Newsflash: Must-read-news for April 9th, 2025

Infrequent and incomplete, but here are my most recent recommended reads for today:

A Moscow court sentenced investigative journalists Roman Anin and Yekaterina Fomina to eight and a half years in prison each in absentia for reporting on the Russian military’s actions in Ukraine. The sentences were issued over allegations of spreading “fake news,” with Fomina’s case linked to her 2022 investigation into civilian killings in Bucha. The sentences will be enforced if the journalists are detained in Russia or extradited. Source: Important Stories

Wargaming, traditionally a military strategy tool, is now a dynamic approach for tackling complex challenges across various sectors. It helps organizations prepare for crises, test strategies, and strengthen response capabilities. By simulating scenarios like natural disasters or supply chain disruptions, wargaming develops new strategies and tests existing assumptions. It is particularly effective in assessing responses to polycrises, where multiple organizations must collaborate. As more industries recognize its benefits, wargaming is becoming a cornerstone of resilience planning, ensuring organizations remain agile and prepared for future challenges. Source: RAND

President Donald Trump has proposed a defense budget of approximately $1 trillion, the largest in U.S. history. This budget aims to strengthen military capabilities amid rising global threats. The administration is committed to enhancing military readiness and power, despite ongoing discussions about potential cuts and reallocations within the defense sector. Source: Defence Blog

The UK-US intelligence relationship is under strain due to the US’s temporary halt in intelligence sharing with Ukraine, which has broader implications for the Five Eyes alliance. This pause has raised concerns about the reliability of the US as an ally and the potential overreliance on privately controlled intelligence systems. The UK and other allies have reaffirmed their support for Ukraine despite these challenges, highlighting the complex dynamics within the alliance. Source: Gateway Pundit and Politico

Tren de Aragua – the Venezuelan gang that Donald J. Krasnov theatrical staged as pawn sacrifice and deported to infiltration camps in El Salvador is not as strong as the worst President of the world would like to have them. Here are some deskewing facts. Source: InSight Crime

The European Commission is inviting to a CERIS workshop on May 15th, 2025 with the topic of online identity theft and fake information. Source: European Commission