The International Monetary Fund (IMF) continues to advocate for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), despite growing skepticism and resistance. The IMF’s Managing Director, Kirstalina Georgieva, highlighted potential use cases of CBDCs, such as replacing cash in island economies and improving financial inclusion. However, the launch of Nigeria’s CBDC, the eNaira, has been met with low adoption rates and public distrust. Singapore’s central bank is advising the public to carry cash as a contingency for further outages, following a disruptive bank outage in the country.
In a recent conversation with Mathew Crawford, topics such as the history of gain-of-functions, artificial intelligence, and tactics used by intel operatives on social media were discussed. The conversation also touched on uncovering fraud in pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing.
A recent podcast episode discussed the concept of ‘gaslighting’, a psychological manipulation technique. The episode explored how common gaslighting is, how to defend oneself from it, and how it is used on a societal level by those in power.
In an effort to restore trust in the government, over 40,000 hours of Jan. 6 Capitol Police security video will be made public on a dedicated website. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the importance of transparency in this decision. However, the decision to blur faces and concerns about the authenticity of the files posted online have been met with criticism.
Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program has expanded to include euthanasia for infants and toddlers. The Quebec College of Physicians defends the practice by claiming that some babies are suffering from unbearable pain that can only be alleviated through assisted suicide. However, there are questions about how consent is determined in cases where both parents may not agree on the necessity of assisted suicide.
In Argentina, far-right economist and former television pundit, Javier Milei, has won the presidential runoff against Economy Minister Sergio Massa. Milei, who has no governing experience, secured nearly 56 percent of the vote. His victory represents a significant shift for Argentina, which has been grappling with hyperinflation and rising poverty rates.
The transportation and logistics industries have experienced a severe recession, with overcapacity and a lack of freight leading to a drop in rates. This downturn has affected not only U.S. trucking fleets and freight brokerages, but also ocean carriers, railroads, air cargo carriers, and freight forwarders worldwide.
China’s economy has been a major player in ocean shipping for the past two decades, but now the era of rapid economic growth and government intervention is over. Leland Miller, CEO of China Beige Book, believes that shipping owners, investors, and analysts need to adjust their thinking on China. He also predicts that relations between China and the US will continue to deteriorate.
Sources
China's Economic Shift and Deteriorating Relations with the U.S. Pose Risks for Ocean Shipping
I think the odds of something happening before the end of the decade are much, much higher than the markets are giving credit for. The market understanding of this — that it’s way too damaging so it’s not going to happen — is just wrong.
Source | Submitted by mysterymet
FreightWaves Reports Severe Recession in Freight Market with Numerous Bankruptcies and Layoffs
The freight market is experiencing a severe recession. FreightWaves has an obligation to report that news.
Source | Submitted by mysterymet
Outsider Libertarian Javier Milei Wins Argentina's Presidential Runoff in Stunning Upset
Javier Milei, the outsider libertarian candidate with radical solutions to Argentina’s economic crisis, has just won Sunday’s presidential runoff against Economy Minister Sergio Massa.
Source | Submitted by aaronmckeon
Canadian Doctor Leading Effort to Allow Euthanasia for Toddlers and Infants
Canadian Dr. Louis Roy is leading the charge to allow toddlers and infants in Canada to be killed through euthanasia.
Source | Submitted by richcabot
Jan. 6 Capitol Police Security Video to be Released Publicly, Faces to be Blurred
“So while we are significantly expanding the amount of clips that will be available and who can request them, we will be blurring faces with respect to individuals who are identifiable,” the source said.
Source | Submitted by mysterymet
"Gaslight: Unveiling the Psychological Thriller that Introduced 'Gaslighting' to the World"
In this edition of Film, Literature and the New World Order, we welcome Thomas Sheridan, author of The Anvil of the Psyche, to discuss Gaslight, the 1940 British psychological thriller that introduced us to the concept of ‘gaslighting.’
Source | Submitted by nils-grimley
Wide-Ranging Conversation Covers Gain-of-Function, Artificial Intelligence, and More
We touched on many topics, including the history of gain-of-functions and the lies surrounding it, many diversionary narratives, artificial intelligence, education and lack thereof, tactics used by intel operatives on social media, and many more topics.
Source | Submitted by nils-grimley
IMF Urges Public Institutions Not to Turn Back on Central Bank Digital Currencies
“This is not the time to turn back on central bank digital currencies,” Kirstalina Georgieva said.
Source | Submitted by nils-grimley
