Tag: finance

Authored by Andrew Korybko via Substack,

Putin predicted a few weeks back that Russia will inevitably reconcile with the EU and Ukraine. Regarding the first, he said that “I have no doubt whatsoever that we will, in due time, rebuild our relations with Europe. It’s only a matter of patience and effort.” As for the second, he said several days later that “It seems to me that this is inevitable despite the tragedy we are currently experiencing.” He’s known for being a realist, not a wishful thinker, which is why his prediction was so surprising to many observers.

While he might have timed them to convince Trump that he isn’t the obstacle to peace that Zelensky might have misled him to think that he is, the perception of which is responsible for complicating the peace process as of late, he probably does indeed believe what he said. Putin has always considered Russia to be a European country, albeit with a unique civilizational identity, while he explained in his magnum opus from June 2021 why he considers Russians and Ukrainians to be kindred people.

These views account for why he remained committed to the Minsk Accords despite neither France, Germany, nor Ukraine complying with them. Putin subconsciously projected his interests-driven (realist/rational) worldview onto them by assuming that they shared his vision of turning Ukraine into an (imperfect) economic bridge for facilitating the EU’s overland trade with Russia and China upon Kiev’s implementation of the Minsk Accords. He therefore struggled to understand their lack of compliance.

He couldn’t countenance that they were duping him this whole time till it was too late and he felt that he had no choice but to commence the special operation to defend Russia’s national security interests. Far from having an interests-driven (realist/rational) worldview, they all have an ideologically driven (utopian/irrational) one that prioritizes Russia’s containment over their own material interests. The EU’s is liberal-globalist while Ukraine’s is ultra-nationalist, so some differences exist, but they share this goal.

For them to meaningfully reconcile with Russia, their policymakers must first replace their ideologically driven worldview with an interests-driven one, which hasn’t yet happened. While there are signs of dissent within their societies, which takes the form of rising populist-nationalist sentiment in the EU and increasing opposition to Zelensky’s rule in Ukraine, electoral fraud and the secret police combine to prevent reformists from coming to power in both. This is the objectively existing state of affairs today.

While critics of the EU and Ukraine want to believe that positive change is “inevitable”, that can’t be taken for granted, and it would be irresponsible for Russia to prematurely formulate policy with this expectation in mind when they’re still in a state of hybrid and hot war with it respectively. To be clear, Putin didn’t signal that Russia should soften its policy towards either since he himself probably knows that his prediction might not come to pass within his lifetime, but he still hopes that it one day will.

Considering all of this, Putin’s prediction was probably only an attempt to influence Trump into not abandoning the peace process instead of him hinting at upcoming policy changes towards the EU and Ukraine. Even in the best-case scenario that Russia achieves most of its goals in the special operation, whether via diplomatic or military means, too much has happened for a reconciliation to occur anytime soon after. It’ll likely take a generation or more, if ever, but no one should get their hopes up.

Nothing like being rewarded for a job well done. Or, in Justin Trudeau’s case, bringing an entire country to the brink of losing the respect of the entire world.

Maybe that’s why Trudeau is reportedly getting not one but two pensions, and a $104,000 severance, totaling more than $8 million,  according to the Toronto Sun.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released a chart Wednesday estimating pension and severance payouts for departing MPs.

“Pensions for former MPs depend on length of service and the rules at the time,” said CTF National Director Franco Terrazzano. “When Canadians see some of these numbers, the clear takeaway is that these political pensions are costing taxpayers too much money.”

The Sun writes that Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is eligible for two pensions: one for nearly 17 years as an MP and another for his 10 years as PM. Together, they’re valued at about $8.4 million. Starting at age 55, he’ll receive $141,000 annually from his MP pension, and another $73,000 a year from his PM pension when he turns 67.

“Trudeau is also going to be getting a severance just shy of $105,000,” Terrazzano added. “When we speak of leadership at the top, the first place for politicians to reign in the perks is to end the second pension for future prime ministers.”

A total of 110 former MPs qualify for either a pension, severance, or both. Those who served fewer than six years are eligible for severance worth half their salary—$104,900.

Notable names entitled to both pension and severance include Niki Ashton, Rachel Blaney, Jagmeet Singh, Seamus O’Regan, and others.

Despite being eligible, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has said he will refuse his severance.

“There are 13 former MPs who will get an annual starting pension of more than $100,000, while the vast majority of private sector workers don’t even get a workplace pension,” said Terrazzano. “There definitely needs to be a culture change in Ottawa, and that has to start with our elected representatives.”

Authored by Brendon Fallon and Emily Allison via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

We all want to live as long and as healthily as possible. Many healthy living hacks, such as lounging in a hot sauna or taking a cold plunge, claim to increase lifespan, but how effective are they?

Growing research points to a different answer, suggesting that a few simple, consistent lifestyle habits can be far more effective at boosting longevity and well-being.

Avoid Smoking, Drugs, and Drinking Excessive Alcohol

Referring to a 2024 study examining nearly 720,000 U.S. veterans ages 40 to 99, Dr. Damon Noto, a rehabilitation medicine specialist, stated on the Epoch TV show Vital Signs that among eight lifestyle factors found to influence a person’s lifespan by more than 10 years, the most significant are whether a person has smoked, had an opioid use disorder, and their level of physical activity.

Eat Healthy and Stay Active

We know exercise is a healthy habit, but do we consider it life-saving? Noto said the veteran’s study shows exercise may add as much as a decade or more to our lives. He also examined the type of physical activity in the study. People in the study often stayed active by engaging in natural movement, such as gardening or participating in sports with their friends. He believes these lifestyle or social activities are especially beneficial because building physical activity into someone’s daily life can help a person stay consistent with moving the body. 

Diet can also impact a person’s lifespan. Those living in blue zones tend to eat homegrown and home-cooked foods and avoid overeating. Those who ate highly processed foods and sweets had shorter lifespans than those who followed a nutritious diet, according to the same study.

Live With Purpose and Be Part of a Community

Noto highlights a social component of longevity. Research suggests that individuals who have friends and a sense of community tend to live longer than those who are lonely or isolated.

“A lot of these studies have shown that people who have purpose, especially purpose greater than themselves, not only live longer, but they live happier lives and more successful lives,” said Noto. “So purpose is something we found to be extremely important.” 

Noto points out that those in blue zones tend to place family and faith as a high priority in their culture.

Manage Stress

Noto said that all those with longer lifespans had some way to deal with stress in their regular routines, whether it was socializing with friends, taking walks, praying, or working around the house. 

Be Conscientious 

 The Longevity Project, which began in the 1920s, followed 1,500 Americans with high IQs from childhood to death. Initially, it was thought that because these children were intelligent, they would succeed and do well in life, but that was not the case.

The study showed that the more conscientious a person was, the longer they lived. Character qualities such as discipline, hard work, organization, thoughtful decisions, and a sense of responsibility greatly influences success in life.

Get Quality Sleep

Sleep impacts the length of a person’s life. Getting enough REM sleep is crucial to adding years to your life.

Noto recommends getting a sleep-tracking device to ensure you get the proper sleep quality. Those who suffer from chronic anxiety or sleep apnea were shown to have shorter lifespans. However, he also emphasizes the body’s ability to do amazing things, even under stress. He believes that having a sense of purpose helps through times of stress or low sleep, and significantly impacts a person’s health and life. 

Watch “8 Habits of Long Life” on Vital Signs here. 

A recent study by Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, a Las Vegas-based personal injury firm, sheds light on which U.S. states have the highest rates of fatal crashes on interstates and freeways. Drawing on crash statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s CDAN portal, the study reviewed data from 2019 to 2023 and ranked states based on the number of fatal freeway crashes per 100,000 residents.

Wyoming emerged as the state with the highest rate. With 5.4 fatal freeway crashes per 100,000 people, the state’s rate is nearly three times the national average of 1.9. Between 2019 and 2023, Wyoming averaged 31.6 fatal incidents annually. The worst year was 2023, which saw 42 fatalities, while the lowest number was 21 in 2021.

Coming in second was New Mexico, which recorded 4.3 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents—more than double the national average. The state averaged 91 fatal freeway crashes each year over the five-year period, peaking at 103 in 2023.

Missouri ranked third with a rate of 3.2 fatal crashes per 100,000 people. The state saw nearly 199 such incidents annually during the study period, with the highest number recorded in 2022 at 227 and the lowest in 2023 with 187.

Arkansas followed in fourth place, reporting 3.1 fatal freeway crashes per 100,000 people. It averaged just over 95 deadly incidents each year. The highest total came in 2023 with 107 crashes, and the lowest was in 2019 with 69.

Montana rounded out the top five. The state saw 2.92 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents, well above the national average. Over five years, Montana averaged 32 fatal incidents annually, with 2021 marking its highest year at 47 crashes.

Other states in the top ten included Mississippi, Alaska, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas—all with crash rates significantly above the national norm. Mississippi, for example, logged 2.89 fatal crashes per 100,000 people, while Texas, despite its much larger population, still had a high rate at 2.6.

A spokesperson for Ladah Law Firm pointed to several likely causes behind the high fatality rates: long stretches of rural highway, higher speed limits, and reduced visibility in remote areas.

“States like Wyoming, New Mexico, and Missouri consistently see alarmingly high rates of interstate freeway crashes,” the spokesperson said. “Factors such as long rural stretches, high-speed travel, and limited visibility often create dangerous driving conditions that put lives at risk every day.”

They also emphasized the human cost behind the numbers.

“Behind each of these incidents is a family changed forever — victims facing life-altering injuries or grieving unimaginable loss.”

The law firm called on policymakers to take concrete steps, recommending a stronger highway patrol presence, improved road lighting and signage, and the use of technology to monitor high-risk zones. Public education on speed control and defensive driving was also highlighted as a critical need.

“It’s time for decisive, proactive measures that prioritize lives over speed,” the spokesperson added.

Authored by Joseph C. Newtz via American Thinker,

America isn’t a democracy but a constitutional republic designed to limit majority rule and protect individual rights. This distortion enables narratives that label dissent as dangerous, especially in portraying Trump as a “threat to democracy” — a claim pushed by institutions caught spreading falsehoods about him. What appears as consensus is actually assigned opinion enforced by media and political power, as “conspiracy theories” used to silence dissent are proving to be true.

What follows is not just a list of lies — it’s a pattern of systemic deception that reveals where the real threat lies.

The Concealment of President Biden’s Cognitive Decline: A Betrayal of Voters

For years, concerns about Joe Biden’s mental acuity were dismissed as partisan attacks or “conspiracy theories.” The White House physician declared him fit for office. Staffers claimed he “ran circles around them.” Meanwhile, public appearances were tightly controlled, questions were pre-approved, and scripted answers were passed off as spontaneous.

But in 2024, the dam broke. Biden’s debate performance made his decline undeniable. Millions had already cast primary ballots for a man clearly unfit to serve — yet instead of outrage over the scale of the deception, voters watched passively as Kamala Harris stepped in as the de facto candidate.

It was an unconstitutional transfer of candidacy that the media refused to acknowledge. This wasn’t spin — it was a deliberate, coordinated effort to deceive the American public about who was actually running the country.

All while, the same media complex screamed that Trump was the dictator.

If truth and transparency are foundational to democracy, then this widespread concealment — and the resulting erosion of informed consent — should outrage every American who values honest governance.

COVID-19: From “Conspiracy” to Consensus

When Trump suggested the virus originated in a lab, the idea was branded “xenophobic” and “debunked.” Today, both the CIA and FBI assess a lab leak as probable. This pattern repeated across masks, school closures, natural immunity, and vaccine efficacy.

The CDC quietly redefined “vaccine” to accommodate products that didn’t stop transmission, contradicting officials’ earlier claims. Education leaders denied coordinating with teachers unions on prolonged school closures despite evidence proving otherwise, devastating children’s mental health and education.

Throughout, Trump was vilified as “anti-science” for questioning narratives that later collapsed — demonstrating how the “threat to democracy” label silences legitimate dissent.

Border Security: Denial Amid Crisis

While Trump was called xenophobic for demanding border security, his policies effectively curbed illegal crossings without new legislation. In contrast, Biden officials dismantled these effective policies while insisting only Congress could solve the problem.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told Congress the administration had “operational control” of the border — while record-breaking illegal entries, overwhelmed facilities, and surging cartel activity told a very different story.

They claimed to be addressing the “root causes” of migration, yet crossings exploded to historic levels. They blamed Trump’s policies as inhumane while ignoring the actual consequences of their own: trafficking increased, fentanyl poured into American communities, and untold lives were lost in the chaos.

Common sense was discarded. Hatred for Trump outweighed concern for national security and human suffering. While illegal immigrants were given free housing, food, and healthcare, American veterans went neglected, seniors faced rising medical costs, and cities buckled under homelessness and resource strain.

These are not partisan talking points — they are 90/10 issues that should unify Americans regardless of party. But the public was instead gaslit into believing that caring about your own country’s sovereignty is xenophobic or cruel.

The Russia Investigation and Intelligence Abuses

The Trump-Russia narrative — foundation for claims that Trump threatened democracy — collapsed when Mueller found no evidence of conspiracy. Later revelations proved more damning: FBI lawyer Clinesmith falsified evidence for a FISA warrant; the Steele dossier contained deliberately false information paid for by Trump’s opponents; exculpatory evidence in the Michael Flynn case was concealed.

The great irony here is staggering: while Trump was accused of being a threat to democratic institutions, those very institutions were being weaponized against him in unprecedented ways. The real undermining of democratic norms came not from Trump, but from those who claimed to be defending democracy against him.

Media Collusion and Information Control

Today’s media no longer informs — it enforces. The New York Post was banned for reporting verified facts about Hunter Biden. Trump’s “very fine people” comment was maliciously edited to hide his explicit condemnation of neo-Nazis. His reference to a new technique for sterilizing blood was twisted into a narrative that he told people to “inject bleach.”

These aren’t mistakes but engineered falsehoods meant to dehumanize political opponents. In a genuine democracy, media checks power; instead, American media has become a propaganda arm defending institutional power while demonizing challengers.

Government Institutions as Political Weapons

Government institutions have been weaponized for political ends while accusing Trump of authoritarianism. Under Obama, the IRS targeted conservative groups. The DoJ labeled concerned parents at school board meetings as potential terrorists. Security clearances and FISA warrants were politically manipulated.

Classified document cases reveal a two-tiered justice system: aggressive prosecution for Trump versus leniency for Biden and Clinton. January 6th defendants faced harsh treatment compared to 2020 rioters who caused far more destruction.

Federal agencies have colluded with social media to suppress dissent — raising serious First Amendment concerns. The January 6th Committee’s selective editing of evidence and exclusion of exculpatory information about Trump exemplifies how “defending democracy” shields undemocratic behavior.

The Inversion of Reality: Who Truly Threatens Democracy?

Logic dictates a simple conclusion: if nearly every major anti-Trump narrative — from Russian collusion to COVID origins to Biden’s cognitive health — has collapsed under scrutiny, what basis remains for believing Trump threatens democracy?

The aftermath is equally clear: if the institutions aligned against him — intelligence agencies, media conglomerates, and political operatives — have repeatedly misled the public, their credibility to define “danger” is null. The louder they sound the alarm, the more they reveal about themselves: suppressing information, weaponizing government agencies, manipulating elections, and discarding due process when politically convenient.

And yet, instead of acknowledging the obvious, many Americans now defend manufactured narratives that make intelligent people sound irrational. Reasonable citizens abandon common sense — not because the facts changed, but because the media relentlessly promulgates assigned opinions that demand emotional loyalty over objective thought. Issues that should unite 90% of the public — like stopping child trafficking, securing borders, or caring for veterans — become polarizing, not on principle, but because they’re associated with the “wrong” political figure.

Restoring Sanity, Reclaiming Sovereignty

Democracy cannot function without informed citizens. And citizens cannot be informed when they are being systematically lied to — by government agencies, media platforms, and political leaders who view the truth as a threat to power.

The real crisis in America isn’t Donald Trump. It’s the normalization of institutional lying, the abandonment of due process, and the transformation of journalism into narrative enforcement.

Until we reject assigned opinions and return to objective truth and transparency, we will remain ruled not by reason, but by illusion. Meanwhile, those who shout loudest about “threats to democracy” conceal their actions in shadows — while figures like Trump operate in full view. If this inversion continues, “government by the people” will be reduced to a hollow phrase — masking a system of manipulation, not representation.

The time has come for Americans across the political spectrum to acknowledge the pattern of deception and demand better. Our constitutional republic depends on it.

President Donald Trump is expected to sign executive orders as early as Friday to boost the nuclear energy industry by streamlining reactor approvals and reinforcing fuel supply chains, Reuters reported on Thursday afternoon.

Four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the forthcoming orders aim to simplify the regulatory process for approving new nuclear reactors and to strengthen nuclear fuel supply chains amid mounting concerns over U.S. dependence on foreign suppliers.

The news sent nuclear stocks soaring in the after hours session, with names like NuScale and Oklo up 13% and 17%, respectively. 

As we noted less than a week ago, both names are moving forward with SMR permitting and plans. Sam Altman-backed Oklo says it is navigating what CEO Jacob DeWitte calls “good uncertainty” as potential Trump administration executive orders could accelerate Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing, expand military and Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear roles, and boost U.S. nuclear fuel supply chains, according to UtilityDive.

On Oklo’s Q1 2025 earnings call, DeWitte confirmed the company is engaged in a “pre-application readiness assessment” with the NRC, aiming to smooth its formal license submission for a newly upsized 75-MW reactor design in Q4 2025. The company still targets late 2027 or early 2028 for first power production at its Idaho National Laboratory (INL) site.

DeWitte noted the recent departure of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as Oklo board chair removes a potential conflict of interest should OpenAI become a future power customer. Oklo already holds about 14 GW in nonbinding agreements with data centers and industrial operators.

The White House is weighing four nuclear-related executive orders, including directives to overhaul NRC licensing with an 18-month deadline for new applications, reconsider radiation exposure limits, and authorize military and DOE property for reactor deployments—potentially bypassing standard NRC approvals.

These efforts aim to boost U.S. nuclear capacity to 400 GW by 2050, up from about 100 GW today. While the NRC is already implementing changes from last year’s ADVANCE Act, further reforms could shorten Oklo’s expected 24- to 30-month licensing timeline.

The UtilityDive report says that Zero Hedge favorite Oklo is also among eight companies eligible for the military’s Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations program, enabling on-base reactor deployments. It’s developing nuclear fuel fabrication facilities capable of reusing spent fuel that would otherwise sit in long-term storage.

Meanwhile, as we noted on X this evening, OKLO is now up 9x since Jim Cramer said “I can’t even look at it” back in October 2024. 

Booya!

Authored by Matthew Vadum via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

The U.S. Supreme Court on May 20 reinstated a Maine state lawmaker’s speaking and voting privileges that had been suspended over her criticism of males participating in girls’ high school sports.

In March, the speaker of the Maine House of Representatives barred Maine Rep. Laurel Libby, a Republican, from speaking or voting on the House floor until she recanted her views on Maine’s policy allowing transgender participation in school sports, according to the lawmaker’s application filed with the court.

On May 20, the Supreme Court granted Libby’s request for an injunction blocking the House policy as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit considers the case. The unsigned order did not provide reasons for the decision.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor indicated she would deny the application. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson filed a dissent from the granting of the application.

A federal district court previously denied Libby’s application for a preliminary injunction, finding legislative immunity prevented the court from acting because the speaker’s “sanction” was a “legislative act” and the disenfranchisement of the voters in Libby’s legislative district was not so “extraordinary” as to override immunity.

Libby appealed to the First Circuit, which also declined to block the House policy.

In her April 28 application to the Supreme Court, Libby challenged the speaker’s decision to suspend her privileges as a lawmaker.

“The verbal censure (unwise as it may be) is not what Applicants challenge here. It’s what happened next.

“The Speaker declared Libby was barred from speaking or voting until she recants her view. This means her thousands of constituents in Maine House District 90 are now without a voice or vote for every bill coming to the House floor for the rest of her elected term, which runs through 2026.

“The ongoing and indefinite denial of Libby’s voting rights is unprecedented,” the application said, adding that the U.S. House of Representatives found long ago that the Constitution forbids that chamber from preventing one of its members from voting.

“The member’s vote is not her own; it belongs to her district. And depriving an entire district of representation is no more constitutional than excluding that district from a redistricting plan in the first place. … The same rules apply in Maine.”

On May 8, Maine’s House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, a Democrat, filed a brief urging the Supreme Court not to take up the case.

The brief said that on Feb. 17, Libby “targeted” a high school student who had competed in an event “because that student is transgender,” and identified that student by name. The post, written on her official Facebook account, “quickly went viral,” according to the brief.

Fecteau said he saw the post and “was immediately concerned about the student’s safety and welfare” and sent a letter to Libby, urging her to delete the post. Libby declined.

The Maine House passed a resolution with a vote of 75 to 70, requiring Libby to “accept full responsibility for the incident and publicly apologize to the House and to the people and the State of Maine,” the brief said.

“Like other censures of Maine House members, the censure resolution required Rep. Libby to apologize for her conduct—not recant her views.”

Libby declined to apologize, the brief noted. Fecteau determined that Libby had violated House rules and ruled she could not participate in floor debates and floor votes until she apologized.

The speaker said that Libby “retains all other legislative privileges and continues to enjoy considerable means to advance and oppose legislation and otherwise represent her constituents,” despite those restrictions.

In her dissent, Justice Jackson wrote that Libby’s application isn’t an emergency and fails to meet the “high bar” imposed by the federal All Writs Act, which gives the Supreme Court authority to issue injunctions. She said that the First Circuit is “moving quickly to evaluate the legal issues this case presents,” and oral argument is scheduled for the coming weeks.

Libby has failed to show that her right to the relief she requested is “indisputably clear,” Jackson wrote, citing a legal precedent.

This leaves “many difficult questions,” such as whether there are limits to state legislatures’ power to bind lawmakers to ethics rules, and whether federal courts may determine if those rules are improper, Jackson wrote.

For example, “Does it violate a representative’s First Amendment rights to be subject to sanction under such rules, and does it make a difference what the sanction is?”

“This Court has neither addressed nor answered most of these questions,” Jackson wrote.

Authored by Jeffrey Folks via American Thinker,

Not long ago, U.S. health secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. defended Trump’s nomination of Casey Means as surgeon general.  In his nomination remarks, Trump wrote that Means would “work closely” with Kennedy “to ensure a successful implementation of our Agenda in order to reverse the Chronic Disease Epidemic, and ensure Great Health, in the future, for ALL Americans.”

Trained as a head and neck surgeon, Casey Means abandoned her career in surgery to become a prominent “wellness” influencer.  Like RFK Jr., Means promotes preventive and alternative medicine that might result in fewer surgeries and other invasive treatments.  She practices “functional medicine” and is not board certified in a medical specialty.  No wonder her nomination has been attacked by professional groups associated with surgeons and other members of the medical establishment.

Means has promoted what some see as “controversial” ideas, such as removing ultra-processed foods in school lunches and replacing them with unprocessed foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables.  This might seem like common sense, but it threatens a food industry that is focused on processed meat, dairy, and other foods and that employs powerful lobbies to maintain sales.

There is also her view that glucose “as a molecule has caused more destruction of the human mind and body than any other substance in human history.”  Like RFK Jr., Means supports food warnings and possibly outright bans on high-sugar foods.

During the Sep. 27, 2024, Roundtable Discussion of Children’s Health: A Second Opinion, Means joined Sen. Ron Johnson, RFK Jr., and a dozen experts in a discussion of preventive options for children’s health.  At the roundtable, Dr. Means stated that “if the current trends continue … at best, we’re going to face profound societal instability and decreased American competitiveness, and at worst, we’re going to be looking at a genocidal level health collapse.”

A full four-hour video of the roundtable is available online and is well worth watching for what it says about America’s health care crisis and about the views of RFK Jr. and Casey Means.  Several panelists referred to the “corruption” and economic self-interest of food and health care systems that, in their opinion, are making Americans chronically ill.  As Means stated, every segment of the current “health care” system “makes more money when we are sick.”  It is not a matter of degree, one panelist stated, but of “black and white … good and evil.”  According RFK Jr., if a foreign country did these things to us — the poisoning of our food supply and corruption of our health care system — “it would be considered an act of war.”

A crucial point is that President Trump himself stands behind, and in fact set in motion via his appointment of RFK Jr., Means and others in this effort to transform America’s health.  More than anyone, it is Trump who is spearheading the effort to transform health care and diet, as well as to lower the cost of prescription drugs and other medical costs.  One recalls that in his first term, Trump passed the “Right to Try” legislation that has opened ongoing clinical trials to those willing to pay for them.

Many persons associated with the medical establishment might label Means and RFK Jr. as radicals because of their intention to fundamentally transform American health.  This transformation involves many elements, but at its heart, it is a change of approach among physicians away from treating symptoms to promoting wellness.  Along with this, there would be major changes in diet and exercise.

Whether Kennedy and Means are radicals is, of course, a matter of opinion.  But no one can deny that, despite spending more per capita than any other country in the world, the U.S. has one of the highest levels of chronic and acute disease.  This is a problem that must be addressed either by government or by individual choice.

The rate of adult obesity in the U.S. stands at 40% and it is rising.  Three fourths of U.S. adults have at least one serious marker of disease — high blood sugar, high blood pressure, obesity or overweight, heart disease, arthritis, and others.  We are not a well nation.  Just recently I sat outside a local grocery for 30 minutes (waiting on my wife) and observed that a majority of shoppers coming out, their carts piled with Mothers’ Day foods and presents, were either overweight or obese.  This is not natural, and it is not the way most of us want it to be.  But as many commentators have written, we live in an unhealthy environment that deliberately promotes unhealthy choices.

This is not to say that individual choice plays no role in our predicament.  Pizza is the most popular food in America, and this choice is not forced on us.  Hamburgers, often loaded with cheese and extra meat patties, are second — again, not because of a conspiracy on the part of the medical establishment, but because they are quick, filling, and tasty.  To really change American health, it would be necessary to shift eating patterns from pizza and burgers.  Only three percent of Americans consistently eat whole plant-based foods at present.

Many critics believe that these changes are too extreme and that the chances of bringing them about are slim.  But health advocates have pointed out that as late as the 1980s, a majority of Americans still smoked on a regular basis, and now that figure stands at 14%.  Change in health habits is possible if driven by public education and social and economic pressure.  The price of a pack of cigarettes has risen from about 30 cents in 1960 to six dollars today, a result mostly of higher taxation and litigation designed to restrict consumption.  A similar program of education and taxation could be applied to sugary foods and drinks.

“Transformation” is difficult to achieve, as I fear Kennedy and Means will find out.  But incremental changes are possible, and I believe they should be implemented.  As a conservative, I believe that healthy choices are a matter of individual choice, but it is a fact that government policy toward reducing smoking has saved an estimated 8 million lives, 3.5 million of them from lung cancer.  Even minor changes to food and medical systems will, I believe, save an equal number of lives.  It is right to ban artificial food dyes.  It is right to educate the public about the harm of excessive sugar.  It is right to promote consumption of more natural foods.

As with the appointment of RFK Jr., Trump’s nomination of Casey Means as U.S. surgeon general is a shot across the bow of America’s health care system and the food and drink industry.  Trump campaigned on making America “healthy again.”  There is a crisis, and every American is affected in some way — if not directly by disease, then by the burden of health care spending.  Trump’s appointment of RFK Jr. and his nomination of Casey Means are steps in the right direction.

Authored by Allan Stein via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C.—North Carolina officials estimate that it will take many years, many hands, and up to $60 billion to recover from the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in late September 2024.

In the historic village of Chimney Rock, located in the western part of the state, a dedicated army of volunteers has been providing much-needed assistance to the recovery effort at no cost.

“It hasn’t required much funding,” Shane Zoccole, founder and director of the South Carolina-based disaster relief nonprofit Spokes of Hope, said.

Zoccole told The Epoch Times that the recovery effort in Chimney Rock is primarily driven by volunteers.

“Chimney Rock is essential to the valley—it’s the commerce of this area,“ he said. ”We felt led to help the businesses, to help the people here, and to get this town to stay on the map instead of going off the map.”

Since October 2024, Zoccole has led more than 2,000 volunteers from various nonprofits willing to help without compensation.

Among the volunteers are hundreds of Amish and Mennonite people from Ohio and Pennsylvania who are ready to go the distance, he said.

“We eat breakfast by 8 a.m., work orders go out, we’re working by 8:30, and then we work until just about 6 p.m., when dinner is served,” Zoccole said.

“It’s been all the moving parts connecting with local business owners and volunteers across the nation.”

He said it has been a collaborative effort since the hurricane made a lasting impact on the landscape eight months ago.

Zoccole founded Spokes of Hope in 2018 after Hurricane Florence caused nine deaths and resulted in $2 billion in damages across South Carolina.

However, that was dwarfed by the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, he said.

Much of Chimney Rock, a village in western North Carolina’s Hickory Nut Gorge on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, was either damaged, destroyed, or buried under several feet of mud.

The bridge over the Rocky Broad River, leading to the state park near the village, collapsed in the rising floodwaters, which reached a height of 20 feet.

The ferocious wind, powerful currents, and heavy rain swept away several businesses along the river. All that remained were the concrete foundations.

Near the Bat Cave residential area, a ticket booth remained on its side, while the stately homes further upriver lay in ruins or exhibited heavy damage. Many homes that survived the torrent were no longer safe for habitation.

“Still here, still standing,” read a sign on a house that remained livable.

Confronted with such devastation, Zoccole’s initial reaction was that using a bulldozer to clear the wreckage would be a more effective solution than implementing a reconstruction plan for the village.

Nonetheless, Zoccole and his relief volunteers refused to give up on the community.

“We have to go to the finish,” he said.

“If we don’t finish something that we’ve started, then we’ve [basically] told these people we’re only here part-time for you. We’re only here to help you a little bit.”

Members of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division arrived in early October 2024, armed with buckets and shovels to clear the knee-deep mud and allow other volunteers to begin repairs.

By early May, volunteers had removed tons of silt and debris from the water-damaged shops. They rebuilt several of them to code using donated and repurposed materials and equipment.

Although many shops remain closed for repairs, Chimney Rock Village no longer bears the worst scars from the hurricane.

Zoccole noted that considerable work remains, as the village business center plans to reopen this summer, possibly in June.

“Our success is in our unity. We’ve been able to pull together ahead of schedule,” he said.

A Storm Like No Other

Chimney Rock Village, located in Rutherford County, has a rural population of about 140 residents. It is one of the 39 counties in North Carolina designated as a critical disaster area following Hurricane Helene.

The hurricane struck Florida with winds of 140 mph on Sept. 26, 2024, before moving into North Carolina the next morning and causing severe rain, flooding, and deadly landslides across much of the western third of the state.

In certain regions, rainfall accumulation reached as much as 30 inches. The storm caused damage to, or destroyed, more than 73,000 homes, roads, and bridges across 6,900 sites, including the heavily trafficked Interstate 40.

The storm claimed more than 100 lives across the state and directly caused 176 deaths across the southeastern region, with seven residents still unaccounted for in North Carolina, according to federal government data.

One resident of Chimney Rock Village lost her life during the storm, which was deemed the worst since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

According to a revised North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management assessment, the estimated multi-year recovery costs are nearly $60 billion.

The report estimates the storm’s total economic impact at more than $16 billion, which includes $3 billion in direct damages to businesses, and more than $12 billion in lost revenue, excluding wages and income.

Then-North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper requested $3.9 billion from the General Assembly to support struggling communities. Of this total, $1.2 billion has already been allocated, with an additional $225 million set aside in reserve.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has designated $850 million for this initiative, which includes the deployment of 8,500 personnel for emergency response.

‘Nothing but Mud’

Erica Stafford, 40, is the head chef and kitchen manager at Lured Market and Grill near Lake Lure and Chimney Rock.

She said she has witnessed powerful storms and the death and economic havoc they leave behind, but Helene seemed to be far worse.

“Nobody expected it to be what it was,” Stafford said. “Even living here, I thought, ‘Well, there’ll be some flooding. We’re going to have a tree down. We’re going to be out of power.’ Nobody expected the amount of damage done.

“It was such a mess. I got down here, and it was nothing but mud.”

Read the rest here…

Authored by John Rampton Via The Epoch Times,

Who doesn’t look forward to retirement? After all, it’s a much-deserved break after decades of work. During this time, you can travel, enjoy hobbies, and spend quality time with loved ones. Unfortunately, scammers tend to strike during this time as well. Due to their savings, home ownership, and perhaps less familiarity with digital threats, retirees are prime targets for financial fraud.

In 2023 alone, Americans over the age of 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to scams. Furthermore, despite fraud being underreported, older victims who file complaints often report higher losses than younger victims. Specifically, scams resulted in $1,450 for those 80 or older, compared with less than $500 for those 20 to 59.

Suffice it to say, this should be a wake-up call. The good news? Your best defense is awareness. This post will explain how to protect yourself and your financial future from common retirement scams.

Understanding the Predator’s Mindset: Why Retirees Are Targeted

To understand the underlying reasons why older adults are often the targets of common scams, it is imperative to understand the following:

• Accumulated wealth. Often, retirees have substantial assets like retirement accounts, pensions, and home equity, making them attractive targets for financial gain.
• Lower technological familiarity. Many retirees may not be familiar with sophisticated online threats, like phishing emails, website spoofing, and other forms of fraud, making them more susceptible to deception.
• A more trusting nature. Older adults may have grown up when trust was more readily given. Consequently, they may be less inclined to question seemingly authoritative figures or strangers who seem overly friendly.
• Social isolation and loneliness. It is common for scammers to prey on feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially in those who have lost their spouses or have limited social interaction. Ultimately, they exploit their victims by cultivating false friendships or romantic relationships.

Recognizing these inherent risk factors is crucial to enhancing retirees’ and their loved ones’ protection from financial abuse.

Unmasking the Deception: Common Retirement Scams and Their Tactics

Now, let’s examine some of the most common scams targeting retirees, dissecting how they work and the telltale signs to watch out for.

Imposter Scams: Authority Scams (IRS, Medicare, or Social Security)

During this scam, unsolicited calls will be received from individuals who impersonate official government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Medicare, or Social Security Administration. Typically, scammers claim you owe back taxes, have problems with your Medicare coverage, or are about to lose your Social Security benefits. Often, they threaten arrest, legal action, or immediate suspension of benefits if you do not act immediately.

• Red flags. A red flag might include threats of immediate arrest, demands for payment through unconventional and untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, and a false sense of urgency.
• How to protect yourself. No legitimate government agency will demand payment over the phone, especially in unconventional ways. When you receive such a call, call the agency directly. Never provide your Social Security or Medicare number if you did not initiate the call.

Tech Support Scams: The Digital Distress Call

It typically starts with a pop-up message that says, “Warning! Your computer has been infected! Call this number right away!” You may also receive an unsolicited call from someone pretending to represent a well-known tech company such as Microsoft or Apple, offering to “remotely fix” a problem you do not have.

• Red flags. Unexpected popups that ask you to call a specific number, unsolicited phone calls about alleged computer problems, and requests for remote access to your computer.
• How to protect yourself. If you receive an unsolicited tech support offer, do not trust it. In case of a pop-up that appears suspicious, do not call the number displayed. Also, you should never grant remote access to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly. Further, ensure you have reputable antivirus software installed and that your operating system and applications are up-to-date. Whenever you need technical assistance, contact a trusted and verified company yourself.

The Grandparent Scam: Exploiting Familial Love

The grandparent scam manipulates older adults by exploiting their emotional bonds through urgency and fear. Typically, this begins with a vague call—“Hi Grandma, do you know who this is?”—inviting the grandparent to guess. When a name is offered, the scammer pretends to be the grandchild in crisis, asking for money to pay for car trouble, rent, medical expenses, or bail.

The scammer often asks the grandparent not to tell anyone else, adding emotional pressure. In more elaborate schemes, a second caller calls pretending to be an authority figure, like a police officer or doctor. Due to AI, scammers can now clone authentic voices to make their impersonations more convincing.

Usually, they request payment through untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards. Rarely but alarmingly, scammers send couriers to collect cash.

• Red flags. A stranger pretending to be a grandchild, urgent requests for money, secrecy, muffled or off-sounding voices, and demands for untraceable payments.
• How to protect yourself. When telling a story to your grandchild or a family member, you should always pause and verify the story. You should never send money to someone until you have verified their identity. Never trust anyone who insists on secrecy or a fast turnaround.

Romance Scams: The Illusion of Love and Connection

Typically, this scam is perpetrated online, via dating websites or social media. During the scam, the scammer establishes a romantic relationship with the victim, showering them with affection and declarations of love. When they have gained the victim’s trust and established an emotional connection, they will inevitably ask for money, often claiming a sudden medical crisis, a promising but urgent business investment, or a plane ticket to a destination.

• Red flags. Oftentimes, the individual avoids meeting in person or engaging in video calls, and their stories often contain inconsistencies or change frequently.
• How to protect yourself. Whenever you interact with individuals online, exercise extreme caution. Be wary of people who express their feelings too quickly. Never send them money or share your financial information if you haven’t met the person in person. If unsure, talk to a trusted friend or family member who can provide an objective perspective on the relationship. You can also check their profile pictures for stolen identity by performing a reverse image search.

Investment and Retirement Account Scams: The Siren Song of Guaranteed Riches

These schemes involve scammers posing as legitimate financial advisors or brokers and offering unrealistically high returns. Sometimes, investors might be pushed to make quick decisions or invest in obscure or unregistered securities.

• Red flags. Frequently use high-pressure sales tactics, promise high profits with no associated risk, lack proper documentation or registration, and refuse to provide verified credentials.
• How to protect yourself. Before entrusting your money to any financial advisor or broker, thoroughly research. You can verify their credentials and disciplinary history through FINRA’s BrokerCheck or the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website. Also, do not rush into investing decisions based on pressure or unrealistic promises. Never give access to your account to anyone you do not know well and do not trust implicitly.

Financial Services Scam: The Illusion of Legitimacy

A financial services scam mimics the behavior of a genuine financial institution, such as a bank or loan company. It is common for fraudsters to use phone calls, texts, or emails that appear and sound authentic. It is possible for them to claim your account was compromised or to offer fake services such as better loan rates. You might even be threatened with arrest if you do not pay your medical bills.

Scammers can appear convincingly legitimate with spoofed caller IDs and near-identical email addresses. Under the guise of security or assistance, they will ask you for sensitive information, such as passwords, Social Security numbers, or payment via peer-to-peer (P2P) apps.

• Red flags. There will be unexpected communication about account issues or offers, pressure to act quickly, requests for sensitive data, suspicious links, and payment demands via P2P apps.
• How to protect yourself. Personal or financial information shouldn’t be shared unless you initiated contact via a verified phone number or website. You should also avoid clicking links or opening attachments from unknown senders. Whenever in doubt, hang up and call your bank or lender directly.

Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams: The Phantom Prize

Scammers typically call, email, or mail you unexpectedly, claiming to have won a prize you didn’t even enter in a sweepstakes or lottery. You are, however, instructed to pay upfront fees or taxes to claim your supposed winnings.

• Red flags. There are no records of you entering the contest or lottery; you are asked to wire money, purchase gift cards, or make other upfront payments to claim your prize, and there is no legitimate verification that you won.
• How to protect yourself. Winners of legitimate sweepstakes and lotteries will never have to pay upfront fees or taxes to claim their prizes. If a prize sounds too good to be true, it is likely a scam. As such, you should never send money or provide financial information to claim a prize.

Business Impostor Scams: Exploiting Trust in Familiar Names

An imposter scam targets older adults by posing as a well-known company or charity representative. Scammers use fake caller IDs, emails, or websites to appear authentic. Their goal? Pretending to resolve an issue or confirm a transaction to steal money or information.

They might claim that your account is locked, your payment is late, or you won a prize. Some of these sites ask for gift cards or ask for sensitive information so that you can “verify” your identity. People often comply without suspicion because they impersonate familiar names like Amazon, PayPal, local utilities, or national charities.

• Red flags. You may receive unsolicited messages from companies or charities, urgent demands for payment or donations, gift card payments, and personal information requests.
• How to protect yourself. Never trust a familiar name without verifying it independently. For confirmation, call the company’s official number or visit their official website. If you receive an unexpected or high-pressure communication, do not give out any personal information or send money, no matter how convincing it may seem.

Proactive Measures: Smart Ways to Protect Yourself and Your Money

Besides recognizing red flags of specific scams, you can also enhance your security by adopting these proactive habits:

• Guard your personal information. Shred any documents containing sensitive data before discarding them. Unless you initiated the contact and are certain of the recipient’s legitimacy, you should never share your Social Security number, bank account details, credit card information, or passwords.
• Employ strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Keep your online accounts secure by using unique, complex passwords. If two-factor authentication is available, enable it, as it adds another layer of security beyond your password. If you have many passwords to manage, consider using a reputable password manager.
• Monitor your accounts diligently. Check your bank and credit card statements carefully each month for unauthorized transactions. If you notice unusual transactions or withdrawals, set up account alerts through your financial institution. For identity theft protection, obtain and review your credit report annually with AnnualCreditReport.com.
• Communicate openly with trusted individuals. If you notice any suspicious activity, feel free to discuss financial matters with trusted family members, friends, or your financial advisor. A second opinion can often help identify scams. When considering a significant financial decision, talk to a trusted friend or family member about it thoroughly.
• Stay informed and educated. Follow updates from reputable organizations like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to stay up-to-date on scam trends and fraud prevention tips. Participate in local seminars or webinars to increase your knowledge of elder fraud protection. Whenever you doubt the legitimacy of something, always ask questions and verify the information.

Taking Action: What to Do if You’ve Been Targeted by a Scam

Unfortunately, even the most vigilant individuals can fall victim to sophisticated scams. If you believe you have been targeted or have fallen for a scam, remember that you are not alone and that swift action is imperative.

• Cease all communication. You should immediately cease all communication with the suspected scammer. Do not answer any further calls, messages, or emails.
• Report the incident. The following authorities should be notified: the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3):www.ic3.gov, and the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline: 877-908-3360. You can also contact your local police department, especially if you have suffered financial loss.
• Contact your financial institutions. You should immediately freeze your bank account or credit card if you provided any details to the scammer.
• Monitor your credit. To help prevent further identity theft, place a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your credit report.
• Talk about your experience. In addition to providing emotional support, telling others about your scam experience can prevent others from falling prey to similar scams and reduce the stigma associated with scam victims.

Final Thoughts

In retirement, you should feel peaceful and fulfilled, not stressed and concerned about your finances. Being vigilant, informed, and open to conversations about money will help you protect yourself from ever-evolving scams.

It is important to remember that legitimate organizations will never pressure you to make quick decisions, ask for sensitive information over the phone, or demand payment in untraceable forms like gift cards. If you’re unsure, pause, verify, and speak up.

It’s worth protecting because you’ve worked hard for your financial security.

By John Rampton

The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times and ZeroHedge does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times and ZeroHedge hold no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.