bonginoreport--2020-07-13--U.S. Officially Rejects China’s “Unlawful” South China Sea Claims

The U.S. released its very first official statement rejecting most China ’ s territorial claims in the South China Sea as “ unlawful.
” The official document released Monday afternoon by the U.S. State Department stated , “ Beijing ’ s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful , as is its campaign of bullying to control them.
” The document rejects China ’ s claims to certain territories , such as James Shoal , located 50 nautical miles from Malaysia , as well as other specific territories off the coasts of Vietnam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China has claimed some of these territories in its “ Nine-Dashed Line ” claim announced in 2009 , despite these territories being located up to 1,000 nautical miles away from China ’ s coast .
The U.S. does recognize China ’ s claim to the Spratly Island , but rejects any claim China makes beyond a 12-nautical mile limit of the Spratly Islands .
The U.S. position aligns with a 2016 Arbitral Tribunal decision , in which it rejected China ’ s claims as baseless against international law .
The document also rejects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bullying and intimidation tactics used by China against other Southeast Asian coastal nations who also make territorial claims in the South China Sea .
“ The PRC ’ s [ People ’ s Republic of China ] predatory world view has no place in the 21st century , ” the document states .
“ The PRC has no legal grounds to unilaterally impose its will on the region.
” “ The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire .
America stands with our Southeast Asian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights to offshore resources , consistent with their rights and obligations under international law , ” the document states .
Tensions between the U.S. and China have been intensifying in the South China Sea recently as China is increasing its aggressive behavior and the U.S. is increasing its freedom of navigation patrols in the region .
The U.S. has repeatedly denounced China ’ s militarization of artificial islands in the South China Sea , as well as its construction of military bases and other industrial facilities in the region , and aggressive behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region .
“ We stand with the international community in defense of freedom of the seas and respect for sovereignty and reject any push to impose ‘ might makes right ’ in the South China Sea or the wider region , ” the U.S. document added .
Here is the full statement released by the State Department : The United States champions a free and open Indo-Pacific .
Today we are strengthening U.S. policy in a vital , contentious part of that region — the South China Sea .
We are making clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful , as is its campaign of bullying to control them .
In the South China Sea , we seek to preserve peace and stability , uphold freedom of the seas in a manner consistent with international law , maintain the unimpeded flow of commerce , and oppose any attempt to use coercion or force to settle disputes .
We share these deep and abiding interests with our many allies and partners who have long endorsed a rules-based international order .
These shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the People ’ s Republic of China ( PRC ) .
Beijing uses intimidation to undermine the sovereign rights of Southeast Asian coastal states in the South China Sea , bully them out of offshore resources , assert unilateral dominion , and replace international law with “ might makes right.
” Beijing ’ s approach has been clear for years .
In 2010 , then-PRC Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told his ASEAN counterparts that “ China is a big country and other countries are small countries and that is just a fact.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has no place in the 21st century .
The PRC has no legal grounds to unilaterally impose its will on the region .
Beijing has offered no coherent legal basis for its “ Nine-Dashed Line ” claim in the South China Sea since formally announcing it in 2009 .
In a unanimous decision on July 12 , 2016 , an Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention – to which the PRC is a state party – rejected the PRC ’ s maritime claims as having no basis in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Philippines , which brought the arbitration case , on almost all claims .
As the United States has previously stated , and as specifically provided in the Convention , the Arbitral Tribunal ’ s decision is final and legally binding on both parties .
Today we are aligning the U.S. position on the PRC ’ s maritime claims in the SCS with the Tribunal ’ s decision .
Specifically : • The PRC can not lawfully assert a maritime claim – including any Exclusive Economic Zone ( EEZ ) claims derived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – vis-a-vis the Philippines in areas that the Tribunal found to be in the Philippines ’ EEZ or on its continental shelf .
Beijing ’ s harassment of Philippine fisheries and offshore energy development within those areas is unlawful , as are any unilateral PRC actions to exploit those resources .
In line with the Tribunal ’ s legally binding decision , the PRC has no lawful territorial or maritime claim to Mischief Reef or Second Thomas Shoal , both of which fall fully under the Philippines ’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maritime claims generated from these features .
• As Beijing has failed to put forth a lawful , coherent maritime claim in the South China Sea , the United States rejects any PRC claim to waters beyond a 12-nautical mile territorial sea derived from islands it claims in the Spratly Islands ( without prejudice to other states ’ sovereignty claims over such islands ) .
As such , the United States rejects any PRC maritime claim in the waters surrounding Vanguard Bank ( off Vietnam ) , Luconia Shoals ( off Malaysia ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Natuna Besar ( off Indonesia ) .
Any PRC action to harass other states ’ fishing or hydrocarbon development in these waters – or to carry out such activities unilaterally – is unlawful .
• The PRC has no lawful territorial or maritime claim to ( or derived from ) James Shoal , an entirely submerged feature only 50 nautical miles from Malaysia and some 1,000 nautical miles from China ’ s coast .
James Shoal is often cited in PRC propaganda as the “ southernmost territory of China.
” International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like James Shoal can not be claimed by any state and is incapable of generating maritime zones .
James Shoal ( roughly 20 meters below the surface ) is not and never was PRC territory , nor can Beijing assert any lawful maritime rights from it .
The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire .
America stands with our Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources , consistent with their rights and obligations under international law .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of freedom of the seas and respect for sovereignty and reject any push to impose “ might makes right ” in the South China Sea or the wider region .

The U.S. released its very first official statement rejecting most China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea as “unlawful.”
The official document released Monday afternoon by the U.S. State Department stated, “Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them.”
The document rejects China’s claims to certain territories, such as James Shoal, located 50 nautical miles from Malaysia, as well as other specific territories off the coasts of Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. China has claimed some of these territories in its “Nine-Dashed Line” claim announced in 2009, despite these territories being located up to 1,000 nautical miles away from China’s coast.
The U.S. does recognize China’s claim to the Spratly Island, but rejects any claim China makes beyond a 12-nautical mile limit of the Spratly Islands.
The U.S. position aligns with a 2016 Arbitral Tribunal decision, in which it rejected China’s claims as baseless against international law.
The document also rejects China’s aggressive behavior, including bullying and intimidation tactics used by China against other Southeast Asian coastal nations who also make territorial claims in the South China Sea.
“The PRC’s [People’s Republic of China] predatory world view has no place in the 21st century,” the document states. “The PRC has no legal grounds to unilaterally impose its will on the region.”
“The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire. America stands with our Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources, consistent with their rights and obligations under international law,” the document states.
Tensions between the U.S. and China have been intensifying in the South China Sea recently as China is increasing its aggressive behavior and the U.S. is increasing its freedom of navigation patrols in the region.
The U.S. has repeatedly denounced China’s militarization of artificial islands in the South China Sea, as well as its construction of military bases and other industrial facilities in the region, and aggressive behavior toward other nations’ ships in the region.
“We stand with the international community in defense of freedom of the seas and respect for sovereignty and reject any push to impose ‘might makes right’ in the South China Sea or the wider region,” the U.S. document added.
Here is the full statement released by the State Department:
The United States champions a free and open Indo-Pacific. Today we are strengthening U.S. policy in a vital, contentious part of that region — the South China Sea. We are making clear: Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them.
In the South China Sea, we seek to preserve peace and stability, uphold freedom of the seas in a manner consistent with international law, maintain the unimpeded flow of commerce, and oppose any attempt to use coercion or force to settle disputes. We share these deep and abiding interests with our many allies and partners who have long endorsed a rules-based international order.
These shared interests have come under unprecedented threat from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Beijing uses intimidation to undermine the sovereign rights of Southeast Asian coastal states in the South China Sea, bully them out of offshore resources, assert unilateral dominion, and replace international law with “might makes right.” Beijing’s approach has been clear for years. In 2010, then-PRC Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told his ASEAN counterparts that “China is a big country and other countries are small countries and that is just a fact.” The PRC’s predatory world view has no place in the 21st century.
The PRC has no legal grounds to unilaterally impose its will on the region. Beijing has offered no coherent legal basis for its “Nine-Dashed Line” claim in the South China Sea since formally announcing it in 2009. In a unanimous decision on July 12, 2016, an Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention – to which the PRC is a state party – rejected the PRC’s maritime claims as having no basis in international law. The Tribunal sided squarely with the Philippines, which brought the arbitration case, on almost all claims.
As the United States has previously stated, and as specifically provided in the Convention, the Arbitral Tribunal’s decision is final and legally binding on both parties. Today we are aligning the U.S. position on the PRC’s maritime claims in the SCS with the Tribunal’s decision. Specifically:
The PRC cannot lawfully assert a maritime claim – including any Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) claims derived from Scarborough Reef and the Spratly Islands – vis-a-vis the Philippines in areas that the Tribunal found to be in the Philippines’ EEZ or on its continental shelf. Beijing’s harassment of Philippine fisheries and offshore energy development within those areas is unlawful, as are any unilateral PRC actions to exploit those resources. In line with the Tribunal’s legally binding decision, the PRC has no lawful territorial or maritime claim to Mischief Reef or Second Thomas Shoal, both of which fall fully under the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction, nor does Beijing have any territorial or maritime claims generated from these features.
As Beijing has failed to put forth a lawful, coherent maritime claim in the South China Sea, the United States rejects any PRC claim to waters beyond a 12-nautical mile territorial sea derived from islands it claims in the Spratly Islands (without prejudice to other states’ sovereignty claims over such islands). As such, the United States rejects any PRC maritime claim in the waters surrounding Vanguard Bank (off Vietnam), Luconia Shoals (off Malaysia), waters in Brunei’s EEZ, and Natuna Besar (off Indonesia). Any PRC action to harass other states’ fishing or hydrocarbon development in these waters – or to carry out such activities unilaterally – is unlawful.
The PRC has no lawful territorial or maritime claim to (or derived from) James Shoal, an entirely submerged feature only 50 nautical miles from Malaysia and some 1,000 nautical miles from China’s coast. James Shoal is often cited in PRC propaganda as the “southernmost territory of China.” International law is clear: An underwater feature like James Shoal cannot be claimed by any state and is incapable of generating maritime zones. James Shoal (roughly 20 meters below the surface) is not and never was PRC territory, nor can Beijing assert any lawful maritime rights from it.
The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire. America stands with our Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources, consistent with their rights and obligations under international law. We stand with the international community in defense of freedom of the seas and respect for sovereignty and reject any push to impose “might makes right” in the South China Sea or the wider region.


bonginoreport--2020-07-13--California Governor Orders Widespread Closures of Indoor Activities

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ordered all bars and all dine-in restaurants , movie theaters , museums and other indoor businesses across the state to close Monday as Covid-19 cases continue to climb .
The affected businesses include all operations at bars and the indoor operations at restaurants , wineries and tasting rooms , movie theaters , family entertainment centers , zoos , museums and cardrooms .
All except for bars will be allowed to operate outdoors , if possible , he said .
The order comes after Newsom previously ordered these businesses to close in counties on the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new order , which will now apply across the state , is effective immediately , Newsom said .
In addition to the statewide order , Newsom also ordered the closure of indoor operations for fitness centers , worship services , personal care services , malls , offices , hair salons and barbershops for all counties that have been on California 's monitoring list for three or more consecutive days , which represent 80 % of the state 's population .
There are now 30 counties on the list , including Los Angeles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Newsom said the state recorded 8,358 new cases on Sunday .
The state 's positivity rate , or the percentage of all tests returning positive , has ticked up to 7.4 % .
`` The data suggests not everyone is acting with common sense , '' Newsom said at a press conference Monday .
California hospitals also reported an increase in the number of coronavirus patients , growing 28 % over a two-week period , he said .
There were 6,485 people hospitalized with Covid-19 as of Sunday .
The Golden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the largest rollbacks any state has issued since reopening their economies .
Newsom reminded residents to limit their interactions with people outside their households and encouraged them to meet outside if they do meet .
Earlier on Monday , two of California 's largest school districts , Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified , issued a joint statement announcing that they will begin the fall school year online .
In the statement , the school districts said much of the research surrounding the coronavirus and children is still unknown and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` vague and contradictory . ''
`` One fact is clear : those countries that have managed to safely reopen schools have done so with declining infection rates and on-demand testing available .
California has neither , '' according to the statement .
Clarification : This story has been updated to reflect the criteria for the counties where additional businesses will be closed .
It has also been updated to clarify that all bar operations , including outdoor operations , have been ordered closed .

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all bars and all dine-in restaurants, movie theaters, museums and other indoor businesses across the state to close Monday as Covid-19 cases continue to climb. The affected businesses include all operations at bars and the indoor operations at restaurants, wineries and tasting rooms, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos, museums and cardrooms. All except for bars will be allowed to operate outdoors, if possible, he said.
The order comes after Newsom previously ordered these businesses to close in counties on the state's "monitoring list." The new order, which will now apply across the state, is effective immediately, Newsom said. In addition to the statewide order, Newsom also ordered the closure of indoor operations for fitness centers, worship services, personal care services, malls, offices, hair salons and barbershops for all counties that have been on California's monitoring list for three or more consecutive days, which represent 80% of the state's population. There are now 30 counties on the list, including Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange counties, Newsom said.
Newsom said the state recorded 8,358 new cases on Sunday. The state's positivity rate, or the percentage of all tests returning positive, has ticked up to 7.4%. "The data suggests not everyone is acting with common sense," Newsom said at a press conference Monday. California hospitals also reported an increase in the number of coronavirus patients, growing 28% over a two-week period, he said. There were 6,485 people hospitalized with Covid-19 as of Sunday.
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The Golden State governor's order on Monday marks one of the largest rollbacks any state has issued since reopening their economies. Newsom reminded residents to limit their interactions with people outside their households and encouraged them to meet outside if they do meet. Earlier on Monday, two of California's largest school districts, Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified, issued a joint statement announcing that they will begin the fall school year online. In the statement, the school districts said much of the research surrounding the coronavirus and children is still unknown and many of the guidelines for reopening are "vague and contradictory." "One fact is clear: those countries that have managed to safely reopen schools have done so with declining infection rates and on-demand testing available. California has neither," according to the statement.
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bonginoreport--2020-07-13--Pediatricians Say We Should “Absolutely” Send Kids Back to School

In an endorsement of the Trump administration ’ s bid to reopen schools next month , 5 out of 5 pediatricians said they would return their own young children without hesitation .
The story challenged many critics who have condemned President Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos who have said returning to school is essential , especially after there were so many troubles with virtual learning in the spring when the coronavirus shut schools down .
The doctors said that younger students do not appear to transmit the coronavirus , and only 2 % have fallen ill. “ The five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits of being in the classroom far outweigh the risk of disease .
But the key is to reopen safely , ” said Torres .
He suggested several easy fixes such as social distancing , keeping desks apart , increasing classroom airflow , and putting gym classes outdoors .
As for masks , one doctor said they only are useful for high schoolers .
When Torres asked the doctors if they would let their kids return , here ’ s what they said : • Dr. Yvonne Mondonado , California : “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school.
” • Dr. Shilpa Patel , New Jersey : “ I will , my kids are looking forward to it.
” • Dr. Jennifer Lighter , New York : “ Absolutely , as much as I can .
Without hesitation , yes.
” • Dr .
Buddy Creech , Tennessee : `` I have no concerns about sending my child to school in the fall .
”

In an endorsement of the Trump administration’s bid to reopen schools next month, 5 out of 5 pediatricians said they would return their own young children without hesitation.
“Yes. Period. Absolutely,” Dr. William Raszka of Vermont told NBC’s Dr. John Torres in a report late Sunday.
The story challenged many critics who have condemned President Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos who have said returning to school is essential, especially after there were so many troubles with virtual learning in the spring when the coronavirus shut schools down.
The doctors said that younger students do not appear to transmit the coronavirus, and only 2% have fallen ill.
WATCH: @DrJohnTorres speaks with 5 pediatricians around the country on safely reopening schools. https://t.co/7fPtll4XPB — NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) July 13, 2020
“The five doctors we spoke to agreed: The benefits of being in the classroom far outweigh the risk of disease. But the key is to reopen safely,” said Torres.
He suggested several easy fixes such as social distancing, keeping desks apart, increasing classroom airflow, and putting gym classes outdoors. As for masks, one doctor said they only are useful for high schoolers.
When Torres asked the doctors if they would let their kids return, here’s what they said:
Dr. Yvonne Mondonado, California: “I would let my kids go back to school.”
Dr. Shilpa Patel, New Jersey: “I will, my kids are looking forward to it.”
Dr. William Raszka, Vermont: “Yes. Period. Absolutely.”
Dr. Jennifer Lighter, New York: “Absolutely, as much as I can. Without hesitation, yes.”


bonginoreport--2020-07-13--Budget Deficit Hits Record $864 Billion in June

The federal government incurred the biggest monthly budget deficit in history in June as spending on programs to combat the coronavirus recession exploded while millions of job losses cut into tax revenues .
The Treasury Department reported Monday that the deficit hit $ 864 billion last month , an amount of red ink that surpasses most annual deficits in the nation 's history and is above the previous monthly deficit record of $ 738 billion in April .
That amount was also tied to the trillions of dollars Congress has provided to cushion the impact of the widespread shutdowns that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the viral pandemic .
For the first nine months of this budget year , which began Oct. 1 , the deficit totals $ 2.74 trillion , also a record for that period .
That puts the country well on the way to hitting the $ 3.7 trillion deficit for the whole year that has been forecast by the Congressional Budget Office .
That total would surpass the previous annual record of $ 1.4 trillion set in 2009 when the government was spending heavily to lift the country out of the recession @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The federal government incurred the biggest monthly budget deficit in history in June as spending on programs to combat the coronavirus recession exploded while millions of job losses cut into tax revenues.
The Treasury Department reported Monday that the deficit hit $864 billion last month, an amount of red ink that surpasses most annual deficits in the nation's history and is above the previous monthly deficit record of $738 billion in April. That amount was also tied to the trillions of dollars Congress has provided to cushion the impact of the widespread shutdowns that occurred in an effort to limit the spread of the viral pandemic.
For the first nine months of this budget year, which began Oct. 1, the deficit totals $2.74 trillion, also a record for that period. That puts the country well on the way to hitting the $3.7 trillion deficit for the whole year that has been forecast by the Congressional Budget Office.
That total would surpass the previous annual record of $1.4 trillion set in 2009 when the government was spending heavily to lift the country out of the recession caused by the 2008 financial crisis.


bonginoreport--2020-07-13--Top Donor to D.C. Think Tank is Ex-China Official

A former Chinese official has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a prominent D.C.-based think tank over the last decade , influencing its research on at least one occasion .
Hong Kong-based billionaire Ronnie Chan sits on the board of directors of the Peterson Institute for International Economics , an influential think tank .
He is also one of its most prolific supporters , donating between $ 350,000 to $ 575,000 to the think tank since 2010 .
And while the think tank insists that donors exert almost no influence on its publications , a 2013 report on U.S.-China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report `` has benefited from discussions with and the comments of '' Chan and a litany of other donors .
Chan is an ex-government official in Hong Kong who mobilized his resources to support the election of Carrie Lam , the city 's chief executive who cracked down on pro-democracy protesters at the behest of Beijing in recent years .
Chan is also a governor of the China-United States Exchange Foundation , a nonprofit organization widely considered to be a front group for the Chinese Communist Party to exercise influence in academia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to PIIE , sending between $ 50,000 to $ 75,000 to the think tank in 2012 .
The billionaire is not the only person sitting on the PIIE board with ties to the Chinese regime .
Min Zhu—the former deputy governor of the People 's Bank of China , the country 's central bank—also sits on the board .
The PIIE board of directors page does not mention Chan 's or Zhu 's past stints in the government , even though it does so for other members .
Chan made his fortune as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a China-based real estate empire with multiple properties in Hong Kong and mainland China .
For decades , Chan has used his influence and wealth—estimated at $ 2 billion—to become a regular presence inside the Beltway , appearing in a panel discussion hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations as far back as 1997 .
He has served on the governing boards of several think tanks focused on East Asia , such as the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation and the U.S.-government funded East-West Center .
The billionaire has also donated $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harvard University and the University of Southern California , respectively .
While Chan presents himself as a private businessman and benevolent philanthropist to Western audiences , he has extensive ties to the Chinese government .
He served as a senior adviser to a state-backed think tank — the China Development Research Foundation — that reports directly to the State Council , the highest administrative authority in China .
The billionaire is also a governor at the China-United States Exchange Foundation , a registered foreign agent of the Chinese government that has pumped thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including PIIE .
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission , a bipartisan congressional committee , concluded that the China-United States Exchange Foundation is part of China 's United Front Work , a shadowy network that seeks to `` co-opt and neutralize sources of potential opposition to the policies and authority of its ruling Chinese Communist Party . ''
A PIIE spokesman denied that board members exercise undue influence on the think tank 's research , telling the Free Beacon that no board members are `` allowed to review or approve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior to publication . ''
He also said that none of the money from Chan or the foundation was spent on Chinese research .
`` The Peterson Institute for International Economics is committed to full transparency and disclosure of funding sources underwriting its studies and any author 's financial relationships that might bear on his or her research , '' the spokesman said in a statement .
The China-United States Exchange Foundation partially sponsored a 2014 PIIE study into U.S.-China trade relations , underwriting the publication of a 450-page book on the subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a win-win proposition , arguing that `` China and the United States would benefit substantially from a bilateral free trade and investment accord . ''
Such a pro-free trade conclusion also happens to align with the interest of the Chinese government .
Chan did not respond to a request for comment .

A former Chinese official has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a prominent D.C.-based think tank over the last decade, influencing its research on at least one occasion.
Hong Kong-based billionaire Ronnie Chan sits on the board of directors of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, an influential think tank. He is also one of its most prolific supporters, donating between $350,000 to $575,000 to the think tank since 2010. And while the think tank insists that donors exert almost no influence on its publications, a 2013 report on U.S.-China relations credited Chan, noting that the report "has benefited from discussions with and the comments of" Chan and a litany of other donors.
Chan is an ex-government official in Hong Kong who mobilized his resources to support the election of Carrie Lam, the city's chief executive who cracked down on pro-democracy protesters at the behest of Beijing in recent years. Chan is also a governor of the China-United States Exchange Foundation, a nonprofit organization widely considered to be a front group for the Chinese Communist Party to exercise influence in academia. The foundation has also cut a check to PIIE, sending between $50,000 to $75,000 to the think tank in 2012.
The billionaire is not the only person sitting on the PIIE board with ties to the Chinese regime. Min Zhu—the former deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, the country's central bank—also sits on the board. The PIIE board of directors page does not mention Chan's or Zhu's past stints in the government, even though it does so for other members.
Chan made his fortune as the chairman of the Hang Lung Group, a China-based real estate empire with multiple properties in Hong Kong and mainland China. For decades, Chan has used his influence and wealth—estimated at $2 billion—to become a regular presence inside the Beltway, appearing in a panel discussion hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations as far back as 1997. He has served on the governing boards of several think tanks focused on East Asia, such as the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation and the U.S.-government funded East-West Center. The billionaire has also donated $350 million and $20 million to Harvard University and the University of Southern California, respectively.
While Chan presents himself as a private businessman and benevolent philanthropist to Western audiences, he has extensive ties to the Chinese government. He served as a senior adviser to a state-backed think tank -- the China Development Research Foundation -- that reports directly to the State Council, the highest administrative authority in China. The billionaire is also a governor at the China-United States Exchange Foundation, a registered foreign agent of the Chinese government that has pumped thousands of dollars to multiple D.C.-based think tanks, including PIIE.
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, a bipartisan congressional committee, concluded that the China-United States Exchange Foundation is part of China's United Front Work, a shadowy network that seeks to "co-opt and neutralize sources of potential opposition to the policies and authority of its ruling Chinese Communist Party."
A PIIE spokesman denied that board members exercise undue influence on the think tank's research, telling the Free Beacon that no board members are "allowed to review or approve the final version of any of our research prior to publication." He also said that none of the money from Chan or the foundation was spent on Chinese research.
"The Peterson Institute for International Economics is committed to full transparency and disclosure of funding sources underwriting its studies and any author's financial relationships that might bear on his or her research," the spokesman said in a statement.
The China-United States Exchange Foundation partially sponsored a 2014 PIIE study into U.S.-China trade relations, underwriting the publication of a 450-page book on the subject. The research report painted free trade as a win-win proposition, arguing that "China and the United States would benefit substantially from a bilateral free trade and investment accord." Such a pro-free trade conclusion also happens to align with the interest of the Chinese government.
Chan did not respond to a request for comment.


bonginoreport--2020-07-13--In June, Mexican Cartel Drug Seizures Jump 50 Percent

Drug seizures jumped 50 percent in June under the combined efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection ’ s officers and agents .
Included in these is a nearly 70 percent increase in cocaine and a 151 percent rise in fentanyl .
Seizures increased 50 percent from May to June , according to information released by CBP officials .
Seizures of methamphetamine ( including crystal and liquid forms ) decreased 15 percent .
Marijuana increased by 66 percent .
This latest data provides insights into the monthly output of the Mexican cartel clandestine laboratories in the manufacturing of controlled substances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received information from sources within the cartels that the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation ( CJNG ) outfits would be increasing output from their labs in the following months .
In January of the fiscal year 2020 , the sources were validated by CBP seizure data .
As COVID-19 spread , global shipping and transportation logistics and even the criminal underworld were impacted .
Some high-profile outlets reported that COVID-19 could very well be what puts the Mexican cartels out of business .
U.S. domestic drug dealers continue to have issues obtaining product @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southwest border , the greater the strain on transportation networks .
What most did not differentiate is how the smaller cartels and independent smugglers in Mexico operate in leaner fashions to get wares to market .
The two largest cartels , Sinaloa and CJNG , continued to manufacture methamphetamine and fentanyl at higher quantities than ever before .
Chemical precursors are ordered in bulk from Chinese contacts in Mexico .
They are delivered via large cargo container ships to ports like Manzanillo , Lazaro Cardenas , Veracruz , and Ensenada .
The Sinaloa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fentanyl manufacturing process as far back as 2018 .
This would allow for different chemicals to be utilized to help cut out the Chinese suppliers .
The cartels began hiring chemistry professors from Mexican universities .
As of June 2020 for this fiscal year , CBP reported seizures of 103,917 pounds of methamphetamine at points of entry .
These seizures far surpassed the FY2019 record year of 68,585 pounds .
Fentanyl seizures reached 2,034 pounds–which will soon surpass the FY 2019 record year of 2,545 pounds .
There are still three months left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
If the seizure numbers stay steady , methamphetamine could reach as high as 130,000 pounds–more than double the 2019 record .
Jaeson Jones is a retired Captain from the Texas Department of Public Safety ’ s Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division and a Breitbart Texas contributor .
While on duty , he managed daily operations for the Texas Rangers Border Security Operations Center .

Drug seizures jumped 50 percent in June under the combined efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s officers and agents. Included in these is a nearly 70 percent increase in cocaine and a 151 percent rise in fentanyl.
Seizures increased 50 percent from May to June, according to information released by CBP officials. Seizures of methamphetamine (including crystal and liquid forms) decreased 15 percent. Marijuana increased by 66 percent.
This latest data provides insights into the monthly output of the Mexican cartel clandestine laboratories in the manufacturing of controlled substances.
In late 2019, Breitbart Texas received information from sources within the cartels that the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) outfits would be increasing output from their labs in the following months. In January of the fiscal year 2020, the sources were validated by CBP seizure data.
As COVID-19 spread, global shipping and transportation logistics and even the criminal underworld were impacted. Some high-profile outlets reported that COVID-19 could very well be what puts the Mexican cartels out of business.
U.S. domestic drug dealers continue to have issues obtaining product. The farther you get from the southwest border, the greater the strain on transportation networks. What most did not differentiate is how the smaller cartels and independent smugglers in Mexico operate in leaner fashions to get wares to market.
The two largest cartels, Sinaloa and CJNG, continued to manufacture methamphetamine and fentanyl at higher quantities than ever before. Chemical precursors are ordered in bulk from Chinese contacts in Mexico. They are delivered via large cargo container ships to ports like Manzanillo, Lazaro Cardenas, Veracruz, and Ensenada.
The Sinaloa Cartel began changing the analogs in the fentanyl manufacturing process as far back as 2018. This would allow for different chemicals to be utilized to help cut out the Chinese suppliers. The cartels began hiring chemistry professors from Mexican universities.
As of June 2020 for this fiscal year, CBP reported seizures of 103,917 pounds of methamphetamine at points of entry. These seizures far surpassed the FY2019 record year of 68,585 pounds. Fentanyl seizures reached 2,034 pounds–which will soon surpass the FY 2019 record year of 2,545 pounds.
There are still three months left before the end of the current fiscal year. If the seizure numbers stay steady, methamphetamine could reach as high as 130,000 pounds–more than double the 2019 record.
Jaeson Jones is a retired Captain from the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division and a Breitbart Texas contributor. While on duty, he managed daily operations for the Texas Rangers Border Security Operations Center.


bonginoreport--2020-07-13--Iran-Backed Houthis In Yemen Fire Ballistic Missiles at Saudi Arabia

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Saudi Arabia said it intercepted ballistic missiles fired from Yemen overnight between Sunday and Monday. Four missiles and seven drones were launched by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, it said.Riyadh had stopped the missiles, said the Saudi Arabia n military spokesman for the Riyadh-led coalition that is fighting in Yemen.Fars News in Iran, which receives information from the Houthi movement in Yemen, also reported the rocket firing. There had been sounds of explosions in Abha in Saudi Arabia, it said, adding that some of the drones or missiles made it to their target.Saudi Arabia intercepted three drones over the city of Khamis Mushait that had targeted King Khalid Air Base, the Fars report said. These areas are about 100 km. from the border with Yemen.The military of Yemen’s Houthi group said it attacked and hit a large oil facility in an industrial zone in the southern Saudi city of Jizan.The Houthi rebels have been firing long-range ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia for the last several years, increasing their range to hundreds of kilometers. They also use armed drones with Iranian technology to attack Saudi Arabia.The US Navy has intercepted three shipments of weapons to the Houthis in the last years.


bonginoreport--2020-07-14--“Planet Nine” May Actually Be a Small Black Hole

'Planet Nine ' , a celestial object up to 10 times larger than the Earth , may actually be a grapefruit sized black hole - and a new telescope could help detect it .
Objects 'clumping together ' in a strange way beyond the orbit of Neptune have led astronomers to suggest 'something big ' is interfering with their orbit .
This could be a massive planet or a 'primordial black hole ' that crams the mass of up to 10 Earth sized objects into a grapefruit sized sphere , according to astronomers .
Researchers from Harvard University and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field ' telescope being built in Chile could confirm the true nature of 'Planet Nine ' .
Known as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory , it will be able to scan large swathes of the southern sky repeatedly - giving astronomers a wealth of data on the universe .
It will carry out a Legacy Survey of Space and Time ( LSST ) when it comes online in 2022 in a bid to hunt for accretion flares given off around black holes .
Harvard researchers have developed a new technique that could use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tiny black hole really sits beyond Neptune .
In a new paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters , Avi Loeb and Frank Baird explain that it would look for flares that result from the disruption of comets .
'In the vicinity of a black hole , small bodies that approach it will melt as a result of heating from the background accretion of gas from the interstellar medium onto the black hole , ' said undergraduate student Amir Siraj , also involved in the study .
'Once they melt , the small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the black hole , followed by accretion from the tidally disrupted body onto the black hole . '
Because black holes are dark , the radiation matter emits when it is approaching the mouth of the object is the only way to detect whether one is there or not .
Future searches for primordial black holes could be informed by the new calculation , according to the Harvard team .
'This method can detect or rule out trapped planet-mass black holes out to the edge of the Oort cloud , or about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Siraj .
'It could be capable of placing new limits on the fraction of dark matter contained in primordial black holes . '
The upcoming LSST is expected to have the sensitivity required to detect accretion flares - that is the light made from matter coming near the black hole .
'LSST has a wide field of view , covering the entire sky again and again , and searching for transient flares , ' said Loeb .
What makes LSST different is that it can view the whole sky at once , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where to look - as is the case with Planet Nine .
'LSST 's ability to survey the sky twice per week is extremely valuable .
In addition , its unprecedented depth will allow for the detection of flares resulting from relatively small impactors , which are more frequent than large ones , ' said Siraj .
The new paper focuses on the famed Planet Nine as a prime first candidate for detection - as it could be anywhere in a very large sky .
This 'planet ' , sometimes called Planet X @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see Pluto as a full planet , has been speculated on for years .
Many theories suggest that Planet Nine is a previously undetected planet , but it may also flag the existence of a planet-mass black hole .
'Planet Nine is a compelling explanation for the observed clustering of some objects beyond the orbit of Neptune , said Siraj .
'If the existence of Planet Nine is confirmed through a direct electromagnetic search , it will be the first detection of a new planet in the solar system in two centuries ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count Pluto or other large asteroids and dwarf planets .
He said if they do n't detect light from Planet Nine as part of their search would increase the likelihood of it being a black hole .
'There has been a great deal of speculation concerning alternative explanations for the anomalous orbits observed in the outer solar system , ' said Siraj .
'One of the ideas put forth was the possibility that Planet Nine could be a grapefruit-sized black hole with a mass of five to ten times that of the Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is based both in the unprecedented scientific significance that a hypothetical discovery of a planet-mass black hole in the solar system would hold as well as the continued interest in understanding what 's out there .
'The outskirts of the solar system is our backyard .
Finding Planet Nine is like discovering a cousin living in the shed behind your home which you never knew about , ' said Loeb .
'It immediately raises questions : why is it there ?
How did it obtain its properties ?
Did it shape the solar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ? '
The research is available to view on the arXiv preprint server .

'Planet Nine', a celestial object up to 10 times larger than the Earth, may actually be a grapefruit sized black hole - and a new telescope could help detect it.
Objects 'clumping together' in a strange way beyond the orbit of Neptune have led astronomers to suggest 'something big' is interfering with their orbit.
This could be a massive planet or a 'primordial black hole' that crams the mass of up to 10 Earth sized objects into a grapefruit sized sphere, according to astronomers.
Researchers from Harvard University and the Black Hole Initiative believe a new 'wide field' telescope being built in Chile could confirm the true nature of 'Planet Nine'.
Known as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, it will be able to scan large swathes of the southern sky repeatedly - giving astronomers a wealth of data on the universe.
The 'planet' could be a massive planet or a 'primordial black hole' that crams the mass of up to 10 Earth sized objects into a grapefruit sized sphere, according to astronomers
It will carry out a Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) when it comes online in 2022 in a bid to hunt for accretion flares given off around black holes.
Harvard researchers have developed a new technique that could use this survey to help determine if a tiny black hole really sits beyond Neptune.
In a new paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Avi Loeb and Frank Baird explain that it would look for flares that result from the disruption of comets.
'In the vicinity of a black hole, small bodies that approach it will melt as a result of heating from the background accretion of gas from the interstellar medium onto the black hole,' said undergraduate student Amir Siraj, also involved in the study.
Known as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory (pictured), it will be able to scan large swathes of the southern sky repeatedly - giving astronomers a wealth of data on the universe
'Once they melt, the small bodies are subject to tidal disruption by the black hole, followed by accretion from the tidally disrupted body onto the black hole.'
Because black holes are dark, the radiation matter emits when it is approaching the mouth of the object is the only way to detect whether one is there or not.
Future searches for primordial black holes could be informed by the new calculation, according to the Harvard team.
'This method can detect or rule out trapped planet-mass black holes out to the edge of the Oort cloud, or about a hundred thousand astronomical units,' said Siraj.
'It could be capable of placing new limits on the fraction of dark matter contained in primordial black holes.'
The upcoming LSST is expected to have the sensitivity required to detect accretion flares - that is the light made from matter coming near the black hole.
'LSST has a wide field of view, covering the entire sky again and again, and searching for transient flares,' said Loeb.
What makes LSST different is that it can view the whole sky at once, which helps when you don't know exactly where to look - as is the case with Planet Nine.
'LSST's ability to survey the sky twice per week is extremely valuable. In addition, its unprecedented depth will allow for the detection of flares resulting from relatively small impactors, which are more frequent than large ones,' said Siraj.
The new paper focuses on the famed Planet Nine as a prime first candidate for detection - as it could be anywhere in a very large sky.
This 'planet', sometimes called Planet X or Planet Next by people who still see Pluto as a full planet, has been speculated on for years.
Many theories suggest that Planet Nine is a previously undetected planet, but it may also flag the existence of a planet-mass black hole.
'Planet Nine is a compelling explanation for the observed clustering of some objects beyond the orbit of Neptune, said Siraj.
'If the existence of Planet Nine is confirmed through a direct electromagnetic search, it will be the first detection of a new planet in the solar system in two centuries'.
'Planet Nine', a celestial object up to 10 times larger than the Earth, may actually be a grapefruit sized black hole - and a new telescope could help detect it. Artists impression
That is if you don't count Pluto or other large asteroids and dwarf planets.
He said if they don't detect light from Planet Nine as part of their search would increase the likelihood of it being a black hole.
'There has been a great deal of speculation concerning alternative explanations for the anomalous orbits observed in the outer solar system,' said Siraj.
'One of the ideas put forth was the possibility that Planet Nine could be a grapefruit-sized black hole with a mass of five to ten times that of the Earth.'
The focus on Planet Nine is based both in the unprecedented scientific significance that a hypothetical discovery of a planet-mass black hole in the solar system would hold as well as the continued interest in understanding what's out there.
'The outskirts of the solar system is our backyard. Finding Planet Nine is like discovering a cousin living in the shed behind your home which you never knew about,' said Loeb.
'It immediately raises questions: why is it there? How did it obtain its properties? Did it shape the solar system history? Are there more like it?'
The research is available to view on the arXiv preprint server.


bonginoreport--2020-07-14--“If You’re Mildly Conservative On Twitter, People Call You Hitler,” Says Ricky Gervais

This article has been updated since its original publication .
Comedian Ricky Gervais continued his crusade on politically correct cancel culture by defending free speech .
Speaking with talkRadio , Gervais called this cancel culture a “ weird sort of fascism.
” “ There ’ s this new weird sort of fascism of people thinking they know what you can say and what you can ’ t and it ’ s a really weird thing… that there ’ s this new trendy myth that people who want free speech want to say awful things all the time .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it protects everyone , ” Gervais said .
“ If you ’ re mildly left-wing on Twitter , you ’ re suddenly Trotsky , right ?
If your mildly conservative , if you ’ re Hitler and if your centrist and you look at both arguments , you ’ re a coward , ” he continued .
Ricky Gervais is an avid freedom of speech supporter , and though he supports some curtailments of it in the form of libel and slander laws , he ultimately cautioned against the criminalization of speech that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just because you ’ re offended it doesn ’ t mean you ’ re right , ” he said .
Speaking with Times Radio last week , Gervais said the “ The Office , ” the original BBC show that he created , would be destroyed in today ’ s environment because woke mobs take everything out of context .
“ Now [ The Office ] would suffer because people would take things literally .
There are these outrage mobs who take things out of context , ” he said .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was about difference , it was about sex , race , all the things that people fear to even be discussed or talked about now , in case they say the wrong thing and they are canceled.
” “ The BBC have got more and more careful , people want to keep their jobs , so would worry about some of the subjects and jokes , even though they were clearly ironic and we were laughing at this buffoon being uncomfortable around difference , ” he continued .
“ I think if this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lost their sense of irony and context.
” Regarding the state of comedy , Gervais said that it has been reduced to “ two tribes of people screaming.
” “ I genuinely think I don ’ t do anything that deserves to be canceled , ” he said .
“ Some people now don ’ t care about the argument or the issue , they just want to own someone , they want to win the argument.
” Earlier this year , Ricky Gervais delivered a seismic opening monologue at the Golden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for posturing woke while allegedly being total degenerates in their private lives , from friendships with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein to shady business deals with communist China .
Speaking with Yahoo Entertainment , Gervais said that the moment became so “ zeitgeisty ” because people were sick of seeing the hypocrisy .
“ It was quite zeitgeisty , ” he said , as reported by Fox News .
“ I suppose because people were tired of being lectured by multimillionaires telling them to recycle when they ’ re flying around in private jets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hypocrisy.
” The Daily Wire is one of America ’ s fastest-growing conservative media companies and counter-cultural outlets for news , opinion , and entertainment .
Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a member .

This article has been updated since its original publication.
Comedian Ricky Gervais continued his crusade on politically correct cancel culture by defending free speech.
Speaking with talkRadio, Gervais called this cancel culture a “weird sort of fascism.”
“There’s this new weird sort of fascism of people thinking they know what you can say and what you can’t and it’s a really weird thing… that there’s this new trendy myth that people who want free speech want to say awful things all the time. It’s just isn’t true, it protects everyone,” Gervais said.
“If you’re mildly left-wing on Twitter, you’re suddenly Trotsky, right? If your mildly conservative, if you’re Hitler and if your centrist and you look at both arguments, you’re a coward,” he continued.
Ricky Gervais is an avid freedom of speech supporter, and though he supports some curtailments of it in the form of libel and slander laws, he ultimately cautioned against the criminalization of speech that some people might find offensive.
“Just because you’re offended it doesn’t mean you’re right,” he said.
Speaking with Times Radio last week, Gervais said the “The Office,” the original BBC show that he created, would be destroyed in today’s environment because woke mobs take everything out of context.
“Now [The Office] would suffer because people would take things literally. There are these outrage mobs who take things out of context,” he said. “This was a show about everything — it was about difference, it was about sex, race, all the things that people fear to even be discussed or talked about now, in case they say the wrong thing and they are canceled.”
“The BBC have got more and more careful, people want to keep their jobs, so would worry about some of the subjects and jokes, even though they were clearly ironic and we were laughing at this buffoon being uncomfortable around difference,” he continued. “I think if this was put out now, some people have lost their sense of irony and context.”
Regarding the state of comedy, Gervais said that it has been reduced to “two tribes of people screaming.”
“I genuinely think I don’t do anything that deserves to be canceled,” he said. “Some people now don’t care about the argument or the issue, they just want to own someone, they want to win the argument.”
Earlier this year, Ricky Gervais delivered a seismic opening monologue at the Golden Globes in which he roasted liberal Hollywood for posturing woke while allegedly being total degenerates in their private lives, from friendships with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein to shady business deals with communist China. Speaking with Yahoo Entertainment, Gervais said that the moment became so “zeitgeisty” because people were sick of seeing the hypocrisy.
“It was quite zeitgeisty,” he said, as reported by Fox News. “I suppose because people were tired of being lectured by multimillionaires telling them to recycle when they’re flying around in private jets. So I think people were tired of the hypocrisy.”


bonginoreport--2020-07-14--More Join Alex Rodriguez-Jennifer Lopez Bid to Buy Mets

Vaughn McClure reports on the various names in sports who are interested in buying the Mets , including Travis Kelce and power couple Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez .
( 1:10 ) Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher , Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce and 2014 NFL Offensive Player of the Year DeMarco Murray are part of a group of investors who have joined power couple Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez in a bid to buy the New York Mets .
The group has already submitted its initial bid of $ 1.7 billion .
Hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2 billion , according to a report by the New York Post .
Mets COO Jeff Wilpon would prefer to sell to the Rodriguez-Lopez group if its offer is close to the best bid at the end of the auction , according to the Post .
The group is in standby mode awaiting word from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred regarding the next step in the process .
Rodriguez , who last starred with the Yankees , and fiancée Lopez have put $ 300 million of their own money toward the bid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ offensive lineman Joe Thomas , who spent his entire career with the Cleveland Browns , two-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards , and Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee .
`` Being a former athlete and having a chance to be a part of a group trying to purchase a professional team , it 's pretty cool , '' Urlacher told ESPN on Monday .
`` It 's especially cool to be involved with Alex .
Alex is the man .
You 've got Kelce , Joe Thomas , DeMarco Murray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group with them . ''
Added Chiefs tight end Kelce , `` This is a crazy opportunity .
I had a chance to meet Alex Rodriguez a couple years ago and just told him how much of a fan I was as a kid of him .
I 'm very thankful for the success that I 've had in the NFL , to have an opportunity like this come across the table .
I could n't think of a more unique set of people to be in charge of this .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star-studded couple that have gotten to where they are because they work their tails off .
And they 're good human beings .
I thank them for letting me be a part of this . ''
Rodriguez was a 14-time All-Star during his baseball career with the Seattle Mariners , Texas Rangers and the Yankees .
He was a three-time American League MVP , the 1996 batting champion , and a World Series champion in 2009 .

Vaughn McClure reports on the various names in sports who are interested in buying the Mets, including Travis Kelce and power couple Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez. (1:10)
Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher, Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce and 2014 NFL Offensive Player of the Year DeMarco Murray are part of a group of investors who have joined power couple Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez in a bid to buy the New York Mets.
The group has already submitted its initial bid of $1.7 billion. Hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen has made a top bid so far of $2 billion, according to a report by the New York Post. Mets COO Jeff Wilpon would prefer to sell to the Rodriguez-Lopez group if its offer is close to the best bid at the end of the auction, according to the Post.
The group is in standby mode awaiting word from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred regarding the next step in the process.
Rodriguez, who last starred with the Yankees, and fiancée Lopez have put $300 million of their own money toward the bid. Other investors include future Hall of Fame offensive lineman Joe Thomas, who spent his entire career with the Cleveland Browns, two-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards, and Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee.
"Being a former athlete and having a chance to be a part of a group trying to purchase a professional team, it's pretty cool," Urlacher told ESPN on Monday. "It's especially cool to be involved with Alex. Alex is the man. You've got Kelce, Joe Thomas, DeMarco Murray. It's great to be in a group with them."
Added Chiefs tight end Kelce, "This is a crazy opportunity. I had a chance to meet Alex Rodriguez a couple years ago and just told him how much of a fan I was as a kid of him. I'm very thankful for the success that I've had in the NFL, to have an opportunity like this come across the table. I couldn't think of a more unique set of people to be in charge of this.
"Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez are a star-studded couple that have gotten to where they are because they work their tails off. And they're good human beings. I thank them for letting me be a part of this."
Rodriguez was a 14-time All-Star during his baseball career with the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and the Yankees. He was a three-time American League MVP, the 1996 batting champion, and a World Series champion in 2009.
Jim Cantelupe, co-founder of Summit Trail Advisors, organized the group.


bonginoreport--2020-07-14--LeBron James Will Not Wear a Message On His Jersey

LeBron James reveals that he was not part of the process to determine the names and phrases to go on the backs of jerseys , and explains why he has declined the option to put anything on his own jersey .
( 1:05 ) The NBA is back , and the back of LeBron James ' jersey will still look the same .
The Los Angeles Lakers ' star on Saturday said he 'll be one of the few NBA players who will forgo a social justice message on the back of his jersey when the season resumes in Orlando @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't go with a name on the back of my jersey , '' James said on a video conference call with reporters .
`` It was no disrespect to the list that was handed out to all the players .
I commend anyone that decides to put something on the back of their jersey .
It 's just something that did n't really seriously resonate with my mission , with my goal .
`` I would have loved to have a say-so on what would have went on the back of my jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind , but I was n't part of that process , which is OK .
I 'm absolutely OK with that .
...
I do n't need to have something on the back of my jersey for people to understand my mission or know what I 'm about and what I 'm here to do . ''
As of Wednesday afternoon , 285 of the expected 350 eligible NBA players had picked a social justice message to put on their jerseys , while 17 had opted to continue to use their names instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director Michele Roberts told ESPN 's The Undefeated earlier this week .
The list of the suggested messages that were agreed on by the NBPA and the NBA and then made available to players via email , per the source , are : Black Lives Matter ; Say Their Names ; Vote ; I Ca n't Breathe ; Justice ; Peace ; Equality ; Freedom ; Enough ; Power to the People ; Justice Now ; Say Her Name ; Sí Se Puede ( Yes We Can ) ; Liberation ; See Us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Love Us ; Listen ; Listen to Us ; Stand Up ; Ally ; Anti-Racist ; I Am A Man ; Speak Up ; How Many More ; Group Economics ; Education Reform ; and Mentor .
James ' teammate , JaVale McGee , is among the players who will wear a message , choosing `` Respect Us '' for the back of his No .
7 Lakers uniform .
`` I definitely feel like respect is a key factor in social injustices , '' McGee said Saturday .
`` I feel like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We definitely need to get the same respect everybody else does . ''
McGee , who suffers from asthma , also said he feels `` pretty safe '' in the bubble because of the precautions the league is enforcing .
`` I feel like I 'm so focused -- and I 've been focused all year -- on one goal , and that 's winning the NBA championship , '' McGee said .
`` So if I go through how I 've been going through life my whole life ...
I mean , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quit then .
So I feel like I 've just got to keep going . ''
James ' former Cavaliers teammate Kyle Korver , now with the Milwaukee Bucks , will have `` Black Lives Matter '' on the back of his jersey , a league source told The Undefeated 's Marc Spears .
Korver said last month that he cares `` more about change happening than a championship . ''
James said he did n't give any thought to sitting out the remainder of the season despite a surge of COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has occurred since George Floyd was killed while in police custody .
`` It never crossed my mind that we did not need to play this beautiful game of basketball that brings so many people together , that brings happiness , that brings joy , '' James said .
`` I 'm happy to have a platform where not only people will gain joy by the way I play the game , by the way our team plays the game , but for also for what I 'm able to do off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Being able to use my platform , use the NBA 's platform , to continue to talk about what 's going on .
Because I will not stop until I see real change for us in Black America , for African Americans , for people of color .
And I also believe I can do both , though . ''
James , 35 , spoke to reporters while wearing a black , baseball-style hat with his slogan , `` More Than An Athlete , '' stitched on the front and sporting a thick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheltering at home .
Saturday 's first group practice for the Lakers came four months to the day that the league went on hiatus because of the coronavirus .
`` It gave me an opportunity to be home and make up a lot of time that I 've lost over the years because I 've been playing in this league and striving to be one of the greatest , if not the greatest , to ever play this game , '' James said .
`` So sacrificing my family at times was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all . ''
What has n't been difficult for the Lakers thus far was finding the team camaraderie that helped them to the No .
1 record in the Western Conference when the season shut down .
Lakers coach Frank Vogel said backup center Dwight Howard joined the team in Orlando .
Howard and Danny Green did not practice Saturday .
Green had a `` glitch '' in his testing protocol , and Howard needed to return another negative test having arrived in the bubble separate from the team , league sources told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will join the team for practice Sunday .
Citing `` privacy concerns , '' Vogel would not divulge how many players of the Lakers ' 17-man roster are currently with the team .
`` It 's like we never left , '' James said .
`` We picked right up where we left off . ''

LeBron James reveals that he was not part of the process to determine the names and phrases to go on the backs of jerseys, and explains why he has declined the option to put anything on his own jersey. (1:05)
The NBA is back, and the back of LeBron James' jersey will still look the same.
The Los Angeles Lakers' star on Saturday said he'll be one of the few NBA players who will forgo a social justice message on the back of his jersey when the season resumes in Orlando, Florida.
"I actually didn't go with a name on the back of my jersey," James said on a video conference call with reporters. "It was no disrespect to the list that was handed out to all the players. I commend anyone that decides to put something on the back of their jersey. It's just something that didn't really seriously resonate with my mission, with my goal.
"I would have loved to have a say-so on what would have went on the back of my jersey. I had a couple things in mind, but I wasn't part of that process, which is OK. I'm absolutely OK with that. ... I don't need to have something on the back of my jersey for people to understand my mission or know what I'm about and what I'm here to do."
As of Wednesday afternoon, 285 of the expected 350 eligible NBA players had picked a social justice message to put on their jerseys, while 17 had opted to continue to use their names instead, National Basketball Players' Association executive director Michele Roberts told ESPN's The Undefeated earlier this week.
The list of the suggested messages that were agreed on by the NBPA and the NBA and then made available to players via email, per the source, are: Black Lives Matter; Say Their Names; Vote; I Can't Breathe; Justice; Peace; Equality; Freedom; Enough; Power to the People; Justice Now; Say Her Name; Sí Se Puede (Yes We Can); Liberation; See Us; Hear Us; Respect Us; Love Us; Listen; Listen to Us; Stand Up; Ally; Anti-Racist; I Am A Man; Speak Up; How Many More; Group Economics; Education Reform; and Mentor.
James' teammate, JaVale McGee, is among the players who will wear a message, choosing "Respect Us" for the back of his No. 7 Lakers uniform.
"I definitely feel like respect is a key factor in social injustices," McGee said Saturday. "I feel like we definitely need to get equality. We definitely need to get the same respect everybody else does."
McGee, who suffers from asthma, also said he feels "pretty safe" in the bubble because of the precautions the league is enforcing.
"I feel like I'm so focused -- and I've been focused all year -- on one goal, and that's winning the NBA championship," McGee said. "So if I go through how I've been going through life my whole life ... I mean, I had asthma, I could've quit then. So I feel like I've just got to keep going."
James' former Cavaliers teammate Kyle Korver, now with the Milwaukee Bucks, will have "Black Lives Matter" on the back of his jersey, a league source told The Undefeated's Marc Spears. Korver said last month that he cares "more about change happening than a championship."
James said he didn't give any thought to sitting out the remainder of the season despite a surge of COVID-19 cases in Florida and the social justice movement that has occurred since George Floyd was killed while in police custody.
"It never crossed my mind that we did not need to play this beautiful game of basketball that brings so many people together, that brings happiness, that brings joy," James said. "I'm happy to have a platform where not only people will gain joy by the way I play the game, by the way our team plays the game, but for also for what I'm able to do off the court, as well.
"Being able to use my platform, use the NBA's platform, to continue to talk about what's going on. Because I will not stop until I see real change for us in Black America, for African Americans, for people of color. And I also believe I can do both, though."
James, 35, spoke to reporters while wearing a black, baseball-style hat with his slogan, "More Than An Athlete," stitched on the front and sporting a thick, graying beard that he grew while sheltering at home.
Saturday's first group practice for the Lakers came four months to the day that the league went on hiatus because of the coronavirus.
"It gave me an opportunity to be home and make up a lot of time that I've lost over the years because I've been playing in this league and striving to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, to ever play this game," James said. "So sacrificing my family at times was the most challenging and hardest part of it all."
What hasn't been difficult for the Lakers thus far was finding the team camaraderie that helped them to the No. 1 record in the Western Conference when the season shut down.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel said backup center Dwight Howard joined the team in Orlando. Howard and Danny Green did not practice Saturday. Green had a "glitch" in his testing protocol, and Howard needed to return another negative test having arrived in the bubble separate from the team, league sources told ESPN. The Lakers are hopeful both will join the team for practice Sunday.
Citing "privacy concerns," Vogel would not divulge how many players of the Lakers' 17-man roster are currently with the team.
"It's like we never left," James said. "We picked right up where we left off."


bonginoreport--2020-07-14--Trudeau Apologizes for Contract to Charity With Family Ties

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today he was sorry for not recusing himself from cabinet discussions about awarding WE Charity a multi-million dollar contract to administer the summer student grants program .
`` I made a mistake in not recusing myself .
I am sorry , '' Trudeau told reporters .
He said he should never have been part of the cabinet talks , given his family 's close personal ties to the charity .
The apology comes after CBC News and Canadaland reported that his mother , Margaret , and his brother , Alexandre , were paid in excess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entities for speaking engagements over the last four years .
Trudeau said he knew his mother and brother were employed as public speakers but he did n't know just how much his family members were paid by WE .
`` I deeply regret that I have brought my mother into this situation .
It 's unfair to her , and I should have been thoughtful enough to recuse myself from this situation , '' Trudeau said .
Watch | 'The mistake that we made was on me ' : Trudeau apologizes for WE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first recommended WE as the best pick for the contract , given its nationwide reach and its experience connecting students with volunteer opportunities .
Trudeau said he still should have known that his involvement in talks to award the contract would be problematic , given how closely associated his family is with the organization .
`` When it came to this organization and this program , the involvement that I had in the past , and that my family has , should have had me remove myself from these discussions and I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trudeau said .
He said he regrets that his failure to recuse himself from contract discussions has derailed a program that was set to help thousands of young people find work .
`` I 'm particularly sorry because not only has it created unnecessary controversy and issues , it also means that young people who are facing a difficult time right now , getting summer jobs , contributing to their communities , are going to have to wait a little longer before getting those opportunities to serve , and that 's frustrating , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is asked how he can convince people his apology is genuine Finance Minister Bill Morneau also apologized for not recusing himself from cabinet discussions on the WE contract .
Morneau 's daughter , Grace , works at WE in the travel department .
His other daughter , Clare , has spoken at WE Day events .
`` I did not recuse myself from the discussions on this topic and , given the fact my daughter works for the organization in an unrelated branch , I now realize I should have in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morneau said in a media statement .
He said the government 's intention was to flow money to WE to help students find jobs — and cabinet was just following the recommendations of public servants .
He said he 'd recuse himself from any future discussions about WE .
Conservative MP Michael Barrett , the party 's ethics critic , said Trudeau 's apology was an attempt to stop this story from `` spinning out of control . ''
`` We know that Justin Trudeau is only sorry when he gets caught and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about today , '' he said .
`` As the weight of this comes to bear down on him , he is sorry , but that does n't mean that the investigations wo n't continue and they certainly should . ''
Barrett said Trudeau should appear before the House of Commons finance committee to field questions from MPs , and should waive cabinet confidentiality for all documents related to the contract .
The opposition Conservatives are also calling for an emergency meeting of the Commons ethics committee to study the government 's decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a letter to the committee 's clerk , Conservative MPs Barrett , Damien Kurek and Jacques Gourde say the committee should be recalled and an order should be issued demanding that Speakers ' Spotlight — the agency that arranged for the Trudeaus to speak at WE events — produce receipts for the appearances .
The MPs say the committee also could review `` the safeguards which are in place to avoid and prevent conflicts of interest in federal government procurement , contracting , granting , contribution and other expenditure policies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dion , already has said he will review the government 's decision to award the contract to administer the $ 912-million program to WE .
The Conservatives have said the RCMP should investigate the deal for possible criminality .
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said he 's tired of hearing apologies from the prime minister on ethical scandals .
He said Trudeau has n't learned anything from incidents like the SNC-Lavalin scandal or the trip to Aga Khan 's private island .
`` There comes a time when we do not trust anymore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you believe in anymore , '' he said .
`` So perhaps there 's something else to be done and the inquiries which have been asked by the Conservatives seem to be a good idea .
( Trudeau ) should come forward and tell the whole truth . ''
WE Charity co-founders Craig and Marc Kielburger offered their own mea culpa in a statement published in a full-page ad in today 's Globe and Mail .
The brothers said the fallout from the botched partnership with the federal government has been `` extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been asked about their financial dealings with members of the Trudeau family .
`` The charity 's integrity and purpose has been called into question .
It has had direct impacts on our staff , supporters , and beneficiaries .
We have made mistakes that we sincerely regret , '' the Kielburgers said in the statement .
`` It has led us to more closely examine our own internal structures , governance and organization .
In the days to come we will have more to say on these matters and about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we wanted to set the record straight , take responsibility for our part , and refocus on the mission that started twenty-five years ago . ''
The charity also has faced a backlash from some people — notably former NHL star Theo Fleury and R & B singer Jully Black — who have agreed in the past to speak at WE events for free .
The co-founders said honorariums were provided to certain individuals `` who committed to speaking at multiple WE Day cities and many additional events while in the city , @ @ @ @ @ @

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today he was sorry for not recusing himself from cabinet discussions about awarding WE Charity a multi-million dollar contract to administer the summer student grants program.
"I made a mistake in not recusing myself. I am sorry," Trudeau told reporters.
He said he should never have been part of the cabinet talks, given his family's close personal ties to the charity.
The apology comes after CBC News and Canadaland reported that his mother, Margaret, and his brother, Alexandre, were paid in excess of $300,000 by WE and its entities for speaking engagements over the last four years.
Trudeau said he knew his mother and brother were employed as public speakers but he didn't know just how much his family members were paid by WE.
"I deeply regret that I have brought my mother into this situation. It's unfair to her, and I should have been thoughtful enough to recuse myself from this situation," Trudeau said.
Watch | 'The mistake that we made was on me': Trudeau apologizes for WE Charity furor
'The mistake that we made was on me': Trudeau apologizes for WE Charity furor Duration 2:54 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admitted Monday that he made a mistake when he took part in the government's decision to use the WE charity to run a student volunteer program.
Trudeau said the public service first recommended WE as the best pick for the contract, given its nationwide reach and its experience connecting students with volunteer opportunities.
Trudeau said he still should have known that his involvement in talks to award the contract would be problematic, given how closely associated his family is with the organization.
"When it came to this organization and this program, the involvement that I had in the past, and that my family has, should have had me remove myself from these discussions and I'm sorry that I didn't," Trudeau said.
He said he regrets that his failure to recuse himself from contract discussions has derailed a program that was set to help thousands of young people find work.
"I'm particularly sorry because not only has it created unnecessary controversy and issues, it also means that young people who are facing a difficult time right now, getting summer jobs, contributing to their communities, are going to have to wait a little longer before getting those opportunities to serve, and that's frustrating," he said.
Watch: Trudeau is asked how he can convince people his apology is genuine
Reporter asks Trudeau 'How can you convince Canadians that this is a genuine apology? Duration 2:15 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admitted Monday that he made a mistake when he took part in the government's decision to use the WE charity to run a student volunteer program.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau also apologized for not recusing himself from cabinet discussions on the WE contract.
Morneau's daughter, Grace, works at WE in the travel department. His other daughter, Clare, has spoken at WE Day events.
"I did not recuse myself from the discussions on this topic and, given the fact my daughter works for the organization in an unrelated branch, I now realize I should have in order to avoid any perception of conflict," Morneau said in a media statement.
My statement on the administration of the Canada Student Service Grant: pic.twitter.com/kPbjp8kiaU —@Bill_Morneau
He said the government's intention was to flow money to WE to help students find jobs — and cabinet was just following the recommendations of public servants.
He said he'd recuse himself from any future discussions about WE.
Conservative MP Michael Barrett, the party's ethics critic, said Trudeau's apology was an attempt to stop this story from "spinning out of control."
"We know that Justin Trudeau is only sorry when he gets caught and that's what the apology was all about today," he said.
"As the weight of this comes to bear down on him, he is sorry, but that doesn't mean that the investigations won't continue and they certainly should."
Barrett said Trudeau should appear before the House of Commons finance committee to field questions from MPs, and should waive cabinet confidentiality for all documents related to the contract.
The opposition Conservatives are also calling for an emergency meeting of the Commons ethics committee to study the government's decision to award the contract to the charity.
In a letter to the committee's clerk, Conservative MPs Barrett, Damien Kurek and Jacques Gourde say the committee should be recalled and an order should be issued demanding that Speakers' Spotlight — the agency that arranged for the Trudeaus to speak at WE events — produce receipts for the appearances.
The MPs say the committee also could review "the safeguards which are in place to avoid and prevent conflicts of interest in federal government procurement, contracting, granting, contribution and other expenditure policies."
The federal ethics commissioner, Mario Dion, already has said he will review the government's decision to award the contract to administer the $912-million program to WE. The Conservatives have said the RCMP should investigate the deal for possible criminality.
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said he's tired of hearing apologies from the prime minister on ethical scandals. He said Trudeau hasn't learned anything from incidents like the SNC-Lavalin scandal or the trip to Aga Khan's private island.
"There comes a time when we do not trust anymore and when being sorry is not something you believe in anymore," he said.
"So perhaps there's something else to be done and the inquiries which have been asked by the Conservatives seem to be a good idea. (Trudeau) should come forward and tell the whole truth."
WE Charity co-founders Craig and Marc Kielburger offered their own mea culpa in a statement published in a full-page ad in today's Globe and Mail.
The brothers said the fallout from the botched partnership with the federal government has been "extremely difficult" and they understand why questions have been asked about their financial dealings with members of the Trudeau family.
"The charity's integrity and purpose has been called into question. It has had direct impacts on our staff, supporters, and beneficiaries. We have made mistakes that we sincerely regret," the Kielburgers said in the statement.
"It has led us to more closely examine our own internal structures, governance and organization. In the days to come we will have more to say on these matters and about the organization's future. For now, we wanted to set the record straight, take responsibility for our part, and refocus on the mission that started twenty-five years ago."
The charity also has faced a backlash from some people — notably former NHL star Theo Fleury and R&B singer Jully Black — who have agreed in the past to speak at WE events for free.
The co-founders said honorariums were provided to certain individuals "who committed to speaking at multiple WE Day cities and many additional events while in the city, requiring significant time commitments."


bonginoreport--2020-07-14--Peter Navarro Says That All of TikTok’s Data “Goes Right to Servers In China”

Appearing on “ Sunday Morning Futures ” with host Maria Bartiromo this week , Trump administration trade advisor Peter Navarro discussed the ongoing examination of popular short-form video sharing app TikTok .
“ The other thing that ’ s on the table that we need to talk about is this whole TikTok , WeChat social media thing , ” Navarro stated following a discussion between himself and Bartiromo about Hong Kong .
What the American people have to understand is , all the data that goes into those mobile apps that kids have so much fun with and seem so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China , right to the Chinese military , the Chinese Communist Party , and the agencies which want to steal our intellectual property .
Those apps can be used to steal personal and financial information for blackmail and extortion .
They can be used to steal business intellectual property and proprietary secrets .
Navarro added that “ besides surveilling and tracking Americans , ” Chinese mobile apps can be used for “ information warfare ” purposes , stressing that what China wants is for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , comparing TikTok and WeChat to Chinese phone maker Huawei , which he suggested placed “ an American puppet in charge … as the CEO ” in order to claim that the entity is independent of China , and therefore not a threat to America .
“ They ’ re trying that game with TikTok , ” Navarro stated .
“ Not gon na work.
” Navarro then told Bartiromo to “ expect strong action on that.
” Bartiromo noted that the American CEO of TikTok used to work at Disney , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a communist member is the chairman.
” “ But this is what I thought was really interesting .
This week , we had a headline that says Democratic National Committee is warning against campaigns on using TikTok , ” the host added .
“ Even the Democratic National Committee is voicing concern.
” As scrutiny over TikTok has intensified , there has been a push by some to ban the app .
In March , Senators Josh Hawley ( R-MO ) and Rick Scott ( R-FL ) introduced legislation that would “ ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government devices , ” according to a statement on Hawley ’ s Senate website .
Sen. Hawley said at the time : TikTok is owned by a Chinese company that includes Chinese Communist Party members on its board , and it is required by law to share user data with Beijing .
The company even admitted it collects user data while their app is running in the background – including the messages people send , pictures they share , their keystrokes and location data , you name it .
As many of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a major security risk to the United States , and it has no place on government devices .
On Friday , Amazon reportedly sent an email to its employees , which was obtained by The New York Times , instructing them to delete TikTok from their “ mobile devices that access Amazon email ” due to “ security risks.
” However , an Amazon spokesperson later stated that the email had been “ sent in error.
” “ There is no change to our policies right now with regard to TikTok , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Says Order For Employees To Delete TikTok Was ‘ Sent In Error ’ The Daily Wire is one of America ’ s fastest-growing conservative media companies and counter-cultural outlets for news , opinion , and entertainment .
Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a member .

Appearing on “Sunday Morning Futures” with host Maria Bartiromo this week, Trump administration trade advisor Peter Navarro discussed the ongoing examination of popular short-form video sharing app TikTok.
“The other thing that’s on the table that we need to talk about is this whole TikTok, WeChat social media thing,” Navarro stated following a discussion between himself and Bartiromo about Hong Kong.
What the American people have to understand is, all the data that goes into those mobile apps that kids have so much fun with and seem so convenient, it goes right to servers in China, right to the Chinese military, the Chinese Communist Party, and the agencies which want to steal our intellectual property. Those apps can be used to steal personal and financial information for blackmail and extortion. They can be used to steal business intellectual property and proprietary secrets.
Navarro added that “besides surveilling and tracking Americans,” Chinese mobile apps can be used for “information warfare” purposes, stressing that what China wants is for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to win in November.
The trade advisor continued, comparing TikTok and WeChat to Chinese phone maker Huawei, which he suggested placed “an American puppet in charge … as the CEO” in order to claim that the entity is independent of China, and therefore not a threat to America.
“They’re trying that game with TikTok,” Navarro stated. “Not gonna work.”
Navarro then told Bartiromo to “expect strong action on that.”
Bartiromo noted that the American CEO of TikTok used to work at Disney, “but the Chinese individual who’s a communist member is the chairman.”
“But this is what I thought was really interesting. This week, we had a headline that says Democratic National Committee is warning against campaigns on using TikTok,” the host added. “Even the Democratic National Committee is voicing concern.”
As scrutiny over TikTok has intensified, there has been a push by some to ban the app.
In March, Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced legislation that would “ban all federal employees from using TikTok on government devices,” according to a statement on Hawley’s Senate website.
Sen. Hawley said at the time:
TikTok is owned by a Chinese company that includes Chinese Communist Party members on its board, and it is required by law to share user data with Beijing. The company even admitted it collects user data while their app is running in the background – including the messages people send, pictures they share, their keystrokes and location data, you name it. As many of our federal agencies have already recognized, TikTok is a major security risk to the United States, and it has no place on government devices.
On Friday, Amazon reportedly sent an email to its employees, which was obtained by The New York Times, instructing them to delete TikTok from their “mobile devices that access Amazon email” due to “security risks.” However, an Amazon spokesperson later stated that the email had been “sent in error.”
“There is no change to our policies right now with regard to TikTok,” they said.
RELATED: Amazon Says Order For Employees To Delete TikTok Was ‘Sent In Error’


bonginoreport--2020-07-14--Iran Blames Wayward Missile For Downing of Ukrainian Plane

Iran is blaming poor communication and a wayward missile battery team for the downing of a commercial Ukrainian airliner in January , saying the team `` misidentified the civilian flight as a threat '' and failed to get approval from military leadership before firing .
Iran 's Civil Aviation Organization released a report over the weekend concluding the Iranian missile battery that shot down the plane had not been appropriately reoriented after being moved from another location .
The Associated Press said that the report pointed to the individuals operating the missile equipment : `` Those manning the missile battery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they misidentified the civilian flight as a threat and opened fire twice without getting approval from ranking officials , '' according to the AP .
The outlet quoted from the report : “ If each had not arisen , the aircraft would not have been targeted.
” The destroyed Ukrainian aircraft , made by the U.S. company Boeing , had departed from an Iranian airport and was heading to Ukraine when it was shot down , killing 176 aboard .
The incident occurred on the same night that Iran retaliated against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took out Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani while he was in Iraq .

Iran is blaming poor communication and a wayward missile battery team for the downing of a commercial Ukrainian airliner in January, saying the team "misidentified the civilian flight as a threat" and failed to get approval from military leadership before firing.
Iran's Civil Aviation Organization released a report over the weekend concluding the Iranian missile battery that shot down the plane had not been appropriately reoriented after being moved from another location.
The Associated Press said that the report pointed to the individuals operating the missile equipment: "Those manning the missile battery could not communicate with their command center, they misidentified the civilian flight as a threat and opened fire twice without getting approval from ranking officials," according to the AP.
The outlet quoted from the report: “If each had not arisen, the aircraft would not have been targeted.”
The destroyed Ukrainian aircraft, made by the U.S. company Boeing, had departed from an Iranian airport and was heading to Ukraine when it was shot down, killing 176 aboard.
The incident occurred on the same night that Iran retaliated against the U.S. for the Jan. 3 attack that took out Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani while he was in Iraq.


bonginoreport--2020-07-14--Ted Cruz Mocks Chinese Sanctions Against Him and Other Republicans

Sen. Ted Cruz mocked sanctions placed on him and a handful of other Republicans by China following their criticisms of the country 's government .
Chinese officials announced sanctions against Sens .
Marco Rubio and Cruz , Rep. Chris Smith , and Sam Brownback , ambassador at large for international religious freedom , the Associated Press reported .
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying called similar measures taken by the United States against Chinese officials a move that had “ seriously damaged China-U.S .
relations . ''
The U.S. sanctions banned several high-ranking Chinese officials from entering the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the development of the situation , ” Hua said .
`` Bummer , '' Cruz responded .
`` I was going to take my family to Beijing for summer vacation , right after visiting Tehran . ''
Cruz has been one of the most vocal critics of China in recent years , blaming the country for the coronavirus pandemic and accusing the country of human rights abuses .
“ It ’ s really an unfortunate dynamic how China uses its vast resources to promote censorship , and all of our allies are facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cruz said in October , referring to recent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong .
Earlier this year , Cruz said China was engaged in economic warfare with the U.S. and taking advantage of the pandemic .
“ The Chinese government has explicitly threatened … cutting off life-saving medicines to America as a tool of economic warfare , ” he said .
The senator from Texas has also addressed legislation that would `` counter Chinese propaganda . ''
`` I 'm introducing these three bills to thwart China 's attempts to force Americans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to silence Chinese doctors , journalists , and activists who try to tell the truth about diseases and pathogens , '' Cruz said during a floor speech in May .
`` These bills are part of a larger endeavor to untangle the United States from China 's web and to hold the Chinese government accountable for hiding the truth about coronavirus from the world and sparking a deadly and devastating pandemic . ''

Sen. Ted Cruz mocked sanctions placed on him and a handful of other Republicans by China following their criticisms of the country's government.
Chinese officials announced sanctions against Sens. Marco Rubio and Cruz, Rep. Chris Smith, and Sam Brownback, ambassador at large for international religious freedom, the Associated Press reported.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying called similar measures taken by the United States against Chinese officials a move that had “seriously damaged China-U.S. relations." The U.S. sanctions banned several high-ranking Chinese officials from entering the country.
“China will respond further according to the development of the situation,” Hua said.
"Bummer," Cruz responded. "I was going to take my family to Beijing for summer vacation, right after visiting Tehran."
Bummer. I was going to take my family to Beijing for summer vacation, right after visiting Tehran. https://t.co/PXE7jZaZt1 — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 13, 2020
Cruz has been one of the most vocal critics of China in recent years, blaming the country for the coronavirus pandemic and accusing the country of human rights abuses.
“It’s really an unfortunate dynamic how China uses its vast resources to promote censorship, and all of our allies are facing this increased aggressiveness of China,” Cruz said in October, referring to recent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
Earlier this year, Cruz said China was engaged in economic warfare with the U.S. and taking advantage of the pandemic.
“The Chinese government has explicitly threatened … cutting off life-saving medicines to America as a tool of economic warfare,” he said.
The senator from Texas has also addressed legislation that would "counter Chinese propaganda."
"I'm introducing these three bills to thwart China's attempts to force Americans to self-censor, to spread propaganda, and to silence Chinese doctors, journalists, and activists who try to tell the truth about diseases and pathogens," Cruz said during a floor speech in May. "These bills are part of a larger endeavor to untangle the United States from China's web and to hold the Chinese government accountable for hiding the truth about coronavirus from the world and sparking a deadly and devastating pandemic."