# entry

guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5170867
title: Federal employees begin to receive second work accomplishment email
author: ;Filip Timotija
hash: P��h�TJ'fv��)l\
tags: #Administration #News #dni #DOGE Cuts #federal workers #OPM #OPM email #Trump administration
content:
Federal employees on Friday began receiving a second email asking them to list bullet points on what they did during the past week, as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continues to recommend cuts to the workforce. The emails began to be sent out late Friday night with a subject line “What did you do…

link:
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5170867-federal-employees-second-opm-email-workweek-recap/

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5136708
title: Cuomo jumps into New York mayor’s race, attempting political comeback
author: ;Jared Gans
link: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5136708-andrew-cuomo-new-york-city-mayoral-bid/
hash: �`�2OI҅4A���
content:
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Saturday afternoon that he’s entering New York City’s mayoral race, adding a big name to the already busy Democratic primary challenging Mayor Eric Adams (D).  “Our city is in crisis. That’s why I am running to be Mayor of New York City,” he wrote on social platform…

tags:
#Campaign #News #State Watch #2025 New York City mayoral race #New York City mayor's race #political comeback

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5170473
title: A rational path forward in Gaza: Give Palestinians a choice
author: ;Dan Perry; opinion contributor
link: https://thehill.com/opinion/5170473-israel-ceasefire-morally-stakes/
hash: W��p����$y/� ��
content:
Israel should honor the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which would secure the safe return of the hostages, rather than resuming the war and potentially causing thousands more deaths.

tags:
#International #Opinion #Donald Trump #Egyptian officials #Hamas #Israel #Mahmoud Abbas #Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu #Qatari officials #Saudi Arabian officials #United Arab Emirates officials

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guid: https://www.rt.com/pop-culture/613544-yura-borisov-anora-oscars/
title: Is Yura Borisov about to become Russia’s first Oscar-winning actor?
author: ;RT
hash: '׋h*��/�'�C1��
content:
<p><strong>Here’s how Sean Baker’s ‘Anora’ took this prominent actor from Moscow indie to a nomination for an Academy Award</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>Yura Borisov has made history as the first Russian actor to be nominated for an Academy Award. His performance in Sean Baker’s ‘Anora’ earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Below, we explore why Borisov is one of the most compelling talents of his generation and how he achieved such a remarkable milestone.</p>
<h2>The success of Anora</h2>
<p>‘Anora’ premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Palme d’Or. The film didn’t just succeed – it became a sensation. With a cast featuring several Russian actors and a storyline centered on Russian-speaking immigrants and visitors to the US, its impact was undeniable. Cannes sent a clear message: Art transcends politics. If a film is exceptional, it deserves recognition, regardless of its origins.</p>
<p>The story follows Anora Mikheeva, a Brooklyn stripper raised in a Russian-speaking émigré community. At the club, she meets Vanya, the son of wealthy Russian oligarchs. Their whirlwind romance quickly leads to a spontaneous wedding in Las Vegas, much to the dismay of Vanya’s parents, who do everything in their power to stop it.</p>
<p>Borisov plays Igor, an associate of Toros, an Armenian priest tasked with keeping an eye on Vanya. Though not the lead, Borisov’s performance and charisma have captivated critics. Along with his Oscar nomination, he was also up for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA, though he didn’t take home those awards. However, ‘Anora’ has dominated the festival circuit, earning Borisov accolades from film critics’ associations in Los Angeles, Toronto, Seattle, and Austin.</p>
    <figure>
        <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/original/67c342cb20302777623fef61.jpg">
                    <figcaption>
                                    "Anora" by Sean Baker, 2024.
                
                <span data-sanitized-class="copyright">
                       ©  Cre Film                                                        </span>
            </figcaption>
            </figure>

<p>While Borisov left a lasting impression, the rest of the cast deserves praise as well. Mikey Madison shines as Anora, while Mark Eydelshtein, a rising Russian actor, delivers a strong performance as Vanya. Veterans Aleksey Serebryakov and Darya Ekamasova add depth to the story as Vanya’s formidable parents. Director Sean Baker has cemented his place as a beacon of American independent cinema, crafting a film that feels fresh and authentic amid today’s wave of blockbusters and streaming hits.</p>
<h2>Breaking barriers: Russian actors in Hollywood</h2>
<p>But let’s focus on Borisov. Out of the entire Russian-speaking cast of ’Anora’, he was the only actor nominated for major awards – his Academy Award nod being the most significant. While Soviet and Russian films have won three and a half Academy Awards (since Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Dersu Uzala’ was a joint Soviet-Japanese production), no Soviet or Russian actor had ever been nominated for an Oscar before. </p>
<p>Several factors played into this. The Academy has historically favored American talent, with international recognition largely limited to the Best International Feature Film category. That started to change in 2020 when ‘Parasite’ swept the major categories, signaling a shift in how the Academy acknowledges global talent. Another reason is the relatively low presence of Russian actors in American cinema. While a few Soviet actors occasionally appeared in Hollywood films – often in minor roles – significant breakthroughs were rare.</p>
    <figure>
        <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/original/67c343252030277750708a92.jpg">
                    <figcaption>
                                    Alex Coco, Karren Karagulian, Samantha Quan, Mark Eydelshteyn, Sean Baker, Mikey Madison, Darya Ekamasova,Yura Borisov and Vache Tovmasyan attend the "Anora" Red Carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 21, 2024 in Cannes, France.
                
                <span data-sanitized-class="copyright">
                       ©  Cindy Ord/Getty Images                                                        </span>
            </figcaption>
            </figure>

<p>‘Anora’ stands apart in this regard, featuring a cast of well-known Russian actors. Aleksey Serebryakov has been a leading figure for decades, Darya Ekamasova has built an impressive career over the past ten years, and Mark Eydelshtein is an emerging talent. Then there’s 32-year-old Yura Borisov – whose rise to stardom has been years in the making. He didn’t become an overnight sensation; he built his career step by step, earning a reputation as one of the most talented actors of his generation since 2019.</p>
<h2>Borisov’s path to stardom</h2>
<p>Born in December 1992 in Reutov, a Moscow suburb, Borisov had no family ties to the acting world – he’s a true self-made talent. His journey began in a school theater group, and at 16, he earned a spot at the prestigious Shchepkin Higher Theater School, an impressive feat for a teenager. In Russia, theater is the backbone of an actor’s education, shaping performers with rigorous training. All the Russian actors in ‘Anora’ came from theatrical backgrounds, reflecting the country’s deep-rooted stage traditions.</p>
<p>Borisov followed a conventional path early on, but his admission to a top theater school at such a young age signaled his raw talent. By 20, he won his first theater award – the Golden Leaf – a recognition that took many by surprise. Still, his rise wasn’t meteoric. He spent years playing minor roles in films and TV shows before landing his breakout role in 2015’s war drama ‘The Road to Berlin’.</p>
    <figure>
        <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/original/67c3437385f5402a9f2a1541.jpg">
                    <figcaption>
                                    "The Road to Berlin’" by Sergei Popov, 2015.
                
                <span data-sanitized-class="copyright">
                       ©  Mosfilm                                                        </span>
            </figcaption>
            </figure>

<p>Watching that film today, it’s clear Borisov had something special even then. His performance felt strikingly real, as if he wasn’t acting at all. He has a rare gift – an ability to make his characters feel like people you might know in real life. This naturalism became the foundation of his success.</p>
<p>Borisov’s big break came in 2019 with Boris Akopov’s crime drama ‘The Bull’. The film earned multiple awards, and critics hailed Borisov’s performance. The movie was a defining moment in Russian cinema, vividly capturing the turbulence of the 1990s – a chaotic era marked by organized crime, economic collapse, and extreme social upheaval following the Soviet Union’s dissolution.</p>
    <figure>
        <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/original/67c343822030271fa962c852.jpg">
                    <figcaption>
                                    "The Bull" by Boris Akopov, 2019.
                
                <span data-sanitized-class="copyright">
                       ©  VGIK-Debyut                                                        </span>
            </figcaption>
            </figure>

<p>It’s no wonder that the movie was enthusiastically received and Borisov became a star overnight. His portrayal of a young leader of a local crime gang struck precisely the right note. Many people in Russia remember those times and, in Borisov’s character, see echoes of themselves, their neighbors, former classmates, or acquaintances.</p>
<p>After ‘The Bull’, Borisov’s career took off. Within a year, he starred in a historical epic (‘The Union of Salvation’), a biopic (‘Kalashnikov’), and two sci-fi hits (‘The Blackout’ and ‘Invasion’). But his next standout role returned to the 1990s. In 2020, he starred in the TV series ‘Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!’ – a nostalgic look at the decade through the eyes of teenagers. Though not the lead, Borisov’s character – an Afghan War veteran who turns to crime – became one of the show’s most memorable performances, evolving significantly over three seasons.</p>
    <figure>
        <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/original/67c343da20302777623fef64.jpg">
                    <figcaption>
                                    "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" by Ilya Aksenov, 2020.
                
                <span data-sanitized-class="copyright">
                       ©  Good Story Media                                                        </span>
            </figcaption>
            </figure>

<p></p>
<h2>Sustained success and future prospects</h2>
<p>In 2023, Borisov appeared in three major festival films: ‘Petrov’s Flu’, ‘Captain Volkonogov Escaped’, and ‘Compartment No. 6’. The latter movie deserves special mention. This Finnish-Russian collaboration directed by Juho Kuosmanen stars Finnish actress Seidi Haarla alongside Borisov. It’s an intimate and deeply emotional story about a Finnish student who meets a simple, gruff young man in a compartment on the Moscow-Murmansk train. She’s heading to Murmansk to study ancient petroglyphs, and her traveling companion is a very direct and unrefined young man. While she initially disdains the guy, he eventually draws her interest.</p>
<p>‘Compartment No. 6’ has garnered international acclaim, successfully making the rounds at film festivals, winning several awards, including a special prize at Cannes, and receiving an Academy Award nomination from Finland.</p>
    <figure>
        <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/original/67c343e885f5402eca3e2837.jpg">
                    <figcaption>
                                    "Compartment No. 6" by Juho Kuosmanen, 2021.
                
                <span data-sanitized-class="copyright">
                       ©  Elokuvayhtiö Oy Aamu                                                        </span>
            </figcaption>
            </figure>

<p>By that time, it was clear Borisov wasn’t just a fleeting star – he was here to stay. Many rising actors have a moment of fame before fading, but Borisov has sustained his success over six years, continuously delivering compelling performances. Since ‘Compartment No. 6’, he has appeared in a range of projects, from the post-apocalyptic series ‘Epidemic’ to the thriller ‘The Riot’ and an adaptation of the Soviet sci-fi classic ‘One Hundred Years Ahead’.</p>
    <figure>
        <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/original/67c343f82030271f975cba82.jpg">
                    <figcaption>
                                    "One Hundred Years Ahead" by Aleksandr Andryushchenko, 2024.
                
                <span data-sanitized-class="copyright">
                       ©  Art Pictures Studio                                                        </span>
            </figcaption>
            </figure>

<p>However, one concern looms over his future: Overexposure. In post-Soviet cinema, young stars have often been overworked to the point of exhaustion. Sergey Bezrukov, for example, became a household name in 2000 but was soon cast in so many projects that audiences grew weary. The same happened to Aleksandr Petrov in the late 2010s, when he starred in eight films and series within a single year.</p>
<p>On February 14, 2025, Borisov starred as Alexander Pushkin in ‘Prophet: The Story of Alexander Pushkin’, an unconventional biopic infused with rap elements. Whether this project will be a minor misstep or a major turning point remains to be seen. Hopefully, producers will recognize Borisov’s unique talent and allow him to continue making meaningful choices rather than overloading him with projects. In an industry driven by commercial interests, truly exceptional actors are rare – and Borisov is one worth preserving.</p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/pop-culture/613544-yura-borisov-anora-oscars/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613550-nbc-zelensky-petulant-child-trump-spat/
title: White House sees Zelensky as ‘petulant child’ – NBC source
author: ;RT
hash: �B�>�����"7��f
content:
<p><strong>The Ukrainian leader’s behavior at Friday’s meeting with Trump was reportedly perceived as “needlessly provocative”</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>The White House was taken aback by Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky’s behavior during his meeting with US President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance in the Oval Office on Friday, NBC News has reported, citing an anonymous source.</p>
<p>After several weeks of negotiations and deliberations, Zelensky was expected to finalize an agreement granting the US rights to his country’s natural resources. However, the meeting seemed to have gone off script and devolved into a heated exchange. The Ukrainian leader’s stay at the White House was cut short, while the accord was left unsigned.</p>
<p>In an article on Saturday, NBC News, citing unnamed sources, reported that <em>“there was no predetermined strategy”</em> for an outright confrontation. However, Vance felt compelled to counter Zelensky’s <em>“needlessly provocative”</em> attitude. Sources said no one had <em>“expected </em>[Zelensky]<em> to walk in there and act like such a petulant child,”</em> characterizing the Ukrainian leader’s demeanor as <em>“entitled.”</em></p>
<p>The conversation grew increasingly heated as Trump told Zelensky he had to negotiate peace with Russia, to which the Ukrainian leader responded by digging in his heels and insisting that the US should continue supporting his country.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c3355c85f54029b809bc97.jpg" alt="Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/russia/613549-zakharova-zelensky-washinghton-failure/">Zelensky’s Washington trip a ‘complete failure’ – Moscow</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>The US head of state accused his visitor of ungratefulness, arguing that Kiev does not <em>“have the cards,”</em> and would have lost to Russia if not for the generous US assistance provided. Vance soon joined the fiery exchange, also accusing Zelensky of failing to show enough respect to the US.</p>
<p>In a post on X later on Friday, Fox News journalist Jacqui Heinrich claimed that <em>“Trump kicked out Zelenskyy – he did not walk off on his own.”</em></p>
<p>She further quoted an unnamed member of the White House staff as claiming that the Ukrainian delegation was <em>“begging to reset but </em>[Secretary of State Marco]<em> Rubio and </em>[National Security Advisor Mike]<em> Waltz informed them Zelenskyy needs to leave </em>[the]<em> White House grounds.”</em></p>
<p>Commenting on the altercation on his Truth Social platform, Trump observed that the Ukrainian leader had demonstrated that he <em>“is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.”</em></p>
<p>In an interview with CNN on Friday, Secretary of State Rubio advised Zelensky to apologize <em>“for wasting our time.. </em>[and]<em> turning this thing into the fiasco for him that it became.”</em></p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Ukrainian leader himself told Fox News that he did not feel he owed Trump and Vance an apology, explaining that he was <em>“not sure we did anything bad.”</em></p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613550-nbc-zelensky-petulant-child-trump-spat/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5168912
title: Lee Zeldin should trash EPA’s national recycling plan
author: ;Howard Husock; opinion contributor
content: There is no current realistic market for recycled plastic.
link: https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/5168912-epa-recycling-goal-harmful/
hash: �p�?o�@��D�����
tags: #Energy and Environment #Opinion
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guid: yt:video:f_fM6v64-NQ
title: Joe Rogan Experience #2282 - Bill Murray
author: ;PowerfulJRE
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_fM6v64-NQ
hash: �� �&s�j�t\�py
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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5170906
title: About 8 in 10 say they’ve recently experienced extreme weather: Survey
author: ;Sophia Vento
link: https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5170906-extreme-weather-climate-change-survey/
hash: r���*oפ�� ��2�
content:
Roughly 80 percent of Americans said they have recently experienced extreme weather, according to a new poll. The survey, released Friday from The Associated Press/NORC Research Center, found that over the last five years, about half of the public reported being affected by extreme heat waves or cold weather. Roughly 70 percent also say they…

tags:
#Energy &amp; Environment #Policy #AP-NORC #Climate change #cold weather #extreme weather #Heat wave

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171019
title: US officials say senior al-Qaeda affiliate leader killed in Syrian strike
author: ;Filip Timotija
link: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5171019-us-officials-al-qaeda-leader-strike-syria/
hash: ��$ 5�}�;�^3&-+
tags: #Defense #News #al-qaeda #CENTCOM #Hurras al-Din #Syria #U.S.
content:
A U.S. airstrike killed a senior al-Qaeda-affiliated leader in Northwest Syria last month, according to U.S. officials.  The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Saturday that its forces targeted and killed Muhammed Yusuf Ziya Talay, a senior military leader of the Hurras al-Din (HaD), an Al-Qaeda affiliate that is designated as a terrorist organization by…

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5167670
title: Carbon markets can still preserve USAID’s global conservation efforts
author: ;Max McGrath-Horn; opinion contributor
link: https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/5167670-carbon-markets-nature-conservation/
hash: ?�| �N�Xύ�g)�
tags: #Energy and Environment #Opinion #Bahia Malaga #Climate change #usaid
content:
Carbon financing can play a larger role here if the private sector can help fill the financing gap left by USAID’s withdrawal. 

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171088
title: Trump fumbles the ball to Putin
author: ;Mark Toth and Jonathan Sweet; opinion contributors
link: https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/5171088-trump-fumbles-ukraine-deal-russian-putin/
hash: �.�kR�`��o{xM7��
content:
Putin knew he was in a weak negotiating position -- that is until Trump and Vance’s Oval Office outbursts strengthened his hand.

tags:
#National Security #Opinion #Donald J. Trump #JD Vance #russia ukraine conflict #Zelensky White House visit

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5169840
title: After the Trump-Starmer meeting: What lies ahead for Europe and the UK?
author: ;Imran Khalid; opinion contributor
link: https://thehill.com/opinion/5169840-ukraine-trade-deal-starmer-trump/
hash: �ɣT>�H��a�;�
content:
Starmer's visit to Trump's White House was a delicate balancing act between flattering Trump and advocating for European priorities, with Trump's unpredictability ensuring that nothing is set in stone.

tags:
#International #Opinion #Canada #Donald Trump #Emmanuel Macron #Keir Starmer #King Charles #russia #Trade Deal #Transatlantic Alliance #Ukrainian war #Vladimir Putin

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171101
title: Starmer embraces Zelensky after Trump spat: ‘We stand with you’
author: ;Ashleigh Fields
link: https://thehill.com/policy/international/5171101-starmer-zelensky-trump-russia-ukraine-war/
hash: [���ܜM1�X�0_���
tags: #International #News #conflict #russia #Russia-Ukraine war #ukraine #United Kingdom
content:
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered a warm embrace of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a Friday clash with President Trump which prompted questions about future U.S. support for the Eastern European nation. “You have full backing from the United Kingdom and we stand with you with Ukraine for as long as it may take,”…

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guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613559-ukrainian-attack-turkstream-threatens-hungary/
title: Ukrainian attack on TurkStream threatens Hungary’s sovereignty – FM
author: ;RT
hash: ۡ�,C�4ڇ�+#���a
content:
<p><strong>Peter Szijjarto has condemned the latest attempted drone strike on the pipeline that delivers Russian gas to European countries</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has condemned a recent drone attack on a compressor station of the TurkStream gas pipeline, labeling it an assault on his nation’s sovereignty due to the conduit’s critical role in its energy security.</p>
<p>Szijjarto’s comments came on Saturday after the Russian military reported thwarting a Ukrainian drone attack on the Russkaya compressor station on Friday night. This station is a critical facility for the TurkStream, also known as Turkish Stream, pipeline in Russia’s Krasnodar Region, serving as the point of exit on Russian soil for gas deliveries. The Defense Ministry stated that three drones were neutralized by air defense systems, preventing any damage to the station’s operations. <br><em></em></p>
<p><em>“The Turkish Stream pipeline is the guarantee of Hungary’s natural gas supply security; therefore, any potential disruption would seriously jeopardize our energy security,”</em> Szijjarto wrote on Facebook. <em>“Energy security is a matter of sovereignty, and therefore this type of attack should be considered an attack on sovereignty.”</em></p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c3161385f54066c7703b01.jpg" alt="FILE PHOTO: The Russkaya compressor station.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/russia/613543-russian-mod-ukrainian-drones-attack-turkstream/">Ukraine attempted to attack TurkStream – Russian MOD</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>The pipeline, which has been operational since January 2020, delivers Russian natural gas to Turkish customers and several European countries, including Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Greece.</p>
<p>The Hungarian minister also called on the European Commission to clarify its stance on the matter, reminding it of its recent assurance that Ukraine would not target EU-bound infrastructure.</p>
<p>Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov informed Szijjarto about the attempted attack during a phone conversation initiated by Hungary, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. He explained the incident and its implications for the pipeline’s security.</p>
<p>The incident is not the first involving the facility. Back in January, Ukrainian forces attempted to attack it with nine kamikaze drones, according to the Russian military. All of the UAVs were intercepted, but debris from the explosions caused minor damage to the station.</p>
<p>Commenting on the incident at the time, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine of engaging in acts of <em>“energy terrorism.”</em></p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613559-ukrainian-attack-turkstream-threatens-hungary/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613545-protest-romania-annulled-presidential-elex/
title: Tens of thousands rally in support of NATO-skeptic Romanian politician (VIDEO)
author: ;RT
hash: S�I4�7��F� ��
content:
<p><strong>Calin Georgescu, whose victory in the first round of the presidential election last November was annulled, is now facing charges that he calls politically motivated</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Bucharest on Saturday to demand that the second round of the annulled Romanian presidential election take place rather than a new vote be held. The protests come after in December Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the results of the first round, which saw right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu win with 23% of the vote. </p>
<p>In January, Romania's ruling coalition approved a rerun of the presidential election, the first round of which is scheduled for May 4. If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, a runoff will follow on May 18.</p>
<p>The Romanian authorities cited supposed <em>“irregularities”</em> in Georgescu’s campaign, claiming without proof that Russia had covertly supported him. The politician is known as a critic of NATO and the EU and a staunch opponent of aiding Ukraine.</p>
<p>Saturday’s rally, organized by the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) party, drew participants from across the country to Bucharest’s Victory Square. AUR leader George Simion and Georgescu were in attendance. Organizers claimed that nearly a million people turned out, although several media outlets reported lower figures.</p>

    <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/67c318a820302778af72aa9b.mp4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin"></iframe>


<p>The demonstrators in front of the government’s headquarters chanted <em>“Down with the Government,”</em> with placards demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. According to media reports, there were several isolated altercations between protesters and police, which had a large presence in the Romanian capital.</p>
<p>Simon proclaimed that the protest on Saturday was pursuing the goals of <em>“returning to democracy, supporting free elections and expressing protest against the government.”</em></p>
<p>He warned that similar rallies would follow until the authorities paid heed to the dissatisfaction felt by large sections of the Romanian population.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.02/thumbnail/67c031e62030270f17216bd3.jpg" alt="Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate at the Court of Appeal in Bucharest, Romania, October 15, 2024.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613381-andrew-tate-leaves-romania/">Andrew Tate and his brother leave Romania for US</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>Georgescu stated that <em>“Romanians are fed up with corruption and state security forces.”</em> He urged the demonstrators to <em>“repossess our country.”</em></p>
<p>On Wednesday, police briefly detained the politician and conducted dozens of raids on his supporters. After being questioned by the Prosecutor General’s Office, Georgescu was released, but barred from leaving the country, making social media posts, or appearing on TV. He faces a total of six charges, including <em>“anti-constitutional acts”</em> and misreporting finances, the authorities said in a statement.</p>
<p>The politician claims that he has fallen prey to the Romanian <em>“deep state.”</em></p>
<p>Earlier this week, he asked US President Donald Trump for help against what he described as a political persecution campaign against him.</p>
<p>Georgescu’s arrest drew condemnation from Trump-appointed government efficiency tsar Elon Musk, who described the Romanian government’s actions as <em>“messed up.”</em></p>
<p>US Vice President J.D. Vance similarly hit out at the government in Bucharest while speaking at the Munich Security Conference in February.</p>

    <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/67c33b2585f5402a9f2a153b.mp4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin"></iframe>


<p></p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613545-protest-romania-annulled-presidential-elex/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171117
title: Trump says he’ll posthumously pardon baseball legend Pete Rose
author: ;Filip Timotija
hash: �_*�9ς��-Xc�
tags: #In The Know #Baseball #Major League Baseball #MLB #Trump administration #Trump pardon
content:
President Trump said that he will posthumously pardon baseball legend Pete Rose and hammered Major League Baseball (MLB) for preventing the all-time hits leader from being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame over betting on games.  “Major League Baseball didn’t have the courage or decency to put the late, great, Pete Rose, also known…

link:
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5171117-trump-says-hell-posthumously-pardon-baseball-legend-pete-rose/

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guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613560-ft-orban-demands-eu-dialogue-russia-ukraine/
title: EU state calls for direct peace talks with Russia – FT
author: ;RT
hash: U�9}d`%�������
content:
<p><strong>In a letter to the EU Council, Hungarian PM Viktor Orban reportedly cited a recent UN resolution as marking a “new phase” in the Ukraine conflict</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has urged the EU to immediately engage in direct dialogue with Russia to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine, the Financial Times has claimed, citing a letter the politician reportedly sent to Brussels.</p>
<p>Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Budapest has repeatedly criticized the EU’s weapons shipments to Kiev. The Hungarian government has also called for the sanctions imposed on Russia to be lifted.</p>
<p>In its article on Saturday, the FT, citing a letter that Orban supposedly sent to EU Council President Antonio Costa, claimed that the Hungarian prime minister had demanded that the bloc initiate <em>“direct discussions with Russia on a ceasefire.”</em> </p>
<p>Orban also reportedly stated that <em>“it has become evident that there are strategic differences in our approach to Ukraine that cannot be bridged by drafting or communication,”</em> as quoted by the British newspaper, which interpreted the remark as an indication that Budapest would block any agreement within the bloc, unless it heeded Hungary’s call.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.02/thumbnail/67b887bc20302753ff60bc95.jpg" alt="Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613101-orban-energy-prices-kill-eu-economy/">Surging energy prices could ‘kill’ EU economy – Orban</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>The Hungarian leader reportedly cited the US-drafted resolution adopted by the UN Security Council on Monday that Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, hailed as a <em>“starting point for future efforts towards peaceful settlement.”</em></p>
<p>The resolution calls for a <em>“swift end”</em> to the Ukraine conflict, while eschewing any rhetoric directly condemning Russia. The 15-member council adopted the resolution in a 10-0 vote, with France, the UK, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia abstaining.</p>
<p>In his letter to Costa, Orban stated that the document <em>“signals a new phase in the history of the [Ukraine] conflict and renders all previous agreed language by the European Council irrelevant,”</em> according to the FT.</p>
<p>The Hungarian prime minister’s purported message came ahead of an EU summit next week, which is expected to center on additional military aid for Ukraine, the FT wrote.</p>
<p>In an interview with Hungary’s Kossuth Radio on Friday, Orban poured cold water on Ukraine’s EU aspirations, clarifying that while Budapest did not oppose assession in principle, <em>“here and now, this is unthinkable.”</em></p>
<p>He argued that Ukraine’s admission at present <em>“would destroy Hungarian farmers… and subsequently the entire Hungarian national economy.”</em><br><em></em></p>
<p><em>“I also don’t see clearly how we will curb the crime that would inevitably flood into Hungary along with it,”</em> the prime minister added.</p>
<p>Delivering his annual state of the nation address in Budapest last week, Orban predicted that Ukraine would not be admitted into NATO either, but would instead <em>“once again be a buffer zone”</em> between the military bloc and Russia once the hostilities with Moscow were over. He also said that the <em>“European and American liberals”</em> had badly miscalculated thinking that Russia would not respond to their attempts to drag Kiev into NATO.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613560-ft-orban-demands-eu-dialogue-russia-ukraine/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5170326
title: DOGE structure, authority emerge as biggest DC mystery under Trump
author: ;Zach Schonfeld; Julia Shapero
link: https://thehill.com/policy/technology/5170326-doge-structure-trump-mystery/
hash: ��9eql�� ���
tags: #Court Battles #News #Technology
content:
The Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) structure and authority has become a central mystery in the barrage of lawsuits seeking to stymie its operations.  After insisting Elon Musk isn’t the group’s formal leader, the White House under mounting pressure cleared up confusion over DOGE’s leadership Tuesday, naming Amy Gleason as the cost-cutting panel’s administrator.  But…

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171175
title: Klobuchar on Trump-Zelensky blowout: ‘The future of the free world is before us’
author: ;Filip Timotija
hash: ]d��`��Vxz���R
content:
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said during an interview that the “future of the free world is before us” in light of the heated White House meeting on Friday between President Trump, Vice President Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.  “This is no time for an apology war. There are lives at stake. There is peace…

link:
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5171175-klobuchar-on-trump-zelensky-blowout-the-future-of-the-free-world-is-before-us/

tags:
#Senate #russia #Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations #Russia-Ukraine war #Trump administration #ukraine #Ukraine minerals deal #white house

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171177
title: Sunday shows preview: Fault lines deepen after Trump-Zelensky clash; DOGE cuts endure
author: ;Ashleigh Fields
hash: ���T��E[@"���
content:
President Trump’s public debacle with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky halted hopes for a signed minerals agreement while dividing the world — and Washington — over their support for the Republican inside the Oval Office or the embattled foreign head of state.  As the tumultuous meeting played out in real time on Friday, GOP leaders lauded…

link:
https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/5171177-sunday-shows-preview-russia-ukraine-doge-trump-zelensky/

tags:
#News #Sunday Talk Shows #ABC #CNN #Department of Government Efficiency #DOGE #MSNBC #NewsNation #russia #Russia-Ukraine war #shutdown #shutdown deadline #Sunday talk shows #ukraine

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guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613561-waltz-zelensky-white-house-stunned/
title: Trump adviser describes how Zelensky was kicked out of White House
author: ;RT
hash: \��vot� W�"��
content:
<p><strong>The Ukrainian leader’s team was “stunned” when they were told to leave, according to Mike Waltz</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p data-start="131" data-end="207"><strong data-start="131" data-end="138"></strong>US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has revealed how Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and his delegation reacted to being expelled from the White House following a heated confrontation with President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.</p>
<p data-start="580" data-end="1056">The altercation occurred during a meeting on Friday where the leaders had intended to finalize a minerals agreement between the United States and Ukraine. The discussion deteriorated when Zelensky dug in his heels in and insisted that Trump should be supporting Kiev more rather than staying neutral in an attempt to mediate a deal with Moscow.</p>
<p data-start="580" data-end="1056">Trump accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for American support and unwilling to make necessary concessions to end the conflict, while J.D. Vance criticized him for his lack of diplomacy.</p>
<p data-start="1058" data-end="1336">In an interview with Breitbart News on Saturday, Mike Waltz said that <em>“the dealmaker-in-chief knows when to walk away from a bad deal or a bad negotiation,”</em> and recounted how he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered Trump’s sentiments to Zelensky’s team.</p>
<p data-start="1338" data-end="1683"><em>“They were stunned. I don’t know how they thought that could move forward after that kind of very public episode with the entire world watching,”</em> Waltz recalled. <em>“It was really his team – and as you saw from his ambassador, she just put her head in her hands in the middle of the Oval Office – that knew the gravity of what had just happened.”</em></p>

            <blockquote data-sanitized-class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"We made it clear that the negotiation, which could have been a fantastic day for them and the country was over and that it was time to go." <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeWaltz47?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MikeWaltz47</a> on his message to the Ukrainian delegation after the <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZelenskyyUa</a> White House Blow-Up via <a href="https://twitter.com/BreitbartNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BreitbartNews</a>… <a href="https://t.co/FvHBQJKrP2">pic.twitter.com/FvHBQJKrP2</a></p>— SiriusXM Patriot (@SiriusXMPatriot) <a href="https://twitter.com/SiriusXMPatriot/status/1895868108612440495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2025</a></blockquote> 
    

<p data-start="1685" data-end="1968">An unnamed member of the White House staff had said earlier that Trump had basically <em>“kicked out”</em> Zelensky and claimed that the Ukrainian delegation was <em>“begging to reset,”</em> but Rubio and Waltz insisted they leave the White House grounds immediately, according to Fox News journalist Jacqui Heinrich.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c2ca35203027503f4e83c8.jpg" alt="US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance meet with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky in the Oval Office, Washington, DC, February 28, 2025.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613531-zelensky-should-apologize-rubio/">Zelensky should apologize for ‘fiasco’ with Trump – Rubio</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p data-start="1970" data-end="2187">Waltz added that the Ukrainian team was informed that <em>“American patience had run out,”</em> describing the sentiment as: <em>“How do you come and insult someone when you’re practically begging them for money and assistance?”</em></p>
<p data-start="2189" data-end="2390"><em>“So we made that clear in no uncertain terms. We made it clear that the negotiation, which could have been a fantastic day for them and the country, was over, and that it was time to go,”</em> Waltz said.</p>
<p data-start="2392" data-end="2654">In the meantime, Rubio slammed Zelensky for <em>“wasting”</em> everyone’s time with his attitude and questioned his true intentions regarding the conflict with Russia. In an interview with CNN, Rubio said Zelensky <em>“should apologize”</em> for turning the high-level meeting into a <em>“fiasco.”</em></p>
<p data-start="2656" data-end="3036">Shortly after the meeting, Zelensky admitted it did not go well but signaled that he did not plan to apologize to the US leader. In an interview on Fox News, he claimed <em>“we have to be very open and very honest”</em> in bilateral interactions. He blamed some of his statements on being lost in translation but ultimately said he was <em>“unsure”</em> that he did <em>“anything bad”</em> to offend the American people.</p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613561-waltz-zelensky-white-house-stunned/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171200
title: Judge extends block on Trump gender-affirming care federal funding ban
author: ;Ashleigh Fields
hash: �HH�_\ /��7H�#
tags: #Administration #State Watch #gender affirming care #healthcare #minors #transgender youth
content:
A federal judge extended a temporary injunction on Friday blocking the Trump administration from withholding federal funds from institutions that provide gender-affirming care for transgender youth.  U.S. District Court Judge Lauren King ruled that President Trump’s executive orders violate the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment, which grants equal protection under the law.  King said Trump’s existing orders…

link:
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5171200-judge-extends-block-on-trump-gender-affirming-care-federal-funding-ban/

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guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613562-fico-ukraine-aid-power/
title: Slovakia will not back Kiev’s war effort – Fico
author: ;RT
hash: 7/|Ǡ��-b�=��1s
content:
<p><strong>Ukraine will never be strong enough to negotiate from a position of power, the NATO country’s PM has argued</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p data-start="116" data-end="176"><strong data-start="116" data-end="123"></strong>Bratislava will no longer provide military or financial aid to Kiev, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said, rejecting the Western mantra of <em>“peace through force”</em> and calling for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.</p>
<p data-start="116" data-end="176">The announcement came in response to a tense meeting at the White House on Friday, where Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, US President Donald Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance were expected to formalize a minerals agreement between Washington and Kiev.</p>
<p data-start="116" data-end="176">The discussion devolved into a heated exchange when Zelensky insisted that Trump should support Kiev more instead of remaining neutral in order to mediate a ceasefire with Moscow.</p>
<p data-start="116" data-end="176">Trump cut the meeting short, stating that Zelensky was <em>“not ready”</em> for peace. <em>“We’re looking for peace. We’re not looking for somebody that’s going to sign up a strong power and then not make peace because they feel emboldened,”</em> the US leader told the press afterward.</p>
<p data-start="1339" data-end="1511"><em>“Slovakia will not support Ukraine, neither financially nor militarily, to continue the war. If others do so, we will respect it,”</em> Fico wrote on social media on Saturday.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c26a2f85f5402ae67e5ef9.jpg" alt="RT">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613511-trump-zelensky-talks-conditions/">Trump names conditions for resuming talks with Zelensky</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p data-start="1513" data-end="1677">The Slovak leader criticized Kiev’s Western backers for pursuing <em>“peace through force,”</em> calling the approach unrealistic and a pretext for prolonging hostilities.</p>
<p data-start="1679" data-end="1777"><em>“Ukraine will never be strong enough to negotiate from a position of military power,”</em> he argued.</p>
<p data-start="1779" data-end="1964">Slovakia plans to propose an <em>“immediate ceasefire”</em> at the upcoming EU summit on March 6, even though the initiative has already been rejected by Zelensky and several EU member states.</p>
<p data-start="1966" data-end="2137">Fico also warned that restricting Russian gas supplies harms European industry, calling for the resumption of gas transit through Ukraine to Slovakia and Western Europe.</p>
<p data-start="2139" data-end="2352"><em>“Gas from east to west is not flowing, but Ukraine is taking European gas instead,”</em> he said, describing the current situation as <em>“absurd”</em> and insisting that EU assistance to Ukraine <em>“cannot be a one-way ticket.”</em></p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c36dd02030270cfa565e22.jpg" alt="FILE PHOTO: Peter Szijjarto">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613559-ukrainian-attack-turkstream-threatens-hungary/">Ukrainian attack on TurkStream threatens Hungary’s sovereignty – FM</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p data-start="2354" data-end="2683">While acknowledging the need to strengthen the EU’s defense capabilities, he urged the bloc’s leaders to recognize differing views on the conflict. <em>“If it is not respected at the summit that there are opinions other than continuing the war, the European Council may not be able to agree on conclusions about Ukraine,”</em> he added.</p>
<p data-start="2685" data-end="3090">Since returning to office in 2023, Fico has been a vocal critic of the EU’s stance on the Ukraine conflict. He has halted Slovakia’s military aid to Kiev, opposed its NATO membership bid, and advocated for immediate peace talks. Fico has also criticized EU sanctions on Russia, arguing that they are ineffective and damaging to Europe, and has urged the West to resume normal dialogue with Moscow.</p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613562-fico-ukraine-aid-power/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171214
title: Murkowski slams Trump administration over Russia-Ukraine war stance: ‘Sick to my stomach’
author: ;Ashleigh Fields
hash: `G���.<�Ņ(XQ
tags: #Administration #International #Senate #Lisa Murkowski #republicans #Russia-U.S.
content:
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) condemned the Trump administration over the recent fallout with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky during Friday’s Oval Office meeting broadcasted by the American press.  “This week started with administration officials refusing to acknowledge that Russia started the war in Ukraine. It ends with a tense, shocking conversation in the Oval Office…

link:
https://thehill.com/policy/international/5171214-murkowski-slams-trump-administration-over-russia-ukraine-war-stance-sick-to-my-stomach/

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guid: yt:video:d393JofFT40
title: Trump Sends Netanyahu Weapons While Talking Tough To Zelensky
author: ;Caitlin Johnstone
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d393JofFT40
hash: P��W`,�},��
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/d393JofFT40?version=3","title":"Trump Sends Netanyahu Weapons While Talking Tough To Zelensky","description":"Democrats are rending their garments over the public humiliation of Saint Zelensky and crying about the &quot;bullying&quot; behavior of Trump and Vance, while Republicans are applauding the whole ordeal as a sign that Trump is a strong and heroic peacemaker who doesn't take any guff from Washington's warmongering proxies. But the most immediate and glaring point about Zelensky's public castigation is that this same administration doesn't appear to be taking that same energy to Benjamin Netanyahu as he prepares to resume a genocide.\n\nAnd of course it doesn't. Trump has publicly admitted to being bought and owned by the world's wealthiest Israeli, megadonor Miriam Adelson, while JD Vance is the protégé of virulent Zionist billionaire Peter Thiel. What we witnessed on Friday was Trump speaking to Zelensky in public the way Adelson probably speaks to Trump in private. We can certainly never expect to see him speaking that way to Netanyahu.\n\nReading by Tim Foley.\n\nThanks for watching! Subscribe to my Substack at caitlinjohnst.one for email updates on all my new stuff.","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/d393JofFT40/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: https://medium.com/p/3e8ada78efd6
title: Trump Sends Netanyahu Weapons While Talking Tough To Zelensky
author: ;Caitlin Johnstone
hash: ��). �j�Z�4�@� �
tags: #trump #zelensky #gaza #ukraine #news
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<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*lt97c0u11XRTsA8--_KHpQ.png"></figure><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d393JofFT40"><em>Listen to a reading of this article (reading by Tim Foley)</em></a>:</p><iframe src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2Fd393JofFT40%3Ffeature%3Doembed&amp;display_name=YouTube&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dd393JofFT40&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fd393JofFT40%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="854" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin"><a href="https://medium.com/media/f9bd56f76ce40fcb701b8ed9a3ecdd72/href">https://medium.com/media/f9bd56f76ce40fcb701b8ed9a3ecdd72/href</a></iframe><p>Israeli media are now reporting that Benjamin Netanyahu is considering “a brief resumption” of the onslaught in Gaza in order to pressure Hamas to make concessions and change the terms of the ceasefire agreement which was signed on the 19th of January.</p><p>The Times of Israel <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/pm-said-mulling-brief-resumption-of-war-to-pressure-hamas-on-gaza-ceasefire-terms/">reports</a>:</p><blockquote>“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a brief resumption of fighting against Hamas to pressure the terror group into making further concessions, according to an Israeli television report aired Saturday as he held high-level deliberations on the stalled negotiations to advance to the second stage of the hostage-ceasefire agreement in Gaza.</blockquote><blockquote>“Hamas has rejected Israel’s proposal to extend the first, 42-day stage of the deal, which formally expires Saturday night, insisting that the deal proceed with phase two, which Israel has largely refused to negotiate for the past month. Thirty-three Israeli hostages were released, eight of them dead, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Five Thai nationals held hostage in the Gaza Strip were freed separately.</blockquote><blockquote>“With the ceasefire expected to lapse at midnight, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz will meet Sunday, along with other security officials, to discuss preparations for a potential resumption of fighting in Gaza and a review of all potential war fronts, Channel 12 news reported.”</blockquote><iframe src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?type=text%2Fhtml&amp;key=a19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07&amp;schema=twitter&amp;url=https%3A//x.com/SanaSaeed/status/1895927714596733352&amp;image=" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin"><a href="https://medium.com/media/574b3a70d4dfbb26ed11241a4634f5c0/href">https://medium.com/media/574b3a70d4dfbb26ed11241a4634f5c0/href</a></iframe><p>This framing that Hamas has “rejected” Israel’s proposed extension of phase one is just the current propaganda line from the US-Israeli PR machine. In reality the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5klgv5zv0o">terms of the ceasefire deal</a> say that Israel and Hamas were supposed to move on to phase two of the agreement this weekend, but Israel <a href="https://news.antiwar.com/2025/02/24/israeli-official-gaza-ceasefire-deal-on-brink-of-collapse-due-to-netanyahus-hardened-stance/">has been refusing</a> to negotiate the second stage of the agreement this entire time because it would entail a withdrawal of Israeli troops and a commitment to a lasting peace. This idea that the first phase of the ceasefire should be “extended” instead of continuing on to the second phase is a brand new proposition the US and Israel just started <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y64sbK2NEtM">pushing a few days ago</a>.</p><p>It is therefore Israel who is rejecting the ceasefire as written and trying to write up new terms for the deal; Hamas is just insisting on the terms of the ceasefire it agreed to.</p><p>But today we’re being hammered with this message that Hamas is rejecting peace. A <a href="https://x.com/BarakRavid/status/1895962753007046741">tweet</a> by Axios’ <a href="https://www.mintpressnews.com/revealed-israel-unit-8200-spies-american-media/288457/">Israeli intelligence operative</a> Barak Ravid reads as follows:</p><blockquote>“Israeli Prime Minister’s office says Israel agreed to a U.S. proposal for extending the Gaza ceasefire in return for release of hostages but claims Hamas refuses.”</blockquote><p>So that’s the official message we’re being fed by the consent-manufacturing machine, as the Trump administration sends even more weapons to Israel. The White House has just used its “emergency powers” to bypass congressional oversight for a <a href="https://news.antiwar.com/2025/03/01/trump-approves-3-billion-weapons-transfer-to-israel/">$3 billion weapons transfer</a> to the Netanyahu regime, right after posturing as a stern tough guy who cares about making peace in his controversial dustup with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.</p><iframe src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?type=text%2Fhtml&amp;key=a19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07&amp;schema=twitter&amp;url=https%3A//x.com/DecampDave/status/1895884958872604840&amp;image=" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin"><a href="https://medium.com/media/cac41a3f63811b3f89d286b1f37fca54/href">https://medium.com/media/cac41a3f63811b3f89d286b1f37fca54/href</a></iframe><p>As readers have no doubt already heard, the entire western political-media class has been in an uproar since Trump and Vice President JD Vance made international headlines by publicly <a href="https://consortiumnews.com/2025/03/01/trump-vance-school-zelensky-on-reality-of-his-war/">raking Zelensky over the coals</a> for his role in obstructing peace with Russia, even accusing him of “gambling with World War Three.”</p><p>Democrats are rending their garments over the public humiliation of Saint Zelensky and crying about the <a href="https://x.com/caitoz/status/1895581829337637329">“bullying” behavior</a> of Trump and Vance, while Republicans are applauding the whole ordeal as a sign that Trump is a strong and heroic peacemaker who doesn’t take any guff from Washington’s warmongering proxies. But the most immediate and glaring point about Zelensky’s public castigation is that this same administration doesn’t appear to be taking that same energy to Benjamin Netanyahu as he prepares to resume a genocide.</p><p>And of course it doesn’t. Trump has <a href="https://x.com/mtracey/status/1837886438903357920">publicly admitted</a> to being bought and owned by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Israelis_by_net_worth">world’s wealthiest Israeli</a>, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/miriam-adelson-gives-100-million-to-trump-campaign-making-good-on-reported-pledge/">megadonor</a> Miriam Adelson, while JD Vance <a href="https://www.mintpressnews.com/peter-thiel-gaza-ai-war-white-house/288372/">is the protégé</a> of virulent Zionist billionaire Peter Thiel. What we witnessed on Friday was Trump speaking to Zelensky in public the way Adelson probably speaks to Trump in private. We can certainly never expect to see him speaking that way to Netanyahu.</p><p>It is good that things are moving toward peace in Ukraine, but this war was never intended to be permanent. It was only ever intended to be a temporary quagmire to bleed and divert Russia as much as possible while advancing strategic objectives elsewhere, which we recently saw manifest in the empire’s successful <a href="https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/another-nation-absorbed-into-the">regime change operation in Syria</a>. Zelensky, like every other US imperial asset, was only ever intended to be used and then discarded. The gears of the imperial war machine roll onward.</p><p>____________</p><p><em>My work is </em><a href="https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2021/05/24/my-experiments-with-hacking-capitalism/"><em>entirely reader-supported</em></a><em>, so if you enjoyed this piece </em><a href="https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/about"><em>here are some options</em></a><em> where you can toss some money into my tip jar if you want to. </em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU8Yu4WZJ11Il3TZmNiMUFQ?sub_confirmation=1"><em>Go here</em></a><em> to find video versions of my articles. If you’d prefer to listen to audio of these articles, you can subscribe to them on </em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5336DPNn19xNci8UNOkAT4"><em>Spotify</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/going-rogue-with-caitlin-johnstone/id1333112416"><em>Apple Podcasts</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://soundcloud.com/going_rogue"><em>Soundcloud</em></a><em> or </em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU8Yu4WZJ11Il3TZmNiMUFQ"><em>YouTube</em></a><em>. </em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CF5YLBGD"><em>Go here</em></a><em> to buy paperback editions of my writings from month to month. All my work is </em><a href="https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/reminder-all-my-work-may-be-freely"><em>free to bootleg and use</em></a><em> in any way, shape or form; republish it, translate it, use it on merchandise; whatever you want. The best way to make sure you see the stuff I publish is to subscribe to the mailing list </em><a href="https://caitlinjohnstone.substack.com/"><em>on Substack</em></a><em>, which will get you an email notification for everything I publish. All works co-authored with my husband Tim Foley.</em></p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/417/0*DsVOt4opeTCoaxH8.jpeg"></figure><p>Bitcoin donations: 1Ac7PCQXoQoLA9Sh8fhAgiU3PHA2EX5Zm2</p><p><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Donald_Trump_and_Benjamin_Netanyahu_at_White_House_2025_(1).jpg">Featured image via Wikimedia Commons/The White House</a> (Public Domain).</p><img src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&amp;referrerSource=full_rss&amp;postId=3e8ada78efd6" width="1" height="1" alt="">

link:
https://caityjohnstone.medium.com/trump-sends-netanyahu-weapons-while-talking-tough-to-zelensky-3e8ada78efd6?source=rss-c40ec5bece47------2


guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171237
title: UK, Ukraine sign loan agreement after ‘meaningful and warm’ visit
author: ;Ashleigh Fields
hash: ���b�>F\L�F�� р
tags: #International #EU #Russia-Ukraine war #U.S. #ukraine
content:
The United Kingdom agreed to loan Ukraine around $3 billion on Saturday to support their efforts in the war against Russia after a contentious White House meeting left the world wondering about the nation’s ability to secure its sovereign borders.  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the fellow European country for its assistance amid the conflict. …

link:
https://thehill.com/policy/international/5171237-uk-ukraine-sign-loan-agreement-after-meaningful-and-warm-visit/

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guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613563-london-starmer-zelensky-loan/
title: UK’s Starmer consoles Zelensky after Trump fiasco
author: ;RT
hash: ����]���l��W��
content:
<p><strong>London has promised Kiev a new $2.84 billion loan, which it hopes to fund with profits from frozen Russian assets</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p data-start="137" data-end="196"><strong data-start="137" data-end="144"></strong>Vladimir Zelensky received a warm welcome in London from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who reassured the Ukrainian leader of the UK’s <em>“unwavering support”</em> for <em>“as long as it takes”</em> following a contentious meeting with US President Donald Trump.</p>
<p data-start="137" data-end="196">The encounter between Trump and Zelensky at the White House on Friday had been intended to finalize a minerals agreement but devolved into a heated exchange, where the Ukrainian leader dug his heels in and insisted that Washington should support Kiev more rather than act as a neutral mediator with Moscow.</p>
<p data-start="137" data-end="196">Trump accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for American support and unwilling to make the necessary concessions to end the conflict. <em>“We’re looking for peace,”</em> Trump stated. <em>“We’re not looking for somebody that’s going to sign up a strong power and then not make peace because they feel emboldened.”</em></p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c391ce85f5407fd31a589a.jpg" alt="Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky departs after a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, February 28, 2025">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613561-waltz-zelensky-white-house-stunned/">Trump adviser describes how Zelensky was kicked out of White House</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p data-start="137" data-end="196">In contrast, Starmer assured Zelensky of the UK’s full backing <em>“for as long as it takes,”</em> emphasizing the importance of reaching a <em>“just and lasting peace that secures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security,”</em> according to a spokesperson.</p>
<p data-start="137" data-end="196">The UK also announced on Saturday a new $2.84 billion loan to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities, which London hopes will be repaid with profits from frozen Russian assets. Zelensky hailed the <em>“meaningful and warm meeting”</em> with Starmer and promised that the <em>“funds will be directed toward weapons production in Ukraine.”</em></p>
<p data-start="137" data-end="196">Since 2022, Washington and Brussels have frozen an estimated $300 billion in Russian central bank reserves along with billions in private assets. Western officials have proposed redirecting some of the funds to Ukraine, but legal concerns have slowed such efforts. However, proceeds from the assets are already being used to back some of the G7 loans to Ukraine.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.02/thumbnail/67c0e4c585f5402ae67e5e1c.jpg" alt="US President Donald Trump meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, February 27, 2025">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613417-trump-british-troops-ukraine/">Trump refuses to guarantee backup for British military</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p data-start="137" data-end="196">Moscow has repeatedly condemned the asset freeze as <em>“theft,”</em> arguing that accessing the funds would be illegal and set a troubling precedent. The Kremlin also maintains that Western nations’ support for Kiev makes them direct participants in the conflict.</p>
<p data-start="137" data-end="196">The UK is one of the largest individual state donors, having already provided Kiev with more than $15.5 billion since January 2022. Berlin has sent over $18 billion worth of arms and other aid, while the US has provided almost $120 billion, according to Germany’s Kiel Institute.</p>
<p data-start="137" data-end="196">Trump, however, has estimated the overall US aid to Kiev at over $300 billion and wants Ukraine to reimburse US taxpayers for their generosity via the minerals deal. He criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, for simply giving cash away like <em>“cotton candy,”</em> while European countries, he noted, would be reimbursed for their aid to Kiev as it was provided <em>“in the form of a loan.”</em></p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613563-london-starmer-zelensky-loan/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: 4185
title: https://doge.gov/
author: ;⚡️Luc Trudel
link: https://t.me/True_Delta1/4185
hash: }� )���6��� ��
content:
<div dir="auto" data-sanitized-class="tgme_widget_message_text js-message_text">
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  <div dir="auto" data-sanitized-class="link_preview_site_name accent_color">DOGE: Department of Government Efficiency</div>
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  <div dir="auto" data-sanitized-class="link_preview_title">Work | DOGE: Department of Government Efficiency | DOGE: Department of Government Efficiency</div>
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guid: yt:video:HDQ_-vpu3l8
title: Prison Gangs
author: ;C-SPAN
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDQ_-vpu3l8
hash: :��z�¤qtȰY V�
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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171265
title: Firing of whistleblower protection office head unlawful, judge rules
author: ;Ella Lee
hash: ���N% 2DY�]�)�
tags: #Administration #Court Battles
content:
A federal judge on Saturday ruled that President Trump’s firing of the head of an office designed to protect government whistleblowers was unlawful.  U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled in favor of Hampton Dellinger, director of the Office of Special Counsel, who said he was fired from his post in a one-sentence email. An…

link:
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5171265-firing-of-whistleblower-protection-office-head-unlawful-judge-rules/

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171270
title: Zelensky posts slew of thanks after Vance accuses him of being ungrateful for support
author: ;Ashleigh Fields
hash: �qb��Р��$� ��
tags: #International #Donald Trump #Russia-Ukraine #Volodmyr Zelensky
content:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spent the last 24 hours making a public showing of gratitude by thanking leaders across the globe for their outpouring of support after Vice President Vance accused him of being ungrateful for U.S. support amid the country’s war against Russia.  Zelensky shared his appreciation with the presidents of Switzerland, Finland, Estonia,…

link:
https://thehill.com/policy/international/5171270-zelensky-posts-slew-of-thanks-after-vance-accuses-him-of-being-ungrateful-for-support/

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guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613564-trump-english-only-language/
title: Trump designates English as only official US language
author: ;RT
hash: ?Z���K�3@�!��
content:
<p><strong>The move aims to “promote unity” and “cultivate a shared American culture for all citizens,” according to the White House</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p data-start="155" data-end="218"><strong data-start="155" data-end="162"></strong>President Donald Trump has signed an executive order declaring English the only official language of the United States, marking the first time in the nation’s history that such a designation has been made, according to the White House.</p>
<p data-start="603" data-end="981">The <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/designating-english-as-the-official-language-of-the-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">executive order</a>, signed on March 1, 2025, emphasizes the role of a common language in promoting unity and facilitating civic engagement. The new order also rescinds a mandate issued by President Bill Clinton in 2000, which required federal agencies and organizations receiving US government funding to provide language assistance to individuals with limited English proficiency.</p>
<p data-start="1210" data-end="1534"><em>“Establishing English as the official language will not only streamline communication but also reinforce shared national values and create a more cohesive and efficient society,”</em> the order reads, adding that it is <em>“in America’s best interest for the federal government to designate one — and only one — official language.”</em></p>

            <blockquote data-conversation="none" data-sanitized-class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society, and the United States is strengthened by a citizenry that can freely exchange ideas in one shared language." ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/ZxRd8fSDw8">https://t.co/ZxRd8fSDw8</a></p>— The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1896004794604834975?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote> 
    

<p data-start="1536" data-end="1778">Under the new order, agency heads have the discretion to determine whether to continue offering services in languages other than English, based on their respective missions and the efficient delivery of government services.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c28d1685f5400e4c372f23.jpg" alt="FILE PHOTO">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613523-trump-to-make-english-only-language/">Trump to make English only official US language – WSJ</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p data-start="1536" data-end="1778">The US has never had an official language at the federal level, as all previous congressional attempts to designate English as the national language have failed. However, over 30 states have already designated it as their official language.</p>
<p data-start="1780" data-end="2197">According to US census data, more than 350 languages are spoken in the United States, but the vast majority – 78% of residents – use English as the only language spoken in the household. The second most spoken language is Spanish (13.4% of the population), followed by Chinese (around 1%). Less widely spoken languages include Tagalog, Vietnamese, Arabic, French, and Korean; there are over a million Russian speakers.</p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613564-trump-english-only-language/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171297
title: Trump orders probe into lumber imports ahead of possible tariffs
author: ;Ashleigh Fields
hash: �O�W��Y�wlC��
tags: #Administration #Donald Trump #lumber imports
content:
President Trump signed a Saturday executive order requesting an evaluation of lumber imports, which he described as a “critical” manufacturing industry “essential” to national security, economic strength and the industrial resilience of the United States. “Wood products are a key input used by both the civilian construction industry and the military.  Each year, the United…

link:
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5171297-trump-orders-probe-lumber-imports-ahead-of-possible-tariffs/

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171301
title: Trump signs executive order designating English official language of US
author: ;Ashleigh Fields
hash: N���Pn� k��7&Y�
tags: #Administration #Donald Trump #English #English executive order
content:
President Trump designated English as the official U.S. language in a Saturday executive order that repealed former President Clinton’s executive action aiding individuals who are limited in their English proficiency.  The order makes it so federal agencies are no longer required to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.  Federal agencies will still have the option…

link:
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5171301-trump-signs-executive-order-designating-english-official-language-of-us/

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171305
title: White House to host first Crypto summit
author: ;Ashleigh Fields
link: https://thehill.com/policy/technology/5171305-white-house-to-host-first-crypto-summit/
hash: �8 qG��$[�Tĉ@k
tags: #Administration #Technology #blockchain #cryptocurrency #Donald Trump #republicans #technology
content:
The White House is set to welcome professionals in the cryptocurrency industry on March 7 for a first-of-its-kind summit. “Attendees will include prominent founders, CEOs, and investors from the crypto industry, as well as members of the President’s Working Group on Digital Assets,” the Office of Communications said in a Friday announcement. “The Summit will…

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guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613566-israel-us-weapons-emergency/
title: US speeds up arms supplies to Israel
author: ;RT
hash: ��ȺjɎ\�R�/���
content:
<p><strong>Former President Biden had blocked several bomb shipments over the Gaza war</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p data-start="128" data-end="180"><strong data-start="128" data-end="135"></strong>US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signed a declaration to expedite the delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel, calling President Donald Trump the Jewish state’s great ally<em>,</em> according to a statement released on Saturday.</p>
<p data-start="543" data-end="838">The move is part of the White House’s broader effort to bolster Israel’s military capabilities amid ongoing regional tensions. Since Trump took office on January 20, his administration has reportedly approved nearly $12 billion in major foreign military sales to West Jerusalem.</p>
<p data-start="840" data-end="1160"><em>“This important decision coincides with President Trump’s repeal of a Biden-era memorandum, which had imposed baseless and politicized conditions on military assistance to Israel at a time when our close ally was fighting a war of survival on multiple fronts against Iran and terror proxies,”</em> Rubio <a href="https://www.state.gov/military-assistance-to-israel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">stated</a> on Saturday.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.02/thumbnail/67a7caab85f54009f4692ac7.jpg" alt="United States President Donald Trump hosts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House on February 4, 2025. © Getty Images">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/612390-us-arms-sales-to-israel/">White House backs more arms sales to Israel</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p data-start="1162" data-end="1553">On Friday, the Pentagon announced that the State Department had approved the potential sale of nearly $3 billion worth of bombs, demolition kits, and other weaponry to Israel. That emergency approval bypassed the usual congressional review process, marking the second instance in recent weeks of expedited arms sales to Israel amid a fragile ceasefire with Hamas militants – in a war that has already claimed over 1,700 Israeli and 62,000 Palestinian lives.</p>
<p data-start="1555" data-end="1815">The US is Israel’s largest arms supplier, providing more than two-thirds of the Jewish state’s weapons imports. The US spent $17.9 billion on military aid to Israel between October 2023 and October 2024, according to the Costs of War Project at Brown University.</p>
<p data-start="1817" data-end="2264">Last February, former President Joe Biden ordered the Pentagon and the State Department to <em>“obtain certain assurances”</em> regarding Israel’s use of US-made weapons in Gaza.</p>
<p data-start="1817" data-end="2264">The resulting report claimed that the <em>“nature of the conflict in Gaza makes it difficult to assess or reach conclusive findings on individual incidents”</em> and that Washington has yet to obtain <em>“complete information to verify whether US defense articles”</em> resulted in civilian deaths.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.02/thumbnail/67a71f5385f54048807862f1.jpg" alt="Bassem Naim.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/612366-trumps-gaza-plan-ethnic-cleansing/">Trump’s plan to take over Gaza is ‘ethnic cleansing’ – Hamas political chief</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p data-start="2266" data-end="2588">In May, Biden temporarily stopped deliveries of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel and announced that more weapons could be embargoed if the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pressed ahead with an invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza. The IDF entered the city regardless, and Biden eventually lifted the temporary arms freeze.</p>
<p data-start="2590" data-end="2913">The State Department praised the latest decision to reverse Biden’s <em>“partial arms embargo”</em> as <em>“yet another sign that Israel has no greater ally in the White House than President Trump.”</em> Secretary Rubio invoked emergency authority to fast-track this assistance, citing the national security interests of the United States.</p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613566-israel-us-weapons-emergency/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://www.rt.com/russia/613565-ukraine-raises-millions-for-nukes/
title: Banker solicits cash for Ukrainian nukes in ‘joke’ fundraiser
author: ;RT
hash: �Su1:�+�a `^�>3�
content:
<p><strong>The brief campaign was launched after a heated debate at the White House, where Zelensky refused to discuss peace with Trump</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>Supporters of Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky turned to fundraising for nukes instead of diplomacy after Friday’s tense Oval Office meeting between their leader and US President Donald Trump.</p>
<p>The Washington talks were expected to finalize a minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine, but the meeting quickly turned heated. Zelensky insisted that he refuses to discuss peace with Russia and demanded that the White House continue to back Ukraine rather than act as a neutral mediator.</p>
<p>During a sharp exchange with Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, Trump accused him of <em>“gambling with World War III”</em> and reportedly showed him the door, abruptly ending their press conference.</p>
<p>Following the meeting, which US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called a <em>“fiasco”</em> for Zelensky, Ukrainian banker Oleg Gorokhovsky launched a fundraising campaign <em>“for nuclear weapons.”</em> The Monobank co-founder, who currently resides in London, cited public demand for the initiative.</p>
<p><em>“Received many requests to start a fundraiser for nukes,”</em> he wrote on his Telegram channel Friday, sharing a link to Monobank’s donation page.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c2ca35203027503f4e83c8.jpg" alt="US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance meet with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky in the Oval Office, Washington, DC, February 28, 2025.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613531-zelensky-should-apologize-rubio/">Zelensky should apologize for ‘fiasco’ with Trump – Rubio</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>The campaign quickly gained momentum, raising 14 million hryvnias ($337,902) within the first 12 hours, with contributions from approximately 70,000 participants across 61 countries. Gorokhovsky claimed that after Ukraine, the largest donations came from the United States and Poland. By the end of the 20-hour fundraiser, a total of 27.2 million hryvnias (approximately $656,495) had been collected.</p>
<p><em>“Yes, we want to have nuclear weapons and the ability to strike back at the enemy so that they understand everything once and for all—but for now, we don’t have the means,”</em> he said in a post a day later.</p>
<p><em>“And we fully support our President, who responded with dignity when Ukraine’s interests were being disregarded,”</em> he added, announcing the end of the campaign.</p>
<p>Gorokhovsky later told the BBC that the <em>“nuclear”</em> fundraiser was meant as a joke to <em>“let off steam”</em> after a tough day, adding that he doubts anyone genuinely donated for nuclear weapons.</p>
<p><em>“It was a joke. I’m sorry if I disappointed a lot of people... I don’t understand how this money that will be collected can be used for nuclear weapons, and I didn’t plan on it,”</em> he said.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c391ce85f5407fd31a589a.jpg" alt="Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky departs after a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, February 28, 2025">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613561-waltz-zelensky-white-house-stunned/">Trump adviser describes how Zelensky was kicked out of White House</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>On social media, he announced that the funds would be redirected to a military aid initiative, adding that anyone unhappy with the change could request a refund.</p>
<p>Zelensky has repeatedly raised the issue of nuclear weapons. In a recent interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, he suggested Ukraine should be given nuclear capabilities if NATO membership is not granted swiftly. His earlier rhetoric about regaining such weapons of mass destruction was among the factors that contributed to the escalation of the conflict with Russia.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, Rubio rejected Zelensky’s appeal for nuclear weapons as an unrealistic demand, saying that it is not a solution <em>“to the problem.”</em></p>
<p>Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik labeled the initiative as a fraudulent scheme exploiting public emotions. He asserted that the funds collected under the pretext of developing nuclear weapons would likely be embezzled. </p>
<p>”Absolutely clear that the funds from emotional individuals from different countries will simply be stolen, because no one is going to sell any ‘nuclear weapon’ to anyone, and no one will even look for opportunities to buy it,” he said.</p>
<p></p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/russia/613565-ukraine-raises-millions-for-nukes/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://www.rt.com/pop-culture/613567-ye-flaunts-swastika-t-shirt/
title: Ye flaunts swastika T-shirt in LA
author: ;RT
hash: � v����� &ز
content:
<p><strong>The US rapper-turned-designer said it had always been his “dream” to wear the Nazi symbol in public.</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>Ye, the controversial American rapper formerly known as Kanye West, was spotted in Los Angeles on Thursday wearing a white T-shirt featuring a swastika. The design appears to be the same one he promoted on his website before it was taken down.</p>
<p>In a short video published by TMZ the following day, the rapper is seen chatting with a group of men before noticing the camera. He then walks toward it, ensuring an unobstructed view of the design.<strong> </strong></p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.02/thumbnail/67a9e5d32030275c6b25b1a5.jpg" alt="FILE PHOTO: Kanye West.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/pop-culture/612447-ye-x-farewell-nazi-controversy/">Kanye West’s X goes dark after ‘Nazi’ controversy</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p><em>“It was always a dream of mine to walk around with a Swastika T on,”</em> Ye wrote in a now deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) the same day. He previously described the design as his <em>“greatest performance art piece thus far,”</em> adding, <em>“I’ve wanted to make this tee shirt for years.”</em></p>
<p>The sighting follows Ye’s latest provocation—a Super Bowl ad directing viewers to a merchandise store that only sold a $20 swastika T-shirt. The ad showed Ye filming himself in a dentist’s chair before flashing a link to his online store. Those who visited the site found only one item for sale, labeled <em>“HH-01.”</em></p>
<p>The design was widely condemned, with the Anti-Defamation League linking the name to the Nazi salute <em>“Heil Hitler.”</em> Shopify shut down the website, stating that Ye <em>“did not engage in authentic commerce practices”</em> and violated its terms of service.</p>
<p>The latest incident adds to Ye’s history of antisemitic controversies. Adidas cut ties with him in October 2022 after he praised Adolf Hitler and denied the Holocaust during an interview on Infowars. <em>“I see good things about Hitler,”</em> he said at the time. Two months later, he declared <em>“I am a Nazi”</em> during another Infowars interview with Alex Jones. He later blamed the statement on drinking too much Hennessy.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.02/thumbnail/67a64c7085f54009f4692a47.jpg" alt="Rapper Kanye West.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/pop-culture/612355-russian-designer-ends-collaboration-with-ye/">Russian designer ends collaboration with Kanye West</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>More companies and collaborators have since distanced themselves from the rapper. Russian designer Gosha Rubchinsky, who worked with Ye on the <em>“Black Dogs”</em> collection and was appointed head of design for Yeezy in December 2023, said last month that he was ending his partnership with Ye. Although Rubchinsky did not publicly comment on West’s controversies, the announcement was made after the rapper posted several antisemitic statements, identified himself as a Nazi, and professed his admiration for Adolf Hitler in February this year. </p>
<p>Ye, a 24-time Grammy Award winner, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016 and has spoken about his struggles with mental health. Last month, he revealed he had also been diagnosed with autism and had stopped taking his medication after learning he was misdiagnosed. <em>“I haven’t taken the medication since I found out it wasn’t bipolar,”</em> he said on The Download podcast, adding, <em>“It’s worth the ramp-up, as long as y’all get the creativity.”</em></p>
<p></p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/pop-culture/613567-ye-flaunts-swastika-t-shirt/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613568-trump-zelensky-ukraine-hungary/
title: Trump-Zelensky spat shows who wants peace and who doesn’t – Hungarian FM
author: ;RT
hash: f�+�tpH� �kM�
content:
<p><strong>The Ukrainian leader does not care about human lives or billions of wasted euros, Peter Szijjarto has said</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>The public clash between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has made it clear that, unlike Washington, Kiev is not interested in ending its conflict with Moscow, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has said.</p>
<p>Zelensky’s trip to the White House on Friday was abruptly cut short after his meeting with the US president and vice president devolved into a shouting match in front of the media. Trump and J.D. Vance accused the Ukrainian leader of <em>“gambling with World War III”</em> due to his reluctance to negotiate peace with Russia, and of being disrespectful and ungrateful for the substantial military aid provided to Kiev by Washington.</p>
<p>The visit was intended to finalize a minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine, but it was never signed as Zelensky demanded security guarantees and greater involvement in the conflict from the Trump administration.<br><em></em></p>
<p><em>“It became clearer to everyone than ever before who wants peace and who wants war; who wants to stop the killing and who wants to continue it; who stands on the grounds of common sense and who does not care for either human lives or billions of wasted euros,”</em> Szijjarto wrote in a post on Facebook on Saturday about the heated exchange at the Oval Office, which US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as a <em>“fiasco.”</em></p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c391ce85f5407fd31a589a.jpg" alt="Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky departs after a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, February 28, 2025">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613561-waltz-zelensky-white-house-stunned/">Trump adviser describes how Zelensky was kicked out of White House</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>The foreign minister made it clear in his message that it is Zelensky, who wants <em>“the war to just continue.”</em></p>
<p><em>“Trump’s stand for peace was the greatest moment of the past three years,”</em> he insisted.</p>
<p>The US president told Zelensky on Friday that Ukraine was <em>“running out of soldiers”</em> and had no cards to play in the standoff with Russia. <em>“Look, if you could get a ceasefire right now, I tell you, you take it, so the bullets stop flying and your men stop getting killed,”</em> Trump said.</p>
<p>Szijjarto stressed in his post that the authorities in Budapest, who had been consistently calling for a diplomatic settlement of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, <em>“hope that… Trump will make the US-Russian negotiations a success, because only a US-Russian agreement can bring peace back to our beloved Central Europe.”</em></p>
<p>Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described Zelensky’s trip to the US as <em>“a diplomatic and political failure”</em> of the Kiev government. <em>“With his outrageously boorish behavior”</em> at the White House, the Ukrainian leader confirmed that he is <em>“an irresponsible instigator of a major war”</em> and <em>“a most dangerous threat to the international community,”</em> she wrote on Telegram on Saturday.</p>

             
    <p>
        <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rt.com/news/613560-ft-orban-demands-eu-dialogue-russia-ukraine/">
            <span>READ MORE: </span>EU state calls for direct peace talks with Russia – FT
        </a>
    </p>


    

<p>Zakharova also reiterated Moscow’s stance that a lasting peace can only be achieved <em>“when the root causes of the conflict are fully eliminated.”</em></p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613568-trump-zelensky-ukraine-hungary/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://strategic-culture.su/?post_type=article&amp;p=883805
title: Ukraine’s future now rests with a new president, after White House fiasco
author: ;A A
hash: E�H�����C�� ߯3�
tags: #Security #War and Conflict #Donald Trump #Ukraine #United States #Volodymyr Zelensky #White House
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<div data-sanitized-class="code-block code-block-2">
<p><strong><em>Trump can’t work with Zelensky and so therefore, he will have to go as he is really the obstacle to anything being achieved in Ukraine. </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Join us on </span><a href="https://t.me/strategic_culture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Telegram</a><a href="https://t.me/strategic_culture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tlg.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875659"></a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/twitter.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875661"></a><span>, and</span> <a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VK</a><a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/wk.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875662"></a>.</strong></p>
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<p><strong><span>Contact us:</span> </strong><a href="mailto:info@strategic-culture.su" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u><strong>info@strategic-culture.su</strong></u></a></p>
<p>Rarely do we see such a showdown in the White House between a leader of an allied country and the president of the U.S. For many, it was surreal to the point where they questioned its authenticity. But if we were ever looking for a crystalized example of what is wrong with Ukraine and how the West got into this quagmire, it was all there in a tense, live exchange where Trump and JD Vance wanted to essentially use the moment to put Zelensky in his place.</p>
<p>But he resisted. He believed he was a player and had many moves ahead of him.</p>
<p>“You don’t have enough cards,” Trump exploded. Zelensky responded by “this is not a game.”</p>
<p>And yet it is a game and Zelensky just proved himself to be the main, if only obstacle to peace in the country. The arrogance and delusion was stunning but understandable given that a number of western leaders have been rallying even more support for him. Does Zelensky and his support base actually believe they can just ignore Trump and Putin and continue with their game?</p>
<p>When watching the sensational crossfire, all becomes clear. The dictator is pumped up on something which carries him and leads him to believe that he is there to negotiate when in reality he is just there to be Trump’s bitch and sign whatever is given to him. The delusion was amazing. And like so many dictators, you can see the lack of preparation; where are the advisors and media experts to prepare him? Doesn’t need ‘em. The result, which could have worked out for him if he was smarter, was a bloodbath, a slaughter which in many ways made everything now clearer and simpler for Trump. He can’t work with Zelensky and so therefore, he will have to go as he is really the obstacle to anything being achieved in Ukraine. Perhaps the Russians already knew this and were just biding their time for the Trump camp to work it out.</p>
<p>Of course, the resentment was so thick you could cut it with a knife. The way JD Vance spoke to him was like you talk to your 12-year old boy who has been expelled from school. Trump and JD saw Zelensky as a creation of Biden and Obama of course and gave him one last chance to cross a divide and say ‘no, actually I’m with you guys’. But he couldn’t.</p>
<p>Europe is of course to blame for making him feel so unique and irreplaceable and no doubt this will just make Trump more determined than ever that a quick fix to Ukraine will simply come in pushing for early presidential elections. Critical now will be how Zelensky’s cabal will stay with him or be peeled off one by one by a sweeter deal offered by Trump. Most likely, Trump and JD are already looking for their own replacement although it may well be that no interfering will be necessary as many Ukrainians will be disappointed with Zelensky’s performance. Politically within Ukraine, the White House stunt will cost him a lot which he might not understand fully if his European support base is telling him not to worry. We’ve got your back.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/12/zelenskyy-rejects-claim-boris-johnson-talked-him-out-of-2022-peace-deal">What Zelensky did in 2022</a> with Boris Johnson – to reject a very favourable peace deal – was foolish and will go down in history as a mistake which cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who were fed into the meat grinder and sent to the front lines.</p>
<p>But what he then did in the White House with Trump and JD was stupid beyond belief as not only did it enrage Trump – to the point where he actually asked Zelensky to leave the Oval Office – but it amalgamated support for him from EU leaders even more – the very gesture which will push Trump into an even more belligerent position. He will put Zelensky and the EU in its place and now show the whole world how ineffective Europe is when it wants to play at being a superpower but doesn’t want to pick up the tab. Can Europe go it alone in Ukraine is not the question. The question is whether Trump will let it. This might have been one scenario which could have been bandied about and might have been given some oxygen, but now the EU position has to be tackled head on. Trump will be thinking ‘I have to teach the EU a lesson.’ ‘America is running the show and I call the shots,’ will be Trump’s thinking now. It is hardly a great act of prescience now to predict that Zelensky will now have, at the very least, lost all the U.S. support he had before; and at the very best a new political dynamic which will emerge in the coming weeks which will have a support infrastructure probably more than the puny 5 billion dollars that Victoria Nuland blew on the 2014 elections which installed Poroshenko. Ukraine needs a new cookie monster.</p>
<p></p>

link:
https://strategic-culture.su/news/2025/03/02/ukraines-future-now-rests-with-new-president-after-white-house-fiasco/


guid: https://strategic-culture.su/?post_type=article&amp;p=883807
author: ;A A
hash: =(6��;l�$�0@U��
tags: #Americas #Europe #Russia &amp; CIS #World #NATO #Russia #Ukraine #United States #West
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
title:
The pro-war lobby in the West needs to come up with new ideas, rather than saying the same old things

content:
<div data-sanitized-class="code-block code-block-2">
<p><strong><em>President Trump has advanced a new policy proposition that engagement and dialogue is vital if we are to bring an end to the fighting. </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Join us on </span><a href="https://t.me/strategic_culture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Telegram</a><a href="https://t.me/strategic_culture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tlg.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875659"></a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/twitter.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875661"></a><span>, and</span> <a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VK</a><a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/wk.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875662"></a>.</strong></p>
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<p>When western pundits resist efforts to bring an end to fighting in Ukraine, they never provide an alternative vision of what they would do differently.</p>
<p>A respected associate of mine asked me today if a ceasefire and peace process in Ukraine would simply embolden China and Russia to further aggression.</p>
<p>This is a line oft repeated among the majority of politicians, journalists and so-called academics in the west, who are opposed to an ending of the war. ‘We can’t stop the war, because if we do, China will invade Taiwan and Russia will invade Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland etc.’</p>
<p>My view, for what it’s worth, is that an end to the war in Ukraine might embolden China longer-term over Taiwan in particular. I’ve seen no evidence that it will embolden Russia to invade NATO, precisely because Russia sees itself, in large part, as a country of Europe, even if it has been excluded.</p>
<p>However, and critically, if both China and Russia were so emboldened, then should we not ask ourselves how we have ended up in this position?</p>
<p>Russia’s decision to go to war was driven by a belief that it’s core strategic interests in preventing NATO expansion to its border via Ukraine was being ignored, and that it was subject to permanent sanctions with no possibility of removal through any concessions it might make.</p>
<p>That’s my opinion and one I know that many ‘realists’ share.</p>
<p>But, in any case, the ‘what next’ question should have been considered as part of a longer-term strategic assessment when western nations pushed the NATO enlargement agenda.</p>
<p>We have known since at least 2008 that this was a redline for Russia.</p>
<p>Did we expect Russia’s position to change and if so, how? If Russia’s position did not change, how far would we go to advance Ukraine’s NATO aspiration, including through direct military confrontation?</p>
<p>I’m not aware that those questions were ever asked or, if they were, considered rather than dismissed. And I was at the heart of British government decision making from the latter part of 2013, before the Ukraine crisis started (and must therefore accept some of the blame).</p>
<p>Without the United States, a war in Ukraine was never going to be sustainable for Europe, financially, politically or militarily.</p>
<p>Yet no one thought this through. Or, if they did, they didn’t factor in the eminent risk of America doing an about face on policy one day, as is now happening.</p>
<p>With America now withdrawing, sustaining a losing war in Ukraine rather than calling a halt to the killing cannot be considered a legitimate strategy if its only goal is to avoid losing face.</p>
<p>That makes us look weaker and more feckless.</p>
<p>If other states are now emboldened by the failure of western policy in Ukraine, that is not a sufficient reason to avoid an end to the bloodshed now.</p>
<p>Our self-righteousness indignation to peace is merely a figleaf covering the deflated genitals of our policy failure.</p>
<p>The west so badly mishandled relations in the eight years between the flashpoint of the Maidan and the start of war, not thinking through the consequences.</p>
<p>Russian actions and reactions in Ukraine have always been predictable.</p>
<p>They were predictable in February 2014.</p>
<p>They were predictable in February 2022.</p>
<p>They were predictable in February 2025.</p>
<p>We were never going to fight for Ukraine.</p>
<p>I have heard senior British Ambassadors say that we were never going to fight for Ukraine. And we are the most hawkish nation in Europe.</p>
<p>Why were we never going to fight?</p>
<p>Because it would never be possible to ensure that the 27 nations of the EU or the 31 nations of NATO would come to a collective agreement to fight.</p>
<p>Someone would always block fighting.</p>
<p>Compromises would be made.</p>
<p>We would pursue a lowest common denominator. That led us to a sanctions-only approach.</p>
<p>As I have said many times before, in the game of geostrategic chess, President Putin always knew that large, chattering teams of politicians around the table couldn’t outmanoeuvre him.</p>
<p>In fact, they would take weeks and months just to agree on the meaning of pawn, let alone whether to move it on the board.</p>
<p>We lost through indecision and have yet to learn the lesson.</p>
<p>You can’t fight wars by committee. But you can make peace in a group.</p>
<p>As Albert Einstein said, ‘we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them’. That is seen by some as the source of the misattributed saying, ‘the definition of insanity is to do the same thing but expect a different result.’</p>
<p>As the war in Ukraine grinds towards its diplomatic denouement, those people who would like to avoid a negotiated settlement are not coming up with an alternative approach.</p>
<p>They are not introducing new ideas to up the ante, if that is what they want to do. In fact, I don’t know what they want to do, because they’ve been saying exactly the same things for three years and I am epically bored right now.</p>
<p>The problem here, is that neither are they advancing a credible argument against ending the war.</p>
<p>Their position seems to be, the war is bad, it’s all Russia’s fault and if we give in now, Russia will be emboldened to strike elsewhere.</p>
<p>Their defensive position is held together by straplines not substantive arguments.</p>
<p>In a recent speech, the veteran U.S. Democrat politician Bernie Sanders said,</p>
<p>‘Russia started the war, not Ukraine,</p>
<p>Putin is a dictator, not Zelensky.’</p>
<p>While I am sure he may believe that it’s just another banal outburst, intended more to rail against the political leaders in his own country, rather than to bring peace in Ukraine.</p>
<p>Of course, people view the origins of the war differently and people are entitled to their views.</p>
<p>Debate on the war in Ukraine has become reduced to ‘I’m right and you are wrong’ with voices of reason and realism in the west, like mine, stifled by the mainstream.</p>
<p>But we will never reach a position in which there is a universally accepted view of who was at fault and who was not.</p>
<p>Instead, let’s try to accept that every side in this conflict takes some share of the blame, be that Russia, Ukraine, the U.S., UK and everyone else.</p>
<p>Let’s have a frank but polite discussion about a way forward.</p>
<p>President Trump has advanced a new policy proposition that engagement and dialogue is vital if we are to bring an end to the fighting. British and European leaders can’t continue unchallenged, carrying on as if the world hasn’t changed.</p>
<p>They need to come up with genuinely new and constructive ideas, rather than continuing to say the same things. And reengage in dialogue with Russia.</p>
<p></p>

link:
https://strategic-culture.su/news/2025/03/02/pro-war-lobby-in-west-needs-come-up-with-new-ideas-rather-than-saying-same-old-things/


guid: https://strategic-culture.su/?post_type=article&amp;p=883813
title: Acceptance of Asians in Europe
author: ;A A
link: https://strategic-culture.su/news/2025/03/02/acceptance-of-asians-in-europe/
hash: �a:No�oq S$��4��
tags: #INFOGRAPHICS #European Union #Racism
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
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<p><strong><em>Asked how they would feel if one of their children was in a love relationship with an Asian person, an average 70% of EU citizens say they would be “totally comfortable”. But results vary greatly across countries. </em></strong></p>
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<p><strong><em>(Click on the image to enlarge)</em></strong></p>
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guid: https://strategic-culture.su/?post_type=article&amp;p=883818
title: Europe will pay for America First
author: ;A A
link: https://strategic-culture.su/news/2025/03/02/europe-will-pay-for-america-first/
hash: E��* = 0�/�#��
tags: #Editor's Choice #Donald Trump #European Union #Ukraine #United States #Volodymyr Zelensky
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
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<p><strong><em>Europe will pay for America First</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Tom McTAGUE</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Join us on </span><a href="https://t.me/strategic_culture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Telegram</a><a href="https://t.me/strategic_culture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tlg.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875659"></a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/twitter.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875661"></a><span>, and</span> <a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VK</a><a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/wk.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875662"></a>.</strong></p>
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<p>“We tell ourselves stories in order to live,” observed Joan Didion. Yet politicians are different. They tell stories not so much to live, but to survive. Stories give leaders an aura of purpose and control, imbuing their decisions with great meaning; ushering in new beginnings and, of course, new ends. And then, sometimes, we just stop believing in them. That is what happened in the White House yesterday. The story of the West melted away and all that was left was power.</p>
<p>Watching Donald Trump over the past week has felt like one of those moments when history was being made: new narratives emerging out of the old. For a few days at least, Europe seemed to have been jolted out of its complacent malaise. “Germany became Gaullist, France became British, and Britain became European,” joked one French diplomat. The fear of America’s withdrawal from Europe had seemingly prompted a revolution. Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron flew to Washington to rescue the old world and seemed to succeed: our American Caesar offered his clementia and all was well, apparently. But then Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the Oval Office and it was not American withdrawal that was on offer, but American supremacy, uncloaked — angry, imposing, imperial. Do what we say or we will hand you over to your executioners.</p>
<p>This has been the story of the past week. One moment, Europe is in a spin as Zelensky is denounced as a dictator; the next, it is happy as Ukraine hands over half its natural resources to America. And then it heads into the weekend with feelings of sadness, shame and even humiliation. Zelensky, the weakest of Europe’s leaders, was treated as every European leader would be were they not as craven as our own.</p>
<p>The end result is a mixture of embarrassment — that of the schoolchild who avoids being bullied — and lasting geopolitical unease. What does diplomacy matter in a world where all that counts is power and you are a supplicant? Starmer may have flown back to Britain happy that he had secured a public commitment from Trump for Nato’s mutual defence clause. But does anyone now believe that anything the President said yesterday really matters? Perhaps more profoundly, does anyone — deep down — believe that it is acceptable to be so dependent on Trump’s whims or those of his nation? Ukraine can hardly be blamed for being so weak. Britain and the rest of Western Europe have no such excuses.</p>
<p>In the end, everything has changed and nothing has changed. Trump means what he says when he says it — and then doesn’t. The US is both withdrawing from Europe and expanding at the same time. An epoch of ambiguity has arrived and it’s far more dangerous than we realise.</p>
<p>Take the “minerals deal” between Zelensky and Trump that was supposed to be signed yesterday, but so painfully wasn’t. Far from acting as a brake on American imperial overreach — which many in Washington have called for — the agreement would have essentially extended US interests even further into Europe. Under the terms of the deal as proposed, the United States gains a 50% stake in Ukraine’s mineral wealth in perpetuity: a permanent stake.</p>
<p>Trump acknowledged the importance of the proposal before his blow-up with Zelensky. He indicated that the deal would serve as a security “backstop”, ensuring Putin did not restart his war for control of Ukraine. “I don’t think anybody’s going to play around if we’re there with a lot of workers,” Trump declared. The new doctrine, it seemed, would be “peace through economics”, as Le Monde put it. Zelensky would be forced to the table through an acceptance of partition and extraction. The strategy is not new — Britain was forced to abandon its imperial trading system in return for American support in the last world war. But what is unusual here is the steel being displayed without any sheath of idealism. This was a display of imperial power that was hard to unsee.</p>
<p>Even if the minerals deal were to be saved, the “security” it would offer Ukraine — and Europe — is far from clear. The implication is that Trump wants to take on a new economic colony in the knowledge that Russia would not dare attack it. But is that the case? Russia knows that an attack on any Nato country would risk sparking — in theory — a war with the United States and its allies, a direct confrontation it could not win. But an attack on a country in which the US simply had mining interests would not be the same. The response that such a provocation would trigger has been left entirely uncertain.</p>
<p>To clear up the ambiguity, Britain and France have offered to send troops to Ukraine to secure whatever peace agreement Trump can strike with Putin, and with it America’s new interests. But why would Russia now accept the informal absorption of rump Ukraine into the American economic sphere with its new assets protected by its clients, the British and French? Especially after witnessing that display in the Oval Office yesterday.</p>
<p>The idea of a sustainable peace agreement consequently remains remote, even if the breakdown in relations between Zelensky and Trump can be patched up. Without American support — assuming Europe fails to fill the gap — Ukraine would be forced to sue for peace on Russian terms. But once Trump carves out his stake in Ukraine, the peace negotiations enter a new phase: to the winner the spoils, literally.</p>
<p>You have to wonder what the likes of Elbridge Colby must make of Trump’s handling of events. Colby is one of the most eloquent exponents of American “restraint” in Washington, hired by the President as the policy lead in the Department of Defense. Colby argues that the US has become overstretched by its imperial commitments, and needs to focus less on Europe and more on what he considers the principal threat to America’s global primacy: China’s ambition to retake Taiwan. Colby’s argument is not “isolationist” in any sense, nor civilisational like Steve Bannon’s, who wants the US to form a Christian-Nationalist alliance against globalist China. Colby is arguing for a form of imperial prioritisation which would push for Europe to become more independent. Yet Trump is seeking a minerals deal with Ukraine that would draw him further into Europe — even as he mocks and berates its most embattled leader.</p>
<p>The new President’s defenders would argue that Trump will eventually bully his way to the best of all worlds, extending America’s power and economic dominance at very little cost. Indeed, Ukraine will, in all likelihood, eventually agree to become an American economic protectorate irrespective of the President and his ambitious Vice President. The alternative — national elimination under Putin — is worse. Yet it strikes me that — first — Europe’s voters will not be able to unsee what they have just witnessed. And — second — the United States itself has made a curious bet that it can project its power into Ukraine without any real idea of the force necessary to accompany its new economic interests.</p>
<p>The situation reminds me of the build up to the Suez crisis in 1956, when Britain withdrew its forces from the canal zone in Egypt, while insisting its economic interests remained secure. The Tory MP Enoch Powell warned the then government that any agreement with Egypt would not be “worth the parchment on which it is engrossed” because the remaining British technicians in the canal zone would be hopelessly vulnerable to, and ultimately forced out by, terrorism and harassment. Can we really say that Trump’s potential miners in Ukraine without American military protection would be any different?</p>
<p>But we do not yet know the strength of America’s commitment to Ukraine. For this reason it is worth playing out the scenario in which Zelensky swallows his pride and Russia acquiesces to the partition of Ukraine. In this scenario — under the current terms being pushed by Starmer and Macron — British and French troops would find themselves massing somewhere in Eastern Europe, if not in Ukraine itself, with the stated aim of deterring Russian aggression, based on some vague promise of American air support which might or might not exist. Is this really enough to deter Russia anymore than it was to deter Colonel Nasser in 1956? And what if it isn’t? Are we prepared to go to war with Russia for Ukraine? From Taiwan to the Donbas, ambiguity mixed with menace now reigns.</p>
<p>Stories allow us to live because they turn daily chaos into something hopeful or inspirational; it’s a tale that offers explanation or revelation — or, at the very least, comfort. Yet what is emerging from Donald Trump’s unpredictability looks like a fable that no-one with any self-respect can believe in any longer. Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky all flew to Washington this week looking for a story they could tell to their expectant nations at home. Two succeeded — for a few hours. But all we will remember is the drama of the failure.</p>
<p><em>Original article:</em> <a href="https://unherd.com/2025/03/trumps-angry-imperialism/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>unherd.com</strong></a></p>


guid: https://strategic-culture.su/?post_type=article&amp;p=883809
title: Exposing elite degeneracy
author: ;A A
link: https://strategic-culture.su/news/2025/03/02/exposing-elite-degeneracy/
hash: P.�����ROQ1"�
tags: #Americas #Europe #World #Emmanuel Macron #Establishment #Gender
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<div data-sanitized-class="code-block code-block-2">
<p><strong><em>Our archetypal case study are the Macrons, the French power couple situated at the apex of their country’s political pyramid.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Join us on </span><a href="https://t.me/strategic_culture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Telegram</a><a href="https://t.me/strategic_culture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tlg.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875659"></a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/twitter.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875661"></a><span>, and</span> <a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VK</a><a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/wk.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875662"></a>.</strong></p>
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<p>It goes almost without saying that the “elite” referenced here is located in the collective West. It would be exceedingly difficult to associate the leading segment of any other society or civilisation, as a class, with degeneracy.</p>
<p>Our archetypal case study are the Macrons, the French power couple situated at the apex of their country’s political pyramid. Our French sources assure us that in France anomalies concerning the birth gender of the allegedly female member of that pair have been suspected for a long time. Those suspicions, however, have had to be voiced <em>sub rosa</em>, because of the establishment’s extreme hostility to any speculations on that subject.</p>
<p>The few investigative journalists and investigators who had ventured to question those anomalies, many of which are obvious even to the naked eye, have been hounded by the media and persecuted by the French judicial system in a variety of vicious ways. That plainly gives the lie to what remains of France’s historical reputation of being a haven of enlightened tolerance for diverse views.</p>
<p>American journalist Candace Owens has assembled evidence that compellingly (and almost conclusively) demonstrates that the individual passed off to the public under the identity of Brigitte Macron, the official wife of the French President, is neither Brigitte nor a biological woman.</p>
<p>Candace Owens’ professional trajectory parallels in many ways that of her colleague Tucker Carlson. Like Tucker, Candace laboured for many years in the ranks of establishment media until her conscience became so conflicted by the constraints on truthful reporting and honest commentary that for her remaining within the system was no longer an option. Like Tucker, Candace was able to parlay the respect and trust that she had built up over the years into an independent investigative journalism platform. There, without censorship, she can discuss topics and articulate opinions that are off limits in the discourse of the pseudo liberal democratic world of mainline journalism that had expelled her, as it did Tucker, from the ranks of its licenced professionals.</p>
<p>Intrigued by the rumours swirling around France’s “first lady,” Candace Owens made the bold decision to dig into the story and share the findings with her audience, which by now numbers in the millions. The result was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIbUXQ5c-oQ&amp;t=788s"><em>Becoming Brigitte: Gaslighting the public</em></a><em>, </em>a series of investigative reports that for the first time brought to the attention of the Anglophone world the tangled web of lies and misrepresentations surrounding not just the true identity of Emmanuel Macron’s putative spouse, but also his own vertiginous (and it appears unmerited) rise to prominence and ultimately the Presidency of a major European country.</p>
<p>In essence, Candace’s disclosures are that “Mme. Macron” has been, so to speak, misgendered, but by deliberate design, having been born a male and subsequently undergoing surgical procedures to alter her sex. But by degraded contemporary criteria that revelation is standard fare compared to the really sleazy part of the story. It turns out that most of what we have been told about the inception of their relationship is provably false. Even the assertion in the official account that at seventeen Emmanuel was almost of legal age when he and his teacher, the allegedly thirty-six year-old Brigitte, “fell in love” is as false as “Mrs.” Macron’s official gender identity. Meticulous research has revealed that at the critical stage when he succumbed to the charms of his middle school literature teacher, Emmanuel was in fact a child of fourteen, whilst his seductress (or perhaps more precisely, seducer) was thirty-nine. Not only does that significantly increase <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxiPadcGc5I">the age difference between the lovers</a>, but more importantly it places the affair within the legal ambit of statutory rape, even by the notoriously permissive French standards.</p>
<p>That, of course, is just the bare bones of the polemical contentions that Candace Owens corroborates with ample proof, leaving little room for reasonable doubt. No summary of the details can do justice to what Candace calls “a look back at the murky, hidden background of Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron,” so viewing the entire series of six episodes, culminating with the just posted incisive recapitulation, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu1_dhNvLHg"><em>Epilogue</em></a>, is highly recommended to all wishing to savour the particulars of this sordid tale of debauchery, deceit, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JovQpHl2JQ">paedophilia</a>, and betrayal of the public trust.</p>
<p>For her trouble in exposing the moral rot at the very heart of French public life, Candace Owens was rewarded with a stern letter from a U.S. law firm hired by the Macrons (“Mr. and Mr. Macron,” as she sarcastically but probably not inaccurately refers to them in one of the episodes) demanding she cease and desist from completing her disruptive investigation and threatening dire consequences unless she dropped her inquiry.</p>
<p>But far from achieving the desired chilling effect, the legal threat predictably made Candace Owens more determined to carry on with her investigation. In America she could afford to do that thanks to the protection provided by the First Amendment and a judicial system still largely resistant to the more egregious abuses. During the recent Presidential campaign, Owens conducted an in-depth investigation of comparable scope into the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpDom_9mp6E&amp;list=PLPW2eH9z9CUsmsHeb6AqIms0cXBws5WuH">murky background of Kamala Harris</a>, uncovering a similar mass of alarming inconsistencies, factual inaccuracies, and information gaps in the biography of the individual who was a hair’s breadth away from one of the most powerful political offices in the world. Needless to say, unwelcome as her snooping was to powerful individuals and interests, in America Candace was still free to complete her task and post her findings, unlike her French colleagues <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj6Ti-3CFxk">who were harassed</a> and silenced or, like <a href="https://candaceowens.com/video/becoming-brigitte-candace-owens-x-xavier-poussard-ep-6/">investigative journalist Xavier Poussard</a>, had to move their family abroad to safety.</p>
<p>Needless to say, publication of piquant details from the private lives of the French Presidential couple is not the real motive behind Ms. Owens’ investigation or of this reflection on the results of her professional work. That is, rather, the consternation provoked by the question which Candace Owens asks in one of the episodes of the Macron series and which we could also echo: what explains the sudden appearance of so many Manchurian Candidates (the Macrons and Harris are but the tip of the iceberg) in the top political echelons of the Collective West? Who controls them through blackmail, whose orders are they taking, and what unspoken and murky agendas, totally at variance with their public commitments and utterances, are they being instrumentalised to promote?</p>
<p>Granted, these contrived public personae without a verifiable biography and seemingly without even much substance as human beings, are but proxies for the actual rulers, in effect only the visible, external layer of the complex and fraudulent system which governs the “Western Democracies.”</p>
<p>But how much longer are Western nations prepared to tolerate that farce, submitting to directives transmitted through anonymous figures of fictitious provenance and charged with a dubious mission?</p>
<p></p>


guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613571-musk-backs-us-withdrawal-from-nato-un/
title: Musk backs US withdrawal from UN and NATO
author: ;RT
hash: ��<�0 �,��L_lal
content:
<p><strong>The tech mogul supports a reassessment of American involvement in both organizations, questioning their relevance and effectiveness</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>Billionaire Elon Musk has publicly endorsed the idea of the US withdrawing from both the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.</p>
<p>Responding to a social media post advocating such a move on Sunday, Musk, who leads the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), commented, <em>“I agree.”</em></p>
<p>US President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers have vowed to reconsider Washington’s participation in the UN, as well as in the US-led military bloc.</p>
<p>In February, Senator Mike Lee of Utah introduced the Disengaging Entirely from the United Nations Debacle (DEFUND) Act, proposing a complete US withdrawal from the UN. Lee criticized the UN as a <em>“platform for tyrants”</em> that attacks America and its allies, arguing that despite significant funding, the organization has failed to prevent wars, genocides, human rights violations, and pandemics.</p>
<p>Echoing Lee’s sentiments, Musk wrote on X that <em>“America provides way too much funding to the UN and associated entities.”</em></p>
<p>During his 2016 campaign, Trump described the UN as weak and incompetent, stating it was <em>“not a friend of democracy… freedom... the United States.”</em> Last month, the Trump administration opposed a UN General Assembly resolution demanding Russia’s immediate withdrawal from Ukraine.</p>
<p>Musk, now a key advisor to Trump, has taken the lead in looking for ways to cut costs and reduce the federal workforce. In February, DOGE released its first savings report, claiming an estimated $55 billion in savings through cost-cutting measures.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c3e4e985f5402eca3e285f.png" alt="Oleg Gorokhovsky">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/russia/613565-ukraine-raises-millions-for-nukes/">Banker solicits cash for Ukrainian nukes in ‘joke’ fundraiser</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>That same month, Elise Stefanik, Trump’s nominee for US Ambassador to the UN, advocated the global adoption of Musk’s DOGE initiative. She criticized the UN’s financial practices and called for a <em>“Global DOGE”</em> effort to reform international governance. Stefanik also pledged to push for defunding and dismantling UN-affiliated organizations accused of corruption and antisemitism.</p>
<p>Musk has also voiced skepticism about NATO. In February, he labeled the alliance <em>“anachronistic”</em> and called for a full review, questioning its relevance in the post-Cold War era. He also questioned the rationale behind American taxpayers covering a significant portion of Europe’s defense costs, highlighting that the US pays for approximately 67% of NATO’s military expenses, despite spending only 3.5% of its GDP on defense.</p>
<p>His position aligns with Trump, who has frequently criticized NATO, urging members to increase defense expenditure and threatening to withdraw, arguing the US bears an unfair financial burden for European security.</p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613571-musk-backs-us-withdrawal-from-nato-un/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5170125
title: ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith turns up political talk, triggering 2028 speculation
author: ;Jared Gans
hash: 2��\<���;����_�
tags: #Administration #Campaign #Media #News
content:
Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith is taking on a new role in Democratic politics as the party searches for its identity after its loss to President Trump in November.  Smith expressed interest in politics well before Election Day but has been particularly critical of the party following Trump’s victory, calling on it to refocus on…

link:
https://thehill.com/homenews/5170125-espns-stephen-a-smith-turns-up-political-talk-triggering-2028-speculation/

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5170323
title: USAID cuts could send global health into chaos
author: ;Nathaniel Weixel
link: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5170323-usaid-cuts-foreign-aid-health/
hash: lo^�q[2H���4h
tags: #Health Care #Policy
content:
The Trump administration’s decision to end almost all foreign aid spending from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is poised to plunge global health into chaos.  The contract terminations announced Wednesday will end grants for HIV treatments and prevention, tuberculosis, polio, malaria, Ebola and numerous other diseases and conditions. Nutrition assistance programs for…

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5170462
title: 5 storylines to watch for ahead of this November’s elections
author: ;Caroline Vakil
hash: e��>�ۅ ������[�
tags: #Administration #Campaign #State Watch
content:
Virginia and New Jersey could serve as some of the first bellwethers over voters’ attitudes toward President Trump’s policies, Elon Musk and his slashing of the federal bureaucracy, and the salience of key issues this November. Voters will head to the polls in both states to elect their next governor and weigh in on important…

link:
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5170462-5-storylines-to-watch-for-ahead-of-this-novembers-elections/

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5169866
title: With student test scores flailing, DOGE cuts to Nation’s Report Card raise red flags
author: ;Lexi Lonas Cochran
hash: ��bL��(� �d��
tags: #Administration #Education #State Watch #learning loss #test scores
content:
Cuts to the Department of Education are hitting the highly valued Nation’s Report Card even as sirens blare on student test scores.   The 12th grade National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) was recently canceled, and the top official in charge of it was put on leave, leading advocates to doubt a promise from the Department…

link:
https://thehill.com/homenews/education/5169866-with-student-test-scores-flailing-doge-cuts-to-nations-report-card-raise-red-flags/

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guid: https://strategic-culture.su/?post_type=article&amp;p=883811
title: A spectre is haunting Europe: the spectre of far-right populism
author: ;A A
link: https://strategic-culture.su/news/2025/03/02/spectre-haunting-europe-spectre-of-far-right-populism/
hash: ��MWLӿ�Qk����I
tags: #Society #Elon Musk #European Union #Internationalism #Nationalism #Populism
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content:
<div data-sanitized-class="code-block code-block-2">
<p><strong><em>What the European far-right that Musk might yet bankroll lack and what have lacked since 1848 is America’s libertarian streak.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Join us on </span><a href="https://t.me/strategic_culture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Telegram</a><a href="https://t.me/strategic_culture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tlg.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875659"></a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/twitter.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875661"></a><span>, and</span> <a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VK</a><a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/wk.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875662"></a>.</strong></p>
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<p><em>A spectre is haunting Europe — the spectre of communism. All the powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this spectre.</em> ~ The Communist Manifesto, 1848</p>
<p>We are back to 1848, when the peoples of Belgium, Denmark, France, Galicia, the German Confederation, Greater Poland, the Habsburg Monarchy, Hungary, Ireland, the Italian States, Moldavia, the Romanian Principalities, Schleswig, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Wallachia rose up in bloody protest against their terrified masters.</p>
<p>Though current events in each of those hot spots deserve their own articles, I will concentrate on today’s Germany and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewall_against_the_far-right_in_Germany">cordon sanitaire</a> “all the powers of old Europe” have thrown up against this dangerous upheaval to the God-given right of von der Leyen, Kallas and similar bums to shake down the rest of us.</p>
<p>And, as God has entered the frame, where better to start than with <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2025-02/germany-elections-reaction-bishop-georg-batzing-interview.html">the Vatican’s report on the German upheaval</a>, which trots out Bishop Georg Bätzing (chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference), Bishop Kirsten Fehrs (the Chair of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany) and Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki (Archbishop of Cologne), who all congratulate the German electorate and their elected representatives for holding the line and forming a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewall_against_the_far-right_in_Germany">German cordon sanitaire</a> against their own far-right, who are, they would have us believe, the very reincarnation of Hitler’s Wehrmacht and who, at the drop of a hat, will goose step back into Poland and all the way to Moscow and Stalingrad if Europe’s “holy alliance” do not stop them. For, make no mistake about it, Europe’s far-right are a dangerous lot and not only do they do Putin’s bidding but they have enlisted POTUS Trump and Musk to their ranks as well.</p>
<p>First, let’s get the Putin and Russian canards out of the frame. Putin is the bogeyman Europe’s parasitic order needs and, as the old cliché has it, if Putin did not exist, they would have to invent him. This is because the only thing that binds von der Leyen, Estonia’s Kallas and France’s Macron together is to create an external spectre, before whom we should all cower and against whom we should pray that our lily-livered leaders protect us.</p>
<p>The problem with that is Putin is no concern of mine or of most marginalised Germans, who would dearly wish to start using Russia’s cheap energy again. Britain’s old age pensioners are being denied winter fuel because Sir Keir Starmer, who is a core part of this cordon sanitaire, needs their allowance to fuel Zelensky’s coke habit. And, as regards defending Ukrainian democracy, not only have countless articles skewered that straw man, but Zelensky’s Reich is still, this very day, displaying their fascism to the world by <a href="https://swentr.site/russia/613181-ukraine-city-celebrates-holocaust-propagandist/">erecting monuments</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulas_Samchuk">Ulas Samchuk</a>, one of Ukraine’s most notorious Nazi collaborators, who demanded the extermination of “<a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=Ulas+Samchuk+Jewish+chimpanzees&amp;pc=S126&amp;form=S1GDCC&amp;ptag=N13001">Jewish chimpanzees</a>” Poles and sundry others, who offended his far-right sensibilities.</p>
<p>And, as regards imitating Samchuk’s allies by marching on Moscow and Stalingrad without the proverbial pot to piss in, it is Starmer, Macron and their German and Estonian clowns who want us to do that. If not wanting to freeze my nuts off in a fox hole on the outskirts of Moscow or Stalingrad makes me far-right, fair enough and Starmer, Kallas or von der Leyen can take my place if they are so worried about what Putin’s Siberian Legions are up to. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_vult">Deus vult</a>!</p>
<p>But that is not how it has ever worked. The parasitic class that Starmer, Kallas, von der Leyen and Macron typify see others playing the role of cannon fodder and them continuing on their gravy train to nowhere.</p>
<p>Of course, to use the old parrot phrase, if we are so opposed to von der Lryen, Kallas and the rest of them, we can always vote them out. Fine, but no one elected von der Leyen or Kallas and, as the German, French, British and many other elections show, the electoral game is rigged to ensure these parasites are all but impossible to eject.</p>
<p><a href="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/481118380_2343179772727739_4500305222288444544_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p600x600_tt6&amp;_nc_cat=108&amp;ccb=1-7&amp;_nc_sid=127cfc&amp;_nc_ohc=2Lby4lYpjz0Q7kNvgFrwZ1e&amp;_nc_oc=Adg4UUKCMoBnfD1fuRlkALUqdTxw2njl2GHVSevdl4g1Ah9hYVDpnKGs2XAOAzVtsco&amp;_nc_zt=23&amp;_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&amp;_nc_gid=AAasJPN2OJumHl2p7BLFNAH&amp;oh=00_AYCBsjz6yDUSWVhPYz792Oopqx2WrD3O74VVUBSZUJQ6OA&amp;oe=67C2A947">Germany exemplifies</a>. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahra_Wagenknecht">Sahra Wagenknecht</a>‘s <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-leftist-bsw-party-considers-challenging-national-election-result-2025-02-24/">BSW Party</a> got just under 2.5 million votes but no seats, whereas <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliance_90/The_Greens">the war mongering Grünen (Green) Party</a> got 5.7 million votes and 85 seats and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Schleswig_Voters%27_Association">South Schleswig Voters Association (SSW)</a> got 76,000 votes and one seat, which was a very healthy return per vote cast.</p>
<p>If we pan out to the bigger parties like the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDU/CSU">CDU/CSU Party</a>, we see that they get a vastly disproportionate share of the old, the sinecured and the downright comfortable voting for them, whereas the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_for_Germany">Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)</a>, Old Europe’s bogeyman, predominates in the eastern part of Germany, the former German Democratic Republic. We have, if the voting patterns are our metric, several Germanys, the poorer GDR regions, where the AfD holds sway, the Bohemian and red light quarters of Berlin, Freiburg, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Kiel, Köln, Münster and Stuttgart where the Greens rule the roost and the rest of the West where the I’m all right Jacks give the old Europeans their lop sided mandate</p>
<p>Although we could further disaggregate the German vote by age and sex, Britain better serves our purpose. That is because rank corruption has caused the Scottish National Party to implode and Labour’s Northern <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_wall_(British_politics)">Red Wall</a> has proved itself to be up for grabs by both the Conservative Party and Nigel Farage’s populist Reform Party. All Labour has between it and another melt down is Starmer refusing to hold elections, at least until another acceptable alternative, in the form of a revamped Conservative Party or a house trained Reform Party, can once again take command.</p>
<p>This is not to say that the far-right populists in France, Germany, England or anywhere else pose the same sort of threat to the old order that the 1848 revolutionaries did. They do not. Musk’s interest in Germany is as much fueled by his desire to sell them lithium batteries to complement their idiotic windmills as it is that he frets over failings in their democratic system. Much the same explains his interest in England’s lack of proper democracy.</p>
<p>But Musk is also a doer, not a Eurocrat. He is an overgrown child who wants to fly to Mars and he has more satellites in space than NASA or the Chinese do. He is an economic titan who would have given the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robber_baron_(industrialist)">robber barons</a> of the nineteenth century a good run for their money. As for the likes of Mark Zuckerberg, because he knows that a Trump executive order could vaporise his flaky monopoly in a day, he is an obedient lapdog of no consequence in this debate.</p>
<p>As for Musk, if he ever visits Europe, he could observe the European Parliament, where over 7,000 of its employees do <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/13/eu-45m-travelling-circus-brussels-strasbourg-last-year/">a weekly commute between Strasburg and Brussels</a> for no good reason, except to grease the wheels of Europe’s massive corruption that not even Musk’s DOGE hot shots can conceptualise.</p>
<p>On that latter point, we see that Macron is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmanuel_Macron">umbilically tied </a>to the Rothschilds and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Merz">Friedrich Merz</a>, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, was formerly on the board of Black Rock, as well as many other similar companies, who are likewise invested in Zelensky’s rump Reich and who more resemble the economically redundant aristocrats of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klemens_von_Metternich">Metternich’s</a> old Europe just as Musk does its trail blazing entrepreneurs.</p>
<p>Although Marx’ Communist Manifesto would regard all these cats as parasitic capitalists, they are striped differently and the capitalism of Musk is very much at odds with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rentier_capitalism#:~:text=The%20term%20was%20developed%20by,-rents%2C%20leases%20and%20rents.">rentier capitalism</a> Europe’s old order represents.</p>
<p>This European far-right that Musk might yet bankroll consists of a number of diverse actors, who include Israeli stooges like excellent street demagogue <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Robinson">Tommy Robinson</a>, astroturf populists like Nigel Farage (check out his <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/nigel-farage-mocks-labour-smoking-ban-b2604143.html">half a bitter and cigarette</a>, playing to the common man), intellectuals like the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Weidel">AfD’s lesbian leader</a> and many more, who are not easily categorised. However, what they lack and what they have lacked since 1848 is America’s libertarian streak, typified in the land of the free and the home of the brave by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution">the Second Amendment</a>, the right of the ordinary American to tool up like Rambo, when not otherwise engaged eating red meat, attending NFL games or screaming for their heroes, Trump included, at wrestling matches.</p>
<p>The net result of that is that the ordinary Germans and the ordinary Europeans can only hope to take power with a ballot paper in one hand and not much else beyond empty air in the other, when the Dutch, German, British and French Gestapo, with the blessing of the aforementioned German clerics, set about cracking their skulls to keep their incestuous cordon sanitaire intact.</p>
<p></p>


guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613572-celebrities-ukraine-orban-usaid/
title: Western celebrities paid millions to back Ukraine – Orban
author: ;RT
hash: �}�-0c��n��ڙi��
content:
<p><strong>The stars’ trips to Kiev were funded via the US foreign aid system, the Hungarian Prime Minister has claimed</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>The Hollywood celebrities who visited Ukraine to ‘support’ the country during its ongoing conflict with Russia didn’t do it out of sympathy, but because they were paid millions, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said.</p>
<p>Stars’ trips to Kiev were paid for with money from USAID, Washington’s primary mechanism for funding political projects abroad, Orban said in an interview with Hungarian broadcaster TV2 on Saturday.</p>
<p><em>“People were given money for their opinions. I am talking about big celebrities and movie stars. They were given money to go to Ukraine, so they did not do it from the heart or out of sympathy for the Ukrainians - which could have actually been the case – but because they were given money,”</em> he said.</p>
<p>The payments received by the stars amounted to <em>“millions of euros or dollars,”</em> the prime minister claimed, without providing any names.</p>
<p>Angelina Jolie, Sean Penn, Ben Stiller and Orlando Bloom were among the most prominent Western celebrities to have visited Ukraine since the escalation of the conflict between Moscow and Kiev three years ago.</p>
<p>In early February, reports emerged on social media claiming that Jolie had received $20 million for her trip to Lviv in April 2022, and that Penn, Stiller and Bloom were written checks of $5 million, $4 million and $8 million, respectively, by USAID.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c2b3bd20302750b25edc9b.jpg" alt="A worker removes the US Agency for International Development sign on February 07, 2025 in Washington, DC.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613530-usaid-slash-energy-aid-ukraine/">US State Department slashes USAID assistance to Ukraine – NBC</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>Back then, Stiller rejected the accusations, calling them <em>“lies coming from Russian media.”</em> The actor insisted in a post on X that his visit to Kiev was <em>“self-funded.”</em> Penn’s lawyer also said that reports of his client being paid by USAID to meet with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky were <em>“completely false, misleading and reckless.”</em></p>
<p>Several Western media outlets, including AFP and Reuters, said that their fact checking teams had found that the claims of stars getting USAID money originated from a fabricated video and that there were no available records of the agency paying the celebrities.</p>
<p>Shortly after taking office, US President Donald Trump launched a clampdown on USAID, accusing it of widespread corruption and inefficiency. He imposed a 90-day funding freeze on the agency and transferred oversight of its programs to the direct control of the US State Department.</p>
<p>Orban said in his interview that the activities of USAID in recent decades could be <em>“the biggest corruption scandal in the history of the Western world.”</em></p>

             
    <p>
        <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rt.com/news/613411-trump-cutting-most-usaid-grants/">
            <span>READ MORE: </span>90% of USAID contracts to be cut – AP
        </a>
    </p>


    

<p><em>“I have never seen anything like this before - when billions of dollars are being transferred from the US budget to foundations and various forms of support, and then they are being distributed around the globe and given to those who represent the ideals, spirituality, programs and specific interests demanded by the Americans, and they receive money for that,”</em> he stressed.</p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613572-celebrities-ukraine-orban-usaid/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5169139
title: Net neutrality is dead — welcome to the age of ‘pay-to-play’ and premium access
author: ;Mark Weinstein; opinion contributor
content: It's about time we added some fast lanes on the information highway.
link: https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/5169139-fcc-net-neutrality-fast-lanes/
hash:  Ӹ�e^�6�O�<��
tags: #Opinion #Technology
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guid: https://strategic-culture.su/?post_type=article&amp;p=883822
title: Uma Europa parada no tempo e sem centralidade
author: ;A A
link: https://strategic-culture.su/news/2025/03/02/uma-europa-parada-no-tempo-e-sem-centralidade/
hash: �C#��1�O}\���.z
tags: #Português #Crisis #European Union
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content:
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<p><strong><em>A Europa, incapaz de abraçar o projecto euroasiático, divorciada de si e dos seus, inactiva e imóvel, como que parada no tempo, deixou que o fim da história dos EUA, se tornassem no seu próprio fim da história.</em></strong></p>
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<p>A União Europeia está absolutamente devastada. Falta saber bem porque razão tal sucede. Há quem diga que é porque os EUA a abandonam, trocando a atenção que lhe davam, por uma atenção maior ao pacifico e, em especial, à China. Há quem diga que, o seu receio está relacionado com a incapacidade de a União Europeia se defender das suas ameaças, leia-se, do arqui-inimigo das nações do centro europeu, concretamente a Federação Russa. Há quem diga, ainda, que o desespero tem causa na perda da liderança, o que é caricato: tanto falar de liberdade e, ao mesmo tempo, parecer ter medo de ser livre. A Europa tem medo de se libertar dos EUA e, perante essa possibilidade, sente-se abandonada.</p>
<p>Seja qual for, todas radicam numa só: a perda da sua centralidade. A União Europeia, tantas vezes confundida com “a europa”, por quem não percebe o que é “a europa”, está aterrorizada com a perda definitiva da sua centralidade. Apelidada de “velho continente”, a europa ocidental habituou-se, durante séculos a fio, a ser sede e berço das mais avançadas ideias de civilização e receptáculo da pilhagem e sucção dos recursos mundiais. A “civilização” europeia terá representando, em termos de importância e nesse período, o que representaram as designadas civilizações da antiguidade.</p>
<p>Do Grécia antiga à Roma republicana à imperial, da França iluminista à Inglaterra liberal, acabando na Rússia socialista. A Europa foi berço de algumas das ideias mais transformadoras da história humana, as quais, com as contradições próprias de tudo o que é humano, levaram o mundo mais longe. Da europa vieram também as maiores desgraças deste tempo, da inquisição ao despotismo, do tráfico negreiro ao esclavagismo, do capitalismo selvagem, ao fascista ou nazi. Provando sempre que, em cada momento de acção, sonho e aventura, lhe correspondeu sempre a reacção, o pesadelo e a distopia. A Europa não seria o que foi, o que é, sem as duas faces da moeda, como nenhuma civilização, aliás. É da condição humana. Não podemos esquecer que os EUA hegemónicos e imperiais e a China socialista super-industrial, são também resultados concretos da influência europeia e das suas ideias centrais de civilização. Como se a cada um correspondesse um pólo oposto da disputa ideológica ocorrida na própria Europa.</p>
<p>Mas esta Europa, em especial a europa ocidental, já nesta fase decadente, habituou-se, mesmo assim, a ser o centro das atenções, o centro do mundo, o mundo disputado. Se a China era conhecida como o império do meio, num outro período histórico, a europa ocidental também o pretendeu ser. Na guerra fria, era na europa ocidental que se vendiam as ideias de convergência de sistemas, aliando o liberalismo privado anglo-americano ao socialismo científico soviético, resultando numa mescla de socialismo utópico com capitalismo, a que chamámos de “social-democracia”, apenas porque não negava os principais direitos políticos aos ricos, permitindo-lhes a criação de partidos e a tomada do poder, através do uso do seu maior poderio económico. Hoje, temos à vista de todos em que resultou tal democracia, totalmente ancorada em partidos que representam os mais ricos, financiados por eles e muitos com “empresários” como representantes. Quando Jeff Bezos assume que no Washington Post só será publicada a sua opinião sobre “liberdade e mercado livre” e nenhuma outra, percebemos que a sublimação da democracia liberal, consiste na revelação das suas próprias limitações democráticas.</p>
<p>A europa ocidental tentou e terá, nalgumas dimensões, conseguido, durante algum tempo, fazer a síntese da contradição entre uns EUA neoliberais, assumidamente individualistas, minarquistas e uma URSS colectivizada, socialista e muito centralizada. Entre uma visão individualista do “salve-se quem puder”, do “ganhador e perdedor” e a visão colectivista do “ninguém pode ficar para trás”. Foi o tempo da reformista social democracia, ideologia que visou impedir a transição para o socialismo de todo o continente europeu. Para além de o continuar a fazer, actualmente a EU vê-se encerrada num fanatismo centrista e situacionista, como que ideologicamente imobilizada. É uma europa agarrada ao acessório, para não mudar nas questões centrais.</p>
<p>Em bom dizer, a perda da centralidade europeia encontra tradução na obsolescência histórica da Europa com uma “economia social de mercado” conceito que se tornou redundante, face à emergência de uma China que consegue aliar uma direcção socialista a um mercado ultra-dinâmico e com amplas liberdades de iniciativa, não apenas encerradas na tradicional “iniciativa privada”. A perda da centralidade geográfica encontra paralelo na perda da centralidade ideológica. Quando ouvimos Von Der Leyen afirmar que a europa tem uma “economia social de mercado”, o que assistimos é à passagem de um atestado de irrealizável idealismo, nada condicente, nem com as suas intenções, nem tão pouco com as intenções das forças que a suportam e, ainda menos, nada condicente com as necessidades actuais dos povos europeus, a quem foi roubado o sonho, a ideia de progresso e desenvolvimento permanentes, trocada por uma falácia chamada de “fim da história”, que celebra os “mercados livres” e a liberdade dos super ricos viverem à custa da produção de milhões de pobres.</p>
<p>É caricato que, em grande medida, o “fim da história” de Fukuyama, avidamente comprado pelas elites europeias, acabou por representar “o fim deste capítulo da história europeia”. Sem o perceberem, a celebração do fim da história, com a queda do bloco soviético, representou, também, o fim da centralidade ideológica europeia, o fim da sua virtude, o fim da relevância central das suas ideias. Neste novo mundo, a europa nada tem para oferecer que não seja oferecido por tantos outros e de forma mais efectiva. A Europa, a União Europeia, não perdeu apenas a sua centralidade, perdeu a sua relevância. A europa deixou de fazer a síntese de dois opostos. Ao sucumbir ao neoliberalismo do consenso de Washington, a EU transformou o pólo central que representava, entre dois pólos opostos, num mundo de dois pólos apenas. Com dois pólos, a centralidade deixa de existir, passa a ser fisicamente impossível.</p>
<p>A perda da relevância ideológica acabou por desaguar na perda da relevância geográfica. Situada entre a Rússia czarista, primeiro, ruralista, atrasada, feudal, a URSS socialista, colectivizada e a Federação Russa com o capitalismo reconstituído, mas defensora veemente da sua soberania, fonte de recursos minerais, energia e alimentos, uma civilização que, nas suas várias reencarnações, estava mais virada para a sua vertente ocidentalista, europeísta, pretendendo ser aceite na elite das nações mundiais que constituíam a europa ocidental, esta europa tinha, a ocidente, uns EUA, muito concentrados na relação com a URSS, primeiro, e, mais tarde, ainda vivendo em modo de guerra fria, sobrevalorizando a “ameaça” russa e as suas capacidades militares. Uns EUA que ainda não haviam acabado a tarefa a que se haviam proposto quando fizeram colapsar a URSS. A tarefa era fragmentar todo aquele território.</p>
<p>Esta Europa que, de um lado tinha um amigo que dizia “não te juntes à Rússia, que eles são uma ameaça”, para tal alimentando e alimentando-se da ideia de permanente necessidade corrida militar, olhando para o continente europeu como veículo e terreno de batalha de uma conquista de toda aquela fortuna em recursos naturais, e, de outro lado, tinha uma “ameaça” que, repetidamente tentava convencê-la de que era uma nação igual, uma nação europeia, como que tentando dizer “não me vejas como inimigo, quero ser teu amigo”, era, em resultado disso mesmo, uma europa que representava o centro das atenções de duas das maiores potências mundiais, em torno das quais orbitava grande parte do mundo.</p>
<p>Se, nos EUA, esta europa bebia as suas ideias neoliberais, o investimento estrangeiro directo, os capitais e atingia o maior mercado de consumo do mundo, na URSS, na Federação Russa, a Europa tinha a energia e recursos baratos de que necessitava para alimentar uma indústria competitiva, a nível mundial. Esses recursos de um lado e o mercado do outro lado do atlântico, associados a triliões de capital acumulado em pilhagens da era colonial e neocolonial, permitiram à UE financiar o seu alargamento e estender por mais algum tempo ainda, a sua centralidade. A atenção de dois pólos opostos permitia a continuação da sua versão sintética, da sua versão mediadora, da conexão entre dois mundos opostos. O facto de os EUA ainda verem na Rússia, uma versão da URSS, contribuía para esta centralidade. Esta posição, de uma certa independência – vejamos a posição de Schroeder e Chirac na guerra do Iraque – deu à europa mais uns anos de vida como centralidade das atenções mundiais.</p>
<p>Mas haviam nuvens negras sob o céu europeu. Não se tratou apenas de não se proteger dessas nuvens, de antecipar a sua vinda e tomar as necessárias prevenções. Foi mais grave do que isso. A UE decidiu fazer de conta que não as via, primeiro, e, à medida que se aproximavam, já apanhada pela chuva intensa, decidiu dizer que fazia sol, quando a borrasca já nos congelava os ossos. Daí até cancelar quem à sua frente lhe aparecia molhado, foi um passo. Podemos discutir muito sobre as razões pelas quais esta ultra burocratizada União europeia, esta Comissão Europeia omnipresente e omnipotente, foi incapaz de ver, analisar e lidar com a tempestade que se aproximava. A resposta, penso, que pode ser encontrada num livro sobre a URSS, chamado de “Socialismo Traído”, que trata de forma objectiva e evidente, sobre as causas que levaram à queda do bloco soviético e que radicam na cooptação das suas elites por interesses antagónicos ao serviço do inimigo.</p>
<p>Também as elites europeias foram amplamente cooptadas e a resistência que havíamos presenciado aquando a guerra do Afeganistão e do Iraque, não mais aconteceu. Investimentos brutais em cursos “Fullbright”, programas de “Leadership” e muita USAID na comunicação social <em>mainstream</em>, resultaram numa elite europeia americanizada, sem qualquer traço de independência, mas com todos os traços de subordinação. Paulatinamente assistimos à queda do PIB europeu em relação ao dos EUA (nos anos 80 e 90, o PIB dos EUA era inferior ao da Alemanha, Inglaterra, França, Espanha e Itália) e ao domínio norte americano das estruturas de capital na europa. Com o poder económico instalado estavam criadas as condições para a tomada definitiva do poder político, como estava previsto desde o Plano Marshal e a criação da Comunidade europeia do Carvão e do Aço.</p>
<p>A intenção de não dissolver a NATO em 1991, foi uma das primeiras nuvens negras que a EU não quis enfrentar. Esta incapacidade em acolher a “nova” Federação Russa no seu seio, traduziu na acção europeia as intenções da Casa Branca em ajudar o mínimo possível aquele país. Não contente com a manutenção das tensões securitárias dentro do continente europeu, nas suas próprias fronteiras, as sucessivas administrações europeias e respectivos estados, foram assistindo, primeiro, ao alargamento da NATO em direcção às fronteiras do país europeu que constituía um dos seus pontos de apoio económico, e, posteriormente, à instrumentalização da EU como extensão da própria NATO. Se não vai para a NATO, vai primeiro para a EU e depois fica com via aberta (“<em>fast track”</em> como diz a “americana” von der Leyen). A resistência europeia inicial à entrada de novos estados ex-soviéticos foi removida com o tempo.</p>
<p>Não contente, a União Europeia embarcou na revolução laranja, no Euromaidan e nas perseguições aos povos russófonos da Ucrânia. Foi uma europa incapaz de impedir as manobras dos EUA no seu espaço, incapaz de impedir o apoio a grupos neonazis, fascizantes e xenófobos. Esta europa deixou fazer da russofobia a sua agenda principal e, ao abrigo da mesma, cancelou muitos dos seus próprios cidadãos, ostracizou outros, censurou, cortou relações, decepando um dos seus pontos de apoio económico, aquele em que assentava o peso da sua necessidade de energia e minérios baratos e em quantidade. Ao invés de afastar os EUA e dizer “na europa somos nós quem resolvemos as coisas”, deixou-se condicionar e instrumentalizar, assistindo impávida à sabotagem das suas próprias infra-estruturas. A Ucrânia passou a constituir a <em>raison d’être</em> da EU.</p>
<p>Estava bom de ver o que aconteceria caso a Europa hostilizasse a Federação Russa. Não apenas perderia todas as vantagens de ter perto o que agora tem de ir buscar longe, de ter fácil o que agora custa muito a comprar e de ter barato o que agora é muito caro. Mas fez ainda pior, permitindo o afastamento e a viragem da Federação Russa para oriente. Não querendo comprar o gás, os lubrificantes, papel, cereais, ouro ou alumínio russos, o executivo chefiado por Vladimir Putin fez o que dele se esperava: virou-se para a China, num movimento que, no fundo, teve tanto de natural como de contraditório em relação à história russa dos últimos 30 anos. Mesmo a URSS sempre viveu naquela dúvida sobre a sua orientalidade ou europeísmo. A viragem da Rússia para a China, não apenas reforçou a superpotência asiática, permitiu à Federação Russa uma vitória retumbante na questão Ucraniana, e ainda retirou a centralidade à Europa. Não mais a Europa seria importante, para a Rússia, para o mundo. Com o tempo, também deixaria de o ser para o seu líder, os EUA.</p>
<p>Como só tem centralidade o que é objecto de olhar e atenção, menos um bloco a querer confluir para a Europa, já por si, seria um resultado negativo. Mas com a união estratégica entre Federação Russa e República Popular da China, deu-se outro efeito: tal realidade obrigou os EUA a decidirem, de forma definitiva, o que fazer em relação à Ásia. Perante a falta de recursos para um combate em dois campos, os EUA foram obrigados a “entregar” a defesa da europa à própria UE e a desviar recursos para o pacífico. Trump só acelerou um processo que haveria de chegar, mesmo sob Biden e o Partido Democrata. Os EUA não são nação de ficar à espera de outros, acabariam sempre por se decidir.</p>
<p>O reforço estratégico da economia Chinesa que representou o entendimento com a Rússia, obrigou os EUA a desviar a sua atenção para oriente. Quando a Federação Russa iniciou a “Operação Militar Especial”, as autoridades russas referiram que esta acção visava “desmantelar a hegemonia dos EUA e do ocidente”. O primeiro passo foi a eliminação da UE, do quadro da competição com a Rússia, sendo tal passo também almejado pelos EUA. A NATO, que teve como objectivo “manter a Alemanha em baixo, a Rússia fora” e os “outros dentro”, cumpriu o objectivo de eliminar a europa, instrumentalizando-a, enquanto competidora dos EUA.</p>
<p>Hoje, quando vemos Trump negociar com a Federação Russa a cooperação na área dos recursos minerais e apropriar-se, de forma neocolonial, dos recursos ucranianos, não apenas confirmamos a suspeita de que a Ucrânia era uma colónia dos EUA, como a de que, no final, a Europa é trocada pelos EUA, como destino preferencial dos vastos recursos minerais russos. Mas os EUA ainda garantiram outra coisa: que eles os recebem e a europa não. Esta europa fanatizada, russófoba, é incapaz de retirar as vantagens que tem no seu próprio continente, deixando competidores entrar, apropria-las e impedirem que ela própria as utilize. Um trabalho perfeito, portanto.</p>
<p>A EU, divorciada que foi da federação Russa, deixou os EUA mais descansados com a possibilidade de união dos dois blocos, podendo estes então voltar-se para a ásia e, subitamente, eis que os dois olhares mais importantes sob a europa, os que lhe conferiam a centralidade que ainda tinha, confluem ambos para a ásia. A República Popular da China, voltou, dois séculos depois, a ser o império do meio, centralidade essa conseguida também à custa da europa, que com ela também não foi capaz de se contentar. De repente, os EUA, querendo evitar a centralidade chinesa, acabam a dar-lha de mão beijada. Seja porque, primeiro, obrigam a europa a obrigar a Federação Russa a divergir para oriente, depois, obrigam-se, em resultado dessa acção, a voltar-se, a si próprios, para oriente.</p>
<p>Se EUA e UE parecem andar os dois ao sabor dos acontecimentos, correndo atrás do prejuízo e actuando de forma reaccionária em relação às acções alheias, a verdade é que, dos dois, só um, os EUA, actuam de acordo com os seus próprios desígnios, o que é sempre uma vantagem. Aliás, dos três competidores em confronto, dos quais a europa constituía o centro da disputa, apenas esta última se vê ultrapassada pelos acontecimentos, não actuando de forma a contrariá-los, mas, ao invés, actuando de forma a agravá-los. Federação Russa e EUA, é certo que em resultado das contingências, escolheram ir para onde foram. A EU ainda nada decidiu, nem parece encaminhada para tal.</p>
<p>A República Popular da China, de repente, vê-se a fazer de centro, de síntese. E é aqui que se dá a perda da relevância civilizacional europeia. Novamente para a China rejuvenescer como potência da inovação. Se antes a Europa havia conquistado esta posição por estar na frente da tecnologia, das ideias, da cultura e da economia, hoje, são a China e a Ásia, quem ocupa tal espaço. A China faz uma síntese perfeita em capitalismo mercantil e direcção socialista baseada em sectores estratégicos. Na China moderna convive a liberdade de empresa, com a liberdade da propriedade pública, cooperativa e social, todas convivendo e competindo por mais e melhor. Tudo isto, com uma capacidade de planeamento descentralizado no longo prazo que torna todo o universo circundante mais estável. A China proporciona harmonia, estabilidade, previsibilidade. A EU passou a representar o oposto. Errância, indecisão, reacção e inacção.</p>
<p>Enquanto no ocidente, na Europa, a comissão europeia, a casa branca, obrigam à privatização, na China promove-se a liberdade de iniciativa através de novas formas históricas e mais diversas de propriedade, sendo de cada um a escolha de como fazê-lo. O resultado é uma revolução tecnológica – e consequentemente ideológica – que corresponderá ao que foi, para o mundo, a revolução industrial na europa do século XVIII. Se antes era à europa que vinham os estrangeiros estudar o sistema económico, hoje é na China que se aprende a construir o futuro. Todos querem saber, cada vez mais, como emular em si próprios, o sucesso chinês.</p>
<p>Imiscuindo-se, ao contrário da europa e EUA, de impor e propor aos outros o que fazer, a Republica Popular da China possibilita a absorção dos ensinamentos que o seu modelo importa, sem restrições ou condicionamentos, admitindo o seu aproveitamento em conexão com outros modelos, potenciando o surgimento de novas propostas e modelos de gestão pública e privada. Sem a rigidez ocidental de outrora, a superioridade do modelo Chinês dará ao mundo a democratização económica sem a qual não é possível a democratização social. A Europa dos “valores” perde porque optou por construir os “valores” a partir do telhado, a partir da burocracia e não da matéria, da ciência ou da economia. Ao invés, acabou a destruir as dimensões económicas que lhe deram os anos de ouro da europa moderna e social democrata, que assentavam numa relação simbiótica e mais virtuosa entre formas diferentes de propriedade. As formas democráticas de propriedade (colectividades, cooperativas, associações, empresas publicas) iam convivendo entre si, gerando relações de produção diversas e inovadoras, bem como movimentos sociais fortes, de onde emanava a democracia. Tudo isso a europa dos “valores” deixou destruir, ao ponto de, hoje, já não o poder ensinar a ninguém. Tudo se reduziu ao estado minarquista, ao privado e às parcerias “público-privadas” que garantem aos privados o rentismo a partir de serviços públicos essenciais. A União europeia passou a confundir-se com os EUA.</p>
<p>O mais interessante desta perda de centralidade, por países, por nações, é que a própria União Europeia se partirá, no caso de não encontrar uma direcção estratégica que resolva, efectivamente, os problemas dos seus povos e, entre eles, não se encontra, ainda, a guerra. Ainda! A Europa, os estados membros da EU têm de construir uma defesa para defender a sua soberania e não para impor a terceiros o que fazer, considerando ameaças todos os que não são como ela. Não o fazendo, assistiremos ao confluir de nações europeias também para a ásia.</p>
<p>Em resultado da “Operação Militar Especial”, a própria Turquia transformar-se-á num importante pólo económico, industrial, energético e de segurança. Pela sua posição euroasiática, tal como a Federação Russa, servirá de ponto de passagem de oriente a ocidente. As nações mediterrânicas terão de se virar para aí. Por aqui vemos o quão sozinhas se sentem a França, Portugal, Inglaterra, Países Baixos ou os Bálticos. De repente terão de aprender a viver com os seus vizinhos, porque o seu padrinho se voltou para outro lado e o Partido Democrata, quando vier, nada poderá fazer. Esta “nova” europa está naquele período da vida em que se é adulto da idade, mas criança no comportamento. O que é ofensivo para as crianças, uma vez que estas são capazes de se dar com os seus vizinhos.</p>
<p>O medo do abandono de que os EUA padecem e que os levou a manipular a europa, a UE, concretizou-se no próprio continente europeu. Por não ter compreendido que a discussão era entre si e os EUA, restando saber qual dos dois ficaria esquecido nesta viragem para oriente, ao fazê-lo primeiro, são os EUA quem deixa a europa abandonada, solitária. Esta Europa, incapaz de abraçar o projecto euroasiático, divorciada de si e dos seus, inactiva e imóvel, como que parada no tempo, deixou que o fim da história dos EUA, se tornassem no seu próprio fim da história. Tivesse a Europa abraçado o projecto euroasiático, unindo-se com ásia e áfrica, numa só massa de desenvolvimento, cooperação, partilha e competição e seriam os EUA quem ficaria ao abandono. Eis o nível da traição de que formos alvo pelos “nossos governantes”.</p>
<p>Ao invés, a Europa de Von Der Leyen, Costa e Kallas, decidiu abandonar-se a si própria e com esse abandono, ser abandonada por quem julgava que a protegia. Um dia serão julgados por tão crassos e inconsequentes erros. Para já, todos ficaremos um pouco mais insignificantes, até que, um dia, as nossas mentes sejam capazes de se reinventar e abraçar o futuro. O que apenas sucederá quando os povos europeus perceberem que os tempos de grandeza e centralidade se foram, abandonarem a sua arrogância e pedantismo e, com humildade, se comportarem como exigem os desafios impostos.</p>
<p>A recuperação de qualquer tipo de centralidade só será possível através de uma política soberana, justa, promotora da liberdade e diversidade, no respeito pela identidade nacional de cada povo, de cada estado nação, aproveitando essa multiplicidade como força motriz da reinvenção, ao invés de coarctá-la ou condicioná-la por recurso a modelos fechados e ultrapassados como os liberais e neoliberais.</p>
<p>Por este caminho só nos restará o isolamento e à depressão.</p>
<p></p>


guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613580-nato-chief-urges-zelensky-to-mend-ties-with-trump/
title: NATO chief urges Zelensky to make peace with Trump
author: ;RT
hash: E��)]p�M=�����
content:
<p><strong>Mark Rutte’s plea comes after the two leaders had a falling out in Washington that strained ties between Kiev and its biggest donor</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has called on Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky to mend ties with US President Donald Trump following a heated exchange at the White House.</p>
<p>The meeting between Trump and Zelensky on Friday, which Rutte described as <em>“unfortunate”</em> in an interview with the BBC on Saturday, was originally set up to finalize a minerals agreement. It escalated into a tense exchange.</p>
<p>The Ukrainian leader maintained that Washington should increase its support for Kiev rather than position itself as a neutral mediator with Moscow. Trump criticized Zelensky for what he perceived as a lack of gratitude for American assistance and an unwillingness to make concessions to resolve the conflict with Russia.</p>
<p>The confrontation led to the day’s events being cut short, with the US president reportedly dismissing his guest from the White House. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the encounter as a <em>“fiasco,”</em> with Trump telling Zelensky to return when he was <em>“ready to pursue peace.”</em></p>
<p><em>“I said: I think you have to find a way, dear Vladimir, to restore your relationship with Donald Trump and the American administration. That is important going forward,”</em> Rutte said, referring to a call he had with Zelensky on Friday.</p>
<p>He reminded Zelensky of the support provided by the Trump administration, particularly the provision of Javelin anti-tank weapons in 2019, which were crucial in Ukraine’s defense when the conflict escalated in 2022. Without the Javelins, <em>“Ukraine would have been nowhere,”</em> Rutte stated.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c4026185f5402a9f2a1562.jpg" alt="FILE PHOTO: Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto speaks during a press-conference.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613568-trump-zelensky-ukraine-hungary/">Trump-Zelensky spat shows who wants peace and who doesn’t – Hungarian FM</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>The NATO chief emphasized the importance of acknowledging the assistance from the US, which remains Kiev’s biggest donor. The US has provided $65.9 billion in military aid since 2022, according to a US Department of State posting on January 20, 2025.</p>
<p><em>“We really have to give Trump credit for what he did then, what America did since then and also what America is still doing,”</em> Rutte said.</p>
<p>The heated Trump-Zelensky exchange has drawn diverse international reactions. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, reaffirmed their support for Ukraine.</p>
<p>Conversely, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban endorsed Trump’s stance, praising his peace efforts. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the meeting a <em>“complete political and diplomatic failure”</em> by the Ukrainian side.</p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613580-nato-chief-urges-zelensky-to-mend-ties-with-trump/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5169087
title: Trump’s return rekindles hope for freedom in Venezuela and Cuba
author: ;Arturo McFields; Opinion Contributor
link: https://thehill.com/opinion/international/5169087-trump-administration-cuba-venezuela-restrictions/
hash: ��=|��uۜqc�.,
tags: #International #Opinion
content:
President Trump is marking a clear and categorical decision on the dictatorship of Venezuela and Cuba.

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guid: https://strategic-culture.su/?post_type=article&amp;p=883816
title: Britain’s secret overseas meddling machine
author: ;A A
link: https://strategic-culture.su/news/2025/03/02/britains-secret-overseas-meddling-machine/
hash:  �܃��y��d�M�ă
tags: #Editor's Choice #CIA #MI6 #NED #United Kingdom #USAID #WFD
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<div data-sanitized-class="code-block code-block-2">
<p><strong><em>The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), a British intelligence cutout, covertly funds and orchestrates political destabilization and regime change efforts worldwide under the guise of democracy promotion.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>By Kit KLARENBERG</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Join us on </span><a href="https://t.me/strategic_culture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Telegram</a><a href="https://t.me/strategic_culture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tlg.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875659"></a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/twitter.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875661"></a><span>, and</span> <a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VK</a><a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/wk.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875662"></a>.</strong></p>
</div>
<p><strong><span>Contact us:</span> </strong><a href="mailto:info@strategic-culture.su" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u><strong>info@strategic-culture.su</strong></u></a></p>
<p>In the wake of the Trump administration’s “pause” on foreign “aid” spending, countless US-bankrolled destabilization and regime change efforts have been thrown into <a href="https://thegrayzone.com/2025/01/31/trump-executive-order-us-regime-change-network/">total disarray</a>. Despite desperate calls from beneficiaries for the European Union to fill the gap, its member states <a href="https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/02/19/europe-following-us-in-cutting-foreign-aid-says-caritas-radio-schuman#vuukle-comments-2758156" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have responded</a> by “drastically” slashing their own “overseas development” expenditure. Yet, there is no indication so far Britain intends to curtail the operations of the <a href="https://www.wfd.org/">Westminster Foundation for Democracy</a>, London’s little-known international meddling machine.</p>
<p>Established in 1992, WFD was directly modelled on Washington’s National Endowment for Democracy, created the <a href="https://consortiumnews.com/2015/01/08/cias-hidden-hand-in-democracy-groups/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">previous decade</a> by the CIA to <a href="https://consortiumnews.com/2017/09/13/reagan-documents-shed-light-on-u-s-meddling/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">carry out</a> publicly what the Agency previously did covertly. Namely, funding media outlets, political parties, activist groups, “NGOs”, trade unions and other elements that can be corralled to destabilize if not outright overthrow foreign governments if and when they dare step out of line. <a href="https://www.wfd.org/who-we-are" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Primarily funded</a> by the Foreign Office, WFD ponderously <a href="https://www.wfd.org/what-we-do" target="_blank" rel="noopener">describes itself</a> as “an executive non-departmental public body.”</p>
<p>This is a euphemism for the Foundation being a British intelligence cutout, formally operating as an independent organisation free from state control or affiliation, but in reality carrying out politically sensitive, risky activities abroad with which London is wary of being openly and directly associated. This raison d’etre is amply spelled out in a markedly revealing, since-memory holed <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050503020514/http:/www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/Published%20Response%20to%20RPA%20Report%20Final21Mar05.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official review</a> of WFD’s activities published in 2005, to date the only instance of its work being subject to serious scrutiny.</p>
<p>The review explicitly notes, “WFD’s work requires an arm’s length relationship from government,” and the Foreign Office “benefits from the cover.” The Foundation’s “central rationale” is to provide “assistance” London “could not or would not wish to undertake directly.” The indirect granting of support to “controversial” projects, concerned with ousting “enemy” leaders or propping up successfully-installed puppet governments “in countries of key interest” to Britain, limits “damage to official government-to-government relationships,” while “avoiding the danger” of “British government presence [being] interpreted as foreign interference”:</p>
<p>“[WFD’s] arm’s length relationship…provides the [Foreign Office] with the best safeguard…the less the [Foreign Office] seeks to exercise control the more it can deny responsibility…The Foundation provides a necessary and valuable instrument.”</p>
<p>WFD founder Michael Pinto-Duschinsky, a longtime <a href="https://www.ned.org/docs/annual/1991%20NED%20Annual%20Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NED adviser</a> charged by the Foreign Office in the late 1980s with creating a British Endowment equivalent, is quoted in the report at some length. He states that the NED’s <a href="https://www.kitklarenberg.com/p/collapsing-empire-rip-overt-operations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contemporary success</a> in killing off Communism in Central and Eastern Europe demonstrated “interference in the internal politics of foreign countries” was “more effective” if conducted openly. Hitherto covert “interference” by the CIA and MI6 “had caused problems when secret financial assistance…leaked into the public domain.”</p>
<p>Pinto-Duschinsky went on to boast that WFD’s “distinctive feature” and “comparative advantage” was its “freedom to give political – rather than technical or educational – grants,” including providing funds “to political forces…in direct opposition to existing governments.” The Foundation’s largesse could also be directed to “training of police forces in developing nations.” Which of course are not up for election at regular intervals, and of obvious use in maintaining unpopular, illegitimate British-backed regimes in power.</p>
<p><strong>‘Partisan Approach’</strong></p>
<p>The report goes on to cite multiple examples of British overseas meddling conducted via WFD since its inception, bragging that “along the way we have made many good friends for Britain among key leaders in politics and civil society” the world over. In its early years, the Foundation infiltrated developing “democratic institutions”, political parties and civil society in the former Soviet sphere. Concurrently, WFD was heavily active in South Africa, “in the runup to its crucial 1994 elections.”</p>
<div data-sanitized-class="related-section">
<div data-sanitized-class="related-title "></div>
<div data-sanitized-class="related-wrapper ">That <a href="https://www.apartheidmuseum.org/exhibitions/1994-election" target="_blank" rel="noopener">historic vote</a>, the first in which citizens of all races in the country were allowed to take part, saw Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress elected via landslide, and marked the end of apartheid. WFD got its claws into the ANC and the Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s main opposition party, over the campaign, while supporting “independent” media organisations, “and groups that promoted women in politics.” Subsequently, the Foundation “shifted its resources and experience” elsewhere in Africa, and the West Balkans.</div>
</div>
<p>The role of NED – and USAID, and the CIA – in ousting Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic in <a href="https://www.usip.org/publications/2001/08/whither-bulldozer-nonviolent-revolution-and-transition-democracy-serbia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">October 2000</a> is well-known, having been <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2000/12/11/us-advice-guided-milosevic-opposition/ba9e87e5-bdca-45dc-8aad-da6571e89448/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">openly advertised</a> at the time. The report reveals WFD mirrored the skullduggery of these agencies, crafting “strong relationships” with “civic reform groups” and “opposition forces” to “grow and develop” antagonism to Milosevic “around the country” – including the leader’s “heartlands”, where his public support “was strongest.” The Foundation openly proclaims “this work…contributed to the defeat of Milosevic.”</p>
<p>Subsequently, WFD set up a program under which “more than 900 judges, prosecutors, lawyers and others, from all over the country” were trained, “creating a country-wide network of legal reformers.” The Foundation crowed, “many participants” went on to become “prominent” within Yugoslavia’s pro-Western, <a href="https://www.kitklarenberg.com/p/privatising-syria-us-plans-post-assad">post-coup administration</a>, including “various key government departments, its supreme court, and police forces.” Simultaneously, WFD was “helping lay the groundwork” for revolution in Ukraine, having secretly colluded with local “opposition groups” ever since Kiev’s 1991 independence.</p>
<p>In <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/nov/26/ukraine.usa">November 2004</a>, NED-trained and bankrolled NGOs and activists in Ukraine forced a rerun of that year’s presidential election, to oust Viktor Yanukovych and elect Viktor Yushchenko, a pro-NATO Western puppet. Again, the fundamental US role in this palace revolution is well-established, and <a href="https://www.kitklarenberg.com/p/collapsing-empire-rip-overt-operations">openly admitted</a>. The report suggests WFD’s contribution to the putsch, which imitated Washington’s efforts, was decisive. The Foundation “mobilised mass support” for “peaceful resistance” to Yanukovych’s initial victory, exploiting “Ukrainian parties and youth organisations” for the purpose:</p>
<p>“Despite initial [Foreign Office] qualms, the party work in Ukraine is a clear demonstration of how WFD’s partisan approach can contribute to a successful political reformist movement.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, WFD organised “visits from young trainers” involved in prior regime change efforts in Yugoslavia and Georgia, “who could share their recent, comparable experiences” of toppling governments, to Kiev. The Foundation moreover ferried activists around Ukraine “to mobilise support” for causing election day chaos throughout the country, “encouraging small youth groups and NGOs to coordinate their efforts.” As a result, “young people…were helped to focus their energies and maximise their impact on the elections.”</p>
<p><strong>‘Political Changes’</strong></p>
<p>Over the course of its three-decade-long existence, WFD’s existence, let alone operations, have barely been acknowledged by the British media. Nonetheless, leaked documents testify that the Foundation continues to insidiously exploit youth overseas as chaos agents. For example, the Foundation covertly constructed an army of young activists in Lebanon to cause havoc around that year’s May general election. In confidential submissions to the Foreign Office, WFD boasted its penetration of Beirut was such, it maintained a dedicated “office in the Lebanese parliament building.”</p>
<p>The project was intended to “target youth, aged 18 – 30…eligible to vote” in Lebanon’s election, “and able to engage in political activism.” Two “sub groups of young people” were in the Foundation’s crosshairs. This comprised “youth…already politically active with traditional political parties and civil society led movement and initiatives, including in universities,” in particular “youth leaders”, and “less engaged youth who demonstrate interest and will benefit from capacity development and building their social capital”:</p>
<p>“This project [will] explicitly work with new actors and dynamics within Lebanese politics…Youth leaders will expand their views and networks by engaging in dialogues, advocacy and activities with the municipalities and Parliament…remaining youth will benefit more from trainings and opportunities to design and implement initiatives, develop their understanding and interest in political processes and be empowered to be active citizens. Through WFD, youth will have opportunities to engage with parliamentarians.”</p>
<p>Elsewhere, “at the local level in selected municipalities,” the Foundation would “target local youth groups, provide training, coaching and support to advocacy with itlocal institutions on selected issues,” in order to “empower young men and women to demand participation and accountability.” Along the way, WFD sought to enhance “youth leaders’ understanding of how political change happens and how it can most effectively be influenced by active citizens.” It was hoped this would elicit “changes in attitudes and behaviours” among the Foundation’s targets.</p>
<p>In sum, this effort amounted to a grand plot, à la Yugoslavia, Ukraine and elsewhere, to cultivate a legion of adolescent regime change footsoldiers, to harass elected officials and wreak mayhem if they refused to cater to their demands, or the 2018 election produced the ‘wrong’ results. It was just one of <a href="https://thecradle.co/articles/britains-secret-propaganda-war-in-lebanon">several malign</a> cloak-and-dagger projects mounted by British intelligence cutouts in Lebanon at this time, in pursuit of out and out regime change.</p>
<p>From London’s perspective, Beirut’s 2018 vote very much produced an unwelcome outcome. Namely, its longtime bête noire Hezbollah effectively <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/5/8/hezbollah-amal-and-allies-biggest-winners-in-lebanon-elections">emerged victorious</a>. Undeterred, leaked Foreign Office documents indicate London simply <a href="https://covertactionmagazine.com/2021/05/27/secret-documents-expose-british-cloak-and-dagger-activities-in-lebanon/">began pumping</a> yet further funds into clandestine projects to destabilise Lebanon, with WFD being a primary beneficiary. Not coincidentally, these sums began flowing in profusion in July 2019 – right when the <a href="https://www.dailysabah.com/world/mid-east/protests-rage-in-lebanon-as-anger-grows-against-spiraling-economic-crisis">initial protests</a> that eventually erupted into <a href="https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/legacy-lebanons-october-revolution">attempted revolution</a> four months later began.</p>
<p><em>Original article: </em><strong><a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/articles/analysis/britain-s-secret-overseas-meddling-machine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Al Mayadeen English</a></strong></p>


guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613578-israel-halts-aid-gaza-truce/
title: Israel halts entry of aid to Gaza
author: ;RT
hash: ��-���i�T��
content:
<p><strong>West Jerusalem has accused Hamas of rejecting a ceasefire extension</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>Israel has halted all humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing a refusal by the militant group Hamas to extend phase one of an internationally brokered ceasefire deal that expired on Saturday.</p>
<p>The Israeli prime minister’s office made the announcement in a post on X on Sunday.</p>
<p><em>“With the conclusion of the 1st stage of the hostages deal and in light of Hamas’s refusal to accept the Witkoff framework for the continuation of the talks, to which Israel agreed, PM Netanyahu decided: as of this morning, entry of all goods &amp; supplies to the Gaza Strip be halted,”</em> the statement read.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.02/thumbnail/67bb325c85f54007cd585b7a.jpg" alt="Israeli hostage Eliya Cohen, centre, is instructed to show a Hamas issued certificate while being escorted by militants to be handed over to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613185-israel-delays-palestinian-prisoner-release/">Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release over ‘humiliating’ hostage ceremonies</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p></p>
<p>According to the public broadcaster Kan, Israel believes that enough aid has entered the enclave in recent weeks to sustain Hamas for months. According to the Witkoff framework, a proposal by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, the truce should be prolonged during the Ramadan and Passover holiday period through April.</p>
<p>Hamas rejected the plan on Saturday, urging Israel to move forward with the second phase instead. Brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, the ceasefire deal is supposed to encompass three phases, each lasting 42 days.</p>
<p>The first phase included a truce and a prisoner exchange. The second phase is intended to create a long-term cessation of hostilities, the release of all remaining captives, and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The third phase should focus on Gaza’s reconstruction under the supervision of Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations.</p>
<p>Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told Qatar-based Al Araby TV on Saturday that no talks were underway regarding the second phase of the agreement. Israel is reluctant to proceed to the next stage because it wants to secure the return of the remaining hostages while keeping the option of resuming hostilities open, Qassem claimed.</p>
<p>On Sunday, Hamas described Netanyahu’s decision to halt humanitarian aid into Gaza as <em>“cheap blackmail”</em> and a <em>“coup”</em> against the ceasefire deal. The militant group also previously accused Israel of truce violations.</p>

             
    <p>
        <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rt.com/news/613098-israel-hamas-wrong-body/">
            <span>READ MORE: </span>IDF accuses Hamas of returning wrong body
        </a>
    </p>


    

<p>In the first phase of the agreement, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages, including the bodies of those deceased, in exchange for roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Fifty-nine hostages remain in Gaza, with Israeli assessments indicating that at least 35 of them are dead.</p>
<p><em>“Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages,”</em> Netanyahu’s office stated on Sunday, threatening <em>“further consequences”</em> if Hamas continues to say no to the proposal.</p>
<p>The hostages were abducted during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people. In the past 16 months, nearly 47,000 people in Gaza have been killed, according to the enclave’s health authorities.</p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613578-israel-halts-aid-gaza-truce/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613579-macron-trump-talks-rules/
author: ;RT
hash: � zBq�����I�D��M
title:
Prof. Schlevogt’s Compass No. 13: How to recast the White House into the Élysée – five rules for handling a strongman

content:
<p><strong>President Macron won the uphill battle of briefly nudging President Trump to Europe’s position on Ukraine. Other leaders should take note.</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>When French president Emmanuel Macron arrived in Washington for his first meeting with newly reelected US president Donald Trump, he could have hardly faced a more perplexing challenge: He had to convince the proud and self-absorbed leader of the free world, who appeared to be at the height of his power and recently had seemingly switched camp to the strategic adversary Russia while abandoning Western Europe, against all odds to embrace the old world’s views on the future of embattled Ukraine.</p>
<p>The intelligent and systemic approach adopted by the French maverick and trickster to pull off this upset in the White House is a timeless textbook example of how to successfully deal with a mighty and narcissistic mega-leader by transforming apparent weakness into real strength through the use of both traditional and novel maneuvers.</p>
<p>Instead of resorting to the quack nostrum of primitive and cheap flattery as many observers erroneously alleged, Macron took five interrelated smart steps that hinged on a well-calibrated balance between the <em>“three Fs”</em> of friendliness, firmness and forthcomingness. Other movers and shakers around the globe are well-advised to emulate the following magic formula for achievement when dealing with powerful and self-centered interlocutors.</p>
<h2>1. Do your homework and enjoy the lion’s den</h2>
<p>The French president had obviously completed all the necessary preparatory work before the meeting with his American counterpart, entering the Oval Office with a smart gameplan and a short list of effectful and razor-sharp talking points. Among other things, he apparently had reviewed valuable history lessons and previous meetings with Trump and settled on crystal-clear objectives. Those included reengaging Europe in the Ukraine peace process, exhibiting firmness in defending moral principles, ensuring an accurate reading of history, protecting Ukrainian interests and, above all, obtaining reliable security guarantees for Ukraine to prevent Russia from rekindling the war. Given that the ENA alumnus had also committed all the fruits of his homework to memory, he subsequently was able to speak without elaborate notes. It also appears that the French president had liaised with the French media beforehand, enabling him to orchestrate and choreograph subsequent events by calling upon a well-organized block of compatriot-journalists at opportune moments during the unfolding drama.</p>
<p>In contrast, Trump seemed to have done little preparatory work, for the most part fighting with a sword that had already been blunted. During the photo op in the Oval Office, he mainly regurgitated mantras and cliches (such as that the untestable claim that the war between Russia and Ukraine would never have happened under his watch). During the concluding press briefing in the East Room, he read a text that, judging by his note-fixated delivery, he possibly had seen for the first time. When preparedness meets unpreparedness, the prepared one is poised to relax and, as will be seen later, set the agenda and make important gains, too. Paradoxically, after you have completed your studies, you can act in an unstudied manner!</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.02/thumbnail/67c051c42030270f0454b48b.jpg" alt="US President Donald Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House on February 24, 2025 in Washington, DC.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613389-macrons-trump-visit-failure/">Macron’s White House visit a failure – Politico</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>Indeed, when sitting in the Oval Office – a veritable lion’s den designed to impress visitors and put them on the wrong foot – and standing in the East Room, the French president appeared to be fully at ease and immensely enjoy himself. He seemed to savor every second of the consequential encounters and, because he was prepared, could act in a natural and spontaneous manner. In essence, the French president appears to have thought and behaved like a successful sportsman who looks forward to a decisive global competition watched by millions of people and enjoys his performance, whereas losers are timid and nervous. Perhaps the greatest example of such a true champion is the German tennis legend Boris Becker, who regarded the Center Court in Wimbledon as his much-beloved living room!</p>
<p>Operating from a position of inner strength, which is outwardly projected with calm and non-threatening confidence, is of utter importance when dealing with powerful leaders. Those usually have a knack for discovering weaknesses and skillfully exploiting them in a ruthless fashion. As a rule, the pressure exerted by the strongman increases exponentially with greater perceived fragility.</p>
<h2>2. Use impactful non-verbal communication</h2>
<p>The French president Macron is famous for his mastery of what I call the <em>“politics of expressive tactility”</em>, especially for his elaborate rituals of shaking the hands and patting the shoulders of flabbergasted dignitaries, which border on manhandling. In 2017, in a sign of outwardly projected strength, he grabbed Trump’s hands extremely tightly on the Champs Elysees in Paris, pulling and shaking them vehemently while tapping him on the shoulder for a felt eternity of <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241217035944/https:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DwijJfVbBg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">29 seconds</a>. This time round, Trump, after snubbing his French counterpart by not meeting him at the entrance of the White House upon arrival, tried to reciprocate, leading to an almost comical, televised tug-of-war handshake competition between the two world leaders acting on a global stage.</p>
<p>While the jury might still be out on who won this fight for dominance, the Frenchman subsequently literally gained the upper hand in terms of powerful and situationally adapted non-verbal communication. His gestures, in a rare blend, exuded self-confidence, strength and assertiveness paired with kindness, openness and a willingness to connect. In the Oval Office, he sat with his legs spread comfortably and authoritatively, his arms outstretched and hands firmly holding his knees, and looking slightly from above, while often slightly leaning towards his interlocutor and even grasping the latter’s knees while smiling, thus combining uncompromising domination with joyful engagement. During the subsequent press briefing, he often turned to Trump when the latter was speaking to show that he was interested and listened actively. Whereas Macron usually kept close eye contact with his interlocutor, the US president often starred into the room in a grim and defensive manner. Moreover, Macron usually looked attentively into the surrounding group, establishing contact and sucking in vital signals, while confidently raising his eyebrows and knowledgably winking and smiling in the direction of certain journalists. At times, in a powerful change of body language, the French master communicator stretched out his index finger like a teacher, such as when he corrected Trump’s false claim that Europe had given all aid to Ukraine only in the form of loans. Macron’s powerful non-verbal communication catalyzed and reinforced all subsequent measures taken to <em>“conquer”</em> the White House.</p>
<h2>3. Build connection sincerely and kindly</h2>
<p>The outgoing and responsive French president managed to build rapport not only through his mastery of non-verbal communication but also through his verbal prowess. In particular, the authentic <em>charmeur</em> adjusted himself to the same wavelength as the US president and put his interlocutor in a happy mood, which is of crucial importance when dealing with an overbearing, brash and irascible personality like Trump. The Frenchman managed to talk quietly and pleasantly, but – contrary to widespread claims in the press – was not a mere whisperer.</p>
<p>Using the ancient rhetorical device of <em>captatio benevolentiae</em> (which is a Latin expression meaning <em>“capture of goodwill”</em>), the suave French president kindly lauded his American counterpart for initiating peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. It is germane to this theme that most observers erroneously blamed Macron for using flattery. In reality, the acknowledgment that he lavished on Trump, far from being an act of primitive and cheap bootlicking and sucking up to a more powerful man, was sincere, grounded in facts and therefore credible, while being undergirded by a strong sense of gratitude.</p>

            
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        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.02/thumbnail/67bded932030271fac3628e2.jpg" alt="FILE PHOTO. French President Emmanuel Macron">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613298-france-germany-nuclear-deterrent/">France could deploy nukes in Germany – Telegraph</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>After all, breaking almost three years of radio silence between Russia and the collective West, which was only interrupted by occasional threats and insults, Donald Trump had taken the bold initiative to talk to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and subsequently remained undeterred by the widespread condemnation of this tactical gambit. Importantly, the US president prepared the ground for peace talks by dispensing with unhelpful, disparaging remarks.</p>
<p>Moreover, to instantaneously establish common ground and build strong rapport, Macron leveraged the social capital that he had built with Trump over many years. During the meeting in the Oval Office, the Frenchman stressed that he and Trump are personal friends and that France and the US as nations had been on amical terms through centuries. Both, during the photo op and subsequent press briefing, he fondly and gratefully recalled the US president-elect’s visit to France in December 2024 on the occasion of the re-opening of Notre-Dame of Paris after a fire had ravaged it, which, according to Macron, meant a lot for the French people. Such repetition paid off. Trump could connect well with this docking piece from the recent past, apprising those present in the Oval Office of the fact that Notre-Dame is a cathedral (!) and – succumbing to the universal human urge to reciprocate – commending Macron for a <em>“phantastic”</em> restoration job.</p>
<p>During the press briefing, Macron also skillfully picked up threads laid by Trump and emphasized the bond-building shared experiences at the national level during momentous events. Reiterating a theme mentioned by his American counterpart, he highlighted how France had been united in friendship with the American revolutionaries and subsequently during the two world wars. The Frenchman managed to amplify the themes of friendship and union, stirring the discourse into a direction that was pertinent for his subsequent advocacy for supporting embattled Ukraine. He pulled off this feat by appealing to an inspiring shared core belief with great clarity, namely, that it is important to defend peace and sovereignty and thus be on what he believes to be <em>“the right side of history”</em>.</p>
<p>Throughout his interactions with the US strongman, Macron skillfully varied social distance, alternating between courteous respect (such as when he called his counterpart <em>“Mr. President”</em>) and informality (on those occasions when he just spoke affectionately of <em>“Dear Donald”</em> or simply <em>“Donald”</em>). He also displayed modesty and addressed his counterpart with the appropriate degree of deference due to the powerful leader of the free world. For example, when asked what advice he could give Trump on how to obtain effective security guarantees from Putin, the Frenchman gave the following unassuming answer: <em>“Look, I will never give any advice to President Trump.”</em> Instead, he reframed his insights as a sharing of experience, even though in reality, his points served as stark lessons in history offered to Trump, who at times appears to be naive. Macron made his lessons vivid and compelling by weaving in stories, such as a reference to his seven-hour fruitless discussions with Putin before the latter launched his special military operation.</p>
<h2>4. Take initiative courageously and inconspicuously</h2>
<p>The French president blended his gentle bridge-building approach with varying degrees of fearless firmness, thus rising above the mundane role of a mere <em>Trump-Versteher</em> and gaining valuable credit points in France and the rest of anti-Russian Europe. Especially when dealing with a strongman, smart displays of strength are of vital importance, since in many situations involving back-alley combat and sandbox justice, the bully will only be swayed by superior force.</p>
<p>The French president displayed courage by not shying away from taking the initiative and setting the agenda even while being in the lion’s den, but did so in an unspectacular, unobtrusive and unimposing manner. Two innovative and disruptive moves stood out in this regard: acting as an orchestrator on foreign turf and skillfully switching languages to great effect.</p>
<p>According to convention, it is the prerequisite of a host to call upon journalists in a press gathering. Yet in a radical and astonishing break with this ritual, President Macron at time orchestrated the press pool in the Oval Office himself with natural ease, appointing journalists whom he gave the right to ask questions.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.02/thumbnail/67b894702030275446412c2f.jpg" alt="French President Emmanuel Macron.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613115-macron-calls-for-defense-plan/">Macron calls for ‘massive defense plan’ for EU</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>Moreover, while the French former investment banker on many occasions spoke in English to communicate directly with his counterpart and the rest of the English-speaking surrounding, he smartly and politely opted for French in special situations and thus achieved great impact. Even when he was in the Oval Office, he called upon French journalists and gave extensive answers in his native language. On the one hand, this insistence on French, which has been a common habit of many French leaders, was a display of patriotism. But more importantly, this ploy transformed weakness into strength by turning the state of being a guest on a foreign turf into an asset, effectively transforming the Oval Office into the French president’s reception room in the Palais de l’Élysée.</p>
<p>More specifically, by speaking French, Macron put the usually talkative Trump on the defensive. In metaphorical terms, he relegated the habitually dominating American Goliath into the unexpected role of passive and impotent observer, who had to listen to the French David’s tractates without comprehension. Trump’s body language said it all – the mighty leader of the free world often directed his eyes to the ground or stared into empty space. On one occasion, Trump reacted in apparent self-ironic resignation by praising French as the most beautiful language in the world while acknowledging that he had not understood a word!</p>
<p>Apart from changing the power dynamics, Macron also gained another advantage by switching to French, that is, the chance to present a lengthy, candid and forthright argument, including crucial points with which Trump did not agree, without being interrupted by the latter. This extended <em>parrhesia</em> was due to two factors: Firstly, Trump did not understand the French part and thus could not intervene, and secondly, it would have been very impolite to interrupt the French lady who acted as translator.</p>
<p>During his visit, Macron at times also took initiative more directly, assertively and forcefully and exuded an aura of dominance, partly based on a superior intellect and knowledge base. For example, when Trump was asked whether the U.S. had really agreed to shut down a military base in Greece, Macron, acting like a coach, directed Trump to other journalists, apparently because he – in contrast to Trump who had to ask his Secretary of State for advice – knew that this piece of news was false, thus showing that his grasp of American affairs was superior to that of the American president himself!</p>
<p>Moving even higher on the scale of non-confrontational forcefulness, Macron, when presented with false claims, refused to simply suck it up. Instead, he essentially fact-checked Trump, correcting his counterpart when he spread the fake news that Europe had loaned all aid money to Ukraine and explaining that Europe had provided a mix of different financing vehicles, including <em>“real money”</em>. Trump who obviously had not prepared for being challenged could only retort with a weak <em>“If you believe that, it’s okay with me”</em>.</p>
<p>Macron reinforced his position of strength by reaffirming moral principles. For example, he stated his preference for not automatically using frozen Russian assets to compensate Ukraine, since this would constitute a breach of international law. Of course, it has to be noted as a caveat that his stance on this issue could change.</p>
<p>Again, Macron amplified his message with powerfully self-assertive body language. At the start of his charming rebuke regarding Trump’s false claim related to loans, which he prefaced by <em>“No, in fact, to be frank”</em>, he firmly but gently placed his hand on Trump’s right arm and held it down, as a gentle dominator signaling the US president to be silent. Interestingly, Trump partly mimicked Macron’s free movements of hands during the fact checking episode. This meant that there was a high degree of harmonious synchronicity despite the US president in essence being chided while remaining dubious about the facts presented by Macron.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.02/thumbnail/67b86a04203027544729b183.jpg" alt="FILE PHOTO. Vladimir Zelensky, President of the European Council Charles Michel, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen attend the European Council at Batiment Europa on October 17, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613105-eu-zelensky-against-russia-us/">Are the EU and Zelensky planning to open a new front against both Russia and the US?</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p></p>
<h2>5. Gently gain and secure buy-in</h2>
<p>Closing the circle in a ring composition from preparation to consolidation, the French president scored several valuable points and nudged his American counterpart into the desired direction, pocketing some important quick wins, often through the backdoor. At times, he managed to move Trump, who is often accused of repeating the narrative of the Russian <em>“enemy”</em>, to parrot Macron’s talking points.</p>
<p>Of course, it has to be noted as a caveat at the outset that given the US president’s notoriously erratic conduct, it is far from certain that Macron’s gains constitute a stable possession. It is sufficient for Trump to make some casual statements denying what had been said or implied during the meetings with Macron to conclude that the Frenchman’s success had been fleeting after all. Of course, such a denial would come at a cost to Trump, since he once again would lose credibility, as happened so often because of his many false claims and U-turns. For example, after calling Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky a dictator, he subsequently feigned bewilderment, saying in a smug tone: <em>“I can’t believe I said that”</em>. Nevertheless, reaping important gains at least for a moment from a few relatively short meetings on one single day on foreign territory constitutes already a significant achievement. So how did the Frenchman pull it off?</p>
<p>Firstly, Macron, unlike many other leaders – due to his excellent preparation, bridge-building efforts and agenda-setting initiative, all catalyzed and reinforced by skillful non-verbal communication – managed to communicate key messages, ticking off his carefully prepared talking points, without being cut short, bullied, condemned and corrected by the habitually overbearing US president, who tends to take things personally. For example, the Frenchman was able to portray Russia as the <em>“aggressor”</em> without objections from the US president and his stance that that Russia needs to pay for the human and material havoc it wrought one Ukraine. He also expressed his great respect and admiration for the bravery and resistance of the Ukrainian people and insisted on Ukraine’s sovereignty. Macron also contemplated building the capacity of the Ukrainian military with US credibility.</p>
<p>Obviously, one has to be careful to avoid constructing an <em>argumentum ex silentio</em>, reasoning and asseverating that because one’s interlocutor had not said anything, he therefore automatically agreed. But given that the shrewd US president usually immediately rebukes all important statements with which he does not agree, his silence was at least conspicuous. Apart from being charmed by Macron, it is possible that Trump still reserves for himself the option of upping military pressure against Russia if it does not bow to all of his demands and does not help him to achieve his personal plans, especially given that Russia is a partner of Iran, which is the archfoe of the US and Trump’s darling, Israel.</p>
<p>Secondly, the French president obtained outright gains, getting a foot in the door and nudging the US president in the desired direction. For example, Trump confirmed that the US is <em>“helping Ukraine like nobody’s ever helped Ukraine before”</em>. Furthermore, the US president agreed to the presence of European peacekeepers in Ukraine, which Macron wants to use to deter Russia from launching another invasion of Ukraine.</p>
<p>Interestingly, in this case, the French president apparently managed to catch his American counterpart off-guard and sow confusion, prompting him to make an off-the-cuff claim whose veracity appears to be doubtful. More specifically, Trump affirmed that Putin would consent to the presence of European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. Trump even doubled down by relating that he had specifically asked Putin this question and that the Russian president allegedly has <em>“no problems”</em> with it. One reason for why Trump might have lowered his guard is that he was overrelaxed due to Macron’s success in putting him at ease. Few people know what Putin really told him, but the fact that his foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, after the conversation between Trump and Putin, categorically rejected the idea of allowing European troops into Ukraine – a clear position that was subsequently reiterated by Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov – at least shed some doubt on Trump’s account or constitute a hint that the US president may have misunderstood the Putin regarding an issue that is of utmost importance to Russia in the grand scheme of things.</p>

            
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        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.02/thumbnail/67b3737d20302718470d5ebf.jpg" alt="Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/612879-macron-ukraine-summit-warmongers/">Macron’s Ukraine summit a gathering of ‘warmongers’ – EU state’s FM</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>Even more importantly, when asked whether the European troops in Ukraine will have <em>“backing from US troops”</em>, the US president answered in the affirmative, saying: <em>“<a href="https://www.rev.com/transcripts/trump-and-macron-q-a" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">We’re going to have a backing of some kind</a>”</em>, which can be understood as a promise by the US president that the European troops would get some sort of US support. It comes to a surprise that this later potential U-turn by the leader of the free world, which amounts to the American backstop that had been much coveted by Europe, has not been widely noticed, even if it was only an ephemeral policy stance that might be abandoned very soon.</p>
<p>The French president used skillful tactical maneuvers – including powerful rhetorical devices – to cement his wins. To start with, he often spoke in <em>“we”</em> terms to project unity and insinuate implied consent from this interlocutor. At times, he packaged crucial conjectures and imputations about the US position as mere after-thought, which could easily get overheard and thus remain apparently valid as an undisputed fact. A good case in point is Macron’s above-mentioned interest in building Ukraine’s military capacity after a peace deal, which he accompanied with the subsequent consequential statement: <em>“We see US credibility here.”</em></p>
<p>In addition, the Frenchman repeated the US president’s promises, among other things, by paraphrasing and summarizing them at a given endpoint. All along, he was careful to give ownership and thus credit to his narcissistic American counterpart. Interestingly, this ploy can even be used for transferring ownership for one’s own ideas to others.</p>
<p>Moreover, Macron at times appeared to put words into Trump’s mouth in a courteous and deferential manner without being subsequently corrected. For example, the Frenchman stated: <em>“We don’t want to preempt any sort of discussions that are currently underway, but we do share the same objective of building this lasting peace.”</em> Yet it is not clear whether Trump, who is interested in quick wins achieved on a transactional basis, is ultimately interested in truly winning the peace. Furthermore, Macron claimed that Ukraine during the last few years had battled not only for its own independence and sovereignty, but also for what he called <em>“our collective security”</em> and held the front in this regard. This statement was reinforced by Macron making the following conjecture: <em>“No one in this room wants to live in a world where it’s the law of the strongest and international borders can be violated from one day to the next by anyone.”</em> Again, it is far from obvious that the freewheeling US president, who is keen on annexing Greenland and Canada and gain control over the Panama Canal would agree, but his silence was at least conspicuous and showed his unwillingness to fight a public battle against Macron.</p>
<p>Besides, the French maverick appealed to Trump’s super-ego in an unostentatious and discreet manner. For example, Macron implied that it would be a sign of weakness (which the US president, of course, wants to avoid at all expense) if the peace would constitute a surrender by Ukraine. He amplified this warning by reiterating his demand for security guarantees for this country after a ceasefire that must also safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty and full freedom of negotiation.</p>
<p>In conclusion, leaders around the world are well-advised to follow the above-mentioned five timeless rules that help to successfully handle a self-centered strongman. Mind you: When a powerful interlocutor like Trump calls you a tough negotiator, you know that you have failed, because this title is usually condescendingly conferred on weaklings.</p>
<p>Put in a nutshell, the French president Macron adopted a flexible and balanced approach, skillfully leveraging his foreignness and avoiding unnecessary confrontation, to secure and consolidate valuable gains. Importantly, instead of simply kowtowing to the US president and giving the store away, he smartly varied unassuming pliability with determined firmness in a continent fashion, achieving an optimal blend of methods in the end.</p>
<p>The French president’s artistic and versatile <em>“Romanesque”</em> style is characteristic of a people that had to live for a long time under the rule of the Roman conqueror and, in order to survive and prosper, needed to be highly adaptable. This flexibility contrasts sharply with the US president’s Anglo-Saxon stubborn and brash sturdiness (Trump has German and Scottish ancestors), honed during centuries of conquest – with the only viable alternative to total victory being total surrender.</p>
<p>This time round, the Frenchman – due to the above five-fold success recipe – proved to be lucky in being the winner in the epic battle between the two natural dispositions, for a precious moment converting weakness into strength and conquering the White House as a result. After all, to amplify a famous saying, luck is the meeting of opportunity with preparation, dexterity and versatility!</p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613579-macron-trump-talks-rules/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613573-us-launch-nord-stream-leverage/
title: US may launch Nord Stream 2 – FT
author: ;RT
hash: �+�BŸNl5� ���
content:
<p><strong>The gas pipeline between Russia and Germany is reportedly seen as leverage in Ukraine peace talks</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>US investors are backing a plan to activate Russia’s Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, the Financial Times has reported, citing sources. The conduit between Russia and Germany, which was never put into operation, may now serve as leverage in the ongoing Ukraine peace talks, the publication has suggested.</p>
<p>The deal is being set up by Matthias Warnig, former executive director of the Swiss-based Nord Stream 2 operator, FT claimed on Sunday. Unnamed US investors are supporting the plan in a <em>“once unthinkable move that shows the breadth of [US President] Donald Trump’s rapprochement with Moscow,”</em> the outlet wrote.</p>
<p>During his first term in office, Trump was critical of Nord Stream 2, targeting it with sanctions. In an interview in October, he even boasted that his actions had <em>“killed”</em> the project.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2024.12/thumbnail/676e97e920302757d103fe4e.jpg" alt="Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/610077-vucic-nord-stream-prediction/">US could buy Nord Stream – Vucic </a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>Since the outset of his second term in office, however, Trump has initiated a notable shift in US-Russia relations, seeking closer political and economic ties with Moscow and signaling that Washington could <em>“at some point”</em> lift sanctions.</p>
<p>Warnig’s plan involves US businessmen reaching out to the White House as part of back-channel efforts to broker peace in Ukraine, the FT wrote. Some in Trump’s team reportedly see Nord Stream 2 as potential leverage in peace talks.</p>
<p>One US-led consortium of investors has reportedly drawn up the outlines of a post-sanctions deal with Nord Stream 2 owner Gazprom. The US investors would collect <em>“money for nothing,”</em> claimed one senior US official.</p>
<p>Nord Stream 2, which was intended to complement the already operational Nord Stream 1, was completed in 2021, but was never commissioned due to concerns over the EU's increased dependence on Russian energy. In September 2022, the pipelines were targeted by a series of underwater explosions, which caused severe leaks. One string of Nord Stream 2 remains intact and filled with gas, but Germany refuses to use it due to sanctions and political considerations.</p>
<p>Russia has always insisted on being a reliable energy supplier. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in January that Moscow was interested in resuming gas deliveries to the EU, provided that there are buyers.</p>
<p>Brussels moved to eliminate energy reliance on Moscow in the aftermath of the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, and increased purchases of more expensive LNG from the US. Despite this, EU nations continue to buy both the piped fuel and LNG from Russia.</p>

             
    <p>
        <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rt.com/news/613537-german-factories-counting-on-return-russian-gas/">
            <span>READ MORE: </span>German factories counting on return of Russian gas – Bloomberg
        </a>
    </p>


    

<p>The FT reported in January that EU officials were considering the option of resuming Russian pipeline gas imports as part of a potential peace agreement in Ukraine, with proponents arguing that this could lower energy prices in Europe and revive the bloc’s industrial sector.</p>
<p>In a recent interview with The Economist, presumed future German chancellor Friedrich Merz insisted there would be no return to Russian gas <em>“for the time being”</em> but conspicuously failed to rule out the possibility.</p>
<p></p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613573-us-launch-nord-stream-leverage/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5170157
title: Taking shots at vaccines has deadly consequences
author: ;Glenn C. Altschuler; opinion contributor
link: https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/5170157-taking-shots-at-vaccines-has-deadly-consequences/
hash: �y��o��E�̫}�
tags: #Healthcare #Opinion
content:
The widespread dissemination of groundless conspiracy theories is undercutting confidence in the safety and efficacy of vaccinations and presenting a clear and present danger to the health of all Americans.

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guid: https://strategic-culture.su/?post_type=article&amp;p=883803
title: Maestà, il popolo ha fame. – Dategli la medaglia dei veterani!
author: ;A A
hash: �EG��=��p�i���n�
tags: #Italiano #European Union #Italy #Military Industrial Complex
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p><strong><em>Le parole di Maria Antonietta davanti alle proteste dei francesi sono facilmente rievocabili in questi giorni di magra e, questa volta, trovano l’amara consolazione in una delle iniziative più imbarazzanti della storia militare italiana.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><span><span><em>Segue nostro</em> </span><a href="https://t.me/SCF_Italiano" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Telegram</a><a href="https://t.me/SCF_Italiano" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tlg.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875659"></a><a href="https://t.me/SCF_Italiano" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>.</span></a></span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Il bilancio della Difesa ancora in crisi</strong></p>
<p>Premettendo che fintanto che verranno prodotte e commercializzate armi, nessuna guerra o conflitto potrà mai veramente finire, perché verrebbe meno il principio elementare del commercio, è purtuttavia vero che, in questo contesto storico ci dobbiamo confrontare con i sistemi militari e con il loro bilancio.</p>
<p>Il 14 febbraio, la presidente della Commissione Europea, Ursula von der Leyen, ha annunciato l’introduzione della clausola di salvaguardia per gli investimenti nella difesa. Questa misura consentirà agli Stati membri dell’UE di aumentare la spesa militare senza che essa venga conteggiata ai fini del rispetto dei parametri fiscali stabiliti dal Patto di stabilità e crescita. Si tratta di una decisione significativa, destinata a modificare il quadro finanziario europeo e a permettere un incremento delle capacità di difesa dei singoli paesi. L’obiettivo è rispondere alle nuove crisi internazionali e ai mutati equilibri geopolitici, garantendo agli Stati la possibilità di potenziare le proprie forze armate senza compromettere la tenuta dei conti pubblici.</p>
<p>L’annuncio è stato accolto positivamente dal governo italiano. La presidente del Consiglio, Giorgia Meloni, e il ministro della Difesa, Guido Crosetto, hanno sottolineato di aver sostenuto a lungo questa riforma e di considerarla un passo fondamentale verso la creazione di un sistema di difesa europeo più solido e coordinato. Tuttavia, non è scontato che l’Italia possa realmente beneficiare di questa novità per aumentare in modo significativo la spesa militare. Il nostro paese è infatti tra quelli che destinano meno risorse alla difesa, e le difficoltà economiche potrebbero rendere complesso un incremento degli investimenti nel settore.</p>
<p>L’elemento chiave della clausola di salvaguardia è l’esclusione delle spese militari dal calcolo del deficit e del debito pubblico nell’ambito del Patto di stabilità. Questo significa che gli Stati membri potranno incrementare i finanziamenti per la difesa senza rischiare di violare i vincoli fiscali imposti dall’UE. Tuttavia, queste spese continueranno comunque a incidere sui bilanci nazionali, influenzando la sostenibilità economica dei singoli paesi. Per l’Italia, già gravata da un elevato debito pubblico, questo potrebbe rappresentare un problema.</p>
<p>Un aspetto rilevante riguarda la possibilità di finanziare gli investimenti nella difesa attraverso l’emissione di debito comune, i cosiddetti “eurobond per la difesa”. Questa opzione è stata invocata da diverse figure politiche, tra cui l’ex commissario europeo Paolo Gentiloni, ma al momento non sembra trovare il sostegno necessario. I paesi del Nord Europa, con in testa la Germania, si oppongono fermamente a nuove emissioni di debito comune, temendo che possano trasformarsi in un onere finanziario sproporzionato per gli Stati con economie più solide.</p>
<p>Attualmente, la spesa militare media nei 27 paesi membri dell’UE si attesta tra l’1,9 e il 2% del PIL. Dal 2014, la NATO raccomanda agli Stati membri di destinare almeno il 2% del proprio PIL alla difesa, ma diversi paesi – tra cui l’Italia – non hanno ancora raggiunto questa soglia. Per il 2025, l’Italia prevede di destinare alla difesa solo l’1,57% del PIL, un valore inferiore alla media europea e ben lontano dagli obiettivi fissati dall’alleanza atlantica. Tra i paesi sotto il 2% figurano anche Spagna, Belgio, Croazia, Lussemburgo, Portogallo, Slovenia e Canada.</p>
<p>Negli ultimi anni, a seguito dell’invasione russa dell’Ucraina e del conseguente deterioramento della sicurezza globale, la spesa militare dell’UE è aumentata considerevolmente. Tra il 2021 e il 2024, il budget europeo per la difesa è passato da 200 a 320 miliardi di euro, con un incremento del 60%. Tuttavia, l’Italia ha registrato un aumento più contenuto, passando da 28 miliardi di euro nel 2021 a 34,4 miliardi nel 2024, con una crescita del 23%. Ciò evidenzia un impegno inferiore rispetto ad altri Stati europei nel rafforzare le proprie capacità militari.</p>
<p>L’arrivo di Donald Trump alla presidenza degli Stati Uniti ha intensificato la pressione sugli alleati NATO affinché aumentino la propria spesa per la difesa. Trump ha dichiarato chiaramente che gli Stati Uniti non intendono più farsi carico della maggior parte delle spese dell’alleanza atlantica. Attualmente, su un budget totale della NATO di 1.474 miliardi di dollari, gli Stati Uniti ne coprono 968. Trump ha indicato come soglia minima un investimento del 5% del PIL per la difesa da parte degli alleati, un obiettivo irrealistico per molti paesi europei. Più realisticamente, von der Leyen ha proposto di portare la spesa militare dell’UE oltre il 3% del PIL, il che comporterebbe un aumento di centinaia di miliardi di euro all’anno.</p>
<p>Per l’Italia, arrivare al 3% significherebbe incrementare il budget per la difesa di circa 35 miliardi di euro all’anno rispetto alle risorse stanziate per il 2025. Questa cifra appare difficilmente sostenibile, considerando che l’intera manovra finanziaria del governo per il 2025 ammonta a circa 30 miliardi di euro. Anche se l’incremento della spesa militare dovesse avvenire in modo graduale, resterebbe una sfida economica considerevole.</p>
<p>Le possibilità di reperire tali fondi sono limitate. Un aumento della tassazione o una drastica riduzione della spesa pubblica in altri settori sarebbero soluzioni politicamente difficili da attuare. È più probabile che il finanziamento avvenga almeno in parte attraverso il deficit, con il rischio di compromettere ulteriormente la stabilità del bilancio dello Stato e di suscitare preoccupazioni nei mercati finanziari. Un peggioramento della situazione economica potrebbe ridurre la fiducia degli investitori e scoraggiare capitali stranieri.</p>
<p>In questo contesto, la clausola di salvaguardia potrebbe paradossalmente penalizzare l’Italia rispetto ad altri paesi europei. Gli Stati con conti pubblici più solidi avranno maggiore margine di manovra per incrementare la spesa militare, mentre l’Italia, con un debito pubblico tra i più alti d’Europa – pari al 136% del PIL e oltre i 3.000 miliardi di euro – rischia di trovarsi in difficoltà. Tra i membri del G7, solo il Giappone ha un debito più elevato.</p>
<p>Se l’UE non troverà una soluzione condivisa per finanziare gli investimenti militari, l’Italia potrebbe trovarsi costretta a scegliere tra il rispetto dei vincoli di bilancio e il rafforzamento delle proprie capacità di difesa. Il dibattito sulle future strategie economiche e militari europee è quindi destinato a rimanere aperto, con implicazioni rilevanti per la sicurezza e la stabilità dell’intero continente.</p>
<p><strong>Una medaglia per tutti</strong></p>
<p>In questo affascinante contesto, il Ministro della Difesa italiana, Guido Crosetto, ha pensato di strizzare l’occhiolino agli Stati Uniti ed istituire la Medaglia del Veterano. Probabilmente non aveva migliori idee su come passare alla storia – invece di passare nel dimenticatoio – e con questa mossa ha conquistato la vetta dell’assurdità.</p>
<p>Nessuno ne sentiva la necessità, ma tant’è.</p>
<p>Il 24 febbraio 2025, il Ministro della Difesa Guido Crosetto ha firmato un decreto che introduce le qualifiche di “Veterano della Difesa” e “Veterano delle Missioni Internazionali”. Questo provvedimento riconosce ufficialmente lo status di veterano a coloro che hanno servito onorevolmente il Paese, sia in patria che all’estero, indipendentemente dalla presenza di menomazioni psico-fisiche legate a traumi.</p>
<p>Il decreto stabilisce inoltre l’11 novembre come giornata ufficiale per la celebrazione del “Veterano”. In questa data simbolica, già riconosciuta a livello internazionale per commemorare la fine della Prima Guerra Mondiale nel 1918, si onorerà il servizio e il sacrificio di chi ha dedicato la propria vita alla difesa della Nazione.</p>
<p>Per valorizzare ulteriormente il contributo dei militari, sono state istituite le Medaglie al merito di “Veterano della Difesa” e “Veterano delle Missioni Internazionali”. La progettazione di queste onorificenze avverrà attraverso un concorso di idee rivolto agli studenti delle scuole, con l’obiettivo di coinvolgere le nuove generazioni nella promozione della memoria e dei valori della Difesa.</p>
<p>La Medaglia al merito di “Veterano della Difesa” sarà destinata al personale che ha servito per almeno venticinque anni con onore e comportamento esemplare. La Medaglia al merito di “Veterano delle Missioni Internazionali” sarà riservata a coloro che, oltre a possedere i requisiti del “Veterano della Difesa”, hanno partecipato ad almeno una missione fuori dal territorio nazionale.</p>
<p>Questa iniziativa rappresenta un passo significativo nel riconoscimento del ruolo fondamentale dei veterani, estendendo l’onorificenza anche a coloro che, pur non avendo riportato traumi invalidanti, hanno servito con dedizione e onore. Come ha dichiarato il Ministro Crosetto: “È nostro dovere dare il giusto valore a questa figura che rappresenta una risorsa fondamentale per la nostra Nazione”.</p>
<p>Dunque, la soluzione rivoluzionaria è stata giocata nel momento migliore: l’Italia si prepara a mandare in guerra contro la Russia i propri ragazzi, che non hanno esattamente voglia di finire in un tritacarne, e così cerca di comprarsi il favore di qualche leva in più e di qualche ufficiale ancora non abbastanza vicino alla pensione. Peccato che i Veterani italiani – col massimo rispetto per la loro professionalità – non avranno i benefit di quelli americani, ad esempio. Anzi, non ci sarà proprio nessun beneficio, se non quello di un titolo in più da aggiungere al curriculum di fine carriera.</p>
<p>La Difesa avrebbe bisogno di altre riforme, che invoca da anni a gran voce, e il Ministro zittisce tutti con l’asso nella manica della nuova medaglia. Geniale.</p>
<p>A proposito, i costi della decorazione sono a carico dei beneficiari. Non è uno scherzo.</p>
<p></p>

link:
https://strategic-culture.su/news/2025/03/02/maesta-il-popolo-ha-fame-dategli-la-medaglia-dei-veterani/


guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613584-trump-impressed-vance-zelensky-handling/
title: Trump impressed by Vance’s handling of Zelensky – WSJ
author: ;RT
hash: %� i }����|a
content:
<p><strong>The US VP defended the president during a spat with the Ukrainian leader in the Oval Office</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>US President Donald Trump was impressed with how Vice President J.D. Vance handled himself during a tense Oval Office exchange with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, unnamed administration officials told the Wall Street Journal. The politicians met on Friday in the White House Oval Office ahead of what was expected to be a celebratory signing of a minerals deal between Washington and Kiev.</p>
<p>The WSJ dubbed Vance a <em>“MAGA champion”</em> after the confrontation in a piece published on Saturday.</p>
<p>Vance sat mostly silent as Trump and Zelensky answered questions. But then a reporter asked the US president if he aligned with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Vance, a critic of US aid to Ukraine, interjected to praise Trump’s diplomatic efforts and criticize past policy under President Joe Biden. The conversation escalated when Zelensky pushed back.</p>
<p>During the intense discussion, Vance highlighted Ukraine’s challenges in conscripting additional troops and said that Zelensky should be <em>“thanking”</em> Trump for efforts to resolve the conflict. Vance criticized his recent public appearances highlighting war devastation, accusing him of hosting <em>“propaganda tours,”</em> and labeled the Ukrainian leader <em>“disrespectful.”</em> The confrontation led to the day’s events being cut short.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c4026185f5402a9f2a1562.jpg" alt="FILE PHOTO: Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto speaks during a press-conference.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613568-trump-zelensky-ukraine-hungary/">Trump-Zelensky spat shows who wants peace and who doesn’t – Hungarian FM</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>Trump has reportedly told White House staff that his former vice president <em>“would have never done that.”</em> Former Indiana Governor Mike Pence was vice president during Trump’s first term. Their political alliance ended acrimoniously over the January 2021 riots at the US Capitol, after Pence refused to comply with Trump’s demands to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 US presidential election.</p>
<p>The White House later circulated statements of support from Republican lawmakers and administration officials. <em>“I was very proud of J.D. Vance, standing up for our country,”</em> US Senator Lindsey Graham said. While Senator Mike Lee called Vance the <em>“GOAT,”</em> an acronym for <em>“greatest of all time.”</em></p>
<p>The 40-year-old Vance is the third-youngest vice president in US history. His relationship with Trump has evolved significantly since the president’s first term. Once a vocal critic of Trump, Vance opposed his candidacy in 2016, calling him <em>“cultural heroin”</em> for conservatives and questioning his character. However, he later shifted his stance, securing Trump’s endorsement in his successful 2022 Senate bid, a move that cemented his place within Trump’s inner circle.</p>
<p>Last month, during his first foreign trip as vice president, Vance sent shockwaves with a speech criticizing European leaders at the Munich Security Conference, accusing them of censoring free speech and neglecting public concerns over migration.</p>

             
    <p>
        <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rt.com/news/613563-london-starmer-zelensky-loan/">
            <span>READ MORE: </span>UK’s Starmer consoles Zelensky after Trump fiasco
        </a>
    </p>


    

<p>Vance’s relationship with Trump remains strong, though the president has so far demurred on naming him his successor. Trump told Fox News in February that he considers Vance <em>“very capable”</em> but noted that <em>“there are a lot of very capable people.”</em> However, tech billionaire and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief Elon Musk referred to Vance as <em>“our future President”</em> on Saturday.</p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613584-trump-impressed-vance-zelensky-handling/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5167592
title: Want to give Elon Musk a reality check? Confirm Jared Isaacman.
author: ;Mark R. Whittington; opinion contributor
link: https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/5167592-elon-musk-space-policy-challenges/
hash: w�x��%o��_ K�R
tags: #Opinion #Technology #Elon Musk #Jared Isaacman #NASA administrator #Sen. Ted Cruz
content:
Musk has expressed his desire to redirect NASA to a neck-or-nothing lunge toward Mars, leaving all other priorities such as going back to the moon on the back burner.

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guid: https://strategic-culture.su/?post_type=article&amp;p=883820
title: Cruzada encubierta: La guerra digital de 600 millones de dólares de Washington contra Irán
author: ;A A
hash: ��z���������K I�
tags: #Español #Iran #United States
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content:
<p><strong><em>Durante más de una década, el fondo NERD del Departamento de Estado de EE.UU. ha canalizado de forma encubierta cientos de millones de dólares a iniciativas de cambio de régimen en Irán, disfrazando la guerra digital y la financiación de la oposición como “promoción de la democracia”, pero una repentina congelación de la financiación ha sumido estas operaciones en el caos.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>By Kit KLARENBERG</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Únete a nosotros en </span><a href="https://t.me/SCF_Spanish" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Telegram </a><a href="https://t.me/SCF_Spanish" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tlg.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25"></a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/twitter.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25"></a> <span>y </span><a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VK</a> <a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/wk.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25"></a>.</strong></p>
<p><span><strong>Escríbenos: </strong></span><a href="mailto:info@strategic-culture.su"><strong>info@strategic-culture.su</strong></a></p>
<p>A principios de este mes, <em>The Cradle </em><a href="https://thecradle.co/articles/leaked-documents-expose-us-interference-projects-in-iran">expuso cómo</a> en 2023, el tenebroso fondo para la Democracia Regional en Oriente Próximo (NERD, por sus siglas en inglés) del Departamento de Estado estadounidense destinó 55 millones de dólares a avivar los disturbios en Irán durante las elecciones del año siguiente.</p>
<p>Esto formaba parte de una campaña más amplia de injerencia estadounidense diseñada para perturbar y desestabilizar a la República Islámica. Como se señaló en esa investigación, los detalles sobre el destino de ese dinero -y quién se beneficia- son estrictamente confidenciales por una cuestión de política. Sin embargo, hay indicios de dominio público que apuntan al menos a algunos receptores.</p>
<p><strong>Cambio de régimen con otro nombre</strong></p>
<p>Como <a href="https://sgp.fas.org/crs/mideast/R46344.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recoge un informe</a> del Servicio de Investigación del Congreso de Estados Unidos, debido a las hostiles relaciones entre Estados Unidos e Irán, y a la fundada opinión de Teherán de que el NERD “<em>es un medio para financiar el cambio de régimen</em>”, sus programas se basan en <em>“formación en terceros países”,</em> así como en <em>“formación en línea y contenidos mediáticos”.</em></p>
<p>El informe confirma además que, a pesar de que NERD es el principal <em>‘canal de asistencia exterior’</em> de Washington para proyectos dirigidos a Irán, <em>‘las actividades, los beneficiarios de las subvenciones y [los] beneficiarios’</em> no se hacen públicos <em>‘debido a los riesgos de seguridad que plantea el gobierno iraní’.</em> Continúa:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong><em>El NERD se creó en 2009 como una ‘partida para la democracia en Irán’, pero no era (y sigue sin ser) técnicamente específica para Irán… Para 2024, la Administración Biden solicitó 65 millones de dólares para el NERD… para ‘fomentar una sociedad civil vibrante, aumentar el libre flujo de información y promover el ejercicio de los derechos humanos’, incluyendo al menos 16,75 millones de dólares para la libertad en Internet.</em></strong></p></blockquote>
<p>Lo que no se decía en el informe es que NERD representa un simple cambio de marca del Fondo para la Democracia en Irán, <a href="https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/after-crackdown-iran-democracy-fund">creado</a> por el ex presidente George W. Bush en 2006 con el objetivo explícito de derrocar a la República Islámica.</p>
<p>La iniciativa fue aparentemente clausurada por Barack Obama tres años después, provocando la <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704500604574481341183751038">amarga condena de</a> gran parte de los medios de comunicación occidentales, expertos neoconservadores y legisladores. Sin embargo, como <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8315120.stm">reconoció</a> la BBC en su momento, la medida fue <em>“bien recibida por los activistas iraníes pro derechos humanos y pro democracia”</em>:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong><em>Estos fondos estadounidenses van a parar a personas que tienen muy poco que ver con la verdadera lucha por la democracia en Irán y nuestros activistas de la sociedad civil nunca han recibido tales fondos”,</em></strong><strong> declaró a la cadena estatal británica un abogado de derechos humanos con sede en Teherán. “<em>El </em>fin de este programa no tendrá ninguna repercusión en nuestras actividades.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Interferencias en Internet</strong></p>
<p>En realidad, el programa nunca finalizó, simplemente fue reformulado. Los funcionarios de la Casa Blanca mantuvieron la ficción de que el NERD se centraba en la democratización y no en el cambio de régimen, una afirmación socavada por una revelación <em>del New York Times</em> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/world/12internet.html">de junio de 2011</a>.</p>
<p>Esa investigación reveló que la llamada iniciativa “<a href="https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/rm/2011/168475.htm">Libertad en Internet</a>” de la administración Obama tenía como objetivo</p>
<blockquote><p><strong><em>desplegar sistemas ‘en la sombra’ de Internet y telefonía móvil que los disidentes pudieran utilizar para comunicarse fuera del alcance de los gobiernos en países como Irán, Siria y Libia</em>.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>En otras palabras, Washington pretendía crear una legión encubierta de operativos para el cambio de régimen en Teherán y proporcionarles la tecnología necesaria para coordinarse en secreto. Está claro, por la marcada referencia del informe del Congreso a la “libertad de Internet”, que estas maquinaciones continúan hoy en día.</p>
<p>Por otra parte, como señaló un <a href="https://mideastdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/POMED_FY21BudgetReport.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">informe de 2020</a> del Project on Middle East Democracy, <a href="https://mideastdc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">con sede en Washington DC</a>, las organizaciones realmente comprometidas con la defensa de los derechos de los iraníes siguen manteniéndose alejadas de NERD. Un trabajador anónimo de una ONG describió su <em>‘estilo’</em> como <em>‘agresivo’</em>. Otro dio a entender que el NERD realiza un trabajo profundamente sucio:</p>
<blockquote>
<h3><strong><em>Decidimos no solicitar subvenciones del NERD porque no queremos que nos metan en [ninguna] locura.</em></strong></h3>
</blockquote>
<h4><strong>No iraníes</strong></h4>
<p>Ese mismo año, el <em>Financial Times </em>(FT) <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/740a385a-3924-11ea-a6d3-9a26f8c3cba4">informó de cómo</a> los esfuerzos del NERD se habían turboalimentado bajo la administración del presidente estadounidense Donald Trump, explícitamente para facilitar y alentar <em>“protestas contra Teherán”.</em></p>
<p>Esto incluía “<em>proporcionar aplicaciones, servidores y otras tecnologías para ayudar a las personas a comunicarse, visitar sitios web prohibidos, instalar software antirrastreo</em>” y más en la República Islámica, con el fin de ofrecer <em>“a los iraníes más opciones sobre cómo comunicarse entre sí y con el mundo exterior”.</em></p>
<p>Curiosamente, mientras retrata a Irán como una prisión digital, el FT admite que las principales redes sociales occidentales siguen siendo accesibles en el país, y los iraníes pueden ver fácilmente los medios de comunicación occidentales.</p>
<p>Como de costumbre, los beneficiarios de los fondos del NERD no fueron identificados, salvo <a href="https://www.kitklarenberg.com/p/beware-psiphon-cia-tool-fueling-global">Psiphon</a>, un proveedor de VPN asociado desde hace tiempo con figuras de la oposición <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/12/16995882/asl-19-ali-karimzadeh-bangi-alleged-assault">iraní en el exilio</a> y, para entonces, controlado por el Open Technology Fund (OTF). El FT calculaba que sólo tres millones de iraníes utilizaban Psiphon, menos del cuatro por ciento de la población.</p>
<p>OTF era un <a href="https://www.opentech.fund/">producto de</a> “Libertad de Internet” – uno de los miembros de su junta ha <a href="http://jilliancyork.com/2015/02/06/there-are-other-funding-options-than-the-usg/">admitido abiertamente</a> que <strong><em>la agenda del Fondo es el “cambio de régimen”.</em></strong></p>
<p>Avanzamos rápidamente hasta septiembre de 2024; mientras la administración del ex presidente estadounidense Joe Biden buscaba más fondos para el NERD -apenas unos meses después de que los 55 millones de dólares invertidos el año anterior no produjeran los deseados disturbios y agitación masiva en torno a las elecciones de ese año en Irán- <a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-calls-big-tech-help-evade-online-censors-russia-iran-2024-09-05/">, se convocó</a> una reunión en la Casa Blanca con los principales gigantes tecnológicos, animándoles a ofrecer más <em>“ancho de banda digital”</em> para las aplicaciones y herramientas financiadas por el OTF.</p>
<p><strong>Como explicó la jefa del fondo, Laura Cunningham, una <em>“parte considerable”</em> del presupuesto de la OTF se dedicaba al coste de alojar todo el tráfico de red generado por su amplia gama de aplicaciones de desestabilización digital, que incluían </strong><a href="https://www.kitklarenberg.com/p/signal-facing-collapse-after-cia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Signal</strong></a><strong> y </strong><a href="https://libguides.pratt.edu/internet-data-privacy/building-privacy-toolkit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tor</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>
<p>Aunque la OTF pretendía dar soporte a <em>“usuarios adicionales”</em> de estos productos, carecía de recursos para hacer frente a la “<em>creciente demanda</em>”. Lo que salió de esta reunión, a la que asistieron representantes de Amazon, Cloudflare, Google y Microsoft, no está claro.</p>
<p>Sin embargo, si se concedió más <em>“ancho de banda digital”</em> a OTF, está claro que la <em>“pausa”</em> de la administración Trump en la financiación de la ayuda en el extranjero ha lanzado todos los esfuerzos de intromisión de NERD en Irán en total – y potencialmente permanente – desorden.</p>
<p>Un <a href="https://www.iranintl.com/en/202501271390">informe</a> publicado el 27 de enero en la revista<em> Iran International </em>, financiada por Arabia Saudí y contraria a la República Islámica, citaba a numerosos beneficiarios anónimos de la financiación estadounidense que se lamentaban de cómo los beneficiarios de las subvenciones, incluidos los medios de comunicación en lengua persa gestionados desde el extranjero y las organizaciones que documentan supuestos <em>‘abusos’</em> para que la República Islámica <em>‘rinda cuentas’,</em> habían sido cerrados abruptamente.</p>
<p>Un “<em>activista de derechos humanos</em>” anónimo declaró al medio que la congelación de la ayuda por parte de Washington</p>
<blockquote><p><strong><em>(impondrá) restricciones a los proyectos que aborden las violaciones de derechos humanos o investiguen la corrupción gubernamental y militar que han afectado a la economía y las condiciones sociales de Irán en favor de actividades terroristas extranjeras y el blanqueo de dinero.</em></strong></p></blockquote>
<p>Dijeron que “varias <em>instituciones estadounidenses no iraníes </em>[énfasis añadido] han estado utilizando estos fondos para investigar la corrupción y el blanqueo de dinero”. Ahora, sin embargo, “<em>estas organizaciones se verán obligadas a detener sus actividades</em>”.</p>
<h4><strong>Graves implicaciones</strong></h4>
<p>Los servicios de redes privadas virtuales (VPN) suministrados por Estados Unidos también figuraban entre los recursos malignos afectados por la <em>‘pausa’ de la ayuda</em>. Un ‘activista’ anónimo dijo <em>a Irán Internacional</em> que 20 millones de iraníes utilizaban esas herramientas “<em>para eludir las restricciones de Teherán a Internet</em>”.</p>
<p>El medio citaba además un <a href="https://www.peace-mark.org/en/articles/165-11-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">artículo publicado</a> por Human Rights Activists in Iran, una <a href="https://www.hra-iran.org/contact/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ONG</a> financiada por Estados Unidos que <em>no </em>tiene su sede en la República Islámica, sino en Virginia, cerca de la sede de la CIA en Langley: <em>“En el Irán actual, Internet no tiene sentido sin las VPN”.</em></p>
<p>Ahmad Ahmadian, director de la empresa tecnológica californiana <a href="https://holisticresilience.us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Holistic Resilience</a>, que “<em>aspira a promover la libertad y la privacidad en Internet mediante el desarrollo y la investigación para eludir la censura</em>”, se hizo eco de tan funestas advertencias.</p>
<p>Ahmadian, expatriado iraní <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/aahmadiyan/details/education/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">y ex alumno</a> de la Universidad de Teherán, advirtió de que las principales empresas tecnológicas estadounidenses “<em>podrían no estar dispuestas o no ser capaces de seguir prestando su apoyo a la provisión de herramientas contra la censura”</em> sin el apoyo del gobierno.</p>
<p>Estas observaciones ponen de relieve cómo estos recursos supuestamente populares carecen de respaldo o financiación de base, y <strong>dependen totalmente del patrocinio de Washington para funcionar:</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><strong><em>El liderazgo del Gobierno estadounidense ha sido crucial para instar a las grandes empresas tecnológicas a prestar servicios públicos.</em></strong><em> <strong>Sin el estímulo del gobierno estadounidense, estas empresas no tomarían la iniciativa por su cuenta.</strong></em></p></blockquote>
<p>Otros activistas anónimos advirtieron además a <em>Irán Internacional</em>, “<em>las consecuencias de la orden ejecutiva de Trump no se limitarán a las herramientas de elusión de la censura en Internet”.</em> Creen que si las actividades de NERD “<em>no reciben una exención en el próximo mes”</em> -a finales de febrero- “<em>colapsarán por completo o se verán profundamente restringidas”.</em></p>
<p>Uno de ellos declaró: <em>“puede que el impacto de esta congelación no se note inmediatamente, pero sus graves implicaciones se harán evidentes con el tiempo”.</em></p>
<p>Mientras tanto, “expertos en Internet” advertían de que “<em>incluso si la ayuda estadounidense se reanuda»</em> tras la pausa de 90 días, “<em>el daño es irreversible, ya que mucha gente… podría no volver a utilizar nunca del todo los servicios seguros respaldados por Estados Unidos”</em>.</p>
<p>Como señaló <em>The Cradle </em>el 11 de febrero, la retirada forzosa de Washington de su injerencia en Irán podría crear nuevas oportunidades para <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-trump-usaid-nuclear-deal-talks-986793e2e21e2b338546767bba5f2df0">un auténtico compromiso diplomático</a> entre los dos adversarios de larga data.</p>
<p><strong>Pero se vislumbra otra posibilidad: después de gastar 600 millones de dólares durante una década con escaso éxito, Estados Unidos podría estar simplemente preparándose para probar nuevas estrategias de cambio de régimen, potencialmente más malignas.</strong></p>
<p><em>Publicado</em><em> </em><em>originalmente</em><em> </em><em>por</em><em> </em><a href="https://thecradle.co/articles/covert-crusade-washingtons-600m-digital-war-on-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u><em>The Cradle</em></u></a><em>.</em><em><br>
</em><em>Traducción</em><em>: </em><a href="https://observatoriodetrabajad.com/2025/02/24/cruzada-encubierta-la-guerra-digital-de-600-millones-de-dolares-de-washington-contra-iran-kit-klarenberg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u><em>Observatorio</em></u><u><em> de </em></u><u><em>trabajadores</em></u><u><em> </em></u><u><em>en</em></u><u><em> </em></u><u><em>lucha</em></u></a></p>

link:
https://strategic-culture.su/news/2025/03/02/cruzada-encubierta-la-guerra-digital-de-600-millones-de-dolares-de-washington-contra-iran/


guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171462
title: Johnson: US ‘not abandoning Ukraine,’ but Zelensky’s priorities ‘in the wrong place’
author: ;Rachel Scully
link: https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/5171462-johnson-ukraine-zelensky-trump/
hash: �F��Rب {G�n�v
tags: #Blog Briefing Room #News #Sunday Talk Shows
content:
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) stated that the U.S. is not “abandoning Ukraine” but that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s priorities are not in the right place following a heated exchange between the Ukrainian leader and President Trump. When NBC’s “Meet The Press” host Kristen Welker asked if Trump is aligning the U.S. with Russia, Johnson said…

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171486
title: Johnson dismisses concerns, says it’s ‘absurd’ that GOP supports Putin
author: ;Lauren Irwin
link: https://thehill.com/policy/international/5171486-johnson-dismisses-concerns-gop-putin/
hash: R��]cZ�@ҏ���
tags: #All Contributors #International #News #ceasefire deal #Russia-Ukraine war
content:
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) attempted to dismiss concerns after President Trump’s fiery meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, noting it would be “absurd” for Republicans to stand behind Russian President Vladimir Putin. Johnson joined CBS News’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, where he discussed the failed deal and the meeting between Trump and Zelensky. “They’re…

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guid: https://www.rt.com/russia/613586-zelensky-looks-unwell-kremlin/
title: Zelensky looks unwell – Kremlin
author: ;RT
hash: F�x�LU�)d��~�݋
content:
<p><strong>Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has commented on the Ukrainian leader’s health prior to his White House dispute with Trump and Vance</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky appears visibly unwell, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said. He made the remarks this week, days before Zelensky’s heated confrontation with US President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.</p>
<p><em>“He doesn't look very good visually, but you should ask him,”</em> Peskov said in an interview with Rossiya 1 TV journalist Pavel Zarubin published on Saturday, answering whether he thought Zelensky felt cornered.</p>
<p>Zelensky’s visit to the White House on Friday, intended to finalize a minerals agreement, devolved into a heated dispute. The discussion deteriorated when he insisted that Trump support Kiev rather than play a neutral arbiter in an attempt to mediate a deal with Moscow. In response, Trump and Vance accused Zelensky of <em>“gambling with World War III”</em> and a reluctance to make peace with Russia, labeling him disrespectful and ungrateful for the substantial military aid provided by Washington.</p>
<p>The visit concluded abruptly without signing the agreement, after Zelensky demanded security guarantees and greater involvement in the conflict from the Trump administration.</p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c2f2c485f5407fd31a584a.jpg" alt="Vladimir Zelensky.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613538-zelensky-humiliated-trump-vance/">A dose of reality for the West’s spoiled brat: What now for the humiliated Zelensky?</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>During the meeting, Zelensky’s preference for informal attire also attracted media attention. When a journalist inquired if the Ukrainian president owned a formal suit, Zelensky said yes, adding that he would <em>“wear something more appropriate”</em> at the next meeting.</p>
<p>Following the incident, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described Zelensky’s US trip as <em>“a diplomatic and political failure”</em> for Kiev. She asserted that with his <em>“outrageously boorish behavior”</em> at the White House, Zelensky confirmed himself <em>“an irresponsible instigator of a major war”</em> and <em>“a most dangerous threat to the international community.”</em></p>
<p>Zakharova reiterated Moscow’s stance that lasting peace can only be achieved <em>“when the root causes of the conflict are fully eliminated.”</em></p>
<p>The cancellation of the minerals deal and Zelensky’s premature departure from the White House have raised concerns about future US support for Ukraine. According to The Washington Post, the Trump administration may reconsider its military assistance to Kiev.</p>
<p>However, European leaders have expressed support. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reaffirmed their solidarity with Ukraine, emphasizing the need for peace based on Ukrainian sovereignty. Conversely, Russian officials, including former President Dmitry Medvedev, mocked Zelensky, suggesting that Washington halt military aid.</p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/russia/613586-zelensky-looks-unwell-kremlin/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613587-waltz-ukraine-needs-new-leader-zelensky/
title: Top US official suggests Zelensky may need to go
author: ;RT
hash: �؎��&�ud�S��
content:
<p><strong>National Security Advisor Mike Waltz says Washington wants to see a leader in Kiev who can “deal with the Russians and end this war”</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>Washington is unsure whether Vladimir Zelensky is the right man to lead Ukraine at this juncture, the US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has told CNN. The official argued that Friday’s tumultuous spat between the Ukrainian leader, President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance indicated that Zelensky may not be ready to talk peace.</p>
<p>When asked by Dana Bash on Sunday to share his view of Zelensky, Waltz said that <em>“it’s unclear whether President Zelensky, particularly after what we saw on Friday, is ready to transition Ukraine to an end to this war, and to negotiate and have to compromise.”</em> He noted that it is President Trump’s conviction that both Kiev and Moscow would have to make concessions in order to stop the bloodshed.</p>
<p>According to the national security advisor, during the US president’s meeting with Zelensky on Friday, <em>“it did not appear to us that [he] was ready to go to peace.”</em> </p>
<p>When pressed by a CNN presenter as to whether the White House wanted Zelensky to step down, Waltz clarified that <em>“we need a leader that can deal with us, eventually deal with the Russians, and end this war.”</em></p>
<p>The official added that <em>“if it becomes apparent that President Zelensky’s either personal motivations or political motivations are divergent from ending the fighting in his country, then I think we have a real issue on our hands.”</em></p>
<p>In an interview with Breitbart Radio on Saturday, Waltz compared Zelensky to an <em>“ex-girlfriend that wants to argue everything that you said nine years ago, rather than moving the relationship forward.”</em></p>
<p>Speaking with ABC news on Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that he had not <em>“had any contact with [Zelesnky] since Friday.”</em> The diplomat stressed that the Trump administration’s goal is to bring Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table, with the US head of state being the <em>“only person on Earth who has any chance whatsoever”</em> of accomplishing this.</p>
<p><em>“Don’t do anything to disrupt that, and that’s what Zelensky did unfortunately – he found every opportunity to try to Ukraine-splain on every issue,”</em> Rubio stated, recounting Friday’s shouting match at the White House.</p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613587-waltz-ukraine-needs-new-leader-zelensky/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: https://www.rt.com/news/613582-zelensky-trump-vance-ukraine/
title: Kiev politicians salute Zelensky’s White House blunder
author: ;RT
hash: �����8�ݺ,d�F�3:
content:
<p><strong>Ukrainian reactions run contrary to those of US officials as Secretary of State Rubio has described Zelensky’s trip as a “fiasco”</strong></p>
            
                        
            <p>Politicians in Kiev have rallied behind Vladimir Zelensky after his public spat with Donald Trump, praising the Ukrainian leader’s <em>“bravery and strength”</em> in standing up to the US president.</p>
<p>Zelensky’s visit to the White House on Friday was abruptly cut short after his meeting with the US president and vice president devolved into a heated argument in front of the media. Trump and J.D. Vance accused their guest of <em>“gambling with World War III”</em> due to his reluctance to negotiate peace with Russia, and of being disrespectful and ungrateful for the substantial military aid provided to Kiev by Washington.</p>
<p>During the shouting match, Zelensky again ruled out the possibility of talks with Moscow, demanded security guarantees from the US, refused to acknowledge that Kiev’s forces are experiencing manpower shortages and implied that Vance could not have known anything about Ukraine’s problems due to not having been to the country.</p>
<p>US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Zelensky’s trip to Washington as a <em>“fiasco,”</em> while Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that <em>“with his outrageously boorish behavior”</em> the Ukrainian leader confirmed that he is <em>“a most dangerous threat to the international community.”</em></p>

            
    <blockquote>
        <span><strong>Read more</strong></span>
        <figure>
            <img src="https://mf.b37mrtl.ru/files/2025.03/thumbnail/67c33e932030277750708a8a.jpg" alt="Vladimir Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.">
            <figcaption><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/613550-nbc-zelensky-petulant-child-trump-spat/">White House sees Zelensky as ‘petulant child’ – NBC source</a></figcaption>
        </figure>
    </blockquote>


    

<p>Officials in Kiev, however, saw the Oval Office meeting in a completely different light. Zelensky’s Chief of Staff Andrey Yermak posted on X on Friday that the Ukrainian leader <em>“is fighting for our country, for everyone who stands for a just and lasting peace.”</em> Yermak insisted that he would support his boss <em>“in every situation.”</em></p>
<p>On the same day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga complimented Zelensky for having <em>“the bravery and strength to stand up for what is right”</em> during the exchange in the Oval Office.</p>
<p>The Ukrainian leader’s top aide Mikhail Podoliak wrote on X on Saturday that Zelensky’s stance is <em>“impeccable, well-argued and absolutely correct.”</em> Podoliak also stressed that <em>“emotions are emotions, but the facts are quite concrete… Just like reputations.”</em></p>
<p>Zelensky <em>“is a rock, and few leaders in the world can match his fortitude. And he really wants to put an end to this war, not a comma, which might seem like a good option to some,”</em> David Arakhamia, who heads the ruling Servant of the People party in the Ukrainian parliament, said as cited by Deutsche Welle.</p>

             
    <p>
        <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rt.com/news/613580-nato-chief-urges-zelensky-to-mend-ties-with-trump/">
            <span>READ MORE: </span>NATO chief urges Zelensky to make peace with Trump
        </a>
    </p>


    

<p>Ukraine’s top general, Aleksandr Syrsky, also supported Zelensky after his argument with Trump, writing on Telegram that <em>“the Armed Forces are with Ukraine, with the people, with the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Our strength is in unity.”</em></p>
<p>In its article on Saturday, Time magazine cited an unnamed colonel of the Ukrainian military, who said <em>“well done”</em> of Zelensky’s attempts to resist Trump. <em>“You have to respect that… But now we are f****ed,”</em> he added.</p>

link:
https://www.rt.com/news/613582-zelensky-trump-vance-ukraine/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=RSS

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guid: yt:video:kC59MoBppo4
title: Murder of McKinley &amp; Creation of Federal Reserve
author: ;Promethean In-Depth
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC59MoBppo4
hash: ��or��(ߨ��f>x
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{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/kC59MoBppo4?version=3","title":"Murder of McKinley &amp; Creation of Federal Reserve","description":"Get our FREE newsletter at https://www.PrometheanAction.com — In a previous discussion of William McKinley's presidency, we explored McKinley's achievements in building up the productive economy of the United States, including his policies of tariffs, bi-metalism, trade reciprocity and the expansion of a regulated national banking system.\n\nThe assassination of McKinley in 1901 not only led to the reversal of these American System economic policies, but to a destruction of American economic sovereignty itself. With the Federal Reserve, an alien oligarchical financial and banking paradigm was imposed upon the United States, a money-system which concentrated power and wealth in the hands of a few.","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i4.ytimg.com/vi/kC59MoBppo4/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171507
title: Johnson says Putin ‘not to be trusted,’ ‘dangerous’
author: ;Tara Suter
link: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5171507-johnsonputin-not-to-be-trusted-dangerous/
hash: ���:=�tS�3
tags: #Defense #House #International #News #House Republicans #russia #ukraine
content:
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said on Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “not to be trusted,” as well as “dangerous.” “What is your view of Vladimir Putin?” CNN’s Dana Bash asked Johnson on “State of the Union.” “I think Vladimir Putin is an old-school communist, a former KGB agent, and he’s not to…

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guid: https://schillerinstitute.com/?p=107317
title: A Philosophical Discussion for Peace
author: ;tobi
link: https://schillerinstitute.com/blog/2025/03/02/a-philosophical-discussion-for-peace/
hash: ���-T�5�q�(�G [
tags: #General #International Peace Coalition
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p><em>Report on IPC #91</em></p>



<p>March 1, 2025 (EIRNS)—The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/KAd3kMCPu9s?si=FOLQhU3JryvbPpjp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">91st weekly meeting of the International Peace Coalition</a> (IPC) on Friday, Feb. 28 turned into a profound philosophical discussion on the true meaning of politics and diplomacy which must be established in order to prevent the descent into global war, and on the current extremely dynamic transformation taking place in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s election and his forceful intervention to stop the surrogate war on Russia in Ukraine.</p>



<p>Helga Zepp-LaRouche, the founder of the Schiller Institute and convener of the IPC, opened the forum by pointing to the tectonic shift taking place, with the collapse of the collective West. The unipolar world, ruled by the West since the end of the Soviet Union, is disintegrating, and “is never to be fixed again.”</p>



<p>The war in Ukraine is lost, but the Europeans refuse to stop, preparing for a war they cannot win, and cannot afford. In a state of denial about reality, they sent French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to Washington to coerce Trump to continue the war, but totally failed. It is an “arrogance of power,” Zepp-LaRouche said, which is expressed by the 2007 Lisbon Treaty. That treaty was used by the EU leadership to effectively create a European constitution, including a provision to wage collective war, without the consent of the European people—after 2005 referendums in the Netherlands and France on the creation of such a constitution were soundly defeated.</p>



<p>Zepp-LaRouche emphasized the importance of Russian President <a href="http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/76338" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vladimir Putin’s Feb. 27 declaration</a> that the talks with the Trump administration are going well, and that the intention is to create global security for all countries—very much like the intention of the IPC and the Schiller Institute to create a new architecture for security and development for all nations. She warned that the situation in the Middle East is still treacherous, and that we must not finish our fight for peace until all the threats are resolved.</p>



<p><strong>Peace Is Bad for the Military-Industrial Complex</strong></p>



<p>Ray McGovern, a co-founder of the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS), posed the question: Will the Europeans be able to stop Trump’s peace effort? He warned that the media is a major weapon against peace, and “peace is bad for business.” He reported that former presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich and his wife had authored an <a href="https://eir.news/2025/03/news/kuciniches-praise-trumps-challenge-to-military-industrial-complex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">article</a> showing that with the breakout of peace talks in the U.S., the stock values of the military-industrial companies had begun a sharp decline, whereas in Europe, where the leaders are militarizing their countries, the military-industrial stocks are booming. He ridiculed the continuing anti-Russia hysteria, asking if Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky were merely pumping gas at a Russian “gas station.” Trump is not only saying “no more war in Ukraine,” he is also saying “no more NATO.” Europe can no longer depend on the U.S., he said. Nonetheless, the danger in the Middle East is still great, and we should recall what his friend, the late peace-activist Daniel Berrigan said: “The difference between doing something and doing nothing is everything.”</p>



<p>Dr. Jérôme Ravenet, a professor of philosophy in France, the author of a thesis on Chinese President Xi Jinping, and a Chinese scholar, pointed first to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s repulsive speech in Chicago in 1999 openly promoting Anglo-American imperial intervention in third countries, which became the basis and justification for the many regime-change wars by the U.K. and the U.S. in the following years. Sanctions and military interventions only escalate conflicts, not solve them, Ravenet said. Are they insane, he asked, or are they convinced that military intervention is necessary to counter a perceived evil?</p>



<p>The West has now worn out its power, with color revolutions and hubris. He then discussed the great philosophic minds of Western civilization, drawing from each a sense of justice. He pointed to Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza, who distinguished between power and inclusivity, showing that power proves to be impotent (as the failure of sanctions demonstrates, as well as the fact that regime-change wars only create chaos), whereas the Chinese policy of the Belt and Road Initiative shows the benefit of inclusivity. He said that the West has demonized China, denying that the concept of socialist democracy can even exist. Contrary to the Wolfowitz Doctrine of Western superiority and hegemony, the great philosophers pointed to common sense, and a multipolar world; that contradictions do not mean declaring others to be enemies—pointing to Nicholas of Cusa’s concept of the “coincidence of opposites.” China’s idea of a “win-win” policy, and Charles de Gaulle’s notion of a “third way” between communism and capitalism, are better approaches.</p>



<p>Zepp-LaRouche praised Dr. Ravenet’s “enlightened” presentation, and agreed fully that the Chinese concept of “socialist democracy” was a better approach. After all, she noted, “democracy is dead in Europe,” as evidenced by the Romanian cancellation of the election because the winner was against the war in Ukraine, then arresting him to prevent him from running again. Europe is tied to the “Deep State” in the U.S. She brought up the notion of synarchy—the idea that the oligarchy and the banking interests must have power over the will of the masses, pointing to former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s denunciation of the “deplorables” as an example.</p>



<p>Ray McGovern thanked Dr. Ravenet, saying that he felt like he was “back in grad school, taking notes.” He said that we must also consider the role of racism in the thinking of the oligarchy. He noted that he studied the Classics, and learned Greek, learning that there were two words for power—one meaning hegemony, the other relational, in which the interests of the other were important. He added that Jesus used the term for relational.</p>



<p>Dr. Ravenet added that in regard to anti-China racism, it was French Philosopher Montesquieu who introduced the notion of “Oriental despotism,” although he knew nothing about China. His concern was to oppose Gottfried Leibniz, who was working with the Jesuits who were in China. He concurred with McGovern that Jesus rejected the concept of power as hegemonism.</p>



<p>Mubarak Awad, a Palestinian-American who heads Non-Violence International, provided a video discussion with the Schiller Institute’s Gerald Belsky, in which he strongly endorsed the LaRouche Oasis Plan. He said Palestinians are “less interested in one state or two states, but that people cannot live without water.” He denounced the politicization of water, pointing to Israel’s cutting off the water supply as part of their war on Gaza. He said that Palestinians do not trust the West, since its leaders repeatedly say “peace” and “two-state solution,” but not a single U.S. President has enforced that policy, all saying that “it is up to Israel.” Other countries must be brought into the planning, such as Türkiye, India and African countries; not just Europeans, who had colonized the region.</p>



<p><strong>A Shared Community of Mankind</strong></p>



<p>In response to a question about what type of leadership was needed in Europe, Zepp-LaRouche said, “Not those who reject the common good.” She pointed to China’s notion of the “shared community of mankind.” Leaders must “inspire,” she said, which requires a love of poetry and of music. Such leaders existed in the past, such as Charles de Gaulle, the Prussian reformers who followed Friedrich Schiller and the Humboldts, the leaders of the 1955 Bandung Conference, Confucius, and Joan of Arc. “We need discussions of these ideas,” rather than the common use of “slogans and text messages.”</p>



<p>Dr. Ravenet expressed his delight that the Schiller Institute exists to discuss these issues. He said that he had taught the Chinese language for years, but that in France, there was an effort to marginalize the teaching of Chinese and other languages. Zepp-LaRouche responded that knowing other languages and cultures is crucial if we are to create a world worthy of all nations and all peoples.</p>



<p>Jacques Cheminade, the head of the French Solidarité et Progrès party, said that leaders must be willing to break from the “set rules of discourse” to seek the truth.</p>



<p>A question was raised as to whether Trump had the fortitude to counter the Deep State. IPC co-moderator Dennis Speed responded that the new U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi demanded that certain files be released, only to find that thousands of pages had been withheld. She has now demanded that they all be released immediately, and to reveal who had withheld them. Tulsi Gabbard, now the Director of National Intelligence, has countered the British demand that Apple create a “backdoor” on all their phones so that British intelligence can spy on everyone. These are the cases which will determine if the Deep State can win or not. </p>



<p><em>eir</em></p>


guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171481
title: ‘SNL’ Cold Open mocks heated Trump-Zelenksy meeting, Musk chainsaw moment
author: ;Rachel Scully
link: https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5171481-snl-cold-open-mocks-trump-zelenksy-musk-chainsaw/
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tags: #Blog Briefing Room #In The Know
content:
This week’s “Saturday Night Live” Cold Open spoofed the meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and featured a special appearance from a chainsaw-wielding Elon Musk. In its first episode since its 50th anniversary, the late-night show opened with Trump, played by James Austin Johnson, and Zelensky, played by Mikey Day. Last week,…

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guid: https://thehill.com/?p=5171459
title: Live updates: Johnson says someone besides Zelensky ‘needs to lead’ Ukraine
hash: ��nD ^|��� ��
tags: #News
content:
President Trump’s public debacle with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky halted hopes for a signed minerals agreement while dividing the world — and Washington — over their support for them both. Mike Pompeo, a former secretary of state under Trump, will likely discuss the history of U.S. involvement in previous negotiations as an ally of Ukraine during his appearance on…

link:
https://thehill.com/homenews/5171459-live-updates-trump-zelensky-clash-government-funding-doge-cuts/

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title: Decoding the Cloisonne Art Museum of China
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https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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<div data-sanitized-class="cmsImagesCollectionOuter">
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<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/b0b87bf40de24b65ac75b0f9afd64d45/b0b87bf40de24b65ac75b0f9afd64d45.jpeg" alt="Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/b0b87bf40de24b65ac75b0f9afd64d45/b0b87bf40de24b65ac75b0f9afd64d45.jpeg"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/4f3dfb375b0742c6af25a9aa58e7944d/4f3dfb375b0742c6af25a9aa58e7944d.jpeg" alt="Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/4f3dfb375b0742c6af25a9aa58e7944d/4f3dfb375b0742c6af25a9aa58e7944d.jpeg"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/914d48056a8f4c4eab03569d6112a572/914d48056a8f4c4eab03569d6112a572.jpeg" alt="Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/914d48056a8f4c4eab03569d6112a572/914d48056a8f4c4eab03569d6112a572.jpeg"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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</div>
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<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/536cd5b24d9045fabf5d83f3c431e065/536cd5b24d9045fabf5d83f3c431e065.jpeg" alt="Cloisonne artworks are seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/536cd5b24d9045fabf5d83f3c431e065/536cd5b24d9045fabf5d83f3c431e065.jpeg"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Cloisonne artworks are seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Cloisonne artworks are seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<div readability="39" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>Located in Beijing, the Cloisonne Art Museum of China plays a pivotal role in revealing the fascinating history of cloisonne in the country. Through a rich collection of detailed historical materials and exquisite physical exhibits, it paints a vivid picture of the development of this world-renowned traditional handicraft. It meticulously traces its path from its very origins, through its heyday, and on to the ongoing processes of inheritance and innovation that keep it alive today.</p>
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<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/3e39776d250e4b85becf6b336e3c0427/3e39776d250e4b85becf6b336e3c0427.jpeg" alt="Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/3e39776d250e4b85becf6b336e3c0427/3e39776d250e4b85becf6b336e3c0427.jpeg"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/028c182cbc8b4a2396627d3d0bb8a569/028c182cbc8b4a2396627d3d0bb8a569.jpeg" alt="Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/028c182cbc8b4a2396627d3d0bb8a569/028c182cbc8b4a2396627d3d0bb8a569.jpeg"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/86b74ff515d8432ca1c924e811e1cea5/86b74ff515d8432ca1c924e811e1cea5.jpeg" alt="Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/86b74ff515d8432ca1c924e811e1cea5/86b74ff515d8432ca1c924e811e1cea5.jpeg"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<p>The techniques behind Chinese cloisonne, which was designated a national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006, have a rich history. It first emerged during the Yuan Dynasty some 700 years ago and witnessed a remarkable surge in popularity during the Jingtai reign of the Ming Dynasty over 550 years ago. What makes it truly extraordinary is its seamless integration of diverse crafts, such as the robustness of bronze casting, the glazed brilliance of ceramic firing, the artistic touches of painting and carving, the ornamental allure of inlay, the translucent beauty of glass smelting, and the structural integrity of metallurgy.</p>
<p>In ancient times, it was a symbol of royalty and one of the most coveted royal crafts.</p>
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<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/378b5e7ebaf54b73bea82640467a7a51/378b5e7ebaf54b73bea82640467a7a51.jpeg" alt="A cloisonne artwork used as national gift for the APEC China 2014 event is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/378b5e7ebaf54b73bea82640467a7a51/378b5e7ebaf54b73bea82640467a7a51.jpeg"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>A cloisonne artwork used as national gift for the APEC China 2014 event is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
<div readability="10" data-sanitized-class="wrapper-visible">
<p data-sanitized-class="title">A cloisonne artwork used as national gift for the APEC China 2014 event is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/e31108080d184019a29d2e352b189921/e31108080d184019a29d2e352b189921.jpeg" alt="Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/e31108080d184019a29d2e352b189921/e31108080d184019a29d2e352b189921.jpeg"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
<div readability="10" data-sanitized-class="wrapper-visible">
<p data-sanitized-class="title">Cloisonne artwork is seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/1cb58f22a1384b9aab2ad32058148c74/1cb58f22a1384b9aab2ad32058148c74.jpeg" alt="Cloisonne artworks are seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/img/1cb58f22a1384b9aab2ad32058148c74/1cb58f22a1384b9aab2ad32058148c74.jpeg"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Cloisonne artworks are seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
<div readability="10" data-sanitized-class="wrapper-visible">
<p data-sanitized-class="title">Cloisonne artworks are seen on display at the Cloisonne Art Museum of China in Beijing, on February 23, 2025. /CGTN</p>
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<div readability="38" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>In contemporary times, thanks to the dedicated efforts in balancing heritage and innovation, Chinese cloisonne has broken free from its once exclusive confines. It now enters thousands of households in a more accessible and everyday guise. This transformation has enabled it to serve not only as a prestigious national gift that cements diplomatic ties but also as a highly sought-after, best-selling product that captivates consumers from all walks of life.</p>
</div>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Decoding-the-Cloisonne-Art-Museum-of-China-1BkCqpcCpnq/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: Terracotta Warriors: A bucket-list destination for overseas tourists
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<div data-width="569" data-height="1012" data-ratio="569:1012" data-news-id="485872" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Terracotta-Warriors-A-bucket-list-destination-for-overseas-tourists-1BkFsQcV692/video/wu_1il32mti01c241o90v4n17p19t0a/wu_1il32mti01c241o90v4n17p19t0a.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-is4k="false" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Terracotta-Warriors-A-bucket-list-destination-for-overseas-tourists-1BkFsQcV692/video/wu_1il32mti01c241o90v4n17p19t0a/wu_1il32mti01c241o90v4n17p19t0a.jpg" data-title="Terracotta Warriors: A bucket-list destination for overseas tourists" data-origin="web_list" data-sanitized-class="cg-player-container J_player_container">
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<div data-width="569" data-height="1012" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Terracotta-Warriors-A-bucket-list-destination-for-overseas-tourists-1BkFsQcV692/video/wu_1il32mti01c241o90v4n17p19t0a/wu_1il32mti01c241o90v4n17p19t0a.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-newsid="485872" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Terracotta-Warriors-A-bucket-list-destination-for-overseas-tourists-1BkFsQcV692/video/wu_1il32mti01c241o90v4n17p19t0a/wu_1il32mti01c241o90v4n17p19t0a.jpg" data-is4k="false" data-sanitized-id="c_videoCULTURE_GENERAL_DIGITAL_checkvideo0Play-myOverlay" data-sanitized-class="click-to-play-overlay J_player_container_main">


<p>00:57</p>
<img src="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Terracotta-Warriors-A-bucket-list-destination-for-overseas-tourists-1BkFsQcV692/video/wu_1il32mti01c241o90v4n17p19t0a/wu_1il32mti01c241o90v4n17p19t0a.jpg" alt></div>
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<p>The Terracotta Warriors are one of the world's greatest archaeological discoveries and a must-visit for travelers to Xi'an. Today, Rachel meets with visitors from England and France to hear their first impressions and they find what makes this ancient wonder such an unforgettable experience for international travelers!</p>
</div>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Terracotta-Warriors-A-bucket-list-destination-for-overseas-tourists-1BkFsQcV692/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: &amp;#039;Blessing trees&amp;#039; adorned with lanterns light up a Changzhou park
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<div readability="7" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/-Blessing-trees-adorned-with-lanterns-light-up-a-Changzhou-park-1BkJzWykJW0/img/2ad60b9a481b4af9957e9f7bd850585a/2ad60b9a481b4af9957e9f7bd850585a.jpeg" alt="Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/-Blessing-trees-adorned-with-lanterns-light-up-a-Changzhou-park-1BkJzWykJW0/img/2ad60b9a481b4af9957e9f7bd850585a/2ad60b9a481b4af9957e9f7bd850585a.jpeg"><div readability="11" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC</p>
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<div readability="7" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/-Blessing-trees-adorned-with-lanterns-light-up-a-Changzhou-park-1BkJzWykJW0/img/6e3592b4ecef4c85942ed91ffaa80008/6e3592b4ecef4c85942ed91ffaa80008.jpeg" alt="Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/-Blessing-trees-adorned-with-lanterns-light-up-a-Changzhou-park-1BkJzWykJW0/img/6e3592b4ecef4c85942ed91ffaa80008/6e3592b4ecef4c85942ed91ffaa80008.jpeg"><div readability="11" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC</p>
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<div readability="7" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/-Blessing-trees-adorned-with-lanterns-light-up-a-Changzhou-park-1BkJzWykJW0/img/cde470302f1841d5ad8e3583a8347182/cde470302f1841d5ad8e3583a8347182.jpeg" alt="Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/-Blessing-trees-adorned-with-lanterns-light-up-a-Changzhou-park-1BkJzWykJW0/img/cde470302f1841d5ad8e3583a8347182/cde470302f1841d5ad8e3583a8347182.jpeg"><div readability="11" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC</p>
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<div readability="7" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/-Blessing-trees-adorned-with-lanterns-light-up-a-Changzhou-park-1BkJzWykJW0/img/5fb2d06e00c841429253db3321aa60b2/5fb2d06e00c841429253db3321aa60b2.jpeg" alt="Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/-Blessing-trees-adorned-with-lanterns-light-up-a-Changzhou-park-1BkJzWykJW0/img/5fb2d06e00c841429253db3321aa60b2/5fb2d06e00c841429253db3321aa60b2.jpeg"><div readability="11" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC</p>
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<div readability="7" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/-Blessing-trees-adorned-with-lanterns-light-up-a-Changzhou-park-1BkJzWykJW0/img/aefcdee05e794ab6aa0c724f07a34b38/aefcdee05e794ab6aa0c724f07a34b38.jpeg" alt="Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/-Blessing-trees-adorned-with-lanterns-light-up-a-Changzhou-park-1BkJzWykJW0/img/aefcdee05e794ab6aa0c724f07a34b38/aefcdee05e794ab6aa0c724f07a34b38.jpeg"><div readability="11" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC</p>
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<div readability="7" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/-Blessing-trees-adorned-with-lanterns-light-up-a-Changzhou-park-1BkJzWykJW0/img/f4fded75549e4743a1c267f84250b839/f4fded75549e4743a1c267f84250b839.jpeg" alt="Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/-Blessing-trees-adorned-with-lanterns-light-up-a-Changzhou-park-1BkJzWykJW0/img/f4fded75549e4743a1c267f84250b839/f4fded75549e4743a1c267f84250b839.jpeg"><div readability="11" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC</p>
<div readability="9" data-sanitized-class="wrapper-visible">
<p data-sanitized-class="title">Clusters of cube-shaped lanterns decorated with festive greetings light up the night in Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu. /IC</p>
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<div readability="39" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>At Hongmei Park in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, clusters of cube-shaped lanterns adorned with festive greetings light up the night, forming "blessing trees" along the park's main thoroughfare and shining brightly against the backdrop of the nearby Tianning Pagoda, adding a touch of warmth and brilliance to the cold spring evening.</p>
</div>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/-Blessing-trees-adorned-with-lanterns-light-up-a-Changzhou-park-1BkJzWykJW0/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: Experts: AI technology reshaping global workforce dynamics
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https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Experts-AI-technology-reshaping-global-workforce-dynamics-1BjyRvy0syk/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

content:
<div><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Experts-AI-technology-reshaping-global-workforce-dynamics-1BjyRvy0syk/img/c8886f305ee8498086ee3d8039aa2b7a/c8886f305ee8498086ee3d8039aa2b7a-750.png" data-sanitized-class="ff-og-image-inserted"></div><div readability="153">
<p><em><strong>Editor's note:</strong> At the recent AI Action Summit in Paris, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing underscored China's commitment to fostering ​AI inclusiveness​ and global collaboration. This article, co-authored by ​LinkedIn's Chief Economic Opportunity Officer Aneesh Raman​ and ​its China Country Manager Wang Qian (Nancy Wang), seeks to amplify this vision by exploring how AI is reshaping the global workforce and why China's approach to ​democratizing innovation​ offers a blueprint for sustainable, inclusive growth.</em></p>
<p><em>The article reflects the authors' opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.</em></p>
<p><strong>From 'knowledge economy' to 'innovation economy'</strong></p>
<p>The rise of AI marks a fundamental shift from the "knowledge economy" to an "innovation economy," where uniquely human skills like creativity, empathy and cross-cultural collaboration become central to growth.</p>
<p>The knowledge economy is the economy we've been in since the rise of computing and the internet in the 1990s. In the knowledge economy, our intellectual abilities and our technical skills have been core to work and are what have propelled our economies forward. </p>
<p>The innovation economy is what comes next. The innovation economy emerging out of AI will mean, for the first time ever, human innovation – not technological capabilities – will be core to work and the driver of economic growth. Human innovation comes from our uniquely human skills – skills I like to call the 5 Cs: creativity, curiosity, courage, compassion and communication. These are the skills that allow us to come up with new ideas that challenge the status quo and the skills that drive us to build new teams, new companies and even imagine entirely new industries. These are skills AI can help amplify but can't replace.</p>
<p>The knowledge economy we're in now, where computer science and STEM skills have been the dominant skill set in the job market, has relegated our social and emotional abilities to the back burner as "soft skills." But we're entering a new moment where the core skills companies need are shifting – up to 70 percent by 2030 for all jobs on average. The reality now is that, as technologies like AI and robotics come in and take on a lot of the intellectual and physical aspects of work, our uniquely human skills – like empathy, leadership, collaboration – are actually becoming the new "hard skills." The job market is going to place much greater emphasis and value on these skills in the coming years as AI advances, so now is the moment for anyone who hasn't focused on them yet to get started.</p>
<p><strong>Generative AI redefined 'being human at work'</strong></p>
<p>The story of work has always been the story of technology and tools, not humans.</p>
<p>For centuries, work was about our physical abilities on farms and then again in the factories with the rise of the industrial revolutions. It's only been the past couple of decades that work has been about our intellectual abilities in today's knowledge economy. Now, the rise of AI at work is pushing us once again into a new era for the economy – an innovation economy where human innovation and our uniquely human skills like social and emotional intelligence will finally be core to work and core to economic growth. </p>
<p>Seeing AI's vast capabilities at work over the past couple of years has pushed many to ask: What's left for humans? But that's the wrong question. We all need to start asking instead, what's possible for humans? What's finally possible when we free ourselves up from tedious tasks that don't ask much of us and instead focus on the work that allows us all to innovate, collaborate and create in new ways? Asking what's possible for your job or for your company transforms your approach to AI and unearths a lot of exciting opportunities.</p>
<p>My biggest advice to everyone is do not be fearful; be curious. If you are curious, you will be better off as long as you every day are learning more things and leaning into this moment of change.</p>
<p><strong>AI changed the systems of work</strong></p>
<p>AI is spurring a fundamental reset in that entire system when it comes to how we hire and what things we look for in a candidate.</p>
<p>The labor market has always been a broken and inefficient system when it comes to matching talent and opportunity. For most of human history, we inherited work like the genes that determine our heights. Jobs are changing so fast that pedigree signals we've long relied on, such as where you went to school or what big-name company you've worked for in the past, are no longer useful predictors of future success in a job. </p>
<p>Instead, employers are shifting towards skills as the new key signal. There's been momentum on both sides of the job market for this shift to skills, with LinkedIn members adding new skills at a rate that's 140 percent higher compared to 2022, and 60 percent of executives in the U.S. now agreeing there are better ways to train and develop workers unrelated to a four-year degree.</p>
<p>AI is also emerging as a tool that will make skills-based matching at scale a reality, with new AI-powered features on LinkedIn like Job Match and LinkedIn Hiring Assistant making it easier for both candidates and recruiters to more clearly see how someone's skills match up to open roles. </p>
<p><strong>AI to democratize innovation globally</strong></p>
<p>AI will help democratize innovation in a way we've never seen before. AI is good at a lot of things, but where it is set to have the biggest impact is in helping people sitting on great ideas and great inventions finally bring those ideas to life. </p>
<p>The biggest thing you should think about AI is that it's going to unleash a whole new wave of companies. AI is a tool that you can bring into the day-to-day work for employees for existing companies. But AI is about to be this thing that unleashes entrepreneurship everywhere. The ability to build a business has never been easier than it is now because you can use AI to build new companies. </p>
<p>AI can be your sounding board, your co-founder, your coder and your editor in executing that new project or prototyping that new product. You don't need to be an Einstein or come from an entrepreneurial background to bring a big idea to life with these tools. AI will also help unleash ideas that can potentially solve the world's most pressing challenges, from climate change to healthcare. Think about what happens when an entrepreneur in Brazil can prototype a climate technology solution without needing a full engineering team. Or when a teacher in rural India can build and deploy an educational platform without needing to write code. Or when a researcher in Nigeria can run sophisticated experiments without a fully equipped lab.</p>
<p>If you're a company that isn't taking risks, the biggest risk isn't even just the companies that are your size that are adapting when you're not. It's the new companies that are coming, who are building with AI at the center, who are going to come disrupt your business if you're not ready for it. </p>
</div><div readability="78">
<p><em><strong>Note:</strong> Below are answers from Wang in a written interview.</em></p>
<p><strong>China's AI technology to share with world </strong></p>
<p>China has achieved remarkable progress in AI technology R&amp;D (research and development) and industrial applications. As a global professional networking platform, LinkedIn data indicates that ​58 percent of enterprises worldwide plan to adopt AI tools by 2025, with Chinese companies actively building ​AI-driven talent strategies​ to enhance organizational agility and cross-border collaboration capabilities. For instance, in sectors like ​new energy and smart manufacturing, Chinese firms are optimizing global R&amp;D resource allocation through AI, fostering knowledge sharing and innovation synergy.</p>
<p>Technology inclusivity requires multi-stakeholder collaboration. Chinese tech enterprises are demonstrating leadership in ​supply chain optimization and green technology, leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to disseminate advanced solutions globally. This value-driven approach to addressing global challenges – such as sustainability and equitable access – highlights China's role as a pivotal force in shaping a tech-enabled, sustainable future.</p>
<p><strong>AI technology for global inclusiveness</strong></p>
<p>We firmly believe that AI technology is not only an engine for driving business transformation but also a critical tool for addressing systemic societal challenges. In tackling issues like educational inequality and regional development disparities, AI can build more inclusive solutions through technological accessibility and data-driven insights. From a corporate perspective, AI empowers progress in the following ways:</p>
<p><strong>· Democratizing educational resources and enabling personalized learning.</strong> AI-powered recommendation systems help professionals in remote areas identify tailored skill development paths, providing customized learning content to break geographical barriers in traditional education.</p>
<p><strong>· Facilitating regional talent mobility and skill sharing.</strong> Companies leverage AI-driven global recruitment tools that can efficiently tap into international talent pools, promoting cross-regional skill transfer and supporting industrial upgrades.</p>
<p><strong>· Empowering professionals to navigate.</strong> Mastering AI co-working capabilities, such as leveraging generative AI for problem-solving or ethical decision-making, is essential to transforming technology into productivity.</p>
<p>(Cover from VCG; text edited by CGTN's Zhao Chenchen)</p>
</div>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/Experts-AI-technology-reshaping-global-workforce-dynamics-1BjyRvy0syk/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: China launches two new satellites
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content:
<div readability="8" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/China-launches-two-new-satellites-1Bl8McBEslG/img/93c8ac010bc24805b8d582e9357dc8ad/93c8ac010bc24805b8d582e9357dc8ad.jpeg" alt="China launches a Long March-2C carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, placing two satellites into space, February 27, 2025. /VCG" layout="responsive"><div readability="14" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>China launches a Long March-2C carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, placing two satellites into space, February 27, 2025. /VCG</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">China launches a Long March-2C carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, placing two satellites into space, February 27, 2025. /VCG</p>
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<p>China launched a Long March-2C carrier rocket on Thursday, placing two satellites into space.</p>
<p>The rocket blasted off at 3:08 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China and sent the pair of satellites, Siwei Gaojing-1 03 and Siwei Gaojing-1 04, into their preset orbit.</p>
<p>It was the 561st flight mission of the Long March series of rockets.</p>
</div>
<p>Source(s): Xinhua News Agency</p>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-27/China-launches-two-new-satellites-1Bl8McBEslG/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: Beyond Tai Chi: The royal splendor of Wudang&amp;#039;s Zixiao Palace
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guid:
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content:
<div><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Beyond-Tai-Chi-The-royal-splendor-of-Wudang-s-Zixiao-Palace-1BljrMnowDu/img/d5028150f2654f15a4ed4480ecb55384/d5028150f2654f15a4ed4480ecb55384-1920.png" data-sanitized-class="ff-og-image-inserted"></div><div readability="40" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>For centuries, the Wudang Mountains in Shiyan City, central China's Hubei Province, have stood as a vital center of Taoism, renowned particularly for the development of Taoist martial arts, including Tai Chi. The ancient palaces and temples that grace these mountains showcase the pinnacle of Chinese art and architecture.</p>
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<p>Among them, the Zixiao Palace, or Purple Heaven Temple, commands a majestic presence atop Zhanqi Peak in the Wudang Mountains. Historically, it served as a sacred space where Wudang Taoists prayed for the imperial family, with emperors from the Song (960-1279) to Qing (1644-1911) dynasties commissioning altars for ancestral blessings and divine intervention for prosperity and bountiful harvests.</p>
<p>(All photos taken by CGTN at the Zixiao Palace in the Wudang Mountains.)</p>
</div>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Beyond-Tai-Chi-The-royal-splendor-of-Wudang-s-Zixiao-Palace-1BljrMnowDu/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: China urges U.S. to rethink tariff policies
hash: l��-��4`���ά]�
guid:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/China-urges-U-S-to-rethink-tariff-policies-1BlQmHElfUY/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

content:
<div readability="6.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/China-urges-U-S-to-rethink-tariff-policies-1BlQmHElfUY/img/cfb21c1d2de04fa2bcf3a2c0097aa76f/cfb21c1d2de04fa2bcf3a2c0097aa76f.png" alt="China's Ministry of Commerce in Beijing, China. /VCG" layout="responsive"><div readability="9.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>China's Ministry of Commerce in Beijing, China. /VCG</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">China's Ministry of Commerce in Beijing, China. /VCG</p>
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<p>Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has written a letter to Jamieson Greer, the newly appointed United States Trade Representative, congratulating him on his appointment and expressing China's concern about the U.S. tariff policy.</p>
<p>Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the United States, economic and trade relations have seen significant progress, Wang said, adding that the two countries' economic and trade cooperation has played a key role in driving economic growth, boosting employment and enhancing the well-being of people in both countries.</p>
<p>A healthy and sound China-U.S. economic and trade relationship aligns with the common interests of both countries and meets the expectations of the international community, he said.</p>
<p>He said that China is willing to work with the United States to create a better business environment for enterprises in both countries and deliver more tangible benefits to the two peoples.</p>
<p>China has expressed firm opposition to the United States' decision to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods on the grounds of fentanyl-related issues and has taken corresponding countermeasures. This is a necessary move to protect China's legitimate rights and interests, he said.</p>
<p>China has also noticed that it is targeted by multiple investigations under a memorandum titled "America First Trade Policy," Wang said, adding that China hopes the United States will conduct these investigations with an objective, rational and professional attitude while enhancing transparency throughout the process.</p>
<p>"It is natural for China and the United States to have differences in the economic and trade field. We should address our respective concerns through equal dialogue and consultation," the minister said.</p>
</div>
<p>Source(s): Xinhua News Agency</p>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/China-urges-U-S-to-rethink-tariff-policies-1BlQmHElfUY/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: Zhangjiajie: The real-life &amp;#039;Pandora&amp;#039; from the movie &amp;#039;Avatar&amp;#039;
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content:
<div data-sanitized-class="cmsImagesCollectionOuter">
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<div readability="7" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/9cf3783cf9a34d2f9d856b1d15f39e87/9cf3783cf9a34d2f9d856b1d15f39e87.jpeg" alt="Liuqi Pavillion in the snow of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, central China's Hunan Province. /CMG" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/9cf3783cf9a34d2f9d856b1d15f39e87/9cf3783cf9a34d2f9d856b1d15f39e87.jpeg"><div readability="11" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Liuqi Pavillion in the snow of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, central China's Hunan Province. /CMG</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Liuqi Pavillion in the snow of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, central China's Hunan Province. /CMG</p>
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<div readability="6" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/d3d9cde462c24b2aa97f6afc96b94057/d3d9cde462c24b2aa97f6afc96b94057.jpeg" alt="Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in snow and mist in central China's Hunan Province. /CMG" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/d3d9cde462c24b2aa97f6afc96b94057/d3d9cde462c24b2aa97f6afc96b94057.jpeg"><div readability="8" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in snow and mist in central China's Hunan Province. /CMG</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in snow and mist in central China's Hunan Province. /CMG</p>
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<div readability="6" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/ec0caae3975f48259ede259424da5c64/ec0caae3975f48259ede259424da5c64.jpeg" alt="Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in snow and mist in central China's Hunan Province. /CMG" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/ec0caae3975f48259ede259424da5c64/ec0caae3975f48259ede259424da5c64.jpeg"><div readability="8" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in snow and mist in central China's Hunan Province. /CMG</p>
<div readability="7" data-sanitized-class="wrapper-visible">
<p data-sanitized-class="title">Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in snow and mist in central China's Hunan Province. /CMG</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div readability="6" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/28a7dd3341f84c0aa5df76aca7d18d0b/28a7dd3341f84c0aa5df76aca7d18d0b.jpeg" alt="Peaks and sandstone pillars inspiring the sci-fi movie " layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/28a7dd3341f84c0aa5df76aca7d18d0b/28a7dd3341f84c0aa5df76aca7d18d0b.jpeg"><div readability="8" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Peaks and sandstone pillars inspiring the sci-fi movie "Avatar." /CMG</p>
<div readability="7" data-sanitized-class="wrapper-visible">
<p data-sanitized-class="title">Peaks and sandstone pillars inspiring the sci-fi movie "Avatar." /CMG</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div readability="7" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/6ec86cb5e72b43df9629f9f4341e1c8d/6ec86cb5e72b43df9629f9f4341e1c8d.jpeg" alt="Mist shrouds the sandstone pillars in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, central China's Hunan Province. /CMG" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/6ec86cb5e72b43df9629f9f4341e1c8d/6ec86cb5e72b43df9629f9f4341e1c8d.jpeg"><div readability="11" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Mist shrouds the sandstone pillars in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, central China's Hunan Province. /CMG</p>
<div readability="9" data-sanitized-class="wrapper-visible">
<p data-sanitized-class="title">Mist shrouds the sandstone pillars in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, central China's Hunan Province. /CMG</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div readability="6.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/3d453224e8264b9ca7e938b47d9124a5/3d453224e8264b9ca7e938b47d9124a5.jpeg" alt="Sea of clouds in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, central China's Hunan Province. /CMG" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/3d453224e8264b9ca7e938b47d9124a5/3d453224e8264b9ca7e938b47d9124a5.jpeg"><div readability="9.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Sea of clouds in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, central China's Hunan Province. /CMG</p>
<div readability="8" data-sanitized-class="wrapper-visible">
<p data-sanitized-class="title">Sea of clouds in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, central China's Hunan Province. /CMG</p>
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</div>
</div>
<div readability="6" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/a47e9254603b4463a9165824f9b58183/a47e9254603b4463a9165824f9b58183.jpeg" alt="Peaks and sandstone pillars inspired the sci-fi movie " layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/a47e9254603b4463a9165824f9b58183/a47e9254603b4463a9165824f9b58183.jpeg"><div readability="8" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Peaks and sandstone pillars inspired the sci-fi movie "Avatar". /CMG</p>
<div readability="7" data-sanitized-class="wrapper-visible">
<p data-sanitized-class="title">Peaks and sandstone pillars inspired the sci-fi movie "Avatar". /CMG</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div readability="6.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/9af16ec02b174fe39af35b396f3ca77b/9af16ec02b174fe39af35b396f3ca77b.jpeg" alt="Sea of clouds in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, central China's Hunan Province. /CMG" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/img/9af16ec02b174fe39af35b396f3ca77b/9af16ec02b174fe39af35b396f3ca77b.jpeg"><div readability="9.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Sea of clouds in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, central China's Hunan Province. /CMG</p>
<div readability="8" data-sanitized-class="wrapper-visible">
<p data-sanitized-class="title">Sea of clouds in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, central China's Hunan Province. /CMG</p>
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</div>
<div readability="46" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>Amid the mist-shrouded peaks, Zhangjiajie in central China's Hunan Province stands as a masterpiece of nature, with its otherworldly quartz sandstone pillars inspiring the first-ever 3D sci-fi blockbuster: Avatar. </p>
<p>The mysterious and mesmerizing world of Pandora, as envisioned by director James Cameron, draws direct inspiration from Yuanjiajie Scenic Spot, located in the heart of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park within Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Towering with approximately 3,000 quartz sandstone pillars reaching into the sky, this surreal landscape served as the real-world shooting location for the legendary Hallelujah Mountains seen in the film.</p>
</div>
<div readability="62" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>Zhangjiajie is not just a marvel of nature – it is a living, breathing masterpiece of landscape artistry. For centuries, this land has preserved rich geological wonders, folklore and the cultural heritage of the Tujia ethnic group, giving it a unique soul. Mist drifts between the towering peaks, rising and falling like the breath of the earth itself, adding an ethereal, dreamlike quality to the scenery.</p>
<p>In 1992, Wulingyuan was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, securing its place as one of the world's most extraordinary natural treasures. And in 2004, Zhangjiajie was designated as one of the world's first UNESCO Global Geoparks, recognized as a quintessential representation of quartz sandstone peak forest landscapes. </p>
<p>Today, Zhangjiajie continues to captivate visitors from around the globe, sparking boundless imagination about the harmony between nature and fantasy. Whether standing atop Yuanjiajie's peaks, gazing at the breathtaking landscape, or strolling along Golden Whip Stream, immersed in the serenity of nature, every moment spent there is a conversation with the soul of Earth itself.</p>
</div>
<div readability="32" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>(All images taken by Zhang Hongtao)</p>
</div>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Zhangjiajie-The-real-life-Pandora-from-the-movie-Avatar--1Bm7ZrSbMti/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: John Higgins sweeps Pang Junxu to reach WST World Open semifinals
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content:
<div readability="8.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/John-Higgins-sweeps-Pang-Junxu-to-reach-WST-World-Open-semifinals-1BlTL6zsPYs/img/d881c2f91fae406dbfcdf42d27c3e243/d881c2f91fae406dbfcdf42d27c3e243.jpeg" alt="Pang Junxu of China makes a gesture in the quarterfinals against John Higgins of Scotland at the World Snooker Tour (WST) World Open in Shangrao, east China's Jiangxi Province, February 27, 2025. /VCG" layout="responsive"><div readability="15.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Pang Junxu of China makes a gesture in the quarterfinals against John Higgins of Scotland at the World Snooker Tour (WST) World Open in Shangrao, east China's Jiangxi Province, February 27, 2025. /VCG</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Pang Junxu of China makes a gesture in the quarterfinals against John Higgins of Scotland at the World Snooker Tour (WST) World Open in Shangrao, east China's Jiangxi Province, February 27, 2025. /VCG</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div readability="66" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>Four-time world champion John Higgins of Scotland swept past home player Pang Xunju 5-0 in the World Snooker Tour (WST) World Open quarterfinals in Shangrao, east China's Jiangxi Province, on Thursday.</p>
<p>The last time Pang faced Higgins was in the qualifying tournament for the Welsh Open in 2022 when Higgins beat Pang 4-1. He maintained his dominance over the only Chinese player in the last 8 on the night, making a break of 125 to clinch the first frame and then delivered another three breaks of 87, 96, 81 in the following three games respectively before sealing the deal.</p>
<p>Higgins will play Englishman Zak Surety in the semifinals. Surety defeated his compatriot Tom Fard 5-3 on the same day.</p>
<p>In another eye-catching last 8 battle between two English players, Joe O'Connor continued his giant-slaying journey by defeating Shaun Murphy 5-1. O'Connor began with breaks of 135 and 100 to lead 2-0. Though Murphy replied a century of 128 in the third frame, O'Connor claimed three straight frames, including making a break of 132 in the fourth, to pocket the final victory.</p>
<p>"I played really well and didn't give Shaun many chances," O'Connor said. "When the long pots are going in you have to punish the top players, that's what I did today and I'm proud of it. It's cementing confidence I have had for many years. This week it has all come together and hopefully I can win the trophy. If I play like that it will take a lot to stop me. I have been consistent for a while now and when my game clicks I feel I can beat anyone."</p>
<p>O'Connor will face another Englishman Ali Carter next. Carter came back from 3-1 and 4-3 down to edge Barry Hawkins 5-4. He has won two of his six ranking titles in China.</p>
</div>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/John-Higgins-sweeps-Pang-Junxu-to-reach-WST-World-Open-semifinals-1BlTL6zsPYs/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: Animated film &amp;#039;Chang&amp;#039;an&amp;#039; boosts international cultural tourism
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https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Animated-film-Chang-an-boosts-international-cultural-tourism-1Bmhmt0ahos/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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<div data-sanitized-class="cmsVideo cg-pic-big3">
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<div data-width="4032" data-height="4030" data-ratio="4032:4030" data-news-id="486162" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Animated-film-Chang-an-boosts-international-cultural-tourism-1Bmhmt0ahos/video/wu_1il5iimnn1g1k53pdj79h918ffa/wu_1il5iimnn1g1k53pdj79h918ffa.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-is4k="false" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Animated-film-Chang-an-boosts-international-cultural-tourism-1Bmhmt0ahos/video/wu_1il5iimnn1g1k53pdj79h918ffa/wu_1il5iimnn1g1k53pdj79h918ffa.jpg" data-title="Animated film 'Chang'an' helps cultural tourism break boundaries and expand internationally" data-origin="web_list" data-sanitized-class="cg-player-container J_player_container">
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<div data-width="4032" data-height="4030" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Animated-film-Chang-an-boosts-international-cultural-tourism-1Bmhmt0ahos/video/wu_1il5iimnn1g1k53pdj79h918ffa/wu_1il5iimnn1g1k53pdj79h918ffa.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-newsid="486162" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Animated-film-Chang-an-boosts-international-cultural-tourism-1Bmhmt0ahos/video/wu_1il5iimnn1g1k53pdj79h918ffa/wu_1il5iimnn1g1k53pdj79h918ffa.jpg" data-is4k="false" data-sanitized-id="c_videoCULTURE_GENERAL_DIGITAL_checkvideo0Play-myOverlay" data-sanitized-class="click-to-play-overlay J_player_container_main">


<p>03:18</p>
<img src="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Animated-film-Chang-an-boosts-international-cultural-tourism-1Bmhmt0ahos/video/wu_1il5iimnn1g1k53pdj79h918ffa/wu_1il5iimnn1g1k53pdj79h918ffa.jpg" alt></div>
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<div readability="38" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>The animated film "Chang'an" showcases the brilliance of Tang Dynasty (618-907) poets, captivating audiences. The enduring nature of these poems, which are still recited today, has sparked a renewed passion for traditional Chinese poetry and boosted the development of cultural and tourism resources in China. </p>
</div>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Animated-film-Chang-an-boosts-international-cultural-tourism-1Bmhmt0ahos/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: Chengdu makeup artist stuns with bridal looks
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content:
<div data-sanitized-class="cmsVideo cg-pic-big3">
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<div data-width="3353" data-height="1876" data-ratio="3353:1876" data-news-id="486164" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Chengdu-makeup-artist-stuns-with-bridal-looks-1BmhTTH84xy/video/wu_1il5j2nn4134oav61hcs1lptpu75to/wu_1il5j2nn4134oav61hcs1lptpu75to.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-is4k="false" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Chengdu-makeup-artist-stuns-with-bridal-looks-1BmhTTH84xy/video/wu_1il5j2nn4134oav61hcs1lptpu75to/wu_1il5j2nn4134oav61hcs1lptpu75to.jpg" data-title="Chengdu makeup artist stuns with bridal looks" data-origin="web_list" data-sanitized-class="cg-player-container J_player_container">
<div data-sanitized-class="cg-player-position">

<div data-width="3353" data-height="1876" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Chengdu-makeup-artist-stuns-with-bridal-looks-1BmhTTH84xy/video/wu_1il5j2nn4134oav61hcs1lptpu75to/wu_1il5j2nn4134oav61hcs1lptpu75to.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-newsid="486164" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Chengdu-makeup-artist-stuns-with-bridal-looks-1BmhTTH84xy/video/wu_1il5j2nn4134oav61hcs1lptpu75to/wu_1il5j2nn4134oav61hcs1lptpu75to.jpg" data-is4k="false" data-sanitized-id="c_videoCULTURE_GENERAL_DIGITAL_checkvideo0Play-myOverlay" data-sanitized-class="click-to-play-overlay J_player_container_main">


<p>02:53</p>
<img src="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Chengdu-makeup-artist-stuns-with-bridal-looks-1BmhTTH84xy/video/wu_1il5j2nn4134oav61hcs1lptpu75to/wu_1il5j2nn4134oav61hcs1lptpu75to.jpg" alt></div>
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</div>
<div readability="36" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>Traditional Chinese looks remain trendy among makeup styles. In Chengdu, makeup artist Chen Shasha not only creates stunning bridal looks, but also teaches the next generation of beauty professionals. Her studio is now a hot spot for those looking to learn the art of traditional Chinese makeup.</p>
</div>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Chengdu-makeup-artist-stuns-with-bridal-looks-1BmhTTH84xy/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: Xi chairs CPC leadership meeting to discuss draft govt work report
hash: �r!�������,*�
guid:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Xi-chairs-CPC-leadership-meeting-to-discuss-draft-gov-t-work-report-1BmhF9UXbfG/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

content:
<div><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Xi-chairs-CPC-leadership-meeting-to-discuss-draft-gov-t-work-report-1BmhF9UXbfG/img/fc633a0b1b0e413aa46f7ed3e4c6387c/fc633a0b1b0e413aa46f7ed3e4c6387c-750.png" data-sanitized-class="ff-og-image-inserted"></div><p>Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Friday chaired a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to discuss a draft government work report to be submitted by the State Council to the upcoming national legislature session for review.</p>
<p>It was noted at the meeting that China's economy maintained overall stability and made steady progress in the past year. The country has achieved solid advancement in pursuing high-quality development and maintained overall social stability, making solid strides forward in advancing Chinese modernization.</p>
<p>The meeting said it is necessary to follow the arrangements made at the Central Economic Work Conference, adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while maintaining stability, and fully and accurately implement the new development philosophy on all fronts.</p>
<p>It is also essential to accelerate the forging of a new pattern of development, solidly promote high-quality development, further deepen reform comprehensively, expand high-standard opening up, build a modern industrial system and better coordinate development and security, according to the meeting.</p>
<p>Efforts should be made to implement more proactive and impactful macro policies, expand domestic demand, promote the integrated development of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation, stabilize the real estate and stock markets, prevent and defuse risks in key areas and external shocks, stabilize expectations, and stimulate vitality.</p>
<p>The meeting also stressed the need to promote sustained economic recovery, continuously improve people's living standards, maintain social harmony and stability, fulfill the goals and tasks in the 14th Five-Year Plan with high quality, and lay a solid foundation for achieving a good start in the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).</p>
<p>The annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, is scheduled to open on March 5. </p>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Xi-chairs-CPC-leadership-meeting-to-discuss-draft-gov-t-work-report-1BmhF9UXbfG/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: Two Sessions Keywords: Chinese modernization&amp;#039;s path to a shared future
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<div data-width="1080" data-height="1920" data-ratio="1080:1920" data-news-id="486147" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Two-Sessions-Keywords-Chinese-modernization-s-path-to-a-shared-future-1BmcvslcebK/video/wu_1il5l4h0bfc2c0j11thk21nfki9a/wu_1il5l4h0bfc2c0j11thk21nfki9a.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-is4k="false" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Two-Sessions-Keywords-Chinese-modernization-s-path-to-a-shared-future-1BmcvslcebK/video/wu_1il5l4h0bfc2c0j11thk21nfki9a/wu_1il5l4h0bfc2c0j11thk21nfki9a.jpg" data-title="Two Sessions Keywords: Chinese modernization's path to a shared future" data-origin="web_list" data-sanitized-class="cg-player-container J_player_container">
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<div data-width="1080" data-height="1920" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Two-Sessions-Keywords-Chinese-modernization-s-path-to-a-shared-future-1BmcvslcebK/video/wu_1il5l4h0bfc2c0j11thk21nfki9a/wu_1il5l4h0bfc2c0j11thk21nfki9a.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-newsid="486147" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Two-Sessions-Keywords-Chinese-modernization-s-path-to-a-shared-future-1BmcvslcebK/video/wu_1il5l4h0bfc2c0j11thk21nfki9a/wu_1il5l4h0bfc2c0j11thk21nfki9a.jpg" data-is4k="false" data-sanitized-id="c_videoVIDEO_NEWS_checkvideo0Play-myOverlay" data-sanitized-class="click-to-play-overlay J_player_container_main">


<p>01:33</p>
<img src="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Two-Sessions-Keywords-Chinese-modernization-s-path-to-a-shared-future-1BmcvslcebK/video/wu_1il5l4h0bfc2c0j11thk21nfki9a/wu_1il5l4h0bfc2c0j11thk21nfki9a.jpg" alt></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div readability="37" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>Are you intrigued about the future of Chinese modernization? From cutting-edge technology to green transformation, from smart home devices to autonomous vehicles, Chinese modernization is gradually reshaping our daily lives. How will Chinese modernization impact our era? And what part will you play in this transformative journey? Let's explore the unlimited possibilities of this new era together!</p>
</div>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Two-Sessions-Keywords-Chinese-modernization-s-path-to-a-shared-future-1BmcvslcebK/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: Step into a world of film: Xi&amp;#039;an&amp;#039;s Film Experience Center
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content:
<div data-sanitized-class="cmsVideo cg-pic-big3 ng-short-video">
<div data-sanitized-class="cg-video-wrapper">
<div data-width="588" data-height="1046" data-ratio="588:1046" data-news-id="486176" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Step-into-a-world-of-film-Xi-an-s-Film-Experience-Center-1BmlJWcWjlK/video/wu_1il5mb3p91vuv1jktkjk12surcia/wu_1il5mb3p91vuv1jktkjk12surcia.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-is4k="false" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Step-into-a-world-of-film-Xi-an-s-Film-Experience-Center-1BmlJWcWjlK/video/wu_1il5mb3p91vuv1jktkjk12surcia/wu_1il5mb3p91vuv1jktkjk12surcia.jpg" data-title="Step into a world of film: Xi'an's Film Experience Center" data-origin="web_list" data-sanitized-class="cg-player-container J_player_container">
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<div data-width="588" data-height="1046" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Step-into-a-world-of-film-Xi-an-s-Film-Experience-Center-1BmlJWcWjlK/video/wu_1il5mb3p91vuv1jktkjk12surcia/wu_1il5mb3p91vuv1jktkjk12surcia.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-newsid="486176" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Step-into-a-world-of-film-Xi-an-s-Film-Experience-Center-1BmlJWcWjlK/video/wu_1il5mb3p91vuv1jktkjk12surcia/wu_1il5mb3p91vuv1jktkjk12surcia.jpg" data-is4k="false" data-sanitized-id="c_videoCULTURE_GENERAL_DIGITAL_checkvideo0Play-myOverlay" data-sanitized-class="click-to-play-overlay J_player_container_main">


<p>01:24</p>
<img src="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Step-into-a-world-of-film-Xi-an-s-Film-Experience-Center-1BmlJWcWjlK/video/wu_1il5mb3p91vuv1jktkjk12surcia/wu_1il5mb3p91vuv1jktkjk12surcia.jpg" alt></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div readability="41" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>Xi'an isn't just about history, it's also a city of cinema and creativity! At the Xi'an Film Studio Experience Center, Rachel and a group of international travelers and students in China step into the world of filmmaking. From green screen magic to voice dubbing, sound effects and movie sets, they explore what it takes to bring a film to life. Let's dive into the lights, camera, action!</p>
</div>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Step-into-a-world-of-film-Xi-an-s-Film-Experience-Center-1BmlJWcWjlK/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: What do international visitors think of Chinese films?
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content:
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<div data-width="572" data-height="1017" data-ratio="572:1017" data-news-id="486180" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/What-do-international-visitors-think-of-Chinese-films--1Bmn7sSBB60/video/wu_1il5n346n1u0v1m3vg20l4f1g2jau/wu_1il5n346n1u0v1m3vg20l4f1g2jau.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-is4k="false" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/What-do-international-visitors-think-of-Chinese-films--1Bmn7sSBB60/video/wu_1il5n346n1u0v1m3vg20l4f1g2jau/wu_1il5n346n1u0v1m3vg20l4f1g2jau.jpg" data-title="Cinema in Xi'an: What do international visitors think of Chinese films?" data-origin="web_list" data-sanitized-class="cg-player-container J_player_container">
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<div data-width="572" data-height="1017" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/What-do-international-visitors-think-of-Chinese-films--1Bmn7sSBB60/video/wu_1il5n346n1u0v1m3vg20l4f1g2jau/wu_1il5n346n1u0v1m3vg20l4f1g2jau.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-newsid="486180" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/What-do-international-visitors-think-of-Chinese-films--1Bmn7sSBB60/video/wu_1il5n346n1u0v1m3vg20l4f1g2jau/wu_1il5n346n1u0v1m3vg20l4f1g2jau.jpg" data-is4k="false" data-sanitized-id="c_videoCULTURE_GENERAL_DIGITAL_checkvideo0Play-myOverlay" data-sanitized-class="click-to-play-overlay J_player_container_main">


<p>01:10</p>
<img src="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/What-do-international-visitors-think-of-Chinese-films--1Bmn7sSBB60/video/wu_1il5n346n1u0v1m3vg20l4f1g2jau/wu_1il5n346n1u0v1m3vg20l4f1g2jau.jpg" alt></div>
</div>
</div>
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</div>
<div readability="36" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>Chinese films are gaining global attention, but what do international travelers and students in Xi'an think about them? Have they seen "Ne Zha 2" or other popular Chinese movies? Rachel meets visitors at the Xi'an Film Studio Experience Center to hear their thoughts and explore how Chinese cinema is making an impact worldwide!</p>
</div>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/What-do-international-visitors-think-of-Chinese-films--1Bmn7sSBB60/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: Cham dance marks Lhasa&amp;#039;s Tibetan New Year celebrations
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<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Cham-dance-marks-Lhasa-s-Tibetan-New-Year-celebrations-1BmolFdZm2A/img/f7b9e490252f48379709963177ecb13d/f7b9e490252f48379709963177ecb13d.png" alt="A Tibetan Buddhist monk performs the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Cham-dance-marks-Lhasa-s-Tibetan-New-Year-celebrations-1BmolFdZm2A/img/f7b9e490252f48379709963177ecb13d/f7b9e490252f48379709963177ecb13d.png"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>A Tibetan Buddhist monk performs the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">A Tibetan Buddhist monk performs the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG</p>
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<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Cham-dance-marks-Lhasa-s-Tibetan-New-Year-celebrations-1BmolFdZm2A/img/adc51c54c331436c8bef38cc9fb6a5d7/adc51c54c331436c8bef38cc9fb6a5d7.jpeg" alt="Tibetan Buddhist monks perform the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Cham-dance-marks-Lhasa-s-Tibetan-New-Year-celebrations-1BmolFdZm2A/img/adc51c54c331436c8bef38cc9fb6a5d7/adc51c54c331436c8bef38cc9fb6a5d7.jpeg"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Tibetan Buddhist monks perform the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Tibetan Buddhist monks perform the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG</p>
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<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Cham-dance-marks-Lhasa-s-Tibetan-New-Year-celebrations-1BmolFdZm2A/img/8289ab89221b43d79512c9aca05a1e10/8289ab89221b43d79512c9aca05a1e10.jpeg" alt="Tibetan Buddhist monks perform the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Cham-dance-marks-Lhasa-s-Tibetan-New-Year-celebrations-1BmolFdZm2A/img/8289ab89221b43d79512c9aca05a1e10/8289ab89221b43d79512c9aca05a1e10.jpeg"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Tibetan Buddhist monks perform the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Tibetan Buddhist monks perform the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG</p>
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</div>
<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Cham-dance-marks-Lhasa-s-Tibetan-New-Year-celebrations-1BmolFdZm2A/img/6254f3db57c044228324f003ba616018/6254f3db57c044228324f003ba616018.jpeg" alt="Tibetan Buddhist monks perform the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Cham-dance-marks-Lhasa-s-Tibetan-New-Year-celebrations-1BmolFdZm2A/img/6254f3db57c044228324f003ba616018/6254f3db57c044228324f003ba616018.jpeg"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Tibetan Buddhist monks perform the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">Tibetan Buddhist monks perform the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG</p>
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<div readability="7.5" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Cham-dance-marks-Lhasa-s-Tibetan-New-Year-celebrations-1BmolFdZm2A/img/ac1c5270367e4f3ab149dab13d21b013/ac1c5270367e4f3ab149dab13d21b013.jpeg" alt="Tibetan Buddhist monks perform the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG" layout="fixed-height" height="210" lightbox="collection" aria-describedby="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Cham-dance-marks-Lhasa-s-Tibetan-New-Year-celebrations-1BmolFdZm2A/img/ac1c5270367e4f3ab149dab13d21b013/ac1c5270367e4f3ab149dab13d21b013.jpeg"><div readability="12.5" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>Tibetan Buddhist monks perform the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG</p>
<div readability="10" data-sanitized-class="wrapper-visible">
<p data-sanitized-class="title">Tibetan Buddhist monks perform the Cham dance at a monastery in Lhasa, Xizang on February 27, 2025. /VCG</p>
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<p>A monastery in Lhasa, Xizang, held its annual Qiangmu, or Cham dance, ritual on the 29th day of the 12th month in the traditional Tibetan calendar, which falls on February 27. The event was performed to drive away evil spirits, offer prayers for good fortune and express good wishes for Tibetan New Year.</p>
<p>The Cham, a religious dance performed by Tibetan Buddhist monks, consists of solo, duet and group performances. The monks wore masks during the ceremony, which is deeply rooted in Tibetan culture and Buddhism.</p>
</div>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Cham-dance-marks-Lhasa-s-Tibetan-New-Year-celebrations-1BmolFdZm2A/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: China&amp;#039;s natural wonders and urban marvels feature in Hollywood movies
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<div data-width="1080" data-height="597" data-ratio="1080:597" data-news-id="486195" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/China-s-natural-wonders-and-urban-marvels-feature-in-Hollywood-movies-1BmqWVsJT2M/video/wu_1il5q5m4j1ibr1nk41poh1kugluoa/wu_1il5q5m4j1ibr1nk41poh1kugluoa.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-is4k="false" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/China-s-natural-wonders-and-urban-marvels-feature-in-Hollywood-movies-1BmqWVsJT2M/video/wu_1il5q5m4j1ibr1nk41poh1kugluoa/wu_1il5q5m4j1ibr1nk41poh1kugluoa.jpg" data-title="China's natural wonders and urban marvels feature in Hollywood movies" data-origin="web_list" data-sanitized-class="cg-player-container J_player_container">
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<div data-width="1080" data-height="597" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/China-s-natural-wonders-and-urban-marvels-feature-in-Hollywood-movies-1BmqWVsJT2M/video/wu_1il5q5m4j1ibr1nk41poh1kugluoa/wu_1il5q5m4j1ibr1nk41poh1kugluoa.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-newsid="486195" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/China-s-natural-wonders-and-urban-marvels-feature-in-Hollywood-movies-1BmqWVsJT2M/video/wu_1il5q5m4j1ibr1nk41poh1kugluoa/wu_1il5q5m4j1ibr1nk41poh1kugluoa.jpg" data-is4k="false" data-sanitized-id="c_videoCULTURE_GENERAL_DIGITAL_checkvideo0Play-myOverlay" data-sanitized-class="click-to-play-overlay J_player_container_main">


<p>02:08</p>
<img src="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/China-s-natural-wonders-and-urban-marvels-feature-in-Hollywood-movies-1BmqWVsJT2M/video/wu_1il5q5m4j1ibr1nk41poh1kugluoa/wu_1il5q5m4j1ibr1nk41poh1kugluoa.jpg" alt></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<div readability="37" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>China's breathtaking landscapes have become iconic backdrops for global filmmakers, adding depth and grandeur to some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters. From mystical mountains to futuristic cities, here's how China's natural beauty and urban skylines have left an indelible mark on cinematic history.</p>
</div>

link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/China-s-natural-wonders-and-urban-marvels-feature-in-Hollywood-movies-1BmqWVsJT2M/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: Enjoy roasted brews in pastoral Zhejiang
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<div data-width="1637" data-height="921" data-ratio="1637:921" data-news-id="486196" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Enjoy-roasted-brews-in-pastoral-Zhejiang-1BmruT03ZhC/video/wu_1il5qp0bp1i4qlc7d7qho9vnlbp8/wu_1il5qp0bp1i4qlc7d7qho9vnlbp8.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-is4k="false" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Enjoy-roasted-brews-in-pastoral-Zhejiang-1BmruT03ZhC/video/wu_1il5qp0bp1i4qlc7d7qho9vnlbp8/wu_1il5qp0bp1i4qlc7d7qho9vnlbp8.png" data-title="Enjoy roasted brews in pastoral Zhejiang" data-origin="web_list" data-sanitized-class="cg-player-container J_player_container">
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<div data-width="1637" data-height="921" data-video="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Enjoy-roasted-brews-in-pastoral-Zhejiang-1BmruT03ZhC/video/wu_1il5qp0bp1i4qlc7d7qho9vnlbp8/wu_1il5qp0bp1i4qlc7d7qho9vnlbp8.m3u8" data-is360="false" data-newsid="486196" data-poster="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Enjoy-roasted-brews-in-pastoral-Zhejiang-1BmruT03ZhC/video/wu_1il5qp0bp1i4qlc7d7qho9vnlbp8/wu_1il5qp0bp1i4qlc7d7qho9vnlbp8.png" data-is4k="false" data-sanitized-id="c_videoCULTURE_GENERAL_DIGITAL_checkvideo0Play-myOverlay" data-sanitized-class="click-to-play-overlay J_player_container_main">


<p>03:35</p>
<img src="https://video.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Enjoy-roasted-brews-in-pastoral-Zhejiang-1BmruT03ZhC/video/wu_1il5qp0bp1i4qlc7d7qho9vnlbp8/wu_1il5qp0bp1i4qlc7d7qho9vnlbp8.png" alt></div>
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<div readability="39" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>In recent years, certain "town cafes" and "village cafes" have become popular in various pockets of China. In east China’s Zhejiang Province, for example, many "village cafes" have gained popularity, enticing tourists to indulge in a flat white or maybe something more exotic while immersing themselves in the natural beauty of their surroundings. Let's hear the stories behind some of the village cafes in Zhejiang.</p>
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link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/Enjoy-roasted-brews-in-pastoral-Zhejiang-1BmruT03ZhC/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: China vows countermeasures to Trump&amp;#039;s new 10% tariff threat
hash: RwSl����NQ�3 1
guid:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/China-vows-countermeasures-to-Trump-s-new-10-tariff-threat-1Bmkep20xsQ/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

content:
<div readability="6" data-sanitized-class="cmsImage"><img src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/China-vows-countermeasures-to-Trump-s-new-10-tariff-threat-1Bmkep20xsQ/img/7582e6d04d144bdfa8dd5c4b202e78fe/7582e6d04d144bdfa8dd5c4b202e78fe.png" alt="China's Ministry of Commerce. /VCG" layout="responsive"><div readability="8" data-sanitized-class="imageCaption">
<p>China's Ministry of Commerce. /VCG</p>
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<p data-sanitized-class="title">China's Ministry of Commerce. /VCG</p>
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<p>China's Commerce Ministry on Friday voiced firm opposition to the U.S. threat to impose another 10 percent tariff on goods imported from China starting March 4, and vowed to take "necessary countermeasures" to safeguard China's legitimate rights and interests.</p>
<p>"China has repeatedly stressed that unilateral tariffs violate World Trade Organization rules and damage the multilateral trading system. China firmly opposes the U.S.' move," a spokesperson for China's Commerce Ministry said.</p>
<p>The U.S. cited the so-called fentanyl issue as an excuse for the latest tariff threat.</p>
<p>China has some of the strictest and most rigorously enforced anti-drug policies in the world and actively engages in international anti-drug cooperation with countries around the world, including the U.S., the spokesperson said. </p>
<p>However, the U.S. has consistently ignored objective facts, the spokesperson added, noting that it imposed a 10 percent tariff on goods imported from China citing fentanyl and other reasons, and now it is threatening to impose additional tariffs. </p>
<p>China hopes the U.S. will not continue down the wrong path and will quickly return to the correct track of resolving differences through equal dialogue, the spokesperson said. </p>
<p>If the U.S. persists in its actions, China will take all necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests, the spokesperson added.</p>
<p>The country's foreign ministry also denounced such actions from Washington.</p>
<p>China has repeatedly stated that there is no winner in a trade war or a tariff war, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing on Friday, adding that the U.S. unilateral tariff hikes severely violate World Trade Organization rules and harm the interests of the two countries and the whole world.  </p>
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link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/China-vows-countermeasures-to-Trump-s-new-10-tariff-threat-1Bmkep20xsQ/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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title: "China travel" through the African lens
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guid:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/-China-travel-through-the-African-lens-1BmunXrhiKc/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

content:
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<div readability="6" data-sanitized-id="wu_1il5t8fnof49dphtccih2oet7" data-sanitized-class="audio-item"><audio filename="0228 CAT movie travel.mp3" preload="none" controls="controls"><source src="https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/-China-travel-through-the-African-lens-1BmunXrhiKc/audio/wu_1il5t8fnof49dphtccih2oet7/wu_1il5t8fnof49dphtccih2oet7.mp3" type="audio/mp3"></audio><div data-sanitized-class="audio-left"><img src="https://ui.cgtn.com/ui/audio/image/icon1@x2.png" data-sanitized-class="audio-img audio-play"></div>
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<p>0228 CAT movie travel.mp3</p>

<p><span data-sanitized-class="audio-length-current audioCurTime">00:00</span></p>
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<div readability="76" data-sanitized-class="text en">
<p>Have you ever travelled to a place because it was featured in your favorite films? The recent box office success in China is fueling a new wave of movie-inspired travel and culinary exploration, creating new opportunities for cultural tourism.</p>
<p>Capitalizing on this momentum, travel agencies in China have offered a variety of themed tours based on popular film locations, scenic spots, and iconic story settings.</p>
<p>These offerings have attracted a surge of tourists, with train and air tickets to destinations like the western provinces of Sichuan and Shaanxi experiencing a notable increase in demand.</p>
<p>China has also launched a global promotional campaign called "Travel China with Chinese Films," designed to inspire international travellers to explore the country's breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage.</p>
<p>So, what trends are we seeing among African travelers to China? Two young Africans share their ideas.</p>

<p>1.      Jackie Chan's Influence: Many Africans are first introduced to China through Jackie Chan's movies, where elements like Kung Fu and traditional Chinese architecture form their initial impressions of the country. (3:07)</p>
<p>2.      The Real China Exceeds Expectations: The true China surpasses any preconceived notions, with its remarkable development, modernization, technology, infrastructure, and convenience. The modernization of Chinese rural areas is not the "typical" rural setting but rather more urbanized. (14:00)</p>
<p>3.      Famous Filming Locations in China: China boasts many renowned filming locations featured in international blockbusters like Avatar, 2012, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. These locations further motivate visitors to explore the country. (25:16)</p>
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link:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-02-28/-China-travel-through-the-African-lens-1BmunXrhiKc/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&amp;UTM_Medium=rss&amp;UTM_Campaign=China

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