Nikhil Shah
@grandmastershah.bsky.social
Immigration Lawyer by trade. Left leaning skeptic, martial artist, and physics and paleontology enthusiast.....and huge Godzilla and Bruce Lee fan.
He/him
Los Angeles, CA
Married to @lorenalariosshah.bsky.social
He/him
Los Angeles, CA
Married to @lorenalariosshah.bsky.social
“Nor has the administration provided any evidence that another state engaged in such an armed conflict has asked the US to destroy cocaine shipments that are allegedly being used to subsidize armed violence against the requesting state,”
US justice department memo about boat strikes diverges from Trump narrative
Exclusive: Officials frame strikes as self-defense against violence, without naming aggressor, while Trump claims they are to stop US overdose deaths
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
“Nor has the administration provided any evidence that another state engaged in such an armed conflict has asked the US to destroy cocaine shipments that are allegedly being used to subsidize armed violence against the requesting state,”
"But Barham and groups he works with are among Christian evangelicals who have for years set up outside Dearborn schools or at parks to lure kids with candy, face painting or soccer games, then tried to convert them to Christianity."
Rightwing influencers spin anti-Muslim rage in Michigan for social media reach
In Dearborn, provocateurs have held anti-Islam rallies, attempted to burn the Qur’an and rile residents for clickbait
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:58 PM
"But Barham and groups he works with are among Christian evangelicals who have for years set up outside Dearborn schools or at parks to lure kids with candy, face painting or soccer games, then tried to convert them to Christianity."
"the requirement to “obey orders,” it says, “does not apply to a patently illegal order, such as one that directs the commission of a crime.” Restating this fact might be politically provocative, but it does not constitute “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” as Trump posted on Truth Social."
FBI requests interviews with Democrats who released video reminding military not to follow illegal orders. What did they say? And did it violate the law?
Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan revealed on Tuesday that the FBI’s counterterrorism division sent a note that “appeared to open an inquiry into me in response to a video President Trump did not like.”
www.yahoo.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:51 PM
"the requirement to “obey orders,” it says, “does not apply to a patently illegal order, such as one that directs the commission of a crime.” Restating this fact might be politically provocative, but it does not constitute “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” as Trump posted on Truth Social."
“[If that happens] Maduro will feel empowered. He’ll say: ‘Yeah, I defeated the United States,’” Farah said. And any chance of the Venezuelan dictator leaving power “in some sort of orderly fashion will be gone again for another 10 years”.
Trump threatens Venezuela’s Maduro with ‘the easy way … or the hard way’
Venezuela president vows to defend ‘every inch’ of the country amid military buildup in Caribbean
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:42 PM
“[If that happens] Maduro will feel empowered. He’ll say: ‘Yeah, I defeated the United States,’” Farah said. And any chance of the Venezuelan dictator leaving power “in some sort of orderly fashion will be gone again for another 10 years”.
"In countries such as Sri Lanka and Myanmar, where the conservative Theravada strain predominates, monks have emerged as central figures in movements that promote sectarian hatred, abandoning the teachings of the Buddha in favour of a more common and earthly goal: political power."
The dangerous rise of Buddhist extremism: ‘Attaining nirvana can wait’
The long read: Still largely viewed as a peaceful philosophy, across much of south-east Asia, the religion has been weaponised to serve nationalist goals
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:03 PM
"In countries such as Sri Lanka and Myanmar, where the conservative Theravada strain predominates, monks have emerged as central figures in movements that promote sectarian hatred, abandoning the teachings of the Buddha in favour of a more common and earthly goal: political power."
"bitter conflict at the heart of global climate politics: between those who accept the scientific fact that to deal with climate change the world must wean itself off fossil fuels over the coming decades; and those who are actively resisting this in pursuit of their short-term energy interests”.
US, Russia and Saudi Arabia create axis of obstruction as Cop30 sputters out
Trump puts US in unflattering company as lack of representative at climate talks reveals disdain for climate progress
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
"bitter conflict at the heart of global climate politics: between those who accept the scientific fact that to deal with climate change the world must wean itself off fossil fuels over the coming decades; and those who are actively resisting this in pursuit of their short-term energy interests”.
"Bregman, who is giving the BBC’s prestigious annual Reith Lectures, said his claim that Trump was “the most openly corrupt president in American history” had been taken out. He said he had been told that the decision to remove the accusation was taken at the “highest levels within the BBC”.
Reith lecturer accuses BBC of censoring his remarks on Trump
Dutch writer Rutger Bregman says claim that Trump was ‘most openly corrupt president in US history’ was removed
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:38 PM
"Bregman, who is giving the BBC’s prestigious annual Reith Lectures, said his claim that Trump was “the most openly corrupt president in American history” had been taken out. He said he had been told that the decision to remove the accusation was taken at the “highest levels within the BBC”.
This is the equivalent of me picking a fight with Mike Tyson just to look cool to my friends.
"But Japan has “no bargaining chips” over China, says Li Hao, an associate professor at the University of Tokyo and a research fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs."
"But Japan has “no bargaining chips” over China, says Li Hao, an associate professor at the University of Tokyo and a research fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs."
How the China-Japan Rift Could Cost Both Countries
China is trying to impose economic costs on Japan for wading into the issue of Taiwan. But experts say the escalating dispute could ultimately hurt China too.
time.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:21 PM
This is the equivalent of me picking a fight with Mike Tyson just to look cool to my friends.
"But Japan has “no bargaining chips” over China, says Li Hao, an associate professor at the University of Tokyo and a research fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs."
"But Japan has “no bargaining chips” over China, says Li Hao, an associate professor at the University of Tokyo and a research fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs."
“The (U.S.) factual analysis is fantastical,” said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “Contrary to its content, there have been no improvements in governance or stability, the revocation of a state of emergency is meaningless in effect,"
U.S. ends temporary status for Myanmar nationals, cites upcoming polls as ‘progress’
The move sparks concern for individuals who may be forced to return to Myanmar, which has been in political turmoil since the military seized power in a 2021 coup.
www.japantimes.co.jp
November 25, 2025 at 3:10 PM
“The (U.S.) factual analysis is fantastical,” said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “Contrary to its content, there have been no improvements in governance or stability, the revocation of a state of emergency is meaningless in effect,"
Reposted by Nikhil Shah
Sometimes I think about how many people were convinced that the Vice President of the United States lost the presidential election because she didn’t contort herself to do this show.
If it’s true it says a lot about this country.
If it’s true it says a lot about this country.
Everything about this might be the saddest thing I’ve ever seen
November 25, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Sometimes I think about how many people were convinced that the Vice President of the United States lost the presidential election because she didn’t contort herself to do this show.
If it’s true it says a lot about this country.
If it’s true it says a lot about this country.
"Generally speaking, when the author of the Bush torture memos is comfortable publicly opining that you are violating international humanitarian law, you would be well-advised to consult with a better defense lawyer than whichever one is advising you at that particular moment."
Emil Bove has no business being a lawyer, let alone a life-tenured appeals court judge. "Just sink the boats" is an idea that shouldn't come from anyone with more power than a 13-year-old who plays too much Call of Duty
Report: Trump’s Most Corrupt, Least Qualified Judge Was Also an Enthusiastic Proponent of Extrajudicial Killings
Yet another reason for Senate Democrats to impeach Emil Bove the moment they take back the upper chamber.
ballsandstrikes.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:34 PM
"Generally speaking, when the author of the Bush torture memos is comfortable publicly opining that you are violating international humanitarian law, you would be well-advised to consult with a better defense lawyer than whichever one is advising you at that particular moment."
Reposted by Nikhil Shah
Really looks like the United States is about to launch a regime change war against Venezuela with:
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
November 24, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Really looks like the United States is about to launch a regime change war against Venezuela with:
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
Science communicators in the 2010s told us that these two were "intelligent" people and people should give them a chance and "engage" with them. How did that work out?
Everything about this might be the saddest thing I’ve ever seen
November 24, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Science communicators in the 2010s told us that these two were "intelligent" people and people should give them a chance and "engage" with them. How did that work out?
Reposted by Nikhil Shah
Chef and "Turtle Island” author Sean Sherman teaches @ronnychieng.bsky.social how to avoid diluting the Native American experience on Thanksgiving
November 24, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Chef and "Turtle Island” author Sean Sherman teaches @ronnychieng.bsky.social how to avoid diluting the Native American experience on Thanksgiving
"Despite telling the officers he was an American citizen, one of them broke the driver’s side window and detained him. In a video shared to the outlet by Cesar Jimenez, Christian can reportedly be heard asserting his citizenship while an officer responds “get out of the car” and “I don’t care.”
ICE detained teenaged US citizen during school lunch break, family says
Christian Jimenez, Oregon high school senior, faces possible obstruction charges after traffic stop by immigration agents
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
"Despite telling the officers he was an American citizen, one of them broke the driver’s side window and detained him. In a video shared to the outlet by Cesar Jimenez, Christian can reportedly be heard asserting his citizenship while an officer responds “get out of the car” and “I don’t care.”
Good. The U.S. plan was horrendous.
Ukraine makes significant changes to US ‘peace plan’, sources say
Some of Russia’s maximalist demands have been removed from original 28-point proposal, it is understood
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Good. The U.S. plan was horrendous.
Reposted by Nikhil Shah
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
November 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
Reposted by Nikhil Shah
Right-wing rubes who want to fall for this is one thing. Generates anger and victimization they feel gives them license.
Politicians and journalists on X who treat these foreign MAGA grifters and the American users who like their posts as a gauge of what The People want, now that’s something else.
Politicians and journalists on X who treat these foreign MAGA grifters and the American users who like their posts as a gauge of what The People want, now that’s something else.
It’s hilarious and revelatory that a bunch of giant MAGA/America First X accounts are actually based in Eastern Europe and Nigeria.
Top MAGA Influencers Accidentally Unmasked as Foreign Actors
A new feature on Elon Musk’s X has given deeper insight into the online “America First” movement.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Right-wing rubes who want to fall for this is one thing. Generates anger and victimization they feel gives them license.
Politicians and journalists on X who treat these foreign MAGA grifters and the American users who like their posts as a gauge of what The People want, now that’s something else.
Politicians and journalists on X who treat these foreign MAGA grifters and the American users who like their posts as a gauge of what The People want, now that’s something else.
Reposted by Nikhil Shah
When you help preside over economic policy that is both inflationary and nonsensical and tell average Americans struggling with affordability that they should deal with it by finding a new place to live.
Bessent: "You know the best way to bring your inflation rate down? Move from a blue state to a red state. Blue state inflation is half a percent higher."
November 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
When you help preside over economic policy that is both inflationary and nonsensical and tell average Americans struggling with affordability that they should deal with it by finding a new place to live.
Reposted by Nikhil Shah
I had a popular account with a valuable audience and my Twitter payout was $80 a month-ish, to the point where I disabled monetization instead of uploading my ID. Payouts are only material if you live in a developing country, so “guy in Nigeria posting right-wing Amerislop” has taken over the site.
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
November 23, 2025 at 3:31 PM
I had a popular account with a valuable audience and my Twitter payout was $80 a month-ish, to the point where I disabled monetization instead of uploading my ID. Payouts are only material if you live in a developing country, so “guy in Nigeria posting right-wing Amerislop” has taken over the site.
"not to congratulate China for its authoritarian government, for its repression of minorities or for the iron fist it deploys against any form of dissent.But it merits pondering how this undemocratic government could successfully slash its poverty rate when the richest and oldest democracy..wouldn't
China has brought millions out of poverty. The US has not – by choice
Despite the US’s economic success, income inequality remains breathtaking. But this is no glitch – it’s the system
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:31 PM
"not to congratulate China for its authoritarian government, for its repression of minorities or for the iron fist it deploys against any form of dissent.But it merits pondering how this undemocratic government could successfully slash its poverty rate when the richest and oldest democracy..wouldn't
"In Trump’s transactional White House, it is hard for Israel to compete against the Gulf. Prince Mohammed promised $1tn in Saudi investment in the US economy. Qatar has given Trump a $400m luxury plane to use as a new Air Force One."
Why Trump’s lavish Saudi courtship leaves Israel on the back foot
Pageantry and trillion-dollar promises reveal how Washington’s loyalties may be tilting toward the Gulf
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:22 PM
"In Trump’s transactional White House, it is hard for Israel to compete against the Gulf. Prince Mohammed promised $1tn in Saudi investment in the US economy. Qatar has given Trump a $400m luxury plane to use as a new Air Force One."