Новости за 17.04.2024

Missouri AG Andrew Bailey is sponsoring an asinine ‘crusade’ (allegedly against consumer fraud), while claiming to ‘champion’ the free speech rights of selective billionaires (Elon Musk) and associated white supremacists and Nazi sympathizers.  Bailey is suing progressive journalistic watchdog group Media Matters as he seeks to defend social media outlet Twitter–now renamed as–X.  Bailey objects to the group pursuing what he calls …”an activist agenda,” against X. The lawsuit accuses Media Matters of ‘activism’... Читать дальше...

“What India Out,” exclaims an angry Mir Mostaque Ahmed Robi, a former Bangladesh lawmaker. “In last 2 days, I have purchased leather goods worth 20000 Indian rupees, essential medicines worth quite as much for me and my ailing wife, and panjabi(kurta) worth 15000 rupees.” 

Only this month, the near comatose US President, Joe Biden, made a casual, castaway remark that his administration was “considering” the request by Australia that the case against Julian Assange be concluded.  The WikiLeaks founder has already spent five gruelling years in London’s Belmarsh prison, where he continues a remarkable, if draining campaign against the US extradition request on 18 charges, 17 incongruously and outrageously based on the US Espionage Act of 1917. 

“Prophetically, we are on the verge of the Gog-Magog war that (Prophet) Ezekiel described in chapters 38 and 39,” Pastor Hagee said after 320 Iranian missiles and drones were fired at Israel.

The recent attack by the Islamic Republic of Iran on targets within Israel has further intensified the instability and tensions in the Middle East. The extensive drone and missile strike by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), though initiated and concluded, cannot be considered resolved, as the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations suggested. 

Does the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) signify China’s political growth or is it reflective of the developing world’s inclination towards economic connectivity? In either of the case, it is the new trend of regional connectivity that is gaining momentum. China’s outreach to world regions’ refers to a trans-regional growth. It foretells that China through trade links is cultivating new economic partnerships. China’s openness to outside world is a progressive shift in the East Asian country’s foreign policy outlook. Читать дальше...

The Asia Pacific region, a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse cultures, ethnicities, and economic powerhouses, presents a unique set of challenges in the ever-shifting landscape of terrorism. From the bustling megacities of Tokyo and Singapore to the remote archipelagos of Indonesia and the vast expanse of mainland China, the region has witnessed a complex history of political and social unrest, intertwined with the long shadow of colonial legacies. This intricate backdrop shapes the way terrorism manifests and evolves in the Asia Pacific... Читать дальше...

As part of its efforts to secure and increase the production of clean energy, Fortum has decided to extensively modernise the Malta hydropower plant in Uvån, in the municipality of Hagfors, Sweden. The investment is approximately EUR 20 million (SEK 250 million). 

The criminal case known as the People of the State of New York vs. Donald J. Trump went to trial Monday.

By Kian Sharifi

(RFE/RL) — Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel has put the Middle East in uncharted territory.

Tehran fired scores of drones and missiles at Israel on April 13, its first-ever direct attack on its archfoe.

In the wake of the assault, Israel has been weighing up its options, which analysts say could range from a diplomatic offensive to isolate Iran to directing military strikes on the Islamic republic.

With the risk of escalation higher than ever... Читать дальше...

By Jenny Balboa

The conflict between the Marcos and Duterte families in the Philippines has taken on a dark twist. At a rally in Davao City on 28 January 2024, former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte called President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr a drug addict. Duterte’s son, Davao City Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte, while asking for Bongbong to resign called the president lazy and lacking in compassion. 

Bongbong Marcos’ sister, Senator Imee Marcos, who has been trying to forge an alliance with the Duterte family... Читать дальше...

By Muneer Ahmed 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s seventh visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in February this year marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations. The visit saw an extensive review of the strategic partnership, with discussion on new areas of cooperation and the signing of several new agreements, including a bilateral investment treaty.

The relationship has witnessed an upswing over the last decade because of a growing convergence of interests. The... Читать дальше...

By Derek Pew

(FPRI) — Fear and lack of knowledge of cryptocurrency at the highest levels of the US government pose a major threat to national security. 

The emergence of the technological solution provided by the Bitcoin protocol in 2008 (and the myriad of blockchain-based protocols that arose thereafter) and related payment channel networks (PCNs) (global peer-to-peer wealth transfer networks) has opened a Pandora’s Box that forever changes global peer-to-peer wealth storage and transfer. Читать дальше...

The U.S. government borrows an average of $10 billion daily, which means the national debt increases by $1 trillion every 100 days. It is no secret that paying interest on the national debt has become the fastest-growing category of government spending during President Biden’s tenure. That’s the inevitable outcome of combining an oversized national debt with excessive spending and rising interest rates.

By He Jun

For the first quarter of 2024, optimism is increasing in the market regarding the performance of the Chinese economy. Apart from a few international rating agencies like Fitch Ratings being concerned about the worsening debt situation in China, most institutions tend to believe that the first quarter of the Chinese economy may achieve a good start. Positive news includes a 4.2% year-on-year increase in national fixed asset investment for January and February 2024, a 7.0% year-on-year... Читать дальше...

By Jim Fedako

Where’s Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead? Seriously, what list of the greatest rock guitarists of all time would not—could not—include him? Sure, I know the internet article was just some teaser to get me to mindlessly click through an ad-laden list. But still, no Garcia. I object: Who wrote this article?

And that is the question of the day: “Who wrote this article?” Was it really written by the suspicious name on the byline—as if the author is the protagonist in some cheap novel, such as Ima Riter? Читать дальше...

A sense of optimism has pervaded financial markets in recent months, amid investor confidence that the fight against inflation is entering its “last mile” and that central banks will ease monetary policy in the coming months. Stock markets around the world have risen substantially this year. Corporate and sovereign borrowing spreads have narrowed. And major emerging markets’ currencies and capital flows have remained resilient, while several frontier markets have regained access to international funding markets. Читать дальше...

By Max Griera

(EurActiv) — Local authorities ordered the closure and evacuation of a hardline National Conservatism Conference in Brussels on Tuesday (16 April) on public safety grounds – with organisers complaining of “cancel culture” and “the end of free speech in Europe”.

Belgian police entered the venue around mid-day with a warrant to close the conference down, following pressure from activists and politicians, including anti-fascist organisations and the commune mayor. Читать дальше...

In an apparent swipe at his predecessor, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. praised police on Tuesday for making the country’s largest ever seizure of crystal methamphetamine without anybody being killed, saying it was the right approach to the drug war.

The higher than expected March CPI released last Wednesday freaked everyone out and got the markets convinced we will see fewer, if any, interest rate cuts this year. I have never been a Fed tea leaf reader, and am not about to change professions now, but it will be bad news if the Fed puts off rate cuts that can revitalize the housing market.

By William Gallo

For decades, U.S. policy in Asia has relied on what was informally known as the “hub and spokes” system of bilateral alliances. But lately, U.S. officials have used another analogy to describe their vision for the region: a lattice fence.

It may sound like only a metaphorical tweak, but officials in the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden say it could have big implications, as they try to create a durable plan to respond to China's growing power.

Under the old framework... Читать дальше...

By Ali Shihabi

As Iran and Israel enter an era of direct confrontation, a lot of attention is now being paid to the position of Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf Cooperation Council states, particularly to where they stand on this crisis and how they will behave if it escalates, as it may.

The Iranian regime, with its ongoing support of proxies hostile to the Kingdom, has failed to build trust about its good intentions in the GCC. Because of this, it cannot expect the GCC states... Читать дальше...

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Many know Ferrero Rocher for its popular hazelnut chocolates, but the company’s tie to Our Lady of Lourdes is lesser known.

Michele Ferrero, the company’s founder and a devout Catholic, had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and wanted to honor her through his work. It is reported that he named his company “Rocher” after the rock grotto, the Rocher de Massabielle, which marks the location where the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France. Читать дальше...

Since the end of March, large regions of Russia and Kazakhstan have been devastated by the most severe flooding in decades. In Kazakhstan, flooding is, according to President Tokayev, at its worst in over 80 years. As of April 10, a state of emergency has been declared in ten of Kazakhstan’s seventeen provinces. At least 3,400 residential houses have been flooded, 2680 of them in Kulsary, a small town that is the center of the Zhyloy district on the territory of which the super-giant Tengiz oil and gas field is located, alone. Читать дальше...