The DOL reported:

In the week ending December 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 236,000, an increase of 44,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 191,000 to 192,000. The 4-week moving average was 216,750, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 214,750.
emphasis added

The following graph shows the 4-week moving average of weekly claims since 1971.

Click on graph for larger image.

The dashed line on the graph is the current 4-week average. The four-week average of weekly unemployment claims increased to 216,750.

The Orbital Data Center Space Race Has Officially Begun

We've highlighted a new theme: data centers in low Earth orbit, or at least the race to get these AI chips into space.

Week after week, the news flow shows a new space race taking shape, as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Sam Altman appear to be the major players in the scramble to get chips into orbit - almost certainly joined by other billionaires quietly working behind the scenes.

The latest news on the AI chips-in-space theme comes from a Bloomberg report that Musk's SpaceX is planning to raise $30 billion at a $1.5 trillion valuation, with some of the proceeds expected to be used for space-based data centers.

We must note that Musk has the only capable space program that could rapidly deploy space-based data centers at scale; neither China nor Russia, nor even Bezos' Blue Origin, currently has this capability.

Meanwhile, ChatGPT founder Sam Altman attempted to buy rocket startup Stoke Space this past summer, with the intent of joining the space race to launch AI chips into orbit.

A new Wall Street Journal report on Wednesday afternoon added more color about the Musk-Bezos space-based data center race:

Bezos' Blue Origin has had a team working for more than a year on technology needed for orbital AI data centers, a person familiar with the matter said. Musk's SpaceX plans to use an upgraded version of its Starlink satellites to host AI computing payloads, pitching the technology as part of a share sale that could value the company at $800 billion, according to people involved in the discussions.

The push to move data centers into low Earth orbit is all about sidestepping Earth's power constraints and soaking up precious resources, harnessing essentially limitless solar energy, and leveraging space's near-zero thermal environment to keep advanced AI chips cool.

"Taking resource-intensive infrastructure off Earth has been an idea for years, but it has required launch and satellite costs to come down. We are nearing that point," Will Marshall, CEO of satellite operator and builder Planet Labs, told WSJ.

Making spaceflight affordable has been SpaceX's focus with its reusable rockets, and once Starship becomes commercialized, costs should drop even further.

Let's remind readers that SpaceX is effectively America's rocket program - and it leads the world by light-years.

This makes Musk and xAI uniquely positioned to scale data centers quickly.

SpaceX also leads in terms of spacecraft upmass...

WSJ noted that Google and Planet Labs plan to conduct a 2027 space test using satellites equipped with Google AI chips. Early tests aim to demonstrate feasibility, while full-scale systems will require thousands of satellites to match a single large terrestrial data center.

Latest from Musk about data centers in space. 

The lowest cost place for data centers is space when 300 GW of computer data center you can power and cool in space when you have continuous solar and no batteries needed. @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/J5EMJt8rRw

— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) November 19, 2025

And Bezos. 

Jeff Bezos plans to build a data center in space within the next 10+ years.

Unlimited solar energy available 24/7, space is an ideal location for data centers.$AMZN AWS is set to make major moves out there. pic.twitter.com/KJCEO973eQ

— Bourbon Capital (@BourbonCap) October 3, 2025

Why stop with data centers in low Earth orbit? How about on the moon? We're sure Starlink's in-space mesh network can help with that... So crypto mining on the moon as well? All things space are about to kick off with SpaceX's IPO slated for next year. 

Tyler Durden Thu, 12/11/2025 - 08:25

Lilly's Next-Gen Obesity Shot Shows Best-In-Class Weight Loss In Study

Shares of Eli Lilly are higher in premarket trading after the company unveiled blowout topline results for its next-generation obesity drug retatrutide, which delivered more than 23% weight loss over 68 weeks - the strongest performance yet for a late-stage obesity trial.

Adult patients in the Phase 3 TRIUMPH-4 trial testing retatrutide, a first-in-class GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon triple hormone receptor agonist, entered the study with obesity or overweight and knee osteoarthritis. Most participants had a BMI of 35 or higher.

Result highlights for both high-dose regimens (9 mg and 12 mg):

• Met all primary and key secondary endpoints

• Produced massive weight loss: up to 28.7% on average (71.2 lbs) at 68 weeks

• Delivered major pain improvement: up to 4.5 points (75.8%) reduction on the WOMAC pain score

• Improved physical function, in addition to weight and pain outcomes

"We are encouraged by the results of TRIUMPH-4, which highlight the powerful effect of retatrutide, a first-in-class triple agonist, on body weight, pain and physical function. With seven additional Phase 3 readouts expected in 2026, we believe retatrutide could become an important option for patients with significant weight loss needs and certain complications, including knee osteoarthritis," Kenneth Custer, Ph.D., executive vice president and president, Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, wrote in a statement.

Some patients lost so much weight they chose to exit the trial early, particularly those with a BMI below 35. The highest dose saw an 18% dropout rate due to side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and occasional mild dysesthesia.

"Not all patients may need this potentially very high level of efficacy, and we believe retatrutide will likely be best suited for patients with a very high BMI, or with obesity-related complications that require a high degree of weight loss," Lilly's Chief Scientific Officer Daniel Skovronsky told investors in October.

The results come as the race for next-generation obesity drugs intensifies: Shares of rival Novo Nordisk plummeted the most on record after an experimental GLP-1 fell short of Wall Street expectations last year. The drug CagriSema helped patients lose an average of 20.4% of their weight, far short of Novo's promise.

Stock Chart: Lilly vs. Novo

Is Goldman still putting their clients in Novo?

Tyler Durden Thu, 12/11/2025 - 08:05

Dark-Fleet Tanker At Epicenter Of Iran's Shadow Oil Trade Seized By U.S. Commandos

Welcome to Monroe Doctrine 2.0 - a revival of gunboat diplomacy - where U.S. forces just carried out an exceptionally rare move: seizing a massive dark-fleet tanker off Venezuela, long known as a key tanker for Iran's shadow oil trade.

Maritime tracker MarineTraffic shows that the vessel commandeered by a U.S. special operations team, which rappelled onto the tanker's deck from a Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday (watch here), is the VLCC Skipper, carrying a million barrels of crude.

Here's more from MarineTraffic:

U.S. forces seize tanker linked to covert Venezuelan crude shipment

U.S. forces have seized an oil #tanker believed to be the VLCC Skipper, after satellite imagery showed she secretly loading 1.1 million barrels of sanctioned Merey crude at Venezuela's José Terminal. The vessel had been transmitting falsified AIS positions during the operation, a tactic increasingly used by "dark fleet" tankers tied to Venezuelan and Iranian trades.

MarineTraffic data shows the vessel has been sanctioned by OFAC since November 2022 and repeatedly linked to high-risk activity. Her cargo history includes multiple liftings from Venezuela and Iran, while operational risk signals show a two-month AIS gap in Iranian waters. The vessel has also conducted high-risk and dark STS transfers in the Red Sea, Iranian and Syrian zones, alongside multiple AIS spoofing events. Here's the playback of the vessel's latest movements.

US forces seize tanker linked to covert Venezuelan crude shipment

US forces have seized an oil #tanker believed to be the VLCC Skipper, after satellite imagery showed she secretly loading 1.1 million barrels of sanctioned Merey crude at Venezuela’s José Terminal. The vessel had… pic.twitter.com/MJji0O20qT

— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) December 10, 2025

Anas Alhajji of Energy Outlook Advisors asked several key questions after the U.S. seized the tanker:

• Who is the target?

• What is the impact on global oil markets?

• Shipping?

• Tanker rates?

⭕️Who Is the Target? What is the impact on global oil markets? Shipping? Tanker rates?

⭕️U.S. Forces Seize Guyana-Flagged VLCC “Skipper” Carrying Venezuelan Crude Bound for Cuba!

Link: https://t.co/CMcYGcx3d1 pic.twitter.com/uR5dUyWvvu

— Anas Alhajji (@anasalhajji) December 11, 2025

Intelligence firm Kpler noted:

The seizure underscores Washington's escalating efforts to crack down on dark-fleet activity tied to Iranian and Venezuelan crude trades.

The incident comes amid heightened U.S. military presence in the region, and as Venezuela's crude exports dropped to 700 kbd in November. The Skipper has been repeatedly linked to sanction evasion tactics, including spoofing and mislabeled Iranian cargoes routed through Asia, raising alarms about ongoing maritime deception.

Satellite imagery from November 14 shows the seized VLCC Skipper loading crude at Venezuela's José Oil Terminal. Credit: European Union Copernicus Sentinel.

Tanker with Venezuela oil seized by U.S.

U.S. forces have seized an #oil tanker believed to be the VLCC Skipper, following satellite evidence that it covertly loaded 1.1 million barrels of sanctioned Merey crude from Venezuela’s Jose Terminal. Despite transmitting falsified AIS… pic.twitter.com/7tjRUFBM3S

— Kpler (@Kpler) December 10, 2025

In markets, Brent crude round-tripped any fears of market disruptions as this seizure off Venezuela's shore is isolated.

CBS cited a statement from the Venezuelan government that read, "It strongly denounces and repudiates what constitutes a shameless robbery and an act of international piracy."

Tyler Durden Thu, 12/11/2025 - 07:45

Tether Launches Privacy-Focused Health Platform With On-Device AI

Authored by Nate Kostar via CoinTelegraph.com,

Tether has launched a new platform that aggregates data from multiple wearables and wellness apps into a single, locally processed dashboard, aiming to give users control over their biometric information.

The platform, called QVAC Health, aggregates data from fitness trackers, nutrition apps and other wearables into an encrypted dashboard that works offline, using on-device AI and peer-to-peer model downloads to analyze activity, meals, symptoms and medication logs without relying on external servers.

The app includes experimental computer-vision tools that can estimate calories and macronutrients from meal photos and can correlate those logs with data from multiple wearables to identify patterns in activity, recovery or sleep, all processed locally on the user’s device, according to a Wednesday announcement.

Source: QVAC

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino called the platform a “neutral ground for wellness data” that reflects the “company’s commitment to privacy-preserving local intelligence.”

Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer, says future updates will include direct Bluetooth Low Energy connections that will let the app read data from certain wearables without routing information through manufacturer APIs or cloud services.

The platform is part of Tether Data’s QVAC project, which builds peer-to-peer, device-based AI systems designed to operate without relying on centralized platforms.

The global fitness-tracker market was valued at $52.29 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $189.98 billion by 2032, according to a Verified Market Research report. Major fitness-tracker manufacturers include Apple, Fitbit, Samsung, and Huawei. 

Privacy concerns drive new developments across crypto

Tether’s new platform aligns with comments Ardoino made in 2024, when he argued that running local AI models directly on user devices was the only reliable way to prevent data from being harvested or exposed through centralized servers.

Former White House adviser David Holtzman told Cointelegraph in December 2024 that AI-driven data aggregation and future quantum threats make large data repositories especially vulnerable.

Holtzman noted that AI can rapidly assemble behavioral and transactional data to identify targets more precisely, while future quantum attacks could break today’s encryption standards across sectors.

He said decentralized systems can help reduce these risks by avoiding large, centralized data stores.

The evolution of the internet. Source: Dock/Cointelegraph

The various threats to privacy have spurred some action in the crypto community. In June, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin proposed a “pluralistic identity” model — a digital ID approach that lets people prove who they are or qualify for services without exposing all of their personal information.

In December, Fortune reported that Circle is developing a privacy-enhanced stablecoin called USDCx with Aleo, designed to give institutional users banking-level transaction privacy while preserving the ability to furnish compliance records when necessary.

Growing concerns over data exposure and surveillance have also fueled renewed interest in privacy-focused cryptocurrencies, with the Zcash protocol emerging as one of the beneficiaries.

Tyler Durden Thu, 12/11/2025 - 07:20

My busy-all-day-and-night morning reads:

• Are retail traders the captains now? It’s often easy to laugh at retail traders as they post loss porn on Reddit, insist Strategy’s strategy is sound, buy Bonk ETFs, argue that Bed Bath & Beyond’s cancelled shares are worth something, and pump up fried chicken, quantum computing and small modular reactor stocks. However, they are undeniably a rising power in markets, able to exert immense force on even the largest companies and turn smaller and midsized ones into financial playthings. (Financial Times)

• A Startup Says It Has Found a Hidden Source of Geothermal Energy: Zanskar uses AI to identify hidden geothermal systems—and claims it has found one that could fuel a power plant, the first such discovery by industry in decades. (Wired) see also Nuclear and Fossil Fuels Join Forces to Undermine Renewables: The once unlikely alliance took root in Texas and now reaches right into the White House, where President Trump wants to ban wind energy projects. (Businessweek)

• Why Costco is the only big retailer to challenge Trump on tariff refunds: Buffered by its strong customer loyalty, Costco has a track record of not yielding to the administration. (Washington Post)

• California’s ‘Teacher Village’ Model Spreads as Housing Costs Soar: More schools are offering company housing to prevent educators from fleeing to cheaper locales. ‘They go to Idaho, they go to Texas.’ (Wall Street Journal)

• Giving Money Directly to Children Is an Idea the Right and Left Could Love: Michael and Susan Dell’s $6.25 billion donation to child savings accounts fits a trend: giving with no strings attached. In some ways, it’s a bipartisan philosophy. (New York Times)

• A 6-year research project found a surprisingly simple route to happiness: Results of a study out of Cornell suggest a happiness hack that can lead you toward a life of purpose. (Washington Post) see also Our Idea of Happiness Has Gotten Shallow. Here’s How to Deepen It. We used to have a very different understanding of what it means to live well. (New York Times)

• Here’s What Ozempic Does To Your Brain, According To Doctors Who Prescribe It: Doctors Say Ozempic Alters Your Brain Chemistry In This Surprising Way: It’s a major part of why the drug works so well. (Women’s Health)

• Cheap and powerful AI campaigns target voters in India: The Bihar state election was awash with voice clones and synthetic videos that reached voters easily and spread misinformation. (Rest of World)

• America has identified its greatest enemy: Western Europe: Trump’s new National Security Strategy: what if groypers cosplayed George Kennan? (Programmable Mutter)

• A Painter of Landscapes: Nationalism and the sublime in the work of José María Velasco. (The Baffler)

Be sure to check out our Masters in Business interview this weekend with Stephen Cohen, BlackRock Chief Product Officer and Head of Global Product Solutions. He is a member of BlackRock’s Global Executive Committee. Previously, he was Global Head of Fixed Income Indexing (iShares); and Chief Investment Strategist for International Fixed Income and iShares. Blackrock manages $13.5 trillion in AUM; its iShares division is over $5 trillion.

 

Where homes are losing value most

Source: Axios

 

Sign up for our reads-only mailing list here.

 

 

The post 10 Thursday AM Reads appeared first on The Big Picture.

EU Opens Antitrust Probe Into Google's Use Of Publisher, YouTube Content For AI

Authored by Vismaya V via Decrypt.co,

• The EU has launched an antitrust investigation into whether Google exploited publisher and YouTube content to fuel its AI products without fair compensation or consent.

• Regulators warn that the practices may give Google an unlawful competitive edge over rival AI developers across Europe.

• This is the EU’s second investigation against Google in a month, as Brussels cracks down on Big Tech’s AI practices.

The European Commission launched a formal antitrust investigation this week into whether Google breached EU competition rules by using web publisher and YouTube content to power its artificial intelligence services without fair compensation or consent.

"The Commission will investigate to what extent the generation of AI Overviews and AI Mode by Google is based on web publishers' content without appropriate compensation for that, and without the possibility for publishers to refuse without losing access to Google Search," a Tuesday statement said.

Publishers must either let Google use their content for AI summaries without payment or risk losing visibility in Search.

YouTube creators face a similar dilemma, as uploading gives Google automatic AI-training rights with no compensation while rival AI developers are barred from using the same content.

"AI is bringing remarkable innovation and many benefits for people and businesses across Europe, but this progress cannot come at the expense of the principles at the heart of our societies,” Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, said in the statement.

Even Alex Chandra, partner at IGNOS Law Alliance, told Decrypt the investigation "reflects a deeper, structural ambition: to subject globally scalable digital business models to the EU's regulatory and competitive framework."

“If the Commission is not very disciplined (transparent about burden-of-proof, consistent across geography and business model) this could become less about “fair competition” and more about “favoring what fits European regulatory and economic priorities,” he said.

If proven, the practices under investigation may breach EU competition rules that ban dominant companies from using their market power to distort competition.

The regulator said it will carry out its investigation as a matter of priority, but provided no legal deadline for concluding the probe.

Big tech cornered

The investigation comes less than a month after the Commission formally launched proceedings to assess whether Google applies fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory conditions of access to publishers' websites on Google Search under the Digital Markets Act.

In September, the Commission fined Google $3.1 billion (€2.95 billion) for breaching EU antitrust rules by favoring its own advertising technology services over competing providers.

Europe's competition regulator has opened a formal investigation into tech giant Meta over policy changes that allow the company's own AI chatbot to operate on WhatsApp while blocking rivals from doing the same. The European Commission announced Thursday it's examining whether Meta violated antitrust rules by effectively reserving WhatsApp's AI chatbot access for itself.  The action targets updated business terms WhatsApp rolled out in late October, which ban third-party AI companies from distri...

The Commission ordered Google to end its self-preferencing practices and implement measures to address conflicts of interest across the adtech supply chain.

Last week, the Commission also opened an investigation into Meta over policy changes that allow its own AI chatbot to operate on WhatsApp while blocking rivals from doing the same.

Tyler Durden Thu, 12/11/2025 - 06:30

Indonesia Targets Finfluencers In Crackdown After P2P Investment Losses

Indonesia’s financial regulators are stepping up action against social-media investment gurus after a wave of losses tied to risky digital platforms and unverified financial advice. Beginning this week, a new rule issued by the Financial Services Authority (OJK) will force securities firms to vet, supervise and assume legal responsibility for content produced by influencers they pay, according to Nikkei.

Influencers who analyze investments must be licensed advisers, while those promoting products must register as marketing partners and clearly disclose paid endorsements. They will also be required to explain risks, not just potential returns. As the OJK cautioned in an October campaign, “The next time a piece of financial advice blows up on your feed, take a pause. Just because it’s viral doesn’t mean it’s sound.”

The crackdown coincides with mounting complaints against peer-to-peer lending (P2P) apps once hyped by finfluencers. Akseleran, one of the country’s most recognizable platforms, is being sued by at least 19 investors who say they collectively lost around 6 billion rupiah. The company attributes its problems to borrowers defaulting en masse. Several other platforms, including KoinP2P, Crowde and Dana Syariah Indonesia, are under similar scrutiny. The OJK recently revoked Crowde’s license and is coordinating with police to investigate potential criminal activity tied to other platforms.

Nikkei writes that one casualty of that boom-and-bust cycle is 29-year-old Surabaya resident Anita Carolina. Three years ago she was persuaded by a financial influencer to invest 471 million rupiah (about $28,000) in Akseleran. Today she is still trying to recover the money. The experience, she says, changed the way she invests. “Investing should not be marketed as a casual game. Influencers are salespeople, not financial advisers,” she said, adding that she now avoids them “entirely.”

Carolina’s story reflects a broader shift in Indonesia’s financial landscape. Investor participation has exploded, climbing from 2.5 million registered participants in 2019 to 19.2 million in October 2024, fueled by easy-to-use apps and pandemic-era interest in alternative income. Many new retail investors — dominated by millennials and Gen Z — chased high returns through stocks, crypto and P2P lending, often guided not by licensed professionals but by relatable personalities on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. A 2023 CELIOS survey found that 70% of Indonesians trust finfluencers, nearly equal to the 69.5% who trust certified advisers.

Experts say that reliance has created a fertile market for unqualified “advisers” who blur the line between education and marketing. “It has become easy for individuals to label themselves as finfluencers without a proper background,” said economist Tauhid Ahmad. Many fail to disclose paid partnerships, while others promote products they barely understand. Regulators have also struggled to keep up: from 2017 to September 2024, the OJK says it blocked over 13,000 illegal financial entities, most involving online loans or investment schemes that quickly resurface in new forms.

Some influencers now admit their own role in fueling unsustainable P2P enthusiasm. TikTok creator Felicia Putri Tjiasaka, who has 1.4 million followers, said she also invested in Akseleran but exited in 2023. “In Indonesia, it’s the productive P2P sector that is failing,” she told her followers, citing economic pressures and lax credit screening.

Others argue regulations are long overdue. Educator and influencer Roy Shakti says untrained personalities are “positioning themselves as experts to teach trading,” and supports measures similar to China’s ban on wealth-flaunting. “You won’t find me promising easy money,” he said. “Instead, I teach people how to raise funding and avoid scams.”

Though she continues to invest in mutual funds and bitcoin, Carolina now conducts her own research before committing a single rupiah. “It’s disappointing, as I followed their advice,” she said. “But now, I avoid them entirely.”

Tyler Durden Thu, 12/11/2025 - 05:45

Pakistan Offers To 'Take Grooming Gang Leaders' If UK Hands Over Dissidents

via Middle East Eye

Pakistan has reportedly offered to take back grooming gang leaders in exchange for Britain handing over Pakistani political dissidents living in the UK.

Pakistani media reported that the proposal was made in a private meeting last Thursday in Islamabad between Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Jane Marriott, the British high commissioner. Naqvi reportedly urged the UK to hand over anti-government figures Shahzad Akbar and Adil Raja.

via Al Jazeera

Akbar, who was a minister in Imran Khan's government, and Raja, a former army major, are both living in the UK. They have both strongly criticized the Pakistani government over its alleged human rights abuses and suppression of political dissent. 

The British government has previously requested that Pakistan extradite Adil Khan and Qari Abdul Rauf, who were jailed in 2012 as ringleaders of a grooming gang that sexually assaulted and abused 47 girls over two years in Rochdale.

Both Khan and Rauf, Pakistani immigrants, were stripped of their British citizenship after being convicted. But days before a judge ordered them to be deported to Pakistan, they renounced their Pakistani citizenship. Pakistan has since refused to accept them.

According to Pakistani media, the Pakistani government said it would accept Khan and Rauf if the UK hands over dissidents Akbar and Raja.

'Unprecedented and deeply disturbing'

This comes as the Labor government is facing mounting pressure to take further action on child sexual exploitation. Its attempts to set up a nationwide inquiry into grooming gangs have faced repeated delays and debates about how wide its scope should be.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said on Monday the inquiry must "consider the role of ethnicity, religion and other cultural factors" and should "leave no stone unturned".

It is thought that Britain is highly unlikely to agree to the reported Pakistani proposal, and the Home Office and Foreign Office have declined to comment on the reports.

Raja, now a freelance journalist, told The Telegraph that the report "is unprecedented and deeply disturbing. It shows the extent to which an authoritarian regime is willing to go to suppress dissent".

"I have broken no UK law. My only 'offence' is practicing journalism and exercising free expression," he said. "I trust that the UK, a country committed to the rule of law and press freedom, will not allow political critics to be traded away under pressure from a foreign government."

The Beasts won and they’re still here !

A member of a Rochdale grooming gang who is fighting to remain in the UK has told a tribunal he “has not committed that big a crime”.
Adil Khan, 51 and Qari Abdul Rauf, 52, have been told they are to be sent back to Pakistan for the… pic.twitter.com/ygHMs0vwft

— Deport Foreign Criminals (@peterstopcrime) February 16, 2025

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted from government in April 2022 through a parliamentary no-confidence vote following a fallout with the country's influential military.

He has spent more than two years in prison. Last year a UN report concluded that his detention is arbitrary and in contravention of international law.

Tyler Durden Thu, 12/11/2025 - 02:00

Pakistan Offers To 'Take Grooming Gang Leaders' If UK Hands Over Dissidents

via Middle East Eye

Pakistan has reportedly offered to take back grooming gang leaders in exchange for Britain handing over Pakistani political dissidents living in the UK.

Pakistani media reported that the proposal was made in a private meeting last Thursday in Islamabad between Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Jane Marriott, the British high commissioner. Naqvi reportedly urged the UK to hand over anti-government figures Shahzad Akbar and Adil Raja.

via Al Jazeera

Akbar, who was a minister in Imran Khan's government, and Raja, a former army major, are both living in the UK. They have both strongly criticized the Pakistani government over its alleged human rights abuses and suppression of political dissent. 

The British government has previously requested that Pakistan extradite Adil Khan and Qari Abdul Rauf, who were jailed in 2012 as ringleaders of a grooming gang that sexually assaulted and abused 47 girls over two years in Rochdale.

Both Khan and Rauf, Pakistani immigrants, were stripped of their British citizenship after being convicted. But days before a judge ordered them to be deported to Pakistan, they renounced their Pakistani citizenship. Pakistan has since refused to accept them.

According to Pakistani media, the Pakistani government said it would accept Khan and Rauf if the UK hands over dissidents Akbar and Raja.

'Unprecedented and deeply disturbing'

This comes as the Labor government is facing mounting pressure to take further action on child sexual exploitation. Its attempts to set up a nationwide inquiry into grooming gangs have faced repeated delays and debates about how wide its scope should be.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said on Monday the inquiry must "consider the role of ethnicity, religion and other cultural factors" and should "leave no stone unturned".

It is thought that Britain is highly unlikely to agree to the reported Pakistani proposal, and the Home Office and Foreign Office have declined to comment on the reports.

Raja, now a freelance journalist, told The Telegraph that the report "is unprecedented and deeply disturbing. It shows the extent to which an authoritarian regime is willing to go to suppress dissent".

"I have broken no UK law. My only 'offence' is practicing journalism and exercising free expression," he said. "I trust that the UK, a country committed to the rule of law and press freedom, will not allow political critics to be traded away under pressure from a foreign government."

The Beasts won and they’re still here !

A member of a Rochdale grooming gang who is fighting to remain in the UK has told a tribunal he “has not committed that big a crime”.
Adil Khan, 51 and Qari Abdul Rauf, 52, have been told they are to be sent back to Pakistan for the… pic.twitter.com/ygHMs0vwft

— Deport Foreign Criminals (@peterstopcrime) February 16, 2025

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted from government in April 2022 through a parliamentary no-confidence vote following a fallout with the country's influential military.

He has spent more than two years in prison. Last year a UN report concluded that his detention is arbitrary and in contravention of international law.

Tyler Durden Thu, 12/11/2025 - 02:00

The Book of Genesis: A Comprehensive Study Guide

Exploring Genesis involves accessing valuable resources, including a book of genesis study guide pdf, offering detailed commentary and analysis․

Numerous online platforms provide these guides, facilitating deeper understanding of the text’s historical and theological contexts․

Scholarly PDF editions, like those with ISBN 1-59045-796-X, present in-depth analyses for serious students․

These resources illuminate the foundational narratives and themes within the Book of Genesis․

Genesis, meaning “origin” or “beginning,” stands as the inaugural book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament․ It lays the foundational narrative for understanding God’s relationship with humanity and the origins of the world․ A book of genesis study guide pdf serves as an invaluable tool for navigating its complex themes and historical context․

This initial section of scripture transitions between primeval history – recounting creation, the fall, the flood, and the Tower of Babel – and patriarchal history, focusing on Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph․ Understanding this structure is crucial․ Resources like those available through the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) offer access to classic commentaries in various digital formats, including PDF․

A comprehensive study necessitates recognizing Genesis’s literary genres, encompassing poetry, genealogy, and narrative․ Exploring these facets, aided by a well-structured study guide, unlocks deeper insights․ The book establishes core theological concepts like covenant, sin, and redemption, setting the stage for the rest of biblical revelation․ Utilizing scholarly PDF editions enhances this exploration, providing detailed analysis and historical perspectives․

Authorship and Date of Composition

Determining the authorship of Genesis remains a complex scholarly endeavor․ Traditional Jewish and Christian beliefs attribute authorship to Moses, though modern critical scholarship suggests a more nuanced picture․ The text likely underwent a lengthy process of oral tradition and redaction, with multiple sources contributing to its final form․ A book of genesis study guide pdf often addresses these varying perspectives․

The Documentary Hypothesis proposes that Genesis is a compilation of four main sources: J (Yahwistic), E (Elohistic), D (Deuteronomic), and P (Priestly)․ Identifying these sources aids in understanding the text’s development․ Dating the composition is equally challenging․ The primeval stories likely originated much earlier, perhaps drawing on ancient Near Eastern traditions, while the patriarchal narratives may have been written down during the early Iron Age (around 1200-1000 BCE)․

Accessing scholarly commentaries, often available as a PDF, provides detailed analysis of these theories․ Resources like those mentioned previously offer insights into the textual evidence and historical context․ A robust study guide will acknowledge the uncertainties surrounding authorship and dating, encouraging critical engagement with the text․

Literary Genres in Genesis

Genesis showcases a diverse range of literary genres, demanding a nuanced approach to interpretation․ It isn’t a single, uniform type of writing․ The early chapters (1-11) primarily employ myth and legend, presenting foundational narratives about creation, the fall, and the flood․ These aren’t necessarily “false” stories, but rather utilize symbolic language to convey profound theological truths․ A comprehensive book of genesis study guide pdf will highlight these distinctions․

The later sections (12-50), focusing on the patriarchs, lean towards historical narrative, though still containing elements of folklore and saga․ Poetry, such as the blessings of Jacob (Genesis 49), and legal codes are also present․ Recognizing these genres is crucial for accurate exegesis․ For example, interpreting the creation account as literal scientific history misses its intended purpose․

Resources offering detailed genre analysis, often found in scholarly PDF commentaries, are invaluable․ Understanding the literary conventions of ancient Near Eastern literature further enriches interpretation․ A good study guide will equip readers to identify these genres and appreciate their unique contributions to the overall message of Genesis․

The Primeval History (Genesis 1-11)

Genesis 1-11, known as the Primeval History, lays the foundational theological groundwork for the entire Bible․ This section addresses universal themes: creation, sin, judgment, and the origins of humanity and civilization․ It’s characterized by a broad scope, dealing with events impacting all people, rather than specific individuals or nations․ A thorough book of genesis study guide pdf will emphasize the theological significance of these chapters․

Key narratives include the six-day creation, the fall of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, the flood narrative involving Noah, and the story of the Tower of Babel․ These stories aren’t simply historical accounts, but rather symbolic representations of fundamental truths about God, humanity, and the world․

Many PDF commentaries explore the parallels between these narratives and ancient Near Eastern cosmologies, illuminating their unique theological contributions; Understanding the literary genres employed – myth, legend, and proto-history – is vital․ A quality study guide will provide context and aid in discerning the intended meaning of these pivotal chapters, setting the stage for the rest of Genesis․

The Creation Account (Genesis 1-2)

Genesis 1-2 presents two distinct, yet complementary, accounts of creation; The first (Genesis 1:1-2:3) offers a majestic, ordered account of God creating through divine speech, emphasizing God’s power and transcendence․ The second (Genesis 2:4-25) provides a more intimate, anthropocentric perspective, focusing on the creation of Adam and Eve and their relationship with God and the Garden of Eden․ A comprehensive book of genesis study guide pdf will address these differences․

Scholarly resources within these guides often explore the literary structure, theological themes, and historical context of these chapters․ Key themes include the goodness of creation, the image of God in humanity, and the establishment of the Sabbath․

Many PDF commentaries delve into the debate surrounding the “days” of creation – whether they represent literal 24-hour periods or symbolic epochs․ Understanding the ancient Near Eastern creation myths provides valuable context․ A robust study guide will equip readers to navigate these complexities and appreciate the unique theological message of Genesis’ creation narratives․

The Fall of Man (Genesis 3)

Genesis 3 narrates the pivotal event of the Fall, where Adam and Eve disobey God’s command, resulting in sin entering the world․ A detailed book of genesis study guide pdf will thoroughly examine the symbolism within this narrative – the serpent representing temptation, the forbidden fruit embodying knowledge, and the consequences of disobedience․

These guides often explore the theological implications of the Fall, including the loss of innocence, the introduction of suffering and death, and the broken relationship between humanity and God․ Commentaries analyze the roles of Adam, Eve, and the serpent, and the nature of sin itself․

Resources within these PDF guides frequently address the concept of original sin and its impact on human nature․ Understanding the cultural context of ancient Near Eastern narratives is crucial․ A comprehensive study will also explore the promise of redemption hinted at in God’s pronouncements after the Fall, foreshadowing the need for a savior․

The Story of Noah and the Flood (Genesis 6-9)

Genesis 6-9 recounts the story of Noah and the Great Flood, a divine judgment upon a wicked world․ A robust book of genesis study guide pdf will dissect the narrative’s layers, examining the reasons for God’s judgment, the righteousness of Noah, and the details of the Flood itself․

These guides often delve into the symbolism of the ark – representing salvation – and the covenant God establishes with Noah, signified by the rainbow․ Commentaries explore parallels between the Flood narrative and other ancient Near Eastern flood myths, highlighting both similarities and crucial differences․

Resources within these PDF guides frequently analyze the theological themes of judgment, grace, and new beginnings․ Understanding the scope of the Flood – was it local or global? – is a common point of discussion․ A comprehensive study will also address the implications of the covenant for humanity and the renewed promise of God’s faithfulness, offering hope after devastation․

The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9)

Genesis 11:1-9 narrates the story of the Tower of Babel, a pivotal event illustrating human pride and God’s intervention․ A detailed book of genesis study guide pdf will unpack the motivations behind the tower’s construction – a unified attempt to “make a name” for themselves and reach heaven․

These guides explore the significance of a single language initially and God’s subsequent confusion of tongues, leading to the dispersion of humanity․ Commentaries often analyze the symbolism of Babel as a representation of human rebellion against God’s established order and a desire for self-exaltation․

Resources within these PDF materials frequently discuss the narrative’s connection to ancient Mesopotamian ziggurats, providing historical context․ A thorough study will also examine the theological implications of divine judgment and the establishment of diverse nations․ Understanding the story’s message about humility and dependence on God is central, offering insights into human nature and God’s sovereignty․

The Patriarchal History (Genesis 12-50)

Genesis 12-50 details the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph – the foundational figures of the Israelite nation․ A comprehensive book of genesis study guide pdf is crucial for navigating this complex section, offering detailed analyses of each patriarch’s covenant relationship with God․

These guides delve into Abraham’s call, the covenant promises, and the challenges to his faith, including the near-sacrifice of Isaac․ Commentaries explore the intricacies of the familial dynamics within Jacob’s family, particularly the story of Joseph and his brothers, highlighting themes of forgiveness and providence․

PDF resources often provide historical and cultural context, illuminating the patriarchal lifestyle and societal norms of the ancient Near East․ Studying these narratives reveals God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and establishing a chosen people․ Understanding the lineage and the unfolding of the covenant is key to grasping the narrative’s theological significance․

Abraham: The Father of Faith (Genesis 12-25)

Genesis 12-25 centers on Abraham, revered as the “father of faith․” A dedicated book of genesis study guide pdf is invaluable for dissecting his pivotal role in God’s redemptive plan․ These guides illuminate Abraham’s initial call from Ur, his journey to Canaan, and the establishment of the Abrahamic covenant – a cornerstone of biblical theology․

Detailed commentaries within these PDF resources explore the significance of the covenant promises: land, descendants, and blessing to all nations․ They analyze Abraham’s unwavering faith, tested through trials like the famine and his willingness to sacrifice Isaac․

Study guides also address the complexities of Abraham’s character, including his flaws and moments of doubt․ Understanding the historical and cultural context, as provided in these resources, enhances comprehension of Abraham’s actions and God’s interactions with him․ Exploring this section reveals God’s initiative in establishing a relationship with humanity through faith․

Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 26-36)

Genesis 26-36 details the lives of Isaac and Jacob, continuing the patriarchal narrative․ A comprehensive book of genesis study guide pdf proves essential for navigating the complexities of their stories and understanding their contributions to the lineage of Israel․ These guides unpack Isaac’s relatively passive role, contrasted with Jacob’s more dynamic and often deceptive character․

Resources highlight the renewal of the Abrahamic covenant with Isaac and the significance of Jacob’s dream at Bethel, establishing a sacred site․ Detailed commentaries within these PDFs analyze Jacob’s struggles with Esau, his deception to obtain the birthright, and his eventual reconciliation․

Study guides also explore the implications of Jacob’s name change to Israel and the birth of his twelve sons, the progenitors of the twelve tribes․ Understanding the cultural context, as provided in these resources, illuminates the familial dynamics and the unfolding of God’s promises․

Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37-50)

Genesis 37-50 recounts the dramatic story of Joseph and his brothers, a narrative rich in themes of betrayal, forgiveness, and divine providence․ A detailed book of genesis study guide pdf is invaluable for dissecting the intricate plot and theological depth of this section․ These guides illuminate Joseph’s early life, his brothers’ jealousy, and his eventual sale into slavery in Egypt․

Resources provide insightful commentary on Joseph’s rise to power through his God-given ability to interpret dreams, his imprisonment, and his subsequent appointment as vizier․ PDF study aids analyze the famine that drives Joseph’s brothers to seek grain in Egypt, leading to a poignant reunion and eventual reconciliation․

These guides explore the significance of Joseph’s forgiveness and his role in preserving his family during the famine, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham․ Understanding the historical and cultural context, as presented in these resources, enhances appreciation for the narrative’s complexities․

Key Themes in Genesis

Genesis establishes foundational themes crucial to understanding the entire biblical narrative․ A comprehensive book of genesis study guide pdf expertly unpacks these core concepts, including creation, the fall, covenant, sin, and redemption․ These guides highlight the significance of God’s sovereignty in creation and the consequences of humanity’s disobedience․

Resources delve into the establishment of the covenant with Noah and Abraham, emphasizing God’s faithfulness and promise-keeping nature․ PDF study aids analyze the theme of sin’s pervasive influence and the need for divine intervention․ They also explore the concept of blessing and its transmission through the patriarchal line․

Understanding these themes requires careful examination of the text, aided by scholarly commentary found in these guides․ They illuminate how Genesis lays the groundwork for the unfolding story of God’s plan to restore humanity and establish His kingdom․ These resources provide a robust framework for interpreting the entire Bible․

Covenant Theology in Genesis

Covenant theology is profoundly rooted in the Book of Genesis, and a detailed book of genesis study guide pdf is essential for grasping its development․ These guides meticulously trace the unfolding of God’s covenantal relationships with humanity, beginning with the covenant of creation, establishing Adam as the federal head;

Resources highlight the covenant with Noah after the flood, a reaffirmation of God’s promise to preserve life and maintain order․ Crucially, they analyze the Abrahamic covenant – a pivotal point – detailing the promises of land, seed, and blessing, forming the basis for Israel’s identity and God’s redemptive plan․

PDF study materials unpack the conditional and unconditional aspects of these covenants, revealing God’s faithfulness despite human failings․ They demonstrate how these early covenants foreshadow the new covenant established through Jesus Christ, offering a comprehensive understanding of God’s relational approach to humanity․

Theological Significance of Genesis

The Book of Genesis lays the foundational theological groundwork for the entire Bible, and a robust book of genesis study guide pdf is vital for understanding its profound implications․ These guides illuminate Genesis’s contribution to doctrines like creation, the fall, sin, redemption, and the nature of God․

Resources emphasize how Genesis establishes God as sovereign, omnipotent, and the ultimate source of all existence․ They explore the theological weight of the creation account, demonstrating God’s intentionality and goodness․ Furthermore, they analyze the fall’s impact on humanity, revealing the origin of sin and the need for divine intervention․

PDF study materials delve into the proto-evangelium (Genesis 3:15), foreshadowing the coming Messiah․ They demonstrate how the patriarchal narratives, particularly Abraham’s faith, prefigure justification by faith․ Understanding Genesis’s theological significance, through these guides, is crucial for a holistic biblical worldview․

Genesis and Ancient Near Eastern Literature

A comprehensive book of genesis study guide pdf often includes comparative analysis with Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) literature, revealing both unique aspects and contextual similarities․ Examining texts like the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Code of Hammurabi illuminates the cultural milieu in which Genesis was written․

These guides demonstrate how Genesis diverges from ANE myths, particularly in its monotheistic worldview and emphasis on a benevolent creator God․ While sharing narrative motifs – like flood stories – Genesis presents a distinct theological perspective․ The PDF resources highlight Genesis’s originality in portraying a covenant relationship between God and humanity․

Understanding ANE literature, facilitated by these study guides, helps discern Genesis’s intentional theological statements․ It clarifies how Genesis wasn’t simply borrowing from its neighbors, but rather offering a transformative and unique revelation․ This comparative approach enriches the interpretation of Genesis’s narratives and themes․

Resources for Studying Genesis

These guides often incorporate scholarly insights, offering historical context and theological analysis․ Online platforms host a wealth of articles, videos, and interactive tools to enhance understanding․ Accessing commentaries by authors like Calvin, available in PDF format, provides historical perspectives․

Digital tools and software, alongside these PDF guides, facilitate verse-by-verse exploration and cross-referencing; Websites dedicated to biblical studies offer curated resources and discussion forums․ Utilizing these diverse materials empowers students to engage with Genesis on multiple levels, fostering a richer and more nuanced comprehension․

Available Commentaries on Genesis

A wealth of commentaries illuminates the Book of Genesis, often accessible as a book of genesis study guide pdf․ Calvin’s commentary, a classic, provides theological depth and historical context, frequently found in digital PDF formats․

Murphy’s “Commentary” offers a new translation and detailed analysis, aiding comprehensive understanding․ Many modern commentaries are available, providing updated scholarship and diverse perspectives․ These resources delve into the literary structure, cultural background, and theological themes of Genesis․

Scholarly editions, like those available through digital libraries, present rigorous academic interpretations․ Online platforms host reviews and excerpts, allowing for informed selection․ Utilizing multiple commentaries enriches study, revealing nuances and fostering critical thinking․ Accessing these resources, often in convenient PDF form, empowers students to engage deeply with the text․

Finding Genesis Study Guides in PDF Format

Numerous websites specialize in biblical studies, hosting downloadable guides and commentaries․ Searching for “Genesis commentary PDF” yields a plethora of options, ranging from concise overviews to in-depth scholarly analyses․

Digital libraries and online bookstores also offer PDF versions of popular study guides․ Consider exploring resources from reputable theological institutions and publishers․ Always verify the source’s credibility to ensure accuracy and sound scholarship․ Downloading and utilizing these PDF guides facilitates convenient and accessible study of Genesis, enhancing understanding of its narratives and themes․

Digital Tools and Software for Genesis Study

Enhancing your book of genesis study guide pdf experience involves leveraging digital tools․ Software like BookxNote, mirroring MarginNote’s functionality on Windows, allows for robust reading, annotation, and organization of biblical texts․

Bible study software, such as Logos Bible Software or Accordance, integrates PDF commentaries and guides with advanced search capabilities, cross-referencing, and original language tools․ These platforms facilitate in-depth textual analysis․

Online platforms offer interactive study Bibles with integrated commentaries and maps․ Utilizing cloud-based note-taking apps alongside your PDF guide enables seamless organization and access across devices․ Consider employing mind-mapping software to visualize connections between themes and characters within Genesis․ These digital resources amplify the effectiveness of your study, fostering a deeper comprehension of the text․

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FBI Arrests Alleged MS-13 Assassin, 'Kill Squad' Leader In Nebraska: Patel

Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times,

A suspected leader of the criminal gang MS-13 has been arrested in Nebraska, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a Dec. 9 post on X.

Gerson Cuadra Soto, a Honduran national, “is believed to be responsible for overseeing one of their major kill squad units—and suspected of executing the assassination of the son of the former President of Honduras,” Patel wrote.

“This is part of the FBI’s Joint Task Force Vulcan investigation out of @FBIHouston to locate, indict, and arrest members of MS-13 leadership ‘La Mesa.’”

On July 14, 2022, Saíd Omar Lobo Bonilla, son of former Honduran President Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo Sosa, and three other men were killed outside a nightclub in Honduran capital city Tegucigalpa.

Joint Task Force Vulcan is an initiative launched in August 2019 under the first Trump administration that aims to disrupt and eliminate MS-13.

La Mesa, or “The Table,” is a group of senior MS-13 gang leaders who allegedly authorize murders throughout the United States.

Patel commended FBI Omaha, Nebraska, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners for their work that resulted in Soto’s arrest.

“This admin is taking a whole of government approach to dismantling MS-13 and their presence within the country,” he said. MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the State Department in February.

In a Dec. 9 statement, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen welcomed the arrest of Soto, who he said was illegally in the country and living in the city of Grand Island.

“Cuadra Soto, a leader of the terrorist MS-13 gang and Honduran assassin, entered the United States illegally in 2022 under Biden’s watch—eventually obtaining a California driver’s license before establishing a residence in Grand Island,” Pillen said.

“Here’s the simple truth: Weak borders put our families at risk. Thankfully, under conservative Republican leadership, our border has never been more secure.”

Expanding Scope

Under the Trump administration, the FBI has intensified its targeting of foreign criminal groups.

In March, the FBI announced that it was expanding its counterterrorism mission to aggressively battle transnational organized crime.

The announcement was made after the State Department designated several international cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

The FBI changed the name of its Terrorist Screening Center to the Threat Screening Center, saying that the updated name expands the scope of national security screening to cover groups such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua that operate in the United States.

U.S. military personnel escort alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the MS-13 gang recently deported by the U.S. government to be imprisoned in the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison, as part of an agreement with the Salvadoran government, in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, on March 30, 2025. Secretaria de Prensa de la Presidencia/Handout via Reuters

“Border security is essential to protecting our country and providing safer communities for our citizens,” Patel said in a statement at the time.

“We’re expanding the watchlist to include cartel and gang members from newly designated foreign terrorist organizations. This change will assist our law enforcement and Intelligence Community partners as we all work together toward the goal of crushing violent crime within our borders.”

In a Dec. 3 statement, the Department of the Treasury said that its Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned key affiliates of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.

“Under President Trump, barbaric terrorist cartels can no longer operate with impunity across our borders. The Tren de Aragua network’s narcotrafficking and human smuggling operations have long posed a grave threat to our nation,” Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in the statement.

A March report from the State Department detailed the threats posed by transnational criminal organizations. It specifically highlighted Mexican criminal organizations as “one of the greatest threats” to the United States.

Mexico was deemed to be the most significant source of illicit fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, with Mexican groups Sinaloa Cartel and New Generation Jalisco Cartel the primary distributors of these drugs in North America, the report said. Mexico is also the source of most of the heroin and meth seized in the United States.

Tyler Durden Thu, 12/11/2025 - 00:00

FBI Arrests Alleged MS-13 Assassin, 'Kill Squad' Leader In Nebraska: Patel

Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times,

A suspected leader of the criminal gang MS-13 has been arrested in Nebraska, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a Dec. 9 post on X.

Gerson Cuadra Soto, a Honduran national, “is believed to be responsible for overseeing one of their major kill squad units—and suspected of executing the assassination of the son of the former President of Honduras,” Patel wrote.

“This is part of the FBI’s Joint Task Force Vulcan investigation out of @FBIHouston to locate, indict, and arrest members of MS-13 leadership ‘La Mesa.’”

On July 14, 2022, Saíd Omar Lobo Bonilla, son of former Honduran President Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo Sosa, and three other men were killed outside a nightclub in Honduran capital city Tegucigalpa.

Joint Task Force Vulcan is an initiative launched in August 2019 under the first Trump administration that aims to disrupt and eliminate MS-13.

La Mesa, or “The Table,” is a group of senior MS-13 gang leaders who allegedly authorize murders throughout the United States.

Patel commended FBI Omaha, Nebraska, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners for their work that resulted in Soto’s arrest.

“This admin is taking a whole of government approach to dismantling MS-13 and their presence within the country,” he said. MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the State Department in February.

In a Dec. 9 statement, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen welcomed the arrest of Soto, who he said was illegally in the country and living in the city of Grand Island.

“Cuadra Soto, a leader of the terrorist MS-13 gang and Honduran assassin, entered the United States illegally in 2022 under Biden’s watch—eventually obtaining a California driver’s license before establishing a residence in Grand Island,” Pillen said.

“Here’s the simple truth: Weak borders put our families at risk. Thankfully, under conservative Republican leadership, our border has never been more secure.”

Expanding Scope

Under the Trump administration, the FBI has intensified its targeting of foreign criminal groups.

In March, the FBI announced that it was expanding its counterterrorism mission to aggressively battle transnational organized crime.

The announcement was made after the State Department designated several international cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

The FBI changed the name of its Terrorist Screening Center to the Threat Screening Center, saying that the updated name expands the scope of national security screening to cover groups such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua that operate in the United States.

U.S. military personnel escort alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the MS-13 gang recently deported by the U.S. government to be imprisoned in the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison, as part of an agreement with the Salvadoran government, in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, on March 30, 2025. Secretaria de Prensa de la Presidencia/Handout via Reuters

“Border security is essential to protecting our country and providing safer communities for our citizens,” Patel said in a statement at the time.

“We’re expanding the watchlist to include cartel and gang members from newly designated foreign terrorist organizations. This change will assist our law enforcement and Intelligence Community partners as we all work together toward the goal of crushing violent crime within our borders.”

In a Dec. 3 statement, the Department of the Treasury said that its Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned key affiliates of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.

“Under President Trump, barbaric terrorist cartels can no longer operate with impunity across our borders. The Tren de Aragua network’s narcotrafficking and human smuggling operations have long posed a grave threat to our nation,” Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in the statement.

A March report from the State Department detailed the threats posed by transnational criminal organizations. It specifically highlighted Mexican criminal organizations as “one of the greatest threats” to the United States.

Mexico was deemed to be the most significant source of illicit fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, with Mexican groups Sinaloa Cartel and New Generation Jalisco Cartel the primary distributors of these drugs in North America, the report said. Mexico is also the source of most of the heroin and meth seized in the United States.

Tyler Durden Thu, 12/11/2025 - 00:00

Palantir Lands $448 Million Deal To Fix Navy Submarine Delays

Palantir Technologies is becoming a deeper partner to the US military as the Navy launches ShipOS, a $448 million effort to use the company’s AI and data tools to improve submarine production, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

The deal will provide Palantir’s Foundry and Artificial Intelligence Platform across select shipyards and suppliers.

The Navy wants to fix chronic delays and overruns affecting its Virginia- and Columbia-class programs. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan said the goal is to speed up an industry that has struggled with labor issues and subcontractor delays: “By enabling industry to adopt AI and autonomy tools at scale, we’re helping the shipbuilding industry improve schedules, increase capacity, and reduce costs.”

Palantir CEO Alex Karp emphasized the scale of the challenge, saying, “It takes 10 million man hours to build a submarine. There are 2,000 businesses involved. Every single one of these components is specialized.” He added that tracking parts through software is vital because “that’s exactly why you need software” to remove bottlenecks, arguing that “already that problem’s gone.”

Bloomberg writes that two major shipbuilders and three public shipyards will receive the software first, and Phelan said the same system could later support carriers, the fleet, and even fighter jets.

The Navy expects the Palantir approach could “significantly” reduce the Columbia-class delay, currently projected to push delivery to March 2029. The contract uses a new “shared risk” model. Phelan said, “If they perform well…they’re going to do well and they should.” Karp responded, “You’re forcing us to absorb risk,” adding, “We get paid as we perform…This is not your typical ‘you get paid after everything fails’ kind of contract…We want to change contracting across the US government to ‘you get paid when it works.’”

Among names worth watching in the submarine space are Kraken Robotics, which has signed cooperative R&D agreements with the U.S. Navy for next-generation sonar systems, Huntington Ingalls Industries, the parent of Newport News Shipbuilding, and General Dynamics, which owns Electric Boat, builder of the Virginia- and Columbia-class nuclear submarines.

Palantir, meanwhile, is expanding its work with the U.S. Navy, using AI and data management platforms to support fleet readiness, logistics, and complex maintenance programs across submarine and surface operations.

Tyler Durden Wed, 12/10/2025 - 23:35

Palantir Lands $448 Million Deal To Fix Navy Submarine Delays

Palantir Technologies is becoming a deeper partner to the US military as the Navy launches ShipOS, a $448 million effort to use the company’s AI and data tools to improve submarine production, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

The deal will provide Palantir’s Foundry and Artificial Intelligence Platform across select shipyards and suppliers.

The Navy wants to fix chronic delays and overruns affecting its Virginia- and Columbia-class programs. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan said the goal is to speed up an industry that has struggled with labor issues and subcontractor delays: “By enabling industry to adopt AI and autonomy tools at scale, we’re helping the shipbuilding industry improve schedules, increase capacity, and reduce costs.”

Palantir CEO Alex Karp emphasized the scale of the challenge, saying, “It takes 10 million man hours to build a submarine. There are 2,000 businesses involved. Every single one of these components is specialized.” He added that tracking parts through software is vital because “that’s exactly why you need software” to remove bottlenecks, arguing that “already that problem’s gone.”

Bloomberg writes that two major shipbuilders and three public shipyards will receive the software first, and Phelan said the same system could later support carriers, the fleet, and even fighter jets.

The Navy expects the Palantir approach could “significantly” reduce the Columbia-class delay, currently projected to push delivery to March 2029. The contract uses a new “shared risk” model. Phelan said, “If they perform well…they’re going to do well and they should.” Karp responded, “You’re forcing us to absorb risk,” adding, “We get paid as we perform…This is not your typical ‘you get paid after everything fails’ kind of contract…We want to change contracting across the US government to ‘you get paid when it works.’”

Among names worth watching in the submarine space are Kraken Robotics, which has signed cooperative R&D agreements with the U.S. Navy for next-generation sonar systems, Huntington Ingalls Industries, the parent of Newport News Shipbuilding, and General Dynamics, which owns Electric Boat, builder of the Virginia- and Columbia-class nuclear submarines.

Palantir, meanwhile, is expanding its work with the U.S. Navy, using AI and data management platforms to support fleet readiness, logistics, and complex maintenance programs across submarine and surface operations.

Tyler Durden Wed, 12/10/2025 - 23:35

Israel Funds Summit For 1,000 US Pastors Overseen By Amb. Huckabee

Authored by Dave DeCamp via AntiWar.com,

A group of more than 1,000 American Christian Zionist pastors and influencers has spent a week in Israel on an all-expenses-paid trip that was funded by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Tuesday.

"This is the first time in history that the state of Israel has officially partnered with 1,000 strategic pastors to commission them as ambassadors to combat antisemitism and reach the youth of their generation," Mike Evans, an evangelical pastor who helped organize the trip, told CBN News. "Right now there’s an ideological war that Israel is losing, so they need the evangelicals, they need the Zionists to fight an ideological war," Evans added.

Christian Zionists like Evans believe that the modern state of Israel has the right to all of the land in historic Palestine, including the Israeli-occupied West Bank, based on the Bible, a view that has its roots in dispensationalism, a Christian theology developed in the US in the 19th century.

The view runs counter to thousands of years of Christian tradition, as it’s rejected by the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and many Protestant denominations, yet it has significant influence on US foreign policy. During a speech to the crowd of pastors at the Shiloh archeological site in the West Bank, Evans addressed recent remarks from Vice President JD Vance and President Trump about not supporting the Israeli annexation of the Palestinian territory, which he calls Judea and Samaria.

"You said that the policy of the administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel. Mr. Vice President, we love you, and we love America, but the policy of the God who birthed America and the policy of the God who gave these people this land is in fact that Judea and Samaria is Bible land," Evans said.

"Eighty percent of Bible stories come out of Judea and Samaria. So don’t pressure Israel to give illegal, radical Islam Jew-haters Judea and Samaria," he said, adding that the MAGA movement is based on the Bible and "upon the God of this book, the God of Israel."

While American evangelicals have always comprised a solid base of support for Israel, that support has been declining, part of an overall trend among Americans due to Israel's brutal campaign in Gaza.

"There is a growing cancer within the evangelical movement in America, where people are thinking Israel doesn’t matter and there’s nothing biblical about our relationship with Israel. This is very dangerous," US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told CBN News during the summit.

Source: X/Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has taken other steps to influence American Christians, including spending millions on a propaganda campaign targeting evangelical churches in the US that is being called the "largest Christian Church Geofencing Campaign in US history" - a project that was revealed by a federal filing under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

The pastors’ summit in Israel concluded with Huckabee "commissioning" the attendees as "ambassadors" to stand with the state of Israel. During their time in Israel, the pastors were addressed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who told them, “Stand up and be counted. Tell the truth. Speak to young people. Speak up to be counted. I’m counting on you, and I know you’ll do what has to be done. That’s what our destiny calls for.”

Tyler Durden Wed, 12/10/2025 - 23:10

Israel Funds Summit For 1,000 US Pastors Overseen By Amb. Huckabee

Authored by Dave DeCamp via AntiWar.com,

A group of more than 1,000 American Christian Zionist pastors and influencers has spent a week in Israel on an all-expenses-paid trip that was funded by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Tuesday.

"This is the first time in history that the state of Israel has officially partnered with 1,000 strategic pastors to commission them as ambassadors to combat antisemitism and reach the youth of their generation," Mike Evans, an evangelical pastor who helped organize the trip, told CBN News. "Right now there’s an ideological war that Israel is losing, so they need the evangelicals, they need the Zionists to fight an ideological war," Evans added.

Christian Zionists like Evans believe that the modern state of Israel has the right to all of the land in historic Palestine, including the Israeli-occupied West Bank, based on the Bible, a view that has its roots in dispensationalism, a Christian theology developed in the US in the 19th century.

The view runs counter to thousands of years of Christian tradition, as it’s rejected by the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and many Protestant denominations, yet it has significant influence on US foreign policy. During a speech to the crowd of pastors at the Shiloh archeological site in the West Bank, Evans addressed recent remarks from Vice President JD Vance and President Trump about not supporting the Israeli annexation of the Palestinian territory, which he calls Judea and Samaria.

"You said that the policy of the administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel. Mr. Vice President, we love you, and we love America, but the policy of the God who birthed America and the policy of the God who gave these people this land is in fact that Judea and Samaria is Bible land," Evans said.

"Eighty percent of Bible stories come out of Judea and Samaria. So don’t pressure Israel to give illegal, radical Islam Jew-haters Judea and Samaria," he said, adding that the MAGA movement is based on the Bible and "upon the God of this book, the God of Israel."

While American evangelicals have always comprised a solid base of support for Israel, that support has been declining, part of an overall trend among Americans due to Israel's brutal campaign in Gaza.

"There is a growing cancer within the evangelical movement in America, where people are thinking Israel doesn’t matter and there’s nothing biblical about our relationship with Israel. This is very dangerous," US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told CBN News during the summit.

Source: X/Pastor Jeff Schwarzentraub

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has taken other steps to influence American Christians, including spending millions on a propaganda campaign targeting evangelical churches in the US that is being called the "largest Christian Church Geofencing Campaign in US history" - a project that was revealed by a federal filing under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

The pastors’ summit in Israel concluded with Huckabee "commissioning" the attendees as "ambassadors" to stand with the state of Israel. During their time in Israel, the pastors were addressed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who told them, “Stand up and be counted. Tell the truth. Speak to young people. Speak up to be counted. I’m counting on you, and I know you’ll do what has to be done. That’s what our destiny calls for.”

Tyler Durden Wed, 12/10/2025 - 23:10

Netflix Docudrama Features Transgender Coal Miner "Fighting The Patriarchy"

The film industry has really been scraping the bottom of the barrel over the past few years to find "inspirational" LGBT stories to appease their DEI overlords in Hollywood.  Without a significant American audience the production of woke films is beginning to fade; no one wants to watch these movies.  However, some distributors can't help themselves as they search foreign markets to purchase far-left content and get their ideological fix. 

The newest foreign art house slop making it's way to Netflix audiences in the US this month is a movie called "Queen Of Coal", originally titled "Miss Carbon" in Argentina where the flick was originally released.  Pedro Pascal plays a role in the film (of course he does), and it's set to hit Netflix on December 19th.  

The tale is a docudrama based on the true story of an 18-year-old man named Carlos Antonella Rodríguez who gets work as a coal miner in 2011.  He then "transitions" over the course of a few years to become a transgender woman named "Carlita" (take note of the almost worshipful manner in which the trans character is portrayed). 

Carlos is officially recognized as a woman under an Argentina law enacted on May 23, 2012.  It was the world's first legislation to allow legal gender recognition based on self-identification, without requiring medical interventions, psychological diagnoses, or judicial approval (this might be something that Javier Milei should look into).  The man was then declared the "first woman coal miner" in Argentina's history. 

That's right, a man dressed up as a woman defeated the patriarchy for all women because he is now legally considered a real woman in Argentina.  In other words, this is a lot like Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn Jenner) winning Glamour Magazine's "woman of the year." 

Netflix describes the movie as:

Carlita, a trans woman, dreams of working in the coal mines but faces superstitions and a ban on female workers, forcing her to fight for her place and disrupt the system.

Some might wonder why anyone would "dream" of becoming a coal miner.  No one does, but in Argentina in 2012 coal mining was considered a higher paying job ($1500 per month US).  Carlos does not actually extract coal, he repairs machinery that helps in the mining of coal, but is technically considered a "coal miner".

Some people might remember the explosive controversy over Netflix's distribution of the 2020 film "Cuties" - A French movie featuring 11-year-old girls in a highly sexualized dance troupe.  Critics accused the filmmakers of creating thinly veiled child pornography disguised as feminist empowerment.  The film's director is a female Muslim feminist from Senegal who grew up in a polygamous family.  Around 10% of Senegalese Muslim marriages involve minors under the age of 15. 

The foreign feature did not go over well with American audiences, except for leftist activists who widely defended the movie and even argued in favor of the child dance scenes.  Much was revealed about the political left in 2020.  

There has been a similar reaction with the announcement of Queen Of Coal:  Audiences are laughing at the concept while rejecting the basic premise that a man can become a woman and then be declared the "first woman coal miner".  It does not appear that the film will draw many viewers for Netflix, but it does showcase why Netflix's attempted purchase of Warner Bros. is very bad for movie goers. 

Tyler Durden Wed, 12/10/2025 - 22:45

Judge Halts Trump's Deployment Of National Guard In Los Angeles

Authored by Matthew Vadum via The Epoch Times,

A federal judge on Dec. 10 blocked President Donald Trump’s use of the National Guard in Los Angeles to deal with civil unrest.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer rejected the Trump administration’s argument that protests against federal immigration authorities constituted a rebellion that warranted the president’s federalization of California National Guard troops.

Breyer had previously blocked the deployment. On Sept. 2, he found the federal government had violated the Posse Comitatus Act.

The federal government has argued that the sometimes-violent protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were interfering with the government’s ability to enforce federal immigration law.

Although the federal Posse Comitatus Act restricts the ability of the federal government to use military resources for domestic law enforcement, a president may take over, or federalize, state National Guard troops on an emergency basis in certain circumstances.

“The Founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balances. Defendants, however, make clear that the only check they want is a blank one,” Breyer wrote in the court order.

“Six months after they first federalized the California National Guard, Defendants still retain control of approximately 300 Guardsmen, despite no evidence that execution of federal law is impeded in any way—let alone significantly.”

The judge also rejected the administration’s argument that the court system has no authority to review a president’s takeover of state National Guard troops in an emergency situation.

Breyer wrote that it was “nonsensical to suggest that the law would permit a president to ... send Guardsmen wherever he wanted for as long as he wanted.”

After California Gov. Gavin Newsom sued to block the deployment, the Trump administration took the position that “after a valid initial federalization, all subsequent re-federalizations are completely, and forever, unreviewable by the courts,” the judge wrote.

“Defendants’ position is contrary to law,” and, coupled with the Trump administration’s deployment of California National Guard troops to other states, is “effectively creating a national police force made up of state troops,” the judge added.

Breyer stayed his preliminary injunction until noon on Dec. 15, presumably to give the federal government an opportunity to appeal.

Newsom hailed the ruling.

“Today’s ruling is abundantly clear – the federalization of the National Guard in California is illegal and must end,” the governor said in a statement.

“The President deployed these brave men and women against their own communities, removing them from essential public safety operations. We look forward to all National Guard servicemembers being returned to state service.”

The Epoch Times reached out to the Department of Justice for comment. No reply was received by publication time.

Separately, on Sept. 8 the Supreme Court stayed a lower court order restricting immigration stops in Southern California. Three justices dissented.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement started operations in the Los Angeles area on June 6. Local and state officials strongly criticized the effort, saying the federal government was overstepping its legal authority.

The high court order paused a temporary restraining order that Judge Maame Frimpong of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California issued on July 11 that limited the factors that law enforcement officials may use when making immigration-related stops and arrests.

Specifically, Frimpong barred the Department of Homeland Security from stopping or arresting individuals based exclusively on factors such as the language the person speaks or where the person works.

In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote, “We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low wage job.”

Justice Brett Kavanaugh filed a concurring opinion.

“Apparent ethnicity alone” is not enough to establish the reasonable suspicion needed to justify an immigration stop, but it may be relevant to the issue,” he wrote.

Tyler Durden Wed, 12/10/2025 - 22:20

House Armed Services Chairman Prepared To End Investigation After Viewing Double-Tap Boat Strike

Congress this week has been threatening to withhold travel funds for Pentagon leadership as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has refused to turn over videos of strikes against suspected drug-smuggling boats off the coast of Latin America, amid the ongoing debate over their 'legality' of the actions.

The demand, which would significantly reduce Hegseth's own travel budget, has been quietly tucked into the final draft of the annual defense policy bill. Congressional leaders called for "unedited video of strikes conducted against designated terrorist organizations in the area of responsibility of the United States Southern Command" to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.

Rep. Mike Rodgers (R-AL)

Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, has expressed new frustration on Wednesday over Hegseth's refusal to release a Sept. 2 video which shows strikes on men who survived the first round of a drone attack.

"I’m going to stay hopeful for a couple more days. But the idea that he’s going to try to simply drag this out until Congress breaks for the holidays is outrageous, and folks ought to be pretty damn pissed off," said Warner.

Hegseth earlier said the request to release the video is still under review, and that his office is mulling it. While top national security officials have seen it, Warner said further that "There were other members of the administration in that briefing who understood that Congress has an oversight responsibility to see this video."

The so-called Gang of Eight were allowed to view it in a closed session. These are the eight leaders within Congress who are briefed on classified intelligence matters.

However, there are signs that Congressional leaders could back down, as CNN newly reports on Wednesday: 

House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers is prepared to end his panel’s investigation into the September double-tap strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean, a committee aide tells CNN.

Rogers received a classified briefing last week to view the video footage and is now pushing for the rest of his panel to be able to see the video.

The committee aide said, "The video and classified briefings from the Pentagon were sufficient to convince him this was a legal action. But he’s also been clear that we need a classified briefing where the rest of HASC’s members can see the video, and we expect that to happen next week."

Some lawmakers have disagreed, calling it an appalling act and war crime, while others said the video showed the survivors trying to salvage the drugs...

Lawmakers were shocked and appalled Thursday after they were shown video footage of the September 2 double tap that killed two survivors of an airstrike in the Caribbean. https://t.co/tNPk6tioJ5 pic.twitter.com/LgWC183iJe

— The New Republic (@newrepublic) December 4, 2025

Some conservatives have decried the whole saga as but a carefully orchestrated plan of character assassination campaign targeting Hegseth.

But Trump has been sticking by him. The last word Hegseth gave on releasing the video was as follows: "We've got operators out there doing this right now, so whatever we were to decide to release, we would have to be very responsible about, so we're reviewing that right now."

Tyler Durden Wed, 12/10/2025 - 21:55