Vision Times Newspaper VOL.27 July 9,2021

VOL.027 JULY 9 - JULY 15 , 2021

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US Closing Last Afghanistan Base as Biden Continues Withdrawal

(Images: WAKIL KOHSAR/GettyImages)

By Leo Timm Vision Times

T

he U.S. military is on track to end its almost two-decade-long engagement in Afghanistan

by Sept. 11, with Bagram air base, a major installation near Kabul and the last operated

by American troops, being handed to Afghan government control on July 1.

The pullout, to be completed in late August, will see the last regular U.S. personnel leave Kabul, the national capital, and the nearby international airport.

However, several hundred troops will remain to guard the American Embassy and other select locations.

The base was handed over to the ANDSF. ANDSF will protect base and use it to combat terrorism.

— Fawad Aman Afghan army spokesman

An Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier carries a backpack inside the Bagram US air base after all US and NATO troops left, some 70 Kms north of Kabul on July 5, 2021. (Images: WAKIL KOHSAR/GettyImages)

A US Air Force transport plane lands at the Bagram Air Base in Bagram on July 1, 2021.

U.S. President Joe Biden had set Sept. 11 as the deadline for the withdrawal, in commemoration of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that destroyed the Manhattan World Trade Center, killed more than 3,000 people, and led to the War on Terror in which the United States invaded Afghanistan and Iraq. The withdrawal began in early 2020, after

the Trump administration reached an agreement with the radical Islamic Taliban insurgency.

More than 2,400 U.S. personnel have died in the war, while another 22,000 were wounded. U.S.backed Afghan forces have seen 65,000 killed, with a similar number of dead on the side of the Taliban and affiliated mili-

Over 3,000 US and allied troops, plus more than 170,000 Afghans dead in America’s longest war

tant groups. A 2021 estimate by Brown University places the number of civilian dead at 47,000. Tens of thousands more have been killed outside of Afghanistan as a result of the war, most of them in neighboring Pakistan.

The U.S. has spent $2.2 trillion on the Afghanistan portion of the War on Terror alone, per the Brown University report.

Al-Qaeda, the Islamic terrorist organization that committed the 9/11 attacks, and the Taliban, which harbored al-Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden, remain active in Afghanistan, though bin Laden was killed by U.S. special forces in 2011.

The longest war

Running nearly 20 years, the operation in Afghanistan is the longest war fought by the United States. However, the last conflict in which Congress officially declared war was World War II. Continued on A2

Officials Visit Bronx Businesses as NYC Launches ‘Shop Your City’ Challenge Vision Times News

O Jonnel Doris (L) with community business leaders visit the Bronx on July 7, 2021. (Image: Vision Times)

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n Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 3 p.m., Jonnel Doris, Commissioner of New York City’s Small Business Service (SBS), and community leaders visited some of the major neighborhoods in the Bronx and

provided business owners with updated information on the New York City Business FastTrac® and other resources offered by the SBS. Accompanying Dorris were Wilma Alonzo, Executive Director of the Fordham Business Improvement District (BID) and Daniel J. Bernstein, deputy director of

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the Fordham BID. The Fordham Road shopping corridor from Jerome Avenue to Washington Avenue is one of the city's busiest business districts and is home to more than 300 small businesses serving the neighborhood for generations.

Continued on A3

(Image: Vision Times)

Jonnel Doris.

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Oil Prices Soar to Six-Year High

Amidst OPEC Plus Infighting Creating Winners and Losers

By Todd Crawford Vision Times

I

nfighting among key players of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Plus alliance has caused oil production levels to remain virtually unchanged despite increasing demand. As a result, prices have soared, threatening post-pandemic recovery in several nations.

According to Civilsdaily, “The non-OPEC countries which export crude oil along with the 14 OPECs are termed as OPEC plus countries.” Oil prices rose to their highest level since November 2014 after talks between OPEC allies Saudi Arabia and The United Arab Emirates stalled, resulting in the broader group failing to reach an agreement on production policy beyond August this year.

On Tuesday, West Texas Intermediate crude futures were

trading as high as US$76.98, the highest it has been in over six years, before dipping by 4.4% to US$73.56 per barrel. Brent crude hit its highest level since the last quarter of 2018, before shedding gains as well and trading at US$74.77 per barrel.

Discussions on oil production output within the OPEC Plus alliance — which were expected to have resulted in an increase in production of two million barrels per day by the end of the year — were postponed indefinitely after the United Arab Emirates rejected a proposal at a meeting on July 2.

Discussions set to resume on Monday, July 5 were called off, leaving production levels stagnant and below global demand.

Winners and losers

Canada’s Alberta region, with an economy intricately connected to the price of oil, stands to benefit significantly from the infighting.

Its economy was pummeled last year by low oil prices, pandemic lockdowns, and the cancellation of key infrastructure projects like the Keystone XL pipeline.

In March 2020, the Alberta provincial government led by Premier Jason Kenney, in a bid to bring its bitumen product to market, announced an agreement between TC Energy and the Province to invest CAD$1.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) in the Keystone XL pipeline along with a CAD$6 billion (US$4.813 billion) loan guarantee.

However, within hours of taking his oath of office, U.S. president Joe Biden cancelled the cross border pipeline permits, citing environmental concerns.

Consequently, the Canadian province lost its investment in the project and an opportunity to transport more of its energy products to refineries to the south.

On the heels of the can-

The stalled discussions are expected to drive oil prices even higher, creating opportunities for some countries while threatening to stifle postpandemic recovery for others.

celled infrastructure project, the prospect of higher oil prices is welcomed in the Canadian oil patch. However, the increase in prices has the potential to stifle post-pandemic recovery in the U.S. and stretch consumers’ pocketbooks.

Higher shipping costs are expected as fuel costs soar in tandem with the price of oil, complicating an already stressed supply chain network still recovering from disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not only will consumers have to navigate an increase in fuel prices, but also the cost of food is poised to increase further as well.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for foodat-home increased by 0.4 percent from April 2021 to May 2021, and that food-athome prices have increased 2.2 percent year-over-year.

US Closing Last Afghanistan Base as Biden Continues Withdrawal Continued from FRONT

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ecades of reinforcement by the U.S. and its allies have allowed Afghan government forces to hold Kabul and other strategic regions. However, they struggle against the Taliban elsewhere due to the terrorists’ hit-andrun attacks, infiltration of the government forces, and persistent presence among Afghanistan’s impoverished rural population.

American officials have acknowledged that the present U.S. withdrawal could have undesirable consequences, but see no good alternatives.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on July 2 that Biden felt “that the war in Afghanistan was not one that could be won militarily," and added that assessments of the planned with212-730-6962

Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers stand guard at the back of a vehicle at a road checkpoint outside Bagram Air Base, after all US and NATO troops left. (Images: WAKIL KOHSAR/GettyImages)

drawal "did not sugarcoat what the likely outcomes would be."

Afghanistan has suffered more than 40 years of foreign invasion and civil war since 1979, when the Soviet Union sent troops to prop up a friendly communist government. The Soviets left a

decade later, and the Afghan government collapsed in the 1990s, giving way to a civil war in which the Taliban fought the U.S.-friendly Northern Alliance.

Afghanistan’s fate uncertain

Bagram airfield, first

used by the pre-communist Afghan military and then the Soviet armed forces, was the center of U.S. and coalition military activity.

Located about 60 kilometers (about 37 miles) from Kabul, it was described by Pentagon press secretary John Kirby as a “key hub for air support for everything that we were doing over there for the last 20 years,” Voice of America reported.

“All Coalition and American troops have departed Bagram Air Base last night,” Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) spokesman Fawad Aman said on July 2. “The base was handed over to the ANDSF. ANDSF will protect base and use it to combat terrorism.”

But the ANDSF has an uphill battle ahead of it.

VOA cited the Founda-

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tion for Defense of Democracies' Long War Journal as saying that the Taliban have doubled their territory since the beginning of the withdrawal. Thousands of Afghan troops have been killed in 2021 alone.

There were around 3,500 American troops and another 7,000 coalition soldiers in country at the beginning of July, down from the peak in August 2010 when there were more than 100,000 American servicemen and women in Afghanistan.

In contrast with Afghanistan, the U.S. has no plans to fully withdraw from Iraq, which was invaded in 2003 during the administration of President George W. Bush. The invasion, justified by dubious claims that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of

mass destruction, toppled the Hussein regime. Hussein, a sadistic and militaristic leader who invaded Iran and Kuwait — and was supported by both the U.S. and Soviet Union during the war against Iran — was executed in 2006.

U.S. occupation did not prevent Iraq from falling into violent chaos. Insurgent warfare claimed the lives of thousands and culminated in the formation of the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group that overran much of the Near East. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis lost their lives in the war since 2003, as well as more than 4,500 American troops.

Attempts to withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq have been stymied by the need to support the local government against ISIS and other terrorist organizations. subscription@visiontimes.com

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JUL 9 - JUL 15, 2021 |

A3

‘If They Can Do It to Me, They Can Do It to Anyone’

Trump Announces Suits Against Big Tech for Censorship

By Neil Campbell Vision Times

F

ormer U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a trio of class action lawsuits against Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and their CEOs over their censorship of online speech on June 7.

At a press conference from the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump spoke for slightly more than 20 minutes where he made the joint announcement with the America First Policy Institute.

“From the very beginning of our nation, freedom of speech has always been understood as a bedrock of our liberty and our strength,” said Trump. “In America, we recognize that the freedom to speak our minds and express the truth… is our heart. It is not granted to us by government, it is given to us by God and no one should have the power to take that right away.”

Trump said the founding fathers inscribed the freedom of speech as a fundamental right into the Constitution because of an awareness that it is “essential to the prevention of horror and to the preservation of our republic.”

“But, remember the words

‘the prevention of horror’,” emphasized Trump.

“Because we’re very close to seeing that now in our country. We’ve never been in a position like this, and it’s all happened very quickly.”

Trump is himself the personification of Big Tech censorship after becoming the target of a nearly ubiquitous systemic de-platforming from every mainstream social media app. The process had begun with minor forms of squelching, such as post deletion or the addition of warning labels to tweets — when he began questioning the integrity of the November 2020 presidential election — and concluded with a total and permanent ban from the three largest Big Tech outlets after the Jan. 6 Capitol Building break-in.

Taking on Big Tech

“If they can do it to me, they can do it to anyone.

And in fact, that is exactly what they’re doing…what they’re doing is incredible, and incredibly dangerous.”

Trump filed three separate class action suits in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Twitter and CEO Jack Dorsey, YouTube and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Facebook and CEO Mark Zuckerberg with other individuals who suffered deplatforming and censorship joining him as

Plaintiffs. restrict access to or availThe suits seek unspec- ability of material that the ified monetary damages, provider or user considers reinstatement of accounts to be…otherwise objectionand posting privileges, able, whether or not such and removal of throttling material is constitutionally methods such as shad- protected,” and additional owbanning and warn- verbiage protecting Section ing labels. In addition, the 230 from being overrode at courts are being asked to the state level. declare Section 230 proIn court filings, the Plaintiffs tections unconstitutional. allege “Democrat legislators,” In his speech, including Vice Trump said Big From the very President-to-be Tech companies beginning of our Kamala Harwere “working ris, passively or nation, freedom actively threatwith government, the mainened the trio of speech has stream media, and their CEOs always been and a large segwith both a understood as removal of Secment of a political party to tion 230 proa bedrock of silence and supour liberty and tections and press the views potential antiour strength. of the American trust enforcepeople.” He said ment if they -- Trump the companies “did not censor no longer count views and conas private corporations after tent with which these Membeing granted the shield of bers of Congress disagreed” in Section 230, calling the legis- the run up to the Jan. 20 translation “a massive government fer of power. subsidy.”

“These companies have Changing narratives been co-opted, coerced, and Trump also took issue with weaponized by government social media companies’ and by government actors to dissonant positions on the become the enforcers of ille- SARS-CoV-2’s origin at the gal, unconstitutional cen- Wuhan Institute of Virolsorship.” ogy, which at the time had The suit filed against Twit- been designated a conspirter specifically targets both acy theory by mainstream the “Good Samaritan” pro- news outlets and scientists; vision of Section 230, which the lab outbreak theory grants immunity from lia- is now widely acknowlbility for “Any action volun- edged by establishment tarily taken in good faith to sources.

The 45th president lambasted Google and YouTube for banning content critical of the World Health Organization, describing the WHO as “a pipe organ for China,” even if the posts were by medical professionals and based on “clear, scientific fact.”

Standing with him at the conference were co-plaintiffs to the suits, people Trump described as having been silenced by Big Tech “under the corrupt regime of censorship.”

One guest introduced was a party to the Facebook class action, Jen Horton, a Michegan school teacher who was banned from the platform after questioning whether young children should be made to wear masks. After being deplatformed, Horton’s brother went missing and she was unable to put out a call for help to friends and family who may have known his location.

In YouTube’s case, Trump referenced Dr. Kelly Victory, described as a board certified trauma and emergency specialist from Colorado. Victory was asked by a pastor to make a video about how to mitigate pandemic risks so church services could resume safely.

The video was removed from Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Trump said he doesn’t intend to stop with just a class action lawsuit, intend-

ing to go the extra mile and take his pro-First Amendment initiative to state legislatures, Congress, and into the upcoming election cycles.

Experts interviewed by the Washington Post said the class actions were unlikely to meet with fruition. Deputy Director for New York University’s Stern Center for Business and Human Rights said Big Tech has First Amendment protections of their own allowing them “To determine what speech their platforms project and amplify.” Vanderbilt University law professor Brian Fitzpatrick meanwhile dismissed Trump’s assertion that Section 230 had transformed social media giants into private arms of the public administration, “The fact that they benefit from a federal law does not transform someone into the federal government.”

“All of us benefit from laws at some point or another and that doesn’t transform us into the federal government,” said Fitzpatrick.

According to Forbes, only moments after the press conference began, the NRSC and NRCC, fundraising arms for the GOP’s Senate and House branches respectively, in addition to Trump’s personal fundraising committee, sent out text messages to their contact lists soliciting donation requests.

Officials Visit Bronx Businesses as NYC Launches ‘Shop Your City’ Challenge Continued from FRONT

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ew York kicked off the "Shop Your City" Challenge on May 25, 2021.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Jonnel Doris announced a new campaign to encourage New Yorkers to take a break from big-box retailers and shop at local small businesses. The "Shop Your City" Challenge is a 30-day multi-channel marketing campaign featuring a contest and a chance to win a $50 gift card to spend at neighborhood businesses.

"There's no recovery without a full comeback for the small businesses that make New York City great. That comeback starts with all of subscription@visiontimes.com

us choosing to put money back in our own communities," Mayor Bill de Blasio said "The Shop Your City challenge will engage New Yorkers across the five boroughs to put big box stores aside and show their love for the local institutions that have given them so much." In the last year, SBS has launched 28 initiatives to help small businesses and jobseekers stay resilient. Their resources include a hotline [888-SBS4NYC] that has helped over 60,000 callers, connected over 5,000 businesses to over $147 million in funding and assisted 90,000 job seekers.

Supporting small businesses

The Shop Your City Chal-

Jonnel Doris (L) with community business leaders visit the Bronx on July 7, 2021.

(Image: Vision Times)

lenge will encourage New Yorkers to support their small businesses while helping NYC's economy recover through: • Advertising and Marketing: The City will launch a Shop Your City advertising campaign including significant investment in community and ethnic media, posters distributed to community

partners and small businesses, and a social media toolkit.

• Shop Your City Photo Contest: New Yorkers will be encouraged to support small businesses through themed week categories by going to www.nyc.gov/ ShopYourCity to upload a photo or video depicting how you are supporting a

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local small business. Participants will be entered to the photo contest for a chance to win a $50 gift card.

• Community Partnership: The City will engage with celebrities, local leaders, and business leaders to sign up for the 30-day challenge and support small businesses. Celebrities will be supporting this effort through a promotional video campaign, including actress and comedienne Sherri Shepherd, radio personality and business owner Angela Yee, and President of New York City's Hospitality and business owner Melba Wilson.

• Consumer Incentives: The City will offer New Yorkers "I Shopped Local" stickers and Shop Your City Tote

Bags when shopping small.

• 5-borough Business Tour: The City will participate in days of action according to the themed weeks throughout the next 30 days to engage with small businesses and encourage New Yorkers to shop locally.

Jonnel Doris, the NYC Small Business Services commissioner, told the Vision Times that with his visit to the Bronx, he hoped to encourage and support small businesses across all five boroughs. He said that small businesses were the city’s driving force, and as such were essential to the overall recovery. SBS,Doris said, will in future make more visits to small businesses and help them with their problems morepromptly.

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CHINA

A4 | JUL 9 - JUL 15, 2021

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Delta Variant of COVID-19 Spreads in Seconds Chinese Government Says

Tesla Recalls C 300,000 Made-in-China

By Arvind Datta Vision Times

Model 3 and Model Y Cars

By Jonathan Walker Vision Times

E

lectronic vehicle (EV) market leader Tesla ran into its first entanglement with the Chinese regulatory bodies. On June 26th, CNBC reported that almost 300,000 Model 3 and Model Y cars are being recalled by the regulators. 249,855 Model 3 and Model Y cars were made in China. The remaining 35,665 were imported Model 3 sedans. The recall was done to update software related to assisted driving. Owners would not need to return their vehicles since the issue could be fixed through an online update.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Tesla made a statement on the Chinese social media platform, Weibo, in apology. Tesla said, “We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this recall to all car owners. Tesla will continue to improve safety in strict accordance with national requirements.”

Tesla has had some major recall announcements in the past. The first major one was in 2015 when 60,000 Model S cars were recalled due to a potential issue with the seatbelt mechanism in the front seats. In 2017, Tesla made two recalls for Model

it apparently accelerated on its own. This raised concerns about potential issues with the brakes in Tesla cars.

The State Administration for Market Regulation stated that the recall was due to the assisted driving function in electric cars. It can be activated by drivers accidentally resulting in unexpected acceleration.

According to the article from Global Times, the accident had occurred when the driver of the car was parking his Model Y. The car quickly accelerated on its own and crashed against a column, resulting in serious damage and full airbag deployment.

The driver said, “I was pressing the gas pedal lightly to find a parking lot but the car suddenly accelerated.

Before I knew it, the car hit a column. Everything happened in two seconds.. I no longer feel safe driving this car… I’m not the only one.

So many car owners have the same problem. The system must be defective.”

Tesla responded to the incident stating that they were unable to find any fault with the car’s braking system and that the accident was caused by human error.

Tesla stated, “After reviewing the available data, it showed that the driver pressed on the accelerator to reach a maximum speed of

Tesla recently paid off its $614 million loan taken from Chinese banks that was used to build the Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai.

Netizens speculated that CEO Elon Musk paid off the loan as a prelude to Tesla’s exit from China.

S and Model X for a potential problem with the internal gear in the electric parking brake assembly.

The incident that led to the latest recall was reported

by CCP-backed The Global Times when a Tesla car crashed against a column in a car park on May 25 when

21.68 km per hour before the incident and the driver did not press the brake before the collision.”

Tesla is currently manufacturing Model 3 sedans and Model Y sport-utility cars in Shanghai. CNN reported that the global EV automobile leader sold less than 26,000 cars in April, a 27 percent reduction from March sales, as per data released by the China Passenger Car Association.

Tesla hitting brakes in China

Tesla recently paid off its $614 million loan taken from Chinese banks that was used to build the Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai. Netizens speculated that CEO Elon Musk paid off the loan as a prelude to Tesla’s exit from China. The complex business uncertainties are making foreign businesses anxious.

The CCP has been attempting to suppress the company in the country. In April, state-backed media outlets published a series of articles denouncing Tesla following the parking incident. They demanded that Tesla issue an apology. State-backed Economic Daily wrote an article asking for the immediate shutdown of Tesla’s manufacturing. CCTV said Tesla is “out of control.”

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it took up to 16 days to dock at the Yantian port.

Yantian backlog is “adding extra disruption on an hina is facing an out- already stressed out global break of Delta variant supply chain, including the COVID-19 infections significant seaborne leg of in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and it… [People] may not find Dongguan. According to an all they were looking for official report released on June on the shelves when shop21, the Delta variant spreads ping for Christmas presents extremely quickly, supposedly later in the year," Peter Sand in mere seconds. told CNN. He is In one incident the chief shipof transmisping analyst for sion, the Delta Bimco, an assovirus transferred ciation of shipfrom a host to an owners. uninfected perYantian son in just 14 resumed operseconds, which ations on June is the short24. However, est contact time 750,000 20-foot recorded so far containers had in the pandemic. accumulated “The thirddue to the port generation closure and Delta v irus delays. The concarrier, Huang, tainer buildup and the fourthis estimated to generation take 82 days to Delta virus carclear up. Any rier, Lu, ate sepmass spread of -- Peter Sand, arately in the the Delta varshipping analyst same restaurant ia nt wou ld on the same day make matters and entered the same bath- worse since the port might room. They passed by each be forced to close, disruptother at the entrance cor- ing shipping logistics once ridor of the bathroom and again. spent only 14 seconds in the Outbreak of the Delta same environment. There variant has also impacted was no physical contact communist China’s factory between the two parties, and activity. The Caixin/Markit one of them was not wearing Manufacturing Purchasing a mask,” reports The Epoch Managers’ Index (PMI) fell Times. to 51.3 in June from 52 in Spread of the Delta variant May, below analyst expectaputs further pressure on the tions of 51.8. Output growth Yantian International Con- is the lowest in 15 months. tainer Terminal which had The growth in new orders has remained closed for sev- fallen to a three-month low. eral weeks starting May 21.

A recent Delta variant Yantian is the third-larg- breakout was reported from est cargo port in the world. the Chinese border city of The temporary closure inter- Ruili in the southwest provrupted the transport of ship- ince of Yunnan which is ments all over the world. close to Myanmar. The govShips waiting for cargo to ernment closed off the main Europe and North America point of entry into Ruili on were forced to berth outside July 5 and imposed travel Hong Kong and Shenzhen as restrictions.

People may not find all they were looking for on the shelves when shopping for Christmas presents later in the year.

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Wall Street Behemoths Ate Reddit’s Gamestop Lunch

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By Neil Campbell

A

ccording to Wall Street behemoth JPMorgan, the fairytale spun by pundits about Reddit’s WallStreetBets organizing to “squeeze” badly positioned hedge fund short sellers of video game retailer Gamestop (NYSE: GME) in what has been affectionately dubbed the “Gamestop Rebellion” is simply false.

Peng Cheng, the JPMorgan quantitative and derivatives strategy analyst, wrote to clients in a note: “Although retail buying was portrayed as the main driver of the extreme price rally experienced by some stocks, the actual picture may be much more nuanced,” according to CNBC.

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JANUARY 22-2

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Why the CCP k Wants Biden’s Pic n e ll e Y t NA e Jan ted Y rour DT y mina fo

About Pandemic Surveillance

Call Out for Geno China cide,

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By Leo Timm

on January 23, 2020. BlackRock is Gamestop’s largest owner at more than 9.2 million shares.

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By Debbi al Assem helixed chart lost its around Reddit, a social mared to er 21, will spare Jiangsu Province. The The docu-U.S. governm our homes, whatfrom privacy do combatting the SARS-CoV-2landsocial insurance or people be distrib the U.N. surveilla nce y, communist no increas Tsai Ing-w bly on Septem on Novemb ranging actions by to that is design remo val mit would Kelly in enue al securit the local increas for traits of es Vision Times en main- keting US-Ta iwan no effort s to ges neighbors ber 24, 2019, of proto ments show how the Nanjing have left?suscepIt’s like we’ve novel coronavirus pandemic.switcwho1971, haveand failed to pay fines platform rather than a criticized these Jinping ic, nation group.

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By Neil hed diplo the United States col gover Presiden househ n, Yellen relati ons suspi- econom color costs. Party policy goals. hand s Chinese governm y.

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by Reute hour. The sam-led on smartphones have beenCraft edge, activity, to coming the per said, Kelly tion raise anet Yellen, , cious Board $15 that decad who e Chinese (CCP) to The U.S.rs on Jan. Craft , sayinnova onsize policies US-Ta iwan purtions to Wash ingto the preshave 10,000 was boasted that the e. l Reserv Taiwa n The article increase itor citizens. all living under under government surveilreasonable thatn instirelati Additionally, 12. ing with to say ence a ROC Budget Office logical and areas where ve 'dualharmon the Federa China relato share you leashes.s We’re betwe en slated to visit goes back could possibly was further has essiona l admi nistraheight that the Obama, has fire.” had experi could s the to World relati onsh ip estab- rural police and security including in sensiti 15, woul Jan. 13 enterprise Dajiyuan said the doca microscope, and it’s Chinese state-run tutional investors were also“play in terri- lance for a long time already,” muni panies are obligated and are ples, scientist ds and Bidenng” Yellen tion canno in Xinjia under Barackto become the Congr s this, “move must focus s central and Jan. Amer ican Trum markers d have st Chine On Jan. 11, Com-standar p admi ence of War Altho CCP China’ and logies, genetic low. where he y the the II, highistrati million nfacilibelieve with been ated t se stocks last ugh g “the revernatur when to auments used a Party-jaran anonymous Chinese inter- rank that created Sharp Eyes, the spoke very active in those force isolate fying.” on’s use' techno critica l supply data with is relativel called se… e again st ds of 3.7 s aided final spers on foreig n minis been nomin Secretary servd with, say, ing U.S. the third s workin ‘fast tracks’ US-Ta iwanBiden will not same privacy the 2015 devalu hours Chin lish during of the the renounce after aptly-named cost upwar woun ry Agent, FBI in Yellen’ Zhaoare insti- try of per- camerasactivists worry that on reshoring week because there 2018 articleyou

by Los NewalVision that offici hand the DNAAassociate a relati ons Comm not given the bank the haveAnge- net user told RFA. “A friend U.S. downese Amer ory Specialgon heavy rhetorical basis job,” but their belief Secre tary Bell U.S. autd Japan le Party Chinese unist global mar-d new Treasu administration. orderly if has, his edflow — ica would Lijian said 19, the Rights But Hum anCo., tate that surpris the world Jan. ion. workers a increase will fuel as in the United You, Supervis had horit ieson invas cancer. of Healt admi nistra like ist-Le ” a ”Marx Trum about initiating “the three Times illustrated a real- of mine in Anhui is under was happy to report tutional investors that will give Chi- chains.” Edwardpolicy breastles e yuan beparticent TrumPresid Servi has propose protections ninist confronts s before te respo “met p ing the Biden a fiscal dove and h andthe resolu wished unde r new able to your stan this China p admin ces Alex in China China ating tion genetic science the Chines onU.S. Unde admin nses.” sonnel. tice?” the be this injuswon’t be regime that exertstake signi tionpower defenses” and sought to surworldsamples, anecdote ofthe living surveillance, and he tried to r Secre Partytary could linkAzar up its ipate -back in names that have ele-with asked her opinio steps to istratiistrat y by stimul kets whenmechan 10 million ismthe the ies unrestricted Tough ion have t he States. The situation Known to on luck to rever rk of the Trump andsur- State ficant actioover against finding Krach the long-s economist, ed medi nese authorit collectof State with the econom the workers bencompan ies global Amerboost and taken awas se In was devalued chances vated volume.

I think under theof Party’s omniscibuy a plane ticket to go over- —veillance veil “nearfrom provinceand citycameras any Time icans relati secrets and been a hallma which advoof health s publi to a most tistical by ons with a Keynesian to suppor t low ionation soon after the curre nt Chinesens would be like was restor Glob a l its pei. people throu uffering dent his farewell addre foreign entities devalu shed an in the last set foot on the Keith e. She dramatirecognit succeIn spending is situat ion access to genetic The data administration, Taiiontotopray of Amazon, and for mutual ed ss,addit ing human ss, Presiarticl joiningchthe the move Trump the increas level highways; district-level ence:improve “When a resident of seas, but he couldn’t leave the “smart” home, inglikely that was also expressed dollar. The based gh brainnucleic six montdevice in the a form island sendi ons. yed approa preference and low unemabout there are he takes officewashing e accus keyranki ng while lifted from and millions were ng such China mini- certifica ing or preserv s in China such as Google, required to markers officisome as tesbe to beon to in hs. Previ a clear-e efiting from be hesitant memb , becau seand brute force.” . The family connecti ing Biden wished the incom is why als toof the highpoverty in been cated as Nigeria ers of his thought to itchactivaging regime which by theof thelast-d “raising the roads; and core governmenvillage in the Sichuan country… We can be ited placedsenioespecially with in some r offici als those ously,cam- ness” k being interest rates issue s to more urgent Pompeo Unite nistsuch cally,Anxi -Harris “mad - thethe in the form short years. trials, Trumoptions just a few island , d has already d Statesstaff the a s, of it.” recalled genetic resource human Faceboo manipulation CIA dome commu results Chine d while encour to aid stated that will lift tens of mil- acid tion. clinical had the cy the administra-be test the the much tion luck p collecte to put ent to so arms island admi stic not resolv se pursue the Nurem tion It after Communisthas incre ringtransportation tal zones, province resulting in 24/7 ityItlast week as well,” he said. to get of China set a under restriction or perseargue the South ploym vis-monology comsales ed,”berg wants African countrie pov- currenboostionally exportsaccepted 40 years But what was a miracle.” give informa On Jan. eras, in to the ROC, regulation - to “pray and asked Amer mum wage ology otherTrump CuiTrials and transfer gover nmen d that the nistra- (CCP) andunder Party ased China Morn War ed the pullans out of U.S. told at the end used by a biotechn internat order of s abroad.squares, demand. Officials in multhe top whether. you’re at value more government icans hubs, hospitals, match to abiotechn small pile of gar- cuted by them, or asked to 9,itoring According fromse tiongreatonerblast global U.S.-Taiwan for its succes for its persecpushe d for have privately t needsto dataChine Taiwa and expand The also annou resource emphasizedthe 45th President access Bioengineering, trade ing II that brougof World U.S. diplo on lions of Americ oppo se Weinhope officials economy. other nese partic cy. g indusdollar rose suspitoretail CCPwar inof America s in keepin Uygh pany, Anke u- ipatio resolu milita ry ler’s Post. vac- geneticand communities…

U.S.codes.” thus nced the Minutes expanding curren various boomin tion QR the mat e in a stable spent a good part the 60 a to Pedesbage in the gutter two years ‘drink tea,’ [with state secuhome or outside.

Citadel Securities, tradwere ur U.N, to ht of is Skynet” ess the while mech“selfsafe tely perpe is Musli “prov g U.S. Hitstates ately was the most passio Chines also a big sector Falun remov al coope highl ighted and prospe “DNA push the countl join thisthat the that access rights impo ms and An episode n ic erty d worth demo confro s will Gong Secre statedntation nthe values “Left tiple ing up the “Four of all Yellen had to build a for the unity for sourc eagainst ra- trators of crime from incom ing ocati cratic rous.” intentions due practi restri Update trians should be videotaped reported net on” sellers of Outgo titled, as human Taiwa se was regul ate sedBiometric and as an academ founding News PRC. such of worry system America’s to opport sses nationw ide.” countrie tioner istrat ers were actually Pompeo tary of State Mike huma try with an estimateper year, s video surveil- fields, s a great years ago we launch acious of BGI’s may be restricted the CCP’ how Amer ction s” that on CBS ins.contr n’s China’s respon ing Secret fathers left Rear Adm In Nove mber (R) shake Race, to cancelastBiden of her career lecturer at instithat integrate cide to justice nity and geno, anism.” busine Gamestop week,admin finding every 10,Biodata 20, and 30 minutes, its close ties with the CCP, that theican People’s LiberationAparion intera ct s autho $4 trillion create cines was in prepar ed State Depar to ast to - Mike to natio develchange ity s small s l up ary The hands had the tech. ation data and of .

2020, more cipants. ritari nal Mich or offici with of big to valand new based Pompeo State Behind, , leading t from Monday topolicy rebuild our devalu t climate Yellen China d, The head of than 200 to postereffort to at Taiwa(PLA)-connected anism , Janael elimin profess tment Amba with than the lance and While Xi promote had been 2020, States, made Thursaccording theon document.

Army to accept the to a market and aired n. These als Hikdid greate . words To comba a carbon tax on to as Harvar system. nonparti Taiwa nthat fromCraft U.S. Indo- Stude and years ago. ation of Large for Sale,” to not mince “Above man, InInearly ’s cance which is more ssador and refused to Trumpby ts rules tion to move the United mand ’s trip, DNA For the Nazi the its spirit country, to renew gious r guara up largel awarded of technologies tutions such of Economics, Intern and Apple all, we COVIDand draw ing setvision a powerfu l policing ed that Pomp eo of the reported In another leaked docuday, amateur investorslled sold the with Beijin data ic Comopposition ntee intell igenc Pacif fascism his plans , and to Party Biden suppor fossil fuels such opment y. g, descri have reasserted the y to avoid a $33 islandbing to cut a means genetic to help with Freedom ational Relidiplo matic was as voiced uation of Amazon that China concern called 31, 2021 and Senate surve on from econom offers visite are restor of to allegi moves ’s gathered the uary London School y. She transie n visit ers secur illanc has other In to direc unificati the stage. sacred off ation d Taiw Sam Brown e the Activists back (L) ance of se oil.

In --Yellen 719,932 more ment, police issued million tirade contract to install Europ eshares thanjiang Europ ean world’s global e a Jan. ity. produc n comtorate as to administratio reacti ons He noted nies in Amer Berkele idea that an investig an on quesduring a l gas, and In respon of Chinese s and after top in Xincombined. Given , the SARSthis gover closed a proand thepost,state 19 testing.

7 Twitt offici als This ment to and U.C. will go so far ica, the from the that the s clear, Picture of Hikvision cameras results above ittee’s tech compa ts,te Comm an “pros acquiringe America at the State press trip. to colwas likelymitted a report efforts celebrating their cameras in Chine Shanghe. to meetpurchased. her role as gov- as coal, natura the Brookings of risinge Comm atroci undis possibility of nits gover Pomp trials answers for- officials off Chinessuch ties comas Comple made its intention to be in an electronic mall inTBei- unist Party produc rus panjing, which This infur iated ecuted eo descr er Financ with him,declin ed Departmentevent Although the China’s tioned from evidence at crime t with we emba citizens. In short, againthe coronavi to the peopl nment ting with into“achievements” 29, 2018, (CCP). wasseadded to Flickr crime again perpetrators he C CP Hikvision panies, to U.S. Instifle n from has The novel ibed stren gthen st Uygh the result of popular tradinging in implecompe serving within nt a podcas Dollars and Sense, CoV-2 as ing plant DNA on guiding May Shares for make rked on a missio in ns’ DNA. kind. Stude vowed to respo sBeiframe and from access U.S. must continuegenetic jing on May 24, 2019.the e. Our DNA collectio address would Sepshort of U.S.- ROC urs in it2013. ing of the st huma fessor to nothnotinclud Preside prote s Americathe te, light, our ed tion countr (Alex Wong Washington, ies, that same crime n, Bill the he does State Depa Genomi the ng.cs Amer t lect menting nity, the comn to te dblacklist by the so-called Sharp direct a Pentagon apps like Robinhood restrictscenes to unfairly ts. first as the Bank of Institu demic, in s being our unwav north claimi humanity” for “crimesallian Yellen describ such trips man count erednd / Getty Image D.C. eign againsce and the swabs is uncertai ernment, biotechnology vigilant to protect . While in two top Chinese surveilrtme all Amer ica great again 2020, a bankrup ering convic star, perpetrated largest andthe l Reserve tion. in Feb. 2019, a $40 tax per ton privacy concerns tember Trum p t unde r ign are norm in Xinjia that Eyes Project (雪亮 “Xue nasal , the director of the Trumpnt’s Administration for ing buying of select “meme“This for s) group, lance firms plunged on May prosecute dissiden that addi- innova icans.” “geno citizens been BGI Chinaneces campa its ad ng.” to tion of admi cide.” of the Federa and eventually world, that The al, enting sold sary has in the translating literally Evanina is a “This week niswe are here and of a widespre the 2020 president ce data implem co Liang,” being owned and/or con- stocks” like Gamestop after Newsweek reportsCCP may GNC of analyzing 22 following reports WashSince was reportceu- pany and Taiwa to ensur e that On aaresimil the noble ramifications tragic set very serious and has sharpagain condemned San Francis becoming the Counterintelligen BidenPharma in China and a new admin we inaugurate ar note, certain benefits the U.S. of the everyday to serve , Harbin . Indeed, a New lm- ington is considering banning of to the riots basedTeam China to “Bright as Snow”), a sur- National trolled by the PLA. A series being hit with a $3 billion trail, aggre ssion n are ready toAmbassador tional goals U.S. America. $770 is based citizens taking place actions that are DNA database Center (NSC), to multiple ic onfor leading up Federa l Reserve in the Capito data are overwhe the at Large extend our istration and count rhetorCo te the biotech ened of Our allegia sent letters by main nation Group them from buying U.S. comarticle revealed conthe there in edly for Interwe Sessio l during the Jan. U.S. to the veillance program designed and Security BGI was likely genetic of Executive Orders by the deposit requirement from tical its it will , such as be to “domina land ChinaalerReligi ern part best wishe nce is not Chair of York Times the Westto “provide Chinesethat 23 specia that we 6 Joint ny@visiontim ous Freed ining ingly positive offeringrural n of Cong of just as the blacklistamassing genetic to 2017.

At least of ponents, Sam in has been workmainta to persecute outgoing President blocked the Deposit Trust & Clearing million. rations, or l interests, corpo om, luck,also want them s. And that the regioBrow industry” by position forced labor, China… This provide warned ng to establish partfrom 2014 what the Trump es.com that the CCP e,” civilians. ies are states l development “biologi“all Amer ress, saying l expertis much global entitie leaving the Yellen n. nback, challenged map of its to have the CCP edofcompan Yellen a very this is forced is es potentia cures and treat- ing of telecoms giant Huawei technica - attempti The Party justifiessequenc U.S. based companies from Corporation to cover clearassociat After her icans were our childr ilization, data and to develop to target tinue n started.genetic for rified s. It’s to ing on a genetic ng put the pro- nerships with U.S. compani reserve, sterTrump said. important word, fanned their escalating tech isperform en, forced horpersecution its 21-year-long 700 million d toBiden designed administratio . life-savi Admincit“high gramthrough under theaddition pretext al of doing business with or hold- inghouse volatility. ng truth ” Capito by the assault to our nation our citizens, and at the federal uished Fellow kind of things abortions. The approximately collecting cal weapons groups.” Chi- accredite of the spirit States war. (Image: FRED DUFOUR / AFP via the underlyi later be exploited on our Trump’s Disting l.” practice to make stated, “The and “make on United that we haven fighting crime more effec- that could ing securities in PLA-conbecame a Agent ments, private genetic data isGetty Images) testing ual on Brookings seen in approval “We restor itself,” he said.

Falun to ers,” be willing certain ethnic males by forcibly “Political to help with an nce at the sory Special claim that ’t leaving seek access as the forced Gong, as well tration will rating is that ed the princ of tools to beginning in and in Reside tively. ns” nected companies. continue on A3 violence speaking donatio that a in this worldawfully long time ies to profit 2019 Supervi You, a FBI investifull array working nese state media the largest izens, attack on blood samples iple organ Our cent accord office was 51 perand earned use of the data by table. ing of its irus Disease way for compan the case has everything is an citizennation exists to Street ting in the creInstitute ing to Rasm an interv ,” said Pompeo genetic BGI Edward a background in a serve its adherents. harvest- Repo ish as Amer ies Coronav rs. In China already China accoun major Wall we chers.

2014, culmina world Our testing. compan in focused hold consume iew the from back gy of with in -19) database ussen rts, has agend Brownwith Fox fees gator wrote genealo although about right (COVID America a was not to date “The off be tolera icans. It can never government, News ch — ation of a national ies have genetic database polls show all other approach23andM Reports. profiles. with e. Furtheristry, stated, number : “What does the ted. involved in collectbanks.

212-730-6963 of the ChineseVISION ny@visiontimes.com ral approa as about Repubor left, it wasn’ Authorit 6,600 mean over 80 million Pompeo ever we must Now more than has has been data from ethnic biochemarian government of tion of artificialTIMES ing betwe his approval ratin late 2017. on a unilate t genetic such par- with said that could have agenda approximat in lican combina ? es many CCP It’s the boys unify result, genetic en authorit this the crat, and or the a ment ance, his polici 29 perce Demoaround shared values more, departbut about to ing surveill To gather 47 percen and, as had leader Xi Jintargeted men effortsfor212-73er e. Going received $1.5 nt and tioners that e numb Monetary past week’s Senof practi ed by has employed the good intelligence, 0-696 t. they “commit and rise our nation, China and its exhaustive conducted “an Uyghurs and more effectiv the partis 3 have paved to meet of a been reinforc profiles, the CCP methods. been in the 19-miTrump expressed and boldly open above hearticular because During the Chinese govthe CCP Falun Gong report of Chinese an genetic data of should strive whole nation that means the ping have been and determreview of the facts” by billion from the statistics show,” arrest e Committee Yellen dented our comm rancor and forge beat and prevent ward, wetransferchallenge In gratitude nute address a wide variety more crimes, ate Financ many times ed in 2020. How for unprece ambitions to on destin tantcountries.U.S. his Phase III trito his famil article. Those has indee ined that the CCP nomination, foreign impor “We fough . ernment in 2010. son, direc- about their reap the bene- the way y.” will the this to Trum President front ofState By conducting rus vaccine data of dissidents. ings for her d said the Times’ regarding ass and t for the CCP harg a united Mike Pence y, Vice “only p called himse the CCP’s ng ple that persecution ted the crimenot only comm questions arrest Falun the west and blood collec2019, Sophie Richard buildin includi wife and every citize princilf the als of its coronaviother coun- May was asked Cuts and Reforms in DNA sciorderpractitione that refuse program for partners, s they have itd aninstitu family, Chief, and his win true outsider tled to of advances accused publishe and as a so-called allies and rs for refusi Gong Mark tor of the China ever been equal digni n is entiteral genetic the Presid the 2017 Tax to expire in 2026. of, elabo- fits in Morocco of Staff to Council tion are listed Mead h multila ng to abu- Human Rights Watch, ency” becau to treatment, these peoplbut seek to “deny ty, s ld” and can has been able he “had regulate its human 212-730-6963 House Staff.ows, and all White that are due nt China’s tothroug tries, China and equal equal not se becau class citizen “black househo e, not participants.

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By Neil Campbell

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212-730-6962

The Biden n Administratio to ng will be willi the make use of tools full array of a to hold Chin accountable. to Our approach sed date has focu on a unilateral and, approach — d as a result, coul e have been mor effective.

nt of an governme ng The authoritari leader Xi Jinpi China and its t their y open abou and have been boldl beat the west in ambitions to fits of advances reap the bene technology. The and DNA science has a regime even communist catchy festo with a published mani in China 2025. name... Made

When a resident of Anxi village in the Sichuan province of China set a match to a small pile of garbage in the gutter two years ago, a loudspeaker blared out his name and address and ordered him to extinguish the blaze immediately. He jumped with fright, quickly put out the flames and scurried away.

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Four year s ago we launche d great nati a ona effort to rebu l our country ild renew its , to spirit, and to rest ore allegiance the of governmen this t citizens. In to its sho we embarke rt, on a mission d make Am to erica great aga in for Americans all .

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A5

Trams sit stranded as thousands of people block the streets in a huge protest march against a controversial anti-subversion law known as Article 23 in Hong Kong, July 1, 2003. (Photo by Jonathan Wong/South China Morning Post via Getty Images)

By Leo Timm Vision Times

A

long-dormant piece of legislation in Hong Kong’s Basic Law may be brought into action as the mainland Chinese regime tightens its political grip over the bustling port and financial hub.

Multiple Hong Kong officials, including its chief executive Carrie Lam, have made mention of Article 23, a piece of the Basic Law that requires the former British colony to “enact laws on its own” to prohibit acts of “treason, secession, sedition, [or] subversion” against the mainland Chinese government.

Hong Kong was returned from British colonial rule to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, a handover that took place under the terms of a 1984 agreement that the city would retain internal political freedom and rule of law until 2047. The Basic Law serves as Hong Kong’s local constitution, guaranteeing many rights that do not exist on the communist-ruled mainland.

Hong Kong’s leaders, despite being installed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), have so far only attempted to legislate Article 23 one time, in 2003. But the law, which is widely criticized as a way for the CCP to extend its dictatorship to Hong Kong, prompted 500,000 people to march in protest that year, compelling the authorities to shelve their plans for what was lambasted as an “evil law.”

Growing regime demand to implement an ‘evil law’

Eighteen years later, two-plus decades of efforts by the CCP and its supporters to undermine Hong Kong’s status have largely mooted the promise of “one country, two systems.” After massive protests in 2019 and 2020, mainland China’s Party-controlled National People’s Legislature imposed a strict “National Security Law” (NSL) on Hong Kong, effectively banning many types of expression.

Though frequently compared with Article 23, the NSL is less precise in its language and does not explicitly ban as many activities.

As described by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), “Offences yet to be addressed include treason, sedition, theft of state secrets, a ban on foreign political organisations or bodies from conducting political activities in the city and local political bodies from subscription@visiontimes.com

Infamous Article 23 May See Comeback

as Communist Party’s Grip on Hong Kong Tightens Getty Images

establishing ties with their foreign counterparts.”

Article 23, if it is activated, will prohibit “foreign political organisations or bodies from conducting political activities” or working with foreign political organizations.

Carrie Lam, the deeply unpopular chief executive who was installed with Beijing’s approval in 2017, has brought up Article 23 on recent occasions, including last May when she expressed disappointment that the legislation had not yet been activated. This June, Lam said that the legislation was not likely to be completed by the end of her term in 2022.

Apart from Lam herself, recently promoted officials, including administrative chief John Lee, who was previously the city’s security head, and his replacement, Hong Kong Police Chief Chris Tang, spoke of the need to implement Article 23 as soon as possible. Pro-Beijing figures, such as vice-chairman of the CCP-controlled Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies Lau Siu-kai, and lawmaker Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, also expressed support for the legislation.

Zhang Yong, a mainland official and vice-chairman of the Basic Law Committee, said that “while Hong Kong’s Crimes Ordinance covered some aspects of national security, such as treason and sedi-

Though frequently compared with Article 23, the NSL is less precise in its language and does not explicitly ban as many activities. tion, it had not yet been updated to reflect the change of sovereignty [from the UK],” as reported by SCMP.

Tightening the screws

Pro-democracy activists and the independent tabloid, Apple Daily, have found themselves quashed by the NSL. However, SCMP reported that according to Lau, “the mechanism in safeguarding national security would not be considered exhaustive as long as Article 23 was not enacted.”

Despite the Hong Kong and mainland authorities’ toughening stance in the city, some groups haven’t been affected directly.

Adherents of Falun Gong, the The Epoch Times

Construction debris on top of printing press equipment at the print shop that prints the Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times on April 12, 2021.

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Falun Gong practitioners meditate during an event in Hong Kong.

popular spiritual practice that is banned and persecuted in mainland China, exercise their faith openly in Hong Kong. The Epoch Times, a newspaper founded by Falun Gong practitioners known for its criticism of the communist regime, has suffered several attacks by masked assailants, but has not been targeted under the NSL. In February, a group of eight men who harassed Falun Gong practitioners and damaged their promotional street booths were arrested by the Hong Kong police. The men were charged with vandalism.

According to insiders and analysts, the CCP’s 2003 attempt to implement Article 23 was primarily aimed at extending the persecution of Falun Gong — a harrowing repression started on the mainland by then-CCP leader Jiang Zemin in 1999 — to Hong Kong. Current Party head Xi Jinping has demonstrated less enthusiasm for Jiang’s vendetta against Falun Gong; though the persecution still continues, many senior Chinese officials tasked with its implementation have been arrested for corruption.

Xi’s feud with the still-powerful Jiang faction and his increasing authoritarianism have fed deep splits in the Communist Party, a struggle that is reflected in the Hong Kong bureaucracy.

Still no decision on Falun Gong

The inactivity surrounding Falun Gong in Hong Kong has not gone unnoticed. Earlier this year, pro-CCP newspaper Ta Kung Pao had questioned why The Epoch Times was allowed to keep operating in Hong Kong.

On July 7, pro-Beijing lawmakers called for the “Falun Gong organization” to be banned on the grounds that it is banned in mainland China. Chris Tang, the newly promoted Secretary for Security, said that the government was investigating the spiritual group, but declined to comment on the legality of Falun Gong.

Falun Gong, also called Falun Dafa, is a traditional Chinese qigong practice including meditation exercises and a moral philosophy centered on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Since 1999, human rights groups have confirmed more than 4,000 deaths of Falun Gong practitioners in Chinese state custody, though the true number of victims is likely much higher. According to investigations, Falun Gong adherents are believed to be the primary source of forced organ transplants in China.

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WORLD

A6 | JUL 9 - JUL 15, 2021

West Indies cricketer Chinelle Henry drops a catch during the 2nd Twenty20 (T20) match between Pakistan and West Indies' women cricket teams at the Southend Club Cricket Stadium in Karachi on February 1, 2019. Henry and her teammate Chedean Nation collapsed on field during a televised match against Pakistan in Antigua on July 2, 2021 just days after the club announced its roster had taken both doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. (Image: ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)

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International Speculation Over

Kim Jong-un’s Weight Loss

By Jonathan Walker Vision Times

I Two Women’s Cricket Players

Collapse on Field 3 Days After Team Announces Full Vaccination Status

ScreenShot

By Neil Campbell Vision Times

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wo players from the West Indies women’s cricket team collapsed on the field during a televised match with Pakistan in Antigua three days after the club announced players had received both doses of COVID-19 vaccinations.

On June 29, the team, a Carribean islands cricket club nicknamed the Windies composed of both a men’s and women’s roster, announced on Twitter that more than 30 players and staff members from its women’s branch have received a full set of injections for the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus.

The Windies played Pakistan on July 2. Approximately 1 hour and 52 minutes into the televised broadcast, one of the club’s Jamacian players suddenly collapsed on field and began convulsing.

First Collapse

As the woman lay unconscious on her back on the field and her teammates rushed to her aid, calling for the team doctor, announc-

ers were dumbfounded and could only concernedly say “Wow.” Players and staff called for a stretcher, which was deployed as the player was taken to hospital.

Ten minutes later at approximately 2 hours and 2 minutes into the broadcast, a second Jamacian Windies player collapsed off screen by the dressing room as players waited for the pitch to be uncovered due to a smattering of rain.

Second Collapse

As a second stretcher was deployed, “I’ve never seen anything like this.

What’s going on?” asked one announcer. The second replied, “There’s something in the air. I don’t know. This is unusual.”

“I’ve never seen this at a cricket game before,”

remarked the first.

According to Loop News, the players were identified as Chinelle Henry and Chedean Nation. Loop said the players were conscious and in stable condition at the hospital where they were being assessed.

The players were substituted for and the match continued. The Windies successfully defeated Pakistan. Pakistan’s team captain Javeria Khan, expressed hope for a quick and full recovery for Henry and Nation after the game, adding, “Such incidents are tragic and can shake whole dressing rooms. Hats off to the West Indies that they turned up and completed the match despite the grave incident.”

On July 4, the Windies posted two videos to Twitter by the affected players

stating they had recovered.

In May, Henry posed for a vaccine acceptance promotional piece that was published on the team’s website after receiving her first injection. The article says the Cricket West Indies club partnered with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to distribute vaccinations, adding the club supports, “the Government’s efforts to raise awareness of the importance of receiving the vaccine to protect everyone from the COVID-19 virus.”

The Windies’ vaccine acceptance initiative continued when they announced only fully vaccinated spectators would be allowed to attend the match versus Pakistan on June 30, “Fans who purchase tickets will need to present their vaccination documentation and national ID to Ministry of Health representatives to validate their vaccination status and permit entry to the ground. Fans under the age of 18 years will not be allowed to purchase tickets or enter the venues,” reads the announcement, which adds fans will have to remain fully masked outdoors.

n a bid to garner domestic support, state media drew attention to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s “emaciated looks.” There have been growing concerns about Kim’s weight loss in the past couple of weeks. North Korean state media reported about how ordinary citizens felt when they saw him at an art performance, which was nationally televised.

According to a New York Times article, state-run Central television caught the reaction of a middle-aged North Korean, who said, “What made people, including myself, most heartbroken when we watched the show was how emaciated Dear Leader Kim Jong-un has looked. Everybody says they could hardly fight back tears.”

In a country where all news reports are conceptualized and scripted by government propagandists and passed through layers of careful censorship, the fact that Kim’s physical appearance is being mentioned is highly unusual.

Cheong Seong-chang, director of the Center for North Korean Studies at the Sejong Institute in South Korea, reportedly said, “His weight loss was so visible that there was no way North Korean people would not have noticed it. The regime had to confirm the obvious and signal to the people that all was well with the leader in order to prevent a rumor about his health running out of control.”

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Australian Man Fined $5,000 for Drinking Coffee in Public Without a Mask

By Neil Campbell Vision Times

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n Australian man in the Northern Territory state was shadowed and harassed by police for drinking coffee in public before being arrested and fined AU$5,056 (US$3,783), a video of the incident reveals.

Hayden Williams began recording himself drinking a cup of coffee while walking to his car in the Northern Territory town of Alice Springs on June 2 after noticing he was being shadowed by three police offic212-730-6962

ers. The officers appeared to be following him because he was not wearing a face mask in public.

In the video, as Williams was followed, police demanded he put on a face mask. He declined and began asking the officers for their names and badge number. One of the officers, a young Caucasian woman, took exception and began to challenge Williams saying, “I don’t have to give you my name.” Williams replied, “You’re a peace officer, you’re a servant of the people. I’m not being rude here.

I’m not risking anything…”

Freepik

schematic image

The female officer interrupted Williams, “I need you to listen to me. Okay so there’s a pandemic going on. This is a very vulner-

able community. There’s lots of sick people,” before demanding that Williams identify himself.

Williams believed he was not committing a crime and asserted he did not have to wear a mask because he was drinking a coffee and attempted to walk away.

The trio followed him and the woman told him if he didn’t provide his name and wear a mask he would be arrested. When Williams asked “You’re threatening me?” he was immediately captured by police.

A second video provided by an onlooker shows

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Kim’s health has been a talking point for the international community recently owing to the fact that he has not publicly announced his successor. Whoever is next in line holds the daunting task of developing North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, which may be targeted at the U.S. and its allies.

There is speculation among analysts in North Korea that Kim is dieting to reign in his health given his family history of cardiac issues. His father and grandfather both died of heart-related problems.

The New York Times reported that regardless of how much weight he has lost, he still weighs roughly twice as much as the average North Korean adult.

WFUV.org reported the state media’s reporting of Kim’s weight loss and health concerns as propaganda to garner domestic support for Kim. Experts criticized him for struggling to deal with the economic hardships related to the pandemic, mismanagement, U.N. economic sanctions, and natural disasters.

In a press briefing last year, Elisabeth Byrs, spokeswoman for the UN World Food Program (WFP), revealed that around 10 million North Koreans, accounting for roughly 40 percent of the country’s population, suffer from malnutrition.

“Long-term damage to the health and development of children as well as pregnant and nursing mothers was evident,” Byrs said.

that Williams had his coffee knocked to the ground before being thrown in the back of a police pickup truck with a canopy.

In an interview with Australian independent reporter Avi Yemeni via Canada’s Rebel News, Williams said “they drove me to the watchhouse and locked me up,” but he was only detained for 20 to 25 minutes before being released. Williams was given a business cardstyle “Infringement Notice” branded with the Northern Territory Police logo issuing him a $5,056 fine.

The card says the fine will

be automatically applied to his postal address and he has 28 days to pay.

Williams says he’s a freelance artist whose income has been disrupted because of Australia’s string of lockdowns and he cannot afford to pay.

Rebel News said they’ve undertaken to help Williams battle the charges through their Fight the Fines project. Yemeni interviewed solicitor Cameron Shamsabad who commented on the case after reviewing the evidence, “The implication is that it’s not a reasonable excuse for you to be drinking anything outside at the moment under these lockdown conditions, even if you’re in the course of essential exercise or shopping or anything like that.” subscription@visiontimes.com

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TOPIC

JUL 9 - JUL 15, 2021 |

A7

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Semiconductor Procurement an Increasing Challenge for the US Military Shortages, supply chains, and security weigh heavily in which chips can and can’t be used

An employee of the semiconductor manufacturer Bosch works in a clean room during the preparations for the series production of semiconductor chips on innovative 300 millimeter wafers in Dresden, eastern Germany on May 31, 2021.

(Image: JENS SCHLUETER/ AFP via Getty Images)

Complex market for semiconductors

By Todd Crawford Vision Times

S

emiconductors enable nearly every modern industrial and commercial device, from smartphones to aircraft, vehicles, weapons systems, the internet and the electric grid; and are critical to the economic and national security of the United States.

Procuring enough semiconductors, to meet the needs of the U.S. military, has been a challenge however, a deeper challenge is ensuring semiconductors are free of influence by bad actors who seek to undermine U.S. national security.

The U.S. was the first to develop silicon-based microchip technology in the 1950s with significant government assistance.

While chip design is conducted almost exclusively by U.S.-based engineers, over the past several decades the fabrication of semiconductors has shifted to manufacturing centers in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and China.

The supply chain, responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of semiconductors across the globe, is vast and extremely complicated, allowing opportunities for U.S. adversaries and bad actors to insert themselves into the process and present potential threats to the military and national security.

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As of 2019, North America only accounted for 11 percent of semiconductor production around the globe. South Korea leads the pack with 28 percent and Taiwan 22 percent. Japan produces 16 percent and China 12 percent.

Europe and the rest of the world accounts for approximately 10 percent of global semiconductor manufacturing.

But, during the manufacturing life of a single chip numerous other entities have access to these critical components.

A study of a single component for the Joint Strike Fighter found that the component changed hands 15 times before finally being installed in the jet.

The component went to Mexico, Costa Rica, Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Taiwan (again), Israel, Europe and finally, China. At each point exists opportunities for bad actors to compromise the component or gain intelligence about how the component is utilized.

This component manufacturing life cycle exposes the U.S. to numerous risks including a lack of trusted designs, a potential for individuals to tamper with the components, and the occurrence of reverse engineering and intellectual property siphoning.

In addition, this system lends itself to the potential creation of unauthorized copies, counterfeiting and scrap diversion.

U.S. authorities created the Trusted Foundry Program as a response to these vulnerabilities.

The Trusted Foundry Program The Trusted Foundry Program, also referred to as the Trusted Suppliers Program, was created by the United States Department of Defense in 2004 and was designed to establish a pool of trusted information technology vendors that provide hardware to the U.S. military.

Originally, the scope of the program involved a single manufacturer, IBM, but was broadened in 2007 to include other microelectronics suppliers, like semiconductor manufacturers, in an attempt to secure the entire supply chain.

While somewhat successful, the program is becoming antiquated. Much of the military’s requirements for semiconductors relies on older technology like 12-nanometer chips that are manufactured on American soil.

As the U.S. military’s appetite for more semiconductors grows these existing facilities are unable to keep up with demand.

While these older technology chips may be appropriate for the majority of uses, global manufacturers strive to move on to newer iterations of their semiconductors like 7- and even 3-nanometer chips, potentially forcing the U.S. to procure semiconductors outside of supply chains approved for the military.

Another issue is that no matter how large the U.S. military becomes, they are unable to financially compete with the globe’s entire consumer electronics needs. Manufacturers have more of an incentive to serve the broader market than to cater to the American armed forces.

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Microchip race China has been investing hundreds of billions of dollars into semiconductor manufacturing on the mainland with the aim to produce 70 percent of the semiconductors that they use by 2025.

They recognize the risk in the supply chain to their ambitions and national security as well.

The U.S. has responded aggressively in the face of Chinese competition.

On May 18, 2021 Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) rolled out the bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021, previously called The Endless Frontiers Act which passed through the Senate on June 9, and was brought into law with bipartisan support.

While the 1,500-page act addresses numerous areas in the technological sphere and appropriates hundreds of billions of dollars in investment, semiconductors are a main focus.

The act included $52 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations to implement semiconductor-related manufacturing initiatives and R&D programs on American soil.

In addition, $10 billion has been allocated to establish the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) which will operate as a public-private consortium with participation from the Department of Defense.

It’s anticipated that the U.S. will invest hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade to mitigate risks to their supply chain and secure semiconductor design and manufacturing on U.S. soil.

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A8 | JUL 9 - JUL 15, 2021

SCIENCE

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s

By Troy Oake

Previously gold extractors have been able to find gold in pyrite either as nanoparticles or as a pyrite-gold alloy, but what we have discovered is that gold can also be hosted in nanoscale crystal defects, representing a new kind of “invisible” gold.

his study, published in the journal Geology in collaboration with the University of Western Australia and the China University of Geoscience, provides an indepth analysis to better understand the mineralogical location of the trapped gold in pyrite, which may lead to more environmentally friendly gold extraction methods.

The team also explored gold extraction methods and possible ways to obtain the trapped gold with less adverse impacts on the environment. (Image: Ivar Leidus,Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)

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to c eS ob Ad

Lead researcher Dr. Denis Fougerouse from Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences said this new type of “invisible” gold has not previously been recognized and is only observable using a scientific instrument called an atom probe. Dr. Fougerouse said: “The discovery rate of new gold deposits is in decline worldwide with the quality of ore degrading, parallel to the value of precious metal increasing.

k

Gold trapped in ‘fool’s gold’ not previously recognized

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“The more deformed the crystal is, the more gold there is locked up in defects. The gold is hosted in nanoscale defects called dislocations – one hundred thousand times smaller than the width of a human hair – so a special technique called atom probe tomography is needed to observe it.”

Dr. Fougerouse said the team also explored gold extraction methods and possible ways to obtain the trapped gold with less adverse impacts on the environment, adding: “Generally, gold is extracted using pressure oxidizing techniques (similar to cooking), but this process is energy hungry. We wanted to look into an ecofriendlier way of extraction.

“We looked into an extraction process called selective leaching, using a fluid to selectively dissolve the gold from the pyrite. Not only do the dislocations trap the gold, but they also behave as fluid pathways that enable the gold to be “leached” without affecting the entire pyrite.”

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WISDOM

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JUL 9 - JUL 15, 2021 |

A9

Cleanliness over luxury When referring to how one should behave in everyday life, the Students’ Rules emphasizes that tidiness and simplicity in one's dressing is far more important than how "branded" one's clothes look.

It is stated in the Di Zi Gui:

衣貴潔 不貴華

Stories From the Students’ Rules :

Live Neatly and Treasure Your Time

By Vision Times Staff “Standards for Being a Good Student and Child” (Di Zi Gui, 弟子規) is a traditional Chinese textbook for children that teaches morals and proper etiquette. It was written by Li Yuxiu in the Qing Dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Kang Xi (1661-1722). In this series, we present some ancient Chinese stories that exemplify the valuable lessons from the Di Zi Gui. In this installment, we present some ancient Chinese stories that exemplify the valuable lessons taught in the third chapter of Di Zi Gui—"Discretion in Daily Life."

The

It is said in the Di Zi Gui:

朝起早 夜眠遲

Rise early in the morning, And sleep late at night. 老易至 惜此時

Age comes quickly, So treasure this hour.

When we realize that time is passing us by and cannot be turned back, we should especially treasure the present moment. This wisdom is embodied by the youth of Che Yin (車胤), who served as a general and later as minister of personnel in the 4th century A.D.

Che Yin studies under the light of fireflies Articulate and of excellent character, Che Yin was one of the most prominent officials in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317–420). His intelligence came with great wit, making him a welcome presence at any gathering. Che was also a noted scholar, respected by his peers in the academy.

But his knowledge and demeanor weren't acquired overnight. As a young boy, he studied with complete dedication from day to night, no matter the obstacle.

But Che was not disheartened. He would use what daytime he had to read his books, memorizing their contents so could repeat them to himself at night.

One night, Che Yin noticed many fireflies around him. As they twinkled and glowed in the darkness, he struck upon an idea. He constructed a net from a piece of old cloth and a bamboo pole, and began catching the insects.

But there were only a few fireflies in the backyard, which was hardly enough to create enough light. He caught a few more in the front yard, but the light was still too dim.

Although it was already pitch black outside, Che left home and walked to a grass pasture outside his village. The field was dotted with fireflies, and Che had no difficulty catching many of them in a short time. When he got home, he placed all his fireflies into a bag of silk netting, and hung it from the ceiling. The light from the fireflies penetrated the holes in the bag, illuminating the entire room even more brightly than the oil lamp he had used in better days. Che happily continued with his studying.

Using this method, Che studied well into the night every day, and eventually rose to his high post. His experience gave rise to the Chinese idiom “reading from the light of fireflies” (囊螢夜 讀), a common way of describing someone who puts extraditionary efforts into learning and is undeterred by hardship.

Clothes are valued for neatness Not for extravagance 上循分 下稱家

First follow your station Second suit your family's finances The ancients always regarded frugality as one of the most noble virtues in daily life. Tidiness was meanwhile considered a reflection of one's character, and a mark of respect for others.

Prime Minister Ji Wenzi (季文子), a famous nobleman in the Spring and Autumn Period, practiced this wisdom dutifully during his 30 years serving his country of Lu State.

Ji Wenzi considered thrift to be the fundamental guiding rule for his conduct, and required his family to be as frugal as him. He dressed very simply but neatly, and besides the formal robes he wore in court, he did not have any other fancy clothes.

Whenever he traveled for work, he would use a very plain-looking horse carriage.

One of Ji’s ministers, Zhongsun Ta, expressed concern at his lack of fashion, saying that as Lu State’s highest-ranking official, Ji Wenzu would invite ridicule and disrespect from foreigners.

"This would also be detrimental to our country's image, and people will gossip about how the Prime Minister of Lu State lives in such a manner,” Zhongsun said.

Ji responded in a serious tone: "I, too, want my home to be decorated luxuriously and elegantly. But look at the people in our country. Many of them are still eating food that is too coarse to swallow, and are wearing clothes that are torn and shabby. There are also others who are cold and starving.

"When I think about these people, how can I still bear to indulge in material wealth?” he continued.

“A country's strength and glory is defined by the moral character of its civilians and officials, and not by how glamorous their wives look or how fine their horses are. How can I accept your suggestion?”

After hearing Ji's words, Zhongsun was ashamed of his previous comments and had even more respect for the prime minister. From then on, Zhongsun also followed Ji's example in leading a simple life.

He asked his family to wear clothes of ordinary cloth, and fed his horses with rough chaff and weeds.

When Ji Wenzi learned of Zhongsun's change, he praised Zhongsun for being a moral person who could amend h is m ist a kes immediately.

Che Yin was born in Nanping, today’s Fujian Province, to a family of noble background. His grandfather had been the Prefect of Kuaiji, and his father served as secretary to one of the princesses.

When Che turned five, his father began teaching him to read and write. From then on, he would be so absorbed in his studies that he would forget to eat or sleep, and not a day passed where he was not buried in a book.

He would even stay up till midnight to study.

Sadly, Che’s father was let go from his secretarial work, leaving the family in poverty. As the Ches were unable to afford oil for lighting, Che Yin found it difficult to make use of the evening to study.

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HEALTH

A10 | JUL 9 - JUL 15, 2021

When

When to drink?

Is

Drinking Water Important?

By Emma Lu

Everyone knows the importance of drinking water, which is a habitual activity. But to have a healthy body, when to drink water is the key. Although it is a seemingly simple thing, many people are unaware and so everyone needs to know the truth about drinking water.

Here are several recommendations about drinking water.

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Do I need to drink 8 glasses of water a day?

There are some suggestions that one should drink 8 glasses of water every day. Some people don’t like drinking water at all, but they worry about dehydration. How much water is appropriate?

The daily drinking volume of an adult is between 1,500 and 1,700 ml. So it is not a simple generalization of 8 glasses of water. Moreover, the amount of water a person drinks per day is also related to factors such as age, season, amount of exercise, and health status.

The easiest way to judge if a person has had enough water is to look at the color of one’s urine. If the color is light yellow, it means that your body is hydrated and has enough water.

If the color is dark and the smell is strong, it means that you need to drink more water.

Science shows that drinking water at the correct times of day can help to prevent common problems such as stomach pain, IBS, bloating, fatigue, overeating, high blood pressure, constipation, and even heart attack and stroke.

In the morning

Does drinking water while eating cause indigestion?

A common mistake that people make is gulping down water during and immediately after eating. Since we absorb water best when our stomachs are not full of food, drinking heavy amounts of water during or directly after a meal dilutes the natural juices that aid in digestion. It is recommended to drink one glass of water 30 minutes before a meal — but no more.

This will allow your digestive system to do its thing without any wet and wild distractions and will help your body to absorb the nutrients more efficiently.

Can I have repeatedly boiled water?

Reboiling tap water does concentrate minerals and other chemicals in the water. So if your source water is high in nitrates, arsenic, or other undesirable chemicals, avoid reboiling it. The EPA, under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), has set the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for nitrite at 1.0 mg/L. The amount of nitrite in tap water that is repeatedly boiled may be above this amount.

Similarly, if your water is high in calcium and you have health conditions affected by the mineral, it’s better to avoid reboiling water. It might even be worth switching to distilled or reverse osmosis purified water. Reboiling pure water does not change its chemical composition at all.

Your first glass of water should be right when you wake up. Drinking water on an empty stomach in the morning can do wonders for our bodies, both internally and externally. In fact, drinking two semiwarm glasses of water first thing in the morning is an ancient Chinese ritual.

Before a meal

Drink a glass of water about 30 minutes before the main meal of the day; it will help with digestion and keep your caloric intake in check. Not only does the water prepare your intestines for the food coming down the pike, but it also prevents you from over-eating, since the water lines your stomach and makes you feel fuller faster.

Before and while exercising

When we sweat, we lose both water and electrolytes, so it’s important to drink at least eight ounces of water beforehand to preemptively replace the fluids lost through sweat and humidity during exercise. Also, keep yourself hydrated while exercising, but avoid drinking too much.

Excess water consumption during your workout will reduce sodium concentration in your body and deplete your natural electrolytes, resulting in fatigue or worse.

Before bed

If you are hydrated before going to bed and sleeping, you may lower the risk of a heart attack and stroke, as dehydration elevates the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In fact, according to a study in the European Journal of Nutrition, even mild dehydration can impair vascular function almost as much as smoking a cigarette.

When you are tired

Drinking a glass of water when you feel tired will help to power up your brain.

Since your brain consists of 75 percent water, drinking a glass or two when you’re feeling sleepy will help to replenish vital fluid levels and increase cognitive functioning. Drink a glass of water if you’re feeling tired at work or if you have a big presentation coming up and need to focus. If you have a hankering for a nap but unfortunately can’t take one, drink a glass of cool water instead.

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CULTURE

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JUL 9 - JUL 15, 2021 |

A11

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Real Soy Sauce

By Nspirement Staff

T

he most famous sauce in traditional Chinese cuisine is soy sauce. It is made by fermenting soybeans and roasted cracked wheat with brine in wooden containers that are regularly opened to release gases and to stir the mixture.

After a year of slow fermentation, the resulting mash is pressed to expel soy sauce.

The liquid is then cooked at a high temperature to halt the fermentation process.

In actuality, many soy sauces bought at a supermarket do not undergo this process, which is a traditional recipe that achieves a less salty, but more intense, flavor.

Soy sauce is called “jiang you” in China, and shoyu or tamari (non-wheat soy sauce) in Japan.

Unlike in China, in Japan, it is illegal to produce or import artificial soy sauce. So in Japan, soy sauce is only made in the traditional manner.

A modern Chinese invention — and produced in a process that is much faster and less expensive to produce than traditional soy sauce — artificial soy sauce is what is generally found in most grocery stories.

The artificial production process is far from the original version. It is produced without

any fermentation, but instead by chemical hydrolysis starting from defatted soy flour, caramel color, corn syrup or other sweeteners, malt extract, and in some cases MSG. To clarify, even though soy sauce goes by several names, they are not all the same.

In fact, they are all different types and their production and ingredients are different.

Tamari is a sauce made from soybeans, water, and salt — that’s it.

Soy sauce, or shoyu sauce, is made from soybeans, cracked roasted wheat, and water. Some may also include gluten.

Adding Eastern flair

A brief history of soy sauce China has a huge amount of exotic and ancient spices and sauces in its cuisine, and soy sauce is one of them. Originating in China, it is one of the oldest in the world.

Its historical origins date back to the Zhou Dynasty. (1600 B.C.–256 B.C.) Back then, before it was used as a seasoning sauce, it was used to preserve meat because of its salty properties. The leftover liquid from this would be used advantageously as a condiment.

Legend has it that when Buddhism spread eastward to China, Buddhist monks also spread vegetarianism as a way of nourishment, and thus people looked for a substitute for the ancient seasoning sauces that

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had meat juices in them.

One of the substitutes created was a salty paste of fermented soybeans. Over time, this would be converted into soy sauce, now known the world over.

It first spread to other Asian countries like Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, eventually conquering all types of cuisines throughout the ancient East and West. Now, soy sauce is found in nearly every supermarket and in most kitchens all over the globe, whether Asian or not.

When buying soy sauce at the store, many wonder and question how to use it. Some may think it is used exclusively for Asian dishes, but this is no longer the case. Actually, many chefs and gourmands venture to use soy sauce in many of their traditional dishes, adding a touch of Eastern flair.

Soy sauce is an ideal complement to dishes with fried vegetables, rice, breaded items, stews, great for salad dressings, in dishes with poultry, beef, or pork, and even for fish — as a marinade or condiment.

Aside from being great at making dishes delicious, you can salt a dish with soy instead of regular salt. It’s great for people who suffer from high cholesterol, diabetes, or those who have a strict diet, such as celiac patients.

Although many sauces contain wheat, there are varieties like San-J’s tamari sauce that are gluten-free. And most companies produce low-salt versions. Check labels to be sure.

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Soy sauce has the ability to turn a boring dish into one that is a delicacy to the palate, and is a whiz without limits when creating new flavors.

Remember that a few drops at the table are enough. Soy sauce or shoyu, which contains wheat, has a milder flavor than tamari and is ideal for cooking vegetables, soups, stews, and making salsa.

In contrast, tamari goes better with meat and fish dishes. Tamari is believed to have medicinal properties as well. In China, many people use it as a remedy by adding four or five drops to a cup of tea, especially Bancha tea.

It is used to combat physical fatigue, as it has a remineralizing effect. It also helps eliminate many harmful microorganisms that may be in food, and it enhances proper digestion and the absorption of nutrients.

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s h t y M e l a h

W

From Around the World

By Jessica Kneipp

Whales are some of the biggest creatures on the planet. Throughout the course of human history, various civilizations have come into contact with these majestic animals, with some believing them to be an overwhelmingly dangerous entity while others have simply seen them as a symbol of might and benevolence. Here are some interesting whale myths from all across the world.

Australia and New Zealand

Aboriginal people residing along the Australian coast have deep ties with whales. “Rock engravings, stories and totems tell us grand stories of whales in Australia. The whale is the totem of the Darkinjung People of the Central Coast of NSW. Beached whales would provide meat and tools for the Aboriginal people,” according to Majestic Whale Encounters.

In New Zealand, a Maori tribe believes in the legend of Paikea, a young man who was the favorite of the tribe’s chief. When Paikea was given a higher rank in the tribe, a jealous older brother by the name of Ruatapu hatched a plot to kill him together with his other brothers. Ruatapu built a canoe that had a hole that he could plug with his feet when required. He invited all his brothers to go on a fishing trip. When they got far out on the ocean, Ruatapu unplugged the hole. He then swam to each of his brothers and drowned them.

When Ruatapu came to Paikea and attempted to drown him, Paikea sang a song that summoned a humpback whale.

Paikea got atop the whale and got back to the land safely.

He remained the only survivor of Ruatapu’s evil plot. In some Maori tribes, whales are believed to be a sign that the tribe should settle in a particular place. In Maori cosmology, whales are seen as a direct descendant of the god of oceans, Tangaroa.

China

In ancient China, people used to believe that a whale-like creature called Yu Kiang ruled the ocean. The animal was said to be thousands of feet in length and is described as having human hands and feet. It was believed that when Yu Kiang was angry, it would transform into a huge, mighty bird and bring about massive storms in the ocean.

Africa

A story from East Africa talks about a king named Sulemani and his encounter with a hungry whale. Sulemani grew lots of crops to feed the people and animals living on his land. One day, the king asked God to give him the strength to feed the entire world. Unhappy with his request, God resurrected a huge creature from the water, which is believed to be a whale.

It went to Sulemani’s land and ate all the crops.

The creature then demanded that the King offer it more food since it was still hungry. Surprised, Sulemani asked whether there were any more of his kind.

The whale replied that he came from a tribe of 70,000 creatures.

Sulemani realized that God had sent the creature to teach him a lesson — that it was not his place to feed all living beings in the world.

North America

In Native American culture, the Orca, or killer whale, symbolizes harmony, romance, and family. The creature is believed to protect people who travel far away and lead them back home. Dubbed the “Lord of the Ocean,” the Native Americans used to consider seals to be Orca slaves and saw dolphins as their warrior protectors. A popular legend among the Tinglit people of Canada is that of a man called Natsilane.

Natsilane was destined to be the next chief of the tribe. Jealous of Natsilane, his brothers took him out into the ocean for hunting. Natsilane speared a sea lion but did not kill it. When he looked for his brothers, Natsilane realized that they left him stranded on an island. The next day, Natsilane met the chief of the sea lions. The chief asked Natsilane to help the speared sea lion, which happened to be his son. Natsilane complied and removed the spear. In return, the chief taught him skills and brought him back home.

When he arrived at the village, Natsilane learned that his brothers were out hunting in the ocean. He carved a killer whale from cedar wood and gave it life through a spirit song. Natsilane asked the killer whale to kill his brothers, which the whale obediently did. When the whale returned, Natsilane instructed it to never kill a human being again and asked that it save any person found stranded in the water.

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