🇺🇸 Share of foreign-born people in the US is at its highest rate in over a century, survey says

The share of people born outside the United States increased in 2023 to 14.3% from 13.9% in 2022, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey.

🔗 https://apnews.com/article/immigration-census-foreign-born-florida-26741d9659eb91a58891b97e6b56f72c

🇺🇸 A Springfield, Ohio homeless advocate tells the city council that landlords are kicking people out of their homes and replacing them with Haitians and that the Biden-Harris government is paying them to do it.

He says he personally knows someone who lived in a house for seven years. The landlord told them to leave under the guise of completing renovations only to replace them with a Haitian and charge the government triple the rent.

"I don't know of a single homeless Haitian in this town because they all got vouchers! But I can show you a whole bunch of people that have been displaced."

🔗 Greg Price

🇷🇺❌🇺🇸 President Putin warns that NATO will enter a direct war with Russia if Ukraine uses long-range Western missiles to strike inside Russia.

🔗 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/12/putin-ukraine-missile-restrictions-nato-war-russia

🇨🇳 A new world record was set last week in Shenzhen when an 8,100 drone formation lifted off to show a stunning performance

📝 This isn't just a light show. It's a demonstration of futuristic military power. You are looking at an unarmed drone swarm.

🔗 Zhang Meifang

🇪🇺❌🔐 Thought the chat control EU regulation has gone away? Think again!

Back in June, a blocking minority of EU government prevented the adoption of a chat control tool which would have ended all end-to-end encryption messaging apps in the European Union as the EU would have mandated messaging apps to implement AI tools with which to scan images, videos and URLs sent by users. It would have affected apps from the likes of What's Up and Facebook Messenger to Telegram, Discord & others.

The bill in its latest form looks like this:

➡️ A limited use of the tool for "high risk services". What does "high risk service" mean? Well it will be up to your government do decide what "high risk service" means so the tool can be used to check one app or every app for that matter, depending on how paranoid or totalitarian your specific government is.

➡️ Technologies used for detection in end-to-end encrypted services would be “vetted” with regard to their effectiveness, their impact on fundamental rights and risks to cyber security. However the so-called “client-side scanning” on our smartphones creates risks for hacking and abuse, and destroys trust in the confidentiality of private communication. Since several providers (Signal, Threems) have announced they would rather cease services in the EU than implement bugs in their apps, the proposal would effectively cut Europeans off communication with other users of these apps.

➡️ Scanning would be limited to visual content and URLs. But it is exactly the scanning of visual content which under the current voluntary scheme exposes intimate family photos to viewing by unknown persons, results in thosands of false positives and leads to mass criminalisation of teenagers.

➡️ Using AI to automatically search for previously unknown CSAM would result in the disclosure of chats only after two hits. But this limitation will usually be ineffective as falsely flagged beach photos or consensual sexting rarely involve just a single photo. The EU Commissioner for Home Affairs has herself herself stated that three out of four of the disclosed chats and photos are not actionable for the police. Algorithms and hash databases are generally unreliable in distinguishing legal from illegal content.

➡️ Scanning (“upload moderation”) would be applied only to users who consent. If a user does not agree to the scanning of their chats, they would still be able to use the service for sending text messages, but would no longer be able to send or receive images, videos, iconography, stickers or URLs. Clearly this does not give users a real choice, as using messenger services purely for texting is not an option in the 21st century. (EU continues to violate its own laws specifically art. 7 of the GDPR in regards to consent)

➡️ Professional accounts of staff of intelligence agencies, police and military would be exempted from the scanning of chats and messages. This exception proves that interior ministers know exactly just how unreliable and dangerous the snooping algorithms are that they want to unleash on us citizens. Ministers themselves do not want to suffer the consequences of the destruction of digital privacy of correspondence and secure encryption that they would impose on us.

What's new is that on September 4th, the Hungarian-led European Council made the use of AI tools to scan potential child abuse materials not mandatory.

It doesn't end there. On September 23rd, 2024, the Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) will deliberate on the bill again. On October 10-11th all ministers of the interior/internal affairs of the EU will be required to adopt a position on the matter in the hopes that, in the future, a chat control tool will pass the EU's institutions.

🔗 https://www.patrick-breyer.de/en/posts/chat-control/

🇷🇺🇺🇦 Russian forces began counterattacks along the western edge of the Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast and reportedly seized several settlements northeast and south of Korenevo on September 10 and 11.

Ukrainian forces reportedly began new attacks against the Russian counterattack west of Snagost and throughout the Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast.

Available visual evidence suggests that Russian forces counterattacking in Kursk Oblast are operating in company-sized units and may be using elements of more combat-experienced units to conduct counterattacks.

Russian forces may intend to temporarily bisect the Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast before beginning a more organized and well-equipped effort to push Ukrainian forces out of Russian territory.

🔗 Critical Threats

🇬🇧 Prepare for more immigration as Britain’s debt soars

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has published a report showing that unless something drastic changes, Government debt is set to almost triple in the next five decades — from around 100% of GDP today to around 274% in 2071.

The timing of the report is surely not a coincidence: it overlaps with Keir Starmer’s government starting a harsh campaign of austerity which will include tax increases and cuts to key components of social spending, such as fuel support for pensioners.

But these latest numbers from the OBR give the lie to Labour’s claim that austerity is required in the short term to improve the health of the economy in the long term. With numbers like these, the Government is clearly preparing the British population for a permanent and potentially drastic reduction in living standards. That is, Labour is the first of probably many governments to lead Britain into a period of managed decline.

Among a range of problems, one that stands out is demographics. Birth rates have been below replacement level since 1973, meaning that Britain’s population is ageing, and this ageing is starting to bite. Ironically, the Baby Boomers and younger generations lowered their birth rates mainly so that they could work and consume more, thereby boosting the economy. But this is turning out to be a sugar rush that only lasted two generations: now Millennials and Generation Z have to deal with the consequences.

The plan is clear: extremely high rates of population replacement, much higher taxes, and much lower social spending. It is starting to feel like Britain’s grim future is predetermined.

🔗 https://unherd.com/newsroom/prepare-for-more-immigration-as-britains-debt-soars/

🇬🇧 Sadiq Khan: Prisoners should be offered free housing before others to not reoffend

Prisoners should be allowed to jump the housing queue as part of efforts to cut crime, Sadiq Khan has said.

The Mayor of London said that despite there being “a big shortage of housing in London”, some prisoners ought to “jump in the queue to get housing to avoid them reoffending again”.

The comments come amid huge pressure on housing in the capital and an escalating homelessness crisis. In London, one in 50 are currently homeless.

However, lack of housing is one of the main reasons that those released from prison are recalled or go on to reoffend.

Prisoners released into homelessness are significantly more likely to breach their licence conditions because of missed appointments and breaking curfews. They are also more likely to succumb to a drug or alcohol addiction.

The chief inspector said the main risk was that freed prisoners would end up homeless and, as a result, fall back into crime – despite a pledge by the Ministry of Justice to ensure all 1,750 will have guaranteed accommodation for 12 weeks.

🔗 https://archive.ph/RhMtn

#BREAKING

🇷🇸❌🇽🇰 — President Aleksandar Vučić has announced Serbia's decisions regarding Kosovo and Metohija, detailing that the measures are categorized into five key areas.

Here’s a breakdown of what they involve: ⬇️

🔴 1. Return to the "Status Quo Ante";
🔴 2. Kosovo and Metohija as a special social protection area;
🔴 3. Resilience of Serbian institutions in Kosovo and Metohija;
🔴 4. Establishment of a special Prosecutor's Office;
🔴 5. Decision on the illegality of all bodies and institutions on the territory of Kosovo and Metohija after the illegally declared independence.

🔴 1. Return to the "Status Quo Ante" (the state of affairs that existed previously):

➡️ Holding local elections in northern Kosovo and Metohija.
➡️ Return of Serbs to the Regional Directorate of Kosovo Police "North".
➡️ Reinstating Serbian judges and prosecutors to their positions.
➡️ Withdrawing Kosovo police special forces from illegally built bases and institutions in the north.
➡️ Immediate formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM).
➡️ Enforcing U.S. and EU guarantees from December 2022 and releasing political prisoners.
➡️ Restoring unhindered payment and postal services.

🔴 2. Kosovo and Metohija as a special social protection area:

➡️ Special social protection area for Serbs living in Kosovo, including financial aid, material assistance, free textbooks, sports development, rural and religious tourism.

🔴 3. Resilience of Serbian institutions in Kosovo and Metohija:

➡️ Serbian institutions and temporary bodies in Kosovo and Metohija will not be abolished or closed, preventing Albin Kurti [Kosovo* PM] from achieving his main political goal of removing and completely eliminating Serbian institutions and Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

🔴 4. Establishment of a special Prosecutor's Office:

➡️ The National Assembly of Serbia will, within 45 days, adopt a law to establish a special Prosecutor's Office for prosecuting abuses, property usurpation, and violations of human rights in Kosovo and Metohija.

🔴 5. Decision on the illegality of all bodies and institutions on the territory of Kosovo and Metohija after the illegally declared independence:

➡️ The National Assembly of Serbia will, within 45 days, adopt a decision declaring the illegality of all bodies and institutions established in Kosovo and Metohija after the illegally declared independence, as well as the nullity of their acts.

➡️ This will ensure that all activities and unilateral, uncoordinated acts of these bodies are legally void and have no legal effect.

➡️ Additionally, the Serbian president stated that a decision to declare an occupation of the southern province of Kosovo and Metohija will not be made.

➡️ President Vučić has stated that he will refrain from declaring an occupation, noting that such a declaration would grant armed groups in Kosovo and Metohija, regardless of their status, the legitimacy of an official armed force.

🔗 The National Independent (@NationalIndNews)

🇨🇩🇺🇸 Three U.S. citizens on trial for their role in a failed coup in Democratic Republic of Congo were sentenced to death by a military court

Armed men briefly occupied an office of the presidency in the capital Kinshasa on May 19 before their leader, U.S.-based Congolese politician Christian Malanga, was killed by security forces.

His son, Marcel Malanga, was among the Americans on trial, along with Marcel's friend Tyler Thompson who played high school football with him in Utah. Both are in their 20s.

The third American, Benjamin Zalman-Polun, was a business associate of Christian Malanga.

All three were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, terrorism and other charges, and sentenced to death in a ruling read out on live TV.

Malanga had previously told the court that his father had threatened to kill him unless he participated. He also told the court it was his first time visiting Congo at the invitation of his father, whom he hadn't seen in years.

The Americans are among around 50 people, including U.S., British, Canadian, Belgian and Congolese citizens, standing trial following the failed coup.

🔗 https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/us-citizens-trial-role-congo-coup-attempt-sentenced-death-2024-09-13/

🇩🇪🤝🇰🇪 Germany to welcome 250,000 Kenyans in labour deal

Germany has agreed to open the doors to 250,000 skilled and semi-skilled Kenyan workers in a controlled and targeted labour migration deal.

Kenya is struggling with increasing difficulties in providing work and sufficient income for its young professionals, while Germany is facing a shortage of skilled labour.

Five Kenyan bus drivers have already been welcomed to Flensburg, in the north of Germany, in a pilot project.

Migration agreements are a central pillar in the German government's efforts to curb immigration.

The agreement will also simplify the repatriation of Kenyans who are in Germany without legal permission.

Germany agreed to ease some of its immigration laws to enable Kenyans to find employment in Europe's biggest economy.

Authorities in Berlin will also consider extending temporary residence permits for Kenyan workers who have secured an approved job.

Kenyans will also be issued with long-term visas to study or do vocational training in Germany.

"On the expiry of the long-stay visa, Kenyans may receive a temporary residence permit for study purposes in Germany for up to two years," the agreement states.

The temporary residence permit may be extended if the purpose of residence has not yet been achieved but is achievable within a "reasonable" period, it adds.

According to the deal, IT specialists from Kenya will be allowed to enter and work in Germany, even if they do not have formal qualifications.

Doctors, nurses and teachers are among those expected to take part in the programme.

🔗 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gegkkg14ko

🇷🇺🏴 🇲🇱 Malian & Russian troops are preparing to relaunch their offensive in northern Mali along the Algerian border for the first time since Tuareg militants defeated them at Tinzaouten in July.

They face several capacity and capability challenges to clear and hold the area.

Security forces have partially addressed the immediate capacity issues that contributed to their July defeat by increasing the number of forces involved. However, security forces still likely lack the capacity to hold remote territory.

Malian & Russian forces risk creating gaps for JNIM to exploit in other parts of the country by giving greater priority to northern Mali. CTP previously reported during the late 2023 offensive against Kidal that this focus decreased Malian-Russian operations in central Mali.

Malian forces and their Russian partners will also likely remain reliant on Burkinabe and Malian air support. Drone support has been critical to previous successful offensives in northern Mali and the lack of it contributed to the Tinzaouten defeat.

Security forces are unlikely to permanently degrade support zones along and across the Algerian border due to Mali’s strained ties with Algeria. Algeria has repeatedly signaled strong opposition to Malian military activities along, and especially across, its border.

Russian military commentators framing the Russian units participating in the offensive as part of the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD)-linked Africa Corps—not Wagner Group—may indicate that the MoD has consolidated greater control over the Russian presence in Mali.

🔗 Critical Threats

🇬🇧❌🇷🇺 U.K. Prime Minister to Urge Biden to Allow Ukraine’s Use of Long-Range Missiles Inside Russia

🔗 https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/putin-warns-u-s-allies-against-allowing-ukraine-to-use-cruise-missiles-9f79b3d9

🇨🇦❌🇷🇺 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ukraine should be allowed to strike deep inside Russia, regardless of Moscow threatening that this would draw Canada and its allies into direct war.

🔗 https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/trudeau-says-ukraine-can-strike-deep-into-russia-with-nato-arms-putin-hints-at-war-1.7036940