'Mosque in Jabbar’s Houston community urges members to refer any FBI inquiries to CAIR'

 The local mosque in terrorist Shamsud-Din Jabbar’s Houston community has urged its members to avoid speaking with the media and to refer any potential FBI inquiries to the controversial Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Masjid Bilal sounded the alarm to congregants in a statement posted to social media on Wednesday addressing Jabbar’s heinous attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans that left 14 people dead.

“If anyone is contacted by the media, it is very important that you do not respond,” the mosque, located within walking distance of Jabbar’s dilapidated trailer, wrote in an announcement. “If approached by the FBI and a response is necessary, please refer to CAIR and ISGH.”

“It is crucial that we stay united at this time as we condemn these terrible acts,” the statement continued.

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New Orleans terrorist Shamsud Din Jabbar’s local mosque issued a warning to its congregants not to talk to the media, instead have questions directed towards CAIR.via REUTERS

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Masjid Bilal in Houston, Texas, near Jabbar’s home.Google Maps
The White House severed ties with CAIR last year after the group’s co-founder said he was “happy” to see Hamas attack the Jewish state, killing 1,200 Israelis.

CAIR was also ordered by a judge in November to open its books and reveal its sources of funding after a defamation suit it filed against an ex-worker backfired.

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The mosque sent out a statement on social media to its congregants regarding the terror attack in New Orleans on Jan. 1, 2025.

The Muslim rights group had accused the former chapter leader of carrying out a “defamation campaign” against the organization, including by implying that CAIR is funded by foreign governments and terrorist organizations.

It’s unclear if Jabbar, who reportedly converted to Islam at an early age, ever attended Masjid Bila.

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The truck used by Jabbar during the New Year’s Day attack on a crowded Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

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A Quran inside Jabbar’s house opened to a chilling passage.F. Carter Smith for NY Post

Jabbar’s ideology has come under a microscope after he flew an ISIS flag on the Ford pickup truck used in the New Year’s Day rampage.

He also posted videos online of himself pledging allegiance to the Islamic terror group leading up to the attack.

https://nypost.com/2025/01/03/us-news/new-orleans-terrorist-shamsud-din-jabbars-houston-mosque-masjid-bilal-urge-members-to-refer-fbi-inquiries-to-cair/

Lifecore Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

 -- Signed Multiple Development Agreements with New Customers --

-- Strengthened Balance Sheet with Financing Raising Approximately $24.3 Million, and Favorable Restructuring of Credit Facility with BMO --

Conference Call Today at 4:30pm ET

Earnings Webcast

Lifecore Biomedical will host a conference call today, January 2, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the company’s second quarter fiscal 2025 financial results. The webcast can be accessed via Lifecore’s Investor Events & Presentations page at: https://ir.lifecore.com/events-presentations. An archived version of the webcast will be available on the website for 30 days.

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/01/02/3003743/23089/en/Lifecore-Biomedical-Reports-Second-Quarter-Fiscal-2025-Financial-Results-and-Provides-Corporate-Update.html

Biden decides to block U.S. Steel sale to Nippon Steel, Washington Post reports

 U.S. President Joe Biden has decided to officially block Nippon Steel's proposed purchase of U.S. Steel, Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing two administration officials who were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/NIPPON-STEEL-CORPORATION-6491235/news/Biden-decides-to-block-U-S-Steel-sale-to-Nippon-Steel-Washington-Post-reports-48677430/

Deport After 2 Crimes? German Plan To Combat Repeat Migrant Offenders Hit As "Weak"

 by Thomas Brooke via Remix News,

Prominent figures in Germany’s center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) — expected to become the country’s largest party after next month’s elections — have confirmed a policy proposal to deport asylum seekers once they have been convicted of two crimes. However, the rival Alternative for Germany (AfD) has already slammed the proposal as a weak proposal that will do little to stem the crime crisis involving foreigners.

The move is designed to signal a tougher stance on migration policy, with CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann telling WELT TV the country needed to act decisively against criminal offenders with residence permits, advocating changes to Germany’s Residence Act to ensure that committing a crime results in automatic expulsion after a second offense.

“We need to end the cycle of repeat offenders,” Linnemann declared, referencing recent attacks, including the Christmas market massacre last month in Magdeburg, which reignited calls for stricter measures.

Crimes such as theft, assault, drug offenses, and fare evasion on public transport would all count as intentional acts warranting deportation, he added.

Linnemann clarified that these measures would apply to individuals with valid residence permits, not those already obligated to leave the country.

The CDU’s proposed migration overhaul extends beyond criminal deportation. Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz echoed Linnemann’s stance, advocating deportation to unstable countries like Syria and Afghanistan. While acknowledging Syria’s instability, Merz argued that exceptions should not shield criminals, including members of the Assad regime or its militias, from being turned back at Germany’s borders.

“We cannot allow Germany to become a safe haven for those who committed atrocities elsewhere,” Merz said, emphasizing the importance of screening migrants at the border. He also criticized the current strain on Germany’s infrastructure, citing overwhelmed municipalities and calling for a separation between labor migration and asylum migration.

The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), however, criticized the CDU’s proposals as political posturing. AfD Chancellor candidate Alice Weidel accused Merz of failing to act despite a potential majority in the Bundestag, highlighting the Union’s refusal to collaborate with the AfD despite its gaining popularity and growing electoral success at the state level and expected gains in February’s federal election.

The party also wrote in a statement that the “‘deportation hammer’ is a CDU smokescreen: With us, criminals won’t even be able to enter the country.”

The CDU’s push for reform comes amid rising public frustration over migration and growing support for stricter policies, with the AfD gaining traction as an alternative voice. Because with consistently protected borders, we will ensure that the mass import of criminals is already prevented in advance. The CDU would have had the chance to implement such measures a long time ago if it had agreed to corresponding initiatives of the AfD — but it’s just about campaign spectacle, to then coalition with the Greens after the election and leave everything to the old Merkel politics.”

The party also raises the question of why the CDU is only waiting to act after the second offense.

“One wonders on what grounds Mr. Linnemann wants to have the right of residence abolished only during the second offense. Why not after the first one? If you don’t adhere to our culture and values and stand out here with crime, we can’t use them – and they shouldn’t even come to us. From the CDU, which has been the Prime Minister in Saxony-Anhalt for more than 20 years, and in the last year, only 449 people deported out of more than 5,000 people who had to leave, we have nothing to expect for our safety.”

The anti-mass-migration party has gained notable support from influential voices such as U.S. billionaire Elon Musk in recent times, who recently claimed that the AfD is Germany’s “only chance” to turn the tide on the demographic and cultural change enveloping the country.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/deportation-after-two-crimes-germanys-new-plan-combat-repeat-migrant-offenders-slammed

Israel To Intensify Gaza Fight If Hamas Doesn't Release Hostages

 Amid reports of over 45,000 Palestinians dead following well over a year of fighting in the Gaza Strip, Israel is warning that it is preparing to escalate its offensive against Hamas even more.

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued an ultimatum Wednesday, telling Hamas to immediately release the some 100 hostages that remain or else Israel deal it "blows with a force not seen in Gaza for a long time."

Via Retuers

At this point the hostages have been held for more than 450 days, and many of the remaining one hundred are feared dead.

"The IDF will intensify its activities against the terrorist nests in Gaza until the release of the hostages and the elimination of Hamas," Katz warned while touring the southern Israeli city of Netivot.

"I call on Gaza's residents to rise up against the murderous Hamas group, which also uses you as human shields, and to bring about the release of the hostages, to prevent suffering and end the war," Katz said.

Netivot had witnessed a New Year's Day salvo of Hamas rockets fired on it. The defense minister touted Israel's "willingness to make far-reaching compromises in accordance with the principles outlined by the U.S. president."

On Thursday Reuters cited PM Netanyahu's office as saying he has authorized the resumption of negotiations by an Israeli delegation in Doha. "Hostage negotiations are reportedly not stuck and there has been progress," The Jerusalem Post additionally said.

A new Israeli military statement has said that warplanes continue to be engaged in heavy operations over the Gaza Strip. "Air Force aircraft and control rooms are in direct contact with the fighting [ground] forces and support the fighting in the various sectors," a statement said.

The IDF added, "This is an early warning. Terror groups are again firing rockets from this area, which has been warned several times in the past."

But with much of the Strip already completely leveled and devastated, it's hard to know how or in what ways Israel can still escalate. Hamas leadership has been degraded, but likely there are still many thousands more Hamas militants operating from the vast tunnel system, waging guerilla war.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/israel-intensify-gaza-fight-if-hamas-doesnt-release-hostages

'Deutsche Bank on Defense/Aerospace: "A Wake-Up Call For Sixth Gen" '

 Following the release of footage last week showcasing China's next-generation fighter-bomber on social media platforms like X, Deutsche Bank analyst Scott Deuschle issued a stark warning to clients.

In his note, "A Wake-Up Call for Sixth Gen," Deuschle characterized China's rapid advancements in sixth-generation combat aircraft as a serious "wake-up call" for the United States Air Force. This development comes amid a race between the US, China, and Russia to produce fifth—and sixth-generation fighters, bombers, and hypersonic weapons. 

Zoomed in. 

"Emergence of this video and imagery follows several years of USAF inaction with respect to procuring sixth-generation aircraft other than B-21," Deuschle said. 

The analyst outlined the impacts on his defense coverage following China's big reveal of the next-gen stealth tactical fighter bomber with a "diamond-shaped wing design." He also noted a potential risk for commercial aerospace:

1. There's still a big future for advanced aircraft: There's been a tremendous amount of handwringing in the investment community over the last year that the future of warfare may not require the types of sophisticated and highly-engineered platforms that have traditionally been procured by DoD, with low cost drones instead being debated as being better aligned with the trajectory of the DoD's future needs. We think this unveiling throws cold water on that debate, as the capabilities procured by the US are necessarily linked to the capabilities that its peers can field or plan to field. And China is now showing that it is focused on procuring a combination of capabilities—one that continues to include highly capable platforms. More generally, we'd also note that low cost drones are generally only low cost because they don't have modern jet engines, and an aircraft without modern jet engines is an aircraft that doesn't offer much in terms of flying range or long-range sensing capacity. And an aircraft without those types of capabilities isn't likely to be very effective in the Pacific, in our view. To be clear, we think there's a role for low cost drones, but we think it's more likely to be a complementary role rather than one that substitutes completely for the status quo.

2. ...but that future looks more challenging for F-35: We think this revealing adds some additional challenge to the future of the F-35 program. If China is flying demonstrators today for aircraft with capabilities potentially superior to the F-35, then it seems plausible to think that China may be able to industrialize production and field that capability potentially before F-35 Block IV is even completed; the Power & Thermal Management System (PTMS) capability isn't likely to hit production until 2032 according to GAO. That China could potentially field 6th generation capabilities before F-35 achieves full Block IV capability is an unfortunate state of affairs, and would be a blow to the longer-term credibility of the platform if it happens. For Lockheed, winning a position on a 6th gen platform is now more important than ever, in our view.

3. Capability gap potentially emerging...supports increased defense spending: One of the drivers of increased defense spending during the Cold War was the idea that a "bomber gap" and then that a "missile gap" existed between the US and the Soviet Union. These perceived capability deficits were used to justify increased defense spending at the time. We think that this reveal could drive increased alarm within Congress that the US military is falling behind, which may in turn drive improved Congressional support for increased defense spending.

4. SAF's budget outlook stronger: In addition to supporting increased defense spending generally, capability gaps of the past ultimately drove large procurement quantities for the platforms where the perceived deficit was focused—e.g. the US ultimately bought nearly 750 B-52s during its production run to address the bomber gap. With China now demonstrating a potential sixth generation aircraft capability, we think there will be more money directed to the USAF to procure additional quantities of aircraft tied to that gap—whether that's B-21, NGAD, or otherwise.

On a stock-specific level, Deuschle said, "Increased focus on US development and procurement of 6th gen capabilities would be most positive for NOC and BA at the level of the defense primes, GE for engine suppliers (given NGAP lead, no F-35 exposure), and CW, HXL, and CR for SMID cap suppliers. We see LMT and RTX as potentially having more to lose than to win here, given their relative positions to the F-35. We think the read for HWM is net positive, albeit with some potential long-term downside risk for its F-35 business." 

He noted that Trump 2.0 will likely scrutinize how China rapidly advanced its aerospace manufacturing capabilities, potentially surpassing the US in the next decade, 

"If there is another supply chain shock that could hit commercial aerospace at some point in the coming years, it is within the context of this discussion where we'd be most concerned," the analyst warned. 

https://www.zerohedge.com/military/deutsche-bank-wake-call-sixth-gen