China’s propaganda spreads beyond its borders via Facebook groups

Posted on June 1, 2019 by admin

Facebook groups with thousands of members are helping to build public support for China’s controversial Belt and Road Initiative in English-speaking countries, including Australia. THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD The groups publicise stories around China’s plan for global economic integration while criticising the Western rule-based order, sometimes using Russian-backed media. The group 21SilkRoad, which includes Australians, shares a mix of news and material linked to Russia’s global propaganda ...

US ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran is empowering Russia in Syria

Posted on June 1, 2019 by admin

Unable to sustain its Syrian campaign, Iran is rapidly losing ground to Russia. ALJAZEERA.COM The Syrian regime is suffering from the worst economic crisis since the outbreak of the Syrian revolution in 2011. The acute shortages of fuel, gas and electricity have frustrated even the staunchest loyalists who now publicly express their dissatisfaction against Bashar al-Assad's leadership. Ironically, this comes as the regime and its backers are claiming "victory" against the rebels in ...

South Korea Urges Restraint After Recent North Korea Missile Tests

Posted on June 1, 2019 by admin

South Korea’s Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo on Saturday fended off calls to step up pressure on North Korea after it test-fired missiles last month. TIME Jeong told an annual security conference in Singapore that the tests were being investigated and a conclusion is within reach. “There are discussions whether or not it is a short-range ballistic missile. There is a perspective that it is a Russian Iskander missile, or it is a new tactical ballistic missile,” he said. “There are da...

Australia: Chinese Lasers Forced Military Pilots to Land

Posted on June 1, 2019 by admin

Australian navy pilots claim that they were forced to land their helicopters after Chinese militia boats aimed lasers at them during a routine exercise over the South China Sea. FUTURISM The laser-induced, precautionary grounding is just the latest of many similar accounts by pilots from the U.S. and elsewhere, according to The Guardian — but now the Chinese government is denying that the incident ever took place. I’m Rubber You’re Glue A spokesman for the Chinese military told reporters o...

Acting Defense chief Shanahan vows U.S. will no longer ‘tiptoe’ around Chinese behavior in Asia

Posted on June 1, 2019 by admin

In his first major speech on the international stage, Shanahan denounced China's efforts to steal technology from other nations and militarize man-made outposts in the South China Sea. NBC NEWS Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan blasted China in a speech to national security leaders in Singapore on Saturday. In his first major speech on the international stage, Shanahan denounced China's efforts to steal technology from other nations and militarize man-made outposts in th...

China accuses US of ‘economic terrorism’ as trade war tensions escalate

Posted on June 1, 2019 by admin

China accused the Trump administration of committing "economic terrorism" on Thursday, escalating its war of words with the United States amid rising trade tensions between the two countries. CNN The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the White House had "brought huge damage to the economy of other countries and the US itself," spokesperson Lu Kang told reporters in Beijing on Thursday. Lu described US trade policy as "typical economic terrorism, economic hegemonism, and economic unilater...

Italy blocks Bannon’s plans for right-wing political academy

Posted on June 1, 2019 by admin

The Italian government is blocking plans by former White House adviser Steve Bannon to set up an academy for future populist political leaders in a medieval monastery in the mountains outside of Rome. NEWS957.COM On Friday, Italy’s populist government said it was revoking the rights to the property, which were given to the Dignitatis Humanae Institute, an academy affiliated with Bannon. Italy’s culture ministry says the institute has not paid concession fees and failed to do maintenance w...