THREAD: chinese balloon

PUB’S Wild Beer Names Ignite Fury And Laughter

19 November 2024 — A pub in England is under fire for its bold beer names, but the owner calls it harmless fun. The Coach and Horses in Billinghay offers beers like “Osama Bin Lager” and “Kim Jong Ale.” These names have sparked a buzz on social media, with some laughing while others voice concern.

Catherine Mitchell owns the pub with her husband Luke Mitchell, who runs Mitchell Brewing Co., a microbrewery. Earlier this year, “Osama Bin Lager” went viral and sold out fast. Despite the uproar, many patrons reportedly enjoy these playful beverage names.

Mitchell Brewing Co.’s top-selling line is called “The Dictator,” featuring several edgy titles. Luke Mitchell claims most customers appreciate the humor when visiting The Coach and Horses. While some find them offensive, others see it as clever marketing fun.

US DEMANDS TOUGH Sanctions on China for Fentanyl Crisis

19 October 2024 — A group has filed a petition with the U.S. Trade Representative, urging action against China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. This section allows the U.S. to impose sanctions on countries that violate trade agreements or harm American commerce. Attorney Nazak Nikakhtar emphasized that sanctions are within legal rights and necessary to pressure China economically.

The opioid crisis cost the U.S. nearly $1.5 trillion in 2020, according to a House Joint Economic Committee report from September 2022. An investigation by Reuters revealed that Chinese companies openly sell fentanyl ingredients online and ship them easily to the U.S., contributing significantly to this crisis. These suppliers often send shipments to Mexican cartels, which then manufacture synthetic opioids like fentanyl, worsening the problem further.

In May 2023, the CDC reported that synthetic opioids caused over 81,000 American deaths in one year, mainly due to fentanyl overdoses. The ongoing crisis highlights an urgent need for effective measures against foreign suppliers fueling this epidemic affecting countless American families daily.;

RUBBER DUCK Race Delights Families, Supports Children’S Charity

27 July 2024 — Thousands of rubber ducks raced down a central London canal on July 25 to support Cosmic Charity, which aids babies and children in intensive care. Staff on paddle boards helped propel the ducks along a 100-meter stretch to the finish line.

Around 3,000 rubber ducks participated in the event, raising money for Cosmic Charity. “It’s a lovely community event...everybody just loves this event because it’s such a good, fun family event,” said Lynsey Carrington, Acting Chief Executive of Cosmic Charity.

Revelers could sponsor a duck to join the race, with all proceeds going to support the charity’s vital work. This unique and entertaining fundraiser brought together families and community members for a worthy cause.

CHINA’S Moon Landing: A Bold Step in Space Race

04 June 2024 — China’s space program reached a major milestone by landing a module on the moon’s far side. The lander touched down at 6:23 a.m. Beijing time in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, according to the China National Space Administration. This mission is China’s sixth in its moon exploration program, aiming to compete with the United States, Japan, and India.

The mission involves using a mechanical arm and drill to gather up to 2 kilograms of surface and underground material over two days. An ascender will then transfer these samples to another module orbiting the moon, which will return them to Earth by June 25. The samples are expected to land in China’s Inner Mongolia region.

Landing on the far side of the moon presents unique challenges due to lack of direct communication and difficult terrain. Neil Melville-Kenney from the European Space Agency noted that automation is particularly challenging at high latitudes because long shadows can confuse landers. Despite these difficulties, China continues its ambitious plans with an eye on putting a person on the moon by 2030, making it only the second country after America to achieve this feat.

CHINA’S Failed Nicaragua Canal: A Symbol of Lost Ambitions

10 May 2024 — The Interoceanic Grand Canal, also known as the Nicaragua Canal, was a bold initiative intended to link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans via Central America’s largest lake. Daniel Ortega’s government in Nicaragua promoted this $50 billion project as a competitor to the Panama Canal. It also risked boosting China’s influence in the region with a 50-year lease given to HKND Group, led by Chinese tycoon Wang Jing.

Despite breaking ground in December 2014 amid much celebration, no substantial progress ensued. Wang Jing saw his wealth plummet by 85% shortly thereafter. By 2021, he and his company were ousted from the Shanghai Stock Exchange due to unethical practices, signaling a sharp fall from their lofty ambitions.

Following these setbacks, Nicaragua’s National Assembly enacted legal reforms at Ortega’s behest. They annulled previous laws that had granted canal concessions and declared these changes essential for “strengthening” Nicaragua’s legal framework for improved national governance. Critics suggest these actions were mere attempts to recover dignity following an embarrassing failure

In sum, while initially seen as a strategic geopolitical move and economic boon for Nicaragua, the failed canal project has instead become emblematic of overreach and mismanagement under Ortega’s rule.

COVID-19 SHOCKER: Pompeo’s Intel Suggests Chinese LAB Leak

05 May 2024 — Mike Pompeo, the former U.S. Secretary of State, has reportedly shared critical intelligence with the United Kingdom indicating a “high likelihood” that COVID-19 originated from a lab in China. This information was part of a confidential briefing to allies including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand as part of the Five Eyes alliance in early 2021.

The shared intelligence raised alarms about the lack of transparency from China and potential military ties at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. It was revealed that Chinese authorities hindered global investigations and showed signs of corruption and incompetence at critical times. Moreover, it emerged that researchers at the institute experienced illnesses just before the pandemic spread globally.

Despite these concerning revelations, UK officials led by then-Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab seemed to downplay these findings initially. Pressure from some scientists who supported theories of natural transmission played a role in this skepticism. However, two ex-officials from Trump’s administration described the evidence pointing to a lab leak as "gobsmacking.

This disclosure not only questions China’s handling of crucial data but also challenges global understanding about COVID-19’s origins, potentially reshaping international relations and public health strategies moving forward.

CHAOS at O’Hare: Protesters Block Airport, Spark Outrage Among Travelers

15 April 2024 — Anti-Israel demonstrators created chaos outside Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport by blocking Interstate 190. With arms linked and “long tubes” in hand, they made it impossible for vehicles to pass. This led to travelers, dragging their luggage behind them, being forced to walk to the airport.

Nearby, another group took over a roadway with a sign that slammed U.S. financial support as funding genocide. Their chants and drumbeats echoed loudly, voicing their opposition against Israel loudly and clearly. This act of protest brought significant disruption to those trying to make their flights at one of America’s busiest airports.

Undeterred travelers embarked on foot with their bags, navigating past protesters wearing keffiyeh scarves and waving “Free Palestine” banners. While the protesters’ message was loud and clear, it came at the cost of disrupting the day-to-day lives of countless individuals.

This event has sparked debate over whether such disruptive methods are effective or appropriate for conveying political messages. Despite aiming to highlight their cause, these demonstrators have faced backlash for causing substantial inconvenience to the public and potentially endangering safety by blocking routes meant for emergencies.

AUSTRALIAN Activist’s SHOCKING Sentence in China Sparks Global Outrage

05 February 2024 — Yang Hengjun, an Australian pro-democracy activist and former Chinese government worker, faces a surprising sentence in China. Born as Yang Jun in 1965, he served the Chinese government before moving to Australia in 2002. He also spent time as a visiting scholar at Columbia University.

Yang was arrested during a family trip to China in 2019. His arrest happened during the height of the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement and amidst tense relations between Australia and China. The Australian government and human rights groups have consistently condemned his detention, calling him a political prisoner.

The trial has been slammed for its secrecy, with claims of torture and forced confessions emerging. Yang reportedly faced a secret trial on vague espionage charges three years ago. In August 2023, he voiced fears of dying from an untreated kidney cyst while waiting for his verdict

The sentencing has ignited international outrage with Australia condemning it as an “appalling” obstacle to better relations with China. Human Rights Watch Asia Director Elaine Pearson labelled Yang’s treatment as making a mockery of legal proceedings.

TIME to STOP Iran’s Terror Funding: The Unholy Alliance Exposed

31 January 2024 — The current geopolitical landscape has raised serious concerns, according to a recent statement by Lawler. He drew attention to an emerging alliance between China, Russia, and Iran that is becoming increasingly visible. Notably, he identified China as the largest consumer of Iranian petroleum. These sales are providing financial support for dangerous terrorist groups.

Lawler stressed the need for immediate action against Iran in response to over 150 attacks on U.S. military bases and personnel since October 7. Tragically, these assaults have resulted in three servicemembers losing their lives. He called on the administration for a decisive response against Iran.

A bipartisan bill designed to curb illegal funds supporting terrorism was approved in the House after October 7 but has hit a roadblock in the Senate. Lawler urged both Senate and administration officials to advance this bill as part of a comprehensive strategy against these threats.

Lawler believes that an effective response should not only be military or diplomatic but also economic: cutting off funding at its roots. This multi-pronged approach is essential for effectively fighting terrorism.

NASA’S Moon Landing POSTPONED While China Races Ahead: A New Space Race?

10 January 2024 — NASA has revised its moon landing timeline. The pioneer astronauts are now slated to touch down near the moon’s south pole with Artemis III in September 2026, a delay from the initial plan of December 2025.

On the other hand, China pursues its deep space exploration dreams without hindrance, targeting a manned Moon landing by 2030. This could potentially place China ahead of the US in this renewed space race.

Artemis IV, NASA’s inaugural mission to the Gateway lunar space station, is still set for 2028. NASA is currently addressing some safety concerns including a battery glitch and an issue with a circuitry component that controls air ventilation and temperature regulation.

Despite these hurdles, NASA emphasizes that “safety is our top priority.” With America’s space agency wrestling with technical challenges, it remains uncertain how this postponement will affect America’s position in global space exploration.

PROJECT DYNAMO Gears Up for Heroic Rescues in Taiwan and China Amid Rising Tensions

01 January 2024 — Project Dynamo, a nonprofit dedicated to saving endangered Americans overseas, is gearing up for possible rescue missions in Taiwan and mainland China. The move comes as worries intensify over Beijing’s military upgrades, nuclear growth, and aggressive stance towards Taiwan. China regards Taiwan as a rebellious province and has made threats of forceful annexation.

Established by former U.S. military and intelligence officers in August 2021, Project Dynamo initially concentrated on rescuing Americans stranded in Afghanistan after the U.S. military pullout. Since then, the organization has broadened its reach globally to assist Americans who were not part of the U.S. military’s rescue plan.

Bryan Stern, a combat veteran and founder of Project Dynamo conveyed that while it’s unclear if they’ll conduct rescue operations in both mainland China and Taiwan, they are ready for any scenario. Stern stressed that there are more Americans living in China than Taiwan, making their safety just as crucial.

Project Dynamo has named potential rescues in Taiwan and China “Marco Polo”. Operating solely on donations without government support, the group has saved over 6,000 people from various worldwide crises within less than three years of operation.

TIKTOK’S SHADOW BAN: Suppressing Content Critical of Chinese Communist Party?

28 December 2023 — A recent investigation by Rutgers University’s Network Contagion Research Institute has unveiled unsettling details about TikTok’s content guidelines. The popular social media platform, notorious for its data collection and sharing with its parent company in China, now stands accused of stifling content that criticizes the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The research team found a stark contrast in the number of posts featuring contentious hashtags such as China’s conflict with India over Kashmir, the Tiananmen Square massacre, and the Uyghur genocide on TikTok compared to other platforms like Instagram. For instance, there were 206 Instagram posts tagged #HongKongProtests for every single one on TikTok. Similar ratios were observed for #StandWithKashmir, #FreeUyghurs, and #DalaiLama.

The report suggests that there is a high likelihood that TikTok either boosts or suppresses content depending on how it aligns with the Chinese government’s interests. This is worrisome since many Generation Z users rely on TikTok as their primary news source — interestingly enough, this is also the only generation reported not to take pride in being American.

TikTok cannot deny these findings as they mirror the methodology used by them last month to prove their platform was not biased against Israel. This revelation raises serious questions about

ELF BAR Exposed: The Shocking Truth Behind the World’s Top E-Cigarette and Its Billion-Dollar TAX Scam

19 December 2023 — In just two years, Elf Bar, a flashy vaping gadget, has skyrocketed to global prominence as the leading disposable e-cigarette. Not only has it raked in billions in sales, but it has also become a favorite among underage American teens who vape. Last week saw the first public confiscation of Elf Bar products by U.S. authorities during an operation that seized 1.4 million illegal flavored e-cigarettes from China.

The confiscated goods were worth $18 million and included brands beyond Elf Bar. However, public records and court documents disclose that Chinese e-cigarette manufacturers have smuggled in products valued at hundreds of millions while adeptly circumventing customs duties and import fees. These firms frequently mislabel their shipments as “battery chargers’ or ”flashlights', thereby hampering efforts to control teen vaping in America.

Eric Lindblom, a former FDA official, lambasted regulatory approaches towards disposables as “very weak”, allowing this issue to spiral out of control. Meanwhile, fruit-and-candy-flavored disposables have flooded into America following China’s ban on vaping flavors last year under the pretense of safeguard

Bipartisan Committee CALLS for END of China’s Trade Status: A Potential Jolt to US Economy

12 December 2023 — A bipartisan committee, led by Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), has been studying the economic effects of China on the US for a year. The investigation centered on job market changes, manufacturing shifts, and national security concerns since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001.

The committee released a report this Tuesday recommending President Joe Biden’s administration and Congress to implement nearly 150 policies to counteract China’s economic influence. One significant suggestion is to cancel China’s permanent normal trade relations status (PNTR) with the U.S., a status endorsed by former President George W. Bush in 2001.

The report argues that granting PNTR to China did not bring anticipated benefits for the US or trigger expected reforms in China. It asserts that this has led to a loss of vital U.S. economic leverage and inflicted damage on U.S industry, workers, and manufacturers due to unfair trade practices.

The committee proposes shifting China into a new tariff category that reinstates U.S economic leverage while reducing dependence on Chinese

US-CHINA Economic Reset PROPOSED: Will Higher Tariffs Be the New Norm?

12 December 2023 — A bipartisan committee in the House has put forth a proposal for a complete overhaul of US economic ties with China. This includes the suggestion of implementing higher tariffs. The pivotal recommendations were released in an extensive report by the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and Chinese Communist Party, chaired by Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).

The report posits that since its induction into the World Trade Organization in 2001, Beijing has been engaged in an economic conflict against both the US and its allies. It outlines three key strategies: revamping America’s economic relationship with China, limiting U.S. capital and technological inflow into China, and strengthening U.S. economic resilience with allied support.

One notable recommendation is to shift China to a new tariff column to enforce more robust tariffs. The committee also suggests imposing tariffs on essential semiconductor chips used in everyday devices like phones and cars. This move aims to prevent Chinese domination in this sector from granting Beijing undue control over global economy.

ITALY’S Bold Exit from China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A Triumph for Western Independence

06 December 2023 — Italy recently declared its departure from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), signifying a major shift in Western attitudes towards Beijing’s economic clout. After four years of involvement, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani noted that nations not participating in the initiative have seen superior results.

The official withdrawal notice was issued by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration this week, well before the initial agreement expires next year. This decision sets the stage for an upcoming summit hosted by China with European Union leaders who have lately adopted a more wary stance towards Beijing.

In response to mounting skepticism, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi advocated for mutually beneficial relationships between Europe and China to boost global development. However, such views are increasingly met with suspicion in Europe as Western societies strive to steer clear of economic connections that might give Beijing an upper hand during political upheavals.

Stefano Stefanini, former Italian Ambassador, underscored an official G7 policy termed “de-risking”, spotlighting U.S.'s opposition against Italy’s participation in BRI. Despite U.S warnings labeling it as a “predatory” lending scheme aimed at controlling strategic infrastructure, Italy joined the initiative back in 2019.

EXPOSED: BIDEN and Elites’ Unsettling Alliance with China

22 November 2023 — President Joe Biden’s recent actions have stirred up a storm of controversy. His apparent dismissal of the idea of “decoupling” from China is causing concern among conservatives. These revelations come from a new book, Controligarchs: Exposing the Billionaire Class, Their Secret Deals, and the Globalist Plot to Dominate Your Life.

The book suggests that global elites and politicians like Biden and California Governor Gavin Newsom are actively pushing for a closer resemblance between the U.S. and its Communist adversary. It alleges that these individuals view Beijing’s elites not as threats or rivals but as business partners.

Among those named in these claims are influential figures such as BlackRock’s Larry Fink, Apple’s Tim Cook, and Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman. These business leaders were reportedly present at a dinner honoring Chinese Communist Party Leader Xi Jinping where they stood in applause for Chairman Xi.

This revelation comes at a time when concerns over China’s influence on global politics are growing. It highlights the urgent need for transparency in dealings between American leaders and foreign powers.

BIDEN-XI Summit: A Bold Leap or a Blunder in US-China Diplomacy?

16 November 2023 — President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have committed to keeping direct lines of communication open. This decision follows their lengthy four-hour discussion at the 2023 APEC summit in San Francisco. The leaders unveiled an initial agreement aimed at halting the influx of fentanyl precursors into the U.S. They also plan to restore military communications, which were cut off after China’s disagreement with the Pentagon following Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022.

Despite rising tensions, Biden made efforts during Wednesday’s meeting to strengthen U.S.-China relations. He also vowed to persistently challenge Xi on human rights issues, arguing that frank discussions are “critical” for successful diplomacy.

Biden voiced positivity about his rapport with Xi, a relationship that began during their vice-presidential terms. However, uncertainty looms as a congressional investigation into COVID-19 origins threatens US-China relations.

It is unclear whether this renewed dialogue will result in substantial progress or further complications.

BIDEN and XI: Critical Trade Talks Amid Escalating Tensions

11 November 2023 — President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in California this Wednesday. This marks their first rendezvous in a year, amidst the backdrop of strained U.S.-China relations. The world’s two largest economies will put trade and Taiwan at the forefront of their discussions.

The White House has been alluding to this meeting for some time now. It will occur on the fringes of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. Both leaders are aiming to “responsibly manage competition” and collaborate where mutual interests overlap.

Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has been engaging with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng for a second day of dialogue on Friday. Yellen underscored America’s aspiration for a robust economic relationship with China, while also urging Beijing to take action against firms suspected of circumventing sanctions to transact with Russia.

Yellen additionally expressed apprehensions about China’s export controls on graphite – an essential component in electric vehicle batteries – amidst escalating tensions between the nations that could see thousands protesting during the summit.