Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

Ad:

Death toll continues to rise after Moscow terror attack

Published 25 March 2024
– By Editorial Staff
The bloody terrorist attack has shaken Russian society.

By Sunday evening, the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue had claimed at least 137 lives, and a large number of victims remain hospitalized with critical or serious injuries.

Four men have been arrested for carrying out the bloody massacre – and another seven have been detained for links to the terrorist attack.

Friday’s terrorist attack on a concert hall in Moscow has now claimed at least 137 lives, according to an update from Russian authorities. Meanwhile, the search for bodies continues in the building, which was destroyed by a fire set by the perpetrators.

A group of armed men stormed the venue in the evening during a concert by the rock band Picnic. Nearly 7,500 people were in the building when the terrorists first killed the guards and then opened fire on the crowd, using firebombs to start the fire that quickly spread through the building.

So far, only about 60 bodies have been positively identified – three of them children – and in addition to the dead, nearly 200 people were reportedly injured in the attack. Large amounts of ammunition and at least two automatic weapons left behind by the attackers as they fled were seized at the scene, and more weapons were found in the car in which the terrorists fled.

On Saturday, four of the perpetrators were arrested – along with seven other people suspected of being involved in the attack in various ways.

Foreign nationals

The arrested terrorists have been identified as Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, 32 years old from Tajikistan; Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, age and place of residence unknown, but in need of an interpreter; Shamsidin Fariduni, 26 years old from Tajikistan; and Muhammadsober Faizov – possibly born in 2004 and registered in the city of Ivanovo, northeast of Moscow. All four are reportedly foreign nationals.

The Islamic State terrorist organization has officially claimed responsibility for the attack, but as the group has a history of claiming responsibility for acts committed by other groups, it is not yet clear who actually ordered the attack.

The four suspected terrorists. Montage. Photo: fasimil/X

The attack was the deadliest to hit Russia in over 20 years and has deeply shaken Russian society.

– Those responsible for the concert attack will be punished. The attack shows that terrorism is a significant threat to Russia, said Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev.

Putin calls for unity

In an address to the nation, President Vladimir Putin said that “all four perpetrators, who were directly involved in the terrorist attack, all those who shot and killed people, have been found and apprehended. They attempted to escape and were heading towards Ukraine, where, according to preliminary information, a window was prepared for them on the Ukrainian side to cross the state border”.

The focus now is on identifying and exposing their accomplices, those who provided the terrorists with transportation, planned escape routes and prepared weapons caches.

– However, it is already clear that we are confronted not simply with a carefully and cynically planned terrorist attack, but a premediated and organised mass murder of peaceful, defenceless people. The perpetrators cold-bloodedly and deliberately targeted our citizens, including our children, with the intent to kill them at close range, Putin continued, promising that all perpetrators, organisers and masterminds of this crime will face fair and inevitable punishment, whoever they may be and whoever directed them.

– Terrorists, murderers, those inhumane individuals who have no nationality and cannot have one, face one and the same gloomy prospect – retribution and oblivion. They have no future. Our common duty now, shared by our comrades–in-arms at the front and all citizens of our country, is to stand united as one. I am confident that we will, for nothing and no one can shake our unity and will, our determination and courage, the strength of the united people of Russia.

Putin also announced that a number of unspecified anti-terrorist and anti-sabotage measures had been introduced across Russia, and that more resources would be devoted to ensuring that such acts do not occur again.

Accusing Ukraine

Although no concrete evidence of Ukraine’s involvement in the attack has yet been presented, Sergei Goncharov, a veteran of the Russian anti-terrorist unit “Alpha”, believes that Kiev is likely directly responsible for the attack.

– What happened today was a terrible tragedy, and I think, a link in a chain. Therefore I think Ukraine will reject responsibility. Because nobody publicly approves of terrorist attacks. But in any case, at the moment I don’t see any factor that could take us away from the Ukrainian connection. It could have been some other organization, but I have no doubt that it was provoked by the Nazis of Ukraine, the retired intelligence officer said in an interview with Sputnik.

He adds that the Ukrainian intelligence service has publicly and repeatedly threatened to carry out attacks on Russian civilian targets – and says the terrorist threat from Kiev is very real and could include everything from shooters to arsonists and suicide bombers.

Ukraine itself denies any involvement in the terrorist attack – while France and several other countries have raised their terror alert to the highest level – precisely because of the bloody attack in Moscow.

TNT is truly independent!

We don’t have a billionaire owner, and our unique reader-funded model keeps us free from political or corporate influence. This means we can fearlessly report the facts and shine a light on the misdeeds of those in power.

Consider a donation to keep our independent journalism running…

Smotrich: “We will finally occupy the Gaza Strip”

The situation in Gaza

Published yesterday 13:29
– By Editorial Staff
Bezalel Smotrich has long advocated for the permanent Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip and the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in the area.

Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Monday that the country intends to occupy the entire Gaza Strip. At the same time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the planned expansion of the offensive against the area.

We will stop being afraid of the word ‘occupation’, declared Smothrich.

On Monday, Israel’s security cabinet unanimously approved a plan to expand the military operation in Gaza, which, according to government officials, means a de facto occupation of the entire Gaza Strip. Tens of thousands of reservists have been called up for the operation.

We are finally going to occupy the Gaza Strip. We will stop being afraid of the word ‘occupation’, said the Finance Minister and Religious Zionist Party leader during a conference organized by B’Sheva newspaper.

Prime Minister Netanyahu described the operation as “intensive” and stressed that Israel will not withdraw from areas taken under its control.

– Once the new offensive is launched, Israel will not withdraw from conquered territories. The intention is the opposite of that, said Netanyahu in a video clip on X.

Opposition: It’s about saving Netanyahu

Netanyahu added that Gaza’s civilian population will be moved south “for its own protection” as part of the plan.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition and relatives of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Many accuse the government of prioritizing territorial gains over human lives.

– The cabinet decided last night to expand the military operation inside the Gaza Strip – not to maintain Israel’s security, but to save Netanyahu and the extremist government, opposition leader Yair Golan wrote on X.

May constitute genocide

Plans to forcibly displace civilians in Gaza raise questions of international law. According to the UN Genocide Convention, the forcible transfer of a protected group with the intent to destroy it in whole or in part may constitute genocide.

Also under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), such displacement can count as a crime against humanity.

German left party leader calls for NATO replacement – involving Russia

The new cold war

Published 5 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
According to Jan van Aken, NATO has outplayed its role - and a new alliance should take shape instead.

Jan van Aken, co-chair of the German left-wing party Die Linke, wants NATO to eventually be replaced by a new international security alliance that includes both Russia and the US.

In an interview with Die Zeit, he said that the NATO-led structure has no future and should be replaced by a more cooperative system.

– We have never wanted to abolish NATO without replacement, but rather to replace it with a cooperative security system, van Aken said in the interview published over the weekend.

He referred to his party’s 2011 manifesto, which proposes that Germany leave NATO in favor of a new collective security arrangement. Van Aken proposes a model similar to the OECD – a kind of “OECD 2.0” – where the focus is on peacekeeping and joint defense.

– A peace and defense alliance together with Russia and the US. But of course, such a structure would require at least ten years of confidence-building measures. During that time, NATO would remain in place – but it has no future, in my opinion, he added.

In addition to his criticism of NATO, van Aken also called for the withdrawal of US troops stationed in Germany – including the nuclear weapons they carry with them. He pointed out that the UK and France already have more than enough nuclear arsenals of their own.

Dreaming of a demilitarized Europe

Van Aken also confirmed that the vision of a demilitarized Europe remains central to the German left-wing party – a controversial and unusual stance in these times.

– Of course I want to live in a country without an army. Don’t you? he asked rhetorically.

The interview was published at a sensitive political moment, with Germany recently announcing a new military aid package for Ukraine, including air defense missiles and artillery. Incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also expressed support for sending Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine a weapon capable of reaching deep into Russian territory.

This has led to strong criticism from Moscow, which has warned that a German decision to deliver the weapons would make the country an active party in the war, as Russia claims that the Taurus system cannot be operated without German personnel.

Die Linke has consistently opposed arms deliveries to Ukraine and instead advocated a ceasefire and diplomatic solutions.

Trial begins for Diddy – could face life sentence

Published 5 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Combs has been in custody since fall 2024 - and denies all charges.

Today marks the start of the trial against rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs. The 55-year-old is charged with sex trafficking and extortion, among other things.

Combs has faced a series of allegations since late 2023, including from his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who accused him of a decade of abuse. Last year, charges were added for serious crimes including sex trafficking, pimping, and extortion. Among other things, the rapper is alleged to have used violence to force women to take drugs and participate in so-called “Freak Offs”, which involved sexual acts that were filmed. In total, there are said to be around 60 lawsuits against the 55-year-old.

In an anonymous lawsuit, rapper Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, 55, is also accused of assaulting a drugged 13-year-old girl together with Combs.

Extortion with firearms

The trial against Combs begins today, reports the BBC. The trial will start with the selection of twelve jurors and six alternates. The defense will review approximately 150 people. Combs is charged with two counts of human trafficking for sexual purposes, two counts of transporting persons for prostitution, and extortion. The extortion charges include kidnapping and coercion to perform sexual acts and take drugs, sometimes involving firearms or threats of violence against the victims.

Opening statements will then be made on May 12, and the trial is expected to last eight weeks. If convicted on all five counts, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Combs has been in custody in New York since September 2024 and denies all charges.

Spaniards required to notify authorities ahead of major cash withdrawals

The war on cash

Published 5 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Anyone who does not inform the authorities of planned major withdrawals risks penalties and other reprisals.

Spaniards who want to withdraw €3,000 or more in cash can now only do so if they first notify the country’s tax authorities of their plans.

As usual, the new restrictions are justified by the need to fight organized crime, tax evasion and money laundering at all costs, and anyone wishing to make large cash withdrawals will need to notify the authority on its website, along with some form of electronic ID or digital certificate.

If a receipt from the tax authority cannot be presented, banks also have the right to stop citizens from withdrawing money. Banks are also obliged to report “suspicious transactions” to the tax authorities – including repeated withdrawals below the threshold.

For most people, applying for a cash withdrawal at least 24 hours in advance is sufficient – but those wishing to withdraw €100 000 or more must ask for the tax authorities’ approval at least three days before the withdrawal is to be made.

Anyone who fails to do so, or forgets to tell the authorities that they plan to use cash, will be fined up to 10% of the amount – or at least €600.

Same trend across the Western world

It is worth noting that Spain is far from alone in tightening cash controls – a similar trend can be seen across the Western world. Sweden is often held up as an international horror story, where physical money can no longer be used in many shops or to pay bills – and where people who make regular cash withdrawals risk having their accounts closed.

Anyone who wants to avoid the wrath of the Spanish authorities will have to be very careful in the future – and not just declare exactly how much they intend to withdraw and who they are – they will also have to explain in detail what they will use the money for.

Withdrawing smaller amounts of money, but at different times, is also very risky – even recurring withdrawals of a few hundred euros risk similar reprisals and penalties.

While there is a consensus that organized crime should be fought, critics warn that the Spanish legislation will hit ordinary citizens – and undermine their personal financial privacy, where they effectively have to ask permission to use their own money.

Our independent journalism needs your support!
We appreciate all of your donations to keep us alive and running.

Our independent journalism needs your support!
Consider a donation.

You can donate any amount of your choosing, one-time payment or even monthly.
We appreciate all of your donations to keep us alive and running.

Dont miss another article!

Sign up for our newsletter today!

Take part of uncensored news – free from industry interests and political correctness from the Polaris of Enlightenment – every week.