Authored by Paul Joseph Watson via Modernity.news,

Mimicking a policy that the west once condemned Communist China for pursuing, authoritarians are now calling for X to be shut down completely in the UK to stop civil unrest.

After the country was rocked by a series of riots over the past week in response to a 17-year-old son of Rwandan immigrants killing three little girls in Southport, the media and the political class blamed the anger on “misinformation” shared on X.

In reality, the UK has been a boiling pot of resentment and rage over mass migration for years, with huge numbers continuing to arrive, putting massive strain on the country and making some parts of major towns and cities unrecognizable, despite nobody having ever voted for it.

However, the disorder is being exploited to grease the skids for mass censorship.

Cambridge professor Sander van der Linden said the government could “geo-restrict access to a platform if the situation got so bad” and Twitter could also be “banned from the app store for violating policies.”

‘Elon Musk is running into trouble by making outrageous statements and amplifying misinformation.’

As the riots continue, @Sander_vdLinden warns that the government could ‘restrict access to Twitter’, or it could be ‘banned from app stores’. pic.twitter.com/aSmQnAgH6L

— LBC (@LBC) August 6, 2024

Jessica Simor QC also called for the UK government to “pass a short bill closing down Twitter in the UK.”

The left are acting like a Middle East dictator during the Arab Spring. “We must crush the people! They’re dissatisfied with our rule and noticing our lies!” pic.twitter.com/szoeFQT0Rv

— Leo Kearse – on YouTube & Saturday Night Showdown (@LeoKearse) August 7, 2024

Entrepreneur Ana Vilhete also called for Twitter to be temporarily banned in the UK to “limit the spread of inflammatory information.”

🚨🇬🇧 Should Britain BAN Social Media?

“I think so”

UK Powers have lost complete control of the narrative – people are seeing the truth,
their Lies & Propaganda exposed.

Welcome to the UK in 2024 where Fascism is very much on the rise. pic.twitter.com/k7NKwGGjjO

— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) August 7, 2024

Journalist Paul Mason, a Marxist who once worked for the BBC, demanded the government use the Online Safety Bill (which passed under the excuse of protecting children from harmful content) to “pull the plug” on X.

HMG needs to enact the full Online Safety Act now, no more consultations. They should call the two (!) execs of UK Twitter in to explain why their CEO is personally boosting hate speech, incitement and disinformation – and pull the plug on the service unless this stops. 1/

— Paul Mason (@paulmasonnews) August 6, 2024

Apparently, it’s horrendous for Middle Eastern dictators to shut down and block social media networks during times of civil unrest, as occurred during the Arab Spring, but when the UK does it, it’s fine.

Whenever there are anti-government protests in China, the Communist regime there also blocks and suspends social media networks, something that was once slammed by western governments as a vicious attack on basic freedom, but a tactic which they now emulate.

Although the riots are cited as the primary reason for mass censorship, the calls are also being driven by the fact that Elon Musk has challenged the mainstream narrative on the riots and embarrassed Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Musk branded Starmer ‘Two Tier Kier’ for pursuing a vigorous crackdown on anti-mass migration demonstrators while turning a blind eye to Muslim mobs who have also rioted and physically attacked innocent people.

The British political establishment engaged in a collective hissy fit over Musk’s simple question for Starmer and the government when he asked, “Why aren’t all communities protected in Britain?”.

The British MSM and establishment is losing its mind, quite literally.
The BBC’s technology editor just described @elonmusk as “potentially quite dangerous” on its main 10pm news bulletin.
Why? For using the hashtag #TwoTierKeir
🤡 🌍 pic.twitter.com/2hjdOcOcQQ

— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) August 6, 2024

The X owner also drew attention to a viral video clip of a man being arrested in his own home by police over a Facebook post, asking if it was “Britain or the Soviet Union”.

The regime is deeply fearful that Musk’s intervention is causing them to lose control of the narrative that the unrest is being fueled by mindless, racist thuggery and not legitimate concerns about the impact of mass migration on working class people in the UK.

*  *  *

Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via Locals or check out our unique merch. Follow us on X @ModernityNews.

Shares of Airbnb plummeted in premarket trading in New York after the company reported disappointing second-quarter earnings, falling short of Wall Street’s expectations, and issued a warning about slowing demand from US vacationers. This development comes amid rising recession risks in the US, with the consumer downturn worsening for the working poor and middle class due to elevated inflation and high interest rates. 

Airbnb warned that it is “seeing shorter booking lead times globally and some signs of slowing demand from US guests.” 

Bookings increased 8.7% in the second quarter to 125.1 million, missing analysts’ estimates of 126.33 million. Airbnb expects “sequential moderation” of booking growth in the third quarter. 

In a consumer downturn, vacation spending is some of the first discretionary spending households cut to preserve cash. The problem is, as we’ve already cited numerous Goldman notes, explaining low/mid-income consumers are under severe financial stress. Airbnb’s earnings and dismal outlook are ominous signs that the consumer slowdown will likely worsen through the end of the year. 

Here’s a snapshot of second-quarter earnings (courtesy of Bloomberg):

• Revenue $2.75 billion, +11% y/y, estimate $2.74 billion

• Gross booking value $21.2 billion, +11% y/y, estimate $21.23 billion

• Adjusted Ebitda $894 million, +9.2% y/y, estimate $862.3 million

• Adjusted Ebitda margin 33%, estimate 31.4%

• EPS 86c vs. 98c y/y

• Nights and experiences booked 125.1 million, +8.7% y/y, estimate 126.33 million

• Gross booking value per nights and experiences booked $169.53, +2.1% y/y, estimate $167.96

• Free cash flow $1.04 billion, +16% y/y, estimate $788 million

Third-quarter estimates reveal “sequential moderation” in booking growth, an indication of consumers pulling back: 

• Sees revenue $3.67 billion to $3.73 billion, estimate $3.84 billion (Bloomberg Consensus)

• Sees ADR up modestly Y/Y

• Sees Adj Ebitda similar to 3Q23 on a nominal basisSees Adj Ebitda margin down relative to 3Q23

Airbnb’s shares plunged 15% in premarket trading early Wednesday. If the intraday declines exceed 16%, shares would record the largest-ever intraday decline.

RBC Capital Markets analysts led by Brad Erickson commented on Airbnb’s outlook that it “will likely only further stoke the soft consumer thesis.” 

Here’s what other Wall Street analysts are saying about the earnings report (courtesy of Bloomberg):

Morgan Stanley (underweight)

• Airbnb’s 3Q guidance for room night deceleration and higher marketing spend are important, analyst Brian Nowak says

• Nowak adds that it speaks “to the choppiness and slowing in overall macro travel demand” as well as the rising cost to forward the company’s growth

• While Airbnb is a well-run company, Nowak says it is continuing to look similar to Booking Holdings, in terms of slowing room night growth, higher marketing spend and investment needed to grow

• PT cut to $115 from $130

Barclays (underweight)

• Consensus estimates are likely coming down due to the softer outlook and higher level of marketing in 2H, analyst Trevor Young writes

• “Normalization in travel demand, some relative val. premium coming out informed our UW, and that seems to be playing out”

• PT cut to $100 from $110

Baird (neutral)

• Analyst Colin Sebastian continues to view Airbnb as one of the best-managed and most compelling online marketplaces, but headwinds from current macro conditions challenge visibility

• That, along with possible margin contraction on incremental marketing investments, leads Sebastian to anticipate “choppy trading” until the short-term market stabilizes

• PT cut to $120 from $140

Evercore ISI (in line)

• Both revenue and Ebitda guidance for 3Q were softer than expected due to factors including shorter booking lead times globally as well as signs of slowing demand in the US, analyst Mark Mahaney says

• PT cut to $125 from $140

Bloomberg Intelligence

• “Airbnb’s guidance for a further deceleration in room-night growth to around mid-single digits in 3Q, after missing 2Q consensus, suggests tapering demand with average daily rates unlikely to be a tailwind for the top line in 2H,” analyst Mandeep Singh writes

Meanwhile, just last week, travel website Booking Holdings reported worse-than-expected guidance, pointing out a “mild moderation” across the European travel industry and consumers seeking lower-star hotels and shorter stays (mainly in the US). 

Airbnb’s earnings report just confirms that the consumer downturn theme is gaining momentum.

It’s only a matter of time before Goldman tells clients to start shorting stocks with exposure to upper-income folks. The bank’s analysts have already told clients to short companies with low/mid-consumer exposure. 

Authored by Thomas Brooke via ReMix News,

A German police union chief has urged the government to consider a proposal for criminals who hand in knives to receive substantial rewards, including a year’s subscription to the Netflix streaming service.

Jochen Kopelke, the chairman of the police union (GdP), expressed his concern about the rising knife crime epidemic enveloping German cities and called on the federal left-wing administration to think outside the box to tackle the issue effectively.

He proposed an amnesty for all those in possession of a knife willing to hand in their weapons but suggested that a material reward was necessary to incentivize youths in particular to do so.

“For this measure to be effective, the federal government must create serious incentives for those who donate,” said Jochen Kopelke.

“Specifically, that could mean a year of Netflix for the delivery of a banned butterfly knife,” he added.

German law prohibits possession of a knife with a blade length of 12 cm or greater. However, butterfly knives have become the go-to weapon for many, and knife crime has spiraled in recent years.

On Tuesday, surgeons at Berlin’s university hospital, Charité, revealed they treated more victims of knife crime in the first half of this year than they did in the whole of 2023.

The injuries are also more serious with multiple and deeper stab wounds, often inflicted by larger knives, according to Ulrich Stöckle, managing director of the Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery.

“Why is there this increasing trend of violence?” he asked.

One indisputable fact from recently published interior ministry data is that foreign nationals are disproportionately represented in crime stats. Put simply, the sky-high immigration experienced by Germany in recent years has led to higher levels of crime.

Foreign nationals represented 41 percent of all crime suspects in 2023, despite comprising 15 percent of the population.

Specifically analyzing the levels of violent crime for which knife-related attacks fall, a total of 214,000 violent crimes were registered across Germany last year, up 8.6 percent on the previous year.

Last year was also a record for cases involving dangerous and grievous bodily harm reaching 154,000, up 6.8 percent.

It is important to note that anyone who has been naturalized as a German citizen, even if they were born abroad, does not count towards the crime committed by foreigners.

The federal government recently introduced reforms to the country’s citizenship laws to expedite the naturalization process.

Read more here…

Tuesday’s Missouri primary delivered the latest demonstration of the Israel lobby’s formidable power, as progressive Democratic “Squad” Rep. Cori Bush lost a primary challenge to St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell, who benefitted from huge spending on his behalf by pro-Israel groups.  

It’s the Israel lobby’s second ouster of a Squad member in just six weeks. In June, New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman lost the Democratic nomination to Westchester County executive George Latimer. In that race, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) poured an astonishing $14 million into the race — helping to make it the most expensive House primary contest ever.

Not far behind, the Bell-Bush contest ended as the fourth-priciest such race in US history. The AIPAC-affiliated but opaquely-named United Democracy Project spent almost $9 million to ensure that Bush was removed from Congress. Democratic Majority for Israel chipped in almost $500,000. It paid off: With more than 95% of the votes counted, Bell had won 51.2% of the vote to Bush’s 45.6%. The district is deep blue, so you can go ahead and pencil Bell in the seat now. 

Bush and Bowman have been among the most vocal critics of the Israeli government’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas invasion of southern Israel. The campaign in Gaza has killed an estimated 39,000 people, with most of them said to be civilians. About 90% of the population has been internally displaced at least once, with some moving 10 times, per the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Using satellite imagery, US university researchers estimate that, through April 21, 57% of all buildings in Gaza had been damaged or destroyed. 

In a statement last week about its quest to cleanse Congress of Bush and other Israel-critical voices, AIPAC told Associated Press: 

“AIPAC’s grassroots members are proud to support strong pro-Israel progressive Democrats like Wesley Bell. Cori Bush has been one of the most hostile critics of Israel since she came to Congress in 2021 and has actively worked to undermine mainstream Democratic support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.”

Of course, contrary to AIPAC’s suggestion, Wesley Bell being a progressive Democrat has nothing to do with the group’s support, which also flows to the most conservative Republicans. All that matters is alignment with the Israeli agenda, which is why AIPAC recently spent $300,000 on ads targeting Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, who has voted against several pro-Israel bills in recent months. AIPAC wasn’t even trying to hand him a loss in his primary, which he won handily. Rather, it was AIPAC’s opening salvo against a potential Massie 2026 run for the Senate seat of retiring Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. 

On Tuesday evening, AIPAC took to social media to spike the football over Bush’s loss — and send a tacit warning to every other politician on either side of the aisle who might dare criticize Israel or vote against redistributing American wealth to it: 

Pro-Israel Democrats win!

100% of AIPAC-backed Democrats have won their primary races so far this cycle, including @bell4mo & @LatimerforNY!

103 AIPAC-backed Dem winners, including:

☑️29 @USProgressives
☑️39 @CAPAC
☑️23 @TheBlackCaucus
☑️20 @HispanicCaucus
☑️85 @EqualityCaucus pic.twitter.com/e9TZgr3fkX

— AIPAC (@AIPAC) August 7, 2024

In another social media post boasting about Bush’s defeat, AIPAC repeated its frequent election-year claim that “being pro-Israel is good policy and good politics!” However, that claim is defied by an odd and unsettling aspect of the Israel lobby’s participation in these races: Advertising that pro-Israel groups inject into these campaigns almost never mentions Israel. If pro-Israel policies were so essential to winning votes, why would AIPAC and its allies avoid making them a campaign issue? 

Bush did have non-Israel-related electoral vulnerabilities, such as voting against Biden’s $1 trillion infrastructure bill because it didn’t include progressive giveaways like free community college and universal family leave. She was also seen as a major hypocrite, promoting “defund the police” policies only to find herself the subject of a DOJ investigation into her campaign spending more than $130,000 on private security, with tens of thousands for “security services” paid to a man she ended up marrying. Bell’s campaign portrayed Bush as an unproductive representative principally focused on cultivating her Squad celebrity status.   

…and we’d be remiss if we didn’t remind you she isn’t the sharpest tool in the drawer: 

Ladies and Gentlemen……

I give you @CoriBush , an actual member of Congress.

The level of stupidity is mind blowing. pic.twitter.com/9xEYZUYIjf

— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) October 31, 2023

In the home stretch of her race, Bush — who won her seat in 2020 — could clearly see the handwriting on the wall. Contemplating her political future last weekend, Bush told NBC News, “One thing I don’t do is go away.” Maybe not, but her choice of where to go will be defined in no small part by groups promoting the interests of a tiny country 6,400 miles from St. Louis. 

Soviet politburo levels of victory for AIPAC. They brag about their totalitarianism. Not a SINGLE voice of dissent allowed. Is this America? You still think you have any kind of fair electoral system in the US? https://t.co/y0yqelD3IC

— Daniel McAdams (@DanielLMcAdams) August 7, 2024

Authored by Russ Jones via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

Monday saw a sharp decline in stocks as investors worldwide felt the impacts of last week’s dismal jobs report, which increased fears of a potential recession.

The weaker-than-expected jobs report triggered the market meltdown.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed that employers hired 114,000 workers last month, far less than the bureau’s projections of 185,000 jobs. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate has increased to 4.3 percent reaching its highest point since October 2021.

Japan’s main Nikkei 225 stock index experienced a dramatic decline of more than 12 percent, marking its worst trading day since the Black Monday crash of 1987.

This significant drop reflects broader concerns about the global economy and has contributed to the overall market turmoil. Financial analysts say these are indicators that a recession, if not a depression, is possible.

On Sunday, Goldman Sachs economists increased the likelihood of a U.S. recession from 15 percent to 25 percent in the upcoming year.

The Epoch Times talked with several financial experts who provided tips on navigating a potential recession.

They suggested that individuals can better navigate economic downturns by diversifying investments, building an emergency fund, paying down high-interest debt, and maintaining a long-term focus. Also, avoiding risky financial behaviors and ensuring adequate insurance coverage will protect your financial well-being during uncertain times.

Be Informed About Global and Domestic Financial Affairs

Evaluating your financial situation in relation to the economic markets is crucial in preparing for a recession, said Bill Dendy, a seasoned financial strategist and founder of Alicorn Investment Management, Inc., based in Dallas, Texas.

He also advised that people should consider the stability of their jobs and industries—if you risk losing your job, start looking for additional income sources and update your resume.

Dendy told The Epoch Times that many factors constantly affect the financial markets—and currently the potential of war between Israel and Iran, a low jobs report, and the November election are all playing a role.

In times of economic downturn, Dendy suggests paying attention to what you can control, such as prioritizing essential costs and cutting back on non-essential spending.

“Keeping abreast of economic trends and being prepared to adjust financial strategies is vital,” Dendy said. “Individuals must create and adhere to a strict budget to help manage expenses more effectively.”

An example of financial awareness can be seen in the recent move by billionaire Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, he said.

Berkshire Hathaway recently sold nearly half of its stake in Apple, reducing its holding to $84.2 billion by the end of the second quarter. This move is notable given Apple’s status prior as Berkshire’s most significant stock investment. The sale has meant an increase in the company’s cash hoard to a record $276.94 billion.

“It’s critical to keep an eye on the markets,” Dendy said. “The window for fixed-income investors may be closing. Most of all, talk with an advisor.”

Diversify Investments

Christian Briggs, CEO of Hard Asset Management Inc., offers specialized investment advice on hard assets, particularly rare coins and precious metals. Briggs told The Epoch Times that investing in rare coins and precious metals is seen as a way to preserve wealth, especially during economic downturns.

Since 1974, gold has experienced significant returns and wealth development.

Briggs observes that gold values increase during high inflation administrations.

Diversification is also a crucial strategy to mitigate risk during a recession. Briggs contends that a recession started months ago and advises spreading investments across various asset classes, including hard assets, to protect against market fluctuations. This approach ensures that not all investments are affected by the same economic factors, reducing overall risk.

“Keep cash on hand to cover living expenses and avoid dipping into investments during unemployment or financial strain periods,” Biggs said. “Liquidity provides a safety net and allows for greater financial flexibility.”

Briggs maintains that the middle class is suffering as a result of inflation. He adds that inflation, taxation, and devaluation are the result of socialist approaches to economic management that he views as destructive to society.

“The market doesn’t like that or big taxes, so the dollar is weakening, and we’re seeing a severe recession. People need to have low debt and invest in high asset values,” Briggs said.

Increase Emergency Savings

Research by Congrong Ouyang, an assistant professor in the Department of Personal Financial Planning at Kansas State University, indicates that understanding and managing financial obligations is crucial for maintaining financial well-being during recessions.

Ouyang has extensively researched consumer behaviors and household financial well-being, particularly during economic downturns like recessions.

“With high inflation rates on groceries and general household items, it’s important to access monthly expenses,” Ms. Ouyang said. “Three to six months of savings used to be the standard, but I think more than that is prudent in this economy.”

Ouyang suggests investing the funds in a high-yield savings account saying that these accounts offer significantly higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, up to ten to 12 times the national average, providing a better return on savings.

High-yield savings are low-risk investments because they do not fluctuate with the market like stocks or bonds. This stability makes them a good option for preserving capital, she said.

“Getting your debt below 35 percent of your average income is always a good plan. It not only helps your credit score but it reduces your stress,” Ouyang added.

Some may embrace a “why bother” attitude and develop out-of-control spending habits during a recession but Ouyang advises against that approach.

“The financial condition of the average household is essential to maintaining a sense of well-being. The consequences of debt are significant. People need to either spend less or earn more.”

Pay Down High-Interest Debt First

In general, recession preparation involves proactive financial planning, debt management, and prudent investment strategies.

To reduce financial strain during a recession, Dendy suggested Americans focus on paying off high-interest debt, such as credit card balances, and use balance transfer credit cards or consolidation loans to lower interest rates and streamline repayments.

Dendy emphasizes the importance of focusing on paying down high-interest debt first.

This includes credit card debt, personal loans, and other forms of borrowing with high interest rates. Reducing these liabilities can significantly improve your financial stability and free up cash flow for savings and investments.

Dendy recommends the “avalanche method” for tackling multiple debts. This method involves listing all loans in order of highest to lowest interest rate, making the minimum repayment for each loan, and then directing any remaining funds to make aggressive repayments on the loan with the highest interest rate—working down the list over time. This approach gains a quick win and builds momentum.

Most advisors agree that keeping a portion of assets in liquid form, such as cash or high-yield savings accounts, ensures quick access to funds in case of emergencies, especially during recessions.

“I suggest you be proactive,” Briggs said. “We have a global banking problem. You don’t have to be proven right to then wait to be right to do something. If you balance a portfolio, you must pivot with the markets.

“You can pivot out of one asset class to another,” he said.

In a strategic pivot designed to safeguard China’s economic stability amid escalating global uncertainties, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping is advancing an economic model aimed at bolstering national self-sufficiency and resilience. This shift, documented in a recent study, underscores Beijing’s ambition to fortify its economy against external shocks, including geopolitical conflicts and global pandemics.

The report, released on July 30 by Jimmy Goodrich, a fellow at the University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, delves into official CCP speeches and policy documents. It provides an in-depth analysis of the Party’s progress in implementing its “fortress economy” policy across several critical sectors.

“[The strategy is] designed to bolster national self-sufficiency and resilience against external shocks, and ultimately allow the nation to withstand ‘extreme situations’ including protracted armed conflict,” the paper asserts.

The impetus for this strategic shift can be traced to a series of global upheavals. Rising tensions between the U.S. and China, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the far-reaching disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have collectively underscored the vulnerability of interconnected global supply chains. These events have prompted Beijing to recalibrate its economic priorities, focusing on reducing dependency on foreign markets and enhancing domestic economic capabilities.

Central to this recalibration is the concept of “dual-economic circulation,” a policy aimed at reorienting China’s economy from its historical reliance on exports towards a more balanced model that strengthens domestic industries while continuing to engage in international trade. By fostering robust internal economic activity, the CCP hopes to mitigate the impact of global disruptions on China’s economy.

This dual approach not only seeks economic stability but also dovetails with Xi’s broader national security agenda. The report highlights that the CCP’s strategy encompasses several critical areas, including food and energy security, supply-chain robustness, civil defense mobilization, and the development of strategic reserve infrastructure. These measures are designed to prepare the nation for “extreme-case” scenarios, ensuring that China remains resilient in the face of potential crises.

As the Epoch Times notes further, “This research contributes to understanding China’s strategic intentions and provides a foundation for further exploration of the implications of China’s fortress economy on global economic and geopolitical dynamics,” the author wrote.

China’s economy significantly depends on exports. Last year, the country’s total exports reached about $3.38 trillion, while imports totaled roughly $2.56 trillion. This resulted in a trade surplus of $820 billion—the second-highest in the past decade.

Robert O’Brien, a former national security adviser, commented on the report on X, formerly known as Twitter, urging Washington to pay attention.

“The CCP is preparing to fight and win (or at least survive) a very long war. America should take heed,” he wrote on Aug. 3.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese economy has faced multiple problems, particularly the property crisis marked by the bankruptcy of China’s real estate giant Evergrande. The company is the world’s most indebted firm, with $340 billion in debt.

Earlier this year, a prominent hedge fund manager said the Chinese economy was in trouble because of its heavy investment in the real estate sector, which could result in a crash worse than the 2008 U.S. financial crisis.

The property sector accounts for 70 percent of China’s gross household wealth and about 25 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), making it a key growth driver but posing a vulnerability for its economy.

China’s troubled real estate market has dragged down the economy, prompting the regime in Beijing to implement “temporary steps,” including 16 measures to support the sector, according to last year’s report from the Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center and the Rhodium Group, a Washington-based think tank.

The report found that China’s economy struggled with multiple problems, and without robust reforms, Beijing was likely to face a threat to its growth prospects in the coming years, hurting its global position.

The report points out that the root of China’s economy is its “persistent structural reform gap,” which results in “lagging behind top OECD economies in most market dimensions,” and suggests that structured reform is needed.

“The Chinese economy is suffering in part because the [Chinese Communist] Party continues to prioritize ideology over economic dynamism,” it reads.

Due to its weak performance, Beijing’s ambition to dethrone the United States as the world’s largest economy by the end of the 2020s “will not happen in this century, let alone this decade,” the report notes.

Bloomberg economists also forecasted last year that China’s economy was unlikely to overtake the U.S. economy. They predicted that China’s GDP might surpass that of the United States around the mid-2040s but by “only a small margin” before “falling back behind.”

Authored by Mac Slavo via SHTFPlan.com,

Ukraine’s ruler, Volodymyr Zelensky, is continuing to taunt the West in an attempt to expand the ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelensky claims that the West is too “concerned” about the escalation of a war with the former Soviet Union.

This isn’t a new stance for Zelensky either.

Kiev has long been pressuring its Western backers, which include the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to become more involved in the conflict with Moscow and start shooting down Russian drones and missiles over Ukrainian territory.

However, its efforts have been rebuffed by foreign powers reluctant to engage in a direct military confrontation with Russia.

While Russia has refrained from taking direct action against the Western backers of Ukraine, it has threatened to do so on numerous occasions.

“[Western nations] are always concerned about possible escalation. We are fighting against that. We will work on it,” Zelensky told journalists on Sunday.

The government in Kiev is considering “technical possibilities for neighboring nations to use military aircraft against missiles that strike Ukraine” after flying in the general direction of NATO countries, he added.

Should Russia ever decide to make good on its threats, a global war will almost certainly break out.

Unfortunately, Russia’s restraint in the matter is the only thing keeping this conflict from being the catalyst to World War 3.

Zelensky has been calling for the establishment of a no-fly zone over Ukraine since the outbreak of hostilities with Russia in February 2022. Military experts pointed out that any realistic enforcement of Kyiv’s wish would require NATO members to attack Russian planes in the air and at airfields inside Russia.

The idea of a less ambitious shield over Western Ukraine was floated last month, as Kiev signed a bilateral security deal with Warsaw and ramped up its lobbying efforts ahead of a NATO leaders’ summit in the US. -RT

Russia has been targeting Ukrainian military assets as well as some key infrastructure sites, such as power stations, which it considers crucial for Kyiv’s war effort.

According to Russian officials, the conflict is a U.S.-led proxy war in which Ukrainian troops serve as “cannon fodder” for Western geostrategic interests. And that isn’t very far from the truth.

Authored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times,

The World Health Organization’s director-general said the United Nations health body is considering declaring an emergency for mpox, also known as monkeypox, amid an outbreak in Africa.

“But more funding and support for a comprehensive response are needed,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on the social media platform X on Sunday.

“I am considering convening an International Health Regulations emergency committee to advise me on whether the outbreak of mpox should be declared a public health emergency of international concern.”

By Tuesday, it was unclear when the WHO would declare the emergency or issue any warnings about the virus.

A statement from Tedros published by the journal Science added that “this virus can and must be contained with intensified public health measures including surveillance, community engagement, treatment and targeted deployment of vaccines for those at higher risk of infection.”

“A further scaling up of the mpox response underway in affected countries is urgently needed amid the expanding outbreak,” his statement said, calling for “more funding for a comprehensive response” that factors in diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.

A public health emergency of international concern is the strongest designation for an outbreak. Notably, such a declaration was made for COVID-19 during the early onset of the pandemic in 2020.

Later, WHO made the designation for an mpox outbreak that lasted from 2022 to 2023, while President Joe Biden’s administration declared an emergency over the virus. During that outbreak, which impacted Europe and the United States, officials say mpox primarily spread via sexual contact between men.

The latest announcement was made as the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a report last week that mpox has now been detected in 10 African countries this year, including Congo, which has more than 96 percent of all cases and deaths.

Officials said nearly 70 percent of cases in Congo are affecting children younger than 15, who also accounted for 85 percent of deaths.

There have been an estimated 14,250 cases so far this year, nearly as many as all of last year, the Africa CDC said. Compared to the first seven months of 2023, the Africa CDC said cases are up 160 percent and deaths are up 19 percent, to 456.

Burundi and Rwanda both reported the virus for the first time this week, while new outbreaks were recently reported in the Central African Republic and Kenya.

“We are very concerned about the cases of monkeypox, which is ravaging (the capital region),” the Central African Republic’s public health minister, Pierre Somse, said on Monday.

Two cases were confirmed in Uganda, according to an Aug. 4 notice published by the International Society for Infectious Diseases, citing the country’s health ministry.

“Both individuals presented with symptoms such as skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, and general malaise, which are consistent with mpox,” the Ugandan Health Ministry stated.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Health Ministry recently said it found mpox in a passenger traveling from Uganda to Rwanda at a border crossing in southern Kenya. In a statement, the ministry said that a single mpox case was enough to warrant an outbreak declaration.

Over the weekend, health officials in South Africa announced the country now has 22 cases of mpox, including three deaths.

“Contact tracing and monitoring activities are ongoing in the affected communities in both provinces, and the Department urges all the identified contacts to cooperate with health officials during contact tracing for screening and possible diagnosis to prevent further transmission of this preventable and treatable disease,” the South Africa Health Department said in a statement, published on Aug. 4.

Signs and symptoms of mpox, according to the U.S. CDC website, include a rash that might be located on the feet, hands, face, chest, and mouth, or near the genitals. The rash can form scabs and initially look like blisters or pimples, which may be itchy or painful.

Other symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, chills, aches, exhaustion, and respiratory symptoms such as a cough, nasal congestion, or sore throat, according to the health agency.

Update (1100ET):

Former President Trump’s first post on Truth Social following the announcement. 

*   *   *  

Update (1020ET):

Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign has confirmed via text message that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) will be her running mate, according to a Bloomberg headline.

Walz posted on X. 

It is the honor of a lifetime to join @kamalaharris in this campaign.

I’m all in.

Vice President Harris is showing us the politics of what’s possible. It reminds me a bit of the first day of school.

So, let’s get this done, folks! Join us. https://t.co/tqOVsw2OLM

— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) August 6, 2024

Meanwhile…

How many citizens democratically
voted for her again? I think I missed that part.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 6, 2024

*   *   *  

Vice President Kamala Harris has selected her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D).

The Harris-Walz team will face former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance (R) as the presidential election cycle heats up.

*MINNESOTA GOV. TIM WALZ TAPPED AS HARRIS RUNNING MATE: CNN

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) August 6, 2024

There are only 90 days left until Nov.5.

CNN cites ‘multiple sources’ that say Harris has picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. 

Kamala Harris picks Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, multiple sources say. He has been a leading driver of Democrats’ attacks on Trump https://t.co/QOTX2q71Eu pic.twitter.com/DtbEkX78JB

— CNN (@CNN) August 6, 2024

Walz, 60 – emerged as a contender for the number two spot while discussions about other high-profile names, particularly Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly (D), dominated the news.

“But the Minnesota governor saw his profile rise considerably over the last week, especially after a viral cable news interview in which he derided some Republicans as “weird” — a line of attack later adopted by national Democrats,” The Hill reported, adding,” Walz was also seen by many as a safer choice for Harris thanks to his liberal bona fides and the fact that some of the other contenders had come under fire from certain segments of the left.” 

After leftist MSM spent the last week unleashing headlines saying ‘Trump is too old’ (and probably too white) … 

Democrats have chosen this man as Harris’ running mate…

Axios’ Jacob Knutson recently noted, “Walz faced questions over how long it took him to send in the National Guard to stop the rioting, looting and arson in the Twin Cities for three nights following George Floyd’s murder.”

This is Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’ choice for VP.

• Fueled George Floyd riots, delayed National Guard deployment
• Called Trump supporters “fascists” after assassination attempt
• Championed extreme trans surgery and abortion laws
• Oversaw $250 million COVID fraud fiasco
•… pic.twitter.com/eIPbVkQ3pb

— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 6, 2024

“Welcome to the race, Tim Walz! Let’s make sure America knows who you are,” Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, wrote on X. 

Welcome to the race, Tim Walz!

Let’s make sure America knows who you are.

You helped ignite the George Floyd riots, the worst the country had seen in decades. While Minneapolis burned, you stalled on deploying the National Guard for an entire day, blaming the city for not…

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) August 6, 2024

This is how broken the modern Democratic party is… 

This is how broken the modern Democratic party is:

Kamala’s Vice Presidential choices were between…

1. An Antifa member who burned his state to the ground

2. Guy who worked for the IDF and covered up homicides

All the normal dudes dropped out

Guess who Kamala picked!? 🫠

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 6, 2024

Sigh.

Here is Tim Walz smiling as he signs a law that provides drivers license for illegal aliens in Minnesota

He wants all of America to do the same

This guy is as radical as it gets pic.twitter.com/hpkrCFhRVU

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) August 6, 2024

Covered up Biden’s mental health issues…

Tim Walz accused Americans of “ageism” for questioning Biden’s age and mental acuity. He was in on the coverup. pic.twitter.com/4HCZbH4hAX

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 6, 2024

Here are the latest PredicIt odds for Shapiro, Kelly, and Walz.

*Developing.. 

Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news,

British Prime Minister Kier Starmer announced Monday that there is a “standing army” of riot police ready to combat “thuggery” in the streets, which he attributed to the ‘Far Right’.

Protests have been flaring for days since the brutal murder of three young girls, and the attempted murder of several more children, with the accused the son of immigrant parents from Rwanda in East Africa.

After an emergency meeting, Starmer stated that among measures to be taken by the government against protests that turn violent, “The first is we’ll have a standing army of specialist officers… so that we’ll have enough officers to deal with this where we need them.”

The use of the phrase is interesting given its historical context in Great Britain.

Starmer stated that “Whatever the apparent motivation, this is not protest. It is pure violence and we will not tolerate attacks on mosques or our Muslim communities,” adding “The full force of the law will be visited on all those who are identified as having taken part in these activities.”

Starmer’s comments were picked up by X owner Elon Musk, who responded “Shouldn’t you be concerned about attacks on *all* communities?”

Shouldn’t you be concerned about attacks on *all* communities?

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 5, 2024

#TwoTierKeir

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 6, 2024

Musk also posted that “civil war is inevitable” prompting Starmer to respond, saying there is “no justification” for such comments.

Civil war is inevitable

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 4, 2024

“What we’ve seen in this country is organised violent thuggery that has no place either on our streets or online,” a spokesman for the Prime Minister added.

As we highlighted earlier, the BBC described a riot in Birmingham during which a pub was besieged, innocent people violently attacked and news reporters harassed and followed as “largely peaceful,” while failing to identify those behind it as Muslim men.

Hundreds of them, many carrying weapons, gathered on the streets of Birmingham near the Village Islamic Centre after rumours that there would be a “far-right” rally, which never materialised.

The “standing army” of police was no where to be seen as bystanders just minding their own business were violently attacked, presumably just for being white, and in one instance a pub with non-Muslim people inside was swarmed and vandalised.

Islamic fanatics in Birmingham attack white Britain patriots and wreck pubs. We need mass deportations now. https://t.co/NmKu67G63X pic.twitter.com/uePNFzBIHj

— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) August 5, 2024

Police were out in force, however, in Plymouth in the south of the country, where white English people, labeled by Starmer as the “Far Right” gathered to once again protest.

While they were not seen carrying weapons or smashing up property, police made sure to threaten them with attack dogs, while ‘counter protesters’ ripped bricks from the walls of a church and hurled them literally over the heads of police.

Compare these two scenes.
Men and women stood about in Plymouth are met by a fleet of Riot Police and dangerous dogs.
Meanwhile in Birmingham a Palestinian flag-waving gang is left to smash up cars without police in sight.
But there isn’t remotely an issue, right? #TwoTierKeir pic.twitter.com/JDSWAptSYW

— Darren Grimes (@darrengrimes_) August 5, 2024

Plymouth genuine people having a peaceful protest, riot police everywhere.
Birmingham muslims have taken over a roundabout, blocked the road & driving like idiots for around 2 or 3 hrs now, shouting alla ahkbar…not a single police officer. Fckin fed up of the 2 tier policing pic.twitter.com/pR9K5qycvn

— 🤍𝕁𝕆🤍 (@jomickane) August 5, 2024

Locals in Plymouth say enough is enough!

UKIP leader @NickTenconi joins patriots in Plymouth as they peacefully stand up to two-tier Keir’s tyranny.

The people will not be ignored.

The people demand change. pic.twitter.com/gK3rWwSnRd

— UK Independence Party (@UKIP) August 6, 2024

Later in the evening, mobs of Muslim men were captured running around with knives and screaming “Allahu Akbar”. One police officer was heard admitting that there isn’t a lot they can do about it, saying “I know, I wish I could.”

I lived in Plymouth for over 40 years, the changes to my city have been as rapid as they have been startling, it was breathtaking tbh.

Just 15 years ago it was a white English city with history and culture, Plymouth a defender of the South West of England, Drake and the Spanish… pic.twitter.com/jQ7njaYhKQ

— DD Denslow 🇬🇧 (@wolsned) August 6, 2024

This guy, though, he’s the real threat:

BREAKING: British police is attacking unarmed British patriots just for speaking to them in Plymouth.

DISGUSTING! pic.twitter.com/RNy3ta5p7Q

— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) August 5, 2024

Police issued a statement noting that the majority of people behaved within the law.

Beyond the proper condemnation of criminal acts and the pursuit of offenders, good on @DC_Police in #Plymouth for explicitly appreciating that “the majority of people have behaved within the law”. A welcome positioning that ought to be emulated by others. https://t.co/0A0llJJ7RG

— Rory Geoghegan (@rorygeo) August 5, 2024

While there has unfortunately been unrest, provocation, vandalism and violence from both sides, contrasting scenes like these have led to accusations of “two tier policing.”

*  *  *

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