Important Takeaways:
- As war creeps closer to Armageddon, the end of days doesn’t seem so far away
- From Megiddo’s hilltop, there is a great view of the West Bank, no more than two miles away.
- To the north, the rockets of Hezbollah – in total about 160,000 of them – are pointed in this direction while in the south, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are fighting raging gun battles with Hamas in a war that’s almost four months long.
- Israel is on edge. Standing in Megiddo, right in the middle of the country and now home to a vast archaeological site, there is a sense of foreboding that pervades the region.
Read the original article by clicking here.
Important Takeaways:
- Rage against the machine: Americans warn Elon Musk to ‘stop creating cyborgs’ after he revealed the first human has had Neuralink’s brain chip
- Elon Musk has left even his most ardent fans terrified after he revealed his tech start-up Neuralink has become the first to successfully implant a microchip into a human brain.
- The device – called ‘Telepathy’ will ‘enable control of your phone or computer, and through them almost any device, just by thinking’, he said.
- But many of his 170 million followers on X, formerly Twitter, accused him of ‘mind control’, creating ‘cyborgs’, and even ‘playing God’.
- Initial users will be those who have lost the use of their limbs. Imagine if Stephen Hawking could communicate faster than a speed typist or auctioneer. That is the goal.’
- The company aims to implant microchips into the brains of paralyzed people, and allow them to move their bodies using their thoughts.
- It comes less than a year after Neuralink got Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to operate on humans, a critical milestone for the startup.
- Musk wrote on X on Monday night: ‘The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well. Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.’
Read the original article by clicking here.
Important Takeaways:
- Avian flu is devastating farms in California’s ‘Egg Basket’ as outbreaks roil poultry industry
- A year after the bird flu led to record egg prices and widespread shortages, the disease known as highly pathogenic avian influenza is wreaking havoc on California poultry farms
- Last month, Mike Weber got the news every poultry farmer fears: His chickens tested positive for avian flu.
- Following government rules, Weber’s company, Sunrise Farms, had to slaughter its entire flock of egg-laying hens — 550,000 birds — to prevent the disease from infecting other farms in Sonoma County north of San Francisco.
- “It’s a trauma. We’re all going through grief as a result of it,” said Weber, standing in an empty hen house. “Petaluma is known as the Egg Basket of the World. It’s devastating to see that egg basket go up in flames.”
- A year after the bird flu led to record egg prices and widespread shortages, the disease known as highly pathogenic avian influenza is wreaking havoc in California, which escaped the earlier wave of outbreaks that devastated poultry farms in the Midwest.
- The highly contagious virus has ravaged Sonoma County, where officials have declared a state of emergency. During the past two months, nearly a dozen commercial farms have had to destroy more than 1 million birds to control the outbreak, dealing an economic blow to farmers, workers and their customers.
- While bird flu has been around for decades, the current outbreak of the virus that began in early 2022 has prompted officials to slaughter nearly 82 million birds, mostly egg-laying chickens, in 47 U.S. states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Whenever the disease is found the entire flock is slaughtered to help limit the spread of the virus.
- The price of a dozen eggs more than doubled to $4.82 at its peak in January 2023.
Read the original article by clicking here.
Important Takeaways:
- The Great Forever Chemical Cover-up: Most studies that link PFAS to serious health problems ‘are flying under the radar’, scientists warn – amid growing evidence manufacturers suppressed true dangers of toxins
- A small fraction of the most compelling evidence pointing to the harms posed by forever chemicals, including birth defects and elevated cancer risk, gets the public attention it deserves.
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have been lurking in drinking water and the air we breathe for decades. A product of large-scale manufacturing and industry, the substances will persist for at least that long due to the glacial pace at which they degrade in the environment.
- The so-called ‘forever chemicals’ remain in the bloodstream and organs for years at a time before clearing out of the body via urination, and because the chemicals are ever-present in daily life
- 10 cities and counties identified in a report by the Environmental Working Group as having the highest level of PFAS in drinking water.
- They were: Brunswick County, NC; Quad Cities, Iowa; Miami, FL.; Bergen County, NJ; Wilmington, NC; Philadelphia, PA.; Louisville, KY; New Orleans, LA; Charleston, SC; and Decatur, AL.
- A CDC report estimated that 97 percent of Americans have PFAS in their blood.
Read the original article by clicking here.
Important Takeaways:
- ‘Forever’ Chemicals Are Nearly Everywhere. These Companies Are Helping Clean Up the Mess
- The planet has a problem with “forever” chemicals. Known as PFAS, the chemicals are everywhere—from our nonstick cookware to our waterproof clothes, and smartphones. The chemicals are even in our drinking water and bloodstreams, and have been linked to increased risk of cancer in humans, among other issues.
- “PFAS touches so many sectors,” says Dimple Gosai, clean tech analyst and head of U.S. ESG research at BofA Securities. The chemicals are pervasive in consumer apparel and food packaging, she notes, and are having an impact on insurers, industrial companies, and water utilities. “It’s a risk I think everyone needs to care about.”
- More than 9,800 lawsuits alleging harm from PFAS have been launched across 140 industries since 1999, leading to $16.7 billion in settlements, according to a recent report from risk consultancy Milliman.
- Contaminated water is a growing concern. According to a 2023 study by the U.S. Geological Survey, at least 45% of tap water is estimated to have one or more types of PFAS
Read the original article by clicking here.
Important Takeaways:
- ‘Is this going to turn into a civil war?’ Texas’ Lt. Gov. slams Biden for failing to stop ‘invasion’ of migrants and calls them a ‘cartel army’ – as he’s asked if WAR could break out between Texas National Guard and Border Patrol
- Texas Lt Gov Dan Patrick warns the White House not to ‘confront’ National Guard
- Maria Bartiromo also raised the prospect of ‘civil war’ if the stand-off escalates
- The deputy to Texas governor Gregg Abbott has insisted his state has the right to defend America as he was challenged over whether its stand-off with the White House could plunge the country into civil war.
- Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick urged Joe Biden to de-escalate the stand-off between federal immigration officers and the Texas National Guard facing an ‘invasion’ of migrants crossing the southern border.
- The two sides are battling in the courts over the state’s recent seizure of Shelby Park near Eagle Pass, the removal of razor wire erected by Texas, and the placement of buoys in the Rio Grande.
- But US Border Patrol said last week there are currently ‘no plans’ to dismantle the razor wire.
- It came as House Republicans unveiled two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his failure to secure the border.
- Mayorkas has been accused of ‘willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law’ as hundreds of migrants continue to flood into the US every day.
Read the original article by clicking here.
Important Takeaways:
- ‘They gave everyone who smokes marijuana a license to kill’: Family of man fatally stabbed 100 times by his girlfriend expresses outrage as she avoids jail time – after judge ruled she was so high she couldn’t control her actions
- The family of a man who was murdered by his date after she stabbed him more than 100 times has voiced their outrage after the California woman was sentenced to just 100 hours of community service with no jailtime.
- Bryn Spejcher, 33, was given the lenient sentence after psychiatrists said the incident was ‘100 percent’ caused by cannabis-induced psychosis, which she suffered after taking two hits of the victim’s bong.
- The judge ruled Ms. Spejcher ‘experienced a psychotic break from reality’ and ‘had no control over her actions’ when she killed Chad O’Melia, who was 26 years old at the time of his death, on Memorial Day weekend 2018.
- The family of O’Melia cried when the sentence was read out at Ventura Superior Court, with the victim’s father warning it gave ‘everyone who smokes marijuana in this state a license to kill.’
- In California, voluntary manslaughter is defined as the killing of a person ‘upon a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion.’ It carries a prison term of between three and 11 year, fines, community service and probation.
- Spejcher will spend the 100 hours educating others on marijuana-induced psychosis and two years on probation – but has promised to spend the rest of her life debunking the myth that cannabis is harmless.
Read the original article by clicking here.
Important Takeaways:
- Trusted Pastor Warns Biden’s Border Battle With Texas Could Be Deliberately Provoking Civil War
- There have been an estimated 9 million illegal border crossings into the United States since the Biden administration took office. Taking a momentous step to halt this “invasion,” the Governor of Texas issued a statement on Wednesday invoking the state’s “Constitutional Right To Self-Defense” to protect its border.
- The statement reads, in part:
- “The federal government has broken the compact between the United States and the States.”
- “For these reasons, I have already declared an invasion under Article I, § 10, Clause 3 to invoke Texas’s constitutional authority to defend and protect itself. That authority is the supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary. The Texas National Guard, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and other Texas personnel are acting on that authority, as well as state law, to secure the Texas border.”
- Jack Hibbs, Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in California and Founder of the Real Life Network informed his congregation about the situation developing, which he warned could result in civil war.
- Many, especially young people, are not aware of the “incredible power” held by governors, Hibbs explained.
- “The governor is like the president of a country,” he described. “The United States Air Force is made up of Air Forces from 50 different states. The United States Army is made up of soldiers or army personnel from each of the 50 states. Every state has a National Guard. So, for example, Gavin Newsom, as Governor of California, is the Commander in Chief of the California National Guard.”
- “Our states are sovereign. The states agree to have the federal government rule over them. A governor can tell the federal government that they’re not going to do this or they’re not going to do that,” he explained. “A governor has incredible power.”
- “We’re in a situation because Texas, the people of Texas, decided to shut the border down. Joe Biden deployed federal forces to literally cut the brand new fencing and barbed wire so that the invasion could continue,” Hibbs stressed. “You don’t want to pick a fight with Texas—and I’m not saying that as a joke. Their patriotism for their ‘country of Texas’ is not to be played with.”
- “Texas’ constitutional authority, by the way, trump’s the federal constitution,” the pastor noted, highlighting that Texas has already left the United States twice, and the events unfolding could lead to a third departure.
- Former President Donald Trump joined the growing course of more than 20 governors and republican leaders voicing their support of Texas’ action to protect its border.
- Pastor Jack Hibbs underscored his belief [by saying]:
- “I’m sorry to tell you. The powers that are pulling the strings to this country are literally bringing us to a civil war,” he asserted. “It’s the first time since 1861 where we’re looking at soldiers, possibly shooting at other soldiers on the same team—States.”
- “I’m telling you, as an old guy, this is wild. Young people, you may be watching some history unfold that you didn’t plan on experiencing,” he underscored.
- Hibbs ended his remarks by praying for the United States, “[our nation] is actually falling apart, and we’re watching it happen.”
Read the original article by clicking here.
Important Takeaways:
- GOP hawks press Biden to target Iran directly over soldiers’ deaths
- “Last night, three U.S. service members were killed —and many wounded — during an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border,” Biden said in a statement on Sunday morning.
- Biden said the U.S. is “still gathering the facts of this attack,” but “we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq.”
- According to U.S. central command, 25 service members were wounded in the attack.
- What they’re saying: Senate Minority Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) called for “serious, crippling costs” to Iran, “not only on front-line terrorist proxies, but on their Iranian sponsors who wear American blood as a badge of honor.”
- Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), said in a statement the attacks the U.S. has carried out on Iranian proxies outside Iran “will not deter Iranian aggression,” calling to “strike targets of significance inside Iran.”
- “The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran’s terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East,” said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). “Anything less will confirm Joe Biden as a coward unworthy of being commander-in-chief.”
- John Cornyn, in a post on the social media site X, said: “Target Tehran,” later specifying that he wants the U.S. to strike Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. and its Quds Force branch.
Read the original article by clicking here.
Important Takeaways:
- The US military is almost entirely dependent upon China and Russia for a metal used in many military applications, such as explosives and armor-piercing bullets. The metal is antimony, and China currently owns 53 percent of the world’s supply. However, it processes over 80 percent of antimony ore through contracts with other producers. The US’s last source of antimony, the Stibnite mine in Idaho, ceased operations in 1997.
- It isn’t just the military that relies on antimony, though it does appear insane to import the key element in manufacturing modern military munitions from your most likely adversary; the private sector is also heavily reliant on the metal.
- For example, consider its usage in the high-tech sector, where it is a key ingredient in semi-conductors, circuit boards, electric switches, fluorescent lighting, high quality clear glass and lithium-ion batteries. No antimony, no iPhones. No hi-definition TVs. No modern kitchen appliances, all of which make use of digital circuitry. Oh, and that car you’re thinking about buying? Sorry.
- Now, consider this: There can be no “energy transition” without adequate supplies of antimony. That thick, heavy glass used in solar panels? It’s made with antimony. Those 300 to 700 foot-tall windmills that sporadically produce electricity? Made with antimony. Antimony is a key element in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, as mentioned above, but even more crucial is the fact that it is integral to the development of the next-generation liquid metal batteries that, as Ecclestone pointed out during the webinar, hold the key to truly scalable energy storage for wind and solar power.
- This issue has hit the front burner of Capitol Hill. The House Armed Services Committee is investigating the status of the Defense National Stockpile, which is charged with maintaining a strategic reserve of rare minerals. Our stockpile and the infrastructure to operate it will largely cease to exist by 2025 unless urgent action is taken.
- Crap like this simply validates the idea that we are ruled by fools and buffoons. Congress has nearly sold off the stockpile, according to Defense News, “over the past several decades to fund other programs.”
- The stockpile was valued at nearly $42 billion in today’s dollars at its peak during the beginning of the Cold War in 1952. That value has plummeted to $888 million as of last year following decades of congressionally authorized sell-offs to private sector customers. Lawmakers anticipate the stockpile will become insolvent by FY25.
- “A lot of what happened is Congress just getting greedy and finding politically convenient ways to fund programs that they weren’t willing to raise revenue for,” said [Massachusetts Democrat Seth] Moulton.
- These sell-offs have included 3,000 short tons of titanium, used in building military airframes, and 76 million pounds of tungsten ores and concentrates, used in military turbine engines and armor-piercing ammunition. They have also included more than 2 million pounds of tantalum, used in electronics, as well as 26 million pounds of cobalt and 62,881 short tons of aluminum
- Somehow, if a war breaks out over Taiwan, I don’t think the Chinese will be selling up the material we need to make ammunition.
Read the original article by clicking here.
