Trump Ties Military to Coal Power Plants!
Smiling deeper into the climate crisis - Trump and his administration leave nothing undone to drive climate change forward, without regard for society and future generations
Donald Trump has instructed the Department of Defense to enter into long term power contracts with coal fired plants. Military bases and security related facilities are to be permanently supplied with baseload power. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is working on this together with Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The measure is part of Trump’s line of supporting the coal industry, which has been shrinking for years. Coal is considered reliable, but it is significantly more emission intensive than other energy sources. Trump points to winter storms and claims that coal power prevented blackouts. Critics see this as a politically motivated intervention in the energy market. While many states rely on natural gas, nuclear power, or renewable energy, Washington is deliberately setting a different priority here. For the military, this means a strategic commitment to a technology that is economically under pressure. The decision directly links energy policy with national security.
Switzerland Votes on 10 Million Cap - Referendum With Explosive Potential for Europe
On June 14, Switzerland will vote on whether its population should be limited to 10 million by 2050. The referendum was triggered automatically after more than 100,000 citizens signed a petition. The initiative is backed by the Swiss People’s Party, which holds about one third of the seats in parliament. The country currently counts about 9 million residents. Supporters want stricter hurdles for permanent residency if the population exceeds 9.5 million and to renegotiate the agreement on free movement of persons with the European Union. The government and parliament recommend rejection. The Federal Council warns of far reaching consequences, including withdrawal from international agreements and strains in relations with the European Union. Opponents point to labor shortages and economic risks. According to official statistics, around 40 percent of those over age 15 have a migration background, predominantly from European countries. The debate connects to earlier referendums, such as the 2009 minaret ban. A December poll shows a divided picture: 48 percent support the cap, 41 percent oppose it. Since the migration movement of 2015 and 2016, many European governments have tightened their immigration policies. The Swiss vote is therefore more than a domestic issue. It affects the relationship with the European Union and the country’s economic future.
Federal Court Forces Homeland Security to Improve Detention Conditions
Federal Judge Maxine M. Chesney has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to improve detention conditions at a deportation center in California. The basis is a class action lawsuit alleging inadequate medical care and restricted access to attorneys. The judge ordered that detainees must receive appropriate health care. Additional clothing and blankets are also to be provided. Daily access to outdoor areas for at least one hour is required. Confidential conversations with legal counsel must be ensured. The judge also viewed waiting times of six hours or more very critically and admonished the department on that point. Civil rights organizations speak of an important success for those affected. The ruling sets clear minimum standards for the treatment of people in immigration detention.
The Department of Homeland Security is defending the conditions at a deportation center in the Mojave Desert and describes the court order to improve them as unnecessary. A federal judge had ordered that detainees must receive appropriate medical care as well as confidential access to attorneys. The department disagrees and states that existing standards already exceed what is required. A spokesperson emphasized that all detainees receive sufficient meals, water, medical treatment, and opportunities to communicate with family and legal counsel. The order is therefore superfluous. The court issued the decision in connection with a lawsuit alleging misconduct. While civil rights organizations speak of a need for action, the agency sees no structural deficiency. The conflict over detention conditions therefore remains unresolved and will continue to be litigated.
California Counters Federal Policy With Millions for Health Centers
After cuts at the federal level, California is providing 90 million dollars to continue funding more than one hundred Planned Parenthood facilities. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the corresponding budget law. The background is a federal law that ended Medicaid payments to abortion providers. Several clinics subsequently closed. In the previous year, an additional 140 million dollars had already flowed from the state budget. With the new funding, California seeks to prevent gaps in care. Newsom spoke of targeted attacks on women’s health care. While Washington is cutting services, the state is expanding them. The decision intensifies the conflict between the federal government and individual states. It is also a political signal in an election year.
Five Hours of Confrontation - Bondi Remains Under Pressure
After more than five hours, the hearing of Attorney General Pam Bondi ended without rapprochement. Democratic members repeatedly questioned her about the handling of the Epstein files. Bondi defended her actions and launched counterattacks. The release of sensitive victim data in particular led to heated exchanges. Several survivors were present in the room. In the end, Bondi left through a side exit, accompanied by Republican colleagues. She made no concessions. The political dispute over transparency and accountability therefore remains open. The lines between government and opposition are clearly drawn.
The ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, Jamie Raskin, accuses Attorney General Pam Bondi of evading central questions about the release of the Epstein files. After the hearing, he stated that in his view the country is in the midst of a cover up. Bondi’s performance made clear that the Trump administration is disregarding the will of Congress, particularly in connection with the transparency law on the Epstein files. Raskin does not see the confrontation as over. Should his party take the majority in the House of Representatives next year, he announced he would make use of expanded powers. These include subpoenas under oath, including against members of the administration. The message is clear: political and legal pressure on the Department of Justice could intensify further.
Here you can find our article on the full hearing >>>
First Night in the New House - Russian Drone Kills Father and Three Toddlers in Kharkiv
In Bohodukhiv near the Russian border, a Geran 2 drone struck a residential house during the night, the Russian version of the Iranian Shahed. The brick house burned out, the family was trapped under the rubble. The 34 year old father Hryhorii died, as did the twins Ivan and Vladyslav, two years old, and one year old Myroslava. The mother Olha, nine months pregnant, was rescued alive with burns and injuries and later discharged from the hospital. It initially remained unclear how the unborn child was doing. The family had recently been evacuated from another town; it was their first night in the new place. Military infrastructure near the house is not publicly recorded. The mayor declared three days of mourning and ordered flags at half staff.
Since the beginning of the large scale invasion in 2022, air strikes have been part of daily life for civilians. According to UN observers, 2025 was the deadliest year for civilians since 2022: 2,514 killed, 12,142 injured, an increase of 31 percent compared to 2024. On the same day, authorities reported further dead and injured in Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. President Zelenskyy stated that each such strike undermines trust in diplomatic efforts and demonstrates the necessity of clear security guarantees. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against Russian officials, including Vladimir Putin for the deportation of children. The Ukrainian air force counted 129 long range drones on the night of February 10 to 11. At the same time, Ukrainian drone attacks in Volgograd led to fires; several Russian airports temporarily halted operations. Military aid for Kyiv declined in 2025 by 13 percent compared to the average of previous years after Washington halted deliveries; European states increased their support by 67 percent. Behind all these numbers stand names: Ivan, Vladyslav, Myroslava.
Schumer Accuses Government of Attacking Free Speech
Chuck Schumer has accused Donald Trump of attacking free speech. The trigger was the attempt by federal prosecutors to indict Democratic members of Congress over a video urging soldiers not to follow unlawful orders. A grand jury declined to indict six lawmakers. Schumer said in the Senate that the failure changes nothing about the significance of the incident. Silence is not neutrality. Republican Majority Leader John Thune distanced himself and said an indictment would not have been his response. The grand jury’s decision showed that the move had no basis. The dispute over the limits of political speech is therefore not over.
Trump and Netanyahu Without Clear Decision on Iran
After nearly three hours at the White House, the meeting between Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ended without a concrete result on the Iran issue. Trump stated that he insisted on continuing negotiations with Tehran. An agreement would be desirable if achievable. Netanyahu spoke of close coordination but provided no details. No final course was set. While Israel insists on security guarantees, Washington continues to signal willingness to talk. The situation in the Middle East remains tense. The meeting brought no visible change of course.
Laser Instead of Cartel Drone? How a Military Test Shut Down El Paso Airspace
The closure of airspace over El Paso up to 18,000 feet apparently did not result from an acute cartel drone, but from a military test. According to consistent information from security circles, the Department of Defense mobilized new anti drone technology from Fort Bliss before the aviation authority could complete a full safety assessment. A meeting had been planned for February 20 to evaluate risks for civil aviation. Instead, the military acted prematurely. The aviation authority responded with a rare restriction initially set for ten days for “special security reasons.” Two informed individuals report that an operation targeted a suspected drone that later turned out to be a party balloon. Coordination with the aviation authority had been lacking. Officially, the government spoke of a drone incursion from Mexico that required a military response. Mexico’s president, however, stated that there was no information about drone operations at the border. The responsible member of Congress also emphasized that drone incidents have been known for years and are nothing unusual. Even allies in the Senate are now demanding clarification regarding coordination between agencies. It remains unclear why the restriction was set for a significantly longer period than usual, as comparable security situations typically trigger restrictions lasting only hours or days. The aviation authority normally avoids any unnecessary closure because even short interruptions have massive consequences for air traffic. For comparison: after the arrest of the Venezuelan ruler in early January, parts of the Caribbean were restricted for only 24 hours. In El Paso, it was to be ten days. The question is not whether drones pose a problem, but why a new high energy laser technology was deployed over a major city without a completed risk assessment.
