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Bullseye

Best of the Web: Putin says West trying to contain formation of multipolar world by activating old conflicts

Elena Teslova
Anadolu Agency
Tue, 16 Aug 2022 12:00 UTC
putin
FILE PHOTO:
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that the West is trying to contain the formation of a multipolar world by activating old conflicts to preserve its hegemony.

Speaking at the 2022 Moscow Conference on International Security, Putin said the Western countries are striving to hold the countries and peoples in chains of the neocolonial order.

"Their (Western) hegemony means stagnation for the whole world, for the whole civilization, (it means) obscurantism, the abolition of culture, and neoliberal totalitarianism," he said.

In an attempt to preserve their domination, the US and its allies rudely interfere in the internal affairs of the countries, organize coups, civil wars, provocations, use blackmail, and pressure to subdue states to its will, Putin added.

"In these conditions, we have decided to conduct a special military operation in Ukraine in full compliance with the UN Charter.

Comment: Footage of Putin's speech:



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Chess

Chinese ambassador to UK warns that Western interference in Taiwan could result in war


RT
Thu, 18 Aug 2022 21:14 UTC
Zheng Zeguang
© gb.china-embassy.gov.cnChinese ambassador to UK Zheng Zeguang
The Chinese envoy to the United Kingdom has warned that British and American interference on Taiwan could result in a war, claiming that Beijing's ties with London are now at a crossroads over the island.

In a Guardian op-ed on Tuesday, Chinese ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang offered his government's stance on the territorial feud, while declaring that Taiwan had become a "touchstone issue" for China, the US and the UK alike.

"Over the years, the US has been playing the 'Taiwan card' to contain China by approving arms sales to the island, upgrading its relations with the authorities there and hollowing out the one-China principle," the envoy wrote, referring to a policy that discourages foreign states from forming diplomatic relations with Taipei, which has long been self-governed.
'Taiwan independence' means war and will lead to a dead end. Opposing and defeating such attempts is meant to avoid war and safeguard peace and stability in the region.
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Snakes in Suits

Ya think? CDC admits to botched Covid-19 response


RT
Thu, 18 Aug 2022 15:07 UTC
fauci and welensky
© AP / Carolyn Kaster
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has acknowledged flaws in its response to the Covid-19 pandemic and announced plans to restructure the agency, to rehabilitate its public image and better respond to future public health crises.

"For 75 years, CDC and public health have been preparing for COVID-19, and in our big moment, our performance did not reliably meet expectations," CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said on Wednesday. "As a long-time admirer of this agency and a champion for public health, I want us all to do better."


Comment: "Not reliably meeting expectations" is a gross understatement of what the CDC did. How about "ruined people's lives, businesses, and created a national epidemic of mental health issues" just for a start?


The overhaul announcement follows an internal review that found the CDC's "rigid, compartmentalized bureaucracy" undermined its response to Covid-19 and slowed its data analysis and releases of public advisories. When pandemic guidance was offered, it was often "confusing and overwhelming," the review found.
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Quenelle - Golden

China ramps up gold buying, doubles imports from Switzerland


RT
Thu, 18 Aug 2022 20:06 UTC
Bullion gold
© David Gray/Bloomberg , BloombergFILE PHOTO: A worker handles ABC Bullion one kilogram gold bars at the ABC Refinery smelter in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on Thursday, July 2, 2020.
China shipped in more than 80 tons of gold from Switzerland last month, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing data from the Swiss Federal Customs Administration. The volume is reportedly more than double the June total, and eight times more than in May.

The surge in gold imports to a five-year high indicates that Chinese demand for the precious metal is picking up, after a lull due to Covid lockdowns in the country's major cities.

"The market's still not great, but it's definitely a lot better than it was in April," Nikos Kavalis, managing director at Metals Focus consultancy, explained to Bloomberg.

Comment: It's notable that just a few days ago Russia announced that an alternative to the West's rigged precious metals market would be launched.

See also: UK court denies Venezuela access to its $2bn gold reserves because it only recognizes US puppet Guaido

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Snakes in Suits

Finnish PM responds to drug allegations after wild party videos leaked


RT
Thu, 18 Aug 2022 13:28 UTC
Sanna Marin
Leaked videos of Sanna Marin on a night out have exposed the 36-year-old leader to criticism
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin has denied taking drugs after videos of a night out, in which a number of revelers could reportedly be heard discussing cocaine, were leaked online. The controversy has prompted some politicians to call for the young leader to take a drug test.

"I am upset that these videos have become public. It was about me having a night out with friends. Partying - even in a boisterous way - dancing and singing," Marin told the media on Thursday morning.

She denied any wrongdoing, but lamented the violation of her privacy. The party took place at a private residence several weeks ago, she said, and expected her off-duty time to remain confidential. Marin confirmed that the party that night later continued at two bars in Helsinki.

Comment: Whilst everybody is entitled to decompress and relax, as the leader of a nation, one is held up to higher standards. It's notable that the PM doesn't think so, but some of Finland's citizens do. It seems that, despite the social engineering that the public has been subjected to in recent decades, they still expect that someone holding a position of such high office should have reached a certain level of maturity, and who have more responsible leisure activities, that won't intefere with their running of the country. One should also bear in mind that Finland is claiming that the current global situation is so fraught that it needs to join NATO as soon as possible.

UPDATE: 19th August 2022 @ 14:52 CET



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Light Sabers

Russia, China and India to hold massive "Vostok" war games in two weeks

Tyler Durden
Zero Hedge
Wed, 17 Aug 2022 09:04 UTC
Tanks exercise
© Sergei Grits/APChinese tanks during military exercises Vostok 2018
Chinese troops will travel to Russia to take part in war games along with India, Belarus, Mongolia, Tajikistan and other largely anti-Western countries, China's defense ministry said on Wednesday, adding redundantly that China's participation in the joint exercises is "unrelated to the current international and regional situation."

Last month, Moscow announced plans to hold "Vostok" (East) exercises from Aug. 30 to Sept. 5, even as it wages war in Ukraine. It said at the time that some foreign forces would participate, without naming them. It turns out that the "foreign forces" account for just under half of the world's population.

China's defence ministry said its participation in the exercises was part of an ongoing bilateral annual cooperation agreement with Russia, Reuters reported. The statement said:
"The aim is to deepen practical and friendly cooperation with the armies of participating countries, enhance the level of strategic collaboration among the participating parties, and strengthen the ability to respond to various security threats."
What is perhaps most interesting about the news is that the war games will see India and China participate together, although as the Hindu Times notes, it remains unclear if Indian and Chinese troops - hardly the closest of friends - will be present together or if they will participate in different drills, which will be spread across 13 different training grounds.
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Arrow Up

Turkey and Israel restore full diplomatic relations

Barak Ravid
Axios
Thu, 18 Aug 2022 00:00 UTC
HerzogErdogan
© Mustafa Kamaci/Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesPresident Isaac Herzog of Israel • President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey
Israel and Turkey announced on Wednesday the full normalization of relations and the return of their ambassadors to Ankara and Tel Aviv.

Why it matters: The announcement ends a four-year diplomatic crisis that led to downgraded relations between the two non-Arab regional powers.

Driving the news: The Israeli prime minister's office said in a statement the agreement was reached on Tuesday in a phone call between the director generals of the Israeli and Turkish foreign ministries.
  • Both countries decided to upgrade the relations to full diplomatic representation and return the Israeli ambassador and consul general to Ankara and Istanbul and the Turkish ambassador and consul general to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
What they're saying: "The normalization of ties with Turkey is an asset for regional stability and an economic benefit for the citizens of Israel," Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said.
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Nuke

Russian MIL accuses US of staging NUCLEAR false flag!

Clandestine
Clandestine Newsletter / Substack
Thu, 18 Aug 2022 16:46 UTC
Lieutenant General, Igor Kirillov
© Clandestine’s Newsletter
New update from Russian Chief of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Threats, Lieutenant General, Igor Kirillov! Every time you see the guy above, you know some earth-shattering news just dropped.

Normally, these updates focus on biological activity in Ukraine, but today's briefing is about a growing NUCLEAR situation at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear power plant (NPP) in Europe, located in south-eastern Ukraine, now under control of Russian Armed Forces.
Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant
© Clandestine’s Newsletter
Russian MIL report that Ukrainian forces have been shelling the location since July 18th, in 12 different attacks, with a total of 50 artillery shells dropped on the largest NPP in Europe.
"the Ukrainian side, together with their US handlers, are trying to play the card by causing what they believe to be a minor accident at the nuclear power plant and thus disrupting the normal and safe operation of the plant, blaming it on Russia."
Ultimately Russian MIL are accusing Ukraine and "their US handlers" of trying to create a Chernobyl-like nuclear event, and blame it on Russia. The Deep State are attempting to initiate a nuclear false flag.
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Star of David

Why are Lebanon's military judges releasing dozens of Israeli spies?

Radwan Mortada
The Cradle
Thu, 18 Aug 2022 17:30 UTC
israeli spies leban on arrest release
© The CradleHundreds of Lebanese detainees have been released, despite the serious charges of espionage on behalf of Israel
In the past few months, Lebanese security services have arrested more than 100 people implicated in alleged Israeli spy networks.

Among these were young women tasked with photographing locations in the predominantly Shia southern suburbs of Beirut, the main stronghold of Hezbollah, and the primarily Sunni neighborhood of Tariq Al-Jadida in the western part of the city.

Working for the Israelis

According to investigations carried out by Lebanese security services, most of the detainees had applied online for employment opportunities, before being contacted from phone numbers belonging to Israeli citizens. Some of the accused were asked to buy local SIM cards and send them to addresses abroad.
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Arrow Down

De-industrialization in progress? Energy crisis forces EU aluminum plant to shut down


RT
Thu, 18 Aug 2022 10:55 UTC
Slovak smelter
© Getty Images / Monty Rakusen
A Slovak smelter will halt production by the start of October due to soaring electricity prices

The Slovalco aluminum smelter in Slovakia announced on Wednesday it will shut down primary production by the end of September.

"The decision to terminate primary aluminum production at Slovalco comes in response to adverse framework conditions and high electricity prices, which show no signs of improvement in the short term," the plant's majority owner, Norsk Hydro, said in a statement.

It explained that the Slovalco casthouse in central Slovakia is continuing its recycling operation, serving customers in the region with 75,000 tons of recycled aluminum annually.

The plant's CEO told media that the Slovalco plant was a key supplier for Slovak and other European companies. After stopping production, Europe will be forced to import aluminum from countries including Russia and China, he added.

Slovalco's shutdown follows a similar decision this week to cease production at a zinc smelter in the Netherlands.

Comment: Within one week, one producer of aluminium in Slovakia and a producer of zinc in the Netherlands have closed down. This surely would not be a surprise to those who run the EU as it was obvious that cutting off cheap energy from Russia would have massive consequences.
Do they really want the EU to de-industrialise or is that a secondary issue to another more important agenda?

Some more information on the aluminium producer reveals that part of the reason for the closure is that the plant has not implemented certain of the EU's CO2 standards.
From Foundry planet:
"Slovakia has not implemented competitive EU CO2 compensation framework. This has prevented Slovalco from entering long term power contracts and the plant's current contract expires at the end of 2022. Due to the current Slovak framework conditions and the European power prices, Slovalco would incur substantial financial losses if it continued its operation beyond 2022," says Sæter.

The decision to close primary production will affect 300 of Slovalco's full time employees, in addition to a reduced need for services from contractors and suppliers in the region. A process has started to assist affected employees.

Slovalco is a fully consolidated aluminium smelter in Hydro, owned 55.3 percent by Hydro and 44.7 percent by Penta Investments Group. Slovalco has an annual production capacity of 175,000 tonnes of primary aluminium and a casthouse capacity of approximately 250,000 tonnes.
And thus the production moves to China and elsewhere, where energy is cheaper and less in the grips of Orwellian climate dictates.

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