Truckers be like: we support Trump’s border policies but we don’t like that you’re hurting our jobs and making our treats more expensive! Please re-consider!

https://xcancel.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1885473025476145386#m

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/31/trump-california-water-00201909

Local officials had to talk the Army Corps of Engineers down after it abruptly alerted them Thursday afternoon it was about to increase flows from two reservoirs to maximum capacity — a move the agency said was in response to Trump directing the federal government to “maximize” water supplies. Before the Corps ratcheted down its plan, local authorities scrambled to move equipment and warn farms about possible flooding, said Victor Hernandez, who oversees water management on one of the rivers, the Kaweah in Tulare County. He said the Corps gave him one hour notice on Thursday. “I’ve been here 25 years, and I’ve never been given notice that quick,” Hernandez said. “That was alarming and scary.”

...It also reduces the amount of irrigation water available to farmers during the driest months of the year. The snowpack in the Southern Sierra Nevada that California depends on for water supplies in the summer has dipped to 47 percent of average for this time of year after a dry January, according to state estimates released Friday. “We need to keep every bit that we have, because this potentially is irrigation water that we have up there,” Hernandez said.

turns out that when trump said that he had the military release the water in california he just meant he made the army corps open up the dams???

Trump illegally fires NLRB and EEOC appointees: https://www.npr.org/2025/01/28/nx-s1-5277103/nlrb-trump-wilcox-abruzzo-democrats-labor

It really seems that the administration is going all in on unitary executive theory.

The USAID website is still down: https://www.usaid.gov/

Their Twitter account is also down: https://twitter.com/USAID?mx=1

Nerds speculate whether it's taken offline or if it's related to some DNS fuckery: https://xcancel.com/theoc2ps/status/1885803710485262743

This is an excellent opening for countries need to put Thought into practice.

He made it sound like a full scale invasion of California 🤣

Billionaire tech CEOs are seeing their fortunes disappear in a matter of hours, thanks to the launch of DeepSeek. Oracle CEO Larry Ellison has already lost 28.9 billion dollars. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has lost 21.3 billion dollars so far. Dell's CEO, Michael Dell, has lost 14.2 billion dollars; and famous Neo Nazi, Elon Musk, has lost 6.5 billion dollars. In addition to them, Google CEOs Larry Page, Sergey Brim and Andreas von Bechtolsheim have together lost 15.8 billion dollars.

Is this good?

Edit: musk is doing am hostile takeover of the US government lol

Elon Musk was at USAID this weekend trying to access a SCIF [Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility], State Department source tells me

https://nitter.poast.org/kenklippenstein/status/1886105958872482267#m

South Africa and several of its allies have formed The Hague Group in another attempt to bring the "Apartheid Entity" to account and a possible alternative to the illegitimate courts in the West, with the ICJ's nuts roasting on an open fire in a war of attrition so to say. A live broadcast of the press conference started less than 30 minutes ago from me posting, being streamed by Salaamedia. Here is the link now saved on TankieTube, in 1080p.

Some of the other key figures present in The Hague Group press conference also include Namibia, Colombia, Malaysia, Bolivia as well as Ireland's Sinn Fein chairperson Declan Kearney.

we are in hell

Elon will be the American Himmler. Complete with trying to create his own state/fantasising about couping Hitler

another F35 down

https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/military/2025/01/28/f-35-crashes-at-eielson-air-force-base-military-officials-say/

Video - https://xcancel.com/anadoluagency/status/1884461076487499852

‘Make Argentina Gay Again’: Argentines hold anti-fascist pride march

(Clever use of the MAGA slogan)

The queer community’s call to march against Javier Milei’s Davos speech received international support

Argentines hit the streets on Saturday afternoon for the Federal Anti-Racist and Anti-Fascist Pride March. Rivers of demonstrators clutching rainbow fans, waving smoke flares, and dancing on protest trucks flowed through the streets of Buenos Aires, Tucumán, and more than 100 other towns and cities countrywide and major cities across the world.

The protest was spearheaded by the country’s LGBTQIA+ community, but it was explicitly intersectional, encompassing marginalized groups from all walks of life. The march was a response to President Javier Milei’s speech at the 2025 World Economic Forum, in which he equated queer people with child abuse, claiming that femicide put women’s lives over men’s and accusing migrants in Europe of crime.

Micaela Pérez, from La Matanza, is an activist with travesti-trans activist group, Las Históricas. (Unlike its direct English translation, the Argentine word travesti is a gender identity worn with pride.) Pérez survived the dictatorship and has fought for LGBTQIA rights, despite being jailed several times. She recalled that the travesti-trans community was long denied access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, and equitable access to jobs. Now, she believes, the queer community will consider seeking support from international rights institutions, if necessary.

“This is an anti-rights, homophobic state that is playing cheap politics with our laws,” she said. “We are living memory. That’s why we’ll go out [to march] as much as we have to.”

‘Nunca Musk’

Milei’s statements were just the latest in a series of comments that senior figures in Milei’s La Libertad Avanza government have made against the rights of women, queer people, immigrants, and other groups. He spoke just days after U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Milei attended the ceremony, at which Trump likewise made comments against trans people, migrants, and other marginalized groups.

Many signs at the protest rejected — or poked fun at — Trump and Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X and Tesla who is now heading up Trump’s newly-created Department of Government Efficiency. Trump allies have indicated that he drew inspiration in part from Milei’s austerity agenda. Milei, for his part, vociferously defended Musk in an X post after he was accused of performing two consecutive Nazi salutes on inauguration day.

Some people wore pink baseball caps that read “Make Argentina Gay Again,” a slogan that was scrawled on banners and posters dotted throughout the procession. One sign, written in the font of the important post-dictatorship rights report Nunca Más (Never Again), read Nunca Musk (Never Musk).

Carola Escolar, a queer English teacher at the University of Buenos Aires, marched with her union. “There were a lot of people in our union’s group,” she said. “The anti-fascist, anti-racist and LGBTQA+ cause really moves people […] It gives you energy to see people react. When you hear the president’s comments at Davos, they don’t just stay at home.” Protester Ale Bravío voiced concern that undoing progress in Argentina could have a ripple effect across the region. “Argentina has always been a beacon of LGBTQ+ rights, since the Equal Marriage law and the gender identity law,” she said. “We can’t go back 15, 25 years, because that means paving the way for other governments to take protections away from their people.”

Demonstrations took place throughout Argentina and several other countries, including Mexico, Spain, Italy, the UK, and the Netherlands. In Buenos Aires, demonstrators were scheduled to march from Congress to Plaza de Mayo at 4 p.m. — but started to gather shortly after midday. In Tucumán, a huge march began in Plaza Urquiza. At around 7 p.m., demonstrators marched towards Plaza Independencia, where the Governor’s House is located, led by leaders of the local queer community, as well as social leaders and left-wing activists. There were chants against Milei, comparing him to the dictatorship, as well as Governor Osvaldo Jaldo, a Peronist politician who has been cooperative with Milei since he took office.

An assembly that ballooned

“I hope this march will be a celebration, a collective cry against fascism, and a turning point to push back against this political project that is trying to exterminate us because life is at risk, but we are alive, organized, and ready to defend it,” said Alejandra Rodríguez, a transfeminist activist of the Buenos Aires City LGBTQIA+ Antifascist Assembly, ahead of the march. The protest was decided by popular vote a week earlier at an open anti-fascist LGBTQIA+ assembly in Parque Lezama. Assemblies held simultaneously across the country put their own February 1 protests on the calendar.

Rodríguez told the Herald organizers were surprised by the magnitude of the response, explaining that it started with a small meeting of friends and activists in Parque Lezama on the day of Milei’s speech and quickly ballooned to thousands in the same spot just two days later. “There were health workers, students, scientists, sex workers, artists, teachers, retirees, workers of memory and human rights sites, a whole range of struggles and conflicts that said ‘Enough, Milei!’” she said.

“The fight for our anti-fascist and anti-racist LGBTQIA+ pride march is also for society as a whole, this march that has the support and participation of a huge breadth of affected social sectors.” Speakers at the assembly emphasized intersectionality and called for a broad coalition to combat fascism. Many groups and human rights organizations had, in turn, shown support for Saturday’s march.

“We call on people to hit the streets to condemn this government that starves, represses, offends, lays off, indebts and hands over sovereignty,” said the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo in a communiqué. “To defend our jobs, salaries, freedom, and the right to food, health, and free sexual orientation.” Author and activist Marlene Wayar urged people to attend in an interview on radio station Futurock: “This is the time to be anti-fascist and go. Go! Ultimately, all these little speeches will be lost and will be summarized in an aerial photo that tells the world: where is Argentina going? Towards fascist sh*t or not? This is the time for antifascist pride.”

I unfortunately was unable to attend to this protest. None of my friends called me and I was left pretty much alone and going alone to a protest sucks and is also dangerous, plus I work on saturdays which sucks. Lots of people showed up despite the terrible weather, nevertheless the unrelenting heat will not stop the anti-fascists.

death to milei and death to "israel" too.

Judge blocks Trump federal funding freeze on all public loans, grants and more aid

Well that was fast. I’m sure they saw this coming, what’s the play here? Get this to go up to the Supreme Court for them to validate executive dominion over legislative power for the future? Flood the system with over-the-top distractions for some percentage of that to be successful? Shooting the moon and intentionally failing in order to appease his base? Build a political mandate (illegal as it would be) for purging federal judges? Something else?

Seems like Trump knows that reaching the farthest he yet has and immediately getting shot down wouldn’t look good for him. But this is the obvious response, and yet it kind of feels like a trap. So what’s he thinking here

The merciless January counteroffensive against China watchers continues. Further thawing between India and China:
https://xcancel.com/MayadeenEnglish/status/1884149054914888088

India and China have tentatively agreed to restart direct flights between their countries, nearly five years after they were suspended due to the COVID19 pandemic and escalating political tensions.

The announcement on Monday came after India’s senior diplomat visited Beijing, suggesting a potential easing of strained relations between the two most populous nations in the world.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to the Chinese capital is among the most significant official interactions since the deadly border clash in the Himalayas in 2020, which pushed relations to a breaking point.

India’s statement further noted that China had agreed to allow the resumption of pilgrimages to a revered shrine dedicated to the Hindu deity Krishna, a tradition that had been suspended since the start of the decade.

Interesting counter tarriff tactic I have been thinking about: threaten to ban X from Canada, Mexico, etc.

France: The General Confederation of Workers (CGT) donated medical materials and supplies to three pediatric hospitals in Havana, Cuba, including the William Soler University Pediatric Hospital.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/pentagon-removes-major-media-outlets-nbc-news-dedicated-workstations-p-rcna190276

nyt, politico, npr, and nbc told to leave their offices in the pentagon to make room for breitbart, OANN, ny post, and... huffington post?

Lula government suspends billion-dollar contract with Israeli company to buy armored vehicles

The acquisition of 36 armored vehicles from the Israeli company Elbit Systems, valued at R$1 billion, has been suspended by the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva due to an impasse between the Ministry of Defense and the special advisor for International Affairs of the Presidency of the Republic, Celso Amorim.

Article in Portuguese

The military government of Myanmar is losing to the Rebel Groups, and badly. https://www.voanews.com/a/myanmar-s-rebels-closing-in-around-junta-into-fifth-year-of-civil-war-/7958145.html

somethings really afoot though, news about myanmar from western outlets and channels have suddenly all remembered myanmar exists and written quite a lot about them in the last few days. Its suspicious, it could be capitalists trying to signal their want for US involvement in the civil war. It could also be a targeted propaganda campaign already pre planned in order to make sure people are clued into the conflict.

I think this seems to be another Assad situation. The Military government is pretty unpopular domestically and is losing quite a bit of ground. I would be surprised if they lasted to 2027. Supplied by both Russia and China, theyve been able to keep some flow of weapons, but are suffering a lot from manpower issues. Conscription has been enacted, but conscripts are a poor replacement for trained soldiers. According to reports, they only hold about 21% of the land and are losing lots of territory. They also have extended their emergency rule for another 6 months, throwing doubt on the ability to follow through with their 2025 election. They've lost large amounts of territory, thousands of soldiers, and 2 regional commands. They're not dead yet though, as they have some ability to retake some territory and win some battles, but again 21%. Rebels currently are making steady progress towards the second largest city in the country.

while I don't like the rebels, they are western aligned, they have popular support and are allied to many of Myanmar's ethnic minority defence groups. Im wondering who really has the power in this situation though, since many of the gains seem to be made by the Ethnic armies, not the NUG. This revolutionary energy could be fueled to establish a socialist federation, but won't, and the popular revolutionary energy is fueled toward the NUG. It'll probably be another pro-west bourgeoisie democracy. It will probably then turn against the ethnic rebels and we'll end up basically where myanmar was pre coup. Probably will have a strong military influence on politics as well, since the rebel forces seem to be made up of officers and very little political groups. By then, people will be extremely tired of war and more likely to accept any conflict resolution than another civil war. In the midst of "It Happened" stands a stronger, unmovable "nothing ever happens". Would be neat if the Communist Party of Burma could somehow come out on top, but they have only around 1000 soldiers and don't control a large amount of territory.

China's interests in the region are still secure, but siding with the Junta is a bad idea, one I understand though. China doesn't want a western aligned power to take over a china aligned state, and is trying to make sure their economic investments in the area are protected and their mineral income is continued. They have deep ties with many Ethnic Minority states, especially on their border, and the NUG forces, mostly again to protect infrastructure investments and keep the minerals flowing. They might flip back to the NUG as the Junta starts collapsing over the next year or so, especially since the new US administration seems to be really cutting back on foreign aid. The General in charge of the rebel government forces complained quite a bit about how much aid ukraine got and how much he wanted that aid. He was basically begging for anti aircraft systems "like in ukraine" lol. China could definitely swoop in and back the rebels, which while hurting their reputation, is probably the best move long term. China's only interest is to keep Myanmar from being pro-west, keep control of Myanmar's mineral flow, and protect other investments in the area.

Canada has announced 25% tariffs on $155 billion in U.S. goods in response to President Trump's 25% tariff on Canadian exports. This includes immediate tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods. Additionally, Trudeau stated that Canada is exploring 'non-tariff measures' related to minerals, energy, and partnerships with the U.S., and encouraged Canadians to buy local products and spend holidays within the country.

• Telegram

heartwarming news: Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have formally withdrawn from ECOWAS

looks like it's still happening folks

might not be a bad idea to get groceries tonight if you were planning on going over the weekend

Things are going just great in Amerikkka

I just sent this email to all 13,000 federal employees of the NOAA lol. The Trump administration's changes to their communications system made it so literally anyone can blast messages out to the entire agency

https://xcancel.com/kenklippenstein/status/1885161800498376740#m

I’m really happy to see Colombia standing up for itself even if there isn’t much it can do. For too long the country has been seen as a sexpat and drug lord haven that only exists to serve foreigners interested in both.

What’s with all the “price of eggs” jokes I see from American liberals? They’re all over any Trump-related news articles. Somehow I missed this being a sticking point or culture war issue if it ever was one to begin with.

Hebrew media reports that IDF soldiers came under gunfire in Quneitra, Syria. A newly formed Islamic Resistance group (possibly Iran-backed) has taken responsibility for the attack on IDF forces in Quneitra, Syria

The group, calling itself the 'Islamic Resistance Front in Syria', likely consisting of Syrian Shiites, uploaded the following statement: 'The clashes between the resistance fighters and the enemy forces that penetrated the village of 'Tarnajah' in the northern Quneitra countryside have stopped, and they withdrew from the area under supportive fire cover and reconnaissance aircraft. The resistance fighters withdrew to their positions safely and victoriously with the help and grace of God.'

ALMA, an Israeli military think tank, seems to agree that the group is, in fact, real. It was likely formed as an armed off-shoot of the SSNP and other former Syrian government loyalists, in addition to Syrian Shia Muslims.

• Telegram

https://www.timescolonist.com/national-news/survey-says-more-young-canadians-believe-the-history-of-the-holocaust-is-exaggerated-10132705 More young canadians bwlieve history of holocaust is exaggerated.

The United States will impose tariffs on supplies from Canada, China and Mexico on February 1, the White House reports. 25% tariffs for Mexico and Canada and 10% for China.

• Telegram

It's not exactly news but I thought the newsthread might appreciate my post on how freight logistics impact the Japanese economy and how freight logistics should work in general.

Will there be enough government bureaucracy left to implement Trump's tariffs?

Is there a version of our immediate future where these tariffs are actually imposed tomorrow (today now I guess) and prices of the majority of goods do not really increase all that much for most Americans? And if that happens, Trump’s political mandate actually grows and he gets more belligerent?

I just see this idea of a “25% tariff resulting in a 25% price hike” as one of those things that makes sense economically when you put it on paper, that domestic companies importing products who will be paying these tariffs at customs will increase the cost they sell them for to recuperate the tariff, resulting in that cost being passed to the consumer. But I just cannot shake that it also feels like one of those nothing-ever-happens hype situations where we are all looking at a US car racing towards a wall, predicting the US car will crash, and by the grace of the US-backed Anti-God, the car goes straight through the wall unscathed

Indiana man pardoned by Trump is fatally shot during traffic stop - AP News

in seething news, here's some big talk from a vassal. incredible how freeland can spend 10 years being a US attack dog and then turn around and propose to work together with other vassals against the lord.

Former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said if she’s chosen as leader of the governing Liberal Party, she would hold a summit — bringing together leaders from Mexico, Denmark, Panama and the European Union — the day she’s sworn in as prime minister.

The coalition would “coordinate a joint response to challenges to our sovereignty and our economies,” she said in a statement.

https://archive.is/z3nhm

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trump-tariffs-canada-february-1-1.7447829

Canada announces retaliatory tariffs against the USA. Initial tariffs will be 25% of $30 billion as of Tuesday, followed by 25% of $125 billion in three weeks

Part of me thinks these tariffs from the US will remain until the next election and the Cons are elected. Trump will then drop the tariffs and the Cons can take it as a victory and claim they saved Canada