Top

There are 266 posts filed in Top (this is page 2 of 27).

Ukrainian Special Military Operation in Crimea

CRIMEA: 

Ukrainian Forces Plant Flag in Crimea

Ukrainian forces executed a meticulously orchestrated special military operation within the confines of Russian-occupied Crimea, hoisting the Ukrainian flag upon the coast.

The limited raid was taken by a highly specialized waterborne craft that successfully navigated the shoreline near Maiak, a village in the northwestern portion of Crimea where a Russian air defense system was destroyed the day before.

The spokesperson for Ukrainian Intelligence, Andriy Yusov, stated that there were no casualties.

Of particular geographical importance, Maiak’s proximity to Olenivka, 116 km northwest of Sevastopol, according to ISW, cannot be overlooked. This successful foray not only exemplifies Ukrainian determination but also marks a poignant moment in the war.

Ukrainian Flag Crimea

CBS YouGov poll: Trump voters believe him over family or religious leaders

Snake oil slickster
Pig selling snake oil.

“Trump voters are more likely to believe the former president is telling them the truth than their friends and family or religious leaders, according to a new CBS News/YouGov poll.”

https://www.axios.com/2023/08/21/trump-republican-2024-voters-poll

CBS News Poll – August 16-18, 2023
Adults in the U.S.
Sample 2,061 Adults in the U.S

GOP Debate No1 Review

MILWAKEE WISCONSIN

In the grand hall of Fiserv Forum a convergence of eight Republican presidential contenders unfolded, marked by passionate debates on subjects as varied as Education, Ukraine, abortion, and the tumultuous events of January 6th at the Capitol. The occasion marked their inaugural primary debate for the 2024 election cycle.

Vivid Sparks ignited throughout the discourse, with Tim Scott at one point offering the responsibility to restore decorum amid the cacophony. He admonished his compatriots, asserting that engaging in unending verbal jousts and resorting to puerility would not contribute positively to the well-being of the American populace.

In a defining moment, Nikki Haley seized the opportunity to underscore her unique positioning as the sole female participant on the stage. With an allusion to Margaret Thatcher, she invoked, “As Margaret Thatcher once wisely posited, ‘If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman'”

Amidst the gathering, the notable absence of Donald Trump was conspicuous. This circumstance provided an opening for Mike Pence to garner endorsement for his stance regarding the pivotal issue that has cast a shadow over his candidacy – his steadfast refusal to interpose in the congressional tabulation of electoral college ballots, contrary to the wishes of Donald Trump.

In Donald Trump’s void, the center stage witnessed intense scrutiny falling upon Vivek Ramaswamy.

A substantial theme of Ramaswamy’s inexperience echoed throughout the proceedings, with fellow aspirants highlighting his lack of acumen. Mike Pence referring to him as a “rookie” and Chris Christie deriding him as an “amateur.” In retort, the Republican entrepreneur extolled his business acumen as a cornerstone for orchestrating a “revolution,” positing himself as a harbinger of a new era in leadership.

ABORTION

The discourse took on a contentious subject, as the GOP luminaries delved into the topic of abortion regulations. Amidst the participants’ general adherence to a 15-week nationwide prohibition, Ron DeSantis deviated, expounding upon his endorsement of a 6-week prohibition in Florida. Tim Scott, renowned for his anti-abortion sentiments, advocated for a 15-week embargo at minimum.

In a clarion call, Nikki Haley implored her Republican comrades to uphold candor while debating the prospect of a national abortion restriction. Given the requisite 60 Senate votes for federal legislation, she advocated for a unified stance, encompassing the prohibition of late-term abortions and eschewing penal measures against women seeking them.

A fervent proponent of anti-abortion sentiment, Mike Pence unequivocally countered, asserting that consensus constitutes anathema to true leadership. For Pence, abortion transcends state jurisdiction and rests as a moral conundrum.

RUSSIA’S INVASION OF UKRAINE

The topics regarding the conundrum of Russia’s foray into Ukraine, prompted incisive critique from former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley, and former Vice President Mike Pence. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy faced their ire for proposing a status quo maintenance in Ukrainian territories as a concession for Russia’s commitment against allying with China.

Mike Pence, sternly addressing Ramaswamy, forewarned against yielding to such proposals, cautioning that the envisaged territorial cession to Putin would inevitably pave the way for encroachments into NATO nations.

Nikki Haley chided Ramaswamy for his suggestion portions of territory of Ukraine could be relinquished to Putin. “You have no foreign policy experience and it shows,” she stated.

EDUCATION

The event also witnessed resounding endorsement for dismantling the federal Department of Education, with Ron DeSantis stating, “We need education in this country, not indoctrination in this country.”

Pence championed the requisition of a president seasoned in governance intricacies.

TRUMPLESS

Donald Trump’s name materialized, prompting a question: Would the contenders back Trump in case of conviction? Most hands were raised in affirmation, barring a possible objection from Chris Christie. Mike Pence once again found vindication for his longstanding reluctance to intervene in the counting of electoral college votes during the tumultuous events of January 6th, 2021, casting the shadow of his unswerving stance in the absence of Donald Trump.

CLIMATE CHANGE DENIAL

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy erroneously posited the climate change agenda as a hoax. A claim sharply contradicted by established scientific consensus.

First GOP Presidential Primary Debate

In a move that could set the stage for the upcoming election drama, the Republican National Committee (RNC) has revealed its selection of eight candidates who will be center stage in the very first GOP presidential primary debate. This crucial event will shape the course of the election season. This article dives deep into the history of such debates, the careful strategies behind candidate selection, and the possible reasons each contender is taking part.

Historical Insights: Fewer Faces, Sharper Focus

Comparing this year’s debate lineup to the one from eight years ago, a significant decrease in the number of candidates stands out. The last debate featured a whopping 17 contenders – 10 in the main event and 7 in an earlier session. But this time, the field has been narrowed down to just eight, suggesting the RNC’s intention to keep things more streamlined and focused. Adding more weight to the event, it’s historically hosted by the Fox News Channel.

Strategic Moves: Setting the Early Tone

The careful selection of candidates by the RNC reveals a smart strategy to shape the early narrative of the election cycle. Notably, Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis, who was once a strong favorite in the polls, is aiming to regain his front-runner status. Businessperson Vivek Ramaswamy’s growing popularity demands the attention of other contenders to counter his rise. Former Vice President Mike Pence and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley’s participation indicates a push to present experienced voices to the voters. Additionally, the mix of candidates – including Senator Tim Scott, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson – displays a range of the party’s beliefs.

Reasons Behind the Scenes: What’s Driving Each Contender

Each candidate stepping up to the debate platform has unique motivations. DeSantis is focused on rebuilding his image and showing where he stands on policies to be seen as a strong alternative to the previous president. Ramaswamy and others hope to ride the debate wave to keep their popularity growing. Pence and Haley are aiming to use their past government experience to connect with voters. Scott, Christie, Burgum, and Hutchinson bring their own different perspectives to the table, speaking to various groups within the Republican base.

The Big Picture: A Crucial Selection for the GOP

The Republican National Committee’s careful choice of candidates for the first GOP presidential primary debate holds massive importance in shaping the narrative for the upcoming election cycle. This thought-out selection of eight contenders points to a well-planned effort to show off a mix of viewpoints and counter the surge in popularity of certain candidates. As the debate unfolds, the motivations behind each candidate’s involvement will become clearer, adding to the bigger discussion about where the party is headed.

Official CISA Alert: Royal Ransomware

Official CISA Alert (AA23-061A): Royal Ransomware

Red Bots

“The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are releasing this joint CSA to disseminate known Royal ransomware IOCs and TTPs identified through FBI threat response activities as recently as January 2023.

Since approximately September 2022, cyber criminals have compromised U.S. and international organizations with a Royal ransomware variant. FBI and CISA believe this variant, which uses its own custom-made file encryption program, evolved from earlier iterations that used “Zeon” as a loader. After gaining access to victims’ networks, Royal actors disable antivirus software and exfiltrate large amounts of data before ultimately deploying the ransomware and encrypting the systems. Royal actors have made ransom demands ranging from approximately $1 million to $11 million USD in Bitcoin. In observed incidents, Royal actors do not include ransom amounts and payment instructions as part of the initial ransom note. Instead, the note, which appears after encryption, requires victims to directly interact with the threat actor via a .onion URL (reachable through the Tor browser). Royal actors have targeted numerous critical infrastructure sectors including, but not limited to, Manufacturing, Communications, Healthcare and Public Healthcare (HPH), and Education.

FBI and CISA encourage organizations to implement the recommendations in the Mitigations section of this CSA to reduce the likelihood and impact of ransomware incidents.”

SOURCE: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa23-061a

Download the PDF version of this report:

#StopRansomware: Royal Ransomware (PDF, 586.96 KB )

5 Indicators That Show We Turned a Depression-Like Shock into a Six-Year Expansion

Seven years ago, Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy, setting in motion the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. In fact, the onset of the Great Recession was more severe across a wide range of measures than the Depression itself—including substantially larger losses in wealth, a significantly larger contraction in global trade, and a comparable reduction in employment and private demand. In these ways the economy in late 2008 looked like it could have been on track for an outcome comparable to the Great Depression.

But an aggressive public policy response from a wide range of actors promoted aggregate demand and helped rescue the financial system. Over the course of just a few months after taking office, President Obama worked to shore up the U.S. financial system, rescue the auto industry, and pass a Recovery Act and more than a dozen subsequent fiscal measures that provided vital support to families and businesses. Since the crisis, the President has taken continued steps—including Wall Street reform—to strengthen our economy and protect against future downturns.

This decisive policy response helped the economy return to growth only six months after the President took office and made the United States among the first advanced economies to recover its pre-crisis output per capita. Today, those economic indicators that had collapsed in early 2009 have surged above pre-crisis levels and continue to improve:​

  • Our businesses have now created 13.1 million jobs over 66 straight months—the longest streak on record.
  • The pace of job growth over the last three years has not been exceeded since 2000. 
  • The unemployment rate has fallen further and faster than economic forecasters predicted. 

While more work remains to be done, this record is a testament not only to the bold public policy choices that helped avoid a second Great Depression but also to the resilience of the American people.

FIVE KEY INDICATORS THAT SHOW WE NARROWLY AVOIDED A SECOND DEPRESSION

 

1. In the first year of the Great Recession, $13 trillion in household wealth disappeared—about 19 percent of total wealth, five times the loss rate in the onset of the Great Depression. But by late 2009, household wealth began to rebound, and is now more than 30 percent above 2008 levels. At the corresponding time in the Depression, wealth was still 30 percent below 1929 levels.

Chart of household wealth since 2008

2. Housing prices fell faster between 2008 and 2009 than between 1929 and 1930. But they have since recovered, while losses in the Depression era persisted for years. Along with stock market valuations (which have also recovered much stronger than in 1929), housing values are a major component of household wealth.

Chart of single-family housing prices

3. Our economy was shedding jobs at the start of the Great Recession at about the same pace as in the Great Depression. Our economy was adding jobs again by early 2010, while the pace of job losses only accelerated in the 1930s. Indeed, our robust employment growth has cut the unemployment rate nearly in half, from a peak of 10 percent to 5.1 percent today. The recent surge of job growth—8 million new jobs over the past three years—has not been exceeded since 2000.

Chart of civilian employment

4. Private domestic final purchases (a combination of the largest and most stable components of GDP) contracted as sharply at the start of the Great Recession as during the start of the Great Depression. But while economic output continued to contract for years into the 1930s, our economy returned to growth in 2009, as both personal consumption and business investment started to grow again.

Chart of private domestic final purchases

5. Global trade suffered a much more drastic fall between 2008 and 2009 than during the first year of the Depression. But as the U.S. economy returned to growth faster, so too did global trade, which is well above pre-crisis levels today.

Chart of global trade flows