Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán led thousands of Hungarians in a peace rally in Central Budapest today, calling for an end to the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, NATO concluded its largest military exercises since the Cold War.
In other news, the African National Congress party lost its parliamentary majority today in an historic election in South Africa.
To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.
Thanks to Dean, Insubria, JW, LP, McN, MM, Reader from Chicago, Upananda Brahmachari, and all the other tipsters who sent these in.
Notice to tipsters: Please don’t submit extensive excerpts from articles that have been posted behind a subscription firewall, or are otherwise under copyright protection.
Caveat: Articles in the news feed are posted “as is”. Gates of Vienna cannot vouch for the authenticity or accuracy of the contents of any individual item posted here. I check each entry to make sure it is relatively interesting, not patently offensive, and at least superficially plausible. The link to the original is included with each item’s title. Further research and verification are left to the reader.
Finland’s Economy Sees Inflation Drop and Modest GDP Growth
Finland’s inflation rate drops to 0.5%, with a slight GDP growth indicating the country’s emergence from a recent recession, as reported by YLE News.
Preliminary data for May reveals a significant slowdown in inflation compared to a year ago, largely driven by decreasing prices in housing, water, and energy.
Despite a slightly lower than expected GDP growth of 0.2% in Q1 of this year, Finland’s economy shows signs of recovery, with economists suggesting the end of the recession.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
“Democracy is on the Ballot”: California Democrats Seek to Prevent Voters From Approving New Taxes
Authored by Jonathan Turley
“Democracy is on the ballot.”
That mantra of President Joe Biden and other Democrats has suggested that “this may be our last election” if the Republicans win in 2024. A few of us have noted that the Democrats seem more keen on claiming the mantle of the defenders of democracy than actually practicing it. Democrats have sought to disqualify Donald Trump and dozens of Republicans from ballots; block third party candidates, censor and blacklist of those with opposing views; and weaponize the legal system against their opponents.
Most recently, in California, democracy is truly on the ballot and the Democrats are on the wrong side.
California has always prided itself on the ability of citizens to vote on changes in the law directly through referenda and ballot measures. That is precisely what citizens are attempting to do with a measure that would require voter approval of any tax increase, including a two-thirds vote for some local taxes. It is called the Taxpayer Protection Act and it is a duly qualified statewide ballot measure slated for the November 2024 ballot.
The state Democrats are apoplectic over the prospect of citizen control over revenue and taxes.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
AP Wire Service Partners With Outlets Funded by Liberals to Launch ‘Nonpartisan’ News Initiative
The Associated Press announced that it would partner with five other outlets to create a nonpartisan news initiative prior to the upcoming 2024 election. These outlets appear to be predominantly, if not exclusively backed by liberal donors.
The AP announced Tuesday that it would be partnering with five local outlets in order to “expand the reach of local news ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election and increasing access to AP’s nonpartisan journalism, especially in communities that may have limited access to fact-based news.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
A 70-year-old Australian woman visiting her daughter in the Big Apple was randomly assaulted by an unhinged stranger who was sprung weeks earlier for doing the same thing, The Post has learned.
Grandmother Ann Difabio entered the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall Subway Station last Thursday afternoon only to be backhanded by a 25-year-old man police later identified as Ryan Smalls, according to Difabio and police.
It was her first trip to Gotham in a decade and she was 24 days into her month-long visit.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Boeing’s historic first astronaut flight was sidelined by a last-minute problem Saturday — a blow for the aerospace giant as it tries to compete with Elon Musk’s more successful Space X fleet.
NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore, 61, and Sunita “Suni” Williams, 58, had been in their seats aboard the Starliner capsule before the launch was scrubbed with just three minutes and 50 seconds to spare.
Ground personnel helped the two out of the capsule after the mission was scrapped.
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California Sheriff Says He Will ‘Change Teams,’ Endorses Trump for 2024 Presidential Election
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has announced that he has decided to “change teams” and will be supporting former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
Bianco, who has gained a reputation in California for criticizing the state government, posted a video on social media blasting Governor Gavin Newsom as well as the state legislature, expressing his dissatisfaction with their approach to criminal justice.
Although Bianco said he would “change teams” in the video, it is unclear if he is a registered Democrat in the state of California and has run for the sheriff’s office as a non-partisan candidate.
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Disruptions at University of Chicago Graduation as School Withholds 4 Diplomas Over Protests
CHICAGO (AP) — Dozens of students protesting the war in Gaza walked out of the University of Chicago’s commencement Saturday as the school withheld the diplomas of four seniors over their involvement with a pro-Palestinian encampment.
The disruption to the rainy two-hour outdoor ceremony was brief, with shouts, boos and calls to “Stop Genocide.” A crowd of students walked out between speeches, and a demonstration followed the official ceremony. Some chanted as they held Palestinian flags, while others donned traditional kaffiyeh, black and white checkered scarves that represent Palestinian solidarity, over their robes.
Four graduating seniors, including Youssef Haweh, were informed by email in recent days that their degrees would be withheld pending a disciplinary process related to complaints about the encampment, according to student group UChicago United for Palestine.
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EPA’s New Rules on Power Plant Emissions May be Worse Than Originally Thought, New Analysis Shows
Critics of the Environmental Protection Agency’s power plant rules, which were finalized in April, warned that the rules would shut down coal-fired power plants and discourage investments in new gas plants to replace them, which would undermine grid reliability.
A new analysis shows that the rules could be more impactful than thought. Energy analysts Isaac Orr and Mitch Rolling, who publish their analyses on their “Energy Bad Boys” Substack, estimate that 5.2 million people served by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), an area covering much of the Great Plains, could experience blackouts during periods of peak demand, which includes heat waves and cold snaps.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Fellow NYC Subway Vigilante Says Daniel Penny Should be Convicted for Jordan Neely Killing
There is no solidarity among subway vigilantes.
Jordan Williams, a former FedEx worker who made national headlines after killing a man who attacked his girlfriend in a brawl on a Brooklyn J train, said he feels no empathy for fellow subway killer Daniel Penny, a former US Marine, and hopes he’s convicted.
“He’s a former Marine or whatever, that’s cool, you served the country. But just because you serve the country, that doesn’t mean you get to come back into the country and attack random people in the country for no reason,” Williams, 21, told The Post by phone this week from his home in Hollis, Queens.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Former Dem Presidential Candidate Dean Philips Calls for NY Gov to Pardon Trump
Former Democrat presidential candidate Dean Phillips has called for New York Governor Kathy Hochul to pardon Donald Trump “for the good of the country.” The call comes after Trump’s conviction on Thursday.
Rep. Phillips (D-MN), who ran a short presidential bid against President Joe Biden in the primaries took to social media to make his call for the New York governor to pardon Trump and had a few words against the 45th president as well.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Former Colleague of Alvin Bragg Slams NYC Trump Case: ‘Ill-Conceived, Unjustified Mess’
A former colleague of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has publicly criticized the case against former President Donald Trump, calling it an “ill-conceived, unjustified mess.”
In an op-ed for New York Magazine, Ellie Honig, who served alongside Bragg as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 2004 to 2012 and now works as a legal analyst for CNN, questioned the legitimacy of the entire case.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Heroic Officer Shot and Killed in Line of Duty During Minneapolis Shooting
A Minneapolis police officer was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to an active shooting incident in the Whittier neighborhood. A civilian was also killed and the gunman shot several other people, including another officer and a firefighter.
Officer Jamal Mitchell, 36, was identified by the Minneapolis Police Department on Friday as the officer who died. Officials remembered him as a “hero” who ran “towards danger” while others ran away from it.
Assistant police chief Katie Blackwell said officers responded to a shooting around 5:15 pm at an apartment complex in the Whittier neighborhood. The caller said two people had been shot. Upon arrival, a suspect shot at police, and officers returned fire.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Hunter Biden owes his ex-wife $2.9 million after a protracted legal battle — and now his one time spouse is expected to be a key witness in his looming trials.
Kathleen Buhle, who was married to the first son for 24 years before they split in 2017, claims Hunter has blown off agreed-upon alimony payments, legal fees, interest and other debts to her over the years.
Buhle sued Hunter in 2019, shortly after he married current wife Melissa Cohen.
The dispute with Buhle has been simmering in Washington, D.C. courts for years, and in 2021 Hunter was found to be in violation of his divorce settlement.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Jim Jordan Requests Bragg Testimony After Trump Verdict
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan on Friday requested testimony from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and prosecutor Matthew Colangelo for a hearing related to former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial.
Trump was convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying his business recordson Thursday, to hide a hush money payment to former porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump has maintained his innocence since the guilty verdict, and vowed to appeal the ruling, which experts have predicted will be overturned. He will be sentenced on July 11.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Justice Department Says it is Not Releasing Biden-Hur Audio Due to ‘Deepfake’ Concerns
The Department of Justice pushed back on the releasing of the audio tapes of special counsel Robert Hur’s interview with President Joe Biden, citing “deep fake” concerns.
The DOJ stated that if the audio tapes were released, they could potentially be altered by artificial intelligence and passed off as authentic.
“The passage of time and advancements in audio, artificial intelligence, and ‘deep fake’ technologies only amplify concerns about malicious manipulation of audio files,” a Friday filing obtained by Politico states.
“To be sure, other raw material to create a deepfake of President Biden’s voice is already available, but release of the audio recording presents unique risks: if it were public knowledge that the audio recording has been released, it becomes easier for malicious actors to pass off an altered file as the true recording,” the filing continued.
[Comment: This argument is bogus. The government can easily inform the public which is the real audio. I call on someone to leak the audio to a news organization.]
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Mayo Clinic’s Jab-or-Job Mandate Faces New Legal Threat as RFK Jr. Petitions SCOTUS for Students
If COVID-19 litigation were like the virus itself, George Washington University cleared its infection with a pricey therapeutic, the Mayo Clinic’s infection rebounded, and Rutgers University faces an unusually virulent strain that could spread far and wide.
A federal judge gave final approval to the $5.4 million class-action settlement submitted by GWU students and the private university blocks from the White House, in a tuition-refund lawsuit over the pandemic shuttering of classroom instruction, which outdid Cornell’s $3 million.
The amount is the same as preliminarily approved by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in December, but the 18,000 students who aren’t class representatives will get more of that money, thanks to formal objections lodged by two students.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Mega-Donor Miriam Adelson Pledges Over $100 Million to Trump Super PAC: Report
Republican donor Miriam Adelson has pledged to spend over $100 million on Donald Trump’s campaign to support him in his presidential bid. Adelson is the wife of the late billionaire Sheldon Adelson, a casino owner and political donor who gave $20 million to Trump in 2016.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
NYPD Ramps Up Security for Israel Day Parade
Security measures for the Israel Day Parade in Manhattan are ramping up as tensions continue to rise over the war in Gaza.
“Sunday’s parade is the largest celebration of its kind outside of Israel and the NYPD will be there to make sure that everything runs smoothly,” NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said Friday at a security briefing for the event.
“This is the first major, large Jewish event since October 7, and we are extremely conscious of the over 3,000 protests that took place in our city since that day,” Mayor Eric Adams added.
Adams and NYPD leadership said spectators should expect to see uniformed officers along the parade route on Fifth Avenue. There will also be an increased police presence in the surrounding area.
Parade-goers will be screened at five different entry points, according to authorities. The NYPD will also deploy specialized units, including its bike, aviation, K9, and transit teams to aid in security efforts.
“These security measures are a little bit more increased from last year, but these measures aren’t new,” said Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey. “They’re a scaled-down version of what we do on New Year’s Eve, Fourth of July, J’Ouvert celebrations.”
| — Hat tip: LP | [Return to headlines] |
A plus-size TikTok influencer has publicly criticized airport staff at Chicago O’Hare International Airport after she got stuck in a revolving door. Jae-lynn Chaney, an influencer from Washington with 136,000 followers, shared her “distressing” experience on social media.
“Recently, I had a distressing experience at Chicago O’Hare airport,” Chaney recounted online. “As a plus size ambulatory wheelchair user, I faced a significant challenge when trying to get to the baggage claim.”
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher (D-Brooklyn) — who has demonized drivers for years as she calls for “safer streets” — has racked up at least 46 traffic tickets totaling over $4,000 over the past two-and-a-half years, a review of public records by The Post found.
The socialist pol’s 2014 White Buick Encore was caught on camera blowing through a red light in the Bronx in November 2022, and ticketed for parking in front of fire hydrants at least six times, according to city records.
Her utter disregard for the rules of the road extends beyond the Big Apple: In March 2022, Albany traffic cops slapped the far-left lawmaker with an expired-meter ticket that she has yet to pay, records show.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Three Quarters of US Voters Say Country is “Out of Control” Under Biden; New Poll Finds
Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news
A whopping three quarters of voters say the US is “out of control” and on the “wrong track” under the Biden administration, according to a poll.
A Hart Research/Public Opinion Strategies/NBC News survey reveals that 73 percent of voters overall hold the opinion, making it the highest on record under any president since the tracking began.
The last time the number was this high, it was under George W. Bush in 2008, with 70 percent. The Obama administration had 65 percent expressing the same opinion.
The poll also found, like most others, that Trump is leading Biden in six of the seven swing states, including Wisconsin, where some other polls have recorded Biden having a narrow lead.
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The White House has admitted in federal court to altering the transcript of President Joe Biden’s testimony to Special Counsel Robert Hur during an investigation into Biden’s mishandling of classified documents. This revelation comes after a Heritage Foundation and Judicial Watch lawsuit demanding the release of the original recording.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Special Counsel Hur found that Biden mishandled documents at home and in his former office. Biden reportedly struggled to remember details about his life, including recalling the years he served as Vice President and when his son Beau died during interviews with Hur. The Special Counsel chose not to bring charges against Biden, citing that a jury would not convict him due to his perceived cognitive decline.
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Poilievre Vows to Reverse All of Trudeau’s Laws Attacking Legal Gun Owners
Gun owners will get a reprieve once the Conservatives are elected, Pierre Poilievre says.
Poilievre promised to reverse every law that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has implemented to attack legal gun owners.
Speaking at a news conference, Poilievre fielded a question from a concerned firearm owner about how his party planned to change the narrative around firearm ownership.
“We (will) just reverse everything that Trudeau has done,” said Poilievre.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Bundestag Calls to Mobilize 900,000 German Reservists
The head of the Bundestag Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, believes that Germany must accelerate its defense preparations in light of Russia’s actions and call up hundreds of thousands of reservists. Strack-Zimmermann made this statement in an interview with the Funke media group, cited by the newspaper Zeit.
The chair of the Bundestag Defense Committee, who is also the defense spokesperson for the Free Democratic Party, called Russia a threat to Germany’s security and urged the activation of 900,000 reservists.
Strack-Zimmermann criticized the fact that the Bundeswehr has not registered soldiers who have transitioned from active service to the reserves for decades:
“If we could mobilize at least half of them as reservists with their respective expertise, it would be an incredible asset.”
According to the Bundeswehr Reservists Association, there are currently about 900,000 reservists in Germany under the age of 65.
A few weeks ago, the association’s chairman, Patrick Sensburg, also proposed registering all former Bundeswehr service members to utilize them for internal security, national defense, and NATO defense.
The call comes amid the Bundeswehr’s struggle to recruit enough soldiers. At the end of last year, the number of soldiers decreased to 181,500, while the plan is to increase the German armed forces to 203,000 soldiers by 2031.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Czech Republic Considers Alternatives to Prison for Petty Theft Offenders
In a bid to alleviate prison overcrowding, Czech lawmakers are contemplating significant changes to the Criminal Code, particularly regarding penalties for minor offenses like theft.
The proposed amendment aims to introduce milder or alternative punishments for repeat offenders, shifting away from traditional incarceration methods. However, the fate of these reforms remains uncertain amid doubts about their approval by the current government.
Under the existing criminal framework, even minor instances of theft can lead to imprisonment, exacerbating the strain on Czech prisons, which are operating at nearly full capacity with a reported occupancy rate of 98 percent. The planned amendment seeks to address this issue by exploring alternatives such as forfeiture of property or prohibition of certain activities as viable punishments for repeated theft.
While the Ministry of Justice spearheads the proposed changes, concerns linger regarding the lengthy legislative process and the potential impact on future governments’ willingness to address the issue. Advocates emphasize the urgency of passing the reforms in the current electoral term, highlighting the unprecedented opportunity presented by Petr Fiala’s cabinet.
However, the proposed amendment faces criticism for its broad scope and potential repercussions. Critics argue that while alternative penalties are necessary, the current draft risks loosening judicial practices excessively. There are also reservations about reducing penalties for economic crimes, with fears that leniency towards minor offenses could undermine the severity of punishments for more serious offenses.
Despite these concerns, the Ministry of Justice remains optimistic about the proposed reforms, acknowledging the need for adjustments during the legislative process. As discussions continue, stakeholders advocate for a balanced approach that addresses prison overcrowding while upholding the integrity of the justice system.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
European Elections: PVV Wants to be in New European Faction With Le Pen and Meloni
The PVV wants to join the newly formed European faction of radical right-wing parties in the European Parliament. Marine Le Pen, the leader of the French Rassemblement National (formerly Front National), wants to establish such a new faction. “If we get seats, we would like to join in,” said PVV party leader Sebastiaan Stöteler in Op1
The new faction should consist of parties currently belonging to the European Conservatives and Reformists (which includes JA21 and SGP) and Identity and Democracy (of which the PVV was previously part of). The national-conservative movement of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni must also become part of the new European family that Le Pen hopes for.
Radical right-wing parties are expected to win a major victory in the European Parliament elections next week.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
France: Environmental Activist Sticks Protest Poster to Famous Monet Painting in Paris
An environmental activist was arrested Saturday after she stuck a protest sign to a Monet painting at the famed Orsay Museum in Paris.
The activist with the group Food Riposte targeted Claude Monet’s “Poppy Field” painting, affixing a sticker that covered about half of the artwork with an apocalyptic, futuristic vision of the same scene, according to The Associated Press.
The group said it’s supposed to show what the field would look like in 2100, after it’s been “ravaged by flames and drought” if more action isn’t taken against climate change.
The museum, known in French as the Musée d’Orsay, is a top tourist destination and home to some of the world’s most-loved Impressionist work.
It was not immediately clear whether the incident damaged the 151-year-old painting. The museum did not respond to the Associated Press’ request for comment.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
France: Crime Surge Expected in Paris During the Olympics
A rise in crime is anticipated in the French capital during the Summer Olympics, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau announced on Franceinfo radio.
She highlighted a likely increase in cyber-attacks during the Games.
“We expect a rise in crimes. With more tourists, this is our expectation. We’re talking about pickpocketing, offenses related to alcohol consumption, acts of violence, and possibly sexual violence,” she stated.
To address this, more judicial investigators, including those from the Paris Court of Appeal, will be brought in to ensure swift proceedings during this period, according to the prosecutor.
Previously, French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned that the Olympic opening ceremony could be moved from the Seine River to a stadium in case of a terrorist threat. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin indicated that the ceremony would accommodate 326,000 spectators, down from the initially expected 600,000.
Security for the ceremony in the Île-de-France region will be ensured by 45,000 police officers. The Paris City Hall expects about 15 million tourists to visit the city.
The Summer Olympics in Paris will take place from July 26 to August 11, followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany: Berlin Police Prepare for Major Operation Ahead of Euro 2024
In connection with the European Football Championship in June, the Berlin police are preparing for one of the largest operations in recent years, reports Tagesschau.
The police must prepare for all types of incidents, ranging from terrorist attacks and problematic or aggressive fans to demonstrations by pro-Palestinian supporters or climate activists.
According to Police Commissioner Barbara Slowik, the situation has never been as critical during her six-year tenure as it is now.
“We must constantly reassess the security situation,” she noted.
The European Championship will take place in several cities across Germany from June 14 to July 14.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany Allows Ukraine to Use German Weapons Against Russian Targets
The German government has authorized Ukraine to use German weapons to attack targets in Russia, SPIEGEL reports.
This decision comes amid increased Russian aggression in the Kharkiv region. Ukraine has long sought permission to use Western weaponry to defend against Russian incursions near the border.
According to government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit, Germany has stipulated that the weapons it supplies to Ukraine must be used in compliance with international law. Recent Russian attacks from positions near the Russian border have prompted this decision. Hebestreit emphasized Ukraine’s right to self-defense under international law.
This move aligns with similar actions by the United States, which quietly allowed Ukraine to use US weapons for limited counterattacks near Kharkiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged for the use of Western weapons following deadly bombings near the border. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has also advocated for easing restrictions on Ukrainian counterattacks.
French President Emmanuel Macron shares this stance. After a meeting with the German Chancellor, speculation arose about a change in Germany’s position on Ukrainian use of German weapons against Russia. Chancellor Scholz hinted at Ukraine’s legitimate right to defend against attacks from Russian positions.
Scholz and other German officials avoided definitive answers to avoid pressuring the US, which deliberated on a unified approach with the White House and the State Department. Berlin waited for Washington’s decision before explicitly greenlighting expanded use of German weapons.
Opposition leaders, like Left party leader Janine Wissler, criticized the decision, calling it reckless and dangerous. Every Western rocket landing in Russia heightens the risk of escalation, warned Wissler and BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht. Ukrainian military officials have stated that German-supplied weapons, including self-propelled howitzers and rocket launchers, are suitable for operations near Kharkiv. However, German-supplied air defense systems have not been deployed near the front line.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Hungarian PM Viktor Orban Leads Thousands in Budapest Pro-Peace Rally Against War in Ukraine
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban led thousands of his citizens in a peace rally in Central Budapest on Saturday, demanding an end to the war in Ukraine and to stop the escalation between the West and Russia.
The emergency break needs to be pulled to prevent the “European train hurtling toward war”, Prime Minister Orban warned as he addressed thousands gathered in the Hungarian capital to protest against the war in Ukraine and the refusal of Europe to push for peace talks.
The rally, which came less than a week before 450 million EU citizens will head to the polls to select the next European Parliament, saw thousands march from the Chain Bridge to Margaret Island in the middle of the Danube carrying banners reading “No War”.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
On June 1, Icelanders head to the polls to vote for a new president. Polling stations in Iceland opened at 9:00 AM local time and will remain open until 10:00 PM. Over 254,000 Icelanders are eligible to vote.
A total of 12 candidates are participating in the election, but the main contest is between two candidates: former Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdóttir and businesswoman Halla Tómasdóttir. According to a pre-election poll by Maskina, both candidates had 24.1% support. Scientist Halla Hrund Logadóttir was in third place with 18.4%.
To win, a candidate needs to secure a relative majority of votes, so no second round is expected. However, Icelandic media anticipate that the election will remain suspenseful until the very end.
The President of Iceland is elected for a four-year term with no limit on the number of terms. The current head of state, Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson, who has served two terms, decided not to run in the election.
The role of the president in Iceland is mostly ceremonial, but they have the authority to appoint and dismiss government members and grant pardons to convicted individuals.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
In the Czech Republic, Football Fans Storm the Field and Cause a Mass Brawl
Yesterday in Plzen, the final match of the 2023/24 Czech Cup took place between the local team Viktoria Plzen and Sparta Prague. This match ended in real drama. Sparta won with a score of 2-1, with the decisive goal scored by Veljko Birmancevic in the first minute of added time. After the final whistle, the situation completely spiraled out of control, reports Bild.
As the Sparta players began to celebrate their victory, fans of both teams stormed the field and caused a mass brawl. The players had to be urgently escorted to the locker rooms, and the police had to break up the rampaging fans.
Some fans were knocked to the ground, receiving blows with fists and feet. Sports channel commentators were also affected when an enraged fan threw a plastic chair at them.
After the mass brawl, several people ended up in hospitals. To stop the disorder, the police had to use tear gas.
[Comment: Article dated May 23, 2024.]
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Italy: US Trying to Use Courts to Stop Trump Says Salvini
Using cases like a club as they did with Berlusconi for 30 years
The United States is trying to use the courts to stop Donald Trump being elected president for the second time, ruling rightwing League party leader and deputy premier Matteo Salvini said after the presumptive Republican candidate in the November elections became the first American ex president to become a felon after his conviction on all counts in the Stormy Daniels hush money case in New York Thursday.
“In the USA they’re trying to stop Trump by using the courtrooms like a club like they did against Berlusconi for 30 years,” said Salvini, who is also transport minister.
Salvini described the hush money trial as a “political trial” and said he hoped the former real estate mogul and Apprentice star would win the November 4 election against Democratic President Joe Biden.
“I voice my solidarity and full support for Trump, in this and all his other cases,” said Salvini, referring to the former president’s three other prosecutions, for allegedly trying to rig the vote in Georgia, for allegedly taking classified documents home, and for allegedly suborning insurrection in the January 6, 2021 White House riots.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Le Pen or Macron: France is Preparing for the European Parliament Elections
In April 2022, Emmanuel Macron won the French presidential election for the second time in a row and became the first re-elected head of state in 20 years. Also competing against Macron for the second time in a row was far-right Marine Le Pen. But, unlike the 2017 election, the difference between the presidential candidates was no longer so obvious and amounted to 14 percent (Macron — 58.55% of the vote, Le Pen — 41.45%). Already in June, Le Pen’s Rassemblement National movement could take revenge on Macron’s Renaissance during the European Parliament elections. The Voice of Europe tells how the French Upright can change European politics.
Another Le Pen revenge?
Immediately after the results of the 2022 election were announced, Le Pen, speaking to her associates, called her result a victory despite actually losing.
“We would of course have liked the result to be different. But more than 43 percent of the vote is an astonishing victory. Millions of our compatriots chose the National Association. We are more determined than ever. I have neither resentment nor elation. We will not forget the ideas we represent, we have reached new heights. In this defeat I can’t help but feel hopeful,” she said.
After the defeat, there were reports that Marin might resign as leader of the National Rally party, founded by her father Jean-Marie Le Pen in 1979. Consequently, it happened — on November 5, 2022 at the congress in Paris, a new chairman was elected. He became a member of the European Parliament, Jordan Bardella. However, Le Pen remains in the management of the party and it is with her, not Bardella, that Macron intends to debate on the eve of the elections.
As the current trends in the country show, the French right may take revenge capable of changing the politics not only of the state, but of the whole Europe.
As Euronews reports, according to analysts, the French far-right is capable of forming a coalition and weakening pro-European parties. According to an exclusive poll of the publication, Le Pen’s party is gaining almost twice as much as the pro-presidential political force.
Thus, it is predicted that the far-right National Union will gain about 31.1% of votes, while the Renaissance of Emmanuel Macron is predicted at 17.5%. It is noted that the presidential party’s ratings have fallen sharply since April, unlike its rivals. The Socialists are currently in third place with 12.2%.
As journalists write, the smaller Reconquista (5.9%) of ultranationalist Eric Zemmour of the European Conservatives and Reformists faction is competing for mandates with the National Union, which is part of the Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament.
According to the latest projections, Euroskeptics and nationalists could get up to 25% of the seats in the new European Parliament. In turn, this will complicate the life of the center-right and center-left, which now have most of the mandates: the European People’s Party, the Social Democrats, the faction “Renewing Europe” and the “Greens”.
According to an Euronews study, the defeat of Macron’s party could destroy the “grand coalition” of Democrats and pro-European politicians, as the French leader’s political power plays a leading role in the alliance.
Specifics of the right-wing forces
The specificity of party elections (be it the European Parliament or internal elections) is that voters often vote not for a specific politician, as in the case of the president, but for an ideology. As studies show, nowadays the European electorate has stopped being repelled by political constructs and terms “right”/”left” parties and prefers to solve specific problems. Traditionally, far-right parties have been seen as destructive to the European Union, more oriented towards Eastern countries and financially dependent on Russia or Kyiv.
In the 2024 elections, right-wing parties gained popularity in many European countries not because of their “love” for Kyiv, but because of their program, which declares the solution of urgent problems such as class inequality, poverty, crisis and migration policy, which can be thought of as the hallmark of the right-wing.
“Flexible” position is confirmed by the words of Le Pen herself, who in March criticized Vladimir Putin for starting the war in Ukraine and, at the same time, Emmanuel Macron for wanting to send French troops to the front.
“By invading Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russia has unleashed a war on the doorstep of the EU and a geopolitical crisis that may be the most dramatic in the last 20 years,” Le Pen commented on Putin’s decision.
She called Macron’s actions “a step towards a joint war.”
“By confirming that sending ground troops is not ruled out, Emmanuel Macron has taken another step towards a joint war. Mr. Prime Minister, will you bring to the president of the republic the voice of millions of French people concerned by these comments?”, the politician said.
However, the characteristic difference of the far right is its emphasis on the internal politics of the state. For example, the leader of the Rassemblement National, Jordan Bardella, declares the defense of France’s interests above all.
Plans to withdraw from the European Union and NATO are no longer relevant. Instead, the party leadership talks about possible withdrawal from the European electricity market or rejection of free trade agreements, as well as opposition to the European “machine of rules and regulations” and its laws of “punitive ecology”.
At the same time, sensing the public discontent the French Right has associated itself with the only opposition to Macron. Therefore, the European Parliament elections should show Paris not only the support of the far-right, but also the protest of the government.
“If I win the European elections on June 9, I will ask for the dissolution of the National Assembly that same evening. The European elections should allow the French to express their opinion on the government’s policies, to express their anger at Emmanuel Macron,” Bardella claimed on April 17 on BFM.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Mental Health a Factor in Over Half of Drug-Related Deaths in Young Adults in Finland
A recent study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has revealed that mental health issues are often associated with drug-related deaths among young adults, YLE News reports.
Between 2019 and 2021, 300 individuals under the age of 30 succumbed to drug overdoses, with some victims as young as 15. The report highlights that four out of five of these deaths were males, although among minors, the fatalities were evenly split between boys and girls. Many of the individuals who fatally overdosed had prior interactions with healthcare services, indicating a known struggle with addiction. However, efforts to initiate or maintain treatment programs were often unsuccessful.
More than half of the young adults and adolescents who died from drug overdoses were found to have underlying mental health disorders. THL’s senior specialist, Sanna Rönkä, emphasized that these deaths are both premature and preventable.
The study indicates that the majority of drug overdoses are accidental, with only around five percent classified as intentional suicides. Fatal overdoses typically occur in private residences, often in the presence of another person. Interestingly, the research suggests that younger overdose victims were more likely to be with others at the time of their death. However, only a small percentage of individuals received first aid before succumbing to overdose.
The regions of Päijät-Häme and South Savo witnessed the highest number of drug-related deaths among young people. Notably, drug-related fatalities constitute the most common cause of premature death across all age groups in South Savo.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
NATO Concludes Largest Military Exercises Since the Cold War
On Friday, May 31, NATO concluded its military exercises, Steadfast Defender 2024, which have been the largest since the Cold War, reports dpa. The exercises involved over 90,000 troops, more than 50 ships, over 80 aircraft that conducted hundreds of sorties, and more than 1,100 combat vehicles from all 32 NATO member countries.
Commander of NATO forces in Europe, General Christopher G. Cavoli, noted that the exercises “demonstrated the incredible strength of the transatlantic bond between NATO allies in Europe and North America.”
“The extremely complex military operations conducted during these exercises have shown that this alliance is capable and ready to fulfill our core mission of collective defense,” Cavoli said.
On January 24, the North Atlantic Alliance announced the start of Steadfast Defender 2024, which would become NATO’s largest military exercises since 1988. Additionally, large-scale exercises have been ongoing in Lithuania since April. In certain areas of Vilnius and Kaunas, a “training” curfew was declared, during which real checkpoints with inspections were set up, although there was no ban on citizens’ movement.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Just Stop Oil Planning Mass Disruption of Summer Holiday Travel at Airports
Activist group Just Stop Oil (JSO) is planning to target airports around the UK including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Bristol and Manchester in a summer campaign aimed at disrupting air travel.
The group, which pays volunteers for their activism, is planning to stage disruption inside airpot terminals and airside by glueing themselves to airport infrastructure and aircraft preventing people from jetting off on holiday.
If successful the plans could cost airport and airliners millions in lost revenue.
Its leaders are actively contacting members to join in with the plans to block runways and cause maximum for disruption for the travelling public in a bid to stop air travel, something it sees as a highly polluting form of travel.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Viktor Orban Accused Western Countries of Trying to Drag Hungary Into War
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban believes that Western countries are attempting to involve his country in an armed conflict. According to him, this has already happened “during the First and Second World Wars.”
On one of the radio stations, Orban emphasized that in connection with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he “re-examined the documents of the negotiations between Hitler and [the ruler of the Kingdom of Hungary] Miklós Horthy.”
In Orban’s opinion, Hungary was under “enormous pressure to send more soldiers to the front as quickly as possible and more Jews to death camps.”
“I am not saying that what we are experiencing now has reached the same level, but we are moving in that direction,” said Orban.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
We Have No Plan B if Ukraine Falls, Says Estonia
Estonia considers itself a front-line state, a Nato member where its border guards stare across the Narva River at the Russian fortress of Ivangorod.
This tiny Baltic state, once a part of the Soviet Union, is convinced that once the fighting stops in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin will turn his attention to the Baltics, looking to bring countries like Estonia back under Moscow’s control.
To help stave off that possibility, Estonia’s government has poured money and weapons into Ukraine’s war effort, donating more than 1% of its GDP to Kyiv.
“If every Nato country did this,” says Estonia’s steely Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, “Ukraine would win.”
But Ukraine isn’t winning.
Short of artillery, ammunition, air defences and most of all, troops, Ukraine is struggling to hold back the sheer weight of Russian firepower, glide bombs and massed infantry assaults that often border on the suicidal.
| — Hat tip: McN | [Return to headlines] |
Israel Says Permanent Gaza Cease-Fire Plan is a ‘Nonstarter,’ Undermining Biden
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s prime minister on Saturday called a permanent cease-fire in Gaza a “nonstarter” until long-standing conditions for the ending the war are met, appearing to undermine a proposal that U.S. President Joe Biden had announced as an Israeli one.
The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office came a day after Biden outlined the plan, and as families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas called for all parties to immediately accept the proposal.
“Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas’ military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel,” the statement said. “Under the proposal, Israel will continue to insist these conditions are met before a permanent cease-fire is put in place.”
| — Hat tip: JW | [Return to headlines] |
U.S. and Britain Target Houthi Rebels in Yemen Amid Rising Shipping Attacks
In response to a recent spike in attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, U.S. and British forces conducted airstrikes against 13 Houthi targets in Yemen on Thursday.
These strikes were prompted by the Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, intensifying their assaults following the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to three U.S. officials. The Houthis reported that the airstrikes resulted in 16 deaths and 35 injuries.
American and British fighter jets, along with U.S. ships, targeted a range of Houthi assets, including underground facilities, missile launchers, command sites, and a Houthi vessel. Additionally, eight uncrewed aerial vehicles in Houthi-controlled areas were struck due to their threat to American and coalition forces. The officials provided these details anonymously as the operation is ongoing.
The Houthis’ Al Masirah news station reported that one of the airstrikes hit a radio building in the port city of Hodeida, showing footage of injured individuals being treated. Other strikes were reported near the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, and in Taiz.
Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam condemned the strikes, framing them as retaliation for Yemen’s support of Gaza. “We confirm this brutal aggression against Yemen as punishment for its position in support of Gaza,” he stated on the social platform X.
The airstrikes followed the downing of a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone in Yemen, with the Houthis claiming responsibility for the incident. This marks the third drone downing in May. Earlier in the week, a missile attack by the Houthis damaged a Greek-owned ship in the Red Sea, further escalating tensions.
Since January 12, this marks the fifth joint operation by U.S. and British forces against the Houthis. The U.S. has also conducted almost daily strikes to neutralize Houthi missiles and drones targeting ships.
The recent operations saw U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets launching from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, with additional support from other U.S. warships. The Houthis have ramped up attacks on shipping, demanding an end to the Gaza conflict, which has resulted in over 36,000 Palestinian deaths since its onset in October.
The U.S. Maritime Administration reports over 50 Houthi attacks on shipping since November, including the seizure of one vessel and the sinking of another, leading to a decline in shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Despite U.S. counterattacks, the Houthi campaign against commercial shipping continues unabated, prompting warnings from President Joe Biden and other leaders against tolerating such attacks.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
China Will Not Participate in the Ukraine Summit in Switzerland
China has confirmed that its representatives will not attend the upcoming Ukraine summit in Switzerland. This information was reported to Reuters by four sources familiar with the matter.
Beijing declined the invitation to the summit because its key condition was not met — the simultaneous participation of representatives from both Ukraine and Russia. Kyiv insisted that Russia not be invited to the summit, which led to China’s refusal.
Among other conditions put forward by China was the demand for a “fair discussion of all proposals.” This apparently refers to China’s conflict resolution plan, which calls for negotiations to begin without the prior withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.
It should be noted that Ukraine insists on discussing only its own peace formula at the summit, albeit in a reduced format.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Russia Pounds Ukraine’s Energy Sector, Kyiv Urges More Air Defence Assistance
KYIV, June 1 (Reuters) — Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones on Saturday that damaged energy facilities and critical infrastructure across Ukraine, injuring at least four people, and prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to issue a fresh plea for more air defence assistance.
The sixth major Russian air attack on the Ukrainian power sector since March damaged energy facilities in the east, centre, and west, the national grid operator Ukrenergo said.
| — Hat tip: Dean | [Return to headlines] |
Hindu Woman, 22, Raped, Filmed, Blackmailed; Sword-Wielding Muslim Accused Attempts To Kidnap Her From Wedding In MP’s Ashoknagar
Kanyakumari Dhyani Baba | HENB | Ashoknagar (MP) | June 1, 2024:: Madhya Pradesh police arrested a Muslim man for allegedly attempting to abduct a 22-year-old Hindu woman during her wedding in Madhya Pradesh’s Ashok Nagar. The woman— a sexual assault survivor— was attacked by her rapist when she was marrying another Hindu man. This happened in the state of Madhya Pradesh under BJP rule where CM Dr. Mohan Yadav is believed to be a ‘strong’ Hindutvawadi and an ‘insider’ of RSS.
A video of the incident went viral on social media on Thursday in which a group of men, including the main accused— identified as Kalu alias Salim Khan and his accomplices -can be seen waving a sword and sticks and dragging a woman out of her house in a Hindu locality.
The victim’s parents eventually fixed her marriage with another man, but on the day of the wedding, Salim, along with three other accomplices— Jodha, Shahrukh, and Sameer (all are Muslims, as reported by source) — stormed the young woman’s house and attempted to kidnap her from the wedding venue to stop her marriage. The incident occurred around 6 pm on Thursday .
The woman was saved after the timely intervention by the neighbours who gathered there after listening to the screams of the victim and her family. Initially, the accused tried to intimidate the onlookers but fled the scene as the crowd swelled, leaving the woman behind.
As per media reports, the man had raped the woman and filed the act in the past. He has used the video to defame the woman and her family. He had also threatened them to not let the woman marry anyone else.
The accomplices of Kalu alias Salim also attacked her family and broke her father’s leg and her brother’s arm.
During the chaos, the accused also threatened to harm the family of the victim and her fiance.
Police have registered two first information reports (FIRs) in the case on the complaint of the woman and her father.
“The main accused raped the 21-year old woman and shot a video of her. He was threatening the woman and her family members not to marry anyone else. Recently, the family fixed her marriage. The accused along with three others came to the woman’s house and thrashed her father, mother and brother. He tried to abduct the woman, but was saved by neighbours. He later brandished a sword and ran away from the spot”, Ashok Nagar superintendent of police (SP) Vineet Jain said.
The police registered two FIRs based on the complaints of the woman and her father. The first FIR was registered under section 376 (rape) and 363 (attempt to kidnap) on the woman’s complaint. The second FIR was registered under section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 294 (using obscene language) and 506 (criminal intimidation) on the complaint of the woman’s father.
It is difficult to say whether the “Iss Bar 400 Paar” (this time 400+) slogan of BJP is aimed to neutralise the rabid Islamic forces in India to save the peaceful Hindus in India?!
| — Hat tip: Upananda Brahmachari | [Return to headlines] |
India Holds Final Stage of Parlamentary Elections
Residents of India are voting in the final stage of parliamentary elections on Saturday, June 1. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his opponents have declared that they will win, Reuters reports.
The largest elections in the world—a seven-stage voting process in which nearly a billion people were eligible to participate—began on April 19. The results are expected to be announced on June 4.
Modi is seeking a third consecutive term as prime minister. His Hindu nationalist party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is competing against an opposition alliance of two dozen parties and is expected to secure the majority of votes.
The summer heat with unusually high temperatures has intensified voter fatigue in a country where unemployment and inflation are major concerns for the electorate. Modi and the leader of the opposition Indian National Congress, Rahul Gandhi, have predicted each other’s defeat and stated that their alliances will form the next government.
The incumbent prime minister began his campaign focusing on his achievements over the past ten years but soon shifted to attacking the opposition, accusing them of favoring India’s Muslim minority, which comprises about 200 million people.
This shift in strategy, according to analysts, was likely aimed at energizing his Hindu nationalist base after low voter turnout in the first stage of the elections raised concerns. The opposition campaign has primarily focused on “saving the constitution” from what it calls Modi’s dictatorial rule.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Thai Police Dismantle Network Illegally Assisting Foreigners: Arrest Dozens
Thai police have dismantled a significant network that illegally facilitated long-term stays for foreigners, through the use of company nominees or shell companies, officials announced on Friday, as reported by AP.
The scheme was reportedly operated by a 45-year-old Russian woman who moved to Thailand in 2012, alongside a Thai woman listed as an executive or shareholder in over 270 companies in Phuket, a southern province.
Under Thai law, foreigners can run businesses only as joint ventures with Thai partners, owning no more than 49% of the enterprise to safeguard local competitiveness. The defendants provided services enabling foreigners to be listed as business shareholders with Thai partners or to be employed by shell companies owned by Thais, thereby obtaining work permits, explained Puttidej Bunkrapue, commander of the police Economic Crime Suppression Division.
Authorities have charged 98 foreigners, including 68 Russians, with operating businesses without proper permits, an offense punishable by up to three years in prison and a one million baht ($27,000) fine. Additionally, 37 Thais face charges related to the network.
The network is believed to have been active since 2016, with a significant uptick in clients following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. As of Friday, at least 50 foreigners have been formally charged, according to chief investigator Krit Woratat.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
South Korea: Scandal at Samsung: Workers Exposed to Radiation at Work, Investigation Launched
South Korean authorities have initiated proceedings against Samsung after discovering that two workers at one of the tech giant’s factories were exposed to X-ray radiation. The two hospitalized patients exhibited “abnormal” symptoms on their fingers, according to a statement from the South Korean Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC).
In its statement, Samsung reported that two employees at its semiconductor manufacturing plant in Giheung were accidentally exposed to X-ray radiation on their hands.
“These individuals are currently undergoing medical examinations in the hospital, and Samsung is fully supporting their treatment and recovery. The company will cooperate with all relevant authorities to ensure prevention of recurrence,” Samsung stated.
The Samsung plant in Gyeonggi Province is located about 40 kilometers south of the South Korean capital, Seoul. Authorities have announced the suspension of the machine that caused the incident. The exact cause of the radiation exposure is currently unknown as the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission conducts an investigation. The commission stated it will take further action if any safety law violations are confirmed.
This is not the first time Samsung employees have been exposed to radiation. The South Korean government linked the cancer that claimed the life of a former employee in 2012 to radiation and chemical exposure during her work at one of the company’s plants. Samsung has apologized to workers who developed cancer at its factories and in 2015 established a compensation fund for them and the families of the deceased.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Party That Freed South Africa From Apartheid Loses Its 30-Year Majority in Pivotal Election
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The African National Congress party lost its parliamentary majority in a historic election result Saturday that puts South Africa on a new political path for the first time since the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule 30 years ago.
With more than 99 percent of votes counted, the once-dominant ANC had received just over 40 percent in Wednesday’s election, well short of the majority it had held since the famed all-race vote of 1994 that ended apartheid and brought it to power under Nelson Mandela. The final results are still to be formally declared by the Independent Electoral Commission, but the ANC cannot pass 50 percent and an era of coalition government — also a first for South Africa — is looming.
| — Hat tip: MM | [Return to headlines] |
El Salvador Says it Foiled a Plot to Plant Bombs on the Day of President Bukele’s Inauguration
El Salvador said authorities have broken up a plot to plant bombs around the country to coincide with President Nayib Bukele’s inauguration on Saturday.
The country’s National Police said the plot involved “veterans” of the country’s 1980-1992 civil war, an apparent reference to former leftist guerrillas.
Police posted photos of small cylinders of explosives with fuses and sacks of ammonium nitrate on the force’s social media accounts. It said the explosives had been seized in raids, and that the plot supposedly was going to target gasoline stations, supermarkets and government buildings.
It said some of the explosives were found in a raid on a former rebel stronghold, Guazapa, on the outskirts of San Salvador, the capital.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
France: Chechen Migrant Arrested for ISIS-Inspired Paris Olympics Terror Plot
PARIS (AP) — French authorities on Friday raised preliminary terrorism charges against an 18-year-old accused of a plot targeting spectators attending soccer games at the upcoming Paris Olympics. The interior minister said it was the first such thwarted plot targeting the Games, which start in eight weeks as France is on its highest threat alert level.
The man is accused of planning a “violent action” on behalf of the Islamic State group’s jihadist ideology, the national counterterrorism prosecutor’s office said in a statement Friday. The man, who was not identified, is behind held in custody pending further investigation.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany: Mannheim Anti-Islamification Rally Knife Attacker Identified as Afghan Migrant
The knifeman who launched a vicious attack against an anti-Islamification demonstration in Mannheim, Germany on Friday has been identified as a migrant from Afghanistan who came to the country ten years ago.
According to a report from Bild, Germany’s highest-circulation paper, the brutal knife attack that shocked the nation was carried out by a 25-year-old “Sulaiman A.”, a migrant who entered Germany in 2014.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Lithuania to Establish Special Agency for Migrant Reception
Lithuania is set to create a new agency dedicated to the reception and accommodation of migrants, reports LRT. The Lithuanian Seimas recently passed the relevant amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners with 96 votes in favor, one against, and nine abstentions.
The new agency will provide social, housing, and other essential services to asylum seekers, foreigners granted asylum in Lithuania, and illegal migrants awaiting deportation.
The new agency will be subordinated to the Ministry of Social Security and Labor and will include the Refugee Reception Center currently located in Rukla and the “Naujininkai” refugee camp in Vilnius.
Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite stated that the new structure will relieve border guards of the responsibility for the living conditions of migrants.
The agency will serve as a centralized hub for providing legal, social, medical, and other necessary services to migrants.
In 2021, nearly 4,200 illegal migrants crossed into Lithuania from Belarus. The vast majority of these migrants left Lithuania as soon as they were allowed to move freely.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Migrant Surge at Polish Border: Two Soldiers Hospitalized
Migrants attempting to cross the Polish border resulted in two soldiers being hospitalized due to aggressive encounters, RMF 24 reports. Over the last two days, 310 individuals tried to cross illegally, with the majority making attempts in the Podlaskie section, according to the Border Guard.
The incidents occurred in areas such as Bialowieza, Narewka, Dubicze Cerkiewne, Michalowo, and Czeremcha. The soldiers were injured while dealing with aggressive foreigners, prompting their hospitalization. Additionally, the Border Guard provided medical care to four foreigners and detained four suspected couriers.
Data from the Podlaskie Border Guard Unit indicates a significant increase in illegal border crossing attempts since May. Meanwhile, Bielsat television reported migrants crossing into Poland in groups, facilitated by organized operations and social media communication.
These methods involve sharing prices, transportation offers, and information about border conditions. The barrier at the Belarusian border, consisting of steel and electronic elements, aims to deter illegal migration, with plans for further installations along the Bug River and border rivers in Podlaskie.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Companies Scale Back Pride Month After Last Year’s Public Response Cost Them Millions
Saturday will mark the start of “Pride” month, in which advocates of LGBTQIA+ causes celebrate that movement. In recent years, June has seen major corporate chains feature an array of “Pride”-themed merchandise and decorations, though some offerings have prompted considerable backlash from a non-receptive — even hostile public — in recent years.
2023 saw major retailers such as Target become the subject of boycotts over more controversial products marketed for children. Other companies, such as Anheuser-Busch came under scrutiny over marketing campaigns that failed to resonate with their traditional clientele.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Gossip is Women’s Stuff — Pope Reportedly Said
New gaffe after use of derogatory term for gays
Pope Francis told a group of young Roman priests not to talk ill of others because “gossip is women’s stuff” during a closed-doors meeting on Thursday, the ‘Silere non possum’ website has reported.
“We wear the trousers, we must say the things,” the Argentine pontiff added, according to the report.
On Tuesday the Vatican said that Pope Francis apologized and did not want to offend anyone after using a derogatory term for homosexuality, “frociaggine”, during a meeting with over 200 Italian bishops.
The word stems from the term ‘frocio’, which translates into English as ‘faggot’.
The Argentine pontiff used it in reference to gays at seminaries, saying there was an excess of “frociaggine” in them.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
As the Gates’ readers know, Paul Weston’s book about Covid is being serialised on GoV just now. The response of our governments and “big pharma” to the “pandemic” was scandalous, but the medical-industrial complex did not spring into existence in March 2020. People were being manipulated and given ineffective medications long before the “pandemic.” The business model that sees people illegitimately designated as “patients” in need of “treatment” so they can be given ineffective and potentially harmful drugs was up and running long before Covid came along.
It is well known that SSRI drugs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) don’t work, but people are still being prescribed these “medications.” Literally – millions of people. I explain why these drugs don’t really work in my book, “Living In A Salt Land,” which is named after a passage in the seventeenth chapter of Jeremiah:
Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his [a]strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.
(Jeremiah 17:5-6 NKJV)
In the book, I argue that the CHIME principles that are now recognised as being necessary conditions for someone to have good psychological health (connectedness, hope, identity, meaning and empowerment) are being denied to millions of people, which will obviously have an effect on their psychological health and well-being.
We are supposed to believe that white people are “racist,” that they should actively experience “white guilt,” and that white people living today are guilty of the historical sin of slavery, so they should condemn themselves as uniquely wicked, and they should be prepared to pay reparations for what happened in the past.
I argue that this disempowers people who happen to have white skin, by denying them the ability to form their own identity or to assign meaning to their own life. So I argue that by denying people these CHIME principles, these attacks are not only false and fallacious, they are damaging to people’s psychological health.
Never mind though – you might feel really bad about being a nasty, intolerant, slavery-loving racist, but all you need to do is go to your doctor and get them to write out a prescription for some nice mind-altering medications, and everything will be hunky-dory.
What a system!
The book provides a series of arguments against all of this. (And more besides: multiculturalism, cancel culture, historical sin, paying reparations, unconscious bias, etc.)
I wondered if the Baron might be interested in serialising this book as well. I think it’s a good idea to share any counterarguments or information we have – I certainly didn’t write this little Kindle book for the royalties! I just want people to have access to some new ideas and arguments, in the hope that they might be able to use some of them to strengthen their own defences. So I put a short, twelve chapter, Kindle book together.
I’ve actually logged on to KDP and set the system up so the book is free for a few days. (Sunday 2nd – Wednesday 4th)
So any readers of GoV can go on to Amazon and download a free copy of the Kindle book between Sunday and Wednesday.
See what you make of it – I hope you get one or two ideas or arguments that you find useful.
It’s also on Kindle Unlimited, so if anyone has signed up for that, they can download it and read it at no cost.
Here is the link to the page on Amazon: Living In A Salt Land, by A. Sittason.