# entry

guid: 1029645 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Iran Rejects 'Unacceptable' US Demand To Dismantle Nuclear Sites
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/iran-rejects-unacceptable-us-demand-dismantle-nuclear-sites
hash: ���=�@��S�G�[��
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Iran Rejects 'Unacceptable' US Demand To Dismantle Nuclear Sites</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has thrown cold water on the possibility of dismantling its nuclear facilities, which Tehran maintains are only for peaceful domestic energy purposes.</p>

<p>But top US officials have called for just that. Starting earlier this month Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Iran has to 'walk away' from uranium enrichment and long-range missile development, while Trump's special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff just days ago went further, asserting that Iran's uranium enrichment facilities <strong>"have to be dismantled"</strong> for Washington to trust that it does not want nuclear arms.</p>

<p>Pezeshkian in the fresh comments blasted the demand as <strong>"unacceptable" </strong>and framed it as a matter of<strong> national sovereignty and independent development</strong>.</p>
<a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/iranfilen.jpg?itok=K2REJzhi" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/iranfilen.jpg?itok=K2REJzhi"><picture><figure role="group" data-sanitized-class="caption caption-img inline-images image-style-inline-images"><img alt="" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5a9301cd-d871-4d22-b490-1da67e5eda45" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="333" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/iranfilen.jpg?itok=K2REJzhi" typeof="foaf:Image" width="500"><figcaption><em>The Arak heavy water reactor's secondary circuit. Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP</em></figcaption></figure></picture></a>

<p>"The discussion that has been raised about dismantling Iran's entire nuclear facilities is unacceptable to us," the Iranian president <a href="https://www.barrons.com/news/iran-president-says-calls-to-dismantle-nuclear-facilities-unacceptable-2288e347">said</a>, adding that <strong>"Iran will not give up its peaceful nuclear rights</strong>.<strong>"</strong></p>

<p>Still, the country's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi acknowledged Sunday that negotiations with the United States in Oman had become <strong>"much more serious and frank" </strong>- which suggests positive momentum toward restoring a deal or at least an understanding on which to build a working relationship with Washington.</p>

<p>Araqchi in the comments given to Iran's state-run IRIB TV characterized <strong>"forward-moving"</strong> talks with the US over an array of complex nuclear-related issues.</p>

<p>This is despite last Thursday's provocative comments given to <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/05/09/exclusive-steve-witkoff-shreds-his-total-fake-news-critics-the-neocon-element-believes-that-war-is-the-only-way-to-solve-things/" target="_blank">Breitbart</a> wherein bluntly stated, <strong>"They cannot have centrifuges. They have to downblend all of their fuel that they have there and send it to a far-away place</strong>.<strong>”</strong></p>

<p>"An enrichment program can never exist in the state of Iran ever again. <strong>That’s our red line</strong>," the US envoy asserted further.</p>

<p>“I just believe they have no choice” but to accept the White House position against enrichment, continued Witkoff. "Obviously, they can say no, and they can test President Trump, <strong>but I think that would be an unwise thing to do</strong>."</p>

<p>Iranian leadership has tended to brush off such maximalist demands, hoping instead that they can appeal to President Trump's pragmatic deal-making side and willingness to avoid war at all costs. Israel has long threatened preemptive attack on Iran if it believes Tehran is on the cusp of achieving a nuke. Trump has clearly distanced himself from these <strong>Israeli efforts to box him into a corner towards starting a new Middle East conflict</strong>.</p>

<p data-type="paragraph">President Pezeshkian meanwhile has continued stressing the "peaceful" purposes of the country's nuclear sites, which include t<a href="https://www.chinadailyasia.com/hk/article/611466">he areas of</a> radiopharmaceuticals, healthcare, agriculture, and industry.</p>

<blockquote data-sanitized-class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Despite wielding the most advanced surveillance systems in the world Fox News would have you believe that the US JUST discovered a new Nuclear facility in Iran producing weapons-grade material. How very WMD of you. <a href="https://t.co/tt7jLfPpQC">pic.twitter.com/tt7jLfPpQC</a></p>
— Clint Russell (@LibertyLockPod) <a href="https://twitter.com/LibertyLockPod/status/1920616102016471472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p data-type="paragraph">"We are serious in the negotiations and seek an agreement. We hold talks because we want peace," he said. Iranian officials have of late complained that it's very hard to deal with the United States, given rotating administrations which have the capability to reverse key decisions of prior presidents.</p>

<p data-type="paragraph">Such was the case with the Obama-brokered JCPOA nuclear deal, which Trump unilaterally pulled out of in April 2018. It's as yet unclear the degree to which that original deal's terms will be restored or held to as part of the new ongoing talks.</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T16:45:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 12:45</span>


guid: https://www.whitehouse.gov/?p=12071
title: ICYMI: “A Common Sense Budget Reconciliation Bill”
author: ;The White House
link: https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/05/icymi-a-common-sense-budget-reconciliation-bill/
hash: |��O�F��]��Lg�
tags: #Articles
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<div><img src="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/WH47-Social-Share-Card.jpg" data-sanitized-class="ff-og-image-inserted"></div><p>House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie <a href="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/a-common-sense-budget-reconciliation-bill-house-energy-and-commerce-committee-d8ab0d71">makes the case</a> in <em>The Wall Street Journal</em> for President Donald J. Trump’s top legislative priorities in the One Big, Beautiful Bill — slashing waste, strengthening Medicaid, and giving Americans a massive tax cut, to name a few.</p>
<p><strong>Rep. Guthrie writes:<br></strong><br><em>“When President Trump took the podium for his Second Inaugural Address, he promised a ‘revolution of common sense’ that would launch a generation of growth, health and prosperity. Today, our country faces numerous threats to that goal. Medicaid waste and abuse threatens the well-being of America’s most vulnerable as the looming expiration of important 2017 tax reforms throws a shadow over U.S. industry. Republicans’ best chance to secure the president’s inaugural promise is this year’s reconciliation bill.”<br></em><br><a href="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/a-common-sense-budget-reconciliation-bill-house-energy-and-commerce-committee-d8ab0d71"><strong>Read the full op-ed here.</strong></a></p>


guid: yt:video:Zpnt4E9doNU
title: Shahid Bolsen | The Sufficiency Lectures | Part Two:| Strategic Sufficiency
author: ;Middle Nation
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpnt4E9doNU
hash: �Aý f����/��
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/Zpnt4E9doNU?version=3","title":"Shahid Bolsen  | The Sufficiency Lectures | Part Two:| Strategic Sufficiency","description":"This is Part Two of The Sufficiency Lectures, a three-part series by Shahid Bolsen.\n\nIn this episode, Shahid exposes how the global economy has been engineered to produce dependency — not development. Supply chains are not neutral; they are chains. Institutions like the IMF, WTO, and Western “investment” regimes are not designed to uplift, but to discipline and domesticate. This is the architecture of captivity.\n\nBut escape is not rebellion — it is construction.\n\nThis lecture lays out the foundation for Sufficiency Zones: decentralized, ethically grounded, state-aligned frameworks of local resilience. These zones sever the economic umbilical cord to exploitative global systems and return dignity to our production, integrity to our markets, and sovereignty to our societies.\n\nSufficiency is not isolation. It is strategy.\nNot just survival — but structured defiance.","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i3.ytimg.com/vi/Zpnt4E9doNU/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: https://karlof1.substack.com/p/remarks-by-permanent-representative
author: ;Karl Sanchez
link: https://karlof1.substack.com/p/remarks-by-permanent-representative
hash: �� �N����� ��528
title:
Remarks by Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Vassily Nebenzia at a special commemorative meeting of the UN General Assembly in memory of all victims of World War II, New York, May 7, 2025

content:
<div data-sanitized-class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe773d000-3ac1-43b4-8f91-bdd97868e856_1313x717.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM" data-sanitized-class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img"><div data-sanitized-class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe773d000-3ac1-43b4-8f91-bdd97868e856_1313x717.jpeg" width="1313" height="717" data-attrs='{"src":"https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e773d000-3ac1-43b4-8f91-bdd97868e856_1313x717.jpeg","srcNoWatermark":null,"fullscreen":null,"imageSize":null,"height":717,"width":1313,"resizeWidth":null,"bytes":null,"alt":null,"title":null,"type":null,"href":null,"belowTheFold":false,"topImage":true,"internalRedirect":null,"isProcessing":false,"align":null}' alt="" fetchpriority="high" data-sanitized-class="sizing-normal"></picture><div data-sanitized-class="image-link-expand"><div data-sanitized-class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><div data-sanitized-class="pencraft pc-reset icon-container restack-image"><path d="M3 12a9 9 0 0 1 9-9 9.75 9.75 0 0 1 6.74 2.74L21 8"></path><path d="M21 3v5h-5"></path><path d="M21 12a9 9 0 0 1-9 9 9.75 9.75 0 0 1-6.74-2.74L3 16"></path><path d="M8 16H3v5"></path></div><div data-sanitized-class="pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></div></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>There doesn’t need to be much of an introduction to <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/2015341/">Vassily Nebenzia’s speech</a>. What must be remembered are the truths he recalls and the fact that Nazism wasn’t allowed to die thanks to the Anglo-Americans despite what the American prosecutor said at Nuremburg. For those with functional eyes, ears, and mind, it’s clear Nazism is alive and well within the ranks of EU/NATO as their actions demonstrate. Exceptionalism is a very peculiar human mind disease that’s existed for many centuries and continues to exist in too many places on earth and currently isn’t met with the resistance from the Global Majority it merits; this is particularly acute in Palestine where Zionists copy Hitler’s plan for the Slavs and use it against all Palestinians and other peoples of the Levant. Thus, the challenge of our time and the immediate future is to stamp-out Exceptionalism once and for all so all humanity is allowed to develop to its potential. A formula was introduced in October 1945—the UN Charter—that has yet to be fully implemented thanks to the opposition raised by those nations deeming themselves Exceptional that almost exclusively are European in heritage, which is where we see the rise of Nazism yet again. Now for Mr. Nebenzia’s words:</p><blockquote><p>Mr President,</p><p>Dear Colleagues,</p><p>Today we have gathered at a special solemn meeting of the <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/un/organs/general_assembly/">UN General Assembly</a> in memory of all the victims of World War II.</p><p>On May 9, in the suburb of Berlin, Karlhorst, the final Act of Unconditional Surrender of Germany was signed. Nazism was defeated in its lair—Berlin, which was taken by the Red Army. On May 1, the red banner of Victory was raised over the Reichstag, on this day the Chief of the General Staff of the German Ground Forces arrived to Soviet General Chuikov to inform him of Hitler's suicide in his bunker.</p><p>The most terrible page in history was turned, <em><strong>the world refrained from plunging into the abyss of the theory of racial superiority, where the value of human life was determined by measuring the skull with a tripod</strong></em>.</p><p><em><strong>It is important to remember that this terrible theory was not the fruit of Hitler's fantasies. It was born among European intellectuals. </strong></em>One only has to recall such a work as "Essay on the Inequality of Human Races" by the French writer Arthur de Gobineau. <em><strong>Only the Nazis supplemented the colonial racism traditional for Europeans with radical anti-Semitism and anti-Slavism. One can only imagine a world in which such European "values" would have won. </strong></em>And at some point, this happened. Followers of Nazism and fascism gained popularity or came to power in many European countries. <em><strong>Therefore, Hitler's march was almost triumphant until it faced the heroic resistance of the peoples of the Soviet Union.</strong></em></p><p><em><strong>It should not be forgotten that Hitler enjoyed the sympathy and support of a number of members of the <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/gb/">British</a> royal family, <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/it/">Italy</a>, <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/fi/">Finland</a> and <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/ro/">Romania</a> fought on Hitler's side, providing him with 700 thousand soldiers; a legion of French volunteers; Spanish volunteers; the Norwegian SS Legion; the Dutch SS Legion; the Latvian SS Legion, which distinguished itself with particular cruelty; the Estonian SS Volunteer Legion; the Belgian Volunteer Division; the SS Volunteer Corps "Denmark", which became part of the German SS division "Death's Head". Ukrainian nationalists also fought on Hitler's side.</strong></em></p><p>In 1941, all anti-fascist forces managed to unite. Ideological opponents–-the USSR, <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/us/">the United States</a> and Great Britain–-who had episodes of armed confrontation behind them, showed wisdom and stood shoulder to shoulder. <em><strong>At that time, no one could even think of playing ideological games, trying to equate fascism and communism.</strong></em> <em><strong>It was clear to everyone what was good and what was evil.</strong></em> Otherwise, a decision would have been fatal for the whole world. We thank all the members of the anti-Hitler coalition and honour the contribution of the Allies to the Victory. In Asia, the fight against Japanese militarism was led by China.</p><p>Evil was defeated. But the Victory came at the cost of millions of victims. <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/cn/">China</a> lost 35 million people in the war. The United States lost about half a million. Serbia organized the largest partisan movement in Europe. The struggle for the freedom of peoples was waged by heroes from Latin America, Asia and Africa.</p><p>The price of the Soviet Union was 27 million lives, and only irretrievable military losses amounted to 12 million people. <em><strong>Multi-million civilian casualties were the result of the policy of genocide pursued by the Nazis against the peoples of the Soviet Union.</strong></em></p><p><em><strong>The war with the USSR had different goals than in Europe</strong></em>. For example, on June 12, 1941, Himmler said that "<em><strong>the goal of the campaign against Russia is to reduce the number of Slavs by 30 million people."</strong></em> Another laconic and ingenuous statement belongs to Hermann Goering, the successor of the Führer, the head of the Ost economic staff. In a conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Fascist Italy in November 1941, <em><strong>during an everyday discussion of starvation for 20-30 million Soviet citizens, he said: "Some peoples must be reduced."</strong></em></p><p><em><strong>The powers that be in the Axis countries perceived the need for genocide of the peoples of the USSR with their inherent pragmatic cynicism.</strong></em> The goal was to extract food from the black earth regions, including <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/ua/">Ukraine</a>, and redirect them from the so-called forest zone—Moscow and St. Petersburg--to Europe. In addition, it was planned to populate the Soviet territories with Germans, which required getting rid of the "aboriginal population".</p><p><em><strong>The genocide plan was documented in the Directives on Economic Policy in the Field of Agriculture, a product of the Ost Economic Headquarters based on the research of the Nazi economist Herbert Bakke.</strong></em></p><p>At the Nuremberg trials, these "Directives" were presented by the American side. U.S. prosecutor Whitney Harris described them as follows: "<em><strong>The pages of this document reveal a pre-developed plan to kill millions of innocent Soviet citizens by starvation. The document clearly states that the killing of millions of innocents was premeditated. The document shows that this assassination plan must have been carried out on such a vast scale that it exceeded all the boundaries of human conceivation.</strong></em>"</p><p>Thus, the terrible tragedy of besieged Leningrad, which claimed about a million lives, was not an accident or the result of the siege of the city. <em><strong>It was part of the general thoughtful policy of starvation.</strong></em></p><p><em><strong>But hunger was not the only "weapon" of genocide. As Hitler said: "We are talking about a struggle for annihilation ... this war will be sharply different from the war in the West. In the East, cruelty itself is good for the future.</strong></em>" Guided by this message, the Nazis showed unheard-of cruelty against the civilian population of the USSR: carpet bombing led to the destruction of 1740 cities and more than 70 thousand villages and villages, more than 6 million buildings were burned or destroyed and about 25 million people were homeless. The extermination of the population of entire settlements was practiced. Here it is impossible not to recall the Belarusian village of Khatyn, in which 149 residents, including 75 children, were burned alive.</p><p>200 Ukrainian nationalists from the OUN-UPA organization led by Stepan Bandera were involved in this crime. They were also famous for participating in particularly brutal acts of the Holocaust, including the pogroms in July 1941 in Bendery, in the shootings of Jews, for example, in Babi Yar near Kiev and in Sosenki near the Ukrainian city of Rivne, where 23 thousand people were killed. It is impossible not to recall the terrible Volyn massacre committed by members of the UPA. As a result of this crime, from 50 to 60 thousand Polish civilians died.</p><p>The fate of Soviet prisoners of war was no less terrible: they were starved, often placed in the open air, and medical experiments were carried out on them. In the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp, Soviet prisoners of war became the first victims of the gas chambers.</p><p>We should not forget about the millions of "Ostarbeiters", citizens of the Soviet Union, forcibly deported to <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/de/">Germany</a>. Their slave labor was used by such well-known companies as Daimler-Benz, Deutsche Bank, Siemens, Volkswagen, BMW, Bayer and Hugo Boss. Ordinary Germans did not disdain the use of slave labor either. They applied for these people and came to distribution points, and, in fact, slave markets deployed in Germany in the 20th century.</p><p>However, all this did not break the Soviet people. They went not only to the front, but also to partisan detachments. Prisoners of war demonstrated unparalleled courage, raising uprisings in death camps.</p><p>Mr. President,</p><p>The terrible pages of Nazi atrocities did not require proof, they were known as an axiom. However, the time has come when the sacred memory of the heroes and victims of Nazism has become the subject of an attack by historical revisionism and revanchism. <em><strong>The unnatural Nazi idea of dehumanizing representatives of "inferior nations" began to be whitewashed, and its followers were elevated to the rank of heroes, and not only in the circles of marginal radicals, but also at the level of state policy.</strong></em></p><p>Thus, marches of Hitler's former accomplices went through the Baltic countries. In these and other states of Eastern Europe, monuments to the heroes who gave their lives for the Victory over Nazism began to be demolished.</p><p>From the territory of neighboring fraternal Ukraine, after the anti-constitutional coup on the Maidan and several years of "brainwashing", the slogans "Ukraine over the mustache" sounded, which is a copy of the Nazi slogan "Deutschland uber alles". <em><strong>Unfortunately, the parallels with the Third Reich do not end there</strong></em>.</p><p>All this is happening against the backdrop of the demolition of monuments to the fighters against fascism, the proclamation of the deputy commander of the Nachtigall special unit subordinate to the Abwehr Roman Shukhevych or Nazi accomplice Stepan Bandera as national heroes, the holding of torchlight processions on the days of memorable dates for neo-Nazis, and the ban on the Russian language. For example, in Kiev, the Avenue of the Soviet General Vatutin, a hero of World War II, the liberator of Ukraine from the Nazis, was renamed Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevych Avenue.</p><p>Mr. President,</p><p><em><strong>We will not let the international community forget that Hitler's followers did not remain in 1945, Nazism is reviving and rapidly gaining supporters.</strong></em> In Europe, the number of right-wing radical movements and their participants is steadily growing. They use modern methods and means of attracting supporters, especially from among young people – social networks and instant messengers. They even manage to hold rock concerts, organise sports events or give lectures. <em><strong>All this is not a one-time event, but a systemic one.</strong></em> We are closely monitoring the situation and publishing relevant reports.</p><p><em><strong>They are trying to prove to us that honouring Hitler, his followers and ideology is the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.</strong></em> On the other hand, last year and this year in Berlin on May 8 and 9, the demonstration of not only the Victory Banner and St. George ribbons, military songs, but even orders and medals and uniforms of victorious soldiers, including in photographs of war veterans, was banned near Soviet war memorials. Moreover, high-ranking EU officials are threatening sanctions for participating in the Victory Parade in Moscow and urging people to go to Kiev at this time. <em><strong>The question arises: who will be honored in Kiev? Millions of Ukrainians who fought heroically in the Red Army and gave their lives in the fight against Nazism, or Nazi accomplices Bandera and Shukhevych?</strong></em> Clarity is needed on this issue, because it is impossible to unite the victims and their executioners.</p><p>It is noteworthy that those states that have been obstructing the adoption of the resolution "Combating the glorification of Nazism" initiated by Russia by the UN General Assembly for several years refuse to celebrate Victory Day. <em><strong>Is it conceivable to vote against such an initiative at the UN, an international organisation that owes its name to the self-designation of the member states of the anti-Hitler coalition?</strong></em></p><p>Mr. President,</p><p>We must remember that the Victory brought not only relief from suffering and freedom, but also a new world order with the UN playing a central role<em><strong>, built on the principles of cooperation, sovereign equality and non-discrimination.</strong></em></p><p>I would not be surprised if today they try to tell us an alternative history of World War II, in which the exploits of Soviet soldiers will be replaced by tales about the "occupiers" and the atrocities of the communists. But no matter what fakes we hear, only one fact matters, which the world will always remember. On May 9 at 00:43, Hitler's Germany finally capitulated. We won the Victory over Nazism, which you will not take away from us.</p><p><em><strong>Russia's commitment to preserving the historical truth will remain unshakable. Contrary to what our enemies are trying to claim, we do not monopolize the Victory. </strong></em>We consider it common and pay tribute to the memory of all the peoples of the former USSR who made a significant contribution to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. All the peoples of the Soviet Union contributed to the Victory - Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Georgians, Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Moldovans, Balts, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Turkmens, Jews and dozens of other nationalities of our vast country. This year, together with our colleagues – <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/by/">Belarus</a>, <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/az/">Azerbaijan</a>, <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/am/">Armenia</a>, <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/kz/">Kazakhstan</a>, the <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/kg/">Kyrgyz Republic</a>, China, <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/rs/">Serbia</a>, <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/tj/">Tajikistan</a>, <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/tm/">Turkmenistan</a> and <a href="https://mid.ru/ru/maps/uz/">Uzbekistan</a> – <em><strong>we initiated the adoption of the General Assembly resolution "The Eightieth Date of the End of World War II", according to which the anniversaries of the Victory will be celebrated in this hall every five years.</strong></em></p><p>I will conclude my speech with the words of Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov, also known as "Marshal of Victory". It was he who accepted the surrender of the German armed forces in 1945.</p><p>"Every year in time we move further and further away from the wartime. A new generation of people has grown up. For them, the war is our memories of it. And we, the participants in these historical events, are becoming fewer and fewer. But I am convinced that time has no power over the greatness of everything that we experienced during the war. It was an extraordinarily difficult, but also a very glorious time. A person who once survived great trials and won will draw strength from this victory for the rest of his life.</p><p>This is true for the entire people. Our victory in the war against fascism, to put it in lofty language, is the finest hour in the life of the Soviet people. <em><strong>In those years, we became even more hardened and accumulated enormous moral capital.</strong></em> Looking back, we will always remember those who spared no effort to defeat the enemy of our Motherland."</p><p>Thank you for your attention. [My Emphasis]  </p></blockquote><p>We saw current “European values” on display in Kiev. The refusal to honor the offered truce with over 4,000 violations yet to demand an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as soon as the 9 May celebrations were over. The EU/NATO ploy is transparent: Rearm Kiev truce or no truce so the war can be continued against Russia just like Hitler never gave up sending ever more forces to the Russian Front to kill more Slavs before they too were killed. This time the preservers of Nazism were even more perverse than Hitler as they groomed Ukrainian Slavs to kill Russian Slavs, and it must be made known that it was the Outlaw US Empire that developed that plan and put it into motion with the backing of EU/NATO. The Empire has suffered an embarrassing defeat of its plan yet tries to avoid admitting the truth despite the confessions that are already public. Note too how the plan for Gaza is the same as that devised for Leningrad and what Empire backs that ongoing crime—not just the Outlaw US Empire but that of the Collective West. It should be mentioned that Colonialism in many respects was the template for Nazism and remains so in the continuing manifestation of Neocolonialism. If Humanity is going to succeed as a species, then Exceptionalism must be seen as a disease of the mind and properly treated by removing those ideological facets of culture that promote it. The ultimate goal of such treatment is the destruction of all nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. And that will not be an easy task given the resistance that will come from those believing in their exceptionalism, which is almost exclusively a Western problem, but not completely since the West indoctrinated some of those it colonized with that mind disease. I should also mention the disease can develop outside Europe as Japan proved via its own brand of militarist ethnocentric exceptionalism whose defeat we’ll celebrate this coming September. </p><p>*<br>*<br>*<br><em>Like what you’ve been reading at Karlof1’s Substack? Then please consider subscribing and choosing to make a <strong>monthly/yearly pledge</strong> to enable my efforts in this challenging realm. Thank You!</em></p><p></p><p></p><p data-attrs='{"url":"https://karlof1.substack.com/subscribe?","text":"Subscribe now","action":null,"class":null}' data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton" data-sanitized-class="button-wrapper"><a href="https://karlof1.substack.com/subscribe?" data-sanitized-class="button primary"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p>        </p>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe773d000-3ac1-43b4-8f91-bdd97868e856_1313x717.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","length":0}]}


guid: https://gript.ie/?p=330462
title: Independent Ireland slams “housing emergency”
author: ;Fatima Gunning
link: https://gript.ie/independent-ireland-slams-housing-emergency/
hash: ~����1y����eK
tags: #Featured #Irish News #Housing #Independent Ireland
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<div><img src="https://gript.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/MICHAEL-COLLINS-TD-2a.jpg" data-sanitized-class="ff-og-image-inserted"></div><p><strong>Dear Reader,</strong></p>
<p>It is a simple statement of fact that if you are looking for diversity of thought in the Irish media, you will struggle to find it. That is why we founded Gript – to serve the gap in the market left by so many of our colleagues, when they decided that the job of journalists was not to challenge consensus thought, but to herd around it, and defend it fiercely.</p>
<p>If you are looking for a media outlet that blames everything on the “far right” in Ireland, then you don’t have to go far to find one. If, by contrast, you are looking for a media outlet that looks beyond that cheap sloganeering, and tries to understand and report on the real concerns held by ordinary people – and a good few prominent people, albeit privately – then that is what we try to do here.</p>
<p>But we cannot do it without your support, and your subscription.</p>
<p>We reject Government funding, because, in our view, that would be the end of our independence. The moment we did so, we would begin looking over our shoulder, and wondering if our coverage of a particular issue might lead to that money being taken away. In time – not all at once, but slowly and inexorably – we would become just another safe, consensus, state-funded voice.</p>
<p>But there’s a bargain to be struck here: If you value our independence, then you must support it. If you want us to be answerable to you, then you must take a stake in our work.</p>
<p>What we try to do here is to be open, honest, and brave. That does not mean that you will always agree with us. It does mean that there will be times when we will annoy you, and publish things you disagree with: That’s part of the deal. We are independent, not servants of one cause, or another.</p>
<p>That is what media is supposed to be, but too often in Ireland no longer is. We are trying to change that, and we need your help. I am, therefore, asking for it, and would deeply appreciate a subscription at the level you can afford.</p>
<p>With gratitude,</p>
<p><strong>John</strong></p>


guid: https://gript.ie/?p=330464
title: Public asked for views on policing priorities
author: ;Jason Osborne
link: https://gript.ie/public-asked-for-views-on-policing-priorities/
hash: �S��_e!��[����s�
tags: #Featured #Irish News #News #consultation #Policing and Community Safety Authority
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<div><img src="https://gript.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-52.png" data-sanitized-class="ff-og-image-inserted"></div><p><strong>Dear Reader,</strong></p>
<p>It is a simple statement of fact that if you are looking for diversity of thought in the Irish media, you will struggle to find it. That is why we founded Gript – to serve the gap in the market left by so many of our colleagues, when they decided that the job of journalists was not to challenge consensus thought, but to herd around it, and defend it fiercely.</p>
<p>If you are looking for a media outlet that blames everything on the “far right” in Ireland, then you don’t have to go far to find one. If, by contrast, you are looking for a media outlet that looks beyond that cheap sloganeering, and tries to understand and report on the real concerns held by ordinary people – and a good few prominent people, albeit privately – then that is what we try to do here.</p>
<p>But we cannot do it without your support, and your subscription.</p>
<p>We reject Government funding, because, in our view, that would be the end of our independence. The moment we did so, we would begin looking over our shoulder, and wondering if our coverage of a particular issue might lead to that money being taken away. In time – not all at once, but slowly and inexorably – we would become just another safe, consensus, state-funded voice.</p>
<p>But there’s a bargain to be struck here: If you value our independence, then you must support it. If you want us to be answerable to you, then you must take a stake in our work.</p>
<p>What we try to do here is to be open, honest, and brave. That does not mean that you will always agree with us. It does mean that there will be times when we will annoy you, and publish things you disagree with: That’s part of the deal. We are independent, not servants of one cause, or another.</p>
<p>That is what media is supposed to be, but too often in Ireland no longer is. We are trying to change that, and we need your help. I am, therefore, asking for it, and would deeply appreciate a subscription at the level you can afford.</p>
<p>With gratitude,</p>
<p><strong>John</strong></p>


guid: 1029711 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Republicans Push $1.3 Billion Bill To Refill The Strategic Petroleum Reserve
author: ;Tyler Durden
hash: ��o{G����ߧ���}&
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Republicans Push $1.3 Billion Bill To Refill The Strategic Petroleum Reserve</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Republicans-Push-to-Refill-the-Strategic-Petroleum-Reserve-With-13-Billion.html"><em>Authored by Charles Kennedy via OilPrice.com,</em></a></p>

<ul><li>
	<p><em>The proposed bill allocates $1.321 billion to refill the SPR and $218 million for maintenance and repairs.</em></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><em>It aims to repeal the SPR drawdown mandate and redirect funds away from climate initiatives.</em></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><em>The legislation responds to Trump’s promise to refill the reserve and criticizes Biden’s SPR releases.</em></p>
	</li>
</ul><p>U.S. House Republicans have introduced the Budget Reconciliation Bill, which will include funding to begin refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)—a key promise of President Donald Trump.</p>

<p><strong>The bill <a href="https://d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/Subtitle_A_Energy_b4a678c0f2.pdf">proposes</a> $1.321 billion to acquire, by purchase, petroleum products for storage in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and another $218 million for maintenance of, including repairs to, storage facilities and related facilities.</strong></p>

<p><strong><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/20230527_USP599.jpg?itok=gYFaEyIe" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/20230527_USP599.jpg?itok=gYFaEyIe"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4123bfa7-3ba7-40e5-8fe4-acc2f61eba1a" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="281" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/20230527_USP599.jpg?itok=gYFaEyIe" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></strong></p>

<p>The bill also repeals the SPR drawdown and sale mandate.</p>

<p><em><strong>“The bill would also begin refilling the dangerously low Strategic Petroleum Reserve,” </strong></em>Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, wrote in an op-ed published in the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/a-common-sense-budget-reconciliation-bill-house-energy-and-commerce-committee-d8ab0d71">Wall Street Journal</a> on Sunday.</p>

<p>Republican Congressman Guthrie also noted that <strong>“This bill would claw back money headed for green boondoggles</strong> through “environmental and climate justice block grants” and other spending mechanisms through the Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Department.”</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/bfm604F_0.jpg?itok=NC9tFOt6" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/bfm604F_0.jpg?itok=NC9tFOt6"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3934f11b-8d4d-4266-b6bf-cb30ac296f37" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="277" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/bfm604F_0.jpg?itok=NC9tFOt6" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><strong>The legislation would “reverse the most reckless parts of the engorged climate spending in the misnamed Inflation Reduction Act, returning $6.5 billion in unspent funds,” </strong>Guthrie added.</p>

<p>Earlier this year, President Donald Trump said the U.S. Administration would quickly <a href="https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Oil-Prices-Climb-as-Trump-Pledges-to-Refill-Strategic-Petroleum-Reserve.html">fill up</a> the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.</p>

<blockquote>
<p><em><strong>“They put it all out because they thought they could keep gasoline prices down a little bit, just go past the election, and after that, they didn’t care,”</strong></em> the President added, criticizing Joe Biden’s administration for failing to curb the hikes in gasoline prices.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The SPR needs to be refilled as the strategic reserve plays a critical role in stabilizing the U.S. market during global supply disruptions.</p>

<p><strong>The Biden administration released more than 180 million barrels of oil from the SPR starting in 2021, amid high gasoline prices.</strong></p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/bfm9C95_0.jpg?itok=OwCfFUW8" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/bfm9C95_0.jpg?itok=OwCfFUW8"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="79c723f7-a2d6-4a21-8a94-c2b6e43ca4df" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="277" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/bfm9C95_0.jpg?itok=OwCfFUW8" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>The Department of the Treasury claims that these releases, along with coordinated international efforts, helped reduce gasoline prices by up to 40 cents per gallon in 2022.</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T17:05:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 13:05</span>

link:
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/republicans-push-13-billion-bill-refill-strategic-petroleum-reserve


guid: https://strategic-culture.su/?post_type=article&amp;p=885265
title: Lições-chave da recente escalada entre Índia e Paquistão
author: ;A A
hash: bqġb~f��k�_c
tags: #Português #India #Kashmir #Nuclear Weapons #Pakistan #War
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p><strong><em>Decisores indianos fracassaram em resolver a crise apropriadamente, gerando graves danos para o país.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Junte-se a nós no</span> <a href="https://t.me/SCF_Portuguese" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>Telegram</u></a></strong><strong><u><a href="https://t.me/SCF_Portuguese" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tlg.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875659"></a></u>, <u><a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a><a href="https://twitter.com/SCJournalOnline" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/twitter.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875661"></a></u><span>e </span></strong><strong><u><a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VK</a><a href="https://vk.com/strategicculture/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/wk.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875662"></a></u>.</strong></p>
<p><strong><span>Escreva para nós:</span> <a href="mailto:info@strategic-culture.su" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><u>info@strategic-culture.su</u></a></strong></p>
<p>Os recentes desdobramentos no conflito entre Índia e Paquistão indicam que Nova Délhi sofreu uma humilhação militar de proporções consideráveis. Apesar do cessar-fogo anunciado sob mediação informal de Washington, os relatos apontam que as hostilidades continuam — o que sugere que o acordo ou nunca foi respeitado, ou foi prontamente rompido por uma das partes.</p>
<p>Não é possível saber com precisão se foi Islamabad quem abandonou o caminho da paz após sentir vantagem no campo de batalha, ou se foram os indianos que, inconformados com o revés militar, optaram por retomar ações ofensivas. O fato é que os atritos parecem estar longe de cessar, e a percepção internacional é de que a Índia subestimou gravemente a capacidade de resposta do Paquistão.</p>
<p>É impressionante, sob qualquer ponto de vista, que os estrategistas indianos tenham agido como se pudessem realizar ataques dentro do território de uma potência nuclear sem enfrentar retaliações significativas. Trata-se de um erro de cálculo clássico, que revela amadorismo político e falhas sérias na inteligência militar.</p>
<p>Mais grave ainda é o comportamento diplomático de Nova Délhi durante o auge da tensão. Em meio à tentativa de mediação por parte do Irã, país com o qual a Índia mantém relações estratégicas de longa data, autoridades indianas chegaram ao ponto de insultar publicamente o chanceler iraniano, com um alto militar local rotulando-o de “porco” durante sua visita oficial à capital indiana. Essa atitude não apenas deteriora laços diplomáticos importantes, como também evidencia o clima de desorientação e arrogância que parece dominar setores da sociedade indiana.</p>
<p>O contexto dessa crise é ainda mais perturbador quando se leva em conta o envolvimento direto de “especialistas” israelenses no aparato decisório indiano logo após o atentado de Pahalgam. A decisão de convocar conselheiros militares de Israel não é neutra, tampouco eficaz. O histórico das Forças de Defesa de Israel (IDF) em lidar com inimigos assimétricos é, no mínimo, questionável: a lista de fracassos contra o Hezbollah, o Hamas e outras forças teoricamente “mais fracas” do que Israel no Oriente Médio deveria servir de alerta.</p>
<p>É imprudente, para dizer o mínimo, que uma potência como a Índia entregue parte de sua estratégia de defesa nacional a uma doutrina militar estrangeira cuja eficácia está cada vez mais em xeque. A obsessão israelense por demonstrações de força desproporcionais, aliada à tendência de subestimar adversários menores, é um traço que parece ter contaminado o pensamento estratégico indiano nesse episódio.</p>
<p>Nova Délhi enfrenta agora uma situação delicada: tenta preservar sua imagem de potência regional respeitável, mas não consegue esconder o fracasso operacional e diplomático das últimas semanas. A resposta paquistanesa, além de militarmente eficaz, foi politicamente coordenada e calculada — algo que a Índia, ao contrário, não demonstrou.</p>
<p>Enquanto isso, o cenário internacional observa com crescente preocupação a escalada entre duas potências nucleares. O receio de um conflito de maiores proporções cresce, e o despreparo indiano para lidar com a atual crise apenas aprofunda essa apreensão.</p>
<p>O caso deve servir como lição. Estratégia militar exige sobriedade, precisão e, acima de tudo, realismo. Subestimar o inimigo, insultar aliados históricos e importar doutrinas militares fracassadas são apenas um caminho seguro para o desastre.</p>
<p>Se a Índia quiser preservar sua estabilidade e seu prestígio internacional, precisará rever não apenas sua postura frente ao Paquistão, mas toda sua lógica de formulação estratégica — inclusive a perigosa influência de consultores externos que entendem mais de propaganda do que de vitórias reais.</p>
<p></p>

link:
https://strategic-culture.su/news/2025/05/12/licoes-chave-da-recente-escalada-entre-india-paquistao/


guid: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164459/csn-ministre-pascale-dery-demission
title: La CSN appelle la ministre Pascale Déry à démissionner
link: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164459/csn-ministre-pascale-dery-demission
hash: m����+4� �R1�_5�
content:
<p>Elle serait responsable d’un « démantèlement tranquille » du réseau de l’enseignement supérieur.</p>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://images.radio-canada.ca/q_auto,w_635,h_357/v1/ici-info/16x9/pascale-dery-point-presse-cegep-dawson-vanier.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","length":0}]}


guid: 1029402 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Mexico Sues Google Over 'Gulf of America' Label As Sheinbaum Pushes Back On Trump Renaming Order
author: ;Tyler Durden
hash: �� -���!���m���
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Mexico Sues Google Over 'Gulf of America' Label As Sheinbaum Pushes Back On Trump Renaming Order</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>The Mexican government has filed a legal complaint against Google</strong> after the tech giant adopted U.S. government terminology <strong>labeling the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" </strong>on its Maps platform for users inside the United States.</p>

<p>President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the lawsuit this week, denouncing the renaming as an overreach of U.S. territorial claims and a disregard for Mexico's sovereignty over its own coastal waters.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/72383165_1004_webp_92.jpg?itok=FHlIJQC1" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/72383165_1004_webp_92.jpg?itok=FHlIJQC1"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7364e233-e29e-4a3e-9b39-0da859a040c0" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="219" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/72383165_1004_webp_92.jpg?itok=FHlIJQC1" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>"<strong>Google is already being sued</strong>. There has already been a first resolution, and it is awaited," Sheinbaum said at a press conference. "What we are saying is that <strong>Google should put Gulf of America where it is Gulf of America</strong>, which is the part that corresponds to the territory of the United States, <strong>and put Gulf of Mexico to the territorial part that corresponds to Mexico and Cuba</strong>."</p>

<p>The dispute stems from a directive issued by President Donald Trump shortly after taking office in which he renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." <strong>Trump characterized the change as a tribute to "American greatness," </strong>despite the gulf's original name having been in continuous use since the 16th century.</p>

<p>While the order carries no international legal weight, <strong>Google has complied with the U.S. government's naming directive within its American-facing services</strong>, citing longstanding internal policy to follow official U.S. geographic naming standards via the federal Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).</p>

<p><strong>Mexico's Foreign Ministry had previously issued letters to Google urging the company not to apply the new name to Mexican territorial waters.</strong> Those appeals were unsuccessful, prompting the current legal action.</p>

<p>Though symbolic in nature, the case reflects growing tensions between Sheinbaum's administration and Washington, particularly over questions of cultural identity, regional sovereignty, and the influence of American tech companies abroad.</p>

<p><strong>The name change has also sparked political controversy in the U.S. </strong>In February, the White House barred the Associated Press from the press pool for continuing to refer to the waterway as the Gulf of Mexico, accusing the news agency of "defying official nomenclature."</p>

<p>President Trump had advocated for the new name since before taking office, after Sheinbaum - then Mexico City's mayor - jokingly proposed rebranding North America as "Mexican America," referencing a phrase in an early draft of Mexico's constitution. That quip reportedly prompted Trump's advisers to push the Gulf renaming as a direct rebuke.</p>
<a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/71250891_906_jpg_92.jpg?itok=oO4CMhyr" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/71250891_906_jpg_92.jpg?itok=oO4CMhyr"><picture><figure role="group" data-sanitized-class="caption caption-img inline-images image-style-inline-images"><img alt="" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1b7cdf32-2093-4579-8725-00d26c5e5894" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="281" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/71250891_906_jpg_92.jpg?itok=oO4CMhyr" typeof="foaf:Image" width="500"><figcaption><em>Sheinbaum has satirically suggested renaming North America as "Mexican America"Image: Alfredo Estrella/AFP</em></figcaption></figure></picture></a>

<p>While Trump's executive order applies only to U.S. federal agencies and does not require recognition by other countries or international bodies, Mexico's legal complaint could set a precedent in challenging the global reach of U.S. policies via digital platforms.</p>

<p>A spokesperson for Google declined to comment on the pending litigation but reiterated the company's policy of aligning map labels with official government data in each region.</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T17:25:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 13:25</span>

link:
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/mexico-sues-google-over-gulf-america-label-sheinbaum-pushes-back-trump-renaming-order


guid: 1029629 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Kurdish Militant Group PKK Disbands After 40-Year Conflict With Turkey
author: ;Tyler Durden
hash: =ݕ&)F�'�-ٿױ�
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Kurdish Militant Group PKK Disbands After 40-Year Conflict With Turkey</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/pkk-disbands-after-40-year-long-conflict-turkey"><em>Via Middle East Eye</em></a></p>

<p>The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on Monday announced its decision to disband and end its armed struggle, following a call in February by its imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan.</p>

<p>The Kurdish armed group, which has <strong>waged a war against Turkey since the 1980s</strong>,<strong> said that it had completed its "historic mission" </strong>and brought the Kurdish question to a point where it could be resolved through democratic politics.</p>
<a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/ocalan.jpg?itok=p3_QK0su" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/ocalan.jpg?itok=p3_QK0su"><picture><figure role="group" data-sanitized-class="caption caption-img inline-images image-style-inline-images"><img alt="" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e669382c-ae70-4424-bef4-ad2aefc63c6f" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="333" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/ocalan.jpg?itok=p3_QK0su" typeof="foaf:Image" width="500"><figcaption><em>Flags showing the face of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), via AFP.</em></figcaption></figure></picture></a>

<p>The group said Ocalan should be allowed to manage the disbandment process. It also requested solid and integrated legal guarantees to ensure the success of their decision.</p>

<p>"At this stage, it is important for the Grand National Assembly of Turkey to play its role with historical responsibility," the PKK's statement said.</p>

<p>"Similarly, we call on all political parties represented in the parliament, especially the government and the main opposition party, and civil society organizations to take responsibility and participate in the peace and democratic society process."</p>

<p>This historic announcement came after a 40-year-long conflict between Turkey and the PKK. The group initially sought Kurdish independence but <strong>later shifted its goal to autonomy and greater rights for Kurds within Turkey</strong>.</p>

<p>Over the decades, various governments, including that of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, attempted to resolve the issue through legal settlements, but these efforts were unsuccessful, and<strong> tens of thousands of lives were lost</strong>.</p>

<p>Since 2016, Ankara has managed to corner the PKK in northern Iraq by employing sophisticated technology such as drones and signal intelligence capabilities, as well as establishing dozens of military outposts that restrict the group's freedom of movement and infiltration across the border.</p>

<p>A source familiar with the matter told <em>Middle East Eye</em> that the PKK's announcement was initially set to be released on Friday, as the government had made some preparations, but internal PKK bureaucracy delayed its release.</p>

<p>Ocalan, 76, <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ocalan-dissolve-pkk-historic-statement" target="_blank">stated</a> in his February address that the armed struggle was a product of a bygone era and that Kurds must seek their rights by participating in democratic societies within nation states.</p>

<p>Following his call, the Syrian Democratic Forces, a US-armed group led by PKK offshoots in Syria, then <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/landmark-sdf-deal-hailed-positive-step-syria-kurds" target="_blank">struck</a> <strong>a deal with the new Damascus government</strong>,<strong> promising to return control of state institutions to the central administration</strong>.</p>

<p>Ocalan’s call came after Turkish nationalist leader and key Erdogan ally, Devlet Bahceli, <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-erdogan-nationalist-ally-invites-pkk-leader-ocalan-address-parliament" target="_blank">asked</a> the PKK leader last year to disband his group, potentially in return for being released into house arrest.</p>

<p><strong>Talks with Kurdish DEM party</strong></p>

<p>Since then, Bahceli has promised greater democratization in Turkey through phone conversations with the pro-Kurdish DEM Party. The government’s talks with Kurdish opposition groups have also divided the country’s opposition, as they come when popular Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has been jailed and anti-Erdogan protests have been cracked down on.</p>

<blockquote data-sanitized-class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">“Long live the brotherhood of the Turkish and Kurdish peoples and a fully independent Turkey!”<br>
Not once a "Long live Kurds" or "Long live Kurdistan."<br><br>
Here's the full statement of the PKK.<a href="https://t.co/4JTFauBoS5">https://t.co/4JTFauBoS5</a></p>
— Polla Garmiany ☀️ (@PollaGarmiany) <a href="https://twitter.com/PollaGarmiany/status/1921902100331495889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>Ankara insiders now expect the PKK and Turkish intelligence to announce specifics on how the group will return its arms and formally disband. Turkish officials, speaking on condition of anonymity earlier this year, told MEE that legal studies were underway to allow PKK members who have not participated in armed attacks to be welcomed back to the country.</p>

<p>Some officials speculate that <strong>the PKK leadership will either remain in northern Iraq, potentially in Sulaymaniyah, or be allowed to relocate to Europe in exile</strong>.</p>

<p>The DEM Party also expects the government to release thousands of its members imprisoned on non-violent charges and to end the practice of unseating its popularly elected mayors. A key demand is the release of Selahattin Demirtas, a Kurdish-Turkish politician who has been incarcerated since 2016.</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T17:45:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 13:45</span>

link:
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/kurdish-militant-group-pkk-disbands-after-40-year-conflict-turkey


guid: yt:video:ZiK56gVHHcY
title: Coalition calls on federal government to phase out fossil fuels – May 12, 2025
author: ;cpac
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiK56gVHHcY
hash: �����ȭT�X�Q�)
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/ZiK56gVHHcY?version=3","title":"Coalition calls on federal government to phase out fossil fuels – May 12, 2025","description":"At a news conference in Ottawa, a coalition of representatives from various churches and non-profit organizations call on the federal government to sign on to and implement the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Under the treaty, Canada would have an obligation to stop new fossil fuel projects and wind down the existing production of fossil fuels. \n\nSpeakers include Étienne Eason, main organizer of ‘The Pilgrimage for the Planet’, a 200-kilometre cycling pilgrimage from Montreal to Ottawa in support of the treaty. Also speaking are Beth Lorimer (Ecological Justice Program Coordinator, KAIROS Canada), Paul Gehrs (assistant to the Bishop, Justice and Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada), Agnes Richard (Canada chapter animator, Laudato Si Movement), and Angela Keller-Herzog (founding executive director, CAFES Ottawa).","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i3.ytimg.com/vi/ZiK56gVHHcY/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: 1029731 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Trump Moves To Rescind Appliance Efficiency Standards
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/trump-moves-rescind-appliance-efficiency-standards
hash: �U>B��{`��DgS h
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Trump Moves To Rescind Appliance Efficiency Standards</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>President Donald Trump on May 9 moved to rescind appliance energy efficiency standards, calling them “unnecessary radical green agenda policies.”</p>

<p>In a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/rescission-of-useless-water-pressure-standards/">memo</a> to the secretary of the Department of Energy, Trump said, “Water conservation requirements for faucets, showers, bathtubs, and toilets ... make bathroom appliances more expensive and less functional.” </p>

<p>“‘Efficiency’ standards render other American appliances like clothes washers and dishwashers less useful, more breakable, and more expensive to repair,” the White House said in a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-rescinds-useless-water-pressure-standards/">fact sheet</a> on Trump’s memo. “The Federal Government should not impose or enforce regulations that make taxpayers’ lives worse.”</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/image%20-%202025-05-12T092840.532.jpg?itok=mGeiX7Ox" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/image%20-%202025-05-12T092840.532.jpg?itok=mGeiX7Ox"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f55d5122-4cc7-483d-8d75-a91245a4d34b" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="336" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/image%20-%202025-05-12T092840.532.jpg?itok=mGeiX7Ox" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/trump-moves-to-rescind-appliance-efficiency-standards-5855541?utm_source=partner&amp;utm_campaign=ZeroHedge">As Joseph Lord reports for The Epoch Times, </a><strong>the memo orders Energy Secretary Chris Wright to review and rescind rules limiting water use in showerheads, faucets, dishwashers, toilets, urinals, and washing machines, or return these rules to the bare minimum required by the Energy Policy Act of 1992.</strong></p>

<p>The executive order will have a major effect on the Energy Star program, which is managed by the EPA in coordination with the Department of Energy. Under the program, the EPA establishes energy efficiency guidelines, and appliances in a given category that meet these specifications can display the ENERGY STAR logo.</p>

<p>Trump said that his directive would help increase the effectiveness of bathroom products, saying that standards imposed in the aftermath of the 1992 legislation had reduced consumer choice and made products less functional than they were before the legislation.</p>

<p><em><strong>“Ultra-efficient washing machines cost at least $100 more according to the Department of Energy,”</strong></em> the White House fact sheet states. <em><strong>“Updated dishwasher regulations caused those appliances to take two hours or more to complete a normal load of dishes—about twice the time of pre-standards models.”</strong></em></p>

<p>Earlier, on Jan. 20, Trump signed an executive order to “safeguard the American people’s freedom to choose from a variety of goods and appliances, including but not limited to lightbulbs, dishwashers, washing machines, gas stoves, water heaters, toilets, and shower heads.”</p>

<p>The same day, Trump signed several measures passed by Congress under the Congressional Review Act repealing rules from President Joe Biden’s administration related to energy efficiency.</p>

<p>The measures repealed regulations on gas water heaters and walk-in coolers and freezers, as well as energy conservation standards for some appliances and some consumer products and commercial freezers.</p>

<p><em><strong>“It’s all about common sense,” </strong></em>Trump said as he signed the legislation while flanked by Republican lawmakers.</p>

<p>The rescission comes amid an ongoing reorganization of the EPA under Director Lee Zeldin.</p>

<p>In a video, Zeldin said that before the Trump administration, the regulatory agency was spending $63 billion “including all sorts of political green slush funds”—although it cost only about $8 billion to $10 billion to run the agency.</p>

<p><em><strong>“This reorganization will bring much needed efficiencies to incorporate science into our rulemakings and sharply focus our work on providing the cleanest air, land, and water for our communities. It will also save at least $300 million annually for the American people,”</strong></em> Zeldin said.</p>

<p>Such an exclusive focus on air, land, and water cleanliness is a departure from the focus on climate change that has defined the agency in the past, and fits into Trump’s larger commitment to reducing regulations that the president has said harm American energy production and use.</p>

<p>*  *  *</p>

<p><em> <a href="https://store.zerohedge.com/iq-astaxanthin-ultimate-antioxidant?utm_source=zerohedge.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=store_promo"><strong>Try IQ Biologix Astaxanthin</strong></a> - a super potent antioxidant (read more <a href="https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/astaxanthin-ultimate-anti-inflammatory-and-anti-aging-nutrient">here</a>).</em></p>
<a data-image-external-href="https://store.zerohedge.com/iq-astaxanthin-ultimate-antioxidant?utm_source=zerohedge.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=store_promo" data-image-href="https://store.zerohedge.com/iq-astaxanthin-ultimate-antioxidant?utm_source=zerohedge.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=store_promo" data-link-option="2" href="https://store.zerohedge.com/iq-astaxanthin-ultimate-antioxidant?utm_source=zerohedge.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=store_promo"><picture><figure role="group" data-sanitized-class="caption caption-img inline-images image-style-inline-images"><img alt="" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1fef6523-c0c3-46c3-be42-9c197881e83a" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="261" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/astaxanthin%20slide.png?itok=7YPQXBxd" typeof="foaf:Image" width="500"><figcaption><em>Satisfaction guaranteed. Simply ask for a refund...</em></figcaption></figure></picture></a></div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T18:05:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 14:05</span>


guid: yt:video:JfI1TQJM2lE
title: Alberta freezing industrial carbon price – May 12, 2025
author: ;cpac
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfI1TQJM2lE
hash: ����Jg��yI�5q�y
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/JfI1TQJM2lE?version=3","title":"Alberta freezing industrial carbon price – May 12, 2025","description":"Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announces her government is freezing its industrial carbon price at the current rate of $95 per tonne of emissions. \n\nShe is joined at the news conference in Edmonton by Rebecca Schulz, the minister of environment and protected areas.","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i3.ytimg.com/vi/JfI1TQJM2lE/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164494/alex-boissonneault-candidat-parti-quebecois
title: L’animateur Alex Boissonneault sera candidat pour le Parti québécois dans Arthabaska
link: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164494/alex-boissonneault-candidat-parti-quebecois
hash: 8��7 �R=�b�6
content:
<p>L'annonce officielle aura lieu mercredi dans la circonscription, où se tiendra bientôt une élection partielle.</p>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://images.radio-canada.ca/q_auto,w_635,h_357/v1/ici-info/16x9/alex-boissonneault-animation-premiere-heure.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","length":0}]}


guid: https://www.mondialisation.ca/?p=5698547
title: Infolettre- Victoire sur le Nazifascisme : la véritable histoire
author: ;Mondialisation.ca
link: https://www.mondialisation.ca/infolettre-victoire-sur-le-nazifascisme-la-veritable-histoire/5698547
hash: �Jd����fqD�9�5
tags: #Francais @fr
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<h2><strong>Sélection d’articles :</strong></h2>
<div data-sanitized-class="alignleft"><a href="https://www.mondialisation.ca/80eme-anniversaire-de-la-victoire-sur-le-nazifascisme-la-veritable-histoire/5698518"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mondialisation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Capture-decran-le-2025-05-09-a-22.40.35-51x46.png" alt="" width="51" height="46" data-sanitized-class="attachment-featured_thumbnail size-featured_thumbnail wp-post-image alignleft"></a></div>
<p><strong data-sanitized-class="title"><a href="https://www.mondialisation.ca/80eme-anniversaire-de-la-victoire-sur-le-nazifascisme-la-veritable-histoire/5698518">80ème anniversaire de la Victoire sur le Nazifascisme : la véritable histoire</a></strong></p>
<p><em data-sanitized-class="date">Par <span data-sanitized-class="author"><a title="Articles par Manlio Dinucci" href="https://www.mondialisation.ca/author/manlio-dinucci">Manlio Dinucci</a></span>, 10 mai 2025</em></p>
<p>Tout de suite après être devenu Chancelier en mars 1933, Adolf Hitler envoie à Washington le président de …</p>


guid: 1029732 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: The Decivilizing Of America
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/decivilizing-america
hash: =ɍ E�_G�5t���U�
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">The Decivilizing Of America</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://amgreatness.com/2025/05/12/332875/"><em>Authored by Victor Davis Hanson via American Greatness,</em></a></p>

<p><strong>Secure borders and stationary populations were considered the mark of emerging civilization by classical historians.</strong> In contrast to nomadism and constant strife over disputed territory, peoples who had clearly defined and protected borders ascended to statehood, maintained a distinct culture, and achieved greater prosperity and security.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/2025-05-12_09-35-08.jpg?itok=fKF94gpa" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/2025-05-12_09-35-08.jpg?itok=fKF94gpa"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4384d36f-607b-4a1c-90e4-c9e4669ebf44" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="288" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/2025-05-12_09-35-08.jpg?itok=fKF94gpa" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><strong>In contrast, what we suffered from 2021 to 2025 was unprecedented.</strong></p>

<p>It was an intentional administration effort to de-civilize the nation by destroying its borders—as if to return to the premodern era, when there were no clearly defined or secure borders, and nomadic peoples migrated as they pleased.</p>

<p><strong>Stranger still, illegal aliens were at times given precedence over citizens—as immigration law was simply discarded.</strong></p>

<p>Without IDs, illegal aliens boarded U.S. flights, while the government ordered citizens to obtain more secure “real” IDs.</p>

<p><strong>Some 8,500 veteran soldiers were drummed out of the military for refusing the experimental mRNA vaccinations. </strong>Yet 10 million simply walked across the southern border into America, without a care from the Biden administration whether they were vaccinated, ill, or had criminal records.</p>

<p>Any American citizen pulled over for speeding with an invalid driver’s license, while trafficking eight illegal aliens without identification, would be jailed and charged with felony counts. Not Abrego Garcia—the violent spousal abuser, M-13 gang-member, and previously deported illegal alien. He was neither arrested nor even cited by the officers who pulled him over.</p>

<p>One of the great hallmarks of Roman civilization and subsequent Western civilization was its ability to create large cities by importing clean water, removing waste through sewers, and collecting garbage from the streets. Even in the age before microbiology, ancient and premodern city planners knew the connection between cleanliness and epidemics and how to lessen disease through sanitation.</p>

<p><strong>But in the last two decades, our major cities have been de-civilizing. </strong>Citizens are told not to flush non-biodegradable plastics down their toilets, both to preserve the environment and to ensure municipal septic systems work properly. They are reminded to pick up their pets’ excrement on sidewalks and in parks. For purposes of collective health, they are taught not to urinate, spit, or defecate in public areas.</p>

<p>Is all that for naught? After all, our mayors and city councils in our biggest and most iconic cities simply destroyed centuries of such health protocols and allowed tens of thousands of homeless people with impunity to inject, urinate, defecate, and fornicate in or on storefronts, streets, gutters, parks, and sidewalks. The stench, flotsam, and jetsam have utterly transformed American inner cities. Central Seattle, Los Angeles, parts of San Francisco, Portland, and Washington, DC, now resemble medieval London or Paris—as if a millennium-long knowledge of basic public health was simply ignored or mocked. In truth, the centers of America’s big cities are spaces where public health protocols are no longer enforced, where all the ancient and hard-won rules of civilization no longer apply. It would likely be safer to walk through Dickensian London of 1850 than to take a nocturnal ride on the New York subway.</p>

<p><strong>Another hallmark of Western civilization was the creation of a judiciary that gave the state the power to enforce laws, ensure justice, and deter criminals by swift punishment, unaffected by ideology, bias, bribes, and personal vendettas.</strong> </p>

<p>From the law codes of Justinian to the American Constitution, ascendant civilizations rose with a codified legal system applied uniformly, disinterestedly, and fairly.</p>

<p><strong>Not any longer.</strong> Ideology has turned the American legal system into a commissariat of sorts in which relativism is now the norm. Vandalize a Tesla in a blue state and, like the South of old, the laws will be lightly if even enforced and applied selectively. No one seriously believes that Alvin Bragg, Letitia James, Jack Smith, and Fani Willis were interested in real crimes rather than concocting them to destroy a presidential candidate and thus warp the political system. In contemporary America, it was far more likely to suffer a jail sentence for walking peaceably but unlawfully in the Capitol than for torching a federal courthouse, historic church, or police precinct in the summer of 2020.</p>

<p><strong>From the ancient world to the medieval city to the modern era, universities were catalysts for the advance of science, medicine, law, politics, and the humanities. </strong></p>

<p>Their civilizing missions were predicated on two unquestioned assumptions. One, unlike prior superstitions, inductive reason would guide intellectual inquiry; examining all evidence would lead to general conclusions rather than cherry-picking data to “prove” predetermined dogmas.</p>

<p><strong>Today, DEI, the Green New Deal, and the “critical theories”—legal, race, and monetary—in the university start with deductive reasoning and then warp evidence to support such faith-based dogmas. </strong></p>

<p>If any of the current violent pro-Hamas and anti-Semitic campus protests were instead directed at reducing abortion, ensuring that biological men do not compete in women’s sports, or banning racial preferences, the protestors would have long ago been arrested, expelled, or deported.</p>

<p><strong>Tribalism was a premodern obstacle to civilization.</strong> It remains so in many parts of the Middle East, where it is routine to hire, promote, retain, and reward on the basis of kinship and bloodlines. In America, we were supposed to have a singular meritocracy, civilization’s effort to ensure that those with the most expertise and experience were charged with the most important tasks and responsibilities to ensure the safety and welfare of the majority. Race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation were neither rewarded nor punished.</p>

<p>Instead, we here, too, returned to premodern tribalism and race quotas, regressing to precivilization ideas that we owe our allegiance first to those who share a superficial appearance rather than to the body politic at large.</p>

<p><strong>Finally, civilizations were often judged by their physical infrastructures</strong>—whether iconic, like the Parthenon, the Pantheon, medieval cathedrals, or modern towering skyscrapers, or practical by their roads, aqueducts, government buildings, and water and sewage systems.</p>

<p><strong>But by that standard, too, we are decivilizing.</strong> Future generations will be amazed at California’s decaying high-speed rail to nowhere. Tens of billions of dollars and over a decade after the start of construction, there is still not a single foot of track laid, but instead only half-finished massive concrete overpasses that now resemble half-destroyed Mycenean palace walls. The nearly one-billion-dollar, half-finished, five-year-old Obama library resembles an oversized Stonehenge monolith.</p>

<p>In California, we do not just blow up dams, the brilliant work of a now-forgotten earlier generation. Instead, we use public bond funds, voted by the citizens to build new dams and reservoirs, to destroy them.</p>

<p>The more California requires lumber for new homes, fuel for its 31 million vehicles, and energy for its 15 million homes, the more the governor and legislature decivilize the state by shutting down timber companies, forcing oil refineries to flee the state, and closing nuclear power plants and fossil fuel generation, while witnessing replacement, new-age battery-power generation plants blow up into flames.</p>

<p>When preventable fires consume whole neighborhoods of Los Angeles, a paralytic government has no clue how to rebuild the work of past generations. The city government of Los Angeles proved uncannily efficient in ensuring such conflagration—canceling preventive brush clearing, the mayor junketing in Africa during fire season, reservoirs left empty, hydrants that did not work—but cannot rebuild, only destroy.</p>

<h2>Why is America decivilizing?</h2>

<p>In part, our mediocre schools have not produced competent stewards to maintain and expand the sophisticated infrastructure and ethos of a prior, far more capable generation.</p>

<p>In part, the sheer richness of our inheritance lulled our Lotus-Eater generations to consume what they inherited rather than reinvest it, given that since birth they had been insulated from the elemental and unchanging human and natural challenges to civilization.</p>

<p><strong>And in part, a nihilism arose that despised the hard work of civilization and instead romanticized the wild—clueless that natural man, without the bridles of civilization, is a very dangerous beast, as we so often and lamentably see today.</strong></p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T18:25:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 14:25</span>


guid: yt:video:h5d5H92c4Mk
title: WinFS: Windows Future Storage - Canceled! What You Need to Know from a Retired Microsoft Engineer
author: ;Dave's Garage
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5d5H92c4Mk
hash: �ax7��� ��X�jP T
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/h5d5H92c4Mk?version=3","title":"WinFS: Windows Future Storage - Canceled!  What You Need to Know from a Retired Microsoft Engineer","description":"Dave explains the Windows WinFS (Future Storage) project and why it was canceled.  Topics include:\n- What was WinFS?\n- Why WinFS was created\n- File system vs database\n- WinFS schemas and metadata\n- Organizing files with relationships\n- Search capabilities beyond filenames\n- Tech behind WinFS (NTFS + SQL Server)\n- Hardware limitations\n- Integration into Windows Longhorn\n- Why WinFS was dropped from Vista\n- Beta testing and developer feedback\n- Influence on Windows Search &amp; Cortana\n- Legacy and lessons of WinFS\n- How AI might finally realize WinFS’s dream","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/h5d5H92c4Mk/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: yt:video:DwsLzko-YnA
title: Le PM du Québec François Legault tient un point de presse à Nicolet – 12 mai 2025
author: ;cpac
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwsLzko-YnA
hash: ������L�Rn�S7+
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/DwsLzko-YnA?version=3","title":"Le PM du Québec François Legault tient un point de presse à Nicolet – 12 mai 2025","description":"Présent à une remise de prix à l’École nationale de police du Québec, située à Nicolet (Qué.), le premier ministre du Québec, François Legault, tient un point de presse et répond aux questions des journalistes. Il affirme s’en remettre à l’enquête en cours à propos des nouveaux déboires du système informatique de la SAAQ, et déclare ne pas savoir quand exactement il déclenchera des élections partielles dans Arthatbasca. Il exprime de nouveau ses attentes face à la nomination du nouveau cabinet de Mark Carney et soutient qu’il a déjà fait part de ses demandes au premier ministre du Canada, l’économie étant la principale. Il répond ensuite aux questions portant sur l’entreprise Lion Électrique et les moyens de pression des médecins avec lesquels il souhaite obtenir une entente négociée. Il termine le point de presse en réaffirmant qu’il entend obtenir un 3e mandat des Québécois.","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/DwsLzko-YnA/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: 1029759 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Trump Rallies GOP To Back 'Big, Beautiful Bill' As House Releases 389-Page Text
author: ;Tyler Durden
hash: 2��f���'! H 5��
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Trump Rallies GOP To Back 'Big, Beautiful Bill' As House Releases 389-Page Text</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>President Donald Trump on Monday called on congressional Republicans to unify behind what he hailed as his "ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL," a sweeping legislative package that merges tax cuts, immigration reforms, and a raft of domestic priorities into a single reconciliation measure.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/250424-donald-trump-mike-johnson-se-1114a-95a46d_jpg_92.jpg?itok=7r_2bgXc" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/250424-donald-trump-mike-johnson-se-1114a-95a46d_jpg_92.jpg?itok=7r_2bgXc"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c9d8cefc-3671-4c14-8ecd-6e785925c102" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="333" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/250424-donald-trump-mike-johnson-se-1114a-95a46d_jpg_92.jpg?itok=7r_2bgXc" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>"<strong>This week the Republicans are meeting in the Tax, Energy, and Agriculture Committees on major pieces of 'THE ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL</strong>,'" Mr. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, urging lawmakers to stand behind House committee chairs Jason Smith of Ways and Means, Brett Guthrie of Energy and Commerce, and Glenn "GT" Thompson of Agriculture. "We must WIN! But now, with the tremendous Drug and Pharmaceutical Cuts, plus massive incoming Tariff Money, our 'GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL' just got much BIGGER and BETTER. The Golden Age of America will soon be upon us."</p>

<p><strong>The comments</strong>, made just before Mr. Trump’s planned trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, <strong>came as his administration unveiled an executive action to lower pharmaceutical drug prices by up to 90% under a new "Most Favored Nations" pricing policy.</strong> He also lashed out at Democrats, accusing them of trying to "DESTROY our Country" by offering amendments to the bill prior to his press conference.</p>

<p>"When I return from the Middle East, where great things will happen for America, we will work together on any and all outstanding issues," Mr. Trump added. "But there shouldn’t be many — The Bill is GREAT."</p>

<p>Despite the urgency in his messaging, progress on Capitol Hill has been slow. Lawmakers have sent just five bills to Mr. Trump’s desk this Congress. Still, Speaker Mike Johnson is aiming to change that, setting a Memorial Day deadline to pass the reconciliation package through the House. GOP leadership hopes to finalize the bill by July 4 — a timeline that coincides with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s request for a debt-limit increase included in the package.</p>

<h2>GOP Draft Released</h2>

<p><strong>On Monday, the house GOP released a draft of the bill </strong>(full text below)-<strong> </strong>which confirms several core policy pillars previously <strong>signaled by leadership. Among the most consequential is a 5% remittance tax on international money transfers, designed to fund border security</strong>, which includes a new refundable credit for verified U.S. senders and strict compliance rules.</p>

<p>In a significant rollback of Biden-era environmental policy,<strong> the bill would terminate or phase out numerous clean energy tax credits</strong>, including for residential solar, new energy-efficient homes, and hydrogen production, with sharp limits on components sourced from "prohibited foreign entities"—primarily targeting Chinese supply chains.</p>

<p>The legislation also introduces <strong>a new federal income tax deduction for qualified tips and overtime compensation through 2028,</strong> aimed at working-class earners. However, these benefits explicitly exclude high earners, service-sector owners, and nontraditional tipping industries, and require both the employee and spouse to have Social Security numbers to qualify—adding a compliance hurdle that could reignite partisan fights over ID requirements.</p>

<p>Beyond those provisions,<strong> the bill extends provisions from the 2017 Trump tax law, including the higher estate and gift tax exemptions and the limitation on the deduction of state and local taxes (SALT), with a modified $30,000 cap for individuals </strong>that phases down for high earners. This could fuel renewed conflict with blue-state Republicans still pushing for full repeal.</p>

<p>The bill further includes a new cap on the tax benefit of itemized deductions, revives limitations on casualty loss and moving expense deductions, and eliminates miscellaneous itemized deductions altogether—provisions likely to draw sharp resistance from Democrats, particularly those representing high-cost-of-living states.</p>

<p><strong>Other notable points:</strong></p>

<ul><li>A tax break on overtime through 2028</li>
	<li><strong>Raises the debt limit by $4 trillion</strong></li>
	<li>Creates tax-exempt "MAGA" savings accounts for kids</li>
	<li><strong>Does <em>not</em> include the new millionaire tax bracket</strong></li>
	<li>Limits, or terminates, the tax benefit of itemized deductions</li>
	<li>Requires a certificate to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and imposes penalties for fraudulent misstatements</li>
	<li><strong>Terminates the IRS's direct file program</strong></li>
	<li>Terminates tax-exempt status for any organization that supports terrorist organizations</li>
	<li>Increases penalties for unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information to $250,000 or 10 years imprisonment</li>
	<li>Permanently extends the expanded child tax credit and requires <strong>social security numbers to claim it.</strong></li>
	<li><strong>Permanently increases the qualified business income deduction </strong>from 20% to 23%.</li>
	<li>Permanently limits the deduction of gambling losses to the extent of winnings</li>
</ul><h2>Key Committees Begin Markups Amid Policy Flashpoints</h2>

<p>Meanwhile,<strong> three powerful House panels - Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Agriculture - are scheduled to mark up their portions of the bill this week. </strong>House Budget is expected to consolidate the legislation ahead of its presentation to the Rules Committee for a floor vote next week, according to <a href="https://punchbowl.news/archive/51225-am/"><em>Punchbowl News</em></a>.</p>

<p><strong>Ways and Means released the initial tax draft Friday, with a more comprehensive version expected later Monday.</strong> The package proposes new taxes on university endowments and a controversial remittance tax on international money transfers, aimed at funding border enforcement. Republicans have opted not to pursue a new tax bracket for the ultra-wealthy despite Trump’s earlier suggestions.</p>

<p>Significant modifications to clean energy credits from the Inflation Reduction Act are also included. The bill proposes repealing electric vehicle tax credits by year’s end, phasing out others over time, and adding sourcing requirements that effectively exclude Chinese components. Transferability of credits would also be curtailed.</p>

<p>*  *  *</p>

<p><em> <a href="https://store.zerohedge.com/iq-astaxanthin-ultimate-antioxidant?utm_source=zerohedge.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=store_promo"><strong>Try IQ Biologix Astaxanthin</strong></a> - a super potent antioxidant (read more <a href="https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/astaxanthin-ultimate-anti-inflammatory-and-anti-aging-nutrient">here</a>).</em></p>
<a data-image-external-href="https://store.zerohedge.com/iq-astaxanthin-ultimate-antioxidant?utm_source=zerohedge.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=store_promo" data-image-href="https://store.zerohedge.com/iq-astaxanthin-ultimate-antioxidant?utm_source=zerohedge.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=store_promo" data-link-option="2" href="https://store.zerohedge.com/iq-astaxanthin-ultimate-antioxidant?utm_source=zerohedge.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=store_promo"><picture><figure role="group" data-sanitized-class="caption caption-img inline-images image-style-inline-images"><img alt="" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1fef6523-c0c3-46c3-be42-9c197881e83a" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="261" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/astaxanthin%20slide.png?itok=7YPQXBxd" typeof="foaf:Image" width="500"><figcaption><em>Satisfaction guaranteed. Simply ask for a refund...</em></figcaption></figure></picture></a>

<h2>Health Care Cuts and AI Preemption Spark Backlash</h2>

<p>The Energy and Commerce Committee released its bill late Sunday, drawing ire from both the right and the center. <strong>The lack of changes to Medicaid’s FMAP formula and the absence of per capita caps angered conservatives, while moderates remained cautious.</strong></p>

<p>A Congressional Budget Office analysis released by Democrats estimated that the bill’s health provisions would reduce federal spending by $715 billion over a decade but leave 13.7 million more Americans uninsured. Representative Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) called the proposal "catastrophic."</p>

<p>The bill also proposes <strong>a 10-year moratorium on most state-level regulations targeting artificial intelligence, a potential boon for tech companies </strong>but a likely flashpoint under the Senate’s Byrd Rule. Additionally, the bill tasks the Commerce Department and FCC with identifying 600 MHz of spectrum for auction while shielding certain defense-related frequencies from commercial use.</p>

<h2>SALT Showdown Threatens GOP Unity</h2>

<p>Speaker Johnson faces a crucial test Monday morning as he meets with blue-state Republicans and the Ways and Means Committee over the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap. <strong>Lawmakers including Representatives Elise Stefanik, Mike Lawler, Nick LaLota, Andrew Garbarino, and Young Kim have rejected a proposed $30,000 cap, citing political peril in their districts - which is in the draft released today. </strong></p>

<p>Ms. Stefanik, who opposed the 2017 tax law over the SALT cap, has a fraught relationship with Johnson. Mr. Lawler is reportedly weighing a gubernatorial bid and represents a swing district. Mr. Garbarino has warned publicly that a weak SALT deal could cost him reelection. Mr. LaLota has been under pressure over Medicaid cuts, while Ms. Kim has staked her brand on delivering relief for California homeowners.</p>

<p><strong>If no action is taken, the existing SALT cap will expire in January, potentially increasing pressure on lawmakers - and giving holdouts leverage.</strong></p>

<p>Some Republican leaders believe the SALT debate could derail the entire reconciliation effort unless Johnson can peel off enough support from within the dissenting group.</p>

<h2>SNAP Overhaul in the Agriculture Bill</h2>

<p>Tuesday evening, the Agriculture Committee is set to mark up its section of the bill, <strong>including proposed cost-shifting of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to states.</strong> The package also incorporates key provisions of the bipartisan farm bill, repackaged to meet reconciliation rules. Moderates such as Representative Don Bacon (R-Neb.) have signaled support after early hesitation.</p>

<p>House Republicans are wagering heavily on the success of this legislative push, <strong>seeking to widen and extend provisions from Mr. Trump’s 2017 tax law while slashing major components of the social safety net</strong>. With only eight legislative days left before the recess and no guarantee the Senate will follow suit, GOP leaders face a politically fraught balancing act.</p>

<p><iframe data-aspect-ratio="0.75" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/860741541/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=scroll&amp;access_key=key-3z4kMYTcT5kUodD0x3PX" title="SMITMO_017_xml" width="100%" data-sanitized-id="doc_27220" data-sanitized-class="scribd_iframe_embed" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin"></iframe></p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T21:44:29+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 17:44</span>

link:
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/trump-rallies-gop-back-big-beautiful-bill-house-races-toward-memorial-day-deadline


guid: 1029700 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: US Crypto Funds Smash Old Record Amid 4-Week Inflow Streak
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/crypto/us-crypto-funds-smash-old-record-amid-4-week-inflow-streak
hash: f�6�B�< Ե�!(�
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">US Crypto Funds Smash Old Record Amid 4-Week Inflow Streak</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/us-crypto-etfs-smash-new-record-amid-4-week-inflow-streak"><em>Authored by Helen Partz via CoinTelegraph.com,</em></a></p>

<p><strong>Cryptocurrency investment products continued receiving healthy inflows last week, attracting $882 million as global crypto funds approached all-time high asset levels.</strong></p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/0196c3c6-4d33-771f-a5b9-8fd42f7f.jpg?itok=YWA0sxEY" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/0196c3c6-4d33-771f-a5b9-8fd42f7f.jpg?itok=YWA0sxEY"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="30b4960b-7c9d-4cae-afb1-922280b6f049" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="333" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/0196c3c6-4d33-771f-a5b9-8fd42f7f.jpg?itok=YWA0sxEY" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>Global crypto <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/learn/articles/etp-vs-etf">exchange-traded products (ETPs</a>) recorded $6.3 billion of inflows in the past four weeks, accounting for <strong>93% of total inflows year-to-date </strong>(YTD), according to data from European crypto investment firm CoinShares.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/bfm4284_1.jpg?itok=l5secpI2" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/bfm4284_1.jpg?itok=l5secpI2"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7102d66-d9c7-4c28-bb87-3eddf5c7841e" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="288" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/bfm4284_1.jpg?itok=l5secpI2" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><strong>Total YTD inflows now stand at $6.7 billion, closing in on the record $7.3 billion posted in early February,</strong> <a href="https://blog.coinshares.com/volume-233-digital-asset-fund-flows-weekly-report-f38946027bd6">according</a> to CoinShares’ head of research James Butterfill.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/0196c3ff-59ef-7053-90bc-f80ccacc.jpg?itok=_OebkBqd" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/0196c3ff-59ef-7053-90bc-f80ccacc.jpg?itok=_OebkBqd"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed54101-3e07-42b1-a663-88ae4c1f17b2" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="401" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/0196c3ff-59ef-7053-90bc-f80ccacc.jpg?itok=_OebkBqd" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><em>Weekly crypto ETP inflows since late 2024. Source: CoinShares</em></p>

<p>Amid strong investor demand, crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States reached a record $62.9 billion in cumulative net inflows since launch in January 2024, surpassing the previous high of $61.6 billion set in February, Butterfill noted in a May 12 fund flows update.</p>

<h2>Total AUM nears historic record of $173 billion</h2>

<p>The continued inflow streak has brought total assets under management (AUM) in global crypto funds to $169 billion, just 2.5% below the <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/trump-executive-order-boosts-1-9b-crypto-etp-inflows">historic record of $173.3 billion</a> seen in the last week of January, according to CoinShares data.</p>

<p>However, the latest $882 million of inflows were a notable cooldown from <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-funds-add-2b-in-weekly-inflows-reaching-5-5b-in-three-weeks">$2 billion seen in the first week of May</a> and <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-etp-3-4-billion-inflows-weakening-dollar">$3.4 billion posted in the last week</a> of April.</p>

<p>Bitcoin dominated with $867 million in inflows in the past week, with YTD inflows reaching $6.6 billion and AUM rising to $146 billion.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/0196c3ff-5d51-7668-9fee-b43f9dab.jpg?itok=v_34clql" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/0196c3ff-5d51-7668-9fee-b43f9dab.jpg?itok=v_34clql"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="160f7f49-0e88-4f0d-a4a0-05b04c57c969" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="293" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/0196c3ff-5d51-7668-9fee-b43f9dab.jpg?itok=v_34clql" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><em>Crypto ETP flows by asset as of May 10, 2025 (in millions of US dollars). Source: CoinShares</em></p>

<p><strong>Inflows to Ether investment products were less significant, posting $1.5 million inflows, with AUM edging up to $12 billion.</strong></p>

<p>Sui was the biggest winner <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/learn/articles/what-is-an-altcoin-a-beginners-guide-to-cryptocurrencies-beyond-bitcoin">among altcoins</a>, with Sui ETPs seeing $11.7 million of inflows last week.</p>

<p>Solana was the only altcoin to see outflows last week, totaling $3.4 million and dragging month-to-date outflows to $2.9 million.</p>

<p> </p>

<h2>BlackRock’s iShares outstrip total inflows</h2>

<p>According to CoinShares, crypto fund inflows were again highly concentrated in BlackRock’s iShares products, which saw $1 billion of inflows last week.</p>

<p>Year-to-date, BlackRock has attracted $8.1 billion in inflows, significantly exceeding the industry’s total of $6.7 billion.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/bfmD5A9.jpg?itok=FCaLGe6g" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/bfmD5A9.jpg?itok=FCaLGe6g"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1db3d582-399f-4d95-b7c7-12fb8dbe991a" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="288" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/bfmD5A9.jpg?itok=FCaLGe6g" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>Grayscale and Bitwise continued to see outflows, losing $168 million and $27 million respectively during the past week. Fidelity and ARK reversed previous negative trends, reporting inflows of $62 million and $46 million, respectively.</p>

<p><em>Crypto ETP flows by issuer as of May 10, 2025 (in millions of US dollars). Source: CoinShares</em></p>

<h2>Bullish trend driven by rise in money supply, macro factors</h2>

<p>The ongoing bullish trend in the crypto ETP industry came amid a rally in the cryptocurrency markets, with <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-hits-100k-first-time-since-january">Bitcoin reclaiming $100,000</a> for the first time since January on May 8.</p>

<p>Amid the growing investor sentiment, the total crypto market capitalization surged to nearly $3.5 trillion, down 11% from the historic high of $3.9 trillion posted in mid-December 2024, <a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/global-charts">according</a> to data from CoinGecko.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/bfm7642.jpg?itok=6ediVhUi" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/bfm7642.jpg?itok=6ediVhUi"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="232c4f76-c1b0-450e-ae0e-70bfbc7c4eea" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="287" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/bfm7642.jpg?itok=6ediVhUi" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><strong>“We believe the sharp increase in both prices and inflows is driven by a combination of factors: a global rise in M2 money supply, stagflationary risks in the US and several US states approving Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset,”</strong> CoinShares’ Butterfill wrote.</p>

<p>Bitcoin traded at $104,407 at the time of publication, slightly down from a historic high above $106,000 posted on Dec. 17, 2024.</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T19:20:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 15:20</span>


guid: 1029744 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: First Group Of White South Africans Depart For US Under Trump Admin's Refugee Plan
author: ;Tyler Durden
hash: }��9Z������ �
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">First Group Of White South Africans Depart For US Under Trump Admin's Refugee Plan</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Dozens of white South Africans departed their country for the United States on May 11 after being granted refugee status under the Trump administration’s new admission program.</strong></p>

<blockquote data-sanitized-class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">BREAKING: First white South African refugees fleeing persecution arrive in the U.S.<br><br>
What do you notice? <a href="https://t.co/n0OChhe8Vj">pic.twitter.com/n0OChhe8Vj</a></p>
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) <a href="https://twitter.com/TaraBull808/status/1922002394482679811?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>About 49 Afrikaners - a white ethnic minority in South Africa - boarded a chartered flight bound for the District of Columbia, which will then fly to Texas, South African Transport Department spokesperson Collen Msibi said.</p>

<p><em><strong>“One of the conditions of the permit was to ensure that they were vetted in case one of them has a criminal issue pending,” </strong></em>Msibi was quoted as saying by Reuters.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/image%20-%202025-05-12T101454.640.jpg?itok=s8EfA4zX" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/image%20-%202025-05-12T101454.640.jpg?itok=s8EfA4zX"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cfd3f191-6ee6-46ce-be7b-fcd2e22ad969" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="333" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/image%20-%202025-05-12T101454.640.jpg?itok=s8EfA4zX" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/first-group-of-white-south-africans-depart-for-us-under-trump-admins-refugee-plan-5856247?utm_source=partner&amp;utm_campaign=ZeroHedge"><em>Aldgra Fredly reports via The Epoch Times,</em></a><em> that t</em>his marked the first group of Afrikaners relocated to the United States under a refugee admissions program initiated under President Donald Trump’s Feb. 7 executive <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/addressing-egregious-actions-of-the-republic-of-south-africa/">order</a> that allows the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees <strong>“escaping government-sponsored race-based discrimination.”</strong></p>

<blockquote data-sanitized-class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">President Trump on giving refugee status to South Africans: "It's a genocide. White Farmers are being brutally killed and their land is being confiscated. And the media doesn't even talk about it. If it were the other way around, that would be the only story they talk about." <a href="https://t.co/YMP2QhYgzt">pic.twitter.com/YMP2QhYgzt</a></p>
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) <a href="https://twitter.com/theblaze/status/1921942595325895138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>That executive order was issued after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/trump-to-suspend-funding-to-south-africa-over-land-expropriation-5803176">signed</a> the Expropriation Act into law in January, allowing the expropriation or redistribution of certain unused land. The law aims to address racial disparities in land ownership that stemmed from South Africa’s former apartheid system.</p>

<p><strong>The nation’s government noted that special conditions must be met before expropriating land, including that it has had longtime informal occupants, is unused and owned purely for speculation, or was left abandoned.</strong></p>

<p>In his executive order, Trump stated that Ramaphosa’s government has imposed countless policies “designed to dismantle equal opportunity in employment, education, and business, and hateful rhetoric and government actions fueling disproportionate violence against racially disfavored landowners.”</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="https://store.zerohedge.com/rancher-direct-clean-food/" data-image-href="https://store.zerohedge.com/rancher-direct-clean-food/" data-link-option="2" href="https://store.zerohedge.com/rancher-direct-clean-food/"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eb3b2da7-9f3b-42df-8422-e6aca1409c37" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="129" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/beef%20initiative_4.JPG?itok=cKFfHIwQ" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>South Africa’s government has rejected the claims and called Washington’s move to resettle South Africans as refugees “entirely politically motivated.”</p>

<blockquote>
<p><em><strong>“We reiterate that allegations of discrimination are unfounded,” </strong></em>it <a href="https://dirco.gov.za/government-of-south-africa-engages-united-states-on-resettlement-concerns/">stated</a>. </p>

<p><em>“Moreover, even if there are allegations of discrimination, it is our view that these do not meet the threshold of persecution required under domestic and international refugee law.”</em></p>
</blockquote>

<p>However, the South African government said that it will not block departures of citizens who seek to leave the country, provided they comply with domestic laws.</p>

<p>Speaking to reporters on May 9, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1920921120007487558">said</a> the current situation facing Afrikaners in South Africa amounts to “race-based persecution.”</p>

<p><em><strong>“What was happening in South Africa fits the textbook definition of why the refugee program was created,” </strong></em>Miller said. </p>

<p><em><strong>“This is persecution based on a protected characteristic. In this case, race.”</strong></em></p>

<p>Trump <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/trump-signs-executive-order-freezing-aid-to-south-africa-5806336">announced</a> in March that the United States would cut all federal funding to South Africa over its expropriation laws and pledged to resettle white South African farmers affected by the law.</p>

<p>The White House <a href="https://za.usembassy.gov/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-addresses-human-rights-violations-in-south-africa/">stated</a> in a summary of Trump’s executive order on Feb. 10 that the United States will stop aid and assistance if South Africa “continues to support bad actors on the world stage and allows violent attacks on innocent disfavored minority farmers.”</p>

<p>The Epoch Times has reached out to the State Department for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T19:40:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 15:40</span>

link:
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/first-group-white-south-africans-depart-us-under-trump-admins-refugee-plan


guid: yt:video:7-5Iw-AuLpI
title: B.C. Premier David Eby announces plan to bring in more U.S. nurses – May 12, 2025
author: ;cpac
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-5Iw-AuLpI
hash: ��C�P��������
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/7-5Iw-AuLpI?version=3","title":"B.C. Premier David Eby announces plan to bring in more U.S. nurses – May 12, 2025","description":"British Columbia Premier David Eby unveils a plan to streamline the credential recognition for U.S. nurses to allow them to be able to work in the province more quickly. He is joined at the news conference in Victoria by provincial Health Minister Josie Osborne.","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i4.ytimg.com/vi/7-5Iw-AuLpI/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: 1029748 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: MAHA: Fighting The Biomedical War On The American Public
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/maha-fighting-biomedical-war-american-public
hash: �3S�� �i�k%Qu^:
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">MAHA: Fighting The Biomedical War On The American Public</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://www.kunstler.com/p/maha-hugger-mugger"><em>Authored by James Howard Kunstler,</em></a></p>

<h2><strong>MAHA Hugger Mugger</strong></h2>

<blockquote>
<p><em><strong>"Those who perpetrated the greatest ruse in American presidential history by staging the Biden presidency will never tell us what their ultimate agenda was</strong></em></p>

<p><em>- Victor Davis Hanson</em></p>
</blockquote>

<p><strong>One baseline truth in current American life is that our bodily well-being gets worse as the so-called health care industry gets ever-larger — it is now 17.6-percent of the economy (GDP). </strong>This is clearly the basis of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) campaign that attached itself to the Trump 2.0 program. </p>

<p><strong>You hear almost no arguments against MAHA itself, even from the Party of Hustles and Hoaxes, </strong>but plenty of calumny and objurgation against MAHA’s chief advocate, Robert Kennedy, Jr.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/p-1-91229673-What-is-MAHA-RFK-Jr.jpg?itok=0jSPigSj" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/p-1-91229673-What-is-MAHA-RFK-Jr.jpg?itok=0jSPigSj"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c99b399e-1899-4a0b-b95d-23efe6a2a69e" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="281" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/p-1-91229673-What-is-MAHA-RFK-Jr.jpg?itok=0jSPigSj" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>Mr. Trump’s initial nominee for Surgeon General, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat was pulled last week just before her scheduled Senate confirmation hearing. <strong>Her credentials looked a bit sketchy</strong> — med school on the tiny Caribbean island of St. Maarten (say, what. . . ?) and other irregularities — which she confabulated about anyway. </p>

<p><strong>Plus, she was a Covid vaccine cheerleader</strong> and an avid advocate of the censorship campaign to slam down debate over it.</p>

<p>Which leads directly to a glaring quandary in President Trump’s current order-of-business: <em><strong>he has avoided engagement with the whole Covid fiasco that unspooled in the last year of his first term</strong></em>. </p>

<p>Now, it is the opinion of this blog that Mr. Trump was played on Covid by blob-marshaled “experts” Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx, who led the White House Covid “team,” and then snookered the president into Operation Warp Speed, appealing to his vanity to play the superhero. You can also surmise that the Covid operation was hatched to run Mr. Trump out of office by enabling epic election fraud, making a chump of him.</p>

<p><strong>Other aspects of the Covid hairball are now finally getting unraveled, such as the lab origin issue and Dr. Fauci’s nefarious and vast operations to fund bioweapons.</strong> But the awful subject of the Covid mRNA vaccines, and all the monkey business around their development and deployment, remains taboo, even as Trump 2.0 sets records in smashing bureaucratic idols and radically shifting all sorts of policy — for instance, today’s monumental move to lower drug costs by 30 to 80 percent, using the Most Favored Nation trade policy device, which ties U.S. drug prices to the lowest prices paid by other high-income countries (e.g., Canada, Japan, or European nations) for the same medications.</p>

<p>But the Covid vaccine shots loom over the land like an ominous miasma that no one wants to talk about. <strong>The evidence has mounted steadily that the shots were ineffective and deeply harmful to many of the people who took them, especially those who got multiple boosters.</strong> The result, apparently, is a shocking rise in rare and aggressive cancers, immune system dysfunction, damage to the heart and blood vessels, neurological disorders, and much more. The CDC under “Joe Biden” worked desperately to hide all that, but it came out, anyway, because it was too big to hide.</p>

<p><strong>81-percent of the US population submitted to the Covid vaccine shots.</strong> So, you can suppose that all that would be an extremely touchy matter. To admit all that scary information to the public arena would likely set off a politically dangerous fury. You can see why Mr. Trump would avoid going near it in the early going of his second term. But eventually he must come to terms with it.</p>

<p>Likewise, sooner or later, Bobby Kennedy, Jr., will have to take some kind of stand on the Covid vaccines, namely stopping the shots altogether. <strong>Whatever you think of the childhood vaccine schedule — a red-hot issue these days — it seems quite insane that the Covid mRNA vaccine is still included on it.</strong> It is still officially recommended by the CDC. Among the “much more” effects of the shots is damage to human fertility. You must ask: by giving these shots to kids as young as six-months, are we setting up a nation that won’t be able to have children? Pretty spooky.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/httpssubstack-post-media.s3.amaz%20%2851%29_2.jpg?itok=HsGEvu9D" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/httpssubstack-post-media.s3.amaz%20%2851%29_2.jpg?itok=HsGEvu9D"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="12fefe84-034f-4614-bbe3-279d472b3628" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="281" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/httpssubstack-post-media.s3.amaz%20%2851%29_2.jpg?itok=HsGEvu9D" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><em>Casey Means, the new nominee for US Surgeon General</em></p>

<p>So, the new nominee for Surgeon General is one Casey Means of the brother / sister team, Calley and Casey Means, known primarily as food safety advocate sidekicks to Bobby Kennedy. <strong>The Meanses were already under some suspicion for rising too rapidly into prominence from out of nowhere since the summer of 2024 when Mr. Kennedy began to swing over to the Trump campaign.</strong> They were suspected and criticized as the shills for some sort of sinister alliance between Silicon Valley, Big Pharma, and the US intel blob. The Meanses have adroitly avoided taking a position on the Covid vaccines. Hmmmm. . . . That’s the chatter, anyway — whether there’s any truth to it, we will have to stand-by to discover.</p>

<p><strong>You’d have to ask yourself whether Mr. Kennedy would ally himself with people of supposedly sketchy character. Is he being used or played? Or maybe, it’s just not so. </strong>The nomination of Casey Means sent out shock-waves through MAGA and MAHA. Her credentials seemed a little sketchy like Janette Nesheiwat’s before her. Ms. Means dropped out of her five-year medical residency in Oregon a few months before completing it, apparently due to disillusionment with conventional medicine. She does not have an active medical license, supposedly required to serve as Surgeon General.</p>

<p>Instead, she transitioned into what is loosely called <em>functional medicine</em>, which rejects the oppressive “standards of practice” dictated by insurance companies and reliance on pharma products to alleviate symptoms rather than treat the causes of disease. Ms. Means also became a medical entrepreneur, starting Levels, a glucose-monitoring tech company, and is an Instagram “wellness influencer” with 750,000 followers. Given the gross racketeering aspects of conventional medicine and its failure to deal with the shocking rise in chronic disease, you might argue that Ms. Means made the right career moves, weird as they might seem superficially.</p>

<p><strong>It’s pretty much a miracle that RFK, Jr., managed to land safely as Secretary of HHS and that he was able to enlist “medical freedom” advocates Jay Bhattacharya to run the National Institutes for Health and Marty Makary to run the Federal Drug Administration. This represents a stupendous turnaround in government policy.</strong> It’s also plausible that this new public health team has been preoccupied with personnel and administrative re-org in the first months of Trump 2.0. They’ve begun to nibble around the edges of the national health crisis, such as banning toxic food coloring.</p>

<p>They have yet to face the big, nasty legal questions such as revoking Pharma’s liability shield against lawsuits for its defective products, ending TV advertising of Pharma products — which is just an extortion racket for managing cable news content to protect Pharma — fully confronting the autism calamity and its connection to childhood vaccines, and, of course, pulling the Covid shots.</p>

<p><strong>There is also chatter that RFK, Jr., is “managed” by hidden persons or forces.</strong> One not-so-hidden character in that psychodrama is Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA). Sen. Cassidy, a medical doctor, chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee that ran Mr. Kennedy over-the-coals in his confirmation hearing. Political pressure caused Sen. Cassidy to cave and vote “yes” for RFK,Jr., then. Louisiana has since changed its election rules so that Democrats can no longer vote in the GOP primary, and Cassidy is vulnerable. His base is restless. He voted to impeach Mr. Trump in January 2021 over the Capitol J-6 riot.</p>

<p>So, the chatter says that Mr. Kennedy <em>made a deal</em> with Sen. Cassidy to avoid taking certain actions — like, anything that might hurt Pharma and its profit-stream — or else Mr. Kennedy would be dragged back in front of the HELP Committee and raked over the coals again. If that were to happen, I suspect Mr. Kennedy would handle himself very capably in any public hearing. He has always been in command of the facts.</p>

<p><strong>As head of HHS, he has had access to a deep trove of information that he had no access to previously. He must know by now exactly what sort of mischief has been perpetrated in US public health over the decades and will not be shy about disclosing it publicly.</strong> </p>

<p>You should also not be surprised if Mr. Kennedy begins issuing criminal referrals before much longer.</p>

<p><strong>As for Casey Means. . . give her a chance to demonstrate that she is on the right side of MAHA and willing to fight in what has become a biomedical war on the American public.</strong></p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T20:20:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 16:20</span>


guid: yt:video:bMP3TLFxig4
title: Predators on the Human Family
author: ;Middle Nation
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMP3TLFxig4
hash: '��6������ӽ\�
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/bMP3TLFxig4?version=3","title":"Predators on the Human Family","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i3.ytimg.com/vi/bMP3TLFxig4/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164572/feu-winnipeg-transcona
title: Un feu de broussaille provoque des évacuations dans l’est de Winnipeg
link: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164572/feu-winnipeg-transcona
hash: r}���5���w���"
content:
<p>La chaleur extrême et des conditions sèches sont à l'origine de plusieurs incendies dans la province. </p>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://images.radio-canada.ca/q_auto,w_635,h_357/v1/ici-regions/16x9/feu-winnipeg-transcona.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","length":0}]}


guid: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164570/quebec-amputerait-cegeps-150-millions-colere-etudiants
title: Manque à gagner de 150 millions dans les cégeps : les réactions fusent
link: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164570/quebec-amputerait-cegeps-150-millions-colere-etudiants
hash: SZ�sm���ي����Q
content:
<p>La Fédération étudiante collégiale du Québec réclame un réinvestissement immédiat dans le réseau.</p>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://images.radio-canada.ca/q_auto,w_635,h_357/v1/ici-info/16x9/antoine-dervieux-fecq-cegep.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","length":0}]}


guid: 1029726 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: US Cattle Futures Hit New Highs After Mexican Beef Imports Halted To Stop "Pest Invasion"
author: ;Tyler Durden
hash: ( ��rG��[��s��c%
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">US Cattle Futures Hit New Highs After Mexican Beef Imports Halted To Stop "Pest Invasion" </span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Feeder cattle futures in Chicago surged to a record high on Monday after U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced an immediate suspension of live cattle, horse, and bison imports from southern border land ports. The move comes in response to the spread of the flesh-eating New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico—a parasitic threat deemed a national security risk due to its potential to devastate already tight U.S. cattle supplies.</p>

<p>"<strong>Due to the threat of New World Screwworm I am announcing the suspension of live cattle, horse, &amp; bison imports through U.S. southern border ports of entry effective immediately</strong>," Rollins wrote on X. </p>

<p>She warned: "<strong>The last time this devastating pest invaded America, it took 30 years for our cattle industry to recover. This cannot happen again</strong>." </p>

<blockquote data-sanitized-class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">🚨Due to the threat of New World Screwworm I am announcing the suspension of live cattle, horse, &amp; bison imports through U.S. southern border ports of entry effective immediately.<br><br>
The last time this devastating pest invaded America, it took 30 years for our cattle industry to…</p>
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRollins/status/1921637437362811164?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>"<strong>The protection of our animals and safety of our nation's food supply is a national security issue</strong> of the utmost importance. Once we see increased surveillance and eradication efforts, and the positive results of those actions, we remain committed to opening the border for livestock trade. This is not about politics or punishment of Mexico, rather it is about food and animal safety," Rollins wrote in a press release. </p>

<p>She said NWS has been detected in remote farms with minimal cattle movement around Oaxaca and Veracruz—about 700 miles away from the U.S.-Mexico border. </p>

<p>Via <a href="https://x.com/Breeauna9">Breeauna Sagdal</a>, Senior Writer and Research Fellow at The Beef Initiative... </p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/2025-05-12_12-16-28.png?itok=z6OtrxP1" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/2025-05-12_12-16-28.png?itok=z6OtrxP1"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="08e5c75a-71d8-406d-a782-2db1154c2fe2" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="431" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/2025-05-12_12-16-28.png?itok=z6OtrxP1" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>
<p>Import restrictions sent feeder cattle futures to a <strong>record high</strong> of $3.05 per pound in Chicago. Contracts are up more than 15% this year. </p>

<p>"<strong>Futures markets are likely to begin pricing in greater supply risk for later in the year</strong>," analysts from Steiner Consulting Group wrote in a note to clients. </p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/Snag_8720ddfc.png?itok=CU9Kp2Qp" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/Snag_8720ddfc.png?itok=CU9Kp2Qp"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6b2977c6-84ca-44d2-9727-3890cdf6b6d0" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="248" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/Snag_8720ddfc.png?itok=CU9Kp2Qp" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>At the start of the year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) annual Cattle Inventory report revealed that the <strong><a href="https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/us-cattle-herd-set-shrink-1951-lows-beef-crisis-deepens">nation's cattle supply had fallen to a 73-year low</a>, totaling about 86.6 million head</strong>.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/Snag_fa7a352.png?itok=I1pKXxda" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/Snag_fa7a352.png?itok=I1pKXxda"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c56b99a7-74a2-4434-9b96-87d7fbf83b48" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="272" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/Snag_fa7a352.png?itok=I1pKXxda" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><strong>At the supermarket</strong>, USDA data from the end of March showed that the average price for a pound of ground beef reached another record high of $5.79.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/Snag_fa6af8c.png?itok=2IeifO7K" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/Snag_fa6af8c.png?itok=2IeifO7K"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dc9e26ad-24bf-4fb2-8149-ec9827f41567" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="264" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/Snag_fa6af8c.png?itok=2IeifO7K" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>During last week's earnings call, Tyson Foods executive Brady Stewart, who oversees the company's beef and pork supply chains, suggested the U.S. cattle herd may be <a href="https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/tyson-foods-spots-potential-beef-crisis-low-hard-work-begins">nearing a bottom</a>—potentially signaling the start of a rebuilding cycle. However, Tyson has not yet updated its guidance following the import restrictions imposed on Sunday.</p>

<p><strong>Support your local ranchers</strong> and break free from the industrial food complex. Don't be fooled by "Product of USA" labels stamped on imported beef from overseas. It's time to buy American-raised meat and know exactly where your food comes from. <a href="https://store.zerohedge.com/rancher-direct-clean-food/?utm_source=banner&amp;utm_medium=banner&amp;utm_campaign=store_promo&amp;utm_content=sidebar">Learn more here</a>.</p>

<p><strong><em><a href="https://store.zerohedge.com/rosewood-big-bowie/?c_id=34&amp;m=category&amp;c=Anza%20Knives">ON SALE</a>:</em></strong></p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="https://store.zerohedge.com/rosewood-big-bowie/?c_id=34&amp;m=category&amp;c=Anza%20Knives" data-image-href="https://store.zerohedge.com/rosewood-big-bowie/?c_id=34&amp;m=category&amp;c=Anza%20Knives" data-link-option="2" href="https://store.zerohedge.com/rosewood-big-bowie/?c_id=34&amp;m=category&amp;c=Anza%20Knives"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2cc54b6e-9543-45a4-87e0-9bc78776b5ca" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="285" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/big%20bowie1_3.png?itok=Gj8A34a0" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T20:40:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 16:40</span>

link:
https://www.zerohedge.com/food/cattle-futures-hit-new-highs-after-mexican-beef-imports-halted-stop-pest-invasion


guid: 1029751 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Bitcoin Now Deflationary Due To Strategy's BTC Purchases
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/crypto/bitcoin-now-deflationary-due-strategys-btc-purchases
hash: �ND�[H&p{aA�Q_�
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Bitcoin Now Deflationary Due To Strategy's BTC Purchases</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-deflationary-due-strategy-btc-purchases"><em>Authored by Vince Quill via CoinTelegraph.com,</em></a></p>

<p>Strategy, a Bitcoin treasury company, is accumulating Bitcoin at a faster rate than total miner output, giving the supply-capped asset a -2.33% annual deflation rate, according to CryptoQuant CEO and market analyst Ki Young Ju.</p>

<blockquote>
<p><em><strong>“Their 555,000 BTC is illiquid with no plans to sell,”</strong></em> the analyst wrote in a May 10 X <a href="https://x.com/ki_young_ju/status/1921143381440283077">post</a>.</p>

<p><em>“Strategy's holdings alone mean a -2.23% annual deflation rate — likely higher with other stable institutional holders,” Ju continued.</em></p>
</blockquote>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/019537fb-be50-7275-9d25-5a3767b0%20%281%29.jpg?itok=JAT0v_AQ" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/019537fb-be50-7275-9d25-5a3767b0%20%281%29.jpg?itok=JAT0v_AQ"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="edb23432-23d8-4795-8e19-5ccbfc3a06e5" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="333" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/019537fb-be50-7275-9d25-5a3767b0%20%281%29.jpg?itok=JAT0v_AQ" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>Michael Saylor, the co-founder of Strategy, is an outspoken Bitcoin advocate who <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/michael-saylor-bitcoin-better-seen-property-not-currency">evangelizes the scarce digital currency</a> to potential investors and has inspired many other companies to <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/metaplanet-semler-scientific-praise-microstrategy-bitcoin-strategy">adopt a Bitcoin treasury plan</a>.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/0196bb56-a1df-76e1-b43b-41522930.jpg?itok=5weGkPDF" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/0196bb56-a1df-76e1-b43b-41522930.jpg?itok=5weGkPDF"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1ca35b0-b77d-452f-98d6-2d0d8dbc7c84" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="281" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/0196bb56-a1df-76e1-b43b-41522930.jpg?itok=5weGkPDF" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><em>The total BTC supply is shrinking due to Strategy accumulating Bitcoin. Source: </em><a href="https://x.com/ki_young_ju/status/1921143381440283077"><em>Ki Young Ju</em></a></p>

<p>Additionally, Strategy acts as a bridge between Bitcoin and traditional financial (TradFi) markets by funneling funds from TradFi investors into Bitcoin through selling corporate debt and equity, which the company uses to finance more BTC purchases. According to Michael Saylor, over <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/13-000-institutions-exposure-strategy-saylor-hints-btc-buy">13,000 institutions hold Strategy stock directly</a> in their portfolios.</p>

<p>Bitcoin investors continue to watch the company and its effect on Bitcoin market dynamics. Strategy leads the charge toward institutional adoption of Bitcoin, further restricting the supply of available coins and raising BTC prices, while dampening volatility.</p>

<h2>Strategy and corporate institutions change the Bitcoin market dynamic</h2>

<p>Adam Livingston, author of "The Bitcoin Age and The Great Harvest," recently said that <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/strategy-synthetically-halving-bitcoin">Strategy is synthetically halving Bitcoin</a> by outpacing miner supply through high demand.</p>

<p>According to the author, <strong>the current collective daily miner output is approximately 450 BTC, while Strategy accumulates an average of 2,087 BTC per day, over four times the daily miner production.</strong></p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/0196bb57-e1b4-722f-96db-b41a30b0.jpg?itok=H5Qa-gYI" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/0196bb57-e1b4-722f-96db-b41a30b0.jpg?itok=H5Qa-gYI"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a6d83e16-4a58-4687-bca0-c6e442fa8a6e" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="364" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/0196bb57-e1b4-722f-96db-b41a30b0.jpg?itok=H5Qa-gYI" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><em>Miner reserves are dwindling and are in a long-term decline. Source: </em><a href="https://cryptoquant.com/asset/btc/chart/miner-flows/miner-reserve?miner=all_miner&amp;window=DAY&amp;priceScale=log&amp;metricScale=linear&amp;chartStyle=line&amp;sma=0&amp;ema=0"><em>CryptoQuant</em></a></p>

<p>Other institutions, including hedge funds, pension funds, asset managers, and tech companies, <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/institutional-investors-continue-to-scoop-up-bitcoin-above-100-k">continue buying BTC</a> as a portfolio diversifier or a treasury asset to hedge against fiat currency inflation.</p>

<p><strong>ETF inflows have also helped to stabilize Bitcoin's price by <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/blackrock-ibit-bitcoin-etf-inflow-streak-largest-2025">injecting fresh capital</a> from traditional financial markets, smoothing out the volatility of Bitcoin and making downturns less severe.</strong></p>

<p><strong><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/bfm4284_2.jpg?itok=aNZgrjFa" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/bfm4284_2.jpg?itok=aNZgrjFa"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0a29650-f80e-47bc-b7ae-d29a721ad4b0" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="288" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/bfm4284_2.jpg?itok=aNZgrjFa" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></strong></p>

<p>However, the most august institutional players — sovereign wealth funds — will not ramp up Bitcoin purchases until <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-buying-sovereign-wealth-funds-united-states-legislation-anthony-scaramucci">clear cryptocurrency regulations are established</a> in the United States, according to SkyBridge founder Anthony Scaramucci.</p>

<p>Once a comprehensive regulatory framework emerges in the US, it will trigger large blocks of Bitcoin purchases by sovereign wealth funds, increasing Bitcoin's price, Scaramucci added.</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T21:00:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 17:00</span>


guid: 1029762 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Trump To Turkey? President Floats Joining Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks
author: ;Tyler Durden
hash: ����퇩4�E"3��9
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Trump To Turkey? President Floats Joining Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>It yet another Ukraine peace talks related surprise, President Donald Trump on Monday floated the possibility of him traveling to Turkey to personally mediate negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, which are set for Thursday in Istanbul.</p>

<p><strong>"I was thinking about actually flying over there,"</strong> Trump <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/12/trump-turkey-russia-ukraine-peace-talks/83579713007/">said</a> during a televised press conference on drug pricing. The words come after Ukraine's President Zelensky said he's ready to be there, and also challenged Putin to travel to the Turkish capital in person.</p>
<a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/trumpandrews.jpg?itok=l942n34y" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/trumpandrews.jpg?itok=l942n34y"><picture><figure role="group" data-sanitized-class="caption caption-img inline-images image-style-inline-images"><img alt="" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2edd76f4-b712-44b4-8296-0f7c9dfce046" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="334" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/trumpandrews.jpg?itok=l942n34y" typeof="foaf:Image" width="500"><figcaption><em>AFP/Getty Images</em></figcaption></figure></picture></a>

<p>"There’s a possibility of it, I guess, if I think things could happen," Trump added, and the caveat: <strong>"I would fly there if I thought it would be helpful,"</strong></p>

<p><strong>"Thursday’s meeting with Russia and Ukraine is really important,"</strong> Trump said. "I was really insistent that that meeting take place. I think good things can come out of that meeting. Stop the bloodshed, it’s a bloodbath."</p>

<p>The White House is backing a 30-day ceasefire plan, in hopes that it would lead to a final end to the bloodshed, with detailed negotiations in the interim.</p>

<p><strong>"I have a feeling they're going to agree. I do. I have a feeling,"</strong> Trump also emphasized. The travel comments seemed more about displaying his personal optimism on new talks.</p>

<p>He didn't mention specifics or the challenge of logistics and setting up proper security, which can typically take days or weeks when it comes to presidential travel and coordination between the Secret Service and host nations.</p>

<p>President Trump is about to embark on a trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and UAE - so a potential Turkey visit would require a stop-over upon the return trip.</p>

<section><p>Zelensky was quick to respond to Trump's public brainstorming, <a aria-label=" (Opens in a new window)" data-tracking="mpos=&amp;mid=&amp;lindex=&amp;lcol=" href="https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1921955780682502280" target="_blank">stating on X</a> that <strong>"all of us in Ukraine would appreciate it if President Trump could be there with us at this meeting in Türkiye."</strong> He added: "I hope that the Russians will not evade the meeting."</p>

<p>It seems clear that in poking the Kremlin, Zelensky is really just seeking to <strong>performatively demonstrate to Washington and European allies that he's willing to engage</strong> in negotiations, after Trump has ramped up the pressure, and given Kiev desperately needs to continue securing Western weapons and support.</p>

<blockquote data-sanitized-class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Turkey’s Erdogan has calls with Putin and Zelensky before DIRECT Russia-Ukraine talks <a href="https://t.co/Gx42d6e5C4">pic.twitter.com/Gx42d6e5C4</a></p>
— RT (@RT_com) <a href="https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/1921966310436516010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>It remains that Zelensky has <strong>offered no big (territorial) concessions</strong> to end the war, so likely Putin isn't too interested in traveling to Turkey personally, for something which would likely in the end be a bust in terms of finalizing a peace settlement.</p>

<p>The Kremlin likely understands perfectly well that this is mostly Zelensky playing to the cameras, and seeking to satisfy Trump and 'reset' the relationship with the US. It's anything but clear whether Zelensky will actually be in Istanbul at this point.</p>
</section></div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T21:20:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 17:20</span>

link:
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trump-turkey-president-floats-joining-russia-ukraine-peace-talks


guid: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164589/formation-cabinet-carney-nouveaux-visages
title: Cabinet Carney : Freeland, Guilbeault, Lightbound et Provost seront de l’équipe
link: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164589/formation-cabinet-carney-nouveaux-visages
hash: ��v��&�7k֟�MpR
content:
<p>Mark Carney envisagerait de nommer jusqu’à 10 ministres d’État ou secrétaires d’État, indiquent des sources.</p>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://images.radio-canada.ca/q_auto,w_635,h_357/v1/ici-info/16x9/mark-carney-18100.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","length":0}]}


guid: 1029779 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Coincidence? Top Two MMR-Vaccinated States Lead In 2025 Measles Cases
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/coincidence-top-two-mmr-vaccinated-states-lead-2025-measles-cases
hash: �G* }�)#fv~�b$
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Coincidence? Top Two MMR-Vaccinated States Lead In 2025 Measles Cases</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><em><a href="https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/two-states-with-greatest-mmr-vaccination">Via JonFleetwood.com,</a> </em></p>

<p><strong>Texas and New Mexico have had the sharpest increase in measles (MMR) vaccination so far in 2025 - they’ve also had the most measles cases.</strong></p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/httpssubstack-post-media.s3.amaz%20%2852%29_2.jpg?itok=HBDjGX4C" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/httpssubstack-post-media.s3.amaz%20%2852%29_2.jpg?itok=HBDjGX4C"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fa5ead23-ef62-4cb8-920c-88419fa440bb" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="360" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/httpssubstack-post-media.s3.amaz%20%2852%29_2.jpg?itok=HBDjGX4C" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>That <strong>raises serious questions about what’s really driving these outbreaks</strong> - and whether the mainstream “solution” is making the problem worse.</p>

<h2><strong>Increased Vaccinations</strong></h2>

<ul><li>
	<p><strong>Texas:</strong> From January 1 to March 16, 2025, Texas <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-measles-outbreak-expected-to-last-months-vaccinations-up-from-last-year/">administered</a> at least 173,000 doses of the measles vaccine, up from 158,000 during the same period in 2024—a roughly <strong>9.5% increase</strong>.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><strong>New Mexico:</strong> According to the New Mexico Department of Health, between February 1 and March 31, 2025, 14,757 doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine were <a href="https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2025/04/02/measles-cases-tick-up-vaccinations-outpace-same-time-period-last-year/">administered</a> in New Mexico, compared to 8,162 during the same period in 2024—an <strong>80.8% increase</strong>.</p>
	</li>
</ul><h2><strong>Increased Cases</strong></h2>

<ul><li>
	<p><strong>Texas</strong> is the clear epicenter, with <strong>709 cases</strong> <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/05/09/nx-s1-5393762/measles-math-what-to-know-about-1-001-measles-cases-across-the-country">reported</a> as of early May, far surpassing any other state.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><strong>New Mexico</strong> has reported 71 confirmed measles cases, as of early May 2025, <a href="https://www.nmhealth.org/news/alert/2025/5/?view=2211">confirmed</a> by the New Mexico Department of Health.</p>
	</li>
</ul><h2><strong>Live Virus, Live Risk: Infections Emerging After MMR Vaccination Campaigns Raise Alarms</strong></h2>

<p>JonFleetwood.com is exclusively keeping a running list of troubling patterns linking measles infections to recent government-led MMR vaccination campaigns across North America:</p>

<ul><li>
	<p>The MMR vaccine contains a live measles virus, according to the <a href="https://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/m/mmr_ii/mmr_ii_pi.pdf">manufacturer</a>.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>The live measles virus in the MMR vaccine is the product of <a href="https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/measles-vaccine-and-gain-of-function?utm_source=publication-search">gain-of-function</a> (GOF) laboratory experiments, meaning it is deliberately engineered to enhance its ability to infect more human cells than the wild-type measles virus can and may retain characteristics that enable transmission and replication in the vaccinated and unvaccinated alike.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>The live virus in the vaccine <a href="https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/measles-vaccine-sheds-for-nearly?utm_source=publication-search">can be shed for weeks</a> from the vaccinated, potentially infecting the unvaccinated. A 1995 CDC <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC228449/pdf/332485.pdf">study</a> found that 83% of vaccinated children had measles virus shed in their urine. An April 2012 publication in the peer-reviewed journal <em><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3381670/">Paediatrics &amp; Child Health</a></em> reported a child was being investigated after developing a new-onset measles-type rash after receiving a measles vaccine, meaning the shot can cause disease in the vaccinated. Nucleic acid testing confirmed that a “vaccine-type measles virus was being shed in the [child’s] urine.” A 2014 study in <em><a href="https://academic.oup.com/cid/article-abstract/58/9/1205/2895266?redirectedFrom=fulltext">Clinical Infectious Diseases</a> </em>confirms that vaccinated individuals can transmit measles to multiple contacts.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>There are <a href="https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/no-peer-reviewed-studies-confirm">no peer-reviewed studies</a> that confirm the virus in the measles vaccine is less infectious or replicates less in humans than the wild-type virus found in nature, meaning health officials have no scientific basis for claiming the vaccine strain poses a lower transmission risk to the unvaccinated.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>The claim that many of these measles cases are from wild-type measles viruses and not the live virus in the vaccine is undermined by the fact that the PCR test used as evidence of wild-type infection is only reliable <a href="https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/pcr-test-now-being-used-to-detect?utm_source=publication-search">less than</a> 3% of the time. Research in <em><a href="https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/acmi/10.1099/acmi.0.000283">Access Microbiology</a></em> highlights that standard PCR assays might not effectively distinguish between vaccine and wild-type strains. The CDC has <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7312a3.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com">confirmed</a> that PCR tests often misinterpret measles vaccine virus infection as wild-type measles infection: “Inability of these testing panels to differentiate between measles virus causing illness and incidental detection of measles vaccine virus RNA can have significant public health reporting and response ramifications, potentially leading to misdiagnosis of measles virus infection,” writes CDC.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Measles outbreaks have followed government-led vaccination campaigns in <a href="https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/free-measles-vaccine-campaign-followed">Texas</a>, <a href="https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/ontario-measles-outbreak-more-than">Canada</a>, and <a href="https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/hawaiis-first-measles-case-occurs">Hawaii</a>, raising concerns of vaccine-caused infections.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>A 12-month-old girl in Michigan recently infected with measles had <a href="https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/michigan-baby-infected-with-measles">received</a> an MMR vaccine.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Southern New Mexico’s most populous and vaccinated county, Doña Ana, recently <a href="https://www.nmhealth.org/news/alert/2025/4/?view=2205">reported</a> its first measles infection after the state <a href="https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2025/04/02/measles-cases-tick-up-vaccinations-outpace-same-time-period-last-year/">nearly doubled</a> its measles vaccination rate compared to last year.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Virginia’s first confirmed measles case in 2025 <a href="https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/virginias-first-measles-case-follows">occurred</a> in a child following state and local health officials issuing multiple public health announcements urging residents to get the MMR shot.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Just weeks after the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) rolled out a “measles simulator dashboard” meant to pressure students and residents into receiving MMR vaccines, Illinois <a href="https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/illinois-confirms-first-measles-case">reported</a> its first confirmed measles case of 2025.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recently <a href="https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/vaccinated-adult-infected-with-measles">confirmed</a> a fifth case of measles in Colorado this year in a Denver County adult resident with verified measles (MMR) vaccination records.</p>
	</li>
</ul><p>*  *  *</p>

<p><em>Please visit his <a href="https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/">Substack</a> and subscribe to support his work.</em> <em>Follow Jon: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/realjonfleetwood/">Instagram @realjonfleetwood</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/JonMFleetwood">Twitter @JonMFleetwood</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/realJonFleetwood">Facebook @realjonfleetwood</a></em></p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T21:40:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 17:40</span>


guid: 1029734 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: These Are The Favorite Car Brands Of The Ultra-Rich
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/these-are-favorite-car-brands-ultra-rich
hash: ]�̤l�� B u��&
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">These Are The Favorite Car Brands Of The Ultra-Rich</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>What car brands do America’s wealthiest drivers prefer?</p>

<p>While luxury brands may come to mind, data compiled by <a href="https://www.spglobal.com/mobility/en/research-analysis/wealthy-americans-top-car-brands.html">S&amp;P Global Mobility</a> highlights some interesting findings.</p>

<p>In this graphic, <a href="https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-favorite-car-brands-of-the-ultra-rich">Visual Capitalist's Marcu Lu ranks </a>the favorite car brands of the ultra-rich, based on each brand’s percentage share of new registrations in the United States.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/2025-05-12_09-39-05.jpg?itok=X7GXozlL" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/2025-05-12_09-39-05.jpg?itok=X7GXozlL"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d7aa7d6d-94ad-47f4-a3b2-7ab9d5285832" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="685" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/2025-05-12_09-39-05.jpg?itok=X7GXozlL" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<h2>Data &amp; Methodology</h2>

<p>To come up with this analysis, S&amp;P Global Mobility combined income data from the U.S. Census with their own vehicle registration and loyalty data. Ultra-wealthy households are defined as those with annual income of over <strong>$500,000</strong>.</p>

<table data-sanitized-id="tablepress-5541" data-sanitized-class="tablepress tablepress-id-5541"><thead><tr data-sanitized-class="row-1"><th data-sanitized-class="column-1">Rank</th>
			<th data-sanitized-class="column-2">Brand</th>
			<th data-sanitized-class="column-3">Ultra-Wealthy Market Share<br>
			(% of new registrations)</th>
			<th data-sanitized-class="column-4">National Average Market Share<br>
			(% of new registrations)</th>
		</tr></thead><tbody data-sanitized-class="row-striping row-hover"><tr data-sanitized-class="row-2"><td data-sanitized-class="column-1">1</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-2">🇺🇸 Tesla</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-3">19.3</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-4">4.7</td>
		</tr><tr data-sanitized-class="row-3"><td data-sanitized-class="column-1">2</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-2">🇩🇪 BMW</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-3">9.9</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-4">2.4</td>
		</tr><tr data-sanitized-class="row-4"><td data-sanitized-class="column-1">3</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-2">🇩🇪 Mercedes-Benz</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-3">8.7</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-4">1.9</td>
		</tr><tr data-sanitized-class="row-5"><td data-sanitized-class="column-1">4</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-2">🇬🇧 Land Rover</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-3">5.8</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-4">0.6</td>
		</tr><tr data-sanitized-class="row-6"><td data-sanitized-class="column-1">5</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-2">🇯🇵 Toyota</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-3">4.6</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-4">14.0</td>
		</tr><tr data-sanitized-class="row-7"><td data-sanitized-class="column-1">6</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-2">🇩🇪 Audi</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-3">4.6</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-4">1.2</td>
		</tr><tr data-sanitized-class="row-8"><td data-sanitized-class="column-1">7</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-2">🇺🇸 Ford</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-3">4.1</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-4">9.3</td>
		</tr><tr data-sanitized-class="row-9"><td data-sanitized-class="column-1">8</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-2">🇯🇵 Lexus</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-3">3.9</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-4">2.6</td>
		</tr><tr data-sanitized-class="row-10"><td data-sanitized-class="column-1">9</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-2">🇩🇪 Porsche</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-3">3.9</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-4">0.4</td>
		</tr><tr data-sanitized-class="row-11"><td data-sanitized-class="column-1">10</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-2">🇺🇸 Rivian</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-3">3.4</td>
			<td data-sanitized-class="column-4">0.3</td>
		</tr></tbody></table><h2>Tesla’s Popularity Among the Ultra-rich</h2>

<p><strong>Tesla</strong> is the most popular brand among America’s ultra-rich, accounting for an impressive 19.3% of new vehicle registrations.</p>

<p>This popularity is likely due to Tesla’s blend of technology and electric performance, which may resonate with wealthy buyers who value innovation and sustainability.</p>

<p>In fact, the ultra-rich are <strong>17.5 percentage points</strong> more likely to buy an EV than the average American (85.1% vs 67.7%). This might explain why <strong>Rivian</strong>, a relatively new car brand, is #10 in this ranking with a 3.4% market share among ultra-rich.</p>

<h2>Why Mainstream Brands Still Appeal to the Wealthy</h2>

<p>Mainstream brands like Toyota and Ford continue to hold strong appeal among America’s ultra-rich.</p>

<p>These brands can deliver a more practical and reliable experience, and are among the <a href="https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-the-cheapest-car-brands-to-own-and-maintain-in-the-u-s/">cheapest car brands to own and maintain</a>.</p>

<p>Another interesting stat: the Ford F-series pickup truck is the <a href="https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-best-selling-vehicle-in-america-by-state/">best-selling vehicle</a> in 24 U.S. states.</p>

<p><em>If you’re enjoying our content, check out <a href="https://www.voronoiapp.com/automotive/The-Most-Reliable-Car-Brands-of-2025-are-Lexus-and-Buick-4403">The Most Reliable Car Brands of 2025</a> on <strong>Voronoi</strong>, the new app from Visual Capitalist.</em></p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T22:00:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 18:00</span>


guid: 1029737 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Why Elon Musk Is Right: The Case Against Subsidizing Amtrak
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/why-elon-musk-right-case-against-subsidizing-amtrak
hash: V�Xm吾�T3x{� L
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Why Elon Musk Is Right: The Case Against Subsidizing Amtrak</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://mises.org/mises-wire/why-elon-musk-right-case-against-subsidizing-amtrak"><em>Authored by J.D.Wong via The Mises Institute,</em></a></p>

<p><strong>Founded <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-84/pdf/STATUTE-84-Pg1327.pdf">54 years ago</a>, Amtrak set out on a bold adventure to see if passenger trains could be profitable. </strong></p>

<p>Fast forward to today, this experiment has been unsuccessful. Politicians have often crafted routes to win votes rather than attract riders. </p>

<p><strong>As a result, Amtrak has been squandering taxpayer money since its start in 1971.</strong></p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/AdobeStock_Amtrak.jpeg.jpg?itok=A-2rEhrJ" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/AdobeStock_Amtrak.jpeg.jpg?itok=A-2rEhrJ"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b5a2b7d6-c8f2-4fc6-a80a-40c884910180" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="375" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/AdobeStock_Amtrak.jpeg.jpg?itok=A-2rEhrJ" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>Take, for instance, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. It allocated a monumental <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-117publ58/uslm/PLAW-117publ58.xml">$66 billion</a> to bolster passenger rail. Yet, even with this backing, Amtrak’s losses soared from <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/monthlyperformancereports/2019/Amtrak-Monthly-Performance-Report-FY2019-Final.pdf">$1.12 billion</a> in FY2019 to <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/monthlyperformancereports/2024/Amtrak-Monthly-Performance-Report-September-2024.pdf">$2.12 billion</a> in FY2024. This financial drain isn’t new; America’s passenger trains have lost money for <a href="https://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/-hiltonamtrack-1980_09162912196.pdf">79 years</a>.</p>

<p><strong>Amtrak <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/elon-musk-says-post-office-amtrak-should-be-privatized-2025-03-05/">asserts</a> that it is “on-track to reach operational profitability.”</strong> </p>

<p>Yet, this is a bald-faced lie. </p>

<p>While Amtrak reported a loss of $705.2 million for FY2024, it didn’t include:</p>

<ol><li>
	<p>$966.2 million in depreciation;</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>$447.3 million in “Project Related Expenses”;</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>$314.1 million in state subsidies, which it classified as “revenue”;</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>$26.9 million in Office of Inspector General funding</p>
	</li>
</ol><p><strong>By omitting these costs, Amtrak paints an optimistic view of its financial health. In reality, Amtrak needs larger subsidies than ever before. In fact, Amtrak has been <a href="https://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/End-of-the-Line.pdf?x85095">deceiving Congress</a> with its “path to profitability” since 1990.</strong></p>

<p>Although Amtrak touted a “<a href="https://media.amtrak.com/2024/12/amtrak-sets-all-time-ridership-record-in-fiscal-year-2024/">ridership record</a>” for FY2024, this figure is misleading too. Ridership numbers don’t reflect the average length of each passenger’s trip. A more insightful metric is passenger-miles, which measures how far people are traveling. In fact, Amtrak only transported <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/monthlyperformancereports/2024/Amtrak-Monthly-Performance-Report-September-2024.pdf">6.54 billion</a> passenger-miles in FY2024. This is a <a href="https://www.bts.gov/content/us-passenger-miles">decrease of 3.40 percent</a> since FY2013.</p>

<p>Amtrak often <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/position-papers/white-paper-amtrak-long-distance-financial-performance.pdf">attributes</a> its financial struggles to its long-haul routes. Yet, the outlook is even bleaker for its short-haul, state-supported routes. <strong>Amtrak reported a $251.5 million loss for these routes in FY2024. Yet, with $314.1 million in state </strong>subsidies included, the true loss hits $565.6 million. This represents a shocking 94 percent increase from the $291.7 million lost in FY2019.</p>

<p>Amtrak’s advocates often cite highway “subsidies” to explain its financial debacles. But Amtrak guzzles about <a href="https://townhall.com/columnists/j-d-wong/2025/03/01/rethinking-amtrak-n2652795">39 times more</a> subsidies per passenger-mile than highways do.</p>

<p>Amtrak asserts that freight trains “<a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2020/02/24/amtrak-blames-freight-trains-passenger-delays-getting-worse/4851468002/">interfere</a>” with its passenger services. However, Amtrak often makes questionable route choices despite having legal priority over freight. Between Chicago and Los Angeles, the <a href="http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/desertwind.htm"><em>Desert Wind</em></a> lost <a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/rced-98-151.pdf">less money</a> than the <a href="http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/southwestchief.htm"><em>Southwest Chief</em></a>. Despite this, Amtrak favored the <em>Southwest Chief</em>, which passed through more congressional districts. It discontinued the <em>Desert Wind</em> in 1997, leaving Las Vegas with no train service.</p>

<p>Despite its competitor’s demise, the <em>Southwest Chief</em> still loses money. Its operating losses grew from $56.1 million in FY2019 to $83.3 million by FY2024. It also uses a lower-quality track than freight trains from Chicago to Los Angeles. Since 2014, taxpayers have spent <a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/rced-98-151.pdf">over $45 million</a> on track repairs for the <em>Southwest Chief</em>.</p>

<p><em><strong>Figure 1. Chicago to Los Angeles preliminary route alternatives, 1970.</strong></em></p>

<p><em><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/image_180.jpg?itok=Lo4dBGhw" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/image_180.jpg?itok=Lo4dBGhw"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cafe5b7f-e67e-4909-ae4a-529e21f25790" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="367" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/image_180.jpg?itok=Lo4dBGhw" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></em></p>

<p><em><a href="https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/54667">Source</a></em></p>

<p><strong>Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) view Amtrak as an “<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=D42C71AE-3901-4062-B482-B9504072154A">essential service</a>.”</strong> </p>

<p>But Amtrak accounts for <a href="https://www.bts.gov/content/us-passenger-miles">a mere 0.001 percent</a> of total passenger-miles traveled in the country. For every small town served by Amtrak, there are at least 40 others with no train service. In fact, Americans travel more miles by bicycle than they do via Amtrak.</p>

<p><strong>If Amtrak were to vanish, travelers would still have many options.</strong> On many routes, it would cost less to give each passenger a free airline ticket than to subsidize Amtrak. To illustrate, the average airfare in 2024 was around <a href="https://www.bts.gov/content/us-passenger-miles">$0.23 per passenger-mile</a>. This is much lower than Amtrak’s subsidies of $0.91 per passenger-mile in FY2024.</p>

<p>It’s important to note that nothing restricts train riders to using unprofitable routes. Many might explore moving to states where train travel is more viable.</p>

<p>Amtrak’s website <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20250123184502/https:/www.amtrak.com/about-amtrak/sustainability/travel-green.html">once touted</a> the environmental advantages of train travel. The truth is Amtrak removed this webpage in January 2025. <strong>This action suggests that Amtrak exaggerated its claims about environmental benefits.</strong> Amtrak’s most popular routes—such as the <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/auto-train"><em>Auto Train</em></a>—could thrive without subsidies. Beyond them, cars, buses, or airplanes could be more efficient than Amtrak’s services.</p>

<p><em><strong>Figure 2. Chicago to Los Angeles final route alternatives, 1971.</strong></em></p>

<p><em><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/Amtrak%202.jpg?itok=HLTlcGUe" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/Amtrak%202.jpg?itok=HLTlcGUe"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9d3b3d87-e53e-463a-b038-f8725fbc38b3" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="375" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/Amtrak%202.jpg?itok=HLTlcGUe" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></em></p>

<p><em><a href="https://railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.dot.gov/files/fra_net/2772/1971a.pdf">Source</a></em></p>

<p><strong>Despite experiencing huge losses, Amtrak awarded <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/12/us/politics/amtrak-executive-bonuses.html">$5 million in bonuses</a> in FY2023. Fourteen of its top leaders received over $200,000 each.</strong></p>

<p>Over the past 54 years, Congress has exhausted ways to limit the growth of Amtrak’s subsidies. None of its efforts at “reform” have yielded meaningful results:</p>

<ol><li>
	<p>Clinging to existing routes is a classic example of the sunk cost fallacy. Amtrak’s routes have lost money for 54 years and the cost of operating them will only rise.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Investing in “high-speed rail” will only exacerbate Amtrak’s financial woes. With teleconferencing, the need for short-haul, time-sensitive business travel has diminished. In fact, high-speed <em>Acela</em> ridership has decreased by 9.5 percent since FY2019.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Changing Amtrak’s leadership isn’t the answer, either. All that would do is create a scapegoat for the pork barrel spending that has plagued Amtrak for 54 years.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Outsourcing existing routes to private operators such as Keolis won’t fix Amtrak. Taxpayers would still foot the bill because of the lack of economic viability in Amtrak’s routes.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Splitting up long-haul routes is likely to drive away riders and lead to even greater losses. To illustrate, Amtrak’s short-haul, state-supported routes operate at a mere 38 percent load factor. This is much lower than the 57 percent load factor of Amtrak’s long-haul routes.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>In 2002, the <a href="https://www.publicpurpose.com/arc-execsum.pdf">Amtrak Reform Council</a> even voted to dissolve Amtrak altogether. Despite this, Congress chose not to act.</p>
	</li>
</ol><p><em><strong>Figure 3. Potential train routes that could operate without either capital or operating subsidies.</strong></em></p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/image_181.jpg?itok=s8peI32E" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/image_181.jpg?itok=s8peI32E"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1a57733d-12e4-4ee8-8a13-a41db024f48b" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="325" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/image_181.jpg?itok=s8peI32E" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><strong>The only way to stop politicians from playing favorites with train routes is to cut subsidies to $0.</strong> Political control over subsidies means that ending them would also end that control. With a loss of $2.12 billion in FY2024, Amtrak has become a bottomless money pit. In contrast, Australia’s <a href="https://www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/journeys/the-ghan/"><em>Ghan</em></a> and <a href="https://www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/indian-pacific/"><em>Indian Pacific</em></a> operate without subsidies. With capital and operating subsidies ended, some American trains could be profitable too.</p>

<p><strong>Eliminating subsidies would not spell the end for passenger trains</strong>. <a href="https://www.gobrightline.com/">Brightline Florida</a>—a privately-owned train service—began operations in 2023. Under a zero-subsidy model, it might consider buying Amtrak. For Brightline, this move could reduce overhead and enhance efficiency. For example, it could sell certain routes to Rocky Mountaineer or Union Pacific. There is also the possibility of auctioning off surplus assets to the public. In the end, Brightline would only preserve the most sustainable routes.</p>

<p><strong><em>Since Congress can’t predict which routes will be profitable, it only needs to cut subsidies to $0. The President should also take a firm stand by vetoing any budget that subsidizes Amtrak. Finally, Congress should repeal the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. This act squandered $66 billion in capital and operating subsidies for passenger rail.</em></strong></p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T22:25:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 18:25</span>


guid: yt:video:cHAj2-u67pk
title: Washington Today (5-12-25): Pres. Trump defends accepting luxury jet from Qatar for Air Force One
author: ;C-SPAN
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHAj2-u67pk
hash: �~�yщt���˽R
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/cHAj2-u67pk?version=3","title":"Washington Today (5-12-25): Pres. Trump defends accepting luxury jet from Qatar for Air Force One","description":"President Donald Trump is on his way to the Middle East, a trip that comes as he defends his decision to accept a luxury jet from the Qatari royal family that he plans to use as Air Force One.\n\nBefore he left, the President signed an executive order that aims to cut prescription drug costs.\n \nHamas terrorists have released Israeli-American Edan Alexander after more than 19 months in captivity. The Washington Post says the release is result of direct talks between U.S. and Hamas officials in recent days. He is the last American thought to be held by Hamas, who kidnapped him on Oct. 7, 2023, along with 250 others.\n \nHouse Republicans release more of their tax plan that calls for extending the 2017 tax cuts and tightening Medicaid benefits. They hope to combine it with the parts of their plan released over the weekend and formally take it all up tomorrow in the Ways and Means Committee. House leadership says they still think they can get all of it done and over to the Senate by Memorial Day, and on the President's desk by the Fourth of July recess, but disagreements persist on tax rates and Medicaid cuts.\n\nDownload the FREE C-SPAN Now App. https://www.c-span.org/c-spanNow/\n\nDiscover the C-SPAN Video Library at https://www.c-span.org/quickguide/\n\nExplore C-SPAN's Free Educational Resources at https://www.c-span.org/classroom/\n\nC-SPAN: Created by Cable in 1979. Offered as a public service.\n\nSupport C-SPAN by Donating Today: https://donorbox.org/support-c-span?utm_source=YouTube&amp;utm_medium=Video_Description&amp;utm_campaign=Donations&amp;utm_content=Donate\n\nSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/CSPAN \n\nFollow us:\nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSPAN\nTwitter: https://twitter.com/cspan\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cspan/\n\nSubscribe:\nC-SPAN Podcasts: https://www.c-span.org/podcasts/\nNewsletters: https://www.c-span.org/connect/\nVisit the C-SPAN Shop: https://c-spanshop.org/\n#cspan","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i4.ytimg.com/vi/cHAj2-u67pk/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: https://strategic-culture.su/?post_type=article&amp;p=885267
title: Việt Nam e Azerbaigian stringono un Partenariato Strategico
author: ;A A
hash: �m��VL��T;b��
tags: #Italiano #Azerbaijan #Caspian Sea #Indo-Pacific #Vietnam
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p><strong><em>Durante la visita del Segretario Generale Tô Lâm a Baku, Việt Nam e Azerbaigian hanno istituito un Partenariato Strategico. Il leader vietnamita e il Presidente Ilham Aliyev hanno siglato accordi in energia, difesa, infrastrutture, commercio, tecnologia e cultura, gettando nuove solide basi comuni.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><span><span><em>Segue nostro</em></span> <a href="https://t.me/SCF_Italiano" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Telegram</a><a href="https://t.me/SCF_Italiano" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" src="https://strategic-culture.su/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tlg.jpg" alt="" width="25" height="25" data-sanitized-class="alignnone wp-image-875659"></a><a href="https://t.me/SCF_Italiano" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>.</span></a></span></strong></p>
<p>Nel corso della storica visita di Stato del Segretario Generale del Partito Comunista del Việt Nam, Tô Lâm, in Azerbaigian, le relazioni bilaterali tra i due Paesi hanno raggiunto un nuovo e importante traguardo con l’istituzione ufficiale di un Partenariato Strategico. L’avvenimento, siglato lo scorso 7 maggio a Baku, testimonia la volontà dei due governi di elevare la loro cooperazione a livelli di sistematica e duratura collaborazione, in tutti i principali ambiti di interesse comune.</p>
<p>Accolto con tutti gli onori dal Presidente Ilham Aliyev, Tô Lâm ha inaugurato la giornata con un incontro bilaterale che ha posto le solide basi per la firma di numerosi accordi. “La nostra amicizia risale al 1959, anno della storica visita di Hồ Chí Minh in Azerbaigian, ed è stata costantemente coltivata attraverso scambi tra i più alti vertici politici e attraverso la cooperazione concreta nei settori energetico, commerciale, scientifico e culturale”, ha ricordato il Segretario Generale, sottolineando come il Partenariato Strategico non sia altro che il naturale sviluppo di questo legame di fratellanza.</p>
<p>Nel suo discorso allo Sheraton Hotel di Baku, il Presidente Aliyev ha espresso piena soddisfazione per gli esiti dell’incontro, evidenziando il valore della nuova partnership: “Il memorandum che andiamo a firmare oggi apre una nuova era per la nostra cooperazione, consentendoci di sfruttare appieno le rispettive potenzialità. Sono certo che i due Paesi sapranno trarre vantaggio reciproco in ogni ambito, dal settore energetico alle infrastrutture, dall’agricoltura alla difesa”, ha affermato il leader della repubblica caucasica.</p>
<p>La cooperazione energetica, in effetti, occupa uno spazio di primissimo piano nel programma congiunto appena adottato. L’Azerbaigian, ricco di risorse petrolifere e dotato di un’industria energetica all’avanguardia, ha sottoscritto con PetroVietnam un memorandum d’intesa per lo sviluppo congiunto di progetti di esplorazione e produzione di idrocarburi, nonché programmi di addestramento tecnico. Complementarmente, l’Azerbaigian si è impegnato a lungo termine nella fornitura di greggio alla raffineria di Dung Quất, gestiata dalla Bình Sơn Refining and Petrochemical JSC, garantendo continuità agli approvvigionamenti e stabilità agli scambi commerciali.</p>
<p>Ma il Partenariato Strategico non si limita al settore energetico. Tra i documenti firmati figura un accordo tra il Ministero delle Scienze e delle Tecnologie del Việt Nam e il Ministero dello Sviluppo Digitale e dei Trasporti dell’Azerbaigian, volto a promuovere la cooperazione nelle tecnologie emergenti, nella digitalizzazione delle infrastrutture e nella ricerca congiunta in ambiti quali l’intelligenza artificiale e la cybersecurity. In un’epoca in cui la competitività internazionale si misura anche sulla capacità di integrare soluzioni tecnologiche avanzate, la volontà di creare sinergie in questo campo rappresenta un punto di svolta.</p>
<p>Allo stesso modo, la dimensione difesa e sicurezza è stata rafforzata attraverso lo scambio di una Lettera di Intenti tra i Ministeri della Difesa dei due Paesi, con l’obiettivo di intensificare le esercitazioni congiunte, lo scambio di esperienze nella lotta al terrorismo e nel contrasto ai crimini transnazionali, e la formazione reciproca di personale militare e tecnico. A tal proposito, il Presidente Aliyev ha evidenziato l’importanza di “garantire la stabilità regionale”, mentre Tô Lâm ha rimarcato come “la cooperazione in materia di sicurezza rifletta la nostra comune determinazione a preservare la pace e a contrastare ogni forma di minaccia”.</p>
<p>Anche nel campo dei trasporti e delle infrastrutture sono stati compiuti passi significativi. Le Parti hanno confermato l’intenzione di rilanciare la cooperazione sulla “Via di Comunicazione Transcaspica”, che collega il Việt Nam all’Europa passando per l’Azerbaigian, potenziando connessioni ferroviarie e portuali. Grazie a questo corridoio, merci a elevato valore aggiunto quali prodotti agricoli, apparecchiature elettroniche e materiali industriali potranno raggiungere più rapidamente i mercati esteri, mentre i prodotti energetici e metallurgici azeri troveranno sbocchi privilegiati sui mercati dell’ASEAN.</p>
<p>L’economia in senso stretto, ossia il commercio e gli investimenti, godrà di un nuovo Accordo per la Promozione e Protezione degli Investimenti (BIPA), che offrirà maggiore certezza giuridica alle imprese vietnamite e azere intenzionate ad operare al di là dei rispettivi confini. Il Presidente Aliyev ha invitato le aziende vietnamite a esplorare opportunità nel settore logistico e portuale, mentre Tô Lâm ha sottolineato le eccellenze vietnamite nell’agroalimentare e nella lavorazione tessile, auspicando una più intensa presenza azera in Vietnam nei comparti di infrastrutture e servizi.</p>
<p>Anche l’agricoltura e il turismo sono stati ulteriormente valorizzati: è stato infatti concordato uno scambio di delegazioni tecniche per trasferire <em>best practice</em> sul miglioramento delle rese agricole e sulla gestione sostenibile delle risorse idriche, tema cruciale in una regione semiarida come quella caucasica. Sul fronte turistico, i due Ministri del Turismo hanno condiviso l’intenzione di organizzare eventi culturali congiunti, di semplificare le procedure di visto e di promuovere rotte aeree dirette, affinché cittadini e turisti possano conoscere e apprezzare reciprocamente le meraviglie di Baku e di Hạ Long Bay.</p>
<p>Non è mancata infine la dimensione culturale ed educativa. Grazie a un Protocollo d’Intesa tra i Ministeri dell’Istruzione, saranno potenziati i programmi di scambio per studenti e docenti, incrementando le borse di studio e le missioni di ricerca congiunte nelle università e nei centri di ricerca scientifica. La condivisione della propria storia e delle proprie tradizioni – dalla poesia classica del Việt Nam alla musica mugham dell’Azerbaigian – costituirà un veicolo privilegiato per rinsaldare i legami tra i giovani e costruire una solida base sociale a sostegno del Partenariato Strategico.</p>
<p>Al termine della cerimonia di firma, il Segretario Generale Tô Lâm ha ricordato che “questi accordi non rappresentano semplici carte firmate, ma l’inizio di un percorso di cooperazione strutturale che porterà vantaggi concreti ai nostri popoli”. Dal canto suo, il Presidente Aliyev gli ha fatto eco, affermando che “il nuovo Partenariato Strategico è la testimonianza della reciproca fiducia e dell’ambizione di proiettare le nostre nazioni verso un futuro di pace e prosperità condivise”.</p>
<p>L’incontro di Baku segna dunque l’inizio di una fase d’oro per il rapporto Việt Nam–Azerbaigian. Sulle sponde del Mar Caspio, i due leader hanno gettato le fondamenta di una collaborazione che, favorita dalla complementarità dei rispettivi punti di forza, saprà rispondere alle sfide globali del XXI secolo, rafforzando la sicurezza energetica, potenziando le reti infrastrutturali, promuovendo uno sviluppo economico sostenibile e alimentando uno scambio culturale fecondo. In un mondo sempre più interdipendente, il Partenariato Strategico tra Việt Nam e Azerbaigian rappresenta non soltanto una nuova tappa nelle relazioni bilaterali, ma anche una solida spinta all’integrazione euro-asiatica e alla coesione tra i popoli.</p>
<p></p>

link:
https://strategic-culture.su/news/2025/05/13/viet-nam-e-azerbaigian-stringono-un-partenariato-strategico/


guid: https://raymcgovern.com/?p=8867
title: One Last Chance for Zelensky
author: ;Ray McGovern
link: https://raymcgovern.com/2025/05/12/one-last-chance-for-zelensky/
hash: .J,}G@V��s&�M��
tags: #-
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p data-sanitized-class="excerpt">Looking from Moscow toward Thursday in Istanbul. Will Zelensky see the Coalition of the Brain Dead (h/t Oliver Boyd-Barrett) for the Potemkin Village it is, and move toward meeting some of Russia’s terms in upcoming talks? Zelensky is given 1 last chance.</p><p data-sanitized-class="more-link-p"><a href="https://raymcgovern.com/2025/05/12/one-last-chance-for-zelensky/" data-sanitized-class="btn btn-default">Read more</a></p>


guid: https://raymcgovern.com/?p=8869
title: Change is in the Wind
author: ;Ray McGovern
link: https://raymcgovern.com/2025/05/12/change-is-in-the-wind/
hash: �I�a"۩���g��4 D
tags: #-
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p data-sanitized-class="excerpt">With Judge Naplitano early this morning. A little groggy; (You cannot get here from there without losing a lot of sleep.) BUT change is in wind. Putin to media, Since you’re still around, here’s my rejoinder to the “Coalition of the Brain Dead’s” latest!</p><p data-sanitized-class="more-link-p"><a href="https://raymcgovern.com/2025/05/12/change-is-in-the-wind/" data-sanitized-class="btn btn-default">Read more</a></p>


guid: 1029768 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Texas Gov. Abbott Halts Development Of Controversial 'Epic City' For Muslims
author: ;Tyler Durden
hash: !q �=^�.���L��\$
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Texas Gov. Abbott Halts Development Of Controversial 'Epic City' For Muslims</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote on X that his team has halted construction of a planned mixed-use development connected with East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC), one of North Texas' largest mosques. </p>

<p>The 402-acre site is being transformed into a community for Muslims that includes 1,000 homes, a K-12 faith-based school, a mega mosque, elderly and assisted living, apartments, clinics, retail shops, a community college, and sports fields. It is located just 30 miles northeast of downtown Dallas.</p>

<p>"We're going to demonstrate to the world what it means to be a Muslim in the West," one of the heads of EPIC City said in a promotional video. </p>

<blockquote data-sanitized-class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">It seems that Texas is shutting down the "EPIC City" project which was designed as an islamic only city. This video was recently deleted from the main developer's X account. <a href="https://twitter.com/AmyMek?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmyMek</a> is exposing many more islamist projects like this all across Texas.<br><br><a href="https://t.co/kPRuoLSvpE">pic.twitter.com/kPRuoLSvpE</a></p>
— 𝗡𝗶𝗼𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) <a href="https://twitter.com/NiohBerg/status/1907369225015923014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>In March, Abbott wrote, "Legislators are considering laws to restrict it, as well as laws to prevent foreign adversaries from buying land in Texas."</p>

<p>Now, Gov. Abbott laid down the hammer:</p>

<blockquote>
<p><em>Texas has halted any construction of EPIC City. There is no construction taking place. The state of Texas has launched about a half dozen investigations into this project. That includes criminal investigations. And, the U.S. Department of justice is also investigating. This matter, and similar matters, are taken very seriously, and actions are being taken to address all concerns.</em></p>
</blockquote>

<blockquote data-sanitized-class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Texas has halted any construction of EPIC City.<br><br>
There is no construction taking place.<br><br>
The state of Texas has launched about a half dozen investigations into this project.<br><br>
That includes criminal investigations.<br><br>
And, the US Department of justice is also investigating.… <a href="https://t.co/5NDbOkzxTL">https://t.co/5NDbOkzxTL</a></p>
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1921630359415910639?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>Abbott's decision comes just days after Texas Senator John Cornyn told the Department of Justice about potential "religious discrimination" in the proposed Muslim-centric city.</p>

<p>"A master-planned 'community of thousands of Muslims' could violate the constitutional rights of Jewish and Christian Texans, by preventing them from living in this new community and discriminating against them within the community. I further encourage the Department to investigate whether Christians, Jews, and other non-Muslim minorities would receive equal protection under the law in this new community. Religious discrimination, whether explicit or implicit, is unconstitutional under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Religious freedom is a cornerstone of our nation's values, and I am concerned this community potentially undermines this vital protection," Senator Cornyn wrote in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon.</p>

<p>The senator concluded: "Religious-based discrimination is a constitutional violation as well as a federal rights violation. Appropriate steps should be taken to ensure that this community does not run afoul of these obligations. It may also be appropriate for an investigation to explore whether the proponents of the proposed development are abiding by existing federal and state prohibitions on the enforcement of sharia law" </p>

<p>In a recent podcast, supporters of the proposed EPIC City development discussed plans to name streets after historic Islamic conquerors and revealed that 75% of homeowner association fees would be funneled into the mosque.</p>

<blockquote data-sanitized-class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">WATCH Muslims discussing EPIC City in Texas where they’re building a Sharia City with streets named after “Islamic conquerors” and 75% of the association fees will go to the mosque.<br><br>
They brag about using Americans to get what they want, calling us “John Smith.”<br><br>
Texas already… <a href="https://t.co/IF9txYgW3G">pic.twitter.com/IF9txYgW3G</a></p>
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarinaMedvin/status/1908587250733990324?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>So, what laws does EPIC City support? The laws of Texas/the U.S. Constitution, or Sharia law? </p>

<p>Glenn Beck might have those answers... </p>

<blockquote data-sanitized-class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">The developers of EPIC City say the community will never hold Sharia law above Texas law. But one of their leaders once argued in favor of Sharia over US law: "No Supreme Court. No system of government. No democracy where they vote...who gave you this right?" <a href="https://t.co/7Prsdvda8d">pic.twitter.com/7Prsdvda8d</a></p>
— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) <a href="https://twitter.com/glennbeck/status/1910145708390506786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>.  .  . </p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T22:50:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 18:50</span>

link:
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/texas-gov-abbott-halts-development-controversial-epic-city-muslims


guid: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164611/terrebonne-vote-erreur-elections-canada-bloc-liberal
title: Un vote bloquiste perdu à Terrebonne à cause d’une erreur d’Élections Canada
link: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164611/terrebonne-vote-erreur-elections-canada-bloc-liberal
hash: ��� ŀ��JW����
content:
<p>Dans cette circonscription, le Parti libéral l'a remporté par une seule et unique voix sur le Bloc québécois.</p>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://images.radio-canada.ca/q_auto,w_635,h_357/v1/ici-premiere/16x9/le-15-18-enveloppe-elections-canada-postes-canada.png","type":"image/png","length":0}]}


guid: 1029775 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Trump Seeking $1 Trillion In Saudi Investment, Air Force One En Route
author: ;Tyler Durden
hash: ��?L[Y���^�o�Wb
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Trump Seeking $1 Trillion In Saudi Investment, Air Force One En Route</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://thecradle.co/articles/trump-seeking-1-trillion-in-saudi-investments-during-riyadh-visit-report"><em>Via The Cradle</em></a></p>

<p>US President Donald Trump is reportedly seeking $1 trillion in investments from Saudi Arabia in an upcoming visit to the energy-rich Gulf Kingdom. This comes amid reports that normalization between Riyadh and Tel Aviv has effectively "been <a href="https://thecradle.co/articles/us-delinks-saudi-nuclear-program-from-normalization-with-israel-report">delinked</a>" from economic and security talks with Washington.</p>

<p>Trump has departed Monday on a four-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, with the trip expected to center on securing business deals and attracting new investments from the oil-rich Gulf states. <strong>The president will not visit Israel</strong>. </p>

<p><i>Reuters</i> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/prospects-saudi-ties-israel-elusive-trump-seeks-1-trillion-bonanza-2025-05-11/">reported</a> Sunday that Saudi Arabia is unlikely to normalize relations with Israel at this time due to Israel's continuation of its war in Gaza and refusal to allow the establishment of a Palestinian state, according to US and Saudi officials. <strong>"Establishing ties has become especially toxic for Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, since the start of Israel's war in Gaza,"</strong><i> Reuters</i> wrote.</p>
<a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/trumpsaudi.jpg?itok=yFf6ponk" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/trumpsaudi.jpg?itok=yFf6ponk"><picture><figure role="group" data-sanitized-class="caption caption-img inline-images image-style-inline-images"><img alt="" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8ba4d26-512d-4aad-88d1-91ab3e243927" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="375" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/trumpsaudi.jpg?itok=yFf6ponk" typeof="foaf:Image" width="500"><figcaption><em>Getty Images</em></figcaption></figure></picture></a>

<p>US officials have failed to convince their Israeli counterparts to agree to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza – one of Saudi Arabia's preconditions for any re-start of normalization talks, two Gulf sources and a US official stated. Instead, Israeli leaders have expressed their desire to continue the war, which has killed well over 60,000 Palestinians, in an effort to ethnically cleanse Gaza of Palestinians and prepare it for Jewish settlement.</p>

<p>The reports contradict the optimism expressed by Trump's envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff, who told an audience at the Israeli embassy in Washington this week that he expected important progress on expanding the Abraham Accords, an agreement through which other Arab states, the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, normalized relations with Israel.</p>

<p>"We think we will have some or a lot of announcements very, very shortly, which we hope will yield progress by next year," Witkoff said in a video of his speech before accompanying Trump on his trip to the region that will not include a visit to Israel.</p>

<p>As a result, Saudi normalization with Israel has "effectively been delinked from economic and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/under-trump-saudi-civil-nuclear-talks-delinked-israel-recognition-sources-say-2025-05-08/">other security matters</a> between Washington and the kingdom, <i>Reuters</i> wrote, citing two Saudi and two US officials, all of whom requested to remain anonymous.</p>

<p>As a result, Trump's visit to the kingdom will focus on securing a trillion dollars' worth of Saudi investments in US companies,<strong> "including major deals <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-poised-offer-saudi-arabia-over-100-bln-arms-package-sources-2025-04-24/">in arms</a>, mega-projects and artificial intelligence,"</strong><i> Reuters</i> wrote.</p>

<p>"The Trump administration wants this trip to be a big deal. That means<strong> lots of splashy deal announcements and collaborations that can be sold as being good for America</strong>," said Robert Mogielnicki, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute, a think tank in Washington.</p>

<p>"Normalizing ties with Israel is a much heavier lift than rolling out the red carpet for President Trump and announcing investment deals," he said. The Saudi government communications office did not reply to a request for comment, <i>Reuters</i> added.</p>

<blockquote data-sanitized-class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">A flashback to 8 years ago—May 2017, when President Trump last visited Saudi Arabia…<a href="https://t.co/26TSu8bYXT">pic.twitter.com/26TSu8bYXT</a></p>
— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1921957034498404786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>In a related matter, an informed source <a href="https://www.alquds.com/ar/posts/160485">told</a> Palestinian newspaper <i>Al-Quds</i> on Sunday that the meeting between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) in Riyadh on Tuesday will also include Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, and <strong>Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa</strong>. </p>

<p>The source, who declined to be identified, said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman submitted the proposal, which received Trump's approval. </p>

<p>The source confirmed that MbS is looking forward to Trump's acceptance of the Saudi condition for the establishment of a Palestinian state, noting that achieving this would constitute one of the greatest and most important achievements of Saudi Arabia's active diplomacy.</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T23:15:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 19:15</span>

link:
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trump-seeking-1-trillion-saudi-investment-air-force-one-en-route


guid: 1029802 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: 1,000 Troops Who Identify As Transgender Being Discharged: Pentagon
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/1000-troops-who-identify-transgender-being-discharged-pentagon
hash: ͋��w��K���"1�
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">1,000 Troops Who Identify As Transgender Being Discharged: Pentagon</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The U.S. Department of Defense on May 8 confirmed that <strong>approximately 1,000 service members who have identified as having gender dysphoria will begin the voluntary separation process under new guidance</strong> that reinstates a ban on military service for those diagnosed with or exhibiting symptoms of gender dysphoria.</p>
<a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/image_92%2818%29_0.jpg?itok=kDavLQDS" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/image_92%2818%29_0.jpg?itok=kDavLQDS"><picture><figure role="group" data-sanitized-class="caption caption-img inline-images image-style-inline-images"><img alt="" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8138aed2-376f-4119-b80b-c435b17bb80c" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="333" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/image_92%2818%29_0.jpg?itok=kDavLQDS" typeof="foaf:Image" width="500"><figcaption><em>Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Michigan on April 29, 2025. Scott Olson/Getty Images</em></figcaption></figure></picture></a>

<p>“Today, the Department will issue guidance to the Military Departments and Services <strong>ending the accession of individuals with a current diagnosis or history of, or symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria and all non-medically necessary treatment,”</strong> <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4179340/statement-by-chief-pentagon-spokesman-and-senior-advisor-sean-parnell-on-implem/">said</a> Defense Department spokesman Sean Parnell. The new policy marks a significant shift in military personnel standards and reflects President Donald J. Trump’s directive issued earlier this year. "Approximately 1,000 Service members who have self-identified as being diagnosed with gender dysphoria will begin the voluntary separation process."</p>

<p><strong>The decision comes days after the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6–3 vote, <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/supreme-court-lets-trump-admin-ban-troops-who-identify-as-transgender-5853172">granted</a> a stay of a lower court ruling that had blocked the policy.</strong> The majority did not issue an opinion, nor did the three dissenting justices. The stay allows the Department of Defense to enforce the new policy as litigation continues in a case brought by a group of transgender service members.</p>

<p>Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the move as necessary for maintaining military readiness and cohesion. “This is the president’s agenda, this is what the American people voted for, and we’re going to continue to relentlessly pursue it,” Hegseth said in a video statement. In a memorandum dated May 8, he wrote that “service by individuals with a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibiting symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria is not in the best interest of the Military Services and is not clearly consistent with the interests of national security.”</p>

<p>Under the new guidance,<strong> troops who self-identify by June 6 (active duty) or July 7 (reserves) will be eligible for voluntary separation and may receive separation pay. </strong>The deadline was extended from previous guidance by 30 and 60 days, respectively. Those seeking to remain in the military must obtain a waiver demonstrating that their continued service supports a compelling government interest and enhances warfighting capabilities. Among other requirements, waiver applicants must show they have not pursued gender transition and have demonstrated 36 consecutive months of psychological stability without significant distress.</p>

<p>Hegseth, speaking at a recent conservative conference in Florida, signaled a broader cultural shift within the military: “<strong>No more pronouns, no more climate change obsessions, no more emergency vaccine mandates, no more dudes in dresses</strong>,” he said.</p>

<blockquote data-media-max-width="560" data-sanitized-class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">. <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecDef</a> We are leaving WOKENESS and WEAKNESS behind.<br><br>
No more pronouns, no more climate change obsessions, no more emergency vaccine mandates, no more DUDES IN DRESSES.<br><br>
We are done with that sh*t.” <a href="https://t.co/MSunWnRYXU">pic.twitter.com/MSunWnRYXU</a></p>
— DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DODResponse/status/1919742768831692830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>Advocacy groups condemned the policy. “By allowing this discriminatory ban to take effect while our challenge continues, the Court has temporarily sanctioned a policy that has nothing to do with military readiness and everything to do with prejudice,” said Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, which are representing the transgender service members in court.</p>

<p><strong>The military, which comprises roughly 2.1 million active and reserve personnel, had previously reversed a ban on transgender troops under President Joe Biden</strong>. The latest move effectively reimposes the Trump-era restrictions, with narrow pathways for exceptions.</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-12T23:40:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 19:40</span>


guid: -1837267640
hash: �:p ���iY��n��
title:
Vente d'immeubles pour défaut de paiement de l'impôt foncier - 18 juin 2025 (Mise à jour 12 mai 2025)

content:
Vente d'immeubles pour défaut de paiement de l'impôt foncier - 18 juin 2025 (Mise à jour 12 mai 2025)

link:
https://www.gatineau.ca/portail/lien.aspx?t=rssfeed&amp;u=/upload/avis_publics/202559134451_vente_d_immeubles_pour_d%C3%A9faut_de_paiement_de_l_imp%C3%B4t_foncier_-_18_juin_2025_(mise_%C3%A0_jour_12_mai_2025).pdf

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.gatineau.ca/portail/lien.aspx?t=rssfeed&amp;u=/upload/avis_publics/202559134451_vente_d_immeubles_pour_d%C3%A9faut_de_paiement_de_l_imp%C3%B4t_foncier_-_18_juin_2025_(mise_%C3%A0_jour_12_mai_2025).pdf"}]}


guid: https://www.mondialisation.ca/?p=5698555
title: La renaissance du nazisme en Europe
author: ;Jean-Yves Jézéquel
link: https://www.mondialisation.ca/la-renaissance-du-nazisme-en-europe/5698555
hash: C��W���ak���4
tags: #Francais @fr #Mobile
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
Depuis le début de l'opération spéciale russe dans le Donbass en février 2022,, nous avons eu le droit à un déluge de désinformations par tous les médias occidentaux au service de la propagande euro-atlantiste voulant imposer au monde et en particulier à la Russie, son Nouvel Ordre Mondial et sa prédominance incontestable sur toutes les Nations du Globe...


guid: 1029785 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: The "Digital Gold" Narrative Sells Bitcoin Short
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/crypto/digital-gold-narrative-sells-bitcoin-short
hash: u}3r�o��q �]r
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">The "Digital Gold" Narrative Sells Bitcoin Short</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://bitcoinmagazine.com/culture/the-digital-gold-narrative-sells-bitcoin-short"><em>Authored by Isaiah Austin via BitcoinMagazine.com,</em></a></p>

<p><strong>Humans like to make analogies to understand new things better. </strong>It makes complete sense why we would look for one in the case of Bitcoin. </p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/The-Digital-Gold-Narrative-Sells.jpg?itok=7_q8OYUy" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/The-Digital-Gold-Narrative-Sells.jpg?itok=7_q8OYUy"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ce80379-7a38-4188-a11a-d388b56d37a4" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="262" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/The-Digital-Gold-Narrative-Sells.jpg?itok=7_q8OYUy" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><a href="https://bitcoinmagazine.com/guides/what-is-bitcoin">Bitcoin</a> is a novel concept to most people hearing about it for the first time, and can require great effort to grasp fully. Using the phrase “digital gold” to describe Bitcoin is incredibly palatable, and even if you don’t understand the functionality of the network, you can know certain things to be true: <strong>Bitcoin is scarce, global, and a store of value</strong>.</p>

<p>This narrative has worked well, ushering in institutional and nation-state adoption. The first section of President Donald Trump’s executive order establishing the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve states, “As a result of its scarcity and security, Bitcoin is often referred to as ‘digital gold’.”</p>

<p>On one end, we should be celebrating these incredible achievements for Bitcoin. We have made massive strides in adoption by propelling the “digital gold” narrative that should not be understated. However, for Bitcoin to reach its true potential, the narrative needs to shift.</p>

<p>Bitcoin is <strong>NOT “</strong>digital gold”.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/AD_4nXeUFHoD8FvkcqbFMIxm0xdPGSF0.jpg?itok=k7j4QR6e" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/AD_4nXeUFHoD8FvkcqbFMIxm0xdPGSF0.jpg?itok=k7j4QR6e"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67daa7a8-26f5-4b12-a4f9-c6aaea82d287" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="281" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/AD_4nXeUFHoD8FvkcqbFMIxm0xdPGSF0.jpg?itok=k7j4QR6e" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><strong>Labeling Bitcoin as “digital gold” is a misrepresentation that reduces the world’s most revolutionary form of money to a mere store of value. </strong>Bitcoin’s fundamentals make even the most desirable attributes of gold completely obsolete while simultaneously being a faster, safer, more decentralized alternative to fiat currencies.</p>

<p>Let’s dive into what separates Bitcoin from gold.</p>

<h2><strong>Scarcity vs Finicity</strong></h2>

<p>Likely the largest selling point for gold, and why it’s survived as a store of value for thousands of years, is its scarcity. </p>

<p>It’s estimated that over the past 100 years, gold’s supply has only increased by around 1-2% each year. This is because there is no real economic incentive to increase the supply of gold through mining. In addition to how difficult new gold is to find, labor, equipment, and environmental compliance costs make the process extremely difficult to justify financing.</p>

<p>For this reason, gold has held its value well throughout history, with its monetary status dating back to 3000 BC. In the 1st century AD in Ancient Rome, you could buy a high-quality toga for the same price in gold as a luxury tailored suit today!</p>

<p>Gold’s scarcity and the impact that it has had on society for thousands of years cannot be understated. However, in the age of Bitcoin, continuing to measure economic value in terms of an asset with a fluctuating supply seems arbitrary.</p>

<p><a href="https://bitcoinmagazine.com/guides/what-is-bitcoin">Bitcoin</a> is not scarce, but <strong>finite</strong>, with a set supply of 21 million coins entering circulation. <strong>There is no “gold rush” for Bitcoin</strong>, and, as technology advances, we won’t find Bitcoin on an asteroid.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/AD_4nXd1lGWZTcDQt-wUgdrY11FkhmMd.jpg?itok=shzbGAYb" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/AD_4nXd1lGWZTcDQt-wUgdrY11FkhmMd.jpg?itok=shzbGAYb"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5f1f02b5-ebaa-4542-8202-20ea6e483b1b" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="252" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/AD_4nXd1lGWZTcDQt-wUgdrY11FkhmMd.jpg?itok=shzbGAYb" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>Through technological and mathematical advancements, we now have the capabilities to buy and exchange cash with a <strong>fixed </strong>supply. The significance of this development cannot be understated as “digital gold”.</p>

<h2><strong>Microdivisability</strong></h2>

<p>I will concur that gold is <em>technically</em> “divisible” – that is, if you have a handsaw or laser handy along with a scale. However, “microdivisible” is not a word that describes gold.</p>

<p>Gold thrives in large transactions where expensive goods and services are being transferred. But when you start moving to smaller transactions, problems start to arise.</p>

<p><strong>Below is an image of 1 gram of gold, which, at the time of my writing this, is worth ~ $108. Imagine a world where you get a sandwich from Subway, and, in exchange, you shave off the corner on a gram of gold…</strong></p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/AD_4nXeDaFIDGSg2kWUOMhrzXSRPqUa.jpg?itok=kyPd9o1q" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/AD_4nXeDaFIDGSg2kWUOMhrzXSRPqUa.jpg?itok=kyPd9o1q"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="128bcf31-a0c7-403b-9a21-98f981718cf6" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="253" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/AD_4nXeDaFIDGSg2kWUOMhrzXSRPqUa.jpg?itok=kyPd9o1q" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><strong>That’s not happening.</strong></p>

<p>Older societies throughout history understood this limitation of gold and acted swiftly to combat this by issuing coins that represented a specific concentration of the precious metal.</p>

<p>Although it can be difficult to pin down, it is possible that the first gold-backed currency was the Lydian stater in 600 BC. Issued in Lydia (modern-day Turkey), the coin was initially minted with electrum (an alloy of gold and silver), with a gold composition of around 55%.</p>

<p>In 546 BC, the Persian Empire conquered Lydia and inherited the Lydian stater. Although the Persian Croeseids initially retained a high percentage of gold in the coins, they eventually debased the currency by adding base metals like copper. By the end of the 5th century BC, the Lydian stater only contained 30-40% gold.</p>

<p><strong>Gold’s inability to be a microdivisible asset is a devastating flaw, and the reason societies have never been able to truly utilize it for a significant period of time. </strong>To make small transactions, citizens choose to hand their gold to the government in exchange for 1:1 coins, which, over time, are inevitably diluted and debased by the elite class, causing the society to collapse.</p>

<p>There is not a single example in history where a country operating on a gold standard hasn’t eventually debased its currency in exchange for microdivisibility through coins and paper notes. This, again, is largely due to people’s ultimate need for small units of account to purchase inexpensive goods.</p>

<p><strong>This fatal blow to gold is ultimately solved by Bitcoin. </strong>Bitcoin’s smallest unit of account is called a “satoshi” and represents 1/100,000,000th of a bitcoin. Today, one satoshi is equal to roughly $0.001, which makes it more microdivisible than the US dollar!</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/AD_4nXfsLTJJOcAykzvjgDO6QbRzE16n.jpg?itok=t0JZ82BL" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/AD_4nXfsLTJJOcAykzvjgDO6QbRzE16n.jpg?itok=t0JZ82BL"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c86a934f-aa7e-4c66-8c66-88107655aba4" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="252" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/AD_4nXfsLTJJOcAykzvjgDO6QbRzE16n.jpg?itok=t0JZ82BL" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>There is never a reason to involve governments in Bitcoin transactions because there is no need for a smaller unit of account. For that reason (among many others), Bitcoin works perfectly as money without the involvement of any intermediaries.</p>

<p>When considering bitcoin’s divisibility and units-of-account, it is <em>comical</em> to even compare it to gold in any form or fashion.</p>

<h2><strong>Auditability</strong></h2>

<p>I believe it’s a fair assumption that at the time of this article’s release, the “Fort Knox Audit” still hasn’t happened. As quickly as it became the top headline, the idea disappeared into irrelevance.</p>

<p>The United States’ gold holdings were last audited in 1974. After multiple decades of conspiracy theories and public speculation, President Gerald Ford decided to allow journalists inside Fort Knox. Their findings were unremarkable, with no noticeable missing gold on the premises.</p>

<p>However, that was 51 years ago. Today, we are in a similar position, with public curiosity piqued regarding the gold in Fort Knox.</p>

<p>Just a couple of months ago, the “Fort Knox Audit” seemed like it would happen any day. In fact, Elon Musk was going to livestream it! Though now, it’s beginning to seem like the elephant in the room that we’re not supposed to talk about.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/AD_4nXcJCOobBERJ8IRJS6befhGwf1G2.jpg?itok=_6Ks_6QH" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/AD_4nXcJCOobBERJ8IRJS6befhGwf1G2.jpg?itok=_6Ks_6QH"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="550680dc-57d3-4f49-9a0b-262ea457387a" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="87" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/AD_4nXcJCOobBERJ8IRJS6befhGwf1G2.jpg?itok=_6Ks_6QH" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>Unlike gold audits, which are infrequent and manual, Bitcoin’s validation happens automatically through its proof-of-work consensus mechanism.</p>

<p>Approximately every 10 minutes, miners add a new block to the blockchain, verifying the legitimacy of transactions, the total Bitcoin supply, and adherence to consensus rules.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/AD_4nXeg5CTNtAnhIFPQw3Vtvd9sybdV.jpg?itok=Rcy7VZFn" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/AD_4nXeg5CTNtAnhIFPQw3Vtvd9sybdV.jpg?itok=Rcy7VZFn"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="56b3b4d1-c17c-4050-9d1b-64f63107f0f8" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="252" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/AD_4nXeg5CTNtAnhIFPQw3Vtvd9sybdV.jpg?itok=Rcy7VZFn" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>In contrast to traditional audits, which rely on trusted third-party intermediaries, Bitcoin’s decentralized process is trustless and transparent, allowing anyone to independently verify the blockchain’s integrity in real-time.</p>

<p>Don’t trust, verify.</p>

<h2><strong>Portability</strong></h2>

<p>It requires little persuasion to make the case that bitcoin is more “movable” than gold. Kept simply, gold in large quantities can be extremely heavy and require specialized ships and planes for cross-border transportation. Conversely, Bitcoin is held in a wallet that keeps the same physical weight regardless of the amount.</p>

<p>However, there is a greater distinction here that cannot go unaddressed; Bitcoin doesn’t need to physically “move” anywhere.</p>

<p>The most common critique of Bitcoin is that it is “not real” and “can’t be held”. However, I argue that it is one of the greatest flaws of <em>gold</em>. To receive a large payment in gold, you must put up the costs necessary to transport the heavy and highly valuable materials across fields, oceans, or jungles.</p>

<p>In addition, you must also have a high level of trust for the third parties involved. During cross-border gold transactions, you are trusting your gold with:</p>

<ol><li>
	<p>The third party that brokered the transaction</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>The delivery crew that took your gold to the export station</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>The crew on the plane or ship that is transporting the gold</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>The delivery crew that took your gold to you</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Whoever you put in charge of guarding and maintaining the gold</p>
	</li>
</ol><p>On the other hand, Bitcoin allows you to make transactions without needing to travel <em>or </em>involve intermediaries. As discussed before, the Bitcoin blockchain’s consensus protocol allows users to send money across borders without needing a third party.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/AD_4nXdzwaAcdrIW4Q0T36Gh1A5dX6Hs.jpg?itok=x6HnEU8V" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/AD_4nXdzwaAcdrIW4Q0T36Gh1A5dX6Hs.jpg?itok=x6HnEU8V"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="610e0085-e850-456b-aa1b-8d896ceecf6d" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="252" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/AD_4nXdzwaAcdrIW4Q0T36Gh1A5dX6Hs.jpg?itok=x6HnEU8V" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>This not only removes the costs associated with cross-border travel and the various individuals who may be involved, but also eliminates the possibility of fraud, as all transactions are public and on-chain for users to see and verify.</p>

<p>For the first time in human history, we have “electronic cash”. Bitcoin Magazine’s Conor Mulcahy defines “electronic cash” as “a broad category of money that exists solely in digital form and can be used to facilitate peer-to-peer transactions electronically. Unlike e-money, which typically involves intermediaries like banks and payment processors, electronic cash is designed to mimic the characteristics of physical cash, such as anonymity and direct exchange between users.”</p>

<p>The idea that a peer-to-peer transaction without an intermediary could occur without being together in person was only a theory before the creation of Bitcoin. Detractors who dismiss this advancement in our species’ capabilities as “not real because I can’t touch it” will soon realize that they are fighting a losing battle in a world that becomes more digital by the second.</p>

<h2><strong>Not All Bitcoin “Adoption” is Equal</strong></h2>

<p>If our sole aim is to drive Bitcoin’s price to the moon, the “digital gold” label will suffice. Certainly, governments, sovereigns, corporations, and individuals will continue to pour in rapidly, and the number will keep going up.</p>

<p>But…</p>

<p>If Bitcoin is the transformative freedom technology we believe it to be, we must fundamentally rethink how we educate and share it with the world. To seize this opportunity, we must prioritize educating pre-coiners on the novelty of Bitcoin and avoid oversimplified analogies. This approach will ultimately cement Bitcoin’s role as the cornerstone of global financial freedom.</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-13T00:05:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 20:05</span>


guid: yt:video:TAmqTLM6sM8
title: Mohammad Marandi: Israel Is Running Out of Options in the New Middle East
author: ;Dialogue Works
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAmqTLM6sM8
hash: [nE�:���7 �/Z���
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/TAmqTLM6sM8?version=3","title":"Mohammad Marandi: Israel Is Running Out of Options in the New Middle East","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/TAmqTLM6sM8/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: 1029787 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: A Six-Figure Income Is Considered Low In Some Bay Area Counties
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/six-figure-income-considered-low-some-bay-area-counties
hash: �e �b��?{�.�m�
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">A Six-Figure Income Is Considered Low In Some Bay Area Counties</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>An income of more than $100,000 a year for a single person is now listed as low income in four San Francisco Bay Area counties, </strong><a href="https://www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/docs/grants-and-funding/income-limits-2025.pdf">according</a> to the 2025 State Income Limits set by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.</p>

<p>The four counties are San Mateo, San Francisco, Marin, and Santa Clara. Nearby Santa Cruz County also lists six figures as low income, though it’s not adjacent to the Bay.</p>

<p><strong>The income figures are used to determine residents’ eligibility for certain programs, such as housing assistance.</strong> </p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/image%20-%202025-05-12T125858.890.jpg?itok=0mR7vIKF" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/image%20-%202025-05-12T125858.890.jpg?itok=0mR7vIKF"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="939e69ae-dbaf-4c26-bed8-aeefb9b42fce" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="333" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/image%20-%202025-05-12T125858.890.jpg?itok=0mR7vIKF" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/a-six-figure-income-is-considered-low-in-some-bay-area-counties-5855656?utm_source=partner&amp;utm_campaign=ZeroHedge">As Connor Lee reports for The Epoch Times,</a> <strong>low income is usually 80 percent of median family income,</strong> although the number may be adjusted based on other factors, the report states.</p>

<p>In Santa Clara County, the threshold listed for low income is $111,700 a year, the highest in the state. </p>

<p>This figure reflects its highest-in-the-state median income of nearly $200,000, up by more than $10,000 <a href="https://www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/docs/grants-and-funding/income-limits-2024.pdf">from</a> 2024.</p>

<p>In Sacramento County, by contrast, $72,050 is considered low income. </p>

<p>The low-income figure is $84,850 in Los Angeles County and $54,500 in Shasta County.</p>

<p><strong><em>“When a six-figure income qualifies as low income, it’s a clear sign that too many Californians are struggling to make ends meet,” </em></strong>said Chris Hoene, executive director of the California Budget &amp; Policy Center, in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times.</p>

<p>According to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, households that spend over 30 percent of their income on housing costs such as rent and mortgage are considered “cost-burdened.”</p>

<p>In the city of Santa Clara, more than 52 percent of renter households are cost-burdened, and so are over a quarter of homeowner households, <a href="https://siliconvalleyathome.org/resources/santa-clara/">according</a> to housing organization Silicon Valley at Home.</p>

<p>Californians often face a heavier cost burden because the state’s rent and home prices are significantly higher than in most of the nation.</p>

<p>Hoene said that the state’s high cost of living is driven by “soaring housing costs and rising prices on basic needs.”</p>

<p><strong>California <a href="https://www.bea.gov/news/2024/real-personal-consumption-expenditures-state-and-real-personal-income-state-and">currently</a> has the highest regional price parity in the nation, at 12.6 percent higher than the national average, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.</strong></p>

<p>Housing rent in the state is 57.8 percent above the national average, the bureau reported.</p>

<p><strong>Mid-tier homes in California are more than twice as expensive as typical mid-tier U.S. homes,</strong> <a href="https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/793">according</a> to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.</p>

<p>A bottom-tier home in California is more expensive than a mid-tier home in the rest of the country.</p>

<p><strong>The average <a href="https://www.zillow.com/home-values/20330/san-francisco-ca/">home</a> value in San Francisco was priced at more than $1.3 million</strong> as of February, according to Zillow.</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-13T00:30:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 20:30</span>


guid: yt:video:5c5AnhJpvzc
title: Scott Ritter and Mohammad Marandi: Bone-Chilling Geopolitical Lessons from Russia and Yemen
author: ;Dialogue Works
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c5AnhJpvzc
hash: ��� s��j�,:}�f
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/5c5AnhJpvzc?version=3","title":"Scott Ritter and Mohammad Marandi: Bone-Chilling Geopolitical Lessons from Russia and Yemen","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i2.ytimg.com/vi/5c5AnhJpvzc/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: yt:video:4tun0-L8DJw
title: Paul Craig Roberts: Can Trump Break Free from Netanyahu’s Grip on America?
author: ;Dialogue Works
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tun0-L8DJw
hash: F4��G�#����R�/�
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/4tun0-L8DJw?version=3","title":"Paul Craig Roberts: Can Trump Break Free from Netanyahu’s Grip on America?","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/4tun0-L8DJw/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: 1029825 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Psych Meds And Veblen Goods
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/psych-meds-and-veblen-goods
hash: T�nzPw4b3�.��
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Psych Meds And Veblen Goods</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><em><a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/opinion/psych-meds-and-veblen-goods-5848957?ea_src=frontpage&amp;ea_cnt=a&amp;ea_med=opinion-1">Authored by Jeffrey A. Tucker via The Epoch Times</a> (emphasis ours),</em></p>

<p><em>Commentary</em></p>

<p><strong>In high school in West Texas in the late 1970s, psych meds were <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veblen_good">Veblen goods</a>; that is, products desired as markers of status.</strong> They were conspicuously consumed by the children of the well-to-do with profound awareness that their schoolmates could afford neither the treatment nor the supposed cure.</p>
<a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/image_92%2825%29_0.jpg?itok=BxcF6-AL" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/image_92%2825%29_0.jpg?itok=BxcF6-AL"><picture><figure role="group" data-sanitized-class="caption caption-img inline-images image-style-inline-images"><img alt="" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c76fca66-d559-4641-9ae3-7f2fb31e2408" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="333" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/image_92%2825%29_0.jpg?itok=BxcF6-AL" typeof="foaf:Image" width="500"><figcaption><em>Ollyy/Shutterstock</em></figcaption></figure></picture></a>

<p>So the kids—I knew many of them and they would tolerate me in their circles from time to time—would brag about their diagnosis, their prescriptions, the mix, and how it made them feel.</p>

<p><strong>They would carry their pills and show them off, </strong>rattling off names of this or that drug and laughing mischievously about it all. There was nothing particularly maudlin about them except as performance. They were genuinely proud, the way one might be when wearing an overpriced luxury coat or shoes. <strong>The pills were just part of the mix. So too, they paraded their supposed maladies as badges of honor.</strong></p>

<p>There was always a sniffy air of detachment culture of these kids, a nonchalant disregard for all systems, whether school or family or church, even society at large. They were above it all, and the meds and the condition they were addressing were part of that. It was a class marker. There was even a hint of politics about it, an underscoring and display of alienation. They were at once the top of the social heap but disdainful of it.</p>

<p>Most of these kids excelled in their grades and set their sights high in college applications, with no doubt that they would succeed. They would do so despite their profound mental condition, which they blamed on parents, social structures, teachers, protocols, and the machine generally. <strong>Society had made them sick, but the meds gave them freedom to float above it all.</strong></p>
<a data-image-external-href="https://store.zerohedge.com/iq-mood" data-image-href="https://store.zerohedge.com/iq-mood" data-link-option="2" href="https://store.zerohedge.com/iq-mood"><picture><figure role="group" data-sanitized-class="caption caption-img inline-images image-style-inline-images"><img alt="" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="af4f9442-8bd4-4230-8382-8a6aad969ff6" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="129" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/mood.JPG?itok=d86W5uIn" typeof="foaf:Image" width="500"><figcaption><em>Fancy some lithium?</em></figcaption></figure></picture></a>

<p><strong>I’ve not followed their lives since then.</strong> Maybe they dropped them after college and lived normally. Maybe not. None will likely write memoirs, so we’ll never know. Regardless, in the decades since, this Veblen good went the way of all luxury purchases over time. It became mainstream. Psych meds are now common among adults and children. It’s a massive industry: like cell phones and TVs generations ago, they migrated through the class structure year by year.</p>

<p>Now comes “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1984880489">Unshrunk</a>” by Laura Delano, a book that could change everything. If it were not an autobiography, it would make great fiction of the gothic sort popular in the Victorian period. <strong>If it stripped out all commentary on the dubious merit of all these supposed sicknesses and cures, it would still be fantastic drama from first to last.</strong></p>

<p>Nothing I say can possibly prepare you for the adventure this book brings. It is perfectly crafted almost in a poetic way to bring to the reader the actual feeling of going through each stage over a decade and a half of drug cocktails, mental institutions, hospitals, and much more, and finally to her self-motivated emancipation from the whole industry.</p>

<p>I worry that the topic alone will deter readers. It should not. Read it the way you might a great work of fiction. It makes it all the more riveting to realize it is the real thing—an actual person—with all the attendant pain required for any author to pour out his or her soul this way. It’s a rare experience, one of a kind in our time.</p>

<p>In addition, <strong>even if you extracted all the detailed medical critiques about drug trials, side effects, market flimflam from these drugs, and turned that into a monograph on its own, it would be of enormous value.</strong></p>

<p>So we really have here three books in one: a brilliant drama with a fantastic story arc, an autobiography of a young woman in a world set apart that most of us will never know, and a technical medical treatise on an entire industry.</p>

<p>Looming rather large in the narrative is the issue of social class. The author was born into a world unknown to most, the social-register set in Greenwich, Connecticut, descendent of a three-term president, a prep-school educated and Harvard-bound beneficiary of every financial and social privilege, one afforded the best psychiatric care available anywhere.</p>

<p><strong>She was not mistreated. She was treated. She says this herself:</strong></p>

<p>“I was once mentally ill, and now I’m not, and it wasn’t because I was misdiagnosed. I wasn’t improperly medicated or overmedicated. I haven’t miraculously recovered from supposed brain diseases that some of the country’s top psychiatrists told me I’d have for the rest of my life. In fact, I was properly diagnosed and medicated according to the American Psychiatric Association’s standard of care. The reason I’m no longer mentally ill is that I made a decision to question the ideas about myself that I’d assumed were fact and discard what I learned was actually fiction.”</p>

<p>The best of care. The best physicians. The best institutions. The best consultations. The best meds, constantly tweaked by experts: a bit more of this, a bit less of that, and here’s a new one. <strong>When Laura’s diagnosis was switched from Bipolar to Borderline, it was under the care of the very father of the supposed disease itself: Dr. John G. Gunderson at McLean Hospital at Harvard</strong> (which had also seen Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, and Susanna Kaysen).</p>

<p>She had every reason to trust the experts except for one telling fact: she never got better, only worse. She gradually concluded over time that her real trouble was iatrogenic; that is, induced by the very drugs that were said to be the solution.</p>

<p>The first hints of real recovery hit the reader once Laura starts attending Alcoholics Anonymous, where everyone cheered as people there revealed how long they had been sober. It struck me while reading, though the author doesn’t say this, that pretty much everyone gets that alcoholism is a huge issue and that the safest path for everyone is sobriety. No physician really recommends more drinking, more liquor, different kinds of liquor, more regular cocktails, as a solution to anything.</p>

<p><strong>And yet a completely different standard applies to more powerful pharmaceutical cocktails. They are carefully dispensed on millions of patients, with warnings never to skip. That’s what bad patients do.</strong></p>

<p>People who unwisely attempt to do without are rediagnosed with “discontinuation syndrome”—as if dropping toxins created a new disease—which of course calls forth new prescriptions.</p>

<p>The entire system is built to keep people on meds. And when one tries to dispense with them, the adapted body fights back with symptoms that seem to reinforce the diagnosis and the solution. We hope you see why we put you on these drugs in the first place!</p>

<p>Why the gigantic and upside-down judgment against one toxin (alcohol) and for all the others? <strong>Here is the core of the real scandal</strong>. It’s about the enormous power of industry, the mystique of science, the prestige of academia, and the class associations connected with high-status diagnosis and purported solutions.</p>

<p>This line of thinking opens up even broader critiques of the entire medical system and pharmaceuticals more generally. This book thoroughly explodes the popular understanding of mental illness and the capacity of the expert class to deal with it. The lessons are rattling to the point that no reader will look at commoditized pharmaceuticals in the same way.</p>

<p>In the COVID period, you recall, compliance with protocols was a class marker too. Only tacky people demanded their freedom, dared walk around stores without masks, or failed to social distance in elevators. Trashy types protested the lockdowns. Canadian truckers, indeed! What else do you need to know? The good people, the successful and high-earning professionals on laptops, stayed home, streamed movies, and stayed away from others.</p>

<p>I recall being shouted at while walking outdoors without a mask.</p>

<p>“<strong>Masks are socially recommended,</strong>” yelled a man, mangling a few phrases into a new coinage. <strong>There was fury in his voice that someone as lowlife as I would dare to be in his neighborhood, no doubt spreading COVID.</strong> I had otherized myself simply by my refusal to cover my face as if I revealed myself to be a vector of disease spread.</p>

<p>The moral landscape became crystal clear with the shot rollouts. Clean people get them. Dirty people refuse them. The model was primitive in the extreme but with a class bias that bled over to a kind of regional bigotry: the unvaccinated states went for Trump. Whole cities became segregated, as the culmination of an entire class-based outlook that split us from them. (See my <a href="https://duckduckgo.com/?q=clean+vs+direty+jeffrey+tUcker&amp;t=osx">big theory</a> of clean vs dirty as a lens through which to understand the whole period.)</p>

<p><strong>I never had much of an awareness of social class and its meaning in politics before this period. </strong>Suddenly, it was all that mattered, with government agencies delineating who was essential and who was not. Nor had I considered that medical protocols and products had emerged as a Veblen good, something to consume with pride in one’s high place in the social strata, like modern art and postmodern philosophy.</p>

<p>How brilliant of the psych med industry to market itself—beginning long ago—as a luxury good, a class marker, a product to be consumed by the privileged. There is something wrong in every life. Successful people fix it with pills. Take your meds: you are not a substance abuser but a highly responsible patient who can afford the best care. As the song says, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XsCojnlc5FQ">the devil wore a lab coat</a>.</p>

<p>Laura Delano’s book weaves together these pieces into an alarming tale of tragedy followed by final hope. From the first chapter in which the supposed problems begin, through the wild ups and downs and tales of 21 different meds (my count), I could not wait to see how the author would handle the ending.</p>

<p><strong>The last chapters are perfect in ways I won’t reveal for fear of spoilers. </strong>My further hope is that this brief review will inspire many more people to travel this journey with the author and draw deep and broad lessons from it.</p>

<p><em>From the <a href="https://brownstone.org/articles/psych-meds-and-veblen-goods/">Brownstone Institute</a></em></p>

<p><em>Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times or ZeroHedge.</em></p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-13T00:55:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 20:55</span>


guid: 68225f8a038a3200013acfb1
title: Philippines Duterte Wins Election for Mayor of Davao from ICC Prison Cell
author: ;Michael O. Billington
link: https://eir.news/2025/05/news/duterte-wins-election-for-mayor-of-davao-from-icc-prison-cell/
hash: x���d\h��j�'
tags: #New World Paradigm #Asia #News
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p>Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who had been kidnapped and sent to The Hague’s International Criminal Court (ICC) with the complicity of U.S. puppet President Bongbong Marcos, to stand trial for human rights violations in his War on Drugs during his presidency, was re-elected Mayor of Davao, where he earlier served for several terms before becoming President.</p>
<p>The election is for thousands of local candidates as well as half of the Senate. The election has become a referendum between the two major family dynasties in the Philippines, the Duterte family and the Marcos family. Duterte’s daughter Sara, the current Vice President, has been impeached by the Marcos followers and will stand trial in the Senate, so the election for Senators will determine how that vote will go.</p>
<aside readability="20.022988505747" data-sanitized-class="gh-post-upgrade-cta"><div readability="24.64367816092" data-sanitized-class="gh-post-upgrade-cta-content">
<h2>This post is for paying subscribers only</h2>
<a data-portal="signup" href="https://eir.news/2025/05/news/duterte-wins-election-for-mayor-of-davao-from-icc-prison-cell/#/portal/signup" data-sanitized-class="gh-btn">Subscribe now</a>
<p><small>Already have an account? <a data-portal="signin" href="https://eir.news/2025/05/news/duterte-wins-election-for-mayor-of-davao-from-icc-prison-cell/#/portal/signin">Sign in</a></small></p>
</div>
</aside>


guid: 68227c63038a3200013acfe3
title: Lula Explains Chinese-Brazilian Relations to the Naysayers
author: ;Gretchen Small
link: https://eir.news/2025/05/news/lula-explains-chinese-brazilian-relations-to-the-naysayers/
hash: ��= �o� ���
tags: #New World Paradigm #Ibero-America and Caribbean #News
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p>Brazilian President Lula da Silva will hold bilateral discussions with President Xi Jinping on May 13, after both attend the 10th Anniversary CELAC-China Forum in Beijing. This will be the third meeting between the two Presidents since Lula began his third term in 2023, their most recent one during Xi Jinping’s state visit to Brazil in November 2024. China views President Lula as “an impactful leader of a major Latin American country and a seasoned global statesman,” so this visit carries special significance in this time of global turbulence, China’s Foreign Ministry pointed out.</p>
<p>The first economic agreements of the trip were announced at a big Chinese-Brazilian Business Forum in Beijing. Medical supply companies from both nations signed MOUs for co-production in Brazil of medical equipment (MRIs, particle accelerators, digital X-Ray and portable ultrasound machines). Also signed were MOUs for collaboration on developing vaccines and producing strategic inputs for medicines.</p>
<p>Lula da Silva used his closing remarks at the business forum to address the criticisms constantly thrown at countries which develop economic relations with China.</p>
<p>The purpose of governing “is to measure the quality of life its people will have after the President’s term is over,” Lula told the businessmen. That’s why the relationship between Brazil and China is special; “it is a relationship between two countries that are committed to solving the problem of impoverishment that has plagued the lives of these countries for a long time. It’s remarkable that in 40 years China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty. Just as it is remarkable that in just 10 years Brazil has lifted 54 million people out of hunger in my country.”</p>
<aside readability="20.022988505747" data-sanitized-class="gh-post-upgrade-cta"><div readability="24.64367816092" data-sanitized-class="gh-post-upgrade-cta-content">
<h2>This post is for paying subscribers only</h2>
<a data-portal="signup" href="https://eir.news/2025/05/news/lula-explains-chinese-brazilian-relations-to-the-naysayers/#/portal/signup" data-sanitized-class="gh-btn">Subscribe now</a>
<p><small>Already have an account? <a data-portal="signin" href="https://eir.news/2025/05/news/lula-explains-chinese-brazilian-relations-to-the-naysayers/#/portal/signin">Sign in</a></small></p>
</div>
</aside>


guid: yt:video:RYtGB1FIoLM
title: AMB. Charles Freeman : Who Won the US/Yemen War?
author: ;Judge Napolitano - Judging Freedom
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYtGB1FIoLM
hash: �5ܢs)ډe7���|
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/RYtGB1FIoLM?version=3","title":"AMB. Charles Freeman  :   Who Won the US/Yemen War?","description":"AMB. Charles Freeman  :   Who Won the US/Yemen War?","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i3.ytimg.com/vi/RYtGB1FIoLM/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: yt:video:8nBYb63nmZk
title: COL. Douglas Macgregor : Is US Generous or Murderous?
author: ;Judge Napolitano - Judging Freedom
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nBYb63nmZk
hash: =��U�T ���� V
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/8nBYb63nmZk?version=3","title":"COL. Douglas Macgregor  :  Is US Generous or Murderous?","description":"COL. Douglas Macgregor  :  Is US Generous or Murderous?","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/8nBYb63nmZk/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: yt:video:oBXr5WwCcFg
title: LtCOL. Karen Kwiatkowski : How Long Can Ukraine Last?
author: ;Judge Napolitano - Judging Freedom
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBXr5WwCcFg
hash: ��5X��ͯ��v�z���
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/oBXr5WwCcFg?version=3","title":"LtCOL. Karen Kwiatkowski  :  How Long Can Ukraine Last?","description":"LtCOL. Karen Kwiatkowski  :  How Long Can Ukraine Last?","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i4.ytimg.com/vi/oBXr5WwCcFg/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: https://karlof1.substack.com/p/results-of-geneva-trade-talks
title: Results of Geneva Trade Talks
author: ;Karl Sanchez
link: https://karlof1.substack.com/p/results-of-geneva-trade-talks
hash: � �r�/6]�̋�Q
content:
<div data-sanitized-class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29086384-63a6-4fce-b47c-93aad748add6_1600x900.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM" data-sanitized-class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img"><div data-sanitized-class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29086384-63a6-4fce-b47c-93aad748add6_1600x900.jpeg" width="1456" height="819" data-attrs='{"src":"https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/29086384-63a6-4fce-b47c-93aad748add6_1600x900.jpeg","srcNoWatermark":null,"fullscreen":null,"imageSize":null,"height":819,"width":1456,"resizeWidth":null,"bytes":null,"alt":null,"title":null,"type":null,"href":null,"belowTheFold":false,"topImage":true,"internalRedirect":null,"isProcessing":false,"align":null}' alt="" fetchpriority="high" data-sanitized-class="sizing-normal"></picture><div data-sanitized-class="image-link-expand"><div data-sanitized-class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><div data-sanitized-class="pencraft pc-reset icon-container restack-image"><path d="M3 12a9 9 0 0 1 9-9 9.75 9.75 0 0 1 6.74 2.74L21 8"></path><path d="M21 3v5h-5"></path><path d="M21 12a9 9 0 0 1-9 9 9.75 9.75 0 0 1-6.74-2.74L3 16"></path><path d="M8 16H3v5"></path></div><div data-sanitized-class="pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></div></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Here’s the <a href="https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1333852.shtml">Joint Statement </a>on China-U.S. Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva:</p><blockquote><p>The Government of the People's Republic of China ("China") and the Government of the United States of America (the "United States"),<br><br>Recognizing the importance of their bilateral economic and trade relationship to both countries and the global economy;<br><br>Recognizing the importance of a sustainable, long-term, and mutually beneficial economic and trade relationship;<br><br>Reflecting on their recent discussions and believing that continued discussions have the potential to address the concerns of each side in their economic and trade relationship; and<br><br><em><strong>Moving forward in the spirit of mutual opening, continued communication, cooperation, and mutual respect;</strong></em><br><br>The Parties commit to take the following actions by May 14, 2025:<br><br>The United States will (i) modify the application of the additional ad valorem rate of duty on articles of China (including articles of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macau Special Administrative Region) set forth in Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, by suspending 24 percentage points of that rate for an initial period of 90 days, while retaining the remaining ad valorem rate of 10 percent on those articles pursuant to the terms of said Order; and (ii) removing the modified additional ad valorem rates of duty on those articles imposed by Executive Order 14259 of April 8, 2025 and Executive Order 14266 of April 9, 2025.<br><br>China will (i) modify accordingly the application of the additional ad valorem rate of duty on articles of the United States set forth in Announcement of the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council No. 4 of 2025, by suspending 24 percentage points of that rate for an initial period of 90 days, while retaining the remaining additional ad valorem rate of 10 percent on those articles, and removing the modified additional ad valorem rates of duty on those articles imposed by Announcement of the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council No. 5 of 2025 and Announcement of the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council No. 6 of 2025; and (ii) adopt all necessary administrative measures to suspend or remove the non-tariff countermeasures taken against the United States since April 2, 2025.<br><br>After taking the aforementioned actions, the Parties will establish a mechanism to continue discussions about economic and trade relations. The representative from the Chinese side for these discussions will be He Lifeng, Vice Premier of the State Council, and the representatives from the U.S. side will be Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury, and Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative. These discussions may be conducted alternately in China and the United States, or a third country upon agreement of the Parties. As required, the two sides may conduct working-level consultations on relevant economic and trade issues. [My Emphasis]</p></blockquote><p>A reduction in tax rates but not an elimination of the tariffs. A good first step and much better than no reductions. The top headline at <em><a href="https://www.guancha.cn/internation/2025_05_12_775552.shtml">Guancha</a></em>: “The results of the China-US economic and trade talks have far exceeded expectations and are a very good starting point.<strong>” </strong>Financial market players clearly liked the news with rallies happening almost universally. However, “<em><strong>Analysts believe that the trade issue between China and the United States should not be expected to be easily resolved</strong></em>, but the consensus reached between China and the United States has eased trade tensions and created a good starting point for follow-up engagement.” The following observation is key:</p><blockquote><p>While the market reaction was positive, some analysts warned that <em><strong>this was only a temporary result</strong></em>, and that the two sides had not yet found a solution to the differences and frictions in the Sino-US economic and trade relationship. However, analysts also believe that the economic and trade talks in Geneva have created a good starting point for subsequent engagements….</p><p>While the situation is no longer as bad as people think, that doesn't mean it's back to before Trump took office, with a 90-day moratorium, and the 10% "base tariff" announced by the United States still in place, "<em><strong>There is still a great deal of uncertainty about how these tariffs will be resolved, and their impact on world economic growth and central bank policy.</strong></em>" [My Emphasis]</p></blockquote><p>The Trade War’s intensity was diminished but there clearly is no end that can yet be seen as Bessent said in a press conference. Goods entering the Outlaw US Empire from most of the world will still cost more fueling inflation and lowering living standards. From what we now see with the massive gash being applied to medicare in Trump’s budget proposal so Trump can give the Billionaires more billions, the Class War continues and will only further make Americans More Angry. This move by Trump is essentially a replay of what he tried in 2017 and Congress rejected. None of what Trump’s done has halted the Empire’s decline and many who know say he’s pushed it further to the brink. </p><p>*<br>*<br>*<br><em>Like what you’ve been reading at Karlof1’s Substack? Then please consider subscribing and choosing to make a <strong>monthly/yearly pledge</strong> to enable my efforts in this challenging realm. Thank You!</em></p><p></p><p data-attrs='{"url":"https://karlof1.substack.com/subscribe?","text":"Subscribe now","action":null,"class":null}' data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton" data-sanitized-class="button-wrapper"><a href="https://karlof1.substack.com/subscribe?" data-sanitized-class="button primary"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p></p><p></p>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F29086384-63a6-4fce-b47c-93aad748add6_1600x900.jpeg","type":"image/jpeg","length":0}]}


guid: 1029791 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: What Scrooge Effect? Americans Keep Giving, Despite The Welfare State
author: ;Tyler Durden
hash: �EA��l�.�ȮB��ʠ
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">What Scrooge Effect? Americans Keep Giving, Despite The Welfare State</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><em>Authored by Paul Mueller via the <a href="https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/philanthropy-despite-the-state-americans-give-generously-even-without-tax-breaks/">American Institute for Economic Research</a> (AIER)</em></p>

<p>We just made it through another tax season. Congress has begun debating whether and how to <a href="https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/trump-tax-cuts-2025-budget-reconciliation/">extend</a> the Trump <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/new-study-about-irs-reveals-just-how-much-trump-tax-cuts-saved-you">tax cuts</a> from the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. While many elements of that tax debate are worth commenting on, I want to highlight the standard deduction because it sheds light on an underappreciated part of American philanthropy.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/Donations_Scrooge-Effect-scaled.jpg?itok=4zWSj3sg" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/Donations_Scrooge-Effect-scaled.jpg?itok=4zWSj3sg"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e4252e0f-54db-410e-97a1-be4be520ce15" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="334" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/Donations_Scrooge-Effect-scaled.jpg?itok=4zWSj3sg" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>Prior to the introduction of the federal income tax in 1913, charitable donations did not have meaningful tax deduction benefits. Yet Americans gave generously. In fact, if anything, American philanthropy has declined because of <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2002-18574-004">the Scrooge effect</a> of the welfare state.</p>

<p><em><strong>“Are there no [state-funded] prisons [or work-houses]?”</strong></em> Ebenezer Scrooge asks in Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.”</p>

<p>The questions reveal that Scrooge (and others) feel that their higher taxes to fund a variety of social and “poverty-reduction” programs take the place of direct philanthropic giving.</p>

<p><strong>Americans also keep a lot less of what they earn today than they did 100 or 150 years ago—as most of us know from recent personal experience.</strong></p>

<p>The case of welfare programs crowding out charity has been made eloquently by Marvin Olasky in “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1684514169">The Tragedy of American Compassion</a>.” Various religious and fraternal orders provided health insurance, old-age insurance, and other social services to their members throughout the 19th and into the 20th century. These services were later replaced by state unemployment benefit schemes, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.</p>

<p><strong>These government programs “crowded out” charitable, philanthropic civil society—contributing to problems of declining social capital </strong>elaborated by Robert Nisbet (“Quest for Community”) and Robert Putnam (“Bowling Alone”). Government agencies and government checks replaced civic networks and systems of support. Yet American philanthropy is still alive and kicking in the United States.</p>

<p>The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University <a href="https://philanthropy.indianapolis.iu.edu/news-events/news/_news/2024/giving-usa-us-charitable-giving-totaled-557.16-billion-in-2023.html">estimated</a> that Americans gave $557.16 billion to charity in 2023. That’s about $1,600 per capita. By comparison, Canadians gave about $400 per capita to charity and Brits gave about $250 per capita. Even as a percentage of gross domestic product, the United States ranks well above European countries. According to one <a href="https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-charitable-countries#title">source</a>, the United States is one of the most charitable countries in the world.</p>

<p><strong>What’s remarkable is that the vast majority of Americans who give to charity receive no federal tax benefit from doing so.</strong> Returning to the individual exemption, when you file your taxes, you can either claim the standard deduction ($14,600 for an individual, or $29,200 for a couple) or you can itemize your deductions. A few expenses can count toward the itemized deductions, but these expenses are highly qualified and don’t add up to much for the average person.</p>

<p>From a benefit standpoint, your qualified expenses, including your charitable giving, must add up to more than the standard deduction before you receive any tax advantage. Suppose someone takes the entire $10,000 state and local tax deduction (SALT) and comes up with $5,000 more in other qualified expenses. They would still be $14,200 short of the $29,200 standard deduction for a couple. This means that any of their charitable giving, up to $14,200, does not render them any benefits on their federal taxes.</p>

<p>Seventy percent of American households earn less than <a href="https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2024/demo/p60-282.html">$127,000</a> before taxes. So $14,200 would mean donating more than 10 percent of their pre-tax earnings before they saw any advantage from the giving being “tax-deductible.” For most Americans, the “tax-deductible” element of charitable giving is practically irrelevant. Yet they give anyway.</p>

<p><strong>Most Americans donate money even though they receive no federal tax benefit.</strong> Americans gave generously long before the income tax and the charitable tax deduction existed. <strong>A large industry of lawyers and accountants has cropped up to help wealthy people lower their tax liabilities through various forms of charitable giving.</strong> Sometimes these methods lead to creative accounting and legal gymnastics that can distort or divert people’s choices of how to use their wealth.</p>

<p>These observations provide a few reasons to want an alternative to our federal tax code 501(c)(3) structure. We should ask whether society would be freer in a world without tax exemptions for charitable giving—a world without the stark for-profit/nonprofit legal divide with all its attendant reporting and hoops. Tax code rules that put their thumb on the scale represent social engineering of the kind free people should reject.</p>

<p><strong>Most Americans give generously without thought of return—even with a large welfare state and high taxes. </strong></p>

<p>There is something deeply admirable about this kind of generosity that gives without expecting any material benefit in return. Imagine how they would give if the welfare state were trimmed down and their taxes were lower. </p>

<p><strong>That’s what George W. Bush’s “compassionate conservatism” should have meant.</strong></p>

<p><em>Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ZeroHedge.</em></p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-13T01:45:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 21:45</span>

link:
https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/what-scrooge-effect-americans-keep-giving-despite-welfare-state


guid: 1029857 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: US Treasury Shocks With Second Biggest Budget Surplus In History
author: ;Tyler Durden
hash: f��/�Yr�+P���
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">US Treasury Shocks With Second Biggest Budget Surplus In History</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Two weeks ago, as part of its quarterly refunding announcement, the Treasury surprised the market when it unveiled a funding need for the current quarter that was <a href="https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/us-treasury-unexpectedly-reports-sharp-drop-debt-borrowing-needs-rates-slilde">$<strong>53 billion lower </strong></a>than it had initially forecast in February, and which we said "indicates that DOGE is indeed working and the US funding needs are actually declining."</p>

<p>Needless to say, for a market that was habituated to Joe Biden's debt-funded drunken sailor spending ways, the news that the US would needs <em><strong>less </strong></em>- not more - spending than previously expected, came as a shock, and yields slumped as less debt than expected would be required to fund the world's most indebted government.</p>

<p>Today we got the reason why the borrowing need of the US was surprisingly lower than previously expected, and it was revealed in the latest <a href="https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/files/reports-statements/mts/mts0425.pdf">Treasury Monthly Statement </a>laying out the US government's monthly deficit... <em><strong>or rather surplus. </strong></em>Yes, we are so used to describing the sum-total of the US government's monthly income statement as a deficit (i.e., more spending than revenue) that it has become automatic to assume that every month the US will spend more than it brings in. Only this time that wasn't the case.</p>

<p>Presenting Exhibit A: in April, the US Treasury generated a $258.4 billion surplus after last month's $160.5 billion deficit; this the second biggest surplus on record, with just the $308 billion bumper surplus in 2021 bigger.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/budget%20surplus.jpg?itok=55kOVNir" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/budget%20surplus.jpg?itok=55kOVNir"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="79e54b87-a9fb-4d71-81f5-66e5770ea8ff" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="335" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/budget%20surplus.jpg?itok=55kOVNir" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>To be sure, while US surpluses are few and far between, the one time of the year when they can (occasionally) be seen, is in April, when a surge in tax income offsets the now chronic government bloat and spending. This April was <em>just that, </em>and while the US did spend a hefty $592 billion in April (slightly more than the $528 billion in March, and more than the $567 billion spent a year ago) of which very ominously more than $100 billion was gross interest on the record US debt (which at this moment is about $37 trillion) for the second month in a row...</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/US%20gross%20interest%20expense.jpg?itok=jwk0oav5" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/US%20gross%20interest%20expense.jpg?itok=jwk0oav5"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ef03359b-ef4d-4f96-a143-26759554c502" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="316" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/US%20gross%20interest%20expense.jpg?itok=jwk0oav5" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>... the revenue collected by the US treasury managed to more than offset this massive spend, and surged by a whopping $850 billion, just shy of the record $864 billion record in April 2022.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/US%20spending%20receipts%20april%202024.jpg?itok=xcf_8XCH" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/US%20spending%20receipts%20april%202024.jpg?itok=xcf_8XCH"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="738147ba-d502-45b4-965e-3ebbcf7dcaa9" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="316" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/US%20spending%20receipts%20april%202024.jpg?itok=xcf_8XCH" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>The unexpected surge in revenue, and the resulting budget surplus means that the cumulative deficit for fiscal 2025 suddenly doesn't look catastrophic: recall that just four months ago, back in January, in the last month of Biden's reign, the US had already spent a record $840 billion for the first 4 months of the year, on pace to blow away all previous records. But then something changed, and first March saw a big slowdown in spending which resulted in a much more tame cumulative deficit through March, and then the April data meant that the cumulative deficit in the first seven months of the year, was actually an improvement, and dropped to just $1049 billion, down from a peak of $1037 billion in March, and below the run-rate of both 2021 and 2024.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/cum%20deficit%20april%202024.jpg?itok=88mOdzEy" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/cum%20deficit%20april%202024.jpg?itok=88mOdzEy"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="83df3a4b-2778-444e-8fdb-86f114f7daa3" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="310" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/cum%20deficit%20april%202024.jpg?itok=88mOdzEy" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>And while the primary reason for the unexpected budget surplus was a far bigger tax haul than expected, mostly thanks to a burst in capital gains tax which is unlikely to be repeated this year (unless we see the S&amp;P rise another 20% from here by year end), there was another big reason for the April revenue surge, a reason we profiled previously in "<a href="https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/trump-trade-war-results-record-12-billion-surge-customs-revenues">Trump Trade War Results In Record $12 Billion Surge In Customs Revenues</a>." As shown in the chart below, Customs Duties in April doubled from $8.2 billion in March to a record $15.6 billion in April, thanks to surge in Trump tariffs.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/record%20customs%20duties.jpg?itok=Mjcnjo7E" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/record%20customs%20duties.jpg?itok=Mjcnjo7E"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="87c922ce-d47c-4c9d-b525-1fb04f7337b1" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="316" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/record%20customs%20duties.jpg?itok=Mjcnjo7E" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>And while all of that is a good start, and certainly a big improvement in the US fiscal picture in the first three months of Trump's regime, the big picture sadly remains a dismal one, largely because the US debt picture remains completely unsustainable and manifests itself in $1.2 trillion in gross interest expense per year, just $300 billion shy of the biggest spending category of them all: Social Security Spending. </p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/spending%20govt%20cateogry%205.12.jpg?itok=LhdZFyD5" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/spending%20govt%20cateogry%205.12.jpg?itok=LhdZFyD5"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d4befdaa-2764-42d6-8d1a-9a40802ca3bf" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="314" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/spending%20govt%20cateogry%205.12.jpg?itok=LhdZFyD5" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>That said, April's bumper revenue aside, all five main spending categories are growing much faster than revenue, and something drastically has to change for this big picture to become viable. Unfortunately, we have now seen the wholsesale pushback Trump has faced when doing just that - trying to restructure a broken status quo - which is why unless Trump magically succeeds in this undertaking, the US is pretty much doomed (while DOGE's achievements have been admirable, they are a drop in the bucket in the context of Congresionally appropriate spending) as nobody else will ever come close to Trump's intended overhaul of the US fiscal picture.</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-13T10:01:01+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 05/13/2025 - 06:01</span>

link:
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/us-treasury-shocks-second-biggest-budget-surplus-history-thanks-record-tariff-revenues


guid: yt:video:hClm5nFQ798
title: How To Make Your Mind Harder For The Propagandists To Manipulate
author: ;Caitlin Johnstone
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hClm5nFQ798
hash: ��g������� ~�U
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/hClm5nFQ798?version=3","title":"How To Make Your Mind Harder For The Propagandists To Manipulate","description":"When people hear the word &quot;propaganda&quot; they tend to think it means the same thing as &quot;lies&quot;, but that's not accurate. The domestic propaganda that westerners are fed by the powerful does not typically consist of whole-cloth fabrications, but rather of distortions, half-truths, manipulated emphasis, and lies by omission.\n\nReading by Tim Foley.\n\nThanks for watching! Subscribe to my Substack at caitlinjohnst.one for email updates on all my new stuff.","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/hClm5nFQ798/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: 1029800 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: DHS Investigates Los Angeles For Allegedly Providing Federal Benefits To Illegal Immigrants
author: ;Tyler Durden
hash: }Y�� ���"pR>a�
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">DHS Investigates Los Angeles For Allegedly Providing Federal Benefits To Illegal Immigrants</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><em><a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/dhs-investigates-los-angeles-for-allegedly-providing-federal-benefits-to-illegal-immigrants-5856321">Authored by Chase Smith via The Epoch Times</a> (emphasis ours),</em></p>

<p>The Department of Homeland Security has <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/05/12/department-homeland-security-investigates-state-california-providing-federal">issued</a> a subpoena to Los Angeles County for records tied to a state-run assistance program, which<strong> the department alleges might have been used to unlawfully provide federal benefits to illegal immigrants.</strong></p>
<a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/image_92%2817%29_0.jpg?itok=glWW7aAR" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/image_92%2817%29_0.jpg?itok=glWW7aAR"><picture><figure role="group" data-sanitized-class="caption caption-img inline-images image-style-inline-images"><img alt="" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c09edf79-3b01-47d2-9db4-cff2ef29990b" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="333" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/image_92%2817%29_0.jpg?itok=glWW7aAR" typeof="foaf:Image" width="500"><figcaption><em>A Social Security Administration building in Burbank, Calif., on Nov. 5, 2020. Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images</em></figcaption></figure></picture></a>

<p><strong>Homeland Security Investigations served a Title 8 subpoena to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services,</strong> which administers California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants.</p>

<p>While the cash assistance program is a state-funded initiative, the federal subpoena seeks records from January 2021 to the present to determine whether any recipients received Supplemental Security Income benefits but who were ineligible, based on their immigration status.</p>

<p>The requested documents include applications, immigration status records, proof of Supplemental Security Income ineligibility, and supporting affidavits, DHS said in an announcement.</p>

<p>“<strong>Radical left politicians in California prioritize illegal aliens over our own citizens, including by giving illegal aliens access to cash benefits,</strong>” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.</p>

<p>“If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now. The gravy train is over. While this subpoena focuses only on Los Angeles County—it is just the beginning.”</p>

<p>The move comes less than a month after President Donald Trump signed a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/preventing-illegal-aliens-from-obtaining-social-security-act-benefits/">memorandum</a> directing federal agencies to crack down on misuse of Social Security Act funds. The April 15 directive, aimed at enforcing Executive Order 14218, calls on federal officials to identify and prevent payments to ineligible recipients, including those without lawful immigration status.</p>

<p><strong>Trump’s memorandum directs federal agencies to investigate fraud and prioritize enforcement in areas with high numbers of illegal immigrants. </strong>It also calls for expanding fraud prosecution programs through special assistant U.S. attorneys, particularly targeting identity theft and improper benefit payments.</p>

<p>According to DHS, more than 2 million illegal immigrants were issued Social Security numbers in fiscal year 2024 under prior policies. The department said it is now working with other agencies to prevent any further disbursement of benefits to ineligible recipients.</p>

<p>The Social Security Administration previously <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/social-security-says-it-commits-to-preventing-illegal-immigrants-from-receiving-benefits-5843395">expressed</a> support for the White House memo and outlined steps it is taking to prevent future benefit fraud. In an April 16 statement, acting Commissioner Leland Dudek said the agency is committed to ensuring that benefits are “paid only to those who should receive them.”</p>

<p>The Social Security Administration said it is reviewing questionable earnings reports and considering whether to resume civil monetary penalties in cases of fraud. The agency also confirmed that it recently reclassified more than 6,300 Social Security numbers as ineligible after identifying recipients who had been paroled into the U.S. despite criminal records or national security concerns.</p>

<p>California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, and the California Department of Social Services did not respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times before publication.</p>

<p><em>Naveen Athrappully contributed to this report. </em></p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-13T02:35:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 22:35</span>

link:
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/dhs-investigates-los-angeles-allegedly-providing-federal-benefits-illegal-immigrants


guid: yt:video:C3e2Zmu6KsE
title: AUM Peace Roundtable: A Memorial of Dr. Edward Lozansky
author: ;Canadian Patriot Press
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3e2Zmu6KsE
hash: U�T����]I���?
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/C3e2Zmu6KsE?version=3","title":"AUM Peace Roundtable: A Memorial of Dr. Edward Lozansky","description":"On May 11th, The RTF and AUM hosted a Peace Roundtable in honor of the memory of the legendary poet, scientist and diplomat Dr Edward Lozansky (1942-2025) who devoted his life to world peace, cultural optimism and progress.\n\nRead Martin Sieff's eulogy of Ed Lozansky here:\nhttps://pluralia.com/en/a/remembering-edward-lozansky-towering-prophet-of-sanity-decency-and-peace/\n\nWatch Ed Lozansky's film 'The Other America' here\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNDnHL40lo4\n\nDownload a PDF of Ed Lozansky's autobiography here\nhttps://canadianpatriot.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Building-US-Russia-Bridges-by-Ed-Lozansky-2.pdf\n\nListen to Ed's Waltz for Peace here:\nhttps://youtu.be/AUX3IsY76Mo?si=XhsJUaa465lOdzIK\n\nWatch all previous Peace Roundtables here:\nhttps://risingtidefoundation.net/international-peace-roundtables/\n\n\nTo register for future roundtable sessions, write to info@risingtidefoundation.net","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i4.ytimg.com/vi/C3e2Zmu6KsE/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: https://odysee.com/RoundtableED:d97705bc082c3086609ed3fc2e85f1658be0c904
title: AUM Peace Roundtable: A Memorial of Dr. Edward Lozansky
author: ;Canadian Patriot Press
link: https://odysee.com/RoundtableED:d97705bc082c3086609ed3fc2e85f1658be0c904
hash: 1 \�]~%L�O C��
content:
<p><img src="https://thumbs.odycdn.com/de3cb0e66af8f825fd41f762d9300870.webp" width="480" alt="thumbnail" title="AUM Peace Roundtable: A Memorial of Dr. Edward Lozansky"></p><br>On May 11th, The RTF and AUM hosted a Peace Roundtable in honor of the memory of the legendary poet, scientist and diplomat Dr Edward Lozansky (1942-2025) who devoted his life to world peace, cultural optimism and progress.<br><br>Read Martin Sieff's eulogy of Ed Lozansky here:<br>https://pluralia.com/en/a/remembering-edward-lozansky-towering-prophet-of-sanity-decency-and-peace/<br><br>Watch Ed Lozansky's film 'The Other America' here<br>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNDnHL40lo4<br><br>Download a PDF of Ed Lozansky's autobiography here<br>https://canadianpatriot.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Building-US-Russia-Bridges-by-Ed-Lozansky-2.pdf<br><br>Listen to Ed's Waltz for Peace here:<br>https://youtu.be/AUX3IsY76Mo?si=XhsJUaa465lOdzIK<br><br>Watch all previous Peace Roundtables here:<br>https://risingtidefoundation.net/international-peace-roundtables/<br><br>To register for future roundtable sessions, write to info@risingtidefoundation.net<br><br>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://player.odycdn.com/api/v3/streams/free/RoundtableED/d97705bc082c3086609ed3fc2e85f1658be0c904/f16f26.qt","type":"video/quicktime","length":2457618162}]}


guid: 4545
author: ;⚡️Luc Trudel
link: https://t.me/TrueDelta/4545
hash: �M�4�[�"�� �"[
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
title:
🇺🇸🇸🇦🇵🇸⚡- BREAKING: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has organized a four-way meeting between himself, President Trump, Syr...

content:
<div dir="auto" data-sanitized-class="tgme_widget_message_text js-message_text"><i data-sanitized-class="emoji"><b>🇺🇸</b></i><i data-sanitized-class="emoji"><b>🇸🇦</b></i><i data-sanitized-class="emoji"><b>🇵🇸</b></i><i data-sanitized-class="emoji"><b>⚡</b></i>- BREAKING: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has organized a four-way meeting between himself, President Trump, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, to take place in Riyadh during Trump's visit.<br><br>The purpose of the meeting is to plan for the recognition of a Palestinian State - according to Israeli outlet 301.</div><br><br><span>(Feed generated with <a href="https://fetchrss.com/feedLink?w=67e85ccd68d9b987fd0b48f3" target="_blank">FetchRSS</a>)</span>


guid: 4546
title: https://x.com/M_Simonyan/status/1921660929520877586
author: ;⚡️Luc Trudel
link: https://t.me/TrueDelta/4546
hash: ̑r\ۂ� M���`��
content:
<img src="https://cdn1.cdn-telegram.org/file/U7JkWpm1VmgS5RJHv5uRR85SlU8yo0f80YdyxcCqEWi_KgkSdBd_arcDBLnGkaOpRQOFuDJAXerZdTq1nv7p372DiWP7RtXmKsc1uXeDiAATgbWQUyIzEgQWnwIOmT7dWmQxqHVdJGiPvN5CXigzFcuetczbm2-pWB43ucI2No90NVEiSOpwwr0OGFUViKv8Wq1tDGrXfeeWKLhpABE8lqBdKXf2zMSOv-tNbZfEii6KcvikETYd5_VmJdIjvzyDz7b54cu-vmUFAJo4ph1ykcmEFDCp_y_grAsDBz8B7eTzl51Z6XAkcDbMyNBLUAtUBYCrG3ggTtd1S4QUQwsmNQ.jpg"><br><br><div dir="auto" data-sanitized-class="tgme_widget_message_text js-message_text">
  <a href="https://x.com/M_Simonyan/status/1921660929520877586" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://x.com/M_Simonyan/status/1921660929520877586</a>
</div><br><br><span>(Feed generated with <a href="https://fetchrss.com/feedLink?w=67e85ccd68d9b987fd0b48f3" target="_blank">FetchRSS</a>)</span>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://cdn1.cdn-telegram.org/file/U7JkWpm1VmgS5RJHv5uRR85SlU8yo0f80YdyxcCqEWi_KgkSdBd_arcDBLnGkaOpRQOFuDJAXerZdTq1nv7p372DiWP7RtXmKsc1uXeDiAATgbWQUyIzEgQWnwIOmT7dWmQxqHVdJGiPvN5CXigzFcuetczbm2-pWB43ucI2No90NVEiSOpwwr0OGFUViKv8Wq1tDGrXfeeWKLhpABE8lqBdKXf2zMSOv-tNbZfEii6KcvikETYd5_VmJdIjvzyDz7b54cu-vmUFAJo4ph1ykcmEFDCp_y_grAsDBz8B7eTzl51Z6XAkcDbMyNBLUAtUBYCrG3ggTtd1S4QUQwsmNQ.jpg","medium":"image"}]}


guid: 4547
title: https://x.com/JDunlap1974/status/1921749332480397463
author: ;⚡️Luc Trudel
link: https://t.me/TrueDelta/4547
hash: K�r�݂��4��>�o
content:
<div dir="auto" data-sanitized-class="tgme_widget_message_text js-message_text">
  <a href="https://x.com/JDunlap1974/status/1921749332480397463" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://x.com/JDunlap1974/status/1921749332480397463</a>
</div><a href="https://x.com/JDunlap1974/status/1921749332480397463" data-sanitized-class="tgme_widget_message_link_preview">
  <img src="https://cdn4.cdn-telegram.org/file/o-b5iDmHf8wUXM0sJVUkwvg8hUtE54poPlu49V2689Dz8hObp7Ef9XJ-2zT6b78u-WZlyAgbUTcaFG2eSDHEev1Yz0XBvM8m9jwhOeb_HJ7_Zomij093jm4MaXnRKt1SmMJRdeHGcgFlT7UxFnGnay8qWwudxbAJdGEEmR6Syp1NYL_px6MTu1nqozNAaynQA9u7GWZ74q_eWS5BkPEjYoRQo6FsVwPwjfKc1-j5JTEw6fPs9goP7QXlvwOgDaGDwQJE1MldhYbngmcaS-pM5_RgsTTKvybSZka_DCMlQ_Iw4Bxktq3zf0AOYU3gI2y8WHS0V1yACK_IZRF4raif_A.jpg"><br>
  <div dir="auto" data-sanitized-class="link_preview_site_name accent_color">X (formerly Twitter)</div>
  
  <div dir="auto" data-sanitized-class="link_preview_title">JOSH DUNLAP (@JDunlap1974) on X</div>
  <div dir="auto" data-sanitized-class="link_preview_description">HILLARY CLINTON MAY FINALLY FACE PRISON — TRUMP ORDERS FULL DECLASSIFICATION<br><br>President Trump has just ordered the immediate release of all FBI files related to Crossfire Hurricane — the infamous “Russian Collusion” investigation.<br><br>This means : <br><br>John Durham’s…</div>
</a><br><br><span>(Feed generated with <a href="https://fetchrss.com/feedLink?w=67e85ccd68d9b987fd0b48f3" target="_blank">FetchRSS</a>)</span>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://cdn4.cdn-telegram.org/file/o-b5iDmHf8wUXM0sJVUkwvg8hUtE54poPlu49V2689Dz8hObp7Ef9XJ-2zT6b78u-WZlyAgbUTcaFG2eSDHEev1Yz0XBvM8m9jwhOeb_HJ7_Zomij093jm4MaXnRKt1SmMJRdeHGcgFlT7UxFnGnay8qWwudxbAJdGEEmR6Syp1NYL_px6MTu1nqozNAaynQA9u7GWZ74q_eWS5BkPEjYoRQo6FsVwPwjfKc1-j5JTEw6fPs9goP7QXlvwOgDaGDwQJE1MldhYbngmcaS-pM5_RgsTTKvybSZka_DCMlQ_Iw4Bxktq3zf0AOYU3gI2y8WHS0V1yACK_IZRF4raif_A.jpg","medium":"image"}]}


guid: 4548
author: ;⚡️Luc Trudel
link: https://t.me/TrueDelta/4548
hash: �g�Kr4���`p�
title:
Western media ‘conditioning minds, ESPECIALLY of Africans’Burkina Faso’s Traoré tells RT his BIGGEST regret is listening to Fren...

content:
<video src="https://cdn4.cdn-telegram.org/file/66df7a6a71.mp4?token=WwamR4HwpY4KTPxUMTGyj5JgGQrydNlib0m-jQdY0vlJsSPBcEwShCjVtzEV7efQK1uDDVXlQTSzfIjCLWqf-JQlvCreeLJ2VCtQRIJJa-xsmi0v4SJBEq6B2e83QOKqUy2pA35oTUaWOhvfURgfLW1YytDYO2YzbvpFjYWtzNN0eZsB1GeFMY7YgFmAo7ZUkKLjLoCJiB1_a3ShIEa2AIBq2rIKs1yXakXBmDZj1mqM1qclW7UoylixP6GmlFXKYZDhFE6FQ3RDV896DCTeLexR07PtQOGfEeJdqQGPTjJJBHmA_C4-PjHL60gwbdVKTpSXUnR1Ldta9ePndf1dtg" controls="controls" poster="https://cdn4.cdn-telegram.org/file/tvI1gwhkYF441Po_uxZPA8oO8PfP7ZmyYbTI-fk2LRaNLcXMC_UgnD05khZcURHB0ythp0Qxrf6eDeWYVx9rselk-B-NcIfYtid79CqU2J_zAOOLzhjn59EhEZuo3sDGB9BfBk61M2zVNrzimQ7QU_mpqxesy7SCbH4hD_J-62qwbZlSmqlldcGUId12sUWVWsyDhop8AOJjGISFD6owfzq3lIHb8oRC5ff5Nic6q-DXZUCjtBq6JXcrp1D39kXfbINQD7TYlTv9hn4PS1DyRqPD9PBKthA_qNCyJPnDsnYYE7c6Etd0AB3NmdkFzAOF3W-VWKOM0CbBZHrXG1760Q" preload="none"></video><br><div dir="auto" data-sanitized-class="tgme_widget_message_text js-message_text"><b>Western media ‘conditioning minds, ESPECIALLY of Africans’</b><br><br>Burkina Faso’s Traoré tells RT his BIGGEST regret is listening to French radio stations as kid.<br><br>Adds RT 'can play BIG part in awakening conscience of young people'.<br><br><i>Boost us here </i><a href="https://t.me/IntelRepublic" target="_blank"><i>@IntelRepublic</i></a></div><br><br><span>(Feed generated with <a href="https://fetchrss.com/feedLink?w=67e85ccd68d9b987fd0b48f3" target="_blank">FetchRSS</a>)</span>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://cdn4.cdn-telegram.org/file/tvI1gwhkYF441Po_uxZPA8oO8PfP7ZmyYbTI-fk2LRaNLcXMC_UgnD05khZcURHB0ythp0Qxrf6eDeWYVx9rselk-B-NcIfYtid79CqU2J_zAOOLzhjn59EhEZuo3sDGB9BfBk61M2zVNrzimQ7QU_mpqxesy7SCbH4hD_J-62qwbZlSmqlldcGUId12sUWVWsyDhop8AOJjGISFD6owfzq3lIHb8oRC5ff5Nic6q-DXZUCjtBq6JXcrp1D39kXfbINQD7TYlTv9hn4PS1DyRqPD9PBKthA_qNCyJPnDsnYYE7c6Etd0AB3NmdkFzAOF3W-VWKOM0CbBZHrXG1760Q","medium":"image"}]}


guid: 4549
title: https://x.com/caitoz/status/1921916446822858948?s=35
author: ;⚡️Luc Trudel
link: https://t.me/TrueDelta/4549
hash: ]�rK��3�EZ�3
content:
<div dir="auto" data-sanitized-class="tgme_widget_message_text js-message_text">
  <a href="https://x.com/caitoz/status/1921916446822858948?s=35" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://x.com/caitoz/status/1921916446822858948?s=35</a>
</div><a href="https://x.com/caitoz/status/1921916446822858948?s=35" data-sanitized-class="tgme_widget_message_link_preview">
  <img src="https://cdn4.cdn-telegram.org/file/DKx3HQQukY4KWcUHjixmNFoHV9B35OzYWnncUgfPRtpioO5fi4RKIzRWpmLDzlJXUB0l4thuBaFUpV22Cd0ILBUssFzUukbPluvXRRvwiSflVDGIOeRVAJpv3l_SyQyDKFAbdoiIDel72Hks8gQaLvGEs4_hCzgC2-sdsJQH7C05jlVk5Ztu_hNv9nSRjcWSwFYK2kY9qhVNUIt3eXj9pijQdnU9xveMC-mKP938NccVCCCk_LLzaoUjfz15BfeRUE-dbqaA6q9rd53qG3N0yHv6FL6EdXGw_bWCBCtUbbG0BHgLM8y4HKGFUQu7f03DuG8NiduiKs1a8urSd0v3IQ.jpg"><br>
  <div dir="auto" data-sanitized-class="link_preview_site_name accent_color">X (formerly Twitter)</div>
  
  <div dir="auto" data-sanitized-class="link_preview_title">Caitlin Johnstone (@caitoz) on X</div>
  <div dir="auto" data-sanitized-class="link_preview_description">After a year and a half of genocidal atrocities, the editorial boards of numerous British press outlets have suddenly come out hard against Israel’s onslaught in Gaza.<br><br>The first drop of rain came last week from The Financial Times in a piece by the editorial…</div>
</a><br><br><span>(Feed generated with <a href="https://fetchrss.com/feedLink?w=67e85ccd68d9b987fd0b48f3" target="_blank">FetchRSS</a>)</span>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://cdn4.cdn-telegram.org/file/DKx3HQQukY4KWcUHjixmNFoHV9B35OzYWnncUgfPRtpioO5fi4RKIzRWpmLDzlJXUB0l4thuBaFUpV22Cd0ILBUssFzUukbPluvXRRvwiSflVDGIOeRVAJpv3l_SyQyDKFAbdoiIDel72Hks8gQaLvGEs4_hCzgC2-sdsJQH7C05jlVk5Ztu_hNv9nSRjcWSwFYK2kY9qhVNUIt3eXj9pijQdnU9xveMC-mKP938NccVCCCk_LLzaoUjfz15BfeRUE-dbqaA6q9rd53qG3N0yHv6FL6EdXGw_bWCBCtUbbG0BHgLM8y4HKGFUQu7f03DuG8NiduiKs1a8urSd0v3IQ.jpg","medium":"image"}]}


guid: 6821fe32038a3200013acd5a
title: Will Immigration &amp; Customs Outsource Newark for Private Prisons and Contractor Airlines?
author: ;Steven Carr
link: https://eir.news/2025/05/news/will-ice-outsource-newark-for-private-prisons-contractor-airlines/
hash: �3`�qx7�H�4
tags: #U.S. and Canada #News
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p>The private prison, Delaney Hall, in Newark, New Jersey, was opened on May 1 by a company called Geo Group, which won the $1 billion contract award by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to use the facility as a detention center for undocumented migrants. With 1,000 beds, this is the largest ICE facility on the East Coast. Geo Group also controls many of the privatized aircraft known as ICE Air which operates out of Newark’s Liberty International Airport. Several civic groups, such as <a href="https://www.njimmigrantjustice.org/delaneyhallcontract">New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice</a> have been organizing protests and other actions to sound the alarm that Newark is becoming the largest East Coast ICE outsourcing center where detained migrants will go to Geo Group’s detention facility, and then be shipped out by Geo Group’s private contractor aircraft, from Newark airport. New Jersey also has the 300-bed Elizabeth Detention Center, another privatized ICE prison run by a company, CoreCivic.</p>
<p>There has been widespread legal and political opposition to these privatized detention facilities in the state. New Jersey has put legal limitations on for-profit migrant detention centers. In 2021 the Garden State passed <a href="https://pub.njleg.gov/bills/2020/A9999/5207_I1.HTM">state law AB5207</a> which prohibits private contracts with ICE for detention centers. In 2023 CoreCivic took the state to court over the issue and former President Joe Biden gave support to CoreCivic by saying the state law would be “catastrophic” to federal immigration efforts. In the years since then, immigrant rights activists in New Jersey have been fighting to get the decision reversed. The state has appealed the ruling.</p>
<p>There have been high-profile protests to stop the Delany Hall prison which included the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on May 9. Protesters often focus on these privatized prisons and their history of abuse, medical negligence, and mistreatment. The federal government pays $20 million per year to CoreCivic for its Elizabeth Detention Center. New Jersey’s immigrant population is second only to California, with roughly one in four residents having been born outside of the United States.</p>


guid: 68220413038a3200013acd7d
title: U.S. and China Reach 90-Day Tariff Deal, as Trump Seeks Dialogue with Xi Jinping by Week’s End
author: ;Marcia Baker
link: https://eir.news/2025/05/news/us-and-china-reach-tariff-deal/
hash: �4��ҼS ���!�
tags: #U.S. and Canada #Economics #News
content:
<div><img src="https://eir.news/content/images/size/w1200/2025/05/port-of-los-angeles-scaled.jpeg" data-sanitized-class="ff-og-image-inserted"></div><p>The meetings in Geneva over the May 10-11 weekend between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and China’s Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang reached an agreement to establish a 90-day easing of tariffs while further discussions take place for a more permanent agreement. President Trump this morning at the White House praised the accord, saying that he plans to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping by the end of this week. He said that the United States is “not looking to harm China.”</p>
<p>In the agreement, the U.S. will lower tariffs to 30% from the massive 134% level set over past weeks, while China will reduce their tariffs to 10%, and Beijing will also ease non-tariff measures, such as export controls on U.S. goods, according to media. The new policies will be effective from May 14, and Washington and Beijing will create a consultation mechanism to work out further trade policy steps. They issued a “<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/05/joint-statement-on-u-s-china-economic-and-trade-meeting-in-geneva/">Joint Statement on U.S.-China Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva</a>.”</p>
<aside readability="20.022988505747" data-sanitized-class="gh-post-upgrade-cta"><div readability="24.64367816092" data-sanitized-class="gh-post-upgrade-cta-content">
<h2>This post is for paying subscribers only</h2>
<a data-portal="signup" href="https://eir.news/2025/05/news/us-and-china-reach-tariff-deal/#/portal/signup" data-sanitized-class="gh-btn">Subscribe now</a>
<p><small>Already have an account? <a data-portal="signin" href="https://eir.news/2025/05/news/us-and-china-reach-tariff-deal/#/portal/signin">Sign in</a></small></p>
</div>
</aside>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://eir.news/content/images/2025/05/port-of-los-angeles-scaled.jpeg","medium":"image"}]}


guid: 68221184038a3200013acdc4
title: Pope Leo XIV Told Journalists in an Audience, ‘Reject the Paradigm of War’
author: ;Michael O. Billington
link: https://eir.news/2025/05/news/pope-leo-14-held-an-audience-with-the-press/
hash: � 2�!ؘ����� �
tags: #History and Culture #Europe #News
content:
<div><img src="https://eir.news/content/images/2025/05/54506387286_6079940287_c.jpg" data-sanitized-class="ff-og-image-inserted"></div><p>“The way we communicate is of fundamental importance: we must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war,” <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/may/documents/20250512-media.html">according to Pope Leo XIV</a> in his address to an audience with journalists this morning. He implored them to use communication as a tool for peace.</p>
<p>Referencing Pope Francis’ message from the World Day of Social Communications in January, Leo said, “Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred; let us free it from aggression. We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.” He asked the journalists to be committed to truth and to a “disarmed and disarming peace,” the expression he used when elected.</p>
<p>The remarks come just one day after the Pope urged for a ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid in Gaza and an end to the war in Ukraine.</p>
<p>“We are living in times that are both difficult to navigate and to recount. They present a challenge for all of us, but it is one that we should not run away from. On the contrary, they demand that each one of us, in our different roles and services, never give in to mediocrity.”</p>
<p>He concluded by saying, “I ask you to choose consciously and courageously the path of communication in favor of peace.”</p>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://eir.news/content/images/2025/05/54506387286_6079940287_c.jpg","medium":"image"}]}


guid: 6822171f038a3200013acde2
title: Starmer and the U.K. Scrap Brexit To Prepare for War against Russia
author: ;Michael O. Billington
link: https://eir.news/2025/05/news/starmer-and-the-uk-scrap-brexit-to-prepare-for-war-with-russia/
hash: {b1� O ��س���
tags: #Strategic War Danger #Europe #News
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p><a href="https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/british-troops-could-join-eu-forces-under-new-security-pact-757c8l07l"><em>The Times</em> of London</a> reports today that a “leaked defense deal warns that Europe faces the ‘greatest threat in a generation’ from Russia as it pledges closer cooperation on military matters” with the EU. The impact is essentially the scrapping of the BREXIT split between the U.K. and the EU. While the focus and the stated intention is to prepare for joint military operations to confront Russia, it appears to include economic restoration of ties which were fissured by the Brexit agreement.</p>
<p><em>The Times</em> reports: “The U.K. and the EU will unveil a defense and security pact next week as part of a wide-ranging deal that will bring Britain into the closest alignment it has had with the EU since Brexit. The security pact says that the EU and U.K. face a ‘decisive moment’ and the ‘greatest threat in a generation’ because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and campaign of espionage and sabotage in the West. It says the ‘seriousness’ of the challenge requires a ‘unique and ambitious’ new agreement on security.” They point to the threat from Trump as another cause: “It also provides a mechanism for joint working if the U.S. refused to allow action under NATO’s auspices.”</p>
<p>“The U.K. and the EU share a responsibility for the security of Europe. The security and prosperity of the U.K. and the EU are also closely interconnected and interdependent,” the leaked report states. “The seriousness of the challenges we face calls for a unique and ambitious security and defense relationship between the U.K. and the EU.</p>
<p>“In this context, the EU and the U.K. have decided to establish and implement a tailor-made, mutually beneficial Security and Defense Partnership that will frame their overall co-operation across the security and defense spectrum.”</p>
<p>But it appears to be even more than security. <em>The Times</em> adds that the pact will be the “centrepiece of a summit in London this month that will open the way for the U.K. to restart selling food and agricultural products in the EU without customs checks. It will also commit both sides to working together to agree a separate deal around issues such as youth mobility scheme and energy market co-operation.”</p>


guid: 68225b32038a3200013acfa3
title: BBC Posts Documentary of Massive U.K. Special Forces’ Murder of Innocents in Afghanistan and Iraq
author: ;Michael O. Billington
hash: G��o��9�4A�n�
tags: #Collapsing Imperial System #United Kingdom #News
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p>The BBC “Panorama” show has produced a documentary with a compilation of the war crimes of the U.K. Special Forces (which includes the SAS (Air) and SBS (Naval) Special Forces, and several supporting regiments) in Afghanistan and Iraq, based on whistleblowers’ testimony and videos. BBC reports that, “Former members of U.K. Special Forces have broken years of silence to give BBC Panorama eyewitness accounts of alleged war crimes committed by colleagues in Iraq and Afghanistan. Giving their accounts publicly for the first time, the veterans described seeing members of the SAS murder unarmed people in their sleep and execute handcuffed detainees, including children.</p>
<p>“Killing of detainees ‘became routine,’” the veteran said. “They’d search someone, handcuff them, then shoot them,” before cutting off the plastic handcuffs used to restrain people and “planting a pistol” by the body, he said. The new testimony includes allegations of war crimes stretching over more than a decade, far longer than the three years currently being examined by a judge-led public inquiry in the U.K.</p>
<p>A veteran who served with the SBS said some troops had a “mob mentality,” describing their behavior on operations as “barbaric.” “I saw the quietest guys switch, show serious psychopathic traits,” he said. “They were lawless. They felt untouchable.”</p>
<p>The testimony, from more than 30 people who served with or alongside U.K. Special Forces, builds on years of reporting by BBC Panorama into allegations of extrajudicial killings by the SAS. BBC also reports that then-Prime Minister David Cameron, “was repeatedly warned during his tenure that U.K. Special Forces were killing civilians in Afghanistan,” including by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.</p>
<aside readability="20.022988505747" data-sanitized-class="gh-post-upgrade-cta"><div readability="24.64367816092" data-sanitized-class="gh-post-upgrade-cta-content">
<h2>This post is for paying subscribers only</h2>
<a data-portal="signup" href="https://eir.news/2025/05/news/bbc-posts-documentary-of-massive-uk-special-forces-murder-of-innocents-in-afghanistan-and-iraq/#/portal/signup" data-sanitized-class="gh-btn">Subscribe now</a>
<p><small>Already have an account? <a data-portal="signin" href="https://eir.news/2025/05/news/bbc-posts-documentary-of-massive-uk-special-forces-murder-of-innocents-in-afghanistan-and-iraq/#/portal/signin">Sign in</a></small></p>
</div>
</aside>

link:
https://eir.news/2025/05/news/bbc-posts-documentary-of-massive-uk-special-forces-murder-of-innocents-in-afghanistan-and-iraq/


guid: 68226c8b038a3200013acfd4
title: Netanyahu Submits to Witkoff on Negotiations, Only if IDF Keeps Killing
author: ;David Shavin
hash: ���NnXf����4t�
tags: #U.S. and Canada #Southwest Asia #famine #News
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p>In negotiations that excluded Israel, Hamas agreed with the U.S. to release the last remaining U.S. hostage, Israeli-American Edan Alexander, as a goodwill gesture. Alexander was released at noon today, local time. Hamas said that the gesture is “part of the efforts to reach a ceasefire.” The AP reported a senior Hamas official saying that they had been advised to, “give a gift to President Trump and in return he will give back a better one.” Trump said Alexander’s release was part of a larger effort to end the war and return all hostages, as officials spoke of a “window of opportunity” for a larger deal.</p>
<p>Yesterday, both Al Jazeera and Reuters reported, citing a Palestinian Arab source, that there were direct talks between the Trump Administration and Hamas regarding a ceasefire and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.</p>
<p>Today, President Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, along with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the matter of returning to the Witkoff framework. Previously, Netanyahu had interrupted that framework with a decision to blackmail Gaza with starvation of the civilian population. Witkoff had been trying to free about half of the remaining hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire of some 40 days, with food and aid allowed into Gaza—and that effort was after Netanyahu had walked away from the January arrangement to negotiate for a full end to the fighting. Witkoff had told hostage families, according to yesterday’s report by Israel’s Channel 12: “We want to bring the hostages home, but Israel is not willing to end the war. Israel is prolonging it....” So, the present pattern has been to starve Gaza for months at a time, trade hostages for a few weeks of aid, then resume the starvation and killing.</p>
<aside readability="20.022988505747" data-sanitized-class="gh-post-upgrade-cta"><div readability="24.64367816092" data-sanitized-class="gh-post-upgrade-cta-content">
<h2>This post is for paying subscribers only</h2>
<a data-portal="signup" href="https://eir.news/2025/05/news/netanyahu-submits-to-witkoff-on-negotiations-on-condition-they-keep-killing/#/portal/signup" data-sanitized-class="gh-btn">Subscribe now</a>
<p><small>Already have an account? <a data-portal="signin" href="https://eir.news/2025/05/news/netanyahu-submits-to-witkoff-on-negotiations-on-condition-they-keep-killing/#/portal/signin">Sign in</a></small></p>
</div>
</aside>

link:
https://eir.news/2025/05/news/netanyahu-submits-to-witkoff-on-negotiations-on-condition-they-keep-killing/


guid: 68228316038a3200013acff3
title: Trump Reiterates Support for Moscow-Kiev Direct Negotiations
author: ;David Shavin
hash: ����H6�������e�
tags: #U.S. and Canada #Russia and Ukraine #Ukraine conflict #News
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p>U.S. President Donald Trump said at the White House this morning, that on May 15, <a href="https://youtu.be/u2Ftw_VuedA?t=2778">“Thursday’s meeting with Russia and Ukraine is very important.</a> I was very insistent that that meeting take place. I think good things can come out of that meeting.” He added: “If I thought it would be helpful, I don’t know where I’m going to be at that particular point. I’ll be someplace in the Middle East but I would fly there if I thought it would be helpful.”</p>
<p>After Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer of direct negotiations with no preconditions, made in his statement May 10-11, Trump on May 11 had told Ukraine’s acting president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, that “Ukraine should agree to this IMMEDIATELY.” And Trump was explicit that a temporary ceasefire was not involved. This directly countered the demand for a 30-day ceasefire starting today, made by Zelenskyy, and the four leaders in Kiev May 10 from the U.K., France, Germany and Poland. What happened May 11 is that Kiev spent the next many hours pretending that Trump had not said what he had, trying its best to change the conversation.</p>
<p>First, <a href="https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1921469464358346850">Zelenskyy posted</a>: “It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war.... And the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire.... We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire—full, lasting, and reliable,” starting May 12. Trump’s envoy to Kiev, Gen. Keith Kellogg followed suit, tweeting: “President Trump has repeatedly said, stop the killing!! An unconditional 30 day ceasefire first and, during it, move into comprehensive peace discussions. Not the other way around.” Then on May 11 the Head of Ukraine Office of the President <a href="https://t.me/ermaka2022/6207">Andriy Yermak</a>, tried: “First a ceasefire for 30 days, then everything else…. The ceasefire is the first step towards ending the war and will confirm Russia’s readiness to end the killings.”</p>
<p>To be clear, not only does a “30-day ceasefire” have nothing to do with the direct negotiations, but they also have nothing to do with some showdown between Zelenskyy and Putin. Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s top aide, said that the Istanbul talks are simply a continuation of the talks that were sabotaged in April 2022, by then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Ushakov added that the Kremlin would announce the delegation members shortly.</p>
<p>Kremlin press spokesman Dmitry Peskov put the negotiations in the context of Putin’s many discussions with the 23 or so bilateral talks that he had in Moscow over May 7-10. This will be a resumption of the very same negotiations for a long-term solution; and that their approach was to achieve a real diplomatic solution. The leaders gathered in Moscow welcomed this and, Peskov added, such an approach was met with understanding on the part of Trump.</p>
<p>So far, Kiev has not mentioned anything about sending a negotiating team to Istanbul on May 15. Instead, in a second tweet yesterday, <a href="https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1921642678057635893">Zelenskyy added a new wrinkle</a>, pretending that he and Putin are to have a man-to-man showdown in Istanbul: “A full and unconditional ceasefire, one that lasts long enough to provide a necessary foundation for diplomacy, could significantly bring peace closer. …</p>
<aside readability="20.022988505747" data-sanitized-class="gh-post-upgrade-cta"><div readability="24.64367816092" data-sanitized-class="gh-post-upgrade-cta-content">
<h2>This post is for paying subscribers only</h2>
<a data-portal="signup" href="https://eir.news/2025/05/news/after-zelensky-resists-trump-doubles-down-on-moscow-kiev-direct-negotiations/#/portal/signup" data-sanitized-class="gh-btn">Subscribe now</a>
<p><small>Already have an account? <a data-portal="signin" href="https://eir.news/2025/05/news/after-zelensky-resists-trump-doubles-down-on-moscow-kiev-direct-negotiations/#/portal/signin">Sign in</a></small></p>
</div>
</aside>

link:
https://eir.news/2025/05/news/after-zelensky-resists-trump-doubles-down-on-moscow-kiev-direct-negotiations/


guid: 68228614038a3200013ad002
title: Amidst Danger, There Is an &amp;#039;Historic Wave Toward a New Paradigm&amp;#039;
author: ;Marcia Baker
link: https://eir.news/2025/05/news/amidst-danger-there-is-an-historic-wave-toward-a-new-paradigm/
hash: >�<����,Yn
tags: #Daily Lead #LaRouche movement #Ukraine conflict
content:
<div><img src="https://eir.news/content/images/size/w1200/2025/05/putin_lula_5-8-25.jpg" data-sanitized-class="ff-og-image-inserted"></div><p>We are now in a short-term countdown for the meeting Thursday, May 15, in Türkiye, to resume talks between Moscow and Kyiv toward resolution of the Ukraine crisis, from negotiations which were broken off in April 2022, by British intervention. With the fast pace at which events are unfolding, this positive turn of events may itself be deflected. Nevertheless, there are grounds for hopeful expectation regarding this and other key opportunities.</p>
<p>Schiller Institute leader Helga Zepp-LaRouche, reviewing the world situation, stressed today that this is no time for being locked in <em>ewig gestrigen</em>, being stuck in “yesterday"-type thinking that no fundamental shift can happen. Now is a time for intervention. Look at the forces in motion, with the dramatic events of just the past few days, involving President Xi Jinping, President Vladimir Putin, and President Lula da Silva. Euphoria would be wrong. But Zepp-LaRouche said it is correct that there is an “historic wave toward a new paradigm.”</p>
<p>What gave rise to the May 15 meeting set to be hosted by President Erdogan in Istanbul, in immediate terms, is that President Putin intervened with his statement to the media overnight May 10-11, after many meetings (some 23 bilateral talks) with world leaders in Moscow over May 7-10 for the May 9 Victory Day observance, and he called for unconditional resumption of Russia-Ukraine talks this week. He phoned President Erdogan, who agreed to host them. May 15 was set. This initiative overrode the grandstanding in Kyiv May 10-11, by the leaders of the U.K., France, Germany and Poland, along with acting President Zelenskyy, taunting, that a 30-day ceasefire must begin May 12, or else. Today, more details on the May 15 meeting were discussed between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan.</p>
<p><a href="http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/76899">Putin explained</a> in his May 11 statement, now available in full: “Colleagues, I think it is obvious to everyone that the talks and meetings held in Moscow also touched on the issue of resolving the conflict in Ukraine. We are grateful to all our guests, our friends, for the attention they are paying to this conflict and for the efforts they are making to bring this conflict to an end….</p>
<p>“I would like to express my gratitude once again for the mediation services and efforts aimed at a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis undertaken by our foreign partners, including China, Brazil, African countries, the Middle East, and recently the new Administration of the United States of America….”</p>
<p>At some point soon, it is expected that the composition of the Russian delegation to Istanbul will be announced; and more of the response from Ukraine made known, after the first response from Zelenskyy, spouting Sunday evening, “I will be in Türkiye this Thursday, May 15, and I expect Putin to come to Türkiye as well. Personally. And I hope that this time, Putin won’t be looking for excuses as to why he ‘can’t’ make it.” President Trump this morning from the White House, commented positively that if the talks go well in Türkiye, “If I thought it might be helpful ... I will fly there.”</p>
<p>The initiative of President Putin for restarting negotiations is in line with the explicit commitment he and President Xi spoke of at their meeting in Moscow last week. Their two countries have a special “responsibility in the world.” Positive expressions of this are two world conferences taking place in Eurasia this week. May 13 in Beijing will be the conference of China-CELAC (Community of Latin American &amp; Caribbean States, with 33 member nations). May 13-18 in Tatarstan will be the Russia-Islamic World International Economic KazanForum 2025. Started in 2009, the KazanForum in 2024 had 84 countries represented in the 20,500 attendees.</p>
<p>In Gaza, meantime, the killings and imposition of conditions for mass death continue by the Netanyahu forces. Neither humanitarian aid nor commercial supplies have been allowed into the Gaza Strip for 72 days. There is desultory talk of new, private charity aid, with logistics provided through private contractors, and from the Switzerland-registered Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, for which, it is reported, Tony Blair is conferring—always a bad omen. This must stop.</p>
<p>What is required is immediate relief, initiating reconstruction in Gaza, and moving on the statehood of Palestine. The <a href="https://laroucheorganization.com/larouche-plan-southwest-asia">LaRouche “Oasis Plan”</a> approach has been on the table for decades, and now is actively part of the process toward the June 2-4 meeting at the United Nations in New York.</p>
<p>President Trump’s first foreign trip in his second term is underway, now, to three nations in the Gaza and Persian Gulf region, but not to Israel. Today, Hamas released the hostage Edan Alexander, the young Israeli-American IDF serviceman, taken Oct. 7, whose release was conducted outside the Netanyahu regime. Egypt and Qatar undertook negotiations in recent days. President Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff flew to Israel today to be on hand for Alexander’s release. Witkoff then met with Netanyahu.</p>
<p>In this context, Israel went through the motions to announce today, it will resume sending a delegation to Doha for talks this week, though reiterating it is doing so “under fire,” not under ceasefire. Moreover, Netanyahu has pending his plan announced last week, that once Trump’s Southwest Asia trip is over, Israel intends to implement its military “conquer and hold” complete takeover of Gaza.</p>
<p>The watchword, again, is that warmongers are on the wrong side of history. Take action now. Mobilize with the <a href="https://schillerinstitute.nationbuilder.com/ipc_meeting">International Peace Coalition</a>, next Friday meeting May 16, and register for the international <a href="https://schillerinstitute.com/blog/2025/03/01/conference-invitation/">May 24-25 Schiller Institute conference</a>.</p>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://eir.news/content/images/2025/05/putin_lula_5-8-25.jpg","medium":"image"}]}


guid: 6822a284038a3200013ad06b
author: ;Marcia Baker
hash: |.q�C<�b}8���6?
tags: #Collapsing Imperial System #Economics #News
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
title:
U.S. Ag Secretary Visits U.K., Other Nations Demanding More &amp;#039;Market Access&amp;#039; for U.S. Farm Exports

content:
<p>Today U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins started a three-day visit in the U.K., as the first of her “six nations in six months” <a href="https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/03/28/secretary-rollins-announces-aggressive-international-travel-agenda-expand-market-access-american?fbclid">commitment</a> to “expand market access” for U.S. farm goods exports.</p>
<p>Rollins will go to India, Japan, Vietnam, Peru and Brazil; plus, the USDA has trade promotion missions to more nations. She spoke on Sunday TV May 4, about how great it will be for U.S. farmers to break open the India market. She gushed that Vice President J.D. Vance has already been in India, pressuring them to import more U.S. farm goods. She did not report that Indian farmers took to the streets against Vance, even burning him in effigy.</p>
<p>On May 8, new U.K.-U.S. trade terms were announced, for U.S. beef to sell in the U.K. at lower tariffs and bigger volumes, as well as zero-tariff U.S. ethanol. There is no “need” for U.S. beef in the U.K., if British farmers are supported to supply national needs. Moreover, U.S. cattlemen need for an end to beef imports into the U.S., which the meat cartels conduct, in league with food retailers. The big name cartel firms include JBS (headquartered in London and Brazil), Tysons, Cargill, National Beef (Marfrig, Brazil), Smithfield/WH Group (Hong Kong), and a few others. The cartel makes money off trade, coming-and-going.</p>
<aside readability="20.022988505747" data-sanitized-class="gh-post-upgrade-cta"><div readability="24.64367816092" data-sanitized-class="gh-post-upgrade-cta-content">
<h2>This post is for paying subscribers only</h2>
<a data-portal="signup" href="https://eir.news/2025/05/news/u-s-ag-secretary-visits-uk-other-nations-demanding-more-market-access-to-u-s-farm-exports/#/portal/signup" data-sanitized-class="gh-btn">Subscribe now</a>
<p><small>Already have an account? <a data-portal="signin" href="https://eir.news/2025/05/news/u-s-ag-secretary-visits-uk-other-nations-demanding-more-market-access-to-u-s-farm-exports/#/portal/signin">Sign in</a></small></p>
</div>
</aside>

link:
https://eir.news/2025/05/news/u-s-ag-secretary-visits-uk-other-nations-demanding-more-market-access-to-u-s-farm-exports/


guid: 1029820 at https://www.zerohedge.com
author: ;Tyler Durden
hash: �f�1r�����ZQ�
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
title:
Le Pen Urges Unified Nationalist Front In European Parliament, Slams Warmongering Franco-German Axis

content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Le Pen Urges Unified Nationalist Front In European Parliament, Slams Warmongering Franco-German Axis</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://rmx.news/article/le-pen-pines-for-unified-nationalist-front-in-european-parliament-slams-warmongering-franco-german-axis/"><em>Authored by Thomas Brooke via Remix news,</em></a></p>

<p>Marine Le Pen used a visit to Rome on Saturday to denounce what she called a growing “democratic scandal” within the European Union, following her recent conviction that has barred her from running in France’s next presidential election.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/GettyImages-2208347221.jpg?itok=pGxSIEvp" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/GettyImages-2208347221.jpg?itok=pGxSIEvp"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0b7dda32-cc4c-4f61-be98-073aea7555cc" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="333" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/GettyImages-2208347221.jpg?itok=pGxSIEvp" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>Speaking alongside Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, the French nationalist leader warned that her case was part of a wider pattern of political suppression aimed at silencing sovereignist movements across Europe.</p>

<blockquote>
<p><em>“I have an African friend who told me that there are countries where there are no elections, and countries where candidates are prevented from running,” Le Pen said in an interview with <a href="https://www.corriere.it/politica/25_maggio_11/marine-le-pen-intervista-salvini-meloni-macron-0c92e127-ea87-48f7-8845-563f69723xlk.shtml?refresh_ce">Corriere Della Sera</a> during the visit.</em></p>

<p><em><strong>“I believe that my conviction is really a democratic scandal: I was prevented from running for election, despite having appealed and am therefore still presumed innocent.”</strong></em></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Le Pen drew a direct comparison between her own legal troubles and what she described as systematic efforts by the European establishment to neutralize opposition voices. </p>

<blockquote>
<p><em>“I can’t help but think of what happened to Salvini, what happened in Romania with Călin Georgescu, and what the European Union wants to do with Orbán,” she said.</em></p>

<p><em><strong>“The EU does not like defeats, but it is ready to go against the people to crush those who bother it.”</strong></em></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Her remarks came during a joint appearance with Salvini at the League’s School of Political Formation following a religious observance in honor of Pope Leo XIV. The two leaders, longtime allies in the European nationalist movement, presented a united front against what they view as Brussels’ overreach and ideological rigidity. </p>

<blockquote>
<p><em><strong>“His political ideas are practically the same as mine,”</strong></em> Le Pen said of Salvini.</p>

<p><em>“And I want to add that he is a brave, faithful man with great willpower. He really is a friend.”</em></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Le Pen also used her Rome trip to criticize ongoing EU defense integration efforts, particularly the Readiness 2030 initiative, which she claimed is another vehicle for centralizing power in Brussels. “Whenever there is a crisis, the EU takes advantage to push integrated policies that override national sovereignty,” she said. “Today, it does so with Ukraine and tries to build a European army. It does so in an absolutely cynical way, to impose its ideological agenda on the European people.”</p>

<p>With French President Emmanuel Macron and other EU leaders visiting Kyiv for meetings with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” Le Pen questioned the coalition’s true aim. “Does it want to reach an agreement for peace, or will it end up fomenting war?” she asked. “Macron has put himself in the shoes of the warrior. France should do the opposite: devote all its efforts to acting as a mediator in the direction of peace.”</p>

<p>Though Patriots for Europe, the nationalist parliamentary group Le Pen co-founded, is now the third-largest bloc in the European Parliament, she acknowledged that uniting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) could elevate their influence further. “I do not lose hope that the sovereigntists can evolve into a single formation,” she said. “After all, we already vote together on many amendments. Certainly, there is more that unites us than separates us.”</p>

<p><strong>On Meloni herself, Le Pen insisted she has “an important diplomatic role, and that’s no surprise. We have differences — especially her support for the election of Ursula von der Leyen — but she’s achieved results, both externally and for Italy’s economy.”</strong></p>

<p>Despite tensions between the French and Italian governments, Le Pen advocated for a revival of the bilateral relationship. “France and Italy are the two most similar countries in Europe,” she said. “I support a true Renaissance in relations between them.”</p>

<p><strong>In contrast, she dismissed the longstanding Franco-German axis.</strong> </p>

<p><em>“That axis is a choice of the current French government,” she said. </em></p>

<p><strong><em>“Germany has always pursued its own policies. I believe Europe needs rules that apply equally to all.”</em></strong></p>

<p><a href="https://rmx.news/article/le-pen-pines-for-unified-nationalist-front-in-european-parliament-slams-warmongering-franco-german-axis/"><em>Read more here...</em></a></p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-13T06:00:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 05/13/2025 - 02:00</span>

link:
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/le-pen-urges-unified-nationalist-front-european-parliament-slams-warmongering-franco


guid: yt:video:3qINS6-jOKM
title: Western Baseline Violence
author: ;Middle Nation
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qINS6-jOKM
hash: ϗ٫����αA~���
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/3qINS6-jOKM?version=3","title":"Western Baseline Violence","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i4.ytimg.com/vi/3qINS6-jOKM/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: CCAL-119scal-2025-05-13
title: Senate Calendars, DAILY - Senate Calendars for May 13, 2025 - 119th Congress, 1st Session
link: https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CCAL-119scal-2025-05-13
hash: m� ��C@N�XKE���6
tags: #Proceedings of Congress and General Congressional Publications
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<h2>Content Files</h2>
 <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CCAL-119scal-2025-05-13/pdf/CCAL-119scal-2025-05-13.pdf">PDF</a><br>
 
 
 
 
 <h2>Metadata download</h2>
 <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/metadata/pkg/CCAL-119scal-2025-05-13/mods.xml">Descriptive Metadata (MODS)</a><br>
 <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/metadata/pkg/CCAL-119scal-2025-05-13/premis.xml">Preservation Metadata (PREMIS)</a><br>
 <h2>All Content and Metadata files, including granules</h2> <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CCAL-119scal-2025-05-13.zip">ZIP</a>


guid: https://gript.ie/?p=329826
title: OTD: 13 May 1981: Attempted assassination of John Paul
author: ;Gript Column
link: https://gript.ie/otd-13-may-1981-attempted-assassination-of-john-paul/
hash: 7{���<@�SE#R�˕
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p dir="ltr"><strong>41 years ago today, on the feast day of the Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, the attempted assassination of polish Pope John Paul II took place in Rome. </strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Near the start of his weekly general audience at St Peter’s square in Vatican City, the 60-year-old pontiff was shot and wounded by Mehmet Ali Ağca while he was entering the square in an open car, blessing the thousands of faithful gathered.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Suddenly four shots were fired at close range, one of which hit the pontiff, and John Paul II collapsed into the arms of his aides as the Popemobile was driven away at speed, chased by a team of security officers. One of the shots fired by the 23-year-old assailant, an escaped murderer and Turkish citizen, hit St Pope John Paul II in the abdomen, very nearly missing vital organs and just inches away from piercing his heart and aorta. Another shot hit the Pope’s left hand.</p>
<p><iframe title="The attempt on John Paul II's life" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qWPaTTEZu0s?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin">[embedded content]</iframe></p>
<p dir="ltr">Two female bystanders were also injured in the attack; A third bullet struck 60-year-old American Ann Odre in the chest, seriously wounding her, and the fourth hit 21-year-old Jamaican, Rose Hill in the arm.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In dramatic scenes, Ağca was seized by the Vatican’s security chief, a nun, and several other spectators who knocked the gun out of his hand. He was swiftly detained until he was arrested by police. Italian police revealed that Ağca was a far-right terrorist who had been found guilty of the 1979 murder of prominent left-wing journalist Abdi İpekçi. They seized Ağca’s Browning handgun and said he had travelled to Italy using a false passport.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gript.ie/on-this-day-13th-may-1984-attempted-assassination-of-st-pope-john-paul-ii/image3-18/" rel="attachment wp-att-255216"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" src="https://gript.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image3-18.jpeg" alt width="800" height="450" data-sanitized-class="alignnone size-full wp-image-255216"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Panic erupted in St Peter’s Square as the faithful cried, praying that the Holy Father would survive the attempt on his life.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The afternoon’s unfolding events were reported live by a Vatican Radio journalist, Benedetto Nardacci, who said: “For the first time there is talk of terrorism even in the Vatican.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Karol Wojtyla, elected pope in 1978, suffered severe blood loss and was rushed by ambulance to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, undergoing more than five hours of emergency surgery and was listed in critical but stable condition. Later that night, doctors described the surgery as “successful” and despite his injuries, the Pope survived.</p>
<p dir="ltr">No vital organs had been hit, and the pontiff would go on to credit his survival to Our Lady of Famita – with the shooting occurring on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima, who first appeared to Portuguese children on May 13, 1917.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ağca was later sentenced to life in prison by an Italian court.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>FORGIVENESS</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Famously, the Pope forgave Ağca. On the Sunday morning following the shooting, the pope addressed the faithful from his hospital bed in a recorded message, imploring people to pray for the man who pulled the trigger, whom he referred to as “my brother” and offered his “sincere forgiveness.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Within a few weeks John Paul II had recovered fully and on 27 December 1983 he went to visit his attempted assassin in Rebibbia jail in Rome.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gript.ie/on-this-day-13th-may-1984-attempted-assassination-of-st-pope-john-paul-ii/image1-59/" rel="attachment wp-att-255217"><img decoding="async" src="https://gript.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image1-59.jpeg" alt width="800" height="450" data-sanitized-class="alignnone size-full wp-image-255217"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://gript.ie/on-this-day-13th-may-1984-attempted-assassination-of-st-pope-john-paul-ii/image2-29/" rel="attachment wp-att-255218"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://gript.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image2-29.jpeg" alt width="800" height="450" data-sanitized-class="alignnone size-full wp-image-255218"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">20 years after the assassination attempt, John Paul II requested that his attacker be pardoned. He was pardoned by Italian president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi at the Pope’s request and was deported to Turkey in June 2000.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Agca’s motives for shooting the Pope remain unclear to this day. Some suggest the KBG were involved because of Wojtiyla’s fierce opposition to communism. At the time he said he acted alone, although he previously belonged to a far-right group. He later went on to suggest that the attack was masterminded by the Bulgarian and Soviet secret services, although no evidence of such a claim has ever been found.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ağca was released from Ankara prison in 2010, five years after the death of Pope John Paul II, who would be declared a saint four years later in 2014.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Last year, aged 64 and living in Istanbul, Ağca told Italian news agency ANSA:</p>
<blockquote readability="7">
<p dir="ltr">“Certainly full light has not been shed on the attack on Pope John Paul II,” adding that “many people’s memories are fading in a world full of events.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>OUR LADY OF FATIMA</strong></p>
<p><span>The mysterious “Third Secret” of Fatima featured a vision of a pope killed alongside other martyrs. In time, John Paul II came to see this vision as pointing to himself in relation to the attack that nearly took his life, carried out on the same date as the first apparition of Mary at Fatima. </span></p>
<p><span>Reflecting on the vision of the Third Secret, John Paul II believed it was Our Lady of Fatima who was protecting him. The Pope later said that while the assassin’s hand fired the shot, “…it was a mother’s hand that guided the bullet’s paths and in his throes the Pope halted at the threshold of death.”</span></p>
<p><span>A year after the shooting, the Pope visited the apparition site of Fatima. Approaching the statue of Mary, carrying the bullet in his hand, he placed the bullet in Mary’s crown, and thanked the blessed mother for interceding for him, saying to her, “You saved me, you saved me”. </span></p>
<p dir="ltr">Speaking on the 40th anniversary of the attempted assassination, Pope Francis said his predecessor had Our Lady to thank for his miraculous survival, stating:</p>
<blockquote readability="7">
<p dir="ltr">“He was certain that he owed his life to Our Lady of Fatima,” noting that “this makes us aware that our lives and the history of the world are in God’s hands.”</p>
</blockquote>

tags:
#ON THIS DAY #Feast of Our Lady of Fatima #Mehmet Ali Ağca #Pope John Paul II #Pope John Paul II assassination attempt #St. Pope John Paul II


guid: https://gript.ie/?p=322542
title: The rescue at Knocklong: How the IRA freed Seán Hogan in a shoot-out at Knocklong station
author: ;Dr Matt Treacy
hash: ,M�y�����:�U9
tags: #Culture #ON THIS DAY #Dan Breen #Irish independence #Sean Hogan #Sean Treacy #War of Independence
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<p><strong>In the opening volley of the War of Independence in 1919, the Third Tipperary Brigade under commanding officer Séumas Robinson ambushed a RIC convoy transporting dynamite at Soloheadbeg on January 19th. </strong></p>
<p>Dan Breen’s brother, Lar, had told the IRA that the consignment was due to be moved under escort, and the raid included Volunteers Seán Treacy, Dan Breen, and Seán Hogan.  It seemed that the agreement was that if the escort was small they would over power it, but that if it was strong and put up a fight, then the Volunteers would open fire on them. Two RIC constables, James McDonnell and Patrick O’Connell were subsequently killed when, Robinson claimed, they refused to surrender and tried to fire back. The explosives were successfully captured.</p>
<p>Afterwards Breen, who was prone to change and exaggerate accounts of incidents, claimed that they had not sought the approval of the Volunteer leadership on the grounds that permission if granted would come too late, and he seemed to doubt that it would be sanctioned. Breen also claimed that Treacy favoured an armed confrontation. The apparent offer from Collins to spirit Treacy and Breen to New York afterwards, if true, would seem to indicate a level of disapproval, especially given that the raid coincided with the much bigger occasion of the opening of Dáil Éireann.</p>
<p>Seán Hogan was then captured by the RIC at Kilshenane, Tipperary, on May 12, 1919.  He was to be taken by train to Cork but was rescued en route at the station of Knocklong by five Volunteers including Seán Treacy, Dan Breen, Séumas Robinson, Ed Foley and another Limerick Brigade Volunteer.</p>
<p>When the train arrived at Knocklong some time after 6 o’clock, the Volunteers opened fire on the RIC men, one of whom was thrown from the train after Hogan hit him over the head with his manacles.</p>
<p>RIC Sgt. Wallace managed to survive the initial barrage and tackled Treacy. Wallace seemed to have been unarmed and was trying to get Treacy’s gun. In the tussle Wallace managed to despatch a shot which wounded Treacy in the throat, but Wallace came off worse and was shot and died later of his wounds. Another RIC man, Michael Enright, was also killed during the tussle.</p>
<p>Breen had also been shot when the constables had returned fire. He and Treacy once more had a miraculous escape from death. Breen’s luck remained with him for the rest of the Tan War, but Treacy’s disdain for danger led shortly to his death.</p>
<p>After Knocklong, they were both taken to a safe house and received medical treatment.</p>
<p>The rescue was typical of the operations carried out by the Tipperary men, especially when Breen and Treacy were involved. They were recklessly brave and put little store on getting away or avoiding casualties. The reaction to it bolstered the image of the IRA as a serious force, and one which was capable of mounting deadly blows against their enemy. It also undoubtedly encouraged some in the Volunteer leadership like Cathal Brugha to push for a more militant campaign.</p>
<p>The event is most famously commemorated in the ballad “The Station of Knocklong”. Two Volunteers, Ed Foley who was part of the rescue, and Patrick Maher who worked in the station but was not, were arrested in September 1919 and charged with the murders of the two RIC men. They were sentenced to death in March 1921 and were executed on June 7, not long before the Truce. They were among the ten Volunteers exhumed from Mountjoy and reburied in 2001 at Glasnevin.</p>
<p>Treacy and Breen of course went on to take part in many other famous incidents including the fight at Ferndale and Ashtown. Treacy was killed in Talbot Street in October1920.</p>
<p>Hogan had been at Ashtown and remained active until end of the Tan War. He opposed the Treaty and spent the last months of the Civil War in Mountjoy.</p>
<p>Hogan’s life after 1923 was a sad one. He spent time in hospital as a psychiatric patient and was involved in a series of failed business and farming ventures, and became estranged from his family.</p>
<p>When Fianna Fáil won the election in 1932 he was given a series of state jobs, but he died in poverty in Dublin in 1968.</p>
<p><em>This event happened on 13th May 104  years ago</em></p>

<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" src="https://gript.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/KnocklongStation_CreditMapio.jpg" alt width="960" height="540" data-sanitized-class="alignnone size-full wp-image-216814"></p>
<p><em>Memorial at the station in Knocklong, Photo Credit: Mapio.net</em></p>

link:
https://gript.ie/the-rescue-at-knocklong-how-the-ira-freed-sean-hogan-in-a-shoot-out-at-knocklong-station-2/


guid: 1029809 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Trump's Rift With Bibi Might Be Irreconcilable
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trumps-rift-bibi-might-be-irreconcilable
hash: �1� ��7�6�}>��
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Trump's Rift With Bibi Might Be Irreconcilable</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://korybko.substack.com/p/trumps-rift-with-bibi-might-be-irreconcilable"><em>Authored by Andrew Korybko via substack,</em></a></p>

<p><em><strong>That would be a nightmare scenario from the perspective of Israeli interests...</strong></em></p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/httpssubstack-post-media.s3.amaz%20%2853%29_2.jpg?itok=AB9SlMQm" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/httpssubstack-post-media.s3.amaz%20%2853%29_2.jpg?itok=AB9SlMQm"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a654d24c-a25d-47f2-8c64-44e7bb966302" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="375" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/httpssubstack-post-media.s3.amaz%20%2853%29_2.jpg?itok=AB9SlMQm" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>A <a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/trump-cuts-ties-with-netanyahu-over-manipulation-concerns-report/3561726">report</a> circulated last week alleging that Trump cut off all direct contact with Bibi after feeling manipulated by him. For as sensational as it sounds, the larger context suggests that it might be true. <strong>For starters, there was bad blood between them since late 2020 after Trump <a href="https://www.axios.com/2021/12/10/trump-netanyahu-disloyalty-fuck-him">reportedly felt betrayed</a> by Bibi recognizing Biden’s electoral victory while Trump was still challenging it in the courts.</strong></p>

<p>This is a very personal issue for him seeing as how he continues to insist that he won so it wouldn’t be surprising.</p>

<p><strong>More recently, Bibi has been pressuring Trump to bomb Iran, which Trump doesn’t want to do since a large-scale war in West Asia would offset his planned “Pivot (back) to Asia” for containing China. </strong>In connection with that, Trump reportedly dismissed former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz due to him supposedly <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/waltzs-coordination-with-netanyahu-on-iran-strike-contributed-to-firing-report/">coordinating too closely</a> with Israel. Also of relevance are the rumors that Israel was caught off guard by the US’ <a href="https://katehon.com/en/article/iranian-us-talks">resumption of talks</a> with Iran and is against any agreement between them.</p>

<p>Then there’s the US’ <a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-doesn-t-need-israeli-approval-for-houthi-ceasefire-deal-ambassador/3561732">recent deal</a> with the <a href="https://thealtworld.com/andrew_korybko/houthi-controlled-north-yemen-is-poised-to-become-a-regional-power-if-nothing-changes">Houthis</a> that excludes Israel, <a href="https://archive.is/OCzkt">reports</a> that the US will delink Saudi recognition of Israel from their civil nuclear talks, and even <a href="https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1p6o5ogxg">speculation</a> that Trump might recognize Palestine during his attendance at next week’s Gulf-US Summit in Riyadh. Altogether, it’s self-evident that US-Israeli ties are newly beset with a host of problems, thus lending credence to the earlier cited report about Trump cutting off all direct contact with Bibi.</p>

<p><strong>Their rift might even be irreconcilable depending on Trump’s next steps.</strong> It was already bad enough from Israel’s perspective that the US reached its own deal with the Houthis right after they announced their plans to impose an air blockade on Israel but delinking Saudi recognition of Israel from their civil nuclear talks, let alone recognizing Palestine, could cross the Rubicon. In that scenario, Israel and the US would remain at odds during the rest of Trump’s term, and perhaps even afterwards if Vance succeeds him.</p>

<p><strong>The consequences of that happening would widely reverberate throughout the region.</strong> Without the continued support of its oldest and most reliable ally, which is still the strongest and most influential country in the world despite the <a href="https://korybko.substack.com/p/towards-tri-multipolarity-the-golden">global systemic transition to multipolarity</a>, Israel would be left alone to deal with threats from Iran and <a href="https://korybko.substack.com/p/can-israel-and-turkiye-manage-their">Turkiye</a>. To make matters worse, it can’t be ruled out that the US might curtail or even suspend its military aid to Israel on whatever pretext, thus weakening its armed forces.</p>

<p>This combination of factors could lead to Israel wildly lashing out against its regional adversaries in desperation before it loses its military-strategic advantages, which could spark a large-scale war, or being coerced into a series of compromises that accelerates the loss of these selfsame advantages.<strong> From the viewpoint of Israeli interests, this a zero-sum dilemma that it must avoid at all costs,</strong> yet Trump’s potentially irreconcilable rift with Bibi could turn this nightmare scenario into a fait accompli.</p>

<p><strong>Nevertheless, as Trump’s unexpected reconciliation <a href="https://thealtworld.com/andrew_korybko/zelensky-picked-his-fight-with-trump-vance-after-getting-cold-feet-about-making-peace">with Zelensky</a> shows, there’s always the chance that their tensions could be overcome.</strong> For that to happen, however, Bibi would likely have to give Trump something of equivalent strategic value to <a href="https://korybko.substack.com/p/the-amended-minerals-deal-will-likely">Zelensky’s minerals deal</a>. It’s unclear what that might be, and it could come too late to stop the US from delinking Saudi recognition of Israel from their civil nuclear talks and/or recognizing Palestine, but Bibi would do well to make Trump a peace offering pronto.</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-13T06:45:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 05/13/2025 - 02:45</span>


guid: 1029821 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Is Britain On The Brink Of Civil War?
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/britain-brink-civil-war
hash: ���z�̱��w��A�~
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Is Britain On The Brink Of Civil War?</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://dailysceptic.org/2025/05/12/is-britain-on-the-brink-of-civil-war/"><em>Authored by Joe Baron via DailySceptic.org,</em></a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOR8NhL09JQ">According to David Betz</a>, Professor of War in the Modern World at King’s College London, <strong>many of the preconditions for civil war exist in Britain today. </strong></p>

<p>Using academic studies on social cohesion, civil war causation theory and social attitudes surveys, he argues that the following preconditions are in place:<em><strong> elite overreach, factional polarization, a collapse in trust, economic pressures, and the perceived downgrading of the majority population in a previously homogeneous society, are all present in contemporary Britain.</strong></em></p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/riot-southport-750x375.jpg?itok=z9vRfWR9" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/riot-southport-750x375.jpg?itok=z9vRfWR9"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2aca99e4-708e-45d3-8bea-583ff039de98" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="250" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/riot-southport-750x375.jpg?itok=z9vRfWR9" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><strong>The current dynamics, he continues, point to an emerging conflict between radicalized factions within the Muslim community and an incipient nativist white nationalism. </strong>Professor Betz goes on to claim – using the Maoist model that divides insurgencies into three phases – that the nativists are in phase one, the so-called defensive phase in which the group begins to organize, disseminate propaganda and build a conscious community of followers.</p>

<p>Islamists, on the other hand, are in phase two – when violent attacks occur on a semi-regular basis, a military structure is being developed, but they are not yet strong enough to challenge the state’s monopoly on violence. (Professor Betz believes that, due to the absence of clear geographic divisions between the antagonists, Britain is unlikely to reach phase three – the offensive phase. This is when the insurgent groups are strong enough to challenge government forces.)</p>

<p><strong>It is an arresting and troubling thesis. It is also convincing.</strong> </p>

<p>The preconditions outlined above undeniably exist in modern Britain.</p>

<p>There has been a collapse of public trust in the state, for example. The <a href="https://natcen.ac.uk/publications/british-social-attitudes-41-five-years-unprecedented-challenges">41st British Social Attitudes Survey (BSA) report</a>, published on 12 June 2024, concluded “that people’s trust in governments and politicians, and confidence in their systems of government, is as low now as it has ever been over the last 50 years, if not lower”. Indeed, a record high of 45% “almost never” trust governments of any hue (22 points above the figure recorded in 2020); 58% (another record high) “almost never” trust politicians to tell the truth when they are in a tight corner, up 19 points on 2020; and a striking 79% of respondents said that the system of governing Britain could be improved “quite a lot” or a “great deal”, matching a record high recorded during the parliamentary stalemate over Brexit in 2019 and up 18 points on 2020.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jun/12/trust-in-british-politics-hits-record-low-latest-bsa-survey-finds">Professor John Curtice</a>, the Senior Research Fellow at the National Centre for Social Research, the organisation that carried out the BSA survey, says: “The government… will… need to address the concerns of a public that is as doubtful as it has ever been about the trustworthiness and efficacy of the country’s system of government.” As Professors Curtice and Betz warn, public trust in governments of all stripes has collapsed and, with it, trust in the system of government that we have traditionally sacralised and encouraged others to adopt. That this trend, if left unchecked, could potentially shatter an already fragile social contract is a statement of the obvious. Trust in the state unites the disparate groups of a multicultural society, acting as what Professor Betz calls a kind of “superglue”. Without it, the groups fracture and retreat into silos characterised by mutual suspicion and animosity.</p>

<p>Although the BSA report does provide a chink of light, offering the possibility of a resurgence in trust – like the one seen in 2020 after the parliamentary shenanigans over Brexit were finally put to bed by Boris Johnson’s election victory – the signs are inauspicious. The post-Johnson resurgence was short-lived, eroded by more ‘elite overreach’ as he turbocharged immigration against the wishes of the electorate. What became known as the ‘Boris-wave’ was the final act of betrayal for a downtrodden populus reeling from a decade of broken promises.</p>

<p><strong>Indeed, public trust has been eroded by elite arrogance – and such arrogance shows little sign of abating.</strong> Political elites are not only forcing mass immigration on a reluctant population; they are now actively discriminating against the white majority. The recruitment practices of our public services are a case in point. In the summer of 2023, a <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66060490">report</a> found that the Royal Air Force was unlawfully discriminating against white men in a campaign aimed at boosting diversity; West Yorkshire Police <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/09/west-yorkshire-police-blocks-white-applicants-diversity/">recently placed a temporary block on hiring white British candidates</a> for the same reason. In addition, a recent article in the <em>Telegraph</em> <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/14/nhs-discriminates-against-white-job-applicants-in-shortlist/">revealed</a> that NHS trusts discriminate against white applicants by manipulating interview shortlists to favour ethnic minorities. Our irreproachable health service encourages what is known as the ‘Rooney Rule’ – a policy originating in American football that makes it mandatory for ethnic minorities to be shortlisted for interviews if they apply.</p>

<p><strong>Furthermore, the toxic spectacle of two-tier policing is obvious to all but the most dyed-in-the-wool progressives.</strong> The contrast between the police’s uncompromising response to the white Southport rioters – in which they rightly used batons and shields against the aggressors – and their pusillanimous reaction to the Harehills Romani rioters – in which they ran away despite a bus being set on fire – was starkly demonstrative of a system that no longer treats its citizens as equal in the eyes of the law. Sir Keir Starmer took the knee in the wake of the violent Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests; he pressured judges to hand down custodial sentences to mothers who posted injudicious tweets during the Southport disturbances.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.npcc.police.uk/our-work/police-race-action-plan/police-anti-racism-commitment/">Guidance</a> issued by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing shamelessly highlights the current two-tier approach. It says there should be “equality of policing outcomes”, meaning, to ensure “racial equity” not everyone should be treated the same. Apparently, policing should not be “colour blind”. The justification for anti-white racism is therefore spelt out in black and white – excuse the pun. No wonder the police attack white football fans trying to protect the Cenotaph whilst appeasing the Islamo-fascists who wish to deface it. No wonder they tolerate marauding Muslim gangs in Birmingham while deploying armoured battalions to deal with their white counterparts.</p>

<p><strong>The white, native population is in the midst of an elite driven programme to downgrade their status in the United Kingdom – a phenomenon that Professor Betz cites as a precondition for civil war. </strong></p>

<p>That it could lead to a backlash by those being downgraded is self-evident.</p>

<p><strong>Britain is already facing factional polarization within some of its communities. </strong>Last year, four independent MPs were elected because of a religiously-inspired preoccupation with the Israel-Hamas war. Moreover, according to government figures, the UK has approximately <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/06/22/number-people-mi5-terror-suspect-watch-list-doubled-year/">40,000 Islamists on the terror watchlist</a>. Inter-communal violence has also been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/feb/08/unrest-leicester-muslim-hindu-revealed-britain-modi-india-2022">playing out on the streets of Birmingham</a> between Hindus and Muslims, as well as on the streets of London <a href="https://iol.co.za/news/world/2000-05-19-ethiopians-eritreans-clash-in-london/#google_vignette">between Eritreans and Ethiopians</a>. If you add economic pressures into the mix – economic stagnation since 2008, an acute housing shortage, historically high taxation, private and public indebtedness, and broken public services – and a resentful white majority (Southport witnessed the incipient convulsions of a native population that clearly feels besieged), a heady, explosive cocktail threatens to ignite the country.</p>

<p><strong>Professor Betz is right. The preconditions for civil war do exist. </strong>Years of elite overreach have led to resentment and an alarming collapse of trust in our politicians, institutions, and political system, in addition to the increased polarization of our ever-growing migrant communities – communities that find themselves, along with the native majority, in the eye of an approaching storm. Our elites must wake up before it’s too late!</p>

<p><em>Joe Baron is the pseudonym of a secondary school teacher. This piece was <a href="https://joebaron.substack.com/p/is-britain-on-the-road-to-civil-war">originally published</a> on his Substack, which you can subscribe to <a href="https://joebaron.substack.com/subscribe?utm_source=menu&amp;simple=true&amp;next=https%3A%2F%2Fjoebaron.substack.com%2Fp%2Fis-britain-on-the-road-to-civil-war&amp;skip_redirect_check=true&amp;just_signed_up=true&amp;referral_token=2lfyy">here</a>.</em></p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-13T07:30:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 05/13/2025 - 03:30</span>


guid: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2163124/chaleur-thermoregulation-humaine-seuil-endurance
title: Notre tolérance à la chaleur est moins grande qu’on le pensait
link: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2163124/chaleur-thermoregulation-humaine-seuil-endurance
hash: �a3CH9��X��V
content:
<p>Bien cerner la chaleur que le corps peut endurer est essentiel dans le contexte des changements climatiques.</p>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://images.radio-canada.ca/q_auto,w_635,h_357/v1/ici-info/16x9/canicule-chaleur-travailleur.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","length":0}]}


title: L’Ordre des audioprothésistes juge la couverture des appareils auditifs discriminatoire
hash: ?�x�S Ҳ\���7
guid:
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164566/audioprothesistes-couverture-ramq-discrimination-quebec

content:
<p>La couverture de la RAMQ entraînerait un « problème de santé publique », selon le président de l'Ordre.</p>

link:
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164566/audioprothesistes-couverture-ramq-discrimination-quebec

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://images.radio-canada.ca/q_auto,w_635,h_357/v1/ici-info/16x9/appareil-auditif-prothese-oreille-audioprothesiste.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","length":0}]}


guid: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164091/francisation-ministre-roberge-fermeture-classes
title: Le ministre Roberge a-t-il tenté de maquiller l’impact des fermetures en francisation?
link: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164091/francisation-ministre-roberge-fermeture-classes
hash: jN����0-���TS���
content:
<p>Quelque 5000 élèves victimes des compressions n’ont jamais réintégré leur parcours de francisation.</p>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://images.radio-canada.ca/q_auto,w_635,h_357/v1/ici-info/transit/16x9/cdp-jean-francois-roberge-syl00346.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","length":0}]}


guid: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164613/trump-voyage-moyen-orient-arabie-saoudite
title: Cinq choses à savoir sur le voyage de Donald Trump au Moyen-Orient
link: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2164613/trump-voyage-moyen-orient-arabie-saoudite
hash: � E9�Ϲ�ߥ)�&%
content:
<p>Le président américain a choisi les riches monarchies du Golfe pour son premier périple officiel à l’étranger.</p>

attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://images.radio-canada.ca/q_auto,w_635,h_357/v1/ici-info/16x9/donald-trump-tournee-moyen-orient-depart.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","length":0}]}


guid: yt:video:ptrXtGYlARY
title: Booknotes+ Podcast: Thomas Maier, &quot;The Invisible Spy&quot;
author: ;C-SPAN
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptrXtGYlARY
hash: �`�h�,�>&�Ew�
attributes:
{"enclosures":[{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/v/ptrXtGYlARY?version=3","title":"Booknotes+ Podcast: Thomas Maier, &quot;The Invisible Spy&quot;","description":"&quot;Ernest Cuneo played Ivy League football at Columbia University and was in the old Brooklyn Dodgers NFL franchise before becoming a City Hall lawyer and 'Brain Trust' aide to President Franklin Roosevelt.&quot; While on the payroll of national radio columnist Walter Winchell, Cuneo &quot;mingled with the famous and powerful. But his status as a spy remained a secret, hiding in plain sight.&quot; All of this is the way Hanover Square Press introduces readers to Thomas Maier's book, &quot;The Invisible Spy.&quot; Maier, a graduate of Fordham and Columbia, is an author and a television producer.\n\nDownload the FREE C-SPAN Now App. https://www.c-span.org/c-spanNow/\n\nDiscover the C-SPAN Video Library at https://www.c-span.org/quickguide/\n\nExplore C-SPAN's Free Educational Resources at https://www.c-span.org/classroom/\n\nC-SPAN: Created by Cable in 1979. Offered as a public service.\n\nSupport C-SPAN by Donating Today: https://donorbox.org/support-c-span?utm_source=YouTube&amp;utm_medium=Video_Description&amp;utm_campaign=Donations&amp;utm_content=Donate\n\nSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/CSPAN \n\nFollow us:\nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSPAN\nTwitter: https://twitter.com/cspan\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cspan/\n\nSubscribe:\nC-SPAN Podcasts: https://www.c-span.org/podcasts/\nNewsletters: https://www.c-span.org/connect/\nVisit the C-SPAN Shop: https://c-spanshop.org/\n#cspan","type":"application/x-shockwave-flash","height":390,"width":640,"thumbnails":["https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/ptrXtGYlARY/hqdefault.jpg"]}]}


guid: 1029827 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Health Agencies Unveil New Nutrition Program To Further RFK Jr.'s Agenda
author: ;Tyler Durden
hash: �73��� R��x���
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Health Agencies Unveil New Nutrition Program To Further RFK Jr.'s Agenda</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><em><a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/health-agencies-unveil-new-nutrition-program-to-further-rfk-jr-s-agenda-5856287?ea_src=frontpage&amp;ea_cnt=a&amp;ea_med=latest-news-posts-2">Authored by Zachary Stieber via The Epoch Times</a> (emphasis ours),</em></p>

<p>The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) on May 9 said that<strong> they’re launching a new nutrition program that will help further the agenda of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</strong></p>
<a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/image_92%2826%29_0.jpg?itok=UBtk0Kgz" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/image_92%2826%29_0.jpg?itok=UBtk0Kgz"><picture><figure role="group" data-sanitized-class="caption caption-img inline-images image-style-inline-images"><img alt="" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="09a2a20d-99ef-434e-8336-fee5ce55e870" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="333" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/image_92%2826%29_0.jpg?itok=UBtk0Kgz" typeof="foaf:Image" width="500"><figcaption><em>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in White Oak, Md., on June 5, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times</em></figcaption></figure></picture></a>

<p><strong>The research initiative “will serve as a key element in fulfilling [Kennedy’s] commitment to Make America Healthy Again,” </strong>the agencies <a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/fda-nih-announce-innovative-joint-nutrition-regulatory-science-program">said</a> in a statement.</p>

<p>Under the initiative, dubbed the nutrition regulatory science program, the agencies are going to carry out research that will answer questions such as how and why ultra-processed foods harm people’s health.</p>

<p>Officials also say they will look at how food additives affect human metabolism and the role of diet on health issues, such as autoimmune diseases, over one’s lifespan.</p>

<p>The answers “will enable effective policy development and help promote the radical transparency Americans deserve about the foods they are eating and how those foods can impact their health,” the agencies said.</p>

<p>Kennedy has said that one of his top priorities is removing “bad ingredients” from food and has repeatedly expressed concern about chronic diseases such as diabetes, particularly among children. More than four in 10 children have at least one chronic health condition, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/school-health-conditions/chronic-conditions/">according to</a> the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</p>

<p>The FDA previously <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/fda-announces-plan-to-remove-artificial-dyes-from-nations-food-supply-5845866">banned</a> several artificial dyes and says it is working with companies to remove others that the agency still allows to be added to foods and drinks. More recently, regulators <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/fda-approves-3-natural-color-additives-amid-push-to-remove-artificial-food-coloring-5855632">approved</a> new additives derived from natural sources.</p>

<p>Dr. Marty Makary, the FDA’s commissioner, said in a statement that <strong>“the FDA is focusing resources on the greatest contributors to the staggering health care crisis: chronic diseases.”</strong></p>

<p>The nutrition program mirrors a joint FDA–NIH program that has conducted research on tobacco, officials said.</p>

<p>FDA staffers will offer expertise on regulation while the NIH will “provide the infrastructure for the solicitation, review and management of scientific research,” according to the agencies.</p>

<p>The researchers who will be involved have not been identified, but <strong>officials said the program will feature research that is free from conflicts of interest.</strong></p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="https://store.zerohedge.com/ultra-turmeric" data-image-href="https://store.zerohedge.com/ultra-turmeric" data-link-option="2" href="https://store.zerohedge.com/ultra-turmeric"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c6ab5b94-9eb1-443c-9cd7-70efa6b204a3" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="352" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/Ultra%20Turmeric_0.jpg?itok=WqcT8ykX" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p>“<strong>Nutrition has always been a priority at NIH</strong>,“ Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, director of the NIH, said in a statement. ”By teaming up with the FDA, we’re taking a major step toward answering big questions about how food affects health—and turning that science into smarter, more effective policy. It’s time to tackle the chronic disease crisis head-on. That’s why NIH is making this investment alongside the FDA.”</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-13T08:15:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 05/13/2025 - 04:15</span>

link:
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/health-agencies-unveil-new-nutrition-program-further-rfk-jrs-agenda


guid: 1029823 at https://www.zerohedge.com
title: Net Deadly: Europe's Blackouts Are A Warning For Americans
author: ;Tyler Durden
link: https://www.zerohedge.com/political/net-deadly-europes-blackouts-are-warning-americans
hash: 6�/%�(�B�$���R��
attributes: {"enclosures":[]}
content:
<span property="schema:name" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Net Deadly: Europe's Blackouts Are A Warning For Americans</span>

            <div property="schema:text" data-sanitized-class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><em>Authored by Jonathan Miltimore via the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/beltway-confidential/3398048/spain-portugal-blackouts-are-a-warning-for-americans/">Washington Examiner</a>,</em></p>

<p>A massive blackout crippled <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/Spain/">Spain</a> and <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/Portugal/">Portugal</a> on Monday, April 28, grounding flights, halting transport, and leaving millions without <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/power/">power</a>.</p>

<p><a data-image-external-href="" data-image-href="/s3/files/inline-images/image%20-%202025-05-12T151948.288.jpg?itok=n4GEKKpo" data-link-option="0" href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/image%20-%202025-05-12T151948.288.jpg?itok=n4GEKKpo"><picture><img data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f96af44f-0780-4952-b520-cb228a4b8d8e" data-responsive-image-style="inline_images" height="333" width="500" src="https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/styles/inline_image_mobile/public/inline-images/image%20-%202025-05-12T151948.288.jpg?itok=n4GEKKpo" alt="" typeof="foaf:Image" data-sanitized-class="inline-images image-style-inline-images"></picture></a></p>

<p><em><strong>The cause was “unclear,” </strong>the New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/world/europe/power-outage-spain-portugal-france.html">reported</a>, with<strong> “no evidence of a cyberattack.”</strong></em> </p>

<p>As Spanish officials <a href="https://x.com/DGTes/status/1916819805866254656">urged citizens</a> to stay off the roads, European leaders said they were attempting to ascertain the cause of the mysterious outage.</p>

<p><em><strong>“We do not yet have conclusive information on the reasons for this [power] cut,” </strong></em>Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, said in a national address.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, April 29, power was largely restored, but the Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/spain-portugal-power-outage-electicity-533832bb4ceae92eaa68c23dc0b5db18">reported</a> that the blackouts “remain a mystery.” </p>

<p><strong>Some pundits, however, observed a remarkable coincidence in the timing of the blackouts.</strong></p>

<p>“Six days ago, the media celebrated a significant milestone,” Michael Shellenberger <a href="https://www.public.news/p/over-reliance-on-renewables-behind">observed on Substack</a>.</p>

<p><em><strong>“Spain’s national grid operated entirely on renewable energy for the first time during a weekday.”</strong></em></p>

<p>Shellenberger was not the only person to claim that Europe’s overreliance on intermittent sources such as wind and solar had left its <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/energy/">energy</a> grid vulnerable.</p>

<p><em>“I would say there’s a strong chance that the large amount of solar on the system created the conditions for this to be a widespread blackout and made it much worse,” <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14657561/Net-Zero-blame-Spain-blackout-chaos-green-power-exacerbated-anarchy-30-000-officers-streets-panic-buying-emergency.html">said</a> Kathryn Porter, an independent energy consultant.</em></p>

<p><strong>Many saw this tragedy coming.</strong></p>

<p>European lawmakers’ infatuation with “green” energy, which is <a href="https://www.cato.org/commentary/green-energy-not-so-green">not as green</a> as its supporters would have you believe, has been causing problems on the continent. Energy prices <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1267500/eu-monthly-wholesale-electricity-price-country/">have soared</a> in recent years. As the average household electricity bill skyrocketed, many nations <a href="https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/10/26/energy-bills-are-soaring-in-europe-what-are-countries-doing-to-help-you-pay-them">scrapped energy taxes</a> to help struggling (and angry) consumers.</p>

<p><strong>In their rush to go green, many countries (including Spain) over the last decade began to phase out not only fossil fuels but nuclear power.</strong></p>

<p>A tightening energy supply was exacerbated by the outbreak of the Ukraine War. Facing a full-blown energy crisis, governments began imposing regulations that forced Europeans into more Spartan lifestyles.</p>

<p><strong>Energy rationing, including limits on hot showers and swimming pools, fueled public anger and helped trigger the 2024 “<a href="https://www.liberalpatriot.com/p/greenlash-is-here">greenlash</a>,” as Green parties were routed across Europe.</strong></p>

<p>Spain and Portugal were among the nations that resorted to energy rationing. A European Union agreement <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/spain-set-back-energy-saving-plan-will-it-cut-gas-use-2022-08-25/">tailored specifically for these nations</a> was approved by lawmakers despite opposition from some regional authorities.</p>

<p>The law, among other things, set temperature limits for public and commercial buildings (no lower than 80°F for cooling, no higher than 66°F for heating), required “energy-efficient” appliances, and accelerated renewable energy projects. Meanwhile, the law <a href="https://www.barrons.com/articles/spain-aims-to-cut-gas-demand-by-up-to-13-5-by-march-01665504007">was accompanied by</a> a plan to cut 13.5 percent of domestic gas for power generation.</p>

<p>These actions didn’t happen in a vacuum. It was all part of <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2024/767171/EPRS_BRI(2024)767171_EN.pdf">Spain’s plan to achieve net-zero emissions</a> by 2050.</p>

<p><strong>Net zero was always a pipe dream, but it was <a href="https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/green-activists-are-coming-for-your-money/">a lucrative one</a> for politicians and their allies. </strong>Under the banner of fighting climate change, lawmakers funneled <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/fairness-justice/3331042/biden-epa-caught-blatant-political-corruption/">billions of dollars</a> into subsidies, grants, and contracts that <a href="https://fortune.com/2024/10/10/why-esg-assets-grow-despite-attacks-on-woke-capitalism/">enriched</a> a network of special interests, including renewable energy companies, consulting firms, and financial institutions.</p>

<p>The climate ring <a href="https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/davos-does-damage-control/">is now collapsing</a>, but the costs of the experiment are visible. Europe’s <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-05-21/power-grids-in-europe-can-no-longer-be-tomorrow-s-problem">energy infrastructure</a> has languished and is in dire need of investment. Meanwhile, historically low fossil fuel prices have <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/europes-energy-crisis-is-over-kemp-2023-11-28/">concealed the energy crisis</a> Europe still faces.</p>

<p>European leaders promise a full investigation into the outage, but they’ll be reluctant to admit their own policies are to blame for the energy disaster.</p>

<p><strong>While pundits were <a href="https://x.com/DA_Stockman/status/1916958485058846838">already quipping</a> about net zero—“No iPhone charge, no Netflix, no Uber Eats, No Nothin’!”—energy policy is no laughing matter. Blackouts <em>kill </em>people.</strong></p>

<p>Those on life support are sustained by equipment that runs on electricity. In the absence of generators, dialysis patients go without treatment when machines lose power. Home oxygen concentrators shut off, leaving respiratory sufferers gasping for oxygen. Traffic signals fail, causing fatal collisions. Water pumps stop. Refrigerators go dark, spoiling food supplies and triggering foodborne illnesses.</p>

<p><strong>Americans should be paying close attention to developments in Europe.</strong></p>

<p>The government-manufactured incentive structure that encouraged European lawmakers to abandon more reliable forms of energy and replace them with expensive intermittent energy sources also exists in the United States, where lawmakers dream of a “<a href="https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/01/15/the-trouble-with-the-green-new-deal-223977">Green New Deal</a>” and <a href="https://fee.org/articles/did-joe-biden-really-say-he-d-close-down-the-oil-industry/">a world without fossil fuels</a>.</p>

<p>None of this is to say there’s no room for renewable energies in the global future. There is. Battery technology is rapidly improving. And solar energy at utility scale has shown <a href="https://fee.org/articles/solar-energy-exploded-during-the-trump-years-why/">great potential</a>.</p>

<p>But the effort to purge fossil fuels from economies and reshape the global economy through heavy-handed regulations, wealth transfers, and centralized planning was always tinged with economic hubris, if not madness.</p>

<p><em><strong>“The curious task of economics,”</strong></em> the Nobel Prize-winning economist F.A. Hayek observed,<em><strong> “is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.”</strong></em></p>

<p>Europeans receiving such a lesson now find themselves powerless.</p>
</div>
      <span rel="schema:author" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><a title="View user profile." href="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" lang="" about="https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="" data-sanitized-class="username">Tyler Durden</a></span>
<span property="schema:dateCreated" content="2025-05-13T09:00:00+00:00" data-sanitized-class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 05/13/2025 - 05:00</span>


