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[l] at 1/12/25 6:40pm
Slovak politicians said they were forced to change their route during a trip to Moscow Poland has banned a Slovak jet carrying a parliamentary delegation to Russia from passing through its airspace, Slovak politicians told the public broadcaster TASR on Sunday. Warsaw has contested their claim. The delegation led by Andrej Danko and Tibor Gaspar, deputy speakers of the Slovak National Council, were set to meet Russian lawmakers and government officials to discuss trade and gas supplies. Since January 1, Ukraine has stopped the transit of Russian gas through its territory, cutting the flow to several EU countries, including Slovakia. Because of Warsaw’s decision to block its airspace, the delegation had to fly over the Czech Republic and Germany, TASR wrote. “I don’t understand Poland’s position, but I accept it as a reality,” Danko told the broadcaster. He added that he wanted to shed light on life in Russia. “I want to show that people live there too, that Germans, French, Americans do business there,” Danko said. Read more Zelensky ‘a beggar and blackmailer’ – EU state’s PM Gaspar stated that the delegation had wanted to ask the state-owned gas company Gazprom to continue its supplies to Slovakia, despite Ukraine’s refusal to renew the transit contract. Bratislava is dependent on Russian gas delivered mainly via the Soviet-era pipeline running through the territory of Ukraine. The Polish Foreign Ministry provided a different account of the events. “We did not bar the Slovak side from flying [over Poland]. They just sent us incomplete documents, and after we asked them to correct them, they informed us about the change of the route,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski told reporters. The relations between Kiev and Bratislava remain tense because of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s criticism of Western military aid to Ukraine. Read more EU country’s PM threatens veto on Ukraine aid The Slovak leader had long been a proponent of a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Upon taking office in late 2023, Fico ended his country’s military assistance to Kiev and vowed to veto its potential accession to NATO. On Sunday, Fico threatened to veto proposed EU aid packages to Kiev and even suggested that he could cut electricity supplies to Ukraine. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski celebrated Ukraine’s decision to cut off the flow of Russian gas into Europe as “another victory.” Moscow has stressed that Kiev’s decision to discontinue Russian gas transit only benefits the US at the expense of its European allies. The US is the “main beneficiary of this redistribution in the Old World energy markets, and the main sponsor of the Ukrainian crisis,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

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[l] at 1/12/25 6:34pm
Denmark’s Arctic island should be an “economic objective” for Washington, James Stavridis said US President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to acquire Greenland from Denmark is not a “crazy idea,” former NATO supreme allied commander in Europe, James Stavridis, has said. He, however, dismissed the possibility of military intervention, instead advocating for economic engagement as a means to strengthen ties with the region. Speaking at ‘The Cats Roundtable’ with John Catsimatidis on WABC 770 radio on Sunday, the retired admiral described Greenland as a “strategic goldmine for the United States,” highlighting its geopolitical position and abundant natural resources. “It sits at the very top of the North Atlantic. It protects approaches to our own country – the Atlantic Ocean – so it is geographically very important,” Stavridis said. He added that the region is rich in rare minerals and likely has vast oil and gas deposits. “And it’s huge, a huge land mass. It’s three times the size of Texas,” he said, agreeing with the host that Greenland is “almost a better deal than Alaska.” Read more Greenland ‘most welcome’ to join US – Musk “And here’s my point. We already almost bought Greenland,” Stavridis said. “We almost bought it at the same time when we bought Alaska, back in the 1860s. So it’s not a crazy idea.” The former NATO commander ruled out using “military force to attack Greenland or Denmark,” arguing that the US should focus on economic engagement to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the region. “We could do an awful lot in terms of business, investment, box out the Russians, box out the Chinese, and work very closely with Greenland,” he said. He added that Greenland “doesn’t have to become the 51st state, but it could certainly be an economic objective for us.” Read more Denmark open to boosting US military presence in Greenland – Axios Trump first floated the idea of purchasing Greenland in 2019, a proposal that was swiftly rejected by Danish and Greenlandic officials. He revived the idea last month, describing the ownership of the Arctic island as an absolute necessity” for US security. Greenlandic pro-independence prime minister, Mute Egede, ruled out selling the island but said on Friday that he was “ready to talk” with Trump. “We have a desire to be the master of our own house,” he said. Although Denmark rejected Trump’s proposal, Copenhagen has reportedly floated to Trump the possibility of boosting US military presence on Greenland, which already hosts an American base. A self-governing Danish territory since 1979, Greenland has gradually been pursuing greater sovereignty. The island currently has its own government, but Denmark retains control over foreign affairs and defense.

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[l] at 1/12/25 5:27pm
The economic restrictions placed on Moscow have nothing to do with peace or morality, Sahra Wagenknecht has said Western sanctions imposed on Russia are “killing” German companies and enriching the American economy, Sahra Wagenknecht, the leader of Germany’s left-wing BSW party, said during an election conference on Sunday. The delegates of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance – Reason and Justice (BSW) gathered in the city of Bonn to adopt the platform for the Bundestag election that will take place next month. During her speech, Wagenknecht refused to blame Russia for the ongoing Ukraine conflict.  “The sanctions have nothing to do with morality, they have nothing to do with human rights, they have nothing to do with the love of peace, they are simply a stimulus program for the US economy and a killer program for German and European companies,” Wagenknecht said.  She called for the restoration of the gas imports from Russia. “We simply have to tie our energy imports with the criteria of the lowest price and not any kind of double standards or ideology,” she stated.  Read more Nord Stream pipeline should be relaunched — German chancellor candidate The left-wing politician condemned Washington’s foreign policy, alerting the audience about “the blood trail of US proxy wars” around the globe. She stressed that the German chancellor must not be “a vassal” of the US.  BSW co-leader Amira Mohamed Ali said that the party stands for “a strong, fair and sovereign Germany.”  The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party held its conference in Riesa, Saxony on Saturday. The delegates rejected a motion condemning Russia and called for a diplomatic resolution of the conflict. The snap election was called after Germany’s ruling three-party coalition collapsed last month due to disagreements over the budget. 

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[l] at 1/12/25 3:26pm
Slovakia could block aid packages for Kiev should it not resume transit of Russian gas, PM Robert Fico says Bratislava could veto the EU-wide initiatives to assist Kiev, as well as take individual action against it, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said, warning Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky against harming the bloc “for political reasons.” The PM issued the threat on Sunday during an interview with local ta3 broadcaster while speaking about the ongoing gas transit row with Kiev. Ukraine opted to terminate the transit of Russian natural gas to the EU starting this year, effectively cutting off the flow to some EU countries, including Austria, Italy, and Slovakia.  “If President Zelensky decides to harm the whole EU purely for political reasons, I speak for the Slovak government that when some aid for Ukraine is on the negotiating table, I will veto it,” Fico warned. Other retaliatory measures against Kiev could potentially include stopping the emergency electricity supply to Ukraine, halting humanitarian aid deliveries or cutting benefits received by the Ukrainian refugees who reside in Slovakia, Fico stated.  The PM reiterated his allegations against Kiev, claiming half of the money sent to Ukraine is “destined” to get stolen. When asked to elaborate, Fico did not provide specific details, arguing that rampant corruption in Ukraine is common knowledge.  Read more Zelensky ‘a beggar and blackmailer’ – EU state’s PM Fico has long been a critic of the enduring Western aid to Kiev, arguing that Ukraine cannot defeat Russia on the battlefield and should seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict instead. Immediately after assuming his position in late 2023, Fico halted military aid to Ukraine and pledged to veto the country’s potential accession to the US-led NATO bloc.  The already strained relations between Bratislava and Kiev deteriorated even further amid the gas row. Landlocked Slovakia has been heavily dependent on Russian supply, getting over 50% of its gas through the Ukrainian transit system.  Earlier this week, Fico admitted he has been getting “sick” of Zelensky sometimes, stating he was not “here to hold hands” with him. “He roams Europe begging and blackmailing, asking others for money,” Fico told the Slovak parliament’s foreign affairs committee. “This needs to stop.” Ukraine has refused to renew the gas contract under the banner of eliminating Russia’s profits. Prime Minister Denis Shmigal confirmed last week that Kiev had no plans of signing another contract with Moscow.

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[l] at 1/12/25 1:44pm
Acknowledging that reality is a major step toward bringing the conflict to an end, Michael Waltz has said It is not possible to “expel every Russian from every inch” of soil claimed by Ukraine, including the Crimean peninsula, incoming US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz has admitted. Acknowledging “that reality” has become a major step toward resolving the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, Waltz told ABC News in an interview on Sunday, adding that this idea is now in the process of being accepted by Ukraine’s backers.  “Everybody knows that this [conflict] has to end somehow diplomatically. I just don’t think it’s realistic to say we’re going to expel every Russian from every inch of Ukrainian soil. Even Crimea – President[-elect Donald] Trump has acknowledged that reality, and I think it has been a huge step forward that the entire world is acknowledging that reality,” Waltz stated. Waltz suggested that accepting the fact that returning to Ukraine’s original post-Soviet borders is unrealistic now opens the way to addressing the question of “how do we no longer perpetuate this conflict and how… we no longer allow it to escalate in a way that drags in the entire world.” Read more Trump adviser says Putin meeting preparations underway The remarks appeared to be reminiscent of statements previously made by other close Trump allies, including his vice president, J.D. Vance. Shortly ahead of the November election, Vance suggested Kiev could end up in a situation where it decides to cede some lands to Russia.  The stance signaled by the incoming US administration sharply contrasts with the goal repeatedly proclaimed by Kiev of regaining the entirety of its post-Soviet territory. This has been accompanied by an explicit refusal by Ukraine to engage in any meaningful negotiations with Russia. Moscow, however, regards the five formerly Ukrainian regions, including Kherson, Zaporozhye, Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as Crimea, as integral parts of its territory.  Crimea broke away from Ukraine in the aftermath of the 2014 Maidan coup in Kiev, joining Russia via a referendum shortly thereafter. The four other regions were incorporated into Russia in late 2022 after the local population overwhelmingly backed such a move during separate referendums. Last year, Moscow demanded that Kiev pull its troops out of the areas it still controls in its former regions in order to begin the long-stalled negotiation process.

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[l] at 1/12/25 11:48am
The outgoing US president called the move “really shameful” and “contrary to American justice” US President Joe Biden has attacked Meta for dropping its controversial third-party fact-checking program, stating the move was “completely contrary to what America is about.” The president addressed the development on Friday during a rare Q&A session with reporters at the White House. He sharply criticized Mark Zuckerberg’s company, the parent of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads for the move.  “The whole idea of walking away from fact-checking as well as not reporting anything having to do with discrimination regarding…I find it to be contrary to American justice. Telling the truth matters,” Biden stated, adding the move appeared to be “completely contrary to what America is about.” “We want to tell the truth. The idea that a billionaire can buy something and say that they won’t fact-check, and then you have millions of people reading it – I think it’s really shameful,” the president asserted.  Meta announced the drastic change to its policies earlier this week, with Zuckerberg admitting the fact-checking service has become “too politically biased” and “has destroyed more trust than they’ve created.” Read more Meta to remove tampons from men’s bathrooms – NYT “What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it’s gone too far,” the Meta CEO said.  The company now plans to introduce a model similar to the scheme used by Elon Musk’s platform X, allowing users to flag potentially misleading posts and add “community notes” to them for additional context. Meta has also opted to drop its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and revised its approach to the hiring process that previously took gender and the racial background of applicants into account. The changes have reportedly already started taking effect across the company’s offices. Examples include an order to remove tampons from male bathrooms, as well as transgender and non-binary themes having been taken off the company’s messenger.

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[l] at 1/12/25 11:18am
The potential meeting could pave the way for “possible negotiations” on Ukraine, the chancellor has said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has welcomed the idea of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump, saying it could potentially help resolve the Ukraine conflict. Scholz made the remarks on Saturday while speaking to ARD. A Trump-Putin meeting could potentially help kickstart “possible negotiations” on the Ukraine conflict and ultimately “stop the killing.” “In this respect, it is not bad news if the American president[-elect] and the Russian president want to meet,” Scholz stated. Previously, Trump announced that a meeting with Putin is being set up, signaling it would likely take place after he officially takes office on January 20. Moscow has confirmed that both Putin and Trump have expressed their readiness to communicate, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating, however, that there are still no specifics on when and where the meeting would be held. “President Putin has repeatedly stated his openness to contacts with international leaders, including the US president and, in particular, Donald Trump,” Peskov said earlier this week. Read more Trump adviser says Putin meeting preparations underway “No conditions are required for this. What is required is a mutual desire and political will to conduct a dialogue to resolve existing problems through dialogue,” he added. During his election campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged to bring the conflict between Russia and Ukraine to an end within 24 hours, yet provided no specifics on how he plans to do so. Earlier this week, the president-elect admitted that he would need up to six months after assuming office to help secure an agreement between Moscow and Kiev. Over the past few weeks, Scholz has been rumored to be seeking a meeting with the Russian president; however, Moscow has said there are no plans so far. Earlier this month, the German chancellor also refuted the rumors. The chancellor lashed out at German MP Roderich Kiesewetter for spreading rumors about the supposed trip to Moscow to meet with Putin, calling them “baseless” and “deeply inappropriate.” German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit called the claims “entirely fabricated,” “defamatory,” and “malicious,” adding that the trip “would make no sense at all.”

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[l] at 1/12/25 11:18am
The nation’s neutrality is being jeopardized by its policies on the Ukraine conflict and cooperation with the bloc, the SVP has said A gradual drift towards NATO and indirect support of Ukraine are threats to Switzerland’s neutrality and security, the conservative Swiss People’s Party (SVP) has warned, urging Defense Minister Viola Amherd to resign. In a press release on Saturday, the SVP, the Alpine country’s largest party, suggested that recent foreign policy decisions have jeopardized not only its traditional neutral position but also its defense posture. “Switzerland is no longer able to ensure the security of the country and its population on its own… [Swiss] sovereignty is in danger and has already been partially abandoned.” The Swiss Army, meanwhile, is being poorly led and managed, the SVP continued. “Amherd prefers to deal with gender issues in the army rather than with the army’s equipment. She had weapons that were ordered for Switzerland, delivered to Ukraine,” the statement said. While the SVP did not elaborate on the topic further, local media reported last summer that the US diverted Patriot missiles intended for Switzerland to Ukraine, despite contractual obligations. The party continued by saying that “anyone who gradually binds Switzerland to NATO is accepting that young Swiss people will die abroad and that Switzerland will be drawn into foreign conflicts.” The SVP stressed that those “political errors” necessitated a change in leadership, urging Amherd to step down. Read more NATO using Romania as ‘door for war’ – presidential frontrunner Switzerland, which has maintained neutrality since 1815, has refrained from delivering arms directly to Kiev, while barring other countries from re-exporting Swiss-made weapons to Ukraine, as well as other conflict zones. However, Amherd signaled last autumn that she was in favor of revising the policy preventing Swiss-made arms from being re-exported to Ukraine, arguing that the embargo was hurting the country’s industry. Bern has also supported EU sanctions against Russia over the conflict, spurring Moscow to list Switzerland as an “unfriendly nation.” In recent months, Switzerland has deepened its ties with NATO, with Amherd becoming the country’s first defense minister to attend a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in 2023.

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[l] at 1/12/25 8:35am
Preparations for a meeting between the two presidents are underway, the incoming US national security adviser says Phone talks between US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected within the “coming days and weeks,” incoming US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz believes. The potential call could serve as the foundation for further negotiations and an in-person meeting between Trump and Putin, Waltz told ABC News on Sunday.  “We have not set an exact framework for it, yet we’re working on that. But I do expect a call at least in the coming days and weeks. That will be a step and we’ll take it from there,” Waltz said. The incoming senior official did not provide any estimates on when the meeting between the two leaders would occur, stating only that preparations are underway. Previously, Trump said a meeting with Putin was being prepared, signaling that it would not likely materialize until after he is inaugurated on January 20. Moscow has repeatedly signaled its readiness to communicate with the incoming US president as well, noting, however, that no exact details on when or where the meeting would take place have been ironed out.

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[l] at 1/12/25 8:00am
A phone call between the incoming US president and the Russian leader is expected “in the coming days and weeks,” Michael Waltz has said Preparations for talks between US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are underway, incoming US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz has said. Phone conversations between the two are expected to occur in the “coming days and weeks,” Waltz believes. The incoming senior official made the remarks on Sunday in an interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl. Asked how soon the Trump-Putin meeting could happen, Waltz did not provide estimates.  “The preparations are underway,” he said. It remains unclear whether the potential meeting between Trump and Putin would involve anyone else beyond the two, Waltz added. However, phone talks are expected to occur shortly, he said.  “We have not set an exact framework for it, yet we’re working on that. But I do expect a call at least in the coming days and weeks. That will be a step and we’ll take it from there,” Waltz stated. Previously, Trump announced that a meeting with Putin is being set up, suggesting it would likely take place after he officially assumes office on January 20. Kremlin has  confirmed that both Putin and Trump have expressed intent to communicate, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating earlier this week, however, that there were still no exact details on where or when the potential meeting could take place. DETAILS TO FOLLOW

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[l] at 1/12/25 7:52am
Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz referred to “young Ukrainian men driving the latest cars or staying in five-star hotels” in the EU country Poles are “fatigued” of Ukrainian migrants in their country, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz has stated. The official partially attributed this sentiment to the sight of young men leading an ostentatious lifestyle in the EU nation instead of defending their homeland. Nearly a million Ukrainians currently reside in Poland, according to UN estimates. While Poland opened its doors to those fleeing the neighboring country following the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, attitudes towards Ukrainians among Poles have somewhat soured since then. In an interview to the Financial Times published on Sunday, Kosiniak-Kamysz said: “Of course there is fatigue in Polish society, and it is understandable especially when people here see young Ukrainian men driving the latest cars or staying in five-star hotels.” In October, the official voiced identical criticisms, arguing that young Ukrainian men flaunting their wealth were an affront to Polish taxpayers, who contribute to Warsaw’s military and financial aid to Kiev. Read more Ukraine urging EU to cut welfare payments to its citizens – EL Pais Around the same time, the Center for Public Opinion Research published a poll indicating that some 67% of Polish citizens were in favor of deporting male Ukrainian migrants back home. Referring to a recent spat over the delivery of the remaining Polish MiG-29 fighter jets, the defense chief on Sunday also suggested that the Ukrainian leadership would do well to “remember that when others were only sending helmets, we sent tanks.” In November 2024, Kosiniak-Kamysz similarly suggested that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky had a “short memory.” A month prior, Kiev slammed its NATO backers, and Poland in particular, over their failure to provide previously promised Soviet-era warplanes. Warsaw clarified that it needed the remaining MiG-29 fighter jets to ensure its own security before the F-35s that it has ordered arrive. In his interview to the FT, Kosiniak-Kamysz also ruled out deploying Polish peacekeepers to Ukraine once Kiev and Moscow seal a truce, calling for “greater burden sharing and diversification within NATO” instead.

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[l] at 1/12/25 7:51am
The tycoon’s remarks come after US President-elect Donald Trump suggested that Washington should acquire the strategic island Tech billionaire Elon Musk has expressed support for Greenland potentially becoming part of the United States, after incoming President Donald Trump renewed interest in acquiring the Danish self-governed island. Musk made the remarks on Sunday, writing on X: “If the people of Greenland want to be part of America, which I hope they do, they would be most welcome!” In doing so, he was responding to a recent poll by the University of Copenhagen indicating that the majority of Greenlanders favor independence. Musk’s comments came after Trump voiced support for the acquisition of the island, describing it as an “absolute necessity” and a “national security” matter. The president-elect first suggested purchasing Greenland during his first term in 2019, but the idea went nowhere at the time due to opposition both from Greenland and Denmark. Read more Denmark open to boosting US military presence in Greenland – Axios Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede has rejected the possibility of selling the island to the US, but said on Friday that “we are ready to talk” with Trump. He noted that “we have a desire for independence, a desire to be the master of our own house… This is something everyone should respect.” On Saturday, Axios reported, citing sources, that Denmark, Washington’s NATO ally, had sent “private messages” to Trump signaling that it is open to discussing boosting US military presence in Greenland. The island of about 60,000 people is already home to a US military base and plays a key role in NATO’s defense because of its strategic location, which allows it to control vital Arctic shipping lanes that are gradually becoming more navigable due to global warming. An autonomous territory of Denmark since 1979, Greenland has been gradually seeking more sovereignty. The island currently has its own government, but Denmark retains control over foreign affairs and defense. A 2019 poll indicated that 67.8% of Greenlanders favor independence from Denmark within the next two decades.

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[l] at 1/12/25 7:08am
The former UK prime minister has released a memoir, which hints that his career is far from over Boris Johnson’s political memoir ‘Unleashed’ was published late last year and attracted mostly negative reviews and poor sales in the UK. The review in The Guardian was titled “Memoirs of a Clown,” and another reviewer suggested that the book may have been written by Billy Bunter.  These reviews are not only unfair – they miss the point of the book and its obvious purpose. As one would expect from a work penned by Johnson, ‘Unleashed’ is well-written, wittily amusing, utterly self-serving, and replete with historical falsifications. Even so, it is a very important book – not because of its self-aggrandizing content, but because it constitutes a comprehensive manifesto for Johnson’s return to British politics. This assertion may seem fanciful to British readers, politicians and political pundits who, with very few exceptions, have assumed that Johnson’s political career ended in disgrace in 2022. That, however, in my opinion, is a mistaken assumption – based as it is upon a misunderstanding of Johnson’s extraordinary appeal as a politician and a misreading of the fragmented state of cotemporary British politics. I am not for a moment suggesting that Johnson’s return to politics will be successful. Johnson’s political ascent and dramatic downfall reveal much about contemporary politics in the West. It is true that Johnson himself does not spell out these lessons in any detail in his 772-page exculpatory tome, but they nevertheless comprise the book’s subtext. Johnson is a key transitional figure in the collapse of traditional two-party politics in the West.  Although affecting the pose of a privileged and dishevelled Tory grandee (Eton, Oxford, numerous wives and children, etc.) Johnson is, in fact, an extraordinarily effective modern celebrity populist politician of the first rank. Read more Deception, manipulation, sabotage: How the UK works to keep the Ukraine war going Johnson is cut from the same contemporary political cloth as Donald Trump and those numerous populist leaders that have attained prominence in a number of European countries in recent years – and continue to do so. Analogies have been drawn between Johnson and David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill, and they are accurate to a degree. All three politicians were despised outsiders, lacking a factional base within the Conservative Party – and all three became prime minister at a time of acute political crisis, only to be cast aside by the party when the crisis had passed. Johnson, however, is a quintessentially modern politician – as Lloyd George and Churchill, who were both born in the 19th century, could not have been. Contemporary celebrity populist leaders like Johnson emerged in the last decade, when mainstream conservative parties, riven by ideological division, collapsed – and traditional social democratic parties turned their backs, Judas-like, on their working-class supporters and adopted the political programs and ideologies of the new global elites. Thatcher and Reagan had already discredited the political programs and ideologies of the older social democratic parties – that had become increasingly irrelevant as the new global economic world order emerged in the 1980s. Who now remembers Michael Foot or his political agenda? Jeremy Corbyn and Bernie Sanders are the heirs to this failed political tradition, and modern Labour and Democratic parties have in recent years consigned these ageing survivals from last century to political oblivion. The Thatcher and Reagan revolutions also failed after a time (as Liz Truss so foolishly failed to appreciate) and new political leaders like Blair, Clinton and Starmer subsequently emerged to represent the interests of the new global economic world order.   And the unpalatable truth is that contemporary working-class voters in the West are no longer interested in the politics of Corbyn or Sanders. Nor are they any longer tolerant of the politics of Clinton and Blair. Working-class voters now crave celebrity candidates and the promise of populist quick-fixes – as they are increasingly ground down by an oppressive economic and cultural hegemony that reduces their standard of living and turns them into alienated, illiterate, rage-filled victims who seek nothing more than to recover their past prosperity. These voters now embrace “magical thinking” – a term coined by the historian Peter Gay to describe the widespread political appeal of 19th century European demagogic right-wing political leaders like Louis Napoleon and General Boulanger.    These voters are not interested in liberal democracy, social democracy, socialism or, God forbid, communism. These doctrines were, of course, rational and once progressive political ideologies that had their intellectual origins in the 18th century Enlightenment. The working class in the West has now embraced irrational populism wholeheartedly and rejected the politics of rational economic and social reform. It is one of the most egregious and persistent intellectual failings of the traditional left in the West to have failed for decades to acknowledge this fundamental historical fact. Read more This is why the working class doesn’t trust Western leftists anymore And it is a failing that now leaves them unable to understand or respond to the contempt that modern social democrats like Starmer and Kamala Harris have for them – let alone the irresistible rise of populist leaders like Donald Trump and Boris Johnson. As C. Wright Mills and Richard Hofstadter (both former Marxists and first-rate historians) correctly pointed out in seminal works in the 1950s, the 20th century working class in the West, notwithstanding Marx’s Hegelian hopes, had never been a revolutionary left-wing political force. It is even less so today – and thus the working class in the West eagerly embraces the irrational promises and “magical thinking” of right-wing populist politicians. After all, what other politicians even pretend to represent their interests?  That brings us back to Boris Johnson. Readers of ‘Unleashed’ will gain the impression that, throughout his entire political career, Johnson has been firmly committed to his key 2019 election policy of “Levelling Up” – that is improving the economic status and lives of working-class Britons who have been left behind and abandoned by globalization.   That, of course, is not true – but it is this message that Johnson repeats endlessly throughout his book. That is because it is the central plank of the populist political ideology upon which Johnson, in my opinion, intends to resurrect his political career. Johnson’s detailed political program for the future is set out in some detail in the chapter of his book titled “Some Pointers for the Future.” “Levelling Up” is, of course, the equivalent of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” illusory promise.  Johnson, of course, praises Trump throughout his book – and it is no coincidence that the avid Trump supporter Elon Musk has recently launched a remarkable and devastating attack on Prime Minister Starmer. In ‘Unleashed’, Johnson takes on the mantle of a fully fledged populist – now free of the ideological constraints imposed upon him by the Conservative Party. In those days, he could only pose as a proto-populist at best. Johnson understandably highlights his undoubted ability as an election winner. There is no untruth or false modesty in this claim. After all, he twice became mayor of London – defeating the longstanding radical Labour mayor “Red Ted” Livingstone. Nor can Johnson’s comprehensive win in the 2019 election as Conservative leader – based upon his “Levelling Up” program – be denied. After all, he delivered the Conservatives a whopping 80-seat majority, which no other contemporary Conservative politician could have possibly done. And it was Johnson who finally delivered Brexit for working-class voters who supported it en masse – in the face of brutal opposition from the global elites in Britain and the institutions that they controlled, together with a large contingent of bitter Remainer politicians within the Conservative Party. Johnson – who, like Trump, is a former celebrity television star – is an election-winning politician with extraordinary charisma and popular appeal – especially within the alienated and politically discarded UK working class.  Read more Secrets and Lies: This is how the West doomed Ukraine What then of Johnson’s political demise over the “Partygate” affair? Johnson does not dwell on this unduly in his book, and he makes something of an anodyne apology – hoping that British voters will forgive him for what, in many ways, were rather insignificant transgressions. There is no reason why they should not do so in the future.  It should be remembered that British voters did not remove Johnson as prime minister – that was done by Conservative Party Remainer MPs, the global elites and the institutions, most notably the vengeful and vindictive media, that they so comprehensively control.  As for the conflict in Ukraine, Johnson remains a strong supporter of Vladimir Zelensky. Most European populists – including Nigel Farage – have now abandoned Zelensky, but if President Trump puts a swift end to the conflict in Ukraine (as seems very likely), this may not turn out be a problem for Johnson.  On the Middle East, Johnson continues, in his book, to champion Biden’s and the Netanyahu government’s misguided and brutal policies. This, however, may not necessarily constitute an impediment to future political success for Johnson in the UK. Whether or not Johnson has a future political career – and he would only deign to come back as prospective prime minister – depends very much upon future political developments in the UK. As to that, the auguries appear favourable for a Johnson political comeback. The Starmer government is in a state of complete meltdown – and Johnson’s book is replete with criticisms of the unprincipled and incompetent Labour prime minister.  There is no doubt that Starmer’s inept government will continue to be unable to solve any of the acute social and economic problems that bedevil the UK and the majority of voters, and that it will become increasingly more unpopular the longer it remains in office. Elon Musk’s recent attack on Starmer over the “grooming“ scandal makes the prime minister’s position even more untenable. Starmer, of course, finds himself hoisted on his own politically correct petard – having used precisely the same tactic to purge the Labour Party of Jeremy Corbyn and his supporters.  The Conservative Party remains a divided and ineffective opposition – even under the leadership of Kemi Badenoch – and its long-term electoral future appears exceedingly bleak.  Johnson’s view of the Conservative Party can be gleaned from an anecdote that appears in his book, in which he recounts a conversation with an unnamed Tory MP on the eve of Johnson being deposed. The MP tells him that the Conservative Party is “a c*ntocracy – because the biggest c*nt holds most power.” The real opposition party in the UK at present is the Reform Party – led by the populist rabble-rouser Nigel Farage. Farage, however, is not really a political leader and he only reluctantly and at the last minute stayed in the UK to lead the party at last year’s election.  Read more Boris Johnson admits Ukraine conflict is a ‘proxy war’ Interestingly, Elon Musk has recently launched a bitter attack on Farage – saying he should resign as the Reform Party leader.   Furthermore, the party has only five seats in the House of Commons – hardly an effective base from which to form government, no matter how unpopular the Starmer government becomes. And (as last year’s election showed) Britain’s first past the post voting system makes it very difficult for Reform to win seats.  In the circumstances, if Johnson does return to politics (and he is only 61 this year), it will surely only be as the leader of a new populist party – made up of the current Reform Party MPs together with as many defector MPs from the Conservative Party as Johnson can attract. It is no coincidence that a lengthy list of the Conservative MPs who supported Johnson as prime minister is set out in the final chapter of his book, titled “Thanks.” Many lost office at last year’s election, but some still sit in the House of Commons and would no doubt willingly join a populist party led by Johnson.  Such a coalition makes perfect sense for both groups – in fact it is probably the only way that they will ever wield real political power. And Nigel Farage may well welcome the formation of a new party led by Johnson – he would be rewarded with a prominent role – that would have very real prospects of defeating Starmer’s Labour Party at the next election, whenever that may occur. Whatever may happen, Boris Johnson’s political career is, in my view, very far from over – and we should not forget Johnson’s witty and final defiant comment to the House of Commons after the Conservative Party had deposed him – “Hasta la vista, baby.”  If Boris Johnson does attempt to make a political comeback, no matter whether he is successful or not, it can only further seriously destabilize British politics – which is presently in a state of absolute and complete disarray.

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[l] at 1/12/25 6:31am
President-elect Donald Trump has called the catastrophe “one of the worst” in US history Los Angeles city officials have warned that the death toll from the wildfires ravaging the area may rise as search and rescue operations proceed and as firefighters struggle to contain the blazes. At least 16 people are confirmed death, 13 are missing, and over 12,000 structures have been destroyed, according to officials.    The fires have scorched 39,000 acres and forced 180,000 residents to evacuate. Strong winds, with gusts up to 100 mph (160km), are creating hazardous conditions for firefighters.  Los Angeles county sheriff Robert Luna said the death toll is expected to rise as search dogs are deployed to the devastated areas.  President-elect Donald Trump has criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of the fires, accusing him of prioritizing environmental concerns over firefighting.   “The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?” he posted on Truth Social on Sunday.   The first and largest of the wildfires is the so-called Palisades Fire, which began on January 7 in Pacific Palisades. It has now burned 23,500 acres and is only 11% contained.   California wildfires Los Angeles#California #LosAngeles #LA #forestfire #2025 pic.twitter.com/FhJ3z8aSTS— FreedomHack (@freedomhack101) January 12, 2025 A video posted on X captured a massive fire tornado, or “firenado,” forming during the Palisades Fire. This rare phenomenon, caused by intense heat and turbulent winds, creates a spinning vortex of flames that spreads fire rapidly. Another video shows bikers racing through fire-engulfed streets, documenting the neighborhood ablaze.   ??Dark hypocrisy exposedHundreds of inmates,making up one-third of the firefighting force,are battling wildfires in Southern California,according to local authorities.Yet,the US criticizes China for using forced labor,even passing laws to sanction goods allegedly produced by… pic.twitter.com/QaJxUisQvA— Tibo91 (@Tibortibor15) January 12, 2025 In Altadena and Pasadena, the Eaton Fire has caused eight fatalities and destroyed over 7,000 structures. Evacuation orders are in place for Altadena, Kinneloa Mesa, La Canada Flintridge, and parts of Pasadena and Arcadia.   ? #California’s Wildfire Crisis: A Fiery Reckoning for Leadership and Policy ‼️ #CaliforniaWildfires : California burns again, but these wildfires aren’t just #nature’s doing~ they’re the result of policy neglect and #leadership failure. Over 22,000 acres have been scorched,… pic.twitter.com/G5mJbpnbvN— Dr. Shahid Siddiqui (@shahidsiddiqui) January 12, 2025 The Kenneth Fire, which was ignited on January 9 in West Hills, has expanded to over 1,000 acres, threatening homes in Calabasas and Hidden Hills. Evacuations have been ordered for the affected neighborhoods.   California faces a new nightmare!After devastating wildfires, a massive fire tornado fueled by extreme heat and strong winds emerges, spreading flames at terrifying speed and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.#PalisadesFire #CaliforniaWildfires #wildfires https://t.co/gBZb2TrSEL pic.twitter.com/puHbqoItRd— Sneha Mordani (@snehamordani) January 12, 2025 Newsom declared a state of emergency and deployed National Guard personnel to assist. He also called for a state investigation into why the fire hydrants ran dry, a circumstance that has hampered firefighting efforts.   Absolutely insane scenes from Los Angeles.Is this the first time a major, deadly fire has been so well documented with high resolution video? I cant remember anything like this. pic.twitter.com/Ilb786Nggj— ???? ???? ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) January 12, 2025 President Joe Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration, which enables federal resources to be directed toward response and recovery operations.   READ MORE: Who to blame for deadly LA wildfires? The woke virus Investigators are looking into the causes of the blazes. There have been reports of electrical explosions preceding some of the fires.  

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[l] at 1/12/25 5:10am
High energy prices and bureaucracy are forcing companies to relocate, a European Commission draft assessment has warned The EU is losing its appeal for businesses, with many companies choosing to move to other locations, German news agency dpa reported on Saturday, citing a draft economic paper by the European Commission. The report notes that only four of the 50 largest technology companies in the world today are European. “Europe’s attractiveness as a business location is declining,” relates the report, set to be officially released next week. It notes that between 2008 and 2021, nearly a third of the so-called unicorn start-ups founded in the EU relocated their headquarters abroad, largely to the US. Unicorns are privately-owned firms worth more than $1 billion, and are often technology-focused, grow very quickly, and attract a lot of investment. By setting new industry standards through technological advancements, they are believed to benefit economies on a macro level. Some of the more prominent unicorns that were founded in Europe but later relocated their headquarters to the US are Swedish fintech Klarna, a Romanian-founded UiPath specializing in robotic processes, and Swedish music streaming service Spotify. Read more Euro falls to two-year low against dollar The draft document highlights structurally high energy prices in Europe, which are two to three times higher than in the US, as one of the major weaknesses in the bloc’s economic competitiveness. High bureaucracy is also a problem, because it increases costs and complicates the processes of establishing and maintaining businesses, hindering their ability to innovate and scale quickly. In addition, according to the report, productivity in the EU, or how much added value is created by an hour of work, has been dropping, and is way behind that of the US. The report also details a shortage of qualified workers in the bloc, which is preventing the European internal market from reaching its full potential. Commenting on the report, European MP Markus Ferber said it should be viewed as a call to action for EU policymakers, emphasizing the urgency of implementing structural reforms. “The report shows that the issue of competitiveness must be a central theme in the Commission’s work in the future. There is a risk of a significant loss of prosperity,” he stated. READ MORE: EU needs urgent economic overhaul – former ECB chief In November, former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi also warned that the EU urgently needs a major economic overhaul to regain competitiveness and prevent further decline. Draghi emphasized the need for substantial investment in innovation to close the gap with the US and China, estimating that up to €800 billion ($820 billion) annually, or about 5% of EU GDP, may be required. According to dpa, the European Commission is expected to present a major legislative proposal at the end of February to address the current economic challenges within the bloc.

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[l] at 1/12/25 4:17am
The incoming US president will find it hard to roll back the restrictions, the newspaper reports The administration of US President Joe Biden has set a sanctions trap for President-elect Donald Trump, making it politically and legally challenging to roll back sweeping measures targeting Russia’s energy sector, according to a report by the Washington Post. The newspaper claims that Biden’s actions could create significant hurdles for Trump if he seeks to lift the restrictions. Key obstacles include the legal framework under which the sanctions are authorized and the likelihood of strong congressional resistance. Republican lawmakers have previously pushed for tougher penalties, potentially complicating Trump’s efforts to reverse course. “It’s entirely up to [the next administration] to determine whether, when, and on what terms they might lift any sanctions we put in place,” a senior Biden official is quoted as saying. However, current sanctions laws give Congress the power to block any move to ease restrictions. This framework leaves Trump with limited options, potentially forcing him to maintain the pressure on Moscow despite his calls for a quick settlement in Ukraine. Michael Waltz, Trump’s incoming national security adviser, has argued for leveraging the sanctions to encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin into peace talks. In an article for The Economist before the election, Waltz wrote: “If [Putin] refuses to talk, Washington can… provide more weapons to Ukraine with fewer restrictions. Faced with this pressure, Mr. Putin will probably take the opportunity to wind the conflict down.” Targeting oil giants Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, as well as 183 oil tankers, the latest US measures are designed to strike at Russia’s energy industry, which helps fund its budget. They also tighten the US Treasury Department’s license, restricting Moscow’s ability to be paid in dollars for energy exports. The timing – just days before Trump’s inauguration – has drawn accusations from Moscow of deliberate sabotage. Read more Putin ready for ‘unconditional’ Trump meeting – Kremlin “Of course, we are aware that the administration will try to leave the most difficult legacy possible in bilateral relations to Trump and his associates,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ahead of the sanctions announcement. Biden officials have framed the sanctions as a long-term strategy. “We believe our actions are leaving a solid foundation upon which the next administration can build,” one official said, predicting the measures would cost Russia billions in monthly revenue and force “hard decisions” between sustaining its economy. With the sanctions tied to bipartisan legislation, any rollback is expected to face resistance in Congress, leaving Trump constrained as he takes office, the Washington Post added.

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[l] at 1/12/25 3:21am
Keith Kellogg says military, economic, and diplomatic efforts are needed to “change Iran for the better” US President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming special envoy on the Ukraine conflict, Keith Kellogg, has called for reviving a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. Speaking at an Iranian opposition event in Paris on Saturday, Kellogg stressed the need for comprehensive measures to encourage democratic reforms in the Islamic Republic. The event was organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), a France-based group opposing the Iranian government. Kellogg, a retired US Army lieutenant general, has attended more than one NCRI event, which analysts say suggests ties between the group and the new US administration. He has also repeatedly accused Iran of aiding Russia in the Ukraine conflict, which Moscow has denied. “These pressures are not just kinetic, not just military force, but they must be economic and diplomatic as well,” Kellogg said, adding that action “to change Iran for the better” should be taken without delay. “We must exploit the weakness we now see. The hope is there, so must too be the action,” he added, apparently referring to rising tensions in the Middle East between Iran and Israel. Read more Iran ready for nuclear talks if treated with ‘respect’ – FM Tehran has not yet commented on Kellogg’s remarks, but the Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning France for hosting a gathering by the NCRI, which Iran considers a terrorist organization. “The hosting of a terrorist group by France is a clear example of support for terrorism and a violation of the French government’s international legal obligation to combat terrorism,” the ministry stated in a post on X on Saturday. It also slammed France’s “leniency and selective approach towards terrorism.” The “maximum pressure” campaign refers to a strategy during Trump’s first term involving strict economic sanctions on Iran over the country’s uranium enrichment activities, which have long been perceived by the West as a secret attempt to develop an atomic arsenal. The sanctions were imposed after the US withdrew unilaterally from the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The agreement had limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, but Trump abandoned it in 2018, claiming the deal was inadequate to prevent Tehran’s ambitions. Since the US withdrawal, Iran has expanded its uranium enrichment program. Last month, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi reported that Iran had “dramatically” increased uranium enrichment to 60% purity, describing this development as “very concerning.” Efforts to revive the JCPOA have so far failed. READ MORE: Biden considered attack on Iranian nuclear sites – Axios Iran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes. The Islamic Republic has repeatedly criticized US sanctions, calling them illegal and unjustifiable. Earlier this month, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran remains open to nuclear negotiations but insisted that talks must be conducted “with respect.” “The more they impose sanctions and pressure on Iran, the more Iran will show resistance,” Araghchi said in an interview with the Tasnim news agency last week.

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[l] at 1/12/25 2:56am
Several embassy staff members nevertheless paid their respects to the Soviet soldiers who perished in a plane crash in North Carolina The US authorities refused to authorize a trip by Russian diplomats on Saturday to commemorate the Soviet servicemen who perished in a plane crash in North Carolina during a joint mission during World War II, according to the Russian embassy in Washington. In a post on its Telegram channel late on Saturday, the embassy expressed regret over “attempts in the West to rewrite history and belittle the greatest feat of the Soviet people in crushing” Nazi Germany. ©  Telegram/Embassy of Russia in the USA “Being in the US, we are acutely aware of the local political establishment’s desire to consign to oblivion the pages of Russian-American alliance during World War II,” the statement read. According to the embassy, the US authorities’ “refusal to authorize a trip by Russian diplomats to Elizabeth City to hold a commemorative ceremony” exemplifies these efforts. ©  Telegram/Embassy of Russia in the USA Nevertheless, at least some of the embassy staff did end up making the trip to the North Carolina city, where they laid a wreath and flowers at the site where on January 11, 1945, four Soviet servicemen and a British air force member lost their lives in a plane crash. The crew was participating in a secret project codenamed ‘Zebra’ that involved transferring seaplanes to the Soviet Union. ©  Telegram/Embassy of Russia in the USA The Russian embassy described the joint mission, which was declassified in 2012, as “one of the symbols of a combat fraternity between the USSR and the US that were fighting shoulder to shoulder against Nazi butchers.” The diplomats noted that during World War II Moscow and Washington united their forces despite their differences. The statement also emphasized the importance of preserving history for future generations and countering attempts to whitewash Nazi criminals and their accomplices. Read more Number of Russian visas issued to Americans rises Back in June, former Russian ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov told reporters that the US authorities had decided to shut down the Russia Visa Application Centers in Washington and New York. He also revealed that Washington had revoked the tax exemption status of Russian embassy workers, which he denounced as a “petty, nasty attack.”  The former ambassador claimed that the Americans were “trying… to force our diplomats to hide behind the walls of the embassy, to stop communicating and working.”  Relations between Moscow and Washington have progressively soured over the past decade. The administration of former US President Barack Obama shut down several Russian consulates after accusing Moscow of “interference” in the 2016 presidential election. Tit-for-tat measures involving the two countries’ missions further intensified after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022.

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[l] at 1/12/25 2:55am
The outgoing president has called his successor’s intentions to prosecute political opponents “outrageous” US President Joe Biden is considering issuing preemptive pardons for individuals who may be targeted by the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Trump, who defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, is set to return to the White House on January 20. “There’s still consideration... but no decision,” Biden told reporters at the White House on Friday, in response to a question regarding potential preemptive pardons. “It depends on some of the language and expectations that Trump broadcasts in the last couple days here as to what he’s going to do.” Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race in July after concerns arose within the Democratic Party following a June debate performance against Trump which raised doubts about his viability as a candidate. He ultimately endorsed Harris, who lost the general election to the Republican candidate, Trump. The president-elect has expressed intentions to prosecute perceived “enemies,” including Harris and “the most corrupt president in the history of the United States of America, Joe Biden, and the entire Biden crime family.” Trump also criticized Biden for pardoning his son Hunter in December. In a reversal of his pledge to not do so, Biden pardoned Hunter, who was convicted of tax evasion and gun charges and was set to be sentenced in December. Trump called the decision a “miscarriage of justice,” while referencing the people who were jailed for the January 6 Capitol riots. “Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The president-elect also called for investigations into former President Barack Obama and Liz Cheney, a high-profile Republican critic of Trump. Ahead of the November 2024 election, Trump threatened unprecedented prosecution for individuals he accused of potential election cheating. “Please beware this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials,” Trump posted on Truth Social. He previously claimed widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Read more Trump prosecutor resigns Trump also stated last year that he would fire Jack Smith, the Justice Department’s special counsel overseeing criminal investigations into the Republican president-elect. Smith resigned on Friday. Biden described Trump’s intentions to prosecute political opponents as “outrageous.” Asked if he would pardon himself, Biden dismissed the idea, saying, “I didn’t do anything wrong.” The president likely possesses the constitutional authority to issue broad preemptive pardons for federal offenses committed in the past, even if charges have not yet been filed. However, this authority does not apply to state crimes or future offenses. The types of pardons Biden might consider would generally fall within his executive power.

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[l] at 1/12/25 1:56am
Ivor Caplin was targeted in a child protection operation by an activist group posing as a 15-year-old boy Former Labour MP and Under-secretary for Defense Ivor Caplin has been arrested after being confronted by an activist group of “pedophile hunters” who accused him of trying to court a 15-year-old boy, officials have confirmed. On Saturday, clips emerged on social media of a man resembling Caplin being confronted by members of the Stop Stings vigilante group at a railway station and later being handcuffed by police. The group told The Sun that it had arranged a meeting with Caplin while posing as an “underage boy.” The leader of Stop Stings, Dean Rowland, claimed that the activists “had done a lot of research before this meeting took place.”  “We have been speaking to the individual for months over WhatsApp,” he noted, adding that “all of the evidence has been handed over to the police now and we hope that justice will be done.” As the activists were pressing Caplin on the alleged messages, the ex-MP denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he was not going to meet any children. Read more Musk renews attack on British PM over mass-rape scandal Following the controversy, Sussex Police confirmed that “a local 66-year-old man was arrested on Saturday, January 11 and currently remains in custody.” “This is an ongoing and active investigation.”  Ivor Caplin, a self-described “LGBT patron,” served as the MP for Hove from 1997 to 2005 and held the role of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defense under Tony Blair. He was previously suspended from the Labour Party in June 2024 due to undisclosed “serious” allegations. In the days leading up to his arrest, Caplin publicly criticized tech billionaire Elon Musk for comments directed at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and MP Jess Phillips. Musk had accused Starmer of failing to prosecute child grooming gangs – mainly consisting of Pakistani men – during his tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions and labeled Phillips a “rape genocide apologist” for rejecting calls for a public inquiry into historic child abuse. Caplin described Musk’s remarks as “completely and utterly unfound[ed]” and labeled them “unacceptable.” The tycoon responded to the news of Caplin’s arrest by writing “what a creep” on X.

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[l] at 1/12/25 12:43am
The numbers dropped by 12% in 2024, compared to the previous year Asylum applications to the EU dropped significantly in 2024, compared to the previous year, Welt am Sonntag reported on Saturday, citing data from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). According to the EUAA’s figures, a total of 1 million initial applications were submitted across the 27 EU member states, as well as Norway and Switzerland, last year, compared to 1.14 million in 2023, representing a 12% drop. Most applications came from asylum seekers of Syrian origin (15%), as well as Afghan (8.7%), Venezuelan (7.3%), and Turkish (5.5%). Germany remained the primary destination for asylum seekers, receiving 235,900 initial applications. However, the country also saw a 30.2% decrease in applications from 2023, according to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). Spain was the second most favored destination for asylum seekers among EU countries, receiving 165,300 applications, followed by France with 158,500, and Italy with 154,800. Hungary was the least popular destination, registering just 29 new asylum applications throughout the year. Budapest has repeatedly clashed with Brussels over its refusal to take in asylum seekers, calling for reforms to immigration policies within the bloc. Read more Greece found guilty over illegal expulsion of asylum seekers The EUAA noted that, despite the overall decrease, certain countries continue to face significant pressure due to stubbornly high numbers of applicants. The reduction in asylum applications comes amid ongoing discussions within the EU regarding migration policies and the distribution of refugees among member states. For instance, Sweden granted the lowest number of residence permits to asylum seekers in 2024 among EU states, its Migration Agency reported earlier this week, amid the government’s efforts to reduce immigration. The EU has continued to receive a substantial influx of refugees from Ukraine. As of October 2024, approximately 4.2 million Ukrainians have been granted temporary protection status within the bloc, providing displaced individuals with access to housing, education, and employment opportunities within host countries. READ MORE: Zelensky criticizes EU’s use of ‘cheap labor’ from Ukraine The scheme has recently been extended to March 2026, but some EU nations have been reassessing their support mechanisms, arguing that they do not have enough resources to deal with the influx of migrants.

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[l] at 1/11/25 11:36pm
The expansion of the MK Air Base is aimed at starting a conflict, Calin Georgescu has claimed NATO is using Romania as “a door for war,” aiming to launch a major offensive into Russia, independent presidential candidate Calin Georgescu has warned. During an episode of ‘The Shawn Ryan Show’ published on Saturday, Georgescu and former US Navy SEAL Shawn Ryan discussed the coup d’etat in Romania and the potential implications of the military buildup at the Mihail Kogalniceanu (MK) Air Base, the largest NATO facility near the Black Sea. The presidential candidate has raised concerns over the bloc’s military presence in Romania, warning that the country’s NATO bases could be used to trigger a war with Russia. “What is happening now in Romania and the fact that there is no reaction from abroad, especially from the United States, shows that they do not understand what is going on here. Because if they use Romania as a door for war, what would be next,” Georgescu told the host in response to a question about whether Romania is “in the midst of a coup right now.” “We do not need a war,” he said. Read more NATO’s biggest European base to be built next to Ukraine – media Romania, a NATO member since 2004, has been expanding the MK Air Base to accommodate more troops and military equipment. The project is intended to be NATO’s largest base in Europe. The development was criticized by Moscow, with Andrey Klimov, the deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, calling it a “threat for Bucharest.”  According to Klimov, the larger the “anti-Russian” military base and the “closer it is to Russia’s borders, the more likely it is to be among the first targets for retaliatory strikes.” Asked whether the base would be used to conduct “a major offensive into Russia,” Georgescu responded, “Exactly. This is the word – offensive – which is wrong. And we cannot accept this,” he stated. “Because this is not our business. It’s not our war.” Georgescu, who is known for his strong Euroskeptic and anti-NATO views, emerged as a frontrunner in Romania’s presidential race in November, securing 22.94% of the vote. His rise fueled speculation that he would push for Romania’s withdrawal from NATO or at least attempt to reduce military cooperation with it. Read more Romanian ‘election interference’ exposed as pro-EU liberal party psy-op Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the election ahead of the second-round vote, citing intelligence documents alleging “irregularities” in Georgescu’s performance. This decision sparked rounds of street protests in Bucharest. On Friday, thousands of demonstrators gathered outside Romania’s top court, demanding transparency and accusing the authorities of orchestrating an electoral coup. “Nine people inside, they decide instead of 19 million what they have to do,” the presidential candidate told the host while discussing the cancelation of the second round of the elections. “We ask for help for the democratic institutions, and we want to protect our life, our family, our nation,” he added.

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