Geopolitics
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared the Kursk region fully liberated from Ukrainian forces, marking the end of a six-month occupation. The final battle was for the village of Gornal, where the capture of a key monastery complex reportedly turned the tide in favor of Russian forces. Putin thanked the military for defeating what he described as “neo-Nazi groups,” and highlighted the failure of the Ukrainian invasion attempt. This announcement comes as talks with the US are underway, potentially affecting negotiations over territorial exchanges. However, some independent sources have questioned the official narratives, suggesting that the situation might not be as clear-cut as reported.
Relatedly, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a brief discussion on peace overtures in the Russia-Ukraine war during the Pope’s funeral. The meeting, described as “very symbolic” by Zelenskyy, focused on achieving a lasting peace and preventing future conflicts. This informal summit took place in St. Peter’s Basilica, highlighting the Vatican’s role in advocating for peace. However, political analysts have expressed skepticism about the immediate impact of such high-profile meetings on the ground situation.
Meanwhile, tensions between Pakistan and India have escalated, with the two nuclear-armed neighbors engaging in border fire for a second consecutive day. The conflict was triggered by an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 Indian tourists were killed, leading to mutual accusations and a suspension of diplomatic and military exchanges. The situation has raised concerns of a broader confrontation, with both nations reportedly preparing for potential escalation. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has called for an international investigation into the Kashmir attack, emphasizing the need for a neutral probe to ascertain the facts.
European Politics
Dublin witnessed a large protest against mass immigration, reflecting public discontent with current immigration policies. The demonstration was reportedly the city’s largest ever, highlighting the rising tensions over immigration in Europe. However, there was also a significant presence of those supporting immigration, arguing for a more inclusive Ireland.
US Politics
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the Trump administration has introduced a policy linking funding to researchers’ stance on Israel. This policy prohibits NIH grant recipients from participating in any boycott against Israel, a restriction not applied to other countries or U.S. states. This has sparked debate over freedom of expression and the politicization of scientific research, potentially affecting critical studies in health and medicine. Some pro-Israel advocacy groups see the policy as a justified response to the BDS movement, which they view as anti-Semitic.
Additionally, an NIH official reportedly cut a women’s health program without approval, leading to media leaks and public outcry. This action, seen as insubordinate to President Trump’s guidelines, has resulted in the official facing potential dismissal, highlighting internal conflicts within the administration over policy implementation. However, an NIH spokesperson clarified that the cut was part of a broader review of programs to ensure alignment with current health priorities.
Economy
Martin Armstrong has warned of a looming stagflation crisis in the US by 2025. He suggests that central banks have lost control over the economy due to shifts from traditional economic theories, predicting a significant confidence collapse by mid-2026. Armstrong also points to Europe’s economic fragility, exacerbated by political fragmentation and the euro’s failure to unify the continent effectively. However, some economists argue that the Federal Reserve still has tools to manage inflation without triggering a deep recession.
The Port of Los Angeles is preparing for a potential impact as Chinese exports are expected to decrease due to an impending trade war. High-frequency data indicates that import volumes will significantly decrease next week, with potential disruptions in the broader economy, including the trucking industry and warehouse districts. This comes amidst reports of Chinese factories shutting down and laying off workers, signaling early effects of the trade war. Meanwhile, China is prepared to retaliate, indicating a potential escalation rather than de-escalation of the trade conflict.
Health
A study published in a Nature journal has revealed that nearly half of the reported COVID-19 deaths in seven Greek hospitals between January and August 2022 were misattributed. The research found that only 25% of these deaths were directly linked to the virus, with the rest either having the virus at the time of death or no clear link established. This misclassification has raised questions about the accuracy of global COVID-19 death counts and the implications for public health policy. However, health officials caution against overgeneralization, noting that these results are from a specific time and place.
Sources
Central Banks’ Control Illusion: Navigating the Looming Stagflation Crisis
“Now, all your central banks have actually lost control, mainly because the theories that we were all taught in school, you know, way back when, Keynesian economics, when he came up with that idea in the ’30s, the US had a balanced budget.”
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
Treasury Yields Dip, Dollar Rebounds: Foreign Demand for U.S. Debt Remains Strong
Foreigners kept buying Treasuries just fine.
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
The Unraveling of Trust: A Global Economic Shift
Trust is being repriced.
Source | Submitted by Gamma Geek
Trump and Zelenskyy Hold Peace Talks at Pope’s Funeral
Hoping for results on everything we covered.
Source | Submitted by Walberga
NIH Funding Now Tied to Israel Stance: Researchers Face Censorship and Funding Cuts
Under new guidelines released by the National Institute of Health, any medical researchers will have all funds terminated if they support a boycott of Israel.
Source | Submitted by Robert Duggan
NIH Official’s Unauthorized Cut to Women’s Health Program Sparks Controversy
An NIH career official unilaterally cut a women’s health program at the NIH and leaked it to the media.
Putin Declares Kursk Region Fully Liberated, Ukrainian Invasion Repelled
“The Kiev regime’s adventure has completely failed, and the huge losses suffered by the enemy, including among the most combat-ready, trained and equipped, including by Western models of equipment… will certainly be reflected along the entire line of combat contact,” he said.
Pakistan and India on the Brink: Second Day of Border Fire Amid Rising Tensions
The nuclear neighbors are on the brink of a more dangerous confrontation, so there are fears, especially because of speeches by Prime Minister Modi as well as the Indian media.
Trade War Shock Imminent: Port of Los Angeles Braces for Impact as Chinese Exports Plummet
High-frequency data from the Port of Los Angeles suggests a substantial impact on Chinese exports to the U.S. will begin next week.
Dublin Erupts in Massive Protest Against Islamic Immigration
In a stunning turn of events, Dublin erupts:
Study Reveals: Nearly Half of Reported COVID Deaths in Greek Hospitals Misattributed
Almost half of “COVID deaths” in seven Greek hospitals were not COVID deaths at all, according to a new peer-reviewed study.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Bloomberg, Dawn News, Greek Health Official, Independent Blogs, NIH Spokesperson, The Guardian, The Jerusalem Post, The Peace Advocate Blog, TheJournal.ie, Xinhua News Agency.
by bonnieb2a1 
