At least we have each other

Edward's weekly news roundup & open thread (July 23, 2023)

A typical Czech storefront, designed to trigger epileptic seizures. Photo credit: Edward Slavsquat

Edward Slavsquat wishes you a very pleasant and serene Sunday, and welcomes you to the traditional Weekend Link-Dump & Open Thread.

Shill your URLs accordingly. Or just say ahoj in the comments section. That’s also perfectly fine.

News from Russian media

• According to the results of the first quarter of 2023, the level of external public and corporate debt in relation to the country’s GDP became the lowest in the Russian Federation’s history. [Military Review]

• The number of crimes committed by migrants in Russia is growing. [Tsargrad]

• A bill that would have created a system of total public-private control over foster parents, adoptive parents, and natural guardians, was withdrawn from the State Duma. [Katyusha]

• Railway traffic in Crimea’s Krasnogvardeysky district was temporarily suspended after AFU drones targeted the peninsula. The strike resulted in the detonation of an ammunition depot. Sergei Aksenov, the head of Crimea, said on Saturday that he had decided to evacuate all residents within a radius of five kilometers from where the drone attacks occurred. [URA]

• Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in the launch of the first natural gas liquefaction (LNG) line on a gravity platform. It will be towed along the Northern Sea Route to the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. [Vedomosti]

• Annual food inflation in Russia in June amounted to 0.08%, which was the lowest level among all European countries, according to calculations by RIA Novosti. [RIA Novosti]

• A group of senators have proposed stripping Russians of their citizenship (acquired at birth or through naturalization) if they are declared a threat to national security. They cited desertion, discrediting the Armed Forces and incitement to extremism as examples of crimes that could lead to losing citizenship. [Kommersant]

• Proposed legislation on widening the age group that would qualify for a military draft now states that men ages 18-30 can be called up. An earlier version of the bill said no one younger than 21 could be drafted. [RIA Novosti]

• It’s too early to say that COVID is gone, according to a random infectious disease specialist cited by RT. [RT]

• Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin dismissed Deputy Minister of Digital Development Maxim Parshin from his post. Last Thursday, a Moscow court put Parshin under house arrest after being accused of taking a particularly large bribe. [RIA Novosti]

• Lomonosov Moscow State University scientists have teamed up with Yandex to launch a “carbon test site”, which will purportedly help to “find the most effective ways to control and reduce emissions of climate-active gases in the Moscow region, and therefore prevent dangerous changes in the environment.” [TASS]

• The Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation presented a draft for a unified standard for monitoring remote electronic voting (DEG) in the country. [Kommersant]

• A Moscow court ruled that Igor Strelkov will remain in pre-trial detention until September 18. An investigation into "extremism" was opened on July 18, purportedly triggered by several of Strelkov’s posts on Telegram. [Interfax]

• The Russian authorities oversimplify the concept of “poverty”—to such a level that only people with minimal income fall into the category of “poor”. [Nakanune]

• The Bank of Russia raised the key rate by 1 percentage point. Until mid-September, it will be 8.5% per annum. [Kommersant]

Edward’s dispatches in foreign languages

• Центр имени Гамалеи — «всем, везде и навсегда вакцины на платформе мРНК» [Anna Rudneva]

• Les évangélistes russes de la vaccination veulent une "plate-forme de vaccins à ARNm" afin de pouvoir “immuniser un patient souvent, beaucoup et longtemps”. C'est une époque heureuse. [CSP - Comment Se Préparer]

Edward’s media appearances

There is nothing new from me on the podcast-front, but I strongly recommend watching the recent discussion between excellent Moldovan journalist (and former politician) Iurie Roşca, and excellent podcast host Hrvoje Morić.

As you might recall, Roşca was kind enough to answer a few questions for Edward Slavsquat; many of you seemed to enjoy the interview. Your Moravia correspondent might even travel to Moldova in early September, before returning to Moscow, to attend a conference hosted by Mr. Roşca. More on that soon.

On July 25 at 11 a.m. EST (5:00 p.m. Polička Time), I will be chatting with the great John O’Loughlin. I believe that our conversation will be streamed on Rumble and John’s Twitter account.

VERY IMPORTANT (READ OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES)

As a young man I attended a monthly cotillion, where I learned how to push in chairs for young ladies, and how to pour them tea in an extremely gentle and polite manner, and even how to gracefully dance the fox trot with them.

But the most important lesson I learned from this ostentatious schooling was that it’s absolutely pointless to fling poo at anonymous people on the internet.

P-O-I-N-T-L-E-S-S. As in, without any point whatsoever.

Every time I see an anonymous commenter spew bile at another anonymous commenter—or, heaven forbid, at your humble, cotillion-educated Moravia correspondent—I feel very sad. Not angry. Sad. Why would anyone waste their time behaving in this very un-cotillion way? What is gained? What is achieved? Surely there are more worthwhile and productive pursuits?

I have pleaded with my cherished readers to engage in constructive dialogue that focuses on ideas, and not pointless poo-flinging, but some of you continue to disobey my reasonable request.

You have left me with no choice: Starting from July 23, 2023, I am instituting a COTILLION COMMENTING REGIME.

This means:

• Young ladies must wear elbow length white gloves while typing their comments.

• Young men must challenge rude commenters to a duel. Part of this challenge must include the phrase: “I demand satisfaction.”

• I am going to start issuing warnings to needlessly uncouth commenters. The comments section is for open, good-faith, respectful dialogue. If you don’t like that, you don’t have to comment. So simple.

Have a relaxing Sunday, friends.

— Riley

If you like reading Edward Slavsquat, maybe you would also like supporting it with your tasty fiat? Every ruble counts. I’m serious.