Dren Simoni @drensimoni

🇦🇱🏝️🇺🇸 “Trump Island," on the Mediterranean coast near you, soon, continuing to make international headlines, and the lesson of "self-respect." The wave of protests in Albania 🇦🇱 shows no signs of slowing. Thousands of people took to the streets of the capital, Tirana, yesterday, marking the eighth consecutive demonstration. The protests began over concerns about a planned $1.6 billion luxury resort development along Albania's picturesque Adriatic coast. The project would include parts of the protected Vjosa-Narta Delta and the nearby island of Sazan, an uninhabited island that once served as a secret communist military base. Environmental groups argue that the development threatens a unique ecosystem of pristine beaches, wetlands, and protected wildlife. The movement has even adopted the pink flamingo as its symbol, giving rise to the name "Flamingo Revolution." In recent days, however, the demonstrations have evolved into something larger. Many Albanians are now expressing broader frustrations over what they see as a lack of transparency from the government, as well as long-standing concerns about corruption and political favouritism. Some critics believe Prime Minister Edi Rama is using the project to strengthen ties with the White House 🇺🇸, as the development is being led by Affinity Partners, the investment firm founded by Jared Kushner. Ivanka Trump, Kushner's wife and President Donald Trump's daughter, has also publicly promoted the project since it was announced in 2024. Rama, who has been in office since 2013 and has governed relatively well, has strongly defended the development. He argues that it will help transform Albania into a premier Mediterranean tourist destination, create jobs, and strengthen the country's economy. Over the past several days, he has repeatedly backed the project through social media and interviews with major international media outlets. Having visited this part of Albania in the summer of 2024, my initial reaction was to welcome the investment as a potential economic opportunity. For a country with a relatively small economy, a project of this scale could have a significant impact. Beyond construction and supplier contracts, it could create jobs, improve infrastructure, and encourage greater international investor confidence. Unlike neighbouring Greece 🇬🇷, Croatia 🇭🇷, and Montenegro 🇲🇪, which have long benefited from luxury coastal tourism, much of Albania's coastline remains comparatively undeveloped. That is largely a legacy of the communist era. From 1944 until the early 1990s, Albania was one of the most isolated countries in the world. Under Enver Hoxha's rule, the country severed ties with former allies, including Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union, and eventually China 🇨🇳 because the regime considered them too moderate, while an atmosphere of fear and paranoia led to the construction of hundreds of thousands of concrete bunkers across the landscape. At the same time, I have come to better understand the concerns raised by those who oppose the project. They argue that short-term economic gains should not come at the expense of natural heritage that, once lost, can never truly be replaced. I was particularly struck by today's article by Lea Ypi, professor of political theory at the London School of Economics and author of Indignity: A Life Reimagined, published in today's @guardian . Her argument is that self-respect must come before prosperity. The slogan "Albania is not for sale" is not necessarily a rejection of investment or development. Rather, it reflects a belief that economic growth should not require a nation to sacrifice its dignity, identity, or ability to shape its own future. There has always been a tension between the pursuit of prosperity and the protection of values that cannot easily be measured in dollars and cents. Foreign investment can bring jobs, infrastructure, and opportunity, but it also raises an important question: what should a society be unwilling to sell? Ypi suggests that a people who trade away their autonomy, heritage, and collective self-respect for economic gain may ultimately discover that these were their most valuable assets. Whether one agrees with the movement's conclusions or not, there is something compelling about the idea that development should come from a position of confidence rather than desperation. Prosperity and self-respect do not have to be opposing goals. In fact, the strongest and most sustainable forms of growth are often those that welcome investment while preserving the culture, environment, and traditions that make a country unique. As someone who believes in the idea of "capitalism with a human face," I find this perspective worth reflecting on. Markets and private investment can be powerful forces for good, but they should remain connected to human dignity, community, and the public interest. Economic progress is important, but perhaps the most enduring prosperity is the kind that allows a nation to grow without losing sight of who it is. It would be encouraging to see both the investors and the government engage meaningfully with the concerns that have been raised. If a compromise can be reached that balances economic development with environmental protection and community interests, it could serve as a valuable model for other parts of the world where local populations often find themselves at odds with government-backed foreign investment projects. 📰 @guardian : "Lea Ypi - Look at the protests Jared Kushner has caused in Albania. This could be a shining light for Europe." (June 8, 2026): theguardian.com/commentisfree/… 📸 Protesters hold pink flamingo cutouts in Tirana, Albania, on June 3, 2026. .Hameraldi Agolli / AP Photo 📽️ @TVPWorld_com : "Demonstrators once again took to the streets of Albania’s capital Tirana, protesting against a controversial luxury resort project set to be built upon protected wetlands on Albania’s southern coast." (June 8, 2026): x.com/TVPWorld_com/s… 📽️@CNN - Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama clashes with CNN reporter - clearly had a bad day. (June 3, 2026): x.com/IsaCNN/status/… 📸 Map showing the location of Sazan Island off Albania's coast. #TrumpIsland #Sazan #FlamingoRevolution

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Dren Simoni @drensimoni

5 days ago

🇦🇱🏝️🇺🇸 “Trump Island," on the Mediterranean coast near you, soon, making international headlines. On last night’s episode, @TheDailyShow took aim at Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner over their plans to transform Albania’s 🇦🇱 1,400-acre Sazan Island into a luxury resort - a

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In recent months, the tide has turned in the war in Ukraine. Peace may finally be possible. With the right pressure on Putin, President Trump would have an opportunity to make a historic deal. My take:

The legacy of this @POTUS won't be the monuments he builds to himself but the destruction of faith in public institutions for his own power and profit. He wants to rewrite or erase history because he knows it won't be kind to him.

🎥📸🔞❌❌❌ Weekend Vibes: Daniel Dixxx - The adorable sweetheart with a peachy bum and bottom-tier perfection. 🥰🍑⬇️👌 Daniel Dixxx, a former British 🇬🇧 content creator, appeared in a relatively small number of adult films between 2022 and 2023. Much of that content remains available on his public JustForFans page (daniel_dixxx), which I subscribed to several months ago and have continued to support through auto-renewal up until this weekend - simply because he’s been far too attractive to unfollow. His page features more than 20 full-length collaboration videos, primarily with fellow British creators, though a few international performers also make appearances. Daniel’s appeal comes largely from his wholesome, boy-next-door look. At first glance, he projects an innocent charm, but that image quickly gives way to something far less innocent once the action begins. Setting aside the poor video quality, this brief excerpt and the accompanying photos from his 20-minute 2023 collaboration with @AdamHungXXL - the Dutch 🇳🇱 content creator known for his massive uncut cock - perfectly illustrate that contrast. Beyond his handsome looks, fit physique, and photogenic presence, Daniel also brought an enthusiastic energy to his performances that helped make his content memorable. Combined with his natural charisma, it’s easy to see why he attracted such a loyal following during his brief time as a creator. For those of us who enjoyed his work, it’s a shame his content-creation journey was relatively short-lived. Still, the videos he left behind remain just as enjoyable today as when they were first released. Thank you, Daniel, for sharing a glimpse of your time in the industry and for leaving behind a collection of content that continues to be appreciated years later. 😈😍 📸 @AdamHungXXL 🎥 daniel_dixxx #DanielDixxx #gayporn #JustForFans

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💥🎶💃🪩🕺 Weekend Vibes: The Soul Brothers MX's global voyage unraveled - Phonique Unpacked, Part 1. The Soul Brothers MX’s 2025 set at Phonique Puebla in Tlaxcalancingo, Mexico 🇲🇽 features remakes and remixes that highlight their unique style. They are known for blending deep rhythms, soulful melodies, and modern electronic sounds into engaging sets. Their creative way of reworking familiar tracks with fresh energy is what makes them stand out as some of my favourite DJs. All four songs featured on this post - “Que Dolor,” “María,” “No Me Digas Que No,” and “Lambada” - share a focus on emotion, rhythm, and dance culture. Despite coming from different artists and styles, they all combine catchy beats with themes of love, longing, or heartbreak. Blending Latin and world music influences with club energy, they create songs that are both emotional and made for dancing. 🎥🎶1️⃣ "Que Dolor" ("What Pain" in Spanish") is a song about heartbreak and losing someone you love. It tells the story of someone left behind after broken promises, expressing sadness, loneliness, and longing. Despite its emotional theme, the upbeat and festive music contrasts with the lyrics, turning the song into a lively blend of dance, emotion, and culture. The original artists blend different musical traditions. Fanfare Ciocărlia, a Romanian 🇷🇴 brass band known for fast Balkan and Romani-style music, collaborated with Kaloomé, a French 🇫🇷 world music group influenced by Romani, flamenco, and Mediterranean sounds. The result is a lively, emotional track with energetic brass and Spanish vocals. 🎥🎶 Fanfare Ciocărlia ft. Kaloomé - "Que Dolor" (2007): youtu.be/H0NbTXq4B0M?si… 🎥🎶2️⃣ “María” is a lively Latin pop song about a captivating, free-spirited woman who charms everyone around her. The song focuses on attraction, energy, and the joy of dancing. The artist, Ricky Martin - a Puerto Rican 🇵🇷 singer, songwriter, and actor - is one of the biggest stars in Latin music. Released in 1995, the song became an international hit and helped bring Latin pop to a global audience. It remains one of Ricky Martin's signature songs. 🎥🎶 Ricky Martin - "María" (1995): youtu.be/vCEvCXuglqo?si… 🎥🎶3️⃣ "No Me Digas Que No" ("Don't Tell Me No" in Spanish) by DJ Pato C is a romantic song about someone deeply in love who fears rejection. The singer pleads with their loved one not to deny their feelings, expressing strong longing, admiration, and the pain of possibly being apart. DJ Pato C was an Argentine 🇦🇷 DJ and producer and a pioneer of Latin dance remixes starting in the 1970s. He was known for energetic megamixes and tropical rhythms that helped shape club music in Latin America. This song, from “Merengazo Club Latino,” combines emotional lyrics with an upbeat, danceable style. 🎥🎶 DJ Pato C - "No Me Digas Que No" (2006): youtu.be/Tt89aPKpijA?si… 🎥🎶4️⃣ “Lambada” by Kaoma is a song about love, passion, and the sadness of saying goodbye, where a couple separates but still shares strong memories and feelings. Despite its emotional theme, its upbeat rhythm makes it quite danceable and energetic. Kaoma, a French-Brazilian 🇫🇷🇧🇷 group formed in the late 1980s, became internationally famous with this 1989 hit, helping popularize the lambada dance worldwide. The lead vocals were performed by Brazilian singer Loalwa Braz, and the song is sung in Portuguese with Brazilian and Caribbean influences. This remix version is one of the best I have ever heard. 🎥🎶 Kaoma - "Lambada" (1989): youtu.be/iyLdoQGBchQ?si… Perhaps, one day I will get the chance to see The Soul Brothers MX perform live. Until then, I will continue to enjoy and appreciate their unique style, energy, and the way they bring their music to life through every YouTube set! 🎥🎶 The Soul Brothers MX - "@ Phonique Puebla" (2025): youtu.be/VylVuFX0MGE?si… #TheSoulBrothers

Dren Simoni @drensimoni

5 months ago

💥🎶💃🪩🕺 🧵1/3 The Soul Brothers MX's global voyage unraveled: Mizrahi Jewish music goes electronic. Hajde/Yalla! Whose music is this? Can music bring cultures together? How did humans self-identify in the past? Why do nations fight today? These are not the questions that I

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@AdamZivo How is this any different from the homophobia that has long existed within our own shared Serbian cultural heritage? Honest conversations should begin at home before pointing fingers elsewhere.

Fox News attacked "Sesame Street" for showcasing Muslim culture, but said nothing about the Irish or Italian episodes? Seems suspicious

🇨🇦🤖 Canada unveils ‘AI for All’ plan, but security concerns remain youtu.be/kdksCAbD5NQ?si… via @YouTube #cdnpoli #AI

🇨🇦‼️ Alberta separatism and the lessons of history. x.com/AJEnglish/stat… On October 19, 2026, Canadians 🇨🇦 residing in the province of Alberta are expected to vote on whether the provincial government should begin the legal process required to hold a future binding referendum on separation. The referendum follows growing separatist sentiment among some Albertans and a citizen-led petition campaign that reportedly gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures. The issue has also faced legal challenges, particularly concerning consultation with First Nations. Recent polling suggests that a majority of Albertans still favour remaining in Canada, although the referendum campaign is expected to be closely watched across the country. From time to time, calls for Alberta separatism have grown louder and louder, often driven by frustrations over federal policies, equalization payments, and a feeling that Alberta contributes more to Canada than it receives in return. While these concerns deserve to be heard and debated, history offers an important warning about where such grievances can lead. One of the realities of any federation is that wealthier regions often help support less wealthy ones. This is true in Canada, where provinces with stronger economies contribute more to the federal treasury. Similar arrangements exist in countries such as Germany 🇩🇪, Australia 🇦🇺, and the United States 🇺🇸. The idea is that all citizens should have access to comparable public services and opportunities, regardless of where they live. This principle can be frustrating for provinces that generate significant wealth. Many Albertans feel that their province's energy industry has contributed enormously to Canada's prosperity while facing policies they see as unfair. However, the question is whether dissatisfaction should lead to separation or to continued efforts to improve the federation. The experience of former Yugoslavia offers a cautionary lesson. During the final decades of the federation - especially in the 1980s - some of its wealthier republics (provinces), particularly Slovenia 🇸🇮 and Croatia 🇭🇷, increasingly complained about transferring resources to poorer regions. Many citizens felt they were carrying a disproportionate financial burden. While economic grievances were far from the only cause of Yugoslavia's collapse in 1992, they became part of a broader narrative that weakened solidarity between regions and peoples. As trust declined, citizens increasingly saw themselves as members of separate communities rather than participants in a common project. Economic disputes that might once have been resolved through political compromise became symbols of deeper divisions. Eventually, the federation unraveled, leading to conflict, instability, and years of hardship. Canada is not Yugoslavia. Canada's democratic institutions are stronger, its political culture is more stable, and its regional differences are managed through peaceful constitutional processes. Yet the broader lesson remains relevant: when wealthier regions come to view support for other parts of the country as a burden rather than a shared responsibility, national unity can weaken. A successful federation requires compromise from all sides. Sometimes that means wealthier provinces contribute more. At other times, it means the federal government must listen carefully to regional concerns and ensure that no province feels ignored or taken for granted. The strength of Canada has always been its ability to balance regional interests while maintaining a common national identity. Rather than turning toward separation, Canadians - and Albertans - should focus on improving that balance. The challenge is not whether some provinces give more than others; it is whether Canadians continue to believe that they are stronger together than apart. History suggests that when federations lose that belief, the consequences can be profound. #cdnpoli #Alberta #Albertareferendum

🌎🌍🌏📡The World on Wednesdays: The AI cockroach challenge: Is Modi’s India undermining democracy? youtu.be/UNiqvlp9sWE?si… via @YouTube Fresh from a series of regional election victories, India's 🇮🇳 Prime Minister, Narendra Modi - a Hindu nationalist and right-wing populist - is facing an unlikely political challenge: an AI-generated cockroach. What began as a satirical response to comments by India's Chief Justice comparing unemployed youth to "cockroaches" has evolved into the viral Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online movement that has attracted tens of millions of followers. Through humour and AI-generated content, the movement has become a vehicle for expressing frustration over youth unemployment, education, and economic opportunity. The government's response has sparked debate about the health of democratic discourse in India, the world's largest democracy. Targeting satirical movements risks narrowing democratic space considering that satire has long served as a legitimate form of political commentary and a means for citizens - particularly young people - to challenge those in power. Efforts to suppress or penalize such forms of expression can weaken democratic discourse and limit citizens' ability to hold leaders accountable. In a democracy, dissent can emerge through humour, art, and online activism, alongside more traditional forms of organized opposition The rise of the Cockroach Janta Party highlights how digital activism, powered by artificial intelligence and social media, is reshaping political engagement - and testing the boundaries between satire, dissent, and democracy in modern India. The latest episode of Al Jazeera's The Listening Post offers a fascinating take on the issue. 🎥📰 @AJEnglish : "Beyond satire: India’s viral cockroach movement | The Listening Post." (May 30, 2026): youtu.be/UNiqvlp9sWE?si… ❌🔖 @drensimoni : "The World on Wednesdays: 'Back to autocracy - A short-lived win for democracy in Tunisia." (May 13, 2026): x.com/drensimoni/sta… ❌🔖 @drensimoni : "The World on Wednesdays: It’s illegal to be queer/trans in 65 countries." (February 25, 2026): x.com/drensimoni/sta… #Indianpolitics #NarendraModi #cockroach

❤️🇨🇦 Mary Simon: A legacy of perseverance and reconciliation. As Her Excellency Mary Simon concludes her tenure as Governor General of Canada 🇨🇦, she leaves behind a remarkable legacy of service, leadership, and perseverance. As the first Inuk and first Indigenous person to serve in this role, she brought Inuit values, Indigenous languages, and a spirit of reconciliation to the highest office in the land. Throughout her career, she dedicated herself to advancing the interests of Inuit, Indigenous Peoples, and all Canadians, often in the face of persistent barriers and criticism. Her grace, resilience, and unwavering commitment to public service have helped make Canada a stronger and more inclusive country. Her appointment was a historic milestone, and her contributions will continue to inspire future generations. Qujannamiik/Nakurmiik, Merci, Thank You for an extraordinary service! 🙏 📰 @TorontoStar : Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national democratic representational organization for Inuit in Canada: "Mary Simon is exceptional. She’s still faced a level of criticism no other governor general has endured." (May 31, 2026): thestar.com/opinion/contri… 📸 Governor General Mary Simon sits with her husband, Whit Fraser, right, and Prime Minister Mark Carney at her farewell reception in Ottawa (June 3, 2026) -Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press 📸 King Charles III holds an audience with Louise Arbour, Canada's next Governor General, at Buckingham Palace in London on Wednesday, five days ahead of Ms. Arbour's official installation (June 3, 2026) - Yui Mok/AFP/Getty Images #MarySimon #LouiseArbour #cdnpoli

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Dren Simoni @drensimoni

a month ago

❤️🇨🇦 From The Hague to Rideau Hall: Louise Arbour, Canada’s new Governor General who took on dictators and war criminals. I first heard the name Louise Arbour on May 27, 1999. I was still a child, but I remember my mother saying - clearly and with conviction - that at last

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🇦🇱🏝️🇺🇸 “Trump Island," on the Mediterranean coast near you, soon, making international headlines. On last night’s episode, @TheDailyShow took aim at Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner over their plans to transform Albania’s 🇦🇱 1,400-acre Sazan Island into a luxury resort - a project I first wrote about in August 2025. The segment contrasted the high-profile development with the economic challenges currently facing many Americans 🇺🇸. The couple’s reported $1.4-billion plan would transform Sazan Island, located off the coast of Albania, into a private eco-resort. The proposal has attracted scrutiny since receiving approval in December 2024. While Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has publicly supported the development, environmental organizations and local critics have raised concerns about its potential impact on one of the Mediterranean’s last largely undeveloped islands. Known by some locals as “Trump Island,” Sazan has become the focus of mounting controversy. Albanian prosecutors have recently launched an investigation into the project amid ongoing demonstrations by residents and environmental advocates. Environmental groups argue that the development could damage sensitive ecosystems that support flamingos, sea turtles, seals, and migratory birds. Many protesters view the development as an example of valuable public land being transferred to foreign investors. Slogans such as "Albania is not for sale" have featured prominently at demonstrations. Some local residents and members of the Greek 🇬🇷 minority community have also raised concerns about property rights and access to the area. The controversy intensified after recent comments attributed to Ivanka Trump describing Sazan as a "private island" that she and Kushner had "discovered." Critics viewed those remarks as tone-deaf given that the island is part of Albania's national territory and has historical and environmental significance. The debate comes as the Trump administration faces criticism over economic conditions in the United States. A recent survey cited by @politico found that a majority of Americans view the current cost-of-living crisis as the most severe they have experienced, with 46 per cent of respondents saying President Donald Trump bears full or partial responsibility for the state of the economy. As for the future of Sazan Island, Prime Minister Rama has remained a strong supporter of the project, arguing that it will attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen Albania’s high-end tourism sector. The government has consistently maintained that the development meets all legal and environmental requirements. The resort proposal was unveiled by Kushner in 2024 as part of a broader regional investment strategy that also included plans to redevelop a former military headquarters in Belgrade, Serbia 🇷🇸. However, that Serbian project was ultimately abandoned last year following widespread public protests - an outcome that has led some opponents of the Sazan Island development to hope sustained public pressure could produce a similar result in Albania. Against this backdrop, the fate of “Trump Island” remains uncertain. ❌🔖 @drensimoni : "🇦🇱🏝️🇺🇸 'Trump Island,' on the Mediterranean coast near you, soon!" (August 8, 2025): x.com/drensimoni/sta… 🎥📰 @ajplus : "Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump saw this untouched wilderness in Albania and decided to build an enormous luxury resort there. Albanians are fighting to shut them down." (June 2, 2026): x.com/ajplus/status/… #TrumpIsland #Sazan #IvankaTrump #JaredKushner

The Daily Show @TheDailyShow

6 days ago

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner didn't just buy an island amid a struggling economy; they "tangibly manifested" it

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🇨🇦🎥🎤👀 The other Chief Obnoxious Officer has filed his report, which, unsurprisingly, is filled with inflammatory commentary and factual inaccuracies. “Get the fuck out of here.” 💙 TO 👮🏿‍♂️👮🏻 🎥 A brief excerpt from a longer Rebel News report: “Mark Carney welcomed into a Toronto Jewish temple. Why?” (2026): youtu.be/UhDXwq_w13A?si… #cdnpoli #RebelNews

Dren Simoni @drensimoni

7 days ago

🇨🇦🎥🎤👀 The Chief Obnoxious Officers have convened to exchange unsolicited opinions and perfect the art of being a nuisance. I have a fairly high tolerance for most people, but I genuinely find the @CarymaRules duo among the most irritating personalities I’ve come across. Who

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🇬🇧🇨🇦 👑 The day the world watched a Queen. Queen Elizabeth II - the Queen of the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and other Commonwealth realms, including Canada 🇨🇦 - was crowned at Westminster Abbey 73 years ago today, on June 2, 1953, in a historic ceremony watched by millions around the world.. It was the first British coronation to be televised, making it a landmark moment both for the monarchy and for television broadcasting. The coronation took place more than a year after she succeeded to the throne following the death of her father, King George VI on February 6, 1952. The ceremony marked the beginning of a reign that would last more than 70 years - the longest in British history - until her death in 2022. Though she is no longer with us, her sense of duty, dignity, and service continue to inspire many. For me, she will always remain my Queen. ❤️ 📸 @GettyImages (3) 🎥 The Guardian: “The Queen’s sense of humour remembered.” (September 8, 2022): youtu.be/A-mO7rbYtgk?si… #Queen #QueenElizabeth #Coronation

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Dren Simoni @drensimoni

2 months ago

🇬🇧🇨🇦 👑 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣🎈 Queen Elizabeth II - the Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms, including Canada - would have turned 100 today, April 21, 2026. She was born in 1926 and went on to become one of the most enduring figures in modern

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🇨🇦🎥🎤👀 The Chief Obnoxious Officers have convened to exchange unsolicited opinions and perfect the art of being a nuisance. I have a fairly high tolerance for most people, but I genuinely find the @CarymaRules duo among the most irritating personalities I’ve come across. Who goes around day after day shoving cameras into people’s faces, recording private conversations and personal encounters, often without any regard for whether those individuals want to be filmed in the first place? It strikes me as invasive, voyeuristic, and frankly a little creepy. There should be clearer legal protections against this kind of conduct. If someone explicitly does not wish to be recorded and then have that footage broadcast to the world through @CarymaRules’ social media channels, their wishes should be respected. The fact that content creators can generate views, engagement, and income from other people’s unwanted exposure only makes the issue more troubling. Privacy may be harder to protect in the digital age, but that does not mean it should be discarded altogether. Consent matters. If a person says they do not want to be filmed, that should be the end of the discussion. No means no. Freedom of expression is important, but so is basic respect for personal boundaries. The two do not have to be mutually exclusive. And what a spectacle that was to witness during this brief three-minute recording: Rebel News' David Menzies and former Toronto Sun columnist Sue-Ann Levy were both on hand to cover Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement of new measures aimed at combating antisemitism and supporting Canada's Jewish community earlier today. Interestingly, none of the three were permitted anywhere near the venue itself: Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto’s oldest Jewish congregation and widely regarded as the city’s first synagogue. Perhaps if they were a bit less controversial, they’d be welcome to join the rest of the adults. Rebel News is a right-wing to far-right Canadian media outlet that promotes highly partisan, populist, and at times misleading coverage, particularly on issues such as immigration, climate change, COVID-19 policies, and identity politics. Its reporting style often prioritizes confrontation and controversy, contributing to an increasingly polarized political environment. Menzies has himself been involved in numerous controversies stemming from his reporting methods of aggressively confronting his subjects - a style that, in my view, amounts to harassment rather than journalism. Levy spent many years as a columnist for the Toronto Sun and built a reputation for provocative commentary and hard-line conservative viewpoints. Her writing has often been inflammatory and disproportionately targeted marginalized communities, social programs, and progressive causes. Over the years, her columns have generated significant backlash from those who view her commentary as divisive, mean-spirited, and lacking empathy for the people she writes about. Whether or not people share their views, commentators like Menzies and Levy have come to symbolize a form of media commentary driven by outrage, confrontation, and ideological clashes. Their contributions often reinforce political polarization, widening societal divides instead of encouraging constructive public dialogue. Even this brief encounter, captured on camera, underscored a contrast that was difficult to ignore. An event centred on addressing hatred, protecting a vulnerable community, and strengthening social cohesion nonetheless drew some of the country’s most polarizing media figures. The juxtaposition was striking. What unfolded felt less like serious journalism and more like a familiar form of political theatre - where attention shifts away from the substance of the announcement and toward the predictable cycle of confrontation, controversy, and spectacle that often surrounds it. Thanks for my evening entertainment, folks! 🍷 💙 TO 👮‍♂️👮 #cdnpoli #CarymaRules #RebelNews

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Dren Simoni @drensimoni

12 months ago

🇨🇦🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Watch out for CarymaRules spy cam during Toronto Pride, folks❗️ Dear @CarymaRules, Do you people know how to mind your own business? Going up and down on Church Street in the heart of the gay village in Toronto and filming random folks who happen to be there is not OK.

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Trump lashed out at Netanyahu during a phone call Monday after Israel's escalation in Lebanon, saying: "You're fucking crazy. You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this." Source: Axios

The pride flag was designed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker, at the behest of gay activist and city official Harvey Milk, who thought that the Gay Pride movement needed a logo. The original-purpose flag was constructed by Baker with hand-dyed fabric and consisted of eight stripes.

At university graduation ceremonies this spring, commencement speakers have been getting booed for championing AI, given how the technology might threaten their job prospects. In a commencement speech at Bard College last week, I delivered a more hopeful message — that humans can do essential things that computers simply can’t. Here are some highlights from that speech:

@willyumxxx @JockTribe_Shop @thejockluke Congrats! This is a big deal! Having had the pleasure of sampling the real thing, I can attest that the replica is probably worth every bit of the experience - and the pleasure that comes with it. Inside all the way, indeed. Woof! 😈🍆💦