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Thursday, April 23, 2026

Trump's portrayal of himself as Jesus, or anointed by Jesus, is typical of cult leaders.

Chris Hedges Apr 20, 2026


Monday, April 20, 2026

Taipei, April 18 (CNA) The transit of a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) warship through the Taiwan Strait on Friday reflected Tokyo's reaffirmation of its right to free passage through the international waterway, an academic has said. read more


Chinese President Xi Jinping has spent the Iran war doing what he does best '' patiently exploiting America's distraction and discord. read more


"Iran stated that its absence from the second round of talks stems from what it called Washington's excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade, which it considers a breach of the ceasefire," the IRNA said. read more


President Donald Trump on Monday accused Democrats of trying to weaken America's hand in talks with Iran, calling them "traitors" who are undermining military gains and pushing for a quick deal. read more


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from the above link:

"It is very thin, (and) does not adequately allege in my judgment any violation of the mail or wire fraud statutes (which are the indictment's key allegations)," said John C. Coffee Jr., a professor at the Columbia University Law School, in a statement.

"SPLC was under no duty to disclose to the world that it was paying secret agents to advise it about the activities of violent organizations. That it paid agents to inform it does not imply that it was supporting these organizations, even if the agents (with mixed motives) gave some of the payments to the organization."

Robertson said that organizations, including the government, regularly use confidential informants because it is an important tool to collect information about groups that actively withhold information about their activities.

In the indictment, the DOJ alleged several instances of wire fraud. But Robertson said "it doesn't seem to me there was any criminal intent at all."

"When you are paying an informant who is deeply embedded in a group that is engaged in violent activity, whether it is terrorism or others, you don't want to risk their lives by making it clear they were receiving payments," she said.

Robertson said the indictment doesn't even go as far as to allege any criminal intent to defraud financial institutions. The allegations were that SPLC tried to hide its activity from its donors.

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"That seems really problematic to me," Robertson said. "I don't believe the donors were, in any way, misled."

In the end, Robertson said the government will likely have a difficult time proving its case.

"I would be surprised if this case made it very far in the process," she said. "I would be absolutely shocked if it went all the way to a conviction. I think it will get dismissed earlier in the process."

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