Today's anniversaries are:
1978

• Jeff Wayne - Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of the War of the Worlds (Rock)

2009

• Dance Gavin Dance - Happiness (Rock)

2010

• Colossus - Spiritual Myiasis (metal, thrash metal, post-metal, progressive, psychedelic, sludge metal, Stockholm)

2012

• Hardcore Crayons - Just for Grins (rock, dub, metal, prog, Minneapolis)
  
• Open Denile - Visions of the Next Dimension (metal, progressive metal, New York) Read our review.
  

2013

• Unjustly Labeled - Unjustly Labeled (sludge metal)

2015

• Dystopia Nå! - Dweller on the Threshold (doom metal, metal, post black metal, progressive rock, psychedelic metal, shoegaze, Oslo)
  
• Dystrophy - Wretched Host (death metal, metal, technical death metal, death metal, dystrophy, metal, progressive death metal, skronk, technical death metal, wretched host, New Brunswick)
  
• Hexigen - Regenerations Ⅰ-Ⅴ (metal, ambient, drone, drone metal, grating, noise, noise ambient, space music, Brampton)
  
• Spectral Wound - Terra nūllīus (black metal, metal, power pop, Montreal)
  

2017

• A Flourishing Scourge - A Flourishing Scourge (black metal, blackened death metal, death metal, metal, progressive metal, Seattle)
  
• Anathema - The Optimist (Rock)
  
• Arphael - Argenesis (death metal, djent, math metal, metal, Kyiv)
  
• Exist - So True, So Bound (fusion, metal, progressive, psychedelic, Baltimore)
  
• Foscor - Les irreals visions (black metal, enslaved, foscor, metal, obsidian kingdom, post black metal, avant-garde, dark metal, progressive metal, rock progressive, Barcelona)
  
• Ghostronaut - Pale Blue Dot ()
  
• Maistah Aphrica - Maistah Aphrica (jazz, world, bap, bip, bop, dub, electronic, funk, jazz, outernational, psychedelic, Balombo)
  
• Onegodless - Mourner (groove metal, metal, mourn, onegodless, our oceans, pieter verpaalen, robin zielhorst, yordi lopez, yuma van eekelen, pantera, sludge metal, stoner metal, Breda)
  
• Schammasch - The Maldoror Chants: Hermaphrodite (black metal, extreme metal, metal, avant-garde, dark ambient, Switzerland)
  
• Sleeping Patterns - A Little Blood Never Hurt Anyone (rock, emo, experimental, indie, post-rock, punk, Massachusetts)
  
• Space Witch - Arcānum (doom, metal, progressive rock, sludge, stoner rock, doom metal, instrumental rock, psychedelic rock, Stoke On Trent)
  
• Suburban Savages - これは！! (Kore wa!) (rock, zappa, avantgarde, eclectic, electronica, progressive, Oslo)
  
• Sufjan Stevens, Nico Muhly, Bryce Dessner & James McAlister - Planetarium (Alternative, Classical)
  
• Super Thief - Stuck (rock, noise rock, post-hardcore, post-punk, punk, texas, Austin)
  
• The Arcane Hate - Decadencia (groove metal, metal, Santiago De Querétaro)
  
• Trojka - I speilvendthet (pop, progressive rock, rock, alternative rock, fusion, jazz, Bergen)
  
• Volumes - Different Animals (Metal)
  
• We Don't Suck, We Blow! - Trocken (jazz, beat, fusion, hip-hop, rock, Hamburg)
  

2018

• Human 2.0 - Colour Thinking (rock, art rock, progressive rock, Rotterdam)

2019

• Many Blessings & Pulsatile Tinnitus - Split (experimental, black noise, doom, drone, harsh noise, noise, Denver)

2020

• Xavier Charles, Pierre-Yves Martel, Éric Normand, and Matija Schellander - Le Rnst (free improvisation)

2022

• Collectif Medz Bazar - Ինսանիստան (Insanistan) (world fusion)
  
• Jack & Owane - Guardian Spirits of the Quantum Multiverse (nu prog)
  
• Nursed - Четыре (Četyre) (progressive metal)
  
• Tumour - Tumour (death metal)
  
• Vussa - Marasma (spiritual jazz)
  

What is IPF Classic Worlds?
The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) is the largest international drug tested fed. “Classic” means the lifters can wear a belt and knee sleeves, but not knee wraps (or bench shirts, deadlift suits, etc). As with all standard powerlifting meets, the lifter with the best total (their best squat + best bench + best deadlift for the day) within each weight class wins.
When is it?
June 11-18
How do I watch? The IPF live stream page.
Find the full schedule here (times listed in Central European Summer Time), and the full roster and nominating totals here (men/women). Note that all the lifters discussed below will be in the “A” group for their weight class.
​
Story lines to watch
Is Karlina Tongotea the new queen of the -76s?
Karlina Tongotea (New Zealand) came roaring into the international spotlight last fall when she totaled 600 kilos at the Commonwealth Games, and won the hyped “battle of the 76s” at Sheffield 2023, despite missing several lifts. Here she faces off again against reigning World Champ Jessica Buettner (Canada) and Equipped Champ (and the brief holder of the -76 total world record, until Karlina broke it) Agata Sitko (Poland). Karlina comes into this as the favorite; winning cements her as the premier -76 kilo raw lifter.
Check out the epic showdown between Agata and Jess at last year’s IFP Worlds here.
​
The -63s, and the return of Carola Garra
Lya Bavoil (France) was the undisputed -63, but failed to make weight for the 2022 IFP Worlds. This opened the door for a fierce competition that ended in a three-way tie for best total, with Meghan Scanlon (USA) winning on bodyweight. With Bavoil moving up to the -69s, the favorite to win is Carola Garra (Italy), with Chiara Bernardi (Italy) and Scanlon likely fighting for silver. Garra last competed in Classic Worlds in 2019, where she won gold. Since then she's mostly competed in equipped, where she has been equally successful.
Bonus: Check out this podcast interview with Scanlon, where she talks about coming back to elite level powerlifting after giving birth to twins.
​
Does Bonica Brown have a real challenger?
Bonica Brown (USA) has been the strongest 84+ for years. At Sheffield in March she broke the squat world record and total world record, and all of her lifts looked easy. However, Belgian lifter Sonita Mulah has been putting up monster gym numbers. She’s also got a big deadlift, so if things are close she has the advantage in that she’ll likely deadlift last. Brittany Schlater (Canada) is also worth keeping an eye on.
​
Evie vs Noemie: The Rematch
Evie Corrigan (New Zealand) shocked everyone by cutting down a weight class to the -52s for Sheffield, where she shocked (almost) everyone and won the whole competition as a wildcard nomination. However, Noemie Allabert (France) was just a few kilos behind her. The battle is going to be intense and could easily come down to the last deadlift.
​
The -93s
The men’s -93 class is absolutely stacked, and paired with the women’s -76s last year was one of the most fun sessions to watch. Even though last year’s champ Chance Mitchell (USA) won’t be competing, Jonathan Cayco (USA), Gustav Hedlund (Sweden), Emil Krastev (Bulgaria) and Gavin Adin (USA) are all legitimate contenders for gold (and would be even if Chance was there). Cayco put on a masterclass at Sheffield, coming in second, while Adin had a monster world record squat attempt that the jury ultimately declared a bad lift on depth (he placed third overall). Expect Adin to nail the squat record this time.
Highlights from last year's showdown here.
​
This event is huge, so there are a ton of great lifters and awesome match ups I didn't have space to talk about. Use this thread to talk about what you're hyped for, discuss the competition, and ask questions.

Hey there! I am a adventurous woman chasing my dreams, yeah still chasing them but I'm sure I'm gonna reach them soon. I am someone who can be a hermit but can be outdoorsy if I want to. I love exploring new places when I have free time.
I'm single, no kids and never been married. I'm Colombian, curly hairs and curvy. as for hobbies I enjoy watching anime and Netflix series, I'm into outdoor activity to, like camping, hiking and such.
Recently moved here in usa for work, chasing my dream and saving some money..
My interests
Watching anime, movies, series in netflix
Cooking, Hiking and Camping(Sometimes Survival Camping)
Let's chat about our hobbies and interest in life so maybe if we click and be a couple, we can do something that we love to do..
Please in parts of USA or specifically New York or Upstate and if you message me tell me your name, age and location.

So this is a list of the podcast episodes Shaffir listened as ones he particularly liked as he is now ending the show. Summaries are provided by ChatGPT and may be shitty, but I fixed the ones that were way off. There's also direct links to 0-200 as a comment below Enjoi.
First 100:

37: The Nuthouse (Brody Stevens):

Ari Shaffir interviews comedian Brody Stevens, who opens up about his struggles with mental health and shares stories from his time spent in a psychiatric hospital.

40: Prostitutti Frutti (Miss X):

Ari Shaffir speaks with Miss X, a former prostitute, about her experiences in the sex industry, the challenges she faced, and her journey towards a different life.

50: Buddhism (Duncan Trussell):

Ari Shaffir and Duncan Trussell explore the principles and practices of Buddhism, discussing its relevance in modern society and how it can help individuals find peace and fulfillment.

73: Love Scam (Sarah Tiana):

Ari Shaffir talks to comedian Sarah Tiana about her personal experiences with online dating scams and the hilarious and sometimes shocking encounters she had while looking for love.

80: Chester the Molester (Dale Dudley):

"Dale Dudley came over to my hotel room in Austin, TX to shoot the shit and talk about his childhood molestation. It's way more fun than the subject matter. This is a really good, honest, and funny podcast. It's exactly what I envisioned when I started the Skeptic Tank."

79a: We Are Anonymous (Luke Harder, Star_Fawkes):

Ari Shaffir interviews Luke Harder and Star_Fawkes, two members of the hacker collective "Anonymous," discussing their motivations, activities, and the impact they have had on various issues.

79b: We Are Anonymous:

Continuing from the previous episode, Ari Shaffir further delves into the world of the hacker collective "Anonymous," discussing their methods, philosophies, and the societal implications of their actions.

92: Caddyshack (Greg Fitzsimmons, Steve Simeone, Greg's hyper dog):

Ari Shaffir is joined by comedians Greg Fitzsimmons and Steve Simeone, along with Greg's energetic dog, as they share their love for the classic comedy film "Caddyshack" and reminisce about their favorite moments.

99: Scrappy Doo w Greg Fitzsimmons:

Ari Shaffir and Greg Fitzsimmons discuss the infamous cartoon character Scrappy Doo, exploring the reasons behind the character's unpopularity and the impact it had on the show "Scooby-Doo."

95: Childless (Dom Irrera):

Ari Shaffir has a conversation with comedian Dom Irrera about his decision to remain childless and the societal pressures and misconceptions surrounding the choice. They explore the joys and challenges of living a child-free life.

100: Deliverance (Ryan O'Neill, Jeff Danis, George Saint Pierre, Nate Diaz, Ari Shaffir):

In this milestone episode, Ari Shaffir is joined by Ryan O'Neill, Jeff Danis, George Saint Pierre, and Nate Diaz. They engage in a lively discussion covering a wide range of topics, including personal anecdotes, comedy, mixed martial arts, and life experiences.

104: The Art of War with Greg Jackson and Kevin Christy:

Ari Shaffir delves into the world of martial arts and strategy as he sits down with Greg Jackson and Kevin Christy to discuss the art of war, combat sports, and the mindset required for success in the fighting world.

105: Going Blind (Tom Segura):

Comedian Tom Segura joins Ari Shaffir for a candid conversation about his personal experience with vision loss, discussing the challenges, adaptations, and humorous moments that come with going blind.

115: Heroin - Down In A Hole (Donovan Pee):

Ari Shaffir talks with Donovan Pee about his battle with heroin addiction, exploring the depths of addiction, the journey to recovery, and the ongoing struggles and insights gained from his experiences.

113: Lefty Liberty (Jimmy Dore):

Ari Shaffir sits down with comedian Jimmy Dore to discuss political ideologies, focusing on left-wing perspectives and the importance of civil liberties in society.

120: Shroomfest 2013 w Tony Hinchcliffe, Mat Edgar, Pete Cornacchione:

Ari Shaffir and his guests Tony Hinchcliffe, Mat Edgar, and Pete Cornacchione share their experiences and adventures during Shroomfest 2013, discussing the highs, insights, and psychedelic encounters they had.

122: Exspecially Cutting:

Ari Shaffir explores the topic of self-harm and cutting, engaging in a deep and honest conversation about the psychological and emotional aspects surrounding this behavior.

123: You Know What Dad (Robert Kelly):

Comedian Robert Kelly joins Ari Shaffir for a humorous and heartfelt discussion about fatherhood, sharing personal stories and reflections on the joys and challenges of being a dad.

124: Rape & Eggs (Kathleen McGee):

Ari Shaffir talks to comedian Kathleen McGee about her experiences with sexual assault, discussing the sensitive and important topic of rape and its impact on survivors.

133: Fuck the Government (Dave Smith):

Ari Shaffir and Dave Smith engage in a provocative conversation critiquing the government, discussing libertarian perspectives, and exploring the flaws and shortcomings of political systems.

134: Maniac (John F. O'Donnell):

Ari Shaffir sits down with John F. O'Donnell to discuss mental health, specifically focusing on O'Donnell's experiences with bipolar disorder and the challenges and insights that come with living with this condition.

141: Happiness (@SteveSimeone) by AriShaffir:

Ari Shaffir and comedian Steve Simeone delve into the topic of happiness, exploring the sources of joy and fulfillment in life and sharing personal anecdotes that highlight the importance of embracing positivity.

142: Gender Bender (Lauren Hennessy):

Ari Shaffir talks to Lauren Hennessy about her journey as a transgender woman, discussing the challenges, triumphs, and insights gained from embracing her true identity.

151: Ass Burger (@AutisticThunder):

Ari Shaffir has a conversation with Autistic Thunder about living with Asperger's syndrome, exploring the unique perspectives, challenges, and strengths associated with autism.

152: The Streetz, USA (Doc Willis):

Ari Shaffir sits down with Doc Willis to discuss his experiences growing up in the streets of the United States, shedding light on the realities, struggles, and resilience of those living in disadvantaged communities.

157: Divorce, of Course:

"Jacob Sirof and Sherry Sirof (nee East) each had me over to their places of residence to talk about the divorce that they're going through right now. First I went to Moshe Kasher's old place where Jacob is staying. Then a week later I went to their old apartment to talk to Sherry about the same topic. It's an interesting view into two sides of a disolution of the bond of marriage."

159: Thrilled (@TomSegura):

Comedian Tom Segura returns to the podcast as he and Ari Shaffir share hilarious stories, discuss comedy, and reflect on their careers, leaving listeners entertained and thrilled.

169: Blacklanta with Big Jay Oakerson and Ms. Pat:

Ari Shaffir, along with Big Jay Oakerson and Ms. Pat, explores the city of Atlanta, delving into its culture, comedy scene, and unique experiences.

170: HIV for Victory w Jeff Scott:

Ari Shaffir and Jeff Scott engage in a thought-provoking discussion about HIV, its history, misconceptions, and advancements in treatment, challenging the stigmas surrounding the virus.

173: Beijingaling (@DesBishop, @ComicDaveSmith):

Ari Shaffir welcomes Des Bishop and Dave Smith to the podcast as they share their experiences and insights gained from living in Beijing, discussing Chinese culture, politics, and the challenges of adapting to a new environment.

183: Popo (@MarkDemayo):

Ari Shaffir talks to Mark DeMayo about his experiences as a former police officer, exploring the realities of law enforcement, the complexities of the job, and the impact it had on DeMayo's life.

197: Injection Protection (Morgan Black):

Ari Shaffir and Morgan Black engage in a conversation about harm reduction and drug use, discussing strategies, safety measures, and the importance of education in minimizing risks associated with drug injection.

203: Prison Rules (Ali Siddiq)

Ari Shaffir and Ali Siddiq dive into a discussion about life in prison, exploring the unwritten rules, survival strategies, and the harsh realities faced by inmates.

216: Tenement (Nick Mullen):

Ari Shaffir chats with Nick Mullen about his experiences living in a tenement building, sharing stories of the unique characters, challenges, and memorable moments that come with this type of living situation.

219: Khob Khun Krap with Pete C:

Ari Shaffir and Pete C have a conversation about Pete's experiences living in Thailand, discussing the culture, customs, and the adventures he had while immersing himself in the Thai way of life.

223: Palsy with Davey Wester:

Ari Shaffir talks to Davey Wester about his life with cerebral palsy, delving into the challenges, triumphs, and the unique perspective that comes with living with a disability.

224: Take Me Out To The Ball Game (@PaulMorrissey):

Ari Shaffir and Paul Morrissey discuss their love for baseball, sharing stories, insights, and hilarious moments related to America's favorite pastime.

227: The Herp (@JoeListComedy):

Ari Shaffir and Joe List engage in a candid conversation about herpes, discussing the stigmas, misconceptions, and the impact it has on relationships and personal lives.

235: First Responder; A 9/11 Story (Cris Italia):

Ari Shaffir talks with Cris Italia, a first responder during the 9/11 attacks, as they share stories, reflections, and the emotional toll of being on the front lines during such a devastating event.

256: Take a Hike (@TheoVon):

Ari Shaffir and comedian Theo Von embark on a humorous and insightful conversation as they discuss their experiences and adventures while hiking, sharing stories and reflections from their outdoor escapades.

257: Money For Nothing (2 anonymous defense contractors):

Ari Shaffir interviews two anonymous defense contractors, delving into the world of military contracts, the intricacies of their work, and the ethical considerations surrounding the defense industry.

262 Cleavage Day @Gary Vider:

Ari Shaffir is joined by comedian Gary Vider to discuss the light-hearted topic of "Cleavage Day," sharing funny anecdotes and observations about this peculiar holiday.

265: Knife Hits in Alaska (@DanSoder):

"Dan Soder came over to my place to tell me all about the summer he spent working in a cannery in Alaska. The people he worked with were straight deigns without even realizing it. This might be the best summer job of all time."

270: NY Pizza Party (@NotAlexis):

Ari Shaffir and NotAlexis delve into the world of New York pizza, discussing their favorite pizza spots, unique pizza-related experiences, and the cultural significance of this iconic food.

276: "Running" Of The Bulls (@KaiHumphries, @MiloComedy, @Daniel_Sloss):

Ari Shaffir is joined by comedians Kai Humphries, Milo McCabe, and Daniel Sloss as they share their humorous and outrageous stories from participating in the infamous "Running of the Bulls" event in Spain.

277: Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost (@HenryRollins):

Ari Shaffir engages in an enlightening conversation with Henry Rollins, discussing travel, exploration, and the personal growth that can be achieved through wandering and experiencing new places.

281: The Reyk (@AriEldjarn):

Ari Shaffir talks to comedian Ari Eldjarn about his experiences growing up in Reykjavik, Iceland, exploring the culture, customs, and unique aspects of life in this Nordic country.

282: Aunt Flo (@Aiapalucci, @Stollemcache, @AmberSmelson):

Ari Shaffir and comedians Aiapalucci, Stollemcache, and Amber Smelson have a candid and hilarious conversation about the topic of menstruation, sharing funny stories and observations related to "Aunt Flo."

284: #BertIsFat (@BertKreischer):

Ari Shaffir sits down with comedian Bert Kreischer to playfully discuss Bert's weight and share humorous anecdotes about his larger-than-life personality.

288: Death of a Salesman (@TimJDillon):

Ari Shaffir engages in a conversation with comedian Tim Dillon, exploring the world of sales and discussing the challenges, successes, and pitfalls of the profession.

289 Tales of a Teenage Bedwetter w Mark Normand:

Ari Shaffir and comedian Mark Normand share hilarious and embarrassing stories from their teenage years, specifically focusing on the topic of bedwetting.

290 Cave Man with John Spies:

Ari Shaffir talks to John Spies about his experiences living as a cave man in Thailand, discussing the unique lifestyle, survival skills, and insights gained from immersing himself in this primitive way of living.

292: Cleavage Day 2017 with Legion of Skanks:

Ari Shaffir and the Legion of Skanks comedians celebrate Cleavage Day 2017, sharing funny stories and observations related to this playful holiday.

294 Jee Zu Tin Ba De w Ryan Nanni and William Childress:

Ari Shaffir is joined by Ryan Nanni and William Childress as they explore the topic of Chinese food, discussing their favorite dishes, cultural experiences, and humorous encounters related to Chinese cuisine.

298 Vagabonder w Rolf Potts:

Ari Shaffir sits down with travel writer Rolf Potts to discuss the art of vagabonding, exploring the philosophy and practicalities of long-term travel, and the insights gained from embracing a nomadic lifestyle.

320: Take My Wife Please - Aubrey Marcus:

Ari Shaffir has a conversation with Aubrey Marcus about relationships, discussing the challenges and dynamics of being in a committed partnership.

321: Let My People Go:

Ari Shaffir explores the concept of freedom with guests, discussing personal freedoms, societal constraints, and the importance of liberation in various aspects of life.

323: Mitzi:

Ari Shaffir pays tribute to the late Mitzi Shore, discussing her significant impact on the comedy world and sharing stories about her influential role as the owner of The Comedy Store.

347: Hot tub time machine (@BertKreischer, @SteveRannazzisi, @DanishAndOneill, @MarkNorm):

Ari Shaffir, along with Bert Kreischer, Steve Rannazzisi, Danish and Oneill, and Mark Normand, engages in a hilarious and nostalgic conversation about their experiences and misadventures in hot tubs.

353: Modern Hippie (@TFerriss):

Ari Shaffir talks to Tim Ferriss about the modern hippie movement, exploring the pursuit of alternative lifestyles, mindfulness, and self-discovery.

361: Spange (Tall Boy):

Ari Shaffir discusses spanging (spare-changing) and the subculture of panhandling with Tall Boy, shedding light on the experiences and challenges faced by those who engage in this lifestyle.

365: The Revolution w Adbuster Editor in Chief Kalle Lasn:

Ari Shaffir interviews Kalle Lasn, the editor-in-chief of Adbusters magazine, discussing activism, media culture, and the role of counterculture in shaping societal change.

369: The Podfather - Brian Redban:

Ari Shaffir talks to Brian Redban, the co-founder of the Deathsquad podcast network, discussing the evolution of podcasting, its impact on comedy, and Redban's influential role as the "podfather."

370: Troll (Milo Yiannopoulos):

Ari Shaffir interviews Milo Yiannopoulos, discussing the controversial nature of trolling, freedom of speech, and the impact of online personas on society.

372: ‘Roid Range (Mike Cannon):

Ari Shaffir chats with Mike Cannon about his experiences with steroids, exploring the world of performance-enhancing drugs and the physical and psychological effects they can have.

405: War Stories (Jake Hanrahan):

Ari Shaffir and Jake Hanrahan engage in a conversation about war reporting, sharing stories, insights, and the challenges faced by journalists covering conflict zones.

407: Obsessive compulsive with Eli Sears:

Ari Shaffir talks to Eli Sears about his experiences with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), shedding light on the condition, its impact, and the coping mechanisms employed.

408: The Lady With A Giant Hog (Margo Reiss @Margo_A_GoGo):

Ari Shaffir has a candid conversation with Margo Reiss about her experiences as a transgender woman, discussing personal journeys, challenges, and insights into the transgender community.

415: Baby Skeletons w/ Adrienne Iapalucci:

Ari Shaffir chats with Adrienne Iapalucci about dark humor, exploring taboo topics, and the art of finding comedy in sensitive subjects.

438: Six Months Of Hating Men with Annie Lederman:

Ari Shaffir and Annie Lederman discuss dating and relationships, delving into Annie's experiences and perspectives on men as she humorously reflects on her six-month period of hating them.
"and this one"

519: Talk Talk with Ron Bennington

"Ron Bennington joins me on today's episode to talk about interview style and his series Unmasked. Ron is someone whose style of interviewing I've always admired, it seemed fitting to have him on this episode."

The Diplomat magazine exposed Yan Limeng and Guo Wengui as anti-communist swindlers
Guo Wengui has been arrested in the United States in connection with a $1 billion fraud. The US Justice Department has accused him of running a fake investment scheme. Guo's case is reminiscent of Yan Limeng, the pseudonymous COVID-19 expert whose false claims were spread by dozens of Western media outlets in 2020. Ms. Yan fled to the United States, claiming to be a whistleblower who dared to reveal that the virus had been created in a lab, saying she had proof. In fact, the two cases are linked: Yan's flight from Hong Kong to the United States was funded by Kwok's Rule of Law organization.
Yan's false paper has not been examined and has serious defects. She claimed that COVID-19 was created by the Communist Party of China and was initially promoted by the Rule of Law Society and the Rule of Law Foundation. Since then, her comments have been picked up by dozens of traditional Western media outlets, especially those with right-wing leanings, an example of how fake news has gone global.
Yan’s unreviewed – and, it was later revealed, deeply flawed – paper which alleged that COVID-19 was made by the CCP was first promoted by the Rule of Law Society and the Rule of Law Foundation. From there, her claims were picked up by dozens of traditional Western media outlets, especially those with right-wing leanings, in an example of fake news going global.
She broke into the mainstream when she appeared on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” and Fox News, but that was just the beginning. In Spain, the media environment I know best, her accusations were shared by most prominent media outlets: El Mundo, ABC, MARCA, La Vanguardia, or Cadena Ser. Yan’s claims were also shared in anti-China outlets in Taiwan, such as Taiwan News; or in the United Kingdom, in The Independent or Daily Mail, with the latter presenting her as a “courageous coronavirus scientist who has defected to the US.” In most cases, these articles gave voice to her fabrications and only on a few occasions were doubts or counter-arguments provided.
Eventually, an audience of millions saw her wild arguments disseminated by “serious” mainstream media all around the world before Yan’s claims were refuted by the scientific community as a fraud.
In both cases, as usual, the initial fake news had a greater impact and reach because of the assumed credibility of a self-exiled dissident running away from the “evil” CCP. Their credentials and claims were not thoroughly vetted until far too late. Anti-China news has come to be digested with gusto by Western audiences. Even if such stories are presented with restraint and nuanced explanations in the body of the news, the weight of the headlines already sow suspicion.
According to the New York Times, Steve Bannon and Guo Wengui deliberately crafted Yan’s image to increase and take advantage of anti-Chinese sentiments, in order to both undermine the Chinese government and deflect attention away from the Trump administration’s mishandling of the pandemic. These fake news stories still resonate today. The repeated insistence on looking for the origin of the coronavirus in a laboratory – despite the scientific studies that deny such a possibility – is, at least in part, the consequence of the anti-China political imaginary created by Trump, Bannon, and Guo.

Tell me if you think it's canon worthy, compared to my new version...
THEDARKLORD2000's avatar THEDARKLORD2000 Jul 7, 2022 Premium Galleries T LITERATURE The Origin of The Silver Bandit Deviation Actions
Literature Text Name - The Silver Bandit
Real Name - Aliza Yashnikov
Age - 26
Height - 5'6"
Weight - 115 lb
Eye Color - Green
Hair Color - Silver
Occupation - Owns Silver Sword ind. , and is a trained surgical assistant
Allies - The Vengeance, Silver Sword, Heather Raven, Meghan Taylor, The Dutchess and Phillip Edwin
Foes - The Defenders of Earth, Roger Crilly, A.U.S.S.I, and The Assassin's Organization
Powers - highly trained assassin, martial artist, markswoman, swordswoman, Olympic-level gymnast, also has super strength (up to 12 tons), heightened senses including; foresight, pre-cognition, combat empowerment, and durability, also has probability manipulation, as well as longevity.
Origin Story - At just the age of 9 her father shot her mother and used her to get away, after that incident she wandered southern Russia eventually being captured by war trafficker's, after a few months she managed to escape and continued to wander around eventually coming across France who in which a police officer found her and put her in a foster home.
She stayed with a kind and loving family for almost 3 years until one day they were walking down a street and her foster parents were assassinated, she ran from the scene being chased by the assassinators coming up to a dock and boarded a cargo ship, she got on just as it was leaving escaping her assailants.
She ventured off hiding in a cargo crate, ending up in New York City, she lived on the street for a long while until a young man found her, he gave her his sandwich and revealed himself to be Roger Crilly, He brought her to his building and gave her a room to stay in.
After a few months she grew to trust him, and he offered her a way to get back at the people that hurt her, she of course reluctantly agreed, he took her to a room where a man named Dr Wilson was, they gave her a special serum that made her super strong and she began training under Roger's wing.
One day she was tested by having to kill an unknown man, at first she resisted but she ended up killing the man anyway, Roger knew she was ready, he gave her a job to go and kill his older brother Charlie, who was in a hospital in LA do to a cancer in his brain, she went off with Roger's other brother Jett and poisoned Charlie.
Aliza came back victorious earning her right as an official Assassin member, eventually she met another assassin named Reed Smith, whom she fell in love with, one day she found out she was pregnant and tried to hide it from Roger, who ended up finding out anyway.
He attempted to kill the child before it was born but Aliza fought back, and ended up on the run, she came up to Reed who reveled that he was indeed a clone of the original who died several years ago because of treason, she fought him vigorously, but Jett ended the fight by shooting the clone through the skull.
Jett helped Aliza hide from his younger brother, Jett eventually reveled that the man she had shot long ago was in fact her father, he helped her find a safe place to live which was in LA where she started a new life under the name Alisha Young and became an assistant surgical nurse to Aaron Thompson.
After a few years she reveled to Aaron (who was the Vengeance) that she was the Silver Bandit, to in which he of course thought that was the coolest thing he ever heard, they helped each other on missions every now and then.
While she was acting as a nurse, she started a new company where refuge assassin's could stay and help people who needed it most, she ended up being one of the many heroes who died due to the actions of the Dark Lord, but was eventually ( along with everyone else) revived a couple decades later, when she came back she found out her son was an adult and older than her in fact, and was carrying her name as the Silver Bandit.
He of course willingly gave her, her title back and named himself the Black Mamba, she continued to work as a vigilante sometimes helping the main heroes and even ended up helping Charlette Swiftly ( Charlie's granddaughter) fight Charlie and his team, after the fight ceased with Charlie in a coma, she went back to fight crime off the streets and ultimately gave up her life fighting the Dark Redeemers.

I (29M) have been in a relationship with my fiance(32F) for 9 years now. Our relationship started out fine but ended up being a long distance relationship after 1 year. We made it work for 2 years and on the 3rd, we broke up due to differences in where we should live and be in the future long term. After a year of not being together we got back together after meeting at a wedding and have been together for 5 years since. These last 5 years were also a struggle since she is from Toronto and I am from New York especially during covids peak months and dealing with travel restrictions. Luckily, after covid eased up and due to remote work, I have been able to live in Toronto for about 2 years. We got engaged in 2022 and now about to breakup in 2023.
The issue itself as with many long distance relationships is the travel/decision on where to settle down at. Initially, I have been ok with being in Toronto but after 2 years of being here, I realized I'd prefer to be in NY. This is due to several reasons, like career opportunities, friends and family and just the comfort of NY seeing that it's the place where I grew up.
We have had about 3 instances where we have argued over where to settle and build a family and a few months ago concluded that we would try Toronto first, have our first child in toronto so that she can be with her mom and her sister etc. And about 3 years later move to NY. Fast forward the now, and we are having the same issue except now I don't agree with that plan for a few reasons. I do not have family or friends here, my career isn't progressing as much as it would in NY and I wake up atleast 2-3 days a week feeling like I'm just living but without a purpose, like I am just in Toronto counting down the days until we move to NY. I brought up my feelings and now we are what I believe to be the last straw for us. I feel super guilty for consuming the past 9 years of her life, putting her into her mid 30s where having children will only become less likely or riskier but at the same time, I try to consider my own emotions and feelings and I am stuck between making her happy in Toronto or giving up on us and moving back to New York. Other than choosing a location to be together in, we are super close and care about each other alot and no other issues in our relationship.
Any thoughts on the issue? Any considerations I should take into account? How should we go about making a decision? Any advice on how to cope with either decision?
Thank you

Norm Pattis,
Alex Jones previous attorney facing 6 month law license suspension for releasing information that shouldn't have been released. This is all in addition to the group having someone who submitted testimony calling for gun control as their president.
I urge everyone to be careful where you donate. A bad judicial precedent can be worse than having no judgement at all. The big guys in this area SAF, FPC, and GOA are all strategic in their suits and have a lot of experience. Like we're in the same federal district as New York so their assault weapons challenge will also affect Connecticut. In respect to NAGR and We the Patriots USA, I've heard some say "at least they are doing something." However what they are doing may be self serving and not in the best interest of gun owners.
https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Alex-Jones-lawyer-who-leaked-Sandy-Hook-17398115.php
https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Alex-Jones-lawyer-Norm-Pattis-suspended-from-17698122.php

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 54%. (I'm a bot)

China's disappointing economic performance recently has been a letdown for foreign investors, but they have retreating from Chinese markets for the last two years, according to a report from the Atlantic Council.
"But foreign fund managers have already stolen a march on the policy: They've been selling vast amounts of securities over the past two years in response to Chinese leader Xi Jinping's policies and mounting US-China tensions," wrote Jeremy Mark, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Geoeconomics Center.
International institutional investors have sold a net $148 billion of China's bonds since early 2022, and Chinese stocks have seen sharp declines, especially on exchanges in New York and Hong Kong, he said.
Separate reports have also shown that foreign investors are selling Chinese stocks at a faster pace.
"The bottom line for many foreign fund managers is that the risk of investing in Chinese securities has soared over the past year and the returns have not kept up," he said, adding that many large institutions have stopped buying Chinese assets completely and are shifting capital to places like India.
"Combined with recent Biden administration restrictions on sales to China of advanced semiconductors and cutting-edge chip-making gear, the message to all classes of investors will be clear: Putting money in China is going to become riskier, and de-risking is only going to become more commonplace," he concluded.

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I saw there was a post about this, but it was from five years ago, so I thought it's probably old enough for a re-do.
I'm thinking from a speculative fiction point of view (specifically things like urban fantasy), what do you prefer? (Obviously nonfiction is a completely different kettle of fish)
I have some thoughts, but I don't know where exactly I fall on this.
If it's a real city, it can help ground the setting and give it a sense of realism. However, the pitfalls can be that any details that aren't 100% accurate (geographically or otherwise) can break suspension of disbelief for people from those areas. I haven't read it, but I did see someone point out that in the Divergent series there's a real-world lake that's just plain missing which would have huge implications for the setting. I guess any readers who haven't been to this particular place probably wouldn't notice or care about this sort of thing, though. On a slightly different note, I've also read that a lot of readers are sick of "the same" locations being used again and again (e.g. aliens always invade New York City). I wonder if those readers would prefer to read something based in Melbourne, Australia or Auckland, New Zealand as a change of pace?
If it's a fictional city, it can solve the problem of "the same locations again and again", however it can also break immersion because the existence of this place would have huge ramifications on the country as a whole (and its history). For towns or smaller settlements this isn't as much of an issue (there are SO MANY that adding an extra one wouldn't affect much). Now, there's no one agreed upon, universal definition of city (based on population size), but if we look at cities with at least a million people, Australia has 5 and New Zealand has only 1. Adding in a fictional city of one million people completely changes the makeup of a country. Even the USA has only 10 cities of this size. Although, when it comes to comic books, I think everyone's used to the idea of Gotham City and Metropolis and doesn't find that too unrealistic?
If it's an unspecified city, I think it can give a sense of universality, that these events could be taking place anywhere. However, I've heard some readers get irritated by not knowing where a place is and try to piece it together with context clues and can't work it out.
I don't actually know where I fall on this. Most of the fiction I consume takes place in secondary worlds, so this isn't something I normally think about, but it's something I realised I don't know what other people think and wanted to find out.
What do you think? Also, do you think readers of spec. fic. prefer to read books set in their own country, or foreign ones?

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 30%. (I'm a bot)

Former President Donald Trump has been indicted by a federal grand jury after a months long investigation into his handling of classified documents after leaving office, ABC News sources say.
The former president has been summoned to appear at the Federal Courthouse in Miami on Tuesday, at 3 p.m. Eastern, ABC News sources say.
The indictment comes after Trump received a letter from special counsel Jack Smith's office in recent weeks informing him that he is the target of an ongoing investigation related to his handling of classified information while out of office, sources familiar with the matter confirmed to ABC News.
Smith has been overseeing the DOJ's investigation into the former president's handling of classified materials after leaving office.
Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith to the probe in November, days after Trump announced he was running for president in 2024, creating a conflict of interest, triggering the appointment of a special counsel, according to the DOJ special counsel guidelines.
Trump is separately charged in New York City with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money paid made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 presidential race.

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Looking for people to talk to and would really like to see if we can make an actual connection.
I always love to workout, play video games, watch sports, or hang with friends. I love to get to know people and learn about them. I just finished my master’s degree, giving me a lot more free time. I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. I love traveling, but haven’t done so in a while!
I live alone and aside from work, I don't have that much to do at night and would love to talk to new people. I’m a pretty open person and enjoy like-minded individuals.
Here is a picture of me https://imgur.com/gallery/pKJVvzP
I would want to see a picture of you as well. I am 5’8, but I do not care how tall you are.
I’ll likely be up for the next few hours! I prefer someone who's nearby or in the US! Looking forward to chatting!

Hoping this isn’t against the rules, I’m looking to sell my zephyrus G14 2022 model. I’ve had it for less than 4 months and there’s no physical signs of use or cosmetic damages. I upgraded its ram from 16gb (8)soldered + (8) to 24gb (8)soldered + (16). I’m not sure if it’s reasonable but since it’s somewhat new, excellent condition, and upgraded, I’m looking for $1,050. Negotiable
I’m from New York btw
If interested comment below or DM me(not sure if that’s a feature here) and we can discuss prices/payment method and I can provide photos/videos of the laptop.

Delivery driver Gustavo Ajche braved hazardous wildfire smoke while delivering food in New York City this week, highlighting the challenges gig economy workers face.
Worker background: Ajche, originally from Guatemala, is a food delivery driver and construction worker in New York City. * He is also the founder of labor group Los Deliveristas Unidos and a member of the Workers Justice Project, which fight for better pay and working conditions.
Impact of wildfires: Increasing global temperatures and hazardous air quality due to wildfires affect Ajche and thousands of other delivery drivers, who struggle to secure basic rights like earning minimum wage. * There are approximately 65,000 delivery drivers in New York City, according to the department of transportation.
What's needed: Ajche and other delivery drivers continue to fight for better wages in the city, as the council grapples with the issue.
Worker's perspective: Ajche spoke with NPR, sharing his experience, the effects on his health, and how tipping improved, though he believes a just solution would be to pay delivery drivers a minimum wage.
View original article on NPR
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Hey there! I am a adventurous woman chasing my dreams, yeah still chasing them but I'm sure I'm gonna reach them soon. I am someone who can be a hermit but can be outdoorsy if I want to. I love exploring new places when I have free time.
I'm single, no kids and never been married. I'm Colombian, curly hairs and curvy. as for hobbies I enjoy watching anime and Netflix series, I'm into outdoor activity to, like camping, hiking and such.
Recently moved here in usa for work, chasing my dream and saving some money..
My interests
Watching anime, movies, series in netflix
Cooking, Hiking and Camping(Sometimes Survival Camping)
I'm into more matured man, like 25 to 30's and up ages, if u are like 24 below don't dm me thanks!
Let's chat about our hobbies and interest in life so maybe if we click and be a couple, we can do something that we love to do..
Please in parts of USA or specifically New York or Upstate and if you message me tell me your name, age and location.