The Great Grain Grab: Ukrainian companies are facing takeover attempts by US Hedge funds “for their own long term gain”

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:09:28 GMT

The Great Grain Grab: Ukrainian companies are facing takeover attempts by US Hedge funds “for their own long term gain” “War has always been a racket, and it is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, and, surely, the most vicious,” said Smedley Butler, once the most decorated US Marine in history before becoming an author and anti-war advocate.Before dying in 1940, Butler said that during his 33-year military career, he was primarily “a high-class muscle man for Big Business, Wall Street, and the bankers.”The war in Ukraine seems to be taking a similar path. War profiteers have already made billions of dollars from death and misery in the country. A Reuters report reveals oil companies made nearly $220 billion in profits in 2022, “a windfall of Russia`s invasion of Ukraine,” as President Joe Biden recently critiqued.When the war ends, rebuilding Ukraine will represent a trillion-dollar opportunity for US and European construction companies, who are already planning how to get their hands on those profits.Opportunist Hedge funds have also emerged as significant war profiteers. According to t...

We must checkmate Russia

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:09:28 GMT

We must checkmate Russia The approaching year 2023 is expected to be a challenging and eventful one. While significant achievements have been acknowledged, there is ongoing debate about their sufficiency and what can enhance them further. Partnerships are seen as a key avenue for progress, and there is a mutual understanding that collaboration can yield greater outcomes - writes Vitaliy Gersak, volunteer soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, lieutenant colonel, civil activist, and founder of the public organization "Free and Faithful".There is a growing realization that a radical and unequivocal change in the ongoing conflict is imperative. While some advocate for a political and diplomatic breakthrough, others mistakenly view negotiations with the enemy and maintaining the current front-line Status Quo as a solution. The latter is deemed dangerous and misguided, as it fails to bring us closer to peace.For Ukraine, this war is a battle for survival against total destruction, but it holds equal significan...

Joint statement of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:09:28 GMT

Joint statement of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Baku, December 7, AZERTACThe Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia have released a joint statement.AZERTAC presents the statement: “The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan share the view that there is a historical chance to achieve a long-awaited peace in the region. Two countries reconfirm their intention to normalize relations and to reach a peace treaty based on respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.Following the talks between the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, an agreement has been reached on taking tangible steps towards building confidence between two countries.Driven by the values of humanism and as a gesture of goodwill, the Republic of Azerbaijan releases 32 Armenian military servicemen.In its turn, driven by the values of humanism and as a gesture of goodw...

Woman dead on boat, man dead in car in Marina del Rey

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:09:28 GMT

Woman dead on boat, man dead in car in Marina del Rey An investigation is underway after a woman was found dead on a boat in Marina del Rey and a man was found dead in a car nearby on Thursday.The woman was found first when Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies conducted a welfare check in the 14000 block of Tahiti Way at about 11:30 a.m., the LASD said in a news release. "During the investigation, a member of the community, familiar with individuals who lived on the boat, alerted the Los Angeles Police Department to a vehicle parked nearby on the 100 block of Via Marina," officials said.Inside that vehicle was a dead man. The ages and identities of the man and woman have not been released.While this is a homicide investigation, "there are no outstanding suspects," the LASD said.Anyone with information should contact the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

Bidens spending weekend in L.A. to benefit reelection bid

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:09:28 GMT

Bidens spending weekend in L.A. to benefit reelection bid President Joe Biden will kick off a weekend visit to the Southland Friday with a fundraiser to benefit his reelection bid.The president will spend the early afternoon hours in Las Vegas Friday before flying into Los Angeles International Airport around 4:40 p.m.From there he will head over to Santa Monica, where he is expected to participate with First Lady Jill Biden and Rep. Nancy Pelosi in a campaign fundraiser at 7:30 p.m.The reception will be attended by some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including directors Steven Spielberg and Rob Reiner, producers Shonda Rhimes and Peter Chernin and former studio chief Jim Gianopulos, the Los Angeles Times reported.The event, which will include a performance by Lenny Kravitz, is being hosted by designer Michael Smith and former U.S. ambassador to Spain James Costos, according to Deadline. Windy weekend to bring dangerous fire conditions to Southern California Tickets for the event began at $1,000 with those contributing $25,000 or more ha...

Three California freeways top 'most loathed highways' in America: Survey

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:09:28 GMT

Three California freeways top 'most loathed highways' in America: Survey (KSWB) -- Brake lights, honking horns and drivers battling it out to the very end of merge lanes -- all things in which California motorists are familiar with.For those who live in the Golden State, gridlocked traffic is nothing new. This may be why three California freeways are among the "most loathed highways in America," according to a recent survey.Vehicle dealer Gunther Volvo Cars Daytona Beach surveyed 3,000 drivers across the U.S. in October 2023, and then ranked the top 100 most loathed roads to drive on based on those results. Bidens spending weekend in L.A. to benefit reelection bid As it turns out, the top three detested highways in the country, according to this survey, are in the Golden State. Here's a breakdown of those rankings: California Interstate 405: Ranked No. 3 "most loathed"Particularly in the Los Angeles area, the I-405 -- also referred to as "the San Diego Freeway" -- is known for being one of the most congested freeways in country. This is especially true...

Try Hemp Oil In Your Hair! — Could CBD Give Your Hair Health A Boost?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:09:28 GMT

Try Hemp Oil In Your Hair! — Could CBD Give Your Hair Health A Boost? Haircare isn’t the number one reason people get into CBD oil, but many customers suggest this cannabinoid adds an extra “glow” to their hair. As this hemp hair-say has spread throughout social media, we’ve received a lot of questions on whether CBD is a good option for hair growth.Unfortunately, as we age, hair loss becomes a reality for most of us. Today, we can’t say if CBD is a revolutionary supplement for hair growth. However, some evidence suggests a daily dose of CBD oil couldn’t hurt.What Does Science Say About CBD For Hair Growth?There’s not a ton of scientific research examining CBD oil’s effectiveness on hair-related conditions. In fact, only one small study out of Florida’s Medical Life Care Planners examined CBD’s effects on hair loss. In this trial, 35 adults with significant hair loss washed their hair with a CBD shampoo every day.Interestingly, researchers noted most study participants had statistically significant hair growth after six months. The average rate of hai...

Brigitte Calls Me Baby get Stroked

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:09:28 GMT

Brigitte Calls Me Baby get Stroked Brigitte Calls Me Baby get Stroked: Wes Leavins of Chicago-based band Brigitte Calls Me Baby told us about his Stokes/Angel Olsen experience.Wes Leavins: The last year has been so busy it’s hard to pick one favorite moment, however, our gig in London at All Points East comes to mind. Also on the bill were The Strokes and Angel Olsen and during our set the rain came down so hard.We were playing “The Future is Our Way Out” and not only did everyone stick around, but they embraced the rain — I could tell how much it elevated the experience for everyone.I know our sold out show with the Last Dinner Party at the El Rey will also join the ranks of our favorite moments very soon.Brigitte Calls Me Baby get Stroked: Brigitte Calls Me Baby’s This House is Made of Corners EP is out now.                                  &...

CIF state football: Los Gatos ready to put championship icing on a sweet title run

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:09:28 GMT

CIF state football: Los Gatos ready to put championship icing on a sweet title run Few football programs in Northern California have a trophy case as crowded as Los Gatos, which boasts 16 section titles and a slew of league championships.After winning its first regional title last week, It now has a chance to add the 2-A state crown to the collection on Saturday night against Central Valley Christian-Visalia at Pasadena City College. In recent seasons, it seemed as if state hardware, much less a 16th section title, would continue to elude the Wildcats. In each of the past two years, Los Gatos had seen stellar regular seasons turn into heartbreaking first-round playoff defeats. The Wildcats lost on a last-minute Bellarmine pick-six in 2021 and on a game-winning two-point conversion in overtime against Archbishop Mitty last season. Los Gatos was relegated to watching other teams go on deep runs.“You always think about that as a coach, you know, how far could we go and what would it be about,” Los Gatos coach Mark Krail said. Krail doesn’t call those seasons di...

The US economy added 199,000 jobs in November

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:09:28 GMT

The US economy added 199,000 jobs in November By Alicia Wallace | CNNMinneapolis — The US economy added 199,000 jobs in November, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released Friday.The unemployment rate fell to 3.7% from 3.9% the month before.Economists were expecting net job gains of 180,000 for the month and for the unemployment rate to hold steady, according to Refinitiv.The largest employment gains last month came in health care and government, which added an estimated 93,200 and 49,000 jobs, respectively. Manufacturing saw a boost, too, largely because of the return of striking autoworkers.The biggest declines occurred in the retail trade and temporary help services sectors, which lost 38,400 jobs and 13,600 jobs, respectively.November’s job growth was stronger than October’s unrevised tally of 150,000 jobs added. September’s job gains were revised down to 262,000 from 297,000, according to the BLS.Related ArticlesEconomy | Cardroom employees protest another California bill aimed at non-tribal gambling...