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Dissecting the stage-managed French elections
Macron's second presidency was as calculatingly managed by France's liberal elite as his first. As the country's economic and geographic schisms widen further, yesterday's Yellow Vest protests will seem like a tea party by comparison. In the end, it happened exactly like the French establishment designed it. I called it last December in a column here at The Cradle. These are the essentials: Certified Arabophobe Eric Zemmour, who is of Algerian origin, was manufactured by key establishment players of the Institut Montaigne variety to cut off the populist right-wing candidacy of Marine Le Pen. In the end, Zemmour's electoral performance was dismal, as expected. Yet another candidate pulled off a miracle intervention and was even more useful: ambitious egomaniac opportunist and so-called progressive Jean-Luc Melenchon. 'Le Petit Roi' Emmanuel Macron generates less than zero empathy across France. That explains the huge voter abstention of 28 percent in the second round of votes. The...
https://www.sott.net/article/467168-Dissecting-the-stage-managed-French-elections

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Despite deteriorating situation, Ukrainian parliament still insisting on NATO accession
The Rada's chair says accession to the military alliance is Ukraine's "prospective vision of its future" The Ukrainian parliament will not vote to remove the passage about the country's ambition to join NATO from the constitution, the Rada's chairman, Ruslan Stefanchuk, has revealed. In an interview with Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda published on Monday, Stefanchuk was asked whether Ukrainian lawmakers were going to amend the country's constitution with respect to Kiev's ambition to become a NATO member state. The official replied in the negative, adding that "changing the constitution is not an end in itself." He went on to say that just because some changes are made does not necessarily mean that they have an effect in real life. Stefanchuk warned against "declaratory norms." The official emphasized that at this point the Ukrainian authorities' main focus is on ensuring the security of each and every Ukrainian citizen. "Real guarantees are important to us," Stefanchuk...
https://www.sott.net/article/467169-Despite-deteriorating-situation-Ukrainian-parliament-still-insisting-on-NATO-accession

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A Brief Introduction to Gypsies
First, let me tell you of my personal experiences with Gypsies. These cover a period of approximately ten years mostly in Italy, Romania, Germany and France. One stark memory is of a Gypsy man perhaps 45 years old with what appeared to be a badly-twisted and lame leg supported by a crutch, begging for money in my piazza in Rome. It was painful to watch the man navigate the curbs and flagstones, making his way around the piazza, hoping for a few coins. He was there all morning on most days, but around noon he would pause his circular pilgrimage, stop to empty his pockets and count his bills and change, and apparently decide he had enough for a good meal. So, he would stand up, put his crutch over his shoulder and waltz over to the nice restaurant across the street for lunch. Another fond memory is of a young Gypsy girl, perhaps only 15 or 16 years old, sitting on the steps of the basilica in the piazza with an infant wrapped in a swaddling blanket and again begging for money. Many...
https://www.sott.net/article/467170-A-Brief-Introduction-to-Gypsies

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Meteor fireball over the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil on April 25
A fireball-like meteor was seen over the state of Santa Catarina on Monday night near midnight. The alert was given by Luciano Miguel Diniz who has a BRAMON monitoring station (LUM1/SP) in Canitar/SP. Later Alexandre Moro from the BRAMON station (AFM1/SC) in Florianópolis also realized that he had recorded the same meteor. Early in the morning, it was the turn of Jocimar Justino, from the monitoring station in Monte Castelo-SC, to find the fireball in the records of the Planalto Norte station. According to the preliminary analysis, the phenomenon lasted about 5 seconds and possibly occurred near the Caçador region. Weather cameras in the state of RS and SC also recorded the event. "Fireball" meteors are so named because of their intense brightness, greater than -4 magnitude, and their shape that actually looks like a ball. (Translated by Google)
https://www.sott.net/article/467171-Meteor-fireball-over-the-state-of-Santa-Catarina-Brazil-on-April-25

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Moscow says Ukraine-backed radicals considered assassinating RT editor-in-chief
A neo-Nazi group in Russia targeted Margarita Simonyan and her husband, the FSB claims A neo-Nazi group that was allegedly instructed by Kiev to kill TV anchor Vladimir Solovyov had several other targets, including RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan, according to video footage released by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). Amid the ongoing Russian military offensive in Ukraine aimed at the "denazification" of the country, the FSB claimed that it had detained a group of neo-Nazis. According to the service, the group had been instructed by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to kill popular Russian TV host and journalist Vladimir Solovyov. The FSB later released a video of what they said was the detention, search, and questioning of the suspects.
https://www.sott.net/article/467172-Moscow-says-Ukraine-backed-radicals-considered-assassinating-RT-editor-in-chief

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Musk's Twitter takeover is 'bad news', journalists claim
The International Federation of Journalists on Tuesday condemned SpaceX tycoon Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter, arguing that his support of free speech is somehow "bad news for media freedom." Musk finalized the purchase of the social media giant on Monday, paying $44 billion to take sole ownership. He promised to root out spam and bots by authenticating human users, and to make the platform a bastion of free speech. Musk's buyout was condemned by both the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ). In a joint statement, titled 'Twitter: Elon Musk's deal is bad news for media freedom,' the federations raised concerns that placing Twitter in "the hands of a single individual would have serious consequences over the social and political use of the platform." They warned that Musk's plan to "authenticate all humans" would have repercussions for journalists and their sources who depend on anonymity, and that his plans to allow...
https://www.sott.net/article/467173-Musks-Twitter-takeover-is-bad-news-journalists-claim

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Ukrainian governor: 'Traitors' will be executed
Vitaly Kim, who serves as the governor of Ukraine's Nikolaev Region, has warned that citizens cooperating with Russian forces will face extrajudicial execution. He revealed the chilling fate awaiting "traitors" during a live TV broadcast last Thursday. Kim made the comment, on the Ukraine 24 TV channel, after the presenter brought up claims made earlier by officials in Kherson, according to which, information about pro-Ukrainian activists, veterans who had fought in the Donbass, as well as journalists living in the city had been leaked to Russian forces. Kim, in turn, cited the recent killing of a pro-Russian blogger in the city, who was shot dead on April 20, as proof that "Kherson is Ukraine," and that "there are guerrilla fighters there." Moreover, Kim warned that "traitors will be executed," adding that he is "not afraid of this word." The Ukrainian official expressed absolute certainty that "it will be like that."
https://www.sott.net/article/467174-Ukrainian-governor-Traitors-will-be-executed

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German economists forecast 2022 inflation rate to hit 6.1%
The German government is set to hike its inflation forecast for this year to 6.1 per cent due to the impact of the war in Ukraine, up from 3.3 per cent it had forecast in January, according to government document seen by Reuters on Monday. Berlin, which is due to present its spring economic forecasts on Wednesday, sees consumer price growth easing to 2.8 per cent in 2023, the document showed. German annual inflation rose to its highest level in more than 40 years in March as prices of natural gas and oil products soared following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and gas and electricity bills for German households signing new contracts hit a record high last month.
https://www.sott.net/article/467175-German-economists-forecast-2022-inflation-rate-to-hit-6-1

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Psaki says Biden 'concerned' about Musk twitter buyout, supports social media accountability
White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Monday said President Joe Biden is "concerned" about social media, in response to a question about Elon Musk's deal to purchase Twitter. Psaki first insisted she would not comment on a specific deal or the prospect of President Donald Trump returning to the platform after his lifetime ban. "No matter who owns or runs Twitter, the president has long been concerned about the power of large social media platforms, the power they have over our everyday lives, that tech platforms must be held accountable for the harm they cause." Biden "has been a strong supporter of fundamental reforms" to social media, Psaki said.
https://www.sott.net/article/467176-Psaki-says-Biden-concerned-about-Musk-twitter-buyout-supports-social-media-accountability

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Ukraine seeking $2B per month from US in emergency economic aid, official says
Ukraine is requesting $2 billion per month from the Biden administration for emergency economic aid efforts. Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko, who is meeting with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., is requesting a total of $5 billion per month in international economic assistance through June — with $2 billion of that coming from American pockets, The Washington Post reported. He said that Ukraine needed "to cover this gap right now to attract the necessary finance and win this war." The U.S. has already approved billions of dollars of military aid to Ukraine since the invasion, including an $800 million package announced last week. President Biden in March announced a $500 million economic assistance package. On Thursday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the U.S. intended to provide another $500 million economic aid package. Comment: Biden is spending the peoples' money like there's no tomorrow...he could be right.
https://www.sott.net/article/467177-Ukraine-seeking-2B-per-month-from-US-in-emergency-economic-aid-official-says

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Recapping the war in Ukraine to date
Comment: The following analysis is a compilation of tweets by independent reporter Gonzalo Lira Quick recap for those who haven't followed what's been going on in Ukraine but want to understand: 02/24: The Russians invaded from the south, south-east, east and north, in a lightning campaign. The Russians invaded with 190K troops — against 250K combat troops from Ukraine. The RF put 30K troops near Kiev — nowhere near enough to capture the city — but enough to pin down some 100K AFU defenders. The RF also launched several axes of attack, with reinforcements on standby (including a famed 40km long tank column), to see where they might be needed.
https://www.sott.net/article/467178-Recapping-the-war-in-Ukraine-to-date

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Blinken meets Zelensky in Kiev pledging billions more in money & weapons for proxy war against Russia, Moscow demands the US stop escalating the situation
His secrecy-shrouded visit to Kyiv along with defence secretary Lloyd Austin was the highest-level American visit to the capital since Russia invaded in late February. Comment: These 'face to face' meetings that Zelensky continues to have with world leaders merely demonstrates how careful and considered Russia's special operation is, because this wouldn't h ave been possible during the US Shock and Awe invasion of Iraq: Polish, Czech & Slovenian leaders visit 'war-torn Kiev', Poland suggests NATO 'peace mission', US to send long range weapons & killer drones They told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his advisers that the US will provide more than 300 million dollars (£234 million) in foreign military financing and had approved a 165 million dollar (£128 million) sale of ammunition. Comment: That's on top of the billions they've already funneled in to Ukraine in the form of money and weapons.
https://www.sott.net/article/467179-Blinken-meets-Zelensky-in-Kiev-pledging-billions-more-in-money-weapons-for-proxy-war-against-Russia-Moscow-demands-the-US-stop-escalating-the-situation

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Blinken meets Zelensky in Kiev pledging billions more dollars for proxy war against Russia, Moscow demands the US stop escalating the situation
His secrecy-shrouded visit to Kyiv along with defence secretary Lloyd Austin was the highest-level American visit to the capital since Russia invaded in late February. Comment: These 'face to face' meetings that Zelensky continues to have with world leaders merely demonstrates how careful and considered Russia's special operation is, because this wouldn't h ave been possible during the US Shock and Awe invasion of Iraq: Polish, Czech & Slovenian leaders visit 'war-torn Kiev', Poland suggests NATO 'peace mission', US to send long range weapons & killer drones They told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his advisers that the US will provide more than 300 million dollars (£234 million) in foreign military financing and had approved a 165 million dollar (£128 million) sale of ammunition. Comment: That's on top of the billions they've already funneled in to Ukraine in the form of money and weapons.
https://www.sott.net/article/467179-Blinken-meets-Zelensky-in-Kiev-pledging-billions-more-dollars-for-proxy-war-against-Russia-Moscow-demands-the-US-stop-escalating-the-situation

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Adoption of cereal crops key to emergence of hierarchy, shedding new light on origin of civilization - study
New research from the University of Warwick, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Reichman University, Universitat Pompeu Fabra and the Barcelona School of Economics challenges the conventional theory that the transition from foraging to farming drove the development of complex, hierarchical societies by creating agricultural surplus in areas of fertile land. In The Origin of the State: Land Productivity or AppropriabilityLink opens in a new window?, published in the April issue of the Journal of Political EconomyLink opens in a new window - one of the oldest and most prestigious journals in economics - Professors Joram Mayshar, Omer Moav and Luigi Pascali show that high land productivity on its own does not lead to the development of tax-levying states. It is the adoption of cereal crops that is the key factor for the emergence of hierarchy. Professor Moav explains in this short video:-
https://www.sott.net/article/467180-Adoption-of-cereal-crops-key-to-emergence-of-hierarchy-shedding-new-light-on-origin-of-civilization-study

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Ruble hits near 2-year high against euro, 5-month high against dollar
The Russian ruble strengthened against both the euro and the US dollar on Tuesday, trading data from the Moscow Exchange shows. As of 10:07 GMT the Russian currency had jumped roughly 0.96% compared to the end of the previous day's trading to 76.42 rubles against the euro, its highest in nearly two years, and gained around 0.92% against the greenback to trade at 72.45 per dollar, reaching a five-month high. The rally comes as the market expects companies to make a record 3 trillion rubles ($40.25 billion) worth of tax payments due this week. Analysts say the tax boost may propel the Russian currency further, as some export-oriented firms will have to sell foreign currency to make the payments. Market players also anticipate the rate decision due from the Russian central bank on Friday.
https://www.sott.net/article/467181-Ruble-hits-near-2-year-high-against-euro-5-month-high-against-dollar

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The Great Reset: Capitalism for the rich and socialism for the poor
The standard leftist refrain about "advanced capitalism" is that it amounts to "socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor." Like most leftist notions, this idea represents almost the exact opposite of the truth. The system they refer to is anything but socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor. Capitalists do not want socialism for themselves and capitalism for the rest. Capitalists seek profit, which can only come under a capitalist system. Of course, the phrase "socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor" is premised on the leftist belief that socialism is obviously beneficial for those living under it, a veritable land of milk and honey, while capitalism is a nefarious, dog-eat-dog, every-man-for-himself "anarchy," where the dogs fight each other for the scraps and many necessarily starve. Socialism is to be sought and capitalism to be avoided, at all costs. But the truth of the matter is that capitalism is the productive system that creates wealth and...
https://www.sott.net/article/467182-The-Great-Reset-Capitalism-for-the-rich-and-socialism-for-the-poor

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Threat to national sovereignty set to go down May 22-28 at WHO World Health Assembly
'The World Health Organization is attempting a power grab' — quietly setting up a single globalized response to all future pandemics As previously reported at LeoHohmann.com, the deep state predators in the U.S. and Western governments have decided the world needs a centralized pandemic response controlled and run by the United Nations World Health Organization via an international treaty. According to the WHO's website, on March 30, 2021, it announced an "urgent call for an International Pandemic Treaty," stating that such a treaty is needed to orchestrate a single globalized response to pandemics. And, "25 heads of government and international leaders" have come together in a joint call to form the treaty. Don't forget that Yuval Noah Harari, the chief advisor to Klaus Schwab and the World Economic Forum, has stated that globalist elites will use "crises" to bring about world government. "Catastrophe opens the door" to massive changes that people would otherwise never accept,...
https://www.sott.net/article/467183-Threat-to-national-sovereignty-set-to-go-down-May-22-28-at-WHO-World-Health-Assembly

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Tim Pool blasts WaPo, Taylor Lorenz in Times Square billboard over Libs of Tik Tok doxxing
After Taylor Lorenz and the Washington Post doxxed anonymous Twitter account Libs of Tik Tok then denied it, YouTuber Tim Pool of Timcast bought a billboard in Times Square, New York, to call them out. "The Washington Post and Taylor Lorenz Doxxed @libsoftiktok. They included a link to private work details and an address listed as Libs' private home. They lied about it so I got an ad in Times Square calling them out. Thanks to @JeremyDBoreing for the assist," Pool wrote on Twitter. "Hey WAPO!" The billboard reads. "Democracy dies in darkness. That's why we're shining a light on you. Taylor Lorenz doxxed @libsoftiktok"
https://www.sott.net/article/467185-Tim-Pool-blasts-WaPo-Taylor-Lorenz-in-Times-Square-billboard-over-Libs-of-Tik-Tok-doxxing

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The west has created an empire of lies presupposing the destruction of Russia
Nikolay Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta, spoke about the tasks of the Russian special operation and the role of the United States in supporting neo-nazis. And also - about the near future of Europe, the Russian gold and foreign exchange reserves and sanctions. And also about what changes await our country in the near future. Nikolay Platonovich, today, perhaps, the term "Cold War II" no longer seems an exaggeration. The Americans do not hesitate to declare that they won the confrontation with the USSR and that now they will also win. How do you assess these views? Nikolay Patrushev: Tragic scenarios of global crises, both in past years and today, are being imposed by Washington in its quest to consolidate its hegemony, resisting the collapse of the unipolar world. The United States is doing everything to ensure that other centres of the multipolar world do not even dare to raise their heads, and our country not only...
https://www.sott.net/article/467186-The-west-has-created-an-empire-of-lies-presupposing-the-destruction-of-Russia

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Blinken meets Zelensky in Kiev pledging billions more dollars for proxy war against Russia, Moscow demands the US stop escalating the situation
His secrecy-shrouded visit to Kyiv along with defence secretary Lloyd Austin was the highest-level American visit to the capital since Russia invaded in late February. Comment: These 'face to face' meetings that Zelensky continues to have with world leaders merely demonstrates how careful and considered Russia's special operation is, because this wouldn't have been possible during the US Shock and Awe invasion of Iraq: Polish, Czech & Slovenian leaders visit 'war-torn Kiev', Poland suggests NATO 'peace mission', US to send long range weapons & killer drones They told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his advisers that the US will provide more than 300 million dollars (£234 million) in foreign military financing and had approved a 165 million dollar (£128 million) sale of ammunition. Comment: That's on top of the billions they've already funneled in to Ukraine in the form of money and weapons.
https://www.sott.net/article/467179-Blinken-meets-Zelensky-in-Kiev-pledging-billions-more-dollars-for-proxy-war-against-Russia-Moscow-demands-the-US-stop-escalating-the-situation

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Adoption of cereal crops key to emergence of hierarchy, shedding new light on origin of civilization - study
New research from the University of Warwick, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Reichman University, Universitat Pompeu Fabra and the Barcelona School of Economics challenges the conventional theory that the transition from foraging to farming drove the development of complex, hierarchical societies by creating agricultural surplus in areas of fertile land. In The Origin of the State: Land Productivity or AppropriabilityLink opens in a new window?, published in the April issue of the Journal of Political Economy (Link opens in a new window) - one of the oldest and most prestigious journals in economics - Professors Joram Mayshar, Omer Moav and Luigi Pascali show that high land productivity on its own does not lead to the development of tax-levying states. It is the adoption of cereal crops that is the key factor for the emergence of hierarchy. Professor Moav explains in this short video:-
https://www.sott.net/article/467180-Adoption-of-cereal-crops-key-to-emergence-of-hierarchy-shedding-new-light-on-origin-of-civilization-study