Klaus Schwab announced that he is resigning as executive chairman of the World Economic Forum. However, he is not leaving the WEF altogether, and plans to move to a non-executive chairman role.
In other news, an extraordinary presidential election will be held in Iran on June 28, due to the unexpected death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter accident.
To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.
Thanks to Daniel Greenfield, Dean, JW, LP, MM, Reader from Chicago, Roger, 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.
Inflation is Up 20% Since Biden Took Office
Inflation has emerged as one of the most stubborn political problems for President Biden in his re-election campaign, and price growth hit a grim new milestone this week in a blow to the White House.
The consumer price index, a broad measure of the price of everyday goods including gasoline, groceries and rent, rose 3.4% in April, down slightly from March. But the report — released last week — also showed that prices are up more than 19.4% since Biden took office in 2021.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Property Tax Surprises Hit Czech Residents: Increases Up to Fivefold Shake Homeowners
This year’s property tax assessments in the Czech Republic have left many homeowners reeling from shock as they face substantial increases compared to previous years.
With the government’s consolidation package taking effect, property taxes have soared, with some individuals seeing their tax bills skyrocket by up to five times the amount they paid last year. The sudden spike in property taxes has led to confusion and frustration among affected individuals, prompting many to seek clarification from the Financial Administration.
Lucie Šimeckova, a homeowner from Ceské Budejovice, expressed her dismay at the significant increase in property taxes for her properties. “We certainly weren’t thrilled. For a 3+1 apartment in Ceské Budejovice, we used to pay 742 crowns before the tax increase, now it’s 1250 Kc. For a cottage in Svéradice, it went up from 340 to 698 crowns,” she lamented.
The steep rise in property taxes has sparked criticism from homeowners who feel burdened by the additional financial strain. Many argue that they already shoulder the responsibility of maintaining and renovating their properties without any assistance from the state. The sudden escalation in property taxes feels unjustified and imposes further financial pressure on households.
Municipalities have the discretion to determine whether to apply the property tax based on the increased basic rate or to further augment it with a local coefficient. While some municipalities have opted to maintain the tax at the state-determined level, others have chosen to impose additional charges, exacerbating the tax burden for residents.
Residents of Zlin, for instance, have been hit particularly hard by the property tax hike, with some individuals facing four to fivefold increases in their tax bills. The decision to raise coefficients last June, coupled with the government’s consolidation measures, has significantly inflated property tax obligations for homeowners in the region.
The sudden escalation in property taxes has prompted outcry and discontent among affected individuals, with many expressing frustration at the lack of transparency and the disproportionate financial burden imposed on homeowners. As municipalities grapple with the fallout from the tax hikes, residents are left grappling with the financial implications and seeking recourse for what they perceive as unjust taxation practices.
Despite the challenges posed by the property tax increases, municipalities are grappling with the need to secure funding for critical infrastructure projects and investments in the region. With substantial investments on the horizon, municipalities face the daunting task of balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to address pressing community needs.
As residents come to terms with the new tax obligations, the debate surrounding property taxes in the Czech Republic underscores the complexities of local governance and the challenges of maintaining fiscal sustainability while meeting the diverse needs of residents.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Rising Trend: More Employed Young Adults Living With Parents Across EU
Recent data from an EU agency reveals a notable increase in the proportion of employed young adults living with their parents in several European countries, with Ireland experiencing a particularly significant surge amid housing challenges exacerbated by the pandemic and cost of living crisis.
According to an analysis of Eurostat data, the average proportion of employed 25— to 34-year-olds residing in their parental homes across the EU rose from 24% to 27% between 2017 and 2022. Notably, Ireland witnessed a remarkable 13-percentage-point increase, with the proportion soaring from 27% to 40%, reflecting the acute housing crisis gripping the nation.
The rise in young adults living with their parents was also observed in other EU countries during the same period. Portugal saw an increase from 41% to 52%, Spain from 35% to 42%, Italy from 41% to 48%, and Croatia from 58% to 65%. Even in countries like France, where the increase was relatively modest from 10% to 12%, the trend signifies broader housing challenges affecting young people.
Eurofound’s comprehensive report sheds light on various challenges faced by young adults in the EU, including housing, the cost of living crisis, mental health, and precarious employment. While youth employment has shown signs of recovery, escalating living costs have hindered many from achieving financial independence and moving out of their parental homes.
Financial strain remains a significant concern, particularly in certain regions of southern and eastern Europe, where more than half of young adults aged 25 to 34 still reside with their parents. The report underscores the role of cultural differences in shaping attitudes toward independent living, with Nordic countries often encouraging early independence compared to other regions where strong family ties prevail.
Lead author Eszter Sandor highlighted the complex reasons behind young adults living with their parents, ranging from financial necessity to familial decisions aimed at saving for future investments. While residing with parents may provide some financial stability, it can also impact mental well-being and feelings of social exclusion, particularly among employed individuals aged 25 and over.
Sorcha Edwards from Housing Europe emphasized the shifting socioeconomic landscape in Europe, where more individuals previously considered financially stable are now grappling with housing challenges, highlighting the need for comprehensive housing solutions to address these emerging realities.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Alan Dershowitz Slams ‘Bias’ of Judge Merchan for Scolding ‘Hush Money’ Witness: He ‘Went Berserk’
Legal scholar Professor Alan Dershowitz has slammed the “bias” he saw on display from Democrat Judge Juan Merchan during President Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial in New York.
During a Monday night appearance on Fox News, Dershowitz detailed the reported courtroom exchange between the presiding judge and witness Bob Costello earlier in the day.
The angry outburst from Merchan resulted in the Biden-donor judge removing the media from the courtroom.
Dershowitz, who was in the court during the outburst, appeared on “Hannity” to discuss the ongoing trial.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Back in March, when reading the mammoth, 1050-page bill that was meant to avert government shutdown, but was yet another pork filled free-for-all bonanza authorizing $1.7 trillion in in discretionary spending, we stumbled upon something that was truly shocking: after Biden singlehandedly drained half of the US strategic petroleum reserve to avoid obliteration for Democrats in the 2022 midterm elections, Congress has snuck in a provision that would sell off and shutter the Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve, a move that while perhaps keeps gas prices lower for a day or two, would also leave the entire continental northeast defenseless to any true environmental catastrophe or shock. We were so dismayed by the inclusion of this particular text, we wondered if it hadn’t been put there solely for the benefit of America’s enemies…
[…]because surely nobody in their right mind, not even the illegitimate senile occupant of the White House, would ever pursue such short-term gains at the expense of potentially disastrous long-term consequences to the entire nation.
We were wrong: earlier today, just two months after the bill was signed by Biden into law, the panicking administration announced that it would sell the nearly 1 million barrels of gasoline in the US managed stockpile in northeastern states, the Department of Energy said, effectively closing the reserve.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
An investigative journalist charged with non-violent misdemeanors for his coverage of the January 6 riot has revealed that he and his legal team are set to appeal court orders involving his right to travel within the United States and possess firearms.
The Blaze’s Steve Baker said the decision was made only after the judge who issued the orders refused to engage with the legal arguments, opting instead to issue minute orders.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Code Pink Agitators for ‘Peace’ Scream ‘Blinken is a War Criminal, ‘ Disrupt Senate Hearing
Code Pink protesters showed up in the Senate on Tuesday to protest the Biden administration and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. A staffer for the group was arrested as a result of the agitation in the congressional chamber. In a statement, Code Pink lamented the arrest as the staffer currently “awaits a court date for a previous arrest and did not intend to be arrested today.” While they frequently court arrest as part of their actions, this staffer was not looking to be arrested on Tuesday.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Colleges Hit With Lawsuits Over Handling of Anti-Israel Campus Protests
Colleges around the country are dealing with the effects of ongoing anti-Israel proteststhat have disrupted campus life and have prompted lawsuits from students who argue administrators failed in their responsibilities to keep campuses safe.
Several such lawsuits have been filed against schools in recent weeks, including proposed class action lawsuits against Columbia University and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and an individual suit brought by a Rutgers University student against the school. The Columbia suit is a proposed class action in federal court, while the Rutgers and UCLA cases were filed in state court.
Paul Mauro, a legal expert who held leadership roles in NYPD’s legal and intelligence bureaus and is a contributor to Fox News and Fox Business, said in an interview that the lawsuits campuses are facing generally fall into two categories: those alleging civil rights violations and those accusing the schools of failing to uphold contractual obligations.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Condolences for Evil From D.C.
Iran’s murder of Sgt. William Rivers, Spc. Kennedy Sanders, and Spc. Breonna Moffett, three black servicemembers from Georgia, earlier this year was only the latest killing of Americans by the Islamic terrorist regime in Tehran in addition to the dozens already killed on Oct 7.
Iran had not only connived to murder an estimated one thousand American soldiers on the battlefield, but its assassins and agents had plotted to kill members of the Trump administration.
Last year, even the Biden administration was forced to sanction Iranian IRGC terror officials plotting assassinations in D.C. In March, it was reported that the FBI was hunting for an Iranian spy targeting former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other Trump administration officials.
But after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, his foreign minister and an IRGC general died when their chopper crashed on a mountainside, the Biden administration joined Putin, China’s Xi, the UN, Hamas, and other international villains in a global orgy of mourning for a monster.
The State Department, whose own personnel were being targeted for murder, declared that “the United States expresses its official condolences for the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, and other members of their delegation”.
When the UN shamefully held a moment of silence to honor the ‘Butcher of Tehran’ who had been responsible for the massacres of thousands of Iranians, Deputy UN Ambassador Robert Wood stood alongside other tyrants in mourning a tyrant with American blood on his hands.
“We pray for the Iranian people who mourn the death of their president,” the Senate chaplain shamefully intoned.
| — Hat tip: Daniel Greenfield | [Return to headlines] |
Court Lets Lawsuit Over Refusal to Give Dying Woman Ivermectin Proceed
Authored by Zachary Stieber via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
A court has rejected a hospital system’s claim that its refusal to continue giving ivermectin to a dying woman was covered by federal law, stating that the law does not apply to the actions in question.
Mount Sinai South Nassau in New York City was twice forced to give COVID-19 patient Deborah Bucko, who was close to death after the system’s normal treatment failed, ivermectin under court order. Mrs. Bucko’s condition improved after she began taking ivermectin.
However, the system stopped the second round of treatment before the prescription ended, and Mrs. Bucko then died.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Democrat Strategist James Carville Blasts Biden: ‘The Age Issue is Suffocating Him’
Veteran Democrat political strategist James Carville has blasted President Joe Biden for complaining about his media coverage.
Appearing on Jen Psaki’s MSNBC show, the former Bill Clinton advisor warned that Biden’s “age issue is suffocating him.”
“I do think the president has to deal, the age issue is suffocating him,” Carville told Psaki in response to a question about how Biden and President Donald Trump could possibly be tied in the polls.
“He needs to bring up that he is only four years older than Trump.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Elon Musk Seemingly Supports NY Child Safety Bill for Digital ID and Limiting “Addictive” Feeds
Elon Musk stopped just short of explicitly endorsing two New York state online child safety bills even though, for the proposals to work, platforms would have to implement age verification and digital ID for people to access online platforms.
The X owner’s reaction to a post about Meta and Google reportedly spending more than a million as they lobby against the bills read, “In sharp contrast, X supports child safety bills.”
It remains unclear whether Musk expressed his support for these particular bills — New York Senate Bill S7694 and Bill S3281 — or the legislative efforts in general to make the internet a safer place for minors. Another possibility is that he was not missing a chance to criticize the competition.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Exclusive: Ted Cruz Slams SPLC for Calling Criticism of George Soros Funding ‘Antisemitic’
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Is it antisemitic to point out that the massive, left-wing funding apparatus set up by Hungarian American hedge-fund billionaire George Soros has bankrolled many of the organizations behind anti-Israel protests and riots on college campuses? The Southern Poverty Law Center says that it is, and it smeared Sen. Ted Cruz for citing a Politico report on Soros funding.
Cruz, a Texas Republican, isn’t letting it stand.
“Leftists cannot defend their ideas on the merits, so they instead resort to censorship and cancel culture,” Cruz told The Daily Signal in a written statement Tuesday.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The violent Gaza camp at the University of Washington finally disbanded on Monday afternoon. Campers packed up and left, leaving behind trash, graffiti, a damaged walkway, and ruined grass in the Quad. One professor said the damage was in the “hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Now many are asking how the dangerous encampment was allowed to exist for so long.
According to a May 7 police report obtained by The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, a UW Police officer responding to a student who was allegedly assaulted in the encampment wrote that he was told by his superior that “due to officer safety concerns we would not be entering the area.” The revelation left many, including parents, students and faculty, asking why the encampment was allowed to remain on campus if it was too dangerous for even the police to enter.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
FAA Reveals Flaw in Another Major Boeing Plane That Could Result in Fuel Tank Exploding
Yet another fleet of Boeing airplanes was found to have a potentially disastrous flaw — one that could set the entire aircraft ablaze.
The Federal Aviation Administration found that the company’s 777 liner has poor electrical insulation near its fuel tank, according to a proposed rule the federal regulator posted in March.
“This condition, if not addressed, could result in an ignition source inside the fuel tank and subsequent fire or explosion,” the Airworthiness Directives note states.
| — Hat tip: Roger | [Return to headlines] |
Federal Judge Blocks Biden’s New Anti-Second Amendment Rules
A federal judge in Texas has just dropped the hammer on Democrat President Joe Biden and his anti-Second Amendment agenda.
Biden may have thought that he was going to be able to pull a fast one on the people of America by stripping them of their constitutional rights.
The administration’s new gun control rules ignore the Bill of Rights and seek to severely restrict the Second Amendment.
However, the anti-gun agenda of the Biden White House has just been dealt a severe blow.
According to Newsweek, a federal judge has blocked a new Biden administration rule that requires gun dealers to run background checks on buyers at gun shows and other places outside of gun shops.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Galveston’s 2024 ‘Jeep Weekend’ Sees One Fatal Shooting, Nearly 300 Arrests
A man was shot to death and three other people were struck by gunfire over the weekend on a stretch of beaches southeast of Houston, where an estimated crowd of more than 100,000 gathered for a loosely organized annual party, according to Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset.
The sheriff said nearly 300 arrests were made and more than 370 criminal charges were filed related to the four-day event on Bolivar Peninsula known as “Jeep Weekend,” during which thousands of vehicles line Crystal Beach and other shorelines on the peninsula just east of Galveston. The bulk of those arrests were made Saturday and early Sunday, when there were two separate shooting events that took place minutes apart, Trochesset said.
A 33-year-old local man was fatally shot in the chest during one of the incidents, when someone else was shot in the chest and life-flighted to a hospital and a third person was struck in the hand, according to Trochesset, who said Tuesday afternoon that no arrests had been made in connection with that shooting. The other shooting resulted in someone being grazed in the head by a bullet, Trochesset said, and that suspected shooter was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
“We’re still investigating that fatality,” Trochesset said.
“Jeep Weekend” started within the last decade as a way for Jeep enthusiasts to show off their topless vehicles while cruising along the beach. Trochesset said groups of Jeep owners have long since disassociated from the event, which features ever-growing crowds and alcohol-fueled revelry.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Media Spreads False Claim That Tucker Carlson Launched a Show on Russian TV
Multiple media outlets have been criticized after they spread a false claim that former Fox News host Tucker Carlson had launched a new show on Russian television.
In response to a Newsweek article published on the topic, originally claiming that Carlson was working with Rossiya 24 on a show, Tucker Carlson Network investor Neil Patel wrote, “The Tucker Carlson Network has not done any deals with state media in any country. Whoever is currently pretending to be the old Newsweek brand would know that if they had checked with us before printing like news companies are supposed to do.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Google, Meta, and TikTok are leading the charge in a lobbying effort costing nearly $1 million in order to kill two online safety bills to protect children.
A group of big tech firms, including Google, TikTok and Meta, have lobbied with $823,235 against two bills going through the legislature in the state of New York, according to the New York Post.
The two bills facing the challenge from the tech firms are the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act. Both have been advancing toward a vote with bipartisan support in the state legislature.
New York’s SAFE Act would crack down on addictive algorithms on social media networks. It would make the default setting for those who are younger than 18 to have a chronological feed instead of one that feeds an algorithm. The only way that the feed would be set to an algorithm would be through parental consent. It would also allow parents to impose time limits on social media apps.
The Child Data Protection Act would then block apps from collecting data and personal information of those younger than 18 unless they consent to it. Kids younger than 13 would need permission from parents in order for the apps to collect their data.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Milwaukee reporter Kaylee Staral with TMJ4 was recording a follow up report on a shooting when she witnessed a hit and run in which a driver crashed into a parked car in which a 57-year-old was sitting. The driver of the instigating car exited the vehicle and fled on foot while the passenger struggled to get out of the car and appeared to be in substantial pain.
Milwaukee police said the car had been freshly stolen and that two people were hurt in the incident. From behind the reporter, a car can be seen veering into an intersection before leaving the roadway, jumping the curb, and smashing into a parked car.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
New: Trump Out-Raises Biden by $25 Million in April
Former President Donald Trump and the Republican party out-fundraised President Joe Biden and the Democratic National Committee by almost $25 million in April. On Monday, Team Biden said they raised over $51 million for the month, far below the $76 million that Trump and Republicans hauled in.
The Trump campaign put out a statement from press secretary Karoline Leavitt that took aim at Biden’s Hollywood connections and touted the small donors who, she said, are giving to the Trump campaign. It also touched on the trial Trump has been facing in New York, to which courthouse he has been confined, preventing him from campaigning as much as he would like.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Police Break Up Pro-Palestinian Camp at the University of Michigan
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Police broke up a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Michigan before dawn Tuesday, citing a threat to public safety and coming less than a week after demonstrators stepped up pressure by placing fake body bags on the lawn of a school official.
Officers wearing helmets with face shields cleared approximately 50 people from the Diag, known for decades as a site for campus protests. Video posted online showed police using what appeared to be an irritant to spray people, who were forced to retreat.
“UM is not a campground,” Sarah Hubbard, chair of the university’s governing board, said on the social platform X.
At least four people were arrested, which caused protesters to shift to the Washtenaw County jail where they marched outside in support of their allies.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Progressive Prosecutor in Portland, Oregon, Seeks to Fend Off Tough-on-Crime Challenger in DA Race
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — In Oregon’s Multnomah County, home to Portland, the progressive district attorney who took office during the social justice movement of 2020 is being challenged by a candidate vowing to be tough on crime, highlighting the growing pressure on liberal prosecutors across the U.S. amid voter concerns over public drug use and disorder.
District Attorney Mike Schmidt’s term began as the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota sparked nightly protests in Portland and a larger national conversation about criminal justice reform. But in the past four years, progressive DAs and candidates in liberal bastions ranging from the San Francisco Bay Area to Seattle have faced setbacks as frustrations over public safety and homelessness have risen.
Now, political experts are looking to Portland to see whether such issues could spur a similar shift in the electorate. Schmidt is being challenged by one of his own deputies, Nathan Vasquez, a prosecutor in that office for over 20 years.
“Beginning in about 2020, you see this rise of the progressive prosecutor,” said Todd Lochner, associate professor in Lewis & Clark College’s department of political science. “But some of those candidates were essentially replaced or recalled, and I think what’s going on now in the DA’s race has something to do with this backlash to what is perceived, correctly or incorrectly, as prosecutors who are not as zealous in convicting people as some might prefer.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Rudy Giuliani Pleads Not Guilty to Nine Charges in Arizona 2020 Electors Case
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to nine felony charges in an election case regarding an alternate slate of electors in Arizona for the 2020 election.
Kelli Ward, the former Arizona Republican Party chair, and at least 11 other people were also arraigned in the case on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. Ward and nine others have pleaded not guilty thus far, and her trial begins Oct. 17. They were arraigned for conspiracy, forgery and fraud charges that Arizona authorities announced last month.
There is a total of 17 defendants.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Actor Scarlett Johansson says OpenAI CEO Sam Altman used a voice similar to hers for its artificial intelligence voice software despite declining his invitation for its use, CNBC reported.
The response comes after OpenAI said it would pull its ChatGPT AI voice dubbed “Sky”, which launched last week amid controversy over it sounding like Johansson’s voice in the movie “Her.”
Johansson said Altman approached her last September and then again two days before it announced ChatGPT-4o on May 13. The actor played the voice character in the film “Her” about a man who forms a relationship with an AI virtual assistant named Samantha.
Altman tweeted the cryptic message “her” on the day OpenAI announced its new AI.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Soros DA Declines to Charge Pro-Palestinian Protester Accused of Assaulting Officer
A George Soros-funded district attorney declined to file charges against a pro-Palestinian protester who allegedly assaulted a police officer, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who campaign finance reportsindicate received roughly $2 million in support from Soros-funded PACs during his 2017 and 2021 campaigns, declined to file charges against four pro-Palestinian protesters arrested by University of Pennsylvania police while allegedly trying to occupy a campus building, according to the Inquirer. Krasner said that police did not provide sufficient evidence to justify charges against the protesters and that he is willing to reconsider charges if law enforcement provides additional evidence.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
In court papers filed ahead of a June 3 trial, special counsel David Weiss’ office suggested they would call multiple women who had relationships with Hunter Biden to testify in his felony gun case, including his ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, and the widow of his late brother Beau Biden, Hallie Biden, ABC News reported.
The revelations emerged late Monday in a trial brief filed by the government. The 97-page document includes the law and evidence prosecutors plan to use to prove that Hunter Biden committed three felonies when he procured a firearm in 2018 while under the influence of drugs.
Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty.
The filing does not name Buhle or Hallie Biden. But the descriptions make their identities clear.
“Witness 1 was previously married to the defendant,” prosecutors wrote in the filing. “They divorced in April 2017, but through 2018 she would check his vehicle from time to time because she did not want their children in a vehicle with drugs.”
Prosecutors described Witness 3 as a woman who “was in a romantic relationship with the defendant in October 2018, and before and after.”
“Witness 3 will also establish that the defendant possessed the gun and she discarded it in an outdoor trash receptacle at the Janssen’s Market in Wilmington, Delaware after removing it from his vehicle,” prosecutors wrote.
ABC News has previously reported that Hallie Biden found the Cobra 38SPL revolver and discarded it in a garbage bin.
A third unidentified woman prosecutors plan to call “was previously in a romantic relationship” with Biden and “observed the defendant using crack cocaine frequently—every 20 minutes except when he slept.”
Prosecutors in Weiss’ office also indicated that they intend to draw heavily from passages in Hunter Biden’s 2021 memoir, “Beautiful Things,” in which Biden addressed his addiction. They also plan to enter into evidence several messages that demonstrate his addiction at the time of his gun purchase, on Oct. 12, 2018.
The trial is scheduled to begin on June 3 in Wilmington, Delaware, before Judge Maryellen Noreika.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Trump Defense Rests Without Former President Taking the Stand
Update (1055ET): The defense in Donald Trump’s ‘hush money’ trial rested their case on Tuesday without the former president taking the stand, as the historic first criminal trial of a former US president enters its final stage.
Trump’s decision not to testify may have been a smart move, considering the complete debacle we saw over the past two weeks — between Judge Juan Merchan turning Trump into a free speech martyr with multiple gag orders over milquetoast public statements, and star witness Michael Cohen being “dog walked” through his lies — and finally, admitting he stolefrom the Trump Organization.
Trump’s defense team rested their case after calling just two witnesses — a paralegal working with the defense counsel, and former Cohen attorney Robert Costello — whose ‘courtroom clearing’ interactions with Merchan you can read about below.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Trump Highlights Biden Admin Authorizing ‘Deadly Use of Force’ in Mar-a-Lago Raid
The Biden administration authorized the use of deadly force during the FBI’s raid on former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in August 2022 as part of its investigation into classified records, court documents revealed.
“The FBI followed standard protocol in this search as we do for all search warrants, which includes a standard policy statement limiting the use of deadly force. No one ordered additional steps to be taken and there was no departure from the norm in this matter,” the FBI told Fox News in a statement Tuesday.
An “Operations Order” produced in discovery as part of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s alleged improper retention of classified records revealed that the “FBI believed its objective for the Mar-a-Lago raid was to seize ‘classified information, NDI, and US Government records,’“ as described in the search warrant.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Trump Becomes First Major US Presidential Candidate to Accept Crypto Donations
On Tuesday, Donald Trump for President 2024 announced that it would be accepting donations made with cryptocurrencies for the first time, making him the only major party candidate to do so.
The former president’s campaign touted the move as evidence of his commitment to stay up to date with the ever-changing financial landscape.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Trump and Biden TIED in New Hampshire: Nhjournal/Praecones Poll
Donald Trump and Joe Biden have tied in a New Hampshire poll, raising alarm bells for the Democrat candidate in the state where the Democrat candidate in presidential elections has won every year since 2000.
The NHJournal/Praecones Analytica poll found that 36.6 percent of New Hampshire voters would cast their ballot for Trump, 36.5 percent would cast their ballot for Biden, and 14.6 percent would vote for Robert F Kennedy. An Additional 12.4 percent said they wouldn’t vote for those three candidates.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Virginia Man Charged in Fatal Shooting During ‘Car Meet’ at Prince George’s Co. Shopping Center
A Stafford, Virginia, man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting that happened during a “car meet” in District Heights, Maryland, on Sunday.
Raheem Adams, 22, was arrested Wednesday morning at his Virginia home and is being held in that state, pending extradition to Maryland, according to a Prince George’s County police news release.
He’s charged with murdering 26-year-old John Phipps, of Waldorf, in the early morning hours Sunday during what police described as a “car meet” in the Great Eastern Plaza shopping center parking lot on Marlboro Pike. Officers found Phipps shot inside a vehicle. He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.
Police found another man nearby who’d also been shot, but police said his injuries were not considered life-threatening. A woman was also hospitalized for injuries that were not caused by gunshots and were not life-threatening, police said.
The shooting happened less than two weeks before new legislation goes into effect that will stiffen penalties for certain violations associated with “street meetups.”
“These car meets are a true concern to law enforcement both in our region and across the country. When the department is made aware of specific, credible intelligence, the agency plans accordingly and allocates resources to either prevent or disperse the gathering,” Prince George’s County police Chief Malik Aziz said in a news release following the shooting. “As is evident in this case, these gatherings can turn violent.”
| — Hat tip: LP | [Return to headlines] |
Bulgarian President: Victory of Ukraine Over Russia “Impossible”
He emphasized that the continuation of the war is detrimental to Ukraine, Russia, and the entire world. “Every day of this war’s continuation is devastating for Ukraine, Russia, and all of us. It inevitably affects all elections—both in Europe and in the USA, and everywhere in the world. In these and future elections, we will be choosing between war and peace. Every citizen must understand this,” Radev said.
Responding to a journalist’s question about the significance of the attempt on Robert Fico for Europe, Radev once again drew attention to the war in Ukraine. “It is unacceptable to present the continuation of the war and the impossible victory over Russia as the only possible solution,” he noted.
The president expressed concern about the increasing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as in Europe, stating that “voices for peace will be met with gunfire.” He emphasized that the attempt on a European prime minister by a radical fanatic because of his support for peace reflects a deep intolerance towards dissent and hatred. “Many politicians, parties, and media outlets have contributed to this, portraying every voice as pro-Russian, which is extremely unfair and leads to all these negative consequences,” Radev added.
Radev warned that if the war continues, Ukraine will become “a demographically devastated country, with completely destroyed infrastructure, industry, and production, and this will have extremely serious consequences not only for Ukraine but also for the entire Europe.”
The President of Bulgaria called for political efforts for peace, rather than the distribution of weapons. “With weapons or without weapons—we are heading towards the same result. We must realize this. The difference will be in thousands of human casualties and a devastated country (Ukraine), for the restoration of which we will have to pay,” he said, adding that “this is inevitable.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Court to Hear Prince’s Alleged Plot to Overthrow Germany’s Government
A would-be prince, a former judge and parliamentarian and retired military officers are among nine alleged conspirators who stand trial on Tuesday for a suspected “Reichsbuerger” plot to overthrow Germany’s democracy, Reuters reported.
Prosecutors say they were ringleaders in a terrorist plot to topple the German government and install property investor Heinrich XIII Prinz Reuss, scion of a now throneless dynasty, as a caretaker head of state.
The case, to be held in a maximum-security courtroom on the outskirts of Frankfurt, is the second to open against members of a conspiracy involving at least 27 people.
The defendants taking their seats behind bullet-proof glass on Tuesday constitute what prosecutors say would have been political and military leaders of a plot to storm parliament and detained legislators to initiate their seizure of power.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Czech Farmers Postpone Protest to June 4
Czech farmers have rescheduled their planned protest in Prague from next Wednesday to June 4, aiming to de-escalate the current tense situation and minimize risks of incidents during the demonstration.
Jan Doležal, president of the Agrarian Chamber of the Czech Republic (AK CR), announced the decision today, emphasizing the need to reduce tensions following the assassination of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. The leadership of the Agricultural Union of the Czech Republic (ZS) decided on the postponement to allow for a calmer environment. Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný (KDU-CSL) praised the decision, calling it “logical and responsible.”
Union chairman Martin Pýcha acknowledged that some public criticism might arise if farmers proceeded with the protest amidst the current tensions. “Farmers are increasingly worried about the future of agriculture in the Czech Republic and are frustrated with the coalition government’s inaction,” Pýcha stated. Despite this, farmers have decided not to cancel but to delay their protest to the first Tuesday in June.
The postponement is intended to facilitate negotiations and ensure safety. “We want to avoid exposing participants or government officials to security risks,” Doležal explained.
Previously, unions had called off a demonstration planned for Tuesday to help calm the situation after Prime Minister Fico’s assassination. Minister Výborný appreciated this move as well, hoping it would contribute to reducing tensions in the Czech Republic. He reaffirmed his invitation to negotiate with AK CR and ZS leaders on May 22, expressing his belief in constructive discussions to support Czech farmers.
Following the announcement of the new protest date, Výborný expressed confusion on social media about the farmers’ intentions. He urged the ZS to decide whether they preferred negotiations or demonstrations, particularly before the elections.
The original protest plan for Wednesday included a protest ride of agricultural machinery starting at 09:00 and concluding at 13:00, with a route passing by the Ministry of Agriculture. The protests were to culminate at 14:00 in front of the government office during a cabinet meeting.
The last significant agricultural protests in the Czech Republic occurred on March 20, involving over 1,600 tractors and other machinery. An earlier protest in Prague on March 7 saw participation from 3,000 to 4,000 farmers and 1,000 agricultural machines. Future protests are planned in Brussels and other EU countries on June 4, with Czech farmers expected to join the European protest, according to Pýcha.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Estonian PM: Sending Foreign Troops to Ukraine Will Not Automatically Trigger NATO Article 5
Some Western countries have already sent their troops to Ukraine to train Ukrainian soldiers “at their own risk.” Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated this in an interview with the Financial Times.
According to her, the defeat of foreign soldiers by Russia will not automatically trigger Article 5 of NATO’s mutual defense clause.
“I can’t imagine that if someone gets hurt there, those who sent their people will say: ‘This is Article 5. Let’s… bomb Russia.’ That’s not how it works. It’s not automatic. So these fears are unfounded,” Kallas said.
The Prime Minister believes that the West should not be afraid of sending its troops to Ukraine, but it is important to remember that there is a war going on in the country, and the presence of foreign soldiers carries risks.
It is worth noting that most Western countries are opposed to sending troops to Ukraine.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
EU and Moldova Forge Security Partnership
The European Union and Moldova have finalized a security accord, with Moldova’s Prime Minister, Dorin Recean, signing the agreement in Chisinau, while the EU’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, endorsed it on behalf of Brussels, as reported by Novinky.cz. This represents the inaugural agreement of its kind, as specified by the Union.
In a statement shared on his X network account, Borrell emphasized Moldova’s pioneering role as the first country to establish a security and defense partnership with the EU. This alliance aims to bolster Moldova’s resilience, facilitate joint responses to security threats, deepen engagement, and foster exploration of new avenues for collaboration.
As per Moldovan diplomatic sources cited by the Newsmaker news website, the agreement is designed to provide a comprehensive framework for collaborative endeavors in the realm of national defense, which are already in progress. These initiatives encompass enhancing Moldova’s resilience, supporting its defense sector through the European Peace Instrument, addressing cyber security challenges, countering disinformation, and participating in EU missions or border management operations, as outlined by the ministry.
Furthermore, there are plans for an expanded exchange of intelligence data, coupled with joint military drills and coordinated procurement of weaponry, as highlighted in media reports.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
EU Commission VP: “We Believe Our Fact-Checking is Already Influencing User Behavior”
The European Parliament (EP) elections are taking place next month and, considering that the president of the European Commission (effectively, “the EU government”) and all its commissioners are confirmed by the EP, no wonder many of them are currently on a campaign trail.
One is European Commission Vice President for Values and Transparency Vera Jourova, and she is toeing the line the EU has taken ahead of this election: fear mongering about misinformation, AI, and Russia.
This is then used to make sure current, contested, and controversial policies remain at a minimum unchanged, and best-case scenario, from the EU bureaucrats’ point of view — ramped up.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
EU Faces Funding Shortfall for Ukraine as Crisis Deepens
The European Union’s fund for Ukraine, initially set at €50 billion to support the country’s economy until 2027, is depleting faster than anticipated. Set up in February after intense negotiations, the fund aimed to stabilize Ukraine’s war-torn economy. However, Brussels now faces the challenge of maintaining financial support as the fund risks running dry sooner than expected.
By the end of 2023, nearly half of the allocated funds will have been disbursed, raising concerns about the EU’s ability to continue its financial support in the coming years. The situation is further complicated by the potential election of Donald Trump as U.S. president, which could disrupt current foreign aid dynamics.
Dimitar Bogov from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development warned of the potential economic fallout: “This will mean deterioration of macroeconomic stability. Depreciation of the currency will lead to inflation. And then we’re entering a quite dangerous situation.”
To address the looming financial gap, Brussels is exploring alternative funding mechanisms. One promising proposal, backed by the U.S., suggests using the annual profits from Russian assets frozen in the West since Putin’s invasion as collateral for a €50 billion loan for Ukraine. This approach would avoid further straining EU taxpayers’ budgets amid rising national debts across Europe.
Ukraine’s reliance on foreign aid is critical, as most of its domestic revenue is directed toward the war effort. The EU’s front-loaded funding aimed to bridge a significant budget gap in 2024, but sustaining this level of support through 2027 remains challenging.
A Ukrainian official revealed that Kyiv had successfully lobbied the EU to increase its 2024 funding from €8 billion to €16 billion to cover essential expenses such as public servant salaries and social services. However, the allocated amounts for subsequent years are set to decrease, with €5.3 billion earmarked for 2026 and only €2.1 billion for 2027.
Hungary has been vocal in its criticism of the funding allocations, pushing for a midterm review of EU support in 2026. Yet, some diplomats argue that by then, most funds will have already been disbursed, rendering the review moot.
The current funding framework includes €38 billion in budget support, with additional allocations for investments and emergency assistance, contingent upon Ukraine meeting targets related to anti-corruption and labor market reforms.
Despite recent agreements to provide Ukraine with €3 billion annually from the proceeds of Russian assets held by Euroclear, Ukrainian Justice Minister Denys Maliuska dismissed this amount as “almost nothing.”
While the EU’s staunchest supporters of Ukraine advocate for leveraging frozen Russian assets to secure a substantial loan, major EU powers like Berlin, Paris, and Rome express caution over potential legal and financial risks.
Hopes are pinned on the upcoming G7 meeting in Puglia, Italy, where Kyiv anticipates that leaders will finalize a deal to address Ukraine’s financial needs and offer a viable path forward.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
EU Leaders Split on ICC Request for Netanyahu and Hamas Arrests
European Union leaders are split over a request from International Criminal Court prosecutors for an arrest warrant to be issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
France and Belgium have publicly supported ICC prosecutor Karim Kahn’s call for the PM to be arrested over his involvement in possible crimes against humanity, insisting that the body must be allowed to act independently.
They have also backed the senior legal expert’s decision to request similar warrants for another senior Israel official, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as members of the Hamas terror group.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
EU Leaders Derided for Offering Condolences Over Iranian Helicopter Crash
EU leaders have come under fire for offering condolences after Iran’s President, Ebrahim Raisi, was killed in a helicopter crash.
President of the European Council Charles Michel, High Representative for the European Union for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell and European Commissioner Janez Lenarcic have all been criticised for publishing statements on the accident over the weekend, which killed a number of the country’s senior officials.
After the news of Raisi’s death was confirmed, Michel said that the European Union “expresses its sincere condolences” to the people who died.
“Our thoughts go to the families,” he said.
The tweet has received more than six million views, as well as numerous negative comments from senior European politicians.
“Not in my name!” posted Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
European Union Establishes Academy for Training Its Diplomats
On May 21, the Council of the European Union approved the creation of the EU Diplomatic Academy (EUDA) — the first institution in the union’s history dedicated to the professional training of diplomats. This is stated in a message from the EU Council.
The EU Diplomatic Academy is designed to train diplomats who will work in the European External Action Service. It aims to create a critical mass of European diplomats with a deep understanding of the EU’s principles, objectives, values, interests, and global role, capable of working effectively in Brussels, in EU delegations, or within national structures, according to the EU Council.
The training at the EU Diplomatic Academy will be conducted over four academic years — from 2024-2025 to 2027-2028 — in partnership with the College of Europe, a renowned European educational institution with many years of experience.
The new institution will operate under the leadership of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. It will be managed by a committee comprising one representative from each member state, the European Parliament, the EU Council, and the European Commission. The funding allocated for the EU Diplomatic Academy for the 2024-2025 period is slightly over 1.7 million euros.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Europol’s Embarrassing Data Breach Exposes Flaws in Its Anti-Encryption Stance
Just as the EU’s police organization, Europol, continues to argue in favor of introducing encryption backdoors, which would dangerously undermine security on the internet — it is proving unable to protect its own data.
And that is even with the capabilities afforded to Europol and everybody else by the encryption standards currently in place.
Namely, Europol has suffered an embarrassing data breach this May, with the database reportedly surfacing on the dark web. It is said to contain official use-only documents, internal documents, source code, and possibly also classified information.
Europol has confirmed the incident but is attempting to reassure the public that its significance is low, since allegedly, operational information has not been leaked, while its key systems are “unaffected.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Hurdles Persist for Ukrainian Doctors Seeking to Practice Medicine in Czech Republic
Despite a pressing shortage of doctors, Ukrainian medical practitioners are still encountering obstacles in practicing medicine in the Czech Republic.
More than two years after the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, no Ukrainian doctor has managed to pass the required exams to practice in the country, citing excessive formalities and challenging tests as major impediments. While the Ministry of Health has resisted changes to the process, a recent Senate proposal facilitated the participation of dentists from third countries, including Ukraine, raising questions about the disparate treatment of medical professionals.
Oksana Denysjukova, a young Ukrainian doctor, shared her experience of assisting Ukrainian patients in the Czech Republic while navigating the arduous process of preparing for approval exams. Learning Czech proved to be the most formidable challenge, reflecting the linguistic barrier faced by many foreign doctors. The stringent requirements demand expertise in the domestic healthcare system and six months of practice in an accredited hospital, adding to the financial burden for applicants.
However, bureaucratic delays and limited exam scheduling exacerbate the challenges for aspiring doctors. The state’s rigid timeline and infrequent exam announcements hinder progress, leaving doctors with a narrow window to complete the process within a stipulated timeframe. Critics argue that the system fails to account for the urgency of addressing the healthcare needs of Ukrainian refugees in the country.
While the Ministry of Health suggests alternatives such as internships under experienced doctors, it remains reluctant to streamline the approval process for foreign medical professionals. Despite calls for simplification from medical societies, no significant changes are forthcoming. In contrast, dentists from third countries may soon benefit from relaxed regulations, allowing them to work under supervision without passing exams, highlighting inconsistencies in the approach to different medical specialties.
Amid a growing shortage of general practitioners, only a fraction of Ukrainian doctors have pursued certification, with none completing the process yet. This disparity contrasts with other medical fields where foreign doctors have found employment in hospitals. The plight of Ukrainian doctors underscores the need for systemic reforms to expedite their integration into the Czech healthcare system and address critical staffing shortages.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
In 2023, a Record Number of Drug Labs Were Uncovered in the Netherlands
In 2023, Netherlands authorities uncovered a record number of 151 drug labs, marking a 44 percent increase from the previous year, as indicated in the National Overview of Drug Locations for 2023, as reported by Nu.nl.
The surge is attributed to the growing global demand for drugs, with the number of synthetic drug production sites rising from 83 in 2022 to 125 in 2023. Furthermore, heroin production sites saw a significant increase, from two in 2022 to twenty in 2023.
The majority of drug labs were concentrated in Zuid-Holland (40) and Noord-Brabant (35). Additionally, 191 locations for dumping drug waste were discovered in 2023, up from 155 in the previous year, although this trend is consistent over time.
The number of cannabis plantations decreased, with 1,230 plantations found in 2023 compared to 1,604 in 2022. Police attribute this decline to reduced focus on locating plantations and increased attention on finding drug labs due to capacity constraints. There is also a notable shift towards imported cannabis from foreign sources.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Irish Populists ‘Excluded’ From European Election TV Debates
Irish populists have been “excluded” from televised debates before the upcoming European Parliament elections, candidates running in the country have claimed.
Despite polls suggesting that a number of anti-mass migration candidates — including those with new party Independent Ireland — are in the running to be elected, neither the private Virgin Media Television nor publicly funded RTÉ have been willing to let populists on the airwaves.
This has provoked outrage from several senior candidates from across the country, who have accused Ireland’s media of acting in an unfair manner.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Klaus Schwab Quits as World Economic Forum Chairman
World Economic Forum (WEF) founder Klaus Schwab has just announced that he is resigning as executive chairman of the globalist organization.
Schwab announced his resignation in an email to WEF staff on Tuesday.
However, Schwab, who has led the organization since 1971, revealed that he is not leaving the WEF altogether.
He assured globalists that he will be moving to a non-executive chairman role, retaining significant control of the WEF’s agenda, for now at least.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Laszlo Toroczkai: Europe Threatened by Pro-Ukrainian Terrorists
The leader of the Hungarian “Our Homeland” party, a member of the national parliament, and a candidate for the European Parliament, Laszlo Toroczkai, made a statement about security in Europe. According to him, the threat to European countries comes not from Russian, but from pro-Ukrainian terrorists.
Toroczkai, known for his criticism of the European Union’s support for the Zelensky regime, expressed the belief that after the possible collapse of Ukraine, Budapest should take Transcarpathian Hungarians under its protection.
In his statement, he also expressed confidence in Ukraine’s involvement in the attempted assassination of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Meta, TikTok and X Main Targets of EU’s Big Tech Crackdown
Instagram and Facebook owner Meta, ByteDance’s TikTok, and Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) have been the primary targets of the EU’s crackdown on big tech, Brussels Signal has found.
Since October 2023, the European Commission has deployed the Digital Services Act (DSA) 56 times against major online platforms and search engines, with more than 50 per cent of the EC’s efforts having focused on these three companies.
The enforcement activities fall into two main categories: requests for information and formal proceedings.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Netherlands: Hundreds of Univ. of Amsterdam Staff & Students Put Off by Pro-Palestinian Protests
Several hundred employees and students at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) have signed a petition distancing themselves from pro-Palestinian demonstrators who are trying to force the university to cut ties with Israeli government offices, businesses, and academic institutions. In a reference to the demonstrators, who have on several occasions attempted a takeover of a UvA building, the petion stated, “The occupiers claim to speak on behalf of the students and employees, but they do not represent us.”
The petition was published in the opinions section of Folia, the student publication from the University of Amsterdam. About 350 UvA staff members signed the petition using their full name, as did dozens of students. The people who signed the petition said that they support “peaceful demonstrations condemning both Hamas and Israeli army violence.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Plasterk is Out: Who Will be the Next Candidate for Dutch Prime Minister?
Now that Ronald Plasterk (PvdA) has withdrawn from the race to become the next Dutch Prime Minister, PVV leader Geert Wilders must choose a new candidate. Several names are floating around in the political circles, but who the far-right leader will pick is still anyone’s guess.
Wilders never officially nominated Plasterk to be Prime Minister, but he was rumored to be the PVV leader’s dream candidate. After Plasterk announced on Monday that he was no longer available for the position, Wilders said that Plasterk would have been “an excellent” Prime Minister.
The names of several prominent VVD members are floating around as possible candidates, including former State Secretaries Klaas Dikhoff and Fred Teeven, former Health Minister Edith Schippers, Johan Remkes, and Paul de Krom. Dijkhoff, a favorite among Dutch voters, has said that he’s enjoying his life away from politics for the time being and “woudl rather not” take the Job. Remkes has told NOS that he has no intention of becoming Prime Minister. “I am retired in Groningen and I intend to remain so.” Others, like Teeven and Schippers, have refused to respond.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Poland Arrests Sabotage Suspects and Warns of Potential Hostile Acts by Russia
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday that three people were recently arrested on suspicion of links to foreign-sponsored sabotage, adding to nine others already under arrest.
Tusk was speaking at a weekly news conference about what steps his government was taking to protect Poland against hostile activity, including incidents with suspected links to Russian intelligence services.
“Another three people were arrested” on Monday night, Tusk said, as he praised the efficiency of Poland’s national security services. That brings the number of those under arrest to 12.
On Monday, Tusk said that nine people have been jailed on allegations of having “engaged themselves directly into acts of sabotage in Poland, on commission from Russian (intelligence) services” and described them as “hired people, sometimes from the criminal world, and nationals of Ukraine, Belarus and Poland.”
He described these acts as “beatings, arson and attempted arson.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Renowned Oncologists Demand COVID Shot Ban Over Soaring ‘Turbo Cancers’
Several of the world’s leading oncologists are calling on global governments to immediately ban Covid mRNA shots over the soaring cases of “turbo cancers” that have been linked to the injections.
As Slay News has reported, a growing number of studies and renowned experts have determined that the jabs have caused the spike in rapidly spreading cancers in the past three years.
Aside from cancers, the Covid mRNA shots have also been linked to skyrocketing sudden deaths and a range of deadly side effects such as blood clots, heart failure, and strokes.
A growing assembly of oncologists and cancer experts is raising serious concerns over the global surge in rapidly developing aggressive cancer cases, often referred to as “turbo cancers.”
Several different forms of cancer have now been found to be quickly spreading among young, healthy people.
Some doctors are reporting that they are diagnosing apparently healthy people with cancer and they are dying within a week.
The unprecedented spread of the disease has led to oncology experts dubbing the phenomenon “turbo cancer.”
The latest expert to join the assembly of oncologists is Dr. Maarten Fornerod.
Fornerod is the associate professor of Cell Biology and Pediatric Oncology at the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Salvini, Le Pen See Eye to Eye Says League on AfD
Rightwing League party leader Matteo Salvini sees eye to eye with France’s National Rally (RN) leader Marine Le Pen after RN said it would no longer sit alongside Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the European Parliament’s Identity and Democracy (ID) caucus, the League said Tuesday.
“As always, Matteo Salvini and Marine Le Pen are perfectly aligned and in agreement,” on the move, it said.
In breaking with AfD, RN cited statements on rehabilitating Nazi SS soldiers.
AfD has also taken other controversial far-right stances recently.
Le Pen is currently ahead of President Emmanuel Macron in the race to become the next French president.
She attended a rally last Sunday in Madrid hosted by Vox, which is in the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) caucus alongside Premier Giorgia Meloni’s Breothers of Italy (FdI) party, Poland’s Law and Justice party and other rightwing parties.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Select Czech Workers to Receive Salaries in Euros From Next Year
Starting next year, a segment of the Czech workforce will have the option to receive their salaries in euros or other foreign currencies, a change driven by practical demands and facilitated by an upcoming amendment to the labor code.
Currently, such payments are only possible for those working abroad, but the new regulation extends this option to workers within the Czech Republic who have significant connections to other countries.
Jakub Augusta, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, highlighted the growing interest among companies for this payment flexibility. He emphasized that salary payments in foreign currency would require mutual agreement between the employee and employer, ensuring that neither party is coerced into such an arrangement. This compromise has been accepted by the Czech National Bank (CNB), recognizing the need to balance flexibility with the effectiveness of monetary policy.
Lenka Janakova from the Chamber of Commerce pointed out that the foreign currency payment scheme would primarily benefit employees who need to cover living expenses abroad. This includes those working for Czech employers but with family or other significant ties abroad, such as cross-border commuters and expatriates.
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Marian Jurecka noted the proposal emerged from coalition negotiations and CNB considerations. The regulation stipulates a “foreign element” must be present, meaning there must be a justified reason for payments to be made in foreign currency. Companies cannot unilaterally decide to pay ordinary domestic workers in euros.
This new measure is anticipated to interest thousands of employees, including those with workplaces abroad, those studying abroad while working in the Czech Republic, and those with familial obligations in other countries. The amendment aims to reduce transaction and administrative costs for internationally operating companies and aligns with broader efforts to integrate Czech businesses more closely with the eurozone.
Bohuslav Cižek, chief economist of the Confederation of Industry and Transport, and other advocates believe the measure will enhance the labor market’s flexibility, helping companies retain quality employees and simplify accounting. Payments in euros will involve the net salary after deductions, with currency conversions adhering to CNB exchange rates.
Although the government has allowed companies to keep accounts in euros, there are no immediate plans for the full adoption of the euro or setting a date for its introduction. However, the STAN movement and President Petr Pavel have expressed support for early entry into the eurozone, urging discussions on the matter.
Radek Špicar, vice-president of the Confederation of Industry and Transport, argues that adopting the euro would enhance the competitiveness of Czech companies and attract international investment. He notes that the Czech economy has been increasingly “euroizing,” a trend that accelerated during the recent inflation crisis. However, he cautions that widespread adoption by companies may hinge on the ability to pay taxes and employees in euros, as well as the implementation of this new process by financial authorities.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Slovak Parliament Unanimously Condemns Political Violence Following Attempt on Prime Minister’s Life
Slovakia’s Parliament has unanimously voted to condemn politically motivated violence in the wake of an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico. The resolution was passed on Tuesday after the prime minister sustained multiple gunshot wounds in an attack last week.
Prime Minister Fico, who is being treated in a hospital in Banska Bystrica, is reported to be “conscious and communicative,” with medical staff working to further improve his health. The 59-year-old leader was shot in the abdomen while greeting supporters in Handlova, a town located about 140 kilometers northeast of Bratislava, the capital.
Following the attack, Fico underwent a five-hour surgery, followed by a subsequent two-hour operation on Friday. Hospital officials have confirmed that he is no longer in life-threatening condition.
All 130 lawmakers present in the Slovak Parliament approved a resolution urging political parties, civic organizations, and the media to respect election outcomes and to avoid inciting hatred against the democratically elected government. The suspect in the attack, charged with attempted murder, was ordered by a court in Pezinok to remain in custody.
Initially, government officials suspected the attack was carried out by a “lone wolf” with political motives. However, on Sunday, they indicated the possible involvement of a “third party” who may have acted to benefit the perpetrator.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
A 73-year-old British man has died and dozens more have been injured, seven of those critically, after a flight from London to Singapore suffered a period of extreme turbulence.
The flight — a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777 — had left the UK just after 10pm on Monday night, but en route to its South-East Asian destination, it experienced a period of severe turbulence as it flew through tropical thunderstorms.
The plane was then forced to make an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, hours before it was due to land in Singapore.
Singapore Airlines has confirmed that 18 individuals have been hospitalised, with another 12 “being treated in hospitals”.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The ringleader of a grooming gang that lined young girls up to be sexually abused has been jailed for a further 12 years.
Mubarek Ali, raped, violated and pimped out the girl over several years after “charming and sweet talking” a victim.
The 41-year-old was jailed 12 years ago for his part in a paedophile ring uncovered in Telford as part of Operation Chalice.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Nigel Farage Rages at ‘Middle Class’ Just Stop Oil Protester in Fiery Row: ‘This is Nonsense!’
Nigel Farage shut down a Just Stop Oil campaigner after they hit back at plans for the group to be forced to pay compensation.
The proposals, set to be backed by British Government, would see individuals, businesses or institutions who can prove that they have suffered from an illegal protest receive compensation from the climate change group.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
AP Condemns Israeli Raid, Seizure of Broadcast Equipment
Israeli authorities conducted a raid on the premises of The Associated Press, based in the southern town of Sderot, where they confiscated broadcasting equipment and a camera on Tuesday. Israeli officials justify their enforcement action, claiming infringements of the country’s recent ban on Al Jazeera, of which the AP is one among thousands of clients.
The Associated Press condemned the Israeli government’s decision emphatically, viewing it as a serious violation of their commitment to visual journalism. Lauren Easton, the Vice President of Corporate Communications at the AP lambasted the Israeli authorities stating, “The Associated Press decries in the strongest terms the actions of the Israeli government to shut down our longstanding live feed showing a view into Gaza and seize AP equipment.” She further explained that the shutdown did not relate to the content of the feed but amounted to an ill-advised use of the country’s novel foreign broadcaster law by Israeli officials. Easton called for the returned equipment and the immediate reinstatement of their live feed.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Israel’s War on Gaza Live News: Full-Scale Rafah Invasion Appears Imminent
Intense street battles continue in Gaza’s southern Rafah and northern Jabalia as Israeli troops advance into both areas, packed with terrified civilians.
| — Hat tip: JW | [Return to headlines] |
Norway, Ireland and Spain Say They Will Recognize a Palestinian State, Deepening Israel’s Isolation
Norway, Ireland and Spain said Wednesday they would recognize a Palestinian state, a historic but largely symbolic move that further deepens Israel’s isolation more than seven months into its grinding war against Hamas in Gaza. Israel immediately denounced the decisions and recalled its ambassadors to the three countries.
Palestinian leaders welcomed the announcements as an affirmation of their decades-long quest for statehood in east Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip — territories Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war and still controls.
While some 140 countries — more than two-thirds of the United Nations — recognize a Palestinian state, Wednesday’s cascade of announcements could build momentum at a time when even close allies of Israel have piled on criticism for its conduct in Gaza.
It was the second blow to Israel’s international reputation this week after the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said he would seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister. The International Court of Justice is also considering allegations of genocide that Israel has strenuously denied.
| — Hat tip: MM | [Return to headlines] |
Iran Sets Date for New Presidential Election
An extraordinary presidential election in Iran will take place on June 28, as reported by the Iranian state agency IRNA.
Candidate registration will occur from May 30 to June 3, and the election campaign period will run from June 12 to June 27.
“After reviewing the election process timeline, the heads of government branches have set June 28 as the date for the election to determine the new president,” the statement reads.
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran provides for the formation of a council to manage the country’s executive affairs for a period of 50 days and to prepare for the presidential election.
On Sunday, President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were killed in a helicopter crash.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
China Accuses the US of Prolonging Hostilities in Ukraine
At a United Nations Security Council meeting focused on arms supplies to Ukraine, China’s permanent representative accused the United States of prolonging hostilities in the country.
The representative from Beijing called on the international community to direct diplomatic efforts towards a ceasefire.
He emphasized that China is not a party to the conflict, unlike the US, which, according to him, is “prolonging the hostilities.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
China is Supplying Russia With Lethal Weapons for Use in Ukraine War, Says UK Defence Secretary
China is providing Russia with lethal aid for use in its war against Ukraine, the UK’s defence secretary has said.
Grant Shapps suggested that British and US intelligence contradicts Beijing’s previous attempts to present itself as a moderating influence on Moscow.
| — Hat tip: Dean | [Return to headlines] |
EU Approves Sending Russian Money to Ukraine — Czech FM
by RT
The EU has agreed to use the proceeds from Russian assets that the bloc has frozen to aid Ukraine, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky has said. The annual revenue from these funds is expected to be around $3 billion.
After the start of Moscow’s military campaign against Kiev in February 2022, Western states blocked around $300 billion in Russian state assets, the bulk of which is concentrated in EU countries. Moscow has denounced this latest move as “theft” and has warned of retaliation if the funds are seized or used in any way to help Ukraine.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Neocon Queen of Darkness Calls for US to Bomb Russian Targets Within Russia
Former top State Department official Victoria Nuland is back, and she’s joining the stepped-up Ukrainian government efforts to convince Western allies, including the United States, to deepen their involvement in the war with Russia.
Nuland said a recent appearance on ABC News that the Biden administration should allow Ukraine forces to mount attacks directly on Russian territory with US-supplied missiles and weapons systems. “They need to be able to stop these Russian attacks that are coming from bases inside Russia,” she said in the Sunday interview. “The United States and our allies ought to give them more help in hitting Russian bases, which heretofore we have not been willing to do.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Russia Confiscates €800 Million From Deutsche Bank, Unicredit and Commerzbank
After two years of being on the receiving end of a weaponized global reserve currency, getting booted from SWIFT, countless (toothless) sanctions and watching some $350 billion of its assets be frozen and soon confiscated, Moscow has had enough, and over the weekend the FT reported that a St Petersburg court seized around €800 million worth of assets belonging to three western banks — Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank and UniCredit.
The seizure marks one of the largest moves against western lenders since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine prompted most international lenders to withdraw or wind down their businesses in Russia. It comes after the ECB told Eurozone lenders with operations in the country to speed up their exit plans.
According to court documents, the court seized €463 million-worth of assets belonging to Italy’s UniCredit, equivalent to about 4.5% of its assets in the country, according to the latest financial statement from the bank’s main Russian subsidiary.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Chinese Scientists Near Achievement of Eternal Human Brain Preservation
Chinese scientists have made significant progress towards preserving the eternal life of the human brain, according to the Daily Mail. They have successfully frozen and thawed brain tissue.
Using human embryonic stem cells, the researchers grew organoids, which were then placed in various chemical compounds, frozen, and subsequently thawed successfully.
The thawed neurons continued to send signals normally.
“This is not only a breakthrough for neurologists who want to study new drugs, but it may also advance the fantastic idea of bringing people back to life in the future,” the publication commented.
Previously, Chinese scientists from Tsinghua University reported “significant progress” in the rehabilitation of the first patient implanted with their chip. It is reported that the Neural Electronic Opportunity chip enabled a paralyzed person to control a prosthetic arm.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
The Australian Digital ID Law (Digital ID Bill 2024), which already passed the Senate, was adopted by Australia’s House of Representatives in an 87-56 vote.
Australia is joining the EU and several countries who seek to get rid of people’s physical IDs and replace them with digital schemes that pool the most sensitive personal information into massive, centralized databases.
This is considered by opponents as a security and privacy catastrophe in the making, with many purely political (ab)uses possible down the road.
In Australia, the goal is to get government services, health insurance, taxes, etc, all linked. And to do this, the governments will spend just shy of $197 million to launch the scheme.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Macron Plans to Visit New Caledonia Amid Unrest
French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to New Caledonia on Tuesday evening in an effort to calm the situation on the French overseas territory, where unrest has erupted. Macron’s visit was announced by the French government, according to AP.
Earlier on Tuesday, an Australian Air Force transport plane evacuated stranded tourists from a small domestic airport to the capital of New Caledonia, Noumea, as rebel blockades have obstructed access to the international hub.
In New Caledonia, six people, including two gendarmes, have been killed during armed clashes, looting, and arson. Hundreds of people have been injured, raising new questions about Macron’s handling of France’s colonial legacy.
The unrest broke out on May 13 when the French legislative body in Paris was discussing constitutional amendments regarding electoral changes for New Caledonia. Opponents fear this measure will benefit pro-French politicians in New Caledonia and further marginalize the Kanak people, who have historically suffered from strict segregation and discrimination policies.
The violence is the most severe to hit New Caledonia since the 1980s when France also imposed emergency measures on the island, which became French in 1853 under Napoleon III.
Last Wednesday, Paris declared a state of emergency on the island for at least 12 days and sent 1,000 reinforcements to support security forces that had lost control of parts of the capital, Noumea.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Young Newlywed Dies Suddenly in Husband’s Arms on Honeymoon, Doctors Stunned
A young woman has tragically died on her honeymoon after suffering a massive brain aneurysm while on honeymoon in Europe.
Madison Noronha, from New South Wales (NSW) in Australia, passed away in her husband’s arms in the Netherlands.
Noronha collapsed unexpectedly while the newlywed couple was walking through Amsterdam on Wednesday.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she underwent emergency brain surgery but doctors said “nothing could be done to save her.”
During the surgery, doctors reportedly said they were stunned by what they saw.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
At Least 40 Villagers Shot Dead in Latest Violence in Nigeria’s Conflict-Hit North
Armed men attacked remote villages in north-central Nigeria, killing at least a dozen villagers during a late-night raid, authorities said Tuesday. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which follows a similar pattern of yearslong violence in the region, often attributed to conflicts over water and land between nomadic herders and rural farmers. These raids have claimed hundreds of lives in the region, as reported by AP.
Local newspaper Punch cited witnesses reporting that at least 40 people were killed in Plateau’s Wase district on Monday night. However, government officials told The Associated Press that only 12 casualties have been confirmed so far. It is common for official figures to be lower than witness accounts in such attacks.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Hundreds Rescued From Boko Haram Captivity in Nigeria
Nigerian military forces have rescued hundreds of hostages, primarily women and children, who were held captive by Boko Haram extremists in northeastern Nigeria, as repoted by AP.
According to Maj. Gen. Ken Chigbu, a senior Nigerian army officer, the 350 hostages were liberated from the Sambisa Forest, a known hideout for the extremist group, during a recent military operation. The hostages, consisting of 209 children, 135 women, and six men, were visibly exhausted and wore worn-out clothes.
Some of the rescued girls were found with babies, believed to be born from forced marriages while in captivity. One hostage, Hajara Umara, spoke of the challenges they faced, especially concerning the safety of their children, which hindered escape attempts. The military operation also resulted in the destruction of extremist hideouts and the elimination of some militants.
Boko Haram, known for its insurgency since 2009, aims to establish Islamic Shariah law in Nigeria and has caused significant casualties and displacements. This rescue effort marks a crucial step in the ongoing fight against the group’s reign of terror in the region.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Finland Proposes New Law to Curb Migration From Russia
Finland’s government introduced emergency legislation aimed at preventing asylum seekers from crossing its extensive, often snow-covered border with Russia, Reuters reports.
The proposal comes in response to what Helsinki perceives as Moscow’s politically motivated encouragement of migration since the Ukraine conflict began. Finland closed its 1,340 km (830 mile) border last year after a surge in arrivals from countries like Syria and Somalia, coinciding with its NATO membership and support for Ukraine against President Vladimir Putin’s forces.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Greece Begins Trial for Egyptians in Migrant Shipwreck
In Greece, a trial begins for nine Egyptians accused of involvement in a shipwreck that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of migrants, as reported by AP News.
The accused, most of whom are under 20 years old, risk facing life imprisonment if found guilty of multiple criminal charges related to the sinking of the fishing trawler “Adriana” in June of last year.
International human rights groups express concerns about the fairness of the trial, stating that the accused may be convicted before the completion of the investigation into the actions of the Greek coast guard during the rescue operation.
Estimates suggest that over 500 people went down with the trawler, which was en route from Libya to Italy. After the accident, 104 people were rescued, primarily migrants from Syria, Pakistan, and Egypt. Greece serves as a pivotal point on the migrant route to Europe from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Illegal Aliens Admit Flooding Border Before Election: ‘We Don’t Want Trump’
Illegal aliens are admitting that they are rushing to cross the border into the United States before the critical November presidential election.
Many say they are hoping to take advantage of Democrat President Joe Biden’s open border policies as they fear he will lose re-election.
Illegal border crossers told New York Post reporter Jennie Taer that they fear President Donald Trump will secure the Southern Border if elected in November.
After illegally crossing the Arizona border last week, two migrants from Colombia told Taer that they were concerned about the outcome of the upcoming general election.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Inside the Village at the Centre of Holland’s Fight to Ditch EU Asylum Rules…
— Locals who back Geert Wilders’ battle with Brussels say ‘refugees’ from SAFE countries have sparked crime wave and ‘people are scared’
Angry Dutch villagers who live cheek by jowl with thousands of migrants have welcomed the hard-line pledge of a new right-wing government to deport failed asylum seekers and temporarily close the country’s borders.
In recent elections the Party for Freedom, led by anti-Islam campaigner Geert Wilders, became the largest party in the Netherlands coalition government. It is determined to cut the migrant population and clear out asylum camps which have sprung up across the tiny nation.
But the plan has put them on a collision course with the EU which says they cannot form their own immigration policy — in a mirror reflection of the tensions which led to Britain’s own EU referendum, and ultimately Brexit.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
New York Migrant Complains: Not Enough Welfare, Aid
A migrant from the Dominican Republic told reporters that New York’s government is not living up to its promises to help migrants settle in American neighborhoods and to be handed freebies and jobs.
Yaniry Pena spoke through tears to WHEC-TV in a video posted Friday, and blasted officials of New York’s Monroe County for making life much harder than she expected.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
An illegal immigrant from Nicaragua was arrested on Monday in Wisconsin’s Fond du Lac County in connection with the alleged trafficking and sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl. The man was previously apprehended by Border Patrol in 2021 while crossing illegally and then released into the interior of the US with instruction to follow immigration law.
The victim’s mother, who knew the suspect, has also been taken into custody for allegedly providing her daughter to him in exchange for money. Charges were not immediately brought against the mother and suspect in the case.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Southern US Border Sees 143% Jump in Imported Malaria: CDC
Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours)
Imported malaria cases in three southern border jurisdictions more than doubled in 2023 from the year prior, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“During January—December 2023, a total of 68 imported malaria cases were identified from reportable disease surveillance systems in Pima, Arizona (18), San Diego, California (27), and El Paso, Texas (23),” the CDC said in a May 9 report.
This is 143 percent higher than the 28 cases in 2022 when there were three in Pima, 12 in San Diego, and 13 in El Paso.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Supply and Demand: Mass Migration Responsible for at Least 30 Per Cent of Rent Spike in Britain
The Conservative Party’s mass migration policies are responsible for over a third of the post-coronavirus surge in rental prices in Britain, an analysis has found.
Between mid-2021 and the end of 2023, rent rose in Britain by an average of 30 per cent, of which migration contributed 11 per cent, according to a breakdown from the Capital Economics research firm. Putting the rise into context, during the entire ten years before the coronavirus, rent only rose by 26 per cent.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
AMC Networks has hit the classic mob movie Goodfellas with a trigger warning to viewers stating that the film’s content may “offend some viewers.”
“This film includes language and/or cultural stereotypes that are inconsistent with today’s standards of inclusion and tolerance and may offend some viewers,” the warning displayed at the beginning of the film when watched at home through the channel states.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
California DEI Officer Blasted Jesus as a Capitalist Exploiter, Claims White People Have ‘Pathology’
FIRST ON FOX — A California city official tasked with fomenting an inclusive environment as part of her role has past remarks that criticize White people and Christians, describing Jesus Christ as a symbol of “capital gain.”
Carina Lieu, who uses the pronouns she and they, is an Inclusive Community Engagement Officer at the Oakland administrator’s office. She started this role in February 2023. The administrative office oversees the day-to-day operations of all city departments in accordance with the goals and policy directives of Mayor Sheng Thao and the city council.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Celebrated Transgender Inmate Charged With Raping Female Months Before Judge Tossed Related Suit
Three days after a federal judge dismissed a challenge to a California law that lets inmates with intact male genitalia and hormone levels choose women’s prisons based on gender identity, prosecutors laid out their evidence for rape charges against an incarcerated male transferred under that law, whom the judge also allowed to intervene in defense of SB 132.
U.S. District Judge Jennifer Thurston “clearly didn’t know about this rape case coming through the state court system” going back to March, Executive Director Sharon Byrne of the Women’s Liberation Front, which sponsored the lawsuit by female inmates Janine Chandler, Krystal Gonzalez, Tomiekia Johnson and Nadia Romero, told Just the News on Monday.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
“The plight of Ukrainian doctors underscores the need for systemic reforms to expedite their integration into the Czech healthcare system and address critical staffing shortages.”
Here in the Czech Republic, we are being ruled by the Ukrainians, so Czechs are the second class citizens under the Ukrainians. As a result, we are being constantly bombarded by articles about the plight of the Ukrainians.
Btw – it might be of interest but there is a some evidence that the grandfather of the current, Ukrainian Prime Minister of the Czech Republic – Pjotr Fialenko – was a director of major Psychiatric Hospital – from 1938 to 1945. For those who know a thing or two about the process of selecting people to go to concentration camps, this should ring some alarm bells.
If it quacks like a duck…
“PLA army, navy, air force and rocket forces are spending two days in the Taiwan Strait ‘testing joint combat capabilities’ by BLOCKADING the island.” —South China Morning Post (23 May 2024)
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3263719/mainland-chinese-forces-begin-military-exercises-around-taiwan-3-days-after-lai-speech
“In one of its most aggressive measures against Taiwan so far, China on Thursday launched a massive joint military exercise Thursday to BLOCKADE the island.” —StratNews Global (23 May 2024)
https://stratnewsglobal.com/world-news/heads-will-be-broken-warns-beijing-as-massive-pla-exercise-blockades-taiwan/
“Prediction: With only days left in one of the two months—May and October—with weather that doesn’t prohibit a sea invasion through the Taiwan Strait, WATCH FOR A CHINESE BLOCKADE AROUND TAIWAN. If I’m correct, then watch for the White House “Holiday Tree” lights—after many days of closed-door meetings and focus-group-testing—to be dimmed in protest.” —posted to fb (Oct 2021)
If you’re constantly surprised by the news….