France Opens Criminal Investigation Into X For Alleged Algorithmic Manipulation

Authored by Nate Kostar via CoinTelegraph.com,

The French Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into X over the alleged use of its algorithm for foreign interference.

According to a statement from Magistrate Laure Beccuau on Friday, prosecutors have launched a probe into whether X violated French law by manipulating its algorithms to extract user data fraudulently.

The investigation was launched after two reports were submitted to the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office’s cybercrime division on Jan. 12 — one by MP Éric Bothorel, a member of French President Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble Pour La Republique party, and another by a senior government official whose identity was not disclosed.

In Bothorel’s statement posted Friday on X, he wrote that he filed his initial inquiry because he was “convinced that an informational bias, extreme on the X platform, was being used to serve Elon Musk’s political opinions and that this could only happen through algorithmic manipulation.”

He added that he was pleased that the “French justice system is taking meaningful steps to combat foreign interference.”

The case was referred to the General Directorate of the National Gendarmerie on Wednesday, officially launching an investigation into X. 

The investigation focuses on two elements: tampering with the operation of an automated data processing system as part of an organized group, and the fraudulent extraction of data from an automated data processing system as part of an organized group.

France’s J3 cybercrime unit will lead the investigation. J3 conducted an investigation that led to the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in August 2024.

X faces growing scrutiny across Europe

Since Elon Musk purchased X in 2022, it has had several run-ins with regulators, especially in Europe. In February, two German NGOs won a ruling from the Berlin Regional Court that required X to provide access to publicly available engagement data to assist researchers in analyzing potential election interference.

The European Union is investigating X for a possible violation of the Digital Service Act. This new landmark regulation requires online platforms to take down illegal content and increase transparency around algorithms.

As Musk pushes to turn X into a financial hub with crypto at its core, mounting pressure from European regulators could undermine the trust he needs to secure approval for offering financial services in the EU.

Tyler Durden Sun, 07/13/2025 - 07:00

July 4th Is Behind Us. The American Dream Is Not

Authored by Gonzalo Schwarz via RealClearPolitics.com,

Another July 4th has come and gone, and the American experiment continues to face many tests. Amid economic uncertainty and a recent resurgence of socialism, we are pushing the boundaries of what “America” even means.

Benjamin Franklin famously preferred “a republic, if you can keep it.” Even though the U.S. Constitution had formed a republic, it was up to the people to keep it alive and well. The same applies today, and there is much more to America than flag parades, fireworks, and summer barbecues.

Now, we go back to our petty squabbles, ready for the next debate on Capitol Hill after the “Big, Beautiful Bill” reached the finish line. More and more Americans are pessimistic that we can “keep” our republic for the next generation. More people think the U.S. is in a constitutional crisis than believe that democracy still exists. Most are concerned about threats to democracy, and political violence in particular.

It begs the question: What is holding us all together?

Perhaps our founding document said it best about “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” keeping the flame of freedom alive.

However, the American Dream is a better representation of American ideals in our current times. There is no better chance at national unity than the American people seeking to live better, richer, and fuller lives, regardless of where they started and their circumstances at birth. It transcends identity politics, and new research proves it.

According to the sixth annual edition of the Archbridge Institute’s “American Dream Snapshot,” people are still optimistic about the promise of America and their own chances of living their dreams. Most Americans (seven in 10) believe they have achieved the American Dream or are on their way to achieving it, regardless of race, income, or education.

In other words, the American Dream is alive and well. Compared to last year, fewer people say that the American Dream is out of reach. And most believe they have more or about the same opportunities as their parents, meaning that our nation continues to be the land of opportunity. 

Most people continue to understand that living better and fuller lives – rather than simply becoming wealthy – is essential to the American Dream. “Freedom of choice in how to live” (83%) and “having a good family life” (80%) remain the most important achievements associated with the American Dream. In comparison, only 15% of U.S. adults claim becoming wealthy is essential – down from 19% last year.

Of course, many challenges remain. While believing in themselves, Americans are less optimistic about their fellow citizens, with only 51% believing that most Americans can achieve their American Dream. Nearly 60% of Americans say that recent tariff increases will make it more difficult for them to achieve the American Dream, and only 12% believe higher tariffs will help them.

When it comes to advancements in artificial intelligence, most Americans are ambivalent about the effects of technology on the American Dream, although pessimism is more common than optimism. Half (51%) of U.S. adults think AI will not affect their pursuit of the American Dream, but 31% of people believe it will have a negative effect, and only 16% think that AI will have a positive effect.

Economic anxiety cannot be overstated. Among the 30% of people who think the American Dream is out of reach, over half blame economic conditions.

But, on the bright side, economic issues are easier to address than more intractable cultural problems, such as a fundamental disbelief in the American Dream – only 8% of the aforementioned 30% believe this to be the case.

Post-July 4th and the passage of Congress’ tax bill, now is a time to take stock. As we dive headfirst into future political debates, we must ensure that criticism and pessimism about the American Dream do not become self-fulfilling prophecies, recognizing the need for hope and optimism while also striving to remove barriers to opportunity. 

As Benjamin Franklin said, it is up to us to keep the promise of America alive, or the experiment will fail. Even and especially when there are no national holidays to celebrate, we must keep the flame of the American Dream alive daily, promoting a culture of human flourishing for all.

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 23:20

IDF Soldiers Say Grenade-Drones Being Used On Civilians: 'None Of Them Were Armed'

The Israel Defense Forces are routinely killing civilians in Gaza with commercial drones modified to drop grenades on them -- often leaving the corpses to be eaten by dogs, according to interviews with seven soldiers and officers conducted by Israeli investigative journalists. The tactic is being used to deter civilians from venturing into areas declared off-limits by the IDF, with indifference to the fact that the individuals -- some of them children -- pose no threat. Compounding the amorality of the conduct, the soldiers say the off-limits areas aren't marked on the ground.   

According to Israel's +972 Magazine and Local Call, every Palestinian killed in this fashion was counted as a "terrorist" in the IDF's official reporting. The soldiers say that's utterly false. One soldier identified as "S" says that he coordinated dozens of drone attacks over the 100 days his unit was deployed in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, and that the vast majority of the dead were unarmed civilians. The only two exceptions were a single executed Palestinian who merely had a knife, along with only one legitimate encounter with armed militants. 

A Chinese Autel EVO drone like those weaponized by the IDF with a grenade-dropping function (ZLEA/CC BY-SA 4.0 via +972 Magazine)

By his recollection, the battalion killed a civilian in this fashion on a daily basis, even though it was obvious to him that the Palestinians posed no threat. “It was clear that they were trying to return to their homes — there’s no question. None of them were armed, and nothing was ever found near their bodies. We never fired warning shots. Not at any point.”

Adding another layer of horror to the IDF-orchestrated hell that is Gaza, the corpses -- which were upwards of a mile from their killers -- were typically left to be eaten by dogs, says S.: 

“You could see it on the drone footage. I couldn’t bring myself to watch a dog eating a body, but others around me watched it. The dogs have learned to run toward areas where there’s shooting or explosions — they understand it probably means there’s a body there.”

Worse, S. said children have been deliberately targeted: 

“There was a boy who entered the [off-limits] zone. He didn’t do anything. [Other soldiers] claimed to have seen him standing and talking to people. That’s it — they dropped a grenade from a drone...In most cases, there was nothing you could tell yourself. There was no way to complete the sentence, ‘We killed them because ____.’”

“There were many incidents of dropping grenades from drones,” said H., a soldier who'd been deployed to central Gaza.  . “Were they aimed at armed militants? Definitely not. Once a commander defines an imaginary red line that no one is allowed to cross, anyone who does is marked for death,” even just for “walking in the street.” These new accounts are consistent with previous reporting that the IDF creates "kill zones" where soldiers shoot anyone moving inside the area, followed by the IDF boasting that another terrorist was killed. Where IDF soldiers' ability to mow down civilians in kill zones was previously limited by the range of their rifles, drones now let them kill from several kilometers away.  

Exclusive |

Aerial footage obtained depicts Israeli soldiers dropping grenades from a drone, targeting a group of civilians fleeing Netzarim last September. One person is visibly struck and collapses

Netzarim became a kill zone, and as the military gradually expanded it, so did… pic.twitter.com/QPW2EVHJ3D

— Younis Tirawi | يونس (@ytirawi) July 3, 2025

Elaborating on this capability, a soldier called "Y." described how he and other soldiers made bloody examples of Palestinians who entered forbidden areas: 

“You send a drone up 200 meters high, and you can see three to four kilometers in every direction, You patrol like that: you see someone approaching, the first one gets hit with a grenade, and after that, the word spreads. One or two more come, and they die. The rest understand.”

When killing wasn't automatic, the criteria used to determine who is dangerously suspicious was so expansive as to capture just about anyone. “[Someone who] walks too fast is suspicious because he’s fleeing. Someone who walks too slowly is also suspicious because [it implies] he knows he’s being watched, so he’s trying to act normal," said S. Soldiers say even the simple act of bending over is sufficient basis for dropping a grenade on a Palestinian. 

Most of these grenade-dropping drones are modified EVO models manufactured by China's Autel for photography use, +972 Magazine reports. They only cost about $3,000 compared to $2 million for Israel's military-grade Elbit Hermes 450. The IDF modifies the EVOs with a military "iron ball" appendage that can carry a grenade dropped by the push of a joystick button. H. described how drones change the nature of taking a human life: 

“This technology has made killing much more sterile. It’s like a video game. There’s a crosshair in the middle of the screen, and you see a video image. You’re hundreds of meters away, [sometimes] even a kilometer or more. Then you play with the joystick, see the target, and drop [a grenade]. And it’s even kind of cool. Except this video game kills people.”

One soldier who spoke to +972 Magazine said he recalled signing thank-you letters addressed to Americans who donated drones to his unit.  Autel says it hasn't supplied its photography drones to Israel: "We find the prospect of our products being associated — even mistakenly — with violence against civilians to be utterly unacceptable. Autel Robotics has never sold drones to any users in the Israeli region, including but not limited to the Israeli military or Ministry of Defense."

Gaza's Khan Younis in ruins on the one-year anniversary of the Hamas invasion of Israel (Bashar Taleb / AFP via Turkiye Today)

Enforced by these routine killings of civilians in "kill zones," the coerced depopulation of entire areas goes hand-in-hand with the recent announcement by Israel's defense minister that the IDF is going to build a concentration camp in Rafah, the southernmost Gaza city. The plan is to force all 2 million residents of Gaza into a "humanitarian city" ringed by IDF guards preventing anyone from leaving.   

Last month, a different group of IDF soldiers offered their own damning testimony about the IDF's conduct, confirming the routine use of deadly force on unarmed Palestinians as a barbaric form of crowd control at distribution points for humanitarian aid. Israeli Prime Minister repeatedly calls the IDF "the most moral army in the world." They say if a lie is repeated enough, it becomes the truth -- but it's hard to fathom the quantity of lies necessary to overcome the growing stack of damning testimonies from IDF soldiers and officers.  

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 22:45

What Just Happened In Rio Should Terrify The West

Authored by Farhad Ibragimov,

A few days ago, the city of Rio de Janeiro hosted the 17th BRICS summit, marking a significant step forward for the organization amid the accelerating transformation of the global political and economic landscape. Represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russia played an active role in the summit’s proceedings, while President Vladimir Putin addressed the plenary session via video link. In his remarks, the Russian leader offered a comprehensive analysis of current global trends, emphasizing that the liberal model of globalization is losing viability as the center of economic and political activity shifts decisively toward the Global South – developing countries with rising demographic, resource, and technological potential.

The Rio summit reaffirmed BRICS’ growing political weight and its ambition to become a key force in shaping the emerging multipolar order. High-level meetings drew global attention not only because of their scale but also due to the substantive outcomes they produced. A total of 126 joint commitments were adopted, spanning critical areas such as global governance reform, the restructuring of international financial institutions, healthcare, climate initiatives, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development.

The declaration adopted at the summit, titled ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance’, underscored BRICS’ commitment to multilateralism, respect for international law, and the promotion of a fair and equitable world order. But beyond the formal language, the summit revealed a deeper shift: BRICS is no longer limiting itself to cautious technocratic dialogue. The bloc is increasingly positioning itself as a cohesive international actor – capable of proposing new frameworks for economic integration, political solidarity, and global coordination.

Crucially, this political reorientation did not begin in Rio. It builds directly on the strategic groundwork laid during the 2024 summit in Kazan, Russia – the largest BRICS gathering to date – which brought together not only member states but also dozens of partners under the BRICS+ umbrella. The Kazan summit established a new level of cooperation and ambition, and Rio served as a continuation of that trajectory. It became the arena where aspirations evolved into policy, and where the Global South began to more clearly articulate its place in the world.

From economic cooperation to collective security

Among the most consequential developments at the Rio summit was the firm commitment to advancing financial sovereignty among member states. Particular emphasis was placed on transitioning to transactions in national currencies – a long-standing initiative championed by Russia and several other BRICS countries. The leaders endorsed this direction, recognizing the need to reduce dependence on dominant reserve currencies. President Putin underscored that this was not merely an economic measure, but a geopolitical move aimed at strengthening the sovereignty of participating nations and insulating them from external pressure.

In support of this goal, the summit produced agreements to boost mutual investment volumes and accelerate the development of independent payment and settlement mechanisms. These initiatives are designed to lay the groundwork for a more resilient financial architecture – one that bypasses traditional Western-controlled institutions and empowers countries to determine the terms of their own economic cooperation. Increasingly, BRICS views economic autonomy as a precondition for long-term political independence in a world marked by volatility and polarization.

But the Rio summit did more than solidify the BRICS financial agenda. For the first time in its history, the organization made a strong, collective political statement on an issue directly related to international security. The final declaration included a specific condemnation of Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Russia’s Bryansk, Kursk, and Voronezh regions. Referring to the bombings of bridges and railway lines on May 31, June 1, and June 5, 2025, the text reads: “We condemn in the strongest terms the attacks against bridges and railways infrastructure deliberately targeting civilians.”

This passage carries substantial symbolic and strategic weight. Despite the ideological and political diversity of BRICS members, the bloc united in denouncing attacks that threaten the internal security of one of its founding members. This is a marked departure from the organization’s previously cautious diplomatic tone on sensitive geopolitical issues. BRICS, once defined by its reluctance to address matters of military conflict or security, is now building a normative foundation for solidarity and shared responsibility.

The inclusion of this clause suggests that BRICS is beginning to embrace a collective role in shaping norms related to international conflict and security. It signals that the alliance is willing to defend the principle of territorial integrity not just rhetorically, but through coordinated diplomatic action. This is more than a gesture – it is the foundation of a future in which BRICS may serve not only as an economic bloc, but as a political and moral anchor in a divided world.

The American reaction: why Washington is nervous

Just 48 hours after the release of the Rio declaration – particularly the section denouncing unilateral tariffs and non-tariff measures – US President Donald Trump issued a sharp response. From the White House lawn, he threatened to impose a 10% tariff on all imports from BRICS countries and accused the bloc of attempting to “degenerate the dollar.” In characteristically blunt terms, he remarked: “If you have a smart president, you will never lose the standard. If you have a stupid president like the last one, you would lose the standard.”

While Trump’s words may have been wrapped in personal bravado, the underlying message was clear: Washington sees BRICS not as a neutral economic club, but as a mounting strategic threat. Despite the bloc’s repeated assertions that its cooperation is not aimed against any third party, the West views efforts to establish alternative economic frameworks – particularly those bypassing the dollar and Western-controlled institutions – as an existential challenge to US hegemony.

The nature of the response underscores a deeper anxiety in Washington. BRICS initiatives once dismissed as symbolic or impractical are now materializing into real structures: trade in local currencies, independent payment systems, and new investment platforms with global reach. These are not just alternatives – they are systemic innovations that call into question the foundations of the current world order.

Trump’s outburst, then, is not just a political sideshow. It is evidence that BRICS is crossing a threshold – from peripheral relevance to central influence in global affairs. For years, Western analysts argued that the bloc would collapse under the weight of its internal contradictions. Yet BRICS has not only endured – it has expanded, institutionalized, and begun to assert itself in domains once considered off-limits.

The American reaction confirms what many in the Global South already perceive: that BRICS is no longer a passive forum for South-South dialogue. It is becoming an active agent in reshaping the architecture of international power.

No turning back: BRICS as a systemic alternative

The Rio summit left little doubt that BRICS is evolving beyond its original mandate. Once focused primarily on economic coordination, the bloc is now laying the institutional groundwork for an alternative system of global governance – one rooted in sovereignty, equality, and resistance to unilateral pressure. This transformation is not driven by ideology but by the lived experience of its member states, many of which have faced the political and economic consequences of a Western-dominated order.

Three strategic vectors are propelling BRICS forward.

• First, its geo-economic advantage: the bloc is consolidating control over key global trade routes and resource markets. With the accession of new members in 2024-2025 – including Egypt, Iran, and Ethiopia – BRICS now spans critical logistical corridors across Eurasia, Africa, and Latin America. The bloc also commands a significant share of the world’s reserves in energy, rare earth elements, and agricultural commodities, granting it considerable influence over global supply chains and commodity pricing.

• Second, BRICS possesses an increasingly potent force of attraction. Despite mounting external pressure and efforts to isolate its members, more than 30 countries have applied for membership or partnership status. This groundswell reflects a growing desire among Global South nations for a platform free from ideological gatekeeping, conditional loans, or weaponized sanctions. BRICS, in their eyes, is not just a bloc – it is a symbol of multipolarity, mutual respect, and strategic independence.

• Third, BRICS is beginning to serve as a functional alternative to gridlocked institutions like the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. Without explicitly seeking to replace them, BRICS offers a more agile and consensus-based model – one that prioritizes non-interference, sovereignty, and pragmatic cooperation over rigid norms or selective enforcement. Its representation of the world’s demographic and economic majority lends it moral and political weight, especially in a context where trust in traditional global structures is in sharp decline.

In this light, the anxiety emanating from Washington is not simply reactive – it is anticipatory. The US and its allies understand that what BRICS is building is more than a set of alternative institutions. It is a rival paradigm: one that challenges the monopoly of the dollar, rejects coercive diplomacy, and proposes a new vocabulary for international legitimacy.

The Rio summit demonstrated that BRICS is not content to remain a forum of dialogue. It is becoming a vehicle for action. The question is no longer whether BRICS will shape the future of global governance, but how – and how fast. What began in Kazan, and accelerated in Rio, is a project with momentum. And in the shifting landscape of 2025, that momentum now appears irreversible.

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 22:10

10 Non-Tax Policies In Trump's Megabill That Will Affect Americans

Authored by Jackson Richman, Joseph Lord, Jacob Burg via The Epoch Times,

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is notable for implementing significant changes to the U.S. tax code, including making 2017’s individual income tax brackets permanent.

But there are non-tax-related items in the bill that will impact the lives of everyday Americans, affecting travel, women’s health care, immigration, and welfare benefits.

Here are ten major non-tax areas that are addressed in the legislation, which President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4.

Air Traffic Control

The new law provides $12.5 billion to the Transportation Department to institute long-overdue reforms to the nation’s air traffic control system.

That includes $4.75 billion to upgrade copper telecommunication infrastructure to fiber optics, $3 billion for radar systems replacements, $500 million for safety technology to avoid near-misses on runways, and $100 million for advanced training technology for air traffic controllers.

At a July 8 cabinet meeting, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the funding a “massive new start to rebuild air traffic control,” but said his agency will need more money to upgrade American aviation and make it the world’s leader.

Duffy has repeatedly pointed to the Federal Aviation Administration’s outdated technology and infrastructure, which still relies on floppy disks, aging copper wire, and rotary phones.

Despite the need for more funds, the bill could help reduce and avoid the sorts of delays that infamously bogged down Newark International Airport in New Jersey earlier this year.

Air traffic controllers monitor planes at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles on July 1, 2025. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Transportation Department will receive $12.5 billion to implement long-overdue reforms to the U.S. air traffic control system. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Border and Immigration

The legislation dedicates a total of $150 billion toward border security and immigration enforcement, aligning with some of Trump’s core promises on the 2024 campaign trail.

Approximately $80 billion of that amount is slated for domestic immigration enforcement operations.

The single biggest immigration item in the law is $46.5 billion dedicated to the construction of a border wall along the U.S.–Mexico border.

Much of the rest is slated for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency largely responsible for carrying out Trump’s mass deportation operation.

That includes $45 billion allocated for detention through September 2029—a 365 percent increase over ICE’s prior annual detention funding, which sat at $3.4 billion, according to the American Immigration Council. It provides $14.4 billion for transportation and removal operations, a 500 percent annual increase.

For state and local governments that assist with deportation efforts, $13.5 billion is allocated in grants.

Border Patrol agents monitor the U.S. border wall in San Ysidro, Calif., on July 25, 2024. The new legislation allocates $150 billion for border security and immigration enforcement. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Education

The bill makes several notable tweaks to federal education policy.

First, it would reduce Pell Grant eligibility for high-income students and students with full-ride scholarships. The approximately $7,000 annual grant has long provided a boost to funding Americans’ higher education.

The bill also proposes two federal student loan repayment plans, including one traditional repayment plan and one income-based repayment plan, as Republicans seek to do away with President Joe Biden’s contested Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan.

Additionally, it would tax college and university endowments at a variable rate—either 1.4 percent, 4 percent, or 8 percent—based on the institutions’ wealth.

Medicaid and Rural Hospitals

Some of the changes that have drawn the most attention are those made to Medicaid funding—changes that are expected to boot millions of beneficiaries off the entitlement program while potentially impacting rural hospitals.

To reduce Medicaid spending, the bill would impose an 80-hour monthly work requirement for able-bodied adults to receive benefits; the change would take effect by no later than December 2026.

It also reduces the “provider tax”—the rate at which states tax hospitals and doctors to pay for their Medicaid programs—from 6 percent to 3.5 percent in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Ten states that didn’t expand their programs will see no changes. That change won’t go into effect until 2028.

To offset fears that the changes would harm rural hospitals, the bill allocates $50 billion over five years to support such facilities.

Estimates vary significantly as to how many individuals could lose coverage as a result of the Medicaid changes. The Congressional Budget Office forecasts that several million nationwide could lose coverage.

A man waits in a hospital in Irvine, Calif., on July 8, 2025. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes changes that could remove millions from Medicaid and impact rural hospitals. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

SNAP Cuts

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes new requirements for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as food stamps.

In addition, the bill introduces more stringent work requirements for SNAP recipients. Currently, able-bodied recipients between 18–54 must spend 80 hours a month volunteering, working, looking for a job, or being in school. The bill widens that window to between 18-64 years of age.

Moreover, states will have to shoulder more of the burden when it comes to funding for SNAP. That means recipients could receive less in food stamps or lose access entirely, depending on the state in which they live.

‘Trump Accounts’ for Newborns

The bill also adds a pilot program for “Trump Accounts,” a type of federal trust account that comes prefunded with $1,000 from the Treasury Department for every child born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028. Children born before this year will also be eligible, but not for the initial $1,000 seed money.

The scheme allows Americans to contribute up to $5,000 a year to these accounts.

The money must be invested in a broad stock market index, and earnings will grow tax-deferred until the account holder withdraws the funds. Beneficiaries are eligible to withdraw half the money for qualified purposes when they reach the age of 18, and can access the full balance at age 25. Withdrawals would then be subject to either capital gains or income tax rates, depending on the nature of the expense.

Expenses such as tuition, a first home purchase, or small business expenses would be subject to the lower capital gains tax rate; all other uses of the funds would be subject to normal income tax rates, including an additional 10 percent penalty for nonqualified expenses.

People walk on the Lehigh University campus in Bethlehem, Pa., on Oct. 25, 2024. The legislation will affect higher education by reducing student grants and adjusting loan repayment plans and tax codes for institutions. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Spectrum

One section of the bill reinstates the Federal Communications Commission’s spectrum authority, a term that describes the agency’s ability to auction off specific radio frequencies to the private sector.

The authority expired in 2023 and, with limited direction from the Biden administration, became deadlocked in Congress.

The reauthorization of the program in the bill will generate $85 billion in revenues for the federal government over the next ten years, enables expansion of 5G and 6G mobile networks, and will allow for rural areas to receive radio communications that could be crucial during natural disasters in which they might not have access to TV.

Defunding Planned Parenthood

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act ends Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood for one year. Stripping federal funding from Planned Parenthood, which provides reproductive health services such as abortion, has been a longtime goal of conservatives.

A Planned Parenthood facility in Anaheim, Calif., on Sept. 10, 2020. The new legislation ends Medicaid funding for health care nonprofits that post more than $800,000 in profit in a year, including Planned Parenthood. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

The legislation does not explicitly mention Planned Parenthood, but instead references abortion providers that are non-profits and received more than $800,000 in Medicaid reimbursements in fiscal year 2023.

A federal judge has since put that aspect of the legislation on hold pending further litigation.

Obamacare Changes

The law also makes several substantial changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), often known as “Obamacare.” The ACA Marketplace allows low-income Americans to buy discounted health insurance.

First, the legislation will require marketplace customers to re-enroll every year, much as some employees are required to reconfirm their chosen coverage for an employer-sponsored health insurance plan. During the re-enrollment process, customers will also have to re-verify their income.

It also shortens the open enrollment period—which was lengthened under Biden—by returning the period to the original Nov. 1 to Dec. 15 window.

Other provisions of the law exclude gender transition treatment from coverage, limit Marketplace tax credits to citizens and some lawful residents, and require enrollees to be current on their premium payments before re-enrolling for another year.

The changes will be implemented on a rolling basis, with some related to eligibility set to go into effect as early as December 2025.

A group of resident doctors talks with a senior doctor inside Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on July 1, 2025. Andres Kudacki/AP Photo

Expansion of Military Housing and Support Programs

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes a $9 billion expansion of programs surrounding housing, child care, and other benefits for members of the Armed Forces and their families.

That includes a $2.9 billion increase in the Basic Allowance for Housing and $590 million to help with temporary housing allowances for service members, to help with relocation.

It also includes more funding for the military health care system.

The expanded benefits could incentivize more people, especially with spouses and children, to join the armed services.

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 21:00

Visualizing Waymo's Rise In Ridership

As autonomous driving technology becomes more mainstream, Waymo - Alphabet’s self-driving ride-hailing division - is rapidly gaining traction across California.

This chart, via Visual Capitalist's Kayla Zhu, visualizes the number of monthly paid Waymo trips in California from August 2023 to March 2025, and a map of the cities that Waymo current operates in and plans to operate in.

Data comes from California Public Utilities Commission.

Californians Have Been Riding With Waymo More Frequently

Below, we show the number of monthly paid Waymo trips from August 2023 to March 2025.

Date Monthly paid Waymo trips Aug 2023 12,617 Sep 2023 38,473 Oct 2023 56,499 Nov 2023 56,905 Dec 2023 72,595 Jan 2024 77,242 Feb 2024 74,233 Mar 2024 83,851 Apr 2024 92,002 May 2024 143,621 Jun 2024 188,847 Jul 2024 250,752 Aug 2024 312,245 Sep 2024 354,124 Oct 2024 453,478 Nov 2024 503,634 Dec 2024 541,378 Jan 2025 550,457 Feb 2025 559,569 Mar 2025 708,180

The self-driving ride hailing service has over 700,000 recorded monthly paid trips as of March 2025, a 55-fold increase from August 2023.

In April 2025, Alphabet reported that Waymo is serving 250,000 paid trips per week in the U.S., a fivefold increase from a year ago.

Waymo’s growth comes amid a broader acceleration in autonomous vehicle (AV) adoption. The AV market is projected to grow from $99.4 billion in 2025 to $285.1 billion by 2029, according to Research and Markets.

Driverless ride-hailing services are gaining traction in urban centers, supported by regulatory progress, increased consumer trust, and advancements in AI and sensor technology.

As AV infrastructure improves and competition heats up from other players like Amazon’s Zoox and Tesla’s FSD, Waymo’s expanding footprint reflects the growing presence of robotaxis in urban mobility.

Waymo is currently available in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin. The company plans to continue to expand into other U.S. cities, as well as Tokyo, in the future.

To learn more about the autonomous vehicle industry, check out this graphic visualizing which companies are permitted to test fully-autonomous cars in California as of July 2024.

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 20:25

Federal Judge Orders Trump Admin To Halt Immigration Operations Without Probable Cause In California

Authored by Aldgra Fredly via The Epoch Times,

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on July 11 temporarily blocking the Trump administration from carrying out immigration stops and arrests in Los Angeles without probable cause.

The decision by District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong followed a lawsuit brought by illegal immigrant advocacy groups, which accused the administration of targeting people in Southern California based on their race and of arresting people without a warrant amid the federal government’s ongoing efforts to end illegal immigration.

In a 52-page ruling, the judge ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to stop detaining people based on their race, spoken language or accent, occupation, or presence in specific locations such as bus stops.

Frimpong stated that the administration failed to provide the basis for any of the immigration stops and arrests carried out during the enforcement operations.

The judge determined that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed in proving the immigration stops and arrests were based on the four “enumerated factors” and lacked “reasonable suspicion” that the individuals targeted were illegal immigrants.

“The factors that defendants appear to rely on for reasonable suspicion seem no more indicative of illegal presence in the country than of legal presence—such as working at low-wage occupations such as car wash attendants and day laborers. This is insufficient and impermissible, and is the proper subject of an injunction,” Frimpong stated.

Frimpong also ordered DHS to provide detainees allegedly held in a room known as “B-18,” located in the basement of a federal building in downtown Los Angeles, with access to “confidential telephone calls” with legal representatives and legal assistants at no cost.

“Such legal telephone calls shall not be screened, recorded, or otherwise monitored,” the judge stated.

DHS is also required to allow legal visitation for detainees seven days a week, with a minimum of eight hours per day on weekdays and at least four hours per day on weekends, according to the ruling.

In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the judge was “undermining the will of the American people” with the recent ruling.

“America’s brave men and women are removing murderers, MS-13 gang members, pedophiles, rapists—truly the worst of the worst from Golden State communities,” McLaughlin stated. “Law and order will prevail.”

The suit, which alleges that immigration raids violate the Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights of thousands of people, was brought on July 2 by multiple civil and immigration rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Foundation of Southern California.

In the lawsuit, the groups alleged that brown-skinned individuals had suddenly been approached and pulled aside by federal agents “with a show of force” and were made to answer questions about their names and origins.

Such encounters allegedly could lead to arrests if the individuals targeted “hesitate, attempt to leave, or do not answer the questions to the satisfaction of the agents,” even though the agents allegedly may not have had warrants to detain them, according to the court filing.

DHS has denied accusations of racial profiling, calling it a “disgusting” smear tactic against law enforcement officers. McLaughlin said on July 3 that “enforcement operations are highly targeted, and officers do their due diligence” before making arrests.

“All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with lawyers and their family members,” McLaughlin stated.

DHS stated on June 26 that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Los Angeles have resulted “in the arrest of criminal illegal aliens—with convictions ranging from murder, pedophilia, fentanyl trafficking, spousal abuse, sexual assault, and armed robbery.”

Protests against ICE operations erupted in Los Angeles on June 6, following the arrest of dozens of illegal immigrants in the city as part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation operation. To quell the protests, which devolved into riots in certain areas, President Donald Trump deployed members of the National Guard and Marines while California Gov. Gavin Newsom objected to the deployment.

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 19:50

War, Debt, & Distraction: The Hidden Collapse Behind The Iran Hype

Authored by Chris Macintosh via InternationalMan.com,

While we are all having our attention directed towards the war with Iran, we should always be looking at the “why.” Keeping in mind the absolutely true adage that all wars are bankers’ wars, I noted this from ZeroHedge.

So while we’re being directed towards the Middle East, I note the easing of the capital rule on banks. This — together with the war — are absolutely totally part of the same equation, despite the fact that not one in a 100 folks will ever know it or realize it, and for that very reason it will progress. Here is the problem…

The US government has quietly initiated a stealth liquidity backdoor for banks by easing capital requirements on Treasury trades. This means:

• Banks no longer need to reserve as much capital when holding or trading US government debt, making banks dodgier than they already are.

• They can now soak up more Treasury issuance without showing increased risk on their balance sheets, making banks dodgier than they already are.

• This injects artificial demand into the Treasury market and helps paper over collapsing organic demand while making banks dodgier than they already are.

This is not a mere policy shift. It’s a quiet declaration of structural stress.

What this really means is that the Treasury market, the backbone of the current financial system, is now so fragile and overburdened with issuance that it can no longer function without regulatory distortion.

• The US government is now issuing a whopping $1–2 trillion in new debt every quarter.

• Foreign buyers like China and Japan are net sellers.

• Domestic demand for treasuries is not keeping up.

• Yields are becoming increasingly unhinged from real risk.

I’d always thought they’d tap the boomers’ capital sitting in pension funds, mandating percentages to be allocated to “safety” or some such hogwash, but this is a new one that I admit I did not see coming — they’re turning banks into forced buyers by changing the rules. Sneaky buggers!

It won’t be called yield curve control, but this is exactly what it is… and it stinks of desperation.

So where does the Iran distraction come in? Exactly here:

War is a cover for liquidity expansion. War equals narrative control. War is a moral justification for massive capital deployment. And war means optical deferral of systemic accountability (they screwed up biggie, but can’t admit to it, because by doing so we’d get a revolution). Far better to send the peasants into a meat grinder (worked in Ukraine).

The Iran “surprise” hype machine serves a dual purpose:

1. Emotionally spike public attention away from the fact that the US is suffering from domestic insolvency.

2. Creates a narrative for justifying increased military spending and debt expansion, all under the guise of national security. The deep state truly is in control.

They’re not trying to hide the debt anymore. They’re trying to normalize the next phase of collapse by staging urgency elsewhere.

The United States is entering a phase where the legitimacy of the dollar system depends entirely on manufacturing belief. And when belief wanes, control mechanisms shift from fiscal logic to memetic warfare.

This is why capital rules are being gutted in silence, all the while state media channels scream about “world-changing surprises” (Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill) and existential threats (Russia bad, Iran bad, yadda, yadda, yadda). It is simply another step in the process of a failing empire.

*  *  *

As the fog of war thickens and financial smoke screens grow more elaborate, understanding the real drivers behind the chaos is no longer optional — it’s essential. Beneath the surface of the headlines lies a deliberate engineering of collapse, disguised as policy, wrapped in distraction.

If this article resonated with you — if you sense, deep down, that something far more profound is unraveling beneath the theater of geopolitics — then it’s time to dig deeper.

We’ve prepared a special PDF report, Clash of the Systems: Thoughts on Investing at a Unique Point in Time, to help you see what’s coming and how to position yourself accordingly. It outlines the seismic shifts underway in the global order — and where smart capital goes when empires fall.

Click here to download the report now.

Understand the collapse. Prepare for the transition. Position yourself before the dust settles.

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 18:40

North Korea Sends 6,000 Engineers, Construction Workers To Rebuild Russia's Kursk

The Moscow-Pyongyang bromance continues, based on mutual defense objectives and the landmark agreement struck between Presidents Putin and Kim Jong-Un last summer.

As part of the latest in official trips and exchanges Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was hosted by Kim during a visit to North Korea, where Pyongyang reaffirmed its strong backing of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

AFP/Getty Images

Last month state media aired images for the first time of flag-draped coffins of North Korean troops slain in the context of the Ukraine war returning by military transport plane to Pyongyang.

Russia's defense ministry ministry shared footage of Kim and FM Lavrov shaking hands and embracing on Saturday. Lavrov said, "We exchanged views on the situation around the Ukraine crisis… Our Korean friends reaffirmed their unwavering support for all the goals of the special military operation, as well as the actions of Russia’s leadership and armed forces."

While it has become well-publicized that there are over 10,000 DPRK troops assisting Russian forces, particularly in Kursk and it Russia's southern border areas, it's less known that Pyongyang has agreed to send 6,000 engineers and construction workers to aid in rebuilding efforts in Russian-controlled areas.

US and South Korean intelligence have been closely monitoring these developments, and  have raised alarms that Pyongyang may be seeking advanced Russian military technology in return.

Last year South Korean officials alleged, "It is understood that North Korea has been provided with related equipment and anti-aircraft missiles to strengthen Pyongyang’s weak air defense system."

Russia and North Korea actually share a tiny border in the far east, allowing transfers of heavy defense equipment by train. 

Fresh images of Lavrov greeting Kim, with both all smiles...

❗Lavrov was received by Kim Jong-un during his visit to the DPRK, the Russian Foreign Ministry reports. pic.twitter.com/rH5QC5uJWK

— Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) July 12, 2025

It's also believed that regular military flights go between the capitals, but trains allow for the easier transport of many tons of ammo and arms, such as artillery shells, and can be accomplished with less awareness of Western intelligence agencies.

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 18:05

"I Have A Wonderful Opportunity": Justice Jackson's Cathartic Jurisprudence

Authored by Jonathan Turley,

I wrote recently about the chilling jurisprudence of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who has drawn the ire of colleagues in opinions for her rhetoric and extreme positions.

Many have expressed alarm over her adherence to what has been described by a colleague as an “imperial judiciary” model of jurisprudence. Now, it appears that Jackson’s increasingly controversial opinions are serving a certain cathartic purpose for the far-left Biden appointee.

On ABC News, Jackson stated, “I just feel that I have a wonderful opportunity to tell people in my opinions how I feel about the issues, and that’s what I try to do.”

Her colleagues have not entirely welcomed that sense of license.

The histrionic and hyperbolic rhetoric has increased in Jackson’s opinions, which at times portray her colleagues as abandoning not just the Constitution but democracy itself.

Her dissent in the recent ruling on universal injunctions drew the rebuke of Justice Amy Coney Barrett over what was described as “a vision of the judicial role that would make even the most ardent defender of judicial supremacy blush.” Barrett wrote:

“We will not dwell on Justice Jackson’s argument, which is at odds with more than two centuries’ worth of precedent, not to mention the Constitution itself. We observe only this: Justice Jackson decries an imperial Executive while embracing an imperial Judiciary.”

Jackson, however, clearly feels that opinions are a way for her to opine on issues of the day.

She is not alone. Across the country, liberal judges have been adding their own commentary to decisions in condemning Trump, his supporters, and his policies.

I previously wrote about this pattern of extrajudicial commentary.

District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, an Obama appointee, was criticized for failing to recuse herself from that case after she made highly controversial statements about Trump from the bench. Chutkan lashed out at “a blind loyalty to one person who, by the way, remains free to this day.” That “one person” was still under investigation at the time, and when Trump was charged, Chutkan refused to let the case go.

Later, Chutkan again added her own commentary when asked to dismiss a case due to Trump pardoning Jan. 6 defendants. She acknowledged that she could not block the pardons but proclaimed that the pardons could not change the “tragic truth” and “cannot whitewash the blood, feces and terror that the mob left in its wake. And it cannot repair the jagged breach in America’s sacred tradition of peacefully transitioning power.”

One of Chutkan’s colleagues, Judge Beryl Howell, also an Obama appointee, lashed out at Trump’s actions, writing, “[T]his Court cannot let stand the revisionist myth relayed in this presidential pronouncement.”

Then there is Judge Amit Mehta, another Obama appointee, who has been criticized for conflicted rulings in Trump cases and his bizarre (and ultimately abandoned) effort to banish January 6th defendants from the Capitol.

Last week, Mehta had a straightforward question of jurisdiction concerning a challenge to the denial of grants by the Trump Administration. While correctly dismissing the challenge, Mehta decided to add his own commentary on Trump’s priorities and policies:

“Defendants’ rescinding of these awards is shameful. It is likely to harm communities and individuals vulnerable to crime and violence. But displeasure and sympathy are not enough in a court of law.”

For Justice Jackson, her opinions have at times left her isolated on the Court. Weeks ago, Jackson and Sotomayor were alone in dissent over the defiance of a district court judge of the Court’s decision on universal injunctions. To her credit, Justice Elena Kagan (who voted with Sotomayor and Jackson in dissent in the earlier case) voted with her conservative colleagues in rebuking Judge Brian Murphy in Boston.

Kagan joined in the reversal of Murphy’s conflicting order and wrote the new order “clarifies only one thing: Other litigants must follow the rules, but the administration has the Supreme Court on speed dial.”

This week, Jackson lost even Sotomayor and stood alone in her dissent in support of an injunction over plans to downsize the government. Sotomayor observed that the Trump order only ordered for agencies to plan for such downsizing and said that the courts could hardly enjoin such policy preparations in the Executive Branch.

However, Jackson could and would.

The controversial position of Jackson on the Court is not due to her liberal views. We have had many such liberal jurists. The difference is how Jackson views her role as a justice.

The danger is not confined to opinions. For years, justices have yielded to the temptations of public speaking before supportive groups. I have long been a critic of what I called the era of “celebrity justices” where members seem to maintain political constituencies in public events.

Such speeches can not only undermine the integrity of the Court by discussing matters that may come before it, but they can create a desire to maintain the adoration of supporters. The greatest danger is that justices will consciously or subconsciously pander to their bases with soundbites and inflammatory rhetoric.

Judicial advocacy from the bench has been a concern since the founding. Article III can have a corrosive impact on certain jurists who come to view themselves as anointed rather than appointed. Most judges and justices are acutely aware of that danger and struggle to confine their rulings to the merits of disputes, avoiding political questions or commentary.

The “opportunity to tell people how I feel” can become a slippery slope where opinions become more like judicial op-eds. The Court is not a cable show. The price of the ticket to being “one of nine” is that you should speak only through your opinions and only on the narrow legal matter before you.

Opinions must remain “opportunities” to do simple justice, not a supreme editorial.

Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University and the best-selling author of “The Indispensable Right.”

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 17:30

Air India Crash: Fuel Switches On Boeing 787 "Cutoff" During Takeoff 

Just one month ago—and days before the Paris Air Show—a horrific crash involving Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was captured on CCTV. The footage showed the widebody aircraft taking off down a runway in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, but shortly after rotation, it suddenly lost altitude and crashed into a residential area, sparking all sorts of speculation about what may have caused the crash that killed 260 people. Since then, Indian authorities have remained largely silent—until now.

A newly released preliminary report may finally shed light on what went wrong. Spoiler alert: it's great news for Boeing. Early findings suggest the mid-air disaster was not due to a mechanical flaw in the engines, but likely the result of human error.

On Saturday, India's Air Accident Investigation Bureau released a report revealing that the fuel control switches on the Boeing 787 were set to "cutoff" just seconds after takeoff, explaining why the widebody jet failed to gain sufficient lift after rotation, as thrust could not be produced with Jet A fuel supply cut off. 

"The aircraft achieved the maximum recorded airspeed of 180 Knots IAS at about 08:08:42 UTC and immediately thereafter, the Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of 01 sec. The Engine N1 and N2 began to decrease from their takeoff values as the fuel supply to the engines was cut off," the report read. 

The report continued, "In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff. The other pilot responded that he did not do so."

By the time the one pilot realized the fuel had been cut off and flipped the switches back to "run," it was too late. Although the engines began relight sequences, the aircraft had already reached its peak speed of 180 knots at just a few hundred feet of altitude—leaving no time for trust recovery. 

More details from the report:

As perthe EAFR, the Engine 1 fuel cutoff switch transitioned from CUTOFF to RUN at about 08:08:52 UTC. The APU Inlet Door began opening at about 08:08:54 UTC, consistent with the APU Auto Start logic. Thereafter at 08:08:56 UTC the Engine 2 fuel cutoff switch also transitions from CUTOFF to RUN. When fuel control switches are moved from CUTOFF to RUN while the aircraft is inflight, each engines full authority dual engine control (FADEC) automatically manages a relight and thrust recoverysequence of ignition and fuel introduction.

The EGT was observed to be rising for both engines indicating relight. Engine 1's core deceleration stopped, reversed and started to progress to recovery. Engine 2 was able to relight but could not arrest core speed deceleration and re-introduced fuel repeatedly to increase core speed acceleration and recovery. The EAFR recording stopped at 08:09:11 UTC.

At about 08:09:05 UTC, one of the pilots transmitted "MAYDAYMAYDAY MAYDAY".

The report does not explain why the switches were flipped and points to no mechanical issues or bird strike. It does, however, suggest a focus on the pilots' actions. The first officer was flying at the time.

As we've previously noted, this marks the first-ever hull loss of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft entered service in 2011. 

At the Paris Air Show, one of the aerospace industry's biggest events, held about a week after the crash, Boeing kept a low profile while the investigation into Flight 171 was ongoing. 

Shawn Pruchnicki, a former airline accident investigator and aviation expert at Ohio State University, told The New York Times: "For example, on the 787 and probably more airliners these days, the switches themselves — you can't shut them off without actually lifting them up. So there's a little mechanical gate built into the switch — you have to lift it up over this little gate. So you can't just bump it."

The good news for Boeing is that the investigation is pointing toward human error as the contributing factor in the crash.

*   *   * 

Read The Full Report: 

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 16:55

Tariff Windfall Drives Surprise $27 Billion US Budget Surplus In June

Authored by Tom Ozimek via The Epoch Times,

New data from the Treasury Department show that surging tariff revenues in June helped the U.S. government post an unexpected budget surplus of $27 billion, offering a rare fiscal bright spot amid persistently high federal deficits and suggesting that President Donald Trump’s tariff policies are becoming a significant source of government revenue.

After running a $316 billion deficit in May, the government recorded a surplus of just over $27 billion last month, according to data released on July 11 by the Treasury Department. The tariff windfall helped narrow the fiscal year-to-date deficit to $1.34 trillion—a slight 1 percent improvement from the same period last year. By contrast, June 2024 saw a $71 billion deficit.

A key driver of the improved balance was a record-breaking surge in customs duties. The Treasury data released on Friday show that tariff collections soared to $27 billion in June alone, pushing total tariff revenues since October to $108 billion—the highest ever recorded for the first nine months of a fiscal year. June’s haul marked a significant jump from May’s prior record of $22 billion and was about 93 percent higher than the $56 billion collected during the same nine-month span of the previous year.

So far in July, customs duties have added another $2.4 billion to federal coffers, according to daily Treasury figures.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has predicted even higher tariff revenues in the months ahead. Speaking at a July 8 White House Cabinet meeting, he said the United States is on track to collect $300 billion by the end of calendar year 2025, noting that the “major” tariffs imposed under the Trump administration did not start until the second quarter.

Since returning to the White House for a second term, Trump has imposed 10 percent universal tariffs on trading partners, along with reciprocal tariffs announced in April on a number of nations, depending on the trade barriers they have with the United States. Trump initially applied a 90-day pause to most of the reciprocal tariffs, and later signed an executive order that extended the reprieve to Aug. 1.

In recent days, the president sent letters to several countries—including Japan, South Korea, and Thailand—informing them that reciprocal tariffs ranging from 25 to 40 percent will be imposed after Aug. 1 unless they agree to reduce trade barriers and negotiate bilateral deals.

Trump has said the higher duties will substantially boost government revenue.

“The big money will start coming in on Aug. 1st. I think it was made clear today by the letters that were sent out yesterday and today,” he said during the Cabinet meeting.

Bessent also cited a June 4 report from the Congressional Budget Office projecting that tariff revenues could total $2.8 trillion over the next decade—a figure he said the administration believes is understated.

Trump said he won’t extend the Aug. 1 deadline for countries to start paying reciprocal tariffs, signaling a firm stance after earlier suggesting flexibility for nations offering trade concessions.

In one recent round of letters, Trump announced new tariffs as follows: 25 percent on Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Tunisia; 30 percent on Bosnia and Herzegovina and South Africa; 32 percent on Indonesia; 35 percent on Bangladesh and Serbia; 36 percent on Cambodia and Thailand; and 40 percent on Burma (also known as Myanmar) and Laos.

In each letter, Trump noted that the tariffs might be lowered if countries open their markets and reduce non-tariff barriers, emphasizing that persistent trade deficits pose “a major threat” to U.S. economic and national security.

More recently, Trump sent another round of letters, noting that Algeria, Iraq, Libya, and Sri Lanka will each be charged a 30 percent tariff, Brunei and Moldova will face a 25 percent tariff, and the Philippines will face a 20 percent tariff.

The president has also announced that Canada will face 35 percent tariffs starting on Aug. 1.

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 15:10

Can Jay Powell Make It Through The Weekend?

Authored by Larry Kudlow via RealClearPolitics.com,

Is the Fed chairman, Jay Powell, going to make it through the weekend? There is talk that he is being forced to resign....

President Trump, of course, is on his case daily for not dropping interest rates in line with low inflation.

Late yesterday, the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency that regulates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and oversees the 11 federal home loan banks, William Pulte, issued a statement, saying: “I’m encouraged by reports that Jerome Powell is considering resigning. I think this will be the right decision for America, and the economy will boom.”

Yesterday, the Office of Management and Budget’s director, Russ Vought, condemned Mr. Powell for his gross mismanagement of what Mr. Vought calls the palace of Versailles. 

Mr. Vought said: “We saw Chairman Powell. He was too late to recognize inflation, and now he’s too late to lower rates. And the Fed has just mismanaged the institution. And we see that the extent to which they’ve been operating at losses for a number of years now is for the first time in their history.” 

He added: “And then you just see a very practical example when you go to the nation’s mall. You see the construction of this palace, in the words of one former official, upwards of $2.5 billion, massive cost overrun.”

And this $2.5 billion monstrosity of Mr. Powell’s is already over budget by $700 million.

Mr. Vought second-guessed Mr. Powell’s Senate testimony that there’s no VIP dining room, no new marble, no special elevators, no new water features, no bee hives, and no roof terrace garden in the Fed’s renovated office complex.

Mr. Vought noted that the Fed’s Taj Mahal is way out of compliance with the National Capital Planning Act.

Mr. Powell has long argued that he can’t be replaced except “for cause.”

Yet this kind of blatant financial mismanagement over the Fed’s new building and the renovations of the old building — mismanagement that Mr. Powell denied under oath — could well represent sufficient “cause” to force his resignation, or even be fired by Mr. Trump.

Meanwhile, economists are pointing out that the Fed is hemorrhaging cash as its interest expenses exceed interest taken in.

And their $6 trillion-plus bond portfolio is underwater by $1.1 trillion.

This has all the earmarks of the bankruptcy of the Silicon Valley Bank, that went under in March of 2023 — and almost pulled the financial system down with it.

So, now the question is: Can Mr. Powell even make it through the weekend?

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 14:00

Can Jay Powell Make It Through The Weekend?

Authored by Larry Kudlow via RealClearPolitics.com,

Is the Fed chairman, Jay Powell, going to make it through the weekend? There is talk that he is being forced to resign....

President Trump, of course, is on his case daily for not dropping interest rates in line with low inflation.

Late yesterday, the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency that regulates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and oversees the 11 federal home loan banks, William Pulte, issued a statement, saying: “I’m encouraged by reports that Jerome Powell is considering resigning. I think this will be the right decision for America, and the economy will boom.”

Yesterday, the Office of Management and Budget’s director, Russ Vought, condemned Mr. Powell for his gross mismanagement of what Mr. Vought calls the palace of Versailles. 

Mr. Vought said: “We saw Chairman Powell. He was too late to recognize inflation, and now he’s too late to lower rates. And the Fed has just mismanaged the institution. And we see that the extent to which they’ve been operating at losses for a number of years now is for the first time in their history.” 

He added: “And then you just see a very practical example when you go to the nation’s mall. You see the construction of this palace, in the words of one former official, upwards of $2.5 billion, massive cost overrun.”

And this $2.5 billion monstrosity of Mr. Powell’s is already over budget by $700 million.

Mr. Vought second-guessed Mr. Powell’s Senate testimony that there’s no VIP dining room, no new marble, no special elevators, no new water features, no bee hives, and no roof terrace garden in the Fed’s renovated office complex.

Mr. Vought noted that the Fed’s Taj Mahal is way out of compliance with the National Capital Planning Act.

Mr. Powell has long argued that he can’t be replaced except “for cause.”

Yet this kind of blatant financial mismanagement over the Fed’s new building and the renovations of the old building — mismanagement that Mr. Powell denied under oath — could well represent sufficient “cause” to force his resignation, or even be fired by Mr. Trump.

Meanwhile, economists are pointing out that the Fed is hemorrhaging cash as its interest expenses exceed interest taken in.

And their $6 trillion-plus bond portfolio is underwater by $1.1 trillion.

This has all the earmarks of the bankruptcy of the Silicon Valley Bank, that went under in March of 2023 — and almost pulled the financial system down with it.

So, now the question is: Can Mr. Powell even make it through the weekend?

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 14:00

Q2-2025 Earnings Season Preview

Authored by Lance Roberts via RealInvestmentAdvice.com,

Next week, the Q2-2025 earnings season will begin in earnest as a barrage of S&P 500 companies report, starting with the Wall Street money center banks on Tuesday and Wednesday. Since earnings drive the market by supporting investor expectations, what should investors expect? Let’s dig into the details.

Over the last few months, according to data from S&P Global, the Q2-2025 earnings estimates have declined from $234/share in the original March 2024 estimate to $220/share as of June 15th. That $14 drop in estimates is partially due to the impact of tariff concerns on corporate outlooks.

According to FactSet:

“Heading into the end of the quarter, analysts have reduced earnings estimates for S&P 500 companies for the second quarter more than average. However, the percentage of S&P 500 companies issuing negative earnings guidance for the second quarter is less than average. As a result, estimated earnings for the S&P 500 for the second quarter are lower today compared to expectations at the start of the quarter. In addition, the index is expected to report its lowest year-over-year earnings growth rate since Q4 2023 (4.0%).

In terms of estimate revisions for companies in the S&P 500, analysts have lowered earnings estimates for Q2 2025 by a larger margin than average. On a per-share basis, estimated earnings for the second quarter have decreased by 4.1% to date. This decline is larger than the 5-year average (-3.0%) and the 10-year average (-3.1%) for a quarter.”

Again, many of those negative revisions are tied to concerns over tariffs under the current Administration, and the lack of finalized “trade deals” keeps forward estimates in flux. However, as we move into Q3 and Q4 of this year, there should be sufficient resolutions to stabilize forecasts.

The macro-tailwinds of easing trade tensions, falling energy prices, and optimism over Fed rate cuts have helped equity markets return to new highs in June. However, some of those advances will be tested in the coming weeks, as there is a risk of earnings disappointment, particularly as we see continued weakness in the economic data. The Economic Composite Index (roughly 100 data points) has decreased sharply in the last two months. Historically, earnings track real economic activity, suggesting a risk of disappointment exists.

Why Estimates Are Being Cut More Sharply

There are three core drivers to explain the steeper-than-normal downward revisions in Q2-2025 earnings.

Rising trade risks: Trump’s tariff actions renewed mid‑year jitters. Industry groups and strategists at Goldman, Bank of America, and Citi warn tariffs may shave off ~1–2% EPS growth per 5pp increase in effective duty rates. While tariffs are on pause, that “pause” expires July 7th. We fully expect that pause to be extended into Q3, given the Administration has deals currently in progress. However, investors should potentially hedge against unforeseen problems later in the summer.

Weaker consumer spending: Our most significant concern for Q2-2025 earnings and the rest of the year is slowing economic growth, which will spill over into consumer spending. As discussed in “Consumer Spending Drives Earnings,” there is a high correlation between Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) and earnings. To wit:

“One of the better measures for developing a framework for future earnings growth is personal consumption expenditures (PCE), since they comprise nearly 70% of the economic equation. The annual percentage change in forward earnings tracks the yearly percentage change in PCE fairly closely.”

Given the recent softness in the employment data and the downturn in PCE, the risk to earnings is rising.

Lastly, the downturn in energy and materials earnings directly reflects economic weakness. The Q2-2025 earnings for the energy sector declined by ~19%, while materials fell by ~12% year‑over‑year. The decline in those two sectors is essential given their reflection of economic activity.

However, on the optimistic side, the Technology and Communications companies (particularly given their weight in the index) are buoying corporate earnings. Ongoing strong investment in AI and capex, particularly within the “Magnificent 7,” is expected to report strong earnings and revenue growth. As such, their Q2 guidance and commentary will likely offset some of the risk of spillover from trade and consumer dynamics.

Positioning For Earnings Season

At RIA Advisors, here is how we are positioning ahead of Q2 earnings reports.

After the strong run in asset markets from the April lows, markets are technically back to more overbought levels, with sentiment returning to “extreme greed.” Those levels open the door to a higher level of “disappointment” in earnings announcements than would otherwise be the case.

As such, we are looking to rebalance portfolio risk by reducing risk in areas with the highest degree of “disappointment potential” and somewhat raising cash levels. This gives us a hedge against downside risk, and cash to buy earnings “over reactions” in structurally advantaged sectors.

Our primary focus will be to:

(The following is not a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any securities. This is strictly for educations and informational purposes only and a disclosure of RIA’s positioning.)

• Focus on structurally advantaged sectors: Stick with AI heavyweights like Microsoft, Nvidia, and Alphabet. They carry forward earnings momentum, and guidance around AI spending could prompt positive sentiment . Conversely, avoid high-beta cyclical stocks, which may underperform if tariffs spark volatility.

• Tilt toward defensive, dividend‑paying stocks: As equity valuations remain elevated, despite slowing economic forecasts, adding exposure to low‑volatility and dividend‑generating segments, like consumer staples or utilities, can add ballast. Our primary portfolio includes companies like PG, BRK.B, RTX, and V.

• Watch guidance tone, not just numbers: Companies may retract or express uncertainty. Last quarter, ~4% of S&P 500 firms withdrew forward EPS commentary due to tariff uncertainty. In Q2 calls, examine the economic forecast from cyclical, discretionary, and staple companies for warnings or downward momentum beyond base estimates.

• Expect upside surprises, but remain realistic: Historically, 75–77% of S&P 500 firms top EPS expectations, due to the deep cuts of estimates going into earnings season. However, with consensus estimates already cut deeply, there is a high potential for a higher-than-normal “beat rate,” especially in tech (MSFT, NVDA), healthcare (ABBV, LLY), and communications (META, GOOG).

• Retain domestic vs. international exposure: The powerhouse of earnings growth remains the U.S. versus the rest of the world. With Central Banks cutting rates globally to offset sluggish economic growth, the backdrop of U.S. earnings will remain attractive to investors globally. This is why the U.S. has massively outperformed international markets over the last 15 years, and it is unlikely to change soon, given the dominance of AI by U.S. companies.

Conclusion

Q2-2025 earnings season reflects a more cautious narrative: earnings growth is decelerating, estimates have been cut more sharply, and company guidance is likely to follow suit. Yet underlying fundamentals remain solid, especially in the technology, communication, and defensive segments. Historically, positive surprises tend to outpace negativity, offering upside potential if macro headwinds remain stable.

However, our primary concern remains the slowing growth trend in the economic data. That trend, combined with rising delinquency rates, rising defaults, and declining consumption, all suggest that monetary policy is too restrictive and the Federal Reserve is likely behind on cutting rates. As discussed recently:

“This raises the danger of a policy mismatch: If the Fed waits for inflation that doesn’t arrive, it may keep real interest rates excessively high for too long, just as it kept them too low following the pandemic. The consequences could be severe.”

Next week, as earnings season kicks into high gear, investors should emphasize quality, weigh defensive income options, remain alert to guidance tone, and consider hedged exposure in reports. A well‑balanced approach, with a tilt toward AI‑led growth balanced with conservative positioning, will align risk/reward ahead of potentially market-moving announcements.

Trade accordingly.

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 10:30

Trump To Impose 30% Tariffs On Mexico, European Union

President Trump on Saturday morning fired off two trade warning letters via Truth Social, threatening to impose 30% tariffs on all Mexican and European imports starting August 1. The warning to Mexico hinges on action to curb the flow of fentanyl and dismantle drug cartels, while the threat to Europe demands an end to long-standing trade imbalances driven by EU tariffs and non-tariff barriers. This caps off a week of letters sent to America's top trade partners, with tariff threats used as a negotiation tool by the Trump administration to seal deals.

"Despite our strong relationship, you will recall, the United States imposed Tariffs on Mexico to deal with our Nation's Fentanyl crisis, which is caused, in part, by Mexico's failure to stop the Cartels, who are made up of the most despicable people who ever walked the Earth, from pouring these drugs into our country," Trump said in the letter addressed to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. 

He continued, "Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done, is not enough. Mexico still has not stopped the Cartels who are trying to turn all of North America into a Narco-Trafficking Playground." 

Here are the key points in the letter:

• 30% tariff will apply to all Mexican imports unless action is taken.

• Tariff waivers will be granted for companies that build or manufacture in the U.S.

• If Mexico raises tariffs in retaliation, the U.S. will match them on top of the 30%.

• Adjust tariffs if Mexico successfully confronts the cartels and halts fentanyl trafficking

Copy of the letter that was posted on Trump's Truth Social:

The second letter Trump was addressed to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in which he informed Brussels that he would impose a 30% tariff on all EU products starting August 1, unless long-standing trade imbalances—driven by EU tariffs and non-tariff barriers—are addressed.

"The European Union, despite having one of our largest Trade Deficits with you. Nevertheless, we have decided to move forward, but only with more balanced and fair TRADE," the president said. 

He emphasized:

• The U.S. market is open and fair, but EU practices have created an unsustainable trade deficit.

• The 30% tariff applies separately from any sectoral tariffs and will be higher for goods transshipped to avoid it.

• No tariffs will be applied if EU companies manufacture within the U.S.

• The EU must allow full market access to the U.S. or face higher tariffs.

• Retaliatory EU tariffs will be met with additional levies.

Trump warned that this trade deficit with the EU is a "major threat to our Economy and, indeed, our National Security!" 

Copy of the letter that was posted on Trump's Truth Social:

This past week, the Trump administration sent out two dozen trade warning letters to countries.

Let's recap the week with the most important trade headlines:

• Trade Crackdown: 14 Countries Receive Tariff Letters Including Japan, South Korea And Thailand

• Tariff Time Again: Trump Sends Trade Letters Ahead Of Deadline, Threatens 10% Tariff On BRICS-Aligned Nations

• Trump Says BRICS Members Will Get Additional 10% Tariffs Over De-Dollarization Attempt

• Trump To Impose 35% Canadian Tariff, But USMCA Goods To Stay Exempt

• Copper Soars To Record High As Trump Unleashes 50% Tariff

In markets, crypto was the only asset class trading, with Bitcoin edging lower following the trade warning posts around 8:30 a.m. ET. Some selling pressure in BTC/USD had already emerged earlier, starting around 6:00 a.m. ET.

If no deals are reached by August 1, renewed trade tensions could roil global markets.

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 09:55

Ford Recalling 850,000 Vehicles For Fuel Pump Failure

Ford is recalling over 850,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to a faulty low-pressure fuel pump that could fail and cause engine stalls, increasing crash risk, according to AP.

The recall includes various recent Ford and Lincoln models, such as the Bronco, Explorer, F-150, Aviator, and Navigator, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

AP writes that starting July 14, Ford will notify affected owners about the issue, though a fix is still in development. A second notice will be sent once the repair is available, which will be free of charge.

Ford just launched its new “Zero-Zero-Zero” summer sales event to ease upfront vehicle costs amid rising interest rates and growing tariff pressures.

The campaign—starting July 8—offers zero down payment, 0% interest for 48 months, and no payments for 90 days on most Ford and Lincoln models.

This initiative follows the “From America, For America” employee pricing strategy, which helped boost Q2 sales (Ford up 14.2%, Lincoln up 31%).

The move comes as tariffs have begun to impact Ford’s pricing. Vehicles like the Maverick, Mustang Mach-E, and Bronco Sport—built in Mexico—are now subject to a 25% import tariff, prompting Ford to raise prices on those models. Additionally, tariff-related increases in parts costs could affect other vehicles across Ford’s lineup.

Recall we wrote weeks ago that tariffs would cost auto consumers an extra $2000 per vehicle. 

General Motors and Ford have projected tariff-related hits of $5 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, and plan to offset some of it through price hikes. This could result in around 1 million fewer cars sold in the U.S. over the next three years. AlixPartners sees a rebound, projecting U.S. auto sales to hit 17 million by 2030.

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 08:45

Turkey's Outlawed PKK Begins 'Symbolic' Disarmament By Burning Weapons

Via The Cradle

A group of fighters from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) laid down their arms on Friday during a disarmament ceremony in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region, coinciding with continued Turkish attacks on the organization despite months of a ceasefire between the historic rivals. 

Just 30 minutes into the ceremony, the Turkish army launched air attacks on villages in the Amediya district of Dohuk province in north Iraq. The small ceremony was held on Friday near the province of Sulaimaniya. Twenty to 30 PKK fighters destroyed their weapons in a symbolic gesture, rather than surrender them to authorities. 

Via X

Images on social media showed the militants placing their guns in a fire pit, ready to be lit. 

The group “comprised around 30 fighters who laid down weapons including AK-47s, PKM machine guns, and sniper rifles,” informed sources told Kurdish news outlet Rudaw.  

The fighters affirmed during the ceremony their commitment to democratic political engagement aimed at securing Kurdish rights in Turkey.

In a statement, the group of PKK fighters – identifying themselves as the Group for Peace and Democratic Society – said they disarmed to “ensure the practical success of ‘Peace and Democratic Society’ process, to wage our freedom, democracy and socialist struggle with methods of legal and democratic politics on the basis of enacting laws for democratic integration.”

They said their destruction of the arms was “a step of goodwill and determination.” Ankara welcomed the step, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan describing it as “totally ripping off and throwing away the bloody shackles that were put on our country’s legs.” He added that the move would benefit the region. 

In the weeks leading up to the ceremony, Turkish attacks continued to target Kurdish areas of northern Iraq, according to a war monitor.

The US-based Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT) said on Thursday that “Turkish military strikes and operations have remained steady – though increasingly concentrated in specific areas – even as a disarmament ceremony approaches this Friday.”

These pictures show PKK beginning its disarmament today, starting with 30 armed members laying down their weapons. In the region’s history of conflict, such scenes—if not unique—are certainly rare. Lasting peace will require continued effort, especially from the Turkish state. pic.twitter.com/4L3S46zSGd

— Kamaran Palani (@KamaranMPalani) July 11, 2025

“Turkish military strikes have remained steady and concentrated – though notably, no civilian casualties have been reported – since their surge in May. In June, bombardments and attacks increased by just eight percent compared to the previous month but continue to exceed levels observed prior to the ceasefire,” CPT said. 

“Notably, 98 percent of strikes and shelling occurred within the Duhok governorate, specifically in the Amedi district, a stark contrast to previous years when Turkish offensives were more geographically dispersed,” it added. 

Between June 1 and June 30, at least 550 bombings and strikes were documented in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, the monitor went on to say.

The PKK has been engaged in a guerrilla campaign against Turkiye for decades. Its leader, Abdullah Ocalan, is currently serving a life sentence in prison on the Turkish island of Imrali. In February, Ocalan issued a call for the PKK to lay down its arms. 

The group has been holding talks on the matter with the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) in Turkiye. It has demanded legal and political guarantees in exchange for disarming, including constitutional reforms and equal rights for Kurds in Turkiye. It is also hoping for an eventual release of its leader from Turkish prison.

Thirty #PKK fighters burned their weapons in a ceremony in Sulaymaniyah as part of their #disarmament process.

Photo: Hama Sur / Channel8 pic.twitter.com/XIHsa25iE2

— Channel 8 English (@Channel8English) July 11, 2025

Ocalan reiterated his call in a video message released on 9 July, declaring that the Kurdish militant group’s decades-long armed struggle against Turkiye has come to an end. On March 1, the PKK declared an immediate ceasefire in its insurgency against the Turkish state, in line with Ocalan’s call in February. 

The PKK is very closely linked to the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria, which earlier this year signed a deal with Damascus to integrate into the new Syrian military. The integration has yet to take place. Ankara has urged the SDF to quit “stalling” and integrate with Damascus’s forces immediately.

Tyler Durden Sat, 07/12/2025 - 08:10

Conservative Creators: Don’t Let The Liberal Entertainment Crisis Go To Waste

Authored by Brandon Smith via Alt-Market.us

We’ve all heard the argument before – “Liberals are the ‘creatives’ in western culture and conservatives have no imagination”. And, if you only use venues like the Hollywood film industry or maybe the New York art and literature scenes as examples, then this claim might appear to have validity. After all, the vast majority of filmmakers, writers, actors and artists today are rabidly progressive. It’s hard to find a single conservative among them.

Of course, the argument falls apart when we look back to the artists and musical geniuses of the Renaissance, or the great writers and poets of the early industrial age. In fact, for centuries the creative world was dominated by conservative and Christian powerhouses. It wasn’t until the quiet leftist invasion of media starting in the 1940s (which was stalled by McCarthy) and the eventual takeover in the 1970s that “art” became the exclusive domain of progressives.

How did this happen? How did conservatives get pushed out of the creative world?

Well, they’re still around; thousands upon thousands of them. However, the art world and the realm of entertainment are largely dictated by corporate dollars. Wealthy benefactors used to PAY conservative artists and commissioned great works. Now, they don’t. Whoever gets the money gets the exposure, and liberal artists get the money. It’s not about merit, it’s about ideology and politics.

Try to be a new talent with openly conservative views in mainstream film, television, fiction writing, comic books, painting, music, etc. Watch how quickly you are added to the blacklist and how quickly you disappear regardless of how brilliant your work is. It’s not a conspiracy theory, it’s observable fact.

There are numerous case studies of conservatives in Hollywood being buried by the industry. In literature the progressives learned how to control the bottleneck – Nearly all literary agencies are run by leftists (and women), and if you can’t get representation for your book then it won’t get nationally published.

A common argument among leftists (or idiots) is that women simply read far more and so books that cater to female consumers get the green light. It’s the “free market” – Don’t you support the free market?

In reality, the woke takeover of literature came first. And, now that books are rarely written by men for men, male readers have no market to tap into. The problem has become so epidemic that a literary company in Britain called Conduit Books announced that they are going to focus on male writers for the foreseeable future. And guess what happened? Mobs of leftists and the corporate media attacked them, arguing that men had their time and now is the time for women to “have a voice”.

In other words, male writers (let alone male conservative writers) aren’t even allowed to have ONE company that supports their work.

As the Gamergate movement exposed, woke activists hijacked gaming by extorting companies with threats of cancellation. They then organized “consultation” groups (like Sweet Baby Inc.) that invaded the industry and injected woke narratives into every new product. Conservatives are persona non grata in the AAA game development space.

Comic books have been utterly destroyed by the political left. An army of feminists and LGBT activists now control every aspect of the comic industry and American comics no longer sell because of woke politics. Did the market die? No, customers simply moved on to the alternatives. Japanese Manga dominates the comic market today with sales that dwarf American comics. In 2021, total US comic sales hit $2.07 billion, with $1.47 billion of that being manga.

These are just a few examples of how leftists act as gatekeepers in creative markets. For decades they have dictated who gets exposure and who doesn’t. And you know whose fault it is? It’s ours.

For many years I have listened to conservatives dismiss pop culture as “kids stuff” and not important compared to politics. Meanwhile, woke saboteurs were slithering into every corner of the entertainment world and planting their degenerate notions into every movie, every show, every song, every book, everywhere you look their cultism is rampant. You can’t get away from it and we allowed this to happen because we weren’t paying attention.

Luckily, a counter-movement has formed and the vast effort to stop wokeness in media has been largely effective in organizing boycotts. In the past few years nearly every entertainment platform that produces woke material is dying.

In movies, production companies are forced to reduce or completely cut out woke messaging in order to draw an audience. The problem is, the leftists still stand guard at the gates. Conservatives still aren’t getting access to media markets, which means all we are going to get for years to come is progressive slop, or productions that avoid wokeness but remain mediocre.

My fear is that audiences will simply settle for mediocre as a replacement for woke; that people will throw up their hands and give up on quality in art and entertainment as long as they’re no longer bombarded with DEI. It basically means the the death of creativity in the west.

So what’s the solution?

It seems so obvious to me that it’s painful, but maybe conservative creators are so despondent that they’ve given up. The internet and social media offer immense opportunities for independent content creation, but this is not enough. Audiences and investors need to put cash and support behind the alternative content industry.

Just as great Christian artists were once given the ability to conjure historic works of grandeur because of commissions, there needs to be a movement to focus production and distribution back into conservative hands.

The crisis in liberal entertainment cannot be allowed to go to waste. Never before has the progressive media juggernaut been as weak as it has been in the last few years. Now is the time to take the culture back. Not necessarily by forcing conservative politics into movies and books, but by creating meaningful and powerful art again; art that removes the stains of wokeness.

Films and short form fictional content are incredibly cheap to make and distribute compared to 20 years ago. I have always loved the artform of film but when I started writing in the early 2000s the field was prohibitively expensive and digital cameras were in their infancy. Even making a short film could bankrupt the average twenty-something artist with a tight budget.

Today, you can get near Hollywood quality digital cameras, lighting, editing, sound, etc, for well under $10,000. Maybe half that price if you buy used. All you need is a good idea and the will to make it happen. Price is no longer a factor like it once was.

I will say, though, that conservative filmmakers need some kind of venue to tap into – Maybe a yearly short film contest or a screenplay competition. Someone needs to step up and provide an arena where conservative creators can compete for greater opportunities beyond some cash from YouTube.

In literature I suspect the crusade will be much more difficult, unless companies with weight and money step in to launch a conservative renaissance in fiction. Self publishing is definitely an option but reach without marketing is limited. The most successful creators will be those with a preexisting audience. A lot of brilliant writers will fall by the wayside because they don’t already have an online presence.

Indie video games are in the wild west phase and there are some incredible success stories out there.  As the technology becomes more accessible I suspect leftists will lose their hold on development.  It may take another few years, though.

I believe comic books is one area that is BEGGING for revitalization and new blood. As noted, the market is huge. American readers are hungry for good stories, they just aren’t finding them at Marvel and DC because of the woke takeover. No one wants to buy leftist drivel.

American comic creators like Eric July have proved that the industry can be saved. His libertarian/conservative “Rippaverse” project has garnered a lot of attention (and a lot of hate) for offering non-woke comic books and he has shown that there is a steady audience for this kind of content.

I’m adding my own limited contribution to the fight with my action/horror graphic novel ‘Mountain Hollow’ which is now in print. A story about a survivalist who fights a guerrilla war against an interdimensional evil. Here’s a promo video for my book:

Anyone interested in purchasing a copy can BUY ONE HERE.

I think most people accept the prevailing theory that the political left, with the help of NGOs and even governments, has steamrolled into the cultural zeitgeist with the goal of saturating our media with as much propaganda as possible. Perhaps they they thought we would be so overwhelmed that we would give up and embrace their ideology as the “new normal”.

However, I would suggest that this was only part of their plan. Their secondary goal was to deconstruct western pop-culture should they fail to control it. In other words, if they can’t have it, they would rather burn it all down to the ground so that no one else can have it. And I have to admit that they are winning when it comes to destroying what remains of our entertainment. The options today look bleak.

Stories and art are not simply about fantasy and escapism – They are the catalyst by which a civilization passes on its principles, its ideas, its dreams, its lessons and its morals. Leftists understand this all too well. For some reason conservatives are late to the party. There is still time to save our culture from being cast into the pit of despair.

We only require an organized effort that provides support to conservative art; a new Renaissance which resurrects the values of merit, talent, hard work and conscience.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ZeroHedge.

Tyler Durden Fri, 07/11/2025 - 23:05

These Are 2025's 'Most Livable' Cities

Every year, The Economist ranks cities around the world on livability, based on factors including crime and conflict to public transportation and education.

This map, via Visual Capitalist's Kayla Zhu, shows the 10 most livable cities in the world, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index 2025.

The index ranks cities on over 30 factors across five categories to determine their overall livability. Factors include:

• Stability: Prevalence of crime, terror, military conflict, civil unrest/conflict

• Healthcare: Availability and quality of private and public healthcare, general healthcare indicators

• Culture and environment: Humidity/temperature rating, cultural and sporting availability, social or religious restrictions

• Education: Availability and quality of private education, public education indicators

• Infrastructure: Quality of road network, public transport, international links, availability of good housing

What is the Most Livable City in the World?

Below, we show the 10 most livable cities in the world according to The Economist, and their livability scores.

Copenhagen was ranked the most livable city in the world, ending Vienna’s three-year streak at the top of the rankings.

Denmark’s capital city scored perfect 100s across stability, education, and infrastructure, with an overall score of 98.

Vienna and Zurich tied for second with scores of 97.1. Switzerland—which had two cities rank in the top 10 for livability—also ranked first as the top migration destination to live and work in for 2025.

Vienna saw its scores for stability drop dramatically in the wake of a bomb threat before a Taylor Swift concert (later cancelled), and a planned attack on a city train station in 2025.

Overall, cities in Western Europe and Asia-Pacific continue to dominate the top of the rankings.

Vancouver, Canada is now the only North American city in the top 10, after Calgary saw the biggest drop in ranking, falling from fifth in 2024 to 18th in 2025 due to declines in its healthcare scores.

The average score for livability in 2025 was 76.1 out of 100, the same as 2024. However, scores in the stability category have continue to decline amid widespread geopolitical tension and civil unrest around the world.

To compare this list with last year’s livability rankings, check out the 2024 graphic here.

Tyler Durden Fri, 07/11/2025 - 22:40