Putin signs law banning issuance of licenses to foreign users of mineral resources

"Putin signed a law prohibiting the issuance of licenses for the development of mineral
resources to foreign companies. The document was published on the official portal of legal information.

According to the law, only legal entities established in accordance with the law of the Russian Federation, as well as individual entrepreneurs, who are citizens of Russia, can be users of national mineral resources. To continue working in Russia, foreign companies will have to create legal entities in the Russian Federation and transfer the rights to use subsoil plots to them. Valid licenses for the right to use subsoil held by foreigners will be transferred to Russian entities or returned to the subsoil fund." Tass

The U.S. imposed new sanctions to punish Russia

"The U.S. imposed new sanctions to punish Russia for its war in Ukraine. The sanctions
include restrictions on 70 Russian defense-related businesses, including Rostec, a state-owned corporation "considered to be the cornerstone of Russia's defense, industrial, technology, and manufacturing sectors," the State Department said. The U.S., along with G-7 countries, is also banning the import of Russian gold." NPR

The death toll climbed to at least 20 after Monday's missile attack on a crowded mall

"The death toll climbed to at least 20 after Monday's missile attack on a crowded mall in the
central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk, which leaders at a Group of Seven meeting called a "war crime." On Tuesday, emergency responders ended a rescue search for survivors. Russia's government denied hitting the shopping center, claiming it caught fire after Russia struck a nearby weapons depot. But Ukraine's president said it was a "calculated" strike against the mall." NPR

‘No NATO’: Watch Thousands Protest Alliance in Madrid on Eve of Key Summit

"Thousands took to the streets of Madrid on Sunday to protest the upcoming NATO summit.

Carrying modern-day Spanish flags, banners of the old Spanish Republic and flags identifying a range of Leftist forces, including the Party of Labour, the Communist Party, the United Left, the social democratic Unidas Podemos and the Solidaridad Obrera union, demonstrators chanted ‘No NATO’ and ‘NATO Bases – Out’ as they marched along Paseo del Prado Boulevard.

The protesters were joined by allies from other countries, including a group from the Communist Party of Greece, and South Koreans carrying banners reading “Disband NATO, a vehicle of imperialist war!” and “Oppose South Korea Joining NATO!” Sputnik

Report Confirms Expansive CIA ‘Stealth Network’ Of Spies & Commandos Inside Ukraine

"A fresh New York Times report has confirmed what many already suspected – that the CIA is
still very active inside Ukraine – especially with training as well coordinating weapons among its Ukrainian allies.

The Times report details “a stealthy network of commandos and spies rushing to provide weapons, intelligence and training,” based on US and European intelligence officials" ZH

At Least 10 Killed in Missile Strike on Ukrainian Shopping Mall

"At least 10 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a Russian missile struck a
busy shopping mall in central Ukraine, senior Ukrainian officials said Monday.

Video footage shows plumes of black smoke rising from the burning shopping center in the industrial city of Kremenchuk as dozens of rescuers rush around the perimeter and fire trucks parked nearby." MT

Ukraine’s Zelensky asks G7 for more arms, stricter sanctions as Russia makes headway in Donbas

"Zelensky on Monday urged world powers to step up their support for Ukraine via arms and
sanctions as he addressed the G7 summit via videolink from Kyiv after the capital was hit by the first Russian strikes in weeks. In the eastern Luhansk province, meanwhile, the governor urged all civilians to leave the city of Lysychansk – the last big city in the region still held by Ukrainian troops." France24

Obese Russian general, 67, called up to fight in Ukraine as Putin ‘scrapes the barrel

"An obese Russian retired general has been sent to fight on the frontlines in Eastern Ukraine
because Vladimir Putin is running out of senior officers.

The 20 stone general, 67, is now said to be in charge of Russian special forces operating in the region after the unit’s former commander was seriously injured in an artillery strike.

The veteran of Russia ’s disastrous war in Afghanistan is known as General Pavel.

A senior intelligence source last night told the Daily Star Sunday: “Putin is now scraping the barrel." OBJ

One dead, several wounded in missile strike on central Kyiv

"At least one person was killed and several were injured after a Russian missile strike hit Kyiv.News agencies reported that Moscow has stepped up its air strikes on Ukraine for a second day amid the ongoing war."  WION

G-7 Will Ban Russian Gold Imports

"Having sparked hyperinflation in European gas prices and record energy costs around the
globe with their poorly conceived and implemented Russian energy sanctions which have backfired spectacularly, allowing Moscow to reap record energy export profits and China and India to buy oil far below spot prices while leaving US motorists paying record prices at the pump, on Sunday the Biden admin alongside the G-7 announced that they will ban Russian gold imports to "further impose financial costs on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine." ZH

Ukraine may suspend visa-free travel for Israelis

"Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel, Evgeny Korniychuk, has criticized the country for refusing free entry to Ukrainian citizens, saying Kiev is currently contemplating whether to retaliate reciprocally.

“We are now considering whether to suspend the visa-free regime for Israelis,” Korniychuk said in a recent interview." RT

Russia To Transfer Nuclear-Capable Missiles To Belarus "Within Months"

"Putin just issued what's possibly the most alarming and escalatory statement thus far in the four-month long Ukraine war. Putin for the first time informed his close ally Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that he has approved supplying Belarus with nuclear capable long-range missiles. Minsk has long offered to host Russian nukes as a 'deterrent' against the West - a prospect which Lukashenko had very provocatively offered even in the months leading up to the Feb.24 invasion of Ukraine." ZeroHedge

Germany Fears Russia Could Shut Nord Stream 1 Within Weeks

"The European Union has this week accused Russia of planning "rogue moves" regarding
lowering natural gas flows to Europe, or in other words continuing to 'weaponize' its energy, to which the Kremlin has consistently responded with variations of 'our gas, our rules'. 

This after Moscow has reduced Nord Stream 1 gas flows by 40% last week while citing technical issues, leading to a four- to sixfold rise in market prices, based on German energy officials." ZeroHedge

Just 40 Per Cent of Europeans Still Support Russia Sanctions If They Mean Rising Prices

"While the vast majority of Europeans support sanctions against Russia over the invasion of
Ukraine, less than half support the sanctions if they directly lead to a rise in prices, which present experience suggests they are.

The Eurobarometer survey revealed that if sanctions against Russia were to increase the price of food and energy just 40 per cent of Europeans would support them and 60 per cent said they were not prepared to deal with the possible consequences of sanctions." Breitbart

 

China Calls for ‘Urgent’ Coal Production to Stave Off Blackouts

"The premier of China’s State Council, Li Keqiang, “urged” energy officials to ramp up coal production this week to stave off electricity blackouts across several Chinese provinces experiencing record power usage during a regional heatwave, the U.K.’s Guardian newspaper reported." Breitbart