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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Starmer's enslavement to woke ideology is a gift to the new axis of evil
When wokeness in Britain went from being a loony Left preoccupation to a way of life, hot on the heels of America's wokeward tack in 2020, only fools, villains and villainous fools insisted that nothing much was happening – apart from a bit of long overdue fairness. Of course, they said, the old Right-wing cis white straight men and women were squealing about the embrace by the virtuous of 'social justice' and 'equity,' but that didn't mean there was a real culture war afoot. It was obvious to me from the start of the woke era, however, that this was not 'just' a culture war but a real one, in a truly modern sense, with real consequences that would be felt far beyond a few workplaces or university seminar rooms. The vaulting from the seminar room into the world of the ideology linking 'white privilege' to empire to colonialism to the immovable fact of white British guilt has led to poisonous politics on the Left, a troubling reaction on the populist Right, and a ruling class who make decisions with our money, our personal safety and the security of the country based on it. If people have been injured or died already thanks to wokeness – for instance in the failure to confidently and properly police Islamist terror suspects or BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic knife crime), or in the body-destroying treatments handed out by LGBTQ+ allies to kids who said they were trans in the gender movement that followed Black Lives Matter – then much more is set to come. One of the most flagrant case studies in how the woke mindset can be physically dangerous is Starmer's Chagos islands agreement. The 'deal' is to hand the British territory to Mauritius, and lease back the land on the island of Diego Garcia, on which sits a strategically vital, Anglo-American military base. The lease costs £30 billion, and will be paid over 99 years. The Government's strange argument for the deal was that it would prevent the security risks that could come from instability due to international lawfare on this last 'colonial' outpost of Britain's. Starmer, somehow, did not think that it was more of a security concern that Chinese influence in Mauritius is malign and growing: China has now announced that Mauritius will be joining its power-grabbing Belt and Road initiative. Indeed, Starmer's comments about the handover in a press conference were very odd. He said with confidence that only Britain's enemies were against it. 'In favour are all of our allies: the US, Nato, Five Eyes, India. Against it: Russia, China, Iran.' Yet days after it went through, China was celebrating. Beijing's ambassador to Mauritius, Huang Shifang, told guests at the Chinese embassy in Mauritius's capital of Port Louis that China sent 'massive congratulations' to Mauritius on the deal, and that China 'fully supports' Mauritius's attempt to 'safeguard national sovereignty'. It's hard to think of a more cynical, almost joyously so, use of this terminology. China, after all, is a country obsessed with taking by force the democratic, independent Taiwan (Mauritius, China has made clear, supports its doctrine that Taiwan is already part of China); repressing free speech in Hong Kong, where it operates a subtle reign of terror, and subjecting its Uyghur Muslim population in Xinjiang to sadistic treatment in internment camps. And now it gets to set about enjoying all manner of devious proximity to our all-important Eastern base. So yes, Britain's Chagos deal makes delicious sense to China, but makes no sense for us. Unless, of course, you are Starmer and his inner circle, and you're enslaved to the twin ideologies of post-colonialism and 'international law' – which lands you in the awkward and unfortunate position, as we have seen, of ending up in agreement with China on core values like self-determination. It's a mess. All this Chinese gloating disguised as proper appreciation for nations' rights to freedom from colonial shackles serves as a useful reminder of just how suspicious such language has become. Yes, it is mass-peddled by august 'international' bodies, NGOs, courts and the UN. But these have all been corrupted by those with sinister anti-Western agendas. Indeed, the intranational bodies charged with pursuing a kinder world order with 'human rights' pursued through law always seem to favour those who care least about those obligations. It was telling when Lord Hermer, Starmer's attorney general, compared those in favour of withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to the Nazi philosopher and jurist Carl Schmitt, when what membership of the ECHR really means, in practice, is having to treat terrorists and foreign mass murderers with the utmost consideration. The greatest, longest-running example of the hijacking of a world organisation is the UN, which has been faking outrage at violations of 'international law' to endanger and ostracise Israel for decades. As Natasha Hausdorff, the international lawyer known for pointing out the legal flaws in the numerous evil smears levelled at Israel, notes : 'Armies of NGOs [have fed] the United Nations system and international bodies like the ICC and ICJ' so that 'pseudo-legal language permeates public discourse about Israel. This has now broken into public consciousness, but it has been building in the NGO world and UN world for a long time.' The once honourable ICJ – the International Court of Justice – was seized by South Africa to bring a case against Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal even as Israel sacrificed soldiers fighting Hamas in Gaza, resulting in an arrest warrant for the Israeli PM which Britain refuses to reject. As the famous American lawyer and Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz says of the ICJ: 'It's not international, it's not a court and it doesn't do justice.' The bloc that still determines the balance of power and the fate of countries – just – is the Western one. And we are now in great peril, due to being gullible and ill-informed, anti-Semitic, terror-appeasing and morally confused. Our cultures swallowed whole by Leftist cultural theories that were meant to never leave academia – those of post-structuralism and post-colonialism – and under their influence we turn our faces towards the lies pouring from the Eastern axis of 'resistance' – with lethal consequences. The international human rights community in all its respectable clout gives this evil nonsense the stamp of approval. Older people just about remember when international law meant something. Some saw first-hand the real genocide of the mid-20th century, others spectacular bloodshed under monsters and in the course of war. Some of us just remember hearing about those times and events, from parents and grandparents. To us, the souring of organisations like the ECHR, ICC, ICJ, UN – the whole concept of 'international law' itself – is bitter and clear. The rising generation, though, those who have taken up en masse the garbage of third-rate academic theories about coloniser and oppressor, who misuse terms including racism, apartheid, genocide, settler-colonialism, fascism and even capitalism, seem to genuinely think these corrupted organisations are the end of the moral and geopolitical rainbow. That reference to their motions and cases and objections and votes must end all arguments; that the old animating force behind international courts for human rights and justice was just a relic of a racist age, and now we know better. In some ways we do. But those who still chase after 'international' legitimacy are barking up the wrong tree – either accidentally or, like China, on purpose. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Malaysiakini
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Amirudin: 'Hypocritical' PAS used to back Azam
Hurling brickbats at PAS, PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari said the Islamist party used to back MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki. He said this after a PAS leader insisted that PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar should seek Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to end Azam's contract.
Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Indo-Pak dispute
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a large rally last week in his home state Gujarat, said: the people of Pakistan, especially its youth, must step forward to rid their country of 'the disease of terrorism'. He added: 'Live a life of peace, eat your bread or else my bullet is always an option,' thereby drawing applause from the crowd. 'The Pakistan government has taken note of the remarks by the Prime Minister of India, delivered in Gujarat with the theatrical flourish of a campaign rally rather than the sobriety expected of the leader of a nuclear-armed state,' the Foreign Office of Pakistan said in a statement issued early this week. 'Such statements blatantly violate the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, which obliges member states to resolve disputes peacefully and to refrain from the threat or use of force against the sovereignty or political independence of other states,' it added. The statement of Modi was undoubtedly meant for the appeasement of the Indian public. The downside of the statement is the message to the world that peace between the two neighbouring countries is far away. The statesmanship of a public leader demands management of public emotions and to provide the nation a meaningful way forward for dispute resolution. Swayed by the euphoria of negativity and Pakistan bashing, India fell short to provide the world a realistic and transparent analysis on the cause, motive and to name the perpetrators of the Pahalgam incident. The worn-out script of finger-pointing at Pakistan, based on historical data, found no takers in the United Nations. Pakistan's offer for a joint investigation into the incident was rejected by India. Disappointed with lack of world support for pinning down Pakistan for the incident, India last week sent a parliamentary delegation to 33 countries on a diplomatic mission to drum up support for Delhi in its narrative of countering Pakistan-behind recent cross-border attacks and that the Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) Islamist militant group was behind the attack. Reportedly, India has built up a case based on the historical data on the subject. In parallel, Pakistan too has organised a parliamentary delegation on a diplomatic mission to these very countries to seek support against Indian involvement of terrorism in Pakistan. It has also prepared a dossier to present its case. In all probability, both sides would be sympathetically heard around the globe. But, nothing tangible is expected beyond this — as is evident from the outcome of some of the meetings Indian delegations already held. India has placed its bet on the presumption that on the strength of its economic and geopolitical supremacy over Pakistan, and its far greater global outreach, its narrative would sail through with no question asked. This presumption may prove wrong. The world is no longer the same as a year back. The geo-political landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation with all countries, big or small, being in the midst of recalibrating their places in this change. There is a significant internal and external transformation on state governance, and new alliances are shaping up in the west. The geopolitical and economic priority of the US has moved to 'America first'. China is now more assertive in world politics than ever before. Its support to Pakistan in the recent conflict with India is the beginning of a 'new normal' between Pakistan and China. The South Asia region is moving out of the orbit of India and is recalibrating a balance in its relations with India and the growing China's influence in the region. The recent neutral stance of the US towards the ongoing Indo-Pak conflict indicates Washington's enthusiasm in prompting India to challenge Beijing in the region is dwindling. The evolving global economic and geopolitical dynamics lead to the conclusion that India and Pakistan have to resolve their issues by themselves and reset their relationship. Political maturity would have been if the Indian delegations would have walked over from Wagah border into Pakistan or vice versa Pakistan delegation to India and sit together and work out the differences as best as possible. The results could have been far more rewarding and tangible than expected from aimlessly moving around the globe soliciting buyers of one's narrative. It is an exercise in futility with no takers. There are no big issues which cannot be resolved between India and Pakistan. They are historically driven issues left unresolved for decades. Many times, Pakistan and India came close to resolving the Kashmir issue, but only to be aborted at the last minute. If Pakistan and India could sit together in 1960 to work out the complicated Indus Water Treaty, why cannot they sit together today to review the treaty in the best interest of both the countries. Solutions can only be worked out in a bilateral dialogue between Pakistan and India. The process can immediately roll out once India starts considering Pakistan as its equal partner and the self-inflicted animosity, meant for public appeasement, is put aside by both the neighbouring countries. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump Sucks Up to Bin Laden's ‘Attractive' Ex-Henchman
President Donald Trump has heaped praise on Syria's president, a former al Qaeda fighter, calling him an 'attractive' and 'tough guy.' Speaking aboard Air Force One on his way to Qatar, Trump continued his charm offensive in the Middle East by speaking highly of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, 42, after the pair met earlier that day in Saudi Arabia. 'Young, attractive guy, tough guy. Strong past, very strong past—fighter,' Trump said. 'He's got a real shot at pulling it together.' Trump met with Sharaa on Wednesday after announcing he would lift sanctions on Syria, which were originally imposed to pressure the since-overthrown Syrian dictator, Bashar al-Assad. It was the first time an American president had met a Syrian leader in 25 years; the previous was Bill Clinton, who met with Assad's father Hafez al-Assad. Sharaa formerly led the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which spearheaded the effort to oust Assad in Dec. 2024. The U.S., the European Union, and the United Nations all designate HTS as a terrorist organization. Sharaa has urged the removal of the terrorist designation as he attempts to reshape Syria's image following the brutal regime of his predecessor. After taking power and declaring himself Syria's president, Sharaa began wearing shirts and ties, rather than his usual military attire, in an effort to legitimize his leadership. HTS was originally established in 2012 as the al-Nusra Front, which soon became the official Syrian affiliate of al Qaeda while fighting Assad. In 2016, the group rebranded as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and announced it was distancing itself from al Qaeda. Sharaa, then known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, was slapped with a $10 million U.S. bounty in 2017 after being accused of multiple terrorist offenses during the Syrian civil war. The U.S. removed bounty soon after Sharaa took charge in Syria. But his involvement in Islamic terrorism goes back to 2003 when he joined al Qaeda in Iraq to fight against U.S. troops in the aftermath of George W. Bush's disastrous invasion. In 2005, Sharaa was held at the U.S.-run detention center Camp Bucca. During his imprisonment, he met future ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who convinced him to go to Syria to set up what would become the al-Nusra Front. He later split from al-Baghdadi, who himself set up ISIS, presided over an horrific regime in parts of Syria and Iraq which beheaded hostages on social media, threw gay people to their deaths from roofs and sponsored terror attacks around the world. Al-Baghdadi was finally killed by U.S. special forces in 2019 in Syria, close to ISIS' former capital of Raqqah, in a raid which Trump watched from the White House situation room. During his meeting with Sharaa on Wednesday, Trump urged Syria to normalize ties with Israel by signing the Abraham Accords. The landmark deal, which Trump helped broker during his first term, was originally signed between Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates in Sept. 2020 as part of efforts to normalize relations and reduce tensions in the Middle East between Arab countries and Israel. Trump also called for 'all foreign terrorists' to leave Syria, the deportation of 'Palestinian terrorists,' assistance in stopping the 'resurgence' of ISIS, and for Syria to 'assume responsibility for ISIS detention centers in Northeast Syria,' according to a readout from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Trump will appear in Doha, Qatar, next as part of his four-day diplomatic tour, where the issue of his gifted $400 million jet from the country's royal family is expected to take center stage.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hundreds of deepfake music videos are celebrating the president of Burkina Faso… why?
Social media has been flooded with a wave of music videos of stars like Justin Bieber, Beyoncé and R. Kelly singing the glory of the President of Burkina Faso Ibrahim Traoré, since early May. Turns out, all these videos are deepfakes generated by artificial intelligence. Experts say that the mass publication of these fake videos is part of an effort to raise the president's profile abroad. What do Beyoncé, Rihanna, R. Kelly, Selena Gomez and Eminem have in common -- besides being world famous singers? They also all appear to have recorded a version of a banger called 'God Protect Ibrahim Traoré' and posted it on YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. It is an ode to the glory of the president of Burkina Faso, who came to power in a coup d'état in September 2022. As gospel music plays in the background, the music video shows the president of Burkina Faso comforting a wounded man and being cheered on by a crowd of kids. 'God protect Ibrahim Traoré, stand him in your grace, give him wisdom, give him strength to lead this fragile place,' go the lyrics in the version supposedly featuring American singer R. Kelly. R. Kelly can be seen riding a motorcycle as a burst of gunfire explodes behind him. The song goes on to refer to the Islamist insurrection affecting both Burkina Faso and other countries in the Sahel: Jihadist storms have raged too long Displacing hearts and homes Oh Lord, we need your justice now Read more on The Observers - France 24Read also:Kylian Mbappé 'disciplined' by his father? An example of the dangers of 'deepfakes'How to detect 'deepfakes'
