Since 2016, foreign interference in U.S. elections and civic life has been a major concern, with the U.S. government penalizing foreign actors for spreading "discord and chaos" through propaganda. Despite this stance, the US exhibits a double standard in its propaganda efforts.

According to Responsible Statecraft, the recently passed HR 1157, the "Countering the PRC Malign Influence Fund," received bipartisan approval (351-36) and would allocate over $1.6 billion to the State Department and USAID to combat Chinese "malign influence" globally. This bill represents a significant increase in federal spending on foreign influence operations.

The measure funds "independent media and civil society" as well as other information activities in other nations. The Global Engagement Center, which will most certainly play a significant role in enacting the law, spends more than half of its budget on such programs, and USAID, which will also play a leading role, prioritizes funds to foreign media and civil society organizations. HR 1157 would turbocharge these projects.

In addition, the bill does not require that US government funding for overseas media be made known to those in other nations, thus making it possible that it will support covert anti-Chinese messages, similar to how the US accuses Russia of sponsoring anti-Ukraine messages by US media influencers.

Responsible Statecraft notes that "malign influence" is a wide description. For example, program funding might be used to promote any attempt to emphasize the "negative impact" of Chinese economic and infrastructural investment in a foreign country. Alternatively, it might sponsor political messaging against Chinese contractors participating in the construction of a port, road, or hospital, as part of Beijing's global Belt and Road Initiative.

A 2021 "vision document" from the First Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg offers insight into U.S. information operations. It describes a fictional scenario in the African country of Naruvu, where Special Forces discover a Chinese port investment.

The 8th Psyop Group at Fort Bragg's Information Warfare Center (IWC) collaborates with local and U.S. partners to "discredit Chinese activities," leading to protests and unrest. The combined influence efforts and social media campaigns resulted in the Chinese company abandoning its port project.

Skepticism towards U.S. and Chinese interference in foreign affairs can undermine genuine opposition to Chinese influence. For instance, U.S. support for Russian opposition in 2011 led to a backlash from Putin, restricting U.S. involvement in Russia.

The proposed HR 1157 raises concerns that U.S. anti-Chinese propaganda could inadvertently influence American audiences without disclosing its funding sources. Historical examples, like the State Department's Global Engagement Center's actions against critics during the Trump administration, illustrate potential misuse.

The bipartisan backing for HR 1157 highlights a Washington culture that may ignore the risks of engaging in covert activities similar to those it condemns in other countries.

The link to her new show

This show is a fundraiser. All proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to buying food parcels for families in Gaza via the ‘Ride For Gaza’ initiative run by ACLAÍ Palestine in partnership with Glór na Móna, Beit Lahia Development Association and Gaza Stars Circus School.

Donations can be sent directly to Ride For Gaza here: https://donorbox.org/ride-for-gaza

A rare but potentially lethal mosquito-borne virus has prompted nearly a dozen towns in the US to close public parks at night and restrict outdoor activities, when mosquitoes are most active.

Ten communities in Massachusetts are now designated at high or critical risk for eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, that spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito, officials say.

There are currently no vaccines or medicines available to treat the "very serious" disease, also known as "Triple E", according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Communities were put on alert after mosquitoes in the area tested positive for EEE and the state reported its first human case of the virus since 2020.

Public health officials say the disease was diagnosed in a horse in Plymouth, Massachusetts, which is what raised the town's risk level of EEE to high. A man in his 80s was the first to be infected and diagnosed on 16 August.

Between 33% and 70% of people will die from the disease if infected, with most deaths occurring two to 10 days after symptoms begin, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Symptoms of the virus include diarrhoea, fever, headache, seizures and vomiting, according to the CDC.

“EEE is a rare but serious disease and a public health concern,” Massachusetts public health commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in a statement. “We want to remind residents of the need to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in areas of the state where we are seeing EEE activity.”

In an effort to try to control the spread, officials are aerial spraying the pesticide Anvil 10+10, which is an EPA-registered product used to control mosquitoes in the US.

State health officials are also urging people to avoid outdoor activities in the evening - peak mosquito time - until the end of September.

This is not the first outbreak of the virus in Massachusetts - there were 17 reported human cases of EEE and seven deaths in 2019 and 2020.

The disease is rare and only 11 cases are reported in the US annually, according to the CDC.

State health officials are warning that in addition to EEE, some eight municipalities in Massachusetts are considered to be at high risk for mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus.

Cases of West Nile have been reported in more than 30 states and former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci is among those infected by the virus. He is recovering at home after being in hospital for six days.

Last time the flag appeared on the eve of Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel in April this year.

The flag has been raised for the sixth time in Iran’s history.