Implode-Explode Heavy Industries news feed

William Pfaff: Next Step in Ukraine Crisis Is Unknown

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 17:57:21 GMT

``If the Russians were to try to seize all of Ukraine again, Ukrainians--including many Russian-speakers--would fight again, either against the Russian army, or as the same kind of underground force by which many of the Ukrainian people tried to regain their independence after the Second World War... [thus], the only practical solution to the present situation is negotiated administrative partition of the Ukrainian nation, and "Finlandization" (neutralization) of the country in its international relations, all of this underwritten by Russia, the E.U. and NATO.''

Blowback: Protesters In Kiev Demand Resignation Of Ukraine President

Tue, 15 Apr 2014 14:43:29 GMT

``for the first time since the coup that overthrew Ukraine's president Yanukovich in late February, hours ago a group of protesters assembled in front of the parliament building and on Independence Square in central Kiev, with demands for the resignation of both the interior minister Avakov as well as the acting president Turchinov.''

Europe Folds As Putin Tells It To Pay Ukraine's Gazprom Bill, Or Else

Sun, 13 Apr 2014 17:40:58 GMT

`` what Putin just said is that if Europe wants an uninterrupted supply of gas it better find a way to fund Ukraine to the tune of up to $5 billion, or else the gas may just get shut off. And guess what: Putin is about to win yet again''

China Drills Into the "Roof of the World" to Help Alleviate Foreign Dependence

Sun, 13 Apr 2014 15:02:53 GMT

``The most recent development is a 7-kilometer deep borehole drilled by Chinese resource exploration teams. The exact location of the borehole, the deepest ever drilled at such a high altitude, as well as the companies involved in the exploration are being kept secret. The Plateau is estimated to contain 30-40 million tons of copper, 40 million tons of lead and zinc, and billions of tons of high-grade iron ore--it is also estimated that the Plateau's Qiangtang Basin contains upwards of 70 billion barrels of oil, potentially making it the largest such reserve on the planet. If these estimates are even remotely accurate, the rewards for Beijing will be enormous.''

JPM's Blythe Masters Under Investigation By Federal Prosecutors

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 21:48:21 GMT

``Masters is under investigation by federal prosecutors in Manhattan, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. That probe was opened following a settlement with regulators that alleged JPMorgan manipulated power markets in the Midwest and California." This is somewhat ironic because it was none other than Zero Hedge which asked nearly a year ago if "JPMorgan's "Enron" Will Be The End Of Blythe Masters?" Suddenly, the answer appears to be yes.''

Draghi Seen Easing Policy by June as ECB Readies Rate Cut

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 21:40:29 GMT

``Mario Draghi will probably take action within two months against the threat of deflation, economists said. Almost two-thirds of respondents in the Bloomberg Monthly Survey predicted the European Central Bank president will ease policy by June. Of those economists, just under half said he may implement multiple measures ranging from interest-rate cuts to asset purchases and long-term loans.''

Putin turns up economic heat before Ukraine talks

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 21:43:06 GMT

``Russian President Vladimir Putin turned up the heat on Ukraine on Wednesday by threatening to demand advance payment for gas supplies, a move designed to exert economic pressure as Ukraine confronts possible bankruptcy, a mutiny by pro-Russian separatists in the east and a Russian military buildup across the border.''

Russia can't support Ukrainian economy forever - Putin

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 21:42:16 GMT

``"The Russian Federation doesn't recognize the legitimacy of the authorities in Kiev, but it keeps providing economic support and subsidizing the economy of Ukraine with hundreds of millions and billions of dollars. This situation can't last indefinitely," Putin said... The International Monetary Fund has agreed to provide Ukraine a bailout package of up to $18 billion, but the details are still being worked out. ''

Ukraine's Rust Belt Faces Ruin as Putin Threatens Imports

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 13:10:30 GMT

President Vladimir Putin is threatening to halt Ukrainian imports as he tries to cool his neighbor's plans to integrate trade with Europe after the ouster of its Russian-backed leader in February. Ukraine's east, whose metals and machinery plants rely on demand over the border, has been rocked by pro-Russian separatists who've seized official buildings and taken hostages.
While the eastern regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk are home to 28 percent of Ukraine's 45 million people, they accounted for almost half of industrial output in January-February, statistics service data show. Luhansk sends 70 percent of its exports to Russia, according to the service.

Russia And China About To Sign "Holy Grail" Gas Deal

Wed, 09 Apr 2014 23:08:16 GMT

`` According to Itar-Tass, "Russia's Gazprom and China are poised to conclude a gas supply contract in coming weeks, the first in a series of energy projects planned between the two countries. "We're working now to sign a gas contract in May," said Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich''

Plans for EU gas flows to Ukraine could be blocked by Russia

Mon, 07 Apr 2014 16:43:36 GMT

`` Reverse flows of natural gas from Europe to Ukraine to help it handle Russian price increases and supply cuts would be possible within hours once the infrastructure is in place, but the flows could require approval from Russia's Gazprom first.''

Pro-Russian protesters seize govt buildings in Ukraine's Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov

Mon, 07 Apr 2014 01:18:17 GMT

``Thousands of people waving Russian flags flooded the streets of eastern Ukraine on Sunday. Demonstrators in the cities of Donetsk, Lugansk, and Kharkov seized state offices, while in Donetsk they also demanded an independence referendum.''

Moody's downgrades Ukraine to ‘default imminent'

Sat, 05 Apr 2014 20:47:48 GMT

``The current downgrade drops Ukraine from Moody's "extremely speculative" rating to "default imminent with little prospect for recovery."''

Manila files South China Sea claim

Sat, 05 Apr 2014 15:26:32 GMT

`` After a year of futile diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the South China Sea disputes, the Philippines has risked permanent estrangement with China by pressing ahead this week with an unprecedented arbitration case before a United Nations court at The Hague, while ironing out a new security pact with the United States. ''

Timing the Collapse: Ron Paul Says Watch the Petrodollar

Sat, 05 Apr 2014 15:23:49 GMT

``The Saudis are furious at what they perceive to be the US not holding up its part of the petrodollar deal. They believe that as part of the US commitment to keep the region safe for the monarchy, the US should have attacked their regional rivals, Syria and Iran, by now. This would suggest that they may feel that they are no longer obliged to uphold their part of the deal, namely selling their oil only in US dollars.''

US Threatens Russia Over Petrodollar-Busting Deal

Sat, 05 Apr 2014 00:03:34 GMT

``*U.S. HAS WARNED RUSSIA, IRAN AGAINST POSSIBLE OIL BARTER DEAL *U.S. SAYS ANY SUCH DEAL WOULD TRIGGER SANCTIONS *U.S. HAS CONVEYED CONCERNS TO IRANIAN GOVT THROUGH ALL CHANNELS'' -- See also Russia prepares to attack the petrodollar...

Tour of Ukraine-Russia Border Finds No Signs of Military Buildup - NBC

Fri, 04 Apr 2014 02:23:02 GMT

``We traveled some 500 miles along the border -- sometimes right next to Ukraine, at other times 30 to 40 miles from it -- before we came across any sign of military activity. As we passed Belgorod's army base, near the airport, I recognized the same MI-24 choppers I'd seen on the Internet. We got lucky -- a pair took off as we drove past. We turned back to see them banking within the base's perimeter. Nearby, clusters of military vehicles, mostly heavy trucks, were out in the open, but where were the tanks and artillery?''

Gazprom uses gas to tighten noose on Ukraine

Fri, 04 Apr 2014 02:17:34 GMT

``Gazprom said it had raised the price of gas for Ukraine from $268 to $385 per 1,000 cubic metres, a tariff that may soon jump to $480 as the Kremlin ends the lease discount for Russia's Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol, rendered null and void by the annexation of Crimea. This will push Ukraine's energy costs to crippling levels, far above average EU costs. Gazprom claims that Ukraine owes $16bn for unpaid gas bills, equal to 11pc of GDP.''

What About The Dollar: Russia, Iran Announce $20 Billion Oil-For-Goods Deal

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 13:50:53 GMT

One wonders: is JPM truly that intent in preserving its "pristine" reputation of not transacting with "evil Russians", that it will gladly light the fuse that takes away Russia's choice whether or not to depart the petrodollar voluntarily, and makes it a compulsory outcome, which incidentally will merely accelerate the formalization of the Eurasian axis of China, Russia and India?"

Nato to keep expanding, suspends Russia ties

Wed, 02 Apr 2014 18:46:31 GMT

``Nato states have said the alliance will keep on expanding despite Russia's protests, while freezing most co-operation with Russia over the Ukraine crisis.''