It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Friday, July 19, 2024
Trump calls for UAW leader to be "fired immediately"
Republican presidential nominee Trump also tried to win over auto workers, delivering a speech last year at an auto supplier in the suburban Macomb County, Michigan instead of attending the second GOP primary debate.
What he's saying: "Every single auto worker, union and non-union, should be voting for Donald Trump because we're going to bring back car manufacturing, and we're going to bring it back fast," Trump said Thursday.
"Those plants are going to be built in the United States and our people are going to man those plants, and if they don't agree with us, we'll put a tariff of 100 to 200% on each car," he added.
Trump said he would end the Biden administration's "electric vehicle mandate" on "day one."
Trump claimed Fain should be fired and the UAW "ought to be ashamed" over "large factories … being built across the border in Mexico" and "by China" to sell cars with "no tax, no anything." He did not elaborate on how he believed the UAW was responsible for this.
The other side: The UAW wrote in a post to X that tagged Trump's account that the former president is "a scab and a billionaire and that's who he represents."
They added: "We know which side we're on. Not his."
Fain went further in a Friday statement to Axios, calling Trump "the billionaires' hero, mascot, and lapdog."
"Don't get played by this scab billionaire. Stand up and fight for more," Fain said.
New UK fighter jet could be axed in defence review
There are concerns that going ahead with a programme that is not expected to deliver new aircraft until the 2030s is not the best way to deter a threat of war from Russia.
The jet - known as Tempest - would be a sixth generation stealth aircraft. Pic: PA
A multibillion-pound programme to build the UK's future flagship fighter jet in partnership with Japan and Italy could be at risk in a sweeping review of defence.
Luke Pollard, the armed forces minister, called the project "really important" but said it would not be right for him to prejudice the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) by setting out in a speech which pieces of military kit are required to fight future wars.
It left open the possibility that the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) - a vital piece of work for British defence industry giant BAE Systems - could be vulnerable should the review decide that committing limited funds to a project that will only deliver new aircraft in the next decade is not the best way to deter a more immediate threat of war with Russia.
At the same time, though, the architects of the review will need to balance countering current threats against the importance of investing in sovereign aircraft manufacturing skills as well as the economic benefits of the GCAP programme, which already supports thousands of jobs.
The lack of a guarantee by the minister that the future of the UK-Japan-Italy warplane venture is secure came despite the project being strongly endorsed in the previous government's "refreshed" defence review, which was published only last year.
An artist's impression of what the final design could look like. Pic: PA
The UK's planned GCAP fast jet - known as Tempest - is set to be a sixth-generation stealth aircraft, equipped with advanced weapons and radars, with the ability to fly at supersonic speeds in a step up from the F-35 warplane.
A new model is needed to replace the RAF's fleet of Typhoon jets - a crucial part of UK defences against threats posed by Russia and Iran and potentially China.
"The GCAP programme is a really important programme for us," Mr Pollard said, answering questions at an annual conference in London on air and space power on Thursday.
He said that John Healey, the defence secretary, would be meeting his Japanese and Italian counterparts next week "to underline that".
But the minister added: "It is not right for me to prejudge what might happen in the defence review."
He appeared to be in favour of programmes such as GCAP that are being developed in partnership with allies.
"We need cutting-edge capabilities," Mr Pollard said. "We need to make sure that when we are procuring systems, high-end systems…that we do it in the most cost-effective way and that is by working with our partners."
However, the minister said the defence review is "about making those decisions differently".
He added: "It should not be about ministers saying, 'You could do a review but by the way I am going to tell you in speeches about this platform, that platform and this platform.'"
An RAF Typhoon pictured at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Pic: Reuters
The comments came a day after Professor Justin Bronk, a leading expert on the Royal Air Force, raised questions about the wisdom of hugely expensive, lengthy procurement programmes like GCAP when a direct war with Russia could erupt by 2028.
He also cautioned that Ukraine is on course to lose against Moscow unless its allies can provide more weapons and ammunition.
"We need to turn things around in Ukraine but also we have to get our own defences in order in the next two to three years," Mr Bronk told the two-day Chief of the Air Staff's Air and Space Chiefs' Conference.
He advised investing in the fighting strength of existing warplanes and weapons.
"Given you have two to three years, and you have to be ready by that point - if I sound a bit alarmed it is because I am - stop looking at large scale procurement programmes for the next little while," Mr Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, said.
"If you've got aircraft on order now, great, keep them in the pipeline, but other than that you don't have time to have new orders delivered.
"Buy ammunition, buy spares, increase the size of your maintenance contracts for your key fleets."
Turning specifically to the UK's next generation warplane, he said GCAP only made sense if investing in sovereign capability and the British defence industry is the priority rather than ensuring the UK is ready to fight a war.
"My primary hierarchy of needs in terms of where I would be putting resource … would be that GCAP is completely impossible if there is a war in Europe in the coming five years because the global economy will completely tank, we will have to divert everything to fighting that war, and, by the way, GCAP is also impossible if the US and the Chinese go to war."
Mr Bronk highlighted how questions are similarly being raised in the United States over the future of Washington's equivalent next generation combat aircraft programme, which is known as Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD).
"If the US thinks NGAD is maybe unaffordable in the US Air Force programme, then I think we probably need to look very carefully at how we are going to do this in Europe."
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "GCAP is an important programme and positive progress continues with our partners, Japan and Italy… As well as cutting-edge military technology, the programme is delivering significant economic benefits across the UK.
"The Strategic Defence Review will be wide-ranging, looking at the threats Britain faces and the capabilities we need to tackle them."
A spokesperson for BAE Systems said: "Tempest and the Global Combat Air Programme will preserve critical sovereign combat air capability and enable the UK to retain control over its own security, support important international relationships and meet future threats, whilst contributing to economic growth and prosperity.
"The programme is estimated to contribute £37bn to the UK economy before significant additional export potential through the life of the programme, providing a real opportunity for national growth."
UK
Goldsmiths University accused of ‘quietly killing off’ queer and black history degrees
Exclusive: The institution insists it is ‘committed’ to providing the programmes, despite making key staff redundant
The allegations came to light when Dr Justin Bengry, the course director of Queer History, revealed that he had been made redundant – less than three weeks after the UK celebrated Pride Month.
“Goldsmiths has decided to terminate my employment as part of a devastating restructure,” Dr Bengry wrote last Thursday (11 July) on X/Twitter.
“With no specialist staff, this means the closure of the MA Queer History, the world’s only MA degree of its kind. This is an affront to my students, colleagues, and community. It is vandalism.”
The MA in Queer History boasts of being of huge cultural importance, “giving a voice to those who throughout much of history have been denied one”, while its MA in Black History is similarly advertised as occupying a unique historical place which “has been at the margins of academia for too long”.
Both degrees are described as being the first of their kind and bolster Goldsmith’s reputation as a progressive institution.
While Goldsmiths said both courses will in fact continue after being subject to “difficult decisions” following a recent review, Dr Bengry told The Independent that this has effectively ended his course, explaining: “The MA Queer History cannot run without qualified staff.
“Already last month Goldsmiths failed to renew the contract of a second lecturer in queer history who was critical to the successful delivery of the programme.”
Dr Bengry added: “This seriously undermined our capacity to offer a good degree at Goldsmiths. It is, of course, possible to offer a compromised degree with fewer staff, but it is impossible to offer that degree with no staff.
“With my redundancy, there will be no History staff with sufficient training, teaching, or research experience in queer history to continue the MA Queer History.
“My colleagues in History are excellent scholars in their own fields, but, simply put, no one remaining in the History department has sufficient knowledge of the field to offer even a single module let alone a credible degree in queer history.”
A representative said the institution is “committed” to delivering the MA in Queer History but said they have had to “make difficult decisions to navigate unprecedented financial challenges.”
Dr Bengry’s post struck a chord and has been viewed by over 1.5m people over the past week, many of whom took the opportunity to express their outrage.
One person wrote: “I am so sorry to hear this. Absolutely devastated to hear about the closure of such a trailblazing programme.”
Meanwhile, a Change.org petition was also created to save the MA in Black History.
It reads: “We, as students of Goldsmith’s MA Black British History (past and present), are writing to express our outrage and deep concern regarding the proposed redundancy of the convenor of the MA, Dr Kesewa John.
“Launched in 2020, the MA has been commended for its contribution to [British] Higher Education, as the first and only course of its kind.”
The petition added: “The loss of this course would be devastating, not just for its associated staff and students, but for every Black British person who has been denied the right to know and appreciate their own history.
“We, of course, must not forget the importance of knowing these lesser-known elements of British history for everybody.”
The MA in Queer History said that while the course has not been cancelled, it will be ‘impossible to offer’ without experienced staff. (Getty Images)
The petition’s creator, Holly Cooper, who was on the first cohort of the MA in 2020, told The Independent that those affected by financial cuts at Goldsmiths were disproportionately from minority groups.
They explained that while there have been cuts before, in this instance, no alternative routes were presented to the affected staff.
“Overwhelmingly, the staff sent these letters of proposed redundancy are BAME, LGBT+, women, and disabled members of staff,” they said.
“No potential solutions have been offered to staff to keep their jobs. This is unlike last time [when] staff were able to reapply for their jobs.”
Cooper also claimed that “many other courses” are affected by the cutbacks, including the MA in Black British Literature.
“They have sent the convenors of these courses letters of proposed redundancy, which will be ratified on the 5th,” Cooper explained.
“Goldsmiths SMT know these courses cannot run without specialised course convenors, so they are quietly killing them.”
At the time of writing, the petition to save the MA in Black History has been signed by over 1,700 people.
The university has been accused of ‘cultural vandalism’. (AFP/Getty)
Dr Kesewa told The Independent: “The proposal to delete my post left me stunned.
“I’m a new member of staff at Goldsmiths, I was appointed last summer amid a hiring freeze because, I was told, this area of study was a strategic priority for the university.
“I was tasked upon arrival with building an infrastructure to support the MA - including a new BA programme (History with Black Studies - working title) which I designed from scratch.
“Although a small team, the historians teaching Black British history at Goldsmiths are a financially sustainable unit and are successful at sourcing alternative sources of funding.”
Dr Kesewa added: “As the only Black Lecturer in the history department, this September, ten years on, another group of students will be right to once again pose the question ‘Why isn’t my Professor Black?’”
This is not the first time that the courses have been under threat, as Cooper explained, and in 2022, both the queer and black history master’s degrees were at risk.
The majority of those affected by the redundancies are from minority groups. (AFP/Getty )
Staff told PinkNews that while the university has claimed to be committed to the subjects, they are not viable without specialist staff, especially at the MA level.
Dr Kate Davidson, who faced redundancy just weeks into her job at the college, said: “It seems to me that Goldsmiths management is very interested in continuing its profile as a progressive and possibly even a radical college with these areas of research and these areas of teaching – queer history, Black British history, Black British literature.
“But I have to honestly say, all the evidence that I’ve seen so far points to this being a very cynical use of these areas of teaching to promote an image of the college that in my observation so far doesn’t match what’s going on on the ground.”
A spokesperson for Goldsmiths added to The Independent: “At this provisional stage of the consultation, both programmes successfully completed the programme review we conducted and will feature as part of our academic offer.”
UK Statement on the need for practical trade union solidarity with London Trans Pride
19/07/2024
SOCIALIST PARTY
FORMERLY THE MILITANT
Trans rights protest in London 9 July. Photo: London SP
Dear comrades,
This statement is an appeal for your trade union branch to discuss and agree to participate in a trade union defence of London Trans Pride. The events planned for 27 July demand our labour movement in London plans practical organised solidarity action.
You will be aware that Tommy Robinson has called a rally in Trafalgar Square on 27 July. There could be thousands of Robinson supporters gathered within a mile and a half of where London Trans Pride is marching and then culminating for speeches.
We know that Tommy Robinson is reported to back protests against Drag Story Times. Even if there is no official call, it is possible individuals or groups could identify Trans Pride as a target for attack on the day, given the proximity.
This situation presents a risk that our movement must prepare for – including adapting existing plans.
On the same day – 27 July – Stand Up to Racism has called a counter-protest against Tommy Robinson which has a plan to assemble at 12 noon and march to Trafalgar Square. However, there is no indication of what that march aims to achieve.
But given that we do know that London Trans Rights will be assembling from 1pm it is necessary for the movement to re-assess these plans to ensure that we are using our strength in order to combat the right in the most effective way possible.
This statement is an appeal to Stand Up To Racism, in consultation with London Trans Pride, to change the route of their march and instead go directly from Russell Square to the London Trans Pride assembly point at the BBC by 1pm.
This means we can provide practical solidarity in the form of an anti-fascist contingent and stewards to supplement the existing LTP stewarding plans.
Our movement has powerful traditions of not only opposition to racism, LGBTQ+phobia and all forms of discrimination, but taking practical action against the far right to prevent them from being able to attack and divide our class.
Ben Goldstone, Unite Housing Branch Equalities Officer
Huge 70 metre-long rainbow mural unveiled ahead of Pride celebrations
Two new murals have been created in Glasgow to celebrate Pride and the Merchant City Festival.
Glasgow City Council
Pride: The Rainbow Street mural measures 70 metres in length.
A huge rainbow mural stretching an impressive 70 metres has been unveiled in Glasgow.
Two additions to the City Centre Mural Trail have been created to celebrate the forthcoming Pride march and Merchant City Festival.
The artworks, named Rainbow Street and Rainbow Place, can be found on Wilson Street and have been described as a “symbol of solidarity” with LGBTQ+ Glaswegians.
Glasgow’s Pride march will be taking place on Saturday, July 20, starting from Festival Park before travelling through the city centre, Merchant City and ending at Whistler on the Green.
Meanwhile, the Merchant City Festival will also be taking place over the weekend with outdoor arts, circus and dance acts, and musicians. Ad
Glasgow City Council Rainbow Street mural
Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “These fantastic new additions to our much-loved city centre mural trail are a physical reminder that Glasgow is committed to being a welcoming and inclusive city for LGBTQ+ residents and visitors alike.
“They are a symbol of solidarity with LGBTQ+ Glaswegians and support for global human rights and equality.
“With Glasgow’s Pride celebrations and the return of the Merchant City Festival this weekend, these new installations will help bring colour and vibrancy to our city centre.
“It was a particular request of Glasgow’s Pride organisers that we follow other cities in showing our support for Pride literally on the streets, and I’m really glad we’ve been able to fulfil that in time for Saturday’s march.”
Ali Smith, of artpistol Projects – the creators of the murals – added: “These new murals are bursts of amazing energy, with so much colour and fun injected into the cityscape. And it’s such a positive message to project: that of inclusivity, that we’re all the same, and we’re all unique at the same time.”
Zelensky Receives Standing Ovation as First Foreign Leader to Address UK Cabinet Since 1997
Zelensky urged the UK to help boost Ukraine's "long-range capability," saying lifting restrictions on Western weapons would allow Ukraine to better defend against Russian offensives.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (2R), receives a standing ovation from Britain's Science and Innovation Secretary Peter Kyle (from L), Britain's Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell, Britain's Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, Simon Case, Britain's Deputy Prime Minister and Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Angela Rayner, as he arrives with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer to address Cabinet Ministres at an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet at 10 Downing Street in central London on July 19, 2024. (Photo by Richard Pohle / POOL / AFP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday received a standing ovation from senior ministers as he became the first foreign leader to address the British cabinet in person since 1997.
Zelensky gave members of the new Labour government a rundown of the latest situation in Ukraine after a red-carpet welcome at Prime Minister Keir Starmer's 10 Downing Street residence and office.
He and Starmer had a one-on-one meeting beforehand, in which he thanked Britain for its sustained backing for Kyiv since Russian forces invaded in February 2022.
"Thank for the invitation, for the privilege, for me to be here," he told Starmer, who led Labour to victory in elections two weeks ago and has reaffirmed UK support for Ukraine "for as along as it takes".
Zelensky on Thursday urged European leaders to remain united against Russian aggression, as he seeks more military help, including much-needed air firepower to push back Russian troops.
At Cabinet, dressed in his trademark army fatigues, and flanked on either side by Britain's Union flag and the blue-and-yellow flag of Ukraine, he renewed his call for help in boosting his country's "long-range capability".
"If the restrictions on using Western weapons against Russian military are lifted, we can strike further than just near the border," he told ministers.
That would allow Ukraine to "not only protect ourselves from any Russian offensives but also secure our frontline positions and cities from Russian bombs", he added.
- Targets inside Russia-NATO member states, including the UK, have been hesitant about Ukraine using Western-supplied weapons such as missiles on targets inside Russia, for fear of escalating the conflict.
Britain has signalled that Ukrainian forces could use UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles for defensive strikes.
"We're providing weapons to Ukraine for their defence of their sovereign country. And that does not preclude them hitting targets in Russia," Defence Secretary John Healey told BBC radio.
"But that must be done by the Ukrainians, it must be done within the parameters and the bounds of international humanitarian law," added Healey, who visited Ukraine within days of his appointment.
The last foreign leader to address the British Cabinet in person was US president Bill Clinton in 1997 after Labour's Tony Blair swept to power, also in a landslide win over the Conservatives.
Zelensky's "historic address", as Starmer called it, came as 44 countries and the European Union agreed to target Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of tankers seeking to evade sanctions on Russian oil.
The 600 or so vessels -- most of them old and unsafe -- transport 1.7 million barrels of oil per day, providing funding for the Russian war effort, but also allegedly carrying weapons.
Zelenskyy calls on Starmer to approve missiles
Ukraine leader is first to address a U.K. Cabinet meeting since Bill Clinton.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Keir Starmer and his senior ministers that being able to strike inside Russian territory would help prevent attacks on residential areas in Ukraine. | Kin Cheung - WPA Pool/Getty Images
LONDON — Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Keir Starmer to “show your leadership” by lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of Western-made weapons as he addressed a meeting of the U.K. Cabinet Friday.
The Ukrainian president was invited to become the first foreign leader to speak at a British Cabinet meeting since Bill Clinton in 1997, in a show of solidarity with Kyiv from the new Labour government.
Zelenskyy told Starmer and his senior ministers that being able to strike inside Russian territory would help prevent attacks on residential areas in Ukraine. Advertisement
The U.S. and other nations have insisted that donated weapons are not to be used to hit most targets within Russia, fearing this could provoke a reaction from Vladimir Putin.
Speaking earlier to the BBC, Defense Secretary John Healey said the U.K.’s provision of weapons to Ukraine “does not preclude them hitting targets in Russia, but that must be done by the Ukrainians and must be done within the parameters and the bounds of international humanitarian law.”
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today program the government was having “intense discussions” on “complex questions” but said he would not go into the details in public.
Zelenskyy visited Downing Street after attending the European Political Community summit in Oxfordshire on Thursday, where allies agreed to take action against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of 600 tankers evading sanctions on Russian oil.
He was greeted in the Cabinet room with a standing ovation and thanked the British government for its ongoing support, which he said would help bring an end to the war with Russia.
Starmer described the occasion as “a very special moment for us to reiterate our support for you and the Ukrainian people.”
The pair held a private meeting before attending Cabinet, as Starmer seeks to strengthen their relationship in the face of worsening news for Zelenskyy on several fronts.
In the U.S, Republican nominee Donald Trump’s pick of JD Vance as his running mate has deepened fears about his support for Ukraine if the pair win back the White House in November. Meanwhile, Germany is poised to slash military aid to Kyiv amid sustained attacks by Russian forces in the east of Ukraine.
