Forwarded from /CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global (jd)
The CIA under President Donald Trump has been covertly flying MQ-9 Reaper drones over Mexico to spy on drug cartels, current and former officials familiar with the matter told CNN, part of Trump’s dramatic reorientation of national security assets to the US southern border.
The missions, which have not been previously reported, come as the Trump administration moves to treat transnational drug cartels as terrorist organizations — a designation it has yet to officially make.
The MQ-9 drones used for the missions are not currently armed. But they can be equipped with payloads to carry out precision strikes. The US regularly uses them to target suspected terrorists in Syria, Iraq and Somalia.
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/18/politics/cia-drone-missions-mexico-drug-cartels/index.html
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CNN
CIA flying covert drone missions into Mexico to spy on drug cartels
The CIA under President Donald Trump has been covertly flying MQ-9 Reaper drones over Mexico to spy on drug cartels, current and former officials familiar with the matter told CNN, part of Trump’s dramatic reorientation of national security assets to the…
Forwarded from /CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global (jd)
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Forwarded from /CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global (jd)
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Forwarded from Thermopylae
🇻🇦 - With considerable speculation taking place around Francis' health, here are the runners and riders for the next papal conclave:
Cdl. Tagle - Liberal, ex-Archbishop of Manila, seen as the "Asian Francis," supports Rome's stance on LGBT and divorced couples.
Cdl. Erdő - Conservative, Primate (chief bishop) of Hungary, supports Orbán, has spoken out against Francis over migration, divorce.
Cdl. Turkson - Conservative, been in Rome since 2009 so has an inside advantage.
Cdl. Sarah - Long-standing hope of traditionalists, known for support of the Latin Mass and staunch criticism of the current pope, but over 80 - so can't vote.
Cdl. Parolin - Vatican secretary of state, seen as Francis' number two, would be the first Italian to sit in St Peter's since John Paul I. Little is really known about his personal beliefs.
Cdl. Zuppi - Arguably the most liberal candidate, close collaborator with American leftist, pro-gay and anti-Trump priest James Martin, allegedly blessed a gay wedding per conservative Catholic media in Italy.
Cdl. Pizzaballa - Moderate, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, advocate for peace in the Levant war, supports inter-Christian outreach.
Cdls. Eijk (of Utrecht) Aborelius (of Stockholm) and Ranjith (of Colombo) have also been suggested as potential candidates.
Analysts suspect the next conclave will be mainly between Tagle and Erdő, with both representing their wings of the Church. Nonetheless, Pizzaballa, in our opinion, could emerge as a compromise candidate.
It's worth bearing in mind that anyone can be elected pope - this list is just a guide. John Paul II, when he went into the 1979 conclave as Archbishop Wojtyla of Krakow, was completely unknown outside Poland.
Follow: @ThermopylaeNews
Cdl. Tagle - Liberal, ex-Archbishop of Manila, seen as the "Asian Francis," supports Rome's stance on LGBT and divorced couples.
Cdl. Erdő - Conservative, Primate (chief bishop) of Hungary, supports Orbán, has spoken out against Francis over migration, divorce.
Cdl. Turkson - Conservative, been in Rome since 2009 so has an inside advantage.
Cdl. Sarah - Long-standing hope of traditionalists, known for support of the Latin Mass and staunch criticism of the current pope, but over 80 - so can't vote.
Cdl. Parolin - Vatican secretary of state, seen as Francis' number two, would be the first Italian to sit in St Peter's since John Paul I. Little is really known about his personal beliefs.
Cdl. Zuppi - Arguably the most liberal candidate, close collaborator with American leftist, pro-gay and anti-Trump priest James Martin, allegedly blessed a gay wedding per conservative Catholic media in Italy.
Cdl. Pizzaballa - Moderate, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, advocate for peace in the Levant war, supports inter-Christian outreach.
Cdls. Eijk (of Utrecht) Aborelius (of Stockholm) and Ranjith (of Colombo) have also been suggested as potential candidates.
Analysts suspect the next conclave will be mainly between Tagle and Erdő, with both representing their wings of the Church. Nonetheless, Pizzaballa, in our opinion, could emerge as a compromise candidate.
It's worth bearing in mind that anyone can be elected pope - this list is just a guide. John Paul II, when he went into the 1979 conclave as Archbishop Wojtyla of Krakow, was completely unknown outside Poland.
Follow: @ThermopylaeNews
Forwarded from Thermopylae
🇻🇦 - JUST IN: The Italian press service covering the Vatican, RAI Vaticano, "has been alerted as a structural unit for the eventuality of an extraordinary edition" - Messa in Latino, Italian blog covering Church news.
In other words, RAI Vaticano are preparing news reports and programs for the passing of Pope Francis, suggesting the pontiff's health has worsened further.
Follow: @ThermopylaeNews
In other words, RAI Vaticano are preparing news reports and programs for the passing of Pope Francis, suggesting the pontiff's health has worsened further.
Follow: @ThermopylaeNews
Forwarded from Song of Oil and LNG
🇮🇹 KKR Increases Stake in Eni's Biofuel Business Enilive to 30%
Global investment firm KKR has acquired an additional 5% stake in Enilive, the biofuel subsidiary of Italian energy giant Eni, for €587.5 million. This brings KKR’s total ownership to 30%, valuing Enilive at €11.75 billion. Enilive plays a key role in Eni’s energy transition strategy, focusing on sustainable mobility solutions and decarbonized products.
While the investment highlights the growing interest in the biofuels sector, it also reflects the broader trend of foreign capital dominating critical energy industries. This raises concerns about the long-term impact on local economies and the increasing influence of Western corporations in shaping global energy policies. The deal underscores the need for a balanced approach to energy transitions, ensuring that economic and environmental goals are met without compromising national sovereignty.
🔎 Source
#Italy
@songofoil
Global investment firm KKR has acquired an additional 5% stake in Enilive, the biofuel subsidiary of Italian energy giant Eni, for €587.5 million. This brings KKR’s total ownership to 30%, valuing Enilive at €11.75 billion. Enilive plays a key role in Eni’s energy transition strategy, focusing on sustainable mobility solutions and decarbonized products.
While the investment highlights the growing interest in the biofuels sector, it also reflects the broader trend of foreign capital dominating critical energy industries. This raises concerns about the long-term impact on local economies and the increasing influence of Western corporations in shaping global energy policies. The deal underscores the need for a balanced approach to energy transitions, ensuring that economic and environmental goals are met without compromising national sovereignty.
🔎 Source
#Italy
@songofoil
Offshore Technology
KKR to acquire stake in Eni
KKR has entered an agreement to acquire an additional 5% stake in Italian energy major Eni’s biofuel business Enilive.
Forwarded from QVINTA ÆTAS
"European defense stocks surged on Monday following last week's Munich Security Conference, where global leaders, ministers, and top policymakers discussed the urgent need to increase defense spending across the continent as a deterrent against an increasingly emboldened Russia.
On Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the audience at the annual three-day meeting, "I can announce that I will propose to activate the escape clause for defense investments. This will allow member states to substantially increase their defense expenditure."
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) mandates that European countries allocate about 2% of their GDP to defense spending. However, many member states have failed to meet this target. New commitments over the weekend signaled that military expenditures will rise, fueling EU defense stocks on Monday. "
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Telegraph
Defense Stocks Soar As EU Leaders Plan To "Substantially Increase" Weapon Spending
European defense stocks surged on Monday following last week's Munich Security Conference, where global leaders, ministers, and top policymakers discussed the urgent need to increase defense spending across the continent as a deterrent against an increasingly…
Forwarded from QVINTA ÆTAS
"Keir Starmer has urged Donald Trump to provide a US “backstop” to a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, saying it is the only way to deter Russia from attacking the country again.
The UK prime minister’s appeal to Trump came after an emergency summit in Paris that heard widespread calls by European leaders for a large boost in defence spending.
Some leaders at the summit – especially the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, who is one week from an election – wanted to block off any discussion on a European force to help enforce a ceasefire in Ukraine.
But Starmer, after committing on Sunday to the principle of sending British troops, pressed ahead with the issue – and went further by insisting such a force was only feasible with US support.
Speaking after the three-hour summit, he said: “Europe must play its role, and I’m prepared to consider committing British forces on the ground alongside others, if there is a lasting peace agreement, but there must be a US backstop, because a US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again.”
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the Guardian
US ‘backstop’ vital to deter future Russian attacks on Ukraine, says Starmer
British prime minister says force would need protections such as air cover that only US can provide
Forwarded from QVINTA ÆTAS
"U.S. and Russian officials held diplomatic talks in Saudi Arabia without any Ukrainian officials present on Tuesday.
The groups, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, are seeking terms for a peace agreement in Ukraine as well as negotiating a potential meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. They have proposed a framework that could involve a ceasefire, elections in Ukraine followed by the signing of a peace agreement.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce also confirmed that Rubio's team agreed to "lay the groundwork for cooperation" with Russia on various issues in addition to Ukraine. They also agreed to appoint "high-level teams" to begin working on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine.
Reports from multiple foreign diplomatic sources say forcing Ukraine to hold new elections could be a key part of a peace deal. Both the U.S. and Russia believe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has a low chance of winning re-election, the sources say.
"Putin assesses the probability of electing a puppet president as quite high and is also convinced that any candidate other than the current President of Ukraine will be more flexible and ready for negotiations and concessions," the diplomatic sources said in a readout of the meeting."
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Fox News
US, Russian officials propose peace plan, lay 'groundwork for cooperation' in Riyadh
Russian officials say Ukrainian membership in NATO is a red line in peace talks as they met with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Forwarded from QVINTA ÆTAS
QVINTA ÆTAS
"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy unexpectedly canceled his visit to Saudi Arabia after he was shut out of talks there between the US and Russia on the future of his country.
Zelenskiy’s trip was due to follow Tuesday’s meetings in Riyadh, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sat down with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss an end to the war — though without the participation of anybody from Kyiv. Those conversations have fueled concerns about US President Donald Trump’s rapprochement with Russia and his readiness to push for a deal over Ukraine’s head.
That’s left Zelenskiy out in the cold. On Tuesday, the Ukrainian president was in Turkey as part of a regional tour to drum up international support. He’d been scheduled to travel onwards to Saudi Arabia, hoping for a readout on the US-Russia talks from Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Late on Tuesday, he changed his mind against going."
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Bloomberg.com
Zelenskiy Out in Cold as US Discusses Ukraine’s Fate With Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy unexpectedly canceled his visit to Saudi Arabia after he was shut out of talks there between the US and Russia on the future of his country.
Forwarded from QVINTA ÆTAS
QVINTA ÆTAS
"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was left casting around for scraps of second-hand information today after US and Russian officials convened today in Riyadh to discuss the future of his country. Zelenskiy, who was in Turkey seeking international support, heads to the Saudi capital tomorrow where he’s hoping for a readout on the US-Russia talks from Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
“I will ask what he knows about this,” Zelenskiy said. “Just curious.”
After four hours of meetings, the US and Russia agreed to more talks but set no date for a summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
That Zelenskiy has been reduced to asking an intermediary about talks that may affect his nation’s survival underlines the seismic shift in US diplomacy since Trump spoke with Putin last week.
Zelenskiy had argued that the US, Ukraine and Europe should agree a position before talking to Russia. After speaking by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron — who is trying to get Europe to the negotiating table — Zelenskiy said they “share a common vision” about the need to ensure robust security guarantees for Ukraine. Anything else, such as a fragile ceasefire, would be “a prelude to a new Russian war against Ukraine or other European nations,” he said."
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Bloomberg.com
Zelenskiy Left in the Dark About US-Russia Talks
Get caught up.
Forwarded from QVINTA ÆTAS
"For Ukraine, for our region and for Europe, it is of fundamental importance that any negotiations on ending the war do not take place behind the backs of key actors affected by the consequences of Russian aggression.
Ukraine, Europe – in a broad sense, which includes the European Union, Turkey and Britain – must be involved together with America in the talks and development of the necessary security guarantees that concern the fate of our part of the world.
For the war to end with a reliable and lasting peace, no mistakes must be made. This is possible only when the negotiations are fair and the guarantees are developed with the participation of all those who are actually able to provide them. Today we discussed this issue with President Erdoğan, and I am grateful to him for his understanding."
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Telegram
Zelenskiy / Official
Для України, для нашого регіону та для Європи принципово, щоб будь-які перемовини щодо закінчення війни відбувалися не за спиною в ключових субʼєктів, яких зачіпають наслідки російської агресії.
Україна, Європа – у широкому сенсі, а це і Євросоюз, і Туреччина…
Україна, Європа – у широкому сенсі, а це і Євросоюз, і Туреччина…
Forwarded from /CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global (jd)
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There is an incredible opportunity to partner with the Russians geopolitically, on issues of common interest, and, frankly, economically.
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Forwarded from /CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global (jd)
The European Commission is planning to introduce “Made in the EU” quotas and carbon product labels as it tries to revive ailing manufacturers while hitting climate targets.
The proposals are laid out in a draft of the Commission's Clean Industrial Deal, obtained by POLITICO ahead of its Feb. 26 unveiling. The document offers the EU executive’s grand strategy for weaving together the bloc’s efforts to decarbonize and revitalize its heavy industry, setting out the steps it plans to take in the coming years.
The plan lands at a precarious political moment. European manufacturers in sectors such as steel and cement say excessive bureaucracy and high energy costs are leaving them unable to compete with the U.S. and China. Exacerbating the problem, both Washington and Beijing are spending lavishly on their companies, with new President Donald Trump in particular employing a “Buy American” rhetoric.
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-europe-major-plan-industry-clean-industrial-deal-climate-targets-donald-trump/
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POLITICO
EU pushes ‘buy European’ quotas in major plan to revive industry – POLITICO
A draft of the Clean Industrial Deal obtained by POLITICO reveals EU plans to drive climate-friendly manufacturing.
Forwarded from /CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global (jd)
https://fxtwitter.com/zerohedge/status/1891972365510177266
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🧵 Thread • FxTwitter / FixupX
zerohedge (@zerohedge)
Gold closes at an all time high above $2,930 as another 160,000 oz of physical gold are delivered to Comex vaults, bringing total to 37.6 million troy oz, with "big 3" vaults at all time high
Forwarded from /CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global (jd)
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Forwarded from Blood Meridian
🇺🇸🇲🇽 CIA flying covert drone missions into Mexico to spy on drug cartels
The CIA under President Donald Trump has been covertly flying MQ-9 Reaper drones over Mexico to spy on drug cartels.
The MQ-9 drones used for the missions are not currently armed. But they can be equipped with payloads to carry out precision strikes. The US regularly uses them to target suspected terrorists in Syria, Iraq and Somalia.
Some current and former officials say designating cartels as terrorist groups could potentially lay the groundwork for direct US strikes against the cartels and their drug labs in Mexico.
🔎 Source
#US #Mexico #border #cartel
☠️ Blood Meridian
The CIA under President Donald Trump has been covertly flying MQ-9 Reaper drones over Mexico to spy on drug cartels.
The MQ-9 drones used for the missions are not currently armed. But they can be equipped with payloads to carry out precision strikes. The US regularly uses them to target suspected terrorists in Syria, Iraq and Somalia.
Some current and former officials say designating cartels as terrorist groups could potentially lay the groundwork for direct US strikes against the cartels and their drug labs in Mexico.
🔎 Source
#US #Mexico #border #cartel
☠️ Blood Meridian
Forwarded from Blood Meridian
🇨🇴 Colombia's ELN guerrilla group declares 'armed strike,' confining thousands
Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group declared a 72-hour "armed strike" in the country’s Choco region effective Tuesday.
The declaration mandates the strict confinement of the civilian population to their homes, said authorities.
All transportation will be suspended, and no one will be permitted to travel on public roads. Classes will also be suspended in numerous rural towns and in urban areas under the influence of the guerrilla group, said Choco Governor Nubia Cordoba.
🔎 Source
#Colombia
☠️ Blood Meridian
Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group declared a 72-hour "armed strike" in the country’s Choco region effective Tuesday.
The declaration mandates the strict confinement of the civilian population to their homes, said authorities.
All transportation will be suspended, and no one will be permitted to travel on public roads. Classes will also be suspended in numerous rural towns and in urban areas under the influence of the guerrilla group, said Choco Governor Nubia Cordoba.
🔎 Source
#Colombia
☠️ Blood Meridian
— The Washington Post
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Forwarded from 🇻🇪Venezuela Network Report | Intel, Urgent News and Archives | TOTAL CHAVISTA DEATH Edition
Trump: "There are very important conversations with different members of the Maduro Government"
https://alertas24.com/trump-hay-conversaciones-muy-importantes-con-distintos-miembros-del-gobierno-de-maduro/
https://alertas24.com/trump-hay-conversaciones-muy-importantes-con-distintos-miembros-del-gobierno-de-maduro/
Alertas 24
Trump: «Hay conversaciones muy importantes con distintos miembros del Gobierno de Maduro»
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, afirmó este martes que su administración sostiene reuniones con distintos miembros del Gobierno de Nicolás Maduro y que está evaluando con “mucho cuidado” la situación del país En una rueda de prensa en su resistencia…