Business - Page 67

2025-07-01

Bank of England chief sees downward interest rate trend as UK hunts for growth

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey told CNBC Tuesday that interest rates should come down gradually. Economists widely expect policymakers to cut rates by 25 basis points at the next gathering in August, taking the central bank’s base rate to 4%. Bailey said inflationary pressures, such as averages wage outpacing inflation and higher energy prices, looked like they were cooling.Hollie Adams | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesAndrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England, at the central bank’s headquarters in the City of London, U.K., on Nov. 29, 2024. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey told CNBC Tuesday that “the path of interest rates will continue to be gradually downwards,” as the central bank juggles taming inflation and stoking elusive economic growth.“I haven’t changed my mind on that,” he told CNBC’s Annette Weisbach in Sintra, Portugal, where the European Central Bank is holding a forum. “But in terms of where are we going to go in the next meeting? Well, we’ll see.”Economists expect policymakers will cut rates by 25 basis points at their next gathering in August, which would take the central bank’s base rate from 4.25% to 4%.But BOE’s Bailey told CNBC that policymakers needed to gauge whether persistent inflationary pressures, such as averages wage outpacing inflation and higher energy prices, would continue to soften.“For me, the key question is, is that softening that we’re beginning to see going to come through and create the context where inflation will come back down to target?” he cautioned.The BOE has a 2% inflation target, but price rises have stubbornly exceeded that level, landing at 3.4% in May — well above the neighboring euro zone’s latest inflation print of 2% in June. Growth meanwhile remains elusive, with the U.K. economy shrinking sharply in April as global trade tariffs and new domestic tax rises kicked in.U.K. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves — who last fall introduced tax increases on businesses to largely fund a mammoth public spending program — said the latest growth data was “clearly disappointing.”She also responded to the May inflation reading by insisting that the Treasury had taken “the necessary choices to stabilise the public finances and get inflation under control,” referencing her “fiscal rules” that dictate that day-to-day government spending won’t be funded by borrowing.In the time since those “non-negotiable” rules were set last October, however, the U.K.’s economic and fiscal outlook has become more challenging, with higher debt interest payments and weaker-than-expected tax receipts converging with lower economic growth forecasts. Back in March, the independent Office for Budget Responsibility said that it expects the U.K. to record 1% growth this year and 1.9% in 2026.Mark Kerrison | In Pictures | Getty ImagesShoppers and tourists pass in front of boutiques and antique shops on Portobello Road in London, United Kingdom. Chancellor Reeves has acknowledged that there is “more to do” as the government desperately seeks to boost growth in the U.K. economy.In order to achieve that while sticking to her fiscal rules, Reeves has essentially been left with three options: cut public spending, increase borrowing or raise taxes further.Economists say the latter choice is the government’s only real option, as it has already committed to higher public spending and a more sustainable borrowing framework.Read moreThe UK insisted unpopular tax rises were a one-off. Economists say hikes are now inevitableUK finance minister set on ‘renewing Britain’ as she unveils spending plansUK economy shrank sharply in April as Trump tariffs and tax rises kicked inCentral bank policymakers tend to steer clear from commenting on governments’ fiscal policies to avoid accusations of interference or bias. Bailey nevertheless on Tuesday told CNBC that, while it was important that Reeves had “set out a very clear fiscal framework,” there should be a “suitable amount of flexibility in that.”“The U.K. has got a fiscal framework that the chancellor and I discuss it often. I know the chancellor is very committed to having a robust fiscal policy in place, and that is important as a backdrop to macroeconomic stability,” he said.

2025-07-01

The Coward's Bargain

The Coward's Bargain Authored by Josh Stylman via The Brownstone Institute,Everyone’s Afraid to SpeakSomeone our family has known forever recently told my sister that they’ve been reading my Substack and that if they wrote the things I write, people would call them crazy. I got a kick out of that—not because it’s untrue, but because it reveals something darker about where we’ve ended up as a society. Most people are terrified of being themselves in public.My sister’s response made me laugh: “People do call him crazy. He simply doesn’t care.” The funniest part is that I don’t even write the craziest stuff I research—just the stuff I can back up with sources and/or my own personal observations. I always try to stay rooted in logic, reason, and facts, though—I’m clear when I’m speculating and when I’m not.This same guy has sent me dozens of private messages over the last 4 or 5 years challenging me on stuff I share online. I’ll respond with source material or common sense, and then—crickets. He disappears. If I say something he doesn’t want to hear, he vanishes like a child covering his ears. Over the last few years, I’ve been proven right about most of what we’ve argued about, and he’s been wrong. But it doesn’t matter—he’s got the memory of a gnat and the pattern never changes.But he’d never make that challenge publicly, never risk being seen engaging with my arguments where others might witness the conversation. This kind of private curiosity paired with public silence is everywhere—people will engage with dangerous ideas in private but never risk being associated with them publicly. It’s part of that reflexive “That can’t be true” mindset that shuts down inquiry before it can even begin.But he’s not alone. We’ve created a culture where wrongthink is policed so aggressively that even successful, powerful people whisper their doubts like they’re confessing crimes.I was on a hike last year with a very prominent tech VC. He was telling me about his son’s football team—how their practices kept getting disrupted because their usual field on Randall’s Island was now being used to house migrants. He leaned in, almost whispering: “You know, I’m a liberal, but maybe the people complaining about immigration have a point.” Here’s a guy who invests mountains of money into companies that shape the world we live in, and he’s afraid to voice a mild concern about policy in broad daylight. Afraid of his own thoughts.After I spoke out against vaccine mandates, a coworker told me he totally agreed with my position—but he was angry that I’d said it. When the company didn’t want to take a stand, I told them I would speak as an individual—on my own time, as a private citizen. He was pissed anyway. In fact, he was scolding me about the repercussions to the company. What’s maddening is that this same person had enthusiastically supported the business taking public stands on other, more politically fashionable causes over the years. Apparently, using your corporate voice was noble when it was fashionable. Speaking as a private citizen became dangerous when it wasn’t.Another person told me that they agreed with me but wished they were “more successful like me” so they could afford to speak out. They had “too much to lose.” The preposterousness of this is staggering. Everyone who spoke out during Covid sacrificed—financially, reputationally, socially. I sacrificed plenty myself.But I’m no victim. Far from it. Since I was a young man, I’ve never measured achievement by finance or status—my benchmark for being a so-called successful person was owning my own time. Ironically, getting myself canceled was actually a springboard to that. For the first time in my life, I felt I’d achieved time ownership. Whatever I’ve achieved came from being raised by loving parents, working hard, and having the spine to follow convictions rationally. Those attributes, coupled with some great fortune, are the reason for whatever success I’ve had—they’re not the reason I can speak now. Maybe this person should do some inward searching about why they’re not more established. Maybe it’s not about status at all. Maybe it’s about integrity.This is the adult world we’ve built—one where courage is so rare that people mistake it for privilege, where speaking your mind is seen as a luxury only the privileged can afford, rather than a fundamental requirement for actually becoming established.And this is the world we’re handing to our children.We Built the Surveillance State for ThemI remember twenty years ago, my best friend’s wife (who’s also a dear friend) was about to hire someone when she decided to check the candidate’s Facebook first. The woman had posted: “Meeting the whores at [company name]”—referring to my friend and her coworkers. My friend immediately withdrew the offer. I remember thinking this was absolutely terrible judgment on the candidate’s part; however, it was dangerous territory we were entering: the notion of living completely in public, where every casual comment becomes permanent evidence.Now that danger has metastasized into something unrecognizable. We’ve created a world where every stupid thing a fifteen-year-old says gets archived forever. Not just on their own phones, but screenshot and saved by peers who don’t understand they’re building permanent files on each other—even on platforms like Snapchat that promise everything disappears. We’ve eliminated the possibility of a private adolescence—and adolescence is supposed to be private, messy, experimental. It’s the laboratory where you figure out who you are by trying on terrible ideas and throwing them away.But laboratories require the freedom to fail safely. What we’ve built instead is a system where every failed experiment becomes evidence in some future trial.Think about the dumbest thing you believed at sixteen. The most embarrassing thing you said at thirteen. Now imagine that moment preserved in high definition, timestamped, and searchable. Imagine it surfacing when you’re 35 and running for school board, or just trying to move past who you used to be.If there was a record of everything I did when I was sixteen, I would have been unemployable. Come to think of it, I’m way older than that now and I’m unemployable anyway—but the truth still stands. My generation might have been the last to fully enjoy an analog existence as children. We got to be stupid privately, to experiment with ideas without permanent consequences, to grow up without every mistake being archived for future use against us.I remember teachers threatening us with our “permanent record.” We laughed—some mysterious file that would follow us forever? Turns out they were just early. Now we’ve built those records and handed the recording devices to children. Companies like Palantir have turned this surveillance into a sophisticated business model.We’re asking children to have adult judgment about consequences they can’t possibly understand. A thirteen-year-old posting something stupid isn’t thinking about college applications or future careers. They’re thinking about right now, today, this moment—which is exactly how thirteen-year-olds are supposed to think. But we’ve built systems that treat childhood immaturity as a prosecutable offense.The psychological toll is staggering. Imagine being fourteen and knowing that anything you say might be used against you by people you haven’t met yet, for reasons you can’t anticipate, at some unknown point in the future. That’s not adolescence—that’s a police state built out of smartphones and social media.The result is a generation that’s either paralyzed by self-consciousness or completely reckless because they figure they’re already screwed. Some retreat into careful blandness, crafting personas so sanitized they might as well be corporate spokespeople for their own lives. Others go scorched earth—if everything’s recorded anyway, why hold back? As my friend Mark likes to say, there’s Andrew Tate and then there’s a bunch of incels—meaning the young men either become performatively brash and ridiculous, or they retreat entirely. The young women seem to either drift toward fearful conformity or embrace monetized exposure on platforms like OnlyFans. We’ve managed to channel an entire generation’s rebellion into the very systems designed to exploit them.The Covid Conformity TestThis is how totalitarian thinking takes root—not through jackbooted thugs, but through a million small acts of self-censorship. When a venture capitalist whispers his concerns about immigration policy like he’s confessing to a thought crime. When successful professionals agree with dissenting views privately but would never defend them publicly. When speaking obvious truths becomes an act of courage rather than basic citizenship.George Orwell understood this perfectly. In 1984, the Party’s greatest achievement wasn’t forcing people to say things they didn’t believe—it was making them afraid to believe things they weren’t supposed to say. “The Party seeks power entirely for its own sake,” O’Brien explains to Winston. “We are not interested in the good of others; we are interested solely in power.” But the real genius was making citizens complicit in their own oppression, turning everyone into both prisoner and guard.History shows us how this works in practice. The Stasi in East Germany didn’t just rely on secret police—they turned ordinary citizens into informants. By some estimates, one in seven East Germans was reporting on their neighbors, friends, even family members. The state didn’t need to watch everyone; they got people to watch each other. But the Stasi had limitations: they could recruit informants, but they couldn’t monitor everyone simultaneously, and they couldn’t instantly broadcast transgressions to entire communities for real-time judgment.Social media solved both problems. Now we have total surveillance capability—every comment, photo, like, and share automatically recorded and searchable. We have instant mass distribution—one screenshot reaching thousands in minutes. We have volunteer enforcement—people eagerly participating in calling out “wrongthink” because it feels righteous. And we have permanent records—unlike Stasi files locked in archives, digital mistakes follow you forever.The psychological impact is exponentially worse because Stasi informants at least had to make a conscious choice to report someone. Now the reporting happens automatically—the infrastructure is always listening, always recording, always ready to be weaponized by anyone with a grudge or a cause.We saw this machinery in full operation during Covid. Remember how quickly “two weeks to flatten the curve” became orthodoxy? How questioning lockdowns, mask mandates, or vaccine efficacy wasn’t just wrong—it was dangerous? How saying “maybe we should consider the trade-offs of closing schools” could get you labeled a grandma-killer? The speed at which dissent became heresy was breathtaking.History has shown us that governments can be terrible to citizens. The hardest pill to swallow was the horizontal policing. Your neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family members became the enforcement mechanism. People didn’t just comply; they competed—virtue-signaling their way into a collective delusion where asking basic questions about cost-benefit analysis became evidence of moral deficiency. Neighbors called police on neighbors for having too many people over. People photographed “violations” and posted them online for mass judgment.And the most insidious part? The people doing the policing genuinely believed they were the good guys. They thought they were protecting society from dangerous misinformation, not realizing they had become the misinformation—that they were actively suppressing the kind of open inquiry that’s supposed to be the foundation of both science and democracy.The Ministry of Truth didn’t need to rewrite history in real time. Facebook and Twitter did it for them, memory-holing inconvenient posts and banning users who dared to share pre-approved scientific studies that happened to reach unapproved conclusions. The Party didn’t need to control the past—they just needed to control what you were allowed to remember about it.This wasn’t an accident or an overreaction. This was a stress test of how quickly a free society could be transformed into something unrecognizable, and we failed spectacularly. Anyone who actually followed the science understood that the only pandemic was one of cowardice. Worse, most people didn’t even notice we were being tested. They thought they were just “following the science”—never mind that the data kept changing to match the politics, or that questioning anything had somehow become heretical.The beautiful thing about this system is that it’s self-sustaining. Once you’ve participated in the mob mentality, once you’ve policed your neighbors and canceled your friends and stayed silent when you should have spoken up, you become invested in maintaining the fiction that you were right all along. Admitting you were wrong isn’t just embarrassing—it’s an admission that you participated in something monstrous. So instead, you double down. You disappear when confronted with inconvenient facts.Raising PrisonersAnd this brings us back to the children. They’re watching all of this. But more than that—they’re growing up inside this surveillance infrastructure from birth. The Stasi’s victims at least had some years of normal psychological development before the surveillance state kicked in. These kids never get that. They’re born into a world where every thought might be public, every mistake permanent, every unpopular opinion potentially life-destroying.The psychological impact is devastating. Research shows that children who grow up under constant surveillance—even well-meaning parental surveillance—show higher rates of anxiety, depression, and what psychologists call “learned helplessness.” They never develop internal locus of control because they never get to make real choices with real consequences. But this goes far deeper than helicopter parenting.The ability to hold unpopular opinions, to think through problems independently, to risk being wrong—these aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re core to psychological maturity. When you eliminate those possibilities, you don’t just get more compliant people; you get people who literally can’t think for themselves anymore. They outsource their judgment to the crowd because they never developed their own.We’re creating a generation of psychological cripples—people who are practiced at reading social cues and adjusting their thoughts accordingly, but who have never learned to form independent judgments. People who mistake consensus for truth and popularity for virtue. People who have been so thoroughly trained to avoid wrong-think that they’ve either lost—or never developed—the capacity for original thought entirely.But here’s what’s most disturbing: the kids are learning this behavior from us. They’re watching adults who whisper their real thoughts, who agree privately but stay silent publicly, who confuse strategic silence with wisdom. They’re learning that authenticity is dangerous, that having real convictions is a luxury they can’t afford. They’re learning that truth is negotiable, that principles are disposable, and that the most important skill in life is reading the room and adjusting your thoughts accordingly.The feedback loop is complete: adults model cowardice, children learn that genuine expression is risky, and everyone becomes practiced at self-censorship rather than self-examination. We’ve created a society where the Overton window isn’t just narrow—it’s actively policed by people who are terrified of stepping outside it, even when they privately disagree with its boundaries.This is the architecture of soft totalitarianism. Just the constant, gnawing fear that saying the wrong thing—or even thinking it too loudly—will result in social death. The beauty of this system is that it makes everyone complicit. Everyone has something to lose, so everyone stays quiet. Everyone remembers what happened to the last person who spoke up, so nobody wants to be next.The technology doesn’t just enable this tyranny; it makes it psychologically inevitable. When the infrastructure punishes independent thinking before it can fully form, you get psychological arrested development on a mass scale.It’s already baked into education and employment through DEI and ESG. Wait till it’s baked into the monetary system. Maybe they’re just connecting us to the Borg anyway?We’re passing this pathology down to our children like a genetic disorder. Except this disorder isn’t inherited—it’s enforced. And unlike genetic disorders, this one serves a purpose: it creates a population that’s easy to control, easy to manipulate, easy to lead around by the nose as long as you control the social rewards and punishments.The Price of TruthI don’t share my opinions because I “get away with it”—I don’t get away with anything. I’ve paid socially, professionally, and even financially. But I do it anyway because the alternative is spiritual death. The alternative is becoming someone who messages critics privately but never takes a public stand, someone who’s perpetually annoyed by others’ courage but never exercises their own.The difference isn’t ability or privilege. It’s willingness. I’m open-minded and open-hearted. I can be convinced of anything—but show me, don’t tell me. I’m willing to be wrong, willing to change my mind when new information comes to light or I gain a different perspective on an idea, willing to defend ideas I believe in even when it’s uncomfortable.There are a lot of us right now realizing that something isn’t right—that we’ve been lied to about everything. We’re trying to make sense of what we’re seeing, asking uncomfortable questions, connecting dots that don’t want to be connected. When we call that out, the last thing we need is people who haven’t done the work standing in our way, carrying water for the establishment forces that are manipulating them.Most people could do the same thing if they chose to—they just don’t choose to because they’ve been trained to see conviction as dangerous and conformity as safe.A 2020 Cato Institute survey found that 62% of Americans say the political climate prevents them from sharing their political beliefs because others might find them offensive. Majorities of Democrats (52%), independents (59%), and Republicans (77%) all agree they have political opinions they are afraid to share.When adults who lived through Covid saw what happens when groupthink becomes gospel—how quickly independent thought gets labeled dangerous, how thoroughly dissent gets suppressed—many responded not by becoming more committed to free expression, but by becoming more careful about what they express. They learned the wrong lesson.What we’re creating is a society where authenticity has become a radical act, where courage is so rare it looks like privilege. We’re raising children who learn that being yourself is dangerous, that having real opinions carries unlimited downside risk. They’re not just careful about what they say—they’re careful about what they think.This doesn’t create better people. It creates more fearful people. People who mistake surveillance for safety, conformity for virtue, and silence for wisdom. People who’ve forgotten that the point of having thoughts is sometimes to share them, that the point of having convictions is sometimes to defend them.The solution isn’t to abandon technology or retreat into digital monasteries. But we need to create spaces—legal, social, psychological—where both kids and adults can fail safely. Where mistakes don’t become permanent tattoos. Where changing your mind is seen as growth rather than hypocrisy. Where having convictions is valued over having clean records.Most importantly, we need adults who are willing to model courage instead of strategic silence—who understand that the price of speaking up is usually less than the price of staying quiet. In a world where everyone’s afraid to say what they think, the honest voice doesn’t just stand out—it stands up.Because right now, we’re not just living in fear—we’re teaching our children that fear is the price of participation in society. And a society built on fear isn’t a society at all. It’s just a more comfortable prison, one where the guards are ourselves and the keys are our own convictions, which we’ve learned to keep safely locked away.Whether it’s experimental medicine or the masters of war lying again to drag us into what might become World War III—it’s PSYOP season—it’s never been more important that people find their conviction, use their voice, and become a force for good. If you’re still scared to push back against war propaganda, still getting swept up in manufactured outrage cycles, still choosing your principles based on which team is in power—then you may have learned absolutely nothing from the last few years.These days, friends are starting to confide in me that maybe I was right about the mRNA vaccines not working. I don’t gloat—in fact, I appreciate the openness. But my standard reply is that they’re four years late to the story. They’ll know they’ve caught up when they realize the world is run by a bunch of satanic pedophiles. And yeah, I used to think that sounded crazy too.Republished from the author’s Substack Tyler DurdenMon, 06/30/2025 - 22:35

2025-07-01

Robinhood, Apple, Oracle, Plug Power And Tesla: Why These 5 Stocks Are On Investors' Radars Today

On Monday, major U.S. indices closed in positive territory, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.6% to 44,094.77. The S&P 500 gained 0.5% to finish at 6,204.95, while the Nasdaq also advanced 0.5%, ending the session at 20,369.73.These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors throughout the day.Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ:HOOD)Shares of Robinhood Markets soared by 12.77% to close at $93.63, after touching an intraday high of $94.24 and a low of $85.50. The stock now sits at its 52-week high of $94.24, with a 52-week low of $13.98. The trading platform operator unveiled new features aimed at simplifying and enhancing crypto trading for its users. In a move designed to make digital asset management more accessible, the company introduced updates that promise a more powerful and user-friendly experience. New offerings include stock and ETF tokens, which are available in the European Union.Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)Apple Inc. advanced 2.03% to finish at $205.17, after trading between $199.26 and $207.39 during the ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

2025-07-01

CNBC Daily Open: Keeping a cool head paid off for investors

S&P and Nasdaq touch fresh highs. White House claims Canada ‘caves’ on trade. China’s June factory activity unexpectedly expands. Elon Musk calls Trump bill “DEBT SLAVERY.”‘ Some companies are expected to benefit from higher NATO defense spending.What a first half of the year it has been.In the first six months, the world saw a (not so) new U.S. president in the Oval Office, said president upend the global trade landscape, and a president in South Korea removed from office. Conflicts also broke out between India and Pakistan, as well as Israel and Iran (along with a U.S. airstrike thrown into the mix.)Chinese AI startup DeepSeek made its debut, stealing ChatGPT’s thunder for a while, and elections took place around the world, including in Germany, Australia, and even right here in sunny Singapore. We might just have to call Billy Joel and get him to write a whole new version of “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Despite such a rollercoaster ride so far, market investors, in response to most developments, seem to have adopted the U.K.’s mantra as it prepared for war in 1939: Keep calm and carry on. If we take a longer-term view, markets have delivered a respectable performance despite a volatile first half. Just a few stats: the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at fresh all-time highs Monday and are up about 5% year to date. In Europe, the Stoxx 600 is up 6.7%, and in Asia, most major markets are in positive territory, with Hong Kong and South Korea posting a whopping 20% gain year to date. Keep calm and carry on into the second half of the year, investors. — Lim Hui JieWhat you need to know todayS&P and Nasdaq touch fresh highs. On Monday, the S&P 500 gained 0.52% and posted another record close, ending at 6,204.95, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.47% and reached a fresh all-time high of 20,369.73. Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Tuesday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 retreating from an 11-month high.White House claims Canada ‘caves’ on trade. The White House said that Canada “caved” to President Donald Trump by hastily rescinding its digital services tax after the president threatened to shut down trade negotiations between the two major trading partners.China’s June factory activity unexpectedly expands. The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers’ index came in at 50.4, higher than the Reuters estimate of 49. It also diverged from China’s official PMI report, which samples more companies, mostly in upstream sectors.Elon Musk calls Trump bill “DEBT SLAVERY.” The Tesla and SpaceX CEO is doubling down on his criticisms to kill Trump’s signature megabill. Musk also called for a “new political party,” and vowed that any fiscal conservative who votes for the bill will “lose their primary next year.”[PRO] Beneficiaries of NATO defense spending. With NATO members committing to a much higher defense spending target, certain companies are expected to see huge boosts to their bottom lines – particularly those headquartered in Europe.And finally...Fotograzia | Moment | Getty ImagesDigital illustration of a glowing world map with “AI” text across multiple continents, representing the global presence and integration of artificial intelligence. As nations build ‘sovereign AI,’ open-source models and cloud computing can helpAs artificial intelligence becomes more democratized, it is important for emerging economies to build their own “sovereign AI,” panelists told CNBC’s East Tech West conference in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday.In general, sovereign AI refers to a nation’s ability to control its own AI technologies, data and related infrastructure, ensuring strategic autonomy while meeting its unique priorities and security needs.— Dylan Butts» Read more

2025-07-01

Too sick to work, some Americans worry Trump’s bill will strip their health insurance

Stephanie Ivory counts on Medicaid to get treated for gastrointestinal conditions and a bulging disc that makes standing or sitting for long periods painful. Her disabilities keep her from working, she said.

2025-07-01

'Historic moment': First LNG Canada shipment departs B.C. for Asia - Yahoo

'Historic moment': First LNG Canada shipment departs B.C. for Asia YahooCanada's historic first cargo of LNG sets sail for buyers in Asia Financial Post‘Historic moment’: First LNG Canada shipment departs B.C. for Asia Toronto StarCanada’s liquefied natural gas touted — and doubted — as a green ‘transition’ fuel CityNews VancouverLNG Canada starts exports to Asia and explores pathways to expansion The Globe and Mail

2025-07-01

Japanese manufacturers are slightly more optimistic despite Trump tariff worries

TOKYO (AP) — Business sentiment among large Japanese manufacturers has improved slightly, according to a survey by Japan’s central bank released Tuesday, although worries persist over President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The Bank of Japan’s quarterly tankan survey said an index for large manufacturers rose to plus 13 from plus 12 in March, when it marked [...]

2025-07-01

AP Business SummaryBrief at 10:19 p.m. EDT

Trump vents online about service provider after conference call marred by glitch

2025-06-30

Crocs To Sacrifice Sales To Protect Margins, Analyst Cuts Price Target

Crocs Inc's (NASDAQ:CROX) management is likely focusing on keeping inventory clean against a softer wholesale backdrop, rather than trying to meet sales targets, in order to help protect margins, according to Bank of America Securities.The Crocs Analyst: Analyst Christopher Nardone maintained a Buy rating, while reducing the price target from $140 to $135.The Crocs Thesis: With shares down 14% from their peak following the company's first-quarter earnings release in May, the stock now prices in "a more cautious US wholesale environment," ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

2025-06-30

AP Business SummaryBrief at 10:47 a.m. EDT

Senate Republicans are in a sprint on Trump's big bill after a weekend of setbacks

2025-06-30

'Do You Really Think We're Going To Get Rid Of Lawyers?' Says Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt — Predicts AI Will Only Make Jobs More Complex

"Do you really think we're going to get rid of lawyers?" former Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently asked, warning that artificial intelligence will complicate legal work—not eliminate it. During a TED interview in Vancouver in April , he called AI a "career-defining" shift. Schmidt urged every industry to "adopt it, and adopt it fast." He argued that AI is already transforming office environments, clinics and courtrooms by making jobs "more sophisticated, not quickly obsolete."Don't Miss:GoSun's breakthrough rooftop EV charger already has 2,000+ units reserved — become an investor in this $41.3M clean energy brand today.Invest early in CancerVax's breakthrough tech aiming to disrupt a $231B market. Back a bold new approach to cancer treatment with high-growth potential.AI Adoption Accelerates Across IndustriesSchmidt pointed to his March investment in Relativity Space, a California-based rocket startup, as an example of AI's learning potential. "It's an area that I'm not an expert in, and I want to be an expert," he told the audience, ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

2025-06-30

Over 60,000 supplements recalled over deadly poison risk: Check packaging NOW - Daily Mail

Over 60,000 supplements recalled over deadly poison risk: Check packaging NOW Daily MailVitamins sold nationwide recalled due to 'risk of serious injury or death' from poisoning WKRCiHerb Recalls Bottles and Blister Packs of California Gold Nutrition Iron Supplements Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Child Poisoning; Violation of Federal Standard for Child Resistant Packaging U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (.gov)60K vitamins, prenatal supplements recalled over deadly poison risk NewsNationAbout 60,000 units of multivitamins recalled for risks to children. See impacted items. USA Today

2025-06-30

Dad Jumps From Disney Ship to Save Young Daughter, Ocean Rescue on Cam - TMZ

Dad Jumps From Disney Ship to Save Young Daughter, Ocean Rescue on Cam TMZChild reportedly fell overboard on Disney cruise. Her dad jumped in after her. USA TodayDad Jumps Overboard to Save His Daughter After She Falls from Fourth Deck of Disney Cruise Ship: Reports People.comChild falls overboard on Disney Cruises ship TheStreetDad jumps in to save daughter who fell overboard from Disney cruise ship near Fort Lauderdale CBS News

2025-06-30

Sage lays off entire staff of 338 amid Supernus acquisition - Fierce Pharma

Sage lays off entire staff of 338 amid Supernus acquisition Fierce PharmaSage Therapeutics cuts most of its workforce following acquisition STATSage to lay off most staff amid Supernus buyout Yahoo FinanceSage Sacks Entire Staff After Supernus Buyout BioSpaceSage Therapeutics cuts over 300 jobs after securing buyer The Business Journals

2025-06-30

People Are Searching More, But Not Just on Google

Digital marketing is extra confusing right now because two huge changes are happening at the same time.

2025-06-30

Union says 250 CN Tower workers locked out ahead of Canada Day

TORONTO - More than 250 workers at the CN Tower, one of the most iconic tourist sites in Toronto, have been locked out just before Canada Day, their union said on Monday.

2025-06-30

Home Depot heads deeper into the building supply business with $5 billion acquisition of GMS

GMS is a distributor of specialty building products.

2025-06-30

Peter Thiel Warns: One-World Government A Greater Threat Than AI Or Climate Change

Peter Thiel Warns: One-World Government A Greater Threat Than AI Or Climate Change In a wide-ranging interview on the future and global existential risks, billionaire technology investor Peter Thiel raised alarms not only about familiar threats like nuclear war, climate change, and artificial intelligence but also about what he sees as a more insidious danger: the rise of a one-world totalitarian state. Speaking to the New York Times’ Ross Douthat, Thiel argued that the default political response to global crises—centralized, supranational governance—could plunge humanity into authoritarianism.Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, shared his worries using examples from dystopian sci-fi stories. “There’s a risk of nuclear war, environmental disaster, bioweapons, and certain types of risks with AI,” Thiel explained to Douthat, suggesting that the push for global governance as a solution to these threats could culminate in a “bad singularity” - a one-world state that stifles freedom under the guise of safety.Thiel critiqued what he described as a reflexive call for centralized control in times of peril.“The default political solution people have for all these existential risks is one-world governance,” Thiel observed, pointing to proposals for a strengthened United Nations to control nuclear arsenals or global compute governance to regulate AI development, including measures to “log every single keystroke” to prevent dangerous programming. Such solutions, the investor warned, risk creating a surveillance state that sacrifices individual liberty for security.Drawing on historical and philosophical analogies, Thiel referenced a 1940s Federation of American Scientists film, One World or None, which argued that only global governance could prevent nuclear annihilation. Thiel juxtaposed this with a Christian theological framing: “Antichrist or Armageddon?” In both, the billionaire said he sees a binary choice between centralized control and catastrophic collapse. Yet, Thiel questioned the plausibility of a charismatic “Antichrist” figure seizing power through hypnotic rhetoric, as depicted in apocalyptic literature. Instead, he offered a modern twist: the path to global control lies in relentless fearmongering about existential risks.“The way the Antichrist would take over the world is you talk about Armageddon nonstop,” Thiel explained. The billionaire contrasted this with earlier visions of scientific progress, like those of 17th- and 18th-century Baconian science, where the threat was an evil genius wielding technology. Presently, Thiel argued, the greater political resonance lies in halting scientific advancement altogether. “In our world, it’s far more likely to be Greta Thunberg than Dr. Strangelove,” he quipped, invoking the radical Swedish climate activist as a symbol of anti-progress sentiment.On AI specifically, Thiel struck a balanced tone, tempering both utopian and apocalyptic predictions.“One question we can frame is: Just how big a thing do I think AI is?” he asked himself. “My stupid answer is: It’s more than a nothing burger, and it’s less than the total transformation of our society.”Thiel compared AI’s potential impact to the internet in the late 1990s, suggesting it could create “some great companies” and add “a few percentage points” to GDP, perhaps boosting growth by 1% annually for a decade or more. However, the billionaire expressed skepticism that AI alone could end economic stagnation, viewing it as a significant but not revolutionary force.While Thiel expressed nuanced views on artificial intelligence, his venture capital firm, Founders Fund, is aggressively backing the technology. Namely, it recently led a $600 million investment in Crusoe, a vertically integrated AI infrastructure provider.“The biggest risk with AI is that we don't go big enough. Crusoe is here to liberate us from the island of limited ambition,” Thiel said at the time. Tyler DurdenSun, 06/29/2025 - 22:45

2025-06-30

Canadian Prime Minister Carney says trade talks with US resume after Canada rescinded tech tax

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said late Sunday trade talks with U.S. have resumed after Canada rescinded its plan to tax U.S. technology firms.

2025-06-30

Singapore's Acting Minister for Transport Visits WeRide Headquarters to Advance Cooperation on Autonomous Mobility

Singapore's Acting Minister of Transport, Mr. Jeffrey Siow, led a high-level delegation to WeRide's headquarters in Guangzhou.

2025-06-30

Disturbing Signs of AI Threatening People Spark Concern - ScienceAlert

Disturbing Signs of AI Threatening People Spark Concern ScienceAlertAgentic Misalignment: How LLMs could be insider threats AnthropicAI Chatbot blackmails engineer, threatens to reveal extra-marital affair, experts warn how AI is learning Times of IndiaAnthropic study: Leading AI models show up to 96% blackmail rate against executives VentureBeatAI is learning to lie, scheme and threaten its creators The Japan Times

2025-06-30

Vale defines part of Carajas investment plan execution

Brazil's Vale, one of the world's largest iron-ore producers, has decided how to spend half of the planned 70-billion reais in investments under its "new Carajas programme", according to a company director, who discussed details of the five-year plan with journalists this week.Gildiney Sales, director of the mining company’s North corridor, said some of the projects are in the execution phase.

2025-06-30

CNBC Daily Open: The S&P 500's high is a gift from Trump that can be taken away

This is CNBC’s live blog covering European markets.Sterling higher, UK stocks to open in green as U.S. trade deal comes into effectThe British pound, which last week hit an almost four-year high against the U.S. dollar, is up 0.1% against the greenback at 7:39 a.m. in London to around $1.373. Futures data meanwhile points to higher opens for both the FTSE 100 and the broader FTSE 250.Monday marks the start of the trade deal between the U.K. and U.S. which was brokered last month. Key details include British car export tariffs being reduced from 27.5% to 10%, along with duties on aerospace goods such as engines and aircraft parts being slashed to zero. The U.K. has still been left with a baseline 10% tariff and an outlined agreement that will put zero tariffs on core steel products has not been finalized.The U.K.’s statistics agency meanwhile on Monday confirmed that economic growth for the first quarter of 2025 was 0.7%, in line with its previous estimate.— Jenni ReidHere are the opening callsYui Mok – Pa Images | Pa Images | Getty ImagesThe London skyline on Sept. 15, 2023.Welcome to CNBC’s live blog covering all the action in European financial markets on Monday, and the latest regional and global business news, data and earnings.Futures data from IG suggests a positive start for European markets, with London’s FTSE looking set to open unchanged at 8,794, Germany’s DAX up 0.3% at 24,104, France’s CAC 40 up 0.3% at 7,709 and Italy’s FTSE MIB up 0.2% at 39,911.The positive start for Europe comes after similar sentiment in Asia-Pacific markets overnight, as investors parsed details on trade negotiations and data points, including Japan’s industrial output figures for May and China’s manufacturing activity for June.Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures rose early Monday as investors look to cap an exuberant month for stocks, despite uncertainty over global trade negotiations.— Holly EllyattWhat to watch for todayMarket watchers in Europe will be looking at the latest inflation data out of Italy and Germany on Monday, as well as German retail sales, for signs of inflationary pressures and a hit to consumer confidence.Traders will also be digesting data out of China earlier that showed manufacturing activity contracted for a third straight month in June, despite Beijing’s stimulus efforts helping to stabilize certain aspects of the industrial sector.— Holly Ellyatt

2025-06-30

Canadian Prime Minister Carney says trade talks with Trump are back on after Canada rescinds tax on technology firms

Canadian Prime Minister Carney says trade talks with Trump are back on after Canada rescinds tax on technology firms.

2025-06-30

US Stock Futures Advance as Trade Talks Continue: Markets Wrap - Bloomberg

US Stock Futures Advance as Trade Talks Continue: Markets Wrap BloombergShares firm in Asia as US-Canada trade talks resume ReutersAsia-Pacific markets mostly rise as investors parse a slew of data releases CNBCAsia stocks head for monthly gains on US trade deal hopes; Nikkei hits 1-yr high Investing.comMost Asian stocks rise as investors eye US trade talks Bloomer Advance Newspaper

2025-06-30

China PMIs Diverge as Services Expand and Tariffs Hit Manufacturing; AUD/USD Holds Gains

Diverging China PMI trends stir AUD/USD and Hang Seng moves ahead of key Caixin data releases.

2025-06-30

CDC: New COVID Variant Estimated To Be No. 1 Strain In US

CDC: New COVID Variant Estimated To Be No. 1 Strain In US Authored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),A new estimate from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that a COVID-19 variant that has been driving cases in China earlier this year is now the No. 1 strain in the United States.This scanning electron microscope image shows the novel coronavirus (orange), which causes COVID-19 disease, isolated from a patient in the United States, emerging from the surface of cells (green) cultured in the lab. Photo published on Feb. 13, 2020. NIAID-RMLA CDC estimate, updated on June 26, shows that between June 8 and June 21, the NB.1.8.1 variant now makes up 43 percent of COVID-19 cases in the United States and is ahead of the LP.8.1 variant.Earlier this month, CDC data showed that NB.1.8.1 had 37 percent of cases and was No. 2 behind the LP.8.1 variant, which saw 38 percent of reported cases at the time. The new CDC estimate this week shows that LP.8.1 now makes up 31 percent of all cases.The CDC says that wastewater levels show COVID-19 activity is “currently low” despite the NB.1.8.1 variant increase. Only Alaska is reporting “high” levels of the virus, while Hawaii, Nevada, Texas, Missouri, Mississippi, Florida, and Connecticut are seeing “moderate” levels, according to the CDC.Last week, private data showed that states reporting the variant, which has been dubbed “Nimbus” in some media reports, include Arizona, California, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington state as of June 19.Chinese doctors earlier this month predicted a peak of nationwide COVID-19 cases in July, as the latest data released by Chinese health authorities show that variant NB 1.8.1 is still the main pathogen causing the rapid increase in COVID-19 infections in China.An internal university research report at China’s Peking University stated that NB.1.8.1 may become the next dominant global strain, with symptoms including a sharp sore throat, fever, runny nose, vomiting, and diarrhea, according to previous Epoch Times reporting.A worldwide rise in cases late last month is primarily in the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific regions, the World Health Organization said on May 28. The new variant had reached nearly 11 percent of sequenced samples reported globally in mid-May.The WHO said some Western Pacific countries have reported increases in COVID cases and hospitalizations, but there’s nothing so far to suggest that the disease associated with the new variant is more severe than other variants.In a statement to The Epoch Times in late May, a CDC spokesperson said the agency “is aware of reported cases of COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 in China and is in regular contact with international partners.”Prior reports from The Epoch Times, citing Chinese doctors and outside health experts, have said that patients are reporting a sharp sore that’s been dubbed the “razor blade throat” or “razor throat.” Some media outlets, including The Associated Press and international media reports from the UK and India, have used the “razor throat” moniker to describe the NB.1.8.1 variant.Due to the Chinese Communist Party’s history of covering up information and publishing unreliable data, including underreporting COVID-19 infections and related deaths since 2020, information provided by local doctors and health workers can offer valuable information for understanding the situation on the ground in the totalitarian country.The Associated Press contributed to this report. Tyler DurdenSun, 06/29/2025 - 22:10

2025-06-29

US Not Ready To Give Up On Energy Storage — Yet

The first commercial application of a new, quinone-enabled flow battery system for long duration energy storage will take place at medical facility in California.The post US Not Ready To Give Up On Energy Storage — Yet appeared first on CleanTechnica.

2025-06-29

Lululemon sues Costco for selling alleged dupes of its products - CTV News

Lululemon sues Costco for selling alleged dupes of its products CTV NewsView Full Coverage on Google News

2025-06-29

Verizon's new deal is so crazy good that Reddit wonders if it's real

The phone company's new wireless deal seems too good to be true — but it isn't.

2025-06-29

100,000 EVs Will Retire This Year. What Will Happen To Their Batteries? - InsideEVs

100,000 EVs Will Retire This Year. What Will Happen To Their Batteries? InsideEVsCrusoe, Redwood Partner on Data Center Powered by Used Batteries BloombergRedwood Materials diverts its huge battery hoard toward the AI energy boom Business Insider

2025-06-29

Best Grocery Stocks To Research – June 27th

Uber Technologies, Berkshire Hathaway, PepsiCo, Costco Wholesale, Walmart, Starbucks, and Nebius Group are the seven Grocery stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeat’s stock screener tool. Grocery stocks are the inventory of food items and household goods that a supermarket or grocery store maintains for sale to customers. They include perishable products like produce, meat, [...]

2025-06-29

Solar Projects That Make Us Smile

Floating by are tangled roots and water lilies. Undulating floodwaters reflect the sky. Treetops drop giant peapods into the water. A few thatched huts, without walls and on stilts, are set just above the muddy water’s edge. It is a day trip for twenty Indigenous people in a traditional river ... [continued]The post Solar Projects That Make Us Smile appeared first on CleanTechnica.

2025-06-29

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway predicts mortgage rates changes will stir housing market

The billionaire's real estate firm expects housing market fluctuations to shape homebuying trends this year.

2025-06-29

Why Hydrogen Won’t Win The Zero-Carbon Steel Race

Recent adjustments to my projections for global steel demand through 2100, reflecting a significant slowdown in Chinese infrastructure and cement consumption, have sharpened my economic focus on competing new steelmaking technologies. With lower growth trajectories for steel firmly established, every ton produced in the coming decades will increasingly face stringent ... [continued]The post Why Hydrogen Won’t Win The Zero-Carbon Steel Race appeared first on CleanTechnica.

2025-06-29

Lululemon sues Costco for selling alleged dupes of its products - Global News

Lululemon sues Costco for selling alleged dupes of its products Global NewsLululemon sues Costco for allegedly ripping off clothing designs Reuters

2025-06-29

Port St. Lucie Assisted Living Facility Closure Sparks Concern Among Residents Facing Relocation

Paradise Care Cottages in Port St. Lucie is closing, causing residents to find new homes, with a 45-day notice period confirmed after a typo scare.

2025-06-29

Agricultural Lubricants Market to Hit USD 7.52 Billion by 2032, Fueled by Precision Farming, Bio-Based Formulations, and Predictive Maintenance Technologies | SNS Insider

Growing emphasis on precision farming and rising demand for high-performance lubricants to reduce machinery downtime are fueling the Agricultural Lubricant market growth. Growing emphasis on precision farming and rising demand for high-performance lubricants to reduce machinery downtime are fueling the Agricultural Lubricant market growth.

2025-06-29

White House Pressures Syria To Normalize Ties with Israel Amid 'Quiet Talks'

White House Pressures Syria To Normalize Ties with Israel Amid 'Quiet Talks' President Trump believes Syria may soon join the Abraham Accords, based on comments given to reporters by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Friday. The reasoning seems to be that with Assad out, this provides an opportunity to control the outcome and force Damascus to make peace with Israel.After all, Syria under the Assad family was the single fiercest, longtime enemy of Israel, with a de facto state of war on for half-a-century, centered on the occupied Golan Heights.Leavitt told reporters that Trump remains optimistic about expanding the peace agreement. She confirmed that the president brought up the issue directly with Syria’s new de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa (aka. US-terror designated Jolani) during this Riyadh visit and Gulf tour. "One of President Trump’s main requests during his meeting with President Sharaa was for Syria to join the Abraham Accords," Leavitt said. "Achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East is a core objective for this administration."Sharaa had reportedly told US Representative Cory Mills during a visit in April that Syria was open to joining the accords under the "right conditions."US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack has also been bringing the pressure. He has recently referenced quiet discussions with Damascus underway, amid the reopening of the ambassador's residence in Damascus - a first since 2012.Barrack encouraged the international community to give Syria's new leadership "an opportunity to prove its new direction."However, so far the government stacked with Jolani's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham members has turned a blind eye to massacres targeting Alawites, Christians, and Druze - along the coast and in Damascus and elsewhere.Sadly, this whole ugly reality seems to be missing from White House statements. Why didn't Trump name as a firm condition the protection of churches, for example, as a basis for dropping sanctions on Syria?Just last week Mar Elias Orthodox Church in Damascus was attacked by a suicide bomber, resulting in the deaths of 25 people and scores more wounded.Following the church bombing in Damascus, unknown individuals wrote "You're next" on the walls of Mar Elias Church in Kfarboum, Hama countryside. pic.twitter.com/XSAoO3gIQW— Beirut Wire (@beirutwire) June 22, 2025What government is looking out for Syria's religious minorities? Certainly Washington appears to have shrugged as Damascus' new hardline Sunni masters engage in deal-making, and a blind eye is turned to their ISIS and Al-Qaeda past. Tyler DurdenSat, 06/28/2025 - 22:45

2025-06-29

AP Business SummaryBrief at 10:33 p.m. EDT

Senators voting in weekend session to meet Trump's deadline for passing his tax and spending cuts

2025-06-29

Senators voting in weekend session to meet Trump's deadline for passing his tax and spending cuts

The Senate is taking a key procedural vote as Republicans race to pass President Donald Trump’s package of tax breaks, spending cuts and bolstered deportation funds by his July Fourth deadline. But voting came to a standstill and Vice President...

2025-06-29

SB.robbys2025.62825.1191_JMP.jpg

Guests for The Robbys pose for photos as they arrive at Robinson Film Center in Shreveport, La., Saturday, June 28, 2025.

2025-06-29

SB.robbys2025.62825.1213_JMP.jpg

Guests for The Robbys pose for photos as they arrive at Robinson Film Center in Shreveport, La., Saturday, June 28, 2025.

2025-06-29

The Business Of Broken Self-Worth In The Digital Age

The Business Of Broken Self-Worth In The Digital Age Authored by Kay Rubacek via The Epoch Times,A new study from JAMA Pediatrics should stop us in our tracks: early adolescents who report addictive use of screens—not just frequent use—are more than twice as likely to consider suicide within two years.Not because they’re online too much, but because they can’t stop.At the same time, a young woman named Caroline Koziol, once a top athlete and student, is suing TikTok and Instagram after their algorithms flooded her feed with eating disorder content. What began as a search for fitness tips spiraled into full-blown anorexia. Hers is just one of over 1,800 similar cases being filed.This isn’t a glitch in the system. It is the system.Social media platforms aren’t just reflecting our insecurities—they’re cultivating them. Why? Because insecurity is profitable. When a teen feels like they’re not enough—too fat, too plain, too quiet—they stay online longer. They scroll, they compare, they engage. And every second they spend chasing validation, someone else cashes in.What we’re seeing is the weaponization of low self-worth, scaled by algorithm and monetized by design.That may sound harsh. But let’s be honest: this is not new. For decades, the beauty industry, fashion, even wellness trends have profited from telling people—especially women and girls—that they’re not quite good enough as they are. Social media just industrialized the tactic.Now, platforms optimize for compulsive behavior, not joy or creativity. Addictive engagement is rewarded; mental health is collateral damage.The truth is, many industries benefit when people doubt themselves: advertisers profit from the fear of not measuring up, influencers and online gurus sell the illusion of “fixing” your flaws, and even parts of the pharmaceutical and therapy world expand when anxiety and depression rise.And those are just the commercial beneficiaries. Politically, a public that lacks confidence is easier to sway. Easier to divide. Easier to control.The erosion of self-worth isn’t just a personal struggle—it’s a public vulnerability. And in the digital age, it’s becoming systemic.We need to call this what it is: a cultural emergency. The lawsuits against Meta and other platforms are a start, but they won’t be enough on their own. If we want meaningful change, we need three things:First, legal and design accountability. Platforms must be held responsible for the psychological effects of the algorithms they deploy. That means transparency in how recommendation systems work and consequences when they clearly lead to harm.Second, parental and educational empowerment. We must teach young people not only how to use tech—but how to resist it. To spot manipulation. To value themselves beyond a like count.And third, we need a cultural shift. Self-worth cannot be treated as a niche concern or a private battle. It’s a foundation for freedom, resilience, and public health. When people believe they matter, they’re less likely to be controlled—and more likely to create.Because the real danger isn’t just that tech platforms make people feel worthless. It’s that people don’t even realize it’s happening.And when you don’t believe in your own worth, you’re willing to trade it—for anything that promises to give it back.Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times or ZeroHedge. Tyler DurdenSat, 06/28/2025 - 22:10

2025-06-29

France is betting Eutelsat can become Europe's answer to Starlink — but experts aren't convinced

The first half of 2025 was marked by major intraday swings and volatility. And Goldman Sachs expects even higher equity volatility in the second six months of the year. All eyes next week will be on central bankers as they take center stage in Sintra, Portugal. The U.K. Labour Party will also mark one year in office — as approval ratings unwind.“Politics isn’t wagging the tail – it’s shaking the entire dog.”These strong words from one wealth manager to CNBC last week capture a hectic first half of trading. They also set the stage for an uncertain second half, where “geoeconomics” looks set to remain a dominant market force. This week, expect attention to return to monetary policy, as central bankers from across the globe — who have kept their heads down amid political tensions — prepare to speak at the ECB Forum in Sintra, Portugal. Halftime reportA lot has happened in the last six months, with trade tensions and truces sending equity markets across the globe haywire.The VIX volatility index — also known as the Wall Street fear gauge — spiked in April as tariff threats, followed by tariff pauses, caused huge intraday swings across major indices. Meanwhile, “black swan” moments in the Middle East also kept investors on edge.Amid all the uncertainty, some stock markets showed remarkable resilience: Germany’s Dax remains the outperformer in Europe, up over 18% so far this year, followed by London’s FTSE 100 up around 9%, while the French CAC 40 lags with around 5% gains.But what does this all mean for trading in the second half of the year? Goldman Sachs warns that, “elevated policy uncertainty paired with a worsening macro backdrop are likely to support higher equity volatility in the next months.”Don’t miss the best of CNBC’s live programming and events from across Europe, Asia and the Middle East on YouTube.Central banks take center stage at SintraAs Goldman’s warning rings loudly in investors’ ears, the stage is set for central banks to return to the limelight.This week, the town of Sintra in Portugal plays host to the annual ECB Forum, where European central bankers are joined by their international counterparts to exchange views on current policy issues.The sun may well be shining in Portugal — but President Donald Trump’s recent comments will no doubt cast a shadow over the meeting, as he continues to put unprecedented pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.Just last week, Trump’s name-calling of Powell ramped up, sparking talk of a so-called “shadow Fed chair,” who could keep an eye on things until taking over as chair next year.Powell also put the pressure on his monetary policy peers, calling on central bankers to hold steady until they see the impact of trade tariffs: “We are well positioned to wait and learn more about the likely course of the economy before considering any adjustments to our policy stance.”Europe will need to decide how much it lets the U.S. approach dictate its policy, with ECB President Christine Lagarde opening proceedings in Sintra with a speech on Monday evening.Expect a punchy tone; her recent op-ed in the Financial Times saw her call for the euro to take advantage of the current environment and “gain global prominence.”Labour’s First Year in PowerNext Friday marks the first anniversary of the Labour Party taking power in the U.K., following 14 years of Conservative rule. A landslide victory saw a jubilant Labour return to Downing Street with the promise of change and growth. But the honeymoon period was short-lived.Fast-forward 12 months and Prime Minister Keir Starmer looks set to reach his first year in office with plummeting approval ratings which put him below his rival party leaders, including Reform’s Nigel Farage, Liberal Democrat Sir Ed Davey and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.Starmer has faced a lot of external pressure, ranging from a public spat with Elon Musk to a slew of foreign policy challenges in Ukraine and the Middle East. Even three trade deals — with Europe, India and the very first U.S. agreement — did little to improve his popularity. But the economic challenges at home are causing the most discontent, with pressure even from within his own party to review certain reforms.

2025-06-29

The global week ahead: A hectic half first heralds a volatile second

The first half of 2025 was marked by major intraday swings and volatility. And Goldman Sachs expects even higher equity volatility in the second six months of the year. All eyes next week will be on central bankers as they take center stage in Sintra, Portugal. The U.K. Labour Party will also mark one year in office — as approval ratings unwind.“Politics isn’t wagging the tail – it’s shaking the entire dog.”These strong words from one wealth manager to CNBC last week capture a hectic first half of trading. They also set the stage for an uncertain second half, where “geoeconomics” looks set to remain a dominant market force. This week, expect attention to return to monetary policy, as central bankers from across the globe — who have kept their heads down amid political tensions — prepare to speak at the ECB Forum in Sintra, Portugal. Halftime reportA lot has happened in the last six months, with trade tensions and truces sending equity markets across the globe haywire.The VIX volatility index — also known as the Wall Street fear gauge — spiked in April as tariff threats, followed by tariff pauses, caused huge intraday swings across major indices. Meanwhile, “black swan” moments in the Middle East also kept investors on edge.Amid all the uncertainty, some stock markets showed remarkable resilience: Germany’s Dax remains the outperformer in Europe, up over 18% so far this year, followed by London’s FTSE 100 up around 9%, while the French CAC 40 lags with around 5% gains.But what does this all mean for trading in the second half of the year? Goldman Sachs warns that, “elevated policy uncertainty paired with a worsening macro backdrop are likely to support higher equity volatility in the next months.”Don’t miss the best of CNBC’s live programming and events from across Europe, Asia and the Middle East on YouTube.Central banks take center stage at SintraAs Goldman’s warning rings loudly in investors’ ears, the stage is set for central banks to return to the limelight.This week, the town of Sintra in Portugal plays host to the annual ECB Forum, where European central bankers are joined by their international counterparts to exchange views on current policy issues.The sun may well be shining in Portugal — but President Donald Trump’s recent comments will no doubt cast a shadow over the meeting, as he continues to put unprecedented pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.Just last week, Trump’s name-calling of Powell ramped up, sparking talk of a so-called “shadow Fed chair,” who could keep an eye on things until taking over as chair next year.Powell also put the pressure on his monetary policy peers, calling on central bankers to hold steady until they see the impact of trade tariffs: “We are well positioned to wait and learn more about the likely course of the economy before considering any adjustments to our policy stance.”Europe will need to decide how much it lets the U.S. approach dictate its policy, with ECB President Christine Lagarde opening proceedings in Sintra with a speech on Monday evening.Expect a punchy tone; her recent op-ed in the Financial Times saw her call for the euro to take advantage of the current environment and “gain global prominence.”Labour’s First Year in PowerNext Friday marks the first anniversary of the Labour Party taking power in the U.K., following 14 years of Conservative rule. A landslide victory saw a jubilant Labour return to Downing Street with the promise of change and growth. But the honeymoon period was short-lived.Fast-forward 12 months and Prime Minister Keir Starmer looks set to reach his first year in office with plummeting approval ratings which put him below his rival party leaders, including Reform’s Nigel Farage, Liberal Democrat Sir Ed Davey and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.Starmer has faced a lot of external pressure, ranging from a public spat with Elon Musk to a slew of foreign policy challenges in Ukraine and the Middle East. Even three trade deals — with Europe, India and the very first U.S. agreement — did little to improve his popularity. But the economic challenges at home are causing the most discontent, with pressure even from within his own party to review certain reforms.

2025-06-29

Warren Buffett Gives $6 Billion in Berkshire Stock to 5 Foundations

The billionaire said his remaining A shares, which account for 99 percent of his wealth, are worth about $145 billion.

2025-06-29

Venerable Holdings Expands with Landmark Corebridge Financial Deal

WEST CHESTER, PA — Venerable Holdings, Inc. has announced a major transaction with Corebridge Financial, Inc., set to significantly expand its variable annuity reinsurance business and elevate its assets under ...

2025-06-29

Blue Streaks Horse Racing partnership accused of owing money

In November, Blue Streak Racing owner Tim McCoy ceased the partnership he created seven years earlier. Now, some who were involved are saying they are owed money.

2025-06-28

Coca-Cola and Walt Disney have a gift for Star Wars fans

The Mouse House and the Coke company have a new deal that has a special tie to Disney World and Disneyland.

2025-06-28

Air traffic controller shortage could disrupt summer travel, WestJet warns - Global News

Air traffic controller shortage could disrupt summer travel, WestJet warns Global News

2025-06-28

These are the celebs who are attending Jeff Bezos’ Venice wedding - Yahoo

These are the celebs who are attending Jeff Bezos’ Venice wedding YahooLauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos Are Married! See Inside Her Final Wedding Dress Fitting VogueJeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez wedding leaves Venice divided BBCPics: Bill Gates, Girlfriend Paula Hurd At Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Wedding NDTVAll the glamorous celebrity looks from the Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez wedding Global News

2025-06-28

Netanyahu Used Son's Wedding as Cover for War Preparations Against Iran: Report

According to a report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu utilized his son’s wedding as a smokescreen for war preparations against Iran.What Happened: Netanyahu announced his intention to attend his son’s wedding on June 16, a move that was actually a diversion to conceal Israel’s inaugural attack on Iran on June 13. The Prime Minister’s family was kept in the dark about his plans to call off the wedding.The clandestine operation, codenamed “Red Wedding”, was orchestrated to create the illusion that Israel was pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the conflict with the United ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

2025-06-28

Walmart is selling a $130 military smartwatch for $28, and shoppers say connecting it to your phone is 'effortless'

"It functions flawlessly for me and is an exceptional value for the price."

2025-06-28

Still searching for clues 45 years after murder

METHUEN — On the morning of Oct. 10, 1980, Sonya Durney, 5, woke to find her father’s bed empty.

2025-06-28

Scott Galloway reveals real Social Security problem — and the fix

The New York University professor and podcaster sends a sharp message.

2025-06-28

Senate Republicans make last-minute SNAP changes in Trump bill ahead of vote

Senate Republicans’ latest version of President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” includes notable tweaks to the party’s proposals to reduce federal spending for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the coming years — after recent pushback from Alaska Republicans. The bill would still require some states to cover a share of the cost of SNAP benefits,...

2025-06-28

Senators prep for a weekend of work to meet Trump's deadline for passing his tax and spending cuts

The Senate is expected to grind through a rare weekend session as Republicans race to pass President Donald Trump’s package of tax breaks and spending cuts by his July Fourth deadline

2025-06-28

BAY Miner provides smarter AI cloud mining services for Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, and Bitcoin breaks through $105,000

Denver, Colorado, June 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the geopolitical situation evolves, the cryptocurrency market is surging again, with Bitcoin having risen back above $105,000, while Ethereum and Solana have rebounded to key resistance levels. In this environment, investors are seeking stable, smart sources of passive income in the cryptocurrency space. BAY Miner is a global AI cloud mining platform that strives to be the top solution for secure, hardware-free mining.What Is BAY Miner?BAY Miner is a multi-asset cloud mining platform optimized for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, Litecoin, and Dogecoin. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the platform intelligently allocates hash power to maximize user profits while minimizing technical complexity.Why Cloud Mining Matters in 2025With the recent Bitcoin halving event and increasing institutional adoption of digital assets, cloud mining has emerged as a top Google-searched solution for retail investors seeking passive income. Unlike traditional setups, cloud mining with BAY ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

2025-06-28

Itaconic Acid Market Surges to USD 166.67 Million by 2032, Driven by Demand for Biodegradable Polymers and Bio-Based Chemicals | Report by SNS Insider

Rising demand for eco-friendly alternatives and increasing adoption of itaconic acid in bio-based resins, detergents, and medical applications drive market growth. Rising demand for eco-friendly alternatives and increasing adoption of itaconic acid in bio-based resins, detergents, and medical applications drive market growth.

2025-06-28

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Maggie Balmer, Do Banck and McClain Balmer take advantage of the 360 camera at the 18th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, which took place at the Harbour Center in Slidell on June 27,2025 Presented by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing...

2025-06-28

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Hanna Hunter and Brad Hunter take advantage of the 360 camera at the 18th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, whichtook place at the Harbour Center in Slidell on June 27,2025 Presented by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board and Lieutenant...

2025-06-28

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Willie Gaspard Jr. of Cypress Bayou Hotel and Casino puts the finishing touches on his dish for the 18th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, which took place at the Harbour Center in Slidell on June 27,2025 Presented by the Louisiana Seafood...

2025-06-28

Rite Aid closing its doors in northeast Fresno

Store closing signs covered the windows at the Rite Aid on Cedar and Gettysburg in northeast Fresno on Friday.

2025-06-28

Concerns About “Double-Agent Lobbyists” For And Against Tesla

Yes, things continue to be weird in the orbit of Elon Musk. Apparently, groups of people in cities and states across the US that are very upset about several — or numerous — horrible things Elon Musk and his crew did in politics are now working to advocate for changes ... [continued]The post Concerns About “Double-Agent Lobbyists” For And Against Tesla appeared first on CleanTechnica.

2025-06-28

1900 Scientists Say 'Climate Change Not Caused By CO2' – The Real Environment Movement Was Hijacked

1900 Scientists Say 'Climate Change Not Caused By CO2' – The Real Environment Movement Was Hijacked Authored by Mark Keenan via RealityBooks.com,Millions of people worldwide are concerned about climate change and believe there is a climate emergency. For decades we have been told by the United Nations that Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from human activity are causing disastrous climate change. In 2018, a UN IPCC report even warned that ‘we have 12 years to save the Earth’, thus sending millions of people worldwide into a frenzy.Thirty-five years ago, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the (World Meteorological Organization) WMO established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to provide scientific advice on the complex topic of climate change. The panel was asked to prepare, based on available scientific information, a report on all aspects relevant to climate change and its impacts and to formulate realistic response strategies. The first assessment report of the IPCC served as the basis for negotiating the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Governments worldwide have signed this convention, thereby, significantly impacting the lives of the people of the world.However, many scientists dispute with the UN-promoted man-made climate change theory, and many people worldwide are confused by the subject, or are unaware of the full facts. Please allow me to provide some information you may not be aware of.1. Very few people actually dig into the data, they simply accept the UN IPPC reports. Yet many highly respectable and distinguished scientists have done exactly that and found that the UN-promoted manmade climate change theory is seriously flawed. Are you aware that almost 2,000 of the world’s leading climate scientists and professionals in over 30 countries have signed a declaration that there is no climate emergency and have refuted the United Nations claims in relation to man-made climate change? See https://clintel.org/world-climate-declaration/2. I have also signed this declaration. How can I make such an assertion? I have experience in the field as a former scientist at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, UK Government; and as former staff member at United Nations Environment, where I was responsible for servicing the Pollution Release and Transfer Register Protocol, a Multinational Environmental Agreement, involving the monitoring of pollutants to land, air, and water worldwide. Real pollution exists, but the problem is not CO2. Industrial globalisation has produced many substances that are registered as pollutants, including thousands of new man-made chemical compounds, toxins, nano-particles and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that are in violation of the scientific pre-cautionary principle.A book I published also provides ample evidence and testimony from renowned scientists that there is no ‘CO2-induced’ Climate emergency. The book titled ‘Climate CO2 Hoax – How Bankers Hijacked the Environment Movement’ is available on Amazon herePurchase here3. Next, I will mention the Irish Climate Science Forum (ICSF) website, a valuable resource founded by Jim O’Brien. I am grateful to the ICSF for their excellent work in highlighting the scientific flaws in the UN climate narrative. The ICSF provides a comprehensive lecture series from renowned international scientists providing much evidence, analysis, and data that contradicts the UN assertions. The lectures are available at: https://www.icsf.ie/lecture-seriesThe ICSF scientific view coincides with those of the Climate Intelligence (CLINTEL) foundation that operates in the fields of climate change and climate policy. CLINTEL was founded in 2019 by emeritus professor of geophysics Guus Berkhout and science journalist Marcel Crok. Based on this common conviction, 20 Irish scientists and several ICSF members have co-signed the CLINTEL World Climate Declaration “There is No Climate Emergency” (see https://clintel.org/ireland/).4. The reality is that the climate has always been changing, the climate changes naturally and slowly in its own cycle, and CO2 emissions (and methane from livestock, such as cows) are not dominant factors in climate change. In essence, therefore, the incessant UN, government, and corporate-media-produced climate hysteria in relation to CO2 emissions (and also methane from cows) has no scientific basis. It appears to me the UN narrative is yet another example of fake science being used to drive an ulterior agenda, see also the book Godless Fake Science.In truth I am against ‘real’ pollution, and the reality is that the CO2 component is not a pollutant. Unfortunately, many misinformed environmentalists are driving around in electric cars, the battery production for which has caused vast amounts of ‘real’ pollution via the industrial mining and processing of rare earth metals, and the consequent pollution to land, air and water systems. See also this article. Note that the UN does not focus on the thousands of real pollutants that corporate industrial globalisation creates.5. The conclusions of the Climate Intelligence foundation include the followingThere is no climate emergency. Therefore, there is no cause for panic and alarm.Natural as well as anthropogenic factors cause warming: The geological archive reveals that Earth’s climate has varied as long as the planet has existed, with natural cold and warm phases. The Little Ice Age ended as recently as 1850. Therefore, it is no surprise that we now are experiencing a period of warming.Warming is far slower than predicted: The world has warmed significantly less than predicted by IPCC on the basis of modeled anthropogenic forcing. The gap between the real world and the modeled world tells us that we are far from understanding climate change.Climate policy relies on inadequate models: Climate models have many shortcomings and are not remotely plausible as global policy tools. They blow up the effect of greenhouse gases such as CO2. In addition, they ignore the fact that enriching the atmosphere with CO2 is beneficial.CO2 is plant food, the basis of all life on Earth: CO2 is not a pollutant. It is essential to all life on Earth. Photosynthesis is a blessing. More CO2 is beneficial for nature, greening the Earth: additional CO2 in the air has promoted growth in global plant biomass. It is also good for agriculture, increasing the yields of crops worldwide.Global warming has not increased natural disasters: There is no statistical evidence that global warming is intensifying hurricanes, floods, droughts and suchlike natural disasters, or making them more frequent.It also appears to me that various catastrophes attributed to “CO2-induced climate change” are nothing of the sort. I note the following articles:Carbon Is Not the Enemy. End Chemtrails!Problem. Reaction. Solution. Wildfires About More than CO2 Induced Climate Change?They’re burning from the inside out.” Robert Brame on the Unusual Properties of the Pacific Palisades Fires6. In the above book I reference the relevant work and scientific presentations of some of the world’s leading climate scientists. Let us examine some of the work and testimonies of these scientists:“deeply flawed logic, obscured by shrewd and unrelenting propaganda, actually enabled a coalition of powerful special interests to convince nearly everyone in the world that Co2 from human industry was a dangerous plant destroying toxin. It will be remembered as the greatest mass delusion in the history of the world – that Co2 the life of plants was considered for a time to be a deadly poison.” – Professor Richard Lindzen, Professor Emeritus of Atmospheric Sciences at MIT.Dr Nils-Axel Mörner was a former Committee Chairman at the UN International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). He was an expert involved in reviewing the first IPPC documents. He says the UN IPPC is misleading humanity about climate change. He tried to warn that the IPPC were publishing lies and false information that would inevitably be discredited. In an interview, he stated: “This is the most dangerous and frightening part of it. How a lobbyist group, such as the IPPC, has been able to fool the whole world. These organised and deceitful forces are dangerous” and expressed shock “that the UN and governments would parade children around the place at UN Climate summits as propaganda props”. He states:“solar activity is the dominant factor in climate and not Co2... something is basically sick in the blame Co2 hypothesis... It was launched more than 100 years ago and almost immediately excellent physicists demonstrated that the hypothesis did not work.I was the chairman of the only international committee on sea levels changes and as such a person I was elected to be the expert reviewer on the (UN IPPC) sea levels chapter. It was written by 38 persons and not a single one was a sea level specialist... I was shocked by the low quality it was like a student paper... I went through it and showed them that it was wrong and wrong and wrong...The scientific truth is on the side of the sceptics... I have thousands of high ranked scientists all over the world who agree that NO, CO2 is not the driving mechanism and that everything is exaggerated.In the field of physics 80 to 90% of physicists know that the Co2 hypothesis is wrong... Of course, metrologists they believe in this because that is their own profession - they live on it.... I suspect that behind-the-scenes promoters... have an ulterior motive... It’s a wonderful way of controlling taxation controlling people” - Dr Nils-Axel Mörner, a former Committee Chairman at the UN IPPC, and former head of the Paleo Geo-physics and Geo-dynamics department in StockholmAnother climate scientist with impeccable credentials that has broken rank is Dr Mototaka Nakamura. He asserts: “Our models are mickey-mouse mockeries of the real world”. Dr Nakamura received a Doctorate of Science from MIT, and for nearly 25 years specialized in abnormal weather and climate change at prestigious institutions that included MIT, Georgia Institute of Technology, NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, JAMSTEC and Duke University. Dr Nakamura explains why the data foundation underpinning global warming science is “untrustworthy” and cannot be relied on and that: “Global mean temperatures before 1980 are based on untrustworthy data”.Professor John R. Christy, Director of Atmospheric and Earth Sciences, University of Alabama, has provided detailed analysis of climate data. I summarise the main points from his analysis below: “The established global warming theory significantly misrepresents the impact of extra greenhouse gases; the weather that affects people the most is not becoming more extreme or more dangerous; temperatures were higher in the 1930s than today; between 1895 and 2015, 14 of the top 15 years with the highest heat records occurred before 1960; the temperatures we are experiencing now in 2021 were the same as 120 years ago...the number of major tornadoes between 1954 and 1986 averaged 56/year, but between 1987 and 2020 the average was only 34/year; between 1895 and 2015 on average there has been no change in the number of very wet days per month, and no change in the number of very dry days per month, and the 20 driest months were before 1988. Between 1950 and 2019 the percentage of land area experiencing droughts has not increased globally – the trend is flat; the incidence of wildfires in North America between 1600 and 2000 has decreased substantially. Sea levels rose 12.5 cm per decade for 8,000 years and then it levelled off, now it rising only 2.5 cm per decade... worrying about 30 cm rise in sea level in a decade is ridiculous, in a hurricane the east coast of the U.S. gets a 20 foot rise in 6 hours, so a 30 cm rise will be easily handled!”In a lecture titled The imaginary climate crisis – how can we change the message? Available on the Irish Climate Science Forum website, see Endnote [ii]. Richard L Lindzen, Professor Emeritus of Atmospheric Sciences at MIT summarises the battle against the climate hysteria as follows:“in the long history of the earth there has been almost no correlation between climate and co2... the paleoclimate record shows unambiguously that Co2 is not a control knob... the narrative is absurd... it gives governments the power to control the energy sector... for about 33 years, many of us have been battling against the climate hysteria... There were more important leading people who were objecting to it, they were unfortunately older and by now most of them dead...Elites are always searching for ways to advertise their virtue and assert their authority. They believe they are entitled to view science as a source of authority rather than a process, and they try to appropriate science, suitably and incorrectly simplified, as the basis for their movement.”“CO2... it’s not a pollutant... it’s the product of all plant respiration, it is essential for plant life and photosynthesis... if you ever wanted a leverage point to control everything from exhalation to driving, this would be a dream. So it has a kind of fundamental attractiveness to bureaucratic mentality.” - Prof. Richard Lindzen, Professor Emeritus of Atmospheric Sciences at MITPatrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace, and President of Greenpeace in Canada for seven years, states:“the whole climate crisis is not only fake news its fake science... of course climate change is real it’s been happening since the beginning of time, but it’s not dangerous and it’s not caused by people... climate change is a perfectly natural phenomenon and this modern warming period actually began about 300 years ago when the little ice age began to come to an end. There is nothing to be afraid of and all they are doing is instilling fear. Most of the scientists who are saying it’s a crisis are on perpetual government grants.I was one of the (Greenpeace) founders... by the mid-80s... we were hijacked by the extreme left who basically took Greenpeace from a science-based organisation to an organisation based on sensationalism, misinformation and fear... you don’t have a plan to feed 8 billion people without fossils fuels or get the food into the cities...” – Patrick Moore, co-founder of GreenpeaceProfessor William Happer, Princeton University, Former Director of Science at the US Department of Energy, is also a strong voice against the myth of man-made global warming. He states: “More CO2 benefits the Earth”.7. The UN IPCC cherry picks data, uses flawed modelling and scenarios not remotely related to the real worldThe UN climate crisis predictions are not based on physical evidence, rather they are based on complex computer modelling. One has to decode and analyse the modelling process to ascertain whether or not the models are valid and accurate or whether they have obvious flaws. The vast majority of scientists, economists, politicians and the general public have simply assumed that the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) models are accurate. Very few people have the time or skills to analyse these models, not to mention actually dispute them. Nonetheless, there were many senior and highly distinguished scientists that did exactly that – they claimed the UN narrative was incorrect and that there was no climate emergency. Their voices have been drowned out by a vast money-driven political and media establishment of the globalised ‘system’. The vitally important work of some of these renowned scientists is referenced in the above book.“The computer models are making systematic dramatic errors... they are all parametrised... fudged... the models really don’t work” – Patrick J. Michaels, Director, Cato Institute Center for the Study of ScienceDr Roger Pielke Jr, University of Colorado, has conducted a detailed scientific review and analysis of the UN IPCC AR6 report, see Endnote [iii]. He describes that in relation to climate modelling, the IPCC detached the models from socio-economic plausibility. In creating the models, instead of first completing integrative assessment models (IAMs), the IPCC skipped this essential step and jumped straight to radiative forcing scenarios and thus these scenarios are not based on competed IAMs. This led much of climate modelling down the wrong track. I quote points from Dr Pielke’s analysis as follows:“The four IPCC scenarios came from a large family of models so instead of splitting modelling from socio-economic assumptions the models already had the assumptions faked and baked in to them, because they had to have those assumptions to produce the required radiative forcing (to produce a desired climate ‘crisis scenario’ outcome).In another fateful decision the 4 representative concentration pathways (RCPs) came from 4 different IAMs, which was a huge mistake. These models are completely unrelated to each other, but the impression has been given that they are of a common set, only differing in their radiative forcing, this was a huge mistake. Furthermore, no-one has responsibility for determining whether these scenarios are plausible. The climate community decided which scenario to prioritise and they chose the two most implausible scenarios! There are thousands of climate assumptions, but only 8 to 12 of them are available currently for climate research. The IPCC report even states that “no likelihood is attached to the scenarios in this report”. The likelihood is considered low they admit - This is an incredible admission by the IPCC.These extreme unlikely scenarios dominate the literature and the IPCC report; therefore, the IPCC report is biased. Bottom line is that there is massive confusion. The IPCCs’ Richard Moss warned that RCP 8.5 was not to be used as a reference for the other RCPs, but 5,800 scientific papers worldwide misuse it like that... The whole process is seriously flawed... Nothing close to the real world is represented by the IPCC scenarios. Climate science has a huge problem! The IPCC currently uses RCP 8.5 as the ‘business as usual’ scenario, but RCP 8.5 is wild fantasy land and not remotely related to current reality at all... climate science has a scientific integrity crisis.” - Dr Roger Pielke Jr, University of Colorado8. Financialization of the entire world economy is now based on a life-killing ‘net-zero’ greenhouse gas emissions strategy.The UN Agenda 2030 plan and the Paris Agreement goal to reduce CO2 emissions by 7% per annum until 2030 is in effect a plan that would seemingly disable the current fossil-fuel-based mechanisms of the industrial economy for the food, energy and goods that enable human life and survival. Yet the narrative is quite hypocritical as the production of green energy infrastructure, and mining of rare earth metals for batteries for electric vehicles, is, and will most likely continue to be, very fossil-fuel intensive. Globalisation resulted in much of humanity becoming largely dependent on the trans-national industrial economy rather than on traditional more self-sufficient local/regional economies. Therefore, one has to ask where is this all going to lead if the plug is truly pulled on fossil fuels? Almost all of us are seemingly locked into, and have become dependent upon, the current economic paradigm of globalisation. A system rigged by debt-money created from nothing; created and controlled by private mega-banks and behind the scenes money-masters; and which can induce boom, bust, bailout scenarios that detrimentally effect the populace.It should be noted that for decades, these same political, government, and corporate powers have rampantly promoted corporate economic globalization and fossil fuel dependency. Whilst, at the same time actively hindering the funding, creation, or government support of, more self-sufficient local communities/regions, and local co-operatives. Most of the world population thus became reliant on the globalized fossil-fuel driven system. I explore this topic in the books Demonic Economics and the Tricks of the Bankers and Transcending the Climate Change Deception Toward Real SustainabilityPurchase hereZero carbon emissions, in essence, means pulling the plug on current systems of industrial agriculture, transport, goods production, electricity production, etc. This could have terrible consequences, particularly in locations and countries, that are currently unable to produce much food. In Ireland, the deluded greens in government had planned to close the coal-fired power station Moneypoint, in the name of reducing CO2 emissions. However, as the price of electricity increased and the dawn of so-called ‘green energy’ began to evaporate like the Irish morning mist, the government scrapped this plan in 2022, instead deciding to convert the station to an oil-burning facility. The Irish Times newspaper reported:“With growing concerns over security of the energy supply in the State, the Government is not in a position to decommission Moneypoint as a fuel-burning station in the near future. It was confirmed by the Irish Government in 2022 that Moneypoint will convert to oil generation from 2023.” The so-called ‘green economy’ (for it is not environmentally friendly in reality) and UN Agenda 2030 are resulting in increased energy poverty and decreased energy independence for the masses, while also developing trillions of dollars for the behind-the-scenes mega-banks. “Stop burning coal and wood logs that causes climate change don’t ya know” my deluded neighbour informed me last year, having threw out her wood burning stove and installed solar panels. Then a typical winter storm in Ireland last month left many thousands of people without electricity or heating for almost a week, shivering and wishing for a wood burning stove, while their solar panels produced little electricity in winter.9. Central bankers are entirely funding / controlling the advancement of the worldwide climate change ‘project’The decision to drastically reduce CO2, one of the most essential compounds to sustain all life, is no co-incidence. It should be noted that it is the world’s central bankers that are behind this decision and are entirely funding and controlling the advancement of the worldwide project of ‘combatting man-made climate-change’.This project involves an attempt to de-carbonise the activities of the entire world population. In December 2015, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) created the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD), which represents $118 trillion of assets globally. In essence this means that the financialization of the entire world economy is based on meeting nonsensical aims such as “net-zero greenhouse gas emissions”. The TCFD includes key people from the world’s mega-banks and asset management companies, including JP Morgan Chase; BlackRock; Barclays Bank; HSBC; China’s ICBC bank; Tata Steel, ENI oil, Dow Chemical, and more.The fact that the world’s largest banks and asset management corporations, including BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, the UN, the World Bank, the Bank of England and other central banks of the BIS, have all linked to push a vague, mathematically nonsensical ‘green’ economy, is no coincidence. There is another agenda at play that has nothing to do with environmentalism. When the world largest banks, corporations, and institutions, all align to push a climate change agenda that has zero evidence, one can see there is another major agenda going on behind the scenes. This agenda tries to convince the common people of the world to make huge sacrifices under the emotive guise of “saving our planet.”. While all the time the corporations and banks make vast profits, and political institutions implement worldwide technocratic control systems under the banner of combatting, and adapting to, so-called man-made climate change.“The links between the world’s largest financial groups, central banks and global corporations to the current push for a radical climate strategy to abandon the fossil fuel economy in favor of a vague, unexplained Green economy, it seems, is less about genuine concern to make our planet a clean and healthy environment to live. Rather it is an agenda, intimately tied to the UN Agenda 2030 for “sustainable” economy, and to developing literally trillions of dollars in new wealth for the global banks and financial giants who constitute the real powers that be... “ - F. William Engdahl, strategic risk consultant and lecturerBack in 2010, the head of Working Group 3 of the UN IPCC, Dr Otmar Edenhofer, told an interviewer, “...one must say clearly that we redistribute de facto the world’s wealth by climate policy. One has to free oneself from the illusion that international climate policy is environmental policy. This has almost nothing to do with environmental policy anymore.”To better perceive what is ‘behind the curtain’ of the climate hoax and the UN/WEF agenda it also helps to examine what has happened in the decades beforehand. It is important to perceive the implications of the worldwide fractional-reserve debt-money banking scam and the subtle system of debt-slavery that has existed for decades. If you look at the World Bank website you will see that virtually every nation on Earth is in vast debt. In debt to who you may ask? The answer is to privately owned mega-banks. See also the book Demonic Economics and the Tricks of the Bankers.Purchase hereFor many decades the so-called banking and corporate elites have had full control of the source of money creation and its allocation, via the debt-money system, and have therefore, by default, been able to fund, and increasingly control and manipulate the entire world spectrum of industry, media, government, education, ideological supremacy and war to their own design, agenda and benefit. Mayer Amschel Rothschild (banker) is widely reported to have said: “Give me control of a nation’s money supply and I care not who makes its laws.”10. Central bankers hijacked the real environmental movement in 1992 creating the fake climate change agendaPsychopaths can utilise any ideology and, change it from within to something that may eventually be entirely different to its original purpose. Meanwhile, the original followers and advocates continue to pursue what they believe is the original ideology, but gradually become mere pawns in the agenda of a self-serving elite. Unfortunately, over the past decades, this is exactly what has happened in the environmental movement.Whistleblower George Hunt served as an official host at a key environmental meeting in Denver, Colorado in 1987, and states that David Rockefeller; Baron Edmund De Rothschild; US Secretary of State Baker; Maurice Strong, a UN official and an employee of the Rockefeller and Rothschild trusts; EPA administrator William Ruccleshaus; UN Secretary General in Geneva MacNeill, along with World Bank and IMF officials were at this meeting. Hunt was surprised to see all these rich elite bankers at the meeting and questioned what they were doing there at an environmental congress.In a video recording available here Hunt later provided important evidence from the documents of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 3-14 June 1992. This conference was the well-known UN ’92 Earth Summit and was run by UNCED. According to Hunt, via the Earth summit, the UN was setting a net, an agenda, to place the power over the Earth and its peoples into their own hands. The world private banking cartel are the same ultra-rich banking families that had been instrumental in the setting up of the World Bank, the UN, and other international institutions, after WW2. Their political cohorts included Stalin (the leader of a brutal communist regime in the USSR that committed genocide of millions of people), UK Prime minister Churchill, and US President Roosevelt. Hunt refers to these banking families and their financial and international institutional networks as:“The same world order that tricked third world countries to borrow funds and rack up enormous debts... and purposely creating war and debt to bring societies into their control. The world order crowd are not a nice group of people...”– George Hunt, Whistleblower speaking about the UN Earth summit of 1992As a consequence of the UN Earth Summit, it appears the genuine environment movement that actually cared about real pollution to land, air and water, was politically hi-jacked by powerful political and financial interests with a different agenda. Maurice Strong, a UN official and an employee of the Rockefeller and Rothschild trusts, had convened the first UNCED congress in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972. Then, 20 years later he was the convenor and secretary general of UNCED. Hunt also provided video evidence from the Fourth UNCED World Congress meeting in 1987 of an international investment banker, stating that:“I suggest therefore that this be sold not through a democratic process that would take too long and require far too much funds to educate the cannon-fodder, unfortunately, which populates the Earth. We have to take almost an elitist program...”Thus, the decrees leading to the 1992 UN Earth summit were dictated without debate or opportunity for dissent and would supersede national laws. According to Hunt, the decrees were dictated into existence by the banker Edmund de Rothschild, who got these major decrees into the ’92 UN resolutions without debate or challenge. Hunt asserts that he was denied the opportunity to openly challenge Rothschild’s remarks by the meeting Chairman; and that the Rothschild bank of Geneva is the nucleus of the World Conservation bank and the wealthy elite are integrated into the bank via the Rothschilds private offering of shares.11. Despite the deceptive and fake environmental facade, it has adopted, the vast institutional entity of the UN has fully endorsed environmentally destructive industrial globalisation for the past 70 years.The UN climate change, sustainable development and green economy policies over the past 30 years are little more than worldwide marketing tricks that have tragically brainwashed two generations of young people who do not understand what the UN actually is, and who is it is really designed to serve.This current globalised system involves the promotion of beliefs and fake science that claim to be unchallengeable truths, but are, in fact, ideologies in which evidence is manipulated, twisted, and distorted to prove the ‘governing idea’, and thus promote its worldwide dissemination. They start with the conclusion they want and then wrench and manipulate what scant evidence they can to fit that conclusion. Man-made climate change due to anthropogenic carbon emission is a major example of this.Institutions, including the UN, the World Economic Forum (WEF), and the World Health Organisation (WHO), are privately-motivated unelected unaccountable organisations controlled by the source of debt-money creation, i.e., the world private-banking cartel; and are just clever marketing tools and political mechanisms for implementing and maintaining a corrupt worldwide system, under the clever guise of ‘fixing the problems of the world’. These powerful special interests have been promoting certain ‘ideologies’ for decades to advance their corporate and political aims. The word “sustainable” was hijacked decades ago, and it is now deceptively used to advance the agendas of globalist mega-corporate interests who couldn’t care less about the environment. The aim is to catapult humanity into the arms of UN Agenda 2030 and the WEF ‘reset’ plan, which are clever marketing plans entirely designed by the so-called elite mega-corporate interests of the WEF Davos group.12. Furthermore, the current green energy/renewable technologies being promoted by the UN and WEF, are not a viable solution for the world’s energy supply. Although these technologies have some limited viability in certain locations and scenarios, the fact remains that the Energy Returned on Energy Invested is much too low - in essence the entire process is mathematically flawed. This is evidenced by the work of scientists, including Professor David MacKay (1967 - 2016), former Regius Professor of Engineering at Cambridge University, and former Chief Scientific Advisor at the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change.SummaryIn summary, CO2 reduction is the main focus of the UN-promoted climate-change-hysteria that has been rampant among the world’s population. However, the proclaimed climate crisis exists in computer models only. The cult of ‘manmade climate change’ is a media and UN politically-promoted ‘ideology’, that is used for a wider political and corporate agenda. Manmade climate change is not based in fact, and has hijacked real environmental concerns.Due to incessant UN, government, and corporate-promoted climate change propaganda, many people are, thus, in a media-induced state of confusion, and, thus, blindly assume their pre-determined role in society under this ‘dictatorship of words’ without even being aware of it. The unpalatable reality is that people’s access to energy and resources is being intentionally reduced via bogus climate change policies, inflation, ongoing geo-political theatre and intentionally instigated war.We cannot understand how to create a truly resilient society unless we correctly perceive the current society we live in and how it came to exist. Unless we recognize the untruths of the current paradigm, even if it is not ‘politically correct’ to do so, then we will not be able to make the correct adjustments to our communities and local/regional networks, or create a truly resilient thriving society. In this spirit of truth, new networks are emerging worldwide. Tyler DurdenFri, 06/27/2025 - 22:35

2025-06-28

What happened on Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s big wedding day - CNN

What happened on Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s big wedding day CNNLauren Sanchez chose classic Dolce and Gabbana wedding gown to marry Jeff Bezos in Italy: It took over 900 hours to make Hindustan TimesLauren Sánchez shares first look at wedding with Jeff Bezos, reveals her new name Fox NewsLauren Sánchez’s Latest Wedding Look? A Dior Suit and Hermès Headscarf That Says “Brides” VogueAll the stars spotted at Bezos’ wedding News.com.au

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S&P 500 squeaks out record high even as new trade tensions emerge with Canada - The Washington Post

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Have you bought a home in the past year?

Survey: the Southern California News Group wants to hear how new real estate rules are affecting you.

2025-06-28

Gen Alpha are spending big — here's 2 tips to raise money savvy kids in a world of instant gratification

In the age of instant gratification where Gen Alpha has easy access to instant delivery services like Amazon Prime and Uber Eats, some parents are wondering how to teach the young money-saving skills.Born between 2010 and 2024, Gen Alpha are not like other generations. They grew up with smartphones in their hands and the ability to make purchases at the click of a button.In fact, their spending prowess is huge. Gen Alpha spent £92 million ( $126.2 million) between 2023 and 2024, according to research from financial technology company GoHenry, which provides debit cards for kids in the U.K., U.S., France, and Spain. GoHenry published its Youth Economy Report in September 2024, which provided data from 311,832 GoHenry kids.Much of this money is going to online services, with GoHenry kids spending over £3 million on food delivery services, up 113% from the year before. Additionally, almost half like to make purchases on social media platforms like TikTok Shop, Facebook Marketplace and Instagram.Their economic footprint is expected to reach $5.46 trillion by 2029, according to research firm McCrindle.“Convenience and speed have become the norm,” Louise Hill, GoHenry founder, told CNBC Make It in an interview. “One of the things we need to remember when we’re thinking about Gen Alpha in particular, is that they are totally used to everything being available at the flick of a switch, at the click of a button, and this drives different behaviors with money.”Hill explained that despite the influx of financial education resources online, there has also been a surge in money products and apps that are easy to use, such as credit cards, buy-now-pay-later options, and contactless payments. This makes it more complex for parents to navigate teaching money skills to kids.She emphasized the importance of kids understanding “that money has to be earned before it can be spent,” and then spending it with thought and consideration.Make money ‘tangible’Hill said it’s crucial for children to see the “tangible aspects of money” like physical cash, to understand its value. Giving “regular pocket money” is one solution, from giving 50 pence a week to £5 pounds.“If you give a child 50 pence and pick a day of the week that works for you as a family for pocket money, that might be Saturday, then you can literally give them 50 pence every Saturday. It is incredible how quickly they will start to realize ‘Oh, look, it’s every Saturday. If I save up four Saturdays, I’ve got two pounds. And now I can buy X, Y, Z, if I save up 10 Saturdays.”Handling physical cash allows kids to know how much their favorite items cost.“You can give a child some coins, and then they can have the concept of how many of those coins get exchanged for a bag of sweets, versus a bigger toy,” the GoHenry founder said.For teenagers, Hill proposed the method of “pizza budgeting,” which allows children to visually understand how much money goes into running a household and paying bills.“The pizza is your pot of money, or your wages, or your pocket money and then taking the child through, ‘Would you like to guess how big a slice of pizza we need to cut out if this is the household wages? How big a slice we need to cut out of that to pay the rent or to pay the mortgage?”As the pizza gets smaller and smaller, it creates an understanding of how much money is left over for leisure spending.Include kids in money conversationsKids are like sponges and tend to absorb attitudes around money from their parents, so Hill believes it’s good to keep them in the loop about household finances.She offered the example of the cost of living crisis in the U.K. after the Covid-19 pandemic, which was cited widely in the media. GoHenry started hearing from customers that their kids were concerned about the cost-of-living crisis.“Kids do soak up everything in that sort of situation where perhaps as a family, you’re stressed about money,” she said.Parents can talk about money struggles without raising the exact issue, such as if they’re unable to pay the rent.For example, Hill said that if you can no longer afford to have a takeaway every Friday night, then get children involved in making a “fakeaway,” which means making a takeaway at home.“What about getting the kids involved in making a pizza and choosing their toppings? Maybe even going to the supermarket with you and picking up those toppings instead of paying the money for a takeaway and then showing them how much money is being saved,” Hill added.This can help children feel more in control of their money spending habits, and learn to tighten their belts when they need to as they get older.

2025-06-28

INVESTOR NOTICE: Tempus AI, Inc. Investors with Substantial Losses Have Opportunity to Lead Class Action Lawsuit - TEM

SAN DIEGO, June 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers of Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ:TEM) common stock between August 6, 2024 and May 27, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until August 12, 2025 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Tempus AI class action lawsuit. Captioned Shouse v. Tempus AI, Inc., No. 25-cv-06534 (N.D. Ill.), the Tempus AI class action lawsuit charges Tempus AI as well as certain of Tempus AI's top executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Tempus AI class action lawsuit, please provide your information here:Full story available on Benzinga.com

2025-06-28

WBBM-Channel 2 weekend news anchor Suzanne Le Mignot and her husband buy Gold Coast condo for $928,500

Le Mignot bought the 1,429-square-foot condo, which is in a renovated building and has lake views, with her husband.

2025-06-28

S&P Global Ratings affirms Ecopetrol's Stand-Alone Credit Profile (SACP) while adjusting its global credit rating

BOGOTA, Colombia, June 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL, NYSE:EC, the ", Company", ) informs that on June 27, 2025, the credit rating agency S&P Global Ratings downgraded Ecopetrol's global credit rating from BB+ to BB and maintained the negative outlook. This action is aligned with the downgrade of the Republic of Colombia's sovereign rating on June 26, 2025. Additionally, the agency affirmed Ecopetrol's Stand-Alone Credit Profile (SACP) at bb+.In its report, S&P stated that Ecopetrol's global rating was adjusted in line with Colombia's sovereign rating and remains capped by it, due to the Company's significance in national revenue generation, its status as a government-related entity, and its role in the country's energy transition. The negative outlook on Ecopetrol reflects the sovereign's outlook.Regarding the stand-alone rating, the agency expects Ecopetrol to maintain its leverage ratio (debt/EBITDA) between 2.0x and 2.5x, with an EBITDA margin close to 40%. S&P also positively highlighted the Company's 2040 ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

2025-06-28

'Sleepless nights': Search for Michelle Bernstein Schultz continues | On the Record

Michelle Bernstein Schultz disappeared in 2022 and three years later, her family still has no idea why she left without her personal belongings and totally out of character. FOX 10's Justin Lum reports.

2025-06-28

Moody's Affirms Ecopetrol's Global and Standalone Credit Ratings

BOGOTA, Colombia, June 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecopetrol S.A. ((BVC: ECOPETROL, NYSE:EC) (the "Company" or "Ecopetrol") announces that the credit rating agency Moody's has affirmed the Company's global credit rating at Ba1 with a stable outlook. The agency also confirmed Ecopetrol's standalone rating at b1.Moody's stated that the Ba1 global rating reflects Ecopetrol's position as Colombia's leading oil and gas producer, as well as its significant power transmission business in Colombia and other Latin American countries.The aforementioned factors support a global rating that is three notches above the Company's standalone rating, including the backing of the Colombian government through the gradual phase-out of fuel subsidies, as well as the reduction in accounts receivable related to the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund (FEPC), both of which have contributed to strengthening the Company's liquidity.Regarding the standalone rating, Moody's highlighted the strength and stability of the Company's cash flow, further supported by its power transmission subsidiary (ISA) and midstream ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

2025-06-27

Researchers find 'surprise' in new mortgage delinquency data

While consumer distress in auto and personal loans also picked up, the pace of growth among mortgages was atypical, Vantagescore's monthly credit gauge said.

2025-06-27

Supreme Court upholds Affordable Care Act’s preventive-care mandate

The challengers argued that members of the Preventive Services Task Force were improperly appointed because they were not approved by the Senate.

2025-06-27

Ticker: Fox News and NewsNation Reveal July 4th Coverage Plans

CBS News becomes the first U.S broadcast network to have a reporter in Tehran, Iran.

2025-06-27

Americans reined in their spending last month - CNN

Americans reined in their spending last month CNNCore inflation rate rose to 2.7% in May, more than expected, Fed’s preferred gauge shows CNBCGloomy Americans cut back on spending as inflation ticks higher CityNews HalifaxUS Fed's preferred inflation gauge picks up as tariff effects loom France 24Key U.S. inflation gauge rose last month while Americans cut back on spending CTV News

2025-06-27

Tesla fires longtime insider as Europe slump deepens

A slide in Europe puts fresh pressure on Musk’s team.

2025-06-27

Squaremouth Highlights the Most Common Travel Disruptions Ahead of Fourth of July Holiday

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With a record breaking 72.2 million people expected to travel during the Independence Day holiday period, travelers should expect bustling airports and busy roads. Squaremouth, the nation's largest travel insurance comparison service,...

2025-06-27

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac revamp JV as fintech venture

The two government-sponsored enterprises are repositioning Common Securitization Solutions to align with priorities set by their regulator and President Trump.

2025-06-27

AP Business SummaryBrief at 10:45 a.m. EDT

Supreme Court OKs fee that subsidizes phone, internet services in schools, libraries and rural areas

2025-06-27

How to Use Apple Cash

This digital payment card for iPhone users makes it easy to make a purchase or send money.

2025-06-27

Graham Breaks With Trump Over Iran Strike Effectiveness: 'I Don't Know Where The Enriched Uranium Is'

Graham Breaks With Trump Over Iran Strike Effectiveness: 'I Don't Know Where The Enriched Uranium Is' President Trump is not going to like this. After getting out of a classified Senate briefing on Thursday, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham's first words to the press and to the American people were that he "didn’t want people to think the problem is over, because it’s not" - in reference to the Trump-ordered B-2 bomber strikes on Iran's main nuclear and enrichment facilities."The real question is, have we obliterated their desire to have a nuclear weapon," Graham questioned. "I don't want people to think that the site wasn't severely damaged or obliterated. It was. But having said that, I don't want people to think the problem is over, because it's not." "I don’t know where the 900 pounds of enriched uranium exists, but it wasn't part of the target set for several years," Graham was quoted in the NY Times as saying.He did try to voice acknowledgement of the official White House position, perhaps trying to keep the peace with Trump, saying "They are obliterated today but they can reconstitute."The NY Times summarizes of where things stand, "There is confusion also about where the stockpile was originally. Mr. Trump has suggested it was at Fordo. Others have said some was at Natanz."And further the Times writes, "The International Atomic Energy Agency has said the majority of the stockpile was at Isfahan, where Iran had reactors and other nuclear facilities that used the uranium. And some experts have suggested Iran has dispersed the stockpile."Meanwhile, we recall President Trump's words given to our White House correspondent just one week ago..."People have to be very careful with what they say, because their mouth can get them into a lot of trouble," he responded when asked about Graham and Pompeo being on the ground in Ukraine possibly sabotaging efforts at peace.“People have to be very careful with what they say, because their mouth can get them into a lot of trouble”— Donald Trump, about Lindsey Grahampic.twitter.com/MDKIjk2786 https://t.co/oO7bpupg3M— Liam McCollum (@MLiamMcCollum) June 26, 2025A number of Democratic Senators after their classified Iran briefing also had similar reactions to Graham."I walk away from that briefing still under the belief that we have not obliterated the program," Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut told reporters. "The president was deliberately misleading the public when he said the program was obliterated. It is certain that there is still significant capability, significant equipment that remain." "You cannot bomb knowledge out of existence — no matter how many scientists you kill," Murphy added. "There are still people in Iran who how to work centrifuges. And if they still have enriched uranium and they still have the ability to use centrifuges, then you're not setting back the program by years. You're setting back the program by months." Israel claims to have assassinated at least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists during the nearly two-weeks of bombing and sabotage operations against the Islamic Republic.Top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, said following the intel briefing, "Listen, I hope that is the final assessment. But if not, does that end up providing a false sense of comfort to the American people?" Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had this to say: "What was clear is that there was no coherent strategy, no end game, no plan, no specific, no detailed plan on how Iran does not attain a nuclear weapon."Again, Trump isn't going to be happy to see Graham siding with the Democrats on this one. But Fox too has been very skeptical, as have other conservative as well as independent outlets. Tyler DurdenFri, 06/27/2025 - 10:45

2025-06-27

Amazon is selling 'comfortable' $19 noise-reduction earmuffs for just $9, and it has 13,000+ perfect ratings

"These earmuffs are extremely comfortable to wear, and they reduce the noise significantly!"

2025-06-27

‘60 Minutes’ correspondents demand CBS News make Tanya Simon executive producer — or face ‘revolt’: report

All seven of the show’s correspondents reportedly urged Paramount co-CEO George Cheeks to officially name Tanya Simon as executive producer.

2025-06-27

Gold heads for weekly loss as Middle East truce saps demand

Gold headed for its second consecutive weekly loss, after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran dented demand for havens.Bullion edged lower early in Asia to around $3 315 an ounce and was down about 1.5% for the week. The precious metal has generally been confined to a narrow trading band this week, except for Tuesday when it slumped as the Middle East rivals honored a ceasefire agreement after almost two weeks of warfare.

2025-06-27

China's May industrial profits slip back into sharp decline - Reuters

China's May industrial profits slip back into sharp decline ReutersChina's industrial profits plunge 9.1%, steepest fall in seven months CNBCChina’s Industrial Profits Plummet as Trump’s Tariffs Hit BloombergChina’s Industrial Profit Declined in May WSJChina industrial profits slide as trade war uncertainty sets in Financial Times

2025-06-27

UK auto production for May slumps to lowest level since 1949 as Trump tariffs hit hard

The U.S. and China have further confirmed the details of the trade agreement reached by both sides earlier this month in London, according to a statement released by China’s Ministry of Commerce Friday afternoon.China will review and approve the export applications of items under export control rules, while the U.S. will cancel a range of existing restrictive measures imposed against China, a spokesperson for the ministry said in the statement.The statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday at an event in the White House that both sides had signed a trade deal, without providing further details.This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.

2025-06-27

Informal mining boom is biggest fear for Peru's copper investors

The biggest threat to Peru tapping more of its giant copper deposits is rising informal and illegal mining activity, according to the head of the country’s main industry association, SNMPE.Peru has slipped to third in the global copper-production ranking and last year posted its first decline in output in five years. This year it should be able to get back to growth, albeit slightly, and reach a record 3.4 million metric tons by decade-end, according to Julia Torreblanca, SNMPE’s President.

2025-06-27

MGI ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH NEGEDIA: ENHANCE GENOMIC SEQUENCING TECHNOLOGIES AT THE SERVICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND PRECISION MEDICINE IN ITALY

In the study of rare diseases and precision medicine, understanding gene expression in the spatial context of tissues is essential. High-throughput sequencing and STOmics technology will enhance biological and molecular understanding of various pathologies. MILAN, June 26, 2025...

2025-06-27

Watch: Stars arrive in Venice for Jeff Bezos wedding - BBC

Watch: Stars arrive in Venice for Jeff Bezos wedding BBCKim Kardashian Rocks Statement Shades as She Arrives in Venice, Plus Ashanti, Mariska Hargitay and More People.comLauren Sánchez’s First Bridal Look? Schiaparelli Couture VogueI run a souvenir stall in Venice. The real chaos is coming from protesters, not Jeff Bezos' wedding. Business InsiderAt the Bezos-Sanchez wedding: Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio and Oprah join the $50-million festivities in Venice CNN

2025-06-27

Bill Gates Says He Knows For A 'Fact' That More Children Will Die Due To US Health Aid Cuts And He's Taking The 'Proof' To Congress

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) co-founder Bill Gates has once again expressed his concerns about the impact of continued U.S. cuts to global health aid, warning that these reductions could lead to an additional 8 million child deaths by 2040, citing a study.What Happened: Sharing his Gates notes on X, formerly Twitter, Gates said he has worked in global health for over 25 years. “At this point, I know as much about improving health in poor countries as I do about software.”He then highlighted concerns about the consequences of slashed funding for health initiatives. “So when the United States and other governments suddenly cut their aid budgets the way they’ve been doing, I know for a fact that more children will die.”See Also: Mark Zuckerberg Warns Of ‘Serious Disadvantage’ As China’s Data-Center Blitz Could Let DeepSeek Leapfrog US AI LabsWhen the United States and other governments suddenly cut their aid budgets, I know for a fact that more children will die. ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

2025-06-27

Cancer Patients Recover By Taking Repurposed Anti-Parasitic Drugs

Cancer Patients Recover By Taking Repurposed Anti-Parasitic Drugs Authored by Huey Freeman via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),Joe Tippens never planned to discover a potential remedy that he credits with saving his life and thrust him into the spotlight among notable cancer survivors. The 67-year-old businessman told The Epoch Times he just wanted to beat a type of cancer with an extremely low survival rate.Illustration by The Epoch TimesIn August 2016, Tippens was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer with a fist-sized tumor. After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation five times a week in Houston, the large tumor in his left lung was eliminated. However, Tippens said the treatments came closer to killing him than curing him.When he returned home to Oklahoma after the New Year, he received devastating news. His oncologist told him he had zero chance of surviving for more than a few months.“In January of 2017, my PET scan lit up like a Christmas tree and I had wide metastasis everywhere, including in my neck, bones, pancreas, and liver,” Tippens said.Finding a LifelineFacing a prognosis of three months to live, Tippens heard an intriguing story from a veterinarian he knew: A scientist with terminal cancer reportedly cured her lab mice and then herself using fenbendazole, an antiparasitic drug.The story was the beginning of what eventually became the “Joe Tippens Protocol.”Fenbendazole, used for 30 years to treat intestinal parasites in animals, has not received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for human use, meaning doctors cannot prescribe it for people. However, with a terminal diagnosis and nothing to lose, Tippens decided to try it alongside his conventional treatments.Tippens found that Panacur, a trade name for fenbendazole, was sold over the counter at outlets that carry veterinary medications.Starting in the third week of January 2017, Tippens began taking the canine medication, Panacur, 1 gram per day for three consecutive days per week. After four days without the medication, which contains about 222 milligrams of fenbendazole per gram, he would repeat his three-day routine. Three months later, Tippens was cancer-free.His protocol also included Theracurmin, a form of the active compound in turmeric, and CBD, an extract of cannabis which does not cause intoxication.Scientific Support and MechanismsDr. William Makis, an oncologist and cancer researcher based in Edmonton, Canada, has studied Tippens’s approach and treats cancer patients worldwide, primarily through telehealth.“I’ve had several patients declared cancer-free after doing the protocol for a number of months,” Makis told The Epoch Times. “What made [Tippens’] situation so powerful is that he cured himself of a cancer that is very aggressive—small cell lung cancer—and he had a terminal diagnosis.”According to Makis, the family of anti-parasitic drugs that includes fenbendazole, mebendazole, and albendazole works well—scientists have found at least 12 ways the medications can fight cancer.The effectiveness of the drugs stems from key similarities between parasite and cancer cells: both have the capacity for autonomous survival and proliferation, resistance to cell-death pathways, and the ability to circumvent the host immune system.Anti-parasitic drugs appear to fight cancer through multiple mechanisms:Boosting protein called p53: P53 is a tumor suppressor protein that helps kill cancer cells.Blocking glucose uptake: Cancer cells depend on sugar for energy and growth.Disrupting microtubules: These cellular structures are crucial for cell division of cancer cells.Affecting mitochondrial function: Depletes cellular energy, increases oxidative stress, and blocks a critical pathway that regulates cell growth of cancer cells.Researchers at the Stanford University Medical Center have reported several case reports, using fenbendazole to cure Stage 4 cancer cases, Makis said. The series of case reports was published in 2021 in SciTechnol, an online, London-based publisher of scientific journal articles.A thought-provoking review citing animal studies published in 2024 in Anticancer Research Journal concluded that fenbendazole affects energy metabolism—mainly by increasing the levels of p53 and affecting pathways that control sugar uptake. It ultimately starves cancer cells and causes them to die with minimal harm to normal cells. The researchers concluded that fenbendazole’s effects on energy metabolism “could lead to significant advances in cancer treatment.”Some preliminary research also suggested potential anti-cancer mechanisms for fenbendazole. A study published in Scientific Reports in 2018 by researchers in India found that fenbendazole “may be evaluated as a potential therapeutic agent because of its effect on multiple cellular pathways leading to effective elimination of cancer cells.” Specifically, fenbendazole interferes with microtubules involved in cell division.A 2016 study published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications found that ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug approved for human use, shows promise against glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer known for treatment resistance. The drug kills glioblastoma cells and inhibits blood vessel development. In laboratory and mouse studies, ivermectin triggers cancer cell death and significantly reduces tumor growth.Recent research has shown that a combination of fenbendazole and diisopropylamino dichloroacetate, a compound used to treat hepatitis, has shown some anticancer properties in cell cultures and animal studies. Combined, the drugs kill lung cancer cells more effectively than either drug alone.Makis has found that combining fenbendazole with ivermectin can increase the protocol’s effectiveness.“When you combine them, you go from attacking cancer in a dozen ways to attacking cancer in two dozen ways,” Makis said. “I have found it very reasonable to include both of them in protocols if there is pre-clinical research that each of them has an effect [on] that particular type of cancer. Whenever you have a specific cancer, I want to look at the body of research to see if there is a proven effect of either ivermectin or fenbendazole for that type of cancer. If there is, then I share that research with my patients.”Makis has treated patients with various cancers—from common types like breast, prostate, colon, and lung cancer to rarer forms such as cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) and sarcomas (soft tissue cancers). “I’ve had several patients declared cancer-free after doing the protocol for a number of months,” Makis said.Although Makis has been recommending ivermectin and fenbendazole for cancer treatment, he acknowledges that many doctors refrain from this practice.Doctors are very hesitant to help cancer patients with repurposed drugs because of repercussions from the medical boards, Makis said.“On the other hand, you have doctors who are willing to help patients with repurposed drugs but no experience with oncology,” he said.When asked whether he recommends that cancer patients consult with an integrative physician who approves of those treatments, Makis said it is good for a patient to have a relationship with a doctor who has experience with oncology.“It depends on the physician’s background,” Makis said. “Some doctors have extensive experience, after seeing cancer patients for many years.”Patient Success StoriesDonna Leland, 64, a show host on the national Moody Radio Network, was diagnosed with Stage 3 cervical and endometrial cancer in April 2023. She underwent a hysterectomy but declined the recommended chemotherapy and radiation.“I had seen the outcome for other people who had gone that route,” Leland told The Epoch Times. “Some had gotten all cleared, but then the cancer came back. I know it diminishes your own immune system’s ability to fight off disease.”Leland told the doctor she did not want those treatments and asked for another option. But she was offered nothing else.“I knew there had to be a better way than to fry everything. I just said, ‘I’d rather die than fry.’”Leland began taking fenbendazole and ivermectin. She also found support from Terry Harmon, a chiropractor and functional medicine physician in Kentucky.Harmon says more than 100 of his patients have reported positive health benefits from using fenbendazole or ivermectin.“The reason so many people are finding success is twofold,” Harmon told The Epoch Times. “It is addressing infections. It helps the body heal and get stronger. There is research showing this combination helps the body’s ability genetically to kill cancer and prevent cancer from growing and spreading.”Leland said she had confirmation of the effectiveness of these alternative treatments from studies on ivermectin, fenbendazole, and other anti-parasitic drugs. Mebendazole is another anti-parasitic drug that both Makis and Harmon recommended as an effective cancer treatment.One year after her hysterectomy, Leland said she is healthier than she has ever been, partly because of her continuing use of anti-parasitic drugs for preventive purposes.“After being checked every three months for evidence of cancer, my oncologist continues to declare me cancer-free.”“I feel like I’m 20 years younger,” Leland said. “God has been faithful to lead me on this journey.”Global ImpactThe Tippens Protocol has achieved significant international reach, particularly in China, where a translated blog has garnered more than 20 million views. This has led to an estimated 70,000 followers of what’s affectionately called the “Uncle Joey Protocol.”Despite opportunities to monetize his discovery, Tippens has refused all financial gain.“I have had search engine experts who have told me I could monetize this blog to the tune of $25,000 to $30,000 per month,” he said. “I can’t do that for a simple reason: I have hundreds of people who have told me the reason they believe me and trust me is because I am doing all this and not monetizing it. The second I monetized it, I would be just another guy out there hawking product out on the Internet, trying to make money.”Tippens warns about fraudulent Facebook pages that falsely use his name to sell substandard drugs.Regulatory and Medical ChallengesThe FDA confirmed that it has not approved “drug products containing fenbendazole for use in humans,” said Lauren-Jei McCarthy, FDA press officer, in a statement to The Epoch Times. It has not gone through the rigorous testing and clinical trials required for drugs intended for human use. Fenbendazole is approved by the FDA as an antiparasitic drug for use in animals. It is commonly used to deworm dogs, cats, horses, and cattle.Ivermectin, while FDA-approved for human use against parasitic worms, is not approved for cancer treatment. Health care providers may prescribe ivermectin to fight cancer as a repurposed medication. Both medications are available without prescriptions and are routinely purchased for veterinary use.Makis, who has been at the cutting edge of advocating for holistic treatments that include the repurposed drugs, said he believes we are in a revolutionary era of effective cancer treatments.“This is the first time in several generations there is a strong movement for true medical freedom, to allow for exploration of treatments that don’t benefit any big company,” he said.Serious side effects from fenbendazole and ivermectin are rare, Makis said.“I have seen moderate side effects, which include unpleasant visual symptoms, some dizziness, and fatigue,” Makis said.Tippens is encouraged by ongoing research into other FDA-approved drugs that might be repurposed for cancer treatment.“Because of my story, I think there are other efforts in research in the anti-parasitic category,“ Tippen said. ”There are seven sister drugs to fenbendazole. One medical group has used mebendazole in their protocol. I think I’ve started at least opening people’s brains to something.” Tyler DurdenThu, 06/26/2025 - 22:35

2025-06-27

CNBC Daily Open: Wall Street is tuning out the noise and catching rays

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son said he is “all in” on OpenAI, with its planned investments in the company reaching about 4.8 trillion Japanese yen ($33.2 billion). “I think that OpenAI will be listed eventually and, in my belief, will become the most valuable company in the world,” Son said at a shareholders’ meeting. He revealed he had wanted to be an early investor in OpenAI but ultimately lost out to Microsoft.SoftBank is “all in” on OpenAI, CEO Masayoshi Son said on Friday, as the Japanese tech giant looks to realize its vision of “artificial superintelligence.”This year, the Japanese multinational conglomerate has been increasing its investments in OpenAI and participating in joint ventures such as the $500 billion Stargate project. According to Son, SoftBank is now “all in” on the artificial intelligence company, with total planned investments in the company reaching about 4.8 trillion Japanese yen ($33.2 billion), despite it being unlisted and unprofitable.“I think that OpenAI will be listed eventually and, in my belief, will become the most valuable company in the world,” Son said. He added, however, that it “takes bravery to invest” in such a company. As it turns out, Son has long held that conviction. During the shareholders’ meeting, he revealed that before 2019, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had asked him if SoftBank would invest $10 billion into the company.“I said, yes, I would ... I was serious because I had financial resources thanks to Vision Fund’s performance. But obviously, Sam talked to other potential investors, and eventually, they picked Microsoft,” he said. Microsoft ultimately inked the deal, which made it the exclusive provider of computing power for OpenAI’s research, products, and programming interfaces for developers. However, Microsoft lost its status as OpenAI’s exclusive cloud provider at the start of this year.And that relationship now appears to be on rocky footing. According to recent reports, Microsoft hasn’t approved an OpenAI restructuring plan that would turn it into a more conventional for-profit company.Touching upon the reports, Son suggested that Altman should have chosen SoftBank, not Microsoft, as its initial partner, though he noted that SoftBank was smaller at the time and that Microsoft had its global supply chains, technical talents and brand value to offer. SoftBank has previously stated that it could reduce its portion of its $30 billion investment in OpenAI’s latest funding round in March to $20 billion if it doesn’t restructure into a for-profit entity by Dec. 31.However, on Friday, Son said that his conviction on OpenAI has only grown stronger and that SoftBank will continue to deepen its relationship with the company, regardless of what happens with Microsoft. Artificial superintelligencePart of Son’s belief in OpenAI stems from his desire for SoftBank to be at the center of “artificial superintelligence,” which he has described as AI that is 10,000 times smarter than humans. Son said on Friday that he wants SoftBank to become the biggest platform provider for this ASI within the next decade, serving as the “organizer of the industry in the artificial superintelligence era.” He added that SoftBank’s partnership with OpenAI, along with British semiconductor company Arm, which SoftBank acquired in 2016, would be essential to those plans.Other major AI-related investments that SoftBank has made this year include an acquisition of U.S.-based chips designer Ampere for $6.5 billion. Bloomberg News reported last week, citing people familiar with the matter, that Son is also considering establishing a $1 trillion industrial complex in the U.S. that will develop AI.

2025-06-27

New doc features RIINO’s electric rail system and its future in mining haulage

Sudbury-based RIINO has officially released a new short documentary – produced in collaboration with CBS and Acumen – spotlighting behind the scenes of RIINO’s fully [...]The post New doc features RIINO’s electric rail system and its future in mining haulage appeared first on Canadian Mining Journal.

2025-06-27

Turkish Farmers Pioneer XAG Agricultural Drones for Water-Smart Practices

GÖNEN, Turkey, June 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Turkey is grappling with a significant water challenge: 186 of its 240 lakes have vanished in just 60 years. This ongoing environmental pressure has driven innovations among local small and medium-sized farmers. In Gönen, the nation's rice...

2025-06-26

Two First Nations setting up encampment near proposed bridge to Ring of Fire

A political decision one thousand kilometres from Jeronimo Kataquapit’s home in a remote First Nation near James Bay set the course for his summer. Now, the 20-year-old from Attawapiskat First Nation, his father, mother and older brother are headed upriver in two 24-foot freighter canoes on a 400-kilometre journey to “reassert First Nations’ presence” near [...]

2025-06-26

NiaHealth raises $5.75 million as it hopes to become a household name in preventative healthcare

Rapidly growing healthtech startup has majority of its backing from Canadian investors.The post NiaHealth raises $5.75 million as it hopes to become a household name in preventative healthcare first appeared on BetaKit.