The Russian economy has largely shrugged off “unprecedented sanctions” from the West, The Economist noted, crediting the sharp rise in revenues from oil and gas exports. Russian consumer spending is up again, interest rates are going down, and the ruble is stronger than before the conflict in Ukraine escalated. “Russia’s …
Read More »India defies Western pressure to stop Russia trade
Weeks after snapping up discounted Russian crude, India is setting for a major increase in its purchases of coal from the sanctioned country. The world’s sixth biggest economy is focused on its energy security, disregarding attempts by the US and its allies to isolate Moscow. In March, India’s coal imports …
Read More »European princess defies Covid-19 rules with birthday bash
Dutch Princess Amalia has come under fire for inviting at least two dozen guests to her 18th birthday party as the authorities urged the public to follow strict Covid-19 protocols that include keeping social distance of at least 1.5 meters and receiving no more than 4 visitors a day at …
Read More »National Guard general defies Pentagon’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate for soldiers
Mancino released his anti-mandate memo this week shortly after being appointed to his position as Adjutant General of 10,000 National Guard troops by Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican who has previously blasted the vaccine mandate for military personnel. The memo from the newly-appointed commander of Oklahoma’s National Guard was first …
Read More »‘Our friendship will end here’: Duterte defies Beijing, says he won’t withdraw vessels from disputed waters
Speaking in a televised address aired on Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would not heed Chinese demands and would continue to push for sovereignty over islands and reefs in the South China Sea. “We have a stand here and I want to state it here and now again that …
Read More »BoJo defies scientists to insist ‘schools are safe,’ sends ‘resign’ hashtag to top of Twitter trending charts
Johnson advised parents to send their children to school when they reopen following the Christmas holidays, declaring that education is a priority. “Schools are safe. It is very, very important to stress that. The risk to kids, to young people is really very, very small indeed. The risk to staff …
Read More »Outcry after Canadian minister defies Covid-19 rules with clandestine Caribbean trip while calling on Twitter for ‘sacrifices’
As the scandal grabbed headlines in national media, Ontario Premier Doug Ford insisted he had not been aware of Phillips’ plans to make the trip. He admitted, however, that at some point he became aware of the minister’s overseas travels, yet did not demand he return immediately to the province – …
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