Boris Johnson. Il costo della vittoria in Ucraina è troppo alto.

Giuseppe Sandro Mela.

2022-06-30.

È un Boris Johnson dal volto disfatto che pronuncia questo discorso.

Enclave liberal occidentale. Può scegliere se crepare per inflazione oppure per default.

America. Wall Street. Da Sep2021 al Jun22 18 la capitalizzazione ha perso 15.5 trilioni di dollari.

 * * * * * * *

«UK’s Boris Johnson: cost of Russian victory in Ukraine is too high»

«World leaders must recognise the price of supporting Ukraine including the surge in energy and food costs but must also acknowledge that the price of allowing Russia to win would be far higher, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said»

«In order to protect that unity, in order to make it work, you’ve got to have really, really honest discussions about the implications of what’s going on, the pressures that individual friends and partners are feeling»

«But the price of backing down, the price of allowing (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to succeed, to hack off huge parts of Ukraine, to continue with his programme of conquest, that price will be far, far higher. Everybody here understands that»

* * * * * * *

---

UK’s Boris Johnson: cost of Russian victory in Ukraine is too high

Schloss Elmau, Germany, June 26 (Reuters) – World leaders must recognise the price of supporting Ukraine including the surge in energy and food costs but must also acknowledge that the price of allowing Russia to win would be far higher, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

Speaking at the start of a Group of Seven summit on Sunday, Johnson said the West needed to maintain its unity in the face of Moscow’s aggression.

“In order to protect that unity, in order to make it work, you’ve got to have really, really honest discussions about the implications of what’s going on, the pressures that individual friends and partners are feeling,” he told reporters.

“But the price of backing down, the price of allowing (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to succeed, to hack off huge parts of Ukraine, to continue with his programme of conquest, that price will be far, far higher. Everybody here understands that.”

Russia. Porta la Germania alla implosione. E con essa tutto il blocco europeo.

Giuseppe Sandro Mela.

2022-06-30.

Il blocco europeo sta fornendo armi alla Ukraina, che è in conflitto con la Russia.

Il blocco europeo vuole la Ukraina nella Unione Europea-

Il blocco europeo vuole la Ukraina nella Nato.

Il blocco europeo ha chiuso il corridoio tra Russia e Kalinigrad.

I paesi baltici entrano nella Nato.

* * *

Il tanto sbandierato eolico eroga corrente solo quando tira il vento.

Il tanto sbandierato fotovoltaico eroga corrente solo quando c’è il sole.

Nei fatti servono a nulla: giganteschi investimenti bruciati sugli altari di ideologie suicide.

* * * * * * *

La Russia sta portando la Germania alla implosione. E con essa tutto il blocco europeo.

* * * * * * *

La Russia sta spingendo l’economia tedesca al punto di rottura.

In Germania, alcuni forni industriali funzionano ininterrottamente da decenni. Se si raffreddano improvvisamente, i materiali fusi si induriscono e il sistema si rompe.

Questo è il tipo di preoccupazione che attraversa la più grande economia europea, alle prese con una crisi energetica senza precedenti.

Quello che era iniziato come un vago presentimento sulla riduzione delle forniture di gas russo è ora molto reale.

Questa settimana sono stati elaborati gli scenari e nessuno di essi ha portato a riserve sufficienti per superare l’inverno.

I rischi vanno oltre la recessione e un inverno di case gelate e fabbriche chiuse.

Le aziende che producono metalli, carta e persino cibo potrebbero essere costrette a ridimensionare o chiudere i siti produttivi tedeschi, accelerando un esodo costante di posti di lavoro nel settore manifatturiero e lasciando danni duraturi al panorama economico del Paese.

Le aziende sposteranno la produzione dove c’è un gasdotto competitivo, e questo non sarà in Germania.

Il momento della verità arriverà probabilmente il mese prossimo, quando il gasdotto Nord Stream si fermerà per la manutenzione programmata.

La crisi si è già estesa ben oltre la Germania, con 12 Stati membri dell’Unione Europea interessati e 10 che hanno lanciato un allarme preventivo ai sensi della normativa sulla sicurezza del gas.

Anche se Wiegand interrompesse la produzione, i forni avrebbero bisogno del 75% del consumo normale di gas per evitare che il vetro fuso all’interno si blocchi e distrugga il forno.

Se i forni altamente specializzati si rompessero, la ricostruzione sarebbe lunga e costosa.

Il presidente della Banca centrale europea Christine Lagarde ha dichiarato che il 75% delle previsioni sull’inflazione sbagliate dalla banca l’anno scorso sono dovute ai prezzi dell’energia.

Le prospettive sono già tetre. Gli ordini di produzione nelle fabbriche sono diminuiti negli ultimi tre mesi, i costi stanno aumentando e la fiducia sta crollando.

Se necessario, potremmo passare una parte della produzione dal gas al petrolio, ma l’efficienza sarebbe cinque volte inferiore.

Le famiglie potrebbero vedersi raddoppiare o triplicare la bolletta del gas e ha invitato i cittadini a risparmiare denaro ed energia.

* * * * * * *

«Russia is pushing Germany’s economy to the breaking point»

«In Germany, some industrial furnaces have been running without interruption for decades. If they cool down suddenly, the molten materials harden and the system breaks»

«That’s the kind of concern sweeping through Europe’s largest economy as it faces an unprecedented energy crisis»

«What started as vague foreboding over reduced supplies of Russian gas is now very real»

«this week worked out the scenarios and none of them led to sufficient reserves to make it through the winter»

«The risks extend beyond beyond a recession, and a winter of freezing homes and shuttered factories»

«Firms making metals, paper and even food could be forced to downscale or close German production sites, accelerating a steady exodus of manufacturing jobs and leaving lasting damage to the country’s economic landscape»

«Companies will move production to where there’s competitive pipeline gas, and this won’t be in Germany»

«The moment of truth is likely to come next month, when the Nord Stream pipeline goes down for scheduled maintenance»

«The crisis has already spilled far beyond Germany, with 12 European Union member states affected and 10 issuing an early warning under gas security regulation»

«Even if Wiegand idled production, the furnaces would need 75% of normal gas consumption to prevent the molten glass inside from seizing up and destroying the furnace»

«If the highly-specialized furnaces break rebuilding would be time-consuming and expensive»

«European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said 75% of what the bank got wrong in its inflation prediction last year was due to energy prices»

«The outlook is already grim. Manufacturing orders at factories have fallen for the past three months, costs are rising and confidence is crumbling»

«We could switch some production from gas to oil if needed, but it would be five-times less efficient»

«households could face doubling or tripling of their gas bills and called on people to save money and energy»

* * * * * * *

---

Russia Is Pushing Germany’s Economy to the Breaking Point.

(Bloomberg) — In Germany, some industrial furnaces have been running without interruption for decades. If they cool down suddenly, the molten materials harden and the system breaks. 

That’s the kind of concern sweeping through Europe’s largest economy as it faces an unprecedented energy crisis.

What started as vague foreboding over reduced supplies of Russian gas is now very real. After President Vladimir Putin slashed flows on the main link to Europe by 60%, experts in Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s administration this week worked out the scenarios and none of them led to sufficient reserves to make it through the winter.  

“That was the sobering moment,” Klaus Mueller, who heads Germany’s network regulator known as BNetzA, said Friday in an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio. “If we have a very, very cold winter, if we’re careless and far too generous with gas, then it won’t be pretty.”

The risks extend beyond beyond a recession, and a winter of freezing homes and shuttered factories. For decades, Germany has prospered off the back of cheap gas. The answer to the growing economy’s needs more often than not was a new pipeline to Russia. 

That era is now over, and companies from BASF SE to Volkswagen AG are coming to terms with the new reality. 

There will be quick fixes — like reviving polluting coal plants and switching fuels in industrial processes — but structural issues loom as the transition to affordable renewable power will still take years.   

Firms making metals, paper and even food could be forced to downscale or close German production sites, accelerating a steady exodus of manufacturing jobs and leaving lasting damage to the country’s economic landscape.

“Companies will move production to where there’s competitive pipeline gas, and this won’t be in Germany,” said Wolfgang Hahn, managing director of Energy Consulting Group GmbH. “You can’t correct 20 years of policy errors in two or three years.”

The latest figures show that it would take 115 days to reach the government’s target of filling gas reserves to 90% capacity by November. That time frame assumes flows remain at the current level, which is unlikely given the Kremlin’s increasingly aggressive posture toward Europe in retaliation for sanctions imposed over Russia’s war in Ukraine. 

In response to the grim prospects, Germany — which still relies on Russia for more than a third of its gas supplies — elevated its threat level to the second-highest “alarm” stage on Thursday. If the squeeze gets tighter, Germany could start rationing supplies. 

The moment of truth is likely to come next month, when the Nord Stream pipeline goes down for scheduled maintenance. Germany worries it may never come back. 

“I would have to lie if I said I didn’t fear that,” Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Thursday in an interview with public broadcaster ZDF. 

Germany’s vice chancellor drew a parallel between the gas squeeze and the role of Lehman Brothers in triggering the financial crisis. If energy suppliers continue to pile up losses by being forced to cover missing Russian supplies at high prices, there’s a risk of a broader collapse.

Uniper SE, Germany’s largest Russian gas importer, has already warned it may face difficulties fulfilling supply contracts to local utilities and manufacturers if Moscow prolongs or increases gas cuts.    

The crisis has already spilled far beyond Germany, with 12 European Union member states affected and 10 issuing an early warning under gas security regulation. Europe’s increased demand for liquefied natural gas will also hit poorer nations around the world as they struggle to compete for cargoes. 

“We are worried” that Russia will cut off gas supplies to Europe, Estonian President Kaja Kallas said at the EU summit in Brussels on Friday.  “We need to be prepared to have different energy mixes, united purchases of liquefied gas and do these things together.”

Scenarios from BNetzA, which would manage Germany’s gas distribution in the event of rationing, take into account a series of emergency measures, including two floating LNG terminals that will come online this winter, auctions of excess fuel for industry and a 15 billion-euro ($15.8 billion) government program to buy gas on the spot market.

“Storage sites in Germany need to be filled as soon as possible,” said Sebastian Bleschke, head of INES, the association of German storage operators. “For some sites, the window of opportunity is closing.”

Bavaria-based Wiegand Glas shows the difficulty of unwinding Germany’s gas demand. The company’s 11 glass-melting furnaces — like all those in the country — operate 24 hours a day for more than a decade. Even if Wiegand idled production, the furnaces would need 75% of normal gas consumption to prevent the molten glass inside from seizing up and destroying the furnace.

“But then we have to carry the energy cost while we have nothing to sell, so this is not really an option,” Chief Executive Officer Oliver Wiegand said in an interview. If the highly-specialized furnaces break, rebuilding would be time-consuming and expensive. “It would take a decade to build up to normal production again,” he added.

Economists are trying to pin down the scope of the risk, but it’s a challenge. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said 75% of what the bank got wrong in its inflation prediction last year was due to energy prices.

German economic institutes warned in April that an immediate halt to Russian imports of oil and natural gas would cause a 220 billion-euro hit to output over the next two years. While it could be more benign now as storage levels tick up, predicting the outcome of an unprecedented situation is difficult, said Stefan Kooths, an economist at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, who was involved in the forecast.

The Bundesbank estimates that Germany’s economy will shrink more than 3% in 2023 if Russian energy supplies stop. That would be the worst slump outside of the recessions sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic and the global financial crisis.

The outlook is already grim. Manufacturing orders at factories have fallen for the past three months, costs are rising and confidence is crumbling. The Ifo Institute’s closely watched measure of business expectations unexpectedly dropped this month.

For now, companies are bracing for a prolonged reduction in energy. BASF, Europe’s biggest chemicals maker, may cut output because of the rising cost of gas, which is used as a feedstock in production and to generate electricity. BMW AG, the world’s biggest luxury-car maker, may buy electricity rather burn gas in its own on-site power plants. 

“We could switch some production from gas to oil if needed, but it would be five-times less efficient,” Hagen Pfundner, head of the German operations of Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG. “That would not be a durable solution.”

Germany is preparing consumers and businesses for tough times ahead. BNetzA’s Mueller warned that households could face doubling or tripling of their gas bills and called on people to save money and energy. Habeck appealed to Germans sense of solidarity to fend off Putin’s energy attacks. 

Responding to the suggestion of a state bonus for saving gas, he said: “If someone says ‘I’ll only help if I get 50 euros more,’ I’d say ‘you’re not getting it, dude.’”

Regno Unito. Boris Johnson si avvia ad una catastrofe elettorale.

Giuseppe Sandro Mela.

2022-06-29.

Questa era la Gran Bretagna che ricordiamo con ammirato piacere.

La situazione economica della Gran Bretagna è quasi fallimentare.

Presenta un Ppi del 22.1%, un Cpi 9.1% e vendita al dettaglio del -5.7%.

Lo scontento popolare è grande.

Questa inflazione è acuita dal costo delle sanzioni promulgate contro la Russia.

Alle elezioni suppletive di pochi giorni or sono i Tories hanno perso entrambi i due seggi in bilico, a Wakefield che è tornato in mano ai laburisti, di cui era sempre stato un feudo fino al 2019 quando vinsero i conservatori.

Regno Unito. Inflazione al 19.2%. Sanzionare la Russia ha un costo ben salato.

Regno Unito. Proibito l’import del merluzzo russo, i prezzi di Fish and Chips volano.

Regno Unito. L’inflazione butta 5 milioni di persone in povertà energetica. – Bloomberg.

Regno Unito. La stagflazione causa 4 milioni di poveri assoluti. Lo stato delle tasse.

Britain’s Cost-of-Living Crisis Is as Bad as It Sounds

Regno Unito. Il tetto dei prezzi energetici al consumo aumenterà del 51% ad aprile.

Regno Unito. Johnson deve scegliere tra ideologia green oppure autosufficienza energetica.

Boris Johnson sta bruciando i ponti con la Cina. – Bloomberg.

Regno Unito. Johnson deve scegliere tra ideologia green oppure autosufficienza energetica.

* * * * * * *

Il primo ministro britannico Boris Johnson ha giurato sabato di guidare il suo partito conservatore fino alle prossime elezioni nazionali, che potrebbero essere lontane più di due anni, nonostante le due pesanti sconfitte alle elezioni parziali che hanno portato a nuovi appelli per le sue dimissioni.

All’inizio di questo mese, Johnson è sopravvissuto a un voto di fiducia da parte dei legislatori conservatori, anche se il 41% dei suoi colleghi parlamentari ha votato per estrometterlo.

Venerdì i candidati conservatori hanno perso due elezioni alla Camera dei Comuni, tenutesi per sostituire ex conservatori in carica che hanno dovuto dimettersi, uno dopo essere stato condannato per violenza sessuale e l’altro per aver guardato materiale pornografico in parlamento.

I timori che Johnson possa essere diventato un peso elettorale possono spingere i legislatori a muoversi contro di lui, in un momento in cui milioni di britannici sono alle prese con l’aumento dei prezzi di cibo e carburante.

Secondo le attuali regole del partito, la leadership di Johnson non può essere messa formalmente in discussione per un altro anno.

Un’ondata di dimissioni da parte di ministri di alto livello potrebbe costringere Johnson a lasciare il partito prima delle prossime elezioni nazionali. Il presidente del partito, Oliver Dowden, si è dimesso dopo le sconfitte alle elezioni parziali.

* * * * * * *

---

«British Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed on Saturday to lead his Conservative party into the next national election, which could be more than two years away, despite two bruising by-election defeats that have led to renewed calls for him to quit»

«Earlier this month, Johnson survived a vote of confidence by Conservative lawmakers, though 41% of his parliamentary colleagues voted to oust him»

«On Friday, Conservative candidates lost two elections to the House of Commons held to replace former Conservative incumbents who had to step down, one after being convicted of sexual assault and the other for watching pornography in parliament»

«Fears that Johnson could have become an electoral liability may prompt lawmakers to move against him, at a time when millions of Britons are struggling with rising food and fuel price»

«Under existing party rules, Johnson’s leadership cannot be formally challenged again for another year»

«A wave of resignations by senior ministers might force Johnson out before the next national election. The party’s chairman, Oliver Dowden, quit after the by-election defeats»

* * * * * * *

---

Boris Johnson vows to lead UK Conservatives to next election

– UK’s Johnson does not expect fresh leadership challenge

– British PM pressured by poll losses after leadership vote

– Johnson does not need to hold election until December 2024

– PM declines comment on 150,000-pound tree house for his son

* * * * * * *

Kigali, June 25 (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed on Saturday to lead his Conservative party into the next national election, which could be more than two years away, despite two bruising by-election defeats that have led to renewed calls for him to quit.

Earlier this month, Johnson survived a vote of confidence by Conservative lawmakers, though 41% of his parliamentary colleagues voted to oust him, and he is under investigation by a committee over whether he intentionally misled parliament.

On Friday, Conservative candidates lost two elections to the House of Commons held to replace former Conservative incumbents who had to step down, one after being convicted of sexual assault and the other for watching pornography in parliament.

The election defeats suggest the broad voter appeal which helped Johnson win the 2019 election may be fracturing after a scandal over illegal parties held at Downing Street during coronavirus lockdowns.

Fears that Johnson could have become an electoral liability may prompt lawmakers to move against him, at a time when millions of Britons are struggling with rising food and fuel prices.

However, Johnson said he did not expect to face another internal challenge from within his party.

When asked on the final day of a trip to Rwanda for a Commonwealth summit if he would fight another confidence vote, Johnson told reporters: “What? We just had one of those things and I’m very happy to have got a bigger mandate from my parliamentary party than I got in 2019.”

Asked if he felt the question of his leadership was settled, the prime minister said: “Yes”.

Under existing party rules, Johnson’s leadership cannot be formally challenged again for another year.

Asked if he would lead the Conservatives into the next election, which is due no later than December 2024, Johnson said: “Will I win? Yes.”

Johnson blamed the by-election defeats partly on months of media reporting of lockdown parties at the heart of government.

“I think that actually people were fed up of hearing about things I had stuffed up, or allegedly stuffed up, or whatever, this endless, completely legitimate, but endless churn of news,” he said.

Earlier on Saturday, Johnson told BBC radio he rejected the notion that he should change his behaviour.

“If you’re saying you want me to undergo some sort of psychological transformation, I think that our listeners would know that that … is not going to happen.”

                         PARTY TROUBLE

Johnson’s explanation for the defeat may do little to ease frustration in the Conservative Party.

A wave of resignations by senior ministers might force Johnson out before the next national election. The party’s chairman, Oliver Dowden, quit after the by-election defeats.

Former Conservative leaders Michael Howard and William Hague are the latest senior party figures to call for Johnson to go.

Asked what his message was for Conservative lawmakers who fear they could lose their seats at the next election, Johnson said: “We have to focus on the things that matter to voters, get it right on the cost of living, the economy.”

Johnson refused to comment on a report in The Times newspaper that he had planned to get a donor to fund a 150,000-pound ($184,000) treehouse for his son at his state-provided country residence.

The story comes months after his party was fined for failing to accurately report a donation which helped fund the refurbishment of his Downing Street apartment.

“I’m not going to comment on non-existent objects,” Johnson said when asked if he planned to use a donor’s money to build the treehouse.

Germania. Teme che la Russia chiuda definitivamente le forniture di gas.

Giuseppe Sandro Mela.

2022-06-29.

Hanno mandato, e continuano a mandare, armi alla Ukraina che è in conflitto con la Russia.

Vogliono che la Ukraina entri nella Unione Europea.

Vogliono che la Ukraina entri a fare parte della Nato.

Hanno chiuso il varco che collega Kalinigrad alla Madrepatria.

Hanno bloccato i pagamenti degli interessi dei bond russi, pur essendo stata depositata la cifra necessaria in dollari.

Il Presidente Putin sembrerebbe non essere il tipo che porge l’altra guancia.

Cosa mai si sarebbero aspettati? Bacini lingua in bocca?

* * * * * * *

Il ministro dell’Economia tedesco ha dichiarato di non poter essere certo che la Russia riprenderà le spedizioni attraverso un gasdotto chiave dopo la manutenzione programmata per il mese prossimo, sollevando la prospettiva di una nuova impennata dei prezzi e di un razionamento quest’inverno.

I flussi attraverso il collegamento Nord Stream 1 potrebbero non ripartire nemmeno dopo la fine del periodo di manutenzione di 10 giorni che inizierà l’11 luglio.

Mueller ha anche avvertito che i prezzi per i consumatori potrebbero triplicare e ha esortato le famiglie e le imprese a mettere da parte i soldi e a risparmiare energia quando possibile.

Habeck ha messo in guardia da un potenziale crollo dei mercati dell’energia e ha fatto un paragone con il ruolo della banca statunitense Lehman Brothers nello scatenare la crisi finanziaria.

Nord Stream è il principale gasdotto che porta il gas dalla Russia alla più grande economia europea, che dipende ancora dal Paese per oltre un terzo delle sue forniture.

Lo stallo si è aggravato la scorsa settimana dopo che Gazprom PJSC ha ridotto le spedizioni attraverso Nord Stream, lasciandolo al 40% della capacità e mettendo a rischio le riserve tedesche per l’inverno.

* * * * * * *

«Germany’s economy minister said he can’t be sure that Russia will resume shipments through a key gas pipeline following planned maintenance next month, raising the prospect of a fresh surge in prices and rationing this winter»

«flows through the Nord Stream 1 link might not restart even after the end of the 10-day maintenance period beginning on July 11»

«Mueller also warned that prices for consumers could triple, and urged households and businesses to put money aside and save energy wherever possible»

«Habeck warned of a potential collapse in energy markets, and made a comparison to the role of US bank Lehman Brothers in triggering the financial crisis»

«Nord Stream is the main pipeline bringing gas from Russia to Europe’s largest economy, which still depends on the country for more than a third of its supplies»

«The standoff escalated last week after Gazprom PJSC slashed shipments through Nord Stream, leaving it at only 40% capacity and putting Germany’s reserves for the winter at risk»

* * * * * * *

---

Germany Fears Russia Could Permanently Close Main Gas Pipeline

(Bloomberg) — Germany’s economy minister said he can’t be sure that Russia will resume shipments through a key gas pipeline following planned maintenance next month, raising the prospect of a fresh surge in prices and rationing this winter.

“I would have to lie if I said I didn’t fear that,” Economy Minister Robert Habeck said late Thursday in an interview with public broadcaster ZDF. His concerns were echoed Friday by Klaus Mueller, the head of the federal network agency, who said that flows through the Nord Stream 1 link might not restart even after the end of the 10-day maintenance period beginning on July 11.

Mueller also warned that prices for consumers could triple, and urged households and businesses to put money aside and save energy wherever possible.

“If we have a very, very cold winter, if we’re careless and far too generous with gas then it won’t be pretty,” Mueller said in an interview with public broadcaster ARD.

Germany on Thursday raised the country’s gas risk level to the second-highest “alarm” phase, one step below the third and final “emergency” stage which would involve state control over distribution.

Habeck warned of a potential collapse in energy markets, and made a comparison to the role of US bank Lehman Brothers in triggering the financial crisis.

Nord Stream is the main pipeline bringing gas from Russia to Europe’s largest economy, which still depends on the country for more than a third of its supplies. An alternative route is subject to Russian sanctions so isn’t being used, and Moscow is also squeezing flows to Europe via Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reduced flows to Europe in apparent retaliation over sanctions imposed following his invasion of Ukraine. The standoff escalated last week after Gazprom PJSC slashed shipments through Nord Stream, leaving it at only 40% capacity and putting Germany’s reserves for the winter at risk.

“The signal from yesterday with the alarm level is not that we’re now watching on powerlessly and staring at the snake like the famous rabbit,” Mueller said.

“It’s now up to us,” he added. “That means industry with all its options for substitution and saving. That means private households, who at last seem now to have woken up.”

Habeck is also trying to set an example. He told Der Spiegel magazine in an interview published Friday that he has “significantly shortened” his showering time.

“In the summer I really don’t like being in air-conditioned rooms, and in the winter I use the heating sparingly,” Habeck said. “Also, I come home late, get up at six and leave by seven. So you don’t have to heat at all in winter.”

Cina. Ha varato la Fujian, moderna portaerei di progetto e tecnologie tutte cinesi.

Giuseppe Sandro Mela.

2022-06-28.

Le moderne portaerei racchiudono un concentrato di alta tecnologia e sono l’apice di ogni flotta con aspirazioni di superpotenza globale.

La esperienza della Gerald Ford è significativa: sono serviti anni per ovviare agli inevitabili errori di progettazione.

Ma il problema è reso ancor più complesso tenendo conto che con lo sviluppo dei missili ipersonici antinave le portaerei devono essere munite di apparecchiature elettroniche al vertice delle possibilità progettuali e costruttive.

La Fujian avrebbe caratteristiche allo stato dell’arte, tranne che per la propulsione tradizionale e non atomica, per sviluppare le quali saranno necessari almeno altri cinque anni di ricerca di base e tecnologica.

Tuttavia questo è un fondamentale passo innanzi per la Marina Militare cinese.

* * * * * * *

La Cina ha varato venerdì la sua terza e più avanzata portaerei dal cantiere navale Jiangnan di Shanghai, con nuovi sistemi di combattimento che, secondo gli esperti, stanno rapidamente raggiungendo gli Stati Uniti.

Denominata “Fujian”, la nave è la prima portaerei a catapulta progettata e costruita in Cina.

“Il suo sistema di lancio elettromagnetico con catapulta è un importante aggiornamento rispetto al sistema meno avanzato di tipo ski jump utilizzato sulla Liaoning e sulla Shandong, i suoi due predecessori.

Il nuovo sistema, simile a quello utilizzato dalle portaerei statunitensi, consentirà alla Cina di lanciare una più ampia varietà di velivoli dalla Fujian in modo più rapido e con più munizioni.

Oltre al sistema di lancio, la Fujian è dotata di dispositivi di blocco e di un dislocamento a pieno carico di oltre 80.000 tonnellate.

La nuova nave sarebbe la prima portaerei moderna dell’esercito cinese.

Si tratta di un passo avanti piuttosto significativo.

La Cina chiama le sue portaerei con i nomi delle sue province costiere: Liaoning a nord-est e Shandong a est. Il Fujian, nel sud-est, è la provincia più vicina a Taiwan, separata da uno stretto che nel suo punto più stretto è largo meno di 80 miglia (128 chilometri).

Il leader cinese Xi Jinping ha ripetutamente affermato che la “riunificazione” tra Cina e Taiwan è inevitabile e ha rifiutato di escludere l’uso della forza.

La prima portaerei cinese, la Liaoning, era una nave di epoca sovietica incompiuta che Pechino ha acquistato dall’Ucraina nel 1998, aggiornata e infine messa in servizio nel 2012.

L’esercito cinese ha utilizzato le conoscenze tecnologiche acquisite da quella nave per costruire la sua prima portaerei nazionale, la Shandong, che è entrata in servizio nel dicembre 2019.

Queste due portaerei utilizzavano il sistema di lancio a salto con gli sci, in cui gli aerei decollavano semplicemente da una leggera rampa, mentre le portaerei statunitensi utilizzano un sistema di catapulta più avanzato per lanciare i loro aerei.

Tutte le portaerei statunitensi sono inoltre a propulsione nucleare, mentre si ritiene che la Fujian utilizzi una propulsione convenzionale a vapore.

* * * * * * *

«China on Friday launched its third and most advanced aircraft carrier from Shanghai’s Jiangnan Shipyard, with new combat systems that experts say are fast catching up with the United States»

«Named “Fujian,” the ship is China’s first domestically designed and built catapult aircraft carrier»

«Its electromagnetic catapult-assisted launch system is a major upgrade from the less advanced ski jump-style system used on the Liaoning and the Shandong, its two predecessors»

«The new system, similar to the ones used by US aircraft carriers, will allow China to launch a wider variety of aircraft from the Fujian faster and with more ammunition»

«In addition to the launch system, the Fujian is equipped with blocking devices, and a full-load displacement of more than 80,000 tons»

«the new ship would be the Chinese military’s first modern aircraft carrier»

«This is a pretty significant step forward»

«China names its aircraft carriers after its coastal provinces, with Liaoning in the northeast and Shandong in the east. Fujian, in the southeast, is the closest province to Taiwan, separated by a strait that is fewer than 80 miles (128 kilometers) wide at its narrowest point»

«Chinese leader Xi Jinping has repeatedly said that “reunification” between China and Taiwan is inevitable and refused to rule out the use of force»

«China’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was an unfinished Soviet-era vessel that Beijing bought from Ukraine in 1998, updated and finally commissioned in 2012»

«The Chinese military used the technological knowledge it gained from that vessel to build its first domestically constructed carrier, the Shandong, which entered service in December 2019»

«Those two carriers used the ski-jump launching system, where planes would simply take off from a slight ramp, while US carriers use a more advanced catapult system to launch their aircraft»

«All US aircraft carriers are also nuclear-powered, while the Fujian is believed to run on conventional steam propulsion»

* * * * * * *

---

La Cina ha una nuova portaerei. Prende il nome dalla provincia di fronte a Taiwan

La Fujian, interamente progettata e costruita nella Repubblica Popolare, è la terza a disposizione della marina cinese.

La Cina aggiunge un altro consistente tassello alle sue velleità di diventare una superpotenza militare con il lancio ufficiale, avvenuto venerdì 17 giugno, della sua terza portaerei. Alla nuova nave da guerra è stato dato il significativo nome di Fujian, la provincia che è di fronte all’isola di Taiwan. Lo ha riferito il network statale Cctv, ricordando che la nuova unità della marina si aggiunge alla Liaoning (la prima realizzata su uno scafo comprato dall’Ucraina dopo la dissoluzione dell’Urss) e la Shandong, la prima sviluppata tutta in Cina. Il lancio della Fujian è avvenuto con un ritardo di settimane sulla tempistica originaria per l’ondata di Covid-19 che ha colpito Shanghai, portando al lockdown e al blocco delle attività, inclusi i cantieri navali dove è in costruzione.

                         Catapulta “made in China”

La Fujian, nota anche come ’Type 003’, è la «prima portaerei con catapulta interamente progettata e costruita» dagli esperti cinesi, ha riferito la Cctv. L’annuncio, che era considerato imminente, è comunque maturato in una fase in cui le tensioni tra Cina e Usa sono aumentate in modo significativo a causa delle pressioni dell’Esercito popolare di liberazione (Pla) su Taiwan, considerata da Pechino una parte «inalienabile» del territorio cinese, destinata alla riunificazione anche con l’uso della forza, se necessario.

La Cina ha ripetutamente navigato con le sue navi da guerra attraverso lo stretto che separa l’isola dalla terraferma anche per contrastare il passaggio delle unità militari di Usa e alleati impegnate nelle operazioni di ’libertà di navigazione’, e ha utilizzato jet militari per le sue incursioni (circa 500 quest’anno contro le quasi 1.000 del 2021) nell’area di identificazione di difesa aerea di Taipei.

                         La terza portaerei della flotta

La Fujian si aggiunge alla Liaoning (commissionata a settembre 2012) e alla Shandong (dicembre 2019), presentandosi come la più avanzata tecnologicamente vantando, tra l’altro, un meccanismo di catapulta magnetica a differenza delle altre due che hanno un ponte per il decollo dei caccia disegnato con un rialzo finale.

Tuttavia, ci vorranno anni prima che la portaerei possa raggiungere la sua piena capacità operativa, poiché il ministero della Difesa cinese non ha annunciato una data per l’entrata in servizio. «I test di navigazione e ormeggio saranno effettuati come previsto dopo il varo della nave», ha aggiunto la Cctv.

                         Sviluppi nei prossimi anni

Secondo gli esperti militari, la Cina potrebbe avere nella sua flotta tra le 5 e le 6 portaerei totali entro il 2030, periodo in cui è atteso anche il varo della prima unità a propulsione nucleare per assicurasi una maggiore autonomia di navigazione, come quelle americane.

* * * * * * *

---

China launches third, most advanced aircraft carrier named ‘Fujian

China on Friday launched its third and most advanced aircraft carrier from Shanghai’s Jiangnan Shipyard, with new combat systems that experts say are fast catching up with the United States.

Named “Fujian,” the ship is China’s first domestically designed and built catapult aircraft carrier, state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

Its electromagnetic catapult-assisted launch system is a major upgrade from the less advanced ski jump-style system used on the Liaoning and the Shandong, its two predecessors, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington-based think tank.

The new system, similar to the ones used by US aircraft carriers, will allow China to launch a wider variety of aircraft from the Fujian faster and with more ammunition.

In addition to the launch system, the Fujian is equipped with blocking devices, and a full-load displacement of more than 80,000 tons, Xinhua reported, adding that the ship will carry out mooring tests and navigation tests after the launch.

Matthew Funaiole, senior fellow at the CSIS’s China Project, told CNN previously that the new ship would be the Chinese military’s first modern aircraft carrier.

“This is a pretty significant step forward,” he said. “They’ve really committed to building out a carrier program, and they continue to push the boundaries of what they’re able to do.”

China names its aircraft carriers after its coastal provinces, with Liaoning in the northeast and Shandong in the east. Fujian, in the southeast, is the closest province to Taiwan, separated by a strait that is fewer than 80 miles (128 kilometers) wide at its narrowest point.

China’s ruling Communist Party claims sovereignty over the self-ruling democracy of Taiwan, despite having never governed it. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has repeatedly said that “reunification” between China and Taiwan is inevitable and refused to rule out the use of force.

China now wields the largest naval force in the world, and aircraft carriers are the core vessels of any major power’s fleet. The massive ships are essentially a mobile airbase, allowing for the rapid, long-term deployment of aircraft and weaponry to a combat theater.

China’s naval buildup comes amid growing geopolitical tensions with the US, which under President Joe Biden is seeking to strengthen ties with allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific region to counter Beijing’s growing economic influence and military might.

Last year, Beijing bristled at a security pact between the US, the UK and Australia named AUKUS, an agreement by which the three nations would exchange military information and technology to form a closer defense partnership in Asia. The naval exercises attended by members of the resuscitated informal dialogue between the US, Japan, Australia and India, known as the Quad, has further unsettled Beijing.

                         Naval rivalry

China’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was an unfinished Soviet-era vessel that Beijing bought from Ukraine in 1998, updated and finally commissioned in 2012.

The Chinese military used the technological knowledge it gained from that vessel to build its first domestically constructed carrier, the Shandong, which entered service in December 2019.

But although China’s two initial aircraft carriers increased its naval power, their capability was still far behind the US, which has a total of 11 of the vessels in service.

In addition, both the Liaoning and the Shandong were based on outdated Soviet technology. Those two carriers used the ski-jump launching system, where planes would simply take off from a slight ramp, while US carriers use a more advanced catapult system to launch their aircraft.

Aircraft launched by catapults can get airborne quicker and with greater quantities of fuel and ammunition, giving them an advantage over planes launched by ski jump, which rely on their own power when lifting off.

However, despite the advanced launch system, CSIS’ Funaiole said there are still signs the Chinese carrier lags behind its US counterparts, which have more catapults, a larger airway and more elevators to allow for quicker deployment of aircraft.

All US aircraft carriers are also nuclear-powered, while the Fujian is believed to run on conventional steam propulsion, which Funaiole said would limit its reach. “(Although) this may be less of a factor for China right now as many of its interests are in the near seas,” he said.

Following its launch, the Fujian will need to be tested and fully outfitted before it is fit to be commissioned and officially enter service.

Initially the US Department of Defense had estimated the carrier to be ready for active service by 2023, but it has now pushed that date back to 2024.

The Shandong aircraft carrier also took two years from launching in 2017 to when it finally entered service in 2019. Moreover, the Fujian could struggle to operate the electromagnetic launching technology for its catapults.

Even the US has had difficulty utilizing the same system on its latest carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, leading to lengthy deployment delays.

Italia. Altri 40,000 medici andranno in pensione entro il 2024. Avremo ospedali senza sanitari.

Giuseppe Sandro Mela.

2022-06-28.

Sono più di dieci anni che denunciamo la severità dei dati relativi al pensionamento ed alle dimissioni dei medici dal servizio sanitario nazionale.

Nei casi più benevoli si era tacciati di essere degli iettatori.

La sanità nazionale è stata burocratizzata al punto da far sembrare quella della Repubblica Sovietica staliniana di infausta memoria un paradiso trionfante delle libertà operazionali.

Suggeriremmo di leggere con cura tutti gli allegati, se non altro per cercare di capire di quale morte dovremo morire.

* * * * * * *

Regione Campania. Bando per medici. Richiesti 450, 165 domande, 27 assunti, tre anestesisti.

Italia. Corte dei Conti. 9,000 medici emigrati in otto anni.

Pronti Soccorsi. Chiudono per carenza di personale. I medici sono fuggiti via.

Sanità. Veneto. Mancano 1,295 medici ed è impossibile importarli.

Fuga dei medici. Saranno sostituiti dai becchini negli ospedali della mala morte.

«Le sinistre al governo, le frotte dei burocrati azzeccagarbugli e dei solerti funzionari avevano previsto tutto tranne che nessuno si presentasse ai concorsi: se li tengano pure.

Nessuna persona sana di mente ambisce ad entrare nel servizio sanitario nazionale, nonostante che gli stipendi consentano una sobria sopravvivenza. Lo hanno fatto diventare una gabbia di pazzi furiosi. ….

Il primo motivo è la lunghezza, ed il relativo costo, del ciclo di studi. Sei anni del corso di laurea, cui si dovrebbero aggiungere altri cinque anni di specialità ….

Il secondo motivo è la soffocante burocrazia che attanaglia università e servizio sanitario. ….

Il terzo motivo è che alcune discipline (chirurghi, pediatri, anestesisti, ginecologi, medici di pronto soccorso) sono non più appetibili perché sono le più esposte alle denunce del cittadino.»

* * * * * * *

Formare un medico preparato richiede quindici anni di tempo. Ogni qualsiasi provvedimento odierno maturerebbe i suoi effetti in tempo biblici.

La pianificazione centrale della medicina si è risolta in una distruzione sistematica del sistema.

Le rigidità concorsuali e gli emolumenti da fame sono una causa della fuga dagli ospedali, e nel contempo costituiscono ostacolo insormontabile a richiamare sanitari dall’estero, ove guadagnano quasi dieci volte tanto.

Ma la concausa di maggiore rilevanza risiede nella posizione di amministrazioni e magistrati.

Non appena qualcuno denunci un sanitario, la amministrazione lo sospende dal lavoro e nessun magistrato delle indagini preliminari osa archiviare nemmeno le denuncie più strampalate.

La giustizia italiana ha tempi geologici. Dopo lunghi anni nella stragrande maggioranza dei casi il tutto si risolve con “il fatto non sussiste”.

Sono vite e carriere devastate. I costi delle assicurazioni sono adeguati alla situazione e le compagnie sono tutto fuorché sollecite nel rimborsare spese e danni.

Non solo, ma quanti abbiano denunciato alla leggera non sono mai condannati a risarcire il danno reale.

* * * * * * *

Orbene, questo è quanto.

Ma non si può sottacere le responsabilità politiche e sociali di quanti abbiano votato i partiti che hanno costruito codesto sistema. È debito di giustizia che trovino gli ospedali pieni solo di burocrati super pagati e che crepino come cani rognosi senza cura alcuna.

* * * * * * *

---

Allarme fuga medici da ospedali, -40mila entro 2024

Anaao-Assomed: tra pensionamenti e licenziamenti il rischio è avere strutture senza dottori.

Ospedali senza medici. E’ lo scenario che potrebbe verificarsi per l’Anaao-Assomed, il sindacato dei medici del Servizio sanitario nazionale, che lancia l’allarme per la “tempesta perfetta” che potrebbe abbattersi sulla sanità pubblica. “Dal 2019 al 2021 hanno abbandonato l’ospedale circa 9.000 camici bianchi per dimissioni volontarie e nello stesso triennio sono andati in pensione circa 4.000 medici specialisti ogni anno, per un totale di 12.000 camici bianchi. Un trend che, se confermato, porterà, tra pensionamenti e licenziamenti, una perdita complessiva di 40.000 medici specialisti entro il 2024”. Sono queste le criticità che saranno discusse dai medici e dirigenti sanitari Anaao in occasione del 25esimo Congresso nazionale che si apre a Napoli domenica 26 giugno, davanti a una platea di 350 delegati, e che si concluderà mercoledì 29 giugno con il rinnovo dei gruppi dirigenti nazionali.

Durante la cerimonia di inaugurazione sono previsti gli interventi del ministro della Salute, Roberto Speranza, del coordinatore della Commissione Salute delle Regioni, Raffaele Donini, dell’assessore alla Salute e al Verde del Comune di Napoli, Vincenzo Santagada, del presidente della Federazione nazionale Ordini dei medici (Fnomceo), Filippo Anelli, di don Leonardo Zeccolella, direttore dell’Ufficio diocesano per la Pastorale della salute, di Bruno Zuccarelli, presidente Ordine dei medici di Napoli. Il sindaco del capoluogo campano, Gaetano Manfredi, interverrà lunedì 27 giugno. E’ stato invitato il presidente della Regione, Vincenzo De Luca.

“Il detonatore di questa crisi è stato nelle ultime settimane, ma solo in ordine di tempo, il lavoro in pronto soccorso caratterizzato da altissimi livelli di stress psico-fisico per i numerosi turni di notte e nel weekend – analizza il sindacato – Ma condizioni di lavoro simili si ritrovano in tutti i reparti ospedalieri ed extraospedalieri, un girone dantesco con turni e orari senza limiti, rarefazione delle progressioni di carriera, burocrazia asfissiante, svilimento del ruolo professionale, aumento delle denunce legali e delle aggressioni fisiche e verbali, totale assenza di valorizzazione economica”.

“Una black list cui il Pnrr”, il Piano nazionale di ripresa e resilienza “accolto come una fortuna provvidenziale, ma privo di progetto per l’ospedale e per suoi medici, non pone rimedio – sostiene l’Anaao-Assomed – tutto preso com’è a rimodernare il parco edilizio e tecnologico. Senza contare una guerra ai confini del nostro Paese, che rischia di catapultarci in un’economia che rischia di non consentire i necessari investimenti in sanità”.

“Il lavoro dei medici e dirigenti sanitari è schiacciato da numeri impietosi: negli ultimi 15 si è assistito alla chiusura continua di strutture ospedaliere, alla carenza di personale con oltre 50mila figure sanitarie in meno rispetto ai primi anni 2000 e a un taglio di 85mila posti letto a partire dall’inizio del nuovo secolo, che ci mette ai margini dell’Europa come numero di posti letto per mille abitanti, palesemente insufficiente per una popolazione in piena transizione demografica come quella italiana”, rimarca il sindacato.

“Serve un intervento strutturale e urgente sull’intero sistema sanitario – esorta – per arrestare la deriva verso la frammentazione regionalistica e la privatizzazione. Servono investimenti adeguati sulle dotazioni organiche, sia nel pronto soccorso che nelle altre unità operative, anche per consentire l’aumento dei posti letto ordinari, oggi ai livelli più bassi in Europa. Serve mettere in campo tutte le condizioni per restituire appeal al lavoro del medico, riducendo il disagio, aumentando le retribuzioni, garantendo certezza attuativa al contratto di lavoro scommettendo sul capitale professionale. E, come accade in tutta Europa, contrattualizzare nella dipendenza pubblica la formazione medica post laurea”.

Unione Europea. Presidente Putin muove e da scacco matto in due mosse.

Giuseppe Sandro Mela.

2022-06-27.

I paesi del blocco europeo stanno mandando armamenti e munizioni alla Ukraina, che è in conflitto con la Russia.

Essi vogliono che la Ukraina sia ammessa nella Unione Europea e nella Nato. E questo è stato fatto in modo plateale, con i capi di stato confluiti di persona a Kiev. Di questi giorni hanno bloccato il corridoio che unisce Kalinigrad alla Madrepatria.

Infine hanno messo sanzioni sull’import del petrolio russo trasportato per via marittima.

Mr Putin non è tipo da porgere l’altra guancia.

La sua silenziosa azione si esplica in due tempi, ben ponderati.

Intanto ha quasi dimezzato il flusso di gas naturale verso il blocco europeo. Così facendo non blocca quegli stati, ma impedisce loro di ampliare le scorte strategiche, ed in molti casi anche ad attingere da esse. Lo scopo è quello di portarli agli inizi dell’inverno avendo quasi esaurito le riserve di gas naturale.

Raggiunto questo primo obiettivo, Mr Putin sospenderà del tutto l’erogazione del gas. Con riserve esigue e senza gas i paesi del blocco europeo vedrebbero azzerarsi la propria produzione di energia elettrica.

E l’inverno è lungo. Passato poi senza corrente elettrica, al buio, al gelo, con tutto il sistema economico, produttivo e sociale bloccato darà ampi spunti di ripensamenti.

Ma potrebbe anche essere verosimile una rottura dei sistemi di rifornimento dai grossisti ai dettaglianti, specie nel settore alimentare. Nel caso la fame sarebbe maieutica.

Sorella Fame viene sempre in compagnia della Comare Miseria, e queste due arrivano per rimanere ed anche a lungo.

* * * * * * *

«Throughout the entire Cold War and in the decades since, Russia was a stable supplier of gas to Europe. That changed this week»

«Russia slashed gas supplies in apparent retaliation over Europe’s support for Kyiv»

«gas rationing in the region is now a very real prospect»

«The squeeze caused prices to surge, added pressure to the region’s economy and could strain European solidarity — all victories for the Kremlin that came as European leaders underlined support for Ukraine during a high-profile trip to the country»

«With European utilities forced to tap reserves intended to cover needs for the winter, government controls of gas distribution could start within months»

«If Russia completely shuts its main link, the region could run out of supplies by January»

«It’s a trial of strength between Western allies and Russia»

«President Vladimir Putin upended decades of reliable energy relations by gradually curbing supplies in small steps since the war started in late February, and then accelerated the moves this week»

«This further reduction is to make storage-refilling challenging at the EU level»

«Propelled by the tensions, European natural gas prices surged about 50%»

«The region has little alternative to Russia’s pipelines, especially for the critical winter months»

«Repairs to a key Texas export terminal will further hamper supply»

«On Friday, the European Commission recommended that Ukraine be granted candidate status, a day after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi traveled to Kyiv and threw their weight behind the effort»

«Europe’s largest economy, which is reliant on Russia for more than a third of its supplies, has called for solidarity and urged people to save energy to thwart Putin»

«An early cold, windless winter would create early problems»

«An additional increase in energy costs risks undermining efforts by the European Central Bank to rein in price increases by starting to raise interest rates next month»

«Consumers are being squeezed by the rising cost of living, and the prospect of energy rationing and steeper gas bills could further dent confidence»

* * * * * * *

---

Gas Rationing Is Getting Closer for Europe

(Bloomberg) — Throughout the entire Cold War and in the decades since, Russia was a stable supplier of gas to Europe. That changed this week.

Russia slashed gas supplies in apparent retaliation over Europe’s support for Kyiv. After its biggest moves yet to use energy as a weapon, gas rationing in the region is now a very real prospect. 

The squeeze caused prices to surge, added pressure to the region’s economy and could strain European solidarity — all victories for the Kremlin that came as European leaders underlined support for Ukraine during a high-profile trip to the country.

With European utilities forced to tap reserves intended to cover needs for the winter, government controls of gas distribution could start within months. If Russia completely shuts its main link, the region could run out of supplies by January, according consultant Wood Mackenzie Ltd. 

 “It’s a serious situation, a tense situation,” Germany Economy Minister Robert Habeck said in an interview with ARD television on Thursday. “It’s a trial of strength between Western allies and Russia.”

The heightened alarm was triggered after the Kremlin cut flows by about 60% through the Nord Stream pipeline, which pumps gas straight to Germany. The diminished deliveries had a knock-on effect for France, Austria and the Czech Republic.

Germany’s Uniper SE, the biggest buyer of Russian gas in Europe, is receiving 60% less gas than ordered. Italy’s Eni SpA received just half of its requested volumes from state-owned Gazprom PJSC on Friday, and France’s Engie SA and Austria’s OMV AG have been hit as well.

President Vladimir Putin upended decades of reliable energy relations by gradually curbing supplies in small steps since the war started in late February, and then accelerated the moves this week. 

“This further reduction is to make storage-refilling challenging at the EU level and to test the EU’s fragile unity,” said Thierry Bros, a professor at the Paris Institute of Political Studies. “This will continue until the tap is completely shut off.”

Propelled by the tensions, European natural gas prices surged about 50% to the biggest weekly gain since the early stages of Russia’s war in Ukraine. The region has little alternative to Russia’s pipelines, especially for the critical winter months. There’s little spare capacity from Norway and the Netherlands, and liquefied natural gas cargoes are expected to become tighter. 

China, the world’s top importer of LNG in 2021, has cut back spot purchases this year after Covid-19 restrictions sapped demand. But usage is likely to bounce back this winter, pitting China against Europe for a dwindling amount of spare LNG. Repairs to a key Texas export terminal will further hamper supply.

On Friday, the European Commission recommended that Ukraine be granted candidate status, a day after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi traveled to Kyiv and threw their weight behind the effort. 

Even amid the show of support, gas was an issue. After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Draghi accused Russia of “lies” in blaming technical maintenance for lower Nord Stream deliveries. Italy may trigger an emergency gas plan as soon as next week if Russia continues to curb supplies, a move that may involve a bigger reliance on dirtier fuels.

Germany, which is at the first level of its own three-stage crisis plan, is considering a range of options to reduce demand such as allowing landlords to reduce heating in the winter and implementing an auction platform for companies to sell their consumption rights. Europe’s largest economy, which is reliant on Russia for more than a third of its supplies, has called for solidarity and urged people to save energy to thwart Putin.

“Everything depends on the EU gas-sharing mechanism between countries, and regulatory decisions on how to share available gas within countries,” Jonathan Stern, a distinguished research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. “An early cold, windless winter would create early problems.”

In Germany, the network regulator, known as BNetzA, would implement rationing if the government declares a national gas emergency. The Bonn-based agency has said leisure venues would likely see reductions, while consumers and critical public services such as hospitals would be protected. Companies could face disruption.

“The current reductions of Russian gas deliveries can put all of us — consumers as well as industry — in a very serious situation,” Klaus Mueller, BNetzA’s chief, said on Twitter. “As long as we can, we must avoid this through gas savings and storage.”

The squeeze will unnerve economic policy makers as they try to contain record inflation. An additional increase in energy costs risks undermining efforts by the European Central Bank to rein in price increases by starting to raise interest rates next month.

Concern about economic growth is also picking up. Consumers are being squeezed by the rising cost of living, and the prospect of energy rationing and steeper gas bills could further dent confidence. For Germany’s outsized manufacturing sector, the issue exacerbates input shortages that have put it on the back foot.

In an effort to respond, Group of Seven officials are laying the groundwork for leaders to potentially discuss the introduction of a price cap on energy imports from Russia, according to people familiar with the matter.

Lead negotiators for G-7 member states have been exploring the mechanism as part of preparations for a summit in the Bavarian alps later this month, said the people, who asked not to be identified talking about private conversations. 

While Europe has moved to ban imports of Russian coal and oil, gas has been more difficult to replace because of supply relationships that have been built up over decades.

“Even considering counter measures, it might be inevitable that some rationing of demand will need to take place,” said Massimo Di Odoardo, vice president for gas research at Wood Mackenzie. 

Unione Europea. Il 29% della popolazione è drogato con droghe maggiori.

Giuseppe Sandro Mela.

2022-06-27.

«The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) is the leading authority on illicit drugs in the European Union. The Lisbon-based agency provides independent scientific evidence and analysis on all aspects of this constantly changing threat to individual lives and wider society. Its work contributes to EU and national policies to protect Europe’s citizens from drug-related harms.» [Emcdda]

* * *

Lo European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction ha pubblicato il Report

The drug situation in Europe up to 2022.

An overview and assessment of emerging threats and new developments

The 2022 European Drug Report draws on the latest data available to provide an overview of emerging drug issues affecting Europe. Based on a mixed method approach, utilising data from a range of routine and complementary sources, we present an analysis here of the current situation and also highlight some developments that may have important implications for drug policy and practitioners in Europe.

                         The drug situation in Europe up to 2022

Our overall assessment is that drug availability and use remain at high levels across the European Union, although considerable differences exist between countries.

Approximately 83.4 million or 29 % of adults (aged 15–64) in the European Union are estimated to have ever used an illicit drug, with more males (50.5 million) than females (33.0 million) reporting use. Cannabis remains the most widely consumed substance, with over 22 million European adults reporting its use in the last year. Stimulants are the second most commonly reported category. It is estimated that in the last year 3.5 million adults consumed cocaine, 2.6 million MDMA and 2 million amphetamines. Around 1 million Europeans used heroin or another illicit opioid in the last year. Although the prevalence of use is lower for opioid use than for other drugs, opioids still account for the greatest share of harms attributed to illicit drug use. This is illustrated by the presence of opioids, often in combination with other substances, which was found in around three quarters of fatal overdoses reported in the European Union for 2020. It is important to note that most of those with drug problems will be using a range of substances. We are also seeing considerably more complexity in drug consumption patterns, with medicinal products, non-controlled new psychoactive substances and substances such as ketamine and GBL/GHB now associated with drug problems in some countries or among some groups. This complexity is reflected in an increasing recognition that drug use is linked with, or complicates how we respond to, a wide range of today’s most pressing health and social issues. Among these issues are mental health problems and self-harm, homelessness, youth criminality and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and communities.

* * * * * * *

Nell’economia del presente articolo, il dato di rilievo è espresso da questa frase:

«Approximately 83.4 million or 29 % of adults (aged 15–64) in the European Union are estimated to have ever used an illicit drug»

Ci si rende perfettamente conto dell’enorme giro economico illegale determinato dalla droga.

Esattamente come ci si rende perfettamente conto come un simile potere economico sia in grado di corrompere forze dell’ordine e magistrati.

Tuttavia il problema si configura a livello politico, anche esso corrompibile. Molti partiti politici, massimamente quelli liberal e di sinistra, sono promotori di legislazioni oltremodo tolleranti e ben difficilmente i magistrati erogano condanne detentive agli spacciatori.

Questo stato di cose obbliga a concludere come il problema della droga possa essere risolto solo estromettendo quelle componenti politiche dal potere di governo.

Le ripercussioni sociali sono drammatiche.

L’uso delle droghe comporta la dipendenza farmacologica. Tuttavia il problema è ancora a più alto livello. Sono spinte all’uso degli stupefacenti quelle persone incapaci di percepire nelle sue corrette dimensioni la realtà, e che si rifugiano nei deliri coatti prodotti dalle loro menti malate ed ingigantiti dall’uso di codeste sostanze.

Il tragico è che alla fine esse credono fermamente che i loro deliri siano la realtà.

In termini riduttivi, ma forse più facilmente intuibili, sono persone incapaci di intendere e di volere.

Si deve tristemente costatare però come in un regime retto a suffragio universale codeste persone esercitino il diritto di voto.

Russia. L’export verso i Brics è aumentato in tre mesi del 58%.

Giuseppe Sandro Mela.

2022-06-26.

Il presidente russo Vladimir Putin ha dichiarato che il commercio con l’India e la Cina si è rafforzato nonostante le sanzioni petrolifere occidentali.

Nonostante tutte le difficoltà dell’economia globale dovute alle “sanzioni politicamente motivate”, il commercio totale con Brasile, India, Cina e Sudafrica è aumentato del 38% nei primi tre mesi dell’anno, raggiungendo i 45 miliardi di dollari.

I produttori di petrolio russi hanno inviato più greggio agli acquirenti asiatici, soprattutto a Cina e India, con forti sconti, mentre gli acquirenti europei riducono gli acquisti.

All’inizio del 2022 circa due terzi del greggio russo veniva esportato in Europa, mentre ora circa il 50% del petrolio nazionale è destinato all’Asia.

La Russia sta anche lavorando con i paesi BRICS per creare una valuta di riserva internazionale basata su un paniere.

La Russia esporta volumi significativi di fertilizzanti verso i Paesi BRICS.

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Con una ripetitività ossessionante i media liberal di regime ripetono la solita frase stereotipata:

«amid Western oil sanctions».

Difficile capire se lo ripetano per impararlo a memoria oppure se questo altro non sia che una velina la cui pubblicazione sia loro imposta da alto loco.

In ogni caso sono proprio i media liberal occidentali a constare quanto poco valgano o diktat americani.

Al mondo nessuno ne tiene conto.

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«Russian President Vladimir Putin said trade with India and China has strengthened amid Western oil sanctions»

«Despite all the difficulties in the global economy due to “politically motivated sanctions,” total trade with Brazil, India, China and South Africa rose 38% in the first three months of the year to US$45 billion, he said»

«Russian oil producers have been sending more crude to Asian buyers, mostly to China and India, at steep discounts as European buyers reduce purchases»

«At the start of 2022 some two-thirds of Russian crude was being exported to Europe, now about 50% of nation’s oil is going to Asia»

«Russia is also working with fellow BRICS to create a basket-based international reserve currency»

«Russia exports significant volumes of fertilizers to the BRICS nations»

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Putin Sees Russia Oil Flows to China, India ‘Growing Noticeably’

(June 22): Russian President Vladimir Putin said trade with India and China has strengthened amid Western oil sanctions in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

“Russian oil supplies to China and India are growing noticeably,” Putin said in a video address to the BRICS Business Summit on Wednesday. Despite all the difficulties in the global economy due to “politically motivated sanctions,” total trade with Brazil, India, China and South Africa rose 38% in the first three months of the year to US$45 billion, he said.

Russian oil producers have been sending more crude to Asian buyers, mostly to China and India, at steep discounts as European buyers reduce purchases. The country didn’t want to turn away from Europe’s energy market, but it has been pushed out and will find other customers, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said last week.

At the start of 2022 some two-thirds of Russian crude was being exported to Europe, now about 50% of nation’s oil is going to Asia, according to Gazprom Neft Chief Executive Officer Alexander Dyukov.

Russia is also working with fellow BRICS to create a basket-based international reserve currency, Putin said. “Cooperation in agriculture is developing dynamically. Russia exports significant volumes of fertilizers to the BRICS nations,” he said.

Usa. Midterm. Sondaggi. I repubblicani conquisterebbero sia il Congresso sia il Senato.

Giuseppe Sandro Mela.

2022-06-26.

Questi sono gli ultimi sondaggi disponibili per le elezioni di midterm.

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Usual Midterm Indicators Very Unfavorable for Democrats

Washington, D.C. — With less than five months to go before voters elect all members of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate, the current Democratic congressional majority is facing an extremely unfavorable election environment.

The party of the president typically loses U.S. House seats in midterm elections — an average of 23 since 1974. However, 2022 is not shaping up to be an average year. Rather, as of May, Gallup finds presidential job approval and three other key national mood indicators well below the historical averages measured in past midterm election years. On their own, those numbers would all predict a greater-than-average loss of seats for the Democratic Party this fall.

Gallup’s latest data, from a May 2-22 survey, finds 41% of Americans approving of the job President Joe Biden is doing, 18% approving of the job Congress is doing, 16% satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S., and a 32-percentage-point deficit in positive (14%) versus negative (46%) ratings of current economic conditions. Each of those metrics is at least 10 points lower than the historical average at the time of past midterm elections, and most are on pace to be the worst of such readings. ….

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Could House Democrats lose 70 seats this fall?

Last month, Newt Gingrich made a bold (and seemingly wild) prediction about the midterm elections. 

“I think we’ll pick up between 25 and 70 seats in the House,” the former Republican House speaker said in an interview with Fox.

Seventy seats! That would not only eclipse the 63-seat gain Republicans made in the 2010 midterm elections, but would also be the largest seat switch in the House since 1948.

Gingrich, as he often does, was likely just riffing — going for an outlandishly high ceiling on Republican gains to draw headlines and attention.

Which, well, mission accomplished.

Gingrich’s ceiling of 70 seats is well in excess of where nonpartisan political handicappers are — at least at the moment. David Wasserman, the House editor at the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, is projecting Republicans gain between 20 and 35 seats. Nathan Gonzales of Inside Elections hasn’t released his range just yet — it’s coming next week — but says, “Republicans are well positioned to win the majority.”

New data from Gallup suggests that the national political environment is arguably worse for Democrats than it was in 2010 — raising at least the possibility that the party suffers even larger losses than currently predicted.

As Gallup’s Jeffrey M. Jones and Lydia Saad write:

“The party of the president typically loses U.S. House seats in midterm elections — an average of 23 since 1974. However, 2022 is not shaping up to be an average year. Rather, as of May, Gallup finds presidential job approval and three other key national mood indicators well below the historical averages measured in past midterm election years. On their own, those numbers would all predict a greater-than-average loss of seats for the Democratic Party this fall.”

A glance at the Gallup data — which looks at presidential approval, congressional approval, satisfaction with the direction of the country and overall judgment of economic conditions — reveals that the environment that was measured in May looks a lot like it did at the end of the 2010 cycle. ….