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Dear Don, you've been conned and all the whole world can see it
This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to Dear Donald, It's been a while but having seen you on the news the other night, I had to reach out. It must be hard realising the person you thought you knew and trusted has been stringing you along the whole time. We saw the anguish on your face, when returning to Washington from your golfing weekend you spoke to the media on the tarmac before boarding your beat-up, old presidential jet. You looked confused and angry. What the hell happened? you asked. You'd known him for years, you'd liked him, but now he'd gone crazy, firing rockets into cities, killing innocent people. That was something you didn't like. And like anyone who'd been scammed, you revealed something we'd not seen from you before - a hint of embarrassment. How could you have been so naive? Oh, Donald, we tried so hard to warn you. In your first term, when you'd cosied up to Vlad and to Kim Jong Un, we knew you'd fallen in with a bad crowd. We saw you soaking in their reflected strength, seeing a version of yourself in their power, wanting to be like them. At the 2018 Helsinki press conference, as you stood alongside Putin, you told a stunned world that you'd asked the Russian president if his country had interfered in the 2016 election and he denied it and you believed him. Donald, Donald, Donald, we all thought, of course he'd deny it. He's a former KGB officer who made a career of convincing East Germans to do the dirty work of the Kremlin and rat on their compatriots. But you took him at his word, just as you have in your second term when you thought he was serious about settling the Ukraine war in terms acceptable to both sides. That dawning you'd fallen victim to the grift - seen by all on that tarmac the other day - must have been hard for someone like you. And to rub salt into your wound, the Kremlin accused you of being emotional after your outburst. How it must sting to be stung. You're going through what the rest of us experienced very early in childhood. That moment of hard clarity when we realised we weren't the centre of the universe, nor the smartest person in it. You're not alone, Donald. It's well known victims of scams feel acute embarrassment. Falling for a scam can shake the beliefs we hold about ourselves and others. Not that we expect you to change a lifetime of pathological self-belief. You'll probably just blame Joe Biden or Taylor Swift in a blizzard of late night tweetrums. But we all saw it, Donald. That moment of doubt when you realised you'd been outsmarted by the autocrat you'd been warned about. You appeared foolish, jilted and out of your depth. It reminded me of that occasion in the early 1990s when you held up a dinner cruise in Manhattan, arriving late and inappropriately dressed in a velour leisure suit along with your then wife. I stood nearby and watched her curse you for your foolishness and the embarrassment you'd caused her. For being late. For your fashion choices. Tell me, Donald. Somewhere deep down, are you cursing yourself for trusting Putin? For making that bold claim before you were elected that you'd end the war he started in a day? Yours, The Echidna. HAVE YOUR SAY: Was there ever a chance Donald Trump could broker a deal to end the Ukraine war? Is there some poetic justice in Trump being conned by Putin into believing the Kremlin genuinely wanted peace? Has the US been weakened by Trump's gullibility? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Nationals Leader David Littleproud has declared that his party's commitment to Australia's net-zero 2050 target will be reviewed, while saying he is close to reaching agreement with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to re-form the Coalition. - More than three weeks after the federal election, the final Senate results are in for Tasmania. Jacqui Lambie has been re-elected, while Richard Colbeck avoided making the Liberals' horrible election result worse by holding on to his seat. - Whistleblower Richard Boyle has been hailed a "superhero" after striking a plea deal under which he will avoid jail. The 49-year-old has admitted to four criminal charges linked to his exposure of unethical debt recovery practices at the Australian Taxation Office. THEY SAID IT: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." - Randall Terry YOU SAID IT: John's kept awake at night by the ghosts of cruelty - from the Holocaust and from the recent suffering in Gaza. "Thank you for writing this," writes Helen. "You are exactly right to align the horrors of the Nazi atrocities against the Jewish people with the Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians in Gaza. Day after day I think, 'How could it get worse?' Then it does. These child killings are inflicted. Yes, these incidents haunt me and I am powerless to help the starving and maimed children." Helen W writes: "Yes John, I certainly believe the Israeli government should face an international court to answer charges of war crimes. Whether they ever will is a different matter. I belong to a post run by members of the Israeli Defence Force and former members thereof. They, having seen and participated in the very genocide that is occurring in Gaza, are endeavouring to tell the world the truth. They are also trying to let the world know that many Israelis, including those in the IDF, abhor with what is happening in Gaza." "All war contains war crimes and this one in Israel-Palestine is no exception," writes Derek. "I wish the UN could somehow become a lot stronger and prevent this sort of misery ever happening again. I detest war and these days we should all be looking towards a united world but that still seems like a dream with so many destructive vested interests in the world. Surely the time has come for the world to unite and finally prevent this destructive madness ever happening again. And yes, I've always been a dreamer." Sue writes: "Right to the point, John. This, like the Holocaust and many other horrific situations through history, is something that we should not forget, but who would, indeed who is in a position to, sit in that court? At the end of a war in which hatred of Jews played a significant role, politicians created the state of Israel in a location which had historical and significant differences with the Jewish people and their religion - surely a recipe for disaster!" Michael writes: "A better solution would be for the Hamas leaders (including their Hezbollah mates) and the Israeli leaders to be in the front of their troops and lead them into battle, like the pharaohs and kings of old. It might solve the issues quickly if they become the first casualties. Trouble is, the Hamas leaders are living it up in Qatar, and Netanyahu is ignoring the home protests about his actions." "The IDF bear responsibility, too," writes Phil. "'Just following orders' is not a defence against war crimes." Phil C writes: "I could not dwell on the tragedy that befell Dr. Alaa al-Najjar. To ward off the black dog, I am compelled to avert my eyes, heart, and mind from such unspeakable tragedy. The common conflation of anti-genocide with anti-semitism is an obscene ruse. Netanyahu is a war criminal, and the civilised world need to stop him now!"" "You said it so well for us all, John," writes Linda. "Words fail me on the idiocy and cruelty of fellow humans. Yes, they should both be subject to an international court for war crimes. Thank you, and Garry, for your ongoing articles in Echidna." Michelle writes: "Thank you for your piece on the horrors of genocide, historically, and today in Gaza. The collective memory of 80 years ago is diminishing as new generations have failed to learn the lessons of the past. I am not a religious Jew, and very proud of my heritage, My mother went to school in Palestine, my grandparents lived and worked alongside Palestinians. Like most Jews my family lost many members to the gas chambers, I never forget." Paul writes: "It's hard to compare the horrors of the Nazi genocide and the Gaza conflict. The Nazis deliberately rounded up people of specific groups and murdered them. Most of the deaths of innocents in the Gaza conflict are not due to their deliberate targeting by the Israelis. We live in a very safe nation - it is hard for most of us to know what it would be like to have a state led by a terrorist group living on our border, that constantly fires missiles into our territory and kidnaps and kills our citizens. We would probably demand military action ,too. And once engaged, and the enemy won't surrender, do you disengage, let the terrorists win and let the terrorism resume? It's hard to know." "Glad to see your newsletter so strong on the Gaza Genocide," writes Marie. "We must not forget what is happening in the West Bank as well. Australia needs to get aligned with Canada, France and the UK to exert pressure on the pariah state of Israel." Irene writes: "The Gaza war should end now. The world should condemn both sides. Both sides should answer and pay for their appalling crimes against humanity. Humanity should take the blame for allowing such mass atrocities." Amanda writes: "Justice needs to be brought to the war criminals on all sides of the Israel/Gaza war. With two friends from Australia we were caught up in a protest in Istanbul calling for the end to the Gaza war- we stood together and we cried with the women, children and men who walked the streets that day, thousands of them. We didn't feel anything other than their solidarity towards us which was made clear through gestures across the language barrier." "The events in Gaza are atrocious," writes Brian. "And so were the actions of Hamas leading up to this war. And I continue to wonder why Hamas simply will not hand back the Israeli hostages and plead for peace. Nor are Hamas's backers in Iran demanding this. Obviously, the welfare of the Palestinian people means less to Hamas and Iran than their ideologies." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to Dear Donald, It's been a while but having seen you on the news the other night, I had to reach out. It must be hard realising the person you thought you knew and trusted has been stringing you along the whole time. We saw the anguish on your face, when returning to Washington from your golfing weekend you spoke to the media on the tarmac before boarding your beat-up, old presidential jet. You looked confused and angry. What the hell happened? you asked. You'd known him for years, you'd liked him, but now he'd gone crazy, firing rockets into cities, killing innocent people. That was something you didn't like. And like anyone who'd been scammed, you revealed something we'd not seen from you before - a hint of embarrassment. How could you have been so naive? Oh, Donald, we tried so hard to warn you. In your first term, when you'd cosied up to Vlad and to Kim Jong Un, we knew you'd fallen in with a bad crowd. We saw you soaking in their reflected strength, seeing a version of yourself in their power, wanting to be like them. At the 2018 Helsinki press conference, as you stood alongside Putin, you told a stunned world that you'd asked the Russian president if his country had interfered in the 2016 election and he denied it and you believed him. Donald, Donald, Donald, we all thought, of course he'd deny it. He's a former KGB officer who made a career of convincing East Germans to do the dirty work of the Kremlin and rat on their compatriots. But you took him at his word, just as you have in your second term when you thought he was serious about settling the Ukraine war in terms acceptable to both sides. That dawning you'd fallen victim to the grift - seen by all on that tarmac the other day - must have been hard for someone like you. And to rub salt into your wound, the Kremlin accused you of being emotional after your outburst. How it must sting to be stung. You're going through what the rest of us experienced very early in childhood. That moment of hard clarity when we realised we weren't the centre of the universe, nor the smartest person in it. You're not alone, Donald. It's well known victims of scams feel acute embarrassment. Falling for a scam can shake the beliefs we hold about ourselves and others. Not that we expect you to change a lifetime of pathological self-belief. You'll probably just blame Joe Biden or Taylor Swift in a blizzard of late night tweetrums. But we all saw it, Donald. That moment of doubt when you realised you'd been outsmarted by the autocrat you'd been warned about. You appeared foolish, jilted and out of your depth. It reminded me of that occasion in the early 1990s when you held up a dinner cruise in Manhattan, arriving late and inappropriately dressed in a velour leisure suit along with your then wife. I stood nearby and watched her curse you for your foolishness and the embarrassment you'd caused her. For being late. For your fashion choices. Tell me, Donald. Somewhere deep down, are you cursing yourself for trusting Putin? For making that bold claim before you were elected that you'd end the war he started in a day? Yours, The Echidna. HAVE YOUR SAY: Was there ever a chance Donald Trump could broker a deal to end the Ukraine war? Is there some poetic justice in Trump being conned by Putin into believing the Kremlin genuinely wanted peace? Has the US been weakened by Trump's gullibility? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Nationals Leader David Littleproud has declared that his party's commitment to Australia's net-zero 2050 target will be reviewed, while saying he is close to reaching agreement with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to re-form the Coalition. - More than three weeks after the federal election, the final Senate results are in for Tasmania. Jacqui Lambie has been re-elected, while Richard Colbeck avoided making the Liberals' horrible election result worse by holding on to his seat. - Whistleblower Richard Boyle has been hailed a "superhero" after striking a plea deal under which he will avoid jail. The 49-year-old has admitted to four criminal charges linked to his exposure of unethical debt recovery practices at the Australian Taxation Office. THEY SAID IT: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." - Randall Terry YOU SAID IT: John's kept awake at night by the ghosts of cruelty - from the Holocaust and from the recent suffering in Gaza. "Thank you for writing this," writes Helen. "You are exactly right to align the horrors of the Nazi atrocities against the Jewish people with the Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians in Gaza. Day after day I think, 'How could it get worse?' Then it does. These child killings are inflicted. Yes, these incidents haunt me and I am powerless to help the starving and maimed children." Helen W writes: "Yes John, I certainly believe the Israeli government should face an international court to answer charges of war crimes. Whether they ever will is a different matter. I belong to a post run by members of the Israeli Defence Force and former members thereof. They, having seen and participated in the very genocide that is occurring in Gaza, are endeavouring to tell the world the truth. They are also trying to let the world know that many Israelis, including those in the IDF, abhor with what is happening in Gaza." "All war contains war crimes and this one in Israel-Palestine is no exception," writes Derek. "I wish the UN could somehow become a lot stronger and prevent this sort of misery ever happening again. I detest war and these days we should all be looking towards a united world but that still seems like a dream with so many destructive vested interests in the world. Surely the time has come for the world to unite and finally prevent this destructive madness ever happening again. And yes, I've always been a dreamer." Sue writes: "Right to the point, John. This, like the Holocaust and many other horrific situations through history, is something that we should not forget, but who would, indeed who is in a position to, sit in that court? At the end of a war in which hatred of Jews played a significant role, politicians created the state of Israel in a location which had historical and significant differences with the Jewish people and their religion - surely a recipe for disaster!" Michael writes: "A better solution would be for the Hamas leaders (including their Hezbollah mates) and the Israeli leaders to be in the front of their troops and lead them into battle, like the pharaohs and kings of old. It might solve the issues quickly if they become the first casualties. Trouble is, the Hamas leaders are living it up in Qatar, and Netanyahu is ignoring the home protests about his actions." "The IDF bear responsibility, too," writes Phil. "'Just following orders' is not a defence against war crimes." Phil C writes: "I could not dwell on the tragedy that befell Dr. Alaa al-Najjar. To ward off the black dog, I am compelled to avert my eyes, heart, and mind from such unspeakable tragedy. The common conflation of anti-genocide with anti-semitism is an obscene ruse. Netanyahu is a war criminal, and the civilised world need to stop him now!"" "You said it so well for us all, John," writes Linda. "Words fail me on the idiocy and cruelty of fellow humans. Yes, they should both be subject to an international court for war crimes. Thank you, and Garry, for your ongoing articles in Echidna." Michelle writes: "Thank you for your piece on the horrors of genocide, historically, and today in Gaza. The collective memory of 80 years ago is diminishing as new generations have failed to learn the lessons of the past. I am not a religious Jew, and very proud of my heritage, My mother went to school in Palestine, my grandparents lived and worked alongside Palestinians. Like most Jews my family lost many members to the gas chambers, I never forget." Paul writes: "It's hard to compare the horrors of the Nazi genocide and the Gaza conflict. The Nazis deliberately rounded up people of specific groups and murdered them. Most of the deaths of innocents in the Gaza conflict are not due to their deliberate targeting by the Israelis. We live in a very safe nation - it is hard for most of us to know what it would be like to have a state led by a terrorist group living on our border, that constantly fires missiles into our territory and kidnaps and kills our citizens. We would probably demand military action ,too. And once engaged, and the enemy won't surrender, do you disengage, let the terrorists win and let the terrorism resume? It's hard to know." "Glad to see your newsletter so strong on the Gaza Genocide," writes Marie. "We must not forget what is happening in the West Bank as well. Australia needs to get aligned with Canada, France and the UK to exert pressure on the pariah state of Israel." Irene writes: "The Gaza war should end now. The world should condemn both sides. Both sides should answer and pay for their appalling crimes against humanity. Humanity should take the blame for allowing such mass atrocities." Amanda writes: "Justice needs to be brought to the war criminals on all sides of the Israel/Gaza war. With two friends from Australia we were caught up in a protest in Istanbul calling for the end to the Gaza war- we stood together and we cried with the women, children and men who walked the streets that day, thousands of them. We didn't feel anything other than their solidarity towards us which was made clear through gestures across the language barrier." "The events in Gaza are atrocious," writes Brian. "And so were the actions of Hamas leading up to this war. And I continue to wonder why Hamas simply will not hand back the Israeli hostages and plead for peace. Nor are Hamas's backers in Iran demanding this. Obviously, the welfare of the Palestinian people means less to Hamas and Iran than their ideologies." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to Dear Donald, It's been a while but having seen you on the news the other night, I had to reach out. It must be hard realising the person you thought you knew and trusted has been stringing you along the whole time. We saw the anguish on your face, when returning to Washington from your golfing weekend you spoke to the media on the tarmac before boarding your beat-up, old presidential jet. You looked confused and angry. What the hell happened? you asked. You'd known him for years, you'd liked him, but now he'd gone crazy, firing rockets into cities, killing innocent people. That was something you didn't like. And like anyone who'd been scammed, you revealed something we'd not seen from you before - a hint of embarrassment. How could you have been so naive? Oh, Donald, we tried so hard to warn you. In your first term, when you'd cosied up to Vlad and to Kim Jong Un, we knew you'd fallen in with a bad crowd. We saw you soaking in their reflected strength, seeing a version of yourself in their power, wanting to be like them. At the 2018 Helsinki press conference, as you stood alongside Putin, you told a stunned world that you'd asked the Russian president if his country had interfered in the 2016 election and he denied it and you believed him. Donald, Donald, Donald, we all thought, of course he'd deny it. He's a former KGB officer who made a career of convincing East Germans to do the dirty work of the Kremlin and rat on their compatriots. But you took him at his word, just as you have in your second term when you thought he was serious about settling the Ukraine war in terms acceptable to both sides. That dawning you'd fallen victim to the grift - seen by all on that tarmac the other day - must have been hard for someone like you. And to rub salt into your wound, the Kremlin accused you of being emotional after your outburst. How it must sting to be stung. You're going through what the rest of us experienced very early in childhood. That moment of hard clarity when we realised we weren't the centre of the universe, nor the smartest person in it. You're not alone, Donald. It's well known victims of scams feel acute embarrassment. Falling for a scam can shake the beliefs we hold about ourselves and others. Not that we expect you to change a lifetime of pathological self-belief. You'll probably just blame Joe Biden or Taylor Swift in a blizzard of late night tweetrums. But we all saw it, Donald. That moment of doubt when you realised you'd been outsmarted by the autocrat you'd been warned about. You appeared foolish, jilted and out of your depth. It reminded me of that occasion in the early 1990s when you held up a dinner cruise in Manhattan, arriving late and inappropriately dressed in a velour leisure suit along with your then wife. I stood nearby and watched her curse you for your foolishness and the embarrassment you'd caused her. For being late. For your fashion choices. Tell me, Donald. Somewhere deep down, are you cursing yourself for trusting Putin? For making that bold claim before you were elected that you'd end the war he started in a day? Yours, The Echidna. HAVE YOUR SAY: Was there ever a chance Donald Trump could broker a deal to end the Ukraine war? Is there some poetic justice in Trump being conned by Putin into believing the Kremlin genuinely wanted peace? Has the US been weakened by Trump's gullibility? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Nationals Leader David Littleproud has declared that his party's commitment to Australia's net-zero 2050 target will be reviewed, while saying he is close to reaching agreement with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to re-form the Coalition. - More than three weeks after the federal election, the final Senate results are in for Tasmania. Jacqui Lambie has been re-elected, while Richard Colbeck avoided making the Liberals' horrible election result worse by holding on to his seat. - Whistleblower Richard Boyle has been hailed a "superhero" after striking a plea deal under which he will avoid jail. The 49-year-old has admitted to four criminal charges linked to his exposure of unethical debt recovery practices at the Australian Taxation Office. THEY SAID IT: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." - Randall Terry YOU SAID IT: John's kept awake at night by the ghosts of cruelty - from the Holocaust and from the recent suffering in Gaza. "Thank you for writing this," writes Helen. "You are exactly right to align the horrors of the Nazi atrocities against the Jewish people with the Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians in Gaza. Day after day I think, 'How could it get worse?' Then it does. These child killings are inflicted. Yes, these incidents haunt me and I am powerless to help the starving and maimed children." Helen W writes: "Yes John, I certainly believe the Israeli government should face an international court to answer charges of war crimes. Whether they ever will is a different matter. I belong to a post run by members of the Israeli Defence Force and former members thereof. They, having seen and participated in the very genocide that is occurring in Gaza, are endeavouring to tell the world the truth. They are also trying to let the world know that many Israelis, including those in the IDF, abhor with what is happening in Gaza." "All war contains war crimes and this one in Israel-Palestine is no exception," writes Derek. "I wish the UN could somehow become a lot stronger and prevent this sort of misery ever happening again. I detest war and these days we should all be looking towards a united world but that still seems like a dream with so many destructive vested interests in the world. Surely the time has come for the world to unite and finally prevent this destructive madness ever happening again. And yes, I've always been a dreamer." Sue writes: "Right to the point, John. This, like the Holocaust and many other horrific situations through history, is something that we should not forget, but who would, indeed who is in a position to, sit in that court? At the end of a war in which hatred of Jews played a significant role, politicians created the state of Israel in a location which had historical and significant differences with the Jewish people and their religion - surely a recipe for disaster!" Michael writes: "A better solution would be for the Hamas leaders (including their Hezbollah mates) and the Israeli leaders to be in the front of their troops and lead them into battle, like the pharaohs and kings of old. It might solve the issues quickly if they become the first casualties. Trouble is, the Hamas leaders are living it up in Qatar, and Netanyahu is ignoring the home protests about his actions." "The IDF bear responsibility, too," writes Phil. "'Just following orders' is not a defence against war crimes." Phil C writes: "I could not dwell on the tragedy that befell Dr. Alaa al-Najjar. To ward off the black dog, I am compelled to avert my eyes, heart, and mind from such unspeakable tragedy. The common conflation of anti-genocide with anti-semitism is an obscene ruse. Netanyahu is a war criminal, and the civilised world need to stop him now!"" "You said it so well for us all, John," writes Linda. "Words fail me on the idiocy and cruelty of fellow humans. Yes, they should both be subject to an international court for war crimes. Thank you, and Garry, for your ongoing articles in Echidna." Michelle writes: "Thank you for your piece on the horrors of genocide, historically, and today in Gaza. The collective memory of 80 years ago is diminishing as new generations have failed to learn the lessons of the past. I am not a religious Jew, and very proud of my heritage, My mother went to school in Palestine, my grandparents lived and worked alongside Palestinians. Like most Jews my family lost many members to the gas chambers, I never forget." Paul writes: "It's hard to compare the horrors of the Nazi genocide and the Gaza conflict. The Nazis deliberately rounded up people of specific groups and murdered them. Most of the deaths of innocents in the Gaza conflict are not due to their deliberate targeting by the Israelis. We live in a very safe nation - it is hard for most of us to know what it would be like to have a state led by a terrorist group living on our border, that constantly fires missiles into our territory and kidnaps and kills our citizens. We would probably demand military action ,too. And once engaged, and the enemy won't surrender, do you disengage, let the terrorists win and let the terrorism resume? It's hard to know." "Glad to see your newsletter so strong on the Gaza Genocide," writes Marie. "We must not forget what is happening in the West Bank as well. Australia needs to get aligned with Canada, France and the UK to exert pressure on the pariah state of Israel." Irene writes: "The Gaza war should end now. The world should condemn both sides. Both sides should answer and pay for their appalling crimes against humanity. Humanity should take the blame for allowing such mass atrocities." Amanda writes: "Justice needs to be brought to the war criminals on all sides of the Israel/Gaza war. With two friends from Australia we were caught up in a protest in Istanbul calling for the end to the Gaza war- we stood together and we cried with the women, children and men who walked the streets that day, thousands of them. We didn't feel anything other than their solidarity towards us which was made clear through gestures across the language barrier." "The events in Gaza are atrocious," writes Brian. "And so were the actions of Hamas leading up to this war. And I continue to wonder why Hamas simply will not hand back the Israeli hostages and plead for peace. Nor are Hamas's backers in Iran demanding this. Obviously, the welfare of the Palestinian people means less to Hamas and Iran than their ideologies." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to Dear Donald, It's been a while but having seen you on the news the other night, I had to reach out. It must be hard realising the person you thought you knew and trusted has been stringing you along the whole time. We saw the anguish on your face, when returning to Washington from your golfing weekend you spoke to the media on the tarmac before boarding your beat-up, old presidential jet. You looked confused and angry. What the hell happened? you asked. You'd known him for years, you'd liked him, but now he'd gone crazy, firing rockets into cities, killing innocent people. That was something you didn't like. And like anyone who'd been scammed, you revealed something we'd not seen from you before - a hint of embarrassment. How could you have been so naive? Oh, Donald, we tried so hard to warn you. In your first term, when you'd cosied up to Vlad and to Kim Jong Un, we knew you'd fallen in with a bad crowd. We saw you soaking in their reflected strength, seeing a version of yourself in their power, wanting to be like them. At the 2018 Helsinki press conference, as you stood alongside Putin, you told a stunned world that you'd asked the Russian president if his country had interfered in the 2016 election and he denied it and you believed him. Donald, Donald, Donald, we all thought, of course he'd deny it. He's a former KGB officer who made a career of convincing East Germans to do the dirty work of the Kremlin and rat on their compatriots. But you took him at his word, just as you have in your second term when you thought he was serious about settling the Ukraine war in terms acceptable to both sides. That dawning you'd fallen victim to the grift - seen by all on that tarmac the other day - must have been hard for someone like you. And to rub salt into your wound, the Kremlin accused you of being emotional after your outburst. How it must sting to be stung. You're going through what the rest of us experienced very early in childhood. That moment of hard clarity when we realised we weren't the centre of the universe, nor the smartest person in it. You're not alone, Donald. It's well known victims of scams feel acute embarrassment. Falling for a scam can shake the beliefs we hold about ourselves and others. Not that we expect you to change a lifetime of pathological self-belief. You'll probably just blame Joe Biden or Taylor Swift in a blizzard of late night tweetrums. But we all saw it, Donald. That moment of doubt when you realised you'd been outsmarted by the autocrat you'd been warned about. You appeared foolish, jilted and out of your depth. It reminded me of that occasion in the early 1990s when you held up a dinner cruise in Manhattan, arriving late and inappropriately dressed in a velour leisure suit along with your then wife. I stood nearby and watched her curse you for your foolishness and the embarrassment you'd caused her. For being late. For your fashion choices. Tell me, Donald. Somewhere deep down, are you cursing yourself for trusting Putin? For making that bold claim before you were elected that you'd end the war he started in a day? Yours, The Echidna. HAVE YOUR SAY: Was there ever a chance Donald Trump could broker a deal to end the Ukraine war? Is there some poetic justice in Trump being conned by Putin into believing the Kremlin genuinely wanted peace? Has the US been weakened by Trump's gullibility? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Nationals Leader David Littleproud has declared that his party's commitment to Australia's net-zero 2050 target will be reviewed, while saying he is close to reaching agreement with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to re-form the Coalition. - More than three weeks after the federal election, the final Senate results are in for Tasmania. Jacqui Lambie has been re-elected, while Richard Colbeck avoided making the Liberals' horrible election result worse by holding on to his seat. - Whistleblower Richard Boyle has been hailed a "superhero" after striking a plea deal under which he will avoid jail. The 49-year-old has admitted to four criminal charges linked to his exposure of unethical debt recovery practices at the Australian Taxation Office. THEY SAID IT: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." - Randall Terry YOU SAID IT: John's kept awake at night by the ghosts of cruelty - from the Holocaust and from the recent suffering in Gaza. "Thank you for writing this," writes Helen. "You are exactly right to align the horrors of the Nazi atrocities against the Jewish people with the Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians in Gaza. Day after day I think, 'How could it get worse?' Then it does. These child killings are inflicted. Yes, these incidents haunt me and I am powerless to help the starving and maimed children." Helen W writes: "Yes John, I certainly believe the Israeli government should face an international court to answer charges of war crimes. Whether they ever will is a different matter. I belong to a post run by members of the Israeli Defence Force and former members thereof. They, having seen and participated in the very genocide that is occurring in Gaza, are endeavouring to tell the world the truth. They are also trying to let the world know that many Israelis, including those in the IDF, abhor with what is happening in Gaza." "All war contains war crimes and this one in Israel-Palestine is no exception," writes Derek. "I wish the UN could somehow become a lot stronger and prevent this sort of misery ever happening again. I detest war and these days we should all be looking towards a united world but that still seems like a dream with so many destructive vested interests in the world. Surely the time has come for the world to unite and finally prevent this destructive madness ever happening again. And yes, I've always been a dreamer." Sue writes: "Right to the point, John. This, like the Holocaust and many other horrific situations through history, is something that we should not forget, but who would, indeed who is in a position to, sit in that court? At the end of a war in which hatred of Jews played a significant role, politicians created the state of Israel in a location which had historical and significant differences with the Jewish people and their religion - surely a recipe for disaster!" Michael writes: "A better solution would be for the Hamas leaders (including their Hezbollah mates) and the Israeli leaders to be in the front of their troops and lead them into battle, like the pharaohs and kings of old. It might solve the issues quickly if they become the first casualties. Trouble is, the Hamas leaders are living it up in Qatar, and Netanyahu is ignoring the home protests about his actions." "The IDF bear responsibility, too," writes Phil. "'Just following orders' is not a defence against war crimes." Phil C writes: "I could not dwell on the tragedy that befell Dr. Alaa al-Najjar. To ward off the black dog, I am compelled to avert my eyes, heart, and mind from such unspeakable tragedy. The common conflation of anti-genocide with anti-semitism is an obscene ruse. Netanyahu is a war criminal, and the civilised world need to stop him now!"" "You said it so well for us all, John," writes Linda. "Words fail me on the idiocy and cruelty of fellow humans. Yes, they should both be subject to an international court for war crimes. Thank you, and Garry, for your ongoing articles in Echidna." Michelle writes: "Thank you for your piece on the horrors of genocide, historically, and today in Gaza. The collective memory of 80 years ago is diminishing as new generations have failed to learn the lessons of the past. I am not a religious Jew, and very proud of my heritage, My mother went to school in Palestine, my grandparents lived and worked alongside Palestinians. Like most Jews my family lost many members to the gas chambers, I never forget." Paul writes: "It's hard to compare the horrors of the Nazi genocide and the Gaza conflict. The Nazis deliberately rounded up people of specific groups and murdered them. Most of the deaths of innocents in the Gaza conflict are not due to their deliberate targeting by the Israelis. We live in a very safe nation - it is hard for most of us to know what it would be like to have a state led by a terrorist group living on our border, that constantly fires missiles into our territory and kidnaps and kills our citizens. We would probably demand military action ,too. And once engaged, and the enemy won't surrender, do you disengage, let the terrorists win and let the terrorism resume? It's hard to know." "Glad to see your newsletter so strong on the Gaza Genocide," writes Marie. "We must not forget what is happening in the West Bank as well. Australia needs to get aligned with Canada, France and the UK to exert pressure on the pariah state of Israel." Irene writes: "The Gaza war should end now. The world should condemn both sides. Both sides should answer and pay for their appalling crimes against humanity. Humanity should take the blame for allowing such mass atrocities." Amanda writes: "Justice needs to be brought to the war criminals on all sides of the Israel/Gaza war. With two friends from Australia we were caught up in a protest in Istanbul calling for the end to the Gaza war- we stood together and we cried with the women, children and men who walked the streets that day, thousands of them. We didn't feel anything other than their solidarity towards us which was made clear through gestures across the language barrier." "The events in Gaza are atrocious," writes Brian. "And so were the actions of Hamas leading up to this war. And I continue to wonder why Hamas simply will not hand back the Israeli hostages and plead for peace. Nor are Hamas's backers in Iran demanding this. Obviously, the welfare of the Palestinian people means less to Hamas and Iran than their ideologies."
Business Upturn
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Asigna Announces a $3M Funding Round and a Multisig v2 Upgrade
New York, NY, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Asigna, the leading smart multisig vault operator for Bitcoin, its metaprotocols and Layer-2s is launching a major v2 upgrade with support for Embedded Apps and a developer SDK. The project also announced it raised a $3M funding round led by Hivemind Capital and Tykhe Block Ventures with participation from Sats Ventures, Trust Machines, and various angels. Asigna previously completed a pre-seed round led by Portal Ventures, with support from Bitcoin Frontier Fund. Asigna is a non-custodial smart multisig vault designed for secure Bitcoin asset management that protects over $1.1B of funds. It enables teams, DAOs, and institutions to securely manage shared Bitcoin treasuries and participate in Bitcoin DeFi while minimizing the risks of hacks and conflicts. Asigna integrates the Bitcoin base layer and execution environments like Stacks, Arch, Citrea, Botanix, and enables all standard wallet operations, including direct interactions with dApps, decentralized exchanges, bridges, and metaprotocols, such as Ordinals, Runes, Alkanes, BRC-20, Rare Sats, and others. 'With Asigna, we are establishing foundational infrastructure for institutions and large holders to securely and confidently participate in the evolving Bitcoin ecosystem,' said Viven, Co-Founder at Asigna. 'There's a critical need for robust, transparent, and programmable non-custodial solutions, and the multisig infrastructure is at the heart of this transformation.' With this v2 release, Asigna's users will be able to interact with Bitcoin-based applications directly from within the multisig environment via Embedded Apps. The app now also provides a customizable dashboard for portfolio tracking and enables direct swaps between Bitcoin Assets and BTC. In addition to this, Asigna released its Connection SDK and Multisig SDK to empower third-party developers to connect user multisig wallets directly to their Bitcoin and Stacks applications. They can make multisig vaults, create, sign and execute transactions, sign messages, manage funds, contract deployments and calls. New features also include the ability for vaults to have Sub Accounts, Email notifications, Governance, Customizable signer permissions, Privacy mode, and advanced UTXO Management. 'What's unique about Asigna is that, unlike many other onchain smart wallet implementations, it is fully native to the Bitcoin layer, with no smart contract risks. We don't directly interact with private keys and account owners can use any wallet to sign their transactions,' said Vlad, Co-Founder at Asigna. 'Which means these multisig wallets can never be frozen or lost, regardless of what happens to Asigna. As it should be'. Over $2.2 trillion of assets were stored in Bitcoin in late 2024 when it reached the previous peak price of $108,135. Fueled by unprecedented ETF demand that significantly outpaced mining production, Bitcoin's ecosystem is experiencing explosive growth, particularly within its DeFi sector, which boasts a $6 billion Total Value Locked and is expected to grow rapidly along with the launches of scaling metaprotocols. Asigna is perfectly positioned to support this growth and will use the raised funding to build offerings for enterprise customers to provide access to DeFi and yield generation through staking and lending with a white-glove service. 'We believe Asigna's innovative approach to Bitcoin security and its seamless integration with Layer-2 protocols make it a game-changer for institutional investors', said Kayla Phillips, Senior Investment Principal at Hivemind Capital. 'We are thrilled to support their mission to provide robust and transparent non-custodial solutions for the evolving Bitcoin ecosystem.' About Asigna Asigna is a smart multisig vault operator for Bitcoin and its Layer-2 metaprotocols, protecting over $1.1B in assets. Its multi-party custody approach allows teams, DAOs, and institutions to securely manage shared Bitcoin treasuries and DeFi assets with collective control. Asigna integrates the Bitcoin base layer and metaprotocols, enabling direct interactions with dApps, decentralized exchanges, bridges, and metaprotocols. For more information, please visit Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
India.com
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
World Dracula Day 2025: 7 Creepy Facts About Dracula You've Never Heard
Muskan Kalra May 26, 2025 The Name 'Dracula' Means 'Son of the Dragon': Vlad's father belonged to the Order of the Dragon, a knightly group, which gave Vlad the nickname Dracula — meaning 'son of the dragon' or 'devil.' Dracula Was Inspired by a Real Bloodthirsty Prince: Vlad the Impaler, a 15th-century Romanian ruler, was notorious for his brutal methods — including impaling his enemies on stakes. Dracula's Character Was Partly Inspired by an Austrian Count: Bram Stoker researched an Austrian nobleman named Count Johann Helfried von Dracula, which influenced the aristocratic vampire image. The Dracula Legend Helped Create the Modern Vampire Myth: Many vampire traits we know today—like transforming into bats or being repelled by crosses—were popularized through Dracula's story. Bram Stoker Never Visited Transylvania: Despite writing a detailed setting in Transylvania, Stoker never traveled there — he based his descriptions on library research. The Original Dracula Was Afraid of Garlic: Folk legends and vampire myths often associate garlic with repelling vampires; this was woven into the Dracula lore, but there's no historical evidence Vlad feared it. Dracula Was One of the First Monsters to Become a Pop Culture Icon: Since the 1920s, Dracula has appeared in hundreds of films, TV shows, and books — making him one of the most famous monsters ever. Read Next Story
NDTV
21-05-2025
- General
- NDTV
This "Hairy Tofu" Has White Fuzz Growing On It! Here's Why Foodies Are Fascinated By It
Tofu is a staple part of diets in many Asian countries. In recent times, it has become popular in other parts of the world as a plant-based ingredient. Prized for its high protein content and versatility, tofu is now used in various non-traditional recipes too. Vegans and vegetarians are especially taking advantage of its benefits to add more variety to their diets. Multiple types of tofu exist, and their flavours, textures and uses differ slightly from each other. You might have heard about silken tofu, soft tofu, extra firm tofu, etc. But have you ever come across hairy tofu? Also Read: 6 Best Indian Tofu Recipes What Is Hairy Tofu? Mao tofu, also known as Hairy tofu, is a type of traditional Chinese tofu. It is known to have white fuzzy mould on its surface, which is what makes it look "hairy." On the inside, it is said to be soft. Hairy tofu is especially popular in the Anhui province of China. How Is Hairy Tofu Made? Hairy tofu is made by leaving fresh tofu in a controlled, humid environment for around 3-7 days. This is done to encourage the growth of edible mould (like Rhizopus or Actinomucor), similar to that used in tempeh. Once the mould covers the entire surface of the tofu with the fine white fuzz, it is ready to be cooked (it is usually pan-fried or deep-fried). Since the process is fairly straightforward, it can be fermented at home. Also Read: Why Is Food Fermented? Discover The Health Benefits It Offers What Does Hairy Tofu Taste Like? Hairy tofu is said to have a pungent flavour. Its strong taste and mouldy exterior are often compared to those of blue cheese. Since it has an intense flavour, fried hairy tofu is often mixed with strong ingredients like garlic and spicy sauces to make it more appetising. Recently, a video showing hairy tofu being cooked at a local stall in China went viral on Instagram. In the reel, the vlogger compares its taste to camembert. This creamy cow's milk cheese from Normandy, France, is aged with mould. As a result, it develops a distinctive bloomy white rind. Watch the complete viral video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vlad (วี) | Food & Travel in Asia (@lokalvegan) How Are Foodies Reacting To Hairy Tofu? The video above has received a lot of attention on Instagram. In the comments, many people expressed an interest in trying this type of tofu. Several admitted that they found the fuzz off-putting, but would nevertheless want to taste the tofu once cooked. Others were not as convinced. A few also thought that the flavour would be too strong for them. Read some of the reactions below: "Wow! I am going to do some experiments with this. Hope I can recreate it at home." "As long as I don't have to eat a fuxzy texture, I'd be down to try! Looks yummy fried." "I'm willing to try it! Love tofu." "Looks good once cooked, but before, however, it doesn't look appetising." "I had sticky tofu before, never saw this one, I'd love to try. At first sight, I thought it was fairy floss until I watched..." "Unfortunately, I also hate the mould on cheese (it always tastes inedible to me)." "It's not mouldy, it's fashionably fermented." "It's so delicious, the smell is challenging, but once you get over that, you'll enjoy one of the most delicious tofu ever. Wait till you try stinky noodles." In the mood to eat tofu now? Click here to explore some easy and yummy recipes.
Geeky Gadgets
19-05-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
The 5 AI Agents You Need to Streamline Your Business Operations & Save Time
What if you could reclaim hours of your team's day, eliminate tedious tasks, and refocus on innovation—all without hiring additional staff? It's not a futuristic fantasy; it's the reality of businesses that have embraced AI automation. From drafting personalized emails to analyzing complex documents in seconds, AI agents are transforming how companies operate, making processes faster, smarter, and more cost-effective. Yet, with so many tools available, the challenge lies in knowing which ones can truly transform your workflow and deliver measurable results. In this feature, Vlad introduces you to five essential AI agents that can streamline your business operations and free up valuable resources. Whether you're looking to automate customer interactions, generate high-quality content, or accelerate decision-making, these tools are designed to tackle common pain points across industries. But this isn't just about efficiency—it's about allowing your team to focus on what really matters: strategy, creativity, and growth. As you explore these AI-driven solutions, consider how they could reshape your business priorities and unlock new opportunities for success. Essential AI Automation Tools Browsing Automation: Simplify Online Interactions Browsing automation tools are designed to handle repetitive online tasks, such as interacting with websites, filling out forms, and gathering data. These tools are particularly valuable for businesses that rely on lead generation, supplier discovery, or tender applications. By automating these processes, you can significantly reduce manual effort, minimize errors, and ensure consistency in data collection. For example, an AI agent can: Extract contact details from multiple websites, consolidating them into a single database. Compile supplier information into structured formats for easy analysis. Automatically complete online procurement forms, saving hours of administrative work. By using browsing automation, businesses can streamline online interactions, improve data accuracy, and free up valuable time for higher-priority tasks. Content Creation: Generate Tailored Materials AI-powered content creation tools enable businesses to produce high-quality, personalized materials quickly and efficiently. Whether you need blog posts, newsletters, advertisements, or landing pages, these tools can deliver content that resonates with your target audience while maintaining your brand's unique voice. For instance, an AI agent can: Analyze audience preferences and behavior to craft relevant and engaging content. Draft marketing emails, blog articles, or social media posts tailored to your audience. Ensure consistent tone and messaging across multiple platforms, reinforcing brand identity. By automating content creation, you can enhance your marketing efforts, reduce production time, and ensure your messaging aligns with your business goals. 5 AI Agents you need to automate your business Watch this video on YouTube. Expand your understanding of AI automation tools with additional resources from our extensive library of articles. Communication Automation: Streamline Customer Interactions Effective communication is a cornerstone of any successful business, and AI agents can play a pivotal role in automating routine communication tasks. These tools are particularly beneficial for sales teams, customer support, and lead qualification, helping businesses maintain professionalism and responsiveness. For example, an AI agent can: Analyze customer inquiries and draft personalized responses, improving engagement. Automate follow-up emails for sales prospects, making sure timely communication. Provide consistent and professional messaging across email, chat, and other channels. By automating communication, businesses can improve response times, enhance customer satisfaction, and allow teams to focus on more complex, high-value interactions. Document Analysis: Reduce Manual Review Document analysis tools use AI to evaluate documents against internal guidelines or policies, reducing the need for time-consuming manual reviews. These agents are particularly useful for industries that handle large volumes of paperwork, such as legal, insurance, and human resources. For example, an AI agent can: Scan contracts to identify compliance issues, risks, or inconsistencies. Flag missing or incomplete information in onboarding or application documents. Ensure all documents adhere to organizational standards and regulatory requirements. By automating document analysis, businesses can reduce errors, accelerate processing times, and maintain compliance with both internal policies and external regulations. Research Automation: Accelerate Decision-Making Research automation tools combine internal data with external insights to deliver comprehensive analyses, allowing businesses to make informed decisions more efficiently. These AI agents are particularly valuable for tasks such as market analysis, investment proposals, and strategic planning. For instance, an AI agent can: Analyze market trends and competitor data to identify opportunities and threats. Aggregate customer feedback to uncover actionable insights and areas for improvement. Generate data-driven recommendations to support business strategies and resource allocation. By automating research, businesses can stay ahead of industry trends, make faster decisions, and allocate resources more effectively, making sure they remain competitive in a dynamic marketplace. Adopt AI to Drive Business Success AI agents offer scalable solutions to optimize operations, reduce manual workloads, and address specific business challenges. From browsing automation to research automation, these tools provide measurable benefits that can transform the way your organization operates. By integrating AI-driven automation into your workflows, you can: Enhance operational efficiency and accuracy across departments. Redirect resources toward strategic growth and innovation initiatives. Maintain a competitive edge in today's fast-paced business environment. In an era where adaptability and efficiency are critical, adopting AI is no longer a luxury but a necessity for businesses aiming to thrive. By using the power of AI agents, you can streamline processes, improve decision-making, and position your organization for long-term success. Media Credit: AI with Vlad Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
