Gates of Vienna News Feed 5/3/2021

Large lockdown-violating parties were broken up by police in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and France. Meanwhile, Oktoberfest has been cancelled in Germany for the second year in a row due to COVID-19.

In other news, according to a new CNN poll, 64% of Americans say that requiring voter ID makes elections more fair.

To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.

Thanks to Dean, Reader from Chicago, SS, 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.

USA
» “You Still Aren’t Vaxxed, Debra!” City of Baltimore Mocked Over Public Information Campaign
» Austin Residents Vote to Ban Homeless Encampments
» Biden Admin Mulls Partnering With Private Firms to Monitor Extremists
» Bill and Melinda Gates Announce They Are Getting Divorced
» Carnival Cruise Ships Return to Texas Port as Industry Nears Return
» CDC Says US Cruises Can Resume in Mid-July, Sending Shares Higher
» Chicago Shootings and Murders Outpacing 2020, Police Say
» CIA Recruitment Ad Ridiculed for Overdosing on ‘Woke’ Talking Points
» CNN Poll: 64% of Americans Say Voter ID Requirements Make Elections ‘More Fair’
» Colorado Extends COVID-19 Mask Mandate
» Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Suspends All Local COVID Emergency Orders
» Minneapolis Target Store Ransacked by Rioters Features Mural Celebrating Rioters
» Most Portland Riot Suspects Won’t be Prosecuted, US Attorney Reveals
» Oneida Casino Shooting: Victims, Shooter ID’d by Law Enforcement
» Opponents of ‘Critical Race Theory’ Win Texas School Board Election
» San Francisco Twitter Account That Documents Homelessness Was Locked Over Profile Image
» Seattle Chocolate Shop Fires Employee Who Refused to Serve Cop
» Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio Slam Corporate America for ‘Woke’ Leanings
» The Kentucky Derby Bested the Oscars and the SOTU in Ratings? Wow.
» Vandals Involved in Nighttime Riots Test Portlanders’ Patience
 
Canada
» “Lions Do Not Bow to Hyenas”: Artur Pawlowski Continues to Hold Services Despite Secret Warrant
» 8 People From the GTA Got Charged for Going to a Muskoka Cottage Together
» Canada Will Require Using a Vaccine Passport for Entry
» Canadian Chapter of Proud Boys Dissolved
» Halifax Police Issue Statement Addressing ‘Freedom Rally’ Held Saturday on Citadel Hill
» Halifax Police Issue 17 Tickets at Three Separate Gatherings
» Police Issue $20,000 in Fines at Halifax House Party
» Police and Bylaw Raid Hamilton Freedom Rally, Hand Out $880 Fines for Protesting
» Thousands Flock to ‘No More Lockdowns’ Rodeo in Rural Alberta
 
Europe and the EU
» A Not So Great Reopening: Mask Mandate to Remain After UK Corona Lockdown Ends
» Austria’s Freedom Party Praises Hungarian Family Policies
» Brussels Says EU States Should Reopen to Foreign Travel — But Only for the Vaccinated
» Czechia to Begin Relaxing Coronavirus Measures
» French Police Break Up Mass Parties Defying COVID Curfew
» Hungary Won’t Expel Russia Diplomats Unlike Its V4 Counterparts
» Oktoberfest Canceled in Germany Yet Again
» Report: Swiss Billionaire Donated $208 Million to Left-Wing Lobby Groups in U.S.
» The Pride of the Republic: The Polish Constitution
» UK: 100 Coronavirus Fines Issued by Cambridgeshire Police in Past Month
» UK: Boris Says There is a ‘Good Chance’ Social Distancing Will End Next Month, But Won’t Commit
» UK: Man United to Punish Fans Who Committed Criminal Acts in Protests
» UK: Police Officer Suffered ‘Life-Changing’ Injury in Man United Protests That Nearly Cost Him His Eyesight
» UK: Swimming Pool Tells Swimmers to Exhale Underwater, Not Look at or Talk to Others
» YouTube Deletes German Activist Naomi Seibt, Nicknamed “Anti-Greta”
 
Middle East
» Iran ‘Almost Certainly’ Interfering in Scottish Politics to Boost Separatism, Harm UK
 
South Asia
» 2 Former Sri Lankan Top Security Officials Charged Over Easter Sunday Terror Attacks
 
Far East
» Chinese Post Mocking India’s COVID-19 Deaths Pulled After Outrage: Report
 
Australia — Pacific
» Six-Star Hell: Inside Australia’s Luxury Hotel ‘Civil War’ Where Wealthy Feuding Residents Complain About Everything From the Pool to Security After Being Bought by a Billionaire Chinese Family
» What a Behe-Moth! Tradie Finds an Enormous Moth the Size of a Rat at a School Construction Site
 
Immigration
» Foreigners Arrested for Smuggling Illegal Immigrants Into Greece
» Greece: 170 Foreigners Towed to Kalamata Port After Yacht Sails Adrift
» Nearly 300 Illegal Migrants Land in Britain Over the Weekend, Taking Total to Over 2,000 So Far This Year
» NGOs Dump Hundreds of ‘Rescued’ Migrants in Italian Islands in Days
» Report: Illegal Alien Sex Offenders Freed Into U.S. Due to Biden ‘Sanctuary Country’ Orders
» UK: Boris Govt Looks to 30,000 Migrants From Countries Including Belarus, Russia to Work Farms
 
Culture Wars
» Children’s Harry Potter Book Festival Event is Cancelled Over JK Rowling Transphobia Row After Discussions With the LGBTQ Community
» Research: 60-70% of Social Links Go to Just 10 Online Domains
 

“You Still Aren’t Vaxxed, Debra!” City of Baltimore Mocked Over Public Information Campaign

The City of Baltimore was mocked over a public information campaign encouraging people to get vaccinated before they could socialize, with some comparing the promo to a domestic abuse PSA.

The ad shows a disgruntled looking woman being told by her controlling boyfriend, “Mimosa with the girls? You still aren’t vaxxed, Debra!”

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Austin Residents Vote to Ban Homeless Encampments

More than half of Austin residents voted Saturday to reinstate a ban on homeless encampments in the city.

Fifty-seven percent of voters in the Texas state capital said they were in favor of reinstating criminal penalties for camping in public spaces via Proposition B, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

The controversial measure was one of eight proposals on the ballot. More than 150,000 Austin residents cast a vote, with 85,830 voting in favor and 64,409 against, according to the paper.

The vote comes after the city’s mayor, Stever Adler, and the city council in July 2019 canceled a more than 20-year-old ordinance that banned camping in public spaces.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Biden Admin Mulls Partnering With Private Firms to Monitor Extremists

The Biden administration is reportedly considering contracting outside firms to track “extremist” chatter online in order to circumvent legal restrictions on the surveillance power of federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security.

While the move would expand the government’s intelligence gathering capability, it would also add fuel to the widespread criticism of the government’s vast surveillance power and spawn possible legal action over the monitoring of Americans, CNN reported, citing sources.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Bill and Melinda Gates Announce They Are Getting Divorced

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates — who is worth an estimated $130 billion — and his wife, Melinda, are getting a divorce after 27 years of marriage, the couple announced Monday in a joint statement.

“After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage,” a statement from the billionaire philanthropist couple, tweeted from both of their personal Twitter accounts at 4:30 p.m. EST, reads.

“Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives,” the statement goes on.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Carnival Cruise Ships Return to Texas Port as Industry Nears Return

Two Carnival cruise ships returned to a popular Texas port on Sunday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic halted the cruise industry more than a year ago.

The ships, the Carnival Breeze and Carnival Vista, arrived at the Port of Galveston, exciting local business owners who rely on sales from tourists who come to the city before heading out to sea, Click2Houston reported.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

CDC Says US Cruises Can Resume in Mid-July, Sending Shares Higher

Cruise lines could resume US operations by mid-July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday, sending the industry’s stocks up on investor hope that a more than year-long suspension could be nearing its end.

Ships can begin limited sailings with passengers if 98 percent of its crew and 95 percent of its passengers are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC, which has met twice-weekly with cruise line reps over the past month to discuss how they can safely resume sailing from US ports.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Chicago Shootings and Murders Outpacing 2020, Police Say

Nearly a thousand people have been struck by bullets so far this year in Chicago, with murders and shootings so far outpacing 2020, while police also report a considerable drop in carjackings reported in the Windy City, officials recently announced.

There were 832 shootings in Chicago as of April 30, from which 997 people were wounded, Chicago Police said in announcing the monthly crime statistics for the city. The year-to-date figures show a stark increase compared to the same time last year, when 718 people were struck during 623 shootings, police said Saturday.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

CIA Recruitment Ad Ridiculed for Overdosing on ‘Woke’ Talking Points

A CIA recruitment ad featuring a “cisgender woman of color” who rails against the “patriarchy” and announces she has been diagnosed with “generalized anxiety disorder” has been ridiculed for its woke pandering.

The promo went viral on Twitter, racking up almost a million views, prompting ‘The CIA’ to start trending.

In the video, a Hispanic woman regurgitates glib social justice mantras, explaining how she is a “daughter of immigrants” while bragging about being “perfectly made.”

“I am a cisgender millennial who has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder,” she states.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

CNN Poll: 64% of Americans Say Voter ID Requirements Make Elections ‘More Fair’

Via their own poll, CNN has discovered that most Americans believe voter ID is the best way to make elections ‘more fair’ (yes, THAT CNN).

A recent CNN survey found that 65 percent feel that requiring a valid photo ID to vote would make elections “more fair,” despite even CNN’s efforts to push Americans to turn against voter ID laws (See below)

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Colorado Extends COVID-19 Mask Mandate

Colorado’s governor acted to extend a statewide coronavirus mask mandate for an additional 30 days on Sunday, meaning that facial coverings will continue to be required in schools, child care centers, public-facing state government facilities, emergency medical settings, personal services, prisons and elsewhere, but also updated the order to account for vaccinated individuals.

“Individuals are permitted to remove their masks in public indoor spaces if 80 percent of the individuals in the space have shown proof of vaccination, even if there are 10 or more unvaccinated individuals in the space,” an update on the state’s health department website said.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Suspends All Local COVID Emergency Orders

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday ordered all COVID-19 emergency mandates issued by local governments to be immediately lifted.

DeSantis said he signed the executive order because it was the “evidence-based thing to do,” the Orlando Sentinel reported.

“I think folks that are saying they need to be policing people at this point, if you’re saying that, then you’re really saying you don’t believe in the vaccines,” DeSantis said during a press briefing in St. Petersburg.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Minneapolis Target Store Ransacked by Rioters Features Mural Celebrating Rioters

The Minneapolis Target store that was infamously ransacked by looters last year now proudly displays a mural celebrating those same rioters.

Yes, really.

As we highlighted last year, the store was reopened with the goal of catering more to black shoppers and being less “racist.”

After a newly formed “racial justice committee” sought to tackle Target’s reputation of appealing primarily to white suburban shoppers, efforts were made to make the store more welcoming for black people while also stocking more products made by black-owned brands.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Most Portland Riot Suspects Won’t be Prosecuted, US Attorney Reveals

David Bouchard admitted he put a Customs and Border Protection officer in a chokehold. Charles Comfort was indicted by a grand jury of civil disorder for twice charging at Portland Police Bureau officers and hitting them with a makeshift shield then kicking a third officer while being arrested. Both men faced federal charges stemming from their actions during a summer of more than 100 straight nights of often violent protests in Portland. But Bouchard and Comfort are among dozens of Portland federal arrestees whose cases were dismissed or are being deferred without so much as a day behind bars.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Oneida Casino Shooting: Victims, Shooter ID’d by Law Enforcement

ASHWAUBENON, Wis. — Law enforcement identified on Monday, May 3 the victims of the Oneida Casino shooting that happened in Ashwaubenon on Saturday night. The name of the suspect, fatally shot by officers, was also released by officials.

The shooting victims are identified as Ian Simpson, 32 (deceased), Jacob Bartel, 35 (deceased), and Daniel Mulligan, 28, who is listed in serious but stable condition at a Milwaukee-area hospital.

Investigators identified the shooter in this incident as 62-year-old Bruce Pofahl.

The attack happened around 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the restaurant at the casino complex operated by the Oneida Nation, whose reservation is located on the western side of Green Bay.

           — Hat tip: Dean [Return to headlines]
 

Opponents of ‘Critical Race Theory’ Win Texas School Board Election

A Texas school board has scored an overwhelming election victory to stop “critical race theory” and a new “cultural competence action plan” from being forced into classes.

The elections in Southlake on Saturday were so divisive that backers of the new anti-racism measures called on the Department of Justice to intervene — and even pop star Demi Lovato ripped opponents of the plan.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

San Francisco Twitter Account That Documents Homelessness Was Locked Over Profile Image

A Twitter user was locked out for having a photo of the homeless sleeping as his profile picture. Twitter claimed that the photo was in violation of its rules.

The user, who goes by Citizenj17 on Twitter, documents homelessness in the Tenderloin District in the city of San Francisco. “Here to show you the real unclean, unsafe streets,” his Twitter bio reads.

Twitter locked him out of his account, and notified him that the image “violated rules against graphic violence or adult content in profile images.” He was only allowed back after he removed the image.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Seattle Chocolate Shop Fires Employee Who Refused to Serve Cop

A Seattle chocolate shop employee was fired for refusing to serve a police officer last week, the store’s owner said in an about-face after initially backing the worker’s “freedom of speech.”

The cop was with a trainee when he dropped by a Chocolati Cafes shop in the Wallingford neighborhood, according to the head of the police union.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio Slam Corporate America for ‘Woke’ Leanings

Top Republicans are slamming American corporations’ growing propensity for “woke” politics — hitting American CEOs for using their influence to promote the “political agenda of today’s Democratic party.”

Speaking to The Hill Monday, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tx.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) lambasted the growing “wokeness” in corporations nationwide, as well as the lack of Republican leaders compared to the number of Democrats.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

The Kentucky Derby Bested the Oscars and the SOTU in Ratings? Wow.

Because horses are way more popular than leftist Hollywood celebrities in 2021…

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Vandals Involved in Nighttime Riots Test Portlanders’ Patience

Police arrested six people Saturday, most during a “direct action” demonstration Saturday night that damaged city hall and businesses downtown

PORTLAND, Oregon — It’s the tale of two cities. Over and over, for the past year, we’ve seen the rough side of Portland at the hands of a group of people doing what they call “direct action marches.”

Each time, a few in each demonstration break windows and do other damage to businesses, and sometimes even non-profits and churches. Then police make some arrests and find things like knives, slingshots, and hammers in the process.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

“Lions Do Not Bow to Hyenas”: Artur Pawlowski Continues to Hold Services Despite Secret Warrant

Street Church Ministries Pastor Artur Pawlowski is no stranger to controversy. He has been known to Calgary police for years, and was our very first www.FightTheFines.com cases.

Artur says that he was the first Canadian to be arrested for publicly reading the Bible, but that was only the start of his run-ins with Calgary and provincial authorities.

The tension between Artur and the authorities has rapidly come to a boil with added restrictions that are being implemented due to lockdown measures.

Pastor Art previously received a $1,200 ticket for feeding the homeless, which authorities called an illegal gathering.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

8 People From the GTA Got Charged for Going to a Muskoka Cottage Together

A Gravenhurst cottage was the scene of an illegal gathering on Saturday, May 1, leading to fines for the people involved.

Bracebridge OPP officers responded to a complaint about the gathering at approximately 10:30 p.m. and “found eight individuals from the Greater Toronto area at [a] seasonal residence,” each of whom was charged under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA).

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Canada Will Require Using a Vaccine Passport for Entry

A significant majority of Canadians like the idea of a vaccine passport for international travel and it appears that their government is going to deliver a solution.

Canadian Health Minister Patty Hajdu says her government supports the idea of a “vaccine passport” and will come up with a form of vaccine certification to allow vaccinated Canadians to travel internationally.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Canadian Chapter of Proud Boys Dissolved

The Canadian branch of the Proud Boys has disbanded three months after it was designated a terrorist entity up north.

But the right-wing group said “it was never a terrorist or white supremacy group” in a statement posted Sunday that announced it had dissolved.

“We are electricians, carpenters, financial advisers, mechanics, etc,” a post on the group’s official Telegram channel said, according to the CBC.

The Canadian government designated the Proud Boys a terrorist entity in February, dubbing it a neo-fascist organization with semi-autonomous chapters in the U.S., Canada and internationally.

The group was said to have played a “pivotal role” in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, the Canadian government said in briefing materials.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Halifax Police Issue Statement Addressing ‘Freedom Rally’ Held Saturday on Citadel Hill

HALIFAX — Halifax police have issued a statement in response to questions from the public about a ‘Freedom Rally’ that was held Saturday in downtown Halifax.

“Halifax Regional Police emphasizes the importance of following the restrictions related to curbing the spread of COVID-19 and reminds everyone to make their own and others’ safety a priority during this extremely challenging time,” reads the police statement.

Police confirm to CTV News that no tickets were issued in connection with Saturday’s rally.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Halifax Police Issue 17 Tickets at Three Separate Gatherings

HALIFAX — Police in Halifax ticketed 17 people for failing to follow the Health Protection Act after responding to three separate noise complaints on Saturday night, into early Sunday morning.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Police Issue $20,000 in Fines at Halifax House Party

HALIFAX — Police have fined 10 people for violating the Health Protection Act, after responding to a Halifax house party early Saturday morning.

Around 12:30 a.m. on May 1, officers say they received a third hand report of a “loud party” at a residence in the 2000 to 3000 block of Parker Street.

When police attended the residence, they found 10 occupants inside, an excess of the provincially mandated gathering limits.

Each occupant was issued a $2,000 fine for failing to comply with the Health Protection Act.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Police and Bylaw Raid Hamilton Freedom Rally, Hand Out $880 Fines for Protesting

This past Sunday marked the 25th week of continuous protests against lockdown restrictions from the crowd in Hamilton, Ontario. Each week, a Freedom Rally takes place outside Hamilton City Hall. However, bylaw enforcement and police have been ticketing each participant $880 simply for being “in a group larger than 5,” as per the Reopening Ontario Act.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Thousands Flock to ‘No More Lockdowns’ Rodeo in Rural Alberta

BOWDEN, ALTA. — On the same day when Alberta announced 2,433 new cases of COVID-19, thousands attended a rodeo outside of Bowden, in defiance of the province’s health regulations.

The “No More Lockdown Rodeo Rally” took place on a lot along Highway 2A.

The event was billed as a way for interested residents to voice their concerns over public health measures and the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

A Not So Great Reopening: Mask Mandate to Remain After UK Corona Lockdown Ends

British people will be given back their rights to socialise freely at the end of the government-enforced coronavirus lockdown on the 21st of June, but some rules including the mandated wearing of masks will likely remain with no end in sight, reports claim.

British government minister Dominic Raab revealed the government’s long-anticipated end of lockdown — set for “no earlier” than June 21st back in February and apparently still running to schedule — will be tempered by some “safeguards” remaining in place, with establishment-friendly newspapers backing the government’s position underlining the development.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Austria’s Freedom Party Praises Hungarian Family Policies

Hungary’s pro-family policies are inspiring, Michael Schnedlitz, secretary general of the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ), said in an interview with daily Magyar Hirlap. According to the politician, it is high time for European right-wing parties to come together.

Katalin Novak, minister without portfolio for families and vice-president of Fidesz, met last week in Budapest with Schnedlitz. After the meeting, Novak wrote in a Facebook post that “our goal is a strong, democratic European right”.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Brussels Says EU States Should Reopen to Foreign Travel — But Only for the Vaccinated

The European Commission has proposed that people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 should be allowed entry to the EU, provided that the virus has been adequately suppressed in the country of departure.

The bloc’s executive leadership recommended on Monday that member states lift restrictions on “non-essential” travel for foreigners who have received all necessary doses of a jab authorized for use within the EU, at least 14 days before arrival. Brussels added that states could choose to extend the guideline to include all vaccines that have been signed off by the World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency use. Currently the European Medicines Agency has granted emergency approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson jabs.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Czechia to Begin Relaxing Coronavirus Measures

In the coming three weeks, Czechia expects the first major relaxation of coronavirus measures. The government decided that on Monday, May 3, a large portion of children will return to school, and shops will begin opening a week later on May 10.

The biggest change concerns students. Schoolchildren in the second stage of elementary schools or lower grades of multi-year grammar schools will once again return to classrooms. Classes will follow a system in which groups of children will rotate every week. Children will return to schools in seven out of 14 regions where the epidemiological situation has reached the required level. In the rest of the regions, children will go to school a week later. Until last week, only pupils in the first stage of elementary schools were allowed to get back to their classrooms. Students will have to undergo two Covid-19 tests per week.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

French Police Break Up Mass Parties Defying COVID Curfew

PARIS: Hundreds of people flouted France’s coronavirus curfew over the weekend with underground parties in at least two cities, while police managed to prevent organisers from staging a mass rave in Paris, officials said on Sunday.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Hungary Won’t Expel Russia Diplomats Unlike Its V4 Counterparts

The Hungarian government has announced that it will not expel diplomats in the wake of allegations made by the Czech Republic that Russian intelligence was involved in exploding a Czech munitions depot in 2014, making it the only Visegrad Four country not do so.

Earlier this week, on Monday, the V4 group — Hungary, Poland, Czechia, and Hungary — approved an official statement which condemned acts of aggression allegedly carried out on European soil by Russia. However, Hungary rejected a harsher version of the statement, and announced that it would not be expelling any Russian diplomats, despite calls by the Czech and Polish governments to do so, Insight Hungary 444 reports.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Oktoberfest Canceled in Germany Yet Again

BERLIN — Bavarian officials on Monday canceled Oktoberfest festivities for the second year in a rowdue to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, saying there are too many risks in hosting the celebrations — which bring in visitors from around the world — during a global pandemic.

Bavarian Governor Markus Soeder said it was with “heavy hearts” that they decided to call off the festival for which the state is known globally, but that with coronavirus numbers still stubbornly high and German hospitals already struggling, it had to be done.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Report: Swiss Billionaire Donated $208 Million to Left-Wing Lobby Groups in U.S.

A Swiss billionaire who has been quietly backing left-wing groups donated more than $208 million to those groups between 2016 and early 2020, according to a report.

The New York Times reported Hansjörg Wyss doled out the money from two of his organizations, a nonprofit fund and a foundation, to three other nonprofit funds that gave money to left-wing groups that assisted Democrats in their efforts to take back the White House and control Congress in 2020.

Representatives for Wyss say his funds are not being spent on political campaigning. But documents obtained by the Times and interviews show these groups played a big role in funding the political infrastructure that supports the Democrats and their causes.

While most of Wyss’s giving was channeled through the three nonprofit funds, Wyss’s organizations also gave direct donations in the tens of millions of dollars to groups against former President Donald Trump and in support of Democrats and their causes.

Some of the left-wing groups that benefitted from Wyss’s giving included the Center for American Progress and Priorities USA.

His funds also helped build media outlets such as couriernews.com that allegedly slant the news to favor Democrats and editorially sought to block Trump’s nominees, prove Russian collusion, and advocate for Trump’s impeachment.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

The Pride of the Republic: The Polish Constitution

In a joyful spring atmosphere, Poland celebrates one of its biggest national holidays, dating back to the 18th century. It preserves the memory of the government decree of May 3, 1791 or the document adopted as the Constitution of May 3. It was the first modern constitution in Europe and the second in the world — a milestone of legislation.

The legacy of the Constitution of May 3, the idea that formed the basis of the state, and its commitment to freedom and democracy are a strong European achievement. This year’s 230th anniversary of the creation of this constitution must be an inspiring holiday for the whole of Europe.

The enemies of freedom had recognized that the modern, liberal May 3 constitution posed a threat to them. Russia, with the support of Prussia, had waged a war over the constitution and has done everything in its power to destroy its achievements. Nevertheless, the work of the Polish constitution has survived.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

UK: 100 Coronavirus Fines Issued by Cambridgeshire Police in Past Month

The force issued 921 fixed penalty notices between March 27, 2020 and April 18, 2021.

This compares to 807 between March 27, 2020 and March 14, 2021 — a rise of 114.

Overall, three people have been fined for holding a gathering of more than 30 people, 32 for face covering breaches, 16 for international travel breaches and nine for business regulations breaches.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

UK: Boris Says There is a ‘Good Chance’ Social Distancing Will End Next Month, But Won’t Commit

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said there is a “good chance” that social distancing will end next month, as England is set to come out of restrictions on June 21st.

Prime Minister Johnson would not, however, fully commit to the end of the one-metre rule because it would be “dependent on the data” and “we can’t say it categorically yet”.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

UK: Man United to Punish Fans Who Committed Criminal Acts in Protests

Manchester United will punish fans who committed criminal acts during the protests on Sunday which led to the Premier League game against Liverpool being postponed, the club said on Monday.

United fans protesting against the club’s American owners, the Glazer family, stormed into the stadium which was closed to fans due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“The majority of our fans have and will condemn criminal damage, along with any violence towards club staff, police or other fans, and these now become a police matter,” United said in a statement.

“The club has no desire to see peaceful protestors punished, but will work with the police to identify those involved in criminal activity, and will also issue its own sanctions to any season ticket holder or member identified, per the published sanctions policy,” the statement added.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

UK: Police Officer Suffered ‘Life-Changing’ Injury in Man United Protests That Nearly Cost Him His Eyesight

A Greater Manchester Police officer injured during protests at Old Trafford yesterday nearly lost his eyesight, the Federation has said.

The officer, who has not been named, suffered a serious facial wound after being attacked with a bottle.

The Pc required emergency hospital treatment.

Footage from Sky Sports showed the officer, who the Federation says has around 20 years’ service, with a large gash under his eye.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

UK: Swimming Pool Tells Swimmers to Exhale Underwater, Not Look at or Talk to Others

A lengthy set of COVID-19 rules mandated by the operators of a swimming pool in London include asking swimmers to exhale underwater as well as not to look at or talk to others.

Yes, really.

The rules were posted to Twitter in response to a tweet by rapper Zuby in which he stated, “‘Third world countries’ are now more free than ‘first world countries’.”

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

YouTube Deletes German Activist Naomi Seibt, Nicknamed “Anti-Greta”

YouTube deleted the channel of Naomi Seibt, a young German activist, referred to as “anti-Greta” for challenging extreme climate change activism.

(Greta Thunberg is a young Swedish climate change activist who advocates for measures to tackle climate change.)

Seibt, who has previously had to deal with increasing censorship on YouTube, announced on Twitter that her channel had been deleted.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Iran ‘Almost Certainly’ Interfering in Scottish Politics to Boost Separatism, Harm UK

The Islamic Republic of Iran is “almost certainly” interfering in Scottish politics in order to boost separatism and harm the British Union, according to a new report.

The Henry Jackson Society alleges that the Islamist regime in Tehran wishes to lend aid to the left-separatist Scottish National Party (SNP) in the upcoming elections for the Scottish Parliament — roughly equivalent to a state legislature in the United States — in order to “attack the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom” and undermine what it sees as a geopolitical rival.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

2 Former Sri Lankan Top Security Officials Charged Over Easter Sunday Terror Attacks

Colombo, May 3 (PTI) Sri Lanka’s Attorney General on Monday slapped 800 charges against two top former security officials for their failure to prevent the deadly 2019 Easter Sunday bomb attacks in which over 270 people, including 11 Indians, were killed.

The charges were unveiled in the Colombo High Court by the country’’s top law officer Dappula de Livera against former official in the defence ministry Hemasiri Fernando and former chief of police Pujith Jayasundera.

The duo has been accused of neglecting the prior intelligence input on the impending attacks, thereby failing to prevent the loss of life.

Nine suicide bombers, belonging to local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ) linked to ISIS, carried out coordinated blasts that tore through three churches and as many luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on the Easter Sunday in 2019.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Chinese Post Mocking India’s COVID-19 Deaths Pulled After Outrage: Report

The Chinese Communist Party’s law enforcement body pulled a posting mocking India’s COVID-19 death crisis following fierce backlash online in China, according to a report.

The Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission on Saturday posted on its official Sina Weibo account — the Chinese equivalent of Twitter — sharing side-by-side images of a Chinese missile launch next to cremation fires in India.

It was captioned: “China lighting a fire versus India lighting a fire.”

[Comment: Its pretty rich that China is talking like that, considering that this world wide catastrophe originated in China.]

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Six-Star Hell: Inside Australia’s Luxury Hotel ‘Civil War’ Where Wealthy Feuding Residents Complain About Everything From the Pool to Security After Being Bought by a Billionaire Chinese Family

The General Manager of luxurious Gold Coast hotel-resort Palazzo Versace, Jane Kingston, resigned last week but not before unloading on griping condominium residents of the property.

           — Hat tip: SS [Return to headlines]
 

What a Behe-Moth! Tradie Finds an Enormous Moth the Size of a Rat at a School Construction Site

The insect was identified as a giant wood moth by Dr Christine Lambkin, an entomologist at the Queensland Museum.

           — Hat tip: SS [Return to headlines]
 

Foreigners Arrested for Smuggling Illegal Immigrants Into Greece

Two foreigners were arrested on Friday night by the Security Office and Central Port Authority of Rhodes Special Missions Unit of participating in a criminal organisation and facilitating illegal entry, transport and illegal residence of migrants.

Initially the 34 year old and 29 year old foreigners tried to flee arrest but were quickly caught.

From investigations carried out in the wider area of Theologos-Soroni, five illegal immigrants were arrested.

Subsequently, according to the testimonies of the 34 year old, another illegal immigrant was arrested, while both pointed to the 29 year old as the person from whom they were receiving instructions.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Greece: 170 Foreigners Towed to Kalamata Port After Yacht Sails Adrift

A yacht with 170 foreign nationals on board, likely illegal immigrants and refugees, sent on Sunday evening a message to OLYMPIA RADIO stating it was adrift, 51 nautical miles in the sea region southwest of Cape Tenaro.

According to the coast guard the vessel with the foreign nationals was towed by a freighter accompanied by a coast guard vessel and of another cargo vessel to the port of Kalamata.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Nearly 300 Illegal Migrants Land in Britain Over the Weekend, Taking Total to Over 2,000 So Far This Year

Nearly 300 illegal migrants landed on British soil over the weekend, taking the total number of migrants who arrived in the UK this year to over 2,000.

On Saturday, the UK’s Border Force confirmed it had intercepted and brought ashore 185 illegal aliens after crossing the English Channel in small rubber boats from France.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

NGOs Dump Hundreds of ‘Rescued’ Migrants in Italian Islands in Days

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are in the process of moving hundreds of migrants to Italian islands, according to reports.

So far, at least 236 migrants were deposited by an NGO ship at the Sicilian port of Augusta, while another 455 aboard an NGO vessel are bound for Trapani, also on Sicily.

Additionally, more than 700 illegal migrants reached the island of Lampedusa over the weekend, many with the help of NGOs.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Report: Illegal Alien Sex Offenders Freed Into U.S. Due to Biden ‘Sanctuary Country’ Orders

Illegal alien sex offenders are being freed into the United States thanks to President Joe Biden’s “sanctuary country” orders, a local media report details.

In February, Biden’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued orders preventing ICE agents from arresting and deporting illegal aliens unless they are terrorists, known gang members, or recently convicted of an aggravated felony. An analysis of the orders revealed they are likely to prevent about 9-in-10 deportations.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

UK: Boris Govt Looks to 30,000 Migrants From Countries Including Belarus, Russia to Work Farms

Boris Johnson’s government is scrapping the ‘Pick for Britain’ drive for British farm workers and increasing migrant recruitment to 30,000, with hundreds to come from the likes of Belarus and the Russian Federation.

The Tory government launched the ‘Pick for Britain’ campaign in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic began in earnest, resulting in restrictions on international travel despite their own efforts to put off halting travel from coronavirus hotspots such as Italy, Iran, China, and even Wuhan itself until well after the disease had become endemic.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Children’s Harry Potter Book Festival Event is Cancelled Over JK Rowling Transphobia Row After Discussions With the LGBTQ Community

J. K. Rowling has again fallen victim to ‘cancel culture’ after a literary festival in New Zealand scrapped plans for a Harry Potter-themed event over her comments on gender.

           — Hat tip: SS [Return to headlines]
 

Research: 60-70% of Social Links Go to Just 10 Online Domains

Research has found out that only 10 domains command a majority of the attention of internet users globally. The finding proves the reality that in the current digital space, Big Tech platforms have a monopoly on user attention.

In 2006, Marian-Andrei Rizoiu, a computer science expert at University of Technology-Sydney, and Paul X. McCarthy of University of South Wales, started research into the online economy by analyzing global trends in online dominance and diversity. The research focused on links on some of the world’s most popular online platforms, including Twitter and Reddit.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

2 thoughts on “Gates of Vienna News Feed 5/3/2021

  1. “Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates — who is worth an estimated $130 billion — and his wife, Melinda, are getting a divorce after 27 years of marriage, the couple announced Monday in a joint statement.”

    Pity. Now they will both go off and make two other people miserable.

  2. While I doubt there are any Democrats reading GOV, unless it is to get ideas since they lack any, I hope the democrats are happy with their brain-dead pervert of a president. I am still shocked that Biden won the presidency, although from what I’ve read it was due to massive cheating using rigged voting machines.

    This brings to mind the fact that the only way to have a free and FAIR election is to return to paper ballots! Machines are easily rigged, hand-written ballots actually guarantee a fair election, assuming said officials are honest and ballots are protected from being miscounted.

    P.S. Keep up the good work, dear Baron!

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