In a country divided on nearly everything, one of the few places where people from different backgrounds still sit side by side is the local chain restaurant.
Day: September 19, 2025
Dalinna’s son Mateo had been quiet for some time, so she assumed he was fast asleep. Nothing prepared her for what she saw.
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Trump Threatens to Revoke Broadcast Licenses Amid Criticism of Media
On September 19, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to revoke the broadcast licenses of television networks that criticize him, asserting that outlets with licenses should not oppose him. His comments came after ABC temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s show following the host’s remarks about the killing of far-right activist Kirk, reports 24brussels.
During a flight aboard Air Force One from the United Kingdom, Trump expressed disdain for what he called the media’s overwhelming bias against him. “I read somewhere that the networks were 97% against me. Ninety-seven percent negative. And yet, I easily won in the seven key states (in the presidential election),” he stated. “If they’re 97% against me, they only give me bad publicity and still have a license, I would say maybe their license should be taken away.”
The president intensified his critique of media networks, alleging they lack conservative representation. “If you look back, you see they haven’t had a conservative on for years. I think someone said, ‘Take a look, all they do is hit Trump.’ They have a license. They’re not allowed to do that. They’re an arm of the Democratic Party,” he added.
Earlier on the same day, Trump dismissed the notion that Kimmel’s show suspension was an act of censorship, framing it instead as a response to low viewership. “He should have been fired a long time ago,” Trump remarked.
ABC announced on September 18 that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would be suspended indefinitely due to the controversy surrounding Kimmel’s comments about the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, who was killed the previous week. Nexstar Media Group, which owns numerous local TV stations in the U.S., indicated that it would replace Kimmel’s show with alternate programming, criticizing the remarks as “offensive and insensitive.”
Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, stated, “Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located.”
In his monologue on Monday night, Kimmel suggested the suspect in Kirk’s murder could have been a supporter of Trump, stating, “The MAGA Gang is desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
In response to escalating tensions following Kirk’s death, Trump and various administration officials pinned blame on the “radical left.” The president rejected the Democrats’ assertion that political violence has emerged from both sides of the aisle.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr threatened regulatory action against Disney and ABC due to Kimmel’s remarks, indicating the music network’s licenses could be at risk. This drew criticism from FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, who cautioned against using extreme violence to justify censorship, stating, “An inexcusable act of political violence by one disturbed individual must never be exploited as justification for broader censorship and control.”
The ongoing conflict between Trump and media outlets highlights a significant moment in American broadcasting and political rhetoric, raising questions about freedom of speech and the responsibilities of media organizations. As events unfold, the ramifications of these tensions will likely continue influencing the national conversation.
Ghent – Approximately 100 activists protested at Ghent University’s UFO building, demanding a boycott of Israel amidst heightened tensions related to the Gaza situation. Rector Petra De Sutter addressed the concerns during the protest, while police managed the demonstration, reporting 24brussels.
As the academic year commenced, protests erupted at Ghent University, marking the beginning with calls from students and staff to terminate ties with Israeli institutions and companies. Activists accused the university of complicity in the ongoing violence in Gaza due to its collaborative relationships.
During the rally, Petra De Sutter formally assumed the role of rector from Rik Van de Walle in a closed-door ceremony, a precaution implemented following last year’s violent protests that marred the university’s opening.
“We want Ghent University to keep its promise. Statements were made about this over a year ago,”
said activist Bas.
“The collaborations will continue. This makes Ghent University de facto complicit in the genocide in Gaza.”
What drives Ghent University protesters to demand an Israel boycott?
The protest also witnessed a counter-demonstration by members of the Nationalistische Studentenvereniging (NSV), a right-wing student group. The NSV attempted to display a banner but was quickly surrounded by activists who were chanting anti-fascist slogans.
After approximately thirty minutes, NSV members left under police direction. Activists insisted that symbolic measures were insufficient, demanding that the university sever all affiliations with Israeli partners.
Rector Petra De Sutter acknowledged the activists’ demands, emphasizing the university’s obligation to address the realities in Gaza. During the opening ceremony, she conveyed the importance of discussing the fear and horror experienced by many affected individuals.
“We are outraged,”
she stated, adding that the university aims to keep the dialogue ongoing and explore avenues to potentially cease cooperation with Israeli institutions.
“We are already going further than all other Flemish universities,”
De Sutter previously emphasized.
“This will be on the agenda of the Board of Directors again.”
De Sutter also inherits the approach of former rector Rik Van de Walle, who maintained that European support is essential for universities to take decisive action. Central to the debate is the European research program, Horizon Europe, which fosters collaboration among universities and research institutions across Europe, including Israel.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has proposed suspending the agreement as a sanction, which would enable universities to terminate collaborations with Israeli partners without risking funding losses or contractual breaches. However, no consensus currently exists among EU member states.
Since the onset of the war in Gaza in October 2023, opposition to collaboration with Israeli institutions has intensified at Ghent University. By November 2023, hundreds of students and staff had signed petitions advocating for a comprehensive academic boycott, leading to subsequent protests that disrupted university activities.
Escalating tensions in September 2024 culminated in clashes that interrupted the official opening of the academic year, leaving the issue of Israeli collaboration a persistent topic on Belgian campuses, while EU institutions in Brussels continue to grapple with the lack of agreement on sanctions against Israel.
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The war for the universities is the war for the West. Charlie Kirk knew this. He broke through the walls with charm and courage.
Reddit users were split between calling the video “adorable” or “creepy.”
It’s been just two days since Jimmy Kimmel Live! was taken off air indefinitely by ABC, following pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over his Charlie Kirk comments.