Nearly 18 months after the Grenfell Tower fire, 96 per cent of council tower blocks in London do not have sprinkler systems, according to research by the Labour Party.

Figures from local councils showed more than 800 high-rises in the capital did not have the fire protection method, leading the opposition party to say council tenants had been betrayed by the government.

In the aftermath of the inferno that killed 72 people, Theresa May vowed to do whatever it takes to keep our people safe.

Housing minister Kit Malthouse said the government had taken steps to ensure the immediate safety of all high rise buildings, pointing out sprinklers were only one of a host of possible measures that can protect a buildings occupants from fire.

Sprinklers were fitted in 32 of 837 blocks that rise higher than 98ft across the capital, figures provided by 29 of 33 councils showed. Nine of those with sprinklers had them before the blaze and 23 have had the systems fitted in the months since, according to the data seen by The Independent.

Since 2007, new blocks over 30 metres tall must be fitted with sprinklers, but the law does not apply retrospectively.

After the 2009 Lakanal House fire in Southwark that killed six people, a coroner recommended retrofitting sprinklers in existing high-rise residential buildings.

The National Fire Chiefs Council, the London Fire Brigade Commissioner, the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the London Assembly, have also called for the systems to be retrofitted.

Calling on the government to set up a fire safety fund to help cash-strapped councils pay for the protection systems to be fitted, shadow housing minister Sarah Jones said she knew of 10 councils that had requested funding support specifically for sprinklers, but the government had refused.

Other councils had told the Croydon MP they had been discouraged from requesting funding after the governments refusals of other councils were made public. Not a single council surveyed had been granted a funding application for sprinklers, she said.

Councils and social housing tenants have been betrayed by this government who promised to do whatever it took after Grenfell to make tower blocks safe, and has since backtracked, said Ms Jones.

Its simply contradictory for ministers to say that sprinklers arent essential in older buildings while requiring them for new buildings. It creates a two-tier system which disproportionately impacts social housing tenants.

Why should certain people be entitled to safer housing than others?

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: Sprinklers save lives, reduce injury and protect property and we have long been urging the government to take action on sprinklers.

We believe building owners should retrofit sprinklers in tower blocks, especially in the homes of those who would find it difficult to escape a fire such as those with mobility problems and we have also been calling for sprinklers to be mandatory in all new school builds and major refurbishments.

They are the only fire safety system which detects a fire, suppresses a fire and raises the alarm.

Mr Malthouse said: Since the tragic events at Grenfell Tower, we have taken steps to ensure the immediate safety of all high rise buildings.

We are going to fully fund the removal and replacement of unsafe cladding, like the type used on Grenfell Tower, on high rise buildings owned by councils and housing associations, estimated at 400m.

Sprinklers can be effective, but they are one of many fire safety measures that can be adopted. If local authorities have concerns about the costs of essential fire safety measures, they should contact us to discuss their position and any flexibilities we can offer.

No sprinklers in 96 of London high-rise council blocks research finds


Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuels office refuses to release the plan it developed for the citys response to a verdict in the trial of Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke.

On October 5, Van Dyke was convicted of second-degree murder for killing 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. He was also found guilty of 16 counts of aggravated battery, one for every shot he fired into the body of McDonald.

Releasing this information could enable terrorists and criminals to know in advance where police, fire, and other valuable city resources will be, the mayors office argued in its response to a public records request from Lucy Parsons Labs.

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act exempts vulnerability assessments, security measures, and response policies or plans that are designed to identify, prevent, or respond to potential attacks.

The mayors office contends that the action plan can be applied to many types of public safety situations that may arise, a possible effort to avoid comparing freedom of assembly to terrorism. Yet according to the citys statement, the plan was designed to respond to a potential attack upon the communitys population, and the release of this plan could allow persons with this information to effect a strategy in advance for undermining or otherwise targeting public safety efforts.

Many in Chicago braced themselves for the verdict: some for the pain of seeing yet another black person killed by police without consequence, others for what they worried would be civil unrest.

But by invoking this exemption, the city reveals it was planning for protests if Van Dyke was acquitted in the same way it would prepare for a terrorist attack.

The citys lack of transparency regarding its plans for the verdict announcement are surprisingly similar to recent rhetoric about protests from Republicans and the far-right. President Donald Trump has stoked fears of the angry left-wing mob, and both federal and state lawmakers have introduced bills to criminalize and suppress protest.

Previous reporting indicated the city of Chicago created a plan specifically for the Van Dyke verdict.

The Chicago Police Department also rejected a request for these documents, citing the same exemption.

Given the Chicago Police Departments history of violence, a secret emergency plan of counterterrorism tactics raises questions about whether the city protects freedom of assembly.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuels Office Invokes Terrorism To Keep Response Plan To Van Dyke Verdict Secr


Real Madrid have sacked coach Julen Lopetegui, the club have announced.

The 52-year-old was appointed as a successor to Zinedine Zidane after the Frenchman stepped down late in May, but the timing of the announcement upset the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and saw the Basque lose his job as coach of La Roja on the eve of the World Cup.

He flew back from Russia and was officially unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu on June 14, but has lasted little over four months following a disappointing run of results.

Victory over Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday ensured that Lopetegui would be in the dugout for Sunday's El Clasico match with Barcelona.

But that match, a humiliating 5-1 defeat at Camp Nou, would be his final game in the Real Madrid hotseat. It was a fifth defeat in their last seven matches, and it saw Real Madrid president Florentino Perez finally wield the axe.

Lopetegui leaves Real Madrid without a trophy to his name, having lost the Uefa Super Cup to Atletico in his first official game in charge back in August.

A statement released by Real Madrid read: "The Board of Directors of Real Madrid C. F., after a meeting today October 29, 2018, has agreed to terminate the contract that linked coach Julen Lopetegui with the club.

"This decision, adopted from the highest level of responsibility, aims to change the dynamics of the first team, when all the objectives of this season are still achievable.

"The Board of Directors understands that there is a great disproportion between the quality of the staff of Real Madrid, which has eight players nominated for the next Ballon dOr, something unprecedented in the history of the club, and the results obtained to date.

"The club thanks Julen Lopetegui and his entire technical team for their effort and work and wishes them the best in their professional career.

"He will be provisionally replaced by Santiago Solari, who will lead the first team starting tomorrow, Tuesday."

Julen Lopetegui sacked Real Madrid axe coach after El Clasico defeat at Barcelona


Screaming protesters interrupted Mike Pence and were dragged out of the Senate gallery by police.

First roll call was taken then Senators cast their votes.

The Senate confirmed Brett Kavanaugh as 114th Supreme Court Justice in U.S. history.

The evil Democrats threw everything at Brett Kavanaugh and ultimately the truth prevailed!

Congratulations Justice Brett Kavanaugh ITS OFFICIAL KAVANAUGH IS CONFIRMED


A GCSE sociology text book, officially approved by the AQA exam board, has come under fire for offensive statements about Caribbean families, including the claims that men are largely absent and children are passed between relatives.  In AQA GCSE (9-1) Sociology by Rosie Owens and Ian Woodfield, under a chapter discussing the sociology of families, a description of Caribbean families has caused concern that it reinforces negative stereotypes.

The book reads: In Caribbean families, the fathers and husbands are largely absent and women assume the most responsibility in childrearing. When men and women live together, it is usually in cohabiting or common law relationships that reproduce the traditional patriarchal division of labour. The family system is also characterised by child-shifting, that is, the passing of children to other relatives or acquaintances if the parents find themselves unable to take care of them. As a result, multiple women are involved in childhood socialisation. Social media users have since expressed anger and disappointment at the text, referring to it as divisive and racist without being supported by statistics and demonstrable research. The lone parent charity Gingerbread, says that 21% of single parents are from Black or minority ethnic backgrounds, compared with 16% nationally.  The 2011 census revealed that 16.6% of black Caribbean households are lone parents with children, compared with 6.7% of white British households and 22.7% of mixed white British/Caribbean families. But overall number of lone parent families in the UK that are white British far outstrips those of black Caribbean heritage. (Of those lone parents, the census did not say whether they were men or women.)  This evidence does not support the statement in the book that says that fathers in black Caribbean homes are largely absent.

Some campaigners feel that the description of Caribbean families in AQA GCSE (9-1) Sociology is symptomatic of wider, racial inequality across schools in general. Recent research has shown that Black Caribbean pupils are being subjected to institutional racism and stereotyping in English schools, resulting in poor academic attainment levels. On Twitter, @MovellDash wrote: I am disgusted to see that your sociology book contains this kind of stereotyping being taught to children as fact. This rhetoric is at best a stereotype and at worst divisive. Shame on you AQA And @Akeko15664091 posted: @AQA you need to justify this with the scientific evidence that will give this credence in education OR retract it because it upholds negative stereotypes for young minds just 15/16 years

Also, @Motherhood_rx tweeted: Seeing as its Black History Month...we are astounded at this text from a current GCSE sociology book approved by @AQA exam board. In Caribbean families the fathers are largely absent...also child shifting image being in class reading this? Where is the evidence?

An AQA spokesperson told HuffPost UK: We dont agree with any stereotypes and theres nothing about Caribbean families in our actual GCSE Sociology syllabus. We dont produce textbooks ourselves - but well speak with the publisher of this book about these concerns. The book was originally released in 2014. It is approved by AQA and published by Hodder Education. HuffPost UK has reached out to Hodder Education and the Department of Education for comment.

GCSE Text Book Stereotypes Caribbean Families By Claiming That Dads Are Largely Absent


I dont believe anybodys ever had this kind of an impact, Donald Trump has said of himself and the effect his campaign blitz has had for Republican candidates ahead of Americas upcoming congressional elections.

The president has been campaigning aggressively, attending a torrent of rallies designed to fire up Republican voters and boost his partys chances of keeping control of the Senate and the House of Representatives

Despite his efforts, he faces the prospect of a bruising electoral defeat with a blue wave expected to sweep away the Republican dominance in the House, bringing an end to the triple-headed Republican power-hold in Washington.

But Mr Trump has already absolved himself of any blame if he does lose his majority on 6 November, saying that even though he has tried to help, as he is not running himself, people may not turn up to vote.

Im not running, he told the Associated Press. I mean, there are many people that have said to me ... I will never ever go and vote in the midterms because youre not running and I dont think you like Congress.

He added: Well, I do like Congress.

The Democrats need to take both congressional houses in order to regain any control of the US political narrative and block the Trump administrations policy programmes.

The big prize would be the Senate  control of which would allow Democrats to block Mr Trumps Supreme Court picks and Cabinet appointments.

But Republicans remain confident they will retain control of the Senate  and with good reason  the Grand Old Party (GOP), is defending 26 seats  far more than the Democrats nine which are up for grabs.

It is far more likely the Republicans will struggle to retain their House majority. Currently, there are 240 seats held by Republicans, and 195 held by Democrats. The winning party must take 218 to have a majority  meaning the Democrats require a net gain of 24 seats.

Though this sounds like a tall order, Democrat confidence has been boosted by the fact a record 39 Republicans are vacating their seats at the 2018 midterms  many of whom were anti-Trump. Meanwhile 27 Democrat-held seats are not being contested by their incumbents.

If the president does lose his majority in the house, it could pave the way for Democrats to pursue further investigations into Mr Trump  including into his long-hidden tax returns.

Impeachment may be what many hope the midterm elections might lead to, but this is a stretch  it requires a two-thirds majority in the senate, meaning a significant number of Republicans would have to turn on the president, even if the Democrats somehow won every seat up for grabs.

Whatever the efforts of Democrats seeking to topple the President are in the wake of the vote, Mr Trump has said he will handle it very well.

Earlier this week Mr Trump claimed the Republican midterm campaign rallies were bigger than they have ever been before, including the 2016 election, which took him to the White House.

If the Republicans do lose control of the House, it would be entirely in keeping with recent US political history and unlikely spell disaster for Mr Trump. Most presidents who lose one or even both houses in their first midterms go on to re-election  including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon.

Herbert Hoover was the last president who lost a majority in Congress during his first term and then lost re-election  and that was in 1933 as the US was picking up the pieces of the stock market crash. In comparison, todays US economy is in rude health.

Midterms 2018 Trump says itaposs not his fault if Republicans lose Congress


(Natural News) Colombian researchers studied the bioactive compounds found in the mammee (Mammea americana) and the white milkwood (Tabernaemontana cymosa) for their effects on the dengue virus and chikungunya virus. They reported that extracts from the South American plants exerted powerful antiviral effects.

They published their findings in the scientific journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Coumarins from the mammee could serve as possible antiviral treatments for both dengue and chikungunya fever, while the lupeol acetate and voacangine from white milkwood could be used to treat dengue fever.

Read the full text of this study at this link.

Visit NaturalMedicine.news to read more articles on natural antivirals that can protect you against infectious diseases.

Gomez-Calderon C, Mesa-Castro C, Robledo S, Gomez S, Bolivar-Avila S, Diaz-Castillo F, Martinez-Gutierrez M. ANTIVIRAL EFFECT OF COMPOUNDS DERIVED FROM THE SEEDS OF MAMMEA AMERICANA AND TABERNAEMONTANA CYMOSA ON DENGUE AND CHIKUNGUNYA VIRUS INFECTIONS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2017;17(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1562-1.

Two South American plants evaluated by scientists found to have powerful antiviral effects


Kanye West has launched into an expletive-filled rant touching on everything from prison reform to how Donald Trump makes him feel like Superman as part of a surreal meeting in the White House.

West, who lavished praise on the president ahead of a planned lunch, launched into a near 10-minute monologue that Mr Trump called quite something.

Referring the Make America Great Again hat he was wearing while sat across from Mr Trump in the Oval Office he said that it felt like it gave him power.

There was something about putting this hat on that made me feel like Superman, West said, as part of the speech that spanned topics from his mental health - saying he did not have dipolar disorder, but was merely sleep deprived - and violence in Chicago.

The rapper has been criticised over his for his support for Mr Trump, including after a recent appearance on NBC's Saturday Night Live.

People expect that if you're black you have to be Democrat, he said. What I need Saturday Night Live to improve on, what I need the liberals to improve on: if he don't look good, we don't look good, West said, gesturing at Mr Trump.

Taking out his phone, he showed the president an image of a hydrogen-powered plane and suggested the president should use the design for Air Force One.

West also said he would like Mr Trump to ditch talk about persuading police in Chicago to institute stop and frisk policies to crack down on crime and violence.

I didn't mean to put you on the (spot), bro, West told Mr Trump, who said I'm open to everything about the subject, adding that West could speak for him any time as he was a smart cookie.

West also said the president is on a hero's journey.

Let's stop worrying about the future, all we have is today, the music star said, commenting on his own presidential ambitions. Trump is on his hero's journey right now. He might not have thought he'd have a crazy mother-f***** like me [supporting him].

Asked if he saw West as a potential presidential candidate Mr Trump said could very well be with West adding only after 2024 - the end of a potential second White House term for Mr Trump.

Over lunch, according to White House spokesman Hogan Gidley, Mr Trump and his guests - which include former NFL running back Jim Brown and White House advisors Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump - would discuss potential future pardons for convicts along with addressing the massive violent crime surge in Chicago and efforts to create jobs for black Americans.

Kim Kardashian-West, who is married to the rapper, had previously raised the issue of pardons in a White House meeting of her own.

Before leaving the Oval Office for the lunch of roast chicken and potatoes West stood up and gave Mr Trump a hug, saying: I love this man.

If you want to read how the meeting unfolded, please see what was our live coverage below.

Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load.

Trump-Kanye West meeting Rapper rants and swears at surreal White House lunch on day president sign


(Natural News) If you have gout, the best possible way to manage it is by changing your lifestyle. An editorial published in the International Journal of Clinical Rheumatology suggested that gout, which is a rheumatologically oriented metabolic disease, can be controlled by making lifestyle and dietary changes.

Gout, as defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a kind of arthritis that results in pain and swelling, as well as stiffness in the joints. Other symptoms of gout  which is typically a result of the build up of crystals made of uric acid in the joints  include redness and heat in the affected joints. Usually, it begins in the big toe, but it can also affect other joints in the feet, arms, and legs. It can also cause lumps under the skin and kidney stones.

Gout, in its early stage, may have attacks that start at night and come unexpectedly. These attacks are triggered by stressful events, alcohol, drugs, or other illness. Typically, its symptoms will last for at least three to 10 days.

Monoarul Haque of the Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association, author of the editorial, predicted that there will be an increase in the number of people affected by gout in the Western population. This is because people there are less aware of the food they consume. In fact, according to studies, approximately 12 percent of gout cases are associated with peoples dietary intake. They also include a strong link with the consumption of alcohol, fructose-sweetened drinks, meat, and seafood like anchovies, sardines, mussels, scallops, trout, and tuna. Aside from these, physical trauma and surgery elicit the development of gout.

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The people who are at risk of gout are those who are overweight or obese, using certain medications like diuretics, drinking alcohol, eating or drinking food and drinks that are high in fructose, and having a diet rich in purines (which is an organic compound found in some food that the body breaks down into uric acid), insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and poor kidney function.

Some foods that are high in purine include red meat and organ meat. In addition, those who have certain health problems, such as congestive heart failure or high blood pressure, are also at risk of the development of gout.

Gout can be managed without the use of medications. It can be controlled in natural ways by making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, having a healthy lifestyle, and managing weight. The risk of gout can also be reduced by drinking coffee, taking vitamin C, consuming dairy products, and being physically active. In addition, a diet for gout patients should be able to control the levels of uric acid in the body, and at the same time promote proper overall health condition. (Related: Gout  Seek a drugless approach to this painful condition.)

There are certain foods that can help manage gout because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory symptoms. These include cherries, ginger root, apple cider vinegar, bananas, Epsom salt, apple, and lemon juice. In addition, limiting or even eliminating sugar, alcohol, and soda intake can help a person manage gout.

Most of the times medical practitioners give priority on medication during consultation with patients but diet has significant/immense role if we want to control or prevent gout and to achieve this vigorous awareness campaign can be attempted, promoted as well as instituted, Haque wrote.

Read more stories on ways to manage gout and other diseases at HealingArts.news.

Gout Another metabolic disorder that can be controlled through lifestyle


Tom Fitton joined Sean Hannity tonight to discuss Barack Obamas knowledge of the junk Russian dossier that was used to spy on the Trump Campaign and Trump Transition Team.

Rice wrote the email to herself on her last day in office to document a January 5, 2017 Oval Office meeting between President Obama, former FBI Director James Comey and former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates regarding the spying operation on Donald Trump.

The opposition research dossier was a crazy document based on complete lies fed to the DNC by Russian spies. And the Obama administration were all in on this criminal activity.

Tom Fitton: There are these dueling memos. The Democrats are eventually going to have their memo come out. Why is it were relying on our summary document? Lets get the underlying information. I know Nunes is asking for it. Weve sued in court for it. And Ive told the White House that they should take this approach of extreme transparency on this Russiagate. It does nothing to protect the president from this solicit activity against him. And it protects people like Barack Obama and the Justice Department and FBI that was misused to target President Trump... The dossier is central to the collusion theory. Its collapsing and if it was central to the Russian collusion theory. We have reports today, quickly Sean, Barack Obama was given the dossier. He was given the dossier. What did he know and why hasnt he been questioned about it?

TOM FITTON Obama Was Given the Russian Dossier What Did He Know and Why Hasnt He Been Questione


Global oil producers are getting closer to an agreement on an output cut.

Saudi representatives said Sunday that the kingdom would slash its exports unilaterally next month, as a broader OPEC alliance debated  but didnt agree to  a collective production cut, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

Russia, the worlds largest producer, which usually moves in lockstep on matters with OPEC, has sent mixed signals on whether it would pull back on supply.

OPEC gets closer to a production cut


The Republican-dominated Senate has been walking in lock-step with Donald Trump down a path toward a political implosion. People had begun to question where their patriotism was, as the senators allowed Russia to manipulate the president while he damaged the pillars of U.S. governmental institutions. Then, this happened.

In a rare show of bipartisanship, senators introduced a new bill that would handicap the Russians for their attack on the nations presidential elections. This attack has continued to this day, when the U.S. has fast approached the midterm election.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said the existing sanctions have failed, Reuters reported:

For some reason, POTUS has refused to impose sanctions upon the country of his pal, Russian president Vladimir Putin. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) said that Trump still has not fully implemented the sanctions Congress passed against Russia a year ago, according to Reuters:

The new bill restricted Russian access to money generated by energy and other projects. Moscow would lose on its uranium imports, too. These restrictions would greatly hamper Russias oligarchs and politicians.

In addition, the sanctions would better contain Russians illegal activities in both the Crimea annexation and attacks in Syria. Trump has been remarkably silent on these. Others have speculated that both Trump and Putin entered into the private one-on-one meeting in Helsinki, Poland unfavorable to the U.S. interests.

Special Council Robert Mueller began the trial of the first individual, former Trump campaign manager, Paul Manafort. This trial was the result of Muellers investigation into Russias attack on the U.S. elections and any conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia.

It appeared as if the commander-in-chief has been feeling cornered by Muellers investigation, especially with Manafort in the hot seat. The president tweeted that his Attorney General Jeff Sessions should halt the investigation right now:

BREAKING Republicans Democrats Band Together To Stop Trump From Destroying NATO


President Donald Trump has once again lashed out at special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation, claiming broadly  and without any evidence  that the probes inner workings are a total mess.

Mr Trump unleashed the tirade on Twitter just over a week after midterm election losses delivered a rebuke to Mr Trumps presidency by handing control of the House of Representatives back to Democrats for the first time in eight years.

Just after the elections Attorney General Jeff Sessions was ousted from his post, with Mr Trump having repeatedly criticised Mr Sessions for recusing himself from overseeing the probe into Russian election meddling and possible collusion with Trump campaign officials. The firing prompted calls from newly emboldened Democrats and some Republicans to call for legislative protection for Mr Muellers probe.

The inner workings of the Mueller investigation are a total mess, Mr Trump wrote. They have found no collusion and have gone absolutely nuts. They are screaming and shouting at people, horribly threatening them to come up with the answers they want.

He continued: They are a disgrace to our Nation and dont care how many lives the ruin. These are Angry People, including the highly conflicted Bob Mueller, who worked for Obama for 8 years. They wont even look at all of the bad acts and crimes on the other side. A TOTAL WITCH HUNT LIKE NO OTHER IN AMERICAN HISTORY!

A bill that would have protected the special counsel investigation was blocked in the Senate by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday, who claimed that the there was no threat to the investigation from the president who has repeatedly sought to undermine the probe with his "witch hunt" taunts.

Democrats and some Republicans felt compelled to push for the legislation after Matthew Whitaker was named as acting attorney general following Mr Sessions departure.

Mr Sessions had to recuse himself from oversight of the investigation, citing his role in the 2016 Trump campaign. Mr Whitaker, though, has previously parroted the presidents language regarding the Mueller investigation, saying it could become a witch hunt and suggesting that the investigation could be hobbled without firing Mr Mueller if the budget is virtually eliminated.

Mr Whitaker has claimed he has no intention to cut the budget, and has reportedly consulted ethics experts on whether he should recuse himself from oversight of the investigation as Mr Sessions did.

Prior to this time, the investigation  which is rumoured to be preparing a new set of indictments  has been overseen by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

Trump claims inner workings of Mueller probe are a apostotal messapos but gives no evidence


Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called three provincial premiers to discuss the possibility of stiff American tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum products  two days before the current exemption expires, his office said Wednesday.

In a read-out supplied to reporters, the Prime Ministers Office said he called Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard.

During the call, his office said the prime minister underscored the strong collaboration between the Government of Canada and the three provinces on Canada-U.S. trade issues and thanked them for their ongoing cooperation.

He also noted the importance of the steel and aluminum sector, specifically in Hamilton, Sault Ste. Marie, the SaguenayLac-St-Jean region, and Regina.

All four agreed to continue to defend the industry and its Canadian workers.

Canada is one of the United States biggest suppliers of steel and aluminum products and has, for now, been exempted from proposed tariffs put forward by the Trump administration. U.S. President Donald Trump has said the tariffs (25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminum) are necessary because of national security.

Canada has repeatedly and vehemently refuted that claim.

This countrys exemption from the tariffs, White House officials have indicated, was because of the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Canadas current exemption is set to expire on Friday. Its unclear whether the Americans are willing to issue another exemption.

Trudeau raised the tariff issue Tuesday evening during a call with U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence. The two men also talked about NAFTA.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland was in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday for a two-hour meeting with her trade counterpart U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, where she raised the tariffs repeatedly.

Speaking to reporters in Ottawa Wednesday morning, Freeland insisted again that its frankly absurd that we would in any way be considered to be a national security threat to the United States. We are probably the closest ally of the United States.

...I would like to absolutely assure Canadians particularly those who work in the steel and aluminum industries that the government is absolutely prepared to and will defend Canadian industries and Canadian jobs. We will respond  we will respond appropriately.

Ottawas phone call comes the same day Wynne played up her own efforts on the steel and aluminum file on the campaign trail  despite the fact the federal government has been the lead.

Over the past year, I have met with 37 governors, I have met with senators, Ive met with congresspeople, Ive met with senior members of the U.S. administration, all in an attempt to make it clear what our integrated relationship means to workers on both sides of the border, said Wynne, who has been trailing behind her rivals in recent polls.

We were assertive, we were steadfast in our effort to make Ontarios case to those decision makers. That threat of U.S. protectionism is not going to scare us off.

Trudeau calls Ont Sask and Que premiers as steel aluminum tariff deadline looms


TORONTO  Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is calling on the Trudeau government to cover the costs of Ontarios cancelled basic-income pilot program.

This project will provide invaluable data as we look towards the economy of the future, Singh said in a news release. And for the 4,000 low-income residents who signed onto the three-year program, its the right thing to do.

Within hours of his request, the federal government rejected it.

In July, Premier Doug Fords government broke an election promise by announcing it would cancel the basic-income pilot launched by the previous government.

Singh said it would cost the federal treasury $15 million to keep the pilot going for the full three years.

The basic income program was intended to determine whether costs to government were lower when people got a basic income instead of receiving a patchwork of programs and relying on expensive hospital and social services.

In response, the Trudeau government said its already doing its share to reduce poverty in Canada. Pointing to programs like the Canada Child Benefit, a spokesperson for Families, Children and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said Ottawa has already spent $22 billion on poverty-reduction programs.

Ultimately, the design of provincial social programs, such as a basic income, is up to provincial governments, spokesperson Valerie Glazer said.

In the summer, Ontario Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod said the people who were part of the pilot will receive their last payment at the end of March 2019.

We have a broken social service system, MacLeod said in a statement at the time. A research project that helps (fewer) than 4,000 people is not the answer, and provides no hope to nearly two million Ontarians who are trapped in a cycle of poverty.

Along with the pilots cancellation, Ontario promised to complete a review of the provinces social assistance programs by Nov. 8.

NDP wants federal government to fund basic income project


A "delighted" Gareth Southgate declared his pride after watching England build on their impressive World Cup showing with a sensational 3-2 Uefa Nations League win against Spain in Seville.

Raheem Sterling scored two goals in the opening 45 minutes, having only scored twice in his previous 45 international appearances, with Marcus Rashford sweeping home in an extraordinary first half at Real Betis' Estadio Benito Villamarin to leave England 3-0 up at the break.

Clinical, bold and a joy to behold, talk of relegation from the Nations League's top tier was replaced by hope of perhaps even making the finals after a 3-2 victory that for a while had shades of the 2001 win in Germany about it.

Paco Alcacer netted shortly after his second-half introduction to ratchet up the pressure, and although Sergio Ramos scored with the last act of the game Southgate's young side passed this test of resilience.

England's maiden Nations League win will not be forgotten in a hurry, with Spain conceding three goals in a competitive home match for the first time ever as the Three Lions were rewarded for their first-half display of bravery and skill in Seville.

Southgate believes the victory was up there with some of the best enjoyed by England.

Asked if he could think of many better performances, Southgate told Sky Sports: "It is difficult to in terms of quality and the fact we have come away from home to play a team on such a good run and have been a top team for years.

"I am delighted with what we have done. They should be incredibly proud of their performance."

Southgate was particularly pleased that England are not resting on their laurels after finishing fourth at the World Cup this summer, saying: "What the players achieved (at the World Cup) was incredible.

"The next challenge was can we advance, look at a new system and some young players. Some players have emerged giving us a lot more options.

"The mentality of the players and staff has been outstanding and they've got to enjoy tonight."

Gareth Southgate England stars should be aposincredibly proudapos after beating Spain


In the early evening following the midterm elections, Fox News host Tucker Carlsons wife was home alone when she suddenly became startled by a loud thumping at her door. The thumping came from a group of Antifa radicals, whose desire it was to strike terror into the hearts of Carlsons family.

Susan Carlson ran upstairs as the mob that CNN refers to as protesters screamed disgusting threats at the Carlson residence, spray-painted the driveway and continued to try to force entry through the front door, which they broke.

The only thing seemingly missing from this display of intimidation and hatred were burning tiki torches. While the radical left seems preoccupied with labeling everyone that disagrees with their political views as white supremacist Nazis, including Israel-loving Middle Eastern women such as myself, threatening displays like this seem awfully similar to the days of the KKK burning crosses on the lawns of blacks they wanted to leave town.

That was the message these radicals wanted to send to Tucker Carlson, along with his wife and children, who thank God were not home at the time: leave town and shut up.

As someone who has had my own personal address posted publicly by a leftist reporter, the thought of a mother of four hiding in her upstairs closet fearing for her life sends chills down my spine, as it should any decent human being.

How did we get here?

Why is this thirst for intimidation and violence becoming more commonplace?

Those were the exact words of Congresswoman Maxine Waters at a rally in June 2018. Waters then doubled down on her calls for intimidation and harassment in an MSNBC interview, declaring that she has no sympathy for Trump supporters.

CNN bravely came to Waters defense when it reported that President Trump misconstrued the congresswomans words.

Support the president, and its open season on you. Thats the message of not only the black-masked Antifa cowards who attempted to force entry into Tucker Carlsons home, but Rep. Maxine Waters, and increasingly, the new Democrat party.

Former Obama Attorney General Eric Holder recently corrected Michelle Obamas notion that when they go low, we go high, referring of course to anyone who didnt support her husbands political agenda.

Or how about former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons statement,

There is a disturbing dehumanization coming from the very heart of the Democrat party, while dangerous radicals continue to take them at their word, blocking traffic in the streets, chanting obscenities toward the president and his supporters, and even engaging in violence and destruction of property.

This dangerous trend shouldve been stopped years ago when it started.

On the same day that CNN reporter Jim Acosta threw a tantrum over not being able to interrupt and talk over the president of the United States at a news conference, Tucker Carlsons wife was hiding in a closet, calling 911, as a leftist mob gathered outside her home.

Its time for local and federal law enforcement to put Antifa on notice that their domestic terrorism will not be tolerated any longer.

Its time for big tech platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to give as much diligence to snuffing out true hate from the left as they do political opposition from the right.

Waters should have been removed from her position by the Ethics Committee for her incitement to harm her political opponents. Sadly, the GOP  which will soon be in the House minority  failed to even investigate the matter. Consequence? Say hello to the new head of the House Financial Services Committee.

Tolerance for terrorizing those you disagree with is not tolerance. Its complicity. If those who fan the flames of radicalism are not held accountable, we can expect more threats, more mobs and more violence.

No Blue Wave In 2018 But A Tsunami Of Hate


Over the past half year the West has increasingly taken note of the significantly heightened pace of both Chinese and Russian military spending and surprising leaps forward in terms defense tech advances.

Even when Chinese or Russian systems fail, as with recent news of a nuclear-powered cruise missile touted by Putin as having unlimited range but now apparently lost at the bottom of the sea, Western press takes notice, and a number of Pentagon officials have also warned especially of rapidly advancing Chinese systems.

Increasingly, the two powers are cooperating more directly as with Russias upcoming military games, said to be the largest such exercise since the Soviet Union, where China is set to participate by sending a mass contingency of elite troops.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) will participate by sending about 3,200 elite forces troops, along with 30 fix-wing aircraft and helicopters to the Russian-hosted exercises.

Russias biggest military games in 35 years, called the Vostok 2018 exercises, are set to begin at the Tsugol training range in Russias Far East Trans-Baikal region on September 11, and are scheduled to go through the 15th.

Crucially, one major element to the games sure to attract the attention of Washington military planners is the inclusion of simulated nuclear weapons attacks. Both countries are among the worlds major longtime nuclear armed powers, and both happen to be in the midst of soaring tensions with the United States  Russia the target of sanctions and wide-ranging accusations of election meddling, and China in a trade war that sees no signs of abating.

The SCMP cites one Beijing based military expert, Zhou Chenming, to explain that the PLA is seeking to gain greater military experience as its last major combat theater stretches all the way back to the Vietnam War.

Additionally, Zhou told the SCMP, China also wants to show its support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is facing various diplomatic challenges, especially criticism from the US Secretary of State [Mike Pompeo] over Moscows annexation of Crimea. The Chinese military expert further cited that the games site location was chosen carefully and deliberately with this in mind.

Putin wants to use the Russian militarys war games with the PLA to show its military muscle, but he doesnt want to irritate the United States too much and raise the possibility of a misjudgment by the Trump administration, so he chose the less sensitive Trans-Baikal region in the Far East, far from US allies in Europe, Zhou said.

In response to the impending Vostok-18 games Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said, We urge Russia to take steps to share information regarding its exercises and operations in Europe to clearly convey its intentions and minimize and potential misunderstanding.

The US defense official further indicated the games will be closely watched by U.S. intelligence agencies due to Russias willingness to simulate nuclear combat. Its their strategic messaging, the Pentagon official said of both Russia and China.

Theres also reports that both countries are experimenting with the development of smaller, tactical nuclear weapons, which of further concern for US defense preparedness.

Earlier this week Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu announced the exercises would be the largest since the Soviet Union conducted its Zapad-81 maneuvers, which saw the deployment of hundreds of thousands of Soviet troops and logistics staff.

This is the largest armed forces training event since the Zapad-81 maneuvers, it has acquired the status of an international exercise and is of unprecedented scale both in terms of spatial scope as well as the strength of military command and control entities, troops, and forces involved, Shoygu said, while also announcing the Chinese PLA would participate, as well as auxiliary units from the Mongolian armed forces.

Massive Russian-Chinese Joint War Games Will Feature Nuclear Exercises


CNN received another suspicious package earlier Monday amid a string of mail bombs allegedly sent out by Cesar Sayoc.

A 911 caller reported a suspicious package Monday evening at the Midtown headquarters of The New York Times, police said.

Cops responded to the newspapers Eighth Ave. headquarters between W. 40th and 41st Sts. at about 8 p.m. No further information is available.

Breaking Suspicious Package Sent to New York Times Building


A students' union in Bristol is introducing a men's officer for the first time.

Representatives for women are common at campuses across the country, but now students at the University of the West of England (UWE) will also have a separate officer to represent men.

The role has been brought in to ensure that mens' perspective is taken into consideration and to ensure issues that are important to male students are raised, James Knight, the only candidate running for the role, told The Independent.

It has been introduced at UWE students union despite opposition to the proposal from the student body last year.

The roles of trans, black and minority ethnic (BME) and womens officers have also been brought in.

Mr Knight said he wanted to stand in light of the mental health issues facing male students.

He added: "Statistically male students are much more likely to not talk about their mental health issues. They are much more likely to follow through and take their lives."

Ten students from the University of Bristol and two from UWE, which is also based in the city, have died in the past two years. A number have been confirmed as suicides.

But the new role was criticised by some on social media.

Can someone explain to me why a mens officer is necessary please," student Rebecca Sheeres asked on Twitter. "Especially when UWE students actually voted against such position. Men are not a minority at university and surely appointing a wellbeing officer would cover mens mental health.

But Mr Knight, who is a third-year politics and international relations student, said: "It is equally important to have a part-time officer that can concentrate a lot more of their time and effort on male mental health and male suicide rates. I don't think the necessity of a men's officer is surrounding male liberation at all."

Sarah Lasoye, NUS UK womens officer, said: NUS will always seek to champion the voices of the most marginalised students, which includes women, black, LGBT+ and disabled students. These groups of students face systematic oppression across society, and the discrimination they face can affect their participation, achievement, retention and progression in education.

She added: Student mental health continues to be a growing crisis, and mens mental health has become a particular focus in recent years. This has opened up a much-needed discussion on the influence of toxic masculinity and societal pressures faced by men.

However, when one in seven women experience a serious physical or sexual assault in their time as a student, and when 68 per cent have experienced some kind of verbal or non-verbal harassment, we must recognise that it is women, trans and gender non-conforming people bear the brunt of gender-based oppression.

Most UK universities do not have a mens officer role.

Keele Universitys Students Union used to have representatives for men and women  but now they have gender equality officers.

But Ilyas Nagdee, black students officer for the National Union of Students (NUS), said he had heard of a number of student unions across the UK which are looking to introduce mens officers.

A UWE Students Union spokesperson said: We have introduced three new part-time officer positions in this years October By-election. The three roles are womens officer, mens officer and trans officer. The womens officer started as a student idea during the academic year 17-18, which was passed through student council and the trustee board, before being implemented for the October election cycle.

The mens and trans officer roles were brought through from our trustees who felt that there were other groups who would benefit from having a part-time officer campaigning and raising awareness for their communities. The two roles will require final ratification as per our constitution.

University students set to elect first officer to represent men


WASHINGTON -- "What you're seeing and what you're reading is not what's happening."

When the history of the Trump era is written, this quotation from our president will play a prominent role in explaining the distemper of our moment and the dysfunction of his administration. Trump was talking about media coverage of his trade war, but he was also describing his genuinely novel approach to governing: He believes that reality itself can be denied and that big lies can sow enough confusion to keep the truth from taking hold.

This has advantages for Trump, because it dulls the impact of any new revelation. Old falsehoods simply get buried under new ones. Take the recording of his September 2016 conversation with his one-time lawyer Michael Cohen that was released Tuesday night.

Cohen's attorney put out the tape, which, as The Washington Post's Carol Leonnig and Robert Costa reported, shows that Trump "appeared familiar with a deal that a Playboy model made to sell the rights to her story of an alleged affair with him." Karen McDougal sold her tale to the National Enquirer's parent company, American Media Inc. The tabloid never ran her account, which clearly protected Trump from this embarrassing tale before the election, although its management has denied that this was its intention.

Trump's lawyer and battering ram Rudy Giuliani insisted that the recording portrayed a Trump who "doesn't seem that familiar with anything" that was discussed. This was, shall we say, an eccentric way of hearing the conversation.

Obfuscated in this back-and-forth is the fact that four days before the 2016 election, Hope Hicks, Trump's campaign spokeswoman, denied the affair altogether and said that the campaign had "no knowledge" of any payoff.

Trump's behavior would be bad enough if it were only about his personal life and his treatment of women. But the big lie strategy extends to policy and national security as well.

For example, the Commerce Department, which runs the census, claimed earlier this year that it added a question asking if respondents were citizens in response to the Justice Department's desire to enforce the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

The question is a terrible idea. Six former Census Bureau directors under both Republican and Democratic presidents urged Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross not to include it. They warned that doing so "will considerably increase the risks to the 2020 enumeration."

The fear is that many immigrants, documented and especially undocumented, would be reluctant to answer the census if the question were part of it, leading to an undercounting of places with substantial foreign-born populations.

But for the Trump administration, this is not a problem. It's the goal. Undercounting immigrants would have the effect of shifting political power -- as well as federal money -- largely to Republican areas that have lower immigrant populations.

And documents turned over this week in response to a lawsuit against the addition of the citizenship question showed that Ross lobbied for its inclusion much earlier and more actively than his later sworn testimony had indicated. "Lying to Congress is a serious criminal offense, and Secretary Ross must be held accountable," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon had also pushed for the question when he was in the White House.

The Justice Department acted months later, a clear sign that the department's alleged concern for civil rights was simply a pretext for a politically motivated skewing of valuable public information. Distorting data collection is an attack on the truth, too.

And when it comes to creating new and unhinged narratives to displace those rooted in fact, Trump has no equal. Thus did the man who stood next to Vladimir Putin when the Russian leader said he wanted Trump to win in 2016 declare this week-- with no evidence whatsoever -- that Russia "will be pushing very hard for the Democrats" in this fall's election.

Contrary to liberal fears, most of the country doesn't believe him. Trump's core support, measured by the proportion in Wednesday's NPR/PBS News Hour/Marist Poll who strongly approve of him, is down to 25 percent.

The bad news is that among Republicans his strong approval number stands at 62 percent. Trump's hope of clinging to power rests on the assumption that he can continue inventing enough false story lines to keep his party at bay. His theory seems to be that a lie is as good as the truth as long as the right people believe it.

Trump Lies And Lies And Lies


The Chinese government has called on the US to correct the mistake and withdraw new sanctions on the Chinese military over deals with Russia or bear responsibility for the consequences.

The Trump administration imposed sanctions on the Chinese military on Thursday for buying fighter jets and missile systems from Russia, in breach of a sweeping US sanctions law punishing Moscow for meddling in the 2016 US election.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said: China expresses strong indignation at these unreasonable actions by the US side and has already lodged stern representations.

China Tells US to Withdraw Russia Sanctions or Face Consequences


Hamas has said it will expand its rocket fire to directly hit the Israeli towns of Beersheba and Ashdod, some 30 kilometres north and west of Gaza, if air strikes on the enclave continue, as the Israeli army warned that overnight attacks on Israel were "the most intense" since the last conflict in 2014.

At least seven people have been killed since heavy cross-border fire erupted Monday afternoon, sparking fears of a new war.

Local medical officials recorded six fatalities in Gaza, five of them militants. In Israel, one civilian was killed in the southern Israeli town of Ashkelon. Local media reported he was a West Bank Palestinian from Hebron although his identity has yet to be confirmed.

In total, Gaza militants have fired at least 400 rockets and mortars into Israel whose officials said Tuesday they had struck more than 100 targets in Gaza, including Hamas's Al-Aqsa TV headquarters and several Hamas security buildings.

The spokesman for the Hamas military wing said in a Monday statement that Ashkelon, just over 10 km north of Gaza, "has entered the range of fire as a response to the bombing of buildings in Gaza."

He added that Ashdod and Beersheba, 30km away, "are the next targets if the enemy continues bombing civilian buildings."

Jonathan Conricus,an Israeli army spokesman, said it was "too early" to say whether war would break out but warned that Gaza militants had in excess of 20,000 rockets and mortars within their arsenal and so the army was prepared for the long haul.

Hamas is forcing this violence and really bringing destruction upon the Gaza Strip because of its actions. We hold Hamas responsible," he said.

He added that the Israeli army had "enhanced troops in the south of the country but not yet mobilised reserves.

The sudden flare up in fighting was triggered by a botched Israeli special forces raid on southern Gaza on Sunday night.

Seven Palestinians, including a local Hamas commander, and a high ranking Israeli officer, were killed when the Israeli covert patrol encountered Palestinian fighters at a checkpoint three kilometres into Gaza in the eastern areas of Khan Younis.

Hamas officials told The Independent they believed the raid to be a top-level intelligence-gathering operation that had gone wrong. The Israeli army declined to comment.

Israeli identified its slain officer as Lieutenant-Colonel M, a 41-year-old father-of-two from north Israel. He was the most senior ranking officer to be killed in the enclave since the 2014 war.

Shortly after funerals, Gaza militants launched a barrage of rocket fire which continued into Tuesday morning.

Israel has responded with dozens of air, tank and naval strikes on Gaza targeting what they have identified as military infrastructure and a television building.

The wave of violence has threatened to derail a long-term ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt that had seen significant progress over the last few weeks.

Just hours before Sunday's disastrous raid, the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had given a lengthy speech in Paris defending Israelis decision to allow Qatar to deliver $15 million to Hamas to pay salaries. In exchange, Hamas scaled back its weekly demonstrations along the Israeli border.

The UN and Egypt have scrambled to pull back both sides from the brink of war this summer following eight months of clashes along the border fence with Israel.

Since March, tens of thousands of Gaza residents have marched towards Israel every Friday demanding the right to return to their ancestral lands, which they were forced from or fled during the 1948 conflict which surrounded the creation of Israel. They have also protested against an 11-year-old crippling Israeli siege on the Strip.

More than 218 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since then.

Facing mounting criticism, Israel defended its actions saying that protesters have launched burning kites and balloons tied with explosives at Israel and attempted to break the border fences.

However, the last two weeks of Friday protests had been fairly quiet, as Hamas had apparently kept its promise to rein in the violence.

Gaza crisis escalates as Hamas threatens to expand rocket fire to more towns if Israeli airstrikes c


The global appetite for true-crime has been whet once again with part two of Making a Murderer, available now on Netflix.

Brand new episodes  10, in fact  explore the cases of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey in more detail, this time with a focus on post-conviction and the tireless efforts of their lawyers to prove convictions they believe are wrongful.

Since the first part landed on the service in 2015, it has become one of the most talked about crime dramas, earning almost cult-like status and spawning conspiracy threads on Reddit.

But the true-crime genre existed before Making a Murderer, and goes beyond the show. Here are five other gritty non-fiction shows to get your teeth into...

The 13-part documentary landed earlier this year, serialising the story of Michael Peterson  a crime novelist accused of killing his wife Kathleen by pushing her down the stairs.

Directed by Academy-award winner Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, The Staircase starts with the events of that day and chronicles the 16-year judicial battle that followed.

The Confession Tapes is dedicated to people convicted of murder claim that their confessions were coerced, false or made involuntarily.

Each of the seven episodes, first added to Netflix in 2017, explores tapes on a case-by-case basis.

The four-part documentary tells the story of an extraordinary American bank heist, dubbed the pizza bomber heist.

In 2003, a robbery gone wrong and public murder in Pennsylvania captured headlines around the world as law enforcement and the FBI embarked on a game of cat-and-mouse to get to the bottom of what happened.

Originally aired on ITV, Mark William-Thomas true-crime series was hailed as Britains answer to Making a Murderer.

The four-part series examined the murder case of Carole Packham, first name Veronica, who disappeared in 1985. The series and William-Thomas work proved so thorough that Dorset CID re-opened the case.

The 2017 series, comprised of seven episodes, examines the unsolved murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a nun and teacher who went missing in November 1967. Her slain body was found nearly two months later.

The case was catapulted back into the headlines in the 1990s after a former student of Sister Cathys came forward with a harrowing account of sexual abuse by the high schools chaplain.

Through examination of conversations with those who know her, and those who worked to solve the Baltimore case, the documentary series pieces together not only a gruesome death but the story beyond the original crime.

Beyond Making A Murderer Five true-crime shows to binge on Netflix


What will the court look like when neither side of the ideological divide has to walk on eggs to win the favor of the justice in the middle?

A Supreme Court Transformed


Guest post by: Ted Malloch, author of The Plot to Destroy Trump

Meet the Ohrs  a very special couple in the coup to overthrow a duly elected President of our United States of America.

The Ohrs are NOT the Fockers of comedic movie fame.

Far from it. They are part of an American tragedy.

Recall at a press conference during his campaign for the presidency, Trump once joked to the crowd that he could shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue and he wouldnt lose any voters.

Though in jest, theres truth behind Trumps joke, and the Democrats knew this.

So, Fusion GPS, working on behalf of the Clinton campaign, knows that to dig up dirt on a man nicknamed Teflon Donto whom no scandal or dirt seems to stick theyll need more than just one man on the job.

They task FBI agent Bruce Ohr with the impossible . . .

In June 2016 Bruce Ohr is an Associate Deputy Attorney General at the US Department of Justice. His office is just four doors down from that of his boss, Rod Rosenstein, the Deputy Attorney General and the number two-justice officer in America.

Ohrs career is going along swimmingly: for the past decade or so he has been climbing up the political ladder and accruing power. Digging up dirt on Trump will surely bring him one rung higher to the top of the ladder. And Fusion GPS, hedging their bets, contracts another agent for the job.

In a clear case of nepotism and the Deep State at work, Fusion GPS hires Bruces wife, Nellie, to conduct oppo research on Trump and any connections to Russia and similar matters.

Nellie is a well-known expert in Russian affairs with an extensive network in that country. She holds a degree in history and Russian literature from Radcliffe/Harvard and an MA and PhD in Russian Affairs from Stanford University.

Throughout her career, Nellie has published extensively on the subject in peer-reviewed journals and worked for the CIA as an open source analyst.

In short, she knows all things Russia-related.

Nellie not only speaks the language but also knows the turf inside out and is an experienced Russia hand.

Perhaps more curiously, her PhD thesis, titled Collective farms and Russian peasant society, 1933- 1937: the stabilization of the kolkhoz order, blurs the revisionist line as she attempts to defend the millions killed by Stalin as excesses, which, according to Ohr, sometimes represented desperate measures taken by a government that had little real control over the country.

Seems like Steele, a confirmed socialist since his days in Cambridge, has found the perfect woman to carry out his socialist agenda nearly thirty years in the making. He knows Nellies the perfect woman for a crooked mission like this. And she hates Trump as much as he does.

And interestingly, only a few months prior, Nellie obtained her ham radio license, which begs the question, why? Could it be to have secure and confidential contact with Christopher Steele?

 Could Nellie be more than just an agent conducting research?

Could she be a co-author of the Steele files?

And more peculiarly, when prompted by the FBI down the line, why does Bruce hide the fact that his wife is involved? Paid?

Is this a conflict of interest? What else is Bruce hiding?

Are the Ohrs the inside track to the Plot to Destroy Trump?

Ohr from inside DOJ and meeting with Fusion GPS Glenn Simpson passing on to his cronies and the FBI computer thumb drives from his own wifeNellie Ohr?

Over the next few months, Bruce Ohr meets not only with Christopher Steele himself but also with Glenn Simpson numerous times, the founder of Fusion GPS, who hired Steele.

Simpson is the operative behind this whole saga.

Why exactly does Ohr meet with Steele? And how often?

Mr. Ohr has told Congress in a secret oversight committee hearing about his doings.

Simpson said one thing and now is caught in his lie and pleads the Fifth.

And Mrs. (Bruce) Nellie Ohr yesterday invokes the marital privilege clause to avoid talking about her husband.

The walls are finally crashing down!

Time for a second Special Prosecutor or just arrest ALL of them.

TED MALLOCH Meet the Ohrs


Choosing a hotel in Venice can be a labyrinthine process. An annual influx of 28 million tourists (compared to just 55,000 locals) means the calli are crammed with hotels, B&Bs, Airbnbs and self-catering options. Some are mind-blowing, others distinctly mediocre. How to sort the wheat from the chaff?

Let me help. Ive been staying in Venice hotels since 1999. I visit at least five times a year, stay up to a month at a time, and my hotel fetish means I rarely stay in the same place twice. Ive stayed in Angelinas favourite hotel on company budgets, and in barely one-star digs on my own. Ive stayed in big hitters, and in tiny places with no PR budget. And Ive learned that you dont always get what you pay for  in good ways and in bad.

I dont care about a places reputation, its history or its air miles affiliations  what I want is great design, unstuffy service and something that connects me to the place Im in.

Style and service without breaking the bank  here at The Independent, its something we call real-world luxury. So whether its traditional or modern, boutique or big, here are 10 of my favourite places in La Serenissima.

Brought to you by the Romanelli family, locals who own art deco-themed Novecento and the Hotel Flora next door, Casa Flora is a bold attempt to grab the younger, design-centric market with a three-bedroom apartment thats a hybrid between a fancy Airbnb and a hotel  and a guaranteed Instagram smash.

Its also an attempt at turning Venice tourism sustainable  everything in the flat, from the marble countertops to the parquet floor, is locally sourced and custom-made. Not that responsible means boring, here  lush plants drape themselves around the doorways and squat in bathroom basins, those countertops are jade, and the colour palettes revolve around lagoon hues  eau de nil, grey-blue and dirty creams.

Guests can use the Hotel Floras facilities next door, and theres also a partnership with restaurant Estro, wholl even send someone to come make you breakfast should you be feeling extravagant. Otherwise, breakfast is served next door in the Floras pretty courtyard.

Not your average Venice digs, Cima Rosa is in lesser known Santa Croce, and is also rather more stylish than other affordable options. A 15th-century palazzo that was renovated by its architect and interior design owners, it sits on the Grand Canal (three of the rooms have prime views) yet manages to stay at one remove from the madness.

Inside, its equally unique  the Venetian-American couple who own it have gone for a sober palette of lagoon colours (eau de nil, grey, a hint of blue) paired with antiques theyve done up themselves (they have a furniture restoration business).

Its an intimate space, with just five rooms spread over two wings and communal areas including a courtyard and canalside living room-slash-kitchen, where continental breakfast is served and guests can cook for themselves. Owners Daniele and Brittany are hands-on hosts, and the feeling is of a chic friends house, rather than a B&B.

Was there ever a Venice hotel like this? Technically, yes  its sibling and neighbour, the breathtakingly pricey, Angelina-slept-here, butler-staffed Villa F. But even for those on an A-lister budget, to be honest, the Palladio is nicer. A conversion of a church and house for fallen women by 16th-century starchitect Andrea Palladio on Giudecca, the 58 rooms and 21 suites are spread across the main building and two blocks in the gardens.

The decor in the main building is slightly dated, as youd expect from 16th-century digs, but the garden buildings are airy, tiki-influenced affairs, with ground-floor rooms opening directly onto the huge gardens, and a wild, flower-filled meadow breaking up the space. And if that sounds boho enough, know that the restaurant is vegan. The only thing missing is a pool.

Youll forget youre in tourist town at Avogaria, a tiny, five-room residence at the far (read: local) end of Dorsoduro. The atmosphere is cosy  theres even a fake cat curled up in the window  and the rooms a modern take on flouncy Venetian design (think mosaic walls and gilded mirrors), while three junior suites sport private walled gardens.

The hotel is a spin-off of the owners restaurant, so if it all gets too comfy, you can order the menu from room service, too.

Technically the Hotel lOrologio (Clock Hotel), it calls itself the Hotel LO, which tells you something about the clientele. Dispensing with traditional Venetian style, the lobby is a design-led affair themed around antique timepieces, rooms have glowing cog-themed artwork above the headboards, and bright colours and semi-floating beds give a modern feel.

But despite being in the real world, at the LO youre also situated plum on the Grand Canal (some rooms have spectacular views), right by the buzzy bar area thats sprung up around Rialto Mercato, so you can nip out for cichetti and an ombra (glass of wine) at Naranzaria or Bancogiro.

For a more self-sufficient stay (and to take advantage of the Rialto market nearby), the hotel has opened two apartments, both overlooking the Grand Canal.

In a gothic palazzo in Castello, just east of San Marco, the Liassidi Palace has canal views, yet less of a scrum around it than those in the very centre. Youre well located for sightseeing here  the hotel sits between the Carpaccio paintings at the Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni and the Greek church with its tipsily leaning spire  as well as a quick walk to the less populated and more local part of Castello, around San Francesco della Vigna. Just 31 rooms take up the 15th-century palazzo, and the look is classic Venice, with heavy drapes, damask wall-coverings, flouncy headboards and chandeliers aplenty.

A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, its a good combination of affordability and intimacy, just steps from the action.

You may not want to like the Centurion Palace, if youre in Venice for all things ancient. You may think the idea of gold-plated bathrooms  literally  is too much bling, that the modern, silver sculptures glittering in niches on the Grand Canal are not authentic. That the rooms  plain claret, rust-coloured, brown walls, even  are too modern for this most refined of cities. And then youll get there, and find your fears melt away.

It turns out that Centurion Palace is Italian-owned, modestly-roomed (there are just 50 in the vast property) and really rather lovely. The bar and restaurant both have seating cantilevered over the Grand Canal; theres an inhouse cat, Centurione. Where other five-star hotels in Venice tend to be fairly stiff-atmosphered, the service here is notably friendly  staff are chatty, and conversations go two ways.

Walls are painted in plain, brash colours instead of swaddled in traditional damask and the corridors have modern photography rather than cod-renaissance portraits. And the Dorsoduro location is central but quiet  squished between the Salute church and Guggenheim collection, a 30-second traghetto ride from the sestiere of San Marco, but a couple of minutes to the Zattere, Venices most beautiful waterfront.

The closest Venice gets to a W hotel are these Philippe Starck-designed digs in a 16th-century little palazzo (palazzino) next to art gallery Palazzo Grassi. Formerly known as Palazzina G, the 26 rooms are full of signature Starck touches: mirrored walls, ceilings and chairs, carnival masks and stools that look like silver-coated tree-stumps.

Two buildings spliced together make up the hotel: one set back from the water, whose rooms overlook the alleys below, the other an elegant, slim palazzo on the Grand Canal, squished between behemoths on either side. This one is where the suites are  and theyre actually some of the best-priced Grand Canal suites youll find, as former guest Johnny Depp can tell you.

Theres no check-in desk here  its way too cool for that  but there is a Krug Lounge (the second in the world) and a beautiful main room  low-lit and framed by Corinthian columns  which serves as a restaurant, bar and lobby area.

Everyone notices Palazzo Stern as the number 1 vaporetto glides up the Grand Canal and moors right beside it, at Ca Rezzonico. Not everyone, however, realises its a hotel, with its invisible signage and neat little garden, fringed by doric columns.

What used to be a house  built in the 15th century and ending up in the hands of a German art collector  has been converted into a 24-room property. The bedrooms themselves wont win many design awards  theyre typical old-school Italian four-star  but the house itself is a gem, with a grand lobby, staircase, and rooftop hot tub.

If youre looking for a scene, heres where to find it, in an enormous warehouse on Giudecca converted into a poshtel by the stylish Generator group. On warm evenings, millennials spill out onto the waterfront outside, creating their own mini movida; inside are design-led dorms (think exposed brick walls and beamed ceilings) as well as five ensuite doubles, overlooking the water and San Marco in the distance.

Staying by the bus depot isnt generally the best plan. But in Venice  especially if youre on a tight schedule, or have lots of luggage  things are a little different. The Santa Chiara sits at the mouth of the Grand Canal  not its most beautiful point, but a mere 20m from the airport bus stop. That means instead of sitting on the Alilaguna ferry to reach town (perhaps the most spectacular airport commute, but normally around 90 minutes) and then dragging your cases across bridges and around alleyways, you can get the bus from the airport to the Piazzale Roma terminus and go from Arrivals hall to your room in 25 minutes flat. Sans luggage, you can then walk to anywhere in Venice in about 15 minutes, rather than having to brave another long vaporetto ride. It is, its no exaggeration to say, revelatory.

The hotel is split across two buildings  a 19th-century convent and a concrete-ish modern building (adventurous or excrescence, depending on your sensibilities), which are joined in the middle so you dont feel the split. Deluxe rooms are the ones to go for (classic rooms are in a separate annexe)  theyre modern and well equipped, with stylish feature wallpaper, comfy beds and faux walnut furniture. Breakfast is taken in a sunny room plum on the Grand Canal, while rooms can either have a canal view or one of the bus terminus behind (the latter are extremely well soundproofed, so there are no worries on that score).

The hotel is also wheelchair-accessible  as is Piazzale Roma  so if you have mobility issues, its an excellent base.

We may earn some commission if you click on a link in this article and buy a product or service, but we never allow this to influence our coverage.

This article was first published in July 2017

Venice hotels 11 best for style and location


The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee released thousands of text messages on Wednesday between lovebirds Peter Strzok titled The Clinton Email Scandal and the FBIs Investigation of it.

President Trump tweeted on the new text messages between the lovebirds.

Lovebirds Peter Strzok and his mistress Lisa page were not fond of the pro-life movement.

Pillow Talk Lovebirds Strzok and Page on March for Life Fcking Marchers Making Traffic Problems


(Natural News) Its important to recognize events that are likely to trigger the coming civil war. And by civil war, I mean a domestic, kinetic conflict between anti-American Leftists and pro-American patriots. In this case, civil war is not a political metaphor. Im warning about actual kinetic conflict.

Finally, after years of cover-ups, the participants in the Clinton criminal cartel may be facing indictment and imprisonment. Earlier this week, lawmakers joined forces to send a criminal referral to the Dept. of Justice that recommends criminal investigations into James Comey, Loretta Lynch, Hillary Clinton, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page and Andrew McCabe, all swamp creatures who have committed outrageous criminal acts against the people of America.

As Newstarget.com reports, these co-conspirators are being referred for criminal investigations due to:

1) lying about intelligence in order to spy on the 2016 Trump campaign; and 2) intentionally botching the probe into Clintons criminal mishandling of classified data via an unsecured private server.

See the criminal referral letter at this House.gov link.

Also, as reported on JamesComey.news, Comey transformed the FBI into a corrupt, treasonous deep state apparatus that actively obstructed justice in order to make sure Hillary Clinton got elected President:

In the first draft of a statement former FBI Director James Comey prepared for the press when he discussed the bureaus criminal investigation into then-Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton last summer, he dropped language that would have directly implicated her in a crime.

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The point is, unless President Trump is literally killed in some brazen assassination coup  which is always a possibility  hes going to make sure Hillary Clinton and her cohorts get indicted. Regardless of what happens in the 2018 mid-terms, Trump is still President through 2020, and theres no way hes leaving office without making sure the corrupt deep state gets some serious payback.

The unhinged Left, of course, will immediately start rioting once Hillary Clinton gets indicted. Once the riots begin, I fully expect kinetic engagement to begin. Note that I do not support such bloodshed, and I dont condone it. The last thing I want to see is the blood of Americans spilled on the streets of America. Yet I fear this is exactly where things are headed for the simple reason that Leftists can no longer participate in a free society in any rational, lawful way. They are deranged, hate-filled lunatics who despise law and order and literally seek to murder their political enemies. The very idea that their own deep state treasonous swamp creatures might face the rule of law will drive Leftists to unhinged extremism, which is likely to include their bombing of government buildings, mass arson, chaos in the streets, the widespread targeting of police officers and the attempted murdering of conservatives and Trump supporters.

The extreme intolerance, irrationality, anger and lawlessness of the Left, in other words, is simply irreconcilable with a free society. The current situation cannot persist much longer without something breaking.

We arent far away from a trigger event that could unleash all this. In fact, as Ive explained on Natural News, there are globalist elements that actively seek to push America into a civil war in order to call for United Nations peacekeeping intervention (run by Obama, of course).

Listen to my podcast for more details, and make sure youre fully prepared for this dangerous possibility of what may yet come to pass:

Read CivilWar.news to stay informed, and if youre into survival and preparedness, read Preparedness.news.

You have been warned The civil war begins when Hillary Clinton gets indicted


Martin Jonasson is the developer behind some of the most acclaimed mobile games around: twofold, inc. and rymdkapsel. But his latest project, Holedown (available on the App Store and Google Play for $3.99), ditches the complicated puzzle and strategy aspects for a more approachable arcade experience thats nearly impossible to put down.

Gameplay in Holedown is similar to last years free-to-play chartopper Ballz (created by the controversial Ketchapp Games, who created the viral hit 2048). Players are tasked with burrowing down as far as they can into the core of a planet. This is accomplished by sending a stream of bouncing balls into numerically labeled blocks, which represent the number of times that a block needs to be hit before it breaks. The game starts out simple, tasking players with just a couple of shots and small, easy-to-shatter bricks. But as you unlock more upgrades and abilities, things escalate to the point where youll have dozens of balls ricocheting around a level, sticking blocks hundreds of times in a single shot.

Its a pleasant inverse of an unfortunate trend in mobile games. Instead of developers taking an idea and building a stripped down, ad-filled clone, Holedown takes the Brick Breaker but more concept of Ballz and bundles it into a more polished and deeper experience. (And as an added bonus for anyone looking to play during their commute, the entire game is playable offline, too.)

But Holedown isnt about blindly brute-forcing your way through the levels. Destroying a lower down block with other bricks stacked on top will destroy the whole tower, adding a nearly requisite tactical element, especially in the more difficult levels. Furthering the challenge is the fact that some blocks are pinned in place, and can only be dismantled by hitting them the appropriate number of times.

Theres a blend of luck and skill here that reminds me of PopCaps Peggle, another addictive time-eater that I once poured hours of my life into. Can you succeed simply by smashing your way downward? Probably, at least for the earlier levels. And even the most well thought out and intentioned shots have a tendency to go awry, with balls bouncing around in wholly unexpected ways. But over the course of the five or so hours it took me to play through the standard levels  imagined or not  I really could feel myself getting better at placing shots and predicting angles.

Im not sure how much time Ill spend in Holedown now that Ive completed the game. The levels are all procedurally generated, and theres an endless stage at the end that challenges players to see just how far they can go for those who want more. Once I had unlocked everything there was to offer, there wasnt much drive for me to keep going.

But while it lasts, theres something deeply satisfying about watching the chaos as balls careen around the screen and make the larger numbers steadily tick down to nothing. Holedown is charming and engrossing, and definitely worth the trip.

Brick-breaking arcade game Holedown will be your new subway obsession


Pop years are like dog years  disappear for more than two and you may as well be gone for ever. Stockholms Robin Carlsson is the anomaly. Eight years since she released her last album, Body Talk, the clamour for her return has only grown louder.

Thats partly thanks to the ongoing success of her song Dancing on My Own, a UK top 10 hit for her in 2010, prominent again in 2012 in the first series of Lena Dunhams TV series Girls, and an even bigger hit in 2016 in a wimpy acoustic version by Calum Scott. It set the blueprint for a style of sad pop that has become a genre of its own, with everyone from Lorde to Troye Sivan writing songs that can move the feet while prompting a tear at the same time.

Robyns absence, which has included a long-term relationship break-up, the death from cancer of her close friend and musical mentor Christian Falk and years in therapy, has given her plenty more fuel.

However, although Honey sounds downbeat and low-key, its far from heartbroken. Written predominantly with Joseph Mount of Metronomy, it ranges from the alien sparseness of Beach2k20, which sees her repeating Lets go party, to the soft-hearted strings and synth twinkles of Because Its in the Music.

Missing U, her energetic comeback single, is the closest link to her older synthpop, while elsewhere, on tracks such as Send to Robin Immediately, she has gone deeper, quieter, prettier.

Its not an album of pop hits. It sounds like shes outgrown the charts and gone somewhere even more appealing.

It's nearly Halloween guys! If you want to frighten the marrow out of your party guests, look no further than Thom Yorkes bone-scrapingly effective score for Luca Guadagninos forthcoming remake of the cult 1977 Italian horror movie. As the excellent soundtracks of Call Me By Your Name and A Bigger Splash attest, Guadagnino knows what he likes, music-wise, and the Italian director set his heart on persuading Yorke to compose his first movie soundtrack.

As it happens, Yorke had spent his time since A Moon Shaped Pool composing a series of instrumental spells to ward away the horrors of Trump, climate apocalypse etc, and they form the core of this meandering double album, recorded with the London Contemporary Orchestra and Choir.

It is by turns unsettling, disturbing and flat-out terrifying. However, it also has moments of extreme beauty  Klemperer Walks, The Conjuring of Anke  and in Suspirium and Open Again, a pair of vintage Yorke vocals for Radiohead nuts to cherish.

A Wembley Arena concert with Belinda Carlisle and the remaining Thompson Twin next month suggests Culture Club are unable or unwilling to leave the Eighties. The first album since a flop reunion almost 20 years ago shows barely any sonic progression since their heyday. Alongside the tepid reggae and predictable funk, a burst of trip-hop on God & Love is about as adventurous as it gets. If there was ever any doubt that Boy George was Culture Clubs head boy, his name now officially overshadows that of the group. Fair enough, perhaps, as his suavely soulful vocal is the best thing about this comeback.

In career terms, though, Life may be an overoptimistic album title.

Gaye Su Akyol is the dynamic new singer songwriter on the Turkish music scene. Shes well-known at home and now getting increasing recognition worldwide. She won over a lot of fans at Womad this summer. The title of this album, her third, translates as Consistent Fantasy is Reality and hints at, she says, the surreal difficulties of life in modern Turkey. Musically, it draws strongly on Turkeys psychedelic, Galata Gothic, rock tradition and features a swirling soundscape of guitars, bass, Turkish lutes and intricate percussion. Her voice is seductive and arresting with alluring melismas, while avoiding orientalist stereotypes. Her band, who play masked, weave compelling textures that keep things interesting even when you dont understand the lyrics. Well be hearing plenty more of her, Im sure.

Based on his time spent living in east London, Odells latest album, Jubilee Road, roots itself in everyday matters as the 27-year-old tries to bring his local London community to life.

Inspired by the friends he made living there, Jubilee Road tells sweeping stories  everything from tales of whisky-shaking gamblers in the local betting shop to ones of torn couples on bittersweet wedding days.

Theres more of Odell too on this, his most introspective album to date. Despite moving forwards thematically, Odell doesnt venture far from the saccharine, Keane-esque piano balladry hes previously favoured that can at times cloy. There are still plenty of affecting songs here such as the albums title track, If You Wanna Love Somebody and his strong duet with Alice Merton, Half as Good as You.

Amaro Freitas is a young pianist from the steamy Brazilian province of Pernambuco, who grew up practising on an imaginary keyboard, too poor to commute to the local conservatory. From residencies in restaurants, to a wildly acclaimed debut to this, his second album with a trio on double bass and drums, Freitas is proving himself exceptional. Theres the way he mixes the classic jazz of, say, Thelonious Monk with powerful homegrown rhythms including the drum-driven sounds of carnival. Theres his percussive style and quicksilver timing; complex patterns are delivered effortlessly, recalling nimble-fingered Brazilian icon Hermeto Pascoal, and deft flourishes from guest Henrique Albino on flute and velvety saxophone. Breathtaking stuff. Freitas plays Ronnie Scotts, W1, on November 2 and 3.

Albums of the week Robyn Tom Odell and Boy George amp Culture Club


As candidates for the Arizona state Senate discussed gun control legislation last week, one potential lawmaker told the audience how he shot and killed a crazed woman in an act of self-defense when he was a teenager.

The only way youre stopping a crazy madman whos killing innocent people is that you better have a good guy there with a gun, Republican Bobby Wilson said at a meeting organized by the gun control group Moms Demand Action.

You can pass all the laws you want to in this world, and when youve got somebody out there that wants to harm somebody, theyre going to do it if you dont stop them, Wilson told the crowd.

Wilson is running to represent a southern Arizona district and told The Associated Press that he isnt trying to hide anything in his campaign.

In the video above, you can watch Wilson tell an audience that one night in 1963, his mother shot at him six times with a rifle while he was in bed in their Oklahoma farmhouse.

Wilson also wrote about what happened in his 2010 book Bobbys Trials. The book details how his mother and sister died the same night their house burned down. Wilsons website also states: He and his sister were raised by a deranged mother who was a fugitive hiding in the backwoods of S.E. Oklahoma. In 1963, she tried to murder her own children in the early morning hours and only Bobby survived the deadly chaos that followed.

While Wilson was reportedly charged with homicide after the deaths, two trials ultimately led to the court dismissing the case in the early 70s. Its unclear how Wilsons sister died, and Wilson didnt remember what happened that night for many years due to amnesia, according to the Arizona Republic.

Wilson is a licensed gun owner and told the AP that the night he killed his mother was the only time Ive ever been in that situation, and I hope its the last time.

He will be taking on Republican Shelley Kais in the GOP primary for a seat currently held by Democrat Andrea Dalessandro. While his story has led to more scrutiny and criticism of his campaign, that apparently doesnt have him rattled.

Wilson wrote on his Facebook page on July 10 that he loved the boos and catcalls. He now knows how Trump must feel with all the fake news stories making the rounds, he wrote in a post on Tuesday.

Pro-Gun Arizona State Senate Candidate Talks About Killing His Mother


New NHS guidance says a decision to prescribe cannabis products should only be made where other treatment options have been exhausted.

The medicines can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor  not a GP  on a case-by-case basis.

But as HuffPost UK reported last month , many medics are reluctant to prescribe cannabis as a medicine despite it being legally allowed, either because they dont understand it properly or wrongly link it to street skunk.

The move follows several high-profile cases, including that of young epilepsy sufferers Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell, whose conditions appeared to be helped by cannabis oil .

Home Secretary Sajid Javid announced last month that new regulations would come into force on Thursday, relaxing the rules about the circumstances in which the products can be given to patients.

Doctors will be able to prescribe cannabis oil to patients in the UK from today.

Though the UK is the largest exporter of medicinal cannabis in the world, it has been illegal for the drug to be grown at home or supplied to ease the symptoms of chronic illnesses ranging from cancer to HIV.

This forced some normally-law abiding citizens to take matters into their own hands - a 42-year-old property developer in Birmingham for instance, has been making litres of his own cannabis oil in a makeshift garage laboratory

Alfie Dingleys mother Hannah Deacon welcomed the latest development when it was announced, saying: I have personally seen how my sons life has changed due to the medical cannabis he is now prescribed.

As a family we were facing his death. Now we are facing his life, full of joy and hope which is something I wish for each and every person in this country who could benefit from this medicine.

Billys mother, Charlotte Caldwell, said she wept tears of joy at the move.

She said: Only relatively recently did our Government and country really start to appreciate just how many wee children and people of all ages were affected by the difficulties associated with accessing medicinal cannabis.

But once it became clear that it wasnt just about what was perceived to be a small number of very sick children, and that medicinal cannabis could make a life-changing or life-saving difference to more than a million people, the overwhelming support of the public and the incredible speed of reaction of the Home Secretary has delivered an utterly amazing result.

The decision to reschedule the products came following a specially commissioned review.

An initial review by chief medical adviser Dame Sally Davies concluded that there was evidence medicinal cannabis can have therapeutic benefits.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which carried out the second part of the review, then said doctors should be able to prescribe medicinal cannabis provided products meet safety standards.

The new law will not limit the types of conditions that can be considered for treatment and it means doctors will no longer need to seek approval from an expert panel in order for patients to access the medicines.

Cannabis Oil Is Now Available On Prescription In The UK


Google is helping China establish a censored search engine code-named Dragonfly to monitor its citizens online activity and blacklist websites and search terms about human rights, democracy, religion and peaceful protest.

Meanwhile, a coordinated effort across the internet to censor conservative viewpoints in America has already begun.

The Dragonfly search engine is eerily reminescent of the dystopian social media seen in the hit show Black Mirrors episode titled, Nosedive.

The episode portrays a society controlled by a social scoring system that controls every aspect of the lives of its citizens.

China is creeping closer and closer to implementing a similar social scoring system with the country aiming to have its version monitor all 1.4 billion citizens by 2020.

Some Chinese citizens have already been victimized by the technocratic government such as journalist Liu Hua who has been barred from traveling, purchasing land and taking out loans among other things.

Coming To America Googles Chinese Censorship App and Control Grid