June 15th, 2023 • 3h 20m
Shownotes
Every new episode of No Agenda is accompanied by a comprehensive list of shownotes curated by Adam while preparing for the show. Clips played by the hosts during the show can also be found here.
Ukraine vs Russia
PARTNERS IN DOOMSDAY - Seymour Hersh
I was planning to write this week about the expanding war in Ukraine and the danger it poses for the Biden Administration. I had a lot to say. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has resigned, and her last day in office is June 30. Her departure has triggered near panic inside the State Department about the person many there fear will be chosen to replace her: Victoria Nuland. Nuland’s hawkishness on Russia and antipathy for Vladimir Putin fits perfectly with the views of President Biden. Nuland is now the undersecretary for political affairs and has been described as “running amok,” in the words of a person with direct knowledge of the situation, among the various bureaus of the State Department while Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on the road. If Sherman has a view about her potential successor, and she must, she’s unlikely ever to share it.
Biden is believed by some in the American intelligence community to be convinced that his re-election prospects depend on a victory, or some kind of satisfactory settlement, in the Ukraine war. Blinken’s rejection of the prospect of a ceasefire in Ukraine, voiced in his June 2 speech in Finland that I wrote about last week, is of a piece with this thinking.
Russian Dam mines Ordnance BOTG
UNCLASSIFIED
ITM,
Sending a BOG regarding mines displaced by flooding from Dam sabotage.
Bottom line: Mines likely won’t explode when displaced by flooding.
General Background: Mines come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. They typically fall in two categories: Anti-Personnel (AP) and Anti-Tank (AT).
Anti-personnel (AP) mines are typically smaller, more sensitive, and target dismounted troops. They can be initiated, depending on fuze type/configuration, by motion, pressure, pressure release, vibration, or trip wire. Some can even be command detonated.
Anti-Tank mines are larger and less sensitive. They target vehicles and armor (tanks, infantry fighting vehicles etc.) They can be initiated numerous ways as well, but typically require a lot of weight or metal to set them off. Some mines can be emplace by artillery and may detonate after a certain period of time. These are referred to as Family of Scatterable Mines or FASCAM for short. They are typically used to “close” friendly passage lanes prior to the arrival of advancing enemy armor.
My opinion: The flooding may set off some sensitive mines, but will not set off most. Minefields are typically mapped so that those that emplaced them won’t blow themselves up, or to aid in demining operations post conflict. The flood messes all that up. The Korean Peninsula around the DMZ is still rife with mines. The freezing and thawing of the ground works the mines up to the surface. They will roll down hills and end up on roads. The South Koreans carved ditches on either side of the roads near the DMZ to prevent them from migrating on to the roads and killing motorists. Hope this helps shed some light on the issue. Cheers!
Respectfully,
Nick
Prime Time Takedown
Trump indictment pictures of hundreds of documents only 102 were relevant TS docs
Transmaoism
SissyHP Boots on the Ground
Please keep this anonymous. I just listened to Ep. 1560 and heard the segment on Sissy Hypno Porn; I wanted to share my own experiences. For context, I am a 25 year old man; I do not consider myself gay or bisexual in any way. I am currently happily in a relationship with my girlfriend of quite some time. However, I was addicted to porn for several years, from when I started at about age 16 until I stopped at age 23. I started out watching what I would consider typical porn, generally vanilla, straight and lesbian porn, but as time went on, I began to seek out more and more extreme types of porn. I often even searched and watched porn that I was not even turned on by just for the novelty.
Flash forward several years and I discovered shemale porn. Shemale porn is predominantly semi pre-op trans women (breast implants and hormones, but still intact downstairs) who are doing porn with men and or women. After exploring this, I stumbled upon Sissy Hypno porn. I did not search outright for this, it simply was suggested by the recommended feed on the pornhub website. It was personally not my cup of tea, but I could certainly see how this would warp and feed into the mind of someone already struggling with gender confusion. I found Sissy hypno porn style content on several social media platforms including Instagram, twitter, tumblr; I suspect it is also widespread on other platforms like tiktok.
Thankfully, I was able to break my porn addiction with the help of God and through sheer determination. However, it took several months before I could feel my mind starting to return to normal i.e. no longer fetishizing about niche or extreme sexual content. I do not have children of my own, but I would warn all parents to do everything in your power to prevent their children from getting into pornography! It will suck you in and warp your mind potentially even destroying your sexual and personal life over time. I hope information helped shed more light on this topic.
Autism and trans BOTG
Adam-
I am 43 and was diagnosed 1 year ago as being autistic. For insight and shared experiences I looked to social media for other adults like myself who lived decades undiagnosed and just trying to understand why everything is so hard to understand. I would be identified as high functioning or having Asperger's. Both of these terms are frowned upon by woke autistics.
This leads me to the point of this email, autistic transgenders. Once I started poking around social media for autistic adults I noticed right away that a large number of people early 30s or younger who was autistic identified as queen, they/them or trans. I thought about this for a while and it makes a lot of sense. When I was in elementary school a trusted adult, teach or therapist could have probably convinced me the reason I was so confused is because of being in the wrong gender. To add to this autistic people are always mimicking those around them in their struggle to read and adapt to social ques, so you get a monkey see monkey do chain reaction on top of it.
That's my 2 cents.
Cheers,
Mike
Sir Ten Lee Stoned
England's health service says it won't give puberty blockers to children at gender clinics | AP News
Nashville Shooter’s Autopsy Indicates No Testing Ordered for Potential Prescription Medications
Of those drugs tested for included illegal drugs and alcohol. The report indicates that Hale’s blood and urine were tested for amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, buprenorphine, cannabinoids, cocaine, fentanyl, methadone, methamphetamine, opiates, oxycodone, and phencyclidine.
Audrey Hale in an undated image. (Nashville Police Department via The Epoch Times)
No additional tests were performed, according to the information provided in this report to The Epoch Times.
The toxicology section states no positive results on any of the tests were detected.
The report notes the blood and urine samples, unless alternative arrangements are made by law enforcement, will be discarded one year from the date of the report. It is unclear if law enforcement has already sought or will seek additional blood or urine tests.
Great Reset
Elon / Twitter
Big Tech
When AI Overrules the Nurses Caring for You - WSJ
Artificial intelligence raises difficult questions about who makes the call in a health crisis: the human or the machine?
Melissa Beebe, an oncology nurse, relies on her observation skills to make life-or-death decisions. A sleepy patient with dilated pupils could have had a hemorrhagic stroke. An elderly patient with foul-smelling breath could have an abdominal obstruction.
So when an alert said her patient in the oncology unit of UC Davis Medical Center had sepsis, she was sure it was wrong. “I’ve been working with cancer patients for 15 years so I know a septic patient when I see one,” she said. “I knew this patient wasn’t septic.”
The...
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Melissa Beebe, an oncology nurse, relies on her observation skills to make life-or-death decisions. A sleepy patient with dilated pupils could have had a hemorrhagic stroke. An elderly patient with foul-smelling breath could have an abdominal obstruction.
So when an alert said her patient in the oncology unit of UC Davis Medical Center had sepsis, she was sure it was wrong. “I’ve been working with cancer patients for 15 years so I know a septic patient when I see one,” she said. “I knew this patient wasn’t septic.”
The alert correlates elevated white blood cell count with septic infection. It wouldn’t take into account that this particular patient had leukemia, which can cause similar blood counts. The algorithm, which was based on artificial intelligence, triggers the alert when it detects patterns that match previous patients with sepsis. The algorithm didn’t explain its decision.
Hospital rules require nurses to follow protocols when a patient is flagged for sepsis. While Beebe can override the AI model if she gets doctor approval, she said she faces disciplinary action if she’s wrong. So she followed orders and drew blood from the patient, even though that could expose him to infection and run up his bill. “When an algorithm says, ‘Your patient looks septic,’ I can’t know why. I just have to do it,” said Beebe, who is a representative of the California Nurses Association union at the hospital.
As she suspected, the algorithm was wrong. “I’m not demonizing technology,” she said. “But I feel moral distress when I know the right thing to do and I can’t do it.”
Big Pharma
England's health service says it won't give puberty blockers to children at gender clinics | AP News
Let's Get Wegovy!
One popular song from the 80's that addresses the theme of weight loss is "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John. Although it doesn't directly rhyme with "wegovy," it talks about physical fitness and working out, which is often associated with weight loss. The song was released in 1981 and became a major hit, emphasizing the importance of staying active and taking care of one's physical well-being.O
Nashville Shooter’s Autopsy Indicates No Testing Ordered for Potential Prescription Medications
Of those drugs tested for included illegal drugs and alcohol. The report indicates that Hale’s blood and urine were tested for amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, buprenorphine, cannabinoids, cocaine, fentanyl, methadone, methamphetamine, opiates, oxycodone, and phencyclidine.
Audrey Hale in an undated image. (Nashville Police Department via The Epoch Times)
No additional tests were performed, according to the information provided in this report to The Epoch Times.
The toxicology section states no positive results on any of the tests were detected.
The report notes the blood and urine samples, unless alternative arrangements are made by law enforcement, will be discarded one year from the date of the report. It is unclear if law enforcement has already sought or will seek additional blood or urine tests.
OTG & DigitalID
Be careful of government ID initiatives. - Apple will probably lead the way
Climate Change
War on Guns
Ministry of Truthiness
STORIES
Tin Foil Hat With Sam Tripoli
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Thank you so much for tuning in for another episode of Tin FoilHat with Sam Tripoli. This is an episode we welcome back fromthe American Loser podcast, KP Burke, to discuss the current stateof the Cultural War raging on in America. Sometimes we try tofind who is the good guy on the right side of the argument...
Jun 2, 2023
Thank you so much for tuning in for another episode of Tin FoilHat with Sam Tripoli. This episode we welcome back to theshow Returning Champion Jimmy Dore to discuss his new comedyspecial "Covid Lies Are Funny" and the mass psychosis of Covid,Russiagate and FBI psyops. This was a total banger. Thank you for your...
Catastrophic fires are a reckoning for Californians and their 'new normal.' Has the state reached a tipping point? - Los Angeles Times
Music Companies Sue Twitter for More Than $250 Million in Damages Over Alleged Copyright Violations - WSJ
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 15:17
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Family of Scatterable Mines - FASCAM
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 15:11
The family of scatterable mines adds new dimension to mine warfare, providing the maneuver commander with a rapid, flexible means of delaying, harassing, paralyzing, canalizing, or wearing down the enemy forces in both offensive and defensive operations. Mines can force the enemy into kill zones, change their direction of attack, spend time in clearing operations, or take evasive actions. FASCAM presents an array of air and FA-delivered scatterable mines available to maneuver force commanders. The systems- GATOR (USAF Delivered), VOLCANO (ground or air delivered), ADAM/RAAM (artillery delivered) and MOPMS (Modular Pack Mine System) have special considerations such as planning time, availability, survivability of system and logistical requirements.
Scatterable mine systems enable the tactical commanders to emplace minefields in enemy held terrain, contaminated territory, or in others areas where it is not possible to emplace conventional minefields. They are designed to be delivered or dispensed remotely by aircraft, artillery, or by ground dispenser. Minefields are laid without a clear pattern. All FASCAM mines have a active life cycle and self-destruct (SD) time after their active life has expired.The duration of the active life varies from 4 hours to 15 days depending on the system. FASCAM minefields are planned by the commander's staff engineer in concert with the commander's intent and systems availible. The staff engineer determines location, size, time and density of the minefields. He coordinates with appropriate staff officers to ensure systems are available at the time and location for placement. CAPABILITIES.
Faster response. Units can place scatterable mines faster than conventional mines, so they provide the commander with greater flexibility, and allow reaction to changing in situations. The use of scatterable mines can allow the commander to maintain or regain the initiative by allowing units to act faster than the enemy. This also helps preserve scarce mine resources.
Remote emplacement. Scatterable mines are remotely placed. This enhances battlefield agility and allows the maneuver commander to rapidly place mines to best exploit enemy weaknesses. Commander's can use scatterable mines as a situational obstacle; as a reserve obstacle emplacement capability; and to directly attack enemy formations through disrupt, fix, turn, and block. Modern fusing, sensing, and antidisturbance devices allow scatterable mines to better defeat enemy attempts to reduce the minefield.
Increased tactical flexibility. After allowing enough time for the minefield to self-destruct, the minefield is cleared, and the commander can move through an area that was previously denied to enemy or friendly forces. In many cases, the self-destruct period may be set at only a few hours. This feature allows for effective counterattacks to the enemy's flanks and rear areas.
Efficiency. There are a variety of ways to deliver and place scatterable mines. Methods include delivery by fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, artillery, or ground vehicles. They satisfy the high-mobility requirements of modern warfare. Scatterable mines are much smaller and lighter than conventional mines and require less manpower, equipment and tonnage to place.
Increased lethality. Scatterable AT mines use a self-forging fragmentation (SFF) created from a two-sided Miznay-Shardin (M-S) plate charge to produce a full-width kill. In simple terms, a metal plate is formed into a super-dense molten rock that punches a hole in the belly of the tank. This produces an M-Kill against the vehicle engine, track, or drive train; a firepower kill against the vehicle weapon system; or a K-Kill in which the on-board sets off ammunition, which kills or incapacitates the crew. The scatterable AT mine can kill any tank in the world. In order to form the SFF; the mine requires a standoff between the vehicle and the target. Mines must also be nearly perpendicular to the target (lying on either side). The two- sided design of the M-S plate allows the mine to successfully attack the target while lying on either side. Trip wires actuate scatterable AP mines and utilize a blast/fragmentation-type kill mechanism.
LIMITATIONS.
Extensive coordination. Scatterable mines are very dynamic weapon systems and require great care to ensure proper coordination with higher, adjacent, and subordinate units. Brigades must notify all affected units of the location and duration of scatterable minefields in order to prevent friendly casualties. Recording and reporting procedures for scatterable mines exist to help minimize this problem.
Proliferation of targets. Some commanders may regard scatterable mines as an easy solution to tactical problems. Commander must carefully evaluated, and prioritize tactical requests. Indiscriminate use of scatterable mines results in rapid depletion of a unit's basic load. Controlled supply rates (CSRs) will probably be a constraint in all theaters.
Visibility. Scatterable mines are very effective, even though they lie exposed on the surface of the ground because they are relatively small and have natural colorings. Using scatterable mines in conjunction with fires and obscurants increases their effectiveness and strains the enemy's command and control.
Accuracy. Units cannot lay scatterable mines with the same accuracy as conventional mines; however, their self-destruct capability eliminates the need for recovering them. Remotely delivered scatterable mine systems are as accurate as conventional artillery or tactical aircraft-delivered munitions.
Orientation. 5 to 15 percent of scatterable mines will come to rest on their edge. If there is mud or snow more than 10 centimeters deep, mines will be in the higher percentile. Classified lethality data provides for 10 percent of scatterable mines to rest on their edge. When employing the area denial artillery munition (ADAM) and the remote antiarmor mine (RAAM) in over 10 centimeters of snow, units should use high-angle fire and increase the number of mines. Using AP mines in snow may be less effective because it hinders the deployment of trip wires. Melting snow may also cause mines to change position and activate antidisturbance features.
Antipersonnel Mines There are two generalcategories of APSCATMINEs--wedge-shaped and cylindrical .
AP SCATMINEs
Characteristics of AP SCATMINEs Mine Delivery System DODIC Arming Time Fuse Warhead AHDV SD Time Explosive Weight Mine Weight Number of Mines M67 155-mm artillery (ADAM) D502 45 sec 2 min Trip wire Bounding frag 20% 4 hr 21 g Comp A5 540 g 36 per M731 projectile M72 155-mm artillery (ADAM) D501 45 sec 2 min Trip wire Bounding frag 20% 48 hr 21 g Comp A5 540 g 36 per M692 projectile M74 Flipper K151 45 min Trip wire Blast frag 20% 5 days 15 days 540 g Comp B4 1.44 kg 5 per sleeve BLU 92/B USAF (Gator) K291 K292 K293 2 min Trip wire Blast frag 100% 4 hr 48 hr 15 days 540 g Comp B4 1.44 kg 22 per CBU 89/B dispenser M77 MOPMS K022 2 min Trip wire Blast frag 0% 4 hr (recycle up to 3 times) 540 g Comp B4 1.44 kg 4 per M131 dispenser Volcano Ground/air K045 4 min Trip wire Blast frag 0% 4 hr 48 hr 15 days 540 g Comp B4 1.44 kg 1 per M87 canister The M67 and M72 APSCATMINEs are wedge-shaped and dispensed from an ADAM projectile,which is a special 155-millimeter artillery munition. Each mineweighs 540 grams and is 7 centimeters high.
The M74, BLU 92/B,M77, and Volcano AP SCATMINEs are all cylindrical in shape. Theyare 6 centimeters high and 12 centimeters in diameter.Cylindrical AP SCATMINEs kill enemy soldiers through the combinedeffects of blast and fragmentation. Each mine contains 540 gramsof composition B4 as its main charge. The charge detonates uponactuation and shatters the mine's metal casing to produceshrapnel. Shrapnel is propelled upward and outward from the mineand produces fatal casualties to a distance of 15 meters. Eachmine has eight trip wires (four on the top and four on thebottom) that deploy after ground impact up to 12 meters from themine. Trip wires are similar in appearance to very fine thread;they are olive-drab green in color and weighted at the free end.A tension of 405 grams applied to one trip wire is enough tocreate a break in the electrical circuit and cause the mine todetonate.
ANTITANK MINES All AT SCATMINEs have similar functional characteristics. They arecylindrical in shape, weigh approximately 1.8 kilograms, contain585 grams of cyclonite (RDX) explosive as the main charge, andhave a magnetically induced fuse. The characteristics of each ATSCATMINE are summarized in Table 3-2.
AT SCATMINE
Characteristics of AT SCATMINEs Mine Delivery System DODIC Arming Time Fuse Warhead AHD SD Time Explosive Weight Mine Weight Number of Mines M73 155-mm artillery (RAAM) D503 45 sec 2 min Magnetic M-S plate 20% 48 hr 585 g RDX 1.7 kg 9 per M718 projectile M70 155-mm artillery (RAAM) D509 45 sec 2 min Magnetic M-S plate 20% 4 hr 585 g RDX 1.7 kg 9 per M741 projectile M75 Flipper K184 45 min Magnetic M-S plate 20% 5 days 15 days 585 g RDX 1.7 kg 5 per sleeve BLU 91/B USAF (Gator) K291 K292 K293 2 min Magnetic M-S plate NA 4 hr 48 hr 15 days 585 g RDX 1.7 kg 72 per CBU 89/B dispenser M76 MOPMS K022 2 min Magnetic M-S plate NA 4 hr (recycle up to 3 times) 585 g RDX 1.7 kg 17 per M131 dispenser Volcano Ground/air K045 2 min 30 sec Magnetic M-S plate NA 4 hr 48 hr 15 days 585 g RDX 1.7 kg 5 per M87 canister; 6 per M87A1 canister AT SCATMINEs aredesigned to produce a K-Kill (kill the crew of the vehicle)instead of an M-Kill. They produce a kill by using an SFF warhead(created from a two-sided M-S plate). The warhead penetrates thevehicle's belly armor, and spalling metal from the vehicle(created by the mine blast or secondary explosions) killsoccupants instantly. Even though the crew is killed, the drivetrain may be undamaged and the vehicle may continue to move. Onenemy tanks with autoloaders, the detonation of rounds in thebelly-mounted ammunition carousel is very likely. The mine maynot achieve a kill when the track of an armored vehicle runsdirectly over it.
All mines have a safe-arm time from (45 seconds to 2 minutes). Whenmines fail to arm they will self-destruct immediately. SD times are notexact, mines actually self-destruct in a window between 80 to 100 percentof their SD time ie. mines with a 4 hour SD time will start to SD in 3hours 12 minutes. If a mine fails to SD it should be treated as UXO.
Short duration <24 hour SD time
Long duration >24 hour SD time
Reference FM 20-32, page 7-1
FASCAM QUICKREFERENCE TYPE ARM SHORT LONG ADAM/RAAM 2 MIN/45 SEC 4 HR 48 HR VOLCANO 2 MIN 4 HR 48 HR/15D MOPMS 2 MIN 4 HR REC 15 D GATOR 2 MIN 4 HR 48 HR/15 D TYPE DENSITY SIZE SFTY ZN ADAM/RAAM .001, .002,.004 200 X 200 1400 X 1400 .001, .002,.004 400 X 400 1500 X 1500 VOLCANO (GND) 0.01 1195 X 170 235 ALL SIDES (AIR) 0.0067 1000 X 150 235 ALL SIDES MOPMS 0.01 35 - 180 DEG 235 ALL SIDES GATOR 0.003 650 X 200 275 ALL SIDES Two types of minefields can be developed with FASCAM--planned minefield and target of opportunity minefields.
Planned minefields begin with the development of the scheme of maneuver and then the barrier and/or obstacle plan by the G3 and/or S3 and engineer. Before deciding on the employment of ADAM and/or RAAMS, the FSCOORD is brought into the planning process to provide guidance on the availability of FA mines and delivery units.
Minefields employed against targets of opportunity (unplanned) must be emplaced immediately because of the tactical nature of the targets. They are requested through the fire support channels at any level. Once the maneuver brigade or division commander has approved the use of FA mines, they can be emplaced appropriately. Normally, targets of opportunity are used when the delivery of the mines can be observed. Aimpoints for target of opportunity minefields can be computed as in a planned minefield. However, this will be time-consuming and may not meet the demands of the tactical situation. Therefore, it is recommended that units establish an SOP for a "standard minefield" to fire when the tactical situation requires an immediate minefield. For example, the unit SOP may be for a 400 x 400 minefield, high angle, medium density, with two aimpoints. The SOP will allow FSOs to determine the number of target of opportunity minefields that are available for the maneuver commander. This determination is based on the unit's FASCAM unit basic load (UBL).
FASCAM employment isbased on a concept known as planning modules. The planning module for RAAMS low angle is 200meters x 200 meters. The planning module for RAAMS high angle and for ADAM low or high angle is400 meters x 400 meters. This does not mean that the minefield planner cannot request a minefield that islarger than the planning module. In any FASCAM minefield, the requesting agency defines the minefieldsize in terms of the length, width, and attitude. The length of the minefield is always the longest axis. Theconcept of the planning modules is based on the minefield width. In other words, the width of all minefieldsmust be in multiples of the planning module defined above. The FDO will use the length, width, andplanning module to determine the number of linear sheafs required to establish the required minefield. Thelinear sheafs will evenly divide each module and will be parallel to the long axis (length) of the minefield. A density of .001 means that there will be approximately one mine every 1,000 square meters. In other words, there will be one mine in every 32- x 32 meter area. These density numbers are used for planning purposes only. Dispersion of the projectiles in the target area will dictate the actual pattern of mines.EMPLOYMENT
MULTIPLE OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE ROLES
DOES NOT REQUIRE COMMITTING GROUND/AIR UNITS FOREMPLOYMENT
DESIGNED FOR FLEXIBLE RESPONSE
TIME AND ROUNDS REQUIRED TO EMPLOY LIMIT USE
LIMITED BY RANGE TO AIRLAND BATTLE DOCTRINE
NECESSARY TO PLOT SAFETY ZONE
DURATION AND NET/NLT EMPLACEMENT
EMPLACEMENT
REQUESTED THROUGH NORMAL ARTILLERY SUPPORT CHANNELS
CLOSE COORDINATION BETWEEN G3/S3, ENGINEER, ANDFSCOORD REQUIRED
ENGINEER RESPONSIBILITIES:
*RECOMMENDS LOCATION, SIZE, TYPE, TGT, EFFECT,AND DURATION
*CONDUCTS COORDINATION WITH G3/S3 AND FSE FORNET/NLT EMPLACEMENT AND DENSITY
*PLOTS SAFETY ZONE ON MANEUVER COMMANDER'S MAP
FSCOORD RESPONSIBILITIES:
*NUMBER OF ROUNDS FOR REQUIRED DENSITY
*TIME REQUIRED TO EMPLACED
*NUMBER AND LOCATION OF AIM POINTS
*ADVISES ENGINEER OF FEASIBILITY OF PLAN AND TECHNICALASPECTS
*ISSUE SCATMINWARN AND SCATMINREP
Reference FM 20-32, pages 6-8 to 6-11
ADAM/RAAM
Background Briefing on Landmine Use in Ukraine | Human Rights Watch
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 15:10
This Background Briefing surveys the types of landmines used in Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022. It is not currently possible to systematically determine the number of landmines casualties or the humanitarian impact of new mine use since the invasion.
SummaryRussian forces have used at least seven types of antipersonnel mines in at least four regions of Ukraine: Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Sumy. This marks an unusual situation in which a country that is not party to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty uses the weapon on the territory of a party to the treaty.[1]
There is no credible information that Ukrainian government forces have used antipersonnel mines in violation of the Mine Ban Treaty since 2014 and into 2022.
Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have extensively used anti-vehicle mines (also called anti-tank mines) in at least six regions: Donetsk, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia. Hand-emplaced TM-62 series anti-vehicle mines appear to be the type most frequently used.
All manner of landmine delivery methods have been documented: hand-emplaced, mechanically-laid, and remotely-delivered. Several new, never-before-seen landmines have made their combat debut in the armed conflict, including some produced as late as 2021.
Russian forces have also emplaced many victim-activated booby-traps as they retreated from positions taken during the initial phase of the invasion. Booby-traps can function as antipersonnel mines when the fuze that is used is activated unintentionally by a person.
Landmine casualties have been reported in the conflict in Ukraine and the impact of new mine use can also be seen in the denial of access to civilian homes, infrastructure, transportation routes, and agricultural lands. Evidence indicates that agricultural production is being affected by the use of landmines in fields and on rural paths and roads.
Russia-backed forces in eastern Ukraine previously used landmines in Donetsk and Luhansk regions in 2014-2015 and sporadically in the following years, including antipersonnel mines, anti-vehicle mines, and victim-activated booby-traps.[2] Ukraine's armed forces and security services have regularly confiscated caches of antipersonnel mines in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including MON-50 directional mines,[3] MON-90 directional mines,[4] PMN-1 and PMN-2 blast mines[5], OZM-72 bounding fragmentation mines,[6] and POM-2 mines.[7]
The 1997 Mine Ban Treaty comprehensively prohibits all types of victim-activated explosive devices, regardless of the technical features and regardless of the mine's predicted longevity, delivery method, or type of manufacture (improvised or factory-made).[8] Ukraine signed the Mine Ban Treaty on February 24, 1999 and became a state party on June 1, 2006. Russia has not joined the treaty, but is bound by the prohibitions and restrictions on mines, booby-traps, and other devices found in Amended Protocol II of the UN Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), as well as Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions and customary international humanitarian law . Belarus, which is supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine, acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on September 3, 2003, and became a state party on March 1, 2004.[9]
RecommendationsAll parties to the armed conflict in Ukraine are obligated to ensure that no antipersonnel mines are used by any actor and destroy any antipersonnel mines that they have seized or otherwise acquired.
Ukraine needs to ensure that its forces respect their obligations under the Mine Ban Treaty in all circumstances. The Ukrainian government should confirm that remaining stockpiles of PFM-type antipersonnel mines currently in storage awaiting destruction cannot be used in combat operations.Russia needs to fully abide by the prohibitions and restrictions of CCW Amended Protocol II including the detectability and reliability of any mines it uses in this conflict as well as marking, monitoring, and ensuring the effective exclusion of civilians from these mined areas.[10]As a party to the Mine Ban Treaty, Belarus needs to ensure that its joint military operations with Russia do not violate the prohibition on assisting, encouraging or inducing a non-party to engage in activities prohibited by the treaty.[11] This means avoiding participating in the planning for use of antipersonnel mines; not committing to rules of engagement that permit use of antipersonnel mines; not accepting orders to use, request others to use, or train others to use antipersonnel mines, not knowingly deriving military benefit from the use of the weapon by others; and not providing security, storage, transportation or transit for antipersonnel mines.MethodologyThis Background Briefing draws on information collected, including from witness accounts, by Human Rights Watch researchers in Ukraine. It also relies on several other sources, including:
Verified videos and photos, obtained directly or via social media, showing landmines or evidence of their use.Information shared with Human Rights Watch by international and national demining experts and armament research specialists.Technical publications including the Explosive Ordnance Identification Guide for Ukraine (1st ed.) published by the Geneva Centre for Humanitarian Demining in May 2022 and Jane's Mines and Mine Clearance 2008 yearbook published by Jane's Information Group. Also consulted was ''Russia's Arms Catalog: Volume 1 '' Army, 1996-1997,'' published by Military Parade.Reference and identification materials aggregated and shared on social media by specialist organizations including CAT-UXO.com, Armament Research Services, Fenix-Insight, and the Collaborative Ordnance Data Repository. Special appreciation to @JakeGodin, @N_Waters89, @blueboy1969, @johnismay, @oryxspioenkop, and @RALee85.Displays of weaponry seized or recovered by the governments or militaries of the parties to the conflict.Landmine Monitor Report mine ban profiles of Russia and Ukraine.[12]This document should be considered an interim overview because active hostilities continue and access by independent observers to battlefield areas remains limited. Some of the data presented here is taken from government sources or posted to social media by third parties and should be treated with care, particularly in attributing responsibility for landmines use and its compliance with treaty obligations and international humanitarian law.
I. Types of Landmines Used in Ukraine in 2022Human Rights Watch has identified at least seven types of antipersonnel mines and six types of anti-vehicle mines used through June 2022 in the war in Ukraine (see table below). Russia is the only party to the conflict known to have used antipersonnel mines and both Russia and Ukraine have used anti-vehicle mines. All manner of landmine delivery methods have been documented: hand-emplaced, mechanically-laid, and remotely-delivered.
All antipersonnel landmines used by Russian forces were manufactured by the Russian Federation or its predecessor state, the Soviet Union.
With some notable exceptions, most hand-emplaced landmines identified by Human Rights Watch are of Soviet-origin, with production markings from the 1970s and 1980s, and have been stockpiled by both Ukraine and Russia. More modern remotely-delivered mines, some with markings indicating production in 2021, have also been used by Russian forces.
Category
Designation
Origin
Type
Initiation
Used in 2014-2015?
Antipersonnel
MON-50
USSR/Russia
Fragmentation
Tripwire/command
Yes
MON-100
USSR/Russia
Fragmentation
Tripwire/command
Yes
OZM-72
USSR/Russia
Fragmentation
Tripwire/command
Yes
PMN-4
Russia
Blast
Pressure
Yes
POM-2/ POM-2R
USSR/Russia
Fragmentation
Tripwire/self-destruct
POM-3
Russia
Fragmentation
Seismic
Anti-vehicle
PTKM-1R
Russia
Shaped-charge
Top-attack
PTM-1/PTM-1G
USSR/Russia
Blast
Pressure/self-destruct
Yes
PTM-4M
Russia
Shaped-charge
Magnetic influence
TM-62M
USSR/Russia
Blast
Pressure
Yes
TM-62P3
USSR/Russia
Blast
Pressure
MON-series antipersonnel mineMON-series mines are a family of hand-emplaced directional fragmentation munitions that are designed for use to various distances or as warheads for booby-traps.[13] Ukrainian deminers in Bucha told Human Rights Watch that they found victim-activated booby-traps incorporating MON-series mines emplaced in the town by Russian forces prior to their withdrawal.[14]
MON-series munitions are multi-purpose antipersonnel munitions that can be emplaced either in a command-detonated or victim-activated manner. When used in victim-activated mode with a mechanical pull, tension release, or seismic fuze, they are prohibited by the Mine Ban Treaty. There were a large number of reports and photographs of MON-series directional fragmentation mines being seized or recovered in eastern Ukraine from 2014 onwards.[15]
OZM-72 antipersonnel mineThe OZM-72 bounding fragmentation antipersonnel mine is a multi-purpose munition that can be emplaced either in a command-detonated or victim-activated manner.[16] When used in victim-activated mode with a mechanical pull, tension release, or seismic fuze, they are prohibited by the Mine Ban Treaty. Prior to 2022 there were frequent reports of OZM-72 mines being sighted, seized, or recovered in eastern Ukraine.[17] According to local Ukrainian police, on May 19, two men were killed by an OZM-72 mine that police said was emplaced by Russian troops in a field between the villages of Lypivka and Korolivka in Bucha district of Kyiv region.[18]
Ukraine possessed stocks of OZM-72 antipersonnel mines in the past, but it is unclear if it still has them.[19]
PMN-4 antipersonnel mineThe PMN-4 antipersonnel blast mine was first publicly displayed by Russia in 1993. It has never been stockpiled by Ukraine. [20] Ukrainian police reportedly located and cleared two PMN-4 mines and two OZM-72 mines near the village of Malyyy Vystorop in the Sumy region on April 12. [21]
POM-2 and POM-2R antipersonnel minesThe POM-2 antipersonnel mine is a tripwire activated, bounding fragmentation antipersonnel mine delivered by helicopter, ground-fired rockets, or other means.[22] Video and photographs released by Ukrainian national police after two women were killed by a landmine near the town of Tsyrkuny north of Kharkiv show POM-2 mines and their delivery cannisters.[23]
In 2020 and 2021, Russia-backed forces in eastern Ukraine fabricated and used an improvised antipersonnel mine by combining a POM-2 mine with the rocket motor of a rocket-propelled grenade to create a short range, remotely-delivered antipersonnel mine system.[24] Russian forces were filmed using these weapons near Horlivka in Donetsk region on May 21.[25]
Kharkiv emergency services photographed the remotely delivered POM-2 mines and their KPOM-2 dispensers near villages in the Brovary and Vyshgorod districts of the Kyiv region on April 17.[26] Additional POM-2 antipersonnel mines and TM-62M anti-vehicle mines were photographed together in a mined area in the forest near the village of Stara Buda, northwest of Kyiv on April 20.[27] Additional POM-2 antipersonnel mines were photographed at other locations in the Kyiv region.[28]
The POM-2R is a factory-produced variant of the POM-2, designed for use in conjunction with a URP igniter assembly, allowing manual hand-emplacement.[29]
POM-2 and POM-2R mines are stockpiled by Russia, but not by Ukraine.
POM-3 antipersonnel mineHuman Rights Watch has reported on the use by Russian forces of the remotely-delivered POM-3[30] antipersonnel mine also known as ''Medallion.''[31] These antipersonnel mines were located by Ukrainian explosive ordnance disposal technicians near Kharkiv city on March 28, 2022. The rockets that delivered the mines were launched from specially designed multi-barrel ground launch vehicles that were recorded on video on an unknown date and posted to social media on March 26.[32]
This never-before-seen-in-combat antipersonnel bounding fragmentation mine is equipped with a seismic proximity fuze that makes it prone to destruct when approached. The mine launches to a height of 1 to 1.5 meters then detonates midair, producing fragments that are lethal up to about 16 meters away. The POM-3 also has a self-destruct feature that sets the mine to explode after a certain period.
Markings on a remnant of a delivery canister pictured with POM-3 mines that failed to deploy properly indicate it was newly produced in 2021. The consultancy Armament Research Services has produced a detailed technical reference for POM-3 antipersonnel mines.[33]
The ISDM Zemledelie-I mine-laying rocket launcher delivers the POM-3 mines from 5 to 15 kilometers away. It was first publicly displayed during annual Russian military exercises in 2021.[34] Anti-vehicle mines can also be deployed by the ISDM launcher.[35] The POM-3 can also be scattered at short range by other types of truck-mounted launchers.
Ukraine does not possess the POM-3 mine or its delivery system.
PTKM-1R anti-vehicle mineThe Russian PTKM-1R is a modern and novel anti-vehicle mine system.[36] The mine cannister is hand-emplaced and its sensors detect the seismic and thermal signatures of vehicles to distances of 200 to 300 meters. Once a target is detected, a sensor-fuzed submunition is ejected into the air and scans for a precise target. Once a target is located, a shaped charge is fired downwards onto the top of the target. On April 26, photographs of the PTKM-1R anti-vehicle mine circulated on social media.[37]
PTM-1 and PTM-1G anti-vehicle minesThe PTM-1/PTM-1G is a remotely-delivered, plastic-cased anti-vehicle mine with a soft plastic explosive filling and hydraulic self-destruct mechanism.[38] This mine is delivered from helicopter, 122mm Grad rocket system, and'--as seen in Ukraine'--by the 9M27K2 Uragan 220mm rockets to a minimum range of 10 kilometers and a maximum range of 35 kilometers. Each 9M27K2 rocket contains 24 mines.
The New York Times first documented the use and subsequent clearance of PTM-1/PTM-1G anti-vehicle mines in a neighborhood in eastern Kharkiv city on April 8.[39] During the hours between its use and the emergency response clearance process, many of the mines self-destructed at random intervals, increasing the dangers to nearby civilian and clearance personnel.
Numerous PTM-1/PTM-1G mines were subsequently encountered and cleared by Kharkiv emergency services on April 11.[40] The Kharkiv prosecutor's office posted detailed photographs of PTM-1/PTM-1G mines on April 12 in the Nemyshlyanskyi and Kyivskyi districts.[41] Ukrainian Public TV recorded video of clearance personnel encountering PTM-1/PTM-1G mines in another village in the Kharkiv region on April 27.[42]
Ukrainian security services also documented the presence of this type of mine in the Donetsk region on April 30.[43] PTM-1/PTM-1G mines were found and cleared by Donetsk emergency services on May 12, in the Kramatorsky and Pokrovsky districts.[44] Additional PTM-1/PTM-1G mines were found by the Ukrainian national police in the villages of Yelizavetovka and Kostiantynivka in the Maryinsky district on May 25.[45]
The use of PTM-1/PTM-1G remotely delivered mines is not limited to the Russian armed forces. Russia-backed fighters in the ''Donetsk People's Republic'' displayed remnants of PTM-1G mines and a 9M27K2 220mm Uragan artillery rocket on April 27.[46] Other images of the remnants of 9M27K2 mine-dispensing rockets were photographed on April 26.[47]
PTM-4M anti-vehicle mineThe PTM-4 is a modern remotely delivered, magnetic influence anti-vehicle mine with a shaped charge that is delivered by a variety of means including vehicle and helicopter-mounted dispensers. The suffix ''M'' indicates a modernized version of the original item. On May 30, Kharkiv region police investigated battle damage in the town of Elitne and photographed a delivery cannister marked as ''ÐÐÐ'-4Ð''' (PTM-4M).[48] This mine has not been documented previously and the marking on the disperser indicate production in 2021.[49]
TM-62 series anti-vehicle mineThe most numerous mine type identified in use in the conflict is the hand-emplaced TM-62M anti-vehicle mine equipped with MVCh-62 pressure activated fuze.[50] TM-62-series anti-vehicle mines appeared in social media from the outset of the conflict. One February 27 video shows a man removing a fuzed TM-62 series mine from a road near the port city of Berdyansk.[51] There is also evidence of Ukrainian military forces using a mechanical mine-layer to emplace TM-62M mines on the beaches near the city of Odesa.[52]
Also in use is the low metal content TM-62P3 anti-vehicle mine with MVP-62M low metal content pressure-activated fuze.[53] These mines were filmed in Kharkiv oblast in May.[54] This mine use was attributed to the Ukrainian battalion named ''Stugna.''
Victim-activated booby-trapsIn mid-April 2022, Ukrainian police and emergency services in the Kharkiv region distributed numerous images of victim-activated booby-traps that were emplaced by retreating Russian forces.[55] One example of a victim-activated booby-trap used is a hand grenade with a trip wire attached as an initiating mechanism that when disturbed explodes the grenade.
Human Rights Watch spoke with the head of the Ukrainian government's demining unit for Bucha region, Lt. Col. Roman Shutylo, as well as the commander of an anti-tank brigade assisting with demining in Bucha, Ihor Ostrovsky. Both said that victim-activated booby-traps had been used in the town. Shutylo said that on April 8 the deminers had found two dead bodies that had victim-activated booby-traps placed on them. In total, they found 20 victim-activated boobytraps and antipersonnel mines, including those constructed with the F-1 and RGD-5 fragmentation hand grenades, as well as MON-50, MON-100, and OZM-72 mines.[56]
Ostrovsky shared video of an ordnance item attached to wire, which he said was found in a yard in Bucha, that had been configured to detonate when enough tension was exerted on the wire. The demining team said they found at least one other similar device in a building that Russian troops had occupied. A third deminer in Bucha showed Human Rights Watch a photograph on his phone that he took of one of the two victim-activated improvised explosive devices his team uncovered in Bucha.[57]
Other types of minesOther types of mines reported in the Ukraine conflict by various sources and media outlets have not been included in this interim accounting for various reasons. Some have dubious sourcing, visual materials that appear to be staged, or appear to show mines from displays and inert models of mines and explosive remnants of war used for recognition or risk education training.
Media outlets have sporadically circulated pictures and videos showing remotely delivered PFM-1 series antipersonnel mines lying in situ. The Sumy Regional Military Administration issued a warning to Sumy residents on March 17 after it alleged that Russian aircraft used PFM-1 antipersonnel mines during night raids.[58] Another video reportedly taken in Popasna town in the Sievierodonetsk district of Luhansk region on April 4 shows a few individual PFM-1 mines.[59] A video recorded May 26 appears to show the remnants of the 9M27K3 220mm mine-dispensing rocket that allegedly hit the Russian-controlled village of Novovoskresenske in Kherson oblast. [60]
This interim briefing note does not cover mines other than antipersonnel landmines that have been transferred to Ukraine by other countries as military assistance. Germany has provided Ukraine with DM-22/PARM-2 off-route and DM-31 magnetic influence/shaped charge anti-vehicle mines.[61] The United States has transferred commanded-detonated M18A1 Claymore mines (without their victim-activated fuzes).[62]
This briefing note also does not address sea mines or anti-landing mines such as the PDM-1M.
II. Impact of Landmines on Ukrainian CiviliansLandmine casualties have been reported in the conflict in Ukraine, but many may go unrecorded, especially if the victim was alone at the time of the incident. The impact of landmine use can also be seen in the denial of access to civilian homes, infrastructure, transportation routes, and agricultural lands.
During the 2022 sowing season, using tractors in agricultural fields and while traveling on rural paths and roads has become a high-risk activity. There have been at least 10 reports of tractors detonating landmines in the Kyiv region since the start of the conflict.[63] Most recently, on May 19, a man was injured when the tractor he was driving hit a landmine in the village of Andriyivka near Makarov.[64] The Ukrainian State Emergency Service reported that a man in the Chernihiv region was injured on May 19 when his tractor hit a landmine.[65]
A farm owner in the village of Malaya Rohan, about four kilometers east of Kharkiv city, told Human Rights Watch that his employee was ploughing fields in mid-May when the tractor hit a landmine emplaced by Russian forces. The driver was not wounded, but the tractor was severely damaged. The incident took place in a field between Malaya Rohan and Stepanky village, both of which Russian forces had occupied from February 25 to March 26. A deminer from Ukrainian emergency services who cleared the site said that Russian forces were responsible and that two more TM-62 mines were found 100 meters away on a dirt road in the field. Local residents told Human Rights Watch that the withdrawing Russian forces did not clear the mines they had emplaced, provide any warnings to avoid the area, or share maps of the mine locations.
Currently, there is no systematic reporting on the number of mine incidents and victims, nor is any disaggregated casualty information available publicly. However, there are isolated reports such as on June 7, an unknown number of civilians were injured when the van they were using to collect firewood detonated a landmine in a forest outside Kyiv.[66]
III. Mine Ban Treaty and the International ResponseAll parties to the conflict in Ukraine are bound by treaties that prohibit or regulate landmines.
Ukraine signed the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty comprehensively prohibiting antipersonnel mines on February 24, 1999 and became a state party on June 1, 2006. There is no credible information that Ukrainian government forces have used antipersonnel mines in violation of the Mine Ban Treaty since 2014 and into 2022. Russia has alleged that Ukraine has violated the treaty but has not offered any information or details.
Russia has not joined the Mine Ban Treaty. However, it is bound by the prohibitions and restrictions on mines, booby-traps, and other devices found in Amended Protocol II of the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.[67] Russia is also bound by prohibitions against deliberate, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks against civilians found in the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 (Protocol I)[68] and customary international humanitarian law.[69]
Ukraine is also party to CCW Amended Protocol II but their obligations on antipersonnel mines are superseded by the stricter prohibitions contained in the Mine Ban Treaty.
Since March 28, 2022, Ukraine and at least seven other countries have condemned or expressed concern at Russia's use of antipersonnel landmines in Ukraine: Austria, Belgium, Colombia, Italy, Poland, New Zealand, and the United States.[70]
Landmine use in Ukraine has also been condemned by the Mine Ban Treaty president and its special envoy for universalization, as well as by US congressional representatives such as Senator Patrick Leahy.[71] The International Campaign to Ban Landmines, 1997 Nobel Peace Laureate, has condemned the use of landmines in Ukraine, as has its members organizations, including its chair Human Rights Watch.[72]
In November 2020, Russia told the United Nations General Assembly that it ''shares the goals of the treaty and supports a world free of mines,'' but views antipersonnel mines ''as an effective way of ensuring the security of Russia's borders.''[73]
[1] Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Antipersonnel Mines and on their Destruction, adopted 18 September 1997, entered into force March 1, 1999. http://www.icbl.org/media/604037/treatyenglish.pdf (accessed June 8, 2022).
[2] For evidence of production markings from 2003, see Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), ''SBU reveals three hidings with ammunition and Russian mine in ATO area,'' November 15, 2016, https://sbu.gov.ua/en/news/463/category/21/view/2256#.LbMm7tkr.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022); and for evidence of markings from 2010, see Ukrainian Military TV, ''Prove the presence of Russian mines in Donbas,'' YouTube.com, March 1, 2017.
[3] Ukrainian Military TV, ''Prove the presence of Russian mines in Donbas,'' YouTube.com, March 1, 2017. SBU, ''SBU reveals 2 Russian mines in ATO area,'' May 2, 2017, https://sbu.gov.ua/en/news/412/category/21/view/3281#.q8TDrl7q.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022); SBU, ''SBU seizes landmines produced in Russia in the ATO area,'' April 25, 2017, https://www.sbu.gov.ua/en/news/158/category/21/view/3227#.w58OZ9li.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022); and SBU, ''SBU reveals cache with explosives in ATO area,'' January 16, 2017, https://www.sbu.gov.ua/en/news/155/category/78/view/2553#.aTGYbYgn.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022).
[4] SBU, ''SBU finds two caches of arms and munitions during anti-terrorist operations,'' August 30, 2017, http://193.29.204.72:8080/ua/news/365/category/21/view/3842#.MaCfjzv0.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022).
[5] ''A stockpile of antipersonnel mines retrieved from a separatist storage position,'' Instagram post by bring_me_the_swampy, September 23, 2017, https://www.instagram.com/p/BZZIg4_nnDx/?taken-by=bring_me_the_swampy (accessed June 9, 2022); SBU, ''SBU reveals cache with mines, explosives and anti-tank grenade launchers in ATO area,'' April 27, 2017, https://www.sbu.gov.ua/en/news/128/category/78/view/3253#.8W5NNxHP.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022); SBU, ''SBU seizes ammunitions of Russian origin in the ATO area,'' April 11, 2017, https://www.sbu.gov.ua/en/news/131/category/78/view/3146#.AKYZQbb8.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022); SBU, ''SBU records militants using weapons of Russian production,'' April 1, 2017, https://www.sbu.gov.ua/en/news/1/category/1/view/3085#.xM1gyOfw.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022); and SBU, ''SBU reveals prohibited mines in ATO area that are in operational service with Russian army,'' May 16, 2017, https://www.sbu.gov.ua/en/news/1/category/21/view/3354#.x2g7VqDH.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022).
[6] SBU, ''SBU removes the military munitions,'' September 21, 2018, https://www.sbu.gov.ua/en/news/1/category/1/view/5236#.7oLAVdqe.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022); SBU, ''SBU blocks illegal sale of arms,'' September 19, 2018, https://www.sbu.gov.ua/en/news/1/category/1/view/5224#.b696vn6V.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022); and SBU, ''SBU uncovers ammunition of Russian production in ATO area,'' December 16, 2017, https://www.sbu.gov.ua/en/news/1/category/1/view/4219#.LB2PfdDU.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022).
[7] Swampy, ''Clearance around forward positions,'' Beyond the Borders, October 27, 2017 (no longer available online); SBU, ''SBU prevents terrorist attacks prepared by Russian secret services in Mariupol,'' August 17, 2017, https://www.sbu.gov.ua/en/news/107/category/78/view/3793#.9eHICbzr.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022); SBU, ''SBU deactivates mine of Russian production in ATO area,'' April 26, 2017, https://www.sbu.gov.ua/en/news/373/category/21/view/3236#.oyTXnw46.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022); and SBU, ''SBU reveals three hidings with ammunition and Russian mine in ATO area,'' November 15, 2016, https://www.sbu.gov.ua/en/news/1/category/1/view/2256#.Iyvz95Vv.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022).
[8] The Mine Ban Treaty prohibits antipersonnel mines, but not anti-vehicle mines or command-detonated (remote-controlled) mines. Other international agreements provide weak restrictions on the use of anti-vehicle mines. http://www.icbl.org/media/604037/treatyenglish.pdf (accessed June 8, 2022).
[9] International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Landmine Monitor Report 2019, Belarus chapter, http://www.the-monitor.org/en-gb/reports/2021/belarus/mine-ban-policy.aspx (accessed June 8, 2022).
[10] United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, Amended Protocol II, ''Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices,'' as amended on 3 May 1996, https://geneva-s3.unoda.org/static-unoda-site/pages/templates/the-convention-on-certain-conventional-weapons/PROTOCOL%2BII.pdf (accessed June 9, 2022).
[11] Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor Factsheet, Mine Ban Treaty Special Issues of Concerns (Articles 1, 2, 3), June 2014, http://www.the-monitor.org/media/1464902/BanFactSheet_SpecialIssues_Final.pdf (accessed June 8, 2022).
[12] International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Landmine Monitor Report, Russia and Ukraine chapters. See http://www.the-monitor.org/en-gb/our-research/country-profiles.aspx (accessed June 8, 2022).
[13] The numbers associated with each model of the MON family indicate the range, from 50 to 200 meters. According to Jane's Mines and Mine Clearance (2008), each model contains a specific number of pre-formed fragments that are projected horizontally. The MON-50 contains 540 ball bearings or 485 pieces of 5mm chopped steel rod and the MON-100 contains 400 pieces of 10mm chopped steel rod.
[14] Human Rights Watch, Ukraine: Russian Forces' Trail of Death in Bucha, April 12, 2022.
[15] Ukrainian Military TV, ''Prove the presence of Russian mines in Donbas,'' YouTube.com, March 1, 2017. SBU, ''SBU reveals 2 Russian mines in ATO area,'' May 2, 2017, https://sbu.gov.ua/en/news/412/category/21/view/3281#.q8TDrl7q.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022); SBU, ''SBU seizes landmines produced in Russia in the ATO area,'' April 25, 2017, https://www.sbu.gov.ua/en/news/158/category/21/view/3227#.w58OZ9li.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022); and SBU, ''SBU reveals cache with explosives in ATO area,'' January 16, 2017, https://www.sbu.gov.ua/en/news/155/category/78/view/2553#.aTGYbYgn.dpbs (accessed June 9, 2022).
[16] OZM-72 Landmine Description, Collective Awareness to UXO, https://cat-uxo.com/explosive-hazards/landmines/ozm-72-landmine (accessed June 8, 2022).
[17] ''ÐÑобо оÐаÑÐ½Ð°Ñ Ð"ÑÑÐÐа из 12 дивеÑÑанÑов, ÐÑиÑаÑÑÐ½Ð°Ñ ÐºÐ¾ взÑÑÐ²Ñ Ð² Ñ
аÑÑковÑком Ðабе, задеÑжана, - ÐÐУ. ФÐÐÐÑеÐоÑÑаж,'' Censor, November 17, 2014, http://censor.net.ua/photo_news/312355/osobo_opasnaya_gruppa_iz_12_diversantov_prichastnaya_ko_vzryvu_v_harkovskom_pabe_zaderjana_sbu_fotoreportaj (accessed March 25, 2015).
[18] ''2 men killed by Russian mine in Kyiv oblast field, Ukrainska Pravda, May 19, 2022, https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/05/19/7347116/ (accessed June 8, 2022).
[19] In its Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 reports submitted in 2007, 2008, and 2009, Ukraine also noted that while its OZM- 72 antipersonnel mines could be used in command-detonated mode in compliance with the treaty, these stockpiled mines were excessive and unsuitable for use, and that it had plans to destroy them.
[20] PMN-4 Landmine Description, Collective Awareness to UXO, https://cat-uxo.com/explosive-hazards/landmines/pmn-4-landmine (accessed June 9, 2022).
[21] Sumy Police, Facebook post, April 12, 2022, https://www.facebook.com/policesumy/posts/308301651415087 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[22] POM-2 Landmine Description, Collective Awareness to UXO, https://cat-uxo.com/explosive-hazards/landmines/pom-2-landmine (accessed June 9, 2022).
[23] Kharkiv Region National Police, Facebook post, May 10, 2022, https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=5100165996735913&id=100002276907245 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[24] See, for example, Schroeder, Matt (@MSchroeder77) Twitter, ''Another RPG-delivered POM-2 anti-personnel mine documented in Ukraine. facebook.com/pressjfo.news,'' August 29, 2021, https://twitter.com/MSchroeder77/status/1432115998421884928?s=20 (accessed June 9, 2022); Spa, Abraxas (@AbraxasSpa) Twitter, ''More and more POM-2 anti-personnel mines delivered via RPG. According to JFO/EODs, drones used to drop these too.'' April 20, 2021, https://twitter.com/AbraxasSpa/status/1384423665798942720?s=20 (accessed June 9, 2022); Schroeder, Matt (@MSchroeder77) Twitter, ''More RPG-delivered POM-2 mines in Donetsk.'' April 13, 2021, https://twitter.com/MSchroeder77/status/1381779247140773888?s=20 (accessed June 9, 2022); and Weapons, Lost (@LostWeapons) Twitter, ''Improvised Mine or improvised RPG. Can't believe I missed these but really I think the best trench warfare weapon. RPGs modified to deploy POM-2 mines when then auto deploy 4 tripwires. Especially cold fronts you could just spam these at an enemy trench line.'' December 1, 2020, https://twitter.com/LostWeapons/status/1333571348912750593?s=20 (accessed June 9, 2022). See also, Digital Forensic Research Lab, ''Long-Range Mining in the Donbas,'' Medium.com, October 30, 2020, https://medium.com/dfrlab/long-range-mining-in-the-donbas-bdc2a898ac2c (accessed June 9, 2022).
[25] Necro Mancer (@666_mancer) Twitter, ''Ð'оÑÐ>>овÑкое наÐÑавÐ>>ение, ÑÐ>>ÐµÐ½Ñ #1ак #Ñоа ÑÑÑеÐ>>ÑÑÑ ÐºÑда-Ñо ÑÑда из Ð ÐÐ'-7 минами ÐÐÐ'-2 https://youtube.com/watch?v=xC8WXo0K7kM,'' May 21, 2022, https://twitter.com/666_mancer/status/1527897617644064768 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[26] Kyiv Emergency Services, Facebook post, April 17, 2022, https://www.facebook.com/MNSKOB/posts/354059233418052 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[27] Kyiv Emergency Services, Facebook post, April 19, 2022, https://www.facebook.com/MNSKOB/posts/355931153230860 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[28] Zakarpattia Emergency Services, Facebook post, April 21, 2022, https://www.facebook.com/DsnsZakarpattya/posts/5127324027334454 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[29] Jane's Mines and Mine Clearance (2008) Yearbook, published by Jane's Information Group, https://www.janes.com/.
[30] POM-3 Landmine Description, Collective Awareness to UXO, https://cat-uxo.com/explosive-hazards/landmines/pom-3-landmine (accessed June 9, 2022).
[31] Human Rights Watch, Ukraine: Russia Uses Banned Antipersonnel Landmines, March 29, 2022, https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/29/ukraine-russia-uses-banned-antipersonnel-landmines.
[32] Military Leak, ''Russian ISDM Zemledeliye Mine-laying System Makes Combat Debut in Ukraine,'' March 31, 2022, https://militaryleak.com/2022/03/31/russian-isdm-zemledeliye-mine-laying-system-makes-combat-debut-in-ukraine/ (accessed June 10, 2022).
[33] Mick F. and N.R. Jenzen-Jones, ''Russian POM-3 anti-personnel landmines documented in Ukraine (2022),'' Armament Research Services, https://armamentresearch.com/russian-pom-3-anti-personnel-landmines-documented-in-ukraine-2022/ (accessed June 9, 2022).
[34] International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Landmine Monitor Report (2021), Russia chapter, http://www.the-monitor.org/en-gb/reports/2021/russian-federation/mine-ban-policy.aspx (accessed June 9, 2022).
[35] Irina Alshaeva, ''ÐабÐ>>окиÑÑÐµÑ Ð>>ÑбÑе ÐоÐÑÑки вÑоÑжениÑ>>. Ðак ÑабоÑÐ°ÐµÑ ÑиÑÑема миниÑÐ¾Ð²Ð°Ð½Ð¸Ñ ÐемÐ>>едеÐ>>ие>>'', Gazeta, February 16, 2022, https://www.gazeta.ru/army/2022/02/16/14542531.shtml (accessed June 9, 2022).
[36] PTKM-1R Landmine Description, Collective Awareness to UXO, https://cat-uxo.com/explosive-hazards/landmines/ptkm-1r-landmine (accessed June 9, 2022).
[37] Neil Gibson (@blueboy1969) Twitter, ''What appears to be the previously operationally-unseen, advanced Russian top-attack anti-tank & anti-vehicle mine, the PTKM-1R (ÐÐÐÐ'-1Ð ). This was discovered on the 26th of April in the Ukraine. An image of the munition attached to the tweet,'' April 27, 2022, https://twitter.com/blueboy1969/status/1519312637070303234?s=20&t=-hjNfQ0NwHxIHdaL-XluuQ (accessed June 9, 2022).
[38] PTM-1S Landmine Description, Collective Awareness to UXO, https://cat-uxo.com/explosive-hazards/landmines/ptm-1s-landmine (accessed June 9, 2022). There is some disagreement among technical sources about the actual name of this mine type; other nomenclatures include: PTM-1, PTM-1S, and PGMDM.
[39] Thomas Gibbons-Neff and John Ismay, ''Land Mines on a Timer, Scattered Over a Ukrainian Town,'' New York Times, April 8, 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/08/world/europe/ukraine-russia-land-mines.html?smid=tw-share (accessed June 9, 2022).
[40] Karkhiv Emergency Services, Facebook post, April 11, 2022, https://www.facebook.com/MNSKHARKIV/posts/352215776947922 (accessed June 9, 2022). See also, Public Kharkov, ''In Kharkov, blown up Russian mines of delayed action,'' YouTube.com , April 11, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inoQgvNNTEw (accessed June 9, 2022).
[41] Jack Godin (@JackGodin), Twitter, ''Some more images showing the remnants of these PTM-1 landmines from the Kharkiv Prosecutor's Office. They say the scatterable landmines were found in Kharkiv's Nemyshlyanskyi and Kyivskyi districts. https://www.facebook.com/prokuraturakharkiv/posts/342170587944331,'' April 12, 2022, https://twitter.com/JakeGodin/status/1513914068687634438 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[42] Public Kharkov, ''In the private sector in Kharkov pyrotechnics neutralize Russian mines,'' YouTube.com , April 27, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4rEqxleCYU (accessed June 9, 2022).
[43] National Police, Facebook post, April 30, 2022, https://www.facebook.com/don.gunp/posts/2821326561497113 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[44] Donetsk Emergency Services, Facebook post, May 13, 2022, https://www.facebook.com/DSNSDon/posts/5114952558590773 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[45] Police of Donetsk region, Facebook video, May 25, 2022, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=379383417551741 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[46] Donetsk People's Republic authorities post, Telegram, April 27, 2022, https://t.me/DNR_SCKK/7866 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[47] Igor Girkin (@GirkinGirkin), Twitter, ''ÐоÑÐµÐ¼Ñ Ð½Ðµ взоÑваÐ>>ÑÑ? @GeneralStaffUA,'' April 26, 2022, https://twitter.com/GirkinGirkin/status/1518971500627439617?s=20&t=-hjNfQ0NwHxIHdaL-XluuQ (accessed June 9, 2022).
[48] Kharkiv Region Police, Facebook post, May 30, 2022, https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=5159259840826528&id=100002276907245 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[49] For further technical information, see PTM-4 Landmine Description, Collective Awareness to UXO, https://cat-uxo.com/explosive-hazards/landmines/ptm-4-landmine (accessed June 9, 2022); and KB PTM-4M, Fenix Online, https://www.fenix-insight.online/munition/mine/kb-ptm-4m# (accessed June 9, 2022).
[50] Liveuamap (@Liveuamap), Twitter, ''Meanwhile Ukrainian drivers near Borodyanka of Kyiv region via @_catiko,'' March 30, 2022, https://twitter.com/Liveuamap/status/1509253049440739332?s=20&t=-hjNfQ0NwHxIHdaL-XluuQ (accessed June 9, 2022).
[51] NEXTA (@nexta_tv), Twitter, ''In #Berdyansk, a man removed a mine from under a bridge,'' February 27, 2022, https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1497931328322514947 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[52] CAT-UXO (@CAT_UXO), Twitter, ''@MarkHiznay Apparently, the Ukrainian military is mining the beaches of Odessa to prevent landings,'' February 26, 2022, https://twitter.com/CAT_UXO/status/1497584409398198278?s=20&t=Ey2ogSoKLRR23_eT26AEdA (accessed June 9, 2022).
[53] TM-62P3 Landmine Description, Collective Awareness to UXO, https://cat-uxo.com/explosive-hazards/landmines/tm-62p3-landmine (accessed June 9, 2022).
[54] Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons), Twitter, ''#Ukraine: A Russian BTR-82A armored personnel carrier was destroyed on a mine field in #Kharkiv Oblast. As seen on the video, the mines places by Ukrainian Battalion ''Stugna'' are relatively rare TM-62P3 in plastic case with MVP-62M fuzes,'' May 19, 2022, https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1527303644650999812?s=20&t=ASo3xhxf58coFxta7_pXKg (accessed June 9, 2022).
[55] OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical), Twitter, ''The Kyiv Oblast Police Chief warns that a number of IEDs and explosive devices have been left behind in formerly occupied areas around the city,'' April 15, 2022, https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1515128933162827783?s=20&t=-hjNfQ0NwHxIHdaL-XluuQ (accessed June 9, 2022).
[56] Human Rights Watch, Ukraine: Russian Forces' Trail of Death in Bucha, April 12, 2022, https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/21/ukraine-russian-forces-trail-death-bucha.
[57] Ibid.
[58] Sumy City Council, Facebook post, March 17, 2022, https://www.facebook.com/smr.gov.ua/posts/347857290705852 (June 10, 2022).
[59] See, for example, Necro Mancer (@666_mancer), Twitter, ''#ÐоÐаÑнаÑ, ÑоÑÑиÑне заÑÑÐаÑÑ Ð¶Ð¸Ð>>Ñе кваÑÑаÐ>>Ñ Ð"оÑода минами-Ð>>еÐеÑÑками https://t.me/millnr/7981,'' April 4, 2022, https://twitter.com/666_mancer/status/1511019935404855296 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[60] Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons), Twitter, ''#Ukraine: UA forces reportedly hit RU-controlled Novovoskresenske, Kherson Oblast with 2 9M27K3 cluster MLRS rockets- each containing 312 infamous PFM-1S land mines. Whilst being very small they leave horrible injuries, though this time they should at least self-destruct in time,'' May 26, 2022, https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1529926745293565953?s=20&t=jv2m-XytB35kWp9h5vzWAw (accessed June 9, 2022). A Ukrainian media outlet also covered this incident; ''In the Kherson region, the Russian military shelled the villages of Novovoskresenske and Dudchany,'' Suspilne Media, May 26, 2022, https://suspilne.media/243373-na-hersonsini-vijskovi-rf-obstrilali-sela-novovoskresenske-ta-dudcani/ (accessed June 9, 2022).
[61] Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons), Twitter, ''#Ukraine: A Ukrainian soldier with two anti-tank mines donated by Germany - a DM31 landmine with a magnetic influence sensor and a DM22 HEAT off-route mine. In total, Ukraine received 1600 DM22 and 3000 DM31 from Germany, which is a pretty significant amount. (h/t @kms_d4k!), June 3, 2022, https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1532788732511801344?s=20&t=WCYJF2j9E7v1UcW64KjKAw (accessed June 9, 2022).
[62] US Department of Defense, ''Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine'', June 1, 2022, https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3049483/fact-sheet-on-us-security-assistance-to-ukraine/ (accessed June 9, 2022).
[63] Ukrainian Agriculture Council, ''Explosive threat: how farmers can solve the problem of field demining,'' May 23, 2022, https://uacouncil.org/en/post/explosive-threat-how-farmers-can-solve-the-problem-of-field-demining (accessed June 9, 2022).
[64] Denis Karlovsky, ''Kyiv region: a tractor driver exploded on an enemy mine near Makarov, but survived,'' Pravda.ua, May 17, 2022, https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/05/17/7346805/ (accessed June 9, 2022).
[65] State Emergency Service, Facebook post, May 19, 2022, https://www.facebook.com/MNS.GOV.UA/posts/377060591128503 (accessed June 9, 2022).
[66] The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent), Twitter, ''Civilian car hits landmine in Kyiv Oblast. Local residents set off a mine when they drove into the forest to collect firewood despite the presence of warning signs, according to the Kyiv Regional Administration. Passengers suffered minor injured,'' June 7, 2022, https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1534132192493940736 (accessed June 9, 2022). See also, Valentyna Romanenko, ''Locals from Kyiv Region injured by mine when collecting firewood in forest,'' Ukrayinska Pravda, June 7, 2022, https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/06/7/7351022/ (accessed June 9, 2022).
[67] The United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, Amended Protocol II, ''Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices,'' as amended on 3 May 1996, https://geneva-s3.unoda.org/static-unoda-site/pages/templates/the-convention-on-certain-conventional-weapons/PROTOCOL%2BII.pdf (accessed June 9, 2022).
[68] The International Committee of the Red Cross, Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol 1), June 8, 1977, https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/ihl/INTRO/470 (accessed June 13, 2022).
[69] The International Committee of the Red Cross, Customary International Humanitarian Law Database (volume I and II), 2005, https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/home (accessed June 13, 2022).
[70] See for example; Ministry of Foreign Affairs Austria (@MFA_Austria), Twitter, ''Reports about the use of banned weapons such as cluster munitions & landmines in #Ukraine are shocking. As one of the co-initiators of the @MineBanTreaty, Austria reaffirms its pledge to raise awareness & fight for the elimination of these inhumane weapons. #MineAwarenessDay,'' April 4, 2022, https://twitter.com/MFA_Austria/status/1510916678489501706 (accessed June 13, 2022); Erin Hunt (@erinlynnhunt), Twitter, ''Good to hear Belgium condemn use of #landmines and #clusterbombs in Ukraine at the start of their comments at today's consultations on the #EWIPA political declaration,'' April 6, 2022, https://twitter.com/erinlynnhunt/status/1511715948914388995 (accessed June 13, 2022); Alicia Arango Olmos, Ambassador of Colombia to the United Nations in Geneva and Mine Ban Treaty President, UN Press Briefing, April 5, 2022, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/un-land-mines-russia-ukraine-war_n_624be5aee4b068157f7b786e (accessed June 13, 2022); Italian Parliamentary Resolution 7-00813, unanimously approved by the Foreign Affairs Committee of Chamber Deputies, April 6, 2022; Krzysztof Szczerski, Ambassador of Poland, statement to the United Nations Mine Action Day, April 4, 2022, https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1d/k1dbr0izve (accessed June 13, 2022); Phil Twyford (@PhilTwyford), Twitter, ''Appalled by reports Russia has used Anti-Personnel Landmines in Ukraine, a breach of the widespread norm against use of these inhumane weapons established by the Land Mine Ban Convention, to which Ukraine is a Party, New Zealand condemns any and all use of anti-personnel mines,'' 30 March 2022, https://twitter.com/PhilTwyford/status/1509283430177308676 (accessed June 13, 2022); US Department of State, Political-Military Affairs (@StateDeptPM), Twitter, ''Russia's attack on Ukraine has exponentially increased risk of death & injury from deadly landmines & UXO in communities across Ukraine for years to come, as well as reversing years of progress addressing proliferation threats. Learn more: go.usa.gov/xu3Eb,'' April 6, 2022, https://twitter.com/StateDeptPM/status/1511791366778593299 (accessed June 13, 2022).
[71] Patrick Leahy, U.S. Senator of Vermont, ''Statement on Russian Landmines,'' April 7, 2022, https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/statement-on-russian-landmines (accessed June 9, 2022).
[72] International Campaign to Ban Landmines, ''Russian Uses Banned Antipersonnel Mines in Ukraine: ICBL-CMC Calls for International Condemnation and Immediate End to Use,'' March 30, 2022, http://www.icbl.org/en-gb/news-and-events/news/2022/russia-uses-banned-antipersonnel-mines-in-ukraine-icbl-cmc-calls-for-international-condemnation-and-immediate-end-to-use.aspx (accessed June 9, 2022).
[73] Russian Federation, Explanation of Vote on Resolution L.26, 75th Session, United Nations General Assembly First Committee Meeting, November 6, 2022, https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1f/k1fq98ehwo (accessed June 13, 2022).
Scientist: Patients Might Quit Ozempic Due to Lack of Interest in Food
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 14:09
Semaglutide, sold under brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, is a game-changing diabetes and weight-loss drug. It also comes with side effects for some people, including a lack of interest in food. A scientist told Wired that he thinks this will cause people to stop taking the drug within 1 to 2 years. Loading Something is loading.
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Semaglutide, and its brand-name forms Ozempic and Wegovy, are being hailed as miracle drugs for type 2 diabetes and weight loss. The drugs, a new class of medications that mimic a hunger-regulating hormone called GLP-1, have exploded in popularity since people realized that they can make you feel full for longer by regulating hunger signals in the brain.
That's not all '-- evidence is mounting that these drugs could also be game changers for addiction, heart health, depression, and even cancer.
So, what's the catch? Well, they come with a host of side effects for some patients that range from uncontrollable diarrhea to being downright disgusted by food. And a scientist who helped create the drugs told science magazine Wired that these side effects might make it hard for patients to continue taking the drugs for more than a couple of years, which could lead to regaining weight.
Semaglutide might make life "miserably boring"Many people get pleasure from eating '-- not just the taste of food, but also the social aspect of interacting with family and friends around the dinner table. When food cravings go away because of semaglutide, life can get much less enjoyable, one scientist said. Jens Juul Holst, a professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, has been involved with researching GLP-1 drugs since the 1970s. In an interview with Wired, Holst said that there's a "price to be paid" when taking semaglutide.
"Once you've been on this for a year or two, life is so miserably boring that you can't stand it any longer and have to go back to your old life," he told Wired.
A 2020 study found that 70% of patients who took GLP-1 drugs for type 2 diabetes stopped taking them within two years '-- though adherence to the drug hasn't been studied specifically for weight loss.
One reason, Holst hypothesized, is because of the lack of interest in food. But ultimately, he told Wired, "We don't know why people stop taking these drugs, but we know for a fact that they do stop."
Semaglutide needs to be taken long term to be effectiveThis is a problem because patients need to stay on semaglutide to sustain their weight loss. A 2022 study found that once patients stop taking the medication, they start gaining weight again.
This has led to some people taking smaller "maintenance doses" of the medications, though this has not yet been studied as an effective practice.
So while some doctors and insurance companies are concerned about a future where millions of Americans are on these drugs forever, Holst told Wired he doesn't think this is going to be an issue. "I don't see that a huge part of the population will be put on Wegovy and will stay on Wegovy for the rest of their lives," he said, "I simply don't see that picture, because this hasn't happened with other GLP-1 drugs."
Read the full story at Wired>>
PARTNERS IN DOOMSDAY - Seymour Hersh
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:58
Joe Biden, then vice president, and Vladimir Putin, then prime minister, at a meeting in Moscow on March 11, 2011, as Biden was pursuing a ''reset'' in relations with Russia on behalf of the Obama administration. / Photo by ALEXEY DRUZHININ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images.I was planning to write this week about the expanding war in Ukraine and the danger it poses for the Biden Administration. I had a lot to say. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has resigned, and her last day in office is June 30. Her departure has triggered near panic inside the State Department about the person many there fear will be chosen to replace her: Victoria Nuland. Nuland's hawkishness on Russia and antipathy for Vladimir Putin fits perfectly with the views of President Biden. Nuland is now the undersecretary for political affairs and has been described as ''running amok,'' in the words of a person with direct knowledge of the situation, among the various bureaus of the State Department while Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on the road. If Sherman has a view about her potential successor, and she must, she's unlikely ever to share it.
EU rules out NATO troops openly fighting in Ukraine '-- RT World News
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:34
The bloc doesn't want to risk an all-out war with Russia, the EU's top commander has said
Western countries will not send their soldiers to fight Russia on behalf of Ukraine, Director General of the European Union Military Staff Vice Admiral Herve Blejean said on Wednesday.
''To send ground troops to Ukraine is to be a party in a war, to be at war with Russia, and nobody wants that, neither the EU, nor NATO,'' Blejean told the French TV channel LCI. ''We are not at war with Russia. We are supporting a country attacked by Russia.''
Blejean added that the ongoing Ukrainian offensive would ''not be the end of the war, regardless of its results.''
The French admiral's remarks are a direct contradiction of former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen's suggestion that individual members, such as Poland and the Baltic states, could ultimately decide to deploy soldiers to Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, however, confirmed last week that there would not be foreign boots on the ground ''before the end of the armed conflict'' with Russia.
Volunteers from multiple NATO countries are already fighting on Kiev's side, including Polish nationals who were involved in an armed incursion into Russia's Belgorod Region earlier this month.
Moscow, meanwhile, has long insisted that by supplying Ukraine with heavy weapons and sharing intelligence, NATO countries have made themselves de facto direct participants in the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that NATO is ''waging a war'' against his country and that it is ''ridiculous'' to claim otherwise.
Last month, the EU agreed to procure '¬1 billion ($1.08 billion) worth of artillery rounds and missiles for Ukraine. The US has committed more than $100 billion in aid to Kiev since Russia launched its operation in the neighboring state in February 2022.
House committee votes to raise pilot retirement age amid shortage
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:33
A pilot holds the thrust controls of a United Airlines Boeing 787 aircraft at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, March 9, 2023.
Ed Jones | AFP | Getty Images
A House panel voted Wednesday to raise the mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots to 67 from 65 as the industry faces a persistent shortage of aviators.
Members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure voted 32-31 to include the measure in proposed legislation to reauthorize Federal Aviation Administration programs for five years.
"It's a modest increase but that gives us some time for long-term solutions to take shape," said Faye Malarkey Black, president of the Regional Airline Association, which represents smaller carriers that feed major airlines.
The association had pushed for the bill to stem the loss of pilots as airlines ramp up schedules and pilot hiring after shrinking during the Covid-19 pandemic by urging aviators to take buyouts. Airlines have blamed a shortage of pilots on service reductions, particularly to small cities.
The last time Congress raised the pilot retirement age was in 2007 when it was raised from 60 to 65.
The committee voted 63-0 on the proposed FAA reauthorization bill Wednesday, but it now faces a vote in the full House. It isn't clear whether the new retirement age provision would be in a final version of the bill or make it through a vote in either chamber.
The Air Line Pilots Association, the country's biggest pilot labor union, which represents aviators at major carriers such as Delta and United , has opposed the measure.
"The rash decision to move an amendment on changing the statutory pilot retirement age, without consulting agencies responsible for safety, or studying potential impacts of such a change as has been done elsewhere, is a politically driven choice that betrays a fundamental understanding of airline industry operations, the pilot profession, and safety," the ALPA said in a statement.
Some 100K trans people have moved home over new laws aimed at them, and more have thought about it | Daily Mail Online
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:08
Transgender Americans are in large numbers relocating to other parts of the country over Red state laws that curtail their rights and make it harder for them to access sex-altering drugs, new research suggests.
An opinion poll released this week found that 8 percent of trans adults have already left their neighborhood or state due to the new rules affecting them, and another 43 percent are thinking about making a move.
That would amount to some 104,000 trans adults moving home, and another 559,000 considering it, based on an estimate that there are 1.3 million trans adults in the US.
The survey comes as trans people post online videos about leaving Red states like Florida, Texas, and Missouri, which have passed laws against children and even some adults from accessing sex-altering drugs.
Protestors against gender-affirming treatments and surgeries on children, at Boston Children's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts
The survey suggests that more than 100,000 trans Americans have already moved over the new laws
Millions of Americans support bans on gender-affirming care, as it is known, and object to trans male-to-female athletes competing in sports against women and girls.
Still, the exodus of trans people is nonetheless causing alarming.
'Transgender individuals and their loved ones are increasingly criminalized by their home states and their care, banned,' says Erin Reed, a prominent trans woman blogger.
'Should this trend persist, we may witness the largest domestic migration crisis since the Dust Bowl upheaval of the 1940s.'
DailyMail.com has seen dozens of reports about trans people planning to relocate, and requests for financial assistance on such websites as gofundme.com, but the true scale of people flows has been hard to measure.
This month, Data For Progress, a progressive think tank, released a survey of more than 1,000 LGBTQ+ Americans on their thoughts on the roughly 500 bills in state legislatures this year addressing the community's rights.
They include bills on pronoun use, providing gender-affirming care to children and some adults, and whether people can use public bathrooms or compete on sports teams that don't align with their birth sex.
Researchers found that more than half of trans adults felt the country was becoming less safe for them. Meanwhile, more than half said they had relocated to escape new laws, or had though about it.
The sample size of trans adults surveyed was relatively small.
Violet Rin, of Middleburg, Florida, is among them.
The male-to-female transitioner has raised on gofundme.com $4,382 of the $10,000 she needs to move to New Mexico, which she says has 'some of the best transgender protections' in the country.
Violet Rin, a Florida trans woman, says she'd be better off in New Mexico
Other members of the LGBTQ+ community have considered moving too
Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has signed into law new restrictions on gender-affirming treatments for minors, drag shows, bathroom usage and which pronouns can be used in school. Some rules are being challenged in court.
'Every day, it feels like I see a new bill passed that does something to take away my freedoms and rights,' Rin says in her fundraising pitch.
'It's very frightening to stay here much longer.'
In one widely-shared TikTok video, Milo Paasch, a high school senior from Springfield, Missouri, complained about being forced to detransition after the Republican-controlled state banned sex-reassignment drugs in April.
Paasch said the new rules would likely cut off his access to testosterone, which deepens his voice and gives him other male characteristics.
'I'm scared. I don't know what I'm going to do. Testosterone has been life-saving for me,' Paasch, who was born female, says in the clip.
But for Paasch, whose identity cannot be verified, leaving Missouri was not an option either. He had a scholarship to study at Kansas City Art Institute and says: 'I don't want to have to give up my dream just to get out of this hellhole.'
Trans teen Milo Paasch said he cannot leave Missouri because of his college plans
Other trans youths and adults are trading tips online about stockpiling the cross-sex hormones they need, or finding a telehealth doctor to help them once state restrictions on trans care come into force.
Alejandra Caraballo, a prominent male-to-female transitioner and Harvard Law School instructor, said she was 'stockpiling' her estrogen supplies in case they are banned or her health insurance stops covering them in the coming year.
'This is where the trans community is at in 2023,' she tweeted.
Republicans say the rules are needed to protect children from undergoing risky and irreversible medical procedures that they may come to regret, or so that biological males can't dominate sports contests for women and girls.
Nationwide polling shows that Americans are cautious about new wave gender ideology '-- especially on providing puberty blockers, hormones, and sex change surgery to children.
More than two-thirds of adults oppose such treatments, says a Washington Post-KFF poll.
A Gallup survey this week showed that Americans are less supportive of transgender athlete participation in single-gender sports than they were two years ago, even as more people say they know someone who is transgender.
The telephone survey of 1,011 U.S. adults found that 69 percent of Americans say transgender athletes should be restricted to sports teams that conform with their birth gender, compared to 62 percent in 2021.
'It definitely looks like most people see it as a fairness issue,' Jeff Jones, a senior editor for the public opinion polling firm, told USA Today.
'Even Democrats are divided, and we see that independents, who are generally supportive of LGBTQ policies, are also opposed overall.'
Clean Air Day: Air pollution linked with mental health and brain problems, study finds | STV News
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:07
People who breathe in polluted air are more likely to develop mental health and brain conditions, according to new research.
The study examining the health impacts of poor air quality has been published by Environmental Protection Scotland as part of Clean Air Day 2023.
Growing evidence suggests people who are exposed to polluted air are at higher risk of developing conditions such as depression, anxiety and dementia.
Researchers found an association between high concentrations of small particle pollution, often created by car fumes, and greater psychological distress and impaired cognitive performance.
When a person breathes polluted air, small pollution particles can enter through the lungs, into the blood stream and can reach the brain.
Experts warn air pollution also causes inflammation and cardiovascular disease, both of which could have knock-on effects on the brain.Other common air pollutants are also associated with stress, poor quality of life, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
These pollutants as well as other contributing factors have also been related to the onset of schizophrenia.
Transport is the primary source of air pollutionAir pollution is raised as one of the largest environmental risks we face today, according to the World Health organisation.
In Scotland, poor air quality continues to affect human health and the environment in some areas, with emissions from transport, industrial, domestic, agricultural, natural, and transboundary sources contributing to air pollution across the country.
In urban areas across Scotland, transport is the primary source of air pollution and the largest source of climate emissions.
Low Emission Zones are now being introduced in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee as one air quality mechanism to reduce air pollution from car emissions.
'Only 10%' associate air pollution with dementiaSurveys carried out by Global Action Plan revealed that people most likely associated air pollution with lung-related health problems.
Only 10% in Scotland associated air pollution with dementia, and only 19% associated air pollution with poor cognitive development.
Around 93% of those surveyed agree that air pollution affects everyone and 92% believe that reducing air pollution should be treated as a priority.
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of those surveyed would feel able to walk, cycle, or scoot instead of driving for shorter journeys, and 65% would feel able to take public transport for longer trips instead of driving.
Three-quarters said they would feel able to cycle, scoot or walk to work for shorter journeys What the experts sayAccording to Dr Susan Mitchell, head of policy at Alzheimer's Research UK, poor air quality is a ''significant public health issue''.
She said: ''Researchers are uncovering more and more evidence that it has the potential to substantially affect dementia risk. With no treatments currently available in the UK that can slow or stop the onset of dementia, taking action to reduce risk factors like air pollution is vital.
''Steps to reduce our own personal exposure, for example, by remaining indoors on high air pollution days, are impractical and so for many people, the risk is inescapable. That's why we urgently need to see effective policy measures implemented by government to reduce air pollution at scale.''
Dr Mark Miller, British Heart Foundation research scientist at the University of Edinburgh, said 20% of people living with dementia have a type of vascular dementia.
He said even short-term exposure to diesel exhaust stiffens arteries and ''makes them more sluggish'' which could make someone more likely to have a stroke or develop vascular dementia.
He added: ''We need to make a concerted effort to reduce air pollutants like vehicle exhaust to protect our health as we age.''
Dr Tom Russ, reader in old age psychiatry and director of the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh, said: ''There is overwhelming evidence for a link between greater exposure to air pollution and poorer brain health '' including dementia. However, we really need to understand this association better to see how best we can reduce the risk of dementia.
''We still don't know when it is most harmful to be exposed to air pollution, exactly how it is harmful, and what types of pollution are most harmful. However, it is estimated that one in 50 (or 2%) occurrences of dementia could be related to air pollution '' which equates to almost 2,000 people in Scotland, almost 20,000 in the UK, or over a million worldwide '' so the potential for risk reduction is huge.''
What is Clean Air Day?Clean Air Day in Scotland is coordinated by Environmental Protection Scotland, working in partnership with Global Action Plan on behalf of the Scottish Government's Cleaner Air For Scotland 2 (CAFS 2) strategy.
On Clean Air Day people are being asked to make a personal pledge to take an action to cut air pollution. They are also encouraged to discuss air pollution with members of their communities, staff, colleagues, local councillors, and MSPs.
Other key aims include a call for people to consider walking or cycling on a quieter and less polluted side street, where exposure to air pollution particulates can be 30% lower than if they were to walk or cycle alongside a busy route.
With the 2030 ban on the sale of new diesel cars and vans in Scotland, people are also being asked to join a car club or to consider the purchase of an electric vehicle.
Amazon Locks Man Out Of Smart Home Devices Over False Racism Claims | ZeroHedge
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 12:46
Amazon locked a Microsoft engineer out of his smart home devices for nearly a week after a delivery driver accused him of uttering a racial slur.
According to a June 4 blog post on Medium, Brandon Jackson found himself locked out of his Amazon Echo Show on May 25. When he contacted customer service, he was given the number of an Amazon executive - which he thought was a scam.
"When I connected with the executive, they asked if I knew why my account had been locked," he wrote. "When I answered I was unsure, their tone turned somewhat accusatory. I was told that the driver who had delivered my package reported receiving racist remarks from my 'Ring doorbell.'"
Jackson, who is black, said that the accusation was improbable, as many of the delivery drivers in his area are the same race - thus, the racial slur was "highly unlikely."
Jackson tracked down the time that the driver would have dropped off his package (May 24 at 6:05 p.m.), and compared it to footage from his home at the time of the incident - revealing that nobody was home at the time of the delivery. Instead, Jackson thinks that his Eufy automated doorbell said to the driver "Excuse me, can I help you?"
"The driver, who was walking away and wearing headphones, must have misinterpreted the message," wrote Jackson, adding that even after he shared the evidence with Amazon, his account remained locked.
"Despite numerous calls and emails, it wasn't until Friday afternoon [on May 26] that I received confirmation that the investigation had started," he wrote, adding that it wasn't until May 31 that access was finally restored.
In a statement to NTD News, Amazon said: "we learned through our investigation that the customer did not act inappropriately, and we're working directly with the customer to resolve their concerns while also looking at ways to prevent a similar situation from happening again."
More via the Epoch Times;
Impact of the LockoutWhile he was locked out of the Amazon account he typically used for his smart home devices, Jackson said he had already thought ahead about alternate ways to control his devices.
''I already had everything set up so if something did fail I have fallbacks so I wasn't truly in the dark,'' Jackson explained in a subsequent video post about the experience. ''But I wrote [my blog post] from the perspective of someone who'--what if they didn't do all that.''
Jackson, who is an engineer at Microsoft and is relatively tech savvy, shared his concerns for owners of smart home devices who don't have the same knowledge base and find themselves locked out in a similar incident.
He said the incident led him to lose trust in Amazon due to how it kept him locked out through the duration of the ordeal.
''I fully support Amazon taking measures to ensure the safety of their drivers. However, I question why my entire smart home system had to be rendered unusable during their internal investigation,'' he wrote.
Jackson also argued that Amazon or other companies shouldn't be able to block people from using the products they purchased because they expressed the wrong opinions.
''If you bought a toaster right, it doesn't matter what you did, how bad of a person you were how good of a person you are, you still own the toaster at the end of the day right?'' Jackson said. ''And if you really did do something that was so horrible and bad that shouldn't be Amazon or Google or Apple's call to do anything about that. You know, we already have a system set up for that and that's what you should be going through.''
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Global Cocoa Shortage Sends Prices Soaring As "Consumers Should Brace" For 'Chocolateflation' | ZeroHedge
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 12:45
Cocoa prices have soared 44% over the last nine months to seven-year highs as the global cocoa bean deficit worsens for the second consecutive year.
"The cocoa market has experienced a remarkable surge in prices '... This season marks the second consecutive deficit, with cocoa ending stocks expected to dwindle to unusually low levels," S&P Global Commodity Insights' Principal Research Analyst Sergey Chetvertakov told CNBC via email.
Cocoa prices in New York surged more than 3% to $3,253 per metric ton '-- the highest since May 2016. The commodity last traded at $3,182 in the late US cash session on Tuesday.
Chetvertakov said the El Nino weather phenomenon might worsen the global supply shortage because less rain is expected across West Africa, where cocoa is primarily grown. About 60% of the world's cocoa production is based in C´te d'Ivoire and Ghana. He warned prices could reach as high as $3,600 later this year.
He warned, "Consumers should brace themselves for the likelihood of higher chocolate prices," adding chocolate producers are raising prices due to all-around higher costs.
Nick Gentile, a partner at NickJen Capital Management, told Bloomberg that chocolate producers usually have 11 months of physical cover on New York and London markets, though the future ratio only covers about five months.
Gentile said the price increases are a combination of some fund buying and some manufacturers just throwing a towel in and doing some buying. He added, "The cocoa market knows that the manufacturers are underbought and need to buy."
With cocoa consumption at record highs in some Western countries, a worsening global bean deficit will only support higher prices.
Meanwhile, sugar prices hit decade highs on global shortage fears in April. And robusta coffee prices hit a record high days ago on supply fears.
There are just some grocery store aisles where inflation looks exceptionally sticky.
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Parcast and Gimlet Layoffs Reflect a Bigger Spotify Podcast Pivot - Bloomberg
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 04:51
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Lara Logan's Break With Reality - The Atlantic
Wed, 14 Jun 2023 16:29
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Nashville Shooter's Autopsy Indicates No Testing Ordered for Potential Prescription Medications
Wed, 14 Jun 2023 16:20
Police chief previously said the transgender assailant was being treated for an 'emotional disorder'
The autopsy and toxicology report for the shooter in the attack at a Nashville Christian school in March showed no ''positive findings of toxicological significance'' in blood and urine tests performed, according to new autopsy and toxicology reports released to The Epoch Times from Nashville's medical examination and forensic pathology services provider.
Nashville's Police Chief John Drake said previously, the shooter was under a doctor's care for an ''emotional disorder'' but noted that officials were unclear of what treatment she may have been receiving.
The autopsy also included a summary of physical characteristics, showing the 28-year-old Audrey Hale'--who was reportedly transgender and also known by the male name Aiden'--had made no listed physical changes to her body in her transition from female to male.
The 11-page document sent to The Epoch Times showed no indication of tests being performed to indicate whether Hale was on any type of medication for a psychiatric condition or any kind of hormone therapy to aid in her transition to male.
The autopsy shows that Hale, as was previously evidenced through body camera footage released by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD), was killed on the site of her attack at The Covenant School by officers, succumbing to several gunshot wounds.
The Epoch Times requested the records through MNPD shortly after the March 27 attack but were denied access, while a separate request directly to the Middle Tennessee Regional Forensic Center was approved and released on Monday evening.
Toxicology ReportThe majority of the report provided to The Epoch Times focused on the manner of death, while the toxicology report consisted of two pages in which various drugs were tested for but not detected.
Of those drugs tested for included illegal drugs and alcohol. The report indicates that Hale's blood and urine were tested for amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, buprenorphine, cannabinoids, cocaine, fentanyl, methadone, methamphetamine, opiates, oxycodone, and phencyclidine.
Audrey Hale in an undated image. (Nashville Police Department via The Epoch Times)No additional tests were performed, according to the information provided in this report to The Epoch Times.
The toxicology section states no positive results on any of the tests were detected.
The report notes the blood and urine samples, unless alternative arrangements are made by law enforcement, will be discarded one year from the date of the report. It is unclear if law enforcement has already sought or will seek additional blood or urine tests.
Manner of DeathThe cause of death as listed in the report are gunshot wounds, including to the torso, left arm, head, right shoulder and right thigh. The most damage was done by a gunshot wound to the lungs and a skull fracture, with resulting hemorrhages.
The report also indicated ''minor blunt force trauma'' of the body in the report.
The report stated that an investigator and doctor responded to the school and documented the scene with photography and performed a brief investigation.
''The postmortem examination is significant for perforating and graze gunshot wounds of the body,'' the report stated. ''The toxicological analysis (basic profile) on the postmortem femoral blood did not detect drugs of abuse or ethanol.
''Based on the circumstances and the collective findings, it is my opinion that the cause of death in this case is gunshot wounds,'' the medical examiner wrote.
Clothing Contained Handwriting, Firing Range LogoOn clothing found at the time of her death, Hale was wearing a white shirt with ''handwritten words, drawings, and numbers written on it,'' as well as a black t-shirt with ''a firing range logo printed on the left front side of the shirt and other printed writings and a picture on the back, the report read.
It did not detail what the handwritten words, drawings, numbers, or picture on the shirts were.
Further, the report indicates that Hale was wearing a bra with additional handwritten words and a drawing on it, a black tactical-type vest, a black utility belt with holsters attached, camouflage pants, two red socks, two black shoes, orange ear plugs, two black and blue partial gloves, and an orange smartwatch.
Additionally, a ''red hat'' was located near her body, according to the report. Multiple ammunition magazines, some of which were ''labeled with stickers and/or drawings'' and other ''weapon items,'' including a red pocket knife with the name ''AIDEN'' monogrammed on it, were removed from her clothing and given to law enforcement.
The home of the Nashville Christian School shooter sits quietly in its south Nashville neighborhood on March 31, 2023, days after police agencies raided the home following the shooting. (Chase Smith/The Epoch Times)Her hands had been handcuffed. They were removed at the scene and handed over to law enforcement.
A postmortem X-ray was reviewed by the medical examiner, showing a ''well-developed, well-nourished'' person who appeared as female.
It also noted her arms had ''no track marks'' that would indicate illicit intravenous drug use and no scars were found on her wrists to indicate self-harm.
Lack of InformationRepublican State Sen. Todd Gardenhire, who is chairman of the state Senate Judiciary Committee and member of a party suing MNPD for release of public records related to the shooting, told The Epoch Times in recent weeks that legislators want to know what Hale's autopsy concludes, including what, if any, medications she was taking.
Gardenhire said the legislature was interested in what mental health medication she may have been taking in particular, and were less interested in whether or not she was taking any hormone therapy as part of her transition to male.
Governor Newsom Proposes Historic 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution to End America's Gun Violence Crisis '' California Governor
Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:23
Principles of proposed 28th Amendment broadly supported by the American public and gun owners
SACRAMENTO '' Today Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution to enshrine fundamental, broadly supported gun safety measures into law. While leaving the 2nd Amendment unchanged and respecting America's gun-owning tradition, the Governor's proposal guarantees common sense constitutional protections and gun safety measures that Democrats, Republicans, independent voters, and gun owners overwhelmingly support '' including universal background checks, raising the firearm purchase age to 21, instituting a firearm purchase waiting period, and barring the civilian purchase of assault weapons.
''Our ability to make a more perfect union is literally written into the Constitution,'' said Governor Gavin Newsom. ''So today, I'm proposing the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution to do just that. The 28th Amendment will enshrine in the Constitution common sense gun safety measures that Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and gun owners overwhelmingly support '' while leaving the 2nd Amendment unchanged and respecting America's gun-owning tradition.''
The 28th Amendment will permanently enshrine four broadly supported gun safety principles into the U.S. Constitution:
Raising the federal minimum age to purchase a firearm from 18 to 21;Mandating universal background checks to prevent truly dangerous people from purchasing a gun that could be used in a crime;Instituting a reasonable waiting period for all gun purchases; andBarring civilian purchase of assault weapons that serve no other purpose than to kill as many people as possible in a short amount of time '' weapons of war our nation's founders never foresaw.Additionally, the 28th Amendment will affirm Congress, states, and local governments can enact additional common-sense gun safety regulations that save lives.
Passage of the 28th Amendment will require a convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution, also known as an Article V Convention or amendatory convention. Working in partnership with members of the California State Senate and Assembly, California will be the first state in the nation to call for such a convention with a joint resolution being introduced by California State Senator Aisha Wahab and Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer. The Governor will work with grassroots supporters, elected and civic leaders, and broad and diverse coalitions across the nation to fight for the passage of similar resolutions in other state legislatures to ensure the convening of a constitutional convention limited to this subject. 33 other states, in addition to California, would need to take action to convene such a convention.
''A man of action, Governor Gavin Newsom has the backbone to actually do something about the gun fetish culture around weapons of war, and tackle the relentless problem of gun violence and mass shootings,'' said Senator Aisha Wahab. ''As someone impacted by gun violence, I have an obligation to elevate the voices of victims and those of us left behind in the wake of tragedy.''
''I am proud to introduce this resolution to protect the common sense gun reform legislation our Assembly Public Safety Committee has championed over the years,'' said Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer. ''We cannot stand idly while courts roll back our work and diminish the ability of our Legislature to keep Californians safe. This bold but fair resolution calls on other states to join us in protecting some of the most effective ways of reducing gun violence.''
With gun violence claiming the lives of over 110 Americans a day, California's nation-leading gun safety laws serve as a valuable blueprint for other states and Congress to save lives. California's gun safety laws work. In its most recent scorecard, California ranked as the #1 state for gun safety by the Giffords Law Center, and according to the most recent data, the state saw a 37% lower gun death rate than the national average. According to the CDC, California's gun death rate was the 44th lowest in the nation, with 9 gun deaths per 100,000 people '' compared to 16.36 deaths per 100,000 nationally, 33.9 in Mississippi, 21.2 in Oklahoma, and 15.6 in Texas.
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Campus Reform | Backlash against Johns Hopkins after university erases 'women' from definition of 'lesbian'
Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:13
The office made no such change to the term 'gay man.'Johns Hopkins University's Gender and Sexuality Resources office updated its definition of lesbian to 'a non-man attracted to non-men'June 13, 2023, 12:18 pm ET
Johns Hopkins University was slammed online this week for erasing women from the word ''lesbian'' in its LGBTQ glossary.
The university's ''Gender and Sexuality Resources'' office contains a glossary of LGBTQ identities and terms. It includes a definition for the term ''lesbian'' that makes a point to exclude the word "woman." It reads:
A non-man attracted to non-men. While past definitions refer to 'lesbian' as a woman who is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to other women, this updated definition includes non-binary people who may also identify with the label.
But the term ''gay man'' has no such gender-inclusive phrasing in its definition:
A man who is emotionally, romantically, sexually, affectionately, or relationally attracted to other men, or who identifies as a member of the gay community. At times, ''gay'' is used to refer to all people, regardless of gender, who have their primary sexual and or romantic attractions to people of the same gender. ''Gay'' is an adjective (not a noun) as in ''He is a gay man.''
Johns Hopkins was slammed for the change across the political spectrum, especially by LGBT commentators, on Twitter.
[RELATED: UT Austin tells students to use 'wimmin' instead of the word 'women']
''Why is a lesbian a non-man but a gay person isn't a non-woman? Progressive misogyny,'' lesbian political commentator Arielle Scarcella wrote over a screenshot of the glossary.
''Lesbians are being erased and it's f***ing tragic,'' Jaimee Mitchell, founder of Gays Against Groomers, replied to Scarcella. ''Gender ideology at its core is deeply homophobic. The two cannot coexist. It's time for a divorce. #LGBWithoutTheT''
Lesbians are being erased and it's fucking tragic. Gender ideology at its core is deeply homophobic. The two cannot coexist. It's time for a divorce. #LGBWithoutTheT https://t.co/A7tsgJGmRy
'-- Jaimee Michell (@thegaywhostrayd) June 12, 2023
''Hi @JohnsHopkins,'' lesbian journalist E.J. Rosetta tweeted. ''Congrats! You're winning 'homophobic statement of the decade' by defining lesbians as 'non men attracted to non men.' And during Pride month, too! Shame on you. Lesbians are female homosexuals. Put that on a post-it & memorise it. Aren't you meant to be smart?''
Hi @JohnsHopkinsCongrats! You're winning ''homophobic statement of the decade'' by defining lesbians as ''non men attracted to non men''
And during Pride month, too! Shame on you
Lesbians are female homosexuals. Put that on a post-it & memorise it.
Aren't you meant to be smart?
'-- EJ Rosetta (@ejrosetta) June 13, 2023
''Erasure of women continues @JohnsHopkins,'' the Parents of Loudoun County tweeted.
''So men get to keep their spaces and their terms but women don't? This screams misogyny,'' former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Paula Scanlan added.
So men get to keep their spaces and their terms but women don't? This screams misogyny.
'-- Paula Scanlan (@PaulaYScanlan) June 12, 2023
''Lesbians are now officially squirrels,'' Daily Wire editor emeritus Ben Shapiro wrote.
Lesbians are now officially squirrels pic.twitter.com/wx3htjgPjt
'-- Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) June 13, 2023
J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series and an outspoken critic of the transgender movement, shared a screenshot with the definitions of both ''lesbian'' and ''gay man.'' ''Man: no definition needed,'' Rowling captioned the tweet. ''Non-man (formerly known as woman): a being definable only by reference to the male. An absence, a vacuum where there's no man-ness.''
[RELATED: WATCH: College students aren't hippity hoppity about the idea of speech codes]
''Well, @JohnsHopkins gave us John Money so this is all congruent with the brand,'' Concordia University professor Gad Saad chimed in, replying to Rowling.
Well, @JohnsHopkins gave us John Money so this is all congruent with the brand. https://t.co/BJLIkhP0aW
'-- Gad Saad (@GadSaad) June 13, 2023
''Inarguably, modern times are now the stupidest time and universities are leading the way,'' Fred Sargeant, co-founder of the first Gay Pride parade, tweeted.
Johns Hopkins University (@JohnsHopkins) has risen to the challenge previously posed by @jk_rowling's question below. Answer: non-man/non-men (formerly known as "people who menstruate").Inarguably, modern times are now the stupidest time and universities are leading the way.. https://t.co/EEoFtSflnc pic.twitter.com/eaDERqcDVW
'-- Fred Sargeant (@FredSargeant) June 13, 2023
Campus Reform reached out to the Gender and Sexuality Resources office for comment. This story will be updated accordingly.
What you stand for is what defines youConservative students on college campuses are marginalized, threatened, and silenced by threatening students who oppose their views, or radicalized liberal professors or administrators. Campus Reform'--and readers like you'--are pushing back. Progressives would rather threaten you with violence, silence your conservative views, or call for you to be "canceled" from our society if you oppose them. They say your views are dangerous, hateful, fearful, or racist.
They have it all wrong. What we stand for defines us'--it always has.
We can no longer remain silent. It is time for conservatives young and old to unite as a single voice to boldly proclaim what we stand for and oppose the mob.
Will you join with us, select the principles you stand for, and sign your name below?I stand for the preservation of free speech all across our country'--where I'm allowed to express my beliefs without fear of condemnation if my opinion differs from yours.
I stand for protections for conservative students who are illegally being threatened or silenced on college campuses all across our country.
I stand for the federal funding to be pulled from colleges and universities when they silence conservative views or students.
Obesity drug firm paid health staff '¬345,000 over three years '' The Irish Times
Wed, 14 Jun 2023 14:49
A Danish pharmaceutical company behind popular new weight-loss drugs has made payments totalling '¬345,000 to Irish health professionals and organisations over the past three years.
Novo Nordisk, the company behind the much-touted Ozempic and Wegovy treatments for obesity and diabetes, describes the payments in support of medical education as a cornerstone of its support for healthcare professionals treating patients with serious chronic conditions.
In the UK, the pharmaceutical industry association has suspended Novo for two years over its marketing of another weight-loss drug, Saxenda, saying it breached the industry's code of conduct. The company was accused of failing to make clear its involvement in training on weight-loss drugs offered to pharmacists on LinkedIn, according to the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.
In response to the suspension, the Royal College of Physicians cut links with the firm and returned outstanding grants.
In Dublin, a spokeswoman for Novo Nordisk Ireland said it operates independently from the UK affiliate and has not used any of the marketing materials utilised there. ''Novo Nordisk Ireland are committed to compliance with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association [IPHA] code of practice and maintaining the highest possible ethical standards required by the pharmaceutical industry,'' she told The Irish Times.
Novo Nordisk has become one of the biggest companies in Europe thanks to soaring demand for Wegovy, used for chronic weight management.
Wegovy has been hailed as a blockbuster new obesity treatment worldwide though it is unlikely to be available in Ireland until next year. Administered long term by weekly injection, it contains the appetite suppressant semaglutide and is said to help patients lose up to 15 per cent of their body weight. Ozempic, a diabetes drug with a slightly lower dose of semaglutide, has become the darling of celebrity dieters.
Earlier this month, the Observer newspaper in the UK reported the company had paid £21.7 million to health organisations and professionals in three years as part of a campaign to boost its influence in the UK. It said those with links to the company went on to promote Wegovy in media interviews and regulatory submissions without always making their connections to the company clear.
Obesity affects more than a million people in Ireland and is a contributing factor to Type 2 diabetes, which affects about 200,000 people.
Novo Nordisk Ireland's payments are listed in a ''transfer of value'' register maintained by IPHA, covering all member companies.
They include '¬163,159 paid to 189 named health professionals and an aggregate '¬41,341 paid to 64 others who exercised their right to anonymity. About half the payments were for registration fees and the other half for consultancy.
A further '¬140,420 was paid to 15 healthcare organisations as donations, grants or sponsorship.
The largest single payment to an individual was '¬14,570 to Carel Le Roux, an obesity specialist at St Vincent's Healthcare Group and professor of experimental pathology at UCD.
Prof Le Roux told The Irish Times he serves on multiple drug company advisory boards, with his involvement publicly declared. ''The good news is that the companies are learning from us about the disease of obesity and how it works. As a result, they are changing the way they approach it.
''They are not charities and they want to make a profit, but they want to address the problem and do the right thing.''
The treatment of obesity has changed radically in recent years, principally through a move away from an ''eat less, move more'' philosophy in favour of interventions such as bariatric surgery or drug treatment. Obesity should be treated as a disease and not a ''lifestyle illness'', according to new Irish guidelines published last year.
Critics of pharmaceutical sector transparency claim payments by drug companies to doctors and other health professionals influence prescribing habits. Research suggests the receipt of payments from the pharma industry is associated with higher prescribing rates and costs and lower prescribing quality, according to Dr James Larkin, a researcher at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Dr Larkin said the transfers of value system for disclosing payments ''vastly underestimates'' the actual amount of support provided by industry, because some payments are not required to be disclosed and areas such as generic drugs and medical devices are not covered.
Week of June 5 Basic Cable Ranker: For First Time Since 2018, MSNBC Beats Fox News and CNN in Primetime Demo and Total Viewers
Wed, 14 Jun 2023 13:52
MSNBC has been threatening Fox News' cable news ratings supremacy in recent weeks. Disaffected CNN viewers have steadily moved over to left-leaning primetime hosts Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes, Lawrence O'Donnell and Alex Wagner, while right-leaning Fox News has lost some viewers in primetime following the exit of Tucker Carlson.
While the Nielsen ratings gap between Fox News and MSNBC had tightened considerably in recent weeks, Fox News had remained No. 1.
However, the Donald Trump indictment announcement on Thursday night and in-depth coverage in the days following proved to be the extra boost MSNBC needed to reach the ratings summit, which it officially did during the week of June 5, 2023.
MSNBC, for the first time since 2018, beat Fox News and CNN in primetime among adults 25-54 and total viewers. It was the most-watched basic cable network in primetime this past week, averaging 1.52 million total viewers '-- its largest average primetime audience since the 2022 midterm elections. MSNBC also averaged 172,000 adults 25-54 in primetime, more than its cable news rivals and No. 8 on all of basic cable.
MSNBC did remain second this past week in total day viewing this past week, however, edged by rival Fox News (932,000 vs. 1.09 million). The network's 109,000 adults 25-54 average in total day is also fewer than Fox News and No. 7 on basic cable.
How do these figures stack up against comparable weeks? Relative to the week prior (beginning on Memorial Day May 29), MSNBC is +53% in total primetime viewers and +40% in total day viewers, +70% among adults 25-54 in primetime and +43% among adults 25-54 in total day. The network also posted year-over-year viewer gains, which had been the case even prior to the highly-rated Trump indictment coverage. MSNBC gained +5% in total primetime viewers, +7% in the primetime demo, +24% in total day viewers and +31% in the total day demo versus the week of June 6, 2022.
A remarkable week for the network.
Fox News, as previously mentioned, was the second most-watched basic cable network in primetime this past week (1.505 million), finishing behind MSNBC in total viewers for the first time since February 2021. That said, Fox improved to No. 1 in total day viewers this week (1.09 million), ranked No. 17 in the primetime demo (139,000 viewers), and No. 3 in the total day demo (127,000 viewers).
While Fox News fell behind MSNBC in primetime for the first time in 120 weeks, it actually delivered week-to-week ratings gains. Its 1.505 million total primetime viewer average is +11% from the prior week; 139,000 A25-54 average in primetime is +7% from the prior week; its 1.09 million in total day viewing is +8% from the prior week and the network's 127,000 A25-54 delivery in total day is +9% from the prior week. However, the year-over-year trend remains poor. The network posted a -34% decline in total primetime viewers, -61% decline in the primetime demo, -25% in total day viewers and -44% in the total day demo vs. the year-ago week.
CNN remains in third place, but saw audience gains of its own, driven by special coverage of the Trump indictment. The network averaged 677,000 total primetime viewers, No. 8 on basic cable and up +32% from the prior week; 131,000 A25-54 viewers in primetime, No. 19 on basic cable and +38% from the prior week; 491,000 total day viewers, No. 3 on basic cable and +20% from the prior week; 94,000 A25-54 viewers in total day, tied No. 10 on basic cable with TV Land and +24% from the prior week.
Despite the heavy breaking news week, CNN, like Fox News, remains down from the year-ago week. The network is -20% in total primetime viewers, -40% in the primetime demo, -2% in total day viewers and -17% in the total day demo vs. the week of June 6, 2022.
Week of June 5 cable news ratings, Monday-Sunday (Nielsen live-same-day data):
PRIMEFox NewsMSNBCCNN' Total Viewers:1,505,0001,521,000677,000' A25-54:139,000172,000131,000TOTAL DAYFox NewsMSNBC CNN' Total Viewers:1,090,000932,000491,000' A25-54:127,000109,00094,000Despite MSNBC's monster primetime performance, The Five is once again the No. 1 show on cable news, averaging 2.61 million total viewers at 5 p.m. this past week.
Fox News had six of the 10 most-watched cable news shows of the week. Jesse Watters Primetime moved up a spot to No. 2 in total viewers with a two million viewer average at 7 p.m. Hannity secured third place with a 1.92 million total viewer average at 9 p.m., edging MSNBC timeslot competitor Alex Wagner Tonight (1.78 million at 9 p.m.) and Special Report with Bret Baier's 1.72 million average at 6 p.m. rounds out cable news' top five.
MSNBC's Deadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace took sixth place (1.68 million from 4-6 p.m.), with MSNBC's The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell coming in at No. 7, The Beat With Ari Melber (1.64 million at 6 p.m.), followed by Fox News Tonight (1.63 million at 8 p.m.), The Ingraham Angle (1.63 million at 10 p.m.) and All In With Chris Hayes (1.605 million at 8 p.m.) rounding out the top 10.
In addition to being No. 1 in total viewers, The Five is also No. 1 on cable news among adults 25-54, averaging 271,000 from the measurement at 5 p.m. this past week. However, MSNBC had six of the top 10 cable news shows of the week among Adults 25-54, including The ReidOut. In fact, each MSNBC show airing from 6 until 11 p.m., averaged more A25-54 than its timeslot competition.
Lastly, below are the basic cable network rankers '-- sorted by average total viewers followed by A25-54.
Week of June 5 (Total Viewers)
Week of June 5 (Adults 25-54)
DistroKid faces potential class-action lawsuit over how it handles takedown requests - Music Business Worldwide
Wed, 14 Jun 2023 02:41
A US indie music label is seeking to launch a class-action lawsuit against music distributor DistroKid.
The claim argues that DistroKid's policies make it impossible for indie labels and artists to defend themselves against allegations of copyright infringement that result in their music being taken down from platforms.
In a complaint filed Wednesday (June 7) with the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, indie label Doeman Music Group Media argued DistroKid breached its fiduciary duty to the label by failing to provide information that would help the label defend against a copyright infringement claim.
Along with DistroKid, it named indie hip-hop artist Raquella George (aka Rocky Snyda) as a defendant. The complaint seeks class-action status for the lawsuit.
''On information and belief, there are hundreds '-- if not thousands '-- of DistroKid account-holders who have had non-infringing uses of expression taken down because of wrongful takedown notices sent to platforms,'' the complaint states.
The complaint, which you can read in full here, doesn't argue that DistroKid is behind the wrongful takedowns, rather that the company's policies prevent the indie artists and labels it serves from mounting a defense against third-party accusations.
DistroKid is one of a number of music distributors who act as intermediaries between indie artists and labels, and digital streaming providers (DSPs) such as Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal. Typically, DSPs don't allow individuals to upload content to their servers; they have to go through a recognized music distributor.
According to the complaint, in 2020, hip-hop artist Damien Wilson (aka Frosty the Doeman) hired Raquella ''Rocky Snyda'' George to add three seconds of vocals to a song he was recording called Scary Movie. Wilson paid George for the performance, and included her name in the credits of the song.
Frosty the Doeman is a West Virginia-based indie hip-hop artist with 86,000 followers on Instagram. Rocky Snyda is a New York-based hip-hop artist with 10,000 followers on Instagram. Her most popular track on Spotify has been streamed some 650,000 times.
After Scary Movie was released, Wilson and George had a ''personal falling out'' that, according to the complaint, was the result of false information about Wilson that reached George by way of a mutual contact. George severed her relationship with Wilson and requested that her name be removed from Scary Movie.
The complaint claims that George threatened to file a takedown notice for the track if Wilson didn't comply with her request.
Wilson ''refused to alter his work to accommodate her request,'' the complaint states, and informed George that she didn't hold any copyright claims on the track.
In January of 2021, DistroKid notified Wilson that Scary Movie, along with the entire EP it was on, had been removed from streaming platforms.
The lawsuit alleges that George ''falsely represented that she was the copyright holder of the song Scary Movie,'' and that George used the US's notice-and-takedown system ''as a weapon to hold Doeman's music hostage to her preferences about how Doeman exercise[s] its copyrights.''
The lawsuit alleges that, as a matter of policy, DistroKid would not tell Wilson's label, Doeman Music Group, which platforms George's takedown requests had been sent to, and directed the label to resolve the issue directly with George.
It also claims that DistroKid continued to keep that information from Doeman even after being told that George had broken off contact with Wilson and his label.
''DistroKid's internal policy regarding takedowns against [indie artists and labels] creates an environment where an [indie artist's or label's] music can be taken down, but the [artist or label] is not given any information or tools, other than the take-down party's contact info, to have the music put back online, especially where it's a misuse of [the notice-and-takedown law] such that the take-down party will not resolve the issue in good faith,'' the complaint states.
Under the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), platforms are required to remove content, such as music, when they receive a formal takedown notice from a rightsholder claiming the content infringes on copyright. Removing the content gives the platform ''safe harbor'' against being sued for copyright infringement.
The law also allows the entity whose content has been targeted for takedown to file a rebuttal, within 14 days of the takedown notice. The law says the content can stay up on the platform if the rebuttal shows the accused party plans to resolve the issue in court.
The complaint argues this system works well for the major labels and their artists, because major labels will defend their artists and will ensure that the artists' music stays online.
''If a takedown party sends Spotify a takedown request for Taylor Swift's music, her record label would use its expertise and resources to take immediate and necessary corrective action to avoid having the music removed from Spotify. Her major label would send a counter-notice as fast as it could. By doing so, the music does not get taken down '-- and her fans can continue to listen to her music and her royalties continue to accrue,'' the complaint stated.
But the same is not true for indie artists and labels, whose relationship with platforms is controlled by distributors such as DistroKid, the complaint alleged.
''A music distributor may not have a financial incentive aligned with an [indie artist's] music staying posted online. A music distributor like DistroKid collects money upfront and annually'... Thus, after the music has been posted, there is little financial incentive for a music distributor like DistroKid to take extra measures to ensure that music stays up,'' the complaint stated.
Additionally, ''even if a music distributor requires a percentage of royalties, such payments for many [indie artists and labels] can be incredibly small. So keeping the music posted online does not necessarily benefit a music distributor because streams can be so low as to not provide financial value,'' the complaint stated.
Wilson and his indie label, Doeman, are being represented by attorney Megan Keenan of the Information Dignity Alliance, an Oregon-based non-profit law firm that describes itself as focusing on ''education and advocacy relating to data usage, intellectual property, and ethical information practices'' and that ''advocates for uses [of data and IP] that benefit the public interest.''
DistroKid is one of the most prominent independent distributors in the music industry. It was valued at USD $1.3 billion in 2021, following an investment from Insight Partners. As of that year, it was distributing more than 1 million tracks per month, which the company said amounted to ''30-40% of all new music in the world.''
DistroKid has since launched DistroVid, a video distribution network; penned a global distribution deal with TikTok; and penned a deal that enables its artists to create and customize profiles on Jaxsta, which calls itself ''the world's biggest database of official music credits.'' Music Business Worldwide
How Europe could use Russian assets to pay for Ukraine's reconstruction
Tue, 13 Jun 2023 15:05
European officials are looking at ways to use Russian assets to repay for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Global Images Ukraine | Getty Images News | Getty Images
The European Union is getting closer to brokering a detailed plan on how to use frozen Russian assets to pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine, a senior official told CNBC.
The EU has confirmed that there are more than 200 billion euros ($215.5 billion) and a separate 20 billion euros in assets across the bloc that belong to the Russian central bank and to Russian private individuals, respectively. These assets were frozen by European authorities in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine to sanction the Kremlin for its aggression.
"We have had quite lengthy discussions on [how to use these assets to pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine]," Sweden's Anders Ahnlid, who chairs the discussions among the 27 EU member states on this topic, told CNBC Thursday.
"And we are now, I hope, in a position to soon bring forward ideas on how to use at least the the proceeds of these immobilised assets," Ahnlid said.
The issue is highly technical, legally complex and politically challenging.
The EU has been adamant that Russia needs to pay for the damage and pain it is creating in Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told CNBC in February that it would be "unthinkable" that this would not be the case.
Speaking in November, von der Leyen said the idea is to create a structure to manage the frozen funds, invest them, then give the proceeds to Ukraine.
She added at the time that these funds should also be put toward the reconstruction efforts, once the war is over and sanctions are lifted off the frozen assets.
For the time being, officials are focused on the first step '-- using the proceeds from Russian central bank assets '-- as they believe this would be the easiest way to avoid legal issues. It is unclear how much money this will provide Ukraine, and how quickly Kyiv would receive it.
"I think what is important is that it is confirmed that there [are] more than 200 billion euros of these assets, and then you have to know how much of that is in cash, how much is in other types of assets, and then of course, [how much] you can count on," Ahnlid said.
"If you have 100 billion [euros] and you get a 3% return, you get the figure of what that would give in terms of availability for reconstruction per year," he added.
The Ukrainian government was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC on Monday.
Economists agree that there is a chance that the EU will manage to use the proceeds from Russian central bank assets in a legal way, but there are broader concerns about how much that will actually contribute to Ukraine.
"This might legally work, though [it] will not be a game changer financially," Jacob Kirkegaard, a senior fellow with the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said via email.
The World Bank, the European Commission, the United Nations and the Ukrainian government in March said that the total cost of reconstruction in Ukraine had reached $441 billion.
But the war wages on, and the continued loss of lives and infrastructure keeps increasing the bill. One example is the recent destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam, which has brought about further environmental, social and economic harm. The World Bank is still assessing the full cost.
Local residents carry belongings from a boat during the evacuation of a flooded area in Afanasiyivka, Mykolayiv region on June 10, 2023, following damages sustained at Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam.
Oleksii Filippov | Afp | Getty Images
"If any action of this sort should be taken, it should be taken in tandem with partners such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Switzerland, and other countries," Ahnlid said about moving ahead with using proceeds from Russian frozen assets to contribute to rebuilding Ukraine.
The United States in May approved the transfer to Ukraine of seized assets from a sanctions-struck Russian oligarch. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland at the time said it was the first transfer of forfeited Russian funds, but "it will not the the last," according to Reuters.
(20) Arielle Scarcella on Twitter: "Why is a lesbian a non-man but a gay person isn't a non-woman? Progressive misogyny. https://t.co/INy07NRsqI" / Twitter
Tue, 13 Jun 2023 14:58
Arielle Scarcella : Why is a lesbian a non-man but a gay person isn't a non-woman? Progressive misogyny. https://t.co/INy07NRsqI
Mon Jun 12 15:41:25 +0000 2023
Douglas Kimmich : @ArielleScarcell They literally took away abortion rights. But this is all the "misogyny" I hear about. And it's mo'... https://t.co/6qzU0KtODK
Tue Jun 13 14:14:38 +0000 2023
Sharon DiPiazza : @ArielleScarcell insanity has reached the levels of John Hopkins, Mayo Clinic and every ivy league school in the country!
Tue Jun 13 14:10:27 +0000 2023
Brad Owens : @ArielleScarcell Johns Hopkins, working HARD to erase women, because...Progress!!(???)
Tue Jun 13 13:42:17 +0000 2023
Elmobond : @ArielleScarcell @JohnsHopkins just another misogynistic hate biological women promoter
Tue Jun 13 13:34:33 +0000 2023
Matt : @ArielleScarcell And to add to this, literally no one is offended by the word homosexual except for people who are'... https://t.co/WvEkYZVviL
Tue Jun 13 13:24:02 +0000 2023
Robert Bruce Willsie : @ArielleScarcell Even worse, this puts lesbians in the same category as dogs, horses, elephants, trees, trucks, sna'... https://t.co/gXMpbPCggt
Tue Jun 13 13:16:58 +0000 2023
Iryna : @ArielleScarcell I am not gay, trans, bi,or any other variation of anything but have long said over the years that'... https://t.co/9PEceAGSrH
Tue Jun 13 13:03:26 +0000 2023
Fed Up Kentuckian : @ArielleScarcell https://t.co/2bqyEsRVBv
Tue Jun 13 13:00:01 +0000 2023
Bryan : @ArielleScarcell It will be like highlander now. There can only be one!
Tue Jun 13 12:58:32 +0000 2023
let's go brandon : @ArielleScarcell My guess is because there are only like 3 non-women who aren't actual men.
Tue Jun 13 12:40:07 +0000 2023
FL Girl Dad : @ArielleScarcell Women https://t.co/lJsIXw0q4u
Tue Jun 13 12:36:06 +0000 2023
Brian's Captivating Thoughts : @ArielleScarcell Because the goal of progressives is the complete nullification of biological women. They need a bu'... https://t.co/NQh01CavwH
Tue Jun 13 12:05:30 +0000 2023
Edge sends images you view online to Microsoft, here is how to disable that - Neowin
Tue, 13 Jun 2023 14:48
Microsoft Edge is a feature-packed browser with many tools and options to make your browsing experience better and more convenient. However, some of those features raise privacy concerns.
Not so long ago, Microsoft Edge ended up in hot waters after users discovered a bug leaking your browser history to Bing. Now you may want to toggle off another feature to ensure Edge is not sending every picture you view online to Microsoft.
Edge has a built-in image enhancement tool that, according to Microsoft, can use "super-resolution to improve clarity, sharpness, lighting, and contrast in images on the web." Although the feature sounds exciting, recent Microsoft Edge Canary updates have provided more information on how image enhancement works.
The browser now warns that it sends image links to Microsoft instead of performing on-device enhancements.
The biggest problem with Edge's "super-resolution" and other questionable services is that it is enabled by default. Therefore, unaware users automatically give the browser permission to send pictures to Microsoft for processing and enhancement. Here is how to fix that:
Launch Microsoft Edge and open its main menu.Go to Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services.Scroll down and toggle off Enhance images in Microsoft Edge.Microsoft is working on making the feature more flexible. Upcoming Edge updates will allow you to pick a more balanced way and specify what websites Edge should not process. If you use Microsoft Edge Canary, head to Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services > Enhance images in Microsoft Edge and click Add next to the Never Enhance images for these sites list.
Microsoft Edge has another AI-based feature called Video Super Resolution . It makes low-res videos sharper and less pixelated . However, it uses on-device processing powered by discrete graphics cards instead of sending the content to Microsoft.
Are you okay with Edge sending pictures you view online to Microsoft? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Azure mishap betrays an industry blind to a big problem ' The Register
Tue, 13 Jun 2023 14:47
Opinion ''ELY (n.) '' The first, tiniest inkling that something, somewhere has gone terribly wrong.'' One the finest definitions from Douglas Adams and John Lloyd's The Meaning of Liff, it describes perfectly the start of that nightmare scenario for ops in a big service provider - the rising tide of alerts after that update went live.
Some poor sod in Microsoft just had the mother of all elys. A careful, intricate, tested and approved rewiring of the Azure DevOps suite got sent out into the world, only for South Brazil to go dark as it started to eat customer instances. You can read the gory details here, they're just as compelling as an episode of Air Crash Investigation. The skinny is simple. A typo triggered unforeseen cascading errors, which continued attempts to restore order dragged on for ten embarrassing hours.
It is easy to rag on Microsoft for oh so many reasons. Stuffing its OS with adware disguised as a help system. Leaning on everyone to move to Windows 11 while nearly half of Windows 10 PCs fail the hardware requirements. Teams. But these excrescences are corporate and cultural: the typo-induced Azure outage is an industry wide phenomenon that good people perpetrate. Simple typos and their cousin, Mr Misconfiguration, can unleash chaos to anyone.
How is this possible in the year of our AI overlords 2023, when our inventions are smart enough to write sonnets? More to the point, given that we humans are never going to stop mucking up, is there any way of spotting mistakes before they do damage?
Part of the problem is that our technology will do what we tell it, and the difference between very useful and existentially threatening can be wafer thin. Take the infamous Unix/Linux command 'rm -r *'. For those of you whose palms aren't sweating instinctively at the sight of this little beauty, it means "Remove all files in this directory and all directories beneath it." It's hugely useful when freeing up space or removing old installations, and the system won't let you get rid of things you don't have access privileges to.
Run it with root privileges at the root directory, which is just a sudo and a cd / away, and you have wiped out your entire universe. You may not even notice at first, as it will set about its suicide mission with quiet efficiency, but eventually some weird error will appear as what's left of the running software reaches for an essential file that's not there. Ely. The error messages that follow as you try to make sense of your apocalypse will be a lesson in digital madness.
Don't try this at home? You absolutely should. Nobody who has seen this happen ever forgets - or repeats - it. Just spin up a new virtual Linux machine and have at it. (El Reg takes no responsibility if you type into the wrong window. Don't.) This principle, of making your mistakes in a place that mercilessly demonstrates their consequences without them being consequential, is the gold standard in safety nets. In aviation, those places are called flight simulators. In electronics, circuit simulators. In humans, Ibiza.
Why isn't this principle adopted in large, complex systems such as those in major service and network outfits? To some extent, they are - the testing and validation processes take place in some sort of system that tries to react to something like the real thing. This works, except when it doesn't - large, complex, dynamic systems are usually too much all those things to be modelled realistically, if they can be at all. It's a lot of work to model them. Where such models are used, they necessarily involve a lot of abstraction, certainly too much to capture detailed configuration changes in components.
This sort of thinking is a failure of imagination and engineering. Go back to flight simulators, which for regulatory reasons have to be developed alongside the aircraft they train pilots for. In devops heaven, test scripts and protocols are developed alongside the actual software - well, maybe. Once the software's out in the wild and interacting with other systems, all that falls away. The typo that leads to the cascading fault chain across components which are just doing what they're told has no systemic safety net.
All software comes from a functional specification - or at least, let's pretend. That same spec is used in testing and validation. Why not use it further, to create a simulated model of the software that can be used in a virtual environment? It can pretend to do the work that takes up tons of physical resources, in order to model its behavior and test its logic. If you're managing a large service fabric with terabytes of customer data, you no more need to replicate the data in a virtual test environment than a flight simulator needs to replicate the planetary weather system. It just needs the local effects. You can't afford to replicate your internal network and its BGP routers - nor would it do much good. You can't even simulate it, because you don't have good models of the components.
Windows XP's adventures in the afterlife shows copyright's copywrongsIn the battle between Microsoft and Google, LLM is the weapon too deadly to useThe UK's bad encryption law can't withstand global contemptKilling trees with lasers isn't cool, says Epson. So why are inkjets any better?No aviation component company could do business if they held back on the functional specs that allow the simulator designers to do their work. Electronic components come with standard descriptions that can be virtually wired up. Software doesn't. Appliances don't. They could - the information exists - but there's no expectation of it, no standard way to express it, no tradition of delivering virtual components alongside the real.
If this changed, as it could, with automated tools to make costs manageable, we'd get a lot more than just safety nets for live systems. We could bring large systems into their own virtuous devops loop, we could explore what-ifs with new hardware and software components as they arrived on the market without having to cobble together expensive testbeds. VM and OS support for new devices would be revolutionized with standard specs and functional models. And the discipline of having to build and test both virtual and real against spec could only improve the quality of software. Heavens, it's almost like real engineering.
Things will still go wrong. The map is not the territory. Still, given that we know this approach works, not having a conversation about how it might happen should inspire a real sense of ely for the future. ®
Who We Are | Institute for the Study of War
Tue, 13 Jun 2023 14:42
The Institute for the Study of War advances an informed understanding of military affairs through reliable research, trusted analysis, and innovative education. We are committed to improving the nation's ability to execute military operations and respond to emerging threats in order to achieve U.S. strategic objectives. ISW is a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy research organization.
Learn More We believe ground realities must drive the formulation of strategy and policy. In pursuit of this principle, ISW conducts detailed, open-source intelligence analysis to provide the most accurate information on current conflicts and security threats. ISW researchers spend time in conflict zones conducting independent assessments and enhancing their understanding of realities on the ground. Through reports and timely events, our research educates military and civilian leaders, reporters, and the public to enhance the quality of policy debates.
Our Board MembersGeneral Jack Keane (US Army, Retired), Chairman, Institute for the Study of War; President, GSI, LLC
Dr. Kimberly Kagan, Founder & President, Institute for the Study of War
The Honorable Kelly Craft, Former US Ambassador to UN and Canada
Dr. William Kristol, Director, Defending Democracy Together
The Honorable Joseph I. Lieberman, Senior Council, Kasowitz Benson Torres & Friedman, LLP
Kevin Mandia, Chief Executive Officer & Board Director, Mandiant
Jack D. McCarthy, Jr., Senior Managing Director & Founder, A&M Capital
Bruce Mosler, Chairman, Global Brokerage, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.
General David H. Petraeus (US Army, Retired), Partner, KKR and Chairman, KKR Global Institute
Dr. Warren Phillips, Lead Director, CACI International
Colonel William Roberti (US Army, Retired), Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal
Hudson La Force, former Chief Executive Officer of W. R. Grace & Co
Our HistoryDr. Kimberly Kagan founded ISW in May 2007, as U.S. forces undertook a daring new counterinsurgency strategy to reverse the grim security situation on the ground in Iraq . Frustrated with the prevailing lack of accurate information documenting developments on the ground in Iraq and the detrimental effect of biased reporting on policymakers, Dr. Kagan established ISW to provide real-time, independent, and open-source analysis of ongoing military operations and insurgent attacks in Iraq. General Jack Keane (U.S. Army, Ret.), the Chairman of ISW's board, also played a central role in developing the intellectual foundation for this change of strategy in Iraq, and supported the formation of the Institute in 2007.
Learn MoreDr. Kagan published her first Iraq Report in March 2007, introducing the Washington policy community to ISW's flagship research product. Since its formation in 2007, the ISW Iraq Project has remained the premier source for unbiased analysis on the changing political and security dynamics affecting progress in Iraq.
Building upon the success of the Iraq Project, ISW launched the Afghanistan Project in April 2009 in response to growing demand to better understand the war in Afghanistan. Research from this project has focused on insurgent groups such as the Haqqani Network, political corruption, and coalition operations. In addition, ISW has used its unique access to military commanders to launch a Best Practices in Counterinsurgency series that aims to capture the most important lessons from today's wars in order to speed the way in which these lessons are applied the formulation of new military strategy.
ISW has built a reputation for its accuracy and ability to translate complex military concepts and specialized information into formats accessible to a more general audience. In 2010 alone, ISW analysts and fellows spent more than forty weeks deployed to theater. ISW analysts deployed again in 2011, and Dr. Kagan spent over 200 days in 2010 and 2011 in Kabul . In July 2011, she was awarded the Department of Defense Civilian Service Award for her efforts.
In November 2011, ISW added to its Afghanistan and Iraq projects with the broader Middle East Security Project. This new research program will study the national security threats emerging from the Arabian Gulf and wider Arab World, identify ways the United States and Gulf States can check Iran's growing influence and contain the threat posed by its nuclear ambitions, explain the shifting balance of power within the Middle East, and assess responses the United States and Arab states take to address these changes as they emerge. Leading up to this project launch, ISW began tracking the conflict in Libya in March 2011, publishing daily and weekly Libya updates and an in-depth look at the first six months of that conflict called the Libyan Revolution.
OverviewThe Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy research organization. ISW advances an informed understanding of military affairs through reliable research, trusted analysis, and innovative education.
We are committed to improving the nation's ability to execute military operations and respond to emerging threats in order to achieve U.S. strategic objectives.
ISW was founded on the principle that a healthy democracy requires civilian leaders who are well versed in military affairs. The abandonment of military studies at America's colleges and universities since the Vietnam War poses a serious challenge to civilian control of the military and to the well-being of our nation. Therefore, ISW seeks to strengthen civilian leadership and the electorate by making the important study of military operations available to the public.
We also believe that the formulation of strategy and policy must be driven by the realities of current conflicts and threats. In pursuit of this principle, ISW conducts detailed open source intelligence analysis to provide the most accurate information on current military operations. Our research educates practitioners, policy makers, members of the media, and the public to enhance the quality of policy debates. ISW conducts regular briefings with Members of Congress and the executive branch and hosts timely events for a wide-ranging and influential audience to facilitate the exchange of ideas. Military and civilian leaders have come to rely on ISW as an unbiased and invaluable resource.
Research PolicyThe Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is a 501(c)(3) organization and produces strictly non-partisan, non-ideological, fact- based research. ISW seeks to promote an informed understanding of war and military affairs through comprehensive, independent, and accessible open-source research and analysis. ISW does not advocate the adoption of legislation to implement its findings.
ISW's research is made available to the general public, practitioners, policy makers, and members of the media by any suitable means, including oral or written presentations, provided that the communications are not limited to or directed toward those interested in only one side of a particular issue. ISW respects the benefits provided by the active participation of civilian leaders in the formation and development of military affairs policy, including congressional oversight, and believes that an enhanced understanding of military affairs among civilian leaders results in significantly better policy.
"Nonpartisan analysis and research" is defined as an independent exposition of a particular subject matter. The analysis may conclude that legislation is appropriate to achieve a particular objective if it contains a sufficiently full and fair exposition of the pertinent facts to enable the public or an individual to form an independent opinion or conclusion. ISW's research agenda is determined by the ISW President in consultation with the Research Manager. The content of ISW's publications are determined by the research staff through their in-depth, independent, and fact-based research.
ISW's research methodology relies on both primary and secondary sources, enabling its researchers to develop the comprehensive understanding of the situation on the ground. In order to analyze military and political developments in any given area, researchers must wholly understand the systems of enemy and friendly forces. They must also understand the population demographics, physical terrain, politics, and history of that area. This lays the analytical foundation for understanding the reasons for particular developments and fulfilling their assigned research objectives. Using both primary and secondary sources, our researchers compile data and analyze trends, producing a granular analysis of developments in areas of research, producing an accurate, high-resolution, timely, and thorough picture of the situation. ISW's research methodology guarantees its success and commitment to improve the nation's ability to execute military operations, achieve strategic objectives, and respond to emerging problems that may require the use of American military power.
Leadership General Jack Keane
Dr. Kimberly Kagan
Jennifer Cafarella
Michael Nelson
Brian Babcock-Lumish
Alexander Mitchell
Lisa Suchy
Stephen Gailliot
Iryna Verity
Madiha Abrar
Fellows Till Muno
Lt. Gen. James Dubik (US Army, Retired)
Matthew McInnis
Nataliya Bugayova
Elsa Kania
Stephen Gordon
Analysts & Associates
LGBTQ Glossary | Gender & Sexuality Resources
Tue, 13 Jun 2023 03:49
No glossary could encompass the range of identities and terms that are used within LGBTQIA+ communities. If you hear a term you don't recognize, or feel like someone is using a term in a new way, ask the individual what the term means to them. This glossary is meant as an introduction to the community, and is not the definitive answer as to how everyone understands these terms.
The terminology below will be formatted as ''Term [part of identity, if applicable]: definition'' and may include a resource for further learning and/or a cross-reference.
AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth): A way to communicate the sex marker given to them at birth (based on their physical anatomy). This term may be used by a range of people, including gender nonconforming (GNC), intersex, nonbinary, and/or transgender individuals (see also: Sex Assigned at Birth; AMAB)
Ally: An ally is a person who confronts heterosexism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, etc., in themselves and others out of self-interest and a concern for the well-being of LGBTQ+ people, and who is committed to social justice and equal rights.
AMAB (Assigned Male at Birth): A way to communicate the sex marker given to them at birth (based on their physical anatomy). This term may be used by a range of people, including gender nonconforming (GNC), intersex, nonbinary, and/or transgender individuals (see also: Sex Assigned at Birth; AFAB)
Agender [gender identity]: Without gender. Often used as an identification for people who do not identify with or conform to any gender.
Androgynous [gender expression]: A display that integrates a combination of masculine and feminine elements. For some, androgyny is about achieving a ''gender neutral'' expression, whereas others may wish to acknowledge their relationship to masculinity and femininity.
Aromantic [romantic orientation]: Someone who does not experience romantic attraction to others.
Asexual [sexual orientation]: Someone who does not experience sexual attraction towards other people, and who identifies as asexual. May still have romantic, emotional, affectional, or relational attractions to other people. Asexuality is distinct from celibacy, which is the deliberate abstention from sexual activity. While not experiencing sexual attraction, some asexual people may still choose to have sex for other reasons, including physical enjoyment or desire to have children. Sometimes shortened as ''ace.''
Bigender [gender identity]: Having two genders; a combination of man, woman, and/or other gender identities.
Biphobia: Fear, aversion, or hatred of people who are bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, or otherwise attracted to multiple genders.
Biromantic [romantic identity/orientation]: A person who has a romantic attraction to two (or multiple) genders.
Bisexual [sexual orientation]: A person who is sexually attracted to multiple genders, or who identifies as a member of the bisexual community. Often, but not limited to, being attracted to the same gender and other genders. May be shortened to ''bi.''
Chosen Name: A name selected by an individual that differs from the name they were given at birth. A chosen name often helps to affirm an individuals gender identity and/or gender expression (see also: Deadname).
Cisgender [gender identity]: A term for individuals whose gender identity generally matches with that assigned for their assigned sex at birth. In other words, a person who does not identify as transgender or nonbinary.
Cissexism: A belief that there are only two genders which are assigned at birth and immutable. This prejudice has been integrated into social systems and policies, which contributes to the discrimination and oppression of transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people.
Closeted: Used as slang for the state of not publicizing one's sexual/gender identity, keeping it private, living an outwardly heterosexual/cisgender life while identifying as LGBT, or not being forthcoming about one's identity. At times, being in the closet may also mean not wanting to admit one's identity to oneself.
Coming Out: To disclose one sexual identity or gender identity. It can mean telling others or it can refer an internal process of coming to terms with one's identity.
Crossdresser: Individual who dresses in clothing usually associated with a sex that differs from the one assigned at birth. This is done for a variety of personal reasons. Crossdressing is not indicative of sexual orientation or gender identity. This term replaces the sometimes-pejorative term transvestite.
Deadname: A term used for the former name of a transgender, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming person who has changed their name to affirm their gender identity.
Demisexual: A person who may only experience sexual attraction after a strong emotional attachment is formed. May be seen as falling on the asexual spectrum.
Drag: A public performance that involves playing with gender norms and expectations. Performers are often referred to as drag queens and kings, whose performances and costumes often exaggerate and play with gender.
Femme [gender expression]: A term referring to the broad, dynamic representations of femininity/feminine characteristics regardless of gender. Femmes claim a relationship to femininity without, necessarily, claiming a relationship to womanhood.
FTM: Female-to-male transgender person, often identifying as a trans man. Someone assigned female at birth who identifies as male or on the male-aligned identity. Also referred to as ''transmasc'' or ''transmasculine.''
Gay Man: A man who is emotionally, romantically, sexually, affectionately, or relationally attracted to other men, or who identifies as a member of the gay community. At times, ''gay'' is used to refer to all people, regardless of gender, who have their primary sexual and or romantic attractions to people of the same gender. ''Gay'' is an adjective (not a noun) as in ''He is a gay man.''
Gender: A socially constructed system of classification that ascribes qualities of femininity and masculinity to people. The attributes of gender can change over time and differ between cultures. Terms for gender identity include, but are not limited to, woman, man, non-binary, genderqueer, and agender.
Gender Affirmation Surgery: The procedures that some trans individuals might undergo so their external bodies can better reflect their internal gender identities. Other names include ''sexual reassignment surgery'' and ''gender confirmation surgery.'' These procedures may be called ''top surgery'' (e.g. reshaping a chest or providing breast augmentation) and ''bottom surgery'' (e.g. reshaping genitals). Surgery is not required for someone to claim a certain identity, but is considered of essential, gender-affirming healthcare for those who seek it.
Gender Dysphoria: The term ''gender dysphoria'' was used in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 th Edition (DSM-5), a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association in 2013. This term was intended to focus on gender identity-related distress that some transgender people may experience (and for which they may seek psychiatric, medical, and surgical treatments) rather than on transgender individuals or identities themselves. The DSM''5 states that ''gender non-conformity is not in itself a mental disorder,'' rather the diagnosis was created to help people with gender dysphoria get access to appropriate health care and treatment, and the DSM-5 lists specific criteria. NOTE: not all trans people experience gender dysphoria.
Gender Euphoria: The joyful experience and sense of self when a person's authentic gender is expressed and acknowledged by themselves and/or by others.
Gender Expression: How one expresses their gender identity outwardly in terms of clothing, hair, tone of voice, etc.
Genderfluid [gender identity]: A person whose gender expression and/or gender identity varies from one gender to another/others in some way.
Genderflux [gender identity]: A person whose gender identity and/or gender expression varies in intensity, but not necessarily across genders.
Gender Identity: A person's internal sense of their own gender. Cisgender, transgender, man, woman, and genderqueer are all examples of gender identities.
Gender Nonconforming (GNC) [gender identity]: A person who does not subscribe to gender expressions or roles expected of them by society.
Genderqueer [gender identity]: A person whose gender identity and/or gender expression falls outside of the masculine/feminine gender binary. Genderqueer is also considered part of the umbrella of non-binary identities.
Heteronormativity: Processes through which social institutions and policies reinforce the notion that there are only two possibilities for sex, gender, and sexual attraction: male/masculine/attracted to women and female/feminine/attracted to men.
Heterosexism: Norms and behaviors that result from the assumption that all people are or should be heterosexual. This system of oppression assumes that heterosexuality is inherently normal and superior and negates LGBTQIA+ peoples' lives and relationships.
Heterosexual [sexual orientation]: Referring to men who are attracted to women or women who are attracted to men. Often referred to as ''straight.''
Homophobia: Fear of, hatred of, or discomfort with people who love and sexually desire members of the same gender. Homophobic reactions often lead to intolerance, bigotry, and violence against anyone not acting within socio-cultural norms of heterosexuality. Because most LGBTQIA+ people are raised in the same hetero- and cissexist society as their heterosexual, cisgender counterparts, they learn the same negative beliefs and stereotypes prevalent in the dominant society, leading to a phenomenon known as 'internalized homophobia.'
Homosexual: The clinical term, coined in the field of psychology, for people with a same-sex sexual attraction. The word is often associated with the idea that same-sex attractions are a mental disorder, and is therefore offensive to some people.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): The process by which trans individuals choose to take a prescription of artificial hormones in order to physically/medically affirm their gender. For trans women, that may include estrogen as well as testosterone-blockers. For trans men, testosterone, or T.
Intersex: Term used for a variety of medical conditions in which a person is born with chromosomes, genitalia, and/or secondary sexual characteristics that are inconsistent with the typical definition of a male or female body. The term differences of sex development (DSD) also describes these conditions. Replaces the inaccurate, and usually offensive, term ''hermaphrodite.'' Some intersex individuals may choose to identify as LGBTQIA+ as a result of their intersexuality; however, many choose not to.
Lesbian [sexual orientation]: A non-man attracted to non-men. While past definitions refer to 'lesbian' as a woman who is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to other women, this updated definition includes non-binary people who may also identify with the label.
LGBTQIA+: Abbreviation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual. An umbrella term that is used to refer to the community as a whole. Often shortened to LGBTQ+, but not as a means to exclude other identities. The ''+'' acknowledges the diversity of identities, orientations, and expressions of the LGBTQIA+ community that are not named in the acronym.
Masc [gender expression]: A term referring to the broad, dynamic representations of masculinity/masculine characteristics regardless of gender. Mascs claim a relationship to masculinity without, necessarily, claiming a relationship to manhood.
MSM: An abbreviation for men who have sex with men. This term emphasizes the behavior, rather than the identities of the individuals involved.
MTF: Male-to-female transgender person. often identifying as a trans woman. Someone assigned male at birth who identifies as female or a female-aligned identity. Also referred to as ''transfem'' or ''transfeminine.''
Non-binary [gender identity]: An umbrella term describing anyone whose gender identity falls outside the binary of woman/man. Can also be used as an identity itself
Omnigender [gender identity]: Identifying as all genders. The term is specifically used to refute the concept of only two genders.
Pangender [gender identity]: Exhibiting characteristics of multiple genders; deliberately refuting the concept of only two genders.
Pansexual [sexual orientation]: A person who is emotionally, romantically, sexually, affectionately, or relationally attracted to people regardless of their gender identity or sex assigned at birth. Use of the term often signals a repudiation of the concept of binary sexes.
Polyamorous: The state or practice of having more than one romantic relationship during a period of time, or referring to someone open to having multiple partners, while not currently in multiple romantic relationships. May be shortened to ''poly.''
Queer: Term describing people who have a non-normative gender identity, sexual orientation, or sexual anatomy '-- can include lesbians, gay men, bisexual people, transgender people, and a host of other identities. The term has a history of offensive use as a slur and is still used that way in some spaces, but has largely been reclaimed by the community to describe themselves.
Questioning: Refers to individuals who are in the process of examining their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Romantic Orientation: A way of characterizing one's attraction to other people characterized by the expression or non-expression of love/romance/non-sexual interaction. People use a variety of labels to describe their romantic orientation, including aromantic, homoromantic, and heteroromantic, panromantic, and biromantic.
Same-Gender Loving (SGL): How some African Americans prefer to describe their sexual orientation, seeing ''gay'' and ''lesbian'' as primarily white terms. ''Same-sex loving'' is also in use.
Sex Assigned at Birth: This term is a more inclusive alternative to ''sex'' or ''biological sex,'' as it recognizes that sex categories are socially constructed, rather than biologically mandated, and that one's sex assigned at birth does not automatically determine one's gender identity. Assigned sex may be determined on the basis of sex chromosomes (XX = female, XY = male); hormone levels, secondary sex characteristics, and internal and external genitalia may also be considered criteria. Terms to describe assigned sex include female, male, and intersex. (see also AFAB; AMAB)
Sexuality: The complex range of components which make us sexual beings; includes emotional, physical, and sexual aspects, as well as self-identification (including sexual orientation and gender), behavioral preferences and practices, fantasies, and feelings of affection and emotional affinity.
Sexual Fluidity: The concept that sexual orientation can vary across the lifespan and in different contexts. This does not mean that it can be changed through volition or therapy.
Sexual Orientation: An enduring emotional, romantic, sexual, and/or affectional attraction. Terms include gay, lesbian, heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual, and asexual. Sexual orientation can be fluid, and people can use a variety of labels to describe their own.
SGRM: An abbreviation for sexual, gender, and romantic minorities. Used as an umbrella term rather than as an identity for a specific person, particularly in international contexts.
SOGI: An abbreviation for sexual orientation and gender identity.
Stealth: A description for people who, after beginning their transition and living as their preferred genders, do not readily tell others about their pasts, specifically their birth-assigned genders. Others may choose to be more or less open about their trans statuses.
Third Gender [gender identity]: A term for those who belong to a gender category not recognized in the Western binary. For example, Native American two-spirit people, hijra in India, kathoeys in Thailand, and travestis in Brazil. Recognizes that people's identities are specific to their culture.
Transgender [gender identity]: An umbrella term for those individuals whose gender identity does not match with that assigned for their physical sex. Among others, the term ''transgender'' includes those who identify as transsexual, non-binary, genderqueer, or simply just transgender. In its general sense, it refers to anyone whose behavior or identity falls outside of stereotypical expectations for their sex assigned at birth. Transgender people may identify as straight, gay, bisexual, or any other sexual orientation. Sometimes shortened as ''trans'' or ''trans*.'' Check out the GSR Introduction to Transgender Identities
Transition: An individualized process by which transgender people move from living as one gender to living as another gender. There are three general aspects to transitioning: social (e.g. name, pronouns), medical (e.g. hormones, surgery), and legal (e.g. gender marker and name change). Each path through transition is unique to the individual, and some may choose not to transition socially, medically, and/or legally due to access barriers or other personal reasons.
Transsexual: Historical term referring to a person whose gender identity consistently differs from what is culturally associated with their sex assigned at birth. Often refers to those who physically change their body so it matches their gender identity. Many trans people do not identify with it, as it is largely outdated and inaccurately conflates the nature of trans identity with the obligation to undergo sex reassignment surgery.
Transphobia: Fear of, hatred of, or discomfort with people who are transgender or otherwise gender non-normative.
Two-Spirit [gender identity]: Contemporary term chosen to describe certain North American Indigenous and Canadian First Nation people who identify with a third gender, implying a masculine and a feminine spirit in one body. Replaces the problematic term berdache. For more information, watch this video from Them. Magazine
WSW: An abbreviation for women who have sex with women. This term emphasizes the behavior, rather than the identities of the individuals involved.
Cloud Seeding Makes Hot Comeback as a Solution to Drought - WSJ
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 20:04
Demand has skyrocketed across the Western U.S. and Mexico to boost rain, snowfall
SAN ANGELO, Texas'--Inside a small office at the San Angelo Regional Airport, Jonathan Jennings is looking for a big opportunity. He's checking weather radar for an approaching storm system, so he can send up a plane to chase the moisture-laden clouds.
The pilot will inject them with a spritz of nontoxic chemicals, known as cloud seeding, to boost rainfall on the ground.
''It...
SAN ANGELO, Texas'--Inside a small office at the San Angelo Regional Airport, Jonathan Jennings is looking for a big opportunity. He's checking weather radar for an approaching storm system, so he can send up a plane to chase the moisture-laden clouds.
The pilot will inject them with a spritz of nontoxic chemicals, known as cloud seeding, to boost rainfall on the ground.
''It is like we are taking a dripping sponge and squeezing it,'' said Jennings, project meteorologist for the West Texas Weather Modification Association.
Cloud seeding'--a technology that has been deployed in various forms since the 1950s'--is having a renaissance.
Jennings and other advocates of cloud seeding say their data show it can increase rain by 15% over a given area, compared with clouds that aren't seeded. That is enough to bring an extra 2 inches of rain a year, water that can help crops survive a dry spell and recharge underground aquifers vital for farmers, ranchers and rural residents.
Across the Western U.S. and Mexico, demand for cloud-seeding has skyrocketed as increasing periods of extreme drought and a warming climate make it a cheaper alternative to big-ticket technological solutions such as the desalination of water piped inland from the Pacific Ocean or Gulf of Mexico. Cloud-seeding programs to boost both rain and snowfall are now under way in Texas, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico and California.
Arizona officials are considering two new programs. In Mexico, federal officials are seeding clouds across five Mexican states that have been suffering from an extended drought.
Cloud-seeding can work in the air or on the ground, where chimney-like generators send chemicals into air masses as they move up the side of mountains. Most cloud-seeding efforts use particles of silver iodide which have a crystal structure similar to ice. Once the chemicals are injected, the air temperature must reach 20 degrees Fahrenheit'--then water vapor begins to freeze around the silver iodide, getting big enough to fall to the ground as either rain or snow.
In the summer, cloud-seeding firms use the water-attracting properties of salt crystals such as calcium chloride to do the same thing, except in warmer, humid clouds.
''In looking at the technology and the environmental impact, we came to the decision that it really was a safe and effective way of increasing local water supplies,'' said Scott Griebling, water resources engineer for the St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District in Longmont, Colo. ''It was a no-brainer, especially in the long term.''
At the same time that local officials are embracing this weather modification technology, some weather experts question its effectiveness and whether it just pulls rainwater from one area to fall in another. They say conservation on the ground is a surer way to preserve scarce water supplies.
The World Meteorological Organization reviewed cloud-seeding programs across the globe in 2018 and concluded that cloud seeding is a promising technology but that the natural variability in each cloud system makes it difficult to quantify the difference seeding makes.
But local officials across the Western U.S. said it is a cost-effective way to increase both rain and snow. In Colorado, the St. Vrain water district spent $40,000 in 2022 for winter cloud seeding to increase snowfall and build up the snowpack in surrounding mountains. State officials kicked in another $90,000 to pay a cloud-seeding contractor.
In March, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced a $2.4 million grant for states in the Upper Colorado River Basin to conduct aerial and ground-based cloud seeding.
In Utah, the state's cloud-seeding program received a one-year, $12 million boost, while its annual budget increased from $800,000 to $5.8 million, according to Jake Serago, water resources engineer for the Utah Division of Water Resources.
Serago said historic low water levels in Great Salt Lake and Lake Powell, which supplies water to California, Arizona and Nevada, have piqued interest in cloud-seeding. ''We've had a very long drought,'' Serago said.
An experiment in Idaho found that winter cloud seeding using silver iodide produced the equivalent amount of snowfall to fill 300 Olympic-size swimming pools compared with clouds that hadn't been seeded, according to a 2020 paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study used both radar and ground-based sensors to measure snowfall.
Sarah Tessendorf, an author of the study and project scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo., said the environmental risks of cloud seeding are relatively benign since the amount of silver detected in the snow is below harmful levels.
''We've shown now that it can work,'' Tessendorf said. ''The key question we're trying to figure out is under what conditions is cloud seeding most effective.''
For 73-year-old West Texas farmer Steve Williams, the benefits of occasional extra rainfall is worth the minimal amount he pays in taxes to his local water district that are earmarked for cloud seeding, about $20 a year.
Williams and his son, Ty Williams, farm 1,774 acres of cotton and wheat in Schleicher County, Texas, one of six counties covered by the aerial seeding flights from the West Texas Weather Modification Association in San Angelo.
Williams said he usually only gets one or two cloud-seeded rainfalls directly over his property each planting season. However the seeding drops rain on farms around him, recharging the underground aquifer that he and his neighbors depend on for irrigation and drinking water.
''It is a community effort,'' Williams said. ''Everybody benefits. If you happen to get under one of Jonathan's clouds, you did pretty good.''
Back at the San Angelo airport, Jennings canceled flight operations after unstable air spawned three tornadoes and a dust storm that enveloped several nearby towns. The next day brought clear weather. A pilot loaded up the weather association's single-engine Piper Comanche, climbed to about 5,000 feet, and crisscrossed Schleicher County before igniting more than two dozen seeding flares into the clouds.
Jennings said the resulting rainfall took about 20 minutes to form.
On the ground ''there was rain all around us,'' Williams said.
Write to Eric Niiler at eric.niiler@wsj.com
Poppy Cultivation in South of Afghanistan Down by 80%: Report | TOLOnews
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 20:00
Illicit drugs expert David Mansfield, in a report citing satellite imagery, said that poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has been reduced to levels not seen since 2001 with cultivation in the south of the country down by at least 80% compared with last year, when the Taliban banned the growing of poppies for opium.
''In fact, high resolution imagery shows that in the province of Helmand poppy cultivation has fallen from more than 120,000 hectares in 2022 to less than 1,000 hectares in 2023 '' a reduction in this one province alone that surpasses any prior national poppy ban in Afghanistan,'' Mansfield wrote in the report posted online by Alcis, an organization that provides "geographic information services."
''This is good that there is a both efforts against (narcotics) and also a treatment program. But this is not enough, there should be international assistance in this regard,'' said Ajmal Zurmati, a political analyst.
''Last year, the cultivation of wheat increased by 10 to 40 percent compared to the previous years in the provinces,'' said Muzbahuddin Mustaeen, a spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
The Alcis report said that while denied the possibilities of growing poppy, many have turned almost entirely to wheat but will not have sufficient land to feed their families.
''Some will cultivate a portion of land with crops like onion, garlic, and tomato, but will not raise enough income to feed, cloth, and provide healthcare for a family of ten or more people,'' the report said.
''The government should help us regarding the cultivation of wheat. Provide us wheat seeds,'' said Farid Ahmad, a farmer in Kandahar.
''After the poppy cultivation was banned, the people could not earn their expenses. The people are so worried about the water'--the water used to be found at the surface 10 meters deep but it cannot be reached now even 20 meters deep,'' said Abdul Wali, a farmer in Kandahar.
The Islamic Emirate's deputy spokesman, Bilal Karimi, welcomed the findings of Alcis.
''It is good that we witness such acknowledgement from these organizations about the improvements made by the Islamic Emirate regarding narcotics across the country. According to the decree of the (leader), the cultivation and production of narcotics, its processing and its selling has been banned,'' he said.
The report said that the poppy cultivation was reduced by more than 99% in Helmand Province, which ''previously produced more than 50% of the country's opium.''
According to official information, the Ministry of Interior has conducted more than 6,000 counter-narcotic operations.
Why Russia Wants To Revive The TAPI Pipeline | OilPrice.com
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 19:54
The Jamestown Foundation
Founded in 1984, The Jamestown Foundation is an independent, non-partisan research institution dedicated to providing timely information concerning critical political and strategic developments in China,'...
More Info
By The Jamestown Foundation - Jun 08, 2023, 4:00 PM CDT The TAPI pipeline is a massive economic and business venture that has the potential to be immensely beneficial to all countries involved.Overall, the TAPI pipeline is planned to stretch for over 1,100 miles with the capacity to transport 33 billion cubic meters.Russian officials primarily view participation in the project as a way to gain influence in Central Asia. Turkmenistan and Pakistan continue their talks on the revival of the Turkmenistan''Afghanistan''Pakistan''India (TAPI) pipeline, and a bilateral meeting on the issue in Islamabad will be announced soon'--possibly in late June 2023. For its part, Ashgabat is keen on moving ahead with the project, while energy-deficient Pakistan is willing to go ahead with or without India. And Kabul has said it is ready to raise a special force to provide security for the project ( Business Recorder , May 13). Some sources have stated that the potential transit revenues could make up as much as 80 or 85 percent of Afghanistan's central budget, providing added incentives for securing the area around the prospective pipeline. Overall, the TAPI pipeline is planned to stretch for over 1,100 miles with the capacity to transport 33 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas each year from the Galkynysh Gas Field in Turkmenistan to the Indian city of Fazilka via Afghanistan and Pakistan ( Business Turkmenistan , August 23, 2022). The project was initially conceived in the early 1990s; however, the pipeline consortium was not announced until 2014 with an estimated cost of $10 billion at that time. In 2018, construction began on the pipeline but was soon stopped due to security reasons after workers clearing the area were killed by unknown assailants ( Pakistan Today , January 18, 2022).
In recent years, officials in Islamabad, Kabul and Ashgabat have been seriously considering a return to the project, which again came into the spotlight following the withdrawal of American forces and the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in 2021. The insecurity and political instability in Afghanistan has so far been the main hurdle preventing the pipeline's construction. Nevertheless, Taliban leaders have already assured Turkmenistan that they will provide adequate security for the project ( Express Tribune , February 1, 2022). According to a plan announced by Taliban spokesperson Bilal Karimi in January 2022, Afghanistan ''will deploy a 30,000-member security unit for the security of the TAPI project. They will be providing security along the route of the project in all parts of the provinces where the pipeline is being constructed'' ( Pipeline-journal.net , January 17, 2022).
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India, however, has raised concerns about the logistical challenges and commercial aspects of the pipeline ( Economic Times , January 20). Specifically, New Delhi is primarily concerned about the potential hidden costs of constructing the project as well as the political uncertainties of sanctioning a pipeline that would run through the territory of geopolitical rival Pakistan ( Tribune.com.pk , February 1, 2022).
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The revival and execution of the TAPI project is not without its geopolitical implications. For its part, Russia has also shown interest in the revival and construction of the pipeline. In January 2023, Zamir Kabulov, the Russian special envoy to Afghanistan, visited Kabul and presented a renewed push from Moscow to revive the stalled project. ''As the situation in Afghanistan stabilizes, the participation of domestic economic operators in the construction and operation of the Turkmenistan''Afghanistan''Pakistan''India gas pipeline is possible,'' said the Russian Foreign Ministry after Kabulov's visit ( Economic Times , January 20).
Despite the profitability and commercial aspects of the TAPI pipeline, Russian officials primarily view participation in the project as politically attractive. For Moscow, the pipeline is alluring because it is not merely a gas transit project but will also connect South and Central Asia on the basis of the strategic needs and interests for the countries in both regions. Thus, as a potential key player in the project, Russia would be able to expand its influence in South Asia. On this, Kabulov has asserted, ''Such a perspective appears politically attractive. The matters of supporting security for this project earlier considered to be the most challenging have lost their acuteness at this stage'' ( TASS , January 31, 2022). Furthermore, one of Moscow's top strategic goals has been to gain access to the Indian Ocean through the further development of the north-south transit corridor'--something the TAPI pipeline would help fulfill (see EDM, July 13, 2022 ; April 11 ).
Additionally, the project is geopolitically important for Moscow. In 2021, while addressing the international conference ''Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities'' held in Tashkent, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed the Kremlin's interest in participating in the construction of new regional gas transmission routes, including TAPI: ''The integration of the energy infrastructure of Central and South Asia is very promising. '... The Eurasian Economic Union is working on the formation of a single electricity market. This process could be synchronized with electricity supply projects in Central and South Asia'' ( Business Turkmenistan , July 16, 2021).
No doubt, Russian participation in the TAPI pipeline would be a real step forward for Russia's vision with the Greater Eurasian Partnership (GEP). The GEP has become a key component of Moscow's regional policy, which, among other goals, seeks to assemble ''a network of free trade areas and inter-regional trade and economic alliances, and connecting integration projects throughout the vast Eurasian space'' ( Russiancouncil.ru , September 28, 2020).
Moreover, faced with Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, Russia wants to strengthen its strategic partnership with energy-rich Turkmenistan (see EDM, December 15, 2022 ; May 11 , 18 ). Moscow is interested in participating in the TAPI pipeline project in an effort to divert its energy exports away from Europe toward Asia. In this, Turkmenistan has the potential to be a transit hub for Russian energy and goods exported to South and Central Asia. In truth, as one expert has pointed out, Ashgabat is unwilling to export gas to Turkey and further to Europe if that would endanger its partnership with Moscow: ''Ashgabat is clearly coming down on the side of Russia and spurning opportunities to move its gas in a Western direction. It has chosen to move towards its authoritarian brothers-in-arms, Russia and Iran'' ( Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty , February 27). Indeed, for Turkmenistan, besides generating additional income, the TAPI pipeline would be important for reducing the country's reliance on China, the largest customer of Turkmenistani gas since 2010.
And as security was one of Moscow's gravest concerns, for now, it seems Russian officials are satisfied with the Taliban government's assurances. On January 19, regarding Kabul's security plan, Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov reportedly declared that, if ''some security issues'' are resolved, Russia would seriously consider joining the TAPI project ( TASS , January 19).
The TAPI pipeline is a massive economic and business venture that has the potential to be immensely beneficial to all countries involved. Yet, due to potential security concerns and certain geopolitical difficulties'--Iran and India may remain resistant to the project, opting instead for the revival of the Iran''Pakistan''India pipeline'--the actual prospects for implementation remain uncertain. Nevertheless, the key players continue to engage in discussions about bringing the pipeline to fruition, including Russia, which is keen to play a central role in emerging energy and transit projects to expand its influence in South and Central Asia.
By the Jamestown Foundation
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Totality Over Texas - Eclipse Glasses and Gear for Texas '' Totality Over TX
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:00
Texas will play host to not one, but two, spectacular eclipses in a 6 month period starting October 2023 and again in April 2024. Here you'll find planning tips, Texas inspired eclipse gear, custom designed and ISO certified eclipse glasses, t-shirts, & more to make for the best experience that can only be found in Texas! We are based in Fredericksburg, the heart of Texas Wine Country.
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12th Floor, World Trade Center, Booth #12-0012
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Contact us for wholesale pricing and custom orders.
Planning for the Eclipse Head on over to "Plan Your Eclipse Experience" where you'll find tons of information and blogs on how to plan, what to bring, what to expect, and more. This area will be constantly updated, so check back.
Take me to Plan Your Eclipse Experience Limited Edition "Pun The Sun" Eclipse T-Shirts and Caps
The Sun is more than a billion times brighter than the brightest stars and 400,000 times brighter than the full Moon.
Special eclipse-watching glasses are 1,000 times darker than sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Eclipse watchers from all over the world will travel to the Texas areas to have a front row seat for an event that won't happen again until 2045.
NASA, astronomers, educators and more will be holding special events. Start your search for lodging early.
2 Great Eclipses Over Texas! Start planning for the Annular Eclipse on October 14, 2023 and the Total Annual Eclipse is on April 8, 2024.
Learn More A Unique, Once-In-A-Lifetime Experience While total eclipses happen every 18 months, many have yet to experience this unique event. With Texas not seeing a total eclipse until 2045, you don't want to miss the chance to view this in your own backyard. Start planning your eclipse experience.
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Learn More Where to Find TOT Merch We are so excited to share our first retailer carrying TOT Eclipse glasses. Visit www.texanaoutfitters.com in the quintessential Texas town of Llano. Named a "hidden gem" by Texas Monthly!
Check back for new retailers carrying our products.
Texana on Insta TOT Recommended Lodging Finding lodging anywhere in the path of Totality for April 2024 is a challenge, so let us introduce you to our FAVORITE place to plant roots AND which has just released room blocks for next year. Located in Stonewall, The Stonewall Motor Lodge is a retro renovated 1964 roadside motel steeped in Texas History. The Lodge will have one of the longest coverage times at 4 min, 15 seconds. Enjoy an afternoon lounging on their 3 acres and be surrounded by Texas Wine Country. Rated Top 5 in USA Today Best Roadside Motels, seen on The Today Show, Texas Monthly, AAA Explorer and more.
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Book Now Texas Hill Country If you're lucky enough be traveling to the beautiful Hill Country, you're in for a treat. This area will play host to the longest duration of totality (up to 4 minutes and 27 seconds), almost double that of August 21, 2017 eclipse. Get a taste of the 2024 eclipse on October 14, 2023 during the Annular Solar Eclipse.
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Adidas selling Yeezy shoes once again after cutting ties with Kanye West
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 14:56
FOX Business Flash top headlines for June 1
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Adidas is once again selling Yeezy shoes online, months after pulling the product and cutting ties with Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West.
The German company resumed sale of the designer shoes on Wednesday after announcing in May that it had roughly $1.3 billion in leftover stock of the product. Adidas had cut all ties with Ye amid a storm of accusations of antisemitism against the entertainer.
"The release will mark the first time that products have been available to consumers since adidas terminated the YEEZY partnership in October 2022," the company wrote in a press release. "The products will be existing designs and designs initiated in 2022 for sale in 2023. Additional releases of existing inventory are currently under consideration, but timing is yet to be determined."
Yeezy shoes are currently advertised for sale on the Adidas website. The company included a disclaimer at the bottom of the webpage that a portion of each sale will be "donated in support of the fight against discrimination, hate, racism and antisemitism."
ADIDAS WARNS OF LOSSES IN AFTERMATH OF YEEZY FALLOUT
(C) Photographer: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg via Getty Images Adidas had more than $1 billion worth of Yeezy shoes in stock when it cut ties with Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West. Photographer: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg via Getty Images The donated proceeds will go to the Anti-Defamation League and the Philonise & Keeta Floyd Institute for Social Change, Adidas said.
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"We believe [selling the shoes] is the best solution as it respects the created designs and produced shoes, it works for our people, resolves an inventory problem, and will have a positive impact in our communities," Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden said in a May 19 statement.
ADIDAS FACES YEEZY-FOCUSED CLASS-ACTION SUIT FILED BY SHAREHOLDERS
Adidas is only selling the excess shoes on its mobile app, which has the shoes available for purchase for prices starting at $70 and rising to as much as $280.
(C) Fox News Adidas cut ties with Ye but is resuming the sale of Yeezy shoes for a brief window as it moves to get rid of excess stock of the shoes. Fox News Shareholders who said they were economically damaged by the severed relationship with Ye have since also filed a class-action lawsuit against Adidas. They alleged the losses they sustained stemmed from the company purportedly knowing about Ye's offensive behavior and not making proper disclosures to investors in relation to it over the years. Adidas has said it "outright reject[s]" the claims.
Fox News' Aislinn Murphy contributed to this report.
UN General Assembly - The role of the United Nations in promoting a new global human order
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 14:51
Back to topBackgroundThis item was included as a supplementary item in the agenda of the fifty-fifthsession of the General Assembly, in 2000, at the request of Guyana (A/55/229).
The General Assembly considered the question at its fifty-fifth and fifty-seventhsessions (resolutions 55/48 and 57/12).
At its fifty-ninth and resumed sixty-first sessions, the General Assembly decided todefer consideration of the item and to include it in the draft agenda of the followingsession ( decisions 59/543 [page 12] and 61/563).
References for the sixty-first session (agenda item 45) Draft decision A/61/L.71 Plenary meeting A/61/PV.109 Decision 61/563
England's health service says it won't give puberty blockers to children at gender clinics | AP News
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 14:17
LONDON (AP) '-- The publicly funded health service in England has decided it will not routinely offer puberty-blocking drugs to children at gender identity clinics, saying more evidence is needed about the potential benefits and harms.
The National Health Service said Friday that ''outside of a research setting, puberty-suppressing hormones should not be routinely commissioned for children and adolescents.''
People under 18 can still be given puberty blockers in exceptional circumstances, the NHS said, and a clinical study on their impact on kids is due to start by next year.
Four new regional clinics are due to open later this year. They replace London's Gender Identity Development Service, previously the only facility of its kind in England. It is scheduled to shut down after a review said it was overburdened by increasing demand and there was not enough evidence about the outcomes of its treatment.
Hormone blockers can pause the development of puberty, and are sometimes prescribed to children with gender dysphoria. Transgender medical care for minors has been available in the United States for more than a decade and is endorsed by major medical associations
The issue of gender-affirming care for children is not as heated in Britain as in the U.S., where several Republican-led states have banned puberty blockers and other treatment for transgender minors. But it has been the subject of both political and legal battles.
The NHS said the new rules were ''an interim policy'' that would undergo further review, including the outcome of a research study on the impact puberty-suppressing hormones have on gender dysphoria in children and young people.
Findings published last year from a review of children's gender services led by a pediatrician, Dr. Hilary Cass, said there were ''gaps in the evidence base'' about the blockers.
The NHS said doctors at the new clinics still would be allowed to prescribe the drugs outside of a research setting ''on an exceptional, case-by-case basis'' and subject to approval from a national team of medical experts.
The health service's decision does not prevent children and their families from obtaining puberty blockers elsewhere, but that will be ''strongly discouraged,'' the NHS said.
The NHS said it recognized that once the policy was adopted, it would need to end a related requirement for young people to take puberty blockers for a certain amount of time before they receive hormone treatments.
In 2020, England's High Court ruled that children under 16 were unlikely to be able to give informed consent to medical treatment involving drugs that delay puberty. The decision was overturned in 2021 by the Court of Appeal, which said doctors can prescribe puberty-blocking drugs to children under 16 without a parent's consent.
___
Follow AP's coverage of LGBTQ+ people at https://apnews.com/hub/lgbtq-people
Elon Musk Suggests Unabomber May Have Been Right About Technology
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 14:08
Jun 11, 2023, 05:45pm EDT
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Jun 11, 2023, 03:32pm EDT
Forget Apple Vision Pro: Something Cheaper Is Coming From Apple, Report Says","scope":{"topStory":{"index":2,"title":"Forget Apple Vision Pro: Something Cheaper Is Coming From Apple, Report Says","image":"https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/64861fc70ef95a98f5f4b945/290x0.jpg","isHappeningNowArticle":false,"date":{"monthDayYear":"Jun 11, 2023","hourMinute":"03:32","amPm":"pm","isEDT":true,"unformattedDate":1686511921234},"uri":"https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidphelan/2023/06/11/forget-apple-vision-pro-something-cheaper-is-coming-from-apple-report-says/"}},"id":"6ir4a08e3qio00"},{"textContent":"
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Netflix Reveals Exclusive Picture Quality Boosting Feature","scope":{"topStory":{"index":3,"title":"Netflix Reveals Exclusive Picture Quality Boosting Feature","image":"https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/6485f62f5e002eae3682d99d/290x0.jpg","isHappeningNowArticle":false,"date":{"monthDayYear":"Jun 11, 2023","hourMinute":"12:30","amPm":"pm","isEDT":true,"unformattedDate":1686501057588},"uri":"https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnarcher/2023/06/11/netflix-reveals-exclusive-picture-quality-boosting-feature/"}},"id":"73iefkiclpqo00"},{"textContent":"
Jun 11, 2023, 12:13pm EDT
Apple's iOS 17 Falls Short On A Visual Revamp And I'm DisappointedJun 11, 2023, 09:06am EDT
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Jun 11, 2023, 08:21am EDT
Google Introduces Much-Needed Enhanced Google Photos Feature","scope":{"topStory":{"index":6,"title":"Google Introduces Much-Needed Enhanced Google Photos Feature","image":"https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/6453785544c17b79714bd1ec/290x0.jpg","isHappeningNowArticle":false,"date":{"monthDayYear":"Jun 11, 2023","hourMinute":"08:21","amPm":"am","isEDT":true,"unformattedDate":1686486061167},"uri":"https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulmonckton/2023/06/11/google-introduces-much-needed-enhanced-google-photos-feature/"}},"id":"1m22nn1bq0k000"},{"textContent":"
Jun 11, 2023, 06:15am EDT
Impressive Pixel 8 Pro Upgrade Revealed In New LeakJun 11, 2023, 06:00am EDT
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'Night Fury': Documents Detail DHS Project to Give 'Risk Scores' to Social Media Users
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 14:01
Image: SOPA Images/Contributor
Hacking. Disinformation. Surveillance. CYBER is Motherboard's podcast and reporting on the dark underbelly of the internet.
The Department of Homeland Security contracted the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 2018 to design methods for assigning a ''risk score'' to potential pro-terrorists accounts on social media, as well as identifying information of interest regarding illegal opioid supply chain and disinformation efforts, according to internal DHS documents reviewed by Motherboard. The project is dubbed ''Night Fury,'' according to a report from the DHS Inspector General.
''The Contractor shall develop these attributes to create a methodology for developing a ranking, or 'Risk Score,' associated with the identified accounts. The Contractor shall develop tools to automate the identification process, documenting performance measures and metrics related to automating the identification process,'' one of the documents reads. DHS said it stopped work on the project in 2019.
The news signals DHS' continued focus on analyzing social media for a variety of purposes. These new documents come after Motherboard reported Customs and Border Protection (CBP) was using an AI-powered tool called Babel X to analyze travelers' social media at the U.S. border.
Do you know anything else about government agencies' surveillance of social media? We'd love to hear from you. Using a non-work phone or computer, you can contact Joseph Cox securely on Signal on +44 20 8133 5190, Wickr on josephcox, or email joseph.cox@vice.com.
The Brennan Center for Justice obtained the new documents under a public records request and shared them with Motherboard. They include Privacy Threshold Analyses of the project and contracts. The research planned to involve CBP, ICE, TSA, and USCIS which would provide ''cross-mission operational context,'' one document reads.
''The use of automated processes to analyze social media to determine the likelihood that someone is 'pro-terrorist' and to assign a 'risk score' to individuals and groups online has echoes of a discredited Trump administration proposal called the Extreme Vetting Initiative, which would have monitored social media and the rest of the open internet to automatically flag people for deportation or visa denial based on whether they would be a 'positively contributing member of society' or 'contribute to the national interests,' as well as whether they 'intend to commit' a crime or act of terrorism,' Rachel Levinson-Waldman, Managing Director, Liberty & National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, told Motherboard in an email.
''As a number of experts in machine learning and automated decision-making told DHS less than a year before the Night Fury contract was signed, attempting to make automated judgments about these matters is both impossible and likely to be infected with bias, as these characteristics have no concrete definition, much as there is no definition of being 'pro-terrorist,''' she added.
One of the Privacy Threshold Analyses says UAB's work will initially be focused on ''counter-terrorism, illegal opioid supply chain, transnational crime, and understanding/characterizing/identifying the spread of disinformation by foreign entities, including the study of bot detection,'' but that the methods should ''scale to other DHS domains.''
Another document says the researchers will ''build next generation capabilities.'' This includes developing training data sets, algorithms, and methodologies, the document adds.
A section of one of the documents. Image: Motherboard.
More specifically, the project planned to develop methods that could identify a location without GPS metadata, such as looking for certain keywords, the document reads. The researcher also planned to track threats beyond mainstream social networks like Facebook and Twitter to other communities. DHS planned to test the methods against live events unfolding in real-time, such as a hurricane scenario, the document adds.
Another task was to create a ''Facebook Group Expander,'' which would automatically identify potential pro-terrorist social media accounts and Facebook Groups where pro-terrorist groups interact, one document reads. UAB would then constantly deliver lists of these accounts and related posts to DHS. UAB was tasked with doing a similar thing on Twitter, the document reads.
''In light of the reference to 'pro-Jihad' accounts and the long-standing targeting of the Muslim community by DHS and other federal agencies, it seems likely that this project, if implemented, would have disproportionately swept in Muslim social media users, with potentially high-stakes immigration or criminal consequences for them and even their family members,'' Levinson-Waldman added. ''The social media collection and analysis contemplated by Night Fury could also have an outsized impact on academics, activists and advocates, journalists, and others engaged in an online exchange of ideas about American foreign policy on terrorist groups, the validity of 'material support' laws, and more.''
Regarding disinformation, the DHS planned for UAB to develop automated tools that would be able to determine if a social media accounts corresponds to a single human, or whether the account was ''programmatically generated to exert influence'''--a bot.
The ''lesser'' social media networks DHS wanted UAB to also study included Telegram, Google+, VK, Ask.fm, and Zello, one document reads.
The Data Analytics Technology Center (DATC), part of the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), is the lead organization for this project, according to the documents. UAB submitted a proposal to DHS which was accepted, the document adds. The document says UAB has ''deep past experience'' in identifying online content, including that related to the gang MS-13, for both private and government stakeholders. DHS awarded the contract in September 2018 with a potential award amount of $3.4 million, according to public procurement records.
In a statement, a DHS spokesperson told Motherboard "The Department of Homeland Security is committed to protecting individuals' privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. DHS uses various forms of technology to execute its mission, including tools to support investigations related to threats to infrastructure, illegal trafficking on the dark web, cross-border transnational crime, and terrorism. DHS leverages this kind of technology in ways that are consistent with its authorities and the law and has safeguards in place to ensure contractors or service providers also limit their work so that it is in compliance with those authorities." DHS said it stopped work on the project in October 2019 and ended the contract in December 2019.
Update: This piece has been updated to a statement and information from DHS.
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Archive - Outspoken with Dr Naomi Wolf
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 13:40
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FDA, Pfizer, Dr Walensky Knew Fetuses, Babies Diednaomiwolf.substack.com
Our Bodies, Our Souls - Outspoken with Dr Naomi Wolf
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 13:37
[I wrote this essay in 1995; it was first published in The New Republic . It has had an impact and been much republished, often in pro-life anthologies.
It is a protest, though from a position of struggle as a young, pregnant pro-choice advocate, against the devaluing in our culture of human life.
I owe a debt to Feminists for Life for ope'...
Revival of Silk Route to give new impetus to region's growth, says Al-Falih
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 13:33
RIYADH: In a bid to further boost trade ties with China, Saudi Arabia announced the revival of the Silk Route on the sidelines of a key business event that began in Riyadh on Sunday.
Speaking at the conference, Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih said the Kingdom can serve as China's gateway to the Arab world as the world's second-largest economy seeks to elevate trade ties with the region.
The Kingdom represents 25 percent of the $432 billion trade between China and Arab countries in 2022.
Commenting on the revival of the Silk Route, the minister said the initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's future vision that seeks to diversify its economy and use modern technology to elevate the skills of its youth.
The volume of trade between Saudi Arabia and China hit $106 billion in 2022, registering a 30 percent increase over 2021.
Al-Falih said the relationship between the Kingdom and China has grown ''exponentially'' in the past few decades. ''Now, we are committed to working as a bridge that will link the Arab world to China,'' he said during the Arab-China Business Conference.
The minister added: ''China plays a leadership role in advanced technology and innovation. We, in the Arab world, have the determination, human and monetary capital to support this field.''
Speaking at the event, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said Chinese companies have huge investment opportunities in Arab nations, while countries in the region can make use of China's technical expertise to build a better future.
''Chinese technologies and competencies will enable us to build our futures and our economies for the next generations,'' he added.
Pointing out that the total trade between Arab countries and China grew 31 percent last year in comparison to 2021, Prince Faisal said the second-largest Asian nation is the biggest trade partner for Arab countries.
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan said Chinese companies have huge investment opportunities in Arab nations. (AN Photo)
The foreign minister added that events like the Arab-China Business Conference will further elevate the trade relationship between both regions.
''Our gathering today is an opportunity for working to enhance the Arab-Chinese historical relationship, and to build a mutual joint future for a new era that will bring good to all of our people, keeping the peace and development in the world,'' Prince Faisal said on the first day of the event.
He further noted that the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Riyadh in 2022 played a crucial role in strengthening the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the world's second-largest economy.
''The successful visit of Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, to Riyadh in 2022 increased the depth of the relationship between the countries in all sectors and fields; political, economic, investment as well as commercial,'' added Prince Faisal.
Hu Chunhua, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, agreed that the trade exchange between Arab nations and China increased when the world witnessed several global economic challenges.
''This is the 10th round of the Belt and the Road Initiative. The Arab countries are natural partners of this initiative because of their geographical location,'' said Chunhua.
Widely considered a centerpiece of Xi's foreign policy, the BRI is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in more than 150 countries and international organizations.
The 10th Arab-China Business Conference is organized by Saudi Arabia's investment and foreign ministries in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the Arab League, the Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the Union of Arab Chambers.
The two-day business gathering is expected to attract over 2,000 participants. It will also have as many as 20 panel discussions where top CEOs, business owners, investors, and government officials will share their views to strengthen trade ties between the region and China.
The Light: Inside the UK's conspiracy theory newspaper that shares violence and hate - BBC News
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 13:00
Image caption, Darren Nesbit, editor of the Light, defended calls in his paper to use force against "aggressors"
By Marianna Spring
BBC disinformation and social media correspondent
A UK conspiracy theory newspaper sharing calls for trials and executions of politicians and doctors has links with the British far-right and a German publication connected to a failed coup attempt, the BBC can reveal.
The Light, which prints at least 100,000 copies a month and has more than 18,000 followers on the social media site Telegram, grew to be a focal point of the UK conspiracy theory movement with its anti-vaccine, anti-lockdown stance during the pandemic.
In its pages and on its corresponding Telegram channels, the Light has shared hateful and violent rhetoric towards journalists, medics and MPs, as well as platforming far-right figures accused of antisemitism.
The paper is handed out free by volunteers in dozens of towns across the country, where local leaders have accused it of inflaming division and harassment with false and misleading claims about vaccines, the financial system and climate change, amid other more mundane articles on local politics, health and wellness.
Articles and content shared by the Light have called for the government, doctors, nurses and journalists to be punished for "crimes against humanity" in war crime-style trials sometimes called "Nuremberg 2.0" - referring to the execution of Nazi Party members after World War Two.
Recent articles declare "It's just a matter of time before these worst perpetrators of war crimes are facing trial" like in "November 1945" and "MPs, doctors and nurses can be hanged".
Other posts shared by the Light on Telegram have featured cartoons of gallows and included work addresses of "liable people to be held to account" for taking part in sinister plots to harm people with vaccines - plots for which there is no evidence.
On Telegram, the paper has also shared and endorsed content from UK far-right groups including Patriotic Alternative, promoting rallies and posts talking about the "replacement" of white people and asking people to "#GetInvolved".
It has also shared posts from an extreme group called Alpha Men Assemble offering military-style training to anti-vaccine activists. They say "it's time we show them who rules this country".
Darren Nesbit, editor of the Light, defended calls in his paper to use force against "aggressors" in power, telling the BBC it would be a matter of "self-defence" in circumstances such as the government ordering another lockdown or what he described as forced evacuations.
Image caption, Bundles of copies of the Light were piled up at the protest in Totnes, Devon
He says he isn't in charge of the Light's Telegram channels, although acknowledges they are directly linked to the paper. Posts are sometimes signed off by the "Light Paper Team" and sometimes with his name.
Mr Nesbit says he speaks to the editor of the conspiracy theory newspaper in Germany, Demokratischer Widerstand (Democratic Resistance) - which is connected to a failed coup attempt in the country - "two or three times a year". He has published content endorsing the publication.
The German paper refers to the Light as its "partner" paper and its "colleagues" at the British publication, describing how they're "internationally connected".
Referring to concerns about the wider conspiracy theory movement more generally, the UK's Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Matt Jukes has told the BBC they are currently "seeing evidence of conspiracy theories being interwoven with extremism" and that this "connection is very much on our radar and in our sights as investigators".
Set up in 2020 as a print publication, the Light is distributed in about 30 places across the UK such as Brighton, Thetford, Stroud, Plymouth, Oxford, Bristol, Manchester and Glastonbury. Local conspiracy theory groups place bulk orders and distribute them on the streets for free.
In the Devon town of Totnes, a motivated minority have been distributing the Light for the past two years. Its former town Mayor Ben Piper says he first became a key target of the conspiracy theory movement there because of his role enforcing coronavirus restrictions.
Image caption, Former mayor of Totnes Ben Piper says "aggression" in articles about him inflamed harassment over Covid restrictions
He fears an article about him in the Light exacerbated the harassment he experienced - from abuse in the street, to sinister phone calls, to someone driving a car at him.
"There was an aggression that bled through the editorial that was not as innocent as it was making out to be," he says.
The Light's editor, Darren Nesbit, is based near Manchester. He agreed to speak to me, only on the condition that he can ask me questions and record the interview too.
For him, everything from financial turmoil to climate change and 9/11 terror attacks in the US are part of a plan by governments to control and harm our lives. He thinks the pandemic was just one step towards doing that.
The paper has featured an article by a blogger called Lasha Darkmoon, saying that people should be able to question the Holocaust. And another article recommended a book by white supremacist Eustace Mullins - author of The Biological Jew and Adolf Hitler: An Appreciation. Mullins is referred to in the Light as a "renowned" author.
"If they write good articles on topics that are useful topics that are interesting to people, then we should [feature them] at the end of the day," Mr Nesbit says. He reiterates again and again that "people should be adults and make their own decisions".
"My aim is not to do anything else apart from get to the truth and then obviously let other people have a bash at seeing that information as well."
The Light directly defended a UK-based radio host called Graham Hart over antisemitic remarks he made on his show referring to Jewish people as "filth" and like "rats", suggesting "they deserve to be wiped out". He was sentenced to 32 months in prison for making the remarks.
Image caption, Darren Nesbit defends the paper's right to publish opinions associated with the far right
While Mr Nesbit says those comments were "pretty harsh", he maintains that the paper defends the radio host's "right to say it".
I ask him whether he thinks calls for action in the paper could result in action that's not peaceful.
He replies, "Of course, people can make their own decisions, and they need to be responsible for their own actions."
He tells me that the paper doesn't "actually necessarily call for action". But, Mr Nesbit also says, "People should not be passive and just let the world change around them because there is, you know, an agenda and a purpose behind it."
I directly ask him, "Why don't you say there's no place for violence in our movement?"
He replies, "Because I might be wrong."
Throughout the interview, Mr Nesbit condemns violent action - and then gives cryptic answers, which seem to contradict that.
Telegram has not responded to the BBC's request for comment about why it has allowed the Light and other conspiracy theory papers to share violent and hateful rhetoric.
Research carried up by King's College London backs up the idea that calls to action endorsed by conspiracy theory media like the Light could be affecting attitudes.
A survey, commissioned by the BBC, suggested that an average of 61.5% of people - when asked questions about attending rallies linked to common conspiracy theories, such as anti-vaccine beliefs - think violence could be justified at protests. They were more likely to think this if they read conspiracy theory media including the Light.
"Built within these theories [are] inherent demands to do something, to take direct action," says research team member Dr Rod Dacombe, who has studied the Light.
"We shouldn't get away from [how] this occasionally moves into either violence or some sort of violent right action. Not everybody who goes to a protest is going to be brought in by this. Most people won't, right? But some people will."
Image caption, Markus Heinz, who used to write for the German paper linked to the Light, says its editor is an "extremist"
As well as links with the German paper Demokratischer Widerstand, The Light has related papers in Ireland, Canada and Australia.
Two whistleblowers spoke to the BBC over concerns about how radical they say the German paper has become.
They say some of the Demokratischer Widerstand's writers and a key donor to the paper met the Reichsburger group behind a failed coup attempt in Germany in December 2022.
One of the whistleblowers, lawyer Markus Heinz, who stopped writing for the paper in 2022, says the editor, Anselm Lenz, is an "extremist" which he defines as someone who "brings people in a position where they at least could think about getting violent".
Mr Heinz also says members of the wider conspiracy theory movement in Germany have been offered money by Kremlin-linked figures to push disinformation.
The other, Martin Le Jeune, who stopped writing for the paper in 2021 says it is creating a "hateful and divided" atmosphere, where "somebody who could be emotional or psychologically unstable could be triggered to do something terrible".
The editor of the German conspiracy paper, Mr Lenz, did not reply directly to any of the points raised by the BBC. He called me "a highly paid Nato and BBC Propagandist'' and said I was a threat to him and his family. He also accused me of slander of "our friends of the great English democratic movement".
"If needed, we are willing to take the fight by all means," he wrote.
What happened to the people who fell down the rabbit hole into a world of conspiracy theories during the pandemic?
And click to watch Conspiracyland: UK? on iPlayer (UK only)
Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's tarnished 3-time premier, dies at 86
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 12:50
ROME '-- Silvio Berlusconi cast a spell over Italy '-- and nearly led it to financial ruin.
Many Italians admired the media mogul for his wealth, his charm and his brash, boastful style, and they kept returning him to power, making him the country's longest-serving premier.
Nothing seemed to shake the one-time cruise ship crooner '-- not his corruption trials or diplomatic gaffes, not accusations that he was wrecking the country, not even the lurid scandals stemming from sex-fueled ''bunga bunga'' parties with young women at his villas that turned him into a global joke.
Berlusconi '-- whose Mediaset television network announced his death Monday at the age of 86 '-- had a hold on Italian politics that he summed up in 2009: ''The majority of Italians in their hearts would like to be like me.''
That affection faded in 2011 when Europe's debt crisis turned Italy's economy into a shambles, and many blamed Berlusconi, forcing him from office. Handel's ''Hallelujah Chorus'' rose from the crowd outside the government palazzo where he handed in his resignation to end his third and final term as premier, a leadership tenure spaced out over 17 years.
His Forza Italia political party lost much of its support in recent years but was a coalition partner with current Premier Giorgia Meloni, a far-right leader who came to power in 2022. Berlusconi held no position in the government.
Berlusconi was admitted to the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan on Friday, his second recent hospitalization for treatment of chronic leukemia. He also suffered over the years from heart ailments, prostate cancer and was hospitalized for COVID-19 in 2020.
Once Italy's richest man, Berlusconi used his television networks and other media holdings to launch his long political career, inspiring both loyalty and loathing.
Supporters saw him as a capable and charismatic statesman who sought to elevate Italy on the world stage. To critics, he was a populist who threatened to undermine democracy by wielding political power as a tool to enrich himself and his businesses.
But there was no arguing he radically changed Italian politics when he entered the public arena in the 1990s, introducing U.S.-inspired campaigns.
For a while, Berlusconi seemed untouchable.
Criminal cases against him were launched but ended in dismissals when statutes of limitations ran out in Italy's slow-moving justice system, or he was victorious on appeal. Investigations targeted the tycoon's steamy parties involving young women and minors, or his businesses, which included the soccer team AC Milan, the country's three biggest private TV networks, magazines and a daily newspaper, and advertising and film companies.
Ultimately, only one charge would stick '-- tax fraud, stemming from a film rights deal.
When it was upheld by Italy's top criminal court in 2013, he was stripped of his Senate seat, and banned from public office for several years in keeping with anti-corruption laws. Even then, he bounced back to become a lawmaker in the European Parliament at age 82 and returned to Italy's Senate in 2022.
He stayed at the helm of Forza Italia, the center-right party he created when he entered politics and named for a soccer cheer, ''Let's go, Italy.'' With no groomed successor in sight, voters started to desert it.
Berlusconi's party was eclipsed as the dominant force on Italy's political right '-- first by the League, led by anti-migrant populist Matteo Salvini, then by Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, with its roots in neo-fascism. Following elections in 2022, Meloni formed a government with their help.
Berlusconi lost his standing as Italy's richest man, although his sprawling media holdings and luxury real estate still left him a billionaire several times over.
In 2013, guests at one of his parties included an underage Moroccan dancer whom prosecutors alleged had sex with Berlusconi in exchange for cash and jewelry. After a trial spiced by lurid details, a Milan court initially convicted Berlusconi of paying for sex with a minor and using his office to try to cover it up. Both denied having sex with each other, and he was eventually acquitted.
The Catholic Church, at times sympathetic to his conservative politics, was scandalized by his antics, and his wife of nearly 20 years divorced him, but Berlusconi was unapologetic, declaring: ''I'm no saint.''
His second term, from 2001-06, was perhaps his golden era, when he became Italy's longest-serving head of government and boosted its global profile through his friendship with U.S. President George W. Bush. Bucking widespread sentiment at home and in Europe, Berlusconi backed the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
As a businessman who knew the power of images, he used U.S.-style party conventions and slick advertising that broke with the gray world of Italian politics, in which voters essentially chose parties and not candidates. His rivals had to adapt.
Berlusconi saw himself as Italy's savior from what he described as the Communist menace '-- years after the Berlin Wall fell. From the start of his political career in 1994, he portrayed himself as the target of a judiciary he described as filled with leftist sympathizers, and he always proclaimed his innocence.
When the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement gained strength, Berlusconi branded it a menace worse than Communism.
His close friendship with longtime Socialist leader and former Premier Bettino Craxi was widely credited for helping him become a media baron. Still, Berlusconi billed himself as a self-made man, saying, ''My formula for success is to be found in four words: work, work and work.''
He boasted of his libido and entertained friends and world leaders at his villas. In one party, newspapers reported the women were dressed as ''little Santas.'' At another, photos showed topless women and a naked man lounging poolside.
''I love life! I love women!'' an unrepentant Berlusconi said in 2010.
He occasionally selected TV starlets for posts in his Forza Italia party. ''If I weren't married, I would marry you immediately,'' Berlusconi reportedly said in 2007 to Mara Carfagna, who later became a Cabinet minister. Berlusconi's then-wife publicly demanded an apology.
Berlusconi was nicknamed ''Papi'' '-- or ''Daddy'' '-- by an aspiring model whose 18th birthday bash he attended, also to his wife's irritation. Later, self-described escort Patrizia D'Addario said she spent the night with him on the evening that Barack Obama was elected U.S. president in 2008.
He loved to compose and sing Neapolitan songs, harking back to his days as a cruise ship entertainer. Like millions of Italians, he had a passion for soccer, and often was in the stands at AC Milan.
He delighted in flouting political etiquette. He sported a bandanna when hosting British Prime Minister Tony Blair at his estate on the Emerald Coast of Sardinia, and it was later revealed he was concealing hair transplants. He posed for photos at international summits while making an Italian gesture '-- which can be offensive or superstitious, depending on circumstances '-- in which the index and pinkie fingers are extended like horns.
He stirred anger after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States by claiming that Western civilization was superior to Islam.
When criticized in 2003 at the European Parliament by a German lawmaker, Berlusconi likened his adversary to a concentration camp guard. Years later, he drew outrage when he compared his family's legal woes to what Jews must have felt in Nazi Germany.
Berlusconi was born in Milan on Sept. 29, 1936, the son of a middle-class banker. He earned a law degree, writing his thesis on advertising. He started a construction company at 25 and built apartment complexes for middle-class families on Milan's outskirts, part of a postwar boom.
But his astronomical wealth came from the media. In the late 1970s and 1980s, he circumvented Italy's state TV monopoly RAI by creating a de facto network in which local stations all showed the same programming. RAI and his Mediaset network accounted for about 90% of the national market in 2006.
When the ''Clean Hands'' corruption scandals of the 1990s decimated the political establishment that had dominated postwar Italy, Berlusconi filled the void, founding Forza Italia in 1994.
His first government, also in 1994, collapsed after eight months when a volatile ally who led an anti-immigrant party yanked support. But aided by an aggressive campaign, including a mass mailing of glossy magazines recounting his success story, Berlusconi swept to victory in 2001.
Shuffling his Cabinet occasionally, he stayed in power for five years, setting a record for government longevity in Italy. But it wasn't easy.
A Group of Eight summit he hosted in Genoa in 2001 was marred by violent anti-globalization demonstrations and the death of a protester shot by a police officer. Berlusconi faced fierce domestic opposition and alienated some allies by sending 3,000 troops to Iraq after the ouster of Saddam Hussein in 2003. For a time, Italy was the third-largest contingent in the U.S.-led coalition.
At home, he constantly faced accusations of sponsoring laws aimed at protecting himself or his businesses, but he insisted he always acted in the interest of all Italians. Legislation passed when he was premier allowing officeholders to own media businesses but not run them was deemed by his critics to be tailor made for Berlusconi.
An admirer of U.S. President Ronald Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Berlusconi passed reforms that partially liberalized the labor and pension systems, among Europe's most inflexible. He also was chummy with Putin, who stayed at his Sardinian estate, and he visited the Russian leader, notably going to Crimea after Moscow illegally annexed the peninsula in 2014.
In 2006, as Italy was ridiculed as ''the sick man of Europe,'' with its economy mired in zero growth and its budget deficit rising, Berlusconi narrowly lost the general election to center-left leader Romano Prodi, who had been president of the European Union Commission.
In 2008, he bounced back for what would be his final term as premier. It ended abruptly in 2011, when financial markets lost faith in his ability to keep Italy from succumbing to the eurozone's sovereign debt crisis. To the relief of economic powerhouse Germany, Berlusconi reluctantly stepped down.
Health concerns dogged him over the years. He underwent surgery for prostate cancer in 1997. In November 2006, he fainted during a speech, and the next month flew to the U.S., where he received a pacemaker at the Cleveland Clinic. He underwent more heart surgery in 2016.
During a political rally in 2009, a man threw a souvenir statuette of Milan's cathedral at Berlusconi, fracturing his nose, cracking two teeth and cutting his lip.
Berlusconi was first married in 1965 to Carla Dall'Oglio, and their two children, Marina and Piersilvio, were groomed to hold top positions in his business empire. He married his second wife, Veronica Lario, in 1990, and they had three children, Barbara, Eleonora and Luigi.
They also divorced, and at the time of his death he was in a relationship with Marta Fascina, 33, who was elected to parliament last year for Berlusconi's party.
Retired Associated Press Rome bureau chief Victor L. Simpson contributed.
Report: George Soros, billionaire investor and philanthropist, cedes control of empire to a younger son
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 12:48
NEW YORK '-- Billionaire investor turned philanthropist George Soros is ceding control of his $25 billion empire to a younger son, Alexander Soros, according to an exclusive interview with The Wall Street Journal published online Sunday.
Soros' business holdings include his nonprofit Open Society Foundations, which is active in more than 120 countries around the world and funnels about $1.5 billion annually to groups such as those that back human rights and promote the growth of democracies around the world, according to its website.
The 37-year-old, who goes by Alex, told the Wall Street Journal that he is ''more political'' than his 92-year-old father, who has been a right-wing target for his backing of liberal causes such as reducing racial bias in the justice system. But he noted that the two ''think alike.''
Alex said he was broadening his father's ''liberal aims'' and embracing different causes including voting and abortion rights, as well as gender equity. He said he aims to keep using the family's wealth to back left-leaning U.S. politicians.
Alex told the Wall Street Journal that he recently met with Biden administration officials, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and heads of state, including Brazil's President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to push for issues related to the family foundation.
In December, the board of Open Society Foundations, known as OSF, elected Alex as its chairman, succeeding his father. The newspaper also reported that Alex now directs political activity as president of Soros' super PAC.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the younger Soros is the only family member on the investment committee overseeing Soros Fund Management, which manages money for the foundation and the family.
During the interview with the newspaper, Alex expressed concern that former President Donald Trump would return to the White House and hinted that the Soros organization would play a key financial role in the 2024 presidential race.
''As much as I would love to get money out of politics, as long as the other side is doing it, we will have to do it, too,'' he said in the interview that took place at the fund manager's New York offices.
Alex is the oldest of two sons from George Soros' marriage with his second wife, Susan Weber, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The appointment passes over George Soros' elder son Jonathan Soros, 52, a lawyer with a background in finance. He had been believed to be the clear successor until ''a falling out and a change of heart,'' according to the paper.
Disabling parts of the brain with magnets can weaken faith in God and change attitudes to immigrants, study finds | The Independent | The Independent
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 11:51
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A joint team of American and British scientists have discovered that powerful magnetic pulses to the brain can temporarily change people's feelings on a variety of subjects - from their belief in God, to their attitude to immigration.
The study, published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, saw scientists use a metal coil to create strong magnetic fields around certain parts of the brain.
The non-invasive practice is called trancranial magnetic stimulation, and has can be used to treat depression.
However, researchers have now found that by targeting the part of the brain that deals with threats, they can temporarily change people's beliefs and views.
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The team, comprised of scientists from the University of York and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), used 39 politically moderate students as test subjects.
The two were split into two groups - one, the control group, was given a sham dose of magnetism that was not strong enough to influence brain activity.
The other got a strong pulse of TMS that was strong enough to temporarily shut down their posterior medial frontal cortex (pMFC), a part of the brain that "plays a key role in both detecting discrepancies between desired and current conditions and adjusting subsequent behaviour to resolve such conflicts."
In other words, this part of the brain processes threats and conflicts, and decides how to respond to them.
Before receiving their doses of TMS, both groups were asked about their own deaths. In this area, the tests built on previous studies, which have shown that being confronted with the threat of death can alter a person's belief in God.
In the second part of the study, students were asked to read two letters written by immigrants to America, one which praised the country, and another which criticised it - again, the text of the critical letter was taken from another study that proved it increased stronger feelings of loyalty and bias towards the subject's own ethnic group, at the expense of the other.
The students were then treated with their respective doses of TMS, with half receiving a dose capable of severely lessening activity in the threat-processing centre of the brain.
The collected results showed a marked difference in attitudes between the two groups.
Amongst those who received the strong magnetic dose, 32.8 per cent fewer had decreased beliefs in God, angels and heaven compared to the control group who received no dose.
And 25.8 per cent more of those who had received TMS had a more positive response to the immigrant who had written a negative letter about their country.
In other words, those given the magnetic treatment were found to have decreased beliefs in God and more positive views towards immigrants.
Dr Keise Izuma, of the authors of the study from the University of York, said: "As expected, we found that when we experimentally turned down the posterior medial frontal cortex, people were less inclined to reach for comforting religious ideas despite having been reminded of death."
Speaking about the part of the test which involved attitude to immigrants, he added: "We think that hearing criticisms of your group's values, perhaps especially from a person you perceive as an outsider, is processed as an ideological sort of threat."
"One way to respond to such threats is to 'double down' on your group values, increasing your investment in them, and reacting more negatively to the critic."
"When we disrupted the brain region that usually helps detect and respond to threats, we saw a less negative, less ideologically motivated reaction to the critical author and his opinions."
Whether we're dealing with everyday threats, such as security at work, or more abstract ones, such as the idea of God and death or the issue of immigration, our brains are using the same basic structure - and its activity can be reduced with magnetic fields.
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VIDEO - Home | Dead Name
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 12:56
Available on DVD
Rent or Purchase Screener Online Below:
Dead Name, the indie documentary, is not fiery or provocative or slick or political. Rather, it's an intimate portrait of three parents whose lives have been shaken and forever altered because their children have declared (or have been given) a transgender identity. In an hour-length film that weaves back and forth among mostly three stories, we learn how shocking it is for parents to hear that their children in their mid to late teens have seemingly out of nowhere decided to switch from female to male or from male to female. In another story, we follow one parent's nightmarish descent into the transgender world as her ex assigns a female gender to their very young son. In all these stories, we find parents struggling with disbelief, loneliness, helplessness, isolation and despair. Ultimately, each one's ultimate fear is the medicalized transition of their child -- though in one story, the path to medicalization may have proven to be fatal. Dead Name lets us in on the inner thoughts, the struggles, and the declarations to fight for children who feel lost to them. We have made Dead Name to open the conversation, humanize the subject from the perspective of parents, and give them a voice.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: BROKENHEARTEDFILMS@GMAIL.COM
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VIDEO - California State Senator Warns Parents to Flee State Amid LGBTQ+ Bill
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 12:43
A California state senator told a gathered crowd of parents at the California Senate Judicial Committee to flee the state on June 13 during a hearing on a bill which would put parents who don't affirm their child's ''gender transition'' in danger of child abuse charges.
Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, is one of the two lone Republicans on California's Senate Judiciary Committee, and he has served in the California Legislature for 11 years. He was also the lone voice warning against language in AB 957, which a Democratic senator had amended on June 5 to rewrite the California Family Code to list ''gender affirmation'' alongside a child's need for ''health, safety, and welfare.''
I'm now in year 11 in the state legislature, and all the time we're proposing policies to protect children. After 11 years, I've come to the conclusion that we need to start protecting parents.
That's just not happening.
I've been here and witnessed a full frontal assault on charter schools, taking away parents' choice in how their children are going to be educated to the detriment particularly of children of color.
In recent years, we have put government bureaucrats between parents, children, and doctors when it comes to medical care'--and now we have [AB 957] where if a parent does not support the ideology of the government, [children are] going to be taken away from the home'...
Wilk then targeted the statements of Democratic committee members who promised that AB 957 would only ''give the judge more information.''
''In the past when we've had these discussions and I've seen parental rights atrophied'--I've encouraged people to keep fighting,'' the senator added. ''I've changed my mind on that.''
''If you love your children, you need to flee California. You need to flee,'' he said.
The panel of Democratic committee members all echoed their support for the bill, though some had concerns over the ambiguous description of ''affirmation'' and what it constituted.
Sens. Angelique Ashby, D-Sacramento, and Ben Allen, D-Hollywood, warned that failing to provide a definition of ''affirmation'' might cause trouble in California courts. ''Work is needed on the bill,'' Allen told the committee.
Rep. Lori Wilson, D-Suisun City, who authored the original version of AB 957, countered that ''affirmation'' was already clearly defined in other California law, that the ambiguous nature of the term was good to provide judges flexibility, and that no one should have difficulty defining ''affirmation'' as it's a ''plain language'' word.
Though these reasons appeared at odds with one another, Democrats did not offer any further explanation, and all Democrats present voted ''Yes'' to pass AB 957 out of committee 8-1, with two absent.
''It's about listening to our children, it's about accepting them for who they are,'' said Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Merced.
A wide range of residents testified against AB 957, far outnumbering supporting voices. While both sides presented two prepared witnesses, only 17 attending individuals voiced their support for the bill, and over 100 California residents testified against AB 957 (either in person or via phone calls broadcast to the Senate chamber).
Two parents brought forward harrowing testimonies about their experiences with raising children claiming to be transgender and voicing concerns over AB 957's overreach.
Erin Friday, an attorney, mother of a girl who previously identified as ''trans'' at age 10, and leader of the ''Our Duty'' parental support organization, cited several legal issues with AB 957:
AB 957 is the first bill in the nation to codify into law that a parent who does not affirm the gender identity of the child is abusive. There is no nuance in this bill.
It matters not the age of the child, the absurdity of the identity adopted, comorbid mental health issues, or persistence.
Family court judges will be compelled to favor the [parent] who will affirm the child's delusion.
Abigail Martinez shared the heartbreaking story of losing her daughter to transgenderism.
It has been three years and 164 days since I lost my daughter Yaeli. I miss her every single day, let me tell you how she died: My daughter was murdered by gender ideology.
CPS took my daughter when she was 16 years old. It was helped by her public school counselor, an LGBTQ group, and another trans-identified girl.
My daughter was taken from her loving home because the State of California claimed I was abusive for not affirming her trans identity. I lost my daughter over a name and pronouns'--even after I promised to call her a male name. It wasn't enough.
My daughter was not a boy trapped in a girl's body. She had mental health issues.
Against my consent, my daughter was given testosterone instead of therapy. The LGBTQ group used her to raise money for them'...
Martinez finished in tears, sharing the details of her daughter's suicide as a result of destroyed mental health.
She pleaded with the Senate Judicial Committee: ''I beg you, stop pushing gender ideology. I don't want any parent to feel what I feel every day. Affirmation is not good for the health, safety, and welfare of any child.''
Senator Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, appeared to ignore the concerns from parents across California and the country. He claimed that opposition to the bill was ''erasing trans kids,'' and that coverage of AB 957 was a ''coordinated campaign by right-wing media.''
He further claimed that this ''campaign'' was meant to serve a ''narrative'' criticizing the fact that a gay man had introduced a bill.
Wiener lamented that some on social media had been sharing pictures of him at an LGBTQ+ parade and castigated those who voiced disagreement with the bill for what he claimed was ''an attack on gay and lesbian kids.''
He further claimed that 99% of all individuals who transition do not regret their transition, after which a parent in the room shouted, ''You're a liar.''
AB 957 will go before the Democrat-controlled California State Senate for a vote, and if passed, will return to the Democrat-controlled State Assembly for a final vote before possibly making its way to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk.
This article has been corrected to reflect that AB 957 is a bill, not law.
Have an opinion about this article? To sound off, please email letters@DailySignal.com and we'll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular ''We Hear You'' feature. Remember to include the url or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state.
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Thu Jun 08 03:55:52 +0000 2023
Annette Medaris : @Plandemic3Movie @garretlewisWatched this yesterday - explains A LOT about WHY so much of the insanity we are curr'... https://t.co/NYEsP8Q1cs
Wed Jun 14 14:40:04 +0000 2023
Alex Cooper : @Plandemic3Movie Thank you for all you do! I was a Bernie Bro back then too. I woke up in 2016 but I still campaign'... https://t.co/FRwtuMtoV1
Wed Jun 14 13:45:46 +0000 2023
VIDEO - EEVblog 1548 - Moon Landing Hoax BUSTED - YouTube
VIDEO - France says uncovered major disinformation campaign by Russia ' FRANCE 24 English - YouTube
VIDEO - European Parliament debates proposed law on AI regulation | DW News - YouTube
VIDEO - French authorities uncover Russian disinformation campaign | DW News - YouTube
VIDEO - UK to get 'early or priority access' to AI models from Google and OpenAI
Wed, 14 Jun 2023 14:24
It's unclear at this time what access the U.K. will receive, but the reported commitment could be the first of its kind.
News British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently announced that Google DeepMind, OpenAI and Anthropic '-- three tech outfits widely considered the global industry leaders in generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies '-- have agreed to provide the United Kingdom with early access to their AI models.
Sunak made the announcement during a speech opening London Tech Week, an event described by organizers as ''a global celebration of tech, uniting the most innovative thinkers and talent of tomorrow in a week-long festival.''
He made the comment while explaining a three-part plan to ensure AI systems in the U.K. are deployed in a safe and secure manner. The first step, per a transcript of the speech, is to perform cutting-edge safety research:
''We're working with the frontier labs '-- Google DeepMind, OpenAI and Anthropic. And I'm pleased to announce they've committed to give early or priority access to models for research and safety purposes to help build better evaluations and help us better understand the opportunities and risks of these systems.''The prime minister went on to explain that the second step of the U.K.'s plan is the recognition that AI as a technology doesn't ''respect traditional national borders,'' thus necessitating the formation of a global task force.
Finally, the third step, per Sunak, is to invest in both AI and quantum to ''seize the extraordinary potential of AI to improve people's lives.'' He cited recent investments in the amounts of $1.125 billion and $2.75 billion for compute and quantum technologies, respectively, as steps the U.K. had already taken toward accomplishing this goal.
Related: Crypto ads face stricter rules, referral bonus ban by UK FCA
It remains unclear at this time exactly what form of ''early or priority'' access the U.K. government will obtain or when such access will be afforded.
Google DeepMind, OpenAI and Anthropic have historically offered betas and limited preview versions of their large language models (such as Google's Bard, OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude). All three companies have also invested in both internal testing with company scientists and external testing with contracted experts.
The prime minister didn't make it clear whether the U.K. would obtain earlier access to production models than the general public or contractors or if the commitment was simply to offer access to the government as well as other priority researchers.
These comments come at an active time for the U.K.'s regulatory efforts. Not only is parliament racing to come up with comprehensive protections for citizens relative to the recent generative AI boom, but it's also facing increasing pressure to regulate cryptocurrency, blockchain and Web3 technologies.
VIDEO - Threat or opportunity? Hollywood grapples with future of artificial intelligence ' FRANCE 24 - YouTube
VIDEO - Eric Hecker - Raytheon Contractor in Antarctica - YouTube
VIDEO - (12) The Columbia Bugle ðºð¸ on Twitter: "Fake News Jake Tapper Having A Meltdown Watching Footage Of President Trump At Miami Cafe ''The folks in the control room, I don't need to see anymore of that.'' https://t.co/i2AXY4P8ah" / Twitter
Wed, 14 Jun 2023 13:47
The Columbia Bugle ðºð¸ : Fake News Jake Tapper Having A Meltdown Watching Footage Of President Trump At Miami Cafe''The folks in the contro'... https://t.co/uNfrTxkKMm
Tue Jun 13 20:38:14 +0000 2023
exerfit : @ColumbiaBugle so jake said he doesn't need to see anymore of this Too bad shut your eyes whatever. It's not about you Communist
Wed Jun 14 13:47:23 +0000 2023
Four EVA : @ColumbiaBugle Tapper = ð
Wed Jun 14 13:46:49 +0000 2023
Linda Morris : @ColumbiaBugle Under the presidential records act a president has broad and sweeping authority to declassify any of'... https://t.co/nzI6o7XgG7
Wed Jun 14 13:45:30 +0000 2023
Hello0420 : @ColumbiaBugle Liberals and their party masters, their jewish buddies, completely and utterly hate White Christendo'... https://t.co/pggeosDjbx
Wed Jun 14 13:43:20 +0000 2023
A+ J : @ColumbiaBugle everywhere Trump goes, the people turn it into an impromptu campaign stop and photo op. They love T'... https://t.co/Xd65wScjKS
Wed Jun 14 13:40:55 +0000 2023
Doug Bonney : @ColumbiaBugle Haha!!! They big mad lol ð
Wed Jun 14 13:37:19 +0000 2023
Dudes have Dicks : @ColumbiaBugle They hate that regular people love him
Wed Jun 14 13:37:05 +0000 2023
Linkin Tart : @ColumbiaBugle https://t.co/K6tstHJu2A
Wed Jun 14 13:36:29 +0000 2023
Not Rules. She's/Mine : @ColumbiaBugle Jake Tapper is such a pansy.
Wed Jun 14 13:36:13 +0000 2023
Hogan's Goat : @ColumbiaBugle @jaketapper we know why you're so upset. People know you're peddling¹ bullshit and this is a politic'... https://t.co/dC2sSPLwGE
Wed Jun 14 13:34:45 +0000 2023
VIDEO - Trump Jr.: My dad 'knows where the bodies are buried' - YouTube
VIDEO - '¥¸ Joy Reborn '¥¸ on Twitter: "ð¨While you've been distracted with yet another BS #TrumpIndicment & #TrumpArraignmentDay'... Whistleblower Eric Heckler describes Raytheon's multi-faceted DIRECTED ENERGY DEFENSE WEAPON hidden at Sou
Wed, 14 Jun 2023 02:54
'¥¸ Joy Reborn '¥¸ : ð¨While you've been distracted with yet another BS #TrumpIndicment & #TrumpArraignmentDay'... Whistleblower Eric Heckle'... https://t.co/pCswzpc7yU
Tue Jun 13 19:20:16 +0000 2023
James''¤¸ðºð¸ð : @RedRising11 Great toys for the Military to activate at will with no warning to cause distraction & death. FOR WHAT'... https://t.co/V0zJjhUuim
Wed Jun 14 00:39:39 +0000 2023
Christopher J. Trump : @RedRising11 Makes you wonder about that earthquake right under North Korea's nuclear power plant.
Tue Jun 13 20:24:29 +0000 2023
Grumpy Old Lady : @RedRising11 LOL!!!!!
Tue Jun 13 20:13:25 +0000 2023
Kelly Jerome : @RedRising11 The covert projects in Antartica have been going on for a long time. https://t.co/Lg4Z0C4qm5
Tue Jun 13 19:57:18 +0000 2023
ðºð¸Joe Soliz ð¸ðºð¸ : @RedRising11 TWILIGHT ZONE '... we're there '....
Tue Jun 13 19:47:19 +0000 2023
Old Man With A Pen : @RedRising11 This is a MUST VIEW video
Tue Jun 13 19:30:46 +0000 2023
VIDEO - Michelle Weekley on Twitter: "The Smith-Mundt Act of 1948 explicitly forbid information and psychological operations aimed at influencing U.S. public opinion. In 2013 Obama nullified it. This is the result: https://t.co/MVLnjZHFye" / Twitter
Wed, 14 Jun 2023 02:52
Michelle Weekley : The Smith-Mundt Act of 1948 explicitly forbid information and psychological operations aimed at influencing U.S. pu'... https://t.co/nZ2oToxjRu
Thu May 25 13:26:50 +0000 2023
VIDEO - Iran's New Hypersonic Missile' that Travels at "15 Times" Speed of Sound | Vantage on Firstpost - YouTube
VIDEO - (20) Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives on Twitter: "What Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union did to their son was wrong but having the former First Lady support it is worst. Happy Pride Month. https://t.co/iFXvUNxuW9" / Twitter
Tue, 13 Jun 2023 14:56
Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives : What Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union did to their son was wrong but having the former First Lady support it is wors'... https://t.co/VswrXdvgEr
Wed May 31 22:20:11 +0000 2023
VIDEO - A new iron curtain in Europe? Finland bolsters border with Russia ' FRANCE 24 English - YouTube
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VIDEO - US-Montana climate change lawsuit: Activists sue state for role in global warming ' FRANCE 24 - YouTube
VIDEO - European leaders Macron, Scholz and Duda discussing further support for Ukraine | DW News - YouTube
VIDEO - Billionaire George Soros hands over control of his investment empire to his son | DW News - YouTube
VIDEO - BlackRock CEO Lets Audience In on the Evil Things He's Been Doing at Company (Video) - Red State Nation
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 19:56
Video of BlackRock CEO Larry Fink speaking at Deal Book 2017 resurfaced over the weekend and may help explain why woke runs amok in the year 2023.
In the clip, the discussion is on more diversity at the top of corporations in America and Fink stressed that this is an investment criteria for the world's largest asset manager '-- keep in mind that 19 Attorneys General singled out BlackRock in 20222 for their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) activism, as noted by Independent Women's Forum.
In effect, the CEO said the desired behavior of placing diversity ahead of competence must be ''forced'' on companies.
''Behaviors are gonna have to change,'' Fink insisted. ''And this is one thing we're asking companies '-- you have to force behaviors, and at BlackRock, we are forcing behaviors. Fifty-four percent of the incoming class are women, we added four more points in terms of diverse employment this year and'... what we were doing internally is if you don't achieve these levels of impact your compensation could be impacted okay.''
Video below:
According to SG Analytics, ''These scores which ranges from 0-100, allows investors to compare a company's performance to that of its competitors in the same industry and businesses from different sectors. Poor performance is defined as a score of less than 50, and excellent performance as a score of more than 70.''
Stakeholders and potential investors look at these scores which makes them increasingly important in the business world.
Unfortunately, executives like Fink are using their importance to slip in vague, progressive categories like ''carbon footprint,'' ''social vulnerability,'' ''disadvantaged or priority populations,'' and ''board of Directors' diversity,'' just to name a few.
VIDEO - Trans man weeps while explaining how much easier it was to make friends with women | Daily Mail Online
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 19:41
A clip of a weeping transgender man has swept the internet, after he cried while saying how much harder it was to strike up meaningful friendships as a man than it had been as a woman.
James Barnes, who was born female but transitioned to male eight years ago, works as a life coach to help others going through life changes. He recently opened up about the challenges he's faced since becoming a man - especially loneliness.
Breaking down in tears, Barnes said: 'No one told me how lonely being a man is.
'I had closer friendships with random women I met in the bathroom at clubs before I transitioned because of how open women are, than I've had in my 8 years of transitioning because women are just so much more vulnerable and deep than men.
'We knew what depth felt like before we transitioned, we knew what it felt like to have people want to hug us, and have people want to talk to us, and have a community.
'And then you transition and you're just a guy walking down the street that people cross the street so they're not near you. And friendships are so much harder to build, and people are colder.'
Barnes, who is also a motivational speaker, said while holding back his tears, 'I also now understand why the suicide rate is so much higher with men, because this s**t is lonely.
'I am an emotionally matured man, I know how to build friendships, and it's still really really hard.'
Breaking down in tears, James Barnes, who was born a female but transitioned to be a male, said: 'No one told me how lonely being a man is'
The trans influencer, who is married to his wife Courtney, posted the video with the caption: 'Here I am, extremely vulnerable, posting something to live on the internet as a bridge.
'Women and marginalized groups have every right to feel cautious with men. There are terrible and dangerous men we have to stop.
'And also, men are human and are not immune to the coldness or lack of empathy, and those who are not dangerous have to pick up the broken pieces often alone.
'I want to bring awareness that we have stripped men of being empathetic, vulnerable, and kind and yet, demean them for only knowing anger, aggression, and violence.
'I had the gift of being raised in a society that thought I was female, so I was taught emotional maturity, and this is still difficult to work through.
Barnes shares images of himself before his transition (left) as he inspires and helps people that may be going through the same journey
Barnes with his wife, Courtney
The life coach often shares pictures of himself before his transition, when he was a woman (left)
'I truthfully beg you not to beat up the messenger. I'm working through all these raw emotions while processing my masculinity and how to be a problem solver.
'I know there are kind cis men, cis women passing along wisdom, and trans men and women trying to be a bridge. I see you and am so grateful for you.'
His original post, where he was crying, was posted in October 2022 - but giving an update, Barnes said: 'Because of this post I've built amazing friendships with men and no longer feeling this sadness, turns out vulnerability helps.
'I also have never regretted transitioning.'
Speaking about the video, one person commented: 'The most real ftm [male to female transitioning] post I've ever seen.'
Another person wrote: 'I feel for this person. But, if you're going to sit there and say all the criticisms of "white cis-gendered men" are valid, you probably shouldn't be surprised when they don't want to be friends with you afterwards.'
Another added: 'I feel like loneliness is something all men deal with at some point, regardless of whether or not they were born a biological female.
He reminded his fans: 'I also have never regretted transitioning'
'Society has different standards and expectations for men and I actually think it's really great someone who has ''lived'' both sides brought this up, because they are in a unique position to explain the contrast.
'Maybe it'll bridge some gaps for people to check on the strong men in their lives who might be silently struggling.'
A fourth person gave their opinion: 'Life can be lonely as a man but we don't cry about it because we aren't ''help mates.'' Women were designed for partnership, they don't do well without a community.'
Another viewer on Instagram said: 'I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing at the fact that I could have told you this free of charge.
'Been a man for 35 years. No one gives a st**. And every time I open social media of any kind someone is saying, men are useless, we don't need men, men ain't s**t, men should be arrested, men should die, and so on'... I don't know why you thought being a guy was a good idea but you better buckle up.
'It only gets worse as you get older. Hope you like the inside of your mind, because that's where we go 90% of the time.'
Another person added: 'This is actually a very powerful video. A woman tries to become a man but then discovers the profound isolation that many men in modern society experience.
'Truly a tragic tale, but so much is revealed about our culture. None of it good.'
VIDEO - The new face of extremism unmasked: The UN and Republicans are watching 'TRANTIFA' | Daily Mail Online
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 19:37
Pull away the black mask, and political extremism has a new face: 'TRANTIFA'.
The portmanteau of 'trans' and 'ANTIFA' is exactly what you'd expect '-- far-left transgender activists willing to intimidate, harass and even use violence to advance their radical new ideas about gender.
Much like ANTIFA, they're not a formal group of card-carrying members, with the term 'Trantifa' coined on social media to highlight the strong transgender presence within the anarchist outfit.
So-called Trantifa members are a small group of trans activists on the edges of the movement who post angry rhetoric online and gather at rallies.
UN investigator Reem Alsalem told DailyMail.com 'screaming trans activists' were a worrying and 'increasing trend' that must be tackled.
Trantifa activists make crude gestures and display the trans-antifascist banner at a rally in Vancouver, Canada, in March
The Vancouver rally descended into chaos, a female trans activist lashed out at an opponent of radical gender ideology, among the crowd of shouting TRANTIFA members
'TRANTIFA' activists clad in black and masks getting ready to disrupt a feminists' event in Tacoma, Washington, last year
Julio Rosas, an author who recently testified to House lawmakers about leftist extremism, cites a series of trans extremist incidents, including trans shooter Audrey Hale's bloody rampage in a Christian elementary school in Nashville.
'Trans activists gravitate towards these very far-left groups, because they share their anarcho-communist type ideology,' Rosas told DailyMail.com.
'They view the US as systemically racist, that it's subjugated queer people, and that states passing laws against child mutilations is part of a trans genocide. And they're fighting back.'
He described a radicalized group of trans activists concentrated on the East and West coasts who coordinate via messaging apps to stage rallies, confront rivals and push their ideas into the mainstream.
The FBI declined to comment on whether it was monitoring violent trans activism, but Rosas, Alsalem and some Republican politicians refer to ever-more incidents that make headlines.
In March, Hale shot and killed three children and three adults at Nashville's Covenant School. The 28-year-old had started using he/him pronouns and going by the name Aiden.
Police are still studying the 'manifesto' Hale left behind. A court will decide whether to make it public.
Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines was in April punched by a trans woman activist at San Francisco State University, after she made a speech against allowing female trans athletes to compete in women's sports.
Julio Rosas (left), an expert on far-left violence, and UN investigator Reem Alsalem, say trans extremism is a threat
Calls for police to release Audrey Hale's 'manifesto' have grown louder in the weeks after she murdered six adults and children at a Nashville Christian school
Protesters near the Supreme Court in Washington DC during a debate on trans rights. Many trans activists say they're battling a 'genocide' and have vowed to fight back
Kayla Denker says there's nothing scary about the video she posted of herself toting a military-grade weapon and threatening 'transphobes', insisting that she preaches non-violence and self-defense
In May, US cyclist Hannah Arensman revealed she'd quit the sport because she was harassed over her opposition to competing against biological males, including by members of the John Brown Gun Club, a pro-trans antifa group.
Meanwhile, trans women increasingly post online TRANTIFA videos about armed self-defense.
TikTok creator Tara Jay recently shared a menacing video clip with her 2,400 followers about using guns against anyone who dares to 'stop me from going into the women's bathroom.'
'It will be the last mistake you ever make,' she warned in the now-deleted post, in which she urged LGBTQ people to arm themselves.
Likewise, blogger Kayla Denker, a trans woman, posted footage of herself toting a military-style weapon, warning any 'transphobes' who 'come for me.'
She later said she advocates for non-violent self-defense.
TRANTIFA activists use the acronym 'TERF' to disparage their opponents as trans-exclusionary radical feminists. They frequently threaten 'TERFs' with violence on social media and wear 'punch a TERF' t-shirts.
Other shirts sold online say 'trans rights '... or else' alongside images of guns.
Alsalem, a UN special rapporteur, is tasked with monitoring violence against women and girls globally. She said women who speak up for women-only sports contests, bathrooms, or prisons face harassment or worse.
She threw her weight behind Gaines, who she says was 'ambushed and hit' by 'screaming trans activists' in San Francisco after speaking out against biological males competing in female-only sports contests.
'There is an increasing trend that I have been observing,' Alsalem told DailyMail.com.
Officials in the US and other western countries affected by this problem must 'ensure that the freedom of speech and thought, including on the issues of sex, gender, and gender identity be protected and upheld,' Alsalem said.
Merchandise includes t-shirts and stickers with guns alongside trans flags and slogans
Tara Jay posted a video to TikTok, telling her 2,400 followers that she would not accept anyone blocking her from using the female restrooms
Online retailers sell trans merch that flirts with violence, like this t-shirt adorned with guns
The National Center for Transgender Equality and other trans campaign groups did not answer DailyMail.com's requests for comment.
They say trans people are more often victims of rape, beatings and other violence than they are perpetrators.
The Human Rights Campaign, America's biggest LGBTQ group, this week declared a 'state of emergency' for members of the community.
Kelley Robinson, the group's president, described a 'tidal wave of increased homophobia and transphobia' that was forcing 'families to uproot their lives and flee their homes in search of safer states.'
Erin Reed says trans people are fighting a 'genocide'
Erin Reed, a prominent trans campaigner, says trans people face a 'genocide', pointing to many bills Republicans are pushing through state legislatures this year, outlawing puberty blockers for trans kids and other measures.
The 'legislative assault '... seeks to remove us from public life, remove all legal protections, remove our trans children from parents, remove their medically necessary care,' Reed tweeted.
'It will kill people.'
Reed, like most trans campaigners, powerfully argues the case for trans rights, but does not advocate violence. Rosas, the author of Fiery But Mostly Peaceful, said TRANTIFA operates on the fringes of the same movement.
Rosas says he encountered many trans activists among the antifa groups he monitored during the racial justice protests that erupted in the summer of 2020.
He relayed his experiences to members of the House Homeland Security Committee at a hearing on left-wing violence last month.
To put TRANTIFA in context, DailyMail.com spoke to the old-school feminists who have been ideologically opposed to trans activists for decades, and seen some evolve into a more hardline, even militant, group.
They describe what was once a small group of trans women becoming increasingly radicalized, better organized and more dangerous. Nowadays, members frequently don antifa-style combat gear and masks when they pile in on feminist rallies.
April Morrow, a disabled 58-year-old woman, is one of them. She says she was attacked by a 27-year-old trans woman activist at a feminist rally she arranged in Tacoma, Washington, in October.
April Morrow (left), a feminist organizer, Kara Dansky (center), a women's rights author, Leirre Keith, founder of the Women's Liberation Front, have all been attacked by TRANTIFA activists
TRANTIFA activists wearing combat gear hide their faces after crashing a feminists' rally in Portland, Oregon, last year
Trans rights activists pelted this feminist campaigner with pies at a rally in Portland, Oregon, last year
The feminists were pelted with eggs and pies. The masked attackers wrenched protest banners from their hands, and then fled.
There, trans activists 'encircled' the feminists, who were 'totally outnumbered,' said Morrow. Her attacker, a young trans woman, came 'out of nowhere and grabbed my hand' as she filmed the chaos on her cell phone.
The activist wrenched Morrow's wrist and pushed her to the ground. It hurt, and the injury has kept her out of work, she said. The incident was captured on video, police arrested the attacker, who may face assault charges.
Kara Dansky, a feminist author and president of Women's Declaration International in the US, was protesting in Oakland in December against California's prison system, which lets trans women convicts serve their sentences in women's prisons.
She and other feminists were attacked by a group of black-clad TRANTIFA activists.
The women described being startled, shaken and slightly roughed up.
Dansky describes the masked attackers as 'men' who could easily overpower them.
'It's inevitable that one or more women who stand up for women's sex-based rights is going to be killed,' said Dansky.
'It's hard to grasp how normal this is, and how frequently women are on the receiving end of violent threats from men.'
Lierre Keith, an old-school feminist and founder of the Women's Liberation Front (Wolf), has followed the emergence of TRANTIFA.
In the infancy of the trans rights movement, activists set up Camp Trans to protest the entry rules of the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, which only allowed biological women inside
Women attendees of the music festival say the trans campaigners would follow them around the woods, hurling insults and even spitting at them
That movement got stronger and more active, said Keith. In the 2010s, trans activists started successfully deplatforming 'TERFs' from university speaking slots and used bomb threats to close down other events.
The movement began in the 1990s at the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, an annual feminist gathering that only allowed entry to biological women, she said.
That rule irked trans women, who set up a rival event nearby called Camp Trans.
The group, Transexual Menace, led by Riki Wilchins, tried to harass and intimidate women attendees of the music festival, said Keith.
Tensions ratcheted up further at a Wolf event at Toronto Public Library in December 2019, where between 500-1,000 trans activists, men and women, rallied outside in a bid to stop feminist Megan Murphy from speaking.
'They've got themselves completely worked up, they honestly think there's a genocide going on against them,' Keith told DailyMail.com.
'If you really think you're under that kind of threat, then you can justify anything.'
Like Dansky, Keith expects more flareups, as tensions over trans rights and other culture wars issues are stoked by next year's presidential contest.
'It is going to get a lot worse before it gets better,' said Keith.
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VIDEO - CBS Reporter Catherine Herridge Analyzes The Sensitive Records In Trump's Federal Indictment | The Daily Wire
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:12
CBS News investigative journalist Catherine Herridge explained during an interview over the weekend what some of the classified codings mean that were on the sensitive government documents that investigators recovered from former President Donald Trump.
Herridge, who worked for years at Fox News covering stories that the mainstream media often downplayed, gave her analysis on Sunday during an interview with John Dickerson on ''Face The Nation.''
''What jumps out to me, John, is when you go to the section the willful retention of national defense information, by my count, there are 21 top secret documents, and the disclosure of top secret information has the expectation of exceptionally grave damage to national security,'' she said. ''But what stands out to me is some of the classified codings, like TK, or Talent Keyhole.''
''You don't see that very often,'' she said. ''That's about intelligence from overhead imagery. For example, if we're looking at a terrorist target, do we have such good visibility that we can count the hairs on their head? Can we see what they're eating for breakfast on their terrorist patio? Those are capabilities that we don't want our adversaries to know that we have.''
''And then also Special Access Programs, or SAP, these are highly restricted programs because of the sensitivity of the intelligence and the technology, such as stealth technology, for example,'' Herridge continued. ''Think of classified information like the Pentagon. Special Access Programs are these handful of rooms where there are just a limited number of keys to control and restrict access to that information.''
Herridge said that some of the materials recovered by investigators were ''way beyond top secret'' records.
''Some of these are way beyond top secret, like, I said, Talent Keyhole, when you're talking about Special Access Programs or SCI, sensitive compartmentalized information,'' she said. ''These really are the crown jewels of the U.S. intelligence community.''
Herridge noted later on in the show that individuals who have the clearance to handle these types of documents will face immediate consequences if the documents are mishandled even for just a brief moment.
''I have contacts who work in the nuclear weapons capability arena,'' she said. ''Let's say you have a nuclear document, it's on top of the photocopier, and you walk away, you leave it there. Your clearance is gone. You are out the door. There are immediate consequences.''
''Some of these are way beyond top secret,'' CBS News' Senior Investigative Correspondent @CBS_Herridge says of 21 top secret documents laid out in 37-count indictment against former president Donald Trump, includes TK (Talent Keyhole) imagery intelligence, pic.twitter.com/OlRykmCdNG
'-- Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) June 11, 2023
VIDEO - Sen. Lindsey Graham barks at George Stephanopoulos during Trump indictment interview
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:11
Sen. Lindsey Graham and ABC News' George Stephanopoulos got into a heated back-and-forth during a live interview Sunday about the federal indictment against ex-President Donald Trump.
The South Carolina Republican '-- who has endorsed Trump as the GOP candidate for president in 2024 '-- exploded at the ''This Week'' co-anchor after he was asked to clarify if he believed the former president's claims that he ''did nothing wrong'' in the classified documents cases.
''No, let me finish!,'' Graham barked.
The tense moment took place just 30 seconds into the interview, after Graham started to compare the case against the candidate to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server, which prompted an FBI investigation in the home stretch of the 2016 presidential race, which she ultimately lost to Trump.
''Well, here's what I believe, we live in an America where if you're the Democratic candidate for president '... you can set up a private server, in your basement, to conduct government business, and when an investigation is had about your activity,'' Graham began as Stephanopoulos interjected.
Sen. Lindsey Graham almost immediately challenged host George Stephanopoulos on the indictment of former President Donald Trump. ABC News This Week''But Senator'...,'' Stephanopoulos said as he attempted to steer Graham back to his original question about Trump's claims that he had not committed any wrongdoing '-- prompting the sharp rebuttal from the senator.
''But you didn't answer the question,'' the anchor insisted.
''This panel you had was ridiculous,'' Graham countered, referencing a previous segment on the program featuring legal observers, as he grew visibly agitated.
''I'm trying to answer the question from a Republican point of view,'' Graham continued. ''That may not be acceptable on this show.
''Yes, I don't like what President Trump did in certain aspects. I don't like that Joe Biden had classified information on the garage; I don't like that Mike Pence carelessly took classified information; I don't like any of that,'' he said.
Stephanopoulos told Graham that he did not ''answer the question'' put to him about Trump's handling of classified documents. ABC News This Week Trump told the North Carolina Republican Party Convention on Saturday that the dozens of federal charges against him for mishandling classified documents were ''baseless.'' AP''But what I don't like is a system in America where the secretary of state, who's a Democratic candidate for president, has people take a hammer to social media devices and break them apart, apply bleach bit to a hard drive to erase emails, allow classified information to get on a felon's computer '-- Anthony Weiner '-- you haven't even mentioned that,'' Graham added.
''Most Republicans believe that we live in a country where Hillary Clinton did very similar things and nothing happened to her,'' Graham said angrily.
''Did he do things wrong? Yes, he may have. He will be tried about that,'' the senator ultimately conceded about Trump, who was hit with a 37-count federal indictment Friday for allegedly hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
Graham said most Republicans believe former presidential candidate and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should have also been prosecuted for using a private email server to conduct government business and mishandling classified documents.Graham went on to say that charges of espionage against the former president and current candidate were ''ridiculous'' and that he believed his political ally had been ''overcharged.''
Trump, 76, was charged by special counsel Jack Smith with 31 counts of willful retention of national defense information under the Espionage Act in addition to conspiracy, making false statements and other raps in connection to hundreds of top secret files found at his Florida resort last summer.
He has denied wrongdoing and told his supporters that he is the subject of political persecution by the Biden administration's Justice Department.
The indictment marked the first time in US history that a former president has faced federal criminal charges. Trump is also facing multiple felony fraud charges in the Stormy Daniels ''hush money'' case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and is embroiled in other state and federal investigations in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot and alleged interference in the 2020 election.
An internal State Department investigation cited 588 security violations by 38 employees in connection to the Clinton email scandal but found ''no persuasive evidence of systemic, deliberate mishandling of classified information.''
A Department of Justice inquiry said it was a ''serious error in judgment'' for the FBI to notify Congress of the investigation a week before the election, but said the decision not to prosecute Clinton for mishandling classified information was consistent with prosecutors' historical approach.
VIDEO - Broadway actress Den(C)e Benton called Florida Governor Ron DeSantis a Klu Klux Klan Grand Wizard during Sunday's Tony Awards - TheBlaze
Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:05
Broadway actress Den(C)e Benton besmirched Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a Ku Klux Klan grand wizard during Sunday night's 2023 Tony Awards. The insult garnered giddy applause from the audience celebrating their fellow Broadway thespians.
The 76th Annual Tony Awards, also known as the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, were held on Sunday at the United Palace theater in Manhattan's Washington Heights neighborhood.
Benton was presenting the 2023 Excellence in Theater Education award to Jason Zembuch Young of South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida.
"Hi. I'm Den(C)e Benton, actor, and proud [Carnegie Mellon University] alum. Earlier tonight, CMU and the Tony Awards presented the 2023 Excellence in Theater Education Award, and while I am certain that the current Grand Wizard '' I'm sorry, excuse me, governor of my home state of Florida..."
The "Hamilton" actress was interrupted by a resounding applause from the audience, which was jubilantly celebrating that the Republican presidential hopeful was disparagingly labeled as a leader of the Ku Klux Klan.
Benton continued by urging DeSantis to change the name of Plantation, "I am sure that he will be changing the name of this following town immediately, but we were honored to present this award to the truly incredible and life-changing Jason Zembuch Young, [for] enhancing the lives of students at South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida."
Benton did not specify how DeSantis is like a leader of the white supremacist organization that is notorious for carrying out terrorism and acts of violence against blacks, immigrants, Jews, and other minority groups.
The town of Plantation was incorporated as a city on April 23, 1953, far after the days of the Antebellum South, with slavery and plantations.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel explains the origins of the town of Plantation:
If it hadn't been for a sick 2-year-old boy who loved grapes and pumpkins, this town '-- and perhaps all of Broward County west of State Road 7 '-- might still be swampland. According to his 1972 biography, Plantation's founder, Frederick C. Peters, came to South Florida from St. Louis because a doctor told him his second son, Lewis, would probably get healthier in a warmer climate. A corpulent, deeply religious family man who was one of the heirs to a vast shoemaking empire, Peters bought 10,000 acres of swampland west of Fort Lauderdale for $25 an acre in 1941.The outlet provides suggestions on how the town got its name:
There are a few theories about how Plantation got its name. According to one account, in the early 1900s, two Miami farmers made plans to grow small rice plantations. The plan failed miserably, but the label it gave to the area '-- ''the plantation'' '-- stuck. Another premise is that the original developers of the area advertised that every home would sit on a single acre, informally called small plantations.The town of Plantation has no direct historical link to slavery.
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\u201cOn the Tony Awards on CBS, actress Denee Benton announces award for outstanding HS theatre teacher. She wisecracked "I am certain the current Grand Wizard -- I'm sorry...governor of my home state of Florida" (wild screams, applause) will rename the town Plantation, Florida.\u201d
'-- Tim Graham (@Tim Graham) 1686535158
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