<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China</a> has built up its nuclear arsenal at a rate that has far outpaced U.S. estimates and is projected to have 1,000 nuclear warheads by the end of the decade, according to the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/department-of-defense" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Department of Defense</a> (DOD).
The Pentagon <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3230682/china-military-power-report-examines-changes-in-beijings-strategy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">released</a> a report on China’s military on Tuesday stating that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has accelerated its nuclear program. China’s current purpose in building up its nuclear arsenal appears to be deterrence and retaliation, if necessary, according to information collected by the U.S. government.
“In 2020, the DoD estimated China’s operational nuclear warhead stockpile was in the low-200s and expected to at least double by 2030. However, Beijing probably accelerated its nuclear expansion, and DoD estimates this stockpile has now surpassed 400 operational nuclear warheads,” the <a href="https://media.defense.gov/2022/Nov/29/2003122279/-1/-1/1/2022-MILITARY-AND-SECURITY-DEVELOPMENTS-INVOLVING-THE-PEOPLES-REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA.PDF" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> states.
“By 2030, DoD estimates that the PRC will have about 1,000 operational nuclear warheads, most of which will be fielded on systems capable of ranging the continental United States,” it continued.
The Pentagon estimates that by 2035, China’s People’s Liberation Army could have as many as 1,500 operational nuclear warheads at its disposal.
“The PRC probably intends to develop new nuclear warheads and delivery platforms that at least equal the effectiveness, reliability, and/or survivability of some of the warheads and delivery platforms currently under development by the United States and/or Russia,” the report says. “Developing robust nuclear strike options is likely intended to provide deterrence predominantly against a ‘strong enemy,’ as well as ensure China can inflict unacceptable damage with both proportionate and overwhelming retaliatory capabilities, and thus denying an adversary victory if a war escalates to the nuclear domain.”
The Pentagon estimates that China’s military has the largest navy and the third largest air force in the world. Defense officials are also skeptical of Beijing’s claims that it is adhering to agreements to limit the construction of biological and chemical weapons.
Chinese labs and factories, as well as its missile technology is advanced enough that it could weaponize biological and chemical agents or toxins and attach them to missiles, U.S. officials estimate.
“The PRC’s chemical and biotechnology infrastructures are sufficient to research, develop, and produce some chemical and biological agents or toxins on a large scale,” the report says. “China probably has the technical expertise to weaponize chemical and biological warfare (CBW) agents, and China’s robust armaments industry and numerous conventional weapon systems, including missiles, rockets, and artillery, probably could be adapted to deliver CBW agents.”
U.S.-China relations have grown more tense recent years along with the outbreak of COVID-19 and China’s increasingly aggressive moves in its region, such as taking control of Hong Kong and threatening Taiwan. U.S. President Joe Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House in November. Among other topics, the leaders discussed the use of nuclear weapons.
“President Biden raised Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and Russia’s irresponsible threats of nuclear use. President Biden and President Xi reiterated their agreement that a nuclear war should never be fought and can never be won and underscored their opposition to the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine,” a White House <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/11/14/readout-of-president-joe-bidens-meeting-with-president-xi-jinping-of-the-peoples-republic-of-china/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">readout</a> of the meeting says.

Xi Jinping

Pentagon: China Blitzed Past U.S. Estimates For Nuclear Buildup, Could Have 1,000 Warheads By 2030

Pentagon: China Blitzed Passed U.S. Estimates For Nuclear Buildup, Could Have 1,000 Warheads By 2030

China

Department of Defense

Military

Nuclear Weapons

United States

World

<a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India</a> is projected to surpass <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/japan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Japan</a> and <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/germany" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Germany</a> as the world’s third-largest economy in the next decade, according to a <a href="https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/mi/research-analysis/outlook-for-indias-economic-growth-and-policy-platforms.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">forecast</a> from ratings agency S&amp;P Global.
The real gross domestic product of India will average 6.3% yearly growth between fiscal years 2021 and 2030, enabling the country to surpass Japan and Germany in nominal terms. Real GDP per capita will grow at a 5.3% rate as the population of India continues to expand.
“These projections assume continued structural reforms, including trade and financial liberalization, infrastructure and human capital investment, and labor market reform,” wrote the S&amp;P Global analysts. “Although the current government has a parliamentary majority to pass legislation, trade unions are strong, comprise millions of members in sectors highlighted for liberalization, and have routinely opposed policies that they claim threaten job security and increase the influence of big business.”
India had a real GDP of $3.2 trillion as of last year, according to <a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from the World Bank, while the value of finished goods and services in Japan and Germany respectively amounted to $4.9 trillion and $4.2 trillion. The United States and China are the world’s first and second largest economies, with real output of $23 trillion and $17.7 trillion respectively.
After India gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, widespread refugee travel between India and Pakistan provided continued economic strain. India has experienced robust growth since the nation pivoted away from socialism and liberalized trade policy.
The Indian government introduced the Production Linked Incentive Schemes two years ago, a policy regime that encourages foreign and domestic investors to achieve higher manufacturing output through tax rebates, project-specific land acquisition, and license clearance. “A greater share in global value chains would also contribute to India&#8217;s goals of improving leverage in multilateral negotiations and gaining advantage in its competition with mainland China,” the S&amp;P Global analysts continued.
India is also slated to eclipse longtime geopolitical rival China as the world’s most populous country next year. The former nation presently maintains a fertility rate of 2.2 children per woman, while the latter has a fertility rate of 1.7 children per woman, according to <a href="https://data.oecd.org/pop/fertility-rates.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
India currently boasts a trade surplus with the United States and a trade deficit with China, the latter of which is viewed as a vulnerability among Indian officials. The dynamic “encourages policymakers to seek alternatives, particularly in pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and electronics, where the aim is to make India a major exporter itself,” according to S&amp;P Global.
India had been experiencing benefits from “small but steady annual increases in economic freedom” before the lockdown-induced recession two years ago, according to a <a href="https://www.heritage.org/index/country/india">report</a> from the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom, which ranks the country “mostly unfree.” The nation still has lackluster court systems, investment freedom, and government integrity.
“India’s diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming, industrial-scale agriculture, handicrafts, and a wide range of modern industries,” the conservative think tank remarked, noting the importance of internationalization for the nation’s future. “Capitalizing on its well-educated English-speaking population, India has become a major exporter of information technology services, business outsourcing services, and software workers.”

Marine Drive in Mumbai

India Will Surpass Japan And Germany As The World’s Third Largest Economy

India To Become The World's Third Largest Economy, Behind China And The United States

Economy

Germany

India

Japan

The U.S. Embassy in Madrid announced that it discovered a letter bomb one day after a similar device exploded at the Ukrainian Embassy in Spain, injuring one staff member.
“We can confirm a suspicious package was received at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, and are aware of reports of other packages sent to other locations throughout Spain,” the U.S. Embassy said in a <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spain-letter-bomb-suspicious-package-us-embassy-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>.
“We are grateful to Spanish law enforcement for their assistance with this matter,&#8221; it added.
Authorities detonated the envelope Thursday morning, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spain-letter-bomb-suspicious-package-us-embassy-madrid/">according</a> to CBS News. The mailing is being investigated as a terrorist act.
The explosive package is now the sixth device sent to targets in Spain, including the Spanish defense ministry, an air force base, the Ukrainian Embassy, and a weapons manufacturer, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/third-mail-bomb-found-spanish-air-force-base-el-mundo-reports-2022-12-01/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to</a> Reuters.
A spokesperson for the Ukrainian Embassy, Oleg Nikolenko, said an explosive device was “hidden” in an envelope and detonated early Wednesday.
“FM @DmytroKuleba instructed to strengthen the security of all Ukrainian embassies,” Nikolenko tweeted. “He also called on the Spanish authorities to urgently investigate this attack.”
The envelope arrived by regular mail and was not scanned. The explosive device caused “a very small wound on the ring finger of the right hand” of the injured staffer, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spanish-police-say-blast-ukrainian-embassy-injured-one-employee-2022-11-30/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to</a> Reuters.
The unidentified man reportedly visited a hospital for treatment.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov and Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles met on Thursday to discuss the details of Spain’s additional military aid package for Ukraine.
&#8220;What must be very clear is that none of these deliveries or any other violent action will change the clear and firm commitment of Spain, NATO countries and the European Union to support Ukraine,&#8221; she said in a <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-12-01/third-mail-bomb-found-in-spanish-air-force-base-el-mundo-reports" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> from Ukraine.
No person or organization has yet taken responsibility for the letter bombs. Secretary of State for Security Rafael Perez <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/01/europe/spain-security-letter-bombs-intl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Thursday that the letters were likely sent from Spanish territory, though an investigation has yet to confirm their place of origin.
The report also follows strong words by Secretary of State Antony Blinken against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during a press conference in Bucharest, Romania.
“Heat, water, electricity, for children, for the elderly, for the sick — these are President Putin’s new targets. He’s hitting them hard,” Blinken <a href="https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-11-30-22/h_3b4bd4e985925e8b375eff751693d09b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Wednesday. “This brutalization of Ukraine’s people is barbaric.”
Blinken’s visit came as the U.S. announced $53 million more in aid to help Ukrainians following attacks on civilian infrastructure.

U.S. Embassy Madrid

Letter Bomb Discovered At U.S. Embassy In Spain Following Explosion At Ukrainian Embassy

Bombings

Crime

Spain

Ukraine

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/netflix">Netflix</a> just released a trailer for the highly anticipated documentary about <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/prince-harry">Prince Harry</a> and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/meghan-markle">Meghan Markle</a>.
The teaser finally reveals the name of the super-secret project about the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/royal-family">royals</a>, which has been kept under wraps along with several other details. “Harry &amp; Meghan” still doesn’t have an official release date, but rumors have persisted that the six-part series would become available sometime in December.
It was directed by two-time Oscar nominee Liz Garbus and is described as a behind-the-scenes look at Harry and Meghan’s love story, from the beginning and on through the drama of the couple deciding to step down as senior working royals.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Harry &amp; Meghan | Official Teaser | Netflix" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t1WJTwy8I7c?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The trailer includes snapshots and short video clips from their history as working royals and beyond, including snippets of both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex appearing emotional.
“No one sees what’s happening behind closed doors,” Harry can be heard saying at one point. Meghan concludes with what appears to be her reason for agreeing to the project: “When the stakes are this high, doesn’t it make more sense to hear our story from us?” she says.
The blurb on Netflix describes “Harry &amp; Meghan” by <a href="https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/harry-meghan-documentary">saying</a>: 
“At its core, their relationship looks like many others: They met, had a whirlwind romance, fell in love, got married, had children, and built a life based on shared values and mutual support of each other’s work and ambitions. But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are no ordinary couple. Theirs is one of the most high-profile love stories in history, and even the most plugged-in fans and followers of their story have never heard it told like this before.”
Commenters on YouTube were divided, with many supporters expressing excitement over the new project while critics said it’s nothing but another shameless ploy for attention. Others pointed out the timing of the trailer’s release, which occurs shortly after Prince William and Kate Middleton arrived in Boston on Wednesday, making their first visit to America in eight years. 
In addition to the Netflix documentary, royal followers are awaiting Prince Harry’s tell-all memoir “Spare,” which has a scheduled release date of January 10.

The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex Visit Australia – Day 2

Netflix Drops Trailer For ‘Harry & Meghan’ Documentary Series

Netflix Drops Trailer For 'Harry & Meghan' Documentary Series

Celebrities

Documentaries

Meghan Markle

Netflix

Prince Harry

Royal Family

Two <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/big-tech" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tech giants</a> on Tuesday announced a $13 million grant to fund <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/fact-checking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">global fact-checking</a> projects. 
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/google" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google</a> and YouTube <a href="https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2022/google-and-youtube-partner-with-poynters-international-fact-checking-network-on-13-2-million-grant-for-the-global-fact-checking-community/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> they would provide financial support to the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), an arm of the Poynter Institute, to support “fact-checking initiatives” through 2025. 
“The world needs fact-checking more than ever before. This partnership with Google and YouTube infuses financial support to global fact-checkers and is a step in the right direction,” said Baybars Örsek, the IFCN’s executive director. “And while there’s much work to be done, this partnership has sparked meaningful collaboration and an important step.”
About $12 million of the grant will go to the group’s Global Fact Check Fund, which will disburse money to fact-checking groups from around the world that adhere to its Code of Principles. These include groups in the U.S., Brazil, Nepal, Ukraine, Norway, Spain, Taiwan, South Africa, and India.
Örsek added that IFCN was “grateful to Google and YouTube for their commitment to bolster fact-checkers in an ever-increasing environment of mis- and disinformation.”
According to the Poynter Institute, some funds will go toward a foundation to establish a “neutral and independent selection committee” and other expansions of the fact-checking program. 
The IFCN was established in 2015, and its advisory board <a href="https://ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/board" target="_blank" rel="noopener">includes</a> individuals from various organizations, including PolitiFact and The Washington Post. 
Olivia Ma, who manages Google’s Global News Program and Ecosystem, said that the company believed it had a role in combating “misinformation” and guiding people toward making “informed decisions.” 
“Combating misinformation is an ongoing global challenge for society. We take seriously our role in helping to fight misinformation by continually investing in products, programs and partnerships that help people access high-quality information,” Ma said. 
Some have raised concerns about the growing emphasis on fact-checking in recent years, with critics questioning whether the motivation is to suppress conservative or differing viewpoints. For example, the theory that the novel coronavirus may have leaked from a lab in Wuhan, China, was initially widely maligned by certain fact-checkers as the origin of the respiratory virus. However, Facebook later reversed course, saying that the theory was now up for debate and had not been thoroughly discredited. At around the same time, PolitiFact <a href="https://www.politifact.com/li-meng-yan-fact-check/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retracted</a> a fact-check it had run on the claim saying that the theory was now more “disputed.” 
This year, Brian Riedl, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a former PolitiFact source, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/meet-the-former-politifact-fact-checker-who-quit-over-left-wing-bias-wanted-me-to-help-them-nail-republicans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> The Daily Wire that the fact-checking group wanted him to &#8220;help them nail Republicans.” Riedl also claimed PolitiFact would start with a &#8220;rating&#8221; of a claim and then work backward to justify that rating.

Google Opens Cloud Hub In Krakow, Poland

‘The World Needs Fact-Checking’: Tech Giants Giving $13 Million To Fund Global Fact-Checking Initiatives

Tech Giants Giving $13 Million Toward Global Fact-Checking Initiatives

Fact Check

Fake News

Google

Media

PolitiFact

YouTube

An Iranian man who honked the horn of his car to celebrate Iran’s defeat by the United States in the World Cup was reportedly murdered by the despotic Iranian regime’s security forces.
Iran lost to the United States 1-0 on Tuesday.
According to <a href="https://www.iranintl.com/202211308687" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iran International</a>, sources informed the outlet that Mehran Samak was shot in the head by security officials after he and his fiancée were honking their car horn in the wake of Team Iran’s loss.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
&quot;Mehran Sammak&quot;, 27 years old, was shot in the head by Islamic Regime’s security forces, tonight (around 1 am local time) in Anzali [Northern Iran], while people were celebrating IR team’s loss against the US. He died an hour ago in the hospital<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MehsaAmini?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MehsaAmini</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCupQatar2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCupQatar2022</a> <a href="https://t.co/0bDz7dp9lr">pic.twitter.com/0bDz7dp9lr</a>
&mdash; Pouria Zeraati (@pouriazeraati) <a href="https://twitter.com/pouriazeraati/status/1597750564804526084?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Samak was not alone in celebrating the Iranian team’s loss, as some Iranians viewed the loss as a defeat for the tyrannical Iranian regime, which has murdered hundreds of protesters in recent months following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini at the hands of the government’s security forces in September after they viewed her as violating the country’s Islamic dress code for women.
ABC News <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/iran-releases-soccer-player-ahead-match-us-94144322" target="_blank" rel="noopener">notes</a> that per Human Rights Activists in Iran, hundreds of protesters have been killed and thousands have been detained since protests began.
Even in Iran’s capital, Tehran protesters chanted anti-government slogans after the Iranian team lost, according to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11485763/World-Cup-fan-shot-dead-Islamic-Regime-security-forces-celebrated-Irans-defeat-USA.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail</a>. “A video shared online by Kurdish activist Kaveh Ghoreishi showed a Sanandaj city neighborhood at night with sounds of cheering and horns blaring after the United States scored,” The Times of Israel <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-man-said-killed-by-security-forces-while-celebrating-world-cup-loss-to-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted</a>.
In Amini’s hometown of Saqez, people cheered the Iranian team’s loss, according to <a href="https://iranwire.com/en/sports/110635-cheers-dances-and-fireworks-iranians-celebrate-teams-world-cup-defeat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iran Wire</a>.
Earlier in November, Parviz Boroumand, a retired goalkeeper for the Iranian team, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/iran-releases-soccer-player-ahead-match-us-94144322" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was arrested</a> for protesting in Tehran; roughly one week later, a player for the team, Voria Ghafouri, who had been dropped by the team before the World Cup, was arrested for “insulting the national soccer team and propagandizing against the government,&#8221; Iranian state media reported.
After Ghafouri was released, he thanked the soccer team for facilitating his release, saying, “I wish success for the team in its match against the U.S. I hope the national soccer team players perform their best.”

SOCCER WORLD CUP 2022 IRAN VS USA

Iranian Man Celebrating Soccer Team’s Loss To U.S. Allegedly Murdered By Government Forces

Iranian Man Celebrating Soccer Team's Loss To U.S. Murdered By Government Forces: Reports

Iran

Murder

Soccer

Sports

World Cup

The estate of disgraced financier <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/jeffrey-epstein" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jeffrey Epstein</a> agreed Wednesday to pay more than $105 million in settlement claims to the U.S. Virgin Islands after Epstein allegedly ran a sex trafficking operation and caused environmental damage from the property he owned in the territory.
Epstein, who died at a federal jail in New York in August 2019, was accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls as young as 14. Epstein pleaded not guilty before his death.
Denise N. George, the attorney general for the U.S. Virgin Islands, told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/30/business/jeffrey-epstein-settlement-virgin-islands.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New York Times</a> in a statement from the beginning of the case that she met with three &#8220;very courageous&#8221; young women Epstein allegedly trafficked and sexually exploited on the infamous Little St. James Island.
&#8220;Our work has been inspired, humbled and fortified by the strength and courage of all of those who survived Epstein&#8217;s abuse,&#8221; George said, adding that authorities owe it the victims who were &#8220;so profoundly hurt to make changes that would help avoid future victims.&#8221;
George, whose office filed a civil racketeering lawsuit against Epstein&#8217;s estate in January 2020, settled after a year of negotiations.
Epstein&#8217;s estate must now repay more than $80 million in cash for one of his companies receiving tax benefits, which U.S. Virgin Islands officials told <a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-caribbean-puerto-rico-jeffrey-epstein-us-virgin-islands-1d477010df10e24122c58b498d5b2f92" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Associated Press</a> Epstein and his co-defendants &#8220;fraudulently obtained to fuel his criminal enterprise.&#8221;
Officials also said the Epstein estate must pay half of the proceeds from the 70-acre Little St. James island sale, which real estate professionals have listed for $55 million, and the 160-acre Great St. James island sale for another $55 million, to the Virgin Islands.
Authorities said Epstein had ruins of colonial-era historical structures of slaves removed from Great St. James, which will cost the estate another $450,000 in environmental repairs.
&#8220;This settlement restores the faith of the people of the Virgin Islands that its laws will be enforced, without fear or favor, against those who break them,&#8221; George told <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/jeffrey-epsteins-estate-agrees-pay-virgin-islands-105-million-settle-c-rcna59491" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBC News</a>. &#8220;We are sending a clear message that the Virgin Islands will not serve as a haven for human trafficking.&#8221;
Daniel Weiner, an Epstein estate attorney, told The Associated Press that co-executors deny any allegations of wrongdoing on their part.
&#8220;The co-executors ultimately concluded that the settlement is in the best interests of the estate, including its creditors and claimants, to avoid the time, expense and inherent uncertainties of protracted litigation,&#8221; Weiner told NBC News. &#8220;The settlement is consistent with the co-executors&#8217; stated intent and practice since their appointments to those roles — to resolve claims related to any misconduct by Jeffrey Epstein in a manner sensitive to those who suffered harm.&#8221;
Weiner further noted that Epstein&#8217;s estate paid more than $121 million to 136 victims through a compensation fund.

Jeffrey Epstein’s Private Island In The Caribbean Has Gone Quiet

Epstein Estate To Pay More Than $105 Million To U.S. Virgin Islands

Child Sex Abuse

Ghislaine Maxwell

Jeffrey Epstein

Sex Trafficking

A French bakery product has been given a special status by the United Nations. 
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) granted a heritage recognition to the French baguette by placing it on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The &#8220;Artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread&#8221; was the official addition to the list.
UNESCO&#8217;s director general, Audrey Azoulay, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/french-baguette-unesco/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> CNN the bread product’s newly recognized status honors &#8220;tradition,&#8221; &#8220;craftsmanship&#8221; and makes sure that the &#8220;artisanal way of baking&#8221; is &#8220;passed on to the next generation.”
&#8220;It&#8217;s kind of a way of life&#8221; Azoulay said. &#8220;There is always a boulangerie nearby, you can go and buy fresh affordable bread and you meet people, meet with bakers, it&#8217;s a very important element of social cohesion.”
&#8220;This will make people realize that this regular baguette that they know very well, is something precious,&#8221; she said. &#8220;It comes from history and it has character and it&#8217;s important to made the public aware of this, to be proud of it.”
The baguette’s <a href="https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/artisanal-know-how-and-culture-of-baguette-bread-01883" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nomination, which was drafted by France</a>, pointed out that baguettes “generate modes of consumption and social practices that differentiate them from other types of bread, such as daily visits to bakeries to purchase the loaves and specific display racks to match their long shape.”
“Baguettes require specific knowledge and techniques: they are baked throughout the day in small batches and the outcomes vary according to the temperature and humidity,” it noted. 
“The baguette is consumed in many contexts, including during family meals, in restaurants, and in work and school cafeterias,” it added.
Rima Abdul Malak, the country’s culture minister, said the announcement is a “great recognition for our artisans and these unifying places that are our bakeries.”
Other selected <a href="https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/new-inscriptions-unesco-intangible-cultural-heritage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">winners</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/30/world/europe/france-baguette-unesco.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">include</a> Pyrenean village winter bear festivals, German Modern Dance, manual bell ringing of Spain, “Hungarian string band tradition,&#8221; and “Festivals related to the Journey of the Holy family in Egypt.”
The economic situation has threatened to devastate businesses across the region. Recent unrest in Europe has led to fears about bakeries going out of business. After Russia invaded Ukraine, energy costs soared in Europe, creating a dire situation for many citizens, families, and organizations, as they grapple with high prices and an upcoming winter. 
“I’m so, so afraid of losing my life’s work,” one baker said, per <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/11/30/french-baguette-unesco-world-heritage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Washington Post</a>. The electrical costs for her bakery have gone up to $7,900 from $2,500, with the price of main ingredients increasing as well. 
“It makes me sick,” she said, adding that if the worst case scenario pans out, “we are all going to have to close our bakeries. There will be no more bread in France.”

An assortment of typical bread in a bakery and pastry shop

French Baguette Wins Special Status By U.N.

French Baguette Wins U.N.’s Special Status, Is Added To List Of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Food

France

General

United Nations

Two cities in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/china?_gl=1*tmvfx5*_ga*MTkxMzA0ODkzMS4xNjQ0MDIxMjI4*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTY2OTg0MzI4NC45MjYuMS4xNjY5ODQ2OTI5LjQwLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noopener">China</a> have loosened some COVID restrictions after massive protests rocked the country in recent days. 
The cities of Guangzhou and Chongqing <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/covid-protests-escalate-guangzhou-china-lockdown-anger-boils-2022-11-30/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> they will cut back on COVID restrictions following the outcry of citizens across the country. Chongqing will now permit close contacts of those who are infected with COVID to stay at home while they quarantine if they meet certain requirements, according to a city official. Guangzhou also said it will let up on the restrictions, but officials did not discuss the demonstrations. The area where violence broke out on Tuesday was still under strict rule. On Monday, protesters <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/video-chinese-protesters-destroy-covid-testing-site-as-police-in-hazmat-suits-deploy-to-city-streets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">demolished</a> a COVID testing site in Guangzhou, leading police to take action to scatter the groups of people.
China’s “zero-COVID” policy has been a key strategy in President Xi Jinping’s attempt to control the virus, but the intense restrictions and crackdowns on citizens appeared to be reaching a breaking point in recent days.
Health authorities in China also <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-officials-soften-tone-on-covid-curbs-amid-protests-11669759134" target="_blank" rel="noopener">toned</a> down their discussions of COVID, reportedly telling local governments not to take part in lockdowns that are long and unnecessary.
“International and domestic monitoring data confirmed that the pathogenicity and virulence of the Omicron mutant strains … are significantly weaker than the original strain and variant strains such as Delta,” Chang Zhaorui, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told the press.
On Wednesday, Vice Premier Sun Chunlan also said that with a declining variant and increasing vaccination numbers, the government’s COVID maintenance “is facing new situations.”
Last week, however, health authorities were pushing the messaging that Omicron was highly infectious.
The country’s citizens have been protesting in cities around China, beginning on Friday in Urumqi, where a fire killed 10 people.
On Wednesday, former President Jiang Zemin <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/former-chinese-president-dead-at-96-amid-nationwide-protests" target="_blank" rel="noopener">died</a>, and some experts and protesters reportedly believe his death might lead to a newfound commitment by the protesters to continue speaking out against the government’s strict lockdown measures. Jiang was a leader who propelled economic growth for decades in the country and rose to power after the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 when military members killed students as they protested.
“So as for Jiang Zemin&#8217;s death, we feel a sense of tragedy towards the future of China&#8217;s leadership,&#8221; protester Ray Lei said.
The death of the former leader could also give some residents a rightful reason to come together in groups, as some noted on Telegram, which protesters have <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/dating-apps-telegram-how-china-protesters-are-defying-authorities-2022-11-29/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">used</a> to organize demonstrations.
&#8220;We can all go onto the streets today and lay chrysanthemums,&#8221; one user said.

DFB614F9-0334-449E-8D74-5C8B81A5F53F_1_201_a

Chinese Cities Cut Back COVID Restrictions After Protests

Chinese Cities Guangzhou And Chongqing Cut Back COVID Restrictions After Protests

Communist China

COVID

Lockdowns

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/south-korea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Korea</a> scrambled jets as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chinese</a> and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/russia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russian</a> war aircraft arrived unannounced in its air defense identification zone (KADIZ) on Wednesday morning. 
Two Chinese warplanes <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/south-korea-scrambles-jets-china-russia-warplanes-enter-air-defense-zone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">classified</a> as H-6 bombers entered the air defense area around 5:50 a.m. local time, Seoul&#8217;s Joint Chiefs of Staff <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-russia-warplanes-temporarily-entered-south-korea-air-defence-zone-yonhap-2022-11-30/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated</a>.
The two warplanes left the area around 7 a.m. but returned about five hours later with six Russian warplanes. Around 12:20 p.m. the eight aircraft flew into the air defense zone via the Sea of Japan, departing the area eighteen minutes later. The Russian planes included Tu-95 bombers and Su-35 fighter jets.
South Korea sent out an unknown number of airplanes, including F-15K jets. 
“Our military dispatched air force fighter jets ahead of the Chinese and Russian aircraft’s entry of the Kadiz to implement tactical measures in preparation for a potential contingency,” the JCS said in a statement.
Japan’s Joint Staff <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/south-korea-scrambles-jets-chinese-russian-warplanes-enter-air-defense-zone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> two Chinese H-6 bomber warplanes &#8220;entered the Sea of Japan and then flew north&#8221; early Wednesday, resulting in Japan <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/30/south-korea-scrambles-jets-after-chinese-and-russian-warplanes-enter-air-defence-zone">scrambling</a> fighter jets.
&#8220;Around the same time, what appears to be two Russian aircraft flew south over the Sea of Japan and then turned around,&#8221; it said.
Seoul also noted that the war aircraft departed the area and did not breach South Korea’s airspace. 
Air defense identification zones are regions separate from a country’s airspace, and nations insist that foreign aircraft take additional identification measures when operating in them. The zones, however, are not under international rules and the idea is not <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/chinese-russian-planes-enter-south-korean-air-defense-zone/a-63939138" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clarified</a> in international treaties. 
Yonhap, a news outlet out of South Korea, <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/chinese-russian-planes-enter-south-korean-air-defense-zone/a-63939138" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that Russia and China seemed to have &#8220;engaged in a combined air exercise.” 
Russia said its planes and the Chinese aircraft ”carried out air patrols over the waters of the Japanese and East China Seas.&#8221; It claimed that the planes &#8220;acted strictly in accordance with the provisions of international law&#8221; without breaching foreign airspace.
Russia and China have previously deployed war aircraft into the KADIZ.
In the past, China and Russia have claimed their war aircraft were engaging in regular joint exercises. Russia does not acknowledge South Korea’s air defense identification zone, while China claims the area is not territorial and all nations should be able to fly there.

A Chinese Air Force H-6K bomber

South Korea Scrambles Jets As Russian And Chinese War Aircraft Enter Air Defense Zone

South Korea Scrambles Jets As Russian, Chinese War Aircraft Enter Air Defense Zone 

Global Politics

Russia

South Korea

Team Iran lost 1-0 to Team USA on Tuesday, getting eliminated from the 2022 World Cup.
The team was gracious in defeat, shaking hands with American players after the devastating loss. That was classy.
But what was not classy — instead, horrifying — was what happened to Iran&#8217;s players before the game, and what might happen to them post-loss.
Iran threatened the families of the players with “imprisonment and torture” if the players didn’t “behave” ahead of the match, a source <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2022/11/28/football/iran-soccer-family-threats-intl-spt/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> CNN.
After the players stood mute during the anthem in their opening match against England, the source said players were called to a meeting with members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The players were informed that their families would face &#8220;violence and torture&#8221; if they snubbed the anthem again, the source told CNN.
The alleged threats came after Iran’s players refused to sing their anthem in what was a silent protest after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was allegedly beaten to death while in police custody for failing to properly wear a hijab.
Amini&#8217;s death set off weeks of violent protests. The Islamic Republic deployed security forces to quash what it called &#8220;riots,&#8221; and Brigadier General Amirali Hajizadeh of the IRGC said Tuesday that 300 people had died in the protests, CBS News <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-protests-over-300-people-dead-general-says-after-mahsa-amini-death/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>.
But the Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran says more than 450 protesters have died in the protests, including 64 children. The group also says more than 18,000 people have been detained in more than 1,100 protests in 157 cities.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Daily Statistics on Iran Protests<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MahsaAmini?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MahsaAmini</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IranProtests2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IranProtests2022</a> <a href="https://t.co/yrvtnsnyHV">pic.twitter.com/yrvtnsnyHV</a>
&mdash; HRANA English (@HRANA_English) <a href="https://twitter.com/HRANA_English/status/1597366288166313986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
After the game, there were more reports that Iran’s soccer team faced punishment for the loss.
Mike Baker, a former CIA covert operations officer, <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/11/29/iranians-face-retribution-after-world-cup-loss-against-usa-experts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> the New York Post that the players are now in an &#8220;untenable position.&#8221; “Given what we’ve seen from the Iranian regime … they’ve shown themselves to be brutal and there’s no reason to believe they’re going to suddenly become rational,” Baker said.
Let&#8217;s step back a second. This is a soccer game. While the World Cup is being held in Qatar, another egregious violator of human rights, citizens from every nation strive to put politics aside and enjoy the friendly rivalry of sports.
&#8220;Now, the Iranian team could face fines or even arrest in the wake of Tuesday’s defeat once they arrive home — as retaliation for their disloyalty and their failure to beat the enemy,&#8221; Baker told the Post.
“Neither is good if you’re an Iranian player upon returning home,” he added.
In another twist, protesters in Iran cheered the country&#8217;s defeat, celebrating in Tehran and other cities as a blow to the ruling regime.
&#8220;I am happy, this is the government losing to the people,&#8221; one person <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/30/middleeast/iran-protests-world-cup-defeat-celebrations-intl/index.html">told</a> CNN after Iran&#8217;s defeat.
&#8220;People in Paveh are celebrating Iran’s national team lose over America in World Cup in Qatar, they are chanting ‘Down with Jash [traitors],'&#8221; Hengaw, a Norway-based human rights group, posted on social media.
Of course, there will be little way to track the well-being of Iran&#8217;s players and their family members as their society censors social media. But somehow, we&#8217;ll find out. Remember that, Iran.
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
Joseph Curl has covered politics for 35 years, including 12 years as White House correspondent for a national newspaper. He was also the a.m. editor of the Drudge Report for four years. Send tips to josephcurl@dailywire.com and follow him on Twitter @josephcurl.

England v IR Iran: Group B – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

World Cup Shows Just How Terrifying Iran Is As Regime Threatens Torture For Players’ Families

World Cup Shows Just How Terrifying Iran Is As Regime Threatens Torture For Players' Families

A <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/royal-family">Buckingham Palace</a> official has resigned after she allegedly asked a black guest where she “really came from.”
The late <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/queen-elizabeth">Queen Elizabeth</a> II’s lady-in-waiting, Susan Hussey, made the remarks during an event that took place at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, per the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63810468">BBC</a>. The publication noted that she asked the background question of charity founder Ngozi Fulani. 
Fulani said she was &#8220;totally stunned&#8221; by Hussey’s comments. The 83-year-old former royal official is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/prince-william">Prince William</a>’s godmother.
A spokesperson for Prince William said &#8220;<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/racism">racism</a> has no place in our society&#8221; and called the comments “unacceptable,” saying that “it is right that the individual has stepped aside with immediate effect.&#8221;
Eyewitness Mandu Reid, who is leader of the Women’s Equality Party, told BBC News that she found the comments by Hussey to be &#8220;offensive, racist and unwelcoming.&#8221; She also recalled having a &#8220;sense of incredulity&#8221; upon hearing the question.
&#8220;We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details,” Buckingham Palace shared in a statement.
&#8220;In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made. We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter, and are inviting her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes,” the statement continued.
&#8220;In the meantime, the individual concerned would like to express her profound apologies for the hurt caused and has stepped aside from her honorary role with immediate effect. All members of the household are being reminded of the diversity and inclusivity policies which they are required to uphold at all times.&#8221;
Fulani was attending the reception at Buckingham Palace as a representative of London-based charity Sistah Space, which supports African and Caribbean women who have experienced domestic and sexual abuse, the publication noted.
This isn’t the first time the royal family and employees have been accused of racist behavior. Former senior working royal Meghan Markle, who is half black, claimed during an interview with Oprah Winfrey that a royal family member had questioned what skin tone her children would have. 
Markle said that individual expressed “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/meghan-markle-claims-british-press-called-her-child-the-n-word">concerns</a>” over her son Archie’s skin tone and “how dark the baby’s going to be potentially and what that would mean or look like.” 
Prince Harry corroborated his wife’s story but refused to identify which person made the statements. “That conversation I’m never going to share,” Harry said.

Royal Ascot 2022 – Wednesday

Prince William’s Godmother Resigns After Asking Black Guest ‘Unacceptable’ Question

Prince William's Godmother Resigns After Asking Black Guest 'Unacceptable' Question

Prince William

Queen Elizabeth

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