February 6, 2026

Posted without comment:

On 14 February 2025, U.S. vice president JD Vance delivered a speech at the 61st Munich Security Conference. In his speech, Vance argued that Europe's principal danger came from erosion of democratic norms — especially censorship, suppression of dissent, and exclusion of populist voices ...

Vance warned that the U.S. would condition its support for Europe on whether its governments actually uphold free speech, press freedom, and political legitimacy, and criticized European governments for 'running in fear of their own voters'.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_JD_Vance_speech_at_the_Munich_Security_Conference

January 28, 2026

You've got to hand it to Ilhan Omar ...

She must have been planning that "fake attack" - as alleged by Trump and just about every MAGAbot and troll on social media since it happened - for *years* ...

Brother labels suspect who attacked Ilhan Omar a ‘right-wing extremist’ who has hated Somalis for decades

Exclusive: ‘In my mind, he’s a piece of s**t,’ Anthony Kazmierczak’s brother told The Independent

The man accused of attacking Rep. Ilhan Omar during a Tuesday evening town hall meeting in Minnesota is a “piece of s**t” with lifelong anger issues who has been fixated on the Somali-born lawmaker – and the Somali diaspora in general – for years, his younger brother told The Independent.

“I’m not surprised this happened,” Anthony James Kazmierczak’s brother said Wednesday morning in a phone interview from his home in North Carolina. “Not at all. Unfortunately, he and my mother are both right-wing extremists.”
...
When asked if Kazmierczak had mentioned Omar before, the brother responded, “Oh, yeah,” and said he is thankful the Somali-born Democratic legislator, who fled her war-torn nation as a child and became a U.S. citizen in 2000, wasn’t badly hurt. Kazmierczak’s antipathy toward Somali-Americans, whose presence in Minneapolis makes up the largest Somali population in the U.S., dates back to well before Omar was elected in 2019, according to the brother.

“He has had a hatred of the Somali community for probably 20 years,” Kazmierczak’s brother continued. “There’s a reason I don’t talk to him… He’s got a lot of anger, I have no idea where it comes from. He’s always been that way. In and out of treatment since he was a kid.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ilhan-omar-attack-anthony-kazmierczak-brother-b2909613.html

The details of the lengths she went to in preparation are impressive:

Alleged Ilhan Omar attacker hinted at town hall plans in cryptic texts to neighbor: ‘I might get arrested’
...
Days before the chaotic town hall, Kazmierczak’s neighbor Brian Kelley recalled that Kazmierczak asked if Kelley could watch his dog when he went to see Omar speak — and hinted that something would happen at the event.
...
Kelley said his neighbor has been “heavily medicated” due to a car wreck that affected his spine years ago.
...
“He’s also been diagnosed with Parkinson’s,” the neighbor said, noting, “He’s only 55.”

Kelley described Kazmierczak, who shared photos supporting President Trump on Facebook, as a “pretty conservative guy” who “doesn’t like Omar.”

Kazmierczak is grabbed after allegedly spraying an unknown substance at US Rep. Ilhan Omar (left) during a town hall she was hosting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 27, 2026.
AFP via Getty Images

https://nypost.com/2026/01/28/us-news/alleged-ilhan-omar-attacker-hinted-at-town-hall-plans-in-cryptic-texts-to-neighbor-i-might-get-arrested/

Forensics showed that the substance in the syringe was apple cider vinegar, but judging by descriptions, it probably wasn't fresh.

January 27, 2026

Then they'll just have to carry on luring cannonfodder from other nations on false promises

It's ironic, given Putin's long-term campaign to use migrants in Europe as just another cynical destabilization weapon, that Russians are reportedly growing increasingly uneasy at the number of non-white immigrants who are being shipped in to take on basic non-military work for which Russia no longer has the workforce:

Central Asian migrants face Russia's cold shoulder

Russia draws millions of Central Asian migrant workers every year. But the 2024 attack on Crocus City Hall has sparked xenophobia and now it seems the workers are no longer as welcome.

https://www.dw.com/en/central-asian-migrants-face-russias-cold-shoulder/a-73701308

Moscow’s Xenophobic Migration Policy Is Impacting Relations With Central Asia

By stirring up anti-migrant sentiment to distract Russian society from the war in Ukraine, Moscow is alienating its allies in Central Asia. Following Azerbaijan’s example, Central Asian countries are prepared to start standing up to Russia.

https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2025/10/russia-migrantophobia-rise

Maybe Vlad should ask Dozy Donny for some tips.

January 20, 2026

We're all friends really? Trump's not-so-useful idiot Mike Johnson drops in on MPs

John Crace

Everyone was trying not to mention the one thing on everyone’s mind as they welcomed the US House speaker

So. That went well, then. A day after Keir Starmer gently pointed out that the US would be wrong to seize Greenland and that a period of calm diplomacy was needed, Donald Trump goes mad. Again. Having already rubbished the Norwegian prime minister for not awarding him the Nobel peace prize, the US president took aim at the UK prime minister. No good deed goes unpunished and all that.
...
All of which gave more of an edge to Mike Johnson’s speech to both houses of parliament, which had previously been billed as soporific filler to mark the 250th year of American independence. Though still not enough to guarantee a full room. There were plenty of spare seats. The last time I had been in committee room 14 it had been for a Tory leadership announcement. Then it had been packed.
...
The mood in the room was one of enforced jollity. One where everyone was trying not to mention the one thing that was on everyone’s mind. Like a wedding where all the guests are trying to ignore that the bride’s father has passed out and was last seen face down in his lunch. DON’T MENTION THE WAR. DON’T MENTION THE WAR. Keep it light. We’re all friends really. Even if right now it feels as the best man is now kicking the groom in the head.

Johnson began with a quick dig at the Commons speaker, Lindsay Hoyle. He had noted that the UK speaker had a tendency to go on a bit. He wasn’t wrong. Hoyle loves his own voice above all others. Then the obligatory note of thanks. It was a huge honour for him to be allowed to give an address to a three-quarters-full committee room at 9.30 in the morning. It was hard to know if he was being sarcastic or not. But maybe he has hidden depths. Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. Hoyle could find himself talking in a broom cupboard in the Capitol if he manages to wangle a return invite.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/20/mike-johnson-trump-not-so-useful-idiot-sketch

January 20, 2026

Two debunkings of this "story" from authoritative disinformation debunking bodies:

SPRAVDI — Stratcom Centre
@StratcomCentre

A false narrative is now being spread online claiming that Ukraine supplied the United States with manipulated intelligence that was later used by Russia. There is no factual basis for this allegation.

The claim first appeared in foreign media without evidence and has since been repackaged as a conspiracy theory. Assertions that cooperation between Ukrainian and American intelligence services is nearing collapse are equally untrue.

In reality, intelligence cooperation between Ukraine and the United States remains stable. Information sharing with allies and partners in the security sphere continues as normal.

This disinformation is being actively spread through Russian public channels and amplified by coordinated networks of fake social media accounts. Its purpose is to weaken trust between Ukraine and key Western partners, particularly at a sensitive moment when discussions around a peace framework are ongoing.

The broader aim of this campaign is to cast doubt on the professionalism of Ukrainian special services and to undermine international confidence in continued support for Ukraine.

Fact Check: French Channel LCI Did NOT Report Ukraine Sent False Strategic Info To US -- Clip Only Mentioned 'Leaks' To Moscow

Did a guest in a clip from French TV channel LCI say Ukraine sent false strategic info to US intelligence services which they then observed Russian forces acting upon? No, that's not true: The video clip with guest Vincent Crouzet was about mounting distrust between Ukrainian and American intelligence services and the increased importance of intelligence coming from France and other allies of Ukraine. Crouzet did mention Ukraine deciding to stop sharing intelligence with the US due to concerns about leaks to Moscow but he did not say anything about Ukraine deliberately sharing false information.

One example of the claim appeared in a post on X ... published on January 18 that read:

BREAKING: Ukrainian intelligence services sent false strategic info to US intel services and observed that the information had been relayed to Russis and was used by Russian forces - French channel LCI

The post was accompanied by a screenshot of an X post by @24hPujadas ..., which belongs to the current affairs show 24H Pujadas broadcast by French channel LCI ...

Translated by Google Translate and verified by Lead Stories, that says:

So this statement went somewhat unnoticed, yet it is crucial.

It is crucial for two reasons: first, because it confirms the rift between Ukrainian and American intelligence, because if we are providing two-thirds of the intelligence capabilities for Ukraine, I imagine the remaining third is provided by other European partners, in this case, Germany and the United Kingdom. So when did this rift begin?

It obviously dates back to February 28, 2025, since last year, since the infamous Oval Office incident, which led to a breakdown of trust between Ukrainian and American intelligence, to the point that the two heads of Ukrainian intelligence at the time, Vasyl Maliuk for the SBU and Kyrylo Budanov for the GUR, the Ukrainian military intelligence, decided to stop sharing the effective intelligence they possessed with their American partners due to American leaks to Moscow.

...
The segment does not discuss or mention sending false information to US intelligence at all, it only mentions a decision to "stop sharing" because of "leaks".

Lead Stories reached out to Vincent Crouzet by email and he confirmed to us he never mentioned anything about sending false intelligence:

Like you I have reviewed the (video) extract, not being exactly sure today anymore, and I did not say it. I inferred that the Ukrainians feared leaks on the American side (which is not that unlikely having heard about the leaks from telephone conversations between Witkoff and Ushakov, or knowing the history of Tulsi Gabbard... not very reassuring for Kiev).

https://leadstories.com/hoax-alert/2026/01/fact-check-lci-ukraine-sent-false-strategic-intelligence-to-us-which-was-used-by-russia.html

January 18, 2026

Greenlanders are divided on whether and when to declare independence from Denmark.

So it's not for you or any other outsider to say that Denmark needs to "piss off".

Although clear majorities have agreed in principle with independence in a number of polls over the years, there are understandable reasons most are not in favour of going ahead too quickly:

As part of the self-rule law of 2009 (section §21), Greenland can declare full independence if it wishes to pursue it, but it would have to be approved by a referendum among the Greenlandic people and by the Danish parliament. It has been argued that because it was once a colony, under international law Greenland also has, separate from the 2009 law, the right of self-determination and could make a unilateral declaration of independence. A poll in 2016 showed that there was a clear majority (64%) for full independence among the Greenlandic people, but a poll in 2017 showed that there was a clear opposition (78%) if it meant a fall in living standards.
...
A 2025 poll showed that a majority 84% of Greenlanders would support independence from Denmark, with 9% opposing. 61% opposed independence if it meant a lower standard of living, with 39% in favour. When asked in a binary choice between the USA and Denmark, 85% preferred to be part of Denmark with only 6% preferring the USA.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenlandic_independence

It would be interesting to see how Trump's current bullshit has affected those numbers.

If Greenlanders ever vote for independence, it's highly unlikely Denmark would stand in their way.

The tension between wanting independence and an understanding that Denmark's economic support is currently vital is apparent in all the polling undertaken - some of the nuances are explored in this article:

Greenland’s independence movement sees opportunity in Trump’s interest: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/02/03/greenlands-independence-movement-sees-opportunity-in-trumps-interest

January 17, 2026

Heads up: If you use Imgur for image and video hosting, people in the UK can't see what you're posting

I've already posted this in GD and DU Community Help, but this seems like an obvious place to also post it.

If you use Imgur for image and video hosting, people in the UK can't see what you're posting

This has been true for some months now.

This may not matter to you, and I know we UK members are in a small minority on DU, but I'm seeing it more and more, and I figure DUers outside the UK won't know about it unless someone points it out, so here I am.

An OP may consist of a subject line and in the body of the post what the poster assumes is an image or video, with no accompanying description or explanation. In that case, all those of us in the UK will see instead of the visual content is a purple box like this:

Less importantly, perhaps, the same will happen with any Imgur-hosted images in your signature line.

This is the result of geoblocking imposed by Imgur since September 30 last year, not by the UK government:

Imgur blocks access to UK users after regulator warned of fine

Image-hosting platform Imgur has blocked people in the UK from accessing its content.

Imgur is used by millions to make and share images such as memes across the web, particularly on Reddit and in online forums.

But UK users trying to access Imgur on Tuesday were met with an error message saying "content not available in your region" - with Imgur content shared on other websites also no longer showing.

The UK's data watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), said it recently notified the platform's parent company, MediaLab AI, of plans to fine Imgur after probing its approach to age checks and use of children's personal data.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gzxv5gy3qo

Solutions for we UK users would include using a VPN, but I for one can't be arsed to set one up just to be able to view occasional images on DU (I don't notice it elsewhere on the Web, but Imgur seems particularly popular here).

Solutions for those DUers who can be bothered to do something about it for we UK DUers would include avoiding posting images and videos without any explanation or description, or to use a different hosting site so we can all see and potentially share the content.

January 15, 2026

Heads up: If you use Imgur for image and video hosting, people in the UK can't see what you're posting

This has been true for some months now.

This may not matter to you, and I know we UK members are in a small minority on DU, but I'm seeing it more and more, and I figure DUers outside the UK won't know about it unless someone points it out, so here I am.

An OP may consist of a subject line and in the body of the post what the poster assumes is an image or video, with no accompanying description or explanation. In that case, all those of us in the UK will see instead of the visual content is a purple box like this:

Less importantly, perhaps, the same will happen with any Imgur-hosted images in your signature line.

This is the result of geoblocking imposed by Imgur since September 30 last year, not by the UK government:

Imgur blocks access to UK users after regulator warned of fine

Image-hosting platform Imgur has blocked people in the UK from accessing its content.

Imgur is used by millions to make and share images such as memes across the web, particularly on Reddit and in online forums.

But UK users trying to access Imgur on Tuesday were met with an error message saying "content not available in your region" - with Imgur content shared on other websites also no longer showing.

The UK's data watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), said it recently notified the platform's parent company, MediaLab AI, of plans to fine Imgur after probing its approach to age checks and use of children's personal data.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gzxv5gy3qo

Solutions for we UK users would include using a VPN, but I for one can't be arsed to set one up just to be able to view occasional images on DU (I don't notice it elsewhere on the Web, but Imgur seems particularly popular here).

Solutions for those DUers who can be bothered to do something about it for we UK DUers would include avoiding posting images and videos without any explanation or description, or to use a different hosting site so we can all see and potentially share the content.

[X-posted in General Discussion - https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220941820 ]

January 15, 2026

Heads up: If you use Imgur for image and video hosting, people in the UK can't see what you're posting

This has been true for some months now.

This may not matter to you, and I know we UK members are in a small minority on DU, but I'm seeing it more and more, and I figure DUers outside the UK won't know about it unless someone points it out, so here I am.

An OP may consist of a subject line and in the body of the post what the poster assumes is an image or video, with no accompanying description or explanation. In that case, all those of us in the UK will see instead of the visual content is a purple box like this:

Less importantly, perhaps, the same will happen with any Imgur-hosted images in your signature line.

This is the result of geoblocking imposed by Imgur since September 30 last year, not by the UK government:

Imgur blocks access to UK users after regulator warned of fine

Image-hosting platform Imgur has blocked people in the UK from accessing its content.

Imgur is used by millions to make and share images such as memes across the web, particularly on Reddit and in online forums.

But UK users trying to access Imgur on Tuesday were met with an error message saying "content not available in your region" - with Imgur content shared on other websites also no longer showing.

The UK's data watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), said it recently notified the platform's parent company, MediaLab AI, of plans to fine Imgur after probing its approach to age checks and use of children's personal data.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gzxv5gy3qo

Solutions for we UK users would include using a VPN, but I for one can't be arsed to set one up just to be able to view occasional images on DU (I don't notice it elsewhere on the Web, but Imgur seems particularly popular here).

Solutions for those DUers who can be bothered to do something about it for we UK DUers would include avoiding posting images and videos without any explanation or description, or to use a different hosting site so we can all see and potentially share the content.

January 14, 2026

NYTPitchbot does it again

NYTPitchbot
@DougJBalloon

Whether it's Barack Obama asking for Dijon mustard or Donald Trump screaming "fuck you" in a Ford plant at someone calling him a "pedophile protector," presidential norms have been challenged in the 21st century

Emrys

Posted without comment:

You've got to hand it to Ilhan Omar ...

Then they'll just have to carry on luring cannonfodder from other nations on false promises

We're all friends really? Trump's not-so-useful idiot Mike Johnson drops in on MPs

Two debunkings of this "story" from authoritative disinformation debunking bodies:

Greenlanders are divided on whether and when to declare independence from Denmark.

Heads up: If you use Imgur for image and video hosting, people in the UK can't see what you're posting

Heads up: If you use Imgur for image and video hosting, people in the UK can't see what you're posting

Heads up: If you use Imgur for image and video hosting, people in the UK can't see what you're posting

NYTPitchbot does it again

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