Image is from the January 2023 World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. Over 50 heads of state and 600 CEOs attended.
holding flashlight under face
Imagine a terrifying world where we are all ruled by monsters of every stripe. And not hot ones like werewolves, but instead decaying zombies and mummies who are both insensitive to, and actively benefit from the immense suffering they cause on a daily basis. The top echelon of society, filled with profit-seeking, bloodsucking vampires. And the worst of it is that they repeat on a daily basis that what they are doing is not only just, but there is no other possible way to do it.
Pretty spooky, right? What if I told you that this world... was our own?
Happy Halloween!
Friendly reminder: when commenting about a news event, especially something that just happened, please provide a source of some kind. While ideally this would be on nitter or archived, any source is preferable to none at all given.
Sources on the fighting in Palestine against Israel. In general, CW for footage of battles, explosions, dead people, and so on:
UNRWA daily-ish reports on Israel's destruction and siege of Gaza and the West Bank.
English-language Palestinian Marxist-Leninist twitter account. Alt here.
English-language twitter account that collates news (and has automated posting when the person running it goes to sleep).
Arab-language twitter account with videos and images of fighting.
English-language (with some Arab retweets) Twitter account based in Lebanon.
English-language Palestinian Twitter account which reports on news from the Resistance Axis.
English-language PalestineResist telegram channel.
More telegram channels here for those interested.
Various sources that are covering the Ukraine conflict are also covering the one in Palestine, like Rybar.
The Country of the Week is Lebanon! Feel free to chime in with books, essays, longform articles, even stories and anecdotes or rants. More detail here.
Here is the map of the Ukraine conflict, courtesy of Wikipedia.
This week's first update is here.
Links and Stuff
The bulletins site is down.
Examples of Ukrainian Nazis and fascists
Examples of racism/euro-centrism during the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Add to the above list if you can.
Resources For Understanding The War
Defense Politics Asia's youtube channel and their map. Their youtube channel has substantially diminished in quality but the map is still useful.
Moon of Alabama, which tends to have interesting analysis. Avoid the comment section.
Understanding War and the Saker: reactionary sources that have occasional insights on the war.
Alexander Mercouris, who does daily videos on the conflict. While he is a reactionary and surrounds himself with likeminded people, his daily update videos are relatively brainworm-free and good if you don't want to follow Russian telegram channels to get news. He also co-hosts The Duran, which is more explicitly conservative, racist, sexist, transphobic, anti-communist, etc when guests are invited on, but is just about tolerable when it's just the two of them if you want a little more analysis.
On the ground: Patrick Lancaster, an independent and very good journalist reporting in the warzone on the separatists' side.
Unedited videos of Russian/Ukrainian press conferences and speeches.
Telegram Channels
Again, CW for anti-LGBT and racist, sexist, etc speech, as well as combat footage.
Pro-Russian
https://t.me/aleksandr_skif ~ DPR's former Defense Minister and Colonel in the DPR's forces. Russian language.
https://t.me/Slavyangrad ~ A few different pro-Russian people gather frequent content for this channel (~100 posts per day), some socialist, but all socially reactionary. If you can only tolerate using one Russian telegram channel, I would recommend this one.
https://t.me/s/levigodman ~ Does daily update posts.
https://t.me/patricklancasternewstoday ~ Patrick Lancaster's telegram channel.
https://t.me/gonzowarr ~ A big Russian commentator.
https://t.me/rybar ~ One of, if not the, biggest Russian telegram channels focussing on the war out there. Actually quite balanced, maybe even pessimistic about Russia. Produces interesting and useful maps.
https://t.me/epoddubny ~ Russian language.
https://t.me/boris_rozhin ~ Russian language.
https://t.me/mod_russia_en ~ Russian Ministry of Defense. Does daily, if rather bland updates on the number of Ukrainians killed, etc. The figures appear to be approximately accurate; if you want, reduce all numbers by 25% as a 'propaganda tax', if you don't believe them. Does not cover everything, for obvious reasons, and virtually never details Russian losses.
https://t.me/UkraineHumanRightsAbuses ~ Pro-Russian, documents abuses that Ukraine commits.
Pro-Ukraine
Almost every Western media outlet.
https://discord.gg/projectowl ~ Pro-Ukrainian OSINT Discord.
https://t.me/ice_inii ~ Alleged Ukrainian account with a rather cynical take on the entire thing.
Last week's discussion post.
Weekly Update for October 23rd to October 29th:
Summary:
The US and Israel ate shit at the UN but it doesn't matter anyway. The US increasingly regrets not doing the BRI with China, as it amps up deals with countries in Central Asia, etc. Hungary still blocks Sweden entering NATO. The EU declining, the Schengen Zone is becoming nonfunctional, and racism is increasingly. The UK Labour party is fragmenting over Starmer's kowtowing of Israel. China vows closer co-operation with Iran; isolation of Iran now appears impossible. The Karabakh conflict has been "settled". Pakistan continues to expel tens of thousands of Afghan refugees; the deadline for all 1.7 million of them being moved out is 2 days away. Internal economic battles in Russia between neoliberals and nationalists continue. Anti-China sanctions backfiring as China develop their own semiconductor industry, and Xinjiang trade skyrockets. Lots of tensions with the Philippines. IMF debunks the China debt trap myth.
Conflict with M23 rebels in DRC flares up after six month pause. France withdraws from Niger; EU very unhappy about Niger coup while US is willing to work with them; nonetheless sanctions are having very bad impact on Nigerien people. Latin American countries meet to discuss migration problem. Drought in the Amazon as American troops visit. Hurricane Otis slams into Mexico, mass destruction and death. Nicaraguan education thriving despite claims to the contrary. Venezuela agrees to freer elections in deal with US. Argentinian liberals might snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as the Final Boss of Libertarianism has a mental breakdown.
Protests everywhere over Israel-Palestine, fracturing the West from the Global Majority, fracturing pro-Israel factions from pro-Palestine factions in organizations like the EU, and fracturing various electoral parties, particularly left-wing ones. Death toll climbs and humanitarian situation reaches cataclysmic levels; Palestinian resistance competently attacks and repels Israeli raids into Gaza while Hezbollah ramps up attacks on northern front. Meanwhile, Ukraine receives funding and more military equipment and tries and fails to attack Crimea in mass drone strikes; successfully hits radioactive storage in ZNPP with a drone. US working with East Asian vassals on defence technology. China limits graphite exports; western graphite companies' shares soar. China boost strategic reserves of critical minerals.
Anti-Russia states begin to ditch some anti-LGBTQIA laws as they're seen as Russia-inspired. Good news in Japan for trans rights. Mike Johnson becomes Speaker and is a complete dipshit on many issues, as expected. Fossil fuel companies engage more and more with carbon capture as it can help them extract more oil while making themselves look good. Oil and mining companies suing governments en masse.
Part 1
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Global
UN Security Council rejects US draft resolution (on Israel).^MP^
UN General Assembly adopts resolution calling for humanitarian truce in Gaza^CGTN^
How Much of the World Will the US Burn in the Transition to Multipolarity?^NC^
Chinese RMB makes steady progress in internationalization: PBOC^CGTN^
Belt and road: West should work with China to build infrastructure – not against it^SCMP^
BRICS Currency to Facilitate International Settlements: Glazyev^TS^
Hungary ignores Turkey's ratification of Sweden's Nato accession.^BNE^
Migration to rich countries hits all-time high^FT^
How the International Monetary Fund continues to shrink the poorer Nations: The Forty-Third Newsletter (2023).^MR^
World Energy Outlook 2023^CD^
The Future of Mining Is Deeper, Darker, and Riskier^NC^
Europe:
The EU is about to revive a failed climate solution (carbon offset schemes).^CCN^
Europe’s oldest renewables industry (hydropower) wants more attention from Brussels^Euractiv^
EU 'considers price cap extension' to avert winter gas crisis^CGTN^
‘We have a real problem’: European industry fears decline^Euractiv^
Anti-Black racism is rising in EU countries, led by Germany, study finds^Euractiv^
Romanian president says Schengen ‘no longer functions’ due to closed borders throughout Central Europe^Euractiv^
Chinese science officials tour Europe in bid to strengthen ties amid growing US sanctions^SCMP^
Albania’s economy among strongest in region, says IMF^BNE^
Bulgaria to start building two new reactors at Kozloduy NPP, combined capacity of 2300 MW.^BNE^
France prepares major mining inventory in push for critical raw materials^Euractiv^
Germany’s Habeck calls for ‘Zeitenwende’ on industrial subsidies^Euractiv^
Portuguese construction sector points to worst-ever labour situation^Euractiv^
EU pressure fails to break Kosovo-Serbia deadlock^Euractiv^
China-Serbia military cooperation supports Serbia’s defense modernization, empowers defense capabilities: Serbian Defense Minister^GT^
Spain sees record employment rates although unemployment rises^Euractiv^
Spanish clergy sexually abused 200,000 children: report^DW^
Radical right triumphs in Switzerland^Euractiv^
The Oil and Gas Lobbying Campaign to Water Down Windfall Tax^DS^
Low-welfare eggs from caged hens imported to UK in ‘staggering’ numbers^Bilaterals^
Over 250 Muslim councillors demand Keir Starmer calls for ceasefire in Gaza^OD^
UK Labour’s crisis deepens as Starmer’s lame denial that he endorsed Israeli war crimes flops^WSWS^
Rifts widen in Labour over Starmer stance on Israel-Hamas conflict^FT^
The UK’s ‘official’ labour data is becoming a nonsense^FT^
Western Asia:
China vows closer Iran ties on multilateral forums in first meeting since latest Israel-Gaza war^SCMP^
US diplomacy lost traction in Middle East. Isolating Iran no longer possible.^IP^
Russia: Tehran meeting settles Karabakh conflict ‘on the whole’^Euractiv^
That's one way of putting it, I guess.
Turkey delivers a further 500bp rate hike in line with expectations^BNE^
Turkey accused of bombing critical civilian infrastructure in Syria during October drone blitz^BNE^
US fighter jets strike Syria after attacks by Iran-backed militia^Euractiv^
Part 2
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Central Asia:
Central Asia: New trade deals signed on sidelines of BRI forum^EN^
China to push for deeper synergy between BRI, Belarus' development strategy^CGTN^
Kazakhstan: Government does hard sell on nuclear, but public remains wary^BNE^
Kazakhstan to nationalize branch of world’s second-largest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal.^RT^
At least 32 dead in Kazakhstan coal mine fire^EN^
Premier Li kicks off trip to Kyrgyzstan, attend SCO meeting^GT^
China, Pakistan to hold Arabian Sea joint military drills in November^SCMP^
Afghans leave Pakistan in the tens of thousands before deportation deadline^DW^
Pakistan sets up deportation centers for illegal migrants^DW^
I've seen remarkably little coverage of this since I saw the announcement a week or two ago.
Russia’s banking sector on track for record profits^BNE^
Russia’s CBR hikes key rate to 15% amid stubborn inflation and weak ruble^BNE^
Russia passes law withdrawing ratification of nuclear test ban treaty^Euractiv^
Putin: Russia to launch first module of space station by 2027^CGTN^
Eastern Asia and Oceania:
New Reserve Bank of Australia governor warns interest hikes could continue^WSWS^
Bangladesh postpones joining China-led RCEP, other blocs before the general election^Bilaterals^
China's capital market shows signs of improvement amid rising supportive factors^GT^
China discovers its first 110-billion-m³ deep coalbed methane field^CGTN^
Future looks bright as new Chinese-designed solar cell provides renewable energy breakthrough^SCMP^
China launches Shenzhou-17 mission, sending its youngest trio crew to space^CGTN^
Mexico and China In Talks to Curb Fentanyl Trade^CGS^
China and US hold first financial group meeting, will ‘deepen economic relationship’, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says^SCMP^
Huawei, SMIC chip advances cannot be stopped by ‘futile’ US sanctions, says TSMC and semiconductor veteran^SCMP^
China trade: Xinjiang defies Western sanctions as foreign trade hits record high, surges by 47%^SCMP^
China Protests Illegal Fishing Accusations^CGS^
In ‘big test’ for India, China and Bhutan push to solve border dispute and establish official ties^SCMP^
US and Australia set to announce joint infrastructure plan for Pacific Island nations^SCMP^
It'll probably end up like the one proposed a few weeks ago in the Middle East.
Latest Taiwan election survey is more bad news for Tsai Ing-wen’s ruling DPP^SCMP^
Shunning mainland China, Taiwan pushes start-ups to explore US, Southeast Asia^SCMP^
Soil degradation in India spells doom for millions^MB^
Air quality in Indian capital continues to be very poor^PD^
IPEF negotiations: Maori demand direct representation and comprehensive protections for rights of Indigenous peoples^Bilaterals^
Protesting Sri Lankan teachers defy police water cannon and tear gas^WSWS^
Sri Lanka: Debt restructuring and restraining dissent^GL^
Africa:
‘Unimpeded trade’: China begins to deliver on US$10 billion promise to African businesses^SCMP^
IMF Warns China’s Slowdown Could Hit Africa, Debunks Debt Trap Myth^CGS^
China not the main cause for debt distress in sub-Saharan Africa: IMF^CGTN^
Conflict in eastern DR Congo flares again due to M23 rebels^DW^
DRC: Fuel price hike impacts transportation^AN^
US suspends non-humanitarian assistance to Gabon in response to coup^AN^
Facebook workers in Kenya say Meta hasn’t paid them for 6 months amid legal case^OD^
Kenyan currency hits all-time low against the dollar^AN^
MINUSMA pull out from northern Mali enters new phase amid intensifying fighting^AN^
France has withdrawn from Niger. What’s next?^RNN^
EU and US divided over Niger coup (EU is very opposed, US wants to work with them).^DW^
Many in Niger are suffering under coup-related sanctions, including food and electricity shortages, aid stoppages, and frozen bank assets ^AN^
Germany's Scholz looking to Nigeria for natural gas — report^DW^
Nigeria launches mass HPV vaccination campaign to curb cervical cancer^AN^
Somalia: Some 4 Million People Face Food Crisis, Un Says^TS^
World Bank approves $1bn loan to advance energy sector reforms in South Africa^BNE^
IMF advises Zimbabwe to further liberalise the currency market, end gold coin issuance^BNE^
North America:
Ontario’s social democratic NDP expels anti-apartheid lawmaker Sarah Jama, sparking mass resignations^PW^
Poverty in the suburbs: The erasure of New York’s non-urban poor^PW^
New Mexico’s Largest Fire Wrecked This City’s Water Source^CoB^
Biden’s $8 Billion Quest to Solve America’s Groundwater Crisis^SP^
Big Ag is draining the Colorado River dry^MR^
The Dow Went Negative for the Year on Friday. One-Third of the Dow Is Down by Double-Digits.^WSoP^
Fed’s Financial Stability Report Says $20.3 Trillion Is Subject to a Run^WSoP^
Latin America:
Latin America meets to end U.S. hostile policies that encourages migration^MR^
Fuel shortages reported in Argentina^MP^
Argentina to import fuel to ease current shortages^MP^
“The Croatian,” alleged mastermind behind the “blue” dollar, arrested in Buenos Aires^MP^
Elections in Argentina: A Working Class Perspective^Resumen^
10 points about Massa’s victory in Argentina^MR^
Argentina's general election records lowest turnout since return to democracy^MP^
Argentina: Milei, the Unbearable Lightness of the Text^Resumen^
Argentina: Macri and Bullrich go rogue from JxC to support Milei^MP^
Part 3
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Entire Brazilian State of Amazonas gripped by drought^MP^
US troops to perform joint exercises in Brazilian Amazon^MP^
China, Colombia elevate ties to strategic partnership as presidents meet in Beijing^CGTN^
Ecuador Faces Nationwide Power Outages^TS^
Haiti: Government Delegation to Visit Irrigation Canal Works^TS^
Hurricane Otis batters Acapulco leaving almost a million people without power^EN^
Nicaragua: The Education Generation^Resumen^
Panama: Cortizo Bans New Mining Concessions amid Protests^TS^
Machado wins Venezuelan primaries by a landslide^MP^
When digital infrastructure and digital literacy do not go hand in hand: Bolivia’s digital divide^ET^
Women face increasing pressure in Paraguay, a country deeply rooted in conservative values^ET^
War:
Palestine:
Does the US really know the Arab world at all?^RS^
Protests Intensify Across US as Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 5,000^SP^ Not sure what it is at this precise moment while writing this, but it must now be considerably over 10,000 including missing. US blocks peace in Gaza, supporting Israel's genocidal war on civilians^GPE^
State Department officials prepare dissent cables in opposition to Gaza assault^MEE^
Thousands of students at over 100 US and Canadian universities protest against Gaza genocide^WSWS^
U.S. universities side with pro-Israel corporate funders over students resisting occupation^PW^
We Are Witnessing the Largest U.S. Anti-War Protests in 20 Years^SP^
Biden's Israel stance angers Arab, Muslim Americans^CGTN^
Pentagon Expects ‘Significant Escalation’ of Attacks on US Troops Over Gaza War^SP^
U.K. activists and unions target three weapons factories to block Israeli arms shipments^PW^
EU's vaunted unity is disintegrating over Gaza crisis^RS^
A Divided European Union Can’t Even Agree on Need for Ceasefire in Israeli Campaign Against Gaza^SP^
India’s solidarity with Israel is untenable^IP^
Massive labor-community coalition in Canada demands: Ceasefire now^PW^
Germany bans public grieving and solidarity with Palestine^MR^
Moon of Alabama: Two Middle East Outlooks Craig Murray: As Genocide Unfolds, Chances of a Regional War Become Almost Unavoidable^MPN^
U.S. military bases in E. Syria come under attacks^PD^
Israel-Palestine: Hamas a ‘liberation movement’, Erdogan says in speech slamming Israel^MEE^
Report says Turkey sent away head of Hamas’ political bureau^BNE^
Jordan's US-allied king faces 'nightmare scenario' as Gaza invasion looms^MEE^
October 7 Testimonies Reveal Israel’s Military ‘Shelling’ Israeli Citizens With Tanks, Missiles^SP^
Israel is caught lying time and again. And yet we never learn^MR^
In Hours of Israel/Gaza Crisis Coverage, a Word You’ll Seldom Hear: ‘Ceasefire’^FAIR^
When It’s Always The Beginning of History, It Can Never Be the End of War^AW^
Netanyahu allies push Gaza expulsion as final solution to Israel’s Palestinian problem^PW^
Israel scaled back Gaza ground campaign after US intervention – NYT^RT^
Health system in Gaza collapsing as fuel and medicine run out^MR^
Russia:
Ukraine’s desperate search for war funding hits local budgets^OD^
Slovakia announces the end of military aid to Ukraine^EN^
Germany delivers 3rd IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine^CGTN^
Russia says 36 drones downed over Black Sea^DW^
Ukraine's Sudden High Air Losses Likely Caused By New Russian Missiles^MoA^
Moscow reveals details of Ukrainian attack on nuclear power plant^RT^
EU leaders back using earnings from Russia’s frozen assets to help Ukraine^FT^
Wait, I thought they couldn't find them? This saga of the frozen assets has left me very confused.
China:
Chinese fighter jet buzzes US B-52 over South China Sea^DW^
US 'unsafe interception' claim refuted as PLA fighter jet's act 'legitimate and reasonable'^GT^
US and Australia announce agreement to work with Japan on defence technology^SCMP^
Hypersonic Race 2.0: China tests next-gen ‘waverider’ with revolutionary technology^SCMP^
Philippines Eyes Multilateral Approach Against China in South China Sea^CGS^
Philippines Digs in Heels in South China Sea While Also Cautioning Restraint^CGS^
China turns to belt and road countries in race to secure tech-critical minerals^SCMP^
China Limits Exports of Graphite to Counter U.S. Technology Restrictions^CGS^
Western graphite producers’ shares soar after Beijing announces export curbs^FT^
China Takes Advantage of Cobalt’s Low Price to Boost Strategic Reserve^CGS^
Part 4
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Labour:
More plants shuttered as UAW pulls another 12,000 workers off the assembly line^PW^
UAW announces sellout deal, orders Ford strikers back to work^WSWS^
Ford reaches deal with union to end US strike and raise wages^FT^
Here’s what UAW workers won in a “historic” TA after striking at Ford^MR^
40,000 Culinary Workers on Las Vegas Strip hotels may be next to strike^PW^
Left and Right:
The European Left and the Global South: An existential take^MR^
Your Standard of Living Demands the Exploitation of Others^RC^
Neoclassical Economics and Urban Planning: A Contentious Theoretical and Policy Making Relationship^DE^
We're still living under capitalism, not "techno-feudalism".^Jacobin^
Australian Nazis treated with kid gloves, pro-Palestine protesters vilified and threatened^WSWS^
Is the US turning into a Christofascist state?^RNN^
It's been one since at least the 19th century. Direct inspiration for Hitler.
LGBTQIA:
Content Warning - this section is not usually good news.
Lithuania moves to ditch controversial Russian-style 'anti-gay propaganda' law^EN^
"Hating gay people is Putinist Russian disinformation propaganda" probably won't actually be very effective in quelling anti-LGBTQIA attitudes in these quasi-fascist chihuahua countries but I'm willing to be proven wrong.
Ukraine takes first steps to codify gay marriage.^BNE^
Japan's top court strikes down 2003 gender change surgery law, which locked trans recognition behind genital removal^DW^
Gay Sex Ban in Military Upheld by South Korean Court^Advocate^
Speaker Mike Johnson Roundly Condemned by LGBTQ+ Groups, Biden Campaign, and Democrats^Advocate^
More Than 100K Transgender Youth Live in States Impacted by Restrictive Laws: Study^Advocate^
Climate:
Saving the Three Basins means stopping fossil fuel expansion^CCN^
How Climate Change Drives Conflict and War Crimes Around the Globe^ICN^
Central Africa Forest Initiative (CAFI): A classic case of climate funding fraud in Africa^MR^
A shadowy corner of international law is threatening climate action, UN expert warns^Bilaterals^
LNG Plant Operators Change Their Tune on Carbon Capture (moving towards it).^DS^
Five Decades and a Mountain of Evidence: Study Explores How Toxic Chemicals are ‘Stealing Children’s Future Potential’^ICN^
Dipshittery and Cope:
Malta expects more than 50 countries for third round of Ukraine peace talks^Euractiv^
At press time, the mannequin that these countries put in a seat to represent Russia has refused to make a statement.
I Love My Trans Comrades!