Crooked Bough News Round-up

— Sinclair & Nexstar Reverse Course, Resume Airing Jimmy Kimmel's Show

 

at 9/27/25 8:45pm

Sinclair & Nexstar Reverse Course, Resume Airing Jimmy Kimmel's Show 72 hours after Disney announced the Jimmy Kimmel would get his show back, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media said on Sept. 26 that they would resume airing "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" after initially refusing to do so.  Jimmy Kimmel attends the 28th Annual UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation's "Taste for a Cure" event at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on May 2, 2025. Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation Sinclair, the nation's largest ABC station operator, said in a statement that their earlier decision to preempt the show was independent of any government influence - and the decision was driven by a balance between free-speech concerns and community standards after Kimmel, a propagandist, told his audience that Charlie Kirk's suspected assassin was right-wing, despite a mountain of evidence to the opposite. Prosecutors say the suspect, Tyler Robinson, left anti-fascist messages at the scene, while officials in Utah - including Gov. Spencer Cox (R), have suggested a leftist ideology tied to the motive.  "Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations," said Sinclair. "While we understand that not everyone will agree with our decisions about programming, it is simply inconsistent to champion free speech while demanding that broadcasters air specific content." Nexstar, meanwhile, said that it "remains committed to protecting the First Amendment," while airing content that is "in the best interest of the communities we serve." In short, they're not dying on this hill and viewer outrage has cooled down enough.  Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah.  As the Epoch Times notes further, Sinclair had pulled the show on Sept. 22, with a company executive calling Kimmel’s comments “inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country.” The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, also briefly suspended production of the program, calling the remarks “ill-timed” and “insensitive.” Later, Disney announced that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would be returning on Sept. 23, after “thoughtful conversations with Jimmy” about controversial comments. Still, Nexstar and Sinclair announced they would continue to preempt Kimmel’s show on the dozens of local ABC affiliates that they own. Last week, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr said he believed Kimmel was trying to mislead the public with his statements and that ABC had an obligation to act, warning the network could face scrutiny if it did not. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr told podcaster Benny Johnson on Sept. 17. “These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” The comments drew accusations that the Trump administration was leaning on regulators to silence a critic. In response, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Sept. 20 that the suspension was solely ABC’s decision. “The decision to fire Jimmy Kimmel and to cancel his show came from executives at ABC,” she said on Fox News. While ABC never formally fired Kimmel, it announced his show would be suspended after the controversy. Trump also weighed in while he was in the United Kingdom, telling reporters that Kimmel was suffering from “very bad ratings” and was “fired for a lack of talent” in combination with his remarks. In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged NBC to also remove late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, saying their ratings were “horrible.” Besides Kimmel, several others faced adverse employment actions after controversial comments about Kirk’s killing. MSNBC fired one of its contributors over comments he made immediately following the assassination. The episode has widened into a cultural flashpoint and fueled debate over free speech. Fellow talk show hosts Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart criticized the suspension as censorship, dozens of Hollywood celebrities signed a letter decrying Kimmel’s removal, while the American Civil Liberties Union called it a “grave threat to our First Amendment freedoms.” Kimmel’s first show back drew over six million viewers, with the host addressing the controversy, saying, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” Sam Dorman and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 22:45

— Transportation Sec. Duffy Takes Emergency Action To Protect Americans From Non-Domiciled CDL Crisis On Highways 

 

at 9/27/25 7:35pm

Transportation Sec. Duffy Takes Emergency Action To Protect Americans From Non-Domiciled CDL Crisis On Highways  U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced an emergency crackdown on non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) and learner's permits (CLPs) after a nationwide audit confirmed what ZeroHedge readers have known for months: some sanctuary states have allowed illegal aliens behind the wheel of 80,000-pound big rigs, creating both a public safety crisis on highways and a national security threat. This incident is horrific and beyond unacceptable. @USDOT & @FMCSA are prepared to take the necessary measures to crack down on non-citizen truck drivers and restore safety to our roadways. Tune in tomorrow morning at 8:30 ET for a major announcement on non-domiciled CDLs. https://t.co/5nsDPTvCww — Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) September 25, 2025 Three months after the trucking advocacy group American Truckers United (ATU) delivered a letter to Duffy and posted it on ZeroHedge, recommending urgent federal action to ban non-domiciled CDLs to illegals, ATU has been proven right: illegal labor, exploiting Biden-Harris regime era loopholes, has transformed the nation's highways into a giant mess. Just watch the video above...  Vindicated https://t.co/nR9K9dln7A pic.twitter.com/qxk1uM31qk — American Truckers ?? (@atutruckers) September 27, 2025 ??MUST WATCH Today we announced action to: ✅ Dramatically restrict which non-citizens are eligible for CDLs. ✅ Push states to pause the issuance of these licenses until they comply. ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/KwbHROnkHJ — Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) September 26, 2025 Now, Duffy's DoT issued a "new rule that closes dangerous loopholes, holds states accountable, and launches immediate enforcement action against California for gross negligence" in handing out non-domiciled CDLs to illegals "like candy." Summary of the new rule: Non-citizens are no longer eligible for non-domiciled CDLs unless they hold an employment-based visa. Mandatory immigration status checks via the federal SAVE system will be required. States must immediately revoke and reissue improperly issued CDLs that fail to meet new federal standards. The ongoing nationwide audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that a series of horrific, fatal highway crashes were caused by illegals operating big rigs this year.  "The audit has uncovered both a catastrophic pattern of states issuing licenses illegally to foreign drivers, as well as the fact that even if the current regulatory framework is followed, it can fail. The confluence of these two factors has created an imminent hazard on America's roadways that must be fixed," the DoT stated.  "What our team has discovered should disturb and anger every American," Duffy stated, adding, "Licenses to operate a massive, 80,000-pound truck are being issued to dangerous foreign drivers – often times illegally. This is a direct threat to the safety of every family on the road, and I won't stand for it. Today's actions will prevent unsafe foreign drivers from renewing their license and hold states accountable to immediately invalidate improperly issued licenses." DoT's enforcement actions against California: California must pause issuance of non-domiciled CDLs. Identify and revoke all invalid licenses. Failure to comply within 30 days will result in withheld federal highway funds, starting at $160 million in year one and doubling in year two. Other states: Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington were also cited for violations. Duffy pointed out, "California's reckless disregard is frankly disgusting and an affront to the millions of Americans who expect us to keep them safe."  ZeroHedge and ATU have been leading the charge this year with coverage on this public safety crisis, national security threat on highways that is a byproduct of failed globalists' open border policies during the Biden-Harris regime years: Advocacy Group Calls For U.S. Probe On Non-English Speaking Migrant Truck Drivers After Deadly Austin Crash Biden Handed Out CDLs Like Candy... Now U.S. Highways Are A Public Safety & National Security Nightmare Rolling Risk: Unvetted Migrants Behind The Wheel Of Big Rigs Threaten U.S. Safety & Security From North America To Australia, Migrant Truckers Are Fueling A Highway Safety Crisis English Trucking Rule Takes Effect, Federal Probe Begins Of Sanctuary State Migrant CDL Pipeline Letter Urges Transportation Sec. Duffy To Ban Foreign CDLs Amid Series Of Highway Crashes Highway Mayhem: Trucker From Sanctuary State Illinois Arrested After Baltimore Shooting Spree Walmart, Amazon Truck Depots Display Multilingual Signs, Raising Alarms Over Migrant Drivers With No English Watch: American Truckers United Issues Dire Warning On 'Unsafe' Highways Amid Flood Of Migrant Drivers, Crashes Florida Highway Horror: Migrant Truck Driver Leaves 3 Americans Dead Amid CDL Crisis Illegal Alien Behind Fatal Florida Big Rig Crash; Sec. Duffy Signals Major Action On CDL Crisis "This Cannot Happen Again": Sec. Duffy Readies Major Action Against Rogue States Amid Migrant CDL Crisis U.S. "Pauses Issuance Of Worker Visas For Truckers" To Address Illegal Alien CDL Crisis Killing Americans . . .  Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 21:35

— FDA Approves New Therapy For Advanced Breast Cancer

 

at 9/27/25 7:00pm

FDA Approves New Therapy For Advanced Breast Cancer Authored by Zachary Stieber via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), The Food and Drug Administration on Sept. 25 approved a new therapy for advanced breast cancer, based on data from a phase 3 clinical trial. Eli Lilly's headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind., in an undated file photograph. Scott Olson/Getty Images Regulators said in a statement that they approved imlunestrant, also known as Inluriyo, from Eli Lilly. The therapy, an estrogen receptor antagonist, is cleared for adults who have advanced or metastatic breast cancer with estrogen receptor-1 mutations. Metastatic breast cancer, also called Stage IV breast cancer, occurs when the disease has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body, most commonly the bones, lungs, liver, or brain. Some breast cancers develop estrogen receptor-1 mutations, which make estrogen receptors overly active. These receptors normally help regulate cell growth, but when mutated, they can drive cancer progression. Inluriyo is designed to target these overactive receptors by binding to the estrogen receptor, blocking its activity, and breaking it down to help slow the spread of the disease. A phase 3 randomized, open-label trial with 874 patients that compared imlunestrant to a different investigational regimen, found that participants who received the therapy were more likely to survive and not have any cancer progression. Among participants with estrogen receptor-1 mutation, median progression-free survival was 5.5 months in the therapy arm, compared to 3.8 months in the other arm, according to results posted to clinicaltrials.gov. “We are deeply grateful to the patients, investigators, Lilly team members and clinical care teams who made this advancement possible. This therapy has the potential to make the treatment journey more manageable for those living with breast cancer,” Jacob Van Naarden, executive vice president and president of Lilly Oncology, said in a statement. “With its demonstrated efficacy, tolerability profile and oral administration, this therapy provides a meaningful alternative treatment option for this patient population,” added Dr. Komal Jhaveri, clinical director of early drug development at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the principal investigator of the trial, in a statement released by the company. Adverse events among imlunestrant participants included abdominal pain and cardiac arrest. The label for the drug warns that it can cause fetal harm when taken by pregnant women, based on findings in animal studies and the drug’s mechanism of action. The therapy is expected to be available in the United States in the next few weeks, with a list price of $22,500 per 28 days for the 400 milligram dose, according to the company. The therapy is recommended once a day, across two tablets of 200 milligrams each. Reuters contributed to this report. Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 21:00

— Russia Accused Of Preparing Sabotage Ops Around British Isles Based On Spy Ship Movements

 

at 9/27/25 6:25pm

Russia Accused Of Preparing Sabotage Ops Around British Isles Based On Spy Ship Movements A specialized Russian intelligence ship and research vessel called the Yantar has been raising alarm among Western officials as media reports claim it is stalking waters off northern Europe. An investigation by the Financial Times says the vessel is equipped with sophisticated surveillance equipment, and has been engaged in suspicious activity while being tracked in waters near Ireland and other strategic locations. For example, it has been observed directly above undersea cables connecting Ireland and the UK. Intelligence officials believe that the Yantar's purpose is to collect data and potentially lay the groundwork for sabotage operations, based on satellite radar data and interviews with current and former NATO naval officers. MOD/AFP/GETTY IMAGES It also is said to have lingered over critical undersea cables between Norway and the Svalbard archipelago, which is an Arctic region of growing strategic interest to Moscow. The FT concludes that the ship began targeting European infrastructure for intelligence data collection starting in autumn 2023, and that its been engaged ina 13-month surveillance operation. The report has flagged that its Irish Sea operations have been especially troubling, given this region is widely viewed as a vulnerable point in NATO’s defense network. One senior NATO commander interviewed said that Yantar is "the tool Russia is using to somehow . . . keep us awake" as "she’s following cable lines and pipelines, making stops. We are monitoring her very closely." The report comes at a moment that European officials are mostly taken up with establishing an Eastern European defense shield, or 'drone wall' which would protect EU and NATO territory from Russian aircraft incursions. But apparently the seaborne threat could be the most significant one, as FT writes: The reporting also sheds new light on the secretive military unit that oversees the ship’s activities — Russia’s directorate of deep-sea research, known as Glavnoye Upravlenie Glubokovodnikh Issledovanii or GUGI. Its operations are so classified that only a small group of highly trained Russian hydronauts are privy to them. The majority of GUGI’s 50 vessels are submarines and smaller submersibles, some of which can reach depths of 6,000 metres, more than 10 times the depth of a conventional military submarine. But it also has surface vessels, such as Yantar, which are much cheaper to operate over long distances, and can be used as platforms for submersibles and divers. Europe is concerned that a repeat of last year's cutting of several Baltic Sea underwater telecoms cables could be imminent. Russia came under immediate suspicion of cutting key cables; however, there's been contradictory reporting and evidence on whether these incidents were accidental or intentional sabotage. Russia is preparing sabotage operations around the British Isles, threatening undersea internet cables According to the Financial Times, the Russian intelligence vessel Yantar spent three months operating in European waters, mapping critical undersea cables. The ship circled… pic.twitter.com/g4YdFKrAx3 — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) September 26, 2025 Hundreds of undersea cables span the globe, transmitting 98% of the world’s internet traffic and are seen as essential to the global economy. The overwhelming majority of them are owned and operated by private companies. There are frequent instances of damage, but these are often found to be through fishing vessels dredging floorbeds and other accidents. Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 20:25

— Bondi DOJ Opposes Missouri's Second Amendment Preservation Act

 

at 9/27/25 5:50pm

Bondi DOJ Opposes Missouri's Second Amendment Preservation Act Submitted by Aidan Johnston of Gun Owners of America, The Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi has continued to attack Missouri's Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA), treating it much the same way the Biden administration did. That decision is striking, because it puts Bondi's DOJ at odds with both the text of the Constitution and President Trump's own executive order directing agencies to protect Second Amendment rights. Missouri's SAPA, enacted in 2021, was the state's effort to ensure that its officers and resources would not be used to enforce federal gun control measures that exceed constitutional limits. The law prohibits state officials from enforcing certain federal firearms statutes and penalizes agencies that cooperate with them. At its core, the SAPA reflects a well-established principle: the federal government may not commandeer state officials to carry out federal policy. The Supreme Court has confirmed that principle repeatedly. In cases involving firearms, immigration, environmental regulations, and even marijuana enforcement, the Court has recognized that Washington cannot force state legislatures or police to implement federal priorities. Missouri applied that same reasoning to firearms, instructing its law enforcement officers to focus on state law rather than federal regulations. Bondi's DOJ, however, has treated Missouri's SAPA as though it were an act of nullification. In court filings, the Department has insisted that Missouri cannot insulate itself from federal gun laws and has sought to strike down the statute entirely. The irony is obvious. In our amicus briefs to defend the Missouri law, GOA has repeatedly pointed out that the SAPA does not prevent federal agents from enforcing federal law. It simply says Missouri's officers will not be conscripted to help. That is a crucial distinction, and it is one with strong constitutional backing. The problem is not just the legal position DOJ has taken, but the continuity it represents. President Trump campaigned on restoring Second Amendment rights and ordered his agencies to review and roll back infringements. Yet Bondi's DOJ is still carrying forward the same arguments the Biden administration made, undermining a state law designed to protect gun rights. It is difficult to reconcile those courtroom filings with the administration's broader promises. The implications extend beyond firearms. If DOJ succeeds in invalidating Missouri's SAPA, the precedent could weaken states' ability to resist federal overreach in other contexts. It would signal that Washington can not only impose its own rules but also force states to spend their resources enforcing them. That undermines both the Second Amendment and the Tenth Amendment. For Missouri gun owners, the stakes are high. The SAPA was intended to ensure that local police would not be drawn into federal prosecutions targeting law-abiding citizens. Without it, Missourians risk seeing their own state and local agencies used to advance federal policies that many in the state reject as unconstitutional. Pam Bondi's DOJ has a choice. Nothing compels the Department to continue down the path set by its predecessors. By pressing forward with the Biden administration's litigation strategy, it is not defending federal supremacy—it is eroding the balance of federalism that protects both state autonomy and individual rights. Missouri's law is a legitimate assertion of state authority in a constitutional system that depends on checks and balances. DOJ's decision to attack it reflexively, rather than respecting the boundaries Congress and the Constitution established, sends the wrong message—to states, to courts, and to the millions of Americans who believed this administration would be different. If the Trump administration is to fulfill its pledge of being the most pro–Second Amendment in history, that requires more than speeches. It requires ensuring that the Department of Justice under Pam Bondi does not undercut states when they act to safeguard constitutional rights. On Missouri's SAPA, that responsibility has not yet been met. Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 19:50

— MSM Says It Knows What Hegseth's Mystery Meeting Of Hundreds Of Generals Is All About

 

at 9/27/25 5:15pm

MSM Says It Knows What Hegseth's Mystery Meeting Of Hundreds Of Generals Is All About The Washington Post and CNN say they know what Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth's big summoning of hundreds of military generals and admirals is all about. The meeting is set for Tuesday at Quantico Marine Base near Washington D.C.  No official explanation has yet to be given for why some 800 top commanders are being gathered - some traveling from bases across the globe. Speculation has abounded, including whether it could relate to going to war with Russia, or some other dire and alarming change in force posture. Major media outlets in the US are now claiming it will merely be a big talk by Hegseth in maintaining "warrior ethos" and things like professional standards. It's also being reported as one big "rally the troops" meeting. via DoD Apparently this somewhat unprecedented gathering is due to his "mounting impatience that the Pentagon hasn’t readily adopted the Trump administration’s directives on military culture, according to officials briefed on the plan." The speech will aim to get everyone on the same page in terms of Trump's desire to tighten up discipline and professional standards across military ranks. So far, President Trump has only said when asked about the somewhat unprecedented meeting by reporters, "It’s great when generals and top people want to come to the United States to be with a now-called secretary of war." The Washington Post states: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered hundreds of generals to travel from around the world to hear him make a short speech on military standards and the "warrior ethos," multiple people familiar with the event told The Washington Post. Commenting on the swift pushback, it continues: Some Pentagon officials questioned the wisdom of launching a relatively large gathering on short notice to hear Hegseth speak for a matter of minutes, and bristled at the idea that long-serving military leaders — a segment of whom spent years in combat earlier in their careers — needed instruction on how to fight. "They don’t need a talk from Secretary Hegseth on the warrior ethos," a defense official said. A high profile retired general has spoken up on social media, and Hegseth bat it down... Cool story, General https://t.co/vizANjRgyZ — Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) September 26, 2025 There have in the last months been some firings and reshufflings of top command posts by Hegseth, who dismissed Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, Navy Reserve Chief Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, and Naval Special Warfare Command head Rear Adm. Milton Sands. "Critics have argued that his policies have often not seemed aligned with lethality — core initiatives have included removing transgender service members, ordering new shaving standards military-wide and rebranding the Defense Department as 'the Department of War,' complete with new seals and signage marking the entrance to his offices at the Pentagon," WaPo continues. One such critic, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.), former commander of US Army Europe, wrote as follows: In my forty years in uniform, I never saw anything like it. While senior leaders have been recalled to Washington to meet with the secretary of defense during all our wars, never once did a secretary summon all of the hundreds of one- to four-stars from each of the services, plus their top enlisted counterparts, from every corner of the globe to a single auditorium. Not during the Cold War, not during Desert Storm, not during the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Not Rumsfeld, not Gates, not Panetta, not Mattis, not Austin. They likely didn’t do it because it is disruptive. It is expensive. And it is unnecessary. The optics of the meeting will be interesting, and Hegseth plans to record and later make public his speech. There still remains the possibility that WaPo and CNN's reporting on it being about "warrior ethos" is flat wrong. But things will soon become clear in a matter of days. *  *  * ATTENTION: Buy some meat before free shipping goes away Sunday night... Several items already sold out. Just the Steaks (10 lbs) Filet Mignon and other goodies (11 lbs) Ground Beef (10 lbs, on sale in addition to free shipping) Texas Lasagna & Meatballs (clean comfort food... holy crap it's good) Beef, Chick & Pork Trio Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 19:15

— Sex Dungeon? Former Soros Fund Manager Arrested On Allegations Of 'Sadistic Abuse'

 

at 9/27/25 4:40pm

Sex Dungeon? Former Soros Fund Manager Arrested On Allegations Of 'Sadistic Abuse' A former New York financier who managed money for George Soros has been arrested on charges spanning bank fraud to sex trafficking. Howard Rubin, 70, was taken into custody Friday morning at his home in Fairfield, Connecticut. According to a 10-count indictment unsealed in a Brooklyn federal court, Rubin is accused of sex-trafficking at least 10 women between 2009 and 2019 - luring them to various NYC hotels and a Manhattan penthouse with a soundproofed BDSM sex dungeon - where he restrained, beat, and shocked them with electricity, according to the US Attorney's Office in Brooklyn.  Rubin reportedly spent at least $1 million on said activities. He has also been charged with bank fraud related to false statements on financial documents during a civil lawsuit stemming from these activities. "As alleged, the defendants used Rubin’s wealth to mislead and recruit women to engage in commercial sex acts, where Rubin then tortured women beyond their consent, causing lasting physical and/or psychological pain, in some cases physical injuries," Brooklyn US Attorney Joseph Nocella said in a statement. One of the West 57th Street penthouse bedrooms was soundproofed and painted red, and had a device that was used to shock or electrocute the women, the feds said. The room also had a cross and bed with restraints where the women would be bound and gagged, according to the authorities. -NY Post Allegations against Rubin are not new, as he's been on the radar since at least 2017. Among the alleged acts he paid $2,000 - $5,000 per session (via the NY Post); Rubin gagged, tied up and viciously abused the women - even punching one in the head, according to a 2017 lawsuit filed on behalf of two Playboy Playmates and another alleged victim.  "I’m going to rape you like I rape my daughter," he reportedly shouted during one of the alleged assaults.  In one session, he beat one of the women’s “breasts so badly that her right implant flipped.” One plaintiff was tied up, gagged and shocked with a cattle prod in her groin before Rubin allegedly raped her Some of the women agreed to a safe word - that Rubin allegedly ignored. Others were gagged so they couldn't object, and prosecutors say he would even continue if a woman passed out.  "I don’t care if she screams," Rubin wrote one of two women who he said he planed to "abuse" for hours, the feds allege.  Rubin also reportedly referenced Disney movies (like Jes Staley with Epstein), telling another alleged victim that rape was natural - referencing "Beauty and the Beast" (though in the movie Belle was clearly ready to have sex with Beast before he turned back into a human). From 2009–2019; Rubin initially used luxury Manhattan hotels, then a leased the 'sex dungeon' penthouse. There were also encounters in Las Vegas.  Personal Assistant According to the indictment, Rubin's personal assistant - Jennifer Powers, is also facing sex-trafficking charges tied to her boss's proclivities. Powers Assisted Rubin from 2011–2019. Her role allegedly included recruiting women (often former Playboy models via social media or prostitution networks), arranging flights and accommodations (e.g., to New York airports in Queens), securing NDAs, procuring BDSM equipment, managing payments (sometimes structured to avoid $10,000 thresholds), and handling complaints/injuries (e.g., advising ice or bruise cream, minimizing Rubin's behavior). Rubin funded her lifestyle - some $8 million from 2018–2023 - including rent, schooling, legal fees, and a Texas home mortgage he co-signed. In one text exchange, Rubin allegedly texted Powers that he had a woman tied to his cross, to which Powers replied "I can only imagine what you did to her on that cross!!! Did you shock her p—y??" Rubin reportedly replied that he did, but complained that his electrocution device was "losing strength." Bank Fraud On June 3, 2020, Rubin emailed a signed financial statement to co-sign Powers' mortgage, answering "No" to "Are you a party to any suit or unsatisfied judgments?" despite the ongoing Civil Case brought by the Playmates.  Then on April 4, 2022, Powers emailed a renewed statement signed by Rubin which also did not disclose the lawsuit.  Here's lookin' at you Howard, you (allegedly) sick fuck.  *  *  * ATTENTION: Buy some meat before free shipping goes away Sunday night... Several items already sold out. Just the Steaks (10 lbs) Filet Mignon and other goodies (11 lbs) Ground Beef (10 lbs, on sale in addition to free shipping) Texas Lasagna & Meatballs (clean comfort food... holy crap it's good) Beef, Chick & Pork Trio Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 18:40

— Why Experts Are Exploring Ketogenic Therapy For Mental Health

 

at 9/27/25 4:40pm

Why Experts Are Exploring Ketogenic Therapy For Mental Health Authored by Jennifer Sweenie via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), Research suggests that metabolic health may play an essential role in mental well-being. After years of therapies, medications, retreats, and self-exploration, Michael, a former nutrition client of mine, had resigned himself to a familiar low-grade depression and anxiety he’d carried since childhood. He accepted it as part of who he was. However, following Michael’s debilitating autoimmune diagnosis, a friend mentioned that changing her own diet had put her condition into remission. In physical pain on top of his depression, Michael decided to try an elimination diet. Michael made several key changes to his eating—he cut out processed foods, refined carbs, and sugar, while adding healthy fats, increasing protein, and focusing on whole foods, including vegetables and fruit. His physical health improved within a few months—and most strikingly, his depression lifted in just one month. “I felt like life had come back into me. My mind was clear and my apathy gone. I never thought I would feel this happy again.” For decades, psychiatry has focused on chemical imbalances in the brain. Now, growing research suggests that overall metabolic health—how efficiently the body produces and uses energy—may play an equally important role in mental well-being. That’s why scientists are now exploring therapeutic ketosis, a medically supervised ketogenic diet, as a potential tool for conditions ranging from depression to bipolar disorder. This promising approach also sheds light on how everyday food choices can influence both metabolic health and mental well-being, raising a timely question: How can we eat to best support our minds and moods? The Science of Metabolic Psychiatry Metabolic psychiatry is an emerging field that examines how diet and inflammation affect brain energy metabolism, which in turn affects mood. The brain primarily runs on glucose, but it can also use ketones as an alternative fuel when glucose is low. “Most of the important mechanisms are not about neurotransmitters at all. It’s about ketones bypassing brain insulin resistance and improving mitochondrial health,” Dr. Matthew Bernstein, a board-certified psychiatrist and leading voice in metabolic psychiatry, told The Epoch Times. About one-third of people with serious mental illnesses meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome, according to the results of one cross-sectional study, highlighting the overlap between physical and mental conditions. The overlap has prompted research into the underlying mechanisms. Emerging evidence suggests that when cells lack sufficient energy or oxygen, their mitochondria can malfunction, leading to brain inflammation and potentially affecting mental function. A preclinical study published in Cell in April found that inflammatory molecules can influence anxiety by acting on specific brain cells. A 2025 review published in Healthcare the same month suggests neuroinflammation may link psychiatric and systemic disease, though more studies are needed to clarify causality. Metabolic Psychiatry in Practice The research suggests that metabolism is the common thread linking psychiatric illness, brain energy regulation, and inflammation. Early findings are promising and point to a future where psychiatry addresses the full metabolic context of the brain. “This is moving really fast. Metabolic psychiatry has a good group of people behind it from many disciplines, and therefore, we are pushing ahead with the randomized controlled trials,” Erin Louise Bellamy, a metabolic psychiatry clinician and researcher, and expert in ketogenic therapy for depression, told The Epoch Times. A clinical trial published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that improving insulin sensitivity alone reduced depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant bipolar depression. The researchers used metformin to improve insulin resistance, suggesting that targeting metabolic dysfunction may help improve mood. Given metabolism’s role in brain function, ketogenic therapy is being explored as a potential tool. A pilot study published in Translational Psychiatry in September found that in college students with major depressive disorder and already receiving treatment, following a well‑formulated ketogenic diet for 10 to 12 weeks was associated with approximately 70 percent reductions in depression symptoms and improvements in cognition and well‑being. A review published in Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry, involving nearly 2,000 people, concluded that ketogenic diets appear safe, feasible, and effective in targeting inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic dysregulation. Understanding the metabolic influences on the brain sets the stage for exploring dietary interventions that support mental health. Therapeutic Ketosis Therapeutic ketosis is a medically supervised ketogenic intervention that shifts the brain from relying on glucose to using ketones, produced when fat is broken down in the absence of carbohydrates. First developed nearly a century ago to treat drug-resistant epilepsy, it is now being explored for mood and psychiatric disorders. The overarching theory of therapeutic ketosis is that it improves metabolism by reducing inflammation, stabilizing blood sugar, and countering insulin resistance, while improving mitochondrial health—the “batteries” that make us tick and work. “We are fixing that [mitochondria], or at least giving it some time out away from all the blood sugar spikes, to get healthy again,” Bellamy said. Unlike popular keto diets marketed for weight loss and convenience foods, therapeutic ketosis uses precise macronutrient ratios, monitors ketone levels, and requires medical supervision. A neurologist works with a registered dietitian to prescribe a diet to a patient. “It will be carefully calculated to change their metabolic physiology,” Dominic D’Agostino, associate professor of molecular pharmacology and physiology at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, told The Epoch Times. Bellamy noted that fat-to-carb-plus-protein ratios can be adjusted individually, often being roughly two parts fat to one part carbs, plus protein. A day’s diet following such a ratio might include eggs with bacon cooked in cream and butter for breakfast, a leafy green salad with chicken, avocado, and plenty of olive oil for lunch, salmon with roasted asparagus, drizzled with butter and olive oil for dinner, and a small handful of macadamia nuts or a piece of full-fat cheese if needed to maintain the ratio. The popular keto diet carries a lot of baggage—meaning it’s often overhyped and sensationalized. People tend to focus on extreme versions, packaged treats, celebrity anecdotes, or short-term results, which can give the wrong impression of how therapeutic keto actually works, D'Agostino said. Though research is still early, evidence suggests therapeutic ketogenic interventions may improve symptoms in depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. Bellamy added that ketosis targets six or seven different pathways, with each person having one or two working at any one time. As a result, ketosis can benefit many people, but the mechanisms and response can vary. “If you elevate circulating ketones, they rapidly cross the blood-brain barrier and restore normal cerebral metabolic activity,” noted D’Agostino. A ketogenic diet often works like a form of calorie restriction because it’s less palatable and naturally helps you feel full, so you don’t overeat like on a standard American diet, he said. Ketones directly calm inflammatory pathways linked to psychiatric disorders. In the brain, they provide an alternative energy source when glucose is low and boost GABA, a calming neurotransmitter, acting somewhat like a mild anti-anxiety medication. Gut inflammation may also play a role in the mechanisms of therapeutic keto. “There’s just not enough hard science about exactly which microbes we want and which we don’t, and which are helpful and which are not. We’re still at the infancy of learning all of that, but definitely reducing gut inflammation.” Bernstein added. As to the long-term benefits of therapeutic ketosis, “Some people retain benefits after coming off the diet. We think it has the potential to create a healing process in the brain. If someone’s been on a ketogenic diet for a few years and they come out of ketosis, I don’t expect all their symptoms to come back immediately, he said. You Don’t Have to Enter Ketosis For severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, medical supervision and ketosis may be needed to see significant benefits. In contrast, moderate depression, anxiety, or attentional issues may respond to less strict low-carb strategies, Bernstein said. Diets high in refined carbs and added sugars are linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety, while diets rich in whole foods may help reduce depressive symptoms. Removing ultra-processed foods gives the body a more even playing field to improve metabolic health, Bellamy said. She recommends returning to foods our grandparents would recognize to help stabilize blood sugar, including prioritizing animal protein, cooking with butter or coconut oil, a variety of vegetables, especially leafy greens, and choosing fattier cuts of meat. A common question Bernstein grapples with in clinical practice is whether people can see mental health benefits from lowering inflammation through diet—cutting processed foods or eating low-carb—without committing to full therapeutic ketosis. He suggested easing in by reducing ultra-processed foods,  added sugar, refined flour, and industrial refined oils, while emphasizing whole foods and vegetables. Then, consider a lower-carb or low-glycemic diet next. Habits such as regular exercise, quality sleep, circadian rhythm alignment, and mind-body practices can further support many of the same metabolic processes targeted by a ketogenic diet. Bernstein suggested a mindset shift around eating fat: “Initially it’s about not fearing fat … That’s a whole psychological shift people need to make. There really is no good evidence that saturated fat is bad for us.” Small interventions, such as time-restricted eating or adding MCT oil in the morning, can also help, he said. Even a simple low-carb diet—around 100 grams of fibrous carbs from vegetables and fruits while avoiding processed grains—can deliver many of keto’s benefits, D’Agostino said. Michael’s elimination diet was one example—he cut carbs drastically but didn’t enter ketosis, removed inflammatory foods, and increased healthy fats like coconut oil, duck fat, and tallow. “You, as an individual, have the ability to choose how you eat and the nutrition you have day to day… all of that is within your grasp right now, and you don’t have to wait,” Bellamy said. Always check in with your physician before making major dietary changes—including trying a ketogenic diet—especially if you take medication to manage a mental health condition. Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 18:40

— Bragg Drops Charges Against Woman Who Attacked Pro-Life Advocate

 

at 9/27/25 3:30pm

Bragg Drops Charges Against Woman Who Attacked Pro-Life Advocate Authored by Jonathan Turley, For years, many of us have raised concerns over the political weaponization of the New York legal system from the civil fraud case against the Trump company by New York Attorney General Letitia James to the criminal prosecution by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The popularity of these lawfare warriors shows how a dual legal system has taken hold in the city. That was never more evident than in the outrageous decision of Bragg to drop the case against Brianna J. Rivers, 30, who assaulted a pro-life advocate in a case of political violence. The refusal to prosecute Rivers is only the latest example of enabling those who turn to violence in our political system. Rivers was captured on videotape attacking Craven Antao after she asked Rivers questions about abortion and repeated her answers. New York police arrested Rivers in April on one count of second-degree assault. Prosecutors had this videotape that showed no provocation or excuse for the violent attack.  Antao had to go to emergency room for stitches and pay $3,000 in medical bills. Nevertheless, Bragg’s office first downgraded the charge from second-degree assault to a misdemeanor and has now dropped the case entirely. He is just going to let Rivers walk after an act of political violence captured on film. According to reports, Braggs’ office missed a critical deadline to turn over evidence. However, this came after the office downgraded the case and then threw up its hands after missing the deadline. It is either a case of intentional scuttling or a lack of priority given an allegation of political violence. The most that Braggs’ office can claim is that it is incompetent. Bragg’s office could not focus on bringing even a misdemeanor case to show that political violence is unacceptable, even from those on the left. If this were a pro-life advocate attacking a pro-choice person in New York, it is hard to imagine Bragg slow-walking the prosecution, downgrading the charges, and then dismissing the case after missing a deadline. There would have been an outcry from the public for deterrence and prosecution. We have also seen the wholesale dropping of charges against rioters in major cities despite massive levels of property damage. Compare the handling of lawyers in New York City who threw Molotov cocktails at police with a recent case in California. The attorneys (Colinford Mattis and Urooj Rahman) were given generous plea deals by the Southern District of New York with only 15 months in jail. The judge even praised one of the lawyers for her commitment to public interest. There were no state charges. This week, a ‘scholar-activist” received almost 20 years in prison and a nearly $100,000 in fines for firebombing a University of California Berkeley police car and other acts of arson. Casey Goonan also claimed political motivations in supporting Palestine in the attacks. Even given the more extensive record of violence of Goonan, the light punishment given to the New York lawyers was shocking to many of us. Admittedly, that was not a state case, but rather a federal case under the Biden Administration. However, it reinforced the uncertainty as to punishment for serious crimes in New York. There was no apparent move by the district attorney to bring state charges or to push for more serious penalties from their federal counterparts. At a time of increased political violence, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Bragg’s decision sends a chilling message to the most extreme elements in our political system. Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 17:30

— Goldman Identifies "Vulnerable Link" At Center Of Energy Security 

 

at 9/27/25 2:55pm

Goldman Identifies "Vulnerable Link" At Center Of Energy Security  America's core energy security policy is no longer just focused on crude oil tankers, LNG cargoes, or even shale output. The new chokepoint is the power grid - nearly half a century old, with limited spare capacity, and now, according to Goldman analysts, at the very center of energy security. As they put it: "The grid is a vulnerable link in energy security."  "The need to invest in the power grid – a vulnerable link in the energy supply chain – and the associated metals demand boost are becoming more acute with the rise of AI, geopolitical tensions, and the shift to hybrid warfare," analysts Lina Thomas and Daan Struyven wrote in a note to clients on Thursday titled "AI and Defense Place Grids at the Center of Energy Security." Thomas and Struyven stress that Western power grids are averaging 50 years in Europe and 40 years in North America, and are near the end of their operating life.  "In the US, power demand growth has already started to strain regional markets. More specifically, the PJM power market in Virginia – the data center capital of the world – hit significant transmission bottlenecks in 2022, and nine out of 13 US regional power markets have already reached critical tightness this summer, while we expect all but one to reach critical tightness by 2030," the analysts noted. Meanwhile, the US and Europe paralyzed their economies and power capacity under the guise of a "climate crisis," where globalist-aligned Democrats forced green policies that swapped stable fossil-fuel generation with unreliable solar and wind (unleashed a power bill crisis). At the same time, China added massive amounts of coal and nuclear power. It appears as if Western globalists deliberately neutered the West to enable China's rise. The analysts argue that power grids are the most "critical link" for AI and defense, with all three intertwined, making the grid a national security priority. "The need to invest in the power grid – a vulnerable link in the energy supply chain – and the associated metals demand boost are becoming more acute with the rise of AI, geopolitical tensions, and the shift to hybrid warfare. This is because the grid is a critical link for AI and defense, with all three being interdependent," Thomas and Struyven noted.  AI in the defense world is just beginning... Data centers draw massive amounts of power.  On the commodity side, the analysts pointed out that with AI and defense putting the power grid at the center of energy security, the urgent need for grid upgrades is turning copper into the new oil. "Such grid upgrades are metals-intensive: we expect grid and power infrastructure to drive ~60% of global copper demand growth through the end of the decade, adding the equivalent of another US to global demand and underpinning our bullish copper price forecast of $10,750/t by 2027," they said.  Related and happening this week: "A Black Swan Event": Copper Prices Soar After FCX Declares Force Majeure At World's 2nd Largest Mine By the 2030s, you may also see this: "Bomb Data Center": Eric Schmidt Warns AI Arms Race Could Spark Global Conflict The full Goldman note is available to ZeroHedge Pro Subs in the usual place. This note includes additional charts and in-depth view on how the power grid has become the "vulnerable link in energy security." Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 16:55

— New Quantum Breakthrough Could Lead To Super-Efficient Electronics

 

at 9/27/25 2:20pm

New Quantum Breakthrough Could Lead To Super-Efficient Electronics Authored by Haley Zaremba via OilPrice.com, Scientists are leveraging quantum physics to develop new energy production methods, aiming to address the computing industry's growing energy demands. Researchers at MIT have devised a novel approach to observe the quantum Hall effect by mimicking it with superchilled sodium atoms, enabling deeper study of frictionless electron flow. This breakthrough in understanding "edge-state" physics could lead to highly efficient electronic circuits and quantum computers, offering a solution for energy loss in data and energy transfer. Scientists are getting closer and closer to unlocking the intricate dance of quantum physics to revolutionize the way we produce energy. As the computing industry threatens to run out of energy on the back of the artificial intelligence boom, scientists are racing to bring quantum computing into reality as a means of solving critical energy security dilemmas while also turning computing technology on its head. We know that the potential of quantum physics and quantum computing is massive within the energy sector, but there is still a lot that we don’t understand about the science behind it. Observing the quantum world is exceedingly difficult because the behaviors and reactions involved are happening at such a tiny scale, and so lightning fast, that the processes are all but invisible to humans. But scientists are getting better at overcoming this challenge. At MIT, researchers have developed an ingenious way of scaling up a recreation of the quantum Hall effect to more effectively observe a phenomenon that usually occurs at a scale too small and too fast to study. Instead of observing electrons, the MIT team has found a way to superchill sodium atoms and control their spatial arrangement with lasers in a way that allows them to mimic the phenomenon of interest – a so-called “edge state.” Normally, electrons move freely in all directions, scattering randomly when they encounter an obstacle due to friction. However, in certain contexts and with certain exotic materials, they behave differently, flowing together and in one direction along the material’s edge. This is known as the quantum Hall effect. And now, MIT scientists have found a way to meaningfully study this effect so that we can one day harness “edge-state” physics to revolutionize computing with virtually limitless energy.  “In this rare ‘edge state,’ electrons can flow without friction, gliding effortlessly around obstacles as they stick to their perimeter-focused flow,” explains an MIT news article. “Unlike in a superconductor, where all electrons in a material flow without resistance, the current carried by edge modes occurs only at a material’s boundary.” This lack of resistance means a lack of energy loss, which could have enormous and disruptive implications for virtually any sector that uses modern technology. According to reporting from Interesting Engineering, ”such frictionless movement of electrons can enable data and energy transfer across devices without any transmission losses, leading to the development of super-efficient electronic circuits and quantum computers.” Quantum computing has garnered increasing attention for its potential to fundamentally change computational processes in ways that could increase efficiency and thereby drastically reduce the tech sector’s energy needs. In certain applications, quantum computers could be up to 100 times more energy efficient than current supercomputers. This could have enormous implications for AI and its ballooning energy footprint, as quantum computing could be especially well-suited to AI processing. While normal computation is binary, with 1s and 0s serving as on- and off-switches, quantum computing operates via qubits, which can be both on and off simultaneously, like a coin spinning in the air before it lands as heads or tails. This simultaneous one-and-off state is called superposition, and it could completely change the fundamentals of computing. Quantum computing and the field of quantum physics more broadly still have a very long way to go before they enter any kind of commercial domain. But our understanding of these phenomena – and their potential applications in the energy and tech sectors – are rapidly advancing. The recent breakthrough at MIT, by providing a reliable and more observable stand-in for quantum processes, could catalyze quantum experimenting, bringing us one major step closer to an infinite-energy future.  Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 16:20

— Russia Is Not Targeting EU Or NATO States, Lavrov Tells UN

 

at 9/27/25 1:45pm

Russia Is Not Targeting EU Or NATO States, Lavrov Tells UN Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov addressed the United Nations General Assembly in a wide-ranging speech on Saturday, wherein he warned of a "decisive response" to any "aggression" directed towards Moscow. But he spent much of the speech debunking the notion that Russia is seeking to attack European Union or NATO states, days after Denmark claimed to be under assault by Russian-linked drone sabotage operations which have at times shut down major airport hubs. "Threats of force against Russia, accused of practically planning an attack on the North Atlantic Alliance [Nato] and the European Union, are becoming increasingly common," he said. "President Putin has repeatedly debunked such provocations." "Russia has never had and does not have such intentions, but any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response," Lavrov emphasized. Via Sputnik  But, he asserted, threats against Russia by the Western allies are becoming "increasingly common". Much of his verbal attack was focused on the more hawkish European countries. This was in contrast with this more positive tone regarding the Trump administration: "In the approaches of the current US administration, we see a desire not only to contribute to ways to realistically resolve the Ukrainian crisis, but also a desire to develop pragmatic cooperation without adopting an ideological stance," he said. To be expected, he saved his harshest attack for the Ukrainian government itself, at one point highlighting its persecution of Russian language and culture in the public sphere. Lavrov noted that even Arabic is not banned by Israel. "Yet Russian is banned in Ukraine. I would remind you that Article 1 of the UN Charter calls for ‘respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion,’" he highlighted. "The Kiev regime, which seized power in the unconstitutional coup organized by the West in 2014, has set a course to eliminate the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, to legislate the eradication of the Russian language across all spheres - education, culture, and the media. Ukraine is the only country in the world to legally ban the native language of nearly half of its population," the top Russian diplomat said. He declared that that Europe is "obsessed with the utopian goal of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia" and so remains silent on these severe human rights abuses. ??Russia does not plan attacks on NATO countries, but any aggression will be met with a decisive response - Lavrov pic.twitter.com/Wuf94ccU7f — ?MilitaryNewsUA?? (@front_ukrainian) September 27, 2025 "For this goal, the Ukrainian regime is permitted everything - including terrorist attacks against politicians and journalists, torture and extrajudicial executions, indiscriminate bombardment of civilian infrastructure, and reckless sabotage targeting nuclear power plants," he underscored. Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 15:45

— This Is The Worst (But Funniest) Book Excerpt You'll Ever Read

 

at 9/27/25 1:10pm

This Is The Worst (But Funniest) Book Excerpt You'll Ever Read Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news, Kamala Harris Is hawking a book desperately attempting to blame everyone and anyone other than herself for her Presidential campaign being monumentally and historically awful. Given how much of a low IQ individual she is you’d have thought she would’ve gotten someone else to write it for her, but judging by a newly released excerpt it appears she went at it alone armed only with a pen and a whole case of red wine. In this sneak peak (which is real this time)  Kamala describes how she felt when sleepy dementia Joe Biden decided to wear a MAGA hat in front of the media. New excerpt from Kamala's new book on Biden wearing a MAGA hat during the campaign: "He took it, [I thought] 'don't put it on.' He put it on. Cameras clicked." "Within hours, the picture was all over. Joe Biden in a MAGA hat, with the caption, 'Biden endorses Trump over… pic.twitter.com/izJQfvjJ6c — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) September 24, 2025 “Joe was sharing a joke with some guys in MAGA hats. One of them took his hat off and offered it to Joe… He took it, [I thought] ‘don’t put it on.’ He put it on. Cameras clicked.” “Within hours, the picture was all over. Joe Biden in a MAGA hat, with the caption, ‘Biden endorses Trump over Harris.’” She refers to the incident as “the MAGA hat debacle,” and frames it as part of broader frustrations with Biden’s lack of support. She is blaming every single person on Earth besides herself for her loss. — EddieJ ?? (@EddieJ2016) September 24, 2025 Please let the entire book be like this. Kamala’s book sounds like something a teenage girl would write. — Paul A. Szypula ?? (@Bubblebathgirl) September 24, 2025 Of course there will be word salads, but at its core… So her whole book confirms she felt exactly how we hoped she did ? ? — Damn Yankee ? ?? ? (@damnnyankee1776) September 25, 2025 How will she describe the time Biden called all Trump supporters ‘garbage’? Let’s take a wild stab… “Don’t slander half of America [I thought] Then he said all Trump supporters were garbage. Within hours the video was all over with the caption ‘Biden calls Trump supporters ‘garbage.’” Something like that, right. Dear Diary….. — WV Patriot (@Sciblife) September 24, 2025 It’s the mean girls burn book — let me be clear (@GiveHugs09) September 24, 2025 I’m pretty sure he voted for Trump too ?? — MindyT (@AUMindyT) September 24, 2025 Will Biden’s handlers strike back as previously promised? Another excerpt concerning her refusal to appear on the Joe Rogan podcast was also recently released.  The recurring theme in Kamala’s book is her refusal to take responsibility for anything. Everything is always someone else’s fault, and bungling Rogan was no exception: https://t.co/Sq7gs641GR — Zarathustra (@zarathustra5150) September 25, 2025 It consists of a lot of words to just say ‘I wasn’t intellectually up to it and would’ve looked bad.’ Which is funny, because that’s exactly how Rogan described her at the time. Joe Rogan ROASTS Kamala Harris: She's Like "A Kid Who Didn't Do Her Homework" These impressions are too accurate ? Rogan says when Kamala speaks, it's like a fifth grader doing a book report who hasn't read the book. So when she's asked on the economy, she says something like… pic.twitter.com/uWEmv2j3A2 — Vigilant Fox ? (@VigilantFox) August 8, 2024 Her team knew it too, and that’s why they demanded editorial control and to limit the exchange to just 45 minutes.  The book is called 107 Days, because that’s how long everyone had to endure her excruciating cackling before Trump won a massive landslide victory.    It’s also the same amount of time that she managed to burn through one and a half billion dollars. The title of the book is a suggestion that she didn’t have long enough to put together a winning strategy. But given she never even coherently explained one policy, one can only assume it would take her years. What else do you think will be in her book? Will she finally answer the question ‘how are you different from Joe Biden?’ President Trump has saved taxpayers tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, by ending Secret Service protection for harris as she promotes the book. Harris has managed to become even more unpopular since her massive loss with her net favorability rating dropping from -5 points in October 2024 to its current -13 points on a nationwide scale. *  *  * 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. Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 15:10

— Trump Authorizes 'Full Force' In Portland As Bondi Deploys Anti-Antifa Nationwide

 

at 9/27/25 12:35pm

Trump Authorizes 'Full Force' In Portland As Bondi Deploys Anti-Antifa Nationwide The Trump administration has responded to recent attacks on US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by directing AG Pam Bondi to deploy DOJ agents to ICE facilities and "wherever" federal immigration officers are "under siege." This includes ordering Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to send US troops to Portland to 'protect the city' and ICE facilities from antifa and other "domestic terrorists."  The move follows Trump signing an executive order last week to formally designate antifa a domestic terrorist organization - which gives the US government a broad mandate to probe the anti-fascist movement's operations, along with instances where an antifa member "provided material support." Bondi took to X to explain what's going on;  "I have witnessed the continued onslaught of violence perpetrated against ICE officers across our country. The Department of Justice will not stand idly by in the face of such lawlessness," Bondi wrote. "At my direction, I am deploying DOJ agents to ICE facilities—and wherever ICE comes under siege—to safeguard federal agents, protect federal property, and immediately arrest all individuals engaged in any federal crime."  She continued: Pursuant to President Trump's recent executive action, I am also instructing the Joint Terrorism Task Forces across the country to disrupt and investigate all entities and individuals engaged in acts of domestic terrorism, including the repeated acts of violence and obstruction against federal agents. The Department of Justice will seek the most serious available charges against all participants in these criminal mobs, including conspiracy offenses, assault offenses, civil disorder offenses, and terrorism offenses. While these never-ending attacks are designed to break our will, they only strengthen our resolve to complete the work begun. To that end, I have directed the FBI, DEA, ATF, and USMS to accelerate our efforts alongside the Department of Homeland Security to locate, apprehend, detain, prosecute, and remove all illegal aliens present in our country. The rule of law will prevail. Bondi's post comes just days after a sniper attack at a Dallas ICE facility that killed two migrants and critically injured another. Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, Bondi's post, noting that "Assets mobilizing. This campaign of terrorism will be brought down." ??BREAKING VIOLENCE: a Waymo has been lit on FIRE while several others are completely vandalized I am on the ground now FOLLOW FOR UPDATES | LA riots pic.twitter.com/CfEJMZFzA9 — Cam Higby ?? (@camhigby) June 9, 2025 The latest attacks mark a continuation of political violence fueled by far-left activist groups - some funded by dark-money NGOs. Some of these orgs are carrying out attacks on ICE agents and facilities nationwide.  Assets mobilizing. This campaign of terrorism will be brought down. https://t.co/YTcIorCDKk — Stephen Miller (@StephenM) September 27, 2025 Portland Trump, meanwhile, announced on Saturday that he's sending US troops to Portland to "protect" the city and ICE facilities.  "At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary," Trump added. Leftist groups notably declared "war against ICE" last week...  For some background on what the Trump administration is doing about leftist, NGO-funded violence; Trump Directs Task Force To Counter Rogue NGOs, Leftist Groups Sowing Chaos In short, the administration has shifted from a defensive posture to the beginning innings of an offensive campaign against these NGOs, signaling that accountability and enforcement within the nonprofit sector are now viewed as mission-critical. But of course, declaring war on armed radical leftists is likely to provoke an escalation in civil terrorism attacks from the left. "Planning War Against Fascists" - Socialist Rifle Association Boasts 10,000 Members "War Against ICE": Anarcho-Communist Website Calls For Mobilization Across U.S. The decision to nuke USAID earlier this year marked a starting point (the now-defunded agency was funneling money to radical groups under Biden); the next phase will target the donor class that funds this chaos. Related: Soros Foundation Fires Back At NYT Report: We "Don't Fund Terrorism" New Report Reveals Soros' Open Society Funneled $80 Million To Pro-Terror Groups Dems' NGO Empire Cracks: First Gates Foundation Dumps Arabella Network, Then The Atlantic Forced To Admit Left-Wing Terror Over the years we've all witnessed these organized 'resist' protests which spiral out of control, however the Trump administration needs to be careful - even though the left is clearly the violent party in America. While the Biden administration and their network of deep state judges aggressively targeted anyone who even thought about approaching the Capitol on Jan. 6, or parents who resisted degenerate indoctrination in schools, or the entire first Trump administration, we can only imagine what the next Democrat president (God forbid) will use this as license for when it's suddenly OK to send forces to deal with 'domestic terrorists' - which will of course be whoever they say they are. It won't matter that the left - as we know, is committing the actual 'terrorism' when they routinely use the FBI to entrap the right & their media tentacles to sell it. Oh you like gun shows? (knock knock, KICK, bang) Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 14:35

— FBI Director Dismisses Politicization Accusations Following Comey Indictment

 

at 9/27/25 12:00pm

FBI Director Dismisses Politicization Accusations Following Comey Indictment Authored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times, FBI Director Kash Patel has dismissed claims that the bureau has become more politicized under his watch in the wake of former Director James Comey’s indictment on Thursday. In a post early on Friday, Patel defended the FBI’s efforts in the investigation targeting Comey and said that the media, in part, was to blame. “Career FBI agents, intel analysts, and staff led the investigation into Comey and others. They called the balls and strikes and will continue to do so,” he wrote in a statement on X. “The wildly false accusations attacking this FBI for the politicization of law enforcement comes from the same bankrupt media that sold the world on Russia Gate—it’s hypocrisy on steroids.” Russiagate refers to claims that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 election to aid President Donald Trump, which he has categorically denied. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence in July said that the Obama administration “manufactured and politicized intelligence” to target Trump, although a special counsel investigation led by former FBI head Robert Mueller in 2019 concluded Russia did interfere in the election. “Their baseless objections tell us now, more than ever, that we are precisely over the target and will remain on mission until completion,” Patel also wrote. Comey was indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on Thursday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. Grand jurors rejected one of the counts that was brought against Comey, but ultimately returned an indictment against the former FBI director. He’s charged with making a false statement and obstruction relating to testimony he gave before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2020. He could face up to five years in prison if convicted, said the Department of Justice (DOJ). “The charges as alleged in this case represent a breach of the public trust at an extraordinary level,” U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan said in a statement. “The balance of power is a bedrock principle of our democracy, and it relies upon accountability and a forthright presentation of facts from executive leadership to congressional oversight. “Any intent to avoid, evade, prevent, or obstruct compliance is a violation of professional responsibility and, most importantly, the law.” In a statement responding to the indictment, Comey denied the allegations that were brought against him. “My heart is broken for the Department of Justice, but I have great confidence in the federal judicial system. And I’m innocent. So let’s have a trial,” he said in a video statement on Thursday, characterizing the indictment as retaliation for “standing up to” Trump. The indictment against Comey said that the former FBI director “falsely” stated to a senator that he had not “authorized someone else at the FBI to be an anonymous source in news reports. It added that the ”statement was false“ because Comey knew that ”he in fact had authorized” that individual to become an anonymous source in thouse reports, according to the indictment that was filed on Thursday. The indictment has triggered criticism from congressional Democrats. “Today, after firing his own choice for U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, Donald Trump finally got a subservient new replacement to carry out his revenge prosecution against former FBI Director James Comey by bringing baseless criminal charges against him,” Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. In a post on Truth Social, Trump hailed the DOJ’s decision. The president said that he believes Comey was fully aware of the allegedly false statement made to the Senate. “He knew exactly what he was saying, and that it was a very serious and far reaching lie for which a very big price must be paid,” the president wrote. Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 14:00

— Russia Has Still Not Received US Response To Putin's Offer To Extend Nuclear Treaty

 

at 9/27/25 11:25am

Russia Has Still Not Received US Response To Putin's Offer To Extend Nuclear Treaty In what should be hailed as a significant and positive breakthrough in US-Russia bilateral relations, Russian President Vladimir Putin kicked off the week by offering President Trump a temporary nuclear arms control deal that would extend the status quo by one year, at a moment the future of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New START, is hanging by a thread. During a Monday meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council, Putin said he was ready to extend by one year the last arms control treaty between Washington and Moscow. This would allow time to negotiate its further extension, likely by another five years. This would be "if the US reciprocates, to prevent a new arms race," Putin stipulated. However, now reaching the end of the week, and Moscow still hasn't heard a response on the issue from Washington. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Russia was still awaiting the US side's response to Putin's offer to extend the New START treaty for one year, and suggested there's yet to be any reaction whatsoever from the Trump administration. "Overall, everyone welcomes Russia’s approach and Putin’s initiative. So we’re waiting for the other side's reaction," the Putin spokesman said, according to Russia’s TASS news agency. EPA-EFE/AJ: A monument to the Soviet Union's first mass-produced tactical nuclear bomb RDS-4 at the Fedora Poletaeva square in Moscow. Putin had in the Monday remarks painted a dire picture of strategic security in the world. "Unfortunately, it continues to degrade, which is caused by the combined impact of a number of factors, including negative ones, provoking the aggravation of existing and the emergence of new strategic risks," he had said. "We associate the multiple problems that have accumulated in the strategic sphere since the beginning of the twenty-first century with the destructive actions of the West," Putin added. The fact that Putin is offering a year-long extension to New START while its renewal is negotiated is a major positive sign, showing advancement in trust related to Trump's efforts to have bilateral talks even as the Ukraine war rages. New START will expire in February 2026 unless a half-decade extension can be reached. Both leaders have shown willingness to reach a breakthrough on this issue.  The treaty is intended to limit and reduce nuclear arms on either side, setting a limit of no more than 1,550 deployed warheads and 700 missiles. START I began in 1991, with New START signed under the Obama and Medvedev administrations in 2010 as a successor agreement. In August 2023 the US accused Russia of violating the treaty in disallowing US on-site inspections under its stipulations. In response, Washington halted Russian inspectors' ability to do the same on American soil. It's been in limbo ever since, as the expiration deadline fast approaches. Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 13:25

— Slowdown Signals: Are Leading Indicators Flashing Red?

 

at 9/27/25 10:50am

Slowdown Signals: Are Leading Indicators Flashing Red? Authored by Lance Roberts via RealInvestmentAdvice,com, Lately, there’s been a growing sense of confidence among investors that the U.S. economy has dodged the proverbial bullet. Despite a historic rate-hiking cycle by the Federal Reserve, two years of stubborn inflation, and signs of strain in global trade, the dominant Wall Street narrative is now a curious mix of “soft landing,” “no landing,” and even “re-acceleration.” For example, look at forward earnings estimates for the companies most susceptible to economic growth: small and mid-capitalization stocks. Over the last two years, earnings growth was meager when the economy was “booming” due to massive fiscal and monetary stimulus flows. However, as we head into 2026, Wall Street expects corporate earnings to increase sharply, which can only occur if the economy reaccelerates. While the market is betting on an economic revival to support current valuation levels, the real economy is suggesting things are slowing down. Notably, the evidence isn’t coming from obscure corners. It’s showing up in the indicators designed to give us a heads-up before a storm arrives. Unlike data points like GDP or headline payroll numbers that lag, indicators that lead economic changes are meant to flag when momentum is shifting. Historically, these indicators have done an excellent job of predicting economic changes from growth to slowdowns. However, after 2020, with the massive stimulus interventions, the leading indicators have been “missing in action.” Because of that, very few people are paying attention to what these indicators are warning about, and the current optimism feels eerily similar to the late stages of every economic cycle. When markets are up, investors ignore risk, and consider fundamentals irrelevant. But if you know where to look, the warnings are there, and you must be willing to step outside the bullish echo chamber. There’s a familiar rhythm to economic slowdowns, and we’re hearing it again: first, the data softens quietly; then the revisions come in negative; credit starts tightening; consumer behavior grows cautious; and eventually, the labor market breaks. When everyone finally admits what’s happening, markets have already priced in the damage. That’s why it’s critical to understand what the signals are saying now and not after the fact. So, let’s take a closer look at the economic dashboard. From my perspective, the economy is not accelerating but slowing down. Economic Signals The clearest sign of economic deceleration is the Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI), which has declined for 17 consecutive months. That’s not a rounding error; that’s the longest losing streak since the 2008 financial crisis. The LEI includes forward-looking components like new orders, jobless claims, building permits, and consumer expectations. Historically, when the index falls this far for this long, a recession isn’t a matter of “if,” but “when.” Even the Conference Board has publicly projected a contraction in late 2024 or early 2025, but that didn’t happen because of all the fiscal stimulus circulating through the economy. However, that stimulus has ended. The LEI has turned lower again, signaling a pickup in economic weakness. While the market largely ignores this flashing red light because the S&P keeps rising, it is a dangerous divergence that investors should consider. The bond market is also warning us. The yield curve, specifically the spread between 2-year and 10-year Treasury yields, was inverted for over a year. However, it isn’t the inversion that indicates a recessionary onset; it is the UN-inversion. Every post-war recession has been preceded by an inversion, and a UN-inversion of the yield curve. Most people miss the fact that the inversion itself isn’t the recession, it’s the warning. The real trouble begins when the curve steepens again. Often, this is because the Fed is forced to cut rates in a panic. And guess what? As of this writing, markets are pricing at least 50 basis points of cuts by year-end. That doesn’t happen in a “re-accelerating” economy. Then there’s the labor market. On the surface, it still looks healthy. But dig deeper, and the cracks are widening. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently revised previous job gains by over 911,000. Temporary help services continue to decline, and job openings are down roughly 30% from their peak. However, the real number to watch is the percentage of full-time employment. Since full-time employment supports economic growth, it is unsurprising that there is a decent correlation between that measure and GDP. These are not random data points; they are classic early signs that job growth has peaked. Credit markets are tightening across the board. The Fed’s Senior Loan Officer Survey shows that banks are making it harder to get consumer and commercial loans. Notably, credit is the oxygen of economic growth, and when it gets harder to borrow, businesses delay hiring and capital expenditures as consumers pull back. In addition, there are rising delinquency rates on credit cards and auto loans, particularly among lower-income households, as the post-COVID stimulus buffer runs out. Consumer sentiment also continues to deteriorate. The University of Michigan’s latest survey shows a renewed drop in optimism, especially among lower-income groups who are being squeezed by higher prices, student loan repayments, and rising rents. Yes, spending has not collapsed, but that is mainly because consumers are running up credit balances while drawing down what’s left of their savings. This divergence between weak sentiment and sustained spending is not sustainable; eventually, the math breaks. Given that consumption drives earnings, the slowdown in personal consumption expenditures (PCE) should serve as a warning to more bullish analysts’ forecasts. Investing When There Are Slowdown Signals Taken in isolation, each of these signals might be dismissed as noise. But taken together, they paint a consistent picture that the U.S. economy is slowing, and the risk of a traditional, cyclical recession is rising steadily. The trouble is, investors have been lulled into complacency by short-term resilience in the stock market and the memory of pandemic-era policy responses. However, those policy levers may not be as easy to pull now. The combination of a weakening LEI, an inverted yield curve, tighter credit conditions, softening labor data, falling consumer confidence, and narrowing corporate profit margins doesn’t suggest a soft landing; it indicates the landing zone is shrinking quickly and the Federal Reserve is likely already behind the curve. Crucially, we must not forget that leading indicators, by their nature, flash warnings before the damage is visible. It’s often too late to adjust when these trends show up in GDP or official recession declarations. One of investors’ biggest mistakes at this cycle stage is anchoring to outdated narratives. They point to low unemployment and solid consumer spending and argue that the worst is behind us. However, those are lagging data points. Unemployment always stays low, right up until it spikes. Spending always looks fine, right up until credit dries up. The market will have already moved if we wait for the headlines to confirm the slowdown. For investors, the path forward is less about panic and more about preparation. Risk is best managed before it becomes obvious, and currently, that means reassessing portfolio positioning with a greater focus on quality, liquidity, and resilience. Shift toward higher-quality equities—companies with strong balance sheets, positive cash flow, and stable earnings. In late-cycle environments, businesses that can defend margins and avoid excessive leverage tend to outperform. Defensive sectors like healthcare, utilities, and consumer staples historically perform well in economic slowdowns. These aren’t the exciting momentum plays, but they often hold up better when growth stalls. Cash is no longer a drag. With money market funds and Treasury bills yielding north of 5%, holding cash offers income and flexibility. In a market that’s likely to become more volatile, the ability to act without selling at a loss becomes a competitive advantage. Don’t let the fear of “missing out” cause you to miss what may be the opportunity to buy later at better prices. Consider hedging. If you’ve enjoyed substantial gains in the past year, now is the time to protect some of those profits. This could mean trimming back riskier holdings, using inverse ETFs to hedge sector exposure, or selecting options to reduce downside risk. The goal isn’t to go all-in or all-out; it’s to manage exposure with a clear eye on growing macro uncertainty. Reduce exposure to highly cyclical sectors. Industries tied to discretionary spending, real estate, or manufacturing tend to underperform during economic contractions. If the slowdown intensifies, these areas will likely see earnings revisions and price multiple compression. Stay tactical. This isn’t the environment for set-it-and-forget-it strategies. Flexibility becomes critical in periods of transition. Markets are forward-looking, and asset prices will have already adjusted by the time the recession shows up in the data. Use this time to tighten your process, raise select cash, and rotate toward areas that can weather a macro storm. The fiscal and monetary buffers that helped cushion previous slowdowns may not be available now. The federal government is already running massive deficits, and interest payments on the debt are now the fastest-growing budget item. On the monetary side, the Fed is caught between two mandates: inflation isn’t fully tamed, but growth is slowing. Cutting rates too soon risks reigniting price pressures; waiting too long deepens a downturn. So while the S&P may continue to climb for now, and sentiment might stay upbeat, the forward-looking data suggests that caution may be a more prudent approach. Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 12:50

— FBI Fires 15 Agents Who Knelt At 2020 George Floyd Protest

 

at 9/27/25 10:15am

FBI Fires 15 Agents Who Knelt At 2020 George Floyd Protest Amid an ongoing campaign to rid the FBI of woke politics and priorities, the bureau has fired roughly 15 agents who were caught on camera kneeling during a 2020 protest following the death of George Floyd under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer. In May of this year, the FBI reassigned the agents, but subsequently fired them, according to anonymous sources cited by the Associated Press and CNN. The kneeling agents were among a group of about 20 agents who were fired at the conclusion of a review by the FBI's general counsel office.  (Jose Luis Magana/ AP) When photographs were published that showed a large group of agents taking a knee as they pandered to protesters in Washington, controversy erupted both inside and outside the FBI. Beyond the political dynamic, some senior FBI officials felt that the agents put themselves and peers at a tactical disadvantage. Here's how retired FBI supervisory special agent James Gagliano summed up the ugly spectacle:  [There are] two possible, equally repugnant purposes behind the kneelers’ actions. The symbolic genuflection in the face of protesters (and the movement’s rioters who destroyed businesses and government buildings and claimed lives) was either an expression of unity with BLM, or these armed agents were blatant cowards and spinelessly acquiesced to the demands of a threatening mob. Whichever the reason, it is fully nauseating to career agents. During the Biden administration and under then-Director Christopher Wray, the incident was reviewed with a conclusion that no policies had been violated. This year, the bureau decided to give it a second look. As a result, the agents were first reassigned to jobs that were perceived as demotions, but have now been jettisoned altogether.   In August, two senior FBI officials were fired: Brian Driscoll, who served as acting director before Kash Patel's confirmation, and Steve Jensen, who was acting director of the Washington Field Office (WFO). Both have sued, claiming they were victimized by a "campaign of retribution" targeting agents insufficiently loyal to President Trump. There may be many more terminations to come. The DOJ has said it is scrutinizing the actions of more than 1,500 agents involved in investigations of questionable merit, such as the prosecutions of members of Trump's first administration and the extraordinary effort mounted against participants in the January 6 riots.  ?BREAKING: FBI agents seen kneeling at a 2020 racial justice protest after George Floyd’s death have been fired. GOODBYE pic.twitter.com/ucoOv5liek — Jack (@jackunheard) September 27, 2025 This week, it was revealed that the FBI deployed a stunning 274 agents to the U.S. Capitol on Jan 6. The news was broken by Just The News, which obtained an after-action report that included rank-and-file agents' sharp criticism of the bureau in general and the Washington Field Office in particular. As one agent wrote, "WFO is a hopelessly broken office that's more concerned about wearing masks and recruiting preferred racial/sexual groups than catching actual bad guys." The FBI Agents Association condemned the dismissals and criticized Patel's job performance. "Rather than providing these agents with fair treatment and due process, Patel chose to again violate the law by ignoring these agents’ constitutional and legal rights instead of following the requisite process," the group said in a statement. Others, however, are quite pleased:  https://t.co/ty0nIIAYvO pic.twitter.com/zl1eMXYOFq — zerohedge (@zerohedge) September 27, 2025 In case you thought this week couldn’t get any better… The FBI agents who disgraced the bureau by kneeling for George Floyd have been FIRED. pic.twitter.com/1biTGEZPen — johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) September 27, 2025 *  *  *ATTENTION: Secure your meat before free shipping goes away Sunday night... Several items already sold out. Just the Steaks (10 lbs) Filet Mignon and other goodies (11 lbs) Ground Beef (10 lbs, on sale in addition to free shipping) Texas Lasagna & Meatballs (clean comfort food... holy crap it's good) Beef, Chick & Pork Trio Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 12:15

— $400 Inflation Refund Checks Now Being Mailed Out To 8.2 Million NY Households

 

at 9/27/25 9:40am

$400 Inflation Refund Checks Now Being Mailed Out To 8.2 Million NY Households Authored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times, The state of New York will be mailing “inflation refund checks” to 8.2 million households, the governor’s office announced Friday. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office said that up to $400 checks “will be mailed directly to eligible New Yorkers, with deliveries to continue throughout October and November” and that households do not need to apply, sign up, or take any other action to receive the checks. According to Hochul’s office, joint tax filers with income up to $150,000 will receive a $400 payment, and joint tax filers with income between $150,001 and $300,000 will receive $300. Single tax filers who have an income up to $75,000 will get $200, and single tax filers with incomes between $75,000 and $150,000 will get $150, the announcement said. “Starting today, we’re sending inflation refund checks to over 8 million New Yorkers because it’s simple—this is your money and we’re putting it back in your pockets,” Hochul said in a statement about the checks. But the check will only be sent if the person filed a New York state resident income tax return, or Form IT-201, reported income within qualifying thresholds, and was not claimed as a dependent for the tax year 2023, the New York Department of Taxation and Finance said. “We will begin mailing refund checks to eligible taxpayers at the end of September 2025,” the tax agency said, adding that because of the “large volume of checks” being mailed out over the coming weeks, some people may receive “your check sooner or later than your neighbors, as mailings are not based on zip code or region.” The agency added that it cannot provide a specific delivery schedule, and contact center representatives will not have additional information on the status of checks. The statement said that the check will be mailed to the address that was associated with the person’s most recently filed tax return, meaning that if the recent address was used to file state taxes in 2024, the inflation refund check will be sent there. It also said that there will be no direct deposits to bank accounts and that only checks will be mailed. The one-time payments were part of a 2025 state budget provision that was passed in the state legislature. Hochul’s office said that inflation has increased costs of necessities, meaning that state revenue from the collection of sales tax has increased. The rebate checks are different from stimulus checks, also known as economic impact payments, which have been authorized by Congress through legislation and distributed by the U.S. Treasury Department. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) in July introduced a bill that would send tax rebates to qualified taxpayers using revenue from tariffs instituted by President Donald Trump. Hawley’s bill has not passed the Senate. Inflation rose in August as the price of gas, groceries, and airfare jumped, while new data showed applications for unemployment aid soared. Consumer prices increased 2.9 percent in August from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Thursday, up from 2.7 percent the previous month and the biggest jump since January. In response to the weakening job market, the Federal Reserve earlier this month cut its policy interest rate by 0.25 percent to a range of 4.00-to-4.25 percent. *  *  * ATTENTION: Buy some meat before free shipping goes away Sunday night... Several items already sold out. Just the Steaks (10 lbs) Filet Mignon and other goodies (11 lbs) Ground Beef (10 lbs, on sale in addition to free shipping) Texas Lasagna & Meatballs (clean comfort food... holy crap it's good) Beef, Chick & Pork Trio Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 11:40

— Kiev 'Will Lose Ukraine' If It Doesn't Accept Moscow's Terms, Lukashenko Warns

 

at 9/27/25 9:05am

Kiev 'Will Lose Ukraine' If It Doesn't Accept Moscow's Terms, Lukashenko Warns Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the Kremlin in Moscow on Friday, with the two hailing expansion of cooperation on all levels. "We are practically enjoying active collaboration in all directions," the Russian president said. "The same applies to security issues and ensuring the safety of the Union State. By the way, here, as we agreed, everything continues in a rhythmic and operational mode. Everything keeps developing naturally," Putin added. Lukashenko is joining Putin and other officials at events of the World Atomic Week in Moscow during the two-day visit. Most importantly, Lukashenko revealed while speaking to the media after discussions with Putin that Russia has presented a new peace proposal to Ukraine, and that Kiev's response will determine the outcome of the conflict. According to state media source BelTA, he went so far as to warn the Ukrainians that if they don't accept its terms, they they will lose all of Ukraine. Via CNN "There are good proposals for resolving the Ukrainian conflict," Lukashenko said of options which are apparently on the table. According to his full comments as translated by BelTA: "You can say and declare anything. But what if the Kremlin strikes Bankovaya Street [a street in Kiev where Ukrainian government institutions are headquartered]? What would remain of it? Therefore, Vladimir Zelensky needs to calm down. There are good proposals on the table. We discussed them with President Putin. I will not speak about them; the president will speak about them himself. These are good proposals. Proposals regarding Ukraine, which were also heard by Donald Trump in Alaska, were taken to Washington for consideration and discussion." After again calling them "Very good proposals," he then warned ominously that "If the Ukrainians do not accept these proposals, then the situation will be like the beginning of the Special Military Operation. It will be even worse. They will lose Ukraine." As far as what Moscow is offering for negotiated settlement, this without doubt includes Kiev giving up all claims to the four easter territories and to Crimea, as well as to never join NATO, and that it must open up restrictions on the Russian language. Essentially Ukraine will see it as a plan of 'surrender'. It was this past summer that Russian forces expanded their operations beyond the Donbass for the first going. The military has at this point captured several villages and settlements Ukraine’s central Dnipropetrovsk region, which neighbors Donetsk. Ukraine's manpower crisis has only grown worse in the meantime. This signifies that Moscow could expand the fight, and Lukashenko's latest warning suggests this as well. However, Putin unlikely desires to attempt to occupy the whole of the country, but the threat is being echoed amid the ongoing standoff with NATO. Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 11:05

— The Smuggery

 

at 9/27/25 8:30am

The Smuggery Authored by James Howard Kunstler, Days Of Judgment “If you want a friend in DC, get a dog. We're coming for you.” Dan Bongino, Deputy Director, FBI You better believe Martha Stewart baked a cake last night — the lovely Gâteau Opéra perhaps? — when she got the news that the ham sandwich known as James Comey got indicted by a federal grand jury twenty-two years after that same ham sandwich indicted the goddess of hearth and home for lying to the FBI and the SEC over a trumped-up insider-trading rap, and sent her to federal prison for a five-month stretch plus five additional months of confined home-making and two years of supervised redecorating. Mr. Comey’s indictment is probably just the opening salvo in what will be a barrage of indictments coming down against government officials who used their powers-under-law to harass, disable, cancel, dis-bar, bankrupt, persecute and ruin thousands of their fellow citizens, including especially the 45th president and the people who worked for him. Jim Comey was the engine who pulled the choo-choo train of seditious fakery known as RussiaGate (Donald Trump colluding with Vladimir Putin) into America’s public life, which then expanded into the years-long ass-covering operations of the Mueller Investigation, then Impeachments One and Two, then the J-6 FBI-engineered “insurrection,” then Nancy Pelosi’s Congressional J-6 committee gong show, and then the four various fugazi prosecutions against Mr. Trump in 2024 designed to derail his re-run for office, bankrupt his family, and stuff him in prison for the rest of his life. Mr. Comey and his associates must be astounded that none of that worked. It really was a mighty organized criminal endeavor. And, as such, it stands to be prosecutable under the RICO statutes, which means that these current two charges against Mr. Comey should be a preview of attractions to come against him and many other familiar characters, possibly including his successor as FBI Director Christopher Wray. (The Blaze reports overnight that the FBI deployed roughly 275 plainclothes agents into the J-6 protest crowd at the US Capitol, as opposed to the 26 agents that Mr. Wray testified about to Congress.) The smuggery of this gang in the years since all this business started in 2016 has also been out of this world. Mr. Comey dropped one rancid video after another either making threats or sanctimoniously declaring his sainthood, as if he expected the dreadful day would never come that he might face charges. Likewise, former Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe ran his mouth all over CNN for years, former CIA Director John Brennan spun fibs on MSNBC, while FBI RussiaGate straw-boss Peter Strzok rode shotgun regularly with fake news confabulator Rachel Maddow. All of it was designed to bamboozle the public, and it worked! The day after Joe Biden was sworn in as President, James Comey was calling for Trump to be thrown in prison and barred from running for office again. pic.twitter.com/vMe9v2mQmV — MAZE (@mazemoore) September 26, 2025 You can expect more than one RICO case to come because these crimes against our country occurred in many discrete episodes of organized misconduct over many years. The RussiaGate op involving Comey, Clapper, Brennan, Hillary, Obama, Biden, et al., was quite separate from Adam Schiff’s orchestrated seditious Impeachment #1 featuring CIA mole Eric Ciaramella, Col. Alexander Vindman, and ICIG Michael Atkinson. As was the activity of the Mueller group actually supervised by Andrew Weissmann (because Robert Mueller was secretly non compos mentis). As were the J-6 shenanigans of Mr. Wray’s FBI, including the DNC Pipe Bomb sideshow. As were the Lawfare exploits of Norm Eisen and Mary McCord conniving with “Joe Biden’s” White House to arrange the Trump prosecutions by DA Alvin Bragg and AG Letitia James in New York and DA Fani Willis in Fulton County, GA. As were the dark deeds of Merrick Garland and his Special Counsels Jake Smith, David Weiss, and Robert Hur. As were the 2020 and 2022 election-rigging capers of Marc Elias & Company. As were whatever peculiar directives were ordered by Alejandro Mayorkas to throw the US borders wide open. As were the “autopen” abuse by the White House staff and their cover-up of “Joe Biden’s” mental decline. All of these vile pranks would have to be prosecuted in separate packets of cases. You might think it’s just too much for this Department of Justice, and that the three remaining years of Trump 2.0 are not enough time for so much action. But they represent extremely serious breaches of official duty verging on treason. There are probably aspects of it all and additional characters involved whom I have left out. They have gravely injured our country and turned us against each other. Their prosecutions will be heavy lifting, but it has to be done. One prediction I’ll venture. Jim Comey’s defense will be based on “altitude sickness.” Tyler Durden Sat, 09/27/2025 - 10:30

As of 9/28/25 1:17am. Last new 9/27/25 9:18pm.