The heinous murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk may prove a "Reichstag fire" moment in US politics rationalising repression and, especially, censorship against critics of the Donald Trump administration. Mr Kirk was so dedicated that reportedly a mere phone call from the president got him to immediately stop discussing deceased sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein.
The administration has made no secret of its intentions. Mr Kirk's widow, Erika, said she forgave his murderer because "it's what Christ did and it's what Charlie would do”. Mr Trump retorted: "He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponents and I don't want the best for them". Of that, there’s no doubt.
Mr Trump’s pursuit of his enemies, weaponising the Justice Department – a charge levelled at the Biden administration but undermined by its prosecution of Mr Biden’s son, Hunter – was starkly illustrated when he fired Erik Siebert, the US attorney investigating New York State’s Attorney General Letitia James for potential mortgage fraud.
She secured a major legal victory in 2024 over Mr Trump and his company for long-standing fraudulent business practices. Mr Siebert found no credible evidence against Ms James and therefore filed no charges against her. He's been replaced by Lindsey Halligan, a staunch supporter of Mr Trump who has never prosecuted anyone for anything.
This appears to be the new standard in Washington: loyalty to the president personally and politically is the qualification that really matters. As 28-year-old Madison Cawthorn, who has just been appointed to a highly sensitive vetting position, explained to incredulous reporters asking how on earth he got such a job, "No one is really qualified for anything. We all just fake it until we make it”. There we have it.
Ms James can expect to be indicted despite the lack of evidence against her. But White House border czar Tom Homan apparently has nothing to fear despite reports that the DOJ has video of him accepting $50,000 in cash bribes last year from undercover FBI agents posing as businessmen seeking contracts from a potential second Trump administration. The investigation was apparently shuttered as soon as Mr Trump resumed office.
Former FBI director James Comey and California Senator Adam Schiff are also squarely in Mr Trump's crosshairs. Naming them along with Ms James on social media, Mr Trump berated his Attorney General, Pam Bondi, for not putting his adversaries behind bars yet. It’s "all talk and no action," he complained, "they're all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done." Needless to say, there’s no precedent for a US president behaving like this.
Mr Trump has threatened to use the sweeping anti-conspiracy law, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act, that was designed to cripple the mafia, against his critics, including women who shouted in his direction at a seafood restaurant. More plausibly, administration officials have pointed to billionaire George Soros’s Open Society Institute and the Ford Foundation as potential targets for conspiracy and even anti-terrorism charges.
The Kirk assassination has prompted a radical reinterpretation of the First Amendment by administration officials and supporters. Ms Bondi and others distinguished between "free speech and hate speech," declaring "we will absolutely target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech." She later had to admit there’s no "hate speech" under US law, and that only threats of violence, under very limited conditions, can be criminally prosecuted.
The president was right behind her, though. "I'm a very strong person for free speech," he insisted, but when "97 per cent of stories [about me] are bad, I think that's really illegal." (It’s not.)
When TV stations are too critical of him, he has said: "I would think maybe their license [to broadcast] should be taken away." Mr Trump has also used deeply shocking warnings to journalists refusing to reveal sources.
Highly coercive threats from Federal Communications Commission chief Brandon Carr led to the temporary suspension of late-night TV comedian Jimmy Kimmel for remarks about the right-wing reaction to the Kirk assassination. He has since been restored by Disney, which controls ABC, the network on which he appears, even though the FCC is not authorised to police the political content of TV shows.
Meanwhile, journalists covering the Pentagon will now have to sign a 17-page pledge not to disclose any information not officially approved for release, even if it is unclassified. That would've meant, for example, no public disclosure of the "Signalgate" texting scandal, planes falling off aircraft carriers, the political purging of military lawyers, and senior meetings beginning with Christian prayers and attended by the Defence Secretary's wife, among other recent news.
It’s unclear how the media will respond to this unprecedented, systematised Pentagon censorship, and the broader range of formal and informal policing of media content. Self-censorship in the US now appears more pervasive than at any time since the early 1950s, if not much earlier.
Beyond the government's assault on free speech, including at the administratively and legally besieged major universities, lies the equally unprecedented centralisation of media ownership and control by a tiny handful of very wealthy people.
Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle, and his son, David, both staunch Trump supporters, are building a massive media empire. Their company Skydance effectively took over the media company Paramount Global, which owns CBS, CNN, Discovery and many other assets. They are also reportedly preparing to acquire Warner Bros.
Along with the Murdoch family and Michael Dell, chairman of Dell Technologies – all staunchly on the political right – the Ellisons are preparing to seize control of TikTok. Anti-trust law enforcement is, apparently, a quaint anachronism.
Mr Ellison is reportedly worth $360 billion. Tesla’s board has reportedly offered Elon Musk $1 trillion if he can lead the company to an ambitious but not impossible valuation of $8.6 trillion in the next decade.
Given the virtually unimaginable wealth of a few people with passionate media and right-wing goals, combined with the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision that effectively eliminated any limitations on political spending in the name of free speech, the current campaign of censorship by the Trump administration may be supererogatory.
In recent decades several societies in the west and elsewhere, on both the political right and left, have been characterised by government restrictions and adverse consequences for disfavoured political speech, with a constant barrage of polemical messaging in both legacy and emerging media that are overwhelmingly dominated by a few super-wealthy supporters of the current government.
The outcome is invariably and decidedly grim.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
MATCH INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
UAE v Oman - abandoned
Oman v Namibia - abandoned
'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai,
HBKU Press
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014%20PRO%20MAX
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What is a black hole?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16. first leg
Atletico Madrid v Juventus, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
MATCH INFO
League Cup, last 16
Manchester City v Southampton, Tuesday, 11.45pm (UAE)
OPENING FIXTURES
Saturday September 12
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Fulham v Arsenal
Liverpool v Leeds United
Tottenham v Everton
West Brom v Leicester
West Ham v Newcastle
Monday September 14
Brighton v Chelsea
Sheffield United v Wolves
To be rescheduled
Burnley v Manchester United
Manchester City v Aston Villa
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Korean Film Festival 2019 line-up
Innocent Witness, June 26 at 7pm
On Your Wedding Day, June 27 at 7pm
The Great Battle, June 27 at 9pm
The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, June 28 at 4pm
Romang, June 28 at 6pm
Mal Mo E: The Secret Mission, June 28 at 8pm
Underdog, June 29 at 2pm
Nearby Sky, June 29 at 4pm
A Resistance, June 29 at 6pm
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
Facebook | Our website | Instagram
Profile
Name: Carzaty
Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
Employees: 22
Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
Funding to date: $5.5 million
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
SQUADS
Bangladesh (from): Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Mosaddek Hossain, Nayeem Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain, Abu Jayed
Afghanistan (from): Rashid Khan (capt), Ihsanullah Janat, Javid Ahmadi, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Qais Ahmad, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Afsar Zazai, Shapoor Zadran
Day 1, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dimuth Karunaratne had batted with plenty of pluck, and no little skill, in getting to within seven runs of a first-day century. Then, while he ran what he thought was a comfortable single to mid-on, his batting partner Dinesh Chandimal opted to stay at home. The opener was run out by the length of the pitch.
Stat of the day – 1 One six was hit on Day 1. The boundary was only breached 18 times in total over the course of the 90 overs. When it did arrive, the lone six was a thing of beauty, as Niroshan Dickwella effortlessly clipped Mohammed Amir over the square-leg boundary.
The verdict Three wickets down at lunch, on a featherbed wicket having won the toss, and Sri Lanka’s fragile confidence must have been waning. Then Karunaratne and Chandimal's alliance of precisely 100 gave them a foothold in the match. Dickwella’s free-spirited strokeplay meant the Sri Lankans were handily placed at 227-4 at the close.
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
Leading all-time NBA scorers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387
Karl Malone 36,928
Kobe Bryant 33,643
Michael Jordan 32,292
LeBron James 31,425
Wilt Chamberlain 31,419
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
The biog
Age: 46
Number of Children: Four
Hobby: Reading history books
Loves: Sports
The%C2%A0specs%20
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