This won’t come as a shock to anyone

12 Sep, 2023 20:13

CIA bribed analysts into Covid-19 conclusion – whistleblower

Congress is investigating claims that spies were paid to declare the outbreak was natural

Six CIA analysts on the Covid Discovery Team were “given a significant monetary incentive” to report that the 2019 outbreak of the coronavirus did not originate at a laboratory, two committees of the US House of Representatives said on Tuesday, citing a whistleblower from within the spy agency.

The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) have received“new and concerning whistleblower testimony”regarding the CIA’s investigation into the origins of the pandemic, from aperson described as “a multi-decade, senior-level, current Agency officer.”

According to the whistleblower, six of the seven members of the team believed “the intelligence and science were sufficient to make a low confidence assessment” that the virus originated at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Only one believed the virus came from an animal, but he was the most senior, according to a letter the two committees sent to CIA Director William Burns.

The six analysts were offered money to change their positionso that the agency could arrive at “the eventual public determination of uncertainty,” the whistleblower told the committee.

HPSCI chair Mike Turner and Coronavirus Subcommittee chair Brad Wenstrup, both Ohio Republicans, requested documents from Burns pertaining to the work of the team. They also asked the former CIA chief operating officer, Andrew Makridis, for a “voluntary interview” on September 26.

The US intelligence community said in June that its multiple agencies could not reach a consensus about where the pandemic originated, with four “elements” believing it was “most likely caused by natural exposure to an animal infected with it or a close progenitor virus,” while only one thought it was “a laboratory-associated incident.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said it judged the virus “was not developed as a biological weapon,” however.

The novel coronavirus, later dubbed SARS-CoV-2, was first detected in Wuhan, China in late 2019. Its exact origin and how it came to affect humans remain unknown. The World Health Organization dubbed the disease caused by the virus Covid-19 and declared it a pandemic in March 2020. According to the WHO, there have been more than 770 million cases of Covid-19 and over 6.9 million deaths from the virus since then.

Both the Chinese government and the US health authorities, which were involved in funding the research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, categorically denied the possibility of a lab leak. Any mention of it was banned on most social media platforms as ‘misinformation’ until May 2021, when that policy was suddenly reversed.

https://www.rt.com/news/582859-cia-whistleblower-covid-origins/

12 Sep, 2023 20:13

US decline, Kiev’s warmongering, Russian economic successes: Key takeaways from Putin’s panel in Vladivostok

The president participated in the Eastern Economic Forum on Tuesday

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the US and its allies may be inadvertently diminishing their influence by ignoring new global power dynamics. As an example, Putin cited Ukraine as a nation that has opted to align with the West, noting that its people have borne significant consequences as a result.

The Russian leader made the comments on Tuesday at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, where he attended a panel discussion alongside Pany Yathotou, the vice president of Laos.

The West is shooting itself in the foot

In a critique of the US and its allies, Putin claimed that they are unintentionally damaging their own interests by misusing international financial mechanisms for geopolitical purposes. “What, for example, are the restrictions on transactions in dollars leading to? All nations are mulling creating their own tools, new payment systems,” he explained.

Putin further argued that Western nations have eroded confidence in the global finance system by freezing Russia’s national reserves as a punitive measure in response to the Ukraine conflict. “God knows, they have themselves to blame for the negative consequences they are already facing,” Putin said.

Too late for the West to contain China

The Russian president claimed that the Western world is actively working to undermine and contain China, but believes such a policy will ultimately prove futile. In his words, “The lengths they go to stall China’s development are shocking,but they cannot achieve it. This train is already gone.”

Moscow and Beijing share strong cooperative ties across numerous fronts. However, they are not pursuing a military alliance nor positioning themselves as “friends against somebody.” When asked about the details of his private discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Russia in March, Putin joked that, as a former KGB officer,he doesn't “disclose secrets.”

Trump persecution exposes ‘rot’ in US

The health of the US political system appears to be in decline, as indicated by the numerous criminal charges facing former President Donald Trump, according to the Russian leader. “The things happening to Trump are persecution of a political competitor,” he stated.

Putin also said he believes US elites are committed to keeping Russia a foe, not a friend. As such Moscow is indifferent to whether a Democrat or a Republican emerges victorious following the 2024 election. Given the existing hostility, however, the controversy surrounding Trump proves advantageous to Russia, he said. It unveils the “rot” within the US political system and demonstrates to the world “who is opposing us.”

Ukrainian leadership counts on war

Putin suggested that Kiev lacks incentives to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict, despite experiencing considerable hardships during its counteroffensive. He estimated that Ukraine's human losses since the commencement of the operation have exceeded 71,000. “Sometimes it appears that [the Ukrainian leadership] does not consider the people they throw into their counteroffensive as their own,” the leader commented, adding that Kiev's strategy is apparently to“chew off” as much territory as possible before considering a ceasefire..

However, were Moscow to agree to such conditions, its adversaries would likely exploit a pause to rebuild their military capabilities for a future confrontation, Putin predicted. The president believes that Ukraine's goal is to establish a long-term dependence on foreign sponsors for national security and economic assistance.

Elon Musk an ‘outstanding person’

Putin made complimentary remarks about SpaceX founder Elon Musk while discussing the prospects of private investments in the Russian space industry. The Russian president described the US billionaire as “undoubtedly an outstanding person” whose accomplishments have gained international recognition. He also noted that SpaceX’s success has partly been facilitated by government support and expressed Moscow's intentions to forge similar partnerships with the private sector.

https://www.rt.com/russia/582834-putin-eastern-forum-panel/

12 Sep, 2023 20:13

US decline, Kiev’s warmongering, Russian economic successes: Key takeaways from Putin’s panel in Vladivostok

The president participated in the Eastern Economic Forum on Tuesday

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the US and its allies may be inadvertently diminishing their influence by ignoring new global power dynamics. As an example, Putin cited Ukraine as a nation that has opted to align with the West, noting that its people have borne significant consequences as a result.

The Russian leader made the comments on Tuesday at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, where he attended a panel discussion alongside Pany Yathotou, the vice president of Laos.

The West is shooting itself in the foot

In a critique of the US and its allies, Putin claimed that they are unintentionally damaging their own interests by misusing international financial mechanisms for geopolitical purposes. “What, for example, are the restrictions on transactions in dollars leading to? All nations are mulling creating their own tools, new payment systems,” he explained.

Putin further argued that Western nations have eroded confidence in the global finance system by freezing Russia’s national reserves as a punitive measure in response to the Ukraine conflict. “God knows, they have themselves to blame for the negative consequences they are already facing,” Putin said.

Too late for the West to contain China

The Russian president claimed that the Western world is actively working to undermine and contain China, but believes such a policy will ultimately prove futile. In his words, “The lengths they go to stall China’s development are shocking,but they cannot achieve it. This train is already gone.”

Moscow and Beijing share strong cooperative ties across numerous fronts. However, they are not pursuing a military alliance nor positioning themselves as “friends against somebody.” When asked about the details of his private discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Russia in March, Putin joked that, as a former KGB officer,he doesn't “disclose secrets.”

Trump persecution exposes ‘rot’ in US

The health of the US political system appears to be in decline, as indicated by the numerous criminal charges facing former President Donald Trump, according to the Russian leader. “The things happening to Trump are persecution of a political competitor,” he stated.

Putin also said he believes US elites are committed to keeping Russia a foe, not a friend. As such Moscow is indifferent to whether a Democrat or a Republican emerges victorious following the 2024 election. Given the existing hostility, however, the controversy surrounding Trump proves advantageous to Russia, he said. It unveils the “rot” within the US political system and demonstrates to the world “who is opposing us.”

Ukrainian leadership counts on war

Putin suggested that Kiev lacks incentives to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict, despite experiencing considerable hardships during its counteroffensive. He estimated that Ukraine's human losses since the commencement of the operation have exceeded 71,000. “Sometimes it appears that [the Ukrainian leadership] does not consider the people they throw into their counteroffensive as their own,” the leader commented, adding that Kiev's strategy is apparently to“chew off” as much territory as possible before considering a ceasefire..

However, were Moscow to agree to such conditions, its adversaries would likely exploit a pause to rebuild their military capabilities for a future confrontation, Putin predicted. The president believes that Ukraine's goal is to establish a long-term dependence on foreign sponsors for national security and economic assistance.

Elon Musk an ‘outstanding person’

Putin made complimentary remarks about SpaceX founder Elon Musk while discussing the prospects of private investments in the Russian space industry. The Russian president described the US billionaire as “undoubtedly an outstanding person” whose accomplishments have gained international recognition. He also noted that SpaceX’s success has partly been facilitated by government support and expressed Moscow's intentions to forge similar partnerships with the private sector.

https://www.rt.com/russia/582834-putin-eastern-forum-panel/

12 Sep, 2023 20:13

US decline, Kiev’s warmongering, Russian economic successes: Key takeaways from Putin’s panel in Vladivostok

The president participated in the Eastern Economic Forum on Tuesday

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the US and its allies may be inadvertently diminishing their influence by ignoring new global power dynamics. As an example, Putin cited Ukraine as a nation that has opted to align with the West, noting that its people have borne significant consequences as a result.

The Russian leader made the comments on Tuesday at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, where he attended a panel discussion alongside Pany Yathotou, the vice president of Laos.

The West is shooting itself in the foot

In a critique of the US and its allies, Putin claimed that they are unintentionally damaging their own interests by misusing international financial mechanisms for geopolitical purposes. “What, for example, are the restrictions on transactions in dollars leading to? All nations are mulling creating their own tools, new payment systems,” he explained.

Putin further argued that Western nations have eroded confidence in the global finance system by freezing Russia’s national reserves as a punitive measure in response to the Ukraine conflict. “God knows, they have themselves to blame for the negative consequences they are already facing,” Putin said.

Too late for the West to contain China

The Russian president claimed that the Western world is actively working to undermine and contain China, but believes such a policy will ultimately prove futile. In his words, “The lengths they go to stall China’s development are shocking,but they cannot achieve it. This train is already gone.”

Moscow and Beijing share strong cooperative ties across numerous fronts. However, they are not pursuing a military alliance nor positioning themselves as “friends against somebody.” When asked about the details of his private discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Russia in March, Putin joked that, as a former KGB officer,he doesn't “disclose secrets.”

Trump persecution exposes ‘rot’ in US

The health of the US political system appears to be in decline, as indicated by the numerous criminal charges facing former President Donald Trump, according to the Russian leader. “The things happening to Trump are persecution of a political competitor,” he stated.

Putin also said he believes US elites are committed to keeping Russia a foe, not a friend. As such Moscow is indifferent to whether a Democrat or a Republican emerges victorious following the 2024 election. Given the existing hostility, however, the controversy surrounding Trump proves advantageous to Russia, he said. It unveils the “rot” within the US political system and demonstrates to the world “who is opposing us.”

Ukrainian leadership counts on war

Putin suggested that Kiev lacks incentives to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict, despite experiencing considerable hardships during its counteroffensive. He estimated that Ukraine's human losses since the commencement of the operation have exceeded 71,000. “Sometimes it appears that [the Ukrainian leadership] does not consider the people they throw into their counteroffensive as their own,” the leader commented, adding that Kiev's strategy is apparently to“chew off” as much territory as possible before considering a ceasefire..

However, were Moscow to agree to such conditions, its adversaries would likely exploit a pause to rebuild their military capabilities for a future confrontation, Putin predicted. The president believes that Ukraine's goal is to establish a long-term dependence on foreign sponsors for national security and economic assistance.

Elon Musk an ‘outstanding person’

Putin made complimentary remarks about SpaceX founder Elon Musk while discussing the prospects of private investments in the Russian space industry. The Russian president described the US billionaire as “undoubtedly an outstanding person” whose accomplishments have gained international recognition. He also noted that SpaceX’s success has partly been facilitated by government support and expressed Moscow's intentions to forge similar partnerships with the private sector.

https://www.rt.com/russia/582834-putin-eastern-forum-panel/