Latest news with #Ex-CIA
Business Upturn
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
America's Next Economic Chapter Is Being Built on Land, Not Paper: Inside EX CIA strategist presentation
Washington, D.C., Aug. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ex-CIA strategist and economic advisor Jim Rickards is calling for 'the return of American industry' — a silent revolution happening not in Washington, Wall Street, or Silicon Valley, but in the ground beneath America's heartland. 'We used to build everything here. Then we shipped it all away. But that era is ending.' The Reindustrialization of the United States Has Quietly Begun According to Rickards, America is entering a new era—one not defined by software or finance, but by real production, physical goods, and critical materials. He points to a coming wave of reshoring, driven by both national security concerns and growing distrust of foreign supply chains. 'Trump is applying immense pressure on U.S. companies to re-shore the production of everything from auto parts to AI chips. It's all coming back.' Why 'Made in America' Is No Longer Just a Slogan Rickards says recent global disruptions, from pandemic lockdowns to geopolitical tensions, exposed just how fragile the supply chains supporting America's economy really are. In response, there's now a growing push to build strategic manufacturing hubs closer to home —powered by local minerals, local energy, and American labor. 'To increase oil production… to rebuild our military… even to power AI—everything comes back to domestic production and resources.' From Gridlock to Ground Game: New Projects Are Already Moving The presentation highlights how previously dormant infrastructure, manufacturing corridors, and extraction zones are now seeing renewed attention and capital. Projects once halted by environmental red tape are being reconsidered for fast-track development. 'We don't have enough refining capacity. And the more oil we produce, the more profits could flow to one specific company.' The Forgotten Engine of American Growth: Materials + Machines Rickards argues that America's wealth was never built on speculation—it was built on steel, oil, copper, and construction. And as the country faces increasing pressure to rebuild everything from its roads and bridges to its energy grid and weapons systems, demand for raw input will become more urgent than ever. 'We've hollowed out our economy. But now we know exactly where these materials are—and how to go get them.' About Jim Rickards Jim Rickards is a former advisor to the CIA, the Department of Defense, and the White House. He's helped guide U.S. strategy during pivotal global events and now serves as the lead analyst for Strategic Intelligence , a monthly research brief focused on America's future through the lens of national security, economic policy, and industrial power. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Middle East Eye
10-07-2025
- Business
- Middle East Eye
UK parliamentary committee investigates Boston Consulting Group's work in Gaza
A UK parliamentary committee has ordered the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to provide details about its consultancy work on Gaza, as fallout over the US firm's involvement with a controversial US and Israel-backed aid operation continues. Labour MP Liam Byrne, chair of the business and trade committee, has asked BCG CEO Christoph Schweizer to name any clients, partners and organisations involved in BCG's work with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). In a letter sent on Wednesday, Byrne has also requested a detailed timeline of BCG's involvement with GHF and whether any of the firm's work on the potential relocation of Palestinians from Gaza is ongoing or active. "Given the seriousness of these issues and the high level of public interest, we would appreciate a response by 22 July 2025," Byrne wrote. He noted the committee's power to "send for persons, papers and records in order to discharge its duties". New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Last week, the Financial Times reported that BCG staff modelled costs to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and entered into a multimillion-dollar contract to help launch the US and Israeli-backed GHF. GHF has been beset by controversy since it emerged publicly in May, with the UN and aid organisations warning that its plans to take over aid distribution in Gaza failed to meet humanitarian principles and would encourage the forced displacement of Palestinians. Gaza health authorities report that more than 700 Palestinians seeking aid have been killed since GHF's aid distribution centres were launched. GHF told Middle East Eye on Thursday that while some of its aid workers had been attacked and injured en route to the sites, there have been "no incidents or fatalities at or in the immediate vicinity" of any of the sites. Ex-CIA officer running Gaza aid security advised Boston Consulting Group Read More » BCG has said that it was repeatedly misled on the scope of the work with GHF undertaken by two senior partners in the firm who were fired last month. Responding to the FT's reporting, Schweizer wrote this week: "BCG never sanctioned the actions you've reported on - in fact we rejected the request to take on the work and we disavow it." He also noted that BCG "has not and will not receive any fees for the work". The FT has also reported that staff members from the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) participated in a post-war Gaza project which included plans for a "Trump Riviera" and used financial models developed inside BCG. The TBI has said that it neither endorsed nor authored slides referenced in the FT reporting, and that staff members involved in meeting groups were "essentially in listening mode". A BCG spokesperson said: "We are aware of the request from the House of Commons' Business & Trade Committee. We are reviewing the request and are committed to responding.'
Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Ex-CIA analyst sentenced to over 3 years for leak of classified information
The crest of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is seen at their headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 10, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Ex-CIA analyst sentenced to over 3 years for leak of classified information WASHINGTON - A former CIA analyst who pleaded guilty in January over a leak of classified Israeli plans to strike Iran was sentenced to 37 months in prison on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice said. In pleading guilty, Asif William Rahman, who had worked at the U.S. intelligence agency since 2016, acknowledged that he illegally downloaded, printed and distributed classified information on multiple occasions, including several in 2024. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT U.S. ally Israel and its regional rival Iran were in the midst of high tensions at the time and exchanged some blows. Israel at the time was preparing to strike some Iranian sites in retaliation for a ballistic missile attack that the Iranian government said was a response to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's assassination by Israel in Tehran. CONTEXT Rahman had a "Top Secret" security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) until his employment was terminated after his arrest in late 2024. The documents, which entailed plans by Israel to strike Iran, later appeared online after a pro-Iranian Telegram account called "Middle East Spectator" published them. Rahman, 34, is from Vienna, Virginia, and was arrested in Cambodia, according to court records. KEY QUOTE "Asif Rahman violated his position of trust by illegally accessing, removing, and transmitting Top Secret documents vital to the national security of the United States and its allies," Erik Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said on Wednesday. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Metro
31-05-2025
- Metro
Schoolgirl, 13, killed after javelin went through her eye in PE lesson pictured
A schoolgirl who died when a classmate threw a javelin towards her has been pictured for the first time. 13-year-old Anastasia Ryzhenko was struck in the eye with a javelin, sending her into a coma from which she never woke up. During a gym class, coach Vladimir Miroshnichenko had paired Anastasia with 16-year-old Timur in Prokhladny, Russia. The coach had 'turned away' when the javelin was thrown, but Timur warned Anastasia when it was too late. Anastasia's mum, Elena, said: 'At that very moment, he threw it, then he called out to her. She raised her head, and the spear hit her in the eye.' Her eye socket was stabbed with the javelin, and her jaw also broke, sparking internal bleeding into her lungs, her mum said. An investigation has been launched by the Russian Investigative Committee. Tributes have been shared online for young Anastasia, who would have celebrated her 14th birthday today. Mum Elena shared gratitude for the first responders and doctors who tried to save Anastasia. More Trending But she added: 'The boy's mother does not admit her son's guilt at all,' said Elena. During all this time, she never came. And the coach didn't come, only on the day of the funeral. 'As a mother, I would have crawled on my knees pleading: 'Forgive me, excuse me, maybe I can help, let me at least take you there?' The Russian Investigative Committee said in a statement: 'The investigation has studied all the circumstances of the incident, interrogated eyewitnesses, employees of the sports school and the relevant ministry, seized documentation regulating the procedure for conducting field training sessions and ensuring safety, and other measures are being taken to collect evidence. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: At least 13 newborns trafficked abroad to 'infertile' parents for £510,000 MORE: Russian court bans memes portraying Putin as modern-day Hitler MORE: Ex-CIA chief reveals where in Europe he thinks Putin will invade next
Metro
31-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
At least 13 newborns trafficked abroad to 'infertile' parents for £510,000
Eight doctors have been arrested for orchestrating a black-market baby ring in Russia, in a case disturbingly reminiscent of The Handmaid's Tale. As many as 13 newborns were sold to foreign couples – but the true scale is alleged to be much higher. The medics – including three chief physicians – fabricated medical records to claim the 'buyers' were infertile, then used reproductive technologies to grow embryos, oversee births, and ultimately send the children abroad. They are believed to have earned £510,000 from the sinister baby-selling scam, according to the state prosecutors in the far-east Primorsky region. The scandal centres on multiple private clinics in the city of Vladivostok, and it involved six women and two men – doctors, chief physicians, and the owner of a chain of private clinics. A statement from Russian authorities said: 'The group of doctors illegally issued medical documentation containing knowingly false information about the infertility of buyers and genetic parents. More Trending 'Using assisted reproductive technologies under the guise of infertility treatment, the defendants carried out actions to cultivate embryos and arrange the subsequent birth of children for the purpose of their sale and movement abroad.' The illegal sales happened between 2018 and 2020 but have only come to light now. It is as yet unclear if Russia will seek to repatriate the illegally sold children – now aged between around five and seven. The defendants in the case have not been named. They face up to 15 years in jail for alleged child trafficking, according to prosecutors. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Russian court bans memes portraying Putin as modern-day Hitler MORE: Ex-CIA chief reveals where in Europe he thinks Putin will invade next MORE: Putin 'war hero' behind Mariupol strikes killed in 'suicide bombing' in Russia
