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Wednesday, September 3, 2025

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https://nordictimes.com/world/corruption-scandal-shakes-poland-eu-billions-to-swingers-club-and-vodka-bars/

World

Corruption scandal shakes Poland: EU billions to swingers club and vodka bars

Published 14 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Polish Prime Minister who promised to unlock EU billions now faces harsh criticism for their use.
4 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Poland’s government is being shaken by a growing scandal after it was revealed that parts of Poland’s EU recovery funds for post-covid recovery ended up with businesses that can hardly be described as socially critical – including a swingers club, a pizzeria with a solarium, and a chain of vodka bars.

The revelation came when the government published an interactive map of grant recipients to show how the money was distributed. Instead of confirming responsible use, it exposed how support from a program worth 1.2 billion złoty (approximately 282 million euros) went to yachts, entertainment establishments, and other projects that raise questions about the authorities’ judgment and control over how EU citizens’ tax money is actually used.

One of the most notable cases involves a business in southern Poland registered at the same address as a swingers club.

The national-conservative Law and Justice party (PiS) describes the affair as a textbook example of cronyism and waste of taxpayer money.

— One of the biggest scandals since 1989, declared PiS parliamentarian Tobiasz Bocheński.

He staged a protest on Saturday outside the prime minister’s office with a fake sign for the made-up “Ministry of Herring and Vodka” – a reference to one of the businesses that received funding.

PiS is now demanding parliamentary hearings and that prosecutors examine “the link, dependency and decision-making chain”.

Grants for luxury and entertainment

The HoReCa program is part of the 254 billion złoty (approximately 59.8 billion euros) that Poland was allocated from the EU’s recovery plan. The money was frozen by the EU for a long time due to alleged rule of law deficiencies under the PiS government, and releasing the funds was one of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s main campaign promises in 2023.

The program was created to save hotels, restaurants and cultural activities and make them more resilient to crises. Instead, parts of the support have been used to buy luxury goods and finance activities far from the program’s core purpose.

A restaurant owner in Łódź, whose grant was used to buy two yachts, defended himself, claiming that they “didn’t get this money for vacations”. Instead, he argued that the EU-financed luxury boats could be rented out to tourists when the restaurants were closed.

The owner of the business registered at the same address as the swingers club claims in turn that the grant went to metalworking machines – not to adult entertainment.

Officials emphasize that many of the criticized purchases, despite their questionable utility, actually followed the program’s rules – rules that were formulated by the previous government and allowed investments in, for example, tourist rentals or “environmentally friendly attractions”.

“A shame”

To quell criticism from outraged citizens who have grown tired of widespread corruption, Prime Minister Donald Tusk assures that improper use of the funds will not be tolerated.

“We put too much effort into unlocking these billions to allow anyone to waste them”, he wrote on X on Saturday, also promising that “anyone who made mistakes will face consequences, regardless of their position or party affiliation”.

A well-known Polish entrepreneur, Rafał Brzoska – owner of logistics company InPost – directs sharp criticism at how the recovery funds have been handled. He describes the scandal as the end for KPO, the Polish part of the EU’s recovery plan, and believes the causes are “stupidity, haste, human greed, the lack of proper procedures, and the absence of qualified personnel to competently assess applications and separate the wheat from the chaff?”.

“It’s a shame that such an important program for Poland, its economy and investments ends this way, because no one has any doubts anymore that this is THE END”, he added.

“Obliged to take action”

Prosecutors have begun investigating, and the finance ministry says the first results from the review will come at the end of September.

The European Commission has so far been more restrained in its response, but has requested an explanation from Warsaw.

— Poland is obliged to take explanatory action, said EU Commission spokesperson Maciej Berestecki in an interview with radio channel RMF FM.

Brussels emphasizes that if the Polish authorities’ response to any irregularities is deemed insufficient, the European Commission can take further action. In cases where suspected fraud occurs, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and OLAF (the EU’s anti-fraud office) can also intervene.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/world/trump-american-politics-was-completely-controlled-by-israel/

World

Trump: American politics was completely controlled by Israel

The Israel lobby

Published today 9:39
– By Editorial Staff
Trump believes that the Israel lobby has begun to lose its grip over Washington.
3 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Israel previously had “total control” over the US Congress, and it was completely impossible for anyone who spoke “ill” of the Jewish state to build a political career. This is stated by US President Donald Trump in an interview with Daily Caller published this week.

— There was a time where you couldn’t speak bad, if you wanted to be a politician, you couldn’t speak badly, Trump explained.

He emphasized that Israel had long held a completely unique position in Washington, but claimed that this is changing.

— If you go back 15 years, probably that’s when it started, right. Israel was the strongest lobby I’ve ever seen. They had total control over Congress, and now they don’t, you know, I’m a little surprised to see that.

He continued to develop his reasoning:

— If you go back 20 years. I mean, I will tell you, Israel had the strongest lobby in Congress of anything or body, or of any company or corporation or state that I’ve ever seen. Israel was the strongest. Today, it doesn’t have that strong a lobby. It’s amazing.

“Not winning the world of public relations”

According to Trump, American politics has fundamentally changed – today there are, as he puts it, “all kinds of Israel critics” and “lunatics” among the country’s top politicians.

He was referring among others to the so-called Squad, consisting of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib – a group of left-wing Democratic congresswomen who have made their mark with sharp criticism of Israel.

The president connected the changes in public debate to Israel’s bloody invasion of Gaza.

— They may be winning the war, but they’re not winning the world of public relations, you know, and it is hurting them.

At the same time, Trump highlighted his own role in the relationship between Washington and Jerusalem, true to form. He declared that “no one has done more” for Israel than himself, and described the country as “amazing”, because he himself has received “good support” in return.

One lobbyist for every politician

Although Trump claims that the Israel lobby doesn’t have the same power over American politics as before, there are many who don’t share that conclusion.

The Nordic Times has among other things highlighted how libertarian congressman Thomas Massie revealed that all Republican congressmen have a personal lobbyist from AIPAC with whom they maintain close contact and who tells them how to vote on various issues.

— Why would they want to tell their constituents that they’ve basically got a buddy system with somebody who’s representing a foreign country? It doesn’t benefit the congressman for people to know that. So they’re not going to tell you that, he states.

The Nordic Times has also reported on how AIPAC as recently as the last election boasted that almost all candidates they financed won their respective elections while managing to “stop” a number of Israel-critical candidates.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/world/belgium-recognizes-palestinian-state-imposes-sanctions-against-israel/

World

Belgium recognizes Palestinian state – imposes sanctions against Israel

The genocide in Gaza

Published yesterday 15:19
– By Editorial Staff
"Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government", according to Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot.
3 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announces that the country will recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly later in September. At the same time, a series of sanctions are being imposed against the Israeli government, including import bans from illegal settlements and entry bans for two extremist ministers.

Belgium will formally recognize a Palestinian state when the UN General Assembly opens on September 9, according to the country’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot.

“Palestine will be recognized by Belgium during the UN session! And firm sanctions are being imposed on the Israeli government”, Prévot writes on platform X.

The foreign minister announces that Belgium will implement twelve sanctions targeting Israel at the national level. The decision comes as a reaction to what he describes as a “humanitarian tragedy in Palestine” and Israel’s actions in violation of international law.

“Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government”, Prévot explains. “This is not about sanctioning the Israeli people but about ensuring that their government respects international and humanitarian law and taking action to try to change the situation on the ground”.

Comprehensive package of measures

The sanctions package contains several concrete measures:

• Ban on imports of products from Israeli settlements
• Review of public procurement with Israeli companies
• Restrictions on consular assistance to Belgian citizens in illegal settlements
• Possible legal prosecutions
• Ban on overflights and transit
• Entry ban for two extremist Israeli ministers, Hamas leaders and several violent settlers

Although Prévot did not name the ministers, it appears to concern Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who have already been hit by similar measures from other EU countries such as the Netherlands.

Pressure at EU level

Belgium will also work for measures at the EU level, including suspending the union’s association agreement with Israel and terminating research programs and technical cooperation.

The recognition of Palestine takes place within the framework of a joint initiative from France and Saudi Arabia.

“Belgium will recognize Palestine during the joint initiative of France and Saudi Arabia. A strong political and diplomatic gesture to preserve the chances of a two-state solution”, writes Prévot, who also states that Brussels is participating in the initiative to “mark the condemnation of Israel’s expansionist ambitions with its settlement programs and military occupations”.

Hostages must be released first

Prévot emphasizes that the measures are directed against Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and its actions during the 22-month-long offensive against Gaza – not against the Jewish people.

The government simultaneously states that it also intends to take measures against glorification of Hamas and combat what it describes as antisemitism.

The sanctions will take effect through royal decree, but only after the last hostage held by Hamas in Gaza has been released and when the group no longer has any role in the administration of Palestine.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/world/analyst-ukraine-war-and-sanctions-have-welded-together-asias-great-powers/

World

Analyst: Ukraine war and sanctions have welded together Asia’s great powers

The new multipolar world order

Published yesterday 13:28
– By Editorial Staff
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is received in China as the old rivals move closer to each other.
3 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Sky News economic analyst and editor Ed Conway warns that the Western world is drastically underestimating how significant the Eurasian alliance Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is becoming.

According to Conway, the Ukraine war and Western sanctions against Russia have accelerated a historic power shift where China, Russia and India are now forming an increasingly strong counterweight to the G7 countries.

While G7 countries’ exports to Russia have collapsed to almost zero, China’s exports have instead increased dramatically. India has gone from barely importing Russian oil to relying on the country for the majority of its crude oil imports. British analyst Ed Conway argues that the consequences of the Ukraine war extend far beyond Europe’s borders.

“The vast majority of policymakers in Westminster, let alone elsewhere around the UK, have never heard of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation”, Conway writes in his analysis from the summit in Tianjin, China this week.

He believes this grouping of ten Eurasian states – led by China, Russia and India – deserves significantly more attention in Europe.

The analyst identifies February 2022 as a watershed moment. Before the war, G7 countries exported roughly as much to Russia as China did, and Europe was then the largest importer of Russian oil. Today, the figures show a completely different reality. While Western sanctions have decimated G7 trade with Russia, China’s exports have instead exploded.

“Exports of Chinese transportation equipment are up nearly 500%”, Conway notes.

A future without the US?

In parallel, India has undergone a dramatic change in its energy purchases. The country has gone from importing “next to no Russian oil to relying on the country for the majority of its crude imports”.

This development has led the US to consider drastic measures. Conway points to how Washington has threatened to impose “secondary tariffs” against India, which would double the tariff level on Indian goods to 50 percent – “one of the highest levels in the world”.

“The upshot of Ukraine, in other words, isn’t just misery and war in Europe. It’s a sharp divergence in economic strategies around the world”, he states.

The analyst identifies a deeper structural change taking place. Asian nations have begun to “envisage something they had never quite imagined before: an economic future that doesn’t depend on the American financial infrastructure”.

Putin, Modi and Xi Jinping during the SCO summit this week. Photo: Kremlin/CC BY 4.0

“Once sworn rivals”

Conway explains that Asian countries have traditionally been the largest buyers of US government bonds, partly to secure dollars for oil purchases. But since the war in Ukraine escalated, Russia has begun selling oil without pricing it in dollars, while many Asian nations have reduced their purchases of US government bonds.

“Part of the explanation for the recent rise in US and UK government bond yields is that there is simply less demand for them from foreign investors than there used to be”, he notes.

A particularly concerning trend for Western leaders is the growing economic weight of SCO countries, and Conway points out that when adjusted for purchasing power, these nations’ share of global GDP is now approaching the combined share of advanced economies.

But perhaps the most surprising development is the rapprochement between China and India, which for long periods have had a very strained, and at times almost openly hostile relationship.

“Something that would have seemed completely implausible only a few years ago”, Conway writes, is that these “once sworn rivals” are now approaching economic reconciliation.

As India now faces harsh US tariffs, the country hardly sees any risk in approaching China through this rare journey to strengthen relations with Beijing, according to the analyst.

“A seismic moment”

Conway calls the development “a seismic moment in geopolitics” and concludes his analysis with a warning:

“For a long time, the world’s two most populous nations were at loggerheads. Now they are increasingly moving in lockstep with each other. That is a consequence few would have guessed at when Russia invaded Ukraine. Yet it could be of enormous importance for geopolitics in future decades”, he states.

The economic analyst’s conclusion is clear: the Ukraine war and sanctions against Russia have had an unexpected effect. Instead of isolating Russia, it has welded together Asia’s superpowers and accelerated the West’s economic decline.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

The SCO was founded in 2001 and has ten member countries: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. The organization started as a security policy cooperation but now also encompasses economic and political issues.

The member countries represent over 40 percent of the world's population and when adjusted for purchasing power, SCO countries account for nearly half of global GDP. The organization's secretariat is located in Beijing and the chairmanship rotates between member countries.

G7 (Group of Seven)

The G7 consists of the USA, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Canada. The group was formed in the 1970s as a forum for economic coordination between industrialized liberal democracies. The G7 countries account for approximately 30 percent of global GDP and have long played a central role in the international financial system.

The EU participates in G7 meetings as an observer. Since 2022, the G7 has coordinated economic sanctions against Russia following the war in Ukraine.

https://nordictimes.com/world/xi-jinping-wants-to-challenge-western-dominance-seeks-multipolar-world-order/

World

Xi Jinping wants to challenge Western dominance – seeks multipolar world order

The new multipolar world order

Published yesterday 10:36
– By Editorial Staff
China's Xi Jinping and India's Narendra Modi.
3 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Chinese President Xi Jinping launched a frontal attack against Western “hegemony and power politics” when he opened the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Before 20 world leaders, he demanded a new world order free from Western dominance and called for a multipolar world with a more equal distribution of power.

At Monday’s opening speech before more than 20 world leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and India’s Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping urged member countries to continue resisting what he described as bullying behavior within the international system.

— The global situation remains volatile and turbulent. We must reject bullying, oppose external interference, and safeguard the legitimate development rights of all countries, Xi warned.

The Chinese leader invoked what he called the “Shanghai Spirit” – principles that according to Xi are based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation and respect for different civilizations. He also praised the progress SCO has made since its founding in 2001 and presented new priorities for the organization.

— We should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and make the global governance system more just and equitable, the Chinese president continued.

He emphasized that members must “oppose the Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation, and bullying practices” – terms that Beijing often uses to criticize US and Western policies.

— We uphold justice and fairness, and oppose hegemony and power politics. Constructive participation in international affairs must be based on respect, not domination, he continued.

Summit amid tariff crisis

Xi described all SCO members as “friends and partners” and called for forms of cooperation that benefit all parties while respecting national differences. He also called for strengthened cultural and social exchange between peoples, evidence-based decision-making within the organization and improved strategic communication.

— Joint cooperation makes it possible for all cultures to flourish in prosperity and harmony, he assured.

The statements come after China’s sharp condemnation of Trump’s recently imposed tariffs against several countries, including India.

The US and China currently have a fragile ceasefire in the tariff conflict after Trump postponed the reintroduction of high tariffs against Beijing by 90 days. Last week, however, Trump threatened 200-percent tariffs if China restricts exports of rare earth magnets to the US.

Xi also emphasized the need for strengthened multilateralism and that the UN’s role as well as the global trade system must be preserved.

Growing economic influence

The SCO countries’ combined GDP approaches €27 trillion and the organization’s global influence is expanding at a corresponding pace, noted the Chinese leader who also established that members today work together to handle challenges within security, environmental issues and innovation.

China’s trade with the organization’s member states has exceeded €2.1 trillion, and Xi particularly highlighted projects within Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative and how Chinese investments in member countries have already passed $84 billion.

During the summit, which gathered representatives from over 20 nations in Asia, Europe and the Middle East as well as from the UN and ASEAN, China presented several concrete proposals. They called for rapid creation of an SCO development bank and a new regional center for various types of security challenges. Additionally, Xi Jinping announced 100 small-scale livelihood projects to be implemented in member states.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in connection with the SCO summit in Tianjin, China. Photo: MEAphotogalleryCC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Xi also promised additional investments in education and training of scientific and technical skills to support future growth within the region.

— The organization has set a model for a new type of international relations, he said and promised to work to lift SCO to new heights.

The summit in Tianjin shows according to analysts how China is systematically building alternatives that can challenge Western institutions, and analysts point out that SCO’s growing economic weight gives Xi’s vision of a multipolar world increasingly greater impact.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

What is the SCO?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is an economic and security alliance founded in 2001. The organization encompasses over 20 nations from Asia, Europe and the Middle East, including the major powers China, Russia and India. The combined GDP of SCO countries approaches $30 trillion, making the organization one of the world's largest economic blocs.

Originally, the SCO focused on security issues and counter-terrorism in Central Asia, but has expanded to include economic cooperation, trade and cultural exchange. China views the organization as a counterweight to Western alliances such as the G7 and NATO, and under Xi Jinping's leadership, the SCO has increasingly positioned itself as a platform for a "multipolar world order" free from Western dominance.

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