Rebate estimates are based on published rates for qualifying vehicles and assume that 25% of EVs sold were not eligible.

This eligibility rate seems high based on what we know of the EV market in China.

These were the rebates for 2022:

• All-electric plug-in cars with a range over 400 km are eligible for subsidies of RMB 12,600 (approximately $2000).

• All-electric plug-in cars with a range of 300–400 km are eligible for subsidies of RMB 9100 (approximately $1400).

• Plug-in hybrid cars are now eligible for subsidies of RMB 4800 (approximately $750).

• All-electric plug-in cars with a range of less than 250 km are no longer eligible for subsidies.

For example, the 118k RMB BYD Dolphin has a range of 301km, the 32k RMB Wuling Hongguang Mini EV has a range of 120km, and... Wait, hold up, the what now? The Mini EV is the best-selling car in China, has shipped 1.2 million units as of February 2023, and costs WHAT? The Mini EV market in China is huge, and assuming only 25% of sales aren't captured by rebates seems... low?

Rebate estimates prior to 2023 assume local government support amounted to 15% of central government support.

This might be high, might be low, whatever. It's a marginal error.

The sales tax exemption is calculated using the stated 10% tax exemption for qualifying NEVs.

This ignores the tax exemption caps, but since most EVs are under the cap price it's fine I guess.

Infrastructure subsidy estimates are based on funding amounts provided by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Can't be bothered to check this.

R&D estimates use government-funded R&D statistics and assume that 90% of auto R&D expenditure went towards NEVs.

Wait, WHAT? Are they ignoring that China has many massive SOEs that have been building ICE cars for forever?

Government procurement estimates assume that 50% of government procurement of autos went towards NEVs.

Again, see above.

Estimates assume that the average prices of commercial and passenger vehicles are RMB 1.2 million and RMB 250,000, respectively.

Again, see the Mini EV.

Annual currency conversions were done using exchange rate data from the OECD.

Fine.

It's clear then where the issues come from: a gross misunderstanding of the Chinese EV market, the average EV cost, and the maximum eligible tax exemption.

China claims $28 billion USD up to 2022 and another $72 billion up to 2027 (almost entirely vehicle tax exemptions)... Of course, those vehicle tax exemptions were inherently because of the pollution of ICE vehicles and only applied to the domestic market.

This has been US doctrine for operations in the Middle East since forever.

Except US TikTok data is hosted by Oracle in the US...?

Maybe the state-sponsored racism doesn't help, huh?

I cannot believe Blinken said "if you're not at the table, you're on the menu."

Jesus Christ what the fuck is Blinken thinking? That's not something the representative of the leader of the Western world or whatever should be saying.

The Wahabbi interpretation of Sharia law in Saudi Arabia maintains that acts of homosexuality should be disciplined in the same way as adultery - with death by stoning. Homosexuality or nonconformant gender expression can also be punished by corporal punishment, flogging, imprisonment or forced ‘conversion’ therapy. 

This isn't unusual in the Middle East. There's a number of reasons for this (mostly based on colonialism and imperialism by more powerful players), but this is unfortunately the status quo.

Bulk price of $193000/unit for 6000 units with a $50000 cost basis.

Slovakia does not consider Ukraine to be an independent country anymore.

In January 2021, the Trump administration designated Ansarallah as a terrorist organization.

In February 2021, the Biden administration removed Ansarallah's terrorist designation.

In January 2024, five months after releasing a statement "Welcoming Talks in Saudi Arabia Advancing Yemen’s Peace Process", the Biden administration again designated Ansarallah as a terrorist organization.

In the meantime, the UN brokered a ceasefire between Yemen and Saudi Arabia in April 2022, China brokered a rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March 2023, and peace talks are actively ongoing between Saudi Arabia and Yemen through Oman.

Seeking Lebensraum by evicting another party?

Ah yes, because peaceful protest worked so well...

HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN, SOME AS YOUNG AS EIGHT YEARS OLD, HAVE BEEN SHOT BY LIVE AMMUNITION IN THE GAZA PROTESTS, AN ANALYSIS BY SAVE THE CHILDREN HAS SHOWN.

Still, 175 Palestinians have been shot to death, according to an Associated Press count. And the number of wounded has reached colossal proportions. Of the 10,511 protesters treated at hospitals and field clinics in Gaza so far, at least 6,392, or roughly 60 percent, have been struck in the lower limbs, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. At least 5,884 of those casualties were hit by live ammunition; others have been hit by rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters.

A commission of inquiry investigated the killing of 189 Palestinians between 30 March and 31 December 2018. It found reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli snipers shot at children, medics and journalists, even though they were clearly recognisable as such.

Free speech is when...