International Relations

Opps Back to front
- @SimCityAT

I saw that Jimmy Kimmel show on YT and it was just "bad timing" on the show's writers.  How did they know there would be an attacker? 

And besides that, suck it up Donny.  If you want to play with people, expect some people to disagree and to take the mickey - free speech etc.  There is of course the obvious 23-year age gap between Melamine and Mango Man.  For sure he's going before Melamine.

It's all the same crap as Mandelson.  Just storms in teacups. 

Donny spends more time riffing on pointless rubbish like his ballroom, arch and wotnot than he does on the real issues of the people, like the price index and the war he started. 

Put a clown in charge and you get a circus.

@fluffy2560

The attacker had booked the hotel room well in advance as well.

@fluffy2560The attacker had booked the hotel room well in advance as well. - @SimCityAT

Yes, could have been a fatal mistake if the attacker had gotten lucky.

That's what they say - the attacker only has to get lucky once - but the authorities have to get lucky multiple times.

I heard a comment on the radio - Trump is POTUS 47.  Out of 47 POTUSes (or POTUSi?), 4 have been assassinated.  That's close to 10%.  Seems a bit high.

Latest report is that Trump's image will appear in US passports.

???

???
- @SimCityAT

Delusional. 

Who is Trump talking to?

Iran decentralised its decision making long ago just for these circumstances.

HU:

Hungary's incoming PM Péter Magyar offers to meet Ukraine's president in June

Relations between the two neighbours hit rock bottom before Hungary's 12 April election that saw Magyar beat long-time nationalist premier Viktor Orbán.

.....

"I am initiating a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for early June, symbolically in Berehove, which has a Hungarian majority," Magyar said in a social media post after meeting the mayor of the Ukrainian city in Budapest.

Very good of PM to do that.   Now I think of it, I guess we'll have to say PM PM (Prime Minister Peter Magyar) or possibly PM^2 (PM squared).

US regulator to review Disney broadcast licences after Jimmy Kimmel joke about Melania Trump

America is turning into the old Hungary, run by a dictator.

The US Federal Communications Commission is ordering an early review of Disney's television broadcast licences days after President Donald Trump called for the firing of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.

Trump had urged ABC - whose parent company is Disney - to pull Kimmel's show after the comedian joked that Melania Trump had the glow of an "expectant widow". Kimmel made the remarks days before a gunman fired shots at a gala attended by the Trumps.

In an order on Tuesday, the FCC said it had been investigating Disney's ABC stations for possible violations, including unlawful discrimination.

A Disney spokesperson told the BBC that ABC and its stations serve the public within FCC guidelines.

The stations "have a long record of operating in full compliance with FCC rules and serving their local communities with trusted news, emergency information, and public‑interest programming", the company spokesperson said. "Our focus remains, as always, on serving viewers in the local communities where our stations operate."

The FCC order directs the company to file licence-renewal applications for all of its licensed TV stations within 30 days.

The agency as part of its renewal review can require Disney to prove that it meets the agency's public-interest standards. The Disney-owned ABC television station licences were not scheduled for renewal until 2028.

The reviews could lead to the revocation of the stations' licences to broadcast, an action the commission has not taken in more than 40 years, Reuters reported.

....
The FCC order directs the company to file licence-renewal applications for all of its licensed TV stations within 30 days.

The agency as part of its renewal review can require Disney to prove that it meets the agency's public-interest standards. The Disney-owned ABC television station licences were not scheduled for renewal until 2028.

The reviews could lead to the revocation of the stations' licences to broadcast, an action the commission has not taken in more than 40 years, Reuters reported. - @SimCityAT

It's going to get tied up in court and the case for against ABC seems flimsy. 

Trump will want money as he always does.

USA (Metro UK):

Here’s why King Charles gave Donald Trump a bell from HMS Trump

The King and Queen have exchanged gifts with Donald Trump and the First Lady, with the royal couple giving the US President a bell from a historic submarine.

....

King Charles paid tribute to America’s ‘special relationship’ with the UK by giving him the bell from the HMS Trump, a WWII submarine which served in the Pacific.

‘I’m delighted to present to you the original bell which hung on the conning tower of your valiant namesake. May it stand as a testimony to our nation’s shared history and shining future,’ the King said.

‘Should you ever need to get hold of us, just give us a ring,’ he added, as the crowd laughed.

I never knew there was a submarine called HMS Trump.  There are so many jokes one can make about that aspect.  But I reckon most of the double meanings the King may have used in his speech were way over DJT's head.

HU (Guardian):

Orbán associates rush to move wealth out of Hungary after election defeat

Along the banks of the Danube, news that the Viktor Orbán era had come to an end set off an hours-long party. The joy echoed across Hungary as people traded hugs and high-fives. For some, however, the landslide loss set off a frantic scramble.

Private jets allegedly laden with the spoils of those whose wealth swelled during Orbán’s 16 years in power have steadily been taking off from Vienna, while other individuals are racing to invest their assets abroad, sources have told the Guardian. Meanwhile, high-level figures close to Orbán have been looking into US visa options, hoping to find work at Maga-linked institutions.

.....

Since the election, the Guardian has learned of three members of this inner circle who have begun moving their assets abroad. The wealth is being moved to countries in the Middle East – Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE – while others have their sights set on Australia and Singapore, two Fidesz sources said.

I'm surprised it's only 3 of the inner circle.  There must be 100s of them.  There have been rumours there's a bank in Dubai owned by these people.  And that's where the money is.

EU (Euronews):

Europe moves to break Visa and Mastercard's grip — but not everyone agrees

The digital euro could arrive by 2029 — but a bitter battle between Brussels and the banks stands in the way. Europe's payment system is on the brink of its biggest shake-up in decades.

A digital euro, a push for sovereignty from US payment giants and a bitter fight between banks and Brussels are all coming to a head — and the outcome could affect how Europeans conduct even the simplest day-to-day payments.

I found this article of interest since, this will be enacted probably before HU joins the EUR.

HU:

Already been a busy news week:

Orbán-linked media baron Gyula Balásy offers his companies to the state for free: what he may get in return

Police investigating against Orbán’s friend, the wealthiest Hungarian, Lőrinc Mészáros

What will happen with Orbán’s elite guard? Péter Magyar does not want their protection

It seems things are moving pretty fast.  PM^2 will be sworn in shortly and literally takes the reins of power.   These kinds of investigations and re-orientation will speed up.   Mrs F says, Fidesz people are still in shock and did not make sufficient plans to run away from HU with their grifted cash. 

HU (Euronews):

PM^2 has gone to Italy to see Meloni:

'We had to fight a different kind of mafia,' Magyar says ahead of talks with Meloni

But for some reason, Euronews chose to illustrate their article with an odd Meloni photo (she seems surprised or horrified by something - probably OV's election failure):

HU (BBC):

Hungary's new PM to be sworn in during 'regime change' party

A parliamentary session is under way in Hungary to swear in Péter Magyar as prime minister, almost a month after an election victory that swept away 16 years of rule by Viktor Orbán.

Magyar's Tisza party holds 141 seats out of 199 in the new parliament - up from zero, a result of the party being founded just two years ago.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in a "celebration of freedom and democracy" outside parliament in Budapest, along the shores of the Danube. Magyar has told Hungarians to step through the "gateway of regime change".

Orbán's Fidesz party crumbled from 135 to 52 seats, and shows signs of imploding.

It's going to be hard to get to the party.  Apparently metro will not stop and some trams will not be running around the Parliament.   15h for the inauguration and party starts I believe at 17h and will go on into the night.  It'll be mostly on TV.  Mrs F and I are due there but I don't want to walk too far so I might have to look at it on TV.

Not a good result but could have been worse

Not a good result but could have been worse
- @SimCityAT

I don't really get why Reform is so much on the rise. 

Farage is untested in national government, he never goes to his constituency, he's presided over his self-enrichment (like £5M "gifts" from "friends") and he's responsible for the disaster known as Brexit. 

If he gets in, it'll be years of Trumpian-style mess.

@fluffy2560

Because people are stupid, and they think they are going to have a huge change in politics. He was very clever in choosing the name. REFORM. Improper have got that in their head.

They will be very sorry if they do get into power,but I don't think they will bet a majority. They will. Only have a minority but no one will be willing to work with them.

@fluffy2560
Because people are stupid, and they think they are going to have a huge change in politics. He was very clever in choosing the name. REFORM. Improper have got that in their head.
They will be very sorry if they do get into power,but I don't think they will bet a majority. They will. Only have a minority but no one will be willing to work with them. - @SimCityAT

Well, fingers crossed.  Farage is just a nightmare.  However, the Sheeple have been convinced at least at the local level.   People are indeed dumb.  US voted a grifter in and now it seems others want to elect one in the UK.  It's bonkers.

I am heartily sick of hearing about Starmer being replaced.  It's the wrong time and it's very very boring.  Last thing the country needs is more change at the top.   I think he's handled the current geopolitical situation reasonably OK.

@fluffy2560

600,000 MAGA paid a $100 deposit for the golden Trump phone, and not one person has received anything or got a refund.

@fluffy2560
600,000 MAGA paid a $100 deposit for the golden Trump phone, and not one person has received anything or got a refund. - @SimCityAT

Grifter Inc.  That's just obvious except to the hard of thinking. 

@fluffy2560

What is interesting, Nigel Farage might lose his seat over taking this 25m GBP gift from the crypto billionaire, all because he didn't declare it. (Another grifter). Anyway, he will be allowed to stand again for the same seat. He would probably win again, so that it would be all pointless and a waste of money. But on the other hand, he could lose it. Now that would be interesting. But I would imagine it would lose it to Restore Britain, and that is even worse. But it would mean Nigel wouldn't be an MP.

They aren't the brightest lot in Clacton, so anything is possible.

@fluffy2560
What is interesting, Nigel Farage might lose his seat over taking this 25m GBP gift from the crypto billionaire, all because he didn't declare it. (Another grifter). Anyway, he will be allowed to stand again for the same seat. He would probably win again, so that it would be all pointless and a waste of money. But on the other hand, he could lose it. Now that would be interesting. But I would imagine it would lose it to Restore Britain, and that is even worse. But it would mean Nigel wouldn't be an MP.
They aren't the brightest lot in Clacton, so anything is possible. - @SimCityAT

Essex people in Clacton.  Been there and don't remember a thing about it. Farage and I are probably in the same boat.   I've never heard of him speaking in Parliament. 

I think Farage got £5M for "security" and yes, I think £5M would make a lot of people feel secure.  He's Trump-lite and if anyone falls for his spiel, they will live to regret it. 

It's like Brexit, how many people actually want it now?   Less than 48% for sure.

HU (Euronews):

Evading justice: Wanted former Polish minister confirms he fled Hungary to US

Hungary's new Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who was sworn in on Saturday, said that Hungary would no longer protect people wanted elsewhere.

Poland's former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, wanted on several criminal charges in his home country, has fled Hungary to the United States, he confirmed on Sunday, following local media reports.

"I am in the United States," Ziobro told right-wing broadcaster Republika. "I arrived yesterday and this is my third time travelling around the country."

Ziobro, who received asylum from right-wing ally Viktor Orbán's government last year, faces up to 25 years in prison in Poland if convicted of the charges laid against him.

They include abuse of power, leading an organised criminal enterprise and using funds meant for crime victims to buy Israeli Pegasus spyware, allegedly to monitor political opponents.

Presumably the guy travelled on a Hungarian passport.

HU:

Seven-day weeks and ‘debt bondage’: China’s first electric car plant in Europe mired in allegations of worker abuse https://www.theguardian.com/global-deve … rker-abuse

HU:
Seven-day weeks and ‘debt bondage’: China’s first electric car plant in Europe mired in allegations of worker abuse https://www.theguardian.com/global-deve … rker-abuse - @SimCityAT

Saw something about forcing people to work 7 days a week;

Did not wish to sub to the Guardian so was not able to open the link.

Yes, some companies are ruthless with workers.

Not sure where that plant was located, in Hungary?

Sounds a bit like slavery or indentured servitude.

I know that was common in the continental US. Slavery was huge in Rome, Turkey actually almost every western EU country. The Sweds even had slaves they captured in the UK, Ireland mostly from what I understand. Sold them to Turkey and other middle east countries.

Still goes on in many countries under other names.

Take it or leave it they tell the employees.

Every country,s hand are dirty.

@Marilyn Tassy

Take your pick of the source(s) you'd prefer.

New Hungarian PM vows to arrest Netanyahu if he enters country

Budapest is considering reversing its decision to withdraw from the ICC, stating that wanted leaders ‘must be taken into custody’ (Link)

Further reading available here.

Video release here (Link, X-post)

Thoughts?

HU:
Seven-day weeks and ‘debt bondage’: China’s first electric car plant in Europe mired in allegations of worker abuse https://www.theguardian.com/global-deve … rker-abuse - @SimCityAT

Good catch on the article.

This is pretty much normal for Chinese construction projects.  It's truly a strange system. I've seen road projects in Ethiopia where even stone is brought from China. Ethiopia does not have a rock shortage nor does it have a shortage of labourers.

I also saw trucks from China in Central Asia bringing in building materials and ALL the personnel were Chinese.  Seen this elsewhere in Asia-Pacific.  Health and Safety goes right out the window.  I remember seeing a guy welding in his bare feet.  Talk about dangerous.  Spatter of molten metal hurts like hell.  I always wear my industrial boots when welding, mowing the grass or using machinery.

Another poster here (now not to be seen). suggested my original post on Chinese engagement in Hungary was racist.  Nothing of the sort.  We've been touched by the Debrecen battery factory construction because our daughter was friends with one of the Korean workers.  All of the Koreans were pulled out suddenly.  No idea why but it was serious enough to pull 30-40 engineers all at once.

HU:Seven-day weeks and ‘debt bondage’: China’s first electric car plant in Europe mired in allegations of worker abuse https://www.theguardian.com/global-deve … rker-abuse - @SimCityATSaw something about forcing people to work 7 days a week;Did not wish to sub to the Guardian so was not able to open the link.Yes, some companies are ruthless with workers.Not sure where that plant was located, in Hungary?Sounds a bit like slavery or indentured servitude.I know that was common in the continental US. Slavery was huge in Rome, Turkey actually almost every western EU country. The Sweds even had slaves they captured in the UK, Ireland mostly from what I understand. Sold them to Turkey and other middle east countries.Still goes on in many countries under other names.Take it or leave it they tell the employees.Every country,s hand are dirty. - @Marilyn Tassy

You can just decline the Guardian pop up for a subscription.   

The BYD car plant is in Szeged.  And CATL battery factory is in Debrecen.

7 days a week is not unusual out in Asia but it violates a raft of EU labour laws.

Contractually, these things have to be included BUT my experience is a lot of things are ignored.

New Hungarian PM vows to arrest Netanyahu if he enters countryBudapest is considering reversing its decision to withdraw from the ICC, stating that wanted leaders ‘must be taken into custody’ (Link)Further reading available here.Video release here (Link, X-post)Thoughts? - @Aidan in HCMC

PM^2 has got off to a reasonable start - back in the EHCR, rejoin ICC etc.  He's a lawyer so he'll be clear on his direction.

Both Netanyahooooo and Putin are potential arrest targets in Europe (patchy though) but most importantly there is no way Trump will arrest either of them.  Not that US is in the ICC.  BTW, I wondered if they'd rejoin the WHO due to the rat/hanta-virus and the increasing measles presence in the USA itself.   That's another story.

In our minds currently is that a lot of the former HU regime's personnel will be arrested on corruption grounds.  I would not be surprised if we see them on remand pending trial within 6 to 12 months.  Some have legged it to Dubai apparently but I cannot substantiate that yet.

Some of them are still hanging around but we never hear anything about them.  They are suddenly non-people.

p.s. There's a video of PM^2 walking around an office Fidesz had built on the government castle area. It's really luxurious. I think it can be found in FB or elsewhere but I don't have a link.  The one I really want to see is Hatvanpuszta and the zebras.

HU:Seven-day weeks and ‘debt bondage’: China’s first electric car plant in Europe mired in allegations of worker abuse https://www.theguardian.com/global-deve … rker-abuse - @SimCityATSaw something about forcing people to work 7 days a week;Did not wish to sub to the Guardian so was not able to open the link.Yes, some companies are ruthless with workers.Not sure where that plant was located, in Hungary?Sounds a bit like slavery or indentured servitude.I know that was common in the continental US. Slavery was huge in Rome, Turkey actually almost every western EU country. The Sweds even had slaves they captured in the UK, Ireland mostly from what I understand. Sold them to Turkey and other middle east countries.Still goes on in many countries under other names.Take it or leave it they tell the employees.Every country,s hand are dirty. - @Marilyn Tassy
You can just decline the Guardian pop up for a subscription.
The BYD car plant is in Szeged. And CATL battery factory is in Debrecen.

7 days a week is not unusual out in Asia but it violates a raft of EU labour laws.

Contractually, these things have to be included BUT my experience is a lot of things are ignored. - @fluffy2560

In many US states it is called the right to work.

Meaning you can get fired quickly and work for ages without offically becoming a full time employee, hench saving the company from giving you health coverage.

The casinos were like that.

I got lucky with working for Coast casinos, they gave me a set days of work per week and health coverage after a full year.

I had day shift and Friday and Saturdays off;

Big tip days but super busy too.

I did not mind working Sundays, it was usually a quiet smooth day.

Then I worked for Station casinos, they hired me as extra board. Really nice bosses there but I never had set days to work and they would change them last min.

I was allowed to give away days of work, did that often because sometimes they had me working 10 or more days in a row.

That was too much.

Then 9/11 happened and we hardly got any work days for months.

I went in a couple times to have a buffet or play video poker with my husband, they boss saw me and asked if I wanted to work that day or the next. I usually said yes to stay on his good side but hated last min work days

Tips went down too. Went from a steady $140 a day with hourly pay too down to under $100; plus hourly.

Right to work states can fire you for any reason and you can quit for any reason but getting benefits takes time.

I worked for a chain salon which paid hourly plus tips.

They also did not give medical unless you worked 40 or more hours a week and took a year.

The US sucks to work in unless you are in a union.

Jimmy Hoffa where are you?

One thing though, Station casinos did offer me full time and even asked me if I wanted to get into management.

I declined because of my frequent habit of leaving for Hungary every so often.

I also did not like the days off they offered me.

I hate working inside and need to feel a bit like I can control the situation;

My solution was legal, I have a bad knee and went on FMLA, family medical leave. I did not get paid for days I decided to take off but I also could call in sick any day I wanted without the risk of losing my job.

Europe (Euronews):

Watch: Meet the Americans who love Eurovision

Thousands of miles from Vienna, hundreds of Americans gathered in Washington DC to watch the Eurovision Song Contest.

Eurovision opened voting to the 'Rest of the World' - including the United States - during the 2023 contest in Liverpool, and US enthusiasm has only grown since.

At the watch party, attendees cheered passionately for countries including Finland, Bulgaria and Greece, embracing the sequins, spectacle, and sheer drama that make Eurovision unlike any other show on earth.

Glad to see there are fans across the pond.

US (and Cuba) via BBC:

Former Cuban president Raúl Castro indicted in US over 1996 fatal downing of two planes

Perhaps a precursor to invade and snatch Raul, Maduro style.

HU (explosion at oil refinery):

As of the late evening hours of 21 May 2026 disruptions are ongoing in Tiszaujvaros municipality, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen county, following an explosion and subsequent fire at the MOL petrochemicals plant located in the TVK Industrial area. Emerging details indicate that at least one death and several additional individuals were injured in the initial explosion, the cause of which is not clear; further details are uncertain at this time. A large emergency response is ongoing amid reports of an ensuing fire.

Any possibility of a stray (UKR) or deliberate (RU) drone attack?

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said he won’t be asking for a recount and dismissed theories of possible voter tampering after his loss in the Kentucky GOP primary to Trump-backed GOP candidate Ed Gallrein.

Read more: https://thehill.com/.../5891548-massie- … o-recount/

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said he won’t be asking for a recount and dismissed theories of possible voter tampering after his loss in the Kentucky GOP primary to Trump-backed GOP candidate Ed Gallrein.Read more: https://thehill.com/.../5891548-massie- … o-recount/ - @SimCityAT

The Republican party is Donald Trump and vice-versa. Retribution for the Epstein files.

There is resistance emerging over his slush fund of $1776 million DOJ "victims" fund. 

Apparently Donny will miss his son's wedding because he's busy at the weekend.  Rumour mill suggests more Iran bombing or Cuba invasion.

Trump says US won't 'rush' into deal - as Tehran makes nuclear claim

A deal will be "announced soon", Donald Trump said last night. Today, he says he's told his team not to rush into a deal - and that time is on their side.

Trump says US won't 'rush' into deal - as Tehran makes nuclear claim
A deal will be "announced soon", Donald Trump said last night. Today, he says he's told his team not to rush into a deal - and that time is on their side. - @SimCityAT

He's up the creek as his time limit in Congress to wage war without their OK has expired.

It won't be much different to the Obama deal. The Iranians are not dumb despite any evilness they enjoy.  They just called all of the Hormuz Straits as their territory.

There's more open resistance now to him in Congress so he's likely to end up a lame duck President with nowhere to go politically.

Be like here. It'll take years to undo the damage.