➡️ ICYMI: “The ‘Peace Conference’ in Switzerland is Basically an Alignment for War, Latin America Wants Peace” – Colombian President Gustavo Petro

@RiseGS

📈Global Defense Firms Hiring at Fastest Rate in Decades amid Record Orders

Three of the largest US contractors - Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics - have close to 6,000 job openings they need to fill.

Companies that produce ammunition, notably Rheinmetall and Nammo, which have had to increase output significantly to replenish government stockpiles, are among those with the most aggressive hiring plans. 

One particular challenge for the industry is that some roles require additional security clearances. RTX, which owns missile and sensor maker Raytheon, said earlier this year that it was “continuing to experience challenges hiring highly qualified personnel including engineers, skilled labourers, and security clearance holders.”

@RiseGS

🇺🇦 A surprising report by the BBC highlights the lack of manpower Ukraine is facing, the ruthless methods of Ukrainian recruitment officers, and the prevalence of draft dodging.

Ukraine has continually dismissed these claims, labeling them as Russian propaganda. They even said that videos of people being dragged off the streets are filmed in Russia.

🔴 @DDGeopolitics

🔴Greek Coastguard ‘Threw Migrants to Their Death’ (BBC)

The Greek coastguard drowned nine migrants after throwing them overboard and caused dozens more to die over the past three years, an investigation has found.

Greece has long been accused of illegal forced returns of migrants hoping to reach Europe back towards Turkey. Some 41,561 migrants arrived in Greece last year out of 263,048 sea arrivals in Europe.

The Greek coastguard strongly rejected all accusations of illegal activities when the claims were put to it by the BBC.

@RiseGS

👁 ICYMI: German Nazis Police Brutally Detain Pro-Palestinian Protesters Opposing Berlin’s Enabling, Arming of Israel’s Genocide in Gaza

But Germany and other NATO countries tell their citizens they need to risk WWIII with Russia and China because ‘democracy is at stake.’ 🤥

@RiseGS

🤔 FAA Launches Investigation after Boeing 737 MAX 8 Drops ‘Within 400FT’ of Pacific Ocean

The Southwest Airlines jet plunged at a maximum descent rate of about 4,400ft per minute off the coast of Hawaii before climbing back up to safety on April 11.

It had been flying between cities from Honolulu to Lihue airport in Kauai, but bad weather conditions prompted pilots to bypass a landing attempt.

During the go-around the first officer "inadvertently pushed forward on the control column while following thrust lever movement commanded by the autothrottle,” Reuters reported.

The action sent the aircraft dangerously close to hitting the Pacific Ocean.

@RiseGS

🇨🇳 China Expanding Nuclear Arsenal ‘Faster Than Any Other Country’

Beijing could have as many intercontinental ballistic missiles as the US or Russia by the end of the decade, according to an annual report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

China now has at least 500 nuclear warheads, up from 410 a year ago, the Swedish-based think tank focused on conflict and arms control revealed.

For the first time, China has likely begun deploying a small number of them – estimated to be around 24 – on high operational alert, ready for launch at a moment’s notice, the Monday report added.

By January 2024, the US and Russia had amassed 3,708 and 4,380 nuclear warheads respectively, accounting for the majority of the global total of just over 12,000 weapons.

@RiseGS

🔥 EU leaders fail to agree on Ursula von der Leyen’s second term

Von der Leyen has yet to secure another stint as European Commission president despite assurances from Macron and Scholz in recent days that they were nearing a deal. (Politico)

EU leaders will now reconvene in Brussels on June 27-28, hoping to find agreement on the bloc’s leaders before a vote by the European Parliament slated for mid-July.

@RiseGS

⚠️ ICYMI: Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman calls for Netanyahu to be held responsible for Israel’s crimes against Palestinians

He also demanded an end to the illegal occupation and the recognition of the “State of Palestine” with the 1967 border and Jerusalem as its capital.

@RiseGS

⚠️ Prof Jeffrey Sachs: "What we're seeing is exactly Ukraine becoming the Afghanistan of Europe"

“There’s an incredible destruction of Ukrainian society underway right now.

The few people in charge on the Ukrainian side and the very few people that are in charge on the American side – because they’re running this whole war – are really fighting to the last Ukrainian.”

@RiseGS

➡️ IDF Had Intel of Hamas Preparations for 250 Hostages, Three Weeks Before Oct 7

Israeli intelligence was aware Hamas had plans for mass kidnapping, a report written in September last year has revealed. (Kann)

A series of training drills were conducted by elite Hamas units - practicing raids on Israeli military outposts and kibbutzim, as well as the abduction of soldiers and civilians. They also practiced how to hold hostages, and to keep them in the Gaza Strip, the document from Sept 19 stated.

Despite all the intel, the most extreme scenario for which the IDF Gaza Division was prepared before Oct 7 was that of the infiltration of dozens of terrorists in only three locations.

Did Israel’s leaders choose to ignore the warnings?

@RiseGS

🥱Did Biden Fall Asleep While Andrea Bocelli Sang ‘Nessun Dorma’ – Translation: ‘None Shall Sleep’ - at the G7?

There’s a reason people call him ‘Sleepy Joe!’

@RiseGS