Month: April 2023

The Great Schism

A decisive schism in the Catholic Church would ripple through global society and reinforce cultural and political divisions. It will not cease to be universal, but two opposing universal churches, one modernist and one anti-modernist.

Saudi Crown Prince No Longer Interested in “Pleasing” the U.S.

The apparent deterioration in US-Saudi relations comes amid a recent worldwide trend toward de-dollarization with key, ascendent geopolitical actors, including but not limited to China, Russia, India, and Brazil all taking steps to reduce their use of the U.S. dollar.

A Batty Lohengrin Flaps New York

Lohengrin, with its lush music and tragic exploration of trust, betrayal, and forbidden knowledge, has imaginative gifts to offer contemporary audiences. The music still soars, but only to the cave ceiling, not to the skies.

Poll: Le Pen Defeats Macron if Election Held Today

The political winds have changed. In the wake of President Macron raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, his already dismal approval ratings and popularity have sunk even lower, as two recent surveys reveal.

EPP Acrimony Boils Over After Brussels Raid

The raid has affected the EPP’s tense office politics amid a larger pushback against plans to take the group to the Right ahead of the 2024 elections.

Pakistani ‘Grooming Gangs’: The Left’s Cover-up Continues

Pakistani ‘Grooming Gangs’: The Left’s Cover-up Continues

With a Tory party currently more socialist than conservative, optimism is a dangerous vice for right-of-centre voters. But if anything can be done to reduce child sexual exploitation, it should be welcomed with open arms.

April 6, 2023
Shanghai Bishop Nominated Without Rome’s Agreement

Shanghai Bishop Nominated Without Rome’s Agreement

The Communist government, despite its protestations of good faith, feels absolutely no obligation to respect the pact which was supposed to have restored good relations between the Pope and the Chinese state.

April 6, 2023
“Concern Is Strong” After Berlusconi Spends Night in Intensive Care

“Concern Is Strong” After Berlusconi Spends Night in Intensive Care

The Forza Italia leader has suffered from a series of health problems in recent years, but his brother Paolo insisted “he’ll make it this time too.”

April 6, 2023
The ‘Gay Gene’ Myth Just Won’t Go Away

The ‘Gay Gene’ Myth Just Won’t Go Away

Young men deserve much better than bad science and bad advice. Myths are no substitution for reality.

April 6, 2023
 Europe’s China Dilemma

 Europe’s China Dilemma

Last week, von der Leyen said of China: “The story of our relationship is not yet written, and it need not be defensive.” Her visit to China begins today.

Volodymyr Zelensky’s First Visit to Poland

Volodymyr Zelensky’s First Visit to Poland

Poland is currently Ukraine’s third largest military partner, after the U.S. and the UK. Ukrainian victory is of great interest to the Poles, who see their country as directly threatened by Russian aggression.

April 6, 2023
Europol Investigates NGO Over People Smuggling Links

Europol Investigates NGO Over People Smuggling Links

Frontex refused to state which NGOs specifically had their details passed onto Europol, but did not rule out the possibility of the information being used in future prosecutions.

April 6, 2023
<em>Utopia: The Perennial Heresy</em>

<em>Utopia: The Perennial Heresy</em>

For the Utopian, a unified and uniform mass of humanity is enabled by the “abolition of war,” which in turn can only be safeguarded by a “supranational agency, ultimately a world government.”

April 6, 2023
EU: Council’s Legal Advice Slams Grab at Emergency Powers

EU: Council’s Legal Advice Slams Grab at Emergency Powers

Measures about mandatory reporting by companies to the Commission will be significantly changed, if not deleted.

April 6, 2023
Macron in Beijing: Sticking With China

Macron in Beijing: Sticking With China

Not accepting that future conflict between the West and China is “inescapable,” the French president urged Europe to commit to maintaining trade with China.

Russia Tension Forces Finns Party ID Split 

Russia Tension Forces Finns Party ID Split 

There is the potential for more Danish and Estonian contingents within the ID group to join in the defection, as Finns Party leadership looks disfavourably at the AfD’s pro-Russian line within the bloc.

April 5, 2023
UK Government Urged To Scrap “Damaging” Petrol Car Ban

UK Government Urged To Scrap “Damaging” Petrol Car Ban

Former cabinet minister Sir John Redwood said it was “quite obvious” that a “full transition” from petrol and diesel car sales by 2030 is not possible.

April 5, 2023