Today’s News 18th July 2023

• Hong Kong Offers $1M Bounties For Dissidents Abroad
  Hong Kong Offers $1M Bounties For Dissidents Abroad

  Authored by Frances Hui via RealClear Wire,

  The government of Hong Kong is offering a bounty of up to $1 million to anyone who can help find eight activists who fled to other countries and continue to fight against its authoritarian government. 

  

  I am not one of the eight, but all of us who fight for democracy in Hong Kong are in danger from a Chinese government that is chasing us for showing that it has broken its promises to keep Hong Kong a vibrant and free city-state. 

  I became an activist for democracy in Hong Kong at the age of 14, when I started participating in pro-democracy marches – hardly a radical thing to do. But eventually, when I was 21, I realized I had to leave Hong Kong, knowing that I would be arrested under the newly imposed National Security Law and face charges up to life in prison. Most of the friends I made throughout my activism have either fled or languish in jail. 

  But leaving doesn’t solve the problem. The government of Hong Kong, directed by China, has sent people to harass us. The eight who are targeted are living in the U.K., the U.S., or Australia. Now, with the bounties, there will be more reason for people to stalk us. And I don’t see any evidence that the democracies that have provided refuge realize how serious this is. Instead of taking steps to hold China accountable, they are trying to create warmer relations. 

  Four years ago, I was harassed and followed by Chinese spies in Boston, where I organized rallies in support of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. Although one of the Chinese agents involved, a U.S. citizen, was recently indicted, more needs to be done. Many communities living overseas have endured constant surveillance and harassment by China’s 110 overseas secret police stations. China continues to deny their existence, and very few countries have made them shut down. The outposts of the Hong Kong government, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices, located in 14 cities worldwide, have also been working closely with Chinese consulates to brush off their ongoing records of human rights violations in the city state while maintaining close relationships with world democracies.

  It’s the first time Hong Kong has issued official arrest warrants on overseas activists, with bounty eight times more than it would pay for help in arresting a child rapist and three times more than it would offer for a murder. John Lee, the chief executive, said that the eight activists would be “pursued for life.”

  Many Hong Kong activists fled Hong Kong in the past three years as the government jailed dissidents who voiced opposition to Beijing. Many have said publicly they will not return to Hong Kong. So why is the government placing these bounties?

  The rationale likely rests in geopolitics. The list of wanted activists was evenly distributed among the U.S., the U.K., and Australia, all of which have begun re-engaging with China recently after three years of diplomatic freeze. It’s as if Hong Kong is saying, can we go this far? Further? What will you tolerate? It is testing these democracies, and they are letting China win. 

  Despite China’s persistent repression of dissidents both within and beyond its borders, these countries have continued to prioritize improved ties and deeper economic interests over addressing human rights abuses. Instances of repression, such as the attack on Hong Kong protester Bob Chan in the Chinese consulate ground in Manchester, have not prompted strong action from the U.K. government. Attacks continue to happen against Hongkongers, including two who were recently kicked and manhandled by a group of pro-CCP activists at a rally in Southampton to mark the anniversary of the 2019 Hong Kong movement. Meanwhile in the U.S., the Biden administration has hinted its intention to invite the U.S.-sanctioned John Lee to attend the APEC Summit in San Francisco in November.

  By neglecting China’s human rights abuses, countries are exacerbating the situation. If they fail to defend their residents and refuse to impose economic and political consequences on China, this stalking and harassment will persist. This lack of action will also set a dangerous precedent, raising the bar for accountability on human rights abusers, like Russia and Iran, and sending a message to the world that their countries are no longer safe for free speech.

  The international community, including the countries in which the activists reside as well as all Interpol member states, should prioritize human rights in their policy toward China. Diplomatic engagements should not be pursued that compromise the security of its people.

  So far, the U.K, the U.S., and Australia have done nothing to punish China or Hong Kong for this outrageous decision to hunt down people who have entered those countries legally, seeking refuge. It must do something, soon, or the next list will be far longer, and China will understand that it can pursue close relationships without upholding the democratic values of the West.

  Frances Hui is the first public activist from Hong Kong to receive political asylum in the U.S. She continues her advocacy in Washington, D.C., at the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation and We The Hongkongers.

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 23:40

• Larry Fink's Fake ESG Facade Crumbles As Blackrock Names Aramco CEO To Its Board
  Larry Fink’s Fake ESG Facade Crumbles As Blackrock Names Aramco CEO To Its Board

  Three weeks ago, at the Aspen Ideas Festival, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink revealed that he had abandoned the term “ESG” (every virtue signaler’s beloved “environment, social, and governance” acronym) because it has been highly politicized and even “weaponized,” and he is “ashamed” to be part of the debate.

  BlackRock CEO Drops “ESG” Term After Blowback https://t.co/6sArVLGCbq

  — zerohedge (@zerohedge) June 27, 2023

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  Many applauded the decision, which they viewed as actually representative of the truth: after all, Fink acknowledged at the event that Ron DeSantis’ decision to yank $2 billion in assets from the world’s largest money manager in late 2022 over “woke” policies hurt his firm. DeSantis of course, is not alone: lawmakers from red states have retaliated and called out BlackRock for its toxic woke capitalism push in corporate America. Besides Florida, states like Louisiana, South Carolina, Utah, Arkansas, West Virginia, Missouri, and Texas have withdrawn funds from the asset manager which previously said it would not longer invest in “fossil fuels” and other causes that were unworthy of ESG’s consummate virtue signaling.

  Fast forward to today when we learn that Blackrock named the boss of Saudi Aramo, Amin Nasser, as the fund’s independent director.

  

  Yes, the same Saudi Arabia whose Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman dismembered WaPo’s Jamal Khashoggi without prejudice, a move which not only led to a chilling collapse in US-Saudi relations which has lasted to this day (as Saudi Arabia openly mocks Biden’s demands for increased oil production) but which also leaves quite a bit to be desired on the “social” vertical of the ESG religion; and yes, the same Saudi Arabia which also happens to be the world’s largest producer of oil, and whose “Environmental” rank may leave just a little to be desired, especially to idiots such as these.

  Perfect execution. Be a hero—drag the disruptive “activists” out of the way by their hair. Allow traffic to move again. This is how you can help your community. pic.twitter.com/5b1oBfFnUh

  — Charles Cooper 🛰 (@coopsimms) July 15, 2023

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  But not to Blackrock, and consummate WEG globalist Larry Fink, who after years of hiding behind the ESG smokescreen if and when it was convenient to convince the peasants just what a lovable, cuddly $10 trillion money manager Blackrock actually is, finally revealed that it was all just one giant lie, and its so-called ESG standards were nothing more than a joke.

  Nasser has led the world’s biggest oil producer since 2015, including overseeing its public listing, and provides BlackRock with “a unique perspective” on key issues facing the company and its clients, CEO Larry Fink said Monday in an emailed statement.

  “His leadership experience, understanding of the global energy industry and the drivers of the shift toward a low-carbon economy, as well as his knowledge of the Middle East region, will all contribute meaningfully to the BlackRock board dialogue,” Fink said in the statement.

  Not that we have anything against Nasser: unlike Fink, he never pretended to be something he never was. Nasser joined Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant as a petroleum engineer in 1982, and decades later having worked his way up from the ground floor, led Aramco’s initial public offering in 2019.

  His expertise in the Middle East will fill the gap left by Bader Alsaad, chairman of the board of the Arab Fund for Economic & Social Development, who is not standing for reelection on BlackRock’s board in 2024, the asset manager said on Monday.

  BlackRock – which will henceforth be the butt of every anti-ESG joke, if the concept of ESG even exists for any other purpose than manipulating mentally-challenged idiots into believing random propaganda…

  !

  — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 18, 2023

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  … has sought to strike a balance on the issue of climate change, continuing to invest in fossil fuel companies, while nudging them to adopt energy transition plans.  In a note to clients earlier this month, the asset manager estimated its average annual investment in the energy system would jump to $4 trillion through 2050, up from $2.2 trillion in recent years.

  BlackRock, which had about $9.4 trillion assets under management as of end-June, has projected that by 2030 at least three quarters of its investments will be with issuers of securities that have scientific targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions on a net basis.

  Spoiler alert: that will not happen, and instead – as today’s “shocking” appointment reveals – BlackRock will soon reveal that while it was pushing others to live in virtuous misery, it was gradually preparing for the next fossil-fuel revolution. And none other than Nasser will be there to make that revelation.

  While Aramco, which like BlackRock has tiptoped the virtue signaling line for the benefit of a handful of globalist idiots, and unveiled a $1.5 billion sustainability fund to focus on areas including carbon capture and storage, greenhouse gas emissions, as well as hydrogen, the reality is that as Nasser said the current global energy transition plan was flawed.

  In February Nasser – who also serves on several boards, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Presidential CEO Advisory Board and the JP Morgan International Council – went so far as to warn that an increased focus on ESG was undermining investment in oil and gas to the point where it posed a threat to the world’s energy security.

  “We need to realize that today alternatives are not ready to shoulder a heavy load of the growing energy demand and therefore we need to work in parallel until alternatives are ready.”

  The message from Blackrock is simple: “all that shit we said about ESG? Well, we still mean it… but over the next 30 years we will be investing in all those companies we told you to boycott and avoid. And if you believed us… well, you’re the idiots.”

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 23:20

• Tucker Carlson Warns Young Conservatives To Pay Attention To Topics With 'Unapproved Words'
  Tucker Carlson Warns Young Conservatives To Pay Attention To Topics With ‘Unapproved Words’

  Authored by Nanette Holt via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

  Since his separation from Fox News, political commentator Tucker Carlson hasn’t spoken much publicly—until this weekend.

  In a rare spurt of appearances, he enjoyed the adulation of thousands of enthusiastic conservatives at political gatherings in two states.

  

  On July 14, he publicly grilled most of the top-tier Republican presidential candidates—with the exception of former President Donald Trump—at the Family Leadership Summit in Iowa. As the nation’s first state to caucus, it’s been the midwestern mecca of political activity in recent weeks.

  Then, Mr. Carlson caught a flight to Florida, where he lives in cooler times of the year, to speak the next day at the Turning Point Action Conference in West Palm Beach.

  Speaker line-ups at Turning Point events often read like a who’s who of conservative politics, sometimes even drawing leading figures from other countries.

  This time, the two-day conference attracted about 6,000 people—mostly college-age conservatives—from around the country to hear from GOP firebrands. Attendees also mingled, attended Republican strategy workshops on winning elections, and shopped for patriotic merchandise and Trump gear.

  Mr. Carlson was one of the crowd favorites.

  

  Tight Security for Trump Speech

  On Day 1, conference-goers crammed into the Palm Beach Convention Center’s main hall after spending hours in line. They inched forward in the blazing sun, waiting to be inspected in screenings overseen by the U.S. Secret Service.

  Once inside, attendees heard from a string of outspoken supporters of Mr. Trump, the reason for the tight security. His champions included congressmen Byron Donalds and Matt Gaetz, both Republicans representing Florida.

  “We ride or die with Donald John Trump,” Mr. Gaetz said, above the roaring crowd, when it was his turn to speak. He also proclaimed he’d be introducing “in the coming days a national prayer-in-school law,” an announcement that brought more raucous cheers.

  Also riling up the crowd was Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who spoke in the standing-room-only space. He said he’s been criticized for not attacking his chief opponent, apparently alluding to Mr. Trump.

  

  “I’m not running against anyone in this race,” Mr. Ramaswamy said. “I’m running for our country.”

  The 37-year-old political newcomer received an enthusiastic standing ovation as he left the stage.

  ‘All the Cool People are Here’

  As Mr. Carlson stepped out to plumes of yellow pyrotechnics shooting up from the front of the stage, attendees were on their feet again, cheering and holding up phones to capture video of the moment.

  “Thank you,” he repeated over and over, shaking his head and chuckling. “I don’t think most unemployed people get a reception like that.”

  As the cheering and clapping continued, he scanned the audience, clearly recognizing some, and exclaiming, “Roger Stone! All the cool people are here. It’s, like, unbelievable.”

  As if surprised by the unrelenting chorus of whooping, he said with incredulity, “Wow. I haven’t been around a ton of people in a while. But I never miss this event. Ever. And I meet the nicest people, really, that I ever meet at these.”

  

  In contrast, Mr. Carlson expressed disdain for the work he’d done the day before discussing presidential candidates’ campaign platforms.

  He usually despises politicians, Mr. Carlson said, because “they tend to be soulless,” with sad personal lives, seeking to “win affirmation” from strangers, which he finds “pathetic.”

  In person, though, they’re “charming,” he said. “I like almost all of them when I meet them.”

  He didn’t want “to attack anyone on personal grounds” but “it’s tempting,” he laughed, as the crowd chanted, “Do it! Do it!”

  Instead, he said, as if he couldn’t resist, he wanted to offer “general observations, which I think are more edifying than just, like, savaging Mike Pence.”

  The crowd cheered more, egging him on. But Mr. Carlson insisted it “would be wrong because it’s too easy.”

  Mr. Pence, the former vice president under Mr. Trump, stunned many conservatives when he argued in his Iowa forum appearance the day before that the United States has been too slow to provide tanks and pilot training to Ukraine.

  Looking incredulous, Mr. Carlson stopped him and began describing the faltering economy of the United States and the country’s escalating crime, public filth, and suicide rates.

  “Where’s the concern for the United States in that?” Mr. Carlson demanded during the interview.

  “That’s not my concern,” Mr. Pence replied. “Tucker, I’ve heard that routine from you before but that’s not my concern.”

  “I’m running for President in the United States because I think this country is in a lot of trouble. I think Joe Biden has weakened America at home and abroad. And as President of the United States, we’re going to restore law and order in our cities. We’re going to secure our border. We’re going to get this economy moving again. And we’re going to make sure that we have men and women on our courts at every level that will stand for the right to life and defend all the God given liberties enshrined in our Constitution,” he said.

  “Anybody that says we can’t be the leader of the free world and solve our problems at home has a pretty small view of the greatest Nation on Earth. We can do both.”

  Lesson Learned

  He learned much from his day of interviews in Iowa, Mr. Carlson told the Turning Point crowd.

  One was that what Republicans in Washington “actually care about” are “very different from the things that matter to the people who vote for them.”

  He had believed that would change back in 2016, when the politicians saw that “Republicans elected a guy basically on the promise to blow up the Republican Party,” he said.

  

  But even the election of Mr. Trump hasn’t turned many elected politicians to align with the people they represent, he has since observed.

  He also realized that “almost everybody in elected office in the Republican Party has internalized the other side’s rules for debate.”

  There’s “no more self-defeating way to go into politics or life than to accept the terms that your enemies offer before the conversation’s even begun,” Mr. Carlson said. “Because there’s really no way of winning.”

  He used the example of the government’s responses to COVID-19, such as mandating masking, lockdowns, and vaccines. Most people went along with leaders’ demands, he said.

  Those who resisted or questioned the policies were deemed “moral criminals—they’re outlaws,” he said.

  So they were censored, silenced.

  ‘Thought Crimes’

  On a June 7 podcast with English comedian Russell Brand, Mr. Carlson said he doesn’t know why he was fired suddenly by Fox News.

  But his questioning of whether the federal government has been honest about Jan. 6 widely is one of the speculated likely cause for his termination.

  For anyone wanting to explore alternative views on Jan. 6, “that conversation was literally banned,” he said at the Turning Point event. “It’s the guidelines of most social media companies that you can’t have that conversation.”

  But a country that doesn’t allow discussions about “the process of electing its leaders is not a democracy, by definition,” he said. “You can’t have a democracy without free speech. Period.”

  Meanwhile, serious crimes go unpunished, he said, such as defrauding investors of billions of dollars, or “burning down buildings, impoverishing people, starting totally counterproductive wars we can’t win that kill a lot of our citizens, leaving the border open so seven million people can walk across—those are not small things.”

  And “what are the crimes that are punished?” he asked. “Thought crimes. Thinking the wrong things. Having the wrong beliefs. Saying unapproved words.”

  And when words are deemed “wrong,” he’s realized, “those words are always true.”

  He warned against “the people who censor your words and thoughts.”

  He also warned against getting overwhelmed by reports that seem to be “the Mt. Everest of lunacy,” such as that men can give birth or breastfeed infants.

  TUCKER: “No one is punished for lying. People are only punished for telling the truth. What are the crimes that are punished? Thought crimes. Thinking the wrong thing. Having the wrong beliefs. Saying unapproved words.”

  pic.twitter.com/la2QnsvXqQ

  — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 16, 2023

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  Read more here…

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 23:00

• Detroit Police Commissioner Caught With Prostitute, Asked Arresting Officers To "Help Him Out"
  Detroit Police Commissioner Caught With Prostitute, Asked Arresting Officers To “Help Him Out”

  If you think corruption and crime is out of control in your city, just think: it could be worse. You could live in Detroit, where a member of the Detroit Police Board of Commissioners was recently caught soliciting prostitution. 

  And, like any good police commissioner, when caught in the act, he asked his brothers in blue to “help him out”, according to reporting by The New York Post. And credit to Detroit’s finest, because they didn’t let him go – nor did they cover the incident up. 

  The commissioner, Bryan Ferguson, who “represented District 1 for the DPBC and was the former chair of Detroit’s police oversight board” tendered his resignation on Thursday of last week in light of the news. He was found with the sex worker on Wednesday, the report says.

  In a prepared statement, he told The Detroit Free Press: “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of Detroit in police oversight.”

  

  “After further consideration of the best interests of my family and the Board, I am choosing to resign as District 1 Police Commissioner effective immediately,” he continued, making no mention of the one resident that he was caught “servicing” the evening prior. 

  He was caught “committing a lewd act with a known sex worker” by undercover agents. When confronted by the police, he told them his position and asked them to “help him out”. 

  Police captain Jason Bates said: “At that time, Mr. Bryan Ferguson stepped out, identified himself as a Detroit police commissioner.” He added: “A title or position doesn’t make them above the law.”

  Ferguson’s rock solid defense, according to the report? That the allegations are a “big misunderstanding”. He added that he has “nothing to hide” and that the woman just “hopped into his truck”. 

  “This is rough. This is rough to tell. Because now I’m going to have to have this conversation with my family,” he added. He was issued a misdemeanor citation for indecent or obscene conduct involving a sex act with a prostitute, the report concludes. 

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 22:40

• Abominable RFK Jr. Anti-Semitism Accusation A Harbinger Of Things To Come
  Abominable RFK Jr. Anti-Semitism Accusation A Harbinger Of Things To Come

  Authored by Roger L. Simon via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

  It was sometime around 8 a.m. on July 15, the morning after I had interviewed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for our Presidential Roller Coaster 2024 series, when the following New York Post headline popped up on my iPhone:

  “RFK Jr. says COVID may have been ‘ethnically targeted’ to spare Jews”

  What in the Sam Hill, I thought. This didn’t remotely compute with the man I had been talking with only hours earlier. This must be “yellow journalism.”

  

  It was.

  I knew it as soon as I read the first few graphs:

  “Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dished out wild COVID-19 conspiracy theories this week during a press event at an Upper East Side restaurant, claiming the bug was a genetically engineered bioweapon that may have been ‘ethnically targeted’ to spare Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people.

  “Kennedy floated the idea during a question-and-answer portion of raucous booze and fart-filled dinner at Tony’s Di Napoli on East 63rd Street.

  “‘COVID-19. There is an argument that it is ethnically targeted. COVID-19 attacks certain races disproportionately,’ Kennedy said. ‘COVID-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and black people. The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese.’

  “‘We don’t know whether it was deliberately targeted or not but there are papers out there that show the racial or ethnic differential and impact,’ Kennedy hedged.”

  Hedged?

  That’s what the author, Jon Levine, wants us to believe, but I would imagine Kennedy, who has been researching medical matters for years and wrote that detailed book on the malfeasances of Dr. Anthony Fauci, is merely filling in something that has been known scientifically for a long time – that different ethnic groups are more prone to different diseases and therefore vulnerable in different ways.

  What Kennedy was clearly doing in this after-hours discussion that was supposed to be off the record (they never are) was warning of the dangerous ability of viruses to be used as bioweapons against various ethnicities – something that several countries have in all probability been working on for years or decades in clandestine manners.

  To claim that COVID-19 is the product of a cabal of Chinese and Jews is so ridiculous that it only speaks to what the author wants to believe or, more accurately, wants us to believe Kennedy meant.

  Which Chinese and which Jews? It’s hard to imagine since Israel was locked down to such a degree it made California look like Florida. Also, Israeli scientists were working around the clock to invent a successful vaccine but got nowhere. If they had been in on the original design, you would think they would have been able to do something, or at least have a leg up.

  The internet being what it is, this fake news accusation went around the world faster than Churchill’s famous line about the truth and the time it takes to put on your pants. The lie appeared almost immediately in numerous publications from the Daily Mail to the Daily Beast as if it had to be true that RFK Jr. was anti-Semitic.

  But Kennedy doesn’t need me to defend him. He’s doing a fine job himself, including demanding a retraction from the Post and an apology from Levine, in his Twitter feed.

  The insinuation by @nypost and others that, as as result of my quoting a peer-reviewed paper on bio-weapons, I am somehow antisemitic, is a disgusting fabrication. I understand the emotional pain that these inaccurate distortions and fabrications have caused to many Jews who recall the blood libels of poison wells and the deliberate spread of disease as the pretext for genocidal programs against their ancestors. My father and my uncles, John F. Kennedy and Senator Edward Kennedy, devoted enormous political energies during their careers to supporting Israel and fighting antisemitism. I intend to spend my political career making those family causes my priority.

  I will fight relentlessly alongside my Jewish brothers and sisters and friends against Jew-hatred and the demonization of Israel. I have just recorded an interview with @RabbiShmuley, whom the same New York Post just this month called, “the most famous Rabbi in America.” I have called upon the Biden Administration not to consummate a second Iran deal that would give that genocidal government a legitimized nuclear program. In the same interview, I called upon the Democratic Party to return to the strong, unconditional support of Israel that was the hallmark of the party under the leadership of my uncle and my father.

  Today I had a great conversation with Rabbi Shmuley on Judaism and anti-Semitism.

  He had this to say:

  “Two things bothered me about the reports I had read about what you had said at that dinner on the upper east side. I said number one, again, this perception that you’re anti-Semitic. I know you’re not. And in fact, I know precisely the opposite is true. I know that in your heart you feel a great closeness to the Jewish people, to the Jewish community, and to Israel. And the second thing that bothered me is, that you’re being portrayed as you said before, a crank, as a loony toon…but you’re brilliant. You know your facts.”

  I will continue to stand alongside my Jewish brothers and sisters. Here is an excerpt from my great conversation with @RabbiShmuley about the inaccurate distortion propagated by the @nypost pic.twitter.com/0b5KIQlvpM

  — Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 17, 2023

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  So what’s actually going on here? This isn’t, in the end, really about anti-Semitism, real or imagined. It was just low-hanging fruit, as the “canary in the coal mine” often is, the first of many—a harbinger of many dastardly smears of the candidate to come.

  If there’s one thing the military-industrial complex (endless wars from Iraq to Ukraine) and the health care-industrial complex (Big Pharma, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al.) do not want, it’s a Robert F. Kennedy Jr. presidency.

  Big Tech probably isn’t very keen on it, either.

  It would cost them all incalculable amounts of money, much of it courtesy of the U.S. taxpayer and a complaisant government.

  Most of all, the current leadership of the Democratic Party—bent on exploiting every so-called progressive policy, no matter how looney, for maximum gain and power—don’t want anyone bringing their party back to sanity, under the leadership of Mr. Kennedy or anyone else.

  Notable is that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is backing Joe Biden for reelection, not RFK Jr.

  And then there’s the CIA, whose antipathy for RFK Jr. should be obvious to all those with even a passing knowledge of the lives and deaths of his father and uncle who wanted that organization splintered in a thousand pieces and cast to the winds.

  In all, it’s no surprise then that the corporate media, in which we now must include the N.Y. Post of the increasingly untrustworthy Murdoch empire, is now the mouthpiece of anti-RFK Jr. propaganda. More and most probably worse will come.

  What we are looking at is what we might call the coming ‘The Plot Against Kennedy” after Lee Smith’s best-selling “The Plot Against the President,” which detailed the subversion of Donald J. Trump before and after his presidency by many of the same parties.

  The similarity between the treatment of Trump by corporate media that was always dishonest and is now, if anything, worse, and the beginnings of the treatment of RFK Jr. is all too obvious.

  My interview with the candidate, in which we discuss the anti-Semitism accusation and other matters, including, of course, the CIA, will appear shortly.

  Roger L. Simon’s new book—“American Refugees”—will be published by Encounter in September.

  Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 22:20

• 'Extremely Dangerous Heatwave' In Southwest US To Continue: NWS
  ‘Extremely Dangerous Heatwave’ In Southwest US To Continue: NWS

  Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The epoch Times (emphasis ours),

  A dangerous heatwave is continuing to affect the southern part of the United States, with temperatures expected to exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) in multiple places this week.

  

  In a July 16 update, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned about an “extremely dangerous heat wave” that is affecting the southwest to continue in the region through at least the next weekend.

  Starting Monday, “dangerous heat” will begin building up in the Gulf Coast and southeast region again, with heat index readings of over 110 degrees Fahrenheit expected through Friday, NWS said.

  In some locations in the southwest—San Joaquin Valley, Mojave Desert, and Great Basin—the NWS predicts potential “all-time heat records.” Almost 100 million people are under NWS heat alerts.

  An “Excessive Heat Warning” has been issued for some regions in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas for Monday. Temperatures in Phoenix, Tucson, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas can range from “major” to “extreme,” the agency warned.

  A “major” warning indicates that the heat can affect anyone without adequate hydration or cooling. An “extreme” warning is a rare, potentially long-duration heat with little to no overnight relief.

  

  The NWS is advising people to “take the heat seriously” and avoid spending time outdoors.

  “Temperatures will reach levels that will pose a health risk, and be potentially deadly to anyone without adequate hydration or effective cooling,” it warned, adding that “heat is the leading weather-related killer in the U.S.”

  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an advisory for employees warning about heat exposure. It has advised workers to drink a cup of cool water once every 20 minutes; take rest breaks in a cool or shady location; and watch out for coworkers for signs of heat illnesses.

  Furthermore, the advisory asked people to “ease into work” as nearly three out of four health-related illnesses happen during the first week of work. New workers need to build up tolerance to the heat.

  While working outdoors, people should not work more than 20 percent of the shift allocation at full intensity, and must take frequent breaks, OSHA said.

  Heat Dome, Rising Temperatures

  The intense heatwave in the southwest is being blamed on a heat dome, which is created when a ridge of high pressure builds in a region and fails to move up for a week or more. The high pressure causes air to sink, which results in temperatures to rise. As the air is unable to escape the dome, temperatures keep warming, even to dangerous levels.

  In a July 17 update, the NWS blamed the expected “near-record temperatures” for each day this week on “a strong and persistent high-pressure system.”

  The hottest place on earth, California’s Death Valley, recently saw record temperatures. On Sunday, the Furnace Creek region of Death Valley saw temperatures hit 126 degrees Fahrenheit (52 degrees Celsius), a record for July 16, according to NWS Las Vegas.

  Read more here…

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 21:40

• Netanyahu Ejects Jewish Likud Member For Cheering Holocaust Toll On European Jews
  Netanyahu Ejects Jewish Likud Member For Cheering Holocaust Toll On European Jews

  In an incident that highlights ethnic tensions among Israel’s Jews, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a prominent Likud Party member ejected after the Jewish activist was recorded declaring his pleasure over the Holocaust’s toll on European Jews — and wishing for another round. 

  Itzik Zarka’s outburst came as he confronted protesters opposed to the right-wing Likud Party’s effort to overhaul the judiciary system. Spitting and cursing at the protesters, Zarka said, “Ashkenazim, whores, may you burn in hell. I am proud of the six million that were burned, I wish that another six million would be burned.” 

  #Israel : “I am proud of the six million that were burned, I wish that another six million would be burned,” – Likud activist itzik Zarka shouted at anti-government protesters on Saturday- prompting calls for him to be removed from party
  pic.twitter.com/ddpiRCRmkI

  — sebastian usher (@sebusher) July 16, 2023

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  By addressing the protesters as “Ashkenazim,” Zarka cast the political dispute as an ethnic one, by drawing an aggressive distinction between Israel’s Ashkenazi Jews — those of European descent — from the Mizrahim, whose lineage is Middle Eastern.      

  “The vast majority of the country’s founding left-wing elite was Ashkenazi...and enacted discriminatory policies that disadvantaged Mizrahim, particularly in the country’s early decades,” explains the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “Correspondingly, Mizrahi voters have long formed a key part of the right-wing Likud’s base, while the core of the country’s shrinking left has historically been Ashkenazi.” Mizrahim comprise about half of Israel’s Jews. 

  That was more to Zarka’s vitriol. “Leftists are traitors, you are the cancer of the country,” he said. “The black flags [symbols adopted by judicial-reform protesters] are your shrouds. Your legs should be broken with batons, you should be kneecapped. That way you will not go to any demonstration at all.” 

  

  The outburst by Zarka — who has long played a starring role at Likud campaign events — drew swift condemnation from Jewish conservatives, chief among them, Netanyahu. “We will not tolerate such disgraceful behavior in the Likud movement,” he said in a statement announcing his order of Zarka’s banishment. 

  On Facebook, Zarka apologized for his tirade, claiming he’d been “attacked by 80-100 people with severe violence…It came out of frustration, resentment… I should not have said that disgusting statement.” His wife denied that he had been ousted, but the Likud Party confirmed it. 

  Lauding the Holocaust or questioning its purported scale is punishable in Israel by up to five years in prison.

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 21:20

• Pentagon Intel Chief Admits No Weapon Will Be "Holy Grail" For Ukrainian Breakthrough
  Pentagon Intel Chief Admits No Weapon Will Be “Holy Grail” For Ukrainian Breakthrough

  Authored by Dave DeCamp via AntiWar.com,

  A senior Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) official has described the war in Ukraine as a “stalemate” and said none of the weapons the US and NATO are providing will help Ukrainian forces “break through” in their counteroffensive.

  “Certainly we are at a bit of a stalemate,” DIA Chief of Staff John Kirchhofer said at a conference on Thursday, according to Bloomberg. “One of the things that the Russian leadership believes is that they can outlast the support of the West.”

  When realism steps back in:

  “At a bit of a stalemate”

  About NATO’s heavy weapons, “None of these, unfortunately, are the holy grail that Ukraine is looking for that I think will allow them in the near-term to break through”

  -John Kirchhofer, US Defense Intelligence Agency pic.twitter.com/3AGQ2Y5bCj

  — Richard (@ricwe123) July 15, 2023

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  Kirchhofer listed some of the weapons NATO recently began providing, including US cluster bombs and British Storm Shadow missiles.

  “None of these unfortunately, are the holy grail that Ukrainians looking for that will allow them to break through,” he said.

  Ukrainian forces have struggled to make headway since launching their counteroffensive at the beginning of June. US and European officials told The New York Times in a report published Saturday that 20% of all of Ukraine’s weaponry deployed to the battlefield was damaged or destroyed during the first two weeks of the counteroffensive.

  The officials said that the rate of losses dropped to 10% in the ensuing weeks as Ukrainian forces were approaching Russian minefields more cautiously. The officials did not offer figures on how many Ukrainian lives have been expended in the assault as Kyiv is keeping a tight lid on the number of casualties.

  

  Leading up to the counteroffensive, the Discord leaks and media reports revealed that the US did not expect Ukraine to regain any significant territory.

  But the Biden administration pushed for the assault anyway as it is opposed to the idea of a ceasefire.

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 21:00

• Two Charts Show Consumers Worldwide Demand Teslas
  Two Charts Show Consumers Worldwide Demand Teslas

  Dozens of US states and countries across Europe and elsewhere are spearheading initiatives to ban new car sales with internal combustion engines by the early 2030s. As a result of the imminent demise of gas and diesel-powered cars, there has been a significant shift in consumer demand towards ‘zero-emission’ electric vehicles. A new study identified Tesla Inc. as one of the world’s most popular carmakers among consumers.  

  Auto Trader published a new study analyzing Google search data for over 200 car brands in over 180 countries to find what cars consumers desire the most. The results should give Tesla’s Elon Musk something to cheer about: 

  Tesla came out as the car brand people are looking to buy the most across the world, topping the tables as the most Googled car for sale in 39 countries. It came first in the USA (in 25 of the 50 states, see appendix below), as well as Canada, France, Spain, Germany, Australia, UAE and Scandinavia.

  Tesla dominates the global car internet search rankings.

  

  In the US, Tesla leads, but Jeep follows closely in the second spot.

  

  According to Auto Trader’s data, Tesla appears to be winning in the EV price war that it played a significant role in initiating earlier this year.

  We pointed out in late January, “Tesla ‘Weaponizes’ Price-Cuts To Crush EV Competition.” Tesla’s move to discount some vehicles by as much as 20% enabled buyers to qualify for government tax incentives by putting the vehicles under a $55,000 cap. 

  Second-quarter sales data from Tesla shows a better-than-expected 10% increase because of a combination of price cuts and government incentives. That may be why Tesla is the most popular automaker searched in the US. And in China, EV price cuts have made Tesla one of the most popular EV car brands.   

  

  In May, The Driven, an Australian auto blog, reported the company’s Model Y vehicle surpassed the Toyota Corolla as the best-selling car in the world. 

  Also, Tesla’s charging standard has a strong possibility of becoming the standard in North America. 

  And CNBC’s Jim Cramer put his endorsement behind Ford’s EV pickup truck. 

  While i am a huge believer in everything Musk save politics, i thing the F-150Lightning has more going for it than the Cybertruck… more later today https://t.co/sDIQfKagZP

  — Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) July 17, 2023

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  We’re all aware of Cramer’s ‘kiss of death’. 

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 20:40

• Affordable Diabetes Drug Reduces Long-COVID Risk By 41 Percent: Study
  Affordable Diabetes Drug Reduces Long-COVID Risk By 41 Percent: Study

  Authored by Spring Lin via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

  Is there a way to prevent long COVID? A new study in the United States found that taking metformin, an affordable first-line Type 2 diabetes drug, shortly after diagnosis of COVID-19 can reduce the risk of developing long COVID by about 41 percent.

  

  The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Minnesota, and the paper was published in the international medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases in June.

  Long COVID refers to persistent discomfort for weeks or months after being infected with COVID-19. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive impairment, headache, chest pain, and joint pain, among others, which affect daily life.

  Through remote recruitment, the researchers screened 1,126 participants who agreed to long-term follow-up. They were overweight and obese people aged 30 to 85, had symptoms of COVID-19 infection for fewer than seven days, tested positive for COVID within three days of trial enrollment, and had no previous known SARS-CoV-2 infection.

  In this randomized trial, about half of the participants took metformin, and the other half took a placebo. They were also randomly assigned to receive either ivermectin, fluvoxamine, or placebo.

  After 300 days of follow-up, 10.4 percent of participants who took the placebo were diagnosed with long COVID, while 6.3 percent who took metformin were also diagnosed.

  The results of the study showed that taking metformin reduced the risk of developing long COVID by 41 percent. In subjects who took metformin within three days of symptom onset, the risk of developing long COVID was reduced by 63 percent.

  The study also proved that taking metformin reduced the risk of developing long COVID in people infected during the peak period of the three SARS-CoV-2 variants, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron.

  However, the study found that taking ivermectin or fluvoxamine showed no signs of protection against long COVID.

  Metformin, originally developed from the French lilac (Galega officinalis), is inexpensive and has no significant side effects. For decades, it has been the drug of choice for Type 2 diabetes treatment worldwide.

  Researchers believe metformin could be used as a therapeutic drug for outpatients infected with COVID-19. It has the merits of proven clinical efficacy, is available all over the world at a low cost, and is safe to use.

  Read more here…

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 20:20

• Biden Admin Touts "Moral Authority" Untarnished As Media Highlights Cluster Bombs Are Indiscriminate Killers
  Biden Admin Touts “Moral Authority” Untarnished As Media Highlights Cluster Bombs Are Indiscriminate Killers

  US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has once again made the Sunday news show rounds with the purpose of defending the administration in the wake of Biden’s controversial approval of cluster munitions for Ukraine. Initial shipments of thousands of cluster bombs have already been received by Kiev, according to reports.

  Speaking to NBC News, Sullivan rejected the notion that Washington is losing “moral authority” in providing the weapon system which is banned by more than 120 countries due to its indiscriminate nature and higher chance that it will kill civilians, possibly even for years to come (given unexploded bomblets often remain in the ground).

  

  Sullivan with a straight face defended the supposedly untarnished “moral authority” of America, based on the mere fact of supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

  “Our moral authority and Ukraine’s moral authority in this conflict comes from the fact that we are supporting a country under brutal, vicious attack by its neighbor with missiles and bombs raining down on its cities, killing its civilians, destroying its schools, its churches, its hospitals,” Sullivan told host Chuck Todd. 

  “And the idea that providing Ukraine with a weapon in order for them to be able to defend their homeland, protect their civilians is somehow a challenge to our moral authority, I find questionable.”

  Watch the exchange below:

  President Biden has meanwhile admitted that a prime factor in the decision to provide cluster munitions arose from severe artillery shortages, both in Pentagon stockpiles and within the Ukrainian arsenal. But the US has plenty of cluster bombs, which have been stockpiled for decades. 

  Another interesting angle to the interview is that Sullivan has once again resurrected the old Russiagate-related talking points to preemptively smear whichever GOP candidate for 2024 emerges – and it’s looking increasingly likely it’ll be Trump. Sullivan told NBC that Putin can’t ‘bet’ on the 2024 US presidential election to further his aims. 

  Meanwhile, for documentation of America’s recent ‘dark history’ of cluster munition use on foreign battlefields…

  Just a reminder US soldiers have been killed by US cluster bomblets that basically created a minefield on the ground in Iraq. But don’t worry when we give them to Ukraine they will be careful. https://t.co/0oxK5t6LeR

  — Rachael (@Rachael_wv) July 8, 2023

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  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 20:00

• Kari Lake Files New Election Appeal To The Arizona Supreme Court
  Kari Lake Files New Election Appeal To The Arizona Supreme Court

  Authored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

  Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake filed an appeal to the Arizona Supreme Court in her election case as she claimed that 8,000 unreadable ballots were not configured properly during last year’s midterms.

  

  In an appeal filed (pdf) with the state’s highest court, Ms. Lake alleged that the 8,000 ballots were either “duplicated or counted.” What’s more, they were also unreadable, her team contended.

  “The ballot-on-demand printer investigation report by former Chief Justice McGregor (‘the McGregor Report’) found that ‘four printers randomly printed one or a few ‘fit to page’ ballots in the middle of printing a batch of ballots … [n]one of the technical people with whom we spoke could explain how or why that error occurred,’” said the appeal.

  An expert for Mrs. Lake, a former Fox affiliate anchor, had “testified this ‘error’ could only result from malware or remote access and resulted in at least 8,000 misconfigured ballots, the vast majority of which were neither duplicated nor counted,” it added.

  The defendants in the case, including Maricopa County officials and the Arizona secretary of state’s office, have not issued a public response or filing in the case.

  Courts Have Little Appetite

  While a number of her legal challenges have been rejected by state courts, Ms. Lake has said she would take her lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court if needed, although the top court has shown little appetite to take up election challenges since late 2020.

  “This is, I believe, our best hope to get reform in our elections: my case,” she said in a recent interview.  “I believe it’s the greatest election case. We have the truth on our side. We have tons of evidence. Yes, we haven’t had a judge rule in our favor. But it takes a lot of courage to make the right ruling on this case.”

  Ms. Lake has never conceded the race to Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs, who was sworn into office earlier this year. At the same time, Ms. Lake has signaled in media interviews that she may be exploring a run for the U.S. Senate seat that is currently held by former Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) in what could be a three-way race between Ms. Lake, Ms. Sinema, and Rep. Reuben Gallego (D-Ariz.).

  Her challenge comes as another court, in a separate, case ordered Ms. Lake’s and former Secretary of State candidate Mark Finchem’s teams to pay $122,200 in sanctions. U.S. District Judge John Tuchi in Phoenix wrote that former Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz also has to pay about 10 percent of that fine because, according to Mr. Tuchi, Mr. Dershowitz signed off on a number of legal documents in the case.

  “Failing to impose meaningful sanctions here might very well encourage others to follow suit by lending their credibility to documents filed in court without facing any real consequence if their certifications prove hollow or incomplete,” Mr. Tuchi wrote in his ruling. “The need for general deterrence is therefore significant.”

  Mr. Dershowitz indicated to the Arizona Republic that he would appeal the order.

  Ms. Lake and Mr. Finchem sued former Arizona Secretary of State Ms. Hobbs and officials in Maricopa and Pima counties in April 2022, in a bid to change the state and counties’ voting procedures. Mr. Tuchi dismissed the lawsuit in August. The Maricopa County officials named as defendants sought sanctions against Ms. Lake for trying to sow doubts about the then-upcoming 2022 elections.

  Defamation Lawsuit

  It comes also as Stephen Richer, the Maricopa County recorder, filed a defamation lawsuit at the end of June against Ms. Lake, saying that he’s faced “violent vitriol and other dire consequences” because of “lies” spread by her, including death threats and the loss of friendships.

  Read more here…

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 19:40

• Disney Beclowns Itself After Calling Leaked Snow White Pics 'Fake'
  Disney Beclowns Itself After Calling Leaked Snow White Pics ‘Fake’

  Disney has once again beclowned itself, after a photo emerged of Snow White’s new ‘accomplices’ – just one of whom could even be considered dwarfs – which the company initially called “fake.”

  

  On Friday, the Daily Mail posted that conservatives online were losing their minds over a photo of the seven… not dwarfs, but ‘magical creatures,’ so to ‘avoid reinforcing stereotypes’ after “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage called it a “fucking backwards story” last year.

  “I was a little taken aback when they [Disney] were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White, but you’re still telling the story of Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs,” Dinklage said on Mark Maron’s “WTF” podcast. “It makes no sense to me. You’re progressive in one way and you’re still making that f***ing backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f*** are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough.'”

  Meet the cast of Disney’s new woke Snow White film. Snow White is Columbian now and the 7 dwarves look more like the 6 normal sized hipster pedos and 1 dwarf from Portland. Snow White no longer has “skin white as snow”. Absolutely ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/DKZInYty89

  — Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) July 14, 2023

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  In response to the leaked picture, Disney originally told the Daily Beast: “The photos are fake and not from our production. We are currently trying to have the Daily Mail issue a correction.”

  Except, they weren’t fake.

  Disney then walked back their statement, verifying that the photos were indeed from their woke production, but weren’t official.

  “Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect that… the studio later said the photos were from the production but were not official photos,” added the Beast.

  Disney said it changed the dwarfs to “avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film” in a statement to Hollywood Reporter. “[W]e are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community.”

  Disney shared in January 2022 that the “seven dwarfs” would be referred to as “magical creatures” to “avoid reinforcing stereotypes” after criticism of the original depictions by “Game of Thrones” actor Peter Dinklage, who has dwarfism. -Fox News

  Once again, Dinsey comes up short.

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 19:20

• Trump Tells Packed House: Giving Up 'Easy' Life Was Worth It
  Trump Tells Packed House: Giving Up ‘Easy’ Life Was Worth It

  Authored by Janice Hisle via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

  Although he has faced investigations and persecution since becoming a politician in 2015, former President Donald Trump declared that, yes, he would do it all over again “without even a question.”

  

  That was Mr. Trump’s response when a successful businessman wondered whether he regretted leaving behind a cushy life as a billionaire real-estate mogul.

  Mr. Trump recounted that conversation for a standing-room-only crowd at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

  During his July 15 speech, Mr. Trump described his two recent indictment ordeals and told the audience: “I had a nice, easy life. What I do for you, you have no idea.”

  The crowd of about 6,000 people sprang to its feet, cheering and applauding.

  

  Still, Mr. Trump said the reward has been worth the cost. His presidency produced a stronger American economy, a more secure U.S. border, and more respect for the United States on the world stage, he said.

  “And more importantly, now we’re going to do it again. And we’re going to do it even better,” the frontrunner for the Republican 2024 presidential nomination said.

  Mr. Trump said he considers his supporters to be partners in a shared mission: “Side by side, we’re going to fight and we’re going to win.”

  He was the main draw for the first day of the two-day Turning Point Action Conference, which promotes conservative politics. The goal is to provide knowledge and resources so attendees can “make an impact in their communities ahead of the 2024 election,” organizers say.

  Mr. Trump told the audience:  “You are the ones who are going to take back America; you’re the ones who are going to Make America Great Again,” his famous campaign slogan.

  Speech Clinched Voter’s Decision

  After attending Mr. Trump’s speech, Jeffrey Antous of Tarpon Springs, Florida, said that hearing Mr. Trump express such resolve–and witnessing extraordinary enthusiasm from the crowd–convinced him that Mr. Trump is the right choice for president in the 2024 election.

  Mr. Antous, who has been involved in politics since the 1970s, told The Epoch Times: “Because of his experience and his confidence, he’ll be able to walk back into the presidency and start repairing the damage that has been done over the past two and a half years.”

  Since Democrat President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, the nation’s energy prices, housing costs and inflation rates have climbed; illegal immigration and other problems have surged.

  Mr. Trump and many of his supporters blame Mr. Biden’s policies, while Mr. Biden claims that his “Bidenomics” approach is improving conditions for minorities.

  Meanwhile, Mr. Trump, who has already been indicted on state business records charges in New York and federal classified records charges in Florida, could soon face accusations in Georgia, too.

  There, his lawyers have asked a court to put the brakes on a prosecutor who has been probing Mr. Trump’s dispute of Mr. Biden’s 2020 election win. In addition, a protest of the 2020 election, which turned violent at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, could produce more federal charges against Mr. Trump.

  Mr. Trump has vowed to continue his quest for the presidency regardless of those cases; he says he has gained support from people who agree with his contention that the prosecutions are politically motivated.

  Prosecutors deny that allegation, and Mr. Biden denies suggesting whether federal charges should be brought against Mr. Trump, his chief political rival.

  ‘Learning Curve’ Cited

  Mr. Trump’s nearest Republican challenger, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, could be a great president because he’s “brilliant,” Mr. Antous said.

  But now is not the time because Mr. DeSantis would need to learn the intricacies of Washington politics. “There’s no ‘learning curve’ for Donald Trump; he already knows what to do,” Mr. Antous said.

  At the outset of Mr. Trump’s candidacy, Mr. Antous was not his fan. But Mr. Antous said he learned to respect Mr. Trump for his ability to analyze situations and “fix things–like this,” he said, snapping his fingers to signify speed.

  Mr. Antous said he feels confident Mr. Trump can follow through on his pledge to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Mr. Antous said he is concerned about Mr. Biden’s recent order to prepare 3,000 U.S. reserve troops to be ready to deploy to Europe.

  American parents “should not have to worry that their child will be sent to die” there, Mr. Trump told the Turning Point audience, asserting that he would broker a peace deal that would be fair to both Ukraine and Russia.

  Read more here…

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 19:00

• China, Russia Hold Major Naval Drills Mirroring Recent US-Japan Activity
  China, Russia Hold Major Naval Drills Mirroring Recent US-Japan Activity

  China and Russia are ‘answering’ recent US-Japan drills with provocative military exercises of their own in regional waters.

  On Sunday the US, South Korea and Japan conducted joint naval missile defense exercises chiefly aimed at North Korea’s latest missile threats, which include the launch of an ICBM days ago. Pyongyang called the Wednesday launch off its east coast a “strong practical warning” to enemies. But Japan’s closer defense coordination with Washington has also put Beijing on notice. China’s defense ministry over the weekend confirmed that PLA naval vessels have set sail in preparation for new exercises with Russia. 

  This includes Beijing sending five Chinese warships, including a guided-missile destroyer, to participate in the new exercises with Russian forces – but without specifying an exact location for the drills. 

  

  Last month both countries conducted joint air patrol over the Seas of Japan and East China, demonstrating their deepened ties, also amid the war in Ukraine which Beijing has yet to outright condemn, to the frustration of the West.

  China has considered itself ‘neutral’ concerning the Ukraine conflict while at the same time highlighting the dangers of NATO expansion east. For this reason Washington has accused it of quietly supporting Moscow.

  Bloomberg has meanwhile cited US sanctions and punitive measures aimed at both Beijing and Moscow as a chief motivator to grow militarily closer. 

  “China and the armed forces of Russian President Vladimir Putin conducted six joint military exercises together last year, the most in data going back two decades,” the publication notes.

  “That accounted for two-thirds of all of China’s drills with foreign militaries in 2022, according to data compiled by the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs at the U.S. National Defense University (NDU).”

  But Russia and China have conducted naval drills in other global hotspots as well, in the last months holding naval exercises with Iran in the Persian Gulf region.

  The Chinese naval flotilla warships have set sail!

  The China-Russia joint military drills this time will deepen the two militaries’ strategic coordination, and enhance their ability to jointly deal with various security threats. pic.twitter.com/0etCziT9Xq

  — Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) July 15, 2023

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  Moscow has also over the course of the Ukraine war deepened its ties with the Islamic Republic, and even established an Iranian drone manufacturing plant on its soil in southern Russia. President Putin has in the face of the West’s sanctions and efforts to impose total isolation turned to ‘pariah’ states like Iran to keep up its military tech needs, such as in the areas of drones and missiles. 

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 18:40

• Homeless RV Sewage Is Going Into The Ocean In Southern California
  Homeless RV Sewage Is Going Into The Ocean In Southern California

  Authored by Sophie Li via The Epoch Times,

  “Nine thousand gallons [of sewage] a month are going into the wastewater system. That’s the storm drain system, not the sewer. The storm drain carries it straight to Santa Monica Bay,” said Barry Coe, regarding the monthly wastewater of the 600 recreational vehicles (RV) that are being used by homeless persons in the Harbor Gateway area—located in the far southern part of Los Angeles—where he lives.

  According to the 2023 point-in-time count released last month by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, there are over 9,280 homeless people living in about 6,800 RVs in Los Angeles County.

  Mr. Coe, who formerly ran an RV business, estimates those numbers translate to nearly 102,000 gallons, or about the volume of 11 large U-Haul trucks of sewage each month.

  And all of that, he said, is being released into storm drains and directly contaminating the ocean and beaches, he said in a recent interview on EpochTV’s “California Insider.”

  “I’m not talking about just going into the water. You got to remember the water percolates into the sand, you take a walk on the beach, you’re going to get this stuff on your body, if there’s hazardous materials or bacteria,” he said.

  Normally, RV service providers who also collect sewage from rented-out RVs and mobile toilets are required to obtain a license to handle wastewater, and sewage is required to be dumped at a licensed facility. But the homeless that park in such RVs along urban streets are not following such regulations.

  

  A homeless encampment in the Venice area of Los Angeles on Jan. 27, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

  It is common for local health departments to close beaches following rainstorms as litter, trash, chemicals, and debris are washed from storm drains into the ocean.

  However, the prolonged rainy season and the excessive amount of water pollution have led to more beaches in L.A. County closing for longer periods this year including Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Mothers Beach in Marina del Rey, and over a dozen others, according to the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health.

  The explosion of motorhomes in the city not only leads to water pollution but is also affecting residents’ well-being and living quality, Mr. Coe said. Residents may find RVs at no-parking zones that block regular traffic but can’t get them towed away due to cities’ contracts with towing companies regarding hazardous material.

  Additionally, he said that a majority of the motorhomes are inoperable and can only serve as a living space.

  “They’re not functioning so they become shelter, but they’re on the street,” he said.

  “It puts them in a gray area of the law in regard to camping … so it’s a very difficult situation to address.”

  Mr. Coe additionally said, some are renting out the motorhomes to those who cannot afford regular housing and are committing various crimes in the process.

  “There are people that are buying these things from a wrecking yard … and they tow them out to the streets, and they control the turf,” he said.

  “If you don’t pay the rent or the protection money, they will burn you out.”

  Solution

  According to Mr. Coe, officials need to target its growing homelessness crisis at its root—by dealing with drug and mental health issues—instead of focusing on temporary or permanent housing.

  “Because maybe that’s how they got there in the first place. And we shouldn’t be doing it in reverse,” he said.

  He said that many homeless people have compelling life stories—which people have compassion for—but it is important not to be blinded by emotions regarding the issue.

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 18:20

• BofA And Others Share Records With FBI Without A Warrant "All The Time", Director Wray Admits
  BofA And Others Share Records With FBI Without A Warrant “All The Time”, Director Wray Admits

  Among the doublespeak and other bombshells disclosed by FBI Director Christopher Wray during testimony to the House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing, one particularly disturbing detail he released was that the FBI “regularly obtains innocent Americans’ personal data from companies with the intent of potentially charging them with crimes,” the Federalist reported last week.

  At a time when many Americans are wondering why they should stick with Elon Musk at Twitter instead of joining Mark Zuckerberg over at the newly minted Threads, here’s one potential reason. 

  Wray told Congress that Bank of America provided them with a “huge list” of financial records for Americans who used B of A cards around the capitol on January 6th. That’s right: no warrants, no court hearings, just blindly turning over records when the FBI asks. 

  Republican Rep. Thomas Massie asked Wray at the hearing: “George Hill, former FBI supervisory intelligence analyst in the Boston field office, told us that the Bank of America, with no legal process, gave to the FBI gun purchase records with no geographical boundaries for anybody that was a Bank of America customer. Is that true?”

  To which Wray replied: “A number of business community partners all the time, including financial institutions, share information with us about possible criminal activity, and my understanding is that that’s fully lawful.”

  “Those who had ever purchased a firearm with a Bank of America card” were highlighted at the top of the list, the report says. Wray said the data was “shared with field offices for information only”. 

  

  “My understanding is that that’s a fully lawful process,” he told Congress. The FBI’s D.C. field office, under scrutiny by Republicans, took the data and then distributed it to the agency’s nationwide offices, according to the report.

  Massie questioned Wray: “Was there a warrant involved?”

  To which, Wray replied: “Again, my understanding is that the institution in question shared information with us, as happens all the time.”

  Trying to unearth whether the information was voluntarily just handed over or requested, Massie followed up, asking:  “Did you request the information?”

  Wray told him: “I can’t speak to the specifics.” 

  But then Massie revealed that an email showed the FBI “did give the search queries to Bank of America”. He asked Wray: “Do you believe there’s any limitation on your ability to obtain gun purchase data or purchase information for people who aren’t suspects from banks without a warrant?”

  Wray declined to answer in full, stating: “What I will tell you is that my understanding is that the process by which we receive information from business community partners across a wide variety of industries, including financial institutions, sharing information with us about possible criminal activity is something that is fully lawful under current federal law.”

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 18:00

• Will BRICS Implement A Gold Backed Currency In August?
  Will BRICS Implement A Gold Backed Currency In August?

  By Jan Nieuwenhuijs of Gainesville Coins

  Aside from speculation there hasn’t been official confirmation by any BRICS nations that they will either issue a new currency backed by gold or peg their currencies to gold anytime soon. Although it’s likely discussions are going on among BRICS nations to create a new currency, no agreement has been reached and policy makers are denying the new currency is soon to be launched. Current talk about a new currency—suggesting a gold standard will be implemented in August at the next BRICS summit—should be treated with skepticism.

  

  Attention for alliances such as the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) has increased since February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, the West seized Russia’s dollar assets, and global tensions reached a crescendo. The BRICS, among other countries, have an interest in de-dollarization and have become more vocal about it, though easier said than done.

  No Confirmation for New BRICS Currency

  Based on an item by Russian news agency RT, broadcasted July 7, 2023, several gold commentators became confident that the BRICS will announce a gold standard this August at their next summit in South Africa. In my view, there is a lack of proof for this conclusion.

  Let us examine on which grounds RT communicated a gold backed currency is to be introduced by the BRICS—widely interpreted as a new gold standard. Unfortunately, there is not one official BRICS website to verify what is being stated on Russian news outlets, financial blogs, and Twitter. For every summit a new website is launched. On the BRICS 2023 site I can’t find confirmation of a new currency so we will have to evaluate the source provided by RT.

  RT is banned in the West but has several accounts on Twitter. RT India shared a tweet on July 7 that reads: “BRICS Plans to Introduce New Gold-Backed Currency.” Primarily this tweet is what caused a stir about a BRICS gold standard.

  #BRICS Plans to Introduce New Gold-Backed Currency

  The proposed gold-backed currency will contrast with the credit-backed US dollar, with the decision coming a month ahead of the bloc’s summit in Johannesburg.

  The growing initiative has more and more nations lining up to join… pic.twitter.com/pCF6y9xvGY

  — RT_India (@RT_India_news) July 7, 2023

  https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

  In the video that accompanies the tweet, the source of RT India appears to be a tweet from July 3 by the Russian Embassy in Kenya. From scrolling through all tweets by the Russian Embassy in Kenya one would think this is an account of an activist, not an embassy. Furthermore, the screenshot of the tweet from the Russian Embassy shown by RT India in their video is edited! The actual tweet, which can be seen below, includes a link to an opinion editorial by US economist Joseph Sullivan for the website Foreign Policy, titled: “A BRICS Currency Could Shake the Dollar’s Dominance.” This article in Foreign Policy is the source of the Russian Embassy’s tweet; the source is not the Russian Embassy itself, which RT India wants you to believe.

  The BRICS countries are planning to introduce a new trading currency, which will be backed by gold.
  More and more counties recently express desire to join BRICS.https://t.co/lMKTd4FlnT

  — Russian Embassy in Kenya/Посольство России в Кении (@russembkenya) July 3, 2023

  https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

  Sullivan provides two hyperlinks to sources regarding Alexander Babakov, deputy chairman of Russia’s State Duma. According to Sullivan, Babakov has stated that Russia “is now spearheading the development of a new currency.”

  The first link from Sullivan brings us to an article on Coin Telegraph, which links to a piece on India TV, reporting on the Russia-India Business Forum 2023 that was held on March 29 and 30. From India TV (March 30):

  Babakov stressed that both nations should work to obtain a new medium for payment and added digital payment could be the “most promising” and “most viable” option for both nations. “New Delhi, Moscow should institute a new economic association with a new shared currency, which could be a digital ruble or the Indian rupee,” said Babakov.

  “Our goal should be focused on writing new rules in the financial sphere in order to enable the use of an already common currency,” he stressed.

  “It doesn’t matter whether it’s a digital ruble, a digital rupee, a digital yuan, or some other currency. But this currency must follow the laws of our respective nations,” added the top Russian official. 

  There is not a word on gold in the article by India TV.

  The second link from Sullivan brings us to the India Times that writes (April 4):

  According to reports quoting Russian lawmaker Alexander Babakov, the BRICS nations are in the process of creating a new medium for payments—established on a strategy that “does not defend the dollar or euro.” 

  Babakov, who is the deputy Chairman of Russia’s State Duma, reportedly indicated that the new currency would be secured by gold and other commodities such as rare-earth elements.

  The India Times states that “reportedly” a new currency will be established secured by gold and other commodities, though there is no source provided. The RT trail ends there. Any news based on the tweet by RT India is overblown.

  Other websites, such as Al Mayadeen and TeleSUR, offer more information about what Babakov has said on the Russia-India Business Forum. From Al Mayadeen (March 30):

  “The transition to settlements in national currencies is the first step. The next one is to provide the circulation of digital or any other form of a fundamentally new currency in the nearest future. I think that at the BRICS [leaders’ summit], the readiness to realize this project will be announced, such works are underway,” Babakov said on the sidelines of the Russian-Indian … Forum.

  Babakov further did not dismiss the possibility of the formation of a single BRICS currency. According to him, the currency would be secured not just by gold, but also by other groups of products, including rare-earth elements of the soil.

  What Babakov said on the sidelines of the forum doesn’t sound like the BRICS will implement a gold standard at the next summit in August. The first step is to trade in national currencies, then a new currency could be created, for which the “readiness to realize [it] … will be announced” at the next summit, Babakov thinks.

  Implementing this currency could be years away. One, thinking of announcing to start cooperating doesn’t mean much. Second, how Babakov describes the currency is vague and no other BRICS nation has supported his idea publicly. Babakov’s currency backed by gold and other commodities is impractical and will need readjustments. Third, a BRICS initiative for “strengthening … economic partnership” “to reduce dependence on the US dollar” was already discussed in 2012 and developments take time.

  Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS also reported on Babakov’s remarks at the forum on March 30, 2023. From Ria Novosti (Google Translate):

  The BRICS countries are working on a new form of currency and can present ideas for its development at the summit of leaders of the association this year in South Africa, said Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Alexander Babakov.

  Presenting ideas is not the same as implementing a gold standard. Besides, we don’t know how much of this is propaganda. We need official sources from other BRICS members to jump conclusions.

  Conclusion

  Logically, the Russians advocate any alternative to the dollar as they are restricted from using the Western based international financial infrastructure. On the website of the Kremlin there is a statement from President Putin from June 22, 2022:

  We are exploring the possibility of creating an international reserve currency based on the basket of BRICS currencies.

  Russia’s Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said in May 2023:

  The idea of creating a common currency … is floating around and is being discussed. We also have proposals about using digital financial assets supported by real assets, for example gold – stablecoins.

  But what’s it going to be? A currency backed by commodities, a gold stable coin, or a reserve currency based on a basket of BRICS currencies? According to a video shared by the Hindustan Times, India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said, on July 3, 2023, none of the above:

  There is no idea for a BRICS currency. … Currencies to my mind will remain very much a national issue for a long time to come.

  Bloomberg reported on July 5:

  The New Development Bank, a financial institution created by the BRICS bloc of emerging markets, doesn’t have any immediate plans for the group to create a common currency, its vice president and chief financial officer said. 

  “The development of anything alternative is more a medium to long term ambition,” he said. “There is no suggestion right now to creates a BRICS currency.”

  I think it should be clear that neither the Russians nor the BRICS as a whole has a plan worked out for a new currency soon to be introduced, as opposed to what’s hyped in the media. Mr. Market didn’t believe the RT India item as the gold price didn’t budge when it was broadcasted.

  As per CFO of the New Development Bank, the BRICS are discussing a common currency for the long term, but I will believe it when its design is finished.

  The central banks of Brazil, South Africa, Russia, and India declined to comment on a common BRICS currency over email.

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 17:40

• As 'Threads' Continues To Face-Plant, House Judiciary Demands Answers Over Censorship
  As ‘Threads’ Continues To Face-Plant, House Judiciary Demands Answers Over Censorship

  After an initial surge of more than 100 downloads in five days, Meta’s Twitter rival, ‘threads,’ is imploding.

  

  Threads vs. Twitter (via Google Trends) pic.twitter.com/IUgKDejtNh

  — Breakout Point (@BreakoutPoint) July 16, 2023

  https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

  In fact, since we first noted their implosion three days ago – things have gotten worse for Zuck the cuck. As Mario Nawfal reports;

  Usage of the app falls drastically, faster than anyone expected:

  1) Daily Active Users dropped from a peak of 45 million when it launched on July 6 to 28 million on July 13. That’s approximately 38% lower.

  2) Time spent per user has tanked from 20 mins on July 7 to around 5 mins by July 11. That’s a 75% reduction in usage over 4 days!

  During the same period, Twitter metrics remained virtually unchanged. The exodus many feared yet again did not materialize.

  Read more by clicking into Mario’s tweet:

  🚨BREAKING: META’S TWITTER CLONE DYING A FAST DEATH

  Usage of the app falls drastically, faster than anyone expected:

  1) Daily Active Users dropped from a peak of 45 million when it launched on July 6 to 28 million on July 13. That’s approximately 38% lower.

  2) Time spent per… pic.twitter.com/1YsgKKp6fn

  — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 17, 2023

  https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

  Oh, and even the wokies are getting censored by the latest Twitter clone.

  This is glorious pic.twitter.com/43gFbe2ABL

  — zerohedge (@zerohedge) July 16, 2023

  Which brings us to Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee – who just shot off a Monday letter to CEO Mark Zuckerberg asking about possible censorship on Threads. 

  

  “Given that Meta has censored First Amendment-protected speech as a result of government agencies’ requests and demands in the past, the Committee is concerned about potential First Amendment violations that have occurred or will occur on the Threads platform,” wrote Committee chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH).

  “Indeed, Threads raises serious, specific concerns because it has been marketed as rival of Elon Musk’s Twitter, which has faced political persecution from the Biden Administration following Musk’s commitment to free speech,” the letter continues, referring to the House Weaponization of the Federal Government Subcommittee’s March report that found the Federal Trade Commission is aggressively harassing Twitter (via Just the News).

  The Republican-led committee subpoenaed Zuckerberg in February for documents related to content moderation and Meta’s conversation with the executive branch, and since then, Jordan said he has received more evidence showing that the federal government has colluded with social media companies to moderate online content.

  Threads already has more than 100 million users after launching earlier this month, according to Zuckerberg. –JTN

  Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Meta’s new app, Threads, has promised users a better experience than Twitter, but he is censoring users and offering no avenue for appeal. pic.twitter.com/kAHbKGFgI0

  — Michael Shellenberger (@shellenberger) July 6, 2023

  https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

  

  https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

   

  Tyler Durden
  Mon, 07/17/2023 – 17:20

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