oleh admin | Mar 25, 2025 | journalism, national security, news, news media, politics
The
A journalist was added to a group chat.
Involving multiple key Cabinet members from Donald Trump’s administration who were allegedly part of discussions about war strategies have rebutted Pete Hegseth’s strong dismissal of these reports.
Jeffrey Goldberg, who serves as the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, stunned everyone with his disclosure on Monday when he unexpectedly found himself
incorporated into a discussion on Signal, an encrypted messaging platform
.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz initiated the conversation, which involved users identified as Vice President Vance and Secretary of State.
Marco Rubio
, Defense Secretary
Pete Hegseth
Director of National Intelligence
Tulsi Gabbard
, a CIA spokesperson, Trump adviser Stephen Miller and
White House
Head of Staff Susie Wiles.
Goldberg talked to CNN on Monday evening, disclosing that the conversation involved ‘assault strategies,’ specific sites, and details about those targeted along with the order of attacks against the Houthis, outlining the sequence of assaults.
Hegseth refutes the narrative
was ‘a lie.’
“No, that’s not true. He was sending texts about battle strategies and assault tactics instead. The messages included details on which targets would be hit, methods of attack, individuals present at those locations, and timings for subsequent strikes,” he stated.
The defense secretary made his debut appearance following the publication of the story, shortly after returning from a flight.
Hawaii
, criticized Goldberg much like former President Donald Trump did.
slammed his magazine
.
‘So you are talking about a deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist who has made a profession of peddling hoaxes, time and time again.’
He mentioned several articles that The Atlantic has published.
Trump
‘s alleged connections to
Russia
,
His remarks about ‘really nice individuals’
after the
Charlottesville
riots being misinterpreted and misrepresented
The supposed remarks about ‘losers and suckers.’
Regarding soldiers who lost their lives in warfare.
“This is someone who deals with trash. That’s his business,” Hegseth added.
He commended U.S. forces engaged in combat against the Houthis in Yemen and denounced the Biden administration’s actions regarding the situation.
A journalist inquired of Hegseth, “Why were those specifics disclosed via Signal?”
Hegseth responded, “I’m aware of how it has been described. No one was sending texts with war strategies, and that’s everything I want to comment on this matter.”
When contacted for comments, a spokesperson from the Pentagon informed LIFEHACK: “We have nothing additional to share beyond what the Secretary has mentioned.”
Goldberg also mentioned that there were additional details he chose not to release because they were highly significant, overly technical, and he feared that making this information public might pose risks to the safety of U.S. military personnel.
He painted the picture of himself sitting in a supermarket parking lot as he observed the conversation unfolding.
They executed a military strategy through a messaging application without knowing all participants involved, which clearly demonstrates a laughable lapse in security. Notice how he failed to address the query directly?
He stated: “Their purpose is to maintain all these discussions at a higher level, the classified level, which is why they possess such systems.”
The editor mentions that he has no clue about who might have invited him to join the chat and is also unaware of the person they intended to invite.
‘What were the odds of inviting the editor of The Atlantic to join your conversation? How did that happen?’
Goldberg also expressed feelings of ‘genuine anxiety and anger’ regarding the ‘carelessness’ exhibited by those involved.
Keep in mind that American servicemen were directly implicated in this assault. This was not merely about long-range weaponry launched from thousands of miles away. You understand, you can’t simply release such details and expect everything to turn out fine.
Goldberg quipped that those involved should consider themselves “fortunate they didn’t mistakenly send this to a Houthi or a foreign diplomat, or someone with access to their phone records; perhaps that counts as a silver lining.”
He mentioned that throughout this time, nobody from the team ever doubted his position within the group chat or reached out after he decided to leave.
“It’s a degree of lack of curiosity, perhaps putting it mildly; what I’m really referring to is a reckless attitude that I haven’t encountered in my extensive career covering national security,” he stated.
When contacted for commentary, a spokesperson from the Pentagon informed LIFEHACK: “We have nothing further to add besides what was mentioned by the Secretary.”
Goldberg was equally astonished to witness
JD Vance disagrees with the president.
, distancing himself from Trump and also casting doubt on his understanding of the topic.
“I doubt the president realizes how contradictory this is with his current stance on Europe. Additionally, there’s a significant danger of witnessing a moderate to severe increase in oil prices,” Vance noted.
‘There is a genuine danger that people might not grasp this concept or see its necessity. The most compelling argument for taking this action is, as the President stated, to convey a clear message,’ Mr. Vance proceeded with his explanation.
Goldberg said that essentially, the person has informed the whole cabinet that he opposes the president’s choice and furthermore believes that the president lacks understanding of the matter.
CNN
.
‘It sounds quite serious; he believes the president hasn’t grasped the outcomes and implications. This revelation was both enlightening and intriguing,’ he commented.
Vance added: ‘I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself. But there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is, etc.’
Goldberg established the context for the startling exposé by verifying that he hadn’t received any previous invitation to insider information about the American security apparatus.
“As might be obvious, but I will state it nonetheless, I have never received an invitation to attend a White House principals committee meeting. Furthermore, during my extensive career covering issues related to national security, I have never come across such a meeting being called due to concerns about a commercial messaging application,” he wrote.
The Atlantic.
The startling narrative unveils how operational specifics were inadvertently disclosed. Defense Secretary Hegseth, who previously served as
Fox News
The host is currently under scrutiny due to significant failures.
Goldberg mentioned that ‘Pete Hegseth, who serves as the Secretary of Defense, sent me the battle strategy via text at 11:44 a.m.’ The airstrikes began in Yemen shortly after 2 p.m.
Trump told reporters at the White House he hadn’t seen The Atlantic story: ‘I don’t know anything about it. I’m not a big fan of the Atlantic. It’s to me, it’s a magazine that’s going out of business.’
When questioned regarding the Signal chat, Trump stated: “It must not have been too effective since the assault proved quite successful. Let me assure you that I am not familiar with this matter. This is the first I’ve heard of it.”
Goldberg recounted the strange story, initially expressing doubt regarding the text message exchange, wondering if it was authentic. He later confirmed its validity as “the bombs began dropping.”
He acknowledges that he was astonished by the notion that the National Security Adviser to the President would be so careless as to involve the Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic in conversations with high-ranking US officials, all the way up to the Vice President.
The reporter showed up as ‘JG’ in the chat. It remains uncertain whom Waltz intended to include, but Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, shares the same initials, leading to speculations that he might have been the intended person.
Goldberg chose not to share all details during the conversation, invoking reasons of national security.
The White House showed faith in Waltz.
As President Trump stated, the strikes against the Houthis have proven to be highly successful and effective. President Trump remains committed.
possess complete faith in his national security staff, which includes National Security Advisor Mike Waltz
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in an official release.
The National Security Council verified that the conversation was genuine.
At her daily press briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce informed journalists: “We won’t provide any comments on this matter; instead, please reach out to the White House for further information.”
If accurate, this represents a shocking security lapse.
Trump
authorized attacks on the Iran-supported rebels in Yemen as a message to Tehran.
The Houthi insurgents were aiming at vessels navigating the Red Sea that hailed from nations connected to Israel, such as the United States and Britain.
Waltz initiated the principles group on Signal for coordination purposes, calling it the ‘Houthi PC small group.’
Goldberg expressed reservations upon being included, confessing that he feared the text message exchange might be part of a ‘disinformation campaign.’
However, as he observed the messages passing by, he realized that the content seemed authentic, and several specifics aligned correctly.
For instance, the account tagged as Vance sent a message stating he would skip a meeting since he had to attend an economic event in Michigan. As expected, the vice president was present in Michigan on that particular day.
That’s when Vance also voiced his concerns regarding the operation.
Vance’s report raised alarms regarding the scheduling of the suggested mission, cautioning that it could lead to a surge in oil prices.
Hegseth replied that he grasped the situation: “VP: I comprehend your worries — and completely endorse you bringing them up with POTUS. There are several critical factors to consider, many of which are difficult to predict their outcomes (such as economic impacts, resolving the conflict in Ukraine, situations in Gaza, among others). Regardless of the approach, I believe the communication strategy will face significant challenges.”
Following some conversation, Vance agrees: “If you believe we should proceed, then let’s do it. I simply dislike having to rescue Europe once more.”
Goldberg, observing the conversation unfold on his Signal app, confessed he was ‘puzzled that nobody in the group appeared to be aware of me being there.’
He mentions that he chose to withhold certain details from a long passage penned by Hegseth, as these pieces of information—if accessed by enemies of the United States—might potentially be exploited to endanger American military and intelligence officers.
What I want to highlight to demonstrate the alarming carelessness of this Signal conversation is that the Hegseth posting included specific operational plans for upcoming attacks in Yemen,” Goldberg explained. “This entailed details such as target locations, types of weaponry the U.S. intended to use, and the sequence of assaults.
The guidelines outlined in the chat addressed Hegseth’s concerns, though.
“I shall offer a prayer for triumph,” Vance penned down.
Goldberg observes that two additional users later included prayer emojis.
If the conversation had been real, explosions would have started hitting locations in Yemen at 1:45 PM Eastern Time. In this scenario, Goldberg waited in his car at a supermarket parking lot.
If this Signal conversation was indeed genuine, I deduced that Houthi targets would swiftly come under attack. Around 1:55, I looked at X and searched for news from Yemen. It turned out explosions were echoing throughout Sanaa, the nation’s capital.
When Goldberg rejoined the group chat, he discovered an abundance of emojis and messages filled with congratulations circulating within the conversation.
Waltz replied using three emojis: a closed fist, an American flag, and flames.
Susie Wiles commented: ‘Congratulations to everyone – with extra praise for those in theater and at CENTCOM! Truly excellent. God bless.’
Steve Witkow showed his sentiment using five emojis: two praying hands, one flexed bicep, and two American flags.
Goldberg stated that he chose to leave the group chat himself and immediately reached out to those involved to inquire about the situation.
Brian Hughes, spokesperson for the National Security Council, addressed the individual and verified that the conversation was indeed genuine.
This seems to be a genuine message trail, and we are examining how an unintended figure got included,” Hughes stated. “This exchange highlights the extensive and meticulous policy collaboration among high-ranking officials. The continuous effectiveness of the Houthi initiative indicates that there weren’t any risks posed to personnel or national safety.
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oleh admin | Mar 25, 2025 | business, economic policy, economics, politics, politics and government
-
David Koch states that energy bill subsidies ought to be subject to income testing.
-
EXPLORE FURTHER: Key insights into reducing your energy costs
David Koch
has criticized Labor’s proposal to provide energy bill rebates to all Australian households, insisting that these benefits should be limited to those who are most vulnerable.
Prime Minister
Anthony Albanese
He has justified extending the $150 energy bill rebate to even the wealthiest families and approximately one million small enterprises instead of implementing a means test.
Mr. Albanese revealed the decision on Sunday following an estimate from the Australian Energy Regulator that suggested household electricity costs were set to soar dramatically.
up to nine percent for inhabitants in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria starting in July
.
Compare the Market economic director and former Sunrise host David Koch said limiting the rebates to battlers would see them receive bigger rebates, while reducing the $1.8billion that taxpayers are being slugged to fund it.
“For certain individuals, $150 might just be spending money for a vacation, whereas for others, it could provide groceries for the entire week and ensure their family has sufficient food,” he explained.
Through implementing a means test, the government could allocate an even greater share of that $1.8 billion directly to those who require it most urgently.
I don’t require an energy rebate, but I would greatly appreciate seeing those funds allocated to someone who truly needs them.
Starting from July 1, both households and eligible enterprises will receive an automatic deduction of $150 on their quarterly utility bills. The government plans to transfer the total sum directly to electric power providers as reimbursement for this reduction.
The rebate is not as substantial as its $300 antecedent which was applicable starting midway through 2024.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics suggested that the earlier subsidy had decreased what power consumers paid by approximately 25 percent.
On Tuesday, Mr. Albanese supported the rebate, stating that making it means-tested would limit eligibility solely to welfare recipients.
“We have two choices due to how the rebate system functions,” he stated to ABC Radio National on Tuesday.
‘You could distribute these exclusively to those receiving welfare benefits, or alternatively, offer them to every Australian.’
‘We aim to ensure that these benefits reach working Australians facing financial strain due to rising living costs. It’s much more effective to distribute aid in a manner ensuring each Australian household gets this assistance, as they truly deserve it.’
Mr. Koch dismissed that claim, stating that working individuals receive child care subsidies, and similar assistance for electricity costs could function in the same manner.
‘Subsidies for childcare are based on income levels. I fail to understand why we can’t use the same household-income criteria in this case,” he stated.
The amount of childcare support one receives is determined by calculating a percentage based on their household income.
Families earning less than $83,280 qualify for 90 percent of the eligible child care subsidies, with this percentage decreasing by one point for each extra $5,000 earned until reaching an income of $533,280.
Various other subsidies are accessible to individuals who do not receive welfare benefits in Australia, such asrebates forprivatehealthinsurance.
Alison Reeve, the Deputy Program Director for Energy and Climate Change at the Grattan Institute, informed Daily Mail Australia that neither of the proposals offered a win-win solution.
‘David Koch is correct that $150 means more to people on lower incomes than on higher incomes,’ she said.
We are aware that individuals with lower incomes dedicate a larger portion of their budget to energy costs compared to higher-income families, as they lack additional funds to invest in options that could reduce expenses over time (such as solar panels and batteries, or transitioning from gas to electric systems).
However, the Prime Minister is right in pointing out that not all individuals with a low income are getting financial assistance from the government.
‘To put it differently, if your aim is to assist low-income families, you must choose between accepting that some will not receive support at all (following Kochie’s method) or acknowledging that some may end up receiving more than they should (as per the PM’s strategy).’
Independent Senator Jacquie Lambie additionally advocated for more focused energy rebates.
‘I wonder what I need $150 for? Such a waste of cash,’ she said to Sky News.
“Why am I receiving that money, mate? Well, honestly speaking, I’d prefer for my $150 to grow to $300 when passed on to the next person who’s struggling even more,” she said to Sky News on Monday.
Not subjecting programs to means testing and just spending taxpayer dollars as though they were a pack of candies is utterly disgraceful.
With an election looming, the Coalition said it ‘won’t stand in the way’ of another round of rebates.
However it said handing over public money to electricity retailers was an unsustainable short-term measure that did nothing to address the root cause of why Australia has very expensive power despite vast supplies of coal, oil and gas.
In the long run, Mr. Dutton has pledged to reinstate the previous Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s ‘gas-powered revival’ strategy and plans to invest in two nuclear power stations by 2037 and seven by 2050.
The labor party plans to keep investing in renewable energy sources and encourage private investments through its Future Made in Australia initiative.
Following three years of energy bill assistance payments, Ms. Reeve stated that the rationale for continuing them had become invalid.
‘The policy might have been justifiable during the initial year as it allowed for rapid implementation in reaction to an abrupt surge in prices,’ she stated.
However, both the government and the opposition have been granted an extra two years to develop solutions that would protect customers from unexpected billing surprises—such as assisting households in upgrading their appliances, adding ceiling insulation, moving away from natural gas usage, or installing rooftop solar panels.
If they had invested that money in assisting those who need it most—namely low-income families and tenants—we might not require future assistance with bills. However, it appears that both parties are trapped in a pattern of continuous financial giveaways.
The discussion about energy represents the most recent frontline in the continuous maneuvering before the budget announcement, as Treasurer Jim Chalmers gears up.
To present Tuesday’s federal budget, where the Albanese government is expected to enter a deficit for the first time.
Even though they have returned to operating at a loss, Dr. Chalmers continues to stress the government’s commitment to ‘fiscally responsible governance.’
Australia’s total gross national debt has reached an all-time high of $940 billion for the fiscal year 2024/25. However, this figure is $177 billion lower than what was predicted back in 2022.
“We are reducing the debt accumulated under the Liberals, and the budget will demonstrate that this is saving taxpayers tens of billions of dollars,” Dr. Chalmers stated.
‘In monetary terms, Labor’s fiscally responsible leadership has resulted in the largest budget improvement within a parliamentary term ever recorded.’
Before the Budget announcement, Angus Taylor, the opposition’s treasury spokesperson, criticized the government for alleged inefficient expenditure and described their actions as an attempt to increase taxes.
Meanwhile, Mr. Taylor warned that escalating living costs and growing debts could lead to a ‘decade of lost opportunities for Australian families.’
“At present, according to the latest budget or rather the previous one, our aim was not to return to the earlier standard of living experienced during our time in office with the Coalition government until 2030 or even later,” he stated.
This will mark a lost decade for households in Australia.
‘Thus, the initial challenge for this budget is to swiftly reinstate our standard of living and return to the path of prosperity for Australians that we have traditionally experienced in this nation.’
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oleh admin | Mar 25, 2025 | local news, public health and safety, safety, security, tourists
On Monday, police in Hanoi carried out an unexpected check, compelling numerous visitors, both foreign and domestic, to vacate the well-known Train Street because of security issues.
When they spotted law enforcement, numerous café proprietors near the railway swiftly took down their tables and chairs and shut down their operations.
The head of Traffic Police Team Number One mentioned that despite numerous warnings from officials, breaches of railway traffic safety rules persisted at the Train Street, leading to potential hazards for traffic incidents.
Over the next period, law enforcement officials will rigorously implement rules, especially in the area stretching from Phung Hung to Le Duan.
Train Street, flanked by improvised cafés mere steps away from the rails.
Old Quarter
It was formally shut down in September 2022 because of safety concerns.
Even with barricades and checkpoints at both entrances of Tran Phu and Phung Hung streets, numerous cafés remain open, drawing big groups predominantly made up of international visitors, particularly during weekends.
Hundreds of people gather at the site to capture images of the moving trains, prompting tourism experts to encourage the authorities to transform this spot into an official tourist destination instead of considering prohibitive measures.
Nguyen Anh Tuan, a tour guide who focuses on incoming tourists in Hanoi, mentioned that because stores alongside the train tracks stay operational, numerous international visitors still come daily.
“As soon as the authorities show up, stores shut down and patrons scatter. After they depart, things go back to usual,” Tuan mentioned additionally.
Earlier this month, the Hanoi Department of Tourism asked travel agencies to cease arranging visits to Train Street because of increasing safety worries.
oleh admin | Mar 25, 2025 | air travel, air travel safety, aviation, civil aviation, safety
Starting April 7th, passengers traveling with domestic carriers will no longer be allowed to use power banks for charging electronic devices mid-flight, as per new rules issued by the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) on Monday.
[F]rom April 7 onwards, local carriers must ensure that their passengers do not utilize power banks for charging portable electronics or for recharging themselves during flights,” stated the CAD in a press release issued on Monday. “Additionally, storing power banks in overhead bins will be strictly forbidden as of this same date.
This follows a fire that erupted at an
An Air Busan aircraft experienced an incident during takeoff on January 28.
At South Korea’s Gimhae International Airport, the aircraft was about to take off for Hong Kong when everyone onboard was safely disembarked. Seven people sustained injuries during this process. Preliminary inquiries indicate that a portable power bank might have detonated inside an overhead storage bin.
For many years, airlines have prohibited lithium-ion batteries from being checked as baggage. Some carriers have recently extended this ban to include these batteries even when carried onboard or stored in overhead compartments.
“For all inquiries, travelers are encouraged to verify with the respective airlines regarding the most recent regulations prior to their departure,” the CAD stated on Monday.
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oleh admin | Mar 25, 2025 | politics, politics and government, public policy, tourists, Travel
Within a matter of weeks, the prospects for U.S. tourism have darkened due to several policy choices made by President Donald Trump. These policies have upset certain international travelers and raised concerns about rising costs along with an anticipated increase in the value of the dollar.
The arrival of foreign travelers to the United States is anticipated to decrease by 5.1% in 2025 relative to the previous year, contrasting with an earlier forecast for an 8.8% rise, according to a report released by Tourism Economics at the end of last month.
It is anticipated that their spending will decrease by 10.9%.
Following the release of the report, “the circumstances have worsened additionally,” and the consequences may turn out to be more severe, according to Adam Sacks, President of Tourism Economics, who attributed this development to “the impact of negative sentiment toward the U.S.”
Over the past few weeks, the Trump administration has imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China—and has also considered imposing them on the European Union. Additionally, a comprehensive strategy to restrict immigration has been stepped up.
Government agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development have faced significant cuts, resulting in layoffs of numerous public servants ranging from lawyers to park rangers. Additionally, Trump has proposed contentious strategies regarding the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
“Trump Administration policies and rhetoric, which have caused division, may deter people from traveling to the United States,” stated Tourism Economics, a branch of Oxford Economics.
“Certain groups might experience pressure to refrain from organizing events within the United States or sending staff members to the country, which would reduce business-related travel,” the statement continued.
According to the World Tourism Forum Institute, a combination of strict immigration measures, a robust US dollar, and worldwide geopolitical strains could substantially impact international visitors, potentially altering the country’s tourism industry for an extended period.
Among residents of 16 European and Asian countries surveyed by YouGov in December, 35% of respondents said they were less likely to come to the United States under Trump, while 22% were more likely.
For tourists from France, Uzbekistan, and Argentina interviewed by
AFP
in New York’s Times Square, Trump’s stance has not upended their plans.
Marianela Lopez and Ailen Hadjikovakis, both 33, nevertheless used their European passports rather than their Argentine ones to avoid any problems at the border.
“We were a bit scared about the situation, but we didn’t change our plans,” said Lopez.
The Lagardere family, who came from France, said it hadn’t impacted their plans either.
The Americans “elected this president. It’s democracy. If they’re not happy, they’ll change it in four years,” said Laurent Lagardere, 54.
“He remains himself” and steering clear of the United States “will not make a difference,” Lagardere said.
According to the National Travel and Tourism Office, approximately 77.7 million international visitors were anticipated for 2024, marking an increase of 17% compared to the previous year; however, they do not have the finalized data from the prior year yet.
Visitors from Western Europe–accounting for 37% of all tourists in 2024–are the most prone to opt for alternative locations, as are Canadians and Mexicans.
In early February, the U.S. Travel Association cautioned that new customs tariffs could discourage Canadian visitors, who represent the biggest group of international travelers to the United States, totaling 20.4 million people in 2024.
Statistics Canada reports that the number of Canadians coming back from the U.S. dropped by 23% in February compared to the previous year, marking the second month in a row with a decrease.
In New York, which welcomed 12.9 million foreign travelers in 2024, the effect is already noticeable, with Canadians canceling tour bookings and a drop in online searches for hotels or Broadway shows, NYC Tourism president Julie Coker told
AFP
.
She lowered her forecast for the year in February but said that so far, only Canadians are saying no to Trump’s America.
“We’re not currently seeing anything from the U.K. or Europe,” because it’s too early, she said. “We are definitely watching that very closely.”
However, British and German authorities have recently cautioned their citizens to remain particularly cautious regarding their travel documents, highlighting the potential danger of arrest.
United Airlines has observed a significant decrease in travel from Canada to the United States along with a reduction in the need for internal trips, similar to what many of its rivals have experienced.
Based on data from Tourism Economics, the tourism industry might face a loss of approximately $64 billion in revenue during 2025 as a result of reduced international and domestic travel.
Americans currently seem paralyzed due to the economic forecast, and concepts such as recession and inflation are also frightening away visitors, alongside the potential for a more robust US dollar, according to experts.
“This will increase costs for incoming tourists in the U.S., which could reduce both the number of visitors and their average duration of stay,” according to Tourism Economics.
Experts are equally concerned about how stricter immigration policies could impact significant sporting events held in the U.S., including the Ryder Cup (2025), the FIFA World Cup (2026), and the 2026 Summer Olympics scheduled for Los Angeles.
