Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 3h

Also the Milei administration is weathering a bribery scandal where the president's sister not only took kickbacks for a government pharmaceutical contract, but that she has a published bribery rate, 3-4% of the contract price.

apnews.com/article/arge...

Secret audios, dramatic leaks, spying claims: A bribery scandal engulfs Argentina's Milei

Argentines have been captivated by a growing corruption scandal involving President Javier Milei's close associates.

apnews.com

3

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 3h

Source: CBC.

www.cbc.ca/news/world/u...

Trump, who has railed about election interference, has a favourite in Argentina's upcoming midterms | CBC News

U.S. support for Argentina hinges on the ruling party of President Javier Milei succeeding in this month's midterm legislative elections, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, roiling markets in the...

www.cbc.ca

1 4

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 3h

Fun bonus quote:

"I'm with this man because his philosophy is correct, and he may win it," Trump said ahead of a White House lunch with Milei and members of Trump's cabinet. "He may not win, but I think he's going to win. And if he wins, we're staying with him. And if he doesn't win, we're gone."

1 2

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 3h

Libertarians make the worst economists. Libertarian economics has been tried twice, in the UK under Liz Truss and in Argentina under Milei.

Two for two in the catastrophe department.

1 1

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 3h

So it's about regime change to right-wing governments in South America, eh?

2 4

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 3h

"Economists have questioned the Trump administration’s decision to extend financial aid to a country with a checkered repayment history. Argentina has defaulted or restructured its sovereign debt five times."

1 1 3

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 3h

"But keeping the peso at an unnaturally high level has hurt exports and widened the trade deficit, leaving Argentina short of the dollars needed to service its foreign debt."

1 2

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 3h

"Argentina’s main problem is an overvalued domestic currency and a shortage of U.S. dollars. The country has burned through its reserves of dollars to support the peso, aiming to maintain Argentines’ living standards and avoid triggering renewed inflation."

1 2

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 3h

"…the Obama administration squandered a very prominent opportunity to move Latin American countries into the U.S. sphere of influence. Governments had swung from left to right and then, through neglect, they swung back hard left again, where many are now, but now they’re coming back the other way.”"

1 3

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 3h

"Bessent said propping up Argentina would influence coming elections in Colombia and Chile as well as domestic politics elsewhere in the region — and help counter China’s attempts to build deeper economic ties on the continent."

1 3

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 3h

"Last month, Bessent called Argentina, a country of roughly 46 million people with an economy smaller than that of Michigan’s, a “systemically important U.S. ally.” The U.S. funds, he suggested, would prevent an Argentine debt crisis from affecting other nations’ fortunes."

1 2

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 3h

"The Trump administration is working to arrange private-sector financing for Argentina that would double the total U.S. financial lifeline for the embattled South American nation, part of a broader effort to swing the region to the right politically, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday."

1 2

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 3h

Source:

www.msn.com/en-us/politi...

MSN

www.msn.com

1 2

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 3h

$20 billion to prop up the peso, $20 billion to help it make foreign debt payments.

John Collins @logicallyjc.bsky.social · 7h

What the fuck are we doing?

1 2 12

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 4h

You're fucking kidding me.

Those assholes didn't even get the *ask* right?!!

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 4h

Seconded.

LOWρUF🐸 🇵🇦🇬🇱🇨🇦🇲🇽 @lowrhoufo.bsky.social · 5h

I feel like Ben Gvir personally being in the room when Greta Thunberg was being tortured should be bigger news

6

Reposted by Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen

Wiarton Willy @wiartonwilly.bsky.social · 7h

european-security.com/the-cesspool...

Cesspool and Chaos: the Russian Connection in the Epstein Affair - European Security

In this explosive article, French historian Françoise Thom highlights the close relationship between the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and the father of his accomplice Ghislaine, Robert Maxwell, the ...

european-security.com

1 3

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 4h

If this is true, that's actually good. Even 5-4 rulings beat 6-3.

Might talk Coney Barrett around on a couple votes.

The Lever @levernews.com · 1d

🚨NEW: Justice Anthony Kennedy authored the Citizens United decision & today released a memoir defending his ruling letting oligarchs buy elections - yet he says he worries democracy may not survive.

None of the media Kennedy is granting interviews has even asked him about Citizens United.

Anthony Kennedy Is Trying To Find The Guy Who Did This

The retired Supreme Court Justice who authored Citizens United is suddenly worried about the future of democracy.

www.levernews.com

3

Reposted by Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen

Erin Fogg says Free Link @criminalerin.bsky.social · 11h

"The deal with Broadcom would use as much power as 8 million US households.

A 2024 Department of Energy report on data center energy usage found that data centers are expected to consume about 6.7% to 12% of total US electricity by 2028."

Sora 2 and ChatGPT are consuming so much power that OpenAI just did another 10 gigawatt deal | CNN Business

OpenAI is partnering with Broadcom to design and develop 10 gigawatts of custom AI chips and systems, a massive amount of power that will use as much electricity as a large city. The move further high...

www.cnn.com

10 44 100

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 4h

Thanks so much for the alt text, Kitty.

🌹

1

Reposted by Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen

Kitty’s Ghost @kittysghost.bsky.social · 11h

Amanda Marcotte says, “For those tempted to say Young Republicans have always been this way, they really have not. When I worked on campus and did bipartisan college events after, they were very much not like this.

“That's why groups like YCT and eventually TPUSA formed - because Young Republicans weren't radical enough.”

Below Marcotte has quote reposted the Politico article about the leaked messages where Young Republicans made violently racist remarks.

2 1 3

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 4h

I didn't know that I needed this laugh right now, Sharon.

😂

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 4h

You are murderously good at this, Maggie.

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 4h

This is fantastic reporting, Lisa. Thank you so much. 🙏

Has there been any fallout in the Riksdag for Kristersson and his government?

2

Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 4h

You want to read the Aftonbladet article on Greta Thunberg.

CW: childishness, terror, prisoner abuse, violence against people and frog hats, incredibly moving acts of resistance

www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/25...

Greta Thunberg: “They kicked me every time the flag touched my face”

– Greta Thunberg on her days in Israeli captivity Beating, kicking, and threats of being gassed in cages. Greta Thunberg and several others from the flotilla ar

www.aftonbladet.se

1 5 5