China's Focus on Taiwan: Is Invasion on the Horizon?

Author

Yannick Morin
August 09, 2023

👋 Welcome, fellow knowledge-seekers!

Hop in, buckle up, and let's cruise through the fast-paced highway of news - packed with joy, thrills, humor, mysteries, and sexiness. Get ready, set, read!

🗓️ August 9th is celebrated as National Book Lovers Day in the United States. So if you're a fan of getting lost in a good novel, this is the perfect day to cozy up with your favorite book. Maybe it's time to finally start that book you've been eyeing on the shelf! 📚

Source: Giphy

China's Focus on Taiwan: Is Invasion on the Horizon?

Kyle Bass, a well-known critic of China and founder of Hayman Capital Management, spoke to CNBC about his belief that Chinese President Xi Jinping is eyeing an invasion of Taiwan, possibly by the end of 2024. While many in the West, particularly on Wall Street, might think such a move would be economically unwise, Bass insists that, like Putin in Ukraine, Xi's focus isn't solely on the economics. He pointed out the signs that all lead to the same direction: China’s increased military drills around Taiwan, sweeping changes on the mainland in preparation for potential conflict, and the "running of marine diesel refining at full tilt," signaling a rise in demand for marine fuel.

He emphasized that people need to stop thinking about this situation merely in economic terms and start listening to what Xi has been saying, noting that "everything you'd expect them to be doing, they're actually doing." He even went so far as to assert that Xi is going to "bring war to the West." China's potential invasion of Taiwan is a highly sensitive global issue, with Beijing viewing Taiwan as part of its territory, while most in the West see it as a self-governing nation. With China's role in international relations and global markets far exceeding that of Russia, this issue has everyone's attention, and caution is at an all-time high. (Source)

🦈 Shark Attack Alert: A Scary Incident at New York's Rockaway Beach

A 65-year-old woman was bitten by a shark at New York’s Rockaway Beach on Monday evening, resulting in critical injuries. The attack, which happened when the woman was swimming alone, led to her losing approximately 20 pounds of flesh from a bite on her left leg. Quick-thinking officers applied a tourniquet, saving her life before she was rushed to the hospital. This incident prompted lifeguards to clear the water, and the beach was closed for swimming and surfing the next day, marking the first known shark bite there since 1953. The prohibition extended to other nearby beaches as well, in light of possible shark sightings.

The increase in shark encounters is alarming, especially as six bites have been reported this summer alone, compared to a record eight in 2022 and just one in 2012. Experts believe the incidents are likely attributed to sand-tiger sharks, known to grow up to 10 feet long, who are drawn to large schools of Atlantic menhaden (baitfish) near the beach. Authorities are taking extra precautions, including drone surveillance of the shoreline, as the presence of both sharks and humans in the waters has heightened the chance of interactions. The beach will have a delayed opening as officials continue to monitor for sharks. (Source)

👜 Teen Returns Lost Purse, Gets Surprising Reward from Strangers

Source: goodnewsnetwork

So there's this 17-year-old kid, Adrian Rodriguez, in San Diego who found a green handbag in a grocery store parking lot. He could've just left it at the store, but he decided to deliver it to the owner's home himself. Even though the owner, Eliana Martin, wasn't there, her roommates got the purse, and the whole good deed was caught on camera.

The story gets even better! When people saw the footage, they wanted to show Adrian some love for his honesty. So, Melina Marquez started a GoFundMe, and 764 donors came together to give Adrian over $17,000. All because he did the right thing! How cool is that? It's like Adrian said, he was just doing what he'd want someone to do for him. Talk about paying it forward! 🎉 (Source)

📸 Feast Your Eyes on Today's Stunning Snapshot Series: The Ever-Gorgeous Barbara Palvin

Did you know that Barbara Palvin, the famous Hungarian model, can speak multiple languages? Besides her native Hungarian, she's also fluent in English and has a good understanding of French. Pretty cool, right? Language skills can surely come in handy in the international world of fashion! 🌍😊

Let's get right back to the main event we've all been waiting for: those smoking hot Barbara Palvin Instagram pictures!

🧐 Brain teaser

A guy is gazing at a picture of an individual, and his buddy inquires, "Who's that?" The man answers, "I don't have any brothers or sisters, but that person's dad is the son of my father." So, who's in the picture?

Psst! The answer you're seeking is hiding at the bottom of the newsletter, so scroll down but not to fast 👇

✨ Quote of the day

Hey there, ace detective! I've got a little challenge for you today. Do you think you can sleuth out the source of this quote?

"In space, no one can hear you scream."

Psst! The answer you're seeking is hiding at the bottom of the newsletter, so scroll down but not to fast 👇

✨Chart of the day

The Top U.S. States to Consider for Retirement (Source)

Hit the pic to supersize it and save your peepers a strain 👇

Source: visualcapitalist

🔍Guess the Celeb Challenge!

Get your celebrity detective hats on because it's time for a game of "Can you guess this 🔥celeb?"

🎭 Yo, peeps! Time for the joke of the day!

Source: cheezburger

📰 Want to know what else is going down in this Wild World of ours?

🎥 Check out this captivating YouTube video on Nelson Mandela

If you are not inspired by this, I don't know what will!

🔎 Answer to the quote challenge

"In space, no one can hear you scream." — "Alien," 1979

Source: Google images

Answer to brain puzzle: His son.

🔎 Our Sponsor

Why settle for ordinary when you can have original?

At MadeBuyAI, we're obsessed with all things AI as you will see.

We create AI-generated art on t-shirts, mugs & much more.

💌 Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey of knowledge and discovery!

As we come to the end of this edition of our newsletter, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support, engagement, and curiosity. It's been an absolute joy to share captivating stories, mind-bending facts, and thought-provoking discussions with you.

Also, feel free to pass along this email to your buddies and even your frenemies. It's all good with us! 😉

Good Afternoon, Good Evening and Good Night.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.