Tag Archives: Russia

Sri Lanka Cedes Another Port, This Time An Airport, To Foreign Powers — India + Russia!

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by Anura Guruge
on April 26, 2024

Click to ENLARGE. News snippets from ‘Google News‘.

This can’t be good. China already has a 99-year lease on deep-sea HARBOR nearby. Then, {as I reported} folks talk about ‘Russian Enclaves‘ in Sri Lanka. Now this. So, now China, India & Russia — a rather curious trinity — legally have footholds in Sri Lanka, controlling ports to boot.

Some of this {maybe much of it} probably has to do with the rampant corruption in the upper echelons of the government. Sri Lanka has been plagued by corruption & mismanagement for at least the last 50 years — & they have only been independent (from the British) for 76-years. I don’t think it was always the case. I think the first batch of leaders we had, straight after Independence {i.e., the ones I were personally familiar with}, weren’t totally corrupt. From what I could see {& I had quite a good & privileged vantage} they genuinely cared. They wanted to make something of the much sought Independence.

I could be wrong, but I think the corruption crept in during the late 1960s.

I, obviously, have no skin in this game. I gave up my Sri Lankan citizenship in 1983. I haven’t been back since 1992. So, this is all kind of academic. Historic.

I think China should TAKEOVER Sri Lanka. They own much of the Sri Lankan debt. Sri Lankans aren’t doing a very good job taking care of their country.

Two ‘Pope Francis’ News Items On ‘Google News’ Today — One About ‘Putin’, The Other ‘Same-Sex Civil Union’. Catholics Must Be Delighted. Top Of His Game.

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by Anura Guruge
on March 18, 2024

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Click to ENLARGE. News story snippets from ‘Google News‘ (today).

I am a news junkie. I check ‘Google News‘ & the U.K. ‘Daily Mail’, multiple times a day, to see what is new. These two stories came up, kind of back-to-back, on Google.

WOW.

Not sure whether to believe the first. But, the SECOND is verifiable (by others (of course)) and as such must have (at a minimum) a modicum of truth.

I am just bringing them to your attention.

I am NOT Catholic (thank God). SMILE.

[But, I do care about Ukraine.]

I am sure a lot of Catholics worldwide are very happy to hear about this.

Good on Ya, Pope. Way to go.

It would be nice IF he schedules a trip to Russia. Putin would love that.

Ukraine, Cocks A Snoot At Russia, By Abandoning ‘Eastern Christmas’ (i.e., Jan. 7) In Favor Of ‘Western Christmas’ (i.e., Dec. 25).

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by Anura Guruge
on December 25, 2023

Click to ENLARGE. ‘NYT’ link.
Click to ENLARGE. From MY ‘Christmas — 175 Fun Facts’ book.

Ukraine CANCELLED Christmas in 2022.

I talked about that in my Christmas book (above).

This was BRILLIANT, absolutely brilliant. Cracked me up when I heard about it yesterday.

Very pointed & direct message — actually an insult — to Russia. ‘Putin‘ is said to attend church.

This is so good. Well done, Ukraine. We are in SOLIDARITY with YOU. Bravo!

Merry Christmas!

Why Is South Africa, Long A Staunch Ally, Now Participating In Naval War Games With Russia & China?

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by Anura Guruge
on February 4, 2023

Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News’ (right) & from U.K. ‘Daily Mail’ (left).

This is NOT just crazy but stupid?

South Africa has been an ally of the West since the 1900s. They fought with US in both the World Wars. So, what are they now doing with Russia & China. This is NOT right.

South Africa, for heaven’s sake, is a CRICKET & RUGBY playing nation! They are not Commies — at least the last I knew.

This should not be happening.

They have to be brought back into the fold.

I am going to keep a keen eye on this. Not right. Not cricket.

Sombre & Sobering ‘May Day 2022’ In Light Of What Is Happening In Ukraine.

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by Anura Guruge
on May 1, 2022

Click to ENLARGE. Base images from public domain sources.

‘May Day’, ‘May 1’, of each year, has different connotations to different people depending on their background and beliefs. Fundamentally, it is a ‘holiday’ that celebrates the coming of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Hence, the ‘Maypole’ & ‘Morris Dancing’, etc. in Britain. See YouTube videos below.

Then we also have ‘May Day’ as a celebration of WORKERS (& by extrapolation socialism). Yes, Russia is famous for its grandiose May Day Parade. Well, screw the bloody (& they truly are ‘bloody’) Russian.

Whichever way you look at it, May 1, 2022, because of the TRAGEDY that is taking place in Ukraine, had to sombre & sobering.

I trust you felt the same way about that.

Not much room for celebration or cheer. There are folks in Ukraine who are suffering, suffering badly.

After WW II we all said “Never Again“.

Well, it is happening again ….!

Solidarity with Ukraine & Zelenskyy.

The Absurdity Of Talking About ‘Acceptable’ & ‘Unacceptable’ Bombs In Ukraine.

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by Anura Guruge
on March 13, 2022

Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google’.

This is beyond STUPID. It is ludicrous.

In 2022 NO BOMBS should be considered acceptable.

All bombs, irrespective of type, should be deemed unacceptable.

To say ‘thermobaric’ & ‘cluster bombs’ are ‘breaking the rules’ is absurd.

The whole invasion of Ukraine was unacceptable. Broke the rules. Violated human decency.

We have to stop with the meaningless words. We need to take actions.

We need to demand an IMMEDIATE stop to all bombing in Ukraine.

Solidarity with Ukraine & Zelenskyy.

The ‘BBC’, True To Standing As The ‘Voice Of The World’ Starts Shortwave News Broadcasts To Ukraine & Russia.

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by Anura Guruge
on March 5, 2022

Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News’.
A post I did on BBC shortwave, or the lack of it, in 2019.

This is GREAT. This is brilliant. This is why I am so proud & happy to be a Brit. The BBC. What a wonderful institution. Nothing even close anywhere else in the world.

Yes, there will be a lot of shortwave radios still around in Russia & Ukraine.

Way to go the BBC. Thank you. You remain the true ‘Voice of the World.

Solidarity with Ukraine & Zelenskyy.

Everything About Russia’s Criminal Invasion Of Ukraine Is Tragic, BUT This Made Me Smile.

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by Anura Guruge
on March 3, 2022

Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News’.

Classic. BRILLIANT. Bravo.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy & his government are NOT only brave & inspirational, they are genii.

What a superbly clever move. Such GREAT PR.

I am sure no one, but no one in Ukraine is currently worried about their taxes or filing them.

But, this is so great.

BRAVO. Well done. Way to go.

Solidarity with Ukraine & Zelenskyy.

In Solidarity With Ukraine, New Hampshire Joins Others In Spurning Russian Vodka.

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by Anura Guruge
on February 26, 2022

Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News’.

Like Pope Francis’ personal visit to the Russian Embassy to the Holy See, this is purely & totally a symbolic gesture. But, it is better than none.

Russian vodka, cheaper than the ‘real’/good stuff from Sweden, is very popular in New Hampshire. But, Russia will not feel the pain of this boycott. We, i.e., New Hampshire, has already bought & paid for this stuff. So, it is the State that is initially taking the financial hit. Yes, it will mean that we will, in the months to come, order less. But, that is down the road.

Every little bit helps. So, I am glad.

We need to stand in solidarity with Ukraine.

Pope Francis’ Personal Call On Russian Embassy — I Am Impressed & Gratified. Way To Go Francis.

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by Anura Guruge
on February 25, 2022

Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google News’.

A few hours earlier, during my walk in the snow, I was wondering what Pope Francis would — or could — do. Then I saw this news. I was IMPRESSED. I was delighted. I was gratified. Way to go, Pope Francis. I knew you still had some good & spunk left in you. THANK YOU.

NO. He did NOT go to the Russian Embassy to Italy. That would have been monumental. Plus, he couldn’t have done that without violating multiple diplomatic protocols.

Instead he visited the Russian Embassy to the Holy See. Big difference. That is the Russian Embassy for the Vatican & located very nearby. But, it was a HUGE symbolic gesture. It took guts to do it. I am IMPRESSED. I am delighted. I am gratified. Way to go, Pope Francis.

Russia is NOT a Catholic nation! Putin is, at BEST, nominally Russian Orthodox. The pope really has not much sway over him.

This is NOT like WWII when much of Germany was Catholic.

But, Francis TRIED. He made a gesture. Good on YA pope.