If you're not in the U.S., what's up in your part of the world? Showing 1,051-1,100 of 3,266

[Ian]

I would be more impressed if they did it without the incentives. There is also the problem of what they do for power at night, although in fairness that is when the base load needs lifting.

[Philip]

In UK
COP 26 dominating including BBC sending hundreds from London to Glasgow to cover thousand also travelling to Glasgow all to demonstrate green credentials. More hot air than multiple transatlantic flights
Safety of Highways Agency "Smart" motorways which removes safety hard shoulder and not surprisingly causes more deaths. Not Smart but cheaper than widening or redesigning.
French fishing dispute - Macron trying payback for Nuclear deal dressed up as EU trade dispute - impact 5,000 French workers without fish to process.
Cricket - England winning
Football - Spurs sack 3rd manager in 2 years and will appoint another manager to be sacked next year - you heard it here first

[Nik]

Philip wrote: "Football - Spurs sack 3rd manager in 2 years and will appoint another manager to be sacked next year - you heard it here first..."

No worries, shortly after decarbonization is accomplished, they'll find their Fergusson or Wenger

[[deleted user]]

Philip wrote: "In UK
Football - Spurs sack 3rd manager in 2 years and will appoint another manager to be sacked next year - you heard it here first..."

Sound prediction, based on all the available historical and real-world data :)

[Papaphilly]

Beau wrote: "The big news here is COP26 in Glasgow. China, Russia and Brazil appear to have copped out.

I agree that the environment is of paramount importance but can’t help thinking that the desire to cut m..."

Regardless of where one stands on global warming, non of these countries will do anything to hurt their economies. Those that are mentioned do not have mature enough economies to cut emissions and they will not spend the capital to get there anytime soon.

[Papaphilly]

Graeme wrote: "Ian wrote: "which in turn needs a guided or controlled economy and that is not going to happen...."

The controlled economy of china is the worlds biggest (and growing) emitter of CO2.

Being 'cont..."

No it is not. On top of that, it is not in great shape.

[Papaphilly]

J. wrote: "Since when is authoritarianism about solving problems?

Identify a crisis. Drum up fear and anger over said crisis. Use that fear and anger as "political capital" to gather power unto yourself. Rin..."

Yep

[Papaphilly]

Scout wrote: "Fine. China isn't interested in using weapons to assert their power over other countries. I guess we'll have to wait and see. I hope you guys are right. As far as China's interest in lowering carbo..."

That is the argument that will prevail until further notice.

[Papaphilly]

Ian wrote: "I would be more impressed if they did it without the incentives. There is also the problem of what they do for power at night, although in fairness that is when the base load needs lifting."

Like everyone else?

[[deleted user]]

Papaphilly wrote: "Regardless of where one stands on global warming, non of these countries will do anything to hurt their economies..."

Are you sure about that, Papaphilly? Think back over the last 18 months and tell me that the developed world hasn't knowingly harmed its own economies. Why is a 'climate emergency' going to be treated any differently to a health one?

Of course, if those economies were in terminal decline anyway, and a 'Great Reset' was required to maintain the elite's status quo...

[Papaphilly]

Until you get past the idea this is a global conspiracy, there is not a chance of you understanding how countries work.

[[deleted user]]

Papaphilly wrote: "Until you get past the idea this is a global conspiracy, there is not a chance of you understanding how countries work."

It needn't be a conspiracy. If we accept that economies need to be sacrificed to deal with a pandemic, why wouldn't we accept that they need to be sacrificed to deal with a 'climate emergency'?

[Graeme]

I dispute the idea that China is a 'developing country.'

They have ...

[1] Hypersonic weapons in late stage development.
[2] Build their own advanced 5th generation fighters, and fighter bombers -e.g. J-20, and FC-31.
[3] Have an aircraft carrier and another under construction, and will likely have 5 to 6 by the 2030s.
[4] Build their own nuclear power submarines. (That's an exclusive club)
[5] Operate an active space program and will land on the moon within this decade. (Another exclusive club)
[6] Operate Bio-Security level 4 labs (Another exclusive club)
[7] Are a major world player with political/economic initiatives such as the Belt & Road, and the SCO that are welding a third of the world into a Chinese hegemony.
[8] Are building 4th gen nuclear power plants. (Another exclusive club)
[9] They are expanding their nuclear arsenal.
[10] They are the worlds dominant manufacturing hub.
[11] The Chinese middle class is one of the fastest growing in the world.
[12] The Chinese economy dominants some sectors of the world economy such as Rare Earths, etc.
[13] Every year, China graduates 10x the number of Engineers that the US does.

China deliberately claims the title of 'developing country,' to avoid the costs of mitigating climate change while placing those costs on its rivals, competitors and opponents.

Those of us in the West who endorse China's definition of themselves as developing are aiding and abetting their strategy of shifting costs to others while prospering themselves.

"Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak."

REF: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/2028...

[Graeme]

Stats on STEM graduates (and this has been happening for years).

REF: https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmcc...

China, closely followed by India are way out in front of everyone else.

[Philip]

They also have very large populations which allows developing status when GDP is divided by population or number of engineers. India's list is similar to China in terms of tech status and growing middle class.

[Graeme]

Philip wrote: "They also have very large populations which allows developing status when GDP is divided by population or number of engineers. India's list is similar to China in terms of tech status and growing m..."

Total numbers of engineers do matter.

China is a developed country.

[Papaphilly]

No China is in between Third world and First world. Everything you say I pretty much agree with, but the extreme vast majority of them live in abject poverty. India and China are remarkably similar in that they are large countries with the two highest populations. However, their large numbers of engineers are a bit of a misnomer. Yes in sheer numbers they have lots, but as compared to population percentages, they are still tiny.

[Philip]

Papaphilly wrote: "No China is in between Third world and First world. Everything you say I pretty much agree with, but the extreme vast majority of them live in abject poverty. India and China are remarkably similar..."

Better said than I did.

[Papaphilly]

One of the reasons I say China is a paper tiger is because once you look beyond the curtain, they are very unimpressive. i study geopolitics and China is in trouble because of demographics. This Pandemic has not done them any favors either. With that in mind, you have to keep in mind what Xi does. It is all for the home front. I personally think he is much deeper trouble that one may think.

[Graeme]

Regarding paper tigers...

Every major country has its issues or its 'Achilles heel.'

[1] (100% agree Papa) China's facing a demographic crunch.

(a slider/video of population cohorts (includes a projection from 2020 to 2050)).

REF: https://chinapower.csis.org/china-mid...

[2] China's other big issue (and probably their #1 issue) is their command and control economy resulting in massive misallocation of capital (ghost cities, etc) and generally 'dodgy,' stats about anything and everything important.

Contrawise, a key strength they have is a clear vision of what they want to achieve (global hegemony, social stability) and a very, very, persistent and patient attitude about achieving it.

[J.]

Papaphilly wrote: "...I personally think [Xi "Pooh Bear" Jinping] is much deeper trouble that one may think."

Desperation and a nuclear arsenal are not a comforting mix.

[Papaphilly]

J. wrote: "Papaphilly wrote: "...I personally think [Xi "Pooh Bear" Jinping] is much deeper trouble that one may think."

Desperation and a nuclear arsenal are not a comforting mix."

Except he will not go there.

[J.]

History is full of diplomats assuring us that this or that politician "won't go there".

Si vis pacem, para bellum

[Ian]

Graeme wrote: "Regarding paper tigers...

Every major country has its issues or its 'Achilles heel.'

[1] (100% agree Papa) China's facing a demographic crunch.

(a slider/video of population cohorts (includes a..."

I am not so sure that China is facing a demographic crunch. If it were, the worst would be now, with all the males and insufficient females. The young crreate the social pressures. Our problem is we look at the cities, but there are still over half of China's population under employed. They are not going to run out of Chinese any time soon.

Even the ghost cities may be of value if sea levels starts rising. ZAnd they are burning enougy coal to help that along.

[Papaphilly]

Ian wrote: "Graeme wrote: "Regarding paper tigers...

Every major country has its issues or its 'Achilles heel.'

[1] (100% agree Papa) China's facing a demographic crunch.

(a slider/video of population coho..."

Actually is about the young not being in sufficient numbers to support the old and that starts to hit in about 25 years.

[Ian]

Depends on what support is needed. There will be plenty of Chinese to supply food, and the old will have to look after themselves. This can be done until the very end. The old may have to put up with a lower level of medical intervention, but then so did my grand-parent's generation. I think you will find the Chinese cope quite well. The standard of living will be lower, but China is developing a lot of robotics and robots can make up for a lot of human activity.

[J.]

Japan, Germany Expand Military Ties as German Warship Visits
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2...

Don't worry, folks. History doesn't always repeat...

Mussolini's granddaughter tops polls in Rome council vote
https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/07/europe...

Well...
https://youtu.be/O7QhMZfgHwc

[Scout]

Graeme wrote: "I dispute the idea that China is a 'developing country.'

They have ...

[1] Hypersonic weapons in late stage development.
[2] Build their own advanced 5th generation fighters, and fighter bombers ..."

Thanks, Greame, for a well-developed and thoughtful post. China is no paper tiger. The quote from Sun Tzu's The Art of War "Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak" is apropos. Straight from the Chinese playbook.

[[deleted user]]

J. wrote: "Japan, Germany Expand Military Ties as German Warship Visits
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2...

Don't worry, folks. Histor..."

They never learn. And neither do we.

[Papaphilly]

Scout wrote: "Graeme wrote: "I dispute the idea that China is a 'developing country.'

They have ...

[1] Hypersonic weapons in late stage development.
[2] Build their own advanced 5th generation fighters, and f..."

If it was just about fancy weapons, then the United States would rule the world.

[Philip]

News in UK

Poland Belarus border issue
Corrupt politicians with focus on consultants ignoring trade union sponsorship or other jobs and today rich lawyer earning lots whilst still an MP
Compulsory Vaccine for NHS by April next year
COP26 more hot air

[Graeme]

Papaphilly wrote: "If it was just about fancy weapons, then the United States would rule the world...."

I could add...

[14] Major creditor, funding infrastructure projects all over the world (mostly weaponised debt... but still happening).

Name me another 'developing,' country that owns nearly $1T in US bonds, and is funding 100+ power stations (a lot of them coal, some nuclear), ports, etc around the world.

Also, the really big 'silent,' issue is the massive disparity between the US and China in STEM and Engineering graduates.

Over the last few decades they stole and copied IP and still do so whenever they can. That stats link above at #1065 says it all ... US 500K+ vs China 4M+.

That's a powerful strategic advantage.

[Ian]

Major demonstration outside Parliament leads to Parliament being locked down. There are some grumps out there. Judging by signs, flags, etc it was a strange mix of demonstrators: antivaxxers, anti-mandate (proposal for non-vaxxed) right wingers, Maori separatists, climate change (some for the government doing too much, others not enough), anti or pro three waters legislation, and even a flag of the Russian federation!

[Philip]

UK News
Russian build up near Ukraine
Belarus and Poland
Draft COP26 deal (Meaningless words and promises)
New high on immigrants crossing channel from France (Safe) to Kent (safe)
AZ on new vaccine deals will take profit but still at cost to developing world (Pfizer et al all still high profit)
Protestors at COP 26 let down tyres on delegate SUVs

[Scout]

Paper tiger China: "China's military has built mockups in the shape of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and other U.S. warships, possibly as training targets, in the desert of Xinjiang, satellite images by Maxar showed on Sunday.

These mockups reflect China's efforts to build up anti-carrier capabilities, specifically against the U.S. Navy, as tensions remain high with Washington over Taiwan and the South China Sea."

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/c...

What does this tell you about China's military intentions toward the U.S.? Read Graeme's post again. Still not convinced?

[Ian]

The news here has the protestors slashing the tyres at COP 26

[Nik]

Ian wrote: "The news here has the protestors slashing the tyres at COP 26"

Sounds environ-mental - can't drive thus can't pollute

[Ian]

Except slashed tyres can't be reused, so they cause more pollution.

[J.]

Nik wrote: "Ian wrote: "The news here has the protestors slashing the tyres at COP 26"

Sounds environ-mental - can't drive thus can't pollute"

Be happy. Y'all got news from COP 26 that is an adult level of stupid. We got "fact checking" like this:
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/bid...

[Papaphilly]

Scout wrote: "Paper tiger China: "China's military has built mockups in the shape of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and other U.S. warships, possibly as training targets, in the desert of Xinjiang, satellite image..."

Nope,

15 years they have threatened us over the South China Sea and yet there we are still. They do not have the military everyone thinks. Of course they practice, so do we. It is the nature of militaries.

[Philip]

COP26 finishes with an agreements not to meet the requirement but to aim to try to get agreements to not meet the requirement sometime in the future

[Graeme]

Ian wrote: "Except slashed tyres can't be reused, so they cause more pollution."

Direct action environmentalist vandals are typically completely counterproductive in their actions.

[Graeme]

Philip wrote: "COP26 finishes with an agreements not to meet the requirement but to aim to try to get agreements to not meet the requirement sometime in the future"

Colour me unsurprised.

The primary rationale for this circus is to acquire money and demonstrate social virtue.

[Scout]

Papa said: "15 years they have threatened us over the South China Sea and yet there we are still. They do not have the military everyone thinks. Of course they practice, so do we. It is the nature of militaries." So why use mockups of our actual ships? You don't think that's a message? The past doesn't necessarily predict the future. Just because they (like the Japanese before Pearl Harbor) haven't attacked us, it's no proof that they won't. And can you back up your statement that they don't have the military everyone thinks?

[Ian]

Interesting that here the worrying news does not involve China. Instead it is:
1. Covid - arguments over mandates, etc
2. Cop 26 - a cop-out.
3. Russians massing on eastern Ukraine
4. Afghanis etc camping out on the Polish Belorus border
5. Overactive government trying to legislate just about everything, many of their announcements this week contradicting the previous week.
6. China did come in with one item - they have apparently done a deal with the Kiribas islands to acquire use of an island. If this is to be a military base it is right in our shipping routes to, er, China. But also Japan, Taiwan and all our far east exports. It is also strangely close to a US military base, in the Marshall islands, I think.

[Scout]

I still hope to hear from Papa

[Papaphilly]

Scout wrote: "Papa said: "15 years they have threatened us over the South China Sea and yet there we are still. They do not have the military everyone thinks. Of course they practice, so do we. It is the nature ..."

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/ch...

https://geopoliticalfutures.com/the-t...

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/09/24/...

https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/china...

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2...

This should give you a petty good idea of the thinking. Pay attention to the focus, not on the toys but of the knowledge.

[Ian]

My view is if China wanted to take Taiwan militarily, it would have to do so very quickly because its lack of control of the sea would make a drawn-out effort a logistical nightmare. And it probably can't get enough troops over quickly enough, and China probably knows that, so it will probably be a lot of threats, etc.

[Papaphilly]

Ian wrote: "My view is if China wanted to take Taiwan militarily, it would have to do so very quickly because its lack of control of the sea would make a drawn-out effort a logistical nightmare. And it probabl..."

Taking Taiwan would be problematic at best and a big loser for Xi.

[Philip]

Papaphilly wrote: "Ian wrote: "My view is if China wanted to take Taiwan militarily, it would have to do so very quickly because its lack of control of the sea would make a drawn-out effort a logistical nightmare. An..."

Militarily (I did once upon a time look at it) it would be a mess. To amass and ship enough troops would alert all and sundry - troops on ocean are very vulnerable. Air defence would remove paratrooper threat.

China will play long game and rest of world by not recognising Taiwan as independent has accepted China's claim - just have to persuade Taiwanese - much as Hong Kong is accepted.