Lame Duck Blinken Heads To South Korea, Japan, France In Final Visit As Top US Diplomat
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is grabbing as many free meals as he can on the way out the door – visiting South Korea, Japan, and France on what will most likely be his last diplomatic trip before the incoming Trump administration takes office in just over two weeks.
On Friday, the State Department announced that Blinken would begin a five-day trip to the three countries on Saturday, during which he aims to ‘reaffirm US alliances’ in the face of regional challenges.
In South Korea, Blinken and senior government officials will discuss “critical cooperation” in addressing global challenges, and other such word salads. According to the department, Blinken will focus on how the two countries “can strengthen key efforts to promote a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” and strengthen trilateral efforts with Japan.
As the Epoch Times notes further, Blinken’s visit will occur amid political turmoil in South Korea following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol over his short-lived martial law declaration last month. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has assumed the role of acting president, the second person to do so after Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was impeached.
The department stated that Blinken will hold talks with senior Japanese government officials during his visit to Tokyo to review “the tremendous progress the U.S.–Japan alliance has made over the past few years.”
During the talks, Blinken will underscore the importance of their alliance in addressing regional and global issues, while also discussing ways to build on the momentum of trilateral cooperation with South Korea.
Lastly, Blinken will travel to France to discuss with senior French officials challenges in Europe, particularly in Ukraine, as well as the rising tensions in the Middle East, according to the department.
The announcement was made a day after the State Department approved the potential sale of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and related equipment to Japan, which is valued at an estimated $3.64 billion.
The Biden administration has sought to bolster alliances with Japan and South Korea amid concerns over China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific and North Korea’s missile threats.
The growing military ties between North Korea and Russia have also raised alarms as North Korea reportedly sent thousands of troops to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine.
Last week, the United States and Japan unveiled new guidelines for extended deterrence, citing an “increasingly severe strategic and nuclear threat environment” that reflects heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific, where China, Russia, and North Korea have taken steps to modernize their arsenals and project power.
Details of the new guidelines have not been disclosed. Both the United States and Japan said the document emphasizes enhancing strategic messaging to ensure adversaries clearly understand the alliance’s resolve and capabilities. The measures also include bolstering U.S. extended deterrence with Japan’s defense advancements, such as enhanced missile defense systems and readiness to respond to contingencies.
All US Military Bases Enact “Heightened Security Measures” After Terror Attacks
VOA’s Chief National Correspondent, Steve Herman, has released a new “Urgent Security Update” from the Department of Defense, indicating that, in response to the recent “terror attacks” in New Orleans and Las Vegas, all US military bases will implement “heightened security measures.”
“In response to recent terror attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas, the Commander of U.S. Northern Command has directed all military installations to immediately implement heightened security measures.” https://t.co/N9yPq0YR9N
In response to recent terror attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas, the Commander of US Northern Command has directed all military installations to immediately implement heightened security measures. These include:
100% ID checks
Random inspections
Suspension of the Trusted Traveler Program
The Trusted Traveler Program was a procedure that allowed DoD-affiliated sponsors to vouch for vehicle occupants to gain entry onto an installation.
Drivers should expect delays and random inspections at entry gates as we enhance the security posture of our installation to ensure our ability to project combat power when and where required.
This is a critical step in ensuring the security and readiness of our installations. Drivers should expect delays at entry gates due to increased inspections.
Herman provided a screenshot:
So, what exactly have federal investigators uncovered about the Cybertruck bomber and/or the ISIS-loving driver who killed 14 people in the Bourbon Street truck-ramming attack?
Frightening information to hear. Former CIA targeting officer Sarah Adams is warning of an IRGC U.S. Homeland attack in retaliation for Soleimani. She says 1,000 or more terrorists may already be here and discusses the “Invisible Bomb” undetectable to magnetometers and now… pic.twitter.com/tVGLhHGqZI
Joel Salatin, the self-described “Christian Libertarian environmentalist capitalist lunatic farmer,” enthusiastically engages in a free-flowing conversation as he navigates the bumpy mountain roads that wind through his 700-acre Polyface Farms in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
He showcases his whimsical sense of humor while driving a faded early-1980s Ford Bronco that has no windows and only gets washed by the rain.
“Most self-respecting farmers are supposed to have a side-by-side ATV, but I’m not a self-respecting farmer,” Salatin said. “I’ve got this old $2,000 Bronco. And it gets the job done.”
Regarded by many as the nation’s foremost authority on regenerative farming, Salatin is the author of more than a dozen books on the topic and travels around the world speaking at conferences and serving as a generously paid consultant.
An advocate for local food networks, independent farmers, and what he calls “personal choice in food sourcing,” he is outspoken about what he believes is “extreme government overreach” in agriculture.
After former President Donald Trump won a return to the White House in November, Salatin announced on his blog that the president-elect’s transition team contacted him to serve as a U.S. Department of Agriculture adviser and that U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) would serve as secretary of agriculture.
Instead, Trump nominated Brooke Rollins to head the Department of Agriculture.
Still, the 64-year-old Salatin said he is hopeful that the incoming Trump administration—which may include a Department of Health and Human Services led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—will remove government regulations that “are detrimental to farmers, and subsequently detrimental to consumers.”
“A key to improving the quality of our food is to lessen regulations so people could get locally sourced food and not have to get food shipped from across the country,” Salatin said.
Cumbersome Regulations
He noted that there are thousands of farm entrepreneurs ready to launch their clean food alternatives but that they can’t get to the marketplace because of these food regulations.
“Four companies control 85 percent of what we eat in America,“ he said. “What we need is freedom of choice with our food.”
Salatin said that if Rollins is confirmed as secretary of the Department of Agriculture, he would like to see her swiftly enact a “Food Emancipation Proclamation” that would “allow direct farmer-to-consumer” transactions without cumbersome regulations.
“If you want to come to my farm and get sausage, I should be able to sell it to you without a bureaucrat being involved,” he said.
“If someone wants to do that now, I first have to take the pigs to a federally inspected processing facility, which has to pass through a whole bunch of licensing hoops to keep their license, and I have to pay them to do that.”
If it were legal, Salatin said, Polyface Farms would be a turnkey operation.
Instead, regulations require otherwise.
“We have to take that pig up the interstate to a slaughterhouse, and we pay a lot of money to bring it back,” he said. “We lose all of our guts, you know, the stuff that we could compost and use for fertilizer, and the income we could get by doing it ourselves.”
Salatin laments the plight of the modern independent farmer.
“Out of every dollar that’s spent at the grocery store, the farmer gets 9 cents of it on average,” he said.
“For beef, it’s higher. For wheat, it’s lower, but on average it’s 9 cents. So that means 91 of those cents are spent dealing with middlemen, transportation, processing, packaging, marketing, and distribution.”
It would be a “boon” to small farmers if government regulations were “significantly reduced,” Salatin said.
“Suddenly, a small farmer can make a better living and it would also be a wonderful multiple-choice option for consumers to be able to have a greater variety of quality food options at a more affordable price,” he said.
Advocates of expanded government oversight are saying “they trust government more than they trust small businesses and small farms,” and that “needs to change,” Salatin said.
“Raw milk is a perfect example,” he said. “The government demonizes raw milk as being unsafe. We subsidize $9 billion a year to Coca-Cola under a nutrition program, and we criminalize raw milk.
“I would suggest that Coca-Cola is far more dangerous than raw milk. I’m not suggesting that nobody’s ever gotten sick from raw milk. Has anybody ever gotten sick from Coca-Cola? Yeah, lots of people with all these obesity rates that are caused by consuming large amounts of sugar.”
EarthDay.org reports that the United States is losing soil 10 times faster than it is being replenished.
Large-scale farms produce most of the food and agricultural pollution, the site says, and those facilities are operated by industrial or foreign companies that “value short-term profits over the long-term health of our land and people.”
Regenerative farming “promotes the health of degraded soils by restoring their organic carbon” through practices such as no-till farming and cover cropping that reduce erosion and water pollution and cultivate healthier soil, according to the site.
Salatin agreed and offered a simpler definition of regenerative farming.
“It’s all about leaving the land better off than when you found it,” he said.
“America is sick. More people are questioning the standard American diet. Food and farming go together. You can’t divorce food from farming.
“You must first have nutrient-dense farms to get nutrient-dense food.”
Salatin learned regenerative farming methods from his father, who bought the property where Polyface Farms sits in 1961.
The land was not fertile, eroded after decades of over-tilling and neglect.
Salatin’s father turned away from conventional farming and embraced regenerative methods such as planting trees, digging ponds, creating tall compost piles, and implementing rotational grazing.
The land is now lush and rich in nutrients.
Today, Polyface Farms provides beef, pork, poultry, and forestry products for more than 5,000 families, 50 restaurants, 10 retail outlets, and a farmer’s market.
Four generations of Salatin’s family live and work on the farm.
For centuries, Americans lived on locally sourced foods grown on farms free of chemicals. A change started when chemical fertilizers became widespread, which has led to depleted soil and unhealthy foods, Salatin said.
Even in the 1940s, some people cautioned that using “chemical manure” would result in the loss of soil fertility, according to Salatin.
“The quickest way to destroy the land is to de-vegetate it, and plowing is No. 1,” he said.
Zelensky Believes Trump Is ‘Capable Of Stopping Putin’
With a mere couple weeks away from Trump sitting at the president’s desk in the Oval Office, Ukraine’s Zelensky is trying to play nice and speak positive things of the US president-elect after some prior tensions.
Despite Trump’s return to power being a source of anxiety in Kiev and for NATO, Zelensky in a recent interview with a British news outlet said he expects continued support from Washington into the Trump administration with no problems.
“Trump can be decisive. For us, this is the most important thing,” the Ukrainian leader said, and added: “His qualities are indeed there.”
That’s when he emphasized of Trump: “He can be decisive in this war. He is capable of stopping Putin or, to put it more fairly, help us stop Putin. He is able to do this.”
Zelensky could be placing hope in a Financial Timesreport from last month which said, “In a boost for allies deeply concerned over their ability to support and protect Ukraine without Washington’s backing, Trump now intends to maintain US military supplies to Kyiv after his inauguration.”
However, this could easily also be seen as Trump’s team signaling Moscow in preparation for negotiations, or a tactic of sorts. The US/Kyiv side will seek to negotiate from a position of strength, despite Ukraine forces being beaten back along the frontlines in the east.
Another reason Zelensky might be optimistic about continuing strong support under Trump is that the president-elect has nominated a number of hawks to key foreign policy positions.
For example, incoming National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Envoy to the Ukraine War Keith Kellogg have expressed support for continued NATO escalation in arms transfers to Ukraine’s military. They’ve even in the recent past praised Biden’s constant weapons deliveries.
Zelensky has stood firm on a future path to NATO, something which Moscow considers a non-starter:
Zelenskiy has said that achieving a just peace for Ukraine meant receiving solid security guarantees from its allies, joining the European Union and receiving an invitation to join the NATO alliance, a notion rejected by Moscow.
“Naturally, any security guarantees without the United States are weak security guarantees for Ukraine,” he said.
Zelenskiy said he wanted to ensure that any U.S. plan on a settlement took account of Ukraine’s views.
The rumor is that Trump’s peace plan envisions a 20-year waiting period for Ukraine to join the Western military alliance. But Putin’s position is that this just delays major war. Moscow has condemned the idea of Kiev joining NATO at any future date.
So one side or the other is going to have to give on this point, if Trump is to fulfill his constant campaign promises of quickly bringing the war to an end.
As we enter the New Year of 2025, it might be a good idea to reflect on the past year and examine aspects of our character that could use extra effort in meeting life’s challenges. One of these traits could be persistence.
The dictionary defines persistence as the continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty and opposition or the ability to endure over a prolonged time period. In other words, the quality of being committed regardless of the challenges or obstacles thrown in one’s path.
Persistence can be interpreted in both a negative and positive light. If an individual persists in destructive behavior with certain vices, then negative outcomes become a strong possibility. On the other hand, if persistence is applied toward worthy goals, it can lead to a life of purpose and fulfillment.
What are some examples of determined perseverance? Some of the most challenging examples of doggedness would be the extreme mental and physical training required of special operators in the Army’s Green Berets, Delta Force, and Rangers, Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces, Marine Raiders, Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance, Navy SEALs, and so on. They all demand an exceptional level of grit and steadfastness.
Other extreme examples of dedication might include two marathon runners, a Belgian woman in 2024 and a Brazilian man in 2023, who both ran a marathon every day for an entire year. For most folks, it is unnecessary to attain these heights of stamina and intense training that could lead to eventual exhaustion and physical injuries. You might just want to develop diligent study habits at home and in school.
While mental and physical traits can help an individual overcome speed bumps while moving toward specific goals, social and spiritual traits are also important. In the coming year, one might want to develop better social relations with others or become more in tune with one’s innate spiritual nature.
Regardless of one’s resolutions for the coming year, one can be applauded for the desire to learn from the past and set sight on better habits of persistence. Understand that these habits of motivation won’t unfold all at once. Discipline and focus must be nurtured on a daily basis in order to reach any objective, large or small. Remember, one can look at mistakes in two ways. You can think of them as failures or as learning experiences.
If you view mistakes as failures, you might throw in the towel and fall back into past habits. However, if you view mistakes as learning experiences, you can redouble your efforts and remain determined to accomplish worthy goals that you have set. These goals can not only help you lead a more fulfilling life but can also assist others either by accident or design.
First, if you identify a goal that you want to pursue, be resolved not to give up on your goal no matter how many hurdles are placed in your way due to the ever-present vagaries of life. If you run into roadblocks, find creative ways to get around or over them. Remember that in your pursuits, you don’t have to go it all alone. Enlist the help of other folks and don’t be afraid to reach out to others for advice that can bolster your progress.
Next, if you tell yourself that you want to get into better physical shape this year, start gradually so that you don’t succumb to fatigue. Work out in a variety of routines, perhaps two or three times a week. Over time, you can increase the workouts to four or five times a week for 45 to 60 minutes each. Combine those workouts with a healthy diet, hydration, and adequate rest, and you will feel much better with positive energy.
Third, if you want to enhance your connections with other people both outside and within your circle of friends, don’t wait for others to extend a hand. Reach out, break the ice, and communicate with others so that you can deepen relationships and lend a helping hand when needed. Good communications can develop when we learn how to proactively listen and know when to speak. Continuously practice these skills.
Fourth, be determined to reflect on your spiritual progress and how you can be more prayerful and receptive to spiritual guidance. If we combine faith with good works to help others, we can strengthen our spiritual journey that is never finished until we pass away. Remind yourself daily to be grateful for the limitless blessings we enjoy in a free country.
We all face rejection in life, whether in school, job searches, relationships, or other areas. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been turned down for certain job positions and articles submitted for publication. Don’t let rejection keep you down. If a particular door closes, others can open, so keep an eye out for any opportunities available for your talents and time.
Regardless of one’s field of interest—from “A” for artist to “Z” for zoologist—remember that tenacity can be a highly positive trait that can truly build character. Have a healthy and persistent year ahead!
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times or ZeroHedge.
“All Ingredients Sourced Locally”: From Sidewalk To NYC Halal Food Truck
“Omg I can’t believe what I just saw! Please don’t buy food from this food truck! He throws food scraps to the pigeons and then he captures the pigeons to sell them! I swear I have seen crazy but this tops it all! This food truck is located in Queens New York, at the corner of Queens Blvd and Junction Blvd, across from the Rego Park mall, right in front of TD bank,” Instagram user ori.the.minionwrote last week.
NYC halal food cart worker caught catching pigeon with bare hands: ‘Beyond disgusted’ pic.twitter.com/CQfUrFuBMY
The New York Post interviewed Oriana Biersack, who witnessed the pigeon kidnapping by the operator of the MS Halal truck near the Rego Center Mall on Queens Boulevard last week and reported the incident to the city Department of Health.
“I am beyond disgusted,” she told NYPost, adding, “After that, I saw him grab water and he was rinsing his hand and swishing water in his mouth … He was sticking his fingers into his mouth and scrubbing his teeth with his fingers. I was shocked at what I was seeing but I didn’t record the rest.”
One X user joked, “It’s an NYC food truck. That pigeon is probably the most sanitary thing in there.”
It’s an NYC food truck. That pigeon is probably the most sanitary thing in there.
If Biden Wanted To Leave An Easter Egg For Trump, The Dock Workers’ Deal Ending On January 15th Seems Like A Nasty One
By Peter Tchir of Academy Securities
Messy But Manageable
Last weekend we went with 2025 Will Be Messy. We discussed that subject and the implications on Bloomberg Radio/YouTube (30-minute mark) to kick off the year on Thursday. Unfortunately, Academy also had to publish a SITREP – Terrorist Attack in New Orleans.
We did get some volatility as stocks sold off into the New Year. While assets tried to bounce on the first day of trading, that momentum faded. However, at least stocks (and Bitcoin) performed well on Friday (which, technically, is the last official day of the Santa rally, which the Grinch did seem to hack).
What was noticeable about Friday was how well stocks did after the Speaker was picked on the first vote. While there were some delays as “cloakroom” deals were hammered out (which brought back memories of Hamilton’s “The Room Where it Happens”), the whole thing went relatively smoothly.
Markets were prepared for more of a “mess” (than what actually occurred), and rightfully did well as optimism that the positive things for the economy (and markets) will get done.
The expected deluge of corporate bond issuance got off to a fast start with 10 issuers coming to market on Thursday! (Academy was an underwriter on 5 of those deals).
There are a few important things to watch this coming week, which should move markets in a meaningful way.
Treasury Yields
We raised our near-term target on 10s to 4.75%. With the 10-year and 30-year auctions this week, that should put some pressure on Treasuries. With a very heavy corporate calendar, there should be rate hedging and buyers who prefer corporates to Treasuries (which will also tend to push yields higher). Finally, nothing about this administration (despite D.O.G.E.) points to it being fiscally conservative, so that too will weigh on bonds (yields drifted higher as the Speaker vote proceeded relatively smoothly).
In terms of “only” 1.5 cuts being priced in for 2025, that is starting to seem low, but we are not really prepared to argue against it too heavily one way or the other (basically our higher yield call at the longer end is primarily linked to further steepening of the yield curve).
Jobs versus Inflation
This is Jobs Week (nowhere near as entertaining as Shark Week). We get JOLTs, ADP, and NFP. Consensus is that the reports will be mediocre at best (160k estimate on NFP headline). If anything, the “whisper” number seems even lower. While that is completely in line with our take on the economy, there are two main reasons why we are not prepared to bet on the jobs data being weak enough to really move the needle for the Fed:
The Household number (used for the Unemployment Rate) has been significantly lower than the Establishment number, so there is some reasonable probability that the data will catch up, keeping the unemployment rate well under control.
We have argued that the seasonal adjustments, while “normalizing,” are still off due to including Covid and are not adapting rapidly enough to the importance of weather in the South versus the North. Just like last year, we believe that there is a bias in the seasonal adjustments that can create a “beat” in the jobs data.
While some have argued that the Fed may have acted politically at their last meeting, we are NOT in that camp (A Tough Powell Who Didn’t Take the Bait). We are far from convinced that the economy is robust or that the job’s data reflects reality (we think that it has consistently overstated the strength of the labor market – which the ongoing downward revisions seem to support). But the Fed is somewhat forced to work with the official data.
But the main reason why we were calling for the Fed to do what they did is concern about inflation.
We highlighted the almost comedic healthcare “deflation” stats in the CPI data! The Fed uses those numbers, but that is possibly the single biggest reason why no one in the real world (or at least the world where you need to have health insurance) is as happy about CPI coming closer to 2% as the economists would have you believe.
With respect to whatever is going to happen on the tariff front, companies have been purchasing goods ahead of the potential risk. We do think that the risk is now higher than the market believes, primarily because China did not buy the agricultural goods they promised to buy last time, and President Trump will not let that happen again on his watch. The logical reaction by companies and the underestimated risk of tough trade talks will add to inflation pressure.
Video games often include “Easter Eggs.” Little hidden things left by the developers for the gamers to find. Well, if President Biden wanted to leave an “Easter Egg” for President Trump, the temporary dock worker’s deal ending on January 15th seems like a potentially nasty one. There was a time when people were concerned about the impact that the strike would have on the economy and inflation. That has largely gone away, but with the use of automation being a contentious point, it could come back. With Musk (and some other members of the Trump team) being so clearly for automation, robotics, etc., this could get messy. Also, it did seem that the Steel Workers union was happy about the U.S. Steel deal getting shot down. While a completely different issue, I cannot help thinking that it should be viewed as at least a small warning from the unions and could impact things like the dock workers.
The inability to get inflation closer to 2% is likely to remain a theme (the Atlanta GDPNow estimate for PCE has been back above 3% for the last month).
We are looking for data and narratives that:
Inflation is not only alive, but it is also possibly rising again.
Jobs, while not robust, are not weak enough to compel the Fed to cut.
I fully expect that in the coming months, we will be calling for more rate cuts than the market has priced in, but it is premature to move in that direction.
Bottom Line
With Bitcoin as a useful signal, we expect “risk on” type days when it looks like the Trump administration will be able to accomplish a lot, and “risk off” days when it looks messier.
If we are correct on rates, then stocks will likely have trouble continuing the rally that actually started late into Thursday’s trading.
We are watching not just the inflows into option-linked ETF strategies, but also the dominance of leveraged long ETFs. We’ve seen reports that the leveraged long ETFs have 100 times the AUM of leveraged short ETFs. We haven’t verified this, though we’ve been harping on the single stock leveraged ETFs theme for a while. It is true that TQQQ (3x long QQQ) has $25 billion of AUM versus $2 billion in SQQQ (3x short QQQ). These leveraged ETFs contain significant drags for their holders (they have to buy more shares at the end of up days and sell shares at the end of down days) and have the potential to significantly amplify larger moves.
Between those categories of ETFs and the ongoing dominance of short-dated options (0-days-to expiration, etc.), we expect to get moves that are larger than they should be based on the data. Not a great market structure issue in a world where we expect messiness (if not chaos).
We will be following up with our take on how the geopolitical landscape is likely to influence markets, with a focus away from the “Big 3” (China, Russia/Ukraine, and the Middle East). Thanks again for all the support in 2024! We hope that 2025 is great for everyone and we are looking forward to working together in 2025!
Following ‘C-4’ Detonation Test, YouTuber “WhistlinDiesel” Sends Cybertruck Through Second Durability Test
Days after the Tesla Cybertruck bombing outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day, YouTuber Cody Detwiler, known as WhistlinDiesel, released the second part of the Cybertruck durability test versus a Ford F-150 pickup truck.
In the first test, Detwiler strapped explosives to the door panels of both trucks. The YouTuber claimed ‘C-4’… It appears the Cybertruck withstood the blast.
The F-150, not so much.
The alleged Cybertruck bomber, Matthew Livelsberger, clearly did not watch Detwiler’s first video in August about the explosives test on the Tesla EV truck. If he had, he might have understood that the vehicle’s stainless steel body would not have been the best choice for maximum damage—unless his intent was to make a statement.
Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill told reporters last week that Cybertruck’s structure helped direct the blast away from sidewalks and doors, which may have saved lives.
Right…
Back to WhistlinDiesel’s Cybertruck testing.
“The long awaited follow-up to test #1 is finally here. After our first durability test, the Cybertruck had to be sent off to Tesla for extensive (and expensive) repairs. We finally got it back and it’s ready to undergo the next series of tests to find out if it’s truly as durable as Elon says they are…” Detwiler wrote in the video’s description.
“And the winner is… I don’t know – this is very difficult. They both did really good – but the Cybertruck went to the shop, the F-150 did not. Also, the F-150 isn’t broken because it doesn’t have enough power to break itself. When the Cybertruck is running, it goes hard enough to break itself. The F-150 can’t,” he concluded the video by awarding the F-150 a narrow win.
Here’s the video of the second durability test:
The Vegas Cybertruck bombing was more of a statement than an attempt to inflict maximum damage. The bomb’s composition and the choice of the vehicle clearly reflect this, along with the location.
Syria’s interim justice minister has come under scrutiny following the resurfacing of old videos reportedly showing him reading execution sentences in Idlib.
The videos, verified by the fact-checking network Verify-sy, appear to show Shadi al-Waisi reading the execution sentences of two women charged with “corruption and prostitution” in 2015.
“The platform Verify-sy conducted a thorough verification process using specialized technical tools to match the features and tone of voice clearly heard in at least one of the videos, with the features and voice of [Justice] Minister Shadi al-Waisi, who had recently appeared in several filmed interviews,” the network said in a statement. “The results showed a high degree of match, despite the poor quality of the circulated recordings.”
Verify-sy also reached out to several parties in the new Syrian government, with an anonymous senior official confirming that the man in the videos is Waisi.
The source said Waisi was a judge at the time. The Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-led government has not commented on the footage.
“The content of the video presented to us documents the enforcement of the law at a specific time and place, where the procedures were carried out in accordance with the laws in effect at that time and as part of a procedural agreement,” the source said.
Don’t worry, the video clearly showing Al Qaeda-appointed Syrian Minister of Justice Shadi al-Waisi sentencing a woman to be publicly shot in the head is just “part of a previous phase” https://t.co/vhlUa4AvZb
“However, we would like to point out that this process reflects a stage we have moved beyond in light of the current legal and procedural transformations, which makes it inappropriate to generalize it or use it to describe the current stage, given the differing circumstances and references.”
The resurfaced footage has been met with widespread criticism online from many Syrians who were previously critical of Bashar al-Assad and his government.
Warning: graphic footage
CONFIRMED:
Syria’s Interim Justice Minister Shadi Al-Waisi, is seen sentencing/overseeing death penalty of women for adultery/prostitution, as a part of Al Nusra Front’s application of Sharia law back in January 2015 in areas the front controlled in Idlib.
“If [HTS leader Ahmed] al-Sharaa opposes punitive measures of this nature, he needs to signal this to the hardline Islamists in Syria who aspire for it,” Syrian journalist Rami Jarrah wrote on X.
Some have questioned whether such punitive measures will be permitted under Syria’s new administration, while others have called for Waisi to be removed from office.
“Liquid Gold”: How Bovine Colostrum Is Revolutionizing Gut-Health, Immunity, Athletic Performance, And Inflammation Management
Bovine colostrum, often heralded as nature’s first food, is the initial milk produced by cows immediately after giving birth. This nutrient-rich substance is not only pivotal for the health of newborn calves but also offers substantial health benefits for humans. A plethora of research, including a comprehensive review published in 2021, underscores the diverse applications and significant health potentials of bovine colostrum, positioning it as a valuable addition to both dietary supplements and functional foods.
In another study, people with colitis had a reduction in pain.
Other studies suggest colostrum can help maintain the integrity of the gastrointestinal system – making the gut less permeable, and helping those with leaky gut syndrome.
A 2024 study confirmed that Colostrum supplementation in adulthood “improves the anti-infection ability of the human respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract and the body’s exercise capacity,” and in the elderly, can “help reduce the release of inflammatory factors and reduce the low immunity caused by aging.”
Another paper which reviewed the findings from seven trials involving 445 participants, researchers found that bovine colostrum may decrease the risk of upper respiratory tract infections – possibly supporting the regeneration of mucous membranes in the upper airway, or providing antibodies that help certain immune cells kill other cells infected with a virus.
A 2021 study found that bovine colostrum has “a range of properties likely to contribute to mucosal healing in a wide range of infective, inflammatory, and injury conditions.”
Which is why we carry colostrum from IQ Biologix, sourced from the first milking of grass-fed cows. Click here to buy.
Contains:
Grass Fed Bovine Colostrum (4000mg): Sourced from pasture-raised cows, this colostrum is packed with immune-supporting properties, helping to strengthen your body’s defenses and promote healthy digestion.
Immunoglobulin G (1000mg): A key immune-supporting antibody, Immunoglobulin G (IgG) helps protect the body from pathogens and supports a balanced immune response.
Proline-Rich Peptides (140mg): Known for their anti-inflammatory properties, these peptides play a role in supporting immune function and promoting a healthy gut barrier.
Lactoferrin (40mg): A powerful protein that aids in immune function and supports gut health by promoting beneficial bacteria and reducing harmful pathogens.
According to Jennifer Smilowitz, assistant professor at the University of California, Davis, colostrum is “liquid gold” for babies in the fragile first days of life.
“I found that I craved this colostrum like nothing I’ve ever craved before. The craving was so profound, I decided I was going to follow my body,” said Paola Brown, who suffers from celiac disease, in a statement to the Epoch Times.
One thing she learned was that taking antibiotics for the occasional infection such as a UTI would only set back her health even more. Now a fierce advocate for homeopathy and a curriculum specialist, Ms. Brown learned alternative ways to address infections so she could experience the full benefit of her gut improvements.
She has taken colostrum daily for more than seven years and no longer has to avoid any specific foods.
While not quite as impressive as human milk for newborns, a 2016 study in Applied and Environmental Microbiology showed how bovine colostrum can help improve the intestinal microflora to increase Bifidobacterium species—the formative bacteria for immunity.
Nutritional and Immune Fortification: Bovine colostrum is densely packed with immunoglobulins such as IgG, IgA, and IgM, which are essential for bolstering neonatal immunity and offer protective effects against various pathogens. Additionally, it contains growth factors, including insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II), crucial for tissue repair and growth. The rich array of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals in colostrum provides comprehensive nutritional benefits, supporting overall health and wellbeing.
Therapeutic Benefits Beyond its nutritional value, as seen above, bovine colostrum has been demonstrated to improve gut integrity and reduces permeability, thereby alleviating gastrointestinal disorders. Its immune-modulating properties help the body combat infections and may reduce the incidence of allergies and autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties of lactoferrinand other peptides within colostrum are effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens.
The vast antimicrobial properties of colostrum can help create a powerful immune defense by preventing harmful microorganisms from proliferating and causing a pathogenic infection.
“People know that if you feed your infants with colostrum, they will be stronger. This has been known for centuries,” according to Sercan Karav, associate professor at Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University in Turkey. “It is the only superfood in nature that covers everything. It gives everything to the newborn, everything in terms of nutrition, in terms of the growth factors, and the immunological factors. There is no other food that has those characteristics.”
Perhaps the biggest boost to immune health comes from the immunoglobulins G (IgG), A (IgA), and M (IgM)—also called antibodies—found in high concentrations in bovine colostrum. They don’t pass the placental barrier in cows, so calves receive all their antibodies from colostrum.
In one trial involving 160 children with chronic diarrhea, those who took bovine colostrum had less diarrhea or vomiting after two days.
Innovative Processing and Safety: Advances in dairy processing technologies have facilitated the incorporation of bovine colostrum into various consumer products, ranging from fresh liquids to powders. These products are generally well-tolerated and considered safe for consumption across different age groups, ensuring they are accessible to a wide audience.
Looking Ahead: Research and Potential Ongoing research continues to explore the preventive and therapeutic uses of bovine colostrum in chronic disease management and as adjunctive therapy in various medical conditions. This ongoing study highlights the potential of bovine colostrum to play a crucial role in future health interventions.
As the interest in natural and functional foods continues to grow, bovine colostrum stands out as a multifaceted supplement capable of supporting a broad spectrum of health needs. Its comprehensive benefits make it a formidable ally in the quest for enhanced health and wellness, promising a robust future both in dietary supplements and therapeutic applications.
As with most emerging supplements, more studies are required to determine the long-term benefits of colostrum.
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