Rooted in Germany’s metalworks industries, IG Metall is one of the world’s strongest trade unions. But the need for climate action is forcing it to take a more critical approach to the industries where its members work — and fight for a green transition that creates new kinds of high-paid, fulfilling jobs.
In Germany, Trade Unions Are Waking Up To the Climate Crisis
The LNP and Murdoch push to rid us of the ABC is Trumpism to the core (ODT)
ABC chairwoman Ita Buttrose has warned against growing attempts of intimidation towards public broadcasters around the world, saying countries that have popular, well-funded public sector media encounter less extremism and corruption and have greater press freedom.
ABC chair Ita Buttrose defends broadcaster as essential to democracy
“This isn’t going to solve the problem of insecure work overnight, but someone has to put their hand up and say we’re going to take this out of the ‘too hard’ basket and do something about it – and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” he said.
Casuals due to get relief in Victoria, in lieu of national action – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Bolton noted that the Trump campaign has so far lost all but two of more than 30 legal challenges in various states. “Right now Trump is throwing rocks through windows, he is the political equivalent of a street rioter,” Bolton said.
Trump faces pressure from Republicans to drop ‘corrosive’ fight to overturn election | US news | The Guardian
Joe Biden is wary of a legal reckoning against his predecessor, but to let Trump go would be to sanction future corruption.
The Perils of Not Prosecuting Trump | The Nation
President Trump gained a number of loyal followers during his time in the Oval Office, but there are reasons why his popularity may wane, writes Paul Begley.
Trumpism is unlikely to become a movement
Can the Democrats afford to have him jailed? (ODT)
“Live from Palm Beach, it’s the Power Hour with Donald Trump!” The studio audience erupts in cheers as the former president ambles on to his Oval Office set and takes his place behind a replica of the fabled Resolute desk. The walls are lined with portraits of Trump and posters with the words “rigged” and “stolen”.
Donald Trump may be chasing a TV gig after the US election — and millions of fans could tune in – ABC News
Trump saw an opportunity in the division and still does. He took a wedge to all the cracks. (ODT
But when a new enemy emerged in the form of the coronavirus, instead of uniting against it, the 15 Americas turned on each other. Now with the virus raging through the country, eight Americas managed to unite behind a new president. It’s difficult to see how he will be able to bring the other seven on board with him to defeat the virus and heal divisions.
America is just too big and the system is struggling to hold everyone together – ABC News
A missed anniversary raises the matter of how well Australians are informed about their society. Alan Austin dons his quizmaster hat once again.
Manipulated collective memory makes most Australians much poorer
Scott Morrison’s attempt last week to crab walk away from his government’s insistence on being able to use so-called “Kyoto credits” to achieve Australia’s formal commitments under the Paris Agreement was inevitable. Morrison’s position was not only legally baseless and at odds with the rest of the world, it did nothing for the atmosphere.
Australia needs a climate policy vision – not a pathetic crab walk
In a major new paper published in Science, we reveal how changes in fire activity threaten more than 4,400 species across the globe with extinction. This includes 19% of birds, 16% of mammals, 17% of dragonflies and 19% of legumes that are classified as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable.
Humans are changing fire patterns, and it’s threatening 4,403 species with extinction
Morrison’s jaundiced relationship with China is making CEO spines shiver (ODT)
A rising tide of fear has begun to course through the boardrooms of some of the nation’s biggest companies. Some can see their entire livelihoods on the line. A great many others worry about a huge drop in earnings and profits and, by proxy, a premature end to their own careers.
Australia’s biggest export could be key against tensions boiling over with China – ABC News
Some of these issues were highlighted at a press conference on Thursday led by the president’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. We’ve looked at the main allegations of fraud and irregularities.
US election 2020: Fact-checking Trump team’s main fraud claims – BBC News
But there is one key similarity with those speaking out – they can’t be troubled by Mr Trump’s base, said US election analyst and ANU professor Wesley Widmaier. “Mitt Romney is a unique figure. He is a former presidential nominee, and he is incredibly respected in his state, he’s an elder finger in the Mormon church, he has no worry Trump could every threaten him,” Professor Widmaier said. “Lamar Alexander has been in power for 30 years and is retiring.” Many Republicans won’t publicly denounce Mr Trump’s behaviour because they don’t want to lose voters, Professor Widmaier said.
Key Republicans are speaking out against Donald Trump
“These claims were meritless from the start and for an audience of one,” Shapiro said in a statement. “The will of the people will prevail. These baseless lawsuits need to end.” Counties must certify their results to Boockvar by Monday, after which she will make her own certification. Democratic Governor Tom Wolf will notify the winning candidate’s electors they should appear to vote in the Capitol on December 14.
In blistering ruling, judge throws out Trump suit in Pennsylvania
Donald Trump has had a fresh setback in his bid to overturn his loss in the US election as Michigan lawmakers indicated they would not seek to undo Joe Biden’s projected win in the state. Two Republican legislators pledged to follow “normal process” in validating the vote after a White House meeting. Earlier on Friday, Georgia dealt the US president another blow by certifying Mr Biden’s razor-thin margin of victory. The Democrat is set to take office on 20 January as the 46th US president.
Trump options narrow as Michigan backs Biden win – BBC News
Why has the president been so quiet? He loves the spotlight. Yet this month he has been holed up for 14 days in the White House. Here is how he has been spending the final weeks of his term in office.
Attention-loving Trump disappears in final days of term – BBC News
What the heck were Michigan’s top Republican legislators celebrating at Trump’s D.C. hotel last night, after claiming they would not interfere with the state’s election certification? And who paid for the $800 champagne they drank?
Why Were MI Legislators Drinking $800 Champagne At Trump’s Hotel? | Crooks and Liars
That’s why Rudd is in the best position to inform us today of how Murdoch manipulates our political system (ODT)
Les Hinton, who became Murdoch’s most trusted official during a five-decade career at News Corp, took aim at the timing of Mr Rudd’s intervention and said he had witnessed firsthand the former prime minister’s courtship of the company when it was politically convenient.
Kevin Rudd courted Rupert Murdoch when it suited him, says ex-News chief Les Hinton
Recipients of stolen wage entitlements from the Queensland Government say the payments are grossly unfairAdministrators say a methodology that relied on anthropological evidence was used to determine the amountsMen received greater entitlements than women as they were more affected by stolen wage practices
North Queensland elders say stolen wages entitlements unfair, much lower than expected – ABC News
When broadcaster Alan Jones takes issue with someone, he doesn’t hold back. Likewise, when he’s a fan – as he is of Tanya Plibersek – he generally lets it show.
The odd couple: behind Alan Jones and Tanya Plibersek’s 20-year bond
Imagine for a moment the view from Beijing. It looks something like this. The Chinese Communist Party has overseen an economic miracle. In three decades it has taken a country that once could not feed itself and turned it into an economic powerhouse. More than half a billion people have been lifted out of the poverty. The world has never seen anything like it.
Australia’s trade clash with China is a lesson in what Beijing’s power really means – ABC News
Giuliani and Trump might think it’s about him staying in office, but this is all pure Bannon. And it’s very dangerous. “Anything that aids and abets doubts about an election that has been conducted with integrity makes the future of democracy darker,” William Galston, senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution told the Post. “To weaken a democratic people’s faith in its fundamental institutions of self-government is inexcusable.”
Trump’s Election Tactics Turn from Courts to a Bannon Strategy of Chaos | The Smirking Chimp
Karl Marx famously wrote that archetypal figures appear twice in history: first in the form of tragedy, and again as farce. In the period following the November 3 US presidential election, Donald Trump has managed to achieve both. Trump’s attempts to cling to power despite his clear loss to Joe Biden are growing increasingly farcical and have next to no realistic prospect of success. But he is a tragic figure too because of the damage he is inflicting on America’s democratic traditions as he heads out the door.
US election 2020 results: Donald Trump’s ignominious White House exit
the United States has passed the grim milestone of 250,000 deaths. Trump had predicted a worst case of 50,000 deaths last spring, but then Donald Trump could not find his ass with both hands.
Is it the Trump-Monster or capitalist Plutocracy? With 250,000 Dead, why is the US Virus Response so Particularly Bad?
On Thursday evening, Tucker Carlson trolled Sydney Powell, who claimed Trump won by a landslide by demanding to see the evidence of massive voter irregularities and fraud and was angry she refused to appear his show.
Tucker Carlson Calls Out Sydney Powell’s Claims Of Voter Fraud For No Evidence | Crooks and Liars
The movement to reform drug policy celebrated a number of victories in the recent election, with voters across America opting to legalize marijuana and decriminalize narcotics in an unprecedented overhaul.
‘The war on drugs failed’: California lawmaker will push to decriminalize psychedelics | US news | The Guardian
So much for “we stand alone” stance insisted by Morrison. Broadsides coming from America suggest otherwise. (ODT)
Senior United States Senator Marco Rubio has lashed the Chinese government for its “economic coercion” against Australia, saying it is important for a global alliance of democracies to speak up in support of Canberra. The intervention from the former Republican presidential candidate followed a sharp escalation in rhetoric from Beijing as it doubled down on its claim that the Morrison government is solely to blame for deteriorating relations between China and Australia.
Senior Republican senator Marco Rubio slams Beijing for ‘bullying’ Australia
Donald Trump’s loyal lieutenant Mike Pompeo brandished his claws on a visit to Israel. Standing side-by-side with another member of the Trump VIP Club, Benjamin Netanyahu, he branded BDS “a cancer” and professed that the USA is “committed to countering the Global BDS Campaign as a manifestation of anti-Semitism.” A giddy Netanyahu applauded and called it all “wonderful.”
Israel lovers Pompeo and Trump are burying Palestine as they know Joe Biden won’t have the power to dig the nation up again — RT Op-ed
Tips and Murmurs Even by his usual standards, Rupert Murdoch had a particularly Murdoch week Our very first Clown of the Week is none other than Rupert Murdoch. Charlie Lewis Nov 20, 2020 1 Rupert Murdoch (Image: AP/Josh Reynolds) Crikey always goes out of its way to recognise people who have gone above and beyond in making the world just a little worse — and why should we limit our awards in this area to the end of the year? With that in mind, welcome to our new weekly item: Clown of the Week.
Clown of the Week: Rupert Murdoch had a particularly Murdoch week
Most of the big successful New Zealand innovation stories we see in the media are about people who sold their innovation to an overseas – typically American – company. This success allows the innovator to buy their “three Bs”: the Beamer, the boat and the bach. But is this a true measure of successful innovation? Or could we do better to create more investment options and allow for more “courageous” investment?
‘Courageous’ investment means innovation stays in NZ, not sold off overseas
One of his legal advisers, Jenna Ellis, claimed it paved the way for “Republican state legislator[s] [to] select the electors” — an open invitation for the Republican-led legislature to hand the state to Trump, not Biden, in defiance of the will of the people. This was a state that Biden won by almost 150,000 votes.
Donald Trump’s current strategy isn’t about winning in court. It’s about disrupting the process in the hope of winning the US election by default – ABC News
This is really enough to overturn any election,” said Giuliani, who laid out a litany of allegations – not evidence, but unproven allegations – sprinkled with a list of untruths or perhaps, misunderstandings about the vote counting and certification process. For all of the traditions and norms shattered by Trump during his presidency, publicly musing about and actively making an effort towards “overturning” the will of US voters based on allegations and conspiracy theories really takes the cake.
Trump’s fury grows as US election loss becomes unequivocal | US & Canada | Al Jazeera
In the nine days after Fox News declared Joe Biden the president-elect, the network has cast doubt on or pushed conspiracy theories about the election results at least 574 times — 208 times on Fox’s “straight news” shows and 366 times on its opinion shows.
Fox News has cast doubt on or pushed conspiracy theories about the election results nearly 600 times | Media Matters for America
A major shift towards clean energy targets is being seen among some of Australia’s leading businesses and brands, writes David Ritter.
Major corporations rush towards clean energy commitment
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released unemployment figures for the month of October, and in its monthly labour force survey on Thursday revealed an increase of one-tenth of one per cent nationwide, bringing the figure up to an even 7.0 per cent.
Ignore the spin – unemployment still up, says ACTU – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Independent Australia has reported on the unconscionable Robodebt fiasco from the outset and its toll continues to mount, despite the recent class action.
Porter, Tudge, Robert and Morrison’s shameless Robodebt record
Australia’s history of racism and oppression must be fought against, with lessons to be learned from shifting paradigms around the world, writes Gerry Georgatos.
How to change the face of intergenerational racism in Australia
But the SAS unit has found solace from one source: Seven West chairman Kerry Stokes. Already, Stokes has loaned decorated former SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith somewhere between $1 million and $2 million (depending on the source) to aid his — so far not going all that great — defamation case against the Nine papers.
Seven torn between loyalty and duty in SAS war crimes report
Murder and torture allegations against elite soldiers in Afghanistan have been described as more “evil” and “worse” than the atrocities at Abu Ghraib prison, prompting cries for urgent cultural change within the Australian army.
War crimes report details ‘evil’ acts by Australian soldiers
The outgoing president’s campaign is filling the inboxes of supporters with messages that aim to incite fear and anger.
Trump Emails Supporters to Say, “The Left HATES YOU”
The legislation which covers broadcasting in Australia, the Broadcasting Services Act (1992), was framed at a time when pay TV was beginning and no one imagined how the internet would be harnessed to destroy the idea of truth. It has left the regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), with no power over digital websites. ACMA is now playing catch-up by working with digital platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Google, Microsoft, TikTok, Apple and Amazon to halt the spread of disinformation online with a voluntary code of conduct. Yet it was a similar self-regulation approach which allowed misinformation and baseless conspiracy to flourish on subscription television in the first place.
Sky’s the limit as online influence soars and law plays catch-up
How does the Murdoch press represent women? While studying media representations of women in politics, I’ve noticed a stark difference in Murdoch press coverage of men and women leaders.
There’s a big problem with the Murdoch media no one is talking about — how it treats women leaders
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