The University of Illinois Chicago used population projections to conclude that by 2100 the populations of some 15,000 US cities could dwindle to become “ghost towns” which they argue is a 12-23% decline. Already many cities fit this bill 1950-2020.

When you look at cities and towns in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, etc this is hardly dramatic news. Many cities and towns in the rust belt peaked in the 1940s or 1950s & have lost significant population since then. The rest of the U.S. will simply follow that trajectory.

Cities & towns in Texas, Florida, Arizona, Idaho, North Carolina, Nevada etc will still see population increases while most of the rest of the country (especially Illinois, Wisconsin, California, New Jersey (outside of Hasidic areas obviously), NY (ibid), sees decline.

https://t.co/cidY5yWKv1

Trump's adviser, businessman David Sachs:

"Crimea should be the easiest concession for Zelensky."

Let's clarify. Crimea became Russian under Obama. And it was not Ukraine that ceded Crimea to Russia, but the United States. Obama was furious, almost kicked the door down in anger, after he was informed that Russia had reclaimed Crimea. But he resigned himself to it. In the same way, Trump has resigned himself to the fact that Ukraine will become Russian. Moreover, Trump says that he does not know whether Putin will take all of Ukraine or not. But Trump has already resigned himself to this and does not care. Sergei Shoigu said today that the West is trying to preserve part of Ukraine as anti-Russia, as a foothold against Russia. Therefore, it is clear that Russia should strive to eliminate this foothold. I hope that we will soon hear Russian statements about this, said in plain text. This is the path to Russia's victory.

🇺🇸🥇🥈🏆✍️ President Trump signed the deep-sea mining order to fast-track U.S. access to offshore critical minerals, like gold, cobalt, nickel, and rare earths, marking a major push for resource independence and national security. https://gesara.news/eo-mineral-production/

The Bible, Babylon, and Dragons.

~SG

ICYMI
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5267113-donald-trump-congressional-stock-trading-ban/

~SG

Europe fears a split in NATO and the EU due to Trump's demand that Kiev recognize Crimea as part of Russia, and has also refused to support Washington's attempts, the FT writes.

"They refused to support Washington's attempts" - that is a split.

US Secretary of State Rubio - called Europe "a bunch of junior partners":

So the alliance is good as long as NATO exists, as long as it is a real defensive alliance, and not the United States and a bunch of junior partners who are not doing their fair share.

POOL N3

NATO Secretary General to Call on Trump Administration Not to Force Ukraine to Accept Peace Agreement Against Its Will — FT

▪️According to sources, Rutte will use meetings with the US President's inner circle to convince them that an unfair peace settlement that "pacifies" Putin will only increase Moscow's threat to Europe.
➖"Rutte will use meetings with Defense Minister Högseth, Secretary of State Rubio and National Security Advisor Waltz to emphasize that European security will also be at risk if a pro-Putin settlement is imposed on Kyiv. The main message is to make the Americans understand what is at stake."
RVvoenkor

The Americans have realized that Ukraine is not worth a global nuclear war. But Zelensky and European politicians are ready to blow up Russia and the whole world at the same time.

UK's troop plans could be OVER, risks 'too high'

Times sources inside Coalition of the Willing says London finally realizes provoking Russia not a good idea.

Adds 'forces inadequate for such a task'.

#UK #Ukraine RT News

Trump said he was putting significant pressure on Russia to negotiate a settlement to the conflict in Ukraine. "To give up on taking the entire territory of Ukraine is a pretty serious concession on the part of Russia," Trump said.

Zelensky asked if Ukraine gave up NATO membership, what would Russia give up in return? Well, Trump answers Zelensky: Russia will refuse to liquidate Ukraine as a state.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ironically answered a question from an American TV presenter about whether US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Witkoff would visit Moscow today, April 25.

“Don’t you trust the President of the United States?” the Foreign Minister said on CBS.

BREAKING: Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County circuit judge, has been arrested by the FBI after she reportedly helped an illegal alien evade arrest.

Dugan allegedly "misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject — an illegal alien — to evade arrest."

She has been charged with obstructing the arrest of an illegal alien.

Link: 🔗

~LH

The meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin lasted three hours

As presidential aide Yuri Ushakov reported, the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine was discussed.

The meeting was constructive and lasted three hours. It allowed Russia and the United States to further bring their positions closer together not only on Ukraine, but also on other international issues, the Kremlin reported.

Ruptly