https://freerepublic.com/tag/boblhead/ en-us Fri, 28 Jun 2024 12:32:28 GMT Focus Forum 15 https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/4247308/posts When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, it lost access to many world markets, including much of Europe. Countries like Germany, which for years had relied on Russian gas and oil, now turned sharply away and sought to rid themselves of any vestiges of Russian dependence. (Source) Into the breach stepped China. Always thirsty for new supplies of gas and oil, China quickly notified Russia that it was interested in receiving Russian gas and in developing a pipeline from Siberia for that gas. (Source). Recently, however, that lifeline looks more like a noose, at least for Russia. Beijing is taking... JDSupra https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/4247308/posts#comment Fri, 28 Jun 2024 12:32:28 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4294063/posts It has been a humiliating week for nearly 300 Romanian mercenaries recruited to fight on the side of the army in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their surrender following a rebel assault on the eastern city of Goma has also shattered the dreams of those who signed up for the job to earn big money. The BBC has seen contracts that show that these hired soldiers were being paid around $5,000 (£4,000) a month, while regular military recruits get around $100, or sometimes go unpaid. The Romanians were contracted to help the army fight the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who say... BBC https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4294063/posts#comment Sat, 1 Feb 2025 09:53:50 GMT