bonginoreport--2020-09-04--New Movie Narrated by Journalist Peter Schweizer Highlights Hunter Biden’s Involvement With Chinese

New Movie Narrated by Journalist Peter Schweizer Highlights Hunter Biden’s Involvement With Chinese Government

Hunter Biden ’ s business dealings in China served the “ strategic interests ” of the country ’ s communist government and military — and may have imperiled American national security , claims a new documentary exclusively previewed by The Post .
“ Riding the Dragon : The Bidens ’ Chinese Secrets ” highlights several deals that Hunter Biden was involved in as a board member of the Beijing-based BHR Partners investment firm .
The film also alleges that Hunter was only able to get meetings with Chinese officials — and secure $ 1 billion in funding — “ because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of the United States ” and then-President Barack Obama ’ s “ point person on US policy towards China.
” The 41-minute documentary is narrated by best-selling writer Peter Schweizer , who authored 2015 ’ s “ Clinton Cash : The Untold Story of How and Why Foreign Governments and Businesses Helped Make Bill and Hillary Rich ” and has previously written about Hunter ’ s business dealings in China .
It is being shown online by the BlazeTV network , which on Thursday finished posting it to YouTube in six segments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 , Schweizer says , “ Hunter ’ s new firm … began making investment deals around the world that would serve the strategic interests of the Chinese government.
” He adds : “ This new firm started making investment deals that would serve the strategic interests of the Chinese military.
” The deals discussed in the film include a 2015 joint venture between BHR and AVIC Auto — a subsidiary of the state-run Aviation Industry Corp. of China ( AVIC ) , which makes aircraft for the Chinese military — to purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Schweizer says that Henniges ’ products are considered “ dual-use ” for both civilian and military purposes .
The film also focuses on BHR ’ s 2014 investment in the China General Nuclear Power Corp. , formerly a state-owned power company .
In December 2016 , the FBI busted a China General nuclear engineer , Szuhsiung “ Allen ” Ho , for conspiring to help China illegally obtain “ sensitive nuclear technology ” from within the US .
Ho , a naturalized American citizen , pleaded guilty the following year and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schweizer also says that after Chi Ping Patrick Ho , an executive with CEFC China Energy Co. , was busted by the FBI in 2017 for bribing officials in Africa , “ one of his first calls ” was to James Biden , Joe Biden ’ s brother .
Last year , James told The New York Times that he believed Ho — who was later convicted by a Manhattan federal jury and sentenced to three years in prison — had been trying to reach Hunter and that he provided his nephew ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was he calling Hunter Biden ?
What sort of help was he expecting ?
” Schweizer asks .
“ We don ’ t know the answer to that question .
But what we do know is that the Bidens have cultivated very close relationships with members of the Chinese elite.
” Other deals mentioned in the film include BHR ’ s 2017 agreement with the China Molybdenum Co. Ltd. — one of the world ’ s largest producers of molybdenum , a metallic element that ’ s used to make alloy steel for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 24 percent stake in the massive Tenke copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo .
Schweizer notes that BHR ’ s deal with the company came after the World Trade Organization ruled against China ’ s restrictions on the export of “ rare earth ” minerals — including molybdenum — following complaints by the US , the European Union and Japan .
But a screenshot used to illustrate the case showed a CNN headline from 2012 , “ Obama hits China with trade complaint , ” which topped a story that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s discussion of another BHR investment — in a Chinese company called Face++ , which sells facial-recognition software — is also accompanied by an outdated screenshot of a story by The Intercept .
That report was updated more than two months ago to remove a headline claim that the technology was used to “ surveil Muslims ” and to note that a “ troubling report ” on the company ’ s cellphone app by Human Rights Watch — mentioned in the story ’ s first sentence — “ has since been walked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conclusion , Schweizer says that “ these deals didn ’ t just make the Bidens money — they had potentially dangerous consequences for our national security.
” Schweizer acknowledges earlier in the film that “ we can ’ t know for sure ” how much money the Biden family profited from the deals .
But he estimates that Hunter ’ s 10 percent stake in BHR — from which Hunter announced plans to resign in October amid public pressure during his father ’ s primary campaign — is “ worth millions of dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as its China partnership prospers.
” Hunter ’ s lawyer has denied he was ever compensated while on the BHR board or profited from his part-ownership , according to The New York Times , which has said he invested $ 420,000 for his 10 percent share in October 2017 , after his father left office .
Other claims in the film have also been disputed , including that the deal for $ 1 billion in funding was finalized 10 days after Hunter accompanied his father on a 2013 trip to Beijing .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Yorker that the agreement , to which Hunter was not a signatory , was executed before the trip and that a business license came through shortly afterward .
Hunter ’ s lawyer has also said that BHR was initially capitalized with only about $ 4.2 million , according to CNN .
Joe Biden ’ s campaign declined to comment on the film beyond providing a list of 15 “ fact check ” news reports that address various allegations about Hunter ’ s business dealings in China .
They include two that say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the mine when the BHR agreement was struck and that BHR later offered to sell its share to China Molybdenum at a “ modest ” loss , but the deal fell through .
Six of the other news stories address comments made by President Trump , who doesn ’ t figure in the film .

Hunter Biden’s business dealings in China served the “strategic interests” of the country’s communist government and military — and may have imperiled American national security, claims a new documentary exclusively previewed by The Post.
“Riding the Dragon: The Bidens’ Chinese Secrets” highlights several deals that Hunter Biden was involved in as a board member of the Beijing-based BHR Partners investment firm.
The film also alleges that Hunter was only able to get meetings with Chinese officials — and secure $1 billion in funding — “because of who his father was: vice president of the United States” and then-President Barack Obama’s “point person on US policy towards China.”
The 41-minute documentary is narrated by best-selling writer Peter Schweizer, who authored 2015’s “Clinton Cash: The Untold Story of How and Why Foreign Governments and Businesses Helped Make Bill and Hillary Rich” and has previously written about Hunter’s business dealings in China.
It is being shown online by the BlazeTV network, which on Thursday finished posting it to YouTube in six segments.
Following the founding of BHR in 2013, Schweizer says, “Hunter’s new firm … began making investment deals around the world that would serve the strategic interests of the Chinese government.”
He adds: “This new firm started making investment deals that would serve the strategic interests of the Chinese military.”
The deals discussed in the film include a 2015 joint venture between BHR and AVIC Auto — a subsidiary of the state-run Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC), which makes aircraft for the Chinese military — to purchase Henniges Automotive, an American auto-parts maker.
Schweizer says that Henniges’ products are considered “dual-use” for both civilian and military purposes.
The film also focuses on BHR’s 2014 investment in the China General Nuclear Power Corp., formerly a state-owned power company.
In December 2016, the FBI busted a China General nuclear engineer, Szuhsiung “Allen” Ho, for conspiring to help China illegally obtain “sensitive nuclear technology” from within the US.
Ho, a naturalized American citizen, pleaded guilty the following year and was sentenced to two years in prison.
Schweizer also says that after Chi Ping Patrick Ho, an executive with CEFC China Energy Co., was busted by the FBI in 2017 for bribing officials in Africa, “one of his first calls” was to James Biden, Joe Biden’s brother.
Last year, James told The New York Times that he believed Ho — who was later convicted by a Manhattan federal jury and sentenced to three years in prison — had been trying to reach Hunter and that he provided his nephew’s contact information.
“Why exactly was he calling Hunter Biden? What sort of help was he expecting?” Schweizer asks.
“We don’t know the answer to that question. But what we do know is that the Bidens have cultivated very close relationships with members of the Chinese elite.”
Other deals mentioned in the film include BHR’s 2017 agreement with the China Molybdenum Co. Ltd. — one of the world’s largest producers of molybdenum, a metallic element that’s used to make alloy steel for weapons and other items — to acquire a 24 percent stake in the massive Tenke copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Schweizer notes that BHR’s deal with the company came after the World Trade Organization ruled against China’s restrictions on the export of “rare earth” minerals — including molybdenum — following complaints by the US, the European Union and Japan.
But a screenshot used to illustrate the case showed a CNN headline from 2012, “Obama hits China with trade complaint,” which topped a story that was actually about automotive exports.
Schweizer’s discussion of another BHR investment — in a Chinese company called Face++, which sells facial-recognition software — is also accompanied by an outdated screenshot of a story by The Intercept.
That report was updated more than two months ago to remove a headline claim that the technology was used to “surveil Muslims” and to note that a “troubling report” on the company’s cellphone app by Human Rights Watch — mentioned in the story’s first sentence — “has since been walked back.”
In the film’s conclusion, Schweizer says that “these deals didn’t just make the Bidens money — they had potentially dangerous consequences for our national security.”
Schweizer acknowledges earlier in the film that “we can’t know for sure” how much money the Biden family profited from the deals.
But he estimates that Hunter’s 10 percent stake in BHR — from which Hunter announced plans to resign in October amid public pressure during his father’s primary campaign — is “worth millions of dollars and stands to be worth even more as its China partnership prospers.”
Hunter’s lawyer has denied he was ever compensated while on the BHR board or profited from his part-ownership, according to The New York Times, which has said he invested $420,000 for his 10 percent share in October 2017, after his father left office.
Other claims in the film have also been disputed, including that the deal for $1 billion in funding was finalized 10 days after Hunter accompanied his father on a 2013 trip to Beijing.
Last year, a BHR representative told The New Yorker that the agreement, to which Hunter was not a signatory, was executed before the trip and that a business license came through shortly afterward.
Hunter’s lawyer has also said that BHR was initially capitalized with only about $4.2 million, according to CNN.
Joe Biden’s campaign declined to comment on the film beyond providing a list of 15 “fact check” news reports that address various allegations about Hunter’s business dealings in China.
They include two that say China Molybdenum was already the majority owner of the mine when the BHR agreement was struck and that BHR later offered to sell its share to China Molybdenum at a “modest” loss, but the deal fell through.
Six of the other news stories address comments made by President Trump, who doesn’t figure in the film.


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--Larry Elder: Professional Athletes Ignore Facts, Stats and Data When Denouncing “Systemic Police Bru

Larry Elder: Professional Athletes Ignore Facts, Stats and Data When Denouncing “Systemic Police Brutality”

Reacting to the shooting of a Black man by a white Kenosha , Wisconsin , cop , a tearful Doc Rivers , the Black NBA Los Angeles Clippers Coach , held a postgame press conference .
Rivers said : `` All you hear is Donald Trump and all of them talking about fear .
We 're the ones getting killed .
We 're the ones getting shot .
We 're the ones that were denied to live in certain communities .
We 've been hung .
We 've been shot .
And all you do is keep hearing about fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loving this country , and this country does not love us back .
It 's really so sad .
Like , I should just be a coach .
And I 'm so often reminded of my color .
...
It 's just really sad .
We got to do better .
But we got to demand better . ''
`` We 're the ones getting killed ? ''
`` We 're the ones getting shot ? ''
`` And all you do is keep hearing about fear ? ''
NBA superstar LeBron James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know people get tired of hearing me say it , but we are scared as Black people in America .
Black men , Black women , Black kids , we are terrified .
Because you do n't know ; you have no idea .
You have no idea how that cop that day left the house .
You do n't know if he woke up on the good side of the bed .
You do n't know if he woke up on the wrong side of the bed . ''
Sports is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's one of the many things we like about it .
Where are the numbers , stats and records that show the police engage in `` systemic '' brutality against Blacks ?
Why do n't the players and coaches who complain about police brutality employ the same use of numbers , stats , data , logic and reason to determine the truthfulness of the claim that cops are killing Black people because they are Black ?
We argue over whether this player is better than that player or whether this team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's fascinating to watch a coach of an NBA team dissect the game , stat sheet at his side , during the postgame press conference .
An ex-professional basketball player-turned-broadcaster responded to a critic 's complaint about the player 's `` disappointing '' NBA career .
Given the expectations coming out of college about this player 's future , the critic argued that the player underperformed in his pro career .
The ex-player responded that such a comment can only come from somebody who 's never played basketball at the highest level .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismantled the critic 's case .
For each of the three teams he played for , he said , his role changed .
One team wanted him to be more of a scorer while another team wanted him to concentrate on defense , leaving the scoring to others .
On his third team , he played an entirely different position with entirely different expectations .
My career , said the ex-player , must be seen in this context .
When a player 's agent argues to management that his client deserves more money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make the case .
In turn , the team relies on stats and data to make their case .
Any analysis of whether cops are killing Blacks because they are Black would begin with noting the approximately 50 million police-civilian interactions that occur every year .
Out of these 50 million interactions , about 11 million people are arrested .
In recent years , about 60,000 cops have been assaulted annually .
All of this resulted in about 1,000 people being killed by the police on average in recent years , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or resisting violently .
Of the 1,000 killed annually , approximately 250 were Black and 500 white .
The percentage of police shootings that involve a white cop and an unarmed Black suspect is less than 4 % of the total .
The percentage of white cops killing unarmed Black men who did not reasonably pose a threat is even smaller .
Recall that Black suspect Michael Brown of Ferguson , Missouri , was `` unarmed , '' but his DNA was found on the office 's gun , indicating that Brown was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 27 Americans on average from 2009 to 2018 died annually after being struck by lightning .
And , as Manhattan Institute 's Heather Mac Donald explains , `` A police officer is 18 1/2 times more likely to be killed by a Black male than an unarmed Black male is to be killed by a police officer . ''
Is it too much to ask that sports celebrities , who parrot lines like `` systemic '' police brutality against Blacks , ask for facts first ?
Too much to ask them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reason they must rely on in their own profession ?
If they did so , they would learn the good news -- that there is no evidence of `` systemic '' police killings of Blacks , and that the unfortunate instances should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis .
Can training be improved ?
Of course .
Would it be helpful if officers wore body cams ?
Absolutely .
Let 's focus our energy on these things and set the hysterics aside .
Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest book , `` The New Trump Standard , '' is available in paperback from Amazon.com and for Nook , Kindle , iBooks and GooglePlay .
To find out more about Larry Elder , or become an `` Elderado , '' visit www.LarryElder.com .
Follow Larry on Twitter @ LarryElder .
To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists , visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com .

Reacting to the shooting of a Black man by a white Kenosha, Wisconsin, cop, a tearful Doc Rivers, the Black NBA Los Angeles Clippers Coach, held a postgame press conference.
Rivers said: "All you hear is Donald Trump and all of them talking about fear. We're the ones getting killed. We're the ones getting shot. We're the ones that were denied to live in certain communities. We've been hung. We've been shot. And all you do is keep hearing about fear. It's amazing why we keep loving this country, and this country does not love us back. It's really so sad. Like, I should just be a coach. And I'm so often reminded of my color. ... It's just really sad. We got to do better. But we got to demand better."
"We're the ones getting killed?" "We're the ones getting shot?" "And all you do is keep hearing about fear?"
NBA superstar LeBron James made a similar comment: "I know people get tired of hearing me say it, but we are scared as Black people in America. Black men, Black women, Black kids, we are terrified. Because you don't know; you have no idea. You have no idea how that cop that day left the house. You don't know if he woke up on the good side of the bed. You don't know if he woke up on the wrong side of the bed."
Sports is a game of numbers, statistics and records. It's one of the many things we like about it. Where are the numbers, stats and records that show the police engage in "systemic" brutality against Blacks? Why don't the players and coaches who complain about police brutality employ the same use of numbers, stats, data, logic and reason to determine the truthfulness of the claim that cops are killing Black people because they are Black?
We argue over whether this player is better than that player or whether this team is better than that team. It's fascinating to watch a coach of an NBA team dissect the game, stat sheet at his side, during the postgame press conference.
An ex-professional basketball player-turned-broadcaster responded to a critic's complaint about the player's "disappointing" NBA career. Given the expectations coming out of college about this player's future, the critic argued that the player underperformed in his pro career. The ex-player responded that such a comment can only come from somebody who's never played basketball at the highest level. Citing his career statistics, he surgically dismantled the critic's case. For each of the three teams he played for, he said, his role changed. One team wanted him to be more of a scorer while another team wanted him to concentrate on defense, leaving the scoring to others. On his third team, he played an entirely different position with entirely different expectations. My career, said the ex-player, must be seen in this context.
When a player's agent argues to management that his client deserves more money, the agent uses stats and data to make the case. In turn, the team relies on stats and data to make their case.
Any analysis of whether cops are killing Blacks because they are Black would begin with noting the approximately 50 million police-civilian interactions that occur every year. Out of these 50 million interactions, about 11 million people are arrested. In recent years, about 60,000 cops have been assaulted annually.
All of this resulted in about 1,000 people being killed by the police on average in recent years, with almost all suspects resisting with a weapon or resisting violently. Of the 1,000 killed annually, approximately 250 were Black and 500 white. The percentage of police shootings that involve a white cop and an unarmed Black suspect is less than 4% of the total. The percentage of white cops killing unarmed Black men who did not reasonably pose a threat is even smaller. Recall that Black suspect Michael Brown of Ferguson, Missouri, was "unarmed," but his DNA was found on the office's gun, indicating that Brown was attempting to grab it.
For perspective, 27 Americans on average from 2009 to 2018 died annually after being struck by lightning. And, as Manhattan Institute's Heather Mac Donald explains, "A police officer is 18 1/2 times more likely to be killed by a Black male than an unarmed Black male is to be killed by a police officer."
Is it too much to ask that sports celebrities, who parrot lines like "systemic" police brutality against Blacks, ask for facts first? Too much to ask them to then apply the same kind of logic and reason they must rely on in their own profession?
If they did so, they would learn the good news -- that there is no evidence of "systemic" police killings of Blacks, and that the unfortunate instances should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Can training be improved? Of course. Would it be helpful if officers wore body cams? Absolutely. Let's focus our energy on these things and set the hysterics aside.
Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk show host. His latest book, "The New Trump Standard," is available in paperback from Amazon.com and for Nook, Kindle, iBooks and GooglePlay. To find out more about Larry Elder, or become an "Elderado," visit www.LarryElder.com. Follow Larry on Twitter @LarryElder. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--Legendary NBA Point Guard Steve Nash Hired as Brooklyn Nets’ New Coach

This was early January 2019 , fifth floor of the Oakland ...

The Nets stunned the NBA with the outside-the-box hiring of Steve Nash, entrusting a win-now team to a rookie head coach.
But Nash, who got a four-year deal, isn’t a typical rookie. He enjoyed a Hall of Fame career with the Suns, Mavericks and Lakers, and more importantly, he played with Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks 15 years ago in Phoenix and worked with Nets star Kevin Durant at Golden State.
Joe Tsai — who spent heavily to buy the Nets, then to add Durant, Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan — said his team needs a conductor, and is gambling on Nash. But the reaction around the league is that it’s a smart choice. Former Knicks coach David Fizdale called the hiring “great” and “explosive.”
“Coaching is something I knew I wanted to pursue when the time was right, and I’m humbled to be able to work with the outstanding group of players and staff we have here in Brooklyn,” Nash said in a statement. “I’m as excited about the prospects of the team on the court as I am about moving to Brooklyn with my family and becoming impactful members of this community.”
Nash knows the city. He has an apartment in Tribeca, has run a charity soccer game in Chinatown for the past dozen years, and has played pickup soccer games in Brooklyn. Now he’ll be tasked with bringing the borough it’s first title since 1955.
“I love being a part of a team and building a team. And I love to compete,” Nash told ESPN. “I’m fortunate to have this roster. We have a lot of talent. A lot of versatility. Let’s be clear, I feel grateful for the roster I have.”
Nash was a consultant for the past five years with the Warriors. During that time, Golden State won two titles, and Nash learned from Steve Kerr, another former point guard who succeeded as a head coach without going the assistant route.
The Nets can only hope Nash will be half as successful.
“Y’all wanted a third star,” Spencer Dinwiddie quipped on Twitter. He added that he loved the hire and dubbed Nash “a rockstar.”
“I’m thrilled for Steve and I think he’ll do a terrific job with the Nets,” Warriors GM Bob Myers told The Post. “His Hall of Fame background as a player and the respect and admiration that he’s earned over the years in NBA circles will serve him well in this new position.”
It’s a position Nash had to come around to. He reportedly had been pursued by other teams over the years, but when the plum Nets job opened up, his mindset changed from consulting to coaching.
“It had changed, because I’d talked to Steve about this over the last decade about what life after basketball will look like for him,” Marks said on an ESPN podcast.
“This last summer it changed because the narrative was Steve searched me out when he knew the job was open, said ‘Look, I want to put my hat in the ring here.’ We started talking. It moved very quickly.”
It moved quickly enough — and quietly enough — that much of the focus had been on Tyronn Lue or interim Jacque Vaughn. But the Nets kept the Nash move under wraps, and at his behest they also kept Vaughn, making him the league’s highest-paid assistant.
Nash is believed to prefer keeping most of the Nets assistants. He sounded out Dirk Nowitzki, but his former Dallas teammate declined, according to the Times.
“We’re excited to welcome Steve to the Nets family and look forward to a successful and meaningful partnership,” Tsai said. “Steve shares our vision for the future of this franchise and his character exemplifies the core principles of our organization in working to serve our communities. I can’t wait for Steve to get started.”
Nash continues a trend of point guards getting jobs without ever spending time as assistants, following after Kerr, Doc Rivers, Jason Kidd, Isiah Thomas and Mark Jackson. But Mike D’Antoni — who coached Nash with the Suns and Lakers — has complete faith he’ll succeed based on his former star’s involvement with the game plans.
“The game plan was get it to Steve, and Steve you figure it out, so yeah I’d say he was pretty well involved,” D’Antoni said with a laugh, praising Nash’s work ethic and basketball mind.
“I just texted him, jumping from the frying pan and into the fire. Good luck to him and I’m happy for him. I hope things work out for him … to a certain degree. I don’t want them to work out too much. But I know he’ll do a good job.”


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--Archeologists Find Symbol of Dynasty of King David in Jerusalem

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A “once in a lifetime” find is how the City of David described three immaculately preserved 2,700-year-old decorated column heads, or capitals, from the First Temple period that indicate a connection to the Davidic Dynasty.Archaeologists from the City of David did not expect to find anything this special when they began digging near what is now the Armon Hanatziv Promenade.“I’m still excited,” said Yaakov Billig, an archaeologist with the City of David who began exploring the Armon Hanatziv area about 30 years ago.He was working at the site when the sound of a spade scraping a stone slab surprised him. After a careful excavation, archaeologists at the site uncovered the capital, whose style is found in royal and official buildings in the kingdoms of Israel and Judea during the First Temple period.“I thought, ‘Yaakov, maybe you’ve been in the sun too long.’ But I looked again, and it was still there,” Billig told The Jerusalem Post.While lifting the capital out of the ground, they were stunned to find not only that the stone was decorated on both side, but that there was yet another identical capital directly underneath it. A third identical stone was found nearby.The stones seem to have been hidden intentionally due to their seemingly careful placement. It may have been the only thing that saved them from being destroyed, as the rest of the site was “just about leveled,” with many of the surviving stones being recycled in other buildings, Billing said. Why the stones were so carefully hidden may never be known, he added.The capitals are linked to the Davidic Dynasty because such designs from the period of the kingdoms of Israel and Judea have only been found within the areas they ruled. The design has been found from later periods in other locations throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East.The royal design can be found today on NIS 5 coins and on signs pointing to archaeological sites in Israel.Besides the capitals, additional artifacts found at the site indicate a royal or noble building as well, including a toilet, which was only found in the homes of the wealthy in that period, Billig said.The findings were revealed at a press conference attended by Billig, Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Dr. Yuval Baruch, Culture and Sports Minister Chili Tropper and City of David Foundation chairman David Be’eri.Using evidence from artifacts found at the site and the level at which they were found, archaeologists dated the capitals to the seventh century BCE, between the rule of King Hezekiah and the Babylonian conquest and destruction of Jerusalem.The location of the site seems to indicate a sort of “exit from the walls” of Jerusalem, showing that the people felt more secure in their surroundings after the Assyrian siege of the city failed. The biblical story of the siege describes the defeat of the Assyrians as a miraculous event against all odds, which may explain why the residents of the city suddenly felt secure enough to settle outside the walls, Billig said.The other archaeological sites in the area tend to be from the Second Temple period, he said, adding that if additional digs are conducted, other mansions and palaces may be found in the strategically located area.About 20 to 30 similar capitals exist, but these are generally larger and reconstructed. The ones found in Armon Hanatziv are medium-sized and smaller than the more commonly found capitals and may have been used to decorate pillars in a courtyard or patio. Smaller stones of a similar design were found at the site as well and seem to have been used in a decorative window sill.Archaeological findings are usually revealed to the public only after a long process of research and study. But the City of David and the Israeli officials decided that these findings were too important to keep hidden. The decision to reveal the findings in such an early stage was made “based on the idea and deep belief that these archaeological remains – this built, physical legacy – are the inheritance of the entire public,” Baruch said.“We are making every effort so that the public will see how professional, scientific and impartial Israeli archaeology is – which is relevant to everyone, no matter where they’re located, whether in Israel or anywhere else,” he said.“This discovery is really a once-in-a-lifetime discovery,” City of David Foundation vice president Doron Spielman said. “It’s not every day that we’re able to discover something that four billion people around the world – who have some type of identity to the bible, to ancient Jerusalem, to the idea of discovering the bible and unearthing the archaeology underneath the ground and connecting it to the actual place” – can relate to.A large number of additional artifacts from the same period were found at the site as well. But the capitals may be some of the greatest treasures, connecting the site to the stories of the Davidic kingdom in the Bible. The additional artifacts found at the site are being studied and will be revealed to the public at a later date.


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--NFL Will Air Social Justice Program on NBC

In case you were wondering what the NFL was doing to advance the cause of social justice and equality , the league and the league ’ s players association are going on television to tell you all about it .
According to an NFL press release via MSN : We will devote the entirety of our one-hour program on NBC next Wednesday , Sept. 9 , to providing a platform for our players and allies to discuss the work that we are doing together to advance social justice and equality .
Additional details on this program to be announced at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid a slew of other social justice initiatives the league has unveiled this week .
In addition , the league will , “ facilitate meetings between with state and local elected officials and leaders of law enforcement , to discuss steps that can be taken to reduce conflict and improve relations between law enforcement and members of the community.
” The league will also , “ continue to sponsor non-partisan educational programs to ensure that our players , staff , and families know how to register , how to obtain absentee voting material @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Day.
” The league concluded the announcement of their social justice initiatives by expressing how “ proud ” they were of their players ’ social justice efforts .
“ We are proud of our current and former players for the extraordinary work that they do in our communities .
Club-owners , and employees are proud to support and work alongside the players to make our country better , fairer , and more equal.
” The league is taking steps to increase the visibility of their campaign to promote “ equality ” on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently announced their plans to write ‘ End Racism ’ in end zones this season .
Also , the league will allow players to display the names of people killed in officer-involved incidents on their helmet padding .

In case you were wondering what the NFL was doing to advance the cause of social justice and equality, the league and the league’s players association are going on television to tell you all about it.
According to an NFL press release via MSN:
We will devote the entirety of our one-hour program on NBC next Wednesday, Sept. 9, to providing a platform for our players and allies to discuss the work that we are doing together to advance social justice and equality. Additional details on this program to be announced at a later date.
The move comes amid a slew of other social justice initiatives the league has unveiled this week. In addition, the league will, “facilitate meetings between with state and local elected officials and leaders of law enforcement, to discuss steps that can be taken to reduce conflict and improve relations between law enforcement and members of the community.”
The league will also, “continue to sponsor non-partisan educational programs to ensure that our players, staff, and families know how to register, how to obtain absentee voting material, and are able to vote on Election Day.”
The league concluded the announcement of their social justice initiatives by expressing how “proud” they were of their players’ social justice efforts.
“We are proud of our current and former players for the extraordinary work that they do in our communities. Club-owners, and employees are proud to support and work alongside the players to make our country better, fairer, and more equal.”
The league is taking steps to increase the visibility of their campaign to promote “equality” on the field as well. The league recently announced their plans to write ‘End Racism’ in end zones this season. Also, the league will allow players to display the names of people killed in officer-involved incidents on their helmet padding.


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--Gretchen Whitmer Surprisingly Allows High School Sports to Restart

In a relatively stunning reversal compared to what the world was like even just last week , the state of Michigan has reversed course and is reinstating Fall sports to begin in two weeks — September 17th .
This , of course , includes football season .
Padded practices return next week .
It was just August 26th that Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer said she was “ glad ” that the Big Ten opted to postpone Fall football season .
She had previously been alleged to be a “ roadblock ” in the conference returning to play .
This news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The path for high school sports to return to play was set forth by an executive order from Whitmer .
“ With 25 states practicing and playing games and another eight states ready to go in a couple of days , it ’ s different than three weeks ago , ” Michigan High School Athletic Association executive director Mark Uyl told the Detroit Free Press .
“ You ’ re seeing states , whose COVID-19 numbers are far worse than Michigan ’ s .
It has been , nationwide , a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then .
Big Ten on deck ?

Videos by OutKick
In a relatively stunning reversal compared to what the world was like even just last week, the state of Michigan has reversed course and is reinstating Fall sports to begin in two weeks — September 17th. This, of course, includes football season. Padded practices return next week.
It was just August 26th that Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer said she was “glad” that the Big Ten opted to postpone Fall football season. She had previously been alleged to be a “roadblock” in the conference returning to play. This news affected Michigan and Michigan State, obviously.
The path for high school sports to return to play was set forth by an executive order from Whitmer.
“With 25 states practicing and playing games and another eight states ready to go in a couple of days, it’s different than three weeks ago,” Michigan High School Athletic Association executive director Mark Uyl told the Detroit Free Press. “You’re seeing states, whose COVID-19 numbers are far worse than Michigan’s. It has been, nationwide, a very successful start to the year.”
Well then. Big Ten on deck?


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--Chinese Dictator Xi Jinping Planning Military Leadership Purge, Report Says

A report published by Nikkei Asian Review ( NAR ) on Thursday asserted that Chinese dictator Xi Jinping is planning “ another brutal purge ” of his military leadership .
NAR asserted that Xi is reportedly displeased with the performance of the People ’ s Liberation Army ( PLA ) against Indian troops on the border , eager to consolidate more military power under his direct command , and nervous about political unrest to come in China .
Xi ’ s many titles include Chairman of the Central Military Commission — a position that makes him something of a hybrid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces , as American presidents are , and a top military officer like the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff .
Xi has taken a hands-on management approach to the Chinese military before , notably in 2016 when he conducted a major reorganization that centralized military power and made a large percentage of top officers personally loyal to him .
As with many of Xi ’ s power plays , this was supposed to reduce “ corruption , ” and did not .
According to NAR , an even bigger reorganization and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driven partly by Xi ’ s desire to tighten his grip over the military — and militarize more of China ’ s police forces — before a prospective confrontation with the United States or another Tiananmen Square-style uprising .
In this analysis , Xi is pushing China to the brink of military confrontations in several theaters by personally taking a hand in provocative actions like the August 26 launch of “ aircraft carrier killer ” ballistic missiles into the South China Sea .
At the same time , Xi has been tightening control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the direct control of the Communist Party instead of the government bureaucracy and its oversight committees .
Xi is fond of cementing these power grabs by presenting each unit he takes control of with a brand new flag in a “ pompous ceremony.
” Xi also likes to dispatch his deputies to give thinly-veiled warnings to unit commanders that Xi will punish them for insufficient personal devotion .
The implication is that commanders who are not loyal enough are liable to be deemed “ two-faced ” and “ corrupt , ” which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China .
NAR noticed that Xi has lately been pushing the concept of rectification in the civilian sphere , a term widely seen as the code name for a bloody Maoist purge .
Getting rectified is not a pleasant experience .
Xi ’ s campaigns to encourage more personal savings , and less “ food waste , ” are seen as signals that he is preparing to whip the Chinese people into shape for something big .
The most pessimistic interpretation is that he is militarizing the entire population .
Another NAR post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bloody brawl between Indian and Chinese soldiers along the border in Ladakh , hinted that Xi did not expect his forces to get thrashed by the Indians in hand-to-hand combat — on the same day he was celebrating his 67th birthday !
— and he was severely displeased by the resulting loss of “ face.
” Xi clearly expected his extensively reorganized , centrally controlled military to perform better after years of “ Wolf Warrior ” propaganda , named after a series of highly successful military action films that began in 2015 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stand their ground .
NAR suggested Xi is worried about overextending himself by provoking conflicts in too many theaters at once , from the Indian border to the South China Sea .
China ’ s strategy is generally one of slow , patient encroachment and intimidation ; it pushes its borders steadily outward , assuming its victims will not dare to object too strenuously , until one day announcing the territory it covets has now been fully garrisoned and is an eternal part of China .
Intimidation is vital to making that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday saw a “ familiar pattern taking place in the Chinese leadership that ties back to Mao Zedong and his path to achieving absolute power over the party.
” Another manifestation of this pattern could be seen in Chinese troops moving into Inner Mongolia to suppress protests that broke out this week , to the evident surprise of Xi and the rest of the Communist Party hierarchy .
The Mongolians are angered by Beijing ’ s attempt to eradicate their language and culture from school curricula , sensing the early stages of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what China is doing to the Uyghur Muslims of Xinjiang province .
Xi has good reason to think he might need a freshly reorganized , purged , and even more loyal military to deal with minority populations who strenuously object to being erased .

A report published by Nikkei Asian Review (NAR) on Thursday asserted that Chinese dictator Xi Jinping is planning “another brutal purge” of his military leadership.
NAR asserted that Xi is reportedly displeased with the performance of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) against Indian troops on the border, eager to consolidate more military power under his direct command, and nervous about political unrest to come in China.
Xi’s many titles include Chairman of the Central Military Commission — a position that makes him something of a hybrid between the civilian commander-in-chief of the armed forces, as American presidents are, and a top military officer like the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Xi has taken a hands-on management approach to the Chinese military before, notably in 2016 when he conducted a major reorganization that centralized military power and made a large percentage of top officers personally loyal to him. As with many of Xi’s power plays, this was supposed to reduce “corruption,” and did not.
According to NAR, an even bigger reorganization and purge could be in the works, driven partly by Xi’s desire to tighten his grip over the military — and militarize more of China’s police forces — before a prospective confrontation with the United States or another Tiananmen Square-style uprising.
In this analysis, Xi is pushing China to the brink of military confrontations in several theaters by personally taking a hand in provocative actions like the August 26 launch of “aircraft carrier killer” ballistic missiles into the South China Sea.
At the same time, Xi has been tightening control over internal security units by putting them under the direct control of the Communist Party instead of the government bureaucracy and its oversight committees. Xi is fond of cementing these power grabs by presenting each unit he takes control of with a brand new flag in a “pompous ceremony.”
Xi also likes to dispatch his deputies to give thinly-veiled warnings to unit commanders that Xi will punish them for insufficient personal devotion. The implication is that commanders who are not loyal enough are liable to be deemed “two-faced” and “corrupt,” which are serious and often terminal conditions in China.
NAR noticed that Xi has lately been pushing the concept of rectification in the civilian sphere, a term widely seen as the code name for a bloody Maoist purge. Getting rectified is not a pleasant experience. Xi’s campaigns to encourage more personal savings, and less “food waste,” are seen as signals that he is preparing to whip the Chinese people into shape for something big. The most pessimistic interpretation is that he is militarizing the entire population.
Another NAR post in June, written shortly after the bloody brawl between Indian and Chinese soldiers along the border in Ladakh, hinted that Xi did not expect his forces to get thrashed by the Indians in hand-to-hand combat — on the same day he was celebrating his 67th birthday! — and he was severely displeased by the resulting loss of “face.”
Xi clearly expected his extensively reorganized, centrally controlled military to perform better after years of “Wolf Warrior” propaganda, named after a series of highly successful military action films that began in 2015, and severely underestimated the Indians’ determination to stand their ground.
NAR suggested Xi is worried about overextending himself by provoking conflicts in too many theaters at once, from the Indian border to the South China Sea. China’s strategy is generally one of slow, patient encroachment and intimidation; it pushes its borders steadily outward, assuming its victims will not dare to object too strenuously, until one day announcing the territory it covets has now been fully garrisoned and is an eternal part of China. Intimidation is vital to making that strategy work.
The Epoch Times on Wednesday saw a “familiar pattern taking place in the Chinese leadership that ties back to Mao Zedong and his path to achieving absolute power over the party.” Another manifestation of this pattern could be seen in Chinese troops moving into Inner Mongolia to suppress protests that broke out this week, to the evident surprise of Xi and the rest of the Communist Party hierarchy.
The Mongolians are angered by Beijing’s attempt to eradicate their language and culture from school curricula, sensing the early stages of a “cultural genocide” campaign akin to what China is doing to the Uyghur Muslims of Xinjiang province. Xi has good reason to think he might need a freshly reorganized, purged, and even more loyal military to deal with minority populations who strenuously object to being erased.


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--Three Children in Sweden Sent to Foster Care After Parents Try to Stop Coronavirus by Nailing Door S

Three Children in Sweden Sent to Foster Care After Parents Try to Stop Coronavirus by Nailing Door Shut

Three children in Sweden were sent to foster care after their parents took radical measures in an effort to protect them from the coronavirus .
The court ruled that the parents ' `` psychological ill health and fear for COVID-19 had led to serious failings in the care for their children . ''
The parents withdrew their three children from school in March as the coronavirus pandemic took hold in Europe .
The children were isolated in separate rooms , and wooden planks were nailed over the front door of the family 's apartment in an effort to keep COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied that their children had been forced to remain at home , saying they were free to leave the apartment at any time .
Their eldest child , however , said her parents ' claims were untrue .
The court found that `` as a result of the parents ' fear , the social services have had difficulty cooperating with them .
... From the hearing , it seems that they continue to have an ambivalent attitude to letting the children leave home to go , for example , to school . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , argued that a language and cultural barrier was to blame .
The couple , originally from Vietnam , `` really did n't understand Swedish '' and relied on news in their native language .
`` Over there , they shut down whole cities , and they got scared , and they said , 'We need to protect our family , ' '' Svegfors said .
Sweden did not implement a lockdown in response to the coronavirus , with schools , businesses , and public transportation kept open .
Dr. Anders Tegnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's COVID-19 response , said that the virus will be around for years , which makes lockdowns unsustainable .
The children , who are all fluent in Swedish , remained in contact with classmates and teachers using tablets and cellphones .
Svegfors said they tried to convince their parents to let them outside , but they were unsuccessful .
The three children have been placed in a foster home and have returned to school .
They can also visit their parents as often as they wish .
The court will review the placement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to be with their parents , '' Svegfors said .
`` They just said , 'We need to concentrate on our school work , and we want to be able to play with our friends .
But as soon as this corona pandemic is over , we want to return to our family . '
''

Three children in Sweden were sent to foster care after their parents took radical measures in an effort to protect them from the coronavirus.
The court ruled that the parents' "psychological ill health and fear for COVID-19 had led to serious failings in the care for their children."
The parents withdrew their three children from school in March as the coronavirus pandemic took hold in Europe. The children were isolated in separate rooms, and wooden planks were nailed over the front door of the family's apartment in an effort to keep COVID-19 out of the home.
The parents denied that their children had been forced to remain at home, saying they were free to leave the apartment at any time. Their eldest child, however, said her parents' claims were untrue.
The court found that "as a result of the parents' fear, the social services have had difficulty cooperating with them. ... From the hearing, it seems that they continue to have an ambivalent attitude to letting the children leave home to go, for example, to school."
Mikael Svegfors, a lawyer representing the children, argued that a language and cultural barrier was to blame. The couple, originally from Vietnam, "really didn't understand Swedish" and relied on news in their native language.
"Over there, they shut down whole cities, and they got scared, and they said, 'We need to protect our family,'" Svegfors said.
Sweden did not implement a lockdown in response to the coronavirus, with schools, businesses, and public transportation kept open. Dr. Anders Tegnell, who is responsible for the country's COVID-19 response, said that the virus will be around for years, which makes lockdowns unsustainable.
The children, who are all fluent in Swedish, remained in contact with classmates and teachers using tablets and cellphones. Svegfors said they tried to convince their parents to let them outside, but they were unsuccessful.
The three children have been placed in a foster home and have returned to school. They can also visit their parents as often as they wish.
The court will review the placement in six months.
"They still want to be with their parents," Svegfors said. "They just said, 'We need to concentrate on our school work, and we want to be able to play with our friends. But as soon as this corona pandemic is over, we want to return to our family.'"


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--Indian Politician Banned by Facebook and Instagram for Hate Speech

Facebook banned T. Raja Singh , a politician from India ’ s ruling BJP party , on Thursday for violating the platform ’ s rules against hate speech .
Singh was banned from Instagram as well .
His content has been controversial for some time , but until now Facebook has been reluctant to take action against him , fearing retaliation from BJP officials that could damage the company ’ s business interests in its largest worldwide market .
The Wall Street Journal ( WSJ ) noted there is nothing hypothetical about Facebook ’ s position ; Ankhi Das , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has written to staffers who wanted to ban Singh as a “ dangerous individual ” to explain that taking action against him would jeopardize Facebook ’ s operations .
Some of those Facebook staffers hit back at Das , especially Muslim employees who accused her of having a conflict of interest , since she “ made postings to an internal Facebook group over several years detailing her support for the BJP and disparaging its main rival.
” BJP officials have accused Facebook of holding political bias against them , the technology committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearings on preventing “ misuse of social/online news media platforms , ” and India just announced a third wave of bans against Chinese smartphone apps , so Facebook has reasons to worry about drawing unfavorable government attention to itself .
“ On Tuesday , IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad wrote to Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg , accusing the social media platform ’ s employees of supporting people from a political predisposition that lost successive elections , and ‘ abusing ’ the Prime Minister and senior cabinet ministers , ” the Indian Express reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a session of the Indian parliament ’ s Standing Committee on Information Technology to testify on the abuse of social media platforms .
The summons itself promptly became a topic of political controversy , as a BJP committee member complained the summons was issued without properly consulting the entire committee .
Singh , a strident Hindu nationalist , has multiple Facebook accounts and over 300,000 followers .
All of his accounts appear to have been blocked on Thursday .
“ In Facebook posts and public appearances , Mr. Singh , a member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s BJP , has said Rohingya Muslim immigrants should be shot , called Muslims traitors and threatened to destroy mosques , ” the WSJ observed .
Singh , who is the only BJP representative from his southern state of Telangana , claimed that he is the victim of political persecution and dirty tricks .
He claimed in August that his official Facebook page was “ hacked and blocked ” in 2018 and he never received a response to the police complaint he filed .
“ Somebody is deliberately trying to project me as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A huge conspiracy has been hatched against me .
Many pages and IDs are being run on my name on social media platforms without my consent , ” he said at the time .
On Thursday , Singh claimed he has not used Facebook in over a year .
He suggested any pages currently posting content under his name could be run by his followers .
He implied the most objectionable content could have been written in an effort to embarrass BJP .
“ I will write to Facebook to open my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules and regulations to use it .
I should be given the right to use Facebook account and I will seek their permission , ” Singh said .
Singh posted a separate video message hectoring Facebook for not taking action against opposition politicians who posted “ false ” statements against BJP and demanded bans for several other parties and officials .

Facebook banned T. Raja Singh, a politician from India’s ruling BJP party, on Thursday for violating the platform’s rules against hate speech. Singh was banned from Instagram as well.
His content has been controversial for some time, but until now Facebook has been reluctant to take action against him, fearing retaliation from BJP officials that could damage the company’s business interests in its largest worldwide market.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) noted there is nothing hypothetical about Facebook’s position; Ankhi Das, head of Facebook public policy in India, has written to staffers who wanted to ban Singh as a “dangerous individual” to explain that taking action against him would jeopardize Facebook’s operations.
Some of those Facebook staffers hit back at Das, especially Muslim employees who accused her of having a conflict of interest, since she “made postings to an internal Facebook group over several years detailing her support for the BJP and disparaging its main rival.”
BJP officials have accused Facebook of holding political bias against them, the technology committee of the Indian parliament is currently holding hearings on preventing “misuse of social/online news media platforms,” and India just announced a third wave of bans against Chinese smartphone apps, so Facebook has reasons to worry about drawing unfavorable government attention to itself.
“On Tuesday, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad wrote to Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg, accusing the social media platform’s employees of supporting people from a political predisposition that lost successive elections, and ‘abusing’ the Prime Minister and senior cabinet ministers,” the Indian Express reported.
Facebook was summoned on Wednesday to a session of the Indian parliament’s Standing Committee on Information Technology to testify on the abuse of social media platforms. The summons itself promptly became a topic of political controversy, as a BJP committee member complained the summons was issued without properly consulting the entire committee.
Singh, a strident Hindu nationalist, has multiple Facebook accounts and over 300,000 followers. All of his accounts appear to have been blocked on Thursday.
“In Facebook posts and public appearances, Mr. Singh, a member of [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi’s BJP, has said Rohingya Muslim immigrants should be shot, called Muslims traitors and threatened to destroy mosques,” the WSJ observed.
Singh, who is the only BJP representative from his southern state of Telangana, claimed that he is the victim of political persecution and dirty tricks. He claimed in August that his official Facebook page was “hacked and blocked” in 2018 and he never received a response to the police complaint he filed.
“Somebody is deliberately trying to project me as a dangerous person all over the world. A huge conspiracy has been hatched against me. Many pages and IDs are being run on my name on social media platforms without my consent,” he said at the time.
On Thursday, Singh claimed he has not used Facebook in over a year. He suggested any pages currently posting content under his name could be run by his followers. He implied the most objectionable content could have been written in an effort to embarrass BJP.
“I will write to Facebook to open my official account. I will follow all rules and regulations to use it. I should be given the right to use Facebook account and I will seek their permission,” Singh said.
Singh posted a separate video message hectoring Facebook for not taking action against opposition politicians who posted “false” statements against BJP and demanded bans for several other parties and officials.


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--Jacob Blake Pleads “Not Guilty” to Sexual Assault Charges

Jacob Blake , the black man who was shot by a white cop in Kenosha , Wisc.
, last month , surfaced Friday for the first time since he was injured — to plead not guilty to previous criminal charges filed against him in July .
Blake , 29 , donning a blue button-down shirt and yellow tie , entered his plea by video from his hospital bed at Wisconsin ’ s Froedtert Hospital .
It was his first public appearance since he was shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha police officer Aug. 23 , leaving him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting sparked more widespread police-brutality protests .
The live-streamed court appearance pertained to charges of criminal trespass , third-degree sexual assault and disorderly conduct based on statements made by Blake ’ s ex-girlfriend at the time .
The woman had told police that Blake broke into her home May 3 and sexually assaulted her before stealing her truck .
During the hearing , a bond of $ 10,000 was set for Blake — and jury selection for a trial on the three charges was scheduled for Nov. 9 “ The state recognizes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defendant has serious injuries and he ’ s recovering at the hospital , ” prosecutor Zeke Wiedenfeld said during the hearing .

Jacob Blake, the black man who was shot by a white cop in Kenosha, Wisc., last month, surfaced Friday for the first time since he was injured — to plead not guilty to previous criminal charges filed against him in July.
Blake, 29, donning a blue button-down shirt and yellow tie, entered his plea by video from his hospital bed at Wisconsin’s Froedtert Hospital.
It was his first public appearance since he was shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha police officer Aug. 23, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. His shooting sparked more widespread police-brutality protests.
The live-streamed court appearance pertained to charges of criminal trespass, third-degree sexual assault and disorderly conduct based on statements made by Blake’s ex-girlfriend at the time.
The woman had told police that Blake broke into her home May 3 and sexually assaulted her before stealing her truck.
During the hearing, a bond of $10,000 was set for Blake — and jury selection for a trial on the three charges was scheduled for Nov. 9
“The state recognizes that these are serious charges but also that the defendant has serious injuries and he’s recovering at the hospital,” prosecutor Zeke Wiedenfeld said during the hearing.
With Post wires


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--President Trump Says Stars and Stripes Won’t Lose Funding After All

President Donald Trump said on Friday that his administration will not cut funding to the longstanding Stars and Stripes military publication , refuting earlier reports that the Pentagon had ordered it shut down .
“ The United States of America will NOT be cutting funding to @ starsandstripes magazine under my watch .
It will continue to be a wonderful source of information to our Great Military !
” Trump tweeted Friday afternoon .
Earlier on Friday , USA Today reported a Pentagon memo that allegedly demanded Stars and Stripes ’ final publication on Sept. 30 .
The memo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly required Stars and Stripes ’ publisher to propose a plan to “ dissolve ” the newspaper by Sept. 15 , as well as a timeline for “ vacating government owned/leased space worldwide , ” and declared the final publication of the newspaper as Sept. 30 .
Stars and Stripes receives more than $ 15 million annually in federal funds via the federal government ’ s annual defense bill .
The subsidy comprises half of the publication ’ s budget .
The Pentagon memo reportedly cites the president ’ s authority to dissolve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although the House of Representatives had repeatedly struck down efforts to exclude the publication ’ s funding from the 2021 defense bill .
The Senate has not taken a measure on the funding .
In February , the Pentagon had announced it would be eliminating the funding in order to reprioritize funds .
At the time , Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said during a NATO press conference , “ We trimmed the support for Stars and Stripes because we need to invest that money , as we did with many , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In a letter to Esper last week , 15 senators urged him to “ take steps to preserve the funding prerogatives of Congress before allowing any such disruption to take place .
”

President Donald Trump said on Friday that his administration will not cut funding to the longstanding Stars and Stripes military publication, refuting earlier reports that the Pentagon had ordered it shut down.
“The United States of America will NOT be cutting funding to @starsandstripes magazine under my watch. It will continue to be a wonderful source of information to our Great Military!” Trump tweeted Friday afternoon.
The United States of America will NOT be cutting funding to @starsandstripes magazine under my watch. It will continue to be a wonderful source of information to our Great Military! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2020
Earlier on Friday, USA Today reported a Pentagon memo that allegedly demanded Stars and Stripes’ final publication on Sept. 30.
The memo, authored by Col. Paul Haverstick Jr., allegedly required Stars and Stripes’ publisher to propose a plan to “dissolve” the newspaper by Sept. 15, as well as a timeline for “vacating government owned/leased space worldwide,” and declared the final publication of the newspaper as Sept. 30.
Stars and Stripes receives more than $15 million annually in federal funds via the federal government’s annual defense bill. The subsidy comprises half of the publication’s budget.
The Pentagon memo reportedly cites the president’s authority to dissolve the publication under his defense budget request, although the House of Representatives had repeatedly struck down efforts to exclude the publication’s funding from the 2021 defense bill. The Senate has not taken a measure on the funding.
In February, the Pentagon had announced it would be eliminating the funding in order to reprioritize funds. At the time, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said during a NATO press conference, “We trimmed the support for Stars and Stripes because we need to invest that money, as we did with many, many other programs, into higher-priority issues.”
In a letter to Esper last week, 15 senators urged him to “take steps to preserve the funding prerogatives of Congress before allowing any such disruption to take place.”


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--Antifa Member Accused of Murdering Trump Supporter Is Shot Dead by Police

Michael Reinoehl , an Antifa militant who admitted to fatally shooting Aaron Danielson during Portland riot on Aug. 29 , was shot dead by law enforcement amid an investigation Thursday night .
The Post Millennial 's editor-at-large Andy Ngo confirmed Reinoehl 's death in Lacey , Washington , when United States Marshalls moved to arrest him .
Reinoehl had reportedly fled Oregon and crossed state lines into Washington .
A federal fugitive task force located him outside of Olympia .
Reinoehl reportedly left an apartment complex appearing to be armed , The Olympian reported , and entered his vehicle when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 7600 block of 3rd Way Southeast in Tanglewilde about 7 p.m .
Shots were apparently fired at a traffic stop , KATU reported .
Witnesses at the scene cited an unmarked SUV parked on School Street when the vehicle converged with another on the car at the apartment .
The suspect reportedly exited his car and fired what was believed to be an assault rifle at the SUVs .
Bystanders noted hearing 40 or 50 shots , then officers returned fire , hitting Reinoehl .
Four officers allegedly fired their weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Sheriff ’ s Department , and Lakewood Police Department .
The New York Times reported that an arrest warrant had been issued earlier by the Portland Police Bureau on the same day that VICE magazine published a feature interview with the suspect alleging that he acted in self-defense .
Within the same hour of the news breaking , President Donald Trump called on the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to aid the Portland police in arresting the `` cold blooded killer '' of Aaron `` Jay '' Danielson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it fast , '' the president tweeted .
`` Everybody knows who this thug is .
No wonder Portland is going to hell ! ''
Earlier this evening , Danielson 's friend Charter Pappas spoke to Tucker Carlson about the shooting .
It was reported that on Antifa message boards Reinoehl 's death was being called a police `` execution . ''
An Antifa Twitter account called for the names of the officers involved in Reinoehl 's shooting to be reported , using a pig emoji and listing a site where names @ @ @ @

Michael Reinoehl, an Antifa militant who admitted to fatally shooting Aaron Danielson during Portland riot on Aug. 29, was shot dead by law enforcement amid an investigation Thursday night.
Michael Forest Reinoehl, who killed Portland Trump supporter Aaron Danielson, died in Lacey, Wash. My sources are telling me U.S. Marshalls went to arrest him. — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) September 4, 2020
The Post Millennial's editor-at-large Andy Ngo confirmed Reinoehl's death in Lacey, Washington, when United States Marshalls moved to arrest him.
Reinoehl had reportedly fled Oregon and crossed state lines into Washington. A federal fugitive task force located him outside of Olympia.
MORE: Reinoehl had fled the state of Oregon and crossed state lines to Washington.
A federal fugitive task force located him outside of Olympia, where he was killed as they moved in to arrest him.
Portland police issued a warrant for his arrest earlier today. — Jack Posobiec ?? (@JackPosobiec) September 4, 2020
Reinoehl reportedly left an apartment complex appearing to be armed, The Olympian reported, and entered his vehicle when a shootout began. The shooting occurred in the 7600 block of 3rd Way Southeast in Tanglewilde about 7 p.m. Shots were apparently fired at a traffic stop, KATU reported.
Witnesses at the scene cited an unmarked SUV parked on School Street when the vehicle converged with another on the car at the apartment.
The suspect reportedly exited his car and fired what was believed to be an assault rifle at the SUVs. Bystanders noted hearing 40 or 50 shots, then officers returned fire, hitting Reinoehl.
GRAPHIC: Lacey, Wash. resident records the immediate aftermath of the shooting of Portland antifa militant Michael Reinoehl. Video: Jashon Spencer pic.twitter.com/ZwEvERzEHa — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) September 4, 2020
Four officers allegedly fired their weapons from the Department of Corrections, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, and Lakewood Police Department.
The New York Times reported that an arrest warrant had been issued earlier by the Portland Police Bureau on the same day that VICE magazine published a feature interview with the suspect alleging that he acted in self-defense.
Within the same hour of the news breaking, President Donald Trump called on the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to aid the Portland police in arresting the "cold blooded killer" of Aaron "Jay" Danielson.
"Do your job, and do it fast," the president tweeted. "Everybody knows who this thug is. No wonder Portland is going to hell!"
Why aren’t the Portland Police ARRESTING the cold blooded killer of Aaron “Jay” Danielson. Do your job, and do it fast. Everybody knows who this thug is. No wonder Portland is going to hell! @TheJusticeDept @FBI — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2020
Earlier this evening, Danielson's friend Charter Pappas spoke to Tucker Carlson about the shooting.
It was reported that on Antifa message boards Reinoehl's death was being called a police "execution."
Antifa accounts in their secret group chatrooms are calling the killing of antifa shooter Michael Reinoehl a police "execution."
Related: Reinoehl said he was in the U.S. Army, but there is no record of that, reports the NYT. pic.twitter.com/ViSDfrPDYN — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) September 4, 2020
An Antifa Twitter account called for the names of the officers involved in Reinoehl's shooting to be reported, using a pig emoji and listing a site where names could be sent.


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--Biden Answers Series of Softball Questions During Press Conference

Presidential hopeful Joe Biden gave remarks today from his home state of Delaware , taking some seriously softball questions on QAnon and the widely debunked hit piece in The Atlantic that claimed that Trump said mean things about America 's heroic fallen military men and women .
When asked what he would say to QAnon supporters , and their belief that `` there is sex trafficking and conspiracy against President Trump '' Biden suggested that they get mental health .
`` I 'd recommend that the people who believe it take advantage of it while it still exists in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
A reporter commented `` this morning in reference to that article in The Atlantic in a call convened by your campaign , Khizr Khan said that the comments demonstrated that 'President Trump 's life is a testament to selfishness ' and that his 'soul is that of a coward . '
You 've talked about this is a different view as how you see the job as president . ''
Biden was asked : `` But when you heard these words ... what does it tell you about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he leads ? ''
Biden then remarked on the President 's soul , saying `` I 'm gon na try to be measured in my response .
If it 's true , and based on all the things he 's said I believe the article is true , I 'd ask you all the rhetorical question , how would you feel ? ''
And played on the sympathies of miltary families and the hardship they face in having children and loved ones serve the nation .
`` It 's deplorable , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the comments that he may very well not have made .
Biden said he 's `` never been as disappointed '' in his whole career with a `` leader ... president or otherwise . ''
He said if the article is true , and that he believes that it is , `` it is damnable . ''
Biden read from the teleprompter so thoroughly that after reading one section , he read `` end of quote . ''
The super easy questions Biden took from press were mocked by many on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Democratic nominee .
Dan Bongino would have asked just how Biden is able to be so amazing to `` obtain such an exalted status with your busy schedule ? ''
One wonders what the teleprompter would have had to say to that .
A list of the questions was posted by Fox News and Washington Examiner contributor Byron York .
They included : '' Do you worry that [ Trump 's ] rhetoric will deter Americans from wearing masks ? ''
`` Have you been tested for COVID-19 ? ''
and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have another COVID test ? ''

Presidential hopeful Joe Biden gave remarks today from his home state of Delaware, taking some seriously softball questions on QAnon and the widely debunked hit piece in The Atlantic that claimed that Trump said mean things about America's heroic fallen military men and women.
When asked what he would say to QAnon supporters, and their belief that "there is sex trafficking and conspiracy against President Trump" Biden suggested that they get mental health.
"I'd recommend that the people who believe it take advantage of it while it still exists in the Affordable Care Act. It's bizarre," he said.
A real question a "journalist" just asked Joe Biden:
"What would you say to the supporters of the QAnon people who believe in that conspiracy?" pic.twitter.com/4U3qClB3wL — Kelb Hull (@CalebJHull) September 4, 2020
A reporter commented "this morning in reference to that article in The Atlantic in a call convened by your campaign, Khizr Khan said that the comments demonstrated that 'President Trump's life is a testament to selfishness' and that his 'soul is that of a coward.' You've talked about this is a different view as how you see the job as president."
As it turns out, this was an Atlantic reporter. https://t.co/89Roum0y95 — Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) September 4, 2020
Biden was asked: "But when you heard these words... what does it tell you about President Trump's soul and the life he leads?"
Biden then remarked on the President's soul, saying "I'm gonna try to be measured in my response. If it's true, and based on all the things he's said I believe the article is true, I'd ask you all the rhetorical question, how would you feel?" And played on the sympathies of miltary families and the hardship they face in having children and loved ones serve the nation.
"It's deplorable," he said of the president's soul, and the comments that he may very well not have made.
Biden said he's "never been as disappointed" in his whole career with a "leader... president or otherwise." He said if the article is true, and that he believes that it is, "it is damnable."
First question to Joe Biden came from Atlantic staff writer @IsaacDovere who asked Biden to respond to reporting by the Atlantic:
Question: "What does it tell you about President Trump's soul and the life he leads?" pic.twitter.com/7Vxp26iCdU — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) September 4, 2020
Biden read from the teleprompter so thoroughly that after reading one section, he read "end of quote."
Joe Biden reads "end of quote" after making debunked Social Security claim?
Joe Biden is the Ron Burgundy of politics. If it’s on the teleprompter he will read it. Clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed... no wonder China desperately wants him to win! pic.twitter.com/Q4EWZwJkUv — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 4, 2020
The super easy questions Biden took from press were mocked by many on Twitter, who wrote up their own questions from the Democratic nominee. Dan Bongino would have asked just how Biden is able to be so amazing to "obtain such an exalted status with your busy schedule?"
“Mr. Biden, you’re a hero to so many around the globe. You’re loved and worshipped by adoring crowds everywhere. How did you manage to obtain such an exalted status with your busy schedule?” #BidenPressQuestions — Dan Bongino (@dbongino) September 4, 2020
One wonders what the teleprompter would have had to say to that.
A list of the questions was posted by Fox News and Washington Examiner contributor Byron York. They included:
"Do you worry that [Trump's] rhetoric will deter Americans from wearing masks?"
"Have you been tested for COVID-19?" and "Do you know when you will have another COVID test?"


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--President Trump Blasts Bogus “Atlantic” Story

President Trump refuses to issue an apology to service members and veterans , insisting he never said anything negative about fallen U.S. soldiers as portrayed in an article in the Atlantic that has created a political firestorm two months away from Election Day .
The report by the magazine 's Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg , published Thursday and reliant on anonymous sources , said Trump referred to fallen soldiers as `` losers '' and dead Marines as `` suckers '' during an overseas trip in 2018 .
The report also claimed that the president refused to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place `` filled with losers '' and that he did n't want his hair to be ruined by rain .
In addition , the report said Trump asked staff planning for a military parade to keep wounded veterans away .
`` It ’ s a fake story written by a magazine that was probably not going to be around much longer , but it was a totally fake story , and that was confirmed by many people who were actually there , '' Trump told reporters on Friday when asked if he needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It was a terrible thing that somebody could say the kind of things , especially to me . ''
Trump 's denial is backed up by a wave of current and former Trump administration officials , as well as journalists and pundits who are skeptical of the anonymous sourcing and are calling for Goldberg 's sources to come forward .
`` Not a soul brave enough to put their name on any of these accusations , '' White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere tweeted .
`` That 's because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story meant to tear down a Commander-in-Chief who loves our military and has delivered on the promises he 's made .
What a disgrace ! ''
Trump also touted his record on the military , talking about the trillion-dollar investments and strengthening Veterans Choice , which lets veterans get medical care outside of the Veterans Affairs health system .
`` Now , there ’ s nobody that considers the military and especially people that have given their lives in the military , '' Trump said .
`` To me , they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to believe how they could do that .
I say that .
It 's so — the level of bravery .
And to me , they are absolute heroes . ''
Goldberg disputed Trump 's comments dismissing his reporting , saying he has `` very , very good sources '' and that he was `` completely confident '' Trump said what he quoted him saying .
`` It is not fake .
It is real , '' Goldberg told MSNBC host Andrea Mitchell .
`` This story is extensively sourced and entirely accurate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .
This is not the first time , of course — certainly not the first time today that the president has cast aspersions on journalism that doesn ’ t reflect well on him .
His reaction is completely predictable . ''
Earlier in the morning , Goldberg told CNN that his sources `` don ’ t want to be inundated with angry tweets and all the rest . ''
Trump 's Democratic challenger , Joe Biden , called the assertions in Goldberg 's report `` disgusting '' during an appearance Friday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reference to his late son Beau Biden , who joined the Delaware National Guard after the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks , served in Iraq ( being awarded a Bronze Star for his service ) , served as attorney general of Delaware , and in 2015 died after battling brain cancer .
`` Let me be real clear , when my son was an assistant U.S. attorney and he volunteered to go to Kosovo while the war was going on as a civilian , he wasn ’ t a sucker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my son volunteered and joined the United States military as the attorney general and went to Iraq for a year , won the Bronze Star and other commendations , he wasn ’ t a sucker .
The servicemen and women he served with , particularly those who did not come home , were not losers .
If these statements are true , the president should humbly apologize to every Gold Star mother and father and every Blue Star family that he ’ s denigrated and insulted . ''

President Trump refuses to issue an apology to service members and veterans, insisting he never said anything negative about fallen U.S. soldiers as portrayed in an article in the Atlantic that has created a political firestorm two months away from Election Day.
The report by the magazine's Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, published Thursday and reliant on anonymous sources, said Trump referred to fallen soldiers as "losers" and dead Marines as "suckers" during an overseas trip in 2018. The report also claimed that the president refused to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France while saying it was a place "filled with losers" and that he didn't want his hair to be ruined by rain. In addition, the report said Trump asked staff planning for a military parade to keep wounded veterans away.
"It’s a fake story written by a magazine that was probably not going to be around much longer, but it was a totally fake story, and that was confirmed by many people who were actually there," Trump told reporters on Friday when asked if he needed to apologize to service members and veterans. "It was a terrible thing that somebody could say the kind of things, especially to me."
Trump's denial is backed up by a wave of current and former Trump administration officials, as well as journalists and pundits who are skeptical of the anonymous sourcing and are calling for Goldberg's sources to come forward.
"Not a soul brave enough to put their name on any of these accusations," White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere tweeted. "That's because they are false. Just another anonymously sourced story meant to tear down a Commander-in-Chief who loves our military and has delivered on the promises he's made. What a disgrace!"
Trump also touted his record on the military, talking about the trillion-dollar investments and strengthening Veterans Choice, which lets veterans get medical care outside of the Veterans Affairs health system.
"Now, there’s nobody that considers the military and especially people that have given their lives in the military," Trump said. "To me, they’re heroes. It’s even hard to believe how they could do that. I say that. It's so — the level of bravery. And to me, they are absolute heroes."
Goldberg disputed Trump's comments dismissing his reporting, saying he has "very, very good sources" and that he was "completely confident" Trump said what he quoted him saying.
"It is not fake. It is real," Goldberg told MSNBC host Andrea Mitchell. "This story is extensively sourced and entirely accurate. That’s all I can say. This is not the first time, of course — certainly not the first time today that the president has cast aspersions on journalism that doesn’t reflect well on him. His reaction is completely predictable."
Earlier in the morning, Goldberg told CNN that his sources "don’t want to be inundated with angry tweets and all the rest."
Trump's Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, called the assertions in Goldberg's report "disgusting" during an appearance Friday in Wilmington, Delaware. Biden also made a reference to his late son Beau Biden, who joined the Delaware National Guard after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, served in Iraq (being awarded a Bronze Star for his service), served as attorney general of Delaware, and in 2015 died after battling brain cancer.
"Let me be real clear, when my son was an assistant U.S. attorney and he volunteered to go to Kosovo while the war was going on as a civilian, he wasn’t a sucker," Biden said. "When my son volunteered and joined the United States military as the attorney general and went to Iraq for a year, won the Bronze Star and other commendations, he wasn’t a sucker. The servicemen and women he served with, particularly those who did not come home, were not losers. If these statements are true, the president should humbly apologize to every Gold Star mother and father and every Blue Star family that he’s denigrated and insulted."


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--China Launches Experimental Reusable Spacecraft Under Very High Level of Security

HELSINKI — China launched an experimental reusable spacecraft Friday following months of low-key preparations at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center .
A Long March 2F launch vehicle delivered the spacecraft into orbit following launch at an unspecified time .
Chinese state media Xinhua reported mission success just under three hours after the opening of the launch window at 1:23 a.m. Eastern .
The ‘ reusable experimental spacecraft ’ is currently in orbit carrying out tests .
“ After a period of in-orbit operation , the spacecraft will return to the scheduled landing site in China .
It will test reusable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for the peaceful use of space , ” the Xinhua report stated .
Airspace closure notices released Thursday provided the first indication of an imminent launch .
No images of the spacecraft nor the launch have so far been released .
An apparent higher-than-usual level of security surrounding the mission also prevented bystander images appearing on social media .
China stated in 2017 that it aimed to test a reusable spaceplane in 2020 .
The United States currently has its U.S. Air Force X-37B spaceplane carrying out its sixth mission in orbit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out on the launch tower for the Long March 2F launch vehicle in recent months .
This led to speculation that the work would allow a launch with a payload wider than a standard Long March 2F mission .
A winged space vehicle could require such preparations to be undertaken .
A spaceplane project was included in a 2017 ‘ space transportation roadmap ’ released by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. ( CASC ) , the country ’ s main space contractor .
A goal of 2030 for developing a single-stage-to-orbit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The plans also included fully reusable launch vehicles and , around 2045 , a nuclear-powered shuttle .
Chen Hongbo , from CASC ’ s China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology ( CALT ) , told Science and Technology Daily in 2017 that reusable spacecraft would be capable of carrying both crew and payloads .
Chen stated that some vehicles would have the characteristics of both aircraft and spacecraft .
After an inaugural flight around 2020 , several flights will be conducted to verify rapid re-launch and repeated use capabilities , Chen said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to reduce the cost of access to space .
The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp. ( CASIC ) , another giant state-owned enterprise , is working on its own spaceplane , named Tengyun .
“ Unlike rocket recycling adopted by the SpaceX , the space plane can take off from an ordinary airport to transport spacecraft into the orbit .
It will bring about revolution for the future aerospace transportation , ” CASIC ’ s Zhang Hongwen told CCTV in 2018 .
The Long March 2F has launched 14 times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Tiangong space labs .
Yuanwang space tracking ships were already positioned in areas in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans to support a spacecraft launching into a roughly 45 degree inclination orbit from Jiuquan .

HELSINKI — China launched an experimental reusable spacecraft Friday following months of low-key preparations at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
A Long March 2F launch vehicle delivered the spacecraft into orbit following launch at an unspecified time.
Chinese state media Xinhua reported mission success just under three hours after the opening of the launch window at 1:23 a.m. Eastern. The ‘reusable experimental spacecraft’ is currently in orbit carrying out tests.
“After a period of in-orbit operation, the spacecraft will return to the scheduled landing site in China. It will test reusable technologies during its flight, providing technological support for the peaceful use of space,” the Xinhua report stated.
Airspace closure notices released Thursday provided the first indication of an imminent launch. No images of the spacecraft nor the launch have so far been released. An apparent higher-than-usual level of security surrounding the mission also prevented bystander images appearing on social media.
China stated in 2017 that it aimed to test a reusable spaceplane in 2020. The United States currently has its U.S. Air Force X-37B spaceplane carrying out its sixth mission in orbit.
Apparent modification work had been carried out on the launch tower for the Long March 2F launch vehicle in recent months.
This led to speculation that the work would allow a launch with a payload wider than a standard Long March 2F mission. A winged space vehicle could require such preparations to be undertaken.
A spaceplane project was included in a 2017 ‘space transportation roadmap’ released by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC), the country’s main space contractor. A goal of 2030 for developing a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) spaceplane was also noted. The plans also included fully reusable launch vehicles and, around 2045, a nuclear-powered shuttle.
Chen Hongbo, from CASC’s China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), told Science and Technology Daily in 2017 that reusable spacecraft would be capable of carrying both crew and payloads. Chen stated that some vehicles would have the characteristics of both aircraft and spacecraft.
After an inaugural flight around 2020, several flights will be conducted to verify rapid re-launch and repeated use capabilities, Chen said. The stated aim of the project is to reduce the cost of access to space.
The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp. (CASIC), another giant state-owned enterprise, is working on its own spaceplane, named Tengyun.
“Unlike rocket recycling adopted by the SpaceX, the space plane can take off from an ordinary airport to transport spacecraft into the orbit. It will bring about revolution for the future aerospace transportation,” CASIC’s Zhang Hongwen told CCTV in 2018.
The Long March 2F has launched 14 times, lofting crewed and uncrewed Shenzhou missions and two Tiangong space labs.
Yuanwang space tracking ships were already positioned in areas in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans to support a spacecraft launching into a roughly 45 degree inclination orbit from Jiuquan.