Bilderberg Group Will Not Meet In 2020 — A First Since 1976
Bilderberg's media team says it hopes a conference will take place in 2021. By JOSH FRIEDMAN Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, site of the 2019 Bilderberg Meeting The annual Bilderberg Meeting, in which western elites rub shoulders and discuss major issues facing Europe and North America, will not take place in 2020, marking the first year
California Residents Protest Coronavirus Lockdown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NuLcKKByXk Angry California residents took to the streets on Friday to protest the state's Coronavirus shelter-in-place order. Protests occurred at several locations across California, including outside the state Capitol in Sacramento. Josh Friedman reports live from a large protest in Huntington Beach, located in Orange County. A day prior to the protest, California Governor Gavin
Bilderberg 2020 Postponed Due To Coronavirus Measures
Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, site of the 2019 Bilderberg Meeting By JOSH FRIEDMAN Western elites from industry, finance, politics, media and academia will not meet on their scheduled dates this year at the annual Bilderberg conference due to travel restrictions and coronavirus prevention efforts, the meeting organizers’ press service says. The private gathering of western
Migrants In The Americas: Coverage From The Mexican-Guatemalan Border
Josh Friedman made two trips to the Mexican-Guatemalan border this year, both following the break-up of a migrant caravan from Central America. First, Friedman produced a series of reports from the Mexican-Guatemalan border in late January, just days following major clashes there between Mexico's National Guard and a migrant caravan. Then in early October, Friedman
Boris the Nero
Brexit is at an impasse. This is not news. Things have not progressed at all in the UK in what feels like years. The EU is ready for all scenarios, come-what-may. Michael Gove is telling the world that the EU is not interested and unwilling to talk about Brexit. The EU is saying that, and
New Head Same Body – EU Leadership
The European Union has just concluded its quinquennial ritual of choosing the leaders of its major institutions. This process has, especially since the introduction of the spitzenkandidaat process in 2014, been subject to much criticism for not being very transparent. This is clearly an invalid debate for two reasons. The first is that none of
Istanbul Election Re-run – Will The Opposition Really Take Turkey’s Largest City?
Josh Friedman reports from Istanbul on re-run Election Day in Turkey's economic capital and largest city. How did the results of Istanbul's mayoral election get annulled? Why is control of Istanbul so significant in Turkish politics? What's at stake for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxs7oQctcNA
Bilderberg 2019 Coverage From Montreux, Switzerland
View all of Josh Friedman's video reports from Montreux, Switzerland, the site of the 2019 Bilderberg conference, as well as from the Geneva airport, where many of the participants arrived and departed. See which participants speak with the press and which do not. Also, take in some news and analysis from the sidelines of this
Western Elites To Meet In Montreux, Switzerland At Bilderberg 2019
The Fairmont Le Montreux Palace MONTREUX, Switzerland By JOSH FRIEDMAN Jared Kushner The son-in-law of United States President Donald Trump, the frontrunner to be the next chancellor of Germany, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, the king of the Netherlands and top bankers and CEOs will convene this week in Montreux, Switzerland for the
Ukraine Election: Actor Who Plays President On TV Actually Elected President
Volodymyr Zelensky Volodymyr Zelensky, a popular Ukrainian actor and comedian has been elected president of Ukraine, trouncing incumbent President Poroshenko in a runoff election on Sunday. Ukraine elects comedian president: Live analysis from Kiev: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OKA7KY-biY Election Day report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X3uGLaBA_s&t=3s
Rwanda 25 Years After Genocide
Kigali, Rwanda, March 2019 Saturday marks the 25th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, which kicked off following the April 6, 1994 downing of President Juvenal Habyarimana's plane, and resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths over a 100-day span as Hutu extremists and their supporters butchered people in the streets and carried out other massacres
North Macedonia It Is – Greece Ratifies Name Deal With Northern Neighbor
By Josh Friedman The Balkan country Macedonia, also known as Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, will now be formally renamed North Macedonia following a vote in the Greek parliament that ratified a deal between Athens and Skopje and brought an end to a nearly three-decade dispute between the two sides. Athens had long objected to
What Do Greek Macedonians Think Of The Macedonia Name Deal?
Report from Skopje: Original: Josh Friedman interviews locals in Thessaloniki, the capital of Greece's Macedonia region, about the longstanding name dispute between Greece and Macedonia, aka FYROM, and about the recent agreement that may resolve the matter. The report includes background information on the dispute, which largely revolves around Greek Macedonians alleging their
Turkish Election Day 2018 Coverage: Will Erdogan Win Outright?
Evet: Josh Friedman reports from Istanbul on presidential and parliamentary Election Day in Turkey. Will Erdogan win Turkey's new executive presidency outright or will the election go to a runoff? Who is challenging Erdogan in his alleged bid for one-man rule of the country? What are some of the key issues, and in which
Bilderberg 2018 Recap: Curiosities & Questions For The Mysterious Group
By JOSH FRIEDMAN From the OUTSIDE of the 2018 Bilderberg Conference, Josh Friedman recaps what has transpired in Turin, Italy. Meanwhile, here are some takeaways from the mysterious gathering of world elites, as well as some curiosities and questions that have arisen based on who attended the conference and what was supposedly discussed. Will the
Bilderberg 2018 Preview: Hotel Closure, Topics & Participants List
UPDATE: Bilderberg 2018 is underway. Here are some interviews from the sidelines of the secretive conference: Dan Dicks, of Press For Truth, has been covering Bilderberg since 2006. On Day 4, as the conference officially concludes, Dicks discusses the true agenda of the Bilderberg Group, as well as its organizational structure. On Day 3, Dominique
Now-NATO Montenegro Set To Elect Same Old Leader As President
For nearly 3 decades, Milo Djukanovic has led Montenegro in one way or another, charting a path that has included seemingly contradictory ideologies; going from getting bombed by NATO to joining NATO; overcoming corruption and organized crime allegations; and surviving an alleged Russian-plotted election day coup attempt. Now, Djukanovic is returning from behind the scenes
Hundreds Of Afghans Protest In Switzerland, Demand Better Status
By SABOOR NADEM Hundreds or more Afghan asylum seekers gathered in the center of Bern, the capital of Switzerland, and protested Saturday against the alleged unequal and unfair treatment of immigrants by the Swiss government. Some of the protesters held signs that stated, “We are all human and the Swiss government should not differentiate between
Bilderberg 2018 To Meet In Turin, Italy? A Surprise Announcement From The Balkans
By JOSH FRIEDMAN UPDATE: The Bilderberg Media Service responded on Feb. 13 with the following statement: "Kindly note that we do not confirm the date and venue of this year's Bilderberg meeting at this stage. As in previous years, we will publish a press release including the date and location, the discussed topics as well
Bitcoin: In G-D, and Beanie Babies, we Trust
Bitcoin has suddenly become all the rage at the time of writing at the beginning of 2018 and 5778. Although it is not something new, having been around since 2009, and far from the only cryptocurrency around Bitcoin has garnered a lot of attention in recent times. At the time of writing, there are
Election Day In Kyrgyzstan
Oct. 15 - Josh Friedman reports from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on a rather unusual competitive election day in Central Asia. Who is in the race and what kind of action can we expect? As Kyrgyz voters head to the polls, there are two candidates out of 11 who are considered frontrunners. One, former prime minister Sooronbay
Ukraine In Review: From The Site Of The Deadly Odessa Blaze
Josh Friedman recaps a 3.5 week journey around Ukraine while discussing the 2014 clashes and fire in Odessa that left 48 people dead, as well as the familiar themes of hybrid and information warfare. Where does Ukraine stand as a country now? Is Kiev headed for a new Maidan? Is there hope for economic prosperity?
Trading Places? Poroshenko To The States, Saakashvili To Kiev In This Week’s News From Ukraine
From Ukraine’s famine/genocide memorial in Kiev, Josh Friedman discusses this week’s news in Ukraine, which also happens to be playing out in the United States. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and newfound challenger Mikheil Saakashvili effectively swapped places with the currently stateless Saakashvili returning to Kiev and Poroshenko heading to New York for a UN General
Ukraine September 2017: Saakashvili, War, Peace & War Games
Josh Friedman reports from Kiev, Ukraine, where the president of the country is bound for a clash with a governor-turned-stateless person who just barged across the border. Also, war rages on in Ukraine's East, and in neighboring Belarus, Russia is conducting a major military drill that has surrounding countries worried.
Hungary Asks EU To Help Pay For Border Fence
Hungary's border fence and migrant housing/detention center at the Serbian-Hungarian border UPDATE: The European Union turned down Hungary's request. ORIGINAL: The Hungarian government is asking the European Union to cover 400 million euros of the approximately 800 million euros it spent on erecting fences along Hungary's borders with Serbia and Croatia, according to
Meet Bulgaria’s Famous ‘Refugee Hunter’ – Interview With Dinko Valev
"I don't want these people in Bulgaria," Dinko Valev, Bulgaria's renowned "refugee hunter," says of the asylum seekers entering Europe during recent migrant waves. Valev (aka Dinko from Yambol) obtained fame and possibly fortune after he tied up a group of asylum seekers, filmed them lying on the ground and called the police to pick them up.
New Government, Buried Tensions In Macedonia
By JOSH FRIEDMAN SKOPJE, Macedonia - Following a turbulent two-year political crisis, Macedonia has a new government and is seeking to expedite its bids to join NATO and the European Union. While tensions have cooled in Macedonia and Skopje has raised its standing in Brussels, the country’s internal ethnic conflict remains very much unresolved and,
Snap Election Coverage From Kosovo
Update June 12: According to the Central Election Commission, with 99.6 percent of votes counted, here are the tallies: PDK - 34.02 percent Vetevendosje 27.07 percent LDK - 25.71 percent Update 10:30 p.m.: As PDK supporters celebrate in the streets of Pristina, there is a tight race for second place. U.S. NGO Democracy in
Breaking: Bitcoin Breaks $2,000 To Cap Record-Setting Week For Cryptocurrencies
Via Coin Desk at 17:50 GMT The popular cryptocurrency Bitcoin has surpassed the $2,000 price level for the first time ever, according to CoinDesk. Bitcoin, which began 2017 just below $1,000, has more than doubled in value less than five months into the year. Bitcoin hit the $2,000 mark Saturday evening GMT following a
Murdered DNC Staffer Seth Rich Was WikiLeaks Source, Private Investigator Says
Seth Rich By JOSH FRIEDMAN A private investigator and former Washington, D.C. homicide detective said murdered Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich leaked emails to the publishing organization WikiLeaks prior to his death and that local and federal investigators are engaged in a coverup of the murder. Rod Wheeler Rod Wheeler,
Globalism Or Nationalism: France Votes On More Than Just A President
May 8 (day following the election): At least 1,000 people protested Macron in Paris following his election win. Josh Friedman reports from the protest. Election night update: Emmanuel Macron is projected to win the French presidency with more than 65 percent of the vote. Josh Friedman reports from Paris on a presidential election day in
Bitcoin Breaks $1,500 For First Time Ever
The popular cryptocurrency bitcoin has reached the $1,500 level for the first time ever. Around 3 a.m. GMT, bitcoin is trading at $1,505, according to CoinDesk. Bitcoin has repeatedly hit record highs this year despite fierce debate among its prominent users over how best to scale the cryptocurrency. The split in the bitcoin community largely
Norway to North Korea: The 2017 Press Freedom Rankings
Reporters Without Borders 2017 Press Freedom Map. The color categories are: good (white), fairly good (yellow), problematic (orange), bad (red) and very bad (black). By Josh Friedman Reporters Without Borders has released its annual index ranking countries worldwide on press freedom. According to the latests index, the North Korean press has less freedom
Russia, Belarus Celebrate ‘Unity Day’
Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin Editor’s note: For some background on the recent protests in Belarus and Russia, read interviews with demonstrators conducted by the Vilnius Students for Liberty and published by Freedom Today. By JOSH FRIEDMAN Russia and Belarus on Sunday marked 20 years of a supranational union between their two countries. While
The State Of Liberty In Liberland: Interview With The President
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Liberland founder and president Vit Jedlicka In an interview with FreeManPost at the 2017 Liberty Con in Prague, Liberland President Vit Jedlicka predicted that next week, for the first time ever, a state will officially recognize Liberland’s status as a country. Jedlicka says the state that plans to recognize Liberland
No Government, High Tension In Macedonia
Josh Friedman reports from the March 3 protests in Skopje By JOSH FRIEDMAN SKOPJE, Macedonia - Three months following parliamentary elections, Macedonian political parties have still yet to form a government. Both political and ethnic tension is building in the small Balkan state of about 2 million people, and the U.S., EU, NATO and
Bitcoin Price Surpasses Gold For First Time
The price of a single bitcoin exceeded the value of an ounce of gold for the first time. On Thursday, bitcoin closed at $1,268 while a troy ounce of gold finished the day at $1,233, the BBC reports. Many savers and investors who distrust central bank-controlled currencies view gold and/or bitcoin as a hedge against money
Breaking: US Passport Ranked 35th In ‘Nomad Capitalist’ Index
By JOSH FRIEDMAN The United States passport is the world's 35th best travel document, a ranking it shares with Slovenia, according to an index released this week by citizenship and international business guru, Andrew Henderson. Henderson's Nomad Capitalist company unveiled the first Nomad Passport Index, which differs fundamentally from the annual passport rankings that FreeManPost has previously
Bitcoin Hits Record High, Then Drops
Update March 1: Bitcoin is again reaching records high. It is trading above $1,218 Wednesday afternoon GMT. Bitcoin soared to record highs on Friday, eclipsing the $1,200 mark for the first time. The popular cryptocurrency has since fallen back in the $1100s. On Friday, bitcoin climbed as high as $1,206.60, according to a Market Watch
Kosovo Celebrates Independence. How Independent Is Kosovo?
Kosovo celebrated nine years of independence from Serbia on Friday. But, just how independent is Kosovo? The small Balkan state is currently prohibited by its own constitution from having a military. Nearly two decades after the Kosovo War, NATO forces still roam the streets of the former Serbian province, providing security. Also, key decisions about
United States Plummets To 17th In Economic Freedom Rankings
By Josh Friedman The United States fell to 17th place in the Economic Freedom Index, an annual ranking of countries by economic liberty. Nations like the United Arab Emirates, Georgia and Lithuania now offer more economic freedom than the U.S., according to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington, D.C.-based think tank. In the 2017 Economic
A Look Inside The Romanian Protests
Josh Friedman reports from Bucharest, Romania, where protesters braved subfreezing temperatures on the 13th consecutive night of demonstrations against the Social Democratic Party-led government that recently tried to decriminalize certain types of corruption. Meet Romania's protesting monk: Some images from Piata Victoriei in Bucharest:
Belarus Opens To Tourists As Tensions With Russia Rise
READ FMP’S REPORT ON THE NEW VISA POLICY: WANT TO TRAVEL TO BELARUS? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE By JOSH FRIEDMAN Internationally isolated Belarus lifted visa restrictions Sunday on citizens of 80 countries, including the U.S., Canada and almost all European states. Individuals who hold passports from most of the 80 states that cracked the list
Brexit: UK Top Court Rules Parliamentary Approval Needed To Start EU Exit Talks
The United Kingdom Supreme Court ruled that British Prime Minister Theresa May must obtain parliamentary approval in order to begin exit negotiations with the European Union, the BBC reports. However, the court ruled approval from the Scottish Parliament and Welsh and Northern Ireland assemblies is not necessary. The majority of voters in Scotland and Northern
Gold Rise Continues As Trump Rains On Dollar Parade
The price of gold has increased nearly $100 over the past month. Over the past week, the precious metal has received a jolt from President Donald Trump, who is stating publicly that he believes the U.S. dollar is too strong. Gold is trading at slightly below $1,213 an ounce early Tuesday, according to Gold Price.
Want To Travel To Belarus? Now Is Your Chance
By JOSH FRIEDMAN In a surprise move, internationally isolated Belarus announced earlier this month it is lifting visa restrictions on citizens of 80 countries, including the U.S., Canada and almost all European states. The former Soviet republic, which has been deemed by the U.S. to be Europe’s last dictatorship, appears to be incrementally opening up to
Europe’s Nationalists Meet In Germany Ahead Of Pivotal Elections
With major national elections less than two months away, prominent European nationalists gathered in Koblenz, Germany Saturday for a 2017 populism kick-off conference. The gathering was a meeting of Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF), a European Parliament group that includes the likes of France’s National Front, Holland’s Party of Freedom and Germany’s Alternative for
Gold Rising In Early 2017, Eclipses $1,200 Before Small Dip
The price of gold rose steadily over the first two weeks of 2017, surpassing the $1,200 level on Thursday. Gold for February delivery closed at $1,196.20 an ounce on Friday, Market Watch reports. Gold began the year around $1,150. The precious metal's value in dollars has increased about 3.9 percent thus far in 2017. The
China Plunges Bitcoin Price More Than 30 Percent
By JOSH FRIEDMAN After soaring to above $1,150 in the first week of 2017, the price of the cryptocurrency bitcoin fell to around $750 Thursday. Bitcoin hit a low of $752.11 early in the day, according to the CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index. China is by in large driving the volatility in the price. Beijing imposes
It’s Republika Srpska Day. What’s The Fuss All About In Bosnia?
Report from Banja Luka during the September referendum on Republika Srpska Day Update: The outgoing Obama Administration announced on Jan. 17 that the U.S. imposed economic sanctions on Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik. By Josh Friedman Bosnian Serbs are celebrating Republika Srpska Day, a holiday banned by Bosnia’s Constitutional Court. And, rather than caving to
British Applications For Irish Citizenship Surge
Irish emergency passport Ireland's foreign ministry announced passport applications from the United Kingdom surged 41 percent in the wake of last year's Brexit referendum, CNN Money reports. Ireland has received nearly 65,000 British applications for citizenship since the UK voted to leave the EU. Citizenship applications from Northern Ireland, which is part of
Bitcoin Approaching All-Time High
The soaring cryptocurrency Bitcoin is trading at $1,147 early Thursday, within $20 of the all-time high of $1,165.89, according to CoinDesk. The record high was set on Nov. 30, 2013. In addition to approaching a record high, Bitcoin is nearing parity with gold, which is trading at $1,178. Bitcoin's price rose steadily in 2016, appreciating about
Ford Gives Trump ‘Vote Of Confidence,’ Promises 700 New U.S. Jobs
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Following intense criticism by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Ford Motor Company opted to scrap its plans to build a $1.6 billion manufacturing plant in Mexico. Ford says it will instead invest $700 million in Michigan and create 700 U.S. jobs, CNN Money reports. Trump has promised tax cuts and regulatory reductions, while
Gold Hits Three-Week High
The price of gold rose .9 percent Tuesday, finishing the day at a three-week high of $1,162 an ounce, the Wall Street Journal reports. In 2016, gold climbed 8 percent despite a sharp selloff over the final three months of the year. A relatively strong dollar did not stop gold from rising last year either.
Bitcoin Is Back Above $1,000
The popular cryptocurrency bitcoin began 2017 by climbing above the $1,000 level for the first time in three years. Bitcoin is currently trading around $1,020. Bitcoin's price rose steadily in 2016, appreciating about 137 percent over the last 12 months, CNBC reports. Bitcoin outperformed all central-bank issued currencies last year, according to the BBC. Cryptocurrency
Oil Prices Hit 18-month Highs, Then Slide
UPDATE: Oil finished the day down more than 2 percent. Brent slid to $55.47, falling from the 18-month high it hit early in the day, Reuters reports. ORIGINAL: On the first trading day of 2017, oil prices hit 18-month highs, Reuters reports. Benchmark Brent crude rose by more than 2 percent to a high of $58.37,
Best And Worst Stock Markets Of 2016
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (+13.4%), Russia's RTS (+27%, or 52% in dollar terms), Argentina's Merval index (+45%), Brazil's Bovespa index (+39%), the Canadian TSX Composite index (+17.5%) Norway's All-Share index (+18%), Indonesia's stock market (+15%) and London's benchmark FTSE 100 (+14.4%) were the best performing stock markets of 2016, according to CNN Money. Following the "Trump bump,"
Former Translator for US Troops Allegedly Beaten, Robbed in Bulgaria
Afghan asylum seeker Rashid Noori, who reportedly worked as an interpreter for U.S. and UK troops in Afghanistan, says he suffered a severe beating earlier this month in Sofia, Bulgaria. Noori says he has lost half of his hearing in one of his ears, and he was nearly left for dead on the street. A
The Fed Raises Interest Rates
Fed Chair Janet Yellen announcing the rate hike The Federal Reserve increased its federal funds rate last week by a quarter point, boosting it to the target range of .5-.75. The federal funds rate is the United States' most significant interest rate. When the federal funds rate increases, borrowing money becomes more expensive.
Macedonian Election Coverage
Jan. 30, 2017: VMRO failed to meet its deadline on forming a coalition, and party leader Nikola Gruevski is returning the mandate to form a government to Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov. It is unclear if Zoran Zaev will get the next crack at trying to form a coalition. Update: A revote took place in one electoral
Clinton And Trump In The Balkans
Reports from Sarajevo, Belgrade and Pristina:
Refugees At The Edge Of The EU
Josh Friedman reports from the refugee camp beside the fence and effective detention center at the Serbian-Hungarian border. Report from the camp outside Kelebija, Serbia: Refugee speaks from inside one of the detention centers: Hungarian authorities accused of beating and starving migrants:
Portugal’s Guterres Is Next United Nations Chief
Antonio Guterres Despite there being calls for the next United Nations chief to be a woman and/or from Eastern Europe, Portugal's Antonio Guterres cruised to victory in the secretary-general race. Guterres, the former prime minister of Portugal and head of UN refugee agency UNHCR, emerged victorious in all six straw polls conducted prior
Bulgaria’s Georgieva To Run For UN Boss After All
European Commission VP Kristalina Georgieva walking to the Saturday night banquet at the 2016 Bilderberg conference in Dresden, Germany. Photo: Hannah Borno By JOSH FRIEDMAN After months of denying she was seeking to join the race for United Nations secretary-general, European Union budget chief Kristalina Georgieva accepted the nomination for UN boss
Bosnian Serbs Tell Court To Get Its Hands Off Their Holiday
A billboard in the heart of Banja Luka showing Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik urging Bosnian Serbs to vote in the referendum By JOSH FRIEDMAN BANJA LUKA, Bosnia - An overwhelming 99.8 percent of voters declared their support for the Jan. 9 holiday of Republika Srpska Day during a referendum held Sunday in
Refugees Pile Up At Serbian-Hungarian Border
Saboor Nadem reports from the Serbian-Hungarian border where hundreds or more asylum seekers are now stranded. The migrants have come from a variety of countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, as well as African nations. Migrants camped outside the Serbian village of Horgos are praying, protesting and hunger-striking in attempt to gain permission to cross
A View Of Brexit From Paris
Update: The UK voted 51.9 to 48.1 to leave the EU. Prime Minister David Cameron announced he would resign. Scotland is beginning preparations for another independence referendum. Watch a report on the Brexit results below. Josh Friedman reports from underneath the Arc de Triomphe on Brexit Day — June 23, 2016 — and discusses nationalism
Did Bulgaria’s Georgieva Audition for UN Boss At Bilderberg?
European Commission VP Kristalina Georgieva walking to the Saturday night banquet at the 2016 Bilderberg conference in Dresden, Germany. Photo: Hannah Borno By JOSH FRIEDMAN At a conference attended by two prime ministers, the king of the Netherlands, the CEO of Shell and the chairman of Google, one would think a European Union
What Is The Bilderberg Group?
Josh Friedman reports from Dresden, Germany, the site of the 2016 Bilderberg conference. Who is in attendance? What is going on? Longtime Bilderberg correspondents Dan Dicks and Luke Rudkowski add their input: So does Charlie Skelton, who has been covering Bilderberg for The Guardian since 2009:
Bulgaria To Be Represented At Bilderberg, Or Will It?
Kristalina Georgieva By JOSH FRIEDMAN The annual Bilderberg conference, which kicks off Thursday in Dresden, Germany, will have one Bulgarian participant. You would not know that, though, by looking at the nationalities on the participants list. Kristalina Georgieva, a high-ranking European Union bureaucrat whose name has been floated as a possible candidate for
It’s Clinton vs. Trump for President
By ARNOLD FRIEDMAN The animosity and glaring differences between two New Yorkers, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, will be on the line in the main event to succeed President Barack Obama. While Trump staggered through the worst week of his year-long, high drama Republican campaign, Democrat Clinton became the first woman in American history to
The German Village With More Residents Than Refugees
Welcome to Sumte, Germany:
Europe’s Other Crisis
Josh Friedman kicks off a trip around Germany in Frankfurt, the city of the euro. As the refugee crisis has taken center stage in Europe, many people have forgotten that all is not well with the currency that is supposed to be ensuring stability across the continent.
German Nationalists March Through Dortmund
Josh Friedman reports from within the march. Hundreds of far-right German nationalists marched through the city of Dortmund Saturday. Many of the demonstrators yelled chants calling for national socialism while walking through the city streets. German riot police marched alongside the nationalists, creating a barrier between them and the hundreds, or possibly thousands, of counter-demonstrators
Refugees Throw Dinner In The Garbage (Video)
Saboor Nadem reports from the refugee camp at the Olympic baseball stadium in Athens, Greece. Watch asylum seekers throw chicken, rice, peas and potatoes in the garbage in protest of the quality of food they receive.
What Is Liberland?
Liberland President Vít Jedlička speaking with a Croatian officer on the Danube River. Croatian officers have arrested Liberland settlers, including Jedlička. This week marks the first anniversary of the founding of Liberland, or does it? Liberland is a 1-year-old libertarian microstate located on previously unclaimed land along the Danube River between Serbia
Bilderberg 2016 To Be In Dresden, Germany
Hotel de Bilderberg, site of the first conference The Bilderberg Group, an organization of European and North American elites from business and politics, has announced its 2016 meeting will take place June 9-12 in Dresden, Germany. Bilderberg meetings occur annually at hotels or resorts in Europe or North America. The meetings are closed
Lithuanian Interpreter From Afghanistan Stuck At Greek-Macedonian Border
Basir Yousofy UPDATE: The Lithuanian government confirmed Yousofy worked Lithuania's military in Afghanistan and granted him asylum in Lithuania. By JOSH FRIEDMAN An asylum seeker currently stranded at the Greek-Macedonian border is a former Lithuanian interpreter who reportedly worked with Lithuania's military in Afghanistan. Basir Yousofy says the Taliban was hunting him in Afghanistan because he
Syrians, Afghans and Iraqi Kurds At Greek-Macedonian Border
Watch interviews with asylum seekers from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan who are trapped outside Idomeni, Greece at the Greek-Macedonian border. Some have been camped at the border for a month. A video report on the situation at the border can be seen here.
Trump Calls For Limiting U.S. Support Of NATO On Eve of Brussels Attacks
By ARNOLD FRIEDMAN The night before the deadly terrorist attacks on Brussels, Donald Trump called for the United States to rethink its involvement in NATO. Then on the same day as bombs were set off at the Brussels airport and a metro station, the Republican frontrunner in the U.S. presidential race scored another decisive primary election victory
Thousands Of Refugees Stranded At The Greek-Macedonian Border
Josh Friedman reports from outside Idomeni, Greece at the Greek-Macedonian border where 10,000 or more asylum seekers are stranded. Europe has shut down the Balkan refugee route, leaving the people at the border in limbo. Watch previous reports from the Greek-Macedonian border:
Trump, Clinton Big Winners Again
By ARNOLD FRIEDMAN Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump moved closer to a general election showdown, with both presidential candidates dominating Tuesday's primary vote in five well-populated states. Trump's strong showing in Florida, a key state, caused one of his main competitors to drop out of the race. Florida Senator Marco Rubio announced a halt
Sanders Scores Shocker But Trump Again Is The Big Winner
By ARNOLD FRIEDMAN Businessman Donald Trump extended his lead in the race for the Republican presidential nomination by winning Tuesday's voting in three out of four contested states. But the shocker of the day came from Democrat Bernie Sanders. The Vermont senator scored a major upset over frontrunner Hillary Clinton in Michigan's Democratic primary election.
Weekend Primary Results
On “Super Saturday,” leading Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz split four primaries and caucuses. Trump won Louisiana and Kentucky, while Cruz claimed Kansas and Maine. Turning to the Democratic side, Senator Bernie Sanders bested frontrunner Hillary Clinton in two of three contests. Sanders won Kansas and Nebraska, while Clinton claimed Louisiana. The
Super Tuesday Recap
The frontrunners in the presidential race for Republicans and Democrats were big winners again as voters in 12 U.S. states made their selections on Super Tuesday. In the biggest day of the primary election and caucus season, both Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton swept to victories in seven states, primarily in the Deep
Iran Voted… On What?
President Hassan Rouhani casting his ballot. Rouhani can now count on more support for improving Iran's ties with the West. By JOSH FRIEDMAN Iranians voted in a national election on Friday. The results are still not entirely clear, but western media are naming Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as the big winner. Iran’s presidency was
Saudi Atheist Gets 10 Years In Prison, 2,000 Lashes
A 28-year-old man in Saudi Arabia must serve 10 years in prison and endure 2,000 lashes for expressing atheism on social social media, The Independent reports. Saudi religious police, which monitor social media, determined the man posted more than 600 tweets denying the existence of god, ridiculing Quranic verses, accusing all prophets of lies and
Trump Wins Vote In Third Straight State
Donald Trump rolled to a third straight win in his campaign to become the next president of the United States, swamping his Republican rivals in the Western U.S. state of Nevada. With 95% of Nevada's caucus vote counted, the billionaire hotel developer and former reality TV host held a 22-point lead over his nearest competitor.
Brits To Vote In June On Staying In Or Leaving The EU
David Cameron UK Prime Minister David Cameron has set June 23 as the date voters will decide whether or not Britain will stay in the European Union. The UK has been a member of the EU and its predecessor agencies since 1973. Voters approved membership in 1975 when the UK was a member
Jeb Bush Bows Out
Jeb Bush Update: With 100% of the vote recorded, 32.5% went to Trump, giving the celebrity businessman a 10-point victory. Rubio held on to second place with 22.5% and Cruz was right behind him at 22.3%. Bush finished with just 7.8% of the vote. In a big day of American voting on Saturday, the early
Boko Haram Bombs Refugees, 58 Dead
Two female Boko Haram (WTF is Boko Haram?) suicide bombers blew themselves up Tuesday morning at a refugee camp in Northeastern Nigeria, killing at least 58 people, CNN reports. Some of the refugees targeted in the attack were former Boko Haram sex slaves, whom African troops freed last week. On Tuesday, a third woman was supposed
Refugee Rapes 10-Year-Old Boy in Austria
A 20-year-old Iraqi migrant raped a 10-year-old boy in the bathroom of a Vienna swimming pool. When questioned by Austrian police, the Iraqi man said it was a "sexual emergency," The Telegraph reports. The migrant said he had not had sex in four months, and he "followed his desires." He also told investigators that he
North Korea Fires Rocket Into Space
North Korea fired a missile into space Saturday using ballistic missile technology, according to the U.S. State Department. Pyongyang disputes the claim, saying it launched an earth observation satellite on a rocket named Kwangmyongsong-4. The U.S., as well as North Korea's regional enemies, Japan and South Korea, condemned the launch, which came one month after Pyongyang conducted
Trump Returns To Form
By ARNOLD FRIEDMAN Trump's humility lasted one day. He dramatically returned to form by accusing the Cruz campaign of committing voter fraud to steal the Iowa caucus vote. IOWA RECAP: TRUMP LOSES HIS HEARTLAND GAMBLE The State of Iowa should disqualify Ted Cruz from the most recent election on the basis that he cheated- a
Japan Prepares to Shoot Down North Korean Rocket
Tokyo has deployed warships in the sea of Japan and missile interceptors on land in preparation for North Korea's upcoming "satellite" launch, The Guardian reports. Pyongyang plans to launch the Kwangmyongsong earth observation satellite on a date between February 8 and 25. February 16 is considered a likely date because it is the birthday of former
Palestinian Poet In Saudi Arabia Avoids Death Sentence For Blasphemy
Only gets prison and lashes for leaving Islam A Saudi court has ruled that a Palestinian poet is allowed to live, even if he left the faith of Islam. The man must serve eight years in prison and endure 800 lashes, though. CNN reports a court in Saudi Arabia overturned the death sentence of Ashraf
ISIS Bombs Damascus, Kills At Least 50
As Syrian government and opposition leaders prepared for peace talks, Islamic State militants detonated three bombs in a neighborhood on the outskirts of Syria's capital Damascus, killing at least 50 people. Syrian state news agency SANA reported the attack began with a car bombing in the al-Sayyeda Zainab area on Sunday. Then two suicide bombers blew themselves
Boko Haram Slaughters At Least 86, Kids Burned Alive
A trio of female Boko Haram (WTF is Boko Haram?) suicide bombers teaming up with other militants from the Islamist group killed at least 86 people Saturday night in northeastern Nigeria. Witnesses who survived heard screams of children burning to death, AP reports. The Islamists militants attacked Dalori, a Nigerian village, as well as two nearby
Masked Gang Takes Aim At Migrants in Sweden
A gang of up to 100 masked men dressed in black attacked migrants in central Stockholm Friday evening, the BBC reports. Witnesses said the men physically attacked people thought to be foreigners. One man punched an officer in the face and was arrested, according to a statement released by Swedish police. The Swedish Aftonbladet newspaper reported
Suicide Bombers Kill 28 In Cameroon
Suicide bombers killed 28 people and wounded 65 in an attack on a market in Cameroon, Reuters reports. Nigerian-based terror group Boko Haram (WTF is Boko Haram?) is suspected of being behind the attack. The bombing took place in the town of Bodo, which borders Boko Haram strongholds in northeastern Nigeria. Suicide attacks have become
Asylum Seeker Stabs to Death Swedish Woman at Refugee Center
A 15-year-old asylum seeker stabbed to death a 22-year-old woman who was working at a Swedish refugee center, CNN reports. The fatal stabbing occurred Monday at a home for asylum seekers who are younger than 18. The refugee center is located in the town Mölndal in Western Sweden. AFP reports Swedish police arrested the 15-year-old on a
Egypt Marks Arab Spring Anniversary With Crackdown
Abdul Fattah al-Sisi Monday marks the five-year anniversary of the protests in Egypt that led to the toppling of longtime President Hosni Mubarak. Five years following Egypt's Arab Spring uprising, police are raiding thousands of homes in search of people who may protest against current President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, the BBC reports. Sisi
Tunisians Hit the Streets Again
Five year's following Tunisia's Arab Spring revolution, unrest has returned to the North African nation. Protests over rising unemployment have spread across the country, and violence has broken out between police and protesters, The Guardian reports. The government has responded by imposing a nationwide overnight curfew.
Covering Europe’s Refugee Crisis
Relive the 2015 edition of the European refugee crisis in a series of video reports from the Balkans and beyond. More than 1 million asylum seekers arrived in Europe in 2015, the majority of whom beached in Greece and traveled across the Western Balkans to reach more prosperous European Union states. Interviews with asylum seekers from
The Year That Was in Turkey
Two pivotal elections, deadly terror attacks and a resumption of war between Turks and Kurds highlighted a tumultuous 2015 in Turkey. Ankara also added Moscow to its enemies list. Josh Friedman reports. Watch a playlist of reports from Istanbul in 2015. Coverage of both election days in included.
Iranian Refugees Hunger Strike And Sew Lips Shut
Josh Friedman interviews Iranian refugees who are protesting the Macedonian government's decision to refuse them passage.
From Africa, the Middle East and Beyond to the Macedonian Border
Refugees, or economic migrants, have poured into Europe from all over Africa and as far east as Bangladesh. Many are now stuck in no man's land at the Greek-Macedonian border. Josh Friedman reports.
Turkey Chooses Erdogan, Again
Josh Friedman reports from Istanbul on Turkey's second election day of the year. Watch the video reports below:
Order Out of Chaos in Turkey?
FMP's Josh Friedman returns to Turkey two months following Turkish parliamentary elections. Turkey still has not formed a new government, but it does have a new war or two. Friedman reports from Istanbul, where a day prior, not one, but two terror attacks occurred. Might the chaos have a political purpose? Watch the previous reports
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Dennis Rodman stumps for Trump
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump picked up an endorsement Friday from a former basketball champion, a man who once wore a wedding dress and a self-appointed U.S. diplomat to North Korea. Dennis Rodman stated on Twitter that Trump has been a great friend for many years. "We don't need another politician, we need a businessman
Freeman Cast Paris, Prague, and Greeced but Whole
Hi there, Check out our latest episode. We cover the city of lights that is Paris, the quaint Czech capital that is Prague, and the terrifying Greek Crisis.
Greek banks could confiscate customers’ money
Greek banks are preparing a contingency plan in which they would confiscate at least 30 percent of deposits above €8,000, Financial Times reports. The process of distressed banks raiding deposits is called a "bail-in." In 2013, a bail-in took place in Cyprus, during which funds were seized from uninsured deposits of more than €100,000. If a
Turkish Election Coverage
FMP's Josh Friedman covers the Turkish elections from Istanbul. Watch the video reports below:
EU, IMF, ECB commit terrorism: Greek FM
A day before a nationwide vote in Greece that could decide the country's future in the eurozone and European Union, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis accused Greece's creditors of terrorism, BBC reports. "Why did they force us to close the banks? To instil fear in people. And spreading fear is called terrorism," Varoufakis said. Greece's
Cambodia Takes Your Mum Jokes to the Next Level
Cambodia does not often make the headlines. This time it is for something extremely insensitive and offensive on a level beyond what any normal human being could be considered remotely capable of. The story relates to Autumn Allen. She is a 13-year-old American living in Cambodia. Recently, she sang on national television. At the end
Ding Dong the UKIP Dick Is Gone
Mr. Cameron's Conservative party has won a landslide victory in the recent UK elections. Such a wide majority was expected by very few sources. While not all might agree with the result, this cloud does have a clear silver lining. The leader of the xenophobic UKIP party, Nigel Farage has resigned. This follows the disappointing
From the Bottom of a Well to President of a Nation
Every day we come across inspirational and amazing stories. None can be more inspirational than going from having only a single rat as a friend to not only leading a nation, but setting an example for world leaders across the globe. This story is that of the former president of Uruguay, José Mujica. Mr. Mujica
“Protect Our Shores Against these Cockroaches with Gunboats”
A few days ago Rupert Murdoch's NewsCorp attracted controversy once again. This time it was not for a phone hacking scandal or anything else which affects our impoverished and eternally persecuted ultra-wealthy celebrities. This time it was for something much, much more worrying. Although we might discount her opinion as that of only one individual,
Dieudonné Convicted of Condoning Terror
Dieudonné M'bala M'bala is a well known and controversial French stand up comedian. This is not the first time that he has made headlines due to his remarks. To add to his record, one of his Tweets has landed him a criminal conviction. In the wake of the terrorist attacks on the Paris
ECB Protests: Frankfurt Burning
The European Central Bank, also known as the ECB was struck by protests today. The whole affair involved the arrest of nearly 400 anti capitalists with one agenda. They seek to try to make Mario Draghi and their colleagues go back on opening the new ECB headquarters in Frankfurt. Once again the Occupy Movement shows its
Mob storms Indian jail, murders rape suspect
A crowd of thousands stormed a jail in India Thursday evening, dragged out a suspected rapist and beat him to death in the street, CNN reports. The rampage took place in the state of Nagaland located in far northeastern India. Police have arrested 43 people on a host of charges, including arson, rioting, attempted murder
China’s trade warriors
China's monthly trade surplus reached a record high of $60.6 billion in February, the BBC reports. A country's trade surplus is the difference in price between its exports and imports. Find out WTF China is here
Boko Haram to join the Islamic State
Nigerian Islamist terror group Boko Haram has reportedly sworn allegiance to the Islamic State, the world's foremost Muslim militant group that currently occupies much of Syria and Iraq. Boko Harma Abubakar Shekau purportedly released a video in which he says that he is announcing his organization's "allegiance to the Caliph of Muslims."
Trump’s Tainted Touch: The Worst Circus in Town
He Ain't No Midas Mark Bryan'sThe Shit Show "In just one term in office, Donald Trump has rendered the United States unrecognizable, and has faced no consequences for doing so. He has carried out a sustained assault on democratic institutions, put his family members in charge of critical government functions during a pandemic, called for