JoNova
A science presenter, writer, speaker & former TV host; author of The Skeptic's Handbook (over 200,000 copies distributed & available in 15 languages).
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Statistics
US Household Debt Rose by $185 Billion in Q2 2025
It isn’t just the US Federal Government that is in trouble with Debt –
“The Federal Reserve Bank of New York released a troubling quarterly statement as the total household debt in the US increased by $185 billion in the past three months, up 1% from last quarter, when total household debt reached $18.9 trillion.”
“American households are experiencing a pattern of financial stress that has not meaningfully waned since the pandemic. The government has destroyed the purchasing power of the USD through endless deficits and inflationary policies. The US is not heading toward a recession; rather, we are in a period of stagflation with inflation outpacing GDP growth primarily due to rising costs and wars globally.”
More at –
https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/international-news/north_america/americas-current-economy/us-household-debt-rose-by-185-billion-in-q2-2025/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=RSS
40
“How Countries Go Broke: The Big Cycle is Ray Dalio’s deep dive into the mechanics of sovereign debt crises and the repeating patterns that drive nations toward financial collapse. Dalio, one of the world’s most successful investors—famous for predicting the 2008 global financial crisis and the 2010–12 European debt crisis—lays out his most comprehensive explanation yet of what he calls the “Big Debt Cycle.”
“This book explores whether national debt has limits, even for reserve currency nations like the United States, and what happens when those limits are tested. Drawing from decades of data and investment experience, Dalio offers a practical and historical framework for understanding how countries go broke—and how they might avoid it.”
https://www.booksbriefed.com/how-countries-go-broke-summary/
60
Stagflation was predicted by many commentators for some time. We are seeing in play out in Oz as well.
50
I accept that FOREX is not intuitive but how do you explain the USD rise of 0.35% V the TWI and 0.735% against the AUD overnight?
The USD, JPY and CHF are still where “they” go in a flight to safety.
10
when total household debt reached $18.9 trillion
Wow that is worse than Australia. Australia’s per capita household debt averages USD48,000. The US $18.6tr corresponds to per capita of USD54,000.
US also worse per capita than UK now at USD51,000.
20
The Brits will go to great lengths to cover up Muslim rape gangs… But cat calling is a step too far. Meanwhile, migrants brought into the UK are raping women in extremely disproportionate numbers. The Centre For Migration Control data estimates foreign migrants sexually assault women at a rate 224% higher than the British population. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Muslim rape gangs give England and Wales the second highest count of Rapes in the World at 1,173 per 10,000. Rape experts estimate that about one million white girls have been raped by Muslim gangs, and that Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Hindus are over ten times less likely to rape than Atheists, Muslims and Satanic Socialists. The experts estimate that about one in 25 white women have been raped at least once by a Muslim male. According to the charity Rape Crisis, only 15% of rape victims chose to report the crime to the police. In one month, 167 white women reported being raped by Muslim men in Bradford. So Rape Crisis estimate that 1,113 white women are raped by Muslim men in Bradford every month. However halting cat-calling by working-class white males in Bradford is considered a priority by its left-wing upper-class Chief Constable, who is now being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The British establishment are going to great lengths to cover up Muslim rape gangs using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) which are extremely common and widely used to silence rape victims everywhere from Asian businesses to hotels, and from County Councils to the Labour Party, NDAs cover up harassment, rape, sexual abuse and more, up and down the country. And it’s working class white girls unable to fight back, who suffer the most. However the British establishment are more concerned about possible rapes by Russian invaders, as well as patriotic white British males cat-calling posh female police officers, who have not yet been raped by Russians invaders: https://www.infowars.com/posts/female-uk-police-officers-wear-jogging-outfits-in-sting-operation-targeting-men-who-whistle-at-or-catcall-them
151
I don’t want to minmise the distress caused by muslim rape gangs nor the ways in which the govt tries to covertheir crimes up, however That figure is at wild variance to official crime statistics.
In the UK in 2024 there were 34 sexual offences per 10000 of which around one third are rapes. The overwhelming majority are family or people well known to the victim.
52
>In the UK in 2024 there were…
According to what you call, “official crime statistics”, published by the government which you admit, “tries to cover their crimes up”.
121
Statistics come from a variety of sources. The numbers are not remotely that high as quoted
10
Why stop the criminals. All the good folk of the UK need to do is permanently STOP their treacherous politicians importing the criminals. Time to do as the USA is doing……vote for real conservatives (Reform ). Next stop every single immigrant entering you hopelessly overcrowded little Islam home whilst deporting every last illegal immigrant back to the country from which they emigrated from. (France )
Do it now before you are totally over run & your King converts to Islam!!☪️
You’d better be quick, you’re sitting at 1 minute before “ midnight “.
130
Nice Cuddly Mr. Putin … ish
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/14/russian-hackers-control-norwegian-dam-norway
“Russian hackers seized control of Norwegian dam, spy chief says”
[Norwegian spy chief … about an April 2025 event]
And, of course, China wouldn’t do anything like that – not even if they have ‘backdoors’ into our slaver panels and bird-choppers.
Would they?
Auto
110
Should have put this in the
Household renewables pose cybersecurity risk: “If you want to make a hackers life easy…”
thread.
Soz
Auto
20
I would like to reiterate my excellent idea from a previous thread.
Carbon acknowledgements.
Land is acknowledged but no land is going to be returned to anyone.
Same with Net Zero decarbonization.
Virtue signals are empty.
With this they could be more empty.
Possibly opening a new branch of virtue signal physics.
90
Actually, the Australian Land Mass and Continental waters surrounding Australia absorb more CO2 than is emitted by Human activity in Australia.
This means that Australia is below Nut Zero and is in fact in a positive position being a Net Absorber of CO2.
So, the new Mantra should be – “Welcome to Below Nut Zero” and should be reiterated at every available time and place – Meetings, Celebrations, Weddings, Funerals, P#ss Ups, Arrivals at Airports, Ports, Train Stations, Bus Stations, the Australian Parliament every day, School days, Unviversity days, Before going to bed, When waking up, Before Siestas, etc, etc, etc……………..
What a Great place Australia is and is leading the World once again.
So, no more need for the Ruinables Madness and all those subsidies.
150
On reflection, the welcome should be –
“Welcome to Nut Zero Country”.
100
“Welcome to Below Nut Zero Country”
I mean…………………………………….
80
Men At Work (are there any left?) could reissue their 1980s hit, re-mixed to an Aboriginal-Asian-International dance beat (A-AI), re-titled:
“I Come From The Land Nut Zero”
[suffocate me with my pillow]
to be sung 5 times a day facing, um, north-west?
50
And keeping with the obnoxious gases theme the flip side could be that famous Bonnie Tyler drinking song “Total Collapse When I Fart”.
20
Actually, (sadly )…. that is not the official definition of “Nut Zero “
10
The latest made up new climate risk and a catchy new brand name; urban ‘firewaves’.
Given that the vast majority of UK outdoor fires are either from disposable BBQs or deliberate arson, perhaps resources would be better spent elsewhere than the Imperial College climate scaremongering unit?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9vd79x97zlo.amp
110
Well, they managed to burn down London in 1666, even before “climate change” became a thing for the wokesters.
Admittedly, fire risks will increase dramatically with the extensive adoption of EVs by the wealthy virtue signaling woke Left.
100
“Given that the vast majority of UK outdoor fires are either from disposable BBQs or deliberate arson, perhaps resources would be better spent elsewhere than the Imperial College climate scaremongering unit?”
Obviously not – if YOU are profiting from that scaremongering.
Or climate-attribution-for-pay.
Or research-to-find-what’s-wanted …
Auto – sorry, reply to Mr. Grim at #4.
60
Energy Minister Chris Bowen hails China, India for ‘astounding’ renewables uptake despite both overseeing boom in coal power
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/energy-minister-chris-bowen-hails-china-india-for-astounding-renewables-uptake-despite-both-overseeing-boom-in-coal-power/live-coverage/23f83adeee3b19bd122fd256dff46951
100
Black-Out Bowen has stuffer EVERY portfolio he has had.
Why expect him to change for this one?
130
They seem to put him where his incompetence will cause the maximum damage to Australia.
50
(I can’t read the article as it’s paywalled.)
Doesn’t he understand that China is merely showcasing “renewables” to sell them to weak, woke, unbelievably ignorant fools like him to use the renewables scam to destroy Western economies to enable China to dominate the West?
In any case, I believe the growth in renewables in both countries is due to extensive development of hydro which unlike wind, solar and Big Batteries is actually a properly engineered system akin to a coal, gas or nuclear power station. Bowen is presumably equating the growth of hydro with toxic wind and solar in Australia.
Here is a link showing India’s extensive growth of hydro compared to wind and solar.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File%3AIndia_renewable_electricity_production.svg
110
You have to be Joking – I always thought Labor Blackout Bowen was lacking some Synapses, but I had not realised there is a Total Vacuum, where there is supposed to be a Brain – If Labor Blackout Bowen is indicative of Labor Party Elite – Australia is Screwed
120
Morning all. I don’t always agree with Sabine Hossenfelder, but this video is quite enlightening. Whilst Sabine is a defender of man made climate change and makes no specific reference to this in her video, this corruption of science in climate change is so obvious. As Sabine says “This is why I don’t trust scientists”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yPy3DeMUyI
And don’t go squirming saying big oil corrupts the alternative science. The budget for climate realism is minuscule compared to billions thrown at the climate apocalypse. And the main stream media fuel the climate alarm by only publishing or broadcasting the latest “you only have 10 minutes to live” research. It’s a self fulfilling prophesy with massive amounts of money on offer for any scientist prepared to prostitute themselves. Anyone with an alternative view struggles to get funding and is then publicly vilified and shamed by the climate fascists, or taken to court by some arrogant little twerp.
160
Here in Pentland (QLD) this morning the BoM app says it doesn’t know what the temperature is, reporting -°C, but it says it knows that it, “Feels like” 7°C.
Weatherzone reports a temperature here of 7.3°C which it says “Feels like 4.2°”
Trust the science.
60
Here is an explosion of a car.
Judging from translated comments its apparently a car fueled by CNG (compressed natural gas).
Admittedly such explosions are rare.
The red thing that bounces back and hits the person is apparently the pressure vessel.
However, if the fantasy of cars powered by “green” hydrogen comes true, hydrogen is a very dangerous nightmare fuel, and is difficult even for NASA. Explosions like this could become more common.
In reality it won’t happen. Not for practical reasons, that never bothered the Left. But simply because the Left have always hated the freedom that the motor vehicle affords to non-Elites and they’d rather have us confined to the free-range prisons known as “15 minute cities” or variations thereof such as “20 minute neighbourhoods” as they are called in Victoriastan, Australia.
https://youtube.com/shorts/XhJEw1Vjgl0
90
What about Zeppelins? They could be fitted with smoke alarms to comply with modern safety standards
70
And wear a face mask – paper or cloth will do, as long as you show you care – and don’t forget to throw your hands in the air!
40
How unlucky was there guy hit with the gas vessel. It must have been heavier than it looked given the way it flattened him after bouncing back.
This must be a special service area because there are concrete walls between the service bays- probably for a reason.
40
FWIW – for the vaccine record
“ICAN reports that Autonomous Therapeutics, a biotech company, has already published results showing successful tests of its self-spreading vaccines in monkeys. Their stated goal is to build “synthetic immune systems.” ”
More at
https://chiefio.wordpress.com/2025/08/10/w-o-o-d-10-august-2025-99-yr-lease-armenia-ukraine-crumbles-canada-polarizes-tariffs-galore-yawn/#comment-178344
And following comments – including
“@Per self spreading “vaccines”:
Isn’t that called ‘a disease’ ?”
Links to https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/08/shock-claim-govt-docs-reveal-pentagons-self-spreading/
70
Looks like more belief in “The perfection of our model”
20
“ICAN warns that such genetic payloads could integrate permanently into patients’ DNA and could possibly spread beyond the intended clinical trial population.”
Yup- At the rate viruses mutate that is guaranteed to happen, and they pick up all sorts of crap from the cell they are infecting. So expect random bits of DNA from the person you caught it from, although no doubt this is what has always happened with viral infections.
They want to start on terminally-ill AIDS patients, so that’s where the first unintended payloads will come from.
More depopulation coming..
50
It would seem covid is an RNA virus and not a DNA virus….hmmmm…as far as i know…RNA cannot pandemic…. it cannot produce a high fidelity copy of itself
DNA can produce high fidelity copies of itself much like a digital DVD…. RNA is like trying to copy a song by Stevie Nics using a reel to reel tape recorder…each copy is successively more and more unintelligible… not so with digital format.
I remember the days of making analog copies of a tape recording.
00
Just as they redefined the definition of a vaccine to include the mRNA experimental substances for covid 19, they will redefine disease to something that is good for you and desirable to catch.
Also, the Chicomms have amassed the world’s largest genomic database and are exploring ideas of race-specific bioweapons which would presumably be spread with the same technology as “self spreading vaccines”.
Even the extreme Left WaPo admits to this, not a conspiracy theory:
70
Today is the 80th anniversary of the Japanese surrender to end WW2.
15 August – Victory Over Japan Day or VJ Day. (at least by Japanese and Australian time zones)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz93j78ed87o
30
I love watching Putin’s propaganda on YouTube.
Yesterday one of his “academicians” said many American historian accept the fact that nuclear destruction of Japan was totally unnecessary and even useless because Japan was on the verge of collapse and, anyway was finished off by Soviet Army.
As academician who heard about calendars he should have known that USSR declared the war on Japan a week after the bombing.
30
“As academician who heard about calendars he should have known that USSR declared the war on Japan a week after the bombing.”
Not the first politician to stretch the truth my friend! However, Russia declared war on Japan after the first atomic bomb and before the second.
” 6 August 1945… the United States detonated an atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima”
“the Soviet declaration of war against Japan on 8 August 1945”
“The second bomb was dropped on August 9, 1945, and destroyed the innermost portion of Nagasaki”
“The surrender of the Empire of Japan in World War II was announced by Emperor Hirohito on 15 August”
30
Japan’s ambitions were destroyed after the Marianas Turkey Shoot where they lost nearly 500 planes. Everything after was futile. They were totally dashed when 100,000 people died in the Tokyo fire bombing so to rewrite history is propaganda.
10
Indeed, and while flipping channels happened on ABC News in middle of a speech by Albanese and caught:
“…every family that knew the grief that had no ending only a beginning… Every life and dream and future swallowed in that vortex of madness and cruelty. These were nightmares made real not by monsters but by human beings in a grotesque perversion of humanity…”
Thought he was revisiting October 7, 2023, in some attempt to lessen the effects of his latest popularist meddling then realised today is the 80th anniversary of the Japanese surrender.
Back then some 8.5million Japanese civilians were displaced between 1943-45 as a result of US air raids when the war turned in the allies’ favour. During the second Sino-Japanese war some 95million Chinese became refugees in their own country. Gaza has a population of between 1.8-2.2million and is bordered by Egypt the largest Muslim population within the MENA region. Why hasn’t the Gaza population been evacuated? Obviously because vacant bombed out land doesn’t have the same optic of bombed out land with starving children.
No prizes for working out who controls, and will never give up on controlling, the local population.
31
FWIW – no quotable source
“stole from FB:
“My name’s Frank. I’m 64, a retired electrician.
Forty-two years I spent running wires through houses, fixing breakers, making sure people had light in their kitchens and heat in their winters. Never once did anyone ask me where I went to college. Mostly, they just wanted to know if I could get the power back on before their ice cream melted.
Last May, I was at my granddaughter Emily’s school career day. You know the drill — doctors, lawyers, a software guy in a slick suit talking about “scaling startups.” I was the only one there with a tool belt and work boots.
When it was my turn, I told the kids, “I don’t have a degree. I’ve never sat in a lecture hall. But I’ve wired schools, hospitals, and your principal’s house. And when the hospital generator failed during a snowstorm in ’98, I was the one in the basement with a flashlight, keeping the lights on for newborn babies upstairs.”
The kids leaned forward. They had questions — real ones. “How do you fix stuff in the dark?” “Do you make a lot of money?” “Do you ever get zapped?” (Yes, once, and it’ll curl your hair.)
When the bell rang, one boy hung back. Small kid, freckles, hoodie too big for him. He mumbled, “My uncle’s a plumber. People laugh at him ’cause he didn’t finish high school. But… he’s the only one in the family who can fix anything.”
I looked that boy in the eye and said, “Kid, your uncle’s a hero. When your toilet overflows at midnight, Harvard ain’t sending anyone. A plumber is.”
Here’s the thing nobody told me when I was young — the world doesn’t run without tradespeople. You can have all the engineers you want, but if nobody builds the house, wires the power, or lays the pipes, those blueprints just sit in a drawer.
We’ve made it sound like trades are what you do if you can’t go to college, instead of a path you choose because you like working with your hands, solving problems, and seeing your work stand solid for decades.
Four years after high school, some kids walk away with diplomas. Others walk away with zero debt, a union card, and a skill they can take anywhere in the world. And guess what? When your furnace dies in January, it’s not the diploma that saves you.
A few weeks ago, that same freckled kid’s mom stopped me at the grocery store. She said, “You probably don’t remember, but you told my son trades are important. He’s shadowing his uncle this summer. First time I’ve seen him excited about anything in years.”
That’s the part we forget — for some kids, knowing their path is respected changes everything. It’s not about “just” fixing wires or pipes. It’s about pride. Purpose. The kind that sticks with you long after the job’s done.
So next time you meet a teenager, don’t just ask, “Where are you going to college?” Ask, “What’s your plan?” And if they say, “I’m learning to weld,” or “I’m starting an apprenticeship,” smile big and say, “That’s fantastic. We’re going to need you.”
Because we will. More than ever. And when the lights go out, you’ll be glad they showed up.”
240
I was with it right up to the bit where he tags trade skills and a “union card” together !
..Personally, rather than a union card, i would like to see a PL insurance number, and a trade licience. !
Too many “fast buck” tradies around !
30
Hear hear for the Tradies.
70
The wisest thing my parents (both with degrees and good positions…) did for me was sending me to apprenticeship at 14 and a half.
And I never managed to thank them for that.
60
It was once possible to start a trade at 14 here too, but it must have been hard: A five yr indenture with the first two being an absolute dog’s body. The older start age and shorter course reduced that humiliation.
The good bit for those who stuck it out was that he [it was always “he” then] had been a tradesman for at least a year by 21 and could marry and buy a house by the age many have just finished college today. Marrying and buying a house young was also common then.
100
“sending me to apprenticeship at 14 and a half.”
An excellent idea! You can always go to university afterwards, knowing that what you learnt about life in the trade will make you far more likely to graduate than those who have just been students all their lives.
50
That was my route,.. Apprenticeship, technical qualification and basic skills, then to University , but with a 4 year “sandwich” course giving more practical and industrial experience, before graduation.
However , finding a good industrial apprenticeship today is much harder .
20
In the middle of another training stint, providing specialist training to young tradies who are keen to expand their qualifications and improve their position, plus earn more money. Have students from all around Australia, since they cannot really access TAFE training, and in many cases TAFE doesn’t provide this level of training. They enjoy the intense training process, even though it’s hard work. Just finished two 9.5-10 hour days, another four to go next week.
20
Anyone previously heard of this gravimeter jam-proof navigation system from Oz?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtwn3gJjdKU
00
Well, I looked at it but the moment I saw the word ‘quantum’ I thought… nah.. its rubbish.
“• How this breakthrough could arm Ukraine and NATO with unstoppable navigation”
It will arm Russia, or any enemy with unstoppable navigation as well you clown!
10
Dunno what to make about this article about Polestar breaking “the Guinness World Record for longest journey travelled by an electric SUV on a single charge.”
The only numbers up front are that the car travelled 935 kilometres in 23 hours, which shows that the three drivers were not exactly attacking the course.
The quote that the car went way beyond “a London to Edinburgh distance” is (intentionally?) misleading and only “impressive” if the car actually went from London to Edinburgh, which is only about 650km, but the article doesn’t mention the route.
Anyhoo, it reads more like a press release than an assiduously assembled assessment.
40
Average speed of 40.6 kmh, hardly practical.
20
“Average speed of 40.6 kmh, hardly practical.”
Not if you live in Victoria where 40 KPH speed limits are all over the place. Tiny town near me, population about 800, no one can ever remember an accident of any sort let alone something major. 40 kph restriction over a kilometre long down the Main Street.
20
FWIW – latest Kunstler
“Carefully and Gracefully
“It’s funny they call [intel] a ‘community.’ That sounds so benign and beneficial. Everybody likes communities.” —Doug Casey”
https://www.kunstler.com/p/carefully-and-gracefully
Looks at the meeting in Alaska
20
FWIW
“New York’s Official Energy Plan Is No Plan”
“It was in July 2019 that New York State adopted its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Our Legislature and Governor (it was Andrew Cuomo at the time) had officially designated us as the climate “leader,” here to show the unsophisticated rubes and provincials in the rest of the country how a small application of political will could transform our electricity system from majority fossil fuels in 2019 to 70% “renewables” by 2030 and 100% “zero-carbon” by 2040.”
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2025/08/14/new-yorks-official-energy-plan-is-no-plan/
Sounds familiar
40
Hackers take control of dam in Norway
The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) says that pro-Russian hackers took control of critical operation systems at a dam and opened outflow valves.
The attack occurred in April and is thought to have been a demonstration of Russia’s ability to remotely hack critical infrastructure in the country.
It took dam operators roughly four hours to discover and reverse the malicious valve setting. By that time, though, more than 7.2 million liters (1.9 million gallons) of water had flown through.
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/pro-russian-hackers-blamed-for-water-dam-sabotage-in-norway/
10
Anyone else noticed how more and more people seem to have problems speaking clearly, tending to mumble, and speak with momentary pauses between words?
I’ve noticed on youtube channels and in person, and more reports of this are cropping up.
/let me guess – climate change.
41
Absolutely definitely and completely nothing to do with the vax!
51
The name’s Bond, James Bond
https://va.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ssvl85JsKh1a8lc97.mp4
Henry Cavill?
I thought the next Bond was going to be some androgenous lefty freakoid…
10
Attorney General Pamela Bondi@AGPamBondi
If you touch any law enforcement officer, we will come after you.
I just learned that this defendant worked at the Department of Justice — NO LONGER. Not only is he FIRED, he has been charged with a felony.
This is an example of the Deep State we have been up against for seven months as we work to refocus DOJ.
You will NOT work in this administration while disrespecting our government and law enforcement.
Pink-Shirted Guy Who Threw a Sandwich at a D.C. Fed Has a Day Job, and, Oh Boy
70
Ukraine has lost. Britain must now prepare for Russia’s next onslaught
Let us drop forlorn hopes of a Kyiv victory. We now need to ensure that the West can defend itself
It is time to put outrage, passion and wishful thinking aside and face facts: in what may well go down in history as the West’s gravest foreign policy failing of the 21st century, Ukraine has lost the war against Russia.
The conflict is likely to come to an end sooner rather than later – and on terms that favour Putin. Britain must accept that the Ukraine war is all but over – and prepare for an even bigger brewing conflict.
Tomorrow’s Alaska talks between Trump and Putin have scandalised European opinion. British defence sources have vented to me their disgust at the free world’s leader sitting down with the most ruthless authoritarian ruler alive to carve chunks out of a country that has fought heroically for the liberal, democratic principles upon which America was founded – principles that are fading from a US foreign policy that is increasingly transactional. That Trump hopes to seal the deal by granting Putin access to Ukrainian rare minerals has added a neocolonial whiff to the stench of betrayal.
Europe’s righteous indignation is tinged with hypocrisy. Ukraine has been burned not only by Trump’s unsparing America First policy, but by Europe’s disastrous refusal to invest in its own defence. An end to the war is imminent – and it will plunge Europe into its most perilous moment since 1939.
The geopolitical dynamics that have enabled Ukraine to hold the line against Russia have shifted. The Biden administration was content to keep the war in permanent stalemate. The hope was that the West could sap Russia’s power over time, while minimising the risk of a nuclear confrontation.
But the Trump administration, far from wanting to slowly destroy Russia, seeks to nurture Moscow as an ally, as it scrambles to contain the biggest threat to US supremacy – a rising China. As Moscow becomes ever more reliant on Beijing’s oil purchases and investment, Washington fears that a cash-strapped and isolated Russia risks becoming a satellite state of China.
There is now a strategic logic for both Kyiv and Moscow to end the war. With the West unwilling to decisively ramp up support, Ukraine knows that the longer the war continues, the more calamitous it will be for Ukraine economically, demographically and – in a country with shallow democratic roots – also politically.
41
Nice,.. attention grabbing headline,….based on what ?….opinion !
60
The Ukrainian Military Starts To Crack
We’ve increasingly seen some commentary about the Russia-Ukraine War that seems divorced from reality–even from our own Secretary of State, who claimed this week that Russia had suffered 60,000 KIA in July, a figure 4x higher than the Ukrainian government’s own (almost surely inflated) numbers.
Amid all the excited commentary, the pseudonymous military analyst Sergei Witte has remained a rational observer. In today’s guest post, he gives his sober assessment of Russia’s breakthrough this week. In short, the Ukrainian side isn’t about to collapse, but they are starting to crack.
Note: This article will be relatively short compared to my standard offerings, but I wanted to get some thoughts on paper as the situation north of Pokrovsk develops. Ukraine is facing one of the worst operational crises of the war and the situation is liable to change rapidly. We clearly do not have a perfectly comprehensive picture of how the front is moving, but I think taking the pulse in real time is still valuable.
Just as a brief aside, this is one reason why Alaska is actually a meaningful and pointed place to hold the meetings. The more paranoid sorts believe that there’s some sinister meaning owing to Alaska’s origins as a Russian colony, but the actual symbolism of the site lies in the fact that America does not need to interact with Russia through Europe, and indeed never has. America and Russia can relate to each other bilaterally, without Brussels or London or Kiev as an intermediary.
On the ground, the Alaska meetings coincide with a major rupture of the front. We want to avoid using overly dramatic verbiage, particularly the much dreaded “collapse” label. To be clear, it should not be expected that the AFU is on the verge of being routed completely from the field. Russian forces are not going to roll over the Dnieper next week or sweep into Kiev or Odessa. Ukraine is not “collapsing”, but it is losing, and more specifically it is about to suffer a major defeat at Pokrovsk.
31
I do wish that reports and opinions about the outcomes of meetings would at least be written after the meeting is had. If not written when the final result is actually known.
30
SITREP 8/13/25: Pokrovsk Breakthrough Continuation
UK scales back plans for sending troops to Ukraine – Times
Britain has reportedly given up the idea of a large troop deployment, proposing air patrols and training support instead
Without Zelensky, peace has a chance
The Ukrainian leader has become a liability to the West – which is why peace will be decided between Trump and Putin
41
England would have had peace much sooner in WWII if it wasn’t for Churchill.
20
….but under whose rule ?
20
Can it matter if “peace” is the absolute demand? It seems to be the ONLY measure being used here. Justice isn’t getting a look in.
40
‘ … which is why peace will be decided between Trump and Putin.’
Totally wrong, NATO doesn’t need America to win the war.
Of course if Ukraine is completely taken over then all of Western Europe is on borrowed time. Little doubt that you fancy the idea of Russian thugs in Paris, Orwell’s dystopian nightmare come true, but you are going to be disappointed.
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The headline is “Ukraine has lost” but the text starts “The conflict is likely to come to an end sooner rather than later”.
Which is it?
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“The headline is “Ukraine has lost” but the text starts “The conflict is likely to come to an end sooner rather than later”. Which is it?”
Both- Ukraine lost years ago when NATO decided against putting half a million men into battle. Then it became a nation of 40million versus a nation of 140million and the small nation won’t win.
It will finish sooner rather than later if Putin takes the oblasts he wants, he doesn’t need Kiev and he certainly doesn’t want Western Ukraine.
“British defence sources have vented to me their disgust at the free world’s leader sitting down with the most ruthless authoritarian ruler alive to carve chunks out of a country that has fought heroically for the liberal, democratic principles upon which America was founded –”
The propaganda is spread so thick you can’t find the bread under it!
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But how can you say Russia hasn’t lost? They are now just a service station with nukes they can no longer afford to maintain, and no one will commit to dependency on them for oil again.
Oil and gold, all they have.
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‘Which is it?’
Sooner than later, North Korea is sending more troops to be mangled.
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There are rumours that Putin won’t accept an Alaska minerals deal to quit Ukraine.
00
My wife was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer in September 2023. She then had three rounds of chemo, followed by extensive surgery, then another three rounds of chemo, ending in March ’24. She then had almost a year of no treatment, while her ‘cancer marker’ (CA125) slowly went back up. Then a scan showed recurrence of her tumours (small and scattered). Eventually, she was advised to have more chemo, commencing April this year. She had her sixth and final round two weeks ago, then had full CT scans.
Alongside all this, she began taking Ivermectin roughly ten months ago, starting at 12mg/day before moving to 18mg/day. She continued this through the chemo as some experts say Ivm works well alongside chemo.
We had a consultation before each chemo session and her CA125 fell really well, surprising the oncologists. Today, we attended another consult to get the results of the latest CT scans.
Essentially, she has no evidence of disease 😮 This doesn’t mean she’s cured and all the cancer has gone, but this is about as good as it gets with ovarian cancer. Tumours on her omentum, peritoneum, liver and spleen are gone, or so small they cannot be reliably identified. Also, a small build-up of cancerous fluid called ‘ascites’ has likewise disappeared. We are gobsmacked and can’t really get our heads around the news.
She’s not out of the woods yet. In fact, with ovarian cancer she never will be, but I can’t tell you how happy we are, even if this is just a temporary reprieve. It’s like the sun just reappeared from behind a dark cloud.
So, was it the Ivermectin? Did the Ivermectin increase the efficacy of the chemo as some suggest it does? For sure, even the oncologists are surprised how well she’s going, so it can’t be the chemo alone. Needless to say, she will be continuing with the Ivermectin and I also got her some Fenbendazole tablets last week, which she started on Monday. It is supposed to work synergistically with or complement the Ivermectin. I’ve also got her on vit D, K2, high dose vit. C, Quercetin and a very healthy diet.
Time will tell. Wish us luck!
I will now book a holiday 🙂
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We all love a good news story. Enjoy your trip.
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Does the oncologist know about the IVM use, did he comment?
Know a woman whom has initially stopped the growth of terminal breast cancer throughout her body by using IVM and Fenben in conjunction with chemo, but she has avoided telling her oncologist about the additions she has made. I suspect it would be better to let the oncologist know if we want successful alternatives and additives recognised as helpful in these situations.
All the Best.
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No, we haven’t discussed Ivm – or any of the other things she’s taking – with her oncologist(s). I tried several times to bring it up as a question but they always dismissed everything outside of the ‘standard protocols’. Because the oncology team are otherwise bloody brilliant, we don’t want to risk putting them offside by telling them about the Ivm.
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“Dismissing it”;
The story of My Le Trinh’s use of IVM is an indictment of modern politics.
Look her up: she’s been treated badly.
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Thanks, yes I understand.
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Brilliant news Steve. Keep doing what you are doing, doesn’t matter what the medicos think, not everything is known.
All the best !
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That’s wonderful Steve. Have a really good holiday.
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Thanks Annie!
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That is excellent news, Steve. I hope the improvements continue. I’ve mentioned Fenbendazole and Ivermectin to some people who might find it useful, since when there is otherwise no hope even a small chance of “someone on the internet” being correct is worth taking. Your news makes that risk even more worth taking, although they are both particularly safe with no unexpected side-effects yet (apart from stopping the cancer cells feeding and thus growing, anyway). Though one person’s experience is an anecdote, once you have collected a lot of such experiences it becomes data.
Here in France, seems that Ivermectin is still removed from the market, and needs to be bought over the net.
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Steve
Great to hear – I have been contemplating asking my Haematologist to use me as Guinea Pig and trial Ivermectin for my CLL
Ivermectin, a potential anticancer drug derived from an antiparasitic drug
Where did your Wife get the Ivermectin from?
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https://imahealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Cancer-Care-FLCCC-Dr-Paul-Marik-v2.pdf
Dosing and cautions
The optimal dosing strategy with ivermectin is unclear. De Castro et al reported the use of
1mg/kg/day for up to 6 months in three pediatric patients with refractory AML without
untoward side effects. (749) Ishiguro et al reported the use of ivermectin 12 mg twice
weekly.(750) Anecdotal evidence suggest that a daily dose of 12-18 mg may be effective
(prescribed indefinitely).
As ivermectin has a remarkable safety record long term treatment at
this dose appears safe.
As mentioned previously, ivermectin may be synergistic with
mebendazole.
As ivermectin does not cross the blood-brain barrier, it is likely ineffective for
brain tumors.
Furthermore, caution is advised in patients with disruption of the blood-brain barrier.
Dosing and cautions
We suggest mebendazole 100-200 mg/day. The cost of mebendazole in the U.S. skyrocketed
once this drug was discovered to have activity against cancer ($555 for a single 100 mg tablet?).
However, mebendazole is available from international (India) and local compounding
pharmacies for between 25c to $2 for a 100 mg tablet. Ivermectin can be considered an
alternative if mebendazole is unavailable. However, it is likely that both drugs combined may
have additive or synergistic anticancer activity.
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I’ve spent many, many hours ‘researching’ Ivm and Fen/Meb, also dosage, contraindications, side effects etc. The thing is, risk appetite changes drastically when a person is facing potentially terminal cancer.
The whole Ivm/Meb issue is about to get even messier, in my opinion, because I see increasing ‘attacks’ by trolls on FB and X pages that seek to gather and share information on their use, where pretty awful people are trying to discredit users and advocates by posting ridiculous claims of Ivm miraculously curing everything from heart failure to ingrown toenails. I think they’re just attempting to make it look like Ivm is used only by nut jobs. Sad, sad people. I don’t understand how they get satisfaction from destroying hope in desperately ill people.
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There are some medicos who are still backing the jabs to the hilt. They will have no good words in regards to Vitamin I etc
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FWIW
“A Fringe to make you cringe”
https://www.conservativewoman.co.uk/a-fringe-to-make-you-cringe/
Self evident one might say
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FWIW
“Abbott vs Albanese : a perfect summary.”
https://www.michaelsmithnews.com/2025/08/abbott-vs-albanese-a-perfect-summary.html
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FWIW
“The Ukrainian Military Starts To Crack”
“Scraping the Barrel: Attrition and Cannibalization”
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2025-08-13/ukrainian-military-starts-crack
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FWIW
How do you reckon some of our star performers would go in an international contest?
“There’s No Pinched Sour Face Like Nicole Wallace Pinched Sour Face”
https://hotair.com/tree-hugging-sister/2025/08/14/theres-no-pinched-face-sour-like-nicole-wallace-pinched-face-sour-n3805824
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FWIW – statesmanship?
https://img.patriotpost.us/01K2J3EMT1TGGEF4DP9DVDS4HJ.jpeg?w=1024&dpr=1&q=75
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“Titled “Call an immediate general election,” the petition argues that the public seeks urgent change from the current Labour government, which won power just over a year ago in July 2024.”
Wait! What? The UK?? I thought only banana republics changed their leaders every year, or 4 leaders in five years was it…
“Draconian new laws, introduced on the prext of ‘protecting’ children, have immediately been used to stifle free expression.” Ah, right.. dictatorships all over!
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/british-people-have-had-enough
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