Brown University Shooter Identified as Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, 48, Dead from Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound in New Hampshire


Posted originally on CTH on December 18, 2025 | Sundance

The Brown University shooter has been identified as Claudio Manuel Neves Valente (48) a Portuguese national, green card holder, and former Brown University student.   Claudio Valente was identified and found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a storage facility in New Hampshire.

Claudio Valente was a student at Brown University physics PhD program from the fall of 2000 until taking a leave of absence in April of 2001, Brown University President Christina Paxson said. He formally withdrew from the university in 2003; she told reporters Thursday night.

There is no known motive being discussed, however Valante is also accused of killing MIT Professor Nuno Loureiro, 47, who was fatally shot in his Brookline home on Monday December 15th.

The killer, Valante, and the victim, Professor Loureiro, attended the same university in Portugal.

Before killing MIT Professor Louriero in Massachusetts on Monday, Claudio Valente entered a Brown University study session in the Barus & Holley engineering and physics building and fired 40 rounds from a 9 mm handgun on Saturday (Rhode Island). Two Brown University students, Ella Cook (Alabama) and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov (Uzbekistan) were killed, nine others were injured.

Valante was a resident of Miami Florida; however, in late November he travelled to Boston Massachusetts, rented a vehicle and then traveled to Rhode Island in early December.  He was seen in/around the campus of Brown University for around a week before he carried out his mass shooting (Sat).  Valante then traveled back to Boston and reportedly killed MIT Professor Louriero (Mon).  The rental vehicle was found in a New Hampshire storage facility along with Valante’s body and the weapons used in the targeted killings.   No motive yet identified.

The full press conference from Rhode Island officials is below.

EU Desperate to Find a Way to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Ukraine


Posted originally on CTH on December 18, 2025 | Sundance 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is huddled with European Leaders at the European Council meeting in Brussels.  The key effort by the assembly is how to use frozen Russian assets to give money to Ukraine.

The EU itself does not want to lend Ukraine money directly because people within each nation of the EU assembly do not support giving Ukraine more money.  The issue reflects a political disconnect where the EU leaders want to give money that the EU citizens do not support giving.

As a result, the only viable option is for the EU to find a mechanism where seized Russian assets can be disbursed or used as collateral for payments to Ukraine.  However, some member states like Hungary, Italy and Belgium are refusing to cooperate with the seizure of the Russian sovereign wealth fund.  The problem for Zelenskyy and his friends is simply that without money wars cannot continue.

As noted by Decentralized Media: “What is unfolding in Europe reads less like miscalculation and more like controlled demolition operation. The freezing—and now effective seizure—of Russian-linked assets at Euroclear is not simply a sanction gone too far. It is a deliberate trigger in a broader effort to collapse the European Union’s existing financial architecture and, with it, the London-centered banking cartel that has dominated global capital flows for decades.

That process accelerates the moment Donald Trump removes the United States as the EU’s financial backstop.

Trump’s decision to defund and condition U.S. support for Ukraine did not merely pressure Kyiv. More importantly, his insistence on pursuing a negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia threatened to end the war on terms that would devastate European interests. It forced Europe to confront a war it could not afford and a system it could no longer sustain. Without Washington underwriting the conflict, Brussels faced a stark choice: accept a negotiated peace and a financial reckoning or prolong the war long enough to extract what value it could from the system before collapse.

Europe chose the latter.

The Russian assets frozen in 2022 were never meant to be spent. They were never supposed to survive a peace deal. They were leverage—political theater designed to signal resolve while assuming eventual American rescue. But when Trump pulled the plug, those frozen funds became the only available war chest. The moment Europe reached for them; the collapse became inevitable. (read more)

President Trump has told the EU the frozen Russian assets should be used as part of the negotiation for a ceasefire.  If the EU announces permanent confiscation of the assets the leverage is lost.

The EU could borrow the needed money against the security of the EU budget and then lend the money to Ukraine.  However, such a move requires unanimity among the 27 EU countries, Hungary and Italy already said they would veto it.

If the EU is not going to accept peace, the only option they have left is to collateralize the Russian assets and loan the money to Ukraine.

No, Inflation Did Not “Cool Unexpectedly”, It Slowed Because Trump Policies are Working


Posted originally on CTH on December 18, 2025 | Sundance

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) has released the November Consumer Price Index (CPI) [DATA HERE] showing the rate of inflation has dropped to 2.7% overall, with core inflation at 2.6%.  This is a significant drop from expectations by financial pundits and pontificating economic media.

While the media proclaim, “inflation cooled unexpectedly,” the reality is that it’s not unexpected.  The results of a slowing of price increase are not accidental; they are the result of Trump’s domestic economic policies working.

[Non-Paywall Source and Media Spin]

President Trump has been cutting waste, fraud and abuse in runaway government spending; slashing costly regulations across all sectors of the economy and ending Green New Scam energy policy in favor of drill, baby, drill.  As noted by NEC Chairman Kevin Hasset, Trump has reduced deficit spending overall.

There’s still a long way to go, but significant MAGAnomic progress is being made.  Oh, and that skyrocketing “tariff inflation” the same shocked pundits proclaimed was sure to happen this time, well, that has not surfaced either.  Just like it didn’t surface in 2018 or 2019 when the tariffs were applied the first time.

NEW YORK – US inflation unexpectedly cooled in November – slowing its pace in the first report since September after a government shutdown disrupted data gathering.

The Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% in November over the past 12 months, down from 3% in September and below expectations of a 3.1% rise, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday.

Core CPI – which excludes volatile food and energy prices – rose 2.6% over the same period, far below estimates of a 3% jump.

[…] “This report is clear: prices are steady and wages are beating inflation,” the White House Council of Economic Advisers said in a social media post, nodding to lower inflation rates on airfares and hotels. (read more)

Providence-area Radio Host Asks Brown University About Their Intentional Disabling of CCTV Systems


Posted originally on CTH on December 18, 2025 | Sundance

During a press conference on Wednesday, a Providence-area radio host, Chas Calenda, directly confronted Brown University officials and law enforcement with information he has received about the school intentionally disabling surveillance systems due to DEI concerns.

The response from university officials and the Providence Mayor indicate Mr. Chas Calenda’s informed accusation and question is directly on target.  WATCH:

In addition to information we previously shared {GO DEEP} reflecting requests from various “civil rights” and “humanitarian” groups who demanded Brown University disable their surveillance system, additional information about the issue comes via the Rhode Island ACLU making the same demand in October of this year [SEE HERE].

Brown University was under pressure from far-left groups as an outcome of concern the CCTV and school security system would be used by federal authorities to (a) identify radical leftists expressing antisemitic sentiments, and (b) identify the immigration status of persons on campus.  It is not just isolated to Brown University.

Multiple municipal governments, private and municipal agencies have received the same demand in an ongoing effort to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.  The mass shooting on Brown University is leading to a larger public awareness of an issue that has been spreading rapidly in the last several months.

The claim by Chas Calenda is that his local sources within law enforcement are confirming the university cowed to the concerns of the civil rights groups, including the removal of cameras.  This is why there is no recorded CCTV footage, and the university is talking gibberish in their efforts to avoid admitting what has taken place.

Brown University and Providence police have $8 billion liability reasons to be less than honest with the alarmed public. The political ramifications of the story are also complicating the issue for Brown University, as well as local and national figures.

Here is the full press conference.  The key question comes at the very end of the video 49:20.

Do Not Look Away on This One


Posted originally on CTH on December 18, 2025 | Sundance

The ramifications are enormous here, not just to Brown University, Providence Rhode Island or local/state officials.  The ramifications here extend into every facet of the leftist operation to disrupt law and order in the United States.

Do not look away from the story of the targeted assassination on the campus of Brown University, or the coverup surrounding why information is not available.  Brown University was attempting to create the ultimate leftist locale where every leftist idea and outlook was affirmed, and all leftist policies were implemented. The implications here are extremely important.  Do not look away.  WATCH:

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FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino Confirms His Resignation – Will Be Leaving FBI in January


Posted originally on CTH on December 17, 2025 | Sundance 

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirms via his X account, that he will be leaving the FBI in January.

[SOURCE]

This announcement does not come as a surprise to those follow the details of corrupt systems closely and who have watched the scale of the problems surface through the years.

The problems within the FBI as an institution are systemic.  Both Kash Patel and Dan Bongino faced a monumental challenge in trying to get their arms around the scale of the problem within the institution.  There is no apple, only worms.

Any type of institutional confrontation at this scale can only succeed if the problems are first admitted. Bongino faced a big challenge with Director Patel refusing to accept institutional corruption was the biggest issue.  You cannot correct problems of great consequence until you admit the core of the problem.  No admission was made. The problems remain.

Inasmuch as we all wanted Dan Bongino to succeed, we must also admit to ourselves he did not possess sufficient skills that neuter the attack vectors that would be exploited against him.  Training that skillset first starts with an inward conversation.

Easily identified attack vectors are mechanisms deployed by those who retain corrupt activity within the institution.

We knew from the outset the corrupt FBI actors would seek to remain in control by manipulating the leadership Trump dispatched to confront them.

Kash Patel’s primary attack vector comes as an outcome of his ego, desire for affluence and delusions of grandeur.

Dan Bongino’s attack vector was/is his emotional need to be liked and appreciated by his audience.  As a broadcast personality an internal codependency heading is good for business.  However, in an institutional leadership position that same a codependency mindset is the opposite of the skillset needed to confront a corrupt audience.

Emotional dependency, definitions of self-worth determined by an external audience, creates vulnerability.  Corrupt FBI actors know how to exploit a personality that needs to be liked (Bongino), and corrupt FBI actors know how to exploit a personality that assigns value to the indulgences of position (Patel).  This was the non-pretending baseline for easy to predict failure.

Former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz held a worldview that was counter to the perspective of President Trump. He did possess the skillset; he just held the wrong mindset.  For Dan Bongino it was the opposite. Bongino holds the same mindset as President Trump, he just didn’t have the skillset.

Misaligned outlook or misaligned skillsets, when combined with easily identifiable attack vectors, creates manipulative opportunities for those who intend to continue corrupt endeavors within big institutional systems.

We wish Dan Bongino all the best as he returns to private life.

We will continue praying for Mr Bongino’s physical and emotional health, and we sincerely thank him for his efforts.

President Trump Delivers an Address to the Nation


Posted originally on CTH on December 17, 2025 | Sundance 

President Trump delivers remarks to the nation, outlining the challenges left by years of intentional erosion of American values and law and order by those who controlled the Biden administration.  WATCH:

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Russian President Vladimir Putin Responds to Zelenskyy and EU During Remarks to Defense Ministry


Posted originally on CTH on December 17, 2025 | Sundance 

During a speech to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin responded to the generally-public-outline of the Zelenskyy-EU plan to end combat operations against Russia.

Remarkably, President Putin began his statement by thanking North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un for sending supportive troops to assist the Russian army in the Donbas region.  Putin held a moment of silence for the fallen soldiers from the DPRK.

The entire speech transcript IS HERE.  Below I am pulling out the excerpt that specifically pertains to the current line of conflict in Ukraine and the position of Russia as it pertains to a cessation of hostilities.

VLADIMIR PUTIN – […] “Today, we can see that the geopolitical situation remains tense throughout the world, and even critical in some regions. NATO countries are actively building up and modernizing their offensive forces, and creating and deploying new types of weapons, including in outer space.

Meanwhile, people in Europe are being indoctrinated with fears of an inevitable confrontation with Russia, with claims that preparations must be made for a major war. Various figures who have held or continue to hold positions of responsibility appear to have simply forgotten what that responsibility entails.

They are whipping up hysteria, guided by momentary, personal or group political interests rather than the interests of their people. I have said many times that this is a lie and an irrational narrative about an imaginary Russian threat to European countries. But they are doing this deliberately.

The truth is that Russia has always, until the last possible moment tried, even in the most complicated circumstances, to find diplomatic solutions to differences and conflicts. Responsibility for the failure to use these chances lies squarely with those who believe that they can use the language of force with us.

We continue to call for developing mutually beneficial and equal cooperation with the United States and European countries, and for creating a joint security system in the Eurasian region. We welcome nascent progress in our dialogue with the new US administration, which cannot be said of the current leaders of the majority of European countries.

At the same time, we realize that our Armed Forces remain the key guarantor of Russia’s sovereignty and independence in any international situation. As I have stated, we must work consistently to strengthen them.

What I would like to emphasize here are the objectives to be set in the area of military development, taking into account the dynamics of the situation along the line of contact, among other factors.

First. The goals of the special military operation will undoubtedly be achieved. We would prefer to accomplish this and address the root causes of the conflict through diplomatic means. However, if the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means. The task of creating and expanding a security buffer zone will also be carried out consistently.

Second. Work on modernizing the Armed Forces must continue at a rapid pace and to a high standard, primarily within the framework of the new State Armament Programme for 2027˗2036, which is currently under development.

As I have repeatedly emphasized, the experience gained during the special military operation, emerging trends in combat tactics, and rapidly developing military technologies must be fully taken into account.

Key areas of the state programme include air and missile defense systems, command and control systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating in all environments.

Of course, improving our strategic nuclear forces remains a priority. As before, they will play a decisive role in deterring aggression and maintaining the global balance of power.” (READ MORE)

Brown University Received a Letter from 34 Human Rights Groups in August Requesting They Disable Their CCTV System


Posted originally on CTH on December 17, 2025 | Sundance

The question is: Did Brown University acquiesce under pressure from far-left human rights groups to disable their CCTV systems, in advance of the mass shooting on campus?

[SOURCE – AUGUST 19, 2025]

As originally reported in August 2025 {SOURCE}, a group of far-left human rights advocates sent a letter to 150 U.S. colleges and universities asking them to disable the CCTV systems to protect “free expression and academic freedom across the country,” because “the Trump administration has launched an aggressive campaign against US academic institutions.”

The motive for the request to disable CCTV systems as stated: “Right now these tools are facilitating the identification and punishment of student protesters, undermining activists’ right to anonymity––a right the Supreme Court has affirmed as vital to free expression and political participation.” {SOURCE}

The letter from ‘Fight For The Future‘ (August, 2025) came after an earlier campaign by the same group seeking to stop the use of facial recognition cameras on college campuses. {SOURCE}

The Brown University President and school officials have been giving ridiculous answers to questions about the 800 cameras on the campus and the fact that no current footage exists of the shooter walking around inside the campus or inside the buildings therein.

The question is really a simple one.  Did Brown University follow the requests of the hardline leftist groups who asked the school to disable the functioning of their surveillance network in order to protect the identity of the students on campus?

Obviously, this potential explanation would answer a lot of seemingly irreconcilable questions about the lack of surveillance footage available to local law enforcement, state police and FBI investigators.  The only current footage of the shooter is from privately owned doorbell cameras and CCTV systems from businesses near the campus.  No footage of the shooter on campus has been identified.

Against the factual evidence of Brown University receiving requests to disable their surveillance cameras, someone needs to ask the right question.

Everyone can see the potential ramifications here, along with the severity of the legal risk Brown University would be facing.  Perhaps that dynamic is what’s behind the twisted wording and explanations coming from university and local officials.

A targeted political assassination of a young, female conservative vice-chair of the Brown University Republican group takes place.  The ideological shooter benefits from the lack of school security and surveillance.  That lack of security was intentionally created by ideological school administrators and officials bowing to pressure from ideologically aligned leftist organizations.

If accurate, this is quite a scenario on many levels; including a considerable legal risk, intentional and willful negligence, and massive lawsuit exposure in the aftermath of two deaths and 9 injured students.  Brown University has an $8 billion endowment.

As everyone understands, a University like Brown creates a local economy unto itself. College towns like Providence, Rhode Island are college towns for a reason.  The college is a considerable foundation for the economic wealth of the community.  As an outcome, the local officials would be in full protection mode over their economic foundation.  In this case, there are billions at stake.

Perhaps this dynamic explains all the conflicts and seemingly bizarre statements by local and university officials.  WATCH:

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JD Vance Gives Strong Defense of Susie Wiles


Posted originally on CTH on December 16, 2025 | Sundance

Vice President JD Vance was questioned about White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles calling Vance a conspiracy theorist.

Vance embraces the conspiracy label, defines how accurate it is, then delivers a strong set of remarks in defense of Susie Wiles.  WATCH: 

The overall remarks themselves are not terribly toxic to the White House, but the question of why a chief of staff would sit down for eleven interviews over 11 months with Vanity Fair remains rather curious.

What exactly did Susie Wiles expect was going to happen with all those recorded interviews?