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cbabe
cbabe's Journal
cbabe's Journal
May 15, 2024
The China-linked EV battery mega factory dividing a US township
Plans for a sprawling factory in rural Michigan making batteries for electric cars offer an economic lifeline, but for some residents there is a big problem: the parent company is in China
Tom Perkins in Green Township, Michigan, and Amy Hawkins
Tue 14 May 2024 20.53 EDT
…
Across the US, anti-China sentiment is threatening to disrupt the transition to EVs. That transition is partly funded by President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, but many of its projects – which also aim to revive struggling rural economies – are in Republican districts and are powered by Chinese funding, which is opposed by some residents.
In this context, Green Township – with a population of 3,200 – forms just one part of the broader economic conflict between the US and China. With some analysts convinced that Beijing is winning the race to store clean energy, the US is in the difficult position of needing to embrace China’s technology. On Tuesday, Biden announced a 100% tariff on Chinese-made EVs as part of a package of measures designed to protect US manufacturers from cheap imports.
The stakes are especially high in Michigan, which is attempting to preserve its standing as the world’s auto capital in the EV era. The state’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, and legislative leaders, including many Republicans, pulled together billions of dollars in tax incentives to ensure companies invest there. Gotion itself is expected to receive about $715m in state incentives.
…
Founded in China in 2006, Gotion established its US subsidiary in California in 2014, and its US board is about equal parts German, American and Chinese. The parent company’s articles of association require it to “carry out party activities in accordance with the constitution of the Communist party of China”. Gotion already has operations in California and Ohio, and it has told residents its North American operation will have nothing to do with communism.
…more…death threats vs hourly wages… mega factory in farmland…
(banning tiktok because of Chinese ownership but this company is not only ok but us government funded??)
The China-linked EV battery mega factory dividing a US township
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/15/gotion-ev-battery-mega-factory-green-charter-township-michigan-china-electric-cars?ref=upstract.comThe China-linked EV battery mega factory dividing a US township
Plans for a sprawling factory in rural Michigan making batteries for electric cars offer an economic lifeline, but for some residents there is a big problem: the parent company is in China
Tom Perkins in Green Township, Michigan, and Amy Hawkins
Tue 14 May 2024 20.53 EDT
…
Across the US, anti-China sentiment is threatening to disrupt the transition to EVs. That transition is partly funded by President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, but many of its projects – which also aim to revive struggling rural economies – are in Republican districts and are powered by Chinese funding, which is opposed by some residents.
In this context, Green Township – with a population of 3,200 – forms just one part of the broader economic conflict between the US and China. With some analysts convinced that Beijing is winning the race to store clean energy, the US is in the difficult position of needing to embrace China’s technology. On Tuesday, Biden announced a 100% tariff on Chinese-made EVs as part of a package of measures designed to protect US manufacturers from cheap imports.
The stakes are especially high in Michigan, which is attempting to preserve its standing as the world’s auto capital in the EV era. The state’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, and legislative leaders, including many Republicans, pulled together billions of dollars in tax incentives to ensure companies invest there. Gotion itself is expected to receive about $715m in state incentives.
…
Founded in China in 2006, Gotion established its US subsidiary in California in 2014, and its US board is about equal parts German, American and Chinese. The parent company’s articles of association require it to “carry out party activities in accordance with the constitution of the Communist party of China”. Gotion already has operations in California and Ohio, and it has told residents its North American operation will have nothing to do with communism.
…more…death threats vs hourly wages… mega factory in farmland…
(banning tiktok because of Chinese ownership but this company is not only ok but us government funded??)
May 14, 2024
Covid/flu/cold/rsv
Follow up to previous post:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1018&pid=2011679
Could be a cold or rsv or flu or new covid variant.
Covid tests have not been updated since original rollout. So Covid might show but tests are not as accurate.
May 9, 2024
Hundreds of charges laid in OPP child sexual abuse investigation
Story by CBC/Radio-Canada
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) revealed what the service is calling the "staggering results" of a series of investigations into online child sexual abuse and exploitation Wednesday.
The multi-jurisdictional investigations involved 27 police services from across the province, including those in the Greater Toronto Area.
Det. Staff Sgt. Tim Brown told reporters Wednesday that the investigations focused on people who make, access and distribute child sexual abuse material.
There are now 64 people across Ontario facing a total of 348 charges, he said, with 34 child victims involved. Police say they seized 607 digital devices as part of the investigation.
"With each passing year, the tools used by predators who wish to harm our children grow more sophisticated and harder to trace," Brown said.
…more…
Hundreds of charges laid in OPP child sexual abuse investigation
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/other/opp-reveal-investigations-into-online-child-sexual-abuse/ar-BB1m2rlhHundreds of charges laid in OPP child sexual abuse investigation
Story by CBC/Radio-Canada
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) revealed what the service is calling the "staggering results" of a series of investigations into online child sexual abuse and exploitation Wednesday.
The multi-jurisdictional investigations involved 27 police services from across the province, including those in the Greater Toronto Area.
Det. Staff Sgt. Tim Brown told reporters Wednesday that the investigations focused on people who make, access and distribute child sexual abuse material.
There are now 64 people across Ontario facing a total of 348 charges, he said, with 34 child victims involved. Police say they seized 607 digital devices as part of the investigation.
"With each passing year, the tools used by predators who wish to harm our children grow more sophisticated and harder to trace," Brown said.
…more…
May 5, 2024
Israel orders Al Jazeera to close its local operation and seizes some of its equipment
Story by TIA GOLDENBERG and JON GAMBRELL, Associated Press
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel ordered the local offices of Qatar's Al Jazeera satellite news network to close Sunday, escalating a long-running feud between the broadcaster and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-line government as Doha-mediated cease-fire negotiations with Hamas hang in the balance.
The extraordinary order, which includes confiscating broadcast equipment, preventing the broadcast of the channel’s reports and blocking its websites, is believed to be the first time Israel has ever shuttered a foreign news outlet.
Al Jazeera went off Israel’s main cable and satellite providers in the hours after the order. However, its website and multiple online streaming links still operated Sunday.
…more…
Israel orders Al Jazeera to close its local operation and seizes some of its equipment
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/netanyahu-s-cabinet-votes-to-close-al-jazeera-offices-in-israel-following-rising-tensions/ar-BB1lQJx3Israel orders Al Jazeera to close its local operation and seizes some of its equipment
Story by TIA GOLDENBERG and JON GAMBRELL, Associated Press
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel ordered the local offices of Qatar's Al Jazeera satellite news network to close Sunday, escalating a long-running feud between the broadcaster and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-line government as Doha-mediated cease-fire negotiations with Hamas hang in the balance.
The extraordinary order, which includes confiscating broadcast equipment, preventing the broadcast of the channel’s reports and blocking its websites, is believed to be the first time Israel has ever shuttered a foreign news outlet.
Al Jazeera went off Israel’s main cable and satellite providers in the hours after the order. However, its website and multiple online streaming links still operated Sunday.
…more…
April 29, 2024
Nuchatlaht granted partial land title on Nootka Island
Court decision means nation will reap economic benefits from 11.33 sq. km of land on Nootka Island
Akshay Kulkarni · CBC News · Posted: Apr 22, 2024 6:53 PM PDT | Last Updated: April 23
The Nuchatlaht First Nation won a partial victory in B.C. Supreme Court last week in a long-standing dispute with the provincial government over its land claims over Nootka Island.
The victory means the nation now has Aboriginal title over 11.33 square kilometres of land located off the west coast of Vancouver Island, which represents around five per cent of the land claimed by the nation.
It is only the second time B.C. courts have granted a First Nation Aboriginal title, meaning the Nuchatlaht will have full economic benefit of the land.
…
A statement from the Nuchatlaht First Nation says the land is estimated to be worth up to $300 million.
… more…
…
BC/Vancouver Island: Nuchatlaht granted partial land title on Nootka Island
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/nuchatlaht-first-nation-aboriginal-land-title-1.7181723Nuchatlaht granted partial land title on Nootka Island
Court decision means nation will reap economic benefits from 11.33 sq. km of land on Nootka Island
Akshay Kulkarni · CBC News · Posted: Apr 22, 2024 6:53 PM PDT | Last Updated: April 23
The Nuchatlaht First Nation won a partial victory in B.C. Supreme Court last week in a long-standing dispute with the provincial government over its land claims over Nootka Island.
The victory means the nation now has Aboriginal title over 11.33 square kilometres of land located off the west coast of Vancouver Island, which represents around five per cent of the land claimed by the nation.
It is only the second time B.C. courts have granted a First Nation Aboriginal title, meaning the Nuchatlaht will have full economic benefit of the land.
…
A statement from the Nuchatlaht First Nation says the land is estimated to be worth up to $300 million.
… more…
…
April 24, 2024
UK's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda
Plans for the UK to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda have been passed by Parliament.
The Rwanda bill was introduced to allow the scheme to go ahead after the Supreme Court ruled it was unlawful.
…
They would have their asylum claims processed there, rather in than the UK. If successful, they could be granted refugee status and allowed to stay in the landlocked east-central African country.
If not, they could apply to settle in Rwanda on other grounds, or seek asylum in another "safe third country". No asylum seeker would be able to apply to return to the UK.
…
After the Supreme Court ruled that the scheme was unlawful, the government introduced a bill to make clear in UK law that Rwanda is a safe country. The legislation - which was finally approved on 22 April after intense political wrangling - orders the courts to ignore key sections of the Human Rights Act.
It also compels the courts to disregard other British laws or international rules - such as the international Refugee Convention - which would block deportations to Rwanda.
…more… high cost of ‘resettlement’ vs supporting in the uk… Rwanda not safe: lack of civil rights and violence against protesters…
(Stone cold racist.)
UK's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda
https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-61782866UK's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda
Plans for the UK to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda have been passed by Parliament.
The Rwanda bill was introduced to allow the scheme to go ahead after the Supreme Court ruled it was unlawful.
…
They would have their asylum claims processed there, rather in than the UK. If successful, they could be granted refugee status and allowed to stay in the landlocked east-central African country.
If not, they could apply to settle in Rwanda on other grounds, or seek asylum in another "safe third country". No asylum seeker would be able to apply to return to the UK.
…
After the Supreme Court ruled that the scheme was unlawful, the government introduced a bill to make clear in UK law that Rwanda is a safe country. The legislation - which was finally approved on 22 April after intense political wrangling - orders the courts to ignore key sections of the Human Rights Act.
It also compels the courts to disregard other British laws or international rules - such as the international Refugee Convention - which would block deportations to Rwanda.
…more… high cost of ‘resettlement’ vs supporting in the uk… Rwanda not safe: lack of civil rights and violence against protesters…
(Stone cold racist.)
April 23, 2024
Reporting in India ‘too difficult’ under Modi, says departing Australian journalist
Kate Lyons
Tue 23 Apr 2024 02.33 EDT
The south-Asia correspondent for Australia’s national broadcaster, Avani Dias, has been forced out of India after her reporting fell foul of the Indian government, in a sign of the increasing pressure on journalists in the country under Narendra Modi.
Dias, who has been based in Delhi for the ABC since January 2022, said she felt the government had made it “too difficult” for her to continue to do her job, claiming it blocked her from accessing events, issued takedown notices to YouTube for her news stories, and then refused her a standard visa renewal.
Dias was told by the Indian government that her visa, which was due for renewal, would be blocked, she says in the final episode of her podcast, Looking for Modi. The decision came after the Indian government issued a takedown notice to YouTube for an episode of Foreign Correspondent, the ABC’s flagship international news program, that she reported.
The episode covered the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist, in Canada last year. Canada accused the Indian government of being involved in his murder, straining relations between the two nations.
…more…
Reporting in India 'too difficult' under Modi, says departing Australian journalist
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/apr/23/abc-south-asia-correspondent-avani-dias-narendra-modi-governmentReporting in India ‘too difficult’ under Modi, says departing Australian journalist
Kate Lyons
Tue 23 Apr 2024 02.33 EDT
The south-Asia correspondent for Australia’s national broadcaster, Avani Dias, has been forced out of India after her reporting fell foul of the Indian government, in a sign of the increasing pressure on journalists in the country under Narendra Modi.
Dias, who has been based in Delhi for the ABC since January 2022, said she felt the government had made it “too difficult” for her to continue to do her job, claiming it blocked her from accessing events, issued takedown notices to YouTube for her news stories, and then refused her a standard visa renewal.
Dias was told by the Indian government that her visa, which was due for renewal, would be blocked, she says in the final episode of her podcast, Looking for Modi. The decision came after the Indian government issued a takedown notice to YouTube for an episode of Foreign Correspondent, the ABC’s flagship international news program, that she reported.
The episode covered the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist, in Canada last year. Canada accused the Indian government of being involved in his murder, straining relations between the two nations.
…more…
April 23, 2024
NEWS | CULTURE & MEDIA
Israel Tied With Iran Among Top Jailers of Journalists in 2023, Report Finds
The Committee to Protect Journalists says 2023 saw the highest number of arrests of Palestinian journalists since 1992
By Zane McNeill , TRUTHOUT
Published April 22, 2024
A recent report from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) found that Israel tied with Iran as one of the world’s leaders in jailing journalists for 2023.
“Israel has appeared several times on CPJ’s annual census, but this is the highest number of arrests of Palestinian journalists since CPJ began documenting arrests in 1992 and the first time Israel has ranked among the top six offenders,” the report says.
For the first time, Israel has joined the rank of China, Myanmar, Belarus, Russia Vietnam, and Iran as the leading countries jailing journalists. According to CPJ, Israel has detained more than 20 journalists since October 7. Relatives of the detained journalists told CPJ that many were allegedly imprisoned due to their activity on social media platforms.
…more…
Israel ties with Iran in jailing journalists
https://truthout.org/articles/israel-leads-countries-in-jailing-reporters-since-start-of-genocide-in-palestine/NEWS | CULTURE & MEDIA
Israel Tied With Iran Among Top Jailers of Journalists in 2023, Report Finds
The Committee to Protect Journalists says 2023 saw the highest number of arrests of Palestinian journalists since 1992
By Zane McNeill , TRUTHOUT
Published April 22, 2024
A recent report from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) found that Israel tied with Iran as one of the world’s leaders in jailing journalists for 2023.
“Israel has appeared several times on CPJ’s annual census, but this is the highest number of arrests of Palestinian journalists since CPJ began documenting arrests in 1992 and the first time Israel has ranked among the top six offenders,” the report says.
For the first time, Israel has joined the rank of China, Myanmar, Belarus, Russia Vietnam, and Iran as the leading countries jailing journalists. According to CPJ, Israel has detained more than 20 journalists since October 7. Relatives of the detained journalists told CPJ that many were allegedly imprisoned due to their activity on social media platforms.
…more…
April 23, 2024
Sanders Pushes Amendment to 'Cut Billions in Offensive Military Funding to Israel'
"Enough is enough," said Sen. Bernie Sanders. "We cannot continue to fund this horrific war."
JAKE JOHNSON
Apr 23, 2024
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders said Monday that he would put forth an amendment to remove offensive military funding for Israel from a House-passed aid package that the Senate is set to consider this week.
The amendment would "cut billions in offensive military funding to Israel from the proposed national security supplemental package," Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a statement. The package, approved by the Republican-controlled House over the weekend, includes $17 billion in unconditional military assistance to the Israeli government, which stands accused on the world stage of perpetrating genocide in Gaza.
The senator said he would also offer an amendment to "protect essential humanitarian operations" in the Gaza Strip, where millions of people are facing the possibility of starvation due to Israel's suffocating and illegal blockade. At least 28 children under the age of 12 have starved to death in Gaza in recent weeks. Sanders' amendment would restore U.S. funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the most important aid agency working in Gaza.
An independent report released Monday found that Israel has not provided any evidence to support its claim that a significant number of UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organizations. The U.S. suspended its UNRWA aid in late January in response to Israel's unsubstantiated allegations against the agency's workers, and the House-passed Israel legislation would prohibit funding for the organization.
…more…
Sanders: restore UNRWA funding/cut Israel military funding
https://www.commondreams.org/news/sanders-military-funding-israelSanders Pushes Amendment to 'Cut Billions in Offensive Military Funding to Israel'
"Enough is enough," said Sen. Bernie Sanders. "We cannot continue to fund this horrific war."
JAKE JOHNSON
Apr 23, 2024
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders said Monday that he would put forth an amendment to remove offensive military funding for Israel from a House-passed aid package that the Senate is set to consider this week.
The amendment would "cut billions in offensive military funding to Israel from the proposed national security supplemental package," Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a statement. The package, approved by the Republican-controlled House over the weekend, includes $17 billion in unconditional military assistance to the Israeli government, which stands accused on the world stage of perpetrating genocide in Gaza.
The senator said he would also offer an amendment to "protect essential humanitarian operations" in the Gaza Strip, where millions of people are facing the possibility of starvation due to Israel's suffocating and illegal blockade. At least 28 children under the age of 12 have starved to death in Gaza in recent weeks. Sanders' amendment would restore U.S. funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the most important aid agency working in Gaza.
An independent report released Monday found that Israel has not provided any evidence to support its claim that a significant number of UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organizations. The U.S. suspended its UNRWA aid in late January in response to Israel's unsubstantiated allegations against the agency's workers, and the House-passed Israel legislation would prohibit funding for the organization.
…more…
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