President Trump is scheduled to hold a White House meeting to discuss the next steps regarding Venezuela, as the administration faces increased scrutiny over its actions. The meeting will include key members of Trump’s cabinet and national security team amidst growing questions about the legality of US strikes on alleged drug vessels in the region. Reports suggest a second strike on a suspected drug vessel, following an initial attack that did not kill everyone on board, is being investigated by lawmakers who are questioning the chain of command and the Secretary of Defense’s authorization. The administration has defended the strikes as self-defense conducted in international waters, while also designating Maduro and allies as members of a foreign terrorist organization.
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The White House confirmed Admiral Frank M. Bradley ordered the second strike on the alleged drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean, which resulted in the death of two survivors. This confirmation follows reports and allegations that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commanded military personnel to “kill everybody” on board. While Leavitt stated Bradley was within his authority, the Pentagon’s Law of War Manual prohibits attacking the wounded, sick, or shipwrecked. This incident has led to increased scrutiny, with members of Congress and experts calling for investigations into potential war crimes amidst growing questions about the Trump administration’s lethal campaign.
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The SAFE initiative allows third countries to contribute up to 35% of the value of a weapons system, with Canada potentially exceeding this limit subject to fees. Negotiations also addressed intellectual property control and limitations on non-EU components for sensitive systems. Meanwhile, talks with the U.K. recently failed. Crucially, all 19 participating EU countries have submitted spending plans for SAFE loans, with 15 including substantial support for Ukraine.
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House Republican: Second US strike on alleged Caribbean drug boat ‘would be an illegal act’ – that’s the core of the issue we’re talking about, and it’s a statement that really hits home. The general consensus, judging by the available information, seems to be that a second strike, targeting a boat suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean, would indeed be an illegal act. But it’s not just about a second strike. Many people are saying the first strike was also an illegal act, and some are even calling it a war crime or murder.
It’s clear that there are serious concerns about the legality and morality of these actions.… Continue reading
An inquiry into alleged unlawful killings by British SAS units in Afghanistan has heard accusations of a cover-up by former UK special forces directors and other senior military officers. A whistleblower, identified as N1466, reported concerns about extrajudicial shootings, including the deaths of children, as early as 2011, but claims the chain of command failed to intervene. The whistleblower alleged that the director suppressed information and ordered a review of tactics to avoid scrutiny, despite awareness of the underlying issues. Evidence suggests the killings continued into 2013, with N1466 citing concerns about planted weapons and executions of detainees.
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A recent Yahoo/YouGov poll indicates that a significant number of Americans believe President Trump’s actions have raised prices rather than lowered them, with a nearly two-to-one ratio reflecting this sentiment. The survey also reveals more Americans blame Trump for inflation compared to his predecessor. The poll, conducted with 1,684 U.S. adults, also shows disapproval of his handling of the cost of living and the economy, along with a drop in consumer sentiment. Additionally, his implementation of import tariffs received low scores, with most respondents believing they have done more harm than good in the short and long term.
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A recently released report, compiled by current and former FBI agents and analysts, paints a negative picture of FBI Director Kash Patel’s first six months, citing his leadership as “dismal” and the agency as “rudderless.” The 115-page dossier, based on information from 24 anonymous sources, criticizes Patel’s perceived insecurity, lack of experience, and focus on personal image, including ordering polygraph tests and demanding a raid jacket. The report, prepared for House and Senate judiciary committees, also calls out Deputy Director Dan Bongino, with sources stating that both spend too much time on social media and PR. The report also highlights discontent within the FBI regarding Trump’s pardons of January 6th defendants and agents being forced to participate in immigration raids.
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It seems we have another incident to add to the growing list of “interesting developments” at sea, involving vessels with links to Russia. This time, it’s an oil tanker carrying diesel that has suffered four external explosions near Dakar, Senegal. The ship’s manager, Besiktas Shipping, confirmed the event, stating that seawater entered the engine room of the “Mersin,” but thankfully, the crew is safe, and there’s been no reported pollution. This is particularly noteworthy because it marks the third such incident in just a few days, all involving ships that have been involved in the movement of Russian petroleum.
The previous incidents, occurring late last week, took place in the Black Sea and involved empty tankers.… Continue reading
Congressional scrutiny has increased following reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth verbally ordered the killing of all individuals aboard suspected drug trafficking vessels. These reports stem from a U.S. strike campaign that has resulted in the deaths of at least 83 people. Lawmakers from both parties, including key figures on the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, are calling for investigations into the operations, with some expressing concerns over potential violations of domestic and international law. Despite the allegations, Hegseth has dismissed the claims as “fake news,” while former President Trump has voiced confidence in Hegseth.
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russia has not achieved successful offensive operations in recent weeks, despite ongoing actions. While acknowledging Russian advances and continued fighting, particularly in Pokrovsk, he highlighted Ukrainian successes, such as near-complete clearing of Kupiansk. Furthermore, Zelenskyy stated that Russia experienced its most significant losses in October, with approximately 25,500 service members killed, as confirmed by video evidence.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood