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Encore of Revival: America, June 21, 2021

The pandemic picked the scab covering a deeper wound that festered instead of healing. Crime is on the rise and Chicago is a perfect display as to why. Lack of self-discipline and moral direction mixed with spoiling and over-entitlement.

Police who aren’t allowed to drive after the bad guys live out an existence that will only encourage the bad guys to be badder. The side of politics that supported those policies cultivated kookery without evidence that a president could steal an election. When the next election had actual evidence of election stealing, the other political side took up the same opinion. Now, trust in voting is betrayed from all sides. With a breakdown in the bedrock of a democratic society, other social orders will break down, including law and order built on voter confidence.

But, the buck stops with the Christians who knew better. It’s not that they didn’t yell at people enough. They should have done a better job of selling society on their virtues. Instead, they clubbed the world and judged sinners for sinning without judging the saints for sinning. We would be in a different place if the saints had forgiven both sinners and saints for sinning. After all, a saint is no more than a forgiven sinner. Instead, we’re here, learning the same lesson the hard way. But, God is good enough to make sure we learn one way or another. That’s why God allowed Chicago to have the trouble we all begged for.

Law

Obamacare survives after Supreme Court rejects latest Republican challenge // CNBC

Security & Public Safety

Downtown Chicago emerges from pandemic — hobbled by crime wave // Yahoo News

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, June 14, 2021

The snowball of worldwide hate toward China is past the growth knee. It was slow going, but now it’s gaining unstoppable momentum. China’s self-importance has reached embarrassing levels. G7 wants stability, introducing an alternative plan to China’s tightening Belt Road. The EU wants stability in the South Sea—rules agreed to and honored by all countries. Japan wants to back Taiwan by name in the written G7 agreement.

But, then China responds by saying that “small groups do not rule the world” and issued a statement: “We always believe that countries, big or small, strong or weak, poor or rich, are equals, and that world affairs should be handled through consultation by all countries.” That statement comes from China. Does that mean that China has reversed its position? Will China now agree with the EU for bilateral rules in the South Sea?

Essentially, China’s own propaganda is getting to a point of grotesque and overt self-indictment. More importantly, China doesn’t see the contradiction of its own statements. This is comparable to John Kerry’s famous remark “I voted for [it] before I voted against it.” You see, that actually made sense to Kerry. That’s the crazy world Washington politicians live in. And, apparently, China’s CCP lives in an even crazier world. And, the rest of the world isn’t just waking up to China’s craziness; the rest of the world is wide awake and on the march. It’s been growing slowly, but that global anger is moving faster and faster and is about to enter an all-out blitz.

Hungarians in Budapest are irate over construction plans for the Chinese Fudan University from Shanghai. The city of Budapest even renamed streets to “Dalai Lama Road” and “Free Hong Kong Road”. The Chinese embassy responded with its own propaganda again, but there is no sign that China’s anonymous words had more sway on Hungarians than China’s consistent actions. In fact, they didn’t have any sway at all. If anything, China only made Hungarians more angry.

China is entirely unaware of anything in the rest of the world. It’s histrionic. The CCP believes they only need censor information within their own borders, say what they want others to parrot, and then both public opinion and the past will automatically change throughout the rest of the world. They are in for a humiliating shock.

China

Flashback: “I actually did vote for [it] before I voted against it.” – John Kerry
Kerry discusses $87 billion comment – Sep 30, 2004 // CNN

Will S.China Sea issue become setback in China-EU relationship? // Global Times (China Govt)

Opposition forces Orbán into U-turn over Chinese campus plan in Budapest // Guardian

G7 summit: China says small groups do not rule the world // BBC News

G-7 Leaders Rally to Biden’s Call to Challenge China // MSN News

Massive Protests Erupt in Mainland China // YouTube @ laowhy86

Exclusive: Amid accusations of genocide from the West, China policies could cut millions of Uyghur births in Xinjiang – report // Yahoo India

Taiwan

“Japan… backed mention of Taiwan in the final statement”
G7 pushes back against China, supports Taiwan // Taipei Times

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Encore of Revival: America, June 14, 2021

Raucous parties turn riot in New York. AOC says we have crime because we have prisons—specifically because we waste money on punishing people rather than helping people. Yes, America’s priorities are off. But, solutions are equally simple to their problems. AOC says people need mental health care and hospitals instead of prisons. She forgot to mention how much money gets wasted on church buildings. AOC makes the problem too complicated. The solution to rave partying in New York is much simpler than that. The problem came from a combination of imbalanced taxes and a breakdown of the Darwinian family.

Sunday church hasn’t helped preserve the Darwinian family either, but we’ll circle back to that later.

Young members of New York’s working class are partying at night—after work. This indicates a need to let out stress caused by instability and lack of hope. As we approach the face-off between the Returning Christ and the soon-to-be-seen Antichrist, all Hell is breaking loose, so to speak.

Yes, AOC, people aren’t partying from lack of prisons. No, AOC, people aren’t partying from lack of insane asylums nor from lack of Obamacare. People are partying from lack of a stable home and reliable taxes. After all, why should anyone in New York try to work to become wealthy when New York will tax away their wealth anyway? It goes to show why the partiers of Washington Square label the rich residents uncaring “Karens”. This is a fight between classes inflamed by strange taxes. But, the best-kept secret to the success among residents near Washington Square was always that they came from stable families.

A stable family is not anything AOC will suggest as a solution because stability at home is not something government can take away and then redistribute. Once stability is taken away, it’s gone.

But, what got us here is not a lack of prisons or hospitals anymore than it is a lack of church buildings. The real Jesus—the Returning Christ—can repair all things, even re-stabilize homes. But, the real Jesus is the best-kept secret on Sunday morning. Establishment Churchianity pushed its own man-made morals, which even the Apostle Paul said can’t help (viz Col 2:23). The church-goers left a bad taste in society’s mouth because society doesn’t need another list of made up rules. The best-kept secret on Sunday morning is what God’s rules actually are. Those are very simple and hard for anyone to hate. But, if you’ve hated fake rules all your life, it’s hard to listen to real ones. So, how to love actually remains a secret.

If government can’t redistribute it and Sunday church can’t sell it, nobody wants to talk about it. In response, Washington Square in New York hosts parties to let out our self-made stress. Even police can find an excuse to beat people while church-goers find their excuse to keep complaining. But, some people are starting to see what’s really going on.

Washington as Usual

Violence, Radicalism & Terrorism

AOC’s answer to reducing violent crime? Stop building jails // NY Post

Violence and chaos continues to overrun Washington Square Park // NY Post

NYC’s Washington Square Park hit by fresh stabbings, mugging and assaults // Daily Mail

Soc Media, Cybersecurity & Tech

Apple tightens rules after Justice Department targeted U.S. lawmakers // Yahoo Finance

Science, Weather & Health

Across US West, drought arriving dangerously early // France 24

Music & Entertainment

Hillsong Founder Breaks Silence on Scandals Surrounding Carl Lentz // YouTube @ TODAY

Justin Bieber Leaves Hillsong Church, Not Becoming A Minister // PopCrush

Russia

In NBC interview, Putin calls Trump ‘colorful’ but says he can work with Biden // NBC News

Israel

Israel’s Lapid: from TV anchor to coalition architect // France 24

Netanyahu picks fight with Biden in final speech as prime minister // Jerusalem Post

Naftali Bennett: The tech millionaire son of Berkeley ‘left-wingers’ who is poised to take over from Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu // MSN News

Israel swears in new coalition, ending Netanyahu’s long rule // AP

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, June 7, 2021

It’s that time of year again. While Americans celebrate independence on July 4, Chinese mourn one month before on June 4, to remember the 1989 Tienanmen massacre. Chinese aren’t allowed to gather. People in Communist China are tightly controlled by programmed groupthink. Like robots, they parrot negativity about Westerners whom they have rarely met and never heard out. Hong Kongers and Taiwanese are a different story. They know. And, they remember.

As if China doesn’t have enough regional enemies, Malaysia says China entered its airspace “flying in tactical formation”. Sixteen Chinese jets were intercepted by Malaysia. China’s Global Times called it a training exercise that did not breech Malaysia’s airspace, then said people only object because of “Western hype”. It’s too bad so many people from so many countries interpret China’s actions as hostile. Regional sentiment against China only grows.

Of course, China showed its level of dedication to its 1984 treaty with Britain through the ban on any Tienanmen vigils. The treaty allows Hong Kong to be under China at all. Britain, the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia consider that treaty “permanently shredded“, which means they don’t consider Hong Kong under China and only need a military scuffle to enforce that decision. That is the military action they are actively looking for, the military action which China is helping them to find.

Worst of all for China is yet another increase in support from the global public. Because Microsoft Bing censored the famous photo of “tank man” from its search results—not only in China, but around the world. By playing to China’s apparent tune, Microsoft got to chalk up the blame to “human error” and the world saw China for the history re-writing addict it is. Microsoft would have done China a favor by not censoring “tank man”, even if instructed by China. But, with the Chinese appetite for respect, they’ll never figure out that Microsoft probably meant to do them dirty by going along. This was a test from the West on how far China would overreach unto its own undoing.

China

Hundreds gather near Hong Kong park despite vigil ban // AP

Tiananmen Anniversary: Microsoft Bing blocks ‘tank man’ // Taipei Times

Malaysia

West hypes air force ‘intrusion’ to sow discords in S.China Sea // Global Times (China Govt)

PLA aircraft training in S.China Sea abide by intl law without entering others’ airspace // Global Times (China Govt)

China’s incursions over Malaysia add to South China Sea disputes // Nikkei Asian Review

Military Faceoff

NASA is getting serious about UFOs // CNN

Pentagon UFO report ‘may be cover for hypersonic weapon Cold War’ between US and China // Daily Star

Italian Destroyer joins British Carrier Strike Group // UK Defense Journal

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Encore of Revival: America, June 7, 2021

The DOJ set an interesting precedent by siding with Google against the DOJ. This DOJ action transcends presidential administrations. The DOJ ordered Google to hand over email info about a few New York Times reporters—without Google telling the newspaper. Google resisted the government on the basis of its private contract with the New York Times. Finally, the DOJ caved and allowed a top executive to know, which led to negotiations and legal counsel.

Based on the DOJ having cooperated with Google’s private contract on user privacy, we now have a precedent that no digital company would be obligated to hand over user information without informing the users, not even in the face of a court order. Therefore, there is no excuse for censorship of private users on social media, including former President Trump. Companies only take users content and information if they want to, never because they must because, well, they don’t need to anymore.

We don’t know what Trump really thinks because social media giants found an excuse to mute him. If they want us to know what he truly thinks, they will unmute him. But, they don’t unmute him, so no one can trust hearsay about what Trump thinks. The latest nonsense was about him being re-instated in August. But, if Trump really thought that, Twitter and Facebook would allow him to say it for himself because it would be so embarrassing. If he’s too dangerous to be allowed to speak, then what they say he says is too dangerous to trust.

Social media giants are losing their power. Facebook objected to “digital services” taxes around the world. Now, all corporations face a flat 15% corporate tax, in G7 markets. Leaders facetiously thanked Facebook for urging governments to remove “digital services” tax. Facebook will get its way, which means Facebook will pay more, so Facebook won’t get its way because Facebook got its way. The same could be said about what Facebook doesn’t let Trump say for himself.

Trump

Donald Trump responds to Facebook ban by hinting at return to White House // Guardian

Human Rights, Civil Liberties & Privacy

U.S. Put Gag Order on Times Executives Amid Fight Over Email Logs // MSN News

Monopoly & Big Greed

Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to build new kind of nuclear reactor in Wyoming // Guardian

Global Summit

G7 nations reach historic deal on global tax reform // CNBC

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, May 31, 2021

China is in many crosshairs and Taiwan won’t have water trouble tomorrow. A long drought was going to put limits on TSMC’s chip maker in Taiwan. But, some heavy rain over the weekend and into Monday saved the day. While water rationing has yet to be implemented or delayed at press time, things are looking up, including water levels in Taiwan reservoirs.

Water wasn’t Taiwan’s only problem. A small COVID outbreak has put the nation on partial lockdown. Numbers have slowly been creeping down, but Taipei Mayor Ko is practicing for a level-up in security steps if it became necessary. But, then there is the issue of masks and vaccines.

While Taiwanese face their own trouble, they still donate masks to other countries in need. And, while Taiwan’s government seeks the Pfizer vaccine, the president says China is meddling, making access difficult. Reportedly, China signed some regional distribution rights contract with Pfizer, but unless the vaccine is ordered from Pfizer directly, the vaccine comes with no warranty. Given many recent events, including the undetermined origins of the COVID pneumoniavirus, Taiwan is unlikely to place non-warranted orders for the vaccine through China.

As for verifying any Chinese connection to COVID, China has opposed investigations that would stand to vindicate China. Australia called for an inquiry; China responded with sanctions. Them seem like fightin’ words. Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand met over the weekend to discuss this very matter.

China is in many crosshairs, and it took a lot of work to get there. The Chinese probably won’t want to leave any crosshairs anytime soon. But, Western consumers bought from China. So, it was a team effort.

Indo-Pacific

If China rebuilds Kiribati airstrip, it could spy on US Pacific Fleet // Taiwan News

Taiwan

Rain pelts down in Taiwan to provide drought relief // Taiwan News

Taipei to simulate Level 4 COVID alert Sunday // Taiwan News

‘F9’ star John Cena says he loves China after Taiwan remark stokes anger // CNN

Tsai says China’s meddling preventing Taiwan from getting Pfizer vaccine // Taiwan News

Taiwan accuses China for blocking deal with BioNTech for COVID-19 vaccines // Yahoo India

Taiwan criticizes China over Pfizer vaccine deal, and Wuhan lab theory irks Beijing // MarketWatch

Australia

Scott Morrison says Beijing ‘seeking to divide’ Australia and New Zealand // News.com.au

Morrison in New Zealand for talks amid differences on China // Aljazeera

Military Faceoff

Battleship diplomacy: Britain’s new aircraft carrier joins NATO, has message for China // Yahoo India

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Encore of Revival: America, May 31, 2021

The US government faces legal battles on several sides. New York is pursuing criminal prosecution against a former Republican president, but not against a former Democratic Secretary of State and New York Senator. In a lawful society, criminal prosecution against former politicians wouldn’t be tolerated. But, we live in vindictive times. And, whatever vindication goes around comes back around.

Courts are looking at standing issues for whether police were wrong to clear a path for the president to walk to church. Reports continue to spread about police abuse. But, speaking of vindication, the biggest issue today comes from the Count of Monte Cristo, Jesus of The Passion, Jim Caviezel. He’s on a mission to expose human trafficking of children—to harvest their fear chemicals before killing them. Reports and exposure are the basis of a movie, Sound of Freedom. Elites supposedly use the chemicals to get high. An article mocking Caviezel can’t use enough adjectives of opinion. Excess use of adjectives seems to be the new standard in news writing.

If true, elites, including Hollywood, wouldn’t want any movie to be made about this. Instead of appearing innocent and supporting the movie, Hollywood and friends appear guilty as sin while the Caviezel’s movie sees one delay after another. Nothing could be more convincing that the movie is credible than the endless delays, which Hollywood could stop, not even overuse of adjectives from dissidents.

Trump

New York district attorney convenes grand jury in Trump criminal inquiry // Guardian

Law

US seeks dismissal of cases against Trump for clearing Lafayette Square // Guardian

Security & Public Safety

MPD admits it tear-gassed protesters nearly one year to the day // WUSA 9 Washington, DC

Prices, Rates, Oil & Food

Biden administration backs Alaska oil project approved under Trump // Politico

Science, Weather & Health

A long-lost letter from Albert Einstein made an uncanny prediction 70 years early // Inverse

Space

On its first try, China’s Zhurong rover hit a Mars milestone that took NASA decades // The Conversation

Pandemic

Tokyo Olympics: anger in Japan at IOC call to make ‘sacrifices’ // Guardian

Music & Entertainment

How Hollywood’s ‘Jesus’ Jim Jim CaviezelCaviezel Went Full QAnon // Yahoo News

Israel

Netanyahu’s grip on power loosens as rival moves to unseat him // Yahoo India

NATO Focus

U.S. monitoring Iranian warships that may be headed to Venezuela // Politico

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, May 24, 2021

A democratic Pacific alliance is on the rise. Many nations in the Far East may host US troops, but a bond is forming between them that runs deeper than any US influence. At the center: Taiwan; across the battlefield: China, the great enemy of the Pacific peoples. That’s how this rising alliance sees it.

Taiwan has breakthroughs in micro-tech. The Philippines steps up rhetoric against China—which may not mean anything as words are mere words, but it is a very different direction than bowing down. Japan and Southern Korea tell China to knock it off. And, the British set sail for the Far East with the brand new, shiny HMS Queen Elizabeth and her entourage. This new Pacific family has friends on both sides of the Atlantic.

Indo-Pacific

Ministry thanks S Korea, US for remarks on Strait // Taipei Times

China

More Japanese brands will lose out in China due to Xinjiang cotton ban: analyst // Global Times (China Govt)

Taiwan

Taiwan’s TSMC claims breakthrough on 1nm chips // Taiwan News

Philippines

Philippines protests China fishing ban in South China Sea // Rappler

Military Faceoff

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Anson Launched by BAE Systems // Naval News

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Encore of Revival: America, May 24, 2021

The establishment gloats over Trump’s defeat—more his defeat on Twitter than his defeat in Congress, which goes to show which defeat meant more to them. All the while, Gates is caught in real scandals. Not only is he hated for a buggy operating system, broken promises that cost many startups dearly, funding controversial vaccines, and losing his wife—one of his big population control partners—now the hated company he started must defend him while he’s no longer there. Their defense?—they run things differently now.

Which billionaire is the worse between Gates and Trump? They won’t be too different in the near future, with Trump seeking to create his own news and social media platforms. Trump supporters are sick of masks. COVID cases fall. Space travel booms, as does a volcano in the Congo. Life returns to its despicable normal.

Trump

Trump is sliding toward online irrelevance. His new blog isn’t helping. // MSN News

Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg under criminal tax investigation by New York attorney general // CNBC

Scandal, Graft & White Collar Crime

Satya Nadella addresses Bill Gates controversies: ‘The Microsoft of 2021 is very different from the Microsoft of 2000’ // Business Insider

Bill Gates was wearing his wedding ring at a virtual event nearly 2 weeks after announcing his divorce // Business Insider

Science, Weather & Health

Global cactus traffickers are cleaning out the deserts // Deccan Herald

Thousands evacuated as Nyiragongo volcano erupts and fumes turn the sky red in apocalyptic scenes // The Sun

Space

Virgin Galactic completes third spaceflight of VSS Unity // CNBC

Pandemic

Most employers shy away from mandating coronavirus vaccines // MSN News

New COVID-19 cases plummet to lowest levels since last June // AP

Greene under fire for comparing mask policy to the Holocaust: ‘A neurotic lack of self awareness’ // The Hill

You’re Kidding

Why are women becoming witches? // UnHerd

Israel

A conflict on pause as both sides claim victory // BBC News

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, May 17, 2021

Asia produced two shining lamps on two hills this week. One is Ming Yang, CFO of the Daqo solar manufacturer in Xinjiang. The other is Taiwan.

Yang, who has a Taiwanese heritage, leads a company in China that is completely controlled by foreign investment. He insists that the company does not employ any Uighurs, thus arguing that using Uighurs as forced labor wouldn’t be possible. He also insists on full transparency with outside groups that would seek to confirm the situation in his company—he wants the truth to convince them through transparency. He also insists that he is not aware of Uighur abuse in Xinjiang, but that if it were true, it would be a very bad thing.

Taiwan shines its light of hope from the season of darkness it now enters. An outbreak of COVID in the greater Taipei area has put the entire island on near lockdown. Customers must list name, phone number, and time when entering many stores. Many avoid public places, wear masks among friends, and carry spray bottles of sanitizer. The calm solidarity in Taiwan is almost unnerving, but it is very encouraging. And, we need encouragement in these times.

Both shining lights cast a pleasant light upon the Taiwanese people. While many will be encouraged throughout the world, there will always be someone who finds a way to be jealous.

China

Shining lamp on a hill
A Xinjiang Solar Giant Breaks Ranks to Try and Woo the West // Bloomberg

Western powers clash with China over Xinjiang at UN virtual meet // Aljazeera

Xinjiang births plummeted after crackdown on Uyghurs, says report // Guardian

China’s ambitions in space: national pride or taking on the Americans? // Financial Times

Taiwan

Minister urges care as local cases grow // Taipei Times

Military Faceoff

Amphibious Exercise ARC 21 Underway with Australia, France, Japan, United States // Naval News

Italian carrier returns home after completing F-35 trials // UK Defense Journal

MV-22B Osprey aircraft land on HMS Queen Elizabeth // UK Defense Journal

USS Harry S. Truman Departs Norfolk Naval Shipyard // US Navy

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Encore of Revival: America, May 17, 2021

The establishment is all out against Trump. They’d have you believe that Republicans were Liberals from the beginning—that Republicans actually thought like Democrats from the beginning—that the Republican Party is the party of getting along with people who will never accept friendship, but only your defeat—that original, true Republicans stand only for getting along at the expense of competence and survival. Somewhere along the line, the Republican Party was commandeered. Now, this minority acts as if they represent everyone; and their marketing seems very convincing.

In truth, we can get along. We should find peace within disagreement. We can keep quality and competence while also being respectful and gaining respect. But, these are not the main drive of this self-appointed group of uninvited spokesmen for the Republican establishment. They tout these universal values as their pass to develop a party that is Republican in-name-only while promoting closet Democratic Party values.

Now that their grand enemy, Trump, seems to be fading in the establishment’s narrative, the COVID virus also seems to be less and less relevant. The only thing that remains constant is the power of the Court, now headed toward a showdown with abortion.

Election

Republican Arizona election official says Trump ‘unhinged’ // Politico

Trump’s grip over Republicans hardens as party cleaves to election ‘big lie’ // Guardian

Law

The Supreme Court is facing a showdown over abortion this week // Vox

Republicans

Ignore the hype of Republicans threatening to ‘break away’ over Trump – Cas Mudde // Guardian

Opinion: Vote against Liz Cheney proves GOP’s only ideology now is revenge // NBC News

Scandal, Graft & White Collar Crime

Rightwingers tried to discredit Trump ‘foes’ with honey trap plot – report // Guardian

Pandemic

‘Today is a great day for America’: Biden removes his mask as CDC relaxes guidance – as it happened // Guardian

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, May 10, 2021

China’s rocket disintegrated as it returned to the atmosphere. It was almost metaphoric. Many objected to China’s plan to let this rocket make re-entry where it did, and China didn’t care. It worked out, but didn’t help China listen to others any. And, it didn’t help other nations gain any respect for China. In a sense, China’s international reputation is disintegrating just like its rocket did.

A handful of nations are holding a summit about Xinjiang. China responded to the planned meeting as expected. The meeting is going forward as expected.

Now, Chinese companies are running out of semiconductors. They can’t get the good tech they need and they don’t know how to create it themselves. Perhaps China could benefit from some freedom, respect for rights, and a few other Western values from the countries whose free, happy people were free and happy enough to develop that tech China needs. But, far be it for anyone to offer any suggestion to China.

Trade & Tech

China’s progress in advanced semiconductor technology slows // Nikkei Asian Review

China

Most of Chinese rocket burns up during re-entry // Taipei Times

Warnings came…
‘Out-of-control’ Chinese rocket falling to Earth could partially survive re-entry // Guardian

Debris from Chinese rocket burned up during reentry, space agency says // Global News (CA)

IOC statement on the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 // Olympics

China urges U.N. states not to attend Xinjiang human rights event, warns of more confrontation // CNBC

G7 ends talks with criticism of China and Russia // Aljazeera

Taiwan

CCP raising tensions on purpose: MAC // Taipei Times

Taiwan’s Tsai wins Canadian government-backed award that Ottawa reportedly tried to block // CNN

Philippines

Philippines foreign minister issues expletive-laced tweet over China sea dispute // Yahoo News

Military Faceoff

British Carrier Strike Group arrives in Scotland // UK Defense Journal

Taiwan’s first upgraded and modified Catamaran Corvette started Sea Trial // Naval News

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Arrives at HII to Start its Refueling and Complex Overhaul // Naval News

The F-35’s Carrier Variant Is Finally Going to Sea // Popular Mechanics

Royal Navy Sends A Strong Warning To China // gCaptain

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Encore of Revival: America, May 10, 2021

Social media and elections approach their days of reckoning.

Facebook banned President Trump, supposedly for life, but they aren’t sure, and they have no standards. This is not any problem particular to Facebook, but to software developers at large. They have the power to play judge and jury with their customers—and in many situations they need to. But in their judging, they never took the time to research one of the most basic matters of justice: standards. Facebook seems to think that because they are a company that their customers don’t have any rights unless Facebook gives those rights. China says the same about Xinjiang, and Facebook gets ever closer to being declared a utility, especially with claims like this.

As for the elections, local governments continue to recount, but there was little to no dispute on counting. The disputes were about certifying elections—either at a metaphoric gunpoint like happened with threats in Michigan, or at polling stations with overt rule-breaking. Those are the issues not being addressed, suggesting this is some kind of grand-scale manipulation technique.

Nation-wide reform is inevitable, from government to the private sector.

Trump

Judge orders release of DOJ memo justifying not prosecuting Trump // Politico

Election

The Arizona GOP’s Maricopa County audit: What to know about it // CBS News

Law

Supreme Court Weighs Crack Cocaine Sentencing Disparity // NPR

Soc Media, Cybersecurity & Tech

“so he has no first amendment rights”
Co-chair of Facebook Oversight Board defends decision to uphold Trump ban // CNN

Mark Zuckerberg can no longer deflect blame for Trump’s Facebook suspension // CNBC

The Isles

Scottish nationalists vow independence vote after election win // Yahoo India

NATO Focus

U.S., Russia, China poke each other at U.N. Security Council // Yahoo India

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Cadence of Conflict: Asia, May 3, 2021

Navies from across the globe are holding a slumber party in the East Pacific, namely the South Sea. British and other Europeans join the US, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, and of course China. Everyone says they want things to be calm and normal. But, the elephant in the slumber party living room is Taiwan. China maintains a policy of planning to take control either by hostile takeover or hostile invasion.

North Koreans aren’t happy with Biden. He says he will use the American-despised method called ‘diplomacy’. But, what diplomacy compares to the first president to meet with the Great Successor—twice? Biden and his team of wonderfuls are thrilled to be rid of divisive riff-raff like the first president to achieve diplomacy talks with North Korea head-to-head. Now that things are improving in America, we can get back to hostility as usual with the Korean peninsula.

If the other members of the East Pacific navy slumber party were serious about peace, they would freeze all Chinese assets until China renounced its Taiwan invasion policy and gave half of its navy to Taiwan as evidence. That won’t happen, but it just goes to prove that no one wants peace in the Pacific—they just want a navy slumber party. And, that’s what they’ve got. And, weapons manufacturers are thrilled.

Taiwan

Chinese man crosses Strait on raft // Taipei Times

Korean Peninsula

N Korea warns of response to Biden’s ‘hostile policy’ // Taipei Times

Myanmar

Seven dead in Myanmar as Amnesty accuses army of ‘killing spree’ // Aljazeera

Military Faceoff

China’s carrier group conducts exercises in South China Sea // Aljazeera

China’s new amphibious assault ship to carry multi-type helicopters, ‘enters world-class’ ranks // Global Times (China Govt)

British name enormous carrier strike group heading for the Indo-Pacific // Defense News

UK to send Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier to Japan, S Korea // Aljazeera

China simultaneously commissions three warships on Navy anniversary // Defense News

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