Zero Hedge

Abrego Garcia Free To Make TikTok Videos While DHS Kept Silent Under Gag Order

Abrego Garcia Free To Make TikTok Videos While DHS Kept Silent Under Gag Order

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the illegal immigrant, alleged MS-13 gang member, and suspected human smuggler, is living freely in Maryland, posting TikTok videos for the world to see. At the same time, federal authorities sit muzzled under a judicial gag order. 

The Salvadoran national, released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in early December, created a new TikTok account and has posted at least two Spanish-language videos showing him lip-syncing to songs in what appears to be a suburban neighborhood. One video features him singing along to a track by Danny Berrios, an American singer known for Spanish Christian music, and has garnered nearly half a million views.

U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw, appointed to the Tennessee federal bench by President Barack Obama, issued a gag order in October, ordering federal prosecutors to warn Department of Justice and DHS employees against making any statements he deemed prejudicial about Abrego Garcia. 

The order restricted federal officials from publicly using terms such as "gangbanger," "serial wife beater," or "human trafficker" to describe him while the case proceeds. Crenshaw recently canceled the criminal trial and scheduled a hearing for January 28, 2026 to determine whether the prosecution for human smuggling was vindictive.

Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary, expressed frustration on X on Saturday over the absurdity of the situation.

"So we, at [the Department of Homeland Security] are under gag order by an activist judge and Kilmar Abrego Garcia is making TikToks," McLaughlin said.

"American justice ceases to function when its arbiters silence law enforcement and give megaphones to those who oppose our legal system," she added.

On December 11, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis, another Obama appointee, ordered the immediate release of Abrego Garcia from ICE custody. Xinis cited the absence of a final removal order against him and stated that his removal could not be regarded as reasonably foreseeable, imminent, or in accordance with due process. "Since Abrego Garcia's improper [deportation] to El Salvador, he has been detained, again without lawful authority," Xinis wrote. She subsequently extended her temporary restraining order, which keeps Abrego Garcia out of federal custody through the Christmas holiday period.

In 2019, police in Maryland identified Abrego Garcia in official documents as affiliated with MS-13, one of the most violent street gangs in the world. Abrego Garcia was arrested in March 2019 at a Home Depot parking lot in Hyattsville, Maryland, where officers deemed him a member of MS-13 based on his clothing and other factors, including tattoos linking him to the gang. 

Court records also show that Abrego Garcia's wife, Jennifer Vasquez, filed temporary protective orders against him in August 2020 and May 2021. In the 2020 order, she said he verbally abused, kicked, slapped, and shoved her, took her phone, and locked her out of the house with her three kids inside. In the 2021 petition, she alleged he punched and scratched her, leaving her bleeding, and ripped off her shirt.

In 2022, during a Tennessee traffic stop, police caught Abrego Garcia driving a vehicle with eight passengers. Officers observed that none of the passengers had any luggage and that each gave Abrego Garcia's address as their own, and the car he was driving belonged to a known smuggler.

Earlier this year, federal prosecutors indicted Abrego Garcia on smuggling-related counts. The grand jury indictment alleges that while illegally in the U.S., Abrego Garcia made more than 100 trips across the country smuggling illegal migrants, and that he participated in a years-long human smuggling operation from 2016 to 2025. 

The indictment alleges that from about 2016 to 2025, Abrego Garcia and others conspired to bring migrants illegally to the United States from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Ecuador and elsewhere, through Mexico and across the Texas-Mexico border.

Abrego Garcia and a co-conspirator “ordinarily picked up the undocumented aliens in Houston, Texas area” after they had crossed the border. The pair then allegedly would transport “the undocumented aliens from Texas to other parts of the United States to further the aliens’ unlawful presence in the United States,” the indictment said.

In the indictment, the government said Abrego Garcia and six other uncharged and unnamed co-conspirators communicated using cellphones and social media to unlawfully transport the undocumented immigrants.

They allege that Abrego Garcia would hold the cellphones of those he was transporting within the U.S. and would return them at the end of their trip, “they did this to ensure the undocumented aliens could not and would not contact anyone else during the trip,” the government said in the indictment.

Abrego Garcia has been locked in a legal battle with the Trump administration since his March 2025 deportation to El Salvador and subsequent return to the United States. Since his return in June, the government has pushed to deport him to various African countries, including Liberia, Uganda, Eswatini, and Ghana. His attorneys say he would accept deportation to Costa Rica, which has already guaranteed he could live there freely, but the government has made no apparent effort to pursue that option. Prosecutors continue to seek his permanent removal despite his release from ICE custody.

Tyler Durden Mon, 12/29/2025 - 10:40

Oh Crap: Over-The-Counter Medicines, Other Items Recalled Over Feces Contamination

Oh Crap: Over-The-Counter Medicines, Other Items Recalled Over Feces Contamination

Authored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) late last week announced that a distributor is recalling its FDA-regulated products because of the presence of bird and rodent feces at a Minneapolis facility.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in White Oak, Md., on June 5, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Minneapolis-based Gold Star Distribution Inc. said on Dec. 26 that it’s recalling all of its FDA-regulated products including over-the-counter cold and flu medications, dietary supplements, pet foods, cosmetics, medical devices, and foods that were distributed in locations primarily in Minnesota.

The reason for the action is “potential Salmonella contamination, presence of rodent and avian contamination, and insanitary conditions during the storage process,” the FDA said in a description of the recall.

According to a statement from Gold Star, people who consume or handle the products may become ill because of “adulteration from pests, including rodents, birds and insects.” The FDA found that the company facilities harbored “rodent excreta, rodent urine, and bird droppings in areas where medical devices, drugs, human food, pet food, and cosmetic products were held.”

“These conditions create a significant risk that products held at the facility may have been contaminated with filth and harmful microorganisms,” it said.

No illnesses have been reported so far, according to the FDA notice.

Health authorities say Salmonella infections may cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Salmonella can sometimes enter the bloodstream, causing more significant illnesses such as endocarditis, arthritis, and arterial infections.

In rare cases, the bacterial infections can be fatal. Young children, older people, and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk of developing severe illness.

Officials also say that individuals who may be sick with the bacterial infection should call their health care provider right away if they have more severe symptoms, including a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit in combination with diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, or diarrhea for more than three days without signs of improvement

Other serious symptoms include excessive vomiting or signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, dry throat, less frequent urination, and feeling dizzy or lightheaded when standing. Antibiotics are often used to treat people with severe Salmonella infections, and patients with diarrhea are advised to drink more fluids.

Recall Includes Medication

The recalled products include over-the-counter cold and flu medications, according to the FDA and the company, including some Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, DayQuil, NyQuil, Excedrin, Alka-Seltzer, and Motrin products.

A number of other products are affected by the recall. A full list of the items can be found on the FDA’s website.

People who have any questions can contact Gold Star at 612-617-9800 or report any adverse reactions to the FDA via its website.

Tyler Durden Mon, 12/29/2025 - 10:20

Ilhan Omar's Husband's Venture Capital Firm Removes Names From Website Under Scrutiny

Ilhan Omar's Husband's Venture Capital Firm Removes Names From Website Under Scrutiny

Authored by Bryan Jung via PJMedia.com,

A venture capital firm run by Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-Minn.) husband quietly scrubbed important names from its website, as the Minnesota congresswoman faces mounting questions on her sudden wealth amid a multi-billion Somali welfare fraud scheme in her district.

Rose Lake Capital, the $60 million dollar firm managed by Omar’s husband, political consultant Tim Mynett, deleted key officers from its website, including former Obama Administration officials, reported the New York Post in an exclusive.

The news comes as Somali communities across multiple states are currently facing scrutiny over dozens of similarly fraudulent schemes that have seen billions of taxpayer dollars flowing overseas, with some even going to jihadist terrorist groups in Somalia.

Nine billion dollars from Minnesota’s social services programs were illegally pocketed via scams mostly perpetrated by local members of the Somali community in Omar's congressional district, according to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Minnesota congresswoman, a member of the "the Squad" who was born in Somalia, is an outspoken figure on the far-left wing of the House Democratic caucus

Omar suspiciously went from holding tens of thousands in debt to earning tens of millions in a single year, not long after taking office in 2019 on a congressperson's annual salary of $174,000, the Washington Free Beacon reported in September. 

Her critics have recently pointed to the fact that she was the prime mover in introducing the federal legislation that enabled what the DOJ has called the largest fraud committed in the United States during the pandemic.

Minnesota’s Democrat governor and failed vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz is continuing to face criticism for his part in the mismanagement and alleged complicity in the debacle, as calls for federal charges against him grow louder.

The Somalia-born Omar introduced in 2020 the MEALS Act, which severely weakened oversight of government-sponsored children’s meals programs during the pandemic.

This allowed criminals to fraudulently claim that they served millions of meals without verification, while pocketing millions of dollars in government subsidies, say critics.

The $9 billion stolen is nearly equivalent to the entire economy of Somalia, whose GDP was under $12 billion last year, according to the World Bank.

The total losses accounts for roughly half of the $18 billion in total federal funds provided to the Minnesota-run services since 2018, say federal prosecutors.

Meanwhile, while one of the largest government subsidies frauds in American history was underway, Mynett launched Rose Lake Capital, his venture capital management firm, in 2022.

Mynett's firm saw its reported value skyrocket from less than $1,000 in 2023, to between $5 million and $25 million by the end of the year, despite its address remaining a WeWork office in Washington, D.C., according to its LinkedIn page.

Rose Lake Capital apparently was able to amass significant assets under management through its “deep global networks built from on-the-ground work in more than 80 countries,” an amount which is normally unheard of in the industry.

Her husband's other business, eStCru, was a failed California winery venture that has also faced fraud allegations and, strangely enough, was also listed as operating out of a WeWork office.

Mynett's winery, which was worth between $1 million and $5 million in 2024, agreed to an out-of-court settlement with a former investor in November who accused Omar's husband of swindling him out of $900,000, as he “fraudulently misrepresented … that estCru, LLC was a legitimate company.”

The winery was only worth between $15,000 and $50,000 in Omar’s financial disclosure report in 2022, making its 9,900%  earnings windfall the following year suspect, say critics.

About 90 Minnesotan Somalis have been arrested so far, including at least three suspects with direct ties to Omar, though she has not been charged.

“The magnitude cannot be overstated,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson told reporters last week.

 “What we see in Minnesota is not a handful of bad actors committing crimes. It’s staggering, industrial-scale fraud," continued Thompson.

One of those charged was Salim Ahmed Said, the co-owner of Safari Restaurant in Minneapolis where Omar held her 2018 congressional victory party. He was convicted in federal court in August of stealing more than $12 million, the DOJ stated on its website.

Said received $12 million in federal payouts to serve 3.9 million meals to hungry children during the 2020 pandemic, but instead spent it on a $2 million mansion in Minneapolis and a $9,000 shopping spree at Nordstrom, said the feds.

President Donald Trump asked on his Truth Social account when the news of the allegations first broke: “Does Ilhan Omar know these people? Are they from her wonderfully managed Home Country of Somalia?”

“Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great state, and billions of dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from,” the president added.

There is even a video on X of Omar praising Said at his restaurant, during the height of his scam, in front of reporters .

“Every day Safari provides 2,300 meals to children and their families,” Omar said in Somali while handing out food in front of the news cameras.

Another friend, Guhaad Hashi Said, who worked on the congresswoman's campaign in 2018 and 2020, also pleaded guilty in August for running a fake food site called Advance Youth Athletic Development, which was supposed to serve 5,000 meals a day to kids, but led to $3.2 million being diverted from the food program and into his pockets.

Omar's campaign received $7,400 in direct donations from the three convicted fraudsters, but the congresswoman who has publicly claimed to represent the interests of the people of Somalia now claims that she returned those donations since the scandal broke.

After federal prosecutors charged eight more suspects, mostly of Somali descent, between September and October for their participation in the subsidies fraud schemes, several names and bios of Rose Lake Capitals’s nine officers and advisors were removed from the firm's website. 

They included lobbyist and former Obama ambassador to Bahrain Adam Ereli; former Sen. Max Baucus, who served as Obama’s ambassador to China; DNC finance chair associate Alex Hoffman; former DNC treasurer William Derrough; and former Amalgamated Bank CEO Keith Mestrich.

Mestrich once boasted that Amalgamated was “the institutional bank of the Democratic Party.”  

None of these officers were charged in the fraud, according to the New York Post, which also noted that the Treasury and Justice Departments were already investigating alleged money laundering by Omar and Mynett.

Upon taking office in 2019, Omar declared a net worth of between negative $25,000 and negative $65,000, with no assets and only carrying student and car debt.

Her personal assets are now between $6 million to $30 million, according to her latest financial disclosure, despite dismissing claims that she is a millionaire as “ridiculous” and “categorically false.” 

“There’s a lot of strange things going on,” Paul Kamenar, counsel to the National Legal and Policy Center, told the New York Post. 

“She was basically broke when she came into office and now she’s worth perhaps up to $30 million.…She needs to come clean on these assets,” said Kamenar.

Tyler Durden Mon, 12/29/2025 - 09:00

One Year In, Trump's Economy Defies The Experts And Outpaces G7

One Year In, Trump's Economy Defies The Experts And Outpaces G7

Authored by Daniel Lacalle via The Epoch Times,

One year into Donald Trump’s new presidency, the verdict from the data is clear: the apocalyptic consensus forecasts have failed, and the United States stands as the only major developed economy combining strong growth, controlled inflation, and fiscal consolidation.

The same analysts and institutions that applauded massive stimulus, monetary excess, and regulatory overreach under the previous administration now struggle to explain why the economy they expected to sink into stagflation is instead outperforming all its G7 peers. Furthermore, the U.S. peers that embraced net-zero goals, big government, and high tax policies are now experiencing secular stagnation.

From the ‘Tariff Tantrum’ to a Global Surprise

When Trump announced his new wave of tariffs and trade policies, much of the global consensus rushed to predict a disaster. I called it the “tariff tantrum.” Commentators warned of an inflation surge beyond 2021 levels, 6 to 7 percent Treasury yields, collapsing investment, a recession, and global rejection of U.S. leadership in favor of supposedly more responsible European governments.

Twelve months later, none of those predictions has materialized. The 10-year Treasury yield has fallen to 4.1 percent. The United States is the only G7 economy growing robustly, while nations that intensified hyperregulation, climate restrictions, high taxes, and government spending are stuck in stagnation despite the tailwind of low oil and gas prices.

The “tariff tantrum” never became the structural shock that critics warned of. Tariffs, though debatable, do not cause inflation because they do not add currency units to the economy; uncontrolled public spending and monetary excess do.

Growth, Investment, and a Rare Fiscal Adjustment

The performance of the U.S. economy in 2025 is extraordinary, not only in relative terms but also on its own merits. Real GDP is growing at approximately 3.8 percent, with the Atlanta Fed tracking around 3.5 percent annualized in the third quarter. Private investment is expanding at near double-digit rates. Crucially, this is happening while federal spending is being cut—public expenditure has fallen by about 3 percent over the year, avoiding the use of unproductive federal outlays to mask weak growth.

International institutions have revised their forecasts. The International Monetary Fund, which had projected much weaker performance, now expects U.S. growth of about 2.1 percent in 2026. Major research houses that previously forecast zero or negative growth have adjusted their 2025 outlooks to around 2.5 percent. Some economists now admit they misread the U.S. private sector’s resilience and overestimated the impact of tariffs.

This American expansion is not driven by a wave of debt-fueled political spending, but by private sector recovery, investment, trade, and productivity. Unlike other developed nations that responded to crises with more spending, debt, and regulation, the new U.S. approach is producing better results.

Inflation Under Control

The most surprising divergence from the consensus narrative is inflation. The same Keynesian analysts who saw no inflation risk in 2021—while government spending and the money supply surged—predicted that tariffs would push inflation beyond previous highs. Instead, the consumer price index (CPI) in November stands at about 2.7 percent, below the 3.0 percent expected and far from the predicted 6 to 7 percent spike.

Core inflation, excluding food and energy, is around 2.6 percent, down from late 2024. Over the 12 months to November, the all-items index rose by 2.7 percent, down from 3.0 percent the previous year. Independent estimates suggest actual inflation may be closer to 2.5 percent.

The lesson is clear: tariffs did not cause the global inflation spike; the combination of unchecked fiscal expansion and central banks monetizing deficits did. The U.S. experience in 2025 proves this again.

Deficit, Debt, and the Politics of Discipline

While many advanced economies face ballooning deficits and rising debt, the United States has achieved a rare combination of growth and fiscal consolidation. The federal deficit has declined by about 22 percent, from $2.07 trillion in November 2024 to approximately $1.6 trillion a year later. This is due to increased tax and trade revenues and spending cuts. As a share of GDP, the deficit dropped from 7.1 percent to an estimated 5.9 percent.

This is notable, given that 97 percent of the 2025 budget had already been allocated when the Trump administration took office. Trump has also enacted the largest tax cut in decades, reducing the tax wedge on families to below 30 percent, according to the Tax Foundation.

Despite inheriting a nearly fully committed budget, the administration cut federal outlays by 5.6 percent in the first quarter and 5.3 percent in the second. Public spending is down 3.1 percent for the first half of the year. An 8 percent reduction in federal spending is planned for 2026.

Federal debt, which stood at $36.22 trillion in January, has stabilized and ticked slightly down to $36.21 trillion. The debt-to-GDP ratio has fallen from roughly 122 percent to 120 percent.

Labor Market: Native Workers Improve as Govt and Immigration Shrink

The November employment report shows the best month for native private-sector employment since 2015. Real wages are up 0.8 percent year over year, with middle- and lower-income workers gaining about 1.4 percent. Net real wages after taxes are rising at the fastest pace in years.

Unemployment stands at 4.6 percent, lower than in Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and the Eurozone.

Native employment has grown from 130.6 million in November 2024 to 133.3 million—an increase of 2.63 million jobs. Over the same period, foreign employment has declined by 21,000, and public-sector employment has dropped by 188,000.

Unlike Canada and Europe, where employment gains often involve subsidized public-sector jobs, the United States is achieving stronger private-sector gains through deregulation, tax cuts, and restrained public payrolls.

Trade Deals Have Been a Success

Rather than destroying America’s global trade position, Trump’s approach has reduced the trade deficit from $79.8 billion in November 2024 to about $52.8 billion in September 2025—a drop of nearly one-third.

Targeted tariffs, renegotiated trade agreements, and stronger domestic industry support have improved trade flows without triggering the inflation that many feared.

Other Improvements That Matter

The Trump administration has taken major steps on other fronts: banning central bank digital currencies, rolling back speech-restrictive regulations, advancing health care reform, and committing to scrap 10 regulations for every new one approved. In foreign policy, it has advocated for peace in Gaza, realistic resolutions in Ukraine, and support for democracy in Venezuela.

The message for conservatives and centrists in Europe and Latin America is clear: growth, jobs, and lower inflation require more than copying bureaucratic, high-tax models. Trump may not be a classical liberal, but his results demonstrate what a reform-minded conservative administration can accomplish.

The uncomfortable reality for many global policymakers is this: the United States has achieved what others only promised—stronger growth, lower inflation, smaller deficits, a healthier labor market, and early signs of debt stabilization. All of this has been accomplished not through expanding the state, but through deregulation, lower taxes, and private-sector empowerment.

Other advanced economies opted for more government, more debt, and climate and social agendas funded through taxes. They now face stagnation, even with favorable energy prices.

Trump’s new term does not guarantee future success. Risks remain. But the first year already poses a challenge to the Keynesian consensus. Had the United States followed the big-government, net-zero, high-tax path, its fiscal and economic situation would likely be far worse—as the United Kingdom’s example makes clear.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times or ZeroHedge.

Tyler Durden Mon, 12/29/2025 - 07:20

Trump-Kennedy Center Hits Jazz Star with $1M Lawsuit For Backing Out Of Christmas Eve Show

Trump-Kennedy Center Hits Jazz Star with $1M Lawsuit For Backing Out Of Christmas Eve Show

The Trump-Kennedy Center is pursuing a $1 million lawsuit against jazz musician Chuck Redd after he withdrew from his annual Christmas Eve concert at the last minute, citing the recent addition of President Trump's name to the venue. 

Redd, a drummer and vibraphone player who has performed with legends including Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Brown, had hosted the Christmas Eve Jazz Jam at the Kennedy Center since 2006. He took over the tradition from bassist William "Keter" Betts and maintained it for nearly two decades. This year marked an abrupt departure from that longstanding commitment.

"When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert," Redd told The Associated Press. The decision came shortly after the venue was renamed when the board voted to honor Trump's role in what center officials describe as saving the national cultural institution, which had reportedly been in disrepair prior to Trump’s intervention.

Trump-Kennedy Center leadership characterized Redd’s 11th-hour cancellation as a politically motivated stunt that created a significant financial burden on the nonprofit arts institution.

Trump-Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell sent Redd a letter stating that the institution plans to seek damages for his decision to abandon his hosting duties, citing "partisan political reasons." 

"Your decision to withdraw at the last moment — explicitly in response to the Center's recent renaming, which honors President Trump's extraordinary efforts to save this national treasure — is classic intolerance and very costly to a non-profit Arts institution," Grenell wrote. He argued that Redd's move "surrenders to the sad bullying tactics employed by certain elements on the left, who have sought to intimidate artists into boycotting performances at our national cultural center."

The center's leadership suggests Redd's event had been struggling for some time. Grenell noted that attendance for the Jazz Jam had been "lagging considerably behind our other Christmas and holiday offerings." He drew a sharp contrast between the reception of Redd's programming and the venue’s success under new leadership.

"The contrast between the public's lack of interest in your show with the success we are experiencing under our new chairman is drastic," Grenell wrote. He maintained that "the most avant-garde and well-regarded performers in your genre will still perform regularly, and unlike you, they'll do it to sold out crowds regardless of their political leanings."

The Trump-Kennedy Center's position is that artists have a responsibility to perform for all audiences, regardless of political differences. Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi framed the issue in stark terms when speaking to The New York Post.

"Any artist cancelling their show at the Trump Kennedy Center over political differences isn't courageous or principled — they are selfish, intolerant, and have failed to meet the basic duty of a public artist: to perform for all people," Daravi explained. She added that the venue remains committed to presenting diverse programming that transcends political divisions.

"Art is a shared cultural experience meant to unite, not exclude," Daravi added. "The Trump-Kennedy Center is a true bipartisan institution that welcomes artists and patrons from all backgrounds — great art transcends politics, and America's cultural center remains committed to presenting popular programming that inspires and resonates with all audiences."

The lawsuit represents a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between some artists and the renamed venue. While the center has seen considerable success with other programming during the holiday season, Redd's last-minute cancellation left organizers scrambling and attendees disappointed on what is traditionally one of the most celebrated nights of the year for the center.

The legal action signals that the Trump-Kennedy Center is prepared to hold artists accountable when contractual obligations are abandoned for political reasons. Whether other performers will take note of this hardline stance remains to be seen. 

 

Tyler Durden Mon, 12/29/2025 - 06:55

The Global Persecution Of Christians Has Greatly Intensified In 2025

The Global Persecution Of Christians Has Greatly Intensified In 2025

Authored by Michael Snyder via TheMostImportantNews.com,

While Christians in the western world peacefully celebrate Christmas, most of them have absolutely no idea what is happening to their brothers and sisters on the other side of the globe.  As I detailed a couple of months ago, most of the population of the world lives in a country where Christians are being violently persecuted.  Believers are being rounded up for de-programming in China, churches are being burned to the ground by Hindu extremists in India, Christians are literally being cut into pieces by Islamic radicals in some parts of Africa, practicing your faith can be a death sentence in certain areas of the Middle East, and North Korean concentration camps are teeming with people that are suspected of worshipping Christ.  Perhaps if we were facing similar levels of persecution, believers in the western world would start becoming a lot more serious about their faith.

More than a billion people live in China, and the persecution of Christians in that nation has gone to an entirely different level in 2025.

Earlier this month, over a thousand law enforcement personnel were involved in a massive operation that ultimately resulted in the arrest of hundreds of Christians…

Starting on Dec. 13, the Chinese Communist Party mobilized “more than a thousand police officers, SWAT units, anti-riot forces, and firefighters” in the Zhejiang Province’s Yayang Town in Wenzhou City, raiding churches and conducting mass arrests of Christians, ChinaAid reported Friday.

“Belongings of relevant individuals were illegally confiscated, roads leading to the church were completely blocked by police, and Christians in Yayang Town were unable to enter the Yayang church. The operation lasted nearly five days, yet no public statement was issued by officials,” the outlet noted. “Within just the first two days, several hundreds of people were taken away for questioning. On December 16 and 17, at least four more individuals were detained.”

Restrictions on the Christian faith in China just keep getting tighter and tighter.

Nobody under the age of 18 is permitted to go to church.

Those that are adults are only allowed to go to churches that are officially registered with the government.

Anyone that attempts to defy these rules is at risk of being rounded up and forcibly “de-programmed”…

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and other religious liberty watchdogs have repeatedly warned that China’s totalitarian regime is enacting human rights abuses against religious groups within the nation’s border. A USCIRF report late last year detailed mass arrests and the destruction or removal of church property, part of CCP President Xi Jinping’s “sinicization of religion” policy. Religious groups and leaders who do not register with the official government-approved religious organizations are often arrested, imprisoned, and forced into “anti-cult” programs to “de-program” Christians.

In India, it is Hindu extremists that are doing the persecuting.

They have literally burned down hundreds of churches in recent years.

In other instances, mobs of Hindu extremists storm churches and start attacking those that are worshipping.

Earlier this year, I wrote about a mob of 200 extremists that stormed a church and beat the believers they found with iron rods.

More recently, an extremist mob in northern India viciously assaulted a small group of believers and forced them to burn a large pile of Bibles and Christian literature…

The Hindu extremists, whose number had then reached 80, searched their car, pulled out all Bibles and tracts and cast them onto the ground into a heap. They shot videos that showed the two couples, disoriented and in shock, forced to repeat that they intended “conversion” in the village and that they would never return.

The mob kicked the Bibles and spoke disrespectfully about Christ, Masih said.

Pastor Das was forced to write a letter of apology that the video shows in his hand. A member of the mob then took a bottle of flammable liquid from the hands of a boy standing with the mob and forced three of the Christians to sprinkle it on the Bibles and literature. After forcing Pastor Das to set the Bibles on fire, the mob then shouted praises to the Hindu god Rama.

In Nigeria, thousands upon thousands of Christians have been slaughtered this year alone.

President Trump had warned that he would do something about the Islamic terrorists that are doing the slaughtering, and on Christmas Day he took action…

President Trump said Thursday that the U.S. launched “powerful and deadly” strikes against Islamic State forces in Nigeria, after spending weeks accusing the West African country’s government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!” Mr. Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.”

Hopefully this will do something to reduce the violence.

So far in 2025, Islamic terrorists in Nigeria have killed over 12,000 people…

The violence in the northwest region, where the strikes occurred, is driven in large part by armed bandits and gangs kidnapping for ransom. The insurgency is concentrated in the northeast, where jihadist groups like the notorious Boko Haram and its now more powerful splinter, the Islamic State West Africa Province, an affiliate of the Islamic State group, have killed tens of thousands of civilians over the past decade.

Nigeria is not officially at war, but more people are killed there than in most war-torn countries. More than 12,000 people were killed by various violent groups this year alone, according to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a conflict monitoring group.

Collectively, more than three billion people live in the three nations that I have already mentioned in this article.

But the persecution that is going on in smaller countries such as North Korea and Eritrea is even worse…

Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors U.K. and Ireland, previously told Newsweek: “The persecution of Christians around the world is one of the great untold scandals of the 21st Century… It can take many forms: in North Korea, it may be a summary public execution without trial, merely for owning a Bible. In Eritrea, it can be 10 years spent in a blazing hot prison cell made from a metal shipping container, merely for belonging to an unregistered house church.”

According to Open Doors, North Korea is the number one global offender when it comes to Christian persecution, and Eritrea is number four…

  • North Korea
  • Somalia
  • Libya
  • Eritrea
  • Yemen
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Sudan
  • Iran
  • Afghanistan
  • Central African Republic
  • Mauritania
  • Myanmar
  • Mali
  • Syria
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Maldives
  • China
  • Algeria
  • Tunisia
  • Morocco
  • Burkina Faso
  • Turkey
  • Cuba
  • Niger
  • Ethiopia
  • Laos
  • Tajikistan
  • Qatar
  • Egypt
  • Brunei
  • Jordan
  • Oman
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Colombia
  • Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Mozambique
  • Bangladesh
  • Vietnam
  • Bhutan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kuwait
  • Malaysia
  • Indonesia
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Russia
  • Sri Lanka
  • Western Sahara
  • Kosovo
  • Bahrain

I was amazed to see that there are 17 nations that rank ahead of China, because China has become a Big Brother police state on steroids.

Perhaps China ranks lower than some of the others because instead of just killing them, the Chinese round Christians up and simply make them “disappear”.

The good news is that persecution often makes the Christian faith grow rapidly, and we are seeing this happen in many areas of the globe.

In fact, it appears that we could actually use some serious persecution here in the United States, because what we are experiencing at this moment is being described as “the great unchurching”…

The U.S. is undergoing its fastest religious shift in modern history, marked by a rapid increase in the religiously unaffiliated and numerous church closures nationwide.

Why it matters: The great unchurching of America comes as identity and reality are increasingly shaped by non-institutional spiritual sources — YouTube mystics, TikTok tarot, digital skeptics, folk saints and AI-generated prayer bots.

When you are facing the fire of persecution, what you do or don’t believe suddenly becomes very clear.

Throughout human history, tyrants have tried and failed to stamp out the Christian faith.

The same thing is true in our time.

Countless believers are choosing imprisonment or death rather than choosing to deny Christ.

If you were faced with the same choice, what would you choose?

You might want to think about that, because the global persecution of Christians is only going to intensify during the very challenging years that are ahead of us.

Michael’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to his Substack newsletter at michaeltsnyder.substack.com.

Tyler Durden Mon, 12/29/2025 - 06:30

Prediction Consensus: What The Experts See Coming In 2026

Prediction Consensus: What The Experts See Coming In 2026

For the seventh straight year, Visual Capitalist sifted through the forecast landscape to bring you the Prediction Consensus, a synthesis of what analysts, thought leaders, and industry experts expect for the year ahead.

This year, Nick Routley analyzed over 2,000 individual predictions from a wide variety of sources including Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, the IMF, The Economist, Deloitte, Microsoft, Gartner, and dozens more.

By mapping where these forecasts overlap, we’ve distilled the noise into 25 high-conviction themes displayed in our “Bingo Card” format, with the number of dabs reflecting the volume of supporting predictions.

To get the full analysis of the Prediction Consensus and to see what’s ahead for 2026, become a member of VC+ or purchase the full Global Forecast Series report and package.

The General Vibe of 2026

If 2025 was a year of adjustment - markets recalibrating to higher rates, geopolitics reshuffling around a second Trump administration and tariffs, and AI moving from hype to deployment - then 2026 is shaping up as a year of consolidation and consequence.

The consensus mood is cautiously optimistic but shot through with uncertainty. Morgan Stanley describes 2026 as “The Year of Risk Reboot,” a period where market focus shifts from macro anxieties to micro fundamentals, creating fertile ground for risk assets. The policy backdrop is unusually supportive: fiscal stimulus, continued (if slower) monetary easing, and deregulation form what analysts call a “policy triumvirate” rarely seen outside of recessions.

Yet The Economist strikes a more sober tone, warning that 2026 will be defined by uncertainty as Trump’s reshaping of geopolitical norms continues to ripple worldwide. The old rules-based order is drifting further, and the line between war and peace grows ever more blurred through gray-zone provocations, cyber incursions, and an ambient rivalry between nations.

In short: risk assets may thrive, but the world beneath them remains turbulent.

AI: Once Again, the Big Story

For the third consecutive year, artificial intelligence dominates the prediction landscape, but the narrative has evolved. Where 2024 forecasts centered on whether AI hype was justified and 2025 focused on deployment at scale, the 2026 conversation is about integration and consequences.

From Tool to Partner

Across industries, AI is moving beyond answering questions to actively collaborating with people and amplifying their expertise.

This is the year of the agentic AI build-out. Deloitte predicts that by year-end 2026, as many as 75% of companies may be investing in agentic AI (autonomous systems that can plan, act, and adapt with limited human oversight). These AI agents are set to become “digital colleagues,” helping small teams punch above their weight. Microsoft envisions a future where a three-person marketing team can launch a global campaign in days, with AI handling data crunching and content generation while humans steer strategy.

After years of anticipation, productivity gains from AI are finally expected to materialize in measurable ways. Morgan Stanley points to AI-driven efficiency as one of six key drivers of their bullish earnings outlook. Software and internet companies are expected to see generative AI revenue grow more than 20-fold over the next three years.

Of course, AI will impact the job market in other ways as well. Professional and knowledge-worker classes that previously felt insulated are now beginning to feel anxiety around job security.

Market Predictions: Riding the AI Wave

Conveniently, AI also dominates the market story. The consensus is unmistakably bullish, though tempered by valuation concerns and awareness of concentration risks.

S&P 500: Double-Digit Gains Expected

Wall Street strategists are clustered in a tight range for year-end 2026 S&P 500 targets:

 

The bull case from JPMorgan sees the index potentially topping 8,000 if the Fed eases more than expected. Morgan Stanley calls it their most bullish outlook in years, driven by returning operating leverage, AI efficiency gains, accommodative tax and regulatory policy, and contained interest rates.

Importantly, analysts expect earnings to do the heavy lifting in 2026. Bank of America’s Savita Subramanian projects 14% EPS growth but notes that P/E multiples may actually contract by 10 points, meaning the market climbs a wall of valuation skepticism. Morgan Stanley forecasts S&P 500 EPS of $317 in 2026 (17% growth).

Gold’s Super-Cycle Continues

Gold remains a favorite. Morgan Stanley targets $4,500 per ounce—about 9% upside from current levels. The World Gold Council notes that gold achieved over 50 all-time highs in 2025 and may post its fourth-strongest annual return since 1971.

The drivers are structural: central bank buying, geopolitical hedging, and concerns about fiscal sustainability. In a “doom loop” scenario of accelerating fiscal deterioration, gold could surge 15-30% from current levels.

Economic Predictions: Soft Landing, With Caveats

The IMF projects global growth at 3.2% in 2025 and 3.1% in 2026—below the pre-pandemic average of 3.7% but not recessionary. Morgan Stanley expects similar numbers: 3.0% global growth in 2025, 3.2% in 2026 and 2027.

Advanced economies are expected to grow around 1.5-1.6%, while emerging markets hold above 4%. The consensus is a soft landing: growth moderates, inflation continues its gradual descent, and central banks ease policy—but not aggressively.

The “Higher for Longer” Era Fades

Central bank policy is expected to continue normalizing. Morgan Stanley’s base case has the Fed cutting to 3.0-3.25% by mid-year and then pausing for an extended period. The BoE is expected to bring rates to 2.75% before pausing. The ECB, facing below-target inflation and sluggish growth, may cut further than markets currently price.

Japan remains the outlier: the only major developed market central bank potentially hiking, with the BoJ expected to reach 0.75% by December before pausing.

Geopolitical & Trade Predictions: Tariffs and Tensions Tariffs Become the New Normal

Perhaps no theme generates more consensus than this: the tariff regime is here to stay. Trump’s reciprocal tariffs are bringing in close to $300 billion in revenue annually, and while they may face legal challenges (Barclays expects the Supreme Court to deem them illegal), the effective tariff rate has peaked at 12.1%—the highest since 1934.

The economic impact is being absorbed more gracefully than many feared. UBS expects a “soft patch” in early 2026 as tariffs affect U.S. prices, followed by a broadening and strengthening of growth from Q2 onward. But the structural shift is profound: trade may reroute permanently, supply chains are diversifying, and the U.S. is explicitly using tariffs as a tool of economic leverage.

China Leans on Exports and Manufacturing

Facing deflation, a property crisis, and slowing domestic growth, China is pivoting to manufacturing and export dominance. The country is positioning itself as a more reliable partner, particularly in the Global South, striking trade agreements as the U.S. retreats from multilateralism.

Morgan Stanley expects China’s real GDP to expand 5% in 2026, helped by front-loaded government support. But the strategy creates global tensions: industrial overcapacity could flood world markets, and tariff battles may intensify.

Gray-Zone Provocations Increase

The Economist warns that Russia and China will test American commitment to allies through “gray-zone” provocations in northern Europe and the South China Sea. Tensions will rise in the Arctic, in orbit, on the sea floor, and in cyberspace.

This “ambient rivalry” short of outright war but beyond normal peacetime friction is expected to accelerate. Great-power competition will increasingly involve space-based intelligence, drone technology, and AI-powered cyber operations.

Assessing the Consensus

History teaches humility about forecasting. Previous years have contained unforeseen developments, and there’s no reason to expect 2026 to unfold precisely as consensus expects.

What’s valuable isn’t the specific predictions, but themes where informed observers are concentrating their attention. Examples include the transition from AI experimentation to building out infrastructure to support its widespread use. Or stablecoins becoming mainstream financial instruments.

Some of these themes will prove accurate; others will be derailed by events. But taken together, they sketch the landscape that institutions, investors, and policymakers are navigating as they position for the year ahead.

Tyler Durden Sun, 12/28/2025 - 21:35

The Good News Is People Are Realizing We're On Our Own

The Good News Is People Are Realizing We're On Our Own

Authored by Charles Hugh Smith via OfTwoMinds blog,

We no longer care who's behind the curtain because we're in charge of our own lives now.

The Good News is people are realizing We're On Our Own and starting to take action accordingly.

This article describes how people in one low-income county are localizing self-reliance rather than remain dependent on government subsidies.

The War on Poverty Failed Them--and They're No Longer Waiting For Help (wsj.com, paywalled) Federal money and projects have come and gone so many times that McDowell County locals have little faith in the government to restore their fortunes; 'We're on our own.'

Here in the heart of America's War on Poverty, some two-thirds of households with children still get food stamps, among the nation's highest rates, and the estimated median household income hovers around $35,000. Nonfarm employment has plummeted 78% since 1975, according to data compiled by West Virginia University economist John Deskins, as the coal that once powered this rugged place is now mostly mined with machines, if at all, and no other industry has replaced it. The county has lost 67% of its residents over those years, the largest drop in West Virginia, its population dwindling from just over 51,000 to roughly 17,000.

With little faith left in government to break the cycle of poverty, those who remain say it'ss up to them to forge a brighter economic path.

"We're on our own," said Jason Tartt. "Nobody's coming down here to save us."

Tartt, the grandson of coal miners, is teaching locals, including retired miners and those recovering from opioid addiction, how to farm the forested hillsides. Down the winding, two-lane roads that connect communities, a pastor organizes bottled-water drives for neighbors whose tap water is undrinkable, while the local utility patches together funding for long-term solutions. A tiny, former coal town is trying to transform a shuttered Walmart into a new factory it hopes will jolt the local economy.

Their efforts are small in comparison to the government programs that have sought to revive McDowell County, and can't make up for the prosperity that slipped away when the coal companies left. But they are spurring hope for renewal in some places, driven by one of the few constants here: resilience.

Nobody includes not just the federal government; it also includes Corporate America. Walmart pulls the plug on under-performing stores regardless of their local importance, and the rest of Corporate America is equally focused on next quarter's profits.

Dependence breeds helplessness, passivity, addiction and the decay of community. There are alternatives. Those seeking to maintain the status quo dismiss alternatives that don't require Wall Street, federal monies and Corporate America ownership because those institutions are buttering their bread.

But out in the real world, there are alternatives--underfunded, dismissed as impractical, etc., but real nonetheless, for example: Regenerative Farmers of America (6:19 minutes) (via Chad D.)

As I observe in my book on Self-Reliance in the 21st Century, we all have to start somewhere, and as the Chinese saying put it, the journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. (A thousand li in the original, of course.)

Self-reliance sounds like an individual journey, but it's fundamentally a community effort as no one person can fulfill every function. As the number of people participating expands, the self-reliance of each participant expands, too.

Those working on self-reliance tend to lead by example. Get the work done, share the results, keep moving forward. There's no jetting around to meetings and conferences, just do the work on the ground. Get it done, learn from mistakes and from others' experiences, experiment to identify what works best in local conditions.

When we realize we really are on our own, things change for the better. We start taking full responsibility for our health, work, goals and integrity. We start thinking through Plans A, B, and if things unravel, Plan C. We lose interest in addictive technologies and substances and other hindrances. We start noticing improvements and taking well-earned pride in them.

We no longer care who's behind the curtain because we're in charge of our own lives now.

*  *  *

My new book Investing In Revolution is available at a 10% discount ($18 for the paperback, $24 for the hardcover and $8.95 for the ebook edition). Introduction (free). Check out my updated Books and Films. Become a $3/month patron of my work via patreon.com. Subscribe to my Substack for free

Tyler Durden Sun, 12/28/2025 - 21:00

New Orleans Has The Highest Homicide Rate Among Major US Cities

New Orleans Has The Highest Homicide Rate Among Major US Cities

Across the United States, there were 22,830 homicides in 2023, averaging 6.8 deaths per 100,000 people.

Homicide rates vary widely across American cities, influenced by factors such as poverty, inequality, gun laws, and local policing strategies.

This map, via Visual Capitalist's Niccolo Conte, shows the top 40 U.S. cities by their homicide rate per 100,000 residents and the total number of homicides, based on the latest reported data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Where Homicide Rates Are Highest in America

Cities in the South and Midwest tend to show higher homicide rates, reflecting a combination of economic stress, structural inequality, and regional differences in firearm access and enforcement.

The table below ranks the top 40 U.S. cities by homicide rate:

Rank Major City State Homicides per 100,000 people Total Homicides 1 New Orleans LA 46 166 2 Memphis TN 41 372 3 St. Louis MO 38 106 4 Baltimore MD 36 205 5 Washington, DC DC 36 244 6 Birmingham AL 28 187 7 Philadelphia PA 26 402 8 Kansas City MO 25 182 9 Richmond VA 23 53 10 Indianapolis IN 22 211 11 Milwaukee WI 21 190 12 Louisville KY 19 146 13 Cleveland OH 18 220 14 Detroit MI 17 304 15 Norfolk VA 17 40 16 Atlanta GA 16 175 17 Chicago IL 16 805 18 Jacksonville FL 15 153 19 Nashville TN 15 103 20 Dallas TX 12 319 21 Columbus OH 12 159 22 Houston TX 11 540 23 Denver CO 11 77 24 San Antonio TX 10 218 25 Cincinnati OH 10 83 26 New York City (The Bronx) NY 9 128 27 Rochester NY 9 69 28 Las Vegas NV 9 207 29 Portland OR 9 70 30 Oakland CA 8 136 31 Oklahoma City OK 8 66 32 Phoenix AZ 7 337 33 Pittsburgh PA 8 98 34 Charlotte NC 8 90 35 Orlando FL 7 104 36 Minneapolis MN 7 88 37 Los Angeles CA 7 659 38 Miami FL 7 176 39 Newark NJ 7 56 40 Virginia Beach VA 6 29

New Orleans ranks first, with a homicide rate of 46 per 100,000 people. Memphis and St. Louis follow closely, each reporting rates above 38 per 100,000. While these cities have a relatively low number of total homicides, their small population sizes place them among the most violent cities in the country.

In terms of total homicides, Chicago ranks first with more than 800 homicides, followed by Los Angeles and Houston. Despite the high totals, these cities have relatively lower rates due to their large populations.

Many Southern and Western states with high homicide rates also rank highly in gun-related deaths per 100,000 people, reflecting a combination of firearm availability, gun ownership rates, and broader socioeconomic challenges.

If you found this infographic interesting, see this graphic on America’s Most Dangerous Cities on Voronoi.

Tyler Durden Sun, 12/28/2025 - 20:25

Rewind Your Age Naturally: The Secret Lies In 6 Superfoods

Rewind Your Age Naturally: The Secret Lies In 6 Superfoods

Authored by JoJo Novaes & Arthur Zhang via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

Can you imagine rewinding your biological clock by more than two years in just eight weeks, simply by adjusting your diet and lifestyle? It might be possible.

Illustration by The Epoch Times/Shutterstock

A study published in Aging found that foods rich in methylated adaptogens significantly reduced epigenetic age. In an eight-week randomized controlled trial, male participants aged 50 to 72 who adopted a methylation-focused diet experienced a decrease in epigenetic age of 2.04 years from baseline. Meanwhile, the control group aged forward by an average of 1.10 years, creating a gap of 3.14 years between the two groups.

Even after accounting for weight changes or baseline epigenetic ages, the results remained strong, indicating that these foods directly influence aging markers.

Epigenetic age reveals how old your cells appear, with DNA methylation patterns serving as a window into cellular aging.

Nutritionist Tsai Yi-fang from Taiwan’s Keyi Nutrition Consultation Center told The Epoch Times on the “Health 1+1” program that methylation is like a toggle switch for your DNA. If you add a methyl group, a gene’s function might shut off; if you remove one, that function flips on. For instance, heavy methylation of tumor suppressor genes could impair their ability to suppress cancer. On the flip side, low methylation of inflammation genes can ramp up your body’s inflammatory response.

Striking the right balance is key—too much or too little methylation can spell trouble.

Top 6 Anti-Aging Superfoods

The study highlights six foods—turmeric, rosemary, garlic, berries, green tea, and oolong tea—that are rich in phytochemicals called methyl adaptogens. These compounds fine-tune DNA methylation, keeping genes in a healthy state and lowering disease risk. Each food also brings unique benefits:

  • Turmeric: Packed with curcumin, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that supports liver health and is especially effective for improving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
  • Berries: Loaded with anthocyanins and vitamin C, berries boast exceptional antioxidant power. Bilberries enhance eye health, grapes support cardiovascular wellness, and cranberries promote urinary tract health.
  • Garlic: With antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-regulating properties, garlic strengthens overall health and helps manage conditions such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
  • Rosemary: Rich in rosmarinic acid, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that can relieve headaches, stomach pain, nervous tension, and improve mood and memory.
  • Green Tea and Oolong Tea: Both are rich in catechins and polyphenols, providing robust antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
The Epoch Times Additional Methylation-Regulating Foods

In addition to the six foods highlighted in the study, Tsai noted additional foods that regulate methylation:

Beets: Rich in betaine and folate, beets act as methyl donors, supporting methylation regulation in the body, particularly beneficial for people with low methylation levels.

Quinoa: Similar to beets, quinoa is a source of betaine, which provides methyl groups to support a healthy methylation cycle.

Cruciferous Vegetables: Such as broccoli, kale, bok choy, and cabbage, contain high levels of sulforaphane, which influences methylation patterns by regulating DNA methyltransferases (a large family of enzymes) and supports liver detoxification.

Spinach: A leafy green high in folate, spinach also contains magnesium and vitamin B6, essential nutrients for the methylation cycle. Additionally, it provides antioxidants that protect DNA from external damage.

Avocado: Beyond being rich in folate and vitamin B6, avocados contain healthy fatty acids that support brain function and methylation regulation, as well as high levels of glutathione, which aids liver detoxification.

Mushrooms: Mushrooms are packed with vitamins and contain ergothioneine, an antioxidant that protects methyltransferases from oxidative damage.

The Epoch Times Methylation-Regulating Herbs

Beyond food, certain herbs also possess methylation-regulating and anti-aging properties, such as Rhodiola rosea and Ashwagandha. However, it’s essential to consult a doctor before taking herbs to ensure they are suitable for your constitution, as improper use may harm health.

Rhodiola Rosea: Balances stress hormones, supports mitochondrial methylation activity, and may protect brain tissue from oxidative stress. Clinical trials have shown that Rhodiola rosea can help alleviate physical and mental symptoms associated with stress and overexertion.

Ashwagandha: Rich in withanolides and alkaloids, Ashwagandha may influence methylation by modulating stress response.

The Epoch Times Unhealthy Habits That Hasten Aging

Alongside eating beneficial foods, steering clear of habits that hasten aging is just as vital, Tsai said.

  • Chronic Sleep Deprivation and Late Nights: Regularly staying up late or insufficient sleep increases oxidative stress, which damages DNA and proteins, speeding up the aging process.
  • Chronic Stress: Persistent stress contributes to bodily damage and accelerates the aging process.
  • Lack of Exercise or Overexertion: A sedentary lifestyle or excessive exercise can increase oxidative stress, promoting premature aging.
Foods to Avoid
  • Foods High in Sugar: A diet high in sugar fuels glycation, generating harmful advanced glycation end-products that contribute to the aging process.
  • Processed Foods: Often laden with nitrites and other carcinogenic substances, processed foods can harm cellular health and increase aging markers.
  • Artificial Sweeteners: Disrupt the gut microbiome, potentially causing metabolic imbalances that contribute to aging.
Choosing High-Quality Carbohydrates

Tsai noted the crucial role of high-quality carbohydrates in supporting healthy aging. According to the Nurses’ Health Study, which analyzed dietary data from 47,513 women, long-term intake of nutrient-dense carbohydrates—such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes—was linked to improved health in older age. These foods offer key benefits:

  • Nutrient-Dense: Rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, they support overall wellness and vitality.
  • Low-Glycemic Index: Helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, preventing spikes that can accelerate aging.
  • Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Reduces inflammation, a major contributor to age-related diseases.
Nutritionist’s Secrets to Youthful Vitality

Tsai shared her proven strategies for maintaining a vibrant, youthful glow through simple, sustainable lifestyle choices:

  • Consistent Exercise: Tsai runs twice a week for an hour, alternating fast and slow paces to keep her metabolism humming. Whether it’s cardio or strength training, she recommends choosing an exercise you enjoy and can maintain consistently for long-term benefits.
  • Robust Sun Protection: To protect against aging UV rays, Tsai advises using sunscreen and wearing sunglasses during midday or afternoon outings. In polluted urban areas, she recommends wearing a mask to block harmful fine particles that can damage health.
  • Clean, Light Eating: Even with frequent meals out, Tsai ensures home-cooked dishes are light and wholesome, allowing her body space to detoxify and rejuvenate.
  • Stress Reduction: Chronic stress is a silent accelerator of aging. By scheduling time for relaxation and learning to adapt to stress, Tsai nurtures both mental and physical well-being.

Reversing the clock doesn’t require costly supplements. The true secret lies in daily habits: savor antioxidant-rich, gene-regulating foods, pair them with regular exercise, ample sleep, and stress relief, and keep a positive mindset. Begin now to cultivate lasting vitality!

Tyler Durden Sun, 12/28/2025 - 19:50

India's Modi Has The Highest Approval Rating Of World Leaders Heading Into 2026

India's Modi Has The Highest Approval Rating Of World Leaders Heading Into 2026

Public approval of political leaders reflects a mix of economic conditions, policy decisions, and broader voter sentiment. As 2025 comes to a close, approval ratings offer a snapshot of how leaders around the world are perceived heading into 2026.

This visualization, via Visual Capitalist's Bruno Venditti, ranks major global leaders by approval rating, based on surveys conducted between December 8 and 14, 2025, by Morning Consult.

High Approval at the Top, but Fewer Standouts

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi ranks first overall, with 71% approval heading into 2026. Although still well ahead of peers, his approval declined modestly from 75% in January 2025.

A similar pattern appears elsewhere: even leaders near the top of the rankings faced gradual erosion in support over the year, reflecting persistent inflation, cost-of-living pressures, and political fatigue among voters.

Approval Gains Reflect New Leadership, Not Turnarounds

Japan, South Korea, Canada, Austria, and Belgium all show higher approval ratings at the end of 2025, but these increases reflect new leaders replacing unpopular predecessors.

Much of Europe enters 2026 with leaders facing net-negative approval. France’s Emmanuel Macron ranks last, with approval in the low teens and disapproval near 80%. The UK’s Keir Starmer, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, and several Nordic leaders also post approval ratings in the 30% range or lower.

In the United States, Donald Trump sits in the middle of the ranking, with approval and disapproval nearly evenly split.

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The World’s Top Nations by GDP Per Capita Growth on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

Tyler Durden Sun, 12/28/2025 - 19:15

Silver Tops $83: "When Prices Move Like This, An Awful Lot Of Bad Things Become Possible..."

Silver Tops $83: "When Prices Move Like This, An Awful Lot Of Bad Things Become Possible..."

The final week of the year begins with silver adding to a stunning month of gains, topping $83 for the first time...

Platinum and gold are also catching an early bid, with Treasury futures lower. 

Silver is now at its most expensive relative to gold since Feb 2013...

Analyst and financial writer John Rubino has been warning of a currency crisis., expounding on his warning via Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com.

On Friday, we saw a record high price spike for silver that produced a record high price for the white metal.  Meanwhile, we saw record high prices for gold on the same day. 

This has never happened before, and that shows the currency crisis long predicted is here.  Rubino says,

“Currencies are pouring into real money in anticipation of the existing fiat currencies dying.  That is a whole different thing and on a much bigger scale because the numbers are grossly inflated after 70 years of a credit super cycle.  So, what we have seen so far is really just the beginning. 

Gold and silver have had huge runs, but they are doing it when things are more or less still normal.  Precious metals are starting to soar in anticipation of something abnormal coming. 

Right now, this is a bigger gold than silver story because gold is the money we go back to when national currencies fail.  Silver is a more complex story because it is also an industrial metal. 

There are new industries that are using more and more silver, and there is just not enough silver to satisfy that demand.”

Rubino contends the silver price spike will bring on a lot of volatility.  Rubino points out, “That is pretty much a lock..."

"Silver is probably going to bounce around a lot in the next week or so. . .. All the silver is being sucked away, and when they run out, they say we will just pay you cash for these futures contracts.  If that happens, that is basically the end of paper exchanges. 

We will just totally stop trusting them. 

Why would anybody want a long futures contract on an exchange that just defaults . . ..  This is another big thing that might happen in the coming weeks. 

When you see prices move like this, an awful lot of bad things become possible. . ..

There are a lot of shorts out there that just went massively underwater on Friday. . .. Somebody big has a lot of losses. . .. It’s like Warren Buffett says, ‘You only know who has been swimming naked when the tide goes out.  Well, the tide has gone out for silver, and now we are going to find out who was unwisely short that market in the past week.”

Rubino sees silver resetting to at least $200 per ounce in the not-too-distant future.  Gold will also reset to at least $10,000 per ounce.  

Rubino says the next big trend is Big Tech players buying actual silver mines and bypassing metal exchanges altogether.  Rubino says,

“Big Tech players are going to go out and get silver now, so they are set for the next few years.  Yes, some of them are starting to buy silver mines. 

In the mining sector, this is one of the big changes we will see coming soon. 

Maybe Tesla buys First Majestic or some mine like that.  Tesla buys a big silver mining company with multiple silver mines to guarantee silver supply going forward. . .. Google, Meta or Microsoft can pay insane amounts of money for commodities if they need to.  It’s inventory building and panic buying in some cases. . ..

All roads lead to higher precious metals right now.  The only way it doesn’t is if there is a global nuclear war that extinguishes civilization. 

Take that out of the equation, and everything points to weaker currencies and higher precious metals prices.”

There is more in the 49-minute interview.

Join Greg Hunter as he goes One-on-One with financial writer John Rubino of the popular site called Rubino.Substack.com for 12.27.25.

Tyler Durden Sun, 12/28/2025 - 18:40

Watch: Russian Diplomat Shocked As FSB Nabs Him For Selling Secrets To US

Watch: Russian Diplomat Shocked As FSB Nabs Him For Selling Secrets To US

A former Russian diplomat has been sentenced to 12 years in a high-security penal colony after being convicted of passing state secrets to the United States, which allegedly happened during his stint as an assistant to Russia's consulate general in Houston, where he worked between 2014 and 2017.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) announced Friday that 38-year old Arseniy Konovalov has been found guilty of treason. He was detained in March last year on suspicion of providing classified information to American intelligence, and the newly released video of the moment he was detained by the Russian security service while inside a vehicle upon his return to Russia has gone viral. He has a look of utter shock and horror on his face upon realizing what was happening.

The FSB in its statement alleged that “AS Konovalov, an employee of the Russian foreign ministry, during a long-term foreign assignment in the United States, proactively transferred secret information to American intelligence for money.”

The video release further showed Konovalov placed in a holding cage at Moscow's Lefortovo district court by masked officers after being taken from the vehicle.

On top of the sizeable prison sentence, the court also fined Konovalov 100,000 roubles. The security service did not specify the nature of the information which was allegedly handed over to the US side, nor did it make any supposed evidence public. 

US officials have also not commented on or confirmed the case, but there has been speculation on Russian Telegram channels that Konovalov was recruited by the CIA at some point.

There are reports that espionage and treason investigations and cases overseen by Russian authorities have jumped significantly since the start of the Ukraine war, which is about to reach completion of its fourth year.

Watch: The diplomat's eyes get big, a shocked and anxious look on his face, at the moment one FSB officer holds up an identifying badge and the others grab him from behind...

Certainly there's been an intelligence-driven 'dirty war' happening with intensity behind the scenes both in Russia and Europe, as each rival side tries to gain an informational edge in the context of the NATO vs. Moscow stand-off.

There have also over several years been a number of American travelers and even journalists arrested in Russia on allegations of espionage - though Washington has consistently deemed these 'wrongful detentions'.

Tyler Durden Sun, 12/28/2025 - 18:05

Ukraine "Is Ready For Peace"; Zelensky Thanks Trump After "Great Meeting"

Ukraine "Is Ready For Peace"; Zelensky Thanks Trump After "Great Meeting"

Update (1730ET): Following a call with Russian president Putin and meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, at his Mar-a-Lago estate, President Trump said early Sunday that he made “a lot of progress” in talks with Ukraine and Russia, and that they were getting "closer" to settling the status of the disputed Donbas territory, but that it remained challenging.

"It's unresolved, but it's getting a lot closer. That's a very tough issue, but one that I think will get resolved," Trump told reporters in response to a question about the Donbas..

Asked if Putin was committed to peace despite the attacks, Trump said:

"He's very serious."

"I can say that I believe Ukraine has made some very strong attacks also, and I don't say that negatively. I think you probably have to," Trump said outside his estate.

Speaking next to Zelensky, who stood a step below him at the entrance in front of waiting cameras, Trump said that an emerging agreement would also be good for Ukraine.

"There will be a security agreement. It'll be a strong agreement," Trump said.

"And the European nations are very much involved in that. They'll be very much involved in protection, et cetera," he said.

Zelenskiy said the peace framework is “90% agreed” and that “US-Ukraine security guarantees” are “100% agreed”, with the military dimension also “100% agreed”.

Trump said he has offered to address Ukraine's parliament to push the latest peace plan forward, saying "I'm not sure that it would be really necessary, but if it would help save 25,000 lives a month, or whatever it may be, I would certainly be willing to do that."

More reaction from Zelensky:

Trump said a deal is “very close,” and that he and Zelensky plan to speak again over the coming weeks, with Trump also saying he could envision a trilateral meeting with Zelensky and Putin.

Zelensky later took to X to "thank @POTUS Donald Trump for a great meeting."

"We had a substantive discussion on all issues, and we much appreciate the progress achieved by American and Ukrainian teams in recent weeks. Special thanks to Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for their engagement and full commitment, as well as to our team — first of all, to Rustem Umerov and Andrii Hnatov.

We discussed all the aspects of the peace framework and achieved significant results. We also discussed the sequence of further actions. We agreed that security guarantees are key on the path to achieving a lasting peace, and our teams will continue working on all aspects.

We agreed that our teams would meet as early as next week to finalize all discussed matters.

We also agreed with President Trump that he will host Ukrainian and European leaders in Washington, D.C., in January.

Ukraine is ready for peace."

*  *  *

Just ahead of President Zelensky arriving in Florida where he hopes that talks with President Trump on the US-proposed Ukraine peace plan can achieve something favorable for Ukrainians, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov once again blasted European leadership as the main obstacle to peace. Trump has at the same time noted he held a Sunday call with President Putin.

"After the change of administration in the U.S., Europe and the European Union have become the main obstacle to peace," Lavrov told TASS. "They are making no secret of their plans to prepare for war with Russia," he continued, and underscored that the ambitions of European politicians are "literally blinding them."

"Not only do they not care about Ukrainians, but they also don't seem to care about their own population," he added.

December 27, 2025 attacks on Kyiv, via Reuters.

However, he did also say that Moscow plans to continue its "engagement with American negotiators" and "address the root causes of the conflict."

Just the day prior, starting Saturday morning,  Russia carried out one of the biggest attacks on the Ukrainian capital in months, involving powerful Kinzhal missiles along with over 500 drones. Kiev was pounded, and several buildings were on fire.

Zelensky has in the meantime been seeking as much leverage from the European corner as possible, before getting face to face with Trump. Russia demands territorial concessions, but Zelensky seems only willing to talk about a temporary freeze to the war, and not necessarily the kind of full, permanent political recognition of Russia's hold over most of the Donbass.

Ahead of the Mar-a-Lago meeting, Zelensky commented that his capital is on fire as winter temperatures freeze:

The meeting, to be hosted by Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence at 1:00 p.m. (18:00 GMT) according to the White House, will be their first in-person encounter since October, when the U.S. president refused to grant Zelensky's request for long-range Tomahawk missiles.

Zelensky said during a stopover in Canada on Saturday he hoped the talks would be "very constructive," adding that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had shown his hand with the latest assault on the Ukrainian capital.

"This attack is again Russia's answer [to] our peace efforts. And this really showed that Putin doesn't want peace," he said.

Things aren't looking ideal for a finalized peace plan, also given that Zelensky during a Christmas Day message essentially wished for Putin's death. 

Zelensky will push for NATO 'Article 5-style' security guarantees for Ukraine in his Sunday meeting with Trump:

As the The Hill reviews of the message:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged in his Christmas Eve message that many Ukrainians want to see Russian President Vladimir Putin dead.

"'May he perish,’ each of us may think to ourselves," Zelensky said in the broadcast. "But when we turn to God, of course, we ask for something greater."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded soon after the message by blasting it as "uncultured, embittered, and coming from a seemingly unhinged person" - while further questioning whether "he’s capable of making any rational decisions."

This latter reference to his decision-making ability is another card Moscow might play if the US and Ukrainian sides come out of the Florida meetings with a less than optimal peace deal. President Putin has long said that because Zelensky canceled elections, he has no legal mandate, and is thus 'illegitimate' and lacks authority to sign a binding peace settlement.

Tyler Durden Sun, 12/28/2025 - 17:45

Doug Casey's Top Prediction For 2026... What It Means For You And Your Money

Doug Casey's Top Prediction For 2026... What It Means For You And Your Money

Via InternationalMan.com,

International Man: What do you see as the single most important thing that people should prepare for in 2026?

Doug Casey: Strauss and Howe asked that question in their book, The Fourth Turning. We’re at a major turning point in the U.S.

I’ve felt for years that the U.S. was heading toward something like a civil war. It could be as serious as the unpleasantness of the 1860s, just different. The red people and the blue people in the U.S. really dislike each other; they can’t even talk to each other. When things get to that stage, things are typically solved by force; I expect that’s what’s going to happen. Very likely during the next three years, while Trump is still in office. He’s the perfect catalyst.

It’s going to be exacerbated by the long-term migration trends. If we look 100 years down the road, it’s pretty clear that with modern travel and communications technologies, the migration of people from poor countries to rich countries all around the world will accelerate. Eventually, the U.S. won’t even exist in its present form. Of course, that’s true of every country. The colors of the map on the wall have been running since Day One.

I hope a catastrophic upset doesn’t happen in the near future for any number of reasons. For one, it won’t be any fun. For another, I’m a huge fan of traditional America. It was a unique institution in world history—the only country ever founded on the concepts of free thought, free markets, and individualism. A civil war—regardless of what form it takes—would likely overturn those things.

While I hope things mellow out, hope isn’t the best foundation for making plans.

International Man: Geopolitically, tensions continue to build across Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia.

Where do you expect the major flashpoints to emerge in 2026?

Doug Casey: The politicians who run Europe are uniformly despicable non-entities, from Ursula von der Leyen, She-Wolf of the EU, on down. One proof of that statement is that I could be prosecuted just for saying so in much of Europe. They’re soulless bureaucrats who stand for nothing but statism and collectivism. They’re driving Europe to actively rearm, doubling military budgets, reinstituting the draft, and talking about the necessity of war with Russia. I suspect they’ll get their war; I just hope it doesn’t go nuclear or biological. Odd, in that it’s over the Ukraine, the most backward and corrupt country on the continent. Perverse, in that it was never even a country until Lenin created it in 1923.

But that’s not all. The euro, an Esperanto currency, the “Who owes you nothing?” of fiat currencies, is a dead duck. All of the EU’s member countries are bankrupt welfare states. In fact, the European Union itself is going to break up. What’s good for individual countries is totally at odds with what the 80,000—and that’s an accurate number—EU employees in Brussels want to impose. NATO, which should have been disbanded when the USSR collapsed, will also disappear. Europe will, best case, become a petting zoo for Chinese tourists and a luxury resort for Third World migrants.

The Middle East? While Trump is in office, we might as well adopt Israel as the 51st state. That won’t go down well with the world’s two billion Muhammadans. Don’t confuse the friendly relations of Washington with the governments of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and others among the 55 Muslim countries with political stability. Most are economic basket cases and extremely unstable.

East Asia? It’s perfectly irrational for China to attack Taiwan. The result would be widespread destruction on both sides—even if the US and/or Japan didn’t join the party. But governments do irrational things, unpredictably. What will happen with China’s claims on the East and South China Seas? It should be between them and six of their maritime neighbors. But the US could turn a regional border dispute into WW3.

But the unexpected flashpoint, I think, is going to be Africa. Over the last 60 years, the 55 African states (that’s only an approximate number since we don’t know how places like Libya, Western Sahara, Somaliland, or Darfur will wind up) have developed significant armies, aided by weapons and training from Europe and the US. They survive on the export of raw materials (causes of perpetual conflict) and aid from Europe and the U.S. (which is likely to evaporate). All of them (like almost everywhere in the Middle East and Central Asia) are artificial constructs with arbitrary borders. They’re all unstable kleptocracies run from the presidential palace.

The question is: to what degree will Europe, or especially the U.S., or especially Trump, stick their nose into African border wars and civil wars? There will be lots of them. I think Africa is the big powderkeg that nobody’s talking about.

International Man: The U.S. domestic political situation remains combustible, with deep cultural and economic fractures.

How do you expect America’s internal divisions to evolve in 2026 as we approach the midterms?

Doug Casey: Trends in motion tend to stay in motion. Despite the fact that corporations, the entertainment industry, academia, and the media seem to be backing away from truly insane levels of wokeism, the issue is in doubt. The trend toward Wokeism has built momentum for decades, and the country’s been indoctrinated with it for generations. It’s not going away overnight.

Trump is purposefully and overtly polarizing. As I discussed last week (link), although he may see himself as Cincinnatus, he’s more like Caesar. He’ll keep stirring things up, if only because he knows what his adversaries will do to him when he’s out of office. While most sensible people love his antiwokeism, most of his economic and international interventionism will backfire—bigly. I suspect he’ll lose the midterms, and the Dems in the House will impeach him again. Will they succeed in the Senate this time? The natives will get restless no matter what.

International Man: With Trump poised to replace Fed Chair Powell, he will exert a stronger influence over central bank policy. What do you expect the monetary environment of 2026 to look like?

Doug Casey: The dollar will approach its intrinsic value as Trump and the Fed create a trillion more of them. It’s a formula for chaos.

Trump is a big believer in mercantilist-style economics, which holds that the US must export more than it imports. I think he’ll try to force that issue with foreign exchange controls of some type, creating yet more distortions.

You want to exit the dollar, own precious metals, avoid the stock market and bond markets, and get your money out of the U.S. None of this is a formula for domestic tranquility, either in 2026, 2027, 2028, or beyond. And I’m assuming there will be a normal election in 2028, which is not a very safe assumption.

International Man: Investors are torn between chasing the current market bubble and preparing for a potential financial reckoning.

Where do you think the biggest risks and opportunities will be in 2026, and which asset classes are positioned to benefit most from the turbulence ahead?

Doug Casey: There’s no question about the fact that most of Trump’s business success has been due to borrowing. Leverage, low interest rates, and inflation made the man.

Trump’s history and incorrect understanding of economics tell me that the Fed will buy and monetize more government debt than ever, doing everything they can to artificially depress interest rates. For the short run, that could argue for the stock market going higher in 2026. But it’s a high-risk bet. Do you feel lucky?

With gold over $4,000 and silver over $60, they’re probably where they “should” be relative to other things. But as unstable as the world is, and because of their unique advantages, they’re going higher. The smart thing is to speculate on the shares of miners; they’re really cheap, and neither the public nor the institutions even know they exist, for reasons I’ve discussed in the past. All-in sustaining costs of producing gold is about $1,500 an ounce. It’s not hard to do the math.

In the last 50 years, we’ve had five 10-to-1 mining bull markets. I think we’re about to experience one more. A big one. Many of the smaller stocks have already gone three or four to one. Nobody cares… which is good.

In addition, you should be long commodities generally. Grains are basically selling at around the cost of production. As are oil, gas, coal, and uranium. Commodities are very under-owned. Buying ETFs in any or all of these things is a set-and-forget allocation of capital for at least the next couple of years.

*  *  *

2026 points to a clear inflection point—marked by rising political division, global instability, and mounting monetary risk. The pressures Doug describes are converging faster than most investors expect. But this conversation only scratches the surface. In a new free special report, Doug Casey’s Top 7 Predictions, Doug lays out the key trends he believes will shape the years ahead—and what they mean for your wealth, freedom, and financial security. Click here to get it now.

Tyler Durden Sun, 12/28/2025 - 17:30

Lone Wolves Eye NYC Times Square New Year's Eve Special Events

Lone Wolves Eye NYC Times Square New Year's Eve Special Events

With New Year's Eve just days away, a newly released U.S. government threat assessment cited by New York local outlet ABC 7 NY warns that lone wolves and small terror cells may seek to target special events in Times Square during the holiday celebrations.

"Lone offenders remain a particular concern due to their frequent ability to avoid detection until operational," according to a threat assessment compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security.

The memo warned, "al-Qa'ida and ISIS, and their supporters, continue to demonstrate an interest in targeting special events in the Homeland, as well as U.S. officials and other perceived enemies."

The assessment said New York remains an "aspirational target," and described the Times Square celebration as an "opportunity for obstruction and violence" due to its high attendance and global audience.

The New York City Police Department has been advised to remain alert for potential vehicle-ramming attacks.

Meanwhile, a separate threat assessment for Chicago's New Year's Eve fireworks celebration at Navy Pier warns that foreign terrorists and domestic extremists could attempt vehicle-ramming attacks or use drones.

In both threat assessments, no specific or credible threats were identified.

Earlier this month, the FBI foiled a far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front, which was allegedly planning to carry out bombings against multiple targets in California beginning on New Year's Eve.

This year, incidents of radical-left violence have escalated to a level that even deep-state publications like The Atlantic were no longer able to ignore...

Beyond Marxist-aligned nonprofits and far-left groups such as Antifa, recent terrorist attacks in Australia, Christmas market attacks in Europe, and the attack on National Guard troops near the White House have raised concerns that the West has been deeply compromised by mass migration and left-wing nation-killing policies.

Sarah Adams has been warning about this threat for years... 

Tyler Durden Sun, 12/28/2025 - 16:55

Education Department Has Rejected Over 300,000 Requests For Lower Student Loan Repayments

Education Department Has Rejected Over 300,000 Requests For Lower Student Loan Repayments

Authored by Aaron Gifford via The Epoch Times,

The U.S. Department of Education has so far denied requests from more than 300,000 existing student loan recipients seeking new repayment terms, according to documents filed in a federal court earlier this month.

The Dec. 15 status report in the American Federation of Teachers’ ongoing lawsuit against the federal government, filed in the District of Columbia earlier this year, said President Donald Trump’s administration rejected 327,955 applications from borrowers who sought “the lowest monthly payment possible.”

More than 800,000 applications for income-driven repayment plans, which would result in lower monthly payments, are pending, according to court papers.

The Trump administration is required to provide these status reports under an Oct. 17 agreement between the two sides in this case that stipulates the Department of Education will continue to process applications for repayment plans based on income, even though Trump has ended President Joe Biden’s far-reaching student loan forgiveness initiatives.

The lawsuit alleges that the president did not have the authority to disrupt existing federal programs such as the Income-Based Repayment plan, as well as Income-Contingent Repayment, Pay as You Earn, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

The Dec. 15 status report said the Trump administration did not disclose the total number of rejected applications in the previous required reporting period due to “logistical issues related to the government shutdown in October-November.”

Earlier this week, the Department of Education confirmed that it will soon begin garnishing wages from borrowers who have defaulted on their loans.

Students typically go into default if a payment hasn’t been made in 270 days, according to the Federal Student Aid website.

Under federal law, loan holders can order employers to withhold 15 percent of the borrower’s pay without taking them to court until the loan is paid back. Those who receive the notices have the right to a formal hearing or the chance to negotiate other terms with the Department of Education, according to the website.

The total debt carried by 43 million student loan borrowers currently totals about $1.62 trillion. Biden attempted to forgive hundreds of billions of dollars in delinquent debt to more than 5 million student borrowers. A federal court ruled the move unconstitutional because it wasn’t approved by Congress. Trump also capped maximum loan amounts for undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students.

“The Trump Administration is righting this wrong and bringing an end to this deceptive scheme. The law is clear: if you take out a loan, you must pay it back,” Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent said in a Dec. 9 statement, adding that American taxpayers “will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for illegal and irresponsible student loan policies.”

Melissa Byrne, We The 45 Million, joins student loan borrowers to urge President Joe Biden to use "Plan B" to cancel student debt immediately at a rally outside the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington on June 30, 2023. Paul Morigi/Getty Images for We The 45 Million

The Protect Borrowers student loan advocacy organization, which opposes the Trump administration’s policies, criticized the decision to garnish wages and deny income-driven repayment applications en masse as “cruel, unnecessary, and irresponsible.”

“As millions of borrowers sit on the precipice of default, this administration is using its self-inflicted limited resources to seize borrowers’ wages instead of defending borrowers’ rights to affordable payments,” Persis Yu, Protect Borrowers deputy executive director, said in a Dec. 23 news release.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the Department of Education.

Tyler Durden Sun, 12/28/2025 - 16:20

McDonald's Locks Dining Room Doors In Uptown Minneapolis Amid Rising Crime

McDonald's Locks Dining Room Doors In Uptown Minneapolis Amid Rising Crime

Just another "normal" day in a Democratic paradise...

A viral photo of a notice posted at a McDonald’s in Uptown Minneapolis has renewed attention on rising crime in the area, Fox News pointed out this week.

The sign reads: "Attention guests, effective Friday, December 5th, our dining room doors will be locked and attended [to] during our normal business hours of 5am-10pm to ensure a safe environment."

It adds: "We will deny access to any individual who we consider a risk to maintaining a safe environment for our guests."

McDonald’s confirmed the notice. Local owner Mike Darula said the restaurant has "proudly been part of the Uptown community for more than 30 years" and explained, "At our Uptown restaurant, we’ve made some updates to our security measures to help ensure a safe and welcoming environment for both our crew and customers."

Fox wrote that the location has faced ongoing trespassing issues and previously attempted community-based solutions before choosing to lock the dining room.

The decision comes as Minneapolis reports 4,473 violent crimes this year, including 2,839 aggravated assaults and 65 homicides. At the same time, the Department of Homeland Security says it is intensifying enforcement in the Twin Cities under Operation Metro Surge, recently arresting about a dozen "child sex offenders, domestic abusers and violent gang members."

In early December, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said: "ICE law enforcement are risking their lives to protect Minnesotans … No matter when and where, ICE will find, arrest and deport ALL criminal illegal aliens."

There are 11 McDonald’s locations in Minneapolis.

Tyler Durden Sun, 12/28/2025 - 15:45

Fed's 'Skinny' Accounts End Operation Chokepoint 2.0 - Senator Lummis

Fed's 'Skinny' Accounts End Operation Chokepoint 2.0 - Senator Lummis

Authored by Vince Quill via CoinTelegraph.com,

Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis, a pro-crypto United States lawmaker, said the recent proposal from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller to give crypto companies access to “skinny” master accounts would end debanking under Operation Chokepoint 2.0.

Waller proposed the idea at the Payments Innovation Conference in October, allowing crypto and fintech startups, including payment-only banks, access to accounts at the Federal Reserve similar to the “master accounts” used by banks, but with restrictions. Lummis said:

“Governor Waller's skinny master account framework ends Operation Chokepoint 2.0 and opens the door to real payments innovation. Faster payments, lower costs, better security — this is how we build the future responsibly.”

Governor Waller delivers a speech at the Payments Innovation Conference. Source: Federal Reserve

Operation Chokepoint 2.0 was described as a coordinated effort to deny banking services to crypto companies and their founders. More than 30 tech founders were debanked under the operation, according to venture capitalist Marc Andreessen.

The proposal from Waller highlights the regulatory shift in the US, with officials and lawmakers now embracing cryptocurrencies and other novel fintech startups as necessary upgrades to the payments system and the future of finance.

Operation Chokepoint 2.0 never ended, crypto industry executives say

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in August prohibiting banks from debanking Americans and businesses without lawful cause.

The order also instructed US banking regulators, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), to identify banks and financial institutions that engaged in debanking and potentially slap these institutions with fines or other punitive actions.

However, crypto executives, project founders, and Web3 companies continued to report debanking issues despite the order and the Trump administration’s pro-crypto stance.

In November, Jack Mallers, the CEO of Bitcoin payments company Strike, said he was debanked by financial services company JPMorgan without explanation.

Source: Jack Mallers

“Every time I asked them why, they said the same thing: ‘We aren’t allowed to tell you,’” Mallers said in a separate X post.

JP Morgan Chase also froze the bank accounts of stablecoin startup companies BlindPay and Kontigo in December, citing these companies’ alleged exposure to sanctioned jurisdictions as the reason.

Tyler Durden Sun, 12/28/2025 - 15:10

New York To Demand Warning Labels On Social Media Platforms

New York To Demand Warning Labels On Social Media Platforms

New York is requiring warning labels on social media platforms about addictive features in a bid to address a youth mental health crisis.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the bill into law on Dec. 26, targeting infinite scrolling, auto-play videos, and algorithmic feeds that encourage prolonged use.

The law, S4505/A5346, sponsored by Democrats state Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Nily Rozic, requires social media platforms to display non-dismissible warnings when young users first encounter these features and at regular intervals during use.

As The Epoch Times' Kimberley Hayek details below, the required warnings are based on consumer protections seen on products such as tobacco and alcohol, noting risks like increased anxiety, depression, and poor body image.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe has been my top priority since taking office, and that includes protecting our kids from the potential harms of social media features that encourage excessive use,” Hochul said in a statement.

“New Yorkers deserve transparency. With the amount of information that can be shared online, it is essential that we prioritize mental health and take the steps necessary to ensure that people are aware of any potential risks.”

Studies highlighted in the legislation suggest that teens spending more than three hours daily on social media face doubled risks of anxiety and depression symptoms. About half of adolescents report that platforms worsen their body image, and those with heavy usage are nearly twice as likely to describe their mental health as poor.

“New York families deserve honesty about how social media platforms impact mental health. By requiring warning labels based on the latest medical research, this law puts public health first and finally gives us the tools we need to make informed decisions,” Rozic said in a statement.

“I’m proud to sponsor this legislation alongside Senator Gounardes as part of our broader effort to create a safer digital environment for kids.”

In June 2024, Hochul signed the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, also sponsored by Gounardes and Rozic, mandating parental consent for minors to access addictive algorithms while also banning unsolicited nighttime notifications.

The SAFE Act aims to address how platforms exploit vulnerabilities for engagement while profiting billions in ad revenue from minors. New York Attorney General Letitia James, who helped draft the bill, sought public input on it in 2024.

The New York Child Data Protection Act went into effect on June 20, prohibiting platforms from collecting, sharing, or selling personal data of users under 18 without consent, and requiring parental consent for children under 13.

A 2024 Siena poll revealed 63 percent voter support for restricting addictive content for minors.

Under the Joe Biden administration, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for social media warning labels to protect teens.

Tyler Durden Sun, 12/28/2025 - 14:35

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