WORLD NEWS
A top Putin ally is warning the West off striving for a Ukrainian victory, warning that would lead to nuclear strikes on “Kiev, Berlin, London, Washington”, as well as an apocalyptic civil war in Russia with “tens of millions” dead.
Deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, who was also formerly the Prime Minister and President of Russia in service to Vladimir Putin, has threatened Western capitals with the “entire strategic arsenal” of Russian nuclear weapons. Medvedev, for whom absolutely no slight is too small to necessitate a nuclear response, was speaking of Ukraine’s hope to retake its U.N.-recognized national territory which in some cases have been occupied by Russia for very close to ten years.
Russia has amended its constitution and now considers those areas — Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia — to be full parts of the Russian Republic. Attempting to push the borders back to where they were before will invite a massive retaliation, Medvedev said in his latest threat on Sunday, making clear he sees the Western states aiding Ukraine with arms as legitimate targets.
Israel’s Economy Contracts Nearly 20% After Outbreak of War
Israel’s economy suffered one of its worst-ever slumps, after the Hamas war paralyzed businesses, forced people to evacuate their homes and caused the military to call up hundreds of thousands of reservists.
Gross domestic product shrank an annualized 19.4% in the final three months of last year, in seasonally- adjusted terms, according to preliminary figures released on Monday. That was worse than every estimate in a Bloomberg survey of analysts, whose median forecast was for a decline of 10.5%.
The assessment is the first official tally of the war’s toll on GDP and captures the extent of the disruption that tore through the $520 billion economy in the aftermath of Hamas’s attacks on Oct. 7. Alongside the call-up of reservists that depleted roughly 8% of the workforce, it led to restrictions comparable to shutdowns imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic, causing a sudden crash in manufacturing, jolting consumption and briefly
emptying schools, offices and construction sites.
French Car Company Cuts 10,000 Jobs to Smooth Electric Vehicle Transition
A large European car component manufacturer is seeking 500 million euros ($538 million) cuts in four years as it foresees difficult conditions ahead because of the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and greater competition from Chinese imports.
Forvia, which was founded last year in a merger of Faurecia and German competitor Hella, is to invest in artificial intelligence and cut 10,000 jobs from factories in European states including France, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Spain. While presently in profit, the car parts maker is in debt and foresees difficult tradition conditions ahead, reports French broadcaster BFMTV.
Worry about the future comes from the push to move Europe towards driving electric cars. Bloomberg reports the cuts are to “better compete in EV transition” and to face the rising number of Chinese imports that are flooding the European car market.
The five year plan sees 10,000 job cuts — 13 per cent of its present workforce — and intends to make the company less dependent on China too. Part of the “EU-Forward” profitability plan for the company is to ” accelerate the deployment of Artificial Intelligence within the Group, with a view to optimizing investments and R&D costs as well as program management”.
The business plan anticipating a massive shift to electric comes as car dealers slash electric vehicle prices to try and shift unsold stock.
Kim Jong-un receives luxury car as gift from Vladimir Putin
The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has received a car from Vladimir Putin as a gift “for his personal use”, official media reported, in what could be a violation of the UN ban that Moscow had agreed to adopt against Pyongyang.
The two countries have forged closer ties since Kim and Putin met in September and pledged to promote exchanges in all areas as their international isolation deepened over Russia’s war in Ukraine and North Korea’s nuclear weapons development.
The Russian-made car was delivered to Kim’s top aides by the Russian side on Sunday, the official KCNA news agency said.
South Korea’s foreign ministry said it was closely monitoring the cooperation between Russia and North Korea while urging both countries to comply with UN security council resolutions.
“Security council sanctions on North Korea prohibit directly or indirectly supplying, selling or moving all transportation vehicles internationally categorized as HS code 86 through to 89 regardless of their origin to North Korea including luxury cars,” a ministry spokesperson told a media briefing.
Beijing criticizes proposed US sanctions
Chinese business interests will be protected from “illegal” restrictions, the Foreign Ministry has said
Beijing has responded to reports that Washington is planning to impose “broad” sanctions on the country, vowing to defend Chinese businesses from measures intended to target firms for allegedly helping Russia.
The proposed sanctions were discussed on Monday by CNBC, which interviewed a number of Congress members about the plans. Democrat Gerald Connolly, who sits on the House Committee on Foreign Relations, claimed “the very threat” of sanctions from the US and potentially the EU “ought to clarify some thinking in Beijing.”
However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday that Beijing rejects unilateral economic restrictions as a matter of principle and will defend the interests of its businesses.
”China has the right to conduct normal cooperation with countries around the world,” Mao said during a daily briefing. “We have always opposed unilateral sanctions and ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ that have no basis in international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council.”
U.S. NEWS, POLITICS & GOVERNMENT
Alarming Rise in Military-Aged Chinese Men Entering US Illegally, Border Patrol Union Chief Warns
The head of the Border Patrol union is warning about the sharp rise in the number of military-aged Chinese men crossing the U.S.– Mexico border illegally, saying that he believes some of them may be spies working on behalf of China’s communist regime to “infiltrate” the United States.
National Border Patrol Council President Brandon Judd made the remarks during a recent interview on “Just the News, No Noise” TV program, which came as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released its latest data for January encounters with illegal immigrants who crossed the border into the United States.
“At best, they’re here for a better life,” Mr. Judd said. “At worst, they’re here to be part of the Chinese government to infiltrate our own country.”
Border Patrol agents encountered 5,717 single Chinese adults in January, more than twice the number of any other January on record, CBP data shows. In December 2023, that figure rose to a record of 7,581, while the total since January 2023 stands at 64,979.
Some analysts say that deteriorating economic conditions in China, along with human rights abuses and policies such as strict COVID-19 lockdowns, are likely driving the increase.
Trump Will Challenge Judge Engoron’s Definition of Fraud, Lawyer Says
A lawyer representing former President Donald Trump said that his team will challenge a New York judge’s decision last week, targeting the judge’s definition of what fraud is.
Last Friday, Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that the former president is liable for a $355 million fine and cannot operate his Trump Organization in New York state for three years.
“The case raises serious legal and constitutional questions regarding ‘fraud’ claims/findings without any actual fraud,” Chris Kise, the former lawyer in the case, told Newsweek yesterday.
Regarding the appeal of the cause, the lawyer said that it “will depend on many factors so it’s hard to say at the moment, but in any event, it will fall within the 30-day clock” under the court’s rules.
Trump Must Pay Half a Billion Dollars Before He Can Appeal New York Decision
Former President Donald Trump must pay nearly half a billion dollars as a bond to New York State before he can appeal the ruling by Judge Arthur Engoron last week that he must pay $354 million in fines — over $450 million, with interest — for fraud.
Critics have noted that Trump is the only person ever to be sued under an obscure New York fraud statute that does not require any harm be done, and that effectively criminalizes the everyday practice of real estate valuations in negotiations with banks.
Though Attorney General Letitia James — who ran for office promising to target Trump — claimed that no one is above the law, her case against Trump marks the only such case in the history of the state. And the staggering fine is likewise unprecedented.
Jonathan Turley points out another astonishing fact at the New York Post: before he can appeal, Trump must pay the whole fine:
Under New York law, Trump cannot appeal this ruling without depositing the full amount, including interest, in a court account. Even for Trump, $455 million is hard to come by. Likewise, a bond would require a company to guarantee payment for a defendant who has been barred from doing business in New York and is facing the need to liquidate much of his portfolio.
Nothing succeeds like excess for judges like Engoron. By imposing this astronomical figure, he can make it difficult or impossible for a defendant to appeal, absent declaring bankruptcy or selling off assets at distress prices.
The excessive fine and its basis raise serious statutory and constitutional questions. Many of us believe it should be substantially reduced or tossed out entirely.
Engoron also refused to allow Trump to mount any defense, declaring Trump guilty via summary judgment for the state.
Trump Rails Against $355 Million New York Ruling at Michigan Rally
A day after a New York judge issued a ruling fining former President Donald Trump and his businesses $355 million, the former president began a Michigan rally by calling the decision “a lawless, unconstitutional atrocity that sets fire to our laws.”
Speaking to a crowd that overflowed an airport hangar in Waterford Township, northwest of Detroit, on Feb. 17, President Trump declared, “When we win back the White House, we will have no higher priority than ending the weaponization of this horrible legal system that has developed around us.”
New York Migrants Receiving Cash Welfare Payments After Quiet Rule Change
The Democrat-controlled state of New York has been quietly handing out cash payments
to thousands of migrants under a rule change qualifying non-citizens for welfare.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) modified its Safety Net Assistance (SNA) program’s parameters in 2023, making migrants who have filled out asylum application forms eligible to receive even more taxpayer dollars.
A memo quietly sent out to New York welfare office workers from the Hochul administration on May 12, 2023, carefully revised the standards needed to qualify for SNA, expanding them to include “non- citizens who are considered permanently residing under color of law (PRUCOL).”
Over 173,000 migrants have poured into New York City alone since the spring of 2022, so it is possible that more than 17,000 could be receiving SNA benefits just in the city.
Former Harvard Professor Warns Fani Willis May Have Committed Perjury
Retired Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz said that Fulton County’s district attorney may have lied under oath last week during hours of testimony in court to determine whether she would be disqualified from prosecuting a case in Georgia against former President Donald Trump.
The district attorney, Fani Willis, is prosecuting a case against President Trump and more than a dozen co-defendants, alleging that they were involved in a criminal conspiracy to change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
Ms. Willis was grilled by defense lawyers on Feb. 15 regarding her relationship with special counsel Nathan Wade, including about when their relationship started and whether she paid Mr. Wade back for multiple vacations.
Mr. Dershowitz said on Fox News that there is a plausible case that Mr. Wade and Ms. Willis committed perjury. He said that Mr. Wade “clearly” committed perjury during his testimony on Feb. 15, during which he “swore under oath, essentially,” that he did not have sexual relations with Ms. Willis but later admitted that he did when his “marriage had broken down.”
Regarding similar statements from Ms. Willis in court, Mr. Dershowitz noted that there was at least one witness who testified that their relationship occurred much earlier than what Mr. Wade and Ms. Willis claimed.
Alabama Supreme Court rules frozen embryos are ‘children’
Alabama’s Supreme Court has ruled that frozen embryos are children under state law and subject to legislation dealing with the wrongful death of a minor, stating that it “applies to all unborn children, regardless of their location.”
The court issued this majority decision in a lawsuit brought forth by a group of in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients whose frozen embryos were destroyed in December 2020 when a patient removed the embryos from a cryogenic storage unit and dropped them on the ground.
The plaintiffs subsequently filed two lawsuits against the facility, the Center for Reproductive Medicine, alleging that the clinic had violated Alabama’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act, which applies to unborn children.
The plaintiffs also alternatively alleged negligence on the part of the clinic and sought compensatory damages, though the claims of negligence were specified to only be pleaded if Alabama Courts or the U.S. Supreme Court decided frozen embryos were not children.
The defendant’s motion to dismiss the lawsuits were granted by a trial court that found a frozen embryo did not fall within the “definition of a ‘person’ or ‘child.’” The court also ruled that the plaintiffs could not proceed with their calls for compensatory damages for the loss of a human life and emotional damages, citing long-standing legal standards in Alabama.
In its decision, the Alabama Supreme Court did not address the question of whether “extrauterine children” should be treated as human beings, but it did find that state law did not specify what state an unborn child is to be in.
“The relevant statutory text is clear: the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act applies on its face to all unborn children, without limitation,” the court’s decision stated.
The court found that there is no unwritten exception, as the defendants have argued, to the law that applies to “unborn children who are not physically located ‘in utero’ — that is, inside a biological uterus — at the time they are killed.”
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary Says He Will Never Invest in New York after Trump Verdict
Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary said Monday he will no longer invest in New York in response to a $355 million judgment issued against former president Donald Trump in a state court last week.
New York judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump to pay the massive sum for conspiring, the court ruled, to alter his net worth to receive tax and insurance benefits. The order also prevents Trump from doing business in New York for three years. The decision was the conclusion of a months-long civil fraud trial that New York attorney general Letitia James brought against the former president, the Trump organization, and his executives.
During an appearance on Fox Business, O’Leary said he was “shocked” by the ruling. “This award, I mean, just leaving the whole Trump thing out of it and seeing what occurred here. . . . And I’m no different than any other investor, I’m shocked at this. I can’t even understand or fathom the decision at all. There’s no rationale for it.”
Real Estate Investor Grant Cardone Says He Won’t Invest in NY, Will Double Efforts in Red States
Real estate investor Grant Cardone posted on X that his company, CardoneCapital, had initiated research into potential investments in New York. However, former President Trump was ordered to pay $355 million following a civil fraud ruling.
CardoneCapital just started to research real estate investments in New York believing it was time to get into the market.
After the over reach by the judge in the Trump case & penalties imposed of $355M I told them team do NOT waste time in New York.
Cardone said his team will double their efforts to find real estate properties in several red states, including Florida, Texas, and Tennessee.
Elena Cardone, Grant’s wife, set up a GoFundMe page to help Trump pay the $355 million. So far, they have raised over half a million dollars. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul tried to reassure folks that they would not be fined for doing business in New York.
“I think that this is really an extraordinary, unusual circumstance that the law-abiding and rule-following New Yorkers who are business people have nothing to worry about, because they’re very different than Donald Trump and his behavior. By and large, they are honest people and they’re not trying to hide their assets and they’re following the rules.
And so this judge determined that Donald Trump did not follow the rules. He was prosecuted and truly, the governor of the state of New York does not have a say in the size of a fine, and we want to make sure that we don’t have that level of interference.”
Cardone is not the only entrepreneur deciding not to do any business in New York. Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary, also known as “Mr. Wonderful” said he would never invest in New York now. O’Leary also noted that “every real estate developer does this” regarding the court ruling of Trump, as well as refuting Hochul’s claim that those who do business in New York are “very different than Donald Trump.”
O’Leary called California a “loser state,” and New York a “mega-loser state.” Instead, he will invest in red states such as North Dakota, Oklahoma, and West Virginia.
California Brothers Plead Guilty to Scamming U.S. Postal Service Out of $2.3 Million
Two brothers from Temecula, California, pleaded guilty to defrauding the U.S. Postal
Service out of more than $2.3 million, authorities announced Friday.
In its news release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California identified the men as 35-year-old Anwer Fareed Alam and 31-year-old Yousofzay Fahim Alam.
The agency detailed the case:
According to their plea agreements, from October 2016 to May 2019, the Alam brothers purchased from the USPS Priority Mail packages and postages that included $100 in insurance for lost or damaged parcel contents. Anwer Alam wrapped empty packages or packages containing little or no value and then sent them via Priority Mail to fake recipients at fictitious addresses.
Yousofzay Alam then submitted to USPS fraudulent insurance claims via the Postal Service’s website and falsely certified that the packages contained items of higher value than they did and lied that the packages were lost or had been damaged in transit. Yousofzay Alam also included false invoices as well as photographs of goods that were not actually inside the parcels. The Alam brothers used aliases and fake business names to hide the number of false insurance claims they submitted.
USPS sent checks to the men in order to cover the purported losses, valued at up to $100 plus shipping costs. The insurance claim checks were sent via mail to the pair to numerous different addresses in the area where they lived.
Once the brothers got their hands on the checks, they put the money into their own bank accounts, the attorney’s office said.
Capital One to buy Discover Financial in $35.3 billion all-stock deal
Warren Buffett-backed U.S. consumer bank Capital One plans to acquire U.S. credit card issuer Discover Financial Services in an all-stock transaction valued at $35.3 billion to create a global payments giant, the companies said on Monday.
The deal, which is expected to receive intense antitrust scrutiny, would form the sixth-largest U.S. bank by assets and a U.S. credit card behemoth that would compete with rivals JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup
HEALTH
FDA Notice: More Products Recalled Due to Deadly Outbreak
A recall of products containing cheese linked to a bacterial contamination reported this month expanded to salads and taco kits, officials say.
The company, Rizo-Lopez, based in Modesto, California, recalled dozens of products related to the recall, saying that a listeria bacterial outbreak forced it to do so.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 26 cases have been reported. Meanwhile, 23 people have been hospitalized and two deaths have been associated with the outbreak since early February.
The names include Bright Farms, Campesino, Casa Cardenas, Dole, Don Francisco, Don Pancho, Dos Ranchitos, El Huache, Food City, Fresh & Ready Foods, Fresh Express, H-E-B, Jack & Olive, La Ordena, Marketside, Maverick Foods, President’s Choice, Ready Pac Bistro, Rio Grande, Rizo Bros, Rojos, San Carlos, Santa Maria, Sprig & Sprout (S&S), The Perfect Bite Co., Tio Francisco, Trader Joe’s, and 365 Whole Foods Market.
They were sold at retailers such as Albertsons, Bristol Farms, Carrs-Safeway, Costco, Eagle, Lucky, Pavilions, Randalls, Safeway, Save Mart, Shaw’s, Sprouts (S&S), Star Market, Stater Bros. Markets, Tom Thumb, and Vons, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
More details about the products, including the UPCs, sizes, and best by dates are included on a separate FDA page.
Fears Deadly Deer Disease Could Infect Humans
Scientists fear a fatal “zombie deer disease” could be evolving to infect humans.
Chronic wasting disease — found in Minnesota deer herds — is a contagious neurological condition that wipes out nearly every animal it infects, and is spreading rapidly in deer populations across the country, The Daily Mail reported.
The disease is caused by misfolded proteins — when proteins do not fold into the correct shape — called prions. After infection, prions travel throughout the central nervous system.
Researchers believe humans may contract the disease from eating infected venison, or via contact with contaminated soil and water, The Daily Mail reported. It can take more than a year for an infected animal to develop symptoms, the outlet noted.
Its nickname came about because the disease causes parts of the brain to slowly degenerate to a spongy consistency — resulting in infected animals drooling and staring blankly before they die.
There are no treatments or vaccines. And because the disease is so contagious, if one animal tests positive, the entire herd is considered infected.
The condition is thought to only infect animals like deer, elk, reindeer, caribou, and moose.
According to the outlet, a group of 68 researchers from around the world last year started looking at what would happen if a human spillover did occur.
Gut health alert: Common food preservative may pose risks, scientists warn
For thousands of years, salt has played a crucial role in food preservation, helping to keep meat and other perishable items from spoiling while enhancing their flavor. However, a recent study published in ACS Chemical Biology has shed light on the potential downsides of some preservatives commonly found in processed foods.
This research underscores the importance of understanding how these additives may affect our gut health and overall health. Let’s find out what the researchers found.
Researchers raise concerns over gut health threat posed by common food preservative
A widespread food preservative known as nisin is causing scientists to raise red flags over its potential impact on gut health. This antimicrobial agent is commonly added to a variety of food products, including dipping sauces, cheese, beer, and meats.
Nisin, a small polypeptide antibiotic with powerful antibacterial properties, is naturally produced by bacteria to protect food from harmful microbes. While it effectively safeguards against food-borne diseases, it also threatens the beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Despite its role in food safety, nisin’s detrimental effects on gut health remain a concern among scientists, prompting further investigation into its potential risks.
The proof that shows nisin-laden foods are a legitimate threat to gut health
The study linked above isolated lantibiotics derived from the gut, examining them to determine how they interact with microbes that cause disease. The researchers also analyzed how lantibiotics interact with the gut’s “good bacteria” for more in-depth understanding.
The findings show the beneficial gut microbes were just as susceptible to the impact of lantibiotics as the negative microbes that contribute to the onset of disease. Therefore, it is logical to question whether nisin should be used as a food preservative.
Tips that will help you minimize or avoid the consumption of nisin
You or someone you love may enjoy indulging in cheese, beer, and dipping sauces because they’re tasty and readily available at your local grocery store. However, the presence of nisin in these products might give you pause. If you have some spare time after work, why not embrace the DIY spirit and try making your own beer with a brewing kit?
While crafting your own nisin-free cheese can be a bit of a project, it’s definitely doable. And if you’re a fan of dipping sauces, consider whipping them up from scratch instead of relying on store-bought options that may contain nisin.
But it’s not just cheese, beer, and dipping sauces that may contain nisin. Processed meats like sausages and deli meats often contain nisin as a preservative. Similarly, canned soups, sauces, and ready-to-eat meals may also contain nisin to prolong their shelf life. Additionally, certain types of bread and baked goods, such as bagels, English muffins, and pastries, may contain nisin to prevent mold growth. Even some types of cheese spreads, yogurt, and snack foods like chips and crackers may contain nisin as an additive.
To avoid nisin in your diet, consider these tips:
Opt for fresh, whole foods: Choose fresh fruits, vegetables, 100% grass fed meats, and pasture raised dairy products instead of factory farmed (overly processed) foods.
Choose organic and natural products: Organic and natural food products are less likely to contain synthetic preservatives like nisin.
Shop at specialty stores: Specialty stores and health food stores often carry a selection of nisin-free products.
Experiment with homemade recipes: Try making your own versions of favorite foods, such as cheese, sauces, and baked goods, using nisin-free ingredients.
Support local producers: Purchase locally sourced and artisanal products, which are less likely to contain synthetic preservatives.
Remember, nisin may not always be explicitly listed on food labels. It can be included under broader terms such as “preservatives” or “natural flavors.” Therefore, it’s essential to carefully read ingredient lists and look for potential sources of nisin or similar preservatives if you’re trying to avoid it in your diet.
Forever Chemicals Found in 88% of Kale Tested
Analysis reveals PFAS contamination in both conventionally grown and organic versions of this superfood, raising questions about the safety of our food supply.
- Conventionally grown and organic kale may be contaminated with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS)
- Out of eight kale samples purchased in four U.S. states, only one had no detectable PFAS
- Among the others, the highest level of total PFAS was found in conventionally grown kale purchased in a Georgia Publix store
- Overall, PFAS levels were higher in organic kale samples than conventional samples
- Kale is just one example — albeit a surprising one — of where you may come into contact with PFAS; concerning levels of PFAS have also been found in peanut butter, pasta sauce, freshwater fish, cooking oil and many other consumer goods
Conventionally grown and organic kale, considered by many to be the quintessential superfood, may be contaminated with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS),1 also known as “forever chemicals” because they’re so persistent in the environment. This isn’t so much a kale problem as it is an agricultural one — a harbinger of systemic problems with food production. As agronomy consultant Sam Knowlton tweeted:2
“A recent pilot study found that 88% of tested kale was contaminated with PFAS, aka forever chemicals … It’s safe to assume that PFAS contamination is in no way limited to kale and is likely widespread throughout our food system.
The way we produce our food is a critical determinant of our health, both in terms of providing quality nutrition and eliminating the stream of toxins otherwise destined for our food system.”
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
200,000 Facebook Marketplace user records leaked on hacking forum
A threat actor leaked 200,000 records on a hacker forum, claiming they contained the mobile phone numbers, email addresses, and other personal information of Facebook Marketplace users.
BleepingComputer verified some of the leaked data by matching the email addresses and phone numbers on random records within the sample data shared by IntelBroker, the threat actor who leaked the data online.
IntelBroker claims this partial Facebook Marketplace database was stolen by someone using the ‘algoatson’ Discord handle after hacking the systems of a Meta contractor.
“In October 2023, a cyber criminal by the name of ‘algoatson’ on Discord, breached a contractor that manages cloud services for Facebook and stole its partial user database of 200,000 entries,” IntelBroker says.
The leaked database contains a wide variety of personally identifiable information (PII), including names, phone numbers, email addresses, Facebook IDs, and Facebook profile information.
Threat actors can use the email addresses leaked online in phishing attacks and the Facebook Marketplace users’ mobile numbers mobile phishing attacks.The exposed mobile numbers and personal info can also be used in SIM swap attacks that would allow them to steal multi-factor authentication codes sent via SMS and hijack their targets’ accounts.
Musk: Neuralink’s 1st Human Patient Can Control Mouse
The first human patient implanted with a brain-chip from Neuralink appears to have fully recovered and is able to control a computer mouse using their thoughts, the startup’s founder Elon Musk said.
“Progress is good, and the patient seems to have made a full recovery, with no ill effects that we are aware of. Patient is able to move a mouse around the screen by just thinking,” Musk said late Monday in a Spaces event on social media platform X.
Musk said Neuralink was now trying to get as many mouse button clicks as possible from the patient.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Kristi Noem stays silent as South Dakota GOP cedes property rights
Remember Summit Carbon Solutions and that Green New Deal pipeline the company wanted to lay through the Dakotas, seizing people’s land in the process? Well, the project is back, and it’s stronger than ever. Evidently, supporting property rights and opposing Agenda 2030’s “carbon neutral” dystopia is too much to ask of South Dakota Republicans.
The state Senate’s Commerce and Energy Committee last week passed SB 201, which preempts all local ordinances and restrictions on carbon capture pipelines. These pipelines serve no purpose other than pleasing the gods of phantom global warming and satisfying the grift of green energy companies backed by government venture socialism. They do nothing other than capture and store carbon forever with no feasible endgame.
Local South Dakota counties have thrown up zoning and ordinance barriers to the pipelines’ construction. So Summit tried to get the state Public Utilities Commission to circumvent local ordinances. When that didn’t work, Summit lobbyists set about pre- empting local control by changing the law.
The bill, which passed the committee 7-2 and now heads to the state Senate floor, got support from six Republicans, including Majority Leader Casey Crabtree. If signed into law, SB 201 would categorically strip local governments of authority to regulate routing, setbacks, construction, operation, maintenance, and zoning permits of any carbon capture pipeline.
Obviously, the state has an interest in avoiding a scenario in which counties can block vital public works projects such as electricity lines or gas and oil pipelines. But this product offers nothing of substance except to buttress the lie that somehow carbon — the basis of human life itself — is a danger.
The entire premise that carbon is bad and is somehow causing warming is a lie. There has been no warming since 2015, despite an additional 450 billion tons of carbon emissions. In the same year renewables increased by 12% and coal decreased by 8%, U.S. carbon emissions still ticked up by 1.3% in 2022.
Electric vehicles are so unpopular, entire mines are shutting down
Supply of rare earth minerals essential for components exceeds demand
A slowdown in the growth of electric vehicle (EV) demand has led to entire mines being shut down as the supply of rare earth minerals essential for EV components exceeds demand, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Mines around the world are ceasing operations or halting construction projects in response to the falling demand, such as a $1.3 billion plant in North Carolina operated by Albemarle. which announced that it was deferring spending on the project amid the market turmoil, according to the WSJ The total market share of EVs rose from 3.1% in January 2023 to 3.6% in December 2023, while the share of U.S. vehicle inventory grew from 2.8% to 5.7% in that same time frame as demand fails to keep up with supply.
Over the last few years, global mineral producers have ramped up mining operations in an attempt to capitalize on the emerging EV market, but consumers have declined to adopt EVs at the rate producers were expecting, leading to rare minerals flooding the market and driving down prices, according to the WSJ. The market for metals is often subject to boom-and-bust cycles due to unpredictable demand and the slow speed at which mines can be brought into operation.
The price of lithium is down around 90% since the beginning of last year, and the price of nickel has been cut in half in that same time frame, according to the WSJ. A mine on the French Pacific island of New Caledonia recently suspended operations, despite providing more than 6% of the world’s nickel supply.
The decline in mineral demand is particularly dire to the Australian mining industry and economy in general, with the country’s government recently designating nickel as a critical mineral to give corporations access to government grants in order to provide some stimulus to struggling companies, according to the WSJ. The collapse of mineral prices has led to a loss of more than one-fifth of Australia’s mine supply.
China controls around 87% of the world’s rare earth mineral refining capacity, leading the U.S. to attempt to subsidize projects outside of China to secure access to the resources. The Biden administration has included provisions in EV tax credits that require a certain percentage of minerals not to be from a foreign entity of concern like China to be eligible.
Electric Vehicle Sales Slump as Americans Stick With Gas
Behind all the aggressive marketing of electric vehicles lies a promising technology that’s still a work in progress, says James Haas, used car manager at Berge Toyota in Mesa, Arizona.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are still costly to produce and maintain, he says. Many don’t hold their value like gasoline-powered cars do, and most consumers still can’t afford to buy them with an average $40,000 price tag.
And, good luck finding a charging station in the middle of nowhere. Still, the Biden administration seems driven to replace gasoline vehicles with EVs by the next decade, Mr. Haas says.
The government’s stated goal is to achieve net-zero carbon emissions to combat climate change.
While the auto industry continues to ramp up EV production to compete against manufacturers like Tesla, market observers say that acceptance of the technology could be faster to keep pace.
According to the June 2023 Cox Automotive survey, many consumers are still leery of purchasing an EV despite growing interest.
The 2023 Path to EV Adoption: Consumer and Dealer Perspectives study revealed a “lack of EV readiness among U.S. automotive dealers regarding sales and service,” according to Cox Automotive.
GARDENING, FARMING & HOMESTEADING
Buying Beef by the Cow: How to Fill Your Freezer With Locally Raised Meat
One way families can build a food safety net is to buy meat, in bulk, directly from a local farmer, purchasing a whole, half, or quarter animal’s worth of meat at a time—for example, half a cow, or “half beef” in industry lingo. Through the process, you’ll get to learn about where your food comes from and how it’s raised and gain new appreciation for your food and its journey to your table.
There are advantages and disadvantages to bulk meat purchases, and one family’s advantage may be another’s disadvantage. Consider your situation with a few questions:
Do you have enough freezer space to store one or more large purchases?
Don’t expect a half or even a quarter beef to fit into your refrigerator freezer; you’ll need a chest or upright freezer to secure your purchase. If you would need to purchase this, would it be a good investment right now? If you’re planning to move, for example, waiting to buy a freezer might be a better choice.
Will your family consume this quantity of meat within a reasonable time?
In a stand-alone freezer running without interruption, vacuum-sealed meats have a shelf life of up to two years. The frost-free freezer portion of a modern refrigerator maintains regular thawing and freezing intervals to control frost buildup, causing crystals to form inside the packages. Meat stored in this type of freezer should be used within six months.
You’ll also need to be realistic about whether you’re willing to put the effort into thinking ahead, learning about possibly unfamiliar cuts,
looking for recipes the family will enjoy, thawing the meat, and preparing and cooking meals.
Can you afford the upfront cost?
Be prepared to pay $1,400 for a half beef (typically averaging about $6 to $7 per pound), or $550 for a whole hog (about $4 to $5 per pound), or maybe more.
If any of these factors are prohibitive, one option to consider is splitting a purchase with a willing neighbor, friend, or family member.
2ND AMENDMENT
New York Jury to Resume Deliberations in Civil Trial of NRA Officials
The jury in the civil trial of three National Rifle Association (NRA) executives and the organization itself will resume deliberations today in New York City.
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed the civil lawsuit on Aug. 6, 2020, based on a 2019 investigation by her office.
The lawsuit originally named former NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, former treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Wilson “Woody” Phillips, former Chief of Staff and Executive Director of General Operations Josh Powell, and corporate secretary and general counsel John Frazer as defendants.
Mr. Powell settled his case on Jan. 5. He agreed to testify for the state and pay the NRA $100,000 in restitution, and he is barred from working with nonprofits.
In a press release issued the day of the filing, Ms. James wrote that the men had used the NRA to benefit themselves, their families, and their friends. She accused them of violating various state and federal laws and “contributing to the loss of more than $64 million in just three years for the NRA.”
An NRA official countered that the lawsuit is nothing more than a political attack designed to dissolve the NRA.
The complaint asks the court to remove the executives from their positions with the NRA and to bar them from any work with nonprofits, in addition to finding that they used their positions to benefit themselves. It also asks the court to require them to pay restitution to the NRA, including the salary paid during their employment.
COVID RELATED NEWS
Study of Nearly 100 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients Reveals a Host of Adverse Events
A multinational study of over 99 million vaccinated people has identified higher incidences of neurological, cardiovascular, and blood disorder complications than what the researchers expected.
The peer-reviewed observational cohort study, published in the Vaccine journal on Feb. 12, aimed to evaluate the risk of 13 adverse events of special interest (AESI) following COVID-19 vaccination. The AESIs spanned three categories—neurological, hematologic (blood), and cardiovascular.
It reviewed data collected from more than 99 million vaccinated people from eight nations—Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, New Zealand, and Scotland—looking at risks up to 42 days after getting the shots.
The study looked at three vaccines—Pfizer and Moderna’s mRNA vaccines as well as AstraZeneca’s viral vector jab.
Researchers found higher than expected cases that they deemed met the threshold to be potential safety signals for multiple AESIs, including for Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), myocarditis, and pericarditis. A safety signal refers to information that could suggest a potential risk or harm that may be associated with a medical product.
Commenting on the study, cardiologist Peter McCullough said that based on “conservative assumptions,“ the estimated harms of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines ”greatly outweigh the rewards,“ the article stated, noting that ”for every life saved, there were nearly 14 times more deaths caused by the modified mRNA injections.”
Lately, evidence has been mounting suggesting the “shedding” of COVID-19 vaccine proteins. The controversial subject was largely discounted by scientists but now some doctors say that authorities are well aware of the phenomenon.
Meanwhile, the Northern U.S. District Court of Texas has denied Pfizer’s motion to move the case to federal court against Pfizer for deceptive promotion and marketing. Texas petitioners can join the case until May 15, 2024, according to Karen Kingston, an independent medical-legal advisor and biotech analyst. The trial is scheduled for July 2025.
CANCEL CULTURE
Local families in the predominantly black Roxbury neighborhood of Boston are furious after the city shut down the local community center to instead use it to house more of President Joe Biden’s illegal border crossers.
Roxbury’s Melnea A. Cass Recreational Community Center, which was once a meeting place for Little League ball players, volleyball games, and other sports and community events, has now been dedicated to rows of cots for illegal border crossers, CBS, WBZ-TV Boston reported.
WBZ interviewed pre-teen Jeremiah Rodriguez who showed up at the community center on Feb. 17 under the mistaken impression that his community baseball team was using the facility for batting practice. He was devastated to find out his community center was now closed to him.
“We usually practice. They were closed,” young Jeremiah told the outlet.
Jeremiah’s dad, Yrbin Rodriguez, added, “It’s hard. I didn’t know the immigrants inside. It’s okay to help, I don’t think that’s the place to do it because kids and families go and enjoy.”
But thanks to Biden and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, the chiefly black community has lost the facility that was once the center of the community. Roxbury is nearly 57 percent black, almost 30 percent Latino, and only six percent white, in a neighborhood that has a median income far under Boston as a whole ($30,654 for Roxbury, $52,433 for Boston overall), according to city of Boston data.
Black community activist Clifton Braithwaite was disgusted with the city’s action.
Braithwaite said folks in the neighborhood are being given short shrift as the city favors Biden’s flood of illegal aliens.
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