Gates of Vienna News Feed 12/20/2021

167 illegal migrants attempted to cross the border from Belarus into Latvia over the weekend. Meanwhile, more than 270 illegal migrants attempted to cross the English Channel into the UK on Sunday.

In other news, Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel “Toy Boy” Macron, is acting aggressively to quash rumors that she is a transgender who was born a male.

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

Thanks to Dean, Insubria, MC, 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.

Financial Crisis
» European Gas Prices Surge
» Turkey’s Lira Sinks Again as Erdogan Cites Islamic Sharia Law to Defend Economic Management
 
USA
» Biden’s Disapproval Rating Hits New High, Poll Finds
» Cortez Rice, Charged With Intimidating Kim Potter Trial Judge, Deemed a Flight Risk and Denied Bail
» DC Third-Graders Forced to Re-Enact the Holocaust in Class
» Drakeo the Ruler Dies After Stabbing at LA Music Festival
» Exclusive: House Republicans Demand Information About Legal Immunity for Vaccine Manufacturers
» Far-Left Group That Calls for Arson Raises $50,000 on GoFundMe After Fire Destroys Its Office
» Free Speech Company Gab Launches Payment Processing System
» Gov. Kristi Noem Drafts Bill to Limit Critical Race Theory Education in Schools, Universities
» Indianapolis Administrator Fired After Leaking School District’s Social Justice Initiatives
» It’s Official: Durham is Investigating the Clinton Campaign
» Kentucky Man Indicted on Terrorism Charges for Allegedly Joining ISIS, Federal Investigators Say
» Kim Foxx Lied About Contacts With Jussie Smollett’s Sister, Violated Legal Ethics, Investigation Finds
» Kyle Rittenhouse Speaks at Conservative Convention Americafest
» One of Nation’s Most Expensive Universities Tells Students to Eat Fewer Meals to Save Money
» Pelosi Heckled With ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Chant at San Francisco Event
» Sarah Palin: ‘Over My Dead Body’ Will I Get the COVID-19 Vaccine
» Saudi Arabian ‘Potential Terrorist’ Nabbed at US-Mexico Border; Ties to Yemeni Subjects of Interest, Feds Say
» Singing Protest Interrupts Boston Vaccine Passport, City Employee Vaccination Policy Announcement
» Socialist in Seattle Survives Recall, And is More Dangerous Than Ever
» ‘Truly Historic’: Biden EPA Introduces New Regulations to Force Electric Vehicle Transition
» Trump Sues NY AG Letitia James Over Inquiry Into His Business
» Trump Reveals He Got the Booster Shot
» Video Shows Mandate Protester Arrested After Refusing to Show Vaxx Pass to Buy Food
» Washington Post, Leftist Generals Stoke Hysteria About a 2024 ‘Insurrection’
» With the New State Religion the ‘Covidian Cult’ and America on a Suicidal Course Into Oblivion, No Democrat Nor Republican Dare State the Obvious: ‘The Emperor Has No Clothes!’
» World’s Most Prestigious Medical Journal Roasts Facebook Over “Inaccurate, Incompetent & Irresponsible” Fact Check
» Worse Than the Disease? Reviewing Some Possible Unintended Consequences of the mRNA Vaccines Against COVID-19
 
Canada
» Canada’s Quebec Province Shutting Down Movie Theaters Over Omicron Concerns
 
Europe and the EU
» Banning Cars With Combustion Engines is Unacceptable, Says New Czech PM
» European Court Rules Emotion Recognition Projects Can Bypass Public Debate
» France’s First Lady Fights Back Against Rumors She Was Born a Male
» French Health Minister Admits Vaccine Passports Are a “Disguised” Vaccine Mandate
» German Shopping Malls Introduce Identity Bracelets for the Vaccinated
» Global Elites Told to Stand Down: Davos Canceled (Again) Over Coronavirus Fears
» Netherlands Begins Strict Lockdown Over Omicron Wave
» Over 6,000 Swedish Citizens Are Already Chipped
» Rampaging Leftist Mob Attacks Mosque in Germany
» Scotland: Extinction Rebellion Activists Block Home Office Building in Glasgow
» Ubisoft Deletes Gamer’s Account, Locking Him Out of All Game Purchases
» UK Government Refuses to Rule Out Christmas Lockdown
» UK: Boris Johnson Accused of Breaking Lockdown Again With Alleged Wine and Cheese Party
» UK: Boris Puts Remain-Voting Former Liberal Democrat in Charge of Brexit
» UK: Nigel Farage Warns Boris Johnson May be Out ‘Sooner Than Anybody Thinks’
» Video: German Health Minister Calls for Immediate Forced Vaccination of Entire Population
 
Balkans
» Serbia: First Major Stop for Lithium Mine
 
Middle East
» Lebanon: Mishaal in Beirut After Violence Hamas-Fatah
 
Russia
» Polish Soldier Defects to Belarus
 
Far East
» Amazon Stopped Users From Leaving Negative Reviews of Xi Jinping Books
» Facebook Censors Wuhan Lab Whistleblower Li-Meng Yan
» Hong Kong Govt Issues Arrest Warrants for Exiled Activists Over ‘Sham’ Election Boycott
 
Sub-Saharan Africa
» COVID Cases Continue to Fall Significantly in South Africa
» South African Officials Advise Government to Stop Tracing and Quarantining Omicron Contacts Because Most Don’t Experience Any Symptoms
 
Immigration
» 167 Migrants Tried to Cross Latvia-Belarus Border Over Weekend
» France: Trucker Dies After Fight With Migrants on Highway Near Calais
» Lithuania Says Migrant Numbers From Belarus Could Soon Increase
» ‘No’ To Asylum in Poland for Migrants Say Majority of Poles — Study
» Police Uncover 455 Social Media Accounts Encouraging Belarus-to-EU Migration
» Revealed: The Channel Migrant Welcomed to Britain and Put Up in an Ibis Hotel, Who Stands Accused of Raping and Murdering a 13-Year-Old Girl in Vienna
» UK: Migrant Crossings: More Than 270 People Cross the Channel on Sunday
 
Culture Wars
» Billie Eilish Takes a Stand Against Pornography
 

European Gas Prices Surge

Gas prices in Europe spiked more than 7% on Monday, with the price of January futures on the TTF hub in the Netherlands hitting $1,732 per 1,000 cubic meters, or €148.87 per megawatt hour in household terms.

In early October gas prices in Europe reached a record $2,000 per 1,000 cubic meters, which constituted an almost 400% rise since the start of the year.

Energy prices in Europe continue to spike as Germany keeps postponing the launch of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that was laid to deliver additional supplies of Russian natural gas to the continent.

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

Turkey’s Lira Sinks Again as Erdogan Cites Islamic Sharia Law to Defend Economic Management

ISTANBUL (AFP) — Turkey’s troubled lira nosedived Monday after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cited Muslim teachings to justify not raising interest rates to stabilise the currency.

Erdogan has pushed the central bank to sharply lower borrowing costs despite the annual rate of inflation soaring to more than 20 percent.

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

Biden’s Disapproval Rating Hits New High, Poll Finds

President Joe Biden’s disapproval rating jumped once again, according to a new NPR/PBS News Hour/Marist poll released Monday.

When asked whether individuals approved or disapproved of Biden’s handling of the presidency, 55% of those polled said they disapproved while just 41% said they approved, according to the poll.

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

Cortez Rice, Charged With Intimidating Kim Potter Trial Judge, Deemed a Flight Risk and Denied Bail

As a jury deliberates the fate of former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter, a Black Lives Matter protester accused of threatening the judge overseeing the high-profile case over Daunte Wright’s killing was ordered held without bail Monday after he was deemed a flight risk.

Cortez Rice, 32, wearing an orange jail uniform, made his second court appearance during an hour-long virtual hearing where his lawyer argued for bail after he was denied bond earlier this month for allegedly violating his probation for a third time following a 2017 conviction for felony possession of a firearm.

The latest charge of felony harassment, among others, stems from Rice’s actions on Nov. 6 when he allegedly live-streamed himself inside a downtown Minneapolis condominium where he believed Hennepin County Judge Regina Chu lived. Chu had previously barred cameras from the courtroom where Potter’s trial was held, prompting Rice to allegedly make threatening remarks towards her and demand she reverse her order.

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

DC Third-Graders Forced to Re-Enact the Holocaust in Class

According to a new report, a Watkins Elementary School staff member in southeast Washington, DC told third-grade students in library class Friday to re-enact morbid scenes from the Holocaust, directing the elementary school-aged children to dig mass graves and simulate shooting the victims.

The educator, who was placed on leave on Friday, assigned specific roles to classmates and cast one particular student as Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, according to an email from the school’s principal MScott Berkowitz, who declined to name the staff member to the children’s parents, the Washington Post reported.

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

Drakeo the Ruler Dies After Stabbing at LA Music Festival

US rapper Drakeo the Ruler has died after being stabbed at a music festival in Los Angeles.

The 28-year-old, whose real name was Darrell Caldwell, had been scheduled to perform at the Once Upon a Time in LA festival on Saturday night.

His publicist confirmed his death to several US media outlets on Sunday morning.

The artist was reportedly stabbed during an altercation backstage around the time he had been due to perform.

Los Angeles police are investigating, but told reporters no arrests had been made as of Sunday morning.

Drakeo the Ruler had more than 1.5m monthly listeners on Spotify, and collaborated with Canadian rapper Drake on the single Talk to Me…

           — Hat tip: Dean [Return to headlines]
 

Exclusive: House Republicans Demand Information About Legal Immunity for Vaccine Manufacturers

Republicans in the House of Representatives are urging President Joe Biden to explain whether or not the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will eliminate COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers’ legal immunity from potential vaccine-related injuries.

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

Far-Left Group That Calls for Arson Raises $50,000 on GoFundMe After Fire Destroys Its Office

Violent far-left group CrimethInc, which incites its members to commit crimes, is running a GoFundMe campaign that amassed thousands of dollars after its mail-order space where extremist texts are printed was destroyed in a fire.

According to the GoFundMe fundraiser tagged under the “Accidents & Emergencies” category, the mail-order space of the organization’s “Ex-Workers Collective” was torched Wednesday in “a catastrophic fire” that reduced three large buildings to “burned-out shells” in downtown Olympia, Washington.

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

Free Speech Company Gab Launches Payment Processing System

Gab, a social platform launched as an alternative to Big Tech’s networks, has shared some details about the way its own payment platform, GabPay, works.

First announced back in August by CEO and founder Andrew Torba, GabPay is envisaged as part of a suite of products the company says are free speech-friendly and geared towards individual liberties. Apart from creating an alternative social site, the goal is to also give rise to an alternative economy.

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

Gov. Kristi Noem Drafts Bill to Limit Critical Race Theory Education in Schools, Universities

Gov. Kristi Noem announced Monday she’s drafted legislation to block all teachings of critical race theory in South Dakota schools, public universities and technical colleges.

CRT is an academic concept created by legal scholars and educators in the 1970s that focuses on how racism is embedded in legal systems and policies in the U.S.

Top education officials in the state have said CRT largely doesn’t show up in South Dakota’s content standards or curriculum in either K-12 schools or colleges.

However, Noem states that CRT teaches “ the false and divisive message that they are responsible for the shortcomings of past generations and other members of our respective races.”

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

Indianapolis Administrator Fired After Leaking School District’s Social Justice Initiatives

An Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) administrator was fired Monday for “sharing public files” with news outlets as well as recordings of a “Racial Justice Speaker Series” that was presented to students, according to a statement.

Tony Kinnett was fired from his job as District Science Coordinator & Instructional Coach for IPS for “Sharing that IPS recorded children in required racial justice sessions, not sending IPS the personal info of” two reporters, “quoting Dr. Payne’s racist comments to students” and for “sharing public files,” according to his Twitter.

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

It’s Official: Durham is Investigating the Clinton Campaign

Authored by Techno Fog via The Reactionary

The latest filings by Special Counsel John Durham reveal that lawyers for the Hillary Clinton Campaign now represent Christopher Steele primary subsource Igor Danchenko. Let’s walk through the significance of this fact.

[Comment: John Durham should make a public statement that he is not suicidal.]

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

Kentucky Man Indicted on Terrorism Charges for Allegedly Joining ISIS, Federal Investigators Say

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky man has been indicted on multiple terrorism charges after federal investigators said he traveled to the Middle East to join ISIS, undergoing weapons and physical training.

Mirsad Hariz Adem Ramic, 31, of Bowling Green, was charged with providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-sham. He also faces a charge of conspiring to provide material support to ISIS, receiving military-type training from the designated foreign terrorist organization, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky said in a statement.

According to federal investigators, Ramic — a dual U.S.-Bosnian citizen — left the U.S. on June 3, 2014, with two other individuals, making their way to Istanbul, Turkey, to support ISIS.

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

Kim Foxx Lied About Contacts With Jussie Smollett’s Sister, Violated Legal Ethics, Investigation Finds

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx repeatedly told the public that she cut off communications with Jussie Smollett’s sister when she was told that the actor became a suspect, but she continued communicating with her several days after, according to the special prosecutor’s report.

The report, released Monday by special prosecutor Daniel Webb, cites multiple examples from March 2019 and at the end of May 2019 in which Foxx told the media that she stopped communicating with Smollett’s sister. However, the report says she sent five text messages to her and talked with her on the phone another three times through Feb. 13, 2019, five days after she claimed she cut off communication.

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

Kyle Rittenhouse Speaks at Conservative Convention Americafest

Kyle Rittenhouse stepped out in public on Monday and delivered a speech to a friendly crowd at a conservative convention in Phoenix.

Rittenhouse spoke about his recent acquittal on murder charges during his address at AmericaFest, a four-day festival hosted by Turning Point USA.

Donning a blue suit and tie, Rittenhouse walked out on stage to massive cheers from the audience, which largely consisted of high school and college-aged students.

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

One of Nation’s Most Expensive Universities Tells Students to Eat Fewer Meals to Save Money

New York University, which often leaves graduates with large sums of debt, recommended that students eat fewer meals to save money, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The school reportedly told students they could save money by eating fewer meals, babysitting, finishing school faster and living with a senior citizen, the WSJ reported.

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

Pelosi Heckled With ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Chant at San Francisco Event

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was joined by San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Rep. Mark DeSaulnier on Monday, where she was promptly interrupted by a heckler chanting the popular anti-Biden slogan, “Let’s Go Brandon.”

During the event, which was joined by pedestrian safety advocates to “highlight the historic bipartisan Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Law’s investments in safer Bay Area streets,” Pelosi was interrupted by a heckler chanting “Let’s Go Brandon,” followed by several “USA” chants.

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

Sarah Palin: ‘Over My Dead Body’ Will I Get the COVID-19 Vaccine

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said she will not get a COVID-19 vaccine and insisted that the government “better not force” her kids to get vaccinated.

“It’ll be over my dead body that I get a shot,” Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, said during an appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix Sunday. “I will not. I won’t do it, and they better not touch my kids either.”

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

Saudi Arabian ‘Potential Terrorist’ Nabbed at US-Mexico Border; Ties to Yemeni Subjects of Interest, Feds Say

A “potential terrorist” with links to a number of “Yemeni subjects of interest” was captured in Arizona late last week after illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, U.S. Border Patrol officials announced Monday.

The 21-year-old man was apprehended Thursday night entering the U.S. from Mexico through Yuma, Arizona, according to a tweet from Yuma Sector Chief Patrol Agent Chris T. Clem. He appears to have been wearing a jacket emblazoned with an American flag patch and another that stated: “Central Oneida County Volunteer.”

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

Singing Protest Interrupts Boston Vaccine Passport, City Employee Vaccination Policy Announcement

BOSTON — A crowd of protesters entered Boston City Hall on Monday morning as Mayor Michelle Wu and other leaders announced updated COVID-19 vaccination requirements for the city.

Some protesters blew whistles. Others shouted “Shame on Wu.”

At one point while the Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, was speaking, the protesters started to sing The Star-Spangled Banner. Ojikutu had the benefit of a microphone but raised her voice to speak over the crowd.

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

Socialist in Seattle Survives Recall, And is More Dangerous Than Ever

Socialist Seattle City Councilwoman Kshama Sawant survived a recall attempt — barely.

And her victory may stall any momentum after the off-year election which finally brought the defeat of fringe socialist candidates. By a margin of fewer than 350 votes, Sawant survived the first-ever recall attempt of a Seattle city council member.

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

‘Truly Historic’: Biden EPA Introduces New Regulations to Force Electric Vehicle Transition

The Biden administration rolled out a series of new emissions regulations for passenger vehicles and light trucks that it said would “unlock” $190 billion in benefits for American consumers.

The regulations will be enforced beginning with 2023 car models and will be revised with more stringent standards in 2027, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced. The EPA said the new emissions standards would ultimately quicken the transition from traditional engine vehicles to zero-emission cars.

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

Trump Sues NY AG Letitia James Over Inquiry Into His Business

Former President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against New York state Attorney General Letitia James on Monday amid ongoing inquires into his business.

James’ lengthy inquiry into the Trump Organization began in March of 2019 and focuses on the company allegedly misrepresenting the value of its real estate assets, CNBC reported. At the same time, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. has been conducting a criminal investigation over Trump’s business practices.

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

Trump Reveals He Got the Booster Shot

Former President Donald Trump acknowledged he had received a booster shot against COVID-19 while at one of his “History Tour” live events with Bill O’Reilly on Sunday.

O’Reilly noted that both of them had been vaccinated before asking Trump if he had gotten the third dose, to which the former president responded affirmatively.

Some people in the crowd started to boo after the revelation. “Don’t, don’t, don’t,” Trump said, dismissing the reaction. He argued his administration “saved tens of millions worldwide” by creating the vaccine.

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

Video Shows Mandate Protester Arrested After Refusing to Show Vaxx Pass to Buy Food

A video out of New York shows an anti-vaccine mandate protester being arrested by police after refusing to show a COVID pass to buy food.

The incident took place at a branch of Panera Bread in Brooklyn.

The man in the clip, who is reportedly an army veteran, expresses concern that as police are arresting him, they repeatedly allow the U.S. flag to drop to the ground.

“The flag does not touch the ground!” asserts the veteran.

“The Constitution of the United States is being violated — I cannot eat!” he add

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

Washington Post, Leftist Generals Stoke Hysteria About a 2024 ‘Insurrection’

The Jan. 6 “insurrection” hasn’t worked out quite the way the Democrats obviously hoped: Trump wasn’t convicted in his second Stalinist impeachment show trial, no one has actually been charged with orchestrating or participating in any “insurrection,” and the witch hunt to demonize and marginalize Trump and his supporters as “white supremacists” who pose an imminent threat to our “democracy” (it’s a republic, folks) has so far been a huge fizzle. But three ferociously partisan retired generals are thinking ahead, publishing an op-ed in the Washington Post Friday, which warns that those dastardly Trump supporters would certainly stage an “insurrection” in 2024, so the military must start preparing now to “preserve our democracy,” that is, destroy our republic.

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

With the New State Religion the ‘Covidian Cult’ and America on a Suicidal Course Into Oblivion, No Democrat Nor Republican Dare State the Obvious: ‘The Emperor Has No Clothes!’

Many U.S. governors—all of them Republican—have vowed to resist President Biden’s authoritarian COVID-19 vaccine mandates. GOP pushback includes executive orders, lawsuits, and legislative bills. And all three of Biden’s mandates have now been blocked by federal courts, at least for now—the diktat requiring the genetic-cocktail jab for businesses with 100 or more employees, another mandate targeting healthcare workers, and a third aimed at federal contractors. But while Republican politicians take aim at the vaccine MANDATES, not a single Senator, Representative, governor, or mayor of either party will come out and state the obvious:

“The Covid vaccines don’t work. They don’t provide immunity, and they don’t prevent transmission of the virus, as the CDC now admits. Countless people who have been double-vaccinated are subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. All that the vaccines claim to do is reduce the severity of (mild) symptoms of COVID-19 illness. This transient protection supposedly lasts 4 to 6 months.”

“Even worse, there is overwhelming and irrefutable evidence that the COVID-19 genetic-modification treatments of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson, falsely labeled ‘vaccines’, are directly killing and severely damaging millions of people both in the United States and around the world. This is abundantly clear from the U.S. CDC/VAERS data (Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System) and the adverse-events reporting systems of the United Kingdom and the European Union.”

[Should ne “enough said”, but then I suspect that the TPTB have known this from the start, this is not about COVID it is about a political take down of western civilization as we know it — ever worn a slave collar?]

           — Hat tip: MC [Return to headlines]
 

World’s Most Prestigious Medical Journal Roasts Facebook Over “Inaccurate, Incompetent & Irresponsible” Fact Check

The Machiavellian quote (sic) that “if you’re going to come at the king, you best not miss,” may be about to bite Mark Zuckerberg and his army of fact-checking mercenaries.

While Zuckerberg may feel omnipotent atop his opaque algo-world but the so-called ‘fact-checkers’ — so expert at shutting down any narrative-conflicting-information (on behalf of, and often at the behest of, the Biden administration) — may have met their match by claiming that one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious medical journals delivered “false information” that “could mislead people.”

As we detailed in early November, The British Medical Journal (BMJ) — a weekly peer-reviewed medical trade journal, published by the trade union the British Medical Association — published a whistleblower report calling into question data integrity and regulatory oversight issues surrounding Pfizer’s pivotal phase III Covid-19 vaccine trial.

Brook Jackson, a now-fired regional director at Ventavia Research Group, revealed to The BMJ that vaccine trials at several sites in Texas last year had major problems — including falsified data, broke fundamental rules, and were ‘slow’ to report adverse reactions.

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

Worse Than the Disease? Reviewing Some Possible Unintended Consequences of the mRNA Vaccines Against COVID-19

Abstract

Operation Warp Speed brought to market in the United States two mRNA vaccines, produced by Pfizer and Moderna. Interim data suggested high efficacy for both of these vaccines, which helped legitimize Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA. However, the exceptionally rapid movement of these vaccines through controlled trials and into mass deployment raises multiple safety concerns. In this review we first describe the technology underlying these vaccines in detail. We then review both components of and the intended biological response to these vaccines, including production of the spike protein itself, and their potential relationship to a wide range of both acute and long-term induced pathologies, such as blood disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and autoimmune diseases. Among these potential induced pathologies, we discuss the relevance of prion-protein-related amino acid sequences within the spike protein. We also present a brief review of studies supporting the potential for spike protein “shedding”, transmission of the protein from a vaccinated to an unvaccinated person, resulting in symptoms induced in the latter. We finish by addressing a common point of debate, namely, whether or not these vaccines could modify the DNA of those receiving the vaccination. While there are no studies demonstrating definitively that this is happening, we provide a plausible scenario, supported by previously established pathways for transformation and transport of genetic material, whereby injected mRNA could ultimately be incorporated into germ cell DNA for transgenerational transmission. We conclude with our recommendations regarding surveillance that will help to clarify the long-term effects of these experimental drugs and allow us to better assess the true risk/benefit ratio of these novel technologies.

           — Hat tip: MC [Return to headlines]
 

Canada’s Quebec Province Shutting Down Movie Theaters Over Omicron Concerns

Canada, after delivering 7% of Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s $260M domestic opening weekend, will see its Quebec province shut down cinemas in addition to bars and gyms as public health officials look to slow the spread of the Omicron Covid variant.

CBC reports that Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé made the decision to prevent a strain on the province’s health care system.

Over the weekend, due to rising Covid concerns, theater capacities in Canadian provinces Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick were reduced to 50%.

In addition, concert venues and spas in Quebec are being told to close as of 5 p.m. today. Restaurants will reduce their indoor capacity to 50% and limit hours between 5-10PM. Professional sports will be held without audiences. Schools will shutter early for the holiday break until Jan. 10.

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

Banning Cars With Combustion Engines is Unacceptable, Says New Czech PM

The European Commission’s proposal to ban the production and sale of cars with internal combustion engines after the year 2035 is unacceptable to the Czech government, the new Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated this during an interview on Sunday.

According to him, nuclear energy must be among the supported energy sources. As Fiala stated, it is necessary to complete additional nuclear power plant units. Otherwise, Czechia will not have enough electric power at reasonable prices.

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

European Court Rules Emotion Recognition Projects Can Bypass Public Debate

The General Court of the European Union (EGC) last week ruled that “emotion recognition” projects like the one bankrolled by the EU taxpayers and under fire for being secretive, should not be compelled to organize public debates about such biometric experiments.

Instead, says ARTICLE 19, an international freedom of expression and information group, the court disappointingly prioritized commercial over public interest. Public scrutiny of similar projects, the group said, should be in place from the start of developing schemes like the one in question here, iBorderCtrl: Intelligent Portable Border Control System.

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

France’s First Lady Fights Back Against Rumors She Was Born a Male

As if French President Emmanuel Macron didn’t have enough on his plate, a rumor that was once dismissed as a conspiracy theory dreamed up by the far-right media is picking up new steam.

The rumor: that his wife, Brigitte Macron, is actually transgender, and was actually born as a male.

Speculation over the French First Lady’s birth gender has taken over the Francophone section of Twitter this week. The cacophony of criticism has gotten so loud that Mrs. Macron — who is perhaps best known to the non-French-speaking public for her quarter-century age gap with her husband (whom she once taught as a high-school English student) — is reportedly going to file a complaint, according to several French media sources citing people from her inner circle.

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

French Health Minister Admits Vaccine Passports Are a “Disguised” Vaccine Mandate

The French Minister of Health has admitted that vaccine passports are a “disguised” form of mandatory vaccines, despite President Macron claiming vaccine mandates “will not be compulsory.”

In comments reported by French broadcaster La Chaîne Info, Olivier Véran revealed that the primary purpose of the country’s COVID pass scheme was to force the unvaccinated to cave in.

Véran said the vaxx pass “is a disguised form of vaccination obligation, but it’s more effective.”

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

German Shopping Malls Introduce Identity Bracelets for the Vaccinated

Germany has pushed on with evermore draconian measures, implementing tougher social restrictions on the unvaccinated as the federal government ramps up its rhetoric in favor of compulsory vaccination to combat the surge in Covid-19 cases across the country.

In Berlin, only the vaccinated and those who have recovered from Covid-19 are permitted to enter non-essential shops, with the malls offering identity bracelets to make checks more efficient.

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

Global Elites Told to Stand Down: Davos Canceled (Again) Over Coronavirus Fears

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is ditching its annual meeting of world leaders, business executives and assorted elites in Davos, Switzerland, for the second year in a row, citing uncertainties about the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

AP reports the gathering at the luxury ski resort, planned for Jan. 17-21, will now take place in “early summer” — without giving further specifics.

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

Netherlands Begins Strict Lockdown Over Omicron Wave

The Netherlands began its strict lockdown on Sunday, which the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said was almost inevitable during the fifth wave of the Covid-19 epidemic due to the Omicron variant.

The measure will be valid during the Christmas holidays and will last until Jan. 14.

Rutte said the measures were “unavoidable.” However, he did not announce the exact conditions of the lockdown. They probably will follow current measures ordering the closure of bars, restaurants, and other places where people gather, between 5:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

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

Over 6,000 Swedish Citizens Are Already Chipped

Some people in Sweden do not need to show their phone to present a vaccine passport. Extending the dystopian fashion, they can have their vaccine information on a microchip implanted under the skin.

Epicenter, a company specializing in rice grain-sized subdermal microchips, showcased an implant that can store Covid vaccine passports that can be read using the near-field communication (NFC) protocol.

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

Rampaging Leftist Mob Attacks Mosque in Germany

On Tuesday last week, German police detained 11 people for attacking the Eyüp Sultan Mosque in Leipzig.

Approximately 100 to 150 far-left extremists were said to have been involved in attacking the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DITIB) sanctuary, according to Germany’s Bild newspaper.

The mosque was targeted with stones and fireworks, with the mob destroying four windows and damaging the building. Not far from the building, they also smashed car windows and set fire to garbage cans. The attackers threw bottles and bags of paint at the police.

The mosque said that the total damage amounts to €30,000.

The demonstration, which ran throughout Leipzig, was held on the Antifa holiday of ACAB (“All Cops Are Bastards”) on Dec. 13.

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Scotland: Extinction Rebellion Activists Block Home Office Building in Glasgow

An Extinction Rebellion (XR) protest has blocked the front entrance to the Home Office building in Glasgow.

The activists locked themselves to each other and to the property’s gates from about 7am on Monday.

The protesters, from XR Scotland and XR Glasgow, are calling on the UK Government “to end its hostile environment policy towards migrants”.

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Ubisoft Deletes Gamer’s Account, Locking Him Out of All Game Purchases

Once again, gamers are given pause and made to ask themselves what product ownership really means in this day and age.

For example, those with a Ubisoft account who have not been active on the platform run the risk of having it deleted because of inactivity. And it’s a real risk, as a Norwegian gamer who goes by the name of Tor found out after spending a year away from gaming.

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UK Government Refuses to Rule Out Christmas Lockdown

Deputy British Prime Minister Dominic Raab has refused to rule out that England may once again be forced into a lockdown before Christmas.

England is once again facing the prospect of lockdown restrictions being imposed during the holidays with the government being concerned about the spread of the Omicron variant of the Chinese coronavirus.

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UK: Boris Johnson Accused of Breaking Lockdown Again With Alleged Wine and Cheese Party

In another emerging ‘rules for thee, but not for me’ scandal, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been accused of breaking coronavirus restrictions for allegedly hosting a cheese and wine party while the rest of the country was locked down.

A photo has emerged, allegedly from May of last year appearing to show Mr Johnson enjoying cheese and wine with his then-girlfriend, now wife, Carrie Johnson née Symonds and at least 17 staffers on the terrace at Number 10 Downing Street while the rest of the country was in lockdown, The Guardian reported.

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UK: Boris Puts Remain-Voting Former Liberal Democrat in Charge of Brexit

Boris Johnson has put Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Secretary Liz Truss, a former Liberal Democrat and Remain voter, in charge of Britain’s relationship with the European Union following the resignation of Lord Frost.

Frost, a career diplomat until 2013, had remained the Johnson administration’s point man in dealings with the European Union after helping to negotiate the Prime Minister’s deals with the bloc in 2018, but left the government over the weekend due to misgiving about increasingly restrictive coronavirus restrictions, the green agenda, and higher taxation.

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UK: Nigel Farage Warns Boris Johnson May be Out ‘Sooner Than Anybody Thinks’

Prime Minister Boris Johnson may be out of office “sooner than almost anybody thinks” according to Brexit leader Nigel Farage.

Over the past month, the future of Boris Johnson’s leadership has been thrown into question in the wake of an embarrassing election defeat to the Liberal Democrats in the North Shropshire parliamentary by-election and a large rebellion from within his own party against the latest round of coronavirus restrictions.

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Video: German Health Minister Calls for Immediate Forced Vaccination of Entire Population

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has called for making COVID vaccination mandatory immediately for the entire German population.

As reported by Der Spiegel, “Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) fears that the number of infections will rise sharply due to the new Omicron virus variant. “I assume a massive fifth wave,” said Lauterbach when visiting a vaccination center in Hanover.

Lauterbach further declared “We have to assume that the wave of omicrons that we are facing, which in my opinion we cannot prevent, will be a massive challenge for our hospitals, for our intensive care units, but also for society as a whole.”

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Serbia: First Major Stop for Lithium Mine

The decision was anticipated by Serbian President Vucic

(ANSA) — BELGRADE, DEC 16 — A significant stop to a potential large lithium mining project was registered in Serbia today. The local assembly of the western Serbian town of Loznica voted to annul its Spatial Plan adopted last July. The plan enabled the Rio Tinto’s lithium mine in the area, the regional television N1 reported. “The decision was brought without any debate as the first item on the session’s agenda, triggering protest by the opposition councillors,” N1 wrote, recalling that the decision was anticipated by the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

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Lebanon: Mishaal in Beirut After Violence Hamas-Fatah

Tension growing in Palestinian refugee camps in the country

BEIRUT — The political chief of Hamas abroad, Khaled Mishaal, arrived in Beirut on Wednesday, three days after a shootout in southern Lebanon, in a refugee Palestinian camp, in which three members of the Palestinian armed group were killed. Officially, Mishaal’s visit to Beirut is part of celebrations for the 34th anniversary of the foundation of Hamas.

The Palestinian leader and his colleagues who are accompanying him are scheduled to meet Lebanese and Palestinian authorities in Lebanon.

The arrival of the high Palestinian official coincides with heightened tension in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon between Hamas and Fatah, the other Palestinian party based in Ramallah, West Bank.

Mishaal has represented Hamas abroad since 1996 and has been living in Qatar for years. Lebanon hosts hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees, mainly present in 12 refugee camps across the country, which were set up starting in 1948, since the first Arab-Israeli war.

           — Hat tip: Insubria [Return to headlines]
 

Polish Soldier Defects to Belarus

The spokesperson of the Minister Special Services Coordinator Stanislaw Zaryn confirmed that 25-year-old Emil Czeczko defected from the Polish army to Belarus. At the time of the defection, he was meant to leave the army within the next few days.

The soldier’s superiors have since been removed from duty based on a decision by Minister of Defense Mariusz Blaszczak.

The Belarusian State Border Committee (GPK) published photos of Czeczko from his social media accounts and stated that the defector was detained by Belarusian border officers on Thursday afternoon in the Hrodna region.

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Amazon Stopped Users From Leaving Negative Reviews of Xi Jinping Books

Some details of how Amazon does its business in China have emerged, painting a picture of the US company, a global giant, prepared to fall in line with Beijing’s highly restrictive internet rules.

Much is (rightly) made of Apple’s at times seemingly desperate “concessions” made in order to remain in what is one of crucial consumer and manufacturing market, but previously unreported accounts of how Amazon handled the situation with marketing Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s book on its Chinese website shows that the Cupertino-headquartered behemoth is not alone.

Namely, two years ago, when it came time to promote a collection of Xi’s book of speeches published by the Chinese government on Amazon.cn, the country’s authorities demanded that customers should not be allowed to leave any reviews or ratings.

Even though the 5-star rating system and reviews are an integral part of the way Amazon conducts its ecommerce business elsewhere, in this case the company was cowed by Beijing and turned off the section.

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Facebook Censors Wuhan Lab Whistleblower Li-Meng Yan

Facebook censored an article about an interview featuring a former Chinese virologist about the origins of COVID-19. The censorship came despite some evidence supporting the theory that the virus came from a lab and despite world leaders being briefed on it as the most likely scenario.

Dr. Li-Meng Yan is a Chinese virologist who escaped to the US after facing threats for talking about the origins of the virus in China. She has faced online censorship many times before.

Last week, The Daily Signal published an interview with Yan, who claims to have evidence that the virus was created in a research lab in Wuhan, China. She speculated that the virus was created with the approval of China’s army, the People’s Liberation Army.

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Hong Kong Govt Issues Arrest Warrants for Exiled Activists Over ‘Sham’ Election Boycott

The Beijing controlled puppet government in Hong Kong has issued arrest warrants for exiled activists, including UK based Nathan Law, ahead of the “sham” election for the former UK colony’s Legislative Council.

The first election for Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (LegCo) since Communist China’s crackdown on the freedom movement was held on Sunday. The vote has been widely criticised as a “sham” and been dubbed a “selection” as pro-democracy campaigners — many of whom are in prison or exile — were prohibited from participating, with only pro-Beijing “patriots” allowed on the ballots.

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COVID Cases Continue to Fall Significantly in South Africa

COVID cases in South Africa, the epicenter of the Omicron outbreak, have continued to fall rapidly, despite other governments pressing the panic button over the new variant.

Having already imposed ‘Plan B’ restrictions, the UK government and others on the continent are considering even more draconian measures to stop a “tsunami” of Omicron cases.

However, yet more data out of South Africa suggests they are engaging in an incredibly alarmist overreaction.

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South African Officials Advise Government to Stop Tracing and Quarantining Omicron Contacts Because Most Don’t Experience Any Symptoms

In news that you will likely not see anywhere today, government advisors in South Africa have suggested stopping tracing and quarantining those who have come into contact with Omicron because it isn’t helping to stop the spread of the variant, which for the most part causes no symptoms in those who contract it.

News 24 reports that the Ministerial Advisory Committee wrote to Health Minister Joe Phaahla “recommending that the quarantining of contacts be stopped as it is no longer viable in the current social and economic climate.”

The report also notes “the committee said contact tracing was no longer necessary and should also be halted with immediate effect.”

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167 Migrants Tried to Cross Latvia-Belarus Border Over Weekend

Over the weekend, 167 people’s attempts of illegally crossing the Latvian-Belarusian State border were prevented, according to the State Border Guard.

On Friday, December 17, the border guard prevented 52 people from crossing the border, 70 on Saturday, and 45 on Sunday.

The figures have been rising since Monday, December 13. The increase in the number of migrants is explained by the decision of the Belarusian authorities to return migrants to their home countries. In the hope of entering the European Union, however, some migrants try to cross the border of Latvia after they have failed to enter Poland and Lithuania.

Since the announcement of the state of emergency on the Latvia-Belarus border August 10, the Border Guard has prevented 3,309 persons from crossing the border.

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France: Trucker Dies After Fight With Migrants on Highway Near Calais

A truck driver passed away shortly after an altercation with migrants who were trying to board his trailer on a highway in France, according to reports.

The incident unfolded at around 11 p.m. on Sunday night on the A16 motorway in Beuvrequen, a commune near the port city of Calais.

A 48-year-old Portuguese trucker confronted a group of migrants trying to force entry to his vehicle when he was viciously attacked.

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Lithuania Says Migrant Numbers From Belarus Could Soon Increase

VILNIUS (Reuters) — Lithuanian Interior Ministry said Belarus authorities have ordered migrants to be cleared from a warehouse near the Polish border and from Minsk, which could lead to renewed attempts to push the migrants in large numbers into the European Union.

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‘No’ To Asylum in Poland for Migrants Say Majority of Poles — Study

The results of a new CBOS poll released on Monday reveal that 58 percent of Poles do not want migrants from the Belarusian side of the border to have an opportunity to apply for asylum in Poland.

According to the canvass, one-third of the respondents (33 percent) said that migrants should have the possibility to apply for asylum in the country.

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

Police Uncover 455 Social Media Accounts Encouraging Belarus-to-EU Migration

Hundreds of social media accounts have been flagged for encouraging illegal immigration into the EU from Belarus, Europol announced on Monday.

The bloc’ law enforcement agency said a total of 455 social media accounts were targeted by the large-scale referral action which involved authorities from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland and Germany.

The social media accounts promoted illegal immigration by advertising the sale of counterfeit ID documents and visas or illegal transportation services.

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

Revealed: The Channel Migrant Welcomed to Britain and Put Up in an Ibis Hotel, Who Stands Accused of Raping and Murdering a 13-Year-Old Girl in Vienna

At a popular tourist haunt in Vienna, the handsome Afghan refugee in a blue denim shirt and shorts poses by the side of a bridge overlooking the riverboats on the Danube Canal.

The picture of him looking relaxed and confident was taken last summer, just weeks before he became the prime suspect in a crime that has shocked Austria: the drugging, rape and suffocation of 13-year-old schoolgirl Leonie Walner, whose slim body was found wrapped in a roll of carpet dumped under a tree in central Vienna.

Within hours of the terrible discovery, Rasuili Zubaidullah had run away, dodging Austrian police.

He fled hundreds of miles to Dunkirk in France, evading a pan-European manhunt for him before boarding a trafficker’s boat across the Channel to Britain.

Arriving in Dover on the Kent coast, he duped immigration officials by claiming asylum using a false name and was put up by the Government in the Ibis hotel in Whitechapel, East London, which is being used to house migrants.

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UK: Migrant Crossings: More Than 270 People Cross the Channel on Sunday

More than 270 people crossed the English Channel in small boats on Sunday, the Home Office confirmed.

It comes after more than 900 people crossed on Thursday and Friday.

Border Force officials brought 274 people in 11 boats into the Port of Dover, while French authorities intercepted a further 178 people from leaving for the UK.

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

Billie Eilish Takes a Stand Against Pornography

American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish has spoken out about the devastating effect access to pornography has had on her from a young age, branding it a “disgrace” that “destroyed her brain.”

Speaking on The Howard Stern Show on Sirius XM radio last week, the 20-year-old music icon revealed how she first began watching pornography in primary school at the tender age of 11 and continues to suffer the psychological and emotional consequences.

“I think porn is a disgrace,” she told the show. “I used to watch a lot of porn, to be honest. I started watching porn when I was, like, 11. I think it really destroyed my brain and I feel incredibly devastated that I was exposed to so much porn.”

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

13 thoughts on “Gates of Vienna News Feed 12/20/2021

  1. “German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has called for making COVID vaccination mandatory immediately for the entire German population.”

    Guess they’re getting cold feet now that the omicron variant is too mellow for most people to keep up with the fear-mongering.

  2. Why do the protected need to be protected from the unprotected by forcing the unprotected to use the protection that doesn’t protect the protected?

    • White privileges are real :
      It’s easy to be for open borders when you live in a chic neighborhood.

      It’s easy to criticize traditional family when you don’t have kids.

      It’s easy to be anti-nuclear when dad and mom pay the bills.

      They are luxury beliefs. You’re protected from the consequences of your ideas..

        • and there are even commies with common sense: Sahra Wagenknecht, front woman of the left( Die Linke) has dedicated an entire book to the ” lifestyle lefties” as she calls them. Mathoney is right on spot with her. Their quarters are totally free of cultural enrichment, let alone one turkish greengrocer. And contemporary trains allow to carry along bikes, so they do not pollute on their 4-times-a-year trips to Italy or the french riviera.

  3. Brigitte Macron has given birth to children. By her first husband, who she left to be with the boy wonder.

    Rumors are false.

  4. Video: German Health Minister Calls for Immediate Forced Vaccination of Entire Population
    And they think the present suspect vaccine is going to rid the German nation of this Omricon variant-I doubt it- does this virus carry a smkoing gun, will it kill millions? All planned along with the fear programme, spewed out all over Europe. Covid is very nasty type flu as my sons have told me, with strong immune systems they recovered in one week, both in their mid forties. Omricon is presented as a milder version of Covid 19-accepted it appears to be nore transmissable, this we must accept-with over 500 million people in the Eurpe the risk of being invaded by the virus is bound to be high.

  5. The Russian network VKontakte banned my public, which already had 6,700 subscribers – for “hate speech”. I started again.
    Today I looked through my archives and prepared materials for republishing. About Swedish old women and young Afghans.
    My husband looked over my shoulder and said: Batikhäxor and bacha-bazi are a multicultural symbiosis.

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