Stories of the week 21 April
The news this week was dominated by Extinction Rebellion and global protests about the political and economic terrible lack of action and commitment to tackle climate change and potential human extinction. Initially in London, the relationship between police and well-mannered, non-violent protesters was peaceful, even jovial sometimes. However, the Conservative Government whilst falsely claiming to be listening to the protestors ordered the police to get tough with people and move them on.
The Press were deeply divided over Extinction Rebellion. As you would expect, the Conservative, Brexit-backing, more right wing newspapers dismissed protestors as ‘middle-class Marxists’. Whatever side you’re on, it is impossible to dismiss the drive and commitment of these protestors trying to save us from ourselves. One teacher has lost their career through volunteering to be arrested. More ‘rebellions’ are planned.
It was revealed this week that the cost of No Deal planning has topped £4bn in a Brexit scenario nobody except hard-line Brexiters want. But huge sums of money was not the only cost of No Deal. Thousands of the UK’s rarest orchids were bulldozed to make potential truck parks in Kent.
In another huge blow for Brexiters, Nancy Pelosi confirmed in Dublin that there was no chance of a US-UK trade deal if the seamless Northern Irish border was threatened by the UK leaving the EU. Pelosi reminded the world that US politicians were instrumental in bringing about the Good Friday Agreement and were unwilling to compromise.
Labour MP and Remainer, David Lammy, accused Jacob Rees-Mogg, Boris Johnson and the rest of the ERG of being like Nazis. The recent spread of right wing doctrine by ERG members would seem to support Lammy’s view that even this Nazi comparison is not strong enough.
Ahead of the Euro elections, Facebook countered the threat of right wing groups by banning far-right groups including the BNP, EDL and Britain First.
More shocking news this week on austerity and inequality.
In dramatic and emotional scenes that touched the world, an immense fire engulfed Notre Dame. The cathedral was reportedly only thirty minutes away from total collapse. A human chain passed historic objects and relics from hand-to-hand to save them from the fire. A rescue fund was launched with billions of euros promised which in turn created its own set of problems internally in France.
It has been a little while since Donald Trump has been in the news but here he was again this week. In a nutshell, the Mueller report was published this week and did not clear Trump from obstructing justice. A growing movement for impeachment is threatening the President’s future.
