DOGE

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is an initiative by the second Trump administration within the federal government with the stated objective to modernize information technology, maximize productivity and efficiency, and cut wasteful spending. It emerged from discussions between Donald Trump and Elon Musk in 2024, and was officially established by Executive Order 14158 on January 20, 2025.

In the year 49 BCE, the Roman Senate declared Julius Caesar the enemy of the people of Rome (hostis publicus).

An Enemy of the People (original Norwegian title: En folkefiende) is an 1882 play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen that explores the conflict between personal integrity and societal norms. The play centers on Dr. Thomas Stockmann, who discovers a serious contamination issue in his town's new spas, endangering public health. His courageous decision to expose this truth brings severe backlash from local leaders, including his brother Peter Stockmann, who is a powerful political figure in the town.

Set against the backdrop of a community grappling with economic and environmental concerns, the play highlights the often harsh consequences faced by those who challenge established systems. Ibsen’s depiction of this struggle emphasizes the tension between truth and expediency. The character of Peter Stockmann is based on Ibsen’s own uncle, Christian Cornelius Paus, whose political influence and authoritative role in Ibsen's hometown of Skien parallel those of Peter in the play. Ibsen himself was uncertain about the play's classification, noting in a letter to his publisher that it contained both comedic and serious elements, reflecting his complex view of the protagonist's moral stance. This exploration of moral and societal conflict follows Ibsen’s earlier work, Ghosts, which faced similar criticism for its bold critique of societal norm

"childfree" law is propaganda for childlessness

I once said that foreign agents, which introduce foreign words, are representatives of the media. These new words that we suddenly start hearing, they are from advertising, from TV shows. At a meeting of the State Duma a law is passed, and we hear that This is a "childfree" law. This is propaganda for childlessness - that's what we should say..

And everyone starts to rummage around and look, what kind of word is this? And the question arises, why did journalists use it? Because they wanted to make a mark somehow? Therefore, I believe that the purity of the Russian language and the correctness of the Russian language should be, first of all, in the media,” he said.

The phrase "Lilli‐Burlero Bullen‐a‐la!" comes from the 17th-century English political song Lillibullero, which was popular during the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The phrase itself doesn't have a direct English translation—it is more of a rhythmic refrain rather than meaningful words. Some historians believe it may have been intended to mimic Irish-sounding speech or serve as a chant.

The song satirized the appointment of Richard Talbot, Earl of Tyrconnell, as Lord Deputy of Ireland, and it became widely sung by supporters of William of Orange

In 1686, Thomas, Lord Wharton composed lyrics for Purcell's tune. The rakish Wharton was satirizing King James II's appointment of Richard Talbot, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell as Lord Deputy of Ireland. Wharton's conceit is a sarcastic conversation between two Irishmen about the imminent arrival of the Catholic Talbot, and its dire implications for the Protestants.:  "Lilliburlero" (with -rl) was the watchword used by Irish Catholics during the Irish Rebellion of 1641

seven breathless days of diplomatic hurly burly -  

семи захватывающих дней дипломатической суматохи

A treated image showing Donald Trump pointing and some globes showing different parts of the world

Trump's frantic week of peace brokering hints at what he really wants
After seven breathless days of diplomatic hurly burly, we have a clearer idea of the US president's global ideology - and the limits of his 'art of a deal'.

The phrase "if you stare into it long enough, it starts to stare back" is a paraphrase of Nietzsche's famous quote, "If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you." This quote suggests that when one confronts deep truths or dark aspects of existence, they may inadvertently adopt those characteristics.

Nietzsche warns that fighting against evil can lead to one becoming like the very thing they oppose, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and caution

Russia is expected to begin a self-declared three-day pause in fighting against Ukraine on Wednesday night, in a move derided by many Ukrainians and described by President Volodymyr Zelensky as little more than a "theatrical show".

Russia's Vladimir Putin proposed the three-day ceasefire to coincide with the anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe – a public holiday in Russia on Friday known as Victory Day.

But in doing so Putin has rejected a much more substantial proposal from the Trump administration for a 30-day ceasefire and negotiations – a proposal that was accepted by Ukraine.

Zelensky has in turn rejected Russia's unilateral three-day ceasefire and said that Ukraine will not guarantee the safety of a celebratory military parade in Moscow's Red Square on 9 May.

]he central paradox of financial crises is that what feels just and fair is the opposite of what’s required for a just and fair outcome.”
— Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner,
The New York Times, November 5, 2011

Sober analysis of the current stand-off over Ukraine tells us we are in a deep mess, worse than people tend to recognize. The events playing out now are bigger than Ukraine (even though, as we explain elsewhere, Ukraine is important to Russia). Both Russia and the West are deeply committed to broader objectives that seem fundamentally irreconcilable. There are no easy solutions to the crisis. Finding a way out is going to be long, costly, and messy, and the best final outcome is likely to feel unsatisfactory. In this regard, the remarks by Timothy Geithner quoted above are relevant. They are even more appropriate because Russia, through its current actions in Ukraine, has exposed the post-Cold War order in Europe as the geopolitical equivalent of a financial bubble. We have enjoyed two decades of benefits from this order. But we did so under the illusion that it was nearly costless. Now we are finding out that there is a bill to pay. To understand this metaphor, we need to examine how the crisis developed.

T

Benefits from the sell-out

No Ukrainian payback to US

Trump has previously demanded that Ukraine pay back the $350bn (£264bn) of aid that he claims has been provided by the US during the war - a condition that Zelensky rejected.

Tougher tone from US towards Putin

The language used by the US in announcing the deal is notably harsher towards Russia than is usually the case from the Trump administration.

The agreement refers to "Russia's full-scale invasion" and the US Treasury Department adds that "no state or person who financed or supplied the Russian war machine will be allowed to benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine".

This will hearten Kyiv, which has demanded more pressure be placed on Russia in talks between Moscow and Washington discussing a possible ceasefire.

https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-envoys-embrace-russian-demands-worries-republicans-us-allies-2025-04-11/

Witkoff first publicly floated the idea of handing over to Russia the four Ukrainian regions - Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson - in the March 21 interview with Carlson.

“They’re Russian-speaking,” he said of the eastern territories. “There have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule.”

1. Witkoff’s comments shocked many U.S. national security officials - the special envoy’s rhetoric mirrored that of Russian officials. Western governments have called the hastily organized referendum votes a sham and pledged not to recognize their results.

Just a few days after the Carlson interview, the Wall Street Journal, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, published an op-ed titled “Steve Witkoff Takes the Kremlin’s Side.”

Democrats have weighed in, too.

“Witkoff and Trump have committed a cardinal sin of diplomacy: they have put their desperation for a deal on full display,” said Ned Price, a former spokesperson for the State Department under President Joe Biden.

Witkoff has plenty of defenders within the administration, who say he has been unfairly maligned by foreign policy officials who hold hawkish views in a Republican Party that has increasingly renounced foreign intervention. Witkoff and Trump still maintain a strong personal relationship, according to multiple people familiar with their relationship.

“Special Envoy Witkoff has brought a wealth of private sector negotiating experience and urgency to the diplomatic stage and we’re already seeing results in just a few weeks,” National Security Adviser Mike Waltz told the Hill in a statement.