Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/tweeting-illegal-in-the-uk-iranian-plot-to-assassinate-trump/
Politics
UK authorities have issued a warning that retweeting information about riots could result in criminal charges. Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions, stated that social media users could be guilty of “incitement to racial hatred” if they share “insulting or abusive” content likely to stir up racial hatred. Dedicated police officers are actively monitoring social media for such material, and individuals could face serious consequences for their actions. Parkinson also mentioned that sharing protest or riot locations could lead to terrorism charges. There are calls from some UK figures to ban Twitter (X) to prevent civil unrest, with suggestions that the government could restrict access to the platform or remove it from app stores for policy violations. Keir Starmer has announced the formation of a “standing army” of riot police to address right-wing violence, though there has been criticism of the Prime Minister for not condemning similar actions by other groups.
In a criminal case, Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national with alleged ties to Iran, was arrested for allegedly plotting to assassinate former President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials. The plot was reportedly uncovered through a criminal complaint unsealed in Brooklyn federal court. The story is that Merchant, who had spent time in Iran, traveled to the U.S. to recruit hitmen, reportedly contacting an FBI informant. He is charged with murder-for-hire and remains in federal custody. The U.S. Department of Justice, along with the FBI, emphasized their commitment to countering threats to national security. The case is being prosecuted by the National Security & Cybercrime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section.
In the US, Donald Trump remains a leading candidate in the polls, prompting business leaders to prepare for a potential second term. Drawing from his first-term policies and the 2017 National Security Strategy, a second Trump administration would likely emphasize U.S. economic and technological dominance, particularly in countering China. This could involve stringent measures against Chinese intellectual property theft and economic practices. Trump’s approach might include increased tariffs, export controls, and expanded oversight by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Additionally, he could push NATO members to increase defense spending and build on the AUKUS agreement, potentially expanding it to include Japan and South Korea. Investments in artificial intelligence and quantum sciences would be crucial to maintaining U.S. economic and national security.
Economy
The U.S. stock market experienced a selloff following a disappointing jobs report, leading to concerns of a potential recession. Analysts expressed concerns that the Federal Reserve’s delayed interest rate cuts might exacerbate economic downturns. The Dow Jones, NASDAQ, S&P 500, and Russell 2000 all saw declines, with global markets also suffering, wiping out $6.4 trillion in value. Gold and silver, typically seen as safe havens, also experienced declines, though gold remains up over 15% for the year. The recent downturn in precious metals could present buying opportunities, given the underlying factors for both gold and silver.
Health
Researchers have reportedly made strides in neurotherapeutics by engineering the brain parasite Toxoplasma gondii to deliver therapeutic proteins to neurons in the mouse brain. This method, detailed in Nature Microbiology, could potentially aid in the treatment of neurological conditions by enabling the transport of functional proteins directly to brain cells. The technology, which builds on previous studies using viral vectors and machine learning for protein design, still requires further development to enhance its safety and efficacy. This development parallels advancements in other therapeutic delivery systems, such as Listeria-based tumor immunotherapies and viral vector platforms for gene therapy, which have seen improvements through strain attenuation.
Sources
Brain Parasite Recruited for Therapeutic Delivery: A New Frontier in Neurology
Toxoplasma gondii, a eukaryotic brain parasite that infects one in three people worldwide, was engineered to deliver therapeutics to neurons in the mouse brain.
Source | Submitted by 0007
Pakistani National with Alleged Iranian Ties Charged in Plot to Assassinate Trump
A Pakistani national with purported ties to Iran was arrested last month on charges he plotted to assassinate former President Donald Trump and multiple other public officials, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday in Brooklyn federal court.
Source | Submitted by FledNewYork
Gold: The Safe Haven That Wasn’t? Understanding the Market’s Monday Meltdown
It just goes to show how quickly market sentiment can shift.
Source | Submitted by PhilH
National Security in a Second Trump Term: What Business Leaders Need to Know
Great power competition with China would dominate.
Source | Submitted by Shplad
Pakistani National with Iranian Ties Charged in Foiled Assassination Plot Against Trump
A federal complaint unsealed on Tuesday in Brooklyn has charged Asif Merchant, also known as “Asif Raza Merchant,” a 46-year-old Pakistani national, with murder-for-hire in connection with a foiled assassination plot targeting a politician or U.S. government officials on American soil.
Source | Submitted by joe tenaglia
UK Authorities Warn: Retweeting Riot Information Could Lead to Criminal Charges
UK authorities have warned people that merely retweeting information about the riots could lead to criminal charges.
Source | Submitted by AaronMcKeon