Author: Blazingcatfur

German 18-year-olds asked: Are you ready for war?

Germany sounding out next generation of soldiers with mandatory survey on fitness and attitude amid fears of war with Russia

German teenagers will be greeted with a survey from the army about their readiness for war as they turn 18, when the country’s new military service scheme comes into force.

As of Thursday, all German males turning 18 will be legally required to fill in surveys sent out by the armed forces, or Bundeswehr, about their fitness for service. Those who refuse face a fine of up to €1,000 (£800).

The survey is part of Germany’s new military service scheme, which has been significantly watered down from an original proposal to bring back conscription.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted inGermany

The Idiots Teaching Your Kids At The TDSB!

The Toronto District School Board was duped into sending $1 million to fraudster who ‘can barely spell’

The Toronto District School Board is trying to recoup more than $1 million in public funds it lost in a cyberscam that experts say was “highly preventable.”

The public school board says a fraudster represented themselves as a long-time contractor for school renewal projects and tricked the TDSB into wiring $1.08 million to a Toronto-Dominion Bank account.

The TDSB has not publicly disclosed the 2024 fraud, which the Star discovered in reviewing court records.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted inTDSB Scandals, TDSB Toronto District School Board

Ewwwwwwwww!

The No. 2 reason you should avoid Times Square’s insanely crowded ball-drop for NYE

No. 2 is the No. 1 reason not to go to Times Square’s insanely crowded ball-drop!

Revelers were forced to layer on up to four Depends adult diapers Wednesday — with peddlers selling pairs for $50 a pop, warning they could fetch even more as the night wore on — because once you get in the pen, you can’t leave for bathroom emergencies, sellers told The Post.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted inWTF?

Toronto police need to take ‘strong action’ on anti-Israel mobs, says Ontario solicitor general

Ontario’s solicitor general wants the Toronto Police Service to urgently step up its enforcement of “hate, intimidation and harassment-motivated offences” plaguing the city.

And while Michael Kerzner’s letter to Toronto Police Service Chief Myron Dimkew and Councillor Shelly Carroll, chair of the civilian oversight board, doesn’t explicitly single out the city’s Jewish population as the victims of such offences, his intent is clear.

The TPS will get tough and institute a One Donut Only per protester policy.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted in"Islamophobia", "Toronto - Canada's version of a Democrat run city"

Russian horseback troops face drones as old and new tactics clash

A battlefield encounter between a Ukrainian drone and a Russian soldier on horseback ended in victory for modern weaponry over centuries-old tactics.

Russia’s invasion has seen technological advances that have changed the nature of warfare, from the ubiquitous use of drones to hypersonic missiles.

Yet Russia’s shortage of military vehicles means that some of President Putin’s troops are trying to use horses to avoid getting stuck in the mud as they launch assaults on Ukrainian lines.

Related …

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted in"Ukraine - Russia"

Jobs, economy top voters’ priorities at the end of a turbulent 2025: Nanos poll

A year-end poll from Nanos suggests Canadians will want to see action from the Liberal government on major economic files in the new year.

Just over one in five respondents to the poll published this week said jobs and the economy were the most important national issues — more than double the 10 per cent who listed relations with the United States and President Donald Trump as their top priority.

Inflation, health care and immigration rounded out the top five concerns for Canadians.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted inCanada

About 40 killed and 100 injured in fire at bar in Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana

About 40 people are believed to have been killed and 100 injured after a fire tore through a crowded bar during a New Year’s Eve party in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, according to the Italian foreign ministry.

Swiss police confirmed “several dozen” partygoers were dead. The victims could not be immediately identified because of the severity of their burns, the ministry said. It confirmed arson was not responsible, with the blaze thought to be the result of an accident.

“There has been an explosion of unknown origin,” Gaëtan Lathion, a police spokesperson in the canton of Valais in south-west Switzerland, told Agence France-Presse. “There are several injured and several dead.”

Video shows the fire spreading across the ceiling

BBC Live Feed

Twitter – Crans-Montana

h/t Patti Jo

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted inWTF?

Happy New Years Everyone!!

Happy New Years Everyone!!

Happy New Year!

I’m posting this a bit early as I am not sure I can make it to midnight! Still under the weather and napping as I can.

It’s an unpleasant affliction that makes sleep fitful. Even Xavier has calmed down and allowed me to rest when I can, and progress is being made.

Thank you all for your readership. 20 years is an amazing feat for a little blog.

I am hoping to be back at what passes for my best next week.

Please keep XC’s Mom and Pa Cat in your prayers.

I hope the New Year grants all your wishes.

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by Blazingcatfur••0•Posted inNew Year's Eve