All posts tagged: rattled

U.K. rattled by killing of politician Ann Widdecombe as murder probe continues

U.K. rattled by killing of politician Ann Widdecombe as murder probe continues

Published by Sam Flores

LONDON — A former British lawmaker was found dead with serious injuries at her home Thursday, prompting a murder investigation that has reignited concerns about the safety of the country’s politicians. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Ann Widdecombe, 78, was one of Britain’s most recognizable politicians, serving as a Conservative member of Parliament for two decades before reinventing herself as a television personality. Known for her strong socially conservative views on abortion and LGBTQ rights, she more recently served as justice spokesperson for the hard-right Reform UK party. Police said Friday there is no indication that the killing was politically motivated, but her death has renewed unease about the safety of Britain’s politicians after two others were killed in the last decade. On Saturday, police said a 26-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder had been released and was no longer part of the investigation. A large police presence remained outside Widdecombe’s home on Saturday as investigations continued. “Our murder enquiry is in …

Trump on Iran, His Speech, and Rattled Markets

Trump on Iran, His Speech, and Rattled Markets

Published by Sam Flores

“I don’t know that. I don’t know that.” As we reported last week, the Pentagon is still investigating the bombing of an elementary school in Minab. The New York Times has reported that preliminary findings indicate that the school was indeed struck by an American bomb. There is fear among Trump’s allies that the president is overly fixated on issues of less importance than war and the economy. Aboard Air Force One this week, reporters peppered Trump with questions about Iran—but first, he pulled out various printed mock-ups of the 90,000-square-foot ballroom he plans to build in the large ditch to the side of the White House that once served as the foundation of the East Wing. “A lot of people are talking about how beautiful the ballroom is,” Trump said. “I don’t have time to do this. I’m fighting wars and other things. But this is very important, because this is gonna be with us for a long time.” The fixation on the ballroom, whose construction was halted by a judge this week in …

Minnesota citizens detained by ICE are left rattled : NPR

Minnesota citizens detained by ICE are left rattled : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

Aliya Rahman is detained by federal agents near the scene where Renee Macklin Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer on Jan. 13 in Minneapolis. Adam Gray/AP hide caption toggle caption Adam Gray/AP It’s a video many saw on social media soon after it happened: Officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, dragging a woman out of her car and forcing her to the ground. The woman in the video is Aliya Rahman, a Bangladeshi-American and a U.S. citizen. The day she was arrested, Rahman was on her way to the doctor, when she came across an ICE operation and a group of people protesting. She said the ICE officers told her to move her car, but the scene was chaotic and she received multiple instructions at once. The Department of Homeland Security said in an earlier statement they arrested Rahman because she “ignored multiple commands.” But Rahman, who is autistic and also recovering from a traumatic brain injury, says it sometimes takes her a moment to understand auditory commands. Before she knew …

Mercosur backers rattled as Spain’s center right wavers under farmer pressure – POLITICO

Mercosur backers rattled as Spain’s center right wavers under farmer pressure – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Spanish pivot The pivot from the Spanish lawmakers, traditionally the staunchest supporters of deepening ties with Latin America, reflects the sky-high pressure building upon the European Parliament.  In the Parliament’s hallways, EPP lawmakers from other countries have noticed the shift. “We always thought they were rock solid, but then lately there was some nervousness,” said one senior MEP, who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive situation. They added that the Spaniards had not expressed themselves directly to the group yet but expressed confidence they will ultimately support the deal. “It seems they have a heated internal debate ongoing,” one EPP official said. “Members of the group are feeling the heat of farmers and the Spaniards have three elections upcoming.” French, Polish, and Austrian center-right lawmakers are opposed to the deal over concerns it will hurt farmers.  A second center-right MEP warned that a Spanish rejection of the deal “would be the end” of Mercosur, adding that Madrid’s backing is as instrumental as that of Germany’s, which both countries described as the “motor” of the …

Le Pen’s troops rattled by reports of Trump’s support – POLITICO

Le Pen’s troops rattled by reports of Trump’s support – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Le Pen will be back in court next week to appeal the verdict. Though the State Department has since denied the Spiegel report as “stale and false,” the mere hint of a National Rally-MAGA liaison was enough to quickly put the party on the defensive — especially given that Washington sanctioned a French judge at the International Criminal Court that issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a press release dated Wednesday, the National Rally said it condemned the sanctions against the ICC judge and watches closely for “any pressure of unacceptable nature on the judicial branch.” In the same statement, it slammed the initial Spiegel report as “fake news” and chastised the press for picking it up. Three National Rally officials contacted by POLITICO also expressed unease at the unconfirmed report. “We have always rejected foreign interference from one side or the other,” Renaud Labaye, a close adviser to Le Pen and high-ranking member of her party, the National Rally, said Thursday. “We stand by that.” Alexandre Sabatou, a member …