The Scottish government has extended the mandatory wearing of face masks until at least the end of April. Meanwhile, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach denounced unvaccinated people, and reiterated his demand for mandatory vaccination.
In other news, the Swedish government warned that agricultural harvests may be significantly reduced due to the lack of Russian fertilizers.
To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.
Thanks to Dean, DV, Reader from Chicago, Upananda Brahmachari, 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.
Poland: February Core Inflation Rate at 6.7 Pct — Central Bank
Poland’s core inflation, excluding the prices of food and energy, measured 6.7 percent year on year in February 2022, up from 6.1 percent in January, the National Bank of Poland (NBP) said on Wednesday.
Core inflation, excluding fixed prices, amounted to 8.0 percent year on year in February, down from 8.9 percent in the previous month.
Core inflation, excluding the most volatile priced items, measured 7.5 percent year on year in February, against the 7.6 percent level a month earlier.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The Truth Behind the Rise in Canada’s Gas Prices With Aaron Gunn
Is the war in Ukraine the primary reason for oil prices sky rocketing for Canadians?
On Wednesday I drove to a Vancouver gas station, which was charging close to $2 per litre to discuss the truth behind Canada’s rise in gas prices with political commentator, Executive Director of Common Sense BC, and producer of the documentary Why are Gas Prices so Ridiculously High?, Aaron Gunn. Gunn has been a long time advocate for Canadian taxpayers which includes sounding the alarm on inflation and spoiled resource opportunities for the country, and says there is a lot more to the story with the current price Canadians are paying for oil than what’s happening in the Ukraine.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
2022 Reports of Myocarditis After COVID Shots Reach Almost Half of 2021 Total in Just 2 Months
Preliminary data from the federal Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) database for just the first two months of 2022 suggests an alarming spike in heart problems possibly stemming from the COVID-19 vaccines.
On March 11, The Blaze senior editor Daniel Horowitz highlighted the fact that 11,289 cases of pericarditis/myocarditis after COVID vaccination were reported to VAERS between January 1 and February 25 of this year, which is already 47% of the 24,177 reports for the same submitted in all of 2021.
Preliminary data from the federal Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) database for just the first two months of 2022 suggests an alarming spike in heart problems possibly stemming from the COVID-19 vaccines.
On March 11, The Blaze senior editor Daniel Horowitz highlighted the fact that 11,289 cases of pericarditis/myocarditis after COVID vaccination were reported to VAERS between January 1 and February 25 of this year, which is already 47% of the 24,177 reports for the same submitted in all of 2021.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Americans’ Support for ‘No Fly Zone’ Declines Once They Know What That is: Poll
Recent polling on whether or not Americans favor a no-fly zone over Ukraine has showed that citizens are in favor of the idea, but when those polled are told what the definition and implications of a no-fly zone are, support substantially wanes.
Supporters of the no-fly zone were at 40 percent of those polled, while opponents were at 25 percent. However, Yahoo! News reports, the numbers switched once respondents were told that a no-fly zone means that NATO would engage in war with Russia, shooting down their planes over Ukrainian air space.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Americans Moving to Florida Because They’re Fed Up With Liberal Policies, Says Gov. DeSantis
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) lambasted Democrat President Joe Biden this week over inflation, dubbing it as “Bidenflation” as costs skyrocket.
When asked about rising costs of rents in Florida, DeSantis said “general inflation is causing” rents to spike, referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) moratorium on evictions.
“The CDC basically had a moratorium, so that people … really didn’t have to pay rent,” DeSantis blasted. “What’s happening is now all the people that own these properties are charging more to make up for what was [lost].”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Kenneth Deberry, a 40-year-old convicted pedophile and BLM activist from Washington, DC, was sentenced to 39 months in prison on Wednesday for unlawful possession of a firearm and assault during a November 2020 Trump rally protest in Washington, DC.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Brooklyn Terrorist Who Knifed and Shot Cops is Facing Decades Behind Bars
A radicalized Brooklyn jihadi who knifed a New York City cop, stole his service pistol, and then used it to shoot the cop’s partner and another officer in 2020 has pleaded guilty to a slew of state and federal charges.
On Tuesday, March 15, Dzenan Camovic, 22, appeared before US District Judge Rachel P. Kovner to plead guilty to discharging a firearm while committing a Hobbs Act robbery and agreed to a longer sentence under federal anti-terrorism rules. He faces up to 30 years behind bars and will be deported to Bosnia after exiting prison.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Fauci Warns That COVID Isn’t Over and That US Restrictions Could Always Come Back
Dr. Anthony Fauci recently told CNN viewers to be prepared for anything in terms of pandemic response measures for the current BA.2 COVID variant.
In an appearance on Jake Tapper’s program, Fauci said that the United States follows the trends of the United Kingdom by two to three weeks. While noting the lessened severity in the BA.2 COVID variant — it spreads faster.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Former DE Computer Shop Owner: NYT Story on Hunter Biden Laptop is ‘A Day Late and a Dollar Short’
John Paul Mac Isaac, the former owner of the Delaware computer repair shop where Hunter Biden left his laptop, says he laughed at the recent New York Times article admitting the legitimacy of the story that the media had suppressed during the 2020 election cycle.
On Wednesday, The New York Times admitted the authenticity of Hunter Biden’s laptop following the media’s dismissal of it as Russian disinformation.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Gascon’s Record: WeHo Crime is Up 137% Over Last Year.
West Hollywood is becoming a real crime hub The crime rate in West Hollywood is up 137-percent from this time last year. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says about 250 Part One crimes were reported in the city last month alone. Those include murder, rape, burglary, aggravated assault, arson, and human trafficking. By comparison, 105 Part One crimes were reported in West Hollywood in February of last year.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
35-year-old executive Christina Yuan Lee, as it was revealed in a court filing that he claimed the woman was his ‘friend’ and that he was trying to ‘help’ her — an apparent attempt to blame the stabbing on someone else.
He also tried impersonating her voice while speaking with police prior to their entry into the Chinatown apartment, telling officers: ‘We don’t need the police here — go away.’
Assamad Nash, 25, appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court on Wednesday and was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder, burglary and burglary as a sexually motivated felony. He pleaded not guilty to those counts through his attorney.
Lee’s killing last month, which came amid a dramatic increase in hate crimes targeting Asian-Americans, shocked the city and renewed questions about New York state’s controversial bail reforms, after it was revealed Nash was a serial offender out on supervised release stemming from a robbery…
| — Hat tip: DV | [Return to headlines] |
House Passes Bill to Strip Russia, Belarus of Most Favored Nation Status
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday to strip Russia and its ally, Belarus, of their most favored nation trading status.
In a 424-8 vote, the House passed a bill allowing the U.S. to suspend normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus, which would increase tariffs on imports from both countries, The Hill reported. The legislation also lets President Joe Biden impose additional sanctions on goods from Russia and Belarus.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
House Dems Block Bill to Resurrect Keystone XL Pipeline
The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives voted to strike down a bill which would have resurrected the Keystone Pipeline, among other things, to help alleviate inflation and promote energy independence.
“House Dems just voted against a measure by @HouseGOP to consider the American Energy Independence from Russia Act,” Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) tweeted, “a critical bill that would unleash American energy production. Clearly, Dems don’t care about solving our crushing energy crisis. Unbelievable!”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
‘Incompetence or Corruption’: Sen. Ron Johnson on Secret Service Missing Hunter Biden Emails
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., says the Secret Service is “completely arrogant” and is either incompetent or corrupt after the agency claimed it did not have several years of emails on Hunter Biden’s travels, despite the fact that his laptop showed otherwise.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Johnson have spent years attempting to obtain records of communications between President Joe Biden’s son and the Secret Service.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Josh Hawley Voices Concern Over Supreme Court Nominee’s History of Child Porn Case Sentencing
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is concerned about Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson’s rulings on a number of child pornography cases.
On Wednesday, Hawley took to Twitter to say that he will make sure to ask Jackson at her confirmation hearing next week about what he believes are a series of lax sentencing decisions in several child pornography cases.
“Judge Jackson has a pattern of letting child porn offenders off the hook for their appalling crimes, both as a judge and as a policymaker. She’s been advocating for it since law school. This goes beyond ‘soft on crime.’ I’m concerned that this a record that endangers our children,” wrote the senator.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Opponents of Los Angeles County’s top prosecutor said Wednesday they were inching closer to collecting the required number of signatures needed to initiate a second recall attempt.
The campaign to recall District Attorney George Gascon also said it has raised $3.5 million dollars in addition to collecting more than 125,000 signatures, leaving the effort well-positioned to gather the 566,857 signatures — 10% of registered voters — needed by a July 6 deadline.
The group has to submit the signatures to the office of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder and County Clerk. If successful, the recall question could appear on the November 2022 ballot.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Los Angeles DA Gascon Gives ‘Tips’ On How to Avoid Auto Thieves Amid Crime Wave
Embattled Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon, facing surging crime in his jurisdiction, released a video this week with tips on how residents can try to discourage thieves from stealing their cars.
It comes as he faces a second recall effort in just over a year in office and is struggling to fend off accusations he’s soft on criminals and mistreating their victims.
“In Los Angeles County, we’re seeing a noticeable increase in auto theft,” Gascon says in the video. “My office is working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable the people involved in this property crime.”
He goes on to list some advice for car owners that he says can help thwart would-be thieves.
[Comment: My advice: vote Gascon out in the recall election!]
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
New Hampshire State House Approves Bill That Would Make Ivermectin Available Over the Counter
New Hampshire’s GOP-led House has passed a bill that would allow pharmacists to dispense Ivermectin under a standard order, meaning over-the-counter.
The sponsor of the bill, state Rep. Leah Cushman, who is also a nurse, told the Epoch Times that she believes “lives will be saved if human grade Ivermectin was available to COVID patients.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
South Dakota GOP Gov. Noem Again Denied Request for July 4 Mount Rushmore Fireworks
The National Park Service has again denied South Dakota GOP Gov. Kristi Noem request to hold a fireworks show at Mount Rushmore on July 4.
The federal agency cited opposition from Native American tribes and the possibility of starting wildfires as the reason for the rejection. A letter from the Interior Department, which oversees the park service, said a fireworks show would not be “safe and responsible.”
Noem held the event in summer 2020, when Republican Donald Trump was president, but was denied a permit in 2021 amid the pandemic.
The governor said this week that she would take the issue to court, as she did with the 2021 matter.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Trial Resumes for 4 Men Accused of Michigan Governor Plot
A man accused of a leading role in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer got the attention of the FBI in 2019 after he made fiery social media posts targeting law enforcement, an agent testified Thursday.
The trial of four men resumed in federal court in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Proceedings were delayed by three days after a trial participant tested positive for COVID-19.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Video: Lindsey Graham Calls for Putin’s Assassination for Third Time
Senator Lindsey Graham has TRIPLED down on calling for Russian leader Vladimir Putin to be assassinated.
Speaking at a press conference, Graham said “I hope he will be taken out, one way or the other,” adding “I don’t care how they take him out. I don’t care if we send him to The Hague and try him. I just want him to go.”
“It’s time for him to go,” Graham further said of Putin, echoing Joe Biden’s blurted remarks that “He’s a war criminal.”
“I wish somebody had taken Hitler out in the ‘30s. So yes, Vladimir Putin is not a legitimate leader. He is a war criminal.” Graham declared.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Waitress Helps Police Catch Suspect in Couple’s Murders
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WESH) — A double murder suspect is in custody, thanks in part to help police received from a Florida waitress who served the suspect just hours before his alleged crimes.
Valerie Court works at a restaurant in Daytona Beach’s Ocean Walk. When police released images of a person of interest in the deaths of a married couple, she realized she served that person March 5 and had a credit card receipt.
“I’m very happy that I was able to help them get a dangerous person off the street,” Court said.
Court says she knew after she saw him on the news that the man, now identified as 32-year-old Jean Macean, sat at her table for a late lunch, dressed in the same outfit and carrying a backpack.
“I thought maybe he wanted to be left alone because he was short-worded with me, so I just kept his tea filled up,” she said.
Hours after that encounter, 48-year-old Terry and 55-year-old Brenda Aultman were viciously stabbed early Sunday as they rode bicycles home. Police say their throats were slashed.
Court says Macean’s credit card read “my temporary pay card” and didn’t have his name on it, but he did sign and initial the receipt “JM.” Police were able to use that receipt to track Macean to a location in Orlando, where he was later arrested.
“I wanted to catch this guy. I wanted to help the police department and help the community and catch him and get him. I knew I had valuable information,” Court said.
Macean is now charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the Aultmans’ deaths. Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young says he confessed to the crimes, but investigators have not yet determined a motive.
Court contacted police before the agency offered a $50,000 reward, but there’s no doubt her information was crucial, at least in part. Police have not yet determined if or when the reward will be paid out.
“I didn’t do it for the reward. I did it to help the police department get a dangerous person off the street,” Court said.
Even with Macean now in custody, Court says she is still chilled by her interaction with the man and relieved he was identified and arrested.
Macean is being held without bond.
| — Hat tip: Dean | [Return to headlines] |
Tucker Carlson reacted live to the breaking news Wednesday night of Jussie Smollett’s release from jail on bond pending his appeal, saying “…you saw this one coming. Convicted hate-crime hoaxer Jesse Smollett was just sentenced to jail and now he’s been released from jail, or is about to be.”
“He was just a few days into his 150-day sentence. But this evening, an appeals court ruled that Jussie Smollett can go home while he works to get his conviction overturned,” Carlson said. “Because he’s not a Trump voter. He’s not one of those January 6 guys, rotting in solitary for more than a year. He’s Jesse Smollett. He’s a famous actor.”
[Comment: Anarcho-tyranny.]
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Yale Law Won’t Punish Students for Continual Disruption of First Amendment Event
Yale Law School will not punish students who tried to shut down a Federalist Society event with the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) and liberal American Humanist Association (AHA).
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Calgary City Council Asks Police to Crackdown on Freedom Protesters
On March 15, four days after a standoff between freedom protesters and a counter-protest group, Calgary’s city council voted 13-2 in favour of sending a letter to the police commission asking for officers to prioritize bystanders and businesses in the downtown core.
Social media has been taken by storm this week in Calgary, following a heated standoff between anti-lockdown protesters and a group opposed to the weekly demonstration that has been a regular occurrence throughout the pandemic.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Recently, a document has been circulating that appears to be from Ontario Health requiring action from primary care providers, incentivizing them to promote COVID-19 vaccines.
The grainy document has been shared as true after an Ontario doctor shared a photo of the health directive on Twitter.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Exclusive: Rebel News Obtains CBC’s Racist Guest Screening Form
The form, which forces CBC producers to categorize people by colour, ethnic origin and gender pronouns, is required to be filled out for all on-air appearances, including members of the public interviewed in “streeter” videos.
The page form requires guests to be siloed by ethnic demographics.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Lead Plaintiff in Anti-Freedom Convoy Lawsuit to Feature at Broadbent Institute’s Progress Summit
Public servant and Ottawa resident Zexi Li is set to feature as a speaker at the left-wing Progress Summit to be held from March 30-April 2 in Ottawa, Ontario.
Li was profiled by CTV as the “woman who stopped the horns” as the lead plaintiff in a $9.8m class action lawsuit that produced the 10-day injunction against honking in Ottawa.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Liberals Admit Their “Military Style” Gun Ban Includes Hunting and Sporting Rifles
The Trudeau government has finally confessed that its now-delayed gun ban on so-called “military style assault weapons” also applies to hunting and sporting rifles.
According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the Trudeau government’s 2020 firearms prohibition was so sweeping that sustenance and hunting firearms were also included.
An Analysis Statement to cabinet acknowledged this aspect of the ban despite prior insistence that it only applied to guns “designed to kill people.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Liberals Using COVID, War in Ukraine to Push Censorship
After using the pandemic as an excuse to push censorship, the Trudeau Liberals are now shifting to the war in Ukraine as a justification for further censorship efforts. Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez yesterday announced the government’s Digital Citizen Initiative to “counter disinformation.”
On last night’s episode of The Ezra Levant Show, Ezra examined the announcement, focusing on the government’s desire to censor their political opponents.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Nearly 8 in 10 Canadians Want to Increase Oil and Natural Gas Production: Poll
With fuel prices breaking records around the world due to the Russia-Ukraine war, a new poll has found that 78% of Canadians support increasing the amount of oil and natural gas Canada develops and exports, in order to replace the Russian supply.
According to a survey commissioned by Secondstreet.org between Mar. 11-13, only 10% of respondents believed that Canada should not be ramping up production.
When asked whether they supported lifting Quebec’s ban on the production of natural gas, 67% of Canadians supported lifting the ban, with 65% of Quebecers agreeing.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
No Evidence of Terrorist Activity During Convoy Protests: RCMP Financial Crime Director
The RCMP’s Director of Financial Crime Denis Beaudoin told the Commons finance committee on Mar. 7 that there was no evidence of terrorist activity in the funding of the freedom convoy protest.
Beaudoin’s remarks corroborate earlier claims by Canada’s national financial intelligence agency, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Ontario Students Plan Walkout to Protest Lifting of Mask Mandates
An Ontario-based student group is organizing a province-wide walkout to take place next week in protest of the Ford government’s lifting of mask mandates.
Beginning March 21, most of Ontario’s mask mandates are set to expire; among them are those pertaining to schools.
[Comment: Snowflakes.]
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Ontario High School Teacher Under Investigation for Opposing Critical Race Theory
Former MonAvenir Catholic School Board (CSC) high school science teacher Chanel Pfahl is being investigated by the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) for remarks and postings she made opposing critical race theory in schools.
“This is what teachers in Ontario are being investigated for nowadays,” said Pfahl in a tweet on Tuesday. “It looks like I will be needing a lawyer.”
Pfahl, who quit her position at CSC in Aug. 2021, included the email detailing the two allegations against her in her tweet.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Unvaccinated in Ontario? Then it’s No Movie for You at the Provincially Owned Ontario Place!
On March 1, Ontario Premier Doug Ford decided it was time for the COVID-19 vaccination passport be retired. Finally, all Ontarians are equals yet again. Regardless of vax status, all Ontarians can go to cinemas and gyms or movie theatres and arenas without having to produce their “papers.” No more vax apartheid.
Well, not really…
Indeed, we recently decided to visit the Cinesphere movie theatre at the provincially owned Ontario Place. Can you imagine our shock when we were informed that we needed to show our vax pass and government ID as a condition of entry?
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
An Attack on Poland Will be Treated as Aggression Against the US, Warns US Ambassador to Warsaw
The U.S. Ambassador to Warsaw Mark Brzezinski has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to Poland, reminding Russian President Vladimir Putin that under NATO’s treaty obligations, any attack against Poland or any other NATO territory will be treated as an attack on the United States.
Speaking to the Polish news outlet Interia following a Russian missile attack on the Yavoriv military training base located just 25 kilometers away from the Polish border, the American diplomat lamented the ongoing pointless and avoidable war which has led to almost 2 million refugees fleeing Ukraine to date, and said Russia’s brutality must be stopped.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
COVID Forever! Scottish Govt Extends Forced Mask Wearing
Scotland’s government has gone back on its word regarding the scrapping of COVID rules, keeping forced mask wearing until at least April.
First Nicola Sturgeon’s europhile, left-separatist devolved government has gone back on its word regarding the scrapping of forced mask-wearing in Scotland.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Czech PM Adviser Details Historic Journey to Kyiv
A security adviser who accompanied the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on his visit to Kyiv has spoken about his experience of the visit in an interview with the Denik N newspaper, revealing the decision to visit Ukraine had been spontaneous but necessary.
Tomas Pojar told the newspaper that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had been pleased by the showing of solidarity and support offered by the European leaders’ trip to his country.
“The Ukrainian president can appreciate when someone arrives at the place in person. Not only did he say that, but it was apparent,” Pojar explained.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
‘Held Hostage by These People’ — German Health Minister Denounces Unjabbed, Demands Vax Mandate
Germany’s health minister denounced the country’s unjabbed population in a public demand for compulsory vaccination on Thursday.
Karl Lauterbach, Germany’s left-wing Federal Health Minister, salmmed the unvaccinated during a parliamentary debate on Thursday, in which he once against pushed for the implementation of forced vaccination in Germany.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Hungary’s PM Orban Heads to Border to Coordinate Defense and Aid
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban moved for three days to the barracks in Debrecen, northeastern Hungary, some 70 kilometers from the Ukrainian border to coordinate defense and aid efforts, he announced on Facebook.
“In the next three days, we will organize next week’s defense so that we can continue to help all those in need,” said Orban on his way to the barracks in Debrecen on Wednesday afternoon.
The prime minister was shown standing in front of a military helicopter, saying that he would be working there (in Debrecen) for the next three days. The reason for this, he continued, is that 429,000 refugees have already arrived in Hungary, according to Wednesday morning reports.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
In an Attempt to Oust Orban, Soros-Backed NGOs Are Targeting Hungarians Teachers for Their Votes
Less than three weeks before the elections on April 3, Hungarian teachers’ trade unions have called for an indefinite strike action. The strike was called by the Teacher’s Union (PSZ) and the Teachers’ Democratic Union (PDSZ), both known for their close ties with the Hungarian left-wing opposition. A similar strike in January was joined by only one-fifth of Hungarian teachers, mostly those working in schools of the capital Budapest, but the current strike enjoys the support of even less, only 13 percent of Hungarian teachers.
The low numbers willing to join the unmistakably political campaign of the Hungarian opposition are not only a sign of apathy among teachers. In what must be a worrying sign for the far-left to far-right monster coalition of opposition parties facing Orban’s Fidesz party, the lack of enthusiasm from teachers for a politicized strike could be an indicator of just how little support they and their current nominee for prime minister, Péter Marki-Zay, inspires in the general electorate shortly before the elections.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Italian Newspaper Denies ‘Disinformation’ Despite Publishing Completely Misleading Front Page Photo
Italian newspaper La Stampa has denied accusations it engaged in disinformation by publishing a front page photo of a Ukrainian ballistic missile strike on Donetsk while suggesting it had been carried out by Russia.
The daily news outlet promised readers coverage of Russian attacks in Kiev and Lvov alongside a headline that read “The Carnage”.
The headline was illustrated with an image of a man covering his face in grief as dead bodies lie around him along with lines about “traumatized children in Lvov” and “Kiev preparing for the final assault” by Russian troops.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Poland Opens Labour Market to Ukrainian Citizens
Poland is opening its labour market to Ukrainian citizens, the family and social policy minister has announced.
Marlena Malag told a press briefing on Thursday that Poland could afford the move as unemployment remains relatively low in the country.
“We are introducing ways for Ukrainian citizens to access the labour market so that they can start work,” she said.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Poland Ready to Stop Gas Purchases From Russia in 2023
Poland has been developing alternative gas supplies and expanding its infrastructure so it can become fully independent from Russian natural gas from 2023, the government commissioner for strategic energy infrastructure has said.
Poland’s gas monopolist PGNiG has notified the Russian gas giant Gazprom of its intention to terminate gas purchases from Russia under the long-term Yamal Contract by the end of 2022.
“Even if somebody thinks that in business terms further contracts (with Russia — PAP) would be beneficial, today it is even hard to imagine that,” Piotr Naimski told the private radio RMF FM on Thursday.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The visit of European prime ministers to Kyiv, organized by Poland, proves once more that close cooperation between leaders is needed on regional security, even if different views are held on other political issues.
It was a surprising, bold, and undoubtedly very risky journey. The prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia were the first leaders of the EU states to go to Kyiv in person since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
There is no doubt about who the main initiator of the journey was. In addition to Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, the team also included Polish Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, a politician regularly criticized for his anti-liberal tendencies in recent years.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Poland to Purchase Additional Destroyers for Its Navy as it Continues to Bolster Its Defenses
Poland is continuing its program of upgrading and developing its military with the purchase of three additional Kormoran II class destroyers, the country’s Minister of Defense Mariusz Blaszczak has announced.
In a post on social media updating on the progress of the country’s defense procurement, Blaszczak revealed Poland’s desire for the deal to be finalized “in June at the latest.”
“This will allow for the maintenance of competencies and continuity of production in Polish harbors,” he added.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Poland PM Defends Proposal to Send NATO Mission to Ukraine
One of Poland’s top conservative leader’s call on Tuesday for NATO to enter Ukraine in a “peacekeeping mission” was rejected by NATO allies such as Germany and the United States, but Poland’s prime minister has now added his voice in defense of the proposal.
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of the ruling Polish Law and Justice (PiS) party and deputy prime minister, made the proposal for such a NATO mission during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Tuesday.
Despite warnings that NATO in Ukraine could spark a conflict with Russia and potentially even lead to World War III, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki says that there is still ample reason to support such a move.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Pope Francis Warns “Final Catastrophe” Could “Extinguish” Human Race
Pope Francis warns that the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine could lead to a “final catastrophe” that would “extinguish” the human race.
Speaking during his weekly address, the Pope said humanity would have to “start from scratch” in the event of a thermonuclear war.
“Our imagination appears increasingly concentrated on the representation of a final catastrophe that will extinguish us,” said Pope Francis.
“What happens with an eventual nuclear war?” he asked.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Pope Francis: Prepare Laypeople for the Day There Are Not Enough Priests
ROME — Pope Francis said Thursday he worries about the day there are not enough priests, proposing the formation of laypeople as the remedy.
Addressing a delegation from the Order of Augustinian Recollects in the Vatican, the pontiff commented on their falling numbers of vocations, urging them to entrust their charism to the laity.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Russia Targets Poland With Disinformation, Says Security Chief
Poland is the target of a Kremlin propaganda and misinformation campaign, the director of the country’s National Security Department has said.
Stanislaw Zaryn said that Russia was openly lying about the war in an attempt to “infect global public opinion with its message” and that, as part of this broad campaign, Poland was in its misinformation cross-hairs.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Sweden: Harvests Could Halve Due to Lack of Russian Fertilizers and Manure
Swedish farmers may be forced to reduce their harvests by as much as half due to a shortage of manure and fertilizers caused by the conflict in Ukraine and associated sanctions war.
Sweden, which is highly dependent on the import of manure since production all but ceased in the 2000s, could be facing major agricultural issues due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, as Sweden imports between 15 to 20 per cent of its manure from Russia.
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Turkish and Polish Leaders Meet to Discuss Refugee Crisis and Military Cooperation
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on Wednesday that diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine must continue, following a meeting between the two leaders in Ankara.
In a joint press conference, Erdogan revealed that he had discussed current Polish-Turkish relations with Duda at length and explored ways in which they could be strengthened in the future, informing reporters that the pair would meet again in Brussels on March 24 at the emergency NATO summit.
The Polish leader explained that the “most important topic” during their discussions was the Russia-Ukraine war, stressing that Poland wants military cooperation between Poland and Turkey to continue as well as economic cooperation.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
UK to Abolish All Remaining COVID-19 Travel Restrictions for Arrivals From Other Countries
Citizens of other countries planning to enter the United Kingdom will no longer be subject to travel restrictions imposed due to the Coronavirus after the government has announced that it would abolish all the remaining preventive measures.
The decision has been confirmed through a statement published by the UK’s government, while the same says that the new changes would become effective on March 18, SchnegenVisaInfo.com reports.
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UK: World Number 1 Tennis Player to be Banned From Wimbledon Unless He Denounces Putin
The world’s current number one tennis player Daniil Medvedev faces a ban from competing at the Wimbledon tournament in London unless he publicly denounces Vladimir Putin, according to reports.
The British Minister for Sport Nigel Huddleston stated Wednesday at a select committee in parliament that Russian and Belarusian players will have to go before cameras and tell the world they are opposed to the actions of their countries in Ukraine in order to compete.
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In Ukraine: The fate of hundreds of Ukrainian civilians in Mariupol was unclear after a theater where they had been sheltering from fighting in the southern port city came under Russian bombing.
Satellite images from before the attack showed the word “children” written twice, in Russian, on either side of the building. The entrance to a bomb shelter under the theater was blocked by rubble when the building partially collapsed, said Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of the regional military administration in the eastern region of Donetsk. Former governor Sergiy Taruta said Thursday the bomb shelter had remained intact, and there were survivors.
Russia’s Defense Ministry denied its forces conducted an airstrike on the theater, blaming Ukraine’s forces for blowing it up as a “bloody provocation.”
In Washington: President Biden told reporters he thought Russian President Vladimir Putin was a war criminal, a sign of escalating rhetoric during the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow considered Mr. Biden’s comment “unacceptable and unforgivable.”
The House easily passed legislation to end normal trade ties with Russia.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Putin Claims US Has Network of Coronavirus Bio-Warfare Labs in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sensationally claimed that the US has a network of secret bio-warfare labs in Ukraine dedicated to weaponizing pathogens and coronaviruses.
Putin made the comments during a press briefing.
“They are now trying to sweep up the traces of these secret programs. But we have every reason to believe that in the immediate vicinity of Russia, in Ukraine, components of biological weapons were effectively being created,” Putin said.
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Putin Warns of ‘Traitors’ Within Russia, Calls for National ‘Self-Purification’
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday attacked Russians who refuse to back his invasion of Ukraine, calling them “traitors.”
Russians “will always be able to distinguish true patriots from scum and traitors and will simply spit them out like a gnat that accidentally flew into their mouths,” Putin said on television, per The Associated Press (AP). “I am convinced that such a natural and necessary self-purification of society will only strengthen our country.”
He further insisted that the West is using traitorous Russians to cause civil unrest and “the destruction of Russia.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Russian Ballerina Quits Bolshoi After Voicing Opposition to Ukraine War
Russian prima ballerina Olga Smirnova quit Moscow’s world— renowned Bolshoi Ballet after denouncing Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ms. Smirnova said she would instead perform for the Dutch National Ballet. Her move comes after she spoke out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, writing on Telegram earlier this month that she was “against war with all the fibers of my soul.”
The Dutch National Ballet said in a statement that Ms. Smirnova would start immediately and “be welcomed with open arms.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Russia to Detain WNBA Star Brittney Griner Two More Months
A Russian court has decided to extend WNBA star Brittney Griner’s detention in Moscow for two more months, according to a report.
Griner, a Houston-native who plays for the WNBA’s Pheonix Mercury in addition to playing in Russia when the WNBA is not in season, has been held in a Russian jail since last month after being arrested for having vaping cartridges that contained cannabis oils.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Ukraine Deploying Foreigners Who Volunteered as Medics to Kyiv as ‘Cannon Fodder’ — Report
The Ukrainian government is trying to arm foreigners who volunteered to work as medics and send them to Kyiv as “cannon fodder”, according to British ex-volunteers.
Carl Walsh, a former combat medical technician who previously served in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq over a near-20-year career, and former paramedic Ollie Funnell told The Telegraph — a right-leaning newspaper close to the British government — that the Ukrainian embassy in London had assured them they would not be required to fight when they offered their services as medics — but their situation changed dramatically when they entered the country from neighbouring Poland.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The Russian offensive in Ukraine has “largely stalled” in recent days with its military suffering losses of up to 28,000 troops, according to the latest updates published by U.K. and U.S. intelligence services.
In Thursday’s daily intelligence update provided by the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has ground to a halt “on all fronts,” with Russian forces making “minimal progress” on land sea and air.
The government department reported that “Ukrainian resistance remains staunch and well-coordinated,” with the vast majority of Ukrainian territory, “including all major cities” remaining in Ukrainian hands.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
On declaring March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia, India told the UN General Assembly that New Delhi wasn’t convinced that we need to elevate phobia against one religion to the level of an international day.
Rezaul H Laskar | HT Online | New Delhi | March 16, 2022:: The UN General Assembly on Tuesday adopted a Pakistan-sponsored resolution to declare March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia, with India expressing concern at the elevation of the phobia against one religion to such a level while excluding others.
The resolution, introduced by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), was adopted by consensus. It was backed by 57 members of OIC and eight other countries, including China and Russia.
Explaining India’s position on the resolution, TS Tirumurti, the country’s permanent representative to the UN, expressed deep concern at the rise in instances of discrimination, intolerance and violence against members of many religious communities in different parts of the world.
“Let me also state that we condemn all acts motivated by anti-Semitism, Christianophobia or Islamophobia. However, such phobias are not restricted to Abrahamic religions only,” he said.
Tirumurti noted that Hinduism has more than 1.2 billion followers, Buddhism more than 535 million and Sikhism more than 30 million, and said the time had come to acknowledge the “prevalence of religiophobia, rather than single out just one”.
He added, “It is in this context that we are concerned about elevating the phobia against one religion to the level of an international day, to the exclusion of all the others. Celebration of a religion is one thing but to commemorate the combating of hatred against one religion is quite another.”
Tirumurti also argued the resolution “may well end up downplaying the seriousness of phobias against all other religions”.
While explaining India’s position, Tirumurti cited what he contended were religion phobias that have affected the followers of non-Abrahamic religions, including “anti-Hindu, anti-Buddhist and anti-Sikh phobias”.
“These contemporary forms of religiophobia can be witnessed in the increase in attacks on religious places of worship like gurudwaras, monasteries, temples etc or in spreading of hatred and disinformation against non-Abrahamic religions in many countries,” he said…
| — Hat tip: Upananda Brahmachari | [Return to headlines] |
Cuba Anti-Government Protesters Jailed for Up to 30 Years
More than 100 people who took part in rare anti-government protests in Cuba in July have been sentenced to lengthy jail terms of between six and 30 years.
Out of the 129 defendants, only one was acquitted, with the remaining being found guilty of sedition and theft.
Thousands of Cubans took part in the demonstrations across the Communist-run island chanting for “freedom”.
Unauthorised public gatherings are illegal in Cuba and more than 1,000 people were arrested.
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51% of Dutch-Moroccans Back Pro-Migrant, Islamist Denk Party
According to a new poll, More than half of the Dutch-Moroccan contingent across the Netherlands would back the Denk party, known for its support for Islamist Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, promotion of mass migration, and lobbying for Muslim issues.
The poll, conducted by Het Opiniehuis research company in collaboration with de Kantreken, found that 51 percent of Dutch-Moroccan respondents intend to vote for the pro-migrant, Islamist Denk party, with many impressed by the Dutch-Moroccan politician Farid Azarkan at the head of the party (PvdA).
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Biden Administration Creates ‘War Room’ To Prepare for Migrant Surge
The Biden administration is reportedly taking actions to prepare for an even more severe surge of migrants at the border, as it considers ending a provision currently in place under which the majority of deportations are facilitated.
Despite worries and criticisms that it will lead to an even more untenable situation on the country’s southern border, the administration is strongly considering ending Title 42, which allows for rapid deportation of immigrants apprehended in border regions, according to Fox News.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Hungary to Provide Financial Support to Employers Giving Jobs to Refugees Coming From Ukraine
The Foreign Minister of Hungary, Péter Szijjartó, has announced that the Hungarian government will support employers who give jobs to refugees coming from Ukraine while also providing the latter with housing and transportation opportunities.
According to a press release issued on March 14 by the government of Hungary, employers who meet the above conditions will receive 60,000 HUF or €160 per month for each Ukrainian refugee they employ and an additional 12,000 HUF or €32 for each of their children, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Poland Still Thwarting Migrants Entering Via Belarus as Ukraine Refugees Pour in
Poland is still battling to keep its border with Belarus secure while managing massive refugee flows from Ukraine, according to reports.
More than three million people have reportedly fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in late February, the majority of whom have entered Poland.
Nearly two million refugees have passed from Ukraine into Poland so far, according to the Polish Border Guard.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Record Number of Underage African Migrants Arrived in Italy Last Year
The number of migrants arriving on Italian shores from Tunisia last year reached a record level, quadrupling compared to the figures reported in 2017, the Tunisian Forum for Social and Economic Rights (FTDES) revealed on Wednesday.
Between 70 and 80 percent of migrants arriving from Tunisia originated from sub-Saharan Africa, fleeing political tensions and deteriorating economic prospects, according to the organization specializing in migration issues.
The number of minor refugees arriving in Italy in 2021 amounted to 2,731 people, including 2,076 unaccompanied young people. In 2017, 561 underage migrants arrived, while 544 were unaccompanied.
“It is a record number,” said FTDES spokesperson Romdhane Ben Amor during a press conference in Tunis as he presented the NGO’s annual report on illegal immigration.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Almost 3,000 migrants have crossed the Channel by boat so far this year.
UK authorities have rescued or intercepted 2,923 people making the dangerous journey in 97 boats in 2022.
The landmark figure was not reached last year until May 13.
So far in March, 1,439 migrants have arrived in 46 boats.
There have been no crossings so far today due to choppy conditions at sea.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
ATLANTA — Lia Thomas is a national champion.
Thomas, who is a transgender woman, touched the wall in 4 minutes, 33.24 seconds in the 500-yard freestyle on Thursday night to become the first known transgender athlete to win a Division I national championship in any sport.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Disney Workers Plan Walkouts to Protest Anti-Grooming Law
Workers at Disney are planning to stage walkouts protesting what they call the “apathy” of Disney CEO Bob Chapek regarding the state’s new parental rights and anti-grooming legislation.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Kanye West was suspended by Instagram after an angry rant prompted by his 8-year-old daughter being allowed to perform a pro-LGBT TikTok dance routine.
The suspension marks another chapter in Kanye’s ongoing feud with the utter degenerate Pete Davidson, who Kanye fears is corrupting his children.
The hip hop star had his account blocked for 24 hours for violating the platform’s policies on hate speech, harassment and bullying.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Putin’s Chechens give the “Allahu-Akbar”, and the one-fingered salute…
https://mobile.twitter.com/maxseddon/status/1504765601230864387
” Christian fighting Cristian”..Narrative present on this site..
In reality :
https://twitter.com/i/status/1504839611192954882