China, Thailand, and Myanmar have recently intensified their joint efforts to dismantle cyber scam operations along the Thai-Myanmar border, with a particular focus on rescuing foreign workers who have been coerced into participating in fraudulent schemes. This crackdown, while not the first of its kind, comes at a critical moment and has significant implications for the three nations involved.

Why is the crackdown happening now?
Cyber scam operations—large-scale online fraud centers specializing in investment scams, romance scams, and other illicit activities—have plagued Southeast Asia for years. These criminal enterprises initially emerged from casinos in the Golden Triangle, a region straddling the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, known for its history of illegal activities.

The situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic when many physical casinos were forced to shut down. As a result, operators shifted their focus to online fraud, developing increasingly sophisticated and highly profitable scams. Analysts estimate that the cyber scam industry is now worth billions of dollars.

In 2022, authorities cracked down on cyber scam centers in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville, a port city notorious for organized crime. However, this action only led to the relocation of these illicit operations to Myanmar’s border regions, particularly areas near China. A major rebel offensive in late 2023 eventually forced another wave of relocation, driving these scam centers deeper into Myanmar’s lawless territories.

Myanmar, which has been embroiled in a civil war since a military coup in 2021, has become a safe haven for these criminal networks. Operating with little interference from authorities, these scam centers lure workers—often young men—with promises of lucrative job opportunities. Once inside, victims are forced to conduct fraudulent activities targeting individuals worldwide. Those who refuse or fail to meet their quotas often face brutal punishments, including physical abuse.

The United Nations estimates that up to 120,000 people, many of them Chinese nationals, may currently be trapped inside Myanmar’s scam compounds.

Public outrage over these operations intensified in January 2025 when reports surfaced that Wang Xing, a relatively unknown Chinese actor, had allegedly been trafficked into one such compound near the Thai-Myanmar border. The case sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media, with many netizens warning against traveling to Thailand, which they perceived as "dangerous."

In response to mounting pressure, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra traveled to Beijing in early February to discuss solutions. One of the immediate measures taken by Thailand was cutting off cross-border electricity supplies to five regions in Myanmar suspected of harboring scam centers.

The crackdown gained further momentum when China’s public security minister visited the border town of Mae Sot—a key transit point between Thailand and Myanmar—two weeks later. This visit resulted in the repatriation of approximately 600 Chinese nationals believed to have been working in scam compounds, with Thailand facilitating their return.

Will this crackdown be effective?
Despite the recent high-profile efforts, experts remain skeptical about whether this crackdown will lead to lasting change. While Myanmar’s border militias are now overseeing thousands of newly released individuals, history suggests that such efforts have only temporary success.

Past crackdowns on cyber scam operations have largely resulted in relocation rather than elimination. Jason Greening, a security analyst, predicts that many scam centers will simply move to new locations, allowing their operations to continue largely undisturbed. He also warns that while a few low-level criminals may be arrested to create the appearance of enforcement, the true masterminds behind these operations are unlikely to be caught.

To further disrupt the scam networks, Thailand has intensified its efforts by cutting off internet access, electricity, and fuel supplies to areas in Myanmar believed to house cyber fraud centers. While this move may cause immediate disruptions, Sam Tower, a researcher specializing in Southeast Asian crime networks, argues that these criminal groups are highly adaptable. He believes that even with increased enforcement, scam centers will likely find alternative sources of power and internet connectivity, allowing them to resume operations elsewhere.

Broader Implications
The crackdown underscores the complex geopolitical and security challenges facing China, Thailand, and Myanmar. While China is eager to protect its citizens from falling victim to these scams, Thailand must navigate delicate diplomatic relations with both China and Myanmar. Meanwhile, Myanmar’s weak governance and ongoing internal conflict continue to provide a safe haven for organized crime.

For the crackdown to be truly effective, all three countries will need to maintain sustained cooperation, strengthen enforcement efforts, and target the financial networks that sustain these criminal enterprises. Without long-term commitment, experts warn that cyber scam operations will continue to evolve, shifting to new locations and methods to evade authorities.

India and the United Kingdom have set an ambitious goal of more than doubling their bilateral trade within the next ten years, Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Monday. The statement came as the two nations resumed trade negotiations, even as concerns loomed over potential tariff increases imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Britain’s Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Goyal emphasized that both countries were committed to accelerating discussions on a proposed trade agreement. The negotiations would cover a free trade pact and an investment treaty, which are expected to strengthen economic ties between the two nations.

However, when asked whether their discussions had been affected by Trump’s recent directives to increase tariffs and introduce countermeasures against perceived trade barriers to American products, the ministers chose not to provide a direct response.

A joint statement released by India and the UK indicated that the decision to resume trade talks stemmed from a meeting between their respective prime ministers on the sidelines of the G20 summit in November. That gathering took place just weeks before Trump was sworn in for his second term as U.S. president.

Goyal described the prospective trade deal as “path-breaking” and stated that it had the potential to increase merchandise trade between India and the UK by two to three times within the next decade. However, he did not specify an exact timeline for the completion of negotiations or the implementation of the agreement.

According to estimates from the British government, the total value of trade in goods and services between India and the UK reached approximately £41 billion ($52 billion) in the 12 months leading up to September 2024. The two nations, currently ranked as the world’s fifth- and sixth-largest economies, respectively, are looking to build upon this figure through expanded economic cooperation.

Trade discussions had previously been put on hold in March 2024 due to upcoming elections in both countries. Now, with new leadership in place, both sides appear eager to revive and finalize the long-awaited agreement.

India has made notable progress in trade diplomacy in recent years, having signed agreements with several key partners. In 2022, it reached trade deals with the United Arab Emirates and Australia, and in 2023, it signed an agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, India made a significant tariff reduction on bourbon whisky, lowering the import duty from 150% to 100%. The decision came after Trump publicly criticized what he described as “unfair” tariffs imposed on American products in the Indian market.

As trade negotiations between India and the UK move forward, the potential impact of U.S. trade policies remains an important factor to watch. The evolving geopolitical landscape could influence the final terms of the agreement, as both nations seek to balance their economic relationships with multiple global partners.

The United States and Ukraine have successfully negotiated the terms of a draft agreement centered around Ukraine’s mineral resources, a development that is seen as crucial to securing Washington’s continued support as President Donald Trump pushes for a rapid resolution to the ongoing war with Russia, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

One of the sources indicated that discussions between Washington and Kyiv regarding future military aid and weapons shipments were still ongoing, suggesting that additional elements of the U.S.-Ukraine partnership remained unsettled.

Trump, when addressing reporters, mentioned that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was expected to visit Washington on Friday to sign what he described as a "very big deal." Sources familiar with the negotiations confirmed that both parties had already reviewed and agreed upon the draft terms of the agreement, and they recommended that it be finalized through formal signing.

This deal has the potential to grant the United States access to Ukraine’s vast and strategically important mineral resources, which include a range of materials essential for various industries. Trump framed the agreement as a means of ensuring that American financial contributions to Ukraine would be compensated. "What we're doing now is making sure we are secured," Trump stated. "The American taxpayer is going to get their money back, plus."

An earlier version of the agreement was rejected by Ukraine, as Washington had initially sought rights to an estimated $500 billion worth of Ukraine’s natural resources. Kyiv had objected, arguing that the country had received significantly less than that in U.S. financial aid, and that the previous proposal did not include the security guarantees necessary to protect Ukraine’s interests.

Under the newly negotiated draft terms, the deal would establish a Reconstruction Investment Fund, which would collect and reinvest revenues generated from Ukraine’s natural resource sectors, including minerals, hydrocarbons, and other extractable materials. Ukraine would be responsible for contributing 50% of the revenue—after deducting operational costs—until the total contribution reached $500 billion. In return, the United States would provide long-term financial commitments aimed at fostering a stable and economically prosperous Ukraine.

When asked what Ukraine would receive in exchange for its mineral wealth, Trump emphasized that the U.S. had already provided approximately $350 billion in aid, along with substantial military equipment, which allowed Ukraine to continue its fight against Russian forces.

Ukraine is home to deposits of 22 out of the 34 minerals classified by the European Union as critical for industrial and technological development. These include essential materials used in industrial applications, construction, metallurgy, and rare earth elements. One particularly notable resource is graphite, which is a crucial component in electric vehicle batteries and nuclear reactors. Ukraine’s reserves of graphite are estimated to account for 20% of the total global supply, making them a highly valuable strategic asset.

The finalization of this minerals agreement could significantly reshape U.S.-Ukraine relations, particularly as Kyiv navigates its post-war reconstruction and economic stabilization efforts. However, it also raises questions about whether Ukraine is receiving adequate compensation for its resources and whether the deal sufficiently addresses its security concerns.

A 30-year-old Chinese tour guide was sentenced to eight months in prison on Tuesday after being convicted of theft aboard a Scoot flight from Jeju to Singapore.

According to Channel News Asia, Zhang pleaded guilty to a single count of theft in the State Courts. The incident occurred on February 4 when he stole cash from a Gucci haversack stored in the overhead compartment.



Zhang first took notice of the bag when its owner, a 42-year-old woman traveling with her husband, retrieved her credit card to purchase food. Seizing the opportunity, he later took the bag to his seat, where he found a pouch containing cash in U.S. dollars and Chinese yuan. He then stole a portion of the money before returning the bag to the overhead compartment, The Straits Times reported.

However, the victim witnessed Zhang handling her bag and immediately confronted him. In response, he falsely claimed that he had been searching for his own belongings. Suspicious, the woman checked her pouch and discovered that some cash was missing. She and her husband confronted Zhang again, but he continued to deny any wrongdoing.

Two fellow passengers later reported seeing Zhang with the bag, prompting further investigation. Upon arrival in Singapore, cabin crew members discovered $885 in cash hidden in a different overhead compartment.

Faced with mounting evidence, Zhang eventually confessed, admitting that he had stolen the money to repay debts in China.

On Tuesday morning, gold bar prices in Vietnam experienced a slight increase, while global bullion prices surged to an all-time high.

The Saigon Jewelry Company (SJC) adjusted its gold bar price upward by 0.32%, bringing it to VND92.3 million ($3,622.45) per tael. Similarly, gold ring prices saw a 0.33% rise, reaching VND92.1 million per tael. In Vietnam, a tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces.



On the international market, gold prices continued their upward trajectory, hitting a new record on Monday. The increase was largely fueled by investor demand for safe-haven assets amid rising concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Additionally, increased inflows into gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provided further support to the metal’s value, according to Reuters.

Spot gold climbed 0.4% to $2,947.48 per ounce, after briefly reaching a session high of $2,956.15—marking its eleventh record high in 2025. Meanwhile, U.S. gold futures settled 0.3% higher at $2,963.20.

Market analysts predict that gold prices will continue to rise in the coming months. Jim Wyckoff, a senior analyst at Kitco Metals, stated that "investors believe gold will continue to appreciate over the weeks and months ahead." He emphasized that the "path of least resistance for gold remains sideways to higher," and as long as uncertainty lingers, the metal’s value is likely to keep climbing.

Vietnamese authorities announced on Monday the arrest of 21 individuals suspected of participating in a large-scale money-laundering operation that funneled approximately $78.5 million in illicit funds between Vietnam and Cambodia.

According to police in Dong Nai Province, the suspects—who are all Vietnamese and originate from southern Dong Nai and several northern provinces—were apprehended in mid-February. Investigators identified a female ringleader at the center of the operation, which had been in operation since July 2024.

The group was accused of transferring vast sums of money—equivalent to VND2 trillion ($78.5 million)—to finance gambling and online fraud for a transnational criminal organization based in Cambodia. Authorities reported that the gang had established around 30 shell companies and opened 150 business bank accounts to facilitate the transfer and laundering of illicit funds.



This case marks the latest in a series of major financial crime crackdowns in Vietnam. In January, law enforcement officials dismantled another cross-border money-laundering syndicate valued at $1.2 billion, resulting in five arrests.

Additionally, in October, Vietnamese real estate tycoon Truong My Lan was sentenced to life in prison for money laundering. She had previously been handed the death penalty for her role in a staggering $27 billion fraud scheme, though she is currently appealing the verdict.

A variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs—such as ginkgo, blueberries, mulberries, fennel, goji berries, and chamomile—offer significant benefits for eye health. These natural ingredients are rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and essential vitamins, which help protect the eyes, slow the aging process, and enhance vision.

Dr. Tran Thi Tra Phuong, a nutrition expert from Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi, highlights the importance of incorporating these foods into one's diet to maintain good eye health. She emphasizes that regularly consuming these nutrient-dense plants can help prevent and manage common eye conditions.

Six Vision-Enhancing Foods
Ginkgo
Ginkgo is known for its ability to improve blood circulation, particularly to the retina. This makes it beneficial for individuals suffering from glaucoma, a condition that affects the optic nerve. Additionally, ginkgo contains powerful antioxidants that shield nerve cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. A lack of these protective compounds can increase the risk of eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

Blueberries
Rich in flavonoid antioxidants, blueberries play a crucial role in protecting eye cells from free radical damage. They also support healthy blood flow to the retina, enhancing night vision and reducing the risk of glaucoma and cataracts. Furthermore, blueberry extract is known to prevent the formation of abnormal blood vessels, a key factor in conditions like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.

Fennel
Fennel is particularly effective in reducing eye inflammation and excessive tearing. It is commonly used in the form of fennel tea as an eye rinse to alleviate discomfort caused by serious conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma. Studies have also shown that fennel seed oil can lower intraocular pressure, making it beneficial for those with glaucoma.

Mulberries
Mulberries are packed with flavonoid antioxidants that help prevent age-related eye diseases. The high vitamin C content in mulberries may lower the risk of cataracts, while the presence of zeaxanthin—a powerful carotenoid—acts as an antioxidant to protect the retina from damage.

Goji Berries
Loaded with lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene, goji berries play a vital role in filtering harmful blue light, reducing oxidative stress, and preventing age-related macular degeneration. These berries are also an excellent source of vitamins A and C, along with essential amino acids that help maintain eye hydration and relieve dry eye symptoms.

Chamomile
Chamomile is well known for its ability to improve vision and treat common eye issues such as blurred vision and dryness. Drinking chamomile tea can help reduce eye strain, which is especially beneficial for individuals who spend long hours in front of screens. Additionally, chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve redness, swelling, and irritation.

Importance of Eye Care and Regular Check-ups
Dr. Phuong warns that many eye diseases develop slowly, often without noticeable symptoms until they reach an advanced stage. To prevent serious complications, she recommends regular eye check-ups to detect potential problems early.

She also suggests supplementing one’s diet with natural extracts such as broccophane, a compound derived from broccoli. Broccophane enhances thioredoxin production, a protein with strong antioxidant properties. This protein plays a critical role in protecting retinal pigment epithelial cells and the eye’s lens, contributing to clearer and healthier vision.

By incorporating these nutrient-rich foods and maintaining regular eye examinations, individuals can take proactive steps to preserve their vision and reduce the risk of common eye disorders.

Residents of Ho Chi Minh City are consuming an average of 8.5 grams of salt per day, far exceeding the recommended daily limit of 5 grams set by the World Health Organization (WHO). This was revealed in a recent report by the city's Center for Disease Control (CDC), which raised concerns about the impact of high salt intake on public health.

The CDC has identified excessive salt consumption as one of the major nutritional challenges currently facing Ho Chi Minh City. The increasing prevalence of urbanization, changes in lifestyle, and a general lack of awareness regarding proper nutrition have all contributed to unhealthy eating habits. As a result, there has been a rise in obesity rates and an elevated risk of developing non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular conditions, and kidney disease.

On a national scale, the average daily salt intake across Vietnam has been measured at 8.1 grams, according to data from the 2021 National Survey on Risk Factors for Non-communicable Diseases. While this represents a slight improvement compared to the 9.4 grams recorded in 2015, the figures still remain significantly above WHO recommendations. This persistent issue has prompted health experts to call for increased public awareness and stronger efforts to promote healthier dietary habits.

The Ministry of Health has also expressed growing concern over the increasing consumption of fast food, which is often high in salt and other unhealthy additives. A recent survey conducted among 467 individuals in Ho Chi Minh City, aged between 19 and 39, found that 47% of respondents frequently consume fast food. This trend further exacerbates the problem of excessive salt intake and highlights the need for better nutritional education and public health initiatives aimed at reducing the consumption of salty foods.

Health officials emphasize that excessive salt intake can contribute to serious long-term health complications, making it essential for individuals to adopt healthier eating habits. They recommend gradually reducing salt consumption by cooking with less salt, avoiding highly processed foods, and increasing awareness of sodium content in meals. Public health campaigns and education programs may also play a crucial role in encouraging people to make more informed choices about their diets, ultimately improving overall health and well-being in Ho Chi Minh City and across Vietnam.

Since assuming office, U.S. President Donald Trump has dramatically shifted policy regarding Ukraine, halting funding and arms support while opening direct negotiations with Moscow.

In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump took aim at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose five-year term expired last year. “A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,” Trump wrote, referring to the fact that Ukraine has not held elections since the Russian invasion began. However, under Ukrainian law, elections are not required during wartime.

On Tuesday, Trump held a press conference in which he strongly criticized Zelensky, repeated several Kremlin-backed narratives about the war, and called for a resolution to the conflict. In response, Zelensky accused Trump of falling for Russian "disinformation," particularly regarding Trump's claims that Kyiv was responsible for starting the war and his questioning of Zelensky’s legitimacy.

Trump continued his attacks on Zelensky in another post, stating, “He refuses to have Elections, is very low in Ukrainian Polls, and the only thing he was good at was playing (Joe) Biden ‘like a fiddle.’” He also claimed that only his administration was capable of negotiating an end to the war with Russia.

Despite his declining popularity, Zelensky has maintained majority public trust throughout the conflict. The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) reports that his approval rating has never fallen below 50% since the war began. However, political pressure continues to mount as Ukraine faces both external threats and internal scrutiny over its leadership.

A midair collision between two small planes in southern Arizona on Wednesday morning resulted in the deaths of two people, authorities confirmed. The accident occurred at Marana Regional Airport, located on the outskirts of Tucson.

According to federal air safety investigators, each aircraft had two people on board at the time of the collision. One plane managed to land safely, while the other crashed near a runway and caught fire. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is leading the investigation, shared these preliminary details before its team arrived at the scene.

The Marana Police Department confirmed that both fatalities were from the aircraft that crashed. Sgt. Vincent Rizzi stated that responders had no opportunity to provide medical assistance. The two individuals on the other plane were unharmed. Firefighters from the municipal department were called in to extinguish the flames.

Officials noted that neither the Lancair nor the Cessna 172 involved in the collision was based at the airport. The town of Marana released a statement confirming this detail.

This deadly incident comes just over a week after a plane crash in Scottsdale, where a private jet owned by Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil veered off the runway, resulting in the death of one pilot. It also follows a series of recent aviation disasters in North America, including a Delta jet flipping upside down upon landing in Toronto and a fatal commuter plane crash in Alaska.

In late January, the U.S. experienced its deadliest aviation disaster since 2001 when 67 people died in Washington, D.C., following a midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter. The next day, a medical transport jet carrying six people crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood, killing all onboard and injuring 19 others.

Marana Regional Airport operates without an air traffic control tower and features two intersecting runways. A multimillion-dollar project to build a control tower was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, pushing back construction. Despite handling tens of thousands of flights annually, the airport relies on pilots communicating their positions and intentions over a designated radio channel.

Jeff Guzzetti, an airline safety consultant and former investigator for the Federal Aviation Administration and NTSB, emphasized that the absence of a control tower does not inherently make an airport unsafe. He explained that pilots are responsible for maintaining situational awareness, broadcasting their movements, and avoiding collisions.

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in a Seoul court on Thursday for the first hearing in his criminal trial on charges of insurrection. This marks the first time an incumbent South Korean leader has faced criminal prosecution. Yoon was indicted last month after prosecutors accused him of attempting to seize power through martial law on December 3.

A motorcade from the justice ministry transported Yoon from the Seoul Detention Center to the courtroom, where security was tight with rows of police buses stationed outside. Prosecutors emphasized the need for a swift trial due to the seriousness of the case, but Yoon’s defense team requested more time to review documents.

Yoon’s lawyers argued that he had no intention of undermining the country’s stability, insisting that his martial law declaration was a response to what he described as the "legislative dictatorship" of the opposition-controlled parliament. If convicted, Yoon faces a lengthy prison sentence for attempting to ban political and parliamentary activities while seeking media control.

The crisis surrounding Yoon’s actions has thrown South Korea into political turmoil, leading to the impeachment and suspension of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Additionally, top military officials have been indicted for their involvement in the attempted martial law.

During the hearing, Yoon’s lawyers also petitioned for his release, claiming the investigation was conducted illegally and that their client posed no risk of tampering with evidence. It remains unclear when the court will rule on this request, but the next hearing in the criminal case is scheduled for March 24.

In the afternoon, Yoon also attended his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court, which is now entering its final phase. The court’s acting chief justice, Moon Hyung-bae, announced that the next impeachment hearing would be held on February 25, during which Yoon and parliament representatives will make their closing statements.

Thursday’s witnesses included Prime Minister Han, who expressed deep concern over the political crisis that has divided the country. He urged that all proceedings related to the martial law case be handled fairly to prevent further national discord.

The Constitutional Court is reviewing Yoon’s impeachment, which was approved by parliament on December 14. A final ruling, expected in March, will determine whether he is permanently removed from office or reinstated. Analysts predict that if Yoon is ousted, South Korea will need to hold a new presidential election within 60 days.

Pope Francis, aged 88, remains in critical condition at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment since February 14. His health issues include a severe lung infection, early-stage kidney insufficiency, and double pneumonia. Due to respiratory complications, he has required high-flow oxygen therapy and blood transfusions. Despite these challenges, the Vatican reports that the Pope remains alert and in good spirits. He has also been able to participate in Mass and continues to interact with his medical team.

In response to his condition, the Vatican has organized nightly prayer sessions in St. Peter’s Square. Cardinal Pietro Parolin led the first session, urging Catholics worldwide to pray for the Pope’s health. Faith communities across the globe have been called upon to offer their prayers and support during this difficult time.

Medical reports indicate that while the Pope’s condition is still serious, there have been no new respiratory crises. His blood values have shown signs of improvement following transfusions. However, doctors have noted the early stages of renal insufficiency, which adds to concerns about his overall health.

This hospitalization is the longest of Pope Francis's tenure. Over the past few years, he has faced numerous health challenges, including colon surgery in 2021 and a hernia operation in 2023. Additionally, he has been dealing with chronic knee problems and sciatica, which have significantly affected his mobility.

As the situation unfolds, the Vatican continues to provide regular updates regarding his condition. Meanwhile, the global Catholic community remains united in prayer, hoping for his recovery.

Attachment 2494370

Clinton initiative cut over 377K federal jobs in the 1990s. It's not comparable to Trump's effort

By Jack Izzo

Claim:

During his time in office, U.S. President Bill Clinton oversaw the termination of 377,000 federal employees.

Rating: True

Context

According to testimony from Elaine Karmarck, the director of Clinton's initiative, it eliminated 426,200 federal roles between January 1993 and September 2000.

Looking back on the 1990s, it's strange to imagine a time when a presidential campaign was won on a promise to balance the federal budget. Bill Clinton did it, too — the U.S. federal budget had a surplus between 1998 and 2001, the only time there's been a surplus since 1970. (The government's debt is $36.22 trillion at the time of writing).

In January and February 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump began giving Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) increasing control over government services in an effort to eliminate federal government programs and dramatically slash spending.

Some media outlets claimed Trump and Musk's methodology was unprecedented. In response, social media posts appeared pointing back to a Clinton-era initiative that "oversaw the termination of 377,000 federal employees," as evidence that Trump and Musk had simply "learned from the master."

Embedded Tweet

It's true that during his presidency, Clinton reduced the federal government's workforce by more than 377,000 employees as part of an initiative called the National Partnership for Reinventing Government (initially called the National Performance Review, or NPR). However, there's a key difference between how Clinton's NPR cut jobs and what Trump and Musk are trying.

In March 1993, just two months into his presidency, Clinton announced the creation of the National Performance Review, led by his Vice President, Al Gore. Its goal, according to Clinton's announcement, was "to make the entire Federal Government both less expensive and more efficient, and to change the culture of our national bureaucracy away from complacency and entitlement toward initiative and empowerment."

The review lasted six months, and made 384 recommendations to improve the federal bureaucracy. The implementation of those policies took a lot longer, and some required legislation to be passed through Congress. For instance, in 1994, Clinton signed a bill that offered federal workers buyouts of up to $25,000 in an effort to reduce the workforce by 272,000 employees. According to an April 1995 statement from Clinton, the buyouts were largely offered to management positions in an effort to "reduce the layers of bureaucracy and micromanagement that were tying Government in knots." That statement said that about 70 of the buyouts in non-Department of Defense agencies went to managers and other individuals "at higher grade levels."

The initiative continued to make recommendations for government reform. According to a 1999 article on an archived version of NPR's website, it reduced the federal workforce by 351,000 between 1993 and 1998. An archived FAQ page from 2000 said 377,000 jobs were cut between 1993 and 1999. In a 2013 appearance before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, former National Performance Review leader Elaine Karmarck said the agency cut 426,200 jobs by September 2000.

But the buyouts offered by Clinton's NPR and Trump and Musk's Department of Government Efficiency are not the same. Clinton's buyout plan had overwhelming bipartisan support from Congress, and the law was signed after a review period. Meanwhile, Trump and Musk offered the buyouts just one week into Trump's term, with no review process.

Federal employee labor unions have sued, questioning the legality of the buyout, and a federal judge has temporarily blocked the offer in order to review the lawsuit.

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Attachment 2494346

Was the social media platform Truth Social blocked in Ukraine by the Ukrainian authorities? No, that's not true

by: Uliana Malashenko

Truth Social and the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs's spokesperson denied the claim. Both said that the social media platform was never made available in Ukraine. Lead Stories found no credible reports corroborating the viral rumor.

The claim appeared in a post on X, published on February 20, 2025. It read:

ZELENSKY REPORTEDLY BLOCKS TRUTH SOCIAL ACROSS UKRAINE.

On February 21, 2025, a spokesperson for Truth Social told Lead Stories via email:

On behalf of the Company, 'Reports that Truth Social was blocked in Ukraine are false -- Truth Social has never been available in Ukraine.'

Earlier, on February 20, 2025, Heorhii Tykhyi , who is the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, refuted the claim on X writing:

We have seen reports suggesting that access to the Truth Social network has been blocked in Ukraine. These reports are false.

Ukraine did not and could not block access because, unfortunately, the social network Truth Social has never made itself available to users in Ukraine.

Contrary to the claim, a search for Ukrainian keywords across Google News in the Ukrainian segment of the internet produced no relevant results.

Similar Google searches across Ukrainian government websites for the keywords seen here among the materials published between January 1 and February 21, 2025, showed zero matches .

A Google search across the corporate website of the company that owns Truth Social for the word "Ukraine" did not show any results .

In March 2024, Detector Media ,which is a Ukrainian nonprofit focusing on the analysis of disinformation and misinformation campaigns, published an article
summarizing the tests run by the newsroom to determine the accessibility of Truth Social in Ukraine:

The network operates without a VPN, but the registration process is complicated. To register a profile, you need to use an email address. However, it does not accept all domains. In particular, it was not possible to use ukr.net email addresses or temporary addresses such as ProtonMail. After entering the Gmail address, one receives a verification code. After that, the social network will ask you to enter your mobile phone number. It does not register users from Ukrainian numbers. Poland is not on the list of countries where the network works, but it accepted the Polish number and, using a Polish VPN, asked to enter the verification code from the SMS message.

As of this writing, Ukrainian users trying to access Truth Social from Ukraine saw an error message that suggested that it was the service itself that hasn't expanded to cover Ukraine, not the country's authorities blocking it

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Attachment 2494308

Did DOGE "uncover" a previously unknown $2 billion federal grant to Power Forward Communities, a nonprofit organization linked to Democratic activist Stacey Abrams? No, that's not true.

by: Alan Duke

The Environmental Protection Agency publicly announced the grant from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund on April 4, 2024. It was not covered up and Abrams' connection to the group is overstated, she was hired as the senior counsel of one of the five nonprofits that founded it but holds no leadership position.

The claim appeared in a post on X on February 19, 2025 , which opened:

STACEY ABRAMS SCAM UNCOVERED BY DOGE?! @dogE found $2 BILLION in taxpayer dollars designated for a fledgling nonprofit called 'Power Forward Communities,' which had close ties to Democrat Stacey Abrams. Power Forward Communities was only a few months old with just $100 in the... https://t.co/5zbLEOKrKD

Users on social media only saw this title, description and thumbnail:

Embedded Tweet

This fact check does not judge the merits of the grant, only the claim that it was somehow a secret grant uncovered by President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team. In fact, the grant was announced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 4, 2024, in a news release titled "Biden-Harris Administration Announces $20 Billion in Grants to Mobilize Private Capital and Deliver Clean Energy and Climate Solutions to Communities Across America." The subtitle read:

EPA announces eight selections under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund's National Clean Investment Fund and Clean Communities Investment Accelerator through President Biden's Investing in America agenda

The announcement said the money would allow the eight selected organizations to "unleash tens of thousands of more projects" like the Power Forward Communities project, which was highlighted in the section below:

When her water heater died, Mildred Carter in DeSoto, Georgia could not immediately afford to replace it. With the support of Power Forward Communities coalition member Rewiring America, Mildred was enrolled in a whole-town demonstration program that would combine Georgia Power incentives of up to $5,000 with philanthropic support for energy efficiency upgrades in her home. Her brand-new heat pump water heater was installed on December 23, just in time for the holidays.

Additional details about the National Clean Investment Fund can be found here.

The claim that the grant is "linked" to Abrams, a Democrat who once ran for governor of Georgia, appears to be based on Abrams' connection to the nonprofit Rewiring America. She is not listed as a cofounder, member of the leadership or board member on the website of Rewiring America -- which is a cofounding organization of Power Forward Communities. Abrams was hired as the nonprofit's senior counsel, according to a March 2023 announcement on the Rewiring America website.

"Rewiring America is the leading electrification nonprofit working to electrify our homes, businesses, and communities," according to its website. It is one of five nonprofit groups that cofounded Power Forward Communities, the grant recipient. The others include United Way Worldwide, Habitat for Humanity International, Enterprise Community Partners and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, according to its website.

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Attachment 2493860

“Everyone is very well-aware they’re repeating the wrong numbers,” said one manager at a company on DOGE’s list of cuts.

By Jessie Blaeser

Elon Musk promised to deliver a “maximally transparent” government efficiency program. What he’s disclosed so far is a messy and inaccurate accounting of his group’s early work.

The first comprehensive public listing of the billions of dollars in purported savings Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is making across federal contracts is filled with errors, according to a POLITICO review of the published data.

DOGE’s website reports a total estimated savings of $55 billion, coming from a combination of canceled and renegotiated contracts and leases, as well as fraud detection, grant cancellations, job cuts and more. The “wall of receipts” posted Monday represents only a subset of canceled contracts, the page claims, that amount to approximately 20 percent of “overall DOGE savings” so far.

But among the 1,100-plus contracts purportedly canceled, POLITICO found:

+ Contracts that had not yet been awarded

+ Instances where a single pot of money is listed multiple times — tripling or quadrupling the amount of savings claimed

+ Purchase agreements that have no record of being canceled, but were instead stripped of language related to diversity, equity and inclusion

+ Contract savings identified by DOGE that do not match with records they refer to in the Federal Procurement Data System

+ Contracts where the underlying document is for an entirely different contract

DOGE has already corrected its website twice: once around the time The New York Times published an article about an $8-million contract listed as $8 billion, and once by removing a duplicative $655-million contract that was listed three separate times. DOGE has denied the $7.992 billion discrepancy specifically, saying it had used the correct $8-million figure in its behind-the-scenes calculations.

The list includes canceled federal contracts for several media subscriptions, including POLITICO Pro.

Many conservatives have cheered on DOGE as it has swept into federal agencies axing contracts and public employees started losing their jobs en masse. Musk himself greeted an enthusiastic MAGA crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference Thursday, brandishing a literal chainsaw. But DOGE’s slash-and-burn approach and the Trump administration’s fumbles on some federal job cuts has also started to put pressure on GOP elected officials at home.



Musk has acknowledged that he and DOGE would make mistakes.

“Some of the things that I say will be incorrect and should be corrected,” he told reporters in the Oval Office last week. That hasn’t stopped Musk from using his social media platform, X, to celebrate the cuts to his 219 million followers. Though the administration claims that DOGE is operating in compliance with the law, it’s not an official government agency established by Congress with clear lines of oversight.

The White House did not respond to specific questions about these inconsistencies and reiterated DOGE’s alignment with Trump’s mission of shrinking government.

“President Trump promised the American people he would establish a Department of Government Efficiency, overseen by Elon Musk, to make the federal government more efficient and accountable to taxpayers,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement emailed to POLITICO. “With Elon as a special government employee at the White House, and political appointees onboarding at federal agencies to assist President Trump’s cabinet secretaries, DOGE has fully integrated into the federal government to cut waste, fraud, and abuse.”

The inconsistencies represent a fundamental misunderstanding of federal contract data, according to a manager at one of the recipient companies listed on the DOGE site. The manager, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly without fear of retribution, said that their company had applied for a portion of the contract listed, but was never awarded the money.

“Everyone in the consulting industry has been well aware of the questionable contracts issued and outright errors in the data, and everyone is very well-aware they’re repeating the wrong numbers,” the manager said. “But we don’t want to speak up because we don’t want to draw attention to ourselves.”

Among those errors are myriad duplicated contracts, beyond the ones DOGE has already removed. POLITICO identified at least 14 instances where items are repeated, totaling $325 million in claimed savings.

In one example, DOGE repeated a single $25 million item under the Agriculture Department four times, reporting each vendor that was eligible to bid on the work and quadrupling purported savings to a total of $100 million. In reality, there are only two finalized contracts from the vendors listed that have been awarded less than $1 million, according to records on USA Spending.

Other contracts have not actually been canceled, but instead modified to remove language related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

For one repeated $30 million contract under the Department of Homeland Security, the latest update for each vendor is for a “complete or partial” termination. The fine print is more illuminating: The purpose of the update was to “partially terminate” the order “to remove all language and ending rendering of services to diversity, equity, and inclusion, effective immediately.”

Beyond duplicate contracts, there are hundreds of instances where DOGE reports $0 in savings or where the saved amount reported does not align with the federal data DOGE sources.

DOGE appears to calculate “savings” by subtracting a contract’s obligations, or the amount the federal government has already committed to paying out, from the contract’s total value. DOGE reports the difference as money saved.

The White House nor DOGE responded to questions about DOGE’s methodology.

There are 417 contracts listed with $0 in savings, indicating there is no money available to claw back (though the administration has attempted to interfere with awarded funds in the past).

For others, the amount DOGE is claiming to save is more than what the federal data shows is available. On one USAID contract intended to support climate change adaptation abroad, for example, DOGE claimed a total of $115 million in savings, when only $80 million of the contract’s value remains available, according to the Federal Procurement Data System. Under another USAID contract, DOGE over-reports savings by $15 million. Both contracts received additional funds over the past month that DOGE’s data does not factor in; the administration could attempt to de-obligate them, but there is no evidence in the procurement database that they have done so

Contributing further to the issues are contracts listed among DOGE’s cancellations that are seemingly unrelated to the federal procurement records that they use as a source, raising the question of which, if any, contract has been canceled.

In one such case, DOGE lists a $1.1 million contract from the National Institutes of Health with a Maryland-based management consulting company for IT support. But DOGE links to a document showing a $95.3 million contract for consulting services at NIH.

In another instance, DOGE reported a canceled contract with National Jewish Health to support research on lung diseases. But it’s linked to a contract with the University of Oklahoma for cardiovascular research. It’s unclear which contract DOGE has canceled.

“National Jewish Health has not been informed of any cuts or cancellations of contracts related to the COPDGene research project,” Jessica Berry, the hospital’s media relations director, wrote in a statement.

The University of Oklahoma did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

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Attachment 2493804

In remarks and social media posts, the president echoed Russian talking points.

by Glenn Kessler

“Today I heard, ‘Oh, well, we weren’t invited.’ Well, you’ve been there for three years. You should have ended it — three years. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal.”

— President Donald Trump, in remarks to reporters, Feb. 18

Almost three years to the day since Russia invaded Ukraine, President Donald Trump accused Ukraine of starting the war. He made his comment after being asked about Ukraine’s irritation at not being invited to peace talks held in Saudi Arabia between Russian and U.S. officials.

“I hear that they’re upset about not having a seat,” Trump said. “Well, they’ve had a seat for three years and a long time before that. This could have been settled very easily, just a half-baked negotiator could have settled this years ago without … the loss of much land, very little land, without the loss of any lives.”

Trump’s declaration was shocking. Mike Pence, his former vice president, posted on X: “Russia launched an unprovoked and brutal invasion claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. The Road to Peace must be built on the Truth.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Trump of living in a Russian-made “disinformation space” — and then Trump shot back with an attack on Truth Social.

Here’s an assessment of Trump’s misleading statements on Ukraine in recent days.

“You should have never started it. You could have made a deal.”

— Remarks, Feb. 18

Trump is echoing the Russian position that it was pushed into the conflict. It’s akin to saying Japan was forced into attacking Pearl Harbor because the United States imposed a trade embargo in 1940, depriving Japan of oil. The trade embargo came after Japan’s provocative actions in the Pacific, such as the 1931 occupation of Manchuria following a Japanese-manufactured incident.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has a long list of grievances about Ukraine, including the falsehood that it is an obscure entity — “Vladimir Lenin’s Ukraine” — that was created as a result of a struggle between Lenin and Joseph Stalin after the Bolshevik revolution toppled the Russian empire.

The reality is that Ukrainian culture and language have existed for centuries and a Ukrainian nationalist movement sprang up in the mid-1800s, angering the czars. While parts of what is now Ukraine were part of the Russian empire, the rest of the state was, at various times, under the control of Poland, Lithuania and Austria-Hungary.

Moreover, when Ukrainians were given a choice of remaining with Russia in a 1991 national referendum, 84 percent of eligible voters went to the polls — and more than 90 percent, including many non-Ukrainians, cast ballots for independence.

But for Putin, Ukraine is inherently Russian. Both the Russians and the Ukrainians trace their origins to the medieval empire of Kievan Rus, the first East Slavic Orthodox state that contained parts of the territories of contemporary Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. (Ukrainians would argue that Kievan Rus has nothing to do with Russia and that Moscow did not even exist when Kievan Rus was established.)

Putin has also been riled by the increasing pro-Western orientation of Ukraine’s government, alleging that it was engineered by the United States through financial support for democracy efforts in the country. American diplomats were involved in the creation of a new government in 2014, when a pro-Russian leader was toppled — which led Russia to seize Crimea.

There has long been an argument in U.S. foreign policy circles about whether the United States made a mistake by enlarging NATO, starting with three former Warsaw Pact nations — the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland — in 1999. In 2004, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — former Soviet republics — even joined the alliance.

Some analysts say NATO expansion was unnecessarily provocative and a violation of agreements made with Russia after the Soviet Union collapsed. Jack Matlock, a former U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union, has called it “the most profound strategic blunder made since the end of the Cold War.”

For Putin, the last straw came when NATO said at the 2008 Bucharest summit that Ukraine and Georgia were on a path to becoming members of NATO. The phrasing was a compromise — President George W. Bush had pushed for a fast track — but the membership pledge was seen as a commitment, and it has been consistently reaffirmed by NATO leaders.

Last week, Trump expressed sympathy for Russia’s position. “I don’t see any way that a country in Russia’s position could allow them, just in their position, could allow them to join NATO,” he said on Feb. 14. “I don’t see that happening.” He also falsely said Russia invaded because President Joe Biden said Ukraine could join NATO. As we noted, eventual membership has been a U.S. position since 2008.

As to whether Ukraine could have avoided a Russian invasion by offering to give up its NATO dreams and land that Russian separatists has seized, that’s only speculation.

Zelensky is “down at 4 percent approval rating.”

— Remarks, Feb. 18

Trump often cites fantasy polls. While Zelensky’s popularity has fallen as the war has dragged on, a survey conducted this month by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, a prominent Ukrainian polling organization, said 57 percent of Ukrainians trust Zelensky. That’s an increase of five percentage points from a survey in December.

“A Dictator without Elections.”

— Truth Social post, Feb. 19

Zelensky won an overwhelming election in 2019 and was up for reelection in 2024, but martial law was declared in 2022 as a result of the Russian invasion. It would be difficult to hold elections during war and when Russia holds 20 percent of the country. Parliamentary factions have agreed to hold elections six months after martial law is lifted.

“Zelenskyy talked the United States of America into spending $350 Billion Dollars, to go into a War that couldn’t be won. … The United States has spent $200 Billion Dollars more than Europe.”

— Truth Social post, Feb. 19

Trump’s numbers, as usual, are wrong. The United States has appropriated just over $174 billion, the Congressional Research Service said in a report issued last month. The Kiel Institute for the World Economy, which tracks support for Ukraine, says the United States and the European Union have provided roughly the same amount of military aid, while the Europeans have provided far more nonmilitary aid than the United States — $73 billion vs. $52 billion.

“On top of this, Zelenskyy admits that half of the money we sent him is ‘MISSING.’”

Zelensky has never said this. Trump seems to be referring to the fact that Zelensky said in an interview with the Associated Press that Ukraine has received $75 billion in direct aid, far less than the number often cited. “$100 billion of these 177, we never received,” Zelensky said. “When it’s said that Ukraine received $200 billion to support the army during the war, that is not true. I don’t know where all the money is.”

His comment was spread across social media, with people such as Elon Musk amplifying posts suggesting the U.S. aid was missing through nefarious means.

Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, pushed back against the social media furor. He noted that “we have a pretty good accounting of where it is going” and that much of the money was spent in the United States to replenish military stocks.

As we have noted, much of U.S. aid never leaves the United States. Our analysis of the 2024 Ukraine aid bill found that 80 percent would never leave the United States or would go to the Pentagon or U.S. intelligence.



— Truth Social post, Feb. 19

A Russian soldier’s helmet camera captures the dramatic failure of a motorcycle assault on Ukrainian positions in Donetsk. Ukrainian forces, anticipating the attack, responded with precision mortar fire and drone strikes, causing chaos and heavy casualties.

Discover why Russia’s risky "new cavalry" tactics are becoming more common despite their high cost.

Thermal drone eliminates Russian Motorcycle and no survivors!

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Audio Credits: The background audio is sourced from the YouTube Audio Library.
Editing Software: This video was produced using Adobe Premiere Pro.
Video Sources: Verified and fair-use social media accounts of Ukrainian battalions, as well as local and verified news agencies based in the United States.

At Sinyor Media, we deliver in-depth stories, expert insights, and frontline reports, offering a comprehensive perspective on military affairs. Our content captures the realities of warfare, from strategic developments to the human experiences behind the headlines.

For years, Sinyor Media has been a trusted source for breaking news, military analysis, and technological advancements. Our coverage extends beyond the battlefield, exploring the broader military landscape, including exclusive insights into cutting-edge defense equipment.

Russian convoy turns back and flees after Ukraine attack
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