The Economist series of podcasts on Xi Jinping. Apologies if its paywalled.
https://www.economist.com/theprincepod
Printable View
The Economist series of podcasts on Xi Jinping. Apologies if its paywalled.
https://www.economist.com/theprincepod
Impact of Kerch bridge blast will be felt all the way to the Kremlin
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...to-the-kremlin
Key bridge linking Crimea to Russia hit by huge explosion
Images show burning train carriages and collapsed road sections on the Kerch bridge, a key supply route for Russian troops opened by Vladimir Putin in 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...russia-ukraine
Putin orders seizure of Exxon-led Sakhalin 1 oil and gas project (Sakhalin-2 already gone)
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...ss-2022-10-07/
U.S. aims to hobble China's chip industry with sweeping new export rules
https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-aims-hobble-chinas-chip-industry-with-sweeping-new-export-rules-2022-10-07/
Essentially, a high-technology blockade...
Russia-Ukraine war: Fire on Kerch bridge connecting Crimea after 'car bomb' explosion
Video
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/rus...Q6RERMFDDUUGI/
Crimea bridge blast could escalate Russia's war in Ukraine
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe...war-in-ukraine
Kerch bridge linking Russia to Crimea damaged in explosion
Authorities say three dead as Russia opens a criminal probe into the blast that blew up the vital bridge linking Moscow-annexed Crimea to the mainland.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/...crimea-reports
From the Kyiv Independent 18:40 Saturday
"Intelligence: Russia starts arresting the military in Moscow.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry's Intelligence Directorate reported on Oct. 8 that Russia’s National Guard and police units have started arresting military personnel in Moscow. The traffic is blocked in downtown Moscow, according to the report, and all military units in the city are on high alert."
Who knows?
Good timing though ... happy 70th dear Vladimir! Nice somebody prepared a fireworks for this important date, isn't it?
I think we all should send him our full hearted wishes that all infrastructure he is using to attack his neighbors will follow this bridge into the abyss ...
This is looking like a circus for russia. total humiliation.
Shifting blame for Ukraine war failures, Kremlin axes military commanders
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe...ary-commanders
Russia appoints notorious general to lead Ukraine offensive
Sergei Surovikin appointed on same day as explosion on Kerch bridge that has dealt blow to Vladimir Putin
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ovikin-ukraine
The remains of the bridge is now a target for all sorts of artillery.
$3.7b USD was spent on the bridge.. lol
Couple of points from Kyiv Independent...
PM: Allies have provided Ukraine with $20 billion since Feb. 24. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine also expects “a new major program” from the International Monetary Fund in 2023, as well as funding from the USA, the EU, and other G7 countries. He said that the IMF will provide Ukraine with an additional $1.3 billion, which will be used to support defense capability, pensions, and social payments, and to strengthen the stability of Ukraine’s economy. “We thank the allies who help us to persevere in the struggle for the independence and freedom of Ukraine,” Shmyhal said.
CNN: Germany announces new weapon deliveries to Ukraine.The weapons package provided to Ukraine by Germany will include the IRIS-T air defense system and 100 tanks from Greece and Slovakia. “We live in serious times, and in such times, it is also important to know where we have gaps in defense,” said Germany Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht on Oct. 8. “The air defense is one such area where it is urgent to act.”
Interesting - Iris-T is an Air-to-air missile developed to be able to hit enemy planes without the need to come too close to them (25 km range). Still, it does require a plane to fire them ... i.e. Ukraine seems to have enough fighter planes left.
No good news for the ugly bear, which is - outstanding!
Scaremongering or ...?
Global margin call hits European debt markets
Hedges blow up after risk gauges in Germany’s government debt market exceeded those of the 2008 world crash
https://asiatimes.com/2022/10/global...-debt-markets/
Rocks hilarious presentations ....
The poles are very funny...
Looks like this rabble could invade Moscow bars and get very drunk this winter..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br53bjIkehQ
QE just around the corner? looked what started to happen in late 2007.
Who's learning what from who?
China’s Real Takeaway From the War in Ukraine: Grey Zone Conflict Is Best
https://thediplomat.com/2022/10/chin...flict-is-best/
The view from India. . .
This the first article of a three-part series looking at China’s changing politics, economy and diplomacy in the Xi decade.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/intern...le65994214.ece
GCHQ head: Putin making strategic errors due to unconstrained power
British spy agency director to say in rare public address that Ukraine is ‘turning the tide’ against Russia
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ukraine-russia
Trial run for something more dangerous ?
Cyberattacks force over a dozen US airport websites offline
Russian-speaking hackers claim responsibility that targeted about 14 public-facing websites, including LaGuardia and O’Hare airports
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...rport-websites
Ukraine Latest: Biden Pledges Air Defenses Amid Putin’s Threats
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-10/ukraine-latest-explosions-hit-kyiv-cities-across-ukraine?srnd=premium-asia&leadSource=uverify%20wall
"In Zelenskiy’s daily statement, he said “we are doing everything to get modern air defense. And I thank our partners who are already speeding up deliveries.”
Biden didn’t specify what air defense systems the US will provide. A US arms package announced in August included six National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems. The NATO-standard air defense system, produced by Raytheon Technologies Corp., is used to protect the Washington region, including the White House. Two NASAM systems were previously pledged to Ukraine.
Zelenskiy Says He Talked With Biden About Air Defenses (9:13 p.m.)
Zelenskiy said he had a “productive conversation” with his counterpart Biden that focused on the need to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses.
“Currently, this is the number 1 priority in our defense cooperation,” Zelenskiy said on Telegram."
Germany finally acting on air defences...
Germany to deliver air defence system to Ukraine within days -defence ministry
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...ry-2022-10-10/
Australia Should Work Closely With U.S. to Master Nuclear Submarine Building, Congressmen Say
https://news.usni.org/2022/10/07/aus...eid=cc0f71bf89
Intensive monitoring, plus experimental combined Navy & Marine Corp command, among large Philippine and Japanese exercises...
https://news.usni.org/2022/10/07/jap...eid=cc0f71bf89
How a ban on Russia’s mining giants could shake the metals world
https://thewest.com.au/business/mini...wan_newsletter
Please correct me if I am wrong but isn't Russia only using a small percentage of it's regular armed forces in the Ukraine?
on paper....
https://www.understandingwar.org/
they are stuffed...
I think its roughly 15% to 20%. Wasted already something like 10% of the total Russian army (i.e. either killed or wounded). Suppose however that they went by now already through more of their material (like tanks, missiles, ammunition) ... and I guess if they would withdraw their remaining troups from Asia, then it well might be that some of the previous Soviet republics use the opportunity to throw off the chains of the Moscow dictator: Georgia, Usbekistan, Kazakstan, ...
Even China might show some interest in parts of Siberia ... and hey, even the US border is not that far away - you can walk in winter from Siberia to Alaska (that's how the Red Indians arrived in America), though it is getting harder with global warming. :)
Remember: Sarah Palin said once she can see Siberia from her kitchen window ... and if a Republican candidate says such things it must be true :) ;
And above all - don't forget that an important role of the Russian army is to protect Putins regime against the Russian people. They might well rebel as well.
You can get a rough idea from the CIA World FactBook here:
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbo...y-and-security
Bank of England intervenes in bond markets again, warns of ‘material risk’ to UK financial stability
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/11/bank-of-england-expands-bond-market-intervention-in-effort-to-quell-volatility.html
"U.K. 10-year index-linked gilt yields rose by 64 basis points on Monday, representing a massive 5.5% fall in price. Meanwhile 30-year index-linked gilt prices were down 16% on the day, with yields now at around 1.5%, having been at -1.5% just six months ago. Yields move inversely to prices.
Moves of this magnitude are highly unusual in developed world sovereign bond markets."
Extended comments from this morning...
Russia-Ukraine war: Russians turning on Vladimir Putin and his war, UK spy chief says
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/rus...SNWGTR3JRBHCY/
I was in Prague recently and quite accidentally came across a massive protest against NATO and, the protestors believed, the financial hardship that has resulted from sanctions on Russia. I think decades of failed western energy policies is the root of the problem but the Russian invasion doesn't help.
Anyway, I wonder if we'll see more of this in Europe? Will there be momentum against NATO involvement in Ukraine? Will the population get sick of the financial sacrifice they are making, while their leaders remain wholly unaffected by it all?
Interestingly the French Finance Minister today warned about the potential for US economic domination, in relation to it's supply of gas, and the weakening of Europe. Things seem tense - between European nations over how to solve their energy crisis - Germany is seen as selfish by some - and between the US and Europe.
It amazes me that Germany could become the sick man of Europe yet again. Things were going so well to.
From an investment point of view, unfortunately I have exposure to Europe. That's the price I pay for being lazy and stupid and not being able to pick stocks. With passive investing I take the good with what I perceive to be the bad. But Europe really does appear to be a basket case. Massive over regulation, inefficient and just no ability to innovate. Apart from Wirecard, is there one decent European tech company?
There are rumours the US was behind the Nord stream bomb, though given the russian incompetence it probably could have been them.
They need security infrastructure including their own CIA (nato is a start).
Proposing to spend more on tanks and such will not help, russia's conventional forces are already completely outclassed and Russia itself is protected by nuclear weapons in defence.
The CIA bit is more important.
Regime change in russia is better than trillions spent on defence.
Only to have the same problem at the end... Putin in power and nukes.
White House says Biden will work with Congress to ‘re-evaluate’ relationship with Saudi Arabia.
Quote:
“I think it’s time for us to imagine a foreign policy where we do not count on Saudi Arabia,” Durbin said, calling the OPEC+ decision to slash oil production “as clear a declaration by the Saudis that they are on the other side of history as we can ask for.”
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/11/p...ntv/index.html
Clearly - a financial genius like you needs to put all his money into Russia ... go for it!
Anyway .. investing does not mix well with wearing political blinkers ...
While I agree that it was incredibly stupid for Europe to rely on a terrorist and war criminal to supply a large part of their energy, removing the sanctions clearly would be the worst option for them. Where do you think Putin will stop, if everybody is supporting his crimes?
Poland? The Baltic states?
Same as with Ben Laden and Hitler ... there is only one option to stop terrorists and mass murders ... and no, its not to submit and roll on your back. Negotiating does not work either, given that Putin used to break international agreements before. Remember that Russia guaranteed the territorial integrity of Ukraine? What else can you do but to wage (so far) economical war against the crook and his henchmen.
The surrounding countries are getting sick of Russian refugees and who can blame them.
They will probably become the next to be annexed once there's enough "Russian speaking" people.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ebSnkHxVefE
What could possibly go wrong after Friday (UK Time)...
Bank of England's Bailey tells pension funds they have 3 days to rebalance
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/ban...ce-2022-10-11/
More detail...
British pension funds step up fire sales as need for cash soars
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/bri...rs-2022-10-11/
Another view of the sequencing of events & responses...
UK bond market moves are dramatic — and confusing. And analysts think it could get worse
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/11/uk-b...get-worse.html
G7 leaders warn Putin over use of nuclear weapons; Zelenskiy calls for international mission along Belarus border – as it happened
https://www.theguardian.com/world/li...08530b6de76a5e
Interview with former russian foreign minister.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHXUGBlr9_A
Interesting perspective:
Putin won't use nukes or escalate to a NATO conflict because he likes the west and the "good life" it provides.
He's playing with chess pieces that don't exist when it comes to his conventional forces - since others have siphoned off the defence budget to buy luxury apartments.
Been described as complete nonsense...
Russia’s state-owned news agency RIA Novosti is carrying some more details of the plot to damage the Crimea bridge which Russian security forces claim to have revealed today.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/li...085d1d9ceba372
First Solomon Islands police head to China for training amid deepening security ties
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...-security-ties
Ukraine summary...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/li...085d1d9cebaae2
A bigger Turkstream?
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/w...rkStream-lines
MBZ seems a better bet than Elon Musk
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/g...for-mediation-
Ukrainian forces shoot down four Russian attack helicopters in 18 minutes
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe...-in-18-minutes
Kiwi corporate leaders warned of 'sonic boom' risks as China-US relationship falters
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/...ENQK5FDX2P5PI/
As China's Xi consolidates power, NZ's choices become more stark
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/chi...ome-more-stark
Counting the dead ...
https://tvpworld.com/63893780/live-2...gainst-ukraine
Turkey turns east.
Ankara, seeking alternatives to its often tense relations with the West, sees in Central Asia many great opportunities.
https://thediplomat.com/2022/10/turk...-central-asia/
Russia announces Kherson evacuation, raising fears city will become frontline
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...come-frontline
More posturing by a currently losing side...
Kremlin says its goals in Ukraine can be achieved through talks
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...ks-2022-10-13/
Ukraine closing summary...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/li...085fc6682b27bc
China faces major challenges in achieving goal of global technological pre-eminence
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/ch...20pre-eminence
The US–India partnership is too important to lose
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/th...nt%20to%20lose
Two groupings for India to tango with in 2023
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/tw...th%20in%202023
Xi’s house of cards
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/xi...e%20of%20cards
Indian foreign minister’s visit highlights growing ties with Australia
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/indian-foreign-ministers-visit-highlights-growing-ties-with-australia/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Weekly%20The%20Stra tegist&utm_content=Weekly%20The%20Strategist+CID_0 95915799b0dfffd20aaa31edb80dd4a&utm_source=Campaig nMonitor&utm_term=Indian%20foreign%20ministers%20v isit%20highlights%20growing%20ties%20with%20Austra lia
"But this is a fundamental misunderstanding of India’s history, ambitions and present predicament. What needs to be understood, including in Canberra, is that the real game is India’s monumental shift from non-alignment to the role of strategic balancer and that this realignment is vital for Australia’s long-term security and wider Indo-Pacific stability."
The tides beat against Xi Jinping
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-tides-beat-against-xi-jinping/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Weekly%20The%20Stra tegist&utm_content=Weekly%20The%20Strategist+CID_0 95915799b0dfffd20aaa31edb80dd4a&utm_source=Campaig nMonitor&utm_term=The%20tides%20beat%20against%20X i%20Jinping
"Beijing set a GDP target of 5.5% for this year, but is on course for its biggest ever GDP miss. The actual percentage figure to be delivered will start with a 4 or even a 3. The days of double-digit growth fade to history. The middle-income trap is snapping. The debt mountain has become what Reuters calls ‘a threat to China’s stability and even the world’s economic health’. The real estate crash is ‘a slow motion financial crisis’, revealing systemic problems. The demographic reckoning looms as China’s population ages faster than that of any other country in modern history."
Widodo’s defence budget won’t give Indonesia the force it needs
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/widodos-defence-budget-wont-give-indonesia-the-force-it-needs/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Weekly%20The%20Stra tegist&utm_content=Weekly%20The%20Strategist+CID_0 95915799b0dfffd20aaa31edb80dd4a&utm_source=Campaig nMonitor&utm_term=Widodos%20defence%20budget%20won t%20give%20Indonesia%20the%20force%20it%20needs
"It therefore also represents no effective change in the relatively paltry figure of 0.8% of GDP that Indonesia has averaged on defence spending under Widodo. That figure is substantially lower than those for the other major ASEAN countries, especially Singapore (3.2%), Vietnam (2.3%), Thailand (1.5%), Malaysia (1.1%) and even the Philippines (1.0%). It is also well below Australia’s 2.1% and China’s reported 1.7%."
(NZ's Defence expenditure in 2020 was 1.5% of GDP)
India–Australia defence ties grow in the face of rising strategic challenges
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/in...c%20challenges
Party congress will put China on path to war
US and Japan must get down to business fast – Tokyo taking what it has, defense-wise, and making the best of it
https://asiatimes.com/2022/10/party-...n-path-to-war/
US-Philippines back in military lockstep vis-a-vis China
Kamandag wargames include Japan and South Korea for first time in sign Philippines is joining US allied forces against China
by Richard Javad Heydarian
https://asiatimes.com/2022/10/us-phi...s-a-vis-china/
A bit of interesting background from Bellingcat.
https://www.bellingcat.com/resources...radar-systems/
Russia aims to bomb Ukraine back to the Stone Age
Russia responding to recent setbacks with strikes on infrastructure and civilian targets in brutal nod to its Syria playbook
https://asiatimes.com/2022/10/russia...the-stone-age/
Russia To ‘Modernize’ 800 Vintage T-62 Tanks Due To Ukraine Losses: Report
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...m_medium=email
Planning for peace
A copy of an ambitious Russian plan for the reconstruction of the city of Mariupol — the occupied Ukrainian port city largely reduced to rubble by Russian forces in one of the most brutal battles in the Ukraine conflict to date — was published on Wednesday by Russian news website The Village.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/...-leaked-a79074
Straight from the deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, Alexander Venediktov:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/...r-intervention
That video that leaked of the training was funny.
Ukraine's response - Don't forget your tampons boys.
Hopefully mum packed enough tampons and sunflower seeds for the new recruits.
Women Childrens Bone doctor killed in KV after dropping of her child at day care before headings into work in central KV from missile strike.
The criminals from this war must go court but how to get them there is the problem.
Telegraph pod cast.
Britain seems like it's on the brink of collapse.
Britain has sent billions in aid to Ukraine, at time its own economy is imploding. Pretty generous of the British people. They've also taken in tens of thousands of refugees, despite not being able to house their own population. The Brits are good, kind, people over all. Putting the welfare of others before themselves.
Thought the new What's her Face's abrupt 180 just averted that crisis ? :)
Have the confused party insiders decided to rebel instead now ? ;)
Just when most were thinking that Boris was the worst walking disaster zone they would see :)
Perhaps Charlie might have some recommendations for fixing things direct from the Castle ? :)
At least the "Off with Her Head" for sins committed is well out the window ..
A world wothout crisis would be a world where nothing actually happened a bit like NZ in the 60's ... except for rock n roll...
however heres what happens when Ugle Bear zombies drive machines...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1HArFrlyN4
Absolutely - British people are as good and as bad as any other people. All people can be generous, all people can be cruel and all people can follow incredibly dumb delusions if sold to them by false preachers and leaders like (in this case) Farage and Johnson.
Problem is .... they followed the tune of some particularly nasty, dumb, deluded and selfish pipers .... and now what used to be once a mighty empire is crumbling into its smallest pieces.
Always a problem if you choose to put selfish and inept idiots into the government and allow them to destroy your country. Bigger problem however is - some have still not recognised how badly they have been conned by UKIP and the Tories.
No one asks how you're going to pay for things if you're a conservative.
It's simply assumed they are the "fiscally responsible" ones and good with economics.
The first Russian soldiers arrive in Belarus for joint force
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/202...orce-ministry/
Norway arrests Russian national carrying drone
https://english.alarabiya.net/News/w...carrying-drone
Extended coverage of Defence Force Review, and possibility of Air Combat wing being reinstated...
Finally some frank admissions and reality checks from our Defence Minister...
Q & A Jack Tame https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/q-and-a/live
Chinese congress expected to cement power of Xi Jinping
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...-of-xi-jinping
‘We all saw it’: anti-Xi Jinping protest electrifies Chinese internet
Scramble to censor posts about Sitong bridge incident in Beijing where defiant banners were hung and a fire lit in lead-up to Communist party congress
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...inese-internet
“We want food, not PCR tests. We want freedom, not lockdowns. We want respect, not lies. We want reform, not a Cultural Revolution. We want a vote, not a leader. We want to be citizens, not slaves,” said one banner, while a second called for a boycott of schools, strikes and the removal of Xi.
What to watch during China’s 20th Party Congress
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB8U...tlanticCouncil
Snippets from Ukraine Daily...(Kyiv Independent)
Danilov: Russia used two-thirds of high-precision missiles it had on Feb. 24. There's only 25-28% of the high-precision missiles left out of the total amount Russia had before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Oleksii Danilov told NV, referring to Ukraine's intelligence data. According to Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, Russia only 609 high-precision missiles left, having used 1,235 out of 1,844 Iskander, Kalibr, and air-launched cruise missiles since it started its all-out invasion in February.
Podolyak: Ukraine will find solution to keep Starlink systems operating. Earlier on Oct. 14, Elon Musk’s SpaceX sent a letter to the Pentagon saying it can no longer continue to fund the Starlink service for Ukraine. Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, said he expects that Starlink will “provide stable connection by the end of negotiations.” Podolyak added that “Elon Musk helped us survive the most critical moments of the war.” So far, roughly 20,000 Starlink satellite units have been donated to Ukraine.
Pentagon 'assessing options' to keep Ukraine connected to Starlink satellites. A senior defense official said the U.S. was assessing its options and trying to do what it can "to help keep these satcoms for the Ukrainian forces," according to a U.S. Defense Department news release.
The Insider: Kremlin-linked officers seek asylum in France. A member of Russia’s Security Service (FSB) and a member of the Russian mercenary organization Wagner have requested asylum in France, reports The Insider. Testimonies provided by both individuals will reportedly shed light on Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine.
Tehran, IRNA - Tehran prosecutor announced that the recent fight between inmates in Evin Prison in the Northern part of the capital has nothing to do with the recent riots.
https://en.irna.ir/news/84913024/Teh...ated-to-recent
Sp 500 trending down to test the low 3's ...
https://edition.cnn.com/videos/busin...tl-hnk-vpx.cnn
Tsai needs a better military to fend off China
Taiwanese public opinion has swung behind the armed forces but Taipei still lacks a coherent national defense strategy
https://asiatimes.com/2022/10/tsai-n...end-off-china/
China can now deploy hypersonic nukes on its carriers
New sealant innovation allows for easier and faster hypersonic repairs and maintenance at sea
https://asiatimes.com/2022/10/china-...-its-carriers/
The view from Taiwan. . .
Troops authorized to decide how to counter PLA 'first strike': Defense ministry
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202210130012
https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202210110018
Did anybody see Matt Robson's interview on RT. I happened to catch it in my room - hotel has an extensive cable package.
Anyway I had to remind myself who this guy was and remembered he was a Cabinet minister in the NZ Labour Alliance govt in the early 2000s. Associate Foreign Affairs.
He was excellent in the interview and made many good points. I was never an "Alliance" kind of guy (lol, I'm the complete opposite) but luckily I am prepared to listen to people so watched the interview. I assume it's online so look it up if interested. Won't go through the points because people generally become unhappy when the established narrative is challenged (if I was still working , I'd stay well clear of it in the office!)and I'm not trying to red rag anyone. This thread has a certain flavour and that's fine. I'm still feeling my way through this whole crisis....
...but I am starting to wonder if the West is as clean on this as they're making out. Anyway, more thinking and reading required before I reach any conclusions.
One last thing: I've just done searches for Matt Robson/RT. I see he's been on RT before, and the NZ media has commented on this. I'm late to the party.
Really?
"RT (formerly Russia Today or Rossiya Segodnya (Russian: Россия Сегодня))[9] is a Russian state-controlled[1] international news television network funded by the Russian government.[16"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RT_(TV_network)