- Direct [link] to the mp3 file
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- Executive Producers:
- Brent Young, The Hollywood Knight
- Associate Executive Producers:
- Become a member of the 1491 Club, support the show here
- Knights & Dames
- Mrs. Hutchinson -> Dame Chaos Pixie of the South Puget Sound
- Jack Wilson -> Sir Jack Black Knight of the Industrial Laundries
- End of Show Mixes: Hugh Allison Deez Laughs - William York - Tom Starkweather
- Engineering, Stream Management & Wizardry
- Mark van Dijk - Systems Master
- Ryan Bemrose - Program Director
- Clip Custodian: Neal Jones
- Climate Change
- Will Florida have infrastructure to vote by Nov?
- Jessica The Five DeSantis nursing homes
- Great Reset
- The Queen's death DID kick of the Great Reset
- Pipelines!
- Israeli Pipeline shenanigans
- Genie Energy - East Med Pipeline
- Germany Pipeline BOTG - Ondrej
- since today morning, all major D newspapers report about multiple leaks and a significant reduction in pressure in both Nord Stream pipelines. They all report that the story originated from Tagesspiegel who got the info from - here the reports vary - some write: "security circles", others write: "a person that is acquainted with the government's assessment of the situation" :D
- All articles state 100% certainty that it's sabotage - mostly using flowery phrases like "Our fantasy cannot come up anymore with a scenario where this is not a targeted attack".
- Here's a quote from Welt . de : „Unsere Fantasie gibt kein Szenario mehr her, dass das kein gezielter Anschlag ist“, sagte eine in die Bewertung durch die Bundesregierung und die Bundesbehörden eingeweihte Person dem „Tagesspiegel“. Weiter hieß es: „Alles spricht gegen einen Zufall.“
- Additionally, most articles make sure to say that there was already no gas flowing through - and now, these "mysterious" leaks make it impossible to re-open the flow in the future. How convenient, as people and industry organizations here are on the streets, protesting and demanding the re-opening of the gas faucets.
- As for the identity of the saboteurs themselves, the articles present multiple possibilities:
- One is "russian false flag operation - to further push the gas prices up"
- Another is "allies of Ukraine", pointing out that with both NordStream pipelines broken, the gas route would have to go through Poland or Ukraine.
- Finally, most news articles come with a mini-map showing the leaks are between the polish coast and Bornholm island (DK). I could not verify if the 3 supposed leaks are located in international waters.
- Bonus news from the Sueddeutsche Zeitung and some freely translated pearls from the article: The "Deutsche Umwelthilfe" demands renouncement to use Christmas lights this winter. [...] This winter, it should be self-evident to renounce Christmas lighting in cities, homes and apartments. Considering the war in Ukraine, the energy scarcity, but also for climate protection reasons, we should, for once, pause. Alone these private lighting orgies cause a yearly energy consumption of over 600 million kilowatthours. An idea for an alternative: each city should only have one Christmas tree decorated with fairy lights. Here, to deliberately save energy and show solidarity, that could make this Christmas a very special one.
- Indeed, so before the gestapo storms our apartment to confiscate our Christmas tree, here is a modest boots on the ground from Schwabia, cradle of the Mittelstand a.k.a. the backbone of Germany's economy.
- First, here's a summary from local/regional media about the current state of the Mittelstand. After decreased production during the 'rona years, the order books are now cracking full but companies are struggling to maintain production in order meet demand - and many companies say they will not be able to fulfill all orders for 2022. There is also a lack of qualified workforce at the moment which doesn't help. Should the price of raw materials and energy further increase the situation would drastically change. According to surveys, the core problem is the massive shortage of raw materials, preliminary and intermediate products. Also, investment readiness is dropping due to the current state of worry.
- Concerning food prices, over 2022, personally I've seen an increase of 30 - 70% depending on food type. Before, I'd spend about 70E a week for a family of 4 - now it's more like 120E.
- We live in a bigger village with approx. 2000 inhabitants, 40 miles south of Stuttgart. The region here is wealthy and the Schwabians have a reputation for being scrooges - for now, I cannot see any signs of economic deterioration on the surface. I do feel there is one thing that visibly changed: thanks to the surreal covid adventure, people have become even more careful not to say openly what they think, so I'm a bit pessimistic about any meaningful popular resistance to the current controlled demolition of Europe. As for my own thoughts, after escaping from the CSSR and its totalitarianism, back in 1984, it feels very strange to be living through its global revival. What a massive waste of human's talent.
- Keep on truckin' & thank you for your courage,
- sources for Nord Stream sabotage:
- Ukraine & Russia
- The Russians are calling Ukraine Nulandistan
- OTG
- American Airlines moaning
- Thanks for the shout out. The groaning has now been on at least 5 American flights. They have all been Los Angeles departures which is interesting. There was a recent phishing attack against AA’s Microsoft email system. I wonder if t exposed the login credentials for the remote site that allows access to store these recordings. The article talks about customer impact, but it was an employee who was phished.
- STORIES
- Biogen to pay $900 million to settle drug kickback allegations
- A Biogen facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Biogen will pay $900 million to settle a lawsuit that alleged the company gave doctors kickbacks to encourage them prescribe its drugs, the Justice Department announced Monday.
- A former Biogen employee turned whistleblower, Michael Bawduniak, sued the pharmaceutical company in 2012 on behalf of the federal government under the False Claims Act.
- Bawduniak alleged Biogen paid kickbacks to doctors in the form of speaking fees, consulting fees and meals from 2009 through 2014 to encourage them to prescribe its multiple sclerosis drugs.
- The alleged kickbacks resulted in false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for the prescription of Avonex, Tysabri and Tecfidera, according to the Justice Department.
- Biogen will pay more than $843 million to the federal government and $56 million to 15 states to settle the case. Bawduniak will receive about $250 million of the federal proceeds, according to the Justice Department.
- "The settlement announced today underscores the critical role that whistleblowers play in complementing the United States' use of the False Claims Act to combat fraud affecting federal health care programs," said Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department's civil division.
- Biogen, in a statement Monday, denied any wrongdoing in the case. The company said it wanted to resolve the litigation to focus on other priorities.
- "Biogen believes its intent and conduct was at all times lawful and appropriate and Biogen denies all allegations raised in this case," the company said. "The U.S. and the states did not intervene in the case and the settlement does not include any admission of liability by Biogen."
- Biogen disclosed in its second-quarter earnings report that it had reached an agreement in principle to pay $900 million to resolve the lawsuit.
- Hungary must act to get EU COVID-19 funds, says Czech minister | National Post
- PRAGUE '-- Hungary must take action on changing its rule of law before it can receive any European Union recovery funds, the EU affairs chief of the Czech government, which holds the bloc's rotating presidency, said in an interview on Tuesday.
- Hungary and Poland both have yet to receive billions of euros of post-COVID EU recovery funds as the governments have not met Brussels' demands on respecting the rule of law.
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- Hungary said last week it would amend several laws criticized by the European Commission by the end of October if an agreement on financial aid is reached. The Commission has a month to analyze Budapest's response in the so-called conditionality mechanism. Hungary did not specify when the agreement must be reached.
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- Czech EU Affairs Minister Mikulas Bek said there is hardly any willingness in the Commission or among the member countries to accept Hungary's promises without seeing action first.
- ''I am not sure that dialog can facilitate anything in this matter (anymore),'' he added, saying ultimately Hungary's financial interests could drive it to make the desired changes.
- In Poland, funds are being held up by a clash over Polish judicial reforms, which the EU executive said subvert democratic standards.
- Bek told Reuters that while Poland has started working towards a solution, Hungary's credibility is damaged by its lack of solidarity on certain EU issues, for example its demand to drop Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill from an anti-Russian sanctions list.
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- Warsaw has signaled it might retaliate by vetoing EU policy plans that require unanimity if it does not get its share of the pandemic recovery funds.
- Bek warned that member countries should think carefully about an EU veto threat, especially at a time when the bloc is facing an unprecedented crisis.
- In its presidency role, the Czech Republic has a louder voice in long-running disputes the EU executive has with its central European allies Hungary and Poland.
- But the so-called Visegrad partnership between central European neighbors the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia has grown tense due to disagreements over the war in Ukraine, with Budapest taking a more cautious stance than its neighbors, as well as spats over democratic standards.
- (Reporting by Robert Muller; Editing by Josie Kao)
- Hertz and BP installing EV chargers in US
- Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles at a Hertz neighborhood location.
- Hertz is teaming up with oil giant BP to build a new network of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the United States.
- The rental car giant '-- which in the last year has announced deals to purchase a total of up to 340,000 EVs from Tesla, Polestar and General Motors by 2027 '-- is working with a unit of BP to install thousands of new chargers at its U.S. locations.
- Under the deal, BP Pulse, the oil company's EV-charging arm, will install the chargers and provide software and services to help Hertz manage its fast-growing fleet of EVs.
- While many of the chargers will be used to recharge EVs in Hertz's own fleet, some will be made available to taxi and ride-hailing drivers and the general public, the companies said. Access to chargers is often cited as a potential roadblock to wider EV adoption by U.S. consumers.
- The new deal builds on an existing program under which BP Pulse installed chargers at 25 of Hertz's busiest airport locations. They did not specify how many they plan to eventually build.
- Hertz already has thousands of EVs available for rent at about 500 of its locations in 38 U.S. states, where it has been installing its own chargers. It expects to have about 3,000 chargers in operation at its sites across the U.S by the end of 2023.
- The company plans to have EVs make up a quarter of its fleet by the end of 2024.
- Vic Shao, who leads BP Pulse's fleet business, told CNBC that the new deal will include software to help Hertz manage the complex task of keeping its growing EV fleet charged and ready to rent.
- "When you have gasoline or diesel, you have a scenario where the pricing for the fuel is up or down by maybe you know, 25%, a given year or something like that," Shao told CNBC. But in some markets, like California, "prices can be up and down by 400% a day for electricity."
- "So when you're operating a large-scale fleet, unless you have a fix on the cost of your 'fuel,' electricity in this case, it's very difficult to scale up. You need to get a handle on the operational expense," he said.
- Shao said that BP Pulse's fleet software will help Hertz reduce its electricity costs by scheduling vehicles to recharge at lower-cost times of day, part of helping to manage what he called the "choreographed dance" of keeping a fleet of EVs fully charged and ready for customers.
- In addition to chargers and software to serve Hertz's own fleet, the two companies plan to build chargers that will be available to the general public, taking advantage of Hertz's high-traffic locations throughout the country. The companies expect ride-hailing drivers, particularly those who rent EVs from Hertz, to be prime customers for those chargers.
- Hertz said that more than 25,000 Uber drivers have rented Teslas under its deal with the ride-hailing giant.
- Correction: This story has been updated to correct that the 3,000 chargers Hertz plans to install by the end of this year are separate from its deal with BP.
- Russian Central Bank And Ministry Of Finance Agree On Bitcoin, Crypto Bill - Bitcoin Magazine - Bitcoin News, Articles and Expert Insights
- The Russian Ministry of Finance and its central bank have agreed on a draft bill allowing bitcoin and cryptocurrency payments for international trade settlements, per a report from Russian news outlet Tass.
- The bill ''as a whole writes out how cryptocurrency can be purchased, what can be done with it, and how cross-border settlements can or cannot be made," said Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Moiseev.
- The agreement follows a previous report in which Moiseev stated it was impossible for Russia to conduct international trade without the use of bitcoin and cryptocurrencies due to current circumstances concerning sanctions.
- However, the Bank of Russia still opposes the legalization of cryptocurrency exchanges and settlements in cryptocurrencies within Russia, per the report.
- The central bank's sentiment continues to illustrate the divergence of opinion between regulators and government officials in Russia.
- As previously reported by Bitcoin Magazine, the initial bill proposing a framework for digital assets was presented earlier this year by the Russian government which encouraged a ban on bitcoin mining. However, the Ministry of Finance rebutted with a bill of its own which only called for stricter regulation of the space. President Vladimir Putin then announced his support for the Ministry's bill citing Russia's competitive advantage with natural resources.
- Since then, the Minister of Energy and the Federal Tax service have commented on how bitcoin can help small businesses or alluded to interdepartmental conversations on the matter of international trade.
- Ivan Chebeskov, director of the financial stability market for the Russian Ministry of Finance previously explained that there are many more ''like-minded people'' on the matter.
- ''Also, I know that there are deputies in the State Duma who are actively engaged in this topic, perhaps it will be their initiative,'' Chebeskov explained.
- Pentagon Orders Review of Its Overseas Social Media Campaigns - The New York Times
- Politics | Pentagon Orders Review of Its Overseas Social Media Campaigns https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/19/us/politics/pentagon-social-media.htmlThe move comes after Twitter and Facebook shut down misleading accounts that they determined were sending messages to promote U.S. foreign policy.
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- The Pentagon has ordered a review of secretive operations to influence populations overseas after White House officials expressed concerns. Credit... Stefani Reynolds for The New York Times Sept. 19, 2022
- WASHINGTON '-- White House officials told the military that they were concerned about its efforts to spread pro-American messaging on social media, prompting the Pentagon to order a review of secretive operations to influence populations overseas, U.S. officials said.
- The review follows a decision by Twitter and Facebook over the summer to shut down misleading accounts that they determined were sending messages about U.S. foreign policy interests abroad.
- The Pentagon audit and White House concerns were first reported by The Washington Post.
- Disinformation researchers said the campaigns largely fell into two camps. Most of the campaigns spread pro-American messages, including memes and slogans that praised the United States. Those programs were similar to how Beijing often spreads disinformation by seeding positive messages about life in China.
- One campaign targeting Iran, however, spread divisive messages about life there. The accounts involved pushed out views that both supported and opposed the Iranian government. That disinformation effort resembled the methods used by Russia to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
- For years U.S. military commands have promoted pro-American news and messages for audiences overseas, sometimes earning the scrutiny of Congress. But the decision by the social media companies to shut down some accounts associated with the military suggested that the activity had gone further.
- Twitter and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, removed accounts that they said violated their terms of service by taking part in ''coordinated inauthentic behavior.''
- A report in August by Stanford University's Internet Observatory and the social media analytics firm Graphika said those accounts were pushing pro-American messages in the Middle East and Central Asia. The two groups attributed some of the accounts taken down by Facebook and Twitter to the Trans-Regional Web Initiative, a more than 10-year-old Pentagon initiative that sends out information in support of the United States in areas where the U.S. military operates.
- The postings varied widely in sophistication. Some of the more polished work was aimed at Twitter and Telegram users in Iran and pushed a wide variety of views. While most of the messages were critical of the Iranian government, researchers said others were supportive of it, the kind of activity that could potentially be designed to inflame debate and sow divisions in the country.
- Image Meta, the parent company of Facebook, removed pro-American accounts that had taken part in ''coordinated inauthentic behavior.'' Credit... Jim Wilson/The New York Times Several American officials said the suspended accounts were affiliated with the U.S. military, though they did not say whether any efforts were meant to spread information in Iran.
- The program evoked the propaganda campaigns that authoritarian governments have used to push messages at home and abroad. But disinformation experts say they were not very successful. Most of the posts received only a ''handful'' of likes or retweets, researchers noted, and only 19 percent of the accounts that were identified had over 1,000 followers.
- Previous influence operations backed by nation-states on social networks have been attributed mainly to Russia, China, Iran and other adversaries of the United States.
- Russia pioneered many of these online disinformation tactics, using Facebook, Twitter and other social networks to spread divisive messaging. Some of the country's earliest efforts were aimed at spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda in Eastern Europe. Countries worldwide have mimicked Russia's techniques.
- Over the past eight years, Facebook has named over a dozen countries that have created Russian-styled disinformation efforts, including Iran, Sudan and Nicaragua. The company now publishes monthly reports in which it describes new disinformation campaigns it has uprooted.
- China has also used Facebook and Twitter to burnish its image and to undercut accusations of human rights abuses.
- The Trans-Regional Web Initiative began as an effort by the Special Operations Command in 2008. Over time, U.S. Central Command and other military headquarters also began sending out truthful but pro-American messaging. Central Command's efforts began with websites that posted news stories aimed at audiences in North Africa and the Middle East.
- After a critical report by the Government Accountability Office, Congress passed a defense authorization bill in 2013 calling for the initiative not to be funded the following year. Pentagon officials declined to answer questions about the initiative on Monday.
- Still, other information operations have continued on social media platforms.
- In the wake of the Stanford report, some U.S. officials briefed on the program disputed that the accounts were inauthentic, saying that some of the profile pages of the accounts noted that they were affiliated with Central Command.
- But it is not clear how many of the accounts had such a disclosure, or if there was a broader effort to hide their military connection.
- White House officials were concerned that Pentagon policy for information operations was too broad and that clandestine programs could undermine American credibility, even if the material being pushed was accurate, the administration official said.
- In a statement, Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the top Pentagon spokesman, said it was the Department of Defense's policy to conduct information operations in support of ''national security priorities.''
- ''These activities must be undertaken in compliance with U.S. law and D.O.D. policy,'' General Ryder said. ''We are committed to enforcing those safeguards.''
- Julian E. Barnes reported from Washington, and Sheera Frenkel from San Francisco. Eric Schmitt and Helene Cooper contributed reporting from Washington.
- Apple removes Russia's largest social network from the App Store - The Verge
- Apple has removed the iOS apps belonging to VK, the technology conglomerate behind Russia's version of Facebook called VKontakte, from its App Store globally.
- In a translated statement on its website, VK said that its apps ''are blocked by Apple'' but that it will ''continue to develop and support iOS applications.'' In response to an inquiry by The Verge, Apple spokesperson Adam Dema confirmed that VK's apps have been removed and its developer accounts shut down.
- ''These apps are being distributed by developers majority-owned or majority-controlled by one or more parties sanctioned by the UK government,'' Dema said in a statement. ''In order to comply with these sanctions, Apple terminated the developer accounts associated with these apps, and the apps cannot be downloaded from any App Store, regardless of location. Users who have already downloaded these apps may continue to use them.''
- On Monday, the UK government enacted new sanctions on Russian oligarchs in response to sham referendums Russia recently held in parts of Ukraine. The sanctions affect 23 executives at Gazprombank, a Russian bank with ties to VK.
- The Russian Ministry of Digital Affairs told state-controlled media outlet RT that it was investigating ''the reasons for deleting VK applications and developer accounts, underlining the social significance and scale of use of the services provided by the Russian company.'' The VK apps are still available on Google's Play Store.
- Since Russia invaded Ukraine earlier this year, its government has blocked several American social media sites, including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. The US and other governments have in turn already sanctioned many Russian-government-affiliated individuals and businesses, including VK Group CEO and Putin ally Vladimir Kiriyenko.
- VK is Russia's second-largest internet company after Yandex, the country's own version of Google. The social media firm was created in 2006 by Pavel Durov, who was eventually pushed out after he ''refused to cooperate with the authorities.'' He now runs the popular messaging app Telegram.
- Apple removing VK's apps means that iPhone users no longer have access to the app for the fifth most popular site in Russia, as well as other apps from VK like Mail.ru, VK Music, and Youla classifieds. The company told Russian news outlet Interfax that the apps may continue to work but that there could be issues with notifications and payments.
- Interfax also reports on Tuesday that VK sold off the assets of its gaming division, My.Games to LETA Capital head Alexander Chachava, a Russian businessman who is based in the Cayman Islands and managed to come up with $642 million to close the deal. It will continue to be run by executives who were already in place, and VK had touted it as a Russian alternative to Steam and Epic Games Store after sanctions blocked many digital games sales in the country.
- Earlier this year, Apple stopped selling its products in the country and made certain Russian news apps inaccessible from everywhere but Russia, just weeks after sanctions prevented customers of Russian banks from using Google Pay and Apple Pay.
- VK's apps once had a very prominent place on the iPhone. Last year, a law went into effect that required technology companies to pre-install Russian-made apps on devices sold in the country. Apple complied by adding a screen to the iPhone's setup process that showed users a list of apps from Russian companies that they could download. Included on the list were several apps from VK, including its social network, email client, and a digital assistant.
- Update September 27th, 9:07PM ET: Added context about VK's apps being included in the iPhone's setup process in Russia.
- Update September 28th, 3:45AM ET: Added confirmation from Apple that VK's apps have been removed in response to UK sanctions.
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- Amazon dominates the smart home; now privacy groups oppose iRobot deal
- Since Amazon introduced the Echo smart speaker in 2014, it's remained the biggest and fastest-growing player in the smart home market. Its most recent expansion includes four new Echo devices, a new Fire TV, two new Ring cameras with features like radar-triggered motion detection, and the Halo Rise contactless bedside sleep tracker that can sense your breathing and movement to determine sleep stages. The new devices were all introduced Wednesday at Amazon's annual smart home event.
- Amazon Halo rise sleep tracker
- Last month, Amazon made moves to enter a new segment of the smart home, with a $1.7 billion offer to buy iRobot, the maker of the smart Roomba vacuum. Now, the Federal Trade Commission is requesting more information from both iRobot and Amazon before deciding whether to approve the deal.
- Earlier this month, 20 privacy and labor groups sent a letter to the FTC asking it to block the acquisition. The letter cited concerns about privacy and Amazon's growing dominance of the smart home market.
- "Amazon takes its responsibility to customers and privacy incredibly seriously. And if we were to acquire iRobot or any other company, that would not change," said Leila Rouhi, Amazon's vice president of Trust and Privacy.
- Amazon says 140,000 products are now compatible with Alexa, although "very few" of those are owned by the company. It acquired video doorbell maker Ring for $1 billion in 2018, just three months later it bought security camera maker Blink for $90 million. Then in 2019, it paid $97 million for a mesh Wi-Fi system called Eero to help connect multiple smart devices in the home.
- Amazon's Eero mesh WiFi systems are shown inside the Amazon smart lab in Seattle, Washington, on September 9, 2022.
- "Eero was a pivotal acquisition because it gave Amazon this ability to see which devices and appliances are being used. They can see the internet traffic that's going to every connected item in someone's house. And that gives you a lot of insights. And I'm sure that some of the insight that Amazon got from that was just how popular and how often Roombas are used," said Stacy Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, one of the advocacy groups that signed the letter to the FTC.
- Marja Koopmans, director of Smart Home at Amazon, told CNBC that the data from its devices is only used to improve the capabilities of its interconnected smart home ecosystem.
- A growing marketWhen Amazon became the first major player to introduce a smart speaker to the market in 2014, the Echo was a runaway success. It sold 5 million devices by the time Google introduced its first smart speaker in 2016. Apple, which has never gained much headway in the smart home space, introduced its first HomePod in 2018.
- "We didn't think about smart home on day one, but we quickly learned from customers that they wanted to use their voice for more than entertainment," Koopmans said.
- Lighting was first, with Amazon adding Alexa activation to an early smart lightbulb, the Hue. It's made by Philips, where Koopmans was chief marketing officer before she joined Amazon to lead the smart home operation three years ago.
- "Three hundred million devices are connected to Alexa today. That's up from 200 million less than a few years ago. And the growth is rapid," Koopmans said.
- The number of Alexa-enabled products started skyrocketing after it opened its voice-activation platform to outside developers in 2015. Last year, the U.S. smart home market was worth nearly $113 billion, up 20% from 2020, according to data firm IDC.
- Amazon shipped 11.5% of U.S. smart home devices in 2021, a 15.5% increase from the year before. Runner-up Google shipped 6.5% and Samsung came in third with 5.8%.
- More than 77% of Wi-Fi-connected households in the U.S. owned at least one smart home device in 2021.
- "If you asked me three or four years ago what the adoption rate was, it was hovering around about 12%," said Adam Wright, who leads research on smart home and office devices at IDC.
- Amazon's Ring Video Doorbell 4 is shown at the Amazon smart home lab in Seattle, Washington, on September 9, 2022.
- Wright says his home is filled with 185 Alexa-enabled devices. IDC surveys found that 60% of users with a smart speaker end up buying an additional smart home device. Still, Wright isn't entirely optimistic.
- "I think we've made great strides, but the value of the smart home to me personally remains uncertain," Wright said. "My entire smart home experience is irked frequently, every day, with these devices just not working."
- iRobot and privacy concernsAhead of the smart home event in September, CNBC visited Amazon's smart home lab in Seattle, where more than 45 connected devices were on display.
- "There is a smart fridge that's connected to Alexa. We have our thermostat, our Ring doorbell and cameras, vacuum, the indoor air quality monitor, the TV," Koopmans said, listing only a few of the gadgets.
- Amazon doesn't break out device sales in earnings. But with a string of big acquisitions, it's certainly expanding its collection. The proposed iRobot deal, Wright says, is likely about much more than selling the vacuums.
- "It's very difficult to make a lot of margins on the hardware and the device itself," Wright said. "They have just acquired a massive data set, which can help them in the aggregate better understand the floor plans and the mapping of people's homes."
- "It has a camera in the front, which is a little bit unsettling. It can tell what you already have in your house, who's in your household. What types of things might you want to add to that. So then they can target advertising on the Amazon platform in that way," said Sarah Miller, who founded the American Economic Liberties Project, which also signed the letter to the FTC seeking to block the iRobot deal.
- Colin Angle, the CEO of iRobot, best known for the Roomba vacuum cleaner, poses for a portrait in Bedford, MA on Jan. 22, 2020.
- Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
- "We know that customers welcome us into their homes because they trust that our products will help them do more, and that we will respect their information," iRobot CEO Colin Angle told CNBC in a statement. "We take that trust seriously. Once we are acquired by Amazon, our commitment to customer data and privacy will remain."
- Amazon's Rouhi, the VP of privacy, reiterated that "privacy and security are a huge, huge area of investment for us and will continue to be."
- Roombas aren't the only smart home devices that can map the inside of the home. Smart lights like the Philips Hue have a new feature that will allow them to turn on or off automatically by detecting your presence based on the disruption to Wi-Fi strength in a room.
- Amazon also has introduced a flying indoor Ring camera called Always Home Cam, and a robotic household monitor with a face called Astro. They're made for checking in on specific rooms, children or aging loved ones.
- Miller of the American Economic Liberties Project said she is concerned about the growing number of devices that can collect user data.
- "To track your shopping habits, to track your movements, to track even where things are placed in your home, what's going on outside your front door. They can create this incredibly complex, detailed data profile that they can then use to expand and grow their own business," Miller said. "And through that process, to push out competitors that simply could never surveil you with that degree of sophistication."
- Amazon's alleged anticompetitive practices are being challenged by an antitrust bill being considered by Congress, and in lawsuits filed by the attorney generals of the District of Columbia and now California.
- Amazon's stated policy is to use data only in an aggregated, anonymized way.
- "We are incredibly thoughtful about the data that we use and our focus has always really been to use that data on behalf of the customer and to improve the services and the experiences that we know our customers enjoy on a daily basis," Rouhi said.
- Amazon's Echo Show 10 is deomnstrated with a built-in camera cover at the Amazon smart lab in Seattle, Washington, on September 9, 2022.
- Privacy protectionsPrivacy concerns also arose in 2018 when Amazon bought Ring, where Rouhi was president for four years before joining Amazon in April.
- "It's foundational that how we build, design and deliver every single device feature and service has privacy built in from the ground up. And we work really hard to keep our customers' information safe and to provide them with transparency and control over their experiences," Rouhi said.
- One way Amazon has added user control is by adding options for scheduled deletion of your history and data, including audio and video from Echo and Ring devices. The microphones can be muted, and cameras on the Echo Show and other devices can be blocked with a built-in cover, although video is critical to Ring cameras.
- On the Ring Neighbors app, users can voluntarily post or provide video to law enforcement for active investigations. But Amazon has also been criticized for sharing Ring video doorbell footage with law enforcement without user consent.
- "We understand the absolutely sensitive nature of videos, and we do our utmost to ensure that we are being incredibly thoughtful in how we respond to legal requests and protecting the customer's interests," Rouhi said.
- The latest Ring Video Doorbell 4 has an option for two-way video encryption, and the new security cameras announced Wednesday allow users to exclude recording in specified "privacy zones."
- On Echo devices, the microphone can be muted. And despite tailored ads that make it feel otherwise, Amazon says Alexa is not always listening.
- "There's absolutely not a room of people that is monitoring our customers and their behaviors," Rouhi said.
- Although Amazon sells the data gathered at its grocery stores to brands looking to gain valuable insight into how consumers shop their products, Rouhi told CNBC that Amazon does not sell customer data from devices and services, and has no plans to.
- Using data for 'ambient intelligence'Amazon says all these new capabilities and the data coming in from them will help devices work in unison for what it calls "ambient intelligence." Amazon told CNBC more than 30% of experiences are initiated by Alexa instead of humans.
- One example is an indoor air quality monitor that can automatically turn on a fan or a purifier if the air quality drops.
- Back in the smart home lab, Amazon's Koopmans demonstrated how its smart thermostat can save customers money on their electric bill by automatically turning off when you're away, using something called Alexa "hunches." Essentially, the data collected by all the connected devices in the home "teaches" Alexa your routines, she said.
- "That happens through a variety of different data points that we get. You're not using devices actively, for example. It also is with geocaching on your phone: we know that you've left. Or you may have actually told Alexa, 'Alexa, I'm leaving,' and to switch on your alarm system, for example," Koopmans said.
- Amazon's Smart Thermostat is shown inside the Amazon smart lab in Seattle, Washington, on September 9, 2022.
- Another new data-enabled capability is "follow" on the Echo Show 15. The device rotates around the room to match your location and better show you the screen. Amazon can also now create a "visual ID" for each Echo user with facial recognition software.
- "For example, if you live in a household with multiple people and it's you that's going into the kitchen in the morning, you might have a different routine, different music and different newsfeed that you're interested in," Rouhi said.
- "Amazon copped a bit of flak for that, right? People were raising the idea of: How does this become a major intrusion into privacy in the home? But it was very rarely juxtaposed against the same technology that's on our smartphone every day," Wright said.
- Amazon also has a shared network called Sidewalk that users can opt in to. It allows devices to connect to each other, expanding the signal beyond the reach of home Wi-Fi and staying on even if the home internet goes out.
- "For example, if you have Ring smart lighting, typically you'd have to be within Bluetooth range for the lights to be able to turn on and off using your app. With something like Sidewalk, it can go up to a mile distance," Rouhi explained.
- Alexa, Google and Siri may play better together soon, too. An alliance of different device makers including Amazon, Google and Apple is developing a protocol called the Matter standard that would allow devices to work across platforms instead of only answering to one voice assistant.
- "We believe that the home will always be a heterogeneous environment, meaning you will have many different brands, many different devices from many different companies in your home," Koopmans said.
- EastMed pipeline - Wikipedia
- Proposed natural gas pipeline through Eastern Mediterranean Sea
- EastMedMap of the proposed EastMed pipeline
- Country Greece Cyprus Israel
- General directionEast''WestTypeNatural gasPartnersDEPAEdisonExpected2025-2027[1][2]Length1,900 km (1,200 mi)Maximum discharge10 billion cubic metres per annum (350 10 ^9 cu ft/a)The Eastern Mediterranean pipeline or simply EastMed is a planned offshore/onshore natural gas pipeline, directly connecting East Mediterranean energy resources to mainland Greece via Cyprus and Crete.[3] The project, currently in design, will transport natural gas from the off-shore gas reserves in the Levantine Basin into Greece, and in conjunction with the Poseidon and IGB pipelines into Italy and other European regions.[4] The pipeline will have a length of approximately 1,900 km, reach depths of 3km, and have a capacity of 10 billion cubic meters per year.[5][6] Construction of the pipeline is expected to cost approximately '¬6 billion (US$6.86 billion).[7] The pipeline is being developed by IGI Poseidon S.A., a 50-50% joint venture between the Greek gas utility DEPA and the Italian gas utility Edison.[5]
- On 2 January 2020, the EastMed Pipeline accord was signed in Athens by the leaders of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel.[5][6][8] On 19 July 2020, the Israeli government officially approved the accord, allowing the signatory countries to move forward with plans to complete the pipeline by 2025.[7]
- However, following the withdrawal of support from the United States in January 2022, it is likely that the pipeline will be rerouted through Egypt to bypass Cyprus.[9]
- Timeline [ edit ] In 2013, the construction of the EastMed pipeline was designated under European Commission Regulation 347/2013 as a Project of Common Interest and during the 2015-2018 period the Commission contributed more than '¬34.5 million (US$38.9 million) to complete technical, economic and environmental studies for the project.[10][11][12]
- The Energy Triangle of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel signed an intergovernmental agreement for the EastMed gas pipeline in Tel Aviv on 20 March 2019 in the presence of United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a sign of support from Washington for the project.[13] American interest on the pipeline is explained by Washington's demand that its European partners maintain a diversification policy of their energy imports.[14] The pipeline will diversify European gas supplies and lessen dependence on Russian Natural Gas.[15][16][17]
- In April 2019, the European Commission labeled the EastMed pipeline as a Project of Common Interest, having contributed '¬34.5 million (US$38.9 million) to complete technical studies for the project.[12] On 7 May 2019, Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte stated, at an event near Rome, that Italy will oppose the construction of Poseidon pipeline; the last section of EastMed connecting Greece and Italy via the Adriatic Sea, putting the entire project under consideration.[18][19][20] However, on 1 January 2020, it was reported that the Italian Minister of Economic Development Stefano Patuanelli had sent to his Greek counterpart a letter of support for the EastMed pipeline, thus reinstating the backing of Italy for the project.[21][22]
- On 2 January 2020, the accord to construct the pipeline was signed in Athens by the leaders of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel.[5][6] Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiadis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterised the accord as "historic".[6] The accord includes provisions for ensuring the security of the pipeline and a common tax regime.[5][23][24] The Israeli government approved the accord on 19 July 2020, allowing the project to move forward.[7]
- In January 2022, the United States announced withdrawal of support as the project is not seen as economically viable or environmentally friendly, meaning the project is likely to be cancelled and replaced with an energy connection between Egypt and Greece.[25] U.S. House of Representatives members, Gus Bilirakis (R-Florida) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-New York), have questioned the Biden administrations reversal on the project in view of Europe's deepening dependency on Russian gas.[26]
- Route [ edit ] The pipeline will connect the Leviathan (Israel) and Aphrodite (Cyprus) gas fields in the Eastern Mediterranean to Europe. The pipeline will begin in the Levantine Basin and make landfall in Cyprus, where a compressor station will be located.[27] From Cyprus, the pipeline will continue west for approximately 700 km, reaching depths of 3 km, and make landfall in eastern Crete.[27] A compressor station on Crete will enable the supply of natural gas to the island. From Crete, the pipeline will continue northwest and make landfall in the eastern Peloponnese, near the village of Agios Fokas.[27] The pipeline will cross the Peloponnese in a NW direction, cross the Gulf of Patras, and continue along western mainland Greece, ending in the Thesprotia region.[27] From there, the proposed Poseidon pipeline will connect to Italy.
- Turkey has stated that they are strongly opposed to the pipeline project, claiming to have been intentionally excluded. The final signing of the project came in a period with Turkish exploration in the area and shortly after the signing of the EEZ agreement between Turkey and Libya.[28][29]
- EastMed Gas Forum [ edit ] In January 2019, seven energy ministers in the region penned a deal to set up the East Mediterranean Gas Forum. Total S.A., Eni and Novatek and Exxon have signed exploration and production agreements with the relevant governments.[30] Turkey is referred to as being the exception to regional tranquility.[31] The current members of the group are: Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority.[32][33] In January 2020, France and the United States asked to join the Forum, as a member and permanent observer respectively.[34]
- See also [ edit ] Aphrodite gas fieldLeviathan gas fieldEnergy in the European UnionEnergy in GreeceEnergy in IsraelEnergy TriangleEuroAsia InterconnectorReferences [ edit ] ^ "Israeli minister seeks to delay East Med gas forum citing climate concerns". Haaretz.com. ^ Hadjicostis, Menelaos (5 December 2017). "Israel expects gas to flow from east Mediterranean to Europe". apnews.com/. ^ "Eastmed-A direct link to new sources for Europe". IGI-Poseidon.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2016 . Retrieved 14 March 2019 . ^ "Eastmed pipeline". Edison.it . Retrieved 14 March 2019 . ^ a b c d e "Leaders From Israel, Cyprus, Greece Sign EastMed Gas Pipe Deal". Bloomberg.com. 2 January 2020. ^ a b c d "Proto Thema". 2 January 2020. ^ a b c "Israel approves pipeline deal to sell gas to Europe". Reuters. 19 July 2020 . Retrieved 19 July 2020 . ^ "Greece, Israel, Cyprus, move to build East Med gas pipeline". www.aljazeera.com . Retrieved 5 January 2020 . ^ "EastMed: A pipeline project that ran afoul of geopolitics and green policies". POLITICO. 18 January 2022 . Retrieved 22 January 2022 . ^ "ÎÎ"ÏÎ"ÏÏ EastMed: Î ÏÏ ÏÏάÏαμε ÏÏην ιÏÏÎÏική ενεÏÎ"ειακή ÏÏ
μÏÏνία". www.news247.gr (in Greek) . Retrieved 5 January 2020 . ^ Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2013 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure and repealing Decision No 1364/2006/EC and amending Regulations (EC) No 713/2009, (EC) No 714/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 Text with EEA relevance, 25 April 2013 , retrieved 5 January 2020 ^ a b Robinson, Tim; Jeakins, Geordie (12 April 2019). "Squaring the Triangle: Why Turkey and the EastMed need each other". War on the Rocks . Retrieved 17 April 2019 . ^ "US hot on deal bringing energy to EU, bracing Turkey". NewEurope.eu. 14 March 2019 . Retrieved 14 March 2019 . ^ Juan Pachon. "Menendez Bill to Reshape U.S. Strategy In The Eastern Mediterranean Approved By Foreign Relations Committee". Senate Foreign Relations Committee . Retrieved 26 June 2019 . ^ Dr. Tzogopoulos, George (10 April 2019). "A New EastMed Friendship, with US Support". Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies . Retrieved 17 April 2019 . ^ Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak (17 December 2018). "Turkey at the Eastern Mediterranean Crossroads". The Jerusalem Institute for Strategy & Security . Retrieved 22 May 2019 . ^ B. Lana Guggenheim. "Offshore Energy is both a Boon and a Bane for Cyprus". South EU Summit . Retrieved 22 May 2019 . ^ "Italy opposes Poseidon gas pipeline landfall". Reuters. 7 May 2019 . Retrieved 8 May 2019 . ^ "Macron sends stern warning to Ankara over Eastern Med". Kathimeriny News. 7 May 2019 . Retrieved 8 May 2019 . ^ "Macron warns Turkey France will show 'no weakness' on Cyprus gas search". Ahval News. 7 May 2019. Archived from the original on 15 October 2021 . Retrieved 10 May 2019 . ^ "Italy fully backs EastMed | Kathimerini". www.ekathimerini.com . Retrieved 1 January 2020 . ^ "Italian support for EastMed pipeline, ahead of trilateral signing of project; specs and advantages". www.amna.gr . Retrieved 1 January 2020 . ^ "Turkish military drone begins patrols off Cyprus". www.irishtimes.com . Retrieved 29 December 2019 . ^ "French carrier in Cyprus EEZ". www.defence-point.com . Retrieved 5 February 2020 . ^ "EastMed: A pipeline project that ran afoul of geopolitics and green policies". POLITICO. 18 January 2022 . Retrieved 22 January 2022 . ^ Lehav Harkov. (26 January 2022). "US Reps question withdrawal of US support for EastMed pipeline from Israel". Jerusalem Post website Retrieved 28 January 2022. ^ a b c d "Proto Thema". January 2020. ^ "EastMed pipeline project to fend off Turkish hegemony bid | Jareer Elass". The Arab Weekly. 12 January 2020 . Retrieved 22 July 2020 . ^ "Turkey slams controversial EastMed pipeline deal signed in Athens". TRT World. 2 January 2020 . Retrieved 22 July 2020 . ^ "Congress Quietly Adopts Exxon Mobil-Backed Law Promoting New Gas Pipeline, Arms to Cyprus". The Intercept . Retrieved 20 February 2020 . ^ "EastMed gas: Paving the way for a new geopolitical era?". Deutsche Welle . Retrieved 2 July 2019 . ^ "East Mediterranean states formally establish Egypt-based gas forum". Reuters. 22 September 2020 . Retrieved 11 March 2021 . ^ Benny, John (12 November 2019). "A new energy hub emerges among unlikely partners in the Mediterranean". Al Arabiya English . Retrieved 12 November 2019 . ^ "France asks to join Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum". Reuters. 16 January 2020. External links [ edit ] DEPA's project website
- Outcomes at least 90 days since onset of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in adolescents and young adults in the USA: a follow-up surveillance study - The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health
- Summary BackgroundData on medium-term outcomes in indivduals with myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination are scarce. We aimed to assess clinical outcomes and quality of life at least 90 days since onset of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in adolescents and young adults.
- MethodsIn this follow-up surveillance study, we conducted surveys in US individuals aged 12''29 years with myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, for whom a report had been filed to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System between Jan 12 and Nov 5, 2021. A two-component survey was administered, one component to patients (or parents or guardians) and one component to health-care providers, to assess patient outcomes at least 90 days since myocarditis onset. Data collected were recovery status, cardiac testing, and functional status, and EuroQol health-related quality-of-life measures (dichotomised as no problems or any problems), and a weighted quality-of-life measure, ranging from 0 to 1 (full health). The EuroQol results were compared with published results in US populations (aged 18''24 years) from before and early on in the COVID-19 pandemic.
- FindingsBetween Aug 24, 2021, and Jan 12, 2022, we collected data for 519 (62%) of 836 eligible patients who were at least 90 days post-myocarditis onset: 126 patients via patient survey only, 162 patients via health-care provider survey only, and 231 patients via both surveys. Median patient age was 17 years (IQR 15''22); 457 (88%) patients were male and 61 (12%) were female. 320 (81%) of 393 patients with a health-care provider assessment were considered recovered from myocarditis by their health-care provider, although at the last health-care provider follow-up, 104 (26%) of 393 patients were prescribed daily medication related to myocarditis. Of 249 individuals who completed the quality-of-life portion of the patient survey, four (2%) reported problems with self-care, 13 (5%) with mobility, 49 (20%) with performing usual activities, 74 (30%) with pain, and 114 (46%) with depression. Mean weighted quality-of-life measure (0·91 [SD 0·13]) was similar to a pre-pandemic US population value (0·92 [0·13]) and significantly higher than an early pandemic US population value (0·75 [0·28]; p<0·0001). Most patients had improvements in cardiac diagnostic marker and testing data at follow-up, including normal or back-to-baseline troponin concentrations (181 [91%] of 200 patients with available data), echocardiograms (262 [94%] of 279 patients), electrocardiograms (240 [77%] of 311 patients), exercise stress testing (94 [90%] of 104 patients), and ambulatory rhythm monitoring (86 [90%] of 96 patients). An abnormality was noted among 81 (54%) of 151 patients with follow-up cardiac MRI; however, evidence of myocarditis suggested by the presence of both late gadolinium enhancement and oedema on cardiac MRI was uncommon (20 [13%] of 151 patients). At follow-up, most patients were cleared for all physical activity (268 [68%] of 393 patients).
- InterpretationAfter at least 90 days since onset of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, most individuals in our cohort were considered recovered by health-care providers, and quality of life measures were comparable to those in pre-pandemic and early pandemic populations of a similar age. These findings might not be generalisable given the small sample size and further follow-up is needed for the subset of patients with atypical test results or not considered recovered.
- FundingUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Introduction Evidence from the USA and multiple international vaccine safety monitoring systems support a small but increased risk of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.
- 1 WHOCOVID-19 subcommittee of the World Health Organization Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety: updated guidance regarding myocarditis and pericarditis reported with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.
- In 2021, data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) indicated that in US individuals aged 12 years or older, approximately 4·8 cases of myocarditis per million doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines administered were reported, with the highest reporting rates in those aged 12''29 years.
- 2Gargano JW Wallace M Hadler SC et al.Use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after reports of myocarditis among vaccine recipients: update from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices'--United States, June, 2021.
- Despite the higher than expected occurrence of myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination, the benefits of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to outweigh the risk of myocarditis.
- 2Gargano JW Wallace M Hadler SC et al.Use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after reports of myocarditis among vaccine recipients: update from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices'--United States, June, 2021.
- , 3Block JP Boehmer TK Forrest CB et al.Cardiac complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection and mRNA COVID-19 vaccination'--PCORnet, United States, January, 2021''January, 2022.
- Research in contextEvidence before this study
- In December, 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued emergency use authorisations (EUAs) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 (BNT162b2) vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 (mRNA-1273) vaccine. In May, 2021, FDA expanded the EUA for the BNT162b2 vaccine to include adolescents aged 12''15 years. By July, 2022, more than 200 million people in the USA had received two doses of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine and more than 1500 cases of myocarditis with onset after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination were reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). We searched PubMed for articles published up to April 30, 2022, using the keywords ''mRNA vaccine'' and ''myocarditis'', without any language restrictions. Systematic reviews published in 2022 included more than 5299 individuals with myocarditis after mRNA vaccination and suggested the risk was highest in adolescents and young males after a second vaccine dose. Findings from these systematic reviews suggest that most cases of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination have resolution of symptoms at or soon after discharge from a short hospital stay. However, data on medium-term prognoses for adolescents and young adults diagnosed with myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination are scarce.
- Added value of this study
- To our knowledge, this is the largest evaluation of outcomes among patients diagnosed with myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, with follow-up at least 90 days since onset. We collected data from both patients (or their parents or guardians) and health-care providers, and evaluated a comprehensive range of outcomes, including follow-up cardiac biomarkers, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiograms, troponin levels, and electrocardiograms. We found that 320 (81%) of 393 patients with a health-care provider assessment were considered recovered from myocarditis, and quality of life measures were similar to pre-pandemic or early pandemic measurements. No single diagnostic test or clinical feature appeared to be associated with recovered status.
- Implications of all the available evidence
- Myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination is rare, but potentially serious. To better understand possible longer term sequalae of myocarditis, continued follow-up is important, particularly for the patients not recovered by at least 90 days since symptom onset. Vaccination remains the most effective way of preventing morbidity and mortality from COVID-19.
- Cardiac assessment of patients diagnosed with myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination often shows increased cardiac biomarkers (eg, troponin concentrations) and atypical cardiac imaging (eg, echocardiograms), which are similar findings to those shown for viral or acute myocarditis.
- , 5Oster ME Shay DK Su JR et al.Myocarditis cases reported after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination in the US from December, 2020 to August, 2021.
- Viral myocarditis unrelated to mRNA COVID-19 vaccination can lead to heart failure, cardiac transplantation, or death.
- 6Ghelani SJ Spaeder MC Pastor W Spurney CF Klugman D Demographics, trends, and outcomes in pediatric acute myocarditis in the United States, 2006 to 2011.
- Conversely, case descriptions suggest that clinical outcomes following a diagnosis of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination are more favourable than those associated with viral myocarditis, with resolution of symptoms often described at or soon after discharge from a short hospital stay for myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.
- 5Oster ME Shay DK Su JR et al.Myocarditis cases reported after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination in the US from December, 2020 to August, 2021.
- , 7Sinagra G Anzini M Pereira NL et al.Myocarditis in clinical practice.
- , 8Witberg G Barda N Hoss S et al.Myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination in a large health care organization.
- , 9Truong DT Dionne A Muniz JC et al.Clinically suspected myocarditis temporally related to COVID-19 vaccination in adolescents and young adults: suspected myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination.
- However, data on follow-up prognoses for adolescents and young adults diagnosed with myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination are scarce.
- 10Amir G Rotstein A Razon Y et al.CMR imaging 6 months after myocarditis associated with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
- , 11Fronza M Thavendiranathan P Karur GR et al.Cardiac MRI and clinical follow-up in COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis.
- , 12Jain SS Steele JM Fonseca B et al.COVID-19 vaccination-associated myocarditis in adolescents.
- To conduct surveillance, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed a working myocarditis case definition with a team of subspecialists that has been used in several studies.
- 2Gargano JW Wallace M Hadler SC et al.Use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after reports of myocarditis among vaccine recipients: update from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices'--United States, June, 2021.
- , 5Oster ME Shay DK Su JR et al.Myocarditis cases reported after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination in the US from December, 2020 to August, 2021.
- , 9Truong DT Dionne A Muniz JC et al.Clinically suspected myocarditis temporally related to COVID-19 vaccination in adolescents and young adults: suspected myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination.
- , 13Goddard K Lewis N Fireman B et al.Risk of myocarditis and pericarditis following BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccination.
- In August, 2021, the CDC began follow-up of myocarditis cases to describe medium-term outcomes in the age group with the highest risk of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination diagnosis (ie, individuals aged 12''29 years). We report findings of clinical outcomes and quality of life at least 90 days since the onset of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in adolescents and young adults aged 12''29 years.
- Methods Study design and population In this follow-up surveillance study, we included US patients who were aged 12''29 years at the time of mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and for whom the time to myocarditis symptom onset was more than 90 days since vaccination and a VAERS report was filed between Jan 12, to Nov 5, 2021. VAERS is a national passive surveillance system coadministered by the CDC and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- 14Shimabukuro TT Nguyen M Martin D DeStefano F Safety monitoring in the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS).
- Any vaccine recipients, health-care providers, and vaccine providers can submit a report to VAERS. Under emergency use authorisations, vaccination providers are subject to mandatory reporting requirements for certain adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination, including hospitalisation.
- 15 US Food and Drug AdministrationFact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (vaccination providers): Emergency use authorization (EUA) of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- , 16 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Fact sheet for healthcare providers administering vaccine (vaccination providers). Emergency use authorization (EUA) of Pfizer-Biontech COVID-19 vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- The CDC encourages both vaccination providers and recipients report any clinically significant adverse event, regardless of the plausibility of the vaccine causing the event. Signs and symptoms of adverse events are coded using the
- Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities.
- Physicians at the CDC reviewed all identified VAERS reports and available medical records to determine if the case met CDC case definition criteria
- 2Gargano JW Wallace M Hadler SC et al.Use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after reports of myocarditis among vaccine recipients: update from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices'--United States, June, 2021.
- for confirmed or probable myocarditis or myopericarditis (henceforth referred to as myocarditis;
- 2Gargano JW Wallace M Hadler SC et al.Use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after reports of myocarditis among vaccine recipients: update from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices'--United States, June, 2021.
- This activity was determined to meet the requirements of public health surveillance as defined in Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 46.102(l)(2) and no institutional review board approval was needed. Verbal consent was obtained from either adult patients or parents or guardians of minor patients.
- Procedures From Aug 24, 2021, to Jan 12, 2022, we administered a two-component telephone survey to assess patient outcomes at least 90 days since the onset of myocarditis symptoms after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (further details on the implementation of the survey are specified in
- appendix 1 [pp 2''3]). The first component administered to adult patients or to the parents or guardians of minor patients ascertained quality of life, previous medical history, need for ongoing medication for myocarditis, and presence of clinical symptoms in the 2 weeks before the date of the survey, including chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations, hospitalisations, and days of school or work missed in the 2 weeks before the survey.
- To assess patient quality of life and overall health after myocarditis diagnosis, we administered the EuroQol 5-dimension, 5-level (EQ-5D-5L)
- questionnaire that characterises health across five dimensions: mobility, self-care, pain or discomfort, perform usual activities, and anxiety or depression.
- 17Herdman M Gudex C Lloyd A et al.Development and preliminary testing of the new five-level version of EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L).
- , 18Janssen MF Pickard AS Golicki D et al.Measurement properties of the EQ-5D-5L compared to the EQ-5D-3L across eight patient groups: a multi-country study.
- The EQ-5D-5L instrument has been validated for use in people aged 12''29 years
- 19Devlin NJ Brooks R EQ-5D and the EuroQol group: past, present and future.
- and was used in this surveillance activity to describe the overall wellbeing of the patient group, not as an indicator of myocarditis recovery. For the quality of life questionnaire, five levels of response, from no problems to extreme problems, were dichotomised as no problems (severity level 1) or any problems (severity levels 2''5).
- 20Devlin N Parkin D Janssen B Methods for analysing and reporting EQ-5D data.
- Weighted analysis converted patient responses to a numerical scale ranging from 0 (equivalent to death) to 1 (full health;
- 21Pickard AS Law EH Jiang R et al.United States valuation of EQ-5D-5L health states using an international protocol.
- Overall health was self-rated by patients using the EuroQol visual analog scale (EQ-VAS), with scores ranging from 0 to 100 (100 representing the best possible health and 0 representing the worst possible health). We compared the patients' EQ-5D-5L survey responses with published EQ-5D-5L survey results of 18''24-year-old US population respondents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 22Hay JW Gong CL Jiao X et al.A US population health survey on the impact of COVID-19 using the EQ-5D-5L.
- , 23Jiang R Janssen MFB Pickard AS US population norms for the EQ-5D-5L and comparison of norms from face-to-face and online samples.
- The second component of the two-part survey was a survey of health-care providers who provided care to eligible patients for this study with myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, which ascertained patient cardiac health and functional status (
- appendix 2 pp 1''19). Follow-up assessments of cardiac health after the initial myocarditis diagnosis or hospitalisation for myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination included findings from electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, cardiac MRIs, troponin concentrations, exercise stress testing, and ambulatory rhythm monitoring (
- appendix 1 pp 1''2). Assessments of functional status included ongoing treatment or health-care provider-recommended restrictions on physical activity.
- In both parts of the survey, health-care providers and patients were asked about any previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in the patient before the diagnosis of myocarditis, as determined by a positive laboratory-confirmed test; however, we did not ask about the severity of infection. To assess myocarditis recovery, health-care providers were asked the following: based on your clinical assessment and any testing information, please describe the patient's cardiac recovery status as of the date of your last visit or consultation (compared with the time of initial myocarditis diagnosis;
- appendix 2 p 4). Survey options were fully recovered, probably fully recovered, improved but not fully recovered, same cardiac status as at the initial diagnosis (ie, no worse or no better), worse cardiac status, unsure, or declined to answer. For this evaluation, patients determined to be fully or probably fully recovered by the health-care provider were designated recovered and patients deemed to be improved but not fully recovered or with the same cardiac status at initial diagnosis were designated not recovered. CDC's Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) Project provided technical input for survey development.
- 24 Centers for Disease Control and PreventionClinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) Project.
- Statistical analysis To assess non-response bias, demographic and clinical characteristics of survey respondents were compared with characteristics of non-respondents (eg, those who were unreachable), including age, sex (male or female), self-reported race and ethnicity, geographical census region, and findings from initial echocardiograms (
- appendix 1 p 8). Additionally, we compared VAERS reporter type (health-care provider or patient), geographical census region, age, sex, initial echocardiogram findings, and race and ethnicity among survey respondents and non-respondents.
- Descriptive analyses were conducted to determine frequencies, percentages, means, and SDs to characterise cases of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination by age, sex, time elapsed since symptom onset, quality of life measures, and clinical outcome. All cases meeting the CDC definition for myocarditis were included, regardless of whether a suspected alternative cause was identified. For assessment of recovery status, we conducted a sensitivity analysis limited to individuals with symptom onset at least 7 days after vaccination and without a suspected alternative cause identified by their health-care provider (
- appendix 1 p 4). Missing values were not imputed. To assess statistical significance of comparisons, we used the Ï
- 2 test for categorical variables, Fisher's exact test for variables with small sample sizes (n<5), and the Student's t-test or the Mann''Whitney U test for continuous variables. All analyses were performed with R software (version 4.1.1). p<0·05 was considered to be statistically significant.
- Role of the funding source The funder led data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, writing, and submission of the manuscript.
- Results Between Jan 12 and Nov 5, 2021, 989 cases of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in patients aged 12''29 years were reported to VAERS and met the CDC's case definition for myocarditis. Of these, 836 (85%) patients were at least 90 days post-myocarditis onset (
- figure 1). Of the 836 patients, 204 (24%) patients had no telephone number available for contact and 257 (31%) patients were unreachable. Of the remaining 375 patients, 357 (95%) patients consented to the survey and 18 (5%) patients declined. Between Aug 24, 2021, and Jan 12, 2022, we contacted and collected data for 519 (62%) of the 836 eligible patients: 126 patients via patient survey only, 162 patients via health-care provider survey only, and 231 patients via both the patient and health-care provider survey (
- figure 1). Median interval from myocarditis onset to survey completion was 143 days (IQR 131''162) for patients and 191 days (170''216) for health-care providers. We found no significant differences in VAERS reporter type (health-care provider or patient), geographical census region, age, sex, initial echocardiogram findings, or race or ethnicity in patients surveyed compared with patients who were not surveyed (
- appendix 1 p 8). In a subset of patients with abnormal echocardiograms, the abnormality identified was a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 50%. Of the 100 survey respondents with LVEF values recorded at their initial diagnosis, 33 (33%) had LVEF values less than 50%, which was not statistically different from the results in non-respondents (27 [42%] of 65 non-respondents; Ï
- For 393 (47%) of 836 patients, health-care providers were contacted; 241 (61%) of 393 were cardiologists. At the time of the survey, health-care providers considered 320 (81%) of 393 patients to be recovered: 261 (66%) patients were considered fully recovered and 59 (15%) patients were considered to be probably recovered but awaiting further information. An additional 61 (16%) patients had improved and four patients had the same cardiac status as at the initial myocarditis diagnosis; these 65 patients were categorised as not fully recovered (
- figure 1). The cumulative proportion of patients considered recovered in the time (weeks) since the last health-care provider encounter is shown in
- appendix 1 (p 15). The median time from myocarditis symptom onset to the last health-care provider encounter for patients who were considered probably fully recovered or fully recovered was 92 days (IQR 43''133), and for patients who were considered fully recovered the median time was 84 days (36''135).
- Most patients were male (457 [88%] of 519 patients) and White non-Hispanic (274 [53%]), and the median age of all patients was 17 years (IQR 15''22;
- table 1). 98 (19%) of 519 patients were Hispanic of any race. There was no notable difference between recovered individuals compared with individuals who were not recovered across any ethnic or racial groups. Overall, patients considered to be recovered and not recovered from myocarditis were similar with respect to age (median age 17 years [IQR 15''21] for patients considered recovered
- vs 17 years [15''21] for those considered not recovered) and sex (290 [91%] male individuals who were considered recovered
- vs 56 [86%] of male individuals who were considered not to be recovered, and 30 [9%] female individuals who were considered recovered
- vs 9 [14%] of female individuals who were not considered recovered). The median time from illness onset to health-care provider interview for the 320 (81%) of 393 individuals who were considered recovered was 189 days (IQR 167''214), and for the 61 (16%) of 393 patients who were considered improved but not fully recovered the median time was 195 days (179''195).
- Table 1 Demographic characteristics and symptoms of patients by provider-reported recovery status from myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination
- Data are n (%) unless specified otherwise. Data are based on the completion of 357 patient surveys, 393 provider surveys, and 231 linked surveys, resulting in 519 patients for which data were collected. Health-care provider determination of patient myocarditis recovery was provided for 393 patients, of whom 320 were considered fully or probably fully recovered and 65 were not considered recovered (and eight patients had an undetermined recovery status;
- figure 1). Based on the last patient encounter, health-care providers reported that 62 (16%) of 393 patients had at least one symptom that might occur with myocarditis.
- Open table in a new tab In the 2 weeks before the survey date, 178 (50%) of 357 patients reported having at least one symptom that might occur with myocarditis (chest pain or discomfort, fatigue, shortness of breath, or palpitations). Patients who were not considered recovered from myocarditis more frequently reported fatigue than did patients who were considered recovered (12 [43%]
- table 1). By contrast, based on the last patient encounter, health-care providers reported that 62 (16%) of 393 patients at least one symptom that might occur with myocarditis (
- Of 357 patients surveyed, 267 (75%) were enrolled in school or in paid employment; 43 (16%) of whom reported missing school or workdays in the 2 weeks before the survey date. Of those 43 patients, 15 (35%) believed it was associated with myocarditis.
- Of 357 patients surveyed, 249 (71%) consented to completing both the EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS components of the patient survey. Of 249 patients, four (2%) reported problems with self-care, 13 (5%) with mobility, 49 (21%) with performing usual activities, 74 (30%) with pain, and 114 (46%) with anxiousness or depression (
- figure 2A). Overall, patients reported having good health, reflected by the high median weighted index score (0·94; IQR 0·88''1·00) and median overall health status (EQ-VAS) score (90; 80''95;
- Figure 2 Self-assessment of health-related quality of life among patients with myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination
- Show full caption (A) Bar plot of health-related quality of life among patients. Patients were administered the EuroQol 5-dimension 5-severity level questionnaire; for analysis, the five health-related dimensions were dichotomised into the frequency of problems (severity levels 2''5) and no problems (level 1). (B) Violin plot of weighted quality of life measure (using value weights in
- appendix 1 p 7) converted from each patient health profile from (A) to an index score between 1 (perfect health) and 0 (equivalent to death). (C) Violin plot of patient self-assessed overall health on a scale from 0 to 100 (with 100 representing best possible health and 0 representing the worst possible health). The denominator for the EuroQol questionnaire was 249 respondents. In the violin plots (B, C), the limits of the boxes denote IQR and the horizontal line denotes median values. Whisker endpoints are equal to the maximum and minimum values below or above the median plus or minus 1·5 times the IQR. The width of the outer shape around the box plots indicates the probability density of values or responses with a given result.
- View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)The mean EQ-5D-5L weighted utility score in our group (0·91 [SD 0·13]) was significantly higher than that for US respondents aged 18''24 years who completed a EQ-5D-5L questionnaire during the pandemic, as reported by Hay and colleagues
- 22Hay JW Gong CL Jiao X et al.A US population health survey on the impact of COVID-19 using the EQ-5D-5L.
- (0·75 [0·28]; p<0·0001). Mean EQ-5D-5L weighted utility scores from the pre-pandemic timepoint among US respondents aged 18''24 years have also been reported by Jiang and colleagues, from face-to-face surveys and online surveys.
- 23Jiang R Janssen MFB Pickard AS US population norms for the EQ-5D-5L and comparison of norms from face-to-face and online samples.
- The weighted score from our survey was not significantly different to that obtained in the face-to-face surveys (0·92 [0·13]), but our score was significantly higher than that from the online surveys (0·84 [0·18]; p<0·0001).
- Most patients were admitted to hospital after an initial diagnosis of myocarditis (484 [93%] of 519 patients). Of these 484 patients, 393 (81%) patients had information on level of care, according to the health-care provider surveys; 99 (25%) of these 393 patients were treated in an intensive care unit and one (<1%) patient required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (
- table 2). To our knowledge, no deaths occurred during follow-up among the patients eligible for the survey. Six (2%) of 357 patients who self-reported re-admission to hospital had a hospital admission because of an adverse event after myocarditis treatment (n=3; adverse reactions to intravenous immune globulin) or had any cardiac abnormality identified (n=3;
- appendix 1 p 6); all patients were discharged within 1 week.
- Table 2 Level of care, testing, and treatment by recovery status among patients with myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination
- Data are n (%) unless otherwise specified. Data are based on the completion of 393 health-care provider surveys. Health-care provider determination of patient myocarditis recovery was provided for 393 patients, of whom 320 were considered fully or probably fully recovered, 65 were not considered recovered, and the health-care provider was unsure of the recovery status in eight patients, as shown in
- figure 1. Follow-up cardiac testing was performed, although the result of the test was not available for troponin concentration in three patients, echocardiogram in five patients, cardiac MRI in seven patients, exercise stress testing in five patients, and ambulatory rhythm monitoring in nine patients.
- Open table in a new tab At follow-up, fewer patients had restrictions on physical activity than at initial diagnosis, and 34 (52%) of 65 individuals with restrictions on physical activity at the time of follow-up who were not considered recovered were cleared for all physical activity; 31 (48%) individuals still had restrictions (
- table 2). Median interval from myocarditis onset to approval for all physical activity was 98 days (IQR 57''134;
- 104 (26%) of 393 patients were prescribed daily medications related to myocarditis at the last health-care provider encounter (
- table 2). Patients who were not considered recovered from myocarditis were more frequently prescribed daily medication than were patients who were considered to be recovered. The most prescribed medications, as of the last health-care provider follow-up, were colchicine, β-blockers, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (
- At follow-up, most patients had improvements in diagnostic marker and imaging data, including normal or back-to-baseline troponin concentrations, echocardiograms, exercise stress testing, ambulatory rhythm monitoring, and electrocardiograms (
- figure 3). In the ten patients with abnormal ambulatory rhythm monitoring results, we found eight (80%) had atrial, supraventricular, or ventricular arrhythmia, three (30%) had a conduction delay or block, and five (50%) had frequent atrial or ventricular ectopy. Of these 10 patients, three (30%) had evidence of late gadolinium enhancement on follow-up cardiac MRI; of the three with evidence of late gadolinium enhancement, two (67%) had evidence of an atrial, supraventricular, or ventricular arrhythmia. Among the 151 patients who had cardiac MRIs during outpatient follow-up, 81 (54%) patients had one or more abnormalities. Abnormal cardiac MRI findings included the presence of late gadolinium enhancement (71 [47%] patients), inflammation or oedema (22 [15%] patients), or wall motion abnormalities (six [4%] patients;
- appendix 1 p 9). Evidence of ongoing myocarditis, defined by both late gadolinium enhancement and oedema using modified Lake Louise criteria,
- 25Ferreira VM Schulz-Menger J Holmvang G et al.Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in nonischemic myocardial inflammation: expert recommendations.
- was uncommon (20 [13%] of 151 patients;
- appendix 1 p 9). Median interval from symptom onset to evidence of ongoing myocarditis was 26 days (IQR, 9''94) and from symptom onset to evidence of late gadolinium enhancement was 109 days (58''163;
- appendix 1 p 10). Of the 67 patients with late gadolinium enhancement or evidence of ongoing myocarditis, additional follow-up testing indicated abnormal echocardiograms in five (7%) patients, abnormal troponin concentrations in five (7%) patients, and abnormal electrocardiograms in 14 (21%) patients (
- Figure 3 Follow-up functional status, biomarker testing, and cardiac imaging in patients at least 90 days since onset of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination
- Show full caption Cardiac biomarker testing or imaging findings are from the health-care provider surveys completed for 393 patients. Not all patients received diagnostic testing or imaging and the denominator for each follow-up test is equal to the sum of the normal and abnormal findings; the type of abnormalities identified are not mutually exclusive.
- View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)In the subset of patients with abnormal findings at the time of myocarditis diagnosis, abnormal diagnostic markers or abnormal imaging were also observed at follow-up in seven (12%) of 60 with initial abnormal echocardiograms, 19 (5%) of 387 with initial elevated troponin levels, and 47 (32%) of 146 with initial abnormal cardiac MRIs (
- figure 4). There was substantial heterogeneity in cardiac biomarkers, imaging, and patient functional status between patients considered recovered or not recovered from myocarditis (
- appendix 1 p 16). All cardiac test results (ie, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, cardiac MRI, and troponin) were available for follow-up review in only 199 (62%) of 320 patients considered recovered, 44 (68%) of 65 considered not recovered, and three (38%) of eight with an unknown recovery status.
- Figure 4 Changes in cardiac biomarker and imaging from the initial encounter and the health-care provider follow-up
- Show full caption Testing, including echocardiograms, cardiac MRIs, and troponin concentrations, performed at the time of initial myocarditis diagnosis and at follow-up are not necessarily matched because each patient had testing (or not) at the discretion of the treating health-care providers.
- View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT) Discussion We ascertained outcomes at least 90 days since onset of myocarditis among 519 patients aged 12''29 years who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and met the CDC case definition for myocarditis. Most (81%) patients for whom a follow-up health-care provider survey was completed were considered recovered from myocarditis, and most self-reported overall good health on the EQ-5D-5L. Readmissions to hospital were uncommon, and no deaths were identified during the follow-up period. Myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination is rare yet potentially serious, and although most patients were considered recovered by health-care providers at least 90 days since onset, nearly half of patients continued to self-report symptoms, including chest pain, and a quarter were prescribed daily cardiac medications. These findings suggest that continued follow-up and assessment of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination is needed to more fully understand recovery after vaccine-associated myocarditis.
- From a clinical standpoint, our findings suggest that myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination could have a more favourable prognosis than myocarditis after viral infection, based on data available from the pre-COVID-19 period. In a published study of outcomes in children within 90 days of viral or acute myocarditis onset in the USA, 119 (23%) of 514 individuals required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or a ventricular-assisted device and 58 (11%) of 514 individuals required cardiac transplant or died.
- 6Ghelani SJ Spaeder MC Pastor W Spurney CF Klugman D Demographics, trends, and outcomes in pediatric acute myocarditis in the United States, 2006 to 2011.
- In a recent nationwide study in Denmark of adults, 90-day all-cause mortality among those with acute myocarditis was 4·9%.
- 26Kragholm KH Lindgren FL Zaremba T et al.Mortality and ventricular arrhythmia after acute myocarditis: a nationwide registry-based follow-up study.
- A longer term follow-up study of acute myocarditis among older adults (median age 34 years [IQR 24''42]) in Italy observed cardiac mortality or heart transplant rates at 1 year and 5 years of 3·0% and 4·1%, respectively, although complicated cases had rates of adverse cardiac outcomes that were several times higher.
- 27Ammirati E Cipriani M Moro C et al.Clinical presentation and outcome in a contemporary cohort of patients with acute myocarditis: multicenter Lombardy registry.
- In contrast with these studies, we found that only four (1%) patients had the same cardiac status as at the initial myocarditis diagnosis (ie, did not improve but did not worsen), whereas more than 95% (381 of 393 patients) showed improvement or recovery. Consistent with our findings, a recent report comparing classic myocarditis to COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis in individuals aged younger than 21 years observed similar clinical presentations and found COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis had better outcomes and a more rapid cardiac recovery.
- 28Patel T Kelleman M West Z et al.Comparison of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children-related myocarditis, classic viral myocarditis, and COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis in children.
- Published data for health-related quality of life in the USA among individuals aged 18''24 years, before the COVID-19 pandemic, showed that 45 (42%) of 107 individuals reported anxiety or depression and 35 (33%) of 107 individuals reported pain or discomfort.
- 23Jiang R Janssen MFB Pickard AS US population norms for the EQ-5D-5L and comparison of norms from face-to-face and online samples.
- More recent quality of life measure data from Hay and colleagues
- 22Hay JW Gong CL Jiao X et al.A US population health survey on the impact of COVID-19 using the EQ-5D-5L.
- among US respondents during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic showed that 1653 (60·2%) of 2746 individuals reported anxiety or depression.
- 22Hay JW Gong CL Jiao X et al.A US population health survey on the impact of COVID-19 using the EQ-5D-5L.
- Consistent with these observations, we found that patients with myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination reported similar or better quality of life measures than the general US population, with fewer patients with myocarditis reporting anxiety or depression than did individuals during the pandemic (46% [114/249]
- vs 60·2% [1653/2746]). However, absence of age-specific data in the previous analyses
- 22Hay JW Gong CL Jiao X et al.A US population health survey on the impact of COVID-19 using the EQ-5D-5L.
- , 23Jiang R Janssen MFB Pickard AS US population norms for the EQ-5D-5L and comparison of norms from face-to-face and online samples.
- precluded any further statistical comparisons in this study.
- Despite clinical improvements and normalisation of most diagnostic test results, as noted by health-care providers, half of patients (178/357) surveyed continued to report at least one symptom potentially associated with myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination. One possible explanation for the persistence of symptoms is that approximately 50% of patients reported depression or anxiety, conditions that can manifest as symptoms associated with myocarditis, such as chest pain or palpitations.
- 29Lipsitz JD Masia-Warner C Apfel H et al.Anxiety and depressive symptoms and anxiety sensitivity in youngsters with noncardiac chest pain and benign heart murmurs.
- The meaning of the cardiac MRI findings among the subset of patients who received cardiac imaging is unclear. Evidence of ongoing myocarditis on follow-up cardiac MRIs based on modified Lake Louise criteria
- 25Ferreira VM Schulz-Menger J Holmvang G et al.Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in nonischemic myocardial inflammation: expert recommendations.
- was uncommon. However, consistent with the few published case series of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, we observed that nearly half of patients (71/151) with follow-up cardiac MRIs had residual late gadolinium enhancement, suggestive of myocardial scarring.
- 10Amir G Rotstein A Razon Y et al.CMR imaging 6 months after myocarditis associated with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
- , 11Fronza M Thavendiranathan P Karur GR et al.Cardiac MRI and clinical follow-up in COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis.
- , 12Jain SS Steele JM Fonseca B et al.COVID-19 vaccination-associated myocarditis in adolescents.
- , 25Ferreira VM Schulz-Menger J Holmvang G et al.Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in nonischemic myocardial inflammation: expert recommendations.
- We did not note the degree of late gadolinium enhancement identified during follow-up, but a recent study that assessed serial cardiac MRIs in patients younger than 19 years with myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination and persistent late gadolinium enhancement showed improvement over time.
- 30Hadley SM Prakash A Baker AL et al.Follow-up cardiac magnetic resonance in children with vaccine-associated myocarditis.
- In a small subset of patients, initial cardiac imaging at diagnosis was normal but follow-up imaging was abnormal. It is possible that clinical findings in these patients continued to evolve after diagnosis. Another possibility is that the initial and follow-up imaging results were evaluated by different health-care providers, who had varying interpretations.
- In previous studies during the pre-COVID era, cardiac scarring related to myocarditis on follow-up MRI was not uncommon, yet its clinical significance has remained controversial.
- 10Amir G Rotstein A Razon Y et al.CMR imaging 6 months after myocarditis associated with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
- , 31Gr¼n S Schumm J Greulich S et al.Long-term follow-up of biopsy-proven viral myocarditis: predictors of mortality and incomplete recovery.
- , 32Law YM Lal AK Chen S et al.Diagnosis and management of myocarditis in children: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.
- , 33Dubey S Agarwal A Nguyen S Adebo D Persistence of late gadolinium enhancement on follow-up CMR imaging in children with acute myocarditis.
- Although late gadolinium enhancement during the acute episode of myocarditis has been shown in children and adults to be a possible indication of future adverse cardiac events, including arrythmias, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, transplantation, and death,
- 31Gr¼n S Schumm J Greulich S et al.Long-term follow-up of biopsy-proven viral myocarditis: predictors of mortality and incomplete recovery.
- , 34Aquaro GD Perfetti M Camastra G et al.Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Working Group of the Italian Society of Cardiology. Cardiac MR with late gadolinium enhancement in acute myocarditis with preserved systolic function: ITAMY study.
- , 35Lota AS Tsao A Owen R et al.Prognostic significance of nonischemic myocardial fibrosis in patients with normal LV volumes and ejection-fraction.
- , 36Gr¤ni C Eichhorn C Bi¨re L et al.Prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance tissue characterization in risk stratifying patients with suspected myocarditis.
- the importance of late gadolinium enhancement noted on follow-up cardiac MRIs in patients with viral myocarditis is unclear.
- 31Gr¼n S Schumm J Greulich S et al.Long-term follow-up of biopsy-proven viral myocarditis: predictors of mortality and incomplete recovery.
- Indeed, guidelines regarding clearance of athletes for competitive sports after myocarditis acknowledge the unclear role of cardiac MRI in the follow-up of such patients.
- 37Maron BJ Udelson JE Bonow RO et al.Eligibility and disqualification recommendations for competitive athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities: task force 3: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and other cardiomyopathies, and myocarditis: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology.
- Our follow-up evaluation is subject to several limitations. First, and most importantly, the absence of clear clinical practice guidelines for the outpatient follow-up of myocarditis meant that comparing clinical course among patients was challenging, as no standard level of care was provided. Therefore, some data pertinent to understanding potential residual symptoms and disease were unavailable. We found substantial heterogeneity in the initial evaluation and follow-up of patients, particularly in the cardiac diagnostic imaging received. Current guidelines recommend restricting patients with myocarditis (eg, athletes) from competitive sports for 3''6 months,
- 38Bonow RO Nishimura RA Thompson PD Udelson JE Eligibility and disqualification recommendations for competitive athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities: task force 5: valvular heart disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology.
- although we noted some variability among health-care providers in clearing patients for a return to all physical activity. There are no standard criteria for myocarditis recovery, and we did not identify any clinical feature or diagnostic test results associated with recovery status in the patients we evaluated. Forthcoming expert guidelines regarding the follow-up management and testing of patients with myocarditis could help standardise care in the future.
- A second limitation is the passive (or spontaneous) nature of VAERS reporting. Some US cases of myocarditis associated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccination will not have been reported; however, it is unclear how cases reported or not reported initially to VAERS could differ. Selection bias is a possible limitation in any survey activity. Third, although 519 (62%) of the 836 eligible patients with myocarditis who filed a report to VAERS were included in this follow-up evaluation, 275 (33%) declined to participate or were unreachable. Reassuringly, we found no significant differences in the age, sex, race, or census region of respondents compared with non-respondents, although our findings might not be generalisable to all US individuals aged 12''29 years who develop myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination due to the small sample size. Fourth, we relied on health-care provider reports for all diagnostic data results. Unlike prospective studies, we did not have access to central interpretation of tests (eg, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and cardiac MRIs). Although this limitation probably introduces some variability into the findings, it also reflects real-world practice and data appeared not to be missing at random. A fifth limitation is the absence of a control group for the analysis of patient symptoms. Control groups are important for contextualising symptoms. For example, in a study of long COVID among children and adolescents (aged <21 years) in the USA, Rao and colleagues
- 39Rao S Lee GM Razzaghi H et al.Clinical features and burden of postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents.
- found that 41·9% of patients with a history of COVID-19 reported at least one symptom of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, as did 38·2% of a control group without a history of COVID-19. Although no pre-myocarditis measures were available for our group of patients with myocarditis, we found that quality of life measures among those with COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis at follow-up were similar to or better than those of contemporary populations studied before or early in the pandemic.
- 22Hay JW Gong CL Jiao X et al.A US population health survey on the impact of COVID-19 using the EQ-5D-5L.
- , 23Jiang R Janssen MFB Pickard AS US population norms for the EQ-5D-5L and comparison of norms from face-to-face and online samples.
- Finally, given limitations on the ability to determine causes of myocarditis other than mRNA vaccination, we included all cases in our analyses.
- In summary, after at least 90 days since onset of myocarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, 81% of patients were considered recovered by their health-care provider. At the time of follow-up, these patients reported quality of life measures similar to pre-pandemic reports among individuals of similar ages in the USA. 50% of patients reported at least one symptom at follow-up. Among a subset of 151 patients who had follow-up cardiac MRI results, 54% had an abnormal finding. The CDC is conducting additional follow-up on patients who were not considered recovered at least 12 months since symptom onset, to better understand their longer term outcomes.
- MEO, KRB, MJC, MMC, JS, JRS, SSM, JMD, CBC, EBW, DKS, and TTS were responsible for project conceptualisation. IK, JW, PM, and JS were responsible for data curation and data analysis. KRB, MMC, MG, KS, BR, ALV, SSM, AA, AR-C, SN, SSM, DKS, TTS, and SVB provided project administration, supervision, and resources. IK, SVB, MEO, DKS, and TTS wrote the original draft. All authors edited the final version. IK and JW had access to all the data and had final responsibility for the decision to submit for publication.
- Data sharing Patient data from this public health investigation are not available to be shared publicly. Limited, deidentified
- VAERS data are publicly available online.
- Declaration of interestsMEO reports a grant from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). BC reports a Clinical and Translational Science grant from NIH and participation on the data and safety advisory board for Astellas. EBW reports a grant from Moderna, Pfizer, Sequiris, and NIH, and participation on the data and safety advisory board for Vaxcyte and Iliad Biotechnologies.
- We thank all the patients, parents, guardians, and health-care providers who participated in the surveys. We also thank the state and local health departments that assisted in data collection. We thank all health-care providers who made reports to VAERS and who were involved in the care of the patients described in this investigation. We acknowledge the technical contributions of Dr Michael J Smith. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided financial support for the CDC authors' salaries and project materials. This work was also supported by the CDC CISA Project contracts 200''2012''50430''0005 to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 200''2012''53663''0011 to Duke University, 200''2012''53661''0008 to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and 200''2012''53709''0007 to Boston Medical Center. Other authors received salary support from their institutions. The findings and conclusions in this Article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the CDC. Mention of a product or company name is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the CDC.
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- 66 : 2362-2371 38. Bonow RO Nishimura RA Thompson PD Udelson JE Eligibility and disqualification recommendations for competitive athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities: task force 5: valvular heart disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology.
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- () Article InfoPublication HistoryPublished: September 21, 2022
- IdentificationDOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(22)00244-9
- CopyrightPublished by Elsevier Ltd.
- ScienceDirectAccess this article on ScienceDirect Linked ArticlesRecovery from mRNA COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis Historically, smallpox and anthrax vaccines have been associated with acute myocarditis.1 Among 790 cases reported in the WHO pharmacovigilance database between 1967 and 2020,1 vaccine-associated myocarditis primarily affected young male adults (median age 24 years; 84% male individuals). Recently, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have also been associated with myocarditis. In the USA, 1626 cases of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine-related myocarditis were reported between December, 2020, and August, 2021, through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
- The Meat Replacement Hypothesis - The American Mind
- The plot to eliminate animal protein is well ahead of your plans to keep eating it.
- Farmers across the world are in open revolt against their governments. In India, thousands of farmers have stormed New Delhi, alleging collusion between the Prime Minister and major agricultural corporations. In the Netherlands, new restrictions on nitrogen emissions from fertilizer that threaten to destroy farmers' livelihoods have driven battalions of tractors into the streets'--and conflicts with the police. In Sri Lanka, the President's sudden decision to ban chemical fertilizers and impose universal organic farming recently led to massive protests and the collapse of their government. Similar environmentalist policies are about to be imposed in Ireland and Canada, where just last year truckers shut down the city of Ottawa over COVID vaccination mandates.
- Writing for National Review, Andrew Stuttaford predicts an impending farmer's uprising in Canada in response to what he calls Canada's ''war on beef.'' The phrase echoes a common belief on the American right that leftists seek to hyper-regulate or outright ban animal protein in the same way they do guns or fossil fuels. The Foundation for Economic Education began talking about a ''war on meat'' as early as 2019. Senator Joni Ernst referenced ''the left's war on meat'' to advocate her TASTEE Act last year. John Daniel Davidson of The Federalist recently warned that ''America is Next'' for a farmer uprising, due to the climate policies that Democrats are imposing here. Ultimately, many Americans have come to agree that this war on meat is a conspiracy of globalist elites, attributing even everyday agricultural misfortunes such as fertilizer scarcity, diesel fuel price hikes, widespread food processing and crop fires, and supply chain disruptions to a purposeful agenda.
- The concern is warranted. Upending the meat industry for environmental or health reasons should not be a serious policy debate. Ranchers and farmers are the only source of the nutritious, whole protein that nearly every culture includes in its cuisine. For all but the most religious vegan or ''food activism'' theorist, there is little doubt that including animal protein in your diet keeps you leaner and stronger, alive longer, and free of chronic illness.
- I presented the question of a ''war on meat'' to John Cain Carter, a cattle rancher whose operations in Texas and Brazil led him to establish the well-known rainforest conservation organization Alian§a da Terra. Through his advocacy, he is deeply familiar with the world of pro-environment NGOs, but despite working in the same field, he does not view them positively. Groups like the World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace, The Nature Conservancy, The Rockefeller Foundation and others are engaged, says Carter, in a ''siege on the beef business'' and ''an attack exquisitely planned as far back as the 1950s.''
- ''These groups want to wipe out independent family ranches in advance of corporate takeover,'' Carter said, ''And they push for policies that increase input costs and keep commodity prices stagnant while inflation rises.'' And governments, he continued, are more than happy to oblige ''under the auspices of climate change, animal welfare, and endangered species to restrict grazing rights, control water usage, and enact other regulations.'' In essence, Carter was describing a hostile, focused agenda that was neither accidental nor disorganized.
- Many governments and influential NGOs regularly call for the end of meat-based diets, and take steps to ensure that meat is eaten less. Most notoriously, World Economic Forum chair Klaus Schwab has made reducing meat consumption an essential element of the WEF's ''Great Reset'' plan. Along with the WEF, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the EU's ''Green Deal'' call for less meat-based diets. Germany, Denmark, and Sweden have proposed a meat tax as a way to reduce carbon emissions from cows. All of these measures focused on the meat industry as a significant driver of climate change.
- Texas cattle rancher Bart Simmons, who has built a social media presence to counter what he calls ''elite anti-meat messaging,'' considers such arguments pernicious. ''The anti-meat movement effectively tied methane from cattle as a cause for climate change early on in the debate, and it stuck,'' Simmons told me. ''The EPA attributes only 1.9% of America's greenhouse gases to methane and nitrous oxide from beef cattle, less than a tenth of other industries like electricity or transportation.'' If there is a war on beef, it's misguided.
- This is especially true when we scrutinize what would replace meat in the global diet. The famous expression ''we will not eat the bugs'' has become a canned response to global initiatives focused on protein derived from crickets or mealworms. But the meat replacement industry is even more technologically savvy: Bill Gates, Richard Branson, and other billionaires have begun heavily investing in laboratory meat products (which they ironically call ''clean meat'') grown from stem cells, soy, gelatin, and genetically-engineered yeast. An NYU researcher has even proposed making modifications to human bodies to make us smaller and allergic to meat, specifically citing the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change as a motivation. On the economic side, one of the WEF's favored startups, Doconomy, has introduced a ''carbon credit card'' which will shut off if the user purchases too much meat. Such climate-conscious financial practices align well with the World Bank's Food Systems 2030 plan, which shares the same views on global agriculture.
- It's not extreme to call this trend a ''War on Meat'' and to point out that it is being waged by leftist elites. The top left-aligned newspaper The New York Times has called meat-eating racist, the Soros- and Ford-funded organization Open Democracy has called it ''far-right'', and President Joe Biden has called for reducing red meat consumption by 90 percent. Agriculture and diet have now become a partisan struggle.
- On the other hand, most leftists still eat meat, and anti-meat messaging still occupies a fairly small political niche. In fact, even the globalist organizations mentioned above are not always anti-meat in their official statements and documents. The WEF acknowledges that meat is and always will be a core part of many diets, and ought to be, given its nutritional value. The EU's Nutri-Score, which is part of the Green Deal, rates meat products very highly as healthy choices, despite the overall program attacking meat consumption.
- Whatever the urgency or seriousness of this conspiracy against meat, it would be a mistake to ignore the elites' anti-meat trend or think it doesn't affect us personally. Food is never just an individual choice. The unprecedented bounty of the twenty-first century creates the illusion that food supplies are infinite. But this is not the case: meat abounds because demand is high. As meat demand falls'--as it has significantly in the United Kingdom and the United States'--the meat supply soon follows. If you're not convinced, go to a few grocery stores and try to buy a jabuticaba or a cherimoya'--you'll find they are not in stock, since there is no demand for them.
- As NGOs and the media attack meat from a consumption side, governments across the world attack the farming and ranching profession itself. The tax proposals that have caused the uprisings in The Netherlands and Sri Lanka are just the tip of the iceberg. In the United States, a staggering number of farmers are retirement age, with an entire career spent paying off overleveraged farm land, equipment, and supply purchases, only to have their revenue subject to the whims of price control, weather, and state and federal policies. Meanwhile, while student loans for college attendees are being forgiven, there is no such debt jubilee for farmers'--in fact, agricultural debt is treated far worse.
- The availability of meat is not solely a matter of government policy, either. America's farmers generally use methods of raising cattle that enervate instead of replenishing the soil. In order for meat to be plentiful and good-quality, soil must be nutrient-rich and provide diverse vegetation for grazing. Rotational and multispecies grazing are solutions that should be more widely adopted to ensure healthier livestock and reduce the need for fertilizer and pesticide.
- Whether or not there is a conspiracy against meat, pro-agriculture reforms must be a national priority. Getting to the bottom of a globalist scheme does nothing to solve the ongoing farming crisis, but neither nor does throwing up our hands as if nothing can be done against elite global planners, who desire to remake the world, but so far lack the coercive power to carry it out.
- Meat lovers should fortify the industry with some concrete steps. First, more robust marketing of healthy, high-quality meat is needed to counter anti-meat messaging. This will protect supply for meat by driving up demand. This is already common among independent sources like fitness and nutrition influencers, cooking and lifestyle magazines, and local trade groups. Like-minded health and wellness institutions and professionals must continue speaking the truth and countering false narratives about meat, before the anti-meat perspective becomes orthodoxy.
- Secondly, the policy posture of federal regulatory agencies must refocus against toxic, exploitative food producers'--not small farmers. The power of federal agencies like the FDA and USDA should be limited to their original purposes of truth-in-labeling and the protection of the food supply. The current confusion and industry invasion of meat replacements is a direct outgrowth of these agencies' arrogating the magisterial authority to define specific types of foods. Billionaire-backed laboratory meat startups and green ideologues have pushed the USDA to allow controversial substances like the cultured tissue of fetal bovine serum to be speciously labeled ''meat.''
- Lastly, meat advocates must push for government policies focused on bolstering meat production and training more farmers. Even the most anti-meat globalist understands that meat is an industry employing millions of people'--and the Sri Lankan revolt has demonstrated once and for all what happens when a ''Great Reset'' is attempted all at once. There is an opening for meat's defenders to pass legislation that can financially incentivize certain types of healthy farming and make it possible for more young Americans to train in agricultural trades. If the current presidential administration can openly debate the cancellation of billions of dollars of student loan debt, surely we can discuss debt relief for small farmers, many of whom have mortgaged their land and remain buried in long-term interest payments.
- Two things can be true at once: powerful forces can be leading opposition to healthy meat consumption, and the meat industry can do more to protect itself. To prevent meat from becoming a rare and prohibitively expensive luxury item, meat producers and consumers must work together to stop punitive legislation and propaganda from destroying meat-based nutrition. Simultaneously, strengthening and reforming the industry must become a policy and a cultural priority. Diet is the root of America's national health'--and we must strive to protect our high-quality protein from livestock agriculture.
- Do coronavirus vaccines affect periods? A new study says they do. - The Washington Post
- Not long after the rollout of coronavirus vaccines last year, women around the country began posting on social media about what they believed was a strange side effect: changes to their periods.
- Now, new research shows that many of the complaints were valid. A study of nearly 20,000 people around the world shows that getting vaccinated against covid can change the timing of the menstrual cycle. Vaccinated people experienced, on average, about a one-day delay in getting their periods, compared with those who hadn't been vaccinated.
- The data for the study, published Tuesday in the British Medical Journal, was taken from a popular period-tracking app called Natural Cycles and included people from around the world, but most were from North America, Britain and Europe. The researchers used ''de-identified'' data from the app to compare menstrual cycles among 14,936 participants who were vaccinated and 4,686 who were not.
- Because app users tracked their menstrual cycles each month, the researchers were able to analyze three menstrual cycles before vaccination and at least one cycle after, and compare them with four menstrual cycles in the unvaccinated group.
- The data showed that vaccinated people got their periods 0.71 days late, on average, after the first dose of vaccine. However, people who received two vaccinations within one menstrual cycle experienced greater disruptions. In this group, the average increase in cycle length was four days, and 13 percent experienced a delay of eight days or more, compared with 5 percent in the control group.
- Alison Edelman, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Oregon Health & Science University, who led the study, said that for most people the effects were temporary, lasting for one cycle before returning to normal. She said there were no indications that the period side effects had any impact on fertility.
- ''Now we can give people information about possibly what to expect with menstrual cycles,'' Edelman said. ''So I hope that's overall really reassuring to individuals.''
- Researchers don't know exactly why the vaccines seem to affect menstrual cycles, but Edelman said that the immune and reproductive systems are linked and that inflammation or a strong immune response could trigger menstrual fluctuation.
- Any change in getting your period can be stressful, triggering worries about an unplanned pregnancy or an illness, and people have expressed frustration that public health officials didn't warn them about the possible side effect or do more research before rolling out the vaccines.
- One major limitation of the study is the fact that it included only those who were not on birth control, had regular cycles before getting vaccinated and were between the ages of 18 and 45.
- The study also didn't answer all of the questions raised by people about vaccines and periods, including how the shots affect trans men and nonbinary individuals. Ever since the vaccines were rolled out, many people on social media have complained of longer, heavier and more-painful periods after getting vaccinated. This study did not look at the heaviness of periods or other side effects such as cramps, but researchers said it did show that, on average, getting vaccinated did not appear to cause longer periods.
- Edelman said preliminary findings from a different study suggest that getting a coronavirus vaccine sometimes may cause heavier periods. The data, collected from nearly 10,000 people, is still undergoing peer review, but it showed that getting vaccinated increased slightly the probability of having heavier bleeding.
- However, she acknowledged that her studies have looked only at people with normal menstrual cycles who aren't using hormonal contraceptives, and that individual experiences may vary widely.
- Caiityya Pillai, 21, who lives in Berkeley, Calif., said that for two months after her March 2021 shot, her normally light period became extremely painful and lasted twice as long.
- ''The pain wasn't like a normal pain. It was to the point where I was crying and could not get out of bed,'' she said.
- Pillai said that she was overwhelmed with anxiety and thought something else might be wrong, but that after two cycles, her period returned to normal. When she got a second dose in July 2021, her period worsened again, but she said she felt calmer about it because she had seen similar stories being shared online.
- Other research has suggested that the vaccines have a variety of effects on periods. A survey published last fall collected information about periods and vaccines from 160,000 people '-- including transgender and postmenopausal people '-- and found that thousands reported heavier bleeding than usual or breakthrough bleeding.
- While these observations aren't necessarily medically alarming, Katharine Lee, an assistant professor at Tulane University who led the survey, said the information is important to help trans men plan for additional support if menstruating causes gender dysphoria, and also to help people make decisions about stocking up on tampons and pads.
- Lorena Grundy, 27, uses an IUD and hadn't had her period for over three years before she got her first Pfizer shot in February 2021. The next day at work, she got her period.
- ''It wasn't that the vaccine moved my period early or late '-- it produced one,'' said Grundy, who lives in Somerville, Mass.
- If she had been made aware of the side effect, she said, she would have prepared and brought a pad to work. Her period lasted three or four days '-- and it came back when she got her second vaccine dose three weeks later. But it didn't happen again when she got a booster shot last November.
- ''I think it's good to validate that we should listen to women about their own bodies,'' she said. ''I'm still glad I got vaccinated, but I do think maybe this shows that it's a symptom we should be preparing people for so they're not alarmed by it.''
- Although Edelman's research suggested that period changes are temporary, some people have reported lasting shifts in menstrual cycles long after getting a shot.
- Sammi Beechan, 32, of Hammond, Ore., said they used to have a ''blessed, beautiful cycle'' that came every 28 days ''like clockwork'' and resulted in mild cramps and only four days of light to medium bleeding.
- After a Johnson & Johnson shot in April 2021, nothing changed, but after getting a Moderna booster that October, Beechan noticed that their period started to come every 24 days with more than four days of heavier bleeding, more-painful cramps and extreme mood shifts. Doctors have ruled out endometriosis and other potential health conditions as the cause.
- Beechan said that getting vaccinated against covid is worth it but that they wish more information about period side effects had been provided ahead of the vaccine rollout. ''I went from having very consistent expectations and now each month I'm like, okay, I guess this is what it is,'' Beechan said.
- Diana Bianchi, the director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which funded Edelman's research, said getting a significantly late period after vaccination is not necessarily cause for alarm.
- ''I wouldn't recommend going to a doctor after the first time that it happens, just because all the evidence indicates that the change resolves, it's only temporary,'' she said. ''If it's a persistent change in the menstrual cycle interval, then that might be a reason to see your primary-care physician or OB/GYN.''
- The National Institutes of Health has funded at least four other research projects around coronavirus vaccines and menstruation '-- some of which look at adolescents and people with endometriosis '-- with the hope of providing better information and increasing public trust in the vaccines.
- Olivia Rodriguez, 26, said she doesn't plan to get her booster shot because she had such a bad experience after her second Moderna shot in March 2021. Despite just having finished her period, she started another within a few days of getting the shot. It lasted 10 days with heavier bleeding, she said, instead of the normal four or five days she was used to. She also experienced more-painful cramps.
- Initially, she panicked, but soon found stories online of other women who had gone through similar situations. It was reassuring, she said, but she still is wary of getting another shot.
- Rodriguez, who is a member of the Osage Nation, said medical researchers need to earn the trust of the Indigenous and people of color by providing more information upfront about side effects.
- ''I never really got an explanation of why or what happened,'' she said.
- A previous version of this article reported an incorrect number of respondents on a survey about periods and coronavirus vaccines. The survey collected information from 160,000 respondents, not 16,000. The article has been corrected.
- Is This the Beginning of the End of the Internet? - The Atlantic
- Sign up for Charlie's newsletter, Galaxy Brain, here.
- Occasionally, something happens that is so blatantly and obviously misguided that trying to explain it rationally makes you sound ridiculous. Such is the case with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals's recent ruling in NetChoice v. Paxton. Earlier this month, the court upheld a preposterous Texas law stating that online platforms with more than 50 million monthly active users in the United States no longer have First Amendment rights regarding their editorial decisions. Put another way, the law tells big social-media companies that they can't moderate the content on their platforms. YouTube purging terrorist-recruitment videos? Illegal. Twitter removing a violent cell of neo-Nazis harassing people with death threats? Sorry, that's censorship, according to Andy Oldham, a judge of the United States Court of Appeals and the former general counsel to Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
- A state compelling social-media companies to host all user content without restrictions isn't merely, as the First Amendment litigation lawyer Ken White put it on Twitter, ''the most angrily incoherent First Amendment decision I think I've ever read.'' It's also the type of ruling that threatens to blow up the architecture of the internet. To understand why requires some expertise in First Amendment law and content-moderation policy, and a grounding in what makes the internet a truly transformational technology. So I called up some legal and tech-policy experts and asked them to explain the Fifth Circuit ruling'--and its consequences'--to me as if I were a precocious 5-year-old with a strange interest in jurisprudence.
- Evelyn Douek: The year that changed the internet
- Techdirt founder Mike Masnick, who has been writing for decades about the intersection of tech policy and civil liberties, told me that the ruling is ''fractally wrong'''--made up of so many layers of wrongness that, in order to fully comprehend its significance, ''you must understand the historical wrongness before the legal wrongness, before you can get to the technical wrongness.'' In theory, the ruling means that any state in the Fifth Circuit (such as Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi) could ''mandate that news organizations must cover certain politicians or certain other content'' and even implies that ''the state can now compel any speech it wants on private property.'' The law would allow both the Texas attorney general and private citizens who do business in Texas to bring suit against the platforms if they feel their content was removed because of a specific viewpoint. Daphne Keller, the director of the Program on Platform Regulation at Stanford's Cyber Policy Center, told me that such a law could amount to ''a litigation DDoS [Denial of Service] attack, unleashing a wave of potentially frivolous and serious suits against the platforms.''
- To give me a sense of just how sweeping and nonsensical the law could be in practice, Masnick suggested that, under the logic of the ruling, it very well could be illegal to update Wikipedia in Texas, because any user attempt to add to a page could be deemed an act of censorship based on the viewpoint of that user (which the law forbids). The same could be true of chat platforms, including iMessage and Reddit, and perhaps also Discord, which is built on tens of thousands of private chat rooms run by private moderators. Enforcement at that scale is nearly impossible. This week, to demonstrate the absurdity of the law and stress test possible Texas enforcement, the subreddit r/PoliticalHumor mandated that every comment in the forum include the phrase ''Greg Abbott is a little piss baby'' or be deleted. ''We realized what a ripe situation this is, so we're going to flagrantly break this law,'' a moderator of the subreddit wrote. ''We like this Constitution thing. Seems like it has some good ideas.''
- Everyone I spoke with believes that the very future of how the internet works is at stake. Accordingly, this case is likely to head to the Supreme Court. Part of this fiasco touches on the debate around Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which, despite its political-lightning-rod status, makes it extremely clear that websites have editorial control. ''Section 230 tells platforms, 'You're not the author of what people on your platform put up, but that doesn't mean you can't clean up your own yard and get rid of stuff you don't like.' That has served the internet very well,'' Dan Novack, a First Amendment attorney, told me. In effect, it allows websites that host third-party content to determine whether they want a family-friendly community or an edgy and chaotic one. This, Masnick argued, is what makes the internet useful, and Section 230 has ''set up the ground rules in which all manner of experimentation happens online,'' even if it's also responsible for quite a bit of the internet's toxicity too.
- But the full editorial control that Section 230 protects isn't just a boon for giants such as Facebook and YouTube. Take spam: Every online community'--from large platforms to niche forums'--has the freedom to build the environment that makes sense to them, and part of that freedom is deciding how to deal with bad actors (for example, bot accounts that spam you with offers for natural male enhancement). Keller suggested that the law may have a carve-out for spam'--which is often filtered because of the way it's disseminated, not because of its viewpoint (though this gets complicated with spammy political emails). But one way to look at content moderation is as a constant battle for online communities, where bad actors are always a step ahead. The Texas law would kneecap platforms' abilities to respond to a dynamic threat.
- ''It says, 'Hey, the government can decide how you deal with content and how you decide what community you want to build or who gets to be a part of that community and how you can deal with your bad actors,''' Masnick said. ''Which sounds fundamentally like a totally different idea of the internet.''
- ''A lot of people envision the First Amendment in this affirmative way, where it is about your right to say what you want to say,'' Novack told me. ''But the First Amendment is just as much about protecting your right to be silent. And it's not just about speech but things adjacent to your speech'--like what content you want to be associated or not associated with. This law and the conservative support of it shreds those notions into ribbons.''
- The implications are terrifying and made all the worse by the language of Judge Oldham's ruling. Perhaps the best example of this brazen obtuseness is Oldham's argument about ''the Platforms' obsession with terrorists and Nazis,'' concerns that he suggests are ''fanciful'' and ''hypothetical.'' Of course, such concerns are not hypothetical; they're a central issue for any large-scale platform's content-moderation team. In 2015, for example, the Brookings Institution issued a 68-page report titled ''The ISIS Twitter census,'' mapping the network of terrorist supporters flooding the platform. The report found that in 2014, there were at least 46,000 ISIS accounts on Twitter posting graphic violent content and using the platform to recruit and collect intelligence for the Islamic State.
- I asked Masnick whether he felt that Oldham's ruling was rooted in a fundamental misunderstanding of the internet, or whether it was more malicious'--a form of judiciary trolling resulting from former President Donald Trump getting kicked off of Twitter.
- He likened the ruling to this past summer's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and took away Americans' constitutional right to an abortion. ''You had 50 years of conservative activists pushing for the overturning of Roe, but this Texas ruling actually goes against almost everything the conservative judicial activists have worked for for decades,'' Masnick said. ''You have Citizens United, Hobby Lobby, the [Masterpiece Cakeshop] case, which are all complicated, but at the core, they are rooted in how to conceive of First Amendment rights. And in all cases, the conservative justices on the Supreme Court have been all about the right to expand First Amendment rights inside organizations, especially the right to exclude.''
- Charlie Warzel: How the internet became a doom loop
- If the case ends up before the Supreme Court, many of the justices would have to decide against their priors in order to uphold the Texas law. Specifically, Justice Brett Kavanaugh would need to directly contradict his opinion in Manhattan Community Access Corp. v. Halleck, a case where Kavanaugh clearly argued that private forums have First Amendment rights to editorial discretion.
- Keller, of Stanford's Cyber Policy Center, has tried to game out future scenarios, such as social networks having a default non-moderated version that might quickly become unusable, and a separate opt-in version with all the normal checks and balances (terms-of-service agreements and spam filters) that sites have now. But how would a company go about building and running two simultaneous versions of the same platform at once? Would the Chaos Version run only in Texas? Or would companies try to exclude Texas residents from their platforms?
- ''You have potential situations where companies would have to say, 'Okay, we're kicking off this neo-Nazi, but he's allowed to stay on in Texas,'' Masnick said. ''But what if the neo-Nazi doesn't live in Texas?'' The same goes for more famous banned users, such as Trump. Do you ban Trump's tweets in every state except Texas? It seems almost impossible for companies to comply with this law in a way that makes sense. The more likely reality, Masnick suggests, is that companies will be unable to comply and will end up ignoring it, and the Texas attorney general will keep filing suit against them, causing more simmering resentment among conservatives against Big Tech.
- What is the endgame of a law that is both onerous to enforce and seemingly impossible to comply with? Keller offered two theories: ''I think passing this law was so much fun for these legislators, and I think they might have expected it would get struck down, so the theater was the point.'' But she also believes that there is likely some lack of understanding among those responsible for the law about just how extreme the First Amendment is in practice. ''Most people don't realize how much horrible speech is legal,'' she said, arguing that historically, the constitutional right has confounded logic on both the political left and right. ''These legislators think that they're opening the door to some stuff that might offend liberals. But I don't know if they realize they are also opening the door to barely legal child porn or pro-anorexia content and beheading videos. I don't think they've understood how bad the bad is.''
- NetChoice v. Paxton is likely an opening salvo in a long, complex, and dangerous legal battle. But Keller offered up a more troubling possibility: This law amounts to a legal speed run that could drastically alter First Amendment law in such a way as to quickly end the battle. ''The Supreme Court could strike this down but offer a framework for future litigation that opens the door to new kinds of laws we've never seen before,'' she said. ''Who knows what rule set we'll be playing with after the Supreme Court weighs in.''
- What does seem clear is that this law is an outgrowth of politicians waking up to the raw power of the internet as a communications platform. Lawmakers' desire to preserve or destroy content moderation is a battle for the soul of the internet, the limits of free expression, and the direction of our politics. We, the users, are caught in the middle.
- WEF launches digital currency project to 'reward' climate action - The Counter Signal
- WEF launches digital currency project to 'reward' climate action
- Keean BexteSeptember 26, 2022
- The World Economic Forum (WEF) made a big move in the digital currency space this week with the launch of the Crypto Sustainability Coalition.
- WEF launches digital currency project to 'reward' climate action.The coalition includes 30 different groups and institutions merged to investigate how to leverage Web3 tech like cryptocurrencies and blockchain to help the world become carbon neutral.
- ''An important and unique aspect of Web3 is that it uses technology to support and reward direct community engagement and action,'' said WEF head of digital assets Brynly Llyr.
- The coalition will examine how to add ''carbon credits'' to the blockchain. Partners include Accenture, the Crypto Council for Innovation, Rainforest Partnership, the Sustainable Bitcoin Standard, Zero Labs and others.
- The WEF has been scrutinized for promoting the COVID-19 pandemic to achieve a ''great reset'' where global economies use private and public organizations to fight climate change.
- During this year's forum, WEF speaker and Norwegian Finance CEO Kjerstin Braathen said people should expect ''pain'' and ''energy shortages'' as the world pursues the WEF's climate change agenda.
- ''We need to accept that there will be some pain in the process,'' Braathen said.
- ''The pace that we need [to end climate change] will open up for missteps. It will open up for shortages of energy. It will create inflationary pressures, and maybe we need to start talking about that '-- that pain is actually worth it.''
- ''Because if we don't, there's no business case; there's no economy; there's no welfare. But so far, I think we have been a little bit careful actually talking about the pain in the short term that is likely to come from this very important change.''
- Its move into the digital currency space is not the only concerning WEF move. Other questionable ideas by the WEF include a call to end private car ownership and suggesting that the sun be blotted to cool the planet.
- ''MIT scientists say 'space bubbles' could help reverse climate change by reflecting the Sun's heat away from Earth,'' a WEF video explains.
- ''Scientists say cutting out just 1.8% of the Sun's rays would fully reverse global warming.''
- It's crucial we stay in touch
- Big Tech wants to censor us, that's why you need to stay in touch.
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- Keean BexteSeptember 16, 2022
- BALTOPS 22: A Perfect Opportunity for Research and Resting New Technology - Seapower
- Lt. j.g. Chris Bianchi, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8, prepares mock explosives for a pierside training event during exercise BALTOPS 22, June 10. U.S. NAVY / Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel James LanariBALTIC SEA '-- A significant focus of BALTOPS every year is the demonstration of NATO mine hunting capabilities, and this year the U.S. Navy continues to use the exercise as an opportunity to test emerging technology, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Public Affairs said June 14. In support of BALTOPS, U.S. Navy 6th Fleet partnered with U.S. Navy research and warfare centers to bring the latest advancements in unmanned underwater vehicle mine hunting technology to the Baltic Sea to demonstrate the vehicle's effectiveness in operational scenarios.
- Experimentation was conducted off the coast of Bornholm, Denmark, with participants from Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Newport, and Mine Warfare Readiness and Effectiveness Measuring all under the direction of U.S. 6th Fleet Task Force 68. BALTOPS is an ideal location for conducting mine hunting experimentation due to the region's unique environmental conductions such as low salinity and varying bottom types. It is also critical to evaluate emerging mine hunting UUV technology in the Baltic due to its applicability with allied and partner nations. This year experimentation was focused on UUV navigation, teaming operations, and improvements in acoustic communications all while collecting critical environmental data sets to advance the automatic target recognition algorithms for mine detection.
- ''In prior BALTOPS we demonstrated advanced capabilities to detect, reacquire and collect images of mine contacts, and transfer those images in near real-time to operators through the use of a specialized Office of Naval Research UUV,'' said Anthony Constable, Office of Naval Research science advisor to U.S. 6th Fleet. ''This year, through the work of NIWC Pacific and NUWC Newport, we are showing that this capability can be integrated into programs of record by executing complex multi-vehicle UUV missions with modified U.S. Navy fleet assets.'' An additional critical objective was to continue to increase the communication range and data transfer capability to give the operators more flexibility in mine hunting operations. Advancements in communication technology, demonstrated this year, have shown a significant improvement in operating ranges over currently used systems. This provides additional standoff flexibility to the U.S. Navy in conducting safe mine hunting operations. BALTOPS also provides a unique opportunity for the U.S. research, development and acquisition communities to exercise the current and emerging UUV technology in real-world operational environments. This year featured the current and future programs of record for mine hunting UUVs in the Mk18 and Lionfish systems. Both systems were put through the paces over 10 days of mine-hunting operations, collecting over 200 hours of undersea data. ''The major benefit of the BALTOPS experimentation is to provide advanced mine hunting capabilities to the operator in the field. By exercising the future capabilities, U.S. 6th Fleet can provide valuable feedback to help guide the Navy acquisition community responsible for mine hunting UUV development and procurement,'' said Lt. Joshua Lynn, U.S. 6th Fleet experimental lead for BALTOPS. ''This year we have seen the near- and long-term future in mine hunting UUV technology and we are excited to see how quickly the technology and capabilities are improving.''
- ESG Threat Goes Beyond BlackRock - WSJ
- Activists want to codify their agenda in financial regulations. That's where the fight should be.
- Sept. 27, 2022 6:07 pm ETLarry Fink can't catch a break. He's chairman and CEO of BlackRock, the largest investment manager in the world, with $8.5 trillion of assets under management. In the battle over sustainable investing and the spread of environmental, social and governance policies across Wall Street, both sides are gunning for him.
- Red-state governors and Republican attorneys general'--many from oil- and gas-producing states'--have attacked Mr. Fink as the leading industry spokesman for ESG, which they view as an elaborate cover for the climate-change...
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- Larry Fink can't catch a break. He's chairman and CEO of BlackRock , the largest investment manager in the world, with $8.5 trillion of assets under management. In the battle over sustainable investing and the spread of environmental, social and governance policies across Wall Street, both sides are gunning for him.
- Red-state governors and Republican attorneys general'--many from oil- and gas-producing states'--have attacked Mr. Fink as the leading industry spokesman for ESG, which they view as an elaborate cover for the climate-change movement and a backdoor means of reducing carbon emissions by starving the energy industry of investment capital. Using a shoot-the-messenger approach, 19 states have publicly called BlackRock on the carpet with regard to ESG. Texas and West Virginia are already starting to claw back state business from the company.
- But BlackRock also sits squarely in the sights of ESG advocacy groups such as the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment, or PRI. It would like nothing better than for BlackRock to issue a company press release forswearing oil and gas companies in all the funds it manages. Turning Mr. Fink on this point has become PRI's strategic mission because of the obvious domino effect it would have on Wall Street.
- Clearly, Mr. Fink agrees with the ESG argument. His annual missives to the business community reflect his personal beliefs. He sits on the board of trustees of the World Economic Forum, and his family foundation helps fund the Center for Sustainable Business at the NYU Stern School of Business. He puts his time and his money where his mouth is on ESG.
- Since sustainability policy is pushed down from the corporate suite at every firm on Wall Street, it would be simple for Mr. Fink to direct BlackRock portfolio managers to stop buying oil and gas investments in their respective funds. He hasn't done so. Why?
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- Roughly two-thirds of BlackRock's assets are composed of passive index and exchange-traded funds, where the firm has no call on security selection and can't screen out oil and gas names. On the active side, though, energy investments remain well-represented in the firm's debt and equity mutual funds. Pulling the plug on fossil-fuel investments would pose a serious competitive threat to the buy-side behemoth that Mr. Fink and his co-founders have built for 30 years.
- Consider what would have happened had BlackRock instituted such a ban at the beginning of 2022. With oil and gas prices sharply higher since February, many of its benchmark funds would have meaningfully underperformed both the broader market and the competition in the year-to-date period. It would take 10 years for such bad numbers to drop out of the company's track record.
- Everybody on Wall Street approaches ESG differently. Despite the marketing hype, most firms are in the same camp as BlackRock and still adhere to their fiduciary responsibility by placing a priority on generating returns for their clients. But unlike BlackRock, where the ESG concept is embraced, many investment management firms aren't toeing the sustainability line willingly. They aren't following BlackRock's lead so much as being pushed in the same direction by activist groups.
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- PRI currently has more than 5,000 member signatories, demonstrating the power of moral suasion'--even on Wall Street'--plus the futility of targeting a single firm like BlackRock, even if it is the industry leader.
- With PRI membership comes a prescribed system of ESG conformity predicated on pressure and surveillance. Asset managers strong-arm the companies they invest in, while asset owners (such as public pension funds) hold the feet of their investment managers to the fire. Similarly, every buy-side account leans on all of its counterparties for ESG compliance, particularly investment banks and investment consultants.
- A lot of capital has been raised for sustainability-targeted funds, including more than $500 billion at BlackRock alone. As a stand-alone investment strategy with risks fully disclosed, including the potential loss of financial performance, ESG funds aren't an issue. The problem arises when ESG is used as the means to the end of creating a sustainable global financial system, where capital flows are directed, societal outcomes are targeted over returns, and asset prices are effectively controlled'--all of which are the stated goals of the U.N.'s PRI.
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- ESG isn't yet choking off capital to energy companies, but this will happen once financial regulations are put in place that codify the PRI agenda by requiring climate and other sustainable disclosures, establishing ESG mandates and redefining fiduciary duty. At that point, it won't matter if an investment manager is a true ESG believer or a conscientious objector because compliance won't be optional.
- This process is already happening in Europe and the U.K. The Securities and Exchange Commission is following suit by proposing new rules that would require public companies to provide detailed reporting of their climate-related risks, emissions and net-zero transition plans. This is the tomorrow war that the ESG opposition needs to start waging today, rather than picking a personal and political fight with Mr. Fink and BlackRock.
- In addition to more legal pushback on the regulatory front, there needs to be greater scrutiny of the undue influence that sustainability-focused nongovernmental organizations such as PRI exert on the financial markets. Specifically, how is it that PRI, a nonprofit registered in England and Wales, is able to dispense ESG-related investment and legal advice in the U.S. and lobby government officials over sustainable-finance regulations?
- The battle to keep ESG in the specialized investment box where it belongs and limit its systemic spillover is larger than any one firm or individual. It isn't a barroom brawl to be won by knocking out the biggest guy in the place.
- Mr. Tice is an adjunct professor of finance at New York University's Stern School of Business. His forthcoming book on ESG and sustainable investing will be published by Encounter Books in 2023.
- Podcasters Are Buying Millions of Listeners With Mobile Ads | Time
- P odcasters are always hunting for new, flashy places to promote their shows, ranging from billboards to floats in parades to airplane banners. Some networks, though, have uncovered a less-glamorous, yet highly effective way to gain millions of bankable listeners: loading up mobile games with a particular kind of ad.
- Each time a player taps on one of these fleeting in-game ads'--and wins some virtual loot for doing so'--a podcast episode begins downloading on their device. The podcast company, in turn, can claim the gamer as a new listener to its program and add another coveted download to its overall tally.
- The practice allows networks to amass downloads quickly by tapping into a wellspring of hyperactive video-game users. But it also calls into question who a legitimate podcast listener is and what length of time should be required to count as a download.
- ''Not all impressions are created equal,'' said Larry Chiagouris, a marketing professor at Pace University. ''I'm not saying [this tactic is] not ethical or illegal, but it raises issues. If someone is trying to play a game and that's the purpose of this interaction, they may just be eager to play the game and are not that interested in the information being shared.''
- Read More: The Promise'--And Possible Perils'--of Editing What We Say Online
- Podcasts typically rely on downloads as the primary metric for ad sales. When an individual taps on an in-app play button on their mobile device, an entire episode begins downloading so they can listen to it even in the absence of a good internet connection'--say, on an airplane or in the subway. An episode's ads are inserted at that moment of download, meaning that even if a consumer only listens to 10 minutes of a 30-minute show, the mid-roll ad at the 15-minute mark is often ready to be heard'--not to mention, counted by the sales team.
- To date, the podcast industry has said next to nothing about its embrace of this video-game strategy. In August, DeepSee, an ad fraud detection company, published a research paper revealing how the practice harnesses gamers' attention.
- ''No one really asked questions about this, or what the experience is like for users,'' said Rocky Moss, DeepSee's co-founder and chief executive officer.
- More from TIME One game referenced in DeepSee's paper is Subway Surfers, a popular mobile app from the Danish company Sybo, which has been downloaded some 3 billion times since its debut in 2012. Over a period of two weeks in August, Bloomberg found multiple publishers using the game to rack up podcast downloads, including the New York Post, independent podcaster Scott Savlov and IHeartMedia Inc.
- Representatives for the Post and IHeart declined to comment.
- Read More: The Best Podcasts of 2022 So Far
- Savlov says he spends ''nominal'' money on in-game ads and initially used them to drum up interest in his show when it first launched. These days, he says, he looks more to social platform algorithms to promote his celebrity interviews.
- ''Don't rely on [in-game ads] exclusively because at some point you're going to want as much organic and authentic growth as you can get,'' he said.
- The podcast networks that are actively mining downloads in the mobile game space are doing so through an intermediary company, called Jun Group, which was founded in 2005 and sold to Advantage Solutions Inc., a marketing and sales company, in 2018. Corey Weiner, CEO at Jun Group, said the company specializes in making consumers aware of products, websites and podcasts by placing its ads in over 1,000 mobile apps that collectively reach 100 million unique users.
- ''There is a very big reason why all the largest brands in the world invest so much money in brand awareness, because without it you have no chance of breaking through the clutter,'' he said. ''Every publisher, every content creator, has invested in marketing to promote themselves since the dawn of time, and this is just another way of doing it.''
- He said the company hasn't specifically tracked how long gamers will stay on a podcast after clicking on an ad.
- ''I think that the standards bodies, the people who are involved in deciding what a play of a podcast is, could decide to raise the bar on what constitutes as a play of a podcast,'' Weiner said. ''Even if you raise the bar, [the ad] is still going to exceed the bar. So, in fact, I actually suggest let's raise the bar because we can hop right over it.''
- According to someone who's spoken with Jun Group, the price the company charges podcast networks for these ads can vary depending on whether they're targeted to particular demographics or guaranteed to attract unique listeners. The starting rate for a 20-second ad is $27 per 1,000 website page views. To monetize such downloads, podcast networks can turn around and sell the resulting audience to brand advertisers, presumably at a nice markup over what they pay to Jun Group.
- Jun Group's main podcast client is IHeart, the maker of shows from Will Ferrell, Charlamagne tha God and Shonda Rhimes. According to a person familiar with the effort, the radio company, which bills itself as the top podcast publisher globally, has shelled out more than $10 million and gained approximately 6 million unique listeners per month through these ads since 2018. The company primarily runs its in-game campaigns at the beginnings and ends of months. The impact can be seen on the publicly available charts produced by Chartable, a podcast marketing company owned by Spotify Technology SA.
- Read More: 9 Podcasts That Were Turned Into TV Shows
- During the last week of August, IHeart podcasts represented more than half of the top 10 trending shows'--even though one of the listed podcasts hadn't published new episodes in months and another hadn't published any new programming in over a year. Several of the specific shows that Bloomberg encountered in Subway Surfers appeared lower in the charts, as well, including ''Life in Spanglish,'' ''Run That Prank'' and ''All the Smoke.''
- (Disclosure: IHeart is a partner of Bloomberg Media, and DeepSee discovered promotions for one Bloomberg podcast running in Subway Surfers).
- IHeart also maintains the top position on Podtrac, a monthly podcast ranker that measures networks' unique audience and downloads. For the month of August, it reached approximately 35.5 million unique listeners, 11 million above its closest competitor, Amazon.com Inc.'s Wondery. The company first arrived at the top of that list in August 2020, with 24.6 million unique listeners compared with National Public Radio's 24 million.
- The incentives to invest in marketing channels like Jun Group's are clear. The audio industry has been marked by a frenzy of investments. To make back the money as fast as possible, companies will be relying, in part, on growing the reach of their podcasts in order to bring in more advertising revenue. The industry is expected to surpass $4 billion in revenue in 2024, up from around $700 million in 2019.
- Contact us at letters@time.com.
- Colossians 3:12''17 NIV - Therefore, as God's'... | Biblia
- 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves u with compassion, kindness, humility, v gentleness and patience. w 13 Bear with each other x and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. y 14 And over all these virtues put on love, z which binds them all together in perfect unity. a
- 15 Let the peace of Christ b rule in your hearts, since as members of one body c you were called to peace. d And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ e dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom f through psalms, g hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. h 17 And whatever you do, i whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks j to God the Father through him.
- Colossians 3:12''17 '-- English Standard Version (ESV) 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
- Colossians 3:12''17 '-- King James Version (KJV 1900) 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
- Colossians 3:12''17 '-- New Living Translation (NLT) 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
- 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
- Colossians 3:12''17 '-- The New King James Version (NKJV) 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do . 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
- Colossians 3:12''17 '-- New Century Version (NCV) 12 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So you should always clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Bear with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. 14 Even more than all this, clothe yourself in love. Love is what holds you all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful. 16 Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and instruct each other by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.
- Colossians 3:12''17 '-- American Standard Version (ASV) 12 Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: 14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God. 17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
- Colossians 3:12''17 '-- 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY) 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any should have a complaint against any; even as the Christ has forgiven you, so also do ye. 14 And to all these add love, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of Christ preside in your hearts, to which also ye have been called in one body, and be thankful. 16 Let the word of the Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another, in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God. 17 And everything, whatever ye may do in word or in deed, do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him.
- Colossians 3:12''17 '-- GOD'S WORD Translation (GW) 12 As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 Above all, be loving.This ties everything together perfectly. 15 Also, let Christ's peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be thankful. 16 Let Christ's word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about '¸¤God's'¸¥ kindness.Sing to God in your hearts. 17 Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
- Colossians 3:12''17 '-- The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) 12 Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. 14 Above all, put on love'--the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. 16 Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
- Colossians 3:12''17 '-- The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 12 As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
- Colossians 3:12''17 '-- The Lexham English Bible (LEB) 12 Therefore, as the chosen of God, holy and dearly loved, put on affection, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, 13 putting up with one another and forgiving one another. If anyone should have a complaint against anyone, just as also the Lord forgave you, thus also you do the same . 14 And to all these things add love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And the peace of Christ must rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom, with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God, 17 and everything whatever you do in word or in deed, giving thanks for all things in the name of the Lord Jesus to God the Father through him.
- Colossians 3:12''17 '-- New International Reader's Version (1998) (NIrV) 12 You are God's chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don't be proud. Be gentle and patient. 13 Put up with each other. Forgive the things you are holding against one another. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you.
- 14 And over all of those good things put on love. Love holds them all together perfectly as if they were one.
- 15 Let the peace that Christ gives rule in your hearts. As parts of one body, you were appointed to live in peace. And be thankful.
- 16 Let Christ's word live in you like a rich treasure. Teach and correct each other wisely. Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing with thanks in your hearts to God. 17 Do everything you say or do in the name of the Lord Jesus. Always give thanks to God the Father through Christ.
- Colossians 3:12''17 '-- New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95) 12 So , as those who have been chosen of God , holy and beloved , put on a heart of compassion , kindness , humility , gentleness and patience ;
- 13 bearing with one another , and forgiving each other , whoever has a complaint against anyone ; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
- 14 Beyond all these things put on love , which is the perfect bond of unity .
- 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts , to which indeed you were called in one body ; and be thankful .
- 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs , singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God .
- 17 Whatever you do in word or deed , do all in the name of the Lord Jesus , giving thanks through Him to God the Father .
- White House mulling potential Janet Yellen departure after midterms
- White House officials are quietly preparing for the potential departure of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen after the midterms, the first and most consequential exit in what could be a broad reorganization of President Biden's economic team, according to people familiar with the matter.
- Why it matters: While her potential departure would give Biden an opportunity to respond to public concern over his handling of the economy, it would also create an immediate political headache: finding a successor who can be confirmed by the Senate.
- The process is in the early stages and a decision on Yellen, or any Cabinet replacement, has not been made. Multiple sources stressed the outcome of November's election, including who controls the Senate, will factor into whether she stays.Yellen will also have some say in her fate, and with the world's economy teetering, there could be a convincing case for her to stay.The intrigue: In addition to Yellen, officials are also considering the possibility that Brian Deese, the director of the National Economic Council, will leave early next year.
- Deese's departure would present an opportunity for Gene Sperling, who is currently coordinating the implementation of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, to serve an unprecedented third term as NEC director after holding that post in the Clinton and Obama administrations. Cecilia Rouse, the chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, is also expected to return to her academic post in the spring of 2023, opening up another Cabinet-level economic position. Between the lines: Yellen, an economist by trade and at heart, has been reluctant to make overly political arguments when they violate her core academic beliefs.
- The former Fed and CEA chair has disagreed with the White House on several high-profile issues, including the White House faulting corporations for increasing inflation and '-- most recently '-- Biden's decision to forgive some student debt.She has also made several statements that White House officials have privately viewed as blunders. Yellen publicly admitted this summer she was wrong on inflation, and last year said it would be a "plus" if the Fed raised interest rates. What they're saying: "While we are prudently planning for potential transitions post-midterm, neither Secretary Yellen or Brian Deese are part of those plans," White House senior adviser Anita Dunn said in a statement.
- Yellen has no plans to leave, said Lily Adams, a Treasury spokesperson."Chair Rouse will return to Princeton University at the end of her two-year public service leave, likely early spring 2023," according to a White House official.Driving the news: White House officials are prepping for post-midterm turnover and are conducting a talent search for both senior staff and Cabinet positions, Axios has reported.
- Republicans have placed high inflation and sluggish economic growth at the center of their midterm message. Biden's approval rating on the economy currently sits at 36%, with 57% of voters disapproving, according to a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll. Republicans will seize on any expected departure from the economic team as a tacit admission that Biden has mishandled the economy.The big picture: The world's presidents, central bankers and finance ministers are deeply concerned about the state of the global economy, giving it an ominous feeling with parallels to 2007, Axios' Neil Irwin has written.
- The other side: White House officials are convinced they have a compelling economic story to tell and are eager to define '-- and debate '-- Bidenomics.
- They have dispatched Yellen to hit the road this month to make the case for Biden's handling of a post-pandemic economy '-- a vote of confidence in Yellen's improved political skills.The president highlights the 3.7% unemployment rate and a resurgence in manufacturing as evidence that his approach has worked. Officials are deeply frustrated by the media's focus on the 8.3% headline inflation rate. And they are stung by charges from fellow Democrats like former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers that their policies have stoked inflation.What we're watching: At a perilous moment for the global economy, some officials will argue for keeping the battle-tested Yellen in place in part because of the respect she commands from the world's finance ministers and central bankers.
- Go deeper: Among possible successors are Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who has told colleagues she finds chatter about a potential move distracting, and Fed Vice Chair Lael Brainard.
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- VIDEO - (22) Nina Weinstein on Twitter: "@AP @oneunderscore__ https://t.co/p9M8oUQh1B" / Twitter
- Nina Weinstein : @AP @oneunderscore__ https://t.co/p9M8oUQh1B
- Mon Sep 26 23:18:41 +0000 2022
- Hatt : @ninabweinstein @AP @oneunderscore__ Yet we were able to live stream the moon landing in the 1960's'.... Ok'...
- Mon Sep 26 23:48:27 +0000 2022
- Janice Weaver : @ninabweinstein @AP @oneunderscore__ Literally do not get what happened.
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- VIDEO - (21) Wall Street Silver on Twitter: "The new Italian Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, telling the world what she really thinks of French President Macron. The next EU meeting will be interesting. ð-- https://t.co/GKbcxjvu6s" / Twitter
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- Thu Sep 22 15:55:07 +0000 2022
- VIDEO - Kiev's crackdown on Donbass intensifies amid ongoing referendums
- Referendums on joining Russia in the Donbass republics, as well as Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, have entered the final day amid constant threats and shelling by Ukrainian forces. RT's Igor Zhdanov reports.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Freedom over censorship, truth over narrative.Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RTnewsFollow us on Telegram: t.me/rtnewsFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RT_com
- VIDEO - Darren Beattie On Nord Stream Pipeline Apparent Sabotage And Theory On Who Is Responsible
- Bannons War Room Published September 28, 2022 25,778 Views 979 rumbles
- Darren Beattie On Nord Stream Pipeline Apparent Sabotage And Theory On Who Is Responsible
- 48m04sBattleground EP 147: Will Mar A Lago Case Make It Before Supreme Court; Fight For Pro Life ContinuesBannons War Room
- LIVEIs Biden Repeating Obama's Mistakes?American Center for Law and Justice985 watching
- 46m52sWatch CNN Host Don Lemon Get Put in His Place by Hurricane Analyst | Direct Message | Rubin ReportThe Rubin Report
- LIVElofi hip hop radio - beats to relax/study toLofi Girl423 watching
- 54m29sThursday LIVE: Biden Sundown Moments, Nordstream Updates, Hurricane Ian, MTG Divorce (Superchats)Styxhexenhammer666
- 18sBulls vs Bears || Stock Market OpenMatt Kohrs
- 29m37sGov. DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis Deliver an 8:45 A.M. Update on Hurricane IanRon DeSantis
- 9m41sThe Nordstream Sabotage Shuffle ContinuesStyxhexenhammer666
- 43sPrehistoric dinosaur looking bird seen in Ugandasashasjournal$16.25 earned
- 34sMom surprises daughter after she moves to another countryTynasity$14.38 earned
- VIDEO - (20) Tom Elliott on Twitter: "Former sports anchor '...@BillWeirCNN, whom CNN pays to blame everything on global warming, reporting on #HurricaneIan:'(C) ''This is exactly what climate scientists have been warning about for a long time and now we g
- Tom Elliott : Former sports anchor '...@BillWeirCNN, whom CNN pays to blame everything on global warming, reporting on #HurricaneIan'... https://t.co/ZehqpC8kjE
- Wed Sep 28 18:02:42 +0000 2022
- Marshaleese : @tomselliott @BillWeirCNN Hurricanes have always been there since time immemorial.
- Thu Sep 29 15:40:05 +0000 2022
- UltraMagaJoe : @tomselliott @BillWeirCNN Well, his Twitter bio is right about one thing. He is a storyteller.
- Thu Sep 29 15:13:01 +0000 2022
- VIDEO - (21) David Wolfe on Twitter: "Who else is tired of the same script? https://t.co/GhKq1iT7YJ" / Twitter
- David Wolfe : Who else is tired of the same script? https://t.co/GhKq1iT7YJ
- Thu Sep 29 00:36:38 +0000 2022
- Phil T Ritch : @DavidWolfe It is amazing how naive the masses have become. Mask Double maskTriple maskVaxDouble vaxTriple vaxEtc
- Thu Sep 29 15:35:59 +0000 2022
- Rafael Brom : @DavidWolfe https://t.co/4YFnOE0uBQ
- Thu Sep 29 15:35:55 +0000 2022
- matt waters : @DavidWolfe The recent election results in Italy would indicate that a good portion of society is getting tired of'... https://t.co/CjjGwcRP6K
- Thu Sep 29 15:32:49 +0000 2022
- Deplorable Patriot : @DavidWolfe Russia, global warming, covid, racists, fascists, etc., rinse and repeat ad nauseum. NO POLICY SOLUTIO'... https://t.co/dkshlPOq96
- Thu Sep 29 15:31:47 +0000 2022
- Man of Truth : @DavidWolfe It's the same script because it's the Synagogue of Satan who controls the media spoken about in the Bible.
- Thu Sep 29 15:29:03 +0000 2022
- PonzuEnjoyer.eth : @DavidWolfe ¼´½½½' ¼(C)½' ¼¥½½--½'½
½½
½½ ¼¤½½½½
½'½½½' ¼´½ ¼¯½½' ¼¤½
½½½½'½½½ https://t.co/S8P0mevFHv
- Thu Sep 29 15:27:21 +0000 2022
- Craig Sutherland : @DavidWolfe She obviously doesn't fit the establishment agenda and must be pigeon holed as extreme right wing acros'... https://t.co/j2f8kQGtwi
- Thu Sep 29 15:27:19 +0000 2022
- RobertH : @DavidWolfe Mass media with the same MASS MESSAGE I know we are not surprised. Identical
- Thu Sep 29 15:26:00 +0000 2022
- tommotom73 : @DavidWolfe I'm tired of being tired of the same script.
- Thu Sep 29 15:25:41 +0000 2022
- Deirdre Murnane : @DavidWolfe I'm getting pretty sick of this bullshit personally. The downside of being awake I guess! If only peop'... https://t.co/ySV4UG6wqd
- Thu Sep 29 15:24:13 +0000 2022
- Craigazander : @DavidWolfe We see your propaganda ð£
- Thu Sep 29 15:23:23 +0000 2022
- VIDEO - (21) Charlie Spiering on Twitter: "REPORTER: "He said, 'Jackie, are you here, where's Jackie. She must not be here." Karine Jean-Pierre: "I totally understand. I just explained, she was on top of mind." https://t.co/AnAjBAtYdr" / Twitter
- Charlie Spiering : REPORTER: "He said, 'Jackie, are you here, where's Jackie. She must not be here." Karine Jean-Pierre: "I totally'... https://t.co/iNNDtJxzac
- Wed Sep 28 18:13:08 +0000 2022
- VIDEO - (21) Charlie Spiering on Twitter: ""Jackie are you here? Where's Jackie?" Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) died in a car accident in August https://t.co/cHc3b7zPmE" / Twitter
- Charlie Spiering : "Jackie are you here? Where's Jackie?"Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) died in a car accident in August https://t.co/cHc3b7zPmE
- Wed Sep 28 14:52:18 +0000 2022
- nonamedrop : @charliespiering Now do trump gaffes
- Thu Sep 29 15:37:23 +0000 2022
- meanz33 : @charliespiering "Jackie are you here? Where's Jackie?''- Joe Biden covering Smooth Criminal
- Thu Sep 29 15:31:49 +0000 2022
- Red Kingdom : @charliespiering Remember when Trump walked down a ramp slowly and drank water with two hands and the left went nut'... https://t.co/3ZD80yN8Pr
- Thu Sep 29 15:30:24 +0000 2022
- VIDEO - (22) Stephen Geiger on Twitter: "MUST WATCH: Incase you don't realize how bad our debt/bubble situation is'... listen now. Druckenmiller playing no games today https://t.co/JE5vgHwT9v" / Twitter
- Stephen Geiger : MUST WATCH:Incase you don't realize how bad our debt/bubble situation is'... listen now.Druckenmiller playing no g'... https://t.co/WcKTe0BvL8
- Wed Sep 28 14:45:45 +0000 2022
- D J : @Stephen_Geiger Who is the John Wayne fellow on the left. I've seen him being cantankerous on Squark box clips but'... https://t.co/sx9Y7SSCsx
- Thu Sep 29 15:14:47 +0000 2022
- Tafadzwa Ruzive : @Stephen_Geiger But the bondholders will be laughing all the way the bank with that income.And with primary spendin'... https://t.co/qKZnZoJ4zZ
- Thu Sep 29 14:48:51 +0000 2022
- Jensss : @Stephen_Geiger "No but we'll be okay, we'll be dead" ð¬ð
- Thu Sep 29 14:46:30 +0000 2022
- MC : @Stephen_Geiger Political leaders of both parties are addicted to deficit spending. Endless borrowings left us with'... https://t.co/TUmgjI5Ix0
- Thu Sep 29 14:40:30 +0000 2022
- Every Man : @Stephen_Geiger Looks like Argentina is our future. Pay close attention to what happened there.
- Thu Sep 29 14:34:06 +0000 2022
- Stelios Mili : @Stephen_Geiger Wait, isn't US debt serviced in US dollars? Am I missing something? @FadhelKaboub
- Thu Sep 29 14:33:24 +0000 2022
- JK : @Stephen_Geiger President Trump sends the national debt soaring https://t.co/hmxgCGdgqp
- Thu Sep 29 14:31:15 +0000 2022
- R.M.T. : @Stephen_Geiger @zac1967 Die prek¤re Fiskallage der US-Regierung ist der Grund warum das Fed bald schon QE machen m'... https://t.co/G1n1AgZ8yB
- Thu Sep 29 14:27:43 +0000 2022
- sparti : @Stephen_Geiger The solution is always cut soc sec and Medicare, which hurts poor and middle class.
- Thu Sep 29 14:26:12 +0000 2022
- Michael Spoliansky : @Stephen_Geiger I don't believe this has any bearing on whether or not a civil war will take place. It might have'... https://t.co/plXIe56rP3
- Thu Sep 29 14:26:06 +0000 2022
- cryptoz : @Stephen_Geiger "We'll be okay!""Yeah, because we'll be dead."ð¨
- Thu Sep 29 14:25:58 +0000 2022
- Vivek Vardhan : @Stephen_Geiger @KshitijAMalve ðµ'ð'ð²
- Thu Sep 29 14:12:18 +0000 2022
- Gerard DiFiore : @Stephen_Geiger And just about a year ago many "experts" said we could spend $$ to oblivion because of "modern monetary theory"
- Thu Sep 29 14:12:03 +0000 2022
- Pippin : @Stephen_Geiger They know it.Thats why they have to reset the system. Cbdc is their solution.
- Thu Sep 29 14:11:04 +0000 2022
- Tom : @Stephen_Geiger Thank goodness for bitcoin ð'
- Thu Sep 29 13:55:50 +0000 2022
- Johnson Jock : @Stephen_Geiger H
- Thu Sep 29 13:51:44 +0000 2022
- Virginia Patriot : @Stephen_Geiger The servicing the debt train has been gathering speed and it's going to derail.
- Thu Sep 29 13:48:47 +0000 2022
- Chip Stephenson : @Stephen_Geiger These talking heads are late to the game'... none of them had the courage to speak against obvious ele'... https://t.co/wTEt4BluNX
- Thu Sep 29 13:46:23 +0000 2022
- Simon the Ravager ðºð... : @Stephen_Geiger wotdafuk
- Thu Sep 29 13:42:31 +0000 2022
- Samson- : @Stephen_Geiger https://t.co/Q1q1rYSdqj
- Thu Sep 29 13:42:18 +0000 2022
- Mustafa Warsi : @Stephen_Geiger https://t.co/jWvc4eGgs4
- Thu Sep 29 13:41:15 +0000 2022
- Rotsevniylrae : @Stephen_Geiger @4lifeLink
- Thu Sep 29 13:31:46 +0000 2022
- Victor Vonringsting : @Stephen_Geiger Nothing to worry about, we'll just print trillions of dollars and everything will be fine
- Thu Sep 29 13:30:35 +0000 2022
- Chad Cressley : @Stephen_Geiger Oh, he is calling for another disaster after the calling for one everyday for the last 30 years? If'... https://t.co/M8YqMaSQrh
- Thu Sep 29 13:29:06 +0000 2022
- Danny : @Stephen_Geiger What about the Southampton sand Hill?
- Thu Sep 29 13:29:04 +0000 2022
- Mike Christ : @Stephen_Geiger It's like they know a planet killer is on the way, so just keep them fat and fed, pretend your ''doi'... https://t.co/XrWavpRcFn
- Thu Sep 29 13:23:06 +0000 2022
- Mike Christ : @Stephen_Geiger Hard assets in your own possession. Don't live in big cities. Be your own central bank. Not everyone is going to make it.
- Thu Sep 29 13:18:44 +0000 2022
- StealthyPrince : @Stephen_Geiger Interest to whom?
- Thu Sep 29 13:16:40 +0000 2022
- M_Strong : @Stephen_Geiger Currently sitting in the truck at an RV park in southern Missouri, discussing with my wife a number'... https://t.co/syoXrxo31L
- Thu Sep 29 13:15:40 +0000 2022
- Wilshire : @Stephen_Geiger ''Our''
- Thu Sep 29 13:13:38 +0000 2022
- c3p0 : @Stephen_Geiger Not funny matey. All you so called 'experts' have done this
- Thu Sep 29 12:57:22 +0000 2022
- MHarper : @Stephen_Geiger @G_Male_Baby The debt bubble came from lowering taxes in the rich.
- Thu Sep 29 12:45:02 +0000 2022
- VIDEO - (20) Benny Johnson on Twitter: "We have an alliance with North Korea now? https://t.co/0azrYYclK6" / Twitter
- Benny Johnson : We have an alliance with North Korea now? https://t.co/0azrYYclK6
- Thu Sep 29 12:46:33 +0000 2022
- No. 9653 : @bennyjohnson No, I'm sure the military industrial complex wouldn't let that happen even though we do give NK money'... https://t.co/cH798W09IV
- Thu Sep 29 15:30:36 +0000 2022
- Ajvannata : @bennyjohnson We are not at war with East Asia. We have never been at war with East Asia. East Asia is our ally.
- Thu Sep 29 15:29:22 +0000 2022
- Jerry Atric : @bennyjohnson YOUR MOM does.
- Thu Sep 29 15:29:21 +0000 2022
- Al : @bennyjohnson Hahah that woman is always lost like her boss.
- Thu Sep 29 15:28:38 +0000 2022
- Barbara DuPree Miller : @bennyjohnson Now we have an alliance with North Korea, bad choice lady your words will come back and slap you in the face.
- Thu Sep 29 15:28:14 +0000 2022
- Lilly : @bennyjohnson American politics gives me whip lash I never know what coming from where. Maybe it's contagious and s'... https://t.co/c9PJZC54t2
- Thu Sep 29 15:28:09 +0000 2022
- lancehk : @bennyjohnson Maybe that's why she hasn't been to our southern border. She doesn't know the difference between north and south.ð¤--ð¤--
- Thu Sep 29 15:27:34 +0000 2022
- 4 : @bennyjohnson She just had North Korea at top of mind at the time. Right Jackie? Where's Jackie?
- Thu Sep 29 15:27:07 +0000 2022
- Jimmy : @bennyjohnson ð¤£
- Thu Sep 29 15:26:45 +0000 2022
- bufordisaacs : @bennyjohnson Why not just walk across the border and "surrender to Kim?"
- Thu Sep 29 15:26:23 +0000 2022
- VIDEO - (20) John Cooper on Twitter: "See how this works? Individuals cross the border illegally, turn themselves in to Border Patrol knowing they will be released, and demand that they be sent wherever they want at taxpayer expense. #BidenBorderCrisis" /
- John Cooper : See how this works? Individuals cross the border illegally, turn themselves in to Border Patrol knowing they will b'... https://t.co/TsXuPQocKX
- Tue Sep 27 15:46:00 +0000 2022
- VIDEO - Rachel walensky vs. paul offit2
- Rachel walensky vs. paul offit2
- Sep 27th 2022 ' 4:14 to 5:16
- Episode Summary As public health messaging struggles to sell a new Omicron booster shot without human trials, the science and research community is now publishing weekly data and findings revealing major issues with the American Covid vaccination program.#RochelleWallensky #Fauci #CovidBoosters
- Rachel walensky vs. paul offit2
- Rachel walensky vs. paul offit
- VIDEO - (54) Baltic Pipe: Norway-Poland gas pipeline opens in key move to cut dependency on Russia - YouTube
- VIDEO - (20) Benny Johnson on Twitter: "Elitist Democrat NYC Mayor Eric Adams: ''New York has a brand, and when people see it, it means something.. Kansas doesn't have a brand. Ha ha ha ha. When you go there, ok, you're from Kansas. But New York has a br
- Benny Johnson : Elitist Democrat NYC Mayor Eric Adams:''New York has a brand, and when people see it, it means something.. Kansas'... https://t.co/jQGSjKXRst
- Tue Sep 27 18:43:22 +0000 2022
- VIDEO - WATCH: Don Lemon shut down by weather authority after saying Hurricane Ian is due to 'climate change' | The Post Millennial | thepostmillennial.com
- CNN anchor Don Lemon tried to blame climate change for
- Hurricane Ian during a segment with the
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Acting Director of the National Hurricane Center Jamie Rohme.
- Lemon asks Rohme, "Can you tell us what this is and what effect climate change has on this phenomenon? to which he responds, "We can come back and talk about climate change at a later time.
- "I want to focus on the here and now. We think the rapid intensification is almost done, there could be a little bit more intensification as it's still over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, But I don't think we're going to get any more rapid intensification. If you look here you can actually see a second eyewall forming around the inner eyewall and that's basically the second eyewall that's overtaken the original eyewall and that should arrest development," he said.
- Lemon again asks, "What effect does
- climate change have on this phenomenon? Because it seems like these storms are intensifying."
- Rohme explains that blaming climate change for everything does not make sense in this situation, saying that while the phenomenon could be making storms worse, he cautions against linking it to any one event. "I don't think you can blame climate change on any one event. On the whole, on the accumulative, climate change may be making storms worse. To link it to any one event, I'd caution against that," he said.
- "Listen, I grew up there and these storms are intensifying, something is intensifying them," Lemon said before changing the topic.
- VIDEO - Even Left Leader Admits Fascism Rising in Italy is 'Absolutely Fake News'
- Former liberal Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Renzi has dismissed alarmist claims in the global media that incoming Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is a ''danger to democracy'', telling CNN ''the idea that now there is a risk of fascism in Italy is absolutely fake news.''
- ''Personally, I was against Giorgia Meloni. I'm not her best friend. We grew up together in politics, but we are, and will be, rivals, always,'' said Renzi, who served as Prime Minister of Italy for nearly three years until December 2016, and is the leader of the liberal ''Italia Viva'' party.
- ''At the same time, I think [Meloni] is not a danger [to] Italian democracy,'' Renzi continued. ''She is my rival, and we will continue to fight each other, but the idea that now there is a risk of fascism in Italy is absolutely fake news.''
- The former Prime Minister went on to say that Meloni won Sunday night's election, ''particularly because populism, a lot of times, [wins] in Italy.''
- ''She has a majority coalition, and probably she will be '-- I think next month '-- the next Prime Minister,'' Renzi said, before doubling down on his claim that ''democracy'' is not at risk.
- ''That is very important, because I fought against her, but at the same time, I think there is not a danger for fascism in Italy,'' Renzi affirmed.
- Meloni Alliance Projected to Win Outright Majority Following Historic Election https://t.co/zwvBJw6QPc
- '-- Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) September 26, 2022
- Elsewhere in the interview, Renzi mentioned that he is ''exactly the opposite of Giorgia Meloni, because she is a sovereigntist and I'm for Europe'' [the European Union].
- The international media has been quick to compare her to wartime fascist leader Mussolini, a serious allegation. Yet as Renzi's comments demonstrate, not even Meloni's own opposition inside Italy believes this to be true.
- Indeed, there are genuine neo-fascists in Italy '-- like Casapound '-- but they get so little support at the ballot box they have now given up contesting elections as a waste of time and money.
- On Sunday night, the coalition led by Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) party won Italy's election, meaning the country's first national-conservative government is set to take power. Additionally, the victory is set to make Meloni the first female prime minister in Italian history.
- The coalition, known as Centro Destra, is an alliance between Brothers of Italy, former Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini's League (Lega), and former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italy.
- Meloni has expressed her dedication to traditional family values, opposition to gender ideology and the LGBT lobby, as well as support for strong borders and an end to mass migration.
- Currently, Meloni is being smeared by the establishment media as someone who is ''comfortable'' with ''fascism,'' simply because her motto is ''We defend God, country, and family.''
- Head of Italy's Largest Left-Wing Party to Resign After Party Crushed by Meloni Coalition https://t.co/LDfnSIRja1
- '-- Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) September 26, 2022
- You can follow Alana Mastrangelo on Facebook and Twitter at @ARmastrangelo, and on Instagram.
- VIDEO - (21) Kevin B - liar.com - on Twitter: "LMAO, WATCH BILL GATES DESTROY CLEAN ENERGY A FEW YEARS AGOð¤£ð±ðð§ #ClimateScam https://t.co/lSSzaLJmAu" / Twitter
- Kevin B - liar.com - : LMAO, WATCH BILL GATES DESTROY CLEAN ENERGY A FEW YEARS AGOð¤£ð±ðð§#ClimateScam https://t.co/lSSzaLJmAu
- Tue Sep 27 23:04:15 +0000 2022
- Me suomalaiset : @bambkb https://t.co/WXakEHkj1h
- Thu Sep 29 05:10:10 +0000 2022
- brightburn : @bambkb He's not saying he thinks we don't need renewable energy. He's saying that current solutions (were) not ava'... https://t.co/Ax4iBSFvYn
- Thu Sep 29 00:59:08 +0000 2022
- Chantal M-F Cormier : @bambkb Bully goat gates is a satanic climate cult member'...https://t.co/jVZ5SSPNC2
- Thu Sep 29 00:21:30 +0000 2022
- Seaplaneguy : @bambkb There are 100's of way to screw up Renewable Energy.Many have been tried for the last 40-50 years.NOTHI'... https://t.co/I6HlyTQsWb
- Wed Sep 28 19:26:06 +0000 2022
- VIDEO - (22) Tom Elliott on Twitter: "SUPERCUT! With midterms' prospects sagging, Dems preach violence https://t.co/ayxJPICcon" / Twitter
- Tom Elliott : SUPERCUT!With midterms' prospects sagging, Dems preach violence https://t.co/ayxJPICcon
- Tue Sep 27 17:14:27 +0000 2022
- VIDEO - (52) Continuaremos subiendo las tasas de inter(C)s en las pr"ximas reuniones, Lagarde en ESPAOL | Krolus - YouTube
