News of the World

[kyonides]

Backlash after Trump signals US exit from WHO
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52862588

The EU urged him to reconsider the decision, while Germany's health minister called it a "disappointing setback for international health".
The head of the US Senate's health committee, a Republican like Mr Trump, said now was not the time to leave.
Mr Trump said the WHO had failed to hold China to account over coronavirus.

So not all of the Republicans agreed with Trump on exiting WHO probably next year.
Of course, BBC didn't waste its time and included China's view as well. They called US government's response incompetent.

Belgian Prince Joachim tests positive after lockdown party
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52864072

Prince Joachim, 28, travelled from Belgium to Spain for an internship on 26 May, the palace said.
Two days later, he went to a party in the southern city of Córdoba, before testing positive for Covid-19.

Yeah, he had made a very responsible decision...

Nasa astronauts begin historic mission on private spaceship
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-52855029
Now you can really say space has become private! You don't believe me!? Then read this!

Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are not only trialling a new capsule system, they are also initiating a new business model for Nasa.
The agency will no longer own the vehicles it uses but merely purchase the "taxi" service offered by SpaceX.
The new capability the CEO is offering will end the reliance of Nasa on Russian rockets and capsules to get its people to the International Space Station (ISS).

Now you can't deny it. Plus, I dunno what Obama was thinking, USA should have NEVER depended on Russia to send stuff to space.

By the way, the ship's name is Endeavour.


Italy's Tower of Pisa reopens after three months shut
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52861617

Tourists have to wear face masks and an electronic device which sends out signals and sounds if anyone gets within a metre of anyone else.

If you wanna visit the tower now you can, but it won't be as delightful as before.  

Trump targets China over Hong Kong security law
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52856876
They had been fiddling with the idea, now they no longer care about Hong Kong. So why should US government treat Hong Kong as a separate entity anymore? Especially if China said the West should not interfere.

This week, Britain said that if China went forward with the law, it could offer British National (Overseas) passport holders in Hong Kong a path to UK citizenship.
On Friday, the UK Home Office confirmed that up to three million people with BNO status could acquire citizenship in this way - as long as they applied for and were granted a passport.

You see, that might be a smart move. If millionaires and billionaires and CEO's like the idea and get that passport, United Kingdom might get a badly needed increase in investments and the like. Why? Because people know Hong Kong is considered a global financial center.

Trump also said sanctions would be imposed on Chinese and Hong Kong officials who were believed by Washington to be involved in eroding the territory's autonomy. He did not outline what form these sanctions would take.

That would be another reason why companies and corporations might wanna leave Hong Kong and start exploring other Asian countries for future investments.

Honestly, I dunno why the US has allowed so many Chinese students and professionals study and work in the US. During World War II, they noticed that Japanese students wanted to build submarines and they changed the contents of their courses to make sure they would fail. How did you expect China not to steal stuff? Chinese people had been pirating DVD's from decades! They were far behind US, Australia and Europe. That's not the case anymore thanks to Western countries that never realized those students were spies or army officers on a quest to steal data and recruit foreign and (half) Chinese scientists.

Obama's administration was too naive as not to notice that China was a real threat.

The Kashmir Row
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52852509
Now India is criticizing its neighbor China for invading the Kashmir region. Some people already foresee a war to control it might erupt at any time if they don't start any negotiations.

The reports say that in early May, Chinese forces put up tents, dug trenches and moved heavy equipment several kilometres inside what had been regarded by India as its territory. The move came after India built a road several hundred kilometres long connecting to a high-altitude forward air base which it reactivated in 2008.
The message from China appears clear to observers in Delhi - this is not a routine incursion.
"The situation is serious. The Chinese have come into territory which they themselves accepted as part of India. It has completely changed the status quo," says Ajai Shukla, an Indian military expert who served as a colonel in the army.

Even Nepal claimed India wants to annex Nepali territory to build a road to China. Meanwhile, China says the Galwan Valley is Chinese not Indian. Besides India stated Ladakh includes Aksai Chin region, but China controls it.

Keep in mind that India and Pakistan were not separate countries in the past. Under British rule, India was much larger than nowadays. Its territory included Pakistan and Bangladesh for instance. Now Pakistan lends its Gwadar port to the Chinese, letting the latter get access to the Arabian Sea.

Microsoft 'to replace journalists with robots'
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52860247
Did you think MS cares about people? You better think it twice now.
 

"It's demoralising to think machines can replace us but there you go," one of those facing redundancy told the paper.
Some sacked journalists warned that artificial intelligence may not be fully familiar with strict editorial guidelines, and could end up letting through inappropriate stories.

Yeah, that's a risk they seem to accept no matter what.

[kyonides]

Tiananmen: Police ban Hong Kong vigil for victims of 1989 crackdown
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52877411
Help me say RE-PRE-SION! And Chinese complained about US decision to treat Hong Kong the same way they treat China.  
Lockdown eased in Moscow after nine weeks
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52875568
It surely seems to be a dangerous move for a country where cases haven't practically disappeared.

South Africans cheer as alcohol goes back on sale
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52874767
Alcoholic beverages don't help you get cleaned if you have contracted any but they don't seem to notice the difference there.  

Japan launches surprise fireworks to lift spirits amid pandemic
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52883403
So Metal, tell us did you watch the fireworks?

Facebook staff anger over Trump post
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52880151

The president said he would "send in the National Guard", and warned that "when the looting starts, the shooting starts."
The post remains untouched on Facebook after founder Mark Zuckerberg said it did not violate the company’s policy around incitement of violence.
A "virtual walkout" is taking place today, with some employees leaving an out-of-office message explaining that they are protesting.
“People can agree or disagree on where we should draw the line, but I hope they understand our overall philosophy is that it is better to have this discussion out in the open, especially when the stakes are so high,” Mr Zuckerberg wrote in a post on the platform.

It seems not even Facebook workers agree with their boss. Sadly their reason is the opposite to what I had expected, they think they should completely censor Trump.
I know his comments are kind of violent, but he is the Commander in Chief so as a civil and military authority he can just say that protestors can keep wreaking havoc till they get satisfied. He is called to stop that madness by any means possible before the ransacking groups kill people and destroy more lives. Who would respect a leader that doesn't even threat criminals with severe punishment if they don't listen to him?  

George Floyd death: Washington DC hit by violent protests
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52874652
Yes, it has now reached the US capital city. I just hope that doesn't not cross international borders as well.

[DerVVulfman]

Unfortunately, it seems that some are in favor of the violence happening within the Protests, however The George Floyd Protesters Condemn the Looting and Violence. In fact, the family wants the violence to stop as Terrence Floyd, George Floyd's younger brother condemns the violence Unfortunately, they're not listening... That's because these Riot groups show up only to loot and destroy, and the playbook is the same.... Let the protest start, show up behind a few hours later, start rioting behind the protesters and charge!

I fully believe they want to watch the world burn and grab what they want. Why else would someone show up with a bag of Molotov Cocktails?

[kyonides]

Canadian judge OKs extradition proceedings for Huawei CFO
https://www.cyberscoop.com/huawei-meng-w...on-canada/

A Canadian judge has ruled that extradition proceedings to the U.S. should continue for an executive of Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei.
The ruling is a blow to Huawei’s efforts to shield its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, from the U.S. justice system, and a further escalation in the long-running war between the U.S. government and one of the world’s biggest technology companies.

I think it was about time some brave allowed Canada to extradite that corrupt Chinese official. Keep in mind it's quite normal for Chinese companies and corporations to include military and government partisans in their boards and management, no matter if they're Chinese or foreign ones like Walmart, European banks and the like.

That obviously means China will keep fighting back by threatening USA and Canada one way or the other.

[kyonides]

Hong Kong: Tens of thousands defy ban to attend Tiananmen vigil
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52920083

Officers erected barricades around the city's Victoria Park, but some pro-democracy protesters knocked them down and held candlelit gatherings.
Police banned the vigil this year, citing coronavirus measures.
Earlier, lawmakers approved a controversial bill making it a crime to insult China's national anthem.
Ahead of the vote, two legislators were taken away by security guards after throwing a foul-smelling liquid on to the chamber floor.

Probably I'd have thrown that liquid at the guards as well.

Iran fears second wave after surge in cases
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-52903443

The health ministry said 3,574 new Covid-19 infections were recorded on Wednesday - the third consecutive day the figure has exceeded 3,000.

No, Wulfo, there are no reports of any ayatollah dying for covid-19.


Michael White: US veteran on way home from Iran after detention
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-52926142

Michael White was sentenced to prison last year on unspecified charges, but was released temporarily on medical grounds to the Swiss embassy in March.
He was arrested in 2018 after travelling to meet his girlfriend in the Iranian city of Mashhad.
His release came on the day that Iran's foreign minister announced the return from the US of an Iranian doctor.

Hmm... I know there was some quid pro quo here but I wonder if it was a good idea to pick that doctor. Who knows if he was a dangerous guy!?

Arctic Circle oil spill prompts Putin to declare state of emergency
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52915807
Their ventilators failed but no, they still needed to pollute the Arctic Circle as well. Can Putin makes things even worse? Will they finish collecting those 20,000 tons of diesel oil they happily wasted in that region?

[kyonides]

Dutch mink cull starts as virus spreads to 10th Mink farm says BBC
Who would ever believe minks could contract covid-19?

Hard-hit Brazil removes data amid rising death toll
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-52952686

Bolsonaro said the cumulative data did not reflect the current picture.
Brazil has the world's second-highest number of cases, and has recently had more new deaths than any other nation.
The Latin American country has more than 640,000 confirmed infections...

I guess Bolsonaro thinks it's bad for business to divulge the total death toll. It's not like people couldn't add a + b anyway. Plus it IS the third country with the highest count of confirmed cases now.

Vatican arrest man over luxury property deal
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52949421

The Italian businessman Gianluigi Torzi who helped the Vatican to buy luxury property in London in a controversial deal has been arrested by Vatican police. He is accused of extortion, embezzlement, aggravated fraud and money laundering in relation to the $200m (£160m) deal.

The investigation lead to the suspicion the price was highly inflated. Charlie Fleed, you better stay away from that kind of businessmen.
By the way, the Vatican Head of Police resigned.

Far-right Rome protest turns briefly violent
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52951920

A rally by Italian far-right extremists and hardcore football fans over the government's response to coronavirus has turned briefly violent.
The clashes in the centre of the capital, Rome, started after a fight between demonstrators.
Hundreds marched to call on the government to resign over its handling of the crisis and the damage wrought on the economy and jobs.

Conte thinks speeding up social payments and some unknown tax reform will solve those issues. Right...

India overtakes Italy in cases amid easing of lockdown
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52946508

The health system in Mumbai is on the verge of collapse while hospitals in the capital, Delhi, are reportedly running out of space.
Meanwhile, shopping centres, places of worship, restaurants and offices will be allowed to reopen from Monday.

So their answer is as simple as easing the lockdown even if there's an important surge in cases... Do they even care about their people?

Bill Gates Has Become the Target of Conspiracy Theories
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-52833706
After people rediscovered his TED speech, they came out with all sorts of theories on how he's related to either or killing Africans with test vaccines, among many other crazy ideas. I wonder what Republicans think about those theories.
They also mentioned that George Soros, Koch brothers, the Rothchilds and the Rockefellers previous targets of such conspiracies. For instance, people claimed the Rothchilds are some renegade faction of the twelve tribes of Israel, and some would even dare to link them to Moabites or Amalekites or even Esau (Edom) himself.
By the way, did you know that Herodes (any of them) might have been Edomites? You see, he was the king of Idumea, apparently it's the Latin term for Edom. And they hate Israel even nowadays, call them Arabs or Palestinian if you wish.

Did France Kill Some Al Qaeda's Chief?
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52943692
So France have joined Obama and Trump's club of attacks against Al Qaeda leaders. French said they killed Abdelmalek Droukdel and his lackeys in Mali, Africa.

Trump 'approves plan' to cut US troops in Germany
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52947056

US President Donald Trump has approved a plan to withdraw 9,500 American troops from bases in Germany by September, US media say.
Mr Trump, who has long complained that European members of Nato should spend more on their own defense, reportedly wants US troop levels capped at 25,000.
Troops would either be redeployed elsewhere or return home, US media report, citing a government official.

CDU, one of Germany's strongest parties, is concerned about Trump's move. I personally think he should not show Russia such signals, they could think USA has been weakened by !

Afghans condemn Iran police after refugees die in car fire

The deaths of three Afghan refugees in a car fire in Iran has prompted an outpouring of anger towards police there, after it emerged the blaze began when officers shot at the vehicle.
Another four were injured, including a boy seen begging "Give me some water, I am burning" in video of the incident.

I guess that out of desperation, they failed to foresee Iran wasn't a good place to hide. Refuge? Not while the ayatollah is in charge!
You don't believe me!?  
Then read this news article!

Iran blocking sites access, UN nuclear watchdog says
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-52941982

The UN nuclear watchdog has expressed serious concern at Iran's continuing failure to allow access to sites the agency wants to visit.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says that for more than four months Iran has been blocking inspections of two suspect locations.
The IAEA says Iran's enriched uranium stockpile now exceeds the agreed limit.

I don't understand why EU doesn't punish Iran for disrespecting IAEA. Still, they complained about USA pulling out of that ridiculous agreement that served no real purpose so far.

Biden Claimed He Will Be the Democratic Candidate
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52946789
Will Biden remember he's no longer a senator? If he ever becomes the next US President, will he stop pawing women at the White House?

Kenyan Locusts
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52714163
Yeah, there's an ongoing locust plague in Africa and Arabia. So isn't the only plague lurking around.


A New Chapter of the Czechian and Russian Spy Novel Has Been Revealed!
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52935146
The Czech Republic has expelled two Russian diplomats over their hoax poison plot against Prague politicians. Russia called their move an unfriendly act.
Seemingly, once you've worked for KGB, you never stop being one of their secret agents.  

Arctic Circle oil spill: Russian prosecutors order checks at permafrost sites
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52941845

The plant is owned by a subsidiary of Norilsk Nickel, which is the world's leading nickel and palladium producer.

That sounds as if they won't get severely punish for the world and especially cars badly need those minerals.

[kyonides]

US Senator Accuses China of Sabotaging The Efforts of Western Countries to Find a Cure for Covid-19
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-52954697
Senator of Florida Rick Scott stated China does not want USA and Europe to come up with a cure and does whatever they can to hit them hard so they fail to find it or it takes longer to make it. Obviously China and the BBC denied this. Chinese authorities claimed they informed their US counterparts on January 4th.

China eases foreign travel limit after US threat
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52912517
Instead of controlling the situation, China prefers to let all of their infected population fly away (almost) freely. Being a communist country, freedom isn't exactly a human right there.
The weirdest part of this story is that US said it would retaliate by barring passenger flights from China from 16 June if China did not allow US flights to land in China any time soon.
 Are they crazy? Nobody can tell if those American tourists will not contract the dreadful virus in Chinese soil!

James Bennet: NYT opinion editor resigns over Tom Cotton's article
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52959856

The New York Times' opinion editor James Bennet has resigned amid outrage over a piece by a Republican senator calling for military force to be used to quell protesters.

Later on the newspaper claimed the article didn't meet its standards... What standards? Being supportive of Democrats and rejecting any Republican views and opinions?
I ignore if it's legal in the US to deploy soldiers in an attempt to smash the riots, but the rioters have become quiet violent. Sadly, they only care when a rioter gets hurt but not when they hurt policemen or burn patrol cars or shops.

[kyonides]

The former US ambassador to Russia, Jon Huntsman, is covidose!

"After a second try, test results came back positive," he wrote on Twitter earlier today.
Mr Huntsman, a Republican, is currently running to be governor of Utah. He served in that role from 2005 to 2009, and most recently spent two years as ambassador to Russia under President Donald Trump.
He also ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.
On Tuesday, he said he had received the "wrong results" from an earlier test. "Very illuminating to see the process firsthand," he wrote on Twitter.

Gone with the Wind no longer available on HBO Max
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52990714
They said they'd prepare some discussion on its historical background.


Fed warns US faces 'long road' to recovery
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53001248
So Wulfo, you won't get any holidays in the next couple of years or so it seems.
Even so, interest rates will be almost zero as well.

United Kingdom might be among the worst hit economies

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52991913
People used to call UK and USA a binomial, now both of them are under huge stress. Things might change quite a lot for China won't wait till they have fully recovered to take decisions that might impact the world. Could world order change then?
Is PM Johnson's idea of easing restrictions in England a good idea?


The story of a kid that was rescued from an Australian doomsday cult
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-49400118
You might have heard of other weird stories of cults manipulating their members. Well, this one is not different at all. The key word here gotta be unpunished...

Coronavirus in Costa Rica
86 just today, 1461 confirmed, 12 deaths, 3 in ICU, ~21,000 discarded
Root cause? Nicaraguan fleeing away from Ortega and poverty.
By the way, the president of CCSS, the Costa Rican health institution, announced they were considering asking community leaders to act as "overseers" and denounce people that doesn't observe the quarantine.
If that sounds communist to you, it's a MERE coincidence!

[DerVVulfman]

Politics versus law enforcement has gone too far. Now it is full-blown censorship as Discovery ID's newest show, Body Cam is cancelled, this after the recent canceling of A&E's Live PD and the long running TV series COPS. Not even reruns of Cops will be available. And if you think the attack on TV cops is stopping there... wrong. Believe it or not, but even Nickolodeon's ‘Paw Patrol’ comes under criticism for portrayals of ‘good cops’ .
I guess Family Guy will be next because of his next-door neighbor, Joe Swanson.


Ouch! Some people just got seriously slammed as Twitter not only uncovers state-backed networks linked to China, Russia, Turkey, but hit them hard by permanently removed more than 32,000 accounts linked to three. Heck, before that Twitter said it removed 23,750 accounts "tweeting predominantly in Chinese languages and spreading geopolitical narratives favorable to the Communist Party of China (CCP), while continuing to push deceptive narratives about the political dynamics in Hong Kong." And then 150,000 additional accounts meant to repeat and amplify the disinformation. Twitter also uncovered 1,152 accounts associated with Current Policy, a state-backed propaganda engine for Vladimir Putin.


Does anyone remember the Kurt Russell movies, Escape from New York? and Escape from L.A? Well, they needed to go up a bit north of LA for reality. Now, a six-block of area downtown Seattle has been taken over, the police forced out as they want no policing.
While the New York Times hailed it as a 'Homeland for radical justice', it is far from juste or fair. There have been phone calls received outside from within the area, and the Seattle police report allegations of extortion and armed guards in 'autonomous zone'. Dubbed the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone”, this area which is supposed to be free and peaceful, it is evident that the Seattle Zone has armed guards while the local businesses are being extorted which can easily be compared to Mafia mob rule.
History already told us what happens when there's a power vacuum.



As the spectre of Covid-19 still looms, Officials hope a new approach will spur coronavirus antibodies. Yep, new testing in Rochester NY on a Covid Vaccine is showing promise, and it is among seven so far to have reached human clinical trials globally. This vaccine actually stimulates your own immune system to produce COVID-19 antigens, protecting you from the virus.



OOPS, bad news for Iran. It looks like the U.S. confirmed the missiles used to attack Saudi Arabia 'of Iranian origin'. "Some have design characteristics similar to those also produced by a commercial entity in Iran, or bear Farsi markings," U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council. Not only the missiles bore Iranian content, but he drones used in the May and September attacks as well. Obviously, Iran didn't give any immediate response, especially since there is an Arms Embargo on Iran. But an envoy from Iran did claim "it has not been the policy of Iran to export weapons in violation of relevant arms embargoes of the Security Council."
Riiiight.



Looks like things are not good for Yamil Abreu, the campaign director of the Dominican Opposition Party found to have links to El Chapo and the Sinaloa cartel. A press release from the DNCD (Attorney General and Antinarcotics) says that in coordination with the Attorney General, Abreu was apprehended in response to the request for an extradition and a warrant from the US Federal Court.

[kyonides]

Putin makes first public appearance in weeks of lockdown in Russia
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53026388
If I had to pick an iconic name for this article, I'd probably choose something like "Return of the Putin".  
Or should it be the "Russian Empire Strikes Back"?

Protests threat to Churchill statue shameful, says Boris Johnson
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53023351
The incumbent Prime Minister Boris Johnson's speech makes it sound like protests are no longer about racism but just against any authorities and their power.

Leopold II: Belgium 'wakes up' to its bloody colonial past
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53017188
You know about protests taking place all around the world. This time Belgian rioters can't stand the sight of their former ruler.
Do people think they need no past, no history anymore?

Brazil is the second worst nation according to the Covid-19 death toll
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-53021248

The Supreme Court is investigating allegations of disinformation and intimidation by his supporters. He is also being investigated over allegations that he interfered in federal police investigations to protect his family.

Brazilians also report their fellow countrymen don't take seriously.
Tennessee Governor says NO to Nashville autonomous zone
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/tenness...omous-zone
Well, who would like it if they wanna place that zone right in front of their state Capitol?

The African American Community Advisory Council accused the rioters in Seattle of hijacking their message. Protesters just booed them. Didn't they say they were protesting against racism? Then why do they kick that council aside?


Cuomo signs police reform bill; NYPD union warns cops will be ‘unable to do the job’
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cuomo-p...nypd-union

The bills include a ban on police chokeholds and measures making it easier to sue people who call police on others without good reasons, as well as a special prosecutor’s office to investigate deaths during police encounters. It comes amid concerns about police accountability...

Wait a second! Banning chokeholds might sound fine but creating a prosecutor's office? Wasn't Internal Affairs in charge of investigating abuses and crimes committed by cops? Why do they wanna multiply bureaucracy?
Right, Cuomo is a Democrat after all...

Seattle councilwoman says police precinct should remain in community control permanently
https://www.foxnews.com/us/seattle-counc...-permanent
I gotta tell you this, Democrats gotta be morons. Since when a community can really survive without some cops ?