Kazakhstan crisis, major prize on the Geopolitical Chessboard [Part 1]

Kazakhstan crisis, major prize on the Geopolitical Chessboard [Part 1]
The Duran: Episode 1186 – Part 1

Moscow: Events in Kazakhstan Are Attempt to Undermine Security of State, Inspired From Abroad

Moscow: Events in Kazakhstan Are Attempt to Undermine Security of State, Inspired From Abroad

On 2 January, Kazakhstan was hit by protests in the wake of a spike in fuel prices. The riots turned violent on 4 January, leading to clashes between protesters and the police, looting, killings, and deepening insecurity. The president has declared a nationwide state of emergency.

Bitcoin dives after Kazakhstan kills internet

Bitcoin dives after Kazakhstan kills internet

Former Soviet republic, world’s second-largest mining hub, is facing major internet disruptions amid nationwide anti-government protests Bitcoin has seen a sharp decline as protests continue in Kazakhstan, the world’s second-largest mining hub, where internet was shut down, forcing local miners to switch off their equipment.

EU rights court throws out gay cake case

A gay rights activist has seen his case over a pro-LGBTQ cake design dismissed by the ECHR

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has dropped a case against a Christian couple who refused to bake a cake with a pro-LGBTQ message on it. The case has cost the taxpayer more than £250,000 ($338,390).

On Thursday, the court said the case brought forward by Gareth Lee, a member of Queer Space, an LGBTQ advocacy group, was “inadmissible” as the applicant had not invoked his convention rights at any point during domestic court proceedings. 

“By relying solely on domestic law, the applicant had deprived the domestic courts of the opportunity to address any convention issues raised, instead asking the court to usurp the role of the domestic courts,” the Strasbourg-based institution added in a statement. 

The case was brought against a Christian couple in Belfast, Daniel and Amy McArthur, who refused to bake a cake for Lee. The Queer Space member had ordered a £36.50 ($49.41) cake from the couple, who were the owners of Ashers Bakers, in 2014.

The bakers refused, stating that they disagreed with the design which featured the Sesame Street puppets Bert and Ernie and the slogan “Support Gay Marriage.”

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EU court sides with LGBT couple in ‘huge’ development

The McArthurs’ refusal prompted a seven-year legal case, brought forward by Lee, which cost the Equality Commission of Northern Ireland £251,000 ($339,740). Ashers Bakers, which takes its name from an Old Testament figure, was supported by the Christian Institute, which covered their £250,000 ($338,400) legal costs. 

In 2018, the case reached the UK Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the bakers. Lee then referred his complaint to the European court.

Northern Ireland First Minister Paul Givan supported the European ruling on Thursday, stating he was glad to see the UK Supreme Court’s decision affirmed. “It validates the decision of the UK Supreme Court, which was to say that this never should have been brought to court in the first place,” he stated. 

The Christian Institute said it was “good news for free speech, good news for Christians.”

Jail might be radicalizing Capitol rioter even further, son says

Since outing his father to the FBI, Jackson Reffitt says his family has been broken apart

Guy Reffitt, one of numerous people facing charges stemming from the January 6 Capitol riot, may be “more enthusiastic” about his actions thanks to his time behind bars, his son has said.

Jackson Reffitt, 19, told Vice News this week that jail might not be the best deterrent for Capitol rioters, including his father, who is being held with other rioters at the Central Detention Facility in Washington DC. Reports suggest rioters have been kept together, bonding through activities like singing the national anthem every night. 

The prisoner’s son responded to a letter published on ProPublica in May, in which his father did not express remorse for his actions at the riot, referring to the storming of the capitol as a “satirical way to overthrow the government.”

“If overthrow was the quest, it would have no doubt been overthrown,” the letter reads. 

Jackson referred to his father’s letter as “psycho stuff,” saying it was “disgusting” for him to read.

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“Honestly, it made me feel worse about my decision, only because I feel like I pushed him in a more extreme direction. I made him more enthusiastic about what he’s done,” he said. 

Guy Reffitt was taken into custody ten days after the riot last year, after his son sent a tip to the FBI in December about his father’s increasingly extreme rhetoric. He later identified his father as one of the rioters after the FBI contacted him for confirmation. Prosecutors claimed in court documents that Guy Reffitt had threatened his family following the riot, saying they would be “traitors” if they turned him in.

According to his family, Reffitt is a member of the right-wing militia group the Three Percenters. 

Jackson said his family had been torn apart since he cooperated with the FBI against his father. He has moved out of the family home in Texas and fallen out with his mother and two sisters. In an interview with ABC News this week, Reffitt said he “bears the guilt” of tearing his family apart.

“It sucks but I can’t do much about it now,” he said. 

Guy Reffitt also spoke to ABC, saying he “loves” his son and hopes they have a relationship again in the future. He is facing five charges relating to his actions on January 6, including obstructing an official proceeding and bringing a weapon onto Capitol grounds. He has pleaded not guilty. 

‘I’d like to feel free’: Unvaccinated French people on life without a health pass

President Emmanuel Macron shocked France this week by vowing to “piss off” the unvaccinated, whose comings and goings are severely curtailed by the need to show a “health pass” to access various public venues and transport. As France debates introducing an even stricter “vaccine pass” later this month, FRANCE 24 spoke to people who are holding out against the Covid jab about the adjustments they have made.