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Category: World

ukraine army
August 11, 2023
Jake Welch
News
World

Pessimism Spreads in Ukraine Army: ‘It’s Too Depressing’.

Pessimism is spreading amongst Ukrainian troops and officials as the number of casualties continues to grow and the nation’s “spring counter-offensive” grinds to a halt. Ukrainian soldiers are now openly expressing their despondency and disappointment with how the war is going.

Ruslan Proekter – a Ukrainian soldier who lost his leg and suffered several other injuries after stepping on a Russian mine – admitted in an interview with The Washington Post that he would not volunteer to fight in the war a second time. “They’re taking everyone and sending them to the front line without proper preparation,” Proekter explained before adding: “I don’t want to be in the company of unmotivated people.”

Another interviewee, Alla Blyzniuk, lamented the casualty rates and the loss of local men to the front: “The defenders of our country should be professionals,” she said. “I’m really sad,” she added. “We Ukrainians did not deserve this destiny.”

“It’s too depressing,” said Viktor, a wounded soldier, detailing how it took his unit seven hours to move one quarter of a mile.

“Our expectations were higher. If [the counter offensive is] going on, it’s going slow,” explained Yulia Paltseva, a receptionist in Kyiv.

“It is such a hard price for freedom,” said an Estonian Ukrainian soldier who goes by the call sign Suzie, “I never saw so much blood before.”

U.S. diplomats admitted earlier this week that the counteroffensive is “extremely unlikely” to make progress as Ukraine’s army has repeatedly failed to break through Russia’s heavily-fortified defense structures. Meanwhile, Joe Biden demanded yet another aid package of around $25 billion announced on Thursday.

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Pessimism is spreading amongst Ukrainian troops and officials as the number of casualties continues to grow and the nation's "spring counter-offensive" grinds to a halt. Ukrainian soldiers are now openly expressing their despondency and disappointment with how the war is going. show more
August 10, 2023
Jack Montgomery
News
World

Museum ‘Queers’ Exhibition on 16th-Century Sunken Ship.

The museum responsible for preserving the Mary Rose, a Tudor warship that sank in a 16th-century battle, is “queering” its collection of relics from the Renaissance era vessel.

Portsmouth’s Mary Rose Museum admits it is “impossible” to “identify the sexuality or gender identity of crew members” of the Mary Rose, but has still “use[d] ‘Queerness as an interpretative tool’ to represent LGBTQ+ stories” in its collection.

An entry on Pater Noster (Our Father) cords which belonged to crewmembers, for example, veers into a discussion of “men who had sex with men [being] punished by the church” in England prior to 1533, after which they were subject to the Buggery Act.

An entry on a wedding band found on the ship, meanwhile, is used as jumping off point for a discussion of same-sex marriage, and even a simple mirror is presented as an object which could trigger “a strong feeling of gender dysphoria” in queer people, due to “our reflection conflicting with our own gender identities.”

The lengths to which the museum has gone to insert “queerness” into the preservation of wooden warship wreckage has resulted in many complaints, and not only from conservatives.

“I am as keen as anyone on gay sex but I have to say to these curators – you’re f***ing mental,” wrote Philip Hensher, a gay creative writing professor.

Similar “queering” initiatives are present in America, with the University of Chicago recently going so far as to set up a dedicated course on “queering God”.

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The museum responsible for preserving the Mary Rose, a Tudor warship that sank in a 16th-century battle, is "queering" its collection of relics from the Renaissance era vessel. show more
right wing parties
August 10, 2023
Jake Welch
News
UK
World

Right-Wing Parties Expected To SURGE In Europe.

Right-wing populist parties are expected to make large gains in the 2024 European elections, reflecting a continent-wide trend in national politics that is seeing voters flock to increasingly conservative parties.

The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), advocating for greater member state sovereignty and stricter immigration control, among other things, is set to become the joint third-biggest party in the European Parliament with 89 seats – a “massive” 23-seat gain since 2019 – according to POLITICO’s in-house polling.

The populist Identity and Democracy Party, demanding increased security for native Europeans and tackling illegal immigration, is expected to win 77 seats, representing a 15-seat rise and driven by the recent success of Germany‘s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which recently achieved its first “landmark victory” and is polling second across the country with 21 percent of the popular vote.

The right’s gains would come at the cost of the centrist and left-wing parties. The European People’s Party (EPP) – currently the largest group in the European Parliament – is expected to lose 12 seats, bringing the total number to 165, with the far-left Greens predicted to lose a whopping 24 seats, maintaining only 48.

The elections are due to be held between June 6-9 next year, with the number of European Parliament Members expected to grow from 705 to 720.

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Right-wing populist parties are expected to make large gains in the 2024 European elections, reflecting a continent-wide trend in national politics that is seeing voters flock to increasingly conservative parties. show more

Editor’s Notes

Behind-the-scenes political intrigue exclusively for Pulse+ subscribers.

RAHEEM J. KASSAM Editor-in-Chief
REMINDER: 2024 will likely be the first year we see a UK general election, US general election, and European parliamentary elections all in the same year
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REMINDER: 2024 will likely be the first year we see a UK general election, US general election, and European parliamentary elections all in the same year show more
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August 9, 2023
William Upton
News
World

LEAKED DOCS: U.S. Backed Pakistan Coup Over PM’s Ukraine Neutrality.

The former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan was forced out of office at the behest of the U.S. Department of State over his refusal to take sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, alleges a leaked diplomatic cable.

Asad Majeed Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, was encouraged by State Department officials – including Assistant Secretary Donald Lu – to tell Pakistan’s politically powerful military that if Prime Minister Khan were removed from power, the Central Asian nation could expect warmer relations with the United States. If Prime Minister Khan were not removed, Pakistan’s generals were told that the nation would face economic and political isolation.

The foreign policy shakedown is not dissimilar to the tactic deployed by President Biden himself, when discussing the removal of a top Ukrainian prosecutor.

According to a leaked cable, Assistant Secretary Lu told the Pakistani Ambassador: “I think if the no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister succeeds, all will be forgiven in Washington because the Russia visit is being looked at as a decision by the Prime Minister… Otherwise, I think it will be tough going ahead.”

The meeting between Assistant Secretary Lu and the Pakistani Ambassador occurred on March 7, 2022. One month later, Pakistan’s parliament held a no confidence vote against Prime Minister Khan and he was removed from office. On August 5, 2022, Khan was sentenced to 3 years in prison on charges of corruption.

The U.S. Department of State’s move against the Pakistani leader came after Lu indicated in March 2, 2022 testimony that Pakistan may be moving towards Russia’s side in the conflict with Ukraine. Prime Minister Khan – meanwhile – had reiterated his firm stance against taking any side in the conflict raging in Eastern Europe, declaring at a rally of his supporters just days before the March 7th State Department meeting: “What do you think of us? That we are your slaves and that we will do whatever you ask of us? We are friends of Russia, and we are also friends of the United States. We are friends of China and Europe. We are not part of any alliance.”

Pakistan is a nuclear power whose internal tensions between civilian and military government make its political stability of particular concern to neighboring nuclear power India as well as the United States.

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The former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan was forced out of office at the behest of the U.S. Department of State over his refusal to take sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, alleges a leaked diplomatic cable. show more
migrants dead
August 9, 2023
Jack Montgomery
News
World

40+ Migrants DEAD, Ship Sinks, Open Borders Kill Again.

At least 41 migrants have died in another European mass drowning event, with a people-smuggling vessel carrying them from North Africa capsizing off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa. The incident is another example of the deadly consequences of the lax asylum rules insisted on in the European Union (EU) capital of Brussels.

Just four identified survivors of the wreck, three men and one woman from sub-Saharan Africa, were picked up by a passing cargo ship and transferred to the Italian coast guard. They said at least three children were aboard the vessel, which set sail from Tunisia, when it was turned over by a strong wave.

The news comes not long after another migrant ship sank en route to Italy, resulting in over 500 drownings, but the incentives to make the dangerous voyages remain strong, with close to 100,000 people having reached Italy by sea in 2023 already.

Few migrants are deported once they reach European soil, even if they are deemed to have no legitimate claim to refugee status – a stark contrast with the “tough love” policy on boat migrants implemented by Australia after sinkings in its territorial waters.

They stopped their boats crisis almost entirely by insisting no one arriving in Australia by sea could stay in Australia, and would either be turned back immediately or sent to a third country for processing, and hosted in a country other than Australia if found to be a real refugee.

Italy’s new, supposedly populist prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has failed to implement a similar policy, focusing on supporting Ukraine after winning office rather than keeping the promises on immigration that got her elected.

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At least 41 migrants have died in another European mass drowning event, with a people-smuggling vessel carrying them from North Africa capsizing off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa. The incident is another example of the deadly consequences of the lax asylum rules insisted on in the European Union (EU) capital of Brussels. show more

Editor’s Notes

Behind-the-scenes political intrigue exclusively for Pulse+ subscribers.

RAHEEM J. KASSAM Editor-in-Chief
Europeans often bemoan America’s “mass shooting” events, often caused by fatherless families or mental disorders
for exclusive members-only insights
Europeans often bemoan America’s “mass shooting” events, often caused by fatherless families or mental disorders show more
for exclusive members-only insights
August 9, 2023
Jack Montgomery
News
World

Downgraded American Tanks Approved for Ukraine.

Joe Biden’s Pentagon has approved the transfer of a small batch of old M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, months after Volodymyr Zelensky requested them to strengthen his counter-offensive against Russian forces.

Reports indicate Biden had originally promised to send 31 of America’s newer M1A2 Abrams tanks to the Ukrainians, albeit stripped of the special uranium-reinforced armor which grants them superior protection, but this initial shipment will now be comprised of older M1A1 models, also stripped of their special armor.

“They are done,” Army Acquisition Chief Doug Bush said of the shipment. “Now they have to get to Europe, and then to Ukraine, along with all of the things that go with them. Ammunition, spare parts, fuel equipment, repair facilities. So you know, it’s not just the tanks, it’s the full package that goes with it. That’s still on track,” he added.

The American tanks are expected to arrive in Ukraine in September, likely too late to make any difference to Zelensky’s stalled counter-offensive. Western Challenger 2 and Leopard 2 heavy tanks supplied by European NATO members have already been in the field for months, with the latter sustaining significant losses.

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Joe Biden's Pentagon has approved the transfer of a small batch of old M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, months after Volodymyr Zelensky requested them to strengthen his counter-offensive against Russian forces. show more
ukraine's offensive
August 8, 2023
Jake Welch
News
World

Ukraine’s Offensive ‘Extremely Unlikely’ To Make Progress.

The Ukrainian counter-offensive is very unlikely to make progress or regain territory lost to the Russians in the East and South of the country in the coming weeks, according to senior American diplomats who have called Zelensky’s lack of success is “sobering”.

Ukrainian forces continue to struggle to breach Russia’s highly-fortified defenses, comprised of thousands of mines and an extensive network of trenches. Ukraine – with assistance from a “massive” American-made HIMARS artillery strike  – managed one major breakthrough yet has not been able to press on with the advantage.

The Ukrainians are “still going to see, for the next couple of weeks, if there is a chance of making some progress. But for them to really make progress that would change the balance of this conflict, I think, it’s extremely, highly unlikely,” states one senior Western diplomat.

“Even if they would keep on fighting for the next several weeks, if they haven’t been able to make more breakthroughs throughout these last seven, eight weeks, what is the likelihood that they will suddenly, with more depleted forces, make them? Because the conditions are so hard,” another unnamed diplomat told CNN.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has blamed the lack of supplies at the army’s disposal, stating that the counter-offensive was launched later than anticipated due to the missing munitions, armaments, and adequate military training. However, a number of Western nations have admitted their “frustration” with the Ukrainian offensive, including Germany, which blamed Ukrainian tactics and decisions by the officers and troops on the ground.

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The Ukrainian counter-offensive is very unlikely to make progress or regain territory lost to the Russians in the East and South of the country in the coming weeks, according to senior American diplomats who have called Zelensky's lack of success is "sobering". show more

Editor’s Notes

Behind-the-scenes political intrigue exclusively for Pulse+ subscribers.

RAHEEM J. KASSAM Editor-in-Chief
As I said back in May…    
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As I said back in May…     show more
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boer
August 8, 2023
Jack Montgomery
News
World

White Farmers Attacked, 79-Year-Old Has Throat Slit, After Media Defense of ‘Kill the Boer’ Chant.

White farmers in South Africa have been brutally attacked after a leading politician led a packed stadium in chants of “kill the Boer, the farmer,” and the corporate media’s globally broadcast defense of the incident. Theo Bekker, 79, was brutally murdered in a farm attack on Sunday, with the South African Agricultural Union (TAU) reporting 35 such murders committed this year.

“[A]fter the chanting… there [have] been two farm attacks and one farm murder,” said Ernst Roets, a civil rights activist whose AfriForum organization represents Dutch-origin Afrikaners, often described as Boers, who make up the bulk of South Africa’s roughly 4.6 million-strong white minority.

“An elderly man was severely beaten, from what we know he was beaten with a pipe, and eventually he was murdered when his throat was slit. His wife is in a severe condition, a critical condition, in hospital… just a few days after this chant was made,” he added, in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter.

Earlier this week, the platform’s South Africa-born platform owner Elon Musk elevated the Afrikaners’ plight by slamming the ‘Kill the Boer’ chants, led by Julius Malema at a rally of his Marxist-Leninist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, as a call to “genocide”.

South African politicians and Western media often deny there is any racial element to farm attacks in South Africa, with The New York Times even publishing an article suggesting that calls to “kill the Boer, the farmer” should not be “taken literally”. Musk expressed disbelief that the NYT had “the nerve to support calls for genocide,” recommending people “cancel” the newspaper and circumvent its paywall.

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White farmers in South Africa have been brutally attacked after a leading politician led a packed stadium in chants of "kill the Boer, the farmer," and the corporate media's globally broadcast defense of the incident. Theo Bekker, 79, was brutally murdered in a farm attack on Sunday, with the South African Agricultural Union (TAU) reporting 35 such murders committed this year. show more
August 4, 2023
Jake Welch
News
World

Now Even Poland is Accusing Ukraine of Being Ungrateful.

Poland is accusing Ukraine of not showing enough gratitude for the amount of support they have provided, echoing other Western nations who feel that President Zelensky’s government has taken their assistance for granted. Poland has given Ukraine over 1.7 billion euros ($1.85 billion) worth of military aid and has accepted around one million Ukrainian refugees since the war began in February 2022.

Marcin Przydacz, a Polish foreign policy advisor, suggested in an interview earlier this week that Ukraine should “start appreciating the role Poland has played for Ukraine in recent months and years.”

“Ukraine should start appreciating what Poland is doing for it,” Przydacz reiterated.

Ukraine was quick to “categorically reject” the Polish claims, however, with the deputy head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, Andrii Sybiha, stating: “It is Ukrainians who are protecting the values ​​and security of our region, and they also do it in the interests of Poland and the entire free world.”

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated following the shouting match. The Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pavel Yablonsky admitted that currently “there is no agreement” between the two on a number of issues.

Poland is not alone in suggesting that the Ukrainians have been ungrateful. British Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, argued at the Vilnius NATO summit, “people want to see a bit of gratitude” from Zelensky and his government, adding: “You know, we’re not Amazon.”

In response, Zelensky mocked the British comments and even fired his own ambassador for agreeing with the UK position.

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Poland is accusing Ukraine of not showing enough gratitude for the amount of support they have provided, echoing other Western nations who feel that President Zelensky's government has taken their assistance for granted. Poland has given Ukraine over 1.7 billion euros ($1.85 billion) worth of military aid and has accepted around one million Ukrainian refugees since the war began in February 2022. show more
church
August 3, 2023
Jake Welch
News
World

12th Century French Church, With Bell From 1584, Demolished.

A medieval French church dating back to the 12th century was demolished in northwestern France on Monday after falling into a state of disrepair. Local residents watched as the centuries-old towers – containing a bell dating from 1584 – was torn down, leaving Christians without a place of worship in the village of La Baconnière. Authorities have announced the church will be replaced by a “symbolic gathering place.”

The building itself, named Saint-Corneille-et-Saint-Cyprien, had stood abandoned since 2014 for “security reasons.” The state of the church was only worsened after the roof was lost in a storm in 2019. The municipality stated that a complete restoration would cost more than six million euros ($6.5 million), which was deemed too much to save the medieval landmark.

An online petition receiving some 25,000 signatures was launched after the council announced its demolition plans, though it had little impact. One local resident who watched the church destruction described hearing the bells ring for the final time as “a funeral bell.”

This situation is far from new in Europe. Churches have been falling into ruin and shuttering across the continent for decades. More than 400 churches closed between 2010 and 2019 in the United Kingdom alone. That number grows to nearly 1,000 between 1987 and 2019. There is a similar trend in Germany, with over 40,000 rectories, community centers, and places of worship, expected to close by 2040 as congregation numbers dwindle amidst a rise in leftist leadership in Western churches.

WATCH:

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A medieval French church dating back to the 12th century was demolished in northwestern France on Monday after falling into a state of disrepair. Local residents watched as the centuries-old towers – containing a bell dating from 1584 – was torn down, leaving Christians without a place of worship in the village of La Baconnière. Authorities have announced the church will be replaced by a "symbolic gathering place." show more