The US Air Force's aerial refuelling fleet is essential for power projection, protection of the homeland and maintaining strategic deterrence, says Mike Minihan, commander of US Air Force Air Mobility Command. The fleet's importance is increasing as attention shifts to the Pacific, and the Air Force is preparing the fleet to operate in a more dynamic strategic environment. The next generation of tankers will need to incorporate autonomy, be survivable and adaptable to a changing future, and provide data as well as fuel, Minihan adds.
‘It was shocking’: the author under attack for doubting Shakespeare
Guardian
23-06-27 19:21
Elizabeth Winkler, an American journalist and book critic, has published a new book called Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies, in which she explores the theory that William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon did not write the plays and poems attributed to him. The theory is regarded as “not permitted” and a “blasphemy” by the academic establishment. Winkler’s book is not a polemic, but rather a study of the controversy and the egos and vested interests involved. It investigates the wider issues of how belief is constructed, how history is interpreted and how national myths are created. Winkler’s central argument is that the authorship question is a “massive game of Clue” played out over the centuries, and that the “weapon” is a pen and the “crime” is the composition of the greatest works of English literature. The book explores the reasons behind the passionate responses of both Shakespeare believers and doubters. Winkler was attacked as a conspiracy theorist when she first floated the idea that Shakespeare may have been a woman, but this led her to examine the wider issues of the controversy in more detail. She concludes that the authorship question is much larger than one individual and is about “authority and belief and certainty and the problem of history” and how the past is interpreted.
The 49-page indictment against Donald Trump for mishandling classified documents and obstructing justice is largely focused on how boxes of sensitive documents ended up crammed into the nooks, crannies and even a chandelier-adorned bathroom of Trump’s Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. But two of the indictment’s most vivid scenes took place about 1,200 miles to the north. Prosecutors accuse Trump of showing off classified documents to employees and others not authorized to see them — not once, but twice at his sprawling golf club on the rural plains of New Jersey. According to the indictment, Trump bragged in July 2021 about a sensitive military plan with two of his staffers, as well as the writer and publisher of a forthcoming book from his former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, during a session at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster. In an audio recording of the session near the club’s pool, Trump can be heard acknowledging the secrecy of the documents to the group. One or two months later, according to the indictment, Trump showed a sensitive government map to an employee of his political action committee during a meeting at Bedminster. No similar incidents are described at Trump’s club in Florida, where the indictment was filed. Trump’s behavior in New Jersey is yet another data point showing that the former president did not simply stash the boxes of sensitive documents, unopened and untouched, in the basement of his Florida club and forget about them. Instead, advisers said he was personally attached to and hyper-aware of the boxes, instructing that at least some of them accompany him from place-to-place, and appeared aware of what was inside.
Food delivery brand Deliveroo has predicted how food, science and technology will shape the way we eat by 2040. The company suggests that personal devices will be enabled with "BreathTech", allowing users to gain insights into the foods they should be eating for optimal health. Artificial intelligence will power "hyper-personalised" diets that are tailored to individuals' nutritional needs. The report also predicts an increase in "edible beauty" products such as anti-ageing ice cream, and the ability to virtually taste food before ordering. In addition, virtual reality dinner parties will become popular, allowing people to eat with celebrities or recreate food moments from film scenes.
What’s behind Saudi Arabia’s answer to Glastonbury? The power of popwashing
Guardian
23-06-28 09:00
Pop music is often involved in the reputation-laundering of repressive regimes, according to Michael Hann in The Guardian. While much attention has been given to sportswashing efforts by Middle Eastern regimes, the involvement of pop stars in cultural reputation-laundering has been largely ignored. Artists have been criticised for playing concerts in repressive states, including Beyoncé, who performed in the United Arab Emirates where homosexuality is illegal. In addition, artists have played shows in Saudi Arabia, a country known for its human rights abuses. Despite pop’s countercultural image, artists often prioritise their own interests over social justice causes.
Undersea cables are increasingly at risk from cyberattacks and surveillance attempts, according to a report by Recorded Future's threat research division Insikt Group. Although there have been few publicly reported incidents, the cables are vital to communications, military operations and global finance, with almost all intercontinental global internet traffic running through them. Insikt Group warned that the push for expanded bandwidth capacity had led cable system operators to embrace advanced network management systems, potentially making them vulnerable to cyberattacks exploiting third-party vulnerabilities. The group added that state actors posed the greatest threat in terms of intentional sabotage and spying, while non-state actors posed a lower-capability and lower-likelihood threat. China was identified as a particular espionage risk due to its increased undersea cable building, while Russia had demonstrated an interest in mapping the cables for sabotage or disruption. The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence has warned that cutting undersea cables is just one of the ways that hostile nations could "disrupt or damage US infrastructure".
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has not ruled out more rate hikes at the central bank's next meeting. While most central bankers still expect two rate increases this year, Powell said he would not take consecutive rate hikes off the table. The Federal Open Market Committee's next meeting is scheduled for 25-26 July. Powell said the committee believes there is more work to be done to tighten monetary policy and bring down inflation pressures.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has not ruled out further interest rate hikes at the central bank's next meeting. Powell stated that while the Fed has not decided on the tactics of future rate rises, he would not rule out consecutive rate hikes. The next rate setting Federal Open Market Committee meeting is scheduled for July 25-26. Powell also emphasized that the committee believes there is more work to be done to bring down inflation pressures.
Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Paul Thomas Anderson are stepping up to help curate programming for Turner Classic Movies, amid a tumultuous week of layoffs and leadership changes that had fans worried about the future of the channel.
Cities are home to more than half of the global population and this is set to rise to two-thirds by 2050. The forces shaping life in cities now also shape our world as a whole. The growth of cities has been accompanied by rising inequality within urban centres, with thriving cities experiencing the highest levels of inequality. The attraction of urban centres has been driven by factors such as reduced pollution, changing lifestyle preferences, and the presence of job opportunities and cultural attractions. However, the process of gentrification has led to the displacement of poorer residents and the concentration of disadvantage in certain neighbourhoods. The solution to creating fairer cities involves addressing three key pillars: fairer housing, fairer public transport, and fairer schooling. This includes providing affordable housing, increasing density to accommodate growing urban populations, and improving access to high-quality schooling for all residents. Additionally, public transport systems should be designed to serve the needs of all residents and not just the wealthier population, and public transportation should be affordable for those on lower incomes. Creating fairer cities is essential for ensuring that all residents can benefit from the opportunities and advantages that urban centres offer.
Commodity prices are at the same level they were in 1990, suggesting a new wave in the commodity super-cycle may be due. The concept of the Kondratieff Wave, developed by Marxist economist Nikolai Kondratieff, suggests that commodity prices move in long cycles, with extended waves of rising prices followed by periods of stability. These cycles tend to last around 30 years, and big technological innovations tend to occur during periods of stability. If the pattern holds true, a new wave of rising commodity prices could be on the horizon. However, some argue that current commodity prices have not yet priced in a recession and that there are still downside risks. Additionally, recent geopolitical events, such as the conflict in Russia, could potentially disrupt the normal commodity cycle.
The article also highlights the importance of China in the commodity market, as it is the largest consumer of commodities. The performance of commodities is closely tied to the Chinese economy, and any stimulus measures taken by the Chinese government could have a significant impact on commodity prices. However, commodity prices currently reflect disappointment in the Chinese reopening, and it remains to be seen whether authorities will implement a more aggressive stimulus plan.
ESG investing is facing a reckoning, and many fund managers are shying away from the ESG label amid growing political scorn. Instead, they are marketing their funds as thematic, sustainable, or values-based. The ESG brand has become toxic, with criticism coming from both conservatives and regulators. However, there is still demand for ESG funds, which crossed $2.3 trillion in assets during the first quarter of 2023. The first set of global reporting standards for ESG disclosure was unveiled this week, which could reshape ESG reporting norms.
The United States is facing a repeat of the 1920s, with a revival of isolationist policies and a turn towards protectionism, according to Adrian Wooldridge in Bloomberg Opinion. The 1920s were characterised by a booming US economy and a focus on domestic interests, which ultimately led to disaster in the form of the Great Depression. Wooldridge argues that the US is now turning inward once again, with policies such as tariffs, subsidies, and a focus on worker-friendliness in trade deals. This shift is undermining global institutions and risking the US's position in the global economy. Meanwhile, China is actively deepening its relationships with other countries through trade agreements and initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, while the US is failing to do the same. Wooldridge concludes that the US's isolationism is both deep and wide, with both progressive Democrats and populist Republicans advocating for protectionist policies. However, he warns that it is worth remembering the consequences of the 1920s, and that a turn towards isolationism risks undermining the US's global position and economic growth.
The administration of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) steered $92 million last year in leftover federal covid stimulus money to a controversial highway interchange project that directly benefits a top political donor, according to state records. The decision by the Florida Department of Transportation to use money from the 2021 American Rescue Plan for the I-95 interchange at Pioneer Trail Road near Daytona Beach fulfilled a years-long effort by Mori Hosseini, a politically-connected housing developer who owns two large tracts of largely forested land abutting the planned interchange. The funding through the DeSantis administration, approved shortly after the governor’s reelection, expedited the project by more than a decade, according to state documents. Hosseini plans to develop the land — which includes sensitive watershed once targeted for conservation by the state — into approximately 1,300 dwelling units and 650,000 square feet of nonresidential use, including an outdoor village shopping district.
June 5th marked the 300th birthday of Adam Smith, the influential Scottish economist and philosopher known as the father of modern capitalism. Smith’s most famous work, The Wealth of Nations, published in 1776, revolutionized economic theory and had a profound impact on the world economy. His ideas on free trade, division of labor, and the “invisible hand” have shaped modern economic thought and policy. Smith argued that individuals acting in their own self-interest, guided by market forces, would lead to economic prosperity and human betterment. His work challenged the prevailing economic system of mercantilism, which involved government regulation and control of trade. Smith’s ideas laid the foundation for the development of free-market capitalism and globalization.
China's leaders believe that it is Russia, not China, that needs to learn lessons from the recent events surrounding the Wagner Group in Russia. Chinese scholars argue that China should be viewed as an example of strict political control over armed fighters, which was imposed by China's Communist Party founders from the beginning of the revolution. The leaders of China and Russia are united in their contempt for the West and its liberal, democratic norms. They believe that an older, bleaker world order is coming back, which is based on balancing the interests of individual states, with special deference paid to great powers. China's confidence should be enhanced by the recent events in Russia, according to Zhou Bo, a retired senior colonel in the People's Liberation Army. He believes that China's approach to top-down political control is the right one and that the events in Russia prove this. However, China would never tolerate the use of mercenaries or convicts from prison, as Russia did with the Wagner Group. China uses private security companies to guard its nationals working abroad, but it prefers order when projecting power, unlike Russia's preference for chaos and killing.
Two highly anticipated films, Barbie and Oppenheimer, directed by Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan respectively, are set to be released on the same day, creating a battle of the blockbusters. The films are expected to attract different audiences, but there may be some overlap as well. Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, tells the story of the iconic toy characters as they navigate the real world. Oppenheimer, on the other hand, is a serious and spectacular event film about physicist Robert J Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb.
The marketing opportunities for Barbie are extensive, given its connection to the popular toy franchise. The film is expected to have a strong opening weekend, thanks to Gerwig’s reputation and the star-studded cast. In contrast, Oppenheimer is a longer and weightier film, shot with IMAX cameras and featuring an impressive cast that includes Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh. Despite the competition, the rivalry between the two films has not taken a hostile tone, with audiences and fans of both directors showing excitement and support for the releases.
The clash between Barbie and Oppenheimer is seen as a positive development for the film industry, as it represents a post-pandemic landscape where cinemas are hungry for new content. The clash only occurred because of Nolan’s commitment to cinema over streaming, and his decision to take Oppenheimer to Universal instead of Warner Bros., which caused the scheduling conflict. Regardless of which film triumphs at the box office, the outcome will be a win for cinema as a whole.
Mainstream economic institutions are becoming concerned about "greedflation" or profit-driven inflation, despite overall inflation falling worldwide. While corporate profits have been falling as a share of the economy, many retail prices remain high, with groceries up nine percent compared to last year. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently announced that escalating profits accounted for about half of the inflation in Europe in 2022. This has led to speculation that higher wages will only be possible if profits drop to their lowest level since the mid-1990s.
The Education Authority (EA) in County Londonderry has postponed its plan to close a small primary school. The EA had previously stated that the school, with only 44 pupils, was unsustainable and below the recommended number of pupils for a rural primary school. The proposed closure was met with opposition, including from Silent Witness star Emilia Fox, who described the school as "magical" and said it provides great value to the rural community. The EA stated that a public consultation about the school's future had attracted a significant number of responses, and that they would carefully assess this information before making a final decision.
Derby County chairman David Clowes has revealed that the club was just days away from liquidation before he stepped in to save it. Clowes, a lifelong fan of the club, put together a rescue package to save Derby County from extinction in July 2021. The club had been on the brink of collapse for several months, with eye-watering debts and a 21-point deduction for financial breaches. Clowes, who owns a local property development company, cleared the club's debts and secured a £55 million takeover. Derby County narrowly missed out on a place in the League One play-offs last season and the club's future now looks much more secure. Clowes has overseen the club's rebuilding process and is optimistic about its future. He believes that, with the right management and infrastructure, Derby County can achieve promotion back to the Premier League in the coming years. The club is now preparing for the new League One season and has plans to build a museum to celebrate its history.
The Hoover Institution and Lanhee Chen are hosting an in-person launch event for the book Healthcare Reforms for the Future. The event will take place on July 27 at Hoover's DC office and will feature a panel discussion on market-based healthcare reforms. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet Dr. Chen and his co-authors. The event will not be live-streamed.
