Labour’s been mocked for calling for an election. Now it’s the only way out | Owen Jones

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The Tories’ partisan games have killed so many potential solutions that an election is the best option left

We are being trolled by a prime minister who is prepared to drive a nation into the abyss to preserve the cohesion of the Conservative party. Like a partner who perennially hints at a romantic three-course meal and a possible popping of the question only to give you beans on toast, Theresa May served up another anticlimax with her national address. She provided no exit routes out of a building she has set alight, merely attacking a parliament she forced the electorate to vote for less than two years previously.

It is the most basic statement of political reality to say that Britain’s national crisis has been manufactured by the Conservatives, but it’s one that needs repeating in a media environment rigged in favour of the right. A generation-long Tory power struggle and the disastrous attempts to navigate it by David Cameron and his successor have brought Britain to its knees. The narrative over the coming days will be that the onus is on Labour to accept May’s deal – a deal both remainers and leavers are united in judging to be terrible – or condemn Britain to no deal.

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Chile: retired soldiers sentenced for role in 1986 attack on activists burned alive

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Carmen Gloria Quintana and Rodrigo Rojas were beaten, sprayed with petrol and set alight in attack that left Rojas dead

A Chilean court has sentenced three retired soldiers to 10 years in prison for their part in a horrific attack on two democracy activists who were doused with petrol and set on fire.

The 1986 attack on Rodrigo Rojas and Carmen Gloria Quintana was one of the most notorious torture cases in the 17-year military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

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Finnish People School Nikki Haley On Healthcare In Finland

Nikki Haley, former United States ambassador to the United Nations, is currently getting a beautiful lesson in social democracy and the quality of life in Finland. In response to Haley’s claim that healthcare in the United States is far superior to healthcare in Finland, people in Finland—who have internet access as well as very good health care—are helpfully telling her about what it’s actually like when your ability to pay has nothing to do with getting good medical care.

Source: Finnish People School Nikki Haley On Healthcare In Finland

Testosterone limits for female athletes not backed by science, say academics

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Rules by IAAF would require some female track runners to lower their testosterone levels to compete

Proposed regulations on testosterone levels in women’s athletics have been criticised by academics who say they are not backed by scientific evidence and risk opening a pandora’s box on genetic advantages in sport.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) put forward new regulations which could require some female athletes to lower their testosterone level. However the introduction of these regulations is currently on ice while the courts decide on a legal challenge brought by the South African athlete Caster Semenya, a female 800 metre Olympic gold medallist. A ruling is expected within days.

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‘New bizarre low’: Trump faces backlash after reviving McCain attacks

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Republicans such as Lindsey Graham and Mitt Romney defended the late senator after the president said he ‘never liked’ him

Donald Trump renewed attacks on the late senator John McCain, stating he “never liked” the Arizona Republican and “probably never will”.

The president faced widespread backlash for reviving his criticism of McCain, who died of brain cancer last year.

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Kingston Pharma, LLC RECALLS ” DG(TM)/health NATURALS baby Cough Syrup + Mucus” Because of Possible Health Risk

Kingston Pharma, LLC of Massena, NY is recalling Lot KL180157 of its 2-fluid ounce (59 mL) bottles of DG(TM)/health NATURALS baby Cough Syrup + Mucus” because it has the potential to be contaminated with Bacillus cereus/ Bacillus circulans. Bacillus cereus in food products has the potential to produce two forms of gastrointestinal illness, one being a syndrome primarily of vomiting, and the other of diarrhea. Most often, illnesses are mild and self-limiting, although more serious and even lethal cases have occurred. Individuals at risk for more severe forms of illness include infants, young children, and others with weakened immune systems. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem with the use of DG(TM)/health NATURALS baby Cough Syrup + Mucus.

Israeli bulldozer walks over car with two Palestinians shot inside it

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Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) shot dead two Palestinian youths before an Israeli army bulldozer proceeded to climb over and smash the vehicle they were in,  during clashes which broke out near Joseph’s Tomb site in Nablus city, northern West Bank, on Wednesday morning.

The two were identified as Raed Hamdan, 21, and Zaid Nuri, 20, and were left without treatment as paramedics were blocked from approaching therm by IOF.

The Palestinian Red Crescent crews said that they came under fire while trying to reach the wounded, and the Israeli army prevented them from reaching the wounded.

The sources confirmed that the IOF executed the martyrs in cold blood and walked over the vehicle while the two youth were inside it.

Palestinians announced general strike in Nablus following the shooting.

It is noteworthy that last night, IOF killed another Palestinian, Omar Abu Laila (19) who was accused of carrying out a stabbing and a shooting at a checkpoint near Salfit city, northern West Bank.

 

Donald Trump is using Stalinist techniques against climate science | Michael Mann and Bob Ward

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A panel to promote an alternative explanation for climate change would be disastrous. Yet that’s what White House officials want

Americans should not be fooled by the Stalinist tactics being used by the White House to try to discredit the findings of mainstream climate science.

The Trump administration has already purged information about climate change from government websites, gagged federal experts and attempted to end funding for climate change programmes.

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