Puppet MastersS


Dollar

Rickards: The coming shock to the global monetary system

James Rickards
Zero Hedge
Thu, 08 Jun 2023 07:45 UTC
moneybomb
© unknownThe Money Bomb: The fuse has been lit
On Aug. 22, about 2½ months from today, the most significant development in international finance since 1971 will be unveiled.

It involves the rollout of a major new currency that could weaken the role of the dollar in global payments and ultimately displace the U.S. dollar as the leading payment currency and reserve currency.

It could happen in just a few years.

The process by which this will happen is unprecedented, and the world is unprepared for this geopolitical shock wave.

This monetary shock will be delivered by a group called the BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

This play for global reserve currency status by the BRICS will affect world trade, direct foreign investment and investor portfolios in dramatic and unforeseen ways.

Comment: Shiny prospects for a new global currency leaves the US 'out' of control.

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Whistle

Nothing to see here but a credible whistleblower accusing the President of bribery

David Harsanyi
The Federalist
Thu, 08 Jun 2023 00:00 UTC
actor destruction
© screenshotScene from 'The Naked Gun'
There isn't a journalist in the world who wouldn't want to see an informant's account of a president taking a bribe. Therein lies the problem.

The President of the United States has been accused by a credible FBI informant of allegedly taking $5 million in "a bribery scheme with a foreign national" while he was the sitting vice president. That seems like a pretty big story, but what do I know?

Apparently, there's a document laying out the accusation in some detail — and not one cooked up by an oppo-research firm for the RNC and then disseminated to saps in the media to try to delegitimize a presidential election. No, it's in an unclassified FD-1023 form, used by law enforcement to record credible tips. Granted, it's not in the possession of Buzzfeed, but rather the vaunted FBI, which refused to hand it to Congress for some reason. And there is little curiosity on the part of establishment media to find out what it says.


Comment: Observation: The emperor has no clothes.

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X

High Court denies Assange right to appeal putting him perilously close to extradition

Joe Lauria
Consortium News
Thu, 08 Jun 2023 00:00 UTC
HIgh Court
© David Castor/Wikimedia CommonsThe High Court at the Royal Courts of Justice
The High Court of England and Wales in a three-page decision rejected all eight grounds for appeal, opening Julian Assange up to extradition to the U.S.

A single judge on the High Court of England and Wales has rejected imprisoned WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange's nearly year-old request to appeal the British decision to extradite him to the United States to stand trial on espionage and computer intrusion charges.

Assange's legal team has one last recourse in the U.K. and has five days to request a hearing before the court.

Stella Assange, Assange's wife, issued this statement on Thursday:
"On Tuesday next week my husband Julian Assange will make a renewed application for appeal to the High Court. The matter will then proceed to a public hearing before two new judges at the High Court and we remain optimistic that we will prevail and that Julian will not be extradited to the United States where he faces charges that could result in him spending the rest of his life in a maximum security prison for publishing true information that revealed war crimes committed by the U.S. government."
The single judge on the court, Sir Jonathan Swift, issued the 3-page decision on Tuesday. It is not yet publicly available on the High Court's website.

Comment: This travesty shows no signs of relent:
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is deeply concerned by the UK High Court's decision rejecting WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange's appeal against his extradition order, bringing him dangerously close to being extradited to the United States, where he could face the rest of his life in prison for publishing leaked classified documents in 2010.

In a three-page written decision issued on 6 June, a single judge, Justice Swift, rejected all eight grounds of Assange's appeal against the extradition order signed by then-UK Home Secretary Priti Patel in June 2022. This leaves only one final step in the UK courts, as the defence has five working days to submit an appeal of only 20 pages to a panel of two judges, who will convene a public hearing. Further appeals will not be possible at the domestic level, but Assange could bring a case to the European Court of Human Rights.
"The historical weight of what happens next cannot be overstated; it is time to put a stop to this relentless targeting of Assange and act instead to protect journalism and press freedom. Our call on President Biden is now more urgent than ever: drop these charges, close the case against Assange, and allow for his release without further delay."
- Rebecca Vincent, RSF's Director of Campaigns
RSF is the only NGO to have monitored the entire extradition proceedings despite extensive barriers to observation. In April 2023, RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire and Director of Campaigns Rebecca Vincent were arbitrarily barred access to visit Assange in Belmarsh prison, where he has been held on remand for more than four years. RSF continues to seek access to the prison and to campaign globally for Assange's release.


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Map

CNN: Ukraine took 'significant' losses this week


RT
Thu, 08 Jun 2023 18:30 UTC
ukraine counteroffensive
© Telegram / voin_dv
The Ukrainian military has suffered "significant" casualties in its faltering attempt to mount a counteroffensive against Russian forces, US officials told CNN on Thursday. While Kiev has kept quiet about its losses, Moscow estimates that the offensive has already cost Ukraine almost 5,000 lives.

Ukrainian troops hoping to break through Russia's defensive lines have met "greater than expected resistance from Russian forces," the American network reported, citing anonymous "senior US officials."

CNN's sources described how Russian forces used anti-tank missiles and mortars to put up "stiff resistance" and inflicted "significant" casualties, as the Ukrainians struggled to get their Western-provided vehicles through densely-laid minefields.

After months of delays and mixed messages from Kiev, Ukraine's counteroffensive began on Sunday with an attack by six mechanized and two tank battalions along five sections of the frontline near Donetsk, and in other regions to the north and south. Further attacks followed, and although pro-Ukrainian sources described these thrusts as "probing" attacks, it was clear by the beginning of this week that the counteroffensive had begun in earnest.

Comment: Putin commented:
"We can state with absolute certainty that this Ukrainian counteroffensive has begun, and the use of strategic reserves points to it," Putin said at a press conference on Friday.

The president noted that particularly heavy fighting has been ongoing for five days, with Russian troops managing to hold their positions.

He also claimed that the Ukrainian military has suffered far heavier casualties than the "classic" three-to-one ratio often expected during an offensive.

However, Kiev has still retained its offensive capabilities, Putin said. He added that he expected Russian commanders to "assess the situation realistically" and act accordingly.

The Russian leader also acknowledged that Moscow's troops are facing shortages of modern weapons, and expressed hope that the country's military industry will soon be able to satisfy growing demand.

Putin attributed the purported failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive to the effectiveness of the armaments already at the disposal of Russian forces.


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Briefcase

EU fails to agree on next round of Russia sanctions


RT
Sat, 10 Jun 2023 15:56 UTC
European flag (L), Russian flag
© Reuters
The 11th package is essentially aimed at closing loopholes and tackling circumvention

EU ambassadors were unable to reach an agreement over a new package of sanctions against Russia on Wednesday and will continue negotiations next week, Politico has reported, citing diplomatic sources.

Sources told the outlet that the European Commission presented another version of the sanctions proposal ahead of the meeting on Wednesday, but that didn't lead to a deal while some questions were still open.

According to a Politico report on Thursday, several EU countries, including "heavy-hitters" Germany and France, have been raising concerns over some of the punitive measures.

Comment: Europe is committing hari kari by degrees at the behest of the U.S. Why?

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Ambulance

Former doctor for Trump, Obama slams White House's 'malpractice' in allowing Biden to seek re-election

Kyle Morris
Fox News
Sat, 03 Jun 2023 15:34 UTC
biden fall texas graduation ceremony
© Brendan Smialowski/Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden is helped up after falling during the graduation ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy in El Paso County, Colorado, on June 1, 2023.
Rep. Ronny Jackson said Biden's 'lack of physical ability and his physical decline' highlight his 'cognitive decline'

Texas GOP Rep. Ronny Jackson, a former White House physician, is continuing to raise flags over President Biden's health, concluding that he is "not fit mentally or physically" after the president fell on stage Thursday during a commencement ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

"I don't wanna sound like a broken record, but I'm just going to say it again: This man's not fit mentally or physically to be our president, and it's a bad situation for us," Jackson said during a Friday evening appearance on Fox News Channel's Hannity. "Part of the job of the President of the United States is to inspire confidence and project power, and he's not doing that. He can't do that, he's too old to do that, and I think it's a shame."

The many gaffes and the recent fall he endured show that Biden, according to Jackson, is offering a "package that doesn't sell around the world."

Comment:

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Oil Well

Europe's eco-madness hits the US: Biden admin is preparing to target Americans' gas furnaces amid stove crackdown

Thomas Catenacci
Fox News
Fri, 09 Jun 2023 21:52 UTC
biden ban gas stoves heaters
Over the last several months, the Biden administration has taken aim at several household appliances, including gas stoves, as part of its climate agenda.
Between 40%-60% of the current residential furnaces on the market currently would be prohibited under the proposed regulation

The Biden administration is expected to soon finalize regulations restricting which home gas-powered furnaces consumers are able to purchase in the future.

According to experts, the regulations — proposed in June 2022 by the Department of Energy (DOE) — would restrict consumer choice, drive prices higher and likely have a low impact on greenhouse gas emissions. The agency could finalize the rules targeting residential gas furnaces, which more than 50% of American households rely on for space heating, at any point over the upcoming weeks.

"This is a classic example of one size not fitting all," Ben Lieberman, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, told Fox News Digital in an interview. "Every home is different, every homeowner is different and people are best off having a wide range of choices. They can work with their contractor to make the best decision for their home and their circumstances."

Comment:

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Attention

Ukraine blows up Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline in Kharkov Region

Ilya Tsukanov
Sputnik
Wed, 07 Jun 2023 00:00 UTC
blue fumes
© Screenshot/BeZsonoVTogliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline • Kharkov region
A Ukrainian sabotage group has blown up the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline in Kharkov region. There are casualties among the civilian population, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
"On June 5, at about 21:00 Moscow time [18:00 GMT], a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group blew up the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline near the settlement Masyutovka in Kharkov Region."
The explosion of the pipeline was designated as a terrorist attack, there are victims among the civilian population, they have "received the necessary medical assistance," according to the MoD.
"Currently, ammonia residues are being drained from the Ukrainian territory through the damaged sections of the pipeline. There are no casualties among Russian soldiers."
Footage appeared online appearing to document the consequences of the sabotage attack, showing toxic clouds of ammonia vapor pouring into the local environment.

Ammonia is not recognized as a traditional chemical weapons agent, but exposure to very high levels of the chemical can damage the lungs and cause death. Ammonia is also highly toxic to fish, wildlife, and plant life.

Comment: Ukraine desperation is on a new trajectory: Eliminate vital infrastructure. What it does to others, it does to itself.

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Stop

Washington banned Kiev from signing truce with Moscow - Russian security chief


RT
Thu, 08 Jun 2023 12:05 UTC
Patrushev
© Sputnik/Victor TolochkoNikolai Patrushev
Prolonging violence in Ukraine at any cost is in the interest of the US, Nikolay Patrushev has claimed...

Nikolay Patrushev, one of Russia's senior security officials, has accused the US and the UK of standing in the way of peace. Unlike the peoples of Russia and Ukraine, the two English-speaking countries are interested in prolonging the violence and do not care about human suffering, he alleged.

At a press conference Thursday in Belarus, he said:
"I can identify the nations that are most interested [in continued hostilities] - they are the US and England. And one should clearly realize that they do not care about people dying, because it's not their people, they are not waging the war on their own soil."
Patrushev, who serves as secretary of the Security Council, reminded journalists that Moscow and Kiev were on the verge of a truce in the first weeks of the conflict. But the Ukrainian government pulled out of peace talks under US pressure.
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Arrow Up

'Something is up': Jordan provides update on special counsel probe into Biden

Jon Dougherty
Conservative Brief
Thu, 08 Jun 2023 00:00 UTC
JordanBiden
© Creative CommonsUS President Joe Biden • House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan on Wednesday sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting information on the status of a special counsel investigation into President Joe Biden's potential mishandling of classified documents.

Jordan, an Ohio Republican, specifically wants Garland to provide him with an "unredacted copy of the memorandum outlining the scope of Special Counsel Robert Hur's probes regarding President Biden and any supporting documents relating to his appointment."

Jordan, in his letter, gave Garland a deadline of June 20 to provide the requested update.
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