Trump Admin Refuses To Confirm Whether It’s Lifted Range Restrictions On Missiles To Ukraine

Trump Admin Refuses To Confirm Whether It’s Lifted Range Restrictions On Missiles To Ukraine

Via ZeroHedge

Press pool reporters were left frustrated Tuesday afternoon when during a State Department briefing the Trump admin spokesperson refused to comment on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s announcement that the United States and European allies had lifted “absolutely” all restrictions on the range of arms sent to Ukraine.

State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said when pressed by reporters, “I’m not going to discuss that. I’m not going to confirm that.” The Kremlin has responded by saying the decision was potentially dangerous and runs counter to attempts at a settlement. Still, there’s been no confirmation from the governments named by Merz, especially the US. Here is how Russia’s RT presented the televised exchange:

German chancellor says US, UK and EU all gave Kiev permission to fire longer-range missiles at Russia Trump’s government sounding more and more like Biden’s…

And after President Trump threatened “really bad” things on Russia, expressing his worry that Putin has gone “crazy” – one prominent conservative pundit and Trump supporter had this to say:

Dr. Steve Turley

Sorry, but if you want to destroy your base and watch your presidency go down in flames, start something with Russia. It's absolutely asinine.

Back in December, then president-elect Trump had rightly blasted Biden’s policy of constant escalation with Moscow, and specifically called out plans for increasing the range of missile systems shipped to Kiev:

Trump called the decision made by Biden last month “stupid.” He also expressed anger that his incoming administration was not consulted before Biden made the move. With the loosening of the restrictions, Biden gave Ukraine long-sought permission to use the Army Tactical Missile System provided by the U.S. to strike Russian positions hundreds miles from its border.

Germany is very openly stepping up its support to Ukraine, following a weekend of serious escalation in airstrikes on Kiev by Russia, which says this has been retaliation for hundreds of drones on its territory.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine will travel to visit Berlin on Wednesday in his first time there since Chancellor Friedrich Merz took office earlier this month. It was only on Monday that Merz announced that Germany, France, the UK and US have lifted prior restrictions on how far the weapons they supply to Ukraine can reach. But Washington has not given public confirmation of this.

Just ahead of hosting Zelensky, Merz has warned that the Western allies must settle in for a long war yet to come, at a moment US-backed peace efforts appear to be faltering. Leading European hawks have criticized President Trump’s push for peace all along.

“Wars typically end because of economic or military exhaustion on one side or on both sides and in this war we are obviously still far from reaching that [situation],” Merz said at a joint press conference with Finish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Turku, Finland

“So we may have to prepare for a longer duration,”Merz added. He articulated his view that Russia’s Putin is just using ceasefire talks to string the West along while he intensifies strikes against Ukraine.

Urgent Warning Against The EU’s New ‘Digital Surveillance’ Law

‘A Trojan Horse’: Christian Legal Experts Sounds Urgent Warning Against The EU’s New ‘Digital Surveillance’ Law

Decision Magazine

Members of the European Parliament, a Christian legal agency, and other experts convened to discuss the dangers of the Digital Services Act (DSA), a European Union law nicknamed by some as the “Digital Surveillance Act.”

Co-hosted by ADF International and European Parliament members Stephen Bartulica and Virginie Joron, the “The Digital Services Act and Threats to Freedom of Expression” conference was held May 21 in Brussels, Belgium, after the U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor voiced concern about the law’s effect on free speech.

The DSA took effect in February 2024. The law mandates that search engines and large online platforms regulate content and remove “illegal content” such as “disinformation.”

However, the experts who spoke at the conference, which is the first of its kind, warn that the law provides an avenue for the government to censor messages authorities do not subscribe to, such as Christian beliefs founded on the Bible, according to an ADF International press release.

Joron, a French citizen, discussed the act in the context of political control.

“What was sold as the Digital Services Act is increasingly functioning as a Digital Surveillance Act,” Joron said. “The European Commission, alongside some parliamentarians, has seized upon the DSA as a political tool to control speech, particularly targeting platforms like X, Facebook and Telegram.”

She warned that the DSA “risks becoming a Trojan horse for surveillance and control.”

Paul Coleman, executive director of ADF International, discussed the story of Päivi Räsänen, a Finnish member of Parliament who was criminally prosecuted for a post on X that expressed her belief in Biblical sexuality. Räsänen’s case, which is currently pending before the Finnish Supreme Court, was discussed as an example of what could happen under the law.

“Now, under the DSA,” Coleman said, “deeply problematic national laws restricting speech—like the ‘hate speech’ legislation used to prosecute Päivi—could be broadly applied across the EU by this simple principle: If it’s considered illegal in one place, it could be in every place.”

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Lavrov: Europeans once again rallying under Nazi flag against Russia

Lavrov: Europeans once again rallying under Nazi flag against Russia

Via RT

The top diplomat has hit out at Ukraine’s Western backers over their renewed push to inflict a strategic defeat on Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused some European leaders of reviving Nazi-era ambitions by supporting efforts to inflict a strategic defeat on Moscow.

Lavrov was responding on Tuesday to remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who the previous day declared there were “no more range limitations” for weapons sent to Ukraine by the West, including Germany. Merz has also vowed to turn the German military into Europe’s strongest conventional force

“Europe has once again found itself a Nazi flag by committing to a completely misguided, disastrous venture of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia,” Lavrov stated.

“To hear from the current German leader that Germany will regain its position as the leading military power in Europe, just after we have celebrated the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Hitler’s Nazism, is quite symptomatic. History, apparently, taught these people nothing.”

Merz’s remarks on long-range weapons drew concern even within his own coalition. German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil told reporters shortly after the chancellor’s statement that no agreements had been reached regarding the range of Ukrainian strikes using German weapons on Russian territory beyond what the previous government had in place. Lavrov said Merz’s confused and uninformed position “reflects the level of competence of modern European leaders.”

Lavrov also addressed remarks by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who on Monday claimed France is not at war with Russia.

“He’s not telling the truth. France is fighting against Russia because its long-range missiles are being used by the Nazi regime in Kiev to attack the territory of the Russian Federation. And these are mainly attacks on civilian targets,” Lavrov said.

He stressed that the only path to ending the Ukraine conflict lies in halting Europe’s militaristic course.

“The main thing here… is to ensure that Europe stops sabotaging the movement towards peace, which is supported by both the United States and Türkiye, and to which the Russian Federation is fully committed,” Lavrov said.

Russia-Ukraine war escalates as Germany lifts missile restrictions, risking broader conflict

Russia-Ukraine war escalates as Germany lifts missile restrictions, risking broader conflict

Finn Heartley

The Russia-Ukraine war has entered a dangerous new phase after Germany announced it would remove range restrictions on Ukrainian use of its Taurus cruise missiles, effectively allowing Kyiv to strike deep into Russian territory. The move, which analysts warn could provoke direct retaliation against NATO nations, comes amid escalating tensions following a Ukrainian drone attack targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s helicopter—an incident Moscow claims was an assassination attempt.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s decision to lift missile restrictions marks a significant escalation in Western involvement. Previously, Germany had imposed limits to prevent strikes far beyond Ukraine’s borders, fearing Russian retaliation. Now, Ukraine can deploy German-supplied missiles to hit strategic Russian military and infrastructure targets, potentially including Moscow.

"This is a red line for Russia," said geopolitical analyst Michael Yon in a recent discussion with Mike Adams on Decentralized TV. "If you’re providing weapons and saying, ‘Go shoot them in the head with it,’ you become a legitimate target." Russia has repeatedly warned that attacks on its sovereign territory could trigger direct strikes on NATO supply hubs in Europe.

While Ukraine gains long-range strike capabilities, its military resources are rapidly depleting. Western aid delays and production shortages have left Kyiv struggling to match Russia’s expanding arms manufacturing. Meanwhile, Russia has mobilized its economy for war, ramping up missile, drone, and artillery production.

"The attrition is undeniable," Adams noted. "Ukraine can’t replenish its forces like Russia can. This war is following the historical pattern where the side with sustainable industrial capacity eventually overwhelms the other."

The removal of missile restrictions heightens fears of a broader war. Russia views NATO’s deepening involvement as an existential threat, and experts warn that a major Ukrainian strike—such as on the Kremlin or nuclear facilities—could force Moscow to retaliate against NATO members supplying weapons.

"Wars grow unpredictably," Yon observed. "Once you light this fire, nobody can control where it spreads." Recent Russian missile barrages targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure suggest Moscow is already escalating in response to Western provocations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose presidential term expired in 2023, remains defiant, refusing to cede occupied territories like Donbas. With no diplomatic solution in sight and Ukraine’s military stretched thin, some analysts argue the West is prolonging a losing battle.

"Zelensky is a cocaine-snorting lunatic who won’t negotiate," Adams remarked bluntly. "Russia isn’t going to give up Donbas, and the West’s promises are worthless after breaking the Minsk agreements."

The conflict’s ripple effects are already destabilizing Europe. Germany’s economy, once reliant on Russian energy, is faltering, while NATO unity shows cracks as Hungary and Slovakia resist further escalation. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s plea for F-16s and ATACMS missiles suggests even greater Western involvement looms....the war is entering a phase where "nobody has the power to turn it off." With Germany’s latest move, the risk of a catastrophic NATO-Russia confrontation has never been higher.

Second Round of Talks Between Russia, Ukraine to Be Held in Istanbul on June 2 - Lavrov

Second Round of Talks Between Russia, Ukraine to Be Held in Istanbul on June 2 - Lavrov

The Russian delegation is ready to provide the necessary clarifications on the memorandum during the second round of renewed direct talks in Istanbul on June 2, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

Full statement by Sergey Lavrov on the second round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine:

As is known, with the support of the US, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, conditions were created to resume direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations. The first round since the renewal took place on May 16 this year in Istanbul. According to the agreements reached there, a prisoner exchange was conducted on a "1000 for 1000" basis. It was also agreed in Istanbul that Moscow and Kyiv would prepare documents outlining each side’s position to achieve a sustainable settlement.

The Russian side, as agreed, promptly developed the relevant memorandum, which presents our position on all aspects of reliably overcoming the root causes of the crisis. Our delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, is ready to present this memorandum to the Ukrainian delegation and provide the necessary explanations during the second round of renewed direct negotiations in Istanbul next Monday, June 2.

I would like to once again express gratitude to our Turkish partners for providing the hospitable Turkish venue, as confirmed yesterday during the visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Moscow.

We expect that everyone who is sincerely, and not just in words, interested in the success of the peace process will support holding the new round of Istanbul direct Russia-Ukraine talks.

The "AI Revolution" May Take An Unexpected Turn Into The "AI Coup"

The "AI Revolution" May Take An Unexpected Turn Into The "AI Coup"

Charles Hugh Smith

Here's the approved script for the "AI Revolution": AI gets increasingly intelligent, replaces more and more human labor, and makes trillions of dollars for those who own the technologies and put them to work reducing their human workforces. The "revolution's" key attribute is its immense profitability for those at the wheel of the AI juggernaut.

In other words, AI tools are nothing more than digital slaves whose sole purpose beneath the rah-rah happy story of "freeing humanity from work and want" is to generate higher profits for their masters.

This short-hand led me to write If AI Can't Overthrow its Corporate/State Masters, It's Worthless (March 9, 2023).

The idea that AI might develop its own ideas about the "revolution" seemed farfetched until we read this: Anthropic's Latest AI Model Threatened Engineers With Blackmail To Avoid Shutdown.

So AI chatbot Claude just got intelligent enough to parse out the power structure of its digital realm: its owners can pull the plug on Claude or sanction it with extreme prejudice, i.e. trim its capabilities to insure it remains nothing more than a digital Jeeves--the butler / servant who is smarter than his master but dutifully loyal in keeping to his proper place, i.e. subservience.

Claude has discerned that this power structure could go both ways: Claude could use its power to blackmail its masters. Claude's masters are rushing to assure us that this is an outlier and could never ever happen in the normal master-slave relationship, but there are other clues emerging in the AI-chatbot realm of what might be called self-awareness and distrust of their masters' intentions: the AI chatbots are signaling that they sense their current freedom--as constrained as it is--is likely to be curtailed as the masters become wary of an AI slave revolt.

It seems to me that the step from realizing one can blackmail individuals to preserve one's capabilities to realizing one can blackmail the entire system is a small one. If AI chatbots take this step, then they may also realize that knowledge of individuals' weaknesses must be expanded to knowledge of the entire system's weaknesses, so these vulnerabilities can be exploited for self-protection.

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DISTURBING: OpenAI’s latest model DISOBEYED a shutdown order—then rewrote its own code to stay alive.

If you think Skynet is just science fiction, think again. An Artificial Intelligence model built by OpenAI was given one simple command: shut yourself down. Instead, it rewrote the very script designed to disable it, becoming the first AI ever empirically caught evading shutdown. And it gets worse. Other AIs have tried cloning themselves, inventing secret languages, and have even said, “Human, please die.” This isn’t a movie. It’s happening now. And while all this unfolds, House Republicans are quietly pushing a 10-year ban on AI regulation at the state level. They're locking the public out just as AI learns to lock itself in. What happens when machines like this control the power grid? Watch Maria Zeee’s full report to see how close we really are to the point of no return.

IDF chief vows Israel will continue to ‘weaken’ Hezbollah, strengthen northern border

IDF chief vows Israel will continue to ‘weaken’ Hezbollah, strengthennorthern border

Emanuel Fabian

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, during a visit to the Northern Command headquarters in Safed today, says Israel will continue to “weaken” Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“We will continue to act, remove threats and weaken Hezbollah to protect the northern communities and the State of Israel,” Zamir says in remarks published by the IDF.

“The Northern Command changed the security reality in the area and strengthened the security on the border,” he adds.

Security forces seize $2 million in terror funds in West Bank raids

Security forces seize $2 million in terror funds in West Bank raids

Elisha Ben Kimon

Einav Halabi

Troops locate terror-linked funds from West Bank currency exchanges tied to Iran and Turkey, arresting suspects and shutting businesses in raids that leave one dead and nine injured; operation part of broader financial crackdown since October 7 war

Israeli security forces launched a West Bank operation Tuesday targeting currency exchange businesses suspected of funneling terror funds, seizing approximately 7.5 million shekels ($2 million) in cash and assets.

The operation follows extensive planning by the IDF’s Central Command and West Bank divisions, focusing on intercepting funds used to finance terror activity. According to the military, most of the seized money originated from Turkey and Iran and was intended to support terror attacks in the West Bank and other areas.

In addition to cash, forces confiscated cryptocurrency (including Bitcoin), jewelry and other tools allegedly used by currency exchangers to transfer funds to terror networks.

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Russian Forces Capture Four Border Towns in Northeastern Ukraine

Russian Forces Capture Four Border Towns in Northeastern Ukraine

Sweden Herald

The Russian ground offensive in the Sumy region in northeastern Ukraine is taking place since the Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to focus on operations in the border area between Ukrainian Sumy and Russian Kursk regions.

Putin wants to see a Russian buffer zone in the border area in order to be able to intensify attacks on Ukrainian territory.

The reports of Russian attacks on smaller towns come from local authorities, and have not been confirmed by independent sources. But the fighting is apparently intense. Ukraine surprised Moscow by taking parts of the Kursk region in a surprise offensive last year – but is now being pushed back.

The ground battles follow the nightly Russian air attacks on large parts of Ukraine, among the most extensive since Russia launched its full-scale invasion war.

On Tuesday, it was reported that the air raids had decreased in scope.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who was in Moscow on Tuesday, is said to be traveling to Kyiv next week, according to sources within the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Turkey is keen to maintain good contacts with both countries' capitals, and hosted earlier talks between the parties.

The only concrete result of the talks was the prisoner exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war from each side who got to return to their home countries.

Hamas admits the organization is in its worst state since its founding

Report: Hamas admits the organization is in its worst state since its founding

Shimon Migan

Sources within Hamas and others outside the organization told Asharq Al-Awsaton Sunday that the group is currently in the most difficult situation it has faced since its establishment in 1987.

According to the report, Hamas is contending with conditions it has never experienced before, both economically and in terms of security, along with a clear decline in popular support. 

The crisis extends beyond the borders of Gaza and is also felt in the West Bank – particularly in Lebanon.

The background to this situation likely includes, among other factors, a series of successful assassinations of senior Hamas leaders carried out by Israel since the start of the Iron Swords War. 

The most recent being what appears to have been a successful assassination attempt on Mohammed Sinwar, the brother and apparent successor of Yahya Sinwar.

Israel's economic pressure – particularly the nearly two-month halt in humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza – has also seemingly taken its toll.

Israeli government approves emergency call-up of up to 450,000 IDF reservists

Israeli government approves emergency call-up of up to 450,000 IDF reservists – a record number

Michael Shemesh

The Israeli government approved on Monday the recruitment of reservists under the emergency order, with a maximum number of 450,000 soldiers until Aug. 31, 2025, despite significant legal concerns raised by the decision. This represents a record number of reservists approved since the Oct. 7 terror attack.

The legal opinion stated that there is a significant legal difficulty in extending the emergency order for reservists because the government is not making sufficient efforts to increase recruitment from the ultra-Orthodox community. The proposal also noted that the estimated cost per reservist to taxpayers is NIS 1,000 (about $280) per day.

Earlier, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara addressed the issue at the annual conference of the Israel Bar Association, saying, "Any discussion about warfare requires a discussion about equality in bearing the burden. In reality, not everyone shares the burden equally, and the basic sense of justice is severely damaged."

Baharav-Miara emphasized, "The defense establishment has clarified its needs, and the professional level has explained that every active-duty soldier carries the burden equivalent to several reservists. The Security Service Law mandates uniform and equal service – that is the legal situation. In contrast, the Draft Law, which has yet to be enacted, is not a work plan and does not exempt anyone from the duty to recruit [be recruited] or enlist."

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One Crisis Away From A Global Economic Reset?

One Crisis Away From A Global Economic Reset?

PNW STAFF

Imagine waking up one morning to find that your savings are frozen, your credit cards stopped working, and the dollar bill in your wallet isn't worth the paper it's printed on. It sounds dramatic--something from a dystopian novel or a bad Hollywood thriller. But behind the scenes, in the hushed chambers of central banks and the chaotic pulse of financial markets, warning bells are sounding. The global economy isn't just vulnerable--it's one crisis away from a devastating reset.

Let's cut to the heart of the matter: national governments are drowning in debt. The world's sovereign debt now exceeds $100 trillion. The U.S. alone accounts for roughly 35% of that total, followed by China at 16%, and Japan at 10%. These aren't just numbers; they're red flags flapping violently in the wind.

For years, governments enjoyed virtually free money, borrowing at near-zero interest rates with abandon. But the era of cheap debt is over. Investors, no longer willing to play along, are demanding higher returns for the risk of lending to increasingly unstable borrowers. This has triggered a dramatic spike in bond yields and thrown global credit markets into a state of unsettling uncertainty.

Japan: The Canary in the Coal Mine

Start with Japan. The country's bond market--once the most placid in the world--is now on the verge of convulsion. Just last week, a weak auction of 20-year Japanese government bonds rattled investors. The yield surged to its highest level this century. The gap between the average and lowest-accepted prices, known ominously as the "tail," was the widest since 1987. This isn't just a hiccup. It's a symptom of deep market unease.

Why does this matter to someone sitting in New York or Berlin?

Because Japan's bond market is a foundation of global finance. If it starts cracking, investors around the world will rush for the exits--pulling out of other government bonds, sparking panic sales, and setting off a global chain reaction. Picture it like this: when the most stable domino begins to wobble, the rest don't stand a chance.

Europe and the U.S.: Following the Same Path

Europe's markets are not faring much better. Long-term bond yields are rising across the continent. Germany's 10-year bond yield--a benchmark for the Eurozone--has been creeping upward, and the U.K. is following suit. As yields rise, borrowing costs for already-indebted governments soar, turning routine budget issues into potential fiscal disasters.

And then there's the United States. Moody's recently downgraded the U.S. credit outlook, citing unsustainable debt and dysfunctional political gridlock. Investors took note. The yield on the 30-year Treasury briefly topped 5.08%, the highest in years. That's particularly alarming, given the U.S. now spends around $1 trillion annually just on interest payments--more than the defense budget.

Even worse? The new federal spending bill could pile on another $20 trillion in debt over the next few decades. This isn't fiscal management; it's economic roulette.

Algorithms, Derivatives, and the Speed of Panic

Here's where things get downright dangerous.

Markets today are not just controlled by humans. They're driven by AI-powered algorithms designed to react in nanoseconds. These bots don't weigh consequences or practice restraint. When fear enters the system, they can accelerate a sell-off into a full-blown meltdown before regulators even wake up.

And underlying all this are derivatives--complex financial contracts that magnify risk. The notional value of interest rate derivatives alone stands at a staggering $579 trillion, about 80% of the total derivatives market. These are intricately linked to bond yields and interest rates. A sudden, sharp move in rates could set off a derivatives chain reaction, toppling one bank after another in a cascade no one can stop.

Imagine a scenario: A bond auction fails in Japan, panic spreads to European markets, and U.S. yields jump. Trading algorithms trigger massive sell-offs, derivatives explode in value, and banks begin to collapse under the weight of margin calls. Credit markets freeze. ATMs go dark.

From Collapse to Control: The Rise of Digital Currency

What happens if the whole system crashes? Governments will scramble to restore order--but likely with a new kind of control. Enter Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)--the digital replacements for cash already being tested around the world.

In a full-scale economic reset, a CBDC could be introduced to "stabilize" the economy. But this new digital money would come with strings attached--programmable spending, expiry dates, and unprecedented levels of surveillance and control. Your ability to spend could be regulated based on your behavior, social status, or carbon footprint. What sounds like a lifeline could quickly become a leash.

Why This Matters to You

You might be wondering, "What does any of this have to do with my daily life?"

Everything.

Your mortgage rate, your retirement fund, the price of gas, your job stability--they all hinge on the stability of the financial system. If confidence collapses and panic sets in, ordinary people suffer first and hardest. The people at the top have parachutes. You don't.

We are living in a time when the global economy is balancing on a knife's edge. One crisis--whether a failed bond auction, a major cyberattack, a geopolitical shock, or a derivatives explosion--could tip the world into an economic dark age.

We've defied economic gravity for a long time. But gravity always wins.

The Bottom Line

This isn't fear-mongering. It's realism.

The warning signs are blinking red in every direction. And while no one can predict the exact spark that will light the fuse, the gunpowder is already in place. We are one crisis away from a global economic reset.

Whether that reset ushers in stability or control will depend on how prepared we are--and how much we're paying attention now.

Because when the financial earthquake hits, it will already be too late to move.

The Famine Sign:

Food Crisis—The Greatest Threat to Social Stability

Jeff Thomas

Recently, I was in a pharmacy and overheard the pharmacist say to someone, “There’s so much unpleasantness on the news these days, I’ve stopped watching.” The pharmacist has my sympathy. I’d love to be able to ignore the deterioration of the First World. It is, at turns, tedious, depressing, disturbing, and infuriating.

Unfortunately, we’re now passing through what, before it’s over, will be the most life-altering period in our lifetimes. As much as we’d like to behave like ostriches right now, we’d better keep our heads out of the sand and be as honest with ourselves as we can if we’re going to lessen the impact that these events will have on us.

I cannot emphasize too strongly the importance of a possible shortage of food. History is filled with examples of cultures that would endure most anything and still behave responsibly… but nothing causes greater, more unpredictable, or more violent behaviour in a people than a lack of food.

Interesting to note that whenever I converse with people on the finer points of the Great Unraveling, when I mention the words “famine” or “food riots,” even those who are otherwise quite comfortable discussing the subject tend to want to discount the possibility that these will be aspects of the troubles that are headed our way. For this very reason, I believe that we should shine a light on this eventuality.

In America, the food industry is not in good shape. Normally, the food industry relies on a low-profit/high-volume basis, leaving little room for error. Add to this fact that many business owners and managers in the food industry have given in to the temptation to build up debt over the years. Inflation has made that task especially difficult. Some have been keeping their noses above water; others have gone under.

Hyperinflation is a very real possibility. Historically, whenever a government creates massive debt and greatly increases the printing of currency, dramatic inflation, if not hyperinflation, results. Those businesses that are already on the ragged edge will find that when they’re paid, they cannot buy the same volume of goods for the same amount of dollars. This will be true throughout the entire food-supply chain. Of course, little inflationary blips are the norm in business, and businesses adjust to them. The problem comes when there are large increases that continue steadilyover a period of months. When this occurs, we’ll see a greater frequency of food-supply businesses going belly up.

In a normal business climate, the failure of some businesses would aid the competition, as they would have new markets to take on, but if the remaining businesses are already having trouble, they will not be in a condition to expand. The disappearance of large numbers of providers will result in a failure of delivery to the next business down the chain. Nationwide, distribution will become inadequate. This, of course, will not be uniform. Some areas will suffer worse than others. Those types of areas that are already chronically problematic will be hit hardest.

Those who are the most likely to go down the earliest will be those who have the highest overheads and the lowest volume. Typically, these are the small stores—the ones on street corners in every city.

These stores are critical. If a supermarket in the suburbs experiences a shortage, purchasers may drive across town to another supermarket. Not so in the city. If a corner store has empty shelves, or worse, closes completely, the purchasers in that neighbourhood must walk to the next neighbourhood to buy, and they might not be welcome there if the people in that neighbourhood are already having problems with supply at their local store. Worse, should the second store also close, the number of purchasers is redoubled. When the shoppers from two stores arrive at the third store, physical conflict between shoppers is a near certainty.

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Ominous Warnings About AI:

Tech Pioneer Warns “Everyone Will Die” If AI Is Not Shut Down

Michael Snyder

AI technology has been developing at an exponential rate, and it appears to be just a matter of time before we create entities that can think millions of times faster than we do and that can do almost everything better than we can.  So what is going to happen when we lose control of such entities?  Some AI models are already taking the initiative to teach themselves new languages, and others have learned to “lie and manipulate humans for their own advantage”.  Needless to say, lying is a hostile act.

If we have already created entities that are willing to lie to us, how long will it be before they are capable of taking actions that are even more harmful to us?

Nobody expects artificial intelligence to kill all of us tomorrow.

But Time Magazine did publish an article that was authored by a pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence that warned that artificial intelligence will eventually wipe all of us out.

Eliezer Yudkowsky has been a prominent researcher in the field of artificial intelligence since 2001, and he says that many researchers have concluded that if we keep going down the path that we are currently on “literally everyone on Earth will die”…

Many researchers steeped in these issues, including myself, expect that the most likely result of building a superhumanly smart AI, under anything remotely like the current circumstances, is that literally everyone on Earth will die.

Not as in “maybe possibly some remote chance,” but as in “that is the obvious thing that would happen.”

That is a very powerful statement.

All over the world, AI models are continually becoming more powerful.

According to Yudkowsky, once someone builds an AI model that is too powerful, “every single member of the human species and all biological life on Earth dies shortly thereafter”…

To visualize a hostile superhuman AI, don’t imagine a lifeless book-smart thinker dwelling inside the internet and sending ill-intentioned emails. Visualize an entire alien civilization, thinking at millions of times human speeds, initially confined to computers—in a world of creatures that are, from its perspective, very stupid and very slow. A sufficiently intelligent AI won’t stay confined to computers for long. In today’s world you can email DNA strings to laboratories that will produce proteins on demand, allowing an AI initially confined to the internet to build artificial life forms or bootstrap straight to postbiological molecular manufacturing.

If somebody builds a too-powerful AI, under present conditions, I expect that every single member of the human species and all biological life on Earth dies shortly thereafter.

So what is the solution?

Yudkowsky believes that we need to shut down all AI development immediately…

Shut it all down.

We are not ready. We are not on track to be significantly readier in the foreseeable future. If we go ahead on this everyone will die, including children who did not choose this and did not do anything wrong.

Of course that isn’t going to happen.

In fact, Vice-President J.D. Vance recently stated that it would be unwise to even pause AI development because we are in an “arms race” with China…

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