cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/44501310

Archived

The original article in German (by the German newspaper Handelsblatt - here is an archived version)

Georg Maier, the interior minister of the German state of Thuringia, announced that he has evidence suggesting possible espionage activities carried out by Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the interests of Russia. As the German business-focused newspaper Handelsblatt reports, Maier's concerns are shared by Marc Henrichmann, chair of the Bundestag committee overseeing intelligence services, and his deputy, Konstantin von Notz.

According to Maier, AfD consistently uses parliamentary inquiries to gather information about Germany’s critical infrastructure — from transport networks and water supply to digital systems and the energy sector. In Thuringia alone, the party submitted 47 such inquiries over the past year, and their nature, the minister said, has become increasingly detailed. Similar inquiries are being filed at the federal level, which, in Maier’s view, raises suspicions of possible coordination. AfD appears particularly interested in data concerning police IT systems, counter-drone technologies, and the equipment of civil protection and healthcare services.

“It gives the impression that AfD is acting on the Kremlin’s orders in its inquiries,” Maier said.

[...]

Von Notz also adds that AfD “harms Germany by deliberately becoming a mouthpiece for dictators and spreading their narratives in society and parliaments.” He noted that the heads of Germany’s intelligence agencies have long warned about Russia's use of extremist forces and “specific individuals” in pursuit of its interests.

The latest accusations were prompted by the planned trip to Moscow by Markus Frohnmaier, deputy head of AfD’s parliamentary group in the Bundestag. Martin Huber, secretary general of the Christian Social Union (CSU), urged AfD leadership to cancel the visit, warning that otherwise it could be regarded as treason. Frohnmaier responded that he “serves solely the interests of Germany.”

Interior Minister Maier emphasized that the issue goes beyond a single trip, warning that AfD poses “a threat to Germany’s security” because it rejects democratic principles and leans toward an authoritarian model. He said the party spreads disinformation, undermines trust in institutions, and cooperates with far-right organizations and “foreign enemies of democracy.”

[...]

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/29187673

This post uses a gift link which may have a view count limit. If it runs out, there is an archived copy of the article

Archived

The original article in German (by the German newspaper Handelsblatt - here is an archived version)

Georg Maier, the interior minister of the German state of Thuringia, announced that he has evidence suggesting possible espionage activities carried out by Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the interests of Russia. As the German business-focused newspaper Handelsblatt reports, Maier's concerns are shared by Marc Henrichmann, chair of the Bundestag committee overseeing intelligence services, and his deputy, Konstantin von Notz.

According to Maier, AfD consistently uses parliamentary inquiries to gather information about Germany’s critical infrastructure — from transport networks and water supply to digital systems and the energy sector. In Thuringia alone, the party submitted 47 such inquiries over the past year, and their nature, the minister said, has become increasingly detailed. Similar inquiries are being filed at the federal level, which, in Maier’s view, raises suspicions of possible coordination. AfD appears particularly interested in data concerning police IT systems, counter-drone technologies, and the equipment of civil protection and healthcare services.

“It gives the impression that AfD is acting on the Kremlin’s orders in its inquiries,” Maier said.

[...]

Von Notz also adds that AfD “harms Germany by deliberately becoming a mouthpiece for dictators and spreading their narratives in society and parliaments.” He noted that the heads of Germany’s intelligence agencies have long warned about Russia's use of extremist forces and “specific individuals” in pursuit of its interests.

The latest accusations were prompted by the planned trip to Moscow by Markus Frohnmaier, deputy head of AfD’s parliamentary group in the Bundestag. Martin Huber, secretary general of the Christian Social Union (CSU), urged AfD leadership to cancel the visit, warning that otherwise it could be regarded as treason. Frohnmaier responded that he “serves solely the interests of Germany.”

Interior Minister Maier emphasized that the issue goes beyond a single trip, warning that AfD poses “a threat to Germany’s security” because it rejects democratic principles and leans toward an authoritarian model. He said the party spreads disinformation, undermines trust in institutions, and cooperates with far-right organizations and “foreign enemies of democracy.”

[...]

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/5221017

Archived version

Australia is being urged to establish a regional intelligence sharing alliance with New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji to counter mounting threats in the Pacific.

The status quo of patchwork agreements had failed to tackle transnational crime, illegal fishing, disaster response, climate-related security, and cybersecurity issues, according to Lowy Institute’s Pacific islands programme director Mihai Sora.

“These vulnerabilities create space for external actors, above all China, to gain leverage in the Pacific Islands,” he said in a policy brief released on Wednesday.

The intelligence-sharing arrangement would mirror the Five Eyes partnership between Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

...

Archived version

Australia is being urged to establish a regional intelligence sharing alliance with New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji to counter mounting threats in the Pacific.

The status quo of patchwork agreements had failed to tackle transnational crime, illegal fishing, disaster response, climate-related security, and cybersecurity issues, according to Lowy Institute’s Pacific islands programme director Mihai Sora.

“These vulnerabilities create space for external actors, above all China, to gain leverage in the Pacific Islands,” he said in a policy brief released on Wednesday.

The intelligence-sharing arrangement would mirror the Five Eyes partnership between Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

...

https://blog.stackademic.com/aws-just-fired-40-of-its-devops-team-then-let-ai-take-their-jobs-d9db9d298bfa

More evidence: https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/amazons-aws-cloud-computing-unit-cuts-least-hundreds-jobs-sources-say-2025-07-17/ but back in July this year.

Amazon plans to use automation to replace more than 600,000 workers who would otherwise be hired in the United States by 2033, according to internal documents obtained by The New York Times. By that time, the company is expected to sell about twice as many goods as it does today.

Amazon’s robotics team is reportedly working toward the goal of automating 75% of its entire business. By 2027, it is expected to eliminate around 160,000 jobs in the US, saving the company an estimated $12.6 billion — equivalent to around 30 cents per item delivered.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/53820512

SpaceX says it has cut service to more than 2,500 Starlink devices at Myanmar scam centres, in response to reports that their use by crime gangs for satellite internet service had soared.

Starlink has come from nowhere to become the war-torn country’s biggest internet provider in three months, recent data from the Asian regional internet registry APNIC shows.