At least we have each other
Edward's weekly news roundup & open thread (July 2, 2023)
Grüß Gott, welcome to Edward Slavsquat’s Weekend Link-Dump & Open Thread. You have permission to shill any and all links in the comments section. Or you can just wave hello, using your keyboard.
Now for the URLs.
News from Russian media
Moscow has banned Polish trucks from transporting cargo through Russian territory. Exceptions are made for “critically important” cargo such as medicines and medical devices. The restriction does not apply to the Kaliningrad region. [RG.ru]
State Duma deputies are preparing a bill that would ban travel to unfriendly countries for close relatives of high-ranking officials. [URA.ru]
The salaries of military personnel and employees of law enforcement agencies will increase by 10.5% from October 1, 2023, according to a government decree. The increase in salaries will affect military personnel under contract, as well as conscripts. [Kapital Rus]
Following the results of the conference “Digital Industry of Industrial Russia” (CIPR), Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin gave a number of instructions to refine the mechanisms for import substitution in IT. [Kommersant]
An interesting op-ed from Military Review about the aftermath of Wagner’s SMO: “The consequences of ‘Prigozhin's march’ continue: but already in a purely economic plane. The dollar exchange rate has risen to 86 rubles/dollar since June 25, but the tension does not subside. According to the deputy head of the Central Bank, the key rate may be raised at the next meeting, although it has not changed since September last year—7.5%. The Central Bank wants to protect the foreign exchange market from attacks by speculators, but the increase in rates will inevitably ‘cut off’ the good start of the Russian economy this year.” [Military Review]
Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin proposed introducing criminal penalties for the use of palm oil and other substitutes in dairy products. The head of the State Duma noted that cheap substitutes—beef fat or palm oil—are often used in products that should be made from milk, including ice cream, sweets, cheeses, yoghurts, and butter. [Nakanune]
Algeria and Egypt may take part in the construction of a new Russian orbital station. Roskosmos offered to build them their own modules for the station. [RBK]
Putin instructed relevant ministries to expedite changes to the rules for registering medicines in accordance with the guidelines of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). [RIA Novosti]
Disinflationary effects are gradually being exhausted, while pro-inflationary ones are increasing their effect, according to Russia’s Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-term Forecasting (CMASF). Analysts predict inflation will accelerate in the second half of the year, and will likely reach 4.7-5.1% by the end of 2023. The Ministry of Economic Development believes inflation by the end of the year will be 5.3%, and in 2024 it will return to the target of 4%. [Vedomosti]
Alexander Lukashenko spoke in detail about his negotiations with Prigozhin on June 24. Some interesting details worth reading. [Nakanune]
Links from around the interwebs
Rolo has compiled a beginner’s guide to What the Heck Is Happening in Russia, with a special focus on the Not-War. I highly recommend giving it a look. At the end of the blog post he also comments on his recent “debate” with Aussie Cossack. [Rolo Slavskiy]
WEF’s “Summer Davos” kills the “Good Guy China” meme [Off-Guardian]
How Real Optimism Works [Tessa Fights Robots]
Deconstructing Marianna in Conspiracyland: Part 4 [Iain Davis]
Edward’s dispatches in foreign languages
Conferencia de la ONU en Rusia sobre bioseguridad [es.freelander.es]
Конференция ООН по обеспечению «неделимой биобезопасности» — в Сочи [Anna Rudneva]
Edward’s media appearances
I spoke with Rolo about the “Wagner mutiny”.
On Friday I had the pleasure of speaking with the elegant and wonderful Tessa Lena. I don’t know when our talk will be posted, but if you shower her with much-deserved compliments and praise, maybe she will give it priority (she has a huge backlog of unpublished interviews because everyone wants to talk to her. She’s a highly sought-after blog-empress).
I think that’s everything. Have a nice Sunday.
—Riley
"Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin proposed introducing criminal penalties for the use of palm oil and other substitutes in dairy products. The head of the State Duma noted that cheap substitutes—beef fat or palm oil—are often used in products that should be made from milk, including ice cream, sweets, cheeses, yoghurts, butter,. [Nakanune..."
If palm oil is unhealthy are there other options?
The following are some oils that are primarily used for food preparation and not as an inexpensive unhealthy additive:
Dr. Mercola says, “Of all the available oils, coconut oil is the oil of choice for cooking because it is nearly a completely saturated fat, which means it is much less susceptible to heat damage. And coconut oil is one of the most unique and beneficial fats for your body.”
Olive oil is a great oil for taste and health, but never heat it over 250 F because it will become oxidized and do more harm than good.
Grass-fed butter or ghee are great healthy options for cooking at higher temperatures, as is avocado oil, which also makes a great dressing for salads and vegetables.
In fact, Dr. Axe says, “Avocado oil has even received prescription drug status in France because of its proven ability to counter the negative effects of arthritis!”
Now that's one powerful oil!"
https://diabetickitchen.com/5-cooking-oils-destroy-your-health/
The video with Tessa a while ago is what got me on your blog. That video was one of the best conversations ever! Talking about very deep and sometimes dark things, but finding joy and laughter anyway. I marveled at that video. Look forward to the new one. She should definitely put you at the top of her list. Also, I hope you can get back into Russia. It think itwould be better for the optics and your career too. I'll write Putin. :-)