BLUE NEWS: The "Bilanz" shows in its new richest list: Switzerland's super-rich have once again increased their wealth - to a total of 851.5 billion Swiss francs, more than ever before. Only those who own at least around 15 billion francs make it into the top ten.
Switzerland will continue to be a magnet for great fortunes in 2025. The new "Bilanz" rich list shows: The total wealth of the 300 richest people has never been as high as it is today. If you want to make it to the top, you need sums that command respect even among billionaires.
The entry threshold for the top ten is around CHF 15 billion. And at the top are entrepreneurial dynasties that dominate very different sectors of the economy - from luxury cosmetics to container shipping. » | Blue News | Undated
The Shrewd Economist
Democracy is an illusion! It’s become a political system fostered by the élite, for the élite, in order to fool the people that they have a stake in the system. In actual fact, they have virtually none. The whole political system in the modern era, despite having noble beginnings, is now used to benefit the few at the expense of the many. – Mark Alexander, June 29, 2018
September 11, 2026
Houthis Gain 'Absolute Control’ of Crucial Shipping Route | Iona Craig
Sep 11, 2026 | “It’s in the interests of both the Houthis and Iran for this to be happening.”
The Houthis have made their most significant territorial gains in Yemen since 2021, and now have effective control over a crucial shipping route, says The Times’s former Yemen correspondent Iona Craig.
The Houthis have made their most significant territorial gains in Yemen since 2021, and now have effective control over a crucial shipping route, says The Times’s former Yemen correspondent Iona Craig.
Labels:
Bab el-Mandeb,
Houthis,
Saudi Arabia,
Yemen
Insiders Reveal What Really Happened at Trump's Convention
Sep 11, 2026 | Katy Balls reports from the Republican midterm convention in Dallas where President Trump made a pledge that every adult will get a $5,000 dividend if the Republicans win the House and the Senate. That adds up to about $1.2 trillion.
Golden balloons were dropped, and the crowd joined the president in repeating a vow to vote for "the greatest president in the history of the United States that loves us so much he can't even breathe".
JD Vance's speech was received well, and the audience chanted "48", suggesting they'd like the vice-president to become the 48th president of the United States. Is he pulling ahead of Marco Rubio as the bookies' favourite to be the Republican candidate for 2028?
Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times
Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal
Producer: Harry Kitson
Executive producer: Molly Guinness
Picture: Getty Images
Audio: Reuters
Golden balloons were dropped, and the crowd joined the president in repeating a vow to vote for "the greatest president in the history of the United States that loves us so much he can't even breathe".
JD Vance's speech was received well, and the audience chanted "48", suggesting they'd like the vice-president to become the 48th president of the United States. Is he pulling ahead of Marco Rubio as the bookies' favourite to be the Republican candidate for 2028?
Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times
Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal
Producer: Harry Kitson
Executive producer: Molly Guinness
Picture: Getty Images
Audio: Reuters
Labels:
Donald Trump,
Texas
Is the Tide Turning on Billionaires? | DW News
Labels:
billionaires
Michael Llambert: We Took Back Control Whilst Giving It All Away
Sep 11, 2026 | We were promised we'd take back control. So why does someone else own almost everything?I
Start with my own visit to Battersea Power Station — a British icon, redeveloped with Malaysian money, full of Apple, luxury flats and tourists — and ask a bigger question about the UK economy.
From Thames Water to Heathrow, Royal Mail to our supermarkets and 58.8% of our shares, so much of Britain is now foreign-owned.
Is this investment, or have we just given it all away after Brexit?
Very well said. Succinct and absolutely true. To use the vernacular, we're up a creek without a paddle! — © Mark Alexander
Start with my own visit to Battersea Power Station — a British icon, redeveloped with Malaysian money, full of Apple, luxury flats and tourists — and ask a bigger question about the UK economy.
From Thames Water to Heathrow, Royal Mail to our supermarkets and 58.8% of our shares, so much of Britain is now foreign-owned.
Is this investment, or have we just given it all away after Brexit?
Very well said. Succinct and absolutely true. To use the vernacular, we're up a creek without a paddle! — © Mark Alexander
Labels:
UK economy
It's All a Scam: US Politicians Are Robbing Their Own Supporters
Why Are Albanians Calling for Revolution? | On the Ground
Sep 10, 2026 | Thousands of protesters are flooding the streets of Tirana in the biggest unrest Albania has seen since the collapse of communism.
It began as the “flamingo revolution”, sparked by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s plans for a luxury mega-resort on a public nature reserve island. But the protests have since grown into a wider challenge to Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government, which is accused of selling off Albania’s coastline to the elites.
Matthew Cassel travels to Albania to see how an environmental fight over one island has escalated into a political battle over the country’s future.
It began as the “flamingo revolution”, sparked by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s plans for a luxury mega-resort on a public nature reserve island. But the protests have since grown into a wider challenge to Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government, which is accused of selling off Albania’s coastline to the elites.
Matthew Cassel travels to Albania to see how an environmental fight over one island has escalated into a political battle over the country’s future.
Labels:
Albania
Bernie Sanders: 'You’ve Got to Be a Moron Not to Say Slow AI Down''
How can any American politician—and many do—assert that the USA is the wealthiest nation on earth when the country's national debt stands at more than FORTY TRILLION DOLLARS? That sounds to me like a country on its arse! — © Mark Alexander
Labels:
AI,
Bernie Sanders
September 10, 2026
Nach AfD-Wahl: Ist Merz angezählt?
Die AfD wird bei der Landtagswahl in Sachsen-Anhalt mit 43,8 Prozent stärkste Kraft. Die CDU stürzt auf 17,2 Prozent ab. Für Friedrich Merz ist das eine bittere Bilanz – schließlich hatte er einst versprochen, die AfD zu halbieren. ‚@ Mr Wissen 2 go‘ Mirko Drotschmann schaut in diesem Video, wie gefährlich das Ergebnis für den Kanzler Friedrich Merz wirklich werden könnte.
Wie hart trifft das Ergebnis die Bundes-CDU?
Das Ergebnis ist für die CDU verheerend und es trifft die Bundespartei ausgerechnet zu einem Zeitpunkt, an dem ihre Beliebtheitswerte ohnehin im Keller sind. Merz erntete zuletzt viel Kritik für seine angekündigten Reformen. Auch aus den eigenen Reihen wird der Ton schärfer: CDA-Vorsitzender Dennis Radtke etwa fordert einen Kurswechsel hin zu mehr Arbeitnehmerinteressen.
Warum ist ein Rücktritt von Friedrich Merz trotzdem unwahrscheinlich?
Dafür gibt es mehrere Gründe. Es fehlt der CDU einer echten Alternative, eine Ablösung bräuchte Mehrheiten im Bundestag, und ein Nachfolger würde die Grundprobleme der Union kaum automatisch lösen. Denkbar wäre höchstens ein Modell wie einst bei Angela Merkel: Parteivorsitz abgeben, Kanzleramt behalten.
Was passiert als Nächstes?
Bis zu den Wahlen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern und Berlin am 20. September dürfte die CDU laut Politikwissenschaftlerin Andrea Römmele eher zusammenhalten – die eigentliche Personaldebatte könnte danach erst richtig beginnen.
Wie hart trifft das Ergebnis die Bundes-CDU?
Das Ergebnis ist für die CDU verheerend und es trifft die Bundespartei ausgerechnet zu einem Zeitpunkt, an dem ihre Beliebtheitswerte ohnehin im Keller sind. Merz erntete zuletzt viel Kritik für seine angekündigten Reformen. Auch aus den eigenen Reihen wird der Ton schärfer: CDA-Vorsitzender Dennis Radtke etwa fordert einen Kurswechsel hin zu mehr Arbeitnehmerinteressen.
Warum ist ein Rücktritt von Friedrich Merz trotzdem unwahrscheinlich?
Dafür gibt es mehrere Gründe. Es fehlt der CDU einer echten Alternative, eine Ablösung bräuchte Mehrheiten im Bundestag, und ein Nachfolger würde die Grundprobleme der Union kaum automatisch lösen. Denkbar wäre höchstens ein Modell wie einst bei Angela Merkel: Parteivorsitz abgeben, Kanzleramt behalten.
Was passiert als Nächstes?
Bis zu den Wahlen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern und Berlin am 20. September dürfte die CDU laut Politikwissenschaftlerin Andrea Römmele eher zusammenhalten – die eigentliche Personaldebatte könnte danach erst richtig beginnen.
Labels:
AfD,
Deutschland,
Friedrich Merz,
Sachsen-Anhalt
Hoping to Salvage Midterms, Trump Makes Dubious Pledge to Give Every US Adult $5,000 • FRANCE 24
Sap 10, 2026 | President Donald Trump pledged Wednesday to send every American adult $5,000 if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate in the midterm elections, an extraordinary gambit to reverse his party's sagging fortunes in November.
The dubious promise would likely cost more than $1 trillion and require congressional approval and would further exacerbate the country’s nearly $1.8 trillion annual budget deficit and concerns about inflation.
FRANCE 24's International Affairs Commentator Douglas Herbert tells us more.
The dubious promise would likely cost more than $1 trillion and require congressional approval and would further exacerbate the country’s nearly $1.8 trillion annual budget deficit and concerns about inflation.
FRANCE 24's International Affairs Commentator Douglas Herbert tells us more.
Labels:
Donald Trump,
midterms
Inside the Far-right Blueprint for Germany’s Eurasian Future | DW Analysis
Sep 6, 2026 | Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is surging, with breakthroughs in regional and EU-wide elections. Party leader Alice Weidel says her goal is national power, eyeing the 2029 federal elections.
Despite its growing support, the AfD’s vision of foreign policy remains little known around the world. So in this new special report, DW takes a forensic microscope to the party’s blueprint for Germany’s future.
What this reveals is the party’s profound skepticism about the key Western alliances — NATO and the EU — and an outspoken openness to a Eurasian outlook, fostering deeper relations with Russia and China and the international institutions they lead, from the Belt and Road Initiative to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union: prime sources of prestige for Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Xi Jinping in Beijing.
In exclusive interviews with Alice Weidel, foreign policy spokesman Matthias Moosdorf and powerful ideologue Björn Höcke, DW’s Richard Walker and Rosalia Romaniec scrutinize the AfD’s views on Germany’s alliances and NATO Article 5 commitments to the Baltic states and Poland, its skepticism of the United States, possible future architectures for European defense, who should have nuclear weapons, future ties with Russia and China, and how Germany should act in a Taiwan conflict scenario.
Includes analysis from leading international experts on Russia, China, the US and Europe: Alexander Gabuev (Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center), Amanda Hsiao (International Crisis Group), Katarzyna Pisarska (Warsaw Security Forum), Peter Rough (Hudson Institute), and Judy Dempsey (Carnegie Europe).
Despite its growing support, the AfD’s vision of foreign policy remains little known around the world. So in this new special report, DW takes a forensic microscope to the party’s blueprint for Germany’s future.
What this reveals is the party’s profound skepticism about the key Western alliances — NATO and the EU — and an outspoken openness to a Eurasian outlook, fostering deeper relations with Russia and China and the international institutions they lead, from the Belt and Road Initiative to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union: prime sources of prestige for Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Xi Jinping in Beijing.
In exclusive interviews with Alice Weidel, foreign policy spokesman Matthias Moosdorf and powerful ideologue Björn Höcke, DW’s Richard Walker and Rosalia Romaniec scrutinize the AfD’s views on Germany’s alliances and NATO Article 5 commitments to the Baltic states and Poland, its skepticism of the United States, possible future architectures for European defense, who should have nuclear weapons, future ties with Russia and China, and how Germany should act in a Taiwan conflict scenario.
Includes analysis from leading international experts on Russia, China, the US and Europe: Alexander Gabuev (Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center), Amanda Hsiao (International Crisis Group), Katarzyna Pisarska (Warsaw Security Forum), Peter Rough (Hudson Institute), and Judy Dempsey (Carnegie Europe).
Steve Rosenberg: "Hole in Russia's State Budget" Bigger Than Expected
Labels:
Russia,
what the papers say
September 09, 2026
Historiker Marco Jorio hinterfragt die Neutralitätsinitiative
Sep 9, 2026 | Die Neutralitätsinitiative verspricht Klarheit – doch Historiker Marco Jorio befürchtet, dass dadurch eher neue Verwirrung entsteht.
Was ist Neutralität wirklich? Schützt sie die Schweiz vor Krieg? Und was würde die Initiative konkret ändern?
Im NZZ-Interview analysiert der Historiker für Schweizer Geschichte die Fakten hinter dem Mythos – und erklärt, warum die geostrategische Lage die Schweiz im Zweiten Weltkrieg schützte und nicht die Neutralität allein.
Was ist Neutralität wirklich? Schützt sie die Schweiz vor Krieg? Und was würde die Initiative konkret ändern?
Im NZZ-Interview analysiert der Historiker für Schweizer Geschichte die Fakten hinter dem Mythos – und erklärt, warum die geostrategische Lage die Schweiz im Zweiten Weltkrieg schützte und nicht die Neutralität allein.
Labels:
Krieg,
Neutralität,
Schweiz
Can Dubai’s Luxe Image Survive the War with Iran? | BBC News
Sep 8, 2026 | As the summer holiday season draws to a close, foreigners travelling to and from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates are facing delays, cancellations and severe travel warnings.
The disruption comes as a result of the UAE’s position in the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran. Throughout the conflict, Iran has attacked the UAE more times than any other country, including Israel.
Until the war with Iran began, Dubai was a major tourist destination, famous for its modern skyscrapers, luxurious beaches and low crime rate.
For decades, the Gulf city has promised residents and tourists alike safety, security and stability – so has that promise fallen apart? And what could that mean for the city’s future?
The Global Story’s Asma Khalid speaks to Sameer Hashmi, an independent journalist based in Dubai, about how Brand Dubai is weathering a major regional war.
The disruption comes as a result of the UAE’s position in the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran. Throughout the conflict, Iran has attacked the UAE more times than any other country, including Israel.
Until the war with Iran began, Dubai was a major tourist destination, famous for its modern skyscrapers, luxurious beaches and low crime rate.
For decades, the Gulf city has promised residents and tourists alike safety, security and stability – so has that promise fallen apart? And what could that mean for the city’s future?
The Global Story’s Asma Khalid speaks to Sameer Hashmi, an independent journalist based in Dubai, about how Brand Dubai is weathering a major regional war.
September 08, 2026
Wieso China so gefährlich, aber zerbrechlich ist | Marcus Keupp
Labels:
China
Global Ripples from a Small German Election | DW News
Labels:
AfD,
Donald Trump,
Elon Musk,
Germany,
Moscow,
Saxony-Anhalt
September 07, 2026
How Will the Far-right AfD's Electoral Rise Impact Germany? | Inside Story
Sep 7, 2026 | The Alternative for Germany is on top in Sunday's election in the east German state of Saxony-Anhalt, with about 44 percent of the vote. It's benefited from voters' economic concerns and anger over immigration. The party is also leading in national polls. But Germany's domestic intelligence agency has classified its branch in Saxony-Anhalt as a proven right-wing extremist group, a label the AfD rejects. Chancellor Friedrich Merz insists there can be no co-operation with the AfD, and mainstream German parties have been maintaining a 'firewall' against forming coalitions with the far-right. But it's not clear if the strategy will hold.
Presenter: Rishaad Salamat
Guests:
Olaf Boehnke - Berlin Director of the political consultancy Rasmussen Global and former Senior Advisor in the German Bundestag
Max Otte - Founder of Privatinvestor Capital and a 2022 German presidential candidate
Ulrich Brueckner - Professor of European Studies at Stanford University in Berlin
Presenter: Rishaad Salamat
Guests:
Olaf Boehnke - Berlin Director of the political consultancy Rasmussen Global and former Senior Advisor in the German Bundestag
Max Otte - Founder of Privatinvestor Capital and a 2022 German presidential candidate
Ulrich Brueckner - Professor of European Studies at Stanford University in Berlin
Labels:
AfD,
Germany,
Inside Story,
Saxony-Anhalt
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