First Rough Draft of History (podcast)
Michael Goldfarb is the host of the First Rough Draft of History podcast and the author of Emancipation: How Liberating Europe's Jews from the Ghetto Led to Revolution and Renaissance and Ahmad's War, Ahmad's Peace: Surviving under Saddam, Dying in the New Iraq.
He is a former London correspondent for GlobalPost, a former contributor to Politico Europe and a former London Bureau Chief for National Public Radio.
Another London attack, this time on Muslims In London early this morning, a 48-year old white man drove a van into a group of Muslims leaving a community center after prayers. Several people were injured. Eight minutes later, Prime Minister Theresa May declared it an act of "terrorism." Neil Basu, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police outside Scotland Yard, says, "This is being treated as a terror attack, and counter terrorism command is investigating. This was an attack on London and all Londoners and we should all stand against extremists whatever their cause." Long-time London reporter Michael Goldfarb, host of the First Rough Draft of History podcast, has an update on this latest tragedy to hit London.
Reaction to the latest London terror attack Two terror attacks in downtown London and a third at a concert in Manchester have increased the pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May. With a general election scheduled for Thursday, she said this yesterday about extremism
UK Parliament goes on lockdown after attacks in London The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Bridge are the UK's Center of Government and worldwide tourist attractions. Today, they were subject to a stabbing, and five people were struck down by a car . A spokesman for Scotland Yard reported that "the senior national coordinator has declared this a terrorist incident. And although we remain open minded to the motive, a full counter-terrorism investigation is underway." Michael Goldfarb is the host of the podcast "First Rough Draft of History" and is a former London correspondent for NPR and Politico. He says that the attack is similar to that last year's attack in Nice, France.
Prime Minister Theresa May Makes her PMQ Debut Politics in the United Kingdom is moving with lightning speed. Just last month, there was Brexit — the vote to leave the European Union. Today, a new leader took her first " Prime Minister's Questions " from Parliament. Theresa May is the fellow Conservative who replaced David Cameron. She had harsh words for the opposition, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. Michael Goldfarb is former London Bureau Chief for NPR, now a freelancer based in the United Kingdom.
Brexit Fallout Continues: Its Implications for the World It’s been 4 days since British voters decided to withdraw from the European Union. The fallout continues, in the form of scared global markets, and jockeying for power among British politicians. And that’s led to intensifying discussion about whether the “Brexit” could be altered or avoided. But Prime Minister David Cameron, who’s already said he’ll resign, doesn’t think that’s an option. Image
Sadiq Khan Becomes London's First Muslim Mayor After eight years of Conservative rule, the City of London has a new Lord Mayor. Sadiq Khan won't be the first Labor Party MP to lead the city, but he will be the first Muslim. Michael Goldfarb has lived in London for many years. The former NPR correspondent has more on Khan's election.
In London, Obama Urges British Voters to Stay in the EU President Obama's last official trip to London this week comes ahead of Britain's June referendum on whether to leave the European Union, and he's weighed in on the socalled "Brexit." His column in the Daily Telegraph urging Britain to stay in the EU prompted heated responses . At a press conference today he cautioned, "(M)aybe some point down the line there might be a UK-US trade agreement but it's not going to happen anytime soon, because our focus is in negotiating with the big block of the European Union to get a trade agreement done. And UK is going to be in the back of the queue." Michael Goldfarb has covered many arguments between Britain and the EU during his years as a correspondent with NPR. He has lived in London for 30 years.
Britain Debates Leaving the European Union In June, the British people will vote on whether to leave the European Union. It's an international issue that's inflamed personal conflict between two of the country's leading politicians. The date has been set for a vote that could make history for the European Union. The British people will vote on whether to leave the European Union. Prime Minister David Cameron says it should stay. The Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, says it's time to go. Michael Goldfgarb, former London correspondent for NPR, is now a contributor to Politico Europe .
Margaret Thatcher Dies at 87 Britain's former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher , once known as the "Iron Lady," died this morning at the age of 87. While Ronald Reagan gets much credit for ending the Cold War, it was Thatcher who first saw an opportunity for dealing with Mikhail Gorbachev, President of the Soviet Union. Michael Goldfarb, former London correspondent for NPR , has covered British politics for 20 years.
Riots in London and Next Year's Olympic Games Prime Minister David Cameron says the delayed response by London police helped lead to Britain's worst riots in decades. With 16,000 officers on the streets today, London was quiet, but other parts of the country saw looting and violence, and ethnic tensions are rising. There's debate about root causes. One target is Cameron's " austerity measures ," which are cutting both social services and budgets for the police. There's worry about the future, and Cameron is talking with US police, who have experience with criminal gangs. And, while London has already finished the venues for next year's Olympic Games , will it be safe enough for visitors from all over the world?
Rioting in London Widens Since police shot a young black man in North London last week, rioting, looting and arson have spread in London itself and to other cities as well. After three nights of violence, British Prime Minister David Cameron has called Parliament back in session, increased the presence of police on the street and had a stern message for the young people involved. One resident says it's no longer related to the original cause. Michael Goldfarb is London correspondent for Global Post , the international, online news service.
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
