The Risk Of Too Much Optimism
The Risk Of Too Much Optimism
https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/analysts-grow-bullish-with-earnings-forecasts/
After a long period of “complacency” in the market, volatility finally returned on Friday, dropping more than 1%. As https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/gdp-is-meh-the-bullish-and-bearish-headlines-are-misleading/
, before the market opened:
“While stretches have previously been longer, a consideration of such an event is that low volatility tends to beget high volatility. These “buying stampedes” typically last on average about 15 trading days, so at 25 and counting, we are certainly pushing a more extended duration.”
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The market’s technical backdrop has shifted notably over the past week as the S&P 500 pulled back sharply from record highs, breaking below its short-term uptrend channel at the 20-DMA. While longer-term moving averages (50- and 200-day) remain positively sloped, the near-term price action reflects growing technical deterioration. The index failed to hold the 6,300 support zone, raising the risk of a deeper correction toward the 50-day moving average near 6,150.
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Momentum indicators are flashing caution. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has rolled over from overbought levels and is now testing neutral territory (~50 level). MACD has produced a bearish crossover, confirming the loss of upside momentum. Additionally, market breadth has weakened; only ~58% of S&P 500 constituents remain above their 50-day moving averages, down from over 70% two weeks ago. Furthermore, money flows are deteriorating sharply as buyer pressure fades. Also, the heavy selling in small-cap stocks and the sharp rise in volatility (VIX spiking above 17) further signal risk aversion under the surface.
That said, the primary uptrend remains intact, with the market still well above its 200-day moving average, which currently sits near 5,900. Large-cap technology continues to provide index-level support, with earnings momentum in AI-leveraged names mitigating broader weakness. This remains a consolidation within an ongoing uptrend until the S&P 500 breaks below its 50-day.
Outlook: Neutral-to-Bearish. The market appears vulnerable to additional downside pressure soon, especially if upcoming economic data (like ISM Services and productivity reports) disappoint. However, unless selling accelerates through key support at the 50-day moving average, this pullback could ultimately serve as a reset for an overbought market. Investors should remain cautious, tighten stops, and look for stabilization signals before re-engaging aggressively on the long side.
🔑 Key Catalysts Next Week
After last week’s sell‑off driven by weak payrolls and escalating trade policy, investors now focus on a modest U.S. economic slate. Key activity reports, including ISM services, trade balance, factory orders, and productivity, will help refine growth and monetary expectations..
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Overall Risk Outlook: Neutral
With no inflation prints and a lighter U.S. data week, the direction hinges on ISM services and productivity readings.
Unless those surprise meaningfully, markets may remain range-bound, awaiting the following week’s CPI/PPI for stronger directional cues.
💰 Analysts Turn Bullish
Since April, Wall Street has become markedly more optimistic about the future of corporate earnings. Analysts have been revising earnings estimates higher for the second half of 2025 and well into 2026. At first glance, the rationale seems sound. Economic data has remained surprisingly resilient, the labor market hasn’t cracked, and the AI narrative continues to fuel dreams of margin expansion and productivity gains. But under the surface, we should ask whether analysts are getting too far ahead of themselves.
There’s no denying that the current market narrative is powerful. The economy continues to muddle through at a moderate pace. GDP growth hasn’t collapsed, unemployment is still historically low, and inflation, while sticky, hasn’t reaccelerated enough to panic the Fed as tariffs have yet to show any real impact. At least not yet. This has been enough to keep analysts busy revising forward EPS estimates higher. Much of that optimism is concentrated in the usual suspects, large-cap tech, AI-related plays, and discretionary names that have weathered the storm better than expected.
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The belief now is that artificial intelligence will unleash a wave of productivity, compress costs, and expand margins for years to come. Add in the hope for rate cuts later this year or early next, and suddenly, we have a recipe for higher valuations. A weaker dollar has also helped multinationals, leading to rosier estimates across global-facing sectors. From this lens, the optimism seems justified. This view has also led to a rapid reversal by Wall Street analysts to push year-end targets for the S&P 500 index higher, with one Wall Street firm upping its year-end price target to 7100.
Oppenheimer Asset Management on Monday raised its year-end target for the S&P 500 index to 7,100, the highest among major Wall Street brokerages, betting on easing trade tensions and strong corporate earnings. Its current target implies an 11.13% upside to the benchmark index’s last close of 6,388.64. Oppenheimer previously set a target of 5,950 for the index.” – https://www.reuters.com/business/oppenheimer-lifts-sp-500-year-end-target-wall-street-high-trade-optimism-2025-07-28/
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How significant would that be?
If the S&P 500 hits 7,100 this year, it would represent a gain of about 21% for 2025, marking a third straight year with a surge of more than 20%. That hasn’t happened since the late 1990s, when the U.S. economy and the stock market boomed.” – https://fortune.com/2025/07/29/stock-market-outlook-sp500-forecast-7100-trump-trade-war-tariffs/
Of course, the late 1990s continue to be a point of discussion, with the more bearish crowd looking for the next market crash. Nonetheless, analysts’ optimism has turned sharply bullish in a very short period. As shown, earnings sentiment not only returned to where it was in December but has surged to new highs for the S&P 500, but not so much for the rest of the world, which brings into question the whole “loss of US exceptionalism” meme.
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Furthermore, as Yahoo Finance noted on Wednesday, Barclays’ head of US equity strategy, Venu Krishna, shows that Big Tech has been the primary market cohort this year, with earnings growth outperforming its actual price return. Krishna argues that this supports “Big Tech’s” lofty valuations and is a key reason to remain bullish on the sector.
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So, what’s the problem with optimism?
As Bob Farrell once penned: “When all experts agree, something else tends to happen.”
📈 The Risk Of Too Much Optimism
The problem with the current level of optimism is that it is mostly narrative. As noted above, valuations are a “terrible timing indicator.” However, valuations are a very reliable indicator of current sentiment.
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We’ve seen this story before. Analysts are often slow to downgrade estimates when the macro deteriorates, but they’re quick to raise forecasts when sentiment turns. That’s precisely what’s happening now. S&P 500 forward earnings estimates are now growing at double-digit rates for 2025, even though revenue growth expectations remain low single-digits. That math only works if margins expand significantly, something that’s far from guaranteed in an environment of still-elevated input costs and slowing productivity growth.
More troubling is the narrowness of the revisions. While a handful of tech giants drive headline EPS upward, earnings breadth remains poor. Strip out the “Magnificent Seven,” and the earnings picture looks far less exciting. This is classic late-cycle behavior, markets price in perfection while ignoring growing imbalances underneath the surface.
Investors should remember that sentiment shifting too far in one direction tends to overshoot. Despite the current optimism, the risks to earnings are not insignificant.
For one, economic growth is already showing signs of stress. Consumer spending has been propped up by excess savings and credit, both of which are eroding. Credit card delinquencies are rising. Student loan repayments are back. And wage gains have started to slow. If the consumer cracks, corporate revenues will follow.
Input cost pressures haven’t entirely gone away either. While inflation has cooled, labor costs remain sticky, and geopolitical shocks, whether energy markets, supply chains, or foreign conflicts, can reignite margin compression. If inflation persists or reaccelerates, it would prompt the Fed to delay rate cuts or raise rates again. That’s hardly the backdrop for sustained multiple expansion.
Valuations themselves are stretched. The S&P trades well above its long-term average on forward earnings, which means the bar for earnings surprises is high. And with so much optimism priced into tech, even a modest disappointment could spark sharp reversals. https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/retail-data-sends-a-warning/
,
“…this surge in optimism comes with risks. Notably, valuations, while a terrible timing indicator, have surged to previous highs over the last month as prices are increasing faster than earnings. As is always the case, investors often overlook valuations, but valuations tell us much about sentiment and expectations.”
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That bullish turn is seen in earnings estimates for Q3, which have jumped over the last two months back to pre-“Liberation Day” tariffs. It should be noted that while those estimates have jumped sharply, and Wall Street analysts are turning more optimistic, the expectation is still $10/share lower than in March 2024.
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However, even with that “mild” tempering of expectations, earnings’ current deviation from long-term exponential growth (1900-present) is at the highest level on record. Previous deviations from long-term growth trends tended to precede more important reversal events.
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Does this all go “pear-shaped” at some point? The answer is yes. When and what causes it are unknown.
Therefore, as investors, we must realize that we can’t predict the future, but we can control our risks in the present. As we noted last week, limit speculative exposure, tighten risk controls, and don’t chase the market.
As we discussed in https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/the-awards-you-never-get-when-investing/
“Even the most simplistic of risk management strategies can improve returns over time while maintaining a focus on investment goals. Instead of fixating on beating the benchmark, focus on building a portfolio that aligns with your financial goals and personal risk tolerance. Ultimately, true investing success isn’t measured against a broad index. No one will ever give you an award for beating an index from one year to the next. However, they will measure your success by what matters most: whether you achieved your objectives, like securing a comfortable retirement or funding important goals.”
It is crucial to remember that no one will hold Wall Street analysts accountable when they are eventually wrong. However, you will be the one who suffers the consequences.
Ignore the noise, stay disciplined, and remember: no one hands out awards for reckless investing, only consequences.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Mon, 08/04/2025 - 06:30
Go Ahead And Rage At Boomers, But The Problem Is The Entire Economic Order
Go Ahead And Rage At Boomers, But The Problem Is The Entire Economic Order
https://charleshughsmith.blogspot.com/2025/08/go-ahead-and-rage-at-boomers-but.html
The entire economic order is bankrupt--ideologically, politically and financially.
A friend sent me a clip of Tucker Carlson going off on the Boomer generation, and I get it. Tucker's takedown was epic and entertaining (at least for me), but his disgust and rage were real. So let's dig into the sources of those emotions.
If you watch the clip, it's apparent that what really disgusts Tucker is the sanctimoniousness of the Boomers he references, the glibness of their virtue-signaling and claims to righteousness and significance. This extends to the financial level, where the sanctimony is expressed as a high-minded confidence that "we earned it," overlooking the trillions of dollars handed to them on a Federal Reserve / bubble-economy / entitlements platter.
I think we all get that, but the problem isn't the Boomers, it's the entire economic order. The Boomers were just the hitchhiker who were lucky enough to be picked up by the big-finned Cadillac on the way into Vegas.
Even if everyone were absolute saints, they'd still own most of the wealth. Here's why.
When Social Security was enacted in the 1930s, the retirement age was 65 and the average lifespan of Americans was 62. In other words, the program was intentionally designed to be self-funded (paid by a very modest tax on wages paid by both employer and employee) and act as a safety net for the fortunate few who lived long enough to collect it but who weren't lucky enough to be wealthy.
As the economy boomed in the postwar era, the age of retirement (at a lower percentage of full benefits) was lowered to 62 as the average lifespan increased to 70 by 1965, when Medicare and Medicaid were enacted. At their inception, these programs were mere fractions of federal spending, and appeared to be "good things" that were affordable.
The Boomers weren't born in the 1930s, and in 1965 they were kids. These entitlements were initiated in response to the grim reality that old age for the non-wealthy was generally a ticket to poverty.
Fast-forward to today, and the average lifespan is 80 (with millions of elderly living a decade longer) and 3/4 of adult Americans are at risk of lifestyle diseases / metabolic disorders due to an unhealthy diet and poor fitness. Over half of Americans are diabetic or prediabetic.
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The entitlement programs to aid the elderly that were modest decades ago are now almost 50% of the entire federal budget, dwarfing all other spending. Entitlements aiding young families are so modest they aren't even a blip compared to the soaring budgets of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. (Disability entitlements were added to Social Security, greatly expanding the program's costs.)
The budgets of these entitlement programs are on unsustainable parabolic trajectories. Medicare:
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And Medicaid: healthcare has soared from 5% of GDP to almost 20%. "Unlimited free money" tends to do that...
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Now we come to the main course, neoliberal economic magic. The basic idea of neoliberal economics is if we just free market forces, that will permanently generate growth and wealth. The net result was an orgy of financialization that benefited the few, not the many, and so policy makers turned to inflating asset bubbles as the "cost-free" way to boost growth and wealth.
By lowering interest rates and flooding the economy with low-cost credit--monetary stimulus--assets will skyrocket, generating a wealth effect that loosens the purse strings of the asset owners as they see their wealth rise without them having to create any value whatsoever. Just sit back and watch your house and stock portfolio generate thousands of dollars of "free money."
The other neoliberal theory was "trickle-down economics": as the upper-middle class and wealthy spent freely, some of their immense gains in income and wealth would trickle down to the bottom 90%.
But since the vast majority of the economy's gains were flowing to capital/assets rather than wages, this didn't happen. What happened instead is the already-rich who owned most of the assets got richer while those depending on wages got poorer.
Add these forces together and what you get is extreme generational wealth inequality. Those who bought houses in the 1970s, 80s and 90s have profited immensely from housing bubbles #1 and #2 (the current bubble), and from stock bubbles #1 (dot-com), #2 (2007-08) and now #3 (The Everything Bubble).
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The entire economic order is bankrupt--ideologically, politically and financially. If nothing changes at the fundamental level, the rich will continue to get richer at the expense of those priced out of the bubblicious assets, and the older generations will continue to accrue unearned wealth while younger wage earners are reduced to debt-serfdom and wage slavery.
It doesn't have to be this way, but we're going to have to change our values and the fundamental structures of our economy if we want a different outcome.
* * *
Check out my new book https://www.oftwominds.com/CHS-books.html
.
https://www.patreon.com/charleshughsmith
https://charleshughsmith.substack.com/
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Mon, 08/04/2025 - 05:00
https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/go-ahead-and-rage-boomers-problem-entire-economic-order
German Military Sees 28% Surge In Recruits As Leaders Hype Russia Threat
German Military Sees 28% Surge In Recruits As Leaders Hype Russia Threat
Germany's historic reversal on its military posture and stregnth has long been on display since near the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. Berlin has been drastically expanding its military spending and is even recently https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/will-germany-initiate-compulsory-military-service
for the nation's armed forces.
But even without this more dramatic action, the reality is that interest in joining the German Armed Forces has grown significantly, with military recruitment up 28% so far in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to new Defence Ministry information https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/german-armed-forces-see-28-surge-recruits-nato-defence-boost-2025-07-31/
.
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By July 21, approximately 13,750 new recruits had joined the Bundeswehr, the defense miinistry said - which has involved fixed-term service contracts and voluntary military service.
This has apparently been an increasingly attractive route for young people after finishing school. Currently, the Bundeswehr has around 183,100 active personnel, which is an increase of about 2,000 compared to last year.
Voluntary service participation has also climbed by roughly 15%, reaching 11,350 recruits. While these numbers pale in comparison to the much larger militaries of the US, Russia, or even Ukraine - it marks the start of what could be a historic shift after the German military's post-WWII effective decimation.
The Defence Ministry credits the increase to focused recruitment efforts on growing concerns about global security, and of course the percieved threat to Europe by Russia as a result of the still raging Ukraine war which is not far away geographically.
The Kremlin has consistently denied allegations that President Putin has his eyes set on invading Europe or even a NATO 'eastern flank' country.
German officials have voiced their view that the rise in enlistment encouraging, particularly given the urgent need to expand the military's ranks. Later this month Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Cabinet is expected to vote on a draft bill to reform military service.
All of this also of course makes NATO leadership happy, and is in the context of President Trump's serious push to get European members of the alliance to shoulder more of the common defense burden.
If passed, the changes could come into effect in early 2026, prioritizing voluntary enlistment and improved conditions, featuring for example better pay - with the aim of attracting up to 15,000 new conscripts annually, according to German media.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Mon, 08/04/2025 - 04:15
The Bureaucratic Tumor Killing Europe
The Bureaucratic Tumor Killing Europe
By Thomas Kolbe
Bureaucracy is flourishing in Germany and the EU like never before. Budget planning in Berlin and Brussels offers a clear glimpse into the state of the public sector—and at the same time, points toward the end of the economic cycle.
A saying is making the rounds on social media that captures the European relationship with the state: Europeans love to be governed so much, they’ve even installed a government for their governments in Brussels. It’s a reference to the European Union’s bureaucracy—a sprawling administrative apparatus that is gradually disempowering national governments and shifting the burdens of centralization onto the citizenry.
The latest example: a ruling by the https://www.lto.de/recht/nachrichten/n/eugh-c75824-anforderungen-an-sichere-herkunftslaender
that weakens the definition of a “safe country of origin,” effectively removing any effective legal instrument EU states might use to stop the overwhelming wave of illegal migration.
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Brussels’ ideological stubbornness and institutional detachment from reality are part of a relentless drive to subject ever-larger parts of European society to regulatory control. It’s as if an illegitimate stepchild has embedded itself into the family and is now trying to rob the rightful heirs of their inheritance.
The Mega-Budget of Madness
Case in point: the EU Commission recently unveiled its new seven-year budget, now inflated to a whopping €1.8 trillion—a runaway bureaucracy at a time when European economies are suffering a severe productivity crisis and member states are https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-euro-indicators/w/2-21072025-ap
.
Brussels is living proof that bureaucratic structures develop a life of their own from day one. Like all social organisms, they strive for growth, bigger budgets, and expanding regulation as a way of entrenching their power base. Their activity continues even as the host society weakens—until the host’s growth forces collapse entirely.
Argentina clearly reached that point two years ago, when libertarian Javier Milei was handed a literal chainsaw to hack through the jungle of regulations, bureaucracy, and senseless state interference. The result: an economic euphoria that remains completely alien to Germany. Here, bureaucracy continues to bloom in full.
Crushing Bureaucratic Burdens
German businesses groan under a bureaucratic burden that grows year after year. According to calculations by the Ifo Institute, https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/buerokratie-buerokratieabbau-konjunktur-bip-100.html
costs the German economy €146 billion annually—wasted just to meet government documentation, compliance, and control mandates.
It’s an economic catastrophe, prescribed by the state to secure its own power. We are deep in the age of bureaucratic overkill.
No craftsman, no mid-sized entrepreneur can survive today without a dedicated admin department or pricey consultants—just to submit the next batch of paperwork or satisfy a new reporting obligation. Millions of working hours—hours that should serve innovation, productivity, and actual labor—are simply incinerated.
In what was once the land of inventors and visionaries, the biggest brake on growth—besides crushing taxes—is the regulatory jungle of forms and mandates. It’s a damning indictment of politics, whose will to control has exceeded all reasonable limits.
Against this backdrop, the Merz government’s bureaucratic-reduction promises are nothing short of an insult to those forced to endure the madness.
America Shows Another Way
But it doesn’t have to be this way. The U.S. is currently showing a radically different path. With the launch of the Department of Government Efficiency (https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/doge-develops-innovative-ai-tool-eliminate-unnecessary-federal-regulations
), AI is being deployed across the board. Its goal: to scrap roughly 100,000 federal regulations—about half of all existing ones—deemed unconstitutional or redundant.
At the heart of this push is the “DOGE AI Deregulation Decision Tool,” which may soon become the global standard for deregulation.
The U.S. government estimates annual savings of up to €1.3 trillion (~$1.5 trillion)—primarily through lower compliance costs for businesses and slashed administrative payrolls. AI is already being used at agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), where in just two weeks, 1,000 regulations were reviewed and marked for deletion.
The End of the Cycle
Reform is possible—but it demands a long runway. The political will for it must rise from deep societal crisis, build over time, and then strike suddenly to break the bureaucratic fortress.
Bureaucracies evolve in parallel with the society and economy that host them. Everything obeys the laws of growth, maturity, and decay. The question is: where does Germany stand in this cycle when we examine the structure and growth dynamic of its public administration?
Surely, it’s a long way from here to the Milei chainsaw. The end of that path involves severe economic and social turbulence.
Just look at Argentina: two currency collapses, hyperinflation, welfare-state implosion, and economic paralysis—the typical symptoms of a society in collapse.
At that point, political arguments about “more regulation” go silent. People begin to recognize the bureaucratic plunder for what it is. The media can no longer cover up economic reality. It’s the moment when society demands that those who’ve benefited from the labor of others finally pay the price—those who hid from life’s risks in government offices.
At that stage, redundant agencies are shuttered, civil service rights suspended, pensions slashed. In short, the state-private sector relationship is recalibrated.
Signs and Symptoms
So where does Germany currently stand?
The signs are everywhere. From the absurd climate-panic regulations emerged the biggest subsidy machine in European history. Between 2028 and 2034, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to pump €750 billion into this monster of capital destruction.
Hundreds of NGOs feed off this machine, inflating their own activity levels to secure budgets and influence. Think of climate protestors gluing themselves to roads, Extinction Rebellion, Fridays for Future—the pathological symptoms of a psychologically wounded society that has lost touch with its own values.
At the end of the economic cycle, Germany appears to have exhausted its integrative and stabilizing capacities—and is now stumbling through a process of economic and social disintegration.
German society—and much of Europe—finds it hard to activate the forces of self-healing. Internal conflict seems inevitable. The collapse of the climate narrative is only a matter of time, likely triggered by a https://www.whitehouse.gov/obbb/
and returns to its foundational ideals.
As bureaucratization reaches its end stage, the Kafkaesque degeneracy is impossible to ignore. Vast swaths of streets blocked off for cyclists, causing more emissions and fine dust due to induced traffic jams. Urban “green meeting points” in the middle of major roads. Gender-garbled language. Non-binary toilets. This is the grotesque overgrowth of an unhinged bureaucracy intoxicated by ideology.
Visible Decay
These often bizarre bureaucratic mutations point to Germany having entered a late stage of societal and economic decline. Crisis, catharsis, and reorientation are inevitable. The collapse of the economy is already so advanced that even left-wing state-socialists struggle to obscure it with climate hysteria or fairytales of a coming green utopia.
History moves in waves. Bureaucratism eats away at the private sector until it can no longer bear the metastasizing state. When the private sector collapses—as we now visibly see in Germany’s decaying public spaces and dismal economic data—the pressure on the political system intensifies.
At a Crossroads
Society then approaches a fork in the road. One path leads to total collectivism, as seen in the 20th century. The other returns to a bourgeois society grounded in free markets, family, and a lean state.
As Europe’s nations contemplate their future, the fog is lifting in Brussels. The political class has abandoned fiscal consolidation and now bets everything on debt acceleration. The question is no longer if there will be another sovereign debt crisis—but who will trigger it.
Right now, France looks poised to pull the plug on Brussels’ imperial ambitions. With a public debt-to-GDP ratio of 114% and a state share of 57%, it is trapped in its own fiscal nightmare. Political gridlock remains unresolved.
It will likely be Marine Le Pen and the Rassemblement National who, within two years, break the deadlock and send shockwaves through Europe by pivoting away from Brussels.
Whatever happens, every national government in the EU would be wise to have a Plan B when the reckoning in Brussels arrives.
* * *
About the author: Thomas Kolbe is a German graduate economist who has worked for over 25 years as a journalist and media producer for clients from various industries and business associations. As a publicist, he focuses on economic processes and observes geopolitical events from the perspective of the capital markets. His publications follow a philosophy that focuses on the individual and their right to self-determination.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Mon, 08/04/2025 - 02:45
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/bureaucratic-tumor-killing-europe
Government Censorship Of The Internet Is Worse Than EVER In The UK
Government Censorship Of The Internet Is Worse Than EVER In The UK
https://modernity.news/2025/08/03/government-censorship-of-the-internet-is-worse-than-ever-in-the-uk
It’s been one week since the British government’s odious ‘Online Safety Act’ came into force and basically everything on the Internet is now blocked.
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The legislation was presented as an effort to protect children from seeing things they shouldn’t be seeing online.
However, to absolutely no one’s surprise, it’s already being used to eviscerate free speech.
The first thing that was blocked were videos of protests outside hotels where the government is housing illegal immigrants on the taxpayer’s dime.
British users of X shared screenshots of messages that popped up while they attempted to view footage from the protests, which started in Epping after a migrant sexually assaulted a teenage girl and have since spread around the country.
But they won’t stop burglars and thieves. Backwards. https://t.co/Bas7F4MXb7
— m o d e r n i t y (@ModernityNews) https://twitter.com/ModernityNews/status/1949360557905334293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/07/26/elite-police-unit-to-monitor-online-critics-of-migrants/
states:
An elite team of police officers is to monitor social media for anti-migrant sentiment amid fears of summer riots.
Detectives will be drawn from forces across the country to take part in a new investigations unit that will flag up early signs of potential civil unrest.
The division, assembled by the Home Office, will aim to “maximise social media intelligence” gathering after police forces were criticised over their response to last year’s riots.
Probably purely a coincidence, right?
Also probably purely a coincidence that a shady government outfit now known as the National Security and Online Information Team (NSOIT) has been lobbying social media companies to take action against users who post what it describes as “concerning narratives” about immigration and ‘two tier policing’.
Previously known as the ‘Counter Disinformation Unit’, it was formerly tasked with identifying and monitoring COVID lockdown dissenters during the pandemic.
Today we learn that this spying operation actively used web trawling tools originally created to hunt for jihadist terrorists to find critics of ‘asylum’ hotels instead.
A Whitehall “disinformation” unit used tools created to hunt for jihadists to find critics of asylum hotels, The Telegraph can reveal
Read the full piece by Tony Diver here⤵️https://t.co/25vJWuJdWA
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) https://twitter.com/Telegraph/status/1951885867682758684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
While censoring dissenting voices is evidently a primary focus for elements within the British Deep State, a whole host of other stuff has been blocked.
Whether this is intentional and nefarious or just a result of the massively broad terms of what the government could possibly consider ‘harmful’ or ‘hateful’ content, or whether the social media companies just don’t know, or just don’t want to take any chances, remains to be determined.
X user Chris Middleton shared an enraging thread of some of the stuff Brits can’t see anymore.
The Act gives Ofcom powers to slap platforms with fines of up to 10% of global turnover for “harmful” content.
“Harmful” is so vague that companies are over-censoring in order to avoid trouble.
It’s not protecting kids. It’s incentivising mass censorship.
— Chris Middleton (@ChrisMid) https://twitter.com/ChrisMid/status/1951219307226018167?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
MP https://twitter.com/Katie_Lam_MP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
says content on rape gangs is being suppressed.
Her take: “The state won’t stop mass gang rape but will stop adults hearing about it.”
This isn’t a safety feature. This is how states hide their own failures.https://t.co/HURgJaRWwL
— Chris Middleton (@ChrisMid) https://twitter.com/ChrisMid/status/1951219311026004410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Yes, can’t talk about that. We all know why.
Every day with this. But you're a fascist if you protest it. https://t.co/q9ci4kqT6W
— m o d e r n i t y (@ModernityNews) https://twitter.com/ModernityNews/status/1951975694310785536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Can you even see that post? Probably not if you’re in the UK.
And as already mentioned…
The Free Speech Union (https://twitter.com/SpeechUnion?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
) backs this up: A video of police arresting a protester on X was quickly blocked for UK users.
This used to be something we mocked in authoritarian states. Now it’s happening in Britain.https://t.co/TfbzJ7yFwl
— Chris Middleton (@ChrisMid) https://twitter.com/ChrisMid/status/1951219315073519785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
A witty X account exposing how awful Britain has become, also blocked.
It gets more absurd. https://twitter.com/kunley_drukpa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
, an account that ironically enough, satirises the UK’s decline, is also being censored.
When even satire is being restricted in the UK, things have clearly gone too far.https://t.co/nv1PZ2CiMT
— Chris Middleton (@ChrisMid) https://twitter.com/ChrisMid/status/1951219317372059833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
A whole host of other innocuous things…
Even baby name stats aren’t safe. https://twitter.com/ZiaYusufUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
says an article noting no UK babies were named “Keir” last year also got blocked.
Over-censorship that is so ridiculous it would be funny if it wasn’t so serious.https://t.co/LinJx2P0Nf
— Chris Middleton (@ChrisMid) https://twitter.com/ChrisMid/status/1951219322140983418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Spotify…You cant listen to music now without the government’s permission.
And it’s not just social media.
Spotify now demands ID for “adult” content or risks suspending accounts, as reported by https://twitter.com/visegrad24?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
.
Music platforms are now digital ID checkpoints.https://t.co/fn2679nuHW
— Chris Middleton (@ChrisMid) https://twitter.com/ChrisMid/status/1951219326209466622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Absolutely insane, and we’re only one week into this.
The Online Safety Act is clearly not just about protecting children.
It is a poorly worded law, written by people who don't understand the internet.
Oh, and if you disagree with it, Labour says you’re “on the side of predators”.https://t.co/BnkmipDWDv
— Chris Middleton (@ChrisMid) https://twitter.com/ChrisMid/status/1951219328340148399?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
A https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/722903
to repeal the censorship has almost half a million signatures at time of writing.
Over 467,300 signatures for repeal. https://t.co/EJ9BRbZ4f4
— Kathleen Tyson (@Kathleen_Tyson_) https://twitter.com/Kathleen_Tyson_/status/1951237791272128747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
* * *
Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via https://pauljosephwatson.locals.com/support
.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Mon, 08/04/2025 - 02:00
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/government-censorship-internet-worse-ever-uk
What To Know About 7-OH, The Synthetic Opioid Derived From Kratom Facing An FDA Ban
What To Know About 7-OH, The Synthetic Opioid Derived From Kratom Facing An FDA Ban
A synthetic opioid derived from the kratom plant sold in gummies, tablets, and drink mixes is slated to be restricted because of concerns that it has a serious potential for abuse.
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The compound is called 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly known as 7-OH. It occurs naturally in trace amounts in kratom. Products containing 7-OH have potentially dangerous, enhanced levels and are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the recommendation on June 29, stating that the 7-OH should be scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act because of its ability to bind to opioid receptors, which makes it a pain reliever that can be more powerful than morphine.
HHS noted that it is focused on a concentrated byproduct of the kratom plant and not natural kratom products.
Here’s what to know about the synthetic opioid.
What Is 7-OH?
A variety of https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/products-containing-7-oh-can-cause-serious-harm
contain 7-OH, including gummies, drink mixes, and shots. While the substance occurs naturally in kratom, it is in trace amounts.
A product also known as 7-hydroxy, 7-OHMG, and “7,” 7-OH is a powerful psychoactive compound added to products in concentrated amounts and, according to the FDA, falsely marketed as kratom. The agency stated that it is “engineered to be addictive” and is a “potent opioid by design.”
According to the FDA, Americans have reported side effects, including dependency, withdrawal, overdose, and death.
“7-OH is an opioid that can be more potent than morphine,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said. “We need regulation and public education to prevent another wave of the opioid epidemic.”
Kratom itself is a plant native to Southeast Asia that has been used by consumers to treat pain, anxiety, and even drug dependence.
Regulators have had kratom in their sights for about 10 years because of concerns about potential negative effects. Both distributors and users have opposed possible regulation, saying kratom is a safer alternative to opioid use to treat pain and drug addiction.
The FDA stated that 7-OH is not approved for the treatment of pain, depression, anxiety, or other disorders, nor is it approved to treat opioid or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor withdrawal symptoms.
The availability of 7-OH in products has been a concern of the FDA because it can be purchased online and in local corner stores and vape shops. The department is particularly concerned about the availability to children and teenagers.
According to officials, products with 7-OH may not be labeled clearly or accurately and might be marketed as regular kratom.
Health Risks
Due to the ability of 7-OH to bind to the opioid receptors in the brain, it has highly addictive potential, according to a https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/fda-7-oh-scheduling-recommendation.html
by HHS.
“The FDA is particularly concerned with the growing market of 7-OH products that may be especially appealing to children and teenagers, such as fruit-flavored gummies and ice cream cones,” the statement reads. “These products may not be clearly or accurately labeled as to their 7-OH content and are sometimes disguised or marketed as kratom.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said when announcing the recommendation for 7-OH restrictions that he spoke with Attorney General Pam Bondi and members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) just days before the announcement and discovered the product was spreading to vape shops around military bases, near schools, and in low-income neighborhoods.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) warned that 7-OH can cause a relapse for those recovering from drug addiction, recalling his experience with a family member.
“They’re clean, they’re doing better,” he said at the July 29 press conference. “They find out they can go to a gas station or a vape shop or skate shop or bike shop, and they can find something that’s legal ... that gives them the same high, and they can still pass drug tests, even though they’re on probation.”
Government Actions
The agency’s recommendation on a new classification for 7-OH will be reviewed by the DEA, which sets the federal rules for high-risk ingredients, including both prescription medicines and illicit substances.
If the agency decides to enact a national ban, it wouldn’t take effect until the agency finalizes new rules that would govern the ingredient.
The FDA hopes to add 7-OH to the list of “scheduled” drugs to be used for medical use only, which are potentially addictive. Scheduled drugs are classified from I to V. Currently, Schedule I drugs are addictive substances such as heroin and LSD, whereas Schedule V drugs include many cough syrups.
Markey expects 7-OH to be considered a Schedule I drug, but that decision will be made by the DEA. The FDA, however, plans to publish a report about 7-OH, how it differs from other substances, and the potential dangers associated with consumption.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 08/03/2025 - 23:20
RFK Jr. Announces Repeal Of Policy That Rewarded Hospitals For Reporting Staff Vaccination Rates
RFK Jr. Announces Repeal Of Policy That Rewarded Hospitals For Reporting Staff Vaccination Rates
(emphasis ours),
In his department’s latest move related to vaccine-related reform, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Aug. 1 announced more repeals of federal policy that rewarded hospitals for reporting staff vaccination rates.
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Kennedy said in a https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-cms-end-vaccine-reporting-incentives.html
that the policy was coercive and denied informed consent.
“Medical decisions should be made based on one thing: the wellbeing of the person—never on a financial bonus or a government mandate,” Kennedy said. “Doctors deserve the freedom to use their training, follow the science, and speak the truth without fear of punishment.”
Created under the Biden administration’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) inpatient payment rule, the policy linked hospital reimbursement to staff vaccination reporting.
“Doctors and other providers should have the same autonomy to choose what’s right for their own individual health care needs as the patients for whom they care. Today’s announcement helps put that power back in their hands,” CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said in the press release.
The move represents the most recent policy repeal under CMS. These moves are “part of a broader HHS effort to restore medical autonomy in federally funded programs and root out financial and regulatory pressures that incentivize physicians towards pre-scripted medical decisions rather than individualized, evidence-based care,” according to the press release.
Since taking office as HHS secretary, Kennedy has implemented multiple changes regarding vaccines.
The Food and Drug Administration in late May said it planned to limit access to future COVID vaccines to people 65 and older and individuals with underlying health conditions.
The agency also announced it would permit vaccine manufacturers to coordinate in-depth studies to assess the efficacy and safety of COVID vaccines in children and younger, healthy adults.
In recent months, HHS has also https://www.theepochtimes.com/epochtv/rfk-dismisses-all-17-members-of-cdcs-vaccine-committee-installs-new-replacements-facts-matter-5884358
of mercury from influenza vaccines.
After it voted to advise officials to stop recommending influenza shots that have mercury, the remade Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) said it plans to look at multiple other vaccines.
Martin Kulldorff, the new chair of ACIP, said on June 26 that one proposal is to notify the CDC that young children should not receive the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) combination immunization.
The agency instead would recommend that children under the age of 47 months get two separate vaccines: the measles, mumps, rubella shot, and the varicella, or chickenpox, vaccine.
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Kulldorff noted that the change would reflect data that indicate the MMRV combination vaccine causes more febrile seizures. The CDC reported the same information in a background paper dated June 25.
A vote on the issue could happen as early as the next ACIP meeting, which is expected to be held in August or September.
Dr. Tina Tan, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, https://www.idsociety.org/news--publications-new/articles/2025/statement-on-the-june-meeting-of-the-advisory-committee-on-immunization-practices/
in a statement that “re-examining the childhood vaccine schedule and the use of thimerosal are both politically motivated actions that are not based on science.”
“Raising questions without adequate data casts doubt on vaccination, which can further drive down confidence in vaccines. More than any other medications, vaccines are extensively and constantly reviewed and evaluated,” she added.
During the ACIP meeting, Kulldorff explained that Kennedy had given the committee “a clear mandate to use evidence-based medicine for making vaccine recommendations.”
“Vaccines are not all good or bad. If you think that all vaccines are safe and effective and want them all, or if you think that all vaccines are dangerous and don’t want any of them, then you don’t have much use for us—you already know what you want,” he said.
“But if you wish to know which vaccines are suitable for you and your children and at what ages, then we will provide you with evidence-based recommendations,” he added.
ACIP members who were removed by Kennedy said the panel has “lost credibility.” The former members wrote in a July 30 New England Journal of Medicine commentary that the process for recommending vaccines is “rapidly eroding.”
On Aug. 1, the https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/cdc-removes-outside-experts-from-vaccine-review-panels-5895387
notified some outside groups that they can no longer participate in panels that review vaccine data and form recommendations for the ACIP.
The panels meet behind closed doors and typically include members of the ACIP, which https://www.cdc.gov/acip/our-work/index.html
the CDC on vaccines. The workgroups are also composed of experts from liaison organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Groups that employ the experts have been informed that they won’t be part of the workgroups any longer, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the CDC’s parent agency, told The Epoch Times on Aug. 1.
An official said some groups are being removed from the workgroups because of concerns that they have conflicts of interest.
For instance, the American Pharmacists Association https://www.pharmacist.com/corporate-supporters
vaccine manufacturers such as GlaxoSmithKline and Moderna among its corporate supporters.
“Under the old ACIP, outside pressure to align with vaccine orthodoxy limited asking the hard questions. The old ACIP members were plagued by conflicts of interest, influence, and bias. We are fulfilling our promise to the American people to never again allow those conflicts to taint vaccine recommendations,” Andrew Nixon, a spokesman for the HHS, told The Epoch Times in an email.
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Last month, six medical organizations—including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM)—and a pregnant woman filed a lawsuit against HHS and Kennedy in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, alleging that they intentionally removed vaccines and unjustly removed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s entire vaccine advisory panel.
The legal action seeks preliminary and permanent injunctions to stop Kennedy’s new COVID vaccine recommendations and a declaratory judgment declaring the decision unlawful.
Jack Phillips and Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 08/03/2025 - 22:10
The Quality Of Data Is Not Strained
The Quality Of Data Is Not Strained
By Peter Tchir of https://academysecurities.com/
It is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
Please forgive the Shakespearean indulgence, but I’m in Waterloo, in Wellington Country, not too far from the Shakespeare festival in Stratford on the Avon (the Canadian version).
But finally, literally everyone is talking about a long-running theme in T-Reports – we need high quality data to make good decisions.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve written or spoken the words “Garbage In, Garbage Out” but it is a real issue with real world consequences.
We didn’t get to talk much about jobs in Tuesday’s Bloomberg TV interview, but we did get to talk about the balancing act of Tariffs vs. National Production for National Security and the importance the strike on Iran has had on U.S. relations with our allies.
While we won’t focus on it today, the court rulings on the legality of existing tariffs could impact markets.
Our Geopolitical Intelligence Group crafted a report on the announcement that the U.S. is moving two nuclear subs, which spooked markets, but is another example of some steps, that while potentially dangerous, are necessary in reestablishing deterrence and building Peace through Strength (see SITREP).
Imagine an “Alternate Reality” July 3rd
Imagine that on July 3rd, we had a June NFP headline of 14,000 jobs instead of 147,000.
Let’s further imagine that May’s reported number was 19k, instead of whatever had been reported at the time.
It is easy if you try, since ADP was -23k and 29k respectively (why the markets and the Fed consistently ignore ADP is beyond me, but that is an argument for another day).
If we had that jobs data, would this FOMC been different?
Maybe we wouldn’t have gotten a cut, but why the heck not? We had 2 dissents as it was. With this No Silver Lining Jobs Data, there would have been a lot of pressure to cut. The unemployment rate, which hasn’t been bad, has largely been stable because we have seen a 0.4% reduction in the labor force participation rate since April.
Certainly, my flight back from London would have been more enjoyable as the data would have been even worse than my already pessimistic views and Treasuries could have continued their strong performance. It isn’t just our view that was hit by data that now looks very incorrect. On the July print, if memory serves, only 1 economist surveyed had an estimate that was higher. Now, it looks like in hindsight, that every estimate was above the actual number (though closer on average to the original print).
The real-world impact of having inaccurate data is problematic (and let’s be honest, for all we know this month’s data will be revised higher next month – which doesn’t change the argument that Garbage In, Garbage Out needs to be addressed).
It’s Not Just Jobs Data
We have often made well-reasoned arguments (some would say, rants) around incorrect inflation data. The owners’ equivalent rent is fraught with issues, including significant lag time. We’ve argued that the country voted based on the inflation they saw in the real world, not the calculated inflation (which seemed low on many things – like health insurance costs). Many look to things like Truflation to get potentially more accurate, real-time information (though not sure what good it does, if policy makers don’t).
The jobs data has caught everyone’s attention, it is time to address data across the board.
Let’s not forget we live in an electronic and AI world, which should help us get better answers.
Two Problems
The Collection Problem.
https://www.bls.gov/osmr/response-rates/
The initial survey response rate has been between 25% and 35% for the past year. Prior to 2020, the initial response rate averaged close to 70%. We now get less than half of the initial responses than before, and that seems problematic.
By final revisions, the response rate is typically above 90%, even approaching 98%. Maybe we should stop pretending NFP is timely? If we get far more respondents after the initial publication, it isn’t surprising that the data is all over the place.
There are collection problems on almost any data series. It is part of living in the real world, but how do we address these problems and try to minimize them?
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The Seasonal Adjustment Problem.
Even if the underlying data was perfectly accurate (it isn’t) we move on to the “seasonal adjustments.” We “love” adjusted data as it provides “smoother” data. Apparently we couldn’t handle that the Non-Seasonally adjusted jobs were -1.07 million, +360k, +703k, and +825k for the past four months (in all honesty, I don’t know whether those have been adjusted or not via revisions, but that is the actual jobs data).
Is there any reason to believe that the BLS (or anyone) has the “best” seasonal adjustment methodology? I think not, as I’d like to see as many different estimates as possible.
So, we have all these incredibly smart, well-resourced economists trying to do 1 of 2 things:
Determine, to the best of their abilities, the number of jobs created.
Guess what the jobs numbers calculated by the BLS will be, and then guess what the adjustments will be. To the extent that this is prevalent, it reduces the impetus to change existing official methodologies.
While “similar” the two things are very different.
The first is a truly valid exercise in establishing where the economy stands and providing data to make good decisions. Despite that, it is somewhat useless if no one believes you and just gravitates to the officially published data.
The second is what makes careers. Bloomberg reports analysts that are most “accurate.” Not accurate in terms of what the final data comes in at, but at predicting the pseudo random number that comes out the first Friday of the month (or other dates, for other data series).
My bet gravitates towards the crowd-sourced efforts of economists trying to predict the actual state of the economy (though I’m not sure if that is the goal of many, or trying to guess the NFP is the goal, which is similar but different).
Some Food for Thought on Solutions
Enough ranting and rehashing old arguments. Let’s take a peek at some potential solutions, or at least some ideas that we think warrant discussion.
Getting the most accurate, timely data as possible.
Every year, our employers send the IRS our tax forms, that include our income and our Social Security, so the IRS can link all of our employment income together. W2s and 1099s have to cover a significant part of the legal work force. Maybe I’m wrong, but I would expect that W2s and 1099s would cover a large percentage of the legal, documented workforce. It misses under the table payments, all cash jobs, and probably some sole proprietorship jobs, but virtually everyone I know receives at least 1 paycheck a month (some are weekly, or biweekly).
So how about providing some “encouragement” for companies to provide that information every month?
Privacy concerns? Sure, but the federal government (IRS), and probably your state will all get this information over the course of time. Does it really matter whether they know your monthly data in addition to the annual data? Sure, my initial reaction is that this seems sketchy, but is it really? Certainly, some information could be “redacted” so individuals don’t stand out (though it would still likely need to be collated by SSN to determine those working multiple jobs). 1099s may pose some similar issues (by SSN or EIN), but it seems like something that should be “workable.”
What do we mean by “encourage”? Maybe a reduction in certain payroll taxes. Maybe even a small rebate to the company and/or the employee. Would this cost some money? Yes, but would the cost be more or less than living with data that is so unreliable that it leads to bad decisions at the policy, corporate, and even individual level? Data collection in any form tends to have expenses, but doing something to encourage (or mandate) timely data would be interesting.
Just imagine a world where on the 20th of each month (just to pick a date) anyone cutting checks that will show up on W2 or 1099 reports, sends (in an identical format) the information to the data collection area (probably involving the IRS, as they are the ones already entitled to this information on an annual basis).
That data is plunked into an algo that then comes up with changes in employment.
Would we be missing some parts of the economy? Sure. Without a doubt. But would we have highly accurate information on the vast majority of the economy? Probably. This part of the jobs report could be published as such. Then we can all try to spend time figuring out what is happening in the part of the economy that is not captured.
Again, I’m not advocating for giving up our privacy, but the reality is that the information goes to the government, just not in this organized or frequent type of approach. I presume companies or payroll companies could code this additional step in a matter of weeks. Yes, maybe I’m missing a lot of legal issues, but can this really be worse than a survey?
I would also like to see some “cohort” analysis. What I like about Case-Schiller is that it tracks a set of houses, not every house. There is effectively a “control” group. For wage inflation, it would be great to see data by cohort. Track the wage of a particular person over time. When we think about wage inflation, we think about what people get paid over time. This sort of methodology would mimic that. It could also potentially be done by income bracket (now this might be going too far, but just tossing it out there). What we currently get on average hourly earnings is a change in the entire pool of workers. But if someone retires and is replaced by a new employee at a much lower wage, the current methodology would likely see lower wage inflation than there really is. Tracking by cohorts over time may give a better read on wage pressures than existing methodologies. This is a second order effect, but hey, why not try to make a really robust report?
Open source the seasonality. Let’s publish both the unadjusted number (as volatile as that is) along with the adjusted number and the algorithm used to do that adjustment. Then the brightest or most curious minds can try to improve it. In this day and age, I wouldn’t bet against a group of kids in college playing around with the methodology and figuring out improvements – especially if we have reduced the range of issues around the data collection.
Whether or not these ideas make any sense, there should be some simple steps taken.
Identify and implement ways to reduce the margin for error on broad swaths of the labor force. The more data that can be collected very accurately means we have less to worry about on the data that isn’t calculated as accurately.
Then focus on ways to reduce the errors in the data that isn’t as accurately collected.
In parallel, work on ways to ensure that the adjustments are realistic and up to date with the current economy (a major shift in jobs (like AI and Data), or the GIG economy, or regional preferences as where people live and work has changed). Adapt and refine.
Finally, and this might sound weird, stop pretending that the data is accurate to the nth degree.
Imagine having only a yard stick with no measurements marked in between. Then being asked to use that yardstick to measure a long distance over a hilly, rocky field. You take that yardstick and to the best of your ability, flip it over and over, counting the number of flips until you have traversed the field.
Then you come with an answer of 3,423 yards and 12 inches. There is no way the methodology laid out can produce something to that degree of accuracy. Maybe you could say that given the terrain, slippage, etc., we estimate between 3,400 and 3,500 yards, which isn’t as satisfying as 3,423 yards and 12 inches, but does convey a more accurate assessment of the situation. Significant figures exist in science for a reason, to avoid creating the perception of more accuracy than there really is. Maybe more of our economic data should incorporate that concept?
Maybe we need a warning note along with the data?
We are getting warnings about almost everything these days. Objects in the mirror might be closer than they appear. Not eating fully cooked food. You get the idea.
Maybe the warning label should be:
Before using this data, the margin for error is 136,000 for the Establishment Survey. Yes, the margin for error is larger, in some cases, than the actual number we report. Please rely on this data at your own risk as it may or may not be accurate, may be changed multiple times in the coming months, and again in annual revisions. If you think that is a wide margin of error, then we warn you not to even think about the margin for error in the Household Survey. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.tn.htm
Bottom Line
I do not believe that the BLS intentionally gets anything wrong in either direction, but I do believe that in an era with so much of the data floating around electronically and the ability to apply hardcore computing power to that, we should be reinventing our data collection and publication tools to the greatest extent possible (I would include inflation and other important metrics in this project).
I do not like the idea of “shooting the messenger” as that doesn’t create the goal of true intellectual honesty in developing new and better tools.
Garbage In, Garbage Out should no longer be acceptable, and we should be able to corral the will and the resources to mitigate that risk.
End rant, and have a great weekend!
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 08/03/2025 - 21:00
https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/quality-data-not-strained
Boeing Defense Union Set To Strike For First Time Since 1996
Boeing Defense Union Set To Strike For First Time Since 1996
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 837, representing 3,200 Boeing defense workers across Missouri and Illinois and affiliated with the AFL–CIO/CLC, has rejected a https://www.zerohedge.com/military/boeings-fighter-jet-plants-risk-strike-if-union-rejects-new-labor-deal
with Boeing. As a result, for the first time since 1996, a strike will begin at midnight, impacting operations at key fighter jet plants.
"IAM District 837 members have spoken loud and clear, they deserve a contract that reflects their skill, dedication, and the critical role they play in our nation's defense," IAM District 837 Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling stated in a https://www.goiam.org/news/iam-district-837-members-in-st-louis-reject-latest-boeing-offer-strike-for-fair-contract/
, adding, "We stand shoulder to shoulder with these working families as they fight for fairness and respect on the job."
The 3,200 machinists were in a week-long federally mandated "cooling-off" period after rejecting Boeing's initial labor contract last Sunday. By Friday, Boeing presented a modified offer that included a 20% pay boost, raising average annual pay from $75,000 to $102,600, along with other perks, including a $5,000 signing bonus.
For some context, the last time IAM District 837 went on strike was in 1996, a labor action that lasted 99 days. There's no telling how long the current stoppage will last, but it will undoubtedly impact operations at the F-15, F/A-18, and cutting-edge missile and defense technologies plants.
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The timing of the strike comes as the world is on fire and deepening into a bipolar state. We asked a very simple question early last week:
One must ask whether foreign adversaries, as part of their hybrid warfare campaign to implode the US from within, have exploited this union in an attempt to strike a critical node in America's defense manufacturing hub.
Indeed, the heads of IAM District 837 were pro-globalist Joe Biden...
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It's not far-fetched to suggest that foreign adversaries could infiltrate unions; it's a well-documented tactic in the hybrid warfare playbook.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 08/03/2025 - 20:25
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/boeing-defense-union-set-strike-first-time-1996
Taibbi: The New York Times Can't Stop Sucking
Taibbi: The New York Times Can't Stop Sucking
https://www.racket.news/p/the-new-york-times-cant-stop-sucking
Predictably, the New York Times pooh-poohed the release of the classified annex to the Durham report. Charlie Savage https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/us/politics/trump-russia-durham-explainer.html
:
Kash Patel, the F.B.I. director, and other Trump allies have declared that a newly declassified report on the Russia investigation provides “evidence that the Clinton campaign plotted to frame President Trump and fabricate the Russia collusion hoax.” The reality is almost precisely the opposite… The report shows that a purported email that Trump supporters have long tried to portray as a smoking gun is instead most likely a fake. Russian spies appear to have tried to make it seem authentic by assembling passages lifted from actual emails by different hacking victims…
Mr. Trump and his aides have coupled those releases with wild and inaccurate claims about what they show, spinning the reports as proof of his long-running narrative that the investigation was a hoax instigated by enemies for political reasons.
This whole “assembled by Russian spies” line is based on one assessment about a pair of emails likely pulled by Russians from other real American victims of hacking. Beyond this instance of a “composite,” the paper ignores the gigantic load of material from the same source, which has been described in multiple other reports as real and affecting numerous American “victims” from the Executive and Legislative branches, as well as think-tanks and NGOs.
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More irritating is Savage’s diatribe against Patel and the hoax “narrative,” offered without mentioning the roughly ten million instances in which the Times botched its coverage of Patel and Republican investigations into Russiagate. When Patel and then-House Intelligence Committee chair Devin Nunes released the much-denounced “Nunes memo” about FISA abuse in early 2018, Savage https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/02/02/us/politics/nunes-memo-gop-fbi-annotated.html
. About the accusations of FISA abuse, which included use of the Steele dossier to obtain surveillance authority, Charlie wrote:
The FBI had ““grave concerns about material omissions of fact that fundamentally impact the memo’s accuracy,’” adding, “In accusing the F.B.I. of omitting important information, this memo’s critics say the memo itself omits crucial context: other evidence that did not come from Mr. Steele, much of which remains classified.”
This is the much-used initial argument that the Steele material wasn’t important to the FISA warrant. Savage went with this talking point multiple times, also saying in another piece, “https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/30/us/politics/secret-memo-mueller-russia-investigation.html
”;
Savage went on in the “annotation”: “It makes no note of the fact that [Carter] Page attracted the F.B.I.’s interest in 2013, when agents came to believe that Russian spies were trying to recruit him.” Why didn’t Patel include that detail? Because Page was an informant in good standing with the CIA at the time, a fact an FBI lawyer was criminally https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/29/fbi-lawyer-trump-russia-probe-email-463750
, omitted the same critical detail as Clinesmith — perhaps unknowingly, but still;
Savage wrote, “The language used here on Mr. Steele’s relationship with the F.B.I. suggests that it was formal. But he never entered into any formal relationship from which he could be suspended or terminated, according to people familiar...” Steele was https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/imo/media/doc/abbreviated%20timeline%20horowitz.pdf
as a source by the FBI “for cause” on November 17, 2016, years before the annotation article, showing Savage’s “people familiar” either weren’t “familiar” or were yanking his chain. Colleague Scott Shane would describe the firing as a decision by the FBI to “end the formal relationship” with Steele. Oops.
For what it’s worth, the Times without Savage’s help also https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/19/technology/russian-bots-school-shooting.html
” designed, like the Clinton email investigation, to distract from the “real conspiracy” investigated by Robert Mueller. This sounds remarkably like today’s story, which described the Durham release as an effort to “change the subject from its broken promise to release Jeffrey Epstein files.” They write the same stories, over and over. It never ends.
The part that really infuriated today, however, was this section:
In reality, the F.B.I. opened its investigation based on a lead it received from the Australian government in late July 2016, after WikiLeaks released Democratic emails stolen by Russian hackers and disrupted the Democratic convention. The tip involved a Trump campaign adviser suggesting, before the hacking had become public, that the campaign had received outreach from Russia and knew what it would do.
This paragraph is an outrage. It’s carefully written to conceal how utterly the Times botched one of the most impactful stories of the Russiagate affair, a story called “https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/30/us/politics/how-fbi-russia-investigation-began-george-papadopoulos.html
about a suspicious Russia-themed conversation Trump aide George Papadopoulos had with a diplomat named Alexander Downer.
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The infamous “drinks and dirt” story
The Times reported that Papadopoulos had been told of “dirt” Russia had, in the form of “thousands of emails that would embarrass Mrs. Clinton,” given to him by a Maltese professor named Josef Mifsud, presented as a cutout for Russia. This was described as a “driving factor” for the FBI https://www.grassley.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/CFH%20Timeline%20w%20Updates%2020201203%20(FINAL).pdf
into Trump and Russia on July 31, 2016.
Almost everything about this story was wrong. It took a while, but Downer himself eventually admitted there was no “dirt” talk, or email talk. From the public Durham report:
According to Downer, Papadopoulos made no mention of Clinton emails, dirt or any specific approach by the Russian government to the Trump campaign team with an offer or suggestion of providing assistance. Rather, Downer's recollection was that Papadopoulos simply stated "the Russians have information” and that was all.
Downer also said he “did not get the sense Papadopoulos was the middle-man to coordinate with the Russians.” More infuriating? The FBI dropped Papadopoulos as a lead weeks into the Crossfire Hurricane inquiry, with Deputy Director Alexander McCabe testifying that his comments “didn’t particularly indicate” contact with Russians:
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Screwing up “dirt” and “thousands of emails” is bad, but the McCabe testimony shows the FBI knew in in August of 2016 that Papadopoulos was a dead-end. But “current and former American officials” polished that turd and fed it to the Times a full year and a half later. The paper then used it for its blockbuster tale about how Papadopoulos played a “critical role” in the Russiagate drama.
This will go down as an infamous screw-up and smear. Papadopoulos was totally uninvolved with any intelligence scheme and merely used as a technical pretense to start what proved to be a bogus investigation. Still, the Times plastered his face all over its front page as the scandal’s poster child, in what in hindsight was a proud advertisement for how badly they’d been bent over by their sources.
Now, years later, Savage not only re-writes this passage without the name “Papadopoulos” and without references to “dirt” or “thousands of emails,” but uses sleight-of-hand to suggest what was said between the young Trump aide and the Australian diplomat was meaningful. He describes a “Trump campaign adviser suggesting, before the [Russian] hacking had become public, that the campaign had received outreach from Russia and knew what it would do.” Knew what it would do? Savage leaves out the fact that Papadopoulos had not, in fact, received outreach from Russia, and did not have or claim to have foreknowledge of hacking. He played no meaningful role. It’s part of the Times legend that he did, however, so Charlie twisted the prose like a pipe cleaner to fit the few remaining usable factoids.
The irony is that while Papadopoulos was not the real beginning of Russiagate, the story Durham told about the U.S. acquiring a large chunk of intelligence from Russia far earlier in 2016 likely was. This was real intelligence concerning Russia that was embarrassing to Clinton, not Trump. Even at this late date, after so many Russiagate stories the paper screwed up, they continue to vomit up this nonsense. Give back your Pulitzer, you clowns!
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 08/03/2025 - 19:50
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/taibbi-new-york-times-cant-stop-sucking
Ukraine's Anti-Graft Agencies Say They Uncovered Major Drone Procurement Bribery Case
Ukraine's Anti-Graft Agencies Say They Uncovered Major Drone Procurement Bribery Case
(emphasis ours),
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies said on Aug. 2 they had uncovered a large-scale bribery scheme involving the procurement of military drones and electronic warfare equipment.
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This came just days after the agencies’ independence was https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/ukrainian-parliament-votes-unanimously-to-restore-independence-of-anti-corruption-agencies-5894778
following mass protests over government efforts to curb their powers.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) said in a https://www.facebook.com/nabu.gov.ua/posts/pfbid0V8fF2qEgEuK6fgj5yDWxuBzT6xkZqTGUPCcJF6AgKkSpgbQ7pHJZi9L4pZhoMwRil?__cft__[0]=AZVDdhloRZJkJUL5IsEC18-gtaCY2KLAioPSApb3WmBtz0zbOINKaDp6oKGks3gtuvSeh7RUBJq_fyxSWmoD8smzZbatd1svjT7f0rMH4FJ302Yp6kUt854xFrU-sVz5XfuaHkT_TRtgPpsm80sUYeV73GmGOArXue2AbUvagITcfQ&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
on Saturday that the alleged plot involved a sitting lawmaker, current and former regional officials, National Guard personnel, and a company executive.
Investigators alleged that those involved had refined a scheme over the past two years to systematically siphon off budget funds allocated by local authorities for defense needs, and to secure “unfair benefits in particularly large quantities.”
Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda, https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/08/2/7524541/
unnamed law enforcement sources, identified the accused lawmaker as Oleksii Kuznetsov of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Servant of the People party.
Party leader Davyd Arakhamiia later https://t.me/David_Arakhamia/404
on Telegram that Kuznetsov’s membership in the parliamentary faction would be suspended while the investigation is underway, and that a disciplinary panel was weighing his expulsion.
The Epoch Times has reached out to the Ukrainian parliament’s press office with a request to forward a comment request to Kuznetsov.
In a separate https://t.me/SlugaNarodu_Official/31139
, the party said it supported the work of NABU and SAPO, and stressed that responsibility for corrupt acts “must be borne by everyone, regardless of position, status or political affiliation.”
It said the recently passed law restoring the agencies’ independence “created additional guarantees for their work,” for them to act decisively and professionally in combating corruption.
Zelenskyy said in a https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1951640927040114916
posted on X on Saturday that he had been briefed on the investigation by the heads of NABU and SAPO, confirming that a lawmaker, local officials, and several National Guard servicemembers had been “exposed for bribery.”
“I am grateful to the anti-corruption agencies for their work,” he wrote. “There can only be zero tolerance for corruption, clear teamwork in uncovering it, and ultimately, a fair sentence. It is important that anti-corruption institutions operate independently, and the law passed on Thursday guarantees them all the tools necessary for a real fight against corruption.”
The law he referred to marked a dramatic about-face for his administration.
On July 22, Zelenskyy https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/zelenskyy-signs-new-law-reshaping-anti-corruption-bodies-prompting-protests-eu-concern-5891402
a measure that gave the prosecutor general sweeping authority over NABU and SAPO, including the power to reassign prosecutors and transfer cases away from the agencies.
Zelenskyy defended the move at the time, saying it would help purge Russian influence from Ukraine’s law enforcement structures and accelerate stalled investigations.
“The anti-corruption infrastructure will work. Only without Russian influence—it needs to be cleared of that,” Zelenskyy https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1947803089626427753
on social media at the time, saying that Ukraine must ensure “the inevitability of punishment for those who go against the law.”
In response to the measure, thousands of Ukrainians rallied in Kyiv and other cities in the largest protests since the Russian invasion in 2022, accusing the government of undermining hard-won anti-graft safeguards.
The European Union, which granted Ukraine candidate status in 2022, warned that the law violated one of the bloc’s core accession requirements: maintaining the independence of anti-corruption institutions.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos https://x.com/MartaKosEU/status/1947663547233710152
to Ukraine said dismantling NABU’s safeguards would jeopardize trust in Kyiv’s reform efforts.
Germany’s foreign minister similarly https://x.com/GermanyDiplo/status/1947970535402697026
that curbing the agencies’ powers risked slowing Ukraine’s path to EU membership.
The backlash was compounded by a separate security operation that week in which Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/ukrainian-parliament-votes-unanimously-to-restore-independence-of-anti-corruption-agencies-5894778
around 70 searches targeting NABU officials, arresting one on suspicion of spying for Russia, and another over alleged business ties to that country.
While most allegations involved minor administrative violations, NABU warned that some of the actions had gone too far and accused authorities of trying to intimidate the watchdogs.
Amid public protests and mounting pressure from Western allies, Zelenskyy reversed course. On July 24, he https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/zelenskyy-backtracks-on-anti-corruption-law-after-protests-eu-criticism-5892405
the text “well-balanced” and excluding “any Russian ties,” and ensuring protection of Ukraine’s law enforcement system against Russian influence or interference.
The Ukrainian Parliament https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/ukrainian-parliament-votes-unanimously-to-restore-independence-of-anti-corruption-agencies-5894778
it the same day, calling it the “right decision.”
“It is very important that the state listens to public opinion,” he wrote on social media. “That it hears its citizens. Ukraine is a democracy–without a doubt.”
The law prohibits the prosecutor general from issuing orders to NABU or SAPO, or interfering in their investigations, and reinstates key procedural safeguards lost under the earlier legislation.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 08/03/2025 - 19:15
Super PAC Targeting Massie Funded By Three Israel-Backing Billionaires
Super PAC Targeting Massie Funded By Three Israel-Backing Billionaires
Though it sports a Kentucky- and MAGA-branded name, the new Super PAC launched solely to support a primary challenge against popular Republican Congressman Thomas Massie is funded entirely by three Israel-backing billionaires from Nevada, New York and Florida, according to disclosure filings posted on Thursday.
The super PAC was https://www.zerohedge.com/political/trump-team-launches-superpac-focused-solely-ousting-massie
the entity will spend "whatever it takes" to oust Massie.
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The PAC's only three donors have two things in common: they're billionaires, and they're ardent supporters of Israel. According to the PAC's first https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00908723/1909602/sa/ALL
filed with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday, it has received:
$1 million from New Yorker hedge fund manager Paul Singer, who has also funded a Israel-favoring US https://mondoweiss.net/2018/08/yorker-profile-neoconservative/
from the Iran nuclear deal
$250,000 from Floridian hedge fund manager John Paulson
$750,000 from the Preserve America Super PAC, which has also been led by La Civita and primarily funded by Nevadan Miriam Adelson and earlier, her late husband Sheldon Adelson
Three billionaires from New York City and Las Vegas have funded a superPAC deceptively named Kentucky MAGA to run millions of dollars of negative ads against me because I vote against foreign aid for Israel and needless wars in the Middle East. Kentuckians aren’t falling for it. https://t.co/YuNYKWa7Oy
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) https://twitter.com/RepThomasMassie/status/1951349732699259055?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The PAC is called "MAGA Kentucky," a name that's misleading on two levels. Not only are its funders not Kentuckians, their principal motive for destroying Massie is his opposition to US bankrolling of Israel and participation in its wars. That is anything but a MAGA motive. As Trump recently told a prominent Jewish donor, https://www.ft.com/content/8d703b13-eefb-448d-933d-fa70e8e2dc78
MAGA Kentucky has already started running misleading attack ads that cherry-pick items from the sprawling Big Beautiful Bill and accuse Massie of voting "against" them, and also accuse him of "siding" with Iran's ayatollah:
“Massie sided with Democrats and the Ayatollah.”
President Trump’s anti-Thomas Massie SuperPAC is out with its first ad against the Kentucky Congressman. https://t.co/OwpfP3P6ql
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1938386672120631616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
In addition to opposing aid to Israel, Massie has also voted against legislation designed to stop Americans from criticizing Israel. The Antisemitism Awareness Act would use an expansive definition of antisemitism to expose universities to federal enforcement action if students voiced opposition to Zionism -- a political philosophy -- or compared the actions of Israel's government to those of Nazi Germany.
In April, Massie https://www.zerohedge.com/political/massie-bill-demands-federal-candidates-disclose-dual-citizenship#google_vignette
Fox's Will Cain.
The swamp spent $1.8 million on attack ads against me. Here’s my first commercial to respond. We bought $129,000 of these ads in KY. Please help me buy more by donating at this link: https://t.co/AgJY01IWPL
— Thomas Massie for Congress (@MassieforKY) https://twitter.com/MassieforKY/status/1948178977165656435?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
First elected to Congress in 2012 and consistently advocating for fiscal discipline, the right of armed self-defense, and a non-interventionist foreign policy, Massie has built a large and loyal national following among the libertarian right and other conservatives, with many regarding him as the congressional successor to the iconic Ron Paul. In his latest aggravation of Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, Massie is leading the drive to compel the release of Epstein investigative files. He has introduced a discharge petition that's predicted to secure enough signatures to force a vote on the https://massie.house.gov/uploadedfiles/efta.pdf
), which he introduced with Democratic California Rep. Ro Khanna.
With Georgia GOP Rep Marjorie Taylor https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/mtg-moves-strike-half-billion-military-aid-nuclear-armed-israel
in Gaza, don't be surprised to see a "MAGA Georgia" PAC created to oust her, too -- funded by a similar cast of Israel-first characters. In the meantime, the drive to take out Massie is having unintended consequences:
I just made my first donation to a politician in my entire life. Of course it was to https://twitter.com/RepThomasMassie?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
— Daniel McAdams (@DanielLMcAdams) https://twitter.com/DanielLMcAdams/status/1939760073099944235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
I just donated, and I do this every time I see the fake conservatives attacking Rep. Thomas Massie https://twitter.com/MassieforKY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
— Scott Boykin (@scottaboykin) https://twitter.com/scottaboykin/status/1951291279821713802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 08/03/2025 - 18:05
"Forecast Models Perk Up": Atlantic Hurricane Season Enters Active Months
"Forecast Models Perk Up": Atlantic Hurricane Season Enters Active Months
Only three named storms (Andrea, Barry, and Chantal) have formed so far during this year's Atlantic hurricane season. While it's been quiet since hurricane season began on June 1, nearly 200 years of historical data suggest activity in the Atlantic Basin typically begins to ramp up around this time.
The latest data from the National Hurricane Center shows an "area of disturbance" in the Atlantic Basin, with a 30% chance of forming over the next seven days.
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WPIX-TV Channel 11 New York's Senior Meteorologist Mike Masco noted on X:
TROPICAL ATLANTIC STARTING TO WAKE UP?
Two area's of interest over the next 5-10 days.
1. The "X" in orange may get a name (because we love to name storms in the central Atlantic). Most of this stays east and well out to sea
2. The second area of interest is the yellow area. If… https://t.co/oCiu8juOvJ
— Mike Masco (@MikeMasco) https://twitter.com/MikeMasco/status/1952038223238087106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The system comes as Atlantic remains quiet for now, but seasonal data suggests this could soon all change...
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"We're already seeing longer-range forecast models start to perk up," WPLG-TV hurricane expert Michael Lowry told USA Today in a recent interview, adding, "The deep Atlantic tropical waves coming from Africa have been peppier this week, and July 24's long-range forecast models jumped from a generally quiet next 15 days to a much busier look for the first part of August."
Hurricane experts generally agree that September 10 is the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, with most of the storms expected from now to mid-September. The season runs through November 30.
Looking ahead, Masco noted that it's time to start analyzing long-range forecasts for the Lower 48's upcoming winter season...
IS THAT A NEGATIVE EPO HEADING INTO WINTER???
Getting to that time of the year we start to look at the tea leaves for winter and it's ALWAYS a good sign to see the emergence of a sustained - EPO which pushes a colder pattern across the eastern USA. The bigger takeaway is a -EPO… https://t.co/pfWSPecehE
— Mike Masco (@MikeMasco) https://twitter.com/MikeMasco/status/1951616081518321994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
. . .
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 08/03/2025 - 16:55
No End To World Hunger By 2030
No End To World Hunger By 2030
2024 saw some progress in the https://www.statista.com/chart/13356/the-cost-of-a-plate-of-food-around-the-world/
after the number of undernourished people rose once again between 2017 and 2021 due to global crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among worldwide disruptions like the war in Ukraine and the inflation crisis, https://www.statista.com/chart/15477/the-number-of-malnourished-people-worldwide/
in the chart below that the number of people who cannot sufficiently feed themselves has remained high in 2024 and previous years, however.
https://www.statista.com/chart/15477/the-number-of-malnourished-people-worldwide/
You will find more infographics at https://www.statista.com/chartoftheday/
The report states that the countries with the largest numbers of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity were Nigeria, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo while the countries with the largest share of the people in this position were Palestine (Gaza Strip), South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen and Haiti. This also means that the UN is further now from its goal to end hunger by 2030 than it was in 2017.
report, World Food Programme director Qu Dongyu said:
“While it is encouraging to see a decrease in the global hunger rate, we must recognize that progress is uneven", urging more collaboration in areas where problems persist.
Last year, the number of undernourished people worldwide decreased for the third year in a row to a medium projection of around 673 million. This is equivalent to 8.2 percent of the world population.
Hunger was most widespread in Africa where it affects 20 percent of the population while 6.7 percent of people across Asia are also impacted by it. The estimation for people living in food insecurity stood at 2.3 billion, meaning that 28 percent of the world has issues to feed itself consistently and in a healthy and varied diet.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 08/03/2025 - 15:45
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/no-end-world-hunger-2030
In First, Ben Gvir Leads Settler Raid On Al-Aqsa Mosque Under Heavy Guard
In First, Ben Gvir Leads Settler Raid On Al-Aqsa Mosque Under Heavy Guard
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-ben-gvir-leads-settler-raid-al-aqsa-mosque
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir led hundreds of settlers in storming Al-Aqsa Mosque complex on Sunday, were they loudly performed Jewish Talmudic prayer, under a heavy police guard, and attempted to antagonise Muslim worshippers.
Videos seen by Middle East Eye showed hundreds of settlers storming the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque where some could be seen dancing and shouting, seeking to disrupt the Muslim place of worship.
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The status quo in Jerusalem has long maintained that Jewish prayer is forbidden on the raised plateau in occupied East Jerusalem's Old City, where Al-Aqsa Mosque stands.
However, over the past century, Zionist groups have repeatedly violated the fragile arrangement, launching unprecedented attacks on what's considered one of Islam's holiest sites.
Residents in Jerusalem's Old City told MEE that before and after Ben Gvir's raid, the area had come to resemble a "military base" due to the "many checkpoints" that had been set up and the "heavy Israeli security presence".
They said that Israeli forces severely restricted Palestinians from accessing the mosque, with only a few local residents allowed to pass. Speaking to reporters after the raid, Ben Gvir said: "The Temple Mount is for the Jews, and we will remain here forever."
Since becoming a minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, Ben Gvir has led at least 11 assaults on the mosque. Meanwhile, several other far-right politicians have advocated for the destruction of Al-Aqsa and the construction of a temple where they claim Jewish temples once stood.
Among the hundreds of people to take part in Sunday's raid was right-wing Likud lawmaker Amit Halevi, who has repeatedly advocated for Israel to destroy all water, food and energy sources in Gaza.
In June 2023, he tabled a bill that would divide Al-Aqsa Mosque between Muslims and Jews, a plan that would see shared access from the courtyard of the Dome of the Rock to the end of the northern border of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Palestinians fear that the incursions at Al-Aqsa, which have intensified since Israel went to war on Gaza in October 2023, are laying the groundwork for the mosque to be divided similar to how the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron was in the 1990s.
Muslims currently have limited access to that site, and just last month, Israel transferred the authority of the mosque from the Palestinian-run Hebron municipality to a settler council.
Aouni Bazbaz, the director of international affairs at the Islamic Waqf, the organisation that administers Al-Aqsa Mosque, described Sunday's raid as "painful and regrettable", telling MEE that it was a threat to the "historical status quo and an incitement to violence".
"There were terrifying numbers of people [Israeli settlers] present and some were important figures," he said. "This was part of a project. The extreme religious right seeks to undermine the status quo and to clearly follow the example of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.
"There are no worshippers here right now, the place is empty, the Old City is empty. It's a military barracks," he added.
The Jerusalem Governorate also decried the raid, and appealed to the international community, in particular Muslim states, "to take immediate action".
Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir sparked fresh outrage today after performing Talmudic rituals inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, accompanied by an associate who carried out the “epic prostration”, a form of Jewish worship explicitly prohibited at the site https://t.co/pv3aKSaJvc
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) https://twitter.com/MiddleEastEye/status/1951940076071473266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
"What happened today is not just a traditional incursion. Rather, it represents a pivotal stage aimed at forcibly imposing Jewish sovereignty over Al-Aqsa Mosque and dividing it spatially between Muslims and settlers, after the occupation authorities have persisted in imposing a temporal division over the past years," it said.
"The Jerusalem Governorate considers this escalation to be a declaration of religious war against Islamic and Christian holy sites and a prelude to a comprehensive explosion whose flames could spread beyond the borders of Palestine, threatening security and stability in the region and the world," it added.
The Jordanian foreign ministry also strongly condemned the raid, calling it "an unacceptable provocation and an indecent escalation".
"The repeated entries of extremist settlers into Al-Aqsa Mosque constitute a serious violation of the existing historical and legal situation, an attempt to impose a division in time and space, and a desecration of the sanctity of the place," the Jordanian foreign ministry spokesman, Ambassador Sufyan al-Qudah, said.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 08/03/2025 - 15:10
Revolution Camp: Unhinged White Liberals Spend Weekend Smashing Junk In Anti-Trump Fury
Revolution Camp: Unhinged White Liberals Spend Weekend Smashing Junk In Anti-Trump Fury
The permanent protest-industrial complex, bankrolled by dark-money leftist NGOs, was at it again Saturday, orchestrating yet another nationwide demonstration, this time branded "Rage Against the Regime," targeting President Trump. As with previous actions, the protests were primarily attended by crazed, elderly white liberals. The Democrats and their NGO machine have lost not just the narrative but are drifting deeper into irrelevance.
50501 ("50 Protests, 50 States, 1 Movement") is part of the permanent protest-industrial complex and was behind the underwhelming demonstrations this weekend. The group's mission is to organize large-scale, nationwide color revolution-style operations against President Trump, including these previous events:
February 5: Anti-Trump kickoff rallies
February 17 (Presidents' Day): "No Kings on Presidents Day"
March 4: Third round of demonstrations
April 5: "Hands Off" protests, among the largest anti-Trump protests
June 14: "No Kings"
Each of the nationwide protests listed above has failed to generate enough momentum to shift public opinion and move the polls. The dark-money-funded NGOs behind the permanent protest-industrial complex have grown increasingly frustrated; so much so that they reportedly offered $20 million to a 'rent-a-protester' firm.
Last month, Adam Swart, CEO of an activist group called "Crowds on Demand", called out one unnamed leftist entity ...
"We had to reject an offer worth around $20 million for nationwide, large-scale demonstrations across the country. Personally, I don't think it's effective. I'm rejecting the contract not because I don't want the business, but because, frankly, this is going to be ineffective and make us all look bad."
"One of the more bizarre highlights of this past weekend's failed protest operation was a 50501 staffer setting up what appeared to be a "smash room" for deranged white leftists in the parking lot of a retail center in Tim Walz's state.
"After smashing a watermelon, one attendee screamed "REVOLUTION" stating that the experience was "cathartic" and left her shaking," journalist Savanah Hernandez wrote on X.
Liberals in Minnesota are currently smashing watermelons and TVs to help expel their “rage” against the Trump admin.
After smashing a watermelon, one attendee screamed “REVOLUTION” stating that the experience was “cathartic” and left her shaking: https://t.co/9kpKnwojZ0
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) https://twitter.com/sav_says_/status/1951704264184586728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Hernandez said, "Live look at the full event, which includes a scream tent, smash room and about 80 senior citizens."
Live look at the full event, which includes a scream tent, smash room and about 80 senior citizens https://t.co/bItY4htp3J
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) https://twitter.com/sav_says_/status/1951704731606204574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Related:
One alarming aspect of these ongoing color revolution operations by the Democrats and their NGO complex is the co-mingling of foreign interests. We suspect this will be addressed in due time. CC: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/china-linked-tech-tycoon-neville-roy-singhams-niece-backs-nycs-next-marxist-mayor
…
* * *
Private intel firm Forward Observer has a summary of what the Democratic Party's latest "new tactics" to spark a color revolution...
. . .
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Sun, 08/03/2025 - 14:35
Sen. Blackburn To Introduce Bills To Root Out 'Embedded' Foreign Interest
Sen. Blackburn To Introduce Bills To Root Out 'Embedded' Foreign Interest
,
Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn will soon introduce a trio of bills to counter the malign influence of foreign adversaries stateside and cement actions already taken by the Trump administration, RealClearPolitics is first to report.
?itok=52u-cSiu
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/services/files/BDC7C33B-9032-4D0A-9660-2635D5588ACF
fears that proximity to those sensitive installations could make them prone to drone attack or surveillance.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced last month that the federal government would move to ban sales of farmland nationwide to buyers tied to China. If signed into law, the Blackburn bill would deliver on that promise.
While China is the primary target, the legislation would also prohibit purchases from North Korea, Iran, and Russia.
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/services/files/500EB027-1844-468F-9757-F58AA0D5DD90
focuses on the capital city: It would require the District of Columbia to end so-called “sister city” arrangements with adversarial nations. Washington, D.C., has entered into no less than 15 non-formal arrangements with cities around the world. Some are innocuous, such as Athens and Paris. One is a relic of hopes not realized.
Then-Mayor Marion Barry signed the Washington-Beijing Sister City Friendship agreement in 1984 when the U.S. still hoped that normalizing relations with China would lead to liberalization. It did not. Blackburn and other Republicans now warn that “sister city” arrangements, while informal, provide an adversarial regime a sort of soft power through diplomatic legitimacy and access to sensitive U.S. institutions.
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/services/files/369F964E-58D8-4FAC-8AD9-591CDF6D995A
would require the Department of Housing and Urban Development to work with state and local governments to assess whether and how foreign buyers, including those using shell corporations, “are distorting U.S. housing markets and threatening national security.”
The legislation comes as Trump shakes up the world stage through a series of new trade deals and reevaluated alliances. Even as the president insists that U.S. relations with China are improving, his administration has taken steps to gain an upper hand in the rivalry with the communist superpower. He has bolstered military spending. He has deregulated the artificial intelligence industry in order to maintain U.S. dominance in that field. He insists that the United States will remain preeminent.
Perhaps most significantly, Trump made a rising China a bipartisan concern. While previous administrations cast a wary eye on an increasingly bellicose Beijing, his first candidacy thrust the issue front and center nearly a decade ago. And former President Joe Biden did not throttle back during his time in office, notably keeping Trump’s tariffs on China in place and describing the coming century as a competition between autocracy and democracy.
Blackburn shares those concerns. Her current effort focuses on the domestic front.
“The United States cannot allow foreign adversaries like Communist China to quietly embed themselves in our communities and near our critical infrastructure,” the senator told RCP.
“We have a responsibility to identify and address these threats,” Blackburn added, before describing her legislative practice as an effort that “shines a light on these activities and will help protect American property and sovereignty.”
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 08/03/2025 - 14:00
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/sen-blackburn-introduce-bills-root-out-embedded-foreign-interest
154,000 Federal Workers Are Being Paid To Stay Home Under Deferred Resignation Plan
154,000 Federal Workers Are Being Paid To Stay Home Under Deferred Resignation Plan
Today in "your tax dollars at work" news...
More than 154,000 federal employees — over 6% of the civilian workforce — are being paid not to work under the Biden administration’s deferred resignation program, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/federal-government-paying-154000-people-work/story?id=124249462&cid=social_twitter_abcn
.
The program, first reported by The Washington Post, lets employees who accept buyouts keep pay and benefits until the fiscal year ends Sept. 30.
Critics say the plan has been chaotic, draining resources, disrupting agencies, and sparking legal battles — all on the taxpayer’s dime.
“The American taxpayer ultimately is not only watching federal employees who are deeply interested in serving the public be sidelined, they’re having to pay for them too. It makes no sense at all,” said Max Steier of the Partnership for Public Service. He added, “They’ve done ‘ready, fire, aim,’ instead of ‘ready, aim, fire.’”
?itok=8jhBxRf6
Supporters defend it as a cost-cutting success. “Ultimately, the deferred resignation program was not only legal, it provided over 150,000 civil servants a dignified and generous departure from the federal government,” OPM spokeswoman McLaurine Pinover told https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/federal-government-paying-154000-people-work/story?id=124249462&cid=social_twitter_abcn
.
“It also delivered incredible relief to the American taxpayer. No previous administration has gotten even close to saving American taxpayers this amount of money in such a short amount of time.”
The administration hasn’t disclosed how much is being spent on salaries, benefits, or court battles tied to the buyouts.
Senate Democrats, however, estimate that the broader Department of Government Efficiency effort — led by Elon Musk — has cost $21.7 billion so far due to errors and waste, a figure the White House disputes.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 08/03/2025 - 13:25
Iran Demands Compensation From US Before Nuclear Talks Can Resume
Iran Demands Compensation From US Before Nuclear Talks Can Resume
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has told the https://archive.ph/OD8mB
that Iran wants compensation from the US for damages incurred during the 12-Day War and guarantees that it won’t be attacked again before resuming nuclear negotiations.
"They should explain why they attacked us in the middle of … negotiations, and they have to ensure that they are not going to repeat that [during future talks]," Araghchi said. "And they have to compensate [Iran for] the damage that they have done."
?itok=nnlt-hre
The Iranian diplomat didn’t specify what sort of compensation Iran was seeking, but the US does have the ability to release billions in frozen Iranian funds.
It’s unlikely that the Trump administration would go for anything like that since it has been imposing fresh sanctions on Iran, continuing the so-called “maximum pressure” campaign.
Araghchi said that “anti-negotiation feelings” were very high within Iran since Israel launched the war under the cover of previous US-Iran talks.
“People are telling me, ‘Don’t waste your time anymore, don’t be cheated by them … if they come to negotiations it’s only a cover-up for their other intentions,” he said.
While the US and Iran haven’t engaged in talks since the war, Araghchi said he has exchanged messages with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Araghchi said that his message to Witkoff has been that there needs to be a “win-win” deal and that the US needs to show real “confidence-building” measures.
“The road to negotiation is narrow but it’s not impossible. I need to convince my hierarchy that if we go for negotiation, the other side is coming with real determination for a win-win deal,” he said.
The US has also shown no sign that it’s willing to give Iran assurances that it won’t be attacked again, since President Trump has repeatedly threatened to bomb the country again if it restarts its nuclear enrichment program. Araghchi reaffirmed that Tehran wouldn’t agree to a deal that doesn’t allow it to enrich uranium at low levels.
“We can negotiate, they can present their argument and we will present our own argument,” Araghchi said. “But with zero enrichment, we don’t have a thing,” Araghchi.
He also reaffirmed that Iran didn’t want a nuclear bomb and would continue to abide by a 2003 fatwa from the Iranian Supreme Leader that prohibited the production of nuclear weapons.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 08/03/2025 - 12:50
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/iran-demands-compensation-us-nuclear-talks-can-resume
Shocking Chart Exposes America's "Civilizational Crisis"; A Nation In Freefall Without Immediate Course Correction
Shocking Chart Exposes America's "Civilizational Crisis"; A Nation In Freefall Without Immediate Course Correction
The foundational pillars of the American middle class have been crumbling for decades, crushed under the weight of unaffordable housing, runaway education costs, and the rising price of just about everything. This full-blown affordability crisis is hollowing out the middle class from within. Add years of mass migration of millions of illegal aliens, and the wealth and opportunities once available to the native population have eroded even further. It's becoming impossible to ignore that many policymakers in Washington, seemingly aligned with the globalist billionaires, have deliberately waged economic war on America's middle class. This is precisely why President Trump rose to power.
Two of the core bedrocks of the middle class include homeownership and family formation. These two pillars provide economic stability, social cohesion, and long-term investment that sustain a prosperous and resilient society.
Alarm bells have been sounded, and the Trump administration had better be paying attention, because a new chart that shows the estimated percentage of 30-year-olds in the U.S. who are both married and homeowners, spanning from 1950 to a projected 2025, has completely collapsed.
jesus christ https://t.co/WrpKDIlyFE
— delian (@zebulgar) https://twitter.com/zebulgar/status/1951850800369582113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The chart was first posted on X by Nathan Halberstadt of New Founding, who stated this is a "https://x.com/NatHalberstadt/status/1951854992995889187
."
Halberstadt is correct: Young Americans can't afford homes, can't start families, and increasingly see the American Dream as just a dream. This has given rise to socialism and Marxism, spreading across the nation like cancer. It's as if the globalist elite in Washington deliberately sabotaged the middle class over the years, hollowing it out with decades of destructive policies designed to break those key pillars.
This chart was enough for Elon Musk to respond with "!!" as he, too, understands there needs to be a drastic and sharp course correction or risk losing the country to socialists and Marxists.
!!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1951928568893583635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The reason Communism failed to take hold in the U.S. in the 1960s post-WWII is that the economic expansion had stable jobs, rising wages, access to homeownership, and upward mobility. The revolution didn't die, it just changed tactics with all things woke re-emerging in the current unaffordability crisis that has taken decades to play out.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 08/03/2025 - 12:15
UK Gov't 'Disinfo' Unit Shifts From Lockdown Dissenters To Spying On Mass Migration Critics
UK Gov't 'Disinfo' Unit Shifts From Lockdown Dissenters To Spying On Mass Migration Critics
A shady government outfit in the UK that was previously tasked with identifying and monitoring COVID lockdown dissenters has been repurposed to spy on critics of mass migration and so called ‘asylum’ hotels, the Telegraph reports.
?itok=hFFlgRsB
The body, now known as the National Security and Online Information Team (NSOIT) has been lobbying social media companies such as TikTok to take action against users who post what it describes as “concerning narratives” about immigration and ‘two tier policing’.
The unit operates within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and was previously known as the ‘Counter Disinformation Unit’ during the pandemic.
Wow. “Labour’s plot to silence migrant hotel critics. Emails reveal Whitehall ‘spy’ unit complaining to tech firms about content mentioning asylum seekers & two-tier policing”
This is WILD https://t.co/wDvNVhWVEJ
— Matt Goodwin (@GoodwinMJ) https://twitter.com/GoodwinMJ/status/1951039455378174142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
During the COVID lockdowns, the unit was tasked with pressuring social media companies to target and censor those critical of the stay at home orders and those questioning the mass vaccination of children. Discussions opposing vaccine passports were also flagged.
🚨EXCLUSIVE: A secretive government unit worked with social media companies in an attempt to curtail discussion of controversial lockdown policies.
Read the full article here: https://t.co/kWlMk735rW
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) https://twitter.com/Telegraph/status/1664724903310786561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The rebranded outfit has now been flagging videos it sees as “exacerbating tensions” in Britain, particularly in August last year during the unrest stemming from the murder of three children by a second generation migrant in Southport.
The report contains examples of emails sent by government workers asking for the unit to investigate posts that are critical of migration, such as the one below to TikTok that expresses an ‘urgent’ need to monitor a post that highlighted a rejected Freedom of Information request about the location of asylum hotels, and a reference to asylum seekers as “undocumented fighting-age males”.
?itok=4sDTRkG5
Another email shows that government officials warned TikTok that users were posting about “two-tier” policing at Southport rallies, amid accusations that white protesters had been treated more harshly by the police than ethnic minorities.
?itok=C1ltCcfJ
The government officials demanded that TikTok explain “any measures you have taken in response…as soon as you are able to”.
The Telegraph report adds:
A third example of “concerning content” flagged by the team was a video of Pakistani men celebrating on a street, posted on Aug 5 and captioned: “Looks like Islamabad but it’s Manchester”. The team claimed it had been shared “in order to incite fear of the Muslim community”.
The emails did not ask for the content to be removed, but requested that TikTok explained how it was dealing with it.
The report further notes that the emails came to light in materials obtained by the US House of Representatives’ judiciary committee, which issued a subpoena to TikTok to hand over messages “regarding the company’s compliance with foreign censorship laws”.
The US under the Trump administration has expressed concern that the British government is censoring social media, and cracking down on users who post content it deems as harmful.
US 'greatly concerned' about free speech in Britain as secretive Whitehall unit 'spying' on critics of migrant hotelshttps://t.co/IJhXYMeixj
— GB News (@GBNEWS) https://twitter.com/GBNEWS/status/1951606330365485318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
These fears have only been heightened with the introduction of the so called Online Safety Act, which appears to be already being used as a tool for further censorship.
As we highlighted last week, X users in Britain are reporting that footage of rapidly growing anti-mass migration protests in the country is being blocked under the new law.
British users of X shared screenshots of messages that popped up while they attempted to view footage from the protests, which started in Epping after a migrant sexually assaulted a teenage girl and have since spread around the country.
News also broke of an “elite” police squad of officers tasked with monitoring spicy tweets about migration.
But they won’t stop burglars and thieves. Backwards. https://t.co/Bas7F4MXb7
— m o d e r n i t y (@ModernityNews) https://twitter.com/ModernityNews/status/1949360557905334293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/07/26/elite-police-unit-to-monitor-online-critics-of-migrants/
states:
An elite team of police officers is to monitor social media for anti-migrant sentiment amid fears of summer riots.
Detectives will be drawn from forces across the country to take part in a new investigations unit that will flag up early signs of potential civil unrest.
The division, assembled by the Home Office, will aim to “maximise social media intelligence” gathering after police forces were criticised over their response to last year’s riots.
Elon Musk’s X has accused the UK of enacting “censorship” under the new law, noting “The Act’s laudable intentions are at risk of being overshadowed by the breadth of its regulatory reach. Without a more balanced, collaborative approach, free speech will suffer,”
Elon Musk's X warns free speech under threat due to UK's new Online Safety Acthttps://t.co/8n2f5Eojfh
— GB News (@GBNEWS) https://twitter.com/GBNEWS/status/1951353734446932067?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
A spokesman for the Big Brother Watch anti-censorship group has called for an immediate investigation into the British government’s National Security and Online Information Team, warning that an “unaccountable and secretive Government unit is spying on speech that is critical of the police and Government policies”.
“Legitimate concerns about racism and violence must not become a blank cheque for the monitoring and censorship of controversial speech, absent of any oversight or scrutiny,” they added.
* * *
Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via https://pauljosephwatson.locals.com/support
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Sun, 08/03/2025 - 09:20
Think Uncle Sam Owes $37 Trillion? It's Far Worse Than That
Think Uncle Sam Owes $37 Trillion? It's Far Worse Than That
Via Brian McGlinchey at https://starkrealities.substack.com/p/america-37-trillion-national-debt-far-worse-unfunded-liabilities
When asked how far the US government has plunged into the red, many fiscally-conscious Americans will tell you the national debt has reached https://www.usdebtclock.org/
. As distressing as that official number is, America’s true fiscal situation is even worse — far worse. According to a barely-publicized Treasury report, the actual grand total of Uncle Sam’s obligations is more than $151 trillion.
That huge discrepancy springs from the fact that the federal government doesn’t hold itself to the same accounting standards it imposes on businesses. Rather than using accrual accounting — which recognizes expenses when they’re incurred — our Washington overlords self-servingly use simple cash accounting, only recognizing expenses when they’re paid. As a result, discourse on federal obligations solely focuses on the national debt, comprising Treasury bills, notes and bonds.
Once a year, however, an obscure report delivers a more accurate version of Uncle Sam’s balance sheet. While it receives almost no attention from journalists or public officials, the Treasury Department is required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the government’s financial condition. Critically, the 1994 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/331
mandates that it reflect “unfunded liabilities” — that is, commitments made without any dedicated assets or income streams to ensure they’ll be kept.
?itok=Dk60FFg1
One of the larger categories of those unfunded liabilities is future federal employee and veterans benefits. At the end of the 2024 fiscal year, this alone represented a https://www.justfacts.com/nationaldebt#_ftn44
.
Stacking these and other unfunded liabilities on top of the publicly-held national debt and other obligations, you arrive at a grand total of $151.3 trillion at the end of the 2024 fiscal year. Offsetting that by an estimated $7.9 trillion in US government commercial assets — including property, plant, equipment and https://mises.org/power-market/auditing-americas-gold-not-just-important-its-critical
analysis puts Uncle Sam at an overall net-negative $143 trillion.
Writing at the https://heartland.org/opinion/overlooked-treasury-report-supports-musks-warning-about-federal-deficits-sinking-the-u-s/
, Just Facts president James Agresti put that nearly-incomprehensible total in perspective: “$143 trillion amounts to 85% of the net wealth Americans have accumulated since the nation’s founding, estimated by the Federal Reserve to be $169 trillion. This includes all of their assets in savings, real estate, corporate stocks, private businesses, and even consumer durable goods like automobiles and furniture.”
Those numbers reflected the government’s position on Sept 30, 2024. They’ve not only grown significantly worse in the intervening months, they’re deteriorating at a blistering pace even as you read this: Not even counting the unfunded liabilities that represent the biggest part of the problem, the national debt alone is increasing at something like https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/vendor/_accounts/JEC-R/debt/Monthly%20Debt%20Update.html
.
Wrangling over the budget isn’t going to save us. Congressional debates tend to center on discretionary spending — outlays that require a vote by Congress during the appropriations process. However, America’s steady march to insolvency is driven by so-called mandatory spending, which is hardwired by previously-enacted laws.
In what may be the most ominous indication that the government is on an autopilot-course for catastrophe, the proportion of total federal outlays driven by mandatory spending has more than doubled since 1965 — from 34% to 73% in 2024. It was at 71% just two years earlier, in 2022.
?itok=R1laJ1jV
The two largest examples of mandatory spending are Social Security and Medicare. Those old-age programs are now well within sight of a crisis that’s been warned about for a generation: According to the latest report from their program trustees, Social Security and Medicare trust funds are now just seven years from insolvency.
While the federal government requires private-sector pension plans to maintain assets equal to the present value of future obligations, the federal government exempts itself from providing the same security to the citizens that it forces into the Social Security program. Contrary to the mythology that payroll taxes are placed in individual “accounts” held for our future benefit, that money is immediately being dished out to other people who’ve already reached the benefit-receiving phase — which is why Social Security can be reasonably compared to a Ponzi scheme.
Because the ratio of taxpaying-workers to beneficiaries is in steady decline — from https://starkrealities.substack.com/p/social-security-steams-closer-to
in payouts.
While that represents a political time bomb, don’t expect any urgency in defusing it. The eight-year countdown is short, but it’s still outside the next-election framing that drives elected officials’ actions. Those politicians know that anyone proposing a long-overdue rethinking of Social Security and Medicare will be opportunistically accused of “attacking” the programs. However, when the crisis is finally in their laps, don’t be surprised if part of their solution is to borrow money to prop up the payouts.
There’s another key component of mandatory spending that isn’t counted in the national debt: interest payments on debt issued to cover past and current spending. “In total, social programs and interest on the national debt—which mainly stems from social programs—account for 75% of all federal spending,” notes Agresti.
Interest payments also represent a steadily growing share of total outlays, and will total almost $1 trillion this year. Within 10 years, interest is projected to reach $2 trillion, roughly equal to the entire 2025 deficit. Last year saw a grim milestone, as interest expense surpassed spending on both defense and Medicare.
?itok=cET1WgYy
Current projections have interest surpassing Social Security to become the largest single expenditure by 2042, but don’t be surprised if that milestone doesn’t come sooner. The government is already descending into a vicious cycle in which mounting US debt has the buyers of that debt demanding higher interest rates in compensation for the growing risk of inflation and/or default — with those higher rates creating larger interest payouts and even more debt.
Beyond mandatory-vs-discretionary, and funded-vs-unfunded, there’s an even more important but far-less-discussed classification of spending that goes to the very heart of America’s march toward financial disaster: constitutional vs unconstitutional. As I noted in the https://starkrealities.substack.com/p/americans-are-fighting-for-control
at Stark Realities, “Americans Are Fighting For Control Of Federal Powers That Shouldn’t Exist”:
Today’s sprawling federal government, which involves itself in almost every aspect of daily American life, is almost entirely unconstitutional.
To rattle off just a random fistful of the federal government’s unauthorized undertakings and entities — brace yourself — there is zero constitutional authority for the Social Security, Medicare, federal drug prohibitions, the Small Business Administration, crop subsidies, the Department of Labor, automotive fuel efficiency standards, climate regulations, the Federal Reserve, union regulation, housing subsidies, the Department of Agriculture, workplace regulations, the Department of Education, federal student loans, the Food and Drug Administration, food stamps, unemployment insurance or light bulb regulations. Even that sampling doesn’t begin to fully account for the scope of the unsanctioned activity.
This Pandora’s box of unconstitutional endeavors was opened wide by unconscionably expansive https://starkrealities.substack.com/p/americans-are-fighting-for-control
by 2024.
Now we find the federal government in a $143 trillion hole, a burden that comes out to https://heartland.org/opinion/overlooked-treasury-report-supports-musks-warning-about-federal-deficits-sinking-the-u-s/
out of thin air to make debt payments.
?itok=4hq2acY5
with David Lin. “They [won’t] default — they’re always going to pay something for the Treasury bills. What they’re going to do is liquidate the debt by paying it off with counterfeit money.”
While the Fed-Treasury money creation scheme has been with us for a long time, the alarming trajectory of federal debt and spending point to future money-printing on a scale that will trigger hyperinflation and economic collapse. At that point, Americans will stand at a crossroads. Desperation and fear will make them susceptible to the siren song of even more authoritarianism and unconstitutional, centralized command of the economy and society than what put them in such dire straits to begin with.
“People will want to be taken care of,” Paul said. “I see it as an opportunity. If people are promoting the cause of liberty and there’s chaos in the streets, we better get out there and lead the charge and say you don’t need more of what caused this. You don’t need more authoritarianism. What you need is more liberty and more peace, and that means you ought to obey the Constitution.”
?itok=q7wdF7J6
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https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sat, 08/02/2025 - 21:00
https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/think-uncle-sam-owes-37-trillion-its-far-worse
Zelensky Signs Law Allowing Ukrainians Over 60 To Join The Military
Zelensky Signs Law Allowing Ukrainians Over 60 To Join The Military
Ukrainians https://www.kyivpost.com/post/57177
and older can now serve in non-combat roles thanks to new legislation. The elderly Ukrainians will need special approval and get medical clearance before enlisting.
The law was passed by the Ukrainian legislature earlier this month and signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, allowing people over the age of 60 to serve in limited roles until martial law in Ukraine is lifted.
?itok=kuetXAkQ
While the current martial law authorization is set to lapse next month, Zelensky has requested that lawmakers extend it for an https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/zelenskyy-submits-draft-bills-to-parliament-on-extending-ukraine-s-martial-law-mobilization/3630347
. Zelensky’s presidential term has already expired, and he has used martial law to remain in office.
Zelensky signed the law increasing the age limit as Ukraine continues to struggle with manpower in the war with Russia. Last year, Ukraine lowered its draft age from 27 to 25, but has resisted calls from the US to drop it to 18.
Regional media https://www.kyivpost.com/post/57177
:
According to the https://www.kyivpost.com/topic/verkhovna-rada
, the law was returned with the president’s signature on Tuesday, July 29. Parliament had passed the legislation on Wednesday, July 16.
The law applies exclusively to volunteers – there is no provision for compulsory service in this age group.
Under the updated Law “On Military Duty and Military Service,” citizens aged 60+ can now enlist under contract during martial law, provided they are deemed medically fit by a military commission and have written consent from a unit commander.
Ukrainian MP Anna Skorokhod https://menafn.com/1109801609/Anna-Skorokhod-Says-Ukraine-Needs-Manpower-Not-Arms
earlier this month that her country was facing a severe manpower shortage, saying, "Our main problem is people. Nobody is giving us people."
?itok=jgI-CK7p
The MP said that even if President Donald Trump sent more weapons to Ukraine, the "war cannot last forever." Over the past years, older men have been spotted among military ranks, leading to questions over just how desperate Ukrainie's military recruiters have become.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sat, 08/02/2025 - 18:40
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/zelensky-signs-law-allowing-ukrainians-over-60-join-military
"Not As Safe As We Think": Lidocaine Deaths Nearly Triple Over Past Decade
"Not As Safe As We Think": Lidocaine Deaths Nearly Triple Over Past Decade
(emphasis ours),
Poisonings and deaths linked to the common local anesthetic lidocaine have nearly tripled in the United States over the past decade, with fatal overdoses increasingly occurring outside hospitals, where untrained staff administer the supposedly “safe” anesthetic, a new analysis shows.
?itok=stTo0vRx
Over-the-counter topical lidocaine products, which typically contain up to 4 percent to 5 percent lidocaine, are primarily used for temporary relief of pain, itching, and burning sensations. The pain reliever is available in various forms, including creams, ointments, gels, sprays, patches, and foaming soaps. However, in medical settings, it can pose risks that many people may not be aware of.
“Lidocaine is not as safe as we think,” Dr. Michael Fettiplace, study author and assistant professor at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine, told The Epoch Times.
Increase Seen from 2011 to 2022
A recent study, https://rapm.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/rapm-2025-106464
—lidocaine cases bucked the trend.
Among the risks associated with the drug, lidocaine can cause systemic toxicity when introduced into the bloodstream at high levels. This condition, known as local anesthetic systemic toxicity, primarily affects the central nervous system and cardiovascular system, potentially leading to seizures, arrhythmias, and even cardiac arrest.
Fettiplace’s team had documented increasing toxicity cases in medical literature, but underestimated how often those cases proved fatal. “We identified a rise in mortality events associated with lidocaine, which was unexpected,” he said. “In retrospect, it is not surprising.”
The study analyzed more than 200,000 poisoning cases reported to U.S. poison control centers between 1983 and 2022, including 74 deaths from local anesthetics.
While deaths from other anesthetics declined, the proportion of fatalities linked to lidocaine rose from 67 percent in 2010 to 82 percent in recent years. Overall, 0.1 percent of lidocaine poisoning cases resulted in death, compared with 0.01 percent for other local anesthetics.
In absolute numbers, reports of lidocaine poisoning jumped more than 50 percent, from 1,600 cases in 2016 to 2,500 in 2021.
Many of the deaths occurred after the patient overdosed on lidocaine themselves or received an overdose in outpatient settings.
One case described a 70-year-old man going into cardiac arrest and dying after being administered a 2 percent lidocaine solution. He had undergone an outpatient cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and instead of having the MRI dye flushed with normal saline, he was given lidocaine instead.
While poisonings occurred across all age and gender demographics, cases occurred most frequently at home, Fettiplace noted.
The study described one case in which a man inhaled imported lidocaine powder from China to treat his gastroesophageal reflux disease and became unconscious.
“Undoubtedly, there is underreporting,” Fettiplace said. “I cannot predict an upper limit of the increase.”
He noted that adverse events involving lidocaine are often attributed to other causes, even when lidocaine contributed to the death—a pattern also seen when lidocaine was used as an antiarrhythmic agent in the 1970s and 1980s.
Fettiplace added that, given how frequently lidocaine is used both as an inpatient pain medication and in outpatient settings—as creams and patches—it’s possible there are a “profound number” of adverse events going unreported.
Why Lidocaine Became More Dangerous
Lidocaine is a widely used and versatile drug. It has had a consistent safety profile and has long been considered a gold standard local anesthetic. Fettiplace noted that while health care practitioners have a “healthy fear” of other potent local anesthetics like bupivacaine—which is longer-lasting and has a higher potential for toxicity, most consider lidocaine safe.
As an anesthetic, it can be used both topically, injected in the mouth for dental procedures, used to alleviate sore throats, and used for nerve blocks like epidurals.
Its ubiquity has led to an underappreciation of its potency.
In medical settings, lidocaine has been distributed for multiple or prolonged uses, such as 2,000 milligrams in a bottle or IV bag, though 300 milligrams is typically the recommended upper limit for a single adult dose, Fettiplace said.
Drivers of Deaths
The study showed that several deaths occurred after the patient was prescribed or purchased lidocaine and accidentally overdosed.
Fettiplace said that over-the-counter formulations containing 20 grams or more of lidocaine are readily available to the public—and, in some cases, have been used for self-harm.
Dr. Evan Peskin, a dual board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine physician who was not involved in the study, told The Epoch Times that one “major issue” is the growing number of outpatient surgeries, where procedures are done outside hospitals—in clinics or office settings.
“Many of these procedures are being performed by providers who may not have formal anesthesia training,” he warned.
Peskin noted that in some cases, large amounts of lidocaine are used—such as in cosmetic procedures like liposuction—and the administering providers may not fully understand how the drug is absorbed over time or that the toxicity may not present immediately.
Treatment for Lidocaine Poisoning
When lidocaine poisoning occurs, quick action can mean the difference between life and death.
Lipid emulsion therapy—also called lipid resuscitation or intravenous lipid emulsion therapy—is a treatment that involves administering a fat emulsion intravenously to counteract the toxic effects of certain overdoses and poisonings.
When it comes to treating lidocaine poisoning, Peskin said how quickly lipid emulsion therapy is given can make a “big difference” in the outcome. “The problem is that in many outpatient settings, the people giving the lidocaine may not recognize the signs of toxicity, or they may not have lipid emulsion available,” he added.
Peskin emphasized that delays in treatment can lead to worse outcomes, including death. “That’s why it’s essential for all locations where lidocaine is used, especially outside the hospital, to have the correct supplies and trained staff who can respond quickly if an issue arises.”
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sat, 08/02/2025 - 17:30
https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/not-safe-we-think-lidocaine-deaths-nearly-triple-over-past-decade
#Watch: JD Vance Offers Sage Advice To The Left On Sydney Sweeney 'Nazi' Ad Furor...
#Watch: JD Vance Offers Sage Advice To The Left On Sydney Sweeney 'Nazi' Ad Furor...
Vice President JD Vance has weighed in on the left’s demented response to American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney ads and their unhinged claims that the “good jeans” pun is really Nazi eugenics propaganda.
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“My political advice to the Democrats is continue to tell everybody who thinks Sydney Sweeney is attractive is a Nazi,” Vance joked in an appearance on the “Ruthless” podcast Friday.
“That appears to be their actual strategy,” Vance further highlighted, adding “It actually reveals something pretty interesting about the Dems, though.”
"They have managed to so unhinge themselves over this thing."
Vice President JD Vance rips the left’s overreaction to Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad on https://twitter.com/RuthlessPodcast?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
— Fox News (@FoxNews) https://twitter.com/FoxNews/status/1951299693671010423?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“Which is that you have like a normal, all-American beautiful girl doing like a normal jeans ad, right?” The Vice President continued, “To try to sell, you know, sell jeans to kids in America, and they have managed to so unhinge themselves over this thing.”
“You guys, did you learn nothing from the November 2024 election?” An exasperated Vance asked.
“Like, I actually thought that one of the lessons they might take is we’re going to be less crazy,” he continued.
“The lesson they have apparently taken is we’re going to attack people as Nazis for thinking Sydney Sweeney is beautiful,” Vance urged.
“Great strategy, guys. That’s how you’re going to win the midterms. Especially young American men,” he further emphasised.
“Their course correction lasted about 30 seconds,” Ruthless co-host Josh Holmes chimed in.
“That’s right, [it] lasted 30 seconds, somehow has gotten even crazier,” Vance responded, adding “it’s just so much of the Democrats is oriented around hostility to basic American life.”
“So you have a pretty girl doing a jeans ad, and they can’t help but freak out. It reveals a lot more about them than it does us,” Vance concluded.
The full episode of the podcast is here:
Sydney Sweeney wore jeans. The regime had a seizure
— LIBERTY GHOST (@libertyghost_x) https://twitter.com/libertyghost_x/status/1951300310246232442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
They should invite her to the White House and give her an award.
— Bob Mittindaway (@bobby_fever) https://twitter.com/bobby_fever/status/1951309786231783802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Who knew a white woman in jeans could cause such a stir.
— Chaz (@Patriot1422) https://twitter.com/Patriot1422/status/1951299895052136732?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via https://pauljosephwatson.locals.com/support
.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sat, 08/02/2025 - 15:10
Ten Days, Then What?
Ten Days, Then What?
https://larrycjohnson.substack.com/p/12-days-then-what
Donald Trump made another move in his feckless game of global checkers today in Scotland, with the announcement that he is giving Russia a new, much shorter deadline of ten days to end the war in Ukraine. Trump warned that if President Vladimir Putin does not reach a deal by around August 7–9, the US will impose new sanctions and “severe tariffs” on Russia and countries supporting its war effort. Trump’s new deadline elicited a collective yawn in Moscow.
Since the start of the Special Military Operation (SMO), trade between the US and Russia has shrunk dramatically. In 2021, US exports to Russia totaled approximately $6.4 billion and US imports from Russia totaled about $29.7 billion. This resulted in a US trade deficit with Russia of about $23.3 billion for that year.
In 2024, total trade in goods between the United States and Russia declined sharply due to ongoing sanctions, war-related restrictions, and other political measures. US exports to Russia in 2024:
Approximately $526 million, marking a decrease of over 12% compared to 2023. Major U.S. exports included medical/technical equipment, pharmaceuticals, machinery, and some food and chemical products.
U.S. imports from Russia in 2024:
About $3.0–$3.27 billion, down more than 34% compared to 2023 and down over 75% from pre-war levels in 2021–2022. Key Russian exports to the U.S. were fertilizers (about $1.3 billion), precious metals (about $878 million), and inorganic chemicals (about $683 million). Energy imports have almost entirely ceased.
Trump's threat of new sanctions is just a blowhard bloviating… Ending shipments of fertilizers and precious metals is not going to hurt the Russian economy one bit. Thanks to the sanctions Biden levied in 2022, Russia’s economy grew to be the fourth largest in the world as measured by purchasing power parity.
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Western propaganda that the Russian economy is failing–citing current growth of 1.4%–ignores the fiscal policies that the Russian central bank put in place in 2024 to cool inflation. But those measures were only temporary, with the central bank announcing a two percent cut in interest rates late last week.
That means that Trump, if he is serious, will impose bone-crunching tariffs on China and India. Both countries appear unfazed by Trump’s bullying bluster. China in particular holds some very strong cards… Rare-earth minerals desperately needed by the US military industrial complex. I think this will be another Trump nothing-burger.
So why did Trump whittle down the deadline? One possible explanation concerns the rapid deterioration of the military situation for Ukraine. Russia is making rapid advances all along the line of contact and even Ukrainian media and social media outlets are expressing alarm. Is that what sparked Trump’s decision to shorten the time for Russia to agree to a ceasefire? Fifty day or 12 days, it does not matter. Trump has no leverage to compel Russia to agree to the ceasefire that the US and Europe want to be imposed.
Russia is going to continue with its offensive and will take more territory in the coming weeks. Russian troops are pushing north in Zaporhyzhia, moving south through Sumy and Kharkiv, and advancing to the west, having already taken territory in Dniepropetrovsk. No pressure from Washington or Europe will alter this reality.
I discussed this issue, as well as developments in West Asia, with Nima and Pepe. Following that podcast, I welcomed the Judge back from his well-deserved vacation:
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sat, 08/02/2025 - 09:20
Tiny European Country Becomes First In EU To Impose Arms Embargo On Israel
Tiny European Country Becomes First In EU To Impose Arms Embargo On Israel
Tiny Slovenia has become the first European Union member state to completely halt arms trade with Israel over its ongoing military operations in Gaza.
The decision was announced by Prime Minister Robert Golob following a government meeting on Thursday, and it features a ban on the transit of weapons to and from Israel. "The government of Slovenia is the first in the EU to prohibit the import, export, and transit of military equipment involving Israel," an official statement in state news agency STA indicated.
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Slovenia clarified that it was taking this step on its own, and complained about a lack of unified action within the European Union due to internal disagreements on the question of policy toward Israel.
The statement from Slovenia on the new drastic arms ban focused on the spiraling humanitarian crisis based on lack of food and aid, which has resulted in at least dozens or more Palestinians dying from hunger. "It is the duty of any responsible country to act, even if that means taking the lead," the government statement said.
"We have been clear from the beginning: if the EU is not able to take concrete measures by mid-July, we will act on it ourselves in Slovenia. And that's what we did today."
However, Slovenia has for some time stopped approving any arms export licenses to Israel - a status quo which has been in effect since October 2023. The prime minister is actually threatening more punitive actions to come, targeting https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/2025-07-31/live-updates-862790
:
"People in Gaza are dying because humanitarian aid is systemically disabled," he continued. "They are dying under ruins, with no access to drinking water, food and basic medical care. It's a total disruption of humanitarian access and conscious prevention of basic conditions for survival."
"Slovenia will always stand on the side of international law and human rights," he added. "In the coming weeks, we will prepare additional measures against the Israeli government's actions, which mean serious violations of international humanitarian law."
Slovenia, which has also been a member of NATO since 2004, is among small European states which have issued formal recognition of Palestinian statehood (done in June 2024).
Just this summer and in the past week, France, the UK, and Canada have said they plan to recognize Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting in September.
Slovenia banning arms to and from Israel is much more meaningful than EU states recognizing a toothless Palestinian state with no enforceable borders as they continue to arm Israel https://t.co/GrbHIbMYPx
— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) https://twitter.com/MaxBlumenthal/status/1951123664486727855?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Meanwhile Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Thursday https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/2025-07-31/live-updates-862790
the quiet part out loud amid an emerging diplomatic war against Israel, saying the country was in danger of becoming isolated.
Wadephul said Berlin is trying to prevent this. "Israel must always find friends, partners, and supporters in the international community. And that is currently in danger in this situation. And if there is one country that has a responsibility to prevent this, then in my view it is Germany," he told reporters on a trip to Israel.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sat, 08/02/2025 - 07:35
Judge Blocks DHS Bid To End Protected Status For Immigrants From Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal
Judge Blocks DHS Bid To End Protected Status For Immigrants From Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal
A federal judge on July 31 blocked the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from ending temporary protected status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
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TPS is ahttps://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status
that allows individuals from countries affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary events to remain in the United States.
In a 37-pagehttps://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.452397/gov.uscourts.cand.452397.73.0_1.pdf
, U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson of the U.S. District Court in Northern California ordered that protections for immigrants from those countries remain in place until the next hearing on Nov. 18.
Thompson stated that the plaintiffs had presented sufficient evidence showing that DHS’s decision to terminate TPS designations for Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua was predetermined, rather than based on an “objective review” of conditions such as the impact of natural disasters that hit those countries.
While DHS had argued that extending TPS for those countries would undermine U.S. foreign policy and national interests, Thompson said the agency failed to identify which interests were at stake.
“The freedom to live fearlessly, the opportunity of liberty, and the American dream. That is all plaintiffs seek. Instead, they are told to atone for their race, leave because of their names, and purify their blood. The Court disagrees,” the judge stated.
Thompson stated that immigrants from the three nations could face irreparable harm if TPS is terminated, including loss of employment, health insurance, and family separation. The government had argued that they could apply for lawful status.
People are making fun of this moronic opinion for being written at the level of a 9th grade essay, but I'm just glad it clearly wasn't written using AI. Call me Mr. Brightside. https://t.co/PE4r9Kormr
— Jeff Blehar is *BOX OFFICE POISON* (@EsotericCD) https://twitter.com/EsotericCD/status/1951279404652339625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The plaintiffs are TPS holders from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua.
They alleged that DHS’s decision to end the program violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the Fifth Amendment.
Jessica Bansal, attorney at the National Day Laborer Organization, which represents the plaintiffs, said in ahttps://www.nationaltpsalliance.org/breaking-federal-judge-orders-trump-administration-to-delay-termination-of-tps-humanitarian-protection-for-60000-tps-holders-who-have-lived-in-the-us-for-years/
that they welcomed the court’s decision to postpone what they described as “cruel and illegal” termination of TPS designations.
“This ruling gives us strength, affirms the power of organizing, and reminds us what’s at stake: the right to stay in the only home many of us have ever known,” Teofilo Martinez, a Honduran TPS holder and one of the plaintiffs, said in thehttps://www.nationaltpsalliance.org/breaking-federal-judge-orders-trump-administration-to-delay-termination-of-tps-humanitarian-protection-for-60000-tps-holders-who-have-lived-in-the-us-for-years/
.
DHS did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.
Honduras and Nicaragua were designated for TPS in 1999 following the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch. The designations for both nations had remained in place due to disruptions to living conditions.
DHS stated in July that TPS designations for Honduras and Nicaragua would end 60 days after the agency published its notices in the Federal Register on July 7, noting that the countries’ current conditions no longer warrant protection under the program. The agency estimated that abouthttps://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-12621.pdf
Nicaraguans are covered by TPS.
“Temporary Protected Status was never meant to last a quarter of a century,” a DHS spokespersonhttps://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-terminates-tps-for-nicaragua-it-was-never-meant-to-last-25-years
on July 7. “The impacts of a natural disaster impacting Nicaragua in 1999 no longer exist. The environmental situation has improved enough that it is safe enough for Nicaraguan citizens to return home. This decision restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that TPS remains temporary.”
Nepal was granted TPS in 2015 after a major earthquake that affected a third of its population. The designation was later extended and,https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/06/2025-10363/termination-of-the-designation-of-nepal-for-temporary-protected-status
to DHS, covered about 12,700 Nepalese nationals, of whom 5,500 have since become lawful permanent residents in the United States.
to terminate Nepal’s TPS on Aug. 5, citing improvements in the country’s disaster preparedness and response capacity.
Honduran and Nicaraguan nationals had been advised to use the CBP Home app to report their departure from the United States and take advantage of a self-deportation process that includes a complimentary plane ticket, a $1,000 exit bonus, and an opportunity to legally migrate to the United States in the future,https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-terminates-tps-for-nicaragua-it-was-never-meant-to-last-25-years
issued by DHS.
On May 19, the Supreme Courthttps://www.theepochtimes.com/us/supreme-court-allows-trump-to-remove-protected-status-for-venezuelans-5859993
that the Trump administration could move forward with ending TPS for more than 300,000 Venezuelan nationals, potentially paving the way for other TPS terminations to occur.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 08/01/2025 - 21:45
Japan Creates Frankenstein Bird Flu Virus With New Immunological Traits
Japan Creates Frankenstein Bird Flu Virus With New Immunological Traits
https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/japan-creates-frankenstein-bird-flu
According to a new study published last week in https://www.nature.com/articles/s41541-025-01221-x
, Japanese researchers engineered an entirely new strain of bird flu, combining the genetic material of two separate wild viruses to create what they call Vac-3: a pathogen that is “a reassortant virus between A/duck/Hokkaido/101/2004 (H5N3) and A/duck/Hokkaido/262/2004 (H6N1).”
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This lab-built virus—A/duck/Hokkaido/Vac-3/2007 (H5N1)—was never observed in nature.
It was artificially assembled, grown in eggs, concentrated, and inactivated with formalin to become the whole-particle vaccine used in long-term testing on nonhuman primates.
The new study comes after NIH-funded researchers at the University of Georgia, Mount Sinai, and Texas Biomed were caught https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/nih-funded-georgia-researchers-create
—one of which killed 100% of exposed mammals—using synthetic DNA constructs and then deliberately infecting live dairy cows, all under the same $59 million federal contract that has also been tied to mammal-adapted, drug-resistant strain development.
Japan is also working with U.S. scientists on other projects to build lab-made horse-human influenza hybrids that https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/japan-wisconsin-team-builds-100x
than natural strains using aborted fetal cells engineered with the cancer-linked SV40 virus, also under the banner of vaccine development.
All of these developments raise fears that another man-made pandemic is on the horizon, as https://oversight.house.gov/release/final-report-covid-select-concludes-2-year-investigation-issues-500-page-final-report-on-lessons-learned-and-the-path-forward/
have acknowledged that a lab-related incident involving gain-of-function research is most likely the origin of COVID-19.
An Engineered Virus with New Properties
The new Japanese paper highlights that this bird flu Frankenvirus triggered significantly stronger immune responses than existing flu vaccines.
It did so by retaining its full genetic structure, including viral RNA, which stimulated toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and a cascade of innate immune activation.
“WPVs contain single-stranded viral RNAs that stimulate innate immune receptors such as toll-like receptor 7,” the authors write.
This means the lab-built virus was left fully intact so it could shock the immune system into overdrive, triggering a much stronger reaction than normal flu shots.
Unlike conventional “split” vaccines, which separate viral proteins from RNA, Japan’s whole-particle vaccine (WPV) preserved the virus’s full anatomy.
This allowed it to activate dendritic cells, induce interferon-producing T cells, and stimulate somatic hypermutation—a powerful, but risky, rewiring of the immune system.
In short, the new virus didn’t just train the immune system—it reprogrammed it.
Gain-of-Function Without Calling It That
While the researchers don’t use the phrase “gain-of-function” that’s effectively what this is: the creation of a chimeric virus with novel immunological features.
The Vac-3 strain was not isolated in the wild.
It was constructed by merging influenza genes from unrelated alleged viruses, giving the final product new, enhanced abilities—especially in triggering memory immune responses.
A White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/improving-the-safety-and-security-of-biological-research/
from May 2025 defines “dangerous gain-of-function research” as scientific work on infectious agents that can cause disease by enhancing their pathogenicity or transmissibility.
Importantly, the Order explicitly includes research that can:
“[disrupt] beneficial immunological response or the effectiveness of an immunization against the agent or toxin” (meaning altering how the immune system responds to the virus), and,
“[enhance] the susceptibility of a human host population to the agent or toxin.”
This means that GoF research includes altering the virus in ways that affect the immune response—either by weakening it or by increasing the harm caused through immune interaction.
So, engineering a virus to produce a stronger or otherwise altered immune response in hosts falls under this definition because it modifies the virus’s interaction with host immunity, which could have significant health consequences.
Biosecurity Risks Ignored
Researchers infected macaques with a human-lethal strain of H5N1 five years after vaccination with Vac-3 to test long-term immunity.
The challenge virus—A/Vietnam/UT3040/2004 (H5N1)—was said to have been isolated from a patient who died from the infection.
This raises serious biosafety concerns.
The experiment involves:
Genetic engineering of a virus that never existed before
Testing it on nonhuman primates
Challenging them with a highly lethal H5N1 strain in a BSL-3 lab
This is gain-of-function-adjacent research, cloaked in vaccine development.
Why This Matters
As avian influenza outbreaks spread across continents and headlines warn of a possible H5N1 human pandemic, it’s critical to ask:
How many of these outbreaks are caused by wild strains, and how many involve viruses manufactured for vaccine research?
Governments and scientific institutions continue to play with viral fire, creating unnatural pathogens and injecting them into animals to test vaccines that may never see approval.
The result is a growing infrastructure of high-stakes, high-risk bioengineering, all under the banner of public health—without public awareness or consent.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 08/01/2025 - 20:55
https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/japan-creates-frankenstein-bird-flu-virus-new-immunological-traits
China Slams US Decision To Sanction Palestinian Officials: 'Shock, Disappointment'
China Slams US Decision To Sanction Palestinian Officials: 'Shock, Disappointment'
https://thecradle.co/articles/china-shocked-disappointed-by-us-sanctions-on-pa
"shock" and "disappointment" on Friday over the US decision to impose sanctions on the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) the day before.
"We feel disappointed at, and can't understand the US move," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun, adding that the question of Palestine "is at the heart of the Middle East issue."
Jiakun also described the Palestinian struggle as "a matter of international fairness and justice," while urging Washington to move toward "taking responsibility" for implementing UN resolutions on Palestine. He stressed that the Palestinian issue is at a "crucial and historic juncture."
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"China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their national rights (and) the PA’s effective jurisdiction overall of Palestine’s territory, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank," he added, calling on Washington to "not do the reverse." He went on to say that a two-state solution is the "comprehensive, just, and lasting solution."
The US announced the imposition of sanctions on the PA and PLO on 31 July, accusing them of undermining peace efforts. Those targeted by the sanctions will be slapped with visa denials. It did not name who exactly was being sanctioned.
"It is in our national security interests to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments and undermining the prospects for peace," the US State Department stated.
Washington called out the PA for "taking actions to internationalize" the conflict with Israel, including through the International Criminal Court (ICC). It also accused Ramallah of "supporting terrorism."
The PA was formed after the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO – led at the time by Yasser Arafat. The agreement was meant to pave the way for eventual Palestinian statehood, and saw the PLO abandon armed resistance against Israel.
The years that followed saw Israel rapidly expand illegal settlements and solidify its illegal occupation of the West Bank.
The PA, for years, provided stipends to the families of Palestinians (often those responsible for attacks) killed or jailed by Israel. Washington and Tel Aviv accused the PA of supporting terrorism – and in February this year, Ramallah revoked the stipend law in line with US and Israeli demands.
The PA has been at the center of efforts to set in place a solution for post-war Gaza. While Israel continues to reject Ramallah’s return to governing the strip, https://thecradle.co/articles-id/32253
PA assuming power in Gaza and sidelining Hamas.
Washington has also called on the PA to launch reforms, among them revoking the stipend law.
Hussein al-Sheikh, the secretary-general of the PLO Executive Committee and close confidant of PA President Mahmoud Abbas, was https://thecradle.co/articles/mahmoud-abbas-names-top-aide-as-plo-vice-president-in-move-deemed-illegitimate-divisive
as Vice President of the State of Palestine on April 26.
The move was meant to represent a PA leadership reform, but was strongly criticized by several Palestinian factions as illegitimate.
China has https://thecradle.co/articles-id/26068
a role in mediating between Palestinian factions, including Hamas and the PA Fatah party, with the goal of reaching a consensus on dealing with the issue of post-war Gaza.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 08/01/2025 - 17:40
Woke Is Dead: Jaguar CEO Behind Disastrous Gay Rebrand Suddenly "Retires"
Woke Is Dead: Jaguar CEO Behind Disastrous Gay Rebrand Suddenly "Retires"
The incidents are not isolated; woke is dying everywhere and mainstream advertising is one of the surest litmus tests. Though the culture war continues and requires eternal vigilance it's safe to say that most Americans and even Europeans (save a tiny, shrill minority) are fed up with far-left deconstructionist insanity.
One blaring example of woke suicide is Jaguar. The car company, once marketed to affluent and successful men between 35-65 years of age, started to move away from older male buyers over a decade ago. In 2011 they launched a https://www.marketingweek.com/jaguar-shuns-cliches-to-target-women/
targeting women, saying:
“We’ve woken up to the fact that there is a huge audience of powerful, wealthy women that want to be treated respectfully. We don’t want to forget our predominantly male audience, but design and luxury are our selling points and there are a lot of wealthy, powerful, empowered women that appeals to.”
In recent years they have attempted to pander to younger customers, believing (like most corporations) that diversity ideology was the key to the wallets of "design minded" Millennials and Gen Z. Young people who "challenge the status quo" and embrace "woke rebellion". The rebrand was heralded with an ad featuring androgynous or trans models, stating "delete ordinary" and "break moulds". It was an utter disaster, leading to a 97% collapse in sales.
The problem with this strategy is that woke activists are a phantom when it comes to consumer leverage. Most of them don't have money and they spend much of their time on the internet using coordinated mob intimidation to make their movement appear far bigger than it really is. Jaguar was trying to advertise a vehicle that retails for six-figures to a market of broke, mentally disturbed people living off their boomer parents.
Activist groups and companies spent so much time and energy trying to make the public believe that woke was "the majority" they ended up tricking themselves. They made the classic mistake of propagandists - They believed their own propaganda.
JLR is dedicated to promoting inclusion, ensuring a safe working environment and policies for LGBTQ+ colleagues. Our CEO, Adrian Mardell joined colleagues at Birmingham PRIDE this weekend, where our PRIDE wrapped Jaguar F-TYPE Convertible and Defender featured in the parade. https://t.co/ALCnf5p7oM
— JLR (@JLR_News) https://twitter.com/JLR_News/status/1795014791494308253?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Adrian Mardell, the 64-year-old CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, https://www.motor1.com/news/767627/jlr-ceo-retires-adrian-mardell/
from his post just three years after taking on the role. He joined the company over three decades ago and was at the helm when it pushed the woke rebrand advert.
Mardell jumped headfirst into woke marketing and pulled Jaguar down into the depths with him. This included pushing "Gay Pride" at a time when LGBT virtue signaling was on the outs with the western public. His sudden "retirement" is yet more evidence that woke messaging in marketing is being eradicated.
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The CEO's exit comes right before Jaguar is set to launch yet another rebrand and it's likely that this time the car company will steer well clear of DEI and LGBT symbolism in their ads. It is not clear if the CEO was forced out of his position because of his ultra-gay advertising flop, but corporations today are careful to avoid admitting when decisions based on progressive politics are a failure.
Regardless, progressive companies have hit a wall they did not expect: They did not consider the fact that they can bombard the public with propaganda but they can't force the public to buy their products. And, with government subsides drying up, they must now rely solely on consumers to keep them financially afloat. Wokeness is over, and the free market wins again.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 08/01/2025 - 17:20
The Untold Story In Today's Jobs Report: The Unprecedented Purge Of Illegal Alien Workers
The Untold Story In Today's Jobs Report: The Unprecedented Purge Of Illegal Alien Workers
Any way you cut it, https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/jobs-shocker-july-payrolls-far-below-estimates-follow-massive-revisions-lower
. Starting at the top, where the July print of just 73K missed most estimates...
?itok=38kpAQaO
... and when combined with the massive downward revision of May and June which removed nearly 260,000 jobs...
?itok=iuR7t7Wp
... meant that the employment growth in the past 3 months has averaged a paltry 35,000, the worst since the covid pandemic.
?itok=N-i-ifCb
While the unemployment rate was unchanged at the headline level, the unemployment for blacks surged to the highest since October 2021.
?itok=EGoGTVR6
It wasn't just the headline (Establishment Survey) data that was ugly: looking deeper reveals more rot, such as the plunge in the number of employed workers tracked by the Household survey.
?itok=KX6llalH
The qualitative component was also ugly, with full-time jobs tumbling 440K to 134.837 million, while part-time jobs surged by 237K to 28.437 million.
?itok=hmZ7bQW9
And yet, amid all the ugliness, there was one saving grace and some may call it quite critical.
Recall, that starting back in in 2023 we warned that virtually all the job creation since 2018 had gone to foreign-born workers, which as Wall Street https://t.co/uJkzgCGkOv
was mostly illegal aliens.
Here's a better one: since the covid crash, all new jobs - over 2 million - have gone to foreign-born workers. And in May, native-born workers tumbled again, by 369K, while foreign-born jumped 297K to an all time high.https://t.co/rS7nTNN3dy
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/1665091530258784258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Subsequently, we also correctly predicted that the debate of legal vs illegal workers (and immigration in general) would be the biggest political talking point into the 2024 election.
How is this not the biggest political talking point right now: since October 2019, native-born US workers have lost 1.4 million jobs; over the same period foreign-born workers have gained 3 million jobs. https://t.co/Z5HVWmQ24C
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/1746929670308671524?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Which brings us to today when the one aspect of today's jobs report which got zero mentions, was perhaps also the most important one: namely the ongoing purge of all illegal workers from the payrolls.
As shown in the chart below, in July, the number of foreign born workers tumbled by 467K. It wasn't just July though: as shown below, foreign-born workers (which, again, are https://t.co/uJkzgCGkOv
) have declined four months in a row...
?itok=o0Fgibpw
... as Trump unleashed an unprecedented crackdown on all illegal workers.
What about native workers? Well, as the chart above shows, in July native-born workers increased by 383K, which was impressive but was less than half the remarkable 830K increase in June; both however were below the massive $1.04 million increase in April.
And while regular readers are well aware, it may come as a surprise to many that in the five years https://x.com/zerohedge/status/1746929670308671524?lang=en
, the US had not added a single native-born worker, and instead all the growth in the US labor force was foreign-born. But that finally changed in the past 6 months, since Trump's inauguration.
?itok=NimvJvyz
Here's the bottom line: since Trump took over, foreign-born workers have declined 5 out of 6 months, while native-born have increase 5 out of 6 months!
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The chart above, more than any other variable, explains what is going on with the labor market: millions of minimum-wage illegal workers are not only not applying for jobs, but are actively losing their jobs. In the process, wages are increasing on average (since low-paying workers are no longer entering the work force and are being replaced with higher paid native workers). Indeed, we could see that today because while the overall report was very weak, average hourly earnings not only rose sequentially, but printed higher than expected.
?itok=5twDzhyR
But since there is less supply of native-American workers compared to the torrent of foreign-born illegals that defined the Biden administration, the US labor market has hit a bottleneck. And the only thing that will lift that bottleneck is when employers - who clearly still need workers, just not American workers - start paying higher wages.
The only question then will be whether the modest increase in inflation (due to higher wages) will be worth the drop in asset prices, as an increase in overall wages and spending will likely result in a stronger economy. And while we know Wall Street - whose net worth is tied not in income but assets - will hate that outcome, we are also confident which outcome Main Street will prefer.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 08/01/2025 - 14:40
TDS TikToker Asks For Tips On How To Be Unattractive To "MAGA Men", Gets A Simple Answer...
TDS TikToker Asks For Tips On How To Be Unattractive To "MAGA Men", Gets A Simple Answer...
The cesspool that is TikTok is overflowing with mentally broken TDS sufferers ‘creating’ endless content consisting of every ‘Orange man bad’ thought that fizzles to the surface of their dwindling brain matter.
?itok=yJEmK5-h
One cannot go swimming in there for long before it starts to eat away at one’s soul, but this nugget is particularly funny.
This… person asked for advice on what “MAGA men” find attractive so she can do the opposite.
Liberal Woman wants to know what MAGA men find attractive so that she can wear the complete OPPOSITE. https://t.co/PZycrWpJNO
— Johnny Midnight ⚡️ (@its_The_Dr) https://twitter.com/its_The_Dr/status/1950729790366867558?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Talk about a lay up...
just be yourself
— robert valentine (@rcv195) https://twitter.com/rcv195/status/1950953159569912158?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
She’s already doing a bang up job of it.
Just stay the way she is. There will no problem staying away from her.
— Robert (@RobertA41392359) https://twitter.com/RobertA41392359/status/1950928494751260860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
She doesn’t need any help from us, she is doing just fine all by herself.
— Andrew Hinojos (@Drewbd01Hinojos) https://twitter.com/Drewbd01Hinojos/status/1950857121865580743?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
You have already succeeded! https://t.co/XrianQsHh3
— Richard (@Ric36752Richard) https://twitter.com/Ric36752Richard/status/1950929457864114499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Of course, it’s not all about looks…
I will, I will—-Don't do anything Different.
You are unattractive as you are and no man (at least not those I know) will find you attractive, unless you're kind, humble and intelligent, which apparently, at least for the last, you are not.
— S❣️🇺🇸frdm (@S1776frdm) https://twitter.com/S1776frdm/status/1951036840645157277?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
She’s succeeding on that front too.
It's not looks stupid, it's character; and you've accomplished that.
— TopoArtifacts (@HarlanElectric) https://twitter.com/HarlanElectric/status/1951029639767531657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
What to wear?
She is safe regardless of wardrobe. Just open the mouth and conservatives will already know.
When you are an ugly hateful person, clothes cannot change that.
— Benjamin Hinson (@BenjaminHinson9) https://twitter.com/BenjaminHinson9/status/1950910433298415654?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Not to worry – nothing you wear will be attractive.
— Red Rover (@redrovera1) https://twitter.com/redrovera1/status/1950953718939042292?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
A nose ring and blue hair dye would be a chef’s kiss, but otherwise she’s pretty much there.
I'd say she nailed it.
— Robert (@Rob4msuRobert) https://twitter.com/Rob4msuRobert/status/1950990825762042076?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Congrats on being the opposite to this…
The fact that neither American Eagle or Sydney Sweeney has apologized, said they still have to learn, pulled the advertisements or said they would institute sensitivity training shows that woke is dead. Five years ago one day of complaints would’ve ended that campaign. https://t.co/EgUBTkHraP
— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) https://twitter.com/CarmineSabia/status/1950655331903950864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
* * *
Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via https://pauljosephwatson.locals.com/support
.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 08/01/2025 - 10:20
'Fade The Post-Payrolls Rally In The Long-End Of Bond Yields'
'Fade The Post-Payrolls Rally In The Long-End Of Bond Yields'
Authored by Peter Tchir via Academy Securities,
The headline establishment survey was 73k, which looks not so great at first blush, but unfortunately, is one of the better numbers in the entire report.
Only 1 economist surveyed by Bloomberg had a number lower than the actual.
As bearish on jobs as some of the rest of this analysis may sound, I suspect that we overstated job growth the prior months and are entering the time of year where we underestimate it, but we are all stuck living with the official data.
Not that I’m bitter, but last month’s headline number was revised down from 147k to 14k. Only bitter as we were expecting weak data last month and then didn’t get it, only to find a month later, we were probably right. How can businesses make decisions with such bizarrely inaccurate data? In this day and age of AI, electronic data, there has to be a way to get “better” as in “more accurate” data, rather than coping with “garbage in, garbage out”.
Total two month revisions were -258k.
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The birth/death model, which we see as fraught with issues, miscalculations based on a legacy economy that doesn’t exist any longer, added 257k jobs (I think that is unadjusted and maybe the full amount doesn’t get passed into the final number but it disturbs me that a total of only 73k incorporates a significant boost from this calculation).
Manufacturing lost jobs in each of the last two months, though if tariffs are going to work to bring manufacturing back, it will take time (I remain skeptical of how much of a resurgence in manufacturing employment of humans we will get via tariff policy).
Government shrank a bit, after some weird seasonals pushed them higher initially last month (who knows where they are after revisions). That should get worse as we move into September and we see the impact of DOGE (most doge’d employees are still counted as employed since they are still receiving their salary).
The unemployment rate only inched higher to 4.2% - a bright spot on the surface. But that was with the labor rate declining to 62.2% (the lowest participation rate since 2022). The underemployment rate (potentially a precursor to further labor issues) moved up 0.2% to 7.9%. Not a horrible number in its own right, but the trend is not good (and fits our view that the low QUITS rate as reported by JOLTs tells us labor is concerned about their ability to get a job).
The Household Data, used for the unemployment rate had -260k jobs lost. Without the lower participation rate, unemployment rate would be higher. That brings the 3 month total for this measure to -863K total.
The Fed should take notice and cut – they should have gone this month and I’m still in the 3-4 cut for the year camp (which looks less ridiculous today than it did a few weeks ago).
Treasuries are rallying across the curve, which makes sense, though I’d be fading the long end with 10’s back to 4.27%.
One reason for that bearishness on longer term yields at these levels is the Fed might be forced to cut even as inflation pressure from tariffs trickle in.
Also, and somewhat contradictory, there is the potential that the court system will invalidate the existing tariffs. That money may have to be refunded (there is supposedly a market to trade potential tariff refunds – Wall Street will trade anything ). If we see lower tariffs and refunds on tariffs already paid, we could see pressure on bond yields, because while we don’t think the market has been giving enough benefit to tariff revenue, it has given some benefit. With appeals, injunctions, etc., we are some ways a way from the final decision, but we could see some noise around existing tariffs.
It is far from clear where the trade deals announced (often with great fanfare and little detail) will stand in the wake of any court decisions forcing the administration to use new or different avenues to impose tariffs. Companies that benefitted the most or were hurt the most by trade deals could see some reversals in their price action as well.
Bottom Line
Fade the rally in the long end of bond yields.
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Be cautious on equities, and look for some reversals of recent trends between the outperformers and the laggards (the Russell 2000 is down year to date, and I’m not sure it is time to commit overweight here, but it is getting tempting).
Tariffs will be interesting as we see reaction (and potentially more deals) based on the tariff rates being set. At the same time, the court rulings could play a major role.
Finally, we continue to look to National Production for National Security and DEREGULATION to help some sectors do very well in the coming weeks and months!
Good luck and I do wish we had accurate data last month, imagine what the Fed might have done at the meeting if they knew jobs were punk last month and not some illusory surprise to the upside
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 08/01/2025 - 09:20
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/fade-post-payrolls-rally-long-end-bond-yields
'Too Little Too Late' - Trump Rages Amid The Post-Payrolls Carnage...
'Too Little Too Late' - Trump Rages Amid The Post-Payrolls Carnage...
Weaker than expected job gains combined with rising unemployment rates and massively negative revisions have sent rate-cut odds soaring with September now priced around 75%...
?itok=gwwdw68B
2025 cut expectations are now back above 50bps (and 2026 is fading modestly)...
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This has helped smash Treasury yields lower...
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And the dollar is puking...
?itok=XUuRAzqg
Gold is mirroring the dollar weakness and soaring higher...
?itok=BPMQDmIL
So, circling back to the start, is this 'bad news' from the labor market, good news for Trump as it forces The Fed's hand sooner rather than later?
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Time for an emergency cut?
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 08/01/2025 - 08:56
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/too-little-too-late-trump-rages-amid-post-payrolls-carnage
Trump Vows To Use "Every Tool In The Arsenal" To Force Big Pharma To Cut Drug Prices
Trump Vows To Use "Every Tool In The Arsenal" To Force Big Pharma To Cut Drug Prices
President Trump's letter to eighteen of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, including AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Genentech, Gilead, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Sanofi, demanding drug price cuts for Americans, sent a jolt through pharma stocks in Europe.
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Trump's formal letters to major big pharma, demanding immediate action to reduce U.S. drug prices to Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) levels — i.e., the lowest prices offered in any other developed nation, represent a move by his administration to stop what he calls "global freeloading" on U.S. pharma innovation, as well as for the adminstration to lower costs for all Americans - a campaign pledge he made in 2024.
Here are the key demands Trump made in the letter to drugmakers:
Provide MFN prices to all Medicaid patients.
Pledge not to offer lower prices abroad for new drugs than those offered in the U.S.
Sell drugs directly to consumers at MFN prices, bypassing middlemen.
Raise prices abroad (via trade policy support), but reinvest those gains into lowering prices for Americans.
The letters state that if the pharma companies "refuse to step up" and comply with the federal government, Trump "will deploy every tool in our arsenal to protect American families from continued abusive drug pricing practices."
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In markets, the letters sparked selling with Novo Nordisk in Europe down 4.4%, AstraZeneca slid 3%, GSK fell 1.9%, and Sanofi decreased by about 1.5%. Novo is set to close down more than 30% this week (https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/novo-shares-crash-most-record-after-forecast-slashed-compounded-glp-1-headwinds
), the largest weekly decline ever.
This follows Trump's May 12 Executive Order: "https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/trump-announces-order-reduce-prescription-drug-prices
." The Trump administration has made it clear to the American people that the days of consumers paying 3 times more for brand-name drugs than other OECD nations will be over.
The most shocking stat: The U.S. comprises <5% of the global population but funds about 75% of global pharma profits.
"In case after case, our citizens pay massively higher prices than other nations pay for the same exact pill, from the same factory, effectively subsidizing socialism aboard [abroad] with skyrocketing prices at home. So we would spend tremendous amounts of money in order to provide inexpensive drugs to another country. And when I say the price is different, you can see some examples where the price is beyond anything — four times, five times different," Trump wrote in the White House press release.
Here's Goldman Sachs European pharma expert Seth James's first take in a note to clients titled "Pharm to Table":
Shall we just all go to the pub instead? Trump sent out letters to Pharma CEO's last night further demanding price cuts to innovative medicines. Demands included: i) MFN pricing for all drugs offered in Medicaid. ii) MFN pricing for any new drug launched in Medicare, Medicaid and Commercial channels. iii) DTC and/or DTB distribution at MFN pricing for high volume/high-rebate prescription medicines. Administration asking for binding commitments here in the next 60 days. ADRs were weak last night trading down 1-2% from the EU close – feedback pretty mixed but leant relaxed among the specialists, most pointing to a lack of detail on mechanism of implementation which for points ii and iii is likely to need a legislative fix to enforce. Also the 60 day 'deadline' seen by many as an exercise in can kicking. On the details MFN pricing in Medicaid is likely most easy to implement but least impactful given the lower pricing in that channel, point ii on new drug launches would be most nefarious given the inclusion of the commercial channel which wasn't in many scenarios I'd seen run and would likely weigh heavily on the medium term growth outlook for the industry though imagine most see as unlikely to be implemented. Am in two minds as to how this plays out – Pharma (ex-Novo) has had a little bounce of late and can see that being given back –Novo for one not helpful for perceptions of the sector this week and letters could add to the capitulation here. On the other side think the lack of detail on implementation here is oddly reassuring – part of me wants to say that this helps put at least some pressure on getting this issue resolved more quickly than the 6+ months that Novartis' CEO outlined but given the legislative fixes required perhaps these letters only introduce another 60 day no go period for generalists in the space – with the above context would you be involved if you didn't have to?
Moves in reaction this morning feel much more a function of positioning than exposure – AZN has among the least Medicaid exposure of all EU Pharma yet most impacted this morning, ARGX closest to pricing parity globally yet also one of the hardest hit – on the other side GSK largest Medicaid exposure of EU names yet is outperforming, though I guess valuation is also an important component in all this. What a week to be a deep value investor..... Novo warning, Bayer pre-releasing and Philips moving onto our conviction list. Richard thinks that the 2Q print marked a turning point in the story as material headwinds from China come to and end while the U.S. strength persists as we saw in the order book which we think can carry the stock to 5-6% growth in the second half o this year and beyond with a CMD on the horizon to anchor too. Once the dust settles here I think its worth spending some time with Richard and going through it all. Deeper into medtech results next week – still astounded by how weak some of the discretionary exposed names have been but even the higher quality buckets are taking a beating – GE Healthcare had to take a lot of pain and Stryker down 6% overnight on a weaker quarter for knees despite efforts to reassure on the end market.
Not 100% doom and gloom with a better quarter for NVST with premium implants growing for the 3rd straight quarter and calling out stable dental market fundamentals which encouragingly continued through July which is an exact 180 of what we heard from ALGN – certainly ups the stakes for the STMN report in a few weeks. They say its always darkest before the dawn and I don't want to be too bearish given where we are on valuations – especially in the likes of Novo but I think the pain can always last longer than you think and stuff can stay cheap for a long time without a catalyst which is maybe a better question to end on rather than the one in the paragraph above – what's the catalyst to turn it around for healthcare in the second half.
In a separate note, BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan David Seigerman told clients the White House has sparked some "headline shock," but emphasized that it's unlikely the Trump administration will be able to implement the MFN successfully. In some cases, the analyst believes the administration may even lack the legal standing to enforce these policies. More or less, he believes the MFN threat is a negotiating strategy.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 08/01/2025 - 08:05
https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/trump-vows-use-every-tool-arsenal-force-big-pharma-cut-drug-prices
Standard Chartered Sees Higher Long-Term Oil Prices As Shale Costs Rise
Standard Chartered Sees Higher Long-Term Oil Prices As Shale Costs Rise
Oil prices are set to trend higher in the coming years, according to Standard Chartered, as the economics of U.S. shale have shifted significantly, https://oilprice.com/Energy/Oil-Prices/Standard-Chartered-Oil-Prices-Likely-Headed-Higher-Over-The-Long-Term.html#:~:text=And%20now%2C%20commodity%20analysts%20at,year%20average%20at%20%2473.38%2Fbbl.
.
While crude has hovered near $70/bbl — close to the 20-year average of $73.38 — StanChart notes that breakeven costs in the shale patch have climbed sharply. “The average breakeven price for Permian producers is now edging back toward the mid-$60s, up from the mid-$50s just two years ago,” the bank said, attributing the rise to higher costs for steel, labor, and frac materials, in part due to U.S. tariffs.
Analysts at Rystad Energy and Wood Mackenzie share the view that today’s oil prices are unsustainably low for shale. Rystad estimates breakeven prices for new horizontal wells in key plays near $68/bbl, while WoodMac warns that without a firmer price floor, “the rig count will absolutely fall.” Both firms point to tight capital budgets, cautious reinvestment, and a continued investor focus on returns rather than growth.
that the outlook comes as crude prices hit six-week highs. Brent crude for September rose 1.2% to $73.34/bbl, while WTI gained 1.5% to $70.24, driven by geopolitics and trade developments. President Trump extended his deadline for Russia to reach a ceasefire with Ukraine to Aug. 3 from July 14, warning of additional sanctions and tariffs if talks fail. “The new deadline caught many analysts by surprise and, if enforced, could tighten Russian crude and fuel supplies to the global market,” BOK Financial Securities said.
Oil prices also found support from a U.S.-EU trade agreement that avoided escalation into a full trade war. Under the deal, EU exports to the U.S. will face tariffs capped at 15%, providing relief to markets worried about a broader slowdown in trade.
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Still, gains were tempered by a surprise U.S. crude stock build. The Energy Information Administration reported commercial crude inventories rose 7.7 million barrels in the week ending July 25 to 426.7 million barrels. While stocks remain 6% below the five-year seasonal average, the weekly jump was far larger than the 1.54 million-barrel increase reported earlier by the American Petroleum Institute, catching traders off guard.
Meanwhile, U.S. drilling activity continues to contract. The Baker Hughes rig count shows oil rigs falling for the 13th consecutive week to a 46-month low of 415, down 68 rigs year-to-date. Texas saw the steepest declines, with drilling in the Eagle Ford formation down five rigs to 34, while Permian activity slipped in both the Delaware and Midland basins.
Bloomberg reports separately that fracking activity in the Permian Basin is slowing faster than expected as tariff uncertainty and rising OPEC+ production weigh on demand. ProPetro Holding CEO Sam Sledge said only about 70 frack crews remain active in the world’s top shale region, down from roughly 100 earlier this year.
“The completions market in the Permian Basin continues to face challenges,” Sledge told analysts, citing idle capacity driven by weaker market conditions. ProPetro shares fell as much as 21% after a surprise second-quarter loss, with the company now planning 10–11 crews this quarter and potential cuts ahead.
The forecast echoes Halliburton, which said last week it will sideline equipment amid worsening U.S. shale conditions.
With U.S. output under pressure and global geopolitical risks mounting, Standard Chartered’s bullish view reflects a tightening supply picture. Many analysts see sustained prices above current levels as essential to stabilize U.S. production — a dynamic that may be shaping the Trump administration’s increasingly hard stance on Russia.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 08/01/2025 - 06:55
US Imposes Sweeping New Sanctions On Iranian Shipping Network
US Imposes Sweeping New Sanctions On Iranian Shipping Network
https://thecradle.co/articles/us-imposes-sweeping-sanctions-on-iranian-shipping-network
The US Treasury Department has announced new sanctions targeting the global shipping interests https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-hits-iranian-shipping-network-with-major-new-sanctions-2025-07-30/
by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of senior Iranian official Ali Shamkhani, in what it described as the most significant Iran-related action since 2018.
The sanctions aim to dismantle what Treasury officials called a "vast network" used to sell Iranian and Russian oil through container ships and tankers operated by front companies and intermediaries.
?itok=CG1u6lTd
The network, they said, generated tens of billions of dollars used to support the Iranian government.
"These profits have helped prop up the Iranian regime," the Treasury stated, accusing Shamkhani of leveraging corruption and personal connections in Tehran to evade existing restrictions.
In total, the action designates 15 shipping firms, 52 vessels, 12 individuals, and 53 entities involved in sanctions evasion, with operations spanning 17 countries, including Panama, Italy, Hong Kong, the UAE, and the UK.
A US official said the measure was "tailored" to avoid disrupting https://thecradle.co/articles/a-global-oil-and-gas-catastrophe-has-been-averted-for-now
while striking specific targets.
"From our perspective, given where this individual fits, given his connection to the supreme leader and his father's previous sanctions activities, given the Iran-related authorities, it's critically important to emphasize that this is an Iran action that is meaningful and very impactful," the official said.
The EU sanctioned Shamkhani earlier in July for his role in the Russian oil trade, and his father, Ali Shamkhani, was sanctioned by the US in 2020.
Tehran https://en.irna.ir/news/85901831/Iran-strongly-condemns-U-S-sanctions-against-energy-oil-industries
as a hostile move, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei calling it a "blatant assault on the Iranian people and their national dignity," adding that it reflected "the hostility of American policymakers towards the Iranian people."
He accused Washington of seeking to "cripple Iran’s development, sow internal discord, and erode the rights and livelihoods of ordinary citizens."
"The Iranian people, fully aware of the malicious intent of the aggressive sanctioning party …, will stand firm with all their might to safeguard their dignity and interests," Baghaei said.
He criticized the US's "addiction" to unilateralism and said its measures repeatedly violated “international law, human rights, and freedom of sovereign trade.”
He called for international accountability and reaffirmed Iran’s "unshakeable resolve" to defend its sovereignty and continue its development goals.
Sanctioned entities include Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company, linked to Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff. Among the targeted vessels are Bendigo, Carnatic, Luna Prime, Goodwin, Davina, and Spirit of Casper.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 08/01/2025 - 05:00
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/us-imposes-sweeping-new-sanctions-iranian-shipping-network
Spain Beats Germany, Tops EU, In Asylum Requests Amid Shift In Migrant Patterns
Spain Beats Germany, Tops EU, In Asylum Requests Amid Shift In Migrant Patterns
Germany is no longer the EU’s top destination for asylum seekers, as applications from Syrians plummet following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December, according to an unpublished EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA) report seen by the Financial Times.
The report says the bloc’s asylum system is undergoing a “significant shift,” with May 2025 seeing 64,000 applications — nearly 25% fewer than the same month in 2024, according to the https://www.ft.com/content/780c2dda-8176-4ebf-88eb-ecf9a57baf30
. The drop was driven by an “extremely abrupt” fall in Syrian claims, from about 16,000 in October 2024 to just 3,100 in May.
“Since February Germany has no longer been the top EU+ destination; Spain, Italy and France all received more applications in May 2025,” the EUAA writes.
?itok=I5Y-EY1X
The https://www.ft.com/content/780c2dda-8176-4ebf-88eb-ecf9a57baf30
that Germany, long a top choice for Syrians, saw overall claims in May fall to 9,900 from 18,700 a year earlier. Spain now leads with 12,800 applications, mainly from Venezuelans fleeing the “severe economic and political crisis” in their country — a trend the agency partly links to U.S. deportations.
Italy is second with 12,300 claims, driven by Bangladeshis and Peruvians. France follows with 11,900, led by applicants from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, and Haiti.
The EUAA stressed the fall in Syrian claims is “likely not due to any asylum policy changes” but “rather, the shift likely reflects changing circumstances in Syria.”
Despite the decline, Germany still hosts the largest asylum seeker population, having granted asylum to 150,000 people in 2024, compared to about 50,900 in Spain, 40,000 in Italy, and 65,200 in France.
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Fri, 08/01/2025 - 04:15
Calls Grow For Nationwide Islamic Education In German Schools
Calls Grow For Nationwide Islamic Education In German Schools
https://rmx.news/article/calls-grow-for-nationwide-islamic-religious-education-in-german-schools/
Germany’s Association for Education and Training (VBE) has called for the introduction of comprehensive Islamic religious education in schools across the country, arguing that Muslim students should be offered the same opportunities as their Christian peers.
“We are committed to ensuring that all believers can talk about their faith within schools and receive relevant information about their religion and other religions,” said VBE Federal Chairman Gerhard Brand in comments to the https://www.rnd.de/politik/tuerkischen-gemeinde-in-deutschland-befuerwortet-bundesweiten-islamunterricht-2NHDIULWEBFMVANSSGI6IE265Y.html
(RND).
He urged political leaders to ensure that schools are equipped with the necessary personnel and materials, and that programs are implemented quickly and expanded over time.
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Islamic religious education is currently regulated at the state level, resulting in significant variation. In North Rhine-Westphalia, Islamic religious education is already offered in schools, while in Bavaria, a state-run Islamic studies course is available as an alternative to ethics. However, the Bavarian model does not include cooperation with Islamic religious communities.
According to estimates, around 5.5 million Muslims live in Germany, and at least 580,000 were attending school as of 2020.
Yet only around 81,000 students are currently enrolled in Islamic religious education programs.
Advocates say that expanding access to these classes is essential for integration and for protecting students from extremist influences.
The Turkish Community in Germany also welcomed the initiative but warned of political and structural hurdles.
“Islamic religious education is a must — just like Catholic and Protestant religious education,” said the group’s chairman, Gökay Sofuoglu. He called for educational standards to be aligned at a national level, while acknowledging the constitutional limits imposed by Germany’s federal system.
“We would need a nationwide Islamic cooperation partner. Unfortunately, that isn’t in sight at the moment,” he said.
Sofuoglu stressed that while the state must remain secular, it has a duty to ensure fair and equal treatment of religious communities. “I don’t know how this could be regulated nationwide,” he added.
Stefan Düll, president of the German Teachers’ Association, told the RND that “religious education in public schools, taught by teachers trained and state-certified in Germany, can provide a counterbalance to fundamentalist attitudes — mediated by the family or by fundamentalist preachers online.”
The debate over Islamic education is not just reserved for Germany. As the Muslim population across Europe grows, both support for and opposition to Islamic teachings have risen in multiple European nations.
In April of this year, Remix News reported how, for the first time, Muslim students had become the largest religious group in Vienna’s schools, underlining the incredible demographic transformation taking place in the Austrian city.
According to data obtained from the office of Bettina Emmerling, the city councilor responsible for education, Muslims now account for 41.2 percent of all students, while Christian students fell to 34.5 percent. The trend is only growing, and is accompanied by rising problems, including violence in schools, anti-Semitism, and contempt for women.
“Islam is changing our society in ways we do not want,” warned Christian Klar, a Viennese school principal, last October. He expressed concern over the “rapid Islamization” of Austrian schools, alongside rising violence and anti-Semitic incidents.
In January, it was reported that approximately 200 schools across the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia now teach Islam as part of their curriculum, following the disclosure of official figures after a parliamentary request by the local Vox party.
The inquiry submitted by Vox Andalusia sparked political debate over the extent to which the curriculum is being catered to immigrants and the scope of influence a rising Islamic community now has on institutions across the region.
https://rmx.news/article/calls-grow-for-nationwide-islamic-religious-education-in-german-schools/
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 08/01/2025 - 02:00
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These Are America's 25 Largest Private Landowners
These Are America's 25 Largest Private Landowners
The U.S. is known for its massive https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mapped-most-visited-u-s-national-parks/
, but a handful of families and entrepreneurs also own tracts of land that would dwarf some states.
This infographic, https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-americas-25-largest-private-landowners-2025/
ranks America’s 25 largest private landowners in 2025 and shows just how concentrated ownership has become.
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The data for this visualization comes from https://landreport.com/land-report-100#top-100
, which annually tracks the nation’s biggest deed holders. Its 2025 investigations reveals a timber-heavy top tier, diversified ranching empires in the middle, and a sprinkling of tech titans and investors rounding out the list.
Timber Kings Still Rule the Landowner List
Red Emmerson and his family control 2.44 million acres across California, Oregon, and Washington, making them America’s largest private landowners in 2025.
For reference, this is more than 3x Rhode Island’s land area.
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Three of the top five landowners—Emmerson, Malone, and the Reed family—built (or expanded) their holdings in commercial forestry.
Timber acres offer steady cash flow, long-term capital appreciation, and valuable carbon-offset potential, which helps explain why Wall Street has shown renewed interest in forests.
These vast, contiguous tracts also give owners leverage in biodiversity markets and provide a hedge against inflation, making timberland an attractive multigenerational asset.
Ranching Dynasties Hold Their Ground
Names such as Ted Turner (founder of Turner Broadcasting), Stan Kroenke (owner of the LA Rams and Denver Nuggets), and King Ranch have also become synonymous with https://www.tedturner.com/turner-ranches/
.
While cattle remains the backbone, many of these families have diversified into hunting leases, wind-energy easements, and conservation tourism.
Ted Turner, for example, manages the world’s largest private bison herd across 45,000 of his 2 million acres, while the Kroenke and Briscoe estates stretch from the Great Plains to the Rockies.
Tech Moguls Join the U.S. Landowning Elite
The 2025 ranking also features several self-made billionaires from outside natural-resource industries.
Jeff Bezos owns more than 460,000 acres https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jeff-bezos-purchase-400-000-144516304.html
, where Blue Origin tests rockets and ranching remains active.
Thomas Peterffy, the digital-trading pioneer, has quietly assembled 647,000 acres, making him the largest landowner in Florida.
Also not while on this list, Bill Gates (#43) is the largest farmland owner in the U.S., with 270,000 acres.
The presence of these tech titans illustrates a broader trend. Tech fortunes are increasingly finding refuge—and strategic opportunity—in hard assets like land, influenced by climate concerns, privacy, and long-term stewardship motives.
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out https://www.voronoiapp.com/other/-Comparing-the-Land-Area-of-the-15-Largest-Countries-in-the-World-3930
on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
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Thu, 07/31/2025 - 21:20
https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/these-are-americas-25-largest-private-landowners
Is This The End Of The Cal Bullet Train?
Is This The End Of The Cal Bullet Train?
https://mises.org/mises-wire/mother-o-mercy-end-cal-bullet-train
It has been The Project That Will Not Die.
What began as a California statewide voter referendum in 2008 to approve initial funding for a high-speed rail system between San Francisco and Los Angeles has become a financial black hole with no railroad to show for it.
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Despite statements from Gov. Gavin Newsom that the system is fine, the Trump administration has https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-pulls-plug-4b-california-high-speed
it a “train to nowhere,” adding: “The Railroad we were promised still does not exist, and never will. This project was Severely Overpriced, Overregulated, and NEVER DELIVERED.”
Not to be outdone, California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the state to https://www.reuters.com/world/us/california-sues-challenge-trumps-4-billion-high-speed-rail-clawback-2025-07-17/
for the money, claiming that the Trump administration was breaking a legal contract. No doubt, a friendly federal judge will order the money reinstated, but one doubts that after appeals, the California High Speed Rail Authority will win.
Despite rhetoric to the contrary, The Donald is right on this one. From the project’s 2008 start to the present time, the idea of the state building a train that could go from San Francisco to LA in 2 hours and 40 minutes has never been a possibility, thanks to California’s unforgiving geography. Furthermore, even if California authorities were able to find even $100 billion more for this project, it could not be built as planned, and certainly not as promised.
The Promise
In the annals of boondoggery, it is doubtful that any politician—even those that are especially venal and corrupt—ever sets out to create a boondoggle. While “boondoggle” is a word that probably is used too often (or maybe not often enough, if one really takes a hard look at government projects), it would seem that the word should have been created for the California bullet train project. The potential for financial losses is staggering, even by the high standards of financial chicanery that governments at all levels have been executing in the 21st century.
Joel Kotkin and Wendell Cox of The Spectator have https://thespectator.com/topic/california-high-speed-rail-costs-130-billion/?utm_source=Spectator%20World%20Signup&utm_campaign=9a9eca49ea-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_07_21_07_00&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-9a9eca49ea-155615593
what should be the definitive article on this monstrosity, and their analysis is devastating. (You know, they state the facts of the case and the facts don’t need to be embellished in this situation.) In the beginning was the referendum:
When voters approved $9 billion for the plan in 2008, https://calmatters.org/politics/2022/05/california-high-speed-rail-standoff/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22173057336&gbraid=0AAAAADM7b5cRP-stWHzdp0nHW7Z0vPI6n
estimated that it would cost $33 billion and start running by 2020 – and that was just for the San Joaquin Valley portion. The cost has since ballooned to $130 billion, and no stretch is operational.
That should sink in. Seventeen years ago, voters approved a plan to build something that would supposedly be done 12 years later. Today, the earliest https://www.kcra.com/article/california-high-speed-rails-budget-gap-bakersfield-merced/64814770
of finishing a truncated line in the Central Valley—a 171 mile stretch between Bakersfield and Merced—is 2030 to 2033, and this project has not met a single deadline.
The Reality
As I noted in a https://mises.org/mises-wire/california-bullet-train-good-lesson-political-deception
through Pacheco Pass would be required, and neither tunnel is in even preliminary planning stages.
. While a slow-moving diesel-electric train can make the climb, going over this uplift is not conducive to electrified high-speed passenger rail, which would require extensive tunneling through this mountain range that has peaks almost 8,000 feet high. Like the planned Pacheco Pass tunnels, the proposed dig through the Tehachapi exists only in the abstract.
The last leg goes through the San Gabriel Mountains, which will require extensive tunneling and grading before finally coming into Los Angeles proper. At this point, one understands the enormous task that would be ahead should the Central Valley portion ever be finished, as this portion is the easiest part of the entire project. Write Kotkin and Cox:
Worse yet, the biggest financial obstacles loom ahead. Much of what has been built has been easier-to-build flat valley land. Far more expensive tasks lie ahead, such as building 30 miles of https://hsr.ca.gov/2024/06/27/news-release-california-high-speed-rail-authority-board-clears-final-environmental-milestone-to-connect-downtown-san-francisco-to-downtown-los-angeles/
suggests a final cost that could be nearly double present projection: about $250 billion.
Most likely, even $250 billion might be an underestimation, and there is no way that the state can fund such a gargantuan project by itself, given that this coming year’s California state https://ebudget.ca.gov/2025-26/pdf/Enacted/BudgetSummary/FullBudgetSummary.pdf
itself is $321 billion. Kotkin and Cox, again:
With no prospect of private investment, it’s hard to see where the money will come from. This puts Governor (and aspiring presidential candidate) Newsom in a tight spot, forcing him to choose between funding the money-mad train and balancing his budget, or addressing critical progressive priorities such as https://laist.com/shows/take-two/bloomberg-report-ca-state-workers-highest-paid-out-of-12-most-populous-states
.
Future Prospects for the Bullet Train
Despite the “finish it at all costs” rhetoric coming from Sacramento and the Democrats in California’s Congressional delegation, the bullet train project will never be finished in its entirety, but California’s Democrats will do everything they can to finish the present 171-mile project. If not, every Republican running for office in the state will show photos of unfinished bridges and viaducts and point out that California taxpayers will be paying for money borrowed through the bond issues into perpetuity.
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If this stretch of the railroad is finished, it will probably be the least ridden high-speed line in the world and will be the subject of jokes. However, one can imagine that whoever is in the governor’s seat will declare victory, not just because the line is finished, but also because they will have spent billions of dollars in the process, enriching contractors, unions, and anyone else standing under the money spigot.
At the end of the classic 1935 movie “Little Caesar,” Rico the gangster (played by the incomparable Edward G. Robinson) is gunned down by Police Sergeant Flaherty, his last words being, “Mother O’ Mercy, is this the end of Rico?” One can only hope that Trump has played the role of Flaherty in putting the California Bullet Train out of its misery.
California politicians have shown themselves capable of mind-bending foolishness, but nothing in the history of foolishness in this state comes close to this railroad. If nothing else, however, perhaps the steel and concrete that makes up the “bullet train” can stand as a warning to future governors and presidents that economic laws exist for a reason, and that those that bend or break them will have to deal with the consequences.
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Thu, 07/31/2025 - 17:20
What To Know About Trump's Executive Order On Homelessness
What To Know About Trump's Executive Order On Homelessness
The Trump administration has made a move to address homelessness with an executive order to bring back facilities to house those with mental illness or drug addiction.
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President Donald Trump issued a July 24 executive https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/ending-crime-and-disorder-on-americas-streets/
titled “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.”
The administration says that chronic homelessness is often fueled by addiction and mental illness, which has led to safety concerns in many cities.
The White House stated that during the last administration, a record of more than 274,000 individuals were found to be experiencing homelessness.
The order pushes local governments to redirect the homeless to “long-term institutional settings for humane treatment through the appropriate use of civil commitment.”
Cabinet heads have been instructed to prioritize funding to cities that work to abolish open drug use and camping on the streets.
The Executive Order
Trump’s order tasks Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr. to seek the reversal of any policy at the federal, state, or local level that blocks the commitment of those with mental incapacity or addiction who are living on the streets to “appropriate facilities for appropriate periods of time.”
The order also redirects funds to rehabilitation and treatment facilities, and attempts to “restore public order,” saying “endemic vagrancy, disorderly behavior, sudden confrontations, and violent attacks have made our cities unsafe.”
Trump has called for a shift back toward long-term institutional care, saying that this is a more compassionate and safe solution for both the homeless and the individuals they interact with in U.S. cities.
The order also directs federal resources toward grants and other programs to not only fund the facilities to house the homeless, but also to ensure grant money for substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery only funds “evidence-based programs.”
Order’s Critics
Some critics of the order say the administration’s efforts would be counterproductive.
The National Homelessness Law Center issued a https://homelesslaw.org/statement7242025/
the day the order was signed, saying it “deprives people of their basic rights and makes it harder to solve homelessness.”
Areas of concern for the group include the expanded use of police and institutionalization as a response to homelessness, as well as the prioritization of funding for states to deal with homelessness as a crime. According to the group, the way the order is structured, it will also cut off funding for current programs that the group believes save lives and reduce harm.
“Today’s executive order, combined with MAGA’s budget cuts for housing and healthcare, will increase the number of people forced to live in tents, in their cars, and on the streets,” the law center warned.
“This order does nothing to lower the cost of housing or help people make ends meet.”
The group said, “Forced treatment is unethical, ineffective, and illegal.”
According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, the two current primary https://nationalhomeless.org/homelessness-in-the-us/
to the homelessness crisis are the lack of affordable housing and limited government-funded housing assistance programs.
Historical Context: Deinstitutionalization
The historic use of institutions and asylums for those who were not able to function well in society went by the wayside in the mid-20th century due, in part, to overcrowding and underfunding.
That mixture contributed to widespread abuse suffered by residents, which led to further reform.
Later, advances in drug treatment for psychiatric care, along with financial pressures and legal changes, led to activism that pushed forward the first wave of deinstitutionalization in the 1950s and 1960s.
Under the Kennedy administration, the 1963 Community Mental Health Act was signed, which promoted smaller community health centers in place of large institutions, but the funding for those centers was insufficient in the long term.
Later, a second push targeted removing those with developmental disabilities from such facilities in the late 1960s and 1970s.
However, without community services to meet the demand for those mentally ill or mentally challenged, those who were previously in institutions frequently https://gspp.berkeley.edu/assets/uploads/research/pdf/p71.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
without homes, particularly in urban areas.
Between 1980 and 2000, many individuals with mental illnesses who had previously been in psychiatric institutions began to enter the criminal justice system instead—a shift known as transinstitutionalization. This trend alone is estimated to have contributed to a 4 to 7 percent increase in the overall incarceration rate during that period.
Last year, the Supreme Court https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-175_19m2.pdf
that cities are allowed to hand out fines or jail time for the homeless who sleep outside. It overturned an appeals court ruling that found such policies violated the Constitution if there was not enough publicly available shelter for the city’s homeless population.
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Wed, 07/30/2025 - 17:35
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/what-know-about-trumps-executive-order-homelessness
Top Monk At Shaolin Temple Ousted After Sexual Misconduct, Financial Crime Scandal
Top Monk At Shaolin Temple Ousted After Sexual Misconduct, Financial Crime Scandal
China has appointed Shi Yinle, former abbot of White Horse Temple, as the new head of the Shaolin Temple—just two days after the monastery confirmed that longtime abbot Shi Yongxin was under investigation for alleged financial crimes and sexual misconduct, according to the https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3319996/chinas-famous-shaolin-temple-gets-new-abbot-after-predecessor-removed?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article
.
“In accordance with the regulations on the appointment of abbots of Chinese Buddhist Temples, after democratic evaluation and approval by the Shaolin Temple and following the relevant procedures, Venerable Yinle was invited to be the abbot of the Shaolin Temple,” the temple said Tuesday.
Shi Yongxin, who led Shaolin for over 25 years, has been stripped of his Buddhist credentials, and companies linked to him have been deregistered. The Buddhist Association of China condemned his actions as “severely damaging to the reputation of Buddhism and the image of monks” and confirmed that his ordination certificate was revoked.
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The Shaolin Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Henan and birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu, announced that Yongxin was accused of embezzling temple funds, misusing assets, and maintaining long-term improper relationships with multiple women, fathering children in violation of monastic vows.
that on Tuesday, the abbot’s courtyard was sealed off for “cultural relic preservation,” and an inscription honoring Yongxin’s leadership was covered. Locals criticized the disgraced abbot as a “playboy monk” who “tarnished the image of Buddhism.”
Shi Yinle, born in Henan’s Tongbai county in 1966, was ordained at 16 and studied at the Chinese Buddhist Academy. After joining the Henan Provincial Buddhist Association, he began serving at White Horse Temple in 2003 and became abbot in 2005. He has traveled abroad to promote Buddhism and foster cultural exchanges, and he currently serves as a deputy to the 2023–28 National People’s Congress.
Despite the scandal, the Shaolin Temple remained crowded with tourists this week. A local taxi driver noted that while “being a monk is just a profession” and the temple is “at the very least, still a tourist attraction,” the investigation into Yongxin was “only natural” given long-standing rumors.
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Tue, 07/29/2025 - 17:20
Democratic Party Deletes X Post Accidentally Spotlighting Bidenflation
Democratic Party Deletes X Post Accidentally Spotlighting Bidenflation
The Democratic Party abandoned meritocracy long ago. Today, it's fully aligned with the far-left obsession over 'equity' and 'diversity,' with party leaders openly championing socialism and even praising Marxism.
Democrats don't realize they're their own worst enemies. The push for a socialist reconstruction of America via their DEI warrior squad is just creating hurdle upon hurdle and slowing the momentum.
The latest hurdle - this time credibility and trust - is that whoever runs the Democratic Party's DEI social media team just revealed how incredibly uninformed they are. One would think that with an elite liberal education, the pronoun-wielding team would have a better grasp of basic economics.
On Thursday, the Democratic Party's official X account attempted to criticize President Trump over lingering food inflation. Yet the DEI warriors running the account showed zero understanding of when the inflation actually began - during the first term of the Biden-Harris regime.
What comes next is hilarious. The social media team likely got a nudge from higher-ups about their epic messaging mistake and deleted the post—probably after the White House responded to the X post with some much-needed common sense.
You know it's bad, when all the https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
— Emergent Perspective (@_emergent_) https://twitter.com/_emergent_/status/1948524155260776935?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Now deleted post by Democrats.
?itok=OgHEqVm-
Hilarious.
— The Rubin Report (@RubinReportShow) https://twitter.com/RubinReportShow/status/1948527690660921622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
This is the informational war. Trump's social media team is actively engaged.
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Fri, 07/25/2025 - 18:00
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/democratic-party-deletes-x-post-after-white-house-rebuttal
The Myth Of 'Equality': Is Europe Stuck In A Disastrous, Failing Marxist Trap?
The Myth Of 'Equality': Is Europe Stuck In A Disastrous, Failing Marxist Trap?
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/21769/europe-equality-marxism
In a world where shifting economic forces are redrawing the global balance of power, the trajectories of the United States and the European Union over the coming decade (2025-2035) seem destined to diverge ever more sharply.
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By 2023, US GDP per capita had https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/usa/united-states/gdp-per-capita
the EU's $41,420.
America's lead rested on average annual real https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_labour_productivity
to 3.4% of GDP. Add to that a remarkably flexible labor market, modest demographic growth (0.5% per year) and, since 2019, energy self-sufficiency.
The EU tells a different story: average annual real https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tec00115/default/table?lang=en
around 58%.
"Ah, but...." https://www.datawrapper.de/blog/weekly-chart-income
political party — "you cite average income, not median income." Median income, the point at which 50% earn less and 50% earn more, is indeed lower than the mean in the United States. Inequality is more pronounced in the US than in Europe. Yet their reply, presented as though it settled the debate, is itself part of Europe's predicament.
In Europe, inequality is generally treated as an https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/en/blog/2024/inequalities-unmasked-reality-disparities-across-eu
.
At 17, as first-year law student, I had the opportunity to interview André Molitor, former chief of staff to King Baudouin of Belgium. Molitor, a gracious left-wing Catholic, confided that the single thing he truly despised was inequality; his dream was for "fewer rich and fewer poor."
True material equality is a https://tcbmag.com/the-equality-myth/
.
The "real equality" championed by communists and socialists of every stripe has simply never existed. Hand every European €100,000 today, and by tomorrow there would already be a handful of tycoons — perhaps even an Elon Musk or two — alongside those who squandered everything, with the vast majority scattered somewhere in between.
Equality, as a moral value, has served largely as a pretext for socialism -- take from Peter and give to Paul -- all while funding a sprawling, https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/thomas-sowell-quotations-on-the-political-left/
apparatus of "redistribution" that provides little opportunity or incentive to succeed or to keep what one has earned.
Europe's elevation of material equality may well be its most disastrous bequest to itself. With ironclad consistency, the continent advances toward greater equality — in increasing misery and squalor.
The baseline projection for 2035 at current growth rates shows that if current trajectories persist — 2% annual growth in the United States versus 1% in Europe — the average American income will exceed $100,000 by 2035, while Europe's will remain around $50,000. Carriage drivers in New York's Central Park or dog-walkers in Beverly Hills will soon earn more than French physicians and German engineers — not metaphorically, but in cold cash. Even taking into account the differences in inflation and purchasing power between Europe and the US — the cost of living is lower in Europe — the transatlantic gap is immense and growing.
Under alternative scenarios — a European technological renaissance, or conversely a severe geopolitical shock for the United States, the ratio rarely falls below 2:1. America's productivity growth, energy production and R&D investment remain decisive.
Plainly stated: absent a political sea-change, Europe is on a path of swift decline, notwithstanding genuine strengths such as longer life expectancy.
Per-capita GDP — imperfect yet inescapable — crystallizes a transatlantic chasm. Europe is becoming to the USA what Greece was to Rome: a charming open-air museum.
Is it inevitable?
Hauling Europe out of the mire of socialism, in all its guises, would demand two transformations so radical they verge on the unimaginable.
1. Re-creating dynamic capital
There can be no "capitalism" without capital — without venture capital funds and mega investment rounds. When NVIDIA, TSMC and others invest hundreds of billions of dollars, those funds must first have been accumulated without being confiscated by the state at every turn, and their investors must believe that their pooled investment will at some point yield a worthwhile profit.
Building such pools of investment private capital in Europe would entail abandoning the doctrine of material equality. Modern technological breakthroughs https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/06/why-ai-needs-smart-investment-pathways-to-ensure-a-sustainable-impact/
the continent in the right direction. For situations where private pensions are not an option, there still could be a government-provided safety net.
2. Dismantling the European Green Deal
European energy already https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/21244/europe-germany-renewable-energy
than American energy. That single variable suffices to justify the exodus of European industry to markets with kinder energy markets, notably the United States.
Measured against the self-inflicted energy crisis of Europe's "https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
," President Donald Trump's tariffs are just a small footnote.
Let us nevertheless remain hopeful. History is now written at breakneck speed, and almost anything remains possible. Yet to believe that Europe will become anything more than an open-air museum while it continues to entrust its future to figures such as the weary mediocrity of its current leaders — and, above all, to the ruinous, outworn ideas that animate them — is folly.
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Fri, 07/25/2025 - 02:00
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/myth-equality-europe-stuck-disastrous-failing-marxist-trap
Iran's President 'Ready' For War With Israel, Will Not Halt Nuclear Program
Iran's President 'Ready' For War With Israel, Will Not Halt Nuclear Program
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his country is remains prepared and vigilant for any war Israel might launch against it, while conveying that he is not optimistic about the ceasefire continuing to hold.
"We are fully prepared for any new Israeli military move, and our armed forces are ready to strike deep inside Israel again," Pezeshkian told https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/23/iran-ready-for-war-with-israel-will-not-halt-nuclear-programme-pezeshkian
in a fresh interview. He emphasized that Iran's nuclear program will continue, but asserted it is only for peaceful nuclear energy purposes.
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"We are not very optimistic about it," Pezeshkian said of the ceasefire which ended the 12-day war in June, which also saw America's involvement at the tail-end. "That is why we have prepared ourselves for any possible scenario and any potential response. Israel has harmed us, and we have also harmed it. It has dealt us powerful blows, and we have struck it hard in its depths, but it is concealing its losses."
He described Israel’s strikes as having sought sought to "eliminate" Iran’s hierarchy - including slain nuclear scientists, military leaders, and some top officials - "but it has completely failed to do so".
The Iranian leader said that continued uranium enrichment would development of its nuclear abilities would be carried out "within the framework of international laws" - despite opposition from most international powers.
"Trump says that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon and we accept this because we reject nuclear weapons and this is our political, religious, humanitarian and strategic position," Pezeshkian said.
"We believe in diplomacy, so any future negotiations must be according to a win-win logic, and we will not accept threats and dictates."
And that's when he issued his most directly challenging words to Trump yet, saying "that our nuclear program is over is just an illusion" while emphasizing "Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists and not in the facilities."
According to President Trump's latest words on the matter, revealed in a Monday night https://thecradle.co/articles/we-will-do-it-again-trump-threatens-new-strikes-on-iran
post, he's ready and willing to order the US military to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities again "if necessary".
"Of course they are [destroyed], just like I said, and we will do it again, if necessary! As interviewed by Bret Baier," Trump said in reference to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi having told Baier earlier that day that the nuclear sites were "very severely" damaged and "destroyed" by the US strikes.
Key clip from the FOX interview of the Iranian top diplomat's words:
During an interview Monday with Fox New’s Bret Baier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi admitted that several of Iran’s nuclear facilities had been “seriously damaged/destroyed” but that the extent of the damage is still under evaluation, adding that Iran is not currently… https://t.co/wYs9ZudxSU
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1947519372547035202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
"Fake News CNN should immediately fire their phony ‘reporter’ and apologize to me and the great pilots who ‘OBLITERATED’ Iran’s nuclear sites," Trump added, referring to a https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/24/politics/intel-assessment-us-strikes-iran-nuclear-sites
that said US intelligence assessed the US airstrikes merely set back the program by a few months.
To some degree the Iranians could simply be playing Trump's game in signaling to the US what he wants to hear. Even if the Islamic Repoublic's nuclear sites were not fully and truly destroyed, it remains in Tehran's best interest right now to present it as if it is so, regardless.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Wed, 07/23/2025 - 11:45
"Quick" Rise Of Liquid-Cooling At AI Data Centers Signals A "Chilling Opportunity"
"Quick" Rise Of Liquid-Cooling At AI Data Centers Signals A "Chilling Opportunity"
As we've previously outlined in our "https://www.zerohedge.com/ai/ubs-finds-chilling-opportunity-data-center-cooling
" theme, AI server racks in data centers are becoming significantly more powerful—and more energy-intensive. This is driving a major shift from traditional air cooling to liquid cooling across data centers.
Goldman analysts led by Allen Chang told clients, "We expect the adoption of liquid cooling to accelerate as computing power of AI servers increases (e.g. GB200 AI server rack TDP at ~120kw, vs. HGX at 60-80kw)."
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Chang stated that liquid cooling is rapidly replacing air cooling in AI servers, driven by the increasing heat output of high-power racks. He highlighted the shift underway in the data center cooling market that will only gain momentum in 2026:
Rack-level AI servers (e.g., powered by NVIDIA GB200/300) are all liquid cooled, with 19k / 50k racks in 2025 / 26E,
Baseboard-based AI training servers (e.g., powered by NVIDIA H200, B200, AMD, ASIC) liquid cooling penetration rate at 27% / 52% in 2025 / 26E.
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Chang estimated the total addressable market (TAM) for liquid cooling in AI training servers at $3.8 billion in 2025 and $7.9 billion in 2026, reflecting year-over-year growth of 171% and 106%, respectively.
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Global liquid cooling market updates
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Liquid cooling is rapidly gaining traction across AI training servers.
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"We expect rapid adoption of liquid cooling in ASIC AI servers, driven by the continuous upgrade of AISC chips and the potential for improved ROI with liquid cooling technology," Chang said.
And the analysts provided a comprehensive supply chain guide to key liquid cooling suppliers...
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Separately, UBS has pointed out a "chilling opportunity" in data center cooling.
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UBS analysts had shown this https://www.zerohedge.com/ai/ubs-finds-chilling-opportunity-data-center-cooling
weeks ago.
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This makes sense given that U.S. hyperscalers have unleashed a wave of capital expenditures to build out AI infrastructure.
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And the trend in cooling is only gaining momentum...
. . .
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Tue, 07/22/2025 - 05:45
https://www.zerohedge.com/ai/quick-rise-liquid-cooling-ai-data-centers-signals-chilling-opportunity
Will Gen Z Realize Its Future Runs On Fossil Fuels?
Will Gen Z Realize Its Future Runs On Fossil Fuels?
Authored by Alex Rosado via the https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/will-gen-z-realize-its-future-runs-on-fossil-fuels/
(AIER),
American innovation requires our energy sector to use all available resources, but Generation Z apparently wants to limit its potential.
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Pew Research Center https://highschool.latimes.com/features/gen-z-tackles-climate-change-in-californias-workforce/
, and any energy source that doesn’t (purport to) resolve it is scorned.
Yet, by distancing the country from fossil fuels, Gen Z is weakening America’s ability to compete. Fossil fuels are vital for domestic economic stability, as they boost state revenue and public offerings. Internationally, energy dominance is crucial for safeguarding national security and shaping foreign policy objectives. Only a holistic approach to energy can unleash American brilliance and save Gen Z from the setbacks of canning fossil fuels.
Resources for the Future https://media.rff.org/documents/Government_Revenue_from_Fossil_Fuels_in_the_US_History_and_Projections.pdf
, these resources are the crux of enterprise and keep our institutions running.
From engineering to refinery management, the fossil fuel sector creates jobs for the next wave of industrial workers: https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-employment-2022/executive-summary
, transferable skills, and occupational choice.
Filling and enhancing those roles is essential for lower energy prices. The Department of Energy (DOE) https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-10-17/pdf/2024-23893.pdf
their household cut back on a utility due to energy costs, and one-fourth of Gen Z apartment renters desire energy-efficient appliances, the DOE news is sobering for climate activists. Fossil fuels are affordable, appealing, and not a significant threat to the environment.
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The United States has achieved remarkable energy independence through domestic fossil fuel production, positioning us to compete effectively overseas. Under the first Trump administration, America produced more energy than it consumed for the first time https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/fossil-fuels/gas-and-oil/the-united-states-was-energy-independent-in-2019-for-the-first-time-since-1957/#:~:text=U.S.%20energy%20production%20in,of%20%E2%80%9Cenergy%20independence%E2%80%9D%E2%80%94which%20is
as a critical threat to the United States over the next decade.
on secure access to fossil fuels.
Embracing oil and gas is essential in the wake of https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-weighs-retaliation-against-us-strikes-nuclear-sites-2025-06-23/
.
Imperfect as they are, the benefits of nonrenewable fuels are undeniable, and Gen Z is coming around. Two-thirds of Gen Z want to https://www.energyindepth.org/pew-poll-two-thirds-of-americans-dont-want-to-phase-out-fossil-fuels/
of new-generation nuclear energy to complement other sources. A balanced, pragmatic approach to energy will preserve America’s domestic and global standing today, and directly fuel Gen Z’s future success.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sun, 07/20/2025 - 17:30
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/will-gen-z-realize-its-future-runs-fossil-fuels
Seven Reasons Why PBS And NPR Deserve To Be Defunded
Seven Reasons Why PBS And NPR Deserve To Be Defunded
When was the last time you heard of federal dollars flowing into overtly conservative programming? While there may be a tiny handful of outliers, generally speaking this does not happen. For decades the majority of public funding subsidies for social programs inevitably goes to progressive run organizations. For anyone who is right leaning in their politics, the idea of their hard earned money being handed over to people who hate them and everything they stand for is disconcerting.
Why should conservatives support federal funding if that money is being used to propagandize them and indoctrinate their children? Why isn't there any requirement for publicly funded programs to remain politically neutral?
The U.S. Senate this week passed the Trump administration’s proposal to cancel $9 billion in federal funds previously allocated for foreign aid and public broadcasting, and the House of Representatives approved the package after midnight Friday, sending it to President Trump’s desk.
The Corp. for Public Broadcasting, which administers the funds for NPR radio stations and PBS TV affiliates, is on track to lose $1.1 billion that had previously been budgeted for the next two years.
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Both PBS and NPR executives warn they will have to make drastic cuts to media content and will resort to layoffs to stay afloat. The organizations rely on a mixture of federal funds, public donations and corporate advertising. Federal subsidies make up around 15% of PBS operating dollars and up to 10% of NPR affiliate dollars. This might not seem like much, but the institutions function on razor thin margins. Loss of public cash would immediately put them in the hole.
But is this a bad thing? Maybe PBS and NPR deserve to fail. Both outlets have engaged in some of the most egregious woke propaganda and authoritarian pontificating among all media platforms in the US. Let's look at seven reasons why PBS and NPR should be unplugged from taxpayer life support.
1) Lil Miss Hot Mess
"The hips on the drag queen go swish swish swish..." sings drag performer Lil Miss Hot Mess in a PBS promoted program in New York. Though PBS did not directly fund the show "Let's Learn" on WNET, it did provide the platform. The drag queen episode aired in 2021 and featured a drag performer (male pretending to be female) reading a LGBT children's about "drag" and gay pride.
2) Sesame Street Stands With BLM
It's impossible to list the number of times PBS used kids show Sesame Street as a vehicle to indoctrinate children with DEI concepts. However, in 2020 they truly stepped over the line when the organization partnered with CNN, using Sesame Street characters https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/02/us/cnn-sesame-street-standing-up-to-racism/index.html
to explain to children why America is racist and why the national BLM riots were justified.
Keep in mind, there were https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/commentary/congress-should-investigate-the-black-lives-matter-riots
during the BLM protests, with 25 fatalities, thousands of police injuries and billions in property damages, all triggered because of the death of one career criminal hopped up on fentanyl.
3) Pride Month And Two Gay Dads
In 2021, Sesame Street also featured a Pride Month special called "Family Day" https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/19/us/sesame-street-gay-dads-trnd
. The show's audience of toddlers got to explore the relationship between a girl and her two gay dads, along with concept of "love is love".
The network's popular "Arthur" cartoon series also produced an episode with a https://abcnews4.com/news/nation-world/bandwagon-builds-for-lgbtq-diversity-on-childrens-tv
and two gay dads. Why they felt the need to explore the sexual orientation of "Mr. Ratburn" to a bunch of preschool viewers is a mystery, unless child indoctrination was the goal.
4) Refusing To Watch Porn And Masturbate Might Be Linked To "Extremism"
NPR joined the endless leftist war on the "manosphere" in a https://www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1198916105/mens-health-masturbation-abstinence
which linked the "NoFap" movement to extremism. The degenerate Kinsey-esque dialogue admonishes the trend of young men refusing to watch porn and refraining from masturbation as medically and psychologically concerning. The movement was started due to the near-infinite access young people have to pornography in the digital age, leading to porn addiction and an inability to socialize in healthy ways.
NPR characterizes the NoFap movement as misleading American youth into a life of misery while they ignore the rising evidence of the negative effects of the porn industry.
5) Suspended For Pointing Out Leftist Bias
NPR suspended a https://www.thefp.com/p/npr-editor-how-npr-lost-americas-trust
Uri Berliner after he criticized the network for leftist bias. The editor discovered that the NPR newsroom was stacked with 87 registered Democrats and zero Republicans. He pointed out that NPR prolifically reported on the Russian collusion hoax, and that “[Adam] Schiff talking points” were “the drumbeat of NPR news reports.”
After exposing NPR staff as utterly partisan, Berliner was removed.
6) NPR Helps To Undermine The Covid Lab Leak Theory
The Wuhan leab leak theory, which is now widely regarded as the most logical explanation for the spread of the covid virus from Wuhan, China to the rest of the world, was throttled in the news cycle and banned on social media platforms for years due to the efforts of US and Chinese government officials (and corrupt medical representatives) working to suppress the story.
Why? To this day it's not clear but the Wuhan lab's long running gain-of-function research projects which essentially weaponize viruses were funded by US government interests, the same interests who ended being in charge of the draconian response to the covid outbreak.
NPR repeatedly dismissed the theory that COVID-19 originated in a lab - a conclusion now deemed likely by the FBI, CIA, and Department of Energy. They published propaganda pieces including: "Scientists Debunk Lab Accident Theory Of Pandemic Emergence", and “As Trump Pushes Theory Of Virus Origins, Some See Parallels In Lead-Up To Iraq War".
7) Absolute Bias In Election Coverage
found that PBS’s coverage of the Republican National Convention was 72% negative, while coverage of the Democratic National Convention was 88% positive.
In 2023, a study found that congressional Republicans saw https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/rich-noyes/2023/05/16/study-taxpayer-subsidized-pbs-whacks-gop-85-negative-news
while congressional Democrats saw 54% positive coverage on PBS’s flagship news program
According to a https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/clay-waters/2024/12/04/pbs-news-hours-extreme-makeover-27-times-more-likely-find-far-right
, PBS news staff used 162 variations of the term “far-right,” but only six variations of “far-left.”
This all might sound like common sense to most conservatives - Of course NPR and PBS are politically biased, but it's not supposed to be this way. The public has been conditioned to accept such bias over time and conservatives have been told to shut up when complaining about their money being used to feed far-left content.
The above list could go on for dozens of pages; it's only a taste of NPR and PBS' trespasses in the past five years. Trump's defunding of these platforms is long overdue and if they implode in the process, so be it. They are nothing more than brainwashing campaigns disguised as humanitarian projects.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Sat, 07/19/2025 - 15:45
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/seven-reasons-why-npr-and-pbs-deserve-be-defunded
US Strikes Destroyed Only One Of Three Iranian Nuclear Sites: Intel Assessment
US Strikes Destroyed Only One Of Three Iranian Nuclear Sites: Intel Assessment
The intelligence-gathering saga and (highly politicized) efforts to ascertain just how much of Iran's nuclear program was truly destroyed during the US attacks on Iran called "Midnight Hammer" on June 22 continues. And now NBC is reporting that it was likely much less damage inflicted on two among the three facilities than previously thought.
"One of the three nuclear enrichment sites in Iran struck by the United States last month was mostly destroyed, setting work there back significantly," the Thursday https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/new-us-assessment-finds-american-strikes-destroyed-only-one-three-iran-rcna218761
. "But the two others were not as badly damaged and may have been degraded only to a point where nuclear enrichment could resume in the next several months if Iran wants it to, according to a recent U.S. assessment of the destruction caused by the military operation, five current and former U.S. officials familiar with the assessment told NBC News."
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The assessment was issued in a briefing to some US lawmakers, as well as American defense officials and even allied countries in recent days, officials told NBC.
Another revelation is that US Central Command (CENTCOM) "had developed a much more comprehensive plan to strike Iran that would have involved hitting three additional sites in an operation that would have stretched for several weeks instead of a single night, according to a current US official and two former US officials."
Of course, it is normal and standard practice for Pentagon planners to develop and present multiple 'options' for any potential military course of action when briefing the Commander-in-Chief.
Trump balked at the weeks-long plan version of an attack, seeing in it a recipe for getting the US sucked into another Middle East https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/new-us-assessment-finds-american-strikes-destroyed-only-one-three-iran-rcna218761
President Donald Trump was briefed on that plan, but it was rejected because it was at odds with his foreign policy instincts to extract the United States from conflicts abroad, not dig deeper into them, as well as the possibility of a high number of casualties on both sides, one of the current officials and one of the former officials said.
"We were willing to go all the way in our options, but the president did not want to," one of the sources with knowledge of the plan said.
Despite this new US intelligence briefing saying that two of the sites among the three (Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan) were less badly damaged than previously believed, the Trump administration is sticking by the president's insistence that they were all totally "obliterated".
"As the President has said and experts have verified, Operation Midnight Hammer totally obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement responding to the NBC report. "America and the world are safer, thanks to his decisive action."
'Iran could resume nuclear enrichment in next several months'
NBC, citing US officials, claims Trump's strikes 'destroyed only 1 of 3 Iranian nuclear sites'
1 of 3 mostly destroyed, other 2 'not as badly damaged'
Footage: Fordow Nuclear site before & after US strikes https://t.co/dL6sGqJVm2
— RT (@RT_com) https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/1945808954313019744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The White House has of late additionally warned that it is ready to attack Iran's nuclear sites again if it is perceived that the Islamic Republic is trying to revive and utilize its sites and uranium enrichment capability. Certainly Israel would welcome such a move, as would Iran hawks in Congress. Some are already advocating for more US militarism.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Thu, 07/17/2025 - 10:45
Ghislaine 'Ready' To Testify As Trump Triples Down, Slams 'Weakling PAST Supporters Who Believe Epstein Hoax'
Ghislaine 'Ready' To Testify As Trump Triples Down, Slams 'Weakling PAST Supporters Who Believe Epstein Hoax'
While President Trump continues to insist that the "Epstein List" of elites who partook in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring is nothing more than a Democrat hoax, Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell is 'ready' to spill the beans.
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According to the https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14901591/Jeffrey-Epstein-Ghislaine-Maxwell-trump-congress.html
, "Despite the rumors, Ghislaine was never offered any kind of plea deal. She would be more than happy to sit before Congress and tell her story," adding "No-one from the government has ever asked her to share what she knows. She remains the only person to be jailed in connection to Epstein and she would welcome the chance to tell the American public the truth."
Maxwell argues she should have been protected from prosecution as part of a Non Prosecution Agreement made by Epstein - her former lover and boss - in 2007 when he agreed to plead guilty to two minor charges of prostitution in a 'sweetheart deal' which saw him spend little time behind bars.
And now, controversy continues to rage over the Department of Justice's statement that there is no Epstein 'client list' and the release of videos from inside New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center which the DOJ says proves he committed suicide in 2019 while being held in jail on sex trafficking charges. -Daily Mail
's Matt Margolis opines; If Ghislaine Maxwell is willing to testify, how Congress handles it will speak volumes. The Epstein scandal isn’t just another controversy—it’s a litmus test for whether truth still has a place in American politics. If our elected leaders choose to look the other way, they’ve forfeited any moral claim to the power they hold. The Biden administration was happy to bury it, hoping the story would fade. But Trump made it clear on the campaign trail: he wants the truth exposed, and so does the MAGA movement.
Trump Slams 'Past Supporters'
On Wednesday, President Trump tripled down on his claim that the so-called Epstein List is nothing more than a Democrat hoax.
"Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bullshit'," Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding "They haven’t learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.
"I have had more success in 6 months than perhaps any President in our Country’s history, and all these people want to talk about, with strong prodding by the Fake News and the success starved Dems, is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax," the post continues. "Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don’t even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don’t want their support anymore!"
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Trump was asked on Wednesday whether AG Pam Bondi will 'release more documents,' to which Trump replied: "Yeah. Whatever's credible, she can release… He's dead, he's gone. Republicans got duped by the Democrats, and they're following a Democrat playbook. No different than Russia Russia Russia, the other hoaxes."
Q: “Will you ask AG Pam Bondi to release more documents..?”
TRUMP: “Yeah. Whatever's credible, she can release… He's dead, he's gone. Republicans got duped by the Democrats, and they're following a Democrat playbook. No different than Russia Russia Russia, the other hoaxes” https://t.co/h2B0XaeXdO
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) https://twitter.com/bennyjohnson/status/1945519774403899507?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
(for a temperature check, click into that tweet and read the replies to Benny Johnson - whose followers are bigtime MAGA)
Democrat Pouncing Intensifies
Meanwhile, Democrats have seized the moment - as internal (and https://x.com/Rasmussen_Poll/status/1945133525084332536
reports:
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) accused President Donald Trump of “hiding the Epstein list” https://x.com/RubenGallego/status/1944113159079387620
as a referendum to compel the release of more Epstein-related material.
But now, as the Trump administration has tied itself in knots over the Epstein case, Democratic leaders have stopped holding back as they work to capitalize on fissures threatening Trump’s relationship to his MAGA base.
“I just want to remind the American people that in February of this year, Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged the existence of Jeffrey Epstein’s client list. In fact, she said that Jeffrey Epstein’s client list is ‘sitting on my desk right now.’ Where is that client list? What is Attorney General Bondi hiding?” Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) told reporters on Tuesday. “This is the case of the powerful protecting the powerful. We need to have those files released.”
The outlet spoke with a dozen Democratic elected officials, strategists and aides, who say that the controversy is helpful - not only in dividing Trump's base, but also illustrating the president's tendency to flip-flop on something he vowed to do on the campaign trail.
BREAKING: Trump says he's going to release the Epstein files when he’s elected president - Lex Fridman podcast https://t.co/LmrWhwjW2t
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) https://twitter.com/TheInsiderPaper/status/1831016182406615383?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
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https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Wed, 07/16/2025 - 14:00
Illegal Border Crossings Hit Record Monthly Low, CBP Says
Illegal Border Crossings Hit Record Monthly Low, CBP Says
Illegal border crossings fell to their lowest level in June, with no parole releases of illegal immigrants, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) data released on Tuesday.
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There were 25,228 total encounters nationwide in June, down from 29,478 the previous month, the https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/most-secure-border-history-cbp-reports-major-enforcement-wins-june
showed. This marks the lowest monthly total ever recorded by CBP, the agency stated.
Border Patrol apprehensions nationwide also dropped to a historic low, with 8,024 apprehensions recorded last month, compared to 10,357 in May, the data https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/nationwide-encounters
.
Of that total, Border Patrol agents apprehended 6,072 illegal immigrants at the southwest border, marking a 15 percent decline from the March record of 7,183 apprehensions.
CBP recorded its lowest single-day apprehension total on June 28, with just 136 apprehensions, according to the data.
For the second consecutive month, the agency reported zero illegal immigrant releases along the southwest border.
The agency also has seen a 13 percent increase in nationwide https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/drug-seizure-statistics
of illicit drugs, such as fentanyl and methamphetamine, in June compared to the previous month, which underscored efforts to combat “cartel-driven smuggling routes” at the border.
Methamphetamine seizures surged 102 percent compared to May.
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said that these figures were proof of the agency’s commitment to protecting the country “with relentless focus” under the Trump administration.
“From shutting down illegal crossings to seizing fentanyl and enforcing billions in tariffs, CBP is delivering results on every front,” Scott said in a statement.
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Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem (2nd R) during a tour along the Nogales border wall at the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz., on March 15, 2025. Alex Brandon/AFP via Getty Images
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem https://x.com/Sec_Noem/status/1940441272159764570
on July 2 that the Trump administration has delivered “the most secure border in American history,” as demonstrated by the latest figures.
“The world is hearing our message: the border is closed to law breakers. Under President Trump, our Border Patrol agents are empowered to do their job once again, secure our border, and protect the American people,” Noem stated on X.
After taking office for a second term on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/securing-our-borders/
an executive order aimed at “securing our borders,” directing his administration to build barriers at the border, deter and prevent the entry of illegal immigrants, remove “promptly all aliens who enter or remain in violation of federal law,” and pursue criminal charges “against illegal aliens who violate the immigration laws.”
The order said the United States has seen a “large-scale invasion at an unprecedented level” over the past four years, with millions of illegal immigrants entering the country, including potential terrorists, foreign spies, members of cartels, and other hostile actors with malicious intent.
To further tighten border security, Trump issued a https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/military-mission-for-sealing-the-southern-border-of-the-united-states-and-repelling-invasions/
on April 11 authorizing the military to take control of land along the U.S.-Mexico border as part of efforts to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
The memo does not apply to Native American reservations but does extend to the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide corridor owned by the federal government running along the U.S.–Mexico border in California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
It also authorized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to treat areas where troops are deployed as military installations, granting him the authority to protect those zones and restrict access as necessary.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Wed, 07/16/2025 - 09:00
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/illegal-border-crossings-hit-record-monthly-low-cbp-says
Cal State Prof Arrested, Accused Of Assaulting ICE Agents During Cannabis Farm Raid
Cal State Prof Arrested, Accused Of Assaulting ICE Agents During Cannabis Farm Raid
A California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) professor was arrested July 10 after allegedly assaulting law enforcement agents during a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation targeting illegal labor at marijuana farms.
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https://ciapps.csuci.edu/directory/Details/jonathan.caravello
(DHS).
Caravello is https://x.com/USAttyEssayli/status/1944468395082264964
of throwing a tear gas canister at ICE agents during the protest, which occurred near the CSUCI campus.
Protesters reportedly “attempted to intercept” officers by “throwing rocks” at federal vehicles, “shattering windows and windshields,” https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/camarillo-farm-raid-immigration-glass-house-farms/
reports.
a pistol at officers.
The https://www.calfac.org/about-cfa/
(CFA), an “anti-racism, social justice” labor union comprised of 29,000 California State University faculty members, is defending Caravello, claiming he was peacefully protesting and accusing federal agents of kidnapping him.
⚠️ MISSING PERSON ⚠️
Jonathan Anthony Caravello
DOB: 02/16/1988
Professor at CSU Channel Islands
Kidnapped by unidentified ICE agents at 2:33pm, Thursday July 10th at Las Posas Rd/Laguna Rd community ICE defense protest.
— California Faculty Association (@CFA_United) https://twitter.com/CFA_United/status/1943840247093375325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The CFA doubled down in a https://www.campusreform.org/article/cal-state-professor-arrested-accused-of-assaulting-ice-agents-during-cannabis-farm-raid/in%20a%20press%20release
, calling Caravello’s arrest an “abduction.”
“We strongly condemn the abduction of California Faculty Association professor, member and activist Jonathan A. Caravello, Ph.D. and other community members terrorized and arrested by federal immigration authorities while exercising their constitutional rights to protest peacefully,” the CFA wrote.
U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli debunked the “kidnapped” allegation and said Caravello will appear in court on Monday.
Professor Jonathan Caravello was not “kidnapped” by federal agents. He was arrested for throwing a tear gas canister at law enforcement. He is charged with a violation of 18 USC 111 and will have a court appearance tomorrow. https://t.co/QrIivjrthd
— U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) https://twitter.com/USAttyEssayli/status/1944468395082264964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Federal law states that a violation of 18 USC 111 means “assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees,” according to https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/111
.
CSUCI defended Caravello in a https://www.csuci.edu/news/releases/caravello.htm
:
“At this time, it is our understanding that Professor Caravello was peacefully participating in a protest – an act protected under the First Amendment and a right guaranteed to all Americans,” the statement reads.
“If confirmed, we stand with elected officials and community leaders calling for his immediate release,” it continues.
An important notification from CSUCI: Statement about Professor Jonathan Caravello being taken into federal custody during a protest. https://t.co/7knmXShvwH
— CSU Channel Islands (@csuci) https://twitter.com/csuci/status/1944167767848132749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Meanwhile, the California Faculty Association is urging supporters to contribute monetary https://www.instagram.com/p/DMBjPGfzKOR/
for bail and legal fees for Caravello.
The association is also https://www.instagram.com/p/DMCZwGbuSvP/
individuals to write “Character Reference” letters that will “go before the judge when setting bail” and encouraging individuals to “sign up for a jail support shift so John has someone waiting when he is released.”
?itok=1o1X9x-z
Screenshots of social media posts shared by @cfa_united on Instagram.
Members of the CFA held a https://www.instagram.com/p/DMEx7BhA4QC/?img_index=1
Sunday night for the individuals “abducted in the Camarillo farm raids.”
During the cannabis farm raids, law enforcement reportedly arrested at least 361 illegal aliens from both sites and rescued at least 14 children from potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking, DHS confirmed in a https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/07/13/ice-cbp-arrest-least-361-illegal-aliens-during-marijuana-grow-site-operation-rescue
.
The group advertised the vigil on Instagram with the hashtag “#FreeJohnCaravello.”
?itok=wi8XP-jX
Screenshots of social media posts shared by @cfa_crew on Instagram.
Campus Reform reviewed Caravello’s student evaluations on the website https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/
.
One anonymous student https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2634764#:~:text=Jon%20is%20awesome!,class%20you%20get%20participation%20points!
: “If you want a professor that tries to bring his political commentary or agenda into absolutely every possible situation, then this professor is for you. Don’t bother trying to debate politics with him because any retort you bring up will immediately be shut down.”
?itok=Wj3RABXJ
Screenshot obtained from RateMyProfessors.com.
Campus Reform is monitoring updates to this story and has contacted Jonathan Anthony Caravello, California State University Channel Islands, and the California Faculty Association for further updates and comment. This article will be updated accordingly.
As of July 14, spokespeople from the California State University Channel Islands and California Faculty Association told Campus Reform there are no updates or additional information to share at this time.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Tue, 07/15/2025 - 14:40
China-Linked Tech Tycoon Neville Roy Singham's Niece Backs NYC's Next Marxist Mayor
China-Linked Tech Tycoon Neville Roy Singham's Niece Backs NYC's Next Marxist Mayor
Submitted by https://x.com/JCAndersonNYC
,
There's a new political trend sweeping New York City, and it's as cynical as it is surreal. For over a decade, we've seen a parade of political campaigns proudly brandishing their tokenized Jewish support: "Jews for Jamaal," "Jews for Rashida," "Jews for Shahana."
Now, we're treated to the latest iteration: "https://www.instagram.com/jewsforzohran/?hl=en
."
?itok=TpGBnoS2
The irony? None of these candidates are Jewish. All of them, however, are staunchly anti-Israel. And the newest addition to this cast of characters has a direct tie to one of the world's most prolific spreaders of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda.
revealed this week that the "Jews for Zohran" campaign is spearheaded by Alicia Singham Goodwin, a prominent Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) organizer and, notably, the niece of Neville Roy Singham. Yes, that Neville Roy Singham—the shadowy billionaire with deep ties to the CCP who has spent hundreds of millions bankrolling anti-American, anti-Israel, and pro-CCP activism across the globe.
?itok=E2SdENxF
So let me get this straight. The head of "Jews for Zohran" is the niece of Chinese govt allied billionaire Neville Roy Singham. Her mother is not Jewish but rather Sri Lankan/Chinese. The gaslighting they're doing to whitewash Zohran Mamdani's antisemitism is really next level. https://t.co/YslZIIaj0m
— Izengabe (@Izengabe_) https://twitter.com/Izengabe_/status/1944117214053109904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
For those who need a refresher: 2017 was a pivotal year for Neville Roy Singham. First, the U.S.-born tech mogul https://www.apax.com/news-views/funds-advised-by-apax-partners-to-acquire-thoughtworks-inc/
. Next, he married CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans, cementing a personal and political alliance that would bankroll global leftist activism. Finally, Singham relocated to Shanghai, where he began operating hand-in-glove with CCP's propaganda apparatus.
The New York Times https://archive.ph/pVfm0%23selection-4369.16-4369.61
in August 2023, exposing how his vast web of nonprofits and media outlets has since been weaponized to funnel CCP talking points into American political discourse. From their Shanghai base, Singham and Evans became the Bonnie and Clyde of the progressive activist world—directing over $160 million into Evans' "People's Support Foundation" and another $98.8 million into a constellation of anti-Israel, anti-ICE, and anti-American protest groups.
They are the same groups that led Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and the House Oversight Committee into https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Letter-to-Neville-Singham-06132025-1.pdf
after learning that his organizations played a leading role in anti-ICE riots across California—riots that left over $20 million in damages, torched police vehicles, and racked up more than 650 arrests.
Singham, unsurprisingly, has not responded.
Neville Singham— the billionaire communist with ties to the CCP, who funded the LA riots and used immigration & Mexicans as a Trojan horse for communism— is hiding from our letter requesting testimony. This poses an issue for delivering subpoena.
Therefore, if he decides to… https://t.co/sZtVzfEA9Q
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) https://twitter.com/RepLuna/status/1943017391912554609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
by establishing "partisan popular media centres" and offering community services to radicalize Indian Muslims.
Witnesses testified that Newsclick staff were ordered to incite violence during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), distribute Chinese-funded cash to demonstrators, and even https://www.opindia.com/2024/05/newsclick-received-funds-from-china-to-provoke-violence-in-india-routed-funds-to-teesta-setalvad/%23google_vignette
The result? The 2020 Delhi riots, which left 53 dead, over 200 injured, and entire neighborhoods reduced to ash.
Singham also never responded to India's legal summons.
Now, Singham's niece is helping to run Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign.
?itok=0mPp_QZh
Singham's network operates like a political virus, infecting vulnerable democracies, seeding chaos, and eroding support for America and its allies from within. It has successfully embedded itself in grassroots movements, NGOs, and now electoral campaigns.
The nexus of Neville Roy Singham's global operation and New York's Democratic machine is no laughing matter. The same tactics that fueled violence in Delhi and sowed unrest in California are now knocking on Gracie Mansion's door.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Mon, 07/14/2025 - 18:25