According to Frontex, more than 330,000 illegal migrants attempted to enter the EU in the first ten months of 2023. Meanwhile, in the space of 26 hours, more than 1,400 migrants landed on the island of Lampedusa.
In other news, the diverse English city of Bradford in West Yorkshire announced that it will raise a “multi-faith tree” for what was formerly known as the Christmas season.
To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.
Thanks to Daniel Greenfield, Dean, JW, Reader from Chicago, SS, Vlad Tepes, 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.
Germany Witnessed a 22% Uptick in Bankruptcies in October
In October, there was a 22.4 percent surge in the number of companies filing for bankruptcy compared to the same month last year, Die Welt reported.
This marks a three percentage point increase from September, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office on Tuesday. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, back in May, spoke optimistically about an “economic miracle” driving the “green transformation,” a sentiment echoed by the Greens who have consistently campaigned on the promise of a “green economic miracle.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
‘Net Zero’ is Driving Inflation, Central Bank Policymaker Warns
A central bank policymaker has spoken out to warn that the globalist “Net Zero” agenda of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and United Nations (UN) is behind the soaring inflation rates felt around the globe.
According to Catherine Mann, a prominent member of the Bank of England’s (BOE) Monetary Policy Committee, “climate change” policies are a key driver of soaring inflation.
“Climate change” and countries’ different approaches to combat it are likely to boost inflation, Mann warns.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
President Biden is trailing former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election race, according to a new poll — which also shows growing concerns among voters about the Democratic incumbent’s abilities.
Trump, 77, leads Biden, 80, 44% to 42% in a head-to-head election match-up, the Yahoo News/YouGov poll released Wednesday shows.
The survey also found that 54% say Biden, who turns 81 next week, no longer has “the competence to carry out the job of president,” up from 49% in February.
Under a third of respondents, 31%, believe the president is still competent, the survey shows, a four-percentage point decrease from February.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
A Weak President Biden Kowtows to the Monster of Beijing in a Third World US City…
— but, says ANDREW NEIL, that’s not even the most humiliating part of Xi’s San Francisco propaganda circus
Why should it take the imminent arrival of a global gathering and a communist dictator to clean up streets that should never have been allowed to descend into squalor in the first place?
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
American Multimillionaire Couple Fund Marxist Group Coordinating Anti-Israel Protests
A multimillionaire tech mogul and his wife are helping to bankroll groups behind pro-Palestinian protests that have occurred in the wake of the Oct. 7 terror attack by Hamas on Israel.
Neville Roy Singham, a U.S.-born entrepreneur who made millions after founding and selling an IT consulting firm called Thoughtworks, and his wife Jodie Evans, the co-founder of left-wing anti-war group Code Pink, have been the primary funders of a group called The People’s Forum since 2017, according to a report by The Free Press’s Francesca Block. The group bills itself as a “movement incubator for working class and marginalized communities” and “nurtures the next generation of visionaries and organizers who believe that through collective action a new world is possible.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Anti-War Demonstrators Clash With Police at DNC Headquarters in Washington
Lawmakers were evacuated as a violent protest took place Wednesday night outside Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington.
A group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed with police, prompting a brawl with police and numerous arrests.
U.S. Capitol police said its officers were “working to keep back approximately 150 people who are illegally and violently protesting in the area of Canal Street and Ivy Street” in southeast Washington.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Atlanta Antifa Militants Claim to Have Torched Concrete Company Trucks in Effort to ‘Stop Cop City’
On Wednesday, Antifa militants claimed responsibility for torching concrete company trucks to prevent the construction of a police training facility near Atlanta, Georgia.
The acts of violence are part of the ongoing protests known as “Stop Cop City” which has resulted in the criminal indictment of 61 Antifa militants on RICO charges, and dozens more on domestic terrorism charges.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
California Targets AI and “Disinformation” in the Run-Up to the 2024 Election
California’s recent announcement of a new initiative targeting the risks associated with artificial intelligence and the spread of so-called election disinformation ahead of the 2024 Election will raise concerns among free speech advocates. The California Institute for Technology and Democracy (CITED), unveiled by the democracy advocacy group California Common Cause, marks a significant step in this direction.
This move, born from a perceived lack of action at the national level, risks impinging on free speech under the guise of addressing AI and disinformation threats. CITED’s role will be to advise state legislators in drafting laws that deal with AI, deepfakes, disinformation, and other emerging technologies. However, there is growing skepticism about the potential overreach of such legislation and its impact on free expression.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Democrat Rep Tlaib Part of Secret Facebook Group That ‘Glamorizes’ Hamas Terrorists
Radical anti-Semitic Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) is a member of a secret group on Facebook where people “glamorize” Hamas terrorists and their attacks, according to a new report.
The group, called Palestinian American Congress, has been celebrating the horrific Islamic terror attacks that killed hundreds of innocent Israelis last month.
According to an investigative report from Fox News, Tlaib is a member of the group, which is hidden from non-members and does not appear on the platform’s search engine.
The group was founded by Maher Abdel-qader, who has extensive ties to Tlaib.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is making another attempt to overturn his federal civil rights conviction in the 2020 murder of George Floyd.
Chauvin, who was back in court Wednesday, is claiming that new evidence shows he didn’t cause Floyd’s death in Minnesota.
In a motion filed in federal court Monday, Chauvin said he never would have pleaded guilty in 2021 if he had known about the theories of a Kansas pathologist, whom he had been in contact with in February.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Did North Korea Use Sex to Target Politicians in D.C.?
by Daniel Greenfield
One Asian brothel was within walking distance of Northrop Grumman, one of the largest defense contractors in the country, along with the Defense Health Headquarters, and General Dynamics IT which “delivers consulting, technology and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community.”
The Pentagon and the headquarters of the CIA were also within easy driving distance.
Another brothel operated in Tyson Corners near the complex of hotels where high-level government and political conferences are being held on a constant basis.
A third was set up in Watertown, MA: half a mile from the site of the old US Army Material Technology Lab and a short walk from the new wave of biotech companies springing up in the area. A fourth in Cambridge, MA was 18 minutes away from MIT, 4 miles from IBM’s AI lab and a little further out from research centers for everyone from Merck to Microsoft.
A fifth, also in Cambridge, was walking distance away from Raytheon, a regular in DARPA’s high end defense industry research, and which is upgrading Taiwan’s early warning systems.
In Dedham, Massachusetts, a town of 25,000 that no one would ordinarily pay much attention to, the Asian brothel had come down and decided to run its secret setup 7 minutes away from General Dynamics Mission Systems which works on submarines, aircraft and satellites. It also has extensive contracts with the intelligence community.
Brothels tend to exist where there are wealthy men, but this network of “high-end” Korean brothels recently busted appeared to be interested in only some areas and some men……
| — Hat tip: Daniel Greenfield | [Return to headlines] |
Donald Trump Seeks Mistrial in ‘Tainted’ Fraud Case — Citing Judge’s ‘Overwhelming’ Bias
Donald Trump argued that the $250 million civil fraud trial against him is “tainted” by “overwhelming” bias by the Manhattan judge deciding his fate as he made a motion for a mistrial on Wednesday.
“In this case, the evidence of apparent and actual bias is tangible and overwhelming,” Trump lawyers Clifford Robert and Alina Habba wrote in papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on Wednesday morning just before the 28th day of trial began.
“Such evidence, coupled with an unprecedented departure from standard judicial procedure, has tainted these proceedings and a mistrial is warranted,” the papers continued.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The teenagers, aged 13-17, are accused of attacking Jonathan Lewis, 17, on November 1 near their school, Rancho High. Lewis had arranged to fight them in a row over stolen headphones.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Presidential hopeful Nikki Haley was taken to task by Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk on X on Monday after she made the announcement that on the first day of her presidency, she would require all social media users to be verified by their name in order to protect national security.
“This is disgusting,” presidential contender Ramaswamy said. He has stated repeatedly that he is “a free speech absolutist.”
“Super messed up,” Musk replied. “She can stop pretending to run for president now.” Musk has been an outspoken advocate for free speech rights in America, so much so that he bought the Twitter social media platform when it was obviously suppressing free speech. It was later revealed that Twitter execs had conspired with the government to enact that suppression under the guise of combatting “misinformation” and “disinformation.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
In response to the fast approaching holiday shopping weekend, RePlatform: The Freedom Economy Convention has launched a parallel economy shopping date focused on shopping at places that reflect American values, instead of large corporations that have caved to the left.
RePlatform CEO David Ragsdale said in a press release that with shopping days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, “a challenging paradox emerges for conservatives.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Exclusive: Deadbeat Tenants Owe Landlords Thousands as WA Courts Struggle With Eviction Backlog
A landlord in an upscale neighborhood in Washington state is out thousands of dollars as a result of a deadbeat tenant he can’t evict because of the county’s eviction backlog.
Jaskaran Singh owns a rental property he bought two years ago in Woodridge, one of Bellevue, Washington’s most desirable neighborhoods.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Manhattan prosecutors doubled-down Wednesday on their controversial decision to bring manslaughter charges in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely — arguing ex-Marine Daniel Penny should have known he was about to kill the homeless man considering his military training and warnings from worried bystanders.
The statements were included in a response to an October filing by defense lawyers that sought to dismiss the case — with prosecutors stressing that Penny, 24, allegedly directly killed Neely when he laced his arms around the troubled homeless man’s neck for six minutes inside the subway car.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Feds Have Launched ‘Multiple Investigations’ Over Individuals With Hamas Ties: Christopher Wray
Federal authorities have opened “multiple investigations into individuals affiliated” with the Hamas terror group, but have not yet unearthed credible threats to the US, FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers Wednesday.
Wray did underscore that there is a “heightened threat environment” as calls grow for attacks on America and added that his most pressing concern was “homegrown violent extremists.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Fox News Poll: Support for Trump Hits 62% in GOP Primary
This is one of three Fox News Polls released Wednesday. See results of Fox News’ polling on the Israel-Hamas war here and Americans’ support for Ukraine here.
While the 2024 presidential election still looks most likely to be a nail-biter, the two primary contests are currently blowouts.
Former President Donald Trump leads the GOP nomination race with the backing of a record 62% of Republican primary voters in a new Fox News survey. That translates to a roughly 50-point gap between Trump and Ron DeSantis (14%), and Nikki Haley (11%). Vivek Ramaswamy (7%), Chris Christie (3%), and Asa Hutchinson (1%) trail even further.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Full Breakdown: Candace Owens Goes on Tucker Carlson to Respond to Ben Shapiro
Conservative political commentator Candace Owens pushed back on attacks from Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro, who recently called her “absolutely disgraceful,” as she appeared on Wednesday’s episode of Tucker on X, formerly known as Tucker on Twitter. The two have been publicly sparring over Israel, Gaza and Hamas.
Show host Tucker Carlson kicked off the segment with a montage of various people in the media world laying into Owens over different claims she has made that often fall against the orthodoxy of the mainstream political establishment over the past years.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
EXCLUSIVE — George Soros’s son Alex “could well be more radical than his father” and he is set to be a Democratic kingmaker, according to the Media Research Center.
“If leftist billionaire George Soros was the king of funding the far left, his son Alex is now the crown prince and heir to the throne,” the Media Research Center wrote.
The MRC researched “previous radical statements” made by the 37-year-old who recently took control of the mammoth multi-billion dollar Open Society Foundations (OSF). The conservative group determined that Alex Soros would be “more radically leftist than his father” when it comes to rhetoric.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Home Depot Founder Slams Biden: ‘Disastrous for All Americans Except the Political Elite’
Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus has slammed Democrat President Joe Biden over the state of America’s economy.
The 94-year-old entrepreneur says he has tried to stay out of politics but insists that he can no longer remain silent.
Marcus warns that Biden’s impact on the American quality of life cannot be what “we leave to our children.”
In an op-ed for Real Clear Wire, Marcus drops the hammer on Biden’s so-called “Bidenomics.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
New Hampshire Bucks Biden and National Democrats, Sets Early 2024 Presidential Primary Date
CONCORD, N.H. — The crucial general election battleground state of New Hampshire is upholding tradition and disregarding likely penalties from national Democrats by holding its presidential primary first.
A nearly year-long battle between New Hampshire and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) over the timing of the state’s century-old, first-in-the-nation presidential primary came to a culmination on Wednesday.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Nolte: Miserable Chicagoans Drop Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Approval Rating to 28%
In Wednesday’s glorious edition of Democrats Getting What They Voted For, newly elected Democrat Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has an approval rating of just 28 percent.
Throws back head and laughs maniacally
Echelon Insights polled 800 registered voters in Chicago between October 18 and 22.
So how is it possible that Johnson, who won a majority just seven short months ago, is now sitting with a dismal 28 percent approval rating, which is only one point higher than Lori Lightfoot (the sitting mayor he defeated) had in February 2023, which was only one month before she lost her reelection campaign?
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
PepsiCo Sued by New York Alleging Plastic Waste Polluted the Environment
New York state sued PepsiCo on Wednesday, accusing the beverage and snack food giant of polluting the environment and endangering public health through its single-use plastic bottles, caps, and wrappers.
The lawsuit filed in state court in upstate Erie County is among the first by a state to target a major plastics producer.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Ramaswamy Launches ‘Fire Ronna’ Campaign to Oust McDaniel as RNC Chair
GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has launched a new campaign to fire Ronna Romney McDaniel as chairwoman of the Republican National Committee (RNC).
Ramaswamy’s campaign has launched FireRonna.com, a petition to unseat McDaniel.
The petition aims to rally “grassroots conservatives” in support of Ramaswamy’s call for McDaniel to resign.
The move comes one week after the presidential candidate called for the RNC leader to step down during the third primary debate.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Secret Service Found DNA on White House Cocaine, Hid Findings From Public, FOIA Docs Show
The U.S. Secret Service found and preserved DNA evidence during the investigation into the bag of cocaine that was found in the White House in July.
However, the federal law enforcement agency kept the findings hidden from the taxpaying public.
The revelation was revealed after over 100 pages of documents were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Senate Dems Block Bipartisan Israel Aid Package Citing Lack of Ukraine Funding
On Tuesday, Senate Democrats blocked an aid package to Israel because it wasn’t linked to Ukraine funding.
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), who sponsored the legislation, was seeking unanimous consent for the House’s version of the package, which passed with bipartisan support earlier this month. According to Fox News, the bill would earmark $14.3 billion reallocated from funds originally slated for the IRS in President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
Republican Senators Ted Cruz, JD Vance, and Mike Lee introduced the Senate version in October.
Democrats torpedoed the bill because it didn’t include aid to Ukraine.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Soros-Backed DA Loses to GOP Challenger as Prosecutor Elections Become Battlegrounds
Three Republicans who embraced tough-on-crime positions defeated their Democrat challengers in five prosecutor elections from different corners of the country.
Amid a steady stream of discussions surrounding crime in America, Republicans fared well in three out of five district attorney elections on Nov. 8 that were identified this month as “places to watch” by Politico.
The GOP victories took place in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, though some Democrats proved successful in separate prosecutorial elections in other counties located in the Old Dominion state.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The Pope Francis ousted leader of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, and dozens of his supporters, rallied outside the annual fall business meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Wednesday in Maryland.
Over the weekend, Bishop Joseph Strickland, a conservative, was removed from the “pastoral care of the diocese,” according to a bulletin from the Vatican, which also said Bishop Joe Vasquez of Austin was appointed as interim apostolic administrator.
Strickland wrote in a May 12 social media post on X, “I believe Pope Francis is the Pope, but it is time for me to say that I reject his program of undermining the Deposit of Faith. Follow Jesus.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
US Public Support for War Against Hamas Waning as Most Americans Want Cease-Fire: Poll
US public backing for Israel and its ongoing war against Hamas is waning with most Americans supporting a cease-fire more than a month after the vicious terror attack, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
In a two-day poll that ended Tuesday, about 32% of respondents said the US should back Israel when asked what role the ally should play in the battle. The percentage was a drop of nearly 10 points from a poll conducted on Oct. 12-13.
Meanwhile, about 39% of respondents want the US government to be a “neutral mediator.”
That figure is up from 27% dating back to last month’s poll.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
‘Woke Alert’: Companies Blasted for Backing Black Lives Matter Despite Group’s Anti-Israel Activism
Companies that continue to embrace Black Lives Matter are feeling the heat as corporate America’s once-favorite cause faces a backlash over pro-Hamas and anti-Israel statements.
Consumers’ Research issued a “woke alert” Wednesday against three brands: Dove, DoorDash and Airbnb. The conservative corporate watchdog accused the brands of hypocrisy for their ongoing support of Black Lives Matter.
“Corporations that chose to publicly weigh in on woke political issues over the past several years can’t seem to find that same voice to condemn a shocking terrorist attack in which Hamas slaughtered more than 1,200 innocents,” Consumers’ Research Executive Director Will Hild told The Washington Times.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
YouTube (Google) is yet another in a series of tech behemoths that feel the need to declare their stance on content, including its effective algorithmic manipulation, just as US primaries are ushering the country into another year of presidential elections.
Beating around that bush — Google representatives now talk about processes, procedures, and tools of censorship of health-related information that, unfortunately, can easily be “repurposed” to serve other, for example, political ends.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
100 Vancouver Police Sent After Pro-Palestinian Protesters Surround Trudeau at Restaurant
Vancouver police say 100 officers were sent to a restaurant where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was dining last night, after it was surrounded by protesters chanting for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
Police say one man was arrested for assaulting an officer, and another for obstruction, while social media videos showed protesters waving Palestinian flags, shouting slogans and jeering Trudeau outside the restaurant in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The April 2024 deadline for expanding Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program to the mentally ill is fast approaching and psychiatrists are divided over whether this is advisable.
There is serious concern that the definition of mentally ill will encompass drug addicts, potentially alcoholics too.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The narrative surrounding the Matt Petgrave-Adam Johnson issue has been very carefully curated, and I think we all know why.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
‘White Nationalist’ Accused of Murdering Muslim Family of 4 Was High on Mushrooms, Jury Hears
A Canadian man accused of deliberately plowing his pickup truck into four members of a Muslim family said he had ingested “magic mushrooms” before getting behind the wheel — and could not resist the “urge” when he spotted the victims.
Closing arguments in the murder and terrorism trial of 22-year-old Nathaniel Veltman were presented Tuesday in Windsor, Ontario, capping off 10 weeks of testimony, reported BBC News.
Veltman took the stand in his own defense, telling the jury that he had gotten high on a massive quantity of psychedelic mushrooms about 40 hours before climbing into his truck on June 6, 2021.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Austrian Police Operations Abroad Incur Costs of 10 Million Euros
For some time now, Austria has actively supported the combat against illegal migration abroad by providing personnel. According to Kronen Zeitung, the current expenditures for this initiative amount to approximately ten million euros in the current year with the majority of these funds being allocated for operations in Hungary.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Austria: Vienna Witnesses Drastic Uptick in Drug Crime Among Under 18s
A concerning trend is emerging in the Austrian capital, as more and more younger individuals become involved in drug-related crimes. The latest figures from the Austrian Ministry of the Interior (BMI) covering the period from January to December 2022, reported on by the Austrian press, reveal this alarming development.
The most notable surge is in drug crimes among individuals under the age of 18, with a staggering increase of 33.8 percent. This corresponds to 187 additional offenses compared to the previous year in 2021. In the age group of 18 to 20-year-old suspects, there was a 13.5 percent increase, equivalent to 124 additional cases. The group of 21 to 24-year-old perpetrators also saw a significant rise, with an 8.6 percent increase, accounting for 110 additional cases.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Bulgaria Begins Collection of Revenue From Controversial Russa-Gas Tax Amid Regional Concerns
Bulgaria is set to receive its initial income from a newly imposed tax on the import and transit of pipeline natural gas from Russia, marking a pivotal moment in a contentious move that has stirred regional debate on energy security ahead of winter, Bloomberg reports.
Finance Minister Assen Vassilev announced that the first monthly payments from the levy are anticipated within the next 10 days. Instituted since mid-October, the tax aims to enhance revenue streams while constraining Russia’s financial support for the conflict in Ukraine.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Finland and Estonia have officially sent a legal note to China regarding cooperation in the investigation of damages to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, where the Balticconnector gas pipeline suffered damage. This was announced by the Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna, in an interview with Politico.
“Just a few days ago, together with Finland, we sent a note to China regarding legal cooperation,” the diplomat stated. “We hope that China will cooperate and we will have the opportunity to conduct further investigations,” he added.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Forever War: Germany to Double Ukraine Military Aid Next Year
Germany will double its military aid to Ukraine despite growing concerns over Kyiv’s ability to continue the fight against Russia.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, having successfully banned rental electric scooters, now aims to target SUVs in her quest to make the city more environmentally friendly, reported by BBC.
Planning a city referendum in February, she proposes increasing parking fees for sports utility vehicles (SUVs). Drawing on the precedent of the e-scooter ban referendum, Hidalgo appears confident of another victory.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany Faces Among the Highest Electricity Prices in Europe
German households are facing one of the highest electricity price burdens in Europe, as indicated by a recent report. As reported by Der Spiegel, Particularly affected are small and medium-sized households with an annual consumption of less than 5000 kilowatt-hours.
A data query commissioned by the Left Party from the Federal Statistical Office shows that electricity prices for single-person households in the first half of 2023 were only higher in Liechtenstein and Belgium.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany’s Chief Fighter Against Antisemitism Criticizes Greta Thunberg
Felix Klein, the Federal Government Commissioner for Combating Antisemitism in Germany, sharply criticized Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg for her statement on the Middle East conflict during a recent climate demonstration in Amsterdam. Klein made these comments in an interview with Spiegel.
According to the German official, Thunberg, during the demonstration organized by the “Fridays for Future” movement, harmed the global climate protection movement and “undermined herself and her reputation as a climate change advocate.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany: The “Left” Faction in the Bundestag Has Decided to Self-Dissolve in December
The “Left” faction will cease to exist on December 6, as reported by representatives of the Left Party, according to Bild.
The self-dissolution of the faction is prompted by the departure of former leader Sarah Wagenknecht and nine other deputies from the Left Party. Without them, the faction does not meet the minimum membership requirements in the Bundestag, leading to its dissolution.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany: AfD Excluded From New Law That Allows the Financing of Party-Affiliated Foundations
The Bundestag, Germany’s federal law-making body, on Friday approved a new law governing the financing of party-affiliated foundations. The law specifies that a party must have held parliamentary representation for three consecutive terms to be eligible for funding for its associated foundation, Junge Freiheit reported.
The vote saw 549 representatives in favor, 75 against, and two abstentions. Significant criticism, particularly from the AfD, emerged due to the party having only secured a parliamentary group in the Bundestag twice thus far. Consequently, the Desiderius Erasmus Foundation (DES), closely linked to the AfD, will continue to be ineligible for funding. AfD Bundestag member Albrecht Glaser accused other parties of undermining the legitimacy of the state “through self-service by the political class.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany: Ruling Left-Liberal SPD Falls to Lowest Support Level Since Federal Elections
In the October survey, the SPD hit its lowest point since the federal election, reaching 14 percent. The party is now returning to this value once again. In a direct election for Chancellor, CDU leader Friedrich Merz would be clearly ahead.
According to the Forsa survey published on Tuesday, the SPD has fallen to 14 percent in the RTL/ntv “Trend Barometer,” marking its lowest level since the federal election, Die Welt reported. The party lost one percentage point compared to the previous week and is now on par with the Greens, who have maintained their 14 percent from the previous weeks.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany is Losing Its Attractiveness as an Industrial Location, Study Reveals
According to a study, Germany’s appeal as an industrial hub continues to diminish. Deloitte, the consulting firm, reported on Tuesday that two-thirds of the surveyed companies have already transferred portions of their value chain abroad, Tagesschau reported.
In sectors like mechanical engineering and automotive, a substantial number of decision-makers anticipate a further decline in the country’s attractiveness.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany: Federal Constitutional Court Halts the Use of Corona Billions for Climate Protection
The Federal Constitutional Court has dealt a severe blow to the Ampel government by prohibiting the use of billions originally intended for tackling the Corona crisis for climate protection, as reported by Deutschland Kurier.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Hungary: Paks Nuclear Power Plant Enters Construction Phase With Significant Workforce — Szijjarto
Péter Szijjartó, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has announced the commencement of the construction phase of the Paks nuclear power plant, as reported by About Hungary.
During the signing of the construction timetable for the upcoming years, Minister Szijjartó, in a joint press conference with Alexei Likhachev, the head of the Russian nuclear energy company Rosatom, revealed that the project is currently the largest nuclear undertaking in Europe with a construction permit.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Hungary Challenges EU Consensus on Ukraine Policy, Sparking Anticipated Weeks of Negotiation
Hungary’s call for a reassessment of the European Union’s approach to Ukraine has set the stage for prolonged debates among member states.
In opposition to Germany, Lithuania, Finland and Ireland, which advocate for swiftly bringing Kyiv closer to the EU and providing increased aid. Hungary has emerged as the primary obstacle to key decisions.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Hungarian Families Plan Increased Christmas Spending, Averaging Around EUR 313
According to a recent survey by Cofidis Hitel Monitor, Hungarians are gearing up for a festive season with an average Christmas budget of HUF 118,000 (EUR 313), marking a nearly 20 percent increase compared to last year.
The survey reveals that individuals intending to give presents are contemplating an average spending of HUF 47,000 (EUR 125). Despite economic challenges, there is a commitment to maintaining traditional holiday practices, including large-scale baking and cooking.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Majority of Germans Fear Gaza Conflict to Result in Terror Attack in Their Country
A clear majority of Germans believe mass-casualty terror attacks are coming to Germany as a consequence of the Israel-Hamas war.
Germans fear there are terrorist attacks in their future, a survey of attitudes towards the Israel-Hamas war has revealed. A significant majority at 59 per cent say a terror attack “as a result of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war” was “very or highly likely”, while just 27 per cent said they thought they would be “very or somewhat unlikely”.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Moldova Contemplates EU Entry Before Resolving Transistria Issue
Moldova is considering the possibility of seeking entry into the European Union before resolving the issue of its breakaway region, Transnistria, according to President Maia Sandu, Bloomberg reports.
The nation, located between Ukraine and Romania, is exploring the option of becoming an EU member by 2030 without the inclusion of Transnistria. Sandu highlighted the challenge of seeking a resolution for the breakaway region, as it could grant Moscow veto power over the accession process.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Norway and Sweden Will Build a Joint Police Station on the Border
Sweden and Norway plan to complete the construction of a joint police station in the vicinity of the Magnormoen customs post by the fall of 2025. The Norwegian Directorate of Public Construction (Statsbygg) announced this, according to NTB.
The Ministry of Justice and Public Security of Norway instructed Statsbygg to build a joint Norwegian-Swedish police station on the site that was acquired in 2018.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Poll: Most Germans Want to Scale Back the Country’s Generous Social Welfare System
According to an Insa survey conducted for Bild, 55 percent of Germans believe it is easy to obtain illegal social benefits, while 25.3 percent find it challenging. Despite Germans paying some of the highest social security contributions in Europe, there is a concern that these funds may be supporting the wrong individuals.
When assessing the fairness of the German welfare state, 41 percent find it rather unfair, and an additional 23 percent describe it as very unfair. In total, 64.3 percent believe that the distribution of social assistance and citizens’ money is incorrect.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Prime Minister Viktor Orban Declares Hungary as the Voice of the European People
Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared Hungary as the representative voice of the European people during a speech commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Szazadvég think tank, as reported by About Hungary.
Orban provided a retrospective analysis of Hungary’s pursuit of sovereignty, emphasizing the historical struggle against communism and the broader goal of freedom. He underscored the importance of free speech and writing, stating that “free life begins with free speech.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Setback for Scholz Administration: German Court Invalidates Climate Funding Plan
Germany’s government is grappling with a significant financial setback as the country’s constitutional court ruled on Wednesday that the plan to allocate unused pandemic emergency funds to climate initiatives is unconstitutional, leaving a 60-billion-euro ($65 billion) hole in its finances, Reuters reports.
The ruling was handed down by the constitutional court, adds complexity to ongoing budget negotiations within Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-way ruling coalition. The coalition facing declining popularity as the nation edges toward a potential recession, must now contend with the aftermath of this decision. Which could establish a precedent for future fiscal responses to crises.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Shortage of Cancer Medication in the USA Could Affect Sweden in the Future
The ongoing shortage of cancer medication in the USA raises concerns about its potential impact on Sweden. According to reports from CNN, 86 percent of cancer centers in the USA are experiencing a shortage of some cancer medications, a problem known for several years.
Currently, there is no shortage of these cancer medications in Sweden. However, as reported by Dagens Nyheter, the long-term effects on Sweden remain unclear. Johan Andersson, unit manager at the Swedish Medical Products Agency, explains that although some pharmaceutical manufacturers operate on a global market but not all of them do.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The Ministry of Defense of Slovakia has announced its decision to cease the supply of military equipment from its reserves to Ukraine. However, it has expressed readiness to offer a substantial volume of humanitarian assistance.
This was communicated by the Slovak Minister of Defense, Robert Kalinak, during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The Legalization of Cannabis in Germany is Being Delayed
The planned legalization of cannabis for the turn of the year is likely to be postponed by several months. Bringing the bill through the Bundestag and Bundesrat by the end of this year is no longer feasible, according to sources within the Ampel coalition, reported by Spiegel.
German cannabis enthusiasts may have to wait a bit longer. The originally scheduled cannabis legalization for the turn of the year is expected to be delayed. While the plan is to pass the law in the last week of the year between December 13 and 15 in the Bundestag, the Bundesrat will still be involved afterward. However, the deadlines are reportedly too tight for the last Bundesrat session of the year on December 15.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Police officers were seen politely asking Just Stop Oil protesters ‘could you come with me please?’ as eco clowns played dead in the middle of a busy road in London this morning.
The brazen group of 23 eco-zealots, who were seen blocking traffic in Oval, went on to mock police officers arresting them with one ridiculing a cop, telling him ‘I don’t go anywhere with strange men’ when he asked her to move.
It follows a war of words between the Metropolitan Police and the campaigners, after demonstrators, unfazed by their arrests, took to social media boasting that officers ‘quite literally can’t arrest us all’.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The House of Commons has rejected an amendment calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as Sir Keir Starmer faces a rebellion from Labour MPs.
MPs voted 293 to 125 against the Scottish National Party’s King’s Speech amendment calling for “all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire” in Gaza.
A total of 56 Labour MPs voted with the SNP after Starmer only called for “humanitarian pauses”, including eight Shadow Ministers.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Ten people have been charged after an eco-mob climbed fences in an attempt to block roads and storm the Aintree Racecourse on the day of the Grand National.
Animal Rising protesters stormed the racecourse on April 15 this year, delaying the steeplechase by 12 minutes, while other activists blocked a nearby motorway.
Merseyside Police today said 10 people have been charged over the protests on the roads. But the protest on the racecourse is still under investigation.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Amid Ongoing War, BP and ENI Among Firms Awarded Gas Exploration Licenses in Israel
Energy Ministry says a total of 12 licenses have been given to six companies, four of which are new players in the exploration of natural gas off the country’s Mediterranean coast
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
BBC News Channel has apologized for an inaccurate report that claimed Israeli forces were targeting “medical teams and Arab speakers” inside of Gaza’s main hospital.
On Tuesday, a BBC News program reported that Israeli forces were carrying out an operation against Hamas forces inside Al Shifa hospital.
The news anchor then claimed that the soldiers were targeting individuals, including hospital workers and Arab speakers, inside the hospital, which would constitute a war crime. The BBC News anchor cited Reuters as the source of their information. However, reporting from Reuters on Israeli troops entering the hospital contradicted the BBC.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
ISIS Releases Sick Video Calling for Attacks on Jewish People in US and Europe
Terror group ISIS has released a sickening video in which they called for followers to attack Jewish people in Europe and the US and to bomb Israeli embassies across the globe.
The twisted footage includes the extremists also calling for its members to put on suicide vests to carry out attacks against US forces stationed in the Persian Gulf.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Israel Searches for Hamas in Raid of Key Gaza Hospital Packed With Patients and Stranded Families
Shifa has become a symbol of the widespread suffering of Palestinian civilians during the war between Israel and Hamas
Israeli troops on Wednesday stormed into Gaza’s largest hospital, searching for traces of Hamas inside and beneath the facility, where newborns and hundreds of other patients have suffered for days without electricity and other basic necessities as fighting raged outside.
Details from the raid remained sketchy, but officials from Israel and Gaza presented different accounts of what was happening at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City: The Israeli army released video showing soldiers carrying boxes labeled as “baby food” and “medical supplies,” while health officials talked of terrified staff and patients as troops moved through the buildings.
After encircling Shifa for days, Israel faced pressure to prove its claim that Hamas had turned the hospital into a command center, using the patients, staff and civilians sheltering there to provide cover for its militants — part of Israel’s broader accusation that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields.
Hamas and Gaza health officials deny militants operate in Shifa. Palestinians and rights groups say Israel has recklessly endangered civilians as it seeks to eradicate Hamas.
| — Hat tip: JW | [Return to headlines] |
A French court issued a warrant for Syria’s president and senior Syrian officials for allegedly using banned chemical weapons against civilians, marking the first non-International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for a head of state.
The warrant, which applies to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad and two other senior officials, follows a criminal investigation into chemical attacks in the town of Douma and the district of Eastern Ghouta in August 2013, which Reuters reported had killed more than 1,000 people.
“The president is responsible for many crimes in Syria — but with this type of weapon in particular — sarin gas — it’s impossible to jump over the gap (of his involvement),” said Mazen Darwish, lawyer and founder of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), one of the groups that filed the suit.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Biden Releases Another $10 Billion to Iran
Democrat President Joe Biden’s administration has extended a sanctions waiver in order to release another $10 billion in frozen funds for Iran.
According to the Associated Press, the four-month extension will allow the Iranian regime access to previously frozen $10 billion in electricity revenues.
The Biden admin insists that the terror-linked Islamic dictatorship will use the funds for “humanitarian aid.”
However, experts have repeatedly warned that giving Iran to access frozen funds will free up money in Tehran’s money reserves.
By freeing up Iran’s reserves, the regime will be able to continue sponsoring terrorism and developing nuclear weapons.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Turkey’s Erdogan Labels Israel a ‘Terror State’, Slams Its Backers in West
ANKARA, Nov 15 (Reuters) — Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday Israel was a “terror state” committing war crimes and violating international law in Gaza, sharpening his repeated criticism of Israeli leaders and their backers in the West.
Speaking two days before a planned visit to Germany to meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Erdogan said Israel’s military campaign against Palestinian militant group Hamas included “the most treacherous attacks in human history” with “unlimited” support from the West.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Russian Woman Goes on Trial in Cafe Bombing That Killed Prominent Military Blogger
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — A woman went on trial Wednesday in the bombing at a St. Petersburg cafe that killed a prominent Russian military blogger after he was given a bust of himself that later exploded.
Darya Trepova, 26, is charged with carrying out a terrorist attack, illegal trafficking of explosive devices and forging documents in the April 2 blast at the cafe in which Vladlen Tatarsky was killed and 52 others were injured.
She was arrested shortly after the bombing and faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted, according to Russian news reports.
Tatarsky, 40, was an ardent supporter of the Kremlin’s military action in Ukraine and filed regular reports on the fighting from the front lines…
| — Hat tip: Dean | [Return to headlines] |
We Back Kyiv for a Just Peace Meloni Tells Zelensky
(ANSA) — ROME, NOV 15 — Italy is supporting Ukraine’s campaign for a just peace after the Russian invasion, Premier Giorgia Meloni told President Volodymyr Zelensky in a phone call Wednesday.
“Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had a new telephone conversation today with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, as a follow-up to the meeting a month ago in Granada on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit,” Meloni’s office at Palazzo Chigi said.
“Premier Meloni confirmed the Italian government’s continued all-round support for the Ukrainian authorities with the goal of achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace”, it said.
Zelensky, the PM’s office said, “thanked the Prime Minister and the Italian government for their effective support to the Ukrainian institutions and population”.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Police were called to the Ampol station on Old South Head Road in North Bondi around 10.20pm on Wednesday night following reports of an altercation.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
A year-long investigation involving several police units has concluded with a massive bust on one of Australia’s largest underground criminal groups.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Chris Richardson said ‘housing affordability is the worst it’s ever been’ and capping immigration ‘for a time’ may be the best way to ease the crisis
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Nine asylum seekers among the 83 who have so far been released since a landmark High Court decision are now staying at a cheap motel in Sydney’s western suburbs.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Austria’s right-wing anti-globalist FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl during a Wednesday morning conference focused on a central issue: migration. Alongside calls for an “asylum stop” and a “Fortress Austria,” he also took the opportunity to reiterate demands for an apology for the “victims of the lockdown for unvaccinated people,” Exxpress reported.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Two prominent Israeli officials are calling on the west to take in Palestinian refugees.
If it’s safe for us to take them, why can’t Israel take any?
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Last year, 47,923 Germans fell victim to violent acts committed by immigrants, according to the Federal Criminal Police Office’s (BKA) report on serious crimes perpetrated by foreigners who entered the country as refugees and asylum seekers. This figure represents an 18 percent increase compared to the previous year.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
A furious landowner living on the US-Mexico border in California is speaking out against Biden’s lax migration laws that he says allows ‘hundreds’ of illegal migrants to walk through his land every day.
Brian Silvas owns 78 acres in Jacumba Hot Springs, a border town in San Diego County.
He says he is powerless to stop the floods of migrants who walk onto his property from Mexico every day. Trump’s wall ends on his property, allowing them to simply sidestep it to gain entry to the US.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany Extends Border Controls With Poland, Czech Republic, and Switzerland for 20 More Days
Controls at the borders between Germany and Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland will be extended for another 20 days, as announced by the German Minister of Internal Affairs, Nancy Faeser, RMF24 reports.
According to the data from the German Ministry of Internal Affairs, federal police detained approximately 90 smugglers during the controls that have been in place since October 16. Faeser emphasized that the measures implemented by border services are crucial in limiting illegal migration to Germany.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany’s Border Controls Ineffective Against Illegal Immigration Surge
According to Rzeczpospolita, Germany conducts random border controls with Poland, which do not result in an effective reduction of the influx of illegal immigrants.
In the last three weeks, only 25 migrants have been sent back from Germany, while thousands remain in the country. These controls, despite causing significant traffic jams, do not provide effective border protection.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
German Politicians Call for Revocation of Merkel’s Refugee’s Citizenship Over Anti-Israel Messge
German politicians are urging the annulment of citizenship for Reem Sahwil, once emblematic of Angela Merkel’s migration policy, following her posting of an anti-Israel message on social media, BILD reports.
Sahwil, a Palestinian girl, gained prominence at 14 when she tearfully confronted Merkel about facing deportation. Subsequently, Sahwil and her family were granted residence permits and she obtained German citizenship in February 2023.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany: Globalist Interior Minister Reduces Security Checks for Asylum Seekers
Germany’s left-liberal globalist federal government is significantly reducing security checks for asylum seekers to streamline the asylum process and decrease deportations, FOCUS ONLINE reported.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) has instructed the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) to limit security checks, including checking fewer passports and documents, discontinuing cell phone screening of migrants, obtaining less information from
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Illegal immigrants are warning each other to stay away from New York’s new “tent city” for migrants which is located at Floyd Bennett Field. They say the controversial Brooklyn shelter is “crazy” and “not suitable for children” which has prompted families to either flee the site and/or refuse to be transported there.
This has created a significant problem because this site, which is made up of four congregate sleeping dorms that can hold up to 2,000 people, is currently the only shelter the city is offering to illegal immigrants with children, according to the New York Post.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
In Germany, the Number of Attacks Against Refugees Increased Significantly in 2023
According to the federal government’s response to a query from the Left Party parliamentary faction, the number of attacks on refugees and asylum seekers, as well as migrant hostels, has risen considerably in Germany in 2023, as reported by DW.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Migrants: 1,400 Arrive in New Wave of Lampedusa Landings
(ANSA) — ROME, NOV 15 — A new wave of migrant-boat landings on Lampedusa brought more than 1400 people to Italy’s southern-most island in the space of 26 hours.
As a result, the island’s migrant hotspot is once again full, with some 1,430 people there early on Wednesday, although 230 were set to leave and be taken by ferry to Porto Empedocle in Sicily.
During the night, 394 migrants landed on six barges, and another 169 people arrived shortly after aboard four different boats.
On Tuesday a total of 903 migrants arrived in 19 landings.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Migrants: Over 143,600 Arrived Via Central Med This Year
(ANSA) — ROME, NOV 15 — Frontex said Wednesday irregular border crossings at the EU’s external borders added up to around 331,600 in the first 10 months of 2023, the highest total for the period since 2015, with the Central Mediterranean remaining the busiest migratory route.
The EU border agency said more than 143,600 arrived via the Central Mediterranean route between North Africa and Italy in the January-October period, the highest total for this route for this period since 2016.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Rishi Sunak appears to have buckled to demands made by Suella Braverman, announcing emergency legislation to ensure the success of the Government’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda.
This afternoon, Braverman demanded the Government put in place emergency legislation after the courts ruled that the plan to send migrants to Rwanda was illegal.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Abortion Rights: Two Bills Introduced in the Polish Parliament
Two bills aimed at liberalizing abortion laws have been introduced in the Polish Parliament, as reported by RMF24.
One of the bills proposes the complete legalization of the right to terminate pregnancy up to the twelfth week, while the other decriminalizes assistance in abortion.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Discrimination Charge Filed Against Michigan Salon After Owner’s Comments on Gender Identity
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A hair salon in northern Michigan is facing a discrimination charge from the state’s Department of Civil Rights after its owner posted on social media earlier this year that anyone identifying as other than a man or a woman is not welcome at her business.
The department claims in the charge filed Wednesday that Traverse City’s Studio 8 Hair Lab violated the state’s civil rights act in a Facebook post in July from its owner, Christine Geiger, by unlawfully discriminating against three claimants.
The post, which is no longer available, read, “If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman please seek services at a local pet groomer. You are not welcome at this salon. Period. Should you request to have a particular pronoun used please note we may simply refer to you as ‘hey you.’“
A hearing will now be scheduled before an administrative law judge, who will issue a recommendation after hearing the merits of the complaint, according to the civil rights department. The recommendation will then go before Michigan’s Civil Rights Commission to either adopt or make their own ruling.
Penalties, according to the complaint, could include monetary compensation for the claimants’ emotional distress and mental anguish sustained by the discrimination. The department allows for any other relief “as the commission seems just and proper,” which could include additional fees and a recommendation that the business’ license be suspended.
| — Hat tip: Vlad Tepes | [Return to headlines] |
Female Pool Player Forfeits Tournament Instead of Competing Against Transgender Opponent
A female pool player recently forfeited a tournament upon realizing she would be facing off with a transgender opponent — a man who identifies as a woman.
Lynne Pinches made it all the way to the finals at the English Pool Association’s 2023 Champion of Champions Ladies on Sunday and opted to forfeit in protest of competing against a transgender named Harriet Haynes.
“A video of the moment shows that Pinches and Haynes vied to see who would break,” noted the New York Post. “Pinches won and shook hands with Haynes but then walked toward the tournament official and apparently declared a forfeit.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Mayo Clinic is Sued for Suspending Doctor Over Online Posts on COVID and Transgenderism
Dr. Michael Joyner, backed by the Academic Freedom Alliance (AFA), has initiated a lawsuit against the Mayo Clinic College, including its president and board chair. The suit arises from disciplinary actions taken against Joyner following his public comments on topics within his field of expertise. Specifically, the controversy revolves around statements he made to the New York Times about gender differences in athletic performance and to CNN regarding the use of convalescent plasma in COVID-19 treatment. The Mayo Clinic’s response, which involved suspension, salary review implications, and strict media interview oversight, is at the heart of this legal challenge.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Kim Petras, the transgender German pop star, said he wants his gay fans to engage in sex during performances of his current concert tour, where children as young as eight are allowed to attend.
In a recent conversation published in Interview magazine, Kim Petras — who is a man but identifies as a woman — acknowledges that lewd and pornographic acts are taking place in full view.
“There’s definitely gay sex happening, which is lit,” Petras said. “In the crowd, and that’s the goal.”
Ticketmaster shows that children as young as eight are allowed to attend Petras’ tour, which will make its way through the U.K. and Europe, following stops in the U.S. Those under 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times, the site states.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
War on Christmas: Diverse English City of Bradford to Raise a ‘Multi-Faith’ Tree
The diverse English city of Bradford has announced that for the Christmas season, it will raise a “multi-faith festive tree” in the latest assault on Christianity, or at least the cultural vestiges of it, in Britain.
The West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce’s Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Business Committee said this week that City Hall will see a “multi-faith” evergreen erected in front of it during Christmas to celebrate the multicultural nature of the city, with over a third of its population being from minority backgrounds per the latest census.
Announcing the decision, committee chairwoman Nasreen Karim said per the local Telegraph & Argus newspaper: “I am truly delighted that this initiative is taking off.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |