Day: August 30, 2025

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Trump taps federal agents to tackle local policing. That’s not always helpful, critics say

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date August 30, 2025

Trump taps federal agents to tackle local policing. That’s not always helpful, critics say [deltaMinutes] mins ago Now

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9 tips for making the perfect burger at home, according to Chili’s head chef

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date August 30, 2025

chilis chef brian paquette and chilis burger — Brian Paquette, the head of culinary at Chili’s, shared his tips for making a perfect burger at home.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Brian Paquette, the head of culinary at Chili’s, shared his tips for making the perfect burger.
He said a great burger starts with the right kind of beef and a “really clean, really hot” grill.
He also shared how to replicate popular Chili’s burgers at home.

The process of making the best burger for your Labor Day cookout guests starts in the grocery store.

That’s according to Brian Paquette, the director of culinary at Chili’s, who spoke with Business Insider about how to make a restaurant-quality burger at home, from the meat he buys to his best grilling hacks and go-to toppings.

Before becoming Chili’s head chef, Paquette ran his own catering company for five years. His day-to-day work involves brainstorming new menu ideas and conducting quantitative and qualitative testing to get dishes on the menu.

One of Paquette’s initiatives as Chili’s head chef has been revitalizing the chain’s burger offerings. The chain has launched two new burgers over the past few years, the Big Smasher and the Big QP, a process that involves multiple rounds of taste-testing and getting customer feedback.

After grilling up some burgers alongside Paquette in the company’s test kitchen in April 2024, we asked him for his biggest tips for making the perfect burger at home, his grilling hacks, and how to pay homage to some fan-favorite Chili’s burger recipes at home.

Here are nine tips for making the perfect burger at home, according to Chili’s head chef.

Opting for ground sirloin or ground chuck will make a burger that’s “juicy and flavorful.”

Paquette said the first step in making the perfect burger at home is choosing the right kind of meat, which often involves asking a butcher to grind up your preferred cut.

“A great burger starts with using high-quality beef,” Paquette said, “so you should go for ground sirloin or ground chuck, to make sure you’ve got a burger that’s juicy and flavorful.”

Paquette also shared his preferred fat ratio when choosing burger patties.

“I’d stick to beef with an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio,” he said. “That will give you a nice juicy burger, and when you’re grilling it, you’ll see some of that juice drop through and vaporize, giving you more of that grill flavor,” he continued.

Fresh meat is almost always better than frozen.

person holding fresh burger patties in grocery store — A person holding fresh burger patties in a grocery store.

Juanmonino/Getty Images

“We make and hand-smash all our burgers in-restaurant at Chili’s, and that’s always my recommendation for people making burgers at home,” Paquette said.

“That said, if you are buying a pre-made burger from the grocery store, I’d head to the meat case and buy the fresh pre-made patties there,” he continued. “You’ll get more flavor than you would from a frozen patty.”

Make sure your grill is really clean and really hot before you put the burger patties down.

burgers — Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

“The grill not being hot enough or the charcoal not being ready is one of the biggest mistakes I see people making,” Paquette said. “That temperature is so key to getting everything else right.”

“If you’re cooking for a big group, you are going to want to clean up the grill and get that temperature up to high to make sure you’re consistently delivering great-tasting burgers,” he said.

Season one side of your patty before grilling it, and then season the other side once the burger is on the grill.

Chef peppering burgers while frying them in the restaurant kitchen.

Guillermo Spelucin/Getty Images

Before you put the meat on the grill, season the side of the burger that is going face down, he said. Once it’s on the grill, season the top of the burger, too.

“People often don’t season their burgers enough, either. You want to make sure it has good flavor, which comes from both the fat and the seasoning,” he said.

“Some of it will inevitably melt off on the grill, so use an ample amount,” Paquette added, saying that Chili’s cooks use four “shakes” of seasoning on each side of the burger.

Once the burger is on the grill, turn the temperature down to medium.

Three brown burgers with grill marks on them sit on a grill as flames rise from the grill in the background — vm/Getty Images

“This is going to give you those signature char marks,” Paquette told Business Insider.

Paquette also recommended only flipping the burger once “to keep the burger tender and juicy” and using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.

“That’s the only way to truly know your burger is cooked through and will help make sure you aren’t overcooking and ending up with a hockey puck instead of a great burger,” he said.

Don’t overcook your burger just because you’re afraid of it being undercooked.

Man using meat thermometer while barbecuing on a sunny day.

Wavebreakmedia/Getty Images

Paquette said that each side of the burger should take about three minutes, but you can also use a meat thermometer to ensure the perfect medium cook.

“Make sure your burger is at a safe internal temperature of 157 degrees,” Paquette said. “People tend to keep cooking to ensure it’s safe, but they overcook it and it loses flavor.”

For smash burgers, make the patties about an inch wider than the bun you plan to put them on.

A classic smashburger with lettuce, pickles, and cheese.

Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald/Getty Images

“The burger will shrink a little and that’s how you make sure you have those nice, charred bits hanging right at the end of your burger,” Paquette said.

He added that if you’re using a traditional grill with grates, never smash your burger with a spatula or other tool once it’s on the grill, or else you’ll lose all the juices. Instead, flatten it before you put it onto the grill.

“If you want to make a smash burger on your griddle, smash the burger as soon as you put it down to lock in those flavors, like we do every time at Chili’s,” he said.

When it comes to toppings, Paquette said he likes to keep things classic.

Fresh toppings for burger including lettuce, guacamole, onions, tomatoes and pickles.

Hillary Kladke/Getty Images

For burger toppings, he usually opts for tomato, lettuce, red onion, ketchup, and pickle. He added that choosing a great bun is key to ensuring your burger stays together and has solid flavor.

“At Chili’s, we use a brioche-style bun, and I’d use a similar soft bun, like a Brioche or potato roll, at home,” he said. “Don’t overlook toasting your bun, as well. You can add a little butter and put it on the griddle to take your burger to the next level.”

However, you can also add more exciting toppings like jalapeños or Thousand Island dressing.

Chili's Alex's Santa Fe Burger — Chili’s Alex’s Santa Fe Burger.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

When we asked Paquette to name his favorite burger from Chili’s, he picked the chain’s new Big Smasher. To recreate it at home, you need American cheese, diced red onion, shredded lettuce, pickles, and Thousand Island dressing, he said.

After trying and ranking all of Chili’s burgers, we also asked how to recreate our personal favorite, the Alex’s Santa Fe burger, which comes with avocado, pepper jack cheese, red onion, jalapeños, tomato, pickles, cilantro, and the chain’s spicy Santa Fe sauce.

“The key to recreating that flavor profile at home is roasted jalapeños,” Paquette said. “While you’re grilling your burgers, grill a jalapeño or two and use those to top your burger. You can also mix them with some ranch to create a sauce that’s similar, but not exact, to our Santa Fe sauce.”

“Another easy hack would be to pick up some fresh-made guacamole from the deli counter at the grocery store to top your burger, or you can use fresh sliced avocado on top,” he continued.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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Mossad recruited agents in US impersonating FBI and CIA – Google Search https://t.co/DK1ZPcMYSV https://t.co/WW3vBrpj4J

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date August 30, 2025

Mossad recruited agents in US impersonating FBI and CIA – Google Search https://t.co/DK1ZPcMYSV https://t.co/WW3vBrpj4J

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) August 30, 2025

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Mossad recruited agents in US impersonating FBI and CIA

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date August 30, 2025

Mossad recruited agents in US impersonating FBI and CIA – Google Search https://t.co/k0dsdwiapY

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) August 30, 2025

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Uganda outlines three key demands in response to escalating tensions around Venezuela

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date August 30, 2025

Uganda has made three significant demands opposing the imperialist escalation against Venezuela amid rising tensions and increasing U.S. military pressure near Venezuelan waters., reports 24brussels.

3 Impactful Demands of Uganda Vs the Imperialist Escalation Against Venezuela

The imperialist escalation against Venezuela has provoked a strong response from Uganda’s International Antifascist chapter. In immediate response to the growing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean Sea, Uganda has articulated three urgent demands aimed at halting this intervention and preserving regional stability.

Uganda’s Antifascist International faction has issued a definitive statement condemning the increasing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela. In response, the group made three urgent demands:

Immediate withdrawal of all U.S. military forces from Caribbean waters surrounding Venezuela.
Cessation of all interventionist policies and hostile actions aimed at destabilizing Venezuela’s government.
Global solidarity among social movements and nations to defend sovereignty and self-determination.

These demands highlight the group’s view that the current escalation constitutes a severe breach of international law and represents an existential threat to regional peace. Uganda places Venezuela’s resistance within a broader historical context of fighting neo-colonial interference, calling for unified resistance against imperialist aggression.

Similar calls have emerged from allied International Antifascist chapters in Uruguay, Cuba, and Benin, fostering both continental and global solidarity. European activist groups are also mobilizing to heighten awareness around these military interventions.

Importance of Uganda’s Demands

The imperialist escalation against Venezuela underscores critical geopolitical tensions in the Caribbean region, which remains vital due to its proximity to U.S. territory and significant maritime routes. The Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela represents a challenge to neoliberal dominance, prompting military and diplomatic pressure from Washington.

Uganda’s demands reflect a larger global resistance to neocolonialism. The emerging transcontinental solidarity between African and Latin American movements symbolizes historical anti-colonial struggles and contemporary efforts to forge a sovereign, multipolar world order that is free from coercion.

These demands serve not only as a call for immediate peace but also as a statement advocating for a long-term transformation of international relations, emphasizing justice, equity, and respect for national sovereignty.

The Military Escalation: Details and Justifications

The essential issue surrounding the imperialist escalation against Venezuela involves a strategic U.S. deployment that includes multiple naval assets positioned near Venezuelan shores. This flotilla reportedly features several destroyers, an amphibious assault ship capable of deploying Marines and aircraft, and at least one nuclear submarine.

The official rationale presented by Washington frames these maneuvers as part of a broader counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism operation aimed at disrupting illicit trafficking networks in the Caribbean. U.S. officials assert that the deployment enhances regional security and combats organized crime, a justification often cited in previous operations.

However, international analysts widely interpret these actions as provocations designed to pressure the Maduro government. The deployment of advanced military hardware in close proximity to Venezuela’s territorial waters occurs alongside ongoing economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation, coupled with repeated calls for regime change.

President Nicolás Maduro has denounced these military movements as part of an imperialist offensive against Venezuela’s sovereignty, urging both the Venezuelan population and the international community to remain vigilant and united against what he describes as an orchestrated campaign of aggression threatening national independence.

International Solidarity and the Campaign Against Imperialism

The responses from various chapters of the International Antifascist movement signify the importance of global solidarity in confronting imperialist aggression. Uganda’s statement exemplifies a global network of activists united in the defense of sovereignty, justice, and human dignity.

These groups emphasize that the imperialist escalation against Venezuela is part of a wider challenge that extends beyond national borders. They advocate for strengthening alliances between Africa and Latin America as an ethical and strategic imperative to counteract domination through military and economic pressure.

Through public protests, political advocacy, and information dissemination, these movements highlight the necessity of countering disinformation often associated with imperialist operations. They envision an internationalist approach founded on cooperation and mutual support as the bedrock of resilience against aggression.

Venezuela’s Defensive Posture and Calls for Vigilance

In the face of escalating military threats, Venezuela has maintained a firm stance on asserting its sovereign rights. The Bolivarian government has prepared forces to defend territorial integrity while denouncing what it categorizes as illegal U.S. interference. President Maduro’s administration reiterates a commitment to peaceful resolutions yet remains ready to counter any acts of aggression.

Venezuelan security forces are on heightened alert in coastal and maritime regions, while diplomatic efforts continue to rally support from regional organizations and friendly governments. The Maduro administration calls on Venezuelans to stay united, emphasizing internal cohesion as crucial to resisting external pressure.

The unfolding situation is unstable, and all developments will be closely observed by both regional security experts and international analysts. The ongoing events could significantly impact Venezuela’s sovereignty and the global struggle against imperialist interventions.

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FBI and Mossad: Partnership and Espionage https://t.co/36UBB2kuEZ

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date August 30, 2025

FBI and Mossad: Partnership and Espionage https://t.co/36UBB2kuEZ

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) August 30, 2025

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The evolution of the Belgian Malinois: from farming roots to global working dog

Post author By Mike Nova
Post date August 30, 2025

The Belgian Malinois, originating from Belgium, has transformed from humble farming roots into one of the most sought-after working dog breeds worldwide, particularly in law enforcement and security sectors. The breed’s intelligence, agility, and unwavering loyalty have solidified its status as a valuable asset in various fields, reports 24brussels.

This article delves into the evolution of the Belgian Malinois, tracing its origins, development, and current role as a reliable multi-purpose dog.

Origins of the Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois emerged in the late 19th century in the city of Mechelen, Belgium. Local farmers bred these dogs from native shepherd breeds to create a versatile working partner capable of guarding farms, herding livestock, and managing various agricultural tasks.

Farms in Belgium were typically small, requiring the Malinois to rely on instinctual herding methods rather than fences. This breed formed strong emotional connections with their owners and remained vigilant in their duties.

Attachment and Intelligence

One defining trait of the Belgian Malinois is its deep attachment to its owner; many owners describe their dogs as shadows, following them closely. Along with this bond, the breed is known for its high intelligence and playful nature, often exhibiting problem-solving skills and creativity.

These characteristics not only make the Malinois an effective working dog but also a cherished family companion.

Part of the Belgian Herding Dog Family

The Malinois belongs to a group of four Belgian Shepherd breeds, which also include the Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael), Belgian Tervuren, and Belgian Laekenois. Each breed shares similar physical features, but they differ in coat type, texture, and color, with each named after its place of origin.

In Europe, these breeds are collectively referred to as Belgian Shepherds, while in the United States, the American Kennel Club recognized them as distinct breeds in 1959.

Arrival in the United States

Belgian Malinois first arrived in the United States in 1911. However, the onset of World War II halted further imports, putting the breed at risk of extinction. In 1959, due to low registration numbers, the Malinois was classified under the Miscellaneous Class by the American Kennel Club.

The 1960s saw a resurgence of interest in the breed, leading to its recognition in the Herding Group in 1983.

Rise in Popularity

The breed’s exceptional athleticism, intelligence, and adaptability have garnered admiration among dog enthusiasts. Owners have increasingly participated in various competitive activities, including agility, obedience, herding, and tracking.

However, the breed’s energy and intelligence require experienced owners who can provide structure and ample exercise.

The Belgian Malinois in Police and Military Work

A pivotal aspect of the Belgian Malinois’s history involves its role as a highly trained working dog for police and military forces globally. Renowned for their agility, strength, and courage, Malinois have served as messenger dogs, ambulance dogs, and even machine gun carriers during World War I.

Today, they excel in search and rescue operations, scent detection, and protection services. Their compact size and agility make them particularly suited for elite military tasks; notably, a Malinois named Cairo participated in the operation by U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six that led to the capture of Osama Bin Laden in 2011.

The Modern Belgian Malinois

In the 21st century, the Belgian Malinois continues to excel across various fields, whether in law enforcement, canine competitions, or as devoted family pets. Representing a combination of strength, intelligence, and loyalty, the breed remains a popular choice for many.

While the Malinois’s drive to work is attractive to potential pet owners, it’s crucial to understand that this breed requires a high level of physical and mental engagement. Without proper stimulation, they may resort to destructive behaviors out of boredom.

The history of the Belgian Malinois illustrates a remarkable journey from its agricultural roots to becoming a treasured partner in diverse, demanding roles worldwide. Known for their versatility and loyalty, Belgian Malinois are invaluable, whether in agricultural settings, defense, or as companions to their human partners.

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