The container ship MV Dali lost power when leaving Baltimore harbor this morning, causing the vessel to crash into a support column of Francis Scott Key Bridge, triggering a catastrophic collapse. Two people who were cast into the waters of the estuary were rescued, while six others are missing and presumed dead. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden claimed he had taken a commuter rail on the bridge many times, even though there was no rail line on the bridge.
In other news, farmers threw beets and sprayed manure at police in Brussels today as hundreds of tractors sealed off streets close to the European Union headquarters.
To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.
Thanks to Daniel Greenfield, Dean, Insubria, JW, LP, McN, MM, Reader from Chicago, Roger, SS, 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.
Unemployment Surges in Finland: Over 30,000 Jobless Year-on-Year
Last month, Finland witnessed a significant surge in unemployment, with over 30,000 more individuals jobless compared to the same period last year, as reported by YLE News.
According to reports from Statistics Finland and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment released on Tuesday, the country’s unemployment rate reached 7.7 percent. The Ministry reported a total of 289,700 unemployed individuals, marking an increase of 31,600 from February 2023, while Statistics Finland recorded a slightly lower figure of 220,000 but noted a larger increase in job losses, totaling 34,000.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
An Icy Rain and Heavy Snowfall Have Blanketed Some Areas of the United States
Heavy snowfall, triggered by a storm, swept through the northeastern region of the United States, including the northern part of New York state, Vermont, New Hampshire, and most of Maine. According to AP, 20 to 30 cm of snow fell in several areas.
According to the National Weather Service, more than 76 cm of snow fell in the south-central part of Vermont. Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Boston also suffered from heavy rain and flooding.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Wasn’t First Major Accident for Giant Container Ship Dali
Propulsion failed on the cargo ship that struck the Francis Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday as it was leaving port, causing it to collapse into the frigid Patapsco River. Its crew warned Maryland officials of a possible collision because they had lost control.
“The vessel notified MD Department of Transportation (MDOT) that they had lost control of the vessel” and a collision with the bridge “was possible,” according to an unclassified Department of Homeland Security report. “The vessel struck the bridge causing a complete collapse.”
An official speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed to USA TODAY that the DHS’ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is working with federal, state, and local officials “to understand the potential impacts of this morning’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.”
Clay Diamond, executive director, American Pilots’ Association, told USA TODAY power issues are not unusual on cargo ships, which are so large they cannot easily course correct.
“It’s likely that virtually every pilot in the country has experienced a power loss of some kind (but) it generally is momentary,” Diamond said. “This was a complete blackout of all the power on the ship, so that’s unusual. Of course this happened at the worst possible location.”
The ship in Tuesday’s crash, Dali, was involved in at least one prior accident when it collided with a shipping pier in Belgium.
That 2016 incident occurred as the Dali was leaving port in Antwerp and struck a loading pier made of stone, causing damage to the ship’s stern, according to VesselFinder.com, a site that tracks ships across the world. An investigation determined a mistake made by the ship’s master and pilot was to blame.
No one was injured in that crash, although the ship required repair and a full inspection before being returned to service. The pier — or berth — was also seriously damaged and had to be closed.
VesselFinder reports that the Dali was chartered by Maersk, the same company chartering it during the Baltimore harbor incident.
| — Hat tip: LP | [Return to headlines] |
During a press conference when President Joe Biden announced the federal government would fund the entire repair of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, he claimed he had taken a commuter rail on the bridge “many many times” even though it did not have any rail lines.
Biden told reporters he took the bridge “many many times commuting from the state of Delaware either by train or by car” in the presser.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
George Floyd Scholarship Violates Federal Civil Rights Law, Lawsuit Claims
A university scholarship only offered to Black students is a violation of U.S. federal civil rights law, according to a legal complaint filed with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights on Monday.
North Central University’s George Floyd scholarship violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits educational institutions from racial discrimination, because it is only open to Black students, the legal watchdog group the Equal Protection Project of the Legal Insurrection Foundation argued in the complaint shared with The College Fix.
Through its George Floyd Memorial Scholarship, the private Christian university in Minneapolis, Minnesota, “engages in invidious discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin,” according to the complaint.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Google is Ordered to Identify Who Watched Certain YouTube Videos
US federal law enforcement and courts have gone a step further in the extreme efforts they are making to surveil people’s activities online, including on Google’s vast platforms.
The latest is that the tech giant gets orders to identify all people who happen to be watching certain videos or livestreams on YouTube.
After directly censoring creators and channels, giving geolocation data of its users to the authorities in response to the controversial geofencing warrants, this is a new example of how Google can be used and abused in dragnet-style “investigations.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Google Threatens to Restricts Ads on Popular Economics Site Naked Capitalism
Google is pressuring the economy-oriented site Naked Capitalism to either censor its content to Google’s liking, or lose ad revenue.
This case of demonetization is of particular interest because the tech giant is believed to be enlisting AI for censorship. Another is that the size of the independent site means it can ill, if at all, afford to lose any money.
And this might inform how it approaches reporting going forward — including the possibility of censorship giving rise to self-censorship.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Governor: ‘Heroes’ Managed to Stop Traffic Driving Onto Baltimore Bridge at Last Minute, Saved Lives
The Governor of Maryland has revealed there was enough time between the MV Dali issuing a distress call and the collision with the Baltimore bridge for traffic to be blocked from driving onto it, saving lives.
Governor Wes Moore spoke to the press pack in Baltimore on Tuesday morning and while evasive on many questions, including how many members of the public were on the bridge at the time of its collapse, did confirm there were efforts to prevent any more vehicles from driving onto the bridge once it was known disaster was imminent.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
House Judiciary Committee Exposes ‘Censorship Industrial Complex’ at NBC News
On Monday, the House Judiciary Committee exposed what it referred to as the “censorship industrial complex” perpetuated by NBC News and some of the reporters who work there, namely investigative journalist Brandy Zadrozny.
Via a series of posts on X, the committee broke down how she and the network lied in their recent coverage of the subject of “disinformation” by relying on “discredited ‘experts’“ and how it all fits into a broader pattern of spreading “fake news.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
In the USA, the School System Rejects a Woman’s Accusation of Rape by a Classmate at the Age of 12
A 24-year-old woman testified in court Tuesday, recounting events that occurred in her seventh-grade classroom in Virginia a decade ago. She claims she was repeatedly raped and sexually harassed while attending Rachel Carson Middle School in Reston. However, the school system has strongly denied her allegations, suggesting she fabricated the accusations, AP News reports.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Judge Issues Gag Order on Trump in DA Bragg Case
New York Judge Juan Merchan on Tuesday imposed a gag order on former President Donald Trump as part of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case against him for allegedly falsifying business records.
Under the order, Trump may not make public statements about jurors, court staff, participating lawyers, or their families, though he may criticize Bragg himself, CNN reported.
Bragg has charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a 2016 payment his then-attorney, Michael Cohen, made to Stormy Daniels. He has pleaded not guilty and contends that the case is part of a broader political witch hunt designed to derail his 2024 bid to return to the White House.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Members of the largest teachers’ unions in the US are calling for action after it was revealed that a Seattle area math teacher suggested co-workers send money to a charity run by an Islamic cleric who has endorsed sex slaves and denied the Oct 7 atrocities committed by Hamas.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
NBC News Boots Ronna McDaniel After Internal Network Revolt
NBC News on Tuesday terminated its relationship with former Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel after network staffers and on-air talent opposed her hiring.
NBCUniversal News Group Chair Cesar Conde told employees that “After listening to the legitimate concerns of many of you, I have decided that Ronna McDaniel will not be an NBC News contributor,” Politico reported.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
New York Man Dies After Being Pushed in Front of Oncoming Subway by Mentally Ill Career Criminal
On Monday, a straphanger was hit and killed by a subway in New York City after being pushed off a platform and onto the tracks by what was described as an emotionally disturbed person.
Police sources told the New York Post, the commuter was pushed onto the tracks as the northbound 4 train was entering the East 125th Street and Lexington Avenue station around 7 pm and the train was unable to stop in time.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
On Tuesday, investigative journalist James O’Keefe called on anyone with information related to the ongoing investigation into allegations of sex trafficking involving Sean “Diddy” Combs to contact the O’Keefe Media Group.
The request comes less than 24 hours after Combs’ homes in Miami and Los Angeles were raided by agents with Homeland Security Investigations.
“We are actively looking into the Sean Combs aka [Diddy] situation,” OMG wrote in a post on X. “If anyone has leading tips/information about the developing P Diddy case, please contact our DM or text us on Signal at 914-315-9415.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Polls Show Nearly a Quarter of Washingtonians Support Secession
Alex Garland’s Civil War, a film that premiered at South by Southwest this month, imagines a near-future where the collective “Western Forces” of Texas and California are engaged in a second American Civil War with a United States government led by a three-term president, placing viewers with three journalists chronicling what appears to be a climactic end to the union.
Critics assume the premise exploits the boiling tensions months ahead of a round-two election with an autocratic-minded insurrectionist, but writers such as Peter Debruge at Variety say it’s actually questioning the futility of sides altogether. Regardless of that message, critics also predict the provocative Civil War will be controversial. The Hollywood Reporter is anticipating production company A24’s biggest-ever opening weekend at about $20 million dollars.
On a panel following Civil War’s premiere, Garland, who directed another apocalypse in 28 Days Later, said he felt compelled to write the film because its topics have encompassed growing parts of public debate for years now.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Talks With Libertarian Party About Pursuing Nomination: Report
Democrat-turned-independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is considering pursuing the Libertarian Party nomination, according to reports.
Kennedy met with Libertarian Party Chairwoman Angela McArdle at the end of February after he appeared at the California party convention, Politico reports.
The Libertarian Party has always made it on the ballot in all 50 states during presidential elections. McArdle referred to Kennedy Jr. as a “real dark horse.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Announces Attorney Nicole Shanahan as His VP Pick
Democrat-turned-Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday announced San Francisco attorney Nicole Shanahan as his vice president pick.
“I want Nicole to be a champion,” Kennedy said. “Nicole and I both share doubts about the corporate-captured uniparty.”
Kennedy Jr. made the announcement in Oakland, California.
Shanahan is an attorney and entrepreneur who gave a large amount of money to a Super PAC backing Kennedy Jr.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Declares Innocence After Federal Agents Raid His Homes
Sean “Diddy” Combs denied the “meritless accusations” waged against him as he spoke out for the first time following Homeland Security raids on his homes in Los Angeles and Miami on Monday.
“Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences,” his attorney, Aaron Dyer, said Tuesday in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
“There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated. Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Six Presumed Dead After Cargo Ship Crash Levels Baltimore Bridge, Company Says
BALTIMORE — A major Baltimore bridge collapsed like a house of cards early Tuesday after it was struck by a containership, sending six people to their deaths in the dark waters below and shutting down one of the country’s busiest ports.
Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Brawner Builders, confirmed that six were presumed dead and one survived in a telephone interview. Their names were not released.
Pritzker’s announcement came just hours after Maryland Gov. Wes Moore insisted there was still hope that the crew, who vanished after the Francis Scott Key Bridge disintegrated from the impact, might still be found alive despite having been in the freezing water for hours.
It was a crushing blow to the loved ones of the missing men, who had waited for hours at a Royal Farms convenience store near the entrance of the bridge for word of their fate.
| — Hat tip: MM | [Return to headlines] |
Suspect Calls 911 After Allegedly Stabbing Man to Death at Greeley Laundromat
DENVER (KDVR) — A man was stabbed to death outside of a Greeley laundromat following a disturbance, according to police.
On Sunday at around 9 p.m., Greeley Police Department officers were called to a laundromat located in the 1800 block of Greeley Mall. The officers were told that a disturbance had broken out between two men and that one of them had reportedly been stabbed.
When officers arrived at the business, they found a 36-year-old man suffering from multiple severe stab wounds. Officers said they performed lifesaving measures before the man was taken to a hospital by medics.
However, Greeley police said the man was pronounced dead.
While police were investigating the scene, officers said the suspect called 911 to report what had happened. Officers said they spoke with the suspect, 40-year-old Michael Vergara, on the phone for several minutes before locating him inside a parked car in the 2200 block of 23rd Avenue.
Vergara was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Weld County Jail on charges of first-degree murder.
| — Hat tip: Roger | [Return to headlines] |
The ‘Rabbi’ and ‘Peace Activist’ Who Cheered the Hamas Oct. 7 Attack
When pro-Hamas insurrectionists stormed Capitol Hill, Brant Rosen, described as “one of the demonstrators”, was quoted as falsely accusing Jews of genocide. He was later arrested.
In Chicago, where he claims to have co-founded the “first anti-Zionist temple”, he showed up at a rally urging, “stop the violence, and then, to work toward a true and lasting and just peace.”
‘Rabbi’ Brant Rosen, a co-founder of the pro-terrorist JVP Rabbinical Council (the misleadingly named Jewish Voice for Peace is neither Jewish nor peaceful) is a public face of the political campaign against Israel disguised as calls for “peace” and a “ceasefire”. The media describes him as a “rabbi” and as a “peace activist”. Much like JVP, he’s as much of one as the other.
Rosen actually became a regional director for the American Friends Service Committee, a radical anti-American and anti-Israel Quaker group, after being pushed out of his synagogue for his hatred of the Jewish State and support for Islamic terrorists. In its 5-year tribute to him, AFSC did not use the ‘rabbi’ title. While at the AFSC, he claimed to have opened the “first anti-Zionist temple”. In reality, the “temple” appears to be a PO Box opposite a Little Caesars.
Whether the “temple” exists is unclear, but Brant Rosen’s hatred for Jews is all too real.
| — Hat tip: Daniel Greenfield | [Return to headlines] |
TikTok Regulation Bill Faces Senate Hurdles Amidst Industry Stalls
Efforts to regulate TikTok, driven by concerns over data security and influence, encounter uncertainty in the Senate as broader legislation targeting the tech industry struggles to gain traction. The House-passed bill, aiming to ban TikTok unless it divests from its China-based owner, has sparked intense lobbying efforts and raised questions about the scope of government intervention in the tech sector, as reported by AP News.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Trump Tops Biden With Double-Digit Lead in Deep-Red State Being Targeted by Democrats: Poll
Former President Donald Trump leads President Biden in the race for Texas’ 40 electoral votes by double his margin of victory in the Lone Star State four years ago, according to a new poll.
And the survey released Tuesday by Marist College also indicates Republican Sen. Ted Cruz with a six-point advantage over his Democratic challenger, Rep. Colin Allred, in a key Senate showdown as the GOP aims to regain the chamber’s majority in November’s elections.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Virginia Governor Vetoes Dozens of Gun Control Bills Thwarting Democrat Legislators
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed more than two dozen gun control bills Tuesday that had sailed through the state’s Democratic-controlled General Assembly before landing on the Republican governor’s desk.
“I swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia and today, I’ve done exactly that,” Youngkin said Tuesday in a comment provided to Fox News Digital.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
What We Know About Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse
Just hours before the Tuesday morning commute was to get underway, the crew of a massive cargo ship leaving Baltimore harbor lost propulsion and control of the vessel, causing it to crash into a support column of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, triggering a catastrophic collapse of the 1.6-mile long span and sending vehicles and people into the water, officials said.
The transportation disaster unfolded about 1:35 a.m., prompting a major emergency response from Baltimore police, firefighters and the U.S. Coast Guard as authorities estimated that up to 20 vehicles went into the water along with several workers who were part of a maintenance team fixing potholes on the span, officials said.
“I can tell you, our sonar has detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water,” Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said at a news conference early Tuesday
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Canadian Court Rules Woman With Autism Can Seek Trudeau-Government Assisted Suicide
A judge ruled Monday that a Calgary woman with autism can obtain Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) even if her father does not believe she should be eligible for the procedure.
He was successful in delaying his daughter’s euthanasia through an injunction but Justice Colin Feasby lifted it, arguing that living is causing “irreparable harm” “to the core of her being.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
4% GDP Initiative: Lithuanian Entrepreneurs Push for Defense Funding Increase
The social initiative “4 percent” has been initiated by Lithuanian entrepreneurs who aim to allocate 4% of GDP for defense purposes, as reported by RMF FM. Their goal is to pressure politicians to increase defense spending. A petition has already been created and signatures are being collected to be submitted to the authorities in Vilnius.
According to the initiative’s website, there is a growing threat from Russia towards NATO, particularly towards Lithuania and other Baltic states, expected within the next 3-5 years.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Austria: Official Crime Statistics Reveal Nearly 50% of Suspects Are Foreigners
Austria witnessed a notable surge in crime rates, with an eight percent rise recorded last year, as reported by the police, who processed a staggering 528,010 reports.
Among the concerning trends, property crimes, including burglaries and white-collar offenses, demonstrated a marked increase, with over ten percent of crimes occurring online. Particularly alarming is the revelation that 45 percent of the suspects involved in criminal activities were foreigners, the Austrian press reported.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Belgium Maintains Terror Threat Level at 3 Following Moscow Attack
Belgium’s Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis (OCAM) has confirmed that the country’s terror threat level will remain at 3 out of 4, indicating a probable and serious threat, as reported by the Brussels Times.
This decision comes in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Moscow, where the Islamic State group (ISIS) claimed responsibility, resulting in at least 137 fatalities and 182 injuries.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Belgian Intelligence Services Monitor 650 Extremists in the Country
The Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis in Belgium (OCAM), responsible for counterterrorism efforts, has identified 650 individuals with extremist views under surveillance by intelligence services. This information comes from a report by OCAM published on March 26.
Among the 650 individuals with extremist views being monitored by Belgian intelligence services, 88% “adhere to jihadist ideology.” The majority of them have the status of “foreign terrorist fighters” — meaning they have either entered or attempted to enter conflict zones to join terrorist groups.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Belgium: Brussels Faces Heightened Security Concerns Amidst Surge in Shootings
Growing concerns over security in Brussels have been exacerbated by two additional shootings that occurred recently, The Brussels Times writes. Following these incidents, a significant portion of Brussels residents, amounting to 66%, now express feeling threatened due to the escalating violence linked to drugs across the city.
Over the weekend, two consecutive shootings unfolded in Brussels, contributing to the alarming surge in gun violence within the capital. One incident resulted in the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old man in Laeken, while another man, aged 28, was gravely injured by gunfire in Saint-Josse and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Crime Increases in Lower Austria in 2023, Clearance Rate Dips
In Lower Austria, according to the recently released crime statistics, 77,556 criminal offenses were reported last year, representing an increase of 12.9 percent compared to 2022, according to Kurier. However, the clearance rate has slightly decreased from 53.6 to 52.7 percent.
There were particularly significant increases in economic, property, and internet crimes, as well as a slight rise in juvenile delinquency. In the economic sector, the number of offenses increased by 20.7 percent, with the majority consisting of fraud offenses.
Reports of internet crimes increased by 20.9 percent, with new and more inventive methods observed among perpetrators. Hacker attacks and internet fraud also showed an increase.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
EU Nature Law Faces Uncertain Fate as Hungary Withdraws Support
The European Union’s pivotal policy aimed at rejuvenating damaged nature hangs in the balance following Hungary’s withdrawal of support for the bill, dealing a significant blow to the green agenda.
A scheduled vote among EU countries’ environment ministers on Monday was canceled after Hungary announced last week its decision to no longer endorse the policy, effectively nullifying the already-tenuous majority of countries in favor. The move underscores the escalating challenges facing EU environmental policies, exacerbated by months of protests from farmers who decry stringent green regulations.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
EU Plans for Deposit Insurance Raise Concerns Among Banks
EU plans to raise deposit insurance to 100,000 euros are causing unrest among domestic banks and in the Raiffeisen sector, as reported by Kurier.
Banking spokesman Willi Cernko and Raiffeisen General Secretary Johannes Rehulka warn of a possible softening of the existing security system and a potential deterioration of financial market stability.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Farmers threw beets and sprayed manure at police on Tuesday as hundreds of tractors again sealed off streets close to the European Union headquarters, where agriculture ministers sought to ease a crisis that has led to months of protests across the 27-member bloc.
The farmers are protesting what they see as excessive red tape and unfair trading practices as well as increased environmental measures and cheap imports from Ukraine. “Let us make a living from our profession,” read one billboard on a tractor blocking a main thoroughfare littered with hay, potatoes, eggs and manure.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Former Polish Justice Minister Subject to Search
Dozens of searches continue in Poland, with several individuals detained on suspicion of misconduct related to the Justice Fund, a special fund under the authority of the Ministry of Justice during the previous administration. Among those subject to search is former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, reports RMF24.
According to orders from the National Prosecutor’s Office, agents of the Internal Security Agency have been conducting searches since the morning of March 26 in dozens of locations across the country—apartments, houses, office spaces—with four individuals detained.
[Comment: I take that as lawfare by the current Polish government against its opponents.]
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
French MEP Nicolas Bay, representing the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), strongly criticized the left-liberal government led by Donald Tusk in Poland, accusing it of launching an unprecedented attack on the rule of law.
In a social media post, Bay condemned the actions of the Tusk government, alleging persecution of judges, media, and conservative politicians. He highlighted the concerning nature of these assaults on the rule of law, criticizing the lack of response from the Brussels Commission.
[Comment: Nicolas Bay is right.]
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
French Defense Minister Could “Force Firms to Make Weapons for Ukraine”
French Defense Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, announced his readiness to utilize government powers to expedite the production of arms and shells needed for the battlefield in Ukraine and other conflict zones.
Lecornu emphasized the strain on stocks and production lines, particularly regarding anti-air missiles and artillery shells.
During a news conference on March 26, Lecornu stated that requisitioning stocks and imposing priorities on weapon makers were options under consideration. He highlighted the possibility of prioritizing orders for Aster missiles produced by MBDA, according to various media reports.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Fujitsu Set to Win UK Digital ID Contract Despite Past Failures
In the UK, the authorities seem very forgiving when picking contractors with catastrophic past failures, and so even after Fujitsu fumbled the ball badly with the Post Office Horizon system — and promised not to bid for any new public sector jobs — it is now about to get another such contract.
However, Fujitsu in reality had no problem “pledging” not to bid again, because it was already made a preferred bidder to participate in the digital ID card project before it made the “pledge.”
And now likely another particularly highly sensitive system will go to the company — namely, digital ID cards are meant to replace government-issued documents like passports and driving licensees when verifying a phone owner’s age in places selling alcohol, or while using self-checkouts.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
German Broadcaster Uncovers Scam Selling Answers to Citizenship Language Test
A German public broadcaster, WDR, has exposed a fraudulent scheme dubbed “cash for test results,” where migrants pay for answers to the B1 German-language test required for citizenship.
An undercover investigation revealed migrants could join a Telegram group and obtain test answers before the exam for €250. Some questions provided correct answers, while others included explanations in Arabic, German media reports.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
In response to the recent Islamist attack in Russia, the Green Party is advocating for the creation of a centralized European intelligence agency.
The proposed agency aims to tackle threats posed by Islamist extremism, as well as combat Russia’s dissemination of ‘disinformation’ and its alleged support for ‘right-wing extremists.’
Green Party leader Omid Nouripour emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the resurgence of Islamist influence globally and Russia’s aggressive response to terrorist attacks. Nouripour stressed the need for European and German security authorities to confront these challenges effectively.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
German Researcher: Ukraine Defeat Could Prompt World’s Largest Refugee Crisis Sine 1940s
A warning has been issued by migration researcher Gerald Knaus from the European Stability Initiative regarding a potential surge in refugees if Ukraine faces defeat in its conflict with Russia.
Knaus predicts that such an outcome could lead to the world’s largest refugee crisis since the 1940s.Speaking to the editorial network Germany (RND), Knaus emphasized the gravity of the situation, urging European countries to provide more support to Ukraine. He stressed that failure for Ukraine could result in millions more people fleeing their homes.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany: Evangelical Church Pastor Removed From Position Over AfD Affiliation
A pastor in Quedlinburg, Saxony-Anhalt, who participated in the city council election for the AfD, has had his responsibilities revoked by the Evangelical Church in Central Germany (EKM).
Martin Michaelis, previously responsible for the Gatersleben parish, informed the regional church of his candidacy on March 9th and was relieved of his duties on March 15th, German media reported.
According to EKM’s head of human resources, Michael Lehmann, while it is encouraged for pastors to engage in politics, affiliations with parties holding constitutionally questionable positions are not tolerated.
Lehmann stated that by running for the AfD, Michaelis was endorsing its ideologies, which are deemed incompatible with the pastoral office.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany: Left Party Calls for Four-Day Workweek
The Left Party has proposed an initiative aimed at reducing working hours, advocating for a four-day workweek with unchanged pay to enhance job attractiveness, particularly in sectors facing skilled labor shortages.
Emphasizing concerns over stress-related illnesses in the workforce, the party is calling for legal provisions guaranteeing flexible working hours and an “anti-stress regulation.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Hungarian Defense Minister Unveils Plans for 2024, Focusing on Air Force Modernization
Hungarian Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky announced that 2024 would mark a pivotal year for the Hungarian Air Force, as reported by About Hungary. Szalay-Bobrovniczky emphasized Hungary’s commitment to mastering advanced air capabilities, outlining comprehensive plans for the expansion and modernization of the country’s air defense arsenal.
Central to this vision is the augmentation of Hungary’s Gripen fighter jet fleet, with an additional four aircraft slated for acquisition. With these new acquisitions, Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky asserted that Hungary would emerge as a “master” of aerial combat, backed by extensive training and maintenance capabilities.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Italy: Salvini Blasts ‘Euro-Madness’ Over ITA-Lufthansa Deal
EC has presented list of issues to solve before green light
Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini on Tuesday bemoaned “Euro-madness” after the European Commission presented a list of issues it has with the deal for the Lufthansa to acquire a 41% stake in Italy’s ITA Airways that it wants solving before it will give the green light to the operation.
“After many years were wasted, the government wants to make the jobs of thousands of workers safe, ensure Italian people’s right to fly and the arrival of tourists in Italy, and Brussels objects to it,” Salvin said.
“In my opinion it is because there are economic interests behind it”‘.
The Commission on Monday informed Lufthansa and the Italian economy ministry of its preliminary view that the planned acquisition may restrict competition on certain routes leading to increased prices or decreased quality of services for customers.
Specifically, Brussels said in an official statement of objections that it is concerned the transaction may reduce competition on short-haul routes connecting Italy with countries in Central Europe and on long-haul routes between Italy and the US, Canada and Japan.
In addition, the EC said it fears the acquisition could create or strengthen the dominant position of the Italian airline at Milan-Linate airport, making it harder for competitors to provide passenger air transport services to and from the hub.
The statement of objections comes after the European executive in mid-January launched an in-depth investigation into the proposed deal between Lufthansa and ITA Airways, taking to phase two the antitrust examination of the transaction that began in late November after the Italian Treasury, currently the sole owner of the company that replaced the loss-making former flag-carrier Alitalia in 2021, and the German carrier formally notified Brussels of the plans for the merger against an investment by the German carrier of 325 million euros.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Italy: Bernini Contacts Police Chief Over University Protests
Line is to reconcile freedom of expression and security
University Minister Anna Maria Bernini has contacted Italy’s chief of police Vittorio Pisani for an exchange of views on how to mange the mounting protests in Italian universities over the impact on the civilian population in Gaza of Israel’s war against Hamas sparked by the October 7 terror attacks, ANSA reported on Tuesday.
The pair are to meet in the coming days.
The meeting will reportedly serve to assess how best to intervene in order to combine the right to freedom of expression and security after the minister said recent student demonstrations including Naples, Turin, La Sapienza and Genoa allegedly had beyond the bounds of peaceful protests.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Italy: Three Arrested After Man Dies in ‘Islamic Exorcism’
Ex-wife, brother, uncle suspected of causing victim’s death
Carabinieri police on Saturday arrested three people over allegations a 43-year-old man was killed during Islamic exorcism rite on February 10 in the town of Salassa, near Turin, sources said.
It was initially thought that the man had died of a drug overdose but an autopsy showed that he had suffocated.
This triggered a probe in which Carabinieri based in Ivrea found evidence allegedly linking the death to an attempted exorcism.
The victim had previously needed hospital treatment, allegedly following a past attempted exorcism.
The suspects are the victim’s ex-wife, his brother and his uncle, who allegedly led the ritual.
The two men were jailed while the woman was put under house arrest.
The victim and the suspects are all of North African origin.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Italy: Tension at Rome University After Rectorate Occupied
Left-wing students demanding end to cooperation with Israel
There were moments of tension at Rome’s La Sapienza University on Tuesday after a group of leftwing students on Monday occupied the dean’s office in protest at links with Israel and in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Trouble broke out between students and police when several young people attempted to enter the rectorate where a meeting of the groups that had occupied the building was taking place.
They had said they were occupying the office to denounced the university’s “complicity” with Israel, with its Senate set to decide on further cooperation with Israel on academic projects on Tuesday.
“Enough deals with Israeli universities and the war industry,” said the Cambiare Rotta (Change Course) group.
Noemi Di Segni, the president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, last week expressed concern over the growing expressions of hatred towards Jews and Israel in Italian universities amid the war in Gaza sparked by the October 7 massacres by Hamas.
There is “a worrying escalation in universities, with expressions of hatred towards Israel and Jews that in recent weeks have reached levels of very serious concern” said Di Segni in a letter addressed to University Minister Anna Maria Bernini and the president of the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI) Giovanna Iannantuoni.
The letter came after Turin University’s Academic Senate decided not to participate in a call for scientific cooperation with Israel and La Repubblica editor Maurizio Molinari was de-platformed at a Naples university.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Julian Assange Faces Further Wait Over Extradition Ruling
The US must assure Julian Assange has freedom of speech protections and will not receive the death penalty before he is extradited, judges have ruled.
The UK High Court said the Wikileaks founder could be allowed to launch a new appeal against being sent to the US without those commitments.
US authorities say Mr Assange endangered lives by publishing thousands of classified documents.
His lawyers have argued that the case is a form of “state retaliation”.
The court has adjourned its final decision on Mr Assange’s extradition by three weeks to give the US government time to comply with its order.
Speaking after the ruling was published, Mr Assange’s wife called on US President Joe Biden to “drop this shameful case”.
Tuesday’s court order is the latest twist in a legal saga which began when Mr Assange’s website Wikileaks published confidential US documents in 2010 and 2011.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Negotiations on the Trade Agreement Between the EU and Ukraine Will be Postponed
Representatives of the European Union failed to reach an agreement on Monday regarding the update and extension of the agreement on liberalized trade with Ukraine. According to Polish media reports, EU member states’ representatives did not approve the new agreement text due to uncertainty in the voting.
According to information from RMF24, citing sources in Brussels, the Belgian presidency of the EU will postpone the consideration of the updated agreement until Wednesday. The presidency explained that some countries have not decided on their position and require additional time to make a decision.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Poland to Establish Military Helicopter Base Near Ukrainian Border
Polish authorities are planning to establish a military helicopter base in the town of Swidnik in the Lublin Voivodeship, near the border with Ukraine, the country’s Ministry of Defense announced in X.
According to the head of the department, Vladislav Kosiniak-Kamysz, the relevant letter of intent was signed by the Ministry of Defense, the city of Lublin, the Lublin Voivodeship, and the Lublin Airport.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Poles Express Strong Support for Farmer Protests Amid Green Deal Concerns
Public opinion research shows that Poles clearly support the protests of farmers, mainly due to concerns related to the Green Deal and growing antipathy towards Ukrainians, according to Rzeczpospolita.
According to Marcin Duma, the president of IBRiS, support for the protests constitutes a form of expressing criticism towards European policy and anti-Ukrainian sentiments, bypassing political correctness.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Poll: Most Flemish Support Giving Separatist Vlaams Belang a Chance to Govern
A recent poll conducted in Flanders, the northern region of Belgium, suggests a growing support for the right-wing populist party Vlaams Belang to lead the government.
Published over the weekend of March 23 by major media outlets, the poll, known as “De Grote Peiling” or Major Poll, indicates a shifting political landscape in Belgium towards the Right.
In Flanders, 47 percent of respondents expressed support for Vlaams Belang’s participation in a future government, while 46 percent opposed it. Additionally, 55 percent believed Vlaams Belang should be given the opportunity to form a government if it became the largest party.
However, in Brussels and Wallonia, the southern regions of the country, there is strong opposition to cooperating with Vlaams Belang, which is often labeled as hard-right in local media. Seventy-two percent of people in both regions expressed disapproval of Vlaams Belang’s inclusion in any government setup.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Russian Ambassador Defies Polish FM’s Summons Over Missile Incidents
Russian Ambassador to Poland, Sergei Andreev, has declined a summons to meet with Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the violation of Polish airspace by a Russian rocket on March 24.
Ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski stated that Andreev’s absence raised questions about his adherence to the Vienna Convention, which mandates ambassadors’ attendance at such meetings.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The Vatican has taken action against a Catholic community near Warsaw accused of abuses, including the creation of a sect, Rzeczpospolita writes. The priest leading the community has been banned from pastoral work and must reside in a place designated by Cardinal Nycz.
The allegations include arranging marriages, enforcing obedience during confession, employing psychological and verbal violence and inviting men to sleep in the same bed as the priest. The Maximilianum Foundation for Good Education, led by Father Lukasz Kadzinski, is under investigation.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Spain Reverses Telegram Block, But Users Are Alarmed About Overreach
Spain, a European Union member, has joined — even if only for a short while — China, Iran, Cuba, Pakistan and Thailand in blocking the encrypted messaging app Telegram.
The country’s High Court made the decision and said the ban was temporary, citing alleged copyright infringements happening on the app as the reason. The judge in charge of the case, Santiago Pedraz, first tried to get Telegram to hand over “certain information” regarding the case.
When those behind the app ignored this, the judge issued the temporary ban order that is expected to last several days — while the claims are being investigated. “Lack of cooperation,” is how Pedraz described Telegram’s attitude.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Spain’s Vox Party Urges Halt to Almaraz Nuclear Plant Closure; Calls for Extension
VOX has called for extending the lifespan of the Almaraz nuclear power plant in Spain, citing its significant contribution to the country’s electrical grid.
They argue against the government’s plan to close all Spanish nuclear plants by 2035, as outlined in the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan.
The proposal comes amidst EU recognition of nuclear power’s role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring energy security.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The Spanish Government Will Appeal in Court the Public Initiative on “Catalonia’s Independence”
The Spanish government has decided to challenge in court the decision of the Catalan Parliament to consider a public initiative that calls for the declaration of independence of this region, AFP reports.
In February, the governing body of the Catalan Parliament supported the consideration of the initiative by the political bloc “Catalan Solidarity for Independence,” which envisages the proclamation of the region’s independence from the Spanish authorities.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
UK to Take Action Against Chinese Cyberattacks
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vows to take action against cyberattacks originating from China, as reported by France 24. Sunak’s statement follows recent security breaches, with Beijing-linked hackers expected to be implicated. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden will address the cyberattacks on the electoral commission and parliament, with sanctions anticipated against the alleged perpetrators.
Sunak, who initially took a hardline stance on China, emphasized the government’s commitment to safeguarding the nation against cyber threats. Despite previous criticisms, Sunak highlighted the significant investment in security measures to counter China’s perceived economic threat.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
UK: London Mayoral Election: Tory Susan Hall Vows to End ULEZ
Conservative Susan Hall has launched her mayoral election campaign with a promise to “listen to Londoners”.
On Sunday in Uxbridge, the Tory hopeful accused London Mayor Sadiq Khan of having “ignored” voters in the capital.
She said she would focus on what she described as the “unfair” expansion of the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez).
In response, incumbent London Mayor Sadiq Khan warned a Conservative mayor would “cancel” his policies.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Uppsala Emergency Workers Equipped With Bulletproof Vests Amid Crime Surge in Sweden
Amid rising crime rates in Sweden, rescue workers in Uppsala, near Stockholm, are being equipped with bulletproof vests, a move driven by safety concerns.
According to Swedish trade union magazine Kommunalarbetaren, ambulance paramedics feel safer with this protective gear, particularly in light of threatening situations involving weapons. The decision to introduce bulletproof vests follows a series of shootings in Uppsala, which has seen an increase in gang-related crime.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Israel Truce Team Leaves Doha, Official Blames Hamas for ‘Dead End’
JERUSALEM, March 26 (Reuters) — Israel has recalled its negotiators from Doha after deeming mediated talks on a Gaza truce “at a dead end” due to demands by Hamas, a senior Israeli official said on Tuesday.
The official, who is close to the Mossad spymaster heading up the talks, accused Hamas’ Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar of sabotaging the diplomacy “as part of a wider effort to inflame this war over Ramadan”.
The warring sides had stepped up negotiations, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, on a six-week suspension of Israel’s offensive in return for the proposed release of 40 of the 130 hostages still held by the Palestinian militant group in Gaza.
| — Hat tip: JW | [Return to headlines] |
US and Israeli Defense Leaders to Convene Amid Escalating Gaza Tensions
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will meet with Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday to explore strategies for countering Hamas without resorting to a ground invasion of Rafah, the Pentagon announced. The meeting comes at a time of escalating tensions between the two nations, as reported by AP News.
Israel canceled a planned visit by a high-level delegation to Washington in protest over Monday’s UN Security Council decision calling for an immediate cease-fire. The US abstained from using its veto power, allowing the resolution to pass 14-0.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
In Turkey, 147 People Have Been Detained on Suspicion of Involvement With ISIS
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Erlikaya announced the detention of 147 individuals in 30 regions of the country on suspicion of ties to the terrorist group “Islamic State” (ISIS). The operation was carried out simultaneously in various provinces, including Istanbul and Antalya.
According to the minister, the detainees are suspected of participating in combat actions on the side of ISIS and financing the group. A significant amount of foreign currency and documents were seized during the raids.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
‘Multiple Explosions’ Reported in Vicinity of Yemen’s Zuqar Island
British maritime security firm Ambrey said on Tuesday that it was aware of multiple explosions in the vicinity of Yemen’s Zuqar Island, without providing further details.
| — Hat tip: McN | [Return to headlines] |
Lukashenko Contradicts Putin, Says Moscow Terrorists Were Fleeing to Belarus, Not Ukraine
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said the men who allegedly attacked the Crocus music hall in Moscow on Friday were initially headed to Belarus, not Ukraine — contradicting a previous claim by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We placed our units on high alert to prepare for a combat situation,” Lukashenko said at a Tuesday press conference. “As a result they were unable to enter Belarus by any means. Recognizing this, they diverted their course and headed toward the Ukrainian-Russian border.”
| — Hat tip: Dean | [Return to headlines] |
Russian Spymaster: U.S. & U.K. Behind ISIS-Claimed Moscow Massacre
The head of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed on Tuesday that America, Britain, and Ukraine conspired to execute the slaughter of nearly 140 people at a concert hall in the suburbs of Moscow on Friday.
Alexander Bortnikov told reporters, according to the Russian news agency Tass, that it was “true” that the three countries orchestrated the attack based on “factual information we have.”
“This is general information, but they have a long record of this sort,” Tass quoted Bortnikov as saying.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Ukrainian Claims a Third of Russian Warships in Black Sea Have Been Destroyed or Disabled
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine has sunk or disabled a third of all Russian warships in the Black Sea in just over two years of war, the navy spokesman said Tuesday, a heavy blow to Moscow’s military capability.
Ukraine’s Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk told The Associated Press that the latest strike on Saturday night hit the Russian amphibious landing ship Kostiantyn Olshansky that was resting in dock in Sevastopol in Russia-occupied Crimea. The ship was part of the Ukrainian navy before Russia captured it while annexing the Black Sea peninsula in 2014.
Pletenchuk has previously announced that two other landing ships of the same type, Azov and Yamal, also were damaged in Saturday’s strike along with the Ivan Khurs intelligence ship.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Zelensky Dismisses Security Chief Danilov
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has removed Aleksey Danilov from his position as the head of the National Security and Defense Council (SNBO) on Tuesday.
The decree announcing Danilov’s dismissal was published on the president’s official website, although no specific reason was provided for the decision. Aleksey Danilov has been known for his confrontational and aggressive rhetoric during his tenure.
He has been replaced by Aleksandr Litvinenko, who previously served as the deputy head of SNBO and has been leading the Ukrainian foreign intelligence service since July 2021. Danilov has made several controversial statements in the past.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
A leading Japanese pharmaceutical company is investigating a fatality and numerous hospitalizations potentially linked to its red yeast rice pills. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical reported that at least 76 individuals were hospitalized after ingesting the beni kOji fermented rice products, prompting the firm to issue a voluntary recall of five products last week. The pills were marketed as supplements to lower cholesterol, as reported by BBC.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Japan to Sell Fighter Jets in Latest Break From Post-War Pacifist Ideals
Japan’s cabinet has approved the export of new fighter jets it is developing with the UK and Italy, in the latest move away from its pacifist policies.
It eased arms export rules to allow the jets to be sold to countries that Japan has signed defence pacts with, and where there is no ongoing conflict.
Japan has pledged to double military spending by 2027, citing threats posed by China and North Korea.
Each fighter jet sale will require cabinet approval, authorities said.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Mystery Rise in Infection With 30% Fatality Rate Sweeps Japan
There has been a massive surge in cases of a life-threatening form of bacterial infection in Japan that has left officials investigating the cause of the increase.
The nation’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) has recorded a significant rise in cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) predominantly caused by the bacteria that causes strep throat and impetigo—Group A Streptococcus.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Australia’s construction industry is in chaos after tradies walk off job sites due to unpaid bills and another firm with unfinished projects in four states crashes.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Greens housing spokesman Max Chandler-Mather and NSW Labor Housing and Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson have both denied high immigration is fuelling the housing crisis.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Namibia Accuses Germany’s Greens of Racism and Neocolonialism
Namibia has leveled accusations of colonialism and racism against the Green Party, citing interference in its policies.
Environment Minister Pohamba Shifeta criticizes the Greens’ attempt to restrict the import of hunting trophies, labeling it as neo-colonial interference.
He argues that trophy hunting is vital for wildlife conservation and sustainable resource use. The Greens’ stance is perceived as dismissive of Namibia’s autonomy, with accusations of them undermining local decision-making.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Over 130 Abducted Schoolchildren in Nigeria’s Northwest Have Been Rescued After Weeks in Captivity
More than 130 children, who were kidnapped over two weeks ago from a school in Nigeria’s northwestern Kaduna state, were successfully rescued on Sunday, according to military and government officials. The children are currently receiving psychological support before being reunited with their families, as reported by AP News.
Initially reported as 287 students kidnapped during a raid on the remote Kuriga school on March 7, Kaduna Governor Uba Sani later clarified that only 137 students were taken. The children were rescued in Zamfara state, over 200 kilometers away from their school.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
— as report shows almost a BILLION A WEEK is being spent on just THREE hotels
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has been criticized for refusing to be completely transparent on where hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars have gotten to the city’s homeless shelters amid a migrant crisis.
The Windy City has struggled to care for more than 34,000 asylum-seekers bussed in from the border by Texas Governor Greg Abbott over the past 18 months.
It has spent $300 million on the crisis and has been fighting with the state of Illinois about where to build more shelters and is currently fighting a measles outbreak at one of the shelters.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Dozens of migrants have been brought into the Port of Dover today after being intercepted trying to cross the English Channel in dinghies.
Border Force catamarans Volunteer and Defender brought scores of people ashore after picking up the inflatables in the 21-mile wide Dover Straits in the first arrivals since Thursday.
One group, all wearing red life jackets, were seen being escorted off the boat and walked along the gangway to the immigration processing centre at the former jetfoil terminal at the Western Docks around midday.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Dutch Government Spends €4 Million Weekly to House Migrants in Hotels
The Netherlands is grappling with a surge in asylum seekers, with more than 8,000 currently housed in approximately 50 hotels and holiday parks across the country. This accommodation effort comes at a staggering cost of around €4 million per week.
The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) has resorted to utilizing hotels due to a shortage of suitable shelters, resulting in significant financial strain, the Dutch press reports.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Italy’s Lampedusa Sees Surge in Refugee Arrivals: 1,000 in 24 Hours
Over the past weekend, Lampedusa witnessed an influx of nearly a thousand refugees in just 24 hours, marking the highest number of arrivals since the start of 2024. Despite this significant development, coverage of the event in German media has been notably scarce.
The majority of the 1,700 refugees who arrived over the weekend hail from countries including Syria, Egypt, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, among others. Reports suggest they paid smugglers varying sums, ranging from 1,000 to over 7,000 euros, for the perilous journey from Libyan and Tunisian cities.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Law Enforcement Arrests 5 in Texas for Allegedly Trafficking Weapons to Drug Cartel
Law enforcement arrested five people in three Texas cities last week for alleged trafficking military-grade weapons to a Mexican drug cartel.
The arrests took place in the cities of Laredo, Hebbronville, and Falls City, the Department of Justice confirmed. Prosecutors alleged that Laredo’s Gerardo Rafael Perez Jr. organized the operation, which included the procurement of more than 100 guns in Texas for delivery to the Mexican cartel.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Left-Globalist EU Parliament Committee Chair Claims Mass Migration Poses No Threat to EU
Juan Fernando López Aguilar, a Member of the European Parliament and chair of the home affairs committee, expressed optimism regarding the ongoing mass migration to the European Union.
In an interview with the Parliament’s official media channel on March 25, he emphasized that migrants were not a threat and could contribute positively by rejuvenating European demographics, sustaining the economy, and funding social services.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Mexican President Says the ‘Flow of Migrants Will Continue’ Unless the US Meets His Demands
Mexican President Andre’s Manuel López Obrador warned on Sunday during an interview with “60 Minutes” that unless the United States complies with Latin America’s requests for aid, the tide of migrants will continue.
In January, Obrador issued a series of demands for what the U.S. must do to stop the flow of migrants to the border, ranging from sending Latin American countries $20 billion in aid a year to granting some level of amnesty to illegal immigrant workers in the U.S.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
New York City has begun handing out prepaid debit cards to illegal immigrants in the city this week under a $53 million contract for the deal.
According to the New York Post, staffers with Mobility Capital Finance handed out eight preloaded cards to illegal immigrants at the Roosevelt Hotel on Monday as part of the pilot program, and a City Hall spokesperson said that the program would expand to 115 cards by next week.
The program was scaled back from the original plan of giving out a month’s worth of money for food and baby supplies at a time, down to being reloaded once per week.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Over 2,000 Migrants Rescued and Disembarked in Italy Amid Recent Surge
More than 2,000 individuals have been rescued and subsequently disembarked in southern Italy since Thursday, according to Italian government data, as reported by InfoMigrants. The influx, primarily facilitated by small boats, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea in search of safety and better opportunities.
The operations involved a mix of efforts, with some migrants rescued by the Italian coast guard while others were brought ashore via the private rescue vessel, Mare Jonio. The latter, operated by the non-governmental organization Mediterranea Saving Humans, played a crucial role in several rescue missions, aiding over 100 individuals in a recent operation.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
A 21-year-old illegal migrant has been charged with assaulting a Texas National Guardsman in the El Paso stampede last week that federal authorities believe was orchestrated by a handful of ‘ringleaders’.
Junior Evaristo-Benitez, 21, of Honduras, was taken into custody and charged with assault on a public servant, a 3rd degree felony, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed.
He’s now being held at the El Paso County Jail.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Police Arrest Nepalese Migrant for Gruesome Murder of Elderly Frenchman
In Lyon, France, authorities have arrested a 30-year-old Nepalese migrant linked to the murder of a 67-year-old man found in his apartment last year.
The arrest occurred on March 20 following an investigation initiated after firefighters discovered the victim’s body on August 27, 2022. The victim had sustained severe injuries, including a severed carotid artery, suggesting a brutal assault, French media reported.
Forensic analysis indicated the crime likely occurred days before the body was found. Authorities found unidentified DNA at the scene, leading to the suspect’s identification through phone records.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Previously Deported Illegal Immigrant Charged With Murder of 25-Year-Old Michigan Woman
An illegal immigrant who was deported to his home country of Mexico in 2020 has been accused of the murder of a Michigan woman after he re-entered the country illegally.
Brandon Ortiz-Vite, who is currently being held at the Kent County, Michigan, jail is being charged with felony murder, open murder, carjacking, carrying a concealed weapon and felony use of a firearm after the body of 25-year-old Ruby Garcia was discovered on U.S. 131 in downtown Grand Rapids and identified by investigators.
The pair had been in a romantic relationship at the time of the killing, police said Tuesday at a news conference.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Footage of migrants surging across the southern border and trampling Texas National Guard members has “moved the needle” for residents in the Lone Star State to consider supporting the TEXIT movement, according to a leading advocate in the movement.
Daniel Miller, president of the Texas Nationalist Movement, told Fox News Digital that the border crisis is “the most public and visible sign” that the federal government is “incompetent.”
“Particularly at this point in time, the most public and visible sign is that not only is the federal government incompetent when it comes to the border and immigration, but they are actually doing everything they can to facilitate what is inarguably a collapse of our border with Mexico,” Miller said.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Brexit leader Nigel Farage has called on the government to release full statistics on migrant crime as is done in countries like Denmark while maligning the Tories for opening the country up to “mass criminality” through its open-door immigration policies.
An analysis of figures published by the Danish government statistician (Danmarks Statistik) on the proportional criminal conviction rate of different nationalities between 2010 and 2021, was dominated by migrants from the Middle East and Africa, with migrants from Kuwait, Tunisia, Lebanon, Somalia, Jordan, Uganda, Morocco, Iraq, and Algeria topping the list. Comparatively, over 40 nationalities were more likely to commit crimes compared to their relative population size compared to native Danes.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
13 Protesters Arrested Near Supreme Court Ahead of Abortion Pill Arguments
Capitol Police on Tuesday morning arrested 13 protesters who were demonstrating against the Supreme Court’s examination of restrictions to the abortion pill mifepristone.
The Supreme Court justices on Tuesday are hearing arguments over whether the Food and Drug Administration lawfully relaxed restrictions to make it easier to access the drug to end a pregnancy. Mifepristone, the first pill taken in a two-drug regimen for a medication abortion, is the most common method of abortion in the country.
Capitol Police said the 13 protesters were moving around the Capitol grounds and “illegally blocking roads and then a walkway.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
California Capital to Vote on ‘Sanctuary City’ Status for Transgender People
Sacramento City Council members are poised to vote on a resolution Tuesday evening that would declare it a sanctuary city for transgender people — including minors. The legislation has received the stamp of approval from a major Democrat-Socialist organization.
Sacramento City Councilmember Katie Valenzuela, a Democrat, spearheaded the resolution, which would protect medical professionals who perform gender transition surgeries on children from any “attempts to impose criminal punishment,” including civil liabilities or subjugation to out-of-state laws that restrict such procedures.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
One of the more absurd disciplinary hearings to grace the international stage in the recent half-decade is the trial of Amy Eileen Hamm, a nurse in the Canadian province of British Columbia who has been prosecuted by her professional body for believing in the binary nature of biological sex.
That’s right, this nurse is 100 percent sure that men and women are two necessary components of the human species, that only when they mate can young be produced, and that women as the smaller, weaker, baby-bearing sex are vulnerable by virtue of those factors.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
A church in Calgary Canada is hosting an “all-ages drag show” to celebrate Easter Sunday with an event called “DRAG Me to Church: What does TRANSformation mean today?” March 31 is also International Trans Day of Visibility.”
The event is being put on by the Calgary Unitarians, a group that says on its about page that it is “united by values rather than belief in one set of creed or dogma.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Fairfax Democrats Choose Easter Sunday as ‘Transgender Visibility Day’
Fairfax County Virginia has named Easter Sunday 2024 as “Transgender Visibility Day,” in what many Christians see as a hijack of their most sacred holiday.
The Fairfax County School Board has added Transgender Visibility Day to its prior designations of June as LGBT Pride Month and October as LGBT History Month for a remarkable 62 days of LGBT celebration in the district’s schools.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
A federal judge has ordered 11 lawyers to show cause why they shouldn’t be sanctioned for allegedly “judge shopping” in cases challenging a ban on sex-change procedures for minors in Alabama.
Last week, US District Judge Liles C. Burke of the Northern District of Alabama unsealed an October 2023 report that revealed 11 out of 39 lawyers for plaintiffs challenging the ban of sex-change procedures tried to circumvent random case assignment procedures. The report was conducted by a panel of three Alabama federal judges after Burke expressed concerns about judge shopping.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Trans-Identified Male Wins US Women’s National Weightlifting Competition, Breaks Records
A trans-identified male won in the women’s division of the 2024 USA Weightlifting Masters Nationals which took place between March 21 and 24 in Reno, Nevada.
57-year-old Vicki Piper came in first place in the women’s 76-kilogram weight category, writing on Instagram that both lifts were competition personal records. In the sport of weightlifting, lifters undergo two lifts: the snatch and the clean and jerk, and the heaviest lift of each is counted in the athlete’s final total.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
As soon as news of the terrorist attack became known, the first thing the Moscow authorities did was take the mosque under guard, sending a police detachment there.
These are the Kremlin’s real priorities.
https://tass.ru/obschestvo/20329351
Yes Biden has driven semi-trucks for a living at one time ,a lie, his son die in battle ,a lie, never taken money from enemies of America ,a lie , is a harmless friendly old man ,a lie ,his policies are good for the American economy ,a lie , wants to build in his words a zero carbon foot print for America ,a lie ,never taken government classified documents home when he was vice president and Senator a keep them in many unsecured documents place ,a lie, never share them with his ghost writer ,a lie , driven by train across a bridge that had a train line on it ,a lie .Did this old man every tell the truth in his whole life? Will the MSM ever call him on his lying idiotic muttering no.
You are so right!
Want to be a Judge? Check off the Right Boxes – No Merit or Knowledge of Constitutional Law Required. https://tinyurl.com/4mkp5crr
‘Full of Racists’: Florida Democrats Slam Democratic Party Leadership for Ousting Black County Chairs https://floridianpress.com/2024/03/full-of-racists-florida-democrats-slam-democratic-party-leadership-for-ousting-black-county-chairs/amp/
FDA lied about Ivermectin, and got caught. https://donsurber.substack.com/p/the-rot-of-our-banana-republic
Well, there are people saying that there is evidence of the bridge having small charges blowing up at various points as it broke up…
Hm. Maybe you are right after all, Baron.
I looked at this vid, and hm…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL_Wfc2yb90
P.s. Da bridge… after I left the message here, it occurred to me that what seem like small detonations on the various points of the bridge could be the electric wires being blown and burning. I am left scratching my head at this point.
Now he can be taken back to solitary confinement in Britain’s highest security prison. And chained to the wall of course.
As befits this dangerous miscreant.