At least we have each other
Edward's weekly news roundup & open thread (September 17, 2023)
Howdy, internet friends. Welcome to another edition of Edward’s weekend link buffet and open thread. Post your links! Say hello! Whatever—it’s an open thread.
News from Russian media
In January-July, the United States increased purchases of Russian fertilizers to a record $944 million. [RIA Novosti]
Masks as well as other “preventive measures” have again been made mandatory in the Russian Government House (“White House”) due to a “seasonal surge in colds, flu and Covid”. [TASS]
Russia and China are now preparing to sign a cooperation agreement on an Arctic hydrogen energy station. [Gazeta.ru]
Local restrictions due to the autumn increase in the incidence of ARVI, influenza and Covid may be temporarily introduced in Russian institutions, Rospotrebnadzor has warned, adding that regional or federal measures would only be imposed if the epedemiological situation becomes “serious”. [TASS]
The first two civilian ships used the so-called “alternative grain corridor” in the Black Sea to enter the port of Chernomorsk (Odessa region). [Nakanune]
The Bank of Russia raised the key rate by 1 percentage point to 13%, purportedly to counter “significant pro-inflationary risks”. [Vedomosti]
The Russian military has changed tactics in Ukraine, deviating from the MoD’s established military doctrine. [Military Review]
Russia’s demographic crisis: “The situation, let’s say, is not very positive”. [Free Press]
Western sanctions imposed on Russia have not yet served as an impetus for the serious development of import substitution in mechanical engineering, according to the co-owner of the Russian agricultural equipment firm Rostselmash. [donnews.ru]
“Citizens of the Russian Federation can rejoice: the leadership of the G20 countries, including Russia, has agreed on a plan for the introduction of central bank digital currencies and digital identity cards for the population of their countries. The fears of the citizens of these countries that governments would use them to monitor the spending of their people and suppress dissent were completely ignored. A final declaration on these issues was adopted in New Delhi.” [Stalingrad]
Starting on September 17, Poland will ban the entry of passenger cars registered in Russia. [RIA Novosti]
The Russian Ministry of Health has authorized clinical trials of the Sputnik V and Sputnik M vaccines with an updated composition for adults and children aged 12 to 17 years. [TASS]
The “digital transformation” of education will lead to the creation of a “caste society” in Russia. [Katyusha]
Alexander Neradko, who headed the Federal Air Transport Agency for 14 years, has been replaced by a young deputy. Kommersant claims one reason for his dismissal was the agency’s “insufficient readiness for the development of the unmanned [aerial vehicle] industry”. [Kommersant]
Russia’s federal budget deficit decreased to 2.361 trillion rubles in August—down from 2.817 trillion rubles a month earlier. A deficit of about 2.9 trillion rubles, or 2% of GDP, is planned for 2023 [Interfax]
An adviser to the acting head of the DPR Denis Pushilin described the situation is all regions of eastern Ukraine as a “humanitarian catastrophe”, stating that Kiev “does not care” how people live there. [URA]
Edward’s dispatches in foreign languages
Вместе с глобалистами: декларация G20-2023 и Россия [Anna Rudneva]
Edward’s media appearances
I will be chatting with my dear friend John OLoughlin on Tuesday, September 19 at 11 am EST. Our conversation will be livestreamed on John’s Rumble channel.
On Wednesday (September 20) I will have the honor of speaking with another dear friend, Jesse Zurawell, on TNT radio. Tune in at 2 pm EST.
Yes, at least we have each other. It is an honor.
>In January-July, the United States increased purchases of Russian fertilizers to a record $944 million.
Haha.