Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/ukraine-denies-kickbacks-putin-reiterates-nato-membership-non-negotiable/
Geopolitics
Russian President Putin claims President Biden proposed delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership to avoid conflict, to which Putin responded that NATO membership is non-negotiable regardless of timing. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have refuted recent claims of kickbacks to U.S. politicians, dismissing social media rumors as unfounded. The Washington Post reported that the U.S. Department of Justice has not found evidence of widespread corruption involving U.S. politicians and Ukrainian kickbacks, although corruption in Ukraine is acknowledged.
In Kazakhstan, an Azerbaijani airliner crash has sparked investigations, with suspicions of a missile strike by Russian air defense systems. The crash, resulting in 38 fatalities, has led to a national day of mourning in Azerbaijan. While weather conditions were initially blamed, evidence suggests possible involvement of Russian military defenses, complicating diplomatic relations. Reuters reported that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated it was premature to make hypotheses before the investigation concluded.
Economy
The global financial landscape is under scrutiny as experts like Michael Howell and Luke Groman discuss liquidity and economic shifts. Howell warns of a potential economic downturn as liquidity momentum slows, influenced by U.S. Treasury strategies and China’s economic challenges. Bloomberg noted that the Federal Reserve might pause its quantitative tightening policy if financial conditions tighten, aligning with Howell’s concerns. Groman predicts a significant economic shift by 2025, suggesting a weaker dollar and rising gold and Bitcoin prices, driven by U.S. debt and defense spending priorities. Bloomberg also reported that Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen hinted at policy adjustments that could lead to a weaker dollar, supporting Groman’s prediction.
Health
The CDC is reportedly investigating potential links between COVID vaccines and stroke cases. The said, the CDC and other health authorities continue to assert that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks, with billions of doses administered globally with very low rates of serious adverse events. Meanwhile, President Trump’s comments on disinfectants during the pandemic have resurfaced, with some suggesting he referred to chlorine dioxide, a debated treatment.
In other health news, the avian influenza threat continues to be discussed, with experts questioning the severity of the response. While human cases remain rare, the development of mRNA vaccines for poultry and cattle is underway, amid concerns about the impact on food safety. The WHO and CDC maintain that the risk to humans from bird flu remains low, despite the spread among birds and some mammals.
US Politics
In Maine, a program is providing prisoners with remote work opportunities, allowing them to earn wages and gain skills. This initiative, led by Unlocked Labs, is part of a broader trend of integrating remote work into unexpected environments, offering opportunities to incarcerated individuals. The Guardian reports that similar initiatives in Norway and Germany focus on rehabilitation through education and work, suggesting Maine’s approach aligns with international practices.
Elon Musk’s role in the intersection of technology and national security is under examination, with some critics questioning his ties to the military-industrial complex. Musk’s involvement with SpaceX and its contracts with the U.S. government raises questions about his influence and intentions in the realm of AI and surveillance. Bloomberg reported on SpaceX’s contract with the US Space Force, highlighting Musk’s expanding role as a defense contractor.
Civil forfeiture practices in the U.S. draw comparisons to historical wealth confiscation tactics, raising concerns about property rights and legal processes. The ACLU has been vocal about civil forfeiture, stating that it violates constitutional rights by allowing property seizure without a criminal conviction.
Environment
Climate discussions are reignited as Arctic ice data challenges previous predictions. Contrary to earlier claims of ice-free summers, recent measurements show a 26% increase in Arctic sea ice since 2012, prompting scrutiny of media narratives and climate models. The National Snow and Ice Data Center acknowledges the increase but emphasizes that the long-term trend is still one of decline, highlighting natural variability.
Sources
Debunking the Myth: No Evidence of Ukrainian Kickbacks to U.S. Politicians
Source | Submitted by bcoop
Liquidity Party Nears End: Dance by the Door as 2025 Challenges Loom
Enjoy the party, but dance near the door.
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
US Dollar Devaluation Looms: Luke Groman Predicts Economic Shift by 2025
It keeps all going back to the same thing, which is it won’t work mathematically. Away from the politics, it mathematically is impossible to work unless you devalue the dollar, devalue the debt first.
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
Azerbaijani Airliner Crash in Kazakhstan: Missile Strike Suspected Amidst Investigations
Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 was en route from the Azerbaijani capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus on Wednesday when it was diverted for reasons that aren’t yet fully clear.
Source | Submitted by Walberga
Trump’s Disinfectant Debacle: A Misunderstood Pandemic Antidote?
Trump was erroneously thought to be referring to chlorine dioxide, a treatment nationally deployed by Bolivia which led to the best outcomes in South America.
Source | Submitted by eramerine1
Remote Work Breaks Barriers: Maine Prisoners Code Their Way to a New Future
Remote work has spread far and wide since the pandemic spurred a work-from-home revolution of sorts, but perhaps no place more unexpectedly than behind prison walls.
Source | Submitted by Shplad
Elon Musk: Freedom Hero or Military-Industrial Complex Tool? A Deep Dive into Technocratic Influence and AI Manipulation
Elon Musk is a tool for the military industrial complex.
Source | Submitted by MrPug
Bird Flu Frenzy: Are We Overreacting to Avian Influenza Threats?
In other words, once again the US (and California State) government appears to be overreacting to an infectious disease “threat.”
Source | Submitted by yogmonster
CDC to Investigate Potential Link Between COVID Vaccine and Stroke Cases
The agency will now be investigating any potential links between the shots and strokes in some of those patients.
Source | Submitted by Chris Martenson
Ex-FBI Scientist Claims Biden Denied Lab Leak Briefing on COVID-19 Origins
A former senior FBI scientist, Jason Bannan, says the FBI was prevented from briefing President Biden on evidence supporting the lab leak theory for the origin of COVID-19.
Source | Submitted by AaronMcKeon
Putin Claims Biden Proposed Delaying Ukraine’s NATO Bid to Avoid Conflict
“I know that the current President Biden spoke about this, it’s no secret, back in 2021. He proposed exactly this to me – to delay Ukraine’s admission into NATO by 10-15 years, because [Kiev] is not ready yet,” Putin said.
Civil Forfeiture: Modern-Day Echoes of Rome’s Wealth Confiscation Tactics
Suspicion was equivalent to proof; trial to condemnation.
Source | Submitted by bcoop
Arctic Ice Defies Predictions: 26% Larger Than 2012, Challenges MSM Narrative
This year’s minimum Arctic sea ice extent was 26% larger than 2012. @BBCNews said the Arctic would be ice-free by 2013.
Source | Submitted by bcoop
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: The Washington Post, Bloomberg, Reuters, CDC, The Guardian, WHO, ACLU, and National Snow and Ice Data Center.