A Philadelphia police officer was shot in the head tonight as Donald Trump was speaking just blocks away at Temple University. The officer is now in the hospital in critical condition. The suspect is said to be a Hispanic male with cornrows in his hair.
In other news, Russia launched massive drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, wounding two workers in the central Zaporizhzhia region.
To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.
Thanks to Dean, JW, LP, McN, MM, Reader from Chicago, and all the other tipsters who sent these in.
Notice to tipsters: Please don’t submit extensive excerpts from articles that have been posted behind a subscription firewall, or are otherwise under copyright protection.
Caveat: Articles in the news feed are posted “as is”. Gates of Vienna cannot vouch for the authenticity or accuracy of the contents of any individual item posted here. I check each entry to make sure it is relatively interesting, not patently offensive, and at least superficially plausible. The link to the original is included with each item’s title. Further research and verification are left to the reader.
Brazil: Lula Blasts Central Bank Chief as ‘Adversary’ After Rate Hold
Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called central bank chief Roberto Campos Neto a “political and ideological adversary,” escalating his criticism of the monetary authority after policymakers halted a yearlong easing cycle this week, Bloomberg reported.
The real briefly dipped following the comments before rebounding to trade at 5.44 against the dollar.
The leftist leader also said that the weakening of the country’s currency, which has plummeted against the dollar in recent weeks amid growing fiscal worries and questions about the central bank’s commitment to inflation, is not a major concern for his government.
“This speculative nervousness that is happening will not affect the seriousness of the Brazilian economy,” he said in a local radio interview.
Lula previously said it was a “pity” that the central bank’s board unanimously voted to hold the benchmark Selic at 10.5% on Wednesday. Ahead of the decision, the president renewed his criticism of Campos Neto and the central bank, accusing him of acting politically and hurting the economy with high interest rates.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Lunch Prices in Czech Republic Shift as Prague Loses Top Spot
Restaurant lunch prices across the Czech Republic have seen notable changes recently, prompting shifts in dining habits. In response to steadily rising costs, many individuals have opted to bring homemade lunches to work rather than dine out.
This trend has compelled restaurant operators to reconsider their pricing strategies, resulting in price reductions in certain regions this year. Interestingly, Prague, once renowned for its expensive lunches, now ranks fifth with an average price of 198.20 CZK in May, surpassed even by the Ústi nad Labem region.
According to data from Pluxee, a major provider of benefits in the Czech Republic, these shifts reflect broader economic trends. “The price trends have shown that people are no longer willing to accept ever-increasing prices,” noted Jan Michelfeit, Marketing Director at Pluxee. “In the first five months of this year, prices did not continue to rise and overall went down,” he added, citing a year-on-year decrease in food prices contributing to an inflation drop to 2.6 percent. Michelfeit suggested that lunch prices may have reached a plateau.
The Central Bohemian region now boasts the highest lunch prices at an average of 207.53 CZK, owing partly to its proximity to Prague and the influx of high-income earners. South Bohemia follows closely behind with an average of 202.98 CZK, while the Pardubice and Ústi nad Labem regions also rank among the priciest.
Conversely, the Vysocina region offers the most affordable lunches, with prices dropping to 169.89 CZK in January, a slight decrease from February’s 170.21 CZK average. These price variations highlight the evolving landscape of dining costs across different regions in the Czech Republic.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Antifa-Linked Ex-Superintendent Seeks to Oust Conservative School Board Members in Michigan: Report
An activist ex-school superintendent who has worked with Antifa is attempting to oust conservative school board members in a district in Michigan.
As reported by Real News Michiana (RNM), the recall petition was filed by former Brandywine Superintendent John Jarpe. The petition stated that the ousting effort was in response to “a board meeting on 1-23-2023” where the minutes stated: “A ‘nay’ vote by Ms. McCombs (and three other members): Motion by Treasurer Brian Burge, support by Trustee Jessica Crouch that the board adjusts the agenda and moves the Hearing of Visitors to the beginning of the meeting. Roll call vote: Ayes — Treasurer Burge, Trustee Crouch. Nays — President Payne, Vice-President McKee, Trustee McCombs, Trustee Seastrom. Motion failed: 4-2.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Breaking: Philadelphia Police Officer Shot in Head Blocks From Trump Rally, in Critical Condition
A Philadelphia police officer was shot in the head on Saturday evening as President Donald Trump was delivered remarks at Temple University. The officer was shot in Kensington at around 8 pm and is in critical condition.
The suspect was described as a Hispanic male who had cornrows in his hair. Per Action News, he was last seen near G Street and Tioga.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Breaking: Trump Vows to Shut Down Department of Education in Second Term
Former President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that if elected president, he will abolish the federal Department of Education and transfer control of education to the states.
“I will shut down the federal Department of Education and we will move everything back to the states where it belongs and where they can individualize education and do it with the love for their children,” the presumptive GOP nominee said.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Authored by Debra Heine via American Greatness
A now disbanded group in Joe Biden’s Department Homeland Security (DHS) classified Trump supporters, members of the military, and people with religious views as persons likely to commit “domestic violent extremist” attacks, newly released internal files show.
DHS announced the formation of the “Homeland Intelligence Experts Group” in September 2023 to “provide advice and perspectives on intelligence and national security efforts” to the Department, but according to America First Legal, “it was a completely partisan group designed to provide top cover for the Department’s radical agenda
AFL and former Ambassador Richard Grenell filed a lawsuit against the Homeland Intelligence Experts Group soon after the group was announced, and spurred Republican members of Congress to take action against it.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Elon Musk, 52, Becomes a Father for the 12th Time
52-year-old American entrepreneur Elon Musk has become a father for the 12th time. This was reported on June 21 on the Bloomberg website, citing information from its own sources who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity.
It is known that Musk’s 12th child was born in early 2024. The mother is Shivon Zilis, the director of special projects at Musk’s company Neuralink, who gave birth to twins from Musk in 2021.
The publication emphasizes that neither Musk nor Zilis wanted to comment on the birth of their third child together.
Insider writes that 39-year-old Zilis was born in Canada and obtained a bachelor’s degree in economics and philosophy from Yale University in 2008. Zilis was listed in Forbes’ “30 Under 30” in the venture capital category in 2015. She met Musk in 2015. In his marriage to Canadian writer Justine Wilson, Musk had six sons, one of whom died in infancy.
In his relationship with Canadian singer Grimes, Elon Musk became the father of a son and a daughter. The couple separated in the fall of 2021. After their separation, Grimes revealed that she and Musk had another child, born via surrogate in the summer of 2022.
In June 2022, it was revealed that one of Musk’s sons had officially changed his name and surname — Xavier Musk is now named Vivian Jenna Wilson. Court documents state that along with the name and surname change, records will reflect Xavier Musk’s gender change and a new birth certificate will be issued.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Georgia Judge Accused of Assaulting Cop at Club Claims She Was ‘Set Up’
A Georgia judge is claiming that her arrest at an Atlanta-area nightclub was a “setup” after she was caught on police body camera striking an officer in an altercation where she says she was only trying to help a woman who was being attacked.
Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson was arrested at the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge in Buckhead shortly after 3:00 a.m. Thursday when police responded to a fight “between two separate parties,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
While Peterson was “not involved in the initial altercation,” according to the arresting officer, he said he was “approached and struck with a closed fist by the accused, Christina Peterson.”
“Ms. Peterson then forcibly pushed the officer in the chest and kept swiping his hands away as he attempted to assist the female being escorted out,” the Atlanta Police Department said in a press release.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Gunman Opens Fire Shooting, Critically Injuring Philly Officer: Sources
KENSINGTON — A Philadelphia police officer suffered critical injuries after a gunman opened fire in Kensington.
The gunfire broke out on the 3500 block of F Street Saturday night, around 7:30, sources tell FOX 29’s Steve Keeley.
They went on to say the officer’s partner drove him to Temple University Hospital.
Two suspects — a man and a woman — were being sought.
The officer was hit behind the ear and is in critical condition, according to sources.
The man is said to have barricaded himself inside a building near 600 Wishart Street. The SWAT unit was activated.
| — Hat tip: LP | [Return to headlines] |
Harvard Profs Argue Biden Admin Well-Positioned to Give ‘Reparations’ to Black Americans
A Harvard paper has made the argument that the Biden administration has the “precedent” as well as the “expertise” to implement reparations for black Americans in the United States who are descendants of slaves.
Academics Linda J. Bilmes and Cornell William Brooks, both professors at Harvard, wrote the paper on how models for reparations would be done in the US based on other programs and wrote about the implications of reparations. Bilmes and Brooks claim that the federal government, “already has the norm, precedent, expertise, and resources to provide reparations to black Americans.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
‘I Would Do it Again’: Utah Trans Killer Admits to Killing Parents, Was Known the Police
It has been revealed that notorious “armed and dangerous” transgender killer Collin “Mia” Bailey, who admitted to gunning down Jospeh and Gail Bailey, the suspect’s parents, was known to police.
Court documents show that Cory Bailey, the suspect’s brother, was granted a temporary protection order against his sibling last July. Three minor children were also listed on the protective order as co-plaintiffs. Both parties agreed to have the order dismissed on Oct. 16, but Judge John Walton said the order could be refiled if needed, St. George News reports.
On Tuesday, trans-identified male Mia Bailey, 28, went on a premeditated shooting rampage at Joseph and Gail Bailey’s home in Washington City, Utah. Bailey later confessed to killing Joseph and Gail Bailey, as well as intending to kill Cory, according to police records viewed by the outlet.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Judge Judy Says Trump’s NYC Hush Money Trial Was “Nonsense” and She “Resents” it as a Taxpayer
There’s going to be a lot of conflicted daytime TV viewers who count both The View and Judge Judy in their daily lineup after this one…
One of Manhattan’s favorite judges, TV icon Judge Judy Sheindlin, weighed in on Donald Trump’s criminal “hush money” trial last week in an interview with Chris Wallace, calling the spectacle “nonsense”.
Sheindlin, known for her show “Judge Judy,” discussed former President Trump’s recent felony conviction with CNN’s Wallace. Sheindlin, a Brooklyn native, expressed her disapproval of Trump’s Manhattan prosecution.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
US District Judge Aileen Cannon, who is overseeing former President Donald Trump’s classified documents case led by Special Counsel Jack Smith, raised significant questions on Friday regarding the extent of Attorney General Merrick Garland’s involvement in overseeing the special counsel’s work.
During the session, Judge Cannon’s inquiries appeared to catch Smith’s prosecutors off guard, according to Politico. When asked about the level of communication between Garland and the special counsel, Smith’s deputy, James Pearce, responded that he was “not authorized” to discuss the specifics.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Left-Wing Rep. Jamaal Bowman Accused of Multiple Instances of Plagiarism in Dissertation: Report
Democratic Congressman Jamaal Bowman of New York is facing accusations of plagiarism in his 2019 Ed.D dissertation after an analysis by the Daily Wire revealed that parts of his work were nearly identical to other individuals’ writings.
Bowman’s dissertation, titled “Community Schools: The Perceptions and Practices that Foster Broad-Based Collaboration among Leaders within the Community School Ecosystem,” was submitted during his time at Manhattanville College.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Maher Audience Silenced After Andrew Cuomo Admits NYC Trump Trial Should Have Never Happened
Former governor of New York from 2011 to 2021 Andrew Cuomo appeared on Real Time With Bill Maher on Friday where he discussed the implications of the New York City Trump trial with host Maher.
Maher’s mostly liberal audience is caught quiet when Maher and Cuomo start frankly discussing whether or not the trial was helpful for the Trump campaign.
“The trial in New York, the one he [Trump] got convicted for, was the greatest fundraising bonanza ever. He was lagging behind Biden, and now he’s pulled quite a bit ahead,” Maher said to Cuomo during the show.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
New: Trump Recognizes Gold Star Families of Afghanistan Withdrawal During Philly Rally
During his Philly rally on Saturday, Donald Trump recognized the Gold Star families of slain US military members who passed away during the Afghanistan withdrawal under Joe Biden. Family members of five of the 13 military members slain were present at the rally in Philly on Saturday.
Trump took the time to pause and mention the families of the fallen soldiers who were present, listing off their names and asking the parents to hold up pictures of their children who had fallen in the withdrawal. They had died during a bombing of civilians at the gate of Kabul airport during the botched withdrawal under Joe Biden.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Prior to his rally in Philly, President Donald Trump met was greeted by supporters at Tony and Nick’s Steaks. He met with a young fan who was brought to tears and he tipped workers at a steak shop $500.
One of the heartwarming videos shows the young supporter at the steak shop dressed like the former president in a navy-blue suit, red tie, and blonde Trump wig, being greeted by Trump with a signed $20 bill and a photo. The young supporter was brought to tears when he met Trump.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
NYC Teacher Group Behind Anti-Israel Walkouts Gets Thousands in George Soros Funding
A group of New York City public school teachers behind controversial pro-Palestine student walkouts has received thousands of dollars from George Soros’ Tides Foundation, The Post has learned.
Teachers Unite, a registered not-for-profit based in Manhattan’s Financial District, received $11,000 in 2023 from the billionaire left-wing investor’s social justice philanthropy.
Teachers Unite boasts a mission of “developing the leadership skills of progressive educators” and fighting the “school-to-prison pipeline,” according to tax filings and its website.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Pro-Palestinian Protests Disrupt AOC, Sanders, Bowman Rally
Pro-Palestine protestors disrupted a joint rally between Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), and Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont) on Saturday.
The protest was organized by Within Our Lives, a self-described Palestinian-led, New York pro-Palestine organization.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
It has been revealed that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Amazon censored a number of anti-vaccine books at the behest of the Biden administration. Documents obtained by the House Judiciary Committee and Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government showed that the online retailer caved to pressure from the federal government and reduced the visibility of certain titles critical of jabs and the pharmaceutical industry.
While many of the books touched on long-debunked ideas such as the link between vaccines and autism, others were written by scientists and contained medical information.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Second Teen Suspect Arrested Over Texas Juneteenth Shooting
The Round Rock Police Department in Texas has announced the arrest of a second teenager suspected of being involved in the shooting that occurred during the city’s annual Juneteenth celebration last Saturday.
On Friday, the department stated that a male juvenile suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Williamson County Juvenile Justice Center.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
On Thursday, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) grilled a Biden judicial nominee about her 2023 decision to cut the jail sentence in half for a man who molested two girls, ages 4 and 9 and wrote in her opinion that the criminal has a “lot of good in him.”
Maine Superior Court Judge Julia Lipez was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden to fill a vacancy on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
TikTok Offered US Government a ‘Kill Switch’ Amid Security Concerns
TikTok has confirmed it proposed giving the US government the power to shut down the platform, known as a “kill switch,” to address lawmakers’ concerns over data protection and national security.
This offer, made in 2022, was revealed as TikTok began its legal battle against legislation that demands the app be banned in the US unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells it.
The legislation, driven by fears that TikTok could share US user data with the Chinese government, is being challenged by TikTok and ByteDance, who deny these claims. In their legal submission, they argued, “This law is a radical departure from this country’s tradition of championing an open Internet, and sets a dangerous precedent allowing the political branches to target a disfavored speech platform and force it to sell or be shut down.”
TikTok claims that after 2022, the US government refused serious settlement talks and points to the “kill switch” offer as evidence of their willingness to cooperate. The proposed “kill switch” would have given the government “explicit authority to suspend the platform in the United States at the US government’s sole discretion” if certain rules were not followed.
A draft “National Security Agreement” proposed by TikTok in August 2022 included measures such as properly funding data protection units and ensuring ByteDance did not access US users’ data. The “kill switch” could be activated if TikTok violated this agreement.
In a letter to the US Department of Justice, TikTok’s lawyer alleges that the government “ceased any substantive negotiations” after the new rules were proposed. The letter, dated April 1, 2024, claims the government ignored requests for further negotiations and did not respond to an invitation to inspect TikTok’s Dedicated Transparency Center in Maryland.
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia is set to hear oral arguments on lawsuits filed by TikTok, ByteDance, and TikTok users in September. Legislation signed by President Joe Biden in April mandates ByteDance to divest TikTok’s US assets by January next year or face a ban.
TikTok denies sharing foreign users’ data with China, calling the legislation an “unconstitutional ban” and an affront to free speech. The company insists US data remains within the country and is overseen by Oracle under Project Texas. However, a Wall Street Journal investigation in January 2024 found some data was still being shared between TikTok in the US and ByteDance in China.
In May, a US government official told the Washington Post, “The solution proposed by the parties at the time would be insufficient to address the serious national security risks presented.” They emphasized that divestment from foreign ownership remains necessary despite consistent engagement with TikTok.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Trump Says He’s Decided on His Running Mate
Former President Trump told reporters Saturday he’s made up his mind about who will be his running mate in November, but he has yet to tell anyone who it is.
Trump told NBC News ahead of a rally in Philadelphia that he’s settled on a vice presidential choice.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Donald Trump trails Joe Biden by single digits in New York, according to a recent poll. Nearly half of Jewish New Yorkers are planning on voting for Trump over Biden in the upcoming election and black voters have surged to support the presumptive GOP nominee. The drop of support from the often-deep blue demographic comes amidst Biden often having a strained relationship with Israel over the Jewish nation’s war with Hamas.
According to a new Siena College Poll, overall, Biden leads Trump by single digits in the state, with 47 percent of voters saying they would cast their ballot for Biden and 39 percent for Trump. Trump has nearly half the Jewish support in the Empire State, 46 percent compared to Joe Biden’s 52 percent. Trump has also seen a surge of support among black New Yorkers.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
U.S. Declassifies Video Filmed for Terrorists Before September 11, 2001 Attack
A U.S. federal court has released a video, reportedly filmed by a Saudi Arabian national whom the FBI considers an agent of the kingdom’s foreign intelligence service. The video, filmed on the Capitol grounds in Washington in 1999, was intended for the future perpetrators of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, according to CBS News.
In the video, the man identifies himself as Omar al-Bayoumi. He speaks in Arabic and describes the layout of the Capitol grounds, mentioning several times that he will pass on or show his “brothers” detailed information about the location.
Specifically, he filmed the entrances to the Capitol, the number of guards, the security checkpoint inside the building, the monument to the first American president, George Washington, and a model of the Capitol. Additionally, he mentions that an airport is located nearby.
It is believed that Omar al-Bayoumi had close ties with two of the hijackers involved in the September 11, 2001 attacks. FBI agent Richard Lambert, who was involved in investigating the attacks, told CBS that the video was filmed over three months when senior members of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda were selecting targets in the United States for the future attack. According to Lambert, this video indicates the involvement of the Saudi Arabian government in the tragedy that occurred in 2001.
Previously, it was reported that Donald Trump would declassify documents related to the September 11 attacks if he won the election.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Wave of Suicides Sweeps Through the U.S. Army — Study
The number of suicides among American servicemembers is on the rise, reports the NYT. The newspaper conducted an investigation revealing a crisis caused by command indifference and pressure on medical professionals. Suicides occur more frequently among soldiers than civilians, with those who have not seen combat being particularly vulnerable.
Suicides are happening more frequently than casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan.
After the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army implemented reforms, but similar measures were not taken after the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Operational stress remains high, negatively impacting the health and morale of soldiers.
Army leadership violates confidentiality and safety protocols by disclosing information about psychiatric visits. Medical professionals face pressure, forced to choose between their careers and the lives of soldiers.
Suicides are often committed using firearms. Gun control laws do not help the Army protect soldiers with suicidal intentions.
The U.S. Department of Defense has spent millions of dollars on suicide prevention research, but the findings are often ignored. Experts doubt that current recommendations will be implemented.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Whistleblower Reveals Boeing’s Mismanagement of Faulty Parts in 737 Max Planes
A Boeing quality inspector has claimed that the company lost track of hundreds of faulty parts, some of which may be installed on 737 Max planes, sparking safety concerns.
In a June 11 complaint to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, inspector Sam Mohawk alleged that Boeing lost hundreds of defective parts in the 737 program and deleted many records from their cataloging system. These non-conforming parts, which are meant to be tracked and disposed of, were reportedly hidden from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during an inspection.
Boeing responded by stating, “We continuously encourage employees to report all concerns as our priority is to ensure the safety of our airplanes and the flying public.”
Mohawk reported that around 60 parts were improperly stored outdoors, and employees were instructed to relocate these parts during an FAA inspection in June 2023. He claims the parts were later moved back outdoors or became lost.
The complaint also detailed that Mohawk’s role became significantly more challenging after the grounding of all 737 Max planes following two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019. He alleged that the high volume of non-conforming parts led his superiors to direct him and others to delete the records identifying these parts as non-conforming.
When Mohawk raised concerns through Boeing’s internal reporting system, ‘Speak Up,’ his report was directed back to the managers he complained about. The Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released his allegations, coinciding with Boeing CEO David Calhoun’s congressional testimony on manufacturing issues.
Boeing has faced scrutiny since a door plug blew off mid-air during an Alaska Airlines flight in January. While no injuries occurred, the incident is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA.
The subcommittee memo noted that “documents and accounts provided by whistleblowers familiar with Boeing’s production at facilities in Washington state and Charleston, South Carolina, paint a troubling picture of a company that prioritizes speed of manufacturing and cutting costs over ensuring the quality and safety of aircraft.”
The FAA stated, “We thoroughly investigate every report, including allegations uncovered in the Senate’s work.”
Mohawk joins a list of Boeing whistleblowers voicing concerns about the company’s practices. Recently, two whistleblowers who had spoken out against Boeing passed away. John Barnett, a quality control engineer, died by suicide in March while testifying in a lawsuit against Boeing. Joshua Dean, a quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, died earlier this month from a fast-moving infection.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Winklevoss Twins Donate $2 MILLION in Bitcoin to Trump Campaign, Slam Biden’s ‘War Against Crypto’
On Thursday, billionaires Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss announced that they had donated the equivalent of $2 million in Bitcoin to Donald Trump’s campaign. The former cited Joe Biden’s “war against crypto” as his motivating factor, suggesting that under a second Trump term, everyone who buys, sells, or creates digital currencies would be far better off.
While Trump said he was “not a fan” of cryptocurrencies during his previous term, over the past few months he has changed his tune to fully embrace the technology. In May, he became the first major political candidate in the United States to accept donations in crypto.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Canada Set to Follow US, EU Lead on Hiking Tariffs on Chinese-Made EVs
First it was the EU and the US, now it looks like Canada could be next to weigh tariffs on Chinese made electric vehicles.
Justin Trudeau’s government is considering new tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles to align with US and EU actions, according to a new report this week by Bloomberg.
An announcement about public consultations on these tariffs is expected soon, despite the fact that no final decisions have been rendered, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Toronto Police are investigating Rebel News for a potential hate crime because it owns a van that was playing footage of “what pro-Hamas gangs are doing to Toronto.”
The Toronto Police Service posted on Wednesday: “We recognize the community’s concern about a truck displaying Islamophobic messaging in Toronto.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
“This Germany is No Longer Germany” — Viktor Orban
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized Germany’s policies of recent years, stating that Germany no longer looks the same as it did ten years ago. He made this statement on the air of the Hungarian state radio station Kossuth after a trip to Germany and a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
“It no longer has the same flavor, it no longer smells the same as it used to, this Germany is no longer the Germany that our grandparents and parents held up as an example,” he said, drawing attention to the issue of uncontrolled migration in Germany.
According to him, previous generations of Hungarians told their children that if they wanted to see hardworking people, well-established production, and order, they should go to Germany. This is no longer the case, Orban believes.
“The leftist government is granting citizenship to hundreds of thousands of people in an expedited manner. Now they are here not as guests of the native Germans, but in their own right. Now it is their country too. It is even becoming more and more their country. That is what I see,” Orban noted, adding that migrants are forming a “special cultural environment” in Germany.
Unlike Germany, in 2015 Orban decided not to accept refugees in Hungary. In Germany, after this decision, a migration crisis began, which has not ended to this day.
“In politics, there are mistakes that can be corrected, whether in foreign policy or economic matters. However, if a government fails in its migration policy, it cannot be corrected,” Orban stated.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak proposes a social credit score-lite for the United Kingdom, where access to modern life basics like a car or financial services could be withdrawn for young people who refuse National Service.
Party leaders from top polling electoral factions — except for Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who was to his disgust excluded — were challenged on national television on Thursday night by state broadcaster the BBC, answering audience questions. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who faces apocalyptic polling for his chances to return to the job but who nevertheless hasn’t conceded defeat yet was called on to defend his first election-time policy of promising to introduce national service for young people if re-elected.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Czechia: Prague Unveils Memorial to Shooting Victims Six Months After Deadly Attack
On Friday afternoon, representatives of Charles University, the Faculty of Arts, and some survivors commemorated the six-month anniversary of last December’s tragic shooting with a minute of silence and the laying of flowers at a temporary memorial in Jan Palach Square.
The attack claimed 14 lives and injured 25 others, with the perpetrator, a student at the faculty, committing suicide after the assault. The centerpiece of the memorial is a three-meter-high natural sandstone sculpture.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
EU Nations Greenlight Enlargement Talks With Ukraine and Moldova
European Union countries have formally approved the commencement of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, set to begin next week.
Belgium, currently holding the EU presidency, announced that member states agreed on a negotiating framework, paving the way for talks to start on Tuesday, June 25, in Luxembourg.
“This opens the way for launching the negotiations on Tuesday 25 June in Luxembourg,” the Belgian presidency stated. The negotiations will be initiated through two intergovernmental conferences.
EU leaders had already given a positive assessment last year, agreeing that accession negotiations should commence with both Ukraine and Moldova. However, the journey from the start of negotiations to full EU membership is expected to be a lengthy process. Candidate countries must align their laws and standards with those of the EU and demonstrate that their institutions and economies meet democratic norms.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
EU Reintroduces Tariffs on Ukraine’s Oats and Eggs, Sugar Under Scrutiny
The European Union is set to reduce its imports of key food commodities from Ukraine, following the reintroduction of tariffs on oats and eggs, with sugar likely to be next. This comes less than two weeks after implementing a new preferential trade scheme.
EU spokespersons informed Euronews that the recent surge in egg imports from Ukraine has triggered impending restrictions, following the earlier announcement of oat import restrictions until June 5, 2025. Trade experts indicate that sugar imports are also under close observation and may soon face similar controls.
The move follows a request by France and Poland to amend the temporary suspension of tariffs and quotas on Ukraine’s agricultural exports, introduced after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The revised free-trade scheme, effective since June 6, includes an automatic safeguard mechanism to protect sensitive domestic sectors from increased imports. This mechanism covers commodities such as eggs, poultry, sugar, oats, maize, hulled grains, and honey.
The Commission can reintroduce tariff-rate quotas if imports of these commodities exceed the average quantities imported between July 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023. Sugar imports are being closely monitored, with current figures already surpassing the emergency brake limit, according to sources familiar with the matter.
“We cannot speculate on the pace of future imports,” a Commission spokesperson told Euronews, noting the ongoing monitoring of trigger levels. Luc Vernet from FarmEurope mentioned that some Ukrainian sugar imports might have inward processing status, affecting the Commission’s evaluation.
If sugar imports reach the trigger level, tariffs will be reactivated within 14 days. The issue is of particular concern to the EU’s association representing European sugar users in the food and drink sector (CIUS), which fears that import restrictions may lead to shortages.
“We fear that in the upcoming years, the sugar volumes will not be enough to meet the demand of the EU market with this,” a CIUS spokesperson told Euronews.
Ukraine recently set an export record of 108,000 tonnes of sugar in May, as sugar beet becomes a viable alternative for the country’s grain producers. Ukraine exports 65% of its sugar to the EU, according to Ukraine’s National Association of Sugar Producers (Ukrsugar).
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
France: ‘Extreme Left’ Violence: Le Pen Party Candidate Hospitalised Following Masked Men Attack
A candidate for the French snap election representing Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) anti-mass-migration populist party was attacked and hospitalised by a “group of masked people”.
Marine Le Pen slammed “ultra-left militias” after a group of her activists, including a Parliamentary candidate, were set upon by a group of black-clad attackers in the city of Saint Étienne, in the Loire. The RN activists were “pushed around and insulted”, and “projectiles” including rotten fruit, water, and flour were thrown.
The assailants were described by the victims and witnesses were a “group of masked people” and “dressed all in black”. All-black nondescript clothing to confound police identifying violent activists is a well-known characteristic of the ‘black bloc’ hard-line left.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Google is Criticized as it Suspends Reform UK Ads During Election Campaign
Google has suspended the advertising account of Reform UK, a political party in the United Kingdom, formerly known as the Brexit Party. Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, took to Twitter to express his outrage, labeling the move as “election interference.”
Google’s suspension comes at the height of the election campaign with, less than two weeks to go until the country goes to a vote on July 4th.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Hungarian Presidency to Focus on Health and Demographic Challenges During EU Council Term
Hungary has outlined its priorities for its upcoming presidency of the EU Council, emphasizing healthcare and demographic issues as critical areas to address.
Set to take over from Belgium on July 1, Hungary aims to lead EU-level efforts on combating cardiovascular disease, enhancing organ donation practices, and advancing new pharmaceutical legislation. These initiatives are part of Hungary’s broader agenda to tackle neglected health issues within the European Union.
The presidency’s program, released this week, also underscores its commitment to addressing rare diseases, mental health challenges linked to emergencies, and ensuring the affordability of medicines through comprehensive negotiations. This includes resolving issues like drug shortages, incentives, and the marketing authorization processes, which are seen as pivotal in healthcare policy discussions.
Furthermore, Hungary plans to focus on labor shortages, highlighting them as the EU’s most significant employment challenge affecting various sectors, particularly healthcare. The presidency aims to improve employment conditions, enhance the working environment, and elevate the quality of employment across the EU. This effort is crucial amid demographic changes, including an aging population that strains healthcare systems.
Eurostat data reveals that the EU’s median age is projected to increase by four and a half years by 2050, with nearly half a million centenarians expected in the bloc by that time. Hungary intends to address workforce shortages by mobilizing available labor market reserves and boosting employment rates among inactive working-age individuals. The program also stresses promoting work-life balance and gender equality across sectors to mitigate labor shortages effectively.
While healthcare remains primarily a national responsibility within the EU, the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation and planning at the EU level. Hungary aims to leverage this momentum to foster closer collaboration among member states on health issues during its presidency.
Overall, Hungary’s presidency seeks to make significant strides in health policy and demographic challenges while steering EU-wide discussions towards meaningful outcomes in healthcare and employment resilience.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Netherlands: Police Prepare for Major Security Operation in the Run-Up to the NATO 2025 Summit
The NATO summit in the summer of 2025 is already keeping the police busy. A year before the important political meeting, the Dutch police are preparing for one of the largest security operations in the Netherlands. The police deployment around the NATO summit from June 24 to 26 next year is expected to temporarily reduce police capacity in other areas. To mitigate the impact, the police are asking for an “incident-free period” around the summit. To ensure that enough personnel are available during the summit, there will also be a vacation restriction for police officers. Furthermore, there are plans to maximize the strength of the mobile unit.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Netherlands: PVV MP Does Not Distance Herself From ‘Repopulation’ as Conspiracy Theory
Future PVV Minister Reinette Klever (Foreign Trade and Development Aid) was confronted with many critical questions about “repopulation” during the hearing in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house in the Dutch parliament. Klever made it clear that she does not think of “repopulation” as a conspiracy theory and claimed she has never used the term. “These are not my words, but I do not distance myself from them either,” Klever said at the hearing. Later, she got emotional in response to repeated questions from several MPs.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Netherlands: New State Secretary Will Not Distance Himself From “Fewer Moroccans” Tweet
Incoming PVV State Secretary Chris Jansen will not distance himself from a tweet he published eight years ago in which he stated that fewer Moroccan people in the Netherlands would lead to a reduction in nuisance and crime. He made that statement in “a different context” and still stands by it, he said during a hearing on Friday in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Social Exclusion Index Reveals Rising Challenges in Czech Municipalities
The 2023 results of the Social Exclusion Index highlight worsening conditions in many Czech municipalities, with the Agency for Social Inclusion noting a decline in three out of five dimensions of the index, pointing to escalating social issues.
“It’s not surprising,” said Martin Šimacek, director of the Agency, reflecting on the impact of various crises. “The social and economic situation of Czech households has been affected by crises — the Covid epidemic, dramatic increases in energy prices, and enormous inflation. Real incomes in the Czech Republic have fallen more than elsewhere in Europe.”
A notable increase was seen in housing benefits, with 81,000 more payments in an average month of 2023 compared to 2022. Subsistence benefits also rose, with 3,000 more payments than the previous year. “The increase in paid benefits indicates a decline in households that were able to cover housing costs in previous years but were living on a low standard. Now, they couldn’t afford housing without the benefit,” explained Šimacek.
Despite the overall negative trend, there were slight improvements in early school dropouts and executions. However, the number of over-indebted individuals with three or more executions worsened. “Insolvency proceedings remain almost inaccessible for people with low incomes and multiple executions. The poorest and most indebted cannot get out of debt, even if they are motivated and want to resolve their situation,” said Šimacek, noting that over 621,000 people still have one or more registered executions. He also highlighted a positive trend: “The year-on-year decrease in the total number of people with executions by more than 30,000 is an extremely important message. We have not seen such a decline before; it is a positive trend following systemic changes in insolvency proceedings.”
The number of municipalities in the highest burden range of social exclusion increased by 50 year-on-year. The two highest burden ranges now include 539 municipalities, up from 459 in 2022.
“We have been recording a worsening situation in municipalities for the second year in a row. The burden continues to concentrate mainly in the north of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia, in the so-called external and internal peripheries. This shows the need for concentrated support to municipalities in the most affected areas and good coordination of state social inclusion policies. The agency is currently working in 66 of them. This year, we have also launched new programs, including a desegregation in housing program, which will help selected municipalities address the burdens of residential segregation zones,” concluded Šimacek.
The Social Exclusion Index measures the extent of social exclusion nationwide, including local and regional differences. It covers five areas: recipients of subsistence benefits, recipients of housing benefits, persons in execution, long-term unemployed, and early school leavers. The index values range from 0 to 30 points, with 30 indicating maximum social exclusion and 0 indicating minimal exclusion. This index helps target government policies to high-burden areas and coordinate support across ministries, regions, and municipalities.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Spain: Barcelona Plans to Ban Tourist Rentals
The authorities in Barcelona have decided to tackle the housing shortage by banning apartments that are used for tourist rentals. The goal of this measure is to provide an opportunity for young people and middle-income individuals to live in the city, reports Bild.
The issue is that finding housing in Barcelona is becoming increasingly difficult: each year, around seven million tourists visit the city, many of whom stay in rented apartments.
“From 2029 onwards, there will be no more holiday apartments in Barcelona as we know them today. This will allow us to bring 10,000 holiday homes to the rental or sales market,” stated the city’s mayor, Jaume Collboni.
In just the past 10 years, rent in Barcelona has increased by almost 70%, while property purchase prices have risen by approximately 40%.
“We cannot allow the majority of young people who want to leave their parental homes to be forced to leave Barcelona,” said Collboni.
In various cities across Spain, discontent with mass tourism has been growing recently. Recently, large-scale protests took place in Barcelona, Mallorca, and the Canary Islands. Tourists are blamed for rising prices, environmental destruction, traffic congestion, and making it difficult for local residents to find affordable housing.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Survey Reveals Only a Third of Czechs Would Defend Homeland With Weapons
In the event of an attack on the Czech Republic, only 32.9 percent of Czechs would be willing to defend their country with a weapon in hand, according to the CEDMO Trends survey.
The research also explored Czech attitudes towards the conflict in Ukraine, revealing that 43 percent wish for Ukraine’s victory, over seven percent for Russia’s victory, and almost 38 percent favor a temporary truce without a clear winner.
The survey highlighted gender differences in willingness to defend the country: 44 percent of men compared to 23 percent of women. Political preferences also played a role, with 43 percent of Petr Pavel’s voters willing to fight compared to 27 percent of Andrej Babis’s voters.
On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, 43 percent of Czechs believe the European Union should negotiate with Russia. “This option was the most popular among people regarding the stance on the conflict in Ukraine, with men (35 percent) more often than women (25 percent) and people with higher education (38 percent) more frequently mentioning it,” said CEDMO hub analyst Lukas Kutil.
When considering how the EU should respond to the conflict, 32 percent support strengthening anti-Russian sanctions, 30 percent advocate for non-military support to Ukraine, and 25 percent favor military support. A quarter of respondents believe the EU should remain neutral, while 22 percent think the EU should pressure Ukraine into negotiations.
Regarding EU military cooperation, 53 percent of respondents oppose closer military ties, associating the EU primarily with civilian and economic projects. Additionally, 15 percent fear that European defense integration could undermine NATO. Among the 47 percent who support closer military cooperation, 17 percent favor the EU building its own army, and 30 percent believe cooperation should complement NATO.
The survey, conducted by Median for the Central European Digital Media Observatory (CEDMO), included 3,000 respondents.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The US will not be able to deliver Patriot missiles to Switzerland within the expected timeframe because they are prioritizing new supplies to Ukraine. This was first reported by the Swiss tabloid Blick, citing sources, and later confirmed by the Swiss government.
Switzerland’s Federal Office for Defence Procurement confirmed on Wednesday that the deliveries of Patriot missiles will be delayed due to the US government’s decision and will likely not take place as scheduled.
It was initially planned that the PAC-3 MSE guided missiles for the Patriot air defense systems would be commissioned by the Swiss army in 2030 and 2031. However, these dates may now be shifted due to a force majeure clause in the agreement, which the US attributes to the war in Ukraine.
“Switzerland needs an independent and strong defense industry again, as well as diversification of procurement between manufacturers and countries,” emphasized the Swiss Federal Office for Defence Procurement.
Switzerland announced the signing of a contract with the US government for the procurement of PAC-3 MSE guided missiles for the Patriot air defense systems in October 2023.
The PAC-3 MSE (Missile Segment Enhancement) is the latest type of missile for the Patriot system and is mainly used for protection against short-range warheads.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
UK and US Clash Over Ukraine’s NATO Membership Path
The United Kingdom and the United States are in disagreement over the language used to describe Ukraine’s journey towards NATO membership, The Telegraph writes.
According to sources, American officials have expressed reservations about describing Ukraine’s path to NATO as “irreversible,” particularly ahead of an upcoming summit where assurances to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are under discussion.
CNN reported that the UK has aligned with several European Union member states in supporting the inclusion of “irreversible” in a joint statement regarding Ukraine’s NATO aspirations. In contrast, the US prefers more cautious language, proposing to frame Ukraine’s path as a “well-lit bridge” to membership without firm timelines, citing concerns that declaring it “irreversible” could alienate certain NATO members, including Hungary.
Last year, NATO members agreed in principle that Ukraine’s future lies within the alliance but refrained from setting a specific timeline for its accession. The upcoming summit in Washington DC on July 9 is anticipated to focus on providing new security guarantees to Ukraine rather than committing to a membership deadline.
While some NATO members advocate for expediting Ukraine’s accession, others argue that Ukraine must first meet reform criteria. President Joe Biden recently voiced opposition to Ukraine’s swift integration into NATO as part of a peace deal with Russia, citing concerns over corruption in Kyiv.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed NATO’s commitment to bringing Ukraine closer and outlined plans for a strong pathway to membership. However, there is apprehension among some members that setting a firm deadline could escalate tensions with Russia, potentially invoking NATO’s collective defense clause under the North Atlantic Treaty.
President Zelensky has consistently pressed for a clear timeline for Ukraine’s NATO membership, asserting that it would bolster deterrence against Russia amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine’s eastern regions. Last year, he criticized the vague conditions-based approach to membership as “unprecedented and absurd.”
The debate underscores divergent views within NATO on Ukraine’s strategic alignment and the alliance’s approach towards managing tensions with Russia.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Establishment Freakout as Nigel Farage Suggests NATO Expansion ‘Provoked’ Russian War in Ukraine
The British political establishment went into full meltdown on Friday as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage suggested that Western expansionist policies in Ukraine “provoked” the Russian invasion, despite the sentiment previously being expressed by the head of NATO and senior leadership in Kyiv.
In an apparent re-run of attempts to tarnish the Brexit movement with debunked claims of Russian influence, top political and media figures in Britain have once again tried to use the issue of Russia to derail Nigel Farage as his Reform party soars in the polls ahead of the July 4th general election.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Farage Hails Zoomer Surge as Young Voters Flock Right
“Something remarkable is happening out there” among the youngest voter cohort of Generation Z, Nigel Farage said, hailing the surge in support for his anti-political establishment Reform Party.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage conceded while his party, now surging in the polls as Britain crashes towards a general election, is performing badly with millennials but is rapidly picking up support among the youngest voters. Telling an audience in Cheshire on Thursday “the one thing UKIP and the Brexit Party never succeeded in doing was reaching significant numbers of young people”, Mr Farage said Reform was now achieving just that.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
US to Deploy Nuclear Weapons in the UK — ICAN
Preparation for the deployment of US nuclear weapons in the UK is still ongoing, but they have not yet been stationed in the country, said Alistair Burnett, head of media at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
In October, ICAN stated that there is evidence suggesting that the US intends to deploy nuclear warheads in the UK in addition to the hundred warheads already present in five European countries.
“Preparation for the deployment of American nuclear weapons in the UK is still underway. There is much that needs to be prepared for their deployment, but the possibility still exists, even though these weapons have not yet been stationed in the UK,” he said.
“The US is in the process of replacing its nuclear weapons in Europe with a new generation, as evidenced by the live tracking of US Air Force planes designated for this type of transport. They do not speak about this publicly, but this arsenal upgrade is ongoing,” noted Alistair Burnett.
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) is an international non-governmental organization founded in 2007. It aims to promote the adoption and implementation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017.
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT, 1968, in effect since 1970) established that only five countries (the USSR, the US, the UK, France, and China) possess nuclear weapons and prohibited the emergence of new nuclear states. The “nuclear five” committed not to transfer nuclear weapons to other countries and not to assist in their creation, while the other participants in the treaty committed not to accept or create atomic bombs.
In April, ICAN stated that NATO countries would violate the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) by deploying nuclear weapons in Poland. Previously, the organization called on the US to withdraw its nuclear weapons from Europe, as the practice of nuclear sharing is dangerous and increases the risk of escalation.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Albania Accused of Misusing €33 Million in EU Funds
The European Union’s Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) announced on Friday that approximately €33 million of funds, intended to aid Albanian rural communities in distress, were misused, Balkan Insight reports.
It is apparent that the money was squandered through corruption by the Albanian National Agency for Rural Development, which managed the project. OLAF has advised the European Commission to block an additional €112 million intended for the next phase of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance in Rural Development (IPARD).
“After a series of complex investigative actions, including digital forensic searches of documents related to IPARD II recipients, ARDA, and other economic operators, OLAF uncovered several serious violations in the grant allocation process and the implementation of several projects,” the statement reads.
OLAF identified three main methods of manipulating the grant award process: first, promising applicants, some of whom sought hundreds of thousands of euros to fund business ideas, were advised to use the services of a local consulting company that “demanded a significant portion of their grant” for facilitating the contract.
Secondly, the competitive process was rigged by submitting fake bids; finally, investment prices were inflated, and some beneficiaries violated their contractual obligations.
A preliminary investigation, published by BIRN, revealed that OLAF’s investigation began when one of the applicants, who believed they were unfairly denied a grant, reported it to the Albanian prosecution and the EU Anti-Fraud Office. The Albanian prosecution is officially still investigating the case, but with little progress.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Due to the war in Ukraine, the world is approaching “a real catastrophe,” which could break out in just three to four months. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated this in an interview with the Swiss newspaper Die Weltwoche.
“I’m not talking about World War III, but about a serious confrontation… I believe we are not far from it. No longer than three to four months. And there is a risk that it will happen sooner,” he said.
According to him, “the train has left the station, and no one can stop it.”
“We see the dark end of everything that will happen in Ukraine if the major powers do nothing. Yes, I am absolutely certain that in a short period of time we are facing a real catastrophe,” he added.
The reason, Vucic says, is that “no one wants to achieve peace.”
In his opinion, the West cannot afford to lose in Ukraine. For the U.S. and NATO, this would mean a deterioration of their geopolitical situation. Also, “if Putin loses the war, he will personally lose everything.”
“Everything is at stake for both sides. No one can afford to lose. That is why I have publicly stated and have not hidden that we are approaching a real catastrophe,” Vucic stated.
He added that he does not see a way to stop this.
“Today I checked all the data on our reserves, from oil to sugar to salt and everything else. Because I do not know what the future holds for all of us,” the President of Serbia added.
At the same time, in his opinion, “people in the West underestimate Russia and Putin.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
At Least 39 People Killed in Israeli Strikes Across Northern Gaza, Officials Say
At least 39 people were killed by Israeli strikes across northern Gaza on Saturday, as rescue workers scrambled to find survivors beneath the rubble, according to Palestinian and hospital officials.
Fadel Naem, director of the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, told The Associated Press that more than three dozen bodies arrived at the hospital. The Palestinian Civil Defense, an emergency group active in Gaza, said its emergency workers were digging for survivors at the site of a strike in the Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City and that it had pulled several dozen bodies from a building hit by an Israeli strike in an eastern neighborhood of Gaza City.
| — Hat tip: JW | [Return to headlines] |
In the event of a full-scale conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the United States will provide military assistance to Israel, but American troops will not directly participate in the conflict. This was reported by the publication Yedioth Ahronoth.
The statements were made during a meeting between the head of Israel’s National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer with their American counterparts in Washington, according to the publication.
CNN noted that the White House is concerned about Hezbollah’s ability to overcome Israel’s air defense, including the Iron Dome missile defense system.
Earlier, it was reported that Israel approved plans for an offensive in Lebanon and threatened Hezbollah with destruction. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah stated that in the event of a full-scale conflict with Israel, the movement, thanks to its arsenal, would be able to attack any part of Israeli territory.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Israeli Found Dead After Being Shot in West Bank as Deadly Strikes Hit Northern Gaza
An Israeli was shot dead in a Palestinian town in the northern West Bank Saturday morning, Israel’s army said, while deadly strikes rocked northern Gaza.
The army said the Israeli man was pronounced dead after being shot in the town of Qalqilya, and that Israeli troops were currently operating in the area. Israeli forces shot dead two militants in the same West Bank town on Friday.
Violence has flared in the Israeli-occupied West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last October. Since then, at least 549 Palestinians in the territory have been killed by Israeli fire, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, which tracks the killings. Over the same period, Palestinians in the West Bank have killed at least nine Israelis, including five soldiers, according to U.N. data.
| — Hat tip: MM | [Return to headlines] |
Putin Considers Changes to Russia’s Nuclear Doctrine
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that Russia is contemplating revisions to its nuclear doctrine. The current doctrine allows for the use of nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear attack or a conventional attack that poses an existential threat to the state. Some Russian military analysts have been advocating for lowering this threshold.
However, Putin emphasized that there is no need for Russia to execute a pre-emptive nuclear strike. His comments came a day after his visit to nuclear-armed North Korea for a summit with its leader, Kim Jong Un. During the summit, the two leaders signed a treaty pledging immediate military assistance to each other in case of armed aggression.
Russian state media quoted Putin as saying that cooperation with North Korea is intended to serve as a deterrent to the West. Despite this, he stated there is no need to involve North Korean soldiers in the war in Ukraine. Additionally, Putin mentioned that Russia might supply high-precision weapons to North Korea but reiterated that North Korean soldiers would not be deployed in Ukraine.
Putin also commented on the potential supply of lethal weapons to Ukraine by Seoul, calling it “a mistake.” The mutual assistance mechanism outlined in the new military agreement with North Korea would only be activated in the event of an external attack on one of the allies.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Russia Launches ‘Massive’ Attack on Ukrainian Power Grid
Ukrainian energy facilities have come under a massive attack from Russia, in the latest onslaught targeting the country’s power grid, officials say.
It is the eighth time Russia has launched an attack on energy infrastructure facilities in the past three months, Ukraine’s energy ministry said.
Air defence systems shot down 12 of 16 missiles and all 13 drones launched by Russia at several regions through the night, the Ukrainian air force said.
Later on Saturday officials in Kharkiv in north-eastern Ukraine said three people were killed and at least 18 injured by Russian guided bombs, with at least four explosions heard in the city.
“This is one more terrorist attack, a precise attack on civilian infrastructure. There is nothing of military interest in this district,” Kharkiv’s regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov said.
The overnight attacks on infrastructure wounded two energy workers in the central Zaporizhzhia region, and damaged equipment in the western city of Lviv, officials said.
| — Hat tip: Dean | [Return to headlines] |
China, France Launch Satellite to Better Understand Universe
XICHANG: A French-Chinese satellite blasted off on Saturday on a hunt for the mightiest explosions in the universe, in a notable example of cooperation between a Western power and the Asian giant.
Developed by engineers from both countries, the Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) will seek out gamma-ray bursts, the light from which has travelled billions of light years to reach Earth.
The 930-kilogram satellite carrying four instruments — two French, two Chinese — took off around 3pm aboard a Chinese Long March 2-C rocket from a space base in Xichang, in the southwestern province of Sichuan, journalists witnessed.
Gamma-ray bursts generally occur after the explosion of huge stars — those more than 20 times as big as the sun — or the fusion of compact stars. The extremely bright cosmic beams can give off a blast of energy equivalent to over a billion billion suns.
Observing them is like “looking back in time, as the light from these objects takes a long time to reach us”, Ore Gottlieb, an astrophysicist at the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Astrophysics in New York, said.
| — Hat tip: McN | [Return to headlines] |
New Caledonia Police Detain Independence Leader and 7 Others Following Unrest
Police in New Caledonia, a French Pacific territory, conducted early morning raids on Wednesday, detaining eight individuals, including a prominent independence leader, in connection with recent violent upheavals against French rule.
The arrests are part of a broader police investigation initiated on May 17 following a surge of armed clashes, looting, and arson that gripped parts of the capital, Nouméa, and surrounding suburbs. Yves Dupas, New Caledonia’s prosecutor, confirmed the detainees, including Christian Tein, are suspected of involvement in the violence that erupted over contested voting reforms.
France responded to the unrest by declaring a state of emergency and deploying additional police forces. The violence resulted in nine fatalities, including two gendarmes, and extensive damage to local businesses and residences. The detained individuals are under investigation for various offenses, including complicity in homicide, armed robbery, arson, and participation in violent groups.
The developments prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to suspend the voting reforms amid escalating tensions. As calm gradually returns, New Caledonia recently adjusted its curfew, pushing its start time from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and reopened its international airport after a prolonged closure to commercial flights.
The situation remains tense as authorities continue to investigate the root causes of the unrest and assess the ongoing security needs in the region.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
One Person Killed, Over 200 Injured in Kenya Anti-Tax Demonstrations
NAIROBI, June 21 (Reuters) — One person was killed and at least 200 people injured across Kenya in Thursday’s nationwide protests against government plans to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes, an alliance of rights groups and the police watchdog said.
Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters in the capital Nairobi, the five rights groups, which include Amnesty International and the Kenya Medical Association, said in a joint statement late on Thursday.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Schoolchildren in Colombia Are Being Lured by Rebels on TikTok
Dissident factions of Colombia’s largest rebel movement are using TikTok to recruit young people. The BBC investigated these guerrilla “recruitment” videos, noting that these factions have yet to agree to a peace deal with the Colombian government.
Lorena, a teacher in Cauca, south-western Colombia, often sees students emulating these videos. They film themselves drawing symbols inspired by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) or dancing to revolutionary songs. She notes this behavior has become common, and students often disappear, later appearing in TikTok videos as armed fighters.
The Farc, which demobilized in 2016, has factions still active in Cauca, forming the Estado Mayor Central (EMC). The EMC is estimated to have over 3,000 members. Attempts to negotiate with these factions by President Gustavo Petro’s government have failed, and they continue to recruit, especially targeting youth via social media.
In 2023, at least 184 young people were recruited by guerrilla groups, with 159 more in the first half of 2024, many from Cauca. The use of TikTok for recruitment surged post-Covid, with many students having smartphones with internet access.
The BBC found over 50 TikTok accounts promoting guerrilla life, often depicting a glamorous lifestyle while omitting the dangers. Despite efforts to ban these accounts, new ones continually emerge.
Colombian authorities are struggling to counter this trend. The Ombudsman’s Office has created a new delegation to address the issue, but progress is slow. The EMC itself claims it is not orchestrating these social media campaigns, yet acknowledges the problem.
Lorena and other teachers have formed a network to monitor social media and provide support for students at risk, hoping to steer them away from the guerrilla life.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Five illegal immigrants have been arrested after authorities tracked down a missing 14-year-old girl in Missouri. Marlon Aguilar, 44, Arturo Eustaquio, 41, Noe Guzman Hernandez, 24, Daniel Ruiz Lopez, 19, and Carlos Funez, 56, all of whom are foreign nationals, were taken into custody on Tuesday.
They were subsequently charged with one count of second-degree kidnapping, and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Both are Class D felonies. The victim was found alongside the men in their vehicle and rescued. The group of five illegal immigrants from Mexico and Honduras, according to the Daily Caller.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Dem Lawmakers Demand Biden Open ‘Pathways to Palestinian Refugees’ for Resettlement in the US
On Thursday, Congressional Democrats sent a bicameral letter to the Biden administration requesting that Palestinian refugees be admitted into the United States.
They urged Secretary Blinken and Secretary Mayorkas to make a Priority-2 designation under the US Refugee Admission Program (USRAP) for certain Palestinians, which would “open pathways” for them to come to the United States. This would apply to Palestinians with relatives who are either US citizens or lawful permanent residents, meaning non-US citizens, according to the letter.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Fight Ensues Between Feuding Factions of Illegal Immigrants at Randall’s Island
A brawl erupted between groups of illegal immigrants at the Randall’s Island migrant shelter in New York on Friday following a stabbing incident.
The altercation, which took place around 8pm, involved half a dozen migrants from Africa and South America, according to the New York Post. The conflict began when a 25-year-old African migrant was stabbed in the left shoulder by an individual from a rival group. The injured man was taken to Harlem Hospital and is in stable condition, law enforcement confirmed.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Hispanics in Battleground States Trust Trump 41-38% More on Immigration Than Biden: Equis Poll
Hispanics in the seven battleground states have been found to trust Donald Trump more on the issue of immigration than Joe Biden, according to a new poll. The states the poll was conducted in include Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
The poll from Equis was taken from 1,592 registered Hispanic voters across the different swing states and Trump was found to have 41 percent trust on immigration versus 38 percent trust with Biden. The poll was conducted between April 20 to May 5 and was released this week. The margin of error on the poll is +/— 2.6 percentage points for the sample taken from the swing states.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
A young Houston girl, 12, was brutally killed by two alleged illegal immigrants from Venezuela. She died by strangulation and her body was found dumped in a creek earlier this week, police said.
Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, have been arrested on capital murder charges over the killing of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, according to the Houston Police Department. When pressed about reports that the two suspects are Venezuelan nationals, police declined to comment and said their legal status is still under review as of Thursday, Fox News reports.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Iceland Reverses Course Freezes Out Rush of Venezuelan Migrants
Icelandic officials are pulling back on their former support for Venezuelan migrants, and deported 180 immigrants who had only recently arrived in the Nordic country.
The about face comes on the tail of moves by the Icelandic parliament to change policy on immigration to be more in line with that of other Nordic countries, according to Icelandic Monitor.
The bill was wildly popular — even among the left-wing Green Party — and among its internal provisions allows Iceland to ignore the U.N. and its open border-styled immigration policy demands.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The two illegal immigrants accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston this week “lured” her under a bridge before they tied her up, took her pants off, and strangled her to death, according to new court documents obtained by Fox News.
Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, were arrested on capital murder charges over the death of Nungaray. Both of them are Venezuelan nationals who illegally entered the US through El Paso, Texas. Ramos illegally entered on May 28, and Martinez illegally entered on March 14. Both suspects were captured and released by Biden’s border agents the same day they were apprehended, according to ICE.
Prosecutors requested bail to be set at $1 million for each defendant.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Illegal Immigrant Pleads Guilty to Sexually Assaulting 12-Year-Old Girl in Iowa
An illegal immigrant from Honduras has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in Iowa after he was released at the southern border. He has been in the US since at least spring 2022.
Junior Manuel Dubon Benitez, 18, admitted to the crime in an Iowa District Court in Black Hawk County on May 14, and is scheduled to be sentenced in the coming weeks. The 18-year-old was originally charged with second-degree sexual abuse, but under the terms of a plea agreement, that was reduced to third-degree sexual abuse. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Islamic Terrorists Likely Infiltrated Europe Through Ukraine Refugee Scheme, Admits German Spy Chief
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has admitted that Islamist terrorists have likely infiltrated the European Union through the Ukraine refugee scheme, as a terror cell believed to have come to Germany from Kyiv goes to trial.
In its annual report on extremist threats, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), Germany’s domestic spying branch, said that the threat of jihadist terrorism remains high, with around 27,200 suspected Islamic extremists in the country.
Head of the BvF Thomas Haldenwang admitted that it is likely that Islamic terror groups used schemes for Ukrainian refugees to sneak sleeper cells into the European Union.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
More Than 1,200 Migrants Have Crossed the English Channel in 20 Boats in the Past Week…
— as total on Rishi Sunak’s watch nears 50,000 milestone
More than 1,200 migrants crossed the English Channel on 20 small boats over the past seven days, new Home Office figures have shown.
Since Rishi Sunak called the July 4 election on May 22, almost 3,000 people have made the crossing on 50 boats.
So far this year, 12,655 migrants have successfully made it to Britain, compared with 10,601 in 2023 and 11,739 in 2022 which saw a record number of crossings.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Poland Awaits Clarification From Germany Over Return of Migrant Group, Likely Ukrainians
Poland is awaiting clarification from Germany following the return of a group of migrants to Polish territory, who, according to Polish border guards, may have been Ukrainian citizens, reports TVN 24.
The first report of the incident involving the return of a group of people from Germany to Poland came from the German daily newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung. In its Wednesday edition, the newspaper wrote that on Saturday, June 15, at the border bridge between Frankfurt (Oder) and Slubice, German police ordered a group of a dozen women and men to quickly cross the bridge back into Poland.
“At the time of publication, it was unclear why the group of people was sent to Poland. A request addressed to the federal police remains unanswered,” reported the German publication.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Andrzej Juzwiak, spokesman for the Chief Commander of the Border Guard, “Preliminary findings suggest that the incident may have involved a group of Ukrainian citizens who were denied entry by German police.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
A former hotel outside of Boston that has since been turned into a migrant shelter has come under scrutiny after it was discovered that the commonwealth of Massachusetts is paying the hotel $5,400 a month per room to house migrants. Citizens of Massachusetts are getting increasingly angry as migrants begin to overwhelm small cities and towns outside of Boston.
A former Fairfield Inn hotel, located in Dedham, about 30 minutes outside of Boston, currently has all 149 rooms of the hotel filled with migrants. During an investigationinto state contracts with these hotels, it was discovered that these rooms which were previously rented out for $129 per month, are now being rented for $180, or $5,400 per month for a room— without a kitchen.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Scholz to Discuss Migration Issues With German State Leaders
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will discuss issues related to illegal migration with the leaders of the country’s state governments on Thursday in Berlin, reports DPA.
The state premiers will first hold separate talks, and after lunch, they will meet with Scholz. The states led by representatives of the conservative CDU/CSU primarily insist that asylum procedures be carried out in third countries outside the European Union, the agency notes.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has tasked experts with studying this idea, many of whom, however, are skeptical. The results will be discussed at the meeting on Thursday.
The meeting will likely also discuss the issue of supporting the chancellor in lifting the ban on deporting individuals from Afghanistan and Syria who have committed serious crimes.
Recently, the media reported that Germany is discussing a migration pact with Uzbekistan, which may include the deportation of Afghan asylum seekers so that Berlin does not have to enter into direct agreements with the Taliban regime.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Ukrainian Arrested for Transporting Illegal Migrants at German-Polish Border
Another Ukrainian national has been detained for transporting illegal migrants at the German-Polish border. On Thursday, a joint Polish-German law enforcement team stopped an Audi near the Pomellen border crossing on the Polish side.
The driver, a 19-year-old Ukrainian citizen, was accompanied by four Indian nationals without documents. All were detained and taken to Szczecin, Poland. The Ukrainian driver is under investigation for illegal migrant transportation.
A similar incident occurred a week prior at the same location, involving a 34-year-old Ukrainian citizen. He was imprisoned in Germany for smuggling illegal migrants. On Wednesday, a Toyota Yaris with Polish plates was stopped at the Pomellen border crossing. The driver, a 34-year-old Ukrainian with a Czech residence permit, had three Indian, one Pakistani, and one Sri Lankan passenger, all aged 18-34 and without identity documents.
The investigation revealed that the Ukrainian driver had picked up the migrants at the Polish-Belarusian border to transport them to Germany. He is now in pre-trial detention, and the migrants have been deported back to Poland.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Joe Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ) has sued five pro-life activists for attempting to stop abortions from taking place at a clinic in Fort Myers Florida under FACE Act violations. The DOJ stated that it “alleges that the defendants trespassed onto a reproductive health center’s property, blocked the entrances and temporarily stopped operations at the center.”
The five pro-life activists being sued by the DOJ include Calvin Zastrow, Kenneth Scott, Chester Gallagher, Eva Zastrow, and Katelyn Sims.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Leader of Maryland LGBTQ+ Dems Caught in Alleged Pedo Sting, Trying to Meet With Young Boy
The head of the Maryland Democratic Party (MDP) LGBTQ+ Diversity Leadership Council (DLC), Michael Knaapen, was caught on video in a very disturbing predator sting.
“We just busted the head of the LGBTQ Dems of Maryland going after a 14-year-old. Groomers are about to be mad,” Alex Rosen, founder of Houston-based vigilante organization Predator Poachers, which conducts sting operations on adults nationwide who seek sexual activities with young boys and girls.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Namibian Court Declares Laws Banning Gay Sex Unconstitutional
A high court in Namibia declared two colonial-era laws that criminalised same-sex acts between men unconstitutional on Friday, in a landmark win for the LGBTQ community in the southern African country, Reuters reported.
The case was brought by Namibian activist Friedel Dausab with the support of British-based non-governmental organisation Human Dignity Trust.
Dausab told Reuters he was “just happy” after the court’s decision. “It’s a great day for Namibia,” he said. “It won’t be a crime to love anymore.”
Consensual same-sex activity is prohibited in more than half of 54 African countries, according to ILGA, an international organisation supporting LGBTQ rights.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
OMG: Disney ‘Blatantly Discriminates Against Whites’
O’Keefe Media Group has released their latest shocker. This time, it’s an undercover conversation with attorney Michael Giordano, a Senior Vice President and Team Lead with 20th Television, The Walt Disney Company. He revealed that Disney was not only biased against hiring white men for some roles, but that the company was absolutely open about it. Giordano works in business affairs, negotiations for shows among creatives.
“Certainly there have been times where, you know, there’s no way we’re hiring a white male for this.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Paxton Warns Texas Schools Not to Comply With Title IX Transgender Rules or Face Legal Action
Authored by Tom Ozimek via The Epoch Times
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued an advisory to Texas schools, warning of potential legal action against any school district that adopts policies and procedures that align with the federal Department of Education (DOE) revised Title IX rules that include provisions allowing female-identifying male students access to female-only spaces like lockers and bathrooms.
Mr. Paxton issued the warning in a June 18 advisory, which said that he is prepared to take legal action against any Texas school district that crafts policies such as allowing men into women’s bathrooms or requiring teachers or students to address others using their preferred pronouns rather than pronouns that match their biological sex.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The pro-life country song “I Was Gonna Be,” written by renowned songwriter Chris Wallin and performed by 18-year-old country artist Rachel Holt, has made its way into the top 5 on the iTunes Country Charts.
The song’s rise follows appearances by both Holt and Wallin on TimCast, where they performed the song live on air. Baste Records, which helped produce the song, “Hunter Got High” produced the pro-life song for release.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
“A Philadelphia police officer was shot in the head tonight as Donald Trump was speaking just blocks away at Temple University…THE SUSPECT IS SAID TO BE A HISPANIC male with cornrows in his hair.”
“White supremacy is the single most dangerous terrorist threat in our homeland.” —Prince Aricept (13 May 2023)
“‘Toddlers LIE and LIE and LIE and, then, they LIE about their LIES. Then, they point their collectivist fingers at their opponents and accuse them of lying, which is a LIE..
Remember: There’s no law that can’t be broken, no lie that can’t be told by Bolshevik two year-old commie-toddlers in their blind pursuit of “social justice” (for personal gain).” —posted to fb (Nov 2020)
Just sayin’..
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Sunday Chronicle: Monarchy, oligarchy or democracy?
Posted on June 23, 2024 by Karl-Olov Arnstberg
I listen to an American blogger and intellectual named Curtis Yarvin. He is known, among other things, for having founded the anti-egalitarian and anti-democratic philosophical movement Dark Enlightenment together with the philosopher Nick Land.
Like all thinkers who go against the grain, he is vilified, called a racist nutcase, right-wing extremist and opponent of democracy. The latter is completely correct, he calls himself a monarchist. I can’t say I fall head over heels for him, but I find his criticism of democracy enlightening.
I read another thinker who, after a debate with Curtis Yarvin, angrily writes:
*
During the actual debate, with cameras rolling, he insisted that I was a fool for thinking that the social and economic policies that had worked so well in countries like Denmark, Norway and Sweden would work in a country like Haiti, where “the people ” has a different character.
*
I laugh again. What an own goal!
Yarvin is absolutely right!
Curtis Yarvin is based on Aristotle, who claimed that there are three ways to govern a state. Either it is a monarchy, in which case it is ruled by a king, emperor or president, i.e. someone who has the real power and thus also bears the ultimate responsibility.
A king, and for that matter also a CEO of a company, can be held accountable for mistakes, whether he or she loses his or her head or job as a consequence. Moreover, when people know who is really in charge, they keep an eye on him or her.
The other way of running a state is an oligarchy. Then a few people rule. In this case, the king, if he still exists, has become a ceremonial figure. He boasts the trappings of power but does not have it.
The third form is democracy.
Then many rule, it is part of the very definition. But do they really do that?
Curtis Yarvin says something I didn’t know, which is that after the demise of Greek democracy and the Roman Empire and up until the 18th century, particularly in the Middle Ages, democracy was considered a failed experiment.
The 17th century philosopher Thomas Hobbes, who wrote in Leviathan, among other things, the oft-quoted words that human life in the state of nature is “solitary, poor, nasty, cruel and short”, considered the absolute monarchy, where the king or emperor has the real power, to be the best form of government.
Curtis Yarvin argues that American democracy has degenerated into a money oligarchy. It’s the worst form of oligarchy. They can spread viruses to make money. They can start wars if it is profitable. They don’t philosophize about life, they don’t pay homage to gods by building beautiful temples or cathedrals, they are not patrons of any Bach or Mozart. For most of them, money and luxury consumption are the only things that matter. This criticism is also true for the citizens, the majority of whom can be described as consumer zombies. They don’t read, they don’t worship higher powers, and they don’t discuss the eternal values of beauty. When they are not working to earn money for living and consumption, it is junk food, porn, alcohol and various heavier drugs that are the order of the day.
Citizens live materialistically and hedonistically, without any collective ideals. If they can wish for something more in life, anything at all, they want more money.
That kind of contempt for the people almost always makes me raise an eyebrow. The description of the people is not fair. It’s all about the elite’s need to mark their superiority. However, I cannot deny that there is some truth in that description.
Curtis Yarvin thinks it would be good if the West left democracy and returned to monarchy. The monarch is sovereign and thus makes power visible to all. Sovereignty is a funny word for those who live in the modern Western world. In a modern democracy, we are not ruled by powerful kings or sovereigns. In our modern nations, it is the people who rule. Therefore, there is less reason to worry about who wields the highest power. This is the essence of the democratic fraud. It is not the people who rule, and those in power do not exercise it with the people’s best interests in mind.
Mr. Yarvin wants to return to monarchy because then the real power is visible and those in power can be held accountable for their actions. But it’s certainly not the kind of ceremonial kingship that other countries like Sweden have, any more than our Swedish democracy, is it?
– – – – –
part 2
If I look at post-war prime ministers, both bourgeois and social democratic, none of them have had to face any consequences of their mismanagement. At most, they have been able to say “We were naive”. Some of our elite politicians actually deserve to be called traitors to the people. Fredrik Reinfeldt is one, Bengt Westerberg another. Both are still supported, honored and trusted. And does Ulf Kristersson have the real power and therefore the real responsibility? Or, as is sometimes claimed, is it in fact the Sweden Democrats’ Jimmie Åkesson who is in charge behind the scenes? Well, neither really feels like it fits. Is it then one of the financial dynasties? The Wallenbergs of industry or the Bonniers of media? The new tech billionaires?
I really don’t know, and I don’t know anyone else who does. We throw around terms like the deep state, but we can’t name who they are and prove that it’s just them and no one else.
Curtis Yarvin argues that this is how the ruling oligarchs exploit democracy. It protects both them and the leading politicians from responsibility. After all, it is the people who have elected their representatives, and it is the people who are ultimately responsible. If they have chosen the wrong leaders, it cannot be the leaders’ fault.
Curtis Yarvin goes one step further when he says that in US and Western democratic elections, ceremonial and powerless heads of state are deliberately appointed. Look at the * US which has a president who is soon to turn 82* and is showing clear signs of having passed his b￤st birthday, perhaps even ￤r on* g into dementia. nd* his party thinks he should be elected leader of the world’s only superpower for another four￥year term. Is it because he is such a great statesman? No, Curtis says it’s because those in power think he’s a good fit as a ceremonial leader. In reality, it’s a fraud. People vote for a leader who is elevated by the real leaders, to prevent citizens from scrutinizing power, from seeing who is in charge.
If the will of the people legitimizes the power of the ruling class, then the ruling class must control the will of the people. The mass media are the perfect tool to do this. They claim to scrutinize power in the interest of the people, which gives them credibility. It’s clear that they do this sometimes, but their regular mission is to be the megaphone of power. This is done in four ways:
They trumpet what the powers that be want said
They silence disagreeable voices and news
They mislead on behalf of those in power
They are not neutral but left-liberal in their values and conclusions
As for being left-liberal, couldn’t they just as easily be right-liberal? Probably not. Many political thinkers argue that the media in democratic states always lean to the left, regardless of the color of the regime. In Sweden’s case, that’s true, and the media are not steering to the right under the current bourgeois regime.
A democratic state is portrayed in the media as a ‘democratic square’, where political ideas are thrown up against each other in the open, so that citizens can make informed choices. This is an image that almost everyone likes. They get to see how politicians think without having to put in the work. However, it is not in the democratic square that politics is conducted. It is political theater and entertainment. At the time of writing, an EU election has just been held and the Swedish media has been full of debate and speculation about how it would go for the small parties. Would they get any representatives at all in the 720-strong European Parliament? At the same time, there are two wars going on, both of which, if things go badly, could lead to both world and nuclear war. The media write as little as possible and are rarely first on the ball. They have no interest whatsoever in ensuring that citizens are well and truthfully informed, especially when it comes to the war in Ukraine. What is served to the citizens is one big heap of lies and fantasies about Ukraine defeating Russia.
– – – – –
There is almost never any serious public debate on important ideological issues, and if there is any opposition from the people, the media know how to silence them, by smearing them as ignorant racists, Putinists and anti-Semites, until they back down.
The threat of losing one’s job or social status is a very powerful weapon. If you back down, you’ll be lucky if you’re still married and your friends are talking to you at all at the end of the week.
And if you don’t back down, you still don’t have access to the opinion corridor. The person or people who are most skilled at controlling public opinion will win, not those who are wisest and most grounded in reality. The ability to exercise power is reduced to a single skill: the art of manipulating public opinion.
That is why the oligarchs rule. Vast amounts of capital allow them to simultaneously own the major news agencies, finance education and think tanks, and have their fingers in almost every pie.
The oligarchy becomes the only force that can simultaneously influence the media, the universities and the bureaucracy, which are the most important power factors.
Democracy is a form of government that hides the real power holders.
Democracy is also a useful tool for a power elite that wants to rule without the risk of being held accountable.
Democracy tricks voters into believing that they are the ones in power and that the politicians they elect are acting in their interests.
They are in safe hands. When something serious threatens, they can turn to the other side. And go back to sleep.
Karl-Olov Arnstberg
https://morklaggning.wordpress.com/2024/06/23/sondagskronika-monarki-oligarki-eller-demokrati/
****************************************************** ***
– LET ME BE CLEAR!
****************************************************** ***
Magdalena Andersson’s, Social Democrats, line speech –
i.e. Fuehrer Speech
– poor stupid Swedes, are we prepared for this? NO!
https://youtu.be/vD8ijgWxMv0?t=707
Re the 2 “professors” at Harvard who say the us has enough cash for “reparations”, I think Harvard has enough cash for reparations and should put their money where their mouth is. Why on earth does that place get government money?
“Re the 2 “professors” at Harvard who say the us has enough cash for “reparations”, I think Harvard has enough cash for reparations and should put their money where their mouth is. Why on earth does that place get government money?”
Good question!
“As’s been said, now that we’re suffering under the SECOND generation of re-educated BTYO commie-toddlers, we may be approaching the time that, for the sake of the union, America should consider the forced exchange of Chinese dissidents for US socialist/communist/progressive academics. Seriously.” —posted to fb (Mar 2020)
This is exactly why the government should get out of the business of student loans. Let the colleges and universities fund the loans. Then maybe they will quit offering ridiculous degrees in worthless majors.
***********************************
“Certain people spend all their time
learning more and more about less
than less untill they know everything
about nothing.”
************************************