Puppet MastersS


Skull

It's official: USAID has been formally closed — here are the details

Kaley
WLT Report
Fri, 28 Mar 2025 19:12 UTC
USAID offices closed
© Kayla Bartkowski/Getty ImagesUSAID is officially dead
The final nail has been hammered into the coffin of USAID.

After months of laying off employees and making cuts to the corrupt agency, the State Department just notified Congress that USAID will be officially dissolved.

The agency's new deputy director and former DOGE official Jeremy Lewin stated that the State Department will "assume responsibility for many of USAID's functions and its ongoing programming," going forward.

In other words, any remaining USAID foreign aid programs will now be merged with and taken on by the State Department. The agency itself will cease to exist.
Read More...
Key

UK and France key to Kiev's latest attack on Russian energy infrastructure - Moscow


RT
Fri, 28 Mar 2025 15:21 UTC
Strike on gas
© Telegram/Russian Defense MinistryThe aftermath of a Ukrainian strike on the Sudzha gas metering station in Russia’s Kursk Region • March 28, 2025
British specialists set coordinates for a Ukrainian missile system that struck a gas metering station, the Foreign Ministry has said.

France and the UK actively aided Kiev in a strike on the Sudzha pipeline infrastructure in Russia's Kursk Region on Friday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has told journalists. Earlier the Russian Defense Ministry said that a metering facility was "de facto destroyed" in a Ukrainian HIMARS attack.

"[We] have reasons to believe that targeting and navigation were facilitated through French satellites and British specialists input [target] coordinates and launched [the missiles]," Zakharova said, commenting on the strike.

"The command came from London," she said, branding the attack part of a Ukrainian "terror" campaign targeting Russian energy infrastructure. The spokeswoman added that such actions demonstrate that Kiev is "impossible to negotiate with." Although Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky "publicly supported" a temporary suspension of strikes on energy infrastructure agreed by Moscow and Washington, he "did nothing to observe it," according to Zakharova.

Comment: See also: Kiev again violated US-backed energy ceasefire - Moscow

Read More...
Stop

White House cuts off funding for White Helmets


RT
Fri, 28 Mar 2025 14:31 UTC
Whitehelmets
© White Helmets/Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesMembers of the Syrian Civil Defence (White Helmets) • Idlib, Syria
The NGO was allegedly involved in staging multiple false flag chemical weapons attacks during the Syrian civil war.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has cut off most of the funding Washington had been providing to the controversial 'White Helmets' volunteer organization in Syria, CNN reported on Thursday, citing internal documents and the organization.

The Syrian Civil Defense, popularly known as the White Helmets, was created in 2014 at the height of the country's civil war, and billed itself as a volunteer rescue force dedicated to helping civilians injured by the government of former President Bashar Assad. It received funding from Western governments.

During the protracted struggle, the White Helmets were praised in the Western media as heroes. Extensive evidence, however, suggests that at least some of its media content was staged. On several occasions, members of the group were filmed participating in apparent executions by jihadists.

Its US Agency for International Development (USAID) funding has been terminated as part of the Trump administration's broader curtailing of foreign aid contracts. The spending cuts affect programs related to firefighting, search and rescue, and so-called "community resilience" work, according to the outlet. Despite ongoing scrutiny of the group's activities and affiliations, a smaller contract from the US State Department to fund what is described as "accountability work" reportedly remains in place.

Comment: 'White Helmets' is situational fakery paid for by USAID (American tax dollars).

See below:

Read More...
Light Sabers

EU 'preparing for war' - member state


RT
Sat, 29 Mar 2025 04:03 UTC
Szijjarto
© Horacio Villalobos/Corbis/Getty ImagesHungarian FM Peter Szijjarto
Brussels would do anything to avoid accountability for the billions of euros sent to Kiev, the Hungarian foreign minister has said.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has accused Brussels bureaucrats of clinging to a "failed pro-war policy" in a desperate attempt to delay the moment when European taxpayers begin asking where the money spent on bankrolling Kiev has gone.

The European Union recently advised its 450 million inhabitants to stockpile essential supplies for at least 72 hours, with EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib warning on Wednesday that the Ukraine conflict threatens the bloc's overall security.

Szijjarto said he initially thought the warning was some kind of joke or "trolling," after Lahbib posted a bizarre video showing Europeans what to pack in a 72-hour survival kit.

In a post on X on Friday, Szijjarto wrote:
"But why, in the 21st century, should EU citizens prepare a survival kit? There's only one explanation: Brussels is preparing for war. At a time when there's finally a real chance for a ceasefire and meaningful peace talks with [President Donald Trump's] return to office, Brussels is going in the opposite direction, clinging to a failed pro-war policy. Why? Because as long as the war continues, pro-war European politicians can avoid taking responsibility for three years of failure, and avoid answering an extremely uncomfortable question: where is the money that was sent to Ukraine?"

Comment: Thought and reason in EU leadership have all but disappeared. Szijjarto is one of few exhibiting clarity and foresight.

Read More...
Briefcase

Iran nixes direct negotiations with US in response to Trump letter: 'They must prove that they can build trust'

Shobhit Gupta
News18
Sun, 30 Mar 2025 17:52 UTC
Iran USA trump Pezeshkian
© FileIran President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump.
The remarks from President Masoud Pezeshkian represented the first official acknowledgment of how Iran responded to Trump's letter.

Iran on Sunday rejected direct negotiations with the United States in response to a letter from President Donald Trump who had called for renewed nuclear negotiations and had cautioned of potential military action if Tehran decline.

In its first official acknowledgment of Trump's letter, Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian said, "Although the possibility of direct negotiations between the two sides has been rejected in this response, it has been emphasized that the path for indirect negotiations remains open," news agency AP reported. He stressed that while Iran is not against negotiations in principle, Washington must first rectify its past "misconduct" and rebuild trust.

Tehran has maintained its stance against direct negotiations under the current US "maximum pressure" campaign and the looming threat of military action.

Comment: Of course Iran should be cautious. Trump is the one who pulled out of the JCPOA treaty. They are not alone though now, having concluded an agreement with Russia which includes different aspects of nuclear energy. Handled properly, Russia can be a guarantor of Iran with respect to nuclear weapons, as Putin has as little desire to see more such armaments in the Middle East as Trump does. Now if only this would be applied to Israel.

The Alexes of The Duran discussed this in late February:



Read More...
Black Magic

Kiev again violated US-backed energy ceasefire - Moscow


RT
Fri, 28 Mar 2025 15:04 UTC
ukraine attack russia energy
© Russian Defense Ministry
The Ukrainian military has attacked Russia's energy infrastructure in three separate regions, again violating a US-mediated moratorium on such strikes, the Defense Ministry in Moscow has claimed.

The incidents, recorded over the past 24 hours, took place in Belgorod, Kursk and Saratov Regions of Russia, the Friday statement said. On Thursday, Ukrainian artillery struck an element of the Russian power grid in Belgorod Region, disrupting the power supply in Shchebekino near the international border, the report said.

A separate incident involved HIMARS artillery strikes on the Sudzha gas metering station in Kursk Region, where "the energy site was de facto destroyed." The ministry had previously accused Kiev of damaging the facility with planted explosive charges as its forces were retreating from the area.

The ministry concluded that "all previous public statements of the Kiev regime about its purported intention to suspend attacks against Russian civilian energy infrastructure are just a smokescreen." It believes that Ukraine wants to recover its military compatibility with the help of European backers while the US pushes for a complete truce with Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered that attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure stop on March 18, following a phone call with his US counterpart Donald Trump. The Kremlin says it intends to maintain the 30-day partial ceasefire as a gesture of goodwill to Washington, even if Kiev fails to honor it. However, the Russian Foreign Ministry has warned that Moscow reserves the right to withdraw from the agreement.
Read More...
Red Flag

EU and USAID running political 'experiments' in Moldova - opposition MP


RT
Sun, 30 Mar 2025 14:58 UTC
Evgenia Gutsul
© Sputnik / Dmitrij OsmateskoEvgenia Gutsul escorted by police after a court hearing in Chisinau, March 28, 2025
Moldovan opposition MP Marina Tauber has criticized the EU for abandoning the principles of democracy and the rule of law by ignoring the crackdown on Governor Evgenia Gutsul, who leads the autonomous region of Gagauzia.

A vocal opponent of the country's pro-Western leadership, Gutsul was detained on Tuesday evening at Chisinau Airport. Prosecutors allege financial irregularities during her 2023 campaign and claim she is involved in a Russian-backed operation to derail Moldova's EU aspirations. Gutsul has denied any wrongdoing, accusing President Maia Sandu's administration of using lawfare to erode Gagauzia's autonomy.

In an interview with RT on Saturday, Tauber - a former deputy leader of the now-banned SOR party - condemned Gutsul's arrest as politically motivated, saying: "This decision will remain in the history of our country - but only from the negative point of view."


Comment: Previously: Vocal critic of pro-Western Moldovan gov't, who leads autonomous region, arrested

Read More...
Arrow Down

Trump: 'I love King Charles'

Csongor Körömi
Politico
Fri, 21 Mar 2025 00:00 UTC
Trump
© Annabelle Gordon/AFP via Getty Images
If there's one thing U.S. President Donald Trump can't resist, it's attention from royalty.

"I Love King Charles," Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform, sharing an article from The Sun stating that Britain's King Charles wants to offer the U.S. an associate membership in the British Commonwealth.

Trump's reaction to joining the international association based on the ruins of the British colonial empire: "Sounds good to me!"

Comment: See also:

Read More...
MAGA

US government VIDEO promises to 'protect' Greenland


RT
Sat, 29 Mar 2025 11:48 UTC
A mural depicting a woman and a polar bear on the end of residential block in Nuuk, Greenland.
© Getty Images / Leon NealA mural depicting a woman and a polar bear on the end of residential block in Nuuk, Greenland.
The autonomous Danish territory is threatened by "Russian aggression" and "Chinese expansion," according to a clip posted by Donald Trump

A video shared by US President Donald Trump on Friday has promised to defend Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, from both Russia and China. Moscow has not expressed aggressive intentions towards the island and has repeatedly denied Western claims of planning to attack NATO countries.

Comment:
1) Less accessible than the statements from the larger powers are those from Denmark. However machine translations can help, and here are a couple of comments.
In the media Berlingske a commentator began his analysis:
J.D. Vance referred to Denmark in a way that is not 'accurate,' said Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (Social Democrat).

According to Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen (M), the words of the vice president at Pituffik Space Base on Friday night were 'inappropriate,' and 'maybe you should look yourself in the mirror as well,' he said.
In the same media there was an illustration on the online front page from their satirical cartoonist. The caption reads when translated: We MUST have IT
The US wants Greenland
© Berlingske.dk
2) In the Danish media Jyllands-Posten.dk it is also reported what President Trump stated about Greenland in an interview with NBC on Saturday night, mentioned in an article from March 29, 2025, 11:59 PM GMT+1 / Updated March 30, 2025, 1:29 AM GMT+1:
President Donald Trump told NBC News in an interview Saturday
[...]
Everything is on the table to obtain Greenland

The president on Saturday also said he has "absolutely" had real conversations about annexing Greenland, which is currently a semiautonomous Danish territory.

"We'll get Greenland. Yeah, 100%," Trump said.

He added that there's a "good possibility that we could do it without military force" but that "I don't take anything off the table."

This comes one day after Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland with his wife, Usha, and spoke to service members at Pituffik Space Base, a U.S. Space Force base on the northwestern coast of Greenland.

While there, Vance said, "Our message to Denmark is very simple — you have not done a good job by the people of Greenland."

Asked what message acquiring Greenland would send to Russia and the rest of the world, Trump said, "I don't really think about that. I don't really care. Greenland's a very separate subject, very different. It's international peace. It's international security and strength."

"You have ships sailing outside Greenland from Russia, from China and from many other places. And we're not going to allow things to happen that are going to be — that are going to hurt the world or the United States," he added.


Read More...
MAGA

Vance delivers Trump's 'message' to US troops in Greenland


RT
Fri, 28 Mar 2025 23:57 UTC
Vice President J.D. Vance
© Jim Watson / Pool via APVice President J.D. Vance arrives at the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, March 28, 2025
The vice president has defended the US commander-in-chief's plan to bring the "extremely vulnerable" Arctic island under American "protection"

US Vice President J.D. Vance delivered a forceful address to American service members at Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland on Friday, emphasizing the Trump administration's determination to expand its permanent foothold on the Arctic island.

The vice president's visit came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined Moscow's Arctic policy and warned that US annexation plans - dating back to the 1860s - should be taken seriously and not dismissed as "extravagant talk."

Comment: Greenland covers 2,166,086 km2 and is home to 57,000 people. And given that Canada covers 9,984,670 km2 just ahead of the US with its 9,833,520 km2 it is clear that by adding it all up, "America" could become the greatest country on Earth, not just informally by controlling a few vassals, that have now shown signs of beginning to wean off, but in actual numbers! While such a comment is bordering to the sarcastic, it is nevertheless evident that the Greenland debacle does seem to have stirred the pot and might lead to increased instability. Time will show.

From the same source, there was earlier in March:
13 Mar, 2025 22:56
US annexation of Greenland 'will happen' and NATO could 'get involved' - Trump
The US has "quite a few soldiers" in the Arctic island and "maybe you'll see more," the president has said

President Donald Trump has told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that he would like the US-led military bloc to assist Washington in "securing" Greenland following talks in the Oval Office on Thursday.

Trump initially proposed buying the Danish autonomous territory during his first term in 2019 and has reignited the discussion after returning to office. Speaking at a recent joint session of Congress, he stated that the US will secure the island "one way or the other."

Asked by journalists on Thursday about his "vision on the potential annexation of Greenland," Trump stated, "I think it will happen."

"I didn't give it much thought before, but I'm sitting with a man who could be very instrumental. You know, Mark, we need that for international security," the US president said, turning to the NATO chief. "We have a lot of our favorite players cruising around the coasts, and we have to be careful. We'll be talking to you."

Rutte downplayed the proposal, saying with a chuckle, that "when it comes to Greenland, joining or not joining the US, I would leave that outside... this discussion, because I do not want to drag NATO into that."

However, the NATO chief went on to say that Trump is "totally right" in highlighting security concerns in the High North and the Arctic, given the increased presence of Russia and China in the region. He highlighted the importance of Western nations working "together on this under the US leadership."

Trump reiterated that the US "really needs" Greenland for both national and international security. "I think that's why NATO might have to get involved in a way."

The president noted that the US already has "a couple of bases" and hundreds of soldiers in Greenland, suggesting that "maybe you'll see more and more soldiers go there."

"What do you think about that, Pete?" Trump said, addressing Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth with a smile. "Don't answer that, Pete. Don't answer that question. But we have bases, and we have quite a few soldiers in Greenland."

Trump's statements drew a quick response from Greenland. The outgoing prime minister of the Danish autonomous territory, Mute Egede, took to Facebook to criticize the US president for entertaining "the thought of annexing us... Enough is enough."

Greenland has long been of strategic importance due to its location and untapped mineral resources. Covering 2.2 million square kilometers and home to a population of around 60,000, it also hosts a key US military base at Thule.


Read More...