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[US sanction threats against Chinese banks over Russia trade ties risk 'gargantuan' financial instability]

#1

Off the Record / Re: The China Thread

Last post by Jacob - Today at 10:35:03 AM

Parts of the Chinese internet- and some of our family friends in China - are in a tizzy about Blinken's visit to China. I particular the rumour is that if the visit "doesn't go well", China may be "kicked out of SWIFT"- which our friends view in rather apocalyptic terms.

This wasn't on my radar at all, and a quick internet search gives only one hit for me - from the South China Morning Post (it's a paid article, but the headline and intro suffices, I think):

US sanction threats against Chinese banks over Russia trade ties risk 'gargantuan' financial instability

• Reports suggest US has 'preliminarily discussed sanctions on some Chinese banks' over their trade with Russia
• Analysts say moves to remove China from the Swift interbank financial system could create a 'huge problem' for global trade

Washington would create global financial instability, while damaging the United States' already tenuous ties with Beijing, if it carried out reported threats to sanction Chinese banks over their trade with Russia, and even cut China out of the Swift global interbank system, analysts said on Wednesday.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, without elaboration, that Washington was drafting sanctions to help US Secretary of State Antony Blinken persuade Beijing to stop any commercial support for Russia's military production.

Does anyone have any insight on this? Has this been reported significantly in Western media. Do any of you have thoughts on likely scenarios?

#2

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by HVC - Today at 10:31:26 AM

We got a lot of mermaid shows

#3

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by Syt - Today at 10:27:00 AM

Did Skippy the Bush Kangaroo made it to Britain, the USA & the ROC?

Yes. Skippy and Flipper and obviously Lassie

Also: Fury. In terms of Aussie shows, we got Neighbours in the 80s/early 90s,and Flying Doctors.

#4

Off the Record / Re: NHL Hockey thread

Last post by Valmy - Today at 10:08:05 AM

It's false for a reason  

#5

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by OttoVonBismarck - Today at 09:58:07 AM

Point fails--no one is genociding Palestinians. That is part of a false narrative intended to delegitimize Israel.

The current war is one of the least deadly in modern times.

https://imgur.com/a/DHOUcW3

#6

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by grumbler - Today at 09:35:10 AM

Attempts to use Netanyahu to whitewash Nazism / antisemitism is not going to work.

A country having a poor leader doesn't justify their people being genocided or struck with terrorist attacks. It does not undermine the country's legitimate right to exist.

Netanyahu doesn't "whitewash" Nazism, he echoes it.  And the bit about poor leaders not justifying their people getting genocided or struck with terrorist attacks is the point pro-Palestinian moderates are trying to make and Zionists are trying to deny.  "[Having a poor leader] does not undermine the country's legitimate right to exist"  That's exactly the point of the moderate pro-Palestinians are trying to make, and the arch-Zionists deny. There's no excuse for violence against innocents on either side.

#7

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by FunkMonk - Today at 09:28:28 AM

Liverpool cannot be low enough on the table for me to be satisfied with it.

Tamas, I'm chatting with a Chelsea fan on a discord server and he seems to think this Chelsea team will mature and be contenders for the league title in two years. I'm curious if you think similarly.

Hey, so did the Arsenal game answer this? 

I think they could become CL-place contenders IF: 1. we could get a striker who isn't either a complete muppet or near-permanently injured and 2. the current defense is in fact able to learn how to defend

On strikers, I have come to really despise Jackson. It's one thing to be a young striker who lacks confidence in the big leagues, not to mention that Drogba being the last Chelsea striker to actually find the net regularly, has been kind of our thing now for a decade or so. But I don't think its a lack of confidence he certainly seems to think very highly of himself.

I also have lost patience with Pochettino. I don't see where he is having any positive effect. Heck, even Lampard during his first stint you could kinda' see the team of kids he had had hunger even if clearly tactics-wise there was nothing to be excited or even happy about.

I remember under Mourinho (well, his first time with Chelsea, anyways) if they played shit the first half they'd come out with different tactics or at least a different level of motivation. Same with several other managers, not with this dude however. I am not saying he is not a good/decent coach, I readily admit that the current Chelsea must be a friggin' nightmare to manage, a bunch of young kids bought after some American re-watched Moneyball.

But he is not good enough for this situation. Most telling are his substitutions, they often reek of desperation of the "well, might as well try this since I have no idea what to do" kind.

I am semi-seriously yearning for Mourinho to come back. Yes, he'd crash and burn in a couple of seasons the most and no the game has left him behind so he won't turn us into champions overnight, but we need somebody who can out-ego all these kids and used to be being ruthless in drilling a system into a team. Any kind of system and coherence would do.

And... who else of any (past) note would take the job on?

Thanks Tamas.

I'm curious because it took years for Arsenal to fix itself and it is interesting to see how other clubs (I'm think of Chelsea and United particularly) fix themselves too.

I agree with you that Poch is not the guy to build around, especially with how ineptly the club seems to be run by the owners. He is a good coach but he doesn't appear to be ruthless or brave enough for the job. If they got the right guy there I think they could be challenging for a CL spot in a couple seasons.

The other thing I've noticed with their squad, especially on Tuesday lol, was they have no leaders and no spine. No experienced professionals to be examples for this extremely young team. There is a lot of talent at Chelsea but if there is no one to mentor it and prop it up during tough spells then there is no way for them to succeed or grow. It reminds me a lot of how late-Wenger Arsenal would blow over as soon as they got punched in the face.

Anyway, I certainly hate Chelsea and hope the club doesn't succeed 

but I also feel for you and I know how much it sucks to have your club be shit and be everyone's joke  

#8

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 09:13:24 AM

But speaking of British (kinda) TV shows...

I've heard good things about Slow Horses...but is it worth getting AppleTV for?

Not by itself. It's an above average spy series elevated by Gary Oldman.

I disagree. Slow horses by itself is easily a reason to subscribe to Apple TV.  And then, once there you get access to a number of other very good series.

#9

Gaming HQ / Re: New Paradox Tinto Game? EU...

Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 09:11:50 AM

I am all for more complex game. I just hope it works.

#10

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by Gups - Today at 09:08:20 AM

But speaking of British (kinda) TV shows...

I've heard good things about Slow Horses...but is it worth getting AppleTV for?

Not by itself. It's an above average spy series elevated by Gary Oldman.