Fifa to enforce ban on pre-revolutionary Iran flag at World Cup in United States

The Independent US

Fifa is set to prohibit fans from bringing the pre-revolutionary Iran flag into stadiums at the World Cup in the United States – a ruling also made for the last World Cup in Qatar.

While similar in its red, white and green band formation, the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag has a lion and the sun in the middle, while the official flag, changed following the Iranian revolution in 1979,has an Islamic symbol and phrasing, depicting the shift from a monarchy to a theocratic government.

The pre-revolutionary flag has been used by Iranians in the US and worldwide as a symbol of protest and standing against the current regime and, while prohibited at the 2022 World Cup, some fans managed to sneak the flag into stadiums in Qatar.

A report in The Athletic this weekdetails that Fifa intends to enforce the ban on the pre-revolutionary flag – and any similar paraphernalia – in the USA this summer. Despite the ongoing war with the hosts, Iran is scheduled to compete in next month’s Finals and has two matches scheduled in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

When approached byThe Independent, a Fifa spokesperson referred to their official guidelines and Article 3.1.243 of their Stadium Code of Conduct, which states: “Any materials, including but not limited to banners, flags, fliers, apparel and other paraphernalia, that are of a political, offensive and/or discriminatory nature, containing wording, symbols or any other attributes aimed at discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group on account of race, skin colour, ethnicity, national or social origin, gender identity and expression, disability, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, birth, wealth or any other status, sexual orientation or on any other grounds.”

The report inThe Athletic adds that Fifa is set to allow the Palestine flag into World Cup stadiums this summer, given it is the officially approved flag of a Fifa member association, in contrast to Iran’s pre-revolutionary flag.

Tickets for Iran’s group-stage games on the West Coast have sold well, with over 50,000 bought for their opening clash against New Zealand at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on 15 June.

They are also set to play Group G favourites Belgium in LA on 21 June before their final group game against Egypt on 26 June in Seattle, which has also been designated as the Pride Match taking place on Seattle Pride weekend.

There is a scenario in which Iran could face the United States in Dallas in the round-of-32, if both countries finish second in their respective groups.

The 2026 World Cup starts on 11 June.

(https://www.aol.com/news/fifa-ban-pre-revolutionary-iran-105329031.html

Ok this is pretty funny

Breaking911

@Breaking911

A group of friends spotted a kangaroo appearing to shadow box a flagstick on a golf course in Australia.

5:22 PM · May 21, 2026

71.9K Views

https://x.com/Breaking911/status/2057572711036043625?s=20

Make haggis legal again, Scotland urges US ahead of World Cup

A prominent Scottish butcher has launched a campaign for the US to legalise haggis, as the Tartan Army prepares to head across the Atlanticfor the World Cup.

US federal food regulations on offal have effectively banned haggis since 1971, preventing Scottish producers from exporting it.

Simon Howie Butchers, based in Perthshire,is spearheading a petition to "make haggis legal again". The initiative will also be fronted by Scottish broadcaster and journalist Gordon Smart. Football fans travelling to the US are being supplied with flags emblazoned with "no haggis, no party".

Simon Howie said: “Scotland-footballfans are widely recognised as the best in the world and they are about to make the trip of a lifetime, but they’ll be doing it without access to their national dish.

“With such warmth and long-standing affinity between Americans and Scots,we’re appealing to the USA to embrace this delicious delicacy and ‘make haggis legal again’.”

Smart said: “For Scotland fans, summer 2026 is going to be a trip we’ll never forget. We’ll have the flags, the songs and the scarves, and if this petition has anything to do with it, we’ll have the haggis too.

“Simon Howie is fighting for every Scot and honorary Scot out there, so let’s get behind the campaign and make history on and off the pitch.

“Because after all, if there’s no haggis, there’s no party.”

The traditional Scottish dish has been prohibited by the US since 1971 as it contains sheep lungs.

The US embassy in London has been approached for comment.

Last week Steve Clarke hailed the Tartan Army as the acceptable face of Scottish football fans in the aftermath of another unsavoury pitch invasion at club level.

Celtic fans flooded out of the stands after the Hoops scored the third goal in their 3-1 home win over Hearts on Saturday which clinched the William Hill Premiership title.

There was another Celtic pitch invasion when Martin O’Neill’s side scored a late penalty winner at Motherwell and there is an on-going investigation into unseemly scenes at the end of the Old Firm Scottish Gas Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox in March, where fans from both sides came out of the stands.

Scotland qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998 with the most dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark in November, but Clarke noted that the Scots fans stayed in their seats to celebrate.

Speaking at Hampden after naming his World Cup squad, he said: “That (Denmark game) just shows that you can enjoy yourself without going out on the pitch.

“There is no need for people to be on the pitch.

“The reputation of the Tartan Army and the Scottish fans is well known worldwide.

“Even over the disappointment in Germany (2024 European Championship), the Tartan Army were top supporters.

“They made a lot of friends in Germanyand I’m sure they will make more friends over in the States.

“I think the international scene is separate from the domestic scene so the feel-good factor is around the international team.

“The way the league season ended with the scenes on Saturday at Celtic Park was not good for Scottish football.

“It’s a bad look that doesn’t do anybody any favours. It’s much better that people celebrate but stay where they should stay.

“People invading the pitch is not right because player safety is endangered. That is not correct – anywhere.

“On the pitch is the players’ place of work. People should not go on the pitch, it’s quite clear.”

Clarke hopes his future is settled before leaving for the United States as his current deal runs out this summer.

Asked if he thought his situation would be clarified before they flew out, he said: “Hopefully. That would be the plan.

“I’m pretty sure it will be But let’s just talk about the squad, not me. I’m not important today.”

(https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/us-urged-removed-ban-haggis-060717787.html

A lot of different news on the World Cup coming.What is haggis?

Curt Cignetti Joins Josh Pate - Pate State Speaker Series

Josh Pate's College Football Show

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti joined Josh Pate on the latest edition of the Pate State Speaker Series this week.How do the Hoosiers look heading into the 2026 College Football season?What kind of lessons did Curt Cignetti learn from last year? What could be next for Indiana?

39:04

https://youtu.be/Mt3_fioWwVA

911: Busch short of breath, coughing up blood day before death

Why is this such a mystery?

CONCORD, N.C. – NASCAR driver Kyle Busch experienced shortness of breath, felt he was overheating and was coughing up blood the day before his death, according to a 911 call obtained Friday by The Associated Press.

Busch died Thursday at age 41. No cause of death has been given, thoughhis family said earlier that he had been hospitalized with a "severe illness" days before he was to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Busch wastesting in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord on Wednesday when he became unresponsive and was transported to a hospital in Charlotte, several people familiar with the situation told the AP.

The people spoke on condition of anonymitybecause details have not been disclosed by Busch's team or family.

During the emergency call placed late that afternoon from the General Motors training facility, an unidentified caller calmly told the dispatch:"I've got an individual that's [got] shortness of breath, very hot, thinks he's going to pass out, and is producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood."

Busch was lying on the bathroom floor inside the complex and the caller told dispatch, "He is awake," according to audio provided by the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office.

The man then gave directions on where emergency responders should go and asked that they turn off any sirens upon arrival.

NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell is scheduled to speak at a news conference later Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The news of Busch's death sent shockwaves across the NASCAR community, and even Vice President JDVance took to social media, saying, "I had the opportunity to meet Kyle, one of NASCAR's greatest racers, on the campaign trail in 2024. Usha and I are praying for him and his family. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord."

Meanwhile, gloomy, gray skies hung over the track on an unseasonably cool day in Concord, which seemed a fitting background for the in memoriam photo of Busch on the videoboard.

Christopher Bell is among the drivers planning to run in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race Friday night, one that Busch had been scheduled to compete in.

Busch won last week's Truck series race at Dover the final win of his career giving him 234 victories across NASCAR's three national series, the most of any driver.

He finished 17th in the All-Star Race on Sunday.

"It's going to be very strange to be out there without Kyle in the field," Bell said. "It's going to take a long time before things feel back to normal."

Bell called Busch's death a "gut-wrenching feeling."

He said he spoke to Busch prior to the last Truck series race and said he seemed "normal, like completely normal."

"I guess it is a very stark reminder of how fragile life can be," Bell said.

https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/48845650/911-busch-short-breath-coughing-blood-day-death

Ukraine reburies Nazi collaborator as Zelensky pushes for ‘hero pantheon’ (VIDEO)

Kiev is using Andrey Melnik’s exhumation as a ploy to distract the public from its violent draft campaign and rampant corruption, Moscow says

Published 22 May, 2026 09:03

Ukraine has rolled out full state honors for the remains of a World War II Nazi collaborator who has been repatriated from Luxembourg and will be buried in Kiev’s main military cemetery. The controversial exhumation comes around a month after Vladimir Zelensky announced plans to establish a “pantheon of outstanding Ukrainians.”

According to the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory,the coffins containing Andrey Melnik, the leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), and his wife, Sofia Fedak-Melnik, entered the country in a solemn ceremony– which involved a ==national choir and embroidered flags – in Uzhgorod, western Ukraine.•=

It was attended by Irina Vereshchuk, the deputy head of Zelensky’s office, as well as local officials, members of the clergy, and veterans.

The remains will be sent to Kiev, where they will be reburied at the National War Memorial Cemetery on Sunday – with more pomp and circumstance planned.

Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukraine has a “moral duty” to bring home those who “defended the idea of independence,” adding that preparations are underway for the exhumation of other figures, including OUN founder Evgeny Konovalets.

In late April, Zelensky announced that work had begun on creating “a Pantheon of outstanding Ukrainians,” saying the primary focus will be on the return of historical figures who are “of fundamental importance for the formation of Ukrainian national consciousness and for our state-building.”

(Merz has obviously training Zelensky how to honor Nazis!)

Who was Melnik?

Andrey Melnik co-founded the OUN in 1929 and became the leader in 1938, following the assassination of its chief, Evgeny Konovalets, by Soviet intelligence. Around the same time,Melnik was recruited by Nazi Germany’s military intelligence service (the Abwehr) for espionage and sabotageoperations ahead of the planned invasion of the Soviet Union, according to Nuremberg trial documents.

Under Melnik’s leadership,the OUN split into two parts in 1940, with one part led by notorious Nazi collaborator Stepan Bandera, who was later involved in ethnic cleansing in Nazi-occupied territories.

After the invasion of the Soviet Union,Melnik’s relations with the Nazis soured as Germany was in no hurry to give any semblance of independence to Ukraine. Melnik was placed under house arrest in mid-1941, then arrested by the Gestapo in January 1944 and held in Sachsenhausen concentration camp before being released that October as German forces retreated.

As the war ended, Melnik fled to the West and settled in Luxembourg, where he remained active among Ukrainian emigre networks until his death in 1964.

The OUN leader was not tried in the Nuremberg tribunal as it was mainly focused on major Nazi war criminals. The Western allies refused to hand him over to the Soviet Union for trial, arguing that he himself was a Nazi victim due to his time in a concentration camp.

How did Russia respond?

On Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saidUkraine is seeking to assemble “Nazi collaborationists and human-hating scum” from around the world to glorify them.

Zakharova asked whetherZelensky forgot to mention that those being honored “killed people on ethnic grounds,” and predicted that Bandera – whose faction was linked to the mass killing of tens of thousands of Poles in Volyn – would be next in line for repatriation.

She suggested that Kiev is trying to divert the public’s attention away from growing war fatigue, the conscription campaign, and corruption scandals involving Zelensky’s inner circle.

Pretty interesting a Jew like Zelensky is leading a Nazi admin and reburied dead Nazi for attention

https://www.rt.com/russia/640363-ukraine-reburies-nazi-collaborator-zelensky-pantheon/

Sir Keir Starmer (sort of) survives, but Britons are impatient 1/2

Battered but still standing, the British PM lacks a credible rival – while voters, exhausted by crisis, keep demanding change

Published 22 May, 2026 14:25 |

By Dr. James C. Peace, a British historian specialising in Russian cultural history and British politics

The UK has had eight Prime Minister’s this century, with most serving after Brexit andfor an average of two years.Sir Keir Starmer is deeply unpopular and the public (and some in his party) want him to resign.

This is not the first challenge to Starmer, but Labour’s slump in recent local elections – to English councils,the Scottish Parliament, and Welsh Assembly – is especially bruising.

For the first time ever, Labour lost control of Wales, one of its traditional heartlands. Despite finishing joint second with Reform in Scotland,it was Labour’s worst ever result north of the border. In England, Labour lost almost 1,500 councillors in different parts of the country to parties on the left and right.

Calls for Starmer to resign intensified ahead The King’s Speech to reopen Parliament. A relatively unknown MP, Sarah West, offered to challenge Starmer if nobody else would. She ultimately backed down from her pledge, but around 90 of Labour’s 400 MPs called for Starmer to go or begin a leadership transition. Yet over 100 MPs publicly backed him.

So far, no leadership challenge has materialized, but potential rivals have made their moves. Wes Streeting has resigned as health secretary and, having no support to challenge Starmer himself, is now backing Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester, who is planning to run for Parliament again. One MP voluntarily has given up his seat for Burnham to do so. More quietly, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has also hinted at a challenge, and Labour’s left are urging former party leader Ed Miliband to run.

But why is Starmer surviving and why do Britons feel the urge to keep replacing their leaders? A few factors are important here.

First, there is no obvious alternative to Starmer within the Labour Party. Andy Burnham would lose an election to Parliament. Wes Streeting, on the party’s right, would lose a membership vote. Angela Rayner is not popular with the broader British electorate, and Ed Miliband has already lost an election as leader (with the British press incredibly harsh on him and his family).

The elections’ stubborn arithmetic is also illustrative. Beyond the headlines, Labour’s health is much better than it seems.

The Green Party, challenging Labour from the left, underperformed in these elections.Much of that had to do with recent antisemitism within the partyand its controversial leader, Zack Polanski.Although the separatists won in Scotland and Wales, it was not due to any appetite for independence. TheSNP remains deeply unpopular in Scotland(perhaps more so than Labour), but the unionist party votes were very split.

https://www.rt.com/news/640408-starmer-survives-britons-impatient/

>>24634546

2/2

On the right, Reform also underperformed and appear to have peaked. Whilst Reform won the most councillors and came second in Wales, its vote share was down from last year’s elections.Also, increased voter turnout seemed to work against Nigel Farage’s party. Reform only won in places that voted for Brexit and is yet to attract any new voters. In other parts of the country, their vote never reached above 10%.

Translated to a General Election, Reform would fall far short of a majority. Some estimates show thatit would need to increase its vote share by 22 points to win any sort of governing majority. For that to happen, either the Conservatives or Labour (or both) would have to see their vote collapse, or voter fragmentation would need to be rife across the board.

Thus far, the Conservative vote has proven remarkably stubborn, as has the Liberal Democrats’. Labour is also clinging onto around 20% of the electorate, depending on the poll. As for the Greens, they did well primarily among students – a small slice of the electorate – and urban-based women.

On top of that, Farage is not popular with the British electorate. In every single head-to-head poll with Starmer – and all the other party leaders – Farage lost. Britons do not directly elect the Prime Minister, but cast votes for who will be living at 10 Downing Street. So, whilst Reform has led the polls for over a year now, it is losing support and Farage is a turn-off.

That brings us to Britons themselves. Why, indeed, are Britons so impatient with their leadership this century?Their appetite for regicide is greatly misunderstood.

It is worth remembering that a hundred years ago, from 1900-1926, Britain also went through eight Prime Ministers in quick succession (from three different parties). There are some parallels, even though the times were very different. As Winston Churchill famously quipped about the early 20th century, “the market was free, slaves were free, and conscience was free. But hunger, squalor, and the cold were also free, and people wanted something more than liberty.”

In Britain today, people want something more.After the 2008 financial crash, austerity, Brexit, COVID-19, and recent cost of living crisis, the British public is tired and impatient.

But unlike then,there is no new intellectual thinking to tackle today’s economic problems(mostly generated by Brexit). Instead, there aredemagogues and populists, shouting their empty promises and muddying the waters.

Starmer might be unpopular, but the sad truth is anyone else would be. Britain is close to going ungovernable because the population are too impatient. They are desperate to see government working in earnest, as Starmer promised it would.

Britain needs to have an honest conversation with itself about where it is going and how it will get there. To unite the kingdom, Britons need something more than the Football World Cup and the Amandaland TV show.

(https://www.rt.com/news/640408-starmer-survives-britons-impatient/

What would Prometheon say about this?.

The author saying the Britons are impatient is stupid, the Britons have been waiting for centuries. The author is certainly aligned with the City of London, that hate the people.and he hates Farage and Brexit.

Bessent's "No Excuses" Bombshell: Trump's Treasury Just Cornered LONDON, Not Iran

Promethean Updates

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s “No Money for Terror” message at the G7 is framed as sanctions on Iran, but Susan argues the real warning is aimed at allied “excuses” enabling terror financing through shell companies in Europe, shadow banking in the Middle East, and cartel networks. Reviewing recent OFAC designations, Susan Kokinda highlights multiple entities with London-linked addresses and UK jurisdictions, presenting them as evidence pointing to the City of London’s financial role. She then cites the White House’s new counterterrorism strategy naming the Muslim Brotherhood as the root of modern jihadi groups, and claims British intelligence historically built and used Brotherhood networks, citing Robert Dreyfuss and Mark Curtis and noting UK Foreign Office secrecy over recent contacts. Finally, she connects “no room for excuses” to intensified action against cartels, citing recent extraditions, indictments, and Mexico cooperation as part of a broader war on “Dope Incorporated.”

13:26

https://youtu.be/cYk8xZvrifI