Important Takeaways:
- A powerful earthquake rocked Thailand and neighboring Myanmar on Friday, killing at least three people in Bangkok and burying dozens when a high-rise building under construction collapsed. Footage shared on social media from Myanmar’s second-largest city showed widespread destruction, raising fears that many were trapped under the rubble or killed.
- The magnitude 7.7 quake, with an epicenter near Mandalay in Myanmar, struck at midday and was followed by a strong magnitude 6.4 aftershock.
- The extent of the death, injury and destruction — especially in Myanmar, which is embroiled in a brutal civil war that has already caused a widespread humanitarian crisis — was not yet clear. Myanmar’s government said blood was in high demand in the hardest-hit areas, and videos from the country showed multiple collapsed houses and buckled and cracked roads.
- While the area where the quake struck is prone to temblors, they are usually not so big and it is rare for them to felt in the Thai capital.
- The Red Cross said downed power lines are adding to challenges for their teams trying to reach the Mandalay and Sagaing regions and southern Shan state.
- “Initial reports from the ground suggest the earthquake has caused significant damage,” the Red Cross said. “Information on humanitarian needs is still being gathered.”
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Important Takeaways:
- The IDF struck a building in Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh, the military said on Friday afternoon, after two rockets were fired at Israeli territory from Lebanon earlier in the day.
- The IDF said the building was used by Hezbollah to store drones and belonged to Hezbollah’s aerial unit 127.
- The IDF later announced it had additionally struck Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon throughout Friday, including rocket launcher sites and terrorists.
- This has been the first heavy bombardment on Lebanon since the ceasefire deal between the two countries was signed in November.
- “If there is no quiet in Kiryat Shmona and the Galilee communities, there will be no quiet in Beirut either,” Defense Minister Israel Katz warned.
- “We will not allow a return to the reality of October 7. We will ensure the security of the residents of the Galilee and respond forcefully to any threat,” he added.
- Former prime minister Naftali Bennett said Israel should strike Iran in response to the rocket fire. “When Hezbollah, Iran’s terror proxy, fires on Israel, Israel must respond in Tehran,” Bennett wrote in a X/Twitter post.
- “Only then will Iran understand: you simply don’t fire on the Jewish state.”
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Important Takeaways:
- One Democrat lawmaker has gone so far in supporting abortion, she’s reducing the decision to murder babies to a cost-benefit analysis.
- On Tuesday, Julie McCluskie, a Colorado Democrat and Speaker for the House in the Colorado legislature, spoke on a bill she is currently co-sponsoring to require “abortion care services” to be covered by Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus program participants.
- It would also require public employee insurance plans to cover abortions.
- During her time to speak on the bill, McCluskie focused on how much money the state could save if women chose to have abortions rather than giving birth.
- She reduced pregnancy and life to a price tag, concluding that those children should just die because it’s cheaper.
- “A birth is more expensive than an abortion, so the savings come in Medicaid births that will not occur,” she added.
- McCluskie was trying her hardest to put the situation in the most sanitized and digestible language possible.
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Important Takeaways:
- Devastating flooding hit the Rio Grande Valley on Thursday after repeated rounds of thunderstorms dumped as much as a foot of rain in less than 48 hours.
- McAllen, Texas, took the worst of it, picking up 7.93 inches, which is good enough for the city’s third-wettest day of all time, and more than a third of their average annual rain, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
- U.S. Border Patrol agents worked through the night in the Rio Grande Valley, rescuing residents affected by the storms’ impacts.
- “Prayers for all our residents who are affected by the storm and flooding,” U.S. Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley Sector said.
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Important Takeaways:
- A purported ‘vast underground city’ in Egypt is tens of thousands of years older than the Giza pyramids, scientists have shockingly claimed.
- If true, it would turn Egyptian – and human – history on its head, though independent experts have called it ‘outlandish’ and ‘crazy talk.’
- Last week, researchers in Italy presented bombshell research which claimed to have discovered multi-thousand-foot-tall wells and chambers underground beneath the Khafre Pyramid.
- The Giza pyramids are believed to have been built around 4,500 years ago and considered a remarkable feat given their immense scale and the precision of their construction, which remains a mystery for the time period.
- However, researchers behind the new study claim that the hidden structures, spanning 4,000 feet, are approximately 38,000 years old — which predates the oldest known man-made structure of its kind by tens of thousands of years.
- The team has based these claims on ancient Egyptian text that they interpreted as historical records of a pre-existing civilization that was destroyed during a cataclysmic event.
- Professor Lawrence Conyers, a radar expert at the University of Denver who focuses on archaeology and was not involved in the study, told DailyMail.com: ‘That is a really outlandish idea.’
- He added that at that time in human history people ‘were mostly living in caves’ 38,000 years ago. ‘People did not start living in what we now call cities until about 9,000 years ago,’ he said. ‘There were a few large villages before that but those only go back a few thousand years from that time.’
- Independent scientists said the techniques used are legitimate, but the results are unverifiable due to the way the data is presented.
- The radar expert also noted that it is not possible for the technology to penetrate that deeply into the ground, making the idea of an underground city ‘a huge exaggeration.’
- However, Professor Conyers suggested that it is conceivable small structures, such as shafts and chambers, may exist beneath the pyramids, having been there before the pyramids were built, because the site was ‘special to ancient people’
- He highlighted how ‘the Mayans and other peoples in ancient Mesoamerica often built pyramids on top of the entrances to caves or caverns that had ceremonial significance to them.’
- Niccole Ciccolo, the project’s spokesperson, said the team also used the Turn King List, or Royal Canon, which is an ancient Egyptian document that features the name of kings, including gods and demigods, who supposedly ruled Egypt before the first recorded dynasties.
- Ciccolo said these ancient texts ‘provide a whole series of references that a pre-existing civilization’ lived in the region before ‘a cataclysmic event.’
- The event is a theory that a massive asteroid hit the Earth, causing global climate change and extinction worldwide.
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Important Takeaways:
- Europe faced increased threats “including the possibility of armed aggression against member states”, the European Commission warned on Wednesday as it published a 30-step plan for its 27 capitals to increase their preparedness for crisis and mitigation measures.
- “New realities require a new level of preparedness in Europe,” said commission president Ursula von der Leyen. “Our citizens, our member states and our businesses need the right tools to act both to prevent crises and to react swiftly when a disaster hits.”
- It is partly designed as a wake-up call for some capitals that lack crisis-response capabilities.
- In addition to encouraging “the public to adopt practical measures, such as maintaining essential supplies for a minimum of 72 hours in emergencies”…
- It also calls for more “stockpiling of critical equipment and materials” and measures to ensure continuity of services such as healthcare, water supplies and telecommunications in the event of conflict or disaster.
- “We face an increasing number of external security challenges and a growing number of hybrid attacks,” said Kaja Kallas, the commission’s vice-president for foreign and security policy. “It is clear that Europe must be stronger on all fronts and at every level of society. It is always better to prevent crises than to deal with their consequences.”
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Important Takeaways:
- Here are five signs that point to a looming conflict between the U.S. and Iran:
- Military Buildup
- The U.S. has significantly increased its military presence in both the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, deploying B-2 stealth bombers, cargo planes, and aerial refueling tankers, alongside key assets like the USS Carl Vinson and USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carriers.
- These moves signal heightened U.S. preparations. In response, Iran has bolstered its missile capabilities, positioning advanced air defense systems around the Strait of Hormuz, while ramping up military activities in the region.
- U.S.-Israeli Operations and Iranian Proxies
- The U.S. and Israel have both escalated their military operations in the region. In Gaza, Israel’s ongoing airstrikes on Hamas targets have drawn broader regional involvement, with Iran’s support for militant groups adding a layer of complexity to the conflict.
- Iran’s support for various proxies in the Middle East, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and militia groups in Iraq and Syria, has been a consistent point of contention. The U.S. has recently stepped up attacks on the Yemen-based Houthis, which are backed by Iran.
- Sanctions and “Maximum Pressure”
- Economic sanctions have played a pivotal role in the U.S.-Iran standoff. Following Trump’s withdrawal from the JCPOA, the U.S. imposed stringent sanctions on Iran’s oil exports, banking system, and military industry, aiming to cripple its economy and force Iran to comply with nuclear restrictions.
- These sanctions have led to a severe economic downturn in Iran, but they have failed to bring Tehran to the negotiating table. Instead, Iran has continued its nuclear activities, including the enrichment of uranium and missile development. The reimposition of Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy, has only heightened tensions, leading to an increasing likelihood of military action if Iran does not alter its course.
- Demonstrations of Military Might
- Both the U.S. and Iran have engaged in significant military posturing. The U.S. has conducted multiple B-52 bomber flyovers near Iran as a show of strength and to signal potential military action. Additionally, U.S. forces have joined with Israel in large-scale drills involving strategic bombers and fighter jets.
- On the other side, Iran has conducted joint naval exercises with Russia and China in the Gulf, further bolstering its military capabilities. Iran has also showcased its missile strength by unveiling “missile cities”, which house its growing arsenal of long-range missiles, and conducting missile tests. These military displays serve as a warning to the U.S. and its allies.
- Letters and Diplomatic Deadlines
- Diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Iran have deteriorated since the U.S. pulled out of the nuclear deal in 2018. Despite some attempts at renegotiation, Tehran has rejected U.S. demands and has increasingly turned to Moscow and Beijing for support.
- Recently, President Trump revealed that he had sent a letter to Tehran, demanding a new nuclear agreement within two months or face significant military consequences. With negotiations stalled and the deadline looming, the diplomatic window for de-escalation is quickly closing, leaving military action as an increasingly likely outcome.
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Important Takeaways:
- “Details Revealed: Inside the CCP’s United Front Work in Minnesota” exposes the presence and activities of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) United Front Work Department (UFWD) in Minnesota. The UFWD is known for conducting influence operations to advance China’s interests abroad.
- Key Points from the Article:
- Location of CCP Operations: A building on North Eustis Street in St. Paul, Minnesota, serves as a hub for CCP-affiliated organizations, including the Overseas Chinese Service Center of Minnesota (Minnesota OCSC). This center operates under the CCP’s united front strategy.
- Engagement with Local Politicians: The Minnesota OCSC has been involved in fostering relationships with local politicians, notably Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Such engagements are part of the CCP’s broader strategy to influence foreign political landscapes.
- Services for Chinese Community: The center provides various services to Chinese Americans in Minnesota, including hosting events with CCP diplomats and dignitaries. While these activities may appear cultural or social, they can serve as avenues for promoting CCP narratives and monitoring the Chinese diaspora.
- Funding Concerns: Entities associated with this building have reportedly received significant grants from American taxpayers, raising questions about the potential misuse of public funds to support organizations linked to a foreign government’s influence operations.
- Broader Implications of United Front Work: The UFWD’s activities are not limited to Minnesota. Similar operations have been identified in other U.S. cities, including the discovery of secret CCP “police stations” used to monitor and intimidate Chinese dissidents abroad.
- Why This Matters:
- National Security: The presence of CCP-affiliated organizations on U.S. soil poses potential risks to national security, as they may engage in espionage, technology transfer, and influence operations that undermine U.S. interests.
- Political Influence: By cultivating relationships with local politicians and community leaders, the CCP can subtly shape policy decisions and public opinion in ways that favor China’s strategic objectives.
- Diaspora Monitoring and Intimidation: These centers can serve as platforms for monitoring and exerting control over Chinese diaspora communities, potentially leading to the suppression of dissent and the promotion of CCP propaganda.
- Understanding and addressing the activities of the UFWD in the U.S. is crucial to safeguarding democratic institutions, protecting national security, and ensuring that foreign influence does not compromise the integrity of American political and social systems.
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Important Takeaways:
- AccuWeather has released their first forecast for the 2025 season and it includes as many as six major storms directly hitting the US this summer.
- This year, forecasters project that there will be as many as 18 named storms, up to 10 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes to watch carefully as they cross the Atlantic.
- Currently, the AccuWeather team believes it’s highly unlikely that this year’s hurricane season will be weaker than average.
- In the worst-case scenarios, 2025’s storms could start forming as early as May and the last hurricanes of the season in October and November could still be dangerously powerful.
- The ominous forecast is being fueled by meteorologists predicting an absence of El Niño this hurricane season.
- El Niño is a weather phenomenon that can last for eight to 12 months and brings unusually warm sea-surface temperatures to the eastern half of the Pacific – but it also creates a weakened storm system in the Atlantic.
- ‘Similar to last year, the northern and eastern Gulf Coast and the Carolinas are at a higher-than-average risk of direct impacts this season. Atlantic Canada as well as the northeastern Caribbean are also at an increased risk of direct impacts,’ AccuWeather added.
- While hurricane season officially begins June 1, meteorologists noted that the sea-surface temperatures in the Atlantic basin are currently far warmer than normal.
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Important Takeaways:
- …We live at a time when the development of artificial intelligence is growing at an exponential rate. AI can already perform lots of tasks better and far more efficiently than humans can, and it appears to be just a matter of time before AI can do virtually everything better and far more efficiently than humans can. So once we get to that stage, why will the elite need us? Throughout human history, the wealthy have needed the labor of the poor. But if AI will soon be able to do almost all of the labor that we have been doing, what use will we be?
- The elite certainly don’t need our money, because they already control almost all of the wealth.
- In America today, the top 50 percent own 97.5 percent of all the wealth and the bottom 50 percent own just 2.5 percent of all the wealth…
- The richest half of American families owned about 97.5% of national wealth as of the end of 2024, while the bottom half held 2.5%, according to the latest numbers from the Federal Reserve.
- Much of the country is just barely surviving from month to month, and meanwhile the percentage of the wealth that is owned by the top 0.1 percent has risen to a brand-new all-time record high…
- The top 0.1% expanded their share of total wealth to a record 13.8% at the year’s end, up from 13% in the same period of 2020.
- For a long time, the rich needed the poor to work in their factories and run their businesses.
- In fact, Bill Gates says that humans will soon not be needed “for most things”…
- Over the next decade, advances in artificial intelligence will mean that humans will no longer be needed “for most things” in the world, says Bill Gates.
- That’s what the Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist told comedian Jimmy Fallon during an interview on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” in February. At the moment, expertise remains “rare,” Gates explained, pointing to human specialists we still rely on in many fields, including “a great doctor” or “a great teacher.”
- But “with AI, over the next decade, that will become free, commonplace — great medical advice, great tutoring,” Gates said.
- We are creating ultra-intelligent entities that can absorb vast quantities of information in the blink of an eye.
- Gates believes that we are entering an era of “free intelligence” in which many doctors, lawyers and teachers will simply become obsolete…
- In other words, the world is entering a new era of what Gates called “free intelligence” in an interview last month with Harvard University professor and happiness expert Arthur Brooks. The result will be rapid advances in AI-powered technologies that are accessible and touch nearly every aspect of our lives, Gates has said, from improved medicines and diagnoses to widely available AI tutors and virtual assistants.
- “It’s very profound and even a little bit scary — because it’s happening very quickly, and there is no upper bound,” Gates told Brooks.
- Alarmingly, one recent study discovered that lots of jobs are already being eliminated…
- Researchers from Harvard Business School, the German Institute for Economic Research, and Imperial College London Business School studied 1,388,711 job posts on a major (but undisclosed) global freelance work marketplace from July 2021 to July 2023, and found that demand for such automation-prone jobs had fallen 21% just eight months after the release of ChatGPT in late 2022.
- Writing jobs were most affected, followed by software, app, and web development work, as well as engineering jobs. The large language models that underpin tools like ChatGPT are trained on large amounts of text to predict the most likely next word in a sequence. The model forms a many-dimensional map of words, phrases, meanings, and contexts, and in doing so develops a remarkable grasp on language.
- It has been estimated that 60 percent of all jobs in advanced economies are at risk of eventually being eliminated by AI.
- So what will all of those people do?
- Already, we are seeing very alarming signs on the fringes of our society. Homelessness is at the highest level ever recorded, and many food banks around the country have never seen more demand than they are seeing right now.
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