Please thank Eric for this foreign news update!
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**China**
Russia and China join forces for South China Sea Naval Exercises
To be held in September, the upcoming naval exercise shall be conducted in the territory illegally claimed by China as part of the Nine-Dash Line.
People’s Bank of China Waves White Flag
After close to a year of artificially propping up the Yuan, the Chinese central bank has conceded the fight and will allow the Yuan to be devalued according to the dictates of the market. While this will hurt imports – much of it raw materials which China’s manufacturing sector is reliant on – this move will cheapen the Yuan in trades against the dollar, and is expected to boost export volume.
Apocalyptic Alien Invasions Struggle in Chinese Markets
As with the Soviets before them, China is based on the Marxian Dialectic. Accordingly, they are based on the assumption that any civilization powerful enough to reach other stars must be peaceful, benevolent, and socialist. While China has allowed for slightly more free expression than the Soviets, this teaching – a bedrock of the Chinese education system – still prevails and has hampered post-apocalyptic and alien invasion stories from catching on in China. Liu Cixin’s Three-Body Trilogy may be changing that.
Chinese Refusal To Obey The Hague Backfiring
Though the Nine-Dash Line was declared illegal, China has continued to behave as if the line were still in force. As China has nuclear weapons and a larger navy, none of her neighbors – who all lack nuclear weapons – have the ability to challenge Beijing. While this is a minor diplomatic victory for now, it is already beginning to backfire.
State-Owned Chinese Automakers Can’t Compete
Reformers in Beijing seek to overturn an old law which disallows foreign business engaged in joint-ventures which Chinese SOE’s (State-Owned Enterprises) from owning more than 50% of the SOE. Chinese auto makers are warning this would result in their companies becoming wholly owned subsidiaries of these foreign manufacturers.
Chinese Steel Industry Still Bloated
At least partially responsible for the recent collapse of steel prices, the Chinese government has promised to cut 45 M tons of refining capacity. Thus far, they have cut a mere 30% of that number. It is estimated close to 52% of steel firms are being propped up by the Chinese government.
**India and Pakistan**
Sino-American Cold War Expands into Subcontinent
Following a recent move by the US Government to supply India with anti-submarine warships and aircraft, China is expected to begin bolstering the Pakistani Navy. Officially a result of increased investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor running from Urumqi in Xinjiang to Gwadar Port in Pakistan, the move comes after Pakistan backs China in defiance over The Hague’s ruling on the Nine-Dash Line.
In Wake of Increased Unrest in Pakistan, Islamabad Must Get Serious About Islamic Radicalism
Following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander two weeks ago, Pakistan has been gripped by low-scale unrest between radical Islamists and secularists. Largely a result of radicalization which took root in the Middle East in the 1980’s, Pakistan is currently descending into a low-scale Civil War and has the potential to become the next Syria if the government does not take the situation seriously.
Following a call for a protest march by a radical mosque which seeks Kashmiri union with Pakistan, India has re-imposed a curfew on the Indian held portions of the contested region.
**Russia and Ukraine**
Trump Comments on NATO Leave Baltic States Concerned
In Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius, leaders are concerned Trump would be unwilling to defend them in case of Russian aggression. As the Baltic States are dependent on the threat of US response to Russian aggression, this would compromise them and give Russia a free hand to annex the south shore of the Baltic in much the same way they have done in South Ossetia, Crimea, and Donetsk.
Ukraine Today has put together a weekly news debrief on the latest events in Ukraine as Russia continues its attempt to steal Donetsk.
Ukraine Issues Blacklist for 243 Russian Companies
The Ukraine Security Service has announced the companies have been banned from operating in Ukraine after they were discovered operatiing in the contested Donetsk People’s Republic – a separatist state formed by Russian backed militias in the east of Ukraine.
**Middle East**
ISIS Losing Revenue
As Kurdish Peshmerga take Iraqi territory from ISIS, the Caliphate has lost close to 90% of their revenue with the loss of the oil fields they once controlled in Iraq.
**Europe**
Toutists Staying Away From Europe
As a result of increased “Lone Wolf” attacks in Europe, tourists from Asia and North America are staying far away from the center of Western Civilization. This is starting to have a serious effect on the European economy. Images of soldiers on street corners and stories of states of emergency are not helping matters.
The Telegraph exposes the lie at the core of the “Lone Wolf” claim.
The European Central Bank and European Banking Authority will be releasing the results of a recent stress test soon. Analysts expect trouble from the PIIGS (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece, Spain).
German Populace Turning Against Migrants
Increasingly afraid of Islamic Terrorism and annoyed at the government’s refusal to react in a “logical” manner, ther German people are losing faith in their government. Merkel has responded to this criticism by vowing to continue taking in even more migrants.
Terrorism Expert Claims ISIS Attempting to Spark Civil War in Europe
An expert from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs claims ISIS is seeking to provoke civil wars throughout Europe. Further, said expert says Merkel’s migrant policy is helping this plan.
France to Ban Foreign Funding of Mosques
Only a proposal at the moment, France is considering requiring all Mosques to be funded by French Muslims and led by Imams who are natives of France. The spread of Islamism throughout the world can be directly traced to attempts by the House of Saud to appease their own radicals by funding Wahhabi and Salafi preachers and religious schools at home and abroad.
**Africa**
Overfishing by Foreign Countries Continues To Plague Africa
Election Season in South Africa Descends Into Violence
Drought in Southern Africa Worsens
Expect an uptick in violence throughout the Third World as food and water prices rise globally, and remember the Arab Spring can be traced back to increased tensions in the Middle East resulting from higher food prices.
**South America**
Venezuela to Begin Mandatory Labor on Farms
As can be expected from command economies facing a food shortage, the Venezuelan government is planning to command the people to work on farms in order to produce more food. Individuals can be forcibly sent to farms to labor for up to 60 days.
Venezuelan Congress Swears In Three Lawmakers
Conducted in direct violation of a Supreme Court ruling which was intended to prevent the opposition from gaining a Veto-Proof Majority, the Congressional leaders have challenged the Supreme Court to enforce what opposition leaders claim to be an illegal order.
