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NBA’S SHOCKING Return to China: Millions at Stake After Controversial Ban Lifted

06 December 2024 — The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns will play two preseason games in China. This follows the reinstatement of the NBA’s broadcast deal, worth millions. The league was banned in 2019 after a controversial tweet by Rockets executive Daryl Morey supporting Hong Kong protesters.

Chinese authorities demanded Morey be fired, but NBA Commissioner Adam Silver refused. Instead, Silver publicly criticized Morey, leading to his apology and retraction of support for the pro-democracy movement. Despite this, China suspended NBA broadcasts until now.

Morey’s tweet read: “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong.” His apology aimed to mend relations with Chinese fans and sponsors offended by his stance. He stressed that his views were personal and not representative of the Rockets or the NBA as a whole.

The return of NBA games to Chinese screens marks a significant financial move for both parties involved. It highlights ongoing tensions between business interests and political stances within international sports diplomacy.

TRUMP’S Triumph Ignites Outrage: Just Stop OIL Strikes Back

06 November 2024 — On Wednesday, Donald Trump claimed victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, winning support from over 70 million Americans. Yet, not everyone was pleased. The far-left group Just Stop Oil showed their anger by splashing bright orange paint on the U.S. Embassy in London.

Just Stop Oil slammed corporate power and fossil fuel industries, saying they control major political parties and are the real winners of the election. They called Trump a “fake populist,” claiming he ignores what they see as vital — stopping oil and gas drilling. The group urged regular people to act since they believe no leaders will make needed changes.

Activist Joseph Aggarwal was detained by police after joining the protest. He voiced concerns about a lack of true democracy across Western nations, arguing voters get similar policies no matter which party wins, worsening living conditions and climate issues. Aggarwal accused Trump of using public frustration to help billionaires while ignoring urgent environmental problems.

TRUMP’S Triumph: Disillusioned Voters Reject Harris-Biden Agenda

06 November 2024 — Former President Donald Trump has made a comeback to the White House, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden’s nearly four-year term. Many voters, unhappy with America’s path, embraced Trump’s bold approach. AP VoteCast showed about 3 in 10 voters wanted a complete government overhaul.

Economic concerns were key in Trump’s victory, overshadowing issues like democracy and abortion protections favored by Harris’ supporters. Voters worried about the economy supported stronger immigration enforcement and believed Trump was better suited to tackle economic challenges. This sentiment was strong in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Even though he won the electoral college, some voters had reservations about Trump’s potential use of power. A notable number expressed concern over possible authoritarianism under his leadership. Yet more than 1 in 10 concerned voters still backed him despite these fears.

Inflation anxiety was a major concern nationwide as families felt their financial situations worsening since the last election cycle. The rising cost of living remained an urgent issue for many Americans struggling with higher prices on essentials like groceries and housing costs. These economic pressures greatly boosted Trump’s appeal among disenchanted voters seeking change.

TRUMP’S Surge: Why Hispanic Voters Are Embracing Him

06 November 2024 — CBS News Executive Director of Elections and Surveys, Anthony Salvanto, highlighted Donald Trump’s rising support among Hispanic neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Despite Trump’s past rhetoric, many Hispanics feel he isn’t targeting them negatively. This perception is shifting some Latino voters toward Trump.

A poll revealed that two-thirds of surveyed Latinos believe Trump wasn’t referring to them when discussing immigrants. Additionally, half of foreign-born Latinos shared this sentiment. These findings suggest a growing acceptance of Trump among Hispanic communities.

While Latinos predominantly lean Democrat, Trump’s messaging on the economy resonates with many in this demographic. His approach appears to offer a sense of belonging similar to that extended to white voters. This strategy could be pivotal for his future campaigns as he continues to engage with diverse voter groups.

TRUMP And HARRIS Neck-And-Neck: What’s Behind the Poll Shocker?

15 October 2024 — Recent polls show a tight race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, with both candidates nearly tied. Just last month, Harris was ahead in election and favorability ratings. Now, her lead is gone, sparking questions about why voters are changing their minds.

NBC’s Savannah Guthrie talked with analyst Steve Kornacki about this shift. He explained how Harris’s favorability ratings have reversed. Last month, she had a 48% positive rating compared to Trump’s steady numbers. Now her positive rating has fallen to 43%, while her negative rating jumped to 49%.

Kornacki noted that this change brings Harris’s ratings closer to Trump’s figures. He also mentioned an interesting twist about public views on Trump’s presidency. Recent polling shows that 44% of voters think Trump’s policies helped their families more than during his time in office.

TRUMP RALLY Draws Huge Crowd In Arizona: Supporters Ecstatic

24 August 2024 — Videos and pictures on social media show the arena, which holds 18,000 people, nearly full ahead of former President Donald Trump’s speech at the Turning Point Action rally. Supporters lined up for miles hoping to gain entry.

The venue previously hosted an event by Harris earlier this month, drawing a crowd of 15,000. The Trump rally comes shortly after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the suspension of his presidential campaign and urged blue state residents to vote for him while supporting Trump in battleground states.

Trump hinted at a “special guest” for the rally on Truth Social, leading many to speculate that it could be Kennedy. “Heading to Arizona where I will soon be speaking at Turning Point — BIG CROWD, AND EVEN BIGGER SURPRISE!” he posted.

LABOUR PARTY Surges Amid UK Election Betting Scandal

29 June 2024 — The U.K. general election on July 4 is approaching, with the Labour Party expected to defeat Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives. Polls indicate Labour leader Keir Starmer will likely form the next government.

The Conservative campaign has struggled, facing allegations of election betting involving figures close to Sunak. This scandal has further dampened their already lackluster efforts.

In the U.K., the prime minister decides election dates, unlike fixed schedules in countries like the U.S. This unique system has led to a market for predicting election dates and outcomes.

Police officers and Conservative insiders are under investigation for their involvement in this betting scandal, adding another layer of controversy as over 50 countries prepare for elections in 2024.

POPULIST PVV Surge: Historic Gains in European Parliament

07 June 2024 — The Party for Freedom (PVV) is set to secure at least seven seats in the European Parliament, according to exit polls. This marks a significant gain from zero seats in 2019. Ipsos estimates show this as the largest gain for any Dutch party and a historic high for PVV.

Despite this success, the Green Left and Labour Party alliance is predicted to win eight seats, one fewer than their combined total in 2019. Geert Wilders expressed optimism about potentially gaining an additional seat when official results are released. He stated, “We have never had seven seats before… We are by far the biggest winner.”

Wilders believes this result signals a broader trend across Europe against mass migration policies. He said that Eurosceptical voices will grow stronger within the European Parliament, sending a clear message to Brussels elites.

Tom Van Grieken of Belgium’s Vlaams Belang echoed Wilders’ sentiment, calling it a “very hopeful signal” for similar parties across Europe. He noted that what happened in the Netherlands could also happen in Flanders on Sunday.

Dua Lipa’s NEW Album "Radical Optimism" EMBRACES Fearless Growth

30 April 2024 — Dua Lipa’s latest work, “Radical Optimism,” released by Warner Music, features an intriguing cover of the artist in the ocean with a shark. This bold image captures the essence of finding calm in chaos, a central theme of the album. Dua Lipa takes a new direction with this release, enriching her music with deeper sounds and more profound themes.

Stepping away from her signature “dance-crying” style, “Radical Optimism” introduces elements of psychedelic electro-pop and live instrumentation. The influence of her worldwide tours is evident as she skillfully mixes trip hop with Britpop, showcasing a refined artistic vision.

In creating her third album, Lipa embraced experimentation over following a set formula. Despite venturing into new musical landscapes, she maintains her distinctive pop flair. This experimental approach marks a significant evolution from her 2020 hit “Future Nostalgia.”

With “Radical Optimism,” Dua Lipa promises an innovative auditory journey that pushes past traditional pop limits. Her latest release signals a bold move towards greater artistic freedom and complexity in her evolving music career.

SOUTH KOREAN Election Shocker: Voters Lean Left in Historic Turn

11 April 2024 — South Korean voters, upset by the economic slump, are showing their disapproval towards President Yoon Suk-yeol and his ruling People Power Party (PPP). Early exit polls indicate a dramatic tilt in the National Assembly, with the opposition DP/DUP coalition on track to win between 168 and 193 of the 300 seats. This would leave Yoon’s PPP and its partners trailing with just 87-111 seats.

A record-breaking turnout of 67 percent — the highest for a midterm election since 1992 — reflects widespread voter engagement. South Korea’s unique proportional representation system aims to give smaller parties a chance but has resulted in a crowded field that confuses many voters.

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon has publicly recognized the disappointing exit poll figures. He pledged to honor the electorate’s decision and wait for the final tally. The election results could mark a pivotal change in South Korea’s political landscape, hinting at broader shifts ahead.

This electoral outcome underscores growing public discontent with current economic policies and signals a desire for change among South Korean voters, potentially reshaping the nation’s policy direction in years to come.

REFORM UK RISES: Public Discontent Over Immigration Policies Fuels Momentum

29 March 2024 — Reform UK is gaining momentum, largely fueled by its firm stance against “unchecked immigration,” as stated by the party’s deputy chair. This surge in support comes in light of recent data from Ipsos Mori and British Future, a pro-immigration think tank. The figures highlight public dissatisfaction with the government’s management of borders, indicating a potential shift in the UK’s political landscape.

Despite Labour currently leading in the polls, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party is outpacing the Conservatives when it comes to trust and policy matters. This could serve as an alarm bell for Tory politicians who have been at Britain’s political helm for two centuries. Ben Habib, Deputy Leader of Reform UK, attributes this shift to what he perceives as the Conservative Party neglecting their own voter base.

According to Ipsos Mori research, 69% of Britons express dissatisfaction with immigration policies while only 9% are content. Of those dissatisfied individuals, over half (52%) believe migration should be reduced while just 17% think it should increase. Specific grievances include inadequate measures to prevent channel crossings (54%) and high immigration numbers (51%). Less concern was shown towards creating negative environments for migrants (28%) or poor treatment of asylum seekers (25%).

Habib asserts that this widespread discontent signifies a historic realignment in politics

TRUMP SURGES Ahead in Michigan: Biden’s Struggle to Secure Base Exposed

25 March 2024 — A recent trial ballot in Michigan has revealed a surprising lead for Trump over Biden, with 47 percent favoring the former president compared to 44 percent for the incumbent. This result falls within the survey’s ±3 percent margin of error, leaving nine percent of voters still undecided.

In a more complex five-way trial ballot test, Trump maintains his lead at 44 percent against Biden’s 42 percent. The remaining votes are split among independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein, and independent Cornel West.

Steve Mitchell, president of Mitchell Research, attributes Trump’s lead to Biden’s lackluster support from African Americans and younger voters. He forecasts a nail-biting contest ahead as the victory will likely hinge on which candidate can rally their base more effectively.

In a head-to-head choice between Trump and Biden, an overwhelming 90 percent of Republican Michiganders back Trump while only 84 percent of Democrats support Biden. This poll report underscores an uncomfortable situation for Biden as he loses a significant 12 percent chunk of his vote to former President Trump.

ANC on SHAKY Ground: South Africa’s Opposition Parties Gaining Momentum

14 March 2024 — Recent polling data indicates a potential shift in South Africa’s political scene, the likes of which haven’t been seen since 1994. The ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has experienced a decline in support from 44% to 39% since November 2022.

On the other hand, the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) has seen its share rise from 23% to a notable 27%. A newcomer on the scene, the MK Party, has made an impressive debut with a surprising 13%, while support for the radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party has dwindled to just 10%.

This changing landscape could potentially pave the way for DA to form a majority coalition with other parties excluding ANC and EFF. This tactic proved successful in Cape Town’s municipal elections back in 2006. Despite ANC’s historical appeal due to its instrumental role in ending apartheid, ongoing issues such as electricity and water shortages, high crime rates, and rampant corruption have strained voters’ loyalty.

The shifting political climate suggests that voters are seeking change and are willing to look beyond traditional party lines. This could lead to significant changes in South Africa’s political landscape moving forward.

TRUMP’S COMEBACK: Leads Biden in Hypothetical 2024 Race, Reveals Michigan Poll

15 February 2024 — A recent poll from Michigan, conducted by Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research, reveals a surprising turn of events. In a hypothetical race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Trump takes a two-point lead. The poll shows 47% of registered voters backing Trump while Biden comes close with 45%. This narrow lead falls within the poll’s margin of error.

This represents an impressive swing towards Trump by 11 points compared to a July 2020 Fox News Beacon Research and Shaw Company poll. During that time, Biden held the upper hand with 49% support versus Trump’s 40%. In this latest survey, only one percent would back another candidate while three percent would abstain from voting. An intriguing four percent remain undecided.

The plot thickens when the field is expanded to include independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Green Party candidate Jill Stein, and independent Cornel West. Here, Trump’s lead over Biden grows to five points suggesting his appeal remains strong among voters even in a wider field of candidates.

TRUMP’S MAGA Wave Sparks Global Conservative Populist Triumphs

08 January 2024 — In a recent interview at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump stated that his MAGA-Trump movement is driving a global surge of conservative populist victories. He pointed to Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei, as an example. Milei reportedly thanked Trump for laying the groundwork with his policies. The former US president playfully suggested that Milei’s “Make Argentina Great Again” slogan could also be shortened to MAGA.

Trump’s 2016 triumph over Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton was not a singular occurrence. It was preceded by significant wins for conservative populists worldwide, such as the Brexit referendum in the UK and Jimmy Morales’s victory in Guatemala’s presidential race. These successes helped ignite the movement that ultimately led to Trump’s ascendancy.

As we approach 2024, conservative populists are making further strides globally. Italy now boasts Giorgia Meloni as Prime Minister and Geert Wilders’ PVV party leads polls in Netherlands. With these victories and more expected throughout the year, it appears a global sweep for conservative populists is on the cards leading up to Trump’s anticipated rematch with Democrat President Joe Biden.

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.

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

FRONTIER AI: A Ticking Time Bomb? World Leaders and Tech Titans Convene to Discuss Risks

01 November 2023 — The latest buzzword in the realm of artificial intelligence, Frontier AI, has been causing a stir due to its potential threats to human existence. Advanced chatbots like ChatGPT have dazzled with their capabilities, but fears about the risks associated with such technology are escalating. Top researchers, leading AI companies, and governments are advocating for protective measures against these looming dangers.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is orchestrating a two-day summit on frontier AI at Bletchley Park. The event is set to draw around 100 officials from 28 nations including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Executives from prominent U.S. artificial intelligence firms such as OpenAI, Google’s Deepmind and Anthropic will also be in attendance.

Sunak asserts that only governments can shield people from the hazards posed by this technology. However, he stressed that the U.K.'s strategy is not to hastily impose regulation despite identifying potential threats like using AI for crafting chemical or biological weapons.

Jeff Clune, an associate computer science professor at the University of British Columbia who specializes in AI and machine learning was among those urging for more government intervention in mitigating risks from AI last week — echoing warnings issued by tech tycoons like Elon Musk and Open

UAW STRIKE Ends: Ford’s Unprecedented 30% PAY Rise Could Shake Up Detroit Automakers

26 October 2023 — The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has reached a tentative contract agreement with Ford. This development could signal the end of the nearly six-week-long strikes that have rocked Detroit automakers. However, this four-year deal still needs approval from Ford’s 57,000 union members.

The agreement could shape future negotiations with General Motors and Stellantis, where strikes are ongoing. UAW has urged all Ford workers to resume work, hoping to pressure GM and Stellantis into bargaining. More details on how this strategy will be implemented are expected soon.

In a video address, UAW President Shawn Fain announced that Ford offered a wage increase of 50% more than before the strike started on September 15th. UAW Vice President Chuck Browning, who served as the chief negotiator with Ford, disclosed that workers would see an overall wage increase of 25%. This would push the total pay rise over 30%, resulting in top-tier assembly plant workers earning above $40 per hour by contract’s end.

Before this agreement, all three automakers had suggested a pay rise of just 23%. Under the new deal, assembly workers will receive an immediate raise of 11% upon ratification — nearly matching all wage increases since 2007.

UK Inflation DEFIES Predictions, STAYS at 67%: What’s Next for the Economy?

18 October 2023 — The UK’s inflation rate held steady at 6.7% in September, flying in the face of economists’ predictions for a slight decrease. The Office for National Statistics highlighted that while food and drink prices dipped, they were counterbalanced by an uptick in fuel costs.

This persistent inflation rate is more than triple the Bank of England’s target of 2%. Despite this, it is not expected that the bank will hike interest rates during its November policy meeting. Instead, it seems set to keep its main borrowing rate at a peak not seen in 15 years — a hefty 5.25%.

James Smith from the Resolution Foundation think tank offered his perspective on this economic puzzle: “For now, progress on reducing inflation has hit a roadblock.” He anticipates a significant drop to below 5% next month as energy prices are projected to fall for most consumers.

In response to price surges triggered by pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — both factors contributing heavily to increased food and energy costs — the Bank of England has been steadily cranking up interest rates from near zero levels.