Geopolitics
In a recent development, U.S. prosecutors have revealed that several right-wing influencers, including Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Benny Johnson, unknowingly worked for a media company that was allegedly a front for a Russian influence operation. This company, reportedly funded by Russian state media employees, aimed to amplify U.S. domestic divisions and weaken opposition to Russian interests, such as the war in Ukraine. The indictment charges two RT employees with conspiracy to commit money laundering and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The influencers, who have millions of followers, were purportedly unaware of the true source of their funding. This case highlights the opaque nature of influencer funding and the potential for foreign influence in U.S. elections.
Simultaneously, the Justice Department has disrupted another covert Russian influence operation known as “Doppelganger.” This operation involved 32 internet domains spreading Russian propaganda to reduce international support for Ukraine and influence elections, including the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. The operation used cybersquatted domains to mimic legitimate news websites and create unique media brands to disseminate false information. The U.S. Treasury Department has designated 10 individuals and two entities involved in the operation, following earlier sanctions announced in March. This underscores ongoing efforts to protect democratic processes from foreign influence.
Economy
In the corporate world, the impact of leadership without technical expertise has come under scrutiny. A recent article discusses the cases of Paul Otellini at Intel, James McNerney at Boeing, and Nobuyuki Idei at Sony, whose decisions reportedly led to significant declines in their respective companies. These leaders, lacking engineering backgrounds, made strategic choices that prioritized profit over innovation, resulting in long-term stagnation and decline. The piece suggests a new approach to executive training that emphasizes creating value through specialization and innovation, contrasting with the profit-driven models of “shareholder capitalism” and “stakeholder capitalism.”
Health
Meanwhile, Michael Laufer and the Four Thieves Vinegar Collective continue their mission to make life-saving pharmaceuticals accessible to those who can’t afford them. At a recent Hackers on Planet Earth (HOPE) conference, Laufer distributed homemade EpiPens and Daraprim, highlighting the high costs of these drugs. The collective develops DIY medical technologies and publishes instructions online, enabling people to create essential drugs at a fraction of the cost. Despite legal and regulatory challenges, Four Thieves prioritizes harm reduction and aims to produce drugs for orphan diseases, challenging the pharmaceutical industry’s profit-driven model.
Energy & Politics
In other news, armed Venezuelan gangs, particularly the Tren de Aragua, are reportedly active in areas in the U.S., including the northern Denver suburb of Aurora and other sanctuary cities. These gangs, originating from Cuba and Venezuela, are involved in violent crimes and thefts of critical infrastructure elements like oil and diesel fuel. A Texas-based oil and gas company issued a memo warning employees about increased organized criminal activity. The situation is complicated by policies in sanctuary cities that prevent reporting illegal immigrants, raising questions about national security and the current administration’s handling of the issue.
Lastly, Trump’s new plan to support American families and the economy has been outlined, focusing on reducing regulations, embracing future industries like crypto and Bitcoin, and creating a government efficiency task force led by Elon Musk. The plan includes making Trump tax cuts permanent, eliminating taxes on tips and Social Security benefits, and further reducing taxes to stimulate economic growth. Emphasizing American manufacturing, the proposal includes expanded R&D tax credits, 100% bonus depreciation, and a reduction in the corporate tax rate for companies that produce in the U.S. Companies outsourcing jobs will face substantial tariffs, with the overarching message to prioritize American-made products and prevent wealth and jobs from being sent overseas.
Sources
Right-Wing Influencers Unwittingly Worked for Russian Front, U.S. Prosecutors Say
Right-wing influencers were duped to work for Russian operation, US says
Source | Submitted by Mysterymet
Justice Department Seizes 32 Russian Domains in Crackdown on Election Interference
“Today’s disruption sends a clear message to our adversaries: we will not tolerate foreign efforts to influence our elections,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia.
Source | Submitted by Mysterymet
US Government Files Criminal Charges, Seizes Domains in Russian Election Interference Case
US government announces criminal charges, seizure of internet domains arising from Russian effort to influence election
Source | Submitted by Mysterymet
How Non-Engineers Led Intel, Boeing, and Sony to Miss Their Marks
“It is remarkable that three modern-day high-tech companies, at the tops of very different fields, all made catastrophic strategic errors apparently as soon as they put outsiders to the company’s technical tradition of knowledge in charge.”
Source | Submitted by Redneck Engineer
The Anarchist Pharmacists: DIY Medicine Makers Challenge Big Pharma
By freely distributing plans for medical devices and pharmaceuticals, a loose collective of anarchists and hackers is threatening to pull the rug out from under one of the most regulated and profitable industries in the world.
Source | Submitted by Shplad
Armed Venezuelan Gangs Threaten America’s Top Oil Field Amid Border Policy Criticism
Armed illegal alien gangs are now posing a threat to critical energy infrastructure in the Permian Basin.
Source | Submitted by bcoop
Trump Unveils Ambitious Economic Plan with Elon Musk at the Helm
Instead of attacking industries of the future, we will embrace them, including making America the world capital for crypto and Bitcoin.
Source | Submitted by Mavryk
by redneck-engineer 
