## ‘If This Is America First, Then America Is F—ked!’ Jon Stewart Blasts GOP Over Vote Against Vets

Authored by rollingstone.com

“If this is America First,” he said, “then America is fucked.”.

“If this is America First, then America is fucked.”

At a press conference outside of the U.S. Capitol Thursday, Stewart savaged the 41 Republican senators who voted against the Honoring Our PACT Act.

The bill also removed requirements for veterans to prove their illnesses had been caused by on-duty exposure to toxins.

Calling the Republican caucus “cowards,” Stewart added that he is “used to all of it, but I am not used to cruelty.”.

Stewart lambasted Republicans who had previously voted for the PACT Act in June in a 84-14 vote, yet now claimed opposition to a “budgetary gimmick.”

In response, Stewart noted Republicans’ uncritical support for expansions of defense spending, which is set to top $800 billion next year alone. »

### Judge: Wisconsin probe found 'absolutely no' election fraud

Authored by yahoo.com

“I think the people of the state of Wisconsin have been punished enough for this case," Bailey-Rihn said.

An Associated Press review of Wisconsin and other battleground states also found far too little fraud to have tipped the election for Trump.

"We have absolutely found out from this case there was absolutely no evidence of election fraud.”. »

### The Geopolitics of China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative

Authored by tandfonline.com

China’s “One Belt, One Road” project is comprised of two components: the Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI) and the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB)—that were announced separately in 2013.

”35 At the start of 2016, Beijing and Cairo signed a “Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Promoting Construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Amitendu Palit’s contribution, “India’s Economic and Strategic Perceptions of China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative,” looks at the MSRI through more economic lenses, though it is cognizant of geopolitics. »

### Fury as energy firms post record profits while squeezed Brits face monthly bills of £500

Authored by lbc.co.uk

Fury as energy firms post record profits while squeezed Brits face monthly bills of £500.

Brits have been rocked by soaring energy prices while firms post bumper profits.

Energy firms have infuriated squeezed Brits after posting record profits while they face soaring gas bills. »

### Jon Stewart rips Republicans for blocking veterans bill to punish Democrats

Authored by salon.com

On Thursday, Republicans officially delayed the veterans' bill with a filibuster, arguing that would allow for profligate fiscal spending that contravenes predetermined budget caps.

"It's about Congress hiding behind an important veterans care bill a massive unrelated spending binge," said Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Penn.

After the vote, liberals and veterans' advocates immediately condemned congressional Republicans for playing politics at the expense of veterans. »

## In pictures

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