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Who is “Master Li,” the Chinese exile and Falun Gong leader that has built a religious, media and entertainment empire within the United States? By Rick Alan Ross

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Falun Gong is a controversial tax-exempted religious organization based within the United States led by Chinese exile Li Hongzhi. Li, who is known to his followers as “Master Li” also controls a web of related enterprises, which have become the focus for both the media and law enforcement in recent months. This includes a heavily promoted dance company called “Shen Yun” and a right-wing newspaper “The Epoch Times.”

Shen Yun allegedly exploits and abuses its members, who are overwhelming devotees of Falun Gong and a key executive at The Epoch Times is now being prosecuted for financial crimes and fraud.

The New York Times reported that Shen Yun “dancers recounted performing through dislocated kneecaps, sprained ankles or other serious injuries, unwilling to seek medical treatment because the group’s belief system regarded such care as a crutch of the unfaithful.” And that “most described feeling used by a religious movement.”

Leaders within Shen Yun reportedly told “young performers that each show was an urgent spiritual mission, and they led them to believe that anyone who spoke out against the movement would face dire consequences.”

25 former dancers, musicians and instructors were interviewed by The New York Times about “a pattern of abusive behavior” they claimed “spanned nearly two decades and occurred as hundreds of performers cycled in and out of the dance company.” Many said, “they pushed themselves to their physical and mental limits because they were taught that performing a flawless Shen Yun show would save their audiences from an approaching apocalypse. It was a message that was constantly reinforced in lessons that instilled a fierce sense of obligation, as well as mistrust of the outside world.”

The Times reported that “nearly all the performers were sent to Shen Yun by family members who were ardent Falun Gong practitioners.” Some arrived at the Falun Gong headquarters known as “Dragon Springs” on Long Island in New York before they turned 12 and were reportedly “unable to leave the compound without special permission and were typically limited in how often they could see their families.” One former Shen Yun performer explained, “Master told us he had endless magical powers. We were little children, and we believed.”

Is it financially impossible for Shen Yun and Li Hongzhi to properly compensate and take care of its dancers and staff?

In 2019 Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported that “with an average ticket price of $80 per ticket, total box-office proceeds could amount to some $168 million over the five-month performing season.” And that tax records revealed that Shen Yun had “net assets of over $3 million in 2008. Ten years later, in 2017, this amount had grown to $95.7 million. Shen Yun seems to make between $10 and $20 million per year.”

Where does all the money go?

NPR reports that the chief financial officer for the Epoch Times is charged with “laundering at least $67 million in illegally obtained funds.” The alleged scheme began in 2020, “Epoch Times’ revenue jumped from almost $15.5 million the year before to over $70 million, according to federal tax filings.”

Prosecutors claim that Weidong Guan, also known as Bill Guan, “conspired with others to benefit himself, the media company, and its affiliates by laundering tens of millions of dollars in fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits and other crime proceeds.”

The Chinese government has described Falun Gong as an “evil cult”? But Falun Gong and Li Hongzhi say that this label and other criticism represents “religious persecution.”

How can we determine if a group or movement is a destructive cult?

In the 1980s psychiatrist and author Robert Jay Lifton developed a seminal definition to describe destructive cults. This description focuses on three objective core criteria, which today form the nucleus for virtually any definition of a destructive cult.

1. A charismatic leader who increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose their power. This leader is the defining element and driving force of the group. He or she lacks any meaningful accountability and typically is an authoritarian dictator.

2. The leader methodically employs a systemic process of coercive persuasion or thought reform to gain undue influence over his or her followers.

3. The leader then uses that undue influence for the economic, sexual, and other exploitation of group members.

Falun Gong followers believe that Master Li possesses supernatural powers. He claims to know “the top secret of the universe” and has stated that “no religion can save people” but the “almighty Fa,” which he exclusively represents. Li is therefore supposedly savior of humanity.

Li teaches his followers that the earth would have been destroyed, but he saved it. He also claims that “gods” will destroy those he disapproves of and that his followers must practice his program of “spiritual cultivation” or risk obliteration.

One horrific event, which took place on China illustrates the depth of devotion Falun Gong members possess. On January 23, 2001 seven Falun Gong practitioners protesting “religious persecution” set themselves on fire at Tiananmen Square. This included a 12-year-old girl and her mother who died. Two survivors, Hao Huijun and her daughter Chen Guo, were hospitalized with extreme injuries.

Chen Guo told Reuters, “I hope those who still believe in this cult can be awakened and throw it away. I don’t want to see another victim like me.” Her mother explained, “we were obsessed at that time”. And she concluded, “We all suffered a great deal, brought about by the obsession.”

Meanwhile Li Hongzhi and his family have become quite wealthy, purchasing millions of dollars in real estate as they garner considerable influence.

Cult expert, author and psychologist Margaret Singer said that a Falun Gong practitioner will “actually say Don’t Think. Just recite the Master’s teaching.’” Singer succinctly summarized, “If you want a good description of a cult, all you have to do is read what [Falun Gong followers] say they are.”

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Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

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Press Release

Pear Protocol Goes Live with Hyperliquid Integration and Announces $4.1M Strategic Round Led by Castle Island Ventures

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London, UK, 28th July 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Pear Protocol, the premier pair trading platform in crypto, has officially launched its native integration with Hyperliquid, unlocking seamless pair trading on top of the Hyperliquid perpetual orderbook.

This launch coincides with the closing of a $4.1M strategic funding round led by Castle Island Ventures, with participation from Compound VC, Florin Digital and Sigil Fund. The raise comes as Pear Protocol nears $1BN in trading volume, powering over 4,000 traders with daily volumes in closed beta already above $5M+.

“Hyperliquid is where the best traders are, and Pear now provides the best way to pair trade on top of that liquidity,” said Huf, Founder of Pear Protocol. “This round marks a turning point – our investors deeply understand the space, and together we’re going full throttle on execution.”

What This Means for Users

With the Hyperliquid integration now live, traders on Pear can enjoy:

  • Continued eligibility for any Hyperliquid Season 3 points and HyPear Points, converting into claimable $HYPE
  • One-click entry and exit across both legs of a pair trade

  • Limit and TWAP execution on the ratio, optimising entry and exits

  • TP/SL logic based on the ratio for superior risk management

  • Direct ratio charting, net funding differentials, and custom pair weighting tools

Pear makes advanced strategies simple, mobile-friendly, and capital-efficient – whether you’re trading HYPE/SOL or building custom ETH/BTC trades with beta-weighted logic.

Strategic Use of Funds

The new capital will be deployed to:

  • Expand Pear’s institutional-grade product suite
  • Launch vaults and APIs on HyperEVM
  • Re-launch their spot token with deeper liquidity on Hyperliquid’s Spot Orderbook
  • Accelerate user growth and talent acquisition
  • Position Pear for long-term sustainability – including optional protocol buybacks and new revenue lines

This round strategically aligns Pear Protocol with some of the most respected players in crypto venture, each bringing ecosystem reach, product insight, and long-term conviction.

“We believe Pear is building trading infrastructure for the next wave of DeFi-native professionals,” said Wyatt Khosrowshahi, Investor at Castle Island Ventures. “They’re connecting deep crypto-native liquidity with intuitive UX, timely education, and novel execution.”

About Pear Protocol

Pear Protocol is the leading DeFi-native pair trading terminal, enabling users to trade one token against another with high capital efficiency. With integrations across major venues including Hyperliquid, GMX and SYMMIO, Pear serves both professional retail and institutional users. Learn more at https://pear.garden

Check out Pear’s Launch Video Here – https://youtu.be/WF8kF1FRxSU

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Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

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Press Release

The Art of Managing Humans by Tsvika Abramovitch Receives Book Excellence Award

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The Art of Managing Humans: Management Practices that Actually Work

Israel, 28th Jul 2025,
 

The Art of Managing Humans: Management Practices That Actually Work by Tsvika Abramovitch has been awarded the Book Excellence Award, recognizing its unique, experience-driven approach to leadership, human resources, and organizational culture. The award, presented by OneTribune Media, celebrates literary excellence in storytelling, creativity, and global impact.

A seasoned HR executive with decades of experience across some of Israel’s largest organizations, Abramovitch brings practical insight and authentic field-tested wisdom to a discipline often crowded with theory. With candor and clarity, The Art of Managing Humans challenges leaders to rethink their assumptions about power, loyalty, and culture in the modern workplace.

A Real-World Guide to Managing with Empathy and Balance

As the OneTribune Media reviewer puts it: “What do playground equipment and office politics have in common? Quite a lot, if you ask Tsvika Abramovitch. In The Art of Managing Humans, the metaphor of a seesaw isn’t just clever—it’s profoundly insightful.”

Rather than relying on formulas or clichés, Abramovitch shares “lived experience—warts and all—gleaned from decades in HR trenches,” turning stories of boardroom negotiations, crisis management, and team development into practical tools.

At the center of the book is the Seesaw Model—a deceptively simple but powerful framework that reframes leadership as a constant balancing act: “part organizational strategy, part emotional compass.” Through tools like roundtable discussions, field trips, and one-on-one check-ins, the model emphasizes transparency, trust, and human-centered decision-making.

This approach avoids rigid, top-down models. Instead, it encourages leaders to “lead not from a distance, but from within, setting boundaries without barricades and making transparency a habit, not a performance.”

An earlier review from HR for Humans at Work describes the book as “a fresh approach to leadership, showing how fostering authentic relationships, transparency, and open communication between managers and employees can drive organisational success.” The review praises Abramovitch’s focus on people-first leadership, calling The Art of Managing Humans a “people-centric management blueprint” grounded in real-world experience. It compares Abramovitch’s perspective to the leadership philosophy of Howard Schultz. Ultimately, the reviewer calls the book “a must-read for leaders seeking to humanise their approach,” offering “the warmth and wisdom needed to transform any organisation.”

More details about this announcement can be found on the OneTribune Media website.

About the Award

The Book Excellence Award is given to works that demonstrate superior quality in writing, presentation, and impact. More than a symbol of professional merit, it honors books that “inspire, inform, and transform readers across the globe.” The Art of Managing Humans was recognized for its exceptional blend of storytelling, practical insight, and meaningful contribution to the conversation on modern leadership.

About the Book

Title: The Art of Managing Humans: Management Practices That Actually Work
Author: Tsvika Abramovitch
Availability: Amazon and major online retailers

Genre: Business / Management
Sub-genres: Human Resources, Organizational Psychology, Workplace Strategy
Themes: Leadership through empathy, transparency, emotional intelligence, real-world HR solutions, employee loyalty, and the balance of power

 

About the Author

Tsvika Abramovitch is a senior human resource strategist and leadership advisor with more than 30 years of experience. He has held executive HR positions at top-tier Israeli companies including Bezeq International, Pelephone, Yes, Tnuva, Mekorot, and Hadera Paper. Known for bridging strategy and emotional intelligence, he developed the Seesaw Model to help organizations navigate the evolving challenges of people management. The Art of Managing Humans is his debut book, now recognized for excellence in business writing.

 

Media Contact

Organization: Author of The Art of Managing Humans

Contact
Person:
Tsvika Abramovitch

Website:


Email:

tsvikabr@pelephone.co.il

Country:Israel

The post
The Art of Managing Humans by Tsvika Abramovitch Receives Book Excellence Award
appeared first on
Brand News 24.
It is provided by a third-party content
provider. Brand News 24 makes no
warranties or representations in connection with it.

About Author

Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

Continue Reading

Press Release

The Art of Managing Humans by Tsvika Abramovitch Receives Book Excellence Award

Published

on

The Art of Managing Humans: Management Practices that Actually Work

Israel, 28th Jul 2025,
 

The Art of Managing Humans: Management Practices That Actually Work by Tsvika Abramovitch has been awarded the Book Excellence Award, recognizing its unique, experience-driven approach to leadership, human resources, and organizational culture. The award, presented by OneTribune Media, celebrates literary excellence in storytelling, creativity, and global impact.

A seasoned HR executive with decades of experience across some of Israel’s largest organizations, Abramovitch brings practical insight and authentic field-tested wisdom to a discipline often crowded with theory. With candor and clarity, The Art of Managing Humans challenges leaders to rethink their assumptions about power, loyalty, and culture in the modern workplace.

A Real-World Guide to Managing with Empathy and Balance

As the OneTribune Media reviewer puts it: “What do playground equipment and office politics have in common? Quite a lot, if you ask Tsvika Abramovitch. In The Art of Managing Humans, the metaphor of a seesaw isn’t just clever—it’s profoundly insightful.”

Rather than relying on formulas or clichés, Abramovitch shares “lived experience—warts and all—gleaned from decades in HR trenches,” turning stories of boardroom negotiations, crisis management, and team development into practical tools.

At the center of the book is the Seesaw Model—a deceptively simple but powerful framework that reframes leadership as a constant balancing act: “part organizational strategy, part emotional compass.” Through tools like roundtable discussions, field trips, and one-on-one check-ins, the model emphasizes transparency, trust, and human-centered decision-making.

This approach avoids rigid, top-down models. Instead, it encourages leaders to “lead not from a distance, but from within, setting boundaries without barricades and making transparency a habit, not a performance.”

An earlier review from HR for Humans at Work describes the book as “a fresh approach to leadership, showing how fostering authentic relationships, transparency, and open communication between managers and employees can drive organisational success.” The review praises Abramovitch’s focus on people-first leadership, calling The Art of Managing Humans a “people-centric management blueprint” grounded in real-world experience. It compares Abramovitch’s perspective to the leadership philosophy of Howard Schultz. Ultimately, the reviewer calls the book “a must-read for leaders seeking to humanise their approach,” offering “the warmth and wisdom needed to transform any organisation.”

More details about this announcement can be found on the OneTribune Media website.

About the Award

The Book Excellence Award is given to works that demonstrate superior quality in writing, presentation, and impact. More than a symbol of professional merit, it honors books that “inspire, inform, and transform readers across the globe.” The Art of Managing Humans was recognized for its exceptional blend of storytelling, practical insight, and meaningful contribution to the conversation on modern leadership.

About the Book

Title: The Art of Managing Humans: Management Practices That Actually Work
Author: Tsvika Abramovitch
Availability: Amazon and major online retailers

Genre: Business / Management
Sub-genres: Human Resources, Organizational Psychology, Workplace Strategy
Themes: Leadership through empathy, transparency, emotional intelligence, real-world HR solutions, employee loyalty, and the balance of power

 

About the Author

Tsvika Abramovitch is a senior human resource strategist and leadership advisor with more than 30 years of experience. He has held executive HR positions at top-tier Israeli companies including Bezeq International, Pelephone, Yes, Tnuva, Mekorot, and Hadera Paper. Known for bridging strategy and emotional intelligence, he developed the Seesaw Model to help organizations navigate the evolving challenges of people management. The Art of Managing Humans is his debut book, now recognized for excellence in business writing.

 

Media Contact

Organization: Author of The Art of Managing Humans

Contact
Person:
Tsvika Abramovitch

Website:


Email:

tsvikabr@pelephone.co.il

Country:Israel

The post
The Art of Managing Humans by Tsvika Abramovitch Receives Book Excellence Award
appeared first on
Brand News 24.
It is provided by a third-party content
provider. Brand News 24 makes no
warranties or representations in connection with it.

About Author

Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

Continue Reading

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