Here's why many Western leaders' approval ratings are tanking
The difference between ideology and citizens' lived experience is becoming explosive.
Every political and social order comes in two flavors: What its small elite and the minority exploiting it to the full want everyone to believe, and the reality that most of its members actually live in.
The two never match, but this mismatch need not be a big problem.
However, if the difference becomes too great and too obvious for too long, no order can continue unchanged.
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The difference between ideology and citizens' lived experience is becoming explosive.
Every political and social order comes in two flavors: What its small elite and the minority exploiting it to the full want everyone to believe, and the reality that most of its members actually live in.
The two never match, but this mismatch need not be a big problem.
However, if the difference becomes too great and too obvious for too long, no order can continue unchanged.
👀 Read More
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🇨🇱6.9 magnitude earthquake strikes Northern Chile
A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck northern Chile, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). However, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.
According to the US agency, the earthquake occurred in the Atacama Desert region, around 31 kilometres from the city of Calama, at a depth of about 100 kilometres (63 miles) below the surface.
Chile's National Disaster Prevention and Response Service said there was no tsunami threat from the quake and no reports of injuries or serious damage had been received so far.
Local media reported that tremors were felt in the regions of Arica, Tarapacá, Antofagasta, and Atacama.
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A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck northern Chile, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). However, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.
According to the US agency, the earthquake occurred in the Atacama Desert region, around 31 kilometres from the city of Calama, at a depth of about 100 kilometres (63 miles) below the surface.
Chile's National Disaster Prevention and Response Service said there was no tsunami threat from the quake and no reports of injuries or serious damage had been received so far.
Local media reported that tremors were felt in the regions of Arica, Tarapacá, Antofagasta, and Atacama.
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☄️Meteor fireball over Italy and 4 other countries on May 25
We received 12 reports about a fireball seen over Abruzzo, Basilicata, Lazio, Marche, Puglia, Republika Srpska and Split-Dalmatia County on Monday, May 25th 2026 around 19:30 UT. For this event, we received one video.
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We received 12 reports about a fireball seen over Abruzzo, Basilicata, Lazio, Marche, Puglia, Republika Srpska and Split-Dalmatia County on Monday, May 25th 2026 around 19:30 UT. For this event, we received one video.
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Lightning strike kills 5 cattle on farm in Marion County, Florida
A lightning strike killed four cows and a calf on a Marion County farm during severe thunderstorms over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville and the farm owner.
Lettelier Brangus, a private cattle breeding operation in northern Marion County, said the animals were found beneath a tree after storms moved through the area late Saturday night.
What they're saying: The farm said the loss included several of its top-bred donor cows, identified as LB Ms.
Stormi, LB Ms.
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A lightning strike killed four cows and a calf on a Marion County farm during severe thunderstorms over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville and the farm owner.
Lettelier Brangus, a private cattle breeding operation in northern Marion County, said the animals were found beneath a tree after storms moved through the area late Saturday night.
What they're saying: The farm said the loss included several of its top-bred donor cows, identified as LB Ms.
Stormi, LB Ms.
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Woman dies when her SUV was swept away by flash flooding in Petal, Mississippi
A Mississippi woman is dead after flash flooding submerged and swept away her SUV while she was still inside, even as bystanders tried to rescue her.
The incident happened around 3 p.m.
Monday in the parking lot of the Eastbrook Commons shopping center in Petal.
Luisa Ortega is an employee at Los Charros Mexican Grill in the shopping center.
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A Mississippi woman is dead after flash flooding submerged and swept away her SUV while she was still inside, even as bystanders tried to rescue her.
The incident happened around 3 p.m.
Monday in the parking lot of the Eastbrook Commons shopping center in Petal.
Luisa Ortega is an employee at Los Charros Mexican Grill in the shopping center.
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UK net migration fall masks true demographic replacement as British exodus continues
Britain's left-wing government claims it has taken back control of the country's borders, but is this week's headline net migration figure telling the whole story?
The left-wing U.K. government has claimed it is making real progress in tackling the ongoing migration crisis enveloping Britain after official statistics published on Thursday showed that net migration had decreased to 171,000 last year.
However, that figure alone doesn't tell the whole story.
"I promised to restore control to our borders.
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Britain's left-wing government claims it has taken back control of the country's borders, but is this week's headline net migration figure telling the whole story?
The left-wing U.K. government has claimed it is making real progress in tackling the ongoing migration crisis enveloping Britain after official statistics published on Thursday showed that net migration had decreased to 171,000 last year.
However, that figure alone doesn't tell the whole story.
"I promised to restore control to our borders.
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🇮🇱Israel has a master plan to relocate thousands of Palestinian Bedouins to a giant ghetto
The "Shami neighborhood project" will ethnically cleanse the Bedouin population of Jerusalem's eastern wilderness as part of Israel's plan to take total control over the strategic "Greater Jerusalem" corridor, which would split the West Bank in two.
Salem al-Jahalin, 73, also known as Abu Nayef, circles his home in the Jabal al-Baba Bedouin community outside the town of al-Aizariya, east of Jerusalem.
His eyes scan the surrounding terrain as far as he can see, bracing for any incursion by the Israeli army.
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The "Shami neighborhood project" will ethnically cleanse the Bedouin population of Jerusalem's eastern wilderness as part of Israel's plan to take total control over the strategic "Greater Jerusalem" corridor, which would split the West Bank in two.
Salem al-Jahalin, 73, also known as Abu Nayef, circles his home in the Jabal al-Baba Bedouin community outside the town of al-Aizariya, east of Jerusalem.
His eyes scan the surrounding terrain as far as he can see, bracing for any incursion by the Israeli army.
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Thomas Massie election: Losing the battle, winning the war
On May 19, 2026, thirty-two million dollars bought a congressional seat in Kentucky — and with it, a glimpse of what American democracy has become.
The defeat of seven-term Congressman Thomas Massie in Kentucky's Fourth District primary on May 19, 2026, marked a watershed moment in the long history of corporate and special-interest distortion of US elections.
Everyone has known for a very long time that money swings elections, but it is rare to see an example so flagrant and so provocative.
This particular election made a lot of Americans and international observers realize that they are witnessing the death of democracy in real time.
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On May 19, 2026, thirty-two million dollars bought a congressional seat in Kentucky — and with it, a glimpse of what American democracy has become.
The defeat of seven-term Congressman Thomas Massie in Kentucky's Fourth District primary on May 19, 2026, marked a watershed moment in the long history of corporate and special-interest distortion of US elections.
Everyone has known for a very long time that money swings elections, but it is rare to see an example so flagrant and so provocative.
This particular election made a lot of Americans and international observers realize that they are witnessing the death of democracy in real time.
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🇮🇷Trump's retaliatory withdrawal: America punishes Europe for refusing to join its war with Iran
In the first days of May 2026, the Pentagon announced the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 American troops from Germany over the next six to twelve months — with explicit threats of further cuts directed at Italy and Spain.
President Donald Trump stated the reason with characteristic bluntness: these countries had failed to provide meaningful support during the joint U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
This is not a strategic recalibration.
It is a punitive act by a declining hegemon that launched a dangerous conflict, triggered a global energy shock, and is now lashing out at Europe for refusing to bleed alongside it.
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In the first days of May 2026, the Pentagon announced the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 American troops from Germany over the next six to twelve months — with explicit threats of further cuts directed at Italy and Spain.
President Donald Trump stated the reason with characteristic bluntness: these countries had failed to provide meaningful support during the joint U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
This is not a strategic recalibration.
It is a punitive act by a declining hegemon that launched a dangerous conflict, triggered a global energy shock, and is now lashing out at Europe for refusing to bleed alongside it.
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Lavrov notifies Rubio of impending 'systematic strikes' on Kiev
Moscow has vowed to strike military and government sites across the Ukrainian capital in retaliation for continuing "terrorist attacks" Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warning him that long-range strikes against Kiev are imminent, while reiterating the "recommendation" that foreigners evacuate the Ukrainian capital immediately.
Earlier in the day, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced a shift in Moscow's strategy in the Ukraine conflict, citing the recent deadly attack on a college dorm in the Russian town of Starobelsk, which killed at least 21 people, mainly teenage girls.
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Moscow has vowed to strike military and government sites across the Ukrainian capital in retaliation for continuing "terrorist attacks" Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warning him that long-range strikes against Kiev are imminent, while reiterating the "recommendation" that foreigners evacuate the Ukrainian capital immediately.
Earlier in the day, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced a shift in Moscow's strategy in the Ukraine conflict, citing the recent deadly attack on a college dorm in the Russian town of Starobelsk, which killed at least 21 people, mainly teenage girls.
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🇺🇸Scott Ritter: The US administration lost a patriot and truth-teller in Tulsi Gabbard
As DNI, she brought candor and integrity to intelligence - but in a White House that prizes loyalty, facts became a liability.
Once the darling of the Democratic Party, Tulsi Gabbard had a hard-earned reputation as a no-nonsense proponent of fact-based truth, which she assiduously incorporated into her eloquent defense of Constitutional due process and moral integrity when it came to the national security of the United States.
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As DNI, she brought candor and integrity to intelligence - but in a White House that prizes loyalty, facts became a liability.
Once the darling of the Democratic Party, Tulsi Gabbard had a hard-earned reputation as a no-nonsense proponent of fact-based truth, which she assiduously incorporated into her eloquent defense of Constitutional due process and moral integrity when it came to the national security of the United States.
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🇺🇦Czech 'ammo coalition' for Ukraine loses support
Prague's initiative to arm Kiev has fallen short of its targets and lost half of its Western backers.
Nine countries have withdrawn from a Czech initiative aimed at jointly procuring artillery ammunition for Ukraine, according to Czech President Petr Pavel.
The scheme has been plagued by underinvestment since its inception.
Some 18 countries, including Canada, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, signed up to partake in the initiative when it was announced by Pavel in 2024.
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Prague's initiative to arm Kiev has fallen short of its targets and lost half of its Western backers.
Nine countries have withdrawn from a Czech initiative aimed at jointly procuring artillery ammunition for Ukraine, according to Czech President Petr Pavel.
The scheme has been plagued by underinvestment since its inception.
Some 18 countries, including Canada, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, signed up to partake in the initiative when it was announced by Pavel in 2024.
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An assessment of the accelerating timeline for "you will own nothing"
I am an economist, first and foremost.
I'm going to give you a sobering look at the progression of Technocracy and what to expect in the future.
Take it for what it is.
I have been following the global elite and Technocracy for over 48 years, and since my first book with Antony Sutton, Trilaterals Over Washington, Vols.
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I am an economist, first and foremost.
I'm going to give you a sobering look at the progression of Technocracy and what to expect in the future.
Take it for what it is.
I have been following the global elite and Technocracy for over 48 years, and since my first book with Antony Sutton, Trilaterals Over Washington, Vols.
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🇷🇺Gloves finally off? Russia announces campaign of prolonged systematic strikes on Kiev
Tells western diplomats to flee Ukraine' capitol city In a turn of events that stunned the commentariat, the Russian MOD has officially announced that Russia will continue striking Kiev in a new 'systematic' campaign of hitting military-industrial enterprises and 'decision-making centers'. Russia even sent advanced warning to all Western diplomatic missions and foreign citizens to evacuate Kiev, inciting frenzies of doom-making in the pro-UA crowd.
Official account: The problem with the announcement is that most are unduly blowing it way out of proportion owing to an exaggerated FighterBomber post which said that "Kiev will be destroyed." FighterBomber was simply being figurative — he is not speaking in any official capacity.
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Tells western diplomats to flee Ukraine' capitol city In a turn of events that stunned the commentariat, the Russian MOD has officially announced that Russia will continue striking Kiev in a new 'systematic' campaign of hitting military-industrial enterprises and 'decision-making centers'. Russia even sent advanced warning to all Western diplomatic missions and foreign citizens to evacuate Kiev, inciting frenzies of doom-making in the pro-UA crowd.
Official account: The problem with the announcement is that most are unduly blowing it way out of proportion owing to an exaggerated FighterBomber post which said that "Kiev will be destroyed." FighterBomber was simply being figurative — he is not speaking in any official capacity.
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CIA accused of searching Ancestry and 23andMe data bases to 'hunt down' alien bloodlines in millions of DNA tests
The CIA has been accused of gaining secret access to the DNA information of millions of people as the intelligence agency allegedly searches for alien life on Earth.
Jason Reza Jorjani, a philosophy PhD and science fiction writer, recently claimed that he spoke with a retired US Army sergeant who served as a 'psychic spy' and knew of the government's secret program to hunt down individuals with extraterrestrial DNA. Jorjani said on the American Alchemy podcast that the CIA, the nation's premier foreign intelligence agency, has a backdoor program that allows it to search through genetic testing companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com.
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The CIA has been accused of gaining secret access to the DNA information of millions of people as the intelligence agency allegedly searches for alien life on Earth.
Jason Reza Jorjani, a philosophy PhD and science fiction writer, recently claimed that he spoke with a retired US Army sergeant who served as a 'psychic spy' and knew of the government's secret program to hunt down individuals with extraterrestrial DNA. Jorjani said on the American Alchemy podcast that the CIA, the nation's premier foreign intelligence agency, has a backdoor program that allows it to search through genetic testing companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com.
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🇮🇱Heartless AND clueless: Huckabee tells Lebanese being bombed they should thank Israel for seedless watermelons
The US ambassador to Israel has previously said Israel has the right to take over 'all' of the Middle East Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel and a passionate advocate of its wars in the region, has told the people of Lebanon to be grateful for Israeli contributions to its society.
Video of Huckabee speaking at the Atlas Awards in Tel Aviv on 12 May is being shared online after it was picked up by Chris Menahan of the news site Information Liberation.
In the speech, Huckabee extolls the various purported Israeli contributions to society, including USB drives, cherry tomatoes and seedless watermelons.
"I wonder if everyone in Lebanon understands that if there were no Israel, they wouldn't have a cell phone," Huckabee said.
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The US ambassador to Israel has previously said Israel has the right to take over 'all' of the Middle East Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel and a passionate advocate of its wars in the region, has told the people of Lebanon to be grateful for Israeli contributions to its society.
Video of Huckabee speaking at the Atlas Awards in Tel Aviv on 12 May is being shared online after it was picked up by Chris Menahan of the news site Information Liberation.
In the speech, Huckabee extolls the various purported Israeli contributions to society, including USB drives, cherry tomatoes and seedless watermelons.
"I wonder if everyone in Lebanon understands that if there were no Israel, they wouldn't have a cell phone," Huckabee said.
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Marxist Momdani's 'housing plan' sparks property-rights alarm over forced transfers to nonprofits
Mamdani Releases "Block by Block: The Housing Plan for A New Era" NYC socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani released "Block by Block: The Housing Plan for a New Era," which presents a sweeping, deeply troubling blueprint to tackle the metro area's deepening housing crisis.
Mamdani told the crowd: When necessary, we will take aggressive legal action to remove negligent owners and property managers.
And for buildings that have suffered chronic neglect, we work to transfer ownership to responsible stewards.
Stewards include community land trusts, nonprofits, or even the tenants themselves.
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Mamdani Releases "Block by Block: The Housing Plan for A New Era" NYC socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani released "Block by Block: The Housing Plan for a New Era," which presents a sweeping, deeply troubling blueprint to tackle the metro area's deepening housing crisis.
Mamdani told the crowd: When necessary, we will take aggressive legal action to remove negligent owners and property managers.
And for buildings that have suffered chronic neglect, we work to transfer ownership to responsible stewards.
Stewards include community land trusts, nonprofits, or even the tenants themselves.
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A world on borrowed time
Debt is basically humanity's oldest magic trick: enjoying money today and praying your future self-figures it out later.
From ancient Mesopotamian farmers borrowing grain on clay tablets to modern consumers financing a $90,000 pickup truck over seven years, the principle has not changed much.
A loan is simply the official contract behind this beautiful act of financial optimism.
The lender hands over the cash — called the principal — while the borrower promises to repay it with interest, otherwise known as the bank's "thank you for the risk" fee.
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Debt is basically humanity's oldest magic trick: enjoying money today and praying your future self-figures it out later.
From ancient Mesopotamian farmers borrowing grain on clay tablets to modern consumers financing a $90,000 pickup truck over seven years, the principle has not changed much.
A loan is simply the official contract behind this beautiful act of financial optimism.
The lender hands over the cash — called the principal — while the borrower promises to repay it with interest, otherwise known as the bank's "thank you for the risk" fee.
‼️ Read More
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Washington state chemical plant implosion kills multiple people
Several people have been killed, and others suffered horrific burns after an implosion at a chemical plant in Washington state.
The blast was heard across Longview, about 50 miles north of Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday morning at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company.
Officials say an 80,000-gallon vat that was about 60% full caused the devastation around 7:18 a.m., inflicting chemical burns and other critical injuries on several people.
Officials later said the vat contained "white liquor," a chemical combination of sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide, and disodium carbonate.
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Several people have been killed, and others suffered horrific burns after an implosion at a chemical plant in Washington state.
The blast was heard across Longview, about 50 miles north of Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday morning at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company.
Officials say an 80,000-gallon vat that was about 60% full caused the devastation around 7:18 a.m., inflicting chemical burns and other critical injuries on several people.
Officials later said the vat contained "white liquor," a chemical combination of sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide, and disodium carbonate.
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🇫🇮Finland Flourishes As Freedom Flounders In The 'Land Of The Free'
Global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, according to Freedom House.
More than 50 countries saw political rights and civil liberties deteriorate, including the United States.
This graphic, via Visual Capitalist's Gabriel Cohen, ranks the world's most and least free countries using Freedom House's 2026 Freedom in the World report, which evaluates political rights and civil liberties across 195 countries and territories.
Finland topped the rankings with a perfect score of 100, followed by New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden at 99.
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Global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, according to Freedom House.
More than 50 countries saw political rights and civil liberties deteriorate, including the United States.
This graphic, via Visual Capitalist's Gabriel Cohen, ranks the world's most and least free countries using Freedom House's 2026 Freedom in the World report, which evaluates political rights and civil liberties across 195 countries and territories.
Finland topped the rankings with a perfect score of 100, followed by New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden at 99.
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