Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s grandson, has publicly accused his cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., of being a “Russian spy,” citing Kennedy’s political alignment with Donald Trump and alleged attempts to secure a CIA position for his daughter-in-law to investigate JFK’s assassination. Schlossberg’s accusations follow months of social media posts mocking Kennedy’s actions and beliefs, including his support for Putin and promotion of unsubstantiated health theories. This family feud intensified after Kennedy’s presidential campaign ended with an endorsement of Trump and subsequent nomination for a cabinet position. The Independent has reached out for comment.
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Over 85,000 cyberattacks targeted Romania’s election systems before the November 24th presidential vote, with leaked credentials appearing on Russian cybercrime forums. These attacks, continuing even on election day, were attributed to a state-sponsored actor with significant resources, leading to suspicions of Russian involvement. The election was subsequently annulled by the Constitutional Court due to concerns about fairness and legality, prompting a complete restart of the electoral process. Furthermore, a coordinated disinformation campaign on TikTok aggressively promoted the pro-Russian candidate, who unexpectedly won.
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Romania’s Constitutional Court annulled the first round of its presidential election due to evidence of a Russian-backed online campaign promoting far-right candidate Calin Georgescu. This unprecedented decision, based on intelligence reports from multiple Romanian agencies, followed Georgescu’s surprising victory despite declaring zero campaign spending. A new election will be held after a new government is formed, and President Klaus Iohannis will remain in office until then. The annulment has sparked controversy, with some criticizing the decision as undermining democracy and others viewing it as necessary to protect Romania’s national security.
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For six consecutive nights, Georgian riot police violently dispersed pro-EU protesters in Tbilisi, employing water cannons and tear gas. These actions followed the Georgian Dream party’s decision to halt EU accession talks, sparking widespread demonstrations and condemnation from the U.S. Embassy and NATO. The government, led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, blames foreign influence and has accused protesters of violence, while the opposition alleges electoral fraud and human rights abuses by police. President Salome Zurabishvili, supporting the protesters, has criticized the government’s response, highlighting disproportionate force and allegations of torture. The ongoing unrest raises concerns about Georgia’s commitment to European integration and its potential drift towards Russia.
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Romania’s presidential election has been targeted by a significant influence campaign and cyberattacks, allegedly orchestrated by a state-sponsored actor, likely Russia. A far-right candidate, Calin Georgescu, experienced a sudden surge in popularity fueled by a coordinated social media campaign using paid influencers on TikTok, violating Romanian electoral law. Intelligence reports revealed the theft of electoral website data and approximately 85,000 attempted hacks targeting electoral systems. The released documents, prompting investigations and a potential impact on the upcoming second round of voting, highlight the scale of this interference attempt.
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Germany’s upcoming snap elections, precipitated by the collapse of Chancellor Scholz’s coalition, are facing significant threats of foreign interference, primarily from Russia. The BfV, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, has established a task force to counter potential disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, sabotage, and espionage aimed at influencing the election outcome. These actions are viewed as retaliation for Germany’s strong support of Ukraine. The BfV highlights the risk of foreign actors supporting specific candidates or parties to undermine the democratic process.
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Wasserman Schultz’s assertion that Gabbard is “likely a Russian asset” is a significant claim, sparking a considerable amount of online debate. The statement itself is quite explosive, suggesting a level of collaboration or influence by a foreign power on a prominent American political figure. This naturally raises serious questions about national security and the integrity of the political process.
The gravity of the accusation is undeniable. Accusing someone of being a Russian asset implies a deliberate act of subversion, potentially involving espionage or the dissemination of misinformation to benefit a hostile foreign power. It’s not a casual remark; it’s a serious allegation that carries significant legal and political ramifications.… Continue reading
Moldova’s pro-Western President, Maia Sandu, has won a second term in the presidential election, securing 55% of the vote compared to opponent Alexandr Stoianoglo’s 45%. The result will advance the country’s political alignment with Western countries and the path towards the EU. However, there were claims of Russian interference, voter fraud, and intimidation, including the orchestrated transportation of voters and cyberattacks on national voter record systems. In earlier votes, over 50% supported Moldova’s path towards EU membership, but allegations of vote-buying clouded the results. Moldova’s future could be further defined in its 2025 parliamentary election.
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Incumbent Moldovan president Maia Sandu won re-election for a second term, according to preliminary results, with 54.35% of the vote counted, potentially giving the country a major boost towards European Union aspirations and marking a rejection of Moscow’s influence. Sandu’s opponent was Kremlin-friendly political newcomer Alexandr Stoianoglo from the Socialist party. The results indicated that the large Moldovan diaspora, accounting for about 20% of the electorate, had overwhelmingly voted for Sandu. However, both the presidential election rounds and the EU referendum vote were marred by accusations of Russian interference. Despite this, the campaign led by Sandu, a former World Bank adviser, signifies an accelerated push for Moldova to break away from Moscow’s influence amidst the ongoing war in neighbouring Ukraine.
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Russian actors made a fake video depicting mail-in ballots for Trump being destroyed, and it feels like yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of how foreign influence continues to manipulate American politics. The mere existence of such a video—showing an individual going through what looked like ballots and apparently tearing up those marked for Trump—manages to encapsulate many of my frustrations and fears regarding the modern electoral process in the United States. The sensationalism embedded in this production not only aims to mislead viewers but also actively plays into the existing tensions and divisions in our society.
This video is insidious for its choice of an actor—a Black individual with a foreign accent—deliberately designed to stoke racial and societal fears.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood