Friday 18 September

Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky) and Ro Khanna (D-Cal) announced yesterday that they have secured commitments for the 218 signatures needed to force a House vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act II. Via Meidas News

The UK Government has refused to publish any information it holds on a shadowy Israeli firm caught meddling in the Scottish parliament elections, citing a Freedom of Information (FOI) exemption that allows documents to be withheld if they would “prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and any other state”. The UK Cabinet Office then responded again to say that it would not be publishing any of the information requested in order to “avoid giving offence to other nations and retain the trust of our international partners”. Via The National

Saturday 19 September

“I’m back,” Julian Assange on X.

Some good news: Five police forces in the East Midlands working with Palantir on a controversial surveillance programme are ending their involvement, after the regional unit running the pilot decided not to take it forward. Via Democracy for Sale and Liberty Investigates

Monday 21 September

Luxembourg has announced that it would no longer support the sale of European Israel Bonds. This means Israel Bonds can no longer be sold anywhere in European since an EU member state must approve Israel to issue its bonds. Luxembourg’s move leaves no willing countries. Via Jewish Voice for Peace

Pakistan has instructed hospitals to clear bed space for a “Mass Casualty Incident” after Imran Khan’s sisters and family members were dragged from their homes before a planned march on September 27. Via Drop Site News

Tuesday 22 September

At least five Israeli-backed Palestinian militias are operating out of compounds in areas under Israeli military control across the Gaza Strip. Since the so-called ceasefire went into effect nearly a year ago, these compounds have been upgraded and expanded in size and sophistication. Many of these upgrades resemble Israeli military infrastructure, with berms, barracks, fences, and buildings. At least one compound in East Rafah includes new shops, classrooms, and a playground.

Many of the militia leaders who rose to power in collaboration with Israel during the genocide in Gaza are former gang leaders with a history of criminal activity, were associated with jihadi groups, or are former Palestinian Authority security forces that were all sidelined after Hamas gained control of the enclave in 2007. Via Drop Site News

The European Commission will maintain its ban on new oil and gas drilling in the Arctic despite fierce pressure from oil-rich Norway to drop the ban. The revised version of the EU’s 2021 Arctic strategy will be announced on 20 October.

In 2021, Germany, Sweden and Finland broadly backed the Commission’s position that new oil and gas should “remain in the ground”. Denmark, meanwhile, had to strike a delicate balance between supporting the EU’s green ambitions and its limited ability to impose them on Greenland, its autonomous territory, which controls vast mineral resources, including significant estimated undiscovered oil and gas reserves. Via Euronews

Trump has made a deal with Denmark and Greenland that he’s sees as a win although it merely reaffirms the status quo.

Wednesday 23 September

Why does a gallon of petrol cost $4.47 in America but only 4 cents in Iran? Because Iranian domestic consumption is subsidised.

“Subsidizes” is another word for giving the benefits of Iranian oil back to the people of Iran. The oil of Iran belongs to all Iranians, and therefore the citizens barely pay anything for it. America treats oil (and pretty much all resources) completely differently. The oil of America belongs to the rich dicks who own everything, and they then sell it back to the people at the highest price possible in order to further enrich themselves.

Lee Camp

US news outlets boycotted White House press conferences after Trump barred several major networks for spreading ‘fake news’. Trump’s response is to start his own TV channel which will only broadcast news of which he approves.

“A 21st Century Security Council without permanent African seats is unjust and indefensible.” Antonio Guterres. You can watch the full 30 minute speech here https://youtu.be/z8rN4Fnpz9E?is=KFL2SRSJIG3tZDXl

Thursday 24 September

Someone has bought winter clothing for refugees in the name of Nigel Farage, he’s in for a surprise when he gets a thank you email 😂😂

Farage sees Burnham’s proposed National Centre for Information Security, intended to detect, attribute and disrupt misinformation, as directly targeting Reform. I wonder why 🤔

A unit built to counter disinformation had disinformation deployed against it before it had even seen the light of day. This is what we’re up against.

Zoe Grunewald, The Lead

Britain’s deal to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is in jeopardy since Donald Trump, having vacillated on the plan for 18 months, has now come down in firm opposition.

I don’t support it. I think it’s terrible. It was a terrible deal. Strategically it’s very important. I think the Prime Minister is going to be looking at it.

Donald Trump

Burnham meekly responded “yes”. Via Morning Star Online

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez: We need to at according to principles of the United Nations Charter and reform the Security Council. He also advocates for the next Secretary General to be a Latin American woman. You can watch his full speech here https://youtu.be/WpIuu1_8WxY?is=nSLj6qzHYR75GmU_

Macklemore and Friends are going on tour with all proceeds going to organizations supporting the Palestinian people and movement.

What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage. When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention.

Macklemore

Binyamin Netenyahu stepped to the podium to give his speech to the United Nations General Assembly and scores of delegates walked out!

Friday 25 September

Susan Sarandon has been arrested for protesting Netenyahu’s speech at the UN.

Saturday 26 September

I didn’t expect to be doing another Diary post only 10 days after the last one but I’m suffering from a great deal of discomfort that makes it difficult for me to focus on anything more original. The problem is a serious case of eczema around my ankles and lower leg which makes standing very painful.