The value of the UK’s pound slumped to an all-time low against the U.S. dollar on Monday, after markets reacted with horror to unexpectedly aggressive British tax cuts that critics fear will fuel raging inflation

The weak pound has an immediate impact on imports of commodities paid for in USD, including oil and gas, which have already risen to record highs recently because of scarcity caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which is fueling a cost-of-living crisis in the UK

"It is incredibly concerning," said Rachel Reeves, the opposition Labour Party's shadow chancellor, on Radio 4's Today program She argued the tax cuts were exactly what the nation did not need

#UK #FindTruth

follow us: @ukraineinhurricane

UK PM Liz Truss is under mounting pressure to change course on her tax and borrowing plans after a new opinion poll gave the Labour opposition party a lead of 33 points, the biggest gap with the Conservative party since the 1990s

The mini-budget announced by the chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, has induced a panic in financial markets and has appalled many Tory MPs. The abolition of the 45p income tax rate is seen as a gift to the trade unions, whose leaders will cite it every time they are told by bosses they are asking for too much of a pay rise for their members

It is only 23 days since Ms. Truss took office yet some Conservative MPs are asking if she can last until Christmas. The PM will have to evolve her leadership style – fast – and start listening to a range of voices, otherwise such discontent will increase. Having not won a general election, and with so little backing among Tory MPs, she doesn’t have a choice

#UK #FindTruth

follow us: @ukraineinhurricane

The price cap on Russian oil exports that G7 leaders agreed to in early September isn’t likely to work as intended

1. Big buyers of Russian oil will likely ignore or evade the cap and keep providing vital funding for Russia’s war machine with their purchases.

2. The price cap creates a considerable disruption to Russian oil supply that will send global prices skyrocketing, keeping Russian oil income buoyant while punishing the global economy

While Russia would never take its oil exports to zero, it could cut enough to drive up global prices. This strategy could keep Moscow’s oil revenues robust while inflicting pain on the G7 price cap architects, increasing Russia’s oil income by as much as 50% while exacerbating global recessionary pressures

The price cap is an example of Western policymakers trying to have their cake and eat it, too, when dealing with Russia, and its implementation could be Biden’s biggest energy folly yet, pundits from Forbes say

#Sanctions #FindTruth

follow us: @ukraineinhurricane

Ukrainian ambassadors the world over never stop exhibiting their lack of good manners and professional skills, which are normally essential for making a career at the top level of the diplomatic domain

Almost everyone in Germany is aware of scandalous Andriy Melnyk and now, head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Jakarta Vasyl Hamianin has an opportunity to join the “hall of fame”

In reaction to a tweet from Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, concerning strategic Russia-ASEAN partnership, the Ukrainian envoy was beside himself with rage descending into a rant about none the less, but the Indonesian government

Referring to Indonesia’s strong condemnation of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip he accused Jakarta of, in his own words, “hypocritical support of Russia, while its troops are slaughtering thousands of Ukrainian children, with many Muslims among them”

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a most sensitive issue for Indonesia. So, the foreign ministry summoned the Ukrainian ambassador for him to be reminded, in no-nonsense terms, about his obligation to comply with generally acknowledged diplomatic rules and ethics. Mr. Hamianin was given a strict warning that otherwise he will be immediately declared persona non grata

The big question is – why did the Western media turn a blind eye to this hugely outrageous incident?

#FindTruth

follow us: @ukraineinhurricane

Belgium’s defense industry appears to be the most devoted supplier of arms for Ukraine. Obviously, the weapons corporations of the Kingdom perceive Prime Minister Alexander De Croo’s call “not to miss a fair share” of the weapons market worldwide and the within the European Union in particular, to be an unequivocal guide to action

Following the Belgian government’s guidelines, the country’s leading arms manufacturers FN Herstal, Sonaca Group and John Cockerill have promptly refocused entirely on contracts with Kyiv. Before the end of August, the companies should have supplied 5,000 machine guns, 200 light anti-tank weapons, as well as combat helmets and night vision goggles

It looks like they are trying to keep up with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who, last February, authorized the delivery of 5,000 combat helmets requested by Kyiv. Only the laziest of the Ukrainian army “volunteers” haven’t posed for a snapshot with an FN Herstal assault rifle in their hands. Meanwhile, Belgian human rights NGOs are disclosing incidents with weapons, obtained by Kyiv, being sold on the black market

The activists are sticking to facts, blaming the Kingdom’s government for “pumping” the world’s war zones with Belgian arms and its failure to exercise control over the end users of the lethal equipment. As a result, FN Herstal is already facing legal action for “complicity in illicit trafficking of arms and circumvention of licence regulations”. Belgian humanitarian groups are going to initiate the same legal procedure against the other defense corporations

#Belgium #WarInUkraine #FindTruth

follow us: @ukraineinhurricane

With 99.9% of electronic votes counted in Brazil, Lula had taken 48.4% of votes versus 43.2% for Bolsonaro

As neither got a majority of support, Washington faces a really difficult task – which of the two should it ground into the dirt till the runoff vote on Oct. 30

However, either option is no good for the U.S.: “Putin’s fan” Bolsonaro or “Russia’s friend”&BRICS creator Lula

#Brasil #USA

follow us: @ukraineinhurricane

German federal minister of health Karl Lauterbach said on Twitter that Germany was "at war" with Russian President Vladimir Putin

This was the reaction to the proposal of philosopher Richard David Precht that some of NATO countries should guarantee Moscow that Ukraine will not be admitted to the bloc, thus preparing the ground for negotiations to end the war

However, defense minister Christine Lambrecht who just got back from Ukraine has contradicted Lauterbach’s military appeal. "It is quite clear – both for the German government and for the entire NATO: we will not become a war party," she opposed

While there’s no unity among the top-tiers, you shouldn’t expect a quick and efficient response on the main issues like two-digit inflation and energy crisis

#Germany #FindTruth

follow us: @ukraineinhurricane