The John Batchelor Show is a hard news-analysis radio program on current events, world history, global politics and natural sciences. Based in New York City for two decades, the show has travelled widely to report, from the Middle East to the South Caucasus to the Arabian Peninsula and East Asia.

S8 Ep165: PREVIEW: Assessing Military Conduct in the September 2025 Incident: Colleague Richard Epstein discusses the US military's destruction of a boat carrying 11 people in September 2025, arguing that regardless of unknown details—such as the presence of drugs

The John Batchelor Show

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Violation of Military Code of Conduct: Richard Epstein asserts that the US military's actions in destroying a boat with 11 people aboard on September 2, 2025, constitute a "desperate form of illegality" regardless of specific unknown details. Military rules clearly prohibit firing on people who cannot shoot back and require treating vanquished enemies with respect.

Unanswered Questions: Many details about the incident remain unknown, including whether drugs were present, whether the occupants were armed, and whether women or children were on board. However, Epstein argues these details, while important for determining degree of responsibility, don't change the fundamental verdict about the illegality.

Chain of Command Accountability: Epstein suggests the key question is how far up the chain of command responsibility extends for this violation, implying this requires investigation and accountability from military leadership.

Rules of Engagement: The discussion clarifies that while military personnel may fire upon those shooting at them during wartime, once opponents have surrendered or become incapable of defense, they cannot be killed and must receive proper treatment including medical care.

Potential Complications: Epstein notes that if women and children were present on the boat, it would undermine the narrative of this being a narcotics operation, which would have serious implications for those involved, including someone identified as "Mr. Hegseth."
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The Podcast Index presents Podcasting 2.0 - Upgrading Podcasting

Episode 243: Nuts & Logs

Podcasting 2.0

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Dave's New York City Trip: Dave Jones spent a few days in New York City with his family before Thanksgiving, staying at the Park Central Hotel near Columbus Circle. They visited the Museum of Modern Art and saw a Broadway show called "Art" featuring Neil Patrick Harris, James Corden, and Bobby Cannavale. Dave was impressed with James Corden's acting abilities, noting he "stole the show."

Podcast Hosting Industry Expansion: The hosts discussed the trend of many new companies entering the podcast hosting space. Adam views this positively as it solidifies the importance of RSS feeds in the podcasting ecosystem, strengthening the decentralized nature of podcasting. They noted how hosting companies compete through features like comprehensive statistics.

AI-Enhanced Analytics for Podcast Stats: Adam shared how he uses AI to analyze podcast statistics for his Godcaster clients. Rather than just providing basic charts, he uploads raw CSV data into ChatGPT to generate deeper insights about listener behavior, engagement patterns, and content performance. This approach allows for more interactive and comprehensive analytics beyond "number go up" metrics.

Open-Source Aggregator Project: Dave announced a new community-driven project to rebuild the Podcast Index aggregation system. He published a repository for a feed parser on GitHub that was entirely built with AI through JetBrains' Juni tool. The project aims to improve how the index processes podcast feeds by separating functions into discrete components, using queues to manage database load, and allowing the community to contribute to development.

Alt Enclosure Video Discussion: The hosts debated how podcast apps should handle feeds that include both audio and video formats through alternate enclosures. After discussion, they agreed that if a podcast creator goes to the effort of including video, the app should probably prioritize displaying the video version (when appropriate), with Adam endorsing Fountain's approach of showing video on web players and audio on mobile.

AI-Generated Podcast Filtering: They discussed how industry analyst James Spurlock is now filtering out text-to-speech (TTS) AI-generated podcasts from his statistics to better measure human-created content. While they understood his reasoning for analysis purposes, Dave and Adam agreed these podcasts shouldn't be excluded from the Podcast Index itself, noting AI is becoming increasingly integrated across many forms of media.

Dave's Philosophical Reflections on AI: Dave shared his ongoing contemplation about AI's impact, referencing Cory Doctorow's concept of AI as a "reverse centaur" (machine with human body vs. human with machine head). He expressed discomfort with his experience of coding through AI tools - while it's efficient, he feels mentally disconnected from code he hasn't personally written. Dave believes there's a legitimate uneasiness about AI that isn't yet fully articulated but will become clearer with time.

Nuts and Bolts of Snack Mixes: In a lighthearted opening segment, the hosts discussed regional variations of Chex Mix, with Adam noting that his family tradition calls it "Nuts and Bolts" (adding pretzel sticks and Cheerios to the mix). They agreed these snack mixes are quintessentially a post-Thanksgiving seasonal treat.

Community Funding and Support: Throughout the episode, the hosts acknowledged financial support from various community members, including several new monthly donors. Supporters included Barry from PodHome, Oscar and friends from Fountain, and a new $50/month subscription from Ralph Estep Jr., the Content Creators Accountant.
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Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne talk all things Maple Leafs and NHL!  Airing live on Sportsnet 590 The FAN weekdays from 4-6 PM ET.

Leafs Hour: Road Trip Turnaround + Woll's Injury

Real Kyper & Bourne

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Goaltending Crisis with Joseph Woll's Injury: During a 5-1 win against Carolina, Joseph Woll suffered another groin injury, continuing a concerning pattern of health issues for Leafs goaltenders. With Anthony Stolarz already sidelined, Toronto is now relying on Dennis Hildeby in net. The hosts predict Woll could be out until Christmas, and debate whether Toronto should explore goaltending options like Jordan Binnington to address their recurring injury problems.

Leafs' Three-Game Winning Streak Shows Improvement: After a rough start, the Maple Leafs have won three straight games, showing significant improvements in puck possession and defensive zone play. The team that struggled to escape their own zone early in the season is now playing with more confidence, highlighted by better breakouts and structure throughout the lineup.

Troy Stecher's Impact on Defense: Recent acquisition Troy Stecher has quickly become an important piece on Toronto's blue line, leading the team in ice time against Carolina. His ability to make a good first pass and kill plays has improved the defensive corps, particularly by allowing Jake McCabe to play on his natural side, creating better defensive pairs overall.

Healthy Scratches Paying Dividends: Craig Berube's decision to healthy scratch Dakota Joshua and Max Domi appears to have worked effectively. Both players have returned to the lineup with renewed energy and purpose. The hosts discussed how healthy scratches can serve as effective reset buttons depending on the player's relationship with the coach and how the message is delivered.

Matthew Knies Showing Power Forward Potential: Knies is providing the physical edge Toronto has needed, demonstrated by his impressive goal against Carolina where he powered through Sebastian Aho. Producing at over a point-per-game pace, he's showing the value of homegrown talent and bringing a Gary Roberts/Darcy Tucker-type element that complements the team's skill players.

Questions About Goaltending Contract Strategy: The hosts debated whether Toronto was too hasty in signing Anthony Stolarz to a four-year contract given his history as primarily a backup goaltender. Kypreos questioned why the team didn't wait to see a larger sample size before committing long-term, especially considering the recurring injury issues with both Stolarz and Woll.

Bottom Six Forward Group Finally Clicking: A significant factor in Toronto's recent success has been the improved play of their third and fourth lines. Players like Ryan Reaves, David Kampf, Connor Dewar, Pontus Holmberg, and Noah Gregor are providing energy and secondary scoring that was missing early in the season, creating the balanced attack that GM Brad Treliving envisioned when constructing the roster.
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Charlie is America's hardest working grassroots activist who has your inside scoop on the biggest news of the day and what's really going on behind the headlines. The founder of Turning Point USA and one of social media's most engaged personalities, Charlie is on the front lines of America’s culture war, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of students on over 3,500 college and high school campuses across the country, bringing you your daily dose of clarity in a sea of chaos all from his signature no-holds-barred, unapologetically conservative, freedom-loving point of view.
You can also <a href="https://salemnewschannel.com/host/charlie-kirk/">watch Charlie Kirk on Salem News Channel</a>

Redistricting Wins Wars

The Charlie Kirk Show

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- The Importance of Redistricting for Republican Wins: The episode focuses on how redistricting can help Republicans maintain House control after the 2026 midterms. Blake and Andrew argue that Republican-controlled states should redraw congressional district maps to favor their party, just as Democrats have done in states like California, New York, and Maryland.

- Texas Supreme Court Victory: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton discusses his recent Supreme Court win that allows Texas to implement its new congressional maps, potentially giving Republicans 4-5 additional House seats. The Supreme Court granted an emergency stay against a lower court ruling that had blocked the maps.

- Indiana Redistricting Fight: Turning Point Action is pressuring Indiana Republicans to redraw the state's congressional maps to favor Republicans. They are hosting a rally at the Indiana State Capitol and threatening to primary Republican senators who oppose redistricting efforts. Despite having 40 Republican senators (with only 26 needed for approval), some are resisting these changes.

- Political Strategy Perspective: The hosts argue that Republicans need to be as aggressive as Democrats in using legal redistricting tactics. Ken Paxton stated: "If we're going to have a fair playing field, we in Republican states need to be able to do exactly what the Democrats have done."

- Trump's Influence on Redistricting Push: The hosts credit President Trump with driving this strategy, stating he recognized the opportunity to gain political advantage through redistricting to maintain power in Washington and advance his agenda after the 2026 midterms.

- January 6th Pipe Bomber Update: The show discusses the recent arrest of the alleged January 6th pipe bomber, Ryan Cole Jr. They note that CNN's Jake Tapper incorrectly identified him as a white man when he is Black, and that the suspect's family had previously worked with civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump on immigration-related cases.

- Legacy of Charlie Kirk: Throughout the episode, the hosts (Andrew Kolvet and Blake Neff) reference Charlie Kirk's commitment to the redistricting fight and his approach to politics, emphasizing his focus on getting concrete political wins rather than just talking about issues.
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The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

Netflix’s $82 Billion Power Play for Warner Bros.

Big Take

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- Netflix's Unprecedented Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery: Netflix has agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $82.7 billion, including debt. This represents a major shift for Netflix, which has historically been averse to large acquisitions and regulatory complications. Less than two months before the announcement, Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters had expressed skepticism about big media mergers.

- What Netflix is Acquiring: Netflix is primarily interested in Warner Bros.' extensive library of content, which includes iconic properties from Casablanca to Game of Thrones. The acquisition includes Warner Bros. film and TV studios (one of the oldest and most productive in Hollywood) and HBO, but excludes networks like CNN and TNT. The deal marks a milestone as a Silicon Valley streaming company takes ownership of one of Hollywood's oldest studios.

- Deal Structure and Timeline: Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders will receive $27.75 per share in cash and stock, roughly double what the company was trading at before acquisition talks began. The companies expect regulatory approval to take 12-18 months to complete.

- Future Consumer Experience: While specific plans are still unclear, Netflix has indicated Warner Bros. will continue to operate in its current form, with theatrical releases and third-party content production continuing. A key question remains about HBO's future - whether it will be fully integrated into Netflix or offered as an add-on subscription.

- Competitive Landscape and Opposition: Paramount Skydance, which initiated the bidding process with three unsolicited offers, has complained about unfairness in the process and may pursue legal action. The deal has already faced criticism from politicians on both sides of the aisle who are concerned about industry consolidation.

- Behind-the-Scenes Dynamics: Personal relationships reportedly played a significant role in Netflix securing the deal over Paramount. Netflix's Ted Sarandos had developed a relationship with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, while Paramount's David Ellison lacked such connections and had previous conflicts with Warner Bros.

- Regulatory Challenges: The deal faces potential regulatory hurdles, with politicians from Elizabeth Warren to Darrell Issa expressing opposition. The incoming Trump administration's position remains uncertain. Netflix will argue it represents a relatively small percentage of the overall market depending on how that market is defined (streaming, television, etc.).
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Technology's daily show (formerly the Technology Brothers Podcast). Streaming live on X and YouTube from 12 - 3 PM PST Monday - Friday. Available on X, Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

Live @ NYSE, Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. | Keith Rabois, Emily Sundberg, Adam Faze

TBPN Live

TBPN

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Netflix Acquiring Warner Bros. in $82.7B Deal: Netflix announced an agreement to acquire Warner Brothers, including its film and TV studios, HBO Max, and HBO, in a deal with a total enterprise value of $82.7 billion. Netflix plans to maintain Warner Brothers' current operations, including theatrical releases, while potentially keeping HBO Max as a separate service and adding HBO content to Netflix.

Mixed Market Reactions to the Netflix-WB Deal: The market showed mixed reactions to the announcement, with Netflix stock trading down 2.6%. Critics like Martin Pierce called it an "$82.7 billion blunder," arguing that Netflix paid a premium for assets that won't significantly help subscriber growth. Others fear the deal will reduce competition in Hollywood, while some argue it will help traditional media compete against tech giants.

Keith Rabois on AI Investment Strategy: Venture capitalist Keith Rabois discussed his "bold, early, impactful" investment approach and how AI is changing funding dynamics. He emphasized that AI application companies should maintain positive gross margins rather than burning capital unnecessarily. Rabois believes application-layer AI companies should be profitable, distinguishing them from frontier model developers who necessarily spend more on research.

The Future of Legal AI and Industry Disruption: Rabois discussed how AI is transforming the legal industry through companies like Spellbook and Harvey. He noted that corporate legal departments are embracing AI tools more readily than law firms due to different incentive structures, and shared that even large companies with extensive legal teams are authorizing their lawyers to use AI tools like ChatGPT to improve efficiency.

Current VC Market Conditions and Valuation Trends: Rabois expressed concern about current valuation trends, noting that before recent changes, he had "never invested in any normal company above an $86 million valuation." He predicts that while some AI companies will become iconic, there won't be as many massive consumer successes as investors expect, with OpenAI/ChatGPT likely being one of the few exceptions.

The Changing Tech Company Competitive Landscape: Rabois observed that large tech companies have become much more nimble and competitive than in previous eras. Unlike the past when startups could easily outmaneuver incumbents, today's tech giants are "fast" and "paying attention," making it harder for startups to gain traction before facing competitive responses.

Apple's Leadership Changes and AI Position: Discussing recent executive departures at Apple, Rabois suggested Apple is "behind the eight ball in AI" despite maintaining hardware excellence. He noted that while Apple's hardware integration remains strong, the company risks being blindsided by AI-specific devices developed by competitors if they don't prioritize AI innovation.

NYC Stock Exchange President Lynn Martin on Market Outlook: Lynn Martin, NYSE President, discussed the upcoming active IPO season, noting that several deals pushed from late 2025 will make January 2026 "busy" with momentum building throughout the year. She mentioned that the midterm elections at the end of 2026 will likely cause a temporary closure of the IPO window due to potential market volatility.

Emily Sundberg on Media Entrepreneurship: Emily Sundberg discussed the success of her Substack newsletter "Feed Me" and her expansion into podcasting with "Expense Account." She revealed plans to create California-focused content for her readers there and shared insights on the competition between media platforms like Substack and Patreon, suggesting they should focus on incubating new talent rather than poaching creators from each other.

Adam Faze's Perspective on the Netflix-WB Deal: Film producer Adam Faze expressed strong support for the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal, viewing it as necessary consolidation to compete for audience attention against tech platforms like Meta, Google, and TikTok. He highlighted the complementary nature of Netflix's distribution power and Warner Bros.' rich IP library, particularly mentioning the value of animation properties like Looney Tunes.

Digital Content and Children's Safety Concerns: The conversation touched on growing concerns about children's digital consumption, with Faze highlighting issues with YouTube Kids and social media. Discussion included Australia's proposed ban on social media for users under 16, with differing perspectives on whether such regulation would be effective or simply push young users to less regulated platforms.

The Value of Traditional Movie Theaters in the Streaming Era: Despite the Netflix acquisition, there was discussion about the continued importance of theatrical releases. Faze predicted that theaters would evolve toward either ultra-luxury experiences or spectacular large-format venues (like IMAX), noting that people will only go to theaters for experiences they can't replicate at home.

Media Business Distribution and Changing Viewing Habits: The conversation highlighted how viewing habits are evolving, with many people now watching video podcasts on TVs as background content while doing other activities. The growing trend of watching traditionally audio-only content in video format represents a significant shift in media consumption patterns.

SpaceX IPO Plans for Late 2026: SpaceX has reportedly told investors and financial institutions it's aiming for an IPO in the second half of 2026. The company is considering a sale of shares that would value it at $800 billion, which would make it the most valuable private company. Unlike previous plans, SpaceX is now considering taking the entire company public including Starlink, rather than spinning off Starlink separately.
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The most important stories about money, business and power. Hosted by Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson, with Jessica Mendoza. The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal.

Get show merch here: https://wsjshop.com/collections/clothing

Make Money Not War: Trump’s Plan for Peace in Ukraine

The Journal.

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• The Miami Meeting to End a War: In October 2024, three businessmen—Kirill Dmitriev (head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund), Jared Kushner (Trump's son-in-law), and Steve Witkoff (a real estate tycoon and Trump's emissary to Moscow)—met in Florida to draft a peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This meeting would form the basis for peace talks held later.

• Business-Centered Diplomacy: The Trump administration has adopted an unorthodox approach to Russia-Ukraine negotiations, integrating business opportunities into the peace process rather than keeping them separate. The strategy aims to end the war while simultaneously creating commercial opportunities for American companies in Russia's $2 trillion economy.

• Key Relationship Between Witkoff and Dmitriev: Steve Witkoff, Trump's billionaire friend who was appointed as Special Envoy to the Middle East, developed a close relationship with Kirill Dmitriev, a sanctioned Russian investment banker with Harvard and Stanford degrees. Despite Dmitriev being under US sanctions, the Treasury Department allowed him to visit the US in April, where he presented business opportunities for American companies in Russia's energy and mineral sectors.

• Positioning for Profit: Business leaders with ties to both Trump and Putin are quietly positioning their companies to profit if a peace deal materializes. For example, Gentry Beach, a Trump donor and close friend of Donald Trump Jr., has been in talks to acquire a stake in a Russian Arctic gas project partly owned by a Putin-allied billionaire. Major corporations like Exxon Mobil have also reportedly held secret meetings with Russian state oil companies.

• The 28-Point Peace Plan: The plan drafted in Miami leaked a month later, causing immediate protests from European allies who felt it predominantly reflected Russian positions and ignored Ukraine's interests. The plan called for limiting Ukraine's military, blocking its path to NATO membership, and surrendering Ukrainian land to Russia that Russia hadn't even conquered yet.

• European Allies' Concerns: The business-first approach has created significant tension between the US and its European allies. The Polish prime minister summarized European sentiment by saying, "We know this is not about peace. It's about business." European leaders are questioning if they are still in an alliance with the United States, as they see the US floating between Europe and Russia rather than standing firmly with Western allies.

• Historical Precedent of Failed Economic Engagement: The idea that commercial ties can prevent conflict isn't new—Germany and other European countries attempted this approach with Russia for decades after the Cold War. However, business relationships with Russia constrained European foreign policy more than Russian foreign policy, as Putin still invaded Georgia, Crimea, and ultimately Ukraine in 2022 despite these economic ties.
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The latest headlines and analysis from Britain’s most trusted newspaper - now delivered to you three times a day. Follow the podcast to never miss an episode.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Evening Briefing Friday 5th December

Times news briefing

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- UK-North Macedonia Migrant Returns Talks: The UK has entered formal talks with North Macedonia about opening a migrant returns hub, where illegal immigrants could be deported. This initiative aims to deter small boat Channel crossings, with Britain paying North Macedonia for each migrant it accepts. Home affairs expert Danny Shaw suggests a deal is likely, though it might initially involve small numbers.

- Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been lobbying Belgium to support using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine's war effort. Belgium holds the majority of these assets and fears Russian retaliation. Meanwhile, the UK government is preparing to hand over £8 billion of frozen Russian assets held in Britain to Ukraine.

- Child Poverty Strategy: The UK government has unveiled its child poverty strategy, promising more accessible childcare, free school lunches, and an end to families being housed in bed and breakfast accommodations. Save the Children's Priya Edwards explained that child poverty is defined as families living on 60% or less of the UK's median income, which is around £22,000 annually.

- Netflix's Major Acquisition: Netflix has agreed to purchase Warner Bros. Film and TV studios along with its streaming division for £54 billion. This acquisition gives Netflix access to valuable content including the Harry Potter franchise, Game of Thrones, Friends, and HBO's award-winning shows like The Sopranos, Succession, and The Wire. However, cinema operators and talent representatives have expressed concerns about this consolidation.
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AI Chat is the podcast where we dive into the world of ChatGPT, cutting-edge AI news and its impact on our daily lives. With in-depth discussions and interviews with leading experts in the field, we'll explore the latest advancements in language models, machine learning, and more. 

From its practical applications to its ethical considerations, AI Chat will keep you informed and entertained on the exciting developments in the world of AI. Tune in to stay ahead of the curve on the latest technological revolution.

Meta to Cut Metaverse Budget by 30% and Use AI for Customer Support

AI Chat: ChatGPT &amp; AI News, Artificial Intelligence, OpenAI, Machine Learning

AI Chat: ChatGPT, AI News, Artificial Intelligence, OpenAI, Machine Learning

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- Meta's New Centralized Support Hub: Meta is launching a centralized support hub for Facebook and Instagram that includes AI-powered search and an AI assistant. This new system aims to help users report issues, recover accounts, and get personalized assistance with profile management and settings.

- AI's Role in Account Protection: Meta reports that AI has helped reduce account hacks by over 30% globally across Facebook and Instagram. The technology helps identify threats like phishing and suspicious logins, while also helping to avoid mistaken account disabling and speeding up the appeals process.

- Metaverse Budget Cuts: According to Bloomberg, Meta is planning to cut its metaverse budget by 30%, reflecting a shift in priorities as projects like Horizon Worlds and VR hardware haven't gained the expected traction. This news was well-received by investors, with Meta's shares rising after the report.

- Shifting Focus to Smart Glasses and AI: Despite cutting metaverse software spending, Meta's investments in VR research have yielded benefits like their popular Ray-Ban smart glasses. The host suggests glasses are the most likely candidate to eventually replace smartphones, and Meta is well-positioned in this market alongside competitors like Google and Apple.

- Strategic Consolidation: Meta appears to be streamlining operations and reallocating resources toward AI initiatives. The company is centralizing ad support and using AI assistants to cut costs while improving user experience, which may be driven partly by necessity following user complaints and lawsuits over account issues.
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Welcome to ReSolve Riffs Investment Podcast, hosted by the team at ReSolve Global*, where evidence inspires confidence.
These podcasts will dig deep to uncover investment truths and life hacks you won’t find in the mainstream media, covering topics that appeal to left-brained robots, right-brained poets and everyone in between. In this show we interview deep thinkers in the world of quantitative finance such as Larry Swedroe, Meb Faber and many more, all with the goal of helping you reach excellence. Welcome to the journey.

*ReSolve Global refers to ReSolve Asset Management SEZC (Cayman) which is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a commodity trading advisor and commodity pool operator. This registration is administered through the National Futures Association (“NFA”). Further, ReSolve Global is a registered person with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority.

Mike Green: The Affordability Crisis & Rethinking the American Dream

Resolve Riffs Investment Podcast

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- Using AI as an Analytical Tool: Mike Green describes his use of LLMs not to write content outright, but as analytical assistants - treating them like "15-20 first-year analysts" who gather information that he can then verify with his domain expertise. He uses multiple AI systems (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude) and has them critique each other's work, similar to how human analysts would collaborate.

- The "Mockery Machine" Problem: Green discusses how legitimate economic concerns from everyday Americans are often met with coordinated mockery rather than thoughtful analysis. He points to a case where social media users ridiculed someone who observed that single-income households could afford more in the 1950s than today, highlighting how this dismissal prevents meaningful economic discourse.

- Redefining Economic Hardship: The podcast challenges traditional economic definitions of poverty, with Green introducing what Butler terms a "precarity line" - roughly $140,000 for a family of four - representing not poverty in the technical sense but the threshold where families can begin saving and pursuing life objectives beyond mere survival, which sparked significant controversy.

- The Price Level vs. Inflation Rate: Green distinguishes between inflation (rate of change in prices) and the actual price level, noting that what matters to struggling households isn't just inflation returning to 2% but the elevated baseline prices they now face. For those already underwater financially, even small price increases can be devastating.

- "Ghost Households" and Declining Family Formation: The conversation highlights how economic pressures create "ghost households" - families that never form because young people calculate they simply cannot afford children. This represents a significant societal cost not captured in economic statistics, as potential parents forgo having children due to financial constraints.

- Flaws in Official Economic Metrics: Green critiques how measures like CPI fail to accurately reflect lived experience, particularly for those at economic margins. Examples include how quality improvements (like air conditioning becoming standard in apartments) are used to reduce reported inflation, masking true cost increases for necessities.

- The "Valley of Death" in Benefits Design: The discussion identifies how government benefits create a "valley of death" or "benefits cliff" where earning more money results in the withdrawal of critical support (like food assistance, childcare subsidies, housing vouchers), making it extraordinarily difficult to progress from subsistence to genuine economic security.

- The Two-Income Necessity: Today's economic reality increasingly requires dual incomes to maintain middle-class status, unlike previous generations. The massive costs of childcare (20-40% of young families' income) exemplify this shift, creating scenarios where having children becomes economically prohibitive.

- The Political Consequences of Economic Gaslighting: Both speakers argue that dismissing people's valid economic struggles as mere complaining drives political polarization. When establishment voices insist "you've never had it so good" while people struggle, it pushes voters toward populist alternatives and damages trust in democratic capitalism.

- Potential Solutions and Policy Directions: The conversation explores various approaches to addressing these challenges, including restructuring the tax system, strategic use of tariffs, rethinking investment versus direct subsidies, and creating incentive architectures that reward positive outcomes for children rather than simply distributing money without purpose or direction.
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Our mission is to restore an economic consensus that emphasizes the importance of family, community, and industry to the nation’s liberty and prosperity. The American Compass Podcast features conversations on a wide variety of policy issues aimed at helping policymakers and the broader public navigate the most pressing issues that will define the future of the conservative movement in America.

Reassessing Globalization with Former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo

The American Compass Podcast

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• The Evolution of the Globalization Debate: Professor Ernesto Zedillo, former president of Mexico, observes that globalization has always been contentious, even during the "roaring 90s." What has changed is a convergence of opposition across the political spectrum, with both left and right now questioning trade policies. He notes that globalization has been both "oversold" and "over-criticized," with politicians often attributing more benefits or harms to it than it deserves.

• China's Impact on Global Trade: Zedillo acknowledges that China's rapid economic rise and its mixed economic model have created challenges for the global trading system. While China has opened markets and reduced tariffs, questions remain about whether it truly plays by the rules, particularly regarding state intervention. Zedillo believes the world missed opportunities in the early 2000s to reform institutions like the WTO to better address these challenges.

• The Role of Trade Rules and Institutions: Unlike the previous "golden era" of globalization in the late 19th century, the post-WWII trading system was built on rules of engagement. The WTO dispute settlement mechanism generally worked until 2019, when the appellate body ceased functioning effectively. Zedillo argues that trade diplomacy should be given another chance before more drastic alternatives are considered.

• Manufacturing Decline in Context: Zedillo contextualizes U.S. manufacturing decline, noting that the sector has been shrinking since the 1950s. He suggests reframing what "industry" means in the modern economy – not just factory assembly but also design, engineering, and innovation at both ends of the "smile curve" of value creation, where the U.S. maintains leadership.

• Domestic Policy Failures: A key argument Zedillo makes is that many problems blamed on globalization actually stem from domestic policy failures. He criticizes politicians for blaming foreigners and trade rather than implementing policies to help workers adapt to structural economic changes and ensure a level playing field for all citizens to participate in the modern economy.

• Technology's Role in Economic Change: Zedillo identifies technology as perhaps the most important factor changing labor markets, potentially more significant than trade. He worries that current trade tensions and protectionism might accelerate the adoption of job-displacing technologies like AI and 3D printing, creating a future where factories employ fewer workers.

• The Future Challenge: Rather than fighting "19th and 20th century fights with instruments of the early 20th century," Zedillo urges focusing on how to help people adapt to and participate in a rapidly changing technological environment. The key question isn't how to stop innovation but how to ensure workers can find meaningful roles in the emerging economy.
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Bloomberg Daybreak delivers today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes. Get informed from Bloomberg's 2,700 journalists and analysts in 120 countries.

Daybreak Weekend: Fed Decision, Cybersecurity Conference, China Eco

Bloomberg Daybreak: US Edition

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- Federal Reserve's Final 2025 Decision: The Fed is expected to cut rates this week, but the focus will be on future policy direction. Stuart Paul of Bloomberg Economics notes that the 2026 FOMC voting roster will shift to include more hawkish members, making it difficult for the Fed to deliver rapid rate cuts despite potential pressure from the Trump administration. The market will be watching Chair Powell's news conference for hints about the cutting pace in early 2026.

- Tech Earnings Under Scrutiny: Oracle and Adobe report earnings this week amidst concerns about AI valuations. Oracle faces questions about how it will fund its large OpenAI order book and data center expansion, while Adobe needs to address investor fears that free AI tools could threaten its core products. Bloomberg analyst Anurag Rana notes Oracle has positioned itself as the "fourth hyperscale cloud provider" behind Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.

- Cybersecurity Threats Escalate: The Black Hat Europe Conference in London addresses growing cyber challenges facing businesses and governments. Bloomberg's senior cybersecurity reporter Jordan Robertson highlighted two main threat vectors: ransomware attacks (often executed by young hackers) that can halt business operations, and nation-state espionage targeting critical infrastructure and financial systems. The UK government's unprecedented $2 billion loan to Jaguar Land Rover following a ransomware attack may have set a concerning precedent.

- China's Deflationary Cycle: China's economy remains trapped in deflation ahead of new consumer and producer price data. Bloomberg economist Eric Zhu attributes this to weak domestic demand, consumer anxiety, and factory overcapacity. While China may achieve its 5% growth target for 2026, future years might see more flexible growth targets around 4.5%. Stimulus measures are expected to focus on fiscal support rather than monetary easing.

- Utrip's Australian Expansion: Singapore-based fintech platform Utrip is expanding into Australia, targeting the country's $50 billion outbound travel market. CEO Cecilia Chu highlighted Australians' travel habits (15-day average trips compared to 6-7 days in Singapore/Thailand) as a strategic opportunity for the company's multi-currency digital wallet and no-fee travel card services.
</answer>

This is a Bitcoin Pleb YouTube show/Podcast covering weekly events in and around the bitcoin space. You'll find entertainment as well as signal here. We cover news, altcoin disasters and we bring special guests on for interviews and discussions on major topics. Come join us as we dive down the bitcoin rabbit hole. 

Bitcoin Is Not Worth Anything?

Pleb UnderGround

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- Michael Burry's Bitcoin Criticism: The famed investor who predicted the 2008 mortgage crisis recently claimed "Bitcoin isn't worth anything" and called it the "tulip bulb of our time." He criticized Bitcoin for enabling criminal activity while ignoring that traditional banking has facilitated the majority of money laundering throughout history. Meanwhile, Burry disclosed he's held gold since 2005 as a hedge against economic instability.

- Metcalfe's Law Analysis: Bitcoin briefly dipped below its Metcalfe's Law model network value for the first time in nearly two years. This law suggests that as network connections increase, utility and value grow exponentially. Historical dips below the Metcalfe line in 2014-2015, 2018-2019, and 2022 were short-lived and often preceded significant upward price movements.

- Off-Exchange Bitcoin Trading: A significant volume of Bitcoin trading occurs away from exchange order books through off-chain settlement networks like Copper and Fireblocks. These off-book transactions allow large entities to swap substantial volumes without directly impacting order book prices, creating a shadow market that's vastly underappreciated in retail trading data.

- CFTC Regulatory Approval: The CFTC has approved spot Bitcoin and crypto trading on US regulated futures exchanges. This development will potentially bring more liquidity and participants to the Bitcoin market, though some argue Bitcoin is already becoming a "stablecoin" given its price roughly a year ago was similar to current levels.

- Tether's Questionable Corporate Moves: Corey Clipston revealed that Tether and UBIT's directors have quietly acquired effective control of VCI Global (VCIG) through a private placement paid entirely in UBIT tokens without proper disclosures. This appears to be part of a pattern where Tether takes ownership stakes in companies using "free money" they issue, raising questions about transparency and regulatory compliance.

- Lambo-Branded Hardware Wallets: Ledger has released Lamborghini-branded hardware wallets, which the host considers a security fail and marketing gimmick. The host criticizes this as poor operational security, suggesting it plays on ego and status signaling rather than offering genuine utility or security benefits.

- Bitcoin Mining Adoption in Netherlands: A Dutch tulip farm is using Bitcoin miners to heat their greenhouse, leveraging the heat generated by the mining process while powering the operation with solar energy. This practical application shows how Bitcoin mining can have beneficial real-world use cases beyond just transaction validation, potentially saving on gas consumption for heating.
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Trust in the media is at an all-time low. And there’s a reason—endless virtue signaling and manufactured outrage. Finally, there’s an alternative. Morning Wire is presented by Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief, John Bickley, and co-host Georgia Howe. Get daily coverage of the latest developments in politics, culture, education, sports, and more. Wake up with Morning Wire and get the facts first on the news you need to know.

Evening Wire: Netflix Acquires Warner Bros & SCOTUS Backs Texas Map | 12.5.25

Morning Wire

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- Netflix Acquires Warner Bros in $83 Billion Deal: Netflix announced a massive merger with Warner Brothers, acquiring its film and television studios, HBO Max, and HBO. The total value of the deal is nearly $83 billion. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos stated this combination of Warner's classics like Casablanca and Harry Potter with Netflix's popular titles like Stranger Things will enhance their mission to entertain the world.

- Supreme Court Allows Texas Redistricting: In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Texas can proceed with its newly redrawn congressional map for the 2026 midterms. Justice Alito noted there was a "strong inference" the state's map was based on partisanship, not race, while Justice Kagan dissented. The map creates five more Republican-favored seats. The Justice Department is simultaneously suing California over new maps with five Democrat-favored seats.

- Texas Women's Privacy Act Takes Effect: Texas implemented its bathroom bill requiring individuals to use facilities matching their biological sex. The legislation also requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to house inmates according to biological sex and mandates that domestic violence shelters for women serve only women and their children.

- New York City to End Homeless Encampment Sweeps: Mayor-Elect Zoran Mamdani announced plans to end the city's policy of clearing homeless encampments when he takes office. Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, argues the current approach has failed because it doesn't connect homeless individuals with housing, treating homelessness as "a natural part of living in this city" rather than a result of political choices.

- US Foreign Aid Overhaul: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a major restructuring of US foreign aid distribution, prioritizing direct investment in partner nations while bypassing what he called the "NGO industrial complex." The new approach aims to eliminate waste from overhead and administrative costs while giving host countries more control over aid programs. This policy was unveiled during the signing of a $2.5 billion health cooperation framework with Kenya.

- First Amendment Case at Supreme Court: The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case involving Christian evangelist Gabriel Olivier, who is challenging a Mississippi ordinance that restricted street preaching in a public park. The case could have significant implications for Americans seeking to defend their constitutional rights in federal court. Olivier was previously convicted for street preaching outside designated areas.

- California Opens Tip Line for Federal Agent Reports: California Attorney General Rob Bonta launched a tip line for reporting federal agents believed to be abusing power or acting unlawfully, specifically naming ICE, Border Protection, and National Guard. This move comes as Democratic leaders in the state attempt to counter the Trump administration's immigration policies.
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On The Sexy Lifestyle with Carol and David, join the fun-loving swinger couple, Carol and David, and get an inside look into the swinging lifestyle as they share their own personal experiences relating to sex, love and marriage. Learn how to have a stronger and more meaningful relationship from their unique perspective on staying connected, pushing boundaries, exploring limits, fulfilling fantasies and more. Through uncensored and honest discussions about great sex, passion, and intimacy, gain insight into a sex-positive and female-centric view of the modern-day couple. Carol and David are easy to talk to, and answer questions on air. With sexy tips and tricks find out how to improve your sex-life by living happy healthy and horny, every day! The Sexy Lifestyle with Carol and David is broadcast every Friday at 6 PM Eastern

TANTRA 101 FOR BETTER AND LONGER SEX

The Sexy Lifestyle with Carol and David

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The Life-Changing Power of Tantra: Tantra originated in India over 5,000 years ago as a path to enlightenment and expansion, not primarily for sex. It involves practices that activate energy centers (chakras) in the body, using breath, sound, and movement to create deeper connections with oneself and others. Dominique's first tantric experience lasted five hours and completely changed her perception of what was possible in intimacy.

Getting Out of Your Head and Into Your Body: Many people experience sex only from the neck up, overthinking rather than feeling. Tantric meditation and breathwork help transition from mental activity to bodily awareness. When guided through a relaxation meditation, participants can experience tingling sensations as they connect more deeply with their physical body, which leads to more intense pleasure during intimacy.

Healing Trauma and Building Self-Love: Tantra serves as "sexual healing" by addressing trauma stored in the body. The three tools used in modern psychology to overcome trauma—breath, sound, and movement—are the same three tenets of tantra. By healing one's relationship with oneself through practices focused on the heart energy center (pink tantra), people become better lovers to themselves and attract healthier relationships.

Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energies: Everyone possesses both masculine and feminine energies regardless of gender. Like a battery needs positive and negative charges to function, relationships need this polarity to maintain attraction. When both partners operate predominantly in the same energy (both masculine or both feminine), they often develop a roommate dynamic rather than maintaining sexual spark. Men who embrace their feminine side can become more powerful lovers.

Manifestation Through Pleasure: When all energy centers are flowing and activated, your energetic field expands, making you more magnetic and attractive. During orgasmic states, you're in an altered consciousness that allows you to put intentions into the "quantum field." This practice of "sex magic" can be used for manifesting desires both inside and outside the bedroom, sometimes with results appearing within days or over several years.

Breaking Through Intimacy Blocks: Tantric practices help identify and remove obstacles to intimacy, whether physical, emotional, or energetic. By "chipping away" at limiting beliefs, traumas, and societal conditioning—like Michelangelo revealing a statue from marble—people can expand into their authentic selves. This leads to deeper connection, as tantra creates "soulmate-level" relationships.

Natural Solutions for Sexual Health Challenges: Tantra offers natural approaches to sexual health issues like erectile dysfunction. By improving energetic flow and blood circulation to sexual organs, men can achieve stronger, longer-lasting erections without medication. One of Dominique's clients in his 60s reported having better sex than he did in his 30s after learning tantric practices, even when Viagra had previously failed him.
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Welcome to the ChatGPT podcast, where we explore the exciting and ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence. Each episode, we invite experts and thought leaders in the field to share their insights and experience working with AI.

We delve into a range of topics, from the latest research and developments in machine learning and natural language processing, to the ethical considerations of AI. Our guests bring a diverse set of perspectives and come from a variety of industries, including academia, tech, and business.


Black Forest Labs Raises $300M to Challenge Industry Giants

ChatGPT: News on Open AI, MidJourney, NVIDIA, Anthropic, Open Source LLMs, Machine Learning 

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- Massive Funding for Black Forest Labs: The German AI lab company has raised $300 million in a Series B round at a $3.25 billion valuation. The funding round was led by Salesforce Ventures and ANJ Media, with participation from A16Z, Nvidia, Canva, Figma, and many other notable investors.

- Impressive Client Portfolio: Despite not being a household name, Black Forest Labs powers image generation for many major platforms. Their technology is used by X (formerly Twitter) for Grok, Adobe, 11 Labs, VSCO, Vercel, Pix Art, File AI, and other significant players in the tech industry.

- Flux Image Generation Model: Their main product, Flux 2, specializes in high-quality image generation and editing. It can generate images at up to 4K resolution and uses up to 10 reference images to maintain style and tone consistency, with improved text rendering capabilities.

- Profitable Business Model: Unlike many AI companies that operate at a loss, Black Forest Labs appears to be running profitably. The new funding will be directed toward research and development rather than covering operational costs.

- Impressive Founding Team: The co-founders (Robin Rombach, Patrick Esser, and Andreas Blattmann) were formerly researchers who helped create Stability AI's Stable Diffusion models before branching out to start Black Forest Labs, demonstrating how innovation in the AI space often comes from researchers spinning off from established companies.
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Stock Movers features five-minute conversations on today's biggest winners and losers in the stock market. Listen for analysis on the companies making news on Wall Street.

Netflix Mixed, Victoria's Secret Surges, Ulta Beauty Rises

Stock Movers

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- Netflix Acquires Warner Brothers: Netflix is purchasing Warner Brothers in a cash and stock deal valuing Warner Brothers at $82.7 billion including debt. As part of the arrangement, Warner Brothers will spin off cable networks like CNN and TNT before the sale of its studio and HBO to Netflix. While Netflix shares declined 3.2%, Warner Brothers stock rose 5.2%. The acquisition gives Netflix a substantial content library and California studios, providing a competitive edge over rivals like Disney and Paramount.

- Ulta Beauty Reports Strong Earnings: Ulta Beauty stock jumped nearly 14% to its highest level ever after posting better-than-expected quarterly earnings and raising its guidance. The company reported strong sales across all major categories, particularly in fragrances and skin care. Ulta increased its 2026 net sales forecast to $12.3 billion from the previous $12-12.2 billion, showing a significant turnaround from its cautious consumer spending outlook earlier in the summer.

- Victoria's Secret Exceeds Expectations: Victoria's Secret shares surged up to 20%, marking their biggest move since 2022, following strong quarterly results. Comparable sales rose 8%, with robust spending observed across all income categories. The company noted that customers are purchasing more full-price items as it moves away from heavy discounting. Strong Black Friday traffic positions the company well for the holiday season, though management expressed some caution about the post-holiday period.
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Race, inequality, and economics in the US and throughout the world from Glenn Loury, Professor of Economics at Brown University and Paulson Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute <a href="https://glennloury.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">glennloury.substack.com</a>

Paul Starr – Liberal Revolution, Conservative Revenge

The Glenn Show

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- Revolution and Revenge in American Democracy: Paul Starr's book "American Contradiction" examines the tension between movements pushing for greater equality (revolution) and forces resisting those changes (revenge). This contradiction dates back to America's founding, with the clash between freedom and slavery, and continues today with Trump's promise to be the "retribution" for his followers against perceived liberal injuries.

- Three Revolutionary Movements: Starr identifies the black freedom struggle, the feminist movement, and the gay rights movement as the primary "American revolutions" of the 20th century. Each sought to rectify historic injustices and inspired the others, with the civil rights movement providing both legal precedent and moral capital for subsequent movements.

- From Civil Rights to Women's Rights: The civil rights movement created precedents that extended to other groups. For example, sex discrimination was ironically included in the 1964 Civil Rights Act as a "poison pill" by segregationists who thought it would kill the bill. Instead, it became foundational for the women's movement, with figures like Pauli Murray connecting racial and gender discrimination through concepts like "Jane Crow."

- Overreach and Backlash: Starr suggests that progressive movements may have overreached by challenging traditional social structures on multiple fronts simultaneously. Rather than dismissing conservative reactions as merely prejudiced, he acknowledges that many working-class Americans experienced genuine economic and social losses that fueled resentment against liberal policies.

- Economic Decline and Social Breakdown: Deindustrialization beginning in the 1970s first devastated Black communities, then spread to white working-class areas in the 2000s following the "China shock." These changes eliminated jobs that provided "working class jobs with middle-class incomes," leading to family breakup, drug addiction, and deaths of despair in affected communities.

- Immigration as Political Flashpoint: While Starr believes immigration has strengthened America culturally and economically, he acknowledges that the Biden administration squandered initial public goodwill by losing control of the border. He advocates for a balanced approach that includes stronger border enforcement alongside pathways to citizenship for long-established immigrants.

- Media Fragmentation and Democracy: The transition from shared national media (three TV networks, major newspapers) to fragmented cable channels and internet platforms has eroded the common foundation for public discussion. While this has allowed previously marginalized voices to be heard, it has also undermined professional journalistic standards and fact-checking, with algorithms amplifying conflict and sensationalism.

- Political Stalemate in Modern America: Since the 1990s, America has experienced extremely close national elections, with neither party establishing sustained dominance. Control of Congress has shifted repeatedly, and two presidents (Bush in 2000, Trump in 2016) have won the Electoral College while losing the popular vote. This instability creates policy whiplash, especially in foreign affairs.

- Constitutional Reform Needed: Starr sees several problematic features in America's 18th-century constitutional system, including the Electoral College and the unrepresentative Senate, which most other democracies have abandoned. He argues for constraints on executive power, particularly regarding presidential pardons, which Trump has used "far beyond anything we've experienced previously."

- Hope in America's Capacity for Surprise: Despite current challenges, Starr maintains an underlying faith in America's ability to change. He points to Obama's election (which many thought impossible for a Black candidate) and Trump's rise (which seemed inconceivable for someone with his background) as evidence that "this country is capable of surprises" that can defy expectations, for better or worse.
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Выпуски новостей независимого медиапроекта "Эхо"

Новости: Шлосберга отправили в СИЗО. ЕС обсуждает полный запрет морских перевозок нефти РФ / Вечер, 05.12.2025

Новости | Эхо

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Lev Shlosberg detained: A court in Pskov sent politician Lev Shlosberg to pre-trial detention before his house arrest expired. He faces charges related to "fakes" about the army and previously received mandatory work for evading "foreign agent" obligations.

Drone attack in Grozny: Ramzan Kadyrov acknowledged a Ukrainian drone strike on a high-rise in the "Grozny City" complex, calling it an attempt to intimidate civilians. According to the Niyso Telegram channel, the target housed government offices, including Chechnya's Security Council.

Possible EU oil transport ban: EU and G7 countries are discussing replacing the price cap on Russian oil with a complete ban on Russia's access to maritime transport, according to Reuters sources. This measure could be included in the next sanctions package against Moscow.

Gaming platform regulations: Roskomnadzor denied reports about blocking Minecraft while confirming restrictions against Roblox, which authorities claim promotes illegal activities and LGBT content.

Gosuslugi SMS authentication changes: The Ministry of Digital Development plans to gradually phase out SMS-code authorization for the "Gosuslugi" portal, citing an increase in fraud attempts. The restriction will first affect mobile devices before extending to all access methods.

Drone incident at French naval base: Five unidentified drones were spotted over the Île-Longue naval base in France where nuclear submarines are stationed. Military personnel opened fire on the drones, according to Le Figaro. Similar incidents have occurred at military bases in Belgium and the Netherlands.

FIFA Peace Award controversy: Donald Trump received the newly established FIFA Peace Award. According to CNN, FIFA explained the annual award would go to individuals who have taken extraordinary actions for peace and unity.
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A podcast from the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law.

How Congress Must Respond to Trump's Boat Strikes (with Katherine Yon Ebright)

Brennan Center LIVE

The Briefing with Michael Waldman

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- Unlawful Military Campaign in the Caribbean: The Trump administration has been conducting military strikes against civilian boats in the Caribbean for months, claiming they're targeting "narco-terrorists." These operations have killed approximately 100 people without due process or clear legal basis. Unlike legitimate counter-narcotics operations that involve interdiction and legal prosecution, these strikes use weapons of war against civilians.

- No Legal Basis for "War" Designation: The administration's justification that they're in a "war" with drug cartels doesn't hold up to legal scrutiny. Actual armed conflicts require organized military structures and hostilities between armed groups, which doesn't apply to drug trafficking operations. The Office of Legal Counsel produced a classified opinion attempting to justify these strikes, but it reportedly relies on questionable facts and analysis.

- The "Double Tap" Strike Controversy: A particularly controversial incident involved a strike on a boat where survivors clinging to wreckage were subsequently attacked, reportedly following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's directive to "kill them all." This has sparked outrage because even in actual wars, targeting shipwrecked survivors is prohibited under centuries of international law.

- Criminal Implications: Since these killings occurred outside of an actual war, they potentially constitute murder under both civilian criminal law and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The accountability should extend to top officials who authorized and implemented this policy, rather than just those at lower levels who carried out orders.

- Congressional Oversight Failures: Congress has largely abdicated its oversight responsibilities regarding these operations. Even the Armed Services Committee leaders have been denied basic information about the strikes. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rand Paul (R-KY) have been pushing for transparency on the legal analysis behind the strikes.

- Call for a Select Committee: A cross-cutting investigation by a special congressional select committee would be more effective than relying on existing committee structures. Such a committee could examine not just the military aspects but also the legal justifications and broader policy implications, similar to past successful investigations like the Watergate Committee.

- Broader Context of Illegal Power Use: These strikes are part of a pattern that includes the administration's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act (previously only used during declared wars) to detain and deport Venezuelans without due process. The timing suggests coordination, as the boat strikes began on September 2, the same day a court ruled against the administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act due to the lack of an actual war.
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