Podcasts about Brussels

Shell's merger chief departed after a bid to acquire rival BP was quashed internally, and the EU's top trade official warns the bloc would lose global credibility if it fails to approve its trade deal with the Mercosur group of South American countries. Plus, Brussels plans to scrap the EU's 2035 combustion engine ban, and hedge funds and trading firms are piling into physical commodities markets in search of new sources of returns.Mentioned in this podcast:Shell mergers chief departed after CEO blocked bid for BPEU will lose face if it rejects Mercosur deal, warns trade commissionerBrussels plans to scrap 2035 combustion engine banHedge funds pile into commodities in search of fresh source of returnsNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today's FT News Briefing was hosted and produced by Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT's acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show's theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The European Union once set an ambitious goal: by 2035, all new cars sold would be fully electric. But now, the BBC understands that Brussels is considering scrapping, or at least watering down, its plan to ban new petrol and diesel vehicles. So what could it mean for carmakers and consumers across Europe?South Korea and the UK have signed a new trade deal.In the US, people applying for a skilled worker visa will now have their social media profiles screened.And who's winning the race to build the most sophisticated AI models?(Photo: An exhaust pipe of a car is pictured on a street in Berlin, Germany. Credit: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)

Caz Graham talks to the President of the Irish Farmers Association, Francie Gorman, about the journey he's embarking upon from Dublin to Brussels by tractor as part of a Europe wide protest. Farmers are concerned about Common Agricultural Policy reforms, which could see the budget ringfenced for farm subsidies cut by around 20%. They're also angry about the potential impact of a trade deal between the EU and the South American bloc MERCOSUR, which could mean an increase in beef from Brazil and other cheap imports. An environmental group in Northern Ireland plans to demonstrate the benefits of nature friendly farming on a 90-acre hillside farm it's recently bought in County Fermanagh. The Ulster Wildlife Trust says the new Fedian Nature Reserve is a rare example of farmland largely free of chemical or fertiliser inputs.Traditional rural buildings are rich with history and a unique record of how farming and country life has changed over the centuries. But many are under threat; they're expensive to maintain and often not practical for modern use. Throughout this week we're going to be hearing about efforts to preserve them, and we start in Nottinghamshire where an old farmstead has been repurposed as The Walks of Life Museum in Tuxford. Presenter: Caz Graham Producer: Sarah Swadling

The Irish Farmers Association, including President Francie Gorman and his 11 year old son, are travelling to Brussels to protest the EU- Mercosur trade deal which would see Europe's trading partnerships with South America grow.Francie Gorman joins Matt to explain the farmers' concerns Hit Play on this page to listen now

On Europe Today, your daily Euronews podcast presented by Méabh Mc Mahon, we are joined by Laurence Tubiana, the architect of the 2015 Paris Agreement. We also get the latest news on talks to end the war in Ukraine from our EU editor Maria Tadeo. Finally, our political correspondent, Stefan Grobe, brings us the latest on the shooting in Bondi Beach, Australia.Europe Today is Euronews' daily podcast hosted by Maria Tadeo and Méabh Mc Mahon, broadcasting directly from Brussels, at the heart of Europe. Every morning, we deliver the top and exclusive stories shaping the European Union (EU) and beyond.Stay ahead with the key news and insights that matter in Europe today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three more years of derogation from nitrates directive for 7,000 farms announced by the Department to prove to Brussels that derogation farms are not harming sensitive natural habitats. However, a report has revealed a further decline of Ireland's natural habitats. Environmental lawyer Alice Whittaker and derogation farmer Gillian O'Sullivan.

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> The layoff number show no signs of a weakening labor market. Jobs are coming back to the US. The fake news will not admit that the economy is improving, but the people will feel it. The Fed cannot control employment or inflation with QE, they use it to keep their system alive. Banks are getting message, crypto will be included in the future economy of the US. The [DS] attacks will intensify as we get closer to the midterms, they will use division tactics with the people and the military. The [DS] is trying to muddy the water with the Epstein files, this has already failed. The [DS] is pushing war to keep their crimes from being exposed. Trump has initiated the cyber attack offensive strategy. Trump and we the people have the leverage and control. Economy (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); Layoffs Show No Signs of a Weakening Labor Market If the labor market is weakening, it's on the job-creation side of the equation, maybe in part due to AI.     the four-week average, which largely irons out the week-to-week squiggles, and which ticked up to 216,750, seasonally adjusted, which is historically low, and in the same low range that it has been in for the past four years. This is administrative data, not survey-based data. Freshly laid-off people filed these applications for unemployment insurance at state unemployment agencies, which then reported them to the US Department of Labor by the weekly deadline, which then combined the data and published it today. In a longer timespan going back to the 1970s, initial claims are very low, despite the growth of nonfarm payrolls over the decades. They were lower only during the tight labor market of 2018 and 2019 and during the labor shortages coming out of the pandemic. Layoffs show no signs of a weakening labor market. If the labor market is weakening, it's on the job-creation side of the equation. So layoffs are low, but once laid off, it takes people longer to find a job as companies have slowed their hiring, but even that has improved since the summer. Source: wolfstreet.com   for having created, with No Inflation, perhaps the Greatest Economy in the History of our Country? When will people understand what is happening? When will Polls reflect the Greatness of America at this point in time, and how bad it was just one year ago? https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/1999141753442414645?s=20 https://twitter.com/TheCryptoLark/status/1999161790886711747?s=20 Political/Rights Tim Walz Vows to Bring More Somalis to Minnesota, Despite Growing Fraud Scandal Reaching Into the Billions Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is vowing to bring more Somali immigrants to his state, despite the massive fraud scandal that has unfolded in the Minnesota Somali community on his watch. The Washington Free Beacon reports: Tim Walz Pledges To ‘Welcome More' Somalis Into Minnesota as Evidence of Staggering Fraud Scheme Makes National Headlines CBS News reports: https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1999531988210909599?s=20 Source: thegatewaypundit.com Garcia. But immigration courts do not issue such a form, and Congress removed district courts from reviewing these cases nearly 30 years ago. By declaring the order “nonexistent,” she manufactured jurisdiction and granted release. Her six month obstruction of Garcia's removal shows exactly why Congress barred district judges from intervening in INA cases. Trump Admin Pulls 9,500 Truck Drivers Off The Road For Failing English Tests  https://twitter.com/SecDuffy/status/1998787357416501638?s=20 Source: zerohedge.com Democrat Rep. Attempts to Embarrass Kristi Noem by Introducing Her to a ‘Harmless' Veteran She Supposedly Deported – But the Move Backfires When the Actual Truth is Revealed (VIDEO) During the hearing, Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-MA) decided to ambush Noem, first by demanding how many US military veterans she had deported. When Noem responded that she had not, the congressman then pulled out his next nasty stunt. “We are joined on Zoom by a gentleman named Sae Joon Park. He is a United States combat veteran who was shot twice,” Magaziner announced. “Like many veterans, he struggled with PTSD, he was arrested in the 1990s for some minor drug offenses. “He never hurt anyone besides himself. He is a Purple Heart recipient; he has sacrificed more for this country than most people ever have,” he added. “Earlier this year, you deported him to Korea, a country he has not lived in since he was seven.” “Will you join me in thanking Mr. Park for his service?” Noem said she would, but reiterated that America's laws needed to be enforced, which displeased Magaziner. https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1999200511820763484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1999200511820763484%7Ctwgr%5E71b314ce22abe6b529570dbbaed5501f8b066bd1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Fdemocrat-rep-attempts-embarrass-kristi-noem-introducing-her%2F  Park had a removal order over felony drug charges and bail jumping – and was NOT a citizen, but a green card holder. Democrats lie, lie, LIE. https://twitter.com/TriciaOhio/status/1999207164603433210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1999207164603433210%7Ctwgr%5E71b314ce22abe6b529570dbbaed5501f8b066bd1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Fdemocrat-rep-attempts-embarrass-kristi-noem-introducing-her%2F  controlled substance In 2010 an immigration judge issued him an order of removal. Park's appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals that same month was dismissed by the Board in April 2011. With no legal basis to remain in the U.S. and a final order of removal, Park was allowed to self-deport to Korea. President Trump and Secretary Noem have been clear: criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/RedWave_Press/status/1999451592903282965?s=20 2.5 Million Illegal Immigrants Deported Under Trump Admin: DHS More than 2.5 million illegal immigrants have left the United States under the Trump administration, a “record-breaking achievement” in a year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a Dec. 10 statement. The 2.5 million figure includes more than 605,000 individuals deported as part of DHS enforcement operations and around 1.9 million illegal immigrants who have voluntarily self-deported since January. The rapid decline in the illegal immigrant population is showing effects nationwide, such as a “resurgence in local job markets,” DHS said. In October, 12,000 jobs were added to the U.S. economy, which followed 431,000 additions in September. Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/GOPoversight/status/1999506355548299518?s=20 DOGE    In other words, AI has far more Electricity than they will ever need because, they are building the facilities that produce it, themselves. We are leading the World in AI, BY FAR, because of a gentleman named DONALD J. TRUMP! Geopolitical Unelected EU Commissioner Ursula von Der Leyen Warns Trump To Keep Away From ‘European Democracy' – But the Patriotic Wave Is Upon Her https://twitter.com/SprinterPress/status/1999360985753174112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1999360985753174112%7Ctwgr%5Ea460cf825346c02faf408dfdd2869c8b434de5e3%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Funelected-eu-commissioner-ursula-von-der-leyen-warns%2F Politico reported: “Donald Trump should not get involved in European democracy, Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday, days after the U.S. president launched a stinging attack on Europe. ‘It is not on us, when it comes to elections, to decide who the leader of the country will be, but on the people of this country. That's the sovereignty of the voters, and this must be protected', the European Commission president said in an interview at the POLITICO 28 gala event in Brussels.   https://twitter.com/JnglJourney/status/1999294487781326880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1999294487781326880%7Ctwgr%5Ea460cf825346c02faf408dfdd2869c8b434de5e3%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Funelected-eu-commissioner-ursula-von-der-leyen-warns%2F Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/iAnonPatriot/status/1999198852717424957?s=20 https://twitter.com/Defence_Index/status/1999348521120698795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1999348521120698795%7Ctwgr%5E4d8309aa196b50542667c5dfcee40655f2883cf0%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Fmad-maduro-after-declaring-christmas-october-embattled-venezuelan%2F War/Peace    accident, but Thailand nevertheless retaliated very strongly. Both Countries are ready for PEACE and continued Trade with the United States of America. It is my Honor to work with Anutin and Hun in resolving what could have evolved into a major War between two otherwise wonderful and prosperous Countries! I would also like to thank the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, for his assistance in this very important matter. Zelensky Floats Holding Referendum On Giving Up Land For Peace “I am definitely in favor of elections,” Ukraine’s President Zelensky said Thursday. “The most important thing is that they are held legitimately.” He’s presenting a position of willingness to compromise amid the increasing pressure from Trump. Is this but a ruse to buy time?  Ceding territory by vote? WSJ continues… Zelensky has long said that as president he can't unilaterally decide the fate of Ukrainian territories, which must be approved by the Ukrainian people. In early fall, 54% Ukrainians opposed ceding land, even if it meant continuing the war and risked the country's independence, compared with 38% who were open to some territorial concessions, in a poll conducted by Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. Source: zerohedge.com Zelenskyy: Holding Elections in Ukraine Requires Ceasefire  President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said  that holding elections in Ukraine during wartime would require a ceasefire. “There must be a ceasefire – at least for the duration of the election process and voting. This is what needs to be discussed. Frankly speaking, here in Ukraine, we believe that America should talk to the Russian side about this,” he told a meeting of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ group of nations. Wartime elections are forbidden by law but Zelenskyy, whose term expired last year,  Source: newsmax.com NATO’s Rutte warns allies they are Russia’s next target  NATO chief Mark Rutte   urged allies to step up defence efforts to prevent a war waged by Russia that could be “on the scale of war our grandparents and great-grandparents endured”. FRANCE 24’s Dave Keating reports Source: france24.com NATO Secretary Rutte: “NATO Must Prepare for War Against Russia”  Source: theconservativetreehouse.com https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1999270361414729766?s=20   remarks: “Things like this end up in Third World Wars, and I told that the other day. I said, you know, everybody keeps playing games like this, you’ll end up in a Third World War, and we don’t want to see that happen.” Trump’s essentially telling NATO, Ukraine, and Russia to stop the brinksmanship before proxy war becomes direct conflict. When the U.S. president is publicly warning about World War III, that’s not hyperbole, that’s acknowledgment of how close we’ve gotten to catastrophe. https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1999499056133898497?s=20 The Trump administration is preparing to enlist private businesses and cybersecurity firms to conduct offensive cyberattacks against foreign adversaries, including criminal hackers and state-sponsored groups that target U.S. critical infrastructure, telecommunications, or engage in ransomware activities.  This approach, detailed in a draft national cyber strategy from the Office of the National Cyber Director, aims to expand U.S. cyber capabilities by leveraging private sector expertise, allowing government agencies to focus on unique tasks.  An upcoming executive order is expected to define roles for these firms and provide legal protections, though additional legislation may be needed to mitigate risks for companies traditionally focused on defense. Medical/False Flags https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1999176473723191554?s=20 [DS] Agenda BREAKING: Grand Jury *AGAIN* Declines to Indict Letitia James For Mortgage Fraud  A federal grand jury in Virginia declined to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James for mortgage fraud on Thursday. This is the second time federal prosecutors have failed to secure an indictment against Letitia James. “Federal prosecutors on Thursday failed to convince a majority of grand jurors to approve charges that James misled a bank to obtain favorable loan terms on a home mortgage, according to sources,” ABC News reported. Source: thegatewaypundit.com BREAKING: Executive Director of Black Lives Matter Oklahoma Charged with Wire Fraud and Money Laundering – 25 Counts Total – Facing DECADES in Prison  An executive director of Black Lives Matter Oklahoma was charged with wire fraud and money laundering. A federal grand jury on December 3 returned a 25-count indictment against Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson, 52. Dickerson was charged with 20 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering. “On December 3, 2025, a federal Grand Jury returned a 25-count Indictment, charging Dickerson with 20 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering. For each count of wire fraud, Dickerson faces up to 20 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. For each count of money laundering, Dickerson faces up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the amount of the criminally derived property involved in the transaction,” the DOJ said. According to the charging documents, Dickerson, through BLMOKC, raised more than $5.6 million, but rather than using the money to bail out George Floyd rioters, she used millions to fund her lavish lifestyle. Federal prosecutors said Dickerson funneled over $3.5 million to her personal accounts and spent it on vacations, six properties in Oklahoma City, retail shopping, and food. Per the DOJ: https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1999235340620497058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1999235340620497058%7Ctwgr%5E9f29cdaa88d5635542427963418842d100b04bdd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Fblack-lives-matter-executive-charged-wire-fraud-money%2F Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/DataRepublican/status/1998944940865503255?s=20 https://twitter.com/Patri0tContr0l/status/1999164831652315320?s=20 JUST IN: House Overwhelmingly Rejects Al Green's Impeachment Effort Against Trump – 70 Democrats Kill Measure (VIDEO) The House of Representatives voted on a Motion to Table Texas Democrat Al Green's resolution to impeach President Trump on Thursday, effectively killing the resolution, with many Democrats even voting against impeachment. Green has already tried several times to impeach Trump since he took office in January. Green first introduced articles of impeachment against Trump in February, just weeks after he took office. Source: thegatewaypundit.com Schumer Erupts After Senate Blocks Democrat Bill to Extend Expiring Obamacare Subsidies — Desperately Blames Republicans for the Disaster Democrats Created  The Senate delivered a major blow to Democrat leadership Thursday night after rejecting Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's last-minute attempt to extend expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, subsidies Democrats themselves voted to terminate in Joe Biden's so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” of 2022. The subsidies are set to expire on December 31, 2025 because Democrats wrote the expiration date into their own bill. Yet now, as the political consequences close in, Schumer is scrambling to pin the blame on Republicans.  Democrats locked the subsidy expiration date into law in 2022. They knew this would happen. They planned for it to happen. They voted for it to happen. Now, in an election year—Schumer is trying to retroactively pretend Republicans created a crisis that Democrats engineered from the beginning. Recall that in 2014, Chuck Schumer himself admitted Obamacare was a mistake and confessed that Democrats sold out the middle class to get it passed. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1999178360082301396?s=20 The Dems who voted against this SUPPORT BIG INSURANCE. UNBELIEVABLE. One GOP “no”: Rand Paul (KY). Paul says he wants the ACA gutted even further. Needs 60. DEMOCRATS = PARTY OF BIG, RICH INSURANCE. https://twitter.com/ElectionWiz/status/1999233530694418762?s=20 President Trump's Plan   Elections. Democrats have been relentless in their targeting of TINA PETERS, a Patriot who simply wanted to make sure that our Elections were Fair and Honest. Tina is sitting in a Colorado prison for the “crime” of demanding Honest Elections. Today I am granting Tina a full Pardon for her attempts to expose Voter Fraud in the Rigged 2020 Presidential Election! https://twitter.com/Rasmussen_Poll/status/1999403926316069209?s=20   Ticktin’s nine-page letter dated December 7, 2025, accuses a “criminal conspiracy” involving Dominion Voting Systems, Colorado officials like Secretary of State Jena Griswold, and foreign influences, while arguing that Peters preserved election data in compliance with federal law (52 U.S.C. § 20701). He positions her as a key witness for future investigations into election integrity, leveraging her status as a 70-year-old Gold Star mother to evoke sympathy. A core (and controversial) element of Ticktin’s legal theory is the untested claim that the U.S. Constitution allows presidents to pardon state-level convictions—a position not supported by precedent, as presidential pardons are explicitly limited to federal offenses under Article II, Section 2. This strategy aims to challenge the boundaries of executive power, potentially setting up a court battle if pursued further, while amplifying the narrative through media and conservative outlets to build public pressure. , this pardon is largely symbolic and legally ineffective because Peters was convicted and sentenced in Colorado state court on charges like attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy, and official misconduct—not federal crimes. It doesn’t vacate her nine-year prison sentence or require her release; only Colorado’s governor (currently Democrat Jared Polis) could grant clemency for state offenses, and there’s no indication he plans to do so.   the pardon could indirectly help Peters in several ways: Political and Public Pressure: It elevates her case nationally among Trump supporters and election skeptics, potentially leading to fundraising for her legal defense, public campaigns for her release, or even influencing her ongoing state appeals (e.g., by highlighting perceived bias in her trial). A federal magistrate recently denied her release pending appeal, but this symbolic gesture might bolster arguments about unfair prosecution. Narrative Framing: Ticktin can use it to reinforce claims of her innocence in the court of public opinion, portraying the pardon as validation from the president that her actions were justified. This aligns with broader Republican efforts to question 2020 election security. Potential Federal Angle: If any federal investigations arise from her case (e.g., related to Dominion or election data), the pardon could preemptively shield her from future federal charges. Ticktin’s strategy also includes pushing for a DOJ review of her conviction, which Trump directed earlier in 2025. https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/1999284588955468129?s=20 This refers to the DOJ’s decision, under Bondi’s leadership, to rescind regulations enforcing disparate impact liability. This action implements an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in April 2025, eliminating the use of disparate impact metrics to prove discrimination against entities receiving federal funding. What is Disparate Impact Liability? It’s a legal doctrine originating from the 1971 Supreme Court case Griggs v. Duke Power Co., which interprets Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Under this theory, policies or practices that disproportionately harm protected groups (e.g., based on race, even without intentional bias) can be considered discriminatory. Over decades, it expanded into a regulatory tool that penalized unintentional disparities, often requiring institutions like employers, schools, or housing providers to track and adjust for racial outcomes to avoid lawsuits or loss of federal funds.  Critics (including the poster and the article) argue it incentivized racial quotas, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) mandates, and “reverse discrimination,” straying from the Civil Rights Act’s original focus on intentional discrimination. Ending disparate impact liability is framed as restoring “equality under the law” by focusing DOJ enforcement solely on provable intent, rather than statistical outcomes. Bondi stated: “This Department of Justice is eliminating its regulations that for far too long required recipients of federal funding to make decisions based on race.” this is a blow against overreaching government coercion, promoting individual liberty and meritocracy over enforced equity. They suggest skeptics “pay closer attention” to appreciate its impact on freedom from such policies. Texas Showdown: GOP’s Wesley Hunt Now Dares Dem Crockett to Face-Off  The 2026 election cycle is working its way up through the gears. Candidates are announcing their intent to run for various seats; some are sure-wins, some are sure to be fights to the finish, and some are sure to be inexplicable. One of the latter is surely Democrat Representative Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) announcing for a Texas Senate seat, the same seat being sought by Republican Representative Wesley Hunt (TX-38). My money’s on Mr. Hunt. Even more so now, that the Republican Congressman has challenged Rep. Crockett to a duel – or, rather, a debate. She may wish she’d picked swords at sunrise instead of a verbal exchange with Wesley Hunt. Texas Senate candidate Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, challenged House colleague Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, to a debate after Crockett entered the race earlier this week. Hunt, who faces incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a competitive Republican primary, was quick to challenge Crockett to a debate, saying that if the new contender agreed it would be “must-see TV.” Source: redstate.com https://twitter.com/mrddmia/status/1999519791527207239?s=20 https://twitter.com/TheStormRedux/status/1999143399631282641?s=20 get the right people in place. VANCE: “Eventually you are gonna see prosecutions. Not just Arctic Frost related, but on a whole host of other issues. Eventually we need certain subpoenas that have to be issued by a court. Eventually you need local prosecutors, US Attorneys to go after some of these people in a court of law. If you can't get a U.S. Attorney appointed because the Democrat wont give you a blue slip. Or you can't get a judge confirmed… Republicans have gotta open up their perspective a little bit.” Everyone can complain all they want, but the DOJ would be stupid to bring charges without the right people in place. Blame the worthless Republican Senators! Frustrating, but I am confident President Trump will figure it out because he is the best problem solver I've ever seen in my life. (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

If you've ever worried your story sounds “too foreign,” this conversation is for you.I sit down with Brussels-based writer and coach Dr. Anne Randerson (pen name Mickey Brent) to discuss writing stories that cross borders and languages without losing the reader. We discuss setting, voice, intentional use of foreign words, and navigating a publishing world that often favors the familiar.Anne shares the long road behind her Brussels-centered novels and a sequel set in Santorini, thirteen years and thirteen rewrites before her first yes. We talk revision, resilience, reader expectations, translation, and how to protect tone and humor when your work moves across languages.We also provide practical advice for non-native English writers, address imposter syndrome, and share book marketing that actually works—live events, libraries, bookstores, and community conversations—without relying on gimmicks or constant posting.Have a comment? Text me! Support the show****************************************************************************Connect with Natasha If you're ready to write your book, I'd love to help you bring your story to life.

Today on Beating Cancer Daily, Saranne welcomes Jacqui Bryan for a lively exploration of the Brussels sprout—the vegetable often maligned but packed with powerful health benefits. Together, they confront Brussels sprouts' reputation as the "most hated healthy veggie" and challenge listeners to reconsider their place in a cancer-fighting diet. From laughs about internet memes to science-backed insights, the conversation covers the unique compounds in Brussels sprouts and their cruciferous relatives that make them champions for reducing cancer risk, supporting heart health, and boosting digestion. Saranne and Jacqui share personal stories, practical preparation tips, and creative recipes designed to add variety and excitement to daily meals, all to improve long-term wellness for cancer patients and survivors. Jacqui Bryan is a certified nutrition specialist, whole health educator, health coach, and registered nurse. Her expertise in functional medicine and nutrition has empowered countless individuals to adopt healthier, more holistic approaches to living. Jacqui's practical advice, deep clinical knowledge, and warm, humorous style make her a sought-after resource for those navigating cancer and chronic health conditions. "Brussels sprouts basically contain this sulfur compound that is called glucosinolates, which actually break into cancer-fighting substances when they're consumed." ~Jacqui Bryan Today on Beating Cancer Daily:·     Brussels sprouts are part of the cruciferous vegetable family and provide significant cancer-fighting benefits.·     Glucosinolates in Brussels sprouts break down into substances that help fight cancer when consumed.·     Eating Brussels sprouts supports heart health due to their high fiber, potassium, and magnesium content.·     They aid in digestion and promote healthy gut bacteria while reducing inflammation.·     Introducing Brussels sprouts slowly can help prevent digestive discomfort due to their high fiber content.·     There are multiple delicious ways to prepare Brussels sprouts, including roasting, shaving for salads, sautéing, steaming, and air-frying.·     Choosing healthy oils for cooking, such as avocado oil for higher heat, helps maximize their nutritional value.·     Simple recipe adaptations can make brussels sprouts enjoyable for people with dietary restrictions, such as salt-free version. 2025 People's Choice Podcast Awards Best Health Series Finalist Ranked the Top 5 Best Cancer Podcasts by CancerCare News in 2024 & 2025, and #1 Rated Cancer Survivor Podcast by FeedSpot in 2024 to 2025. Beating Cancer Daily is listened to in 140 countries across 7 continents and features over 400 original daily episodes hosted by Stage IV survivor Saranne Rothberg.  To learn more about Host Saranne Rothberg and The ComedyCures Foundation:https://www.comedycures.org/ To write to Saranne or a guest:https://www.comedycures.org/contact-8 To record a message to Saranne or a guest:https://www.speakpipe.com/BCD_Comments_SuggestionsTo sign up for the free Health Builder Series live on Zoom with Saranne and Jacqui, go to The ComedyCures Foundation's homepage:https://www.comedycures.org/Please support the creation of more original episodes of Beating Cancer Daily and other free ComedyCures Foundation programs with a tax-deductible contribution:http://bit.ly/ComedyCuresDonate THANK YOU! Please tell a friend whom we may help, and please support us with a beautiful review. Have a blessed day! Saranne  

Leaked NSS: "Make Europe Great Again" by pulling four nations from Brussels, creating forum with China, Russia.View the full article here.Subscribe to the IMI Daily newsletter here. 

//The Wire//2300Z December 10, 2025////ROUTINE////BLUF: USA SEIZES TANKER VESSEL OFF COAST OF VENEZUELA. VANDALISM ATTACKS AND INCIDENTS REPORTED AT CHURCHES AND CHRISTMAS MARKETS AROUND EUROPE.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Caribbean: This afternoon the White House announced the seizure of a tanker vessel off the coast of Venezuela. No details were provided on the name or registration of the vessel yet, however President Trump stated that the operation was a joint venture between the US Coast Guard and the US Navy.-HomeFront-Washington D.C. - This morning President Trump's Gold Card program to sell US citizenship officially went live, with the White House stating at least one individual has successfully purchased entry into the program. -----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Several vandalism reports have been observed at various Nativity scenes at churches throughout Europe over the past few days as the general crackdown on Christianity continues during the Christmas season. In the U.K. this morning, several residents received letters informing them that Christmas decorations are banned at apartment buildings in Portsmouth, continuing the trend from years past. As one might expect, festivity operations are underway in Portsmouth, as residents put up the largest possible Christmas wreaths on their doors to openly defy this policy.Other than the tightening grip on Christianity in the form of local regulations, more kinetic incidents have also been reported. Last week, pro-Palestine protesters disrupted the opening of a Christmas Market in Vienna, targeting the Market with smoke devices and generally causing disruptions.Yesterday, Palestinian activists desecrated a Nativity in the old town district of Brussels. Graffiti was spray painted and various parts of the scene were damaged. This follows a major pro-Palestine protest disrupting the opening ceremony of the Christmas Market just a short distance away, also in Brussels. A little over a week ago, a more disturbing attack took place in Erbach, Germany where the Nativity featured in the town was a Living Nativity that hosted live animals for attendants to see. Two donkeys (Max and Lilly) were wounded by assailants who destroyed not only the Nativity itself, but also broke into a nearby church, causing damage there as well. A local who saw the donkeys being harmed intervened and halted the attack before the assailants egressed from the area. Max and Lilly survived the attack and have been relocated back to their farm to recover. The attackers have not been identified, however local reports assess that it was probably the same group of people who vandalized the nearby church, and also caused disruptions at the town Christmas Market, with all of these incidents taking place at around the same time. As such, if local police are interested in finding these attackers, it would not be hard to do so; they have conducted several different vandalism attacks in the same place at around the same time of day, several days in a row.More broadly, all of these incidents highlight the need for increased vigilance and awareness. It is true, we shouldn't have to live like this. But in the meantime (before more tough decisions are allowed to be made) this is the kind of thing we have to be aware of. It's not something to be downtrodden about either; on the contrary, now the average person has increasing opportunities to stop harm and do good things as the opposition becomes more plainly known. These problems won't be solved overnight, but with every passing day we all have the chance to do what we can to stop the harm from befalling the innocent. Even if it's just one (or two) donkeys at a time.Analyst: S2A1Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2undergroundDisclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report.//END REPORT//

Thank you to the folks at Sustain (https://sustainoss.org/) for providing the hosting account for CHAOSSCast! CHAOSScast – Episode 125 In this final episode of the year from CHAOSScast, hosts Alice Sowerby and Harmony Elendu welcome members of the CHAOSS Board, Sean Goggins, Anita Ihuman, Georg Link, and Elizabeth Barron, for an in-depth discussion on the project's developments and future. They share their reflections on key events and trends in the open-source community over 2025. Topics include the impact of AI on open source, shifts in funding, community engagement, and the importance of psychological safety. The panelists also spotlight various CHAOSS working groups, including education, design, and technical writing, while sharing their wishes for the CHAOSS Project in 2026. Press download now! [00:00:49] The hosts and guests introduce themselves and their backgrounds. [00:02:28] Georg announces CHAOSScon in Brussels, Jan 29, 2026, Co-located with FOSDEM. [00:04:51] The guests talk about factors affecting OSS communities in 2025. [00:11:39] We hear where CHAOSS grew the most in 2025 such as regional chapters, global reach, CHAOSS Asia, with shout-outs to Divvya Mohan and Rowland Mosbergen, how metrics are being used, Design Working Group, accessibility, Practitioner Guides, and two new working groups. [00:19:45] The panel shares project and working groups they're most proud of: Package Management, AI Alignment, Alice and Harmony for keeping CHAOSScast podcast active and alive, Paul and Peachtree Sound for editing the podcast and keeping episodes on track, Education Project, Practitioner Guides, and shared ownership of community growth. [00:28:55] What is some work that went under the radar in 2025? The guests talk about DEI Working Group, DEI Badging, Harmony and the Technical Writers Working Group, and AI's impact on maintainers. [00:35:41] Georg and Sean have additional thoughts on AI identity and bots. Current tooling assumes human contributions, but AI agents and bots break those assumptions and there's a need for better identity solutions and metrics that distinguish humans, bots, and multi-account actors. [00:39:33] Elizabeth would love people to give CHAOSS more feedback on engagement for newcomers to make onboarding smoother and encourages people to use the Education Project as a starting point. [00:42:07] Georg, Sean, and Anita talk about CHAOSS board priorities for 2025-2026. [00:45:25] Everyone shares their wishes for CHAOSS in 2026. [00:48:52] If anyone has any ideas, topics, questions, and guests for future CHAOSS episodes please send us an email. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Panelists: Alice Sowerby Harmony Elendu Guests: Sean Goggins Anita Ihuman Georg Link Elizabeth Barron Links: CHAOSS (https://chaoss.community/) CHAOSS Project X (https://twitter.com/chaossproj?lang=en) CHAOSScast Podcast (https://podcast.chaoss.community/) CHAOSS YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@CHAOSStube/videos) podcast@chaoss.community (mailto:podcast@chaoss.community) Georg Link Website (https://georg.link/) Harmony Elendu X (https://x.com/ogaharmony) Alice Sowerby LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-sowerby-ba692a13/?originalSubdomain=uk) Sean Goggins X (https://twitter.com/sociallycompute) Elizabeth Barron X (https://twitter.com/elizabethn) Anita Ihuman GitHub (https://github.com/Anita-ihuman) CHAOSScon 2026 Brussles, Belgium (https://chaoss.community/chaosscon-2026-eu/) FOSDEM 2026 (https://fosdem.org/2026/) CHAOSS Education Project (https://chaoss.community/chaoss-education/) CHAOSS Onboarding Courses-GitHub (https://github.com/chaoss/education) CHAOSS Practitioner Guides (https://chaoss.community/about-chaoss-practitioner-guides/) First Person Project White Paper (https://www.firstperson.network/white-paper) The Road Ahead For Identity Management In Open Source: Humans, Bots, AI Agents-And The Future Of Attribution by Diane Mueller (Bitergia) (https://bitergia.com/blog/identity-management-in-open-source-ai-agents-and-the-future-of-attribution/) CHAOSScast Podcast-Episode 121: Package Metadata Working Group with Andrew Nesbitt and Damián Vicino (https://podcast.chaoss.community/121) CHAOSScast Podcast-Episode 100: Celebrating 100 episodes of CHAOSScast (https://podcast.chaoss.community/100) CHAOSScast Podcast-Episode 76: CHAOSS Goals for 2024 and Beyond (https://podcast.chaoss.community/76) CHAOSScast Podcast-Episode 71: What's New in CHAOSS: Podcast Reboot Episode (https://podcast.chaoss.community/71) CHAOSScast Podcast-Episode 49: CHAOSS Community Year 2021 in Review (https://podcast.chaoss.community/49) CHAOSScast Podcast-Episode 1: Hello, World! (https://podcast.chaoss.community/1) Peachtree Sound (https://www.peachtreesound.com/) Special Guest: Anita ihuman.

As UK-EU reconnection talks continue in Brussels and London, are more deals in the offing, what does it mean and when will the public see the difference?Anne has been speaking to the Minister for European Relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, to see if any progress has been made and whether Brits can avoid the queues at immigration over the festive period. Back in Westminster, with a week until the Christmas break there's plenty of business for the government to get through but it's not all plain sailing.

Hailing from Beirut, Banx is a vinyl collector, DJ, and audiophile with a sprawling collection of rare jazz, funk and soul records, and a serious penchant for old-school hip-hop cuts. His skilful mixing style has earned him recognition across the region's dance music circuit, performing at major venues like Honeycomb HiFi Dubai, The Ballroom Blitz, The Grand Factory, and B018, as well as Aegis Festival in Batroun. Outside his homeland, Banx also did his rounds at prestigious clubs across Brussels, Limassol, and Dubai, sharing the decks with prominent international artists like Lethal Skills and DJ EF. For his Select set, Banx delivers an eclectic house mix, blending hip-hop and its subgenres with deep grooves and uplifting funky rhythms, dropping a timeless classic here and there.

Ryanair, de grootste luchtvaartmaatschappij van Europa, wil vluchten schrappen in België. Ceo Michael O'Leary vindt de verhoging van de vliegtaks onaanvaardbaar. Wat betekent dat voor Charleroi, een luchthaven die bijna volledig leeft van Ryanair? Ryanair schrapt volgende winter 5 van de 19 toestellen op de luchthaven van Charleroi. De verdubbeling van de Belgische vliegtaks – van 5 naar 10 euro per ticket vanaf 2027 – is de druppel voor de lagenkostenmaatschappij. De impact op Charleroi zou enorm zijn. “Ryanair zorgt voor 80 procent van alle vluchten”, benadrukt Korneel. “Als vijf toestellen verdwijnen, zullen er veel banen sneuvelen.” Kan Ryanair onze regering ertoe drijven om die vliegtaks te verlagen? Of zijn er ook kansen voor de luchthaven van Charleroi nu Ryanair vluchten zou schrappen? Vlak voor de zomer maakten we een aflevering van Kop of munt over de investeringen van de Vlaamse regering in Brussels airport. Die kan je hier beluisteren. CREDITS Journalist Korneel Delbeke | Presentatie Alexander Lippeveld | Redactie Alexander Lippeveld, Magali Duchesne| Eindredactie Sofie Steenhaut | Audioproductie Joris Van Damme | Muziek Brecht Plasschaert | Chef podcast Alexander Lippeveld See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened marginal down this morning from yesterday's close, at 28,385 on turnover of 4.1-billion N-T. The market gained ground on Wednesday, as investors were optimistic that the U-S Federal Reserve would cut its key interest rates for a third time this year following its policy making meeting. While reports that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing will produce Nvidia's high-performance H-200 A-I chips and they will be made here in Taiwan also drove investor confidence higher. MOFA thanks allies for their support at annual Interpol meeting The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has thanked eight formal diplomatic allies for supporting Taiwan's bid to participate in Interpol during the agency's annual General Assembly in Morocco late last month. According to the ministry, senior officials from the Marshall Islands, Belize, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Guatemala, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Paraguay, and Eswatini all spoke up on Taiwan's behalf. The foreign ministry says it delayed publicly thanking the allies until now because the assembly was held in a closed-door format (模式，格式), and it needed time to collect information on their respective addresses. Former digital minister warns TSMC faces rising cybersecurity risks Former Digital Affairs Minister Huang Yen-nan is warning that cyberattacks could be the most effective way for hostile actors to damage Taiwan's semiconductor advantage. According to Huang, companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing need to strengthen precautions. The former digital minister now heads (領導) Academia Sinica's Taiwan Information Security Center. Speaking at a conference on geopolitics and chip strategy, Huang said T-S-M-C's global influence has grown with A-I, making it "too big to fail," as any disruption to its production a national security concern. Venezuela Opposition Leader Appears in Public Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has appeared in public for the first time in 11 months. She appeared on a hotel balcony in Norway's capital early this morning and waved to supporters. Her daughter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf (代表她) a day earlier. Machado had been in hiding since Jan. 9 after being briefly detained during a protest in Caracas. She was expected to attend the award ceremony Wednesday in Oslo but couldn't make it in time. EU leaders reject Trump "weak" comment European leaders have rejected claims (聲稱) from U.S. President Donald Trump that the continent is run by weak people. William Denselow reports from Brussels. Study: HumanClimateChange Caused Deadly Rainfall in Asia New analysis suggests that ocean temperatures warmed by human-caused climate change fed the intense rainfall that triggered deadly floods and landslides across Asia in recent weeks. The rapid study by World Weather Attribution focused on heavy rainfall from cyclones Senyar and Ditwah in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka starting late last month. The analysis found that warmer sea surface temperatures over the North Indian Ocean added energy to the cyclones. Floods and landslides triggered by (觸發於) the storms have killed more than 1,600 people, with hundreds more still missing. The cyclones are the latest in a series of deadly weather disasters affecting Southeast Asia this year, resulting in loss of life and property damage. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－ 新感覺夾心土司 多種口味隨心挑選 讓你隨時隨地都有好心情 甜蜜口感草莓夾心、顆粒層次花生夾心、濃郁滑順可可夾心 主廚監製鮪魚沙拉、精選原料金黃蛋沙拉 輕巧美味帶著走，迎接多變的每一天 7-Eleven多種口味販售中 https://sofm.pse.is/8g33rz -- 全台南最多分店、最齊全物件，在地團隊懂台南，也懂你的需求。 不管是買屋、賣屋，還是從築夢到圓夢， 房子的大小事，交給台南住商，讓你更安心。 了解更多：https://sofm.pse.is/8fzk6l -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Europe's Economic Stagnation and the Innovation Gap: Colleague Joseph Sternberg discusses Europe's economic decline relative to the U.S., driven by high energy costs and excessive regulation, noting a growing debate in Brussels about deregulation but arguing Europe lacks a unified vision to encourage the entrepreneurship and healthcare innovation seen in the American system. 1954

SHOW 12-9-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1918 THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE FED CUT AND THE MARKETS. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Wall Street Bets on Rate Cuts Despite Mixed Economic Signals: Colleague Elizabeth Peek discusses the near certainty of a Federal Reserve rate cut, noting Wall Street's optimism despite steady inflation and mixed employment signals, highlighting strong holiday spending and arguing that fears regarding tariffs were overblown, while emphasizing that AI investment is reshaping, rather than reducing, corporate hiring. 915-930 Concerns Over New York City Mayor-Elect Mamdani's Appointments: Colleague Elizabeth Peek criticizes Mayor-elect Mamdani's controversial appointments, including an ex-convict as a criminal justice adviser and anti-car activists for transportation roles, arguing these ideological choices neglect the pragmatic needs of citizens concerned with safety and education, predicting administrative failure for the new administration. 930-945 Rising Tensions: Hezbollah's Rearmament and Hamas's Defiance: Colleague Jonathan Schanzer warns that Hezbollah has rebuilt its strength in Lebanon using Iranian weapons, prompting Israeli threats of a full-scale attack, noting that Hamas refuses to disarm in Gaza, supported by Turkey and Qatar, while the U.S. moves to designate Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organizations. 945-1000 Syria's Fragmentation and the Regional Arms Race: Colleague Jonathan Schanzer describes Syria as a chaotic mix of armed factions, including Al-Qaeda-led pragmatists and Iranian proxies, held together only by regime brutality, mentioning potential U.S. plans for a base to deter bad actors and highlighting rapid military expansions by Turkey and Egypt amid regional instability. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 The Trump Corollary: Reasserting Influence in the Western Hemisphere: Colleague Mary Kissel analyzes the new National Security Strategy, praising its focus on the Western Hemisphere to counter Russian and Chinese influence in Venezuela and Cuba, warning against accepting separate global spheres of influence and emphasizing that the U.S. faces a coordinated threat from China, Russia, and Iran globally. 1015-1030 Europe's Defense Dilemma and Demographic Decline: Colleague Mary Kissel attributes Europe's inability to fund Ukraine's defense to decades of relying on U.S. protection while prioritizing generous welfare states, citing "scary statistics" regarding France's aging population and pension burdens, arguing that Europe must pursue economic growth rather than government handouts to survive security challenges. 1030-1045 Europe's Economic Stagnation and the Innovation Gap: Colleague Joseph Sternberg discusses Europe's economic decline relative to the U.S., driven by high energy costs and excessive regulation, noting a growing debate in Brussels about deregulation but arguing Europe lacks a unified vision to encourage the entrepreneurship and healthcare innovation seen in the American system. 1045-1100 Angela Rayner's Return and Labour's Economic Struggles: Colleague Joseph Sternberg analyzes the political return of Angela Rayner and her push for a "workers rights bill" despite Prime Minister Starmer's plummeting popularity, arguing this move highlights internal Labour Party conflict and risks imposing policies detrimental to an economy already struggling with inflation and stagnation.THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Paul Manafort and the Origins of Modern Foreign Lobbying: Colleague Ken Vogel chronicles how Paul Manafort revolutionized the lobbying industry by merging political consulting with foreign representation, creating a model later adopted by Tony Podesta and others, explaining how the fall of Ukraine's Yanukovych and subsequent investigations exposed the industry's widespread failure to comply with FARA regulations. 1115-1130 Robert Stryk's Risky Lobbying Missions in Somalia and Venezuela: Colleague Ken Vogel details lobbyist Robert Stryk's dangerous mission to Mogadishu to secure U.S. aid for Somalia's President Farmajo during the Trump administration, also describing Stryk's controversial efforts to represent Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, illustrating the lucrative and often perilous nature of foreign influence peddling in unstable regions. 1130-1145 The Revolving Door: Democratic Insiders and Foreign Influence: Colleague Ken Vogel explains how Democratic operatives like Anita Dunn and Antony Blinken leveraged government experience for lucrative consulting roles at firms like SKDK and WestExec, also discussing Hunter Biden's pardon regarding Chinese business dealings and Robert Stryk's representation of sanctioned Russian defense executives. 1145-1200 The Decline of FARA Enforcement and Politicized Justice: Colleague Ken Vogel argues that enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act is weakening, citing Rudy Giuliani's work for sanctioned Balkan leaders and Attorney General Pam Bondi's potential decriminalization of FARA, suggesting the U.S. is returning to a "Wild West" era of unregulated foreign influence where laws are flouted. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Reviving the Monroe Doctrine via the Trump Corollary: Colleague Gregory Copley analyzes the Trump administration's National Security Strategy, which reasserts the Monroe Doctrine to counter Chinese and Russian influence in the Western Hemisphere, arguing that "gunboat diplomacy" off Venezuela effectively restores U.S. sovereignty, signaling a shift toward self-reliance and away from traditional alliances like NATO. 1215-1230 European Leaders Scramble to Support Ukraine Amidst Domestic Crises: Colleague Gregory Copley discusses the meeting between UK, French, and German leaders with Zelenskyy, noting they are using the Ukraine war to distract from domestic political failures, tracing Europe's defense dependency to U.S. post-WWII policies and suggesting Zelenskyy is leveraging European fears against Washington to secure his future. 1230-1245 The Strategic Implosion of China and Global Realignments: Colleague Gregory Copley asserts that the People's Republic of China has strategically collapsed due to economic failure and demographic decline, claiming Xi Jinping is no longer effectively in power, noting that Russia is distancing itself from Beijing and Western leaders like Albanese are pivoting back toward Washington. 1245-100 AM King Charles, Environmental Realism, and UK Political Instability: Colleague Gregory Copley observes that King Charles avoids political climate statements despite Bill Gates' recent realism regarding environmental alarmism, discussing political instability in the UK and suggesting Prime Minister Starmer faces challenges from the left that could force new elections, potentially benefiting reformists like Nigel Farage.

“Weak”, the words of President Trump to describe European leaders, but how will it go down here in the UK and across the continent?Anne is in Brussels mopping up reaction from the “decaying" group of nations to that explosive interview from the President as re-connection talks between the UK and EU continues.Elsewhere, Sam speaks to Kemi Badenoch about what success looks like for the Conservatives at the next set of local election – clue it may not be winning.Plus, has the ghost of Andy Burnham returned to haunt Keir Starmer with a leadership challenge?

Valeriya Alexandrovna Solovyeva, born November 3, 1992, is a retired Russian professional tennis player who specialized in doubles, achieving a career-high WTA ranking of #67 in 2013 and winning 2 WTA titles. With a junior career highlighting successes like the 2009 Junior French Open doubles title, she transitioned to coaching after retiring, now serving as a women's tennis coach at Tempo Tennis in Brussels, Belgium. As a mother and wife, she mentors female athletes, emphasizing the mind-body connection, physical education, and personal development. Her work focuses on empowering young players with confidence, resilience, and skills for life beyond the court, drawing from her own experiences in high-level competition. Valeriya is based in Brussels, where she balances family life with her passion for tennis and mentorship.ParentShift course 30% off with the code TRIBE. Link below: ParentShift (English): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/parentshift?ref=c23daa Entrena Tu Legado (Spanish): https://www.hernanchousa.com/courses/entrenatulegado?ref=c23daaConnect with Valeriya on LinkedIn: Valeriya Solovyeva Other Social Media Links for Valeriya:Instagram: @lera.solovyevaYou can explore more of Hernan's work on his website, https://www.hernanchousa.com/.Music Production by Sebastian Klauer. You can reach him at klauersebas@gmail.com.

What happens when foreign governments try to police American speech? For years, UK and EU regulators have slapped massive fines on U.S. tech firms — but Washington may finally be ready to hit back. Free speech lawyer Preston Byrne joins The Capitalist to unveil the GRANITE Act, a bold new proposal that would strip foreign regulators of immunity in U.S. courts and allow American companies to sue for millions in damages.In a wide-ranging conversation, Byrne explains how a growing clash over online regulation could redefine the internet itself — and why the next front in the global free speech war may be fought not in Silicon Valley or Brussels, but in Washington.Stay informed with CapX's unmissable daily briefings from the heart of Westminster. Go to capx.co to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump and his MAGA allies repeatedly denigrate European countries and try to meddle in their internal affairs. A new US Security Strategy document says Washington must “cultivate resistance” to “Europe's current trajectory”. US-born, Brussels-based journalist Dave Keating says the EU must stop turning other cheek. He tells Chris Cummins about his new book “The Owned Continent”.Sendungshinweis: FM4, OKFM4, 10.12.2025, 17 Uhr

Elon Musk terminates EU ad accounts after a $140M fine for DSA violations. The panel breaks down Europe's crackdown on speech, the migrant crisis backlash, and the globalist vs nationalist battle brewing between Brussels, X, and American-style free speech ideals.

Our Head of Research Product in Europe Paul Walsh and Chief European Equity Strategist Marina Zavolock break down the key drivers, risks, and sector shifts shaping European equities in 2026. Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Paul Walsh: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Paul Walsh, Morgan Stanley's Head of Research Product in Europe.Marina Zavolock: And I'm Marina Zavolock, Chief European Equity Strategist.Paul Walsh: And today – our views on what 2026 holds for the European stock market.It's Tuesday, December 9th at 10am in London.As we look ahead to 2026, there's a lot going on in Europe stock markets. From shifting economic wins to new policies coming out of Brussels and Washington, the investment landscape is evolving quite rapidly. Interest rates, profit forecasts, and global market connections are all in play.And Marina, the first question I wanted to ask you really relates to the year 2025. Why don't you synthesize your, kind of, review of the year that we've just had?Marina Zavolock: Yeah, I'll keep it brief so we can focus ahead. But the year 2025, I would say is a year of two halves. So, we began the year with a lot of, kind of, under performance at the end of 2024 after U.S. elections, for Europe and a decline in the euro. The start of 2025 saw really strong performance for Europe, which surprised a lot of investors. And we had kind of catalyst after catalyst, for that upside, which was Germany's ‘whatever it takes' fiscal moment happened early this year, in the first quarter.We had a lot of headlines and kind of anticipation on Russia-Ukraine and discussions, negotiations around peace, which led to various themes emerging within the European equities market as well, which drove upside. And then alongside that, heading into Liberation Day, in the months, kind of, preceding that as investors were worried about tariffs, there was a lot of interest in diversifying out of U.S. equities. And Europe was one of the key beneficiaries of that diversification theme.That was a first half kind of dynamic. And then in the second half, Europe has kept broadly performing, but not as strongly as the U.S. We made the call, in March that European optimism had peaked. And the second half was more, kind of, focused on the execution on Germany's fiscal. And post the big headlines, the pace of execution, which has been a little bit slower than investors were anticipating. And also, Europe just generally has had weak earnings growth. So, we started the year at 8 percent consensus earnings growth for 2025. At this point, we're at -1, for this year.Paul Walsh: So, as you've said there, Marina, it's been a year of two halves. And so that's 2025 in review. But we're here to really talk about the outlook for 2026, and there are kind of three buckets that we're going to dive into. And the first of those is really around this notion of slipstream, and the extent to which Europe can get caught up in the slipstream that the U.S., is going to create – given Mike Wilson's view on the outlook for U.S. equity markets. What's the thesis there?Marina Zavolock: Yeah, and thank you for the title suggestion, by the way, Paul of ‘Slipstream.' so basically our view is that, well, our U.S. equity strategist is very bullish, as I think most know. At this stage he has 15 percent upside to his S&P target to the end of next year; and very, very strong earnings growth in the U.S. And the thesis is that you're getting a broadening in the strength of the U.S. economic recovery.For Europe, what that means is that it's very, very hard for European equities to go down – if the U.S. market is up 15 percent. But our upside is more driven by multiple expansion than it is by earnings growth. Because what we continue to see in Europe and what we anticipate for next year is that consensus is too high for next year. Consensus is anticipating almost 13 percent earnings growth. We're anticipating just below 4 percent earnings growth. So, we do expect downgrades.But at the same time, if the U.S. recovery is broadening, the hopes will be that that will mean that broadening comes to Europe and Europe trades at such a big discount, about 26 percent relative to the U.S. at the moment – sector neutral – that investors will play that anticipation of broadening eventually to Europe through the multiple.Paul Walsh: So, the first point you are making is that the direction of travel in the U.S. really matters for European stock markets. The second bucket I wanted to talk about, and we're in a thematically driven market. So, what are the themes that are going to be really resonating for Europe as we move into 2026?Marina Zavolock: Yeah, so let me pick up on the earnings point that I just made. So, we have 3.6 percent earnings growth for next year. That's our forecast. And consensus – bottom-up consensus – is 12.7 percent. It's a very high bar. Europe typically comes in and sees high numbers at the beginning of the year and then downgrades through the course of the year. And thematically, why do we see these downgrades? And I think it's something that investors probably don't focus on enough. It's structurally rising China competition and also Europe's old economy exposure, especially in regards to the China exposure where demand isn't really picking up.Every year, for the last few years, we've seen this kind of China exposure and China competition piece drive between 60 and 90 percent of European earnings downgrades. And looking at especially the areas of consensus that are too high, which tend to be highly China exposed, that have had negative growth this year, in prior years. And we don't see kind of the trigger for that to mean revert. That is where we expect thematically the most disappointment. So, sectors like chemicals, like autos, those are some of the sectors towards the bottom of our model. Luxury as well. It's a bit more debated these days, but that's still an underweight for us in our model.Then German fiscal, this is a multi-year story. German fiscal, I mentioned that there's a lot of excitement on it in the first half of the year. The focus for next year will be the pace of execution, and we think there's two parts of this story. There's an infrastructure fund, a 500-billion-euro infrastructure fund in Germany where we're seeing, according to our economists, a very likely reallocation to more kind of social-related spend, which is not as great for our companies in the German index or earnings. And execution there hasn't been very fast.And then there's the Defense side of the story where we're a lot more optimistic, where we're seeing execution start to pick up now, where the need is immense. And we're seeing also upgrades from corporates on the back of that kind of execution pickup and the need. And we're very bullish on Defense. We're overweight the issue for taking that defense optimism and projecting out for all of Europe is that defense makes up less than 2 percent of the European index. And we do think that broadens to other sectors, but that will take years to start to impact other sectors.And then, couple other things. We have pockets of AI exposure in the enabler category. So, we're seeing a lot of strength in those pockets. A lot of catch up in some of those pockets right now. Utilities is a great example, which I can talk about. So, we think that will continue.But one thing I'm really watching, and I think a lot of strategists, across regions are watching is AI adoption. And this is the real bull case for me in Europe. If AI adoption, ROI starts to become material enough that it's hard to ignore, which could start, in my opinion, from the second half of next year. Then Europe could be seen as much more of a play on AI adoption because the majority of our index is exposed to adoption. We have a lot of low hanging fruit, in terms of productivity challenges, demographics, you know, the level of returns. And if you track our early adopters, which is something we do, they are showing ROI. So, we think that will broaden up to more of the European index.Paul Walsh: Now, Marina, you mentioned, a number of sectors there, as it relates to the thematic focus. So, it brings us onto our third and final bucket in terms of what your model is suggesting in terms of your sector preferences…Marina Zavolock: Yeah. So, we have, data driven model, just to take a step back for a moment. And our model incorporates; it's quantum-mental. It incorporates themes. It incorporates our view on the cycle, which is in our view, we're late cycle now, which can be very bullish for returns. And it includes quant factors; things like price target, revisions breadth, earnings revisions breadth, management sentiment.We use a Large Language Model to measure for the first time since inception. We have reviewed the performance of our model over the last just under two years. And our top versus bottom stocks in our model have delivered 47 percent in returns, the top versus bottom performance. So now on the basis of the latest refresh of our model, banks are screening by far at the top.And if you look – whether it's at our sector model or you look at our top 50 preferred stocks in Europe, the list is full of Banks. And I didn't mention this in the thematic portion, but one of the themes in Europe outside of Germany is fiscal constraints. And actually, Banks are positively exposed to that because they're exposed to the steepness – positively to the steepness – of the yield curve.And I think investors – specialists are definitely optimistic on the sector, but I think you're getting more and more generalists noticing that Banks is the sector that consistently delivers the highest positive earnings upgrades of any sector in Europe. And is still not expensive at all. It's one of the cheapest sectors in Europe, trading at about nine times PE – also giving high single digit buyback and dividend yield. So that sector we think continues to have momentum.We also like Defense. We recently upgraded Utilities. We think utilities in Europe is at this interesting moment where in the last six months or so, it broke out of a five-year downtrend relative to the European index. It's also, if you look at European Utilities relative to U.S. Utilities – I mentioned those wide valuation discounts. Utilities have broken out of their downtrend in terms of valuation versus their U.S. peers. But still trade at very wide discounts. And this is a sector where it has the highest CapEx of any sector in Europe – highest CapEx growth on the energy transition. The market has been hesitant to kind of benefit the sector for that because of questions around returns, around renewables earlier on. And now that there's just this endless demand for power on the back of powering AI, investors are more willing to benefit the sector for those returns.So, the sector's been a great performer already year to date, but we think there's multiple years to go.Paul Walsh: Marina, a very comprehensive overview on the outlook for European equities for 2026. Thank you very much for taking the time to talk.Marina Zavolock: Thank you, Paul.Paul Walsh: And thanks for listening. If you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share the podcast with a friend or colleague today.

Elon Musk is calling for an end to the European Union.  There are two rational ways to look at this.  He's got a point. The EU makes the lives of working people harder, more expensive, and less free. Only the truly naive would say that Brussels improves the lives of ordinary people. The last time Elon Musk made rational points about government, it ended badly. Well-intended politics usually do. The context of his call to shut down Brussels comes after the European Union fined X $140 million under its Digital Services Act. This is an authoritarian law passed two years ago that hands unelected bureaucrats unprecedented power over online communication.

Tara dives deep into the newest social media control push in Congress — disguised as “saving children online” — but really, it's a digital ID power grab.

In this packed episode, Tara breaks down everything from the exploding wave of road-rage shootings to the European Union's stunning attempt to regulate American political speech.

As global powers double down on militarism and defense, Daniel Zoughbie argues that the most transformative force in the Middle East has always come from citizen diplomacy. A complex-systems scientist and diplomatic historian, Zoughbie joins Mark Labberton to explore how twelve U.S. presidents have "kicked the hornet's nest" of the modern Middle East. Drawing on his work in global health and his new book Kicking the Hornet's Nest: U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East from Truman to Trump, Zoughbie contrasts the view from refugee camps and microclinic networks with the view from the Oval Office, arguing that American security rests on a three-legged stool of defense, diplomacy, and development. He explains why Gerald Ford stands out as the lone president who truly leveraged diplomacy, how the Marshall Plan model of enlightened self-interest can guide policy now, and why nationalism, not mere economics, lies at the heart of Gaza's future. Throughout, he presses listeners toward "citizen diplomacy" that resists pride, militarism, and fatalism. Episode Highlights "We've constantly ignored diplomacy." " You don't have to be enemies with people to get them to do what is in their own self-interest." "You can build skyscrapers in Gaza. You can build the Four Seasons in Gaza and it's not going to work. You're just going to have another war until you address that core issue of nationalism." "These three Ds defense diplomacy development are the three legged stool of American security and we know how important diplomacy and development are." "From Truman to Trump, only one president, and that is Gerald Ford, surprisingly the only unelected president, gets this right." "Pride—national pride, the pride of any one individual—is toxic. It's toxic to the individual. It's toxic to the nation. It's toxic to the world." "Foreign policymaking is not just something for secretaries of state and those in power. All of us in a democracy have a role to play." Helpful Links and Resources Kicking the Hornet's Nest: U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East from Truman to Trump https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Kicking-the-Hornets-Nest/Daniel-E-Zoughbie/9781668085226 American University of Beirut (founded as Syrian Protestant College), a key example of long-term educational diplomacy https://www.aub.edu.lb Al-Ahli Arab (Gaza Baptist) Hospital in Gaza City https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Ahli_Arab_Hospital Max Weber, "Politics as a Vocation" https://open.oregonstate.education/sociologicaltheory/chapter/politics-as-a-vocation About Daniel Zoughbie Daniel E. Zoughbie is a complex-systems scientist, historian, and expert on presidential decision-making. He is associate project scientist at UC Berkeley's Institute of International Studies, a faculty affiliate of the UCSF/UCB Center for Global Health Delivery, Diplomacy, and Economics, and principal investigator of the Middle East and North Africa Diplomacy, Development, and Defense Initiative. He is the author of Kicking the Hornet's Nest: U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East from Truman to Trump and of Indecision Points: George W. Bush and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. His award-winning research has appeared in journals such as PLOS Medicine, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, and Social Science and Medicine. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of UC Berkeley, he studied at Oxford on a Marshall Scholarship and completed his doctorate there as a Weidenfeld Scholar. Show Notes Middle East Background and Microclinic Origins Daniel Zoughbie recalls visiting the Middle East as a child—"frankly horrified" by what he saw UC Berkeley protests over the Iraq War and post-9/11 U.S. policy in the region Metabolic disease and type 2 diabetes as an overlooked "greatest killer in the region." Neighbors in the West Bank sharing food, medicine, and blood-pressure cuffs—leads to the "micro clinic" concept Good health behaviors, like bad ones and even violence, can be contagious through social networks Social Networks, Anthropology, and Security Social anthropology, political science, and international relations Medical problems as simultaneously biological and sociological problems Understanding Middle East security demands attention to decisions "at the very bottom" as well as "the view from above" October 7 and 9/11 illustrate how small groups of people can "change the world with their decisions." Complex Systems and Foreign Policy Complexity is always increasing, and diplomacy and development exist to slow it down. Definition of "complex system": as one where many inputs produce outcomes that cannot be reduced to single causes. "We almost have a new law here, which is that complexity is always increasing in the universe. And the role of diplomacy and development, as I see it in international relations, is to slow things down. It's to stop complexity from advancing so that people have time to cool their tempers and to solve major security crises." Type 2 diabetes as a model for thinking about how city planning, economics, relationships, and habits interact He applies that lens to international relations: nations, leaders, institutions, and history form a "cascade of complexity." From Refugee Camps to Presidential Palaces George Shultz and Tony Blair: decision-makers as "real human beings," not abstractions Theological and ideological forces—such as certain apocalyptic readings of scripture—that shape U.S. foreign policy Gnosticism and eschatology within American right-wing Christianity Painstaking global health work on the ground and sweeping decisions made in Washington, Brussels, or New York Twelve Presidents and One Exception Kicking the Hornet's Nest: analysis of twelve presidents from Truman to Trump through the lens of Middle East decision-making Core claim: Only Gerald Ford truly rebalanced the three Ds of defense, diplomacy, and development. U.S. policy in the Levant: heavy reliance on militarism, coups, and covert actions while underinvesting in diplomacy and development Claim: "Far better alternatives were on the table" for every administration, yet consistently passed over. Gerald Ford, Kissinger, and the Path to Peace Daniel contends that the 1967 and 1973 wars were both preventable and nearly became global nuclear catastrophes. Ford inherits the presidency amid Watergate and national division, but keeps Henry Kissinger at State. Ford presses Israel and Egypt toward serious negotiations, empowering Kissinger's shuttle diplomacy and personal ties. A sharply worded letter threatening to "reconsider" the U.S.–Israel relationship Ford's diplomacy and the development of Camp David and the enduring Egypt–Israel peace based on "land for peace." Pride, Personality, and Presidential Failure Did Ford's temperament keep him from making himself the center of the story? In contrast, many presidents and other leaders write themselves "thickly" into the narrative of the conflict. Pride—personal and national—as a toxic force that repeatedly undermines U.S. policy The Iraq War and democracy-promotion agenda and the self-defeating nature of moralistic, militarized crusades Marshall Plan and Enlightened Self-Interest George Marshall and harsh punishment after World War I helped produce Nazi Germany The Marshall Plan models an "enlightened way of viewing the American self-interest": rebuilding Europe and Japan to secure U.S. security. He contrasts that with the neglect of the Levant, where aid and institution-building never matched military activism. Marshall's genius lies in locating the intersection between others' deepest needs and American capabilities. Militarism, Iran, and Nuclear Risk Recent U.S.–Israel–Iran confrontation as an "extremely dangerous moment"—with 60 percent enriched uranium unaccounted for JCPOA as an imperfect but effective diplomatic achievement, but dismantled in favor of militarism Claim: Bombing Iran scattered nuclear material and increased complexity rather than reducing the threat. He warns that one nuclear device could be delivered by low-tech means—a boat or helicopter—endangering civilians and U.S. forces in the Gulf. The only realistic path forward: renewed multilateral diplomacy between U.S., Israel, Iran, Russia, China, Pakistan, India, and regional actors Ethical Realism and Max Weber "Ethical realism"—Max Weber's distinction between the ethic of the gospel and the ethic of responsibility Statespeople bear responsibility for using force, yet the greatest can still say "here I stand and I can do no other." Claim: True leadership seeks a higher ethic where national interest aligns with genuine concern for others. Gaza, Nationalism, and Two States Welcoming the end of active war between Israel and Hamas and critiquing reconstruction plans that ignore politics Conflict is fundamentally nationalist: a struggle for self-determination by both Jewish and Palestinian peoples Claim: Economic development without a credible political horizon will not prevent "another October 7th and another terrible war." In his view, only partition of mandatory Palestine into two states can meet legitimate self-determination claims. For example, "You can build skyscrapers in Gaza… and it's not going to work" without addressing nationalism. Citizen Diplomacy and a Better Way Foreign policy is not only the work of secretaries of state; democratic citizens have responsibilities. American University of Beirut and the Gaza Baptist Hospital as fruits of citizen diplomacy Claim: Educational and medical institutions can change lives more profoundly and durably than military campaigns. Redirecting resources from bombs to universities and hospitals to reduce the need for future military interventions An invitation to citizen diplomacy: informed voting, sustained attention, and creative engagement for a more just peace Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment Magazine and Fuller Seminary.  

In this episode of De Donkere Podcast podcast, I sit down in Paris with Brussels-based artist Lucas Leffler, whose work merges photography with chemistry, technology, and sculpture. We talk about his journey from a rural farm upbringing to exhibiting at Paris Photo, his fascination-driven process, and the years of experimentation behind every piece.Lucas opens up about the tension between artistic growth and the demanding rhythm of the art market, why he feels less like a “photographer” and more like a visual artist, and why embracing your own obsessions is essential for any creative practice.Lucas's site: https://www.lucasleffler.com/And ready to deepen your own artistic voice, narrative, and visual language?Join our intensive five-day master workshop with renowned Dutch photographer Awoiska van der Molen in the French Alps from 2 til 6 of June 2026.

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe D’s[CB] are pushing more taxes while Trump is removing the taxes, the people will decide in the end. As illegals are deported American workers see jobs coming back. Gov is the entity that increases the prices across the country. Trump is removing the income tax and ready to give dividends to the middle and low income people not the rich. The [DS] has been pushing division, they are trying to pit the people against Kash, Bondi etc. Social media is trying to bring the people down the wrong path. Trump has released the US strategy and is now codifying his executive order as law. Trump is setting everything in motion so the people can take back this country, the people will be liberate him. Economy https://twitter.com/RickyDoggin/status/1997885141990216111  Illinois Republicans introduced several bills this year to stop taxing tips in Illinois, but JB Pritzker, and Illinois Democrats have no interest in providing any tax relief. (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/JDVance/status/1997703409408032937?s=20 https://twitter.com/_emergent_/status/1997862345700499847?s=20 https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1998015706525307152?s=20   VICTORIOUS MANNER. I have settled 8 Wars in 10 months because of the rights clearly given to the President of the United States. If countries didn't think these rights existed, they would have said so, LOUD AND CLEAR! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1997816417413153016?s=20 Political/Rights ICE Launches Armed Raids Across Minnesota Targeting Illegal Somali Nationals Wanted on Federal Warrants ICE has already begun making arrests in what locals call “Somali-land Minnesota,” a region with one of the largest concentrations of Somali immigrants in the United States,     Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara warned residents that masked individuals detaining people in Somali neighborhoods were “possibly kidnapping people,” urging the city's enormous Somali enclave to dial 911 if they encounter law-enforcement activity they “don't recognize.” “If there is anything that is … a violation of someone's human rights or civil rights, excessive force or anything like that, they absolutely have a duty to intervene as police officers,” O'Hara added. https://twitter.com/KatieDaviscourt/status/1997745591032713531?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1997745591032713531%7Ctwgr%5E307f0a93a8a06042ad5d66adbb608b3b4cc65312%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Fice-launches-armed-raids-across-minnesota-targeting-illegal%2F   subject allegedly assaulted officers but was successfully apprehended. A previously deported female subject fled into a house, which ultimately resulted in her apprehension and several collateral arrests, per sources. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1997375316956676498?s=20 https://twitter.com/AlexanderTabet/status/1996987184260239794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1996987184260239794%7Ctwgr%5E9f3a417fd49065356a991f37feb9d06210c99091%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.breitbart.com%2Ft%2Fassets%2Fhtml%2Ftweet-5.html1996987184260239794 https://twitter.com/overton_news/status/1997700603301237055?s=20  his appearance with a line Brennan clearly didn't expect. BESSENT: “To be clear, the initial fraud was discovered by the IRS, for which I'm the acting commissioner, it was discovered by IRS criminal investigations unit.” “This was not endogenous that the state of Minnesota decided. We had to go in and clean up the mess for them. This is part of the continued cleanup.” “A lot of money has been transferred from the individuals who committed this fraud, including those who donated to the governor, donated to representative Omar and to AG Ellison.” “They have been transferred to something called MBSs.” “They are wire transfer organizations that are outside the regulated banking system. That money has gone overseas. We are tracking that, both to the Middle East and Somalia to see what the uses of that have been.” BRENNAN: “You have no evidence of that money being used to fuel terrorism at this point? Which is what some conservative writers are alleging.” BESSENT: “That's why it's an investigation. We started it last week. We will see where it goes.” “I can tell you, it's terrible. Representative Omar tried to downplay it. Said it was very…it was very tough to know how this money should be used. She was gaslighting the American people.” “When you come to this country, you have to learn which side of the road to drive on, stop at stop signs and learn not to defraud the American people.” https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1997727923768594758?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1998009509675958422?s=20 https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1997712517242708339?s=20 DOGE  Geopolitical https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1997841818411823248?s=20 https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1997712272009883916?s=20   was called Operation Rubific. The secret mass migration program was revealed by a British High Court earlier today. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1997609494738821618?s=20 https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1997900194655162371?s=20 seekers. Basically, the EU said: stop booting people out before hearing their appeals. Hungary said no thanks. So now Brussels is punishing Hungary for not letting in enough migrants, mostly from Africa and the Middle East, while the rest of the continent watches. The European Court says it’s about “human rights.” Hungary says it’s about borders. You don't have to agree with Hungary to notice what's going on. A country makes a decision, the EU doesn't like it, and suddenly unelected judges are draining your national budget. This is what happens when a “union” turns into a rule-by-lawsuit machine.   https://twitter.com/nettermike/status/1997765685922136281?s=20   is required under UNCLOS to sail under the flag of a specific nation. If it does not, it is legally considered a stateless vessel. A stateless vessel has no right to the protections normally afforded to ships under a national flag, including immunity from interference by other states. UNCLOS Articles 92, 94, 110, and customary maritime law spell out the consequences clearly: 1. Stateless vessels have no sovereign protection. A flagged ship is an extension of its flag-state's sovereignty. A stateless vessel is not. This matters because “war crimes” presuppose protected persons or protected property. A stateless vessel is legally unprotected. 2. Any state may stop, board, search, seize, or disable, a stateless vessel. UNCLOS Article 110 explicitly authorizes boarding and seizure. The law does not require states to risk their own personnel or assets while doing so. Disabling a vessel that refuses inspection, including firing on it, is legally permitted under both UNCLOS and long-established state practice. 3. War crimes require an armed conflict. You cannot commit a “war crime” outside an armed conflict. War crimes occur only within the context of international humanitarian law (IHL). Enforcing maritime law against a stateless vessel is a law enforcement action, not an IHL situation. No armed conflict = no war crime possible. 4. Lethal force may be used when a vessel refuses lawful orders. The International Maritime Organization's “Use of Force” guidance for maritime interdiction recognizes that disabling fire, even lethal force, is lawful when a vessel refuses lawful boarding, attempts to flee, poses a threat, or engages in illicit activities such as piracy or narcotics trafficking. Once again: law enforcement rules apply, not IHL. 5. Sinking a stateless vessel is not prohibited by UNCLOS. UNCLOS permits seizure of a stateless vessel and leaves the means entirely to the enforcing state so long as necessity and proportionality are respected. If the vessel flees, attacks, or refuses lawful commands, sinking it is legally permissible. Many states routinely do this to drug-smuggling vessels (e.g., semi-submersibles) without it ever being treated as a war crime. 6. No flag = no jurisdictional shield. The entire reason international law requires ships to fly a flag is to prevent this exact situation. Flagless vessels are legally vulnerable by design. Because a stateless vessel has no protected status, because UNCLOS authorizes interdiction of such vessels, because lethal force may be used in maritime law enforcement when necessary, and because war crimes require an armed conflict that is not present here, sinking an unflagged ship in international waters is not a war crime. War/Peace https://twitter.com/InsiderGeo/status/1997834841723908411?s=20 US Issues NATO’s European Members New Self-Defense Deadline European members of NATO have been warned by Washington that they must assume greater responsibility for the alliance’s intelligence operations and missile production – which will require significantly more defense spending by 2027, Reuters has reported. Reuters in its exclusive Friday report said that the United States “wants Europe to take over the majority of NATO’s conventional defense capabilities, from intelligence to missiles, by 2027, Pentagon officials told diplomats in Washington this week, a tight deadline that struck some European officials as unrealistic.” “The message, recounted by five sources familiar with the discussion, including a U.S. official, was conveyed at a meeting in Washington this week of Pentagon staff overseeing NATO policy and several European delegations,” the report continued. The directive was coupled with a warning behind the scenes, reportedly involving Pentagon officials cautioning representatives from several European nations that the US may scale back its role in certain NATO defense efforts if this target and deadline is not met.It was noted in the report that some European officials consider the 2027 goal unrealistic, saying that rapidly substituting American military support would demand far greater investment than current plans and NATO member approved defense budgets allow. Source: zerohedge.com NATO was created by the [DS] https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1997999917801910425?s=20  and Ukraine, but we don’t have a shared view on Donbas,” Zelensky said. Ukraine also insists on a separate security guarantees agreement with Western allies, primarily the U.S. “There is one question that I and all Ukrainians want answered: if Russia starts a war again, what will our partners do?” he added. Zelensky Heads to London for Talks with European Allies  President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was meeting the French, German and British leaders in London on Monday as Kyiv's European allies try to strengthen Ukraine's hand in thorny talks on a U.S.-backed plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was due to gather with Zelenskyy, President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the British leader's 10 Downing St. residence. source: breitbart.com https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1997790753385300463?s=20 https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1997693479313666088?s=20 https://twitter.com/ElectionWiz/status/1997981255200039181?s=20 Medical/False Flags https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1997987063300251658?s=20 [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/C_3C_3/status/1997709276958318942?s=20 https://twitter.com/Cernovich/status/1997771432181522493?s=20 https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1998030855348883903?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1997771084674765308?s=20   about to learn the hard way that most Texans are very different from her district, her base & her values.” “She'll be pummeled for her progressive socialist agenda & get crushed by the Republican nominee for Senate.” “Looking forward to watching the circus– and KEEPING the US Senate seat red. On the bright side for her, maybe she'll end up with a job on The View!”   Storm the polls, Texas! https://twitter.com/LauraLoomer/status/1997818897005695221?s=20 President Trump's Plan    and anyone close to them. When the Democrats overwhelmingly lost the 2024 Presidential Election, and power with it, they, regardless, did everything they could to keep going after the Cuellar family. The Dems were vicious, and all because Henry strongly wanted, correctly, BORDER SECURITY! He was against illegals pouring into our Country, totally unchecked and unvetted. The Congressman didn't want gang members, drug dealers, violent prisoners, people from mental institutions and yes, even murderers, in the good ol' USA. It was all very unfair what they were doing to him and his family, so much so that his daughters wrote me a beautiful letter about their parents (Just posted on TRUTH!). After reading it I decided, in the interest of justice, and based on the daughter's loving request, that I would give Henry and Imelda a Full and Complete Pardon. I never spoke to the Congressman, his wife, or his daughters, but felt very good about fighting for a family that was tormented by very sick and deranged people – They were treated sooo BADLY! I signed the papers, and said to people in the Oval Office that I just did a very good, perhaps life saving, thing. God was very happy with me that day! THEN IT HAPPENED!!! Only a short time after signing the Pardon, Congressman Henry Cuellar announced that he will be “running” for Congress again, in the Great State of Texas (a State where I received the highest number of votes ever recorded!), as a Democrat, continuing to work with the same Radical Left Scum that just weeks before wanted him and his wife to spend the rest of their lives in Prison – And probably still do! Such a lack of LOYALTY, something that Texas Voters, and Henry's daughters, will not like. Oh' well, next time, no more Mr. Nice guy! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP    Trump hating, 60 Minutes “correspondent,” Lesley Stahl, who still owes me an apology from when she attacked me on the show (with serious conviction!), that Hunter Biden's LAPTOP FROM HELL was produced by Russia, not Hunter himself (TOTALLY PROVEN WRONG!), interviewed a very poorly prepared Traitor, who in her confusion made many really stupid statements. My real problem with the show, however, wasn't the low IQ traitor, it was that the new ownership of 60 Minutes, Paramount, would allow a show like this to air. THEY ARE NO BETTER THAN THE OLD OWNERSHIP, who just paid me millions of Dollars for FAKE REPORTING about your favorite President, ME! Since they bought it, 60 Minutes has actually gotten WORSE! Oh well, far worse things can happen. P.S. I hereby demand a complete and total APOLOGY, though far too late to be meaningful, from Lesley Stahl and 60 Minutes for her incorrect and Libelous statements about Hunter's Laptop!!! President DJT https://twitter.com/HansMahncke/status/1997739659724832803?s=20  on the other foot, and there is highly incriminating evidence against the people who instigated the hoaxes, it somehow cannot be used. Just beyond infuriating. STUNNING UPDATE: Jocelyn Ballantine – the Lead Attorney Assigned to J6 Pipe Bomber Case – Notoriously Pressured the Proud Boys to Lie About Trump's Involvement in Jan. 6 or Face Decades in Prison!    Jocelyn Ballantine was one of the Department of Justice attorneys assigned to Michael Flynn's prosecution. The Department admitted altering evidence in the case following a reprimand from the judge. She called this an inadvertent mistake at the time. Ballantine also provided altered documents to Sidney Powell, and submitted an FBI interview report with redactions to information that was crucial to the case, according to En-Wikipedia.  When the US government threw out the case against  General Flynn, Ballantine declined to sign the motion to dismiss the charges against him. She is as crooked as they come. Jocelyn Ballantine was later assigned to the infamous Proud Boys Trial. Ballantine and the Biden prosecutors made up evidence, pressured the defendants to lie to the court, planted evidence in the Proud Boys chat group, and led the charge to send the innocent men to prison for over a decade each.   Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/TheStormRedux/status/1997495783168299481?s=20   a grand jury process, and we are issuing – I think we are up to like 75 of 100 subpoenas already – for witnesses. That's what you target first. We also have targets of our investigation. People we think committed acts of criminal conduct… We are not only exposing what they did, but they are frantically – “they,” the media, the mainstream media and those that were involved in the weaponization of justice – are trying to cover it up… You think that's gonna stop me and the deputy here? We're gonna get there. We're already halfway there on a lot of it. I firmly believe that this Comey case is far from over. We are not finished. We are formulating a plan to make sure that we use the Constitution to hold people accountable… These people will not be let off the hook.” Go get em, Kash.  & throwing distractions at them in hopes they will fall. #3925 twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/st Do people really believe the biggest scandal in modern US history will go unpunished [Scot-Free]? Backchannels are important. Patriots stand at the ready [shills whine]. Q Genuinely curious on how, exactly, people expect @kash to provide us with COMPLETE & TOTAL transparency…….but also (simultaneously) protect the integrity of ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS so cases aren't completely dismissed for lack of due process??!

The Trump administration's new National Security Strategy is causing a stir in Europe with its searing critique of America's closest allies, including a warning that the continent is facing “civilizational decline”. Ian Lesser, the vice president and Brussels chief of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at what some are already calling the “mother of all wake-up calls” from Washington toward Europe.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Trump Administration Says Europe Faces ‘Civilizational Erasure'Trump warns Europe faces ‘civilizational erasure' in explosive new documentU.S. Flips History by Casting Europe—Not Russia—as Villain in New Security PolicyFarmers step up road blockades across GreecePM urges farmers to scale back protests, promises payments by year-endTurkey, US will find way of removing CAATSA sanctions ‘very soon', Turkish FM says

Send us a textHave you ever been part of a weekend that you know you'll carry with you forever?In this conversation, Nathan is joined by Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring to reflect on their time in Brussels celebrating the 20th anniversary of Serve the City International—a global movement built on a simple idea: many people doing small things together can make a big difference.Leaders from 35 countries across 6 continents gathered to mark two decades of kindness in action. Linda and Brian opened the event with their keynote experience, “Unfolded: The Transformative Power of Serving,” and led a breakout session on how to approach challenge, change, and uncertainty as leaders who serve.In this episode, they talk about:The energy of bringing together leaders from around the world who are deeply committed to serving their citiesWhy they began the conference with a mindfulness practice—a shared moment of stillness, open hands, and collective breathingHow acts of service shape leadership: rolling up your sleeves, being in need, and receiving helpWhat 3.5 million volunteer hours and 10 million lives impacted in 2024 say about the power of consistent, small actionsHow Carleton Deal and the Serve the City team use simple, repeatable phrases (“serving revolution,” “cross the line,” “know them by name”) to create a scalable, sustainable movementThe idea of volunteers as “hope artists” in a world filled with uncertainty and negativityTheir breakout session on challenge, change, and uncertainty, and how to help leaders remember the internal certainty they already carryWhy serving outside the office can unlock deeper compassion and care inside the workplaceWhat it takes to sustain a volunteer movement for 20+ years—and why the Serve the City vision will continue long after its foundersThe episode culminates with a powerful quote Brian and Linda wrote in a Paris café as they prepared for their time in Brussels:“When we serve with open hands, we create a space for something to land.”Key Themes & Topics:Serve the City International – 20-year anniversaryServing with open handsLeadership and serviceChallenge, change, and uncertaintyGlobal volunteer movementsSustainable vision beyond the founderCompassion, kindness, and team cultureMindfulness and preparation to serveThe “map” metaphor for navigat

Tensions deepen between Washington and Brussels as the U.S. pushes Europe to take over NATO defense by 2027. Japan accuses Chinese jets of radar lock near Okinawa. Coffee growers reconsider the maligned robusta bean. Plus, young workers turn to trade jobs to stay 'AI-proof'. Listen to Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.  Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices.  You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2025-12-07 | DAILY UPDATES #073 | Tonight, we're in Brussels, breaking down the comments of a pusillanimous and pathetic excuse for a leader, that's holding the financial keys to a war he claims can't be won. Yet he's not prepared to take a risk for the sake of Ukraine's or Europe's freedom. It's clowns like this that will destroy the European project and contribute to shattering of peace on the continent.Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has just told the world that “Who seriously believes Russia is going to lose in Ukraine? It's a fable – a total illusion… not even desirable for Russia to lose.” (Kyiv Post) I wonder if he speaks Russian. If not, he better start learning it. ----------SOURCES: Kyiv Post – “‘Not Even Desirable for Russia to Lose': Belgian PM Opposes Asset Confiscation” (Dec. 4, 2025)Kyiv Independent – “The key to ending the war is in Brussels — Ukrainians react to Belgium's Russian asset loan opposition.” Kyiv Independent – “Belgian PM renews opposition to Russian frozen-assets reparations loan.” Kyiv Independent – “The EU's ambitious plan for frozen Russian assets, explained.” Le Monde – “Belgium resists unfreezing Russian assets held in Brussels.” Brussels Institute for Geopolitics – “The poisoned chalice of Russia's frozen assets” by Luuk van Middelaar. AP News – “The EU lays out a plan to fund Ukraine using frozen Russian assets but Belgium says it's too risky.” Financial Times – “ECB refuses to provide backstop for €140bn Ukraine loan.” Reuters – Coverage of De Wever–von der Leyen–Merz talks, and Russian Duma and Medvedev threats over asset seizure. The Guardian – “European Commission plans ‘reparations loan' to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets” and follow-up pieces on Ukraine funding negotiations. Washington Post – Opinion on “The European Union's hypocrisies on Ukraine.” ----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Alan Reinhardt, is an educator, mentor and friend. In September of 2025 he published a collection of poetry, selected from more than 40 years of his creative works. This special podcast celebrates Alan's wit, wisdom, and his wonder of the human connection.   Along the way we discuss – # 200 (1:00), the Tome (2:00), the Tree (6:45), Section One: Childhood Memories (8:30), Encountering Ed Gilfeather (11:15), Dead Man's Curve (14:15), The Waiting Room (16:30), Section Two: Portraits (18:35), Aerophobia (20:30), Blue Flowers (23:30), Section Three: Observations of Life (24:20), A Landscape of Suitable Distance (26:00), Greetings from Brussels (28:30), Dean's Complaint (30:55), the Creative Process (32:00), Episode # 300 (35:15) and Philip Roth (36:30). Bonus – Mosholu Parkway (41:30). Find Alan's book @  A Landscape of Suitable Distance   Special thanks to our guest readers – Andrea Becker, Elizabeth Bitgood, Ted Glynn, Janet Newman, Sonya Reinhardt, and Natalie Glynn-Reinhardt.  This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com. You can also donate your used vehicle @ this hyperlink – CARS donation to LL1248.  Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

This week, the Trump administration temporarily halted all asylum application decisions following the shooting of two National Guardsmen by an Afghan refugee. CT's Andy Olsen joins Mike Cosper and Russell Moore to discuss the implications of this change. Then, Dalibor Rohac of the American Enterprise Institute stops by to talk about Russia's rejection of the U.S.'s 28-point proposal for ending the war in Ukraine, despite indications that the proposal was overly favorable to Russia. Last, Mike and Russell talk about the fallout from the U.S. Navy's attack of alleged Venezuelan drug boats and whether the U.S. committed war crimes by killing survivors.  REFERENCED IN THE SHOW: -‘Amid Peace Talks, Russian Drone Damages Christian School in Kyiv' by Jill Nelson -‘⁠Trump's full 28-point Ukraine-Russia peace plan⁠' - Axios GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN:  -Join the conversation at our Substack.  -Find us on YouTube.  -Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice.  ABOUT THE GUESTS: Andy Olsen is the senior features writer at Christianity Today. He previously oversaw the print magazine team. His writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune, among other outlets, and has been recognized by the Religion News Association and the Evangelical Press Association. Dalibor Rohac is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, where he studies the political economy of the European Union and transatlantic relations. He is concurrently a research associate at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies in Brussels. ABOUT THE BULLETIN:  The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today's editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more.    The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more.    “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today  Producer: Clarissa Moll  Associate Producer: Alexa Burke  Editing and Mix: TJ Hester Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs Music: Dan Phelps  Executive Producer: Erik Petrik   Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode Title: Kim Jefferson on Menopause, Weight Gain, and Ditching Diet Culture RulesEpisode Summary:In this compelling episode, host Beverley Simpson sits down with Kim Jefferson, a fitness coach specializing in women over 40, to discuss the transformative journey of navigating menopause, hormonal shifts, and breaking free from restrictive diet culture. Kim shares her personal story of early menopause and how traditional fitness approaches failed her, leading her to develop a revolutionary coaching philosophy centered on flexibility, self-compassion, and sustainable habits. The conversation explores how women can achieve their health goals without rigid rules, the importance of experimentation, and practical strategies for building lasting lifestyle changes that honor both physical and mental well-being.Key Discussion Points:0:00-2:00: Introduction and Kim's background working with women over 40 who struggle with body changes despite "doing everything right"2:00-5:30: Kim's personal early menopause journey and the dismissive response from her doctor ("stop eating sandwiches")5:30-10:00: Symptoms Kim experienced: hot flashes, unexplained weight gain, sleep issues, brain fog, and fatigue—despite maintaining her fitness routine10:00-15:00: How Kim discovered functional medicine and the importance of proper hormonal testing and professional support15:00-20:00: The identity crisis of being a fitness professional gaining weight and the psychological impact of not "looking the part"20:00-25:00: Discussion on unrealistic fitness expectations, bodybuilding as an extreme sport, and the difference between being lean and being healthy25:00-30:00: Introduction of Kim's "non-negotiables" concept from her New Zealand trip—flexible discipline that works in real life30:00-35:00: The "take what you need, leave the rest" philosophy inspired by Bruce Lee and Alan Cosgrove35:00-40:00: How Kim works with clients to identify their non-negotiables (e.g., Friday night pizza) and builds sustainable protocols around them40:00-45:00: The problem with all-or-nothing thinking and why giving clients permission to break "diet rules" is transformative45:00-50:00: Kim's approach to nutrition: focusing on protein, fiber, and vegetables rather than restrictive meal plans50:00-55:00: Favorite fiber sources: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, winter squashes, and green beans55:00-60:00: The concept of "fixing your house foundation" before specialty diets—addressing basic nutrition before complex protocols60:00-65:00: Major client breakthroughs: permission to eat without guilt and enjoying meals without diet mentality65:00-70:00: Working with former bodybuilders and the challenge of unlearning obsessive tracking behaviors70:00-75:00: Kim's transition from in-person to online coaching (15 years ago, not forced by 2020)75:00-80:00: How Kim started writing workouts for clients during summer months when gym income dropped80:00-85:00: The evolution of online fitness coaching and how it's transformed the industryCONNECT WITH KIM JEFFERSONInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimjeffersoncoach/Facebook Group: Fit Girl Magic Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/611961752229951Podcast: [Fit Girl Magic] https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fit-girl-magic-healthy-living-for-women-over-40/id1476883661Support the show

In this episode, Adam and Nina are together in Brussels recording the latest updates on the news from the region. The biggest discussion is around the diplomatic flurry over the last week and the remodelled 28-point peace plan between the US, Russia and Ukraine. Adam reflects on the current situation and discusses what might be next. They also discuss Viktor Orban's visit to MoscowLater, Nina sits down in Brussels with Peter Vermeersch, a professor of Politics and Eastern European Studies at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven, Belgium), and a writer of essays, reportage, and narrative non-fiction. They discuss his latest book Pollslag (Pulse) and, more broadly, the role of music as a form of resistance against authoritarianism beyond Belarus.During the interview, Peter mentions several artists featured in this Spotify playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3YmjGTewBHutfgJWUOASiD?si=jcJ-lu-OSj6dr8csRAf8PAPollslag was initially written for a Belgian audience, and Peter is now planning to translate it into English. In the meantime, you can read his non-fiction story about his family to get a sense of his narrative style: https://petervermeersch.craft.me/hbzUOUDh9tgMxIPeter is also part of the Forum on Central and Eastern Europe at the University of Leuven, which aims to bring insights from the region to Belgian audiences: https://fcee.beThe Forum also produces its own podcast, Studio Central Eastern Europe, offering brief and concise insights into new research on the region for English-speaking audiences: https://soc.kuleuven.be/lines/fcee/fcee-studio/studio-ceePeter also works as a researcher–photographer. His photographs from Minsk (2016) can be found here: https://vsco.co/petervermeersch/journal/belarusAnd read Adam's op-ed on the Ukraine peace talks via Brief Eastern Europe: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/p/december-1-2025For our Patrons, Peter stayed on to speak about visual art and Belarusian pro-democracy activism outside of Belarus. The bonus content can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-247-145134701

In episode 1974, Jack and Miles are joined by comedian and host of Spaced Out, Blair Socci, to discuss… Trump Called Affordability a Scam and a Con Job, Quentin Tarantino Randomly Picks Fight With Paul Dano, Stealing Baby Jesus Has Become A Holiday Tradition and more! Trump Called Affordability a Scam and a Con Job Quentin Tarantino trashes 'weak sauce' There Will Be Blood star: 'The weakest male actor in SAG' Quentin Tarantino's 10 best movies of the 21st century Quentin Tarantino Explains His Love For ‘The Lone Ranger’ Faceless Nativity scene on Brussels’ Grand Place sparks international controversy A controversial infant Jesus is stolen from a Belgian Nativity scene Away from the manger: Jesus stolen from Brussels nativity in 'zombie' row 'A provocation without purpose?' Brussels split over 'faceless' nativity scene in Grand Place Thefts of Baby Jesus Statues Unnerve New Jersey Churches GPS, hidden cameras watch over Baby Jesus Baby Jesus theft The Stolen Baby Jesus Syndrome How to Keep Baby Jesus in the Manger? Bolts, Cameras and Tethers How Indiana churches hope to stop thieves from stealing Baby Jesus New York Times and 20/20 Spotlight BrickHouse Holiday Theft-Prevention Tech Man convicted of stealing Baby Jesus statue from Northern Liberties church speaks out Theft of baby Jesus figure may be hate crime, authorities say Police: Homeless woman replaced baby Jesus with pig's head Woman Charged With Replacing Jesus Nativity Statue With Pig's Head In Haverhill Statue Of Jesus Stolen In 1930s Anonymously Returned To Hoboken Church LISTEN: Dreamflower by Tarika BlueSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lesley and Brad revisit Lesley's conversation with fat loss and mindset coach Amy Ledin, co-founder of Lean Bodies Consulting. They share how Amy uses identity-based habits, Daily Agreement Cards (DAC's), and simple appearance rituals to help her show up as the person she wants to be while navigating stage four cancer. They also break down her 5 for 50 Habits Framework and how scripting your future self can rewrite negative self-perception.If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co mailto:beit@lesleylogan.co. And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/#follow-subscribe-free.In this episode you will learn about:How appearance rituals can help you reflect the identity you want.How future-self scripting can reshape mental loops on negative self-talk.How Daily Agreement Cards can turn vague intentions into daily commitments.How the 5 for 50 approach can simplify long-term habit building.How identity-led actions can make starting new habits feel more doable.Episode References/Links:OPC Winter Tour - https://opc.me/tourAgency Waitlist - https://prfit.biz/eventsPilates Journal Expo - https://xxll.co/pilatesjournalCambodia Retreat Waitlist - https://crowsnestretreats.comAgency Mini - https://prfit.biz/miniContrology Pilates Conference in Poland - https://xxll.co/polandContrology Pilates Conference in Brussels - https://xxll.co/brusselsCan You Travel Around the World Teaching Pilates? - https://beitpod.com/teachingabroadPlanke App - https://plankeapp.comSubmit your wins or questions - https://beitpod.com/questionsAmy Ledin Website - https://www.leanbodiesconsulting.comLean Bodies Consulting - https://facebook.com/leanbodiesconsultingEpisode 5: Amy Ledin - https://beitpod.com/ep5Episode 85 : Dr. Celeste Holbrook - https://beitpod.com/ep85 If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox. https://lovethepodcast.com/BITYSIDEALS! DEALS! DEALS! DEALS! https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentCheck out all our Preferred Vendors & Special Deals from Clair Sparrow, Sensate, Lyfefuel BeeKeeper's Naturals, Sauna Space, HigherDose, AG1 and ToeSox https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentBe in the know with all the workshops at OPC https://workshops.onlinepilatesclasses.com/lp-workshop-waitlistBe It Till You See It Podcast Survey https://pod.lesleylogan.co/be-it-podcasts-surveyBe a part of Lesley's Pilates Mentorship https://lesleylogan.co/elevate/FREE Ditching Busy Webinar https://ditchingbusy.com/Resources:Watch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gLesley Logan website https://lesleylogan.co/Be It Till You See It Podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjogqXLnfyhS5VlU4rdzlnQProfitable Pilates https://profitablepilates.com/about/Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lesley.logan/The Be It Till You See It Podcast YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gFacebook https://www.facebook.com/llogan.pilatesLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-logan/The OPC YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnlinePilatesClasses Episode Transcript:Lesley Logan 0:00  There's so many different reasons to have things that help you show up as the identity that you want to be so you can actually do the thing that you want to do. Lesley Logan 0:09  Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started. Lesley Logan 0:48  Welcome back to the Be It Till You See It interview recap where my co-host in life, Brad, and I are going to dig into the unfaltering convo I had with Amy Ledin in our last episode. Brad Crowell 0:59  The what convo? Lesley Logan 1:00  Unfaltering. Brad Crowell 1:01  Unfaltering. Love that. Lesley Logan 1:03  Yeah. If you haven't yet listened to that interview, you are definitely going in and out of order. But that's fine. It's totally fine. We're actually. Brad Crowell 1:11  We don't do perfection here. Lesley Logan 1:12  We don't and but also, this kicks off our Habits series. Brad Crowell 1:19  This one? Lesley Logan 1:19  Yes. Lesley Logan 1:20  Oh, I didn't know that. Lesley Logan 1:21  We are in the Habits series. You don't even know. Brad Crowell 1:23  I know that's amazing. Well, I was gonna comment that it was coming up because the two of you talked a lot about habits.Lesley Logan 1:28  Yeah, yeah. So she kicked us off in this interview, in case, the way I talk about habits doesn't exactly work for you. Amy is a great person at habits. And then several episodes, they're like 15, 20, minutes of me actually, just like breaking down how habits work. And so you can, you'll have episodes you can actually come back to anytime you need to go back through a habit. Brad Crowell 1:53  Love that. Lesley Logan 1:54  I know.Brad Crowell 1:55  So this is 611 so just remember episode 611 kicks off the Habits series. Brad Crowell 1:59  Well, 610. Oh, the interview with her, 610 so, yeah, the last episode. So you really should go back and listen to it, if you haven't already, it's worth it.Lesley Logan 2:08  You should. So, but before that, you'll listen to us talk about how today is December 4th 2025, and it's World Wildlife Conservation Day day. According to Brad's notes, day day. Brad Crowell 2:19  Day, day. Lesley Logan 2:20  Day day, all right, World Wildlife Conservation Day is on December 4th and we're so excited to spread awareness about preserving Earth's endangered flora and fauna. What do you think the most invasive species on the earth is? Monkeys, catfish, locusts? Well, I'm just gonna pause before I say what I'm about to say the second to the last sentence does make me feel like these people do care about the animals, and I'm gonna get it, bring it back to the animals, but we do have to talk about how it's us humans, and it's not because you're not having enough babies, ladies, that's not it at all. Actually, it's because nature's most magnificent, are we really, nature's most magnificent creatures, world, wildlife, people, I don't think so, are becoming endangers and being pushed the brink of extinction by the greed of some humans. Okay, so really, animals.Brad Crowell 3:06  No, they're saying that animals and plants are being pushed to extinction because of humans. Lesley Logan 3:13  Because of humans. Okay, all right, so, so, oh, I see we're the most invasive species. Brad Crowell 3:19  That's right. We are the most invasive species. Lesley Logan 3:21  We are the most, I read that as endangered. So okay, so I'll take it all the, well, first of all, we don't need to have any more babies because we are the most invasive species. There it is. But it's true. I just get so tired of people thinking like we're gonna run out of people. We're not gonna run out of people, because the Earth is gonna get too hot for people, because we are being assholes, so this is causing irreparable harm to the wildlife ecosystem. So, just so you know, here are the animals that are in danger right now. One of the most rarest cats in the world is the Amur leopard. There's only about 100 of them left. The vaquita is a small porpoise from the Gulf of California with only eight to 13 estimated to be left. And the rhino. Multiple species are actually critically endangered, largely due to poaching for their horns. And it's really sad about the rhino, because have you seen a baby rhino? They're so cute. The orangutan, all species of orangutans are critically endangered because of the habitat loss from deforestation, and they're being hunted or captured as infants. I watch this incredible thing about how they're trying to create habitats for orangutans, but then they have to take the orangutans that are used to being around people and like, teach them to be orangutans again, it's really quite cute. The saola, saola, an elusive forest dwelling animal in the Annamite Mountain, sometimes called the Asian unicorn, saola, an Asian unicorn? Well, we got to see this. Sunda pangolin, over-exploited for their meat and scales with illegal trade and a major threat. And then the bugs we got to be worried about, the salt Creek tiger beetle, the butterflies, the McCarthy's plant-louse and a giant torrent midge. And, I mean, do we need the midges? I don't know if that's the same as a midge in Scotland. Brad Crowell 3:21  What is it? Lesley Logan 3:21  Giant torrent midge.Brad Crowell 3:21  All right, images, oh, I don't actually know what I'm looking at here.Lesley Logan 3:21  It's giving me, AI is giving me 75 different kinds of animals, none of which, I think are the midge.Brad Crowell 3:21  It feels like it's, it's kind of in the antlered world. But a bunch of bugs came up. Lesley Logan 3:21  Yeah, a bunch. But did you find the Asian unicorn?Brad Crowell 3:21  I did. And it actually is like the spindly, horned like. Lesley Logan 3:21  Okay, you know what it looks like, everyone? It looks like, it looks like the Target dog on a deer with horns. It does. Not white, but like the snout.Brad Crowell 4:44  It's got, it's the bull terrier face, but it has antlers that are spinning like spindling. They spin. Lesley Logan 3:55  All these to say, the we are endangering a.Brad Crowell 4:41  Twist, they twist. Lesley Logan 4:41  And, oh, and we're endangering a lot of animals. And when one animal goes it actually affects a whole chain. And as humans, I think that we are really getting into we're too self-absorbed, even when we think we're doing the right thing. So just be mindful of what you're doing. And you know, we're we're making the earth too hot, and it's going to be a problem for everybody. So that's World Wildlife, you know, conservation day, humans are an invasive species, not endangered one. Okay, I read that totally wrong. Sorry about that. Anyways. Also, today is the day we have left for the tour.Brad Crowell 4:41  Yeah, we hit the road, and that's exciting. We are heading to Colorado.Lesley Logan 4:41  Yeah, we're going to Colorado Springs. That event sold out. Both things sold out in like a week, so yeah, and then we'll be in Fayetteville, and then we're gonna keep on going, opc.me/tour, is where you can get your tickets and. Brad Crowell 3:55  There are still a few tickets left, y'all, but I don't know which cities, so just hop over to opc.me/tour, and come join us. Come hang out. It'll be so fun to meet you in person.Lesley Logan 5:49  We really want to. It's one of the best ways for us to hang out, and there's lots of prizes. Balanced Body is our sponsor of this tour, and that means we're bringing our Controlology equipment with us. We're bringing Bayon with us. This is the biggest one. This one has 23 cities, so we've outdone ourselves, truly have and we will see how we are on the other side. So, but also while we're on tour. You know, we talked about this last month, but we did not do a sale for Profitable Pilates this past week. I guess it would have been for the Thanksgiving holiday, because we're doing something really special December 26th to the 31st and so you're gonna want, if you've ever wanted to try out Agency, if you've ever wanted to experience what's like, to be coached with us, and you want to get it on a discount, you are going to want to make sure that you are paying attention to our emails. And so the best thing you can do is go to prfit.biz/events, because that'll get you on the waitlist. Actually, just wrote a waitlist email for those people, yes, and that way you will not miss out on this amazing opportunity, and it will in the come back around, okay. And then after the new year, we come home, we literally unpack the van. I'm getting my roots and my nails done. I literally told the team, there's zero things that can happen on that day. There's only two things that can happen on that day, because my roots will be five weeks out, and so will my nails. And we have never tested that before in life. Brad Crowell 6:56  So I'm gonna basically unpack the van and repack the van while she's getting her nails done.Lesley Logan 6:10  I know I and we haven't even decided for taking I guess we're taking the van. So we're I'm gonna be teaching at the Pilates Journal Expo in Huntington Beach. Brad's gonna be at the booth. We've got some fun fireside chats. It depends on if those rugs that we are picking up fit in the other car. So you guys, oh my God, do you want to know this? We have six rugs that are waiting for us to pick them up, six and they're huge, and the last thing I needed in this house was a rug. But I couldn't say no to six rugs. So I have to now maybe get rid of some rugs, or we're gonna layer some rugs, unclear, but this is, this is the things that Brad and I on our ADHD have to figure out. However, we are going to somehow, some car is going to take us to L.A. and that car will pick up some rugs before we're at the Expo. And then Brad will be at the booth. I'll be running around. I'm doing a fun chat with Ken Edelman. I'm doing a fireside chat that I think Erika Quest is hosting. I got a couple workshops in a class so go to xxll.co/pilatesjournal. And then, also, in January, besides being at my birthday, we are going to let the wait list people in on an amazing deal on the retreat to Cambodia next October. So it happens in January. Why? Because we want to kick off the new year. Help you plan your massive travel for the end of the year and have some fun with us. You can plan the, you get to think about it all year long how cool is that, You'll want to go to crowsnestretreats.com to get on that waitlist, because, again, only the waitlist people get the discount. Brad Crowell 9:52  Yeah, and we're gonna have a call in January, middle of January, basically, to we're just gonna hang out and talk about it all. And answer questions for you. So if you were like, you know, it's interesting, but I'm unsure. Come join us for the call. We're going to email the wait list about the call. So go on the waitlist. Go to crowsnestretreats.com, you'll just see it on the homepage. Scroll down a little bit towards the bottom, and you'll see, you know, find out about the upcoming events and whatever. So we'll be able to email you the Zoom link. And yeah, we're just going to hang out and talk about it, and we'll probably invite a couple of our past retreaters to join us, so you can ask them questions and all the things. But I next year is going to be it's gonna be a big, a big trip. I'm excited. It's gonna be awesome. And we have, we've already had, we've literally already had people start getting tickets. Okay, I know they got a secret sale, and a bunch of people were like, yes, please. So just saying.Lesley Logan 10:44  They're like, people like, how do I get the secret sale? Apparently they just asked you guys. I'm pretty sure that's how it went. Then in February, we will have our Agency Mini, but it's happening in February. I don't have the dates in front of us, so pfit.biz/mini will make sure that you do not miss out on when that is happening but.Brad Crowell 11:01  Profit without the O slash mini. Lesley Logan 11:03  If you paid attention to what's happening on December 26th to the 31st you will not miss out on that Mini. So I'm just hinting, hinting.Brad Crowell 11:12  Hinting. Lesley Logan 11:12  I think I'm hinting on the right thing. The team will let me know. In March, I will be in Poland, and we will also be in Brussels. So if you and with Karen Frischmann, so if you want to learn in an intimate setting and for like, long days of amazingness with Karen and I, then you're gonna want to go to xxll.co/poland or xxll.co/brussels to snag your spot. And then at the time we're recording this, we have, they have not announced POT London, but we will be there. And so if you go to xxl.co/pot, you'll see all the POTs that are happening next year. Brad Crowell 11:47  That's right. Lesley Logan 11:48  So when London is there, you will see it there. And if it's not there, you can see all the other things. And just because we're sitting in there doesn't mean we're going to be at all those things. Brad Crowell 12:00  No, that's true. Lesley Logan 12:00  So don't get mad. Brad Crowell 11:57  We'll be at the London one. Lesley Logan 11:58  We'll be at the London one for sure. Well, I'll be teaching at the London one for sure. Brad Crowell 12:01  Oh yeah. Lesley Logan 12:02  Okay, now we have to answer an audience question, and then we can get into the amazingness of Ame Ledin. Brad Crowell 12:08  Yes. So okay, we had a great question. This is from SamCrecco. Samantha asks from IG, hi, I came across your page, and it has really motivated me to make a change. I am an elementary school teacher, and I've been teaching Pilates on the side for about two years now. As a former dancer, I've always had a passion for health and wellness. I'm looking to teach Pilates abroad for a short amount of time, maybe three months, but I'm open to longer. I was wondering if you have any suggestions on how to get started. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Sam.Lesley Logan 12:40  Yeah, so, Sam, you it's so here's what is amazing about being a Pilates instructor. You can kind of go anywhere and get a job, like most studios need people. But on profitablepilates.com we actually had a great blog written by Roxy Menzies about being a traveling Pilates instructor, and it's like, I think that we published it like eight years ago and or maybe seven years ago, and it is still the top red blog, one of the top red blogs on the website, because it's such a hot topic. And so I absolutely recommend reading that book, reading that book, reading that blog, because she did that for years. She was a traveling Pilates instructor. She did it for years, until she settled down and had a family. So I would check out that blog post. There's also, and I think it's linked in that blog post, there's also, there, at least was a Facebook group for traveling Pilates instructors. Like, I'm not a I'm not hugely active on Facebook, so I understand, like, I don't know how that will work, but you can go in there and see what that is. And then there's a couple other apps where, like, studios will put job postings. I think, Planke does it P-L-A-N-K-E, the PMA has a job board. Essentially, though, like you would just be surprised what like, because here's the thing you're gonna need to know what your kind of style of teaching is called, because obviously that's for some students that's going to matter, or for you to enjoy yourself that might matter. And then sometimes they just post things in in groups, or they tell a friend, or you can, you can let people know. One of the girls who did eLevate, she actually ran someone's studio for six weeks in Hawaii. So she got to live in the woman's house and live in Hawaii on an island by the beach, and run her studio. So the woman could take six weeks off like, what a dream. I think it's amazing. Brad Crowell 14:20  I'm all about that. I mean, maybe not at this point in my life, because I do have a family and a house. But you know, if I was 20 years younger and in this position, it sounds so fun. Lesley Logan 14:32  Oh, if we still had the apartment in L.A. when we when we didn't have the studio, this would have been like, like, upper alley, but now I'm, like, just not gonna pay me enough. But, well, you're, you have to, but, but Sam is in the perfect place. Like, she's like that, and she should take advantage of it. I think, like so many people, like, oh, this is what I should do. No, if you are not like, like you, if you don't have like, a lease that you're like, dedicated to, like, if it's easy for you to be mobile., well, you should do that while you can, because you haven't you will meet and learn. Meet so many people, learn so many things. You'll learn about yourself. It's like, the same reason why you should come to Cambodia, like, there's just things you have to do in your life so that you can truly level up and figure out what you really want to do. Like, that's the cool thing about being a Pilates instructor. Maybe some people will do this for their whole lifetime, and some people will do it seasonally as a as like a thing that they do until they figure out what they want to do. I love that. So anyways.Brad Crowell 15:27  I'm in. Well, thanks for asking that question. If you have a question, you can ask us, go to beitpod.com/questions where you can leave a win or a question, beitpod.com/questions and last week, we got to read out one, and we'd love to hear one from you. So stick around. We'll be right back. We're going to dig into this great conversation that Lesley had with Amy Ledin, and we'll be right back. Brad Crowell 15:50  All right. Now, let's talk about Amy Ledin. Amy Ledin is a fat loss and mindset coach. She's the cofounder of Lean Bodies Consulting and the host of the F* It Podcast. She helps women in midlife create lasting transformation through training, nutrition and identity-based habit change. Great. Lesley Logan 16:09  What? Great. Brad Crowell 16:13  Great. Yeah, it's so great. Actually, you know what I really appreciated was I've been around you for so long now with your habits training with BJ Fogg, and just listening to you talk about the process and how it all works. And it was, it was really fun to listen to somebody else talk about habits and habit forming and building with her clients. But it's, I thought it was cool because it was identity-based habit change and not just like habit change. So that's pretty awesome. She uses tools like the DAC, which are her daily agreement cards, which we talked about all the way back in episode two, I think, or three. Lesley Logan 16:13  She was episode five. Brad Crowell 16:13  Just kidding, way back in the beginning, five, her DACs. She still uses those. She helps clients reprogram the mental loops that keep them stuck and build a body that reflects their discipline, a stage four nonsmall cell lung cancer fighter, Amy continues to lead and inspire through resilience, integrity and action. And yeah, I know. Lesley Logan 16:13  This was a big episode. Brad Crowell 16:13  This is a pretty big episode. It was also like.Lesley Logan 16:21  We're gonna spoil some things as we talk about it, so if you didn't listen, it won't be a surprise when you're listening. But like it was, she has cancer right now.Brad Crowell 17:06  Recurring, for the fourth time recurring, and this time it's, it's attacked her brain. Lesley Logan 17:10  I know I'm really upset. I'm like, I'm I'm frustrated for her. And we have another friend who's going through something similar. It's like, the second time, and you're just like, you know, like, it's just so frustrating because, like, of course, they're also the people, like, doing the work and caring for other people, and they're so generous and all that they do, and you're just like, like, why can't it be the fucking asshole over there? You know? Why? You know, but that doesn't get to be that person. So we can, we can get into that in a little bit. But I actually want to talk some other things. I did love that she said.Brad Crowell 17:58  Yeah, before that, I just wanted to say, you know, thanks for the update, Amy. And I just wanted to say that I appreciated her honesty. You know, I'm glad you asked the question the way you asked, which was like, how's it going with cancer? Do you still have cancer? What's what's going on? And she said, yes. And instead of being like, Oh, I'm so sorry. You said I'm sorry, but you know, like, how does that make you feel? Like, do you feel like? I can't remember exactly what you asked, but it was something about like, do you, are you sad, are you tired of being sorry? Are you tired of people saying that? And she said, I'm actually tired of it, and I'm tired of also being the strong one, because people always tell her wow, you might, you're so strong, you know. And she's like, I don't want to be that anymore. I've been doing that for a long time, fighting this, and it's, you know, she doesn't want to do that. So I just thought it was a really candid conversation about somebody who's going through something that, you know, the first times were probably like, debilitating and crushing, and this time it's almost, it's got to be, like, some kind of a routine at this point.Lesley Logan 19:08  I mean, I think we just talked about, like, how she didn't even tell them right away, because it's like, you just don't like, you just don't even want to, like, go through the things that people are going to say.Brad Crowell 19:17  We all know what they're going to say. I mean, we've, we've done it with our pets, you know and, you know. And I'm not, I'm not carrying them in that way. But the the recurring trauma of something that's tragic happening a second time, you know, I can only imagine what, yeah, you know, a fourth time, you know, so I just wanted to say thank you for asking it the way you did. And Amy, thanks for being candid and being willing to share. And you know.Lesley Logan 19:45  Also, like, I don't we were like, we would talk before the episode started and it didn't come up. No. And so I was like, oh, Jesus fuck. Like, you know shouldn't tell. And also, and here's the other thing, that it's really important for us to hear, at no point did I go. She never told me, like, as, if you know what I mean, like, like, it's an affront. You should have told me, how come you didn't tell me. It's like, I think it's, you know.Brad Crowell 20:08  That's like, narcissism. Lesley Logan 20:09  I, I don't even, it's, it might not mean you might not be a narcissist who does, who says that, and you still say, but like, it's, well, it's never, by the way, it's never about you. In fact, if, like, just okay, if you're someone in my life who I'm not calling it's probably not about you. It's probably me, most likely, 99.9% of the time, it's me. So you know, and so I if any of your friends are like me at all, it's also them, it's not you. So if it is you, you can just say, Hey, I'm actually a little surprised. And if it is me, I just want to know if it's not me. No, no need to say anything, but, like, it's probably not you, but so at no point did I think that, but I was just like, geez, this fucking sucks. She because she is so strong, but she's gonna be so tired, because people will always say to me, they're like, you're so resilient. It's like, I'm fucking tired of being resilient. So anyways, she's a badass. Let's get into some of the reasons why she is she said on body and identity, and this is another reason why I like the way that she talks about habits, because, like, she talks about it as embodying it. And I think I should have spot one of my clients the other day or the other another episode where she's like, I'm a healthy person, like, it's an identity that she wants to be, and a healthy person won't, like, cancel their Pilates session so I'm here even though I would prefer to be laying in bed, right? Like, so I was so proud of her. I was like, I'm so proud of you. Because, like, that's how you can that's how you can make changes in your life. It doesn't have to be habits. I make changes. And so she said on embodied identity, you have got to show up as the person you want to be. And so for Amy, she talked about how she puts on her makeup and she does her hair, and she consciously avoids verbalizing her pain or fatigue with what she's going through, managing her stage four cancer, because she's really focusing on your body goes in the direction you speak to it. Your body goes in the direction you speak to it. We've all heard like, where your energy goes. That's where it flows, right like, so you can focus on all the negative things that are happening in your life. And guess what you're gonna see all the negative things. And guess what you're watering all the you're literally watering the negative things. But if you're focusing on, and it's not a toxic positivity type of focus, but if you're focusing on showing up as the person you want to be, and putting your focus in that direction, it is going to get you there. And she said, she said she emphasized the power of maintaining her appearance as a tool to influence her self-perception. So I love this. I do this too, because whenever I feel a little tired, we'll run down if I look in the room like, oh, I didn't get dressed today, of course, like, but maybe it's I also I didn't sleep. But, like.Brad Crowell 22:49  I know what you mean, you just kind of, you know, roll out of bed and keep going and (inaudible).Lesley Logan 22:53  Some days it happens and you're like, oh, no wonder I'm feeling like, not myself. You put everything on. And even if that doesn't solve the world's problems, it kind of you look at yourself in the mirror, you go, I look good, right? Like, I look great. So she said, not many people realize that it's a big superpower. You want to see reflection of who you're wanting to be feeling like, like in the mirror, you know? So I think some people can get a little weird about, like, oh, putting on makeup and doing my hair. Like, that's so superficial. It's not, guys. Yes, there are people that are superficial who do that, but like, for most of us, it is kind of the thing that helps us show up more as the person we want to be because we're fighting on the outside.Brad Crowell 23:33  You know, it's like, I think corporate usually it's weird about it, because every you know, it can become like, a competition and stuff. But like, you know, there is a reason that people wear a suit and tie in a corporate environment, right. It changes the way you you it's supposed to change the way you act. Lesley Logan 23:53  Yeah, yeah. There's a reason why there's uniforms at schools. It's like, kind of so that everyone is, like, not in pajamas at school. But also, like, you know, supposedly supposed to help people, like, not be wanting to be each other. But like, kind of also like this, if it's your job to go to school, like, then you have to wear uniform, you know. So I get it. Brad Crowell 24:10  I definitely have found myself changing my shirt before I get on Zoom calls now where I'm like, you know, like, my old T shirts aren't really my vibe anymore, and as much as I enjoy them for, you know, running around or, you know, weekend, yard work, they're, they're the wrong vibe for when I'm coaching or I'm on a call or whatever. And, yeah, it definitely gives you a different perception of yourself.Lesley Logan 24:35  Yeah. And I think, like, I just think that, you know, a lot of a lot of us are taking notes from people who maybe what they're saying means well. Like, especially if you're like, oh my God, I have to spend so much time getting ready every day. Yeah, you don't need that stuff. But like, if you are trying to feel like a more positive person who feels strong and as a leader, like these things can help. You know, Dr Celeste Holbrook calls that she calls them harm reduction acts, like she would love to not wear makeup, and she would love to not have to put on a clothes that match, but for her to get her message out, she understands that there is a way that she needs to show up, and if she shows up that way, she reduces the harm she could get in the comments. And so she also, like, does this thing in the morning, so that she can put these things on, so can show up in the way that she wants to be received, so that she can give her message out there. So there's so many different reasons to have things that help you show up as the identity that you want to be. So you can actually do the thing that you want to do. Brad Crowell 25:41  Yeah, well, that, that leads pretty straight into what I enjoyed, what she was talking about. She was talking about, how we, how do we create change in ourselves, and how do we, you know, habit forming, and all that kind of stuff, the self-talk, the way that we we what we're thinking. It's really interesting, because I'm like, super analytical and a little bit sarcastic is the wrong word, but cynical is the right word, right? So I'm a little bit cynical. So, you know, I feel like there can be this dissidence of like, oh, when I say these happy things, I'm still lying to myself, because it's not reality. But what, what she's talking about were, was basically the way that you say the things to your brain really matters, and it really needs to be identity shifting, the things that you say to yourself. So like, for example, what I've noticed this is just very basic, but if I wake up and I go, I feel tired. I probably feel tired all day. But if I wake up and I and I say, I'm ready to go, then I'm going to be ready to go all day. You know, especially if you're like, I feel good, I feel good. I'm ready. Let's do this right? And so in that same vein, she advocates for scripting or writing out your day as if you were already your future self. So this is like future casting, right? And this is also like, you know, you call it manifesting, or whatever, but the idea is that you're who is it that you want it to be? Who do you want to be? Who do you how do you want to operate? You know, how do you want to think if you create a script for that, you know? And she talks about, you know, I am someone who is good at making decisions, and I make decisions that benefit my myself, my future, my family, and, you know, every decision that I make is helps lead us towards the path that we're going down. This kind of a thing where it doesn't, it's, you know, it certainly can be right? And she said, script this, because what happens is you're rewiring your brain, right? She said, your brain doesn't actually see the difference between your future self being a scripted version of yourself and the current self, right? And what you're doing. She said, since 91% of your thoughts are repetitive, which is crazy, because I thought it was only 80s, she said, 91. Lesley Logan 25:42  I think it's probably 91. Brad Crowell 25:42  She said, consciously scripting is a new you know, your new reality is essential for breaking away from old patterns. And you're trying to show that you can change. You know you're you're changing who you are and when you as you're scripting this, whatever it is going to be for the future, this mantra that you're going to create for yourself, there will come a point that you're you start to adopt it in the way that you think. So it might sound cheesy and weird, but give it a try. You know, I think this is actually really interesting.Lesley Logan 26:51  Yeah. I actually really like this. And I think, like, for the people who are like, I'm so busy, you can do this on a commute, because you can just talk to text. You can just talk to text.Brad Crowell 27:54  Yeah, well, I but I think the idea is that if you're scripting it, you want to read it. Lesley Logan 28:02  Well, you know, but talk to text, then you can read it. Like, if you don't have if you're like, my morning is so busy, It's so chaotic, I got to get everybody out of the door, you could then, on your way to work, talk to text and a note on your phone. Here's how my days here's how my day went to it's the end of the day. Here's how my day went. Like you're scripting the day, right? And then when you get to your desk, you can just read it. You already wrote it. Brad Crowell 26:04  I don't quite think that's what she means. I think she's saying. Lesley Logan 26:51  You have to handwrite it. Brad Crowell 26:51  No, she's saying, map it out. It's your thing that you do as your it's the same thing. You repeat it every day. It's the same one. Lesley Logan 26:51  Oh, you're doing the same one every single day.Brad Crowell 26:51  You're creating a script, and you're retraining your brain and the way that you think. So, how is it that you want to think, let's write these things down? Lesley Logan 27:03  If you're already your future self.Brad Crowell 29:23  Right. As if you were already your future self? Oh, okay, I like what you're talking about. Because what you're talking about is, is more like the brain dump kind of a thing of like, almost like the morning, morning pages slash notes.Lesley Logan 29:49  How this amazing day is going to be, well, you could still do this part. You could still do it voice to text. You just have to the same one every time. Brad Crowell 29:49  Right. But then you have to remember it. So. Lesley Logan 29:49  I think you will, I think you'll even get more (inaudible) you probably can get better at it. I think you probably even get more details and more nuances, and the smells and the sounds will be there. Yeah, I'm just trying to help the people out who are like, look, I know what they're gonna say, Brad, they're gonna say, I don't have time to do this every morning. No time. So I'm trying to give them the permission to find a way. Brad Crowell 30:20  Let's change that. The I don't have time thing, I don't, I don't. I think that we're making it lot bigger than it needs to be. Like, okay, maybe the first time you have to spend some time thinking about who you want to be yourself. But you need to do that anyway. Yeah, right. So one, you know, but I think your mantra could literally be two sentences or five sentence. It doesn't have to be paragraphs. We're talking about, you know, something that you can build into your morning routine as a habit, and it becomes a habit, you know. And maybe it's when you're brushing your teeth you see, you know, the note on the mirror that says daily mantra, or daily you know, you know, identity shifting, or whatever it is that you, you know.Lesley Logan 31:02  Yeah, you could put it somewhere where you could read it every morning and every night. I like that.Brad Crowell 31:05  Yeah. I mean, I don't even think you need to write it out and stick it on the mirror. You could, but even on your phone. You just need something like, You need to like Lesley says, tie it to something that you do daily so that you're gonna see it like, for example, the making coffee and doing push ups while I'm waiting for the coffee to brew.Lesley Logan 31:23  I like it while you're brushing your teeth, because you do probably do that twice a day. I like it being on the mirror and not on your phone so you don't get distracted. My ADHD, as soon as they open their phone, they're getting fucking lost and they're somewhere else. Brad Crowell 31:35  I think that's wise. Lesley Logan 31:36  And if they don't update that note every day, then the note gets buried. So like, let's just put it on paper on your mirror, and you can read it twice a day while you're brushing your teeth, because while you're brushing your teeth, you're like, man, two minutes is a long time. It's a long time. So what if you read it for the whole two minutes?Brad Crowell 31:51  What if, I mean again, it doesn't have to be two minutes long. It could just be a few sentences. Lesley Logan 31:51  No, it could be a few sentences that you read over and over again for two minutes. Brad Crowell 31:58  Yeah, that's cool. Stick around. We'll be right back. We're gonna dig into some really great Be It Action Items that Amy shared with us like she's a powerhouse, y'all, I'm very continuously impressed by her. Lesley Logan 32:10  I know. Brad Crowell 32:10  Yeah, well, we'll be right back. All right. So finally, let's talk about those Be It Action Items. What bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted action items can we take away from your convo with Amy Ledin? So funny enough, I'm going to let you say what she got excited about. But she she also said she's got this interesting framework that she created about habit building, and she calls it five for 50, okay? And, yeah, I thought this was clever. I know there, you know there's you talk a little bit differently about the length of time it takes to build a habit. Lesley Logan 32:45  Yeah. I actually this idea. Cares thing (inaduible) Brad Crowell 32:49  Wait, wait, let me tell the idea. Okay, so 5 for 50, what is it? 5 for 50, you're picking five specific things that you want to turn into habits, and you're going to perform these habits for 50 consecutive days in a row, right? So little redundant there consecutive means in a row. So 50 consecutive days you're going to perform these five specific habits that you want to change. And there's one caveat, four out of five of those must be things you genuinely intend to continue to do long term. So you're not picking five things that you might want to try out. That's not what we're talking about. We're talking about four of the things you definitely want to build into your life. And the fifth thing, maybe that's the thing you want to try out, right? And the examples that she gave were, she has a 26 year old son who was like, I really want to learn to draw. And he he said, I'm going to do it for 30 minutes every day. And and after a few days, he was like, whoa, this is overkill. I I'm not an amazing (inaudible) I reduced it to 10 minutes a day, but he still did it 10 minutes a day for 50 days.Lesley Logan 33:52  Yeah, and that. And so she does give there's a you have the first week to adjust the habit so I. Brad Crowell 33:59  Increased his time because he got really into drawing. And by the end of 50 days, she said he was like, Michael Jordan of drawing, yeah, yeah, yeah. She said it's amazing what you can do. You know, you know how you know whether it's playing the guitar or whatever it is, you know, the but the so the fifth habit is reserved for personal growth area that the person wants to explore. This will allow you to dabble in it, to see if it's something you'd like to continue to, you know, without the pressure of a forever commitment. So for her, it was getting back into journaling. She's like, you know, I used to do it. I was really intentional about it before I got out of the habit of it. And like, I kind of want to do it, but I'm not really sure if I want to do it again. So she was like, I'm going to add that in as my fifth thing. So, you know, and, yeah, that seven day window gives you time to redefine, redefine those agreements. There's 50 those five things over the 50 days, you know, if the initial commitment proves too much. And I thought, I thought this was kind of clever and and so that said, I wanted to check in with you, Lesley, because you said, oh, I started learning Tarot. Lesley Logan 34:47  Yeah, tarot. Brad Crowell 34:49  Tarot, I said, tarot. Lesley Logan 35:00  I know, like I'm rowing a boat, like I'm learning to row, yeah, tarot, yeah. I'm still learning it. I'm still learning it. I have missed a few days on the return of our, of our coming here, but I actually, except for, according to the app, I missed a couple times. I think that's because of the plane. Like, I, you know, I actually do believe I did it on the days that I did it, but, like, it was like, you missed it, but I actually did almost 50 days in a row on that and I am not a little hiatus, because we have to get back to life. And it just was like, Okay, this is actually filling a job and not like a hobby and so, but I love it. I'm really into it. And I just, I'm really excited, because I just got a notification that this 2026 journal is coming, and it's like a daily Tarot journal, so it will help me with my because with Tarot, you have to, like, immerse yourself in it, to learn it. You know, like, you got to learn the cards, but then you got to draw the cards. And so I'm trying to find these different ways to make sure it's around me. So it's easy to do sure, but I am loving this. This is really fun for me, and it's also really interesting when I tell people I'm learning it, because they're like, oh, are you new readings? And it's like, no, no, no, not everything that I do is going to become something I get paid to do. This is for me, doing it for myself, but I but I actually like, I really like, here's the thing. We can all talk about the same thing in different ways, and some people are going to love it, and some really love other things. I actually really like the way that B.J. does habits, which is what I'm going to go into the rest of the of the month. That being said, this might be exactly what you want to do. Or you can actually go, Hmm, I wonder what my five habits would be. You can actually use what I am doing the next the for the next month to come up with your 5 for 50. And then starting on day one of the year, you could go through the first 50 days of the year using Amy's, so you can actually do both.Brad Crowell 37:05  Sure, I dig it. Well. Anyway, I thought that. I thought it was a good like, I love it. It's a good challenge. You know, it's a challenge, but it's a good one. Lesley Logan 37:12  And I think it, I think it is a challenge, and you're not. It's not like, they do this every 50 days where they start new things, like they, they do this and then like they, I think if she said it was a couple times a year, it's like, not like, every 50 days, like, Okay, it's time for our new 5 for 50. Like, you've run out of things to do. So my Be It Action Items, she is so clever, she actually used her DACs and the Be It acronym. So.Brad Crowell 37:36  DACs are the daily action commitments, which for her were cards that she was writing on. Lesley Logan 37:41  Yeah, like, those cute little like, recipe cards, yeah. So B is bold, pick one agreement that matters. So your bold action, and that she is saying is, pick an agreement that matters, and then you're gonna do E, which is executable, write it in real words, not vague words, be specific on what you're shooting for. And then I the intrinsic is link it to how you want it to feel, not how much you want to weigh or how much you want to make. So like, not anything like external, but how you want, how that one thing is going to make you feel on the inside. And then T targeted, start today, not someday, be very specific of when you're going to start doing the thing. So I thought that was, like, a really fun way for her to use her DACs with the Be It. I was like, oh, look at that, be it till you see it right there.Brad Crowell 38:29  Yeah, it's I thought it was quite clever.Lesley Logan 38:32  Yeah, I know. I love when people give me my acronym back. I don't want to make it a rule, but, like, it does make me smile. I'm not saying anything guests who are listening to this that maybe you should do it, but, but it's really good. I can't believe it's been 555 episodes. Brad Crowell 38:52  Wait. Lesley Logan 38:53  She was on Episode five.Brad Crowell 38:54  Yeah, this is episode 611.Lesley Logan 38:56  I know, but she was on episode she was on episode 610 so she, it's been 555 from her. Brad Crowell 39:02  605 baby. Lesley Logan 39:06  Oh, nailing it. Nailing it on these episodes (inaudible) wow. I, like, don't even have my brain doubled down on that, like, I doubled down on that, and I really was like, oh, that's 555, that equals 610, five, five plus five. That's 10. Really, this is why I actually write down math when I do it and not do it in my head. Anyways.Brad Crowell 39:37  We listen to a pod where he says, I don't do live math so but yeah, maybe we should adopt that.Lesley Logan 39:43  Clearly I don't do live math. All right, I am Lesley Logan, and I, I am imperfect. Clearly from this episode,Brad Crowell 39:51  I'm Brad Crowell. Thanks for being here.Lesley Logan 39:51  Yeah, make sure you share this with a friend who needs to hear it. It's really, really great. And also we want to hear, Amy's gonna want to hear, especially like, did you do 5 and 50? Did you pick an agreement? Did you do anything like share it with her. I know she'll love to hear it, and it will inspire her and empower you. And until next time, Be It Till You See It. Brad Crowell 40:11  Bye for now. Lesley Logan 40:12  That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.Brad Crowell 40:55  It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 41:00  It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.Brad Crowell 41:05  Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 41:12  Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.Brad Crowell 41:15  Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

"Sustainability is about reliance and resilience. Our focus needs to be on how systems remain reliable over time." Céline Gerson shares how Fugro is reshaping its business to focus on resilience, adaptability, and sustainability. She explains the importance of critical minerals, coastal resilience, and digital transformation for the future of geophysics. Her insights highlight how innovation, respect, and collaboration can help geoscientists succeed in a rapidly changing world. KEY TAKEAWAYS > Innovation often emerges during times of crisis, and companies can use downturns to launch new technologies and approaches. > Applied geophysics plays a direct role in climate resiliency projects, from strengthening coastal infrastructure to modeling storm surge impacts. > Transparency about data limitations and involving diverse teams in decision-making strengthens risk management and builds trust in geoscience recommendations. GUEST BIO Céline Gerson is the Group Director Americas at Fugro and President of Fugro USA. With over 25 years of experience, Céline has a proven record of successfully growing complex technical businesses across various industries. Before joining Fugro, Céline served as Vice President, Global Account Director for Schlumberger. She was particularly focused on energy transition, sustainability, and digital transformation. Before that, she was President of Schlumberger Canada. Along with being a Harvard Business School Alumna, Céline holds a Bachelor's degree from the European University of Brussels and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston. THIS EPISODE SPONSORED BY STRYDE STRYDE enables high-resolution subsurface imaging that helps emerging sectors such as CCS, hydrogen, geothermal, and minerals de-risk and accelerate exploration - delivered through the industry's fastest, most cost-efficient, and agile seismic solution. Discover more about STRYDE at https://stryde.io/what-we-do.

George Perlov was a quintessential New Yorker. A MPA from Columbia. The Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation at The Advertising Council. A condo in Park Slope.Then fate and love propelled him into an entirely different life.It involves living in Brussels, Berlin and Florence. Starting his own firm, George Perlov Consulting. These days, George Perlov lives a fully European life. None of it was planned.

Max and Donatienne discuss the latest peace negotiations to secure an end to the war in Ukraine.  They also cover ongoing talks about implementation of the US–EU trade deal, after US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with their EU counterparts in Brussels. Then, they turn to a conversation with Cecilia Malmström, former EU Commissioner for Trade and Home Affairs, to discuss the European Union's trade agenda.  (00:00) Intro  (00:56) Ukraine Peace Negotiations  (11:50) Lutnick and Greer in Brussels  (18:50) Interview with Cecilia Malmström    Learn more:   Russian Roulette | CSIS Podcasts 

On Washington Wednesday, Hunter Baker breaks down Trump's Tennessee test; on World Tour, updates from Nigeria, Hong Kong, Kyrgyzstan, and Brussels; and a closer look at the friendship between J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Plus, a cat-astrophic delivery, Erick Erickson on elite isolation, and the Wednesday morning newsSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donateAdditional support comes from Ambassadors Impact Network. Helping entrepreneurs with a purpose find the support they need to thrive with faith-aligned financing options. More at ambassadorsimpact.comAnd from WatersEdge. Save more. Do more. Give more. Helping Christians support ministry by giving through a donor-advised fund. watersedge.com/DAF

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe [CB] is pushing their agenda across the country and world. They are now pushing their Universal Basic Income in Illinois, this will fail. US production is picking up. SEC is cracking down on ETF’s. Trump has now nominated Kevin Hassett to take over the position of Powell. This restructuring will begin soon and the alternative currency will show it. The [DS] knows they are running out of time and they are losing control over Zelensky, this is why they are now pushing a war with Russia. They do not want peace. Trump is exposing the corruption and pushing for elections to remove Zelensky. Trump has null and voided everything Biden/Obama have done over the last 4 years. It’s like everything they did doesn’t exist. The [DS] is boxed in, there is no escape. Economy https://twitter.com/MJTruthUltra/status/1996238986650464720?s=20   government, and I’m here to help,”. (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/AwakenedOutlaw/status/1996060994892955661?s=20   logs, program letters, etc. weekly or be limited to 3-months of SNAP benefits in a 3-year period. US Industrial Production Sees Biggest Annual Gain In 3 Years Despite Slowing Capacity Utilization    Industrial Production rose just 0.1% MoM (as expected) up from the downwardly revised 0.3% MoM decline in August. On a YoY basis, production rose 1.62% – its best since Nov 2022… US Manufacturing output was unchanged in September (slowing from the 0.1% MoM rise in August), but, like IP, that supported a 1.5% YoY rise in output, its highest level since April 2022… Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1996217766366400884?s=20  registration of ETFs that seek to provide more than 200% (2x) leveraged exposure to underlying indices or securities,” the SEC wrote. Leverage is clearly out of control. Bessent says White House may ‘veto’ Federal Reserve presidents   Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday he would push a new requirement that the Federal Reserve’s regional bank presidents live in their districts for at least three years before taking office, a move that could give the White House more power over the independent agency.  Bessent said that “there is a disconnect with the framing of the Federal Reserve” and added that, “unless someone has lived in their district for three years, we’re going to veto them.” Source: msn.com https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1995954684859941373?s=20   In a July 2025 interview, Hassett highlighted the Fed’s origins under the gold standard in 1913 to critique current practices: “When the Federal Reserve was created, we were under the Gold Standard—and the idea that the Fed could print money and then spend $2.5B on a building… I think that we’ve got a real problem of oversight and excess spending.”   This aligns with sound money ideals, where gold symbolizes disciplined, non-inflationary currency, but he stops short of calling for reinstatement.  Monetary economist Judy Shelton (author of Good as Gold) praised Hassett in July 2025 for referencing the gold standard, noting it as a reminder that “Fed has a lot to answer for” in deviating from that era’s stability.  Hassett views Bitcoin as “digital gold” for its scarcity and hedge qualities—echoing sound money without physical backing. Political/Rights https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1996252623209373754?s=20  created sweeping exemptions covering Afghans who worked for the Taliban during the first regime (1996-2001) and again after August 2021, enabling hundreds of individuals normally barred under terrorism laws to enter the U.S. TRIG waivers skyrocketed to 6,848 in FY 2024, the vast majority for refugees, including 374 Taliban civil servants and more than 3,000 individuals who provided “limited” support to Tier 1 or 2 terror groups. Now, after the ambush killing of a West Virginia National Guard soldier by Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, critics say Biden knowingly imported massive security risks into American neighborhoods. OUTRAGE: Minneapolis Police Chief Urges Somali Community to Dial 911 on Masked ICE Agents — Promises Cops Will “Intervene” Against Federal Arrests Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara speaks at a press conference alongside city officials as he urges Somali residents to call 911 on masked individuals Police leadership in Minneapolis is urging the city's Somali community, and other immigrant residents, to call 911 if they spot masked individuals detaining people in their neighborhoods. He urged community members to call 911 if they were unsure whether those enforcing arrests were legitimate law enforcement — and pledged MPD would investigate and log every such call. He did not stop at documentation, however. “If there is anything that is … a violation of someone's human rights or civil rights, excessive force or anything like that, they absolutely have a duty to intervene as police officers,” O'Hara declared. https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1995956308902879320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1995956308902879320%7Ctwgr%5E19002c76c52297fc2dd58664d00870448c39f149%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Foutrage-minneapolis-police-chief-urges-somali-community-dial%2F Source: thegatewaypundit.com UNREAL: Mayor Jacob Frey Declares He Won't Cooperate With ICE… and Suddenly Starts Speaking Somali to His Audience Mid-Speech Minneapolis far-left Mayor Jacob Frey abruptly shifted a public address into Somali, all while promising that city police will refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. At a press conference held on Tuesday, Frey stood alongside St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Ward 6 Council Member Jamal Osman, Police Chief Brian O'Hara, and other city leaders, reacting to reports that the federal government is preparing a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota's Twin Cities. This is not the first time the far-left mayor has drawn backlash from conservatives for switching into Somali during public remarks. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1995991450530553880?s=20 https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1995920756203516224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1995920756203516224%7Ctwgr%5E7752673c29b3a4de82187485d2de8512019722ba%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredstate.com%2Frusty-weiss%2F2025%2F12%2F02%2Ftim-walz-gets-skewered-by-kristi-noem-over-visa-fraud-warns-minnesota-is-about-to-feel-the-wrath-of-ice-n2196746 https://twitter.com/townhallcom/status/1995918101200703814?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1995918101200703814%7Ctwgr%5E6e01980749bee6d0aabd2036c6c2b51da5cb194a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredstate.com%2Fkatie-jerkovich%2F2025%2F12%2F02%2Fpam-bondi-proves-trumps-flipped-script-on-crime-in-us-n2196748 https://twitter.com/DiligentDenizen/status/1996268038895907125?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1996268038895907125%7Ctwgr%5Efc686f6c13365f75910a196f3fa3620a5f168083%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Fbreaking-house-oversight-committee-dems-release-never-before%2F https://twitter.com/JoeLang51440671/status/1996022839250461041?s=20 DOGE Geopolitical https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1996173544884154529?s=20  https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/1996233719469035734?s=20 https://twitter.com/JimFergusonUK/status/1996175636352700892?s=20  , and even Hezbollah have a presence in South America — and their anchor presence is inside Venezuela.” Let that sink in. 8 million Venezuelans displaced Spillover into Colombia, Brazil, the U.S. Cartels, trafficking networks, and Iranian intelligence embedded in the region Rubio isn't speaking hypothetically — he's confirming what U.S. intel has known for years: Venezuela is no longer just a failed socialist state. It's a forward operating base for Iran and Hezbollah in the Western Hemisphere. This is why the situation is escalating. This is why Trump's ultimatum matters. This is why Maduro's regime cannot be ignored or “managed.” The threat isn't local — it's global. War/Peace https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1995724042285056018?s=20  that was left in unsecured parking lot in an industrial area near Burg in Saxony-Anhalt, according to the German Ministry of Defense. https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1996226688363979160?s=20   the beginning of the war for fossil fuels. Now we’re down to €1.5 billion per month…we aim to bring it down to ZERO.” “This is a good day for Europe and for our independence from Russian fossil fuels — this is how we make Europe resilient.”    “The European Union agreed on Wednesday to phase out Russian gas imports by late 2027 as part of an effort to end the bloc’s decade-long dependency on Russian energy.” – Reuters https://twitter.com/MyLordBebo/status/1996207752134488284?s=20 https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1996197728167043438?s=20   text does not address our concerns.” Meaning: No legal cover, no political suicide. The plan was simple on paper – use immobilized Russian funds as collateral for loans to keep Ukraine afloat. But Belgium is the custodian of the largest chunk of those assets. If something goes wrong, they're the ones holding the radioactive bag. This isn't some bureaucratic squabble. It's the EU's financing strategy cracking in real time. Prévot's pushback signals the core fear: If Europe touches Russian state money without watertight legal armor, Moscow retaliates – economically, diplomatically, and possibly through countersanctions on European firms. And here's the thing: the Commission thought it had majority backing. Belgium saying “nope” on the morning of rollout is a political body-slam. Happening next? The EU will scramble to rewrite the legal plumbing. Germany and France will pressure Belgium quietly – nobody wants to admit the plan is wobbling. Russia will weaponize the hesitation as proof the West can't agree on how to bankroll Ukraine. And Kyiv? Still waiting for the money that was supposed to be “already there.” Another example of Europe discovering that seizing assets is easy. Using them? That's where the real war begins.    Ursula von der Leyen did not state that she received “permission” from the US to seize Russian assets. In a recent appearance at the GLOBSEC forum, she said that she informed the incoming Trump administration (specifically mentioning a conversation with Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent) about the EU’s proposal to use frozen Russian assets as collateral for a “reparations loan” to Ukraine, and that “it was positively received.” https://twitter.com/briefing_block_/status/1996241939931201801?s=20 https://twitter.com/Dubinsky_pro/status/1996242036417028176?s=20  regime. Now the system is falling apart. Yermak is out. The crackdown is collapsing. Ukraine must release all political prisoners. I call on everyone involved in peace talks to demand this from Zelensky. These people committed no crimes. They were jailed for their faith, political views and demanding peace. Zelensky built a dictatorship – and filled prisons with dissent. I know what I'm talking about: I spent 24 months behind bars under this system. https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1996231792752287822?s=20  to Brussels to meet Zelensky, the team returned to Washington. No official reason was given, but the message is clear: there's no deal, yet. Putin's warning didn't help. He said Russia is “ready” for war in Europe and claimed any future conflict would be so fierce that “nobody will be left to negotiate with.” This setback casts doubt on whether a negotiated end to the war is possible anytime soon. It also suggests Kyiv isn't ready to engage on Moscow's terms. What's next: Watch for how Ukraine positions itself diplomatically in the coming weeks, and whether Trump's team will try again with a revised proposal. https://twitter.com/MJTruthUltra/status/1996059724173754525?s=20   situation may quickly arise where there is no one left for us to negotiate with” https://twitter.com/Panchenko_X/status/1996192741508645286?s=20  been given the black mark and is seen globally as corrupt. Many Ukrainian politicians are already quietly fleeing to Moscow in an attempt to negotiate. They hope that the Russians and Americans will come and shower everyone with money for the elections. It won’t happen that way. According to my information, the US and Russia are already discussing possible candidates for the position of President. I cannot make the names public. https://twitter.com/TimOnPoint/status/1995949121929138184?s=20   targets is the rule, not the exception. The physical status of possible survivors is not part of the consideration with stand-off weapons. This has been the norm under both Republican and Democrat administrations since the first Hellfire was mounted on a Predator years ago. Anyone who tells you otherwise, is lying or ignorant. The method is ugly, no doubt about it, but there's nothing new here except politics. https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/1996006625333727410?s=20 Medical/False Flags https://twitter.com/JoeLang51440671/status/1996048243516456967?s=20 Man in TSA Sues Feds for Not Allowing Him to “Pat Down” Women   A man who says he is a woman is suing the federal government over restrictions in his job at the Transportation Security Administration that do not allow him to “pat down” female travelers. That restriction followed an executive order from President Donald Trump against recognizing transgenderism claims in the federal government. The claim being made by Mittereder is that the policy violates federal civil rights law. According to the report on the recently filed lawsuit, Mittereder began working at the TSA in 2024 and now is stationed at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. He claims because he is not allowed to pat down women, his job prospects are being hurt. Source:  thelibertydaily.com  [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/TheLastRefuge2/status/1996069477197451483?s=20   questioning people (McCord, Wolfe, Jones, Warner and various staff), not merely discussing them. Rather than talk about what XXX is doing, or what motivates XXX, they would simply be going to XXX asking questions (on/off camera) and then reporting on what XXX responds with. Instead, what we are getting is a screenplay, that the ‘journalists’ (battle for influence) sell through various platforms. From here on out when I see it, I will draw attention to it. After a few examples it will become obvious. https://twitter.com/LauraLoomer/status/1996183770790048092?s=20  1, 2025, Maxine's California residence remains in default with a redemption amount still due totaling $21,302.95, despite her recent payment of $19,033.94 on August 13, 2025. Maxine also is incurring a monthly penalty of $301.45. Maxine is not competent to serve as the ranking member on the House Financial Services Committee when she cannot even keep her own house in order. https://twitter.com/SBA_Kelly/status/1995846331202457607?s=20   executives implicated in these schemes. Despite Governor Walz's best efforts to obstruct, SBA continues to work to expose abuse and hold perpetrators accountable, full stop. https://twitter.com/GOPoversight/status/1996237594514915451?s=20 https://twitter.com/TonySeruga/status/1996226960393957435?s=20 https://twitter.com/IlhanMN/status/1995957774510162165?s=20 https://twitter.com/almostjingo/status/1996051371251155359?s=20 https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1996222235783401610?s=20 So all of these people were installed. https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1996195848087384084?s=20 https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1995934359569007036?s=20 President Trump's Plan https://twitter.com/StateDept/status/1996218048458490302?s=20   imminent threat to the world and to the broader West, but especially the United States who they identify as the chief source of evil on the planet.” https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1996213829802307948?s=20  that received benefits more than twice – multiple people received benefits in 6 states – In February, for the first time ever, the Federal Government asked for alls rates to turn over their data to root out the fraud. —— 29 Red states said yes —— 21 Blue states said no “So as of next week, we have begun and will begin to stop moving federal funds into those states until they comply. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington https://twitter.com/MediasLies/status/1996279507079008317?s=20   states already share the data with zero privacy disasters. – USDA's own audits show $10–15 billion a year in improper payments and fraud. – The “court order” she keeps citing is a preliminary injunction, not a final ruling. Refusing basic federal oversight of a fully federally funded program isn't about privacy. It's about protecting bloated rolls and hiding waste. BREAKING: In Stunning Development, President Trump Issues Full and Unconditional Pardon to Texas Democrat Rep. Henry Cuellar  Biden's DOJ charged Cuellar, a nine-term Democrat Texas lawmaker who represents an area along the US-Mexico border, after he lashed out at both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for allowing illegal aliens to pour over the border.    the TRUTH. It is unAmerican and, as I previously stated, the Radical Left Democrats are a complete and total threat to Democracy! They will attack, rob, lie, cheat, destroy, and decimate anyone who dares to oppose their Far Left Agenda, an Agenda that, if left unchecked, will obliterate our magnificent Country. Because of these facts, and others, I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Imelda. Henry, I don't know you, but you can sleep well tonight — Your nightmare is finally over! Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1996053923820351745?s=20  despite recent disagreements: Senator Paul: “I know we have been at odds recently but in ur first term you signed an executive order to legalize Association Health Plans (that allow individuals to buy collectively health insurance via Costco, Amazon, or Sam’s Club). This collaboration brought us together and still holds the promise of lowering insurance premiums.” Paul noted the plan failed because Democrat AGs fought it in court, but it could now pass through Congress. Here’s why this matters: the current system forces individuals to buy insurance alone, giving them zero bargaining power against massive insurance companies. Association Health Plans let people band together through retailers or organizations to negotiate as a group, the same way large corporations do for their employees. More buyers in a pool means more leverage. More leverage means lower premiums. It costs nothing to implement and simply changes labor law. Competition works. Let Americans shop for insurance the same way they shop for everything else. https://twitter.com/EliseStefanik/status/1995856738994565416?s=20  Raskin against Trump Republicans to block this provision to protect the deep state. This is an easy one. This bill is DOA unless this provision gets added in as it was passed out of committee https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1996205447917781326?s=20 -The Director and I made a long series of important personnel changes. The new leadership team has produced dramatic results which we will produce for you, in detail, as the year wraps up. They will include a historic drop in the homicide rate, along with record disruptions, arrests and drug interdictions. Many of these personnel changes have upset a group of Comey-Wray era disgruntled former agents who prefer the old ways of operating. We are not going back -We have been working on an AI project to assist our investigators and analysts in the national security space. I received an update yesterday and I am happy to report that the product looks promising. More coming on this. – We are in the end stages of a redesign of the FBI crisis management process. The redesign is intended to make information more accessible and transparent in a crisis to enable quick and effective decision making. The project should be complete by the end of the calendar year. -We saved the taxpayers billions of dollars by scrapping the plan for an expensive new FBI headquarters building. We will be moving to the existing Reagan building after decades of fruitless haggling as the current FBI headquarters building crumbles. -We relocated over a thousand headquarters based personnel out of the Washington DC area and into the field to focus on violent crime, crimes against children, and terrorism. Those agents are now working on the mission in those regional offices. -In recognition of the growing threat, and in conjunction with the President's Executive Order, we designed, launched and completed the FBI's first-ever counter-drone school last month. Special thanks to Sebastian Gorka and DDCOS Regan for their help on the project. -The work force apprehended 4 of the FBI's 10 most wanted fugitives, and we are hunting down the rest. -We produced unprecedented disclosures, and took action on documents related to January 6, Crossfire Hurricane, Arctic Frost, and more. -The new leadership team, and the work force, made a series of ANTIFA related arrests in multiple states and assisted in record numbers of deportations and apprehensions. -Some of the culture changes we implemented include eliminating DEI, reforming the physical fitness test, making promotions contingent on real world results, severing ties with the SPLC and ADL, and implementing a new training curriculum to reflect current mission requirements. We dedicated significant personnel and financial assets to streamlining FOIA reform to ensure responsiveness. -We shut down multiple open air drug markets nationwide and, in conjunction with the White House, had 12 fentanyl precursors from China listed. -We created CIO and CTO positions to work with the CFO to find efficiencies and implement new technologies to assist in our mission. We conduct bi-weekly meetings and we have found and eliminated tens of millions of dollars in duplicative contracts, unnecessary real estate, and outdated technology. These are real savings to the taxpayer and each budget dollar allocated is intensely scrutinized for value. -We vastly expanded the overseas biometrics program to stop bad actors before they board a plane or vessel to the US. This gives us the ability to expand the border outwards and prevent the problems from coming here. -We are in the end stages of a reform project on our intelligence analysis positions to make them more responsive to current mission needs. We have been working with the field on this and we're happy with the progress. -We implemented a technology working group to ensure our technology tools evolve with the mission. Thank you, and God bless America and all those who defend Her.  https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1995992366553981026?s=20 (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

Day 1,378.Today, as the world reacts to the marathon – but ultimately fruitless – talks in Moscow on Tuesday night, we examine how the impasse will shape today's meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers and, also in Brussels, the European Council's discussions on frozen Russian assets and the ‘new era' the EU says it is entering, free from Russian fossil fuels. Plus, our Russia expert assesses Moscow's ‘caviar diplomacy' and its growing problems in Africa, and we report how Australia and New Zealand are stepping up their support for Ukraine. Finally, we hear the assessment of Ukraine's former Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, on the current state of the war – and whether he harbours any ambition to succeed President Zelensky.ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). @DomNicholls on X.James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.With thanks to Latika Bourke. @latikambourke on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Latika Bourke Substackhttps://substack.com/@latikambourkeAustralia and New Zealand join forces to fund NATO weapons for Ukrainehttps://thenightly.com.au/world/australia-and-new-zealand-join-forces-to-fund-nato-weapons-for-ukraine-c-20819893Today's Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/03/ukraine-russia-war-latest-news-peace-deal-talks/Cosmonaut Artemyev was removed from the Crew-12 crew: https://theins.ru/news/287330 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nato foreign ministers meet in Brussels following a US-Russia summit in Moscow. Then: we look ahead to Australia’s teen social-media ban. Plus: the campaign to bring back doors in hotel-room bathrooms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PREVIEW — Joseph Sternberg — The Failure of the "Brussels Effect." Joseph Sternberg of the Wall Street Journalcritiques the "Brussels Effect," a regulatory theory positing that heavy European Union regulatory standards would enable European companies to achieve competitive advantage through compliance-driven market dynamics. Sternbergcharacterizes this strategic approach as "total nonsense," demonstrating that EU regulatory frameworks have systematically stifled the growth of major technology startups and innovative enterprises compared to the dynamism of Silicon Valley, producing technological and economic underperformance. Sternberg reports that Brussels officials are gradually accepting this uncomfortable reality and reconsidering the regulatory framework's strategic efficacy. 1884 BRUSSELS

Brussels Attempts Deregulation — Joseph Sternberg — Sternberg describes the European Union's complex multi-institutional governance structure and recent tentative moves toward deregulation, particularly regarding climate reporting requirements and digital technology regulations. Sternberg argues that Brussels officials are gradually acknowledging that excessive regulatory frameworks systematically damage economic competitiveness and drive entrepreneurs from European jurisdictions toward more favorable regulatory environments. Sternberg emphasizes that these modest deregulatory reforms confront a race against accelerating economic decline, requiring more aggressive structural reforms to restore European competitiveness relative to American and Chinese competitors. 1906 BRUSSELS

If you want to get leaner and live longer check out https://milliondollarbodylabs.com   Is diabetes truly a life sentence, or can you reverse it without relying on drugs like Metformin or Ozempic?   I talked with Chris Reade, who discovered a serious health condition after a life insurance exam. His A1C went from normal to a high 9.1 in 10 months because of visceral fat around his pancreas. Doctors told him this disease was progressive and incurable, but Chris refused that sentence. He researched and found a simple strategy focused on using soluble fiber to control blood sugar spikes. This method forces weight loss naturally by providing bulk, reducing hunger, and mitigating the effect of sugar. His approach involves practical, everyday systems like habit stacking and focusing on food volume to give control back to the individual.   Key Takeaways Type 2 diabetes is caused by the accumulation of visceral fat (more than a gram or two) on the pancreas, which hinders its function. It has been known since the 1970s that you can absolutely reverse diabetes. Losing more than 10% of your body weight causes the body to pull fat off the pancreas, leading to the reversal of Type 2 diabetes roughly 80% of the time. Soluble fiber, found in foods like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, oatmeal, and chickpeas, slows digestion and absorbs sugar, mitigating blood sugar spikes. By focusing heavily on soluble fiber, you feel very full all the time, which is a key mechanism for effortless weight loss and managing cravings. Performing even a small amount of exercise, such as two to five minutes of walking immediately after a meal, can knock blood sugar down by up to 25%. The current medical model for treating diabetes in the U.S. is structured to promote dependency on medication, making diabetes prevention and remission less of a focus.   Resources Website: https://www.beatingdiabetes.us Book: Beating Diabetes by Chris Reade. https://www.beatingdiabetes.us/the-book Instagram: @beatingdiabetesus https://www.instagram.com/beatingdiabetesus LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beatingdiabetes/   Nate Palmer: The founder of The Million Dollar Body and author of "The Million Dollar Body Method", Nate has been coaching for over 15 years and has worked personally with over 1,000 clients. Website: https://milliondollarbodylabs.com/ Book: The Million Dollar Body Method Lean Energy Stack: https://milliondollarbodylabs.com/pages/lean Instagram: @_milliondollarbody