https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/china-russian-cooperation-worth-160bln-to-fortify-bilateral

China-Russian cooperation worth $160bln, to fortify bilateral ties: FM

Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's First Asian Department, Georgy Zinovyev, disclosed in an interview with Sputnik that Russia and China are cooperating on investment projects worth approximately $160 billion, adding: "the portfolio of the specialized intergovernmental commission on investment cooperation includes 79 projects."

"Unlike the United States, where an atmosphere of hostility and suspicion is created around investments from China, Russia welcomes investments from China and tries to create a favorable regime for them. Friendly political relations between our countries provide stable conditions for promoting and expanding such cooperation," he said.

It is worth noting that, as part of coordination between the two nations at all levels, China and Russia held their first joint exercises in the western Pacific Ocean between 17 and 23 October of last year after the two nations fortified their cordial ties a month prior.

A growing friendship between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin has helped put the two countries closer together. The ambitions to end what China and Russia regard as America's economic and geopolitical hegemony further strengthened the diplomatic ties.

In 2021, Russia-China trade grew 35.8 percent to a record $146.887 billion and according to China's General Administration of Customs trade between the two global powers in just the first eight months of 2022 increased by 31.4% to $117.205 billion. Even the share of national currencies in Russian-Chinese trade has increased significantly in recent years, per Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov, who added that under the new conditions, the goal of increasing Russian-Chinese trade to $200 billion by 2024 is an achievable one.

Customs data showed that China's imports of oil from Russia rose 55% in May, despite Western sanctions on fuel imports from Moscow over the war in Ukraine. The world's second-biggest economy imported around 8.42 million tonnes of oil from Russia last month, surpassing its shipments from Saudi Arabia. Russia has long been a major provider of oil, gas, and coal, as well as food and other raw resources, to China's economy, which is now the world's second-largest and on track to become the largest.

Besides fuel, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs, Li Hui, recommended in June that China and Russia expand on their existing cooperation areas and tackle the field of advanced technologies. "Russia and China should not only enhance the main areas of cooperation – economy, trade, energy, science and technology, aerospace, agriculture – but also expand into new spheres, such as 5G, AI, Big Data, biomedicine, green and low-carbon economy," he said, addressing the 7th International Conference Russia and China: Cooperation in a New Era.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/pentagon:-us-support-for-ukraine-aided-in-its-fight-against

Pentagon: US support for Ukraine aided in its fight against Russia

The US Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force, Clinton Hinote, admitted that his country's endless support helped Ukraine against what he referred to as "Russian aerial supremacy" in Ukraine.

Hinote suggested that the US military should convincingly prove, especially to Russia and China, its capability of standing in their way to success - something he believes the presence of US arms in Ukraine has already attested to.

"So, if we could prove that we can mutually deny air, maritime, and information, the logical conclusion is that our potential adversary never gets to the point where they’re ready to go," the US Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force said.

In June, Ukraine confirmed the arrival of HIMARS weaponry to elevate its military arsenal in confronting Russia in the war, after US officials announced new military aid packages to Ukraine, the latest of which amount to $2.98 billion.

On August 19, the US Department of Defense announced an additional package amounting to approximately $775 million, followed recently by a statement from Washington disclosing that it would send to Ukrainian forces a new arms shipment of $550 million that include missile ammunition, alongside the $400 million that the Pentagon has already provided consisting of 4 HIMARS, and one on July 2 for $820 million - most of which is ending up in the black market.

Regarding the Western armament of Kiev, the head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation to the Vienna Negotiations on Military Security and Arms Control, Konstantin Gavrilov, disclosed earlier that the excessive supply of arms to Ukraine will push Russia to take tough measures to counteract the range of missiles used by Kiev.

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>>17510500

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-army-chief:-military-needs-to-replenish-upgrade-stocks-of

US army chief: Military needs to replenish, upgrade stocks of weapons

A US Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville said on Wednesday that the US needs to replenish and upgrade its stocks of military equipment.

"We need to replenish our stocks and we need to replenish our weapons systems," McConville said during an interview at the Defense News Conference. "When we do replace them, we want to replace them with new equipment."

US military acquisition executives are working closely with the defense industrial base to project the sorts of items the Pentagon may need, McConville added.

US media reported late last month that the Pentagon is concerned that US weapons shipments to Ukraine are depleting the nation’s own stockpiles, particularly ammunition supplies.

Last week, it was reported that the US Army has grounded its entire fleet of Chinook helicopters due to engine fire concerns. The grounding coincides with the suspension of a number of military drills due to the depleted US weaponry arsenal.

The war in Ukraine has reduced US military inventories of certain types of ammunition, as the US continues to supply Kiev with billions of dollars worth of weaponry, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). On its part, the US Department of Defense has been hesitant to replenish its arsenal, raising fears among US officials that the shortfall might undermine military readiness.

A senior US military official later denied the reports and claimed the US is able to maintain readiness while providing Ukraine with arms.

Earlier today, US Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force, Clinton Hinote, said that the US's endless support helped Ukraine against what he referred to as "Russian aerial supremacy" in Ukraine.

The US government is currently preparing a new package of weapons supplies for Ukraine worth $1 billion which will include munitions for long-range weapons and armored medical transport vehicles, according to Reuters.

Regarding the Western armament of Kiev, the head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation to the Vienna Negotiations on Military Security and Arms Control, Konstantin Gavrilov, disclosed earlier that the excessive supply of arms to Ukraine will push Russia to take tough measures to counteract the range of missiles used by Kiev.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/nebenzia-slams-us-report-of-arms-sale-from-dprk-as-fake

Nebenzia slams US report of arms sale from DPRK as fake

Russia's UN Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, disputed accusations made by US officials, which first appeared in the New York Times, that Russia was trying to acquire weapons from North Korea.

"I haven't heard it and I think that's another fake being circulated around," he told reporters.

The White House had claimed on Tuesday that Russia may be poised to buy "literally millions" of artillery shells and missiles from North Korea, adding to Moscow's "desperation" amid supply difficulties for the war in Ukraine.

US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel claimed in a news briefing on Tuesday that Russia "is in the process of purchasing millions of rockets and artillery shells from North Korea for use in Ukraine."

However, a short time later, White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby stated that "there are no indications that that purchase has been completed and certainly no indications that those weapons are being used inside of Ukraine."

Calling it a "potential purchase," Kirby told a briefing, "Our sense is it could include literally millions of rounds, rockets and artillery shells from North Korea. That's what our information gives us - it could be on that scale."

"We don't have any indication that the purchase has actually occurred yet so it's difficult to say what it's actually going to end up looking like," Kirby added.

He said it was "just another indication of how desperate Putin's becoming … It's an indication of how much his defense industrial establishment is suffering as a result of this war and the degree of desperation."

US officials said additional Russian purchases of North Korean military equipment were expected.

The North Korean delegation to the United Nations did not reply immediately to a request for comment.

North Korean experts claim Pyongyang is eager to collect funds through weapons sales to counter international sanctions over its nuclear and missile programs, which Russia has previously backed.

According to Vedant, the Russian acquisitions would violate United Nations sanctions that ban UN member nations from purchasing armaments from North Korea.

"Particularly concerning here is that a permanent member of the Security Council is flouting these measures," he said, referring to Russia.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/ukraine-sending-grain-to-eu-not-developing-nations:-putin

Ukraine sending grain to EU, not developing nations: Putin

Most of the grain leaving Ukraine's ports after the grain shipments deadlock that exacerbated the international food crisis is heading to the European Union instead of developing countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday as the world's poorest nations bear the brunt of the food crisis most.

"Almost all the grain exported from Ukraine is sent not to the poorest developing countries, but to EU countries," he told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. "With this approach, the scale of food problems in the world will only grow."

On July 22, Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey signed the grain deal to provide a humanitarian maritime corridor for ships to carry food and fertilizers from the Black Sea ports. Three key Ukrainian ports — Odessa, Chornomorsk, and Yuzhne — were unblocked to resume exports.

Since the agreement has been put into effect, Ukraine has shipped one million tonnes of foodstuff from its three Black Sea ports under the UN-backed grain deal, according to Ukrainian media outlets.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said after a drone attack struck Russia's Black Sea Fleet's headquarters that Russian fertilizers and agricultural products must be able to reach world markets "unimpeded" or a global food crisis could strike as early as next year.

Several countries are at risk of dwindling grain supplies, such as Somalia, Yemen, Niger, and Lebanon, to name a few.

Isolating Russia 'impossible'

Putin went on to address the West by telling them that their sanctions aimed at pushing Russia to the side and isolating the country were futile, stressing that it was "impossible" for anyone to isolate Russia.

"No matter how much someone would like to isolate Russia, it is impossible to do this," he said. The "sanctions fever in the West [is] threatening the whole world."

His assertions are proving to be true as Europe and the US suffer from energy shortages while the latter is also suffering from shortages of certain foods, though in a manageable manner compared to the aforementioned developing countries.

Russia will not supply anything abroad if it contradicts interests

However, Russia will not supply anything overseas if it is against its own interests, Putin said in response to the West's request to cap pricing for Russian energy supplies.

"There are contractual obligations, supply contracts, and if any decisions of a political nature are made that contradict the contracts, we simply will not fulfill them. In general, we will not supply anything if it contradicts our interests and, in this case, economic ones. We will not supply gas, nor oil, nor coal, nor heating oil," Putin said at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).

Tectonic changes taking place around world

Tectonic changes took place in the system of international relations, and the Asia-Pacific region has gained increased prominence in terms of its role in the international arena, Putin stressed as the balance of power shifts away from the United States and its alliance.

"Recently, irreversible tectonic changes have taken place in the entire system of international relations. The role of dynamic, promising states and regions of the world has significantly increased," Putin stressed.

"Above all, of course, the Asia-Pacific region. Its countries have become new centers of economic and technological growth, points of attraction for personnel, capital, production," the Russian leader added.

Asian economies are growing faster than Western ones, and this trend will persist in the future, he added.

Part 1

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West's short-sighted actions fuel global inflation, trend to continue

According to Putin, it is the Western countries' short-sighted policies that are promoting global inflation, with inflation in the US now topping 8%.

"Global inflation has also been fueled by the short-sighted actions of the West. It has already beaten long-term records in developed countries. In the United States it was at 8.5% at the end of July," he added.

At the same time, analysts predict that inflation in Russia will reach goal levels by the second quarter of next year, according to the Russian President.

Peak of most difficult situation for Russian economy left behind

The worst of the Russian economy's difficulties have passed, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and both the government and the presidential administration believe so.

"We believe both in the government and the presidential administration, our experts believe that we have passed the peak of the most difficult situation, the situation is normalizing. This is also evidenced by macroeconomic indicators," Putin said at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).

The Russian economy will contract by 2% or slightly more this year, according to Putin.

"They predicted that there would be a very large recession in the economy, GDP. This will not happen — there will be a recession, but it will be insignificant — somewhere around 2—2.5%," Putin said.

He stated that through implementing effective measures, the administration was able to avoid a bad development situation.

European market lost its premium status

The European market has traditionally been regarded as a premium market, but it has ceased to be one since the Ukraine conflict, and even the United States has shifted supplies in a different direction, according to the president.

"Of course, the European market has always been considered a premium one, but the situation in the world is changing very quickly, and quite recently, at the beginning of the crisis around Ukraine, it ceased to be premium, even the American partners of the Europeans redirected their tankers with liquefied natural gas to Asian countries, because it was more profitable to sell there," Putin said at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).

He added that the Americans were generally very pragmatic people.

There are other states than Europe

In this context, he stated that if Europe does not require Russia's advantages in terms of cheap gas, other nations are willing to collaborate.

"Receiving natural gas from Russia, the economies of the leading European countries had obvious competitive advantages of a global nature for decades. If they think that they do not need such advantages, well, it does not bother us in any way because the need for energy resources in the world is very large," Putin said at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).

International law always breached, but not by Russia

International law is constantly violated — the war in Iraq, activities in Yugoslavia, and the bombing of Belgrade was not accompanied by UN sanctions — and today Moscow is blamed, according to Putin, who denies that Russia violates any international law principles.

"International law is always violated. Now many people say that Russia is violating international law. I think that this is absolutely untrue. Who started the war in Iraq without any UN sanctions? Who destroyed Yugoslavia under plausible pretexts, and who did it? Who unleashed a war in the center of Europe by bombing Belgrade? No one remembered the principles of international law then," Putin said during a plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).

Part 2 - End

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https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/burundi-president-sacks-pm-after-warning-of-coup-plot

Burundi president sacks PM after warning of coup plot

Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye dismissed on Wednesday the country's prime minister Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni and a top aide after receiving warning of a "coup" plot against him.

The former army general replaced the PM, whose fate was not immediately known, and civilian chief of staff General Gabriel Nizigama on the high-drama day in the troubled central African country.

Legislators, who had been called via urgent messages sent overnight on WhatsApp to attend the National Assembly session on Wednesday, approved appointing security minister Gervais Ndirakobuca to replace Bunyoni in a unanimous 113-0 vote, the national broadcaster RTNB said.

The President gave no reasons for Bunyoni's dismissal, but warned last Friday at a meeting of government officials of a coup plot, asking, "Do you think an army general can be threatened by saying they will make a coup? Who is that person? Whoever it is should come and, in the name of God, I will defeat him."

Colonel Aloys Sindayihebura has been appointed as the new chief of staff; he was in charge of domestic intelligence within the National Intelligence Service.

2015 crackdown

Analysts say a group of military leaders known as "the generals" hold the true political power in Burundi, and Ndayishimiye himself alluded to his isolation in a speech last year.

Ndayishimiye, 54, came to power in June 2020 after Pierre Nkurunziza, his predecessor, died of what the Burundian authorities said was heart failure.

Nkurunziza launched a brutal crackdown on political opponents in 2015, leaving 1,200 people dead and making Burundi a global pariah.

The turmoil erupted after he had launched a bid for a third term in office, which the opposition considered unconstitutional and violating a peace agreement that ended Burundi's 2006 bloody civil war.

Sanctions were imposed by the United States and the European Union over the unrest that also drove 400,000 people to leave the country, with reports of torture, killings, arbitrary arrests, and enforced disappearances.

Among those the US sanctioned in 2015 for "silencing those opposed" to Nkurunziza's third term bid was Ndirakobuca.

Burundi has been greatly affected by an economic crisis since the unrest, with shortages of basic goods such as fuel, building materials, medicines, and certain foodstuffs, in addition to a lack of foreign exchange.

In February, Belgium and the US resumed aid flows after easing the 2015 sanctions, citing political progress under Ndayishimiye.

'Civil society groups' returned, the BBC was allowed to broadcast again and the European Union, Burundi's largest foreign donor, applauded efforts to fight corruption.

Nonetheless, concerns over rights abuses remain. In May, Human Rights Watch described politically motivated crimes and kidnappings by police and youth groups backed by the state, while a UN inquiry characterized the situation as "disastrous" last year.

Since the country's independence in 1962, its history has been rocked by a string of presidential assassinations, ethnic massacres, and coups. It was gripped by the brutal civil war between 1993 and 2006 between the majority. Hutus and minority Tutsis left some 300,000 people dead, the majority of which were civilians.

>> How many vote?

113-0

>>17510593

11.3 coms all over the place for 2 days now.

>>17510593

>>17510607

In Tiffany Blue