Poland, Slovakia, Hungary Defy EU By Keeping Bans On Ukraine Imports

A new European Union deal to liberalize trade with Ukraine took effect Wednesday, but Poland, Hungary and Slovakia are defying it, maintaining their protectionist bans on imports from the country. Their defiance comes amid mounting grievances over EU prioritization of the West's proxy war on Russia over the prosperity of EU member states and their citizens.   

Approved on Oct 13, the new EU arrangement expands tariff-free Ukrainian access to European markets, replacing a temporary lowering of trade barriers adopted after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. “We believe (the agreement) is a stable, fair framework, that can be reliable both for the EU and for Ukraine, to ensure a gradual integration in our single market, while providing stable trade flows," said European Commission spokeswoman Ariana Podesta. The European Commission (EC) is the EU's principal executive branch.  

"Brussels wants to give farmers’ money to Ukraine," says Hungary's defiant Agriculture Minister István Nagy

Rebelling against the Brussels regime, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia say they will maintain the bans on agricultural imports from Ukraine they put in place in 2023. The three countries' bans were a reaction to a wartime glut of Ukrainian products, which resulted from Black Sea ports being disrupted by the war with Russia. The glut sank prices and hammered domestic producers. 

By imposing their own individual trade barriers, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia are violating EU's single-market regulations. On Thursday, the EC said it isn't ruling out the possibility of taking legal action. “We see no justification for maintaining these national measures,” EC spokesman Olof Gill told Politico. While asserting that "all options are on the table," Gill said the EC would "intensify its contact" with the uncooperative trio of Eastern European states. Thus far, the EC has been a paper tiger, tolerating the ban for two years while hoping the new arrangement would render them moot. 

The new EU trade rules limit some imports from Ukraine, including grains and oil. They also have a "safeguard clause" allowing protective measures to be employed if a glut of imports hurts domestic producers. However, Slovakian Agriculture Minister Richar Takáč told Politico the restrictions are "not strong enough" to protect his country's farmers. Via social media, Hungary’s Agriculture Minister István Nagy wrote, “Although Brussels wants to give farmers’ money to Ukraine, we are protecting the resources, the livelihoods of Hungarian producers and our market.” 

Slovakian Agriculture Minister Richar Takáč said the EU is failing to protect domestic producers 

Goods aren't the only inflows from Ukraine that are testing the patience of European countries. Refugees from Ukraine are straining governments, soaking up welfare payments and competing with natives for employment. Things were already bad enough, but now Ukraine's liberalized restrictions on male travel from the country are yielding a huge surge in military-age men pouring into Europe, with Poland and Germany bearing the brunt of it.

Conservatives in both countries are pointing to the disconnect between supporting Ukraine's futile resistance to Russia at the same time young Ukrainian men are refusing to take part. As Poland's Confederation party said this week, “Poland cannot continue to be a refuge for thousands of men who should be defending their own country, while burdening Polish taxpayers with the costs of their desertion.”

Tyler Durden Fri, 10/31/2025 - 06:55

Happy Halloween! My end-of-week morning Trick or Treat reads:

• 6 ways the shutdown is about to get worse: Programs ranging from Head Start to SNAP face new strain November 1. (Politico)

• Is it really a bubble? We’ll probably know in five years’ time. (Financial Times) see also This market analyst is an expert on stock bubbles. Here’s what he’s saying now. You’re right to worry — but it’s probably too early to be bearish. (Marketwatch) see also Why the AI Spending Spree Could Spell Trouble for Investors: As Big Tech pours trillions into AI infrastructure, history warns of overinvestment, shrinking returns, and rising risks. (Morningstar)

• The surprising reason home prices remain stubbornly high: A growing number of home sellers are taking lingering properties off the market instead of lowering their prices.Nationwide, delistings rose 52% in September compared to the year before, after peaking at a nearly 72% annual growth rate in August, according to fresh data from Realtor.com. That’s up from September 2024, when delistings rose 46%. (Washington Post)

• Rare Earths Producers Look to US-Led Boom to Blunt China’s Power: Even if a trade deal materializes, the industry is betting the world won’t want to go back to one supplier. (Bloomberg) see also Cowboy Diplomacy: Ranchers Reject Tariff Rhetoric: Cattlemen bristle at being treated as economic pawns. Protectionism is an insult to people who embody the mythos of American self-reliance. (Daily Economy)

• Boring Is What We Wanted: Apple silicon has been nothing but upside for the Mac, and yet some seem bored already. In the days since Apple announced the M5, I’ve seen and heard this sentiment more than I expected: This is just another boring incremental upgrade. That is the point. (512 Pixels)

• He Won the $2 Billion Powerball. Now He’s Buying Up Lots Burned in the L.A. Fires. Edwin Castro is one of the biggest investors snapping up destroyed properties—and he wants to lead in rebuilding his hometown of Altadena. (Wall Street Journal)

• America Doesn’t Have Enough Weapons for a Major Conflict. This Is Why. This summer, employees at several big defense companies went on strike. Their grievances highlight a much larger problem brewing beneath the surface. (Politico)

• New Report Finds Efforts to Slow Climate Change Are Working—Just Not Fast Enough: By virtually every key metric, efforts to fight climate change are going too slowly, according to findings by a coalition of climate groups. In some cases, things are moving in the wrong direction. (NOEMA)

• Historians Don’t Think a US Civil War Is Likely—but They’re Still Nervous: “The fabric of what binds America together at this point is basically on its final thread,” (Wired) see also Redistricting Wars: The President’s party loses seats in midterm elections (18 of the 20 since WWII). States redistrict once per decade following the Census & reapportionment. Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act requires the creation & maintenance of majority-minority districts. (Bruce Mehlman’s Age of Disruption)

• What’s Eating George Clooney? He’s having a career for the ages. He has two adorable kids, a brilliant and beautiful wife, plenty of money, and still has his hair. There’s just one problem. (Esquire)

Be sure to check out our Masters in Business interview  this weekend with Jon Hilsenrath of Serpa Pinto Advisory. Previously, he was chief economics correspondent for Wall Street Journal for 26 years. Dubbed the “Fed Whisperer” by Wall Street traders for his scoops on the FOMC, he worked out of Hong Kong, NY, and D.C. He was part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning team for on-scene coverage of 9/11.  He is the author of “Yellen: The Trailblazing Economist Who Navigated an Era of Upheaval.”

 

These measures of housing stock availability point to a growing gap between supply and demand

Source: Goldman Sachs

 

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27 Microbes Linked To Pancreatic Cancer, Major Study Finds

Authored by Rachel Ann T. Melegrito via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

A simple saliva test could one day predict your risk of pancreatic cancer. Scientists have discovered that having a certain community of bacteria in your mouth can triple the likelihood of developing one of the deadliest forms of cancer—and the culprits include the same microbes that cause gum disease.

Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

The recent study, published in JAMA Oncology, analyzed saliva samples from 122,000 participants in two large epidemiological studies and followed them for approximately nine years. During that time, 445 people developed pancreatic cancer.

In a microbiome-wide scan, researchers found 21 bacterial species linked to pancreatic cancer—eight tied to lower risk and 13 to higher risk.

In a separate test, researchers created a tool that predicted a person’s risks for pancreatic cancer. The tool took into account 27 microbes in total and would give participants a risk score depending on the microbes in their mouth. Each one-unit rise in the score tripled the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

While some microbes in the risk score are individually linked to lower risk, the score reflects their combined effect. It’s a weighted measure that accounts for both protective and harmful species.

Three were well-known periodontal pathogens with established roles in gum disease.

The fungi implicated were Candida tropicalis, Candida spp (unresolved species), Candida albicans, and Malassezia globosa. The entire genus Candida, a common yeast, was also tied to greater risk, particularly among participants with a history of smoking.

How Mouth Bacteria Reach the Pancreas

Harmful bacteria don’t just stay in the mouth, they can travel throughout the body and trigger disease.

The mouth has local, systemic, and direct influence on disease in your body, Thaddeus Connelly, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, physician, and CEO of Gengyve, told The Epoch Times.

“Oral microbes exist in a balanced ecosystem when we’re healthy,” said Dileep Sharma, a professor and head of discipline, oral health at the University of Newcastle. When that balance is disrupted, harmful bacteria can directly damage the gums and bone and cause chronic inflammation, first in the mouth, and later in distant organs.

“If you are chronically, or over a long period of time, constantly releasing the inflammatory molecules into your bloodstream, the tissues and organs that receive that constant alarm signal develop disease,” Connelly said. This chronic inflammation, he added, is a key driver of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, fatty liver disease, stroke, and cancer.

Bacteria can also travel from the saliva through the gut to organs and cause inflammation and damage there, like the pancreas, possibly leading to cancer.

Poor oral hygiene and gum disease can create a steady “drip” of bacteria into the blood. Inflamed gums allow microbes to slip into tiny blood vessels during everyday actions like chewing, brushing, or flossing.

The Same Bacteria, Multiple Diseases

The same microbes associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer are also linked to other conditions.

P. gingivalis, the main bacterium behind gum disease, has been linked to infective endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, arthritis (often in combination with Prevotella intermedia), and even Alzheimer’s disease. Prevotella species themselves have also been connected to head and neck cancers.

Fusobacterium nucleatum is implicated in the development of inflammatory bowel disease. Parvimonas species are frequently found in spinal infections. Meanwhile, Candida albicans, a common fungal organism, has been linked to an increased risk of several cancers.

According to Sharma, microbial byproducts can contribute to oral and gastrointestinal cancers, while chronic inflammation from an imbalanced microbiome may drive mutations that lead to tumors.

“It starts in the mouth and gut, with poor diet and periodontal disease to blame,” Connelly said.

What You Can Do

While the study identifies risk factors rather than proving cause and effect, maintaining good oral hygiene remains crucial for overall health.

“It is clearer than ever that brushing and flossing your teeth may not only help prevent periodontal disease but may also protect against cancer,” study co-senior author Dr. Richard Hayes, a professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said in a press release.

Most oral hygiene comes down to keeping your mouth clean and maintaining the right balance of bacteria. The basics, brushing and flossing, work by mechanically disrupting and preventing plaque from forming.

Plaque begins soft, but as it absorbs minerals, it hardens and attracts more dangerous bacterial species. Mature plaque becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria like F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis, Connelly said.

“Oral hygiene is critical in maintaining a clean mouth and the right bacteria in your mouth,” Connelly said. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing help stop plaque from forming and hardening into what he calls a “bad bacteria factory,” creating an environment where healthy bacteria can thrive.

However, not all oral hygiene products kill bacteria.

Toothpaste does not kill bacteria, and mouthwashes kill both good and bad bacteria, Connelly said.

“Beyond brushing and flossing, use a product that is scientifically formulated as a physical barrier against the establishment and maturation of plaque, ” Connelly said. He suggests mouthwashes that have hyaluronic acid and other mucoadhesive components such as pullulan and polyvinylpyrrolidone.

These products mix and form a protective net on the surface of the teeth and soft tissues inside the mouth, where the battle between different microbes is waged.

Research also shows that tongue cleaning supports a healthier balance of microbes.

Sharma said that lifestyle has a big impact on the oral microbiome.

Eating more fiber-rich foods and quitting smoking can improve its balance. Smoking encourages harmful bacteria tied to gum disease, while diets high in polyphenols, omega-3s, and fiber support healthy bacteria and reduce inflammation.

Other practical strategies to promote a healthy oral microbiome include:

• Eating seafood, plant protein, and overall protein
• Cutting back on added sugar and carbohydrates
• Taking probiotics
• Eating fermented foods, such as yogurt, cheese, and fermented milk

As researchers continue to find out more about the connections between oral bacteria and systemic disease, one message is clear: Taking care of your mouth may protect far more than your teeth and gums.

Tyler Durden Fri, 10/31/2025 - 06:30

'Military Psychosis': Kremlin Responds To Belgian Minister's "Wipe Moscow Off The Map" Rhetoric

Earlier this week Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken issued some stark - and some might say, irresponsible - words directed at Moscow, warning that any missile strike on Brussels would trigger an overwhelming NATO response.

"If Putin launches a missile at Brussels, we will wipe Moscow off the map," Francken told the De Morgen daily on Monday. It's unclear what precisely prompted such an aggressive warning, coming after Russia's own 'red line' type rhetoric seeking to dissuade Washington from arming Kiev with long-range Tomahawk missiles.

Belgian defense chief Theo Francken. Source: DeMorgen

Franckena further said that any conventional attack on Brussels would also result in Moscow getting "flattened." 

Again, the words were ultra-provocative given it is only one country currently seeing its territory regularly attacked with the help of NATO, and that's Russia.

When asked in the interview about European doubts concerning Trump's commitment to NATO, Franckena responded, "The bias against the American government is so great in Europe. Unbelievable...He literally said that America will continue to support its NATO allies one hundred percent. A cruise missile on Brussels? That's a no-brainer, whatever definition you use. Putin won't do that either."

"I consider a major Russian attack on the Baltic states less likely. Those are NATO member states, after all. Soon we'll have six hundred F-35s in Europe: the Russians are afraid of them because they can't see them," he added.

In response, the Russian Embassy in Belgium promptly condemned Francken’s "provocative and irresponsible" statements as "sheer absurdity and total disconnect from reality." 

As quoted in state media, the embassy said further:

"Francken’s escapades are the most glaring manifestation of the militarist frenzy that is increasingly consuming the European war party," the embassy said.

It added that EU officials like Francken are "posing a threat to the continent’s future and [are] capable of plunging it into a new war."

And separately, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko said Wednesday that Francken’s words were in line with "the atmosphere of military psychosis" which now dominates discourse in Western Europe.

Moscow has been repeatedly warning that long-range Western-supplied missiles on Russian territory will change the nature of the conflict, and that runaway escalation with NATO could be the result.

Tyler Durden Fri, 10/31/2025 - 05:45

German 'Anti-Greta' Activist Seeks Asylum In The US After Antifa Death Threats

Update (0500ET): Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is focused on Naomi's case: 

Today, I met with and reviewed documentation regarding Naomi Seibt’s asylum case. It is clear that, due to her support for President Trump and her refusal to conform to leftist ideology, she has been targeted and could face imprisonment/physical danger  if she returns to Germany—simply for rejecting the groupthink that is currently dominating the country and destroying its economy.

I will be personally assisting with her case and writing to the Secretary of State regarding what she is facing as well as the german government’s prosecution of its own citizens for fighting western ideology and their culture. What is even more alarming is that she was targeted by German intelligence and government officials for advocating on behalf of the German people and supporting the AfD.

The very same German government that claims to fight Nazism is becoming acting like the secret police. If you share a meme, you may go to jail. If you criticize a politician, you could face retribution or imprisonment. 

I would hope the Chancellor understands that the entire international community—especially the United States—is watching what is happening in Germany. The German government has a great deal of explaining to do, particularly to its own people.

*  *  *

As Jonathan Turley detailed earlier, for years, some of us have been writing about the collapse of free speech protections in Europe as the left criminalizes a wide range of expressions and viewpoints.

Now, a leading young German advocate, Naomi Seibt, known as the “Anti-Greta,” is seeking political asylum in the United States after years of Antifa threats. At one time, the idea of someone seeking asylum from a Western democracy would have been considered material for the Onion. Today, it is credible given the rising intolerance for opposing views in countries like Germany.

While we do not know a great deal about the underlying threats, Seibt, 25, recently filed the petition for political asylum, arguing that she is now fearful for her life after a litany of threats from the left. In addition, she recounted how she was informed that German police engaged in years of surveillance of her movements and communications — a complaint made by a wide array of conservatives and others in the country.

I discussed the war on free speech in Germany in my book, “The Indispensable Right.” We recently discussed how the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) is conducting a nationwide search for citizens accused of committing speech crimes.  The annual crackdown is part of Germany’s robust censorship and speech criminalization policies. We also discussed how Germany is extending its criminalization of speech to the Internet.

*  *  * Click pic, add to cart, receive awesome knife:

Last year, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser was upset that civil libertarians were calling her anti-free speech, so she tried to shut down a publication for a satirical meme.

For this reason, it was fitting that the recent World Forum was held in Berlin. I spoke in Berlin at the World Forum, where European leaders gathered in one of the most strikingly anti-free speech conferences I have attended. This year’s forum embraced the slogan “A New World Order with European Values.”

That “new world order” is based on an aggressive anti-free speech platform that has been enforced for years by the European Union. It is vividly evident in the latest crackdown in Germany.

According to the BKA, there were 10,732 crimes related to online hate speech committed last year—a record number and four times the crimes from 2021. It is an example of the insatiable appetite created by censorship as people seek to silence their critics or those with opposing views.

North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister, Christian Democrat Herbert Reul seemed to relish the power: “Digital arsonists must not be able to hide behind their phones or computers. Anyone who thinks anything is allowed on social media is seriously mistaken.”

He added that “people have forgotten the difference between hate and opinion.” For those who cannot tell the difference, the solution is just to stay silent or risk a knock on the door. It is the very chilling effect reflected in the recent polling showing that most Germans are now uncomfortable sharing their views in public.

According to a poll of German citizens. Only 18% of Germans feel free to express their opinions in public. 59% of Germans did not even feel free to express themselves in private among friends. And just 17% felt free to express themselves online.

What Seibt is reporting is consistent with what free speech groups told me in Berlin. She stated, “In 2024, I found out that I had been spied on by German intelligence for years. Simultaneously, I keep receiving death threats from Antifa.” She also reported that the German police seemed hostile to her claims of threats and refused to take action.

Her high visibility as the counterfoil to climate crusader Greta Thunberg seemed to fuel the threats.

What is most interesting about this petition is the context of pronounced anti-free-speech policies and laws in Germany. As both Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have addressed in major speeches, Europe is now a threat to free speech, including the rights of American citizens and corporations. Germany and the EU now deny this “indispensable right” to its citizens while seeking to pressure companies like X and Facebook to restore censorship programs.

For the free speech community, we would always prefer that advocates stay and fight in their home countries. However, that is an easy “ask” when you are not being targeted by both the government and groups like Antifa. Unfortunately, many of us in the United States have received similar death threats, and we have seen a rise in political violence, particularly from Antifa. We discussed such an attack just yesterday.

While Democratic leaders like Rep. Dan Goldman (D., N.Y.) have denied the existence of Antifa, members continue to self-identify as well as to be indicted for political violence. In Europe, these “non-existent” groups actually have elected members in the EU and national legislatures.

As the EU and Europe continues to crack down on free speech, these asylum requests could well increase. We are used to people filing asylum petitions to flee religious intolerance. We are now seeking some of the first European fleeing speech discrimination. It is a sad statement about the state of free speech among some of our closest allies. However, as amplified by the remarks by Vance and Rubio, this is a very real threat to those who defy the majority in countries like Germany.

Tyler Durden Fri, 10/31/2025 - 05:00

 Orban Hints At Ukrainian Sabotage Behind Hungary Refinery Fire

A lot of questions and suspicions were immediately raised when on October 21 explosions and fires occurred at large oil refineries in Hungary and Romania. Eyebrows were raised given that both sites have links to Russia.

The Petrotel-Lukoil refinery in Ploiesti (owned by Russian company Lukoil) in southern Romania was damaged, while in Hungary a 'mystery' fire also occurred at the country's largest oil refinery (the MOL-operated Danube Refinery), located in the city of Szazhalombatta - some 17 miles from Budapest - which receives crude oil from Russia.

Despite long efforts of the European Union to phase out Russian energy, a tiny number of states still receive supplies. This is why many have suspected sabotage, possibly linked to Ukrainian intelligence, was behind the twin refinery fires, which had occurred within less than 24 hours apart.

But now, over a week later, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has revealed in a social media statement that authorities haven't ruled out the possibility of an external attack in investigating the fire at Százhalombatta.

Fire at the MOL refinery in Százhalombatta, Hungary, via X

"The investigation is in full swing. We still do not know whether it was an accident, malfunction or outside attack," Orbán said.

Further, he stated: "The Polish foreign minister advised the Ukrainians to blow up the Druzhba oil pipeline," before adding, "Let's hope it's not that kind of case."

And according to Politico, "Orbán added Thursday he had instructed his government to inform MOL that it shouldn’t raise energy prices for consumers in response to the fire at the refinery."

Hungary relies heavily on oil transported through the Druzhba pipeline from Russia through Ukraine and Slovakia. MOL Group, which operates refineries in Hungary and Slovakia, processes 14.2 million tons of Russian crude oil a year.

Orban said he has spoken with MOL Group about the new US sanctions targeting Russian oil this month, which come into effect in November. "We are working on how to circumvent this sanction," he recently said in an interview with state radio Kossuth.

In 24 hours, serious incidents occurred at two oil refineries: on Monday night a fire broke out at the MOL plant in Százhalombatta (Hungary), and several hours earlier an explosion shook the Petrotel–Lukoil refinery in Romania.

The MOL plant, which is the largest and most modern… pic.twitter.com/xghOedeXP5

— Anatolij Sharij (@anatoliisharii) October 21, 2025

The Treasury has argued that its actions would increase pressure on Russia's energy sector and degrade the Kremlin's ability to fight its war against Ukraine. President Trump held off for a long time, but Kiev and the Europeans welcomed the firm anti-Moscow actions.

The sanctions drove up oil prices in the aftermath and raised questions regarding how certain eastern and central European countries will continue to meet their energy needs.

Tyler Durden Fri, 10/31/2025 - 04:15

Shocking Stats: Syrians Commit Crimes Every 39 Mins In Germany For Past Ten Years

Via Remix News,

The German government has disclosed that a total of 135,668 crimes have been committed by Syrian suspects between 2015 and 2024, amounting to one every 39 minutes over the past 10 years.

The figures, released by the Federal Ministry of the Interior in response to a parliamentary inquiry from the AfD, have reignited the party’s demands for tougher migration controls and deportations.

The data, obtained by Freilich magazine, also shows large numbers of victims of crimes committed by suspects from other countries of origin, including 82,960 linked to Afghanistan, 69,946 to Iraq, 39,918 to Morocco, and 32,383 to Algeria. Altogether, more than 460,000 crimes were recorded in the 10-year period involving suspects from the 10 main countries of origin: Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Morocco, Algeria, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and Eritrea.

In respect to Afghan suspects, that’s one crime every 63 minutes; for Iraqis, one every 75 minutes; for Moroccans, one every 132 minutes; and for Algerians, one every 162 minutes.

According to police crime statistics cited by the German publication, the number of Syrian suspects has continued to rise. In 2024, there were 101,265 criminal cases involving Syrians, excluding immigration offenses — up from 94,158 the previous year. The federal interior ministry reported particularly sharp increases in violent and sexual offenses. In 2024, there were 12,512 violent crimes involving Syrian suspects, the highest in 10 years. Cases of rape, sexual coercion, and serious sexual assault rose to 648, more than 60 percent higher than in 2020.

Mehr als jede zweite Frau in Deutschland fühlt sich im öffentlichen Raum nicht mehr sicher. Diese alarmierende Zahl aus der repräsentativen Civey-Umfrage ist ein weiterer Beweis für das Regierungsversagen bei der Migrations- und Sicherheitspolitik: Wie das Bundesinnenministerium… pic.twitter.com/ccerdx7nXY

— Alice Weidel (@Alice_Weidel) October 28, 2025

AfD co-leader Alice Weidel said in a press release that the figures show “the government’s failure in migration and security policy.” She stated, “More than half of all women in Germany no longer feel safe in public spaces. This alarming figure is further proof of the government’s failure. Between 2015 and 2024, 135,668 Germans were victims of crimes committed by suspected Syrian perpetrators. This development is not only extremely alarming but also the result of government mismanagement and uncorrected political misjudgments.”

Weidel also criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz directly, claiming that the governing coalition refuses to “honestly identify the causes of the problems” and instead engages in “ideological debates about racism.” She said the victims are “young women and children, who are often defenselessly exposed to violent attacks,” calling the situation “a declaration of bankruptcy by this federal government in terms of security policy.”

AfD Bundestag member Christopher Drößler, who initiated the parliamentary inquiry, said the figures demonstrate the need for a large-scale deportation campaign. “Numbers don’t lie. The statistics confirm once again: Germans are primarily victims of criminal foreigners from [Middle] Eastern countries,” Drößler told Freilich. “We need a massive deportation offensive that focuses primarily on migrants from the main countries of origin, especially Syria, Afghanistan, Morocco, and Iraq.” He said deportations to all these countries “must finally be possible.”

The AfD argues that uncontrolled migration is worsening social tensions in Germany, including competition for housing, benefits, and public safety, and says it is the only party offering “clear solutions” such as border security, deportation of criminal foreigners, and increased police strength.

This month alone, Remix News has reported on several cases involving Syrian suspects across Germany, including the trial this week of a man accused of attempting to murder his former partner and their infant son by setting fire to her apartment while they were inside.

Last week, five Syrian men aged between 17 and 26 were arrested in connection with the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in Heinsberg, near Aachen. The teenage victim was reportedly persuaded by her ex-boyfriend to meet him, but when he picked her up, three other men entered the car. He then drove them to an apartment in Heinsberg, where two additional men were waiting to rape her under threat of a Taser.

Earlier this month, a 14-year-old Syrian boy accused of committing around 200 crimes was arrested in northern Germany after years of violent offenses that terrorized towns in Schleswig-Holstein. Mohamad H. was charged with three counts of grievous bodily harm, but is accused of committing dozens of offenses, including knife possession, attacking police officers, and multiple thefts.

Read more here...

Tyler Durden Fri, 10/31/2025 - 03:30

Nearly 100,000 Young Men Flee Ukraine In 2 Months Following Loosened Restrictions

Media reports in Europe, including in The Telegraph and Politico, are this week documenting a new massive surge in young men fleeing Ukraine in order to not be conscripted, in which case they could be sent to front lines and face certain death.

"Almost 100,000 fighting-age Ukrainian men have left the country in the past two months after Volodymyr Zelensky eased departure rules, new figures show," The Telegraph reports.

Image source: AP

The figures are primarily based on the Polish border guard, as the neighboring EU country shares a long border with Ukraine, and has been from the start of the war absorbing refugees and trying to maintain strict counts and records.

"Poland’s border guard said 99,000 Ukrainian men aged between 18 and 22 had crossed the frontier – the primary route out of the country – since regulations to ensure that Kyiv had enough soldiers were relaxed at the end of August," The Telegraph writes, and then reminds readers: "In comparison, the entire British Army has around 70,000 personnel."

Even after well over three years of grinding war and a huge loss of men in the fighting, there is yet no mobilization of those aged 18 to 25 in Ukraine. This fact has time and again angered American politicians, who have pressed Kiev to have standards in line with most of the rest of the world's militaries. 

At the tail end of the Biden administration, Zelensky's office had the audacity to shift blame onto the West for not getting enough weapons to the front lines, arguing that more manpower would make little difference if there's not enough weapons and ammo to go around.

"It doesn’t make sense to see calls for Ukraine to lower the mobilization age, presumably in order to draft more people, when we can see that previously announced equipment is not arriving on time. Because of these delays, Ukraine lacks weapons to equip already mobilized soldiers," a statement said at the time.

But Zelensky's martial law program had blocked Ukrainian men aged from 18 to 60 from leaving the country. But then just this past summer this restriction was loosened. 

The major change was reported at the time as follows: "Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers has revised travel rules and allowed men aged 18 to 22 to cross the border, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Telegram on Aug. 26."

While men aged 25 to 60 can be conscripted into the military and sent to the front lines, men 24 and under still cannot. Again, this has been hugely controversial as even US members of Congress have complained that Washington is sinking billions into the war effort against Russia, and Kiev won't even tap into its most eligible fighting-age demographic.

And so the expected drain of young men from the country is happening. The Telegraph explains Kiev's rationale as: "By granting young Ukrainians more freedoms to leave, it was hoped more would return and volunteer to fight at a later date." But unless there's the unlikely scenario of Ukraine going on the offensive and pushing back Russian lines - or else a full and final peace settlement - the trend of young men fleeing Ukraine is unlikely to be reversed anytime soon.

Tyler Durden Fri, 10/31/2025 - 02:45

France: An Islam-Friendly Mayor's Attempt To Squash A Catholic Film Backfires Badly

Via Remix News,

An attempt to ban a movie seen as in breach of France’s long-cherished separation of Church and State has turned the film into a box-office success. 

“Sacre-Coeur: Son regne n’aura pas de fin” (“Sacred Heart: His reign will have no end”) tells the story of the Sacred Heart devotion through the centuries, up until modern times. A devotion in Catholicism entails prayer, receiving communion, and making acts of reparation for sins. The Sacred Heart devotion revolves around such practices in the name of the heart of Jesus Christ, which serves as a symbol of his divine love, mercy, and compassion for humanity.

At first, the mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan (Socialist Party), sought to ban any promotion of the film in spaces managed by the SNCF (French National Railway Company) and the RATP (Parisian public transport operator).

He then banned a screening of the film in a local municipal cinema — all in the name of secularism. 

The issue was that Payan has always seemed far more open to anything related to Islam. In fact, the mayor has set aside land for the building of mosques, made sure Muslim celebrations have adequate venues, and even visited high schools with Muslim Brotherhood ties, reports France Catholique, citing a report out of Frontières magazine on “mayors complicit with Islamism.” 

During Ramadan this year, he even openly stated: “Many of those who lecture Muslims […] should learn what is written in the surahs, which can enlighten us about the world.” 

The movie has particular significance to the city, as the FC portal also notes that Bishop de Belsunce consecrated Marseille to the Sacred Heart during the Great Plague of 1720, which is said to have then ended right afterward. 

Luckily, there were those who decided to push back against the mayor’s ban. Last week, the senator from Marseille, Stéphane Ravier, formerly of Le Pen’s National Rally party, filed an emergency appeal to overturn the municipal decision. Martine Vassal (The Republicans), president of the Bouches-du-Rhône department and the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolitan area, also came out publicly in support of the film and attended its screening that same evening. 

On the morning of the 25th, the court overturned the previous decision, with a strong message for Mayor Payant: “The mayor of Marseille has committed a serious and manifestly illegal infringement of freedom of expression, freedom of creation, and freedom of artistic dissemination.”

At the end of the day, as noted by France Catholique, Payant’s attempt to squash this Christian film backfired terribly. More than 200,000 people have now seen the film directed by Steven J. and Sabrina Gunnel since its release on Oct. 1. While the film was initially in just 155 theaters across France, this was increased to nearly 350 in its third week. 

Read more here...

Tyler Durden Fri, 10/31/2025 - 02:00

The Stage Is Set For A US-Instigated Security Dilemma Between The Eurasian Rimland & Heartland

Authored by Andrew Korybko via Substack,

US-backed NATO, Pakistan, and the “Asian/Containment Crescent” of Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines are poised to respectively face off against Russia, India, and China across this century.

The US is sending mixed signals about the Sino-Russo Entente, which was strengthened by the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline deal, after Trump said in September that he’s “not concerned” about it while Secretary of War Pete Hegseth claimed that he ordered him to “re-establish deterrence” against them. As was argued here, “Trump 2.0’s Eurasian Balancing Act Has Failed” largely as a result of this development, which importantly involved India’s tacit approval amidst its rapprochement with China.

Far from remaining divided, principally as regards China and India with all the complications that their continued rivalry would entail for Russia’s own balancing act, Eurasia’s three most powerful civilization-states are increasingly coming together to revive their dormant Russia-India-China (RIC) format. This platform is significant on its own but it’s also crucially the core of BRICS and the SCO, which play complementary roles in gradually transforming global governance as explained here.

These RIC-accelerated multipolar processes can’t be countered through direct military force, however, but the way in which the Pentagon might try to slow everything down is through provoking arms races. NATO’s, Pakistan’s, and the “Asian/Containment Crescent’s” (Japan-Taiwan-Philippines) US-backed military buildups (partial in Pakistan’s case) could help achieve this vis-à-vis Russia, India, and China as could reinforced US military presences (or a formal return in Pakistan’s case) in each.

Likewise, the “Golden Dome”, intermediate-range missile deployments in their regions, and more militarization of outer space can place additional pressure on Russia and China to this end, though these moves could also backfire by enhancing those two’s military-technical coordination too. To be clear, Russia and China aren’t allies that would go to war for one another, but their shared military-security and strategic interests raise the chances that they’ll provide support for the other during wartime.

China has thus far eschewed sending military-technical aid to Russia due to its complex interdependence with the West, but Trump’s tariff war, his accusation that President Xi Jinping is “conspiring” against the US, and the Pentagon’s plans for the “Asian/Containment Crescent” might prompt a recalculation. In a similar spirit, Russia might become comfortable sharing cutting-edge military-technical knowledge with China to counterbalance US moves in Japan, which could extend to their shared North Korean ally too.

Although the lion’s share of Pakistan’s military-technical equipment comes from China, the US might break into this market if Chinese exports decrease due to the Sino-Indo rapprochement, which could also lead to a decrease in American exports to India and the need to replace them with exports to Pakistan. Russia might even regain its traditional role as India’s top supplier by far if exports to it spike in response to more US exports to Pakistan in a de facto revival of the region’s Old Cold War-era military dynamics.

All of these strategic dynamics set the stage for a security dilemma between the Eurasian Rimland (NATO, Pakistan, and the “Asian/Containment Crescent”) and the Eurasian Heartland (RIC) instigated by the US in order to “re-establish deterrence” vis-à-vis the Sino-Russo Entente. The purpose is to pressure one of them or their shared Indian partner into capitulating to the US so as to then more effectively divide-and-rule the supercontinent. This hegemonic plot will define Eurasia’s 21st-century geopolitics.

Tyler Durden Thu, 10/30/2025 - 23:25

US Tightens Ban On Chinese Tech Gear

Authored by Lily Zhou via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

The United States has extended its ban on Chinese electronics to cover products partly made by companies blacklisted on national security grounds.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr testifies before the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington on May 21, 2025. John McDonnell/Getty Images

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is already barred from authorizing the import or sale of new equipment made by Chinese companies on its “covered list,” including Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua.

On Oct. 28, the commission voted 3–0 to ban devices containing modular transmitters made by companies on the list.

The new rules will allow the FCC to block the importation, marketing, or sale of certain previously authorized devices if they are deemed a national security risk.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the rules address “loopholes that bad actors could use to threaten the security of [U.S.] networks.”

“[With the new rules, the FCC] will have a targeted process it can use to address threats posed by the ongoing sale of devices manufactured by covered list entities,” he said.

“[The new rules will allow the FCC to] prohibit not only finished or completed devices produced by a covered list entity, but also otherwise compliant devices that include certain component parts produced by those bad actors.”

The FCC will seek comment on whether the ban should be extended to cover other component parts.

Entities on the covered list are those found to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of its people, according to the commission.

The list currently includes nine Chinese telecommunication and surveillance equipment companies and two Russian entities that sell cybersecurity services.

Earlier in October, Carr announced that online retailers had removed “several million listings for covered equipment” as a result of the FCC’s crackdown on banned Chinese electronics, including Huawei smartwatches and Dahua home security cameras.

Hikvision said it opposed extending restrictions to previously approved models, arguing that the FCC is overstepping its authority.

“This order is not based on any product-specific evidence,” Hikvision said, noting that it will “impose unnecessary harm on U.S. communities and small businesses that rely on safe, compliant, and already authorized security systems.”

In March, the FCC stated that it was investigating Chinese companies on its covered list because some or all of them “may still be operating in the U.S.”

On Oct. 15, the commission said it had taken the initial step to revoke the operating authority of major Hong Kong telecom carrier HKT in the United States.

It also issued a national security notice this month reminding companies of prohibited items, including video surveillance equipment.

In September, the FCC began proceedings to withdraw recognition from seven test labs owned or controlled by the Chinese regime, citing national security concerns.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Tyler Durden Thu, 10/30/2025 - 21:45

US Tightens Ban On Chinese Tech Gear

Authored by Lily Zhou via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

The United States has extended its ban on Chinese electronics to cover products partly made by companies blacklisted on national security grounds.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr testifies before the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington on May 21, 2025. John McDonnell/Getty Images

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is already barred from authorizing the import or sale of new equipment made by Chinese companies on its “covered list,” including Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua.

On Oct. 28, the commission voted 3–0 to ban devices containing modular transmitters made by companies on the list.

The new rules will allow the FCC to block the importation, marketing, or sale of certain previously authorized devices if they are deemed a national security risk.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the rules address “loopholes that bad actors could use to threaten the security of [U.S.] networks.”

“[With the new rules, the FCC] will have a targeted process it can use to address threats posed by the ongoing sale of devices manufactured by covered list entities,” he said.

“[The new rules will allow the FCC to] prohibit not only finished or completed devices produced by a covered list entity, but also otherwise compliant devices that include certain component parts produced by those bad actors.”

The FCC will seek comment on whether the ban should be extended to cover other component parts.

Entities on the covered list are those found to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of its people, according to the commission.

The list currently includes nine Chinese telecommunication and surveillance equipment companies and two Russian entities that sell cybersecurity services.

Earlier in October, Carr announced that online retailers had removed “several million listings for covered equipment” as a result of the FCC’s crackdown on banned Chinese electronics, including Huawei smartwatches and Dahua home security cameras.

Hikvision said it opposed extending restrictions to previously approved models, arguing that the FCC is overstepping its authority.

“This order is not based on any product-specific evidence,” Hikvision said, noting that it will “impose unnecessary harm on U.S. communities and small businesses that rely on safe, compliant, and already authorized security systems.”

In March, the FCC stated that it was investigating Chinese companies on its covered list because some or all of them “may still be operating in the U.S.”

On Oct. 15, the commission said it had taken the initial step to revoke the operating authority of major Hong Kong telecom carrier HKT in the United States.

It also issued a national security notice this month reminding companies of prohibited items, including video surveillance equipment.

In September, the FCC began proceedings to withdraw recognition from seven test labs owned or controlled by the Chinese regime, citing national security concerns.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Tyler Durden Thu, 10/30/2025 - 21:45

DOGE Team At Pentagon Is Urgently Trying To Overhaul America's Lagging Drone Program

Apparently the Pentagon has its very own DOGE unit, and it is overseeing a major US effort to greatly and rapidly bolster the US military's drone program, which by many accounts has been lagging.

The Pentagon's Department of Government Efficiency, which has only been disclosed in a fresh Reuters report Thursday, will aim to acquire at least 30,000 drones in the coming months. It follows Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth recently vowing to cut red tape after there were alarm bells in Washington over US drones' lackluster performance on the Ukrainian battlefield.

Source: Anduril

The urgency of a more cutting-edge and nimble drone program, perhaps more in line with the vision of defense tech innovationists like Palmer Luckey and his Anduril Industries, was communicated in President Trump's June executive order designating the drone program a defense priority. This includes a desire for greater numbers of AI autonomous drones.

According to Reuters, "DOGE officials have requested information on drones from across the Pentagon, including the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force and the Defense Innovation Unit, seeking information about specifications, including weight and payload size, according to two of the people."

Owen West, a Marine veteran who has had roles both at Goldman Sachs and the Department of Defense, has been identified as DOGE's drone team leader, and he is said to have co-authored of a key Hegseth July drone memo.

"The Pentagon's DOGE unit is leading efforts to overhaul the U.S. military drone program, including streamlining procurement, expand homegrown production, and acquire tens of thousands of cheap drones in the coming months, according to Pentagon officials and people with knowledge of the matter," Reuters continues.

The Ukraine war has been dominated by literally hundreds of thousands of small UAVs, sometimes hitting in waves of 'drone swarms' on either said - and China too is said to be bulking up its arsenal with AI drone swarms with an eye on potential Taiwan action.

Consider for example, the following observation from last June related to the Ukraine battlefield:

Ukraine just mounted an attack that marks a turning point in the history of warfare Hundreds of drones were pre-deployed and then struck 40+ aircraft 1000+ km inside of Russia >$1B in damage by <$1m of drones Critical infra is no longer safe," Sequoia partner Shaun Maguire wrote on X. 

Trying to think through the implications of this. Asymmetric/ irregular warfare just became way more viable. Traditional organized militaries are toast.

— nic carter (@nic__carter) June 1, 2025

This is the new face of warfare — covert, mobile, and nearly impossible to detect until it's too late. Also, the US now faces growing vulnerabilities, not only from irregular warfare but also from potential internal security lapses. And as the battlefield leaves the era of conventional 'fronts' - the Pentagon wants to catch up on holding the edge on weapons tech.

Tyler Durden Thu, 10/30/2025 - 21:20

DOGE Team At Pentagon Is Urgently Trying To Overhaul America's Lagging Drone Program

Apparently the Pentagon has its very own DOGE unit, and it is overseeing a major US effort to greatly and rapidly bolster the US military's drone program, which by many accounts has been lagging.

The Pentagon's Department of Government Efficiency, which has only been disclosed in a fresh Reuters report Thursday, will aim to acquire at least 30,000 drones in the coming months. It follows Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth recently vowing to cut red tape after there were alarm bells in Washington over US drones' lackluster performance on the Ukrainian battlefield.

Source: Anduril

The urgency of a more cutting-edge and nimble drone program, perhaps more in line with the vision of defense tech innovationists like Palmer Luckey and his Anduril Industries, was communicated in President Trump's June executive order designating the drone program a defense priority. This includes a desire for greater numbers of AI autonomous drones.

According to Reuters, "DOGE officials have requested information on drones from across the Pentagon, including the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force and the Defense Innovation Unit, seeking information about specifications, including weight and payload size, according to two of the people."

Owen West, a Marine veteran who has had roles both at Goldman Sachs and the Department of Defense, has been identified as DOGE's drone team leader, and he is said to have co-authored of a key Hegseth July drone memo.

"The Pentagon's DOGE unit is leading efforts to overhaul the U.S. military drone program, including streamlining procurement, expand homegrown production, and acquire tens of thousands of cheap drones in the coming months, according to Pentagon officials and people with knowledge of the matter," Reuters continues.

The Ukraine war has been dominated by literally hundreds of thousands of small UAVs, sometimes hitting in waves of 'drone swarms' on either said - and China too is said to be bulking up its arsenal with AI drone swarms with an eye on potential Taiwan action.

Consider for example, the following observation from last June related to the Ukraine battlefield:

Ukraine just mounted an attack that marks a turning point in the history of warfare Hundreds of drones were pre-deployed and then struck 40+ aircraft 1000+ km inside of Russia >$1B in damage by <$1m of drones Critical infra is no longer safe," Sequoia partner Shaun Maguire wrote on X. 

Trying to think through the implications of this. Asymmetric/ irregular warfare just became way more viable. Traditional organized militaries are toast.

— nic carter (@nic__carter) June 1, 2025

This is the new face of warfare — covert, mobile, and nearly impossible to detect until it's too late. Also, the US now faces growing vulnerabilities, not only from irregular warfare but also from potential internal security lapses. And as the battlefield leaves the era of conventional 'fronts' - the Pentagon wants to catch up on holding the edge on weapons tech.

Tyler Durden Thu, 10/30/2025 - 21:20

Did The CIA Discover How To Manifest Your Best Life?

Authored by Nicole James via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

It’s 1983. Shoulder pads are high, hair is higher, and somewhere deep within the corridors of the CIA, a few serious-looking men in polyester suits are asking themselves: what if we could leave our bodies on purpose and go spying through the astral plane? Thus was born the Gateway Process, a top-secret attempt to weaponise meditation.

Via CIA Reading Room

The 29-page report, “Analysis and Assessment of the Gateway Process,” is a combination of science, séance, and Cold War madness. It reads like Stephen Hawking fell asleep on a yoga mat and woke up in a pyramid scheme.

Courtesy of TikTok, the Gateway Process is back, because nothing says global awakening like Gen Z explaining quantum physics between mascara tutorials.

What is the Gateway Process?

In essence, it’s the CIA’s attempt to figure out whether humans can think their way out of space and time. Yes, really. Think mind flight.

The Gateway Process was inspired by Robert Monroe, a former radio executive who discovered that specific sound frequencies could sync the brain’s left and right hemispheres—a state he called hemi-sync.

The idea was that when both halves of your brain were in harmony, your consciousness could detach from your body and go exploring.

[ZH: And so you don't have to go to cia.gov, or read Nicole James' masterful Aussie snark, dive into the CIA's analysis below]

cia-rdp96-00788r001700210016-5 by Zerohedge Janitor

The theory goes that everything from your cat to your bad mood is made up of vibrating energy fields. If you can tune your brain to just the right frequency, you can theoretically pop out of your body, transcend space-time, and maybe, if you’re lucky, have a word with God or at least get better parking karma.

Who Came Up With This (and Why Did the CIA Care)?

You’d think the CIA would have bigger fish to fry in 1983, like the Soviets, or disco, but apparently not.

The report’s author, Lt. Col. Wayne McDonnell, took Monroe’s new-age noodling and dressed it up in quantum mechanics. He spoke of “vibrational systems,” “energy patterns,” and “escaping time-space.”

In fairness, the Cold War was a paranoid time. The Soviets were rumoured to be studying telepathy, remote viewing, and spoon-bending. So naturally, the CIA thought, let’s not be left behind in the psychic arms race.

The Gateway report is a glorious mess of science and spirituality. It cites string theory, holographic universes, and something called “the cosmic egg,” which sounds more like brunch.

Essentially, it argues that the universe is a big hologram of energy, and human consciousness is just one shimmering part of that infinite field. By syncing your brainwaves, you can allegedly project your mind into this field, alter reality, and, if you’ve focused properly, manifest your desired outcomes.

It’s like The Secret, but with more footnotes and less Oprah.

How Does It Actually Work?

The technique is built around Hemi-Sync audio tapes. These are something like if guided meditations met Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. You pop on your headphones, listen to two slightly different tones in each ear, and your brain merges them into a single frequency.

That’s when the magic (or madness) happens. You’re meant to enter a state between wakefulness and sleep known as Focus 10, where your body is “asleep but your mind is awake.” From there, you can move to Focus 12, where you may meet your “higher self,” or Focus 15, where time apparently becomes optional.

People who’ve tried it say it’s like lucid dreaming.

What’s This About “Patterning”?

The CIA’s take on manifestation is called patterning.

Patterning involves visualising what you want so clearly and intensely that it becomes inevitable. You imagine your goal as already achieved, whether it is the job, the house, the functioning romantic relationship, and by doing so, your consciousness “projects that reality into time-space.”

It’s basically vision boarding, except it’s written in Courier font and possibly classified.

Why Are People Obsessed With It Again?

Because in 2025, nothing unites humanity like wanting to hack reality without logging off TikTok.

The document resurfaced after a few enterprising influencers decided it proved the Law of Attraction. (“Even the CIA believes in manifesting!” they shrieked, between sponsorships.)

But still, it’s a seductive idea. Who doesn’t want to believe they can rearrange the universe by focusing really hard?

Can You Actually Try It?

Yes, and you don’t even need security clearance.

The Monroe Institute still exists and runs retreats where you can learn the Gateway techniques. For around US$79, you can take a digital “Beyond Meditation” course. For $2,805, you can attend an in-person Remote Viewing programme and try to see through walls, time, and possibly your ex’s emotional unavailability.

The advanced levels go all the way to Focus 49, where you can allegedly “strengthen the energetic pathway between Earth’s core and the galactic core.”

How to Manifest Like a Spy (Sort Of)

Here’s a CIA-approved approach to manifestation, minus the lab coat:

1. Visualise. Picture your goal vividly, like it’s already happened. (Apparently, the universe loves confidence.)
2. Intend. Attach emotion and belief to that image.
3. Focus. Hold that thought. Don’t get distracted by emails or carbs.
4. Detach. Let it go. Nothing kills a cosmic vibration faster than neediness.
5. Repeat. Because even quantum physics loves consistency.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get a sudden insight, a burst of intuition, or possibly just a really nice nap.

[ZH: Or, they were on to something...]

Tyler Durden Thu, 10/30/2025 - 20:55

Did The CIA Discover How To Manifest Your Best Life?

Authored by Nicole James via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

It’s 1983. Shoulder pads are high, hair is higher, and somewhere deep within the corridors of the CIA, a few serious-looking men in polyester suits are asking themselves: what if we could leave our bodies on purpose and go spying through the astral plane? Thus was born the Gateway Process, a top-secret attempt to weaponise meditation.

Via CIA Reading Room

The 29-page report, “Analysis and Assessment of the Gateway Process,” is a combination of science, séance, and Cold War madness. It reads like Stephen Hawking fell asleep on a yoga mat and woke up in a pyramid scheme.

Courtesy of TikTok, the Gateway Process is back, because nothing says global awakening like Gen Z explaining quantum physics between mascara tutorials.

What is the Gateway Process?

In essence, it’s the CIA’s attempt to figure out whether humans can think their way out of space and time. Yes, really. Think mind flight.

The Gateway Process was inspired by Robert Monroe, a former radio executive who discovered that specific sound frequencies could sync the brain’s left and right hemispheres—a state he called hemi-sync.

The idea was that when both halves of your brain were in harmony, your consciousness could detach from your body and go exploring.

[ZH: And so you don't have to go to cia.gov, or read Nicole James' masterful Aussie snark, dive into the CIA's analysis below]

cia-rdp96-00788r001700210016-5 by Zerohedge Janitor

The theory goes that everything from your cat to your bad mood is made up of vibrating energy fields. If you can tune your brain to just the right frequency, you can theoretically pop out of your body, transcend space-time, and maybe, if you’re lucky, have a word with God or at least get better parking karma.

Who Came Up With This (and Why Did the CIA Care)?

You’d think the CIA would have bigger fish to fry in 1983, like the Soviets, or disco, but apparently not.

The report’s author, Lt. Col. Wayne McDonnell, took Monroe’s new-age noodling and dressed it up in quantum mechanics. He spoke of “vibrational systems,” “energy patterns,” and “escaping time-space.”

In fairness, the Cold War was a paranoid time. The Soviets were rumoured to be studying telepathy, remote viewing, and spoon-bending. So naturally, the CIA thought, let’s not be left behind in the psychic arms race.

The Gateway report is a glorious mess of science and spirituality. It cites string theory, holographic universes, and something called “the cosmic egg,” which sounds more like brunch.

Essentially, it argues that the universe is a big hologram of energy, and human consciousness is just one shimmering part of that infinite field. By syncing your brainwaves, you can allegedly project your mind into this field, alter reality, and, if you’ve focused properly, manifest your desired outcomes.

It’s like The Secret, but with more footnotes and less Oprah.

How Does It Actually Work?

The technique is built around Hemi-Sync audio tapes. These are something like if guided meditations met Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. You pop on your headphones, listen to two slightly different tones in each ear, and your brain merges them into a single frequency.

That’s when the magic (or madness) happens. You’re meant to enter a state between wakefulness and sleep known as Focus 10, where your body is “asleep but your mind is awake.” From there, you can move to Focus 12, where you may meet your “higher self,” or Focus 15, where time apparently becomes optional.

People who’ve tried it say it’s like lucid dreaming.

What’s This About “Patterning”?

The CIA’s take on manifestation is called patterning.

Patterning involves visualising what you want so clearly and intensely that it becomes inevitable. You imagine your goal as already achieved, whether it is the job, the house, the functioning romantic relationship, and by doing so, your consciousness “projects that reality into time-space.”

It’s basically vision boarding, except it’s written in Courier font and possibly classified.

Why Are People Obsessed With It Again?

Because in 2025, nothing unites humanity like wanting to hack reality without logging off TikTok.

The document resurfaced after a few enterprising influencers decided it proved the Law of Attraction. (“Even the CIA believes in manifesting!” they shrieked, between sponsorships.)

But still, it’s a seductive idea. Who doesn’t want to believe they can rearrange the universe by focusing really hard?

Can You Actually Try It?

Yes, and you don’t even need security clearance.

The Monroe Institute still exists and runs retreats where you can learn the Gateway techniques. For around US$79, you can take a digital “Beyond Meditation” course. For $2,805, you can attend an in-person Remote Viewing programme and try to see through walls, time, and possibly your ex’s emotional unavailability.

The advanced levels go all the way to Focus 49, where you can allegedly “strengthen the energetic pathway between Earth’s core and the galactic core.”

How to Manifest Like a Spy (Sort Of)

Here’s a CIA-approved approach to manifestation, minus the lab coat:

1. Visualise. Picture your goal vividly, like it’s already happened. (Apparently, the universe loves confidence.)
2. Intend. Attach emotion and belief to that image.
3. Focus. Hold that thought. Don’t get distracted by emails or carbs.
4. Detach. Let it go. Nothing kills a cosmic vibration faster than neediness.
5. Repeat. Because even quantum physics loves consistency.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get a sudden insight, a burst of intuition, or possibly just a really nice nap.

[ZH: Or, they were on to something...]

Tyler Durden Thu, 10/30/2025 - 20:55

Monkeys Still On The Loose After Mississippi Truck Crash

Three research monkeys are still mysteriously missing in Mississippi after a truck transporting the test primates toppled, leaving officials scratching their heads about who managed the monkeys, who moved them, and where the merry mammals were meant to go.

The monkey muddle has left a mess of unanswered questions for authorities.

Officials initially said Tuesday that all but one of the escaped rhesus monkeys had been killed. But the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department later clarified that Tulane University’s team of primate professionals entered the trailer that evening and determined three monkeys had made their getaway.

Sheriff Randy Johnson said Tulane officials assured investigators that the monkeys were not infectious - despite early warnings from the truck’s occupants suggesting the animals were dangerous. Still, Johnson said the monkeys needed to be “neutralized” because of their aggressive nature.

The overturned truck had been carrying 21 rhesus monkeys, each weighing about 16 pounds. Tulane confirmed Wednesday that the monkeys had recently passed pathogen-free checkups. The university insisted it didn’t own or transport them but had sent monkey management experts to help with the situation.

The monkeys had been housed at the Tulane University National Primate Research Center, which routinely supplies animals for scientific studies. The facility lies about 40 miles north of New Orleans in Covington, Louisiana. Video from Tuesday showed monkeys scrambling around Interstate 59 near Heidelberg, Mississippi, among shattered crates marked “Live Animals.”

By Wednesday, the truck was gone, but people in masks and monkey-minding gear - white coats, gloves, and hairnets - joined law officers combing the area.

University officials will remain nearby as the search for the missing monkeys continues, the sheriff said. The remaining rhesus residents were being returned to Louisiana.

Mississippi state veterinarian Dr. James Watson verified the animals had the correct documentation and “certificate of veterinary inspection” for interstate transport. The Board of Animal Health wasn’t part of the emergency response, he said, and any further information should come from Tulane’s primate center.

Authorities urged anyone who spots the marauding monkeys not to approach them but to contact law enforcement immediately.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol said it was still investigating the crash, which occurred roughly 100 miles from Jackson, the state capital.

We're rooting for the monkeys...

Tyler Durden Thu, 10/30/2025 - 19:40

Monkeys Still On The Loose After Mississippi Truck Crash

Three research monkeys are still mysteriously missing in Mississippi after a truck transporting the test primates toppled, leaving officials scratching their heads about who managed the monkeys, who moved them, and where the merry mammals were meant to go.

The monkey muddle has left a mess of unanswered questions for authorities.

Officials initially said Tuesday that all but one of the escaped rhesus monkeys had been killed. But the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department later clarified that Tulane University’s team of primate professionals entered the trailer that evening and determined three monkeys had made their getaway.

Sheriff Randy Johnson said Tulane officials assured investigators that the monkeys were not infectious - despite early warnings from the truck’s occupants suggesting the animals were dangerous. Still, Johnson said the monkeys needed to be “neutralized” because of their aggressive nature.

The overturned truck had been carrying 21 rhesus monkeys, each weighing about 16 pounds. Tulane confirmed Wednesday that the monkeys had recently passed pathogen-free checkups. The university insisted it didn’t own or transport them but had sent monkey management experts to help with the situation.

The monkeys had been housed at the Tulane University National Primate Research Center, which routinely supplies animals for scientific studies. The facility lies about 40 miles north of New Orleans in Covington, Louisiana. Video from Tuesday showed monkeys scrambling around Interstate 59 near Heidelberg, Mississippi, among shattered crates marked “Live Animals.”

By Wednesday, the truck was gone, but people in masks and monkey-minding gear - white coats, gloves, and hairnets - joined law officers combing the area.

University officials will remain nearby as the search for the missing monkeys continues, the sheriff said. The remaining rhesus residents were being returned to Louisiana.

Mississippi state veterinarian Dr. James Watson verified the animals had the correct documentation and “certificate of veterinary inspection” for interstate transport. The Board of Animal Health wasn’t part of the emergency response, he said, and any further information should come from Tulane’s primate center.

Authorities urged anyone who spots the marauding monkeys not to approach them but to contact law enforcement immediately.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol said it was still investigating the crash, which occurred roughly 100 miles from Jackson, the state capital.

We're rooting for the monkeys...

Tyler Durden Thu, 10/30/2025 - 19:40

Note: Mortgage rates are from MortgageNewsDaily.com and are for top tier scenarios.

Thursday:
• At 8:30 AM ET, Personal Income and Outlays for September.

• At 9:45 AM: Chicago Purchasing Managers Index for October. The consensus is for a reading of 42.0, up from 40.6 in September.

Japan Gets First Missiles For F-35s After Trump Proclaimed "New Golden Age" In Ties

Via The Libertarian Institute 

President Donald Trump announced that he had approved missiles for Japan's fleet of F-35s, and the first delivery of the munitions would occur this week. 

Speaking aboard the USS George Washington in Japan, Trump said, "I'm delighted to report that I’ve just approved the first batch of missiles. They’ll arrive this week, so they’re ahead of schedule."

AIM-9X Sidewinder, via US Navy/

The sale is for AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder. President Joe Biden approved a $3.6 billion sale of AMRAAMs to Tokyo in January. Trump authorized Japan to buy $100 million in Sidewinder missiles last month. 

Trump made the declaration as he toured Asia. During a meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan, Takaichi Sanae, Trump signed an agreement to create a "new golden age" of the Washington-Tokyo alliance.  

"The Agreement will help both countries to strengthen economic security, promote economic growth, and thereby continuously lead to global prosperity," a statement from the White House explained.

"The two leaders instructed relevant ministers and secretaries to take further steps for a NEW GOLDEN AGE of the ever-growing US-Japan Alliance," it added.

The Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-9X Sidewinder is the latest of the Sidewinder family of short-range air-to-air missiles. It features a high off-boresight focal-plane array seeker mounted on a highly maneuverable airframe with a greatly improved infrared counter-countermeasures feature. The AIM-9X incorporates many AIM-9M legacy components (rocket motor, warhead and active optical target detector), but its performance far exceeds the legacy Sidewinder. Unlike previous AIM-9 models, the AIM-9X can even be used against targets on the ground. —NAVAIR

After leaving Japan, Trump traveled to South Korea, where he met with Chinese President Xi on Thursday. "We’re going to have something that’s going to be very, very satisfactory to China and to us. I think we’re gonna have a - I think it’s going to be a very good meeting," Trump had said just ahead of the summit.

On multiple occasions during his trip to Asia, Trump has mentioned he would like to meet with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un. Pyongyang has not responded to Trump’s offer.

North Korean officials have explained that Kim will only sit down with Trump if the US drops its demand that Pyongyang give up its nuclear weapons. 

Tyler Durden Thu, 10/30/2025 - 19:15