Economy
The surge in U.S. Treasury yields has been linked to potential actions by China amid ongoing trade tensions. The increase in yields, which raises borrowing costs for the U.S. government, is speculated to be a response to the U.S. maintaining tariffs on China. By selling off U.S. Treasury bonds, China could be signaling its displeasure, potentially escalating economic tensions between the two nations. Some financial experts argue that the bond market movements could be due to a variety of factors including expectations of inflation, changes in Federal Reserve policy, or simply market corrections rather than direct foreign intervention.
The concept of “The Great Decoupling” discusses America’s economic challenges and the rise of the Global South. Factors such as demographic changes, political dynamics, and economic shifts are cited as contributing to America’s perceived decline as a global economic hub. The Owners and Controllers of Global Financialized Capital (OCGFC) are reportedly moving assets to the Global South, where future growth is anticipated. Recent reports highlight increasing investments in Africa’s tech sector, with Microsoft announcing a $2.1 billion data center expansion in Kenya and East Africa, signaling a shift of tech infrastructure away from traditional Western hubs.
Geopolitics
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has secured a $24.5 billion judgment against China over alleged COVID-19 damages, leading to the planned seizure of Chinese-owned farmland in the U.S. This legal action, based on allegations of PPE hoarding during the pandemic, sets a precedent for other states to hold China accountable. The seizure underscores national security concerns related to foreign land ownership near military bases. However, a Chinese Embassy spokesperson dismissed the lawsuit as “absurd” and stated that China does not recognize the ruling, emphasizing that such actions could harm bilateral relations.
US Politics
The Democratic Party’s fundraising platform, ActBlue, is under scrutiny following a joint interim staff report by several House committees. The investigation reportedly revealed that ActBlue was supported by fraudulent actors, both foreign and domestic, and had lowered its fraud detection standards before the 2024 elections. This allegedly led to numerous fraud campaigns, including donations from countries like Iraq and Saudi Arabia, which could violate the Federal Election Campaign Act. The report also highlighted practices such as “smurfing” and the use of straw donors. Following the investigation, seven senior staff members resigned, and all affiliated lawyers stepped away from ActBlue. The platform’s chief fraud-prevention specialist was reportedly more focused on DEI work than on preventing fraud, aiming to keep fraud under 10% of contributions.
In a legal development, a federal judge has upheld a rule from the Trump administration requiring illegal immigrants to comply with identification requirements. The Department of Homeland Security’s rule mandates registration and fingerprinting for immigrants illegally present in the U.S., with penalties for non-compliance. The ruling dismissed claims that the rule violated the Fifth Amendment, allowing the administration to proceed with its enforcement. Immigration lawyers have criticized the policy, stating that it could lead to widespread fear among undocumented immigrants, potentially deterring them from seeking necessary services or reporting crimes due to fear of deportation.
Relatedly, a U.S. immigration judge has ruled that the Trump administration can deport Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, citing “potentially serious foreign policy consequences” due to his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests. The decision, based on the McCarran-Walter Act, allows for deportation if a noncitizen poses a risk to U.S. foreign policy aims. Khalil has until April 23 to request a stay of his deportation, otherwise, he will be deported to either Syria or Algeria.
In Colorado, a new law signed by Governor Jared Polis requires buyers to obtain a “firearms safety course eligibility card” for purchasing semiautomatic firearms, involving fingerprinting and a background check. Critics argue that the law could act as a de facto ban, while gun rights advocates plan to challenge it legally. There’s significant concern among Colorado’s gun owners and retailers about the new regulations, with some calling it a “backdoor ban.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has launched a task force to protect Second Amendment rights, following President Trump’s directive. Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced the initiative, which aims to develop policies and legal strategies to advance gun rights. The task force will review firearms-related actions from the Biden administration. While gun rights advocates have praised the initiative, critics argue that it might lead to less stringent gun control measures, potentially increasing gun violence.
Health
The FDA’s decision to fast-track saRNA technology has sparked debate over its potential as a medical breakthrough or a bioweapon. The technology, which uses modRNA similar to mRNA COVID vaccines, has raised concerns about its potential to become self-disseminating. The fast-tracking of saRNA will test the regulatory oversight of the FDA and its implications for public health. While there are concerns, saRNA could revolutionize vaccine technology by offering protection against multiple diseases simultaneously, with FDA officials asserting that rigorous testing protocols are in place.
Sources
ActBlue Scandal: Democratic Party’s Fundraising Platform Implicated in Fraudulent Donations
ActBlue is a self-proclaimed grassroots fundraising platform for the Democratic Party.
Source | Submitted by bcoop
China Likely Behind Surge in U.S. Treasury Yields Amid Trade Tensions
OK— it’s almost definitely China who’s dumping Treasury bonds
Source | Submitted by richcabot
The Great Decoupling: America’s Economic Decline and the Rise of the Global South
America is being phased out, not because they hate America, but because America is obsolete.
Source | Submitted by pnwdefector
FBI’s Controversial Payment to Foreign Spy for Dirt on US President Revealed
The FBI paid a foreign spy for dirt on a US President
Source | Submitted by Chris Martenson
Federal Judge Upholds Trump’s Immigration Registration Rule
“An alien’s failure to register is a crime that could result in a fine, imprisonment, or both. For decades, this law has been ignored—not anymore,” said the DHS announcement, referring to the Alien Registration Act, which was first enacted by Congress in 1940.
Colorado’s New Gun Law: A Bureaucratic Maze for Semiautomatic Firearm Purchases
The law impedes the acquisition of covered weapons by throwing bureaucratic hurdles in front of would-be purchasers.
Judge Approves Deportation of Pro-Palestinian Activist, Citing Foreign Policy Risks
“Potentially serious foreign policy consequences”
DOJ Forms Task Force to Uphold Second Amendment Rights, Repeals Biden’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy
“For too long, the Second Amendment, which establishes the fundamental individual right of Americans to keep and bear arms, has been treated as a second-class right. No more,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi wrote in a Tuesday memorandum to all DOJ employees.
FDA Fast Tracks saRNA: Potential Bioweapon or Medical Breakthrough?
This will be the most importantly test of @SecKennedy by far.
Missouri AG Seizes Chinese-Owned Farmland in Historic $24.5 Billion Judgment Over COVID-19
This suit was filed because China created the virus, unleashed it on the world, lied to the world about it thus inhibiting our ability to respond to the virus and then produced and hoarded the necessary medical equipment that we needed to respond to the virus and it harmed Missourians to the tune of 24 billion dollars.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Chinese Embassy, CNBC, Denver Post, Financial Times, House Judiciary Committee, Immigration Lawyer, New York Times, NPR, Washington Post.
