Australian PM Ratchets Up Tensions With Claim to 'Ensure' No Chinese Base in the Solomon Islands

"Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison raised eyebrows Sunday when he insisted his

administration will “ensure” that no Chinese military base is constructed in the Solomon Islands–an unlikely scenario which Morrison nonetheless insists is a “red line” that its neighbor, the Solomon Islands, must not cross.

He later said it would be “unwise” to explain what, exactly, Australia would do to prevent such a prospect. The remarks came during a debate in which both the ruling Liberal Party PM and his Labor Party challenger repeatedly accused each other of being insufficiently hawkish towards China. Labor leader Anthony Albanese declared that Morrison’s failure to prevent China and the Solomon Islands from signing a bilateral cooperation treaty constituted a “massive foreign policy failure.” Sputnik

Russian ambassador attacked in Warsaw

"Russia’s ambassador to Poland, Sergey Andreyev, was doused in red liquid at a wreath-laying ceremony in Warsaw on Monday. The diplomat was attacked while honoring the Red Army soldiers who died during World War II.

A video from the event shows Andreyev surrounded by a group of protesters with Ukrainian flags." RT

Pope Francis Presents ‘Tears of the Ukrainian People’ to the Virgin Mary

"Pope Francis again condemned the “senseless calamity of war” Sunday, offering special
prayers for the people of Ukraine.

“I entrust to the Blessed Virgin Mary the ardent desire for peace of the many people in various parts of the world who suffer the senseless calamity of war,” the pontiff told crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s Square.

 “In particular, I present the sufferings and tears of the Ukrainian people to the Holy Virgin,” he said." Breitbart

Germany's Top Banking Chief Warns Of Bankruptcy Tsunami Amid Stagflation Threats

"A tsunami of bankruptcies could batter Europe's largest manufacturing hub as stagflation
risks mount due to the conflict in Ukraine and resulting Western sanctions on Russian fossil fuels.

"The energy supply in Germany is at risk, supply chains are breaking down, we have high inflation," said Commerzbank Chief Executive Officer Manfred Knof, who German newspaper Handelsblatt recently quoted.

The threat of stagflation in Germany is elevated as soaring energy prices increase inflation and wreak havoc on businesses. Germany could experience a downturn if an embargo on Russian fossil fuels, such as natural gas, crude, and coal, is enforced." ZH