Monday, March 25, 2024

Israel Pouts!

The U.S. finally takes the right direction.

The winners and losers of 2024.

The United Nations applauded the resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The United States finally backed off the veto and abstained.

The decision infuriated Benjamin Netanyahu and he cancelled a Joint Session of the Congress appearance by embattled House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).

These are the signs that President Joe Biden is concerned that he is losing his base because of his hawkish support for the ethno-state of Israel.

This also officially a feud between Biden and the far right Netanyahu.

Israel is now close to isolation and the push for sanctions are coming. If we can put sanctions on North Korea, Iran, Russia and Somalia, then it is time for Israel to be punished for its war crimes.

The UN Security Council passed on Monday morning a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the month of Ramadan and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

UN Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield offered assurances after the vote that the resolution meant the ceasefire must come as part of a hostage deal, but Netanyahu still followed through on a threat to cancel the meetings.

Netanyahu accused the U.S. of “retreating” from a “principled position” by allowing the vote to pass without conditioning the cease-fire on the release of hostages held by Hamas.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the administration was “kind of perplexed” by Netanyahu’s decision. He said the Israelis were “choosing to create a perception of daylight here when they don’t need to do that.”

Kirby and the American ambassador to the U.N. said the U.S. abstained because the resolution did not condemn Hamas. U.S. officials chose to abstain rather than veto the proposal “because it does fairly reflect our view that a cease-fire and the release of hostages come together,” Kirby said.

The 15-member council voted 14-0 to approve the resolution, which also demanded the release of all hostages taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. The chamber broke into loud applause after the vote.

The U.S. vetoed past Security Council cease-fire resolutions in large part because of the failure to tie them directly to the release of hostages, the failure to condemn Hamas’ attacks and the delicacy of ongoing negotiations. American officials have argued that the cease-fire and hostage releases are linked, while Russia, China and many other council members favored unconditional calls for a cease-fire.

The resolution approved Monday demands the release of hostages but does not make it a condition for the cease-fire for the month of Ramadan, which ends in April.

Hamas said it welcomed the U.N.'s move but said the cease-fire needs to be permanent.

We confirm our readiness to engage in an immediate prisoner exchange process that leads to the release of prisoners on both sides,” the group said. For months, the militants have sought a deal that includes a complete end to the conflict.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tweeted: “This resolution must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable.”

Johnson's invite to Netanyahu ended when the U.S. took the side of the world.

The U.S. decision to abstain comes at a time of growing tensions between President Joe Biden’s administration and Netanyahu over Israel’s prosecution of the war, the high number of civilian casualties and the limited amounts of humanitarian assistance reaching Gaza. The two countries have also clashed over Netanyahu’s rejection of a Palestinian state, Jewish settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the expansion of settlements there.

In addition, the well-known antagonism between Netanyahu and Biden — which dates from Biden’s tenure as vice president — deepened after Biden questioned Israel’s strategy in combating Hamas.

Then Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), a Biden ally and staunch supporter of Israel, suggested that Netanyahu was not operating in Israel’s best interests and called for Israel to hold new elections. Biden signaled his approval of Schumer’s remarks, prompting a rebuke from Netanyahu.

During its U.S. visit, the Israeli delegation was to present White House officials with its plans for a possible ground invasion of Rafah, a city on the Egyptian border in southern Gaza where over 1 million Palestinian civilians have sought shelter from the war.

Last week, Netanyahu rebuffed a U.S. request to halt the planned Rafah invasion - vowing during a visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to act alone if necessary. Blinken warned that Israel could soon face growing international isolation, while Vice President Kamala Harris said Israel could soon face unspecified consequences if it launches the ground assault.

The Security Council vote came after Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution Friday that would have supported “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the Israeli-Hamas conflict. That resolution featured a weakened link between a cease-fire and the release of hostages, leaving it open to interpretation, and no time limit.

The United States warned that the resolution approved Monday could hurt negotiations to halt the hostilities, raising the possibility of another veto, this time by the Americans. The talks involve the U.S., Egypt and Qatar.

Because Ramadan ends April 9, the cease-fire demand would last for just two weeks, though the draft says the pause in fighting should lead to “a lasting sustainable cease-fire.”

Thomas-Greenfield, said the resolution “spoke out in support of the ongoing diplomatic efforts,” adding that negotiators were “getting closer” to a deal for a cease-fire with the release of all hostages, “but we’re not there yet.”

She urged the council and U.N. members across the world to “speak out and demand unequivocally that Hamas accepts the deal on the table.”

Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. abstained because “certain edits” the U.S. requested were ignored, including a condemnation of Hamas.

The resolution, put forward by the 10 elected council members, was backed by Russia and China and the 22-nation Arab Group at the United Nations.

Netanyahu criticizes Biden and yet begs for American taxpayer money to fund his war and his luxury life.

Under the United Nations Charter, Security Council resolutions are legally binding on its 193 member nations, though they are often flouted.

Algeria’s U.N. ambassador, Amar Bendjama, the Arab representative on the council, thanked the council for “finally” demanding a cease-fire.

“We look forward to the commitment and the compliance of the Israeli occupying power with this resolution, for them to put an end to the bloodbath without any conditions, to end the suffering of the Palestinian people,” he said.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, told the council that the vote “must be a turning point” that leads to saving lives in Gaza and ending the “assault of atrocities against our people.”

Shortly before Monday’s vote, the elected members changed the final draft resolution to drop the word “permanent” from its demand that a Ramadan cease-fire should lead to a “sustainable” halt in fighting apparently at the request of the United States.

Russia complained that dropping the word could allow Israel “to resume its military operation in the Gaza Strip at any moment” after Ramadan and proposed an amendment to restore it. That amendment was defeated because it failed to get the minimum nine “yes” votes — with three council members voting in favor, the United States voting against, and 11 countries abstaining.

Since the start of the war, the Security Council has adopted two resolutions on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, but none has called for a cease-fire.

Biden is fearing that his election chances are fading.

More than 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed during the fighting, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The agency does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

Gaza also faces a dire humanitarian emergency. A report from an international authority on hunger warned last week that “famine is imminent” in northern Gaza and that escalation of the war could push half of the territory’s 2.3 million people to the brink of starvation.

The United States has vetoed three resolutions demanding a cease-fire in Gaza, the most recent an Arab-backed measure on Feb. 20. That resolution was supported by 13 council members with one abstention, reflecting the overwhelming support for a cease-fire.

Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution in late October calling for humanitarian pauses in the fighting to deliver aid, the protection of civilians and a halt to arming Hamas. They said it did not reflect global calls for a cease-fire.

They again vetoed a U.S. resolution Friday, calling it ambiguous and saying it was not the direct demand to end the fighting that much of the world seeks.

That vote became another showdown involving world powers that are locked in tense disputes elsewhere, with the United States taking criticism for not being tough enough against its ally Israel, even as tensions between the two countries rise.

Thomas-Greenfield accused Russia and China on Monday of using the Gaza conflict “as a political cudgel, to try to divide this council at a time when we need to come together.”

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Deadline!

Trump claims victory by paying 2/3 of his penalty.

Former president Donald J. Trump had til midnight to pay this $454 million bond. If he had failed to pay this bond, the state of New York will seize his assets, properties and will put more pressure on him to admit he's broke. Now he has 10 days to pay up a reduced bond of $175 million.

The Republican National Committee and GOP donors are likely paying for Trump's legal woes. If they are paying for Trump's expenses, it may end up being a campaign finance issue. 

He may have gotten some breathing room for now.

A New York appeals court on Monday paused for 10 days a massive civil fraud judgment against former President Donald Trump, and sharply reduced to $175 million the bond amount he would have to post to obtain a longer stay of that damage award.

The ruling came the same day that New York Attorney General Letitia James would have been allowed to start seizing Trump’s real estate and bank accounts to satisfy the $454 million-and-rising business fraud judgment in the case.

The order by the five-judge appeals courts panel prevents James from doing so, for now.

Drudge mocks Trump.

Trump’s lawyers, who had previously suggested that the bond be set at $100 million, in a court filing last week said that it was “impossible” for him to get an appeal bond of $454 million after having approached more than 30 surety companies without success.

Trump’s two adults sons, his company the Trump Organization and two executives who all were co-defendants in the case owe a total of about $10 million in additional damages.

None of the surety companies were willing to write a bond without Trump posting cash or some other liquid asset, the attorneys wrote in their filing with the Manhattan Supreme Court appellate division panel.

Because of the size of the fraud judgment, the companies insisted that Trump show “cash reserves approaching $1 billion,” according to his lawyers. But neither Trump nor the Trump Organization company has that amount of cash on hand, the filing said.

In its order Monday, the appeals court stayed trial Judge Arthur Enfgoron’s decision that had barred Trump from serving as an officer or director of a New York company for three years, and that had barred him and the corporate defendants from applying for loans from New York lenders for the same period. The order also stayed Engoron’s judge’s ruling that had barred Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, from serving as officers and directors of New York companies for two years.

But the appeals court panel rejected a request to block enforcement of Engoron’s order extending and enhancing the role of a financial watchdog the judge had installed to monitor the Trump Organization’s finances.

The fraud judgment stems from a lawsuit filed by James against Trump, his two adult sons, the Trump Organization and two executives.

Engoron, who conducted a bench trial for the suit, in February ruled against the Trump defendants, saying they had submitted “blatantly false financial data” to boost Trump’s financial statements and obtain better terms on loans.

Trump has condemned the verdict, the judge, and James, saying he is the victim of a politically motivated attack designed to harm his chances of defeating President Joe Biden in November’s election.

I can wait a little longer.

More than a week ago, Trump obtained a $91.6 million appeal bond from a subsidiary of the Chubb insurance company to secure a Manhattan federal civil court defamation judgment against him in favor of E. Jean Carroll, a writer who had accused him of rape.

That bond, which was collateralized by a brokerage account of Trump’s, will keep Carroll from collecting on a judgment of more than $83 million from Trump while his appeal is pending.

Chubb had discussed issuing Trump a second bond, for his fraud case, and initially was willing to consider a mix of liquid assets and real property as collateral, according to Alan Garten, an attorney for the Trump Organization.

But Chubb backed out of those talks last week, Garten said in the court filing Monday. Chubb’s exit came after it was publicly revealed that Trump obtained his bond in Carroll’s case from the company.

Chubb CEO Evan Greenberg last week wrote a letter to investors, customers, and brokers who had raised concerns about the Carroll-related bond.

“When Chubb issues an appeal bond, it isn’t making judgments about the claims, even when the claims involve alleged reprehensible conduct,” Greenberg wrote.

“As the surety, we don’t take sides,” he said.

“It would be wrong for us to do so and we are in no way supporting the defendant. We are supporting and are part of the justice system plumbing included in this case.”

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Lisa Murkowski Could Bolt From The GOP!

Murkowski is considering leaving the GOP.

Alaska's Lisa Murkowski voted to convict former president Donald J. Trump for instigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump has continued to push more for violence if he loses to President Joe Biden again.

Murkowski who endorsed Nikki Haley in the 2024 presidential race. Now she is disappointed that Haley dropped out. It is now the presumptive nominee Trump and the presumptive nominee Biden.

Murkowski is not endorsing Trump. She may still vote for him despite not endorsing his fourth run.

When asked by CNN, Murkowski has hinted that she may leave the Republican Party.

Pressed on whether she is considering becoming an independent, Murkowski replied, “I’m very independent-minded,” adding, “I just regret that our party is seemingly becoming a party of Donald Trump.”

Murkowski demurred when asked whether she would be open to being an independent who caucuses with Republicans.

“I am navigating my way through some very interesting political times. Let’s just leave it at that,” she said in an interview that aired on CNN Sunday.

“I wish that as Republicans, we had a nominee that I could get behind. I certainly can’t get behind Donald Trump,” she said.

Murkowski and Collins endorsed Nikki Haley. Trump vows revenge against them.

Murkowski told NBC News this month that she “could not” vote for Trump or President Joe Biden in the 2024 election.

Murkowski and fellow Trump critic Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) had endorsed Haley ahead of Super Tuesday. But Haley dropped her bid after losing every primary contest except Vermont and Washington, D.C.

Before Haley ended her campaign, Murkowski told NBC News that she wasn’t sure how she’d approach the presidential election if Haley dropped out — and signaled she wasn’t alone in her uncertainty.

“Lisa Murkowski is not the only one in this camp right now,” she said.

Murkowski is among the seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack and became a target for Trump and his allies.

Murkowski, who has served in the Senate for more than two decades, won re-election in 2022 against Trump-endorsed Kelly Tshibaka, a former Alaska Department of Administration commissioner.

Murkowski and Peltola have longstanding friendship.

The Alaskan elections are now by rank choice. It doesn't matter who is on the ballot, if the two leading candidates secure the most votes, they face off in the general.

Murkowski endorsed Rep. Mary Peltola (D-AK) for her reelection. Peltola faces a possible challenge going into her reelection.

Murkowski and Peltola both endorse Israel and its genocide on Gaza and the West Bank.

They are difficult to sway but it is possible to pressure them into understanding.

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Sunday, March 24, 2024

Back To The Future!

Life was good.

Feuds in hip-hop 2024.

The winners and losers of 2024.

Nicki Minaj vs. Meghan Thee Stallion

Benzino vs. Eminem

Kendrick Lamar vs. J. Cole and Drake

Future and Metro Boomin vs. Drake and 21 Savage

Latto vs. Ice Spice

Okay, I wasn't expecting the most recent feud to emerge between Drake and Future. Hell, I was expecting the two to release their sequel "What A Time To Be Alive 2." However, that may be shelved indefinitely because of the beef these two have. Even Metro Boomin is involved in this feud. It may have sparked over a woman.

Speak of that, Kendrick Lamar came out swinging at Drake and J. Cole which led to speculation and confirmation that the "Jumpman" landed.

So Future and Metro Boomin released their debut album "We Don't Trust You" on Friday.

Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar.

The album has uncredited features from Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, Playboi Carti, The Weeknd, Travis Scott and Young Thug. 

Metro Boomin, Zaytoven, Honorable C-N.O.T.E., Wheezy, Travis Scott, Boi-1da, Mike Dean, Oz, Southside Sizzle, Doughboy, TM88 and others producing the album.

It is released on Boominati, Wilburn Music, Freebandz, Epic and Republic Records.

The two had released the mixtape "Monster" with DJ Esco in 2014.

Okay, Drake and 21 Savage released "Her Loss" in 2022. This album did reasonably well.

Future felt disrespected when Drake decided to do a collaboration with 21 Savage instead of him. The "Her Loss" album was nominated for a Grammy along with Metro's "Heroes & Villains". They both lost to Killer Mike's "Michael."

Anyway, Metro vented about how the system is rigged and felt that his album deserved more airplay than Drake and 21 Savage. He posted his frustration on social media before deleting it. 

The 6 God responded to the remarks by labeling Metro allegedly a "tweet and delete" fool.

Caught in the crossfire. J. Cole and 21 Savage are allegedly feuding with Future.

The two didn't signal a feud but the tensions were boiling allegedly. Then comes Future.

Drake went on tour with 21 and left the sequel project on the backburner. And then comes the girls. Future, the father of nine children. Disclosure one of my cousins has a child with him. Ciara Wilson also has a child with him and Russell Wilson took him in.

The rapper allowed K. Dot on the track to do a wild diss that has the hip-hop world talking. The single "Like That" uses a sample of Michl'le's hook.

Here's the lyrics.

[Intro: Future]
Gotta fire my joint up on this b!tch
Young Metro, Metro, young Metro, 3 times
Yeah!

[Verse 1: Future]
Sticking to the code, all these hoes for the streets
I put it in her nose, it's gone make her pu**y leak
Pu**y n!ggas told, ain't gone wake up out they sleep
You can't hear that switch, but you can hear them n!ggas scream
All my hoes do shrooms, n!gga, all my hoes do coke
Twenty carat ring, I put my fingers down her throat (Uh, uh, uh)
If I lose a carat, she might choke (Uh, uh, uh)
I know she gone swallow, she a G.O.A.T. (Uh, uh, uh)
Freeband n!gga, bring the racks in
Got the shooters in the corner like the pack in
She think 'cause she exotic b!tch, she attractive
That's that sh!t'll get you put up out the section, brrt
And the motto still the same
Ball like I won a championship game
You know these hoes hungry, they gone f**k for a name
I put her on the gang, she get f**ked for a chain
Got your girl in this b!tch, she twirling on the d!ck
I got syrup in this b!tch, turn up in this b!tch
And we brought the 'Ercs in this b!tch, get murked in this b!tch
All these pointers on me, baby, you know it's game time
Bring a friend, b!tch, we f**ked 'em at the same time
I'm a different n!gga, no, we not the same kind
You can have that lil'— if she ain't mine (Yeah)

[Chorus: Future]
Young dope dealer, selling dope, is you like that?
(If you like that)
Kicking doors, kicking in doors, is you like that? (Yeah)
Young throwed n!gga, selling lows, is you like that? (Yeah)
All '24, you on go, is you like that? (If you like that)
N!ggas from the bottom really like that (If you like that)
Stepping in Balencis if you like that (If you like that)
Pop another bottle if you like that (If you like that)

We Don't Trust You.

[Post-Chorus: Michel'le]
He was once a thug from around the way

[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]
These n!ggas talking out of they necks
Don't pull no coffin out of your mouth
I'm way too paranoid for a threat
Ayy-ayy, let's get it, bro
D-O-T, the money, power, respect
The last one is better
Say, it's a lot of goofies with a check
I mean, ah, I hope them sentiments symbolic
Ah, my temperament bipolar, I choose violence
Okay, let's get it up, it's time for him to prove that he's a problem
N!ggas cl!cking up, but cannot be legit, no 40 Water, tell 'em
Ah, yeah, huh, yeah, get up with me
F**k sneak dissing, first person shooter
I hope they came with three switches
I crash out, like, "F**k rap, " diss Melle Mel if I had to
Got 2TEEZ with me, I'm snatching chains and burning tattoos, it's up
Lost too many soldiers not to play it safe
If he walk around with that stick, it ain't Andre 3K
Think I won't drop the location? I still got PTSD
Motherf**k the big three, n!gga, it's just big me
N!gga, bum, what? I'm really like that
And your best work is a light pack
N!gga, Prince outlived Mike Jack'
N!gga, bum, 'fore all your dogs getting buried
That's a K with all these nines, he gone see Pet Sematary
N!gga, bum

[Chorus: Future & Kendrick Lamar]
Young dope dealer, selling dope, is you like that?
(If you like that, yeah, yeah)
Kicking doors, kicking in doors, is you like that?
(How?, yeah)
Young throwed n!gga, selling lows, is you like that?
(Holy water, Holy water, yeah)
All '24, you on go, is you like that? (If you like that)
N!ggas from the bottom really like that (If you like that)
Stepping in Balencis if you like that (If you like that)
Pop another bottle if you like that (If you like that)

[Post-Chorus: Michel'le]
He was once a thug from around the way

[Chorus: Future]
Young dope dealer, selling dope, is you like that?
Kicking doors, kicking in doors, is you like that?
Young throwed n!gga, selling lows, is you like that?
All '24, you on go, is you like that? (If you like that)
N!ggas from the bottom really like that (If you like that)
Stepping in Balencis if you like that (If you like that)
Pop another bottle if you like that (If you like that)

[Post-Chorus: Michel'le]
He was once a thug, he was, he was—

[Outro: Future]
Came in banging dope n!ggas was young, slanging powder
Walk in the strip club, make it rain for three hours
Locked in and now I got my Phantom and my driver
Perc'd out, took chances in my hood like Nevada
Surfed out outside, white interior, lasagna
Hundred thousands, I just cashed out on designer 
Gotta devour, n!gga, I learned that in the jungle
Once I sell this load, that's a million in a week

XXL reported that the intro single "We Don't Trust You" seems like a Future jab at Drake.

"You a nigga number one fan, dog/Sneak dissin', I don't understand, dog/Pillowtalkin', actin' like a fed, dog/I don't need another fake friend, dog/Can't be 'bout a ho, 'cause we sharin', dog/In you feelings, niggaa, why you playin', dog?/Give her backshots, while she layin' down/Keep the Glock cocked, I don't trust hoes/Top shotter, goin' for the gusto/Like a real dog, got a mutt ho/Get the lo', you a John Doe/Bubble-eye Benz on a ho/Rappin' so pretend, you a ho," Future raps.

K. Dot has been semi-retired. But this diss gives me faith that Kendrick is working on a new album and is making sure he is given his due respects. I believe that Cole World and the 6 God will respond to these disses.

I mean Drake, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole are damn near 40. Future is 40. They all need to keep the music fresh and live for the next generation of talent. Rap beefs are tired to be honest.

Thinking about how Barbz failed going at thee Stallion.

Thinking about how Raymond "Benzino" Scott has this 20+ year feud with Em.

Pluto is strategic in how he releases music. I mean "I Don't Like You" was released in 2022 and went two times platinum. He often does albums in early period. Drake had released albums in 2022 and one in 2023. The albums "Honestly Nevermind", "Her Loss" and "For All The Dogs" went platinum.

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Что произошло в России? [NSFW]

An attack on Russia sparks fears of a global war.

Be warned there is graphic videos and images. Take discretion in this.

Gun violence is really bad in Russia. The U.S. and Russia lead in gun violence.

On Friday, there was an attack in suburban Moscow. The attack happened at Crocus City Hall amphitheatre and it was carried out by four men. These individuals killed over 100 people.

Images shown on social media were graphic.

World leaders react.

Conspiracy theories also become a thing.

Knowing that we are in an election year where the stakes have never been so high, many on the right and left have already made up their minds on how this event impacts their vote for President Joe Biden and former president Donald J. Trump.

Biden and Trump both support Israel's war. Biden supports Ukraine's advances while Teump opposes it [due to Ukraine not taking the bait on his 2020 Biden conspiracy theories].

Russia is engaged in an ongoing war with Ukraine. This conflict has placed sanctions on the Russians and it has crippled their economic and strategic interests. However, the U.S. is facing a backlash here at home. The hypocrisy of how to address atrocities.

Israel being the one issue. 

The war between Israel and Hamas has went too far. Israel is actively committing war crimes and the U.S. refuses to put sanctions on the country. World leaders have condemned Israel. The U.S. won't and it continues to arm the country.

Trump is a favorite of Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump loves authoritarianism and is willing to sell out America.

The attack happened in Krasnogorsk, Russia, on the western edge of Moscow. Four gunmen carried out a mass shooting, as well as slashing attacks on the people gathered at the venue and used incendiary devices to set the venue on fire. Investigators stated the attack had killed at least 137 people, with more than 180 concertgoers injured. The Islamic State – Khorasan Province (IS–KP), a South-Central Asia-based regional affiliate of the Islamic State, claimed responsibility in a statement through the Amaq News Agency shortly after the attack. Amaq also published a video of the attack filmed by one of the attackers, showing the attackers shooting victims and slitting the throat of a victim, while the filming attacker praises Allah and speaks against infidels.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin vows revenge on those responsible.

The attack left at least 137 dead and 180 more injured, some critically. Aside from gunshot wounds, some of the deaths were caused by smoke inhalation. According to the Russian Minister of Health, Mikhail Murashko, five children were injured in the attack. At least three children were killed, while the oldest fatality was a woman in her 70's. Most of the victims were from northwestern edge of Moscow, including Krasnogorsk and Khimki. The search for victims ended on 23 March.

The members of Picnic later posted on Instagram that they and their management were "alive and safe", with TASS later reporting that they had been evacuated; however, the band later stated on VK that one of the band's staff members was missing.

On March 7, 2024, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that it had neutralized a terrorist cell linked to IS in Moscow, which had intended to attack a synagogue in the city. Hours later, the U.S. embassy in Moscow warned that "extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts" and advised U.S citizens to "avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours." That day, the U.S. also privately warned Russian officials of the danger of an impending attack from IS–KP from intelligence gathered earlier in March, under the U.S. intelligence community's "duty to warn" requirement. U.S. officials later confirmed to The New York Times that the attack was related to the prior U.S. warning, and also stated that the intelligence reports that the warning was based on had been shared with Russian officials before the attack. In contrast, the Russian ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov stated that in regards to the attacks "no concrete information, nothing was passed to us."

On 19 March, Putin said the U.S. embassy's warning resembled "outright blackmail and an intention to intimidate and destabilize our society." Previously, Putin had thanked the U.S. and the CIA for giving warnings that prevented terror attacks in Russia in 2017 and 2019.

Day of mourning.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow expressed "sincere condolences to the Russian people," while advising its citizens to avoid the area as they were "severely limited" in their ability to assist U.S. citizens due to the limits placed on U.S. personnel's ability to travel within Russia. The British embassy in Moscow condemned the attack and expressed its "sincere condolences to the relatives and loved ones of those hurt and killed in today's events."

The Taliban-led government of Afghanistan, where IS–KP is based and who have been at war with them since 2015, called the attack "a blatant violation of all human standards" and called for cooperation between themselves and neighboring states. Numerous countries' governments condemned the attack and expressed their condolences to the Russian people and families of the victims. In many nations, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, flowers were laid outside Russian embassies to memorialize the victims of the attack. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and Moussa Faki, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission also condemned the attack and expressed condolences. The attack was also condemned by Hezbollah.

The only countries that has not come out with condemnation were Ukraine and Israel. It has led to conspiracy theories about Israel's Mossad being involved in the attack. Some folks saw a RT interview with an Israeli official warning that Moscow will pay a price if it sides with Hamas. It drew theories to why ISIS is Israel.

The Iranian government also had a terrorist attack around the time of mourning the death of Qasem Soleimani. They claimed that Israel had a role in the attack.

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Saturday, March 23, 2024

Princess Catherine Has Cancer! What Will They Blame Meghan For Now?

Kensington Palace confirms Catherine has cancer. More scandals with the royals means more anti-Meghan stories.

A series of scandals at Kensington and Buckingham Palace starts another round of attacks toward Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan. It only shows that the public position of the British royals is declining.

The British junk food media is talking about Princess Catherine announcing she has cancer. The Princess of Wales made the formal announcement on social media this week.

It came a week after the AP reported that the royals official portrait was photoshopped and it generated more speculations to why Catherine wasn't performing her royal duties.

The news hit the week and rocked British television.

As expected, Camilla Tominey, Angela Levin, Piers Morgan, The Daily Mail, Meghan McCain, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, Bethenny Frankel, The Daily Express, GBN and Sharon Osbourne will find some bulltshit to blame Meghan for. 

As Meghan is starting a new business and charity, here comes to news of her sister-in-law and her health. Somehow a cash grab for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex says the know-it-alls of royal reporting. 

The type of cancer has not been disclosed. According to Kensington Palace, Kate started a course of preventative chemotherapy in late February.

The announcement sparked an outpouring of support and comes as Kate's father-in-law, King Charles III, also undergoes cancer treatment.

"This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family," Kate, 42, said in the video, which was filmed at Windsor on Wednesday. "As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment."

The cancer was discovered in post-operative tests after her planned abdominal surgery in mid-January, she said.

Kate described the procedure as a "major abdominal surgery," and said in her video, "at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous."

"The surgery was successful," Kate said. "However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment."

At the time of Kate's surgery, Kensington Palace said her condition was non-cancerous. The palace has provided little information on her condition since.

Photoshop image of the Princess and the children became a huge scandal.

"It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK," Kate said. "As I have said to them, I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal, in my mind, body and spirits."

Kate said having her husband Prince William at her side has been "a great source of comfort and reassurance."

"We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery," Kate said. "I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone."

Kate will return to official duties when she's cleared by her medical team, according to the palace.

Charles said he is "so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did," a Buckingham Palace spokesman said Friday.

The king and the Princess of Wales were both in the hospital at the same time in January. In the last few weeks, the king has "remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law," the spokesperson said.

Charles and his wife Queen Camilla "will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time," the spokesperson said.

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, said in a statement, "We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace."

The Sussexes' comments come amid a yearslong rift between Harry and William.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement his thoughts are with Kate and her family, adding, "She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today."

"In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media. When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else, she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family," he said. "I know I speak for the whole country in wishing her a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back in action when she's ready."

Trouble in paradise. 

Friday's announcement follows reports that several staffers at the London Clinic, where Kate was admitted in January, are under investigation for allegedly trying to access the Princess of Wales' medical records.

The announcement also comes weeks after she endured a photo editing controversy.

Kate marked Mother's Day in the United Kingdom, March 10, by sharing a photo on X of herself smiling and surrounded by her three kids. The image was the first official photo of Kate the public had seen since December.

The photo was picked up by several international news agencies, including The Associated Press, Reuters, Getty Images and Agence France-Presse.

Those agencies later retracted the image, saying it may have been edited by the royals prior to its release.

The Associated Press said it appeared "the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP's photo standards."

The next day, Kate said her Mother's Day photo was edited and apologized for any "confusion" those alterations caused.

"Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," she said in a statement on X. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused."

Meanwhile, Kate's father-in-law, King Charles, is also undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer.

The king's cancer diagnosis -- which came after he was treated for benign prostate enlargement -- was announced publicly by the palace on Feb. 5.

The type of treatment has not been revealed.

The prime minister told the BBC in February that the king's cancer was "caught early."

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Friday, March 22, 2024

Mike Gallagher Out Faster!

I got to get out of here before I hurt these fools.

Today, Ken Buck signs out for the night. He resigns from Congress. Colorado governor Jared Polis will order a special primary and special election to fill the remaining term.

It also damages Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and her attempt to run in the 4th Congressional District. Boebert who currently resides in the 3rd Congressional District now has a difficult decision. Polis confirmed he intends to hold that election on June 25, the same day as the Republican primary for the congressional district.

“Colorado Point of View” political analysts agree that the decision by Buck will negatively impact Boebert’s efforts to win the primary in June since she has said she will not be running in the Special Election.

“It hurts Boebert’s chances,” said Republican analyst Michael Fields. “I don’t think it hurts ‘em enough that she’ll lose.”

Fields said it gives candidates running in the Republican primary and the special election an advantage because they’re on the ballot twice.

Johnson's days are numbered.

Now another Republican resigns abruptly citing his frustration with House members showboating. He is tried of the House not getting anything done. He is sick of members like Boebert always embarrassing the party.

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) said he was going to retire after he voted to not impeach Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Gallagher said that the time is now to leave Congress. Gov. Tony Evers will put forth a special election for the candidates. 

Whoever wins will fill the remaining term.

Gallagher’s departure before the end of his term in January is another blow to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Republicans, who have been struggling to govern and demonstrate stability in this Congress.

Two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News of Gallagher's plan to resign early Friday. The Wisconsin Republican then released a statement announcing that he will depart April 19.

Gallagher informed Johnson of his decision earlier this week. Johnson, in a post on X, praised Gallagher's "extraordinary work in the House" and for "courageously exposing the threat Beijing poses to the U.S."

His resignation could cause more headaches for House Republicans. 

When Gallagher leaves, the majority would further shrink to 217-213, meaning Republicans could only afford a single defection on any vote if Democrats vote together.

Gallagher’s decision to leave April 19 also means that there will not be a special election to fill his seat. Under Wisconsin state law, vacancies after the second Tuesday in April are filled in the general election, so Gallagher’s replacement will be decided in November and his seat will remain empty until January.

Greene and Gaetz are trying to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson.

A source close to Gallagher said the decision to leave was in the works and not related to anything happening in House lately. Gallagher has a young family that he and his wife hope to grow and the House schedule is not conducive to that, the source said.

Gallagher, 40, an Iraq War veteran, is the chairman of the select committee investigating the Chinese Communist Party, and serves on the Intelligence Committee. It’s highly unusual for a committee chairman to resign in the middle of the term.

But Gallagher, an institutionalist first elected to Congress in 2016, has grown frustrated with his own party. 

He is one of several top Republican chairmen who are not running for re-election in November following a tumultuous House session.

Earlier Friday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) filed a motion to oust Johnson from the speakership over his handling of funding the government, though no vote is scheduled yet. It follows a similar motion, made by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) that successfully toppled then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy last fall.

Meanwhile, shortly after the House passed its final government funding package for fiscal year 2024 on Friday, retiring Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) said she would step down as chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, setting off an early battle among Republicans to succeed her in the powerful post. Unlike Gallagher and Buck, Granger said she will serve out her House term, which ends in January.

In his statement, Gallagher said he worked closely with GOP leaders on the timing of his announcement — shortly after the House voted to avert a shutdown — and looks forward to Johnson naming a new China committee chairman.

"I will forever be proud of the work I did on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, chairing the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, and chairing the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party," Gallagher said. "It has truly been an honor to serve in the House of Representatives."

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