https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59306223
…The regulator said its approval procedure would remain suspended until
“the main assets and human resources” had been transferred from the
Swiss-based Nord Stream 2 parent company to its German subsidiary, which
owns and operates the German part of the pipeline…
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59186980
…A Chinese intelligence
officer has been convicted by a US jury of plotting to steal secrets
from aviation companies, according to the US justice department. .
… Scott Morrison says he raised Australia’s concerns about the submarine deal with Emmanuel Macron several times…
… a text message from Mr Macron to the PM had been leaked to Sydney’s Daily Telegraph newspaper.
The text, reportedly authored by Mr Macron two days before the AUKUS pact
was announced, reads: “Should I expect good or bad news for our joint submarines ambition?”…
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59055360
… China Telecom must stop providing services in America within 60 days.
Officials said the Chinese government’s control of the company gave it the
opportunity “to access, store, disrupt, and/or misroute US
communications”…
https://www.rt.com/russia/539101-ukraine-transit-gas-risk-war/
… Cutting Ukraine off from billions of dollars in Russian gas transit fees by striking new deals to export supplies through pipelines that bypass the country could lead to outright conflict, Kiev’s state gas firm has claimed.
The energy boss claimed that if “there is no physical transit [of gas] through Ukraine, this increases the chances of a full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine with all its
consequences.”
Construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline,
which connects the gas fields of Siberia to consumers in Western Europe,
was completed in September. Running from Russia to Germany under the
Baltic Sea, it can transport up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas per
year. It is now undergoing final tests and awaiting approval from
regulators in Berlin to begin operating.
Also on rt.com
Nord Stream 2 ‘does not endanger’ security of EU gas supply, German government tells regulator, urging pipeline’s certification
The same month, Kiev said it would “continue its fight” against the new gas network “until and after its completion,” with the country’s leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, decrying the Russian project as a geopolitical “weapon.”
Kiev has claimed that the pipeline will leave Ukraine at least $3
billion out of pocket in transit fees currently paid by Moscow if the
overground network that runs through the country is no longer needed.
According to him, the move could see the state unable to pay for its
armed forces.
Moscow has insisted there are no plans to
turn off the taps, and that current agreements will be honored. Any
future deals, the Kremlin has added, are a commercial matter for
Gazprom.
The US has consistently supported Ukraine in the row,
imposing sanctions on companies involved in the construction. Ahead of
the completion of the pipeline in September, Russian Foreign Minister
Sergey Lavrov claimed that “there is still a full-frontal attack, in spite of everything, on Nord Stream 2,” despite the fact “everyone knows the Americans have realized [it will be delivered.]”
Amos
Hochstein, a senior adviser on energy security at the US State
Department, called on Kiev in September to look to the future and focus
on advancing its own gas networks, rather than opposing the new Russian
pipeline.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-59113710
…Speaking after Mr Macron’s comments, Scott Morrison told reporters he had not lied to the president, and that he had previously explained to
him that conventional submarines would no longer meet Australia’s defence needs.
…
…
…opposition in targeted countries rises and debts mount, paving the way for rival schemes to squeeze Beijing out,…
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58579832
… The pact that eventually became the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement
for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), was created by the US to counter China’s influence.
However, former President Donald Trump pulled the US out of it in 2017.
…
Comment by tonytran2015: (https://www.truck.net.au/media/media-releases/truckies-denied-access-toilets-0, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-24/toll-unions-strike-trucks-transport-vaccines/100401866, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-14/truck-drivers-fear-nsw-covid-tests-will-take-them-off-road/100289372, https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2020-07-09/truckies-confused-over-quarantine-requirements/12437566, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-05/truck-drivers-plead-covid19-testing-reinstatement-vic-sa-border/100351618).
With current Covid restrictions ramping up, many truckies are being
refused access to toilets at delivery sites; and current processes are
making it near impossible for some to adhere to fatigue management
rules.
One Sydney driver we spoke to, who preferred not to be named, was
handed this letter at Andrews Meat in Lidcombe instructing drivers to
“stay in your vehicle at the loading dock”.
It goes on to state, “No access allowed to the warehouse building, including: smoking area, toilets/amenities.”
Additional survival tricks 