Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his county’s planned counteroffensive against Russia will not include attacks on Russia itself, but will only aim to reclaim Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia. Meanwhile, the Polish military detected what seemed to be a spy balloon that flew over the border from Belarus and traveled across Polish territory.
In other news, Serbia collected more than 13,000 weapons during an amnesty on unregistered guns, which was announced in the wake of the mass shootings earlier this month.
To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.
Thanks to Daniel Greenfield, Dean, Dora, LP, Reader from Chicago, SS, 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.
By Some Measures, a Recession is Already Underway in Canada
Although most analysts predict a recession will officially begin in Canada later this year, according to some other measures, one is already underway.
Real GDP per capita data, a key indicator of living standards, reveals Canada is already experiencing a per capita recession and it could soon get worse.
According to the real estate news platform Better Dwelling, a real GDP per capita recession occurs after two consecutive quarters of real GDP per capita contractions.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Canada’s Failed Digital Currency Venture Cost Millions of Dollars: Report
According to figures released by the Royal Canadian Mint on Tuesday, a failed Canadian digital currency venture cost millions of dollars.
“We have nothing to add,” said Mint spokesperson Alex Reeves. “We do not segment the reporting of operating costs nor investments by business line.”
Management would not comment further as they consider financial information strictly confidential, reported Blacklock’s Reporter.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Cash App Founder Bob Lee Allegedly Attended Underground Sex Clubs With Sister of His Accused Killer
It has been revealed that Cash App founder Bob Lee, who was found stabbed to death in San Francisco last month, was a partier in the city’s elite-only underground sex and drug scene which he had allegedly frequented with the sister of his accused killer.
Bob Lee, 43, known in the tech world as “Crazy Bob,” allegedly had an affair with 37-year-old Khazar Momeni, the sister of Nima Momeni who was arrested and charged with murder over Lee’s death in April, Wall Street Journal reports.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Comer: Biden Whistleblower Has Vanished
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) has revealed that a key whistleblower in the congressional investigations into Democrat President Joe Biden’s family business dealings has vanished.
Comer says investigators have been unable to find the informant who was the source for the investigation into the alleged corruption of the Biden family.
The whistleblower is the source who informed Comer about an alleged bribery scheme.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Democrat Senator Says Trump Should be Impeached if He Becomes President and Pardons Jan 6 Defendants
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) told reporters Thursday that if former President Donald Trump wins the 2024 election and pardons some of the January 6th 2021 defendants as he’s said he would, that an impeachment trial would be warranted.
“I think to violate the American trust by pardoning the January 6th insurrectionist would be itself a betrayal of trust, and would warrant an impeachment process,” Blumenthal said.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
DeSantis Courts Iowa GOP Ahead of Expected Announcement of 2024 Presidential Run
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis locked in more than 30 endorsements from Iowa legislators on Friday in support of his reported bid for the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
According to the DeSantis SuperPAC “Never Back Down,” 37 Republican lawmakers in both the Iowa House and Senate are saying farewell to former President Trump, and gave Gov. DeSantis their glowing endorsements. This ahead of his upcoming visit to the battleground state on Saturday, New York Post reports.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Kamala Harris Declares Americans Who Openly Carry Fire Arms Are ‘Extremists’
On Friday, Kamala Harris visited Georgia to deliver a speech on campaign finance reform and said at the event that pro-life voters who have open carry gun permits are “extremists.”
“These extremists there claim to be for life but instead of acting to save lives from gun violence, state-by-state, made it legal to open carry a gun without even a permit or background check,” Harris said.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Kari Lake Tells Tim Pool Phoenix, American Cities Are No Longer Safe
On Friday, Kari Lake told Tim Pool that the only way to stop criminals “is for them to be more afraid of the victim” as the two talked about why crime in American cities has been growing.
Pool used the case of Daniel Penny to point out the discrepancies in the New York justice system. Pool said that in 2022 there were 25 people shoved in front of trains in the city, but when three citizens tried to subdue a violent homeless person, the Democrats demanded one of them be charged.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Police in Kenner, Louisiana, in the New Orleans area, have revealed new details and a possible racial aspect in last month’s fatal shooting of handyman Lawrence Herr.
According to law enforcement, one of the two suspects who allegedly killed Herr while he was outside a house while repairing a mailbox, has confessed to his part in the crime, adding that the two black men wanted to go out and “kill a white guy.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
LinkedIn Co-Founder Reid Hoffman Spreads Misinformation While Calling for Misinformation Regulation
In a recent conversation with The Washington Post on the implications of the First Amendment and freedom of speech, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman expressed his perspective on what he thinks is the need for modern restrictions on speech to combat “misinformation.” But even his own call to action contained misinformation.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Federal authorities have arrested a US citizen accused of acting as an agent of the Chinese Communist Party to suppress political dissenters.
Boston, Massachusetts resident Litang Liang was indicted on Tuesday and charged with plans to act as an agent of a foreign government, according to Fox Business. Liang is accused of acting as an agent of the CCP beginning in or around 2018.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Oakland Teachers, District Agree on ‘Reparations’ for Black Students
Oakland teachers and the Oakland Unified School District reached agreement on Saturday evening on providing “reparations” for slavery for black students, though an ongoing strike still continues.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
On Thursday, former Portland journalist Michael Bivins, 35, was ordered to the Oregon State Hospital after being found unfit to stand trial on May 3rd. He was set to stand trial for arson, four counts of criminal mischief, and five bias crimes against religious institutions in 2022.
Bivins was accused of vandalizing the Shir Tikvah and the Jewish Synagogue Congregation Beth Israel, as well as setting fire to the Muslim Community Center of Portland while people were inside.
According to KOIN 6, Bivins was homeless in the months leading up to his arrest in May of 2022. He was arrested by the Portland Police Bureau, with the assistance of the Beaverton Police Department, after he reportedly visited a television news station and demanded to speak to reporters.
Prior to this he was known for his coverage of right-wing rallies and protests including many viral videos of riots in Portland. In May of 2020, The Post Millennial Editor-at-large Andy Ngo broke the news of Bevins Arrest.
Ngo said, “His last DM to me in 2020 was a message critical of me posting #Antifa riot mugshots.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Portland Police Face Far-Left Backlash After Reinstating Traffic Law Enforcement
The Portland Police Bureau announced the return of their traffic division on Tuesday which was disbanded in 2020 as a result of the staffing crisis caused by the notorious “Defund the Police” movement. Far-left activists, including members of Antifa, have taken to social media to express their outrage.
On Twitter, an Antifa account with the username @acab_b*tch called the return of PPB’s traffic unit “racist” and issued claims that its reinstatement allows for police officers to start targeting “people-of-color.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
A riot erupted in Minnesota during Democrat nominations for Minneapolis City Council on Saturday, which led to no candidate being chosen in Ward 10 after officials were forced to shut down the event over safety concerns.
Somalian supporters of city council candidate Nasri Warsame turned to political violence and reportedly assaulted Minneapolis city council member Aisha Chughtai and her supporters when she took the stage to speak at the Democratic—Farmer—Labor Party’s endorsing convention, the Star Tribune reports.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Shooting in Yuma Leaves 2 Dead, 5 Hurt
The Yuma Police Department said that all of the victims involved were between 15 and 20 years old, and no arrests have been made.
YUMA, Ariz. — Yuma police are investigating a shooting that left two people dead, and five others including teenagers hurt, according to a statement released on Facebook. At the time of the release, no arrests have been made.
Officers were called to the 3800 block of S. J Edward Drive late Saturday night for reports of a shooting in the area. When police arrived, they found several people with gunshot wounds.
A 19-year-old male was taken to the hospital before police arrived where he died of his injuries. A 20-year-old man was taken to the hospital by first responders where he later died.
A 16-year-old male was flown to Phoenix with life-threatening injuries.
Other victims included four young men ages 15, 16, 18, and 19 who all had non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Yuma police said that several off-duty law enforcement officers in the area “assisted with the incident.”
| — Hat tip: LP | [Return to headlines] |
Store Owner of Downtown LA Boutique Brutally Beaten by Armed Robbers
A store owner of a downtown Los Angeles clothing boutique was transported to the ICU after two armed robbers savagely beat him in a violent pistol whip attack on Wednesday.
Surveillance footage shows the two suspects enter the store and draw their hanguns before attacking the store owner in a brutal beatdown that left victim Franky Salerno bloodied and hospitalized in the intensive care unit, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Suspect Arrested After Attacking Passengers With Meat Cleaver on BART Train
A man was arrested Wednesday after threatening passengers on a Bay Area Rapid Transit train with a meat cleaver and allegedly slashing one man in the back before stealing his pack.
Charles Johnson, 24, was apprehended by police when the train arrived at the next station and has since been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and robbery. Johnson had a criminal record and was on probation at the time of the attack. As a result, he was also charged with violating his probation.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Shocking footage captured the moment a Democratic endorsing convention in Minnesota descended into a huge brawl leading to one person to be hospitalized although no arrests were made.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Three Men Slashed at Queens Subway Station, Suspect at Large
A man slashed three men at the Jackson Heights subway station in Corona, Queens before fleeing the scene Sunday morning. The men are in stable condition and expected to survive.
According to the New York Post, one victim was taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital for a cut on his arm, the other two were taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center; one had a cut on his neck and the other a slash on his head.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Trans Nashville School Shooter’s Unredacted Manifesto Under Review by Judge, Pending Release
A Nashville judge has reportedly received the unredacted manifesto of the trans-identified mass shooter Audrey Elizabeth Hale, 28, who entered the Covenant Christian School and killed three young students, along with three staff members.
According to Fox17 Nashville, the unredacted manifesto was delivered to the Davidson County Chancellor’s chambers on Friday by attorneys representing the city who also supplied them with a second version which has proposed redactions.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
A woman who witnessed the fatal altercation between Daniel Penny and Jordan Neely on a crowded F Train last week has come forth, claiming that Penny only put Neely in a chokehold after Neely threatened to kill fellow passengers.
She alleged that Penny, a former Marine, refrained from jumping in and using force to subdue Neely until there was a threat of violence.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
YouTuber Admits Intentionally Crashing Plane for Views, Faces 20 Years in Prison
A YouTube star has admitted to intentionally crashing a plane into a mountain to get more views on the video-streaming platform and secure sponsorship deals.
Trevor Jacob is a former Olympic snowboarder-turned-YouTuber.
In a shocking video, Jacob jumped out of a fully-functioning single-manned plane mid-flight and filmed himself parachuting to the ground as the aircraft crashed into a mountain in Southern California.
He initially claimed that the plane had malfunctioned.
However, he has now admitted to federal prosecutors that he deliberately crashed his small plane to boost views for a sponsorship deal.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Bernier Says He Will Run to Fill Former CPC MP Candice Bergen’s Manitoba Seat
People’s Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier will compete for a federal seat in rural Manitoba in a forthcoming byelection.
Bernier will be running to replace former Conservative Party interim leader and Portage—Lisgar MP Candice Bergen who announced she was leaving political life. In an announcement, Bernier pitted himself as the main opponent to the Conservatives — his former political home.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Breaking Down How Coutts Truckers Are Scoring Legal Victories in Their Fight for Freedom
On last night’s episode of The Ezra Levant Show, guest host Sheila Gunn Reid was joined by Chad Williamson of Williamson Law to discuss how the Coutts truckers have been scoring legal victories in their fight for freedom.
Mr. Williamson explained that it was determined “the parking violations that were handed down to these particular 14 individuals and organizations required, in the offence specifically, that the offence had to occur on highways outside of an urban area.”
He went on to say, “It didn’t take long to pull up a quick Google map and review some of the, what I would consider maybe lazy disclosure footage that was provided to us by the prosecutors on this matter to determine that all these tickets were issued within the corporate limits of Coutts which invalidated the tickets.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
British Columbia Woman Commits Suicide After COVID Vaccine Mandate Becomes Unbearable
The National Citizen’s Inquiry (NCI) wrapped up three days worth of hearings in British Columbia this past Thursday, May 4, as the citizen-led, citizen-funded commission continues its cross-country probe into government-sanctioned COVID-19 public health measures and their impact on Canadians.
The hearing was jam packed with testimony from many, including 12 expert witnesses.
But there was one citizen testimony in particular that hardly left a dry eye in the room.
James Jones, from Victoria, took to the stand and told the heartbreaking story of how his late wife Sandra Jones took her own life just 11 days after being laid off from her employment without pay by BC Transit on November 30, 2021.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Canada Spent the Most on the Pandemic But Achieved Some of the Worst Results
A new study has found that although the Canadian government had some of the highest government spending on stimulus programs during the Covid-19 pandemic, they achieved some of the worst results among advanced countries.
According to the Fraser Institute study titled “Global Aftermath: The Economic and Fiscal Effects of COVID in Canada and the World,” despite raising its government spending and debt accumulation more than most other advanced countries, Canada’s economy fared relatively poorly during the pandemic.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
First Day of Testimony Wraps Up at National Citizen’s Inquiry in Quebec City
For three days, the National Citizen’s Inquiry (NCI) into Canada’s response to Covid-19 is taking place in Quebec City at the Hôtel Le Bonne Entente.
The NCI is a comprehensive, transparent, and objective national inquiry to determine the utility and effectiveness of government-imposed Covid-19 measures on its citizens. Moderated by four commissioners with different specialties, the inquiry began on March 16 in Nova Scotia, then it travelled to Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and now Quebec. It will finish on May 19 in Ottawa.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Former CSIS Chief Says Chinese Election Interference “Close to Treason”
A former senior intelligence official has called for jail time for those involved in Chinese interference in Canadian elections and democracy, saying their actions amount to treason.
Yesterday, the former chief of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) with the Asia-Pacific desk, Michel Juneau-Katsuya, testified before the House of Commons house affairs committee that the allegations detail actions that are “close to treason.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Liberals Propose a Climate Social Credit Scheme for Canadian Banks
Motion 84, brought forward Monday by Liberal MP Ryan Turnbull, aims to bring financial institutions into compliance with the United Nations’ Paris Agreement on climate change.
“That, in the opinion of the House, the government should use all legislative and regulatory tools at its disposal to align Canada’s financial system with the Paris Agreement made by the Conference of Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Liberal Members Support More Media Bailouts, Eliminating Anonymous Sources
At the in-person Liberal Party convention, grassroots members voted to increase taxpayer subsidies for Canadian media. Terrifyingly, the same press must also make public their anonymous sources.
While the vote on 24 policies is non-binding in Ottawa, Resolution 472 garnered inspiration from the United Nations Secretary-General, who said disinformation poses an ‘existential risk to humanity.’
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Massacre of Canadian Cops: Police ‘Scared to Go to Work Right Now’
Since September 2022, nine Canadian police officers have been murdered, changing a trend that had seen only an average of two Canadian cops killed per year dating back to 1990.
President of the Ottawa Police Association Matthew Cox said to the Epoch Times, “It’s as if there is an actual attack on the policing community. We have never seen this before in Canada.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Nearly Half of B.C. Government Ministries Experienced Fraud Last Year: Report
According to British Columbia’s auditor general, nearly half of the government departments experienced fraud, especially theft, in 2021 and 2022.
The Canadian Auditing Standards defines fraud as “an intentional act by one or more individuals among management, those charged with governance, employees, or third parties, involving the use of deception to obtain an unjust or illegal advantage.”
Nearly half (45%) of respondents are affected by at least one type of fraud. Physical theft constituted the most common type of fraud in 36% of cases uncovered by the questionnaire.
However, Pickup clarified that the questionnaire’s purpose is not to look for fraud. “The purpose is to get a reading on the public sector’s readiness to manage the risk of fraud,” he said.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Not a Real Country: Canadian Dog Park Bans Barking
A sign posted in a dog park in Montreal, Canada, outlawing barking has sparked controversy and ridicule.
The sign forbids dogs from barking while in the park. This illogical and unreasonable demand has unleashed a wave of fury from pet owners who frequent the park.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Protesters Disrupt UCP Campaign Event
On Thursday, three protesters stormed UCP leader Danielle Smith’s campaign event where she was announcing another plank in her party’s platform.
“Hospitals are not for sale,” the protesters chanted while holding “for sale” signs.
One disrupter added, “We will not sell our arms and legs for hospitals. Hospitals should be public.”
Smith was removed from the room by her government security detail until the matter was resolved.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Saskatchewan Joins Alberta in Condemning Costs of Net-Zero Electricity Grid
Saskatchewan has joined Alberta in refuting Ottawa’s incoming clean electricity standards. They remain under development as Canada continues its fight against climate change.
“We’re going to continue to chart Saskatchewan’s path,” Premier Scott Moe told reporters. “It may not necessarily be Canada’s path, and we’ll have more details in the coming weeks.”
Moe said his province would not reach net zero by 2035 or phase out conventional coal by 2030.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Rebel News features an exclusive Access to Information Request (ATIP) document that was received in response to a previous report that dug into publicly-funded institutions featuring “workshops” on dismantling scientific misinformation online.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has been funding and offering training opportunities in science communication, many of which are dedicated to combatting health misinformation on social media.
One in particular was called “Combating Misinformation on Social Media” and was hosted on March 28 by Samatha Yammine, who goes by the alias of Science Sam.
In the previous report on Science Sam, it was discovered that her then fiancé, now husband, was a pandemic profiteer.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The Capture of Canadian Drug Regulation by Pharmaceutical Lobbyists
Drug regulators were condemning the “hard reality” of political influence by pharmaceutical lobbyists, as reported by Blacklock’s.
“The pharmaceutical industry is simply not amenable to any measure that would further constrain its ability to sell patented medicines in Canada at free market prices,” said the Memorandum To The Minister Of Health. The document (dated December 8, 2021) was written by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB).
PMPRB is a federal agency tasked with monitoring drug prices and works at arms length from the Ministry of Health.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Toronto’s ‘Anti-Capitalist’ Cafe Closing Down After Just a Year in Business
Toronto’s supposedly ‘anti-capitalist’ cafe, The Anarchist, has announced that it would be permanently shutting down after just over a year in business.
In a “nobody saw that coming” moment, a Toronto cafe that describes itself as an “anti-capitalist, anti-colonial cafe, shop and radical community space on stolen land,” announced that it would be shutting down permanently by the end of the month.
To counter the idea that the business was itself a capitalist enterprise, the cafe introduced a “pay what you can” coffee, which the owner said cost the business money, but was supposedly subsidised by more expensive drinks on the menu.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Chinese Spies Extremely Active in EU Capital, Report Says
Spies working either directly or indirectly for the Chinese government are extremely active in the capital of the EU, a government report has said.
A document published by Belgium’s Security Service has found that Chinese spies are extremely active in the country, prompting concerns from politicians in the country which houses Europe’s de facto administrative capital of Brussels.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Poland Detects Suspected Spy Balloon From Kremlin Ally Belarus
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — An object believed to be an observation balloon entered Polish airspace from Belarus and flew over the country for several hours before disappearing from radar, prompting the military to carry out a search by air and on the ground on Saturday.
Polish President Andrzej Duda linked the object and previous objects that have entered Polish airspace to the war that Russia is waging in Ukraine, which lies on Poland’s eastern border. Belarus, an ally of Russia, also lies on Poland’s northeastern border.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The official figures lay bare the horrific scale of abuse — with 6,500 attacks being reported in just three years. They include gang rapes and assaults on children.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Two political commentators are facing a backlash after posing together with T-shirts bearing the message: “Save the badgers… cull the Tories”.
Jemma Forte and Marina Purkiss showed off the tops in a now-deleted Twitter post that has attracted criticism in light of the murders of Tory MP Sir David Amess and Labour MP Jo Cox.
However, both Forte and Purkiss and the company behind the T-shirt have insisted the slogan does not advocate violence and is about removing the Conservative Party from power.
| — Hat tip: Dora | [Return to headlines] |
Ben Derbyshire, an esteemed architect who used to be president of the Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA), 70, wrestled with the masked thieves as they targeted his locked Brompton bike.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Power Grab: Labour Party Planning to Give Vote to Millions of EU Citizens and Teenagers — Claim
The left-wing opposition Labour Party of Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly set to run in the next general election on the promise to expand voting rights by giving the franchise to millions of EU citizens and 16 and 17-year-olds in Britain.
In an apparent attempt to vastly increase the Labour Party’s voting base, Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly planning on including the expansion of voting rights to non-British citizens from the EU who live and pay taxes in the UK as well as granting 16 and 17-year-old teenagers the right to vote in the party’s next election manifesto, The Telegraph reported.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Ukraine War: President Zelenskyy Makes Surprise Visit to Paris for Talks With French Leaders
The Ukranian president spent the weekend having talks in Rome, Berlin and Paris, and also met with the Pope in the Vatican.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise visit to Paris for talks Sunday night with French President Emmanuel Macron, extending a multi-stop European tour that has elicited fresh pledges of military support as his country gears up for a counteroffensive against Russian occupation forces.
France dispatched a plane to pick up Zelenskyy in Germany, where he met Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier Sunday. Macron’s office said the two leaders will hold talks over dinner and that Macron will “reaffirm France and Europe’s unwavering support to reestablish Ukraine in its legitimate rights and to defend its fundamental interests.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Serbia Collects 13,500 Weapons in Gun Grab Following Mass Shootings
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian authorities on Sunday displayed many of around 13,500 weapons they say people have been handed over since this month’s mass shootings, including hand grenades, automatic weapons, and anti-tank rocket launchers.
The authorities have declared a one-month amnesty period for citizens to hand over unregistered weapons or face prison sentences as part of a crackdown on guns following the two mass shootings that left 17 people dead, many of them children.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Turkey’s Erdogan Says He Could Still Win, Would Accept Presidential Election Runoff
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has ruled his country with an increasingly firm grip for 20 years, was locked in a tight election race early Monday, with a make-or-break runoff against his chief challenger possible as the final votes were counted.
The results, whether they come within days or after a second round of voting takes place in two weeks, will determine if a NATO ally that straddles Europe and Asia but borders Syria and Iran remains under Erdogan’s control or resumes the more democratic path promised by his main rival, opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
Speaking to supporters in Ankara, Erdogan, 69, said he could still win but would respect the nation’s decision if the race went to a runoff vote in two weeks.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Ukraine Claims Gains in Bakhmut After Russia Denials
Ukraine says it has recaptured ground in Bakhmut, a rare advance after months of grinding Russian gains in the eastern city.
Kyiv said its forces advanced 2km (1.2 miles) in a week. Russia said its troops had regrouped in one area.
The claims signal a momentum shift in Bakhmut — but more widely, there is no clear evidence of an Ukrainian counter-offensive.
However, two explosions were reported on Friday in Russian-occupied Luhansk.
Images posted on social media, verified by the BBC, show a big plume of black smoke rising from the city, which lies about 90km (55.9 miles) behind the front line in eastern Ukraine.
The blasts come a day after the UK said it had supplied Ukraine with long range Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
| — Hat tip: Dean | [Return to headlines] |
Zelensky Claims Counteroffensive Won’t Include Attacks on Russian Mainland
BERLIN (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that his country is preparing a counteroffensive designed to liberate areas occupied by Russia, not to attack Russian territory.
Speaking during a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s goal is to free the territories within its internationally recognized borders.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Meanwhile, as the video went viral on social media platforms, members of Hindu organizations staged a protest outside the police demanding strict action against the accused.
B Upendran | HENB | Belagavi | May 14, 2023:: As the Congress captured a “massive victory” against the ruling BJP in the Karnataka Assembly elections, some Muslim people were seen wearing skull-cap who shouted slogans “Pakistan Zindabad” outside a counting center in Tilakvadi, Belagavi.
As a matter of fact, the defeat of the BJP and the Vicotry of Congress in Karnataka made the pro-Pakistan elements in the state more enthusiastic. The failure of the ‘Hindutva’ party BJP made the Muslim supporters of Congress at the next level come down to the streets with the slogan, ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ — Long Live Pakistan!
According to the reports, those who shouted pro-Pakistan slogans allegedly supported the grand old party. The incident under Tilakvadi police station where some “excited” supporters shouted “anti-national” slogans when Congress candidates secured victory against the saffron party.
Meanwhile, as the video went viral on social media platforms, members of Hindu organisations staged a protest outside the police demanding strict action against the accused. Police have registered an FIR against the unidentified people under IPC section 153 and started the investigation.
In another place in Karnataka, it was seen that a Muslim supporter of Congress was waving an Islamic flag atop a saffron flag to humiliate it.
It is worth mentioning the Congress emerged victorious in the 224-member Karnataka Assembly polls held on May 10, by winning 135 seats, the Election Commission of India said. According to the EC website, the BJP bagged 65 and JD(S) — 19 seats.
Meanwhile, the results of the Jayanagar constituency in Bengaluru are still pending after the Election Commission ordered the recounting of postal ballots where Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy has a slender lead over BJP’s C K Ramamurthy.
In the outgoing Assembly, the ruling BJP has 116 MLAs, followed by the Congress at 69, JD(S) 29, BSP at one, independents at two, speaker at one, and vacant six (following deaths and resignations to join other parties ahead of the polls).
The seasonal Hindutva of BJP (only at the time of the election) and the corruption charges against BS Bommai Govt along with the anti-incumbency factors pulled down BJP in the dust of dismay.
This is a tough situation for the Karnataka BJP and the Hindu organisations in the state to go ahead as the state has seen the killings of over a dozen of Hindu activists and leaders by the Jihadi elements as alleged in the last couple of years.
From an analysis of India TV, it is seen that 82% of Muslim voters voted for Congress. Whole BJP got only 2% of Muslim votes. Now, it is clear that even the highest Muslim appeasement (they say Truptikaran) from BJP will not be able to gather the faith from Muslims. The slogan of BJP, — ‘Sabka Bishwas’ is a fake thing.
Such a setback of the BJP has instantly inspired the Jihadi forces against the BJP and other Hindutva organisations in such a subversive exaltation of sloganeering “Pakistan Zindabad” and waving the Islamic flag.
| — Hat tip: Upananda Brahmachari | [Return to headlines] |
The ABC will be investigated by its own ombudsman after the taxpayer-funded organisation was deluged with complaints over its ‘extremely biased’ coronation coverage.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Joe Biden’s Australia Visit in Doubt as Assange Supporters Rally
President Joe Biden’s upcoming visit to Australia hangs in the balance as the United States government grapples with the unresolved debt ceiling crisis, with reports suggesting possible cancellation.
Biden is set to attend the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Sydney on May 24 alongside Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Fumio Kishida of India and Japan.
Supporters of imprisoned Wikileaks founder Julian Assange plan to rally in Sydney during the summit, aiming to convey the message that “journalism is not a crime” while Assange remains detained in London’s high-security Belmarsh Prison.
However, the trip to Australia is now uncertain as Republican and Democratic lawmakers struggle to reach an agreement to raise the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Watch: Freedom Activist Won’t Back Down as Police Drop Charges
Melbourne freedom protester Leszek Kunc is taking a stand against what he sees as police overreach, following an incident in July last year.
Leszek was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest during a COVID-19 restrictions protest during Melbourne’s harsh pandemic lockdowns.
Despite the initial charges, prosecutors have since dropped the case, but Leszek is not backing down.
The charges against Leszek were dropped just days before his hearing, however, Leszek is determined to continue fighting and intends to sue the Victorian Government and the police force for their actions.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
A woman has opened up about the ‘extremely lonely’ experience of being forced to live in her car due to Australia’s deepening house crisis.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Man on Terror Watchlist Arrested After Illegally Crossing US-Mexico Border With Migrants
An Afghan national on the FBI’s terror watchlist was arrested by Border Patrol agents on Wednesday. The man entered the country illegally with a group of migrants near Otay Mesa, California and was taken to a processing station.
According to Fox News, the agents scanned his fingerprints and he came up as a match in the Terrorist Screening Database. The arrest came in conjunction with a massive surge in migrants crossing into the country with Title 42 set to expire on Thursday.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
New York Hotel Cancels 30 Rooms for Florida Couple’s Wedding to Make Room for Illegal Immigrants
The Crossroads Hotel in Newburgh, New York abruptly canceled a Florida couple’s reservation of 30 rooms, which the couple made months ago to accommodate 160 guests they expected for their wedding, and the hotel dropped the booking to better house illegal immigrants being shipped up from New York City.
The New York Post reports 35-year-old Deanna Mifsud and 37-year-old Gary Moretti, who are from New York but live in Florida, intend to get married on June 24 in upstate Wallkill, New York, part of Orange County, and booked at The Crossroads Hotel because it is 20 minutes away.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Florida governor Ron DeSantis said he was in favor of building a wall along the United States’ southern border and using the military to go after Mexican drug cartels.
The situation at the border has continued to deteriorate under the Biden administration, and DeSantis’ claim that he would clean things up was met with cheers from a crowd desperate for fresh leadership.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Sex Offender, Illegal Immigrant Arrested in Ohio Sex Trafficking Sting
10 men were arrested on Thursday during a human trafficking sting conducted by the Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force. The men were charged with engaging in prostitution, which is a first degree misdemeanor.
According to a press release from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a non-profit executive, a middle school teacher, and an illegal immigrant were among those that were arrested. One man, 35-year old Errol Jackson, was already a registered Tier III sex offender and was charged with promoting prostitution, a fourth-degree felony.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
UK: So-Called ‘Small Boat Asylum Seekers’ Are Actually Illegal Economic Migrants
Since 2018, over 90,000 people that we know of have crossed the English Channel in small boats. That number is expected to drastically increase this summer, as the previous two years both saw record setting numbers of arrivals, with 28,526 coming in 2021 and another 45,775 in 2022.
The pro-migration argument is that these people are fleeing persecution and war-torn countries; however, people fleeing from countries in those situations have pathways to safe countries like the United Kingdom. People have abused such routes though, making claims that their sexuality would get them killed in their home country, only to then commit heinous acts like rape in the U.K.
Those claiming the migrants making the crossing in small boats are coming here illegally say these people are being aided by charities or human traffickers. A seat aboard these small boats can cost between £1,000 to £3,000.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The Durham Children’s Aid Society has teamed up with Durham Youth Pride to promote Drag Queen Storytime events at libraries across the region for a period of two weeks in May and June.
According to a statement on the Youth Pride Facebook page, public libraries in the Durham region have been partnering with the Children’s Aid Society and Youth Pride for the past five years to bring the “family-friendly community event” to local families.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Canada: Majority Believe Schools Should Tell Parents if Child Switches Genders
A majority of Canadians believe that schools should be obliged to inform parents and guardians that their child wants to switch genders.
According to a recent Leger poll commissioned by SecondStreet.org, 57% of Canadians agree that schools have the duty to inform parents about a child’s desire to change their gender or pronouns.
In comparison, only 18% of people polled believe that schools should not be required to inform parents or guardians. Another 25% of people responded that they didn’t know.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Canada: Pastor Derek Reimer Released on Bail: Lawyer Provides an Update
Pastor Derek Reimer of Mission 7 Ministries in Calgary was released on bail after being arrested and jailed for the third time in five weeks on April 4, 2023. He was charged with breaching conditions related to his protests against drag queen story time events for children held in public facilities.
Reimer faced eight charges, including hate-related ones, after the mayor of Calgary, Jyoti Gondek, called for a crackdown on such protests. In his most recent arrest, the pastor was jailed for giving a sermon near a drag queen story hour, which violated his release conditions on charges of mischief and causing a disturbance.
During his bail hearing, the judge noted that Pastor Reimer had crossed the line by interfering with public peace and depriving someone of their ability to use the space set aside for these events. The judge warned that if Reimer breached his bail conditions again, his patience would run out.
On May 5, Reimer was released from jail.
We had a chance to speak to Pastor Reimer’s lawyer, Ben Allision, who provided us with an update on the most recent developments in this case.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Exclusive: Transgender Male Cyclist Has History of Harassing Female Olympian
A biological male cyclist who identifies as a transgender woman has stoked outrage after winning a women’s cycling race in Pennsylvania last weekend. Todd Seplavy, who goes by the name “Tara”, took the winning position against a 15-year-old girl during the women’s 3/4/5 at the Emrick Blvd Crit. The 48-year-old biological male defeated the 15-year-old girl, Maya Brothers, to the finish line by 12 seconds.
Seplavy, who has been competing in the female category for competitive cycling for several years, also works as the deputy editor of Bicycling magazine, where he often defends the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. In a previous article, he signaled his support for Austin Killips— the transgender male who recently won in the female category at the Tour of the Gila championship in New Mexico—winning a $35,000 prize intended for women. Seplavy described those critical of Killips as peddling “hate speech” and described one group that protested the trans cyclist as an “anti transgender hate group.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Next Chairman of Joint Chiefs Wants White Male Officers to be a Minority
by Daniel Greenfield
When I was working on the David Horowitz Freedom Center’s ‘Disloyal Military’ investigation, I predicted that Air Force Chief of Staff Charles Q. Brown Jr. would be selected as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The media is now reporting that Biden will indeed pick Brown to replace Milley. And as bad as Milley was, expect Brown to be much worse.
Under Gen. Brown, the Air Force has become the most woke of the major service branches.
Brown disgraced himself and his uniform during the Black Lives Matter race riots by releasing a video in which he “seemed to barely contain his rage” while ranting “that the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution ‘that I’ve sworn my adult life to support and defend’ have not always delivered ‘liberty and equality’ to all.”
What horrible acts of oppression did one of the most powerful men in the military experience that made him turn on America? In his own words to People Magazine, “When you get to senior levels, you have reserved parking spots around the base. I was in civilian clothes, I parked in a spot and someone came out and said, ‘That slot is reserved for the Pacific Air Force’s Commander.’ And I go, ‘Yeah, I know, because I am the Pacific Air Force’s Commander.’“
Someone questioned Brown’s parking space once and all the white male officers must pay.
What should we expect from Brown if he becomes the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
Last year, Brown, alongside Undersecretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones, the first gay and Filipino woman in her role, and other leaders, signed their names to one of the most shocking and destructive racist documents ever produced by the modern military…
| — Hat tip: Daniel Greenfield | [Return to headlines] |
Laura Anne Jones (pictured), the Tory shadow minister for education in Wales, said the WHO needs to ‘rescind the advice immediately’.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Pacifism is incompatible with the Christian spirit: one word against the Russian army and the Special Military Operation defrocked a Moscow priest.
On May 11, the Moscow Church Court ruled to deprive priest John Koval of the priesthood of the church of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called in Lublin. The reason was the unauthorized change in the text of the prayer “On Holy Rus'”.
https://blagogon.ru/news/942
it is not from Jesus Christ, and not in the “Christian Spirit”
that is NOT Christian at all.
.
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Government Workers Betray Constitutional Oath and Submit to United Nations Agenda
https://open.substack.com/pub/gregreese/p/government-workers-betray-constitutional?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Re: the article on the ‘transgender’ editor at Bicycling magazine,
The one place many never looked for divisive politicking to rear its ugly head was in their leisure activities, but here it is. While we weren’t looking, they took these over, too. We should have heeded Pericles’ warning – that just because you aren’t interesting in a political movement does not mean it is not interested in you.
The Bicycling magazine of today is a far cry from what it was last time I opened one.
Indeed, a magazine devoted to cycling, an activity that everyone can appreciate and enjoy, has, seemingly, been turned into a special club for a particular narrow political view and disturbing behavior, much as the national football league turned into a front for BLM.
I still have my old stack of Bicycling Magazines from the 1990s, and I can assure you none of them had any articles calling fans of the sport, or fellow riders for that matter, nasty names based on ideology… there was none of this political divisiveness or more importantly, twisted ideology.
If this disgrace who thinks a 48 year old man trouncing 15 year old girls is an athletic ‘achievement’ is what Bicycling is now, I will be glad if I never open another copy.
Before I left the Left Coast for good back in the mid 90s to join the military, cyclists were not terribly common and mostly harmless. It certainly wasn’t a political statement to be involved in that activity.
The last time I was out there several years back to visit my parents, they were everywhere, in packs, and acting like they owned the roads. And cycling definitely seems to have become a politicized activity; along the same lines of driving a Prius to show off one’s environmental/Green beliefs. At least the ones I know around here seem to exemplify that. And it’s a shame too, that healthy living and eating, physical activity and lifestyle, and enjoying nature should come to be associated with the left and radical environmentalism. And from supporting those beliefs it’s politically a short jump to supporting the alphabet and pervert mafia.
Lone Rider: I’m a cyclist, too, and was involved in the cycling and outdoor products industry for a while, founding and running a national independent sales rep network (sort of a second career). I attended all the big trade shows. The big, corporate brands are totally on-board with globalism, diversity, multi-culti, gender madness, climate change, sustainability, etc.
Companies such as VF Corporation (NorthFace brand), Patagonia; you name, they are all completely co-opted. Advertiser-supported media, such as “Bicycling,” do whatever brings in the advertising dollars. If advertisers want wokeness, publishers deliver wokeness.
Good points, Moon and Billrla.
I think of the guys I used to ride with, patriotic Americans, who were not about any of this nonsense. World has changed.
I don’t think the maniacs represent most people, cyclists or otherwise, just like most NFL fans are probably not okay with rioting, even though the NFL promote BLM. But as long as the institutional capture continues, our pastimes and hobbies and the corporations that are integral to them will continue to turn against us.
Good points, Moon and Billrla.
I think of the guys I used to ride with, patriotic Americans, none of whom were about any of this nonsense.
I don’t think the maniacs represent the avg. person, cyclist or otherwise, but as long as institutional capture of corporations continues, the maniacs will continue to have influence far beyond their actual numbers, to the detriment of everyone.
Some day soon it may be difficult to find an album to listen to, a beer to drink, or a sport to follow that doesn’t have an explicit link to those seeking to undermine western civilization…