The alleged gunman who shot Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is a 71-year-old poet and retired security guard named Juraj Cintula. Mr. Cintula is facing life in prison if convicted of the attack on Mr. Fico.
In other news, the Dutch political parties PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB have agreed on the formation of a coalition cabinet. The new prime minister has not yet been announced, but it will not be Geert Wilders.
To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.
Thanks to Dean, JW, McN, MM, Reader from Chicago, Roger, Steen, 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.
In Germany Tax Revenue Projections Revised Downward Until 2028
The German economy’s struggles are reflected in a significant downward revision of expected tax revenues, according to the latest tax estimate, as reported by SPIEGEL. Finance Minister Lindner views this as validation of his austerity measures.
Projections for the federal government, states, and municipalities indicate substantially lower tax revenues compared to previous estimates. The Tax Estimation Working Group presented forecasts for 2024 to 2028, revealing an €80.7 billion shortfall for the entire state over the five-year period. The federal government faces a €41.6 billion revenue deficit, with a €11.0 billion deficit forecasted for 2025 alone.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The IMF Has Expressed Concerns About the Potential Consequences of the West Using Russian Assets
According to a publication by Gita Gopinath, First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on the fund’s website, the organization has expressed concerns about the West’s plans to use Russian Federation assets. Specifically, this concerns the potential use of Russian state assets, including the reserves of the Central Bank of Russia, to support Ukraine.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
UK Economic Growth Tops Eurozone’s
The UK economy has done better than the Eurozone’s, according to newly published economic data from the European Commission.
Despite widespread criticism of the British peoples’ choice for Brexit in 2016, at least on the economic front it seems to have resulted in better consequences than predicted.
In its spring 2024 Economic Forecast, the EC said the Eurozone was showing minimal growth after a prolonged period of stagnation and it said a recession was likely to have occurred in the second half of 2023.
Across the Channel, the UK produced twice the EU’s economic growth rate during the first quarter of this year, the EC report showed.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Breaking: Missouri AG Demands Accountability After Kansas City Doxxes Christian NFL Star
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has said that his office is looking for accountability after Kansas City’s official X account doxxed the location of KC Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker.
In a thread on Thursday following backlash against his speech at Benedictine College when Butker went after President Joe Biden, the official Kansas City X account posted the city that Butker lives in.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a full pardon and restoration of rights for Daniel Perry, the former Army sergeant who was found guilty of murder for the fatal shooting of Garrett Foster during a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest while Perry was an Uber driver.
“The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles conducted an exhaustive review of U.S. Army Sergeant Daniel Perry’s personal history and the facts surrounding the July 2020 incident and recommended a Full Pardon and Restoration of Full Civil Rights of Citizenship,” said Abbott in a statement.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Cohen Destroyed: Trump Lawyer “Dog Walks” Star Witness Through Lie After Lie, CNN Pundits Aghast
President Donald Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen had his “knees chopped out” by Donald Trump’s defense attorneys in cross-examination during Trump’s ‘hush money’ trial.
Cohen was grilled by Trump attorney Todd Blanche about a pivotal phone call that connected Trump to allegations that he approved reimbursements to pay porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. In one exchange, Blanche accused Cohen of lying about speaking with Trump on the phone in October 2016 to reassure his boss that he was handling the payment to Daniels.
Blanche then confronted Cohen with text messages that contradicted the lie — revealing that Cohen in fact spoke with Trump’s bodyguard, Keith Schiller.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Eye-Control Feature Introduced in Apple’s New iOS 18
Apple has announced a new Eye Tracking technology that allows iPhone and iPad users to control their devices with their eyes. This feature is primarily aimed at helping people with disabilities.
This will be beneficial for individuals with limited mobility. The feature works with the front camera, and artificial intelligence tracks eye movements. No additional accessories are needed.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
First on Fox: Massive Donation to Trump From Jewish Org Amid Anti-Israel Campus Protests
EXCLUSIVE: A top grassroots group that represents Jewish Republicans across the country is showcasing what it calls its largest-ever fundraising and expenditure effort in support of a GOP presidential nominee.
The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC), in an announcement shared first with Fox News on Thursday, highlighted that it is committed to raising a minimum of $5 million — from its donors and from its RJC Victory Fund super PAC — to help elect former President Trumpin his November White House rematch with President Biden.
RJC national political director Sam Markstein highlighted that this “will be the RJC’s largest effort ever to mobilize support in the Jewish community for President Trump.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Garland and Wray Launch “Election Threats Task Force, “ Sparking Censorship Concerns for 2024
US Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Chris Wray have spoken about their departments’ plans regarding what they refer to as election threats.
The plans were laid out during a meeting of a Department of Justice (DoJ) outfit called Election Threats Task Force, which was set up in 2021, shortly after the previous presidential election.
Critics of the Biden White House — particularly the way it handles opponents and their right to free speech, often “in collaboration” with Big Tech — are suspicious about the timing of the announced measures.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Georgia Man Arrested for Ejaculating on Woman at Whole Foods
Georgia police arrested a man who is accused of ejaculating on a stranger inside a Whole Foods store, Fox 5 reports.
Troy Calliste, 28, was arrested on Monday and has been booked into the Dekalb County Jail on charges that include sexual battery and public indecency.
The incident occurred at the Whole Foods store located at 5001 Peachtree Boulevard near Clairmont Road.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
GPT-4o Revolutionizes AI With Singing, Emotion Recognition, and Real-Time Translation
Industry-specific media and bloggers who have since tested the new features call this version “crazy,” “sensational,” “revolutionary,” and other such epithets. They say that developers have, for the first time, managed to bring the program closer to the model of real human communication.
GPT-4o can sing, change voice intonation, recognize user emotions, and analyze visual information.
For example, the AI used the front camera and speaker of a phone to recognize a person. Then it very precisely described their clothing and emotions, the features of the room, and even noticed when a colleague snuck up behind and made “bunny ears.” After that, based on what it saw and heard, GPT-4o composed and performed a song.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
House Judiciary Votes to Hold AG Garland in Contempt Over Audio of Biden’s Hur Interview
The House Judiciary Committee advanced a resolution to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress over the Justice Department’s failure to produce the subpoenaed audio recording of President Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur.
The House Judiciary Committee considered a resolution to hold the attorney general in contempt during a markup session Thursday. The vote advances the measure for a full floor vote.
The move comes after the White House asserted executive privilege over the audio and video recordings related to Hur’s interviews with the president as part of his classified records investigation.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Hunter Biden Loses Bid to Halt Tax Evasion Court Proceedings as 9th Circuit Dismisses Appeal
Authored by Caden Pearsen via The Epoch Times
Hunter Biden lost his bid to halt his tax evasion district court proceedings in California on Wednesday after the Ninth Circuit declined to hear his appeal.
District Judge Mark Scarsi denied Mr. Biden’s motion for a stay of proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California pending the outcome of his appeal. The stay had been requested on May 10 after Mr. Biden filed his interlocutory appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
On Wednesday, the Ninth Circuit panel ruled in favor of the special counsel and dismissed Mr. Biden’s appeal.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Immich Teams Up to Innovate Privacy-First Photo Storage
Immich, an open-source, self-hosted photo and video backup alternative to Google Photos, that aims to compete with the giant by having no ads or trackers, has joined FUTO.
FUTO describes itself as an organization whose mission is to “frustrate” centralization and industry consolidation, and a recent conversation between representatives of both projects delved into some new features coming to Immich, as well as plans for the app.
If you’re interested in Immich, check out our exploration here.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Joe Biden Invokes Executive Privilege Over Special Counsel Recordings
After the DOJ stonewalled over surrendering an audio recording of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s interview with President Joe Biden over his handling of classified documents, the White House has invoked executive privilege to block House Republicans from obtaining it.
On Wednesday, Attorney General Merrick Garland requested that Biden assert executive privilege over the recordings following a subpoena from the House Judiciary and Oversight committees.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Masked Gaza Camp Agitators Harass Local Seattle Journalist, Demand He Not Film Them at UW
A local Seattle news journalist was assaulted and harassed by armed Antifa militants and leftist agitators on Wednesday at the University of Washington’s unsanctioned Gaza encampment.
They surrounded Fox 13 News photojournalist Mike Harvey with umbrellas to block him from filming the encampment, and shined high-powered green lasers in his eyes, which can cause permanent blindness.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Multiple Arrests Made as Gaza Camp at UC Irvine Cleared by Police
Multiple arrests were made after police were called into the University of California at Irvine to clear the Gaza camp after students and activists had taken over a campus building. The camp was cleared on Wednesday.
Students barricaded themselves in the Physical Sciences Lecture Hall and ran out of the building to try to pitch tents at around 2:30 p.m, KTLA reports. “The gathering was declared an unlawful assembly and officers from several law enforcement agencies created a skirmish line near demonstrators, who were positioned both inside and outside of the encampment’s wood palette barriers,” per KTLA.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Person Reportedly Taking Selfie Falls 40 Feet After Being Shocked on Power Line Tower
PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) — A person reportedly climbing a steel power line tower at the Sellwood Riverfront Park on Wednesday got an electric shock and fell 40 feet.
According to Portland General Electric, the line at the top of the tower was a 57,000-volt power line.
Witnesses said the person climbing the tower was attempting to take a selfie when they fell.
Dispatchers were also told witnesses heard a transformer blow before seeing the person fall from the tower.
Portland Fire and Rescue crews said an off-duty paramedic was at the scene when the fall occurred. The person was reported to be conscious and breathing after falling into bushes.
The individual was taken to a trauma center for evaluation and treatment.
| — Hat tip: Roger | [Return to headlines] |
Police Clear DePaul University Protest Encampment; 2 Arrested
CHICAGO — Chicago and university police cleared an encampment of Pro-Palestine demonstrators Thursday morning on DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus.
The DePaul Divestment Coalition initially began their demonstration April 30 at 2325 N. Seminary Avenue.
According to Chicago police, the university signed a trespassing complaint, leading to officers ordering the protesters to disperse.
As the orders were issued, protesters voluntarily left the encampment.
No arrests were made. However, two people were later taken into custody for obstructing the roadway in the 1100 block of W. Belden, according to CPD.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Trump Says He Believes a ‘Great Silent Majority’ Will Vote for Him in November
Authored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours)
Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he believes he has a “great silent majority” who will vote for him during the 2024 election.
While speaking to radio host Hugh Hewitt, the former president claimed that he may have the “biggest ever” silent majority, using a term that was popularized by former President Richard Nixon in 1969. He then made reference to the relatively large crowd turnout during last weekend’s rally in Wildwood, New Jersey.
“I have a great silent majority … the term was very, very powerfully associated with Nixon, and I didn’t want to be copying the term actually, so it’s the great silent majority,” President Trump said, adding that he believes that 107,000 people attended the Wildwood rally. The Epoch Times could not immediately authenticate that figure.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Left-wing activists who harassed and trespassed at the homes of the Board of Regents at the University of Michigan have demanded that the school abolish the police on campus.
Tahrir, the activist group that has been involved in the UMichigan Gaza camp protest that has gone on for weeks, has made demands that the university abolish police on campus.
The group claims to be “a coalition of 80+ organizations fighting for divestment from Israel and the military-industrial complex and reinvestment in our education and our community.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
‘West Point’ for Democratic Operatives Hired Director Who Called Terrorism the ‘Dream of Politics’
FIRST ON FOX — The “West Point for Democratic Operatives,” which credits itself for aiding President Biden’s victory, hired a digital director, who previously shared that “terrorism is the dream of politics.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
During a briefing on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked if two Jordanian immigrants who attempted to force their way into the Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia had been thwarted in carrying out a terrorist attack. The White House would not comment on the matter.
“The deputy director of ICE is telling us that two Jordanian nationals are in removal proceedings now, after posing as Amazon delivery drivers to crash the gates at Quantico. Does the White House think this might have been a failed terrorist attack?” Peter Doocy from Fox News asked Jean-Pierre.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Canadian High School Student Says She Was Assaulted for Being Jewish: Report
An Israeli-Canadian high school student says she was assaulted at her high school because of her religion.
Shaked Tsurkan told Canadian Jewish News that the only reason for the attack against her was because she is Jewish.
Tsurkan said she was the victim of an attack while attending Leo Hayes High School in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The alleged assault happened while the students were on their lunch hour, in a nearby parking lot.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Forest Fires Threaten Fort McMurray Again, Canada: Evacuation Ongoing
Evacuation is underway in Canada as wildfires threaten Fort McMurray once again, as reported by RMF24.
Once again, wildfires are wreaking havoc in the Canadian province of Alberta. Among the areas at risk is Fort McMurray, which faced the largest forest fire in Canada’s history eight years ago. With the fire rapidly spreading, authorities have taken action to evacuate over 6,000 individuals.
The wildfires have already consumed around 21,000 hectares of forests near Fort McMurray. Consequently, regional authorities declared a state of emergency on Tuesday and issued evacuation orders for certain residents to facilitate firefighting efforts. Residents in the specified zones were instructed to evacuate their homes by 4:00 p.m. local time. Jody Butz, the fire chief in the area, confirmed that the evacuation order applies to approximately 6,600 people.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
“The Sun Will Shine Again in the Netherlands,” Wilders Says About Coalition’s Plans
“The sun will shine again in the Netherlands” and a lot will change, PVV leader Geert Wilders said at a press conference about the newly presented “main lines agreement” between the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB. History is being made now that his PVV is in the center of power, Wilders said, NOS reports.
The PVV leader stressed that the new government will implement the strictest asylum policy ever, including an Asylum Crisis Law and severe limits to family reunification. He believes that will demotivate many of the people seeking safety in the Netherlands. “I really applaud that,” he said.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
China Dwarfs EU Investment in Bloc’s Own Back Yard
China is dwarfing European Union investment in countries in the bloc’s own neighbourhood, from Morocco to Turkey.
The giant nation made up 39 per cent of foreign direct investment in countries where the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) operates, the EBRD said in a May 15 report.
That compared to just 8 per cent each from Germany and the US, it added.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Coalition Plans to Slash €100 Million From Dutch Public Broadcasting Annual Budget
The Dutch public broadcasting system, NPO, and the broadcasters that program the NPO channels said they would be “happy to enter into talks” with the next Cabinet about plans for public broadcasting. The coalition deal between the PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB calls for 100 million euros in cuts starting from 2026, from the NPO’s current budget of over 940 million euros.
The PVV previously campaigned with a call to abolish the NPO. The VVD previously said it wanted to make cuts of 400 million euros.
[Comment: Good. Government supported broadcasters in thre West have a left-liberal bias.]
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Czech Government Will Help Ukrainians Return Home by Buying Them Tickets
The Czech government has approved a program to assist refugees wishing to return home to Ukraine for health or family reasons. Under this initiative, 430 individuals with either temporary or international protection status, whether granted or applied for, will benefit from the pilot program.
“For 400 individuals, a bus ticket will be provided from their current location in the Czech Republic to the nearest destination in Ukraine. For the remaining thirty individuals with complex health conditions, individual assistance will be provided through medical transportation services,” stated Ondrej Kratoska, spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior.
This repatriation effort is made possible by the existing amendment to the law, known as Lex Ukraine VI.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Dutch Sales Tax on Books, Concerts, Theater Tickets Will Rise From 9 to 21 Percent
The four parties that negotiated a new governing coalition in the Netherlands plan to increase the value added tax on accommodations, books, concerts, museums, theater performances, and visits to events and attractions. These currently are subjected to a lower tax rate of 9 percent, but that will swell to the upper sales tax rate of 21 percent paid for most goods and services in the Netherlands, the PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB stated in their agreement.
The change should bring in a minimum of 1.2 billion euros annually starting in 2026, the coalition parties argued. The low 9 percent rate will only remain valid for campsites, cinemas, and some other forms of daily recreation.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Dutch Embassy Could Move to Jerusalem Despite Criticism From Palestinian Rights Groups
The planned coalition of the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB wants to move the Dutch embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the parties wrote in their agreement. “The Netherlands supports the right of existence and the safety of the State of Israel,” wrote the four parties, which is a strong shift for the VVD, as well as NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt.
“Considering the solutions for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the diplomatic interests, research will be done into when the best time is to move the embassy to Jerusalem.” Only a few countries have embassies in Jerusalem, as both the Israelis and Palestinians consider it to be their capital. Jordan controlled the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, until they lost it to Israel during the Six Day War. The divided city also makes the decision to locate an embassy there controversial, even though Israel’s seat of government is in West Jerusalem.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Dutch Debate About Political Pressure in Science Cancelled Due to Political Pressure Over Israel
An event at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) has been cancelled over the stance on the conflict between Israel and Palestine of two leading academics who were due to take part.
Dutch-speaking Belgian philosopher Dr Maarten Boudry and American biologist Dr Jerry Coyne were set to take part in a debate on May 17 on the ideological subversion of biology and how politics influences science.
On May 14 they were informed by the organisers, Betabreak, that the event was cancelled because “members of the committee did not feel comfortable” offering both academics a platform “given their stances on the Palestine/Israel conflict”.
Betabreak also argued it was concerned that giving both academics a platform would “reflect” badly on the organisation and that it “might be blackballed”.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
EU Investigates Meta Over Child Safety and Mental Health Concerns
Instagram, amid concerns that these platforms may foster addictive behavior in children and harm their mental health.
The probe will examine whether Meta has violated the Digital Services Act (DSA), a significant law enacted by the EU last summer that holds digital companies accountable for various online harms, including disinformation, shopping scams, and child abuse.
“Today we open formal proceedings against Meta,” announced Thierry Breton, the EU Commissioner for the Internal Market. “We are not convinced that it has done enough to comply with the DSA obligations to mitigate the risks of negative effects to the physical and mental health of young Europeans on its platforms Facebook and Instagram.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Europe is Facing a Shortage of Apartments, With Real Estate Prices Tripling
Throughout Europe, there’s a shortage of tens of thousands of apartments, leading to a threefold increase in real estate prices, as reported by Novinky.cz. Expensive housing is posing challenges not just in the Czech Republic but also across other European nations.
While property prices mostly saw a decline in the past year, it wasn’t sufficient to counterbalance the previous period of robust price growth. Eurostat’s report indicates that between 2010 and 2022, apartments and houses saw an average price hike of 47 percent.
Some countries experienced even sharper increases, surpassing the rate of income growth. For instance, Estonia saw property prices surge by 192 percent over twelve years, while Hungary experienced a 172 percent increase. Meanwhile, Eurostat notes a 126 percent rise in prices in the Czech Republic. In addition to property prices, rents also climbed, albeit at a slower rate. The EU average stood at 18 percent, but in the Czech Republic, it rose by over a third.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
EU’s Von Der Leyen Calls for More Censorship Amid Re-Election Campaign
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is campaigning to get reelected (by the next European Parliament, EP) and her messaging ahead of EP elections next month unsurprisingly includes doubling down on the policy of “combating disinformation.”
But in the same breath, the EU bureaucrat was not shy to make unsubstantiated accusations against some European politicians — specifically the opposition in her native Germany, that’s rapidly gaining in popularity — describing them as being “in the pockets of Russia.”
She also pledged that the European Commission under her continued leadership will make “European Democracy Shield” a priority.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Finland Tops Nordic Countries in Fatal Dog Attacks
Finland leads the Nordic region in fatalities resulting from dog attacks, with 17 recorded deaths between 2013 and 2022, according to Statistics Finland, YLE reports.
The data shows Finland has the highest fatality rate compared to Sweden, Denmark, and Norway over the same period. However, details regarding the circumstances of the attacks and the dog breeds involved are not provided.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
France Competes for Polish Nuclear Power Plant
The involvement of Paris in Poland’s second nuclear power plant project aims to sway the Polish government, states the newspaper Rzeczpospolita. This move is intended to differentiate France from the United States, which is not financially engaged in Poland’s nuclear program.
The current Tusk administration is in the process of deciding the site for the second nuclear power plant. An official verdict on whether it will proceed with construction has not been reached yet.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
France Implements Youth Curfew in Limoges
France is stepping up its efforts against crime, with another city, Limoges, implementing a curfew for youth, Novinky.cz reports.
Limoges, located in central France, is the latest city to impose a nighttime curfew for children under 13 who are not accompanied by adults. The city’s goal is to prevent escalating conflicts among young people, which have been on the rise and growing more violent throughout France. Similar measures have recently been put in place by authorities in Nice and Béziers.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
France: In Paris, a Memorial Honoring Those Who Saved Jews During World War II Has Been Desecrated
Vandals in Paris defaced a memorial honoring people who saved Jews in France during the Nazi occupation of the country in World War II, AP reports. It is stated that unknown individuals vandalized the memorial with images of red handprints.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo stated that the memorial was desecrated on the night from Monday to Tuesday. She reported that she filed a complaint with the Paris prosecutor.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
France: Paris Secures Clean Streets for Olympic Games as Garbage Collectors End Strike Threat
Paris garbage collectors have withdrawn their strike notice, averting the risk of uncollected rubbish piling up in the French capital during the Olympic Games.
Paris City Hall announced on Wednesday that an agreement had been reached with the workers, canceling the strike planned for several days in May and from July to September 8. The Paris Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
French Health Groups Advocate for Greater Transparency to Combat Drug Shortages
French health organizations are urging increased transparency from pharmaceutical companies as drug shortages continue to rise. These shortages are causing drug prices to soar and reducing control over public resources, according to a collective statement from these groups.
In a joint report, 14 civil society organizations proposed solutions to address a “situation that has only worsened” since 2018. The French medicines regulator reported 4,925 drug shortages in 2023, a significant increase from 3,761 in 2022 and 2,160 in 2021.
A 2024 survey by France Assos Santé, representing patients, revealed that 44 percent of people in France experienced a drug shortage this year. One pharmacy union plans to strike at the end of the month, protesting against drug shortages and deteriorating access to care.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
German AfD Party Senior Petr Bystron’s Premises Searched in Alleged Bribery Investigation
The premises of one of the German Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s top candidates in the June European Parliament elections, Petr Bystron, have been searched by German and Spanish authorities.
Prosecutors said properties in Berlin, Bavaria and on the Spanish island of Mallorca were searched on May 16 and documents and other evidence seized. Bystron is under suspicion of receiving bribes from Russia, according to German media outlet Der Spiegel.
He did not immediately comment on the searches. He has previously denied allegations that he was paid to give interviews to a pro-Russian news portal.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
German Human Rights Activists Demand Authorities Issue Substitute Documents for Ukrainian Conscripts
German authorities should start issuing “travel documents for foreigners” to Ukrainians as a substitute for passports to protect men of conscription age from being forced to return to Ukraine for document processing and potentially ending up in the war, reports Deutsche Welle.
This opinion was expressed by German human rights organizations Pro Asyl and Connection e.V. They have made this appeal to the German government and the interior ministries of the federal states of Germany.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias Covert Arms Deliveries to Ukraine
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias refuted on Thursday media claims suggesting that Greece is clandestinely dispatching 250 containers of weapons to Ukraine, Ekathimerini reports.
Greece has indeed been furnishing Ukraine with weaponry and munitions over the last couple of years; however, it clarified that it refrains from supplying arms crucial for its own defense. In the realm of artillery, Greece has already furnished, either directly or through sales to the Czech Republic, 155mm and 203mm caliber cannons, alongside a substantial quantity of ammunition.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
In Portugal More Than 60,000 Individuals Earn Over €3,000 Monthly
The number of individuals earning more than €3,000 net per month has reached an all-time high in Portugal, accompanied by a significant increase in the number of people holding two jobs, as reported by The Portugal News.
During the first quarter of this year, the average net monthly salary experienced its largest surge in the National Statistics Institute (INE) records, rising by 6.3% to €1,090 per employee. This data, tracked since the beginning of 2011, reflects the income employees take home after deductions for income tax and mandatory contributions to Social Security.
Driving this upward trend are employees earning the highest salaries in the country, exceeding €3,000 net per month, with a current count of 62.4 thousand individuals—the largest in INE records. A decade ago, this figure was less than half.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Ireland: Assassination Attempt on Dublin MEP Candidate Malachy Steenson
The Liberal can exclusively reveal that there has been a violent assassination attempt on Dublin MEP candidate and local election candidate Malachy Steenson.
The Liberal understands that one man has been arrested after he attacked Malachy Steenson’s office claiming that he intended to kill Steenson.
The Liberal will be releasing a video shortly on our social media channels, Facebook, Instagram and X about the incident.
| — Hat tip: Steen | [Return to headlines] |
A man has been arrested after allegedly attempting to “kill” Irish MEP candidate Malachy Steenson in Dublin.
The incident is reported to have taken place just hours after he was interviewed by Justin Stares, Head of News at Brussels Signal, about Ireland’s mass-migration issue in the run-up to the European Parliament elections in June.
According to a statement from the politician’s campaign team, a man arrived at Steenson’s office on the evening of May 15.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
London and Paris Top the List of Best European Capitals for Art Lovers
A recent study has identified the top 20 European capital cities for art enthusiasts, revealing some surprising results.
Ubuy France, a global ecommerce platform, conducted the study, which ranked cities based on the number of art galleries, free-entry galleries, statues and monuments, and street art.
London and Paris tied for the top spot, each scoring 166 points. London boasts 259 galleries, including 29 with free entry, such as the National Gallery and the Tate Modern. The city’s diverse art scene also features numerous festivals like the Digital Art Week and London Craft Week.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Netherlands: Right-Wing Coalition Agreement “Disastrous,” Filled With Fantasies, Opposition Says
Update 11:22 — article updated with comments from CDA leader Henri Bontenbal and SP leader Jimmy Dijk
The center and left-wing opposition parties are critical of the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB’s newly presented coalition agreement. GroenLinks-PvdA leader Frans Timmermans described it as “disastrous” and “built on quicksand.” Rob Jetten of the D66 said it was made up of fantasies.
Timmermans, leader of the largest opposition party, said that the new government will “really be a PVV Cabinet” in response to the coalition agreement. “Wilders will be in the center of power. I find that very worrying,” he told the media.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Netherlands: Coalition Talks Leader Van Zwol to Form New Cabinet; Won’t be PM
The four government parties have asked formation talks leader Richard van Zwol to be the “formateur” and help form their Cabinet. He has accepted the assignment, Van Zwol said, emphatically stressing that he will not be the new Prime Minister, AD reports.
Typically, the “formateur” becomes the new Prime Minister. That won’t be the case with Van Zwol. “I’m not available. It is a categorical no,” he said
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Netherlands: Police Used Batons on Pro-Palestinian Protesters at Utrecht University
Police in Utrecht used batons against pro-Palestinian demonstrators who blocked a city bus containing other protesters. The bus contained around 40 pro-Palestinian activists who occupied a building at Utrecht University (UU) earlier on Wednesday. They were removed from the building by the police on Wednesday evening.
Just after midnight, peace had returned near the university building, according to an ANP reporter.
Before using their batons, the police wanted protesters outside to move away or they would use force. When the protesters did not comply, police officers struck them with their batons.
[Comment: Good.]
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Netherlands: “Hope, Courage, Pride”: Main Points From the Right-Wing Parties’ Coalition Agreement
The PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB’s coalition agreement consists of 26 pages under the heading “Hope, courage, and pride.” The right-wing parties plan to invest in social security, cut on asylum, limit other immigration, and be less ambitious in the fight against climate change. Here are the main points from the agreement, as compiled by NOS. The Tweede Kamer, the lower house of parliament, will debate it next week.
The coalition agreement is divided into ten chapters. The proposed policy mostly still has to be elborated on by the future Cabinet. “Whether it concerns social security, healthcare or money in our pockets or the availability of sufficient housing, our ambition is great,” the four parties wrote. “We also want to stem the excessive influx of asylum seekers and immigrants. We want farmers, gardeners, and fishermen to have a future again.”
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NSC Leader Omtzigt Blocking Ronald Plasterk From Becoming Next Dutch PM: Report
NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt has been the roadblock preventing Ronald Plasterk from becoming the next prime minister of the Netherlands, according to NRC. Sources close to the negotiations between the PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB told the newspaper that Omtzigt has his doubts about Plasterk, who is rumored to be the preferred nominee by Geert Wilders, the leader of the far right PVV party.
Aside from the tension between Omtzigt and Plasterk dating back to February, Plasterk is now tied up in an ethics scandal with the Amsterdam University Medical Center (AUMC). The NRC reported that cemented Omtzigt’s position to keep Plasterk out of the prime minister’s office.
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— after he gave up his steady life and book club to form anti-violence party when he was attacked at the supermarket by a drunk man
Alleged gunman Juraj Cintula, 71, is facing life in prison if convicted of the ‘lone wolf’,’ politically motivated’ attack that rocked Europe.
Populist allies of Robert Fico have tried to seize on the shooting with calls to close the Liberal Party and crack down on the free media with some characterising the would-be assassin as a liberal.
But enquiries reveal the poet and retired security guard has a muddled political background having rallied against communism, migrants, and violence — with links to a pro-Russian militia.
Friends in Cintula’s hometown of Levice, western Slovakia, described him as ‘rebellious when he was young, but not aggressive’.
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Rolls-Royce Secures Polish Government’s Support for Nuclear Power Plant Initiative
Rolls-Royce has garnered backing from the Polish government for its proposal to construct nuclear power plants in the country, signaling a significant step forward in the nation’s energy landscape.
Rolls-Royce SMR expressed its appreciation for the endorsement from Polish industrial group Industria to advance the approval process for building Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactor (SMR) power plants in Poland. The initiative involves seeking a Decision in Principle, the initial stage towards deployment, which necessitates input from various government departments.
With the final opinion received from key entities including the Polish Minister of State Assets, the Chief of the Polish Internal Security Agency, and Poland’s Chief Geologist confirming a ‘positive impact’, the Polish Minister of Climate and Environment, Ms. Paulina Hennig-Kloska, now possesses all the necessary documentation to issue the Decision in Principle.
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Slovak Authorities Charge ‘Lone Wolf’ With Assassination Attempt on the Prime Minister
BANSKA BYSTRICA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovak authorities charged a man Thursday with attempting to assassinate Prime Minister Robert Fico, saying he acted alone in a politically motivated attack that left the longtime leader in serious but stable condition.
Fico’s pro-Russia views have contributed to deep divisions in the small European country that borders Ukraine, and the shooting attack Wednesday shocked the nation and reverberated across the continent weeks ahead of elections for the European Parliament.
While President-elect Peter Pelligrini and President Zuzana Caputova urged people to dial back the sharp rhetoric that has characterized the country’s political debate, some Fico allies took aim at Slovakia’s media for contributing to the polarization.
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Spain: PSOE is the ‘Hegemonic, Systemic Party’, Says PM Sanchez
While establishment parties are under pressure in many European countries, in Spain, the Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) is proving its resilience once again.
Since the absolute parliamentary majority obtained by Felipe Gonzalez in 1982, the PSOE has become the hegemonic party of Spanish democracy.
The current PSOE Secretary General and Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, stated in a letter to Socialist militants on May 2 this year — the 145th anniversary of the party’s founding — that the PSOE was “the systemic party” in Spain.
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Supermarkets Brace for Tobacco Sales Ban in the Netherlands
Supermarkets in the Netherlands have just six weeks left before they are prohibited from selling tobacco products, Nu.nl reports. This ban is expected to result in significant financial losses, including billions of euros in revenue and the cessation of profits and bonuses from tobacco manufacturers.
Jumbo, a major supermarket chain, refrained from commenting on the overall impact on customer behavior but expressed apprehension that customers purchasing cigarettes elsewhere might opt for alternative shopping destinations. Despite this, Jumbo has no plans to establish tobacco outlets.
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The Increase in Knife Purchases in the UK Raises Concerns: Police Demand Tougher Measures
Police UK report surge in knife purchases via social media platforms like Telegram and TikTok among youth, linked to rising knife-related crimes, as reported by The Guardian. Authorities seek tougher measures as knife offenses increase by 7% year-on-year, with a 20% spike in knife-point robberies.
With evolving knife supply trends, law enforcement and government strive to keep pace, urging social media companies and retailers to curb access to weapons. Concerns rise over easy access to large knives and machetes, with some individuals reselling hundreds with minimal checks.
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The Netherlands and France Proposing EU Sanctions Against Banks That Help Russia
The Netherlands and France are pushing for sanctions from the European Union against any financial institution in the world that helps the Russian army acquire goods or technology to make weapons. The press bureau Reuters reported this based on documents they have seen.
France and the Netherlands hope that a ban like this would powerfully incentivize financial institutions in the Middle East, Turkey, or even China to refrain from making deals to deliver EU-sanctioned goods to Russia.
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The Rise of Bicycle Commuting in the Netherlands
An increasing number of Dutch citizens are opting to cycle to their workplaces, a trend highlighted by research conducted by Shuttel, a company overseeing the mobility strategies of 125 major employers, including government agencies, Deloitte, and FrieslandCampina, NOS reports.
This surge in cycling commuters can be attributed mainly to employers actively promoting cycling. The provision of bicycle mileage reimbursements has doubled in the first quarter compared to the previous year.
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UK Army Unit Labeled Accurate COVID Reporting as “Malinformation”
More details are coming out about the Covid-era activity of the UK army unit, the 77th Brigade, which the country’s government used to spy on citizens, suppress dissent around issues related to the pandemic, and flag content for social media sites to label or remove.
The unit, said to be of the psyops (“psychological operations”) variety, carried out a series of controversial and even suspected unlawful activities over this period of time, although in early 2021, the UK government flat-out denied it was involved in “any kind of action against British citizens.”
But a batch of subsequent responses to freedom of information requests, including those filed a year later by the Big Brother privacy-promoting NGO, tell a different story.
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Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has agreed to form a post-elections coalition with the Eurosceptic Homeland Movement party, which he said would give him a “new and stable” majority in the country’s Parliament.
In a possible sign of things to come following June’s European Parliament elections, leading figures in the European Commission have portrayed this new collaboration as political business as usual.
“They are not a far-right party, they are a very moderate-right party”, EC Vice-President Dubravka Šuica said in response to Ivan Penava’s Homeland joining the Government.
Homeland aims soon to sign up with the EP’s Eurosceptic Identity and Democracy (ID) bloc.
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IDF Tanks Open Fire on Own Gaza HQ, Killing 5 Troops in Disastrous Friendly Fire Incident
he Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have just suffered their biggest ‘friendly fire’ disaster to date during military operations in northern Gaza. In a Wednesday incident, a pair of Israeli tanks targeted a building which was serving as a forward operating HQ for their own troops.
Five Israeli soldiers were confirmed killed in the incident which happened in Jabalia. An additional seven troops were wounded, with three listed in serious condition.
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Options Narrow for Palestinians Looking to Escape Gaza
For much of Israel’s war in Gaza, people with enough money were able to pay a private company to rescue their family members from the enclave. Now, even that is becoming more difficult.
NASSER NAJJAR, a former Red Cross spokesperson and Human Rights Watch researcher who lives in Vancouver, paid upwards of $60,000 last month to get several family members out of Gaza. His parents and one of his sisters managed to leave in late April, while his other sister, her mother-in-law, her husband and their daughter are still in Gaza.
Najjar told NatSec Daily the call about who to try to get out first was a “nightmare,” adding: “You’re making life and death decisions.”
The four others were supposed to cross the border in early May — but Israel’s military operation into the southern city of Rafah last week prevented that, he said. An Egyptian company that facilitates transport for those trying to leave hasn’t been able to enter the enclave, since Israel seized the main crossing there, he added.
“Every day is worse than the other,” Najjar said of his family’s situation in Gaza. “If you’re in the middle and the southern areas, you still depend on Rafah for food and other aid — and there’s not much coming in.”
There are signs that more humanitarian assistance could begin to flow into the territory soon. The U.S. military finished installing its floating pier off the coast of Gaza today, and troops are expected to begin ferrying aid to the shore in the coming days — if everything goes according to plan. The project has faced logistical, weather and security challenges, and aid groups say the pier and airdrops are no substitute for bringing aid in with trucks.
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In Talks With Putin Amid Ukraine War, Xi Calls Russia-China Ties a ‘Strong Driving Force’
Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping put their countries’ partnership on red-carpet display in Beijing on Thursday, aiming to project a unified alternative to the West as each faces pressure amid Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
President Xi received Putin outside the Great Hall of the People while uniformed bands played, soldiers stood at attention and cannons and rifles fired.
The welcome and celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations was followed by a 21/2-hour meeting and a joint news conference, where the leaders signed declarations to deepen cooperation between their nations.
“China-Russia relations have withstood the test of time and become even stronger,” Xi said in televised remarks after the meeting with Putin. “The generational friendship and comprehensive cooperation between China and Russia have formed a strong driving force that allows us to move forward without fear of wind and rain.”
Putin’s two-day visit, his first international trip since starting his unprecedented fifth term as president amid a crackdown on his opposition, came as both countries faced pressure or isolation from the West. The U.S. has warned Xi against enabling Putin’s assault on Ukraine through enhanced trade and economic cooperation.
| — Hat tip: McN | [Return to headlines] |
Mother and Child Killed in Ukrainian Strike on Russia: Belgorod Governor
A Ukrainian drone struck a family driving in a village along Russia’s border, killing the mother and four-year-old child, Governor of Belgorod Region Vyacheslav Gladkov said early Friday.
“As a result of the explosion, the woman died on the spot from her wounds,” said Gladkov.
“The child was in critical condition. Doctors did everything possible to save him,” he said, adding that the four-year-old died of his injuries in hospital.
The father “is in shock”, and while he has injuries, has refused medical help, said Gladkov.
| — Hat tip: Dean | [Return to headlines] |
Zelenskyy Visits Frontline Amidst Ongoing Russian Offensive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy has visited Kharkiv amidst an ongoing Russian offensive.
At the bedside of wounded soldiers in a military hospital, Zelenskyy decorated doctors and fighters.
He posted on X saying, “Thanks to Ukraine’s Defence Forces and our efforts, we were able to instil more confidence in the Vochansk direction.”
“But Russian shelling continues, and threats remain. Today, the head of the Vovchansk local administration was wounded.”
Ukrainian units have been locked in street battles with the Kremlin’s forces in the key northeastern Ukrainian town of Vovchansk.
Six people were injured on Thursday in one Russian daylight attack on Vovchansk using cluster munitions, local officials said, as emergency workers and volunteers rescued those impacted by shelling. Two medics were among those injured.
| — Hat tip: MM | [Return to headlines] |
Boeing 747 Engine Erupts in Fireball During Takeoff
Another week, another mid-air mishap for a Boeing plane. This time, a 747-400 carrying 468 passengers from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia had to make an emergency landing immediately after takeoff when one of the plane’s four engines erupted in a fireball.
“The decision was made by the pilot in command immediately after takeoff, considering engine problems that required further examination after sparks of fire were observed in one of the engines,” Garuda Indonesia president director Irfan Setiaputra wrote in a statement obtained by the local media outlet The Jakarta Post.
Garuda-1105 flight to Madinah, a city in western Saudi Arabia, was departing from the Indonesian city of Makassar on Wednesday when, as soon as the plane achieved rotation speed and lifted off the runway, a giant fireball erupted from one of the plane’s engines.
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American Billionaire Frank McCourt Wants to Acquire TikTok’s U.S. Business
Back in 2021, McCourt, a real estate developer and former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, launched the Project Liberty initiative, which was declared to have the goal of “turning the internet into a force for good,” according to the Wall Street Journal.
Currently, the Project Liberty initiative is forming a consortium to purchase the platform, which is owned by China’s ByteDance. It is noted that Project Liberty, in its attempt to acquire TikTok, will collaborate with Guggenheim Securities, the investment arm of Guggenheim Partners, the law firm Kirkland & Ellis, and other players.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin is in Beijing visiting his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
On the first day of the two-day state visit, which includes top Russian defense and security officials, Putin referenced Russia being “brothers forever” with China and Xi. He quoted from a 1940s song, saying “The event is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. There is a famous song from that time, it was created 75 years ago, but is often sung today: there is a quite famous line in it: ‘Russian and Chinese are brothers forever’.
“I am sure that we will continue to strengthen the fraternal spirit of the harmonious Russian-Chinese partnership,” he emphasized. Xi in response hit upon the ‘old friend’ theme, and was quoted in Xinhua as saying, “China is ready to work with Russia to stay each other’s good neighbor, good friend and good partner.”
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Explosion at Northern Nigeria Mosque Injures 24, Including Children
At least 24 worshippers, including four children, were injured in an attack on a mosque in Kano state, northern Nigeria, early Wednesday morning.
The attack, which resulted in an explosion, occurred while worshippers were praying, according to police reports. The assailant, a 38-year-old local resident, confessed to targeting the mosque in Gadan village out of hostility stemming from a prolonged family dispute, stated police spokesman Abdullahi Haruna.
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The Biden administration has refused to overturn data pertaining to the nationalities of illegal immigrants who are on terrorist watchlists and have been arrested by Border Patrol agents in recent years.
Fox News reporter Bill Melugin revealed on Thursday that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said they will not overturn the data, citing privacy and law enforcement sensitivity exemptions. This is in response to a FOIA request that had been filed over six months ago, according to Melugin.
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It’s official — San Diego is the new ground zero for the border crisis in the US, seeing the most migrant apprehensions of anywhere else last month.
At least 37,370 migrants entered the US through the San Diego sector, which includes all of Southern California except for El Centro on the Arizona state line, according to the US Border Patrol.
In April, the San Diego region surpassed Tucson, which had been the nation’s busiest, and fell to second with 31,219 border encounters.
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EU Nations Advocate for Outsourcing Migration and Asylum Policies
A coalition of 15 EU member states, spearheaded by Denmark, has called for the outsourcing of migration and asylum policies, citing an “unsustainable” rise in irregular arrivals as justification for innovative approaches. This statement follows the recent completion of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, which took nearly four years of intense negotiations.
The joint statement, issued on May 15 and made public on Thursday, addresses senior officials in the European Commission. It is backed by Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, and Finland, indicating broad political support.
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California police have detained an illegal immigrant accused of being a serial rapist and running a “rape dungeon on wheels”.
Eduardo Sarabia, 39, a transient and illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested and taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on Monday, Fox 11 reports.
Sarabia has been charged with two counts of forcible rape. The two incidents happened on May 12 and May 13, police said.
Two sheriff’s deputies reportedly caught Sarabia sexually assaulting a victim inside his van on Monday in the Angeles National Forest just off of Highway 39 near Azusa.
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Netherlands: New Coalition Scraps Asylum Distribution Law, “Sharply Limits” Family Reunification
The new right-wing coalition plans to reform the entire asylum and migration system and turn it into “the strictest admission regime for asylum and the most comprehensive package for control over migration ever.” The hotly contested asylum distribution law will be scrapped, and the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB will sharply limit family reunification for refugees, among other things.
In a press conference explaining their coalition agreement, PVV leader Geert Wilders said that many things will change, referring to “the strictest asylum policy ever” and the scrapping of the distribution law. The new government will also introduce border controls, he said. NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt said that more control over migration is necessary to leave room for people who really need asylum.
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Some 84 percent of deadly measles cases in a recent major outbreak at a migrant center in Chicago are linked to Venezuelan immigrants, a new CDC report shows.
New information reveals that the spate of 57 cases at the Pilsen migrant shelter can be traced back to a one year-old boy who had only received one of the two vital vaccines.
The majority of the cases — 72 percent — were among unvaccinated people, the CDC said.
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Get Woke, Go Broke: New “Queer” ‘Doctor Who’ Suffers Worst Ratings in Series History
Woke activists today often like to hearken back to nostalgic media from the 1960s; what they consider the golden era or genesis moment of far-left movements in British and US history. These were the days when being a progressive was considered “counter-culture” and cool, with every major rock star and celebrity tapping into youth angst and hippie philosophy. The progressive shift led to considerable social instability in the 1970s.
It is common these days to hear leftists in popular media argue that TV shows like Star Trek or Doctor Who were “always woke” and that they are simply carrying on the tradition. This is simply not true. While many productions in the US and in Europe displayed liberal sensibilities, woke activists are not liberal and do not hold liberal values. They are, rather, a hybrid ideology combining elements of Marxism/communism/fascism, collectivism, moral relativism and narcissism.
One could argue that the woke cult is the natural end state, the unavoidable final evolution of liberal thinking. That may be true, but that’s a debate for another day. The point is, the woke activism of today has very little in common with the political movements of the 1960s. In fact, if you were to go back in time only 15 years ago and tried to explain to a typical Democrat in the US or Labour member in the UK what leftists are trying to get away with in 2024, they would laugh in your face and call you crazy.
In our decade nearly every major television and film franchise of the past has received the woke treatment; what leftists call “updating for modern audiences.” As a consequence, nearly every franchise has suffered an extreme collapse in audience number, ad revenues and box office receipts. Why? Because woke ideology is a fringe movement making up a tiny percentage of the population. Almost no one likes it, hence the reason why “Get Woke, Go Broke” has become a rule rather than a theory.
Doctor Who has not been able to escape this rule despite being considered an open sci-fi world where almost anything goes. The problem is, it doesn’t matter what the canon technically allows or what the writers want — In the end the fans always dictate what succeeds and what fails. When a show starts preaching at people about respecting gender pronouns, they aren’t going to stick around to see what happens next.
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Peru Officially Classifies Transgender People as Mentally Ill
Transgender, non-binary, and intersex individuals are officially classified as mentally ill in Peru, despite criticism from LGBTQ activists, reports The Telegraph.
The government of Peru has officially classified transgender, non-binary, and intersex people as mentally ill. The controversial decision was made so that the country’s health services could “ensure full coverage of mental health care” for the transgender community, explained the Ministry of Health of Peru, according to the publication.
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Watch: Senior Navy DEI Chief Admits Wokeness Would be ‘Out the Window’ if China-Taiwan War Broke Out
A senior DEI adviser to US Navy Admiral Lisa Franchetti has admitted in undercover footage that woke initiatives would evaporate if a “world war” breaks out, and that military colleagues think Diversity Equity and Inclusion is a “waste of time.”
In undercover footage obtained by Louder with Crowder, Navy Senior Chief Thomas Riggs, who says he leads the military branch’s DEI initiatives despite calling it irrelevant, revealed that many of his colleagues frown on the military’s emphasis on wokeism.
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I couldn’t find where Geert won’t be PM…need help.
It’s in more than one of the articles. Just keep looking through them.
Geert won.
Are you a prophet Baron?
Quote: Mr. Cintula is facing life in prison if convicted of the attack on Mr. Fico.
IF! that is the keyword.
They will declare him to be insane or something like that and release him in a few years quietly.
Or they will declare open season on us and then he will be given the highest medal.
The FICO assassin had a relationship with a Ukrainian women who had been active in the Maidan protests. I read she had been arrested as well as she was probably the instigator, nagging him incessantly to do it. You know what these women are like. They convince their partners to do all sorts of things like kill ex husbands etc etc. I’m not one of them.