Apple agrees to show Crimea as part of Russia on Apple Apps
191127-The South China Sea Morning Post reported that Apple agreed with Russia to show Crimea, annexed in 2014, as part of Russia on it’s apps.
Google does not identify Crimea as belonging to Ukraine or Russia, however, it uses Russian place names on it’s map.
Judge Shelley Joseph charged with Obstruction of Justice for arranging for a defendant to leave out a back door
191116-The New York Times reported that Judge Shelley Joseph is being charged with Obstruction of Justice for helping an undocumented immigrant escape detention. She refused a plea deal that allowed her to avoid prosecution.
Her conversation with the defendant was being recorded and she is heard telling the clerk to turn off the audio recorder. In the end the defendant is let out the back door. He is later arrested and awaiting a deportation hearing. He has previously been deported in 2003 and 2007.
Bed Bath and Beyond pulls Jack-O'-Laterns after complaints in Nyack, NY
191021 – The Westchester.new12.com reported that Bed Bath and Beyond removed their Halloween display because the Jack-O’-Laterns upset some community members.
They were painted black with white mouths. Local NAACP Director Wilbur Aldridge says it shows an “extreme lack of sensitivity.”
Dior Apologizes to China for showing a map of China without Taiwan
191016 – Bloomberg reported a Chinese student challenged a Dior recruiter at a recruiting event in China.
Dior had shown a video that had a map of China that didn’t include Taiwan.
Dior apologized and stated that it respects the One China Principle.
Approximately 300 birds ram NASCAR Hall of Fame windows in Charlotte
191016 – The Charlotte Observer reported that in a scene reminiscent of the Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, over 310 birds slammed into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Vietnam pulls the Movie Abominable from Theaters after disputed border shown
191014 – The Los Angeles Times reported that Vietnam pulled the movie Abominable from theaters as it showed a map of China with China’s Nine Dash Line.
Vietnam, and a number of other nations have disagreed with China on their nine dash line.
The film studio went out of their way to appeal to the Chinese movie market.
Apple is hiding Taiwan's flag emoji if you are Hong Long or Macau
191007 – TheVerge reported that when Apple released it new phone operating system in September, they added the ability to not show a Taiwan flag is the user is in Hong Kong or Macau.
If a message contains the icon, it will still display, but it won’t be show as an option to type in new messages.
Federal Customs Agents seized 1million pounds of Chinese pork infected with African Swine Fever
191003-AgWeb reported back in March that Customs agents in New Jersey intercepted contaminated pork. 50 shipping containers contained the pork in incorrectly marked packaging.
China has lost half their pig population to this disease this past year. If this disease were to make it into the US pig population similar death rates could occur.
Samsung Closes It's Last Smartphone Factory in China
201002 – The GMSArena reported that Samsung closed it’s last smartphone factory in China.
Previously the Huishou factory made 64 million phones in 2017. It’s China market share had shrunk to 1% as local cheaper phones took over the market.
190926-USA Today reported that Anti-Defamation League added the OK Hang Sign is one of the items being added to a growing database of items that should be restricted
The Chicago Tribune reported that an Oak Park River Forest High School recently decided to reprint it’s yearbook at a cost of $54K because some students were inadvertently displaying this newly evil symbol.
Attempt to Ban the "OK" hand sign underway has it is added to a growing list of hate symbols
190926-The Rolling Stone also reported that a “Bowl” haircut is now a documented symbol of Racism.
The Anti-Defamation League recently updated it’s website to give Globalists guidance on appearance, wording, and symbols to use or avoid.
What will Angela Merkel do?
San Francisco Board of Supervisors votes Unanimously to Brand the NRA, "A Terrorist Organization"
190903-Townhall reported that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors as passed a resolution declaring the National Rifle Association a “domestic terrorist organization” and urged the federal government to do the same.
An unanswered question is whether SF will discharge employees who are members of this “terrorist organization”.
Is AntiFa okay, but the NRA not?
What is the endgame here?
San Francisco and Oakland are the two cities in America that the United Nations states violates human rights.
Democratic Presidential Candidate states "the Left is Mean"
190903-The New Yorker reported about an interview with Marianne Williamson, a Democrat Presidential Candidate.
“I know this sounds naïve,” she complains, but “I didn’t think the left was so mean. I didn’t think the left lied like this.”
Her campaign focuses less on the battle of politics, but more on the battle of souls.
Australian Vegan suing her neighbor to stop their "smelly" barbecues
190902 – 9NEWS reported, Australia, that a Perth Australia Vegan resident has taken her neighbors all the way to the Australian Supreme Court in an effort to stop in from barbecuing in his backyard.
The Vegan Massage Therapist is also upset at cigarette smoke wafting into her yard, and the sound of children playing basketball.
The Supreme Court sided with the neighbors but Ms Carden vows to try again.
The Poorest 20% of Americans are richer then the average Canadian?
190901-The Washington Examiner reported on a 190826 article from JustFacts.com that if America’s poorest 20% were a nation of their own, this 20% would still rank higher in the consumption of good and services then most nation averages.
The article appears to be written to counter a New York Times video which stated that the US has more in common with developing nations then we would like to think.
Unfortunately NYT’s opinion pieces seem to differ from what some of the poorer residents from these counties think given the desire for immigration.
Cathay Pacific employees who support Hong Kong Protesters cannot work Mainland China Routes
190827-The Economist reported that Hong Kong’s biggest Airline, Cathay Pacific was ordered by China’s aviation authority to disallow any crew supporting the protestors from flying mainland China routes.
Cathay said it would comply leaving it open to being termed “Pro-China”.
CBS reported that the CEO, Rupert Hogg is stepping down. Additionally, Rebecca Sy, head of the Cathay Dragon flight attendant’s association, her Facebook account included messages in favor of the protests.
Systems like PatronScan attempt to match China's Social Credit System (SCS) for Nightclub entry
190826-The Sacramento Bee reported on local nightclubs increased use of PatronScan application to screen patrons. The PatronScan database maintains a list of objectionable previously removed for inappropriate activity.
If a customer has a complaint, he or she can visit the kiosk, sift thru customer photos of the night, and tag that perpetrator. If the club staff desires, the perpetrator can then be banned from other establishment with ProScan. No need for lawyer and court time.
FastCompany reported that similar systems are in place for Uber and AirBnb. As Cities prosecute and less and less Silicon Valley is stepping in to provide a more secure environment.
The Palestinian Authority bans LGBT activities in the West Bank
190818-The Washington Examiner reported that the Palestinian Authority has banned LGBT activities in the West Bank. A group call Al-Quaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity planned to hold a gathering at the end of August in the city of Nablus.
Luay Zreikat, spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority Police, told the Jerusalem Post that activities from the organization are “harmful to the higher values and ideals of Palestinian society.” and that groups activities were completely “unrelated to religions and Palestinian traditions and customs, especially in the city of Nablus.”
Health Tourism on the Rise - US Doctor or Local?
190818-Kaiser Health News reported on woman from Mississippi, and her doctor from Milwaukee, whom she never had met before, met in Cancun for knee surgery. He was paid $2,700, three times what Medicare would reimburse him for.
Why, Hospital costs in the US are expensive.
She had no co-pays, travel costs were reimbursed, and got a $5K payment for her troubles, whoa!
Versace KowTows to China over T-Shirt mistake
190811-ABC reported that Versace, an Italian Fashion house, apologized today for selling T-shirts in China that provided incorrect country names for two Chinese Cities. Yang Mi, a brand ambassador quit Versace over the flap. The China Daily reported Yang’s statement:
“Versace is suspected of damaging China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, we as a company of the People’s Republic of China, and Yang being a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, we are deeply offended. The national sovereignty and territorial integrity is sacred and cannot be violated under any circumstances. It is the duty of all Chinese citizens to uphold the One-China principle and adamantly safeguard national unification,”
Putin and Gavin Newsom Bromance? Both Ban Opposition Candidates
190810-Upto 60,000 people gathered in the rain to protest to demand fair elections in Russia the BBC reported.
Socialist and Communists countries around the world have used the technique of barring candidacy to limit choice to what is considered, an appropriate candidate.
The US Constitution states, candidates must be 35 year old, born in America, be natural born, and have 14 years of residency.
California appears to be adding requirements. Expect a court challenge. Will Primaries still be legal after this?
Bill Maher, HBO talking head, wants a Recession
190809-The following video shows Bill Maher, host of a show on HBO, stating he wants a recession in the US in order to harm the economy and force Trump supporters away from Trump.
The trouble is that means millions out of work.
But more people with free time to be couch potato zombies, and of course, watch his show.
EU Poised to Put Warning Labels on Jewish-Made Products
190808-The FreeBeacon reported this legal decision by the EU, is reminiscent of the beginning of the Holocaust-era boycotts Jews. The decision was seen as a win for the Anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment, & Sanctions movement (BDS).
The decision if implemented would be subject to US Anti-Boycott laws.
A number of the EU member nations have, over the years, exhibited growing anti-Semitic views.
Amazon, via it's contractors, employ children to meet American consumer needs
190808-The Guardian reported that hundreds of students have been employed to make Amazon’s Alexa.
One student stated, “I tried telling the manager of my line that I didn’t want to work overtime. But the manager notified my teacher and the teacher said if I didn’t work overtime, I could not intern at Foxconn and that would affect my graduation and scholarship applications at the school.
Amazon needs to meet product targets to satisfy the American consumer.They also made the standard statement they would not tolerate labor violations.
Iran appears to be jamming GPS signals causing tankers to stray into their waters, justifying a seizure
190808-Business Insider reported that ships near Iran have reported GPS Interference. Additionally jamming of radio communications is also occurring.
Iran has also spoofed AIS transponders on it’s vessel’s to make them appear, electronically, to be another vessel.
Delta's ban on Pit-Bulls as service or support animals is disallowed by the US DOT
190808-The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported the Dept of Transportation has stated it’s illegal to ban based on the breed of the animal.
Delta had instituted rules banning Pit-Bulls after a mauling by a 70 Ib dog. Pit Bulls are totally banned in the UK so England may be a safe trip.
People have stated they need “Emotional Support” animals but the animals sometimes lash out in a strange environment.
SenseTime, a Chinese company has a suite of "Smart-City" survelliance tools useful for law enforcement
190808-The Nikkei Asian Review reported about SenseTime’s growing influence in surveillance and recognition technology.
New York City to start "Congestion Pricing" of $12 per car to drive in Lower Manhattan, Trucks/$25
190808-The Environmental Defense Fund reported starting in 2021, drivers driving into Lower Manhattan will be asked to pay, “congestion pricing”, of $12/car, or $25/trucks.
The plan today is that a large part of this money would be used to repair New York’s aging subway system. The thought is too shift the cost burden of paying for the subway to richer drivers.
Putin and Xi Jinping Bromance may encounter turbulence in Central Asia
190806-The Nikkei Asian Review reported that as China & Russia compete in Central Asia, China has been opening military bases in Afghanistan. The US Military Times 1st reported this back in 2017. As the US has reduced from 130K troops to about 14K today.
China shares a 46 mile long border with Afghanistan that was once part of the original Silk Road. Long term Russia and China may have divergent interests in the region.
China Freezes Permits for Individual Travel to Taiwan
190805-The Nikkei Asian Review reported that China is freezing permits for individual travel to Taiwan.
Group travel is still considered to be okay by the mainland Chinese government.
Taiwan is only considered a separate country by 19 UN countries.
Taiwan’s Presidents recent trip to New York may have been part of the timing for this move.
Global Illuminati Fly 114+ Private Jets to Italy to discuss Climate Change while Europeans start a "Flight-Shame" movement.
190804-While France is getting ready to slap an ECO-TAX on flights departing from France, and a growing European flight-shame movement to take trains for travel within Europe. Global Elites have decided to fly 114 private planes to Palermo Italy airport to help save the planet.
Private jets have the highest greenhouse gas discharge per passenger/mile when compared to other modes of transport.
Democratic Party blesses CNN with Aug 6/7 Debate Exclusive, big ad $
190727-Variety and the Washington Examiner reported that CNN is seeking ad packages of $300K during the 2nd set of Democratic Debates.
The anticipated face off of Gloves Off Biden versus Kamala No Strings Attached has all the characteristics of a WWW bout.
The Democratic party only allowed MSNBC and Telemundo to air the first set. CNN expects to beat the audience participation of the first debates.
Apple requests tariff exemption after moving US production to China?
190723-Bloomberg reported that Apple is requesting a special tariff deal after moving production from the US to China. Bloomberg reported that Trump has promised relief if companies can show parts can only be obtained in China and aren’t strategically to Chinese industrial programs. The previous Mac Pro has been produced in Austin since 2013.
Chicago Chamber of Commerce party has children battling an ICE Pinata
190723-CBS(Chicago) reported that an east side chamber of commerce family event. The Los Brown Berets brought an ICE agent pinata and constructed a painted face of Donald Trump to throw bean bags at.
The event was meant to be fun but now is creating factions within the community.
South Korea fires warning shots at Russian and Chinese aircraft
190723-Reuters reported that two Russian Tu-95, and two Chinese H-6 bombers, on a joint Chinese/Russian mission violated South Korean airspace South Korea said it was the first time a foreign military plane had violated its airspace since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.
South Korea is home to the last non-communist phone manufacturer, Samsung.
In 1983, the Soviet’s shot down a South Korean airline, killing 269 people, that strayed into Soviet Territory.
Only 34 Foreign films allowed into China per year, filmmakers keep scripts "pure" to appease government
190723-The South China Morning Post reported the 34 foreign film limit is quietly being raised. Over 40 were allowed in for 2017. But this number now includes other country films from US, India, South Korea, and France.
Hollywood has chosen profits and works hard to appease the Chinese government as the returns from the Chinese market are vast. Fortune reported that talks to raise Hollywood’s margin from 24% to 28% have been ongoing.
City of Berkeley Calif bans Gender Specific Language from Ordinances
190718-A Sacramento CBS new outlet reported the city of Berkeley will be revising all documents and ordinances to replace all instances of gendered pronouns, such as “he” and “she” with “they,” according to the ordinance.
The city manager said in a letter to the mayor and city council.
“Having a male-centric municipal code is inaccurate and not reflective of our reality,” Robinson said. “Women and non-binary individuals are just as entitled to accurate representation. Our laws are for everyone, and our municipal code should reflect that.”
World Health Emergency #5(Ebola?)
190717-AP News reported that the deadly Ebola outbreak in the Congo is now been declared an international health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) since it has now spread to a city, Goma, of 2M people. This is only the 5th such declaration in history. The first was Polio, many years ago.
The pastor who brought Ebola to Goma used several fake names to conceal his identity. WHO is busy try to track contacts who were on the bus and may have met with him.
The Guardian reported that geographical region expansion is now 500km.
Government Paid Medical Tuition!
190716-The Napa Valley Register reported the State Of California is paying off tuition bills for Doctors and Dentists if they agree to work in Calif for 5 years and that 30%of their caseloads be devoted to Medi-Cal patients.
In the article one dentist had his $300K tuition paid off, and, given Calif’s high tax rate, this is equivalent to $500K before tax income. Or, equivalently an extra $100K a year.
Calif recently offered free health care to illegal immigrants 26 and under. But many Calif medical students leave the state after graduation. Many more doctors are needed given the states population growth and sanctuary policies.
Swedes get chip implant for fast payments
190714-The New York Post reported that 4,000 Swedish citizens have had chips implanted enabling them to purchase items with just a swipe of their hands. The chip has even replaced keycards allowing access to appropriate buildings.
Sweden has a goal of removing cash and moving towards electronic payment which leaves a trail.
And the US Flag comes down
190712-The Denver Post reports that with Sundays deportations looming for migrants with deportation orders, anti-ICE protestors swarmed the Aurora, Colorado ICE Processing Center, passed the barrier and unlawfully replaced the American Flag with the Mexican colored Flag.
The plan was a peaceful protest, but then things changed. A number of protesters were disillusioned at turn of events. There were no arrests.
Feds say hackable video cams must go
190712-We’ve all seen movies where the good guys tap into somebody’s video surveillance cameras. Bloomberg reports the US government has a deadline of Aug 13th to remove all Chinese made surveillance cameras.
The base cameras are re-branded by Honeywell and others. The newer cameras contains clarity to enable external facial recognition algorithms to run providing a detailed flow of government employees.
Coast Guard rides Narco sub like a bull
190711-The video is of a Coast Guard crew, on small boats, running down a NARCO semi-submersible. The capture netted 17K pounds of cocaine, worth $232M. Drug running is getting more “James Bond” like.
Law Enforcement uses citizen video cam
190709 – DeKalb County in Georgia will allow residents with private license plate reader cameras to be accessed by the local law enforcement.
Amazon the new Sweat Shop?
Amazon workers plan a 6 hour strike on 7/15, an Amazon Prime Day. Critics say it benefits from Tax Breaks as cities change their tax rules to benefit them. Amazon uses a large number of temps and the production quotas to meet same day service has made the jobs unsafe. With the economy booming workers are becoming bolder in their demands. To show solidarity a number of white collar employees are flying in to support them. Are Amazon fulfillment centers the new sweatshops?
White Folks (double price?)
190707 – Early bird pricing for the AfroFuture Fest festival is $20 for white people, $10 for people of color. After that, both prices double
Local rapper “Tiny Jag” pulled out of the festival once learning of the pricing policy.
Housing for the Proletariat, the future?
190706 – Podshare.com offers cheaper living in selected large cities provided you are ready to tolerate a commune type experience with a changing population. With a booming population, driven by legal and illegal immigration, the scarcity of housing is driving prices higher. Especially in cities. The Urban Renewal of the past has morphed into today’s Gentrification. An advantage of Podshares is that you can get housing in a number of cities.
190706 – Podshares appear to be a great business model, given that millennial’s love for living in the city. It appears that 15-20 people living in a small flat, bunked submarine style, maybe the future. Everything is provided except for clothes, (maybe?). Cities have tight boundaries, as costs rise, you can expect competitors to this. In Japan this is called Capsule Living.
Congressional Migrant Coaching
- 190705- Rep. Veronica Escobar, who took over Beto O’Rourke’s El Paso, TX, district, and the local Catholic diocese have interviewed thousands of migrants in Juarez over the past few weeks who have been deported. Under the bilateral Migration Protection Protocols, or “Remain in Mexico” policy, anyone returned must be fluent in Spanish because they may have to reside in Mexico up to five years until a U.S. federal judge decides their asylum claim. Escobar has been accused by some in coaching these people of telling them to be mute, effectively, thus they can remain in the US.
Is Starbucks a (safe space?)
- 190705- Several Police officers were asked to leave a Starbucks in Tempe, AZ after one of the patrons did not feel safe in their presence.
Betsy Ross overtaken by 21st century thought
190701-Nike execs, following guidance received from Colin Kapernick, who stated the Betsy Ross flag promoted slavery, removed their new shoes from store shelves. the shoes used the circular star pattern popular in the late 1700’s. Nike, based in Oregon, has been accused of profiting from Racial Injustice as it seeks to define it’s marketing niche. The shoes were to retail at $120, are now going for $2500 resale.
Does the Dalai Lama need Re-Education?
190627-In a move to raise the ire of some, the Dalai Lama says European migrants should return to their original lands. He stated in a BBC interview, “A limited number is OK, but whole Europe eventually become Muslim country? Impossible. Or African country? Also impossible,”. The leaders of the EU have in the past welcomed migrants from the Middle East and Africa.
NBA owners no longer own the team?
190624-The Commission of the NBA, Adam Silver, stated the league has decided to no longer uses the term “Owner” to describe owners of a given NBA team. Racial sensitivity for the players was given as the reason. New terms are “governor” or “alternate governor”.
Democratic Party Cherry Picks NBC as the Fairest in the Land
190618-The South Carolina Democratic Party announced that for this weekends event, where the 21 Democratic Presidential candidates are expected to speak, it will only allow MSNBC to provide live coverage. CNN, C-Span, and of course, Fox, will not be allowed to provide live coverage.
California (Free Health Care) unless you are a citizen
190610-California became the first state to offer Illegal Aliens health insurance if they fall below incomes standards. For a family of 4, up to $150K/year qualifies. Ages 19-26 qualify. California budgeted $98M for an estimate 90K residents that might qualify. $1088/year cost per person. Calif will tax citizens who don’t have health care to help pay for this new plan.
Wash DC Lesbian March Discriminates
190609 – A Lesbian March in DC banned nationalistic symbols, including the Jewish Pride flag. Jewish lesbian groups stated the action was “anti-Semitic”. The organizers of the march stated they wanted to stand in support of Palestine.
Would this march be welcomed there though?
While Putin & Xi meet, Rooski and US Navy jostle
190607 – While Putin and Xi were meeting in Moscow, a Russian destroyer maneuvered close enough to the USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) forcing the US vessel to engage full reverse thrust to avoid a collision. The action occurred in the Philippine Sea to the East of the South China Sea. Russian ships have been a rarity in these waters but may become more common as Russian and Chinese ties strengthen
Putin finds a new "Bromance", Xi Jinging?
190606 – Vladimir Putin(Russia) and Xi Jinping(China) met to strengthen ties between their two countries. They agreed to work together more on trade, technology, and military sales. Russian has been pushed into China arms in part because of Americans growing distrust of Russia.
Twitter kowtows to China
Amnesty International violates Workers Rights
190602 – All of the top leaders of Amnesty International, a human rights organization, have offered to resign after an internal review uncovered a toxic work environment and culture, that included bullying. Early in March, the organization was also accused of violating US labor laws regarding right to organize and unpaid interns.
China requires broadcasters to play the Anthem
190520-China is now requiring radio and TV stations to play the National Anthem, “March of the Volunteers” at 7AM through the end of the year.
Germany may tax foreign funded mosques
190512-Germany is considering a “Mosque Tax” to replace or reduce Germany’s Islamic institutions dependence on foreign investment. For example, some 900 of the total 3,000 mosques are run and funded by the Turkish-Islamic Union of the Institute for Religion (DITIB), under the authority of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government with their Imams being paid by the Turkish state. Germany is home to 5 million Muslims, over 6% of the population. Some have stated the mosques should be self supporting and not require foreign funding or imported Imans.
Germany struggles with Muslim Polygamy
190510 – The Gates Institute reported that the German government has withdrawn proposed legislation that would have banned immigrants in polygamous marriages from obtaining German citizenship. Some migrants follow Sharia law where it is permitted to have up to 4 wives, they then collect social benefits using the collective family allowing for larger receipts as each wife, legally(under German Civil Law), is a single parent.
Word (Political Correctness Syntax Checker!)
190509-Microsoft plans to release a version of “Word” that will make your grammar “Politically Correct”. It will screen out offensive language.
Environmental Quandary?
190507-Death Valley, California appears to a promising site for Lithium mining. Environmentalist think the Panamint Valley is not the place for a lithium mine, but where then? The battle could be a fierce one. Lithium is expected to play an increasingly important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, and has been designated by the Trump administration as a mineral essential to the economic and national security of the United States.
US Steel Production coming back?
190503 – US Steel announces a $1.2B investment in it’s Mon Valley Steel Works. Steel has been on a 40 year decline. Waste heat from the plant will be used to produce electricity. Trump has imposed tariffs on some imported steel.
EU Weary of US Tech Giants
190503 – European Council President Donald Tusk said in Warsaw on May 3, 2019; stated “the world needs to be wary of the rise of tech giants such as Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon”. He compared their powers to those of countries such as China. He also stated he was worried about the EU’s children. The EU in the last year gave regulators the power to impose fines of up to 4% of global revenue for fines. The EU recently fine Google $1.7B for abusive advertising practices. Int 2018 and 2017 Google was fined $5B and $2.4B respectively. The EU has hit Apple with a back tax bill of $15B. The US government is also jumping in with a large fine of up to $5B against Facebook.