"Terrorist" is the word that the Trump administration employs to describe the victims of its most egregious acts of state violence.

President Donald Trump has used the word "terrorist" to justify the extrajudicial killings of civilians in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. And his deputies used it to explain away the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis by federal agents.

"Earlier this morning, on my Orders, U.S. Military Forces conducted a kinetic strike against positively identified Tren de Aragua Narco terrorists," Trump wrote following the initial boat strike on September 2, 2025. He said the attack "occurred while the terrorists were at sea in International waters."

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said that Good and Pretti were guilty of "domestic terrorism." And top White House adviser Stephen Miller used similar language to describe both.

These killings were conducted thousands of miles apart by different agencies in very different contexts. But the connection between them could be more than semantic.

Under National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, or NSPM-7, Trump's Justice Department is now assembling a secret "domestic terrorist organization" database. It also maintains a secret list of "designated terrorist organizations" with whom the U.S. claims to be at war.

For months, the White House and Justice Department have failed to answer a question that becomes more relevant with every person branded a domestic terrorist, shot by federal agents, or both: Are Americans who the federal government deems to be domestic terrorists under NSPM-7 subject to extrajudicial killings like those it claims are members of designated terrorist organizations on boats at sea?

"If we're going to say it's OK to kill so-called terrorists in the Caribbean, for actions that have traditionally been dealt with as a criminal matter, using due process — what's to say you can't do the same in an American city?" asked Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Constitution and Limited Government. "That is the very scary but logical end of all these things the Trump administration is doing."

Trump's de facto declaration of war on dissent, NSPM-7, conflates constitutionally protected speech and political activism with "domestic terrorism" — a term that has no basis in U.S. law. That memorandum, which was issued in September, and an implementation memo released in December by Attorney General Pam Bondi, specifically targets those that espouse what the administration defines as anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, anti-Christianity, anti-fascism, and radical gender ideologies, as well as those with "hostility toward those who hold traditional American views." At a minimum, the memorandum raises serious First Amendment, due process, and civil liberties concerns.

Related Trump's War on America

Bondi's December memo, "Implementing National Security Presidential Memorandum-7: Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence," which the Justice Department shared with The Intercept, defines "domestic terrorism" in the broadest possible terms, including "doxing" and "conspiracies to impede … law enforcement."

Federal immigration agents consider observing, following, and filming their operations a crime under 18 U.S.C. § 111: assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer. This is also the foremost statute in a directory of prioritized crimes listed in NSPM-7.

Federal officers frequently confront and threaten those observing, following, and filming them for "impeding" their efforts. In numerous instances, they have unholstered or pointed weapons at the people who filmed or followed them.

A recent report by the CATO Institute notes that it is "crucial to understand that ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) consider people who follow DHS and ICE agents to observe, record, or protest their operations as engaging in 'impeding.'" It goes on to note that DHS "has a systematic policy of threatening people who follow ICE or DHS agents to record their activities with detentions, arrests, and violence, and agents have already chased, detained, arrested, charged, struck, and shot at people who follow them."

Before their killings, both Pretti and Good had been observing agents' activities. In the wake of Good's death, the Justice Department opened an investigation of Good's widow for allegedly "interfering" with an ICE operation — apparently for filming the shooting.

NSPM-7 alleges vast "organized structures, networks, entities, organizations, [and] funding sources" support leftist "criminal and terroristic conspiracies." It adds, "These campaigns are coordinated and perpetrated by actors who have developed a comprehensive strategy to achieve specific policy goals through radicalization and violent intimidation."

The Trump administration has framed the Minneapolis protests and a larger movement in Minnesota and beyond in the same terms as NSPM-7, painting it as a "Radical Left Movement of Violence and Hate" coordinated by a vast network of "highly paid professional agitators and anarchists," as well as "insurrectionists" supported by corrupt Democratic lawmakers and officials or "sanctuary politicians" who are inciting violence against federal officers.

Trump endorsed Vice President JD Vance's baseless claim that Good was part of a "broader left-wing network" that sometimes uses "domestic terror techniques" to "attack, to dox, to assault and to make it impossible for our ICE officers to do their job." Miller suggested Pretti was one of an unknown number of militants operating in Minneapolis. "A would-be assassin tried to murder federal law enforcement and the official Democrat account sides with the terrorists," he wrote on X on Saturday, referring to comments by a Democratic party account calling for ICE to withdraw from Minneapolis.

Trump initially described Pretti as a "gunman," although the ICU nurse never drew his licensed handgun before being executed at point blank range by federal agents. After briefly softening his tone on Pretti, Trump called him an "Agitator and, perhaps, insurrectionist" in a Friday Truth Social post.

Related Trump's Cult of Power Cancels Free Speech

Miller bills NSPM-7 as the first "all-of-government effort to dismantle left-wing terrorism," which he calls a sophisticated, well-funded network supported by an "entire system of feeder organizations that provide money, resources, weapons." Bondi's implementation memo also offers a fictitious apocalyptic vision of urban America which the Trump administration has employed to justify its domestic military occupations, including "mass rioting and destruction in our cities" and "violent efforts to shut down immigration enforcement."

"Every accusation is a confession with this administration."

"This political violence is not a series of isolated incidents and does not emerge organically," Scanlon told The Intercept, quoting from a section of NSPM-7 that details a supposed coordinated effort by antifascists and other administration enemies. But Scanlon framed it in terms of the Trump administration's own authoritarian campaign. "The paragraph describing how political violence takes root and becomes more widespread basically describes the Trump era. Every accusation is a confession with this administration. You talk about targeted intimidation and radicalization and threats and violence designed to silence opposing speech — it's all there, and we're seeing it unfold."

Federal immigration officers have shot at least 13 people since September, killing at least five, including Pretti and Good, according to data compiled by The Trace.

"What the Trump Administration is doing in Minnesota is a testing ground for a paramilitary police state across the country," said Rep. April McClain Delaney, D-Md., on January 25. "Masked DHS agents are now operating in Minnesota neighborhoods with impunity — terrorizing families and neighborhoods, slandering the victims with lies, silencing dissent, seizing and detaining protesters, eroding basic civil liberties and killing American citizens."

Donald Trump holds an executive order he signed in the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 30, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP

At the same time shootings by immigration agents have ramped up at home, the Trump administration has been killing civilians in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The U.S. military has carried out 36 known attacks, destroying 37 boats, since September, killing at least 126 civilians. The most recent attack occurred in the Pacific Ocean on January 23, killing three people. The administration insists the attacks are permitted because the U.S. is engaged in "non-international armed conflict" with "designated terrorist organizations" it refuses to name. Experts, current and former government officials, and lawmakers say these killings are outright murders.

"This administration has asserted the prerogative to kill people outside the law, solely on the basis of the president labeling them terrorists. And there are no obvious limits to this license to kill," said Brian Finucane, a former State Department lawyer who is a specialist in counterterrorism issues and the laws of war. "The president has wielded that authority in the Caribbean and the Pacific and could wield it domestically. Indeed, the fact that they invoked domestic terrorism to justify the killings of Rene Good and Alex Pretti suggests they already might have."

Related White House Refuses to Rule Out Summary Executions of People on Its Secret Domestic Terrorist List

Since October, The Intercept has been asking if the White House would rule out conducting summary executions of members of the list "of any such groups or entities" designated as "domestic terrorist organization[s]" under NSPM-7, without a response. Return receipts also show that Justice Department spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre has repeatedly read The Intercept's questions on this subject over months but has failed to offer an answer.

Faiza Patel, the senior director of the Brennan Center for Justice's liberty and national security program, told The Intercept that while it wasn't possible to directly link NSPM-7 to the killings of Good and Pretti, the memorandum's rhetoric about what constitutes domestic terrorism "is reflected in senior officials' statements and it seems that DHS agents on the ground view any opposition to their actions as warranting extreme and even lethal force."

Federal agents from ICE and Homeland Security Investigations assigned to Minneapolis received a memo earlier in January asking them to collect identifying information on "agitators, protestors, etc.," CNN reported Tuesday. Last week, a masked immigration agent warned a woman filming their activities in Portland, Maine, that her information would be entered into a "nice little database" that would label her a "domestic terrorist." Tom Homan, Trump's border czar and Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino's replacement, also mentioned the database the same month on Fox News. "We're going to create a database," he said, noting that it would include those "arrested for interference, impeding and assault." Journalist Ken Klippenstein recently reported on more than a dozen "secret and obscure watchlists" being used to track protesters and supposed "domestic terrorists."

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin says her department does not administer the secret database. "There is NO database of 'domestic terrorists' run by DHS," she told The Intercept by email. "We do of course monitor and investigate and refer all threats, assaults and obstruction of our officers to the appropriate law enforcement." DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis does admit that it "nominated over 4,600 people to the terrorist watchlist" in the last year and says ICE arrested more than 1,400 "known or suspected terrorists."

Related How Many Members Does Antifa Have? Where Is Its Headquarters? The FBI Has No Answers.

NSPM-7 directs Bondi to compile a list "of any such groups or entities" to be designated as "domestic terrorist organization[s]," and Bondi has ordered the FBI to "compile a list of groups or entities engaging in acts that may constitute domestic terrorism," according to the December 4 memo. Last fall, FBI Director Kash Patel told senators that there were "1,700 domestic terrorism investigations" and that it represented "a 300% increase in cases opened this year alone versus the same time last year." 

When asked if Good or Pretti were on any domestic terrorism list, watchlist, or under surveillance by federal authorities, a bureau spokesperson said: "The FBI has no comment."

Neither NSPM-7 nor the December 4 memo mentions summary executions, and both speak explicitly in terms of "prosecution" and "arrest" of members of domestic terrorist organizations. Attacks on members of designated terrorist organizations are justified by another document: a classified opinion from the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel with a secret list of cartels and gangs attached to it.

The Justice Department memo notes that under Section 3 of NSPM-7, "the FBI, in coordination with its partners on the [Joint Terrorism Task Forces], and consistent with applicable law, shall compile a list of groups or entities engaged in acts that may constitute domestic terrorism" and "provide that list to the Deputy Attorney General."

The FBI's national press office directed The Intercept to contact the Department of Justice concerning questions about the NSPM-7 list. Baldassarre also failed to respond to those queries.

"To the extent that the White House somehow has a secret enemies list and people don't know who's on it — that goes beyond McCarthyism," Scanlon told The Intercept. "It's absolutely horrific."

"To the extent that the White House somehow has a secret enemies list and people don't know who's on it — that goes beyond McCarthyism."

Recent reported statements by Trump suggest that the president may see little difference between those the administration brands foreign and domestic terrorists nor in efforts to combat them. Last month, the U.S. attacked Venezuela and abducted its president, Nicolás Maduro, killing scores of people, including civilians. Maduro — whom Trump branded a terrorist — was brought to the U.S. and charged with numerous offenses, foremost among them, according to the State Department, "narco-terrorism."

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said last week that Trump compared his federal immigration crackdown in his state to the attack in Venezuela that ousted Maduro. "He told me how well that went," Walz told MS NOW. "Which really was strange to me was he saw an operation in Venezuela against a foreign nation in the same context he saw an operation against a U.S. state and a U.S. city."

The White House did not return a request for comment.

The post Trump Calls His Enemies Terrorists. Does That Mean He Can Just Kill Them? appeared first on The Intercept.

A panic pervades the internet: terrified talk of troops in American cities, federal shock troops brutalizing citizens and neighbors, the targeting of gun owners, mass surveillance, the deployment of militarized artificial intelligence, and the suspension of the Constitution. The year is 2015, and the far right is incensed.

This was a period of intense American paranoia and anger, largely spurred by the right-wing meltdown over the consecutive victories of President Barack Obama. It was also a time of post-Snowden horror, as a nation realized it lived inside an unfathomably immense government surveillance dragnet endorsed and expanded by both political parties. It was in this moment that, for a certain segment of conservatives, Jade Helm 15 became an American crisis.

A decade later, this imaginary emergency reveals much about the hucksters who pushed it and the tolerance of many Americans for state oppression — so long as they are not the intended targets. The cauldron of race hatred, federal violence, and surveillance brewed by the paranoiacs who pounced on Jade Helm has spilled over today not in the form of right-wing phobia, but right-wing policy.

In July 2015, Alex Jones, at that point still little more than a punchline, issued a dire warning on his website InfoWars: "This is an emergency broadcast," Jones began, warning of an impending campaign to "militarize police and to put standing armies on the streets to suppress the population and to carry out political operations."

Jones was referring to publicly released Pentagon planning documents detailing Jade Helm 15, a military training exercise throughout sparsely populated swaths of the American South, from Florida to Texas. As is often the case when the dishonest have primary documents and a vast megaphone, Jones misstated nearly every detail of the materials. A map from what was essentially a large-scale military roleplaying game labeling Texas as "hostile," colored in red, was irrefutable evidence to Jones that the Obama administration was preparing to let loose the national security state on the conservative heartland.

"We're not becoming a police state. We're already here."

All of this was simple pretext, he claimed. The White House was leveraging the national security state to build the infrastructure for the federal paramilitary occupation of the country to choke out political dissent by force. Unwanted portions of the populations would be herded into Department of Homeland Security-administered camps, warned Jones and other stalwarts of right-wing paranoia. "We're not becoming a police state," he told viewers. "We're already here."

Though there was never any factual reason to suspect Jade Helm disguised a federal takeover, the broader paranoia was anchored in some fact. Jones claimed that the training exercise was connected to the broader militarization of American police agencies, a real trend he misconstrued as a leftist scheme against his audience. "You have massive military gear being cached — armored vehicles, machine guns, helicopters, night vision, Humvees — with the police departments around the country," Jones explained. "It's about suppressing the patriot population."

Jones was not alone. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott quickly endorsed InfoWars' ravings, deploying the state guard to "monitor" Jade Helm so that "Texans know their safety, constitutional rights, private property rights and civil liberties will not be infringed," as he put it in an April 2015 letter ordering their mobilization. Former Texas congressman Louie Gohmert suggested the White House was hoping to provoke an armed confrontation between the military and the administration's critics. "It is no surprise that those who have experienced or noticed such persecution are legitimately suspicious," he said. "I understand the reason for concern and uncertainty," agreed Sen. Ted Cruz.

Some Americans heeded the warning. The New York Times interviewed a Texas doctor stockpiling ammunition. Locals organized Jade Helm volunteer groups that monitored and recorded military movement. The Oath Keepers, a prominent American anti-government militia, described Jade Helm on its website as a "Portentous government plan, a pre-fabricated and pre-constructed umbrella under which a black op by the Deep State's compartmentalized agencies could possibly 'Go Live' in a fantastic sort of Shock and Awe False Flag psycho-coup to jar the public mind of America through fear into acceptance of some nefarious policy the government desired, such as the establishment of Martial Law and the complete loss of individual liberty and our Constitution."

Related The Sinister Reason Trump Is Itching to Invoke the Insurrection Act

These days, Jade Helm isn't talked about much because nothing happened. But in the decade since, there has been a near-total inversion of the panic that Jade Helm sparked. Largely unconcerned and frequently unconstrained by law, Trump has found in his Department of Homeland Security what Jones warned was coming a decade ago: a paramilitary force to terrorize political opponents and demographic undesirables. Eleven years past schedule, Trump and a docile American right wing have finally delivered the Jade Helm presidency.

Federal agents ride in an armored vehicle during operations on Jan. 16, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. Photo: Adam Gray/AP

Armored personnel carriers today carry masked, heavily armed, pointlessly camouflaged federal commandos through American cities that voted against the president, backed by a sophisticated national surveillance apparatus. Trump and his lieutenants, beneficiaries of an American right-wing reshaped by the likes of Jones and his audience, make real and explicit the quiet fantasizing attributed to Obama's during Jade Helm, speaking openly of American communities as hives of the enemy. In September, Trump announced impending deportation operations in Chicago with a doctored image depicting the city under attack by napalm, captioned "Chicago about to find out why it's called the Department of WAR."

The notion of ideological foes not as electoral enemies but legitimate targets of violence is no longer the stuff of conspiracy podcasts, but the political mainstream. Trump referred to a need to stamp out the "enemy within" the United States in September speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, suggesting the unconstitutional use of the military to "handle" them, and mused about using American cities as "training grounds" for the Pentagon. Gun-toting agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as Custom and Border Protection are the foot soldiers of a government that describes its people as terrorists. They have been joined at times by actual soldiers, Marines and National Guard members, deployed illegally in cities like Los Angeles where the president's policies are unpopular.

Related Trump's War on America

Since Trump's speech, DHS agents have shot 12 people, killing four of them. Minneapolis residents describe the experience of ICE and CBP's surge as something akin to a military occupation. Where Obama's Jade Helm fell short in the collective imaginations of the InfoWars right, Trump's second term has succeeded in wielding DHS as an ideological cudgel. After Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti were gunned down by DHS agents, the department's justification for dispensing the death penalty on the sidewalk — that they were both domestic terrorists bent on killing federal personnel — quickly disintegrated in the face of video evidence. All that was left was a rationale more foreboding than anything Jade Helm truthers attributed to the Obama administration, a shrug that boils down to this brutal view: That's what they get for wanting this to stop. 

"Was he simply walking by and just happened to walk into a law enforcement situation and try to direct traffic and stand in the middle of the road, and then assault, delay, and obstruct law enforcement?" CBP's Greg Bovino wondered of Pretti at a press conference. "Or was he there for a reason?" (Pretti's reason for being there that day was clear, having been filmed from multiple angles: to legally observe and record the agents who then killed him.)

The idea that merely opposing the president's immigration policy is reason enough to warrant summary execution is, if not stated outright, now on the lips of many right-wing commentators. It's an implicit threat that the next person to record a masked cop on their block could receive the same.

Immigration authorities have brought to life the id of Jade Helm not just through overt displays of force, but also through the vast intelligence and surveillance apparatus within DHS.

In May 2015, InfoWars correspondent David Knight warned that Jade Helm would involve the collection and exploitation of enormous reams of personal information. "They analyze the data, and then because you stick out in some way, now you're treated as if you've already had due process, as if you've already been found guilty of a crime," resulting in the government kicking down the doors of innocent people. "If you understand the technology that's involved, then you'll see that Jade Helm is more of an intelligence operation using geospatial intelligence mapping," claimed InfoWars correspondent Lee Ann McAdoo. "And as information from low-level surveillance technologies such as stingrays and predictive policing programs are all getting siphoned up into NSA data centers, a detailed global map will continue to grow with near-endless stats on all individuals."

This much was true — in broad strokes, if not the specifics — back in 2015 and even more so today. DHS has steadily amassed for itself a security state within the security state, one now plump with record funding under a Trump second term clinched with the promise of a ruthless immigration crackdown. "With a budget for 2025 that is 10 times the size of the agency's total surveillance spending over the last 13 years," the Electronic Frontier Foundation wrote last month, "ICE is going on a shopping spree, creating one of the largest, most comprehensive domestic surveillance machines in history."

Thanks to the unregulated market in commercial surveillance technology, DHS has little need for a spy agency like the NSA.

Thanks to the unregulated market in commercial surveillance technology, DHS has little need for a spy agency like the NSA. Last fall, ICE reactivated its contract with spyware-maker Paragon, which makes software that can remotely break into a smartphone. DHS also makes ample use of phone-cracking tools like Cellebrite, and has been purchasing warrantless access to cellphone location data since at least 2017, providing a turn-key means of tracking virtually anyone, anywhere, while bypassing the Fourth Amendment entirely. A 2023 DHS inspector general's report found that both ICE and CBP consistently used this data illegally. Smartphone-based face recognition makes suspects out of anyone DHS agents might encounter on the street, immigrant and citizen alike.

Some in the InfoWars orbit speculated the word Jade itself "may or may not be an acronym for a military-developed artificial intelligence," columnist Mark Saal observed in 2015. Like other facets of the Jade Helm freakout, this fear managed to be prescient despite its own baselessness. What's unimpeachably true today is that DHS uses a litany of sophisticated artificial intelligence tools, including those provided by Palantir, a longtime military and intelligence contractor that has previously aided the NSA and continues to provide analytic and database services to ICE.

The role of Palantir alone within DHS is the stuff of InfoWars reverie: The company is building a tool "that populates a map with potential deportation targets, brings up a dossier on each person, and provides a 'confidence score' on the person's current address," according to a recent report by 404 Media. In contract documents renewing ICE's use of Palantir case management software reviewed by The Intercept, the agency notes that the company has a "critical role in supporting the daily operations of ICE." The case management system alone ingests data from across the federal government, including the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services, Department of Justice databases, the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, and the Office of Biometric Identity Management, among others.

Omnipresent data collection in the name of Homeland Security has allowed for novel means of taunting and intimidating the president's critics. In a video clip that began circulating on X last week, a masked DHS agent is seen recording a car's license plate with his phone.

"Why are you taking my information down?" the woman asks. "Because we have a nice little database," the agent replies. "And now you're considered a domestic terrorist."

It's unclear what "little database" the agent was referring to, or on what grounds recording a video on a public street would be considered an act of terrorism. Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told The Intercept there is "no such database." McLaughlin would not answer when asked repeatedly whether DHS endorsed its personnel threatening to place people on a domestic terrorism database it now claims does not exist.

Related Are You on Trump's List of Domestic Terrorists? There's No Way to Know.

A national security presidential memorandum issued by Trump in September, known as NSPM-7, explicitly labels certain political and ideological stances — including "anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity" along with unspecified views on race and gender — as forms of domestic terrorism.

The Jade Helm presidency hasn't matched the scope and scale of what Jones et al. hallucinated a decade ago. But Trump's DHS — a department already plagued by bipartisan abuse, brutalization, and overreach since its founding — represents in spirit and practice exactly what far-right and right-libertarians once warned was a genuine emergency.

Though it made no effort to attach itself to facts, Jade Helm fearmongering touched, glancingly, on some uncomfortable truths: The federal government is willing to use force, surveillance, and extraconstitutional power to suppress dissent. But the greater truth revealed in the intervening decade is that for many Americans, these abuses aren't a problem so long as it's someone else's back pushed onto the concrete, someone else's car windows smashed, and someone else dealing with the pain of a chemical irritant.

Far-right commentators and elected officials are making clear that their opposition was never to authoritarian violence or state terror, but instead to being subjected to that violence and terror themselves. The contingent of the country that swore to avenge Ruby Ridge and Waco now seem mostly content to cheer on more of the same beneath X videos.  

The far right is making clear that their opposition was never to authoritarian violence or state terror, but instead to being subjected to that violence and terror themselves.

When the administration blamed Alex Pretti's death on his wholly legal gun ownership, having failed to slander him as an "assassin," even the National Rifle Association, which once derided federal police as "jackbooted government thugs," felt obliged to claim he was "antagonizing" ICE, even while defending his right to bear arms.

"We now know that Alex Pretti was a violent agitator who repeatedly went out armed to deliberately instigate physical confrontations with law enforcement," conservative commentator Matt Walsh posted on X. "He is not a victim. He was not a mere 'protester.' And he got what was coming to him. Simple as that."

InfoWars' Jade Helm coverage is now seemingly scrubbed from the site. With a friendly president in the White House, the publication has shifted from condemning the Pentagon as the harbinger of American apocalypse to joining its official press corps. But the spirit of the old anti-state paranoia of InfoWars remains — just inverted entirely in the state's service.

Headlines like "Could the Minneapolis Rioters Be Using Automatic License Plate Recognition Systems?" are what the Jade Helm-believers now wonder about dragnet surveillance. "Watch Two Brave ICE Officers Fight Off A Violent Leftist Mob That Invaded Their Hotel!" is the formerly paranoid right's assessment of DHS. The notion of camouflaged agents in the streets is cause for celebration, not an "emergency broadcast" of 2015. "A War Has Erupted On The Streets Of America, And It Is Going To End With Martial Law In Major U.S. Cities," InfoWars warns today, paired with an AI-generated image of federal officers defending themselves from an antifa onslaught.

Eleven years after Jade Helm, this is forecast with at least a little excitement.

The post Welcome to the Jade Helm Presidency appeared first on The Intercept.

TikTok is finally "back to normal" in the US after days of technical issues and outages tied to winter storms. Less than a week after companies like Oracle took ownership of TikTok's domestic operations, the platform faced a major power outage when one of its primary US data center sites — run by Oracle — got taken down by the storm. 

The problems started last Monday, January 26, when TikTok announced it was working on a "major infrastructure issue" and warned of bugs, time-out requests, missing earnings, and more. The next day TikTok shared that progress has been made but there were still some issues. It added, "Creators may temporarily see '0' views or likes on videos, and your earnings may look like they're missing. This is a display error caused by server timeouts; your actual data and engagement are safe."

Then, yesterday, February 1, TikTok claimed the problem was straightened out and that users shouldn't experience any more related issues. "We're sorry about the issues experienced by our U.S. community. We appreciate how much you count on TikTok to create, discover, and connect with what matters to you," the platform stated in its update. "Thank you for your patience and understanding."

A number of US users have uninstalled TikTok in response to its new ownership and technical issues. Some users also claimed that TikTok was censoring what they could post or what others saw. For instance, The Guardian reports that many people faced issues sharing videos about ICE agents killing Alex Pretti and general anti-ICE content. 

On January 26, analytics firm Sensor Tower told CNBC that uninstalls of the app had increased by over 150 percent during the five days since its change in ownership, when compared to the three months before. At the same time, independent app and competitor UpScrolled saw a surge in downloads. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/tiktok-says-its-back-to-normal-after-winter-storm-related-outages-114848212.html?src=rss

DOJ files show former Windows chief predicting a public flop before mulling next mission

Steven Sinofsky warned Microsoft that its flagship Surface was about to flop in public, then sought exit advice from Jeffrey Epstein as he negotiated his way out of Redmond.…

Open source operating system fans, your time has come

Bork!Bork!Bork! Most people would be perfectly happy to ride the bus without seeing ads. So this latest public error could be a blessing in disguise for passengers, if not for the bus company hoping to make money. Love it or hate it, this bit of borked digital signage looks to have run into a problem that only an open-source hero can solve.…

Noise-canceling earbuds have become an everyday essential for a lot of people, whether you're trying to survive a noisy commute, concentrate in a shared workspace or just carve out a little quiet time. Advances in active noise cancellation and audio processing mean today's best earbuds do a much better job of cutting through background noise, without forcing you to move up to bulky over-ear headphones.

The latest models also balance sound quality with convenience, offering stable Bluetooth connections, comfortable fits and battery life that can last through a full day with help from their charging cases. From premium options with the strongest ANC to more affordable picks that still get the basics right, there's no shortage of solid choices depending on what you value most.

Best noise-cancelling earbuds for 2026

How to choose the best noise-canceling earbuds for you Design

Most true wireless earbuds these days have a "traditional" design that's a round bud that fits in your ear canals. However, there are some variations on the formula in terms of shape, size and additional fitting elements. Some companies include fins or fit wings to help hold their in-ear earbuds in place while others opt for an over-the-ear hook on more sporty models. You'll want to pay attention to these things to make sure they align with how you plan to use them. Also consider overall size and weight since those two factors can impact the fit. A less-than-ideal seal due to a weird fit will affect the performance of active noise-canceling earbuds.

Type of noise cancellation

Next, you'll want to look at the type of ANC a set of earbuds offer. You'll see terms like "hybrid active noise cancellation" or "hybrid adaptive active noise cancellation," and there are key differences between the two. A hybrid ANC setup uses microphones on the inside and the outside of the device to detect ambient noise. By analyzing input from both mics, a hybrid system can combat more sounds than "regular" ANC, but it's at a constant level that doesn't change.

Adaptive ANC takes the hybrid configuration a step further by continuously adjusting the noise cancellation for changes in your environment and any leakage around the padding of the ear cups or ear tips. Adaptive ANC is also better at combating wind noise, which can really kill your vibe while using earbuds outdoors. For this top pick list of the best noise-canceling earbuds, I'm only considering products with hybrid ANC or adaptive ANC setups because those are the most effective at blocking noise in noisy environments.

Customization

You'll also want to check to see if the ANC system on a prospective set of earbuds offers presets or adjustable levels of noise reduction. These can help you dial in the amount of ANC you need for various environments, but it can also help save battery life. Master & Dynamic, for example, has ANC presets that either provide maximum noise-blocking or prioritize energy efficiency. Other companies may include a slider in their companion apps that let you adjust the ANC level.

How we test noise-canceling earbuds

The primary way we test earbuds is to wear them as much as possible. I prefer to do this over a one-to-two-week period, but sometimes deadlines don't allow it. During this time, I listen to a mix of music and podcasts, while also using the earbuds to take both voice and video calls.

Since battery life for ANC earbuds is typically 6-10 hours, I drain the battery with looping music and the volume set at a comfortable level (usually around 75 percent). When necessary, I'll power the headphones off during a review without putting them back in the case. This simulates real-world use and keeps me from having to wear them for an entire day.

To test ANC performance specifically, I use the earbuds in a variety of environments, from noisy coffee shops to quiet home offices. When my schedule allows, I also use them during air travel, since plane noise is a massive distraction to both work and relaxation. Even if I'm not slated to hop on a flight, I simulate a constant roar with white noise machines, bathroom fans, vacuums and more. I also make note of how well earbuds block human voices, which are a key stumbling block for a lot of ANC setups.

I also do a thorough review of companion apps, testing each feature as I work through the software. Any holdovers from previous models are double-checked for improvements or regression. If the earbuds I'm testing are an updated version of a previous model, I'll spend time getting reacquainted with the older set, and revisit the closest competition as well.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/best-noise-canceling-earbuds-150026857.html?src=rss

Don't be scared of the digital dark - learn how to keep the lights on

Opinion Barely a month into 2026, electrical power infrastructure on two continents has tested positive for cyberattacks. One fell flat as attempts to infiltrate and disrupt the Polish distribution grid were rebuffed and reported. The other, earlier attack was part of Operation Absolute Resolve, the US abduction of Venezuela's President Maduro from Caracas on January 3.…

Administrators sigh: OOBs, they did it again

Opinion Microsoft has had a bad start to the year. Two out-of-band updates in the weeks after the first Patch Tuesday of 2026 rattled administrators' already shaky faith in the company. But are things getting worse?…

To see a film the way the creators intended, you really need a projector. A good one can show a bright, sharp image up to 250 inches in size for an immersive experience that no TV can match — and usually at a much lower price. Plus, they're great for immersive gaming with consoles and PCs.

Thanks to companies like Anker and Valerion, projectors are starting to be seen as a must-have item for cinephiles and outdoor party screenings alike. That means there are a wide variety of choices, ranging from classic ceiling-mounted models to battery-powered projectors you can take on a camping trick. You can also choose from dozens of ultra short throw (UST) models for a more TV-like installation.

But compared to TVs, projectors remain a bit more confusing for a majority of buyers. This guide will fill you in on important details to consider like brightness, type (classic, portable and ultra short throw) and other factors to help you choose the best model for your setup.

Best projectors for 2026

Some projectors are for serious cinephiles, projecting sharp 4K video with HDR brightness and hyper realistic colors to a large screen. Others are bright enough to replace your TV for sports or gaming, and some low-cost portable models can be set up for camping or outdoor fun. That's why we've divided this guide into several categories to help you find the right one.

What to consider when buying a projector

For a deep dive on projector technology check my previous explainer, but there are few key things to keep in mind. What will the projector mainly be used for? What type of room will it be used in? And how big of an image do you want? You'll also see a variety of specifications that may be confusing, so here are a few to consider and what they mean.

Brightness and contrast

Brightness is measured in ANSI lumens; the brighter the projector, typically the more expensive it will be. 1,500-2,500 lumens is good for darkened rooms, 3,000-4,000 lumens allows you to see with some ambient light and 4,000+ lumens is bright enough to use in direct sunlight. High contrast is important for detail, because projectors are more sensitive to things like ambient light and reflections.

Laser projectors offer the most brightness and they are entering the mainstream with models costing well under $2,000. Below that, you're looking at projectors with bulbs. Aside from brightness, laser projectors have an advantage in that the light source lasts 10,000 hours or more, compared to 2,000 hours maximum for bulb projectors.

DLP vs LCD

Digital light processing units (DLPs) used by Optoma, BenQ, LG and others allow bright 4K images. The negative is that they can produce a "rainbow" effect, or red/blue/green artifacts that affect some viewers more than others. LCDs are used mainly by Epson, but also Sony and Sanyo. Those are often brighter, more color accurate and don't produce rainbow effects, but are also more expensive and susceptible to image degradation over time.

Resolution

If you want a true 4K projector, beware: only expensive models have native 4K resolution (many movie theaters still use 2K projectors for various reasons). However, most DLP projectors and some LCD models can use pixel-shifting to attain 4K resolution.

HDR and color accuracy

Projectors can't produce anywhere close to the amount of light required to qualify as true HDR. Rather, they use a technique called tone mapping to fit the entire HDR gamut into a lower brightness range. That said, many projectors can display millions of colors, with some models surpassing the color accuracy of TVs and monitors.

UST vs. classic

Classic projectors and screens can be mounted on the ceiling so they're great if you have no floor space. They can also project a larger video for a truly cinematic experience. UST projectors mount on the floor right next to the screen so they can take the place of a TV. They don't beam as big an image but are generally brighter, sharper and more expensive. For best results, they require special screens.

Elite Starling Mounting and fan noise

Ceiling mounting requires some work and don't forget to budget for a bracket and any necessary long cables, including extra power for a Google Chromecast or other streaming device. UST projectors require less labor, but getting the image perfectly square can still be surprisingly time-consuming. As for fan noise, some projectors (usually cheaper DLP models) generate more than others.

Optics

For more flexibility with location and image size, ceiling mounted projectors need a good zoom range. Lens shift, meanwhile, is used if the projector is mounted higher or lower relative to the screen than recommended by the manufacturer. Otherwise, you might have to use a "keystone correction" to digitally stretch part of the image, resulting in distortion or artifacts. Also, keystore correction may not work in gaming modes for some models.

Gaming and streaming

If you're interested in a projector for gaming, look up the refresh rate and input lag figures. Some projectors offer good numbers in that regard (240Hz and <20 ms, respectively), but others designed for home entertainment have very poor input lag and refresh rates at just 60 Hz. If it's streaming you want, be sure to pick a model either with built-in Google TV or a bundled streaming dongle.

Screens

Should you project onto a wall, roll-down screen, fixed screen or ambient light rejecting (ALR) screen? The choice depends largely on the room and what kind of projector you have. Roll down screens take up no space as they're ceiling mounted, fixed screens can be moved easily and ALR models are perfect in rooms with a lot of ambient light.

Best projector FAQs Are 4K projectors better?

Yes, because higher resolution is more noticeable on larger screens, so 4K is particularly useful with projectors since they beam images up to 200 inches in size. That being said, brightness and contrast are more important.

Is a projector better than a TV?

Projectors can provide a more immersive experience thanks to the large screen, but they're not necessarily "better." Since you usually have to dim the lights with a projector, TVs are superior for everyday use.

Is 2000 lumens bright enough for a projector?

Yes, 2000 lumens is easily bright enough, even with some ambient light in the room. However, the image will still be hard to see with the windows open on a bright day.

Should I get a 4K or 1080p projector?

That depends on your budget and needs. If your budget is below $1,000, look for a 1080p projector with the best brightness and contrast. Between $1,000-$2,000, you'll need to weigh whether brightness or 4K resolution is most important. Above that, choose the brightest 4K projector you can afford.

What are the best projectors in daylight?

The best projectors in daylight are ultra short throw (UST) models, as they have the brightest and sharpest image. However, they generally cost more than $2,000.

Do you need a screen for a better projector experience?

Technically, you don't need a screen to use a projector — any light-colored, smooth wall can work in a pinch. But if you want to get the most out of your projector, a screen can make a difference. Projector screens are designed to reflect light evenly and enhance contrast, so colors look more vibrant and the picture appears sharper. With a screen, you'll notice darker blacks and brighter colors, which can give a real boost to your movie nights or gaming sessions. So while you can absolutely enjoy a projector without one, a screen can make the experience feel a bit more like your own personal theater.

Should I buy a portable or home projector?

It depends on how and where you plan to use it. If you want a projector you can easily move around, bring to friends' houses or set up indoors or outdoors easily, a portable projector is a great choice. They're usually smaller, lightweight and often have built-in speakers and batteries, making them convenient for on-the-go use.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a more permanent setup for a home theater or living room, a home projector might be the way to go. Home projectors tend to be more powerful, with higher resolution and brightness, which gives you that crisp, cinema-quality experience. They're ideal if you have a dedicated space and don't mind leaving it set up in one spot.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/best-projectors-123004354.html?src=rss

Love hurts, but being exposed is more painful

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Irish Minister for Defence, Foreign Affairs, and Trade Helen McEntee has confirmed the government will push ahead with plans to scrap Ireland's long-cherished position of neutrality. The stance has been far from perfectly adhered to, as Ireland has over the years allowed frequent use of its airports for US warplanes, including those assisting so-called 'Israel's' genocide in Palestine.

Nonetheless, the country has avoided involving its troops in any large-scale conflicts for more than a century. It also has unusually low defence spending in comparison to other European nations. McEntee and her government seem determined to change that, however.

On The Anton Savage Show, host Emmet Oliver egged on the push for greater militarisation:

We've had a lot of people have been saying for many years: "Why should we give a veto to China and Russia over any military intervention that we get involved in as a sovereign nation?"

Popular 'Triple Lock' prevents Irish involvement in war

There's nothing like a hard-hitting first question that mirrors the exact opinion of the guest. This is symptomatic of general mainstream media support for a march to increased militarisation in Ireland. The question refers to the fact that Ireland can only deploy troops overseas in a number greater than 12 if all three of the following approve it:

- The Irish government

- The Dáil

- The UN Security Council or the UN General Assembly

This is known as the 'Triple Lock', in reference to the capacity for any of these bodies to veto Irish troop deployment abroad. As every permanent member (China, France, Russia, UK, USA) of the Security Council can veto any significant decision the Council takes, that enables any one of those nations to block use of Irish forces overseas.

Naturally in agreement with the stenographer she was speaking to, McEntee pledged to kick off the march to likely NATO slavery ASAP:

…I want to get this legislation moved as quickly as possible. I'm hoping to have it published by Easter. And I hope to have it enacted throughout this year.

The legislation referred to is the Defence Amendment Bill which the Irish government has again been pushing forward this week. It would remove the requirement for UN approval, and allow deployment of up to 50 soldiers abroad without Dáil consent.

Lebanon has been used as the sympathetic case for a peacekeeping deployment of Irish forces, who have been present in the country since 1978. The government has been desperately trying to find an angle to push the new measures through, given strong public support for continued neutrality. With high Irish pro-Palestine sentiment, the idea of local soldiers being present to help ward off further brutal assault by Israeli Occupation Forces is obviously an appealing cause.

However, it's difficult to see how much difference a small UN force can currently make against a nuclear-armed brute prepared to break all international law.

Neutrality end likely means NATO alignment

The more likely result of changes to the law is closer alignment to the self-destructing NATO, 'led' by an erratic fascist currently killing his own citizens. As Workers' Party representative for Meath East Gerry Rooney outlined:

The removal of the UN element of the Triple Lock is blatantly designed to allow the government to align even more closely with NATO. They have made it clear that, even if outright membership isn't a runner just yet, they will seek to cosy up as close as they can.

Our neutrality is suffering the fate of a frog in warm water being slowly but surely brought to a boil.

He continued:

A government that, for 20 years, has been unwilling to spend €5 million or €10 million a year to pay a living wage to our soldiers, and is unable to put even two of Naval Service's eight ships to sea, now claims to care deeply about defence and security.

What they really appear to care about is pacifying their superiors in Brussels and Washington, and lining the pockets of international arms companies.

As discussed previously in The Canary, there are companies eyeing a potential bonanza from Ireland ramping up its defence spending. There's also a push from other NATO members for this increase, given Ireland hosts a great deal of crucial infrastructure for the digital economy, mainly that of US tech giants. That's money that could otherwise be spent on actually useful stuff, like housing, health care and education.

The spectre of Russia and China controlling Irish armed forces through Security Council veto is the fear typically raised by the media. However, with the Triple Lock scrapped, Ireland is far more likely to be at the beck and call of the US. Control from Washington should be of more concern than from anywhere else, given its genocidal policies and obviously heightened warmongering.

This vassal status was confirmed by McEntee's response to a question about the upcoming visit of the Irish government to the White House in March. There they will once again embarrass themselves prostrating before Emperor Trump. Asked by Oliver if Irish representatives would challenge Trump on recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) violence, McEntee dodged the question:

…I've no doubt [the Taoiseach's agenda] could be set in the coming weeks. And there are opportunities both publicly but also in private for the Taoiseach to have a conversation with the president on many different issues.

As previously respected non-aligned nations like Finland and Sweden abandon that stance to join the NATO war machine, the world is rapidly losing potential peacemakers. Ireland seems keen to accelerate that process, and sidle up to a volatile alliance making the world less safe.

Featured image via the Canary

By Robert Freeman

BBC establishment shill Laura Kuenssberg tried a 'gotcha' with Green Party leader Zack Polanski on Sunday 1 February - and ended up exposing and embarrassing herself. Kuenssberg claimed that the Greens' determination to include the UK government's collaboration in Israel's Gaza genocide is 'divisive', as if genocide and hurt feelings carry equivalent weight. She received a thorough but civil schooling:

https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/polanski-kuenssberg.mp4 Kuenssberg: no shame over Gaza

Kuenssberg also got a roasting from social media for her arguably antisemitic apparent suggestion that describing Israel's genocide as a genocide is going to offend 'the Jewish community', (Hint: there is no one 'Jewish community' and Jews from all kinds of Jewish communities also oppose the genocide, except the rabidly pro-Israel 'community, which makes it a political issue, not an ethnic one.

The examples below typify the many responses:

Another strong performance from Polanski. The Greens are now the bookies' 11/10 favourites to win the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Featured image via the Canary

By Skwawkbox

'Lord' Peter Mandelson - a swooning fan of serial child-rapist, paedophile-panderer and Israeli spy Jeffrey Epstein - has resigned from the Labour Party. In a statement, he said he was resigning so he doesn't "cause further embarrassment" to Starmer's party over his massive Epstein links.

In doing so, he has embarrassed Starmer over his massive Epstein links.

Mandelson exposing himself and Starmer

Mandelson's resignation only highlights the Brylcreemed blancmange's utter spinelessness - and Starmer's refusal to expose and inconvenience Israel. Starmer has frequently been challenged over why he would not remove both Mandelson's Labour membership and his peerage. On every occasion, he and his mouthpieces have dodged the question.

Now Mandelson has fallen on his (metaphorical) sword when Starmer should have mounted his (metaphorical) head on a (metaphorical) spike for his, at best, close alignment with a monstrous child rapist. The paedo's fan has acted more decisively than the supposed 'leader'.

Now that's embarrassing - and hugely revealing.

Featured image via the Canary

By Skwawkbox

While Western governments continue to provide political and military cover for Israel, within Western societies themselves, there are growing spaces for challenging the official narrative, led by independent artistic and cultural initiatives that redefine the victim and break down their reduction to numbers. In this context, art is no longer merely a symbolic expression, but a tool for moral questioning, bringing the tragedy of Gaza from the margins of the news to the heart of public consciousness. In New York City, one of the world's most influential cultural capitals, a huge artwork entitled 'Wall of Tears' has emerged, documenting the names of thousands of Palestinian children Israel has killed in the Gaza Strip, transforming them from numbers in military reports into an indelible human memory.

Names instead of numbers from Gaza on the Wall of Tears

On Grattan Street in Brooklyn, the wall was built approximately 15 metres long and three metres high, made of weather-resistant vinyl in a sandy colour that mimics the besieged land of Gaza. On its surface are written the names of 18,457 Palestinian children who were killed between 7 October 2023 and 19 July 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

The list begins with the name of 14-year-old Wissam Iyad Mohammed Abu Faisaf and ends with eight-year-old Sabah Omar Saad Al-Masri, arranged chronologically according to the date of their martyrdom, in a visual documentation that restores each child's name and age and refutes the description of 'collateral damage' promoted by the occupation machine.

The work is by American artist Phil Buehler, known for his politically charged art projects. In a statement to the Guardian, he said that from a distance, the wall 'looks like an abstract painting,' but it draws passers-by closer, before they discover that they are looking at the names of children killed in Gaza.

Art as a tool for accountability

The artist points out that reading the names, accompanied by selected photos and stories taken from press reports, forces the viewer to make comparisons and imagine their own children or family members in the same place, creating a human shock that transcends traditional political and media language.

The Wall of Tears is not an isolated initiative, but part of a clear artistic trajectory in Buehler's work, who has previously carried out projects such as The Wall of Lies, documenting false statements by US President Donald Trump, and The Wall of Shame about the 2021 storming of the US Capitol, as well as Empty Beds, which highlighted the abduction of Ukrainian children.

In this context, Buehler treats art as a tool for political and moral accountability, rather than as an aesthetic act detached from reality.

The work was carried out in collaboration with the non-profit organisation Radio Free Brooklyn. Buehler emphasises that the project was 'behind the times' even before its opening, as it documents the names of children only up to July 2025, while Israel continued to kill hundreds of children after that date, including during the period following the ceasefire agreement last October.

Hind Rajab: the memory that opens the wall

The opening of the wall coincided with the second anniversary of the martyrdom of the child Hind Rajab, who was shot dead by occupation soldiers inside a car carrying her and her relatives as they tried to reach a safe place on 29 January 2024. Her final cries for help became documented testimony, forming the basis of the film 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' by Tunisian director Kawthar Ben Hania, which has been nominated for prestigious international awards, including the Oscars and BAFTA.

The work comes amid heated political debate in New York, home to the largest Jewish community outside Israel. In this context, Buehler emphasised his rejection of the deliberate conflation of opposition to genocide in Gaza with anti-Semitism, arguing that this conflation is used to silence moral criticism and shut down any public discussion of the crimes committed.

Testimony on the Wall of Tears

The 'Wall of Tears' was not the only event in Brooklyn. Over the past few months, the city has witnessed other artistic initiatives in support of Gaza, most notably the non-profit exhibition space Recess hosting the American debut of the 'Gaza Biennial' under the title 'From Gaza to the World,' with the participation of 25 Palestinian artists.

The works on display documented life under bombardment, famine and displacement, affirming that Palestinian art continues despite war and siege.

The Gaza Biennial is an international art project that was launched in April 2024 on the initiative of artists from Gaza and the West Bank, with the participation of more than 50 artists, to transform art into an act of survival and resistance, and to redefine the artistic space in a time of extermination.

Thus, dismantling the Israeli narrative is no longer the exclusive domain of human rights reports or political statements. In the streets and on the walls of Western cities, art stands as a moral witness to a crime that the official world is trying to overlook, while the human conscience insists on fixing it in memory… name after name.

Featured image via the Canary

By Alaa Shamali

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has released a half-hour video with The Fraud author Paul Holden doing exactly the right thing.

Polanski on the money - again

Polanski asks "Who bought the Labour Party?" He and Holden then dissect the secrecy, dishonesty and dark-money tactics of Starmer and the faction that conned Labour members into voting for him. By hiding his real agenda, they then conned just enough of the electorate to get him into power. With a big, deep-state leg-up from 'Reform UK', of course.

The title of the show is Bold Politics and it's not mis-sold. This is exactly the kind of head-on, confrontational approach needed from a left leader in the era of fascist fake-news politics. The kind practised by Starmer no less than Reform. It's well worth a half hour to watch it:

Featured image via the Canary

By Skwawkbox

Although Gaza is only a few kilometres away from the rest of the world, its inhabitants live in suffocating isolation, controlled by decisions rather than borders. This isolation is measured by the permits granted or denied and by the gates opened and closed according to the balance of military power. The crossings, which were supposed to be lifelines, have been turned by Israel into tools of subjugation and collective punishment, through which it controls the movement of people and the flow of food, medicine and fuel, imposing a permanent siege on more than two million Palestinians.

Land and sea crossings are the only lifeline for the Gaza Strip, but they are directly or effectively controlled by Israel and used as a political and security bargaining chip, in clear violation of the principles of international humanitarian law. As the war continues, the closure of the crossings has become one of the main causes of the worsening famine, the collapse of the health system, and the disruption of the most basic necessities of daily life.

The Gaza Strip is connected to eight main land and sea crossings. Israel has complete control over seven of them, while the Rafah crossing - the only land crossing with Egypt - was outside Israel's formal control for a limited period before Israel imposed its de facto control and closed it completely in May 2024.

Rafah Crossing: the crossing to Gaza that Israel forcibly closed

The Rafah Crossing was the most important lifeline for the residents of the Strip, both for the passage of patients, students and travellers, and for the entry of humanitarian aid under specific arrangements. However, Israel's military control of it in May 2024 and its complete closure led to an almost total halt in transit, depriving thousands of patients and wounded people of treatment and disrupting the entry of aid, even though the crossing does not legally fall under Israeli sovereignty.

Karam Abu Salem Crossing: food under the knife

The Karam Abu Salem Crossing, southeast of the Strip, is Gaza's most important commercial gateway, through which the vast majority of food, medicine and aid shipments pass. However, Israel has complete control over the number of trucks, the type of goods and the timing of their entry, turning the crossing into a tool for political and humanitarian blackmail that is opened and closed according to Israeli calculations, not the needs of the population.

Al-Muntar Crossing: the disrupted artery of exports

The Al-Muntar Crossing is located east of Gaza City and was previously the main commercial crossing, equipped to accommodate about 220 trucks per day. However, it has been effectively removed from the export system and is now used only for limited imports, which has severely damaged the productive and industrial sectors and deepened the economic dependence of the sector.

Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: the closed gate for the people

In the northernmost part of the Strip is the Beit Hanoun Crossing, which before 2007 was the main crossing point for workers, traders and patients travelling to the West Bank and the occupied interior. Today, the crossing is under complete Israeli control and is almost permanently closed, cutting off geographical and human contact between Gaza and the rest of the Palestinian territories.

Gaza crossings closed or converted for military purposes

East of Rafah is the Al-Awda commercial crossing, which was previously used to bring in construction materials and goods, but has been closed since 2008 and is now abandoned.

The Al-Qarara crossing is located east of Khan Yunis. It is a disused crossing that is only used for Israeli military purposes related to field operations and incursions.

The Shuja'iyya crossing, east of Gaza City, is dedicated to the entry of fuel through special pipes and is used very limitedly. Any interruption in its operation leads to widespread paralysis, including hospitals, power stations and bakeries.

Zikim Crossing: aid under restrictions

Israel opened the Zikim Crossing in the north of the Strip in 2024, ostensibly to allow humanitarian aid to enter, but it is subject to strict controls and is opened irregularly and with limited capacity, making it unable to meet even minimum humanitarian needs.

Huge losses for Gaza

In addition to the land crossings, Israel imposes a suffocating naval blockade that prevents Gaza from exploiting its most important natural outlet. Economic studies indicate that an efficient seaport would reduce trade costs by about 25%, increase exports by more than 27%, and raise the sector's revenues by about $127 million annually. However, the blockade prevents this entirely.

According to United Nations estimates, the closure of the crossings has caused economic losses estimated at $17 billion over ten years, while Israeli control of the crossings has become a tool of comprehensive blockade, through which it controls food, medicine, fuel and freedom of movement.

Despite this, Egypt is often blamed for the closure of Gaza, while the reality is that the flow of aid is essentially halted by Israeli decisions, whether through direct closures or through restrictions on the entry of shipments even through the Kerem Shalom crossing.

Featured image via the Canary

By Alaa Shamali

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Sunday 1 February that any military attack by the United States on his country would lead to a regional war, warning that the repercussions of any confrontation would not be confined within Iran's borders.

Iran: regional war will follow if Trump attacks

Khamenei made the remarks in a speech addressed to the Iranian people from his residence in the capital Tehran, on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the victory of the Iranian Revolution, stressing that 'the Americans must realise that igniting war this time will lead to a comprehensive regional war.'

The Iranian leader stressed that his country would 'respond forcefully' to any aggression or harm directed against it, while emphasising that Tehran does not seek to start a war and does not intend to attack any country, according to his statement.

These statements come amid escalating regional tensions, with the United States intensifying its military build-up in the Middle East, coinciding with threats by US President Donald Trump to target Iran militarily.

In this context, Tehran believes that Washington is working, through economic sanctions, political pressure and the stirring up of internal unrest, to create justifications for foreign intervention with the aim of changing the regime. The Iranian authorities affirm that they will respond with a 'comprehensive and unprecedented response' to any attack targeting them, even if it is limited.

Nuclear weapons

With regard to the nuclear issue, the United States and Israel accuse Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, accusations that Tehran denies, asserting that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, including the generation of electricity.

Khamenei also addressed the recent wave of protests in the country, describing them as a 'coup attempt' that had been thwarted. He said that these events targeted 'sensitive and influential centres of the country's administration,' noting that the protesters attacked government and security institutions and Revolutionary Guard headquarters, as well as banks and mosques.

Iran witnessed widespread protests in late December 2025, which lasted for nearly two weeks, against the backdrop of a sharp decline in the value of the local currency and the worsening economic crisis. The protests began in the capital, Tehran, before spreading to a number of other cities, at a time when Iranian President Masoud Bazshkian acknowledged the existence of popular discontent and pledged to take steps to address the economic and living conditions.

Featured image via the Canary

By Alaa Shamali

The Israeli authorities have issued a decision to end the activities of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the Gaza Strip and to require it to leave the Strip by 28 February. It's a move that has raised widespread concerns among humanitarian and medical circles about the repercussions on civilians' access to life-saving healthcare, given the near-total collapse of the health system.

The Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Anti-Semitism justified the decision by citing the organisation's failure to provide lists of its Palestinian employees, an administrative measure that is now being imposed on a growing number of humanitarian organisations operating in the Strip. The ministry said that failure to comply with this requirement would result in the suspension of the humanitarian organisation's operations and force it to leave Gaza within the specified deadline.

MSF out of Gaza - leaving countless Palestinians in dire need

In response, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) denied these allegations and considered that the decision was part of a broader context of increasing pressure and smear campaigns targeting relief organisations operating in Gaza and the West Bank, with the aim of reducing their ability to provide medical services independently and impartially.

The organisation confirmed that its legal registration to work in Gaza and the West Bank expired on 1 January 2026 and that it would be forced to cease all operations by 1 March unless the decision was reconsidered. It warned that this move would deprive hundreds of thousands of civilians of medical care and water, noting that its services in Gaza alone serve about half a million people.

MSF explained that, over the past few months, it had sought to open channels of dialogue with the Israeli authorities to renew its registration and clarify the administrative requirements, confirming its willingness to cooperate to ensure the continuation of medical care, provided that clear guarantees were given to protect its staff and maintain its operational independence.

The organisation stated that on 23 January, it informed the Israeli authorities of its initial willingness to share limited information about its staff as an exceptional measure, on condition that it be used for administrative purposes only and that its employees not be exposed to any security risks. However, it confirmed that it had not received any concrete assurances in this regard, either regarding the safety of its staff or the cessation of smear campaigns targeting it.

Featured image via the Canary

By Alaa Shamali

Apex Legends developer Respawn said it's ending Nintendo Switch support for the game this summer, with the release of Season 30. After that point, it'll work with the Switch 2 and all other currently supported platforms, but not the original Switch. "Season 29 will be the final update for Apex Legends on Nintendo Switch," the team wrote in a post on X.

Hey legends, we want to share an important update about Apex Legends on the Nintendo Switch.

Season 29 will be the final update for Apex Legends on Nintendo Switch. Future seasons of Apex Legends will continue to be available on Nintendo Switch 2.

- Starting August 4, 2026…

— Apex Legends (@PlayApex) January 30, 2026

The change will take place on August 4, 2026, so Switch players still have several months left to enjoy Apex Legends on the console and make preparations for their shift to a different platform, if they plan to do so. "All players progress, purchases, and earnings are tied to their individual EA accounts," Respawn said. "Everything that has been earned or purchased, including Apex Coins and cosmetics, will carry over to Nintendo Switch 2, even if you purchase Nintendo Switch 2 after August 4, 2026." 

The Switch 2 undoubtedly offers a better playing experience for Apex Legends than the earlier model, but the news is still a blow for current Switch 1 players who didn't have plans of upgrading any time soon. Apex Legends first came to Switch in 2021, two years after the game's launch on other platforms.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/apex-legends-wont-be-playable-on-nintendo-switch-after-its-next-season-214153353.html?src=rss

This week in occupied Jerusalem, more than 1,000 people gathered together, in an attempt to break a new world record - the largest gathering of live kidney donors. The event marked 2,000 kidney donations in Israel, and was organised by the kidney donation charity Matnat Chaim.

Israel kidney donations: a "world record for humanity"?

Israeli occupation president, Isaac Herzog, told the 1000 donors gathered together for the event that the record was "a world record for humanity. A world record for solidarity. And a world record for the deep and full commitment to one another, the selfless, the deep love of life and of people that is so beautifully embodied in our nation."

But while the Israeli occupation brandishes itself as a humanitarian leader in organ donations, questions need to be asked about where this huge number of kidneys came from. Forensic evidence and human rights organisations reveal, beyond doubt, organ theft from Palestinians detained in the Israeli occupation's prisons and torture camps. Many bodies have been returned from 'Israeli' custody with signs of surgical cuts and chemical burns, and missing organs - hearts, corneas, lungs and kidneys.

Calls for an independent international investigation

Dr Munir al-Bursh, general director of Gaza's Health Ministry, says what is needed is not another record, but an independent international investigation to reveal the truth behind the numbers. He took to social media, saying:

The same authority the withholding Palestinian bodies for years, now boasts unprecedented "donation" figures. Did generosity appear overnight? Or are there silent bodies excluded from the celebration? The occupation has stolen organs from the bodies of Palestinian martyrs.

This is not emotion- it is testimony: Doctor's accounts, bodies returned incomplete, organs missing without medical, legal, or ethical explanation….We reject turning humanitarian values into propaganda, and we reject building achievements on Palestinian bodies- dead or alive.

According to Euro-Med Monitor human rights organisations, the Israeli occupation has recently made it lawful to hold dead Palestinian's bodies and steal their organs.

Pressure campaign by Zionist organisations around the world

Guinness World Records (GWR) has not accepted World Record submissions from Israel or the occupied territory since November 2023. Herzog described this decision as "flawed".

GWR rejected the occupation's initial attempt at breaking the world record.

But after a pressure campaign against it from Zionist organisations around the world, GWR has reversed its decision.

These organisations, which weaponise 'antisemitism' to achieve their goals, include UK Lawyers for Israel and a similar US organisation known as the Brandeis Center for Human Rights under the Law.

The previous record for "largest gathering of organ transplant donors" was set in Chicago in 2018, with 410 donors.

Featured image via the Canary

By Charlie Jaay

It's widely accepted that politicians lie.  But if you say they're all the same, you're incentivising a race to the bottom.  I like it when a politician gets caught in a lie.  It's a wakeup call to the others.

Politicians lie and lie and lie

Last week, I was a guest speaker at Paul Holden's The Fraud book tour, along with his colleague Andrew Feinstein.  Paul meticulously documents the undeclared donations, leaks, lies and smears behind the Starmer project.  How they used smears to discredit anyone who challenged them, in cahoots with client journalists.  He demonstrates that Starmer is just a cog in the wheel. There's a whole machine of dark money behind him.

Which led me to think: which do I hate most, the lies or the corruption?  Both, of course.  But if forced to pick, I think lies are more damaging.

Dante condemns the financially corrupt to the fourth circle of Hell.  It sticks in the craw that people like Robert Jenrick, one of the new ConForm party signings, got a £12,000 donation just 14 days after unlawfully letting the donor off a £40 million infrastructure contribution.

Or that Nigel 'Nine Jobs' Farage is making literally millions, including from telling people how to get dual citizenship to avoid paying UK tax.  He's not a patriot or a man of the people.  If you think he's on your side, wake up and smell the coffee.  He's on no one's side but his own.  And maybe Vladimir Putin's.  He knows which side his borscht is buttered.

But I can understand the drive to acquire material comfort.  In a culture where everyone is flipping their second home, it takes people of integrity to say no to making a few quid.  I set myself a rule.  I claimed no expenses in my entire time in office.  If I took someone out for a meal to lobby them on behalf of the North East, I paid for it myself.

DoubleThink

Dante condemns liars and deceivers to the deeper eighth circle of Hell.  Lies destroy communication itself.  The very thing that makes us human is the ability to share knowledge and consider things we have not witnessed.  From there stems empathy and understanding.  I'm human and fallible, but I always try to verify facts and check context.  It's educational, too.  A commitment to truth is a lifelong education.

George Orwell's 1984 is basically about the mutilation of truth.  The Party apparatchiks think in DoubleThink and CrimeStop.  Orwell describes them as protective stupidity.  By justifying their lies for some greater purpose, they are freed from guilt.  Party loyalty - and self-advancement - are more important.

DoubleThink becomes a habit. Once you have divorced yourself from the truth, it is easy to justify anything.  You cut corners.  Tell white lies.  And before you know it you are criminalising non-violent protest and selling arms to war criminals.  Objective reality is coherent, but their world of lies makes no sense, so they end up performing U-turn after U-turn.  Lies don't just make people dishonest.  They make them incompetent.

Imagine if we ran science as we run politics.  Where we did not check evidence and verify data.  Where we decided which inconvenient laws of physics to ignore when building bridges.  Even if we ran supermarkets that way - a store manager claiming there was loads of food on the shelves when plainly there's not.  They'd go bust in days.

Yet the truth will out.

The truth will out

Hillsborough.  Orgreave.  The Iraq dodgy dossier.  A surprising amount does come out.  WhatsApp VIP lanes.  MPs expenses scandals.  Wes Streeting's £372,000 bungs from private US healthcare firms.  Reform's Nathan Gill is in jail for taking Russian bribes.

The strategy of the liars is to delay it as much as possible.  To make sure any investigations occur after they've left office.  But investigative journalists and campaign groups like The Good Law Project are on to them.  So the liars spout distractions and smears like a squid squirting ink.  Paul Holden tells me he's gathering evidence on what laws the Starmer project broke.  The liars are trying to outrun the truth.

I was asked at the book event, "With all the lies, where is the hope?"

I said 82% of Britons think water should be in public ownership.  78% support a wealth tax.  Including 66% of millionaires.  75% of Britons support rent controls.  Including 44% of landlords.

For all the propaganda and dark-money funded think tanks, evidence intrudes on people's everyday lives.  The more we challenge lies, the stronger truth becomes.  Do not throw up your hands and say they're all the same.  We must incentivise truth and disincentivise lies.

A lie is halfway round the world before the truth has its shoes on.  If you want to trip up the liars and let the truth catch up, get yourself out door knocking in the Gorton and Denton by-election.  Or the upcoming council, Senedd and Holyrood elections.  If thousands of us go out just for a few hours each, we'll change the result.

Featured image via the Canary

By Jamie Driscoll

In a grim social media post, Sky News have said the following over the Epstein files:

Being mentioned in the Epstein files is not a sign of wrongdoing

— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 31, 2026

As people pointed out, this was entirely the wrong way of wording this.

And yet the tweet remains up.

What?

Sky News were actually responding to their own tweet:

Being mentioned in the Epstein files is not a sign of wrongdoing

— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 31, 2026

As we reported, the newly released files have just exposed that Peter Mandelson took tens of thousands of pounds from Epstein. They also exposed that Mandelson wanted the cash to be sent in smaller amounts - seemingly so he could avoid paying tax.

This is a sign of wrongdoing.

Richard Branson, meanwhile, was exposed for giving Epstein PR advice on how he could salvage his reputation post-sex crimes.

Morally, if nothing else, this is also a sign of wrongdoing.

Do you know who else was mentioned in the Epstein Files?

Jeffrey fucking Epstein.

Are there signs that he got up to any wrongdoing!?

Wordplay over Epstein

Here's how Sky News could have worded it:

'Being mentioned in the Epstein Files is not confirmation of criminal wrongdoing.'

They could also have just kept quiet.

If Peter Mandelson didn't want to get tarred with the brush of a convicted sex criminal, THEN PETER MANDELSON SHOULD NOT HAVE MAINTAINED A LONG TERM FRIENDSHIP WITH A CONVICTED SEX CRIMINAL.

Here's how other people responded:

https://t.co/uYGsXOxfEa pic.twitter.com/01wiX4P1ky

— The Agitator (@Agitate4Change) February 1, 2026

I've never seen a mainstream news channel tweet something like this. It's not a report or a quote. They're just telling the public how to interpret information. I'm not saying it's malicious or not, just new. Strange. https://t.co/WLUSpiGlso

— Nego (@NegoTrue) February 1, 2026

i don't know i think being named in a document relating to sex trafficking is pretty bad and i think it's also pretty bad that sky fucking news are tweeting this but hey nothing will come from it right https://t.co/XopViZARG0

— bryony (@bryonycdc) February 1, 2026

Why are they like this?

One of the key takeaways from the Epstein Files is that rich and influential people are all colluding in private to do unspeakable things. When Sky News posted the above, people didn't think 'maybe we should give Mandelson the benefit of the doubt'; they thought 'so Sky News are in on it too'.

And make no mistake; this widespread suspicion of institutions could be a positive development.

Because the first step towards throwing out the degenerate elites is acknowledging they exist.

Featured image via Sky News

By Willem Moore

This week, our first place winner on the insightful side is Raphael with a comment about Trump demanding billions from the IRS:

This reminds me, Trump loves to rant and rave about how poorly and dysfunctionally the countries of origin of many migrant to the USA are run, and how bad things look like there.

You know why those countries are so poorly run, Donald? You know why things are so bad there?

Because countries like that are usually run by people who love to pay out large amounts of public money to themselves. Because they're usually run by people who love to name everything after themselves. Because they're usually run by people who love to decorate everything in sight with lots of glittering gold. Because they're usually run by people who love to have their subordinates praise them to high Heaven all the time. Because they're usually run by people who let their armed goons do whatever they want. #

In short, because they're run by people like you.

In second place, it's dfbomb with a comment about calling what's happening by its proper name:

Minneapolis checking in.

They're still disappearing my neighbors.

They're still jumped up shits afraid of a city that cares for each other.

They're still doing ethnic cleansing.

They're still nazis.

For editor's choice on the insightful side, we start out with a comment from Heart of Dawn about Tom Homan's "look what you made us do" comments:

That's exactly how abusers talk. "Don't fight back. Its your own fault if I hurt you."

Next, it's MrWilson with a comment about right wing "comedy":

Right wingers don't tell jokes. Their humor is just disgust and dehumanization of out groups and implied threats, with a lol as punctuation.

Speaking of comedy, over on the funny side our first place winner is David with a theory about the Trump Phone's failure to materialize:

Probably camera problems

Test video recordings still don't match Kristi Noem's scene descriptions, and the phone keeps recording when it should have an unfortunate failure.

In second place, it's dfbomb again with another comment from Minneapolis:

Minneapolis would cordially like to invite Tom Homan outside for a game of "Hide and go fuck yourself."

Things were a little slow on the funny side this week, so we'll just do one editor's choice — an anonymous comment about a brief line in one of our posts where we described a document in case "you can't read it":

THAT'S LIBERAL BIAS!

That's all for this week, folks!

We may not have a concrete release date for the first foldable iPhone, but Apple may already be looking into a smaller device that will follow it up. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is exploring a "square, clamshell-style foldable phone," with the caveat that this potential device is "far from guaranteed to reach the market" and only "under consideration" right now.

If this eventually leads to a smaller foldable iPhone, that means Apple believes it can compete against existing options on the market, including Samsung's latest Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Motorola's revamped Razr foldable. Gurman's report also signaled that Apple may be very optimistic about the success of its first foldable iPhone, which is rumored to be released sometime later this year, and wants to have follow-up plans ready to capitalize on the potential demand generated.

It's not the first time that we've heard of a clamshell foldable iPhone, since a previous report from The Information revealed that Apple created prototypes in this form factor. On the other end of the spectrum, Gurman's Power On newsletter mentioned that Apple is considering a larger foldable that opens like a book. Previously, Gurman said that Apple considered a foldable that's more akin to the size of an iPad. However, the company ran into issues developing such a large device and may be delaying a potential launch to 2029, according to Gurman.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-is-already-thinking-about-its-second-foldable-iphone-and-it-may-be-a-clamshell-202312700.html?src=rss

Just like buying a new iPhone through Apple's online store, you now select each spec of your new Mac device when purchasing through the website. As first spotted by MacWorld, Apple updated its online configuration tool for purchasing a Mac. Compared to the previous design that allowed you to pick between several prebuilt options, the new configurator lets you choose one spec after another instead.

It's not a major difference compared to choosing between preconfigured options, but interested buyers have more customization since they can select the color, display, chip, memory, storage and even power adapter. The updated page also gives customers the option to add pre-installed apps, like Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro, to their new Mac.

The updated configuration design might hint towards the expected release of the upgraded MacBook Pros. According to MacWorld, there are rumors that Apple will offer the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips with more flexibility that lets you choose how many CPU and GPU cores you want. As reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the latest MacBook Pro could be queued up for a release alongside macOS 26.3, which has a release cycle between February and March.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/apples-online-store-now-lets-you-build-a-new-mac-exactly-the-way-you-want-190430251.html?src=rss

Grok is once again available in Indonesia, after the country lifted its ban on the AI chatbot that was seen generating millions of sexualized deepfakes, thousands of which included children. The country's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs released a statement earlier today, which said X is allowed to resume service in Indonesia but will be subject to monitoring for any future violations.

According to the Indonesian government agency, X provided a letter that detailed several implemented measures that prevent the misuse of its Grok chatbot. Alexander Sabar, the ministry's director general of digital space supervision, said in the statement that the agency will test the new measures on an ongoing basis and will ban Grok again if it's found spreading illegal content or violating the country's laws regarding children.

The issue dates back to earlier this year, when Indonesia, along with Malaysia and the Philippines, banned the AI chatbot after it was found producing sexually explicit deepfake images of women and children without their consent in response to user requests. Later that month, the Philippines lifted its ban on Grok, followed by Malaysia doing the same just a couple of days after. Similar to Indonesia, Malaysian authorities said they will continue to monitor Grok and threatened more enforcement actions if the AI chatbot repeats its past offenses. Beyond the bans, Grok is also facing investigations from California's attorney general and the UK's media regulator concerning the same issue.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/indonesia-is-lifting-its-ban-on-grok-but-with-some-conditions-175305634.html?src=rss

On 30 January, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) released the latest tranche of Epstein Files. As we reported, the release contained allegations that Trump is 'compromised' by Israel, and that he raped and beat a child. And that's just scratching the surface. All in all, then, this latest batch of files has been one of the most scandalous revelations of all time. Or, if you're the New York Times (NYT), it's simply old news:

The New York Times would like you to rest easy and know that the elite world outlined in the Epstein files doesn't really exist anymore! pic.twitter.com/CFcLYx70f0

— Mel (@Villgecrazylady) January 31, 2026

Epstein mates "all but gone", but not forgotten

"All but gone", the NYT says; "all but gone"!

Let's do a 'where are they now?', shall we?

• Donald J. Trump: Currently existing in relative obscurity as the president of the USA.
• Elon Musk: Sure, he's the richest man on this planet, but there are so many other planets out there.
• Israel: The hermit nation has kept itself to itself throughout its recent local wars of aggression.

Jokes aside, Peter Mandelson and Andrew Windsor have been kicked into something like obscurity, but that's because of previous Epstein releases.

People reacted to the NYT piece as follows:

A "bygone elite"? The central characters in this are the president and the world's richest man. pic.twitter.com/HnddGgKRvE

— Alan MacLeod (@AlanRMacLeod) February 1, 2026

And that isn't their only criticism:

The New York Times had a three-hour interview with Trump and didn't ask about Epstein. Today, the bombshell release of new files didn't make the front page.

So who the hell in NYT leadership or ownership was hanging out on the island and wants this to go away?

— Sam Youngman (@samyoungman) January 31, 2026

Problem papers

In October, Middle East Eye reported that 150 NYT contributors had pledged not to write for the outlet until it ends its bias against Palestinians. Their letter stated:

Until The New York Times takes accountability for its biased coverage and commits to truthfully and ethically reporting on the US-Israeli war on Gaza, any putative 'challenge' to the newsroom or the editorial board in the form of a first-person essay is, in effect, permission to continue this malpractice

Only by withholding our labor can we mount an effective challenge to the hegemonic authority that the Times has long used to launder the US and Israel's lies

Outlets like the NYT have the veneer of progressivism, but when it comes down to it, their primary objective is defending the status quo.

Featured image via Epstein Files

By Willem Moore

On 30 January, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) released the latest tranche of Epstein Files. As we reported, the release contained allegations Trump is 'compromised' by Israel, and that he raped and beat a child. Given that Jeffrey Epstein was running the world's most infamous grooming gang, you'd think Tommy Robinson would be all over this stuff given his track record. Instead, he's ignored pretty much everything besides this:

Jeffrey Epstein sent Peter Mandelson $75,000, Starmer made him US Ambassador, he's still in the House of Lords and still a member of Keir Starmer's Labour Party.

This is Mandelson at Epstein's home in his underpants.

It's a big club.

We must see arrests. pic.twitter.com/rRVgIg9pHr

— Tommy Robinson

The failing Conservatives are trying a new tactic against Reform, and it's to…

*DRUM ROLL*

…suggest that Farage and Co support the most popular policy position in the UK:

'So you're willing to make claims about Reform that you can't substantiate?'
@Lewis_Goodall challenges Tory MP Chris Philp's claim that Reform wants to 'nationalise everything that moves'. pic.twitter.com/KjkWi2AXdJ

— LBC (@LBC) February 1, 2026

If it moves, we can nationalise it (no, Reform did not say that)

In the video above, Toy Chris Philp says:

In their manifesto, the last election, they proposed nationalising everything that moved

A confused Lewis Goodall asked Philp:

apart from steel, what else did they want to nationalise that you disagree with?

Philp struggled to answer this, prompting Goodall to say:

Kemi Badenoch is saying that you're both parties on the right, on the radical right, really. So I'm just trying to understand ideologically… the differences between you

Once again, Philp had no answer when it came to nationalisation.

The yankification of the British right continues. Even copying their parties' tactic of accusing each other of being communists when neither could be more pro-capitalism if they tried. https://t.co/jI2QHqvoP8

— cez (@cezthesocialist) February 1, 2026

Here's the thing, though, the concept of nationalisation is actually incredibly popular in the UK:

Toryism is over

So, why is Philp arguing that Reform are in favour of this popular policy?

It's because these politicians never interact with normal people.

They have no idea what your or I think, and when they're pushed on any point, they immediately crumble.

For years the mainstream media carried them, but now the cracks in their ideology are beginning to tear the Tories apart.

Oh, and on a side note, 'Philp' is an incredibly unsatisfying word to say out loud or even look at. Visually it looks like a misspelling of 'Philip'; audibly it's the sound of dripping paint.

Featured image via LBC

By Willem Moore

In his interview with Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC, Labour cabinet minister Steve Reed appeared to shift the focus away from accountability, effectively casting doubt on Epstein's victims rather than centring the seriousness of the allegations themselves.

Instead of clearly prioritising the need to protect and believe those reporting harm, Reed's framing leaned toward cautioning against reputational damage and procedural concerns. Reed's desperate avoidance tactics risk reinforcing a familiar and harmful pattern in UK politics: scrutinising victims more closely than the powerful figures actually accused of abuse.

Likely for many, this exchange will have underscored how instinctively the political establishment closes ranks, even when doing so undermines trust and deters victims from speaking out.

Moments after he admits Lord Mandelson kept things from the govt prior to being appointed ambassador the US, Steve Reed is asked if Mandelson should be allowed to keep his peerage.

Reed invokes the victims to dodge answering the question. pic.twitter.com/MfVPaQJMqu

— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) February 1, 2026

Burden of reasonable doubt misplaced by Steve Reed

Reasonable doubt has long functioned in UK society as a shield for the powerful, and our patriarchal system has inevitably led to a place where 'compassionate' British society would rather blame victims than hold powerful, abusive men to account. Reed's behaviour reaffirms that misplaced priority by placing the burden of suspicion on tangible evidence released in the latest tranche of Epstein files in the US, instead of at the Labour peer.

Credible evidence has surfaced yet again showing very friendly ties between the Labour peer Peter Mandelson and disgraced paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Nevertheless, it appears Labour are continuing to be the most amateur and corrupted people in the room as Reed refuses to entertain the possibility that they are protecting a powerful paedophile.

Pressed by Kuenssberg on what was known by Starmer of the long-running ties between 'Petie' and Epstein, Reed appeared desperate to deflect from the substance of the issue, leaning instead on claims of complexity to shut down scrutiny of Mandelson:

Laura Kuenssberg: Did your government have any knowledge of Peter Madison's alleged financial links with Jeffrey Epstein?

Steve Reed: Of course not.

Kuenssberg: Of course not. Absolutely not.

Reed: I mean, you're talking about things that happened 20 years and more than 20 years ago. Of course, there was no knowledge about what's going on. I want to hear what happened just as much as you do, just as much as people watching this show.

Kuenssberg: But Lord Mandelson has said to us on the record a few weeks ago that he told Number 10 everything that there was to know when he was appointed as American ambassador. So is he not telling the truth?

Reed: Well, the reason he was removed as ambassador to the US is because there were things he had not disclosed. Now, I don't know how far that lack of disclosure goes. I think he should answer questions about his own life, not me.

Kuenssberg: Should he be allowed back into the House of Lords?

Reed: Well, again, we need to know exactly what's going on. It would be very easy for me to sit here and speculate. I think we're far better to stick to what happened, find out what happened. I mean, above all else for me comes the interest of the victims. They deserve to have a light shone on what's gone on so they can find closure.

Stop pretending you don't know

Mandelson's established ties should already be inexcusable in the eyes of the UK government. Yet the snail's pace of accountability suggests it would take the most damning and deplorable evidence for those in power to show even minimal discomfort with him. As Skwawkbox wrote in September last year:

Despite Epstein's 2008 conviction for paedophilia and the charges against him when he died in prison - with the US government claiming suicide and doctoring video evidence of the night of his death - Mandelson, who remains on the government payroll but may sue for wrongful dismissal, insists that Epstein was not a paedophile.

Now, an examination of court papers by a UK left-wing activist has confirmed that, according to evidence submitted in a 2023 court case, Mandelson remained close to Epstein three years after Epstein's first paedophilia conviction - close enough that Epstein continued to 'connect' high-powered bankers, including JP Morgan, with Mandelson along with the likes of Prince Andrew, Bill Gates, wanted Israeli war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu and others

Steve Reed struck a similar tone in his interview with Lewis Goodall on LBC.

Pressed by Goodall, he appeared more irritated that Mandelson's name kept resurfacing than genuinely disturbed by the serious possibility of traumatic sexual abuse against young girls. Rather than expressing concern for potential victims or genuinely acknowledging the gravity of the allegations, Reed's retorts inferred frustration with the media scrutiny itself.

Remarkably, Reed even suggested that because Mandelson is on a leave of absence and not doing any actual work in the House of Lords, he effectively does not hold a peerage at all. Goodall quickly challenged the logic, cutting through the semantic dodge:

'I hope he will reflect on what this image may or may not show.'
@Lewis_Goodall grills MP Steve Reed over whether Peter Mandelson should be 'stripped of his peerage' following the latest batch of Epstein files. pic.twitter.com/JaxzBozHpN

— LBC (@LBC) February 1, 2026

Absence isn't sufficient accountability

Steve Reed's lazy responses lay bare an instinct to protect Labour's most powerful figures. His subsequent interviews make it clear meaningful action by Starmer will be painfully slow against those with ties to a known and convicted sexual predator, like Mandelson.

In contrast to Reed's empty protestations and deflections, we at the Canary believe that victims' interests must always take precedence.

Mandelson must be made to forfeit all privileges and titles until formally cleared.

Strip Peter Mandelson of his peerage.

— Canary (@TheCanaryUK) February 1, 2026

Featured image via the Canary

By Maddison Wheeldon

Believe it or not, the laughably deluded Keir Starmer claims Britain is "turning a corner" in 2026.

"Renewal is becoming reality", he chirps in Cabinet meetings and New Year videos, all while desperately clutching at anything that isn't his plummeting approval ratings and a pair of tickets to a Taylor Swift gig.

I can only imagine a cabinet meeting with Starmer is much like reading those 'motivational' posters you might see hanging on the walls of a failing call centre.

Starmer is promising we will feel the difference in our pockets. Bills will drop, wages will soar, and unicorns will deliver free PlayStation consoles to anyone who was born before 1856, including Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Remember him? Reform UK has a raft of policies from the same era. How long will it be before the fascist fucks parachute the Brexit bullshitter into a winnable seat?

Worst. PM. Since. The. Last. One.

Keir Starmer's own personal approval — that makes Liz Truss look like a popularity contest winner — is the worst for any Prime Minister in half a century, and Labour's epically disastrous poll ratings have halved since their 2024 landslide.

Blocking NHS sell-off-merchant Andy Burnham from a by-election because heaven forbid, a more-popular rival gets near Westminster? Starmer's paranoia is showing through control-freakery.

MPs routinely whisper leadership challenges, Blairite Wes Screeching eyes the crown, and the fed up base is deserting in their disgruntled droves.

May's local elections loom like a guillotine. A brutal Scotland wipeout is incoming, again, and councils are in revolt. But sure, this is the year of "national renewal", according to the Labour spinners, if by renewal they mean replacing Starmer before he drags the Labour Party into third or fourth placed oblivion.

NHS waiting lists? Still a nightmare. Violent crime? Not exactly plummeting. Cost of living? The number-one issue, yet people are feeling squeezed harder thanks to Labour's unbelievably poor fiscal choices — and they are choices, not necessity.

Starmer's "turning the corner" spiel is peak political gaslighting.

Slapping around slogans

How many shiny slogans can you slap over a government that's broken down, out of fuel, and blocking the road? The only corner being turned is the one where voters are queuing up to abandon Labour's sinking ship for Reform's racist chaos or the Greens' actual ideas that might just benefit ordinary people like us.

The populists on both wings of the political spectrum are ready to gleefully feast on the rotting carcass that Labour has left behind, and it is time, in my humble opinion, for Labour voters with a conscience (they do exist) to throw their voice and their vote behind Zack Polanski's Green Party at the Gorton and Denton by-election, and extend that support to May's locals.

Why? To stop Reform from winning the former Labour stronghold at the end of February, and to maximise left representation across the country in May. Not exactly controversial stuff for anyone with an iota of common sense and a bit of integrity.

Now, some diehard Labourites will insist that only they, the hugely unpopular Labour Party can defeat Reform in Gorton and Denton, and that is a demonstrable lie which goes back to my last point regarding common sense and integrity.

This isn't just about electoral arithmetic, it's a frontline battle in the class war against Starmer's tepid, hug-a-hedge-fund Labour. The austerity-lite policies, the shameful Gaza complicity, and the failure to deliver on promises like a genuine Green New Deal should leave Gorton and Denton ripe for a Polanski picking.

A victory for Reform UK (they're the people that you booted-out of government in 2024) would undoubtedly put a smile on the faces of the elite, but a win for the Green Party would be a delicious, seismic rebuke to the establishment.

Polanski win = Starmer rebuke

The last time I checked, Green Party membership was approaching 190,000. If utilised correctly, Polanski has one hell of a ground force, many of whom pounded the streets and banged on doors for Jeremy Corbyn.

And if we are going to talk about electoral arithmetic, the numbers scream opportunity for the Greens.

Under charismatic leader Zack Polanski — elected in September 2025 — the Greens have surged nationally by four points to 13.5%, closing in on Labour's dismal 18.6%.

In Gorton and Denton specifically, Britain Predicts/New Statesman polling shows Labour at 29%, Reform at 27%, and Greens at 24% — a razor-thin three-way race where a little bit of tactical voting could swing it.

Furthermore, even the Mail on Sunday's analysis, hardly known for its raging Marxism, predicts a Green upset, citing polling data and Labour's dramatic collapse under the leadership of Keir Starmer.

These are the fruits of Labour's self-sabotage, and I urge Labour supporters to do the right thing and give your vote to Polanski's Greens.

The Greens are rightly framing this as a Greens vs Reform showdown, positioning themselves as the anti-fascist bulwark against far-right demagogue Matt Goodwin (Reform's candidate, a hard-right 'academic').

In a world burning from climate crisis and inequality, Gorton and Denton could spark the modern day revolution we so desperately need.

Victory

A Green victory in Gorton and Denton isn't going to be easy. Labour still has the machine and the money, and Reform still has the anti-immigration rhetoric that tends to strike a chord with a certain type of racist.

While the Greens undoubtedly have the momentum, they haven't ever won a northern by-election. But every single hurdle is surmountable through mobilisation and an historic upset is absolutely achievable.

So here's to turning the corner with Labour, everyone.

May it be sharp, painful, and lead straight to the Greens actually doing something useful.

Featured image via the Canary

By Rachael Swindon

On 30 January, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) released the latest tranche of Epstein Files. As we reported, the release contained allegations Trump is 'compromised' by Israel, and that he raped and beat a child. Now, some of Trump's most diehard MAGA supporters are publicly denouncing him:

MAGA fans are abandoning Trump after the new Epstein files were released. pic.twitter.com/zFu6uHO0Mv

— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) January 31, 2026

MAGA Vs Trump

Trisha Hope is a Texas delegate and activist who campaigns for the Jan 6th rioters. She's now saying things like this:

President Trump is compromised by Israel, this certainly explains his behavior. I don't see how he stays in office. pic.twitter.com/4jKvs2cKo0

— Trisha Hope - National Delegate-TX (@JustTheTweets17) January 31, 2026

Ryan Garcia is a professional boxer who supported Trump:

Boxer Ryan Garcia, who endorsed Trump and enthusiastically promoted him, has now rescinded his support after the new Epstein files dropped. pic.twitter.com/q8TZRrMOIK

— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) January 31, 2026

This isn't just a Twitter MAGA phenomenon either. Under Trump, the Republicans are now so toxic they're losing IN TEXAS:

Democrats didn't just see a 30-point shift in Texas and flip a State Senate seat red to blue: they did it while being outspent 20-to-1. This will send shockwaves through the Republican Party. pic.twitter.com/2UQI4v8Bls

— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) February 1, 2026

Lame duck

While Trump's links to Epstein are the most attention-grabbing scandal, it's not the only area where he's failing. The ICE killings in Minnesota are incredibly unpopular; as is Trump's general handling of the economy:

Brutal new NYT/Siena poll for Trump: -16 net approval and only 32% of voters say the country is better off than it was a year ago.

He's underwater on all the issues:
-17 on immigration
-18 on the economy
-19 on foreign relations
-29 on the cost of living
-44 on the Epstein files pic.twitter.com/gqpy4iKYf3

— Sarah Longwell (@SarahLongwell25) January 22, 2026

Clearly, the MAGA people surrounding Trump want him to turn America in the Fourth Reich. They're going to struggle to drum up enough support to make that happen, however, because Americans don't see him as their Fuhrer; they see him as a bumbling paedophile who can't do anything right.

Featured image via RawPixel

By Willem Moore

On 30 January, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) released the latest tranche of Epstein Files. As we reported, the release contained allegations Trump is 'compromised' by Israel, and that he raped and beat a child. Additional emails have shown that the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein may have seen Tony Blair as key to his future schemes:

Blair and Epstein

The 'aaramco' mentioned in the above is almost certainly 'Aramco' - the Saudi Arabian Oil Company; the 'jpm' mentioned is almost certainly 'J.P. Morgan', the investment bank. As people have highlighted, we already knew about the links between Blair and JP Morgan, and indeed between JP Morgan and Epstein:

Forget Andy and Mandy. The story should be about Jes Staley, Jamie Dimon, JP Morgan and Tony Blair. JP Morgan was Epstein's banker, the mechanism through which he sheltered the massive amounts of money he moved around the world. BBC will instead show Andy on the floor ad nauseam. https://t.co/YqfLr2Uv4C pic.twitter.com/P5aDydrMg0

— Ben Tomeo (@TomeoBen) January 31, 2026

The above isn't the only mention that Blair received in the latest Epstein Files release:

Jeffrey Epstein's cellmate told the FBI that Epstein was involved in "an orgy with Tony Blair" during his interview with law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/TfM5eudMVP

— Eyup Lovely (@eyuplovely) January 31, 2026

Cover up?

There are also accusations that Blair covered for paedophiles during his time in office in the latest Epstein Files. One email sent to the FBI contained the following quote:

Tony Blair is reported to have blocked the exposure of famous names in Law, business and politics, including some in his own cabinet, during the police investigation into paedophile Internet activity known as Operation Ore, which came out of the FBI investigation in the United States called
Operation Avalanche. Neither convicted any of the big fish - as usual.

The figures in Operation Ore were enormous: 7,250 suspects identified, 4,283 homes searched, 3,744 arrests, 1,848 charged, 1, 451 convictions, 493 cautioned; 1449 children removed from suspected dangerous situations. But still no major names in the paedophile-infested elite levels of society. Operation Avalanche in the US produced 35,0070 Internet records, but only 100 charges.

It's unclear who this quote is from, but Operation Ore was indeed a real investigation.

In 2014, the Mirror reported:

One of Tony Blair's ministers was among a group of men suspected of sexually abusing children at a home run by a convicted paedophile.

But the probe was halted soon after an ex-social services boss told police of his alleged evening visits in the early 1980s.

Official documents seen by the Daily Mirror during a 16-month investigation reveal former residents told detectives that a group of paedophiles attacked children in a private flat in the home.

But two former Lambeth social services employees involved in the case suspect a cover-up because experienced detective Clive Driscoll was removed from the investigation and given other duties.

Dr Nigel Goldie was the local council leader in charge of child protection in 1998. He told the Mirror:

There were some allegations that ­children were being abused by one or two prominent persons.

There were a lot of very senior people trying to put a lid on it. There was ­something very unfortunate about the way the whole thing was dealt with.

A spokesperson from Blair refused to comment on the Mirror article.

Featured image via Epstein Files

By Willem Moore