Gates of Vienna News Feed 7/30/2022

The former chief editor of the Chinese Communist Party’s state newspaper called in a tweet for Nancy Pelosi’s plane to be shot down if she attempts to visit Taiwan. He later deleted the tweet, but only after Twitter blocked his account.

In other news, Gazprom announced that it was cutting off gas supplies to Latvia after the latter violated the company’s conditions of purchase.

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

Thanks to Dean, DV, LP, 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
» Big Tech Fact-Checkers Flag Biden “Recession” Definition Change Allegations as “False Information”
» Consumer Confidence in Czechia Hits Historic Low
» DeSantis Says Biden is ‘Gaslighting’ Americans About Recession
» Key Federal Reserve Inflation Index Hits 40-Year High
» Poll: 4 in 10 Americans Forced to Cut Back on Groceries Due to Bidenflation
» Spam Goes on Lockdown Due to Inflation in NYC
 
USA
» 20-Year-Old College Basketball Player Dies After ‘Cardiac Event’
» Assault Weapons Ban Passed in House of Representatives
» Biden Tests Positive for COVID Again — Days After Initial Recovery
» California Exodus Continues, With L.A., San Francisco Leading the Way: ‘Why Are We Here?’
» Chicago Warns Lollapalooza-Goers to be Wary of Fentanyl: ‘Test Your Drugs’
» Chicago Prosecutor Jim Murphy Rips Kim Foxx
» Chicago Woman Shoots 13-Year-Old as He Tries to Break Into Her Car
» Chicago Shootings: 19 Shot: 2 Fatally in Weekend Violence Across City, CPD Says
» Historic: Health Care Workers Win $10.3 Million Settlement Over COVID Mandates
» If the Secret Service Bans End-to-End Encrypted Messages, Phone Networks Would be Able to Snoop on SMS Texts
» Las Vegas Braces for 4th Straight Night of Severe Thunderstorms
» Nearly One-Third of Baby Formula Brands Out of Stock
» New Polling Shows Trump-Endorsed Candidates Favored in Arizona GOP Primary
» Supply Chain Crisis: Britney Spears’ New Book Held Up Due to Paper Shortage
» UK: Man Arrested on Suspicion of Murder Following Death of Lillia Valutyte
 
Canada
» Municipal Councillor Punished for Convoy Participation
» Quebec Conservative Party Gaining Popularity Among Anglophones
» Tim Hortons Offers Customers a Free Coffee and Baked Item in Settlement for Spying on People
» Trudeau Liberals Urge Canadians to Ditch Plastic Cutlery, Bring Own Containers When Eating Out
 
Europe and the EU
» Farmers’ Protest in Netherlands Reflects Rise of Popular Revolts in Europe
» France: Disabled Man Killed for His Bag in Botched Robbery, 2 Algerians Arrested
» French Fireman Arrested, Accused of Being Serial Fire Starter
» Orban’s Visit to Vienna: The Key Points
» Poland Aims to Have the ‘Strongest Land Forces in Europe,’ Declares Polish Defense Minister
» Training for UK Govt Workers Says Britain is Racist, Minorities Should Not be Contradicted
» UK: Police Commissioner Chastises Cops for Arresting People for Memes Instead of Solving Burglaries
» What Are the First Names of ‘German’ Criminals?
 
Middle East
» Iraqi Parliament in Baghdad Stormed by Protesters
 
Russia
» Gazprom Stops Latvia’s Gas in Latest Russian Cut to EU
» Ukraine Claims More Than 100 Russian Soldiers Killed in Fighting in Kherson Region
» Zelensky to be Immortalized as ‘Heroic’ Action Figure
 
Far East
» Chinese Propagandist Deletes Tweet Warning Nancy Pelosi’s Plane Could Get Shot Down
» Chinese State Media Personality Suggests Shooting Down Pelosi’s Plane in Taiwan
» Twitter Backtracks on Censorship of the Epoch Times After Complaints
» Watch: Joe Rogan Says Using TikTok ‘Ends With China Having All of Your Data’
 
Sub-Saharan Africa
» ‘White People Will be the First Target’: South Africa’s Julius Malema Warns of Impending ‘Violence’ Because ‘The Poor Are Getting Poorer’
 
Immigration
» Asylum Applications to Austria Have Increased Threefold
» Biden Admin Buses Illegal Immigrants to New York, Gives Them False Information About Where to Seek Shelter, Aid
» Spain: Socialist Govt Wants More Migrant Workers, Illegals Amnesty Despite High Unemployment
 
Culture Wars
» Doomed UK Trans Kids Clinic Left ‘Thousands of Damaged Children’ In Its Wake
» Indiana Senate Passes Near-Total Abortion Ban, Measure Now Goes to House
» Principal Promotes Book on ‘Trans’ Toddlers to Kindergarteners for Summer Reading
» Shrine Cancels ‘Pride’ Lights Ahead of Large Protest
» Sweden: Leftist Govt Proposes Allowing 16-Year-Olds to Legally Change Gender
» UK: Watch: Army Veteran Arrested by ‘Politicised Police’ For Posting LGBT Pride Flag Meme on Facebook
» WEF Calls for Reducing Ownership of Private Vehicles
 

Big Tech Fact-Checkers Flag Biden “Recession” Definition Change Allegations as “False Information”

Instagram and Facebook posts rejecting the Biden administration’s new definition of recession have been flagged as false information, which causes massive censorship of those posts.

The standard definition of recession is a negative GDP growth in two consecutive fiscal quarters. However, in an attempt to deny that the US has entered a recession, The White House published an online article with a new definition of recession.

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

Consumer Confidence in Czechia Hits Historic Low

Consumer confidence in the Czech economy has fallen to its lowest level on record, according to the latest survey conducted by the Czech Statistical Office.

A record number of respondents fear a worsening of their financial situation, and “the number of consumers who assess their situation as worse than in the last 12 months is also close to a historic high,” the statisticians reported.

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

DeSantis Says Biden is ‘Gaslighting’ Americans About Recession

President Joe Biden and mainstream media are “gaslighting” the American people about the recession, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says.

After the Bureau of Economic Analysis on Thursday reported a second quarter of negative GDP growth, signaling the U.S. is in a recession, Biden denied the U.S. is in a recession and some mainstream media outlets began redefining what a recession is.

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

Key Federal Reserve Inflation Index Hits 40-Year High

A major inflation indicator monitored by the Federal Reserve hit a 40-year high this week, signaling ongoing price woes for Americans still reeling from sticker shocks at nearly every conceivable consumer point.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis said in its June personal income analysis that the personal consumption expenditures price index for that month “increased 6.8 percent from one year ago, reflecting increases in both goods and services.”

That figure represents the highest year-over-year jump in the PCE since 1982, a 40-year record that comes amid looming fears of a significant economic recession.

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

Poll: 4 in 10 Americans Forced to Cut Back on Groceries Due to Bidenflation

More than four in ten Americans have been forced to cut back on everyday habits and items, including the amount of groceries they purchase, as a result of Bidenflation, a recent Suffolk University/USA TODAY survey found.

They survey asked respondents about the habits they have had to change due to the reality of rising prices in President Biden’s America. Bidenflation was much worse than experts predicted for the month of June, rising to an annual rate of 9.1 percent, according to the Department of Labor.

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

Spam Goes on Lockdown Due to Inflation in NYC

It’s the nation’s crises in a can.

Inflation and crime have gotten so bad in Gotham that even cheap meat like Spam has to be locked up.

At Duane Reade’s store in the Port Authority bus depot, the shelf-stable product — only $3.99 a can — is now being stocked in plastic, anti-theft cases.

“I’ve never seen that before!” one cashier laughed while using a magnet to remove a can of Spam from its cage.

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

20-Year-Old College Basketball Player Dies After ‘Cardiac Event’

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater basketball player Derek Gray, 20, recently died after suffering from a “cardiac event,” according to his coach.

Gray’s coach Pat Miller told WKOW that the tragic incident occurred on July 24 while the 20-year-old was volunteering at a summer basketball camp, where more than 100 children from ages 10 to 17 were attending.

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

Assault Weapons Ban Passed in House of Representatives

The House of Representatives voted to pass an assault weapons ban Friday evening, with legislators narrowly approving the bill with a 217-213 vote.

The legislation will now head to the Senate, where it’s unlikely to break the filibuster.

Two Republicans, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Penn., and Chris Jacobs, R-N.Y., broke with their party to vote yes on the bill. Five Democrats, Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas; Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Oreg., and Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wisc. broke with their party to vote no.

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

Biden Tests Positive for COVID Again — Days After Initial Recovery

President Biden tested positive for COVID-19 again on Saturday, days after he recovered from his first bout with the virus.

Biden, 79, posted on Twitter that so-called “rebound” cases like his happen “with a small minority of folks” prescribed the antiviral medication Paxlovid to treat the bug.

“Folks, today I tested positive for COVID again. I’ve got no symptoms but I am going to isolate for the safety of everyone around me,” the tweet said. “I’m still at work, and will be back on the road soon.”

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

California Exodus Continues, With L.A., San Francisco Leading the Way: ‘Why Are We Here?’

After living in the Bay Area for nearly seven years, Hari Raghavan and his wife decided to leave for the East Coast late last year.

They were both working remotely and wanted to leave California because of the high cost of living and urban crime. So they made a list of potential relocation cities before choosing Miami for its sunny weather and what they perceived was a better sense of safety.

Raghavan said that their Oakland house had been broken into four times and that prior to the pandemic, his wife called him every day during her seven-minute walk home from the BART station because she felt safer with someone on the phone. After moving to Miami, Raghavan said they accidentally left their garage door open one day and were floored when they returned home and found nothing had been stolen.

“We moved to the Bay Area because we had to be there if you want to work in tech and start-ups, and now that that’s no longer a tether, we took a long hard look and said, ‘Wait, why are we here again?’ “ Raghavan said.

He said there wasn’t much draw in California’s quality of life, local or social policies, or cost of living. “That forced us to question where we actually wanted to live,” he said.

An acceleration of people leaving coastal California began during the first year of the pandemic. But new data show it continued even after lockdowns and other COVID restrictions eased.

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

Chicago Warns Lollapalooza-Goers to be Wary of Fentanyl: ‘Test Your Drugs’

Chicago public health officials are advising Lollapalooza goers to test their drugs before partaking to make sure they are not laced with fentanyl.

The Chicago Department of Public Health put out a warning a day before the four-day music festival was set to begin in Grant Park.

“ATTN Chicago & LOLLA FANS,” a tweet from CDPH reads. “Fentanyl is a strong opioid that can easily cause overdose. Test your drugs before you use, carry Narcan, and don’t use alone. Call 911 if you suspect someone is overdosing.”

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

Chicago Prosecutor Jim Murphy Rips Kim Foxx

A veteran Illinois prosecutor reportedly slammed Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx in a scathing, office-wide resignation letter, saying her administration “is more concerned about political narratives and agendas than with victims and prosecuting violent crime.”

Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Jim Murphy added he “can’t continue to work for an administration I don’t respect,” according to the resignation letter obtained by Fox News.

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

Chicago Woman Shoots 13-Year-Old as He Tries to Break Into Her Car

A woman utilized her concealed carry license to shoot and wound a 13-year-old boy, who was among a group of males attempting to break into her car, in Chicago, Ill. Friday night.

Police said that at 7:58 pm, four to five males were trying to break into the 34-year-old woman’s parked car in the neighborhood of Hyde Park. The unidentified woman saw the would-be thieves around her car and confronted them, at which point one of them took out a gun and pointed it at her, reported CBS.

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

Chicago Shootings: 19 Shot: 2 Fatally in Weekend Violence Across City, CPD Says

CHICAGO — Nineteen people were shot, two fatally, in shootings across Chicago over the weekend, police said.

           — Hat tip: LP [Return to headlines]
 

Historic: Health Care Workers Win $10.3 Million Settlement Over COVID Mandates

The first settlement in the U.S. has been reached in a class action lawsuit filed by health care workers over a university system’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Chicago-based NorthShore University HealthSystem has agreed to pay more than 500 current and former health-care workers a total of $10,337,500 as part of the terms of the settlement. It’s also changing its policy to accommodate religious exemption requests and rehiring former employees who were fired or forced to resign whose exemption requests were denied.

Represented by the nonprofit religious freedom organization Liberty Counsel, NorthShore employees sued, alleging they were discriminated against because they were denied religious exemptions from the company’s vaccine mandate. The settlement was filed Friday in the federal Northern District Court of Illinois.

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

If the Secret Service Bans End-to-End Encrypted Messages, Phone Networks Would be Able to Snoop on SMS Texts

To avoid a repeat of the January 6 controversy over deleted text messages, the Secret Service is considering disabling iMessage on work-issued iPhones, Politico reports. This ban on end-to-end encryption, if it comes to pass, would mean that phone carriers would be able to read SMS messages between Secret Service agents.

Earlier this month, the DHS inspector general told Congress that the Secret Service lost messages related to the January 6 riot at the Capitol. The texts were lost as the agency was installing a new device management platform that allows the agency to centrally manage devices and preserve data stored on employees’ phones.

However, the platform could not back up iMessages because they are encrypted and stored on the device, which is not the case for regular texts.

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

Las Vegas Braces for 4th Straight Night of Severe Thunderstorms

Las Vegas braced for its fourth straight night of monsoonal wind and rain on Saturday after severe thunderstorms and heavy gusts pummeled the region Thursday and Friday, meteorologists said.

Storms consumed casinos, airports and parking lots Thursday night and continued again on Friday night when at least 16,000 people suffered power outages, the Review-Journal reported.

Officials at Nellis Air Force Base reported winds of 54 mph on Friday, according to the report.

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

Nearly One-Third of Baby Formula Brands Out of Stock

The national baby formula shortage is not abating, with nearly one-third of brands out of stock, according to a report.

Numbers released Friday for the week ending July 24 showed a 30% out-of-stock rate, which was down slightly from 32% percent the week earlier, the Daily Mail reported.

When the shortage dominated headlines in late May, 23.7% of brands were reported out of stock.

The typical out-of-stock range before the COVID-19 pandemic hovered between 5% and 7%.

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

New Polling Shows Trump-Endorsed Candidates Favored in Arizona GOP Primary

Voters are making up their minds in Arizona statewide Republican primary races — and now they’re looking less competitive.

An Arizona Public Opinion Pulse poll conducted by OH Predictive Insights gives this impression.

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

Supply Chain Crisis: Britney Spears’ New Book Held Up Due to Paper Shortage

Pop icon Britney Spears has written a spicy, tell-all memoir, but it may be a while before anyone can read it due to the ongoing supply chair issues. Spears recently finished up her memoir, which will be published with Simon & Schuster. But there’s no release date set, due to the paper crunch.

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

UK: Man Arrested on Suspicion of Murder Following Death of Lillia Valutyte

Lillia was fatally stabbed in Boston, Lincolnshire

Police have made an arrest in connection with the killing of nine-year-old Lillia Valutyte. Lincolnshire Police said a person had been held on suspicion of murder.

Lillia was fatally stabbed in Boston, Lincolnshire, on Thursday (July 28). She was reportedly playing with her younger sister in the street outside the café where her mother worked when she was attacked.

Police said a 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and added in a statement: “Officers detained the man in the Boston Central Park area at around 2.45pm today (July 30). The arrest follows a combination of intelligence and information supplied by several members of the public. We’d like to thank everyone for their assistance as we continue our investigation. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”…

           — Hat tip: DV [Return to headlines]
 

Municipal Councillor Punished for Convoy Participation

Harold Jonker attended the Freedom Convoy as a concerned citizen, worried father, and upset business owner. Due to the fact that he is also an elected municipal council member in West Lincoln, he has faced backlash for his participation and leadership in the convoy.

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

Quebec Conservative Party Gaining Popularity Among Anglophones

The Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) is gaining popularity among the province’s anglophone voters.

A recent Leger poll showed that the PCQ is now polling second among english-speaking Quebecers, with 22% of them saying they intend to support the party.

As reported by TVA Nouvelles, this is a significant increase from the marginal support the PCQ received in the 2018 provincial election.

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

Tim Hortons Offers Customers a Free Coffee and Baked Item in Settlement for Spying on People

As settlement in class action lawsuits, Canadian coffee giant Tim Hortons will offer a free hot beverage and a baked good as an apology for tracking the location of users of its app. The app tracked users when they left or entered a Tim Hortons competitor such as Starbucks, their home or workplace, and more.

In June, regulators said that the data collection was in violation of the law.

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

Trudeau Liberals Urge Canadians to Ditch Plastic Cutlery, Bring Own Containers When Eating Out

The Trudeau Liberals released their latest guidance regarding single-use plastics as they attempt to end the use of such materials in Canada.

The guidance, developed by Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault’s office, urges Canadians to ditch plastic cutlery and bring their own containers when eating take-out.

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

Farmers’ Protest in Netherlands Reflects Rise of Popular Revolts in Europe

The June 10 introduction by the Dutch government of a large environmental plan, which will reduce the country’s livestock population by at least 30% by 2030, has triggered waves of violent demonstrations throughout the country.

The plan followed a 2019 ruling from the country’s top administrative court that the Netherlands was violating European nature conservation directives. Dairy cows are particularly targeted by these measures as they produce polluting emissions from manure and artificial fertilizers.

The Netherlands is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in Europe, due to its intensive animal agriculture. It is the second largest agricultural exporter in the world after the U.S.

The goal of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s government is to reduce ammonia pollution, as well as nitrogen emissions by between 40% and 95%, depending on the area, which will necessarily have a dramatic impact on the lives of Dutch farmers, who fear losing their lands and farms built over generations.

According to an estimate by the Ministry of Finance, more than half of farm holdings will disappear or be cut back in the next eight years. This drastic decision by the Dutch government has driven tens of thousands of farmers to the streets, causing clashes with the authorities and blockades throughout the country in recent weeks.

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

France: Disabled Man Killed for His Bag in Botched Robbery, 2 Algerians Arrested

Two Algerian nationals, aged 22 and 26, were indicted and placed in pre-trial detention on Monday after being arrested on suspicion of murdering a disabled man during a robbery gone wrong.

As reported by French newspaper Le Figaro, the attack took place on Friday shortly after 1 a.m. on a street in the 13th district of Paris, in the Poterne-des-Peupliers district. A group of assailants punched and kicked the victim, eventually delivering a fatal blow to the 49-year-old man as they attempted to steal his bag before fleeing the scene.

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

French Fireman Arrested, Accused of Being Serial Fire Starter

A French fireman was arrested on suspicion of being a serial fire starter in a twisted bid for an adrenalin fix.

The volunteer first responder, who hails from the south of France, is accused of kickstarting a series of wildfires in the Herault region, not far from the city of Montpellier.

Earlier this month, Europe faced its most extreme heatwave to date, with temperatures reaching unprecedented highs of 105 degrees.

About 14,000 people were evacuated from France’s Gironde region as more than 1,200 firefighters battled to bring the flames under control after a wildfire ravaged parts of Europe.

Now, officials are investigating whether the 30-something firefighter — dubbed “pyromaniac fireman” by local news outlets — was responsible for July’s blaze.

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

Orban’s Visit to Vienna: The Key Points

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited Vienna on Thursday for talks with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer during which the Russo-Ukrainian war, sanctions, illegal immigration, and Orban’s recent speech in Tusvanyos were discussed.

In a joint press conference following the conclusion of the talks, Orban told reporters that while some points of disagreement remain, the two neighbors remain great allies and share the common problems of migration control and dependence on natural gas.

Nehammer also praised the “deep friendship” between the two nations and stated Hungary is an important geo-strategic partner for Austria.

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

Poland Aims to Have the ‘Strongest Land Forces in Europe,’ Declares Polish Defense Minister

Poland is determined to transform its land forces into NATO’s most powerful in Europe, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said on Thursday in an interview with Polish Radio 1.

Earlier this week, Blaszczak approved procurement contracts for South Korean equipment for Poland’s armed forces, which will receive FA-50 light fighter jets, K2 tanks, and K9 self-propelled gun-howitzers.

“We are striving to replace the entirety of our armor fleet and to have NATO’s strongest ground forces in Europe, and we will do it,” said Blaszczak. “Cooperation with Korea is of a strategic nature. Polish Armed Forces will be equipped with the first units of K2 tanks this year,” he added.

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

Training for UK Govt Workers Says Britain is Racist, Minorities Should Not be Contradicted

Civil servants in Britain’s deep state bureaucracy have been trained that their country is “racist” and that white government employees should defer to colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds.

A training video for bureaucrats at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities reportedly told civil servants that they should focus on becoming “allies” of allegedly marginalised groups.

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

UK: Police Commissioner Chastises Cops for Arresting People for Memes Instead of Solving Burglaries

A police force has been chastised by its own elected commissioner for arresting a British Army veteran for posting a meme making fun of an LGBT flag on Facebook while burglaries are ignored.

On Thursday, Reclaim Party leader Laurence Fox released footage on social media of an unnamed veteran being arrested by three officers of the Hampshire Constabulary for reposting a meme that had previously landed Fox with a Twitter suspension and even calls for his arrest.

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

What Are the First Names of ‘German’ Criminals?

Facts don’t matter: the assessment that foreigners are more criminal than Germans is officially considered to be a “right-wing extremist’ notion. By doing so, the problem is never addressed.

The majority of 21st-century Germans consider themselves “well-informed”. Many still read a daily newspaper, and more than 90 percent watch state-sponsored television and a colorful variety of different online media. Very few of them believe that they are — at least partially — confronted with an illusory world.

However, in mass media reporting, certain issues have become so obvious that they can hardly be hidden any longer. For example, when it comes to hot topics such as crimes committed by foreigners.

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

Iraqi Parliament in Baghdad Stormed by Protesters

Thousands of followers of an influential Shiite cleric breached Iraq’s parliament Saturday, the second time in a week, to protest government formation efforts led by Iran-backed groups.

Iraqi security forces initially used tear gas and sound bombs to try to repel the demonstrators and caused several injuries witnessed by journalists for The Associated Press. The Health Ministry said it had received 60 injured patients.

An expected parliament session did not take place, and there were no lawmakers in the hall.

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

Gazprom Stops Latvia’s Gas in Latest Russian Cut to EU

Russian energy giant Gazprom says it has suspended gas supplies to Latvia — the latest EU country to experience such action amid tensions over Ukraine.

Gazprom accused Latvia of violating conditions of purchase, but gave no details of that alleged violation.

Latvia relies on neighbouring Russia for natural gas imports, but its government says it does not expect Gazprom’s move to have a major impact.

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

Ukraine Claims More Than 100 Russian Soldiers Killed in Fighting in Kherson Region

The Ukrainian military claimed on Saturday it had killed a substantial number of Russian soldiers and destroyed two ammunition dumps in fighting in the Kherson region.

The Kherson region is the center of Kyiv’s counter-offensive in the south and a crucial part of Moscow’s supply lines. It was the first major town captured by the Russians following the start of their war in late February.

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

Zelensky to be Immortalized as ‘Heroic’ Action Figure

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to get his very own action figure after a kickstarter for the project raised $90,000 towards the manufacture of the toy, which is three times the project’s original goal of $30,000. “We don’t need more superheroes,” the kickstarter page reads, “Just give us a few more real people with big hearts, who are willing to face impossible odds.”

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

Chinese Propagandist Deletes Tweet Warning Nancy Pelosi’s Plane Could Get Shot Down

Chinese government propagandist Hu Xijin said on Saturday he deleted a tweet warning of military retaliation if US military jets escort House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on her visit to Taiwan.

However, he nixed the tweet only after Twitter blocked his account.

Pelosi, third in the line of presidential succession, after President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, started a trip to Asia on Saturday morning, with official stops planned in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.

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

Chinese State Media Personality Suggests Shooting Down Pelosi’s Plane in Taiwan

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may visit Taiwan during closely watched Asia trip

The former chief editor of the Chinese Communist Party’s state tabloid, the Global Times, suggested the country shoot down U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for visiting Taiwan if her plane refuses to divert course.

China’s government has warned it will take “forceful measures” if Pelosi visits Taiwan after the Financial Times reported she would travel to the Chinese-claimed island nation next month.

Hu Xijin, former chief editor of the Global Times, called Pelosi’s planned visit an “invasion,” and suggested shooting down the speaker’s plane if U.S. fighter jets escort it to Taiwan.

“If US fighter jets escort Pelosi’s plane into Taiwan, it is invasion,” Xijin wrote…

           — Hat tip: Dean [Return to headlines]
 

Twitter Backtracks on Censorship of the Epoch Times After Complaints

On July 28, Twitter decided to block all content from The Epoch Times, a news outlet that was founded in 2000 by Chinese Americans who opposed the Chinese Communist Party. The censorship has been decried by at least two US senators.

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

Watch: Joe Rogan Says Using TikTok ‘Ends With China Having All of Your Data’

On “The Joe Rogan Experience” this week, Rogan told comedian Theo Von, that using Chinese owned social media service Tik Tok likely puts all your personal data into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.

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

‘White People Will be the First Target’: South Africa’s Julius Malema Warns of Impending ‘Violence’ Because ‘The Poor Are Getting Poorer’

A South African opposition figure has warned of impending civil unrest in the continent’s richest country and likened it to ‘an Arab Spring.’

The controversial opposition leader Julius Malema spoke of the country waking up one day with ‘very angry people that are not going to be reasonable.’

Discontent with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party in South Africa is at all-time high levels due to the social conditions within the country and ‘the poor becoming poor,’ according to Malema.

‘When the unled revolution comes… the first target is going to be white people,’ Mr Malema told the BBC’s Hardtalk programme, adding that the uprising would also target ‘black elites.’

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

Asylum Applications to Austria Have Increased Threefold

In Austria, asylum applications have already tripled compared to the previous year — and the latest onslaught is mostly Afghan, Syrian and Tunisian men. Memories of 2015 are recalled.

In numbers, in the first half of 2022, 31 050 people applied for asylum in Austria. The Ukrainian war refugees, the majority of whom are women, were not included in the Interior Ministry’s statistics because of the exceptional situation.

Some 94 percent of asylum seekers are men. Very few applications were submitted by women in the first half of 2022. Most asylum applications were made by Afghans (7325), Syrians (6680) and Tunisians (3810), with Pakistan (3110) and India (2025) in fourth and fifth place. However, only Syrians and Afghan men can count on a positive decision — Tunisia, Pakistan and India are considered safe countries of origin.

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

Biden Admin Buses Illegal Immigrants to New York, Gives Them False Information About Where to Seek Shelter, Aid

The Biden administration has been giving illegal immigrants at the southern border incorrect information about where they can find shelter in New York City.

Local WNBC News 4 reported Friday that they obtained documents from the Department of Homeland Security that show federal officials have been handing out faulty paperwork to migrants in Texas bound for New York City. Instead of directing them to appropriate shelters the documents often provide information for sites that don’t accommodate families or that are office buildings, leaving the migrants stranded or stuck on the street.

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

Spain: Socialist Govt Wants More Migrant Workers, Illegals Amnesty Despite High Unemployment

Spain’s leftist government is pushing for more migrant workers and an illegal aliens amnesty to fill gaps in the workforce, despite the country having one of the highest rates of unemployment in the European Union.

The Spanish Council of Ministers adopted a reform this week that will provide measures to “encourage regular, orderly and safe immigration,” according to Minister of Social Security José Luis Escriva, with the document facilitating the so-called regularisation of illegals who have lived in Spain for more than two years.

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

Doomed UK Trans Kids Clinic Left ‘Thousands of Damaged Children’ In Its Wake

The Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS), England’s hub for child gender reassignment which has been ordered to close down, is said to have left “thousands of damaged children” in its wake.

Currently subject to an investigation as a result of whistleblowers, parents, and patients accusing it of rushing children, particularly girls, into medical treatment for supposed gender dysphoria, the Tavistock is now set to be shut down by Spring 2023 after the paediatrician leading the investigation announced some of her recommendations early — most notably that GIDS is “not a safe or viable long-term option” for its patients and should be replaced.

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

Indiana Senate Passes Near-Total Abortion Ban, Measure Now Goes to House

Indiana’s GOP-led Senate of Saturday passed a near-total abortion ban — concluding a contentious week of debate over whether to allow exceptions for rape and incest.

The chamber narrowly passed the ban with the minimum 26 votes in a rare weekend session, sending the measure to the House.

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

Principal Promotes Book on ‘Trans’ Toddlers to Kindergarteners for Summer Reading

The principal of a public Minnesota elementary school recently promoted a fictional book about a young girl who wants to be a boy to students as young as five years old.

Principal Stacey DeCorsey of Excelsior Elementary School posted a video to the school’s Facebook page, listing her book recommendations for students’ summer reading. The books included Erica Silverman’s Jack (Not Jackie), a picture book geared for grades kindergarten through second. The video was reposted by the Libs of TikTok Twitter account.

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

Shrine Cancels ‘Pride’ Lights Ahead of Large Protest

Sunday night, the war memorial was to light up in ‘pride colours’ in defiance of scathing criticism as opponents called for the sacred site not to be used for political statements.CEO Dean Lee initially refused to cancel the controversial plan.

Today, Lee backtracked, telling ABC:

“In the interests of minimising harm, we have given this matter careful consideration and sought the guidance of the Shrine’s partners and friends, including veteran associations, representatives of the LGBTIQ+ veteran community and the Victorian government.”

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

Sweden: Leftist Govt Proposes Allowing 16-Year-Olds to Legally Change Gender

Sweden’s leftist government has proposed lowering the age limit for people legally changing gender from 18 to 16 as part of a new gender recognition law.

Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren announced the proposal this week, saying the Swedish Social Democratic Party government wishes to allow 16-year-olds to be able to legally change their gender.

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

UK: Watch: Army Veteran Arrested by ‘Politicised Police’ For Posting LGBT Pride Flag Meme on Facebook

In scenes akin to those traditionally associated with authoritarian regimes, police in Britain were filmed arresting a military veteran for posting a meme critical of woke gender ideology on Facebook.

“Is this the Gestapo? What has gone wrong in our country?” the veteran questioned as he was being placed in handcuffs by three officers in broad daylight outside of his suburban home.

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

WEF Calls for Reducing Ownership of Private Vehicles

As western nations look to “transition” away from fossil fuels, the World Economic Forum (WEF) says reducing ownership of private vehicles is necessary to limit the world’s reliance on critical metals.

“This transition from fossil fuels to renewables will need large supplies of critical metals such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, to name a few,” the international organization said in a report in July.

“Shortages of these critical minerals could raise the costs of clean energy technologies.”

As first reported by Fox News, the WEF is urging consumers to carpool instead of owning their own vehicles. The global organization believes vehicle sharing will be vital in reducing the number of cars needed globally.

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

6 thoughts on “Gates of Vienna News Feed 7/30/2022

  1. Perhaps they should just divert the plane to mainland China, arrest her, and then hold her in solitary confinement for a year or more until her trial. If they endorse the one China policy, wouldn’t she be violating their sovereignty?

  2. “WEF Calls for Reducing Ownership of Private Vehicles”
    They car pool. All of their body guards travel with them to their jobs everyday.

  3. “It’s being reported that this 17yr old has succumb to his injuries following this brutal assault by an African migrant in Milan, Italy.”

    https://gettr.com/post/p1khws4ec96

    The url is a link of the attack so if you would rather not raise your blood pressure don’t click.

  4. Well, the flames flare up in the Balkans.

    August 1, 1914 Russia declared war on Austria-Hungary in response to the declaration of war on Serbia. Thus began the World War.

    The notes:

    – Europe doesn’t need it. Europe is already fed up with Albanian refugees and does not want to sympathize with Albania, Kosovo and Albanians in general. But formally obliged. Next in line is Greece, twitching under Turkish pressure, next in line is Bulgaria. In Europe, in principle, there is no ideology for solving such problems. The Serbs have it, but it is unacceptable for Europe.

    – If a war starts in Kosovo tonight or tomorrow, then the fire of the great Balkan war will not be put out. The situation is no less acute in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which can collapse at any moment, and the parties do not hide their readiness for war. The imbalance created by the West in the former Yugoslavia, according to which Serbs find themselves in other countries as a disadvantaged minority, when they do not have the right to self-determination, but everyone else does, will develop into new bloodshed. I am not a great specialist in the subject, but I think that this time the position of the Serbs is worse than in previous wars.

    • I once read a book called “The Great Cleansing, The 2020 Mass Expulsion of Muslims from Europe”. In it nearly all muslims were thrown out of Europe after being injected with a RFID chip. There a Serb said the same thing. “They dont belong in Europe.” And that is the nice version.

      This time I will cheer for the Serbs. I hope Russia gets its act together and makes it clear, that canned sunshine is available to them to be used against any body who interferes.
      But unfortunately I dont have much hope.
      When Turkey began to meddle in Syria I expected Putin to send a message to Erdogan, that is understood. But he did nothing.

      • It is when the Russians say nothing is when you watch them, for they always do something without words except denial.

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