#part mizrahi another 20%

[beta-lactam-allergic]

The baby in the oven bit is probably propaganda but the rest is accurate. Hamas did kill babies, there's just no independent verification of a baby being burned in an oven.

The rest of this is true. Every other claim in here about Hamas & in general is true. It's only the baby being cooked in oven part that's probably misinfo. And really, you don't need the extra mile for propaganda, when just killing babies & children is already bad.

Jews were ethnically cleansed from the rest of the Middle East. Indeed the largest Jewish group in Israel aren't Ashkenazim (East European) or Sephardic (Hispanic) Jews, but the surviving Mizrahi (Middle East).

When people call for Israel to end (under the ridiculous misnomer of "decolonisation"), they don't consider that the Mizrahi don't have anywhere else to go. Nor do the Beta Israel from Ethiopia, nor do most of the others. Even amongst the Ashkenazim, there was literally a pogrom in Russia not even a month ago, Ukraine is a war zone, the descendants of Polish Jews are legally barred from ever claiming Polish citizenship & that's just off the top of my head.

Nor do they consider that all of these Jewish groups have some genetic descent from the ancient Israelites. The archaeology, genetics & history agree, ancient Israelites predate Arabs in the Southern Levant & the modern Jews are the descendants of the ancient Israelites. The Arabs who now call themselves "Palestinians" are the colonisers, not the Jews. Hamas claiming ancestral connection to the land is as laughable as an American Neo-Nazi screaming "blood & soil" in complete disregard for Native American history.

Do people fr not realize that if Israel rolled over to Hamas that a genuine ethnic cleansing and genocide would take place? Do people fr not realize this? That the middle east has been ethnically cleansing itself of Jewish people for literal fucking decades? But there's no cries of land back for the Egyptian Jews, for the Iranian Jews, the Moroccan Jews, the Algerian Jews, the Iraqi Jews, the Syrian Jews. There wasn't any cries of injustice when these Jewish communities were slaughtered and forced to flee. I have people in my community who are as least as young as in their fifties who remember having to escape some of these places.

This whole issue has been turned into an outcry for innocents, but the only way to save the most people is to wipe Hamas out first and foremost. Palestine deserves its right to self actualization/realization, but so does Israel. And I'm so fucking tired of people pretending like the actual victims of ethnic cleansing are "colonizers". There's irrefutable proof that the Jewish people have ALWAYS been in the land of Israel. The Palestinians are part of the Arabic world, who colonized the majority of the Middle East. The Jewish people having Israel is the most fucking successful land back story.

I know folks are going to sit here and say "well Israel has committed war crimes!" and tbh? Yeah, they SHOULD be condemned for that.

But Hamas has committed more. And I don't see any of y'all calling them out. No, instead y'all fucking defend them, claiming propaganda, ai, or any other kind of bs.

But they HAVE beheaded people. They open fired at a music festival filled with approximately zero IDF soliders --- aka innocents. They've raped. They baked a fucking BABY in an oven. Let me repeat that. THEY FUCKING BAKED A FUCKING BABY IN A FUCKING OVEN. Hamas are TERRORISTS. Full stop.

Either my post will go largely ignored, or it'll bring a wave of hate. Either way, that speaks fucking volumes for how much folks actually value all life. Specifically Jewish life.

[fridays--child]

Another one

1. What is your SoSu’s full name?

Imogene Lydia Grady-Mizrahi. Gene Grady is fine.

2. What is your SoSu’s favourite colour?

Forest green, navy blue, and earth tones.

3. What is your SoSu’s sexual orientation?

I guess the best fit would be pansexual. She tends to have more flings with women, but most of her relationships have been with men. She just floats around and is attracted to whoever feels good.

4. Is your SoSu good in a fight?

Completely situational. She’s a hell of a shot at a distance, thanks to her family’s penchant for hunting. She has no particular skill when it comes to hand-to-hand combat, it all comes down to her being relatively small, fast, and bloodthirsty.

5. What faction does your SoSu’s belong to?

The only one she has any real allegiance to is the Railroad (code name Galatea). The rest she’s had fleeting interactions with, determined on whatever purpose they could serve her at the time.

6. What are your SoSu’s biggest flaws?

Her impulsiveness, temper, and fickleness. She hates relying on people, so if she feels dependent on someone she tends to panic and bug out. She’s also incapable of lying (though good at twisting the truth), which can make any discussions involving feelings difficult.

7. Besides their lover, who is your SoSu’s bestest friend?

 Her and MacCready are eventually very close, though most of their interactions are a variation of this:

She’s friends with Piper and Magnolia, and likes Hale from @bagheera-is-back​ and Stahl from @daddyfuckinlonglegs​ a whole damn lot.

8. What is your SoSu’s favorite Nuke Cola flavor?

Cherry

9. What is your SoSu’s favorite number?

11, 17, 25

10. Can your SoSu’s dance?

Enough to hide her lack of rhythm and coordination, but not enough to prove she has any real skill.

11. Can your SoSu play any instruments?

A tiny bit of piano and guitar, but not enough to say she’s particularly good.

12. What is your SoSu’s favorite food post-war?

Power Noodles, vegetable soup, Sugar Bombs

13. What is your SoSu’s weapon of choice.

Ideally, a sniper rifle of any description, but she’ll make do with a shotgun. Close range she’s always got a switchblade on her, and a pistol if she goes out exploring.

14. How does your SoSu feel about killing?

If it’s either her or them, she’ll always choose them. Nothing personal. 

To be honest, she’s more concerned about how little remorse she feels about it.

15. Who is someone your SoSu would just LOVE to punch in the face?

The majority of people haha. Though she thinks the BoS is full of himbo jocks, and the Institute needs to pull their heads out of their collective asses. The rest she can ignore, for the most part.

16. If your SoSu got totally wasted one night and woke up next to someone who WASN’T their lover, who would they at least HOPE they’d slept with?

 I mean, she’s been waking up next to a certain OC to the point it’s becoming habit..

17. Is your SoSu a cat person or a dog person?

 Both. She has a cat, Pyg, in Goodneighbor. In Far Harbor she’d adopt Mishka, Gracie and Duke from Erickson.

18. What outfit does your SoSu wear?

 In game - Atom Cats leather jacket and jeans.

In ‘reality’ - variations of this:

19. How did your SoSu adjust to everything when they woke up?

 Physically, once she’s healed up she’s okay. There’s a wildness and a freedom to living in the Wasteland, and she’s surprised how well she fits in.

Mentally, Not Great. She feels a bit betrayed by the universe, both in that it failed to protect her. But also, that she survived when so many others (that she views as more deserving) died when she didn’t.

20. Does your SoSu have any scars?

She has a small split in her chin, but her most noticeable would be the burn from the nuclear hellfire. It curls like three fingers over the left side of her jaw, before spreading down her neck and chest until the bottom of her ribcage. 

[eretzyisrael]

We are writing in response to an inflammatory, fallacious, and anti-Semitic opinion piece published by the Duke Chronicle Editorial Board. As part of the Jewish community, we belong to a group that spans all corners of the world and encompasses all skin colors, nationalities, and sexual orientations.

While Jews have lived continuously in the Land of Israel for two millennia, global anti-Semitism and massacres necessitated that the Jewish people exercise their right to self-determination and become an equal amongst the community of nations. Legitimate criticism of the Jewish state’s policies has, and always will be, acceptable—one must look no further than internal Israeli politics to see this. However, the delegitimization, mischaracterization, and dehumanization of the Jewish state and its citizens with reckless disregard for facts separates the Jewish people from all others. The mischaracterization of any group to smear the existence of their political entity is unacceptable, and Jews are no exception.

The opinion piece by the Editorial Board is extremely troubling and crosses a "red line."

The Editorial Board attempts to draw a distinction between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. As a board without a single Jewish member, the Editorial Board has no right to define anti-Semitism. While criticism of Israel is not inherently anti-Semitic, the Editorial Board, nevertheless, engages in hurtful anti-Semitic tropes. By labeling Israel a “settler colonialist project,” the Editorial Board denies the right for a Jewish State to exist and crosses the line into anti-Semitism. The label of “settler colonialism” disregards Jewish history, including the fact that Jews have had a continuous presence in the Land of Israel and the Middle East for two thousand years. Currently, 61 percent of Israeli Jews are Mizrahi Jews of Middle Eastern rather than European origin. Further, nineteenth and twentieth century Jewish immigration to the Land of Israel occurred under duress and was not an attempt to “colonize” a foreign land.

The Editorial Board further characterizes Israel as engaging in “genocidal policies,” a false and misleading statement. We lament the death of any civilian. It is also true, however, that most fatalities in recent flare-ups were individuals actively threatening the lives of Israelis and later claimed by terrorist organizations as members. The Editorial Board fails to note that, while Israel goes to great lengths to avoid civilian death, Israel’s enemies actively target civilians. By ignoring the intentions of countless groups in the region to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth and by falsely accusing Israel of genocide, the Editorial Board warps an extremely complex political situation to seem simple and one sided.

AIPAC is not a political action committee as the Editorial Board writes, but rather a public affairs committee. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is powerful because 74 percent of Americans stand with Israel. American citizens are speaking out on an issue that matters to them. This is the ultimate expression of American democracy. AIPAC does not fund or donate to any politicians, nor does it work for a foreign government, as an article cited by the Editorial Board claims. Additionally, recent legislation has not attempted to criminalize boycotting Israel. A look at the actual law shows that this is another false claim.

The notion that AIPAC’s role in politics is “outsized and damaging” further engages in anti-Semitic tropes. The trope of “Jewish power” has been used for millennia to “punch upwards” against Jewish bankers, store owners, and “racial infiltrators,” and has led to some of history’s worst instances of oppression.

We would like to talk with the author about the hurt caused by their words and fallacious statements and begin to build a better understanding for each other’s perspectives and the nature of 21st century anti-Semitism.  

Max Cherman, T ‘20, and Ezra Loeb, T ‘22

Duke Israel Public Affairs Committee

[nataliesnews]

Subject: Sheikh Jarrah...one honest man

F 

  And the corona is back and so are masks   26.6.2021  The article which explains Sheikh Jarrah is at the bottom.   Nir Hasson from Ha’aretz phone me to ask if I was willing to be interviewed for an article has was writing for the paper about people who had taken part in the demonstrations and how they feel now. So I did and then he said that they would come to photograph me the next day. When they did not contact me, I thought that’s that as had happened with other interviews. But the next morning I started getting sms  from friends…you are a star, you are famous……I thought it was only about facebook but then one friend sent me this picture and I understood. I hoped it would appear in  the English edition but translated it and am sending it on also with this letter seperately  

I think that I will miss the feeling of being together with thousands. I realise now how along we were all the years in Machsom and when I went out with Arik or the rabbis. Now at Sheikh Jarrah I also feel the alone where we are only one or two hundred standing against the police and with the public so uninterested in what is happening there. They will feel it when the police act against  the ordinary citizen and then they will open their eyes in suprise     Well yesterday At Sheikh Jarrah the euphoria of last week at Balfour and the Knesset disappeared. What was it Kahll Jibran said….the height of your sorrow is the height of the joy you once felt and vice versa. I went with Varda and at first it was all so quiet that we thought we would be home early. Also there were fewer people than usual as in Tel Aviv there was an enormous gay demonstration. But then we moved forward to the police barrier which has now been added to so that they cannot be photographed so easily having a little party at the post. A bus of settlers came along and we did not let it past us. Why the hell should they go in when Palestinian visitors and family member can’t. Then the police started getting themselves ready with their helmets and batons which they are now provided with swinging. Besides as in the photo which I am putting on the stun grenades ….only about 20 of them are waiting for  the bodies of two of the police.

  This  young woman is amazing. She has come up dressed up as a policeman to every demonstration. She often imitates them but this time she was so funny I told her Charlie Chaplin would be proud of her and her walk. She mocked the police in every way she could also acting as traffic director once or twice when cars stopped to watch what was happening. Strutting along, pretending to give out tickets. She really pissed off this idiot who was in charge.  

So much so that he can into the crowd to arrest her. They pushed her off down the road and this blond policewoman went behind her pushing her along and not gently. I was so tempted to tell her who she reminded me of. Much as I try to push thoughts like this away I find it harder and harder

The Palestinian flag is like a red rag to a bull ….the police see it. Their hair stands on end. Their nostril distend. Their eyes blur and then go red. What remains of the brain goes into automatic attack zone.

Zadi was arrested…I am not sure if I am remembering correctly but I think that the sequence was that he had a Palestinian flag…..and as far as I know there is no law of holding a flag of another organization at a demonstration….if that of Lahava is allowed ….but there was a pulling match between him and the commander of the idiots and, only with the help of another police man did the latter manage to get it away from him and afterwards he was pulled out from the throng and arrested.   Then two of the men who went to wait for him at the police station. The one had on a scarf with the Palestinian flag and, though other policemen evidently spoke to him and took no notice, one of the more stupid came up and demanded he take it off. Which he refused. I wish I could send you the videos where you can see the amount of violence and how many policeman are necessary to take back one scarf. Like the Israeli joke of how many…………. Are required to put in a light bulb.  This is what interests the police today.   I had a feeling that the commander did not really know what he was doing. Every time he would barge into the group and then go back and stand as if thinking……or maybe like that man who said, “Sometimes I stands and thinks and sometimes I just stands.” And about twice they came all the way across the road to arrest someone who, as in most cases, is kept for a couple of hours and then released without even appearing in court          

The flag

No borders

One feels the desire to attack. 

Zaid

                  Former Attorney General Discovers Settler Group Took Over His Family’s Sheikh Jarrah Home

Michael Ben-Yair was surprised to find that a religious nonprofit group had charged Palestinians living in his grandmother’s East Jerusalem house hundreds of thousands of shekels in rent, with the approval of a rabbinical court. His legal journey to reclaim the home reveals the settlers’ modus operandi in their drive to ‘Judaize’ Sheikh Jarrah

 Ben-Yair with his sister Naama Bartal in Sheikh Jarrah in 2019. Credit: Hagit Ofran / Peace Now

Nir Hasson

Get email notification for articles from Nir HassonFollow

Jun. 15, 2021

A nonprofit settler group took over a building in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood that belongs to the family of Michael Ben-Yair, a former attorney general and retired District Court judge. The group controlled the building for years, collecting rent totaling hundreds of thousands of shekels from Palestinian residents, without the knowledge of the legal heirs of the building’s original owner.

Ben-Yair discovered two years ago that his grandmother’s house had been taken over by the group. No one from the Justice Ministry’s Administrator General and Official Receiver Division, rabbinical courts or a settler group had tried to find her legal heirs. Since then, he’s been waging a legal battle to wrest the building from the settlers, and to allow its Palestinians residents to remain there. On his journey, Ben-Yair discovered the settlers’ contorted and legally dubious methods to “Judaize” Sheikh Jarrah.

‘They could have easily found us.’

Nahalat Shimon was a small Jewish neighborhood in the Western part of Sheikh Jarrah in the late 19th century. Michael Ben-Yair, who was attorney general under Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, was born there in 1942. In 1948, the residents fled after the neighborhood was conquered by Jordan’s Arab Legion. Like most Jewish residents who fled from East Jerusalem to the western side of the city, the family was compensated for the loss of their house, and received an alternative house and store in the Romema neighborhood.

Open gallery view

 In the 1990s, settler organizations began a drive to replace the Arab residents of Sheikh Jarrah with Jewish ones, based on a law that allows Jews to reclaim property they held in 1948, even if they were compensated for its loss. Nahalat Shimon was divided into an eastern section called Karm al-Jaouni, where land was owned by the councils of the Jewish Ashkenazi and Mizrahi communities. Land in the western section, called Umm Haroun, where Ben-Yair’s family lived, was privately owned by Jewish families.

Land in the eastern section was subsequently purchased by a nonprofit group called Nahalat Shimon, which is controlled by a foreign company and run by a settler activist named Yitzhak Mamo. In the western section, Mamo and settler groups needed the cooperation of Jewish families who had inherited the properties. In some cases, they received cooperation and purchased the buildings, evicting Palestinian families living there. In the case of Ben-Yair’s family, they took a different method.

The house and an attached store are listed in a “trust document,” a type of will drafted by Ben-Yair’s grandmother, Sarah Jannah, daughter of Menashe Shvili. In 1927, she declared before a rabbinical court in Jerusalem that the house and store would pass to her heirs and then the heirs’ heirs. She added that if, God forbid, no family member remained alive after the original heirs, the property would be transferred to a neighborhood Georgian synagogue. This was common in those days, in cases of families with no living descendants.

‘We will never     leave our land’: The Palestinian families facing eviction in Sheikh Jarrah

Israel won't     intervene in Sheikh Jarrah case, making eviction of Palestinian families     more likely

Israel is shirking     its responsibility for residents of Sheikh Jarrah

Israel’s policies     in East Jerusalem are outrageous, idiotic and unjust

Based on this last phrase, a right-wing nonprofit group called Meyashvei Zion (settlers of Zion), managed by Mamo, appealed in 2002 to a rabbinical court, asking that Mamo and another person named Oren Sheffer be appointed as court delegates to determine who the property belonged to. The court approved their request. Shortly thereafter, the two informed the court that they had not found any heirs, and the court quickly appointed the two as trustees of this building, without any significant effort by the court to locate the heirs.

Sheikh Jarah, Jerusalem

The decision was based on the presumption that no heirs could be found, even though Sarah Jannah appears in the Population Registry, since she died in 1955, after the state was established. Anyone wanting to could have easily found her heirs through a simple search at the interior ministry. “The identity numbers of the whole family were consecutive,” says Ben-Yair. “My brother’s ends in 03, mine ends in 04, my grandparents’ ID numbers ended in 05 and 06, respectively.”

In 2004, the Administrator General and Official State Receiver, which had managed the property since 1967, objected to the appointment of the new trustees, arguing that an effort should be made to locate living family members, but the court denied this request. A year later, the receiver handed the building over to Mamo and Sheffer, even reimbursing the nonprofit 250,000 shekels ($77,000) for rent the state had collected from Palestinian residents up to that time. Over the next nine years, the group received 600,000 shekels in revenues from the property.

In 2011, another nonprofit group, the Georgian community council, managed to take control of the property with the support of a rabbinical court. This group also failed to search for the real heirs. Minutes from rabbinical court sessions in 2016 show that the Georgian council knew that the property had legal heirs who were not benefiting from it. The council even knew their names. “They told me it belonged to Professor Yair somebody … Prof. Michael Ben-Yair; we’re trying to find him,” said the Georgian trustee David Bandar, in one of the sessions.

Open gallery view

 Ben-Yair in Sheikh Jarrah in 2019. Credit: Hagit Ofran / Peace Now

‘Lack of basic decency’

When Sheikh Jarrah stared making headlines following the eviction of Palestinian families from their houses a decade ago, Ben-Yair joined demonstrations organized by a solidarity movement against Jewish settlers. He even drafted a pamphlet stating that Jewish families who had fled homes there had received compensation for their houses, making the demand to reclaim their old houses illegal and immoral.

Two years ago, Ben-Yair discovered that settlers had begun evicting Palestinians from a store which he believed was part of his grandmother’s house. He subsequently appealed to the official receiver, attorney Sigal Yakobi, who is also the acting director-general of the Justice Ministry. “Up to that time I thought the property was still registered in my grandmother’s name and I assumed it was occupied by Palestinian refugees, living there untroubled. Since we’d received compensation in 1948, I didn’t bother checking the current ownership in the land registry office,” he says.

Ben-Yair says that when he met with the official receiver, she did a review and discovered that the property had been released.

“I told her that we are the heirs, so she asked to see the trust document and she was stunned. She saw that it was a private and not a public trust,” he recounts. At the meeting, the family members learned of their grandmother’s will for the first time. Ben-Yair and his sister, Na’ama Bartal, subsequently asked the court to look at the trust file. The court rejected the request, saying they did not have sufficient documentation to prove their family relation to their grandmother.

Ben-Yair appealed the decision to the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court, asking that the Interior Ministry be directed to give him the documents confirming that he is his grandmother’s grandson. Ben-Yair won the appeal, and the Interior Ministry is due to hand over the documents next week.

At the same time, attorneys Michael Sfard and Alon Sapir, with the assistance of Peace Now, submitted a request to the rabbinical court to appoint the family members as the trustees. “Michael Ben-Yair did not go into hiding and was not abducted to an enemy country; he did not change his name or hide in his bedroom. Not only is this a person who is easy to find, he is a public figure who makes public statements and even published a book about Sheik Jarrah three years earlier,” Sfard and Sapir wrote in their request to the court.

A ruling on their request has yet to be handed down, but meanwhile the rabbinical judges ordered that all activity in the trust be suspended. Ben-Yair and his sister said they hope that they will soon get their house back and that afterward they intend to sue the trustees from Meyashvei Zion and the Georgian council for the money they collected from the Palestinians over the years.

Since the trust document prohibits the sale of the house, Ben-Yair hopes to convince his family to lease the property to the Palestinian family living there for a token fee for an extended period. “It’s not just a matter of ‘what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine.’ It’s a basic lack of decency and inconceivable under any legal system that I should receive both compensation as well as the property for which I received the compensation,” Ben-Yair says. “It would also involve eviction of Palestinians who would become refugees for the second time, while they are not entitled to seek to reclaim their property from before 1948. Justice requires that they not be evicted and that their custody of the house be ensured.”

Open gallery view

 Attorney Sigal Yakobi, the official state receiver and Justice Ministry acting director-general.Credit: Ohad Zwigenberg

“It’s a crazy story,” says attorney Sfard, who is representing Ben-Yair. “The person they were supposed to look for was sitting right there in his office on the floor above the Official State Receiver in the Justice Ministry. It just shows the intensity of the concealment and of the connection between the Judaizing elements and the rabbinical court. The court is supposed to ascertain that the trustees are not doing anything to distort the wishes of the person who left the bequest or created the trust.”

“Ben-Yair’s story gives us an opportunity to peek into the system of dispossession in East Jerusalem,” says Hagit Ofran of Peace Now. “The state authorities, the Official State Receiver and the rabbinical court are enabling and even promoting the Palestinians’ eviction and replacement with settlers. The government can no longer argue that Sheikh Jarrah is just a real estate matter. It is a political matter that is the state’s responsibility, and the state is also responsible for preventing the injustice.”

‘There may have been some confusion’

The administration of the rabbinical courts says: “In 2011, several people came before the court and claimed no heirs were found. Therefore, the court ordered that in keeping with the trust document, the property be used for a public purpose. The Georgian council is also among the current custodians. The material in the file shows that the name of the woman who established the trust – Sarah bat Menashe Hannah/Jannah/Shvili is spelled in different ways, which may have caused confusion.

“It is most important to note that those who claim to be the deceased’s heirs have to date not proven that they are indeed her descendants, and they conducted a legal proceeding on this matter before other forums. Despite this, and out of caution, when the applicant first contacted Rachel Shakarji, the supervisor of religious properties earmarked for charitable purposes, she wrote to the court and requested that a temporary injunction be given instructing the receivers of the trust not to take any actions that would alter the condition of the trust from a legal or economic standpoint.

“An injunction was immediately granted by the court and it remains valid, even though those who claim to be the heirs of the person who established the trust have not proven their relation to her and even though half a year has passed since the temporary injunction was issued. Considering the time that has passed since the trust’s establishment, the location of the property and the upheavals that occurred there, it is possible that mistakes occurred. However, as noted, to date the claim of the familial relationship between the applicants and the originator of the trust has not been proven.”

Open gallery view

 Ben-Yair with his sister Bartal in Sheikh Jarrah in 2019.Credit: Hagit Ofran / Peace Now

Attorney Shlomo Toussia-Cohen, who is representing the Georgian council, declined to comment for this article. In their response to the rabbinical court, the Georgians claimed that Ben-Yair and his sister had not proven their blood relation to Sarah Jannah and that Ben-Yair’s public pronouncements about the rights of the Palestinians there indicate that he seeks to act counter to the principles of the trust and therefore is not entitled to a part of it.

The office of the Official State Receiver responded: “This is a trust property that was managed by the Official State Receiver and regarding which a release request was submitted by the appointed trustees in the early 2000s. In light of the fact that this is a trust for private purposes, the Official State Receiver opened an inquiry to the court, which appointed the trustees, and expresses its position that the relatives of the deceased should be appointed as the trustees. However, this position was not accepted by the court and therefore in 2006 the property was released to the trustees. It goes without saying that it is the duty of the appointed trustees to act in accordance with the purposes of the trust as set down by the deceased.”

Yitzhak Mamo and Meyashvei Zion declined to comment.

  About Haaretz

Cookie settings

Load more

Haaretz.com, the online English edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, gives you breaking news, analyses and opinions about Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World.

© Haaretz Daily Newspaper Ltd. All Rights Reserved

[weemietime]

Man, do us all a favor and throw your phone into a river already. A majority of Israel was constructed from the ground up in uninhabited land, dipshit. Or do you seriously think Arabs were getting kicked out of Tel Aviv, Netanya, Holon, etc lmao. Your whole entire bullshit post is factually incorrect, there was never a shit ton of European Jews coming over to replace the biome with a European one.

70% of Israel is Mizrahi, Sephardi and Arab you stupid motherfucker. 29% of Israel is agricultural land and the country was founded in farming practices designed for desert use on the kibbutzim and moshavim, furthermore Israel is a world leader in agricultural technology, growing up to 26% more crops with 12% less water than average.

But please do go ahead and keep explaining how Israelis don't know how to farm the land when there are literal farming instructions written in our religious texts that we have taken with us for thousands of years. Please do keep talking about how Arabs are so much better at it even though they've destroyed their own ecosystems and raped the Earth in pursuit of oil.

BTW when Hamas invaded Israel one of the communities hit hardest was farmland and farmers, and a big part of the current agriculture issues in Israel directly stem from the killing and kidnapping of farmers and constant rockets fired into agricultural areas by, wouldn't you know it, Arabs. Who, by the way, did not have anything even remotely approaching the degree of biodiversity and agricultural success that Israelis brought (to Israel).

Israelites made the arid land habitable and prosperous and when they got kicked out the situation rapidly deteriorated and did not improve until the Ottomans were defeated, so kindly go fuck yourself, thanks. :-) and also you're such a fucking dumb ass, Israel isn't blowing its own country up what the fuck are you talking about lmfao.

It would have taken you all of ten seconds to Google this shit but instead you decided to open your big dumb stupid mouth to regurgitate genocidal Hamas propaganda denying Jewish history in Israel and our known positive effect on the state of the land today.

Sorry your uwu besties didn't contribute fucking shit to Israel's prosperity and considering they spend most of their time launching constant rocket and terrorist attacks (20,000 rockets per year over the last 20 years) it is RICH that you think Hamas would be better fucking suited to taking care of the land. If they gave a fuck about the land they wouldn't dedicate their entire existence to destroying it. Your only source for all of this is "Israel cut some trees down," as if that justifies any of this incoherent garbage.

If your idea of who is entitled to the land rests on whether or not they cut a fucking tree down when they're the ones directly responsible for its prosperity today and does not at all mention the hundreds of thousands of rockets those same terrorists you claim would do a better job, fire at residential and agricultural zones specifically intended to destroy them, like, it must be genuinely exhausting being this much of a dipshit.

Please do tell us how poorly someone must take care of the land before it is acceptable for another culture to destroy it and kill everyone in it. You know, for the sanctity of the land. Ballpark it for me.

Israel: “Palestine” is the Jewish homeland, actually. It belongs to us. We will use it better than the Arab squatters.

Israel: *bombs the land into an inhospitable hellscape* *introduces invasive species* *destroys native flora* *destroys infrastructure* *destroys cultural landmarks and heritage sites* *genocides Palestinians, including the Jews that have lived there for generations before Israel’s creation* *disregards the unique needs of the region’s current biome to recreate a European one* c:

[gothify1]

Welcome to our World’s Best Shoppers series, a monthly feature in which we tap into the shopping leaders of the fashion world—the best fashion directors, buyers, and stylists—for sartorial insight on what to buy each season. With spring just around the corner (seven days to be exact!), it's officially time to get our new-season wardrobes into gear with a few key items that will have us looking wholly on-trend . So what should we be buying, Instagramming, and lusting after this spring? To get us inspired for our new-season purchases, we tapped into the world’s best shoppers to see exactly what they’re adding to their carts this March. From trending long shorts to fresh denim silhouettes , scroll below to see what these women—with an eye for fashion—are getting their hands on before everyone else. “I am so ready for spring and cannot wait to wear a pair of cool Bermuda shorts with oversize jackets as a suit combination. Maison Margiela, Valentino, and the new Korean brand Low Classic have some amazing offerings.” “I am literally obsessed with anything leather on leather from the likes of Bottega Veneta and Gucci. It just looks so sleek and will never go out of fashion.” “Another trend I am really into it for S/S 20 is paper-bag high-waisted pants, especially in denim. Isabel Marant and Ganni have great styles you can mix from day to night.” "This spring clean denim is updated with the influence of the ’70s. Flared jeans are the must-have that will refresh your look and work hard in your wardrobe.” “The jumpsuit is updated with utility details for a comfortable yet chic look. Pair it with heels for a cool day-to-night ensemble.” “Dresses are revitalized with longer lengths and romantic volume. Soft movement, ruffles, and fuller sleeves create af breezy, relaxed look. Pair a voluminous dress with sandals for a daytime look or with heels for night.” “The animal craze continues through spring, and I love how versatile these zebra flip flops are. You can dress them down with cutoff denim shorts or opt for a full volume dress for a more formal look.” “We are so thrilled to be carrying Gelareh Mizrahi’s collection on Shopbop! These micro bags spice up all outfits. I am especially obsessed with the Kelly green one.” “The epitome of one-step dressing, and playing into this idea of versatility and practicality, I’m choosing a grey suit. The suit is timeless, but grey is the must-wear seasonal color. We saw this trend emerge during the shows for spring/summer 2020, but for fall, grey was the most dominating color. For anyone who is an early fashion adopter looking to tap into the trend early, this is the piece for them.” “Everyday basics should never be underestimated. Three years ago, wearing a T-Shirt with a suit felt fashion-forward, and now it’s all about the racerback tank top. I love the ribbed fit on this Totême take on the trend.” “Practicality and comfort is now top of the fashion agenda—chic, comfortable and versatile is the ever cool Birkenstock x Proenza Schouler collaboration, as seen on the runway.” “A sharply constructed blazer is the perfect answer to transitional spring dressing. I am investing in Peter Do’s detachable blazer that can be worn in so many ways. A great investment.” “I’m all in on the spring leather short trend. This white Nanushka pair is seriously sophisticated.” “I’m utterly in love with these sleek pumps from Bottega Veneta, featured in an incredibly versatile animal print. These will go with everything.” “It’s all about the ’90s silhouette with these pants. Mara Hoffman got the weight of this fabric right for spring, and the high waist makes it easy to pair with a great basic (like the Good American black crew-neck bodysuit below). It’s a great spring uniform!” “Dolce & Gabbana is one of our best-selling brands, this stunning fuchsia silk cocktail dress is the perfect piece for spring weddings and events. I will pair it with black patent strappy heels for a city party and a metallic sandal for a more relaxed event.” “You cannot get a more timeless piece. I love the graphic print of the DVF Julian wrap dress. Perfect everyday dress for work. Everyone looks great in this!” “Tailoring is my go-to every season, and, in particular, a beautifully tailored suit. This season Wales Bonner adapted her menswear designs with a softer feminine edge, and this suit—impeccably crafted in the United Kingdom—is a real investment piece that I will wear for years to come, either as a full suit or separates.” “Chopova Lowena is a brand I’m very excited about. It has such a unique point of view and really has fun with its designs, which is something I love. This season, I am loving their mix of tartan and organza creating the perfect spring dress. It looks great styled with chunky boots.” “Handmade in Sweden from upcycled vintage blankets, this Rave Review jacket is perfect for the cooler spring days. The eco-conscious label is part of our recently launched Responsible Edit due to its use of sustainable materials and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.” “A Bottega Veneta hobo bag is number one on my spring wish list. My coworkers and I have been eyeing the slouchy, oversize style for a while, but when its creative director, Daniel Lee, featured the shape in his resort 2020 collection, that sealed the deal for me. This particular hobo features the brand’s signature intrecciato in a bold chartreuse color that is similar to what Lee showed in his most recent runway show.” “Walking is my main mode of transportation in New York, so I invest in at least one new pair of shoes every season. These platform Marni sandals give a subtle nod to the ’60s and will go with almost every dress I plan to wear this spring.” “A Burberry trench coat is a forever spring classic that commands a high resale value. When I was younger, my dad wore one that was oversize and double-breasted. I am just waiting for the perfect one to pop up on The RealReal. I currently have about 20 different versions of that trench saved in my Obsessions Page.” “The Moon Bag is one of the hottest bags right now. I’m obsessed with this black embossed oversize version. It looks super luxe yet doesn’t break the bank. Plus, you can fit all of your daily essentials into it with ease.” “The cloudy blue print on this top is perfect for spring. It’s seasonal and fresh yet different from all of the florals we’re so accustomed to seeing. I also love the flattering neckline and long sleeves and will pair it with my favorite light-wash, high-waisted denim and sandals for an effortless daytime look.” "Agolde is my favorite denim brand right now. They have amazing price value and practice sustainable manufacturing, which is very important to me. The Parker Short is a cult favorite because of its amazing fit. They are versatile and perfect for your spring break getaway." Up next, every cool girl sis wearing this sporty accessory—and I’m 100% here for it .

[whatshappeningtothekids]

I thought this was already established? But maybe I’m just thinking of depression, autism, obesity, ADHD, ADD, anxiety, MS, Parkinson’s....

Just another WAKE UP call. Everyone should be asking “WHAT IS CAUSING THE INFLAMMATION??” Should we maybe stop the inflammation rather than supporting the Pharmaceutical Industrial Complex. But looking at Conflict of Interest Disclosures - Drs Wilson, Houle, and Meyer have received operating grant funds for other studies from Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, GlaxoSmithKline, Lundbeck, and SK Life Sciences in the past 5 years. Dr Meyer has been a consultant to Mylan, Lundbeck, Takeda, Teva, and Trius in the past 5 years. None of these companies participated in the design or execution of this study or in the writing of the manuscript. - it makes sense. Too many scientists may be influenced by funding sources (past, present, or future) who only wish to sell another neuropsychopharmacological product. 

Brain Inflammation Discovered in Those With OCD

A new brain imaging study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) shows for the first time that brain inflammation is significantly elevated – more than 30 per cent higher – in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) than in people without the condition. Published today in JAMA Psychiatry, the study provides compelling evidence for a new potential direction for treating this anxiety disorder, which can be debilitating for people who experience it.

“Our research showed a strong relationship between brain inflammation and OCD, particularly in the parts of the brain known to function differently in OCD,” says Dr. Jeffrey Meyer, senior author of the study and Head of the Neuroimaging Program in Mood & Anxiety in CAMH’s Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute. “This finding represents one of the biggest breakthroughs in understanding the biology of OCD, and may lead to the development of new treatments.”

The study included 20 people with OCD and a comparison group of 20 people without the disorder. Doctoral student Sophia Attwells was first author of the study. The researchers used a type of brain imaging called positron emission tomography (PET) that was adapted with special technology at CAMH to see inflammation in the brain. A chemical dye measured the activity of immune cells called microglia, which are active in inflammation, in six brain areas that play a role in OCD. In people with OCD, inflammation was 32 per cent higher on average in these regions. Inflammation was greater in some people with OCD as compared to others, which could reflect variability in the biology of the illness.

“Inflammation in the Neurocircuitry of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder” by Sophia Attwells, HBSc; Elaine Setiawan, PhD; Alan A. Wilson, PhD; Pablo M. Rusjan, PhD; Romina Mizrahi, MD, PhD, FRCP(C); Laura Miler, HBSc; Cynthia Xu, MD; Margaret Anne Richter, MD, FRCP(C); Alan Kahn, MD, FRCP(C); Stephen J. Kish, PhD; Sylvain Houle, MD, PhD, FRCP(C); Lakshmi Ravindran, MD, FRCP(C); and Jeffrey H. Meyer, MD, PhD, FRCP(C) in JAMA Psychiatry. Published online June 21 2017 doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.1567

[yochevedmexicana]

What’s a Sephardic Jew?

Part 3

I show my mom my DNA results and her immediate response is, “You got it from your father’s side.” I also show my little sister and my Dad. They all immediately order their DNA tests. I impatiently wait for their results. Meanwhile, I am frantically learning all that I can about Sephardic Jewry. Sephardic Jews are a branch of Jews that emigrated to Spain, instead of Germany like the Ashkenazi, or to Iraq like the Mizrahi, after the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. The Sephardic Jews of Spain live under restrictive Visigothic rule until the Muslim Conquest of 711. After this, the Jews of Spain enjoyed 500 years of prosperity and respect, making contributions in the arts, medicine, science and many other fields. When the Muslims were kicked out, so too was the tolerance for Judaism in Spain. Along came the Spanish Inquisition, which – as anyone who’s watched Monty Python or Mel Brooks’ History of the World knows – was not a fun time for Jews. In 1492 Queen Isabella of Spain issues the Alhambra Decree, also known as the Jewish Expulsion. Yes, the same year as Christopher Columbus’ voyage to “the New World”. In fact, it was within days of each other. Sephardic Jews were given a choice: convert, or leave. Many left, many converted, some continued worshipping their old traditions in secret. These were called Crypto-Jews, or hidden Jews. This is where history usually leaves off.

My family’s DNA results come back. My Dad’s results: 32% Native American Indian, 25% Iberian Peninsula, 26% Italy/Greece, 17% Other. Interesting, but not related to me by blood. Next was my sister. She had a similar mix as my Dad. Finally was my mom: 45% Native American, 20% Italy/ Greece, 13% Iberian Peninsula, 6% Scandinavian, 16% Other (non-Jewish). So my family had the stereotypical mestizo Mexican mix of Spanish/European and Native, but not me. In my hands was proof that my mother had no Jewish in her, but I did. Now, not only did I have a whole in my family tree, but I had Jewish ancestors! I had to find out more!

So what happened to those Sephardic Jews escaping Queen Isabella’s nightmare decree? It turns out, some brave Jewish souls made the perilous journey across the Atlantic ocean to the New World! Some even say Christopher Columbus himself was a Crypto-Jew, but that is another discussion. Jews in New Spain flourish, since they already have experience being merchants and tradesmen in Spain. New Spain leaves Jews alone for a while and it becomes a haven for the Sephardim. That is, until the Spanish Inquisition makes it to the shores of Mexico. Once again, Jews are persecuted and burned at the stake. Jews in Mexico go underground. A few continue their faith in secret, at the risk of being caught by a nosy neighbor. Most convert to Catholicism (being called "marranos" or swine in Spanish, or "anusim" in Hebrew meaning forced to abandon Judaism) in order to prevent their children from dying gruesome deaths by fire. Some are even able to pass on Jewish rituals unbeknownst to their Catholic descendants, such as the lighting of candles or not eating pork. Many anusim descendants don't know why they do these rituals, all they know is that their mother did them, and their grandmother before that.

One notable Jew, Don Luis de Carvajal was named Governor of Nuevo Reino de Leon (in the current Mexican state of Nuevo Leon). He was a “New Christian” (which meant he had converted to Catholicism) and was accused by the Mexican Inquisition of concealing that his sister, Francisca Nunez de Carbajal, secretly practiced Judaism. He died in jail while his sister and other family members were burned at the stake.

Dying for your faith. You read about people like this in history books, but somehow it doesn't seem real. Far away people in a far away place. But these were real people with real families. Not far away, here in our own back yard. How could this happen HERE? I had to ask the heart-wrenching question, "Could these Jewish martyrs be my ancestors?

[lawbreaker13]

A sincere question for you about this whole apartheid thing. Have you ever been to Israel? Or Gaza? Israeli or Palestinian friends perhaps? I feel like a lot of things can be “seen” over Instagram and Twitter, but like. Have you ever actually seen it? Walked through a bad neighborhood in Seder? Attended a protest in Netanya? Been a tourist in Jerusalem?

Arabs in Israel, those under jurisdiction of the Israeli government, are treated no differently than the Jews, the Christians, or the Atheists. No one is being beaten on the streets, they live and work there peacefully. Their passports look the same, their visas look the same, and their licenses look the same. If they are crossing the border for work, yeah, they’re gonna have identification. Just like a US citizen in Canada would still be identifiably a visitor. But for Palestinians who live in Israel, they are just another citizen.

People in Gaza, under Hamas’s rule, do not have the same experience. Israel pulled out of Gaza in 2006. There are no Israelis living there because by law, they may not enter for fear of execution. The Gaza Strip is not a part of Israel. So for Palestinians living in Gaza, theoretically the place that was supposed to act as Palestine Part II, the people who voted their government to power in 2005 and have not held one election since, they might have a different experience. They don’t have a military but they do have rockets. They have guns. They have the means to publicly execute the LGBT individuals. Personally, I’d protect my citizens before building rockets and killing bisexuals, but you know. Not my circus.

You’ve completely bulldozed one major point I made in favor of your catchy slogans. There are no “white men” in this situation. You’re pitting two heavily marginalized and discriminated minorities against each other and playing “hero” and “villain.” Israel is mostly made up of middle eastern Israelis—Sephardi Jews and Mizrahi mostly—people whose DNA traces back to the very land they’re standing on. We’re not talking about a couple of silly little French and British people on a murder spree. These guys aren’t pilgrims sent to colonize land. These people have nowhere else to go. Their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents were born there. 30 generations back they were enslaved there. And 50 back they discovered the land. It’s their home too. That’s why this is so messy.

The Jewish diaspora has created a situation where we’re too white to be minorities but not white enough to be the majority. Hitler’s entire thing was that one Jew in a line of 20 white ancestors still creates tainted blood. So I don’t know man, we weren’t white enough for him. I’ve never really seen a white IDF soldier. Save for one convert I knew. He was a good guy. Killed by a Hamas grenade hidden inside a mosque. So I guess that’s one less white man for you. May his memory be a blessing.

Anyway, I mean this in the most sincere way possible, zero malice, hugs, kisses, and peace, if you want to truly understand what’s happening out there, I implore you to go. It’s a beautiful place with a very messy history that dates back thousands of years, not just a few decades. The Arab quarter in Jerusalem is lined with incredible art and food, and the Jewish quarter the same. Most people speak English. And you will find Palestinian people all over the country, just doing their thing and hoping their family is okay. Just like the Israelis.

Imma add a picture I took at the Gaza border here just ‘cause I can. We weren’t allowed past this monument so there’s a few miles between the camera and the city, but it’s pretty open air. It’s a nice vantage point regardless. And you get a feel for what the border actually looks like. This was August, so no destruction in sight.

Something I really don't understand is this obsession the anti-Israel crowd (in the West) have with death and martyrdom. All they care about is dying, and often killing for their cause; I see nothing about building a better future that isn't based on the murder of 9 million Israelis.

It's easy to die for a cause. The challenge is living to make a better tomorrow.

[coin-river-blog]

In this edition of The Daily we feature the first yearly anniversary of Bitcoin Cash (BCH) charity Eatbch, a move by American lighting wholesaler H&M Distributors to accept cryptocurrency payments, and an update about vanity URLs from Atomicpay.

Also Read: In the Daily: Regulatory Developments in Italy, Mauritius, Malta

Eatbch Charity Marks First Anniversary

The bitcoin cash-powered nonprofit organization Eatbch has now marked its first anniversary. The young charity group already has operations in both Venezuela and South Sudan, where it is utilizing BCH donations to feed people in need.

José from Eatbch shared on Honest.Cash, “Exactly one year ago, my brother Gabriel and I created this initiative/project to help Venezuelans in dire need and it has been quite a ride! We started with just a 5$ donation thanks to silver-blood and we used that first donation to give 40 arepas in just one location. After a few months, we were giving thousands of meals each week in 23 locations in 6 states of the country! I know it’s cliché to say it, but I really wasn’t expecting this project to grow as it did. Not only because the amazing support we have received from the BCH community, but because the situation in the country; a situation that has been overwhelming for all of us.”

Empty supermarket shelves in Caracas. Due to the economic crisis and hyperinflation in Venezuela there is a large shortage of food and medicine

The charity’s founder also added that “Sadly, the price crash has affected our funds and we only have enough to help for a couple weeks. It is in this special occasion, that I ask you to please consider donating to help all who have been suffering from bad economic policies and to show that cryptocurrencies are a superior form of money.”

H&M Distributors to Accept Cryptocurrency Payments

H&M Distributors, Inc., a U.S.-based wholesaler of lighting supplies, announced that it has decided to accept payments from its business clients using cryptocurrency. This will be done through a new partnership with crypto e-commerce platform Chimpion, which supports payments with bitcoin cash (BCH), bitcoin diamond (BCD), bitcoin core (BTC), dash (DASH), ethereum (ETH), litecoin (LTC), zcoin (XZC), and more. The move is meant to allow retailers from around the world to purchase products from the American wholesaler with faster transactions, reduced transaction fees and no currency conversion fees compared to traditional fiat payment methods.

“After more than 20 years in the business, we consider ourselves experts in specialty lighting,” said H&M Distributors CEO Herb Needham. “Accepting cryptocurrency payments allows us to share that expertise with even more clients by removing many of the barriers that made it difficult to sell internationally before. What sold us was the settlement system, which allows us to convert crypto payments to a USD equivalent right away.”

New Vanity URL Service by Atomicpay

Atomicpay, a Thai-registered payments startup, has announced that its Pay URL vanity URL service will be changed from atomicpay.io/u/username to the shorter and more memorable format of atomicpay.me/username. The vanity URL service is meant to allow end users to quickly find how to pay with cryptocurrencies and allows merchants to request payments via text message, messaging app, social media, email and even printed business cards.

As we previously detailed, Atomicpay is a platform based on QR code payments built for merchants that want to get paid directly from clients without the involvement of any third-party processor. The company reported in January that more than 1,700 merchants from different parts of the world including Thailand, Venezuela, Turkey and Colombia have been onboarded to the non-custodial platform. The system supports BCH, BTC, LTC and other popular cryptocurrencies as well as 156 fiat currencies.

What do you think about today’s news tidbits? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Images courtesy of Shutterstock.

Verify and track bitcoin cash transactions on our BCH Block Explorer, the best of its kind anywhere in the world. Also, keep up with your holdings, BCH and other coins, on our market charts at Satoshi’s Pulse, another original and free service from Bitcoin.com.

Avi Mizrahi

Avi Mizrahi is an economist and entrepreneur who has been covering Bitcoin as a journalist since 2013. He has spoken about the promise of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology at numerous financial conferences around the world, from London to Hong-Kong.

(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v3.2'; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

[preciousmetals0]

Take the $5K Challenge: Turn $5,000 Into $100,000

Take the $5K Challenge: Turn $5,000 Into $100,000:

Story Highlights

Welcome to our first weekend wrap-up of 2020!

Today, I’d like to offer you a simple way to prosper in the new year.

Our own Chartered Market Technician Chad Shoop refers to it as his $5K Challenge.

This is a concept that Chad introduced at Banyan Hill’s annual Total Wealth Symposium in September.

It’s a low-risk, potentially lucrative way to get started with options trading.

The risk is low because Chad asks you to start with just 5% of your total investments, up to $5,000.

You’ll place that in one of Chad’s Quick Hit Profits trades in 2020.

Then, when you sell the option, you’ll take your gain or loss and roll it into another trade.

If you double your money, you’d roll $10,000 into the next trade.

If you lose 50%, it’s OK — you would roll $2,500 into a new Quick Hit Profits trade.

The key is to do this for a year — close out a trade and roll the capital into a new one — to turn your initial $5,000 into more.

At the symposium, Chad shared four examples from his Quick Hit Profits model portfolio that could have turned $5,000 into $100,000 or more in 12 months using this strategy!

He shared three more examples of turning $5,000 into $25,000, $45,000 and $60,000.

The concept of compounding returns isn’t novel.

But the key here is that you’re not buying and holding stocks, compounding on an annual basis.

Instead, Chad recommends buying call or put options based on his proven Quick Hit strategy.

You can multiply your capital by 5, 10 or 20 — by January 2021!

I urge you to consider following Chad’s advice in the new year.

Join folks like Keith, who just wrote last month:

To learn more about Quick Hit Profits, watch this special presentation today! You’ll get all the details about Chad’s special strategy — the perfect way to take part in his $5K Challenge.

Watch Our 2 YouTube Videos!

We have more great content to share this week!

Alpha Investor Report Editor Charles Mizrahi’s 10-minute video, “How to Buy Stocks in 2020 — How REAL Money Is Made.”

[embedded content]

Pot stock guru Anthony Planas’ nine-minute Marijuana Market Update, “Pot Stocks in 2020 — Chicago and Canada Are All in, Coke Turns a Blind Eye.”

[embedded content]

Check out the articles below if you missed any of our experts’ advice this week.

Good investing, Kristen Barrett

Senior Managing Editor, Winning Investor Daily

Matt Badiali predicts 2020 will be the year of a massive rally in silver. He shares two buys today. Make 105% when the metal’s price skyrockets! (3-minute read)

The U.S.-China tariff war and negative earnings have rocked the S&P 500 with volatility this year. But stocks are still soaring to higher highs in 2020. Will the run last? Chad Shoop shares his prediction. (22-minute video)

In his Chart of the Week, John Ross looks at the historic bullishness of gold in January and February. He suggests two exchange-traded funds to capture 6% and 18% gains, respectively, in the opening months of the year. Then, he offers a separate strategy to snag 150% or more! (2-minute read)

If you look at stocks as wiggles and jiggles on a chart, you’re leaving serious money on the table! Today, Charles Mizrahi shows you why this is and shares his three secrets to buying stocks in 2020 — the simple way. (10-minute video)

President Trump’s trade deal promises to be a boon to the economy. And one beaten-down metal will rally the most. Prices in this metal have already rallied 12% — but there is a further 62% upside. (2-minute read)

[goldira01]

Story Highlights

Welcome to our first weekend wrap-up of 2020!

Today, I’d like to offer you a simple way to prosper in the new year.

Our own Chartered Market Technician Chad Shoop refers to it as his $5K Challenge.

This is a concept that Chad introduced at Banyan Hill’s annual Total Wealth Symposium in September.

It’s a low-risk, potentially lucrative way to get started with options trading.

The risk is low because Chad asks you to start with just 5% of your total investments, up to $5,000.

You’ll place that in one of Chad’s Quick Hit Profits trades in 2020.

Then, when you sell the option, you’ll take your gain or loss and roll it into another trade.

If you double your money, you’d roll $10,000 into the next trade.

If you lose 50%, it’s OK — you would roll $2,500 into a new Quick Hit Profits trade.

The key is to do this for a year — close out a trade and roll the capital into a new one — to turn your initial $5,000 into more.

At the symposium, Chad shared four examples from his Quick Hit Profits model portfolio that could have turned $5,000 into $100,000 or more in 12 months using this strategy!

He shared three more examples of turning $5,000 into $25,000, $45,000 and $60,000.

The concept of compounding returns isn’t novel.

But the key here is that you’re not buying and holding stocks, compounding on an annual basis.

Instead, Chad recommends buying call or put options based on his proven Quick Hit strategy.

You can multiply your capital by 5, 10 or 20 — by January 2021!

I urge you to consider following Chad’s advice in the new year.

Join folks like Keith, who just wrote last month:

To learn more about Quick Hit Profits, watch this special presentation today! You’ll get all the details about Chad’s special strategy — the perfect way to take part in his $5K Challenge.

Watch Our 2 YouTube Videos!

We have more great content to share this week!

Alpha Investor Report Editor Charles Mizrahi’s 10-minute video, “How to Buy Stocks in 2020 — How REAL Money Is Made.”

[embedded content]

Pot stock guru Anthony Planas’ nine-minute Marijuana Market Update, “Pot Stocks in 2020 — Chicago and Canada Are All in, Coke Turns a Blind Eye.”

[embedded content]

Check out the articles below if you missed any of our experts’ advice this week.

Good investing, Kristen Barrett

Senior Managing Editor, Winning Investor Daily

Matt Badiali predicts 2020 will be the year of a massive rally in silver. He shares two buys today. Make 105% when the metal’s price skyrockets! (3-minute read)

The U.S.-China tariff war and negative earnings have rocked the S&P 500 with volatility this year. But stocks are still soaring to higher highs in 2020. Will the run last? Chad Shoop shares his prediction. (22-minute video)

In his Chart of the Week, John Ross looks at the historic bullishness of gold in January and February. He suggests two exchange-traded funds to capture 6% and 18% gains, respectively, in the opening months of the year. Then, he offers a separate strategy to snag 150% or more! (2-minute read)

If you look at stocks as wiggles and jiggles on a chart, you’re leaving serious money on the table! Today, Charles Mizrahi shows you why this is and shares his three secrets to buying stocks in 2020 — the simple way. (10-minute video)

President Trump’s trade deal promises to be a boon to the economy. And one beaten-down metal will rally the most. Prices in this metal have already rallied 12% — but there is a further 62% upside. (2-minute read)

[courtneytincher]

How Celebrity Chef Einat Admony Learned to Love Israeli Food

Courtesy Michelle GevintWhen I was growing up, my dad was the one who shopped at the shuk, not my mother, as you might think. He was the unusual husband who was happy to take his wife’s shopping list and then head out to pick up the day’s groceries: glossy baladi eggplant, fragrant bunches of cilantro and parsley, dates, creamy gvina levana, and perhaps more freshly toasted and ground baharat spice mix, which seemed to make its way into so many of my mom’s recipes.I would often go with my father when he shopped. Shuk HaCarmel in Tel Aviv was not far from our home in the suburbs and was also right near the Yemenite quarter in which my dad spent his childhood. We would do the shopping and then wander into the shuk’s Yemenite quarter, which housed a handful of simple restaurants serving Yemenite classics, the kind of food you’d otherwise find only in a family’s home. My dad was happy to take on the shopping because he knew he’d be rewarded by my mother’s fantastic cooking (plus he was a nice guy). But he also might have volunteered for the shuk because he could indulge in some of the food he loved best—especially lachuch, a springy, moist Yemenite flatbread that was the one dish from his culture that my mom never mastered.My Persian mom was born in Iran, and was eventually raised in an Iraqi household. In Israel, our family would be called “Mizrahi,” meaning Jews who came from the Middle East rather than those with roots in Spain (Sephardic) or elsewhere in Europe (Ashkenazi).Mizrahi dishes are the foods of my childhood, and I learned to make them starting at about age eleven, when I became my mom’s assistant. She was always cooking something intriguing and delicious—Persian rice dishes fragrant with handfuls of herbs; kubbaneh, a delicious Yemenite bread she’d bake overnight for Shabbat lunch; chicken in fassenjan, a sauce made from ground walnuts and pomegranate juice and flavored with crazy-looking dried Persian limes. Our next-door neighbor was Moroccan, and she would let me help her with the hand-rolled couscous and all the spicy, tangy accompaniments for it—pumpkin chirshi, pepper and tomato matboucha, sweet and savory lamb tagine. While my mom and neighbor were getting free labor, I was getting an education, and I ended up as a professional chef (with a stop at cooking school along the way). It’s those foods of my multicultural childhood that I crave the most and that I now cook most often here in New York City. I’ve even built restaurants around my favorite Mizrahi dishes: My fast-casual Israeli chain, Taïm, was one of the first in the United States to serve sabich, an Iraqi Jewish, deliciously sloppy fried eggplant sandwich…something that just a few years ago you’d never have seen outside the neighborhood. And my couscous restaurant, Kish-Kash, celebrates all the influences of North African cuisine that surrounded me throughout my childhood.I’m gratified to see that the rest of the world is catching on. So many of the wonderful dishes I grew up cooking and eating are no longer considered ochel shel bayit—food you would only eat at home—but are being featured on restaurant menus all over Israel and in the United States.Food like this, whether Persian, Moroccan, Ethiopian, or Yemenite, represents not only my childhood and my heart but also Israeli cuisine as a whole—a multicultural mosaic of traditions from literally all over the globe, served in the spirit of generosity, hospitality, and joy, evolving as Israel grows as a nation. Israeli cuisine is young but with ancient roots, and I’m happy to be a part of its evolution. Now you can cook these dishes, too, and join me as we continue to create new traditions.* * *Fassenjan Meatballs: Persian Beef and Duck Meatballs in Walnut-Pomegranate Sauce* * *Quentin BaconWhat this brownish and somewhat grainy sauce—called fassenjan—lacks in looks, it more than makes up for in rich, intense flavor, thanks to a powerful combo of walnuts, pomegranate juice, pomegranate molasses, and dried limes. The brown, rock-hard Persian limes won’t win a beauty pageant either, but crack them in your hands and inhale the complex citrusy aroma with hints of smokiness, and you’ll understand why cooks in Iran treasure them. You can find dried limes (or dried lemons) in Middle Eastern groceries or order them online. They’re worth seeking out, and they keep indefinitely.Note: You can use all ground beef (2 pounds) instead of the duck. Serves 6 to 8 Fassenjan Meatballs INGREDIENTS:Meatballs * 1 pound Ground beef * 1 pound Ground duck breast * 1 yellow Onion, coarsely grated * ½ cup Finely chopped fresh parsley * 1 tsp ground Coriander * 2 tsp Kosher salt * Freshly ground black pepper * Vegetable oil, for fryingSauce * 1 Tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil * 1 Onion, coarsely grated * 2 medium Garlic cloves, grated or minced * 1 tsp Grated fresh ginger * 1½ cups Very finely chopped walnuts * ½ tsp Ground cumin * ½ tsp Kosher salt, plus more if needed * Freshly ground black pepper * 2 cups Pure unsweetened pomegranate juice (we like POM Wonderful) * ½ cup Pomegranate molasses * 2 dried Persian limes, cracked * Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper To Serve * Cooked white rice * Fresh pomegranate seeds, for garnish (optional) * Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish DIRECTIONS:Prepare the Patties: Put the beef and duck in a large bowl, add the onion and parsley, and season with the coriander, salt, and several twists of pepper. Knead thoroughly to blend the ingredients. If you have time, cover and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.Rub your hands with a bit of vegetable oil and shape the meat mixture into golf ball–sized meatballs; set them on a tray.Line a plate or separate tray with paper towels. Coat the bottom of a large skillet with vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and fry quickly until they are just golden brown on all sides, 3  to 4 minutes total; shake the pan a few times to roll the meatballs in the oil and make sure they are browned evenly. For the best browning, don’t crowd the pan; work in batches if you need to. Transfer the meatballs to the paper towels. Repeat to cook the remaining meatballs; set aside.Prepare the Sauce: Heat the oil in a wide saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3  minutes. Add the walnuts and sauté for another 3  minutes. Season with the cumin, ½  teaspoon salt, and several twists of black pepper. Pour in the pomegranate juice and molasses and add the dried limes. Bring to a simmer, stirring often. Taste and adjust the seasoning—once you add the meatballs, you won’t be able to stir, so make sure the sauce is seasoned to your liking.Gently slide the meatballs into the sauce in a single layer, making sure they are fully submerged in the sauce (shake the pan slightly to settle them). Cover the pan and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and cook until the sauce is thick and shiny, another 10 minutes or so. Serve hot over white rice, garnished with pomegranate seeds (if they are in season) and cilantro leaves. If not serving immediately, let cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently.Excerpted from Shuk by Einat Admont and Janna Gur (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2019.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.

from Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines

Courtesy Michelle GevintWhen I was growing up, my dad was the one who shopped at the shuk, not my mother, as you might think. He was the unusual husband who was happy to take his wife’s shopping list and then head out to pick up the day’s groceries: glossy baladi eggplant, fragrant bunches of cilantro and parsley, dates, creamy gvina levana, and perhaps more freshly toasted and ground baharat spice mix, which seemed to make its way into so many of my mom’s recipes.I would often go with my father when he shopped. Shuk HaCarmel in Tel Aviv was not far from our home in the suburbs and was also right near the Yemenite quarter in which my dad spent his childhood. We would do the shopping and then wander into the shuk’s Yemenite quarter, which housed a handful of simple restaurants serving Yemenite classics, the kind of food you’d otherwise find only in a family’s home. My dad was happy to take on the shopping because he knew he’d be rewarded by my mother’s fantastic cooking (plus he was a nice guy). But he also might have volunteered for the shuk because he could indulge in some of the food he loved best—especially lachuch, a springy, moist Yemenite flatbread that was the one dish from his culture that my mom never mastered.My Persian mom was born in Iran, and was eventually raised in an Iraqi household. In Israel, our family would be called “Mizrahi,” meaning Jews who came from the Middle East rather than those with roots in Spain (Sephardic) or elsewhere in Europe (Ashkenazi).Mizrahi dishes are the foods of my childhood, and I learned to make them starting at about age eleven, when I became my mom’s assistant. She was always cooking something intriguing and delicious—Persian rice dishes fragrant with handfuls of herbs; kubbaneh, a delicious Yemenite bread she’d bake overnight for Shabbat lunch; chicken in fassenjan, a sauce made from ground walnuts and pomegranate juice and flavored with crazy-looking dried Persian limes. Our next-door neighbor was Moroccan, and she would let me help her with the hand-rolled couscous and all the spicy, tangy accompaniments for it—pumpkin chirshi, pepper and tomato matboucha, sweet and savory lamb tagine. While my mom and neighbor were getting free labor, I was getting an education, and I ended up as a professional chef (with a stop at cooking school along the way). It’s those foods of my multicultural childhood that I crave the most and that I now cook most often here in New York City. I’ve even built restaurants around my favorite Mizrahi dishes: My fast-casual Israeli chain, Taïm, was one of the first in the United States to serve sabich, an Iraqi Jewish, deliciously sloppy fried eggplant sandwich…something that just a few years ago you’d never have seen outside the neighborhood. And my couscous restaurant, Kish-Kash, celebrates all the influences of North African cuisine that surrounded me throughout my childhood.I’m gratified to see that the rest of the world is catching on. So many of the wonderful dishes I grew up cooking and eating are no longer considered ochel shel bayit—food you would only eat at home—but are being featured on restaurant menus all over Israel and in the United States.Food like this, whether Persian, Moroccan, Ethiopian, or Yemenite, represents not only my childhood and my heart but also Israeli cuisine as a whole—a multicultural mosaic of traditions from literally all over the globe, served in the spirit of generosity, hospitality, and joy, evolving as Israel grows as a nation. Israeli cuisine is young but with ancient roots, and I’m happy to be a part of its evolution. Now you can cook these dishes, too, and join me as we continue to create new traditions.* * *Fassenjan Meatballs: Persian Beef and Duck Meatballs in Walnut-Pomegranate Sauce* * *Quentin BaconWhat this brownish and somewhat grainy sauce—called fassenjan—lacks in looks, it more than makes up for in rich, intense flavor, thanks to a powerful combo of walnuts, pomegranate juice, pomegranate molasses, and dried limes. The brown, rock-hard Persian limes won’t win a beauty pageant either, but crack them in your hands and inhale the complex citrusy aroma with hints of smokiness, and you’ll understand why cooks in Iran treasure them. You can find dried limes (or dried lemons) in Middle Eastern groceries or order them online. They’re worth seeking out, and they keep indefinitely.Note: You can use all ground beef (2 pounds) instead of the duck. Serves 6 to 8 Fassenjan Meatballs INGREDIENTS:Meatballs * 1 pound Ground beef * 1 pound Ground duck breast * 1 yellow Onion, coarsely grated * ½ cup Finely chopped fresh parsley * 1 tsp ground Coriander * 2 tsp Kosher salt * Freshly ground black pepper * Vegetable oil, for fryingSauce * 1 Tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil * 1 Onion, coarsely grated * 2 medium Garlic cloves, grated or minced * 1 tsp Grated fresh ginger * 1½ cups Very finely chopped walnuts * ½ tsp Ground cumin * ½ tsp Kosher salt, plus more if needed * Freshly ground black pepper * 2 cups Pure unsweetened pomegranate juice (we like POM Wonderful) * ½ cup Pomegranate molasses * 2 dried Persian limes, cracked * Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper To Serve * Cooked white rice * Fresh pomegranate seeds, for garnish (optional) * Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish DIRECTIONS:Prepare the Patties: Put the beef and duck in a large bowl, add the onion and parsley, and season with the coriander, salt, and several twists of pepper. Knead thoroughly to blend the ingredients. If you have time, cover and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.Rub your hands with a bit of vegetable oil and shape the meat mixture into golf ball–sized meatballs; set them on a tray.Line a plate or separate tray with paper towels. Coat the bottom of a large skillet with vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and fry quickly until they are just golden brown on all sides, 3  to 4 minutes total; shake the pan a few times to roll the meatballs in the oil and make sure they are browned evenly. For the best browning, don’t crowd the pan; work in batches if you need to. Transfer the meatballs to the paper towels. Repeat to cook the remaining meatballs; set aside.Prepare the Sauce: Heat the oil in a wide saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3  minutes. Add the walnuts and sauté for another 3  minutes. Season with the cumin, ½  teaspoon salt, and several twists of black pepper. Pour in the pomegranate juice and molasses and add the dried limes. Bring to a simmer, stirring often. Taste and adjust the seasoning—once you add the meatballs, you won’t be able to stir, so make sure the sauce is seasoned to your liking.Gently slide the meatballs into the sauce in a single layer, making sure they are fully submerged in the sauce (shake the pan slightly to settle them). Cover the pan and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and cook until the sauce is thick and shiny, another 10 minutes or so. Serve hot over white rice, garnished with pomegranate seeds (if they are in season) and cilantro leaves. If not serving immediately, let cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently.Excerpted from Shuk by Einat Admont and Janna Gur (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2019.Read more at The Daily Beast.Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.

September 17, 2019 at 10:28AM via IFTTT

[psychotherapyconsultants]

Brain Inflammation and OCD

A very interesting study was recently published in JAMA Psychiatry stating that brain inflammation in those with obsessive-compulsive disorder is significantly elevated (by more than 30 percent) compared to those without the disorder.

Dr. Jeffrey Meyer, senior author of the study and Head of the Neuroimaging Program in Mood & Anxiety at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, says:1

“Our research showed a strong relationship between brain inflammation and OCD, particularly in the parts of the brain known to function differently in OCD,”…..”This finding represents one of the biggest breakthroughs in understanding the biology of OCD, and may lead to the development of new treatments.”

Another very interesting finding from the study is that researchers found a connection between resisting compulsions and brain inflammation. Those with OCD who experienced the greatest stress or anxiety when they tried to avoid acting out their compulsions also had the highest levels of inflammation in one particular brain area. This factor could prove helpful in determining who might benefit the most when and if new treatments are developed targeting inflammation.

I do think it’s worth mentioning that while this study seems to hold great promise, so much more work needs to be done. There were only twenty participants with OCD in the study, and twenty in the comparison group. Perhaps the study will be replicated with a larger number of participants.

And as often happens with research, new findings generate more questions. Where does this inflammation come from? Could it be a major factor in the development of OCD? How will this information lead to better treatments for those with OCD? Does everyone with OCD have some type of brain inflammation?

Another question that comes to my mind, is “Where (if anywhere) does PANDAS fit into this equation? PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus) is typically characterized by a sudden onset of OCD-like symptoms and is usually believed to be caused by streptococcal bacteria. Unfortunately, PANDAS is also characterized by a good deal of controversy within the medical community, and some doctors believe PANDAS does not really exist. However, a wealth of research and information from reputable sources does indeed indicate that PANDAS is very real. For example, the National Institute of Mental Health provides a good deal of information on the disorder, and you can read more about PANDAS on their website. It is interesting to note that while exposure and response prevention (the evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy used to treat OCD) might sometimes be helpful for those with PANDAS, the main treatment is antibiotics.

While I’m always excited and heartened to learn of new research and discoveries related to obsessive-compulsive disorder, there is still so much we don’t know. Certainly the study discussed here, as well as the existence of PANDAS, indicate that brain inflammation plays an important role in OCD. I am thankful for all the dedicated researchers who continue to work tirelessly to unlock the mysteries of this potentially devastating disorder. And I am hopeful that the more we understand, the closer we will get to not only better treatment, but also a cure for OCD.

References:

Attwells, S., Setiawan, E., Wilson, A.A., Rusjan, P.M., Mizrahi, R., Miler, L., Xu, C., Richter, M.A., Kahn, A., Kish, S.J., Houle, S., Ravindran, L., Meyer, J.H. Inflammation in the Neurocircuitry of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online June 21, 2017. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.1567

from World of Psychology https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2017/07/20/brain-inflammation-and-ocd/

[preciousmetals0]

Uber’s Anarchy in the U.K.; Tesla Sells 200K Trapezoids

Uber’s Anarchy in the U.K.; Tesla Sells 200K Trapezoids:

Monday Merger Mania

Thanksgiving dinner is served!

Corporations are gobbling up oversold competitors like your grandmother’s homemade biscuits. And they aren’t going easy on the gravy, either.

Headlining this merger Monday is The Charles Schwab Corp. (NYSE: SCHW), which has officially agreed to buy TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: AMTD) for $26 billion in an all-stock transaction. If this is new information to you, check out Great Stuff’s recent rundown of Schwab’s master plan.

Next up, Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) announced that it’s acquiring The Medicines Co. (Nasdaq: MDCO) for $9.7 billion. Novartis is angling for Medicines’ experimental cholesterol treatment drug inclisiran — which has shown it can lower bad cholesterol in even hard-to-treat patients.

The acquisition also gives Novartis another key Medicines cholesterol drug, Repatha, which is expected to hit blockbuster status by 2021.

It’s like Novarits just made a $9.7 billion bet on the world getting fatter. Hmmm…

Finally, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (OTC: LVMUY) is adding yet another luxury brand to its stable. The company finally reached a price that Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) felt was acceptable: $16.2 billion, or $135 per share. Tiffany rejected LVMH’s earlier bid of just $120 per share back in October.

I wonder if LVMH will change its name to LVMHT Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton Tiffany … we’re bordering on the ridiculous at this point.

The Takeaway: 

There’s quite a bit of optimism running rampant on Wall Street today.

Last week’s U.S.-China trade war love fest helped boost that confidence heading into the weekend, and today’s round of corporate mergers is inflating it further.

Days like today are exactly why you don’t want to be in full bear mode, despite continued warning signs that a correction is in the cards. There are always pockets of opportunity. Today, those pockets are running deep.

The bottom line here is that you need to keep your head. Don’t buy into the hype on either side of the bull/bear argument and remain prepared for anything.

Lucky for you, Banyan Hill expert Charles Mizrahi knows all about keeping a level head when investing. His groundbreaking Alpha-3 Approach is a research system that can be beneficial for everyone, regardless of how much money you have, your investment acumen or your risk tolerance.

So, if you’re ready to leave the hype behind, get started with Charles Mizrahi’s Alpha Investor Report service.

Click here to find out how!

The Good: Tall Truck Tales?

Elon Musk is at it again.

The Tesla Inc. (Nasdaq: TSLA) CEO tweeted out some astounding figures over the weekend, claiming that the new Cybertruck received 200,000 orders. I didn’t know there were this many Tesla fanboys with a spare $100 lying around.

Seriously, the Cybertruck looks like that truck I drew in third grade. Maybe that’s the real appeal? We’re all just longing for our childhoods, and Tesla has found a way to tap into that longing? (Naaah … couldn’t be.)

Still, we need to take this claim of 200,000 orders with a grain of salt. The $100 reserve price is far below the $1,000 reservation price for the Model 3, and a far cry from the $2,500 deposit needed to secure your place in line for the Model Y. In other words, these are soft orders for that big metallic trapezoid on wheels.

We need more actual data before we pass judgment, but that lack of data isn’t stopping TSLA from rallying today.

Meanwhile, Musk also tweeted out info on his new Hot Wheels wannabe design choice. Specifically, the Cybertruck (I’ll never get used to that name) looks like a poorly rendered Pontiac Aztek because it’s made of 30X cold-rolled steel.

Typical vehicles are made of aluminum, which can be bent and pressed on all modern automobile manufacturing equipment. But try pressing the Cybertruck’s steel into an eye-pleasing form, and you break your fancy tools.

“Reason Cybertruck is so planar is that you can’t stamp ultra-hard 30X steel, because it breaks the stamping press,” Musk tweeted.

The Bad: Anarchy in the U.K.

As of today, London is no longer calling Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE: UBER). The company has been stripped of its ability to operate in the city.

Citing a “pattern of failures” that “placed passenger safety and security at risk,” Transport for London (TfL) said it’s not renewing Uber’s operating license.

In short, TfL said that Uber was “not fit and proper.”

I don’t know if you’re familiar with the intricacies and polite formalities of the Queen’s English, but “not fit and proper” is tantamount to saying: “Your service is shite.”

Part of the problem, according to TfL, is that unlicensed Uber drivers have been using photographs of licensed drivers to get around bans. The agency claims that about 14,000 trips were booked with such unlicensed Uber drivers.

Uber called the decision “extraordinary and wrong,” and promised to keep operating in London to support its 45,000 licensed drivers and 3.5 million riders.

Still, TfL’s decision — and the threat that it may spread to other European cities — has investors worried.

The Ugly: Fool’s Gold

Not everyone is happy this merger Monday. Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. (NYSE: KL) investors have tanked the company’s shares following news of a $3.7 billion acquisition.

Kirkland is buying competitor Detour Gold Corp. (OTC: DRGDF) in an all-stock deal. The company believes the acquisition will expand its operations in northeastern Ontario and generate pretax savings of $75 million to $100 million per year.

It all sounds good, especially with gold prices climbing about 20% in the past year. However, Kirkland investors have sent the shares down more than 15% on the news.

It’s a bit understandable. After the acquisition, Kirkland shareholders will only own about 73% of the combined company, with Detour Gold shareholders owning the remaining 27%.

A $1 billion short bet on the market?

It’s more likely than you think. On Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported that hedge fund Bridgewater Associates did exactly that. Almost immediately, however, the fund’s founder and co-chairman Ray Dalio denied the report.

Well … he kinda, sorta denied and confirmed it. Dalio didn’t deny that Bridgewater made the $1 billion bet — with put options that expire right after the Super Tuesday primary — but he did say that the Journal misrepresented the bet.

“We have no positions that are intended to either hedge or bet on any potential political developments in the U.S.,” Bridgewater said in a statement.

The disparity between the actual $1 billion bet and the statement led Banyan Hill expert Michael Carr to quip:

An interesting aspect of this news is that the put options expire in March, as the results of the Super Tuesday primary are known. It’s almost certain we will know what the Democratic convention will look like after those primaries.

We should either know the nominee, or we will know the nominee will be determined by the party’s superdelegates at the convention. Dalio seems to be betting that news about the Democratic nominee will be a market-moving event while denying that’s his motivation.

Impeachment history shows us that politics makes trends more volatile, so it’s clear he sees a downtrend. He might also be trying to move the market a little since his bet seems like a small winner if the market drops just 5% to 7%.

But I must be wrong about that, since large hedge fund managers would never talk their book and try to increase profits through CNBC appearances.

This ain’t “5D chess,” Dalio. We know what’s going on.

And remember, if you want more of Michael Carr’s wit and wisdom in your market research, you need to subscribe to Precision Profits now.

Click here to find out how!

Great Stuff: Disney vs. Netflix

It’s the battle of the century!

In a battle that is sure to dazzle your eyeballs, The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) is taking on Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) for the right to rule your living room TV.

You’ve heard me rant about the virtues of both companies, but today you’re getting a different view on the battle for your streaming dollars.

Charles Mizrahi has weighed in on the Disney versus Netflix war and the changing landscape of the streaming market. I urge you to check out his article on the topic: “Disney vs. Netflix: Which 1 Has the Edge in This Streaming Service Battle.”

Or, better yet, watch Charles’ latest video on the great streaming service battle:

[embedded content]

And, when you’re done watching, don’t forget to sign up for Charles’ Alpha Investor Report.

Until next time, good trading!

Regards,

Joseph Hargett

Great Stuff Managing Editor, Banyan Hill Publishing

[goldira01]

Monday Merger Mania

Thanksgiving dinner is served!

Corporations are gobbling up oversold competitors like your grandmother’s homemade biscuits. And they aren’t going easy on the gravy, either.

Headlining this merger Monday is The Charles Schwab Corp. (NYSE: SCHW), which has officially agreed to buy TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: AMTD) for $26 billion in an all-stock transaction. If this is new information to you, check out Great Stuff’s recent rundown of Schwab’s master plan.

Next up, Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) announced that it’s acquiring The Medicines Co. (Nasdaq: MDCO) for $9.7 billion. Novartis is angling for Medicines’ experimental cholesterol treatment drug inclisiran — which has shown it can lower bad cholesterol in even hard-to-treat patients.

The acquisition also gives Novartis another key Medicines cholesterol drug, Repatha, which is expected to hit blockbuster status by 2021.

It’s like Novarits just made a $9.7 billion bet on the world getting fatter. Hmmm…

Finally, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (OTC: LVMUY) is adding yet another luxury brand to its stable. The company finally reached a price that Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) felt was acceptable: $16.2 billion, or $135 per share. Tiffany rejected LVMH’s earlier bid of just $120 per share back in October.

I wonder if LVMH will change its name to LVMHT Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton Tiffany … we’re bordering on the ridiculous at this point.

The Takeaway: 

There’s quite a bit of optimism running rampant on Wall Street today.

Last week’s U.S.-China trade war love fest helped boost that confidence heading into the weekend, and today’s round of corporate mergers is inflating it further.

Days like today are exactly why you don’t want to be in full bear mode, despite continued warning signs that a correction is in the cards. There are always pockets of opportunity. Today, those pockets are running deep.

The bottom line here is that you need to keep your head. Don’t buy into the hype on either side of the bull/bear argument and remain prepared for anything.

Lucky for you, Banyan Hill expert Charles Mizrahi knows all about keeping a level head when investing. His groundbreaking Alpha-3 Approach is a research system that can be beneficial for everyone, regardless of how much money you have, your investment acumen or your risk tolerance.

So, if you’re ready to leave the hype behind, get started with Charles Mizrahi’s Alpha Investor Report service.

Click here to find out how!

The Good: Tall Truck Tales?

Elon Musk is at it again.

The Tesla Inc. (Nasdaq: TSLA) CEO tweeted out some astounding figures over the weekend, claiming that the new Cybertruck received 200,000 orders. I didn’t know there were this many Tesla fanboys with a spare $100 lying around.

Seriously, the Cybertruck looks like that truck I drew in third grade. Maybe that’s the real appeal? We’re all just longing for our childhoods, and Tesla has found a way to tap into that longing? (Naaah … couldn’t be.)

Still, we need to take this claim of 200,000 orders with a grain of salt. The $100 reserve price is far below the $1,000 reservation price for the Model 3, and a far cry from the $2,500 deposit needed to secure your place in line for the Model Y. In other words, these are soft orders for that big metallic trapezoid on wheels.

We need more actual data before we pass judgment, but that lack of data isn’t stopping TSLA from rallying today.

Meanwhile, Musk also tweeted out info on his new Hot Wheels wannabe design choice. Specifically, the Cybertruck (I’ll never get used to that name) looks like a poorly rendered Pontiac Aztek because it’s made of 30X cold-rolled steel.

Typical vehicles are made of aluminum, which can be bent and pressed on all modern automobile manufacturing equipment. But try pressing the Cybertruck’s steel into an eye-pleasing form, and you break your fancy tools.

“Reason Cybertruck is so planar is that you can’t stamp ultra-hard 30X steel, because it breaks the stamping press,” Musk tweeted.

The Bad: Anarchy in the U.K.

As of today, London is no longer calling Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE: UBER). The company has been stripped of its ability to operate in the city.

Citing a “pattern of failures” that “placed passenger safety and security at risk,” Transport for London (TfL) said it’s not renewing Uber’s operating license.

In short, TfL said that Uber was “not fit and proper.”

I don’t know if you’re familiar with the intricacies and polite formalities of the Queen’s English, but “not fit and proper” is tantamount to saying: “Your service is shite.”

Part of the problem, according to TfL, is that unlicensed Uber drivers have been using photographs of licensed drivers to get around bans. The agency claims that about 14,000 trips were booked with such unlicensed Uber drivers.

Uber called the decision “extraordinary and wrong,” and promised to keep operating in London to support its 45,000 licensed drivers and 3.5 million riders.

Still, TfL’s decision — and the threat that it may spread to other European cities — has investors worried.

The Ugly: Fool’s Gold

Not everyone is happy this merger Monday. Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. (NYSE: KL) investors have tanked the company’s shares following news of a $3.7 billion acquisition.

Kirkland is buying competitor Detour Gold Corp. (OTC: DRGDF) in an all-stock deal. The company believes the acquisition will expand its operations in northeastern Ontario and generate pretax savings of $75 million to $100 million per year.

It all sounds good, especially with gold prices climbing about 20% in the past year. However, Kirkland investors have sent the shares down more than 15% on the news.

It’s a bit understandable. After the acquisition, Kirkland shareholders will only own about 73% of the combined company, with Detour Gold shareholders owning the remaining 27%.

A $1 billion short bet on the market?

It’s more likely than you think. On Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported that hedge fund Bridgewater Associates did exactly that. Almost immediately, however, the fund’s founder and co-chairman Ray Dalio denied the report.

Well … he kinda, sorta denied and confirmed it. Dalio didn’t deny that Bridgewater made the $1 billion bet — with put options that expire right after the Super Tuesday primary — but he did say that the Journal misrepresented the bet.

“We have no positions that are intended to either hedge or bet on any potential political developments in the U.S.,” Bridgewater said in a statement.

The disparity between the actual $1 billion bet and the statement led Banyan Hill expert Michael Carr to quip:

An interesting aspect of this news is that the put options expire in March, as the results of the Super Tuesday primary are known. It’s almost certain we will know what the Democratic convention will look like after those primaries.

We should either know the nominee, or we will know the nominee will be determined by the party’s superdelegates at the convention. Dalio seems to be betting that news about the Democratic nominee will be a market-moving event while denying that’s his motivation.

Impeachment history shows us that politics makes trends more volatile, so it’s clear he sees a downtrend. He might also be trying to move the market a little since his bet seems like a small winner if the market drops just 5% to 7%.

But I must be wrong about that, since large hedge fund managers would never talk their book and try to increase profits through CNBC appearances.

This ain’t “5D chess,” Dalio. We know what’s going on.

And remember, if you want more of Michael Carr’s wit and wisdom in your market research, you need to subscribe to Precision Profits now.

Click here to find out how!

Great Stuff: Disney vs. Netflix

It’s the battle of the century!

In a battle that is sure to dazzle your eyeballs, The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) is taking on Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) for the right to rule your living room TV.

You’ve heard me rant about the virtues of both companies, but today you’re getting a different view on the battle for your streaming dollars.

Charles Mizrahi has weighed in on the Disney versus Netflix war and the changing landscape of the streaming market. I urge you to check out his article on the topic: “Disney vs. Netflix: Which 1 Has the Edge in This Streaming Service Battle.”

Or, better yet, watch Charles’ latest video on the great streaming service battle:

[embedded content]

And, when you’re done watching, don’t forget to sign up for Charles’ Alpha Investor Report.

Until next time, good trading!

Regards,

Joseph Hargett

Great Stuff Managing Editor, Banyan Hill Publishing