Author: Sarah Walsh

The European Union’s approach to tackling Foreign Influence and Manipulation Interference (FIMI) highlights the serious attention placed on combating disinformation, particularly in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and broader geopolitical tensions. The European External Action Service (EEAS) reports that, between December 2022 and November 2023, it detected and documented 750 instances of foreign information manipulation and interference. This equates to approximately two false narratives being propagated every day, underscoring the scale and frequency of disinformation activities that need to be addressed. The contrast with U.S. efforts is evident, as the U.S. has been criticized for having a less effective…

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European search engines Ecosia and Qwant are joining forces to challenge Google’s dominance. Can they compete with the US tech giant’s powerful search engine? When it comes to searching the internet, there’s little that Europeans can do without America. When Europeans go looking for information, 90% of them rely on US tech giant Google to find what they’re after. Around 5% use Microsoft’s Bing. Even if they choose a web browser based in Europe, it’s most likely using Google or Bing’s infrastructure, meaning requests are sent to the US companies and their rankings are displayed. As Christian Kroll, CEO of Germany’s largest search engine, Ecosia,…

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Unidentified drones have been sighted flying over the US military’s Ramstein Air Base in Germany and facilities belonging to German arms maker Rheinmetall, German magazine Der Speigel reported on Friday, citing security services. German authorities said Friday that unidentified drones had been spotted flying over sensitive military and industrial sites including the US Ramstein airbase. The reports come after German officials have repeatedly voiced alarm about the threat of Russian spying as the Ukraine war heightens tensions between Moscow and NATO. However, police did not say who they thought had launched the unmanned aerial vehicles. “In recent days, several drone flights have been detected over critical infrastructure…

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A large number of antiquities have been smuggled out of India before the ratification of 1970 UNESCO Convention, which are now housed in various museums, institutions and private collections across the world. India and the US on Friday signed their first ever ‘Cultural Property Agreement’ on the sidelines of the 46th World Heritage Committee being hosted by India this time. The agreement was signed to prevent and curb the illicit trafficking of antiquities from India to the US. Culture secretary Govind Mohan and Eric Garcetti, US ambassador to India, signed the agreement in the presence of Union minister of culture…

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There are many factors to consider when buying a home, and evaluating factors like cost of living, crime rate, climate change, local issues and property taxes can help you save money. Whether you’re saving to buy a house, waiting for mortgage rates to fall or planning a big move in the next few years, researching the market now can help you decide where to invest later. “While no one can predict the market with absolute certainty, the patterns we’re seeing now offer some valuable clues,” said Yawar Charlie, estates director of Aaron Kirman Group at Christie’s International Real Estate and cast member…

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Any hopes that falling borrowing costs would stem the pain from the US office downturn were swept away last week. Deutsche Bank set aside more money for souring US commercial real estate loans, while a Blackstone mortgage trust slashed its dividend. New York Community Bancorp’s shares then plunged the most since the last bout of CRE-related turmoil in March after provisions for losses came in at more than double the average expected by analysts. The announcements signal that lenders may not be able to just amend and extend loans in the hope that lower interest rates will ease borrowers’ pain and allow…

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Farm Journal uses data intelligence to help U.S. agriculture become more sustainable and resilient Farming has always been a high-risk proposition. And more recent challenges—including farmland consolidation, technological advances, and evolving consumer expectations—have made running a farm more complicated than ever. At the same time, amid international conflicts and an increasingly fragile global supply chain, the role of American agriculture in feeding a growing population is more crucial than ever. Farm Journal, an agricultural information and intelligence company with a long history of providing trusted news to U.S. agricultural producers, has observed firsthand the growing list of challenges farmers are…

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Kiev (8/6 – 17). The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s announcement about the personnel losses suffered by Moscow in May underscores the toll the conflict has taken on the Russian side. The reported figure of 38,940 personnel losses for Moscow as stated by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, indicates a significant escalation in the conflict’s intensity. Such a high monthly casualty count underscores the severity of the situation and the toll it’s taking on the Russian side. Ellie Cook’s report in Newsweek highlights a critical aspect of conflict reporting the difficulty in accurately determining battlefield casualties. Analysts often caution against…

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Across the United States, universities have become focal points for demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war. Today, students at Columbia University in New York barricaded a building on campus – further fuelling tensions as they demand their university divests financially from Israel. While many of the protests against the war by students have been peaceful, some have descended into chaos. Riot police pepper sprayed students at the University of Texas and arrested dozens, as Texas state governor Greg Abbott said ‘no encampments will be allowed’. The demonstrations have been ongoing for months as students attempt to stop university support for Israel, and oppose US funding…

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“A concrete kennel, measuring 2.5m x 3m. Most often, it is unbearable due to the cold and dampness. Water collects on the floor, and the window is tiny. The walls are thick, stifling any airflow, and not even the cobwebs stir. There is no ventilation, leaving one feeling suffocated at night, akin to a fish out of water. An iron bunk, reminiscent of those found on sleeper trains, is bolted to the wall.” This is how Alexei Navalny described the cell in which he spent 308 out of 1125 days in solitary confinement. His imprisonment amounted to both physical and…

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