12 hours ago, It Hurts said:

. All they have to do is reduce their tariffs and we will do likewise.

"All they have to do is break the terms of the contract Trump negotiated with them during his first term."

When I say that all trumpbots are literally retarded, this is exactly what I mean

So this stuff about what they’ve allegedly found underneath the pyramids in Giza, we’re taking a highly skeptical view on that, right?

Trump withdraws USA from UNESCO, again.

United States Department of State

The United States Withdraws from the United Nations Educa...

Today, the United States informed Director-General Audrey Azoulay of the United States’ decision to withdraw from UNESCO. Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the Unit...

https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/withdrawal-united-states-america-unesco-statement-audrey-azoulay-director-general

Paris, 22 July 2025.

I deeply regret President Donald Trump's decision to once again withdraw the United States of America from UNESCO – a decision that will take effect at the end of December 2026.

This decision contradicts the fundamental principles of multilateralism, and may affect first and foremost our many partners in the United States of America— communities seeking site inscription on the World Heritage List, Creative City status, and University Chairs.

However regrettable, this announcement was anticipated, and UNESCO has prepared for it.

In recent years, we have undertaken major structural reforms and diversified our funding sources. Thanks to the efforts made by the Organization since 2018, the decreasing trend in the financial contribution of the US has been offset, so that it now represents 8% of the Organization's total budget compared to 40% for some United Nations entities; while at the same time, UNESCO’s overall budget has steadily increased. Today, the Organization is better protected in financial terms, with the steady support of a large number of Member States and private contributors. These voluntary contributions have doubled since 2018.

At this stage, the Organization is not considering any layoffs.

In spite of President Donald Trump's first withdrawal in 2017, UNESCO stepped up its efforts to take action wherever its mission could contribute to peace and demonstrated the pivotal nature of its mandate.

The Organization successfully completed the largest operation in its history, with the reconstruction of the old city of Mosul which began in 2018; it adopted the first and only global standard-setting instrument on the ethics of artificial intelligence; and it has developed major programmes to support culture and education in conflict settings, whether in Ukraine, Lebanon or Yemen. It has also stepped up its action for biodiversity and natural heritage, as well as for girls' education.

The reasons put forward by the United States to withdraw from the Organization are the same as seven years ago even though the situation has changed profoundly, political tensions have receded, and UNESCO today constitutes a rare forum for consensus on concrete and action-oriented multilateralism.

These claims also contradict the reality of UNESCO's efforts, particularly in the field of Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism.

UNESCO is the only United Nations agency responsible for these issues, and its work has been unanimously acclaimed by major specialized organizations such as the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC, the World Jewish Congress and its American Section, and the American Jewish Committee (AJC). UNESCO has supported 85 countries in implementing tools and training teachers to educate students about the Holocaust and genocides, and to combat Holocaust denial and hate speech. 

UNESCO will continue to carry out these missions, despite inevitably reduced resources. 

UNESCO's purpose is to welcome all the nations of the world, and the United States of America is and will always be welcome.

We will continue to work hand in hand with all of our American partners in the private sector, academia and non-profit organizations, and will pursue political dialogue with the US administration and Congress.

^^^^ you just knew this guy would drink the white koolaid. 🤣

I mean it's not like HR McMaster confirmed the Russian hacking when he was Trump's NatSec Advisor or anything.

Thailand and Cambodia reach a cease fire.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an "immediate and unconditional” ceasefire in an effort to resolve deadly border clashes.  Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet met on Monday for ceasefire talks at Anwar’s official residence in Malaysia’s administrative capital, Putrajaya.  "We have seen very positive development and results that would augur well for Cambodia and Thailand,” Anwar said as he was flanked by Phumtham and Hun Manet.  The ambassadors of the United States and China were also present at the meeting.  Anwar said US President Donald Trump and China’s leaders were in close contact with the leaders of the warring countries as well as Malaysia "to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict”.

He said on Monday that both Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to a ceasefire effective at midnight (17:00 GMT). A meeting between the military commanders of both nations will follow on Tuesday, he added.  "This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security,” Anwar said.  Hun Manet said he had "a very good meeting and very good result that we hope to stop immediately the fighting that have caused many lives lost”.  He also praised Trump’s "decisive” role in paving the way for the talks and the ceasefire, adding that he hopes the agreement will lead to the "rebuilding of trust and confidence”   The US president celebrated the agreement in a social media post.  "I am pleased to announce that, after the involvement of President Donald J Trump, both Countries have reached a CEASEFIRE and PEACE,” Trump said. "Congratulations to all! By ending this War, we have saved thousands of lives.”  He added that he had instructed his trade team to restart trade talks with the two nations.  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also urged all parties to "follow through on their commitments” in a statement on Monday. In his address, Phumtham, who had expressed doubts about Cambodia’s sincerity before the negotiations in Malaysia, said the ceasefire that would "be carried out successfully in good faith by both sides”.  Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride, reporting from Putrajaya, said the presence of the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia at the talks proved crucial in the positive outcome of the talks.  "Given the high profile visit, there was an expectation” of a breakthrough,” McBride said, while noting Trump’s role in pressing for a quick solution to the conflict.

Al Jazeera’s Tony Cheng, reporting from Thailand’s border province of Surin, said the ceasefire announcement was welcome news for many people, especially those who live along the border and have been displaced by the violence, which broke out into open conflict on Thursday after weeks of tensions and some clashes.  "There are so many people who have been affected by this, and they just want to go home so badly,” he said.  Cheng reported that fighting continued shortly before the talks opened in Malaysia. "We’ve been hearing incoming and outgoing artillery fire even after the talks began,” he said, adding that "a large military build-up” was under way in Thailand.

Thai army spokesperson Colonel Richa Suksuwanon told reporters on Monday that fighting had erupted along the border, and The Associated Press news agency reported gunfire could be heard at dawn in Samrong in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province.  On Sunday, Thailand said one person was killed and another injured by a Cambodian rocket fired at Sisaket province.  Thailand’s military also reported that Cambodian snipers were camping in one of the contested temples on the shared border and accused Phnom Penh of surging soldiers along the border and hammering Thai territory with rockets.

Cambodian Ministry of National Defence spokeswoman Maly Socheata on Monday accused Thailand of deploying "a lot of troops” and firing "heavy weapons” into Cambodian territory.  Maly Socheata said that before dawn on Monday, the Thai military targeted areas near the ancient Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples, which Cambodia claims are its territory but are disputed by Thailand.  She also accused the Thai military of firing smoke bombs from aircraft over Cambodian territory and heavy weapons at its soldiers, adding that Cambodian troops "were able to successfully repel the attacks”.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

 

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