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'They don't want you to know': Ex-Trump operative warns of secret 'power shift'
A former "trusted operative" of Donald Trump is sounding the alarm about a "global power shift" purportedly in the works.Lev Parnas, whose story of working with Trump on issues that led to the president's first impeachment is told in a documentary called From Russia with Lev, used to work closely with Trump and his aides. More recently, Parnas reported that Trump plans to "stonewall" Congress on crucial war issues.On Saturday, Parnas published a "breaking" report on the current situation between Trump and Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin."As I sit here this morning reflecting on the historic and horrifying moments of this past week, I want to be very clear: we are living through a global power shift—one being sealed with drone strikes, courtroom rulings, and backdoor alliances," the former Trump associate warned on his Substack. "In the early hours of today, a Russian suicide drone slammed into a high-rise residential building in Odessa, Ukraine. A married couple was killed in their sleep. At least 14 others were injured, including three children, and entire families were displaced as fire consumed three floors. While rescue teams fought to save lives, Moscow made it clear: this war isn’t slowing down—it’s accelerating."Parnas went on to say, "As Ukraine burns, here at home, the United States Supreme Court is paving the road for Donald Trump’s authoritarian regime. We are witnessing the dismantling of democratic checks and balances in real time—a legal coronation of a man who has made clear he will rule by vengeance, not by law."After highlighting some of the recent back-and-forth compliments between Putin and Trump, Parnas said, "Let me be clear: this is not normal diplomacy.""This is not about peace. This is not about national interest. This is about two men working toward a shared goal—through optics and orchestrated messaging. As I’ve told you again and again: the real conversations are happening behind closed doors," he wrote. "The back-and-forth public compliments between Trump and Putin? That’s all optics. Because Trump is the showman. Putin is the puppet master. And what you’re seeing now—the praise, the silence, the inaction—is the execution of deals that were already made."Continuing, Parnas said, "Deals not just about territory, but about minerals. About access. About leverage. And Trump, once again, is willing to trade it all—so long as it benefits him."He then flagged some key questions he says the press should be asking."Why is no one in the media asking: Why are Trump and Putin praising each other while Ukrainian civilians are being burned alive? Why has no one reported on the quiet Russian delegation that arrived in D.C.? Why are we not hearing anything from Steve Witkoff?" he asked. "The answer is simple: they don’t want you to know."Read the full post here.
Heavy Rain, Flash Floods In Pakistan Kill 32
At least 13 people have also been killed in the eastern province of Punjab since Wednesday, the area's disaster management authority said.
Two men found guilty in deaths of 53 migrants in Texas sentenced to life in prison
Felipe Orduna-Torres and Armando Gonzales-Garcia abandoned locked truckload of people in summer heat with no AC in 2022Two men face spending the rest of their lives in prison after a federal judge sentenced them on Friday for their roles in the deaths of 53 people – including six children – who were found dead in an abandoned tractor-trailer in Texas in 2022.A federal jury in Texas had found the two men, Felipe Orduna-Torres and Armando Gonzales-Garcia, guilty of various charges at the conclusion of a trial in March. Federal judge Orlando Garcia sentenced Torres to life in prison and Ortega to 83 years of incarceration, essentially a life sentence. Continue reading...
Europe Boils In Summer As Heatwave Warms The Continent
With residents of the southern French port city of Marseille expected to have to cope with temperatures flirting with 40C, authorities in city ordered public swimming pools to be made free of charge to help residents beat the Mediterranean heat.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris attend funeral of slain Minnesota lawmaker
Governor Tim Walz eulogizes Melissa Hortman, killed with husband, as ‘most consequential speaker’ in state’s historyKilled ex-Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman lies in state alongside husband and dogDemocratic former Minnesota state house speaker Melissa Hortman was honored for her legislative accomplishments and her humanity during a funeral on Saturday that was attended by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.The former president and vice-president were joined by more than 1,000 other mourners. Continue reading...
How Badar Khan Suri Parented His Children From Immigration Detention Centre
He has now returned to his regular parenting days, bringing his kids to the bus stop, and said that he has earned the privilege of being identified as the favourite parent in the household.
Tens of thousands defy Hungary’s ban on Pride in protest against Orbán
Crackdown on Pride is part of effort to curb democratic freedoms ahead of a hotly-contested election next yearTens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Budapest in defiance of the Hungarian government’s ban on Pride, heeding a call by the city’s mayor to “come calmly and boldly to stand together for freedom, dignity and equal rights”.Jubilant crowds packed into the city’s streets on Saturday, waving Pride flags and signs that mocked the country’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, as their peaceful procession inched forward at a snail’s pace. Continue reading...
Protesters in Bangkok demand resignation of prime minister over leaked phone call
Paetongtarn Shinawatra has angered Thai nationalists, who accuse the Thai leader of kowtowing to CambodiaThousands of protesters have gathered in Bangkok to demand the resignation of Thailand’s prime minister over a leaked phone call with a former Cambodian leader.Paetongtarn Shinawatra has faced growing pressure over her handling of a border dispute with neighbouring Cambodia that flared in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief exchange of fire. Continue reading...
Fans celebrate 'Squid Game' finale with Seoul parade
Thousands of fans gathered in Seoul on Saturday to celebrate the final "Squid Game" season, ending a global Netflix hit that is seen as a symbol of South Korea's cultural clout.The third and final season was released Friday, concluding the series that sees desperate people compete in deadly versions of traditional children's games for a massive cash prize.Director Hwang Dong-hyuk said he had "poured everything" into the series, which launched nearly four years ago."So while it's sentimental to see it end," he said, "there's also a sense of relief".Fans gathered near Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace, led by marchers dressed in the bright pink uniforms worn by the show's mysterious masked agents.They were followed by others carrying oversize toys from one of the games featured in the series, along with the show's flag.Park Sang-gyu, a fan who stayed up all night watching the final season, said the dystopian drama was "ultimately a story about people"."As you watch, you realise it's not just about the games -- it reflects many aspects of real life."The walls of the Seoul Metropolitan Library were lit up with key scenes, including Young-hee -- the giant motion-sensing animatronic doll featured in one of its brutal games.Lee Byung-hun, who played the masked Front Man overseeing the competition, said the show had become "something of a cultural phenomenon"."One that has drawn one of the boldest lines in the history of Korean content," he said. The first two seasons of the series are among Netflix's most-watched shows, and in 2022, Hwang and the show's leading actor, Lee Jung-jae, became the first Asian men to win Emmy Awards. The final season follows its hero Gi-hun, played by Lee, as he returns to the ultra-violent games to dismantle them from within after surviving the first round. Along with filmmaker Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning 2019 thriller "Parasite" and K-pop sensation BTS, "Squid Game" is considered one of the most powerful examples of South Korea's rise as a global cultural force.
Europe on alert as first major heatwave of 2025 pushes temperatures to 42C
Authorities in Spain, Portugal, Greece and France issue extreme heat, wildfire and health warnings Authorities across Europe are on alert as the first heatwave of the summer pushes temperatures up to 42C (107.6F), as the fastest-warming continent continues to suffer the effects of the climate emergency.Spain’s state meteorological office, Aemet, issued a special heat warning on Friday, saying temperatures could reach 42C in some southern areas of the country over the coming days.Agence France-Presse and Associated Press contributed to this report Continue reading...
A hard-liner follows a fellow right-winger as head of Greece's migration and asylum ministry
A hard-right lawmaker has replaced Greece’s migration and asylum minister amid a political shake-up
Why Republicans Want Donald Trump To Revoke Zohran Mamdani's US Citizenship
Indian-origin candidate Zohran Mamdani and a Democratic socialist emerged with a commanding lead in the Democratic mayoral primary, over former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who conceded late Tuesday.
