https://www.theepochtimes.com/infographic-key-revelations-of-the-twitter-files_4986669.html
To get around paywall
https://cdn.epoch.cloud/infographics/Infographic_Twitter_Files_TheEpochTimes_v2_2.jpg
Use link to make bigger
92 charged in bust targeting migrant smugglers in Bulgaria
Bulgarian authorities targeted a number of criminal networks active along the Balkan route
On 16 January, Europol supported Bulgarian authorities during a large-scale action day against organised crime groups involved in migrant smuggling. The activities, coordinated by the Bulgarian Public Prosecutor and involving the General Directorate for Combating Organised Crime, the National Police and the Border Police, targeted criminal networks active along the Balkan route. The Bulgarian investigations were also coordinated with the Turkish and the Serbian authorities and other partner agencies.
The action day on 16 January led to:
92 persons charged
624 locations checked
4 202 vehicles checked
7 019 persons checked
Up to EUR 10 000 to cross Bulgaria
The joint actions took place across Bulgaria and focused on a number of networks smuggling migrants from Türkiye, via Bulgaria, to Serbia and then Western Europe. The main organisers of the networks active along this route are based in Bulgaria, Serbia and Türkiye. They have created their own national networks of members responsible for the transport and accommodation in their respective countries.
The main modes of transportation used by the smugglers were vans, campers and buses. The prices for the full smuggling service in larger groups varied between EUR 2 000 and 3 000 per person. If the migrants were smuggled in a smaller group of 5-6 people, the payments were reaching up to EUR 10 000. Payments for the full trip would be made after the main organiser from Türkiye had confirmed that the migrants had reached the Bulgarian-Serbian border.
Increased migratory pressure on the Bulgarian – Turkish border
Bulgarian authorities have reported an increase in migrant smuggling activities on their southern border. In August 2022 an incident, which involved a bus transporting irregular migrants, led to the death of two police officers on duty. Later the same year, an officer from Bulgaria’s Border Police was shot dead during regular patrol at the green border with Türkiye. These incidents suggest an increase of both the smuggling activities and the violence of the involved criminal networks.
At the end of last year, Europol increased its support for Bulgarian authorities with the deployment of dedicated analyst. On the action day, 16 January, Europol deployed an expert to Sofia to provide real-time analytical support and cross-check operational information against Europol’s databases.
https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-press/newsroom/news/92-charged-in-bust-targeting-migrant-smugglers-in-bulgaria
Military Contractor Pleads Guilty to Bid Rigging
A Texas military contractor pleaded guilty on Jan. 12 to rigging bids on public military contracts in the state of Texas.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/military-contractor-pleads-guilty-bid-rigging
DAVOS WATCH: USA climate envoy John Kerry claims that the WEF globalists are the "select group of human beings” touched by something at some point in their lives that caused them to have a savior complex
He calls the experience “extra terrestrial” #wef23
https://twitter.com/DrewHLive/status/1615316501275480067
Fiji's government summons top military commander Major General Jone Kalouniwai over critical statement
Fiji's government has summoned the country's top military commander after he issued an extraordinary statement raising concerns about the "ambition and speed" of changes being made by the new government.
Earlier on Tuesday, Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Major General Jone Kalouniwai warned that the government was taking "shortcuts that circumvent the relevant processes and procedures" which could lead to "long-term national security consequences", although he did not provide any specific details.
Commander Kalouniwai's statement also highlighted the military's "guardian role" in the constitution, which he claimed was to ensure "excesses [of power] of the past are not repeated".
Not long after issuing the statement, the commander was summoned to meet with Fiji's Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua.
Going into the meeting, Commander Kalouniwai said "no" when journalists asked if he had any plans to seize power.
On his way from the meeting, he gave the same assurance. When he was asked if he had a message for the public, the commander said the minister would issue a statement.
But his intervention has already stirred anxiety in Fiji, where the military has repeatedly seized power in recent decades.
Pio Tikoduadua said he'd raised "concerns" with the commander about his statement, but the two men had now reached an understanding.
Mr Tikoduadua also said the commander had given him assurances that he supported the government and would not make any further public statements criticising its actions.
"We have agreed on a new beginning, and I would like to reassure people in Fiji and the region that our relationship is good" he told journalists.
"The commander has assured [me] this is the last time he will be making public utterances like that."
"I trust the commander to do the right thing. Fiji needs us to work together. We want to reassure the people that the relationship between the government … and the army is on a good note."
When he was asked exactly what triggered the dispute, Mr Tikoduadua said the commander was concerned that the government's plan to ensure sacked Fiji Airways and Air Terminal Services staff can return to work might undermine court orders.
He also suggested the commander was worried by the government's plan to reshuffle the top echelons of the country's diplomatic corps.
Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said he was not concerned about Commander Kalouniwai's statement and that his government was on good terms with the military.
"The commander was reacting to something the minister was reported to have said … I've asked the minister responsible for defence to speak to the commander and assure him that the government will abide by the rule of law," he said.
But Mr Rabuka would not be drawn on what triggered Commander Kalouniwai's reaction, and urged Fijians not to worry.
"Relax … they should not be worried," he said.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-17/fijian-military-criticises-government-changes-in-statement/101864236
Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger sells signed copies of Jan 6th report for $100
"The attack was the culmination of a plot organized and driven by a defeated president, attempting to remain in power through a complex web of deceit, intimidation, and violence."
January 6 Committee member and Never-Trumper Adam Kinzinger is selling signed copies of the committee's 845-page final report for $100.
The description for the item reads, "On January 6, 2021, the United States came perilously close to losing its democracy. A mob instigated by the president of the United States violently attacked the Capitol Building in Washington, DC, seeking to disrupt the certification of the electors in the presidential election and prevent the peaceful transfer of power for the first time in American history."
It continues: "The attack was the culmination of a plot organized and driven by a defeated president, attempting to remain in power through a complex web of deceit, intimidation, and violence. This is the official report of the investigation into the attack-perhaps the most vital congressional investigation in American history-with exhibits, and witness testimony."
The report, which can be purchased for $100 but found for free on the internet, can also be purchased with a signed Kinzinger hat for just $60.
Kinzinger, a former Republican congressman from Illinois, had previously mocked Donald Trump Jr. for his endorsement of "We the People" bibles.
“Oh the irony. The fact that some Christians dont see the problem here is more affirmation that it’s not the GOP that has failed Christians, it’s the church,” Kinzinger tweeted. “Good Pastors and Priests rise up and call this out.”
https://thepostmillennial.com/former-congressman-adam-kinzinger-sells-signed-copies-of-jan-6th-report-for-100
Menstrual cycle tracking app: 'We aim to support everyone with periods - regardless of gender'
An app designed to build "a better future for female health" by helping women track their menstrual cycles now claims that menstruation is not an exclusively female experience.
When a user complained on Twitter that Flo — a tracking app that claims to help you "know your body, own your health" — permitted men into "secret chats" about topics related to menstruation, Flo replied, "We aim to support everyone with periods - regardless of gender," followed by a pride flag and a "trans" flag emoji.
A quick scan of the Flo website reveals that the Flo organization embraces woke gender ideology, perhaps even more so than gynecological health. Flo asserts, "Our global community of women, girls and people who menstruate is growing every day," in the same paragraph where it vows to promote the "overlooked, undervalued and underfunded" field of "female health."
Later on that same page, it then belies the claim to focus exclusively on "female health" and instead pays homage to the woke notions of "diversity and inclusion":
Flo is on a mission to build a better future for female health, an area of healthcare that has been underlooked and underserved. But we also want to build a better and more inclusive future for all people who menstruate.
Flo also dedicates an entire subsection of its so-called "health library" to "LGBTWQ+." Article topics currently posted to that section of the site cover a range of issues, including lesbian sex toys, in vitro fertilization, and "trans period." The article about "trans period" offers ways to help "trans and non-binary" people "navigate" their periods, and ostensibly to assure readers that its contents can be trusted, the article was "medically reviewed" by a "sex therapist" with a master of arts degree.
On Monday, BlazeTV host Allie Beth Stuckey took Flo to task for permitting men into spaces that ought to be reserved for women only. "'Trans women' don't have periods," Stuckey noted. After that comment, Flo blocked Stuckey. But Stuckey was undeterred. She took a screenshot of Flo's Twitter behaviors and warned other potential Flo users, "Flo period tracker defended allowing men who identify as women on their apps, taking part in chats with women sharing intimate details about their bodies."
https://www.theblaze.com/news/menstrual-cycle-tracking-app-we-aim-to-support-everyone-with-periods-regardless-of-gender
Milley holds first meeting with Ukrainian military chief near Polish border
While Ukraine has thus far staved off further Russian encroachment, the Kremlin appears prepared to wage a long war.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley met on Tuesday with Ukrainian Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the nation's top military official, for the first time since the onset of the Russian invasion.
The pair met within the borders of Poland at an undisclosed location, according to The Hill. A spokesperson for Milley said the pair "discussed the unprovoked and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and exchanged perspectives and assessments" and noted that "[t]he Chairman reaffirmed unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Zaluzhnyi, meanwhile, indicated that the pair discussed the needs of Ukraine's military to carry on the fight.
The two commanders' first face-to-face meeting comes amid a major shakeup in the Russian military leadership. Russian President Vladimir Putin last week reassigned his senior commander, Sergey Surovikin, in favor of Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov. Moreover, it comes as the U.S. ramps up its delivery of military aid to Kyiv.
The situation in Ukraine's east has deteriorated somewhat, with Russian forces claiming control of the Donetsk city of Soledar, potentially threatening the Ukrainian position in Bakhmut where intense fighting has been ongoing for months.
While Ukraine has thus far staved off further Russian encroachment, the Kremlin appears prepared to wage a long war, announcing plans on Tuesday to expand the military to 1.5 million troops, per the outlet.
https://justthenews.com/world/europe/milley-holds-first-meeting-ukrainian-military-chief-near-polish-border
Trump responds to backlash for view pro-life candidates, voters need exceptions on abortion to win
Abortion became a major issue in the midterms after the Supreme Court in June 2022 struck down Roe v. Wade
Former President Trump said that if pro-life candidates and their voters want to win elections they'll have to make some exceptions for abortion.
"I think without exception that Ronald Reagan, myself and others – (and) probably most of us – believe in exception because if you don't have it, I think it's very, very hard, frankly, to get elected," Trump said Monday on "The Water Cooler" show on the Real America's Voice TV network.
Trump's comment was in response to a question from show host David Brody about the former president's New Year's Day social media post about how he thought GOP midterm candidates mishandled the abortion issue, which resulted in backlash from pro-life, or anti-abortion, voters.
Abortion became a major issue in the midterms after the Supreme Court in June 2022 struck down Roe v. Wade, ending roughly four decades of women having the constitutional right to have an abortion.
Democrats then argued on the campaign trail that electing a Republican could effectively result in a nationwide, no exception ban on abortion since the high court returned the matter to the states.
Trump said in his Jan. 1 post on Truth Social: "It wasn’t my fault that the Republicans didn’t live up to expectations in the midterms. It was the 'abortion issue' poorly handled by many Republicans, especially those that firmly insisted on No Exceptions, even in the case of Rape, Incest, or Life of the Mother, that lost large numbers of Voters."
The former president said in response to Brody's question: "With that being said, you have to go with your heart. You have to go with what you feel. But when you have rape, incest and the life of the mother, I think that's something that a lot of people happen to agree with. I don't want to force anybody to do it. I think it's much harder to win elections."
Among those that took issue with Trump's view was Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, the group whose stated mission is to "end abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders."
The group said one day after Trump's social media post: "The approach to winning on abortion in federal races, proven for a decade is this: state clearly the ambitious consensus pro-life position and contrast that with the extreme view of Democrat opponents. We look forward to hearing that position fully articulated by Mr. Trump and all presidential candidates."
https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/all-things-trump/trump-says-without-exceptions-abortion-its-hard-pro-lifers-win
Keep voting in rigged elections and put killing babies back on the to do list - WTF