War in Venezuela, Brought to You By the Same People Who Lied Us Into Iraq

Source: The Intercept
by Alain Stephens

“The echoes of Iraq are everywhere: the moral certainty, the insistence on a narrow mission, laws stretched to accommodate force, the journalist class nudging readers toward the idea of escalation. The Times leans on that posture — the intellectual confidence that if a dictator is cruel enough, if his country is chaotic enough, then U.S. firepower is not only justified but prudent and even moral. … This is not law enforcement. It is coercive statecraft backed by military power. And when the press uncritically repeats the administration’s framing, the escalation becomes easier to swallow.” (11/18/25)

https://theintercept.com/2025/11/18/venezuela-iraq-war-new-york-times/

The global race for talent: Other nations are outpacing the U.S. on high-skill immigration

Source: Niskanen Center
by Cecilia Ignatio

“Immigration policy has become a critical tool for labor and economic strategy. But as governments around the world compete for valuable workplace talent, the United States has gone in the opposite direction by adding new restrictions on legal immigration for high-skilled workers, explicitly targeting the H-1B visa program through a $100,000 fee. … The administration has said the amount will encourage companies to hire American workers instead of relying on foreign talent. However, in practice, the policy has created confusion among employers regarding the extent of its implementation.” (11/18/25)

https://www.niskanencenter.org/the-global-race-for-talent

Does the Pope Go to the Movies?

Source: Gideon’s Substack
by Noah Millman

“As some of you probably know, Pope Leo XIV spoke to group of film industry professionals this past Saturday, urging them not to give up on the movies. … Movies, the pontiff declared, are a uniquely popular art, accessible to all and yet at their best capable of sustaining long contemplation and analysis, and of touching the depths of the human soul. Unlike much of the video that clogs our screen-sodden lives these days, cinema is narrative art. It takes us on a journey and, inasmuch as life is also a journey, reminds us thereby that we are alive. … I agree!” (11/18/25)

https://gideons.substack.com/p/does-the-pope-go-to-the-movies

Mexico: Sheinbaum rejects Trump’s suggestion of US strikes on cartel targets

Source: France 24 [French state media]

“Mexico’s president on Tuesday ruled out allowing US strikes against cartels on Mexican soil, a day after President Donald Trump said he was willing to do whatever it takes to stop drugs entering the United States. ‘It’s not going to happen,’ President Claudia Sheinbaum said. … Sheinbaum said she had given this message to Trump and to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on previous occasions and that they had understood. ‘Would I want strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? OK with me, whatever we have to do to stop drugs,’ Trump said Monday, adding that he’s ‘not happy with Mexico.'” (11/18/25)

https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20251119-mexico-president-rejects-trump-usa-cartel-strikes

Jeffrey Epstein Pursued Swiss Rothschild Bank to Finance Israeli Cyberweapons Empire

Source: Drop Site
by Ryan Grim and Murtaza Hussain

“With an avalanche of new documents released by the House Oversight Committee, and looming legislation mandating further disclosures, the press has renewed its relentless coverage of the life and times of Jeffrey Epstein. Yet, with some notable exceptions, a major part of his life’s work has remained outside the media’s gaze, his relationship with the state of Israel and his prominent role in helping advance the Israeli cyberweapons industry.” (11/18/25)

https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/jeffrey-epstein-ariane-de-rothschild-ehud-barak-swiss-bank-israeli-cyberweapons

Klimt painting sells for record $236 million

Source: CNBC

“Gustav Klimt’s ‘Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer’ sold at Sotheby’s Tuesday night for $236.4 million, making it the second-most expensive painting ever sold at auction — breathing new life into the high-end art market after three years of declines. The portrait is the most expensive work ever sold at auction at Sotheby’s, blowing past its original estimate of more than $150 million. … The Klimt was part of the collection of Leonard Lauder, the Estee Lauder heir and longtime art collector, that is expected to total over $400 million. Along with the Lederer portrait, the collection included two Klimt landscapes, which sold for $86 million and $68 million.” (11/19/25)

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/klimt-painting-sothebys-sale-price-art-market.html