Wilhelmus Janus
@wilhelmusjanus.bsky.social
Pondering about a 4th culture-concept; Asia = shame-culture, Arab/muslim = honor-culture, West = guilt-culture, Russia = blame-culture.
+ 'Pathological Altruism' (Barbara Oakley, Oakland University)
+ Hanlon's Razor driven in Reverse, Biting you in the Ass
+ 'Pathological Altruism' (Barbara Oakley, Oakland University)
+ Hanlon's Razor driven in Reverse, Biting you in the Ass
Pinned
Sergei Pugachev: ‘I personally brought Putin to power’
The once powerful Russian oligarch and now exile claims Putin is orchestrating a campaign to ruin him
www.ft.com
Sergei Pugachev: ‘I personally brought Putin to power’
“He told me he may not live, but that I would be a witness to how the Chekisty [members of the secret police] would destroy the country”
Catherine Belton / July 23 2015
www.ft.com/content/5b24...
archive.ph/ZpRIC
(1/3)
“He told me he may not live, but that I would be a witness to how the Chekisty [members of the secret police] would destroy the country”
Catherine Belton / July 23 2015
www.ft.com/content/5b24...
archive.ph/ZpRIC
(1/3)
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
I didn't know that Swiss authorities were involved in the Cum
-Ex kerfuffle. To be honest, the whole thing is so Byzantine that it's hard to keep track. No wonder the prosecutors just gave up after being stonewalled.
-Ex kerfuffle. To be honest, the whole thing is so Byzantine that it's hard to keep track. No wonder the prosecutors just gave up after being stonewalled.
November 27, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I didn't know that Swiss authorities were involved in the Cum
-Ex kerfuffle. To be honest, the whole thing is so Byzantine that it's hard to keep track. No wonder the prosecutors just gave up after being stonewalled.
-Ex kerfuffle. To be honest, the whole thing is so Byzantine that it's hard to keep track. No wonder the prosecutors just gave up after being stonewalled.
Reminds me, cynically, of FireChat, an app used as last resort in the Hong Kong uprising.
Hongkongers really do community so well.
Hongkongers built their own SOS map as seven towers burned
When a fatal fire tore through seven high-rise towers in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, thousands of families were glued to a single webpage that offered updates far more quickly than official governmen...
www.abc.net.au
November 27, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Reminds me, cynically, of FireChat, an app used as last resort in the Hong Kong uprising.
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
Hongkongers really do community so well.
Hongkongers built their own SOS map as seven towers burned
When a fatal fire tore through seven high-rise towers in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, thousands of families were glued to a single webpage that offered updates far more quickly than official governmen...
www.abc.net.au
November 27, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Hongkongers really do community so well.
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
This 2024 post from the DAB’s Peggy Wong is quickly becoming infamous.
In it, the pro-Beijing district councillor dismisses fire safety concerns about the Wang Fuk work as malicious rumours misleading the public, and accuses the Democratic Party of “provocatively live-streaming “ from the scene.
In it, the pro-Beijing district councillor dismisses fire safety concerns about the Wang Fuk work as malicious rumours misleading the public, and accuses the Democratic Party of “provocatively live-streaming “ from the scene.
November 27, 2025 at 7:37 AM
This 2024 post from the DAB’s Peggy Wong is quickly becoming infamous.
In it, the pro-Beijing district councillor dismisses fire safety concerns about the Wang Fuk work as malicious rumours misleading the public, and accuses the Democratic Party of “provocatively live-streaming “ from the scene.
In it, the pro-Beijing district councillor dismisses fire safety concerns about the Wang Fuk work as malicious rumours misleading the public, and accuses the Democratic Party of “provocatively live-streaming “ from the scene.
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
Or they should have done that starting last night, just because it’s their job
“In view of the immense public interest involved, the ICAC today (November 27) set up a task force to launch a full investigation into possible corruption in the grand renovation project of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.”
www.icac.org.hk/en/p/press/i...
www.icac.org.hk/en/p/press/i...
ICAC, HKSAR - Press Releases - ICAC Statement: ICAC launches investigation into suspected corruption in grand renovation project of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po
Press Releases - ICAC Statement: ICAC launches investigation into suspected corruption in grand renovation project of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po
www.icac.org.hk
November 27, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Or they should have done that starting last night, just because it’s their job
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
'The issue here is not just that Deng illegally holds office. The Hualien County government then subverted Taiwan’s national policies on who can hold office to install a PRC citizen in its own local government.'
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Notes from Central Taiwan: PRC Spouses as Dual Citizens: the Deng case and its consequences - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:55 AM
'The issue here is not just that Deng illegally holds office. The Hualien County government then subverted Taiwan’s national policies on who can hold office to install a PRC citizen in its own local government.'
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
Pro-democracy parties existed to be thorns in the government’s side — true enough. But the official story, that they “politicised” everything while the establishment camp championed livelihood issues, does not match the reality.
See below for an example of how they also pushed back on local issues.
See below for an example of how they also pushed back on local issues.
November 27, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Pro-democracy parties existed to be thorns in the government’s side — true enough. But the official story, that they “politicised” everything while the establishment camp championed livelihood issues, does not match the reality.
See below for an example of how they also pushed back on local issues.
See below for an example of how they also pushed back on local issues.
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
"Flame-retardant nets – taking nets of the size seen in the fire as an example, 18×2 metres – costs about HK$75 to $90 per piece.
The same size but without the fireproof performance will cost $40 to $50 per piece, so it provides an incentive for some to take risks."
news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/comp...
The same size but without the fireproof performance will cost $40 to $50 per piece, so it provides an incentive for some to take risks."
news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/comp...
Experts urge laws to mandate fire-proof materials' use - RTHK
Hong Kong construction industry leaders called on Thursday for authorities to draw up legislation to make the use of fir...
news.rthk.hk
November 27, 2025 at 8:16 AM
"Flame-retardant nets – taking nets of the size seen in the fire as an example, 18×2 metres – costs about HK$75 to $90 per piece.
The same size but without the fireproof performance will cost $40 to $50 per piece, so it provides an incentive for some to take risks."
news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/comp...
The same size but without the fireproof performance will cost $40 to $50 per piece, so it provides an incentive for some to take risks."
news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/comp...
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
I was in Hong Kong very briefly a few weeks ago and spent an afternoon in Tai Po. It's a great place. Like any Hong Kong urban centre, it has its share of high rises. But also green spaces, two rivers running through it, a great market and a harbour. RIP and justice for the victims.
大埔是個好地方
大埔是個好地方
November 27, 2025 at 3:06 PM
I was in Hong Kong very briefly a few weeks ago and spent an afternoon in Tai Po. It's a great place. Like any Hong Kong urban centre, it has its share of high rises. But also green spaces, two rivers running through it, a great market and a harbour. RIP and justice for the victims.
大埔是個好地方
大埔是個好地方
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
Perhaps you might not realize that Beijing and now GovHK wants to end the use of bamboo because Chinese state-owned construction companies can't get a sniff into the Hong Kong market as they have no expertise.
Yes steel is inherently safer, but bamboo is very safe when built by those with expertise
Yes steel is inherently safer, but bamboo is very safe when built by those with expertise
November 27, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Perhaps you might not realize that Beijing and now GovHK wants to end the use of bamboo because Chinese state-owned construction companies can't get a sniff into the Hong Kong market as they have no expertise.
Yes steel is inherently safer, but bamboo is very safe when built by those with expertise
Yes steel is inherently safer, but bamboo is very safe when built by those with expertise
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
Residents have also called in to radio shows claiming the firm alarm never went off,.sprinkles didn't work and fire hoses had no water
3 ppl arrested last night are said to be the engineers who approved the use of the foam as sealing material
3 ppl arrested last night are said to be the engineers who approved the use of the foam as sealing material
November 27, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Residents have also called in to radio shows claiming the firm alarm never went off,.sprinkles didn't work and fire hoses had no water
3 ppl arrested last night are said to be the engineers who approved the use of the foam as sealing material
3 ppl arrested last night are said to be the engineers who approved the use of the foam as sealing material
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
Reflexively blaming bamboo with no evidence and no effort to address regulatory failures is journalist malpractice but it doesn’t stop there.
Portraying living in a high-rises as a poor-people-thing, not a choice people gladly make, is the most condescending West-brained thing I’ve read in a while.
Portraying living in a high-rises as a poor-people-thing, not a choice people gladly make, is the most condescending West-brained thing I’ve read in a while.
November 27, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Reflexively blaming bamboo with no evidence and no effort to address regulatory failures is journalist malpractice but it doesn’t stop there.
Portraying living in a high-rises as a poor-people-thing, not a choice people gladly make, is the most condescending West-brained thing I’ve read in a while.
Portraying living in a high-rises as a poor-people-thing, not a choice people gladly make, is the most condescending West-brained thing I’ve read in a while.
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
Given that #HongKong's ICAC did nothing to investigate the multiple accusations of police corruption during the city's 2019 upheaval (I can list a some if needed) do people there still trust this institution? Such a fall from grace for a body which started with such international fanfare. #China
“In view of the immense public interest involved, the ICAC today (November 27) set up a task force to launch a full investigation into possible corruption in the grand renovation project of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.”
www.icac.org.hk/en/p/press/i...
www.icac.org.hk/en/p/press/i...
ICAC, HKSAR - Press Releases - ICAC Statement: ICAC launches investigation into suspected corruption in grand renovation project of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po
Press Releases - ICAC Statement: ICAC launches investigation into suspected corruption in grand renovation project of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po
www.icac.org.hk
November 27, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Given that #HongKong's ICAC did nothing to investigate the multiple accusations of police corruption during the city's 2019 upheaval (I can list a some if needed) do people there still trust this institution? Such a fall from grace for a body which started with such international fanfare. #China
They also play a nasty role in the Cum-Ex Affaire.
(Swiss minister of justice, already out of function, pretending to be still in office, towards German prosecutors, protecting the main culprit against extradition, who fled to CH before)
Btw, overall statute of limitations CumEx starting 1/1/2026.
(Swiss minister of justice, already out of function, pretending to be still in office, towards German prosecutors, protecting the main culprit against extradition, who fled to CH before)
Btw, overall statute of limitations CumEx starting 1/1/2026.
I sincerely hope they get fucked by Trump again, obnoxious little country.
November 27, 2025 at 3:37 PM
They also play a nasty role in the Cum-Ex Affaire.
(Swiss minister of justice, already out of function, pretending to be still in office, towards German prosecutors, protecting the main culprit against extradition, who fled to CH before)
Btw, overall statute of limitations CumEx starting 1/1/2026.
(Swiss minister of justice, already out of function, pretending to be still in office, towards German prosecutors, protecting the main culprit against extradition, who fled to CH before)
Btw, overall statute of limitations CumEx starting 1/1/2026.
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
I sincerely hope they get fucked by Trump again, obnoxious little country.
November 27, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I sincerely hope they get fucked by Trump again, obnoxious little country.
He looks more like a freshly strangled Swiss banker deprived of his last bar of Nazi gold than a real German crypto-Nazi, but yes.
He would even have called the export of Topf & Söhne ovens to Uyghur concentration camps a blissful trade success.
He would even have called the export of Topf & Söhne ovens to Uyghur concentration camps a blissful trade success.
November 27, 2025 at 3:26 PM
He looks more like a freshly strangled Swiss banker deprived of his last bar of Nazi gold than a real German crypto-Nazi, but yes.
He would even have called the export of Topf & Söhne ovens to Uyghur concentration camps a blissful trade success.
He would even have called the export of Topf & Söhne ovens to Uyghur concentration camps a blissful trade success.
Swiss are rather possessive about their Nazi gold, yes.
Swiss executives gave Trump a specially engraved gold bar and a Rolex clock as part of a lobbying push to reduce US tariffs on Switzerland
on.ft.com/4p4mPBS
on.ft.com/4p4mPBS
Swiss politicians decry ‘gold bar diplomacy’ in Trump trade deal
Backlash over role played in talks by executives from companies including Rolex and Richemont
on.ft.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Swiss are rather possessive about their Nazi gold, yes.
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
Swiss executives gave Trump a specially engraved gold bar and a Rolex clock as part of a lobbying push to reduce US tariffs on Switzerland
on.ft.com/4p4mPBS
on.ft.com/4p4mPBS
Swiss politicians decry ‘gold bar diplomacy’ in Trump trade deal
Backlash over role played in talks by executives from companies including Rolex and Richemont
on.ft.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Swiss executives gave Trump a specially engraved gold bar and a Rolex clock as part of a lobbying push to reduce US tariffs on Switzerland
on.ft.com/4p4mPBS
on.ft.com/4p4mPBS
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
Crazy shit: the connections. Two very excellent reads:
“Hiding In Plain Sight”, and “They Knew”, both by @sarahkendzior.bsky.social.
From *before* his media stardom days. And the interconnected lines between verifiable international criminals and the donor elite and their politicians. Clarifying.
“Hiding In Plain Sight”, and “They Knew”, both by @sarahkendzior.bsky.social.
From *before* his media stardom days. And the interconnected lines between verifiable international criminals and the donor elite and their politicians. Clarifying.
November 24, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Crazy shit: the connections. Two very excellent reads:
“Hiding In Plain Sight”, and “They Knew”, both by @sarahkendzior.bsky.social.
From *before* his media stardom days. And the interconnected lines between verifiable international criminals and the donor elite and their politicians. Clarifying.
“Hiding In Plain Sight”, and “They Knew”, both by @sarahkendzior.bsky.social.
From *before* his media stardom days. And the interconnected lines between verifiable international criminals and the donor elite and their politicians. Clarifying.
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
Her Einstein Visa was really an #EpsteinVisa.
November 22, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Her Einstein Visa was really an #EpsteinVisa.
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
I’ve said this for years, but the real scandal of Russiagate wasn’t that Putin had something on Trump, but that Trump wanted to make the US like Putin’s Russia.
November 25, 2025 at 10:10 PM
I’ve said this for years, but the real scandal of Russiagate wasn’t that Putin had something on Trump, but that Trump wanted to make the US like Putin’s Russia.
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
From 2020: Comey doesn't want Trump to be investigated because doesn't want his own activity to be investigated. Comey spent his tenure at the FBI protecting a mafia syndicate linked to the Kremlin -- a mafia syndicate two other former FBI heads went on to serve.
-- HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT (2020)
-- HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT (2020)
May 16, 2025 at 10:19 PM
From 2020: Comey doesn't want Trump to be investigated because doesn't want his own activity to be investigated. Comey spent his tenure at the FBI protecting a mafia syndicate linked to the Kremlin -- a mafia syndicate two other former FBI heads went on to serve.
-- HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT (2020)
-- HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT (2020)
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
You can’t just focus on Trump.
🔴 FBI & other corrupt authorities & top oligarchs are playing games with the world, literally burning up the world as they maintain their extreme wealth & domination
Pretending otherwise doesn’t help most people & life on this planet
bsky.app/profile/sara...
🔴 FBI & other corrupt authorities & top oligarchs are playing games with the world, literally burning up the world as they maintain their extreme wealth & domination
Pretending otherwise doesn’t help most people & life on this planet
bsky.app/profile/sara...
From 2020: Comey doesn't want Trump to be investigated because doesn't want his own activity to be investigated. Comey spent his tenure at the FBI protecting a mafia syndicate linked to the Kremlin -- a mafia syndicate two other former FBI heads went on to serve.
-- HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT (2020)
-- HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT (2020)
November 26, 2025 at 1:32 AM
You can’t just focus on Trump.
🔴 FBI & other corrupt authorities & top oligarchs are playing games with the world, literally burning up the world as they maintain their extreme wealth & domination
Pretending otherwise doesn’t help most people & life on this planet
bsky.app/profile/sara...
🔴 FBI & other corrupt authorities & top oligarchs are playing games with the world, literally burning up the world as they maintain their extreme wealth & domination
Pretending otherwise doesn’t help most people & life on this planet
bsky.app/profile/sara...
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
Taiwan’s finance ministry announces anti-dumping duties on Chinese beer and steel for four months – Reuters
Taiwan to impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese beer, steel for four months
Taiwan's finance ministry said on Friday it would impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese-made beer and hot-rolled steel for four months starting on July 3, citing substantial damage to Taiwan's industr...
www.reuters.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Taiwan’s finance ministry announces anti-dumping duties on Chinese beer and steel for four months – Reuters
Reposted by Wilhelmus Janus
Top EU official Teresa Ribera (PSOE/S&D) accuses US of ‘blackmail’ in trade talks – POLITICO Europe: ‘Despite the uncompromising response from Ribera, solidarity over the DMA is starting to show subtle cracks among EU countries.’
Top EU official accuses US of ‘blackmail’ in trade talks
Renewed U.S. pressure for the EU to recalibrate its digital rules is unacceptable, says Teresa Ribera.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Top EU official Teresa Ribera (PSOE/S&D) accuses US of ‘blackmail’ in trade talks – POLITICO Europe: ‘Despite the uncompromising response from Ribera, solidarity over the DMA is starting to show subtle cracks among EU countries.’