As facade of liberal democracy crumbles, political tensions put EU at risk
The EU, the fragile assemblage of former colonial powers tasked with enforcing neoliberal economics under the guise of maintaining peace in Europe, appears brittle as ever as leaders in France and Germany are increasingly at odds.
France finds itself in its precarious position after seven years of governance under President Emmanuel Macron, a former investment banker for the multinational firm Rothschild & Co. With a slick presentation drawing comparisons to former US President Barack Obama, Macron has imposed strict fiscal discipline – on the middle class, naturally – raising the country’s retirement age, reversing hard-won labor rights and slashing social spending.
Meanwhile Berlin – traditionally the de-facto ruling power of the European Union – is less credible than ever as it is announced the German economy will contract for the second straight year. The country once played a leading role in imposing poverty on Greece, Ireland, and other “periphery” nations, but its luck has run out as subservience to US-backed sanctions on Russian energy have cratered its industrial base.
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The EU, the fragile assemblage of former colonial powers tasked with enforcing neoliberal economics under the guise of maintaining peace in Europe, appears brittle as ever as leaders in France and Germany are increasingly at odds.
“There is a huge hole in France’s budget,” notes Sylvie Kauffmann in the Financial Times. “They are left wondering how a fiscal deficit forecast at 4.4 per cent of GDP for this year… has suddenly ballooned into a staggering 6.1 per cent.”
France finds itself in its precarious position after seven years of governance under President Emmanuel Macron, a former investment banker for the multinational firm Rothschild & Co. With a slick presentation drawing comparisons to former US President Barack Obama, Macron has imposed strict fiscal discipline – on the middle class, naturally – raising the country’s retirement age, reversing hard-won labor rights and slashing social spending.
Meanwhile Berlin – traditionally the de-facto ruling power of the European Union – is less credible than ever as it is announced the German economy will contract for the second straight year. The country once played a leading role in imposing poverty on Greece, Ireland, and other “periphery” nations, but its luck has run out as subservience to US-backed sanctions on Russian energy have cratered its industrial base.
“France as the problem child and Germany possibly once more the ‘sick man of Europe?’ This combination does not bode well for the continent,” Kauffmann writes.
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Sputnik International
🥴 Kamala Harris’ ‘Smart on Crime’: A little too smart with the copy-paste? Vice President Kamala Harris has joined an exclusive club – where plagiarism isn’t just an academic vice but a political tradition. Conservative activist Christopher Rufo took…
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JD Vance blasts Harris for alleged plagiarism
"So if you want a president with their own ideas, vote for Donald Trump. If you want a president who copies her own ideas from Wikipedia, vote for Kamala Harris," Vance concluded.
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“I saw today actually a story that Kamala Harris apparently copied some significant chunks of her book from Wikipedia," Vance claimed during a visit to the Minneapolis 3rd Precinct Police Station. The vice presidential candidate referred to an online investigation by conservative activist Christopher Rufo that purported to show that Harris lifted sections of her 2009 book 'Smart on Crime' from other sources.
"So if you want a president with their own ideas, vote for Donald Trump. If you want a president who copies her own ideas from Wikipedia, vote for Kamala Harris," Vance concluded.
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Sputnik International
Palestinian prisoners were handcuffed for so long that their limbs died and had to be amputated, three Israeli whistleblowers who spoke to the Hill revealed, detailing a litany of alleged abuses against prisoners held by Israel in the Sde Teiman military base.…
‘Right to rape’: US officials meet counterparts at infamous Israeli torture camp
Representatives of the controversial US government agency USAID have held regular meetings with counterparts at a prison camp where Israeli officials have declared the right to torture and rape Palestinian detainees, The Guardian revealed.
The prison camp played a central role in a controversy earlier this year over the attempted criminal prosecution of ten Israeli soldiers implicated in the gang rape of a Palestinian detainee. The public rallied to the soldiers’ defense, carrying out riots and demonstrations where protesters, lawmakers and television personalities defended the “right to rape” Palestinian prisoners. Sde Teiman has been the site of numerous other alleged incidents of torture before and since.
USAID is a US government body that operates under the pretense of providing humanitarian and developmental aid to foreign countries, but the agency has been frequently implicated in acts of political subversion across the globe.
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Representatives of the controversial US government agency USAID have held regular meetings with counterparts at a prison camp where Israeli officials have declared the right to torture and rape Palestinian detainees, The Guardian revealed.
“According to three officials with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Israel’s humanitarian relief hub began operating at the desert military base Sde Teiman on 29 July with a regular US presence,” the report said. “Human rights groups and released detainees say the thousands of Palestinians who have been through the facility have been subjected to severe abuse and torture.”
The prison camp played a central role in a controversy earlier this year over the attempted criminal prosecution of ten Israeli soldiers implicated in the gang rape of a Palestinian detainee. The public rallied to the soldiers’ defense, carrying out riots and demonstrations where protesters, lawmakers and television personalities defended the “right to rape” Palestinian prisoners. Sde Teiman has been the site of numerous other alleged incidents of torture before and since.
USAID is a US government body that operates under the pretense of providing humanitarian and developmental aid to foreign countries, but the agency has been frequently implicated in acts of political subversion across the globe.
“The situation [in Sde Teiman] is more horrific than anything we’ve heard about Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo,” said lawyer Khaled Mahajneh in +972 Magazine.
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“That's not acceptable” – Obama scolds Black voters turning away from Harris
In a speech supporting Vice President Kamala Harris former President Barack Obama took a critical tone toward some young Black voters, suggesting hesitation to back Harris stems from discomfort with the idea of a woman president.
The Harris campaign team has strengthened attempts to appeal to Black male voters amid indications that some may be turning towards Trump, with The Wall Street Journal previously reporting that the campaign launched a series of policies, events, and outreach efforts aimed at improving her support among the group.
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In a speech supporting Vice President Kamala Harris former President Barack Obama took a critical tone toward some young Black voters, suggesting hesitation to back Harris stems from discomfort with the idea of a woman president.
“I'm speaking to men directly now, part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren't feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you're coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that. That's not acceptable,” Obama said, expressing frustration over a lack of enthusiasm for Harris. Some online detractors faulted the former president's "lecturing" tone, which implied that opposition to the candidate is rooted in gender bias.
The Harris campaign team has strengthened attempts to appeal to Black male voters amid indications that some may be turning towards Trump, with The Wall Street Journal previously reporting that the campaign launched a series of policies, events, and outreach efforts aimed at improving her support among the group.
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Gaza genocide is trial run for suppressing global dissent – Colombian president
Colombian President Gustavo Petro denounced Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip Monday, warning that it could serve as a model for repressing global dissent in the years to come.
Israel has traditionally been viewed critically in Latin America due to its role in the imposition of dictatorships across the region amid the US-backed Operation Condor. Israel was crucial in perpetuating the campaign of violence, training security forces throughout the continent as well as supplying arms.
The Brazilian dictatorship was one of the most important recipients of Israeli support, as was the apartheid regime in South Africa.
“Another world is possible, of course, but it will depend on the union of all the excluded peoples," Petro concluded.
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Colombian President Gustavo Petro denounced Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip Monday, warning that it could serve as a model for repressing global dissent in the years to come.
“What is happening in Gaza is not merely a decades-long conflict between Palestinians, the owners of the territory, and the Israelis that the English Europeans brought to their colony,” the Latin American head of state claimed in a post on the X social media platform. “In Gaza there is an experiment of world power against a people of the south.”
Israel has traditionally been viewed critically in Latin America due to its role in the imposition of dictatorships across the region amid the US-backed Operation Condor. Israel was crucial in perpetuating the campaign of violence, training security forces throughout the continent as well as supplying arms.
The Brazilian dictatorship was one of the most important recipients of Israeli support, as was the apartheid regime in South Africa.
“The experiment [in Gaza] aims to demonstrate that the military power of the US, Europe and Israel can dominate any rebellion in the poor world,” Petro continued. “They are preparing for a global barbarism where democracy will die.”
“Another world is possible, of course, but it will depend on the union of all the excluded peoples," Petro concluded.
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North Korea has blown up sections of roads connecting it to South Korea, according to Yonhap, citing the South Korean military
This follows a rare meeting of Kim Jong Un with top security officials on Monday, state media reported.
Earlier this month, North Korea’s military announced plans to permanently seal the border with South Korea and construct defenses in response to what it called the "confrontational hysteria" of South Korean and US forces. Among other things, this referred to joint military exercises between the latter two nations and the deployment of US strategic assets in the region, which heighten tensions, according to Pyongyang.
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This follows a rare meeting of Kim Jong Un with top security officials on Monday, state media reported.
Earlier this month, North Korea’s military announced plans to permanently seal the border with South Korea and construct defenses in response to what it called the "confrontational hysteria" of South Korean and US forces. Among other things, this referred to joint military exercises between the latter two nations and the deployment of US strategic assets in the region, which heighten tensions, according to Pyongyang.
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China and Russia need to deepen military cooperation, said Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the China's Central Military Commission, at a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov on Tuesday.
Belousov arrived in China on Monday on an official visit, his first since being appointed defense minister. On the first day of his visit, he held talks with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun.
The Russian and Chinese defense ministries are united in their assessments of global processes and have a common understanding of what needs to be done in the current situation, Andrei Belousov said during a meeting with Gen. Zhang Youxia.
"Yesterday, we held very meaningful talks with China’s minister of defense, and we see that we have common views, a common assessment of the situation, and a common understanding of what we need to do together," Belousov said.
He noted that thanks to the efforts of the two countries’ leaders, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia and China have built a strategic partnership.
"And our task is to strengthen and develop it," Belousov emphasized.
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What is known about Samer Abu Daqa, key Hamas commander reportedly killed by the IDF?
Samer Abu Daqa, a key figure responsible for Hamas' aerial operations, was eliminated in Israeli airstrikes in September 2024, the Israel Defense Forces stated.
It turns out the IDF has been hunting him since 2021, when he was the head of Hamas' unmanned aerial vehicle array during Operation Guardian of the Walls in May 2021. That time, the IDF struck his apartment in the Gaza Strip, but Abu Daqa survived.
According to Israeli information, he was entrusted with munition manufacturing processes at the Hamas production headquarters, and played a central role in the development of projects and infrastructure as part of the strengthening of Hamas aerial unit in the Gaza Strip.
However, Hamas is yet to confirm Abu Daqa death.
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Samer Abu Daqa, a key figure responsible for Hamas' aerial operations, was eliminated in Israeli airstrikes in September 2024, the Israel Defense Forces stated.
It turns out the IDF has been hunting him since 2021, when he was the head of Hamas' unmanned aerial vehicle array during Operation Guardian of the Walls in May 2021. That time, the IDF struck his apartment in the Gaza Strip, but Abu Daqa survived.
According to Israeli information, he was entrusted with munition manufacturing processes at the Hamas production headquarters, and played a central role in the development of projects and infrastructure as part of the strengthening of Hamas aerial unit in the Gaza Strip.
However, Hamas is yet to confirm Abu Daqa death.
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Israeli army uses detained Palestinians as human shields for life-threatening Gaza missions - report
Israeli soldiers and intelligence agents have been using Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as a human shield during their war on Hamas that broke out last October, an investigation by The New York Times has revealed.
Captured Gazans have been forced to carry out life-threatening reconnaissance missions to avoid putting Israeli soldiers at risk, the publication cited IDF soldiers and former Palestinian detainees as saying. At least 11 squads in five cities in Gaza have reportedly resorted to this illegal practice.
Palestinian detainees have been forced to:
⚡️ Walk handcuffed across the rubble in Gaza searching for explosives and booby traps set by Hamas;
⚡️ Scout and film inside Hamas’ underground tunnel networks in search of remaining fighters;
⚡️ Enter buildings rigged with mines to find hidden explosives;
⚡️ Pick up or move objects such as generators and water tanks that might conceal tunnel entrances or rigged devices;
Interviewed Israeli soldiers described the practice of using Palestinians as human shields as routine, carried out with “logistical support and the knowledge of superiors on the battlefield.”
However, in response to the report, the Israeli military claimed in a statement that its “directives and guidelines strictly prohibit the use of detained Gaza civilians for military operations.”
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Israeli soldiers and intelligence agents have been using Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as a human shield during their war on Hamas that broke out last October, an investigation by The New York Times has revealed.
Captured Gazans have been forced to carry out life-threatening reconnaissance missions to avoid putting Israeli soldiers at risk, the publication cited IDF soldiers and former Palestinian detainees as saying. At least 11 squads in five cities in Gaza have reportedly resorted to this illegal practice.
Palestinian detainees have been forced to:
Interviewed Israeli soldiers described the practice of using Palestinians as human shields as routine, carried out with “logistical support and the knowledge of superiors on the battlefield.”
However, in response to the report, the Israeli military claimed in a statement that its “directives and guidelines strictly prohibit the use of detained Gaza civilians for military operations.”
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Sputnik International
Britain faces trillions in reparations claims: A breakdown of who wants what The Church of England’s announced £1 billion ($1.3 billion) reparations fund, aimed at addressing its historical ties to slavery, has sparked controversy within the Anglican Church…
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THROWBACK to 2018: David Lammy (current British Foreign Secretary) proclaiming himself Carribean in order to demand reparations from the UK.
✔️ Fun fact: Lammy was born in London in Guyana-immigrant (South America) family.
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'Everyone sees Ukraine is losing': Slovak MEP
European society is fed up with Brussels' policy of pumping weapons into Ukraine, and Europeans don’t see the point of it amid Kiev's failures on the front, Slovak MEP Lubos Blaha told Sputnik.
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European society is fed up with Brussels' policy of pumping weapons into Ukraine, and Europeans don’t see the point of it amid Kiev's failures on the front, Slovak MEP Lubos Blaha told Sputnik.
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UK freezes bilateral security dialogue with Georgia
UK Ambassador in Georgia Gareth Ward has announced Britain frozen its annual security dialogue with Georgia and cancelled other talks on defense due to the "anti-Western rhetoric of the Georgian authorities."
Britain accused Georgia of adopting a law "On Family Values and Protection of Minors" aimed at prohibiting the LGBT* propaganda in the country.
In May, Georgian Parliament has adopted a law "On Transparency of Foreign Influence" obliging NGOs with foreign financing to register. The initiative was also largely slammed by the West with the US and the EU announcing a review of relations with Georgia.
*the LGBT movement is banned in Russia as extremist
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UK Ambassador in Georgia Gareth Ward has announced Britain frozen its annual security dialogue with Georgia and cancelled other talks on defense due to the "anti-Western rhetoric of the Georgian authorities."
“For the first time in 10 years, we on the British side have decided to freeze the annual high-level 'Wardrop Dialogue' between ministers. This is the first time since the dialogue format was established. We also canceled the planned high-level talks between the defense staff and suspended the new cyber security program," politician said.
Britain accused Georgia of adopting a law "On Family Values and Protection of Minors" aimed at prohibiting the LGBT* propaganda in the country.
In May, Georgian Parliament has adopted a law "On Transparency of Foreign Influence" obliging NGOs with foreign financing to register. The initiative was also largely slammed by the West with the US and the EU announcing a review of relations with Georgia.
*the LGBT movement is banned in Russia as extremist
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🇷🇺🪖Key statements from the Russian Defense Ministry's daily briefing on the special military operation's progress:
◻️ Ukrainian losses reached a total of 500 militants in Battlegroup Tsentr's area of responsibility.
◻️ Enemy losses in Russia’s Battlegroup Zapad combat zone came to 300 troops and two ammunition arsenals.
◻️ Ukrainian losses reached a total of 590 troops in Battlegroup Yug's area of responsibility.
◻️ Russian Air defenses shot down a Hammer guided bomb and 43 Ukrainian drones.
◻️ Ukrainian losses amounted to more than 95 militants in Russia’s Battlegroup Vostok combat zone.
◻️ Ukrainian losses reached a total of 60 troops in Battlegroup Dnepr's area of responsibility.
◻️ Enemy losses in Russia’s Battlegroup Sever combat zone came to 30 servicemen.
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He had been on the high seas for two months, since August 9, and was rescued on the evening of October 14, according to the Russian Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor's Office.
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Global public debt hurtling towards $100 trillion by end of 2024 - IMF
Skyrocketing global public debt is set to reach $100 trillion by the end of this year, driven foremost by the US borrowing binge, a new analysis by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revealed.
This staggering sum represents around 93% of global gross domestic product (GDP). Modeling an “extreme adverse scenario,” the IMF found that the level of future debt could reach 115% of GDP in three years.
Further debt growth is anticipated in the US, Brazil, France, Italy, South Africa, and the UK.
US government debt currently stands at $35.68 trillion, with an analysis by the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget indicating that it is only expected to grow amid “large structural deficits, surging interest payments, and the looming insolvency of critical trust fund programs.”
The US budget deficit during the Biden presidency has hit an all-time high at $6.6 trillion, Sputnik’s calculations based on data from the US Treasury Department showed in August. The US government's expenses during the 3.5 years under Biden exceeded revenues by $6.6 trillion — the highest in the entire history of these statistics.
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Skyrocketing global public debt is set to reach $100 trillion by the end of this year, driven foremost by the US borrowing binge, a new analysis by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revealed.
This staggering sum represents around 93% of global gross domestic product (GDP). Modeling an “extreme adverse scenario,” the IMF found that the level of future debt could reach 115% of GDP in three years.
Further debt growth is anticipated in the US, Brazil, France, Italy, South Africa, and the UK.
US government debt currently stands at $35.68 trillion, with an analysis by the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget indicating that it is only expected to grow amid “large structural deficits, surging interest payments, and the looming insolvency of critical trust fund programs.”
The US budget deficit during the Biden presidency has hit an all-time high at $6.6 trillion, Sputnik’s calculations based on data from the US Treasury Department showed in August. The US government's expenses during the 3.5 years under Biden exceeded revenues by $6.6 trillion — the highest in the entire history of these statistics.
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📹 Videos from Gaza with a large number of dead and wounded in the streets, children and teenagers among them, are being published by Palestinian media
Ambulances and Civil Defense teams have been unable to reach the victims due to continuous shelling. Civil Defense units are continuing their efforts to rescue people from under the rubble of destroyed houses.
The videos also show the widespread destruction caused by fresh Israeli raids on Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip last night, now in its 11th day in a row under shelling.
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Ambulances and Civil Defense teams have been unable to reach the victims due to continuous shelling. Civil Defense units are continuing their efforts to rescue people from under the rubble of destroyed houses.
The videos also show the widespread destruction caused by fresh Israeli raids on Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip last night, now in its 11th day in a row under shelling.
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