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Foreign Affairs (News/Activism)

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  • Trump administration to end European security programs focused on Russia

    09/04/2025 2:18:42 PM PDT · by E. Pluribus Unum · 23 replies
    The Washington Post ^ | Sep 4, 2025 | Noah Robertson
    The decision, affecting hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. military aid, has alarmed NATO allies and upset U.S. lawmakers who strongly back the alliance.The Trump administration intends to halt longtime security assistance programs for Europe, including an initiative to fortify the continent’s eastern flank against a potential attack by Russia, as it endeavors to recast Washington’s role within NATO, according to six people familiar with the matter.The decision would impact hundreds of millions of dollars worth of military aid relied upon by some of the alliance’s most vulnerable members. It has alarmed U.S. allies struggling to comprehend the administration’s...
  • Rubio Says U.S. Will Work With Other Nations to ‘Blow Up’ Crime Groups

    09/04/2025 2:12:59 PM PDT · by E. Pluribus Unum · 6 replies
    The New York Times ^ | Sept. 4, 2025, 3:48 p.m. ET | Edward Wong
    The Trump administration aims to carry out more violent strikes against drug cartels, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said as he met with Ecuador’s president.Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that the Trump administration wants to help partner governments conduct violent strikes against criminal groups, following the playbook the U.S. military used this week to carry out a lethal attack on a boat in the Caribbean.“Those governments will help us find these people and blow them up,” he said at a news conference in Ecuador. “They might do it themselves, and we’ll help them do it.”Mr. Rubio made his...
  • One killed and at least six injured in mass stabbing in Canada

    09/04/2025 1:35:40 PM PDT · by E. Pluribus Unum · 16 replies
    BBC ^ | September 4, 2025 | BBC
    One person has died and at least six others have been injured in a mass stabbing attack that took place at a remote indigenous community in Canada, police say. The suspect also died in Thursday's attack in a First Nations community in the province of Manitoba, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The incident, described by police as a "mass casualty" event, took place in Hollow Water First Nation, about 200km (124 miles) north-east of the city of Winnipeg. Eight people were transported by either air or ambulance to local hospitals, Shared Health, the provincial health authority, told...
  • Convicted FBI agent tipped off Hunter Biden-linked Chinese company about criminal investigation

    09/04/2025 1:30:46 PM PDT · by E. Pluribus Unum · 2 replies
    Just the News ^ | September 4, 2025 1:51pm Updated: September 4, 2025 3:25pm | Jerry Dunleavy
    A disgraced FBI official tipped off a Chinese company about a criminal investigation while Hunter Biden was pursuing lucrative deals with the CCP-linked business. The since-convicted FBI official who led counterintelligence efforts in New York leaked information to an affiliate of a Chinese company which was linked to Hunter Biden’s business efforts, according to a DOJ watchdog who concluded the leak tipped the Chinese conglomerate off about the bureau’s criminal investigation.Charles McGonigal, the former special-agent-in-charge of the FBI Counterintelligence Division in New York, leaked information to “Person B” – an unnamed businessman who worked for the Chinese energy conglomerate...
  • Alligator Alcatraz stays open

    09/04/2025 12:49:51 PM PDT · by chrisinoc · 30 replies
    X.com ^ | September 4, 2025 | Ron DeSantis
    The mission continues at Alligator Alcatraz. The media was wrong. The leftist judge has been overturned. Florida will keep leading the way.
  • Why Trump's Tariffs are Legal

    09/04/2025 12:02:53 PM PDT · by LibertyFound · 8 replies
    National Economics Editorial ^ | September 4, 2025 | Spencer P. Morrison
    After five brutal months of unrestricted lawfare against the Trump Administration, it looks like the Supreme Court will finally weigh-in on tariffs. On August 29, 2025, a Federal Circuit Court of Appeal decided that President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs were illegal. Specifically, the Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the President to impose tariffs of unlimited duration, on all goods from all countries. This is because tariffs are not mentioned in the Statute, and even if they were, the tariffs are not credibly related to a national emergency. The Trump Administration is appealing. Solicitor General...
  • China-linked Hackers May Have Stolen Data From Almost Every American: Report

    09/04/2025 9:07:21 AM PDT · by daniel1212 · 11 replies
    timesnownews ^ | Sep 4, 2025 | Arun Nair
    Chinese government-backed hackers have reportedly stolen information from critical infrastructure and government computer systems as part of a years-long campaign that includes the well-known Salt Typhoon activity. More than 80 countries were targeted and the Chinese hackers are learnt to have "stolen information from nearly every American", officials said, according to The New York Times. .. During the sweeping yearlong attack, China-backed Salt Typhoon group infiltrated major telecommunications companies and others, and stole data could allow Chinese intelligence services to exploit global communication networks to track targets including politicians, spies and activists, investigators said in a highly unusual joint statement...
  • Sweden Paralysed by Cyber-Attack

    09/03/2025 11:33:12 PM PDT · by nickcarraway · 12 replies
    Euroweekly News ^ | Marc Menendez-Roche • Updated: 03 Sep 2025
    Ransomware hits Sweden: A ransomware attack on Swedish IT supplier Miljödata has paralysed up to 164 councils, four regions and other organisations, with police and cybersecurity teams investigating after hackers demanded 1.5 Bitcoin, around 1.5 million kronor (€128,000). Sweden is still reeling today after a ransomware attack on IT supplier Miljödata left councils, regions, universities and private firms in digital paralysis. Most Read on Euro Weekly News France tells hospitals to be war-ready by March 2026 Lisbon tram derailment leaves 15 dead German AfD suffers multiple candidate deaths Early reports suggested that around 200 municipalities and regional governments were caught...
  • Trump assures Polish leader of continued US military presence in the European nation

    09/03/2025 9:20:05 PM PDT · by nickcarraway · 6 replies
    Euronews ^ | 03/09/2025 | Gavin Blackburn
    reasingly frustrated by his inability to get Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sit down for direct talks aimed at ending the war. President Donald Trump said the United States will keep a robust military presence in Poland during a meeting on Wednesday with Karol Nawrocki, the new president of the American ally in Europe. Trump had taken the unusual step of endorsing Karol Nawrocki in the presidential election earlier this year and as the leaders sat in the White House, Trump said the US-Polish relationship has always been strong but "now it’s better than ever."...
  • Bolsonaro rights to defense in Brazil coup trial were restricted, lawyer says

    09/03/2025 3:36:57 PM PDT · by E. Pluribus Unum · 1 replies
    Reuters ^ | September 3, 202512:35 PM CDT | Ricardo Brito and Luciana Novaes Magalhaes
    Summary Bolsonaro did not have access to evidence, lawyer says Justice Moraes denies fast-tracking trial for political reasons Former president accused of plotting coup to overturn election BRASILIA, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial for charges of plotting a coup after he lost the 2022 election, did not attack democracy and has had his right to a fair defense restricted, his lawyer argued on Wednesday."We did not have access to the evidence, and much less had enough time to go through it," Celso Vilardi told the Supreme Court. He asserted that the court...
  • Reeves rejects claims of £50bn 'black hole' in (UK) finances

    09/03/2025 2:38:23 PM PDT · by E. Pluribus Unum · 2 replies
    BBC ^ | Sep 3, 2025 | Faisal Islam and Mitchell Labiak
    Rachel Reeves has rejected forecasts of a £50bn "black hole" in the public finances, despite higher borrowing costs and expected tax rises piling pressure on the chancellor ahead of the autumn Budget.In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Reeves hit back at reports speculating over her plans, arguing that "a lot of them are talking rubbish".It comes after the cost of long-term government borrowing rose to a 27-year high on Tuesday, fuelling concerns the chancellor will have to hike taxes or cut spending.Reeves said she would aim to "get the balance right" at the Budget, which will be on 26...
  • Seven German AfD politicians die within weeks of each other ahead of elections

    09/03/2025 2:24:08 PM PDT · by Fitzy_888 · 14 replies
    Seven Alternative für Deutschland politicians died within two weeks of each other before local elections, prompting party leaders to hint at foul play. Five direct AfD candidates and two reserve candidates in North Rhine-Westphalia died within 14 days of each other, according to Welt. Wolfgang Seitz’s death at 59 was announced on Aug. 21; the city of Blomberg announced the “unfortunate death” of 66-year-old Ralph Lange on Aug. 27; the city of Bad Lippspringe said 59-year-old Stefan Berendes “died unexpectedly” on Aug. 28; and the city of Schwerte announced that Wolfgang Klinger, 71, died “unexpectedly” on Aug. 19, according to...
  • US strike on 'Venezuela drug boat': What do we know, and was it legal?

    09/03/2025 2:23:36 PM PDT · by E. Pluribus Unum · 40 replies
    BBC ^ | Sep 3, 2025 | Matt Murphy & Joshua Cheetham
    A strike carried out by US forces on a boat in the Caribbean Sea - which the White House says killed 11 drug traffickers - may have violated international human rights and maritime law, legal experts have told BBC Verify.President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that US forces destroyed a vessel which he said had departed from Venezuela. He said the boat was operated by the Tren de Aragua cartel and was carrying drugs bound for the US.US defence officials have so far declined to offer details on the strike, footage of which Trump shared on Truth Social, including what...
  • Putin says Russia will achieve all aims militarily if Ukraine does not agree deal

    09/03/2025 2:16:14 PM PDT · by E. Pluribus Unum · 19 replies
    BBC ^ | Sep 3, 2025 | Paulin Kola
    President Vladimir Putin has said Russia is willing to fight to achieve all its objectives if Ukraine does not agree to a deal. He made the remarks in China after attending a huge military parade seen as a challenge to Donald Trump and the US-dominated world order. The US president has tried to persuade Putin to end the war, but the Russian leader, while praising Trump's "sincere desire", has so far not done so. Visiting Kyiv, UK Defence Secretary John Healey told the BBC Trump had brought Putin to the table, and had not ruled out putting more pressure on...
  • Hegseth warns "narco-terrorists will face the same fate" after U.S. military strikes boat off Venezuela

    09/03/2025 2:05:27 PM PDT · by E. Pluribus Unum · 11 replies
    CBS News ^ | Updated on: September 3, 2025 / 10:51 AM EDT / CBS News | Kerry Breen
    What we know about drug-boat strike at seaThe United States will keep assets positioned in the Caribbean and strike anyone "trafficking in those waters who we know is a designated narco terrorist," Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Wednesday morning, a day after President Donald Trump said the U.S. military had attacked and destroyed a drug-carrying vessel in the region. Mr. Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. had struck the boat in international waters after it had departed from Venezuela. The president later said on Truth Social that 11 people were killed in the strike. He said the attack targeted...
  • Sen. Rand Paul blasts Trump’s stake in Intel as ‘a step towards Socialism’

    09/03/2025 10:15:09 AM PDT · by RandFan · 57 replies
    CNBC ^ | Sep 3 | CNBC
    Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., on Wednesday criticized the Trump administration’s decision to take a 10% stake in embattled chipmaker Intel , calling the investment “a step towards socialism.” Intel announced last month that the U.S. government made an $8.9 billion investment in Intel common stock, purchasing 433.3 million shares at a price of $20.47 per share, giving it a 10% stake in the company. Intel noted that the price the government paid was a discount to the current market price. Paul said government ownership is “a bad idea.” “It’s always a mistake to say, ’Well we have this one bad...
  • China’s military parade reveals new hypersonic missiles, drone submarines and ICBMs

    09/03/2025 1:57:08 PM PDT · by E. Pluribus Unum · 21 replies
    AP News ^ | Updated 8:34 AM CDT, September 3, 2025 | David Rising
    BANGKOK (AP) — Soldiers in pristine and pressed uniforms marched in lockstep, their boots clacking a steady cadence on the pavement and their eyes following leader Xi Jinping as he drove by in review. Helicopters flew overhead, forming the numbers 8 and 0 in honor of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. There was no shortage of pageantry at Wednesday’s military parade in Beijing, but beyond the spectacle, it also provided the first good look at China’s latest military hardware. New missiles, drones and other high-tech equipment have been added to its arsenal as part of...
  • ‘Murder’: World’s Biggest Cocaine Producing Country Upset Over Trump’s Narco Vessel Strike

    09/03/2025 11:51:10 AM PDT · by DFG · 60 replies
    Daily Caller ^ | 09/03/2025 | Wallace White
    The president of the leading cocaine producer in the world said Wednesday morning that the U.S. strike on a Tren de Aragua drug trafficking vessel Tuesday was tantamount to “murder.” Colombian President Gustavo Petro said, in in a post translated by the Daily Caller News Foundation, that the pilots of the boat were likely “poor young people” and that the killing was unjust because the transporters weren’t the “big narcos.” Colombia is not only the world’s largest exporter of cocaine, but also plays host to some of Latin America’s most vicious cartels and militias. “We have been capturing civilians who...
  • Tourists are among 15 dead after out-of-control tram careers down steep hill and smashes into building in Portugal - injuring at least 18

    09/03/2025 1:40:21 PM PDT · by E. Pluribus Unum · 30 replies
    DailyMail.co ^ | 14:09 EDT, 3 September 2025 | OLIVIA ALLHUSEN, ARYN KAUR PEDLER, NATALIA PENZA
    At least fifteen people are dead and 18 more injured after Lisbon's famous Gloria Funicular derailed on Wednesday evening. The tragedy occurred after one of the cables came loose along the railway's route, causing it to lose control and career down a steep hill before colliding with a building at around 6pm. Footage from the site showed the tram-like funicular, which carries people up and down a hillside in the Portuguese capital, practically destroyed and emergency workers pulling people out of the wreckage. Portugal Police have now confirmed the number of fatalities has reached 'at least 15' following earlier reports...
  • The shameful arrest of Graham Linehan. Free speech in Britain is on life support.

    09/03/2025 12:56:34 PM PDT · by E. Pluribus Unum · 11 replies
    UnHerd ^ | September 3, 2025 | Andrew Doyle
    Many will remember celebrity outlaw Ronnie Biggs landing at Gatwick Airport in May 2001 and being immediately arrested. Having participated in the Great Train Robbery of 1963, in which £2.6 million was stolen and the driver badly beaten, he subsequently escaped prison and lived for decades as an international fugitive. Most would agree that this arrest, however dramatic, was more than justified.But you might struggle to make the same case for Graham Linehan, the comedy writer most famous for Father Ted. Yet there he was, apprehended by five armed police officers after landing at Heathrow Airport on Tuesday, as though...