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Pentagon ran secret anti-vax campaign to undermine China during pandemic
Rtv news
14 Jun 2024, 23:51
Photo: REUTERS/Peter Blaza. Illustration: John Emerson
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. military launched a secret campaign to counter what it perceived as China's growing influence in the Philippines, a nation hit especially hard by the deadly virus.
The clandestine operation has not been previously reported. It aimed to sow doubt about the safety and efficacy of vaccines and other life-saving aid that was being supplied by China, a Reuters investigation found. Through phony internet accounts meant to impersonate Filipinos, the military's propaganda efforts morphed into an anti-vax campaign. Social media posts decried the quality of face masks, test kits and the first vaccine that would become available in the Philippines – China’s Sinovac inoculation.
Reuters identified at least 300 accounts on X, formerly Twitter, that matched descriptions shared by former U.S. military officials familiar with the Philippines operation. Almost all were created in the summer of 2020 and centered on the slogan #Chinaangvirus – Tagalog for China is the virus.
'COVID came from China and the VACCINE also came from China, don't trust China!' one typical tweet from July 2020 read in Tagalog. The words were next to a photo of a syringe beside a Chinese flag and a soaring chart of infections. Another post read: 'From China – PPE, Face Mask, Vaccine: FAKE. But the Coronavirus is real.'
After Reuters asked X about the accounts, the social media company removed the profiles, determining they were part of a coordinated bot campaign based on activity patterns and internal data.
The U.S. military's anti-vax effort began in the spring of 2020 and expanded beyond Southeast Asia before it was terminated in mid-2021, Reuters determined. Tailoring the propaganda campaign to local audiences across Central Asia and the Middle East, the Pentagon used a combination of fake social media accounts on multiple platforms to spread fear of China’s vaccines among Muslims at a time when the virus was killing tens of thousands of people each day. A key part of the strategy: amplify the disputed contention that, because vaccines sometimes contain pork gelatin, China's shots could be considered forbidden under Islamic law.
The military program started under former President Donald Trump and continued months into Joe Biden’s presidency, Reuters found – even after alarmed social media executives warned the new administration that the Pentagon had been trafficking in COVID misinformation. The Biden White House issued an edict in spring 2021 banning the anti-vax effort, which also disparaged vaccines produced by other rivals, and the Pentagon initiated an internal review, Reuters found.
Source: REUTERS
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Mexico: Heat wave kills several people, hotter days ahead
The so-called "heat dome" weather phenomenon has trapped hot air over the country, causing temperatures to soar to 45 degrees Celsius in some areas.
Extreme heat in Mexico has killed dozens of people, according to the Health Ministry, with temperatures forecasted to rise further.
Meteorologists say a weather phenomenon known as a "heat dome" has trapped hot air over the southern Gulf of Mexico and northern Central America, causing temperatures to soar to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas.
Between May 12 and May 21, authorities said 22 people died from heat-related causes, adding to a total of 48 deaths since March 17.
In comparison, during the same period in 2022 and 2023, heat waves claimed the lives of two and three people, respectively.
The ongoing third heat wave in Mexico is part of five predicted from March to July.
Temperatures rise in south US, Central America
In Mexico, the heat has caused nationwide droughts, strained the power grid and affected wildlife, including the death of 130 howler monkeys due to suspected dehydration.
Some areas saw protests as water supplies dwindled due to below-average rainfall.
The National Autonomous University of Mexico predicts even hotter temperatures in the next 10-15 days.
Some parts of Central America and southern United States, including Texas and Florida, are also experiencing extreme heat.
Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Dominican Republic and Haiti are also reeling from unusual heat due to the same meteorological phenomenon.
Experts warn that this heat wave could impact ocean temperatures and the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season.
Miss Universe Philippines: 'Chelsea Manalo'
Filipino American 'Chelsea Manalo' became the first Black woman to be crowned Miss Universe Philippines on Wednesday. Chelsea Manalo is a Filipino model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2024. She will represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant.
Born to a Filipino mother and an African American father, it is reported that the 24-year-old’s victory was celebrated on social media for breaking traditional beauty norms in the Philippines, which have often favored Eurocentric features and lighter skin tones.
Manalo’s journey in the pageant world began at the age of 14 when she started modeling. Despite facing bullying for her skin color and hair type, she said she found strength and confidence through the support of her friends and family.
Manalo, representing the province of Bulacan, stood out among 52 contestants in the competition. Her win has sparked conversations about expanding beauty standards in the Philippines, a country where lighter-skinned individuals have traditionally dominated media and entertainment and where skin-lightening products are prevalent.
Her victory challenges traditional beauty standards in the country. She emphasized using her beauty and confidence to empower others, highlighting the challenges she faced as a woman.
Manalo previously competed in Miss World Philippines 2017, where she placed in the top 15.
An advocate for indigenous people, Manalo campaigns for youth education, accessibility, and empowerment.
Miss Universe 2024 will be the 73rd Miss Universe pageant. It will be held in Mexico for the first time since the country last hosted in 2007. Sheynnis Palacios (Miss Universe 2023) of Nicaragua will crown her successor at the end of the event.
Chinese doctors claim to cure diabetes with cell therapy
Researchers in China have announced a groundbreaking achievement: the first-ever reported cure for diabetes through cell therapy.
A 59-year-old man with type 2 diabetes received an innovative cell transplant and has been insulin-free and off medication for 33 months, offering hope to other diabetes patients.
This experimental procedure involved creating an artificial version of the insulin-producing cells found in the pancreas, which help regulate blood sugar levels.
The patient had been living with type 2 diabetes for 25 years and had nearly lost all function of these islet cells. He was at high risk for severe complications, requiring multiple daily insulin injections to avoid diabetic coma.
"He was at great risk of serious diabetes complications," Yin Hao, a leading researcher at Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, told Shanghai-based news outlet 'The Paper' earlier this month.
How was the diabetes cure found?
After receiving the cell transplant in July 2021, the patient was free from external insulin within eleven weeks, and his oral medication dosage was gradually reduced until it was completely stopped a year later. "Follow-up examinations showed that the patient's pancreatic islet function was effectively restored," Yin said. The patient has now been insulin-free for 33 months.
This medical breakthrough, achieved by a team of doctors and researchers from Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, the Centre for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Renji Hospital, was published in the journal Cell Discovery on April 30.
The team used and programmed the patient's own peripheral blood mononuclear cells, transforming them into "seed cells" that reconstituted pancreatic islet tissue in an artificial environment.
Yin emphasised that this breakthrough marks significant progress in the emerging field of regenerative medicine, where the body's own regenerative capabilities are harnessed to treat illnesses. "Our technology has matured and it has pushed boundaries in the field of regenerative medicine for the treatment of diabetes," he said.
How serious is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition affecting the body's ability to convert food into energy. Insulin, produced by the islets in the pancreas, is crucial for regulating blood sugar levels. In diabetes, this system malfunctions: either the body does not produce enough insulin, or it cannot use insulin effectively.
Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, affects nearly 90 percent of people living with diabetes and is largely diet-related, developing over time. Without proper management, diabetes can lead to serious complications, including heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "there isn't a cure yet for diabetes." Treatment typically involves weight loss, healthy eating, medication, and frequent insulin injections and monitoring.
Scientists worldwide are exploring islet transplantation as a promising alternative, primarily by creating islet-like cells from human stem cell cultures. After more than a decade of work, this team of Chinese scientists has made significant strides.
According to a World Health Organization report, it is estimated that in India, there are 77 million adults with diabetes (type 2) and nearly 25 million at high risk of developing diabetes soon.
How will the new therapy affect China?
China, home to the highest number of diabetes patients worldwide, faces a significant healthcare burden.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, 140 million people in China have diabetes, with 40 million dependent on lifelong insulin injections. This new cell therapy could substantially lighten this healthcare load.
Australia: Man arrested after running naked through plane
A domestic flight was forced to land early after a man allegedly ran naked down the aisle of the plane. Police have arrested the suspect who is being seen to in hospital.
Australian police said on Tuesday they had arrested a man for disrupting a domestic flight after he allegedly ran naked down the aisle, knocking over a member of the crew.
The VA696 flight from Perth to Melbourne was forced to turn around shortly after it took off on Monday night.
"On arrival in Perth, the aircraft was met by the Australian Federal Police and the disruptive guest was offloaded" the airline, Virgin Australia, said in a statement.
Suspect taken to hospital
Police said "officers arrested a man after he allegedly ran naked through the aircraft mid-flight and knocked a crew member to the floor."
"The man was transferred to hospital for assessment, where he remains," a police statement said.
Australian broadcaster ABC said that it understood nobody had been injured in the incident.
"The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority and we sincerely apologize to guests impacted," Virgin Australia said.
The man is expected to appear in court on June 14, although the charges he will face have not yet been finalized. An investigation has been launched.
Two Arrested in Money Laundering Scheme Tied to Chinese Entities and Mexican Drug Cartels
The U.S. Justice Department has announced charges against two individuals for their alleged involvement in laundering money for Mexican drug cartels, including the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels, which authorities say have “caused the worst drug crisis” in U.S. history.
Officials arrested Tan Li Pei of Georgia on May 22, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a statement issued that day. Chen Chaojie, a Chinese national living in Chicago, was apprehended on April 16, according to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
U.S. prosecutors accused Chen and Tan of working for a transnational money laundering organization, conducting financial transactions with profits derived from selling fentanyl and other illicit drugs in the United States. The authorities didn’t reveal the organization’s name but said “millions of dollars” in illegal narcotics proceeds had been laundered.
Transnational Money Laundering Scheme
According to the DOJ, the two defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly traveled across the United States to collect money generated from the sale of fentanyl and other illicit drugs. They are accused of collaborating with individuals abroad, including in China, to launder the profits through financial transactions aimed at concealing the money’s source.
Prosecutors charged Tan and Chen, in separate criminal complaints, with conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum prison term of 20 years.
Seized Cash and Suspicious Transactions
The U.S. law enforcement agency seized a large amount of cash from Chen before his latest arrest, suspecting the money to be profits from drug trafficking. In April 2019, over $200,000 in cash was discovered in his vehicle during a traffic stop by Michigan State Troopers. Investigators suspected it to be profits from drug trafficking.
Chen denied ownership of the money, telling investigators via an interpreter that a “friend” had asked him to pick up the bulk of cash from an unknown male for cellphones. He stated that his communications with the “friend” were conducted on WeChat, a messaging app popular among Chinese, according to the document.
In April 2020, Chen was arrested again after investigators seized over $149,000 in cash during another traffic stop in Chicago. Chen claimed he worked for a Hong Kong-based company whose operator paid him $7,000 each month to deliver “electronic products to ‘customers’ in the Chicago area in exchange for bulk cash,” according to the document.
The operator, identified by Chen as “Liu,” messaged him a “code” that Chen would use to confirm customers’ identities. The investigation later found that the “codes” were the serial numbers on U.S. currency notes, which investigators described as “a common tactic used by money laundering organizations.”
In a search of Chen’s residence, law enforcement officials discovered ledgers, a money-counting machine, and other materials suspected to be used in illegal activities. An analysis of the ledgers is still underway, but investigators have identified recorded transactions totaling at least $8.9 million, according to the complaints. Chen was released after the interview.
Global Supply Chain and DEA Report
The indictment came as an annual report from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) highlighted the threats posed by two Mexican cartels, Jalisco and Sinaloa, which operate in all 50 states and have “effectively eliminated any competition,” according to the federal agency.
“Together, the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels have caused the worst drug crisis in U.S. history,” the report released on May 9 states. “They dictate the flow of nearly all illicit drugs into the United States, and their dominance over the synthetic drug trade in particular is evident in the relentless stream of illicit fentanyl and methamphetamine crossing the border toward U.S. markets.”
Chinese Entities in the Supply Chain
Companies in communist China appear to be key players in the global supply chain developed by the two crime organizations. According to the report, the cartels rely on Chinese suppliers to obtain precursor chemicals and pill presses, which are shipped to Mexican labs to manufacture fentanyl and other synthetic drugs that are smuggled to the United States. Finally, Chinese money launderers move profits from drug dealing from the United States to Mexico.
“Drug trafficking organizations based in Mexico and South America are increasingly utilizing China-based underground banking systems as their primary money laundering mechanism,” DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said in the report.
The arrests and ongoing investigations underscore the complex and international nature of modern drug trafficking and money laundering operations, highlighting the need for global cooperation in combating these transnational criminal activities.
Source: E-Pardafas
China will relocate close to 1 million rural Tibetans by 2025: HRW report
China is using extreme measures to relocate close to a million rural Tibetans by 2025, said Human Rights Watch, the New York-based rights watch dog, in a new report titled 'Educate the Masses to Change Their Minds: China's Coercive Relocation of Rural Tibetans.'
According to official statistics, over 930,000 rural Tibetans will be relocated by Chinese authorities between 2000 and 2025.
Notably, more than 709,000 of these relocations (76%) have occurred since 2016, coinciding with the start of China’s 13th Five-Year Plan. This group includes 140,000 people relocated as part of whole village relocation drives and 567,000 relocated as part of individual household relocations between 2016 and 2020. Currently, Chinese authorities are moving residents from 500 villages, affecting over 140,000 people.
The 71-page report elaborates on the compulsory participation of Tibetans in these whole village relocation programs. For example, in a village in Nagchu, 200 out of 262 households initially resisted relocating nearly 1,000 kilometers away. Although the Chinese government claimed that these villagers eventually consented to move, HRW found that consent was obtained through extreme forms of persuasion and coercion, including repeated home visits, threats of punishment, and disciplinary action against local officials who failed to meet relocation targets.
Additionally, these coercive tactics include threats against villagers who voiced disagreements, accusing them of “spreading rumors” and ordering crackdowns on dissent, implying both administrative and criminal penalties. Officials require each targeted village to reach a consensus decision, preventing any individual resident from opting out and thereby applying peer pressure to ensure compliance. Authorities also misleadingly claim that these relocations will “improve people’s livelihood” and protect the ecological environment.
'The mass relocations of rural Tibetan villages are severely eroding Tibetan culture and ways of life,' said Maya Wang, acting China director at HRW. 'China's government should suspend relocations in Tibet until an independent, expert review of existing policies and practices is carried out to determine their compliance with Chinese law and standards and international law concerning relocations and forced evictions.'
HRW also issued recommendations to the Chinese authorities involved in the forced relocation programs to ensure that they follow international standards, including exploring all alternatives, providing adequate compensation, and legal remedies, cease coercive tactics to gain consent for relocations, remove deadlines for relocation agreements, punish officials who make false claims about relocation benefits, permit United Nations special rapporteurs access to Tibetan areas and amend Chinese laws to align with international standards on forced evictions.
Source: Phayul
World Uyghur Congress condemns Hong Kong Court's pro-democracy activist sentencing
The World Uyghur Congress has strongly condemned the sentencing of 14 pro-democracy activists by a Hong Kong high court in the largest case under the National Security Law (NSL) imposed by China in 2020.
The 14 Hong Kong pro-democracy figures, including opposition lawmakers, are among 47 individuals convicted of the crime of 'subversion of state power' in 2021 and found guilty of participating in the primary elections. They could face life imprisonment.
'It is no surprise that China uses the NSL to silence dissidents,' remarked WUC President Dolkun Isa in a statement. "But the sentencing is furthermore evident of the systematic erosion of democracy, fundamental freedoms, and the shrinking space of civil society under the CCP," a press statement issued by the World Uyghur Congress stated.
The NSL, enacted in response to the pro-democracy protests that rocked Hong Kong in 2019, criminalizes acts of 'collusion, terrorism, secession, and subversion,' punishable by life imprisonment.
Critics argue it serves as a tool for Beijing to quell dissent and tighten its grip on the semi-autonomous region.
Standing in solidarity with the pro-democracy figures, the WUC demands their immediate release and urges the international community, including the European Commission, to take decisive action.
Calling for sanctions on those responsible, the WUC stresses the urgent need to address the erosion of democracy and fundamental freedoms.
'With the upcoming global elections, including EU elections,' emphasized Isa, 'democratic governments need to hold China accountable for its continuous attack on democracy and disregard for human rights.'
As the world grapples with these challenges, the call for justice reverberates louder, signalling a pivotal moment in the fight to safeguard democratic principles against authoritarian overreach.
Source: ANI
