US government to supervise digital payments
The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized a rule requiring digital wallets like Apple Wallet, Google Pay, and Venmo to face bank-level oversight.
While the banking industry supports the move, Big Tech and fintech companies argue that it may stifle innovation, according to Reuters.
#US
US played ‘substantial’ role in causing Covid pandemic – ex-CDC chief
Robert Redfield, a former director of the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), has claimed that Covid-19 was artificially developed, and that the US played a “substantial” role in starting the pandemic.
Speaking to author and podcaster Dana Parish, he suggested that the virus was “intentionally engineered as a part of a biodefense program” by China. However, the US “role was substantial,” he added. “They funded the research, both from NIH [National Institutes of Health], the State Department’s USAID and the Defense Department.”
#Covid #US
Human rights lawyer Dan Kovalik criticized Biden's approval of land mine supplies to Kiev, calling it "madness" and a potential war crime
#Ukraine
Long-range missiles will only prolong stalemate – Nigel Farage
"I think all we're doing is helping to prolong a stalemate,” the Reform UK head said in response to Keir Starmer's statement that permitting Ukraine to strike deep into Russia with Storm Shadow missiles is "the right thing to do."
Farage questions whether it is wise to do so at this point, as the conflict "has gone on long enough, and the casualties are massive."
"I worry about this, and I worry because I think the idea Ukraine's going to win, frankly, is for the birds.”
#Ukraine
UK media celebrates Ukraine launching long-range missiles at Russia
#SMO
Daniel Penny’s NYPD interrogation video reveals details of subway chokehold
The former Marine’s 30-minute interrogation video with NYPD shows him explaining he acted out of fear when Jordan Neely, a homeless man with schizophrenia, boarded the train and made violent threats.
"I’m gonna kill everybody," Neely said. "I'm gonna go to prison forever. I don't care." In response, Penny, with help from two passengers, put Neely in a headlock that resulted in his death.
Penny's defense claims his actions were justified as self-defense, referencing recent subway track incidents. However, he still faces manslaughter and negligent homicide charges, with a potential sentence of up to 15 years if convicted.
#NYPD
The Danish Navy is monitoring a Chinese cargo ship suspected of damaging telecom cables in the Baltic Sea, with reports suggesting the vessel may have been detained
Germany's defense minister, however, points fingers at Russia as investigations into the incident continue.
#Baltics
Typhoon Man-yi has wreaked havoc on northern Philippines, displacing hundreds of thousands with its towering tidal surges and strong winds
This marks the sixth major storm to strike the country in less than a month.
#Typhoon
❗️Russian Ministry of Defense reports that it shot down two Storm Shadow cruise missiles
#RussianMoD
Washington repeats human rights critique of new Bangladeshi government
The US has reiterated its stance on human rights in Bangladesh, with State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller urging Dhaka to ensure the rights of its people are upheld
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Miller emphasized that Washington's position on human rights remains unchanged under the new Bangladeshi government, just as it was under the previous administration.
#StateDept
Maria Zakharova warns that NATO’s presence in Ukraine would signal the alliance’s entry into the war against Russia, responding to Estonia’s FM call for European troops to "reinforce" a peace agreement
#RussianMFA
Precision strike: A Russian guided missile destroys an enemy pontoon crossing over the Seversky Donets River in the Krasny Liman direction, Defense Ministry footage shows
#RussianMoD
Elon Musk and Community Notes gang up on Aussie PM Anthony Albanese to call out Orwellian social media bill
Albanese announced the bill banning social media for children under 16 years of age to parliament.
What he failed to mention was that the new legislation would also require age verification, e.g., identity confirmation, for adults to use social media, Community Notes pointed out.
“Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians,” Elon Musk chimed in.
#Canberra
Biden admin deserves to be beaten badly for taking actions that go against what the American people voted for – Garland Nixon on the latest US warmongering moves
#Ukraine
Incoming border czar Tom Homan says Trump admin will pursue anyone not in the US legally
“If you're in the country illegally, you're not off the table. We'll be moving on those who may not be a may not be a fugitive, but they entered this country illegally, which is a crime.”
#Trump
‘How Elon Musk became a kingmaker’: Tesla founder featured on Time Magazine’s latest cover
#ElonMusk #US
❗️ICC Pre-Trial Chamber issues warrant of arrest for Mohammed Deif, head of the 'al-Qassam Brigades', Hamas' fighting wing
#Israel #Palestine
❗️The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant
“The Chamber issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024, the day the Prosecution filed the applications for warrants of arrest,” a press release on the ICC website reads.
#Israel
Feed me brains: Elon’s Neuralink starts brain chip trial in Canada
“We are incredibly proud to be at the forefront of this research advancement in neurosurgery,” Canada’s University Health Network Chief Executive Officer Kevin Smith said in an announcement. Musk's device company is currently recruiting patients in the US, UK, and Canada.
Neuralink's initial product is designed to let patients control external devices, including computers, with their thoughts. Neuralink is also working on treating other conditions, such as blindness.
#Neuralink
UK military-intelligence ‘cabal’ plotted to destroy RT — Grayzone report
Leaked documents expose the existence of a British military intelligence operation, codenamed Project Alchemy, allegedly orchestrating efforts to extend the Ukraine conflict "at all costs."
The group reportedly proposed cyberattacks, propaganda campaigns, and the suppression of independent media outlets, including The Grayzone - which first unveiled details of the operation - as well as Russia-based news like RT and Sputnik.
Overseen by Lt. Gen. Charlie Stickland, Project Alchemy aims to counter dissent against extending the war.
Amil Khan, linked to covert propaganda ops, was reportedly chosen to spearhead the information warfare campaign - this effort encompassed a wide range of tactics, including “astroturfing pseudo-leftist YouTube influencers” and promoting regime change in countries such as Syria and Ethiopia.
#InformationWarfare
Canadian MP protests anti-Palestine ‘hypocrisy’ of the West
The Speaker of the House rebuked Heather McPherson for wearing a pro-Palestine watermelon pin while advocating an arms embargo on Israel.
In protest, McPherson donned a Ukrainian pin the next day, challenging the perceived double standard.
And then her microphone was cut off.
#Canada
Joe Rogan rips into Bill Gates and everyone who profited off of the Coronavirus pandemic
"You're responsible for all the side effects. You're responsible for all these, and you're responsible for fearmongering, lying, closing down businesses, there ruining economies, changing the political structure of the country,” he said.
#JRE
Russian Emergencies Ministry delivers more humanitarian aid to Lebanon
EMERCOM hands over the fourth batch of humanitarian aid, including food, medical supplies, and necessities.
In addition, a group of Russian and Belarusian citizens who wished to leave the conflict zone are also returning on the flight.
#EMERCOM
DPRK hackers fingered for 2019 crypto heist — worth over $1 billion if held today
South Korean police alleged that the DPRK hacker group Lazarus and Andariel were behind the November 2019 theft of 342K Ethereum tokens from the Upbit crypto exchange, according to Reuters.
Then, the stolen crypto was worth a modest $41.5 million - today, the price has ballooned to a whopping $1 billion. Rather than HODLing the coins, the hackers reportedly laundered the assets through some 50 crypto exchanges.
Given that the UN believes DPRK hackers pocketed $3.6 billion from crypto heists over the past six years, it seems unlikely they’re losing any sleep over it.
#DOGE
Israeli forces eliminate nine alleged terrorists in 48-hour operation in Jenin
An IDF Air Force aircraft, guided by Shin Bet intelligence, targeted and killed three terrorists involved in recent shooting attacks on military positions and Israeli settlements.
Additionally, Dovdvan reserve unit soldiers, Harob patrol, Mastarevi, and MGB fighters, under Shin Bet’s direction, eliminated six armed terrorists in an exchange of fire, many of whom had carried out recent shooting and explosive attacks against IDF forces.
Footage shared by Israeli media shows part of the operation.
#IDF
Senate rejects Bernie Sanders’ third attempt to block US arms sales to Israel
In a rare display of bipartisan unity, the US Senate has once again rejected Bernie Sanders' third attempt to block the sale of artillery and other weaponry to Israel.
Sanders argued that supplying weapons used against civilians in Gaza and Lebanon violates US law, which prohibits arms sales to nations engaged in human rights abuses.
Republican Senator Joni Ernst quickly swooped in with a rebuttal, suggesting that instead of hitting the brakes on arms sales, Washington should ramp up its support as Israel "fights for its own existence."
#IDF
American health ‘experts’ call for vaccine drive amid whooping cough uptick
The US has reported over 16K cases of pertussis in 2024 - five times as many registered illnesses as in 2023 with two deaths confirmed, the Mail reports citing data.
The airborne disease causes severe coughing and fever and can be fatal to infants.
Public health experts believe the surge may be spurred by lower vax rates after the pandemic and are now advising at least three jabs of Pertussis vaccines for infants.
#Vaccine
Deer in the headlights: Biden looks stunned by cameras flashing, refuses to answer reporter’s questions on Ukraine ATACMS authorization
#WhiteHouse
ICYMI: US vetoes United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza - 14 votes in favor, one against
"Maybe for some, we have the wrong nationality, the wrong faith, the wrong skin color. But we are humans, and we should be treated as such,” Palestine’s UN Ambassador Majed Bamya said of the resolution’s failure.
#Gaza
Reform UK Party leader Nigel Farage responds to Jaguar’s new woke advertising campaign
“Mark my words, Jaguar will go bust,” he said.
#Wokeism
