity can be distorted and used to erode democracy.

Garret Martin, Senior Professorial Lecturer, Co-Director Transatlantic Policy Center, American University School of International Service and Carolyn Gallaher, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, American University School of International Service

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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My favorite IG food finds
Nov 14 2020
My favorite IG food finds

A lot of people have become instant food entrepreneurs because of the pandemic. Selling their products solely online, they have made our food delivery options more varied, and choosing a lot harder.

To help narrow down your choices, here are some items I found on Instagram and have grown to love.

Lotus Leaf Rice from Rolling Pin (@rollingpinph)

Flight attendant Melody Sy is revisiting her love for baking. With her mom Marines, who cooks classic Chinese dishes, she opened Rolling Pin last May. Their lineup of cakes includes a berry-filled version of the trendy burnt Basque cheesecake and an old-fashioned chocolate cake. For savory fare, their bestsellers are the pork and shrimp wontons, machang or lotus leaf rice, pork maki, pork kiampong, chami, lomi and five-spice kikiam.

The Hulk from Naked Bakery

The Hulk from Naked Bakery (@nkd.bakery)

Many started selling sourdough during the lockdown, but none were as pretty as the ones from Naked Bakery, so named because the breads have “nothing to hide.” “My time in Europe taught me to love bread the way Europeans do,” says Harvey Hsieh, 29. “I’ve always wanted to learn how to make bread because I knew that one day I’d have to come back home, and the thought of not being able to enjoy them was not acceptable.” So he honed his skills by watching videos online and consulting with friends. He started selling his 100-percent refined wheat sourdough during the initial stages of enhanced community quarantine, then followed it up with schiacciata, a classic Tuscan flatbread, and his bestseller, the Hulk, which is the schiacciata slathered with herbed butter.

Beef Rendang Empanada from Casa Luisa

Beef Rendang Empanada from Casa Luisa (@casa_luisa)

Because of COVID-19, Jen Gerodias Slagle had to lay off most of the staff from her commissary business. On the bright side, this allowed her to start anew and move to Laguna with her two boys. “Living here, surrounded by fruit trees and foliage and embracing slow living, has inspired me to get back in the kitchen and make things with my own two hands.” In June, she launched Casa Luisa, which offers comfort Filipino food using French techniques. She has sisig, tocino and tapa, but it’s her empanada that sell the most. It’s made with an all-butter pastry that’s treated like a croissant dough. For fillings, she has beef brisket kaldereta, French onion soup, and my favorite, beef rendang with pickles and sambal.

Bangus Belly Sardines from CC Table

Gourmet Bangus Belly Sardines from CC Table (@cc_table)

A former magazine fashion editor, Carole Cuasay Tagle decided to offer her entertaining staples to the public last July. “I wanted to share my own take on comfort food using healthy alternatives and thoughtful ingredients that even kids will love,” she says. Her roster includes mostly bottled goods like Three Cheese Pimiento, All Natural Hummus, Tomato Everything Confit, Organic Chicken Paté paired with Pear Jam, and pan de sal from Masa Bakery, which is her sister’s business. The Bangus Belly Sardines comes bathed in flavored oil, and the fatty belly begs for warm rice.

Baby Back Ribs with Corn Muffins by Maisie (@aMAISIEingGoodies)

What began simply as a quarantine activity for Candy Villaroman-Tuliao’s daughter, Maisie, eventually became a profitable hobby. “I wanted the time spent at home to be productive. This was our way of turning our situation into a positive and meaningful experience,” says the dermatologist. Maisie bakes the snickerdoodle cinnamon cookies herself, while Candy does the baby back ribs, which are oven-baked for hours. And since this has been selling really well, they’re now working on a frozen version, which customers can reheat.

Wagyu Steak Bowl from Ginza Gyu

Wagyu Steak Bowl from Ginza Gyu (@ginzagyuph)

Craving for premium beef bowls, friends and business partners Rich Sanz, Maxine Marcelino, Mikael Jiang and Queen Lee started Ginza Gyu last week. Choices include Wagyu gyudon, grilled salmon, yakinikudon, ebi katsu, eight-hour kurobota chashu and brown butter tenderloin.

Angus Roast Beef from The Purple Wok

Angus Roast Beef from The Purple Wok (@thepurplewok)

The Purple Wok was a longtime idea that finally saw its launch due to the pandemic. “We had to look for means to help our laid-off staff from our other food businesses,” says Portia Vicente-Habaluyas. “They’ve been loyal to us for many years, and there was no way we were going to let them down.” Introduced last September, the brand serves recipes from her home: gambas al ajillo, paella negra with clams and mussels in white wine, and baked lobster tails. Their bestseller has been the US Angus Melt-in-Your-Mouth Roast Beef, which can be ordered with herbed veggies, creamy garlic mashed potatoes, mushroom splice and three sauces—basic gravy, au jus and truffle gravy.

Pollo à la Brasa by Viaje by Kev (@viaje.bykev)

Kevin Jonathan Uy, who graduated from Enderun and trained in restaurants Enoteca in Barcelona and Central in Peru, launched Viaje by Kev in August. “Being a Spanish-speaking, Latin American- and European-trained chef, I felt that I could offer something new and delightful in the face of this crisis,” he says. “The concept revolves around closed borders and open minds. It strives to bring adventure on a plate.” The brand has already become known for its pollo á la brasa set, which includes a whole butterflied grilled chicken, two pepper-based sauces called ajies (rojo and verde), boniatos or sweet potato croquettes and chorizo rice. He also offers a delicious barley risotto, and ready-to-heat callos.

Umami truffle rice with ribs and shrimp by Slow Burn Manila

Truffle Umami Rice with Smokin’ Ribs and Garlic Shrimps from Slow Burn (@slowburnmnl)

Food consultant and chef Chryso Morales, 32, lost some projects and his restaurant job because of the pandemic. To earn a living, he, along with partners Dale Morales and Matthew Ignacio, started Slow Burn Manila last September. “The idea is to offer unique and original flavor combinations on a single plate,” he says. “Putting together truffle and barbecue sauce played in my head, so we started testing and cooking in the kitchen until we got the right recipe.” The result—Smokin’ Ribs with Truffle Rice, Garlic Shrimps with French Beans and Cherry Tomatoes—is their first offering, and it has already gathered a loyal following. Next in line are salmon with squid ink rice, and an herbed and spiced chicken dish.

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Forces in Tigray aim missiles at Ethiopian airports - Vatican News
Nov 14 2020
Forces in Tigray aim missiles at Ethiopian airports – Vatican News

By Nathan Morley

Rockets hit Gondar in Amhara state, but a projectile aimed at the Bahir Dar airport missed its target.

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which holds control of Tigray, said the missiles were fired in retaliation for air strikes conducted by forces of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Last week, Abiy deployed the national Army on an offensive against local troops in Tigray after accusing them of attacking federal troops. He confirmed government warplanes were targeting military facilities in Tigray, controlled by the Tigrayan forces.

Ahmed has said the military would bring an end to the fighting in Tigray region and remove its leadership, which his government regards as illegal.

The African Union and the United Nations are concerned that the fighting could spread to other parts of the country.

Pope Francis has appealed for a peaceful solution to the violence, urging authorities “to reject the temptation of armed conflct. 

Last week, the Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia appealed for peaceful dialogue, urging parties to resolve their differences amicably, in a spirit of respect and understanding.

Listen to Nathan Morley’s report

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Caritas Philippines: International help needed in aftermath of 2 typhoons - Vatican News
Nov 14 2020
Caritas Philippines: International help needed in aftermath of 2 typhoons – Vatican News

 By Vatican News staff writer

The Catholic Church’s social action arm has urged the Duterte government to seek international help as widespread flooding from two recent typhoons inundated several parts of the country. “The nation is in quandary,” is how Father Antonio Labiao, executive director of Caritas Philippines described the situation in the wake of yet another storm.  

Two storms in a fortnight

Typhoon Vamco, called Ulysses locally, made landfall in the Philippines on 11 November, causing massive flooding in various parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila and Cagayan. The 21st storm to hit the Philippines this year has killed at least 53 people, injured 52 and left 22 missing, according to the Philippines police and army.

The storm battered areas still reeling from the Super Typhoon Goni, the world’s strongest typhoon so far this year that claimed 25 lives and destroyed thousands of homes.  Goni made landfall on 31 October. The typhoons struck as the Philippines continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.  On Saturday, 1,650 new coronavirus infections and 39 more deaths were reported.

“Every life matters”

Father Labiao said that in Cagayan, people, in particular children, the elderly and the vulnerable are crying out for help – some have died already. “The Catholic Church, especially the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, is mobilizing all its resources to reach Cagayan Valley the soonest,” he said, adding, “We cannot do this without everyone’s help.”  “All stakeholders need to be on board.”

“We urge our government to seek help from the international community now,” Fagther Labiao said. “It is clear that we cannot do this alone. It is imperative that we leave no one behind. Let us all help each other. Let us save everyone. Every second counts. Every life matters.”

Vincentians

Meanwhile, the Vincentian Foundation is reaching out to the victims of Typhoon Ulysses in Manila.  Vincentian priest Father Dani Pilario appealed for urgent help for illegal settlers living in shanties under bridges because they could be trapped by flooding caused by heavy rain that saw a river in the Marikina area of the metropolis rise by a meter in less than three hours.

The priest noted that the flooding is made worse with dams releasing water or overflowing.  Unaware of this danger, many people, he said, could easily be trapped or washed away altogether. 

Resilience of people

However, Father Pilario was amazed at the resilience of these squatters under bridges who were smiling despite their hard conditions. When the Vincentian Foundation team reached the affected people with relief material, the priest said they looked very relaxed.  “We already know what to do, Father. We have been here for a long time,” they said.

However, Father Pilario said that although this might be the case, they too had their limits: “When a government does not have a housing program which forces families including children to live in such circumstances, then this society is abusing people’s resilience.”.

The Vincentian priest criticized the government saying it is more worried about its own survival and hold on power than sheltering and caring for people during natural disasters. 

The Jesuits of the Philippines have also appealed for help for the affected people.

President Rodrigo Duterte said on 12 November that he had ordered government agencies to mobilize and provide aid to victims.  “Rest assured, the government will not leave anybody behind,” Duterte said on national television.

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Islam is religion of politeness and care: Sirohey
Nov 14 2020
Islam is religion of politeness and care: Sirohey

Observer Report

While talking to the monthly ijlas of Shura Hamdard former Naval Chief Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey and other scholars of Shura Hamdard said that according to Quaid-e-Azam Pakistan would be al laboratory of Islam in modern world. Allah Almighty sent his messengers in different eras of past for guidance of mankind to the right.
Non-Muslims know that we love our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) beyond limits but they take advantage of our social, religious division and sectarianism, they avail the chance to disgrace and disrespect Holy Prophet (SAWW). They know that Islam has the ability to dominate through its unique characteristics. According to the teachings of Islam all Messengers, Prophets and religious scholars are respectable.
Islam is a religion of politeness and care. As a Muslim it is part of our belief not to tolerate or forgive anyone who disgraces our Prophet (SAWW). Not only religious but social and political organizations have strictly condemned and protested against France for its current shameful activity.
It is also being suggested that we should ban imports and boycott all the products of France. Our Prime Minister raised his voice against the matter and has written to the Muslim leaders about it. Our country is stepping towards Riasat-e-Madinah. What we need the most is unity and forget sectarianism.
The topic of Ijlas was “BAIN-UL-MAZAHIB HUM.AAHANGI KAY TAQAZAY”. National President of Shura Hamdard Sadia Rashid said that Muslims should collectively raise voice and demand United Nations to constitute a law against blasphemy of our Prophet (SAWW) and all other spiritual and religious leaders.



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EU staff reject Chinese Hikvision's equipment over Uyghur repression
Nov 14 2020
EU staff reject Chinese Hikvision’s equipment over Uyghur repression

Brussels [Belgium], November 13 (ANI): Thousands of staff employed at the European Unions institutions have rejected the use of Chinese video surveillance provider Hikvision technologies in light of the company’s association with China’s human rights abuses and specifically the oppression of millions of Uyghurs.

President Cristiano Sebastiani of the leading European Institution Trade Union, RenouveauDemocratie, representing thousands of staff employed in the European offices, wrote a letter to Johannes Hahn, Commissioner in charge of Budget and Human Resources for the EU Institutions on Wednesday regarding the thermal imaging systems used by the European Commission and the European Parliament, produced by the Chinese technology giant Hikvision, according to a press statement.

The Hikvision cameras have been placed at entrances throughout the European Parliament and installed in the European Commission’s main offices, the Berlaymont and Charlemagne buildings, the statement noted.

The Chinese company Hikvision has been accused of being linked to the oppression of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in East Turkistan, China’s Xinjiang province, including providing surveillance equipment used in the brutal “re-education camps”.

The Chinese government holds a 40 per cent controlling stake in Hikvision via the state-owned China Electronics Technology Group Corporation.

A leaked German Foreign Ministry report estimates that 1 million Uyghur in China are being detained without trial. Ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and members of other Muslim minority groups are also being imprisoned, the report said.

Sebastiani’ letter comes after German Member of European Parliament (MEP) Reinhard Butikofer, head of the European Parliament delegation to China, denounced that the use of Hikvision technology by the European institutions as “extremely worrying” since “Hikvision is a technology company which is deeply complicit in the terrible oppression of the Uighur people in Xinjiang which borders on genocide” and that the European institutions should “immediately create transparency and draw the adequate consequences: i.e. sever any direct or indirect business relationship with Hikvision.”Also, Charlie Weimers, Swedish MEP from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, said that: “The EU should have no dealings whatsoever with a Chinese firm that is alleged to be involved in some of the most abhorrent human rights abuses in the world” and that “Nobel Prize winners should adhere to a higher standard.”Svenja Hahn, German MEP from the Renew Europe group, addressed a letter to President European Parliament David Sassoli, saying that she found “it outrageous that European taxpayers’ money has been used to purchase monitoring equipment from a company that with their products enables mass surveillance, oppression of minorities and massive breaches of human rights”.

The use of Hikvision technology by the European institutions has provoked strong reactions from EU institutions staff as well and they have expressed their discontent at having to come face to face with a company accused of contributing to human rights violations in China.

Concerning the management of personal data, the spokesperson of the European Parliament confirmed that “the equipment is neither connected to the Parliament’s computer network nor records any data”. (ANI)

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Brexit: Trade fears mount as breakthrough in EU-UK talks proves elusive
Nov 14 2020
Brexit: Trade fears mount as breakthrough in EU-UK talks proves elusive

With just seven weeks to go until an abrupt change to trade terms with Britain, there is mounting concern at continued uncertainty over the final details of what procedures will govern the movement of vital supplies in and out of Ireland on January 1st.

Talks between Britain and the European Union broke off after a week of intense negotiations in London that were overshadowed by turmoil in Downing Street, in which senior aides to British prime minister Boris Johnson resigned and there was speculation about the position of chief negotiator David Frost.

At one point chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier took a break from negotiations and posted an image of himself “looking for level playing fields” in a London park.

Pressure is now mounting for a breakthrough as the EU’s national leaders prepare to gather for a video conference on Thursday, with disagreements over fish and how to ensure fair competition between British and EU companies persisting as a stumbling block.

Dissolve

Hundreds of billions of euro in trade ride on whether the EU can strike a deal with its former member. Without one, the legal underpinnings of relations built up over decades would dissolve overnight and tariffs would automatically come into force, an economically damaging outcome that the EU side is concerned is becoming harder to avoid.

In briefings to businesses on the complex customs declarations requirements that will be required irrespective of whether a deal is reached or not, the British government has been unable to explain the special arrangements that will be in place for goods moving into Northern Ireland from January, saying that it would “become clearer in the next week or so”. A significant amount of work remains to be done on the issue, The Irish Times understands.

Britain has asked the EU to allow a grace period for export declarations for goods moving from Britain to Northern Ireland to avoid potential disruption to food supplies, a proposal backed by rival parties in the North as well as industry figures increasingly desperate for certainty.

Rigorous checks

It comes after supermarkets have warned the range of products they stock could be greatly reduced because of the need for rigorous checks on agri-food products from Britain, and the North’s Department of Agriculture admitted infrastructure needed for checks will not be ready on time.

Yet even if a grace period for declarations is granted, Britain still accepts that consignments would nevertheless be subject to the checks and controls required, The Irish Times understands.

Seamus Leheny from the Freight Transport Association in Northern Ireland said a grace period would be “not just welcome, it’s required, it’s needed because, especially for food, we just aren’t ready.”

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that the proposal was a “workable solution”, after the North’s cross-party leadership wrote to the European Commission emphasising supermarkets’ concerns that there was a “real threat to the continuity of the supply” of food and other products.

Responding to the letter, a European Commission spokesman said it was taking the warnings “very seriously”, and discussions were continuing with the UK.

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French MEP asks EU to stop 'showering' Turkey, Pak with subsidies
Nov 14 2020
French MEP asks EU to stop ‘showering’ Turkey, Pak with subsidies

Brussels [Belgium], November 13 (ANI): Terming Turkey and Pakistan as countries of concern amid rising terrorists attack in Europe, French Member of European Parliament (MEP) Nicolas Bay has asked European Union (EU) to stop “showering” Ankara and Islamabad with subsidies and customs facilities, rather put sanctions against them.

“During the European Parliamentary plenary of November, 11 French MEP Nicolas Bay from the Identity and Democracy Group had strong words against European aid to Pakistan and Turkey in light of threats coming from both countries. MEP Bay’s comments were made in the context of a debate on the ‘fight against terrorism, freedom of expression and education’,” a press statement read.

Speaking to the European Commissioner Ylva Johansson responsible for Home Affairs, Nicolas Bay was critical of the support being given by the European Commission to the countries of concern. “You are showering countries like Pakistan and Turkey with subsidies and customs facilities. We want to sanction them!”Linking terrorism threats to migration, MEP Bay gave the stark warning that the latest terrorist attacks in Paris had all been committed by migrants arriving in Europe.

Highlighting that over the last year’s terrorist attacks had taken place across Europe in Vienna Madrid, London, Paris, Nice, Milan, Berlin, Amsterdam, Toulouse, Stockholm and St Petersburg, the parliamentarian recognised that “No victim should be forgotten!””The last three attacks in France were perpetrated by people of immigrant backgrounds: It was a Pakistani who attacked journalists in Paris; it was a Chechen who slit the throat of a teacher in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine; it was a Tunisian, freshly arrived via Lampedusa, who murdered three people in a church in Nice.”Bay pointed out that since the Madrid attacks in 2004, 450 people had been killed by Islamist terrorists in Europe and that Europe was losing its identity.

“They attack us for who we are, not what we do. We cannot fight this battle if we refuse to name the enemy,” he said.

Bay singled out both Turkey and Pakistan as countries of concern during his intervention: “Erdogan is also moving forward because the European Union does not dare to act, he is waging war on Armenia, and in Libya by deploying jihadists from the ranks of Da’esh, he is threatening our continent with migratory subversion, he is converting the Basilica of Saint Sophie into a mosque.”Bay further critiqued the Commission for its financing of Islamist organisations stating that EUR5.6 million had been given towards Muslim Brotherhood networks. “In total, over the last 5 years, the European Union has paid 36.5 million euros directly to Islamist organisations or projects in which they were involved.”The debate comes in the aftermath of the recent terrorist attacks that took place in France and Austria. President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, prior to the debate had opened the European Parliament stating that it was “a shared responsibility to fight all types of extremism”. (ANI)

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EU Moves Forward with Increased Tariffs on American Goods
Nov 14 2020
EU Moves Forward with Increased Tariffs on American Goods

The European Union (EU) has announced that it will be moving forward with increased tariffs on U.S. goods. Tariffs will be imposed on nearly $4 billion worth of American imports. The tariffs will be implemented on a variety of agricultural and industrial goods. A decision issued by the World Trade Organization back in October allows the EU to move forward with retaliatory tariffs. The underlying issue originated from an EU grievance with U.S. subsidies for aircraft production.

“We have made clear all along that we want to settle this long-running issue. Regrettably, due to lack of progress with the U.S., we had no other choice but to impose these countermeasures,” Executive Vice President for the European Commission and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis said in a news release. “The EU is consequently exercising its legal rights under the WTO’s recent decision.”

 The increased tariffs will affect a number of different agricultural products. A list of American goods that will be impacted includes a tier system for the tariffs. The 15 percent tier affects some civilian aircraft. A 25 percent tariff tier will apply to a multitude of food and agriculture products. In a press release, National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Jim Mulhern expressed frustration with how the EU is handling the trade dispute.

“Europe has long wielded restrictive and unjustified trade tactics to limit fair competition from U.S. agriculture, including dairy exports,” Mulhern noted. “The EU’s restrictive trade policies that have resulted in a one-way flow of agriculture trade, and in particular dairy trade, to Europe is something that both the current and future Administrations need to keep in mind. In fact, the trade deficit between the EU and U.S. continues to widen as the EU uses unjustified trade tactics to erode U.S. market access and limit fair competition.”

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Thinking Anew – Religion can be a source of error as well as truth
Nov 14 2020
Thinking Anew – Religion can be a source of error as well as truth

Anybody following the recent US presidential campaign will know that religious views played a significant role, with lots of attention focused on the white evangelical Christians who supported the non-church going Donald Trump and rejected the devout Joe Biden, who made clear what his faith meant to him.

The evangelicals were not alone in their support for Trump. In a Rite & Reason column in this newspaper (October 27th), Fr Patrick Hannon, emeritus professor of moral theology in Maynooth, wrote about the challenges facing a Catholic politician like Biden in America, trying to balance competing views of church and civil society on moral issues. He noted that in the recent election campaign, Cardinal Dolan of New York had signalled his support for Donald Trump because of his pro-life agenda.

It is clear that Trump’s support among the religious extends beyond evangelical fundamentalists. Indeed, after the 2016 election, the National Catholic Reporter, an American journal, reported that the 81 per cent of white, “born again” evangelical Christians who voted for Trump were joined by 58 per cent of mainline Protestants and 52 per cent of Roman Catholics. They backed Trump because he was willing to meet their demands on moral issues.

That religious/political alliance brought to mind the writings of the Rev Reinhold Niebuhr (1892 -1971), considered in his time to be one of America’s leading intellectuals. The historian Arthur Schlesinger jnr described him as “the most influential American theologian of the 20th century”.

The son of a clergyman, Niebuhr was a pastor in the American branch of the German Evangelical Church, now known as the United Church of Christ, as well as being a leading academic.

He took particular interest in the relationship between religion and politics, believing that religion could be a source of error as well as truth and therefore its role should be to cultivate a sense of humility rather than a sense of infallibility. He said that “religion is so frequently a source of confusion in political life, and so frequently dangerous to democracy, precisely because it introduces absolutes into the realm of relative values”.

In his book The Irony of American History, Niebuhr wrote: “We . . . as all ‘God-fearing’ men of all ages, are never safe against the temptation of claiming God too simply as the sanctifier of whatever we most fervently desire. Even the most ‘Christian’ civilisation and even the most pious church must be reminded that the true God can be known only where there is some awareness of a contradiction between divine and human purposes, even on the highest level of human aspirations.”

That temptation to see “God . . . as the sanctifier of whatever we most fervently desire” may be attractive to those who long for certainty and seek to dominate others but it is not consistent with the teaching of Jesus who stood up to the absolutists of his day (The Pharisees) and told his followers to prepare for change: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.”

The Christian life requires change, as new truths consistent with the mind of Christ are revealed.

Reinhold Niebuhr may not be widely remembered but his words are, for he is the author of the Serenity Prayer which first appeared in a sermon of his which was included in A Book of Prayers and Services for the US armed forces during the second World War. It speaks well to our fears in these troubling and challenging times.

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; taking, as He (Jesus) did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.”

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Seeing the Book Biz from Both Sides Now
Nov 14 2020
Seeing the Book Biz from Both Sides Now

Elisabeth Sifton, who edited three of my books and died a year ago, used to put a big X in the margin whenever I mentioned a book that a writer had published. “Writers don’t publish books!” she’d say. “Publishers publish books.” I would dutifully change the wording, but I have to confess that I didn’t understand exactly what she meant—as, indeed, most authors don’t understand what publishers do, other than give them material to complain about.

Well, now I know. Five years ago, with a small group of colleagues, I started a publishing enterprise called Columbia Global Reports. We bring out novella-length works of serious nonfiction—26 thus far—on a wide variety of topics. We began with a charge, and financial support, from Columbia University’s president, Lee Bollinger, who was concerned about the severe contraction of the American press at a time when the immediacy of large international challenges was increasing. Our books are paperbacks, attractively designed and produced in a uniform format, usually based on original on-site reporting that we pay for rather than asking our authors to cover expenses out of their advances.

Doing this work has given me a view of publishing from the other side—the publishers’ side—even as I have continued to write books of my own for other publishers. What is it that publishers know, and do, that writers don’t fully grasp? I can answer that, at least to some extent.

A quick word, though, from where authors are coming from. Authors are like actors, perpetually aware that many more people want to do what we do than the world has room for. Editors and publishers have jobs. We don’t. We feel our status to be eternally provisional.

Being a publisher has changed my attitude about the writer’s place in the world, and it may be useful and encouraging to know what it is that gives a writer real value to publishers. At Columbia Global Reports, we are looking for writers who can do firsthand reporting in faraway places, make original arguments about major issues, and write prose that is a pleasure to read. That combination of skills is very, very difficult to find; anybody who has all three, or even two out of three, is a rare talent, for whose time and energy we always find ourselves competing against others who also want them.

Journalists who write books—that’s most of our authors at Columbia Global Reports—often complain that book publishers edit and fact-check their work far less than a traditional news organization would. As a publisher, it’s easy for me to see where this evidently odd feature of book publishing comes from. Though book publishing is famously dominated by five big companies, the actual work of getting a book out is strikingly decentralized. Small publishers like us have access to an amazing array of service providers who aren’t publishers themselves—such as, in our case, Publishers Group West, which functions as our sales force, and Strick & Williams, which designs our books. As a nonprofit publisher, we can afford to invest in editing and fact-checking, but the one essential function that can’t be outsourced is establishing the identity of the house and drawing attention to its work. Seeing that firsthand has cleared up the mystery (for an author like me) of why acquiring and marketing are the primary tasks for publishers.

Authors are crucial to that part of publishing. We are all hyperaware of authors, usually of fiction, who are reclusive or mysterious—think of Elena Ferrante or Cormac McCarthy. As an author, it’s appealing to think of oneself as somebody whose writing can command the attention of the world all by itself, to the point that no more is needed than producing the work.

To a publisher, writers who think that way are very frustrating. Are you active on social media? Great. Can you produce an op-ed-length version of the core argument of your book? Even better. Are you adept at being interviewed? Will you turn in a very complete version of your author questionnaire?

It is striking to us how much respect books command. Books have the power to launch sustained conversations in a way that other forms of publications do not. Generating that type of debate only works if the author continues to participate enthusiastically through the entire publication process.

So I would amend Elisabeth Sifton’s maxim. Publishers publish. Writers write. And publishers need writers to be their partners in publishing, too.

Nicholas Lemann is founder and director of Columbia Global Reports. His most recent book is Transaction Man: The Rise of the Deal and the Decline of the American Dream (Picador).

A version of this article appeared in the 11/16/2020 issue of Publishers Weekly under the headline: From Both Sides Now

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Russia imposes sanctions on EU for Navalny poisoning
Nov 14 2020
Russia imposes sanctions on EU for Navalny poisoning

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called Germany’s behavior in connection with the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny unacceptable and inconsistent with international obligations. Lavrov also put forward a new version of Navalny’s poisoning, stating that he could be poisoned with a military-grade substance either in Germany or during his transportation there.

“We have reasons to believe that everything that happened to him in terms of the penetration of chemical warfare agents into his body could happen in Germany or on the plane that was used to fly him to Charite clinic,” the Russian minister said.

He added that Russia imposed mirror sanctions in response to EU sanctions against Russia in connection with the poisoning of Aleksei Navalny. Lavrov did not specify what kind of sanctions Russia imposed exactly, but only said that they would affect officials at the administrations of France and Germany.

Earlier, Sergei Naryshkin, the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service said that NATO secret services allegedly discussed an opportunity to “sacrifice” one of the leaders of the Russian opposition in order to revive the shriveled protest movement in the Russian Federation. He acknowledged, though, that he had no evidence to prove the involvement of Western special services in the Navalny situation.

Spokespeople for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in turn, said that politician’s wife Yulia Navalny allegedly told doctors that her husband was on a diet to lose weight, which could make him feel unwell. According to the Ministry, Yulia Navalny allegedly told doctors that her husband would eat irregularly and complained of discomfort after meals. The ministry said that Navalny was diagnosed with “chronic pancreatitis with exogenous and intrasecretory function disorder and concomitant exacerbation”, adding that the fact of his poisoning had not been confirmed.

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Brexit Negotiations 'Held Hostage' by No.10 Infighting and Dominic Cummings, EU Officials
Nov 13 2020
Brexit Negotiations ‘Held Hostage’ by No.10 Infighting and Dominic Cummings, EU Officials

The leader of the largest party in the European parliament has blamed internal conflict within the British government for stalled Brexit negotiations on Friday, following confirmation that Downing Street advisor Dominic Cummings would be departing his role by Christmas.

On Radio 4’s Today programme, German politician Manfred Weber, who heads the People’s Party and an ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel, cited the “chaotic situation” within the highest echelons of the British government as the cause of the Brexit deadlock.

Weber, who serves as an MEP for the German Christian Social Union, which is linked to Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), claimed that the infighting is causing the UK’s position to become unclear.

While speaking to the BBC, Weber outlined that Brexit talks have stalled due for two primary reasons: access to UK fishing waters and the “level playing field” rules which prevent state aid favouring British companies.

“There are fair questions we are asking … If you want to change in the future, with your background of sovereignty, your subsidies, regulations, then we must have an option an opportunity to react to stop to limit your access to our market”, he said. “I see what is happening now in Downing Street. We can also see this as a quite chaotic situation where we don’t have an idea what is really the line in Great Britain. So don’t tell us we should be ready for compromise”.

He said the EU requires a “clear idea from Boris Johnson” and urged the Prime Minister to show “leadership”, pointing to “recent developments in America” where “it will be not so easy with Joe Biden [as US president-elect] to achieve an easy trade deal now”.

“It’s time to take over responsibility and come to a common understanding. Britain has red lines, we have red lines, let’s now come to a compromise”, he added.

The German lawmaker’s comments were rejected by UK government sources. The unnamed official told The Guardian that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has “been clear that he wants a deal if there is a deal to be done. We’ve been negotiating constructively and with creativity”.

“I guess the reason the EU feel the need to say these sorts of things is that they are starting to realise that we meant it when we said there were fundamental principles from which we couldn’t move. We need to see some realism and creativity from their side if we are to bridge the significant gaps that remain”, he added.


©
REUTERS / JOHN SIBLEY
Dominic Cummings, special advisor for Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, arrives at Downing Street, in London, Britain, November 12, 2020

This follows confirmation that Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s top aide and former director of the Vote Leave campaign that spearheaded the UKs movement to leave the EU in 2016, would leave Downing Street by 25 December 2020.

However, this contradicted a previous comment by Cummings, who told the BBC on Thursday that the “rumours of me threatening to resign are invented”. He later clarified that his position remained unchanged from a blog post in January, where wrote that would make himself “largely redundant” by the end of the year.

An unnamed EU source told the Guardian that Cummings’ had been holding the negotiation process “hostage” and his departure could lead to an easing of resistance to compromise.

“His flawed concept of state aid has held the negotiation hostage,” the diplomat said.

Cummings has long advocated for Brexit as an opportunity for the UK’s to subsidise the tech industry beyond the common competition restrictions of the European Union.

Despite the logjam, a deal must be agreed to this month in order to provide sufficient time for parliamentary ratification. If a compromise is not reached, then the UK will leave the bloc without a deal and trade on World Trade Organisation rules.

The EU’s negotiators, heading by Michel Barnier, have been in London this week for discussion over the future relationship. The team will leave on Friday before meeting with their UK counterparts next Monday in Brussels.

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