Fed workers lament ‘DOGE 15’ as RTO and layoff threats pile on the pressure – and the pounds
Federal workers are whining about the “DOGE 15” – the added weight they’ve packed on since being dragged back to the office and worrying about their own productivity and looming layoffs.
Ukraine’s Extension Of Martial Law Exposes Zelensky’s Fear Of Losing Re-Election
Ukraine’s Extension Of Martial Law Exposes Zelensky’s Fear Of Losing Re-Election
Authored by Andrew Korybko via substack,
The US might pressure him to assemble a government of national unity on pain of once again suspending military and intelligence aid if he refuses to dilute his power in lieu of holding elections…
Ukraine extended martial law until 6 August following Zelensky’s request earlier this week, which will prevent elections from being held over the summer like The Economist claimed late last month was a scenario that he was considering in an attempt to give himself an edge over his rivals. This move therefore exposes his fear of losing re-election. It’s not just that he’s very unpopular, but he likely also fears that the US wants to replace him after his infamous fight in the White House.
To that end, the Trump Administration might not turn a blind eye to whatever electoral fraud he could be planning to commit in order to hold onto power, instead refusing to recognize the outcome unless one of his rivals wins.
As for who could realistically replace him, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service claimed last May that the US had reportedly entered into talks with Petro Poroshenko, Vitaly Klitschko, Andrey Yermak, Valery Zaluzhny, and Dmytro Razumkov.
The New York Times (NYT) just ran a feature article on Poroshenko, who took the opportunity to propose a government of national unity (GNU) almost 18 months after this idea was first floated by Politico in December 2023, but even the article’s author felt obligated to inform readers that he’s unlikely to return to power.
Citing unnamed political analysts, they assessed that “Mr. Poroshenko may be angling for an electoral alliance with General Zaluzhny…[who] has remained mostly silent about politics” till now.
Nevertheless, Poroshenko’s NYT feature article succeeded in raising wider awareness of the GNU scenario, which the Trump Administration might seek to advance over the summer.
Zelensky continues to irritate Trump, most recently by alleging that Russia has “enormous influence” over the White House and accusing his envoy Steve Witkoff of overstepping his authority in talks with Putin.
This comes as Ukraine continues dragging its heels on agreeing to the latest proposed mineral deal with the US.
From the US’ perspective, since the increasingly troublesome Zelensky can’t be democratically replaced through summertime elections, the next best course of action could be to pressure him into forming a GNU that would be filled with figures like Poroshenko who’d be easier for the US to work with.
This could also serve to dilute Zelensky’s power in a reversal of the Biden Administration’s policy that saw the US turning a blind eye to his anti-democratic consolidation of power on national security pretexts.
The pretext could be that any Russian-US breakthrough on resolving the Ukrainian Conflict requires the approval of a politically inclusive Ukrainian government given Zelensky’s questionable legitimacy after remaining in power following the expiry of his term last May and the enormity of what’s being proposed.
In pursuit of this goal, the US could threaten to once again suspend its military and intelligence aid to Ukraine unless Zelensky speedily assembles a GNU that’s acceptable to the Trump Administration.
The purpose would be to push through a ceasefire for lifting martial law, finally holding elections, and ultimately replacing Zelensky.
The GNU could also help prevent the fraud that he might be planning to commit if he decides to run again under these much more politically difficult circumstances, especially if they invite the US to supervise their efforts, both before and during the vote.
Through these means, the US could therefore still get rid of Zelensky, who might think that extending martial law will prevent this.
Tyler Durden
Sat, 04/19/2025 – 07:00
This Mini Solar-Powered Charger Is a Festival Season Essential to Keep Your Devices Running
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Assessing Trump’s Diplomatic Juggling Act. Plus, How Anti-Semites Hijacked a Top Scholarly Journal.
The art of the deal: Most presidents, the Hudson Institute’s Mike Watson writes, “implement only a handful of initiatives at a time that usually only become public knowledge once they have matured.” Not Trump. “I never get too attached to one deal or one approach,” he wrote in Art of the Deal. “I keep a lot of balls in the air, because most deals fall out, no matter how promising they seem at first.”
By conventional standards, then, Trump’s foreign policy approach is earning poor marks. The Ukraine war is still underway, Moscow and Beijing are moving closer together, the Middle East has not calmed, and new trade deals have yet to materialize. “Obviously there are a few dangers with Trump’s approach,” and “some of these criticisms have a point,” writes Watson. “But there are also opportunities for breakthroughs.”
“For example, allowing Israel to impose costs on Hamas for holding hostages, and perhaps even wipe out the terrorist group, is good and helps establish credibility for further negotiations. On Monday, Trump said about Iran, ‘I think they’re tapping us along,’ and the aircraft carriers and heavy bombers surging to the Middle East remind Tehran that the price for defying America can be high.”
Japan’s negotiators, meanwhile, “visited Washington this week, and while Tokyo is not eager to cave on trade, it was generally responsive to Trump’s concerns in his first term and should be again this time around. Squeezing Tehran won’t be easy, but its empire is in tatters, and it remains more vulnerable than China or Russia.”
“During his first term, Trump pulled off a largely successful juggling act. He did not get the breakthrough that he wanted with Russia or tame Iran, but he made important progress on China. Since then, America’s adversaries have grown stronger, the world has gotten more dangerous, and he can’t afford to drop as many balls.”
READ MORE: Trump’s Art of the Diplomatic Deal
Architects of anti-Semitism: The Journal of Architectural Education, the field’s premier scholarly journal, used to write on topics like the “nuances through which water and design mix” and the “relationship between stories and architecture.” Its expression of left-wing politics mostly centered on climate change. Then, Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7, and the journal pivoted to the Middle East—making clear in doing so that it was on the side of the terrorists.
Last year, the journal’s editorial board—made up of professors from Princeton, Barnard, MIT, and Cooper Union—unanimously approved a different topic for a fall 2025 issue: The “ongoing Israeli genocide campaign against Palestinians in Gaza.” The board issued a call for essay submissions that was littered with anti-Semitic rhetoric, our Jessica Schwalb reports, including a justification of the Oct. 7 attacks as “the rupture of settler containment” and a reference to “the tunnel as a route of militants’ fight and prisoners’ flight.”
The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, which represents every top architectural college in the United States and publishes the journal, raised concerns but approved the issue anyway. Then, after Donald Trump’s election, the association’s board canceled it—”not because it disagreed with the content but because of threats from both the Trump administration and at least two governors.” The journal’s entire editorial board resigned in response.
“The ordeal reflects the proliferation of anti-Semitic activism seen in higher education in the wake of Oct. 7—even in fields unrelated to international conflict like architecture,” writes Schwalb. “It also shows how a pledge to address that activism from state and federal regulators has impacted academic leaders’ decision making.”
Away from the Beacon:
- Harvard takes another blow: Amid its ongoing funding review, the Trump administration is pressing the university to turn over records on the foreign donations it receives, which the administration says are “incomplete and inaccurate.” The move is the “first step to ensure Harvard is not being manipulated by, or doing the bidding of, foreign entities,” Linda McMahon said.
- Mahmoud Khalil has a friend in the Washington Post, which published an essayfrom the detained Columbia protest leader in which he compares his situation to Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl.
- Joe Biden’s standard pitch for a speaking gig “is $300,000—25% below Barack Obama’s $400,000 asking price upon leaving office in 2017,” a source familiar told the New York Post. Old Joe’s representatives at CAA are apparently having trouble finding takers. We can’t imagine why.
The post Assessing Trump’s Diplomatic Juggling Act. Plus, How Anti-Semites Hijacked a Top Scholarly Journal. appeared first on .
Inside new mom Gisele Bundchen’s hot life with lover Joaquim Valente and their future together
“When I started talking with Joaquim, I realized that it was much more than self-defense,” Gisele said in 2022.
Michelle Obama flashes her wedding ring after shutting down Barack divorce rumors once and for all
The “Becoming” author shot down “horrible” speculation that she and Barack were headed for divorce earlier this month.
Pokémon TCG Update: My Highlights From Weekend Amazon Restock
I think Amazon might be quietly trying to drain my bank account one booster pack at a time. There’s a surprisingly decent lineup of Pokémon TCG products right now, from premium collections packed with extras to tins that are basically loot boxes for adults. I want to make sure the good ones don’t get buried under the usual filler. Some of these are actually worth picking up, especially if you’ve been eyeing the newer Scarlet & Violet sets or just need an excuse to add another tin to the growing stack.
My Pokémon TCG Highlights From Weekend Amazon Restock
In my opinion, a few of these deals strike the rare balance of being fun to open and not completely overpriced. Others seem designed for collectors who enjoy the thrill of random pulls and aggressively themed storage solutions. I’ve pulled together the highlights below, focusing only on the stuff that feels like a solid pickup instead of the usual repackaged leftovers.
Pokémon TCG: Terapagos ex Ultra-Premium Collection
I want to say this isn’t excessive, but you’re getting 18 Stellar Crown booster packs, three promo cards, a playmat, a deck box, and a magnetic card display. Excessive, but in a good way. It’s basically a portable shrine to Terapagos, and somehow still manages to feel worth it if you’re deep in the hobby.
Pokémon TCG: Stacking Tin (Q1 2025)
Three booster packs and two sticker sheets in a tin that stacks. That’s the whole pitch. I think it’s a fun pickup if you’re buying for a younger fan or just want your cards stored in a tiny themed cylinder for some reason.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet – Paldean Fates Booster Bundle
Six packs focused on shiny Pokémon, which will either be a collector’s dream or a gamble depending on your luck. In my opinion, the price feels high unless you’re chasing specific cards, but that hasn’t stopped anyone before.
Pokémon TCG: Iono’s Bellibolt ex Premium Collection
Six packs and two foil promos, plus acrylic standees and a sticker sheet, because Iono’s entire personality is now available in merchandise form. I think this one’s a solid pick if you like your collections playable, displayable, and mildly ridiculous.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box
This box comes with nine Shrouded Fable booster packs, a Pecharunt promo, sleeves, dice, and more organizational tools than your average office desk. It’s one of the more practical bundles, assuming your definition of practical includes themed card sleeves.
Pokémon TCG: Poké Ball Tin 3-Pack Bundle 2024- Poké Ball, Premier Ball, Moon Ball.
Each bundle comes with three Poké Ball tins and nine booster packs total, plus stickers in case the Poké Balls weren’t festive enough. You’re paying for variety and presentation here, which is half the fun anyway.
Pokémon TCG: Poké Ball Tin 3-Pack Bundle 2024- Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball.
Same again but includes a Pokéball, Great Ball and Ultra Ball. This is the OG choice and look brilliant mixed in a graded card display. All Pokémon TCG should come in a Pokéball in my opinion!
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet – Surging Sparks Booster Bundle
If you don’t need sleeves or dice and just want to crack open six fresh packs from Surging Sparks, this one does the job. In my opinion, it’s the most straightforward way to feed the shiny card habit without the extra clutter.
Pokémon TCG: Paradox Clash Tin: Iron Leaves ex or Walking Wake ex
You get five packs and one of two promo cards, chosen by fate or some algorithm pretending to be fate. A decent middle ground for players who want something compact with a bit of flair and a good chance at useful pulls.
Pokémon TCG: Azure Legends Tin – 5 Packs
This tin is a lucky dip between Kyogre, Xerneas, and Dialga, which makes it great if you enjoy a little chaos with your collecting. Five packs and a foil promo make it pretty reasonable for the price, especially if you’re not picky.
Pokémon TCG – Scarlet & Violet: Journey Together – 1 Blister Pack
One Journey Together pack, one total mystery. If you just want to open something without overthinking it, this gets the job done. It’s also about as low-stakes as Pokémon TCG gets unless you’re picking up cards off the sidewalk.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
Time to retire those old binoculars because these one’s have night vision
Look over there! That’s a Three-Waddled Bellbird! Oh, snap. Did your binoculars not zoom in enough for you to see it? It makes a huge difference owning a reliable pair of binoculars, but if you’re still toting around the ones you took from your grandpa, you’re not doing yourself any favors.
These double-barrel binoculars aren’t your standard pair—they come with night vision, so you can spy on wildlife even in complete darkness, and they even let you take photos and videos of your discoveries. Grab your pair for only $104.97 (that’s 64 percent off)!
Your second pair of eyes
Your eyes might be good enough to spot that robin perched on a high branch or a coven of deer grazing a few yards away, but they’re no match when nighttime falls. When the sun starts setting, whip these bad boys out, look through the 2.3-inch HD screen, and adjust the infrared brightness until the animals look crystal clear.
Ah! Did you think you saw a buck in the forest? Keep quiet and use the 4X zoom feature to get a closer look. If you want to share your buck sighting or any other discoveries you made, hit record or snap a photo. Everything is saved to the TF card that’s included with the binoculars, so all you need to do to post your flicks on Instagram is pop the card into your computer and transfer content to your phone.
It’s time to ditch your grandpa’s binoculars and go digital.
Pick up a pair of night-vision binoculars while they’re on sale for just $104.97.
Sale ends April 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Double Barrel 720p Digital Night-Vision Binoculars – $104.97
What makes this deal special
These double-barrel digital binoculars are a major upgrade from your standard pair. They can see in pitch black and still zoom up to 4x magnification. There’s even a built-in camera and video recorder to capture all your adventures, and they’re only $104.97.
The post Time to retire those old binoculars because these one’s have night vision appeared first on Popular Science.
Download iOS 18.4.1 Right Now for These Important Security Fixes
Apple said the update patches some vulnerabilities that may have been exploited in sophisticated attacks.