Posted originally onMar 3, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has refused to repatriate the bodies of soldiers killed fighting on behalf of Russia. Reports are circulating that Russia has repeatedly asked the nation to transfer bodies, but Pyongyang refuses as it fears civil unrest.
The only information that the people of North Korea can access is what the government provides and most do not know the extent of the war abroad. They have been brainwashed to believe that the rest of the world is living in dire conditions far worse than their own. The regime is allegedly worried that accepting the dead would stain Kim’s invincible carefully orchestrated image and cause outrage among the people who have been living in utter poverty and despair.
What’s worse is that Kim allegedly will not accept the injured either. What happens to the thousands of North Korean troops when the war ends? They now know of the world outside North Korea—the lies have been exposed. Democracy is not an oppressive system and people outside their nation live FAR better than one could have possibly imagined. An inkling of dissent is enough to send the current regime into a tailspin.
The troops cannot defect as North Korean law dictates that THREE GENERATIONS of one’s family must be punished if someone commits a crime. If someone defects, their entire family will be killed or sent off to labor camps. Ukraine could decimate North Korea by shattering the illusion created by the Kim dynasty, but the men have been ordered not to surrender. Ukrainian troops have described their foes as outright suicidal, with many detonating grenades beneath their chin rather than face capture. One Ukrainian soldier said a North Korean troop called out “General Kim Jong Un” before taking his life.
There are now at least 3,000 to 4,000 deceased bodies awaiting proper burial. Between 10,000 to 12,000 men have been sent to Russia thus far, and North Korea said it plans to continue sending troops to Russia in exchange for economic relief.
The 72-year Revolutionary Cycle for North Korea is set to turn up in 2025, suggesting potential for significant changes or upheaval within the country.
North Korea is one of the most militarized nations in the world, hosting 1.2 million troops. Some believe that those deployed to Russia have such a strong loyalty to their leader that they plan to use their battleground experience to continue supporting Kim’s regime back home. But what happens if Pyongyang does not allow these men to return? How effective can rhetoric be when thousands of sons, husbands, nephews, neighbors, and friends never return?
On the other hand, what happens if these men do return home but begin to question their loyalty? Empires fall when the military turns against the very people they have sworn to protect. These men have the potential to form the most powerful alliance and coup that could be capable of the unthinkable—destroying the Kim dynasty and freeing the people of North Korea.
Posted originally on Feb 14, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
There are countless reasons why consumers are reluctant to switch to electric vehicles, with pricing consistently listed as a top concern. Western governments have warned that they will ban fossil fuel vehicle production in the not-so-distant future to meet emissions targets despite lacking the infrastructure or demand for EVs. Every government is hoping that consumers will purchase their new EVs domestically but no one has been able to compete with Chinese EV manufacturing.
China has pumped over $230 billion into its growing EV sector since 2009. Batteries account for around 40% of the total cost of EVs, and companies like BYD are able to maintain low prices are they own the supply chain to create these batteries from the raw materials to the finished packs. BYD has announced that its newest line will cost as little as $9,555, a price no other EV manufacturer has been able to provide.
Additionally, the company has installed its “God’s Eye” driver-assistance system in three models priced under 100,000 yuan ($13,688), providing users with an autonomous driving experience. Yale Zhang, managing director at Automotive Foresight, compared BYD’s developments to DeepSeek, which was developed to compete with ChatGPT at a fraction of the price. “Technology does not need to be high-end and they can fight a price war here,” he stated.
This is especially dire news for Germany and, therefore, Europe, as its auto industry continually declines. Lawmakers refuse to back away from their climate pledges and are forcing manufacturers to make a premature switch without any demand. Volkswagen plans to close at least three factories by 2027 due to declining sales amid the country’s exigency to eliminate fossil fuels, and China has been eyeing their vacant facilities. Germany abandoned economic objectives for climate change objectives and believes it must reduce carbon emissions by 65% within a 5-year period, followed by an 88% reduction into 2040 before meeting gas net neutrality in 2045. China has no such restrictions.
China’s own auto industry grew 156% over a two-year period from 2021 to 2023 after exporting 4.14 million vehicles last year. China is not adhering to the climate change agenda, and those same regulations derived from fictional data are not strangling China’s energy-dependent sectors. Tariffs are preventing the Chinese from offloading EVs to the West.
Even with the 100% tariffs placed on Chinese autos by Canada and the US, this vehicle is far cheaper than any other available EV. These vehicles would be incredibly popular in the West, but rest assured they will find a way to prevent them from being imported or even street legal.
Posted originally on Jan 21, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
Germany’s failing auto sector may prove to be an integral power play for China, as Chinese OEMs are eyeing soon-to-be vacant Volkswagen (VW) factories. Volkswagen plans to close at least three factories by 2027 due to declining sales amid the country’s exigency to eliminate fossil fuels.
Germany once looked to China to offload vehicles, but Chinese-made EVs are drastically more affordable than anything Germany could produce. China provides subsidies for their auto manufacturers, who are able to produce every part necessary for autos domestically. More importantly, Germany has abandoned economic objectives for climate change objectives and believes it must reduce carbon emissions by 65% within a 5-year period, followed by an 88% reduction into 2040 before meeting gas net neutrality in 2045. China has no such restrictions.
China’s own auto industry grew 156% over a two-year period from 2021 to 2023 after exporting 4.14 million vehicles last year. China is not adhering to the climate change agenda, and those same regulations derived from fictional data are not strangling China’s energy-dependent sectors. Tariffs are preventing the Chinese from offloading EVs to the West.
Chinese OEMsare discussing bypassing some tariffs by producing vehicles directly in Germany. One anonymous source told Reuters that a Chinese manufacturer already has plans to purchase a factory in Osnabrueck.
Stephan Soldanski, a union representative from Osnabrueck, said that he believes union workers would have no problem working for a joint venture. The VW closures alone are expected to reduce the workforce by at least 2,500, with 120,000 already receiving a large pay cut ahead of closures. Soldanski also noted that workers would want to continue producing VW vehicles, calling it a “key condition,” but Germany would need to be willing to allow China to infiltrate its most iconic auto producer.
“We are committed to finding a continued use for the site. The goal must be a viable solution that takes into account the interests of the company and employees,” a VW spokesperson said without providing specifics. The company would save money if they sold rather than shut down, but the company’s best interest clearly does not align with the nation’s best interest or the EU’s.
“China has introduced a series of opening-up measures to create new business opportunities for foreign companies … It is hoped that the German side will also uphold an open mind, (and) provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese firms to invest,” a spokesperson from the Chinese side of the negotiating table told Reuters.
It would be monumental for China to take on a stronghold of Germany’s auto sector. Lawmakers are certainly devising ways to prevent this from taking place. Forget Chinese influence, if China were to begin overtaking Germany’s most prominent sector, the entire EU would be at risk. I do not believe Germany or the EU would allow this to happen, as the entire West has made it clear that China is their top competitor, if not an outright enemy. Governments see China’s rapid rise and are desperately attempting to prevent it from becoming the next financial capital of the world.
Posted originally on Jan 21, 2025 by Martin Armstrong
Russia’s CPI reached 9.5% this December as government spending has pulled the reigns away from the central bank. Inflation elevated from 8.9% YoY in November to 9.5%, slightly below expectations of 9.7%. Prices are up 1.3% on a monthly basis overall, but Russians are feeling the impact of war.
Services from 11.4% to 11.5% on the yearly while non-food goods are up from 5.7% YoY to 6.1% Prices at the grocery store have soared from 9.9% YoY to 11.1% as Russia struggles to find reasonably priced imports. Core inflation is up 1% monthly, but up 10% over the past four quarters. The central bank is lightyears away from its 4% inflation target. The spread between rates and inflation is a concerning 11.5%.
Russia’s Central Bank maintained its policy rate of 21% in December. This is not a money supply issue and government cannot curtail spending amid a rapidly escalating war effort. The Kremlin pumped 10 trillion rubles ($100 billion) into military spending last year and that figure will continue to grow. Russia’s economy still grew by 4% in 2024 as it adapted to trade without the West.
Analysts had expected the central bank to raise rates in December, but that would not have deterred government borrowing. The Kremlin also required banks to issue state-direct soft loans to military defense contractors for 25 trillion ($250 billion). As we are seeing in Russia, there is absolutely nothing more inflationary than war.
I have created this site to help people have fun in the kitchen. I write about enjoying life both in and out of my kitchen. Life is short! Make the most of it and enjoy!
This is a library of News Events not reported by the Main Stream Media documenting & connecting the dots on How the Obama Marxist Liberal agenda is destroying America
Centinel2012 