Geopolitics
[ ABC News ] Why World Bank is under fire over set of rankings
World Bank has long been accused of using sloppy methodology and of succumbing to political pressure in producing the rankings. This week, the bank dropped the report after investigators had reviewed internal complaints about “data irregularities’’ in the 2018 and 2020 editions of “Doing Business” and possible “ethical matters” involving World Bank staff members. In…
Read MoreSyrian gas pipeline sabotage, causing complete power outage across Syria
Last night, Syria suffered a complete power outage for unknown reasons (other reports mention that this only affected Damascus and the surrounding regions). It was later announced by Syria’s Minister of Electricity Ghasan Al Zamel that a pipeline was targeted an explosive device at Deir Ali Power Plant, that caused the blackout. “There was a…
Read More[ NYT ] Furious Over Sub Deal, France Recalls Ambassadors to U.S. and Australia
Calling American and Australian behavior “unacceptable between allies and partners,” France announced on Friday that it was recalling its ambassadors to both countries in protest over President Biden’s decision to provide nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. It was the first time in the history of the long alliance between France and the United States, dating back…
Read More[ Sky News ] China says AUKUS submarine deal ‘highly irresponsible’ and ‘intensifies the arms race’
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian condemned the move and said: “The US, the UK and Australia’s cooperation in nuclear submarines severely damages regional peace and stability, intensifies the arms race, and jeopardises the international efforts in promoting the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. “The US and UK’s action of exporting highly sensitive nuclear…
Read MoreAUKUS trilateral security partnership is now a thing
Australia, United Kingdom and the United States announces on 15 September 2021 at the White House, that the 3 countries will now form a new trilateral security partnership called AUKUS. The partnership will allow scientists, industries and defense forces from the 3 countries to work together. The cooperation will include cyber technologies, artificial intelligence, quantum…
Read More[ The Sydney Morning Herald ] Australia, the US and UK to announce landmark new defence pact
Australia, the United States and Britain will unveil a landmark new security pact to share advanced technologies, including nuclear submarine technology, in a major international announcement on Thursday morning. As part of the pact, to be known as AUKUS, the US would help Australia develop a nuclear submarine capability, which could result in Australia dumping…
Read More[ Business Insider ] First US Navy carrier strike group to deploy with F-35C stealth fighters sails into the South China Sea
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group sailed into the South China Sea this week carrying stealth fighters. The Carl Vinson is the first US Navy aircraft carrier to deploy with F-35Cs. Chinese state-affiliated media criticized the carrier’s arrival, calling it a “provocative deployment.” A deployed US Navy aircraft carrier sailed into the South China Sea…
Read MoreIndia militarises highways as emergency landing strips; 20 under construction
Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently constructing/repurposing 20 stretches of national highway as emergency landing strips, with the first just completed in January this year. This is announced at Barmer by India’s Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari where they inaugurate the first of its kind at Satta-Gandhav stretch of the National Highway 925 on…
Read More[ RT ] The last pipe of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 has been welded, operator announces
The final pipe of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project has been welded and will be lowered into the seabed of the Baltic Sea, the operator of the Russian project, Nord Stream 2 AG, said on Monday. According to the company, it will now dock the German section with the Danish one and will proceed…
Read MoreMyanmar Reports: July 21 – Sept 9 2021
Gunfires and explosion reported at Sanchaung, Yangon; military vehicles rushed to the scene Fighting reported between Tatmadaw’s 138 infantry division against KIA in Putao district, Kachin State – 30 Aug 2021 Tatmadaw’s 363 brigade attack KIA’s 8 brigade positions at Kyaukkyi – 3 Sep 2021 Fighting reported between KIA and Tatmadaw at Homalin Township, Sagaing…
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