It was a “grave diplomatic mistake.” These forceful words seem appropriate to rebuff threatening actions taken by American and transatlantic adversaries. The words would fit the moment in condemning Iranian missile barrages against Israel or Russian atrocities in Ukraine or Chinese meddling in the U.S. Unfortunately, the remark was made by Lithuanian Prime Minister-designate Gintautas Paluckas to characterize his nation’s courageous support for democratic Taiwan in the face of enormous pressure from Communist China to capitulate. On Oct. 28, Lithuania’s “progressive” opposition parties defeated the ruling center-right government in the second round of parliamentary elections. Lithuania will remain a central NATO ally in maintaining deterrence against Russian provocations as the host of an Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group.  But Paluckas’ recent comment undermines Lithuania’s commitment to countering China’s malign influence in Europe. Indeed, a Lithuanian reversal on China, amid proven Chinese support for Russia in Ukraine and heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific, would fly in the face of settled transatlantic strategy and risk straining relations with Washington. This whole situation erupted globally in July 2021, when Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu announced that, with Lithuania’s permission, Taiwan would open a Taiwanese representative office in Vilnius. The Chinese Communist Party angrily responded by yanking China’s diplomatic representation in Vilnius, kicking Lithuania’s diplomats out of Beijing, and banning all Lithuanian exports from entering China. Bravely undeterred, the Lithuanian government declared in its July 2023 Indo-Pacific Strategy that “Lithuania proves that a country can withstand economic blackmail if it has built up societal resilience and has reliable partners.” In contrast to his country’s firm resolve in the face of Chinese blackmail, Lithuania’s prime minister-designate chose to describe these brave actions as a “grave diplomatic mistake” and urge mending fences with China. These actions are a concerning reversal of clear-eyed national security policy that aligned Lithuanian action with broader transatlantic threat assessments. At the 2022 NATO summit in Madrid, an updated Strategic Concept was issued outlining the alliance’s approach to account for growing threats to peace and security. One of its largest shifts focused on China, noting that the communist regime’s “stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values.” Additionally, the Strategic Concept noted how China’s growing strategic partnership with Russia—described by Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping as a no-limits partnership—reinforces this negative dynamic. And this hasn’t changed. As far back as February 2023, open-source analysis revealed the extensive flows of Chinese dual use goods to support the Russian war machine. Arguing that these goods weren’t for military use strains credulity, however, when one considers that jamming technology was among the exported goods and that Baltic states have experienced a worrying rise in disrupted civilian flights due to the jamming of navigation systems. Beyond these obvious harms, Lithuania already has overcome the Chinese Communist Party’s scurrilous pressure campaign. In the face of Chinese government attacks, Lithuania stood strong and received backing from its allies, including America, in support of its courage in standing up for Taiwan’s right to conduct diplomatic outreach without a veto by the Chinese Communist Party. Yet now, after Lithuania stood for freedom and spearheaded a unified transatlantic posture against Chinese vengeance, its new government is backing down. This is happening even as Russia continues its barbarous war in Ukraine backed by China, an open wound often highlighted in Lithuanian government statements. And in the aftermath of President-elect Donald Trump’s resounding electoral victory Nov. 5 on the back of a fiercely critical stance toward the CCP, the new Lithuanian government is backing away from a strong defense of democracy and Taiwan. Given the international context and Washington’s desire to counter China’s malign influence across the board, this shift will strain relations with Washington. As Trump and his appointees enter office in January, they are likely to reappraise allied actions concerning China and emphasize a united allied front against Beijing’s malign influence. Ultimately, if Lithuania’s incoming government reverses course, as Paluckas’ remark indicates, it will cast significant doubt on the durability of transatlantic unity against the autocratic regimes targeting the West. The post Baltic State’s About-Face on China Should Worry America Amid New Cold War With Beijing appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Dealing with a bloated belly can be a bummer. There are many different reasons we become bloated. Being bloated can be described as having a full and tight feeling in the abdominal area that is sometimes accompanied by a growling stomach, lack of appetite, and abdominal pain or discomfort. Homesteading Health: Try These Natural Solutions Today’s episode on Homesteading Health will lead us down the bloated belly section. I will cover some of the common causes of being bloated, what you can eat or add to your diet to help ease bloating, as well as, what to avoid eating. It’s true that every individual is different so what might be the culprit behind one person’s bloating issues may not be the same for another. Common Causes Food Allergies and Sensitivities Build-up of Bacteria In The Intestines Irritable Bowel Syndrome PMS Constipation Dehydration Digestion Issues These are seven of the main causes a person may become bloated. There are numerous causes that it could be but these seven are the most common. In more severe cases it can be linked to cancer, ulcers, and other serious issues. Your diet plays a really big role in regulating our poop and the air inside of our belly and digestive tract. A well-balanced diet that includes at least 30 grams of fiber in it can help immensely with these issues. Fiber from fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds is some of the best you can get. Natural Solutions Probiotics: Probiotics provide a healthy dose of good bacteria into our system. The bacteria produced from probiotics will help eliminate any of the bad bacteria that is built up in the stomach and digestive tract. Kombucha, ACV, and Kefir are all good ways to get your daily dose or you could take probiotic supplements. Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and veggies that are water-rich will help rehydrate those who are dehydrated. They will also provide electrolytes and beneficial enzymes that are important for our gut, as well as, your general well-being. Try adding more raw and steamed veggies to your diet. Artichokes, leafy greens, melons, berries, and much more will benefit you in several ways, especially if you’re bloated. Raw Dairy: Rather than consuming homogenized or pasteurized dairy reach for some that are raw. When dairy products are pasteurized it kills the good enzymes we need for proper digestion. If you are not a fan of dairy products or you eat a vegan diet you can skip the dairy and take in more fruits and vegetables. Spices and Herbs: Spices and herbs are far more than just flavoring for our food. A majority of them pack a punch when it comes to health and healing. Many spices and herbs produce a diuretic effect that causes us to eliminate waste through our urine. This will help with bloating, especially if it is linked to water retention. Ginger and fennel are really good for the gut. Ginger helps your stomach release what it needs to let go and also relaxes the muscles in the digestive tract easing the aches and pains associated with bloat, as well as, eliminating the bloat itself. Avoid or Cut Back on These Foods Sometimes it is the very foods and beverages we ingest that causes us to become bloated. Here are three things to avoid or cut back on if you are dealing with bloating issues. Sugar: Sugar ferments while it sits in our belly which can be a contributing factor for the growth of candida. This ultimately leads to inflammation which leads to bloating. Instead, try a natural sweetener like stevia or raw honey. Pasteurized Dairy: I mentioned earlier that the consumption of raw dairy is better than pasteurized dairy when it comes to our gut. Pasteurized dairy doesn’t really have the enzymes we need to do the job because they are killed in the process. Stick with raw dairy if you deal with bloating. Warning some people to experience a belly ache when switching to raw dairy, this may or may not pass with time. Refined Grains: Refined grains contain gluten. Some people suffer from gluten allergies making them sensitive to them. Avoid refined grains if you’re dealing with bloat. Asian Beauty Secrets gives 8 tips on how to debloat: Changing your diet can have a huge impact on your health in so many different aspects. If you deal with bloat on a regular basis like I did for a while it’s good to try to make a log book of sorts to try to pinpoint exactly what is causing the issues for you. Keep track of what you consume through the day adding the details pertaining to whether you ended up bloated or not. From there you can change what you need to change. I hope this week’s edition of Homesteading Health finds you well and in a good way. Happy Healing! Did you find this list helpful and interesting? Let us know in the comments below. You might want to know about mother nature's best home remedies! Follow us on facebook, instagram, pinterest, and twitter!

Another College Seeks to Join Lawsuit Over Trans Women in Sports

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According to a court filing exclusively obtained by NewsBusters, CNN’s Jake Tapper refused to answer basic questions about his show’s finances, including his salary, during a sworn deposition on Wednesday. The legal team for Plaintiff and Navy veteran Zachary Young was now requesting Florida’s 14 Circuit Court to step in and force him to answer the questions. Tapper was compelled into being deposed by a previous court order against CNN back in August as part of the $1 billion defamation suit they’re facing. During a hearing on August 13, Judge William Scott Henry said he had a “hard time believing” Tapper’s declaration to the court that he didn’t know anything about the finances of his show, The Lead. In the hearing, CNN counsel Allison Lovelady quoted Tapper as saying “I have no knowledge about CNN's net worth. I don't have any knowledge regarding what the Tapper show may or may not generate that may go toward CNN's net worth."   Video from the hearing on August 13,2024    “I kind of have a hard time believing what Mr. Tapper put in that declaration,” Judge Henry said, referencing Tapper's stated lack of knowledge.  "I have a feeling that is the basis of what time slot he gets and how much his contract is and everything else with CNN." In their motion on Friday, lead counsel for Young, Vel Freedman quoted Judge Henry’s order that questions to Tapper “may relate to financial things for his show, penalties, things of that nature that would relate to his show . . . So it’s only limited to financial type of issues.” The filing details how Tapper refused to answer questions in line with the order and CNN’s present counsel stepped in to intercede in several answers as Tapper was delivering them (emphasis included in original filing): Mr. Tapper sat for deposition on November 20, 2024. In the course of less than two hours, CNN’s counsel directed Tapper not to answer more than thirty questions. The end result was that CNN prevented Plaintiffs from (1) gathering basic financial information (e.g., Tapper’s salary); (2) exploring issues the jury might need to assess a punitive damages award (e.g., Tapper’s opinion on what financial penalty might deter CNN from future misconduct); and (3) from even asking for clarification of Tapper’s answers or getting complete answers to the questions the witness did answer (e.g., interrupting the witness mid-answer saying: “Just answer the question as asked”). Freedman listed off “Some of the more egregious examples of CNN’s improper instructions” which included: “CNN instructed Tapper not to answer questions about his salary, which clearly constitutes information about the finances of CNN and his show” and “CNN instructed Tapper not to answer questions about financial penalties that directly tracked the Court’s order.” The deposition transcript excerpts included in the filing were redacted, likely from CNN’s insistence that anything and everything discussed about how CNN’s runs its shop was confidential. Just like how they had the court seal their journalistic standards guidelines to block them from public view, which was the exact opposite of how the Associated Press and The New York Times present theirs. Despite the redactions, it was clear that CNN didn’t want transparency for the jury by having their counsel interject and stop Tapper from answering: During the deposition, Tapper would at times respond with answers injecting topics or issues into the deposition. When counsel tried to follow up on those answers, or seek clarity or further explanation of them, CNN’s counsel objected. (…) Another example occurred when Tapper injected comments made before the deposition commenced into the deposition. When Plaintiffs asked for clarification and follow up, CNN instructed Tapper not to respond, prejudicing Plaintiffs from making a full record for the jury. (…) In another instance, CNN’s counsel cut Tapper off mid-sentence to stop him from testifying about something CNN didn’t want him to, despite the issue not being privileged. This was just the latest instance of CNN trying to keep crucial information about the facts of the case and about CNN from getting to a jury. Earlier this month, CNN tried to get Young’s expert witness kicked off the case by essentially arguing that he was just too good. CNN was also trying to keep the jury from learning that they gave reporter Alex Marquardt a big promotion and pay raise despite being the one largely responsible for getting them wrapped up in the defamation suit. The trial is slated to begin January 6, 2025.

MSNBC host Joy Reid tried to explain why some Americans were legitimate in their decisions to cut friends and family out of their lives over their support for President-elect Donald Trump. 'They're afraid. Autocracy and fascism are things that are legitimate to be afraid of.' Reid jumped into a debate on social media over whether it was proper to excise people over political disputes, and she weighed heavily on the side of estrangement. "People are rightfully alarmed. They have a reason to be alarmed. And if you would vote for that, people may not feel so confident that they are safe with you," said Reid. "This is not crazy. This is legitimate feelings of fear of you," she added. "And a feeling that you might not be someone they can trust if this thing goes way south. Autocracies go south real fast, and things get ugly, and people get asked to do things and turn people in and point people out and turn on them."Reid has been known for her histrionic left-wing takes and anti-Trump screeds. Very soon after the historically devastating election, Reid mocked white liberal women and said that black women were not going to join them if they tried to protest against the second Trump term. "If you're voting affirmatively, gleefully, for this, people might not feel so confident in you anymore. That's real, and you kind of have to live with it," she continued in the latest video. "If you think you can vote for what people see as their destruction and then demand that they're still cool with you and have Thanksgiving with you, you are kind of missing the point about what people are upset about," she concluded. "They're afraid. Autocracy and fascism are things that are legitimate to be afraid of. So you might want to step back."The video was circulated on social media where it garnered more than 730K views. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) put FEMA on the spot during a congressional hearing, revealing that the government organization meant to help disaster victims is prioritizing illegal aliens over survivors of Hurricane Helene. “In North Carolina, for example, where I visited, you could have a flood or disaster victim that can get a check for $750, yet when I go through and I look at the programs and resources that are available to a citizen of a different country that came illegally into the United States under the FEMA administrative program, using nonprofits, you could be eligible for housing, for food, for transportation, for health care costs, and others,” Graves said at the hearing. “I was able to get to a figure in excess of $10,000 for an individual, let me make note again, that is a citizen of a foreign country. How would I explain to a taxpayer, that a taxpayer, a citizen of the United States, is eligible for $750, yet a citizen of a foreign country under your agency is still eligible for assistance of $10,000?” he asked. Former Army Green Beret and Savage Freedoms Relief Operations founder Adam Smith, who spent 17 years conducting global military operations in defense of the United States, is infuriated but not surprised. “It would be a lie if I was surprised,” Smith tells Jill Savage and Matthew Peterson of “Blaze News Tonight.” “Watching it real time, firsthand on the ground, we’re having conversations with individuals who are regularly denied applying for assistance.” “They apply for assistance, and it’s denied to them, and it’s a multitude of different types of assistance. Everything from a $750 check, which is immediate response assistance, to having FEMA support for grant money, coming in to help cover down on damage to the homes,” he explains. “There’s a lot of people that are having conversations about just leaving because of the amount of challenge that they’re facing with regards to trying to get FEMA assistance on the ground,” he adds. And it’s more complicated than just receiving help, as victims are also waiting on FEMA to decide whether or not their property has been rezoned as a flood zone. “There’s a lot of inefficient effort that’s taking place, and it’s costing the American taxpayers a lot of dollars,” Smith says. “And add it to the next problem, which is the second disaster that we’re going to face, which is an economic disaster in the region.” “We’ve already had the tragedy of the loss of life, and we’ve had the tragedy of loss of homes and homesteads. Now, we’re going to have the tragedy of loss of economic stability in the region because capital’s not getting reinjected back into the local businesses,” he adds. Want more from 'Blaze News Tonight'?To enjoy more provocative opinions, expert analysis, and breaking stories you won’t see anywhere else, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Massive Hypocrite David Axelrod Bemoans Trump Possibly Politicizing the DOJ ... Just Like the Democrats

JOY! Trans Activist Says LGBTQ People Need Guns to Threaten Women Who Won't Let They/Them in Bathrooms

ABSOLUTELY NOT! Democratic Senator Peter Welch Wants to Restore Funding for Terror-Loving UNRWA