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News Review 08/02/2023
UN Chief Fears Russia-Ukraine Conflict Could Turn into ‘Wider War’
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the world is heading toward a “wider war” as the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate. “The Russian invasion of Ukraine is inflicting untold suffering on the Ukrainian people, with profound global implications. The prospects for peace keep diminishing,” Guterres told the UN General Assembly. “I fear the world is not sleepwalking into a wider war. I fear it is doing so with its eyes wide open,” he added. Guterres’ comments come as the US and its allies continue to escalate military aid for Ukraine, bringing NATO and Russia closer to a direct clash, which could quickly spiral into a nuclear war. The UN chief is the latest world leader to warn that the war in Ukraine could spark a global conflict. Even Western officials in charge of the policy of flooding Ukraine with weapons have recognized the risk. The Rand Corporation, a Pentagon-funded think tank that has been shaping US policies for decades, recognized in a recently issued report titled “Avoiding a Long War” that a protracted conflict brings a greater risk of nuclear war.
Energy Companies Make ‘Obscene’ Profits
UK Energy giant BP has reported record annual profits of £23 billion. These results follow similar bumper profits announced by rivals Shell, Exxon-Mobil and Chevron in the past week. Whilst many across the Western world are struggling with a cost-of-living crisis and are deciding whether they should heat or eat due to the cost of living crisis. These energy companies are lining up for profuse bonuses due to the Ukraine war and due to going back on their fossil reduction pledges.
It's no wonder energy companies have lobbied heavily against a windfall tax as they want little to stand in their way of the obscene profits they make, even as the masses face rising utility bills. Energy executives are the real winners from the misery of others. It was not so long ago that Western governments one after the other privatised state-owned industries under the mantra the private sector is more efficient, and the customer would benefit from low prices. What we see today is families freezing in the winter as they cannot afford rising energy bills and energy executives enjoying Mediterranean cruises on their private yachts as they own these essential utilities.
Huge Earthquake Hits Turkey
More than 5,000 people have been killed and thousands injured by a huge earthquake which struck south-eastern Turkey, near the Syrian border, in the early hours of Monday, 7th February. The earthquake, which hit near the town of Gaziantep, was closely followed by numerous aftershocks - including one quake which was almost as large as the first. The earthquake which was at 7.8 magnitude was felt as far afield as Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece and the Palestinian territories. A second quake, which recorded a magnitude of 7.5, struck just 9 hours later. Many in the earthquake areas and beyond have been questioning the absence of the authorities. Northern areas of Syria were also devastated by the Earthquake, these are the areas that fought against the Al-Assad regime. Bashar al-Assad sensing the opportunity launched an air assault on Marea, in northern Syria immediately after the Earthquake. The British government criticised the regime. Whilst the US government showed no interest in lifting crippling economic sanctions on Syria that are specifically designed to prevent the country’s reconstruction.